Okay, the goal this year is to at least 52 books, including one classic and at least one non-fiction a month. I tend to get drawn into the fiction world since it's easier and usually more entertaining to read.

Here is what I have read so far.

1. A Long Way Down by Nick Hornby
2. Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah

Seeing as how this is the 27th, I have a long way to go. However, there are several books in progress so I anticipate catching up in the next week or so.

Fiction - 2

Message edited by its author, Jun 21, 2008, 2:36pm.

3. Too Pretty to Die by Susan McBride
4. The dogs who found me : what I've learned from pets who were left behind by Ken Foster

Yea, I finished a non-fiction book. A little later than anticipated but close.

Summary

Fiction - 3
Non-Fiction - 1

Message edited by its author, Jun 21, 2008, 2:36pm.

5. A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway
6. Wash and Die by Barbara Colley

I finished the classic book! Yea!!!

Fiction - 4
NF - 1
Classic - 1

Message edited by its author, Jun 21, 2008, 2:37pm.

7. Inside Inside by James Lipton

Great - another non-fiction book read. I'm on track.

Fiction - 4
NF - 2
Classic - 1

Message edited by its author, Jun 21, 2008, 2:37pm.

8. Boomsday by Christopher Buckley

Fiction - 5
NF - 2
Classic - 1

Message edited by its author, Jun 21, 2008, 2:37pm.

9. A Dedicated Man by Peter Robinson

Fiction - 6
NF - 2
Classic - 1

Message edited by its author, Jun 21, 2008, 2:38pm.

10. The Zen of Fish by Trevor Corson

Another non-fiction book and my favorite book of the year so far!

Fiction - 6
NF - 3
Classic - 1

Message edited by its author, Jun 21, 2008, 2:38pm.

11. Original Sin (A Peter Brichter Mystery) by Mary Monica Pulver

Fiction - 7
NF - 3
Classic - 1

Message edited by its author, Jun 21, 2008, 2:38pm.

12. A Necessary End by Peter Robinson

Fiction - 8
NF - 3
Classic - 1

Message edited by its author, Jun 21, 2008, 2:39pm.

13. Fade to Black by Della Borton

Fiction - 9
NF - 3
Classic - 1

Message edited by its author, Jun 21, 2008, 2:39pm.

14. Persuasion by Jane Austen

Fiction - 9
NF - 3
Classic - 2

Message edited by its author, Jun 21, 2008, 2:40pm.

15. Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See
16. In Plain Sight by C.J. Box

Fiction - 11
NF - 3
Classic - 2

Message edited by its author, Jun 21, 2008, 2:40pm.

17. Free Fire by C.J. Box
18. The Black Smith by Constance & Gwenyth Little
19. Grounds for Murder by Sandra Balzo

I also read part of The Arthurian Omen, however I could only read a few pages before giving up. Just not for me.

Fiction - 14
NF - 3
Classic - 2

Message edited by its author, Jun 21, 2008, 2:41pm.

20. Belong to Me by Marisa de los Santos

Fiction - 15
NF - 3
Classic - 2

Message edited by its author, Jun 21, 2008, 2:41pm.

21. The Blackout by Constance Little
22. Murder of a chocolate-covered cherry by Denise Swanson

Fiction - 17
NF - 3
Classic - 2

Message edited by its author, Jun 21, 2008, 2:41pm.

23. A Dog Among Diplomats by J.F. Englert

Fiction - 18
NF - 3
Classic - 2

Message edited by its author, Jun 21, 2008, 2:42pm.

24. Hold Tight by Harlan Coben

F - 19
NF - 3
C - 2

Message edited by its author, Jun 21, 2008, 2:42pm.

25. Mummy Dearest by Joan Hess

F - 20
NF - 3
C - 2

Message edited by its author, Jun 21, 2008, 2:42pm.

26. Split Second by David Baldacci
27. Simple Genius by David Baldacci
28. Just Who Will You Be? by Maria Shriver
29. Chapters: Your Life Has Another Chapter and another...and another... by Candice Carpenter

F - 22
NF - 5
C - 2

Message edited by its author, Jun 21, 2008, 2:43pm.

30. Ladies of Liberty by Cokie Roberts

Second favorite book of the year thus far. I'm really enjoying my non-fiction reading this year.

F - 22
NF - 6
C - 2

Message edited by its author, Jun 21, 2008, 2:43pm.

31. City of Bones by Michael Connelly

F - 23
NF - 6
C - 2

Message edited by its author, Jun 21, 2008, 2:44pm.

32. Mrs. Jeffries Holds the Trump by Emily Brightwell
33. Belladonna at Belstone by Michael Jecks

F - 25
NF - 6
C - 2

Message edited by its author, Jun 27, 2008, 7:46pm.

34. Founding Mothers by Cokie Roberts

I just love this period in history. The women are astounding.

F - 25
NF - 7
C - 2

35. I Shall Not Want by Julia Spencer-Fleming

F - 26
NF - 7
C - 2

36. The Franchise Affair by Josephine Tey
37. Number, Please by Sheree Petree

F - 28
NF - 7
C - 2

38. Slice and Dice by Ellen Hart

F - 29
NF - 7
C - 2

39. Resort to Murder by Various Minnesota Authors

F - 30
NF - 7
C - 2

40. Skinwalkers by Tony Hillerman

Not so good.

F - 31
NF - 7
C - 2

41. Christietown by Susan Kandel

F - 32
NF - 7
C - 2

42. Luncheon of the Boating Party by Susan Vreeland

F - 33
NF - 7
C - 2

43. Her Royal Spyness by Rhys Bowen

F - 34
NF - 7
C - 2

44. Organize Your Corpses by Mary Jane Maffini
45. The Merlot Murders by Ellen Crosby

F - 36
NF - 7
C - 2

oooh, now I want to read Luncheon of the Boating Party! I hadn't heard of it before. I just found your challenge list today - you have a really interesting mix of books here.

46. The Spellman Files by Lisa Lutz

This was sort of entertaining but I don't know if I would read the next book in the series. Maybe once I finished all the other books in my library would I continue...

F - 37
NF - 7
C - 2

Message edited by its author, Nov 1, 2008, 4:28pm.

47. Bean There, Done That by Sandra Balzo
48. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson

As always I enjoyed the Maggy Thorsen series by Sandra Balzo. They are just the perfect books to escape with for a few hours.

I started the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo with high expectations and at first wasn't sure what the fuss was about. About a third of the way through I was hooked, though I think the book should have ended a bit before it did. It's not always easy to read as it deals with some disturbing issues, but you find yourself flying through the pages to find out what will happen next.

F - 39
NF - 7
C - 2

49. Some Like it Hot-Buttered by Jeffrey Cohen
50. It Happened One Knife by Jeffrey Cohen
51. State of the Onion by Julie Hyzy
52. Through a Glass, Deadly by Sarah Atwell
53. A Poisoned Season by Tasha Alexander
54. Where Memories Lie by Deborah Crombie
55. A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

Wow! I've been busy over the last few weeks. It always helps to travel and be confined to an airplane. The Jeffrey Cohen books were fun and enjoyable. I found State of the Onion and Through a Glass, Deadly sort of interesting but not enough to keep the books or to continue the series. If I want to learn more about glassblowing I will read an actual book about glassblowing. I loved A Poisoned Season and have started reading the first book in the series. As always, Deborah Crombie provided an excellent book. A Christmas Carol was very entertaining. I knew the story through movies but it was nice to read it as it was intended. I didn't realize the humor that was part of the story.

F - 45
NF - 7
C - 3

Congratulations on reaching your challenge goal!
--BJ

56. And Only to Deceive by Tasha Alexander

I really liked the first book in the series by Tasha Alexander. I can't wait for the third one to come out next year in paperback.

F - 46
NF - 7
C - 3

57. Snow in August by Pete Hamill

I finally finished this book. It was really good, but I was hesitant to keep reading it because I was afraid of what bad things were going to happen to the main characters. Fortunately it all worked out in the end, but it didn't make it easier to read.

F - 47
NF - 7
C - 3

58. I Love You, Beth Cooper by Larry Doyle

I wanted to like this book much more than I actually did. It was entertaining at times and I enjoyed the quotes from classic teen movies, but I had a hard time relating or believing any of the characters. Though in hindsight I suppose that's how most of the teen movies really are.

F - 48
NF - 7
C - 3

59. Same Kind of Different as Me by Ron Hall

What a great book to end the year on. A fascinating tale of two people at opposite ends of the spectrum who find a way to meet in the middle and forge an unlikely friendship. It is also an honest and moving tale of a marriage. I also appreciated the fact that it occurred in the Ft. Worth & Dallas area where I live.

F - 48
NF - 8
C - 3