beeg's 75 books for 2008

I'm over in the 50 book challenge and I'm at book 44, I feel pretty confident I'll make 50 before January so being the fickle girl I am, I'm going to switch over here to the 75 challenge.

Very cool! You won't regret jumping ship...8^}

thanks :)

I'm gonna list the books I've read so far:

1 Black Order James Rollins
very entertaining, a good page turner, with cool history as well

2 The Judas Strain James Rollins
this is my new substitute for FBI agent Aloysius Pendergast, looking forward to the next installment of the sigma force.

3 Darkwing Kenneth Oppel
a YA book whose cover caught my attention, it reminded me of watership down.

4 The hard way Lee Child
good story, his style is pretty dry but an easy read for the most part

5 White Oleander Janet Fitch.
I was blown away by this book, her story telling kept me from putting the book down, I read it in one day.

6 The book of lost things John Connolly
clever book, good story, lots of moral of the story boys and girls

7 Subterranean James Rollins
a fast read, the sigma books seem more mature.

8 The angel of darkness Caleb Carr
ugh, what a ploddy nightmare of a book this was. I almost gave it up to move on to something else, too bad I didn't follow my instincts. It's at least 300 pages too long.

9 The vanishing Bentley Little
meh, not impressed, maybe there are better books by this author.

10 Swordspoint Ellen Kushner
sharp wit, twisty plots, a fun read.

11 Ice Hunt James Rollins
it was ok, I get a little tired of all the shooting, falling and being saved at the last minute.

12 Sandstorm James Rollins
again ok, I think I'm getting burned out on him and need to move on (I really want to read Duma key but still have two library books by James left to go)

13 Excavation James Rollins
meh, I'm over this guy for awhile, Hello Mr King!

14 Duma key Stephen King
This book snatched me up, carried me off then deposited me gently when it was done. It reminded me why I've been a constant reader.

15 The Prestige Christopher Priest
Here's the thing, I loved the movie, so much I wanted to read the book. I find most of the time a book will explain things the movie leaves open. Ok not this time, not so much. The book is good, I liked it, but found myself annoyed it didn't follow the movie (rather than the other way around) it also didn't clean up any unexplained threads. It was for the most part a different entity than the movie. So, I liked the book and I liked the movie, both are good in their own right

16 Mister B. Gone Clive Barker
Love Clive, this was a tiny book figured I would knock it out in a couple of hours, it's been weeks. The book's idea is clever but it just never did it for me.

17 Amazonia James Rollins
It was ok, I can pretty much predict what's going to happen in his books by now.

18 Thornyhold Mary Stewart
So much for getting anything done today. I love this book, I re-read it every couple of years. I needed the inspiration to start spring cleaning and yard work.

19 The Nonesuch Georgette Heyer
well, if I use to like her when I was younger my taste has changed.

20 Creepers David Morrell
I didn't love this book, at least it was a fast read.

21 A thousand splendid suns Khaled Hosseini
this book was so sad, so distressing and disturbing. I was relived when the ending got better.

22 Mystery walk Robert R. McCammon
it was ok, I think my favorite book is Wolf's hour.

23 the curious incident of the dog in the night-time Mark Haddon
This book is highly entertaining - think Rainman as a child. It also reminded me of a friend of mine who after brain surgery developed a kind of savantism.

24 Hell House Richard Matheson
This book keeps popping up in the Horror threads, I've read Matheson before but never this book. I needed a break from Wicked and this was just the ticket, a fast read that took a few hours. Now I can go back to plowing through Wicked hoping it gets better and makes it worth my time.

25 Wicked the life and times of the wicked witch of the west Gregory Maguire

whew, what a verbose book this was, ploddy at best but witty and sharp. I loved the concept but got annoyed at the directions it kept taking off in. I have *no* idea how they turned this into a play.

26 Chocolat Joanne Harris
what a delicious book, I gobbled it up I couldn't resist. Each time I sat down I would make a deal with myself, just one chapter then back up to do laundry or mop, or paper work. It was like a 1/2 pound bag of peanut M&N's once I started I couldn't stop.

27 Carrion Comfort Dan Simmons
if you like epic horror this is the book for you. I can see how people liken it to The Stand

28 Practical Magic Alice Hoffman
light and fluffy, nothing like the movie.

29 We have always lived in the castle Shirley Jackson
someone mentioned this story here in LT, so thanks it was a great story. It felt like a cross between What ever happened to Baby Jane and The boxcar children. I know..I have no idea why that springs to mind, but there you have it.

30 Mr. Hands Gary A. Braunbeck
This was a bit of a cheese fest. Didn't care for it at all. I think it had good intentions, the cover rocked but it was down hill after that.

31 The Glass Castle Jeannette Walls
my librarian gave this book to me, she thought I would like it. And she was right, I thought it was excellent. Funny thing is I found myself relating to many of the things happening in the story. Not that my life was like hers so much, just that she has a way of writing that makes you remember things as a child.

32 Book of the Dead Patricia Cornwell
I'm over Ms Cornwell, there are too many good books waiting to be read. It could be just me but I find her writing has gotten too dry, too emotionless - boring. It's like she writes because she has to, rather then wants to tell a story.

33 Death of a gentle lady M.C. Beaton
I grabbed this because of the cover. I've read one of these Hamish Macbeth mysteries before if it's not the same one then they read alike. The guy reminds me of Columbo, with a side of Agatha Christie.

34 The Double bind Chris Bohjalian
This book blew me away did *not* see the ending coming. I highly recommend it. I don't even want to post about it, I wouldn't want to give anything away. Just read it.

35 True Believer Nicholas Sparks
ugh, not my usual kind of book to read, I almost abandoned it when I realized it was a nice romantic fluffy kind of story.

36 The Dead of Summer Camilla Way
wicked cool twisty dark story. finished it up at one sitting.

37 Naomi's Room Jonathan Aycliffe
a nice creepy ghost story, reads fast, plot is a bit predictable.

38 The Keeper Sarah Langan
a nice horror story that just creeped along. Sad and disturbing, none of that kill the monster save the day at the end of the book kinda story.

39 Cold comfort farm Stella Gibbons
what a hoot this book was, I loved the movie and after reading the book I found it captured it beautifully.

40 The Missing Sarah Langan
I have a new favorite author, second part to The Keeper just as creepy, went in a different direction, I like this one best.

41 The age of Innocence Edith Wharton
keeping to my plan to read at least one Pulitzer Prize and one classic a year.
A story of it's time, a bit boggy because of the writing style but I still enjoyed it.

42 Nightwitch Jack Priest
didn't love this book, over all it was dull and kinda dumb

43 The other Boleyn girl Philippa Gregory
I enjoyed this, a good historical novel that didn't slide into a romance. I'm a big fan of the series "The Tudors" and I think the cast must have read this book - the characters run parallel.

Welcome!

Duma Key.....just finished it last week and I couldn't agree more with you about the read. i am also one of the constant and I loved this one. So much like good, old fashioned King. Read Blaze because I believe you will feel the same way.

About to read I am Legend by Matheson in the next couple of weeks. Read that one? What'd you think? If I like it I'll have to try Hell House.

I couldn't agree with you more about Cornwell. I will read this one soon because I've always liked Scarpetta but they have grown rote and, I like your term, emotionless. Although, if I had to pick an overarching emotion, it'd be anger. Seems like so many of the latter Scarpetta's are just plain angry.

hi blackdog and thanks for the welcome.

Yes I've read Blaze and loved it, he sure can tell a story that makes you like his characters huh?

I have I am legend and think it's a great story, Hell House is pretty much borrowed from Shirley Jacksons The haunting of Hill House IMO

Angry! that's it exactly the right word when it comes to describing her last couple of books.

44 Blood and chocolate Annette Curtis Klause
it was YA for sure. Too young for me, I almost abandoned it, but since I bailed on Vanity fair I decided to suck it up and finish it.

Curious about why you bailed on Vanity Fair as I am very slowly working through la lot of classics which I never read. What didn't you like?

As Thackeray says there are no heroes in this book so he doesn't have a very good opinion of any of the characters. He also is the narrator and wanders off the story - continuously while adding his thoughts and opinion. Dunno it just bogged the book down too much for me. Perhaps it's a better book to read a little bit at a time rather than burning it up in one sitting as I usually do. I figure there are better books "for me" than to read one I'm not loving just because it's a classic.

Totally agree.....I've said quite often to others in the 75'er group that I have a 50 page rule. Just curious what turned you off of this one. Well, I'll let you know if I get any further when it makes it to my TBR stack.

Sigh, I really wish I'd follow that 50 page rule, at one point in my life I would finish a book no matter how bad it was, it was one of my sisters bodice rippers that finally broke that mindset :). I invested 176 pages into Vanity fair waiting for it to get better or for me to bond with the book, good luck with getting along with it.

45 The woman in white Wilkie Colllins

The only thing I liked about this book is the authors first name. What a plodding verbose nightmare this was. I'm doomed for classics at the rate I'm going.

46 Autumn David Moody

This was a surprise, I didn't love it in the beginning as it lacked polish and I thought the story would be poor. I was hooked after a few chapters and happy I stuck with it.

47 Skeletons at the feast Chris Bohjalian

I enjoyed this, it was insightful, moved at a good pace and I learned about the last part of world war II. I like this author, he tells a good story.

48 The host Stephenie Meyer

Not my usual kind of book, I would call it chick fluff for the most part. My library ladies think anything "weird" is up my alley, ok, for the most part they're right, they don't get I like my alleys a lot darker.

I will say I liked the book, I'm not sorry I read it, I would recommend it to females that like nice stories with a little twist.

49 Chosen by a horse Susan Richards

I love horses, always loved horses, this book reminds me of a life I wanted.

50 Blood Brothers Nora Roberts

Ok not a Nora Roberts fan but a client insisted I read this book. It was ok, lots of witty dialog, interesting characters and a good story. I might even read the next installment.

Hi found you! I forgot you'd switched over to 75. Man you've been busy since I've been away. Interested in what you said about The woman in white I have The Moonstone lined up to read soon, I hope I like more about it than the author's name :)

It was one of those "lot's of skimming" kind of book.

51 The Road Cormac McCarthy

I like his minimalistic style.

Yeah, that was an awesome book. I've now got No Country For Old Men on the TBR list. I'm looking forward to comparing the styles of the two books.

I read his first book all the pretty horses when it first came out then lost track of him. I'll be checking out more of his books as well.

If you liked All the pretty Horses you really should try the second and third in the triology, The Crossing and cities of the plain. the crossing introduces a new character with a similar story and cities of the plain features the main characters from both the crossing and all the pretty horses.

Drneutron, you should find the style in no country for old men substantially the same in writing though more story driven. Still a great read.

If either of you is bold, Blood Meridian is a great book, though much more involved stylistically and story wise. He really gave himself freedom to indulge his prose and his thoughts on violence, good vs. evil, etc.

Horrific in its bleakness, luxuriant in its language, Bood Meridian is, I believe, McCarthy's masterpiece. It is--be warned--a much more intense read than The Border Trilogy. (More than a few people hate it.)

Indeed, I disliked it at certain times, even while reading it. But, as with all of McCarthy's stories, the characters and the events haunted me. While I had trouble with it, I never once considered putting it down, and I'm glad I didn't. A lot of people feel as dcozy does that Blood Meridian is McCarthy's greatest work. I loved the book and recommend it highly, with the qualification that it is hard to read. Most who have read and enjoyed it make the same qualification. It is this qualification that keeps me from naming it his best. I think the Border Triology is the best, largely because it is more accessible to more readers than Blood Meridian. But, read them all and decide yourself.

52 The lathe of Heaven Ursula K. Le Guin

all this time I thought I had read this. how did I miss it?

53 Dark Hollow Brian Keene

I didn't love this book, I liked the writing style, but didn't like the story, just didn't bond with the subject matter.

54 The Ignored Bentley Little

It reminded me of a Twilight zone episode.
I liked it.

55 Interworld Neil Gaiman

a YA by Gaiman, fun story, cool concept.

beeg: I'm glad I found your thread! I was looking for it in 50 Book Challenge, but found you here instead :)

I see now that we've been reading similar books this year - I have you starred so that I can check out your lists more often. I've already added a few to my TBR pile.

I'm glad you found me :) I did notice we picked a lot of the same books, I love that about LT, finding good books to read.

56 The Eight Katherine Neville

This is a re-read, and I enjoyed it just as much the second time. The story is comprised of two time lines - 1790 and 1972. It's like The Da Vinci code but more entertaining.

57 University Bentley Little Ok this book was a little too raw for me. It went beyond Sunnydale High circled back around and then some. I found the violence to be a bit too graphic and the sex too disturbing.

I guess I like my horror more on the tame side.

58 The Revelation Bentley Little

After a break from reading, I knocked this out in two afternoons. Reads fast, story is a bit... hmmm... different.

59 The monster of Florence Douglas Preston

I got this off of drneutron list. It reminded me of The devil and the white city but mostly I was stunned at what people were able to get away with.

Hi Beeg

I added The Monster of Florence to my summer reading list. And thanks drneutron.... Soon, very soon I'll not be able to close the door on the room where I pile my books.

Smiles to all.
Linda

60 Under the Tuscan sun Frances Mayes

First off this is *nothing* like the movie. I think I gained 5lbs while reading it, lots of descriptions of foods. The prose is lovely, but I found I had to take breaks and even started another book (which I never do).

61 Renfield Barbara Hambly

Well if you ever wanted to know what happened to Renfield, here's your chance. It was ok, seemed to follow the movie a lot as I can't remember the book (it's been years since I've read the story) so I'm going with the movie.

62 The House at Riverton Kate Morton

This is a perfect book to curl up with and shut out the world to. It flows well even with the the flashes forward and back. Gosford Park meets The Great Gatsby.

63 The Bleeding season Greg F. Gifune

The author writes well, but the story didn't flow or parts weren't needed for the telling. The characters were sad, disappointed and bitter - which left me feeling ambivalent about the ending. It was good but in a discordant kinda way.

64 The Boleyn Inheritance Philippa Gregory

This book bordered on annoying me. I stuck it out and finished it, but I don't plan on reading any more by this author.

Beeg

I read Lizzie G's posts this morning and she see noted that the book didn't quite grip her. Here was my response...and can apply to you as well.

Frankly, I never saw what people seem to rave about in this book. I've read a lot of novels re. Anne Boleyn..as well as historical biographies. Gregory's book was quite a waste of time.

I've read other Gregory books and finally swore no more!

"Hi Lizzie G

If you think the book didn't quite grip you, you should NOT see the movie. It is terrible! Anne Boleyn is my all time favorite historical character. I've read as much as I can about her. The Boleyn Inheritance is filled with inaccuracies. Granted, it is a novel, but Philippa Gregory took some grave liberties here!"

I didn't mind The Other Boleyn girl as I'm a big fan of the series "The Tudors" and felt the characters were nailed. I realize there are inaccuracies (which I was just discussing with a client today), I expect to learn something when reading history and it's annoying when they tailor history to fit their story.

Hi beeg, and welcome, to this group of madly literate listers.

I've read most of Wilkie Collins books except for The Woman in White--mostly because I saw two different and fascinating adaptations of his other "major" work The Moonstone. The Moonstone is told in a Rashomon style, with four characters picking up the narrative at different junctures in solving the mystery of both the origin of the moonstone and its disappearance. I really enjoyed it and went to John Jago and Zebedee and couple of others. WIW just looks interminable to me, and I keep putting it off. His shorter stories and novels were quite entertaining, however, and I love that he was a working partner and cohort of Dickens.

I read three Phillipa Gregory's in the Boleyn series and quit. I'm a huge fan of historical fiction, but I want to be at close to accurate. Her fantastical settings and imaginings just drove me bonkers by the end of the third. Then I discovered Posie Graeme-Evans, and I really liked her trilogy set around Henry IV. I should note that The Other Boleyn Girl was a book club read for me or I would have avoided it altogether--then my curiosity about how brazen with facts Ms. Gregory would get prompted the continued reading until I couldn't stand it anymore. There's better fodder for the same material in Robin Maxwell's The Secret Diary of Anne Boleyn.

Thanks Prop,

I'll add those to my TBR pile as well.

Glad to know that there are other people who do not like Phillipa Gregory's books any more than I do (I was feeling very much in the minority). I only read one, The Other Boleyn Girl, and by the end just wanted to pitch it across the room because of the historical inaccuracies it contained. I might, and I use the word advisedly, read her book on John Tredascant, but only because I am interested in him, not her writing.

65 The Fire Katherine Neville

My first thought was Nancy Drew on crack.
I enjoyed The Eight I thought it was fun, but this sequel was all over the place - literally. It was sloggy reading, I couldn't get interested in the characters as they were tossed out at me. The history bits were fun, but didn't seem to help move the story along. I'm not sorry I read the book, but the best I can do is give it two stars, and feel relieved i finished it.

66 Fearless Fourteen Janet Evanovich

Ok I swore I was off of her, but drneutron convinced me it was worth the time. It was. I didn't start laughing until the potato guns, and that lasted a couple of pages.

ok Beeg, thanks for the post and I'll give Fearless Fourteen a try and hope that I can laugh out loud..her books have really become a disappointment.

yeah, it's like she tries *too* hard and sticks with the same formula. I enjoyed the earlier stuff once she got rolling, but after a while you're ok, it's the same story, same players, same slap stick then rushed ending.

I read one of her books, think it had Eight in the title, and thought it was rubbish. I wonder why she is so popular?!

hi dihiba
I think the earlier Evanovich books are popular because in some of them, while you are reading, you laugh right out loud...I agree with Beeg, this author now is at a point where the formula is dated and strained.

I guess I was expecting a different kind of book - must say it did put me off Ms. Evanovich.

67 the Bone Key Sarah Monette

Ok, this is on the list of favorite books this year. A book of old fashion ghost stories that follow the same character. The writing style is wonderful, with dry humor, and enough description that doesn't bog the story down, in fact I found myself wanting to know more than the teases the book gave me.
Highly recommended.

68 The Eyre Affair Jasper Fforde

This was fun, cool concept, I kept seeing Terry Gilliam doing this as a movie with sets from 12 monkeys and Brazil. Ok so he did steal the Rocky Horror picture cult thing, but I forgive him. The rest was just silly fun.

Hi Beeg
The Bone Key sounds interesting. I've added it to my ever expanding list.

you won't be sorry, I got it off of Drneu list, in fact I even asked her a question in her LJ and she answered, not what I wanted to hear, but still she made time for a response. dunno, I think that's just plain cool, same as Joe Hill sending me a private message here on LT.

Just hopped over to check out your challenge. Looking through your list, I noticed you loved White Oleander and Chocolat -- two of my favorites. The Eyre Affair inspired me to read Jane Eyre for a second time. Yes, The Bone Key does sound interesting. I'll have to check that one out.

Re The Bone Key, glad to be of assistance! 8^}

I, too, am adding The Bone Key to my TBR list!

Hello to all.
I'm sitting here with a smile on my face and thinking about all the books we have added to the tbr piles.
Just as we have a 75 book challenge...it would be humorous to count the number of books we each have in our to be read piles...

69 The Outlaw Demon Wails Kim Harrison

Another fun book from the Hollows series. If you like Stephanie Plum, but want a story with more meat then give these books a try. A kick ass bounty hunter with a supernatural twist. And the titles are a hoot.

#61 Whisper1: it would be humorous to count the number of books we each have in our to be read piles... No, it wouldn't - I am not sure I can count that high!

70 Blood Meridian Cormac McCarthy

I read a lot of horror, this definitely qualifies as horror with men being the monsters. It wasn't a book that kept me turning the page. The prose is beautiful, and I enjoy his style but I found myself taking breaks not feeling that urge to gobble it down. There were no good guys and no happy ending. In fact I'm not really sure how I feel about the ending or if I even understand it.

beeg, In my short experience with McCarthy, I've gotten the same feeling. I've read one book (The Road) and watched No Country for Old Men, and I've definitely felt like there was no happy ending or that I even understood either one... That McCarthy is puzzling to me!

You're from Louisiana, correct? Were you affected by Ike at all? I wish you the best!

hi fasciknitting, thanks for asking. Gusav I ran from all the way to Nashville. I stayed for Ike. Not a fun thing to do, you'd think I'd learn but evacing wasn't a picnic either. Luckily we had minor damage, I'm calling the insurance people tomorrow, since Ike, my ceiling has sprouted several leaks - maybe I'll get a new roof via insurance, wish me luck.

I'm definitely wishing you good luck! I'm glad it was only minor damage... my parents are on the Texas/Louisiana coast and received only minor damage as well. Definitely not as bad as Rita was, thank goodness.

I think a lot of people did what you did - fled from Gustav but stayed for Ike... it's just so hard to predict which is the best to do. I'm relieved to hear that you're okay!

I'm with y'all on Cormac McCarthy. I loved The Road, just saw No Country for Old Men and am still chewing on what I think of his work in general. I'm going to read No Country soon and start poking into his other stuff, so I guess we should keep comparing notes.

I watched No Country for old men, and liked it, for the most part. He does seem to employ indestructible crazy bad guys. I would love to discuss the ending of Blood meridian with you, so I hope you read it soon. I think The Road has been my favorite so far.

hi Beeg

Good luck...glad you are ok.

thank you :)

71 Let me in UK version Let the right one in John Ajvide Lindqvist (touchstone loads for the UK title)

Turns out I really enjoyed this book, after finding it a big draggy at first. Some new twist on vampires, and even an interesting explanation. Lots of gore, always seemed to pop up when ever I was eating. I will prolly put this on my books to own list.

A little late to the McCarthy discussion. If Blood Meridian was your first McCarthy, you tackled one of the most difficult of his, and really of any, books. No Country for Old Men is actually a bit more accessible. But if you like the prose, you should really try the Border Triology All the Pretty Horses, The Crossing, and Cities of the Plain. These are not quite as violent and are not quite as dark, though they also have the same McCarthy trait for examining violence and its arbitrary ways. I would definitely recommend these highly if you liked his prose but found the stories difficult.

I read horror, it's pretty much my favorite genre. I didn't find the books difficult so much, as I just wasn't satisfied with the endings. I've read All the pretty horses, but it's been years. I don't remember liking it that much.

72 Curse of the Spellmans Lisa Lutz

this was cute, fast, funny, but the asterisk and footnotes bugged me. *shrugs* I'm sorry I didn't read the first book first, but who ever I got this off of didn't mention it.

(last of the library books for awhile, now I can dig into my TBR pile)

amended, it was posted as a sequel, as usual I didn't remember, skimmed over it or didn't pay attention.

73 20th Century Ghosts Joe Hill

This book will prolly make into the top ten favorite books this year. His timing is excellent, I throughly enjoyed his story telling. Uncle Stevie must be proud.

I read Heart Shaped Box by Mr. Hill and enjoyed it - I think I'll check this one out, too! Thanks for the suggestion :)

you won't be disappointed!

74 Deep Fathom James Rollins

At first I thought this was the next installment in the sigma force series. Annoyed that it wasn't I still read it. Not bad, suspends your belief big time, and he's got a lot of corny cliché dialog that makes me want to roll my eyes. The ending was a big WTF?

One more to go and I've met my challenge, I fully expect to make 100 before 09.

Congrats on approaching the goal, beeg! Hope you make your 100.

Thanks :)

I'm not sure if I've ever read a 100 books in one year - I've never kept track before. I really enjoy the process of the whole LT.

The big ta-da

75 Carrie Stephen King

This is a re-read for a group discussion in the Steven King group.

Does it hold up? yeah, for the most part, I didn't find it to be all that horrible this time. I'm sure I've reread it couple of times. For some reason I remember more details the last time I read it than this time? Like the picture of Jesus being described in great detail or her being in the closet more. I guess they made a greater impact on me when I was younger. I still don't care for how disjointed the story is with news clippings, reports and interviews while the story is going on. It's a fast read and the movie is still a favorite, hard not to see the actors faces while reading the book.

Congratulations!!

thank you :)

Congratulations....that's a 'beeg' accomplishment!!!

Carrie is a great one....a great first novel. And a great story. He threw it away and his wife pulled it out of the trash can and encouraged him to keep writing. Also, King later revealed that he based Carrie on two young girls in his childhood, both of whom he treated poorly and carried some amount of guilt around for his treatment of them. One girl, Tina, was 'pudgy and quiet, so backroad you could cry'. The second girl, Sandy, had a smell 'not dirt, but some strange powdery scent like sweet and cloying library dust'. Outsiders and xenophobia!!!

Congrats on finishing!

thanks you guys!

Congratulations beeg ;-)

Congratulations on meeting your goal, beeg! I bet it feels great :)

Woo Hoo, beeg! Add my congratulations to the rest.

wow, again, thanks a bunch ya'll

please add my good wishes and congratulations to your LT friends on this group!

Congrats beeg!

76 The road to paradise island Victoria Holt

I caught the mood for Gothic romance thanks to a fellow poster. Unfortunately I've seem to have out grown them. I catch myself rolling my eyes at the dialog or the situations. sigh, just a big cynic in my old age.

#95 beeg: I well remember reading Victoria Holt's books when I was in my mid-teens (my mother was a big fan and used to pass the books on to me). I have not touched any of the books since, and recalling them now, do not think I ever will. I would probably do the same as you did - roll my eyes at the dialogue and wonder how I read it to begin with.

yeah, it's prolly best to let the memories go :)

I still enjoy Mary Stewart, and re-read Thornyhold every couple of years.

I have not read that one by Mary Stewart yet, but I am reading The Ivy Tree this week. I still enjoy hers, too, as you can see.

wow, I haven't read that one, adding to the list - the never ending list....

77 Odd hours Dean Koontz

I hope I'm not spoiled for the Odd series, this book didn't grab me, or hold me, and for the most part annoyed me. It's loaded with the Dean Koontz I hate: the poetic waxing, the over descriptive descriptions, and loads of internal dialog. The humor was sometimes forced, and the banter not quite so witty. The story, maybe I'm just cranky but I didn't care about it one way or the other.

78 The Graveyard Book Neil Gaiman

touch stone is wrong

I enjoyed this story, makes me wish Neil was around when I was younger, instead I'll tell all the kids I know to read this. Even though it's a story, I'm wondering where in Neils world 5 year olds talk like adults and get to walk around in graveyards by themselves. But this is just me.

79 Miss Pettigrew lives for a day Winifred Watson

This was fun, I kept seeing old black and white movies while reading this. A sweet Cinderella story with a happy ending. And I have a new description to borrow: "all legs, lipstick and lust"

#79--The recent movie with Frances McDormand as Miss Pettigrew and Ciaran Hinds was great fun.

it missed us, not enough people interested I'm assuming, I'll make sure and rent it when it comes out.

I saw in on cable the other day. I agree it's a fun movie. Very well done!

80 Fingersmith Sarah Waters

I loved this book. Once I started it I couldn't stop. I loved the way the first part made my jaw drop. After that I was sucked in, I had to keep reading until I finished. Will I read her other books, you bet.

Okay - I know nothing about the book, but it's on my list!

hi Fasciknitting, it's popped up a few times in other readers thread, everyone seems to enjoy it.

81 The Gargoyle Andrew Davidson

First off I am so blessed to have found this site as I would have never read books I've been exposed to.

I loved this book, it has stories within stories within the story and what a story. The writing is wonderful, amusing and captivating. I never knew where the book was going, or how it was going to end.

Hey, beeg, just dropping in on your thread. I'm trying to catch up on all the 75 Challenge group. I see we share 121 books. You mentioned above you like Neil Gaiman, but I don't see my favorites, Good Omens or Anansi Boys, in your library. Have you read them? Other books you might enjoy that I haven't seen here or in your library, Sunshine by Robin McKinley, Those Who Hunt the Night by Barbara Hambly (much better than Renfield), and The Thread that Binds the Bones by Nina Kiriki Hoffman. I don't read much pure horror, but these are all on the fantasy/horror borderline.

Hi ronincats,

I do have Gaimans books, but not everything I own is listed, it's an on going labor of love. I've read Hambly and will check out Hoffman - thanks!

82 The Accidental Time Machine Joe Haldeman

This was fun, reads quick, clever interpretation of time travel and the future.

#112 beeg: I read The Accidental Time Machine earlier this year and agree with you: it was a fun, quick read. I have Haldeman's The Forever War on Continent TBR right now, but I think it is going to be totally different from the comments I have seen about it.

hi alcottacre,

at first I wasn't even going to click on your link as I have pages of books on my TBR list :) but I did, I'm hopeless. I'll let you read it first and see how you like it. In the mean time I'm working my way though library pileage. One day I'll get to the books I've bought.

#114 beeg: In the mean time I'm working my way though library pileage. One day I'll get to the books I've bought.

I completely understand. I am the queen of getting buried under library books to the complete ignorance of the ones I have purchased (never) to read, lol. I only have 84 checked out of the library right now - I am down from 93.

I have decided January is going to be the month I attack my stacks, piles and shelves of books that I have been hoarding, lol. Of course, it may actually take me longer than a month to come up for air.

wow, your library lets you have 93 books? I thought I was abusing mine by having like..15. I'm going to keep my grumbling to myself from now on. Here in my shop where I work, I tend to stack up new books and library books. I'm worried if I put them in the house I'll lose them forever, or just forget about them until the day when I dust and exclaim "Oh, I didn't know I had this" because I never dust. Maybe while you're attacking stacks, I'll do the same and we can compare pilage. I find if I have someone to race against I move a little faster.

Actually, beeg, my library will allow me to check up to 99 books out at a time. I have not quite gotten up to that many yet.

The "stack attack" begins in January here. Feel free to join in with me!

Oh, I'm in! One of the reasons I joined the 999 Challenge for next year was to reduce the "I own this book" pileage! Every category listed has books stacked on my meager shelves. The 40 library books are sheltered elsewhere so I won't lose track of which books are due at which library and when. My goal--to reduce the "I own" stack to match the "I can check this number out" piles.

wow, I'm amazed at how much we are alike. We share a lot of the same books and have issues with pilage.

I think it is a requirement to be in this group - issues with books stacked to the ceiling.

Alcot and Prop: In 2009 I will only look at recommendations from my 476 books on my TBR pile -I plan to reduce it by 300 over the next three years! (The best laid plans, etc!)

- TT

Yeah, TT, those plans "gang aft astray" and we go with them. But it's another goal!

You only have 476 books on your TBR pile?! You want to exchange with me?

Yeah, that's how many she's read just this year!!! Do tell, Ms. Acre, just how many books make up the contintent, as of today? It will make me feel better. I am sure TadAD could come up with a formula, though, which is based on your reading prowess which would explain how the number of books on your pile should be higher.

Rough estimate (and I do mean rough) of books on Continent TBR is 2236.

>125 alcottacre: Stasia, At 75 books per year it would take me 30 years to complete your Continent TBR, so I would need to live to 92!

As I have already read over 6000 books, my "little" pile feels big to me! I would like to read them all over the next five years and achieve Zero!

So, no, I do not want to exchange with you!

- Keeeeeeep reading!

- TT

are you guys hijacking my thread? did you see the header that says Beeg's challenge? if we can't talk about me, then go somewhere else ;)

Has anyone else observed how wonderful beeg is? How charming beeg is, how intelligent beeg is, how sweet beeg is, how lovely beeg is , how intelligent beeg is, how thoughtful beeg is, how considerate beeg is, how beautiful beeg is and how utterly delightful our absolutely wonderful beeg is?

"The sweetest name I ever heard, beeeeeeeeeeg!"

I must admit, beeg is one of my favorite nicknames.....it's so fanciful and light. I often think of beeg and a zen-like warm feeling washes over me.

LOL ok now that's more like it!

I humbly grovel and bow before the magnificent beeg and apologize most abjectly for those other people taking over your thread :)

yeah! did you see that?

;)

Yes, most wise and magnificent beeg.

Read any books lately, your Beegness?

- TT

working on F. Paul Wilson's Legacies a Repairman Jack novel.

You?

Whats a Repairman Jack?

I am reading:

1. Rebel by Bernard Cornwell Historical Fiction
2. What's So Amazing About Grace by Philip Yancey Religious
3. Every Living Thing by Jamed Herriot Biography
4. A Pirate of Exquisite Mind by Diane Preston Book Club
5. Jane Eyre the Graphic Novel by Charlotte Bronte ER

- TT

Repairman Jack is a character in F. Paul Wilson's series. He's an off-the-grid fixer. If there's a problem, he can take care of it. But there's also a story arc going on across the books involving a conflict between two entities from outside our universe, of which the Earth is a minor battleground. Minor for them, end-of-the-world type stuff for us.

Part of the pleasure in the series for me is the way Jack uses tricks and cons to bring the bad guys down. Early in the series, this is the focus. As Wilson got along in the story, he brings in more Weird Tradition kinds of elements.

Really good stuff, a set of books I highly recommend.

I've got a copy of the first book in the Repairman Jack series on its way to me from England, as a result of your recommendations on another thread! I've never read any of them.

#135: O thou most royal beegness, I just finished Legacies today. I am working my way through the entire series now that I have them all. Legacies was actually the first book in the series that I ever read, so it was a re-read for me. Conspiracies is next up!

cool, I have the Adversary Cycle, and will prolly add Repairman Jack series along the way - all thanks to drneu

83 Legacies F. Paul Wilson

I read instead of cleaning my house for Thanksgiving. This was great, I'm the new president for the Repairman Jack fan club. I polished it off along with the pumpkin pie. Drneu posted such a great description, I'll defer to his.

Can I be VP if you are Prez? I have really enjoyed the couple of Repairman Jack books I have read and look forward to reading the rest.

of course!

Can I be secretary of the club?

- TT

LOL of course, but I think you have to read a repairman jack book to be on the safe side. :)

beeg...where do I BEEEEgin to count your charms and to list the many reasons why I visit your thread often...

ah. let me count the ways.

1) your intelligence
2) your wonderful reading list
3) your incredible sense of humor....

aww, I really like you and your list too.

You people are such suckups...8^}

hey, you shut up.

:)

messages 148 and 149...ok, I confess...you both made me laugh right out loud!!!!

I'm still laughing as I write this...

Everyone knows we are just here for each other's entertainment :)

>145 beeg: "Beeeg, Glorious Beeeg, what is there more handome!" (With apologies to Lionel Bart). I have heard of Postman Pat but not of Repairman Jack, so which title do you recommend to read first?

- TT

Here's the order for the adult Jack novels:
Repairman Jack has appeared in the following novels as an adult:

* The Tomb (1984) (re-released in 1998 with updated cultural references, and again in 2004 in a limited edition under its original title, Rakoshi, by Borderlands Press)
* Legacies (1998)
* Conspiracies (1999)
* All the Rage (2000)
* Hosts (2001)
* The Haunted Air (2002)
* Gateways (2003)
* Crisscross (2004)
* Infernal (2005)
* Harbingers (2006)
* Bloodline (2007)
* By the Sword (2008)

Wikipedia has a great page on the character and the books, but it's full of spoilers. There's also a series of YA books with Jack's teenage years that I haven't read yet.

>153 drneutron: Thanks Doc.

- TT

84 Trap Line Carl Hiaasen

Not one of my favorite books by Hiaasen, but I can see from the earlier works how his style has grown.

85 Ring Koji Suzuki

This wasn't as creepy as the movie, bottom line. I stayed distracted for the most part waiting for it to be more like the movie and explain things better. Some parts it did, some things made better sense. Now I have a burning desire to watch both movies again, Ring *and* Ringo. But I have cookies to bake and Christmas stuff to drag out Grrrrr!

Yep, I was thinking the same thing! I definitely need to see the movie again. Fortunately Netflix has it. Are going to read the sequels?

I own both the movies. The Ring just grabbed me up and haunted me for days making me want more. I haunted online forums trying to find out more information to satisfy my need. I was possessed ;)

I'll prolly read the sequels as I have them already. I am curious about the teaser "Life Began in the Sea and It will End by the Sea" sounds intriguing. I did like the whole virus aspect that was a cool twist. I'm still expecting more explanations.

(Ok is it just me but did the dialog sound like bad a Japanese movie)?

Yeah, a bit. But not as bad as a dubbed Godzilla movie.

The virus thing was the twist that got me to thinking. I kept coming back to the idea of viral videos on web...

That movie - The Ring - scared the freakin' bejesus out of me! It was so ordinary - nothing at all special and then - well, for fear of ruining it for someone, I won't say what, but you who have seen it know what I'm talking about. I tell you, it's ruined the whole horror genre for me -movie-wise that is. Gives me the willies, even now, to think about it.

86 The Beekeeper's Apprentice Laurie R. King

It was fun, if you're a fan of Sherlock Holmes. This was an audio book and the narrator did a nice job.

Oh, yeah. That *was* a good one. I might needto put it on the reread list.

#161 HRH beeg: It is the best book in the series, IMHO. I like Justice Hall, too, but still do not think it is as good as the first book of the series.

87 The last Oracle James Rollins

I didn't like this book as well as the last. It felt a bit forced and extreme. It read fast but I got bored towards the middle and skimmed through some of the descriptions. I enjoyed the history aspects and looked up a lot of the things he wrote about. Will I be as anxious for the next book like I was for this one.

Probably not.

88 The turn of the Screw Henry James

The verbosity of this story made it far longer than it needed to be so I'm including it in my challenge. The story is eerie and odd. It was almost painful to wade through, at this rate I'll never bond with "classics".

89 Peeps Scott Westerfeld

This was fun, fast and filled with facts on parasites.

A YA novel I enjoyed and read in a few hours that has an interesting twist on vampires. Good for any non-vampire fans as well.

Now I have to get up and make Christmas foods for tomorrow.

#166 HRH beeg: I have a couple of Westerfeld's books already on Continent TBR. I will have to add Peeps as well. Thanks for the recommendation.

Let me know how you like them, there is a sequel to this book, but I have so many on the list I'm not sure how soon I'll get to it.

90 The Summoning Bentley Little

Vampire story, sorta like 'Salems lot but not. Started out good, got bogged down 3/4 of the way through, then a rushed ending. The author seemed more interested in Chinese bigotry and a Chinese version on vampires.

well I don't think I'm going to make 100 books by the end of this year but I made a pretty good dent in my TBR pile.

beeg
Congratulations on reading 90 books in 2008. This is quite an accomplishment.

Thank you :) I don't think I've ever read this much in one year, which is the cool thing about LT now I can keep track. Thanks for the recommendations, I'm looking forward to the next years worth of books.

"I'm looking forward to the next years worth of books."

Beeg, .me too! I'll be sure to read your posts and learn about the wonderful books you have discovered.

All good wishes for a happy and healthy 2009

Linda

#87 -- I agree with your opinion on The Last Oracle. It did seem forced, and the change that Rollins attempted to implement in the previous book was quickly reversed in this one. It didn't surprise me that he did it, but in doing so, at least 1/3rd of the book was devoted to this occurrence and the character involved (which is also the character I like the least). I can't give specifics as I don't want to spoil it for others ;-)

Will I read the next Rollins book? Yes. Will I be as excited as in the past? No. He should give the Sigma Force a break, but that's his cash cow.

91 The Girl with no Shadow Joanne Harris

wow, this goes in my top ten favorite books for the year. a wonderful sequel to Chocolat I couldn't put it down. Totally yummy and good for you too.

I loved Chocolat, much to my surprise, so I am definitely going to have to try the sequel. Thanks for the recommendation, HRH beeg.

These are my top ten favorite books I read for 2008

White Oleander Janet Fitch
I was blown away by this book, her story telling kept me from putting the book down, I read it in one day.

Duma key Stephen King
This book snatched me up, carried me off then deposited me gently when it was done. It reminded me why I've been a constant reader.

Chocolat Joanne Harris
what a delicious book, I gobbled it up I couldn't resist. Each time I sat down I would make a deal with myself, just one chapter then back up to do laundry or mop, or paper work. It was like a 1/2 pound bag of peanut M&N's once I started I couldn't stop.

The Double bind Chris Bohjalian
This book blew me away did *not* see the ending coming. I highly recommend it. I don't even want to post about it, I wouldn't want to give anything away. Just read it.

The Bone Key Sarah Monette
A book of old fashion ghost stories that follow the same character. The writing style is wonderful, with dry humor, and enough description that doesn't bog the story down, in fact I found myself wanting to know more than the teases the book gave me.
Highly recommended.

20th Century Ghosts Joe Hill
This book will prolly make into the top ten favorite books this year. His timing is excellent, I throughly enjoyed his story telling. Uncle Stevie must be proud.

Fingersmith Sarah Waters
I loved this book. Once I started it I couldn't stop. I loved the way the first part made my jaw drop. After that I was sucked in, I had to keep reading until I finished. Will I read her other books, you bet.

The Gargoyle Andrew Davidson
I loved this book, it has stories within stories within the story and what a story. The writing is wonderful, amusing and captivating. I never knew where the book was going, or how it was going to end.

The Girl with no Shadow Joanne Harris
wow, this goes in my top ten favorite books for the year. a wonderful sequel to Chocolat I couldn't put it down. Totally yummy and good for you too.

Let me in UK version Let the right one in John Ajvide Lindqvist (touchstone loads for the UK title)
Turns out I really enjoyed this book, after finding it a big draggy at first. Some new twist on vampires, and even an interesting explanation. Lots of gore, always seemed to pop up when ever I was eating. I will prolly put this on my books to own list.

Hi beeg
Have you seen the movie White Oleander? It is excellent and is one of the few movies that actually follows the story line of the book.

hi Whisper,

Yes I've watched the movie a couple of times, I'm one of those that can watch a movie more than once, twice, three times if it catches me in the right mood.

beeg, I'm glad you liked The Girl With No Shadow - I ate it up, too!