Can laurendd do it?

Ok, I'm going to join the challenge, though my reading has slowed down drastically since work has taken over my life...

What I've read this year so far...

January
Next - Michael Crichton
Ines of my Soul - Isabel Allende

February
The Alchemist - Paulo Coelho (for about the 100th time)
The Other Boleyn Girl - Philippa Gregory (loved this, will be reading a lot more of her
The Queen's Fool - Philippa Gregory

March
The Power of your Subconscious Mind - Joseph Murphy

Just started Crime & Punishment, this one could take me awhile...

6 / 50
(12.0%)

finished Crime & Punishment ... finally. I have to say, I did not enjoy it at all.

7 / 50
(14.0%)

I recently finished The City of Falling Angels by John Berendt which has made me want to go to Venice so badly. I didn't even know what to expect when I picked up the book, just decided to read it because I liked his previous work.

Now I have moved onto re-reading all of the Harry Potter books in anticipation of the finale. Have just re-read Harry Potter & the Sorcerer's Stone.

9 / 50
(18.0%)

Ok...Finished Harry Potter & the Chamber of Secrets - onto book 3 now.

10 / 50
(20.0%)

Aaah - I'm reading the Harry Potter books too fast! I'm going to be finished way before July 21st!

Re-read book 3. I had forgotten how much I really liked this one - I think it's my favorite. It has a new level of suspense and emotional pull as Harry learns more about his family. Plus Lupin and Black just become such wonderful and touching characters in the final moments of the story.

11 / 50
(22.0%)

Harry Potter & the Goblet of Fire

12 / 50
(24.0%)

Ooh, I am so pleased, I have timed the Harry Potter thing perfectly. Just finished Harry Potter & the Order of the Phoenix - am on vacation this week, during which I will read book six and come home on sunday to find the new book waiting on my doorstep! yeah!

I have now finished the Harry Potter series and I feel that there is an empty hole in my life where these books used to be. I find myself not wanting to move on to another book - I'm so depressed.

I wonder how soon is too soon to start re-reading the series all over again...

15 / 50
(30.0%)

May I suggest His Majesty's Dragon by Naomi Novik? I've heard it recced on those "what to read now that Harry Potter is done" lists, but I've already read it so no consolation for me there except for the fact that the new book in that series is coming out next month :D.

I wrote a non-spoilery review of 'Dragon' on my 50-book list here

Thanks waiting, I'll have to check that one out. I actually just finished A Respectable Trade by Philippa Gregory which was sorely disappointing.

I love her works about Tudor England, but this book, a story about the slave trade in Britain was slow, uninteresting & the characters were all so unlikeable. I couldn't wait to finish.

Oh well - I'm on to Tracy Chevalier's newest book now...

16 / 50
(32.0%)

>5 laurendd: My mom just gave me The City of Falling Angels--sounds like I should move it up on the list of books to be read!

I just can't seem to find a good book since Harry Potter!!

I have just finished reading Burning Bright - Tracy Chevalier's newest - and I was not impressed at all. It was such a convoluted story - there were all these little side stories branching off the plot and I just couldn't get into it at all. Definitely not one of her best.

Now I'm reading The Last Empress - since I loved Empress Orchid, I am hoping against hope that I have finally picked up a decent book.

17 / 50
(34.0%)

Though it was a good book that kept my interest, and it was wonderful to read the continuing story of Orchid, The Last Empress was woefully lacking in the charm & richness that made Empress Orchid so wonderful. The plot became bogged down in the military movements and history of the boxer rebellion and lost the personal story that drove Empress Orchid. Overall, only an ok read.

18 / 50
(36.0%)

Finally, I have read the first book that I actually really enjoyed since finishing Harry Potter - The Boleyn Inheritance, the latest by Philippa Gregory.

Gregory does such an excellent job bringing Tudor England to life and, having read both The Constant Princess and The Other Boleyn Girl, I am entrenched enough in the story to be always ready to re-immerse myself in this story. Though not quite on par with The Other Boleyn Girl, the book was very good.

19 / 50
(38.0%) 19 / 50
(38.0%)