You'll love this one...!! A book club & more discussion

My best of 2013 list:

I Was a Dancer - the story of ballet dancer Jacques D'Amboise. He worked with Balanchine in the old days and he has a remarkable gift for storytelling.

Doc - Fictional account of the life of Doc Holiday. Mary Doria Russell is the author I envy the most. I wish I could write like her! This is such a wonderful book (and I thought I would dislike a "cowboy" novel). Can't wait for the sequel to come out in the fall!

Rise to Rebellion and it's sequel, The Glorious Cause by Jeff Shaara. Fantastic historical fiction about the American Revolution.

Evidence of Things Unseen. I rarely give five stars to works of fiction, but this one earned every star. Amazing story, brilliant prose, and a depth that impresses.

The Grapes of Wrath. I had never read Steinbeck before, and now that I've "discovered" him, I can't wait to read his other works!

Hawaii. I love historical fiction and this book is tops. Michener is a master at this genre.

The Kitchen House. Wonderful novel of slavery in the deep south.

Cane River. The author's family history of slavery in Louisiana. I especially loved the generations of strong women and mixed races portrayed. Fascinating!

The Story of Edgar Sawtelle - Great story, prose, depth and dogs!

Here are a few stinkers:

Burr
A Pigeon and a Boy
The Blacker the Berry

Fahrenheit 451 Fahrenheit 451 This book is a thinker. The thought of burned books upsets me

Us all!!! *shudders and teeth chatter*

Suzanne wrote: "My best of 2013 list:

I Was a Dancer - the story of ballet dancer Jacques D'Amboise. He worked with Balanchine in the old days and he has a remarkable gift for storytelling.

[book:..."

Thanks Suzanne - just added a bunch to my list!

Your welcome, Lilisa! I got quite a few from this thread as well:)

I've also added a few from your list Suzanne. Thanks!

Happy reading, Sarah!

Suzanne wrote: "My best of 2013 list:

I Was a Dancer - the story of ballet dancer Jacques D'Amboise. He worked with Balanchine in the old days and he has a remarkable gift for storytelling..."

Funny, Suzanne. I loved The Story of Edgar Sawtelle until the last couple of chapters. I absolutely hated the ending and would have listed it as a Worst if I had not blocked it out of my mind.

re your list of worst. I read Burr many, many years ago and found it a facinating story and the only Gore Vidal book I have ever gotten through.

Best of 2013:

Before Ever After
The Troop
11/22/63
Swan Song
The Light Between Oceans

I also liked : Genesis and Dark Places.

Some books just didn't do it for me and got low scores:

CyberStorm
Cassandra French's Finishing School for Boys (disturbing)
Letters In Cardboard Boxes
The Almond Tree
War Brides

I didn't like Soulless ( I guess steampunk isn't for me) and The Orchid House either.

Cherie wrote: "Suzanne wrote: "My best of 2013 list:

I Was a Dancer - the story of ballet dancer Jacques D'Amboise. He worked with Balanchine in the old days and he has a remarkable gift for story..."

I wonder if you'd feel the same way if you read Burr today. I had read Vidal's Lincoln years ago and liked it, but now, I don't think I would enjoy it as much. There are too many authors out there that are more my style than Vidal.