I've decided that this year I will not be shooting for any number. That way I won't rush through books just so that I can make a number. This will be just a listing of all the books I've read this year.

1. The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas pere

2. Pale Fire by Vladimir Nabokov

I don't know yet how I feel about this book. It has been too long since I've read anything else by Nabokov.

Hi sanja, I'm only 3+ months into my 50 book challenge thread and am already realizing I need to quit focusing on the number. If I'm not careful these threads, for me, make reading a bit of an Olympic sport. In my experience I usually read 45 to 60 books a year, in fits and spurts, and I rarely plan ahead, but often just read to satisfy whatever mood I'm in at the moment that I reach for the next book. Good luck in the coming year.

Hi, sanja!
I am hoping to read The Three Musketeers soon. How did you like it? Was it a fun read, kind of like it was a fun movie?
--BJ

3. The Big Four by Agatha Christie.

I love her. And I love Poirot. But this book, especially near the beginning, was very similar to Passenger to Frankfurt. Very 'there is a secret organization that is controlling the world and wants to end civilization and rule in chaos.' So sorry if I ruined the books for anyone. However, I did like this one much better. Passenger is the only Christie book that I've ever sold back.

4. Fair and Tender Ladies

I was pleasantly surprised by this book. I don't usually like her books.

5. Are you there Vodka? It's me, Chelsea

Hahahahahahaha Hahahahahaha

Now THAT is a title :)

The book is hilarious.

6. Stories from the Greek Tragedians

Quite an old book. The language was a bit stilted and now I know exactly how annoying deus ex machina can be.

7. Three Men in a Boat

Hilarious. This maybe one of the best books I've read in years.

Oh, good. I'm glad to see that you liked Three Men in a Boat. I've been wanting to read it ever since I read To Say Nothing of the Dog and I bought it a couple of months ago. I will have to get to it soon!

I'm curious, how did you like The Three Musketeers? I tried to read it several years ago and didn't get very far. Should I give it another try?

8. The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova

Meh. The beginning and the middle of the book were captivating. I stayed up entirely too late reading. But the ending was just confusing.

And another thing: ***Spoiler Alert*** Feeling unworthy of your husband, baby, life in the couple of months right after giving birth is called 'Postpartum Depression', not 'being stalked by Dracula.' Sheesh. Get some therapy and don't go stabbing people with silver knife!

Message edited by its author, Feb 19, 2009, 6:06pm.

Too funny! :D
--BJ

9. The Wit and Wisdom of Mark Twain

10. Room with a View

Such a good book. Maybe it's just too late at night and maybe I'm just overly sentimental, but right now, this may be one of the most beautiful books I've read.

Possibly I'm overly sentimental too, because it is one of the most beautiful books I've read, too. Forster is wonderful!

Thirded! I love A Room With a View--it's one of those that I return to when I hit a little reading slump, or when I'm feeling blue. Nothing like youthful optimism to make the world shine. :)

11. Rebecca

Classic. I know there are people out there that hate Maxim, but I don't mind him.

I loved that book!
--BJ

12. Elephants can remember

This isn't one of my favorites. Too much in the past, I guess.

13. The Wit and Wisdom of Oscar Wilde

14. The Hours

Lots of very confused people trying.

So, is this book somehow connected to Mrs. Dalloway? Did you read that one, too? I have not read any Virginia Woolf. Yet.
--BJ

Never read any Virginia Woolf either. I got a bit of a glimpse about the book from this one thought.

Edited to correct spelling mistake.

Message edited by its author, Apr 18, 2009, 2:58pm.

15. The French Lieutenant's Woman

*SPOILER ALERT*
I don't like this book. It's stupid. The first 250 pages were beautiful. Then, just like Captain Corelli's Mandolin, the book goes completely off the rails. Bah!
And the characters make me so angry. He's just a snob. He 'believes in equality,' but gets offended if a woman assumes that they are equal. He believes that 'the species must adapt to survive,' he believes in survival of the fittest, but God forbid someone asks him to get a job after he loses his money. 'A Gentleman does not work.' Bah.
And she... Well, she's just psychotic. She makes up a story that she knows will make her an outcast. Then she feels sorry for herself when she is treated as such. She lies constantly to the guy she 'loves' only to be dismayed when he gets angry. She says that she doesn't want to be married or understood, only to agree that they should get married.
After that whole mess, the author, in his infinite wisdom, gives us two endings. Just for fun.
And then, for some unknown reason, I'm supposed to cheer for them and hope they are happy? They deserve each other. I just don't like their brand of crazy anywhere near me.
*/SPOILER ALERT*

16. 3 Short Reads by Edgar Allan Poe

From Daily Lit. I'm not quite sure how to count them.

17. Love in the Time of Cholera

Beautifully written. Another classic off the TBR list.

18. The Pale Horse

I never saw it coming! I would have bet that the other guy was the mastermind murderer! I love her!

19. The Pluto Files

20. The Sisters Mallone

I really enjoyed this book. I'll have to look at more of her books.

I'm also way behind the number of books I've read this year when compared to last. More fluffy summer books it is! If nothing else, it will pare down my tbr mountain, as I'm much more likely to discard a fluffy book if it's boring. If it's a classic I keep it so that I can give it another chance later.

21. The Mermaid Chair

Meh. I think I'll give to my mom. She might like it better.

Ahhhhhhhhh, I loved The Mermaid Chair and love anything by Sue Monk Kidd. But you are most likely much younger than I and hopefully your mother will like it. I hope so.
To my mind, Kidd ranks right up there with Kris Radish whom I adore also and she makes me belly-laugh so hard I have to change my socks.
Well, diversity is key when it comes to the human being. Perhaps your next book will be a gem. Here's hoping.
Enjoy your day.
N/B

Message edited by its author, May 15, 2009, 12:31pm.

I loved The Secret Life of Bees and have been planning to read The Mermaid Chair, but this is the second "meh" I've seen for it this week...I may have to move it down the list.

I really wouldn't make any serious decisions on my 'meh.' The main character was just not my cup of tea. I doubt I'd be friends with her in real life. And the ending was just slightly too convenient for me.

22. An Ideal Husband

Typical Oscar Wilde. And I love it. Which is a really bad review, but what do you want from me? I'm in physical pain here. :)

23. Magarece Godine by Branko Copic

Good to know I can still read the language. I love this book. Though it was 15 years, 3 countries and a continent ago that I read it last.

24. When the Emperor was Divine

This is a beautiful book. So sad. I really should pick a happy one next.

25. Deadfall

Ok. Writing is stilted and conversation awkward. Entertaining, but I'm donating it.

26. The Last Lecture

Great. Now I'm crying. I guess I'll go to work tomorrow with puffy eyes.

That sounds more callous than I intended it to be. The book is wonderful. And sad, inspirational.

27. Franny and Zooey

I don't think I'm smart enough for this book. Most books don't make me feel stupid, but this one did. I keep trying to figure out the meaning of all the things, but it's not working out.

28. Queen of the Underworld

I really like Godwin's writing. I am going to have to find some more of her books. This book is beautifully written. I haven't been able to focus on a book in a while, but this one pulled me in.

I actually miss this book. How does that happen? I really truly want to know what happens next. Guess it was a better book than I thought.

29. Death in the Family by James Agee

This was a beautifully written book. I'm pleasantly surprised, especially since I had to pause it during the first chapter last time I tried to read it. I'm glad I made it all the way through this time.

I will probably post more when I wake up completely.

30. Portnoy's Complaint by Philip Roth

I'm not quite sure what I think of this book. It was entertaining. Lots of cussing.

It seems my mac doesn't display html images. anyone know how to fix this?

Message edited by its author, Jul 26, 2009, 12:50pm.

Thanks!

31. The Left Hand of Darkness

Apparently this book won a bunch of awards. I think it was kind of boring. There were almost 5 chapters on what it's like to go on a 700 mile hike through ice and snow.

32. The Mysterious Affair at Styles

Yay first Agatha Christie book written!

33. The Secret Adversary

I've decided to read all the Agatha Christie books in chronological order. I am totally CDO. CDO is like OCD, but in alphabetical order, like it should be. :)

Message edited by its author, Aug 4, 2009, 6:59pm.

34. The Man in the Brown Suit

Something about this book just didn't sit right with me. Maybe it's the love conquers all vibe.

35. The Secret of Chimneys

36. Revolutionary Road

It's hard for me to feel sorry for the characters in this novel. They sound entirely spoiled and like they have too much time free time and no real problems, so they just invent imaginary ones. I'm probably just missing the point of the book.

37. Ragtime by E. L. Doctorow

I love this book. This might be my 4th reading of it.

38. The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie

39. My life in France by Julia Child

One of my first biographies. I think I like it.

40. The Mystery of the Blue Train by Agatha Christie

Sometimes I feel like the readers don't get all the data. How are we supposed to know about an extra suspect if you don't introduce him until the next to last chapter? Other than that, good book. I like it.

41. The Bridges of Madison Country by Robert James Waller

Well written, quick read about a deep, passionate affair. Don't want to ruin it for anyone, but you don't know anything about a person in 4 days. And though you feel like your 'love' is true and deep and could handle anything, try it after 10 years of brushing your teeth next each other and worrying about paying bills. Four days gives you lust and the feeling you can fly, not love that can handle illnesses, mortgages, and everyday annoyances. But if I ignore my own little biases, then the book is beautifully written. :)

42. The Seven Dials Mystery