Challenge: 50 Books discussion

These are the books I've read so far in 2009. (I'll update this thread as I add to my read list) :

1. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer
2. The Spellman Files by Lisa Lutz
3. The King's Confidante: The Story of the Daughter of Sir Thomas More (A Novel of the Tudors) by Jean Plaidy
4. Then We Came to the End by Joshua Ferris
5. Doubt by John Patrick Shanley
6. The Dalai Lama's Little Book of Inner Peace: The Essential Life and Teachings by Dalai Lama XIV
7. Testimony by Anita Shreve
8. The Year of Pleasures: A Novel by Elizabeth Berg
9. Eventide by Kent Haruf
10. Southern Living Comfort Food: A Delicious Trip Down Memory Lane
11. Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer
12. The Last Queen by C.W. Gortner
13. Plainsong by Kent Haruf
14. Charley's Web by Joy Fielding
15. Dissolution (Matthew Shardlake #1) by C.J. Sansom
16. The Well and the Mine by Gin Phillips
17. One Thousand White Women: The Journals of May Dodd by Jim Fergus
18. Michal: A Novel (The Wives of King David) by Jill Eileen Smith
19. Cookin' Up a Storm! by Jamie Deen
20. The Gargoyle by Andrew Davidson
21. Booked to Die (Cliff Janeway Novels) by John Dunning
22. The Glass Castle: A Memoir by Jeannette Walls
23. The Rabbit Factory by Larry Brown
24. How Reading Changed My Life by Anna Quindlen
25. The Alibi Man by Tami Hoag
26. The Geography of Bliss: One Grump's Search for the Happiest Places in the World by Eric Weiner
27. Lie Down with the Devil (Carlotta Carlyle Mysteries) by Linda Barnes
28. A Mercy by Toni Morrison
29. The Shack by William P. Young
30. And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
31. Interred with Their Bones by Jennifer Lee Carrell
32. The Glass Books of the Dream Eaters, Volume 1 by
Gordon Dahlquist
33. The Brass Verdict (Mickey Haller, #2) by Michael Connelly
34. The Story of Edgar Sawtelle: A Novel by David Wroblewski
35. Gundel's Hungarian Cookbook by CORVINA/BUDAPEST
36. Cross Country by James Patterson
37. Dream When You're Feeling Blue by Elizabeth Berg
38. The Scarecrow by Michael Connelly
39. Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson
40. Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris
41. The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver
42. Lost Souls by Lisa Jackson
43. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
44. In the Time of the Butterflies by Julia Alvarez
45. Plum Spooky by Janet Evanovich
46. The English Major by Jim Harrison
47. Living Dead in Dallas by Charlaine Harris
48. True Colors by Kristin Hannah
49. Persepolis 1: The Story of a Childhood by Marjane Satrapi
50. The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett
51. The Help by Kathryn Stockett
52. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
53. Sarah's Key by Tatiana De Rosnay
54. Julie & Julia by Julie Powell
55. No Good Deeds by Laura Lippman
56. Born Standing Up by Steve Martin
57. The Other Queen by Philippa Gregory
58. Finger Lickin' Fifteen by Janet Evanovich
59. Driftwood Summer by Patti Callahan Henry
60. Loitering With Intent by Stuart Woods
61. The Woods by Harlan Coben
62. The Love Season by Elin Hilderbrand
63. The Virgin of Small Plains by Nancy Pickard
64. The White Tiger by Aravind Adiga
65. Cutting For Stone by Abraham Verghese
66. Everything I Needed to Know About Being a Girl I Learned from Judy Blume by Jennifer O'Connell
67. The Uncommon Reader by Alan Bennett
68. Running With Scissors by Augusten Burroughs
69. Love is a Mix Tape: Life and Loss, One Song at a Time by Rob Sheffield
70. The Bridge of San Luis Rey by Thornton Wilder
71. Crank by Ellen Hopkins
72. A Journal For Jordan by Dana Canedy
73. The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane by Katherine Howe
74. The Reliable Wife by Robert Goolrick
75. Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
76. Dune by Frank Herbert
77. The Mysterious Stranger by Mark Twain
78. An Enemy of the People by Henrik Johan Ibsen
79. The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters
80. Club Dead by Charlaine Harris
81. Shane by Jack Schaefer
82. Falling Boy by Alison McGhee
83. Winesburg, Ohio by Sherwood Anderson
84. Everything Matters by Ron Currie, Jr.
85. The Fourth Bear by Jasper Fforde
86. The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne
87. Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
88. Home Safe by Elizabeth Berg
89. Two Little Girls in Blue by Mary Higgins Clark
90. Franklin and Winston An Intimate Portrait of an Epic Friendship by Jon Meacham
91. Summer of My German Soldier by Bette Greene
92. Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe
93. The Falls by Joyce Carol Oates
94. Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane
95. Cursed by Carol Higgins Clark
96. Fallen by David Maine
97. Another Thing To Fall by Laura Lippman
98. Coraline by Neil Gaiman
99. Dead to the World by Charlaine Harris
100. The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein
101. We Need to Talk About Kevin: A Novel by Lionel Shriver
102. Book Crush: For Kids and Teens-Recommended Reading for Every Mood, Moment and Interest by Nancy Pearl
103. The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier
104. Empire Falls by Richard Russo
105. A Living Nightmare (Cirque Du Freak, #1) by Darren Shan
106. Song Yet Sung by James McBride
107. Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
108. Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen
109. The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie by Muriel Sparks
110. Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury
111. The Storyteller's Daughter by Cameron Dokey
112. A Night Without Armor: Poems by Jewel
113. The Angels' Game by Carlos Ruiz Zafon
114. Aunt Dimity Beats the Devil by Nancy Atherton
115. The Coroner's Lunch by Colin Cotterill
116. Embers by Sandor Marai
117. The Sugar Queen by Sarah Addison Allen
118. Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman's Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia by Elizabeth Gilbert
119. Arabella by Georgette Heyer
120. Comfort Food by Kate Jacobs
121. Just Who Will You Be by Maria Shriver
122. The Bright Forever by Lee Martin
123. Zipporah, Wife of Moses: A Novel by Marek Halter
124. Santa Cruise: A Holiday Mystery at Sea by Mary Higgins Clark & Carol Higgins Clark
125. Out Stealing Horses by Per Petterson
126. Bridge of Sighs by Richard Russo
127. The School of Essential Ingredients by Erica Bauermeister
128. Ladder of Years by Anne Tyler
129. Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan
130. Ladder of Years by Anne Tyler
131. Silent On the Moor by Deanna Raybourn
132. Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech
133. The Night Watch by Sara Waters
134. The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things by Carolyn Mackler
135. The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde
136. On the Occasion of My Last Afternoon by Kaye Gibbons
137. Aunt Dimity Takes a Holiday by Nancy Atherton
138. Portrait in Sepia by Isabel Allende
139. Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare
140. The House on the Strand by Daphne du Maurier
141. The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
142. Diners, Drive-ins and Dives: An All-American Road Trip . . . with Recipes! by Guy Fieri
143. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
144. Book Lust: Recommended Reading for Every Mood, Moment, and Reason by Nancy Pearl
145. Swimsuit by James Patterson
146. Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine
147. The White Queen by Philippa Gregory
148. The Stupidest Angel: A Heartwarming Tale of Christmas Terror by Christopher Moore
149. A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
150. Stitches by David Small
151. Elsewhere by Gabrielle Zevin
152. The Calligrapher's Daughter by Eugenia Kim
153. Half Broke Horses by Jeannette Walls

37. Dream When You're Feeling Blue by Elizabeth Berg

I signed on late to this group (5/24/09), but am excited to join other enthusiastic readers who want to grow their "read" list. My first posting includes all the books I've read since Jan '09 in reverse order. My #1 is actually the last book I read. Rather than go back and post reviews, if anyone is interested in seeing my thoughts, my review are on my site.

I love seeing what everyone else is reading:)

38. [image error] The Scarecrow by Michael Connelly

Michael Connelly's latest book released on May 26th. I rushed out and bought it on Tuesday, devoured it on Wednesday and am depressed today (Thurday) because now I have to wait until October for his next release.

As usual, Connelly has written a fast-paced thriller with a great cast of characters. I was so happy to see Jack McEvoy take the spotlight again after his debut in The Poet. I hope he shows up in more Connelly novels, maybe teaming up with Harry Bosch.
This book was fantastic!

39. Three Cups of Tea One Man's Mission to Promote Peace . . . One School at a Time byGreg Mortenson

A truly inspiring and courageous story of one man's dream to build schools and educate women in Pakistan and Afghanistan. This was an eye-opening look at the people and culture of these foreign territories, which beg you to consider the best way to approach America's war on terror. Inspiring!

40. [image error] Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris

Once in a while, we all need to suspend reality and indulge in a little fantasy. I decided to finally try the supernatural Sookie Stackhouse series after hearing so many rave reviews. I admit it's no literary masterpiece but I did learn something, like vampires really are capable of having sex. Who wouldn't want to know something like that? Actually, if I drop all the pretensions, then I must say I enjoyed this piece of escapist fantasy. Sookie, vampire Bill and shapeshifter, bartender Sam are an interesting lot of characters that I think I would like to read more about. Plus, I'd like a little background before watching the True Blood HBO series based on Harris's books.

Could you tell me how to post the covers of the books you've read? That looks cool and I'd like to do that on my list. Thanks Lisa!

Michelle, I'll send you a message to explain how to do it.

41. The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver

I really enjoyed Kingsolver's descriptive lyrical style. The Congo came alive in her pages. I found the telling of the story through the perspectives of Orleanna, Rachel, Leah, Adah and Ruth May striking in their differences. The idea that we all hold our own ideas of truth and what constitutes what's right and wrong is evident in their passages. What happens when we apply our own truths and beliefs on others is their unique story. Very thought provoking.

Thanks for the welcome neighbor--back at you. It looks like you belong in the 100-books a year group.

Lola4 wrote: "Thanks for the welcome neighbor--back at you. It looks like you belong in the 100-books a year group."

I'd like to go for it.......but I think that's a reach :)

There's also a 75 books a year club, if you're stuck in between. Maybe thats a more realistic goal for you??

Michelle wrote: "There's also a 75 books a year club, if you're stuck in between. Maybe thats a more realistic goal for you??"

I'll be thrilled to hit 50, then everything else is just icing!

I agree, but you've still got half the year left...you might hit 75! Way to go!

42. Lost Souls by Lisa Jackson

This book was RIDICULOUS! Such a waste of my time. If you're interested in finding out why, then you can check out my RANT on my profile page. It does contain spoilers.

That's too bad. I actually snatched a big collection of her books. I guess its a series and I don't know if this book is part of that series or not. I don't have this one though, and I haven't read any of the others. Maybe I don't want to now...

Michelle wrote: "That's too bad. I actually snatched a big collection of her books. I guess its a series and I don't know if this book is part of that series or not. I don't have this one though, and I haven't r..."

I thought I read one of her books several years ago and liked it. Some of her books have received good reviews. Go ahead and give her a try. Maybe it was just this book or me, but I was so frustrated reading it.

43. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

I finished The Hunger Games today and am hungry for the second book in the trilogy. It deserves every bit of the praise it's getting. I normally steer clear of science fiction, but found this story to be a real page-turner. I didn't want to put this book down. This may be classified as YA fiction, but I'd recommend it for any adult.

44. In the Time of the Butterflies by Julia Alvarez

One of my favorite reads this year. A beautifully written story, poignant and inspiring, about the Mirabal sisters, also known as Las Mariposas. A fictionalized account of their life under the dictatorship of Trujillo in the Domincan Republic. It left me wanting to learn more about this era.

6 to go! You can TOTALLY make it to 75, if not 100! Good for you!

Thanks! I wish I was a faster reader. I need to take some kind of speed reading class, so I could knock out my TBR list in no time.

Please! If you have already read 44 books by early June, you cannot be a slow reader! Plus, I'm sure you read magazines and everything else. I think if I spent HALF the time on goodreads that I usually do, I'd be at least at 50 by now!! Sometimes I think that reading fast sucks because you might not catch things or get as much out of a book or even remember it as well later.

45. Plum Spooky by Janet Evanovich

Stephanie Plum, true to form, provided another few hours of lol entertainment. Yeah it's campy and over-the-top, but I can't help myself; I like it. Carl the monkey, the Fire Farter, E. Bunny........ridiculously funny. Just what I needed.

46. [image error] The English Major by Jim Harrison

A former English teacher, turned farmer, sets off on a road trip across the United States after his wife divorces him and sells the farm. It's a reflective look at life, dreams and our place in the world.

cound down to 50

...45...46...

47. Living Dead in Dallas by Charlaine Harris

I'm surprised at how much I'm enjoying the Sookie Stackhouse series.....I feel like I'm indulging in a forbidden pleasure.

...47...

The more you read, the better...and the more addicted you get. Wait til you finish book 9 and have to wait like the rest of us for 10! Its terrible!

Michelle wrote: "The more you read, the better...and the more addicted you get. Wait til you finish book 9 and have to wait like the rest of us for 10! Its terrible!"

I went to B&N today to buy book 3 and they didn't have it in stock. In fact, they only had book 9 and one other book. Unbelievable that they'd let themselves run out. So......I went on Amazon and ordered #'s 3,4 and 5, plus a book for my son; that way I'd get free shipping for a $25 order. I got a pleasant surprise, because there was a special buy 3 books and get the 4th for free. I can't wait for #3 to arrive.

#3 is one of my very favorites in the series...you're in for a treat. I have all of them, should've just borrowed them!

48. True Colors by Kristin Hannah

A great summer read! Family drama, suspense and romance packaged together in a real page turner.

...48...

49. Persepolis 1 The Story of a Childhood by Marjane Satrapi

This is the first graphic novel I've ever read. I think the short, witty dialogue and illustrations were an effective means of documenting the childhood memoirs of Marji as she grew up in Iran during the Islamic Revolution. I look forward to reading the continuation of her story in Persepolis 2, which picks up after she leaves Iran at age 14.

...49...

I'm trying to get to 50, but I'm reading Pillars of the Earth, which is almost a thousand pages.

I'm not rushing you...just cheering!

Oh I know you're not rushing me.....I'm rushing myself ;)

Take your time, actually ENJOY the book you're reading. You've got HALF A YEAR to finish it and make the goal...haha..It's in the bag.

50. The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett

Wow! What a book to choose as #50 at almost 1000 pages. I really liked the book, but right now I'm mainly feeling relief that I've finished it and no longer have to lug that heavy tome around. Epic story that contains everything......love, hate, revenge, murder, mayhem, rape, riches, poverty, martyrdom, and the list goes on.....it's a medieval soap opera! :)

Hurray! I finally got my own ticker tape parade. Now to start to work on my next 50. :0

Congrats Lisa! What an accomplishment, and a great way to get some of your TBR books off the shelf and dusted off! Haha Good luck with the next 50! You've still got half a year left!

Thanks Michelle! You'll be joining me soon.

51. [image error] The Help by Kathryn Stockett

This is one of my best reads of the year. Kathryn Stockett, in her debut, described the relationship between maids and their white employers and families in 1960's Jackson, Mississippi.........and she nailed it! She brought the characters to life without making them caricatures. I was drawn into the ambiguities of life in this very southern town during the time of civil rights. The subjects of racism and feminism were considerately examined. The story was rich with emotion and evoked feelings of indignation, humor, love, pride, exasperation and admiration. I look forward to reading more of Stockett's work in the future.

Congrats on the over 50!

Thanks Aprile. I'm going for a repeat in the second half of the year.

We'll see...I hope I can get a lot of books read that I've had for a while, but at the same time, I'm trying not to rush through just to be done with them. I want to enjoy them AND remember them...haha! Finished one today...probably get at least two over with this week, since I'll be in hospital waiting rooms and such...

My son had his wisdom teeth removed on Friday and I thought I would get a lot read while I was waiting..............10 pages and the nurse was telling me he was done! What will you be doing at the hospital? I hope everyone is OK.

52. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

Fantastic book! I'm glad I finally got around to reading it for myself. I've read parts with my boys and seen the movie many times. Exceptional!!!

Better late than never! My favorite. And for once, the movie is as exceptional as the book. Belated congrats on the 50 book mark.