jennyifer24's 75 book challenge

I've done (well, started) the category challenge for a few years, and I always fall off in the fall when school starts back up. This year I'm just going to read. Every book counts! We'll see how it goes :-)

I'm a library browser, so I probably should have gone the every book counts route much earlier. I tend toward historical fiction, mysteries, some ya, and a little bit of everything else. I teach 2nd grade, so I might let a few grade-school chapter books sneak in too.

1. Astor Place Vintage by Stephanie Lehmann
January 17

I found this book browsing at the library. It's has competing/complementing narratives, one in 2007 and one in 1907. I get frustrated reading those kinds of books, since I always want to be continuing the other plotline, but of course they tie together and I'm happy I read it in the end.

I was especially interested in reading Olive's (1907) narrative. The difference in freedoms and quality of life is overwhelming. I was constantly comparing past to present. I've never been to NYC but it was neat how Lehmann could use many of the same places in both parts of the novel.

This was a good read that kept me interested throughout.

2. Train Dreams by Denis Johnson
January 19

Another browsing find; I am kind of on the fence about this one. I didn't dislike it, and I was interested, but it wasn't my favorite. The novella follows the life of Robert Grainier in the first half of the 20th century in the panhandle of Idaho. It's mainly a character study. It was a book that made me think about how small events in life can really change your life.

Train Dreams is one I'll keep an eye out for. Sounds interesting!

You'll have to let me know what you think when you find it!

3. The Detroit Electric Scheme by D.E. Johnson
January 22

Browsing in the library and I somehow found three books that take place in the early 20th century. This one is in 1910, in Detroit. The automobile industry is the backdrop for this murder mystery. I was just as interested in learning about the early car history as I was in the murder. The early rivalry between gasoline and electric-powered cars is so ironic, considering it's happening again 100 years later.

This book kept moving- there was action throughout and I never really felt a lull. There are a lot of moving parts to keep you guessing. A good read!

Oh, the Johnson book sounds good - thanks for the review!

4. A Lady Cyclist's Guide to Kashgar by Suzanne Joinson
January 26

I found another split narrative, this one taking place in 1920's Kashgar (in modern-day Western China, near Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan) and modern-day in London. This book was not what I expected. There was not much cycling going on, despite the title. I was hoping for an adventure-travel tale. The book was adventurous, but overall I found it quite depressing. I did enjoy getting to know the characters, and learning how the stories intertwined. I preferred the modern story-line. I probably should have picked something more uplifting as I'm stuck in my house again due to sub-zero wind chills! (It was very hard to imagine Eva unable to sleep in the extreme desert heat!)

5. Portuguese Irregular Verbs by Alexander McCall Smith
January 26

(copied from my ROOT Challenge page) I like Smith's books- I've read most of the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series. This one was silly. It was hard to follow at times, but I appreciated it for its ridiculousness. The names are long and complicated, the characters are over the top, and several parts just made me laugh out loud. Funny, pretty quick read.

(ROOT challenge book)

6. Hotel Pastis by Peter Mayle
January 31

I enjoyed this book. Peter Mayle does great food descriptions, the plot had some interesting twists I didn't see coming, and the Provence setting was a nice escape from this bitter winter!

(ROOT challenge book)

7. The Quickening by Michelle Hoover
Feb. 1

I wasn't the biggest fan of this book. It was pretty depressing- I need to find some happier books! It tells the story of two women in the first half of the 20th century, mostly during the Depression. The women are neighbors, and both married to Midwestern farmers, but the similarities end there. It was another split narrative, with each woman alternating the story-telling. That got confusing, because at times you were hearing the same events twice, and it was difficult to remember who was "I" and who was "you".

8. Motor City Shakedown by D.E. Johnson
Feb. 3

Second in the series after Detroit Electric Scheme. Again, the car industry was just as interesting as the murder. This time, Johnson includes a lot on early unions. The action was fast-paced and I was on my toes!

Well, I was humming along, but I've been derailed by the combination of full work weeks without snow days and the Olympics :-) Working on Eight Cousins and The Secret Olympian but speed-skating, biathlon, luge, etc. are taking up my spare time at the moment!

9. Eight Cousins by Louisa May Alcott
February 28

My sister has been trying to get me to read this one for a few years, and I finally read it for a TIOLI challenge in February. Ironically the challenge was to read a book from the lt user you share the most books with, and that person is ...my sister :-) (haha we literally do share the most books!)

10. The Finer Points of Sausage Dogs by Alexander McCall Smith
March 2

(ROOT challenge book)

11. The House with a Clock in its Walls by John Bellairs
March 12

I haven't read this book in years. I grew up in the same small town where the author lived, so his books were always a big deal. Bellair's books are a mix of mystery and fantasy.

>16 jennyifer24:. Oh, I recently finished reading all of the Bellairs books, and even the ones finished by Strickland. I loved them and wish that I had known about them when I was a kid!

Hooray! It's great to meet someone who's read them! Outside of growing up, I don't think anyone I met had heard of Bellairs. I lived in Virginia a few years ago, and I remembered being very excited when I found some Bellairs at the Barnes and Noble :-) I think I need to reread some more now, there was a lot I didn't remember about The House with a Clock in its Walls. I can only recall bits and pieces of others.

12. The Secret Olympian by Anonymous
March 14
I started this book before the Olympics, then got distracted...by the Olympics :-) It's not the most well-written book but it was interesting getting the athlete's perspective into the Games. I like that the author included interviews from athletes across several Olympics so you also got a changing perspective across time.

This was also the first full-length book I've read on my Nook. I enjoyed it more than I thought, and I was excited to check it out online during some crazy snowstorms when I couldn't actually get to the library. Plus it "returned" itself when I got caught up in the Olympics so no late fees :-)

13. Dispatches from the Edge by Anderson Cooper
March 14

This book was compelling. I couldn't put it down, even though much of it was heart-wrenching.

>18 jennyifer24: Bellairs is really wonderful at creating characters who stick with you, and the stories, I think, are perfect for young readers - creepy, but not actually scary. I loved every page of all of them, and they're now all lined up on Charlie's shelves waiting for him to get old enough for them. I absolutely love the Gorey illustrations for them, too.

14. Longbourn by Jo Baker
March 25

I enjoyed this book, but I think it was hard for it to live up to Jane Austen. I did feel like she changed some of the characters in ways I didn't really like, and in ways I didn't feel like matched with events from Pride and Prejudice.

15. The Enchanted April by Elizabeth Von Arnim
March 30

I started this book once last year, and tried again this year for the TIOLI green cover challenge. It wasn't my favorite. I felt like there was no action in the book- it was all about what the characters thought of themselves and each other. I never really got into it.

Edit- I did actually finish it...rereading this comment, it sounds like I gave up on it.

(ROOT challenge book)

16. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
April 5

I enjoyed this book and Adams' humor. Science fiction is not my favorite genre, and explanations were sometimes confusing, but I wanted to keep reading.

I thought I should have a place to list all my TIOLI challenge books, so here goes...

January
5. Read a book set in France before the 21st Century- Hotel Pastis
17. Read a book about the city, state (province), or country in which you live- Detroit Electric Scheme

February
1. Read a book from the library of the LT member with the greatest weighted number of books which match your own- Eight Cousins
5. Read a book that is part of a series- Motor City Shakedown
7. Read a book and then remove it from your physical presence- The Quickening

March
2. Read a book with a word in the title or author's name suggesting the end of something - Dispatches from the Edge
3. Read a book with a word in the title that starts with a vowel- The Secret Olympian
4. Read a book with a predominantly green cover- The Enchanted April

April
13. read a book in a genre you haven't yet read in 2014 - Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
10. Read a book with at least one matching tag from the previously listed book- Breakfast at Tiffany's: A Short Novel and Three Stories
16. Read a book with a title consisting of a single word not more than 10 letters in length- Trevayne
23. Read a novel by a British author- The Human Factor
4. Read a book whose title contains a variant of the word 'adventure'- Bloody Jack: Being an Account of the Curious Adventures of Mary "Jacky" Faber, Ship's Boy
10. Read a book with at least one matching tag from the previously listed book- Yes, Chef: A Memoir (shared read)

TIOLI

May
2. Read a book with at least two words in the title containing an embedded word of at least three letters- The Lobster Chronicles
1. Read a book which mentions a tree on any page with double numbers- Murder at Longbourn (boarding/22)
11. Read a book set in or as close as geographically possible to the city of your birth- The Legend of the Petoskey Stone
3. Read a book where the title is Somebody's Something-
Gullible's Travels
12. Read a book that fits a previous TIOLI challenge from May of another year- Game Changer

June
9. Read a book that doesn't have a person on the cover- Divergent
18. Read a book that you can only read/find online or in E-book form- A Pedigree to Die For (shared read)
5. Read a book that is "something old, something new, something borrowed, or something blue"- Bossypants (shared read)
4. Read a childhood or young adult 'potential favorite' that you or someone else missed- The Black Pearl
16. Read a book with more than one person on the cover - The Curse of the Blue Tattoo
17. Read a book which has a "don" word on any page with the number 57- Keeping the Castle
19. Read a book that has been published with at least two different covers- Little Town on the Prairie

July
13. Read a book by a living author who is older than you are- Under the Jolly Roger
2. Read a book with a central character who is Irish- Borderlands (shared read)
6. Read a book set somewhere you have been on vacation- All Fudged Up
4. Start a series and continue if you want- Cinder
1. Read a book which offers advice on page 85- Growing Up Amish
11. Read a book that centers on People, Places, or Things (Rolling challenge) - Bones of the Lost
9. Read a book about art theft or art forgery - The Gardner Heist
8. Read a book with a title or cover related to vacation travel- Fair Play
4. Start a series and continue if you want - Scarlet

August
19. Read a book that you told someone you would - Innocent Traitor
12. Read a book which has a word (only a noun, verb or gerund) from the title in the final chapter - Mister Pip
7. Read a book by an author who has written or edited at least two other books you've read- Cress
24. Read a book with a title containing a person's name and something that belongs to that person- Galileo's Daughter

TIOLI

September
11. Read a book that was first published after 1950 and adapted to film or tv- Gone Girl
14. Read a book that is part of a series and whose author's first or last name is five or six letters in length- In the Belly of the Bloodhound

October
15. "And Every One Was An Henery": Read a book where either a character or the author is named Henry- Murder on the Bride's Side

November
14. Read a book in which the title contains an object or noun from a children's nursery rhyme or hand game- Mississippi Jack
8. Read a book in which a major character shares your profession- Tide, Feather, Snow
5. Read a book with an embedded word in the title- The Practice Proposal
11. Read a book which represents a modern fairy tale or is based on a classic fairy tale- Leaping Beauty

December
3. Read a book with a title containing a contradiction- Home Sweet Anywhere
14. Read a book that fits a category on the 2014 Reading Bingo card- And Then There Were None (a book that is more than 10 years old)
4. Read a book with both red and green on the cover- The Mark of the Golden Dragon

17. Breakfast at Tiffany's: A Short Novel and Three Stories by Truman Capote
April 6

I have to rewatch the movie now! I picked this up at the library because of the title and then was surprised- I didn't realize Capote wrote Breakfast at Tiffany's. The story was darker than I remembered- or maybe the book is darker than the movie. I enjoyed all three short stories, especially "A Christmas Memory". I thought the book as a whole had an impressive variety of writing. This was my first time reading any Capote.

18. Trevayne by Robert Ludlum
April 11

I'm not sure what to call this- political thriller, maybe? I got it a few years ago after reading the Bourne trilogy, also by Ludlum. I didn't like it as well. Partly because the business/political speak was above my head, partly because the action was slow to start, and partly because I thought the last section of the book seemed out-of-character with the rest. I did not care for the ending. It was easy to get into and interesting to read. I liked reading about the 1970's time period- I haven't read much from that time. I also liked a lot of the characters- I felt like most of them were well-developed.

(ROOT challenge book)

19. The Human Factor
April 18

I just started another spy book so I better write about this one before I forget! It's hard to say much without giving anything away. This book surprised me- there were several times where my predictions did not end up happening. I enjoyed the characters in the story- it wasn't really your typical "spy" story. This book was also an interesting read for how it addressed issues like race, and family and friend relationships. I enjoyed it!

20. Bloody Jack: Being an Account of the Curious Adventures of Mary "Jacky" Faber, Ship's Boy
April 19

Loved this book! It is a great YA adventure story. Girl disguised as boy gets a job working on a British ship hunting pirates. I read it in a day, so it definitely kept me intrigued! I felt like the ending was a big cliff-hanger, then realized there are 12 books in the series...here we go.

Thought I would pop by your thread and see how your reading is going. I have already ordered the next two Bloody Jack books and a friend here on LT has just finished number 9 ikn the series and says they are still very good, which is great news as often a series starts out with a bang and then fizzles out.

I see the TIOLI challenges have hooked you. I am obsessed with them and try to fit all my reading into the monthly challenges but usually end up with a few that I just can't squeeze in.

I just found your thread, Jennifer, through the introduction thread! Starred you!

Thanks for stopping by! I can't wait to read more Bloody Jack books, just have to finish a couple of others first. Starting a new series is always dangerous during the school year- those papers I should be grading get put off to the side...

Thanks Connie! I was just looking at your puzzle pictures. I go in spurts with puzzles, but not usually as large as yours!

I mostly make puzzles in autumn and winter. So there will be more come september!

>35 connie53:
makes sense! You have to get outside while the weather's nice!

Well, I started Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy a few days ago, but I'm giving up on it for the time being. I really enjoyed what I read, but I'm having a hard time keeping up with who's who. Plus, everyone's a spy so they have so many names! I think this will be a better read when school's out and I can focus on it, rather than a read before bed to relax book.

Instead, I've started Yes, Chef by Marcus Samuelsson. I discovered it on my library's ebook page. It's great so far!!

21. Yes, Chef: A Memoir by Marcus Samuelsson
April 26

Just found you on the 75ers intro thread. If you'll allow a compliment from a Wolverine, nice bit of reading here! You got me especially with the Detroit Electric book.

Thanks! I'll be on my best behavior :-) I think there are four books in the Detroit Electric series. I read the first two, but need to get back to them. They're really good!

Great! Another series to get into! ;~)

My mother was a second grade teacher in Michigan. No need to worry about good behavior around me!

I know...I've started three series recently, and I'm kind of trying to avoid reading the next ones until summer break. We'll see if I can make it!

Just started the St. Mary's Chronicles series by Jodi Taylor. Lots of satanic book warbling going on here in the threads about that one. Finally succumbed.

Well, hopefully the series will help me pick up the pace a little. 1/3 of the way through the year, and I have 21 books. I'm good with that- lots of time in the summer for catching up. Plus, once I get sucked into Divergent and then plow through the Bloody Jack series I will catch right up :-)

I'm about your same pace! I always THINK I'll get more reading done in those lazy hazy days of summer, but we have so much planned for outside. Seems like summer gets shorter all the time!

haha, I guess mine actually did...12 snow days! Probably I should be farther along in the reading :-)

22. The Lobster Chronicles by Linda Greenlaw
May 4

This book was more small- town politics/drama than lobster fishing, but I still enjoyed it. Small town life is interesting to me, and I was intrigued to learn about life on the tiny island. I'd like to find The Hungry Ocean too.

Well, I think I would not want to read a book entirely about lobster fishing! Small town life sounds much more interesting.

>48 connie53: At first I was wondering about when the lobstering was going to appear, but there ended up being quite the right balance between fishing and living :-)

edit: I just noticed the subtitle "Life on a very small island". Should have paid more attention! :-)

23. Murder at Longbourn by Tracy Kiely
May 7

I wasn't a big fan of this book at first, but it ended better than it began. I love Pride and Prejudice, but the characters in chapter 1 included Elizabeth, Mark, Bridget, Colin, Kit and Daniel. I appreciated the names, but it was a little too much too soon. Like I said, it ended better- I didn't figure out who-did-it ahead of time, and the PP and Bridget Jones Diary references settled down. They still could have been more subtle. A fun read.

oh man...just discovered Murder at Longbourn is first in a series. Just what I needed- another series :-) Should be fun light reads for the summer.

Another series, always fun to find out afterwards, I know!

24. The Legend of the Petoskey Stone
May 12

I haven't been counting picture books in my list but I read this one just for the TIOLI challenge, and not for teaching at school. It's made me think about listing all the picture/chapter books I read at school, though. Maybe I'll start in the fall.

This book is one of many about written by Kathy-jo Wargin about legends of Michigan. It's beautifully illustrated, and tells the story of how Petoskey got its name. It seemed like the best option for Challenge 11 (not sure I'm up for Poltergeists of Petoskey. We'll see :-) )

Happy Friday! Nice set of reviews. I"m assuming you've read Jo Baker's Longbourn?

Thanks Marianne! I did read Longbourn earlier this year. There are so many Austen spin-offs! I have really only read Longbourn and Murder at Longbourn but there's a whole new untapped genre in case I run out of reading material (haha). :-)

25. Gullible's Travels by Cash Peters
May 18

This book was not what I expected, which was a quirky travelogue of unusual museums and sights. Those were there, but I felt like the focus of the book was really more of a memoir. I got angry at Cash a few times- he was really cynical about the places he visited- which I think many of those places already get from most other people. I thought this book would be him defending them and showing them to really be interesting. Instead, he wanted out of his job, and it showed in how he wrote about the places he visited. I had to make myself come back to it sometimes just because I felt the tone was kind of negative.

All that being said- there were some very funny lines and interesting events and scenarios in the book. As I thought about it afterward, I began to appreciate it more for what it was, rather than for not being what I wanted. The author was open with his feelings and experiences, and I felt like he really shared a lot about himself and his experience. As you could see earlier, I was arguing with him as I read, so I kind of felt like I knew him :-) I was glad I finished this one.

>52 connie53: Connie, I almost asked you for a good series you'd recently discovered, but I'm not sure I want to know...so many books, so little time!! :-)

>57 jennyifer24: You will stumble upon series without me recommending any, soon enough!

>I'll just check into your thread to see what you're reading :-)

26. The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom
May 26

I saw this at a library book sale, but remembered my dad had it, so waited. The next time I saw him, he offered me this very book. He'd been cleaning off the bookshelves (to make room for more :-) ). Since it also has a five in the title, it seemed like I was supposed to read this one now!

I always find books that span an entire person's life to be depressing. Something about a whole life in 200 pages gets me down, especially when they skip chunks to focus on particular moments. So one minute your character is five, the next he's 35. The book also starts by counting down the minutes until the main character's death.

While this may not have been the type of book I wanted to read on warm sunny spring days, it had a very interesting concept. This was a book where the characters and situations make you reflect on your life, even if you can't personally relate to what's happening. I guess books about death make you reflect on life right?

I enjoyed this book not because it was funny or happy, but for the way that it was written, for the realness of the characters and emotions and for the reflection that it caused.

I spent a great Memorial Day weekend in Columbus, Ohio with friends. Three of my best friends and I (we've known each other since middle school) get together with families on Memorial Day each year. Columbus started as a good meeting point with the four of us spread among Virginia, Michigan and Columbus, and now that I'm back in Michigan too, it's become a getaway. It's fun to get everyone into the same house and catch up. We visited the zoo this year, and had a great cookout. I got to carpool down with a different family each way, and it was fun to spend some quality time with the kids and grownups! I'm going to test my skills and see if I can upload some pictures.

Hooray! It only took three open Librarything tabs but I got it :-) This is the new Africa exhibit- you can see the lion on the right. The way they built it makes it look like the lion's in with the other animals, but they were very separate :-)

One polar bear belly-flopped in to catch some fish, but this guy slid head-first instead.

Okay, now on to reading! Only a week left and a few books to go. I'm hoping to read Jungle Book and at least one book for the TIOLI challenge from a previous May- read a book by an author affiliated with a school you attended. The contenders are Legends of the Fall, Game Changer and Bossypants. We'll see...

Lovely photos - sounds like a lovely restorative time with friends. Read more of Albom as a sports writer. Backed into his book about Morrie when I met Morrie's widow. Sadly, met Albom a few years later and he was a complete disappointment. Still, he's a good writer.

>65 michigantrumpet: Marianne, I'm the same way. I've read Albom for a long time in the freep, but this was my first book. I'm sad he was disappointing to meet- I enjoy his writing and I've recently started listening to some of his radio show on my drive home. I'll try not to meet him :-)

Hope you had a great Memorial Day!

It was very disappointing. We were in a public place - a shopping mall, so we weren't intruding on his private time. A friend approached him respectfully and just told him how great his writing is. Albom brushed him off, while acknowledging he was a great writer. Very rude. We were stunned. Sometimes just better to meet authors through their work and not as 'personalities'.

Oh, I *love* the Columbus Zoo! Arguably one of the best in the country. Sometimes I really miss living there...

I agree- it's one of the best I've been to! I love that they have manatees...I'd never seen them before!

Okay, I'm going to have to scramble to finish any of these books by Saturday. I'll be disappointed if I don't even finish my own challenge...here goes nothing!

>67 michigantrumpet: That's a very good point. I'm sure I make assumptions about authors a lot (even without realizing) that are likely not true-to-life. Social media/technology makes it easier to know the "real" person, but sometimes you're better off not knowing!

Lovely pictures, Jennifer!

Thanks Connie! I think it's dangerous that I know how to do this...many more may be on the way!

27. Game Changer by Kirk Cousins
May 31

Squeaked this one into May, just barely. I don't think I was the intended audience of this book (found it in the juvenile biography section of the library) but Cousins was the quarterback of Michigan State, my beloved alma mater, so I had to read it :-) There is a reason why Cousins is known as a great public speaker, and it shows in this book.

I finished one! June might be busier than May, though, so time for some light fluffy reading.

>74 jennyifer24: I thought that name looked familiar! ;-P

>76 michigantrumpet: :-) I can't say enough good things about him. The only downside was that I spent his college career in Virginia, and now that I'm back in Michigan, he's in DC :-) You've got a pretty decent (or maybe a little more than pretty decent) UM quarterback with the Patriots nearby- that must be nice!

28. Divergent by Veronica Roth
June 5

I watched this movie first, when it first came out a couple months ago. I feel like I really liked the movie a lot more by watching it first than I would have if I'd read the book first. The changes didn't bother me going from movie to book.

I've heard a lot of people compare this book to Hunger Games and they are both dystopian novels, but I appreciated them both and didn't really make a lot of comparisons as I read.

I am proud of myself for taking a week to read this one- shouldn't have started it the last full week of school :-) Now to see if I can forget it and not read the next one until the next movie comes out!!

>77 jennyifer24: Ha! Yeah, I'd say Tom Brady has done okay for himself. For a while, the Pats had Brian Hoyer as a back up QB. Thought you'd find that interesting.

I remember that! These poor QBs from MSU don't have the best luck- backing up some good players. Hoyer eventually made his way to Cleveland and was starting and looking good, then tore his ACL :-( Now I hear Cleveland drafted Manziel. Sigh. This is why I stick to college instead of NFL- my favorite players start for MSU all the time! :-)

29. A Pedigree to Die For
June 16

I thought this book was alright. The technical dog-show parts bogged me down a little, and the book seemed a little repetitive- find a place to take her child, go to a dog show, repeat. I didn't predict the ending though, and I liked poodles more after reading this book than I did before (which is saying something!). I probably won't get to another of this series any time soon- too many other books I'm more looking forward to.

I can't believe I've only read 2 books this month! Now that school is over, I can hopefully pick up the pace!

Spent some time on my other catalog, jennyifer24classroom, (not sure how to make this a link...) last night adding some books from a book sale in my hometown a couple months ago. My classroom library just increased by at least 200 books, thanks to me moving into a new classroom and the previous teacher leaving 2nd grade to become a reading teacher. She did not take her books with her, which was ridiculously generous. I am sad to say that I am putting them in cupboards and on shelves without even looking at them right now- I'll pay for that in August. I've already seen some duplicates, but a great find today was Uncle Jed's Barbershop. I love it! Plus, I use it every year in social studies and have always had to hunt around for it in libraries.

30. Bossypants by Tina Fey
June 17

A little disjointed sometimes, but I laughed out loud throughout.

31. The Black Pearl by Scott O'Dell
June 18

I read this for TIOLI Challenge 4- Read a childhood or young adult 'potential favorite' that you or someone else missed. I think the only Scott O'Dell I'd read before was Island of the Blue Dolphin but I enjoyed this one just as much. A 16-year-old boy goes into the pearl business with his father. He wants to prove himself by finding a large pearl, but trouble ensues. There is an interesting religious/moral component in the story as well.

32. The Curse of the Blue Tattoo by L.A. Meyer
June 19

Finished this one in the wee hours of the morning. Another great story with interesting plot twists. Jacky is a really interesting character, even though half of her actions make me try to avert my eyes (works better with tv than books :-) ) because she does so many things I would never do.

I think I liked the first one better, just because of the setting and action, but this was still a great read, and I'm wondering what happens next!

Some nice reading! My mother and grandmother both taught elementary school. I remember how hard they worked in August getting classrooms ready - especially the bulletin boards!

I took a look at my reading plans and I am hoping to fit The Curse of the Blue Tattoo in for September. Looking forward to getting reacquainted with Jackie!

>86 michigantrumpet: Thanks! Bulletin boards are the worst! Those borders get me every time :-)

>87 DeltaQueen50: I'll keep an eye out! I will probably get to the third sometime this summer.

Spent the weekend with friends in Stratford, Ontario. The weather was beautiful! We saw Midsummer Night's Dream and Hay Fever.

Shakespeare and Noel Coward at one time!?! Oh Happy Day!

(And Make Way for Ducklings, too!)

33. Keeping the Castle by Patrice Kindl
June 25

The inside cover says "think I Capture the Castle meets Pride and Prejudice. It did mesh the two, but wasn't as good as either (a tough thing to do!). The characters were pretty one-dimensional, and if you know those two stories, you know how this story goes.

>92 michigantrumpet: It was a great weekend of theater! I didn't know any of Noel Coward's work, but I really enjoyed Hay Fever. The humor was great. Plus, those ducklings were just about the cutest thing ever :-) They were giving their mother a workout!

>26 jennyifer24:
It's getting hard to find the TIOLI lists, so here's a quick link :-) Have to organize better next year!

34. Little Town on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder
June 26

This is a reread (several times over). I started it a few months ago and read bits and pieces when I was in between other books. Only problem is, I don't have These Happy Golden Years here with me, and of course I need to reread that next!

35. Under the Jolly Roger by L.A. Meyer
July 7

Book 3 in the Jacky Faber series. This one is back at sea, and I really enjoyed it, which I think explains why I liked the second one a little less (takes place in a Boston boarding school). Jacky is so outrageous I just hold my breath to see what she'll do next!

I just returned from a week-long trip to Prague and Budapest. It was amazing!! I'm now after books- fiction or non-fiction- that have to do with these places. I'd love any suggestions!

Can't help you, myself, but Judy (ffortsa) and Jim (magician's_nephew) also just came back from an extended trip there. If you look them up on the 75er group threadbook, perhaps you could reach out to them for some Prague/Budapest suggestions?

>99 michigantrumpet: Thanks!!! I'll head over and introduce myself :-)

36. Borderlands
July 9

I found a lot to like about this book. The setting was really interesting and played a key role in the story. McGilloway has a great way of introducing characters- I felt like each one was treated with equal attention to detail, which increased the suspense. The characters were fleshed out, with real strengths, flaws and actions that changed the outcome of the story. Great book!

37. All Fudged Up by Nancy Coco

I literally went to the library card catalog computer and started typing in places I'd been on vacation. Came up with this book set on Mackinac Island in Lake Huron, between Michigan's Upper and Lower Peninsula. My family tries to get there for a weekend each summer.

The book takes place in April, before the tourist season really begins. It's a mystery, and the main character has just moved to the island, taking over the family hotel/fudge shop business after the death of her grandfather. As a mystery, it was a bit formulaic. I enjoyed it for the setting. I'm obviously not a Mackinac Island local, but I'm not sure I'd be happy with how they were portrayed if I were one. Although, maybe the side-taking and pettiness do actually happen (like many small towns? :-) ), so maybe they could laugh at themselves in this book.

I didn't dislike the book, and I always get sucked into the characters, so I'd probably pick up the next one too. An easy summer read.

38. Cinder by Marissa Meyer
July 15

This was a good book, and I'm interested in continuing the series, but I'm happy to have a little break while I wait for the book (I'm second in line at the library). There were a lot of mean people in this book, and it made it hard to read at times. There's only so much outright meanness I can handle at one time :-) I did feel like it dragged a bit at the end. The good characters were engaging and I wanted to know more about them, and the setting was very intriguing.

Halfway(ish) to 75!

39. Growing Up Amish by Ira Wagler
July 15

I've had this on my wishlist since visiting Shipshewana last summer with my parents. We go there every now and then but this last time we visited the Mennonite and Amish museum. I saw this book in the gift shop. I just came across it again at the library.

The topic was really interesting, but the writing was hard to follow sometimes. It skipped back and forth across time and didn't really flow.

I'm not sure if there are a lot more books out there like this, but I'd love to read more from people who have stayed in the Amish religion. Ira Wagler is obviously only one person telling his story, and his story is biased to things that happened to him. Not that it's wrong or misrepresenting the Amish culture, but it is only one person's experience. He sometimes generalizes Amish as simplistic and unhappy, and I'd like to read more to get a broader picture.

Very interesting read- but I think of it more as one person's struggle to find his way in life and less as specifically about being Amish.

Went to the library today to look up a few series I've started...frustrating!

Three strikes on three series I've started- Elizabeth Parker (Murder at Longbourn), Inspector Devlin (Borderlands) and All Fudged Up.

I did manage, of course, to find six other books to read :-) but I think when I head to my parents' tomorrow I will have to "drag" them to the library there and hope for better luck! Their library participates in an inter-library loan program so they can get books from any other library that participates.

edited- after looking through my library's website, I found out they belong to MeLCAT- the Michigan eLibrary, where you can request books from other libraries...oops. I have looked for this before, apparently needed to wait until late at night to find it :-)

40. Bones of the Lost by Kathy Reichs
July 17

41. The Gardner Heist by Ulrich Boser
July 21

This book was so interesting! I don't read much true crime, but I can see myself reading more now. Boser did a great job with a huge list of characters and a long timeline.

42. Fair Play by Deanne Gist
July 23

This was not the historical fiction about the Chicago World's Fair I was expecting. Instead, a love story with two subplots- life of the poor on the West Side of Chicago, and the role of males and females in the late 1800s.

I went back and forth about the author's portrayal of the independent, woman-doctor and her Texas Ranger protector- they seemed a little cliche. But, cliches are often based in truth, right?

The stories of the poor immigrant children, however, were immediately heartbreaking. The book highlighted the desperate living conditions of the working poor and also some great solutions to the problems.

>102 jennyifer24: Intersting -- a book set on Mackinac Island! Adore the fudge from there!

>108 jennyifer24: I remember clearly the Gardner Museum heist. I still mourn every time I go there and see those empty picture frames. That Storm at Sea and Vermeer were personal favorites.

>110 michigantrumpet: I was thinking about you as I read. It sounds like a very well know theft.

I had to look up afterward and see if there were updates (I don't think I'm spoiling anything- the book makes it clear from the beginning the crime isn't solved!) and found this...maybe you read it?

http://www.bostonglobe.com/news/nation/2014/05/22/fbi-has-confirmed-sightings-ga...

So, the work goes on...

43. Love on the Line by Deeanne Gist
July 25

44. Scarlet by Marissa Meyer
July 31

Second book in the Lunar Chronicles. I can't decide if I like this better than Cinder or if I liked Cinder better. Great books! I really enjoyed Wolf in this book- I went back and forth so many times trying to decide on his true character- very well written!

Hi, Jen. You are doing great!

>114 connie53: Thanks Connie! I'm chugging along :-)

I hope your knee is improving and that you're able to relax and rest so it can heal!

It's getting better every day. Thanks for the nice words.

45. Innocent Traitor by Alison Weir
August 10

Sad story of the life of Lady Jane Grey. I thought it was well written and gave thoughtful perspectives from several important characters' points of view. I like historical fiction because it gives personality to people you usually only hear about in factual ways. People are complex and historical fiction addresses that.

46. Mister Pip by Lloyd Jones
August 14

I thought this book was really interesting. I didn't know much about it before reading it, but happened upon it in the library and remembered hearing the title on LT. There are many dimensions to the story, but I think two were most powerful for me. First, how one book can impact someone's life in such a strong way. Matilda's entire life changes because of Great Expectations, and continues to affect her throughout her life. Secondly, people can affect others in ways (good or bad) they don't even realize. So many events in the story were linked. We don't always realize this in our own lives, but it became more apparent when reflecting on this book.

47. Cress by Marissa Meyer
August 21

I'm loving the Lunar Chronicle series. Cress was more action and less character development, which really fit the storyline. Pieces are starting to fall into place from earlier books. I just saw the last one comes out in November...so a little break for now.

I'm having a hard time with The Casual Vacancy. So many characters and storylines, and I'm not sure I actually care how it ends. It's really dragging. I hate to read so much of it and not finish it, but...

Hi Jennyifer, I read Mister Pip last month and it totally blew me away. I thought it was original, heartbreaking and powerful. A 5 star read for me.

Sometimes, when faced with a VERRRY long books with tons of characters, I like to read it in ebook form. That way I can use the search function to easily look back and re-acquaint myself with who they actually are. Has been a lifesaver on some of those "doorstopper" reads -- also in not having carry a heavy book around!

>122 michigantrumpet: Thanks for the suggestion! Maybe I should look for the audio book...although I'm done with long drives for awhile so that might drag it out more :-)

48. Galileo's Daughter
August 25

I listened to the audio version of this book. It was a little more Galileo than Galileo's daughter, but I think the title comes from the fact that a lot of information about his life comes from letters his daughter wrote to him throughout his life. It was a nice balance of the events of his life and his science- I was a little overwhelmed by technical terms in at a few points, but never for too long!

Lovely review on Galileo's Daughter! Although initially challenging to face those technical terms, the Encyclopedia Britannica (now Google/Wikipedia) geek in me loves looking things like that up! I love books that stretch my knowledge and imagination.

49. The Jane Austen Marriage Manual by Kim Izzo
August 28

SPOILERS!

The author uses grief to create a pretty unlikable character. Kate has never wanted to marry. She turns 40, her grandmother dies, she finds out the family has no money, so she decides to find a rich man using Jane Austen as a guide. I guess she was channeling Mrs. Bennet? Suddenly she can't marry soon enough, except, surprise! she falls for the wrong man. I didn't like Kate. I'm not sure I learned enough about her good traits early on to sustain me through the parts where her good traits were missing.

I was really frustrated that Kate was supposed to be an Austen fan and expert, but didn't realize she was falling for the wrong man. In a Jane Austen tribute? (not sure the right term for this) book, does there have to be a woman falling for the wrong man? I was wondering if I would've been mad if she hadn't fallen for the wrong man. Plot dilemma :-)

>125 michigantrumpet:

Thanks so much! I thought it was a novel when I first picked it up, but even as nonfiction it definitely read smoothly enough that I didn't feel like I was missing out on the storytelling of a novel. I did learn a lot too! The bonus to me of it being nonfiction was that I didn't have to look up later what was true and what wasn't :-)

School started Tuesday, which means I might finish a book in September...although I have read several Tacky the Penguin books this week. Maybe I should start counting school books, or at least noting them somewhere.

I got sucked into Gone Girl last week and have been trying to only read small bits at a time, so I can function at school the next day. It's so good though! It's a great book to take my mind off of school, because I am constantly trying to figure out what's happened. Loving it!!

School book list- let's see how many books I read at school :-)

Week 1
1. The Z Was Zapped by Chris Van Allsburg- I've read this on the first day of school 10 times now :-) Perfect for having kids create their own alphabet strip for the classroom.
2. Tacky the Penguin by Helen Lester- Another book I always read the first week. Great lesson about being yourself. So funny!
3. Tackylocks and the Three Bears
4. Tacky and the Emperor
5. Tacky in Trouble

Oh, yay for school book lists! I'm excited to see what you read! Also, that's a Van Allsburg I've not read - I'll have to look for it at the library...

The illustrations are amazing (well, all of his are, right?) and it's fun for kids to guess what's happening (the A was in an avalanche, the B was badly bitten, etc.) I may have this one memorized... :-)

I've read all the Tacky books I own, so we'll branch out next week!

50. Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
September 7

Wow. I had to stop reading this book throughout just so I could mentally recap what had happened, how I felt about the characters at that point in time, and predict what I thought might happen next. It was a great book to read during the first week of school- complete change of pace, and it helped me think about something other than work when I went to bed (not that it was particularly uplifting, but definitely made me think!). I'd definitely recommend it, and I'm very curious to see the upcoming movie.

50 books down, 25 to go!

School Books Week 2
1. The Hello Goodbye Window by Norton Juster
2. Paperboy by Dav Pilkey
3. Shortcut by Donald Crews Love this one! It's a great model for writing!
4. Strega Nona by Tomie dePaola

Also started Ramona Quimby, Age 8 for snack time.

51. In the Belly of the Bloodhound by Louis A. Meyer
September 14

This one improved for me as I went on. I definitely like the books in this series that take place at sea more than the ones on land. Serious cliff-hanger ending! Even though I saw it coming, I was still so frustrated! Can't wait to read the next one!

52. Gallows Lane by Brian McGilloway
September 22

I went back up to see what I'd written about Borderlands, the first in the series. Everything fits for this book as well! Such interesting character development.

What I wrote for Borderlands:
I found a lot to like about this book. The setting was really interesting and played a key role in the story. McGilloway has a great way of introducing characters- I felt like each one was treated with equal attention to detail, which increased the suspense. The characters were fleshed out, with real strengths, flaws and actions that changed the outcome of the story. Great book!

School Books Week 3

(It says something about the chaos that was week three that I didn't even get on here to write books down...It also says something that I only read one of these books!)

1. The Kiss That Missed- great word choice and illustrations!
2. The Mixed-Up Chameleon (sub read)
3. The Bee Tree (sub read)
4. How a Seed Grows (student teacher read)

School Books Week 4

1. The Rain Came Down (sub read) (last time with a sub hopefully for a long while!)
2. A Tree is a Plant (student teacher read)

53. The Peerless Four by Victoria Patterson
September 28

I thought the subject matter was really interesting, but the writing style not exactly to my taste. The story focuses on the Canadian women's track and field team from the 1928 Olympics in Amsterdam. This story was from such a different time in women's history. Completely different expectations and opportunities for women in athletics.

You are doing great! Just catching up and waving!

>139 connie53:
Thanks Connie! I've slowed down since school started but I am trying to keep one book going all the time.

54. Murder on the Bride's Side by Tracy Kiely
October 7

Second in the series. This book didn't hit me over the head with Austen quite like the first one, which either means I need to brush up on my Austen or I've just gotten used to the characters. A good read-before-bed mystery.

Moving on Friday! This means my reading has dipped to practically nonexistent in favor of painting, cleaning, packing. Hopefully I'll get back to the books soon!

Hey there!! Stopping through to check on how school is going.

Did you go to see the Gone Girl movie yet?

I did see Gone Girl...I thought it was a great movie version of the book. I'm pretty picky about them remaining true to the book. I'm definitely glad to have read first, because I felt the roller coaster of emotions more (probably because I'd already read the book) and I'm still not sure Affleck was the best fit. Have you seen it?

My student teacher has completely taken over, so I'm not reading any books right now, but I'll have to backtrack and list some she's read. The moving last weekend has really put me behind book-wise!

Okay, these aren't in week order, but here are some more kid books (all read by my student teacher). I know I'm still missing some...

1. Henry and Mudge: The First Book by Cynthia Rylant
2. The Tiny Seed by Eric Carle
3. From Seed to Plant by Gail Gibbons
4. Roller Coaster by Marla Frazee (This one is so cute! I've never read it before, but loved it.)
5. Diary of a Spider by Doreen Cronin

And we're almost done with Ramona, so we'll read some Halloween books next week.

55. Mississippi Jack by L.A. Meyer
November 14

I finally finished a book! I was really dragging after moving, and thought I'd read an adventure to get moving again, but it ended up being almost 600 pages! I started listening to the audio book, but it was moving slow, so I checked out the actual book today and finished it up. Finally! Not my favorite Jacky Faber book, but still pretty good.

Hopefully I get back into the swing after this!

I hope so too, Jennyifer. Reading can be so relaxing.

I agree! I'm actually surprised I haven't finished anything in such a long time. I enjoy reading before bed to relax from the day. I usually try to keep at least one book going.

56. Tide, Feather, Snow by Miranda Weiss
November 16

More proof I have actually been reading. I've been taking my time with this one over the last few weeks.

The author and her boyfriend move to Homer, Alaska. I enjoyed the real-life look into life in Alaska, and I thought she beautifully captured how her life revolves around the seasons and the sea.

I debated about putting this into the homesteading category of the TIOLI November challenge, but I'm not sure there's "enough" homesteading to count. She go out to eat, shop at the grocery store, etc. although she definitely takes advantage of the natural resources available to her. Fortunately, she's a teacher like me, so it was easy enough to use Challenge 8 instead :-)

School book update! These are from the past couple weeks, up through today (I've probably missed some, but this is a good start!).

1. Pet Show by Ezra Jack Keats (author study for writing)
2. Goggles by Ezra Jack Keats
3. The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
4. Peter's Chair by Ezra Jack Keats
5. Tuesday by David Wiesner (am/pm in math)
6. Flat Stanley by Jeff Brown
7. The Ugly Vegetables by Grace Lin (student teacher)
8. Super Storms by Seymour Simon
9. Duck for President by Doreen Cronin (social studies- elections)

Also started Mr. Popper's Penguins as a read aloud.

Keats! Wiesner! Mr. Popper!! Some of my favorites! Can I come and sit in on your class?!

come on over!! :-)

57. The Practice Proposal by Tracy March
November 23

I got this as a Free Friday give-away from Barnes and Noble. It was cheesy, unrealistic, and predictable. I finished it though so I guess I need some cheesy, unrealistic and predictable every now and then :-)

58. Leaping Beauty by Gregory Maguire
November 23

I borrowed this from the library as a potential class read-aloud. Decided to go with Mr. Popper's Penguins instead, but I enjoyed this book! Clever adaptations. Fun, quick read.

I could not pick a favorite, but stories include 'So What and the Seven Giraffes', 'Little Red Robin Hood' and 'Cinder-Elephant'. :-)

59. Against the Tide
November 27

60. The Art Forger by B.A. Shapiro
November 29

I really enjoyed this fictional take on the robbery at the Isabella Stewart Gardner museum, especially after reading a nonfiction account earlier in the year. Interesting characters, and an unpredictable story line (actually three woven together) kept me on my toes.

61. Home Sweet Anywhere
December 6

The author and her husband sell their house to live throughout the world. I like how she blends their interesting travel stories with everyday life on the road (I'm always wondering about the practical side of things!). Next, to check out the blog.

School book update!

1. A Plump and Perky Turkey by Teresa Bateman
2. How Santa Lost His Job by Stephen Krensky (I definitely also recommend How Santa Got His Job which is on my track down and buy list :-) )
3. How Chipmunk Got His Stripes by Joseph Bruchac
4. Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes

Mr. Popper is moving along. I feel like I'm missing at least one more book, but I'm forgetting what it is. We talked about Rosa Parks, but I didn't read aloud- just set out the books for the kids to read themselves. (edit- just remembered Chrysanthemum!

Thought of one more!

5. Penguin on Vacation by Salina Yoon
We had "beach day" the Tuesday before Thanksgiving, and this was the perfect read aloud for a cold beach day (penguin is tired of cold-weather vacations so he travels to a tropical land and befriends a crab, who shows him how to vacation in warm weather). I loved the illustrations!

Putting this here so I can come back to it! I only skimmed through, but I've read very few of these. The Black Dahlia, The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency and that's it...any opinion on the list? Any favorites missing?

http://flavorwire.com/434548/50-essential-mystery-novels-that-everyone-should-re...

>158 jennyifer24: Oooh, Charlie and I love the Penguin books! So adorable.

62. And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
December 7

I might have stayed up too late finishing (reading in one sitting) this one. It took me awhile to remember which character was which, but it was worth the effort!

63. Sprinkle with Murder by Jenn McKinlay
December 9

A friend and I are having a good time browsing here:

http://www.litographs.com/

I think Around the World in Eighty Days might be my favorite!

64. My Bonny Light Horseman by L.A. Meyer
December 13

This might end up being one of my favorites from this series. Lots of action.

With Christmas break coming up, I'm thinking I might actually get to 75? Seems unlikely, but maybe...?

A Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New year, Jennyifer!

>165 connie53:
Thank you Connie! I wish the same for you. I'm grateful to have two full weeks of vacation to relax and read! :-)

65. Rapture of the Deep by L.A. Meyer
December 18

66. Someday, Someday, Maybe by Lauren Graham
December 21

67. Red Riding Hood by Blakley-Cartwright
December 23

School book update...

1. The Gingerbread Boy by Paul Galdone
2. The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg
3. Stop That Pickle! by Peter Armour definitely one of my favorites
4. Mr. Popper's Penguins by Richard Atwater
5. Olive the Other Reindeer by Vivian Walsh
6. Christmas Tree by Florence Minor. Pretty sure this is the right one.
7. Jellies by Twig George new to me- we loved this one!
8. How Big is a Foot? By Rolf Myller

I haven't heard of Stop That Pickle! - I'll have to see if the library has it...

Happy Holidays!

Stop That Pickle is a Gingerbread Man story...not sure where I found it but we always do our own version after reading it. Great word choice!

Hope you are having a great holiday season!

68. The Wake of the Lorelei Lee by L.A. Meyer
December 24

seven books, seven days...here we go!

Merry Christmas LibraryThing!

69. The Mark of the Golden Dragon by L.A. Meyer
December 25

70. At the Villa of Reduced Circumstances by Alexander McCall Smith
December 26

71. Mr. Darcy's Diary by Amanda Grange
December27

72. The Member of the Wedding by Carson McCullers
December 28

This book was well-reviewed by many people, but wasn't my cup of tea.

73. Viva Jacquelina! by L.A. Meyer
December 28

I had to take a break from Jacky, she was starting to get on my nerves. I felt better about this one :-)

Anyone else find themselves going back to check the numbers on their books? I can't shake the feeling that I'm going to get to 75 and then realize that I miscounted and have more to go! Nothing like cutting it close!!

74. Dinner with a Perfect Stranger by David Gregory
December 29

Once I saw this book as a call to ask more questions, and not an attempt to answer all questions (my interpretation- not sure about the author's intent) I appreciated it a lot more.

One more!

>181 drneutron: It was iffy there for a while but I did it :-)

75. Boston Jacky by L.A. Meyer
December 30

I made it! #75 I have a lot to say about this book but it would be filled with spoilers. I'll just say I'm very frustrated I can't find the next in the series.

Congrats!

>184 drneutron: Thanks!

Top Ten of 2014

1. Gone Girl- not my normal reading, but I loved the twists and turns!
2. Bloody Jack- read 11/12 this year (grr..must track down #12) but the first has remained my fave
3. Borderlands- intriguing characters and setting
4. Yes, Chef: A Memoir- this felt very honest and reflective
5. The Human Factor- great character development, understated plotline
6. And Then There Were None- Christie wove an intricate storyline with so many characters!
7. Breakfast at Tiffany's A Short Novel and Three Stories- I'm not much for short stories, but these were just as good as the novel.
8. Cinder/Scarlet- couldn't decide which was better
9. Detroit Electric Scheme- This won me over with setting and historical events
10.The Gardner Heist- true-crime that was easy to read despite a long list of suspects and events

Not sure they are exactly in order, but as close as I can figure.

Honorable mention to Bossypants, The Art Forger and Innocent Traitor

76. To Fudge or Not to Fudge by Nancy Coco
December 31

Couldn't hold off and finished it at about 11:30pm :-)