Marjea's New 50 Book Challenge

New year, new challenge. I decided to challenge myself to read yet again 50 books in this year since I failed last time. Let's see how I progress. Feel free to leave me messages.

Good luck with your challenge Marjea! I hope that 2009 brings you lots of great reading! :)
--BJ

Thanks billiejean! I hope so too. :)

Year 2009 started with

1. The Typhoon Lover by Sujata Massey

A pleasant read. I don't really have anything bad to say about this book.

2. Girl in a Box by Sujata Massey

A little bit different from other books in the series, more gloomy if you ask me. Anyway, this was a good read but one little thing left me confused at the end of the book.

3. Not What You Think by Melissa Hill

In my opinion this was written in surprisingly fresh manner. The storyline was pretty ordinary but the book was written in a way that reminded me of a thriller. Very refreshing chick lit novel.

4. Good Wives,
5. Little Men and
6. Jo's Boys by Louisa May Alcott

I almost forgot to update this list... Sweet, naive and old-fashioned books. In a way pretty nice to read but I'm quite pleased to be able to move on to some other books.

Touchstones for authors don't seem to be working.

7. Breakfast at Tiffany's by Truman Capote

A fine novella. Unfortunately I haven't had too much time to read in this month so my reading experience suffered a bit due to lack of time. I may want to read something else from Capote someday in the future, though.

February felt the same to me, too. Here's hoping March will be better for reading (and warmer, too). Have a great weekend! :)
--BJ

8. Morrigan's Cross by Nora Roberts

A Nora Roberts novel with a twist. For me Nora Roberts is always a safe choice. I kind of liked the fantasy aspect although I'm not a big fan of fantasy.

If you're looking for quick Capote, there's a collection called Grass Harp that's wonderful--it starts out with a a short novella I believe, but most of it is simply short stories you could pick up at a free moment, doctor's visit, etc.

Thanks for the tip whitewavedarling! Maybe I'll give it a try some day.

9. The Magician's Nephew
10. The Lion The Witch And The Wardrobe
11. The Horse And His Boy
12. Prince Caspian
13. The Voyage of The Dawn Treader
14. The Silver Chair
15. The Last Battle

by C. S. Lewis

It took me almost month and a half to read these through (I've been busy with my studies) and now I have finally finished them. I have one word to describe The Chronicles of Narnia: nice. Not very flattering but that's how I feel. They were nice but that's all. Maybe I'm too old for this kind of literature... Not really my kinds of books but reading experience was still positive. Counterbalanced nicely the challenging academic literature I have waded simultaneously.

16. Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke

Brilliant novel, just brilliant.

Hm, touchstones don't work.

17. Operaelskeren by Klaus Rifbjerg

LibraryThing said I wouldn't like this book. Spot on, LT! I really didn't like this one. I didn't like any of the characters and narration was just so flippin' frustrating. Hardly any paragraphs, the sentences followed one after another so it was really hard to tell what happened in the past and what happens in the present. Not my kind of book at all.

18. The Ice Princess by Camilla Läckberg

A well-written detective story. Enjoyed it.

19. Gentlemen and Players by Joanne Harris

Reading this book was a pure pleasure. Loved it from the very first to page to the surprising end.

20. Berlinerpoplene by Anne B. Ragde

I found this depressing but somehow intriguing.

21. Trapped by Chris Jordan

Pretty ok, not my favorite. In my opinion, there was something wrong with Janey. I didn't find the character very convincing.

22. Ruby Red by Linzi Glass

A beautifully written story. I really enjoyed it.

23. Labyrinth by Kate Mosse

An intriguing story. Maybe I finally become inspired to read The Da Vinci Code too.

24. The Dog Listener by Jan Fennell

I found this highly useful.

25. The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield

A truly engaging story. I loved this from the very beginning.

26. Prodigal Summer by Barbara Kingsolver

How beautifully nature is described!

I loved Prodigal Summer too! I read it a few years ago but some of the scenes in it are still very vivid...and I've never looked at moths the same way since reading it!

spacepotatoes, I'm glad I'm not the only one enjoying prodigal Summer so much!

27. Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen
28. Irlantia etsimässä by Ville Zilliacus
29. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

After years reading Jane Austen I finally realized how exceptional her novels really are!

#28 is a book about Ireland by a Finnish writer. I love Ireland but this book left me cold.

30. Irlantia etsimässä by Hanna Tuuri

A Finnish woman telling her experiences on Ireland after moving to Mayo in 2004. Made me miss West of Ireland.

31. Uncle's Dream by Fyodor Michaylovic Dostoyevsky

Although, Russian names drives me crazy this was pretty hilarious little novel.

32. The Old Man and The Sea by Ernest Hemingway

Having read this now twice, I still don't like it nor understand why it has a reputation of being a notable piece of literature.

33. The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie

My very first Agatha Christie mystery! An enjoyable story. I will definitely read more of these. Not a big fan of Monsieur Poirot though...

34. Tyypit by Katja Kallio

This one is from a Finnish writer, it hasn't been translated to English so learn some Finnish! I liked it.

35. Kaikki evoluutiosta by Ilkka Hanski

Finnish scientists' writings about evolution. The book deals with many sides of evolution, not just biological evolution, I found it interesting.

36. Sooloilua by Katja Kallio
37. Jäniksen vuosi by Arto Paasilinna
38. Palele porvari! ja muita kirjoituksia by Anna-Leena Härkönen

I'm reading mostly Finnish fiction at the moment. Unfortunately only Arto Paasilinna's Jäniksen vuosi has been translated to English. It goes with the name The Year of the Hare and I definitely recommend it! There's quite bizarre humour in it which is Paasilinna's trademark, in my opinion.

39. Katajanokka kello kymmenen by Tuula Mai Salmela
40. Syvyyden avaimet by Tuula Mai Salmela

Two detective stories from Finland. They were quite ok. The second one was better than the first one.

41. Uhrihärkä by Tuula Mai Salmela
42. Kaikkea hyvää sinulle by Anna-Mari Kaskinen
43. Nouse siivillesi by Teuvo V. Riikonen
44. Pojan kuolema by Veikko Huovinen

#41 A Finnish detective story. Pretty thrilling.
#42 Spiritual poems for young people.
#43 Yet another spiritual book for young people.
#44 A truly sad yet beautifully written story by a well-known Finnish writer about his son's life and death.

45. Ruunalankosken salaisuus by Merja Jalo
46. Linnavuoren aaveratsastajat by Merja Jalo

Both books belong to series I used to read when I was younger and liked ponies. Oh well, I still kinda like ponies but not like I used to. Just a little walk down memory lane.

47. Täysipainoinen nainen by Sari Luhtanen
48. Naisten lajit by Sari Luhtanen
49. Pannaan haisemaan, elämä on lyhyt! by Jussi Tuomola
50. Ruusumadonna by Tuija Lehtinen

Mission accomplished! Yay!