Challenge: 50 Books discussion

Tony Horwitz: Confederates in the Attic

Two more:
Simple Truth by Jodi Picoult
The Art of Mending by Elizabeth Berg

# 4
Better: A Surgeon's Notes on Performance
by Atul Gawande

Very interesting treatise on the state of healthcare in the US. Highly recommended.

# 5
Time Traveler's Wife
by Audrey Niffenegger

Good read...however I've talked to others who actually HATED it...can't wait for the movie to be released.

#6 - The Associate by John Grisham

Certainly not his best work -- in fact, probably in the lower two-thirds. The plot had promise, but there were so many areas that it feel short. And the ending really was disappointing....if you LOVE Grisham, you could give it a try, but don't expect it to inspire you.

#7 - Church of the Dog by Kaya McLaren

a really sweet book -- some spiritualism, great characters, and a great dose of a strong women being themselves.

#8 - Dead Ringer by Lisa Scottolini

an earlier Bennie Rosato book that I had missed. Not her best, but always good for an escape.

#9 Uncommon Grounds by Sandra Balzo

new mystery series....starting in a cappucino place, where the milk frother is rigged to KILL....cute, escapism....and there are more in the series!

#10 Plum Lovin'
by Janet Evanovich

It's a between the letters book -- a quick read, with several good belly laughs in it...her descriptions of 'life in the 'hood' are not to be missed.

We love Steph! A New Jersy hooray for 10!

#11 Hard Row
by Margaret Maron

#12 Shooting at Loons
by Margaret Maron

#13 Life Sentences
by Laura Lippman

#14
Lethal Legacy
by Linda Fairstein

#15
Dying in Style
Elaine Viets

#16
Between The Tides
by Patti Callahan Henry

Elaine Viets who used to have a column in the St. Louis DisPatch? Did you enjoy the book?

When I lived in St. Louis I loved her column...I read her first book and was disappointed. How's this one?

Fran wrote: "Elaine Viets who used to have a column in the St. Louis DisPatch? Did you enjoy the book?"

Probably, because the book is about a "Secret Shopper" and takes place in St. Louis....try it -- it was very entertaining!

#17
I Feel Bad About My Neck
by Nora Ephron

Very good -- for a woman of "a certain age" -- rang very true and was full of her great wit.

#18
Coast Road
by Barbara Delinsky

#19
TRUE DETECTIVES, by Jonathan Kellerman

# 20
WHISPER TO THE BLOOD
by Dana Stabenow

#21
SHOP TIL YOU DROP
by Elaine Viets

#22
American Woman
by Susan Choi

Interesting read -- particularly for folks of a "certain age" with clear recollections of the SLA and the Patty Hearst "kidnapping" -- the story is retold, but only the names have been changed as far as I can tell. Initially I didn't like it, because from my perspective it was billed as fiction -- once I resigned myself to the fact that it was a retelling of a well-known event (and of course, figured out who the re-named individuals were), I enjoyed it. There are well-developed characters, and Choi has an almost poetic writing style -- something that would have likely been missing if this had been a true "non-fiction" work.

#23
We Are All Welcome Here
by Elizabeth Berg

#24
Heart and Soul
by Maeve Binchy

#25
The Rose of Sebastopol
by Katherine McMahon

Hey -- just realized -- I'm HALFWAY!!!!

yes you are!!!!

I've just found out that my only grandchild is moving to this area, so my reading time is likely to decrease...wish me luck

How fun for you!!!! Don't worry one bit about your reading; have a ball!

Jan wrote: "I've just found out that my only grandchild is moving to this area, so my reading time is likely to decrease...wish me luck"

Good luck, and have fun! Maybe you could read to or with your grandchild. What a fun opportunity you have to share your love of books. Just a suggestion of course. Have fun in whatever way you can, and enjoy that little one!

Amanda R. in Louisville

Woo hoo! Congrats on 1/2 way!!

#26
Moloka'i by Alan Brennert

Loved it! Makes me want to go back to Hawai'i and this time pay attention to the history instead of the "paradise"

#27
Wicked Prey
by John Sandford

Not his best, but it did have some entertainment value...developed the character of Letty more than in any of his other books. Is it just me or is Lucas Davenport turning into a foul-mouthed jerk...

# 28
Housekeeping
by Marilynne Robinson

This was her first book; much of it read like stream of consciousness. There are very poetic lines in it, however, and would love to be able to "talk" that way -- just think what kind of reaction I'd get!

# 29
Lake News
by Barbara Delinsky

Not wonderful -- I got a little bit impatient with the Lily character -- it took too long for her to fight back; but then again, we all have our ways of coping.

Jan wrote: "I've just found out that my only grandchild is moving to this area, so my reading time is likely to decrease...wish me luck"

You'll just be reading a different kind of book!

Jan wrote: "# 28
Housekeeping
by Marilynne Robinson

This was her first book; much of it read like stream of consciousness. There are very poetic lines in it, however, and would love to be able to "talk" ..."

Have you read other Robinson books? I think her writing is just wonderful. I've read "Home" and am reading "Gilead" (I know it's backwards but that's how it worked out!). The characters are so good.

#29
Salem Falls
by Jodi Piccoult

#30
Nineteen Minutes
by Jodi Picoult

Okay.....so it's starting to seem like a one-note symphony....but I've made up my mind I'm going to read all the Picoult books I've missed...

#31
Saving Faith
by Jodi Picoult

#32
Stolen
by Jason Pinter

So, I think I may read some of his other stuff -- although the editing leave a bit to be desired (I so wish I could have an opportunity to read some of these galleys before they are published....fix things like: The guy leaves his office in mid-town Manhattan at 5 pm on an August day and takes the train uptown -- 20 minutes max -- and upon exiting the subway says something about the sun setting... Give me a break -- in August the sun would be setting about 7:45 pm...at 5:30 it would still be broad daylight. Anyway, the plot was well constructed and I wonder if any of you "50 Books" folks have read any other Henry Parker stories that Pinter has produced. It appears there are quite a few out there.

#33
Plum Spooky
by Janet Evanovich

I think this one may be my favorite "between the numbers" novel. She just doesn't write these things fast enough!

#34
While My Sister Sleeps
By Barbara Delinsky

Not as good as Coast Road, but a good read, nonetheless.

#35
The Cat Who Dropped a Bombshell
by Lillian Jackson Braun

#36
Finger Lickin' Fifteen
by Janet Evanovich

#37
In Big Trouble
by Laura Lippman

# 38
Death's Half Acre
by Margaret Maron

# 38
Death's Half Acre
by Margaret Maron

#39
Guilty
by Jason Pinter

I see I missed one earlier on so we'll call this
# 40
The Mark
by Jason Pinter

# 41
Sand Sharks
by Margaret Maron

# 42
A Duty to the Dead
by Charles Todd

#43
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
by Stieg Larsson

# 44
Perfect Match
by Jodi Picoult

Went back over my hand written list and there are several I have missed:

# 45 Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
# 46 The Rose of Sebastopol by Katherine McMahon
# 47 206 Bones by kathy Reichs
# 48 The Dogs of Babel by Carolyn parkhurst
# 49 The Blood Detective by Dan Waddell

# 50 Rough Country by John Sandford