My Inaugural 50 Book Challenge! - vhoeschler

I am embarassed to admit that I am new to LibraryThing. Being an avid book lover for most of my life, you'd think I'd have stumbled across this priceless gem earlier on. In any case I am thrilled to have found this fantastic community and moreso excited to be joining this group. I've always tried to set reading goals for myself. About a year ago I was in the throws of reading "dry spell". This was due in large part to the fact that I am a stubborn reader; once I start a book I am requried by personal conviction to finish it. Well, needless to say I learned my lesson after reading 1000 pages of fastidious and rather uninspiring story telling (Marion Zimmer Bradley's "Mists of Avalon"; A novel idea lost in a dense and unending book).
2008 started anew with one of the better books I have read in years, "The Shadow of the Wind" by Carlos Ruiz Zafon. My passion re-awakened, I am now eager to set the 50 book goal effective July 2008 to July 2009.

Welcome to LT! I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. Good luck with your challenge.

Welcome and good luck. You have a great list. I am also fairly new. I'm sure by now my family has forgotten what I look like.

I agree with you about The Mists of Avalon. I thought it was a great idea -- just 800 pages too long.

I loved Ordinary Wolves. It was hard to read at times, but very moving.

I loved Circle of Friends and My Sisters Keeper----you have a great list---good luck:)

Books read so far:

1. The Thirteenth Tale (432 Pages)
Author: Diane Setterfield
Completed 06/20/08 (I'm cheating a litttle by back-dating). An excellent read simply on the merits that it keeps you reading. The actual story itself got a little "silly" at times. This isn't to say the plot twists weren't intriguing because, like I said, the book does keep you hooked. It's just that the execution was a little melodramatic.
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.
Suggested with: A Pinot Noir and a "comfy" couch.

2. Good in Bed (376 Pages)
Author: Jennifer Weiner
Completed: 07/13/08
For the most part this is a nice easy read. The best way I can think to describe it is Bridget Jones with a weight problem and several life experiences that are outlandish and depressing all at once. The characters are all very likeable but completely simple. In any case, there are enough funny and cute moments to keep the story moving and the overall book enjoyable.
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars.
Suggested With: A margarita and a poolside lounge chair.

3. My Sister's Keeper (423 Pages)
Author: Jodi Picoult
Completed: 07/24/08
Wow. Wow. Wow. This is my first brush with Jodi Picoult's work and I can say with utmost confidence it not my last. For someone who has never experienced long term illness in a loved one first hand, I found the subject matter of this book very difficult to wrap my head around. It is a mark of an amazing author when her book throws a reader into a tailspin of thought provocation and manages to entertain the reader at the same time. What a FANTASTIC reading experience.
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars.
Suggested With: Hot Chocolate and a warm bed on rainy morning.

4. Catherine the Great: Love, Sex, Power (511 Pages)
Author: Virginia Rounding
Date Completed: 07/31/08
Admittedly this book took me a long time to finish (this is in large part due to the fact that I'm not the speediest reader and I tend to have more than one book going at a time), but as far as nonfiction goes, this is officially a favorite. In fact, it is one of the better books I've ever read; fiction, nonfiction, or otherwise. In "Love, Sex, Power", Rounding brings to life a fantastic minx of woman that put Russia on the map as a legitimate world player. The reader is thoroughly entertained and educated. So often with biographies, the storytelling becomes dry and muddled with incoherent facts. However, with this book, Rounding cleverly weaves history, people and legend into one enthralling story. From the infamous “horse rumors” to “Potemkin Villages”, the life of Catherine is depicted whole-heartedly. In many ways, this biography read like a novel, and a thrilling one at that.
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars.
Suggested With: Many many midday hours during which one can get wrapped up with a bowl of soup or cup of tea.

5. Plain Truth (405 Pages)
Author: Jodi Picoult
Date Completed: 08/04/08
This is another fantastic book by Jodi Picoult. I am positively blow away by the degree with which her books keep a reader engaged. Plain Truth explores an alleged neonaticide that takes place within in Amish community in central PA. I went to college in Lewisburg, PA, a town located right in the midst of Amish country. I've always been curious about the intricacies of Amish life. It is clear Picoult spent a great deal of time researching this topic and in addition to answering a lot of my own questions, she tells a damn good story. I read the majority of this book in one sitting...and even the few times I put it down, I was constantly wondering what was going to happen next. A wonderful read!!
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars.
Suggested With: A glass of Honey Mead and a big chair by the fireplace.

Hi, vhoeschler!
I love your suggested accompaniaments (I can't spell that word.)!! They really add that something extra! Good luck with your challenge. It looks like you are off to a great start!
--BJ

Hello vhoeschler,

Love your rounded commentary, and your enthusiasm.
I am seriously trying to resist the temptation to rush out and get hold of Jodi Picoult, or at least her books!
Keep up the fascinating commentary. Best wishes.

OK, so I'm weak! I went to the library today and had a choice of seven titles by Jodi Picault

Finally chose Vanishing Acts

There was no sign of My Sister's Keeper or Plain Truth

Anyway, read the prologue and the first chapter and Jodi really can write.
Her prose sparkles. Read at least three new metaphors. Eyebrows like spiders was particularly memorable.

The first chapter ended on a cliff-hanger so looking forward to the rest of it.

Thanks for sparking me off.

Hello vhoeschler,

I have finished Vanishing Acts. If you are interested you can read my review on my 50 Books Challenge thread.

- TT

6. The Toss of a Lemon (640 Pages)
Author: Padma Viswanathan
Date Completed: 09/17/08
I received this book as an Advanced Reader's Copy through BookBrowse.com. To be honest, I had my doubts about it. At face value the story line appeared simple and I couldn't fathom how the author could draw it out over the course of 600+ pages and entertain the reader all at the same time. But entertain she does. Padma Viswanathan artfully draws together a compelling family saga with the deeply involved Indian caste system, topping it off with a hint of intrigue and magical realism. Although it is a long book, I thoroughly enjoyed every stage of the story (and learned a thing or two about Indian culture). This is a charming read; a true compliment to anyone's literary repetoire.
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars.
Suggested With: A chaise lounge and a sparkling fruit drink.

7. The Matchmaker of Perigord (320 Pages)
Author: Julia Stuart
Date Completed: 10/08/08
For a book that has only 320 pages, this took me FOREVER to read. The two words I would use to describe the story are "sweet" and "tedious". Julia Stuart does a lovely job of capturing the charms and quirks of a small French village and its inhabitants. One almost feels as though they are watching a play with a cast of 33, each person acting out their strange persona and telling their own story all at the same time. In other words, the reader is getting a lot of details thrown at them at every stage of the story.
Again, I say the book is sweet because of the overall plot; a failing village barber sets aside his life's craft to become a matchmaker. In a small town, there isn't much selection for matching so apparent hilarity ensues. But the story gets so bogged down in the details that it becomes irritating and by the time I finished the last page, I was glad it was over.
Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars.
Suggested With: The ability to speed read.

Hi, vhoeschler!
I finally started my October spooky theme read, and I started with the book that you recommended to me, The Thirteenth Tale. I am really loving it. Thanks for the recommendation.
--BJ

8. World Without End (1014 Pages)
Author: Ken Follett
Date Completed: 10/18/2008
EPIC ENTERTAINMENT!
There is nothing I like more then finding a book I can really sink my teeth into. I love it when a book is so good I find myself thinking about it when I'm not reading it. I love when a book is an easy read not because the content is frivalous, but the writing is fluid and well paced. I love books that have epic story lines and diverse characters. I love historical fiction that is well researched but not "preachy". As a relatively slow reader, I love being able to read 100+ pages in one go without batting an eye. I love this book because it provides all these things.
If you're looking for a book with emotional depth and contemplative prose, move along.
If you're looking to invest yourself in a long and thrilling tale, look no further.
Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars
Suggested With: An oversized chair and a tankard of ale. ;)

9. The Big Over-Easy: A Nursery Crime (400 Pages)
Author: Jasper Fford
Date Completed: 12/02/08
So much fun!
This is the first book by Jasper Fford that I've ever read, although I've had many of his books on my "to read" list for a while. In any case, this is a very clever story. While it has all the ingredients of a good murder mystery, Fford integrates the zany element with his use of nursery rhyme characters, mythological figures, and fairytale icons that partake in the story as though it's the most normal thing in the world.
I was thoroughly entertained from start to finish!
Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars
Suggested With: A good memory of your favorite childhood stories!

10. Twilight (498 Pages)
Author: Stephanie Meyer
Date Completed: 12/11/08
Well, well, well…
To steal from the author’s choice of words from the back of the book, at the start of reading Twilight “about three things I was absolutely positive”: I was not a tweeny emo goth, there was a part of me that wanted to laugh out loud with ridicule, and I unconditionally and irrevocably needed a drink.
HOWEVER, after the first 100 pages I found myself completely obsessed with the oh-so-cliché forbidden romance that was unfolding before my eyes. Stephanie Meyer is GENIUS at tapping into every single element of teenage girl love fantasy. Don’t get me wrong, the writing in this book is extremely sappy but by the end of the last page my brain had “irrevocably” decided that having an impossibly perfect vampire boyfriend would be so rad and I so totally need to read the sequels.
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Suggested With: Renewed Puberty

to be warned the second book isn't the best it's the worst of the series but don't give up on the books the third and fourth are much better

11. I Was Told There'd Be Cake (240 Pages)
Author: Sloane Crosley
Date Completed: 12/15/08
Finish a thought already!!
I so wanted to like this book. I am an obsessive fan of David Sedaris and when I read in one of the critics’ comments that she is comparable to his writing style I thought for sure I had a winner. Furthermore, one of my dearest friends told me that when she read this book, it was my voice she had pictured in her head. Perfect! Let the laughing begin.
Wrong.
With the exception of a few snigger-worthy moments, this book is just a compilation of endless brain tangents. She’ll start the telling of one story and just as you think it’s going to amount to something, she completely digresses into some random musing. What you end up with is a series of diluted, and truthfully, very boring self deprecating yarns.
Very disappointing.
Rating: 2 out of 5 stars
Suggested With: A Long Island Ice Tea (it’s in line with the constant references to New York and it’ll help you find humor in the mundane)

12. New Moon (608 Pages)
Author: Stephanie Meyer
Date Completed: 12/27/08
So this is what addiction feels like…
Well, I’ll say it again: I approached this series with the LOWEST expectations, I am embarrassed at how involved I am with the key players of this saga (they’re VAMPIRES for the love of god) and I am bitter, nay resentful, that I have to be at work today and not at home, knee deep in book 3. Stephanie Meyer is an amazing story teller!!
After I finished Twilight I went to see the movie (Let me just say I thought they cast the film perfectly). That same night I went home and started New Moon. 200 pages later, I was still on the couch, about 3 glasses of red deep and 10,000 tissues into the most ludicrous sob fest of my life. The central story line of New Moon is gut-wrenching. There are parts where my stomach literally hurt because I was so worked up and heart broken. I just kept thinking to myself, no, Stephanie Meyer, no. You can’t do this to me. You can’t do this to Bella. You can’t do this to non-existent vampires everywhere.
Ugh! What is the deal? I can’t get enough of these books.
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Suggested With: Entire blocks of time and a complete sense of reckless abandon!

13. Eclipse (640 Pages)
Author: Stephenie Meyer
Date Completed: 01/06/09
More and more ridiculous, still very entertaining…
Before I go into my review I’ll say that I am going to read the series to the end. There is an element of literary fetish laced throughout these books that keeps me reading at a compulsive rate. For all intents and purposes, the story is absurd and the writing is so over the top. But I can’t help myself! I love Edward and Bella together. I love how impossibly perfect he is to her. I love his impossibly perfect “family”. (On a side, note, one of the things that makes this book so entertaining is that a good bit of it is dedicated to the telling of how several of the other Cullens became vampires…rather interesting!)
I wish this story wasn’t so fixated on the love triangle between Jacob, Edward and Bella (Jacob bores me), but the new dangers and adventures in Eclipse are just as driven and fast paced as those of the first two books. Let the addiction continue!!
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Suggested With: Insulin – Some of the romantic dialogue in this book is just too much.

14. Breaking Dawn (768 Pages)
Author: Stephenie Meyer
Date Completed: 01/17/09
Completely out to lunch and my favorite book in the saga…
On the one hand, having finished all four books, I feel as though I’ve awoken from a month long reading trance during which I neglected all human responsibility. I am the proverbial addict that can now re-join the land of the living.
On the other hand, I am actually depressed that the story is over!
Breaking Dawn is without a doubt the most “out there” book in the series. Much like my experience with Twilight, I spent the first half of this book rolling my eyes and shaming myself for giving any sort of credence to this blatant bitch-slap to my intelligence. However, once again the romantic in me took over and I let myself get carried away with the thrilling climax of this lengthy storyline. I don’t know how she does it but I’ve never encountered a writing style that translates into a bewitching reading addiction! There were actually a couple nights where I stopped myself from picking the book up because I knew I would never be able to put it down and get some sleep (and even if I did put it down, I’d be so wound up thinking about what would happen next in the story that I wouldn’t be able to sleep anyway). It’s insanity!
Book 4 puts you through the ringer: It is suspenseful, it is erotic, it is devastating, and it is pure elation. Bravo, Lady Meyer. Bravo.
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars.
Suggested With: Champagne…there are many points in the book where you’ll feel like celebrating!