Morphidae's challenge

I read way more than 50 books a year; however, if I think about doing a bigger challenge, I start feeling OCD. Therefore, I'll just stick with 50.

(Edited: I lied. I read 192 books in 2006, so I'm going to shoot for 200 in 2007. Plus I'm adding a meter.)


125 / 200
(62.5%)
Pages Read: 44,069

1. Freakonomics by Levitt, Steven D. and Dubner, Stephen J.

I especially liked the parts on cheating and the statistics of things we fear most. The last chapter on kid's names was a yawner. Overall, the book faded as the most fascinating information was in the first couple of chapters and as you went on, it became a bit dull. Overall, I gave it a 7 out of 10.

2. All Over But the Shoutin' by Rick Bragg

A gentle story about a not-so-nice person. I'm not sure what I liked so much about it. Maybe because it was about an average, every Joe. It's not a rags to riches story, but a rags to middle class story. Even the Pulitzer prize he won didn't seem like such a big deal except to how much it meant to his mom. That was probably my favorite part of the story - where he convinced his mother - about as poor and ignorant as you can get - to come to the prize dinner in NYC and her reactions. Overall, I gave it an 8 out of 10.

3. Dave Barry's Complete Guide to Guys by Dave Barry

I can't remember ever laughing so hard while reading a book. Overall, I gave it an 8 out of 10.

""Norm, you have the brains of an Odor Eater."

#4 Simply Love by Mary Balogh

Average story, had a couple of weepy moments but overall I wasn't impressed. I'll finish the series but then I think I'm done with Balogh. She doesn't have the intensity or emotional richness that I like in romances.

#5 On the Banks of Plum Creek by Laura Ingalls Wilder

It is in simpler language than I remember, but I still enjoyed the story.

#6 1984 by George Orwell

Exceptionally written book, yet horribly depressing. We, as humans, haven't changed much in the almost sixty years since this was written. I don't think we've gotten worse, however, we certainly haven't gotten any better.

#7 Wyrd Sisters by Terry Pratchett

This is the third and going to be the last Pratchett I've read. While they aren't terrible, they simply aren't to my taste. The best I can say about the humor is that it is cute. Maybe I just don't care for parody.

#8 The World of Wizards by Anton and Mina Adams

A little too basic, definitely aimed at youth rather than adults. It's a beautiful book with an attractive cover, well-done illustrations and heavy paper. I enjoyed the sections on wizards and wizardly groups in history. Numerous page referrals were annoying.

#9 Every Which Way But Dead by Kim Harrison

A quick, comfort read. This author keeps getting better as time goes on.

#10 A Fistful of Charms by Kim Harrison

Another quick, comfort read but I'm starting to get *uncomfortable* with how the heroine is getting to be more of an anti-heroine. She's sliding more and more into unethical behaviors.

#11 The Courage to Write by Ralph Keyes

Fantastic book, well written. Gave me tons of ideas and may be the catalyst I need to finally start writing.

#12 Hinduism: A Very Short Introduction by Kim Knott

Slogged through it. Wasn't terrible, wasn't great. I guess I should have expected to read through mud since it's from Oxford.

#13 The Bargain by Mary Jo Putney

Good read. Near the end, I was crying so hard that I had to stop reading until I calmed down.

#14 Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes

I read this so long ago that I forgot all of it except the basic plot. I tore through it in one sitting. My heart absolutely ached for Charlie.

#15 The Enchanted Land by Jude Deveraux

This romance really shows its age (1978). Heroine is very submissive and rather brainless. Hero goes on jealous rages. No emotional depth.

#16 Over Sea, Under Stone by Susan Cooper

I found it pretty boring and bland. I only finished it because I was going to read the next book in the series for the book group.

#17 The Dark is Rising by Susan Cooper

At first I didn't care for it, I felt it didn't explain why Will was an Old One but eventually it became clear. The signs came to him too easily. It kept my interest enough that I'm going to read the next book, Greenwitch, but just barely.

#18 The Hours by Michael Cunningham

I just finished reading this and I'm not sure how I feel about it. I almost gave up about 1/4 through but decided to continue since it's such a short book. I found the paragraph long sentences of metaphors annoying at times yet there was a certain rhythm to the writing that was intriguing. I found it a depressing book yet there were moments where I really connected to the characters.

#19 Freedom's Choice by Anne McCaffrey

Only slightly entertaining. Little happened, challenges were easily overcome, characters a bit one dimensional. Zainal and Kris were far too uncaring about Kris having another man's child.

#20 Alanna by Tamora Pierce

I read this once before and didn't remember most of it. Simple but entertaining.

#21 By the Shores of Silver Lake by Laura Ingalls Wilder

The more I read of this series, the more I am enjoying it. They are so simple, yet there is something about them that continues to appeal to me as an adult. I look forward to reading the rest of the series.

#22 In the Hand of the Goddess by Tamora Pierce

I'm embarrassed by how much I'm enjoying these as the writing is so simplistic and the plotting is so banal. I can't wait to read the next one, they are just fun.

#23 The Woman Who Rides Like a Man by Tamora Pierce

The plotting is getting more complex but there are still moments when events wrap up too easily and with little emotional depth.

#24 Lioness Rampant by Tamora Pierce

Still no emotional intensity but an enjoyable story nonetheless.

#25 The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

The first several chapters didn't grab me and I thought I might give it up; however, I continued and by the halfway mark I was glad I did. I didn't find it as wonderful as others did and probably wouldn't recommend it. I think because the narrator is Death there is a certain distancing that I didn't care for.

#26 March by Geraldine Brooks

A beautiful book that I breezed through though I thought it ended rather abruptly. Near the end I was a little put off by both Marmee's and Mr. March's negative attitudes.

#27 Lady of Fortune by Mary Jo Putney

Not her best but enjoyable nonetheless. It is obvious why she became so popular. You really care for the characters and there is a richess in the description of the culture and time in history. Heroine is a little too perfect.

#28 Coming into the Country by John McPhee

Seemed to be the same stories over and over. When it when into something other than the bios of Alaskans, such as mining, trapping, substinence living, history, etc., it was interesting.

#29 Fantasy Lover by Sherrilyn Kenyon

The climax was anti-climactic but otherwise the book was enjoyable. She needs to work more on complexity and richness in plot and characterization.

#30 The Long Winter by Laura Ingalls Wilder

This one seemed liked filler. I know the next book is better.

#31 Sorcery and Cecelia by Patricia Wrede and Caroline Stevermer

#32 Beloved by Toni Morrison

#33 On the Day You Were Born by Debra Frasier

It's been years and years since I read the Little House books. I do remember though, that I adored the books, and hated the TV series. LOL.

I dont' recall thinking of The Long Winter as filler, though I wasn't as discerning a reader then. I always like "survial" type stories anyway and I still wonder to this day if the west has ever had another winter like that.

Oh, I wasn't complaining too much. It wasn't horrible, just not as good as the others.

I'm not up for doing many reviews this time. Sorry.

#34 Night Pleasures by Sherrilyn Kenyon
I'm hooked.

#35 Little Town on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder

#36 Night Embrace by Sherrilyn Kenyon

#37 Wild Magic by Tamora Pierce
I'm loving Pierce and Tortall.

#38 Wolf-Speaker by Tamora Pierce

#39 Emperor Mage by Tamora Pierce

#40 These Happy Golden Years by Laura Ingalls Wilder
I'm not sure if I'll read the last book. While it's been enjoyable revisiting this series, it wasn't as interesting as I remember as a child.

#41 Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert Heinlein
Read this for comfort. It's been years, but it still warms my heart and lifts my spirit.

#42 Sabriel by Garth Nix
Good enough that I'll read the rest of the series, but not so good that I'm rushing out to do it.

#43 Eragon by Christopher Paolini
The worst book I've read this year. "And it just so happens" happened far too many times. Was just barely good enough to finish. Barely. I'm going to watch the movie because the effects look fantastic, and I'm hoping since they've seemed to make a lot of changes that it's better than the book.

#44 Realms of the Gods by Tamora Pierce

#45 Pretties by Scott Westerfeld
Pretty good. I'll read the last in the series and will probably try something else of his.

I hope you don't mind if I make a Scott Westerfeld suggestion. Of the books I've read by him so far my favorite has been Peeps, it was an ingenious premise for a book. Vampires that aren't really vampires, but merely the infected hosts of a virus.

#46 The Cartoon History of the Universe, Vol. 1 - 7 by Larry Gonick
Eh, it was a little too basic for me. I was expecting something with a bit more weight to it. Yes, I know it's a comic, but still...

#47 Dragon Blood by Patricia Briggs
Enjoyable, will keep reading her books.

#48 First Test
#49 Page
#50 Squire
#51 Lady Knight by Tamora Pierce
The Protector of the Small is my least favorite of the Tortall series, but still not all that bad.

#52 The Diabolical Baron
#53 The Rake and the Reformer
#54 Silk and Shadows
#55 Silk and Secrets
#56 Veils of Silk by Mary Jo Putney
I'm reading Putney's books from the beginning and I'll need to take a break from them for awhile. I've enjoyed them but they are starting to sll sound the same. Silk and Shadows was my favorite of this bunch.

#57 Dragonswan by Sherrilyn Kenyon
Also reading Kenyon in order. This is a novella, short and rather unsatisfying though I did like the premise.

#58 Four to Score by Janet Evanovich
Same fluff by Evanovich. I'm not sure why I like these but they are like potato chips, I can't read just one.

Funny, Protector of the Small is my favorite of the Tortall series. Interesting how people see things so differently sometimes :)

The Immortals is my favorite.

*mild spoilers for Protector of the Small*

Immortals is ok. I just thought the writing in Protector was better than her other books, and Kel is the least Mary Sue of them all. Plus, I get tired of all the magic, so it was nice to have a character who couldn't do whatever she wanted just by wishing it so, and had to do things the hard way. And it's also nice to have a character not find her one twu wuv all nice and neat by the end of the series *rolls her eyes*

I agree the writing was better, but I thought Kel was boring because... no magic! Heh. Also, her adventures seemed far too banal. I don't particularly care for the military and there was little to no fantasy.

#59 The Compleat Cruciverbalist by Stan Kurban and Mel Rosen

Gave some good information about crossword solving and creating but mostly it was too dated.

#60 The Many-Colored Land
#61 The Golden Torc
#62 The Non-Born King
#63 The Adversary

#64 Surveillance
#65 Metaconcert

#66 Jack the Bodiless
#67 Diamond Mask
#68 Magnificat
by Julian May

This set of 9 books flows so well together. I hadn't read this in many years, so I've had a pleasant week or so revisiting them.

#69 Alaska by James Michener

Alaska was very well written but there was so much D-R-A-M-A. People are killed, murdered, die penniless or in shame, lose loved ones, etc. It goes on and on. I'll certainly read more by Michener but I'll have to take him in small doses. Perhaps one a year.

#70 The Black Lyon by Jude Deveraux

I'm reading her books in order and, oh boy, does this show it's age. She is a great story teller and writer, but mass market romances in the 1980's left a lot to be desired when it comes to characterization. Basically, she's a wimp, he's a jerk.

#71 Greenwitch by Susan Cooper

Color me still unimpressed by The Dark is Rising series. The only reason I'm going to finish this set is because I'm a completist and they are mercifully short.

Morph -

Glad to see I'm not the only one who was not overawed by The Dark is Rising, etc. Everyone talked about how great it was, but I just...it was ok, that's all.

I like the premise for them; however, Cooper is *not* a good writer. She has weak plots and even weaker characterization. She could have done so much better!

There are two more Tortall series out there....Trickster's Choice and Trickster's Queen are about Alanna's daughter (not my favorite of them all but still entertaining) which takes place in the Copper Isles - which is cool because it's a completely different place than the rest of the series.

And there is a new one that Pierce just started that takes place something like 400 years prior to the current ones, about George Coopers' ancestor Beka. The first one is called Terrior. I found this one harder to get through. It's also much longer than the previous ones and I just can't seem to fall in love with the characters like I did with the rest of them *shrug* not sure why.

P.S. I still love YA adult series. Maybe because they are less complex, but are often much more imaginative and creative than your run-of-the-mill adult novel. Perhaps kids are more open-minded about those possibilities.

Sometimes I just want to suck down a book. YA is perfect for this.

YA fantasies are definitely my faves. Have you read Hawksong, Morph? That was a really great book. The ones that came after in the series unfortunately never quite lived up to the first one, but I think it is an awsome stand alone book (sequels nice but not required).

Me too. I've been reading a whole slew of them lately. For a complete list check out my topic. But I just finished the The Faerie Wars series and Percy Jackson and the Olympians series. I really liked them both. Looking forward to new ones.

I like to keep up with YA books anyway. Not only do I like them, but I work in a bookstore and love to be able to recommend them to people (anything to keep kids reading nowadays)!

I loved the Trickster books. I haven't yet gotten around to reading Terrier, though.

I enjoy the Trickster books, but I agree with Ilithyia; I wasn't impressed with Terrier. It was longer, sure, but there are too many different plots and sub-plots that don't get as much time as they deserve, and too many different (and yet so similar) characters that I had trouble keeping straight...

(Reminds me of the Circle books in those ways.)

On the other hand, there are plenty of people I've talked to who who really liked it.

bluesalamanders, I've never read the Circle books - though I've owned the first two for years. How are they? Worth reading? Or do they just not compare to the Tortall ones?

i started it, but it imho it was depressing. i read violence & gore (mysteries), so i don't need to read what death does, thank u very much.

Good to know. Maybe I'll won't bother. Thanks!

The Circle books....They're not as good as the Tortall books. What I said about Terrier is what I don't like about the whole series - there are multiple storylines and many characters in each book, and nothing (in my opinion) gets as much time and depth as it deserves.

There are things that I like about them - some of the ways that magic works are very creative (there is a miniature living glass dragon named Chime, for instance). But the books themselves aren't that great.

As I said before, there are people who disagree and like the books a lot; these are just my opinions.

Dear gods, I'm so far behind in updating this. Please excuse my lack of splendiferous comments.

72. Elantris by Brandon Sanderson
I wasn't as enthused as many others in The Green Dragon, but did enjoy it.

73. Sunshine by Robin McKinley
My first introduction to McKinley and will definitely be reading more of her work. Was going to be my favorite book so far this year but the end kind of petered out on me.

74. The Curse of Chalion by Lois McMaster Bujold
75. Paladin of Souls by Lois McMaster Bujold

(Reread) I love her entry into fantasy with its mythological system and unperfect hero(ine)s.

76. So Many Books, So Little Time by Sara Nelson
Not as fab as Ex Libris: Confessions by Fadiman but still a delightful read.

77. Cetaganda by Lois McMaster Bujold
Continuing my re-reading of the Miles saga.

78. The Rowan
79. Damia
80. Damia's Children
81. Lyon's Pride
82. The Tower and the Hive
83. To Ride Pegasus
84. Pegasus in Flight
85. Pegasus in Space by Anne McCaffrey
Comfort re-read of her take on psychic abilities

86. Freedom's Challenge by Anne McCaffrey
Bleh. Glad I'm done with this series.

87. Midnight Pleasures by various
Enjoyed this set of paranormal romances though I usually don't care for short stories.

88. Annie Leibovitz: A Photographer's Life
First time I've "read" a photography book. Interesting - but that's about it.

89. As a Man Thinketh by James Allen
First book from 50 Self-Help Classics by Butler-Bowden - a new challenge for myself.

90. Create Your Personal Sacred Text by Bobbi Parrish
Adore this book, my favorite so far this year, on a spiritual practice of reading and writing.

91. The Black Swan by Mercedes Lackey
Re-read because LTers said it was their favorite Lackey though I remembered it as being one of her worst. I should have heeded my own memory. Blech.

92. Magician: Apprentice
93. Magician: Master
94. Silverthorn
95. A Darkness at Sethanon by Raymond Feist
Another comfort re-read. Mostly as set up for...

96. Daughter of the Empire
97. Servant of the Empire
98. Mistress of the Empire by Raymond Feist and Janny Wurts
Yummy comfort re-read though at times depressing.

99. All Together Dead by Charlaine Harris
When does the next one come out DAMMIT?!? This was so good. Yummy frothy goodness.

100. Crystal Singer
101. Killashandra
102. Crystal Line by Anne McCaffrey
Yet more comfort re-reads

103. Intuitive Eating by Evelyn Tribole and Elyse Resch
More like "homework" reading for my eating disorder; however, it had some good stuff.

104. His Majesty's Dragon
105. Throne of Jade by Naomi Novik
The first is another favorite for this year; however, I was NOT impressed with the second book as I found the plot frustrating and the book depressing overall.

106. The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
Brutal. Heart-breaking. Good writing. Pacing could have used some work.

107. Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
Ugh. I need something light and fluffy. Nothing wrong with this book, just too much of a downer after my recent reads.

OMG, I can't believe how far behind I am in updating this.

*****

108. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time by Mark Haddon
Absolutely adored this book. I must have a thing for the mentally challenged as I also loved Flowers for Algernon.

109. Dance with the Devil by Sherrilyn Kenyon
Wonderful paranormal romantic fluff

110. The Complete Idiot's Guide to Altered Art by Allyson Bright Mayer
I've read so many books on this subject so far, that this one is a blur and unmemorable.

111. Kushiel's Scion by Jacqueline Carey
A re-read before...

112. Kushiel's Justice by Jacqueline Carey
While a good book, it didn't have the magic of its predecessors

113. Crafting Personal Shrines by Carol Owen
I was expecting spiritual shrines rather than altered art in the shape of shrines. It was okay.

That gets me through June.

114. Cujo by Stephen King
I've been (re)reading King in order of publication. I'm surprised by how *average* his other books are in comparison to The Stand. I'm not sure I'll continue this challenge of mine.

115. The Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan
A delightful book about where we get our food and the food industry (industrial, organic industrial, pastoral organic and wild caught)

116. Desert Heat by J.A. Jance
A surprisingly enjoyable mystery. I wasn't expecting to like it as much as I did since it was a random pick for my 50 State Challenge.

117. Kiss of the Night
118. Night Play
119. Seize the Night
120. Sins of the Night
by Sherrilyn Kenyon
Mmmm... Yummy... brain candy...

121. One Good Night
122. The Fairy Godmother
123. Fortune's Fool
by Mercedes Lackey
What a delightful series. I read out of order because I had already read Godmother but had to read it again after getting Knight from the library.

124. The Harlequin by Laurell K. Hamilton
I SWORE to myself I would not buy another Hamilton hardcover because they were all sex and no plot. I caved and I didn't kick myself too much for it. It was better as far as plot that the previous couple.

125. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling
Loved the book, the epilogue was Meh. No surprise here!

I'll stop here for the moment. There are still more to catch up on.

Message 13, #47 - you have read Dragon Bones, which is the first one in that series? Unfortunately that's all in that series. I really like Patricia Briggs - at least, I loved Hob's Bargain and the Dragon pair, liked the Raven books (Raven's Strike, Raven's Shadow), and greatly _dis_like her latest series with Mercy Thompson. Well, if you like Charlene Harris you may like them but I find them too depressing and dull to catch me.

Message 31, #86 - um...you know there's a fourth? Freedom's Ransom. And no, it's no better. Have you ever read the short story ("The Thorns of Barevi" in Get Off The Unicorn) that spawned (verb used advisedly) this series? Wow. SF soft porn...Hmm, actually, it was soft porn then, now it's pretty standard romance stuff.

And - Message 5, #14 - did you read the novel or the novella? The novella of Flowers For Algernon is wonderful, but somebody convinced him he needed to expand it into a novel and the novel is _awful_. If Charlie didn't have a sexual fixation on his old landlord's daughter, you read the novella and aren't you lucky!

I love the reviews format - I'm going to add those to mine as well (I did some short comments - I'll try to do that for all of them).

>34 jjmcgaffey:

Yes, I've read both of Brigg's Dragon books.

Yes, I've read Freedom's Ransom, I don't know why I don't have it listed. It was blech.

I read the Flowers novel and it is my favorite book so far this year. Different strokes for different folks!