by Christine Zibas
Member since:
July 14, 2006

My 50 Books for 2008

September 12, 2008 05:01 PM EDT
views: 139 | comments: 35
When I started this year, another Gather member had decided to read 50 books. I thought this sounded like a good idea. I joined the group. Now, ahead of schedule, I have completed my mission (although no doubt, I will keep on reading).

Here's the list of my 50 books:

1. Helping Me Help Myself, Beth Lisick (nonfiction, humor)
2. Stalemate, Iris Johanson (mystery)
3. Rabit in the Moon, Deborah and Joel Shlian (mystery)
4. The Prince of Bagram Prison, Alex Carr (mystery)
5. Enemy Combatant, Ed Gaffney (mystery)
6. The Judas, Steve Jackson (mystery)
7. KIA, Thomas Holland (mystery)
8. Lady of the Roses, Sandra Worth (historical mystery)
9. Gambit, Karna Small Bodman (thriller)
10. Thugs and Kisses, Sue Ann Jaffarian (cozy mystery)
11. Cross, Ken Bruen (mystery)
12. Ten Days in the Hills, Jane Smiley (fiction)
13. Hollywood Crows, Joseph Wambaugh (mystery)
14. Puss 'n Cahoots, Rita Mae Brown (cozy mystery)
15. The Liar's Diary, Patry Francis (fiction)
16. The Mysteries of Pittsburgh, Michael Chabon (not a mystery despite the title, fiction)
17. Temples, Tombs & Hieraglyphs, Barbara Mertz (nonfiction, history of Egypt)
18. See No Evil, Robert Baer (nonfiction, CIA operative on his career)
19. Big City, Bad Blood, Sean Cheecover (mystery)
20. The Forgery of Venus, Michael Gruber (mystery)
21. Belong to Me, Marisa do los Santos (fiction)
22. The Amateur Spy, Dan Fesperman (thriller)
23. How to Write Killer Historical Mysteries, Kathy Lynn Emerson (nonfiction, writing)
24. Origin, Diana Abu-Jabar (mystery)
25. The Ancient Rain, Domenic Stansberry (mystery)
26. Sleeping Dogs, Ed Gorman (mystery)
27. Wild Goose Chase, Terri Thayer (cozy mystery)
28. Death of a Rug Lord, T Myers (cozy mystery)
29. Bringing Home the Birkin, Michael Tonello (nonfiction, the world's most expensive handbag)
30. The Body in the Gallery, Katherine Hall Page (mystery)
31. Vodka Neat, Anna Blundy (mystery)
32. The Spies of Warsaw, Alan Furst (mystery)
33. Apples and Oranges, Marie Brenner (nonfiction, memoir)
34. The Hidden Man, Anthony Flacco (mystery)
35. A Foreign Affair, Cairo Peacock (mystery, love the pen name!)
36. Savage Garden, Mark Mills (mystery)
37. Murder at the Hotel Cinema, Daniel Edward Craig (mystery)
38. Mrs. Jeffries Holds the Trump, Emily Brightwell (historical cozy mystery)
39. Not Another Bad Date, Rachel Gibson (romance)
40. The Sacred Bones, Michael Brynes (mystery)
41. The War for Wealth, Gabor Steingart (nonfiction, economy and politics)
42. Chicago, Alaa Al-Aswany (fiction)
43. The Smart One, Ellen Meister (chick lit)
44. Rules of Deception, Christopher Reich (thriller)
45. Empire of Lies, A Klavan (mystery)
46. It's a Crime, Jacqueline Carey (fiction)
47. City of Refuge, Tom Piazza (fiction)
48. What Everyone Believed, Christine Hoeflich (nonfiction, memoir)
49. Good People, Marcus Sakey (mystery)
50. A Most Wanted Man, John Le Carre (fiction, a step above your average mystery)

Why so many mysteries? I do reviews for a website (www.ReviewingtheEvidence.com).

Have you read any of these? I'd love to hear your comments...and any recommendations. I've still got a couple of months to squeeze new books in!


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Comments: 35

Vikki M. Sep 12, 2008, 5:07pm EDT
I'm pushing for 100 this year. :) I'm up to 82 or so already read, so I think I'll make it. I haven't read any of the books on your list. Might have to check a few of them out! :)
Larry H. Sep 12, 2008, 5:10pm EDT
congradulations
Congrats on reaching the goal early! I too am trying to read 50 in a year.
I read memoirs mostly~
Peter Joseph Swanson Sep 12, 2008, 5:13pm EDT
Maybe I'll make your list next year (holds breath).
Marianne R. Sep 12, 2008, 5:14pm EDT
Wow, congrats! I'm only on 33 or 34 for the year at this point. I have to update my list with the last two I finished.
Janet "Jax" B. Sep 12, 2008, 5:32pm EDT
Good luck. I don't think I've heard of most of these.
Robin"Buffy's Stunt Double" D. Sep 12, 2008, 5:34pm EDT
I love lists of books and often write a few down to pick up at the library, so thanks for sharing yours :)
Shaunee C. Sep 12, 2008, 5:34pm EDT
That is great I am not in this book club but I do read alsot. I have read Iris Joansen- Stalemate. That was a very good bood.
.* Sandi * Sep 12, 2008, 5:41pm EDT
i read a book or 2 a week if not more, I love reading, but I didnt read any on your list, any one you liked better then the rest?
Amanda "middle of nowhere" C. Sep 12, 2008, 5:41pm EDT
Congratulations! I'm very proud of you! I knew you would get 50 books read, but I didn't think you'd finish so early. You've got time for another 25, Christine!
Amanda "middle of nowhere" C. Sep 12, 2008, 5:42pm EDT
I really want to read "The War for Wealth." The book got great reviews. Did you get it at the library or do you own it. Perhaps I will get it for Christmas. ; )
Amanda "middle of nowhere" C. Sep 12, 2008, 5:43pm EDT
I've read #23 and it's very good...take-it-to-the-typewriter practical advice.
Tory H. Sep 12, 2008, 6:01pm EDT
Great list! I didn't join the group, but I might for next year. I've been reading quite a bit lately!
donna h. Sep 12, 2008, 6:02pm EDT
good luck, 30 years ago I could have done it and surpassed it! now..I have trouble reading the one
Sandy (back in Ohio...blah!) Sep 12, 2008, 6:06pm EDT
I have never thought of keeping track of what books I read. What a neat idea.
CyberGwen ! Sep 12, 2008, 6:28pm EDT
I keep track, but in a little notebook. I have been meaning to type up my list...


I like Iris Johanson, but haven't read that one.

The other one that I noticed that I have read was Bringing Home the Birken. That one was a big departure for me,genre wise, but it was fun and I couldn't put it down.

I am over 80 something for the year....those non fiction books slow me down. LOL!

I am off to check out that site that you mentioned. I recently received my first book from IJustFinished.com. It is The Ever-running Man by Marcia Mueller. So far, it reminds me a tad of Sue Grafton.
Nana to Seven Cutiepies Sep 12, 2008, 7:02pm EDT
I have no idea how many I have read but I'm sure it's not 50. I have read quite a few on your list. I am reading Nora Roberts Tribute and then I'll be reading Faye Kellerman The Burnt House.
The last three were Faye Kellerman Mercedes Coffin which was excellent. That's why I just bought The Burnt House which is an older book of her's.
James Patterson's Sail, was pretty good.
Dean Koontz Odd Hours was good too.
Oh and I can't forget t recommend Iris and Roy Johansen Silent Thunder which was excellent.
Christine Zibas Sep 13, 2008, 12:26am EDT
It's hard to pick which ones I liked the best, but definitely I recommend "City of Refuge" by Tom Piazza and "The War for Wealth" by Gabor Steingart. Also I adored Beth Lisick's book, which is about trying all these self-help programs (one a month for a year). Gut busting laughs on that one.

Of the mysteries, I liked "Vodka Neat," "Good People," and the Mrs. Jeffries book (which is part of a sort of upstairs-downstairs English mystery series and was just charming).
Christine Zibas Sep 13, 2008, 12:26am EDT
I hope all of you will post your books for the year. I love seeing what other people read.
Elizabeth V. Sep 13, 2008, 1:09pm EDT
I'm surprised to say that I haven't read any of the books in your list.
Gina M. Sep 13, 2008, 1:16pm EDT
That's an impressive list. I don't read as much as I used to, but when I do, I tend to read spiritual books.
Chris W. Sep 13, 2008, 1:31pm EDT
Ten days in the hills was very good, christine. That's the only one on your list that I read.
Sharon K. Sep 13, 2008, 5:18pm EDT
Hi Christina - Reviewing The Evidence? Sounds familiar to me. :)

I've read a couple of the same mysteries you have: The Body in the Gallery and Mrs. Jeffries Holds the Trump. (Aren't we supposed to put the names in caps? LOL)

I've been busy and haven't been around in a while. Good to see you're still reading. Me too.

Have you ever read anything by Henning Mankell? He's excellent.
Madame Donna C. Sep 14, 2008, 12:45am EDT
Congratulations! I'm still struggling to get past 50 but I'm somewhere around 42-43 and I've got a bit of time till the end of the year. I just might make it! You inspire me.
Connie C. Sep 15, 2008, 1:45am EDT
You Go Girl!!!!!
Sheila Deeth Sep 15, 2008, 8:21pm EDT
I'm looking for books to recommend to a book group, so your list is very welcome. Thanks.
Nancy S. Sep 16, 2008, 3:40pm EDT
I've read about 65 as near as I can remember. At the moment I'm out so I'm re-reading the Earth Children series by Jean M. Auel. There are 5 books so far and I just was notified her 6th should be out in a year and there will be a 7th.
Sheila Deeth Sep 17, 2008, 2:40pm EDT
Started trying to make a list of what I've read, but I've reorganized the bookshelves and it'll take forever to find them. Definitely planning to read the Le Carre one.
Rose H. Sep 18, 2008, 3:07pm EDT
Christine, I am so happy to see you made the "War for Wealth" by Gabor Steingart a favorite.
I'm still going on about that book and intend to re-read portions of it. Especially in light of the newest developments on Wall Street and the banking and insurance industries.

Since reading 50 books is not on my list of things to do - I will read the ones on your recommended list-by way of library if I can.

You should do a separate post of your top five recommendations!

So when is the impending event taking place?
Karen G. Sep 18, 2008, 6:47pm EDT
Yeah, I would be interested in knowing which of the 50 you would recommend.
Connie C. Sep 20, 2008, 4:35pm EDT
Christine,
Happy Birthday To You
Happy Birthday To You
Happy Birthday Dear Christine
Happy Birthday To You
Anne Marie A. Sep 25, 2008, 8:44pm EDT
Wow you finished all 50! That's awesome! way to go! Amanda wrote that you were a wonderful writer of book reviews etc. I will definitely check out some of your reviews.
Andrea (Ms. Conservative) L. Sep 29, 2008, 1:38pm EDT
Sorry for the generic comment, but I have to catch up on my emails. Giving you a 10 with my comment.
David Rochester Nov 4, 2008, 1:36am EST
I love your designation "cozy mystery." I do love a nice cuddly murder.
elizabeth e. Dec 3, 2008, 6:32pm EST
Strange...I haven't read any of these...tho I imagine I've probably read a good 25 this year. Guess I should make a list.

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