Blondierocket's 2009 Challenge

I'm reserving my spot as well. I currently have 150 books on my TBR list, also known as those books overflowing on my book shelves. Since I'm already over 100 books this year, I'm going to shoot for 100 next year, with hopefully most of them coming straight off my shelves.

TOTAL BOOKS: 100/100

Books I Want to Read this Year:
8th Confession
A Mighty Heart
Against Medical Advice
Atonement
East of Eden
Roxana
Uglies
Emma
Wuthering Heights
David Copperfield
Gone With the Wind
Charlotte's Web
Catcher in the Rye
Catch-22
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
The Shining
Interview With the Vampire
The English Patient
The Poisonwood Bible
The Blind Assassin
Mystic River
Cold Mountain
The Bone Collector
The Secret Life of Bees
Secrets of the Morning
Sex and the City
Knit Two
Three to Get Deadly
Pop Goes the Weasel
Dead Until Dark
The Dirty Secrets Club
Four to Score
Roses Are Red
Violets are Blue

and many more to come

Welcome to the 75 book challenge for 2009

Admirable goal for the year! Glad to see you taking the Challenge.

1. The Secret by Rhonda Byrne

Yea! First book of the year. A very quick read. Only took me one full day of reading off and on to finish it. Has a very powerful message but honestly wasn't as impressed as people made it out to be.

I, without realizing it, have been practicing "the secret" for a few months now so it wasn't so much of a secret after all.

Still a good book to read and reinforce your own beliefs and practices.

On Deck:
Trunk Music
Middlesex

Hi blondierocket.
What was the powerful message of the Secret?

Hopefully I'm not ruining anything by revealing .....

It's positive thinking.

sounds like a great "secret." Like you, I try to practice and live this as much as possible.

2. Measure for Measure by William Shakespeare

Finished this one yesterday. Not a big fan of this particular play, though it has an interesting theme and storyline that doesn't come up much in history.

Since last year, I started reading/re-reading the complete works, so hopefully this year I will make it through the rest of them.

3. Dorothy and the Wizard of Oz by L. rank Baum

The fourth installment of the Wizard of Oz series. I enjoyed this one as much as the last one. The fact that Baum can keep coming up with more adventures for Dorothy and new characters that somehow fit into this wonderful world and these different lands, is almost as creative and interesting as sci-fi writers creating dimensions.

There’s still a lot left in the series so we’ll see how far I can get this year.

On Deck:
Moby Dick

>8 blondierocket:: blondierocket

I'm also in the process of reading the entire set...18 done so far. I did enjoy Measure for Measure. It wasn't my favorite (I tend to prefer the Histories), but I liked it better than some of the others I've read.

>10 TadAD:: I've read 12 and then the entire collection of Sonnets. I hope to re-read those because it's been awhile and they're always enjoyable.

I haven't started the histories yet. Any recommendations on which one to start with?

>11 blondierocket:: Of the ones I've read, Richard II and Henry V are my favorites. However, I also loved Henry IV (both parts) and Richard III; there hasn't been a History so far that I've even felt neutral about, let alone disliked. Reading Henry IV before Henry V certainly makes sense.

ETA: Maybe get prop2gether's opinion. She's on this forum and extremely knowledgeable about Shakespeare.

4. Trunk Music by Michael Connelly

The fourth installment of the Harry Bosch series by Michael Connelly. I started this book last year or even the year before and somehow put it down and never finished. I don't know why or how that happened because when I finally reached where I had originally left off it was just getting good.

This time around Harry and his team are investigating the death of a movie exec who was stuffed in his trunk and shot. With lots of little twists and turns and red herrings, this book turns out to be pretty good, mainly because I didn't guess most of the ending before it happened.

It's also one of the first in the series where Harry really finds true love, or so we think, and goes to the extreme just to keep her in his life.

I am a big fan of Harry Bosch! I think I have just about the entire series. Glad to see another fan here.

>9 blondierocket: Did you see the film Return to the Land of Oz, kind of combining that with Ozma, as I recall. Couldn't believe they had Dorothy look like the original illustrations. Found it frustrating in the States that I couldn't find book 2 in the series. I gave book 1 for Xmas and wanted to continue. Growing up one of dad's colleagues would occassionally come for dinner and he brought my sis and I one book each every time he came. :)

ETA: apparently that's the wrong title so forget it! searched about 40 diff titles on IMdB and didn't find the one I wanted to mention.

I don't remember the title either, but that's the 'sequel' to Wizard of Oz? That movie creeped me out... gave me nightmares for YEARS. Hahaha. *shudder*

Well here are the first 6 titles in the series:
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum 1
The Marvelous Land of Oz by L. Frank Baum 2
Ozma of Oz by L. Frank Baum 3
Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz by L. Frank Baum 4
The Road to Oz by L. Frank Baum 5
The Emerald City of Oz by L. Frank Baum 6

Sorry about the nightmares! For me it was Peter Pan! :)

I didn't realize there was a movie for the second book. I'll have to see if I can find it on Netflix or somewhere and check it out. I like my fair share of strange movies so hopefully this one won't cause me nightmares.

Thanks!

The only ones I found were cartoons on IMdB, but this one wasn't... Nor was it done in the 30s. I'm guessing 70s or 80s. But with this brain (functions more like a sieve), there's no telling!

I think it was called Return to Oz actually. 1985 & Fairuza Balk (from the movie The Craft) was in it. It was a bit creepy especially as a follow up to the very bright & bubbly original Wizard of Oz.

>20 Jacey25: I did look at that but wasn't convinced from those few shots it was the same. Your description, however, leads me to think it might be. The book Wizard of Oz isn't near a s bright and bubbly as the movie. Guess that darkness was something no one wanted during the depression...

I found Return to Oz on Netflix. I'll have to watch it soon and let you guys know what I think.

I also found the book Wizard of Oz to be quite different from the movie. Sort of like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. The book was darker than the movie was.

5. You Know You're a Writer When by Adair Lara

A short, quaint little book I found on in the bargain bin. Full of a bunch of situations, phrases, ideas that can lead to the reader to understanding if they’re a writer … or have a good laugh because they actually have done some of these things in the past.

A similar take of “you know you’re a redneck if”.

Two of my favorites from the book - you know you’re a writer when … -

* you are shipwrecked on a deserted island and can’t send the rescue note off in a bottle because you have no access to spell-check.
* your driver’s license reads, eyes: shifty. Hair: windswept.

Still Reading:
Middlesex
One Fifth Avenue
Moby Dick

I read Wizard of Oz for the first time in my life this month. I've seen the movie dozens of times and knew the book would be different, but really didn't know what to expect. I was very pleasantly surprised. I thought the movie was done very well from the book - it was "lighter" than the book in places, but the book wasn't as morose or oppressive as some of these comments hint at. It was always a children's book and I found it to be quite charming, and the flying monkeys weren't nearly as scary as they are in the movie!

I think children's stories are often pretty "dark" - I think kids enjoy reading about other kids who are able to triumph over evil and adversity, especially when they can also outsmart the grownups.

I'm amused by the examples from You Know You're a Writer When. I may have to seek this book out.

>24 sjmccreary: That's probably true. As a kid I guess never really realized that. But I never seemed to fear those movies or even certain cartoons (ie Peter Pan). Maybe that's why I love scary/horror movies now.

>25 shootingstarr7: It's a very quick and easy read. Had I wanted to, I could have read it in one sitting within an hour but I spaced it out and read some here and there. There are many funny little tidbits. Quite a lot I find myself thinking/doing from time to time.

6. Moby Dick by Herman Melville

“Call me Ishmael.” Possibly the most popular and recognized first line of any book and all classics, even by those who have never read it before.

Moby Dick is about Ishmael, as he joins a boat in search for the great white whale who stole Captain Ahab’s leg and cause various other troubles among the sea.

One of the greatest classics ever written, I’m surprised it has taken me this long to read the book in its entirety. I’ve heard much about it, but for some reason never had to read it in school and/or never finished it. Now that I have, I can tell that Melville’s catching tale of revenge and survival on the sea helped him create this amazing story. The weaving in of fact and fiction on a whaling boat makes the reader feel almost as if the tale were true and not an amazing creation.

Currently Reading:
One Fifth Avenue
The Taming of the Shrew
Middlesex

#27 I'm so glad you liked Moby Dick. I have always wanted to read it, and have attempted it several times over the years, but never got past half way. You are inspiring me to try again.

I just recenlty found a great illustrated, old copy of Moby Dick. I am impressed that you motored through it so quickly, as I have known a few folks who had trouble slogging through it. I haven't yet read it, as it is on the shelves with dozens of other classics which I am working my way through. But your review here moved it up on my list.

Moby Dick's one of my favorites. The opening lines are fabulous! For the uninitiated:

Call me Ishmael. Some years ago- never mind how long precisely- having little or no money in my purse, and nothing particular to interest me on shore, I thought I would sail about a little and see the watery part of the world. It is a way I have of driving off the spleen and regulating the circulation. Whenever I find myself growing grim about the mouth; whenever it is a damp, drizzly November in my soul; whenever I find myself involuntarily pausing before coffin warehouses, and bringing up the rear of every funeral I meet; and especially whenever my hypos get such an upper hand of me, that it requires a strong moral principle to prevent me from deliberately stepping into the street, and methodically knocking people's hats off- then, I account it high time to get to sea as soon as I can.

Sorry, thread hijack over!

I'm very impressed that you read and liked Moby Dick. I have tried so many times to read it and failed. I'll try once again. I also inherited several other Melville works from my brother-in-law that I will have to get to someday. Thank you for the review. It's encouraging.

We were all forced to read Moby Dick in high school and I don't know about the rest of my fellow sufferers, but I did not like it one bit. It may be just a reaction to having been immersed in the whole whaling culture thing (I write this from the great Whaling City of New Bedford, MA - my hometown). There is this whole all-encompassing "whaling" thing that goes on here - restaurants, street names, condos, businesses - it gets to be a bit much sometimes. But, feeling a little guilty about good 'ol MD (and being a lot older and presumably a little more adult), I resolve sometime in the near future (read no longer than the next 10 years) to try it again.

>28 sjmccreary: I was a little shocked myself that I enjoyed it. There were parts that seemed slower than others and I found my mind wandering to other things instead of what was written. I consider it like War and Peace. Just push on through and you feel good at the end.

>29 blackdogbooks: I found it online and so whenever I had downtime at work I would read. Since things have been slow I was able to get through it quicker had I been reading at home.

>30 drneutron: I completely agree. I think no matter where you are, you know exactly what book that first line comes from even if you've only heard the title once and have no idea what the book is even about.

>31 arubabookwoman: You should give it another shot when enough time has passed that you forget why you didn't enjoy it the first time around.

>32 Fourpawz2: I think had I been forced to read it during high school (or even college) I probably wouldn't have enjoyed it so much. Anything to be read as an assignment was destined to be unbearable. :)

Thanks for all your comments!!

7. One Fifth Avenue by Candace Bushnell

Tells the story of a group of rich socialites who inhabit One Fifth Avenue, a very exclusive apartment building in New York. Covers the course of a year in the lives of all these neighbors who love and hate each other, through death and marriage, heartbreak and betrayal.

This is my first Bushnell book, so I'm still trying to figure out her writing style and on a scale how much I like her writing. I wanted to read Sex and the City first which would have set a better tone of what to expect, but I imagine this isn't too far off. I tried to keep an open mind when reading.

Reader beware: explicit sexual content and description. If you've read your share of trashy romance novels this isn't going to be much more than that.

8. Spiderwick Chronicles: The Field Guide by Holly Black

The first of the Spiderwick Chronicles. Tells the story of a family who moves into a house and the children soon find a secret room, a book, and mysterious men warning them.

It was very cute and a quick and easy read. Since I know I would like to see the movie I will probably continue the series before renting it.

9. Then He Ate My Boy Entrancers by Louise Rennison

The 6th book in the Georgia Nicolson series. This time Georgia is still torn between boys as she travels to Hamburger-a-go-go Land and tries to find Mosimo. When she gets home, all three boys suddenly start making themselves known and Georgia is torn as to who she really wants to date.

I’m starting to enjoy these even more. You can definitely feel Georgia growing up and maturing as each book goes along, and even her friends are starting to become less self involved and more helpful.

Currently Reading:
Middlesex
The Host
Robinson Crusoe

Robinson Crusoe was one of my first adult type novels as a boy. Loved it and still do. Made me try Moll Flanders later in life and loved that also.

I absolutely ADORE both the Spiderwick Chronicles and the Georgia Nicholson series. Sorry to say, the films for both were incredibly underwhelming... but the books just stay fantastic! I often read some Georgia to feel better when I'm having a crappy day. :D

I'm a little late, but Return to Oz used to scare me, too! The creatures on rollerskates really did me in. I didn't realize that there were so many installments of the Oz series... I think I might check them out!

>38 dk_phoenix: I have been wanting to see the movie version of Angus, Thongs and Full Frontal Snogging, but it wasn't released in theaters were I live and Netflix doesn't have it yet, so I'm waiting until it's available. I also love Mary Louise Parker so that's really the only reason I want to see the Spiderwick Chronicles.

>39 neverlistless: I think some of the installments are a little cheesy and some have good stories, but overall I keep reading them to complete the series. Plus they're pretty easy and quick.

I remember reading them when I was younger and enjoying them. I recently read a graphic novel with some OZ tales and enjoyed that as well but I'd like to re-read the core series again at some point. I am totally buried under TBR right now though lol. I am doing the 999 Paranormal challenge in conjunction with this.
On a somewhat related note; has anyone watched the sci-fi movie Tin Man, if so did you like or dislike it?

oops double posted, sorry

>41 Jacey25: I recorded it but never got around to watching. I still would like to but I just keep forgetting. Have you seen it? I haven't talked to many people who actually saw it or heard about it.

#41 Jacey: I have seen Tin Man and I liked it alot so much that I have asked for it on DVD. But it is nothing like the book in any sense of the imagination, except maybe the names of the characters. I would suggest watching it yourself to form your own opinion on it. Because it is one of those movies that people vary in their opinions.

(sorry for hi-jacking)

Catey

I didn't like Tin Man. I'm not sure if it was because it was so removed from the original Wizard of Oz or if I couldn't stand the girl that was cast to play D.G. (Dorothy). She could not act and she really turned me off of the show.

I haven't watched it all the way through and I'm not sure why. I'm fascinated but annoyed by it at the same time if that makes any sense...

10. The Taming of the Shrew by William Shakespeare

One of my favorite Shakespeare plays to be watched on the stage. Not as much fun reading as watching, but still entertaining.

Tells the story of two sisters, one evil (Kat) and one nice (Bianca). Their father refuses to let Bianca marry until her evil sister is married off first. Of course humor and chaos ensue as their suitors try to win their hearts and succeed in marriage.

Thinking about this play always reminds me of the film 10 Things I Hate About You, which is a modern-day version of the story.

11. Aesop's Fables

A collection of fables, stories, words of wisdom, tales, etc. that each teach one lesson or another.

It was a quick read and brought me back to my younger years, reading the little tales and their morals at the end. Full of all the cliche phrases our parents used growing up, or even heard now, to express one thing or another. For example, The Tortoise and the Hare or The Boy Who Cried Wolf.

Very enjoyable to read. Fell at 1001 on the original 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die.

Still Reading:
Middlesex - hopefully will finish it this week

Next:
Robinson Crusoe
The Host
The Witches

>47 blondierocket: musn't forget Kiss Me Kate :)

12. King Henry IV, Part 1 by William Shakespeare

I've started some of the histories off recommendations. I enjoyed it a lot more than I imagined I would. I'm planning to start part 2 soon so I can find out what happens.

13. Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides

A coming of age Pulitzer Prize winning novel about a teenager in Detroit coming to terms with his/her own sexuality, while telling the family history.

"I was born twice: first, as a baby girl, on a remarkably smogless Detroit day in January of 1960; and then again, as a teenage boy, in an emergency room near Petoskey, Michigan, in August of 1974."

I think that opening line will create the history of the book more than anything else. I knew nothing more than this statement for a long time before I read the book and it alone made me want to find out the story behind it.

I have to admit, despite the hype, I had a hard time getting through the book until about the last 200 pages. I'm not a huge fan of historical fiction and so having to wait so long to find out the narrators personal story was hard. After the fact, it was nice knowing the geneology of Cal's family prior to the reveal, but when you already know what happens it's hard to sit through everything else.

Overall, it was a very good book, but not one I felt I could read quickly without missing important details pertaining to the story. Well worth the read and it's spot on the 1,001 Books list.

Finishing: Robinson Crusoe
Starting: The Host and If You Want to Write
On Deck: The Reader and The Witches

14. Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe

A fictional autobiography of Robinson Crusoe, who is stranded on a deserted island for 28 years, telling his tale of encountering cannibals, Native Americans, captives and other foreigners before his rescue. It gives you a false reality that this man was real. Further digging shows it may have been influenced by the life of Alexander Selkirk who lived four years on island near Chile.

After watching the premiere of Lost after almost a year, it was interesting finishing up this story about a castaway since all the members of Lost are on an island waiting to be saved.

I really enjoyed this story. Defoe does an amazing job of keeping he readers attention despite the fact that most of the story has no dialogue. Which then reminds me of Castaway.

15. The Witches by Roald Dahl

A children’s book, turned to movie, about a young boy whose grandmother tells him the story of witches and how to detect them. When the grandmother and boy go on vacation they end up staying in the hotel where the witches have the conference and all chaos breaks loose.

It was a fun and quick easy read. Roald Dahl is the master of creative stories for children that you never think of yourself. They are wildly popular and I look forward to reading more of them in the future.

This is the third post I've read in a few days that mentioned Roald Dahl. I never knew of him, and now, thanks to our challenge group, and your comments, I've added him to my tbr in 2009 mountainous pile.
Thanks.

16. The Reader by Bernhard Schlink

When a 15 year old boy falls in love with a woman twice his age and spends a summer engaging in an affair with her, he’s bound to live with it for the rest of his life. Michael didn’t realize that Hanna had a secret until one day she disappeared and then resurfaced ten years later while on trial for murder.

This was an amazing book that I wish I had known about a long time ago. The romantic love affair between the two characters and their struggle to move on with their lives is amazing. Schlink does an amazing job capturing the relationship between Michael and Hanna even while telling the story through one person’s eyes.

Reading:
If You Want to Write
the Host

hi blondierocket

Alaskabookworm, a.k.a. Linda, also noted this book.

I added it to my tbr pile when she listed it on her thread. Now that you mentioned the book as well, I'll try to move it up the list.

It really is an amazing book. I've been seeing it on a lot of threads lately as well and after hearing more about the movie I had to move it up. Can't wait to hear what you think.

17. King Henry IV Part 2 by William Shakespeare

The second part of this history. I feel like I enjoyed the first part much more than this second part, but I also many be realizing that the comedies and tragedies are much more suited for me than histories.

After doing some research I found that Part 2 is not as popular as Part 1, so now I understand why.

Reading:
If You Want to Write
the Host
Tess of the D'Ubervilles

Just stopping by to wave and say I'm amazed with your reading list so far. I'll definitely be starring your thread!

18. If You Want to Write by Brenda Ueland

First published in 1938 and again more recently in the 1980s, Brenda Ueland created a great book for struggling authors who may have hit a roadblock.

This book came highly recommended by a friend and I’m glad I took my time in reading it. Ueland takes much for the works of William Blake to stress her points thoughout the book, with the emphasis that every single person is talented and has something to say.

The one thing I took from this book that I want to put into practice in my own life more regularly and thoroughly is keeping a journal. Ueland quoted from her own many times to show that such mundane descriptions often turn into more and help a write find their creative flow.

I’ve always tried in the past to keep journals, but I’m hoping this book motivated me enough to actually start doing it.

Reading:
The Host - put on hold until I can get another copy ... library book was due
Tess of the D'Urbervilles
C is for Corpse

>54 Whisper1:: Linda, you HAVE to read some Roald Dahl! The ur-author of children's books, at least in my opinion. I would recommend starting with Matilda - one of the last he published, but one that will appeal to the bibliophiles. Then do Charlie, then Danny, then James - and then the others in no particular order. All very fast reads.

Thanks Rachael..
I'll be sure to read Roald Dahl's books and will start with Matilda.

I started with Charlie in the Chocolate Factory back when the movie was being remade. I've never read Matilda but I've seen the movie so I guess that better be my next pick.

I was able to obtain a copy of Matilda today and hope to read it this weekend.

>64 Whisper1:: Linda, I'm thinking happy thoughts of you reading this for the first time! It's one of the Dahl books I really remember waiting impatiently for as he hadn't written a new one for years, and it's lovely.

19. Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi

Read this in little over a day. Very quick and easy to read, especially after viewing the film which was not in English as the book. It's such an amazing story that I'm disappointed I didn't pick up the complete Persepolis instead to continue on reading, but now have to wait.

Currently Reading: C is for Corpse

#66: The complete Persepolis is definitely worth the read!

20. Spiderwick Chronicles: The Seeing Stone by Holly Black

The second in the series. This is such a fun and quick read. Once again, I sat down and read this one in one sitting. This time around one of the twins, Simon, disappears and the others go to find him with the help of a new device, the Seeing Stone. I'm actually excited to start book 3, which I already have from the library.

21. C is for Corpse by Sue Grafton

The third in the Kinsey Millhone series. This time Kinsey is helping out a disabled man who believes his car going off a bridge was no accident.

The interesting thing about this book was that Grafton gives away the twist in the story before it even happens which makes an interesting read because you really never know what’s going to happen next. I was kept on the edge of my seat this whole book. I love how Grafton wraps everything into a nice package right at the end, waiting until the last possible moment before revealing the killer(s).

Can’t wait for the next adventure.

Currently Reading:
A Thousand Acres

blondierocket, I've just read your thread - some great books!! I've had A Thousand Acres on the bookshelf for a loooooooong time. Maybe ten years? What's it like? Should I dust it off?

I have Middlesex in my TBR pile too, but it's only been there a year so it's a baby still. I suspect I'll read it before A Thousand Acres thanks to your review and many other good comments on LT.

I've had A Thousand Acres on the shelves for a long time as well. I'm just getting into it, but I've seen the movie and it's a good story. I believe it is an adaptation of Shakespeare's King Lear so if you're familiar with the story it gives a different perspective to the book.

Middlesex was interesting as well. I can't say it's one of my favorite reads but it was definitely one I'm glad I read because it's so different and interesting.

>68 blondierocket:: Love the Spiderwick Chronicles! I even went out and picked up a number of the companion books, heh. The second series isn't quite as good (I've only read book #1 so far, and I think only 2 or 3 are out so far), and the movie was decent but not thrilling. Watch it as a fun diversion once you're done the 5 books, I'd say. Enjoy!!!

A Thousand Acres was a stand-out book for me. I'm sure you will both like it, but if not I'd be interested in hearing what you didn't like. I liked the book more than the movie.

I've read several of Smiley's other books and this is by far her best, imho.

OK, thanks. ABW, I really enjoyed Moo a long time ago. (Hanging head in shame...) I haven't read King Lear!!

22. Spiderwick Chronicles: Lucinda's Secret by Holly Black

Third in the series for the Spiderwick Chronicles. This time the kids go to visit their Aunt Lucinda to find out more details about the field guide.

This has been such a fun series. I'm wondering if there will be another adventure for the kids in the future.

23. Spiderwick Chronicles: The Ironwood Tree by Holly Black

The adventure continues when the kids encounter more elves and goblins while trying to find out what happened to the field guide. When their sister disappears, the twins have to come up with a plan to get her back, not knowing that they're leaving the rest of their family in harms way.

24. Chronicles of Narnia: The Magician's Nephew by C.S. Lewis

The first in the series, and while not made into a movie, this was a very enjoyable start to the adventures of Narnia. I liked reading about how Narnia came to be and how the foundations were built. It's interesting reading about the alternative form of traveling to the other worlds/dimensions that you don't hear about when watching the movie.

I also love how Lewis ties the story directly into The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe, with the creation of the wardrobe by the tree.

25. Startled by His Furry Shorts by Louise Rennison

The seventh book in the Georgia Nicolson series. This portion deals with the aftermath of Georgia telling Masimo she wants him to be her actual boyfriend. But of course, it wouldn't be a true Georgia story without extra drama.

Georgia continues to get into fights with Jas and starts bonding more with her mom, confessing her heartache. In the end, just when you think the whole heartbreak will be resolved, another curve ball is thrown and Georgia is back in the bathroom scared and afraid of her own feelings.

26. the Wrath of Mulgarath by Holly Black

The end of the Spiderwick Chronicles series. After rescuing their sister, the twins return home to find their mother missing and realize that their only way of survival is to face Mulgarath, retrieve the field guide and make nice with the elves.

I thought it was a very good send to the series, so now I can watch the movie and make my comparisons.

Currently Reading:
A Thousand Acres
The Host
Have You Seen...? A Personal Introduction to 1,000 Films

>77 blondierocket:: Those Georgia Nicholson books are always the highlight of my year's reading... ohmygiddygods I LUUUUURVE them so

You should really enjoy the rest of the Narnia books. I read them through before the first movie came out and it was a great ride. The reading has stayed with me much more than the movies.

27. Matilda by Roald Dahl

Another great book by Roald Dahl, and I agree completely with everyone that Matilda may be his best book yet, and definitely should have been my first.

Matilda is the story of a 5 year olf genius who can read everything put in front of her, do complicated math equations without a calculator or pen and paper, spell everything and still manages to not be loved by her parents.

I vaguely remember the movie and it being somewhat different and little more exaggerated than the actual story.

This is a great book for all children, teenagers and adults who want to escape and have an adventure with the smartest girl ever.

28. Have You Seen by David Thomson

A personal collection of 1,000 films that have some sort of significance in the life of the author.

What I felt like reading through this long list was that I was just hearing the same old movies over and over. Of course there will all the great ones your would expect that already fall into the Oscar winners and AFI’s Top 100 Films of All Time, but there thrown in were a bunch of movies with a bunch of people I’ve never even heard about, and even more foreign films.

While some of the dialogue and critiques were interesting, most of the time my favorite movies or at least ones I enjoyed were being bashed on an considered terrible or not worth anyone’s time.

I consider myself a serious movie buff. I will usually give everything a chance, but I always start what what is familiar and not some random foreign film from a book. This book didn’t convince me to watch any movie but was more just a reason for the author to ramble on about whatever movies he feels like.

In that case, I might as well make my own book filled with 1,000 of my favorite films … once I’ve seen 1,000.

It was an interesting read, but after about letter L I was tired of not knowing names and titles. If you’re big into movies, it’s worht checking out and wondering why this guy keeps making books about movies with only his opinion in them and nothing else.

>81 blondierocket:: yay! SO glad you liked it. The film is nice but.... not a patch on the book. I really feel it's where Dahl gets the balance right between those disgusting and horrific elements that he's so good at, and the more deeply satisfying elements of narrative resolution etc. etc.

I just read Matilda as well - I'm so glad you liked it. I loved all of the characters in their own way - especially Miss Honey and her poor little cottage!

message 81 and 84.

I'm on a quest to read all of Dahl's books within the next few months. I just finished The Twits and though it is difficult to have a "favorite", this one is at the top most of the list.

Whisper, I noticed that on your thread that you've been reading quite a lot of them. While I haven't made that quest yet with Dahl, I certainly would like I read all of his books in the future.

25. Persepolis 2 by Marjane Satrapi

A great finish to the story of Marjane as she is once again on her own and searching for her true self.

While the movie was so-so, in my opinion, mainly due to the subtitles, I thoroughly enjoyed the two books that make up the story of Persepolis. Sometimes I would read and even forget that this is a true story and not just a tale

I would highly suggest the complete Persepolis for anyone searching for a little history lesson along with an adventure because this certainly is a great story to hear.

I enjoyed the movie Persepolis, though I haven't read the graphic novels. My spoken French is so-so, but I understand a lot so I paid attention both to the spoken French AND to the English subtitles. They didn't seem that bad to me. Although I'm not sure if we're talking about the same subtitles, I just downloaded some I found off the net, not any official DVD ones.

26. A Thousand Acres by Jane Smiley

A modernized King Lear, where a farmer, Larry Cook, decides to divide his farm into three pieces for his three daughters. While two go along with the plan, the youngest daughter, Caroline, voices reservations and is left out in the cold.

The book is told from the perspective of the older daughter, Ginny, as she watches her family change over the course of four-five years.

Made into a motion picture staring Michelle Pfeiffer, Jessica Lange, Jennifer Jason Leigh, and Colin Firth the story is all about family struggle, pain, deceit, forgiveness, jealousy, and death.

I’ve seen the movie a few times, but the book is much more than movie could ever be. It helped being able to picture faces to the characters but Smiley’s in depth struggle of this family and their traditions shows greatly through the written word.

Next:
The Host
Mystic River
Three to Get Deadly
Pop Goes the Weasel

A Thousand Acres sounds like a good book. I've never heard of the movie or the book. Thanks for your well-written comments.

The one and only Jane Smiley book I have read (Moo), I did not particularly care for, but A Thousand Acres sounds pretty good, so I think I will give it a try. King Lear is one of my favorites of the Shakespearean plays.

I did not enjoy A Thousand Acres quite as much as I had hoped to. Didn't hate, didn't love it......just sort of , mehhhh. But I decided to give Smiley a try again with Moo. Didn't make the 50 page rule for me. Smiley generated a lot of attention and buzz and she just didn't live up to it for me. Glad you enjoyed it so much.

Looking forward to your comments on Mystic River

I've read several Jane Smiley books. The only one I would recommend is A Thousand Acres, and I very enthusiastically recommend it. I thought it was a great book.

I may have to check out Moo just for kicks, but from what it seems it may not be worth it. I take LT opinions very seriously so it may be some time before I try to check it out.

Had I not seen the movie, I probably wouldn't have attempted this book or even heard of it.

27. Love is a Many Trousered Thing b Louise Rennison

The next in the Georgia Nicholson series. I enjoy these more and more as I read along. Georgia has just run away from Masimo and the Sex God Robbie at the club and now she is reflecting on what it all means. What is Robbie doing back? Is he staying? Does she really like Masimo or Robbie? What about Dave the Laugh? As the school year comes to a close, Georgia goes on a camping trip with her friends and classmates and is suddenly thrown a curve ball she never saw coming.

Now Georgia is choosing between three guys when it should only be one.

I’m anxious to start the next book which is sitting on my shelf. Hopefully I’ll get through it this week and then I will be all caught up with series. I have a feeling this isn’t the end of it yet.

Oh my goodgiddygods, I will DIE if she ever ends the series... LOL!

I'll be looking back to see what you think of this next one! I loved it (as usual), but there is a moment... where... well, you read it and you'll know what I mean. (How's that for being vague? I just don't want to give anything away...)

28. Tess of the D'Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy

One of Hardy’s most famous books, followed by Jude the Obscure, about a woman’s journeys through life. Follows the life of Tess, and her family’s sudden noble lineage, as she meets Angel, then Alec and in the future when she finds true love all over again.

I found this novel very interesting, separated into seven different books. I seem to always love these life stories that take the reader from the beginning to the end of the life of the protagonist. There were many times I became confused as to the storyline and had to reread portions because I would become distracted, but overall the story is one more intriguing.

29. the Host by Stephenie Meyer

Stephenie Meyer’s first non-Twilight book, about an invasion of aliens onto earth, who inhabit humans and live their lives.

Melanie, Jared and Jamie are running for their lives, trying to hide and escape being killed and inserted with another life form. But what happens ends up changing their lives in ways they could never have thought possible.

I was hesitant in reading this, especially after finishing the Twilight series, knowing this book had nothing to do with vampires. I heard many mixed reviews about it, but when our book club decided to read it, I had no choice.

While Meyer’s simple writing style made the story easy to follow, I had higher expectations than I wanted and spent a lot of time wondering when I was going to get sucked in. There were many parts that had me on the edge of my seat but they were resolved rather quickly and then I was back to smooth and slow reading.

I do recommend this book, especially to any Meyer fan. Overall it is an interesting book and the story she tells is very unique. After finishing, I was satisfied with the story and was left with a hint of wonder as to what happens next. I’m hearing rumors of a sequel.

Currently Reading:
East of Eden
Stop in the Name of Pants
Three to Get Deadly

thats a pretty good list! :-)

East of Eden is just about my favorite book of all time. I hope you enjoy it.

also a fan of East of Eden, hope we can count you among our ranks after you're with it! :)

30. Stop in the Name of Pants by Louise Rennison

The most recent in the Georgia Nicolson series. Georgia is now home and very confused about Dave the Laugh’s intentions, while desperately trying to get to Pizza-a-go-go Land to see Masimo. She has men coming out of the woodwork looking for attention and she has no idea what to do about any of them.

When a tragic accident strikes her family, Georgia slowly starts to see who she may rely on most no matter what.

I enjoyed this one very much. Can’t wait for the next.

31. Three to Get Deadly by Janet Evanovich

If I didn't love this series before I'm starting to love it even more. This time around Stephanie Plum get the worst assignment next to Joe Morelli. She has to find Uncle Mo, the ice cream man and everyone's favorite person, and bring him in for missing his court date.

But the only people on her side are Morelli (sort of), Lula and Ranger.

I can hardly see what's in store with Four to Score and if the title means anything I have a few ideas. So far this was my favorite Plum to date.

32. Maus I by Art Spiegelman

A true story of a families' struggle during the Holocaust, told through the eyes of a father as he son listens.

This was my second graphic novel series and a great recommendation from those here on LT. It's a different way of telling a story but so far it has been very interesting, inspiring, and moving to hear this story as a father tells his son his past horrors or survival as a Jew in Germany.

Spiegelman takes on the story telling it through the prospective of mice (aka Jews) and other animal forms appear to be those of other religions or nationalities (aka pigs and cats). He weaves in other themes one would not expect but it makes the story that much better. Looking forward to part 2.

Currently Reading:
Pop Goes the Weasel
East of Eden

33. The 1996 What Color is Your Parachute by Richard Nelson Bolles

While outdated, this insightful book into searching for your next job or finding the career of your dreams was very interesting for me. A recommendation from my dad who used the same book when he was looking for a job, gave great points and ideas as to not only use the resources out there to find a job, but how to find out what your best and favorite skills are and how to apply them to a job.

Of course, being this edition was written in 1996, it heavily frowns upon using the internet as a viable resource and also believes resumes aren’t always necessary. Well now, in 2009, those are two required aspects to every job search in my opinion.

The books contains lots of examples, personal experiences, and activities you can use to become the best job hunter out there.

Not a bad book. I would recommend the updated version over this one.

34. Pop Goes the Weasel by James Patterson

The fifth book in the Alex Cross series. This time around Alex is fresh off the Mr. Smith killings and looking for some down time with his family and new love. But of course, this isn’t a perfect world and he is immediately pulled back into a series of strange and brutal murders of local young female prostitutes, all naked and without ID. When the murderer starts targeting well know people, Alex is determined to find how they are all connected, as the threats on his family increase.

This was a good Cross book. I love how they all flow so nicely together. Alex becomes a stronger character in each one and his love of Christine and his children is more apparent than ever before.

The next in the series will probably be hot on the heels of this recent read, as a cliffhanger looms over my head.

Currently Reading:
East of Eden
Mystic River

35. Hamlet by William Shakespeare

One of my all time favorite tragedies, one studied the most often. I would highly recommend this to anyone who has never read it. The movie adaptations aren't bad either.

36. East of Eden by John Steinbeck

I’ve heard a lot about this book, and even the movie, for the past few years so it was my first choice when it came to picking a Steinbeck I had never read. After I started reading, many people commented on their like of the story.

I will admit that in the beginning it took me some time to get used to the Steinbeck style of writing and the story because it jumped around quite a lot before settling into the main focus.

East of Eden tells the story of the Trask family beginning with Adam and Charles Trask, two brothers who couldn’t be more opposite, their relationship, and their father and mother. The story continues through their lives until they are grown men.

It was very interesting as the story developed and not realizing until near they how how history repeats itself and how her parents create who we are. The development of Adam’s sons was most intriguing because Steinbeck never came out and said Cal is like this and Aron is like that. He showed the reader until all of a sudden a lightbulb clicked and you realized you were almost watching Adam and Charles relationship.

But it’s not just about this one family, it’s also about a familiar relationship with neighbors (the Hamiltons), the scenery (Salinas Valley), and working craft (farming).

What started off as a struggle to fully grip onto the story, turned into quick page turning and giving up all other novels to read only this. I highly recommend it.

I'm so glad you liked it! :)

37. Mystic River by Dennis Lehane

Made into a movie staring Sean Penn and Kevin Bacon, Mystic River tells the story of three estranged childhood friends whose lives are thrown back together when a 19 year old girl is murdered.

I saw the movie when it came out but for some reason could never remember what it was fully about. Even when I started reading I couldn’t remember, so it was a fresh experience for me reading the book, having no idea what really happened until the very end.

When Dave, Sean and Jimmy were boys, one of them got into the back of a car and wasn’t seen for four days. The other two stayed behind. And that changed their lives forever.

Very good book. I’m even more excited now to re-watch the movie from a fresh perspective.

Currently Reading:
Maus II
Naked in Death
Tortilla Flat

Nice review of EoE.....and your experience is one that is not uncommon for the book. He really takes his time developing the intricate story but once you're in, you're IN. I am really glad you stuck with it and found it so rewarding. You've chosen an interesting folllow up with Tortilla Flats, one that has a much different feel to it but another great book. Looking forward to your thoughts.

Also got hooked on LeHane after the movie but his writing is so much more than the movie (which was very good) could ever really do justice. Slowly starting to read more of his titles.

Thanks. It's always an adventure picking up a book you've never heard of, which is what I did with Tortilla Flat. The title jumped out at me.

I'm doing the same with Lehane. I read A Drink Before the War last year so I know I'll continue with that series and everything else he's written.

To be honest, I didn't like Tortilla Flat nowhere near as much as I loved East of Eden...it was good, but not great IMHO. Hope you enjoy it more, though! :)

38. Maus II by Art Spiegelman

The ending to the story on one man’s journey through Auschwitz, his survival and life story, told by his son Art. This portion had a very different feeling to it compared to the first part. Art is now having a hard time finishing up the rest of the story without his father’s help.

I love how Spiegelman, as an author, includes his own struggles with the story and his own personal life into his work to show the reader that the Holocaust did not only effect those in the camps, but those outside as well, coming to terms with their histories.

It was a great ending, very fitting for the story Spiegelman was telling, very well rounded and came full circle.

Currently Reading:
Naked in Death
Tortilla Flat

#114: Great review of Maus II!

I hope you enjoy Naked in Death. I am a huge fan of the In Death series.

39. Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare

Not my favorite comedy. Finished out a Shakespeare challenge I was doing, so now I'll be taking a nice long Shakespeare break.

40. Tortilla Flat by John Steinbeck

One of Steinbeck’s earliest novels, before East of Eden, tells the story of a group of men who go against the grain of society in everything they do, drinking and playing in life after the war has ended but before prohibition begins.

This was a very interesting book, one I probably won’t read again. Unlike East of Eden, I never fully grasped or go into the story of these men and felt that most of the time it was jumping all over the place and never settled. I couldn’t come to understand the men or even get to know the characters very well. I was never pulled deeply into their lives or felt the sympathy that Steinbeck was trying to get.

It’s possible that this story was just so different from East of Eden, and too close after finishing that, that my expectations were high and I felt disappointed. On another note, it was a very quick read and I was glad I had that experience, but it wasn’t my favorite Steinbeck by far.

Currently Reading:
Naked in Death
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
Dead Until Dark - starting soon

41. Naked in Death by J.D. Robb

My first J.D Robb book, stepping out of my zone a little bit with a brand new author. I wasn’t disappointed.

First of all, I was little thrown finding that the story takes place in a futuristic plant Earth, but I soon became accustomed to the ways of the story and their lives and started wishing that we lived like that now.

I really enjoyed the character of Eve and the slow reveal of her back story as it pertained to her case and her relationship with Roarke.

The first of the In Death series, Naked in Death, is about a chain of murders of legalized prostitutes in a very particular manner. I found the story very interesting and kept changing my mind as to who I thought the killer might be.

With this book as the beginning, I can only imagine what the rest are like. I’ve heard great things about the series so I will be adding it to the ever growing pile and continue on the journey with Eve Dallas.

#117: I hope you do continue with the series. I do not think you will be disappointed. Frankly, I do not read the books for the mysteries, I read them to watch the development of the characters and their relationships.

42. The Writer's Idea Book by Jack Heffron

One of my favorite writing books so far. Filled with more prompts than you can imagine, this will be one book I will return to over and over again as I find myself stumped in writing.

Heffron does an amazing job in creating a book about everything imaginable and drawing not only examples from popular literature but creating ideas for writers to use to create their works as well. The includes, but is not limited to, writing about all kinds of love, heartache, pain, and joy; events in life including birth, death and marriage; tips on how to begin and end; character development and relationships; and so many more things it’s hard to grasp them all in one reading.

43. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis

This is the second book of the Narnia series, where we are first introduced to Lucy, Peter, Susan and Edmund.

I enjoyed this one much more than the first book, because not only was I more familiar with the story but I was more invested in the lives of the children and their characters.

In this adventure, Lucy is the first to arrive in Narnia and tries to convince the others of this magical place. Of course, they don't believe. In due time all the children happen upon Narnia and proceed to help Aslan defeat the evil queen and restore Narnia to it's original state.

Can't wait for the next adventure.

Currently Reading:
Dead Until Dark

Starting Soon:
Fool by Christopher Moore
The Secret Life of Bees
Four to Score
The Pillars of the Earth

The writing book sounds very interesting. I'll check that one.

44. Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris

This may have been one of the books I was most excited to get to this year, especially after watching the complete season of True Blood earlier this month.

First off, it’s hard to say which I like more, because while the story is pretty much the same, the TV show seemed more fleshed out than the book. Sookie and Bill’s relationship seemed more intense in the show than in the book, but Sookie in general seemed like a different character and her relationships were different.

Dead Until Dark, which a lot of people are familiar with, is about a waitress in Bon Temps, Louisiana, named Sookie Stackhouse. She’s telepathic, which means she can read minds. Vampires have been coming “out of the coffin” more recently since the creation of Tru Blood, a synthetic blood drink, and Sookie sees her first while working.

Book 1 tells the story of Sookie and her budding relationship with vampire Bill much to the dislike of her friends, all the while a killer is on the loose with the intent of killing Sookie for fraternizing with a vampire.

Even though I think I think the TV show better, the book was still very enjoyable and quick to read. I can’t wait to pick up number two.

45. Sin City: The Hard Goodbye by Frank Miller

I picked this one up on a whim while looking through the graphic novels section at the library. I saw the movie when it originally came out but have been expanding my reading of graphic novels. This was on the list of eventual reads.

Volume 1 follows Marv as he wakes up to find Goldie, the woman he took home, dead in his bed. He finds it’s a set up and has to fight for his life while trying to solve Goldie’s murder.

I found this to be one of the most interesting stories. I didn’t remember much from the movie so it was almost as if hearing it for the first time. I was also excited to see there are many volumes to this story so I can continue reading it as they become available.

Currently Reading:
Fool by Christopher Moore - almost finished
The Secret Life of Bees

46. Fool by Christopher Moore

A new spin on Shakespeare’s King Lear, told by the fool’s prospective.

I was immediately intrigued when I was given this book as a gift because King Lear is one play I am very familiar with having done a production of it in high school. Knowing the story so well helped me fully understand and grasp this idea of telling the story all over again, but through Lear’s fool’s eyes.

For those who don’t know, King Lear, is about a king who decides to divide his land between his three daughters, based on how much they love him. His youngest, Cordelia, refuses to be like her sisters and is banished from the family. Throughout the story we find Lear going mad at his decision, wishing he had made a different decision as he watches his other daughters fight for all the land.

There are clear differences between King Lear and Fool, but at some point Moore needed to take creative license and he did an amazing job creating a character we hardly know and making him center stage.

You don’t have to know the story of King Lear, to read this book, if fact, you may find it even more enjoyable if you are less familiar. It’s a satyrical piece of work containing vulgar and crude language that you would never hear so expressly pointed out in Shakespeare’s original work.

Currently Reading:
Secret Life of Bees
Roses Are Red

47. Roses Are Red by James Patterson

The next book in the Alex Cross series.

Alex is still celebrating his partial victory from Pop Goes the Weasel, when another terrible crime happens. Someone, calling himself the Mastermind, has been robbing banks, killing hostages and their families, and his partners.

Not only is Alex trying to solve there brutal murders as the numbers increase and the pattern changes, but his personal life is spiraling out of control. Christine is keeping her distance, his daughter is sick, and he may have growing feelings for an FBI agent on the case.

I really enjoyed this book. Years ago, this was my first James Patterson ever read, but for some reason I don’t remember much, which was good because everything was fresh in my mind and more surprising. I’m not really counting it as a re-read since I didn’t remember the premise.

Is Fool a good place to start with Christopher Moore? I've not read any of his work before, but so many people rave about him...

That's the first time I read by him, and I feel like I can say it wouldn't be a bad place to start. I don't know if his other works are based off other stories like Fool was, but I found it to be a great book.

Hi blondierocket! Thanks for stopping by my thread :) I'm so impressed that you have read almost 50 books this year! You've listed quite a few that I really liked as well - East of Eden is one of my absolute favorite novels ever. I'm looking forward to your review of The Pillars of the Earth!

48. Twilight Director's Notebook by Catherine Hardwicke

Director of Twilight created this great book showing the process of making a movie based on a book. It was very entertaining to read all the facts you would never usually hear about.

Catherine Hardwicke lets the audience into her world as she talks about scouting locations, creating characters, costumes and make-up, creating intense fight scenes, and set design, plus much more.

It’s a great and fun book for anyone who’s a fan of Twilight as a book and also as a movie. Exclusive pictures and behind the scenes photos, not to mention a quick read, is very enjoyable to look back upon after watching the film and reading the book.

49. The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd

My first mistake in reading this book was watching the movie first and then reading the book when it was so fresh in my mind.

The Secret Life of Bees is the story of a young girl, Lily, who runs away from home to try and escape the demons of your childhood. She makes the journey to a place she thought her mother visited years ago and begins to learn the beekeeper and honey business, bringing Rosaleen, her surrogate mother along with her.

The story is so emotional and so raw, it’s easy to tell how it translated to film with the right characters to play the parts. And having seen the film I found it to be very true to the book compared to some translations. It’s a great coming of age story as Lily grows from a young innocent, naive little girl, into a young woman handling her own demons and thriving for the first time.

50. Sex and the City: The Movie by Amy Sohn

Another book, similiar to Twilight Director’s Notebook, all about Sex and the City: the Movie.

I almost enjoyed this book more than the Twilight movie making journey for a few reasons. First, it was longer. Second, it included more text with the pictures and went indepth into discussion about certain aspects of the movie making and key scenes. There was an introduction, then a recap of a every single season and the lives of each character. Furthermore, the author included the entire layout and storyline of the movie with pictures, quotes from the director and actors, plus synopsis. Also included were details on sets, filming locations, and a look at every outfit worn by the girls including all 80 wardrobe changes for Sarah Jessica Parker.

A warning: if you haven’t seen the movie, don’t read the book otherwise you will find out every single thing that happens.

Also a quick read, I had a great time reading and remembering all the good times with the girls and also the movie itself. Just reading through the book made me want to start watching all the seasons over again.

It’s a must read for any Sex and the City fan out there.

51. The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks

Nicholas Sparks’ first novel about two young lovers who are separated after one summer together to lead their own lives only to have fate bring them back together years later.

I found a lot of hype around this love story of a modern Romeo and Juliet, and around the movie. While I enjoyed the movie and the book, I don’t think it’s going to be my favorite Sparks novel by far. It’s only my second by him, and yet it’s my second favorite. I find many times that the first novel for some authors is not their best and their writing grows over the years, so this may be true for Sparks.

However, I did enjoy this story of Allie and Noah and look forward to more Nicholas Sparks novels in the future.

Currently Reading
The Pillars of the Earth

The SATC book sounds like it would be worth it based on the pictures of the fantastic clothes alone!

I am adding The Secret Life of Bees to my TBR - thanks!

>124 blondierocket:: I saw Fool in the Powell's Dose of the Day email a few weeks ago. I love books that bring peripheral characters centre-stage - Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead being one of my favourites. I've had Island of the Sequined Love Nun on my TBR list for months for the title alone so will keep looking out for more Moore. Thanks for the thumbs-up.

52. Everyone is Beautiful by Katherine Center

My first Early Reviewer book of the year. This one was just as enjoyable as the rest.

Everyone is Beautiful tells the story of a mom of three boys who finds herself moving away from her friends and family with her husband Peter, so he can go back to school. So, when a woman at the park mistakenly thinks she’s pregnant with her fourth child, Lanie decides she needs a change in her life as well instead of just being a crazy mom running and cleaning up after three boys and her husband.

What I found wonderful about this book was not only that it was easy to read, but also easy to relate to. I don’t have any kids (yet) but I have a large family and spend a lot of time around other people’s kids so I see the effect take place when you children turn to monsters all at once and feed off each other. But I also related in other non-childlike ways. I picked out so many passages throughout the book that screamed at me that I was reading about my own life or my future life, which doesn’t happen very often.

A couple of my favorite passages that relate directly to my life are:

“I would have given the thing away entirely, but Peter, who did not understand the power TV had over me - and who could, in fact, watch TV and read a book at the same time - wanted to keep it.”

“The idea of things in our house in Houston moving at a steady comforting pace that they always had - my dad going out each morning at six for his three-mile walk with neighbors Jocelyn and Bill, my mom gardening in the backyard in the same style floral gloves she’d worn since I was an infant - had been more comforting for me than I’d realized.”

Even the ending was beautiful, summing up a lifetime of thoughts and statements into a nice package for the reader, the whole story coming together full circle. In the end, as a reader, I myself started to believe more that EVERYONE IS BEAUTIFUL.

Still Reading:
the Pillars of the Earth

Just Started:
Knit Two

#136: I have seen several good reviews of that one. I will be glad when my local library gets it. Thanks for a great review!

53. Knit Two by Kate Jacobs

The sequel to the successful Friday Night Knitting Club, takes place 5 years after the ending of the first book. Everyone in the club is in a different place much different than they were before.

It’s hard to say much about this book because it is heavily based off it’s predecessor. When the book was first coming out I read an article out of People magazine that started off by giving away the ending of the first book. I don’t want to do that here for a couple reasons. Not everyone has read the first book and therefore may not if they knew the ending. This is also a series I feel that is heavily based on reading in the right order.

What I can say is that while I enjoyed the first book better, Knit Two grew into its potential and turned out to be a lovely book. I feel you have to have invested your time with the characters in book 1 before really being able to enjoy book 2 and know the emotions the characters are going through.

Jacobs did a great job helping her characters grow and mature during their hardships and succeed in their dreams.

Currently Reading:
The Pillars of the Earth - will I ever finish
The Road to Oz

54. The Road to Oz by L. Frank Baum

The next book in the Oz series. I enjoyed this one immensely. It was great seeing Dorothy’s next adventure to Oz and how she gets there this time around. The meeting of new friends on her journey and then the end result of all old and new friends coming together as one for a celebration was fun.

I do occasionally miss all the friends from The Wizard of Oz so it was great to see them all again with Dorothy.

After this one I am more motivated to continue on with the series since they seem to be improving.

55. James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl

Another great and classic children’s book from Roald Dahl.

James and the Giant Peach tells the story of a young boy who is forced to live with his evil aunts after his parents die. He is given a special potion to make him happier than ever and when he spills the contents, the results are huge. James goes on a journey with his new friends and creates the life he never had.

This was such a cute book and I high recommend it to anyone who hasn’t read it or isn’t sure. Although it is on the banned book list, it’s hard to imagine why such a story would be denied to children.

56. 300 by Frank Miller

The graphic novel/comic that became one of the blockbuster hits of 2006.

300 is the story of the Spartan army of 300, led by King Leonidas, as they fight the Persians in a bloody but epic battle.

This is one of my favorite graphic novels, and I wished that it kept going on and lasted longer. I kept wanting more, and for the book to span hours like the movie does. It was so creative and visual and in a style I’m coming to recongnize that only Frank Miller can create.

High recommendations.

57. Love Letters of Great Men Vol. 1 by John C. Kirkland

This book has probably seen more readers than ever before, due to the film Sex and the City as Carrie reads Big one from her library book.

Almost immediately I began search for the book if only to feel the love that men from history have shared with their loves. It was a great and inspirational read.

I am intrigued after reading to see what Kirkland has in mind for Vol. 2. This specific volume only includes love letters through 1915, and it’s hard to imagine that is all there remains. I’m sure as the years so along real love letters have ceased to exist and have been replaced with quick text messages and emails or actual conversations.

Some of my favorites include:

* Gaius Plinius Secundus to Calpurnia, 100 A.D. (page 14)
* Beethoven to Antonie von Birkenstock Brentano, 1812 (page 50-53)
* Count Leo Tolstoy to Valeria Arsenev, Nov 2, 1856 (page 84)
* Robert Schumaan to Clara Wieck, 1838 (page 89)

58. The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett

The Pillars of the Earth tells the long journey of a family as they struggle to survive through the ups and downs of life. Tom Builder wants to become the master builder to a wonderful cathedral but has a hard time finding work and the means to support his family. He is striken by loss and fears he will never find happiness again.

With a book of this epic proportion it’s hard to go through the entire plot without somehow giving away key points. I know I found the book more enjoyable by not reading much about it prior so I didn’t know what to expect. Some of it was rather shocking, the sense that you never expected the author to do something so drastic.

And then there’s combination of spirituality and obstinance while mixed with vuglar sexual encounters. It is such a diverse book that even if you don’t like overly spiritual or overall romantic books, there is more than enough to go around for it to appeal to so many readers of different varieties.

Unsure in the beginning the form the book would take and the overall message, I was happy at finding that the book covered so many lives and years that the focus involved a whole community rather than a single character and family, while still holding the readers attention and hooking them on the various storylines.

It was well worth the read, despite the almost 4 weeks it took me to read it.

59. 30 Days of Night by Steve Niles

Not my favorite graphic novel to date, but still very interesting as I have already seen the movie while it was in theaters.

30 Days of Night (volume 1) is about Barrow, Alaska, a little town that for 30 days in the winter the sun does not rise, which catches the attention of a clan of vampires who decide to go on a feeding frenzy.

It was a very interesting story, and the fact that it continues will help motivate me to read some of the other volumes, and I imagine it only gets better. And who doesn’t love a vampire story now and again?

You've been reading a great variety of books lately! I am working my way slowly through the Oz books, too. I have never read them before.

60. Letters to a Young Poet by Rainer Maria Rilke

A great book filled with ten (10) letters he wrote to a young man who was not only a poet but considering enlisting in the army. Rilke was one of few people it seems who won’t hold back and gives his honest opinion about everything.

It was very interesting and influential reading the personal letters during the relationship of these two men. While poetry and the critiques were included, the book was more about real life experiences and how to handle yourself in different situations. But Rilke’s advice can influence anyone reading the book as well.

In his first poet to Kappus, Rilke asks the questions “must I write?”. This is what I try and ask myself every day since reading this book. My favorite passage follows that question:

“Delve into yourself for a deep answer. And if this should be affirmative, if you may meet this earnest question with a strong and simple ‘I must,’ then build your life according to this necessity; your life even into its most indifferent and slightest hour must be a sign of this urge and a testimony to it.”

61. Ellen Foster by Kaye Gibbons

Ellen Foster is the story of a young girl in transition, she is moved from home to home, first after the death of her mother, and then after social services takes her away from her father. Her only friend is a black girl who isn’t very smart, but Ellen chooses her over everyone else.

The story is told in past and present, as Ellen describes her new life and family while filling the reader in on her backlife so they know how she transitioned. It is such a sweet and sad story of innocence and growing up as Ellen finally sees how it is to be a kid and not have to take care of everyone.

Picked for Oprah’s book club, it was such a great easy story, quick to read.

#146: That book sounds intriguing to me. I will see if I can find it. Thanks for the recommendation!

63. Violets are Blue by James Patterson

Alex Cross books just keep getting better and better. Last time we saw Alex his partner was killed and the mystery of the Mastermind was revealed, but only to the reader.

Now Alex is thrust into a new, very interesting case involving and outbreak of vampires all of the country. It takes a long time, and being bitten, for a Alex and his collegues to really believe that this is the killer they’re up against. Not only is Alex trying to solve these strange murders, but the Mastermind is still playing tricks, threatening every single person he knows.

It’s not very often that a killer spans two books, so it was very interesting watching Alex as he tried to figure out the clues to the Mastermind while solving other murders. I hope in the future they continue to do crossover killers and drag them out longer, it makes it more believable that Alex is human and can’t catch everyone within a couple days.

And given the ending of this book, I’m very interested in finding out what happens next in the lives of the Cross Family.

Hopefully I’ll get to this next one soon.

Currently Reading:
Four to Score

>148 alcottacre: I look forward to hearing what you think.

64. Four to Score by Janet Evanovich

One of my favorite Stephanie Plum’s so far. I keep saying that and I have a feeling that it’s only going to keep getting better. I keep hearing High Five is pretty awesome. At this rate maybe I’ll just be all caught up by the end of the year.

This time Stephanie is in search of a woman, Maxine, who stole her ex-boyfriends car and didn’t show up for her court date. Seems easy, except all the people around Maxine start losing limbs and blood and no one can figure out why. Meanwhile, Stephanie has new compatition as Vinny hires a new bounty hunter, Joyce, who is Stephanie’s worst enemy.

Things definitely have their ups and downs quite often in this adventure as Stephanie spends time living between three homes, using multiple cars, and almost dying a couple as well. It’s all in a days work.

Currently Reading:
Northanger Abbey
The Dirty Secrets Club

#151: The early books in the Plum series are the best, IMO. I still read the books - but only to find out what Grandma Mazur is up to!

Grandma is one of my favorite characters, just behind Jamie.

Looking forward to your thoughts on Northanger Abbey, Ms. Rocket!

65. Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen

My third Austen book, and with high hopes I expected to enjoy it, but it wasn’t my favorite. It is such a different style than her older works.

Northanger Abbey was Austen’s first major book, but her last to be published, which explains a lot in the difference between this work and those published before. The great thing about the edition I bought was that it went into detail explaining the history behind Austen and also the book itself, including where she may have gotten many of her ideas.

Last year I watched The Jane Austen Book Club and learned a lot about the story through their converstation. In preparation of reading Northanger Abbey, I read The Mysteries of Udolpho last year and I think that may have helped me some in understanding and enjoying the book even more.

It was most interesting reading as Austen questioned writers and styles throughout the book, as she herself is trying to find her own way as a writer. I think I enjoyed that more, her practice of various different styles and ideas, finding her footing, than reading about the characters and their lives.

Currently Reading:
8th Confession
Dirty Secrets Club

#155: It was most interesting reading as Austen questioned writers and styles throughout the book, as she herself is trying to find her own way as a writer. I think I enjoyed that more, her practice of various different styles and ideas, finding her footing, than reading about the characters and their lives.

Have you had a chance to read Austen's Lady Susan? It was written early in her career as a novelist and you can really see her experimenting with an epistolary style.

>156 alcottacre: I haven't read it yet but I'll put it on my list. Thanks for the recommendation.

Thanks for the thoughts on Northanger Abbey. I started reading Austen also after watching that movie with my wife. Seems like you enjoyed reading The Mysteries of Udolpho. I thought about that, too. I may do what you did when I get ready for Abbey.

The Meg Gardiner book you have there is going to be in my next TBR stack. We'll have to compare notes. She is an author suggested by King in something he wrote or commented on.

66. 8th Confession by James Patterson

The next installment of the Women’s Murder Club. This episode focuses more on the women as individuals and not so much working as a team like before.

Lindsay and Rich are still battling out their emotions as they face a portable meth bus that explodes in the middle of the city, followed by the brutal killing of a homeless man who is found by Cindy, and then to add even more to their case load, someone is killing off rich people and no one knows how.

It was a great book, it was interesting how the storylines came together and how some of them connected, and even the development of the personal relationships and how it starts to complicate their lives.

The sad thing about reading this book the second it was released is now I have to wait a whole year for the next one. Eagerly awaiting I am.

Currently Reading:
The Dirty Secrets Club

Hi there, TadAD mentioned my fascination with Shakespeare's work and I'm impressed that you are reading the histories! Not many outside of theatre or literature classes venture there. I'd like to recommend a marvelous version of Measure for Measure, if you can find it--the BBC production in 1979 featured Kate Nelligan and Kenneth Colley and it was a fabulous production. There's also a copy of Joseph Papp's version of Much Ado About Nothing reset in the US around the early 1900's starring Sam Waterston and Kathleen Widdoes that is a lot of fun.

As for A Thousand Acres and King Lear--same base story, but while I like Smiley's work, I prefer the original here. It may be only because I first saw Lear performed on television with Paul Scofield in the title role. It was magnificent.

Glad to see you're working on the Oz books as well--what a lovely list you've completed this year!

67. A Dame to Kill For by Frank Miller

The second volume in the Sin City series. Of course, I rewatched the movie after only reading the first volume so I had a better heads up when reading the novels.

A Dame to Kill for focuses more on Dwight and his chance of survival, especially after the surprise ending of Volume 1.

I almost enjoyed this one a lot more and the character of Dwight just might be my favorite so far. Frank Miller is a visionary, that I can tell so far, to tell a story and intertwin different characters, overlapping stories and creating a really interesting turn of events that eventually includes all the people he’s created.

68. The Big Fat Kill by Frank Miller

Volume 3 of the Sin City graphic novel series.

The focus continues on Dwight as he seeks revenge for the wrongdoing, creating havoc in Old Town and putting the lives of his loves and all the girls into danger to high the identity of a murdered man.

Another interesting twist, Dwight seems like a man, who despite all odds, will never die. He’s still my favorite, even though Marv is pretty cool too.

Not sure what is in store next but Volume 4 is waiting on my nightstand so we’ll find out soon.

Currently Reading:
The Emerald City of Oz
Dirty Secrets Club
The Daring Book For Girls
Size 12 is Not Fat

Getting close to 75, blondierocket! Good job.

69. The Daring Book For Girls by Andrea Buchanan

A fun and informative book for girls. While I'm too "old" to be reading this, I found so many things extremely informative, interesting, helpful, and just plain fun. From real life princesses to female pirates to how to change a tire and build a campfire, this book is well rounded enough that even the young at heart can enjoy it.

70. Sin City: That Yellow Bastard by Frank Miller

Volume 4 of the graphic novel series made into a popular film a few years ago.

This issue takes a focus on Hartigan and Nancy, their past and their present, facing the sudden reappearance of the man they thought died years ago.

Each volume becomes my favorite and so far this one has now claimed the title. Miller creates such distinct and inventive characters that it's hard not to enjoy even the bad ones.

71. The Dirty Secrets Club by Meg Gardiner

Stephen King calls her the "next suspense superstar" and Meg Gardiner is amazing with this novel about a secret society known as The Dirty Secrets Club, the question is, what really is the DSC.

Jo Beckett has faced trauma and heartache in her life, which led her to leave medicine and start analyzing death to determine the means - suicide, murder, accident. When she is requested to figure out whether an attorney killed herself or was murdered, things start to spin out of control. It appears no one is really safe when it comes to secrets.

While a slow start, a little confusing as to what was going on, I soon found myself trapped in reading this book for so long that I'm glad it took me a long time to finish. Great book. I can't wait to read more Gardiner.

Currently Reading:
The Emerald City of Oz
Size 12 is Not Fat

#166: I will have to give The Dirty Secrets Club a try, though I am certainly no fan of Mr. King. I do like suspense, though, so I will check into it. Thanks for the recommendation!

72. Mommywood by Tori Spelling

Tori Spelling’s second book in two years, that focuses on her life as a mother and not on her past growing up and her issues with her mom.

I think I enjoyed this book even more because it was about the real Tori and her life and not rumors and bad relationships, but the here and now. I’m also excited because it coincides with a couple seasons of Tori and Dean: Inn Love & Home Sweet Hollywood, so when I finally get around to watching those seasons it will be overlapping.

The great thing about Tori Spelling is she is one of few people who doesn’t seem embarrassed at her hew motherhood experience and the situations she finds herself in. She makes fun of her self and laughs along instead of hiding it or feel ashamed that she faced difficult decisions with her kids. I’m sure that I’m going have a lot of these myself when I become a mom.

73. Size 12 is Not Fat by Meg Cabot

A great new mystery series that is just as fun and humorous as intriguing and mysterious. I was actually a little shocked by who the killer was. It took some time to get into for me so I will probably wait a bit to check out the sequel.

This was a fun book that came highly recommended in the reading world for the summer. Heather Wells is a former teen pop singer but when she decides she wants to become more independent she’s kicked from the label and her mom runs away with all her money forcing Heather to get a real job.

Now girls are dying in her dorm and the only one who believes it’s murder is Heather.

It’s a different kind of mystery than I’m used to reading but I still had fun and look forward to the next couple editions.

Currently Reading:
The Emerald City of Oz
Step on a Crack
Watchmen

I really enjoyed Size 12 is Not Fat too, as well as Size 14 is Not Fat Either... but unfortunately, book 3 (Big Boned) was a real let-down... I can honestly say you could go without reading it. I read it back in February, I think I made a quick review on my thread about it if you're interested (after you read book 2 of course).

#169: I will give that one a try. Thanks for the recommendation!

74. Step on a Crack by James Patterson

A new series by Patterson, following a NYPD detective, Michael Bennett, as he is thrust into a high stakes hostage situation during the holiday season, leaving his wife in the hospital and ten kids at home.

I wasn’t sure what to expect with this new series, but I came out fully enjoying it. It started right off with mystery and intrigue and continued on the edge for the entire book. This was one mystery that was hard to predict, not only who the killers were but who was going to be killed next.

This is one series I will continue reading. The sequel Run For Your Life, is on my shelf just waiting to be read.

75. Daniel X: Alien Hunter by James Patterson

The only graphic novel by James Patterson, that introduces the character of Daniel X, an orphaned boy who receives a list of all the bad aliens and takes on the burden of eliminating them.

I haven’t read the book that goes along with this new series, but the graphic novel was interesting. It definitely pertains to the young adults and teens more than other graphic novels I had read.

A quick read, but after this graphic novel I’ll probably wait awhile to read the actual book since it didn’t grab onto me like some others.

#172: I will look for that one!

#173: I read The Dangerous Days of Daniel X and did not care for it. I kept wondering why Patterson needed a co-author for a book that bad. Maybe it is just because I am not younger.

I don't like the co-authored books of Patterson's as much as his own. There's always something missing and I can never tell what parts he wrote. I already bought The Dangerous Days of Daniel X so I'm sure I'll give it a chance.

#175: I agree about Patterson's co-authored books. They just do not seem as well-written as the ones he writes on his own.

I will look forward to your comments on Daniel X. I hope you enjoy it more than I did!

76. Watchmen by Alan Moore

After a long wait at the library, I was finally able to read this long anticipated book. I had the debate over whether I should watch the movie first or read the graphic novel, but in the end I’m probably glad I read first before watching.

Watchmen, for those who don’t already know, is about the next generation of super heroes who come together when some of them start getting killed. It’s much more than that, but hard to explain in quick terms. The graphic novel was good, the longest one I’ve read so far, and at times I had to admit confusing in the beginning. Once I got into it more I was able to follow the character development and back stories.

I’m not sure how the movie compares but I’m looking forward to finding out soon.

77. Sin City: Family Values by Frank Miller

I’m over halfway through with the series, and I think this may have been my least favorite so far. So much so that I don’t remember a whole lot that went on during it.

Having been reading the series for so long and seen the movie a couple of times, I think these last few volumes aren’t going to be quite as fun, considering my favorite parts or the most exciting parts have already happened. I don’t even recall the Family Values volume from the film even.

I’m determined to finish the last two so I won’t be quiting but I might not read them quite so soon.

78. Living Dead in Dallas by Charlaine Harris

The second book in the Sookie Stackhouse series, soon to be the season 2 of True Blood on HBO. This edition was just as good as the first, which was unexpected for me. I didn’t know what was going to happen but was actually pleasantly surprised but much of what did occur.

Sookie is sent with Bill to Dallas by Eric when a vampire goes missing. What the find it far from what they believed could be going on and Sookie is soon caught in the middle of an evil plan.

It becomes harder to discuss series of books as you read further on because you don’t want readers to find out something from the previous books let alone any big spoilers for the current one. Needless to say, I really enjoyed this book and immediately went out and bought Club Dead which I will be starting this week.

79. Fried Green Tomatoes by Fannie Flagg
The film Fried Green Tomatoes is one of my absolute favorites, so it’s not a surprise that the book has become a favorite as well.

It’s the story about four women from different times. Two are alive in flashbacks, one is hearing the story while suffering her own mid-life crisis, and the other is telling the story of Ruth and Idgie.

It’s a powerful book that lets your live the life and experiences of four vastly different characters. Each character goes through their own separate heartache and happiness, different from the others.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who has seen the movie, especially because there are differences though not critical, or to anyone who loves a good book about friendship, because above all else that is exactly what this is about.

It might be one of my favorite books of the year so far.

80. Atonement by Ian McEwan
One of the 1,001 Books You Must Read Before You Die, Atonement tells the story of a young girl, Briony, who witnesses multiple events she does not understand in her young age, that lead her to making the wrong accusation, therefore ruining her sister’s chance of true happiness.

While told mainly through Briony’s point of view, the first part of the book alternates between the characters to give the reader Briony’s idea of what happened but also the real story.

Bound to be a classic one day, this amazing story of mistakes, love, trial and error, and of all atonement, was hard to put down as I kept reading to find out how similiar the movie was to the book, if it evoked the same emotion, and it did. Not very often anymore does a book translate completely in the film, but this one appears to do so, even at the end.

Currently Reading:
The Uglies
Transforming Grace

I first read Fried Green Tomatoes years ago and it's one of my favorite books. I'm glad you like it too. I've yet to read Atonement but it's on the TBR pile. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on both.

#179: I have not read Fried Green Tomatoes yet either, so I will give that one a shot. Thanks for the recommendation!

Fried Green Tomatoes is a book that everyone should read. I would put it in the same catagory as To Kill a Mockingbird. A must have. I enjoyed Atonement too. I need to pick up more of Flagg's and McEwan's books.

#182: Thus far, the only one of Flagg's books that I have read is Can't Wait to Get to Heaven, which caused me to laugh out loud several times, but was ultimately disappointed in. I hope Fried Green Tomatoes is better.

Blondierocket, nice to read your review of Fried Green Tomatoes. I really enjoyed it too - it'd been years since I saw the movie so I couldn't remember how close it was to the book.

I have Welcome to the World, Baby Girl waiting to be read - anyone tried that one?

#184 - I haven't read or even heard of Welcome to the World, Baby Girl but the title alone interests me so I'll add it to my list.

Thanks for the other recommendations.

81. Club Dead by Charlaine Harris

The third Sookie Stackhouse novel, and it just might be my favorite so far. This time around Bill is kidnapped and Sookie has to travel in search of him in the company of a new friend, a werewolf, under Eric’s orders. But nothing ever goes as planned with Sookie and she soon finds herself trapped in the middle of romantic feelings for the men around her.

Every time I read a new Sookie book I always picture how it will be translated into the show, and I get even more excited about the possibilities. I’ve been hearing that there’s a possibility that season 2 of True Blood involves storylines from books 2-4 and not just Living Dead in Dallas, in which case there is lot in store.

I went out immediately and bought the next two of the series. At this rate I will finish them all before the end of the year.

Currently Reading:
Uglies
Transforming Grace
Emerald City of Oz

>186 blondierocket:: Boy, am I glad that I ran across your thread! I have the True Blood season 2 premiere marked on my calendar and had planned to just read Living Dead in Dallas before then. I'm relatively new to Charlaine Harris books and only became hooked after watching the first season; I read Dead Until Dark after watching the series, so while I liked the book a lot of the suspense was gone for me. I had no idea season 2 would include events through the 4th book. Now I have some serious speed reading to do!

82. Dead to the World by Charlaine Harris

Book 4 of the Sookie Stackhouse series by Charlaine Harris. This may be my favorite so far, which happens every time, but I truly loved this adventure.

Sookie comes across a half-naked Eric running down the street on her way home and comes to find his memory has been erased and he has no idea who he is, let alone Sookie.

Of course, having read the past three books, it was inevitable that Harris would search for a way to pair Sookie and Eric without the issues faced in previous books, and I found it very enjoyable. After book 2, I started to drift to being more of an Eric fan, than Bill, and this book was exactly what I needed. Now if only it could stay that way forever.

I’m anxiously looking forward to book 5, Dead as a Doornail, but I have other pressing reading but it keeps staring. There is a good chance I will be starting it before the week is over, just in time to get sucked into Season 2 of True Blood.

83. The Emerald City of Oz by L. Frank Baum

Another adventure with Dorothy and the gang, this time Dorothy rescues her family from being kicked out of their home by taking them back on a journey to Oz with her just before it is invaded by the evil gnome king.

It was a cute story, not my favorite, and it took awhile to read so I'll probably be waiting some time before checking out the next one.

84. Uglies by Scott Westerfeld

My first attempt at this highly recommended young adult series.

Uglies is how at the age of 16 all teens must undergo a transformational surgery to become a “pretty” and join all the other pretties in New Pretty Town. Except it appears not all uglies want to become pretty.

I was excited to start reading this series because I’ve heard so much about it, and when I did I suddenly felt that I had just read a YA version of The Host by Stephenie Meyer, in a sense.

While I enjoyed reading this book, flying through the pages and very interested what was going to happen to the characters from beginning to end, I wasn’t as excited to start book 2 as I thought. It’s on my shelf and ready to go, so I will be reading it soon, but I think as the series goes on I will become even more interested in this idea of a new world.

Currently Reading:
Transforming Grace
Cold Mountain
Dead as a Doornail

85. Dead as a Doornail by Charlaine Harris

The fifth book in the Sookie Stackhouse series. I’m not sure if anything can beat book 4 but I’m sure that will happen. I did really enjoy this adventure of Sookie’s.

With Eric out of her house, Sookie is all alone again , except when a sniper begins shooting shifters Sookie soon finds herself a new temporary roommate and a fairy godmother to help rescue her from danger, which she finds herself in many times without even realizing.

This book makes the reader start to question who they really want Sookie to be with, when Harris begins to thrown men from all directions vying for her attention. It also adds in a new element for Sookie’s brother, Jason, as he begins a transformation that will change their lives forever, and may cost him his life.

86. Definitely Dead by Charlaine Harris

Book 6 of the Sookie Stackhouse series, and this one was my least favorite of all.

First off, the book starts with a curve ball discussing cousin Hadley and left me wondering what I missed, if there was a book somewhere out there that was misplaced or I forgot about. I spent most of the book feeling like I missed out on a great Sookie adventure where she learns about her cousin Hadley, and yet there is nothing there to back it up, except this book.

On the plus side, Sookie gets another adventure by traveling to New Orleans and exploring her new relationship, which I know plays a big part in the next few books. However, I was least impressed with this one overall and have had a hard time motivating myself to move onto book 7, All Together Dead, for fear it will follow in its footsteps.

87. All Together Dead by Charlaine Harris

The next installment of the Sookie Stackhouse series has Sookie traveling with the Queen of Louisiana to the summit where all vampires and their entourage gather in a conference type setting. They plead court cases, sell products, and party at a big ball. Sookie is there to read the human minds, but comes to find that nothing ever goes as planned. The Queen and her party are weak after Hurricane Katrina and trying to regain power in their region. Sookie finds herself up against the Queen’s child, and becomes bonded to Eric in the process, unsure about the consequences. And when tragedy strikes the hotel, Sookie finds herself wondering who she can trust and what will happen next.

I enjoyed this book more than the previous, and am very intrigued as to where book 8 will take her character and relationships. Considering I only have a couple left to last me until the next release, I’m going to try and string out the next read as long as possible and catch up with some other books.

88. Cold Mountain by Charles Frazier

Made into a movie starting Nicole Kidman, Renee Zellweger and Jude Law, Cold Mountain is the story of Inman, a wounded soldier who deserts the Confederate army during war with intent to return to cold mountain and find the love of his life, Ada. It also tells the story of Ada and her struggle in life, trying to survive with no means, as she befriends Ruby (Zellweger), who helps Ada learn to live on her own.

Having seen the movie when it was first released, I wasn’t fully remembering what happened when I started reading the book. I don’t believe Frazier’s style is my favorite. I’m unaccustomed to dialogue mixed in without the use of quotations. Once I finished the book I found I enjoyed it a little more than I started out, but I’m sad that I didn’t enjoy this book as much as I really wanted to.

I had the same reaction to Frazier's book........meh! I never understood the book's popularity. It jsut dodn't do anythinf for me.

These Harris books are so popular right now. It's a good sign that the interest in them has sustained over 8 publications. Maybe I'll try one, though my wife says I need to read the Twilight books first.

>195 blackdogbooks: Having read the Twilight series already, I would say read Harris' books first. They are aimed more for adult reading and aren't quite so juvenile. They are quick reads regardless. Can't wait to hear what you think.

Regarding Definitely Dead - you didn't miss an entire novel, but you did miss a short story. Harris made a contribution to the anthology Bite by Laurell K. Hamilton - a story called "One Word Answer". It gives some backstory to Sookie's cousin, and the Queen of Louisiana. You can find the story on the internet if you want to read it. Hope that helps!

89. Transforming Grace by Jerry Bridges

After a long afternoon conversation with my aunt we touched on the subject of grace and how it’s hard to come to terms with God and his forgiveness, or grace. She recommended this book to me and then surprised me one day by bringing it to me as a gift.

Once I got started reading I wanted to take my time to fully comprehend what I was reading and reflect. It was a very powerful book that encompasses everything one could think about, situations, and ideas where God’s grace could come into question, how it can help, bible verses to return to, and the author’s own personal experience.

After a slow start in reading, I found myself breezing through the pages while sitting with my dad at the hospital and found that to somehow be therapeutic reading about grace and forgiveness at a time when I knew I was going to be tested the most.

For anyone curious about God’s grace, and or are unsure of their own feelings, this a great book to start off with or even rekindle the relationship.

You may also want to try About Grace by Anthony Doerr which also examines "grace" in our lives through a novelization of lost opportunities.

90. the Horse and His Boy by C.S. Lewis

Reading the books in chronological order, this one was next, but another one that I didn’t enjoy as much as some the previous. I really enjoy the stories that involve the four children and their adventures. This part of the Chronicles of Narnia was a little confusing, which is surprising because it’s a children’s story, but even as an adult following the unfamiliar names and characters that are made up and in a different world.

I’m not surprised that out of the entire series I would enjoy some of the stories more than others, as any series of books goes. Plus knowing they are aimed for a younger audience helps me get through them more than anything else.

91. Prince Caspian by C.S. Lewis

Book 4 in the Chronicles of Narnia Series, the second to be made into a film. I enjoyed this story much more than the previous, but I was also familiar with it having already watching the film. I liked the introduction of the new character, Prince Caspian, and his association with the kids, along with more about the time lapse only touched on during The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.

Prince Caspian is the story of the children as they make their first return trip back to Narnia to find that hundreds of years have passed and there is a new king, and new conflicts that Narnia faces. Together with Prince Caspian, the children help restore Narnia to its former self.

92. Swimsuit by James Patterson

The newest mystery release by James Patterson is a murder mystery that just seems unsolvable. Ben Hawkins is an ex-cop, turned reporter, who is sent to Hawaii to follow the story of a missing swimsuit model, only to find that the killer has larger plans in store, and nothing is predictable.

Everyone once in awhile I find that Patterson’s books become too predicable and it’s not easy to figure the story out. Except this time we never really know who the killer is, and we keep guessing around the corner along with Hawkins and the other characters. It was a very quick read and at times I wished I had even more pages to read because the story was so intriguing.

While I love books that Patterson writes on his own, I enjoyed this one as if he had no partnership with another author to create it. You don’t have to be a Patterson fan to love this one.

93. Take Your Shirt Off and Cry by Nancy Balbirer

It’s been awhile since I’ve had the opportunity to read and review an early reviewer book, and I was very excited when I was chosen to read this book. I am a huge fan of pop culture and love reading any book that involves the Hollywood lifestyle, a behind the scenes look into a different life from my own.

Take Your Shirt Off and Cry is a memoir by Nancy Balbirer, an aspiring actress who started off in theater classes, small plays and found herself moving to Hollywood when the opportunity to work on Seinfeld and Saturday Night Live presented itself. It was a great comedic performance in book form of Balbirer telling all these little stories about acting, boyfriends, moving, and while I’m sure many names have changed, I can’t help but wondering sometimes who these actor/director friends are, and if they are big names now.

The greatest part of reading this book is finding the humanity and realness to her personality, that isn’t found too much in Hollywood. Nancy shows both sides with the people she works with and encounters over the years, which reflects on her own lifestyle and proves how down to earth she is, how she’s trying to survive and make a living like every other person, but at the same time creates an extremely funny lifestyle that Nancy lived.

This memoir combines both humorous tales and sad, serious stories about this life trying to make it in the Hollywood spotlight and criticism. I highly recommend it to everyone.

94. Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C.S. Lewis

This may be one of my favorite stories of the Chronicles of Narnia. On this adventure, the two youngest children, Edmund and Lucy, are spending time with ther cousin, who isn’t the nicest kid (and doesn’t believe in Narnia), only to find themselves taking him on the adventure of his life.

What I enjoyed most about this story is that incorporated old and new characters and scenery to tell the story of the children as they take a trip on the Dawn Treader with Caspian, in search of lost family on mysterious islands.

I’m not sure where the adventures are leading but as the books get better I can only imagine what the final two hold. Hopefully I will be able to complete them by the end of the week and the mystery will be solved.

95. The Silver Chair by C.S. Lewis

The next to last chapter in the Chronicles of Narnia. This round Lewis brings Eustace back for his own adventure where he brings his school friend Jill along for a Narnian adventure. Eustace and Jill must rescue a prince who has been under an evil spell by a witch.

This was a fun little adventure, thinking that Eustace may or may not be able to handle his own adventure, especially after his skepticisim during the previous story, but his character development has improved over the course of the couple of stories.

This is all leading up to the final chapter, see how all the characters come together for the ending.

96. The Last Battle by C.S. Lewis

The final chapter in the Chronicles of Narnia. I had no idea what to expect in this adventure but the title alone was enough to prove that this adventure would be nothing like the rest.

This specific book tells about the end of old Narnia while summing up the entire series in a tight little package, with something to please every reader, even myself who at one time or another was skeptical. There are many conflicts even from the start when an ape persuades the people of Narnia that Aslan is now an uncontrollable and wild animal, causing everyone to fear him, instead of love him.

Throughout it all, C.S. Lewis brought together all the favorites, past and present, to bring the story to an amazing conclusion that I wasn’t even excepting, even after finishing all the books. In the end, I loved how the story progressed and the ending itself.

Currently Reading:
A River Runs Through It
Marley and Me

Some nice recent reading! Voyage of the Dawn Treader will forever be my favorite Narnia book just because I love Reepicheep :)

Reepicheep is one of my favorite characters ever written. Glad you enjoyed the Narnia stories to the end. I agree that some of the stories seem a distraction at the time of reading but as a whole, looking back, I found them a solid package, all pointing to the final curtain.

Good luck with Marley and Me. That was one of my favorite reads of last year and i still haven't seen the movie.

97. A River Runs Through It and Other Stories by Norman Maclean

After many weeks of reading through these short stories, I finally finished the last one. It was such fun reading the short story that the film A River Runs Through It was based on, especially since it’s been so long since I watched the movie. This was the perfect opportunity to read the story and become reacquainted with the film at the same time.

This collection of novellas incorporates Maclean’s own experiences in the forest service, living in the mountains in the west, plus camping and fishing, to create this world where life isn’t easy, family isn’t easy, and finding out what you truly love despite everything else.

His stories are so real and personable that every person who reads it can relate in some way to the message he has penned for eternity.

98. Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith

Already named one of the New York Times best selling novels, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies is slowly becoming a cult classic in the book world.

Author Seth Grahame-Smith took Jane Austen's beloved novel, Pride and Prejudice, and created a new world in the English village where zombies are hiding behind every carriage ride and walk in the country.

The premise of the story is the same - the Bennett sisters are not only attending balls and meeting eligible men, but trained in sword fighting so as to protect her town from the undead.

It's hard to say whether readers of the original story will love this one just as much, but having now read both I can say that while the different, the story remains the same. Grahame-Smith throws in just enough sword fighting, violent zombie beheading, cannibalism and corpses, changing and adding mere sentences, recreating some plot, but not the purpose.

Elizabeth Bennett is still fighting over feelings and pride with Mr. Darcy, Lydia still traipses around without any senses, Jane still loves Bingley, but all the while the sisters carry swords and defend their home to overcome a plague that is haunting them all.

While the story does contain some more gruesome scenes than the original story, more often than not it gives the more serious story some humor in between.

99. Marley and Me by John Grogan

Recently turned into a major motion picture, Marley and Me, is the autobiographical story of a family who comes to own the world’s worst dog.

John and his wife, Jenny, decide to get a puppy before having children in the hopes it will help prepare them. What they don’t realize until much later, is that Marley is no ordinary dog, and they missed some crucial steps. But despite all that, the Grogan family continues to grow, love and nuture their dog through good times and bad.

John Grogan, the author, entertains his audience with many funny stories and adventures he has with Marley as man’s best friend, including but not limited to thunder storms, house sitters, Dog Beach, new babies, and car rides. What Grogan impresses the most is that no matter how bad the dog, how crazy and neurotic, he teaches you more about life than you can ever imagine, and you love your pet regardless.

100. Sin City: Booze, Broads & Bullets by Frank Miller

The sixth installment starts bringing the Sin City series closer to its end. This volume is full of shorter stories about the characters and while a little off the beaten path, I found it enjoyable to read little bits and pieces instead of a long continuous journey.

Not sure where it’s all heading but I should be able to read the final volume sometime soon and see how it all compares to the movie in its entirety.

#210: LOL, I've had Pride and Prejudice and Zombies on hold at the library forever! They finally bought their copies so I am now #33 on the waitlist. I love P&P... and zombies.... :D Glad you thought it was good.