KSZR takes up the challenge

Hi! I'm a new member of the site, and thought this challenge sounded great. I love to read, but it has always been as a "break" from the business of life. I had enough credits in undergrad to have a Lit minor, just because I loved to read the books. I have lead multicultural book groups, and in general love to read when I have a chance. The two kids, husband, job thing has put a damper on my volume, but I have discovered books on CD to help my commute. While I am not sure I will make the 75, I'll give it a try.

So far this year, I have read Lost in a good book
The mermaid chair
wonder
The lady cyclists guide to Kashgar
the inner circle
the peach keeper
and I am working on the year we left home currently.

Jasper Fforde had been recommended by a friend, and while the first book the eyre affair was fun, this one took things off in such tangets that I got a bit lost. Don't know if it was due to the audio version, but I think I'll take a break before reading more of it.

The mermaid chair is well written, but I actually liked Susan Monk Kidd's other book the secret life of bees better. I would put the peach keeper and the lady cyclists guide to kashgar in the same category: a good read, but nothing to rave about.

The year we left home is more a collection of short stories woven together, in the way the Olive Kitteridge and Winesburg, Ohio were. Interesting takes on the lives, but the undertones are all quite dark.

The rave of the group is wonder. Even though it is a young adult book, I LOVED it. It was well written, and thought provoking. It made me stop and think about myself, and how I treated others. Have asked my mom to buy the book for my 10 year old to read = in the world of bullying we live in, this is a great story of how to face the world when you know you are different, and be the bigger person.

The inner circle was a fun read, but certainly not a great work of literature.

I have been trying to get more classics in, over the years, and spent some good time last year on Austen, Catch 22, The Ugly American. If I run out of time for good reads this year, I'll share info on some of my favorites from last year.

Wow, you are certainly off to a great start. I will look for Wonder, thanks for your quick review.

The start is the easiest part. Keeping up the pace is what gets me in the end.

Well, that's what we're here for - to keep the momentum up. Welcome!

Thanks. Encouragment always helps.

Next up, day after night by Anita Diamont

The Year We Left Home grew on me - I've really enjoyed watching the characters grow and change over the years, with references to the world changes that impacted them.

Started Michael Chabon's Telegraph Avenue and Anna Karenina, and will start listening to Day after night in the car.

The Year We Left Home by Jean Thomson

This book is a loose collection of stories from various members of a family in Iowa. It starts the evening of the oldest sister's wedding, in the early 70's and alternates between different siblings, a cousin, and a parent. Each chapter brings a fresh viewpoint, from a different place in time. As time moves forward, you watch the family move to different cities, through different crisis, including the assassination attempt on Ronald Reagan, the farm crisis, and the internet bust.

Throughout the stories is a theme of knowing who you are, and being true to that, even as you try to redefine your view of yourself. Each character has challenges placed in front of them, as life does, and each deals with it differently. But in the end, regardless of all else, they come together to take care of each other in the only ways they know how.

This book is frank in its views of complex family relationship, and the openness of self-conversation. You will easily be able to see your own journey reflected in each of the ones portayed, as they are all well drawn and honest in their presentation.

While it starts slow, I recommend you keep to the end - it is worth it.

Telegraph Avenue never caught my attention and when it was due back at the library, I took it back. As I began reading it I thought of Caucasia, which I had no trouble making it thru. Its a shame, because I usually like Chabon. The Adventures of Kavalier and Clay and the yiddish policeman's union were wonderful. Between this one and the final solution, I'm not sure when I will try another one.

Slow going on Anna Karinena - keep needing to charge the kindle.

The audio of Day after Night is going quickly, and I'll leave a summary when I am done. So far, I'm hooked on the characters and the story premise.

Thinking I may pick up White Teeth. Its been on my bookcase for awhile.

Day after night is a tale focuses on four Jewish women who had survived by different means during WWII and arrived in Palestine with no immigration papers. The British put them in a detention camp upon arrival, where they met and were encouraged by two women that had already emigrated, and were working at the detention center. As each woman reacts to a new set of barb wire keeping them in, they begin to struggle with how to survive now that the immediate threat was gone.

Each woman's story is a burden to them, and they all handle it differently, as all survivors did. They try to forget everything that is past, through rage or helpfulness, and everything in between. As each woman prepares for eventual freedom in Eretz Yiztrael, they begin to open to themselves, and to each other.

As one last escape is needed, they ban together to face the enemy once more, but from a position of strenght, and prevail.

This is based upon a true event in the history of the creation of the state of Israel.

Started White Teeth, but the print is too small, and my initial interest in the characters is waning the further I get into the book. I'll put it aside for now.

Listening to Ishiguru's Never Let Me Go. I'm trying to figure this all out, but it is such a puzzle, just like it is for the characters, that I can't wait to find out what the next clue is....

finished Never let me go
Amazing book

The book is written as a recollection of memories, told by the main character, Kathy H. It starts the story as a reminicence of a childhood, all at a private school. The main focus is a trio of friends, Ruth D, Tommy D, and Kathy H. It goes through the ups and downs of the relationships, all told in an incredibly passive voice of Kathy.

As the story of three friends unfolds, bits and pieces are parcelled out about the children, where they are, and what is going on. As is noted within the story itself, the "Guardians" at the school parcel out information in bits, earlier than the children are ready for them, so that when the full truth is revealed, it seems that they already knew it. And that is just what Ishiguro has done. As you learn of each new piece of information, slyly added in with no explanation, you start to understand more the true intention of the author, as the students learn the true intention of their Guardians.

Many ideas are put forth here - the jealousy of one girl, Ruth, over another, Kathy is a classic tale of one girl manipulating the other, only to have the first regret having kept the second from getting what had truly been hers.

The internal fury of Tommy and his "fits" that keep him on the outside of the class. This even acts as an allagory for how "different" these children are.

The ethical needs of the masses, and the slippery slope that people live on to keep their own hope alive (to continue this would be a big spoiler).

The concept of when to tell children the "truth" and how to define that truth.

The passive voice of the book, noting the comings and goings, and the emotions of people, allows you, the reader, to be lulled into the calm, planned lives of these people.

It is only when you see the fury in Tommy that true emotion is felt.

And as the story ends, the last chapter is written for each of them. And even though each must live out the life planned, Kathy braved to be different by telling the story - because no one could take that away from her.

Finished The story of a marriage. It was an interesting read, but I was actually able to figure out a good chunk of it before it finished. The basis is that no matter how much you think you know someone, you never know whole person - we all hide things from ourselves, and others, to keep up a facade that we believe should be who we are, and what we are doing.

On to the sense of an ending

Finished The Sense of an Ending. Very well written, but I can't say I loved it.

The premise of being told one's life story, only to have it be re-examined when other's challenged the basis for memory.

As is noted in the book - truth is the lies the winner tells, and the coverup by the losers (loose translation only)

That Old Cape Magic is a story about a marriage that began to suffer when the husband struggles with the realization of the impact of his parents on who his is, even though he spent his life fighting it.

Complex story of dawning self awareness, realization of becoming an orphan (as parents pass).

PMBOK. Read the whole thing.

finished Buddha in the Attic. Interesting read, especially the choice of structure of the book. Collective first person narrative kept the book at once personal, while applying it to a large group of people. From scared girls on the boat to meet husbands that they only knew from photos, through meeting them, working as migrant workers and domestic help, birthing children, watching them turn away from your ways, only to all be interned during WWII. It is a compelling book in the number of voices it gives women who otherwise would have been silent forever.

Finished A partial history of lost causes. It was a very interesting premise, and started strong. By the end, however, I just couldn't wait for it to be over. After what I expected to be the ending, it went on for what appeared to be an eternity. When one door opened during that time (can't give more details or it will spoil the book) you would think that either it would end, or something new would happen. It just kept going.

The two main characters, an American woman with a genetic confirmation of Huntington disease, and a Russian world chess champion are linked by a letter from the woman's father, who also faced the disease, to the chess champion. Both are searching for the meaning of life, with different constraints and struggles. As each comes to their own realizations, they understand and learn from each other how each would answer the question the father asked: How do you proceed when you know you will lose?

Listening to Death comes to Pemberly. Not sure if I don't love it due to the person reading it, or the story. Thought it would be fun to visit the Darcys. The story gets a bit long in the tooth for descriptions, and I have been tempted to jump forward to the next disc. I haven't because I'm still trying to figure it all out.

OK, I figured out most of it. It was fine, but certainly not something that I would ever re-read. It takes the characters from Pride and Prejudice and moves forward through the years to when Elizabeth and Jane both have young children. Elizabeth is planning a ball, and there is a murder on the Pemberly estate the night before, causing it to be cancelled.

Much of the plot is unbelievable and contrived. If you loved the characters in the original DO NOT READ THIS. Many liberties are taken, and a purist will be unhappy.

As always, however, alls well that ends well.

How to be an American Housewife by Margaret Dilloway was an engaging novel told by a WWII Japanese war bride and her daughter. It was a story of how someone finds strength in adversity, and makes a life for herself and her children through her fierce protection of them. When she lets them help her, it is with regret that more had not been done before. The request to her daughter to find her long astranged brother lead not only to the closing of a painful chapter, but opens the path for her daughter that she never thought was possible to dream for, let alone attempt. The strength that they give each other, and those around them, is an inspiration.

reading Rita Mulcahay's PMP review guide. Test next month. Started listening to Fall of Giants.

Still listening to Fall of Giants, and reading a different PMP review book. Also started a visit from the goon squad and the divinity of second chances.

finished fall of giants finally. it was very interesting, but toward the end, I just wanted it to end. Too dense at times, but facinating exploration of the waste of war.

finishing divinity of second chances, which had some great nuggets! Pearl is a riot, and each person's personal journey and challenges are relatable, even if they are extremes. I would definitely recommend this one.

Can't wait to take my exam - reading PMP stuff is such a drag. Too bad I think I will be taking it a second time, based on how little I am studying!

Started The Art of Fielding

Finished The art of fielding. great story. watching people learning that they are their own obstacles, and that they need to really identify what and who they are to find if not peace or happiness exactly, but contentedness.

Finish a visit from the goon squad. didn;t really like it. could never keep track of who was who, and how they were related. basically very depressing about how you get lost and then become someone else.

Started summerland by elin hilderband.

Finished Summerland. Was grabbed by the story of three families, and what the results of a deadly car crash had on each person in those families that had a child inthe car. While I had guessed two of the possible reasons, the third one took me by surprise. It all made sense in the end, and it was a powerful way for the hopes, dreams of parents, and their children, are mixed up and how each person lives there own life outside of the family, while being central to it. Liked it a lot.

Started Coming Home

As I read come home, i was constantly annoyed by the main character, could care less about them, really. Only wanted to hear the "who done it" part, when I promptely put the book down and cheered that i didn't have to spend any more time with them.

Started listening to Winter of the World and A marriage plot

Skipped long parts of A marriage plot. for an author that does not usually use a formula, when writing about one, he used it, so I could skip the incredibly annoying diatribes of information that don't really add anything to the story. All about an english student that loves austen and ends up in the typical austen twist of marriaging the wrong man.

As for Winter of the World, I'm a bit bored with it already.

I did finish Little Town on the Prairie, and have started These golden years.

Still working on Winter of the World, finished These golden years, started the pearl and about 1/3 way through the brief and wonderous life of oscar wao

Seems to be the year to start and not finish books. On train to NYC read The American Heiress. Although easily figured out, it was well written and had a rare "happy" ending.

Just read something somewhere that there is a movement that believes all "good" books have horrific stories to share - the more awful (although well told) the more popular. My time is way too limited to waste my time on that kind of stuff!!!

Almost completed with Winter of the World, and ploughing through the Oscar Wao, but I just don't care about the characters.

Will finish The Pearl and then my son wants me to read the Invisible Man.

Gave up on Oscar Wao - just didn't care about the characters.

Returned and got beatrice and virgil on cd.

Only at 33 books for the year to date. 75 will be a stretch, but I still feel good about what I am reading.

Finished Winter of the World. Amazingly detailed and researched, I learned much from the book about the political backdrop of the world leading up to, through, and after WWII. While it was well written, as I have been feeling for each of Follett's epics, by the end I just wanted it to be done.

Finished The Pearl. Incredible story. Should be required reading for today's hollywood stars. Getting what you wish for is not always the best thing for you. It also shows the evil and jealousy in the world, which is even sadder. While this family struggled and worked hard, when something bad happened, everyone just went along with it as their due. As soon as something good happened people tried to steal it, hurt them, and trample their spirits to give in to everyone else, so they remembered their place in the world. Very powerful story.

On the What Are You Reading Now blog someone had mentioned a few months back that they had read The Invisible Man. In the spirit of actually reading classics, and not just saying things in reference as though I had, I picked up a copy for 25cents at the library book sale.

I did spend some time trying to determine a "what will happen" view of the book before I realized that the story is more of an internal struggle for the invisible man. While we do not know his name, or truly who he is, it shows that we can all hide from others. Once people begin to poke their noses into someone else's business, this is when the rage begins.

As you read on, the man wanted to vanish from a situation. We have all felt like that. But most of us go on to survive and face another day, stronger for what we have learned.

By indulging this selfish wish, Griffin has set himself on a path toward self destruction - human connection, of which he has just cut himself off from is the very thing he needs to survive in the end. And when he can't get what he needs, his terror over others begin. It is only when people work together that he is found and stopped.

continuing with beatrice and virgil on audio book.

Hard copy The ghost of hannah mendes by Naomi Ragen.

Finished The Ghost of Hannah Mendes. Sweetly sentimental, very interesting in teaching the Ladino experience, all on the importance of family and being faithful to who you are and where you came from. Enjoyed the book. Will read more by Ragen.

I was reluctant to pick up Beatrice and Virgil because I actually hated Life of Pi. As the story unravels - because it is like pulling a string at the end of a yarn, the depth of details that Martel researched amazed me. As I kept learning more of the characters, and the protagonists of the play, it became obvious what it was about. And the reason that Henry was intrigued was because it did what he was trying to do with his flip book. standing the discussion of the holocaust on its head is an incredible acheivement. As is noted in the book, there has only been one way to view it. Lately the literature has been turning from the Jewish point of view - the victims - to exploring other views. This includes the complicit (Sara's Key and Stones from the River), and those involved (Boy in the striped pajamas and The Reader). As we move beyond the initial horror and begin exploring the ancillary players that allow this to happen, the story beings to change and become more nuanced. There is never just one right and one wrong, although this is as close as I hope we ever get.

As Henry is taken by the taxidermist through this odessey, this is the unsettling way that Henry's book was supposed to be. His wife does not like it, because it is so difficult, and would rather put it aside where it can't been seen. A first step toward complicity, giving up of control.

The use of street names, character names, and "memories" weaves an intricate tapestry of interrelationships on many levels of "humanity" - the animals being an allagory for a class of people, and as a being themselves, for how they should be treated.

The ending is revealing, showing by his ignorance and complete blind trust in humanity how perilously close he came to losing everything.

Not an easy read emotionally, but I am glad I read it.

Start the language of flowers and secret daughter

Finished the language of flowers. Beautiful story of a girl in the foster care system, and how she and people she comes into contact with, all have fears and scars. How she deals with them, while understandably in the extreme, impacts others in ways she never expected. Those that are hurt most can still find beauty in themselves by identifying the single name of what they truly want. Until they know this, they will be reaching for something that will not meet their expectations of who they can be.

Finished the smart one and the pretty one. Needed a fun diversion. Two sisters, one sick mom and a joke marriage contract.

Secret Daughter is an amazingly complex and lovely story. One Indian daughter, given up by her mother to save her life in a world that values boys more is adopted by a couple, father Indian, mother American. Their lives are altered by the fact of this girl, and both mothers spend their lives harboring warm hopes and dreams for this girl. As Asha grows, so does her need to learn of her personal history.

This is ultimately an exploration of each person, and how the choices we make impact ourselves, and those we love most. It is also a lesson in the way we define and embrace family and all that it means - accepting a person's past as well as their present, both the good and the bad.

listening to Crossing to Safety and reading out stealing horses

finished Crossing to Safety. Incredible book about two couples that are worlds different economically that become bonded while pursuing life. These couples each have ups and downs, and each marriage is flawed in its own way. The way they support and care for each other through the years, in good and in bad, helps complete them. In the journey of saying goodbye to one, the other lives are reviewed in all the complicated loveliness that is a family life.

finished Out stealing horses. Well written, but I think I missed something in the translation. Still not 100% of why he abandoned his children, as he was abandoned, or why he lost his wife, or why he chose to be alone. Also unsettled - why meet up with Lars? Simply to set the memories in motion?

Finished Sweetwater Creek. well written story of a girl coming of age on a faded plantation. Her family has lost much, and its on its own. When one day a girl from a "good" family in Charlotte comes and asks to stay to train the dogs, there lives are changed forever.

I enjoyed this one.

Finished unaccustomed earth. The stories from each chapter drew me in and touched me in so many ways. While the main characters are mostly Bengali, I was able to identify with them as being "other" myself in this world with expectations of marrying our own kind. The places that these stories go, with dating, with marriage, and with death, are so real - speaking the hidden stories that you keep even from yourself. The last words of the last story still ring in my head. It was the greatest fear of my grandmother and to have that be the end was heart-wrenching.

Finished Intuition. Interesting about how the scientific community considers itself just and right, even while having the same corruption and egotism problems that all other fields of study have. It also shows that at some level, everyone uses others to help get their own way - and their own interest taken care of.

Don't think I will make 75 this year, but I'll be happy with 50.

Started Wife of the Gods and my cousin's first published work Afterwinds: The World of Light. The first is interesting: both cultural and the book's mystery has me intrigued. The world of women given to fetish preists, where AIDS runs rampant, and witchcraft is still believed in is fascinating.

As for Afterwinds - its a science fiction book - a genre that I don't usually read. Have to admit, however, I'm 27% in (thanks for counting Kindle) and I'm interested in finding out what happens. More on this one later.

Finished Wife of the Gods. Great mystery story in Ghana that keeps you confused almost to the end. It moves between the modern world and the bush world, with all its healers and fears. Quartey does this seamlessly, showing how all the trappings of the old world can become a distraction, and that deep down, old motives are always the same.

Finished hilmer wolitzer's Summer Reading: A novel. Fun to have a book about a book group's members and how the books they read impacted their lives.

Angela, the former college professor now facilitates book groups in the Hamptons each summer. Lissy, a new trophy wife, struggles to become a better person. Michelle, the housekeeper, learns to stand up for herself.

OK - secrets of eden makes it 48 for the year so far. Another well written book, with a mystery that is not revealed until the last pages. At the heart is a story of wife beating, and how different family members and outsiders react to this. I do have to say, however, that I seemed to know from the beginning who did it.

started Astray

Finished Astray. Collection of short stories that are fictionalizations of what the author has made up based upon true stories/fact. After each story the source is quoted. Interesting and well written, but I never really got on to the theme that they were all "astray"

Working on a widower's tale by Julia glass

Just finished A Widower's Tale. Very well written, with some laugh out loud comments by the wonderfully fully drawn out character of Percy Darling. The three main characters are charmed and lead by significant others in ways that they don't really expect. Each makes choices based upon the other's needs, and ends up at the short end of the stick. The youngest of them, however, doesn't just impact himself, but others (if in a slightly predictable manner). The surprise is the impact of those that are not with us - how they continue to shape our thoughts and deeds. It is easy to hide behind these shadows, not taking our own actions as what they are - our choices/actions - but letting themselves be deluded that they were either for other people or by other people. This is fundamentally a statement that while you need to be open to being with others, you have the responsibility for your actions and how they impact those around you.

Finished The thirteenth tale. Very much enjoyed this. I am usually very good at figuring things out, but the novel is written so well that you learn as the protaganist realizes that everything was told to her, but not in an obvious way. The paths you go down are confusing, until they do all tie together.

The twins theme, and the reliance upon the other is an interesting theme. The bond that makes you whole when you are a split cell leads to many assumptions, however. Just because of that cell, each child is their own, with needs and wants. The seperation that must come, for both twins and others growing up and gaining independence can be magnified. The spiral downward of the Angelfield home, and its family, is a bit far fetched, especially with the lack of education for the twins, and the Mrs' ability to keep the game afloat.

I will look for more of her work.

Started and when she was good.

Finished and when she was good by laura lippman. engaging tale of a what a woman would do to protect her son, even though she was a madam. pegged what would happen, but it was enjoyable.

Finished The Worst Thing I've Done. Story of 3 friends and the love triangle that kept them together, even when raising one's sister as her parents. The backdrop of complacency around the Iraq war mirrors the complacency around the state of the 3's friendship. All is brought to light when one committs suicide.

Finished City of Thieves. Wonderful story of a Russian jew during one week of WWII when he and a Russian army deserter went searching for eggs for the secret police. well written, engaging.

Read as good as anybody. For family book group in January. Good book for kids

girl in translation is the story of a girl and her mother's immigrant experience from HK to US with the "help" of family. Choices made and obstacles overcome are awesome, and sometimes not realistic, but heartwarming. complicated ending with choice between "fate" and "choice" of what to make of your life. Well written and engaging.

end of your life book club started.

Finished end of your life book club. not really about a book club, but a journal of saying goodbye to his terminally ill mother. they communicate through and around books. I cried.

Finished The Postmistress. Well written story about people sitting on the outside watching - the post master, the reporter, the doctor, the wife. When each person steps out of that role, their lives are changed forever: the doctor goes to London; the wife accepts her place in a new community; the reporter is haunted by the voices of European Jews as she tries to decide how to move forward from tragedy.

Amazing book

I enjoyed The Postmistress when I read it either last year or the year before.

I am a bit slow getting to the names, since I am always waiting for them at the library.

Finished Barbarian Nurseries. It was well written, but to me it was the Mexican Bonfire of the Vanities. Comedy of errors blown up when everyone only takes their view and not anyone else's. Getting others in on it, from news reports that do not report full facts, but opinions with the aim to incite, and those that it incite make things move in directions that don't make sense. All because people can't communicate properly.

All along is the story of the Mexicana maid, who aloud her future to be determined by others. At the end, she was finally able to make a choice for herself, and that was the end goal all along - taking control of your choices and not letting others make them for you.

Finished Charlie and the chocolate factory and got 1/2 way through Chitty Chitty Bang Bang with my son before he got bored.

I just picked up Girl in Translation today. I hope I enjoy it.

Girl in Translation was very good. The story stretched reality a bit, but it may just be that I am so tainted. The story was well written, and easy to read. The premise of coming to the US from Hong Kong and struggling with the language, culture, expectations, desires, and the new vs. old world are all well done.

Just finished The little giant of aberdeen county. Very well written story about a girl that kept growing, despite the abuse she received because of her size. The twist of the beautiful sister that was tiny was a good counterpoint to her (Truely), that in the end the big girl was the one with the big heart.

Finished Muriel Barbery's gourmet rhapsody as my last book of the year. The author draws complex and excessive descriptions of remembered meals of a world renowned food critic as he lay waiting for death, trying to remember one specific food he would want to eat before he dies. The conversations of those around him (all internal) include his dog, his cat, his wife - whom he has treated badly throughout their marriage, his children - who hate him as much as he hates children, his nephew - who holds a place of honor over others, and more.

The powerful man is arrogance personified. But as he tries to remember the single flavor that he craves, it is memories of meals provided by people who only care that he enjoys the experience of the meal and the companionship that comes with it. It is those events that were so lacking in his life that he is actually looking for in the end - a connection to those who care.

This year has been an exhilerating ride. While I have fallen short in the count of "adult" books, when I add in the chapter books that I read with my children (as they insist I do, because I did read them) I am over 81. I'm extremely proud of the number of books that I have read, especially as an example for my grade school children. I have read many wonderful books this year, and learned so much about myself through them.

I started this post as a way to turn the new year's resolution into something more meaningful then "I will exercise regularly." I have exercised my brain. Because of this wonderful experience I just launched a book group for families with young children at my place of worship as my 2014 resolution.

I will be continuing to challenge myself, but at a slower pace for 2014. I, along with my children, have agreed that I will read at least 2 books a month, so I will be joining the 50 book challenge with the understanding that I am hoping for that number, with the kids help.

I will begin my new string later today.

Thank you all, and happy reading!!

And yes, I do know that 2 a month is 24, but I think I can do the 50.