75 Books...More or Less! discussion

Hi all, I was delighted to see a "75" group. I had a goal of 52 last year and ended with 56, I think 75 will be a challenge but I have a stack of Shel Silverstein's that can boost my numbers if things get really bad.

I started the year with the (1)The Night Circusby Erin Morgenstern which I loved... If every book could be like that then this could be a great year. I'm really looking forward to seeing everyone else's choices too. Thanks for letting me join your group!!!

Welcome to the group Verona! Good luck on your challenge!

Welcome! Good luck hitting your goal!

Thank you Angie and Charleen.

2. Wishin' and Hopin' Wally Lamb. I needed a quick cheery funny read and this did the
3. A Darkness More Than NightMichael Connolly (Harry Bosch #7)
I never thought crime novels were my thing but now I'm hooked and have to keep going till I get through them all ( dotted throughout the year).[

Welcome to the group! Glad to hear you loved the Night Circus. I'm waiting for my copy from the library now.

Thanks christy, well I just returned it to my library so maybe that will bring you some quick news from yours. The book was great and I'm dying to chat to people about it but not too many have read it yet. But the author is definitely talented and talk about creating a visual for the reader.. Some of those pieces are just so beautiful..... Let me know when you read it.

4.The Story of Beautiful Girl. By Rachel Simon.

5. The Thirteenth Tale by Diane SetterfIeld.
I couldn't put it down but I must be a witch as I anticipated most of the twists! Overall I really enjoyed it.

Verona wrote: "5. The Thirteenth Tale by Diane SetterfIeld.
I couldn't put it down but I must be a witch as I anticipated most of the twists! Overall I really enjoyed it."

I loved The Thirteenth Tale! I may need to re-read this one soon.

6. The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen ChBosky 4/5 stars.
I'm not sure on whose list I saw this but it caught my eye and added it ( so thank you whoever just read this!!!!) The story is told by the main character sending letters to a friend sharing his life. Sweet, thoughtful, honest. I just loved it.

A belated welcome to the group Verona! I'm so glad that you found us, please let me know if you have any questions. I can see that you are off to a great start!

7. The Sisters Brothers by Patrick deWitt. 3/5 stars
So over the holidays I had a 5 hour drive to and then back again to St. Louis from Chicago. I downloaded this book for the drive. Maybe that im not used to listening to books but lordy, I suffered through this one. And eventaually reverted to singing Christmas carols ( and 80's music!!!) so I wouldn't drive my self into oblivion. Well I just finished the book today. Might the the last one I listen to vs. read for a long time.

And thanks for the welcome Andrea, I'm thrilled I found you guys too.

8. The Lady of Bolton Hill by Elizabeth Camden. Simple book with a moral... Not my kind of book

9. The Leftovers by Tom Perotta 3/5
I enjoyed this book but found it sad and depressing at the same time. But it opened my eyes to how people react when they are left behind/leftover! Not trying to be cryptic but wouldn't want to ruin it for anyone, however, the book definitely left me thinking. Not for those who like things wrapped up in a bow at the end.

10.American Gods by Neil Gaiman. 3.5/5 I had read Neverwhere by this author previously and really liked it, this one I like too. He definitely understands fantasy and is very creative. I have been reading this book since early January but would read others in between as it isn't my favorite genre.... But I always wanted to know what was going to happen next so it kept me coming back.... Ok, on to the next one.

Verona wrote: "10.American Gods by Neil Gaiman. 3.5/5 I had read Neverwhere by this author previously and really liked it, this one I like too. He definitely understands fantasy and is very creative...."

Gaiman is always INTERESTING . . .

11. Signed, Mata Hari by Yannick Murphy.

12. The Tiger's Wife byTéa Obreht 3/4 stars.

13. Every Last One by Anna Quindlen 3 stars- maybe 4.

14. City of Bones by Michael Connelly? Yes I'm still on my Michael Connelly stint. Who knew I like crime writing so much??

15. Lost Light by Michael Connelly.

16. The WaveWalter Mosley 1 star. Help I need a decent book to read. Last books that I loved were The night circus and cutting for stone..... Anyone got suggestions??????

17.The Master Butchers Singing Club byLouise Erdrich 4/5
18. The Narrows byMichael Connelly 4/5

verona, I have The Leftovers by Tom Perotta right next to me, we'll have to chat after I read it!

19. The Closers byMichael Connelly 4/5

20. Pope Joan by Donna Woolfolk Cross 3.5/5.

Wow! You are really showing this challenge who's boss!

Joy wrote: "Wow! You are really showing this challenge who's boss!". Thanks Joy, I was definitely on a good run. I'm reading now instead of tv.. So good not to be watching for the sake of it.

21. Echo Park byMichael Connelly
22. Defending Jacob: A Novel byWilliam Landay. Really enjoyed this one 4/5 stars although it did stress my out while reading it.

Verona wrote: "21. Echo Park byMichael Connelly
22. Defending Jacob: A Novel byWilliam Landay. Really enjoyed this one 4/5 stars although it did stress..."

I have Defending Jacob sitting on my table right now waiting to be read.. I don't think it is my typical read but it looks REALLY good! Glad to see you enjoyed it! =)

23. The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh 4stars
24. Hounded byKevin Hearne 5 stars
25.Hexed by Kevin Hearne 4.5 stars

26. The Overlook by Michael Connelly
27. The Brass Verdict by Michael Connelly
28.The Lincoln Lawyer by Michael Connelly

29. HammeredKevin Hearne
30. The Monkey's Raincoat by Robert Crais
31. The Dirty Life: On Farming, Food, and Love by Kristin Kimball

32. Tricked by Kevin Hearne. I love love love me some Iron Druid..not as good as Hounded or Hexed but love the running dialog between Atticus and Oberon.

33. Sick Puppy by Carl Hiaasen 3ish stars, started out good but.....not sure, overall a decent read however was excited to move onto my next book. I suppose I can't gush about every book.

34. The Redbreast by Jo Nesbø

35. Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout. This book had been on my to be read for a long while. I wanted more from this book. 2-3 stars.

36. Nemesis byJo Nesbø 3 stars
37. These Things Hidden by Heather Gudenkauf
38.The Mill River Recluse by Darcie Chan

Verona wrote: "36. Nemesis byJo Nesbø 3 stars
37. These Things Hidden by Heather Gudenkauf
38.The Mill River Recluse by Darcie Chan"

Verona, I read "The Mill River Recluse" this year, too. What did you think of it?

Kay wrote: "Verona wrote: "36. Nemesis byJo Nesbø 3 stars
37. These Things Hidden by Heather Gudenkauf
38.The Mill River Recluse by Darcie Chan"

Verona, I read "The Mill River Recluse" this year, too. What di..."

Hi Kay, I liked the book overall and gave it 3 stars. I think I was waiting for something bigger to happen in it though. Plus her life made me sad which is what the author was trying to evoke. I suppose it's mean of me to say I wanted there to be more, but I felt a lot of it was predictable except the revelation ( won't say more so as not to spoil for others).. What did you think?

Out of order but who cares except for my OCD self........

39. Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn 4 stars.
Loved how this book was written.

40.The Magicians by Lev Grossman 3 stars

41. The Devils Star by Jo Nesbø 2 stars- disappointing.

Verona wrote: "Out of order but who cares except for my OCD self........

39. Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn 4 stars.
Loved how this book was written.

I've been hearing lots of good things about Gone Girl, but I have a question: how did you like the characters? Because I read another book by Flynn (Dark Places) and while I thought the story was good, I hated every character. I think I'd be more willing to give Gone Girl a chance if I thought I'd be able to connect with the characters more.

Charleen wrote: "Verona wrote: "Out of order but who cares except for my OCD self........

39. Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn 4 stars.
Loved how this book was written.

I've been hearing lots of good things about Gone ..."


Gosh Charleen, what a great question. I have to say, I didn't like all the characters in this book, with the main ones I really feel that the author was gong for exactly that feeling. They annoyed me at times, weak at others, manipulative, blah, sad and of course the odd reflection where I said - give me a break. I have some much more to say about the book but really don't want to give anything away. A couple of unexpected moments but another where I was like - come on!!!!!!! But I really liked the writing, and for me, that gives me a big smile!!!!! Give it a go, I sucked it down in a couple of hours over a few days... I didn't love every aspect of the book, but any book that makes me not want to put it down so I can sleep - has got to be half decent...and considering I've read a few crap ones- its nice to read a book and be happy I picked it up. V.

Verona, you are reading a lot of the books on my wish list!!! I'm going to have to come back and reread your comments when I get to the book.

Andrea wrote: "Verona, you are reading a lot of the books on my wish list!!! I'm going to have to come back and reread your comments when I get to the book."

Andrea, I'm always looking for good suggestions, so I will have to keep up with your books since we are on a similar wavelength!!!
Hope all is good with you. V

42. The Snowman by Jo Nesbø 3 1/2 stars.

43. On the Jellicoe Road byMelina Marchetta. I gave ths book 3.5 stars. I wasn't able to make sense of the first couple of chapters easily for some reason. But as I got into the book a little more, I really enjoyed it. I shed quite a few tears too.

44. Dolly and the Singing Bird aka. Rum Affair by Dorothy DunnettRum Affair. 3 stars
45. Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy by John le Carré 3 stars
46. War Brides by Helen Bryan 3 stars

47. Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier 3.5 stars
48. Panserhjerte by Jo Nesbø 3.5 stars
49. The Abbey by Chris Culver 3.5 stars
50. Death Comes to Pemberley by P.D. James

51. Fall of Giants byKen Follett 4 stars
52. Killing Floor by Lee Child 4 stars
53. Die Trying by Lee Child 3 stars
54. A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini 4 stars