Challenge: 50 Books discussion

Here we go

1. The First Desire - Nancy Reisman

Didn't do much for me

2. Mambo In Chinatown - Jean Kwok

I really enjoyed this book. It gave a glimpse of Chinese assimilation

3. The Twelfth Child - Bette Lee Crosby

A good light read

4. Interpreter of maladies - Jhumpa Lahiri

Short stories are not my favorite. That being said The Namesake was better. I do like the author's style

5. The Aviators Wife - Melanie Benjamin

This book was hard for me to take

6. The Girl You Left Behind - Jojo Noyes

What a great read. Highly recommended

7. Previously Loved Treasures by Bette Lee Crosby

I love stories with happy endings. Very readable

8. Baby Girl - Bette Lee Crosby

I really liked this book.

Everyone has loved a person that is totally wrong for them. But when you do it more than once it becomes a pattern. The question is can you break the pattern.

9. A Tale for the Time Being - Ruth Ozeki

Well written but there were so many subplots I had trouble staying interested

10. Isaac"s Storm by Erik Larson

A very interesting book about The Great Hurricane that left 10,000 people dead in Galveston

11. Apron Strings

A sad story about the unraveling of a Southern family and the poor treatment of their hired help. The detrimental affects of alcoholism

12. Lady in Gold - Anne-Marie O'Connor

History of Austria before, during and after WWII and what happens to the artwork taken by the Nazis

13. Memory House - Bette Lee Crosby

14. When The Elephants Dance by Tess Uriza Holthe

Story about some of the history of the Phillipines. Really excellent

15. Devil in the White City - Larson

Interesting facts but you don't get a real clear insight of the serial killer

16. Fall on Your Knee- Ann-Marie MacDonald

A good read but it gets weird at times.

17. lilac girls by Mary Hall Kelly

This book was exceptional. There was so much to it. It made it even more so when you read what the author has to say about her writings

18. Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts

This was an interesting view of India; however, it was way too long which deflated my rating of the book

19. First Comes Love - Emily Giffin

20. The Regrets of Cyrus Dodd by Bette Lee Crosby

This is a good book with good character development. Some you will love some not so much. You will definitely be rooting for the main characters

21. Cutting For Stone by Abraham Verghese

This book was so well written. I highly recommend ir

22. Killer Looks - Fairstein

The first few chapters are poorly written but if you can get past that the story is somewhat interesting taking place in NYC during fashion week

23. I Always Loved You - Robin Oliveira

I loved this book. It is the story of Mary Cassatt and Degas. Through in Renoir, Marisot, Manet and Monet. Love French Impressionists and you have the perfect novel

24. The Dollhouse by Fiona Davis

This was a fun book about people who lived in a the Barbizon Hotel in NYC

25. Sympathiser by Nyugen

Did not like this Pulitzer selection

Congratulations! You've reached the half way point.

Thank you!

26. Strapless but Deborah Davis

Great book about John Singer Sargent and his painting Madame X

27. Guilty Minds - Finder

This book was ok but way too long for a mystery close to 600 pages

28. Wire walker - Mary Hall

Really good book about drugs, poverty and dog fighting. Not for someone with a weak stomach

29. Harmony by Parkhurst

30. The Nest

A lot of hype and I couldn't get into this book

31. The Guest Room by Chris Bohjalian

I am partial to the author and the 802. The topic is a difficult one, sex slaves. Well written

32. The Japanese Lover by Isabel Allende

Beautiful love story about impossible love, damn society!

33. Little Nothing by Marisa Silver

An adult fairy tale. Holds your interest

34. 104 East Palace by Jennet Conant

Very interesting book about Los Alamos, Oppenheimer and the atomic bomb

35. The Muse by Jessie Burton

A good book about family wars and art

36. Vinegar Girl by Anne Tyler

Fun updated version of The Taming of The Shrew

37. Silver Threads by Bette Lee Crosby

My favorite book by this author so far

38. Underground Railroad by Whitehead

This book was so good

39. Hologram For The King by David Eggers

This novel went nowhere

40. Some Luck by Jane Smiley

A good easy read. Book I of the trilogy

41. Little Paris Bookstore - George

42. Dreaming in Cuba by C Garcia

I really liked this book. It gave good insight to life in Cuba, immigrant life in NY and Miami and the role of women

43. A Blaze of Glory by Jeff Schaara

This book was extremely well written. I learned a lot about the battle of Shiloh

44. Early Warning by Jane Smiley

Good second book of the trilogy

45. A House Without Windows - Nadia Hashemite

So well written

46. Shiri by D S Tyler
Please read my posted review

47. Three Sisters Three Queens by Philippa Gregory

I loved this book and I love Philippa Gregory