Challenge: 50 Books discussion

I just finished "A Game of Thrones". More to follow!

(2) The Lost City of Z - very interesting and quite engaging. Very cool to learn more about the Amazon.
(3) So Long, See You Tomorrow - quiet read, but still good.

(4) The Soul Thief, by Charles Baxter - very quick and intriguing read, one that may benefit from a reread to see how the ending influences what happens throughout.

(5) A Clash of Kings, George R.R. Martin (book #2 in the Song of Fire and Ice series Game of Thrones kicked off) - I am getting majorly hooked on this series, which will definitely make reaching 50 a challenge as each book is around 800-900 pages! Just started the 3rd book though, and so far there are only 4.

Started The Host by Stephanie Meyer of Twilight fame, but it didn't hook me. Gave up after 100 pages or so, which is rare for me.

(6) Storm of Swords, George R.R. Martin (book #3 in Song of Fire and Ice). Still addicted to the series!

(7) Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet, Jamie Ford - very sweet love story between two young people in WWII Seattle, one of Chinese heritage, the other a 3rd generation Japanese American.

(7) Feast for Crows - the last published book in Martin's Song of Ice and Fire series. Now I have to be patient for the next one!

(8) Soul Key - Olivia Williams. Fun, junky Sci-fi.

(9) The Fourth Hand, John Irving - very thoughtful and definitely laughed out loud on the train a few times.

(10) Look Again - definitely a page-turner, though a little predictable. Still hit some good emotional points though.

(11) My Life in France, Julia Child - made me want to go back to France and live there.

(12) The Kitchen God's Wife, Amy Tan - touching mother/daughter story.

(13)The Yiddish Policeman's Union, Michael Chabon - another intriguing read by this author. Very interesting mystery intertwined with an alternate history branching off from WWII.

(14) The Ghosts of Belfast - very taut thriller, that also made you think.

(15) American on Purpose, Craig Ferguson - enjoyable read from my favorite late night host. Despite tough spots in his life, he still seems to view things in a positive, warm way.

(16) Half of a Yellow Sun, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie - novel set during the war for Biafra's independence from Nigeria in the late 60s. Told from 3 different perpectives. Engaging and heartbreaking.

(17) A Child in Time, Ian McEwan - One of his earliest novels, this was a very affecting story abouta couple whose child is kidnapped.

(18) Olive Kitteridge, Elizabeth Strout - each chapter is essentially a short story, some focusing totally on the title character, some with just a mention. Good read, though I wish I knew more about Olive.

(19) Let the Great World Spin, Colum McCann - each chapter is from someone else's point of view during a time in NYC when a tightroper walked between the Twin Towers. Connections develop between these people in uxpected and lovely ways.

(20) Committed, Elizabeth Gilbert - a follow up to "Eat, Pray, Love" that was a very interesting foray into the study of marriage, past, present and future.

(21) The Man Who Ate the World, Jay Rayner - food/travel memoir about the search for the perfect meal. Most of the time, very funny, and definitely mouth-watering.

(22) America America, Ethan Canin - engaging story of a pivotal time in a young man's life involving a political scandal.

(23) The Brief History of the Dead, Kevin Brockmeier - intriguing story of a place inbetween death and the afterlife.

(24) Accordian Crimes, Annie Proulx - Depressing vignettes following an accordian and it's owners throughout the years. Every single one of these people (save one, with the shortest story) is miserable and just not pleasant to be around or read about.

(25) Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, Barbara Kingsolver - so good, thank goodness, and also uplifting and inspiring. It will really change how I will be shopping for and preparing my food.

(26) The Awakening/The Struggle, L.J. Smith - the first 2 Vampire Diaries books, though am counting as one. Good beach read.

(27) The Fury/Dark Reunion, L.J. Smith - 3rd and 4th in series, and ditto.

(28) Dead Until Dark, Charlaine Harris - 1st of the Sookie Stackhouse books. Another fun one to compare to the subsequent tv series.

(29)Cloud Atlas, David Mitchell - This one blew me a way. Such a unique structure and all of the stories just pulled me in utterly.

(30) The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo - finally jumped on this bandwagaon, and it did not disappoint. It's the definition of a page turner. I read every chance I could get.

(31) Bee Season, Myla Goldberg - absorbing story about a very messed up family.

(32) Daphne, Justine Picardie - an engaging story about the author of Rebecca, as well as a contemporary story of a grad student researching her.

(33) Wives and Daughters, Elizabeth Gaskell - an Austen/Bronte period story that was completely delightful.

(34) The Left Hand of Destiny - Book 1, J.G. Hertzler - fun, frothy sci-fi book.

(35) The Left Hand of Destiny - Book 2, J.G. Hertzler - conclusion to the above

(36) Role Models, John Waters - one of the best books I have read all year. Hilarious and thought provoking.

(37)The Confessions of Catherine de Medici, C.W. Gortner - an intersting look from Catherine's point of view, with a more sympathetic view.

(38) Never Let Me Go, Kazuo Ishigure - intriguing story that slowly reveals the horrors of an alternate history Britain.

(39) Gaudi, Gils van Hensbergen - a by the numbers but still interesting Gaudi biography.

(40) Sarah's Key, Tatiana de Rosnay - an engaging and emotional look at Nazi-occupied France and the after effects years down the road.

(41-43) Star Trek: Destiny (trilogy), David Mack - some more sci-fi fun, and a page turning trilogy

(44) The Forgotten Garden, Kate Morton - told from 3 different points a view, a mystery surrounding a woman's identity

(45) The Girl Who Played With Fire - number 2 in the trilogy. Another page turner.

(46) Outlander, Diana Gabaldon - read it about 5 years ago, so this was a re-read. Just as good the 2nd time!

(47) Daisy Miller, Henry James - engaging novella with an entertaining but misunderstood heroine

(48) Family Man, Elinor Lipman - sweet and comic read.

Only 2 more to go!

(49) Falling Angels, Tracey Chevalier - used the different person perspective chapter to chapter, telling the story of 2 intertwined families in early 20th century England.

(50) The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest, Stieg Larsson - probably my favorite of the three. Excellent payoff.

And I finished with 2 weeks to spare. Not bad!