This is my first time participating in this challenge and I really enjoyed it!!
I want to thank Robin from My Two Blessings for hosting this challenge!!
I want to thank Robin from My Two Blessings for hosting this challenge!!
I wanted to read 29 but only completed 19 books.
Here is the list of the books that I did finish:
Sonata for Miriam by Linda Olsson- I absolutely loved this book. A favorite for this year for sure. I will be posting my thoughts later this week and offering up my gently-read copy as a giveaway!!
Who By Fire by Diana Spechler- This was a great read which came highly recommended by several fellow bloggers. I will post my thoughts about this one later this week too.
Laika by Nick Abadzis- graphic novel about the first dog sent into space by the Soviet Union. Thanks to Nymeth for reviewing this book on her blog a while ago. It was so moving and it made me cry. Another book that I need to post my thoughts about!!
Skim by Mariko Tamaki- another graphic novel that I really enjoyed. I was intrigued by the cover art and had to take this book home with me from the library. I wasn't let down!!
Love and Other Natural Disasters by Holly Shumas- even though the subject matter (husband has emotional affair while wife is 8 months pregnant) left a bad taste in my mouth, the book was well written and there was a lot to talk about in regards to the subject matter. Thanks Mel at Lit*Chick for suggesting this one.
Still Alice by Lisa Genova- this book made me an emotional wreck. I highly recommend this to everyone!! A must read for 2009!!!
Bliss by Lauren Myracle- a great YA book that is very, very dark, sinister and creepy!!
The Polysyllabic Spree by Nick Hornby- this book was hazardous to my TBR list!! And now I can't wait to read the other 2!
The Wednesday Sisters by Meg Waite Clayton- not a bad book but not a great one either. Just so-so for me.
The Sugar Queen by Sarah Addison Allen- I really enjoyed this book but I loved her first one more!! Still, I can't wait until her 3rd novel is released later this year!
The School of Essential Ingredients by Erica Bauermeister- I adored this book!! Everything about it was wonderful and for those that love food and books about cooking, food, and relationships...this one is for you!!
Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic by Alison Bechdel- this is a superb graphic novel! I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a great graphic novel read, and especially to those that have never tried reading a graphic novel.
Interpreter of Maladies byJhumpra Lahiri- her first collection of short stories and my first foray into reading a book of short stories. Wonderful experience.
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen- I'm so glad that I read this. I've watched the movie versions so many times that the words in the book came alive for me!!
The Story of Edgar Sawtelle: A Novel by David Wroblewski- I never did post my thoughts about this and I think I really should because this book really touched me. I loved the entire story even though I didn't make the connections with Hamlet/MacBeth (whatever!!) I just enjoyed this book immensly...when it ended the tears were rolling down my checks.
Cross Country by James Patterson- yes, I know a lot of people diss Patterson but I love Alex Cross so I won't say I'm sorry for reading this series...I like it!
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer- told in letter form much like 84, Charing Road, this book was simply marvelous!! One of the best of the year for me!
A Mercy by Toni Morrison- very deep and emotionally raw book. One that I feel I should re-read some day.
Sweet Life by Mia King- another book with food as a key element and a great storyline!
The Books I didn't finish:
- The Lady Elizabeth
- The Jane Austen Book Club
- The Heretic's Daughter
- Confessions of a Shopaholic
- Cellist of Sarajevo
- God of Animals
- Anna Karenina
- Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell
Thanks for reading to the end of this extremely long post!
I'm looking forward to reading your thoughts on Sonata for Miriam, which I almost picked up at the bookstore.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the audiobook of Guernsey even more than the novel. It was so much fun listening to the different voices during the morning commute.
Congrats on reading 19 books for this challenge Staci!! I'm impressed. I can't wait to hear your thoughts on Sonata for Miriam. I can't wait to read this one. I loved the authors first book, Astrid & Veronika. I'm excited that you'll be having a giveaway too!!
ReplyDeleteI didn't care for Edgar Sawtelle as much as you did, it just didn't cut it for me. I found it very long and drawn out and in need of editing.
School of Essential Ingredients-Brilliant! My top favorite book of the year. Loved it.
Guernsey is a favorite of mine..loved it.
Interpreter of Maladies is another favorite. If you haven't read The Namesake, add it to your wishlist.
P&P-A classic favorite for me.
Sweet Life is on my TBR shelf.
Great list, there are others you've read that are on my wishlist.
19 books??? Oh my.. I wish I'd time to read like you.. :)
ReplyDeleteI wanted to read 2 books that you didn't manage to finish, they are the Jane Austen Book Club and Confessions of a Shopaholic(although I've watched the movie recently), but I wonder why I haven't started yet!!
Anyway, congrats to you..
Nineteen out of twenty-nine is awesome, Staci! You should be proud of yourself.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to read your thoughts on Who By Fire.
Nice job with finishing this challenge. It sounds like you read some really great books for it. I finished this one as well but haven't had a chance to post my wrapup yet...maybe later today :)
ReplyDeletelol Forgive me, but you said STILL ALICE made you "an emotional wreck" and you'd like me to read it. You want me to become an emotional wreck. lol
ReplyDeleteSincerely, I congratulate you on your first challenge. You read a good many books for a busy mom. Here's my wrap up:
http://bookcritiques.blogspot.com/2009/03/winter-reading-wrap-up.html
You did great Staci! Congrats.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on reading 19 books. You have some amazing, interesting books there. I'm hopping over to amazon to check them all out. Thank you for the great reviews and thank you for joining in.
ReplyDeleteGreat job on the challenge. I loved School of Essential too. Glad you liked Cross Country and The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, they are on my TBR list.
ReplyDelete