by Janell R.

Member since:
December 31, 2006

Last Update Before 50 (I Hope I Make It)...I Think I Can

November 03, 2009 09:25 PM EST

views: 55 | comments: 53

Rescuing Sprite - Mark Levin
Fooled by Randomness - Nassim Taleb
Look Me in the Eye - John Robison
The Last Chinese Chef - Nicole Mones
Devil in the White City - Erik Larson
Merle's Door - Ted Kerasote
Bleachy-Haired Honky Bitch - Hollis Gillespie
When You Are Engulfed in Flames - David Sedaris
Good in Bed - Jennifer Weiner
The Spellman Files - Lisa Lutz
February Flowers - Fan Wu
The Tea Rose - Jennifer Donnelly
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society - Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows
Moloka'i - Alan Brennert
Dirt Music - Tim Winton
Five Quarters of the Orange - Joanne Harris
Mr. Sebastian and the Negro Magician - Daniel Wallace
Ray in Reverse - Daniel Wallace
Autobiography of a Fat Bride - Laurie Notaro
The Wild Girl - Jim Fergus
An Inconvenient Wife - Megan Chance
Amazing Gracie - Dan Dye & Mark Beckloff
Peony in Love - Lisa See
Animal, Vegetable, Miracle - Barbara Kingsolver
Bad Monkeys - Matt Ruff
The Hidden Life of Dogs - Elizabeth Marshall Thomas
The Strangeness of Beauty - Lydia Yuri Minatoya
Anansi Boys - Neil Gaiman
The Partly Cloudy Patriot - Sarah Vowell
Certain Girls - Jennifer Weiner
Sarah's Key - Tatiana de Rosnay
Pack of Two - Caroline Knapp
Wesley the Owl - Stacy O'Brien
The Red Tent - Anita Diamant
Assassination Vacation - Sarah Vowell
Lost and Found - Jacqueline Sheehan
Walking in Circles before Lying Down - Merrill Markoe
Dragon Bones - Lisa See
I Am the Messenger - Markus Zusak
Dharma Girl - Chelsea Cain
Leaving the Saints - Martha Beck
Mistress of the Sun - Sandra Gulland
People of the Book - Geraldine Brooks

Forty-three books...so close, and yet...

I would recommend *most* of them, but there were a few that all I can say is, "Umm.. .not so much."

Tags: 50 books in one year, books

To Group: Read 50 Books In One Year

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Comments: 53

Guy W. Nov 3, 2009, 9:33pm EST

Wow! you read all those? Man, I should live so long.

Janell R. Nov 3, 2009, 9:35pm EST

This is my 2009 list. Some one of them are quickies, though. I won't lie about it. I think I might need to choose some more of those to make my goal.

Janell R. Nov 3, 2009, 9:36pm EST

Some one? Umm..some. :-)

Janell R. Nov 3, 2009, 10:14pm EST

You've read Gaiman, though...apparently. I remember seeing it in your profile.

Guy W. Nov 3, 2009, 11:26pm EST

Oh, you noticed. Yes, I loved Gaiman's graphic stuff, but my concentration always flags. I got halfway through # 5 of the Sandman, and then drifted off.

Janell R. Nov 3, 2009, 11:44pm EST

LOL! I've never read any of his Sandman stuff. I had a roommate (the moody one) who was a huge Sandman fan.

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Hella K. Nov 3, 2009, 9:52pm EST

Hey there bookworm ~ I have read only one of that list, and it is one of my favorite ones !!!

I want to read 'People of the book' ! I have ever only read one book that was a quicky, called 'The Spare Room' by an Autralian Author who caught the German readers by storm...I read it in German in Germany. It had a profound impact on me !!

Keep up the good work ~

Janell R. Nov 3, 2009, 10:14pm EST

Yes, I know it is one of your favorites. ;-) Wonder why. I think you will enjoy "People of the Book" - I'm recommending it all over town. LOL! Fascinating story.

Quickies to me are boos that are about 250 pages and don't require a whole lot of thinking. Light and fluffy. Some of those non-quickies make up for it, though. It all evens out.

Hella K. Nov 3, 2009, 10:39pm EST

Yes, you have eclectic taste :)

Try and get hold of 'The Spare Room' ....it's not a fun read but beautifully and honestly written. Less than 200 pages.

Janell R. Nov 3, 2009, 11:52pm EST

Not a fun read? I only read fun books. No, not really. I can find a translated to English copy, you think?

Hella K. Nov 4, 2009, 12:22am EST

IT IS written in English, but translated into German.

When I say not fun, I mean it is serious and sad and very thoughtful, but a true account of a wonderful friendship.

Janell R. Nov 4, 2009, 1:04am EST

Oops. Okay. Well, those kinds of books can be wonderful finds.

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phil w. Nov 3, 2009, 10:58pm EST

A little bird recommended "People of the Book " to me ,I've already got it in ,but not started on it yet . I know you'll make your goal !

Janell R. Nov 3, 2009, 11:49pm EST

Yay! I think you'll like it, Phil.

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Priscilla (wishing I was in Costa Rica) ~. Nov 3, 2009, 11:00pm EST

How did you like Look Me in the Eye - John Robison? I've been thinking about reading this one.
I'm on book #51 right now!

Janell R. Nov 3, 2009, 11:48pm EST

Good for you, Priscilla! I really enjoyed Look Me in the Eye and highly recommend it. I didn't know until I finished the book that there were two versions. The version I read was edited for a high school audience since he found so many young people who were interested in Asperger's, typically those who have it, of course. There weren't many Asperger's books out there. I probably would've liked the unedited version better, but that's just me. The version I read was excellent.

Priscilla (wishing I was in Costa Rica) ~. Nov 4, 2009, 8:30am EST

Thanks for expanding on your opinion. It's now on my wish list to purchase soon!

Janell R. Nov 4, 2009, 10:03pm EST

I didn't know much about Asperger's before I read the book, but meet people every now and again after reading it and think, "I wonder if they have Asperger's." ;-) The book read very quickly and wasn't clinical at all, but very much a memoir. Since you enjoy memoirs as well, I think this will be right up your alley.

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david f. Nov 3, 2009, 11:12pm EST

yeowza - one might think you're like literate or something. i've read one on your list.

david f. Nov 3, 2009, 11:13pm EST

oops - found another one - make that two on your list

Janell R. Nov 3, 2009, 11:49pm EST

I ended up have a minor in Lit with a major in Advertising (yikes). I love to read - my mom was a librarian. What two have you read?

Janell R. Nov 3, 2009, 11:52pm EST

Not that literate. It ain't true. ;-)

david f. Nov 4, 2009, 12:55am EST

i love to read also. but my writing takes up a lot of time i would otherwise spend reading. on your list i've read 'when you are engulfed inflames' and 'devil in the white city.' both excellent.

Janell R. Nov 4, 2009, 1:07am EST

I'm sure that's true. That was what I hated about school. I never had time to read, which is why I had to switch to a Lit minor. I love Sedaris.

david f. Nov 4, 2009, 7:40am EST

his sister is quite hilarious too. amy's got a - ahem- cookbook called hospitality under the influence. it's a riot.

Janell R. Nov 4, 2009, 8:21pm EST

I've heard of that book, and it actually just came up on my book-a-day calendar, but haven't gotten around to it. The way they described it only made it sound kinda funny. I'll have to look into it a little more maybe.

david f. Nov 4, 2009, 10:53pm EST

i thought the first half to 3/4 was great (although it did get a little redundant). the last part was mostly recipes which i had no interest in.

Janell R. Nov 4, 2009, 11:44pm EST

I thought there were recipes (for entertaining) and such, which doesn't appeal to me either. Thanks.

david f. Nov 4, 2009, 11:46pm EST

they are recipes for entertaining. but most of the book is explaining prep work - which is a riot.

Janell R. Nov 4, 2009, 11:51pm EST

I only want to read it if it will make me snicker out loud on the bus. ;-)

david f. Nov 4, 2009, 11:53pm EST

if your sense of humor is anywhere as warped as mine - you will. ; ) there were definitely some laugh out loud passages.

Janell R. Nov 5, 2009, 12:01am EST

Pretty warped. I'll have to add it to my list of books to get. Of course my house has stacks that I need to get through first...

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Gary L. Nov 4, 2009, 1:07am EST

I do wish my eyes hadnt gone bad.
I loved to read, now i find audio books and load em into my MP3 player.
Im a hardcore fan of authors like King and Koontz, but an old softy for Twain and such too.
I REALLY miss reading! :-(

Janell R. Nov 4, 2009, 1:19am EST

I don't even want to think about not being able to read. :-O! At least there are audiobooks now.

Gary L. Nov 4, 2009, 1:29am EST

Yep, and I belong to a yahoo group where I get tons of them free.
That way I can sample new stuff and see if I like it.
Makes great listening/reading while hiking, laying in bed, or just sitting around gathering!

Janell R. Nov 4, 2009, 1:40am EST

That's pretty cool. If I had a long commute (or bad eyes), I would have to go that route. I used to listen to books when I lived in Denver and commuted the mountains.

Gary L. Nov 4, 2009, 2:32am EST

Oh my!
That would be the ultimate commute!
Driving in such beautiful mountains and listening to some good reading!
I dont even have a CD player in my old truck, but my MP3 player goes anywhere! LOL

Janell R. Nov 4, 2009, 9:58pm EST

It was quite a commute - especially considering it was from January to May. No the prime months to be driving in the mountains in Colorado. Thank you very much.

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Ru Smiln Nov 4, 2009, 11:05am EST

You certainly will reach the goal!

I finished 38 so far for the year, a little behind.... but I am still hoping. :)

Janell R. Nov 4, 2009, 9:59pm EST

You're doing well - 38 is great. I think I usually average about 40 or so a year.

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d g. Nov 4, 2009, 12:02pm EST

You've showed this list before, haven't you? Or maybe someone else listed Devil in the White City on some other list...

No matter, somehow I've just finished all the books I've had stashed (how weird is that, no book to read in the house?!)

Time to pick up a copy.

Janell R. Nov 4, 2009, 10:01pm EST

I think I'd have an anxiety attack if there were no books to read in my house. :-)

I have shown this list before, but I added 12 books (I think) to the list since my last post.

I don't know what you typically read, but I haven't heard of anyone yet who didn't enjoy "Devil in the White City." It's definitely worth a shot.

d g. Nov 5, 2009, 7:24am EST

It was awful last night, wandering around the house looking for something to do in those off moments when the correct response is to pick up a book and read a few pages. Playing ball with dog was not the same without a book to read between throws.

I was going to order Devil in the White City from Half.com, but I think a lunch time run to Half Priced Books would be a quicker fix.

Janell R. Nov 5, 2009, 9:15am EST

You must have one helluva throwing arm or one slow dog. ;-) No, I know what you mean. There are plenty of moments that scream for even reading just a few pages.

The book's definitely been out long enough so that they should have it. Or even the library...Now I'm hoping you'll like it.

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d g. Nov 5, 2009, 9:19am EST

I like getting cheap paperbacks so I rip (OMG!) sections out and stick them in my back pocket and then I'm always packin' pages.

Slow dog, he likes to love his ball a little between throws. Also, he has his own putt putt hole in the backyard so he can play without me. He drops the ball in the hole at the top of the hill and a few seconds later it pops out at the bottom, hilarious.

Janell R. Nov 5, 2009, 9:54pm EST

OMG! Tearing pages out of books. I just about fainted. ;-)
I can see some dogs playing the game with the putt-putt hole for hours if you give them the chance. Cute.

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Debra H. Nov 6, 2009, 9:46am EST

Thats quite an impressive list Janell

Janell R. Nov 6, 2009, 11:05pm EST

Thanks, Debra. I'm almost there...

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Jennifer Lee Nov 8, 2009, 1:11pm EST

That's a lot of books, girlfriend. I don't know how you find time to read them all and gather. Good for you.

Janell R. Nov 8, 2009, 2:43pm EST

I'd be lost without my books. There's always one or two nearby when I have a spare moment.

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d g. Nov 23, 2009, 9:18am EST

Just finished Devil in the White City, loved it.

It started off kind of slow with the nittiest, pickiest of details leading up to the design of the fair. But once it took off it was a wild ride.

(i took it to the dentist last week and read it during interludes of cleaning and exam)

Janell R. Nov 25, 2009, 11:18pm EST

I agree 100%, d g. It did start kind of slow, but did pick up speed and kept going. I'm glad to hear you enjoyed it. And I'd never heard of Mudget either. Go figure.

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