Sounds like a good idea, and so here goes:
Started out on Oct 30, 2007

Completed:
1. Till We Have Faces - C.S. Lewis (Finished Nov. 3) 319 pgs
2. I, Claudius - Robert Graves (Finished Nov 14) 432 pgs

Till We Have Faces - I thought that Lewis did an excellent job approaching the problem of evil. I love his writing as it works on so many levels: it is accessible to both kids and adults. Loved it.

I, Claudius - Okay, first I should admit that I love novels and histories about ancient Rome and Greece, but I loved this book. Robert Graves has such an excellent handle on his Roman history that this would almost qualify as a textbook (though far to interesting to be put into that category). The writing style fit perfectly in with the actual histories that I have read.

Now onto:
A Confederacy of Dunces - John Toole Started Nov 14.

3. A Confederacy of Dunces - John Toole (Finished Nov 26) 394 pgs

To be honest, after all the hype I expected a lot more out of this book. I did enjoy it, and the characters were very funny and well developed. I'm not sure about its placement on the top 100 Novels list, but still worth the time.

Now onto:
The Kandy-Kolored Tangerine-Flake Streamline Baby - Tom Wolfe. Started Nov 26.

4. The Kandy-Kolored Tangerine Flake Baby - Tom Wolfe (Finished Dec 2) 345 pgs

I always enjoy Wolfe, but this was not his best. The first half was definitely the better. In the second half it is easy to see Wolfe setting himself up to write The Bonfire of the Vanities.

Now onto:
The Dante Club - Matthew Pearl

I have been wanting to get my hands on a copy of I Claudius, glad to here you liked it.

5. The Dante Club - Matthew Pearl (Finished Dec 9) 367 pgs

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I had heard that it was good, but that it dragged a bit. I disagree. It was very good and kept me turning pages quickly throughout. It reminded me a bit of The Da Vinci Code only with the writer actually having literary skills. The last few pages of story wrap up did feel a bit rushed, but overall a solid mystery novel and a good introduction to Dante for the uninitiated.

Now onto:
Victory: An Island Tale - Joseph Conrad

All right, getting a little behind here. The holidays usually leave me with less time to read than I generally like.

6. Victory: An Island Tale - Joseph Conrad (Finished Dec 17) 434 pgs

I have always loved Heart of Darkness and so I went into Victory with high hopes. While very good, it was no Heart of Darkness. It took me a bit to really get into this one, but ultimately was worth the read.

Now onto:
Brave New World - Aldous Huxley

It's been a bit since my last check in, but i have been reading.

7. Brave New World - Aldous Huxley (Finished Dec 24) 178 pgs

8. The Diary of Jack the Ripper - Shirley Harrison (Finished Jan 6) 318 pgs

Now onto:
A Farewell to Arms - Ernest Hemingway

9. A Farewell To Arms - Ernest Hemingway (Finished Jan 19) 332 pgs

Completely and thoroughly enjoyed this book.

Now onto:
Nostromo - Joseph Conrad

Oh, I love Til We Have Faces. Lewis has a wonderful way of turning that story on its head. It's about time I reread that one...

Well I'm back again.

10. A Man for All Seasons - Robert Bolt (Finished Feb 2) 95 pgs

11. The Trial - Franz Kafka (Finished Feb 7) 286 pgs

I enjoyed both of these, and would thoroughly recommend the Kafka if you haven't already had the chance. I was completely upset and irritated by the story and its characters.

On a side note, I haven't given up on Nostromo, I just needed a break from it. I can't say I am enjoying it, But i am determined to get through it eventually.

12. The Human Stain - Philip Roth (Finished Feb 12) 361 pgs

I couldn't put this one down. Superbly written and interesting throughout.

13. The Sound and the Fury - William Faulkner (Finished Feb 20) 336 pgs

14. The Hours - Michael Cunningham (Finished Feb 25) 236 pgs

15. The Last Enemy - Richard Hillary (Finished Mar 1) 178 pgs

16. My Forbidden Face - Latifa (Finished Mar 3) 202 pgs

Enemy - A very interesting British WW2 memoir. Fairly short but still manages to paint a striking portrait of the college-age mindset in 1930/40's England.

Face - A very quick and easy read, at least in terms of pace, subject matter is a very different story. This is a first person account written in the style of a journal. Deals with the oppression and trials of women in Afghanistan. The book also sheds light on problems with US foreign policy.

17. Lolita - Vladimir Nabokov (Finished Mar 13) 317 pgs

I've heard it said that it is the best book you will never read again. I think that sums it up very well. Nabokov's prose is absolutely beautiful, though the intense subject matter will make it something I'm likely never to pick up again. That being said, I am very glad I read it, and would recommend it.

18. Teeth of the Tiger - Tom Clancy (Finished Mar 26) 431 pgs

Definitely not Clancy's best work. It finally started to build up to something only to have the book end. Hopefully this is just part one of something larger, as it felt like Clancy randomly chopped off the second half of the story. Also, Clancy's constant disclaimer's and appeasal notes to make sure no one thinks he is anti-Muslim are not only annoying, but insulting. I would not recommend this one, though I am an enormous fan of his earlier work. I used to wait anxiously for the next novel, but if Clancy does offer another, I'm not sure I'd even be interested. All good things must come to an end.

19. The Shipping News - Annie Proulx (Finished April 2) 337 pgs

At first the author's style completely annoyed me. But as she toned it back and as I got used to it, the language began to feel homey. The same can be said about the characters. Once I was drawn into the world, everything about the people and place made sense and I wanted more. I would recommend this one, just let it get going and it will be worth the time.

20. Slaughterhouse-five - Kurt Vonnegut (Finished April 2) 159 pgs

Had some extra time today, so I picked this one up. It was an enjoyable and quick read. It took an interesting approach to the problem of war. I don't know that I would jump to calling it a classic, as many have done, but I would definitely recommend it.

21. On Chesil Beach - Ian McEwan (Finished April 4) 203 pgs

After watching Atonement for the first time this last week, I decided it was finally time to go down to the library and pick up this book I have heard so much about on NPR. I thoroughly enjoyed McEwan's style. While a quick read, the book pulled me in completely and did an excellent job of communicating the inner thoughts and turmoil of the main characters. I finished it this morning on my morning train to work, and though I have been very busy, and otherwise occupied for the past hours, I cannot get it out of my mind. Superbly written and absolutely gripping.

22. Breakfast of Champions - Kurt Vonnegut (Finished April 8) 227 pgs

I really enjoyed this one. It is a very easy read and is very funny. Vonnegut's criticism of American life in the earlier parts of the last century are dead on.

23. This Side of Paradise - F. Scott Fitzgerald (Finished April 11) 255 pgs

From reading this book, it is easy to see the author that Fitzgerald will become with his later novels. Not his best, but certainly not bad at all.

24. Raise the Titanic! - Clive Cussler (Finished April 17) 377 pgs

It takes quite a willing suspension of disbelief, but once over the initial obstacle, this book becomes a fast-paced, enjoyable adventure. The end gets a bit schmarmy, with a little too much "I knew all along" from the main character, but still a good time.

25. Shock Wave - Clive Cussler (Finished April 26) 567 pgs

Okay, here's the thing, Mr. Cussler writes a very entertaining series of books which are quickly becoming a guilty pleasure. I thoroughly enjoyed this last one. So bug off literary snobs. I know that this is not great literature, but sometimes you need to just be able to enjoy a fast paced, fun adventure story. A bit predictable, but that is part of its charm.

26. A Lesson Before Dying - Ernest Gaines (Finished April 30) 256 pgs

Honestly, I expected much more from this book. The first three quarters of the book are good, not great, but passable. It felt like the author had an arbitrary page limit and had to quickly wrap things up. Due to the gravity of the topic, this could have been much longer and should have further explored the characters and their transformations. Disappointing to say the least. Would not recommend.

Message edited by its author, May 1, 2008, 2:15pm.

27. Chasing Che - Patrick Symmes (Finished May 14) 302 pgs

Not the best writing in the world, but the story was very engaging. Symmes does an excellent job of weaving in a history both of Che Guevara's life and of South American politics.

28. Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? - Philip K. Dick (Finished May 19) 216 pgs

It took me a while to get into this one, but at the end it is very easy to tell why this story stands out as a standard in classic science fiction.

Great list so far, Whicker. You've read two of my all-time favorite books in the past couple months - Lolita and The Sound and the Fury. I know you said the subject matter was a bit much, but you should really at some point re-read Lolita. It's amazing how many hints Nabokov scatters through the text, and are obvious on a second reading. Or you could read Pale Fire! Also, I had a lot of trouble with Nostromo too - the first 3/4 (all the exposition) really drag. Good luck with that!

Thanks for the encouragement, jfetting. I think you may be right in regards to Lolita. As more time has passed since reading it, I have realized more how good of a book it was. Sometimes it takes a while to sink in. As for Nostromo, I'm afraid I haven't picked it up in a while.

29. The African Queen - C.S. Forester (Finished May 27) 307 pgs

This was a quick but highly enjoyable read. I always enjoyed the film based on the book, so when I found a copy of the book in a bargain bookstore, I picked it up. Fast paced and exciting, Forester managed to create a work that still holds its value even after much time has passed.

30. Trojan Odyssey - Clive Cussler (Finished June 2) 463 pgs

Okay, I know this makes the third Clive Cussler novel in my list, but come on, if you've ever read one, you know how much fun they can be. Besides, when all is said and done, I enjoy them quite a bit. Anyway, Trojan Odyssey is a quick read with lots of action. If you're not familiar with the series, I wouldn't recommend starting with this one. Better to work your way up to it.

31. Into Thin Air - Jon Krakauer (Finished June 9) 373 pgs

I absolutely loved this book. Krakauer does an excellent job of recounting the tragedy without being dull in the least. He does an admirable job of reporting the events fairly and presenting his own shortcomings frankly and taking complete responsibility for them. A thoroughly engaging read.

Hi whicker. I am so glad to hear that you enjoyed Into Thin Air. It has been in my TBR stack for a whle, but I just haven't gotten around to reading it. I will move it up closer to the top now. Thanks.

32. Crash - J G Ballard (Finished June 12) 203 pgs

Having just finished this book, I am not really sure what I think yet. My initial feelings are somewhere between disgust and enjoyment. With that broad spectrum as a starting point, I will have to wait to see what it boils down to. At this point I will probably never read it again, but hey, one more book of off the 1001 Books list!

33. The Wasp Factory - Iain Banks (Finished June 16) 192 pgs

I borrowed this one from a friend, and, after realizing I have had it far too long, decided to read and return it before I finished my current book (That Old Ace in The Hole) so I wouldn't forget and shelf it again.

It was an engaging story that seemed a cross between The Catcher in the Rye and a diary of Ed Gein. Nonetheless, it was very interesting and I am very glad to have read it. It was not a gruesome as I had heard it would be. The rituals and quasi-religion that are created and followed by Frank, the narrator, are intriguing and add a very distinct feel to the book. I would recommend this one. And yes, one more checked off the 1001 Book List.

34. That Old Ace in The Hole - Annie Proulx (Finished June 20) 359 pgs

The characters in Proulx's novels kind of sneak up on you; you don't realize that you slowly get into their world, and then it suddenly hits you. I very much enjoyed this story and would highly recommend it.

35. Breakfast at Tiffany's - Truman Capote (Finished June 20) 160 pgs

I always loved the movie, and after reading another of Capote's books (In Cold Blood) last year, I figured I should try the original it was based on. A much more realistic and less romantic version, the original is still very entertaining. It is a quick read, and leaves the reader a bit conflicted on what to feel in regards to the character of Holly Golightly. Definitely worth the time.

36. A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man - James Joyce (Finished July 8) 281 pgs

Honestly, I didn't really enjoy this one. I was really looking forward to it, too. I can definitely see how it is such a classic and how important it could be for a young person reading it. Maybe I should have read it earlier in life.

37. Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil - John Berendt (Finished July 14) 386 pgs

I really liked this book, though I did think the first half was better than the second. I posted my full review on my blog if you'd like to read it. I definitely recommend the book.

Message edited by its author, Jul 15, 2008, 1:46pm.

38. The Kite Runner - Khaled Hosseini (Finished July 16) 371 pgs

So I'm a little late to the parade on this one, but, wow, what a book! It was so powerful and gripping I just could not put it down. It may be the most engaging book I have read this year.

39. The Murderers Among Us - Simon Wiesenthal (Finished July 24) 342 pgs

This was a hard book to read in long sittings. It deals with the Holocaust and the Nazi hunt at the end of World War II. It is a book people should read to get an idea of how the world dealt with antisemitism and reconstruction.

40. Moonraker - Ian Fleming (Finished July 28) 246 pgs

This was a fun one. I had to read something light after that last book. I hadn't read any of the James Bond series prior to this and I was pleasantly surprised by the lack of cheesy gadgets and dialogue. I posted more about it here if you care to read.

41. Vixen 03 - Clive Cussler (Finished July 30) 362 pgs

I know this makes the fourth Cussler novel in my challenge, and I hadn't meant to give any single author so much space on this list, but they're just really fun to read. This one wasn't my favorite Dirk Pitt story, but not bad at all for an entertaining quick read.

42. A Room with a View - E.M. Forster (Finished August 6) 242 pgs

It took me a while to get into this one, but in the end I really enjoyed it. There are some really great lines in the text.

'"It's distinctly successful, as ponds go," said Mr. Beebe. "No
apologies are necessary for the pond."'

How can you not love that?

43. The Longest Journey - E.M. Forster (Finished August 14) 416 pgs

The more Forster I read, the more I like his work. This was a great novel. It deals with some heavy themes, but is still very enjoyable. I think I liked it even more than A Room with a View.

I consider myself to be a Forster fan, and I've never heard of The Longest Journey. It's going on the TBR list!

>42 Definitely stick it in your TBR pile. It's only the second of his that I've read, but I'm definitely becoming a fan.

44. The Raw Shark Texts - Steven Hall (Finished August 20) 427 pgs

Wow. I was completely bowled over over this one. My mother-in-law gave it to me, and from the title I had no idea what to expect. It definitely had a strong feeling of Kafka, and it's very hard to believe that this is Hall's first novel. There's definitely room for him to grow a bit, but still, I am still reeling a bit, having just finished it this morning. Read it. That's all I can really say. You need to read thi book.

45. The Castle - Franz Kafka (Finished August 28) 417 pgs

I was actually a bit disappointed with this one. I loved The Trial and was really excited to read this one, but it just didn't do it for me. A big part of it was that it had no real ending; it just stopped. But then, I guess I can't blame a guy for dying. Not a bad book by any means, just not what I had hoped for.

46. The Scarlet Letter - Nathaniel Hawthorne (Finished Sept 9) 300 pgs

I enjoyed this one. It seems I've been a bit busy lately and my reading has suffered. Four more to make the mark. I think I'll make it.

Message edited by its author, Sep 15, 2008, 3:03pm.

47. Life of Pi - Yann Martel (Finished Sept 17) 319 pgs

Excellent book. A quick, but thought provoking read.

48. Ways to Live Forever - Sally Nicholls (Finished Sept 24) 200 pgs

I won a copy of this book in an online drawing. I'm very glad I did or I might never have read it. An excellent children's novel about a boy who is dying of leukemia. I think it does an excellent job dealing with the subject matter and opening up some difficult questions, particularly for kids.

49. When We Were Orphans - Kazuo Ishiguro (Finished Sept 29) 336 pgs

I enjoyed making my way through this book, but in the end was left a bit dissatisfied. The story could have been filled out in a lot of places, and the major issue which the main character seeks to work out seemed totally implausible. That being said, the writing was excellent, and I'll be looking for another of Ishiguro's books. One more chance for him.

50. I Am Charlotte Simmons - Tom Wolfe (Finished Oct 7) 738 pgs

Well, this is it: I made it. 50 books over the course of this past year, with a couple weeks to spare. I thought I would round out the challenge with a book from my favorite author, the incredible Tom Wolfe. While this was far from my favorite of his works, and despite its flaws, it definitely holds with Wolfe's style and great observational style. The book left me unsettled, all the more evidence that the writing got under my skin. I'll have to mull it over a bit more before passing further judgment.

Now for the nerdy stats: 15,900 total pages for an average length of 318 pages per book.

Congratulations on reaching your goal! :)
--BJ