The Next Best Book Club discussion

Well I have a few things I want to accomplish. I read 45 books last year and I think I wanted to read 75. So I am going to aim for 50 this year. Within this goal I'd like to accomplish a few others things. First, I'd like to actually work on reducing my physical TBR this year. So I want to read 25 books that I currently own. (It'll make a small dent)
Second I would also like to read some more classics, I am going to commit to 5 at this time and see where it goes.

Five Classics in 2010

1. The Great Gatsby F. Scott Fitzerald

2. Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

3. The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne

4. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

5.

My 2010 Reading List
(Books with an * were from my physical TBR.)

*1.(1/2/10) The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

2. (1/9/2010) The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan.

* 3. (1/10/10) The Alchemist by Paulo Coehlo

4. (1/18/10) The Secret Life of CeeCee Wilkes by Diane Chamberlain.

I just ordered the Secret Life of CeeCee Wilkes. Looks like it got great reviews from everyone here, Can't wait to read!

I enjoyed it. It moved pretty quickly. I hope you like it.

How did you like The Forest of Hands and Teeth?

I enjoyed it at the end. There was a lot left unanswered though and it took awhile for me to connect with the main character. I did find it worth it overall. Interesting read.

Book 5: Completed 1/28/10 The Year of Fog by Michelle Richmond.

*Book 6: Completed 1/30/10 The Cloud of Unknowing by Thomas Cook.

Book 7: Completed 1/31/10 The Courage Tree by Diane Chamberlain

Oops I haven't been updating.

Book 8: Complete 2/15/10 Ballad by Maggie Stiefvater.
*Book 9: Completed 3/6 The Cellist of Sarajevo
*Book 10: Completed 3/11 The Firefly Lane
*Book 11: Completed 3/25 The Help.

How did you like Cellist of Sarajevo? I have that one on my list, as well as Firefly Lane. Would you recommend either?

I liked them both for different reasons. The Cellist of Sarajevo was a short book from several perspectives surrounding the siege of Sarajevo. Each perspective brought a lot to the book. Though I felt it was sparse there was so much power in it. I didn't know anything really about the history, but it sparked an interest because I looked up a lot.

Firefly Lane was a lighter read to a degree, but the ending was heartbreaking. It's a story of two girls friendships spanning about 30 years. You really get into the characters. I loved them at times, hated them at others.

I would recommend both, but if you are still in the mood for something light, don't pick up Cellist right away, it is a tough emotional read, but well worth it, in my opinion.

Book 12: Completed 3/29 Secrets She Left Behind by Diane Chamberlain.

Book 13: Completed 3/30 [Book: The Color of Water] by James McBride

Book 14: Completed 4/2 [Book: Saving CeeCee Honeycutt] by Beth Hoffman

Book 15: Completed 4/9 The Things That Keep Us Here by Carla Buckley.

Book 16: Completed 4/16 The Space Between Us by Thrity Umrigar.

Book 17: Completed 4/24 The Girl Who Fell From the Sky by Heidi Durrow.

Book 18: Completed 5/10 A Reliable Wife by Robert Goolrick.

Book 19: Completed 5/14 The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzerald.

Book 20: Completed 5/17 Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah

Book 21: Completed 5/22 Hot Six by Janet Evanovich

Wow!! You have 20 books!! You're really starting to get ahead!! Keep it up, you're doing great!!

Thanks, I'll definitely pick up over the summer. Can't wait for some uninterrupted reading time.

Book 22: Completed 5/23 Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen.

Book 23: Completed 5/29 The Diva Runs out of Thyme by Krista Davis

Book 24: Completed 6/5 [Book: Seven Up] by Janet Evanovich

Book 25: Completed 6/8 The Murderer's Daughters Randy Susan Meyers

book 26: Completed 6/13 The Bone Garden by Tess Gerritsen

Book 27: Completed 6/13 The Scent of Rain and Lightning by Nancy Pickard

Book 28: Completed 6/22 Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

Book 29: Completed June 28 [Book: The Diva Takes the Cake] by Krista Davis

Cute cozy mystery series that I enjoy between more difficult reads!

Book 30: Completed July 1 The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne.

This is a re-read from my high school years.

Book 31: Completed July 4 The Virgin of Small Plains by Nancy Pickard. A quick mystery of a 17 year old crime that changes the way several people see the world.

Book 32: Completed July 5 Swallows of Kabul by Yasmina Khadra. A very powerful and beautifully written tale of the tragic loss of identity and humanity in Kabul during the Taliban rule.

Book 33: Completed July 20 The Angel's Game by Carlos Ruiz Zafon. Interesting book with a lot of surprises!

Book 34: Completed July 22 Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte. Absolutely Loved it!

Book 35: Completed July 25 Tinkers by Paul Harding. Amazing language, very metaphorical. Still contemplating it.