mmignano11's 2008 list grows slowly...

I just finished #2 How I Got Published. "This is a book about success. Ours...theirs...maybe yours. It's about how to get published."What a great read for anyone interested in writing for publication. Each author had two or three pages to tell the reader/writer their story. Very helpful with practical hints and encouragement. This one stays in my library for reference. Pages-352
I'm also counting my audio-books because I work hard at them, I rewind if I miss anything and never get abridgements. Why, oh why, would an author allow an abridgement? It's got to be the money!Anyway, book # 3 is The Dew Breaker Edwidge Danticat I won't add the pages because I didn't visually enjoy the book. I'm not sure I wasn't bored by that one. I'm going to give something else of hers a try. Maybe short stories.

Book #4 is Floor Sample by Julia Cameron. The book is called a creative memoir and the author is considered a "creativity coach." She helps artists get "unblocked." "The late afternoon sky is pewter." I enjoyed reading about the strange twists and turns of her life, but I think some of her other books like The Artist's Way and the accompanying journal are going to be more helpful with my writing. Book #5 is No Country for Old Men which is amazing. I wonder what they will do with that on film. It seems the actors that were chosen are well matched to the characters. I listened to that one on audiobook, and the reader was amazing, which makes all the difference in the world. Pages from Book #4-405-Running total-1014

I love, love, love Julia Cameron and I think I have everything she has ever written. Artist's way is, of course the basic book although I think I got more out of Vein of Gold. I HATED Floor Sample with a passion. It made me think less of her and I hated that. The supposedly funny book with cartoons on why we procrastinate, I found 1)not funny and 2)vaguely offensive. With that said, read everything else of hers you can get your hands on. Others with good writing advice are writing down the bones and everything else Natalie Goldberg writes and I was led to Stephen King's book on writing which I not only enjoyed but also took the challenge to write a novel based on one of his suggestions. On Writing Well and Zinsser's Writing to Learn which popped up on the touchstones is another good one, a classic.

Thanks for responding. That is exactly what I felt about Floor Sample and I haven't even read her other books yet! She makes herself out to be a bit of a flake, right? But I assumed that she has more credible stuff out there after looking at the other books she has put out. The Artist's Way and journal are on their way to my house as we speak,er,write.I have read Stephen King's book,in fact, as soon as it came out. I think I read Writing Down The Bones too but if I can't remember then I guess it's time to take another look. Did you get your novel completed? I'm having a tough time with a short story, it is hard to make the time for myself, but I had promised myself I would when I got older, and I got older,so I'm committing myself. If you are interested in creativity, you have to look up the person who is doing Haikus on his 50 book challenge site. I'll go find it for you. Utterly amazing.

Book #6 is A Is For Alibi "My name is Kinsey Malhone. I'm a private investigator, licensed by the state of California." It's fast-moving, light reading, enjoyable. I like to see what these authors do that have a bijillion books out there. With these it's the research I find daunting. I can't say the writing is luminous or brilliant, but then again I haven't published anything have I? I can't criticize Sue Grafton until I do. Seriously, though I can only read one of these, and then back to something a little heavier. I have a Scott Turow next to the bed ready to start. I'm not sure I can read two mysteries in a row. If not, I might start with Outlander which I just ordered from Amazon along with Dragonfly in Amber. I'm trying to read an assortment of books. I usually read first novels, intrigued by what it takes to get one out there. Also, short story collections. Have been reading lots of writing magazines.Pages from book #6-285-Running total-1299

Book #7 is The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao Audiobook-copious research must have gone into that book and the reader is amazing which makes a great book even greater. I don't know if I would have liked it as much if I read it because it has a very distinct voice that was a delight to listen to but not sure how it would hve translated on to the page. I think there may have been some things I may have understood better and some things that were clearer because they were read to me.

Book # 8 is The Virgin Blue by Tracy Chevalierwhich I am listening to on audiobook. I'm not enjoying it that much though. It's a bit confusing,jumping around when the narrator is in 18th century France, and boring and long-winded when the narrator is in present day France with a relative of the other character in historical France. Somehow there is a relationship between the two women but the book is halfway done and there is no connection yet...Also, I finished Book # 9-Scott Turow Personal Injuries "He knew it was wrong, and that he was going to get caught. He said he knew this day was coming." (First line) I am going to write a review on this book. It had quite complex character development and plot devices to move it along. I enjoyed it, so will probably read him again,but I have Ordinary Heroes around and I seem to remember not so great reviews. I'll give it a try, anyway. So pages were-403-Running total this year is 1702. On to Outlander

Book # 10 was going to be Outlander but I could not stay interested so I am going to try to listen to it on audiobook. I picked it up at the library already. So Book # 10 was The Torment of Others by Val McDermid It was an excellent,suspense-filled novel about a killer they have to catch before he kills one of their own. I listened to it on audiobook.Book #11 was The Water Clock "Humphrey H. Holt's licensed minicab crept across the fen like the model motorcar on a giant Monopoly board." Great characters. Book # 12 wasThe Translator, A Tribesman's Memoir It is a very touching memoir of the horrendous war crimes being committed in Darfur. Book # 13 is Sight Hound."We were driving along Colorado 64, somewhere between Meeker and Rangely-the Milky Way bright above us and Dante and Rose snoring softly in the back of the 4-Runner-when Mona told me about her dream, It was the early eighteen hundreds, she said, and we were going west together." I always enjoy her writing. I once met her, and got her autograph onCowboys Are My Weakness Her new novel is a wonderful book about a huge Irish Wolfhound "Dante" and the special relationship he has with his owner, Rae, through her romances, and not so romantic experiences, life death and everything in-between.-pages 851-running total-2553

Book #14 is Cell. It is not my favorite King book, but the idea was original, as I find most of his plots are. Possibly too long, which I also find most of his books to be. I did enjoy the character development, though, and the reader, Campbell Scott was not bad. Book # 15 is The River King I thoroughly enjoy Hoffman's capacity for creating a world of depth, characters that are mysterious, yet at the same time seem nothing out of the ordinary. I admire her talent at creating a believable world of odd events that can be woven in to her stories as though they are everyday occurrences, or at least not so strange as to be doubted. "The Haddan School was built on the sloping banks of the Haddan River, a muddy and precarious location that had proven disastrous from the start." The first line of this book is from Writing 101, she has taken the most important facts of the book, everything that happens from here on involves the school, the location, and the river. Great book! 324 pages-running total-2,877

Book #16 is Outlander I am listening to this on audiobook, because I just could not get through the book! I am enjoying Davina Porter's fabulous rendition. Her skill at reading is unparallelled,perhaps equaled only by Barbara Rosenblat and 1 or 2 male readers whose names elude me at the moment. The plot is not complicated, but rather complex in that it involves many characters,places and historical events. Much of the book could have been edited out but I think the author's aim was to entertain her reader rather than to produce a work of artful literature. She does entertain us, her characterizations are insightful, and it is easy to develop an interest in where the story is going to take them. I just can't put my finger on why it is difficult for me to garner interest in reading the books as opposed to listening to them. It's like seeing a movie and enjoying the images that are compelling you to watch, like a commercial, but not caring that much about the content. I got hold of The Outlandish companion and after reading the author's description of how she decided to write the books and went about doing so, I'm not sure if she is arrogant or just smug. She's clearly intelligent, but makes the writing and subsequent success of her books sound like something anybody could accomplish with little effort. As an aspiring writer, I find that hard to process. Maybe I'm just jealous. Clearly she has me intrigued! Do I recommend it? Yes, I think fans of historical fiction would find it highly entertaining and fans of romantic fiction would appreciate the erotic scenes between Claire and Jamie.

Book #17 is Swallowing The Bitter Pill which reveals the extent to which our society has become addicted to prescription drugs. It goes on to provide solutions, such as treatment centers, counseling,PrescriptionAnonymous, etc. I found it interesting but as with most books of this sort, I find that the author, an addict herself, skips over the part where she becomes addicted, as if she just arrived there one day and her eyes were opened to her problem. The important part, in my eyes, has been left out. Those days during which she made the decision to take pill after pill, are the missing puzzle pieces. One does not just arrive at addiction. While it is helpful for addicts to know that they are not alone, most authors tend to skip the thought processes that led them to losing their will to drugs. We know it happened and we know why, but we don't know how. I think it is an important missing link. 187 pages-running total-3064

Well, it's been a while but I have been reading some literary magazines and trying to get some writing done. I have listened to Duma Key by Stephen King read by John Slattery. I enjoyed it quite a bit. Very original. So that is #18 and #19 is The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova."The story that follows is one I never intended to commit to paper." 642 pages-running total-3706. It was fantastic. Not as much horror as I would have expected but a great deal of description of locations all over the globe, and also of traditions and dress of various cultures. I would highly recommend it.

#20 is the audiobook The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley. Nicely written, and read by my favorite, Davina Porter. They can never go wrong with her. I felt the book dragged in certain parts, especially when Bradley goes off on her reasons behind the ceremonies, Beltane-when the priestesses are chosen to procreate with pre-selected men to choose the next King and produce his heir. Then there are a few other incidents that are quite wordy, and reminded me of going to Mass. The legend of King Arthur is one of my favorites though, so I was interested in adding to my collection. The Once and Future King was and still remains one of my favorite top ten books.

#21 is Dragonfly in Amber an audiobook again read by the inimitable Davina Porter. Actual books read have been a wonderful biography by Laura Claridge I will be reviewing that for Early Reviewers. That is #22. #23 is B is for Burglar #24 is The Secret of Hurricanes I'm reading A Beautiful Blue Death right now, but I don't count it until I finish it. I hope to add the rest before the end of my year which starts in January. I don't know if I'll make 50. Oh well, it's so much fun getting tothe 50th book! MB

I'm halfway there. #25 is A Beautiful Blue Death Look for my review on this one. If you like historical mysteries, don't miss this one! I have been reading so much more quickly now that my thyroid is back in sync. Still don't think I'll reach that 50 mark, because I have chosen to read The Witching Hourfor the third time in the past 18 years I guess,anyway since it was first published. It is one of my all time favorites. I like it far more than any of her other books.

Hi mmignano11!
That sounds like a great read for October. I hadn't heard of it, so I will have to check it out.
--BJ

#26 was Twilight only because my kids asked me to. Yuck! Even the fact that it is really for teens is no excuse for the poor writing. She used the word soft way too many times. This is a book about vampires for god's sake! Also, if possible the movie was worse. but the main vamp..so cute. Something tells me I am not getting to read my 50 this year, but there is always next year... and maybe a sensory deprivation booth and me and lots of books...

I almost picked this one up, figured I had to find out what the fuss was about, but then I heard the word "dreamy" used too many times and it went right back on the shelf, unopened...

#27 is The Condition which I truly enjoyed. I thought her character development was consistent and telling. The story revolved around each character's own "condition." This was an audiobook.

#28 is a Jasper Fforde book. I'll be back with th e title. I'm so tired. I'll fix this tom'w zzzzz...zz...z..zzzz..z...z

I hope it wasn't the book that put you to sleep -- Fforde is usually more entertaining than that! Happy New Year! :)

Good morning! Actually it is afternoon but that didn't sound funny enough. No, not the book. I consistently find myself on LT late at night, and barely able to stay awake. Happy New Year~Let's make #29 The Secret Life of Bees which unfortunately I read right before the movie not doing either of them the justice they deserved. That being said, I did enjoy the book immensely. I enjoyed the movie almost as much.

# 30 The Rain before It Falls, a thought-provoking book that I felt required the reader to be quite introspective while trying to understand or interpret the various character's motives and/or motivations in some of the stickier situations. Would definitely read more of Mr.Coe

#28 was The Eyre Affair duh. How could I forget one of those books? Shheesshh****

#30 is The Doctor's Daughter which I highly recommend to anybody who has ever lived. Actually, I thought it was depressing as all get-out. I thought , "Well, who needs this right now, holiday season and all that," but I'm glad I stayed with it, true to life is what it is. I'm behind getting my books in and since I didn't even list them anywhere I just keep remembering and as they pop into my over-stimulated mind, I rush to LT and get them in, quick. So, I'll probably be back.

I know that we don't include periodicals but they do use up a great deal of my reading time. Some that I read are, The Rambler, Tin House, Poets and Writers, BookForum, The Writer, Writer's Digest. I submit stories, not nearly enough though.

#31 is The Cloister Walk This memoir, also, made me think about some of the more spiritual aspects of the writer's world gleaned from a long history of the spoken and written word and carried down through religious orders and so existing today, very much so, according to Kathleen Norris. I don't do the book justice. Read it.