1.) Plot Against America by Phillip Roth (fiction) Interesting, well written
2.) Worldly Philosophers by Robert L. Heilbroner (nonfiction) - overview of western economic thought. Not as boring as it sounds. Clear, straightforward writing. Enough content to inform, but not overwhelming.
3.) Terraforming Earth by Jack Williamson (fiction) It has been year since I had read any science fiction. I enjoyed this one.
4.) Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen (fiction). I heard about this one on Gather. When I finally got around reading it I quite enjoyed it. Engaging characters, interesting story, well written.
5.)E-Myth Revisited by Michael Gerber (nonfiction)- The "E" stands for "entrepreneurial". Fair introduction to developing a business plan, but spends too much time in 'cheerleading' mode.
6.) Son of a Witch by Gregory Maguire (fiction) - Sequel to Wicked. Liked it.
7.) Technical Analysis Using Multiple Timeframes by Brian Shannon (nonfiction) - great book on reading stock charts. Not particularly original, but very clear and concise. This is a reference I use often.
8)Market Wizards by Jack Schwager (nonfiction) - collection of interviews with successful traders. If you think making money in the markets in all luck, read this book.
9.) Farewell to Arms - Hemingway (fiction) - It took me some time to get into this book, but I grew to like it very much.
10) The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell (nonfiction) - More fluff than content. Get it from the library and skim it.
11.) Skeleton Man by Tony Hillerman (fiction) - one of the Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee and detective novel. The books are like potato chips. They go down easy, but you know a steady diet of them is not a good idea.
12.) Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert Pirsig (fiction) - I started out liking this book, but I became bored about halfway through.
13.) Freakonomics by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner (nonfiction)- interesting. The best chapter was the one about the addictive nature of smoking.
14.) The Blessing Way by Tony Hillerman (fiction) see the comment on #11
15.) Dance Hall of the Dead by Tony Hillerman (fiction) see the comment on #11
16.) Blood Kin by Ceridwen Dovey (fiction) - impulse read picked up at the library. Weak ending ruined the book.
17.) Listening Woman by Tony Hillerman (fiction) see the comment on #11
18.) People of Darkness by Tony Hillerman (fiction) see the comment on #11
19.) The Dark Wind by Tony Hillerman (fiction) see the comment on #11
20 American Gods by Neil Gaiman (fiction) - Wow. Excellent writing, original story.
21) Middlemarch by George Eliot (fiction) - Long, but engaging book. Beautiful writing, excellent descriptions of the feelings of people struggling in their relationships.
There is no way I will get through 50 books this year, but its been fun so far. My "to read" list continues to grow.
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Comments: 14
Thanks for the recommendation on "Beltane". I will check it out.
I must say that Gregory Maguire, Michael Chabon and Neil Gaiman are my favorite contemporary writers.
Water for Elephants is what I think of as a bookclub-type book.
I've never read anything by Tony Hillerman, but you obviously like him. Maybe I'll give him a try.
I have read a few things by Phillip Roth, and found "Plot Against America" quite different than his other work. The style is consistent, but the subject is a departure. I know the reviews of the book have been mixed, so you are not alone in disliking it.
I'm not sure what you mean by a book club type book. I saw "Water for Elephants" in the library, picked it up and was quickly hooked.
Tony Hillerman's books are enjoyable. I like the characters. They are set in the southwest, and contain a lot of american indian lore and culture. The mysteries are usually easy to figure out long before the end.
Mysteries and detective fiction are my 'light reading'. They make a nice escape when real life gets stressful.
Thanks for the suggestion! I will look into it.
I have only read one book from Tony Hillerman - 'A Thief of Time' and enjoyed it.
I finished 31 books so far this year. A little behind but still hopeful. :)