Katie Parker's 75 Book Challenge: January 1, 2011 - January 1, 2012

In 2009, I was able to exceed my goal of 50 books.

In 2010, I resolved to read 75 books and read only 63 young adult and adult books. Also, in 2010, I merely listed my reads on LibraryThing and offered my thoughts and opinions about these books only when asked directly.

In 2011, I resolve to read 75 books and share my thoughts and opinions about my completed books more regularly!

Glad to see you back with us again, Katie!

Thanks for having me!

I have read and enjoyed 4 of your top 5 books for last year, so I've got you starred!

#4: A new kindred spirit!

What #4 said! I haven't read Room but enjoyed all the others, so a star from me too.

Welcome back!

Hi there! I love your goal about sharing your thoughts on what you read. I'm so glad I've started reviewing what I read- I remember the books much better, and I have a nice record of my reading.

Here it is! My first book completed in 2011:

1. Bright Lights, Big Ass: A Self-Indulgent, Surly, Ex-Sorority Girl’s Guide to Why it Often Sucks in the City, or Who are These Idiots and Why Do They All Live Next Door To Me? by Jen Lancaster

Like her other books, Lancaster made me laugh out loud with her witty language and keen observations of not only the strange behaviors of those around her, but her own strange behaviors.

My rural upbringing and current suburban lifestyle, however, preventing me from truly connecting to this memoir in the way that I was able to with Such a Pretty Fat: One Narcissist's Quest to Discover If Her Life Makes Her Ass Look Big, or Why Pie Is Not the Answer.

In short, an enjoyable, but not life-altering, read.

#6: Another new kindred spirit and fellow Tracy Chevalier fan! I am pleased to meet your acquaintance. :-)

#7: Thanks! I'm happy to be here!

#8: Thanks for the words of encouragement!

#9: Looks like your reading year is off to a good start!

My second book completed in 2011:

2. Through the Looking Glass, and What Alice Found There by Lewis Carroll

Having previously read Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland as an elementary school student, I thought that I would enjoy this book more based on my fond (but probably romanticized) memories of the other work.

While I appreciated the concept, a novel in the form of a chess game, the execution left something to be desired.

I thoroughly enjoy nonsense and whimsy, but their packaging in this novel left me sometimes annoyed instead of curious or amused.

I look forward to our group's discussion of this work and also look forward to rereading Alice's Adventures in Wonderland to test the accuracy of my memory. :-)

My third book completed in 2011:

3. Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll

Having been previously disappointed this week by Through the Looking Glass, and What Alice Found There by Lewis Carroll, I was presently surprised to find his Alice in Wonderland as wonderful as I recalled it from my elementary school student years.

Though not couched in a clever concept, like a game of chess, but rather simply the useful plot device of a dream, this novel introduced more enjoyable and certainly less tedious and tiresome characters as Through the Looking Glass.

All in all, an enjoyable burst of whimsy that hit the spot in the middle of a blizzard!

I look forward to my book group's discussion of these two novels today!

My fourth book completed in 2011:

4. Persuasion by Jane Austen

Believe it or not, this is the first Jane Austen novel that I have read to date. While I will admit that, like William Shakespeare, it took me a chapter or two to comprehend in the author's manner of speech, I did enjoy this novel once immersed.

As I understand it, Persuasion is the most mature and perhaps darkest of Jane Austen's novels. I look forward to reading her "lighter side" as this story left me a little wanting at times for all of the bows of the plot to be tied up prettily and end happily ever after.

All in all, an good start to my year of Jane Austen immersion.

#16. I have to say, Persuasion is the Austen book I liked the least! I do feel that period-romance-society books should have an obvious looming happy ending and I get quite annoyed when they don't.

I adore Pride and Prejudice though, I have 28 copies of it to date. What made you start with one of the lesser-known Austens, out of interest?

Hi There

I'm compiling a list of birthdays of our group members. If you haven't done so already, would you mind stopping by this thread and posting yours.

Thanks.

http://www.librarything.com/topic/105833

My fifth and sixth books completed in 2011:

5. The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane by Katherine Howe

Completed for our school book club, this book was an interesting choice for me. While my opinion of paranormal or supernatural fiction seems to vary widely, I still find a compelling plot and good writing to be the deciding factors of whether or not I like a book. This book had a somewhat interesting plot and the use of flashback to tell the story was interesting, though I felt that the build-up didn't quite match the end result and that loose ends were tied up too quickly and neatly.

6. House Rules by Jodi Piccoult

A Christmas gift from my mother-in-law, this book matched my expectations of a Jodi Piccoult novel. As someone interested in individuals with disabilities and special education, I found Piccoult's treatment of Aspberger's to be thought-provoking and accurate. I thoroughly adore Piccoult's use of multiple narrators and was not disappointed by this novel. For those who enjoy Piccoult's style of writing and treatment of timely topics, I highly recommend this novel.

#16: You'll probably laugh at my answer to your question, but I chose Persuasion out of all of the Jane Austen novels on my shelf because it appeared to be the thinnest. I have tried reading both Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility in the past, only to be frustrated by the writing style and gift up. This time, I forced myself to really focus and was able to start "thinking" in written style used by Jane Austen. It's not a good reason, but it is my reason. :-)

My seventh and eighth books completed in 2011:

7. Carpool Diem by Nancy Star

I picked this book up awhile ago at a used book sale and grabbed it on my way out the door to the airport to read on the plane. While mildly entertaining, it appears that there was a reason that I had neglected this book for so long. Insipid at times, I found both the plot (recently unemployed mother reinvents herself as soccer mom and consultant) and writing leaving much to be desired. The premise wasn't all that interesting, nor was its execution.

8. The Girl in the Green Raincoat by Laura Lippman

This book was chosen for my flight home because I had seen it advertised in several magazines as a highlighted "to read". Not a reader of mysteries, this book is apparently part of of a "Tess Monaghan private investigator series" that I am not familiar with. Honestly, I mostly chose this book because I am currently pregnant and curious to see what bed rest might look like for an active career woman, such as Tess Monaghan. While the book did hold my attention for my time at the airport and in the air, I can't say that I was wowed by it or converted to crime fiction. On a side note, I was very distracted by what I now realize is a typographical error in the book. At some points, the title character's last name and her sister's last name is spelled Massinger and at other points it is spelled Messinger. Not being a reader of mysteries, I thought that this was an important clue and was disappointed when it was never addressed by the narrator (or the copy editor).

My ninth book completed in 2011:

9. Saving CeeCee Honeycutt: A Novel by Beth Hoffman

This book was recommended to me quite awhile ago by a fellow lover of Southern fiction. One of the LibraryThing reviewers said of this book that the parts amounted to more than the whole, and I quite agree. I really enjoyed this book as a series of character sketches that was loosely tied together via a main character, but all-in-all I found the overall plot line to be lacking in a way that other similar Southern fiction (The Help by Kathryn Stockett, The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd, anything by Mary Kay Andrews) is not. Mildly entertaining, though not life altering.

>20 mrskatieparker:. Sounds like a perfectly good reason to me! I did exactly the same with Dickens' novels - I started with A Christmas Carol because it was so short. When I found I liked it, I moved on to the longer ones.

It's strange though, I found Pride and Prejudice to be the most accessible Austen novel. I completely agree with you about Sense and Sensibility though - I really struggled to get through that one!

My tenth book completed in 2011:

10. Bound Feet and Western Dress by Pang-Mei Natasha Chang

I think that I picked this book up at a used book sale several years ago thinking that it would delight me as much as Amy Tan's novels or Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden or Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See. Each of these authors or books has delighted me with its characters, plot, and/or writing, as well as given me a rudimentary understanding of Asian culture. This book differs from the others, however, because of its factual, biographical (Chang Yu-i)/autobiographical (author Pang-Mei Chang) bindings. While Yu-i's development in terms of independence and struggles with traditional versus modern ways are interesting, they are, of course, not as interesting as fictional writing designed to further a plot. It appears that there is a reason that I typically straight fiction rather than biographical or autobiographical memoirs...

My eleventh book completed in 2011:

11. Mudbound by Hillary Jordan

Another book club choice, this time for the neighborhood book club...this is the first book I read in entirety in eBook format on my Nook. While I thought that the electronic medium would make a huge difference in my reading enjoyment and/or speed, after a few chapters I was no longer aware of the differences between the digital and the print and was able to thoroughly enjoy the story. What I admire most about Hilary Jordan's novel is the multiple voice approach she has taken to building a true story through the eyes and ears her characters. I really enjoyed experiencing the growth of her characters as they navigated a difficult historical time period, sometimes with grace and finesse and other times with clumsiness and ignorance. While the story did not quite peak as I had hoped, and while I was not completely satisfied with the ending, I did enjoy this novel.

My twelth book completed in 2011:

12. The Coffin Quilt by Ann Rinaldi

I rediscovered this used book find upon cleaning out our guest room in anticipation of turning it into a nursery. While most of my reading lately has been about pregnancy and raising twins, I did find time to finish this very short, rather disappointing read. While I typically find the feud between the Hatfields and the McCoys to be a fascinating time in history, the narration of early teen Fanny McCoy left something to be desired. Fanny has the potential to offer an interesting vantage point into this family's long history of killings, abductions, raids, and heartbreak, but instead appears detached and, at times, boring. I look forward to reading about this historical feud again, but I hope that the next author who attempts it is able to develop a more interesting plot, perhaps by using a more accessible narrator.

I hope your next read is a better one for you, Katie!

My thirteenth and fourteenth books completed in 2011:

13. These Things Hidden by Heather Gudenkauf

This book was recommended to our book club for our most recent read.

While we haven't met yet to discuss it, informal discussions with book club members have led me to believe that it may not have been as well received as the recommended intended. Many of the mothers of young children in our group found this book to be personally disturbing. Though I am not yet officially a mother, as someone pregnant with twins, I did find the content of this book somewhat unsettling. I am typically curiously interested in, rather than upset by books involving teenage pregnancy, including those that can be referred to as "dumpster baby" books and are popular with a portion of my clientale as a junior/senior high school librarian.

I look forward to our book club's discussion next week and hope that we are able to move beyond the content to the actual construction of the book, which I found to be similar, though inferior, to Jodi Piccoult's trademark style both in terms of the "ripped from the headlines" content and the multi-character narration. All in all, not my favorite read of 2011.

14. Bossypants by Tina Fey

This book was chosen for another book club that I am involved in and is not a book that I ever would have chosen to read, personally. Neither a reader of celebrity biographies and/or autobiographies, nor a viewer of Saturday Night Live or 30 Rock, this book does not really belong on either my physical nor virtual bookshelf. While I didn't hate the book and even, perhaps, found it mildly entertaining, I can't say that it will cause my life to change in any way including my television viewing habits.

#28: I do not think that These Things Hidden is my cuppa either. I hope your book club's discussion is an interesting one!

My fifteenth book completed in 2011:

15. Summer Rental by Mary Kay Andrews

I downloaded this book to my Nook due solely to my previous satisfying experiences with this author. This book was exactly as I expected it to be... a low key beach read involving relationships between women, minor romance, and a house in need of some polish to add to its charm. A perfect choice for what I needed from a book at that moment. Thank you again, Mary Kay Andrews!

It's really all about the mood when reading the book, isn't it? Something I'll enjoy in the summer on the beach may not be something I'd like in the winter curled up on the couch.

#31: You are exactly right. It's amazing our frame of mind and physical surroundings affect the reading experience. Thank you for reminding me of that!

My sixteenth book completed in 2011:

16. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

This book was added to my stack of summer reads from the junior/senior high school library, because it's never on the shelf during the school year. I finished it in two days and am so excited to finally be "in the know" with this series so that I can turn kids on to it from other similarly addictive series (Harry Potter, Twilight, etc.) While this book is not as beautifully written as most of the books that I prefer, nor are the relationships as well defined or "angsty" as most of the books that my junior/senior high school students prefer, there is definitely something about this book. The futuristic world constructed by the author is completely engaging and its combination with a familiar lens for examining the world, reality television, is as addictive as reality television, itself, can be. I can't wait to recommend this book to reluctant readers looking for adventure and suspense in their literature. (I also can't wait to read the next book in the series!)

Stop now! The Hunger Games is by far the best book in the series. Catching Fire was okay, and Mockingjay was really not worth the time to read it. I loved the Hunger Games but Collins should have either spent more time on plot development for the later installations. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.

#34: Thanks for the warning. I haven't yet had time to locate a copy of Catching Fire or Mockingjay, so I will make certain that they are not such a priority on my reading list. Too many books, too little time to read books that aren't worth it. :-)

My seventeenth book completed in 2011:

17. Skinny by Ibi Kaslik

This book was added to my stack of summer reads from the junior/senior high school library, because of its compelling title and content area. Books about eating disorders, such as anorexia and bulimia are very hot right now for teens and I am always trying to learn more about these topics in a way that doesn't involve pamphlets from doctor's offices, but rather those who have had direct experience with these illnesses or those who enjoy writing about these issues. More importantly, I wanted to know if this book would be a good reading recommendation to students that I suspect may be dealing with these issues or if it may cause further problems by offering suggestions for achieving an unhealthy weight or hiding an eating disorder.

I found that this book was much more than a "memoir of an eating disorder," but rather a story of two sisters (both narrators) who each seem simultaneously bent on self-destruction and perfection. Past experiences (questions of paternity, death of a parent, deafness) have strengthened the bond between the two sisters, but has also created a dysfunctional family dynamic in which issues like anorexia can thrive.

While this book wasn't exactly what I was expecting, I now know that I probably wouldn't recommend it to any of the younger or less mature students in my school, nor would I offer it as a reading recommendation for those I suspect may be dealing with an eating disorder. This is not because it glamorizes or offers suggestions on how to achieve a state of being "skinny," but rather because I don't think it offers hope to an anorexic teen.

An interesting, if somewhat unexpected read.

My eighteenth book completed in 2011:

18. The Confessions of Katherine Howard by Susannah Dunn

On an impulse, I checked this book out of the "New Books" section at the public library (despite having numerous of books in my "To Be Read" pile at home). I am generally fascinated by books (and other mediums) about Tudor England, especially those dealing with King Henry VIII and his wives. I have read two other books focusing primarily on Katherine (or Kitty) Howard, The Rose Without a Thorn by Jean Plaidy and The Boleyn Inheritance by Philippa Gregory. While I am aware that Gregory's accounts are not always historically accurate, I do find them to be the best reads. It appears that I prefer Gregory's fictional speculation to Dunn's commitment to historical accuracy. As always, I enjoyed delving into this time period and learning more about Katherine Howard. However, I did wish the book had made Katherine's ascension to the throne more believable.

My nineteenth book completed in 2011:

19. The Last Time I Saw You: A Novel by Elizabeth Berg

This book was gift for my birthday (in April) and I am so glad that it finally rose to the top of my "To Be Read" pile. Elizabeth Berg never fails to disappoint. While her plots are not intricate or particularly clever or original, the care she takes with her character development and word choice more than make up for the lack of "action" in the plots of her novels. I enjoyed Berg's reflections on high school, the aging process, and second chances for life, love, and the pursuit of happiness in this gem of a book.

#38: I have not yet read that one by Berg. I will have to check it out! Thanks for the recommendation.

My twentieth book completed in 2011:

20. The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake by Aimee Bender

I had read several positive reviews of this book (and also found the cover to be aesthetically pleasing), so was excited to find a copy at my public library. Unfortunately, I didn't find either the writing style or the plot to match the hype of its premise. This book, though initially interesting and unique, turned out to be very strange and a chore to finish. Not my cup of tea (or slice of lemon cake).

#39: I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

>40 mrskatieparker: Most of the reviews I've read of the book were similar to yours. I'm definitely skipping it, even if I really like the title.

#40: I am one who does not want to read that particular book either.

I hope your next read is more your cuppa, Katie!

My twenty-first book completed in 2011:

21: Little Beauties: A Novel by Kim Addonizio

I purchased this book at a used book sale for the very low price of a quarter and am fairly certain that I invested an appropriate amount of money and an inappropriate amount of time into it. Though not a lengthy read and not entirely a waste of time, I would describe this book as another example of execution not meeting the expectations of the premise. Narrated from three multiple viewpoints (Diana, a former beauty pageant winner dealing with divorce and OCD; Jamie, a pregnant teenager dealing with decisions concerning motherhood; and Stella, Jamie's newborn), the characters in this book were certainly interesting and worth learning more about. Unfortunately, after I had gotten to know each of them, I was disappointed by their actions and the results thereof. In summary, a short, strange read...

#42: I'm glad I'm not the only one that felt that way. I'm beginning to think that my standards are too stringent or that I'm becoming a curmudgeon of a reader. :-)

#43: You're wise to avoid... I also hope for literary bliss in the future. :-)

You have had a couple of bad reads in a row, Katie. You are due for a good one soon!

My twenty-second and twenty-third books completed in 2011:

22: One Fifth Avenue by Candace Bushnell

Another book that I purchased for twenty-five cents at a used book sale...and I can say that I enjoyed this "literary investment" for what it was -- "chick lit" set in New York City and focusing on the intertwining lives of very wealthy individuals and those that aspire to be very wealthy. As a series of character sketches loosely tied together with a meandering plot, this book met my expectations. In summary (or in summer, :-)) a good, light vacation read.

23. Girls in Trucks by Katie Crouch

Another book sale find, this book had a very interesting premise -- rebellious young lady rejects Southern traditions of young ladies gone before her -- but the execution varied widely throughout the book. The author took several different approaches to telling her story (or, arguably, stories). Some chapters of the book felt like traditional Southern fiction, while others felt more like an individual assignment for a creative writing class. What I found to be the most disappointing (or strange) was the ending of the book. After approximately 200 pages of character development, Katie Crouch impregnates the main character, kills her father, and makes her a lesbian in order to tie this seemingly plot-less novel up with a shiny bow. A disappointment, with the exception of the truly stunning cover.

#46: Stay tuned, I'm certain that a fabulous read is just around the corner! (I am an eternal literary optimist. :-))

#48: Well, hang in there, you optimist, you! I will be an optimist for you too :)

My twenty-fourth book completed in 2011:

24. The Reading Promise: My Father and the Books We Shared by Alice Ozma

This book was mailed to me by my aunt without any forewarning. Obviously, its premise -- single father/elementary librarian reads children's literature aloud to his daughter every night for over 3,000 nights screamed my name at her in the bookstore! She was correct in her choice...

As a school librarian and expectant parent, I am looking for reading/literacy inspiration in aspects of my life and this book inspired me both as a professional and as mother-to-be of twins. After finishing the book, I immediately conveyed to my husband that I would like to make it a point to share a reading experience with our boys at least 10 minutes each day for as long as they will let me and to document this overall experience (lists of the books we have shared, photographs of us reading together, etc.).

As I began planning my maternity leave substitute plans, I also began pondering how I will return to school and decided that sharing with my elementary students "what I read over summer vacation" would be a great way to convey to them my devotion to them (my library patrons), to the library, and to the pursuit of reading, as well as an interesting way to introduce them to my babies (lists of the books we have already shared by the time I return to school, photographs of us reading together, etc.).

I'm not certain that I found the actual delivery of the author's writing to be terribly moving or her description of her relationship with her father to be as interesting as I wanted it to be, but somehow the premise of this book (as well as the name-dropping of favorite titles and authors) made this a memorable, pleasant read.

My twenty-fifth book completed in 2011 (or my Literary Quarter Quell):

25. Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

Another book added to my stack of summer reads from the junior/senior high school library, because of its popularity and because I enjoyed The Hunger Games so much.

I didn't finish this book quite as quickly as the first (possibly because I'm reading three books at the same time), but I did enjoy it for what it was, though perhaps not as much as The Hunger Games. I appreciated the symbolism of this book more than the first, as well as the intricate nature of the plan for the games. I was a bit disappointed by the lack of character development of some of the tributes and would have liked to have learned more about these "reality television stars" of Panem.

I look forward to discussing this book with friends who have read the entire series. I also plan to read the final book in the series very soon.

My twenty-sixth and twenty-seventh books completed in 2011:

26. The Beach House by Mary Alice Monroe

27. Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

My twenty-eighth book completed in 2011:

28. Summer on Blossom Street by Debbie Macomber

My twenty-ninth book completed in 2011:

29. Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford

I liked that book. Hope you did too!

My thirtieth book completed in 2011:

30. Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

My thirty-first book completed in 2011:

31. Vixen by Jillian Larkin

My thirty-second book completed in 2011:

32. Blue Bloods by Melissa de la Cruz

My thirty-third through thirty-sixth books completed in 2011:

33. Grace: A Christmas Sisters of the Heart Novel by Shelley Shepard Gray

34. The Christmas Wedding by James Patterson

35. Special Edward by Eric Walters

36. Princess of the Midnight Ball by Jessica Day George

My apologies for not reviewing most of my previous reads this year. I gave birth to twins in August and simply completing books (that aren't made of thick cardboard) is now a feat for me. :-)

I think having twins is sufficient reason! :)

You did some good reading this year! I'm hoping you'll join us for 2012...