Can I really get to 50??

I love the idea of this group! I am pretty sure I can get to 50, since I typically read tons of books!
So here is what I have read so far this year... I am a bit behind, but I am sure I can catch up in short order :)

1. The Footprints Of God Greg Iles
2. Angels and Demons Dan Brown
3. Heart Shaped Box Joe Hill
4. The Illustrated Man Ray Bradbury
5. A Dirty Job Christopher Moore
6. Hand of Evil JA Jance
7. Exit Wounds JA Jance
8. Farenheit 451 Ray Bradbury
9. The Darkest Evening of The Year Dean Koontz
10. Lamb Christopher Moore
11. Odd Thomas Dean Koontz
12. Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister Gregory Maguire

Now to go to my TBR pile and start something new for May!

What did you think of A Dirty Job? I read it last summer (my first Moore) and really enjoyed it. My husband keeps encouraging me to read Lamb, which is now on my reading list.

I loved A Dirty Job! It was almost an afterthought to even buy it, but I had heard great things about Christopher Moore and decided to give it a try. Now I am hooked on his stuff and can't wait to read everything else he has written. I just finished Lamb last week; it was terrific! I highly recommend it.
I started Bloodsucking Fiends last night, and I am already engrossed. (Some of the same characters from A Dirty Job show up in it, too.) No question about it, Christopher Moore is one of my new favorite authors.

Ok. Lamb has just been bumped up to a few books from now. Thanks for the recommendation! Bloodsucking Fiends is another of my husband's favorites. I look forward to your review.

Welcome to the 50 book challenge! The great thing about it is that you can start and finish your challenge year at any time; it doesn't necessarily have to fit within a calendar year.

Looks like you've read some good books so far.

Thanks, shoothingstarr7. :)

Hmmmm... I said I would be able to catch up on the reading in short order, but I underestimated how addicted I could get to this website! I have been reading message boards, blogs, and reviews to the point that my "real reading" got pushed aside! Oh well, that is just a testament to how fun this site is!

I just finished Bloodsucking Fiends and thought it was great. Not as good as Lamb but still a wonderful, humorous read. Christopher Moore looks at things from a twisted perspective, and that works perfectly for me. Where else can you find vampires, turkey bowling, and a frustrated writer from Incontinence, Indiana? Great reading when you need something fun and light!

Now I am off to darker stories for this next round.. I just started The Good Guy by Dean Koontz at work and Lost Echoes by Joe Lansdale at home. I will let you know my thoughts once those are finished.

Lamb is up next for me. I really love Moore's humor too. He's just so zany!

I'd say you're well on your way to 50, easily! Have fun, looks like some great books so far...

>#7, I am sure you will enjoy it suncloud9

>#8 I am definitely having fun, TeacherDad.. now if I could just find more time for reading/posting....

Wow, its been a while since I posted! :Sigh: Been busy at work. And my boss seems to think that I need to actually show up and be productive every single day or he won't pay me! That seriously cuts into my reading/Librarything time!

Well I finished:
#14 The Good Guy One of Dean Koontz's better novels, but I have read enough of his books that I see the "formula" before the novel gets three or four chapters in. I always know who will or won't die, so unfortunately there is little suspense. That being said, it was a quick read.

#15 Lost Echoes This was a slow starter for me, but I ended up thoroughly enjoying it once I got about 1/4 in to it. It had me on the edge of my seat (or bed when I was reading at bedtime... lets not discuss the nightmares) the entire time.

#16 8 Weeks to Optimum Health Not bad, but pretty much just the usual common sense stuff about how to live healthy... ah, if I could only follow the advice so easily!

#17 Body Worlds The Anatomical Exhibition of Real Human Bodies I bought this book after going to the exhibit here at the California Science Center. The whole process is fascinating and the book allowed me to relive it.

#18 A Dog Among Diplomats I needed a good, cozy novel to break up the blood, gore, non-fiction stuff. This was just what the doctor ordered. The main character is a Labrador retriever who taught himself to read while he was being paper trained. No ordinary dog, he helps solve crimes now. An entertaining, light read.

OK, I think that is just about everything. Now I am off to my TBR pile to see what I can find next!

#19 The Golden Compass --I am not a huge fantasy fan, but I wanted to read this before watching the DVD. It was so-so. This book truly has two of the worst parents I think I have ever read in a book! Usually at least one of the parents is nice, loving, etc. Not here. In that respect it was a bit depressing.

I am currently reading The Hours, Pebble In The Sky, and You Suck. I will post an update as I finish these.

Wow, been a while since I posted! Not that I have stopped reading, just not so much posting!

My son graduated from high school, so that took up quite a bit of time in the last month. But sooo worth it! ((Doing my 'mom happy dance' right now!))

Anyway, I finished a few more books:

#20 Blaze -- While not one of Stephen King's best, certainly worth reading if you are a fan like I am.

#21 Pebble In The Sky -- I picked this up in my favorite used bookstore. It was interesting, but a bit too dark for me. I like to keep my sci-fi light.. lol. Dark is for horror/thriller!

#22 The Watchman -- I read this on recommendation, and I enjoyed it. The characters of Joe Pike and Elvis Cole are wonderful. They are complete opposite in their core nature. Since this novel takes place in Los Angeles, I became engrossed quickly. I was able to picture each location as the story progressed. I will definitely pick up more in this series

#23 You Suck -- I HAD to get back to some Christopher Moore! Revisting Jody, Tommy, and the Emperor was just what the doctor ordered. I found this novel to be even better than Bloodsucking Fiends, mostly because of the character "Abby Normal." Once she starts writing in her diary, the stream-of-consciousness thought process coming from a teenager's mind is just hilarious!!!

I am currently reading The Best Awful and I will probably pick up The Hours again.. I just needed some "funny" before getting into the heavy stuff again.

Just finished #24 The Best Awful -- Carrie Fisher has an ingenious way of making decidedly unfunny situations absurdly hilarious. I definitely enjoyed this book!

#25 I Am Legend -- After all the many comparisons being made between the book and the many movie versions, I felt that I HAD to read this to find out for myself which is best. I am glad I did. I found this novella very interesting, and felt that none of the movies did it justice. The main reason this book is so wonderful is the ending, and not one movie even tried to move in that direction. I even read that Richard Matheson was not upset about the movie "Omega Man" because he felt it was so unlike his book, he couldn't even feel offended!

#26 My Life Among The Serial Killers -- I didn't enjoy this book as much as I thought I would. I always like to probe the "inner workings" of abnormal brains. This book does that in many of the chapters, but many others just seem to mention a specific subject in passing. One section in particular was chilling... John Wayne Gacy actually got the author's home address and started writing to her there! Yikes!
OK, I am off to start another book. (Vacation is a great time to catch up on my reading!)

#27 - Where Do Nudists Keep Their Hankies -- Amusing romp through sex-related questions.. often-times silly, but still entertaining.

#28 - The Hours -- I am glad I picked this back up! I ended up really getting engrossed in the story. I don't know if it starts slowly, or if I just wasn't in the mood for this type of story at the time, but I am certainly glad I finished it.

#29 The Stewardess Is Flying The Plane -- I went into Borders this morning to buy something completely differentl and walked out with this! I am a big movie buff, and growing up in the 70's, these movies spark nostalgia like no others. The pictures are incredible, and the write-ups are interesting.
It is full of facts about movies in general, as well as how politics both inside the cinema business and outside in our American existence influenced what was made and watched. I really am glad I purchased this book, and I am sure I will go back and peruse the pictures again and again.

#30 LT's Theory Of Pets -- This book is only available as an audio book right now, but I think that lends to its charm. It is read by Stephen King, and as a result has even more of his personality reflected in the reading.
The story in and of itself isn't terrific, but it is entertaining and humorous (yes "Stephen King & "humorous" can appear in the same thought! lol) throughout most of the story.
Of course, it wouldn't be true Stephen King is things didn't go awry in the end!

#31 The Cat Who Saw Red -- Picked this up because I had never read any of "The Cat Who..." series, but had heard good things about them. Again, I certainly found this entertaining, if a bit dated. (The book was written in the late 60's.. something I didn't know until after I finished it.)
I am sure I will read more of this series whenever I want a cozy mystery break.
But for now I want something more thrilling, so I am on to Blood Memory!

#32 Stationary Bike -- This is another audio-only book. Not bad, but hardly one of King's best. Maybe its because I have read almost everything he has ever written, but I could see exactly where this was going before I got anywhere near the end! But hey, it was only 90 minutes out of my life, and I needed a thrill!

#33 Blood Memory -- I started this because I wanted some edge-of-the-seat action, and I wasn't disappointed. I started out not sure if I would like this book.. the main character seemed so pathetic. As the story unfolded, though, everything fell into place. Great read!

#34 Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince -- A re-read in anticipation of the movie coming out.

#35- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows -- Another reread, but mostly because I had forgotten things that started in the previous book, and needed to jog my memory! (Getting old is hell! LOL)

ok.. i got an early reviewers pick for the new Kathryn Neville book (doing happy dance), so I am going to reread The Eight so I am ready as soon as it gets here! I am sooo excited!!

#36 Vinnie's Head -- I read this because Christopher Moore recommended it on his website. I definitely enjoyed it. It was a little slow getting started, but then the dark humor took off. The complete absurdity of the situation was hilarious.
Basically Johnnie LoDuco, a petty crook, is fishing off Long Island Pier when he snags something.. the head of his friend Vinnie. Now what to do? He can't just throw it back, after all Vinnie was his friend!

#37 The Eight -- I wanted to reread this since I was getting The Fire as an early reviewer book. Glad I did, since it had been well over a decade since I read it the first time. Since I forgot most of it (something that happens to me at my age! lol), it nearly like reading a brand new book. SImilar to the DaVinci code, but much better in my opinion! Now I am ready to start The Fire.. can't wait!

#38 The Fire (touchstone isn't working) -- Great sequel! I was excited about a sequel coming out, but concerned it wouldn't live up to the original. I had nothing to fear.. this was a real page-turner.

#39- Practical Demonkeeping -- I felt a need for a "humor break" after all the heavier reading. This is Christopher Moore's debut book, and not his best. It was certainly good, but I am glad he improved with his subsequent books.

OK, now back to Mt TBR.. lol (My favorite used bookstore had a sale two weeks ago, so I added dozens of books to the mountain!!!)

#40 - Retribution -- Good suspense novel. The lead character is brutally raped and then years later, as a prosecutor, is charged with leading the prosecution against her attacker for other crimes. Ultimately it becomes a study in ethics and values with a good dose of thrill thrown in.

Real life has been busy, and getting in the way of my reading! Hmmph! But I do have a few to add here:

#41 - The Traveler ( touchstone not working) by John Twelve Hawks -- I read this book without even realizing all the hype about it! (Yes, sometimes I DO think I live under a rock.) Ultimately I am glad I did.. I believe if I had read all about the controversy it would have clouded my judgment.
I thought this was a good read, but not great. The story itself is intriguing, but tends to get bogged down with long, boring passages. Essentially, I feel that this book could have been about 150 pages shorter and lost absolutely nothing. That being said, I enjoyed it enough feel the second installment with be worth my while.

#42 -- Artemis Fowl -- This was an enjoyable book. I listened to it on audio and found the narrator to be wonderful. I wasn't completely unsure when I started it, how the author could possibly get me to read a second book that is crafted around a character with no redeeming qualities. I needn't have worried; this author wrapped things up nicely and made me ready to go out and buy the second in the series.

#43 -- Dictator Style -- An interesting look at the homes of some of the world's most infamous dictators. Seeing actual photos of the parlor of Hitler or the kitchen of Tito was almost surreal.

#44- No Way To Treat A First Lady -- This was a fun book. It was my first Christopher Buckley book, but I am sure it won't be my last.
The premise of the story is that the president of the United States is dead and the first lady is accused of killing him. The book combines mystery and satire perfectly, and there are plenty of laughs throughout.

#45 -- Born Standing Up -- I don't read memoirs unless I feel the subject matter is truly interesting, and this one was. Steve Martin is so much more than just a successful comic. This book explores who and why he is what he is. Unlike many other memoir authors, Martin doesn't make viriolic comments about people. He writes with a style and class that one rarely finds in memoirs now.
A thoroughly engrossing book.

#46 -- The Believers (touchstones not working), by Zoe Heller.
I got this book as an ARC from the Barnes & Noble FirstLook Book Club. I am sorry to say I was disappointed. I had such high expectations from a book that promised to be a "rich and comic chronicle...". I found it to be shallow and at times even depressing. Overall I give it 2-1/2 stars, because the story line was interesting, just not developed thoroughly.

#47 -- Where Am I Wearing by Kelsey Timmerman
Loved it!! The author travels around the world trying to visit the actual garment factories where his clothing has been made. He visits Honduras, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, and ends back in the US. In each country he gets a chance to visit with actual garment workers and gets their take on their jobs. Truly an eye-opening experience for him as well as myself!

#48-- The Big Over Easy by Jasper Fforde
This was a fun book. Part mystery, part comic fantasy, this was just a wonderfully entertaining story. I will definitely be picking up more of this author's books!!!

#49-- And Then There Were None -- I remember reading this as a kid in junior high school, but for the life of me couldn't remember "who-dun-it". It was a fun re-read.

#50 -- The Simple Truth Quiet weekend with no one to bug me = more time to read books!!!! This was my first book by this author, but it most certainly won't be my last. A true legal thriller; I quite literally couldn't put it down.
Oh.. and made it to 50, with 7 more weeks left in the year. I have my new Kindle coming next week, so I may be doing some power reading shortly!

Hi, TheBoltChick!
Congratulations on reaching your 50 book challenge goal! And I was interested to read that it was a legal thriller -- which I love -- so I will check it out. Does your name mean that you are a Charger fan? Have fun with your Kindle. I am still fence-sitting on that issue. Happy Reading! :)
--BJ

Thank you Billiejean! No, my name doesn't mean I'm a Charger fan.. its much more mundane than that. I sell nuts and bolts for a living! LOL
Regarding my Kindle.. woohooo!! I love it! I would have still been sitting on the fence, but I got it as an early Christmas present. It is the best! Since I carry it everywhere, I am always ready to read at a moment's notice. I have a feeling I will be doing much more reading and being less productive than ever now. Oh well....

On that note, I have finished two more books:

#51 - Island of the Sequined Love Nun by Christopher Moore. Tropical island, a near castration, tranvestite navigator, cannibals, and a talking fruit bat! How often can you get all that in one story?? I was laughing through most of this book.

#52 - The Stupidest Angel: A Heartwarming Tale of Christmas Terror also by Christopher Moore . Guess I was just in the mood for more zaniness! When mixing Christmas with brain-eating zombies, hilarity ensues.

Now I think I will change it up and go for something a bit more serious... maybe another David Baldacci??

Congrats on 50!!! Loved the Fforde and Love Nun, and recommend Moore's Biff, the Lamb of God's Childhood Friend (touchstones not working since I can't remember the exact title and am too lazy to get up and look on the shelf)...
and tell Billiejean I am a Charger fan, but not too happy about it this season...

I am a Tennessee Titan fan myself and am pleased and amazed so far. :)

I am thinking about a Christmas read myself, and really The Stupidest Angel: A Heartwarming Tale of Christmas Terror sounds perfect! I love a great title.

--BJ

Thanks for the congrats, TeacherDad.. and I agree with loving both Fforde and Christopher Moore. I have already read Lamb and loved it! I am probably going to read Fluke next. I am also looking forward to his new novel next year called Fool (touchstone not working) which is the story of King Lear told from the viewpoint of the jester. Sounds like it is going to be fun.

If you have a wacky sense of humor, I can definitely recommend The Stupidest Angel, BillieJean. It isn't anything like a traditional Christmas story, but lots of fun!

And now for my latest read, #53- Digital Fortress.. I wanted something exciting after so much humor, but this wasn't anything close. This will definitely be my last Dan Brown book! I was so disappointed. The author, claiming to have done extensive research on the subjects of cryptography and computer security, has obviously done no research on either! The facts were incorrect, the characters were idiots, and the plot was unbelievable on more levels than I can explain in detail here. Oh well, you win some, you lose some.

I need a change of pace after that. Maybe I will go back to Christopher Moore, or maybe Kurt Vonnegut... decisions, decisions.

#54 - Galapagos by Kurt Vonnegut. This was my first foray into Vonnegut, and I was a bit confused in the beginning. This story seemed to move very slowly and the satire I had been promised seemed to be missing. But as I continued on, the story started to draw me in. By the end, I was a fan.
After reading other info about this book, I think one of the reasons it seemed to move more slowly and seemed so dark was because Kurt Vonnegut wrote this shortly after trying to commit suicide. Once I read that, the tone of the novel made more sense.

#55- Santa Responds -- this was a hoot! I picked this book up expecting to quickly thumb through it to read later, and ended up reading it from cover to cover. Not that I am some uber-reader, it IS a very short book! It is a collection of letters to Santa and his bitter responses. The subtitle of the book is "He's had enough and he's writing back!" I actually laughed out loud in my living room to a few of the passages. A great Christmas humor read, and really great cover art too.

Now off to another book..... :)

#56 - Fight Club -- hmmm... I am not sure about this one. The first 75% of the book I kept thinking to myself, "I don't see what people see in this." The story was supposed to be a satire, and yet I felt like I was just steeped in some sado-masochistic, violent world. But toward the end there was a plot twist that redeemed the story. I figure it is a 2-1/2 out of 5 stars.

#57 - The Reincarnationist -- Not bad.. I was looking for something more along the line of a thriller, and this fell into that category. While not as "edge of your seat" worthy as some, still an interesting ride.

And for my next book, I am back to Christopher Moore. I need some guaranteed laughs!

I have done quite a bit of reading in the past few weeks, but not much in the way of posting.. Well, I am going to fix that right now!

#58-- Fluke by Christopher Moore (Touchstone not working). This book started out a bit slow, but once it got going it was great. I just love Christopher Moore; I wish he would write more quickly!!! I have now read everything he has written to date except Coyote Blue. I think that will be among my next books, and I can't wait until Fool:A Novel comes out!

#59 -- Clapton I ws surprised by how apparently honest this book was. Eric Clapton seemed to pull no punches in talking about what a horrible person he was at times. A nice quick read.

#60 -- Adam by Ted Dekker This one was a good thrill ride. I wanted some cool, paranormal, scary stuff and this book fit the bill perfectly.

#61 -- A More Perfect Union by JA Jance. And to round out the variety, I chose a mystery. This one wasn't quite the "edge of your seat" type stuff I am used to seeing from this author, but it was an excellent "who done it" all the same.

I just downloaded two dozen more books into my kindle, and I have three ARCs to start that are sitting on my bedside table. I had better get back to reading!!