Annual Reading Challenge--2020

[Tiggerish]

Mendelevski's Box by Roger Swindells. The main character is a young Jewish man who is the only member of his family to survive after WWII. When he is liberated from Auschwitz, he returns to the Netherlands town where he grew up. His father was a famous watch maker and the family went into hiding but were betrayed by someone and all taken to the camps. He embarks on a quest to find out who betrayed them. Along the way he develops a new family group, finds the love of his life, reconnects with some of his family's history and he does find out who and how they were betrayed. It was a good read.

A Promise of Fireflies by Susan Haught. Romantic fiction. It had an unusual twist with a mysterious character, Ambrose, who is a key player that always remains in the shadows. The heroine is trying the rebuild her life after her husband cheats on her and her mother dies. It has a happy ending.

24 and 25 of 80

 

[willowsnn3]

Since my Library is closed...has anyone here ordered used books from Thriftbooks? Are they legitimate?
Thank you.

I can't help you with that. The library closing has been rough on me as I rarely buy books & don't care to read from an electronic device. Call me old fashioned, lol.
But I did break down & run into the Dollar Tree by my house & purchase 3 books. I've already read & listed 2 of them on here & am just starting the third titled "Before This is Over". I couldn't pass it up after reading the inside flap. It is about a deadly virus spreading around the world & people being quarantined in their homes.

 

[Colleen27]

Since my Library is closed...has anyone here ordered used books from Thriftbooks? Are they legitimate?

Thank you.

I have, once, and it went fine.

Right now, this is the site I'm using for my purchases, few as they are: https://bookshop.org/pages/about . I love the idea of a platform that supports independent booksellers right now, and even though my personal favorite (John King Books in Detroit - if you're ever in the city, it really is a must-see!) isn't a participating bookstore yet there are others I support that are so by shopping their affiliate links I can help give them a bit better chance of surviving this whole mess. And besides, their lists and curated selections are really fascinating. My must-read list is growing faster than I'd care to admit just from browsing the site.

 

[OKW8297]

19. The Way of Love edited by Mark P. Zabriskie. my Lenten discipline. Very fulfilling.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I have, once, and it went fine.

Right now, this is the site I'm using for my purchases, few as they are: https://bookshop.org/pages/about . I love the idea of a platform that supports independent booksellers right now, and even though my personal favorite (John King Books in Detroit - if you're ever in the city, it really is a must-see!) isn't a participating bookstore yet there are others I support that are so by shopping their affiliate links I can help give them a bit better chance of surviving this whole mess. And besides, their lists and curated selections are really fascinating. My must-read list is growing faster than I'd care to admit just from browsing the site.

Thank you so much. I will consider your suggestion as well.

 

[SaintsManiac]

13/30 -- The Captain's Daughter by Meg Mitchell Moore
I loved this book so much. I was hooked from the first chapter.

 

[JennM]

Haven't posted in a while - I'm up to 13/42 as follows:

7. Cemetery Road by Greg Iles - not my favorite of his but above average
8. The Wives by Tarryn Fisher - a friend suggested this one - strange but kept my attention
9. Magic Hour by Kristin Hannah - she is one of my favorite authors and this one did not disappoint
10. Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng - loved it
11. The Light We Lost by Jill Santopolo - 4/5 stars
12. Tin God by Stacy Green - found this one as a free download from BookBub and enjoyed the story a lot, although the writing was not the best IMO
13. Voyager (Outlander #3) by Diana Gabaldon - it had been a couple of years since I read the first two books in the Outlander series, and once I started this one, I didn't know why I had waited so long. SO. GOOD.

14 (in progress) - Drums of Autumn (Outlander #4) by Diana Gabaldon - and after that I have #5 and #6 ready to go. The shortest one is around 1050 pages, though, so it may be a while until my next update!

 

[monarchsfan16]

24: The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson: Loved it. I had already read Giver of Stars and I really struggled to see where the plagiarism (Jojo Moyes) claims came in. Two distinctly different novels about a similar part of history. This novel was more readable than Giver of Stars (which I really enjoyed). Really hoping for a sequel... 5/5

 

[drwitz]

15. The Long Walk by Stephen King (writing as Richard Bachman)

Long before The Hunger Games, way before Maze Runner, and more divergent before Divergent, Stephen King wrote a YA dystopian fantasy called The Long Walk. Featuring a group of teenagers competing on a continuous walk through Maine's East Coast, and with a character whose last name closely resembles mine (of course, he's an obnoxious character -- thanks Mr. King), this page-turner keeps you engrossed all the way through (thank goodness there is no squad of soldiers watching to see if you put your book down). The vision of the near future is a little dated (after all this was published in 1979) but the story holds no punches. It leaves you with a cliffhanger ending (and I long to have a discussion with someone else as to their vision of what happened after the last sentence).

16. The Dead Zone by Stephen King

Oh, what to say about this one... That a view of a megalomaniac leader who holds a threat for the US, and a man with prophetic sight who's faced with a terrible choice reads as a modern parable? That I forgot how beautiful this book was (after all I last read it as a teenager and now I am a man of 50)? Or that I simply hoped for a happier ending? Whatever, forget my rant. Read it!

17. Firestarter by Stephen King

Some people may think this is another Carrie but that would be a big mistake. Along with The Shining and The Dead Zone, the protagonist in our story has a dreadful power, but this novel casts the government (The Shop) in the role of the antagonist. While I love all Stephen King novels, when I last read this I was closer to the age of the girl, Charlie. This time I am much closer to Andy (the father's) age. King's writing about parental responsibilities and guilt slayed me. Amazing how King writes for multiple audiences simultaneously and his writing speaks to you in different times in different ways,

And the Stephen King re-read goes on.

18. Roadwork by Stephen King (writing as Richard Bachman)

OK so I think I hit it: my least favorite Stephen King book. Of course saying that is like saying this is my least favorite dessert - and I love sugar so they are all good. And the same is true of this book. It isn't my favorite Stephen King story, but is is still pretty good. What is it about, you ask? Well, that's part of the problem. It is kind of mundane. This is the story of a man whose house and workplace are about to be torn down as part of a road project. And his reaction. He reflects on the loss of his child, and goes a little crazy. That's it. I remember when I first read it feeling like Dawes was an angry old man. Of course now that I am older, and the character is younger than I am, he still seems like an angry old man. And there is the problem. The story is, frankly, a bit underwhelming and while I usually love King's storytelling, it does take some commitment to read through it.

19. Danse Macabre by Stephen King (non-fiction)

Now here is a book I love even more in the re-read. King's non-fiction review of the field of dark fantasy (aka horror) takes you through the novels, tv shows, and movies of the 1950s to 1970s and it is a wonderful review of the origins of today's horror for anyone who wants to learn where our modern masterpieces come from. He also goes back to the great origins of the field - Dracula, Jekyll and Hyde, and Frankenstein - in order to argue that they are the archetypes that the rest of the field imitates. A wonderful read which also now has given me 100 books and 100 movies to follow up on (see the appendixes for the book).

 

[drwitz]

And the Stephen King re-read goes on.

18. Roadwork by Stephen King (writing as Richard Bachman)

OK so I think I hit it: my least favorite Stephen King book. Of course saying that is like saying this is my least favorite dessert - and I love sugar so they are all good. And the same is true of this book. It isn't my favorite Stephen King story, but is is still pretty good. What is it about, you ask? Well, that's part of the problem. It is kind of mundane. This is the story of a man whose house and workplace are about to be torn down as part of a road project. And his reaction. He reflects on the loss of his child, and goes a little crazy. That's it. I remember when I first read it feeling like Dawes was an angry old man. Of course now that I am older, and the character is younger than I am, he still seems like an angry old man. And there is the problem. The story is, frankly, a bit underwhelming and while I usually love King's storytelling, it does take some commitment to read through it.

19. Danse Macabre by Stephen King (non-fiction)

Now here is a book I love even more in the re-read. King's non-fiction review of the field of dark fantasy (aka horror) takes you through the novels, tv shows, and movies of the 1950s to 1970s and it is a wonderful review of the origins of today's horror for anyone who wants to learn where our modern masterpieces come from. He also goes back to the great origins of the field - Dracula, Jekyll and Hyde, and Frankenstein - in order to argue that they are the archetypes that the rest of the field imitates. A wonderful read which also now has given me 100 books and 100 movies to follow up on (see the appendixes for the book).

Two quick updates to yesterday's piece:

I forgot to say that Danse Macabre is the only Stephen King autographed book of his that I have. Interesting story as to how I got it. I was a teenager involved in a community theater in Charleston, SC in 1988 and my mother was in charge of a silent auction to raise money for the theater program. She reached out to a number of authors to ask them to donate a signed book for the auction. Several authors replied, including two of my favorite authors at the time (and still two of my favorite authors): Stephen King and Piers Anthony. Needless to say, my mother was the highest bidder on both. So inscribed on the title page of my copy is not only Stephen King's signature but also a personal note from my mom and dad to their "favorite actor". Now that both of my parents are gone, it was a nice surprise to find their signature (along with King's) in the frontispiece.

Another story from Danse Macabre: one of the movies King reviews is Invasion of the Body Snatchers (the 1978 remake, the 1950s original and the book). When I was younger (about 10), I remember the 1978 movie coming out and I was desperate to see it. Something about the commercials intrigued me and I begged my dad to take me to it. In my memory it was an R rated movie that I got to sneak into with my dad (although looking it up today I realize it was rated PG). But my excitement ended in dread. I was SOOOOO terrified by the movie that about thirty minutes into it, I begged my father to leave. I was freaked out by it. Well, it has been over 40 years and I have never watched it... until last night. I was able to find a copy to stream from hoopla through my local library and I loved it. What a great film. Very scary for a 10 year old and moderately tolerable for a 50 year old.

Had to share!

 

[melk]

13/25 The Things We Cannot Say by Kelly Rimmer

Historical fiction centered on a young couple in love during the Nazi occupation of Poland during WWII. Fast forward decades later when the young girl is now an old woman on her deathbed, barely able to communicate. Her granddaughter goes back to Poland to put together the pieces of her grandmother’s previous life.

I loved this book. I enjoy this genre anyway but I really enjoyed this author‘s writing. Sometimes WWII books are just so heavy emotionally but while this dealt with sobering themes, there was enough balance with the love story and the present day granddaughter storyline that I wasn’t left depressed. I want to search out other books by this author now.

 

[OKW8297]

20. The Bastard by John Jakes. Finally finished and really enjoyed it. First of an 8 book series! I love historical fiction. This one is set mostly in Boston at the birth of the Revolution.

 

[BonnieF]

Since my Library is closed...has anyone here ordered used books from Thriftbooks? Are they legitimate?

Thank you.

My daughter uses them all the time and is very happy with them.

 

[Simba's Mom]

13/25 The Things We Cannot Say by Kelly Rimmer

Historical fiction centered on a young couple in love during the Nazi occupation of Poland during WWII. Fast forward decades later when the young girl is now an old woman on her deathbed, barely able to communicate. Her granddaughter goes back to Poland to put together the pieces of her grandmother’s previous life.

I loved this book. I enjoy this genre anyway but I really enjoyed this author‘s writing. Sometimes WWII books are just so heavy emotionally but while this dealt with sobering themes, there was enough balance with the love story and the present day granddaughter storyline that I wasn’t left depressed. I want to search out other books by this author now.

Now I'm really looking forward to it! I also enjoy this genre so I'd put a hold on the book at the library. Just got it yesterday. Thanks for the review!

 

[JayMass]

7/30--"The Sun is Also a Star" by Nicola Yoon
This is a YA novel that follows the lives of two "star-crossed" lovers on one day in NYC. The characters are really well drawn and the point of view changes frequently to include even minor characters. I though this was an interesting twist on the multiple POV style of story telling. I heard this is being made (or has already been made) into a movie. I enjoyed this.

8/30--"Between the World and Me" by Nehisi Coates
This is non-fiction letter to the author's 15 year old son. Coates is an incredibly talented writer who is able to put into words thoughts that I have had over the years but have never been able to adequately express. In some ways in it is similar to Baldwin's "The Fire Next Time" (which I should probably re-read). He is about my age and, despite him being African-American and from inner city Baltimore and me being a white guy from suburban Massachusetts, I found that I could easily connect with what he was saying on really deep level. To everyone that does not understand that "Black Lives Matter" really means, "hey, Black lives matter as much as any other life" needs to read this book. He takes the history of African-Americans in this country, adds his own journey of self-discovery, and acknowledges and counters the LBGTQ-phobia prevalent in many Black and LatinX communities while not claiming victim status or general white people shaming. As a high school teacher in the city of Boston where the vast majority of my students are people of color, this book is going to find its way into my classroom this fall!

 

[JayMass]

Another story from Danse Macabre: one of the movies King reviews is Invasion of the Body Snatchers (the 1978 remake, the 1950s original and the book).

Invasion of the Body Snatchers was written by Jack Finney. He wrote a great short story called "The Contents of the Dead Man's Pocket" that I teach to 10th graders every year. Check it out if you get a chance--it's not anything like Invasion but suspenseful and terrifying in its own way.

 

[JayMass]

15. The Long Walk by Stephen King (writing as Richard Bachman)

Long before The Hunger Games, way before Maze Runner, and more divergent before Divergent, Stephen King wrote a YA dystopian fantasy called The Long Walk. Featuring a group of teenagers competing on a continuous walk through Maine's East Coast, and with a character whose last name closely resembles mine (of course, he's an obnoxious character -- thanks Mr. King), this page-turner keeps you engrossed all the way through (thank goodness there is no squad of soldiers watching to see if you put your book down). The vision of the near future is a little dated (after all this was published in 1979) but the story holds no punches. It leaves you with a cliffhanger ending (and I long to have a discussion with someone else as to their vision of what happened after the last sentence).

I loved this book so, so much!!! I'm a big King fan and my love has been passed on to both of my kids. My 14 year old daughter recommended this one that I never got around to reading.

What do you think happened after the last sentence? My daughter and I have had pretty good discussions about it.

 

[SaintsManiac]

14/30 --The Art of Inheriting Secrets by Barbara O'Neal
This one was just ok. It started out with a lot of promise and just kind of meandered for a bit. Then she wraps it all up in a few pages and it left me wondering how on earth we got there.

 

[MGMmjl]

12/30 - Kingdom Chaos by Jeff Dixon

Description:

Author Jeff Dixon once again combines thrilling fiction, faith, and Disney facts in Kingdom Chaos, a stand-alone novel with crossover to his beloved novel series, Dixon on Disney.

As the story unfolds, the controversial President Tyler Pride and his family board a monorail at the Transportation and Ticket Center for a trip to the Epcot Resort. When the monorail arrives at Epcot, the president and his family are gone. A national crisis instantly explodes across the Disney resort. The president has been kidnapped. And if the president is missing at Walt Disney World, who better to find him than the man who knows Walt Disney World better than anyone who has ever lived, Grayson Hawkes?

This is a political and ideological thriller, an action-adventure mystery, and, also, a story of how faith and politics sometimes clash. Like Dixon's past novels, Kingdom Chaos can best be described as "faction," a weaving of fact and fiction set in the Walt Disney World Resort in Central Florida. The places and locations are real, and the novel builds on events from the life of Walt Disney and the history of the Walt Disney World Resort. The sights, the sounds, and the secrets of the themed resort all become a part of solving the mystery and trying to save the president of the United States.

Kingdom Chaos is set in the same fictionalized Disney World as the original novel series Dixon on Disney. Grayson Hawkes and other characters return, joined by new characters and a threat with national implications unlike any they've faced before. Along the way, we will unpack enough of their backstory to create numerous fun Hidden Mickeys for readers of the original series to find and connect to the first four books.

Thousands of readers have already enjoyed Dixon's special blend of Disney fact and fiction in his beloved four-part Dixon on Disney series, which is comprised of The Key to the Kingdom (2010, Deep River Books), Unlocking the Kingdom (2012, Deep River Books), Storming the Kingdom (2014, Deep River Books), and Terror in the Kingdom (2016, Deep River Books).

I have read all of Jeff Dixon's previous novels and enjoyed them. This one was good as well, but the political thriller portion of the story got a little old at times. Overall, I really liked it, and I always enjoy the Disney tidbits in his novels. I enjoyed my fictional trip to WDW during this pandemic.​

 

[Dole_whip_doll]

I just found this thread and wanted to share:

Half Price Books is doing mystery grab bags that are $10 for 5 books. I ordered 1 mystery genre, 1 fiction genre and 1 YA genre.
Here’s what I got:

Fiction bag
Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides
The Bean Tree by Barbara Kingsolver
Turtle Moon by Alice Hoffman
Dead Souls by Nikolai Gogol
Alas, Babylon by Pat Frank

Young Adult
Have Sword, Will Travel—Garth Nix and Sean Williams
Magic Tree House: Christmas in Camelot by Mary Pope Osborne (looks more like kids chapter to me)
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
The Innocent by Beatrice Small
Chronicles of Narnia: Lion, Witch and Wardrobe by CS Lewis (I also think this should be kids chapter)

Mystery
The Reckoning by John Grisham
Bad Things Happen by Harry dolan
Crosshairs by Harry Hunsicker
Shark Skin Suite by Tim Dorsey
Final Jeopardy by Linda Fairstein

All books were in very, very good condition. John Grisham looked brand new and still had dust cover. Out of all of these, the only books I’d previously read were Alas Babylon (one of my favorites) and Lion, Witch and Wardrobe (never cared for). I was kinda disappointed in YA as I expected more from it.