BBleil's 2nd Annual Challenge to 75 in 2012
Talk 75 Books Challenge for 2012
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1BBleil
This is my second year of the 75 book challenge. Participating in the challenge last year increased my reading and broadened my reading selections. I'm excited to start a new year!
2011 Favorites
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton
The Invisible Bridge by Julie Orringer
City of Thieves by James Benioff
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith (audio book)
The Tiger’s Wife by Tea Obreht
New York by Edward Rutherfurd
Fingersmith by Sarah Waters
Forever by Pete Hamill
The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck (audio book)
The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley
Mr. Chartwell by Rebecca Hunt
The Saga: The Saga of the Mitford Family by Mary S. Lovell
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
The Weed that Strings the Hangman’s Bag by Alan Bradley
2011 Favorites
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton
The Invisible Bridge by Julie Orringer
City of Thieves by James Benioff
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith (audio book)
The Tiger’s Wife by Tea Obreht
New York by Edward Rutherfurd
Fingersmith by Sarah Waters
Forever by Pete Hamill
The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck (audio book)
The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley
Mr. Chartwell by Rebecca Hunt
The Saga: The Saga of the Mitford Family by Mary S. Lovell
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
The Weed that Strings the Hangman’s Bag by Alan Bradley
2BBleil
January Books
1. Assassination Vacation by Sarah Vowell (3.5 stars)
2. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, second reading on audio book (5 stars)
3. Secret Daughter by Shilpi Somaya Gowda (3.5 stars)
4. Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand (4.5 stars)
5. Joy for Beginners by Erica Bauermeister (3 stars)
6. Major Pettigrew's Last Stand by Helen Simonson (5 stars)
7. The Lock Artist by Steve Hamilton (4 stars)
1. Assassination Vacation by Sarah Vowell (3.5 stars)
2. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, second reading on audio book (5 stars)
3. Secret Daughter by Shilpi Somaya Gowda (3.5 stars)
4. Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand (4.5 stars)
5. Joy for Beginners by Erica Bauermeister (3 stars)
6. Major Pettigrew's Last Stand by Helen Simonson (5 stars)
7. The Lock Artist by Steve Hamilton (4 stars)
3BBleil
February Books
8. The Tea Rose by Jennifer Donnelly (3.5 stars)
9. A Summer in Europe by Marilyn Brant (3.5 stars)
10. A Red Herring Without Mustard by Alan Bradley (3 stars)
11. The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters (4 stars)
12. To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee (5 stars)
8. The Tea Rose by Jennifer Donnelly (3.5 stars)
9. A Summer in Europe by Marilyn Brant (3.5 stars)
10. A Red Herring Without Mustard by Alan Bradley (3 stars)
11. The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters (4 stars)
12. To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee (5 stars)
4BBleil
March Books
13. A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness (4 stars)
14. Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro (4 stars)
15. The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot (5 stars)
16. Case Histories by Kate Atkinson (3.5 stars)
17. Used and Rare: Travels in the Book World by Lawrence Goldstone (3 stars)
18. The Lotus Eaters by Tatjana Soli (3 stars)
13. A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness (4 stars)
14. Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro (4 stars)
15. The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot (5 stars)
16. Case Histories by Kate Atkinson (3.5 stars)
17. Used and Rare: Travels in the Book World by Lawrence Goldstone (3 stars)
18. The Lotus Eaters by Tatjana Soli (3 stars)
5BBleil
April Books
19. Excellent Women by Barbara Pym (5 stars)
20. Matched by Ally Condie (3.5 stars)
21. Homer's Odyssey by Gwen Cooper (4 stars)
22. The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger (2 stars)
19. Excellent Women by Barbara Pym (5 stars)
20. Matched by Ally Condie (3.5 stars)
21. Homer's Odyssey by Gwen Cooper (4 stars)
22. The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger (2 stars)
6BBleil
May Books
23. The Magicians by Lev Grossman (2.5 stars)
24. Crossed by Ally Condie (3.5 stars)
25. The Likeness by Tana French (4 stars)
26. Fifty Shades of Grey by E L James (3 stars)
27. Fifty Shades Darker by E L James (3 stars)
23. The Magicians by Lev Grossman (2.5 stars)
24. Crossed by Ally Condie (3.5 stars)
25. The Likeness by Tana French (4 stars)
26. Fifty Shades of Grey by E L James (3 stars)
27. Fifty Shades Darker by E L James (3 stars)
7BBleil
June Books
28. Fifty Shades Freed by E L James (4 stars)
29. Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers (4 stars)
30. The Hostage by Susan Wiggs (4 stars)
28. Fifty Shades Freed by E L James (4 stars)
29. Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers (4 stars)
30. The Hostage by Susan Wiggs (4 stars)
8BBleil
July Books
31. I Am Half-Sick of Shadows by Alan Bradley (3.5 stars)
32. The Crimson Petal and the White by Michel Faber (4 stars)
33. The Paris Wife by Paula Mclain (4 stars)
34. Winesburg, Ohio by Sherwood Anderson (3 stars)
35. Party of One: The Loners' Manifesto by Anneli Rufus (2 stars)
36. French Lessons by Ellen Sussman (3 stars)
31. I Am Half-Sick of Shadows by Alan Bradley (3.5 stars)
32. The Crimson Petal and the White by Michel Faber (4 stars)
33. The Paris Wife by Paula Mclain (4 stars)
34. Winesburg, Ohio by Sherwood Anderson (3 stars)
35. Party of One: The Loners' Manifesto by Anneli Rufus (2 stars)
36. French Lessons by Ellen Sussman (3 stars)
9BBleil
August Books
37. The Taker by Alma Katsu (3 stars)
38. Mansfield Park by Jane Austen (5 stars)
39. The Raising by Laura Kasischke (3.5 stars)
40. The Last Werewolf by Glen Duncan (3.5 stars)
37. The Taker by Alma Katsu (3 stars)
38. Mansfield Park by Jane Austen (5 stars)
39. The Raising by Laura Kasischke (3.5 stars)
40. The Last Werewolf by Glen Duncan (3.5 stars)
10BBleil
September Books
41. The Betrayal by Helen Dunmore (3.5 stars)
42. The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley (4 stars)
41. The Betrayal by Helen Dunmore (3.5 stars)
42. The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley (4 stars)
11BBleil
October Books
43. In the Garden of Beasts by Erik Larson (3.5 stars)
44. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern (5 stars)
43. In the Garden of Beasts by Erik Larson (3.5 stars)
44. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern (5 stars)
12BBleil
November Books
45. The Passage by Justin Cronin (4 stars)
46. The Weird Sisters by Eleanor Brown (3 stars)
45. The Passage by Justin Cronin (4 stars)
46. The Weird Sisters by Eleanor Brown (3 stars)
13BBleil
December Books
47. A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness (4 stars, 2nd reading)
48. Shadow of Night by Deborah Harkness (4 stars)
49. Parnassus on Wheels by Christopher Morley (4 stars)
50. So Many Books, So Little Time by Sara Nelson (3 stars)
51. Faithful Place by Tana French (4 stars)
52. When We Were Very Young by A. A. Milne (3 stars)
53. Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Life and Writing by Anne Lamott (3 stars)
47. A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness (4 stars, 2nd reading)
48. Shadow of Night by Deborah Harkness (4 stars)
49. Parnassus on Wheels by Christopher Morley (4 stars)
50. So Many Books, So Little Time by Sara Nelson (3 stars)
51. Faithful Place by Tana French (4 stars)
52. When We Were Very Young by A. A. Milne (3 stars)
53. Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Life and Writing by Anne Lamott (3 stars)
15alcottacre
Glad to see you back with us again in 2012!
16BBleil
Assassination Vacation by Sarah Vowell (3.5 stars)
The first day of 2012 and I have already finished a book from the TBR shelf! I learned of Sarah Vowell only recently, but I really like her. She makes history much cooler than I previously thought. She rights of history, politics and pop culture as a member from my generation which I totally understand. She also writes about Washington, DC and New York, my two favorite cities.
The first day of 2012 and I have already finished a book from the TBR shelf! I learned of Sarah Vowell only recently, but I really like her. She makes history much cooler than I previously thought. She rights of history, politics and pop culture as a member from my generation which I totally understand. She also writes about Washington, DC and New York, my two favorite cities.
17sandykaypax
I liked Assassination Vacation, too. I live in Cleveland, and have visited Lakeview Cemetery, where James Garfield is buried several times, so I was interested to read Vowell's experiences. I agree, she makes history somehow cool with her quirky, funny style.
Sandy K
Sandy K
18alcottacre
Congratulations on getting your reading year off to a good start!
19BBleil
#17 Hi Sandy! It looks like we share several favorite authors and books. I tagged you with an interesting library. I look forward to staying connected! ~Beth B
20japaul22
Found your thread and dropped off a star! Assassination Vacation is on my TBR pile. Hoping to get to it sometime this year - glad to hear you liked it!
21sandykaypax
Thanks, Beth! I will check out YOUR library, now!
Sandy K
Sandy K
22BBleil
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
5 stars
This was an audio book and the second time I read the novel. I have found that listening to a novel in audio book after reading it adds more dimension to already loved book and allows me to appreciate it in a new way. I'm also excited for the movie this year!
Secret Daughter by Shilpi Somaya Gowda
3.5 stars
A great story about international adoption and it's personal impacts to real people. The best part for me was being introduced to Mumbai and Indian life. I also loved that the story had a positive but not too tidy ending.
5 stars
This was an audio book and the second time I read the novel. I have found that listening to a novel in audio book after reading it adds more dimension to already loved book and allows me to appreciate it in a new way. I'm also excited for the movie this year!
Secret Daughter by Shilpi Somaya Gowda
3.5 stars
A great story about international adoption and it's personal impacts to real people. The best part for me was being introduced to Mumbai and Indian life. I also loved that the story had a positive but not too tidy ending.
23sandykaypax
Secret Daughter sounds interesting. The book that really introduced me to Mumbai was A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry. Have you read that one? Great book.
Sandy K
Sandy K
24alcottacre
I have seen rather mixed reviews of Secret Daughter. I am still debating with myself about it, which is really a moot point since my local library does not even carry the book.
25BBleil
#23 - Sandy K: No, I haven't heard of A Fine Balance! I will take a look and thanks for the recommendation.
#24 - Alcottacre: I could understand the mixed reviews. Now that I learned she was a first time novelist, the writing quality makes sense. I really enjoyed the reality she infused in the plot lines and ending (although she did add a random plot line which bothered me, see? mixed reviews!). She could have really created a too perfect ending, and I'm glad she didn't. I would wait to see if the book shows up in your library or on a used book shelf, no need to quickly add this to your TBR shelf.
~Beth
#24 - Alcottacre: I could understand the mixed reviews. Now that I learned she was a first time novelist, the writing quality makes sense. I really enjoyed the reality she infused in the plot lines and ending (although she did add a random plot line which bothered me, see? mixed reviews!). She could have really created a too perfect ending, and I'm glad she didn't. I would wait to see if the book shows up in your library or on a used book shelf, no need to quickly add this to your TBR shelf.
~Beth
26mks27
#22 Thanks for the audio suggestion for The Hunger Games. I, too, am looking forward to the film version. I have read the first and second books and will look for the audiobooks for each.
27jnwelch
Hi, Beth. Assassination Vacation sounds good. I know next to nothing about the Garfield and McKinley assassinations, and hadn't heard of this book by a witty author I've not read. What a weird perspective Robert Todd Lincoln must have had. "Not again!?"
A Fine Balance is beautifully written. It will pull on your heartstrings, I'm sure. I'll ponder Secret Daughter.
A Fine Balance is beautifully written. It will pull on your heartstrings, I'm sure. I'll ponder Secret Daughter.
28BBleil
#26 You're welcome, Michelle!
#27 I know! I found it highly interesting that Robert Todd Lincoln was close to all 3 assassinations. Sarah Vowell is really fun to read because she finds interesting facts, tidbits and weird connections in history. I am going to add A Fine Balance to a long wishlist.
Have a nice evening! ~Beth
#27 I know! I found it highly interesting that Robert Todd Lincoln was close to all 3 assassinations. Sarah Vowell is really fun to read because she finds interesting facts, tidbits and weird connections in history. I am going to add A Fine Balance to a long wishlist.
Have a nice evening! ~Beth
29BBleil
Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption
4.5 stars
This book has been on the bestsellers list for awhile, and I have been looking forward to reading it just as long. Laura Hillenbrand does not disappoint! The story of Louis Zamperini is an amazing one and almost unbelievable. He was a college and Olympic athlete and then entered the airforce when the war interrupted his training for the next Olympics. He became stranded at sea and was found by the Japanese becoming a Prisoner of War.
I learned a lot about Japan during WWII and their cruel treatment of POWs. I got to know many of the men surrounding Zamperini's life (for good and bad) and I witnessed the joy that someone can infuse into their life from even from the most terrible circumstances.
I'm a big fan of Laura Hillenbrand, and I find her work to be thorough and well researched. She writes in a way that makes you feel so involved in the gripping story that you don't realize how quickly you are moving along in the book. It's even more amazing when you consider her own health issues. I believe that she doesn't travel much which I think makes writing these extensive history pieces even more amazing.
4.5 stars
This book has been on the bestsellers list for awhile, and I have been looking forward to reading it just as long. Laura Hillenbrand does not disappoint! The story of Louis Zamperini is an amazing one and almost unbelievable. He was a college and Olympic athlete and then entered the airforce when the war interrupted his training for the next Olympics. He became stranded at sea and was found by the Japanese becoming a Prisoner of War.
I learned a lot about Japan during WWII and their cruel treatment of POWs. I got to know many of the men surrounding Zamperini's life (for good and bad) and I witnessed the joy that someone can infuse into their life from even from the most terrible circumstances.
I'm a big fan of Laura Hillenbrand, and I find her work to be thorough and well researched. She writes in a way that makes you feel so involved in the gripping story that you don't realize how quickly you are moving along in the book. It's even more amazing when you consider her own health issues. I believe that she doesn't travel much which I think makes writing these extensive history pieces even more amazing.
30BBleil
Joy for Beginners by Erica Bauermeister
3 stars
After enjoying Bauermeister's first novel, The School of Essential Ingredients, I added Joy for Beginners to my reading list. This novel was enjoyable and tender and evoked some emotion, but I felt it was lacking something. I enjoyed it, but I probably won't read it again and I can't say that I recommend it highly. It's just a good read, but not much more.
3 stars
After enjoying Bauermeister's first novel, The School of Essential Ingredients, I added Joy for Beginners to my reading list. This novel was enjoyable and tender and evoked some emotion, but I felt it was lacking something. I enjoyed it, but I probably won't read it again and I can't say that I recommend it highly. It's just a good read, but not much more.
31jnwelch
I'm glad you enjoyed Unbroken, Beth. Your review matches my experience with it entirely. How in the world did Louie hang in there the way he did? And how does Laura Hillenbrand thoroughly research and write such compelling books with the health issues she has?
32BBleil
Joe, I think your two questions explain why I like both of them so much. They achieve things that for most people would be too daunting to even try.
33BBleil
Major Pettigrew's Last Stand by Helen Simonson
5 stars
I don't typically refer to books as "cute," but this book was so sweet to read. I really loved the characters, even the ones that were quite infuriating. I fell in love with the Major, admired Mrs. Ali, felt sorry for Grace, was bemused by the nephew (and later annoyed with him) and quite angry with the son, Roger, and a myriad amount of villege folk.
The story is about two widowed people from completely different walks of life who find each other and explore friendship and love while everyone sticks their snobby nose in their business. It was funny at times and sad too. I love Jane Austen novels and this reminded me of her work with quirky characters and relationships (both familial and romantic) that go awry.
5 stars
I don't typically refer to books as "cute," but this book was so sweet to read. I really loved the characters, even the ones that were quite infuriating. I fell in love with the Major, admired Mrs. Ali, felt sorry for Grace, was bemused by the nephew (and later annoyed with him) and quite angry with the son, Roger, and a myriad amount of villege folk.
The story is about two widowed people from completely different walks of life who find each other and explore friendship and love while everyone sticks their snobby nose in their business. It was funny at times and sad too. I love Jane Austen novels and this reminded me of her work with quirky characters and relationships (both familial and romantic) that go awry.
34japaul22
I loved Major Pettigrew's Last Stand too! It was not a book I would have picked up except for all the great reviews on LT. I agree that it was a sweet book, but where usually that's a put-down from me, it's a complement in this instance. Glad you liked it too!
35BBleil
#34 Japaul22: It has been a couple of days now, and I'm still thinking about the Major and Mrs. Ali. It's kind of like friends that I keep thinking about and need to call. It's been awhile since I felt so attached to characters!
36BBleil
I finished The Lock Artist by Steve Hamilton and rated it 4 stars. It was an excellent read and I recommend it for those who are intrigued to see how "good" people become criminals and their motivations for doing so. The art of cracking safes was really interesting too.
37mks27
I loved Major Pettigrew's Last Stand. The characters became friends, people I wished were actually in my life. It gave me hope! So happy you enjoyed it!
39reb922
I just read the Tea Rose last year after it sat on the shelf for years. The next two were also great maybe better than the first one.
40BBleil
#39 Thanks, Reb922. I was wondering if I should continue the series and your comments have helped. Thanks for your thoughts!
41BBleil
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot
5 stars
Excellent work of nonfiction. I absolutely loved it and was reading faster and faster as the story progressed. I was angered, touched and educated. There was a lot that I didn't know about tissue cultures, the ability for the medical profession to take samples without consent, and the patient's inability to have a say about their samples once they are taken.
Rebecca Skloot fits in the same category with Laura Hillenbrand - a category of courageous and hard working female writers who conduct amazing amounts of research to produce an entertaining work of nonfiction that retains the truth of the matter.
5 stars
Excellent work of nonfiction. I absolutely loved it and was reading faster and faster as the story progressed. I was angered, touched and educated. There was a lot that I didn't know about tissue cultures, the ability for the medical profession to take samples without consent, and the patient's inability to have a say about their samples once they are taken.
Rebecca Skloot fits in the same category with Laura Hillenbrand - a category of courageous and hard working female writers who conduct amazing amounts of research to produce an entertaining work of nonfiction that retains the truth of the matter.
