Challenge: 50 Books discussion

1. Story of a Beautiful Girl - Rachel Simon

Interesting book about disabilities and how disabled were treat years ago.

2. The Museum of Innocence - Orhan Pamuk

This book takes place in Istanbul. A story of a man addicted to the love of a woman and how it took over his whole life. Very well written.

3. 1Q84 - Marakima

Although this is not my genre it was very well written but a tad too long. A futuristic play on 1984.

4. My Antonia - Willa Cather

A beautifully written classic.

5. Brothers Karamazov - Dostoevsky

An old Russian classic.

6. The Marriage Plot - Eugenides

this book started out funny then it got very sad
If you are interested in learning a bit about BiPolar and how it affects a person, their family and their friends, this is a good introduction.

7. Home Front - Kristin Hannah

First I read about BiPolar now PTSD. Oy!

8. Between Here and April - Deborah Copaken Kogan

Interesting and well written.

9. On Gold Mountain - Lisa See

Had some interesting moments, it dragged a bit and not one of her best.

10. These is my Words --- Nancy E Turner

If you are following my reviews and haven't read this book it is highly recommended. Don't miss out on this great read.

11. What We Do For Love - Kristan Hannah

A nice, light read that tugs at your heart.

12. 11/22/63 Stephen King

Pretty well written just not my genre.

13. Defending Jacob

Interesting book with moral dilemma. A real what would you do?

14. Distant Shores - Kristin Hannah

15. The Shoemaker's Wife - Trigiani

I really enjoyed this book loosely about Italian immigration.

16. A Secret Kept - Tatiana de Rosnay

I hated this book. To go from Sarah's Key to this, so sad.

Meg wrote: "3. 1Q84 - Marakima

Although this is not my genre it was very well written but a tad too long. A futuristic play on 1984."

I've been trying to decide whether or not to pick up this book or not. Would you recommend it out for others to read? I'm still on the fence about it. =)

If you like this genre I would recommend it. People I talk to loved it.

Meg wrote: "16. A Secret Kept - Tatiana de Rosnay

I hated this book. To go from Sarah's Key to this, so sad."

I totally agree Meg! She has another book out and I'm debating whether to read it or not.

I am done with her after this one Beth

17. The Secrets of Mary Bowser Lois Leveen

another boring book, it was a chore

18. Ulysses - James Joyce

You have to be a genius to read this book; unfortunately, I am not one

19. Snow = Orham Pamuk

I love this author.

I so disliked Sarah's Key (especially the contemporary characters) that I gave up on the author then.

Rose

I was fortunate enough to take a five-session class on Ulysses. The teacher supplemented our reading with a segments of different videos and some audio tapes. He also gave us some wonderful insights into Joyce's words.
I would never have gotten through it without a guide!

Rose

We did it in another group with lots of support and additional websites that helped. But it was really really hard to read. If you are interested in following our thread it was in Chicks on Lit, chunky read. Some really interesting additions to the reading.

20. Pearl of China - Anchee Min

This book was so well written and so interesting. Highly recommended especially if you want to learn more about The Cultural Revolution and Pearl Buck.

21. The Madonnas of Leningrad - Debra Dean

I am giving it a very low 3 but should be a 2, I found it very disjointed, hard to read and hard to become involved.

22. Year of Wonders: A Novel of the Plague
by Geraldine Brooks

A really great book, I highly recommend it.

23. In One Person - John Irving

I still can't believe that John Irving wrote this. It is was like a modern version of Portnoy's Complaint. Very vivid detail about same sex sex which I could have done without. Very disappointing. The story line was kind of interesting but.........

24. Brother's - Yu Hua

A very different cultural experience. Some laugh out loud humor. Not the best written book in the world but I did enjoy this one.

25. The Island - Elin Hilderbrand

A good beach/summer read but very predictable.

26. The World We Found

A low 3. I love this author but it isn't her best work.

27. Gone Girl - Flynn

I loved this book. A real page turner and thought provoking.

28. In the Time of the Butterflies - Julia Alvarez

Trujillo and the Dominican Republic.

29. Unorthodox - Feldman

Some interesting information about Hasidism.

30. The Tiger's Wife

Parts of this book was really good but I found it a bit disjointed and hard to follow at times.

31. Telegraph Avenue - Chabon

Another book I found disjointed, and disappointing. I couldn't get into the characters.

Meg wrote: "31. Telegraph Avenue - Chabon

Another book I found disjointed, and disappointing. I couldn't get into the characters."

Darn, I've been looking forward to this one.

My favorite of his is the Adventures of Kavelier and Clay. Have you read any others by Chabon?

My favorite of his was The Adventures of Cavalier and Clay. Have you read that one? Any others by Chabon?

I absolutely loved Cavalier & Clay. It is one of my all-time favorites and I have been meaning to reread it. I read The Yiddish Policemen's Union, thinking that the setting sounded fascinating. In actuality, the book seemed just to be a crime novel, with not too much attention to the setting. I also read The Final Solution which was good, but not great, even though it had wonderful cover art (!)

32. City of Women - Gillham

The title says it all. WWII, Berlin. Very well written.

33. A Suitable Boy - Seth

I liked this book but it was way too long for even me. It is the sixth longest book ever written, I feel like I climbed Mt Everest! It should count as 10 books.

34. Silent HOuse - Pamuk

What I love most about this author is going through the journey of his characters and their inner torture.

35. Winter of the World - Ken Follett

I liked this much better than Book One. I think the problem with the first book was that each chapter dealt with a different character and made it difficult to follow. Book Two, Follett changed the style and was a lot more successful. WWII has always been a period of history I am drawn to read about.

36. Silver Girl - Elin Hilderbrand

Ok formulaic book.

37. A Summer Affair by Elin Hilderbrand

A nice quick read

38. The Last Empress - Anchee Min

What a wonderful writer. The book was historical, interesting and very well written. Highly recommended.

39. Shadow of the Wind - Zafon

I loved this book.