I read 50+ books in the 2008 Challenge and achieved that goal plus. I started Reading Lolita in Tehran in 2008. I had plenty of reading time last night when my neighbors were setting off fireworks starting at 10:00pm and my dogs were really disturbed so sleep became an impossibility for several hours. They thought it was WWIII.

Book #1 of 2009 Reading Lolita in Tehran by Azar Nafisi 347 pages
Total pages to date in 2009= 347 pages

I have already started reading my next choice The Scent of Sake by Joyce Lebra. I received an Early Readers' Copy through their First Look program. My review is due 1/15 which won't be a problem because I have already read the first two chapters and can tell I will like this book. I just listened to Samurai Shortstop by audio book and it is set in the same time period in Japan. I see on the back of The Scent of Sake that Joyce Lebra is a recognized authority on Japanese history so that should add to the value of reading her book.

Book #2 of 2009 The Scent of Sake by Joyce Lebra 364 pages
Total pages to date in 2009=711

My next choice is The Witch of Cologne by Tobsha Learner.

Book #3 of 2009 The Witch of Cologne by Tobsha Learner 467 pages
Total pages to date in 2009=1,178

I think I will next read Deadly Gamble by Linda Lael Miller. It is the first of a series. I think #2 in the series has been released. I thought I would put a little less of a challenge to my intellect and enjoy some chick-lit. This looks like a fun read. I plan on sending Deadly Gamble on to a Texas Cowgirl-at-heart friend of mine.

I am generally too much of a snob to read books of the ilk created by Linda Lael Miller, but i did read one by her and enjoyed it. I read it because she supported the Humane Society of the United States, where I used to work. In the book I read, (have forgotten the title), the main character's dog was treated as a natural part of her life, like putting on the coffee in the morning, and I really enjoyed and respected that. I have strong feelings about the importance of treating dogs with respect, which for me, means like dogs, but with a recognition of their importance to our lives and their contributions to our existence. I am not so enthusiastic about dogs who talk, about dogs being an added frill to the character's eccentricities, etc.

Book #4 of 2009 Deadly Gamble by Linda Lael Miller 379 pages
Total pages to date in 2009=1,557

I did enjoy this book despite the supernatural events (too often authors use them as a crutch in developing their plot). The characters are interesting. The reader was left with a lot of unanswered questions at the end of the book so I will be reading the next in the series.

I guess I am in the mood for another silly book: Murder on a Bad Hair Day another in the Southern Sisters Mystery series by Anne George. This might be the last I read of this series. We will see. Sometimes they are too silly to tolerate.

Book #5 of 2009 Murder on a Bad Hair Day by Anne George 246 pages
Total pages to date in 2009=1,803

This is the second in this series that I have read. They are fun to read and have a interesting plot. I read in the back cover that the author, Anne George is now deceased so I can assume there will be no more in this series (the Southern Sisters Mysteries) beyond what is listed on the inside cover.

I have not decided what I will read next. It depends what kind of mood I am in later this evening.

I am now reading The Pilot's Wife by Anita Shreve. I have the feeling that I have listened to this as an audio book, or I saw a movie. It is an interesting book so far. I find the analysis of the process of grief interesting.

Then today I received an Advance Readers Edition of Real Life & Liars by Kristina Riggle. I need to have my review to Harper Collins by Feb. 1 on this book so I need to get reading. The book is not out yet. It is my first copyright 2009 book.

Book #6 of 2009 The Pilot's Wife by Anita Shreve 293 pages
Total pages to date in 2009=2,096

Now, I had better get reading Real Life & Liars so I can get my review in on time.

Book #7 of 2009 Real Life & Liars by Kristina Riggle 327 pages
Total pages to date in 2009=2,423

This is an ARC that I received from Harper Collins. I think the release date is in June. I liked the book very much. A story of a struggling family with lies to each other and especially lies to themselves.

I'll have my review up soon. I will give the book 4 stars. It has the Reading Group stuff in the back of the book. It would be a good book for adults. The main character is a woman in her 60s. Her viewpoint is told first person. But you hear about each of her children from 3rd person. I think that a book club would like this book as it would generate lots of good discussions. However, I don't think I'll use it for the bookclub at the school where I teach---teen girls.

I just started reading Across the Nightingale Floor by Lian Hearn. I am previewing the book for inclusion in a highschool library. It is the first of a series of 3. What good luck I usually end up reading a book midway through a series and then have to scramble to find a bunch of out of print books.

Book #8 of 2009 Across the Nightingale Floor by Lian Hearn 287 pages
Total pages to date in 2009=2,710

I would give this book 4 stars and will probably read the next in the series. However, I have read some of the reviews on librarything.com and many say the other books are not as good as the first. I liked the quasi feudal Japan setting, but I think the superpowers thing was unnecessary for the plot. I find the super-power plot device to be an easy cop out for authors. The story could have been written totally without them and would have been just as effective.

Book #9 of 2009 Deadly Deceptions by Linda Lael Miller 367 pages
Total pages to date in 2009=3,077

Good reading as far as romance/thrillers with a little paranormal thrown in. It was an entertaining read. This is #2 in a series. I'll have to check on Amazon and see if Linda Lael Miller has another book coming out in the series. I will pass this book on to a friend of mine.

Book #10 of 2009 Atonement by Ian McEwan 351 pages
Total pages to date in 2009=3,428

I gave this one a 5 stars which I rarely do. Now I am going to search my city library catalog to get copies of his other books.

I started Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah. I received this recently as a sample from Reading Group Gold. I see that it has mixed reviews. Oh well, I have some heavy DVDs to watch this weekend---maybe I need something a little less literary.

My daughter read Atonement for her English class -- usually a sign of a good book. She has recommended it to me. Sounds like you really liked it as well.
--BJ

Atonement is fantastic! I highly, highly recommend it if you haven't read it yet.

Book#11 of 2009 Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah 479 pages
Total pages to date in 2009=3,907

I gave this book 3 stars. I did enjoy reading the book, but I felt the nostalgia and best friends forever thing was a bit forced. It gave an interesting analysis of friendship, especially when one is always the giver and one is always the taker.

I picked up another book at the thrift store yesterday, Knit Fast, Die Young by Mary Kruger. It looks like it might be fun to read. I saw that it was on lots of wishlists on Bookmooch.com so I'll read it next and then pass it on. I thought the title was funny, and I like reading mysteries and knitting.

Žinutė pakeista jos autoriaus, Vasario 16, 2009, 10:29am.

Book #12 of 2009 Knit Fast, die Young by Mary Kruger 287 pages
Total pages to date in 2009=4,194

I am giving this book 3 stars. Maybe, I'll change that to 2 stars--but I did finish it. There was a somewhat interesting ending. Mostly I was disappointed in the book as a knitting mystery. There was an adequate description of a wool festival but the knitting patterns at the end of the book were a real disappointment. The "original knitting pattern just for you" that was promised on the back cover of the book was only a garter stitch padded hanger pattern. Not exactly exciting. And then the second pattern was a copy of a chemo hat pattern that is available on the web. I don't plan on finding the first book in this series.

Book #13 of 2009 Digging to America by Anne Tyler 277 pages
Total pages to date in 2009=4,471

This is a four star book. It gave interesting insight into what it means to be an American especially with so many of us being recent immigrants. At first I thought the book would concentrate just on the two little girls who arrive at the Baltimore airport from Korea to be adopted by American parents. There is an interesting interview with Anne Tyler at the end of the book.

Now I am reading another of Alexander McCall Smith's book in the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series.

Book #14 of 2009 Tears of the Giraffe by Alexander McCall Smith 227 pages
Total pages to date in 2009 = 4,748

I am giving this book 5 stars because I am really enjoying this series, the setting, and the characters. I started Morality for Beautiful Girls last night. I especially enjoy the moral and ethical discussions in the books in this series. The main character is an interesting mix of traditional and contemporary thought.

Book #15 Morality for Beautiful Girls by Alexander McCall Smith 227 pages
Total pages to date in 2009 = 4,975

There are plenty of books sitting around this house--I wonder what I will read next!

Book #16 Term Limits by Vince Flynn 612 pages
Total pages to date in 2009=5,587

The only reason I finished reading this book was so that I could write a review that covered how poorly written this book is plus how much understanding of our democratic system it lacks. Now maybe I'll read the second book in the Twilight series. By comparison to this book something by Stephanie Meyer will look good.

Book #17 Born Confused by Tanuja Desai Hidier 500 pages
Total pages to date in 2009=6,087

This book was very good which was a welcome change from reading Term Limits. I just picked up the next book in The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series, The Kalahari Typing School for Men from my local library. So that will be my next reading project. I want to read this series in order. I've got the following book to listen to on CD book. I read somewhere that there is a HBO drama coming out about the series. I'll have to get it on Netflix when it is available---but no doubt the books will be better---they always seem to be.

Book #18 The Kalahari Typing School for Men by Alexander McCall Smith
Total pages to date in 2009=6,278

I enjoyed this book like all the other in the series. Although they are short, I always have the next in the series to look forward to. I plan on reading more books by the same author. They will be much easier to locate at my town library now that I know that I need to look under McCall Smith and not just Smith!

Book #19 New Moon by Stephenie Meyer 564 pages
total pages to date in 2009=6,842

I didn't like the first in this series but to defend my position on how sappy and immature these books are, I felt I needed to read the next in the series.

Book #20 The Perfect Summer by Luanne Rice 429 pages
total pages to date in 2009=7,271

A murder mystery combined with a sweet romance. Nice setting description too.

Book #21 The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini 371 pages
total pages to date in 2009=7,642

Great book. I can see why it is so high on the list of books owned in Librarything.com

Hmmmm, what next?????

Book #22 Bead on Trouble by Barbara Burnett Smith 292 pages
total pages to date in 2009=7,934 pages

A fun read. There is only one more in the series which is also in my library. The book is a murder mystery set at a beading camp. There are a number of mysteries out now centered around a craft or hobby. I did find the characters interesting and the mystery adequate.

I like all the variety in your reading! I am interested in both of your last two books. Have a great day!
--BJ

Book #23 Life of Pi by Yann Martel 319 pages
total pages to date in 2009=8,253 pages

I gave this 5 stars. Unusual and got my mind thinking about a lot of things. I received an ARC book. I like to get those read ASAP. So that will be my next book.

My daughter just read that in school. So it is now on my list, too.
--BJ

Book #24 The Sorrows of an American by Siri Hustvedt 304 pages
total pages to date in 2009=8,557

I gave this book 4 stars. It is a book I need to let settle in my brain for a while. It was thought provoking. Again, I end up reading a book about family secrets. -----Hmmmm, is that the reading theme this year---intended or not.

I just grabbed Codex by Lev Grossman off my shelf---this might be the next book I read?????

Book #25 Codex by Lev Grossman 348 pages
total pages to date in 2009=8,905

This was an interesting read. Not what I expected. I was sure that I would not like the main character but he kind of grew on me. I received a book through the member giveaway and will probably read that next so that I can get my review posted.

Book #26 Or So It Seems by Paul Steven Stone 429 pages
total pages to date in 2009=9,334

I have not quite decided what I think of this book yet. Anyway, I probably won't get to writing my review until next week.

I started reading To Bury The Dead by Craig Spector last night.

I read the beginning of To Bury the Dead by Craig Spector but stopped when the book turned to torture and revenge. I liked the beginning about a couple whose teenage daughter is murdered. I but figured I could gain more by reading something else. ----- Then I started on a book I picked up at my city library because I liked the cover----Murderous Urges of Ordinary Women by Lois Meltzer. The basic idea behind this book is true---middle age women are invisible--this is liberating--they can do what they want because no one will see them. A book club of middle age women take revenge for the wrongs they see around them. The revenge thing was too overdone---so I did not finish that book either. ---was there some message for me with all these revenge books finding me!

Book #27 Toxic Waste by Helen Goodman 252 pages
total pages to date in 2009=9,586

I wasn't thrilled with this book but okay for a summer read....3 stars

started today The Pull of the Moon by Elizabeth Berg--this appears to be of better quality.

---Alice

At last a book worthy of my time---4 stars for this one.

#28 The Pull of the Moon by Elizabeth Berg 271 pages
total pages to date in 2009=9,857

Ooops, I forgot to keep current with my reading.

on 5/25 I finished #29 Midwives by Chris Bohjalian 374 pages. This was another Oprah's Book Club selections. I must admit that I find the recommendations are usually worthy.

and I just completed #30 Partner in Crime by J. A. Jance 386 pages.

I found reading both books as time well spent

My total pages to date in 2009 is now = 3,617

I enjoyed The Pull of the Moon as well and found myself intrigued and loving Midwives. I have liked everything I have ever read by Berg and I think I would most likely love anything by Bohjalian as I really like his style of writing. I am glad you enjoyed both.
Your are doing well with your challenge.
I have added The Sorrows of an American to my TBR list as that sounds very interesting to me
Keep up the good work. It is always great to see all the different reads people choose.
N/B

Žinutė pakeista jos autoriaus, Birželio 30, 2009, 11:37pm.

#31 The Late Child by Larry McMurtry 470 pages
total pages to date in 2009=4,087

I really liked this book. So now I will read the first in the series. Harmony, the main character in the book, has just lost her daughter to AIDS. Harmony's grief is expressed well and so is her core ability to survive this tragedy. There is a great group of characters in this book.

hmmmm, what next??????

#32 A Killer Collection by J. B. Stanley 205 pages
total pages to date in 2009=4,292

This book is in the cozy mystery category. I gave it 3 stars mostly because of plot weaknesses. I do plan to read more in the series.

#33 Bindweed by Janis Harrison 250 pages
total pages to date in 2009=4,542

I gave this book only 3 stars --you can look at my review for details. Another cozy mystery and this time with a gardening theme.

#34 A Risk Worth Taking by Robin Pilcher 405 pages
total pages to date in 2009=4,947

I liked this book. I like books that are set in Scotland (it must have something to do with my ancestors that came from there. At first I gave it 3 stars. I will change it to 4 stars.

#35 The Dead Sea Cipher by Elizabeth Peters 216 pages
total pages to date in 2009=5,163

I really enjoy Elizabeth Peter's books. I enjoy the history, romance, exotic settings, and adventure.

A friend loaned me a series of books with an antique collector as the focus. Maybe I'll start reading those later today.

#36 Waiting by Ha Jin 308 pages
total pages to date in 2009=5,471

I gave this 3 stars--Yes, it was all that waiting that drove me nuts in this book. Nobody is very proactive and that is why all the waiting!

Hi Alice;
Even though you only rated this one a 3/5, I think I am still going to give it a try. There is something in it calling out to me. I will see what I think afterward.
You are doing great on your challenge! And you have a good evening.
belva

#37 The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Pearson 265 pages
total pages to date in 2009=5,736

I really liked this book. I plan on using it for our next selection for our Book Club (teen girls). It brings up a lot of important issues---teen coming of age, science fiction, medical ethics, over-protective parents, etc.

#38 The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy 321 pages
total pages to date in 2009=6,057

I gave this book 5 stars. It is a very sad story about very sad things that happen in our world, but Roy has a beautiful way of stating them.

The heat of summer is rising so I plan on reading a cozy mystery I got from the library.

I hope that everyone north of the equator is enjoying their summer reading and those south are having a good cozy winter read!

#39 Dealing in Murder by Elaine Flinn 368 pages
total pages to date in 2009=6,425 pages

I enjoyed reading this book with murder mystery syspense, not too mushy romance, and interesting antique collecting and art details.--and then it is set in Carmel, California and it is so pretty there.

This book is the first in a series. A friend loaned me the next three in the series.

Žinutė pakeista jos autoriaus, Liepos 13, 2009, 8:06am.

#40 The Saddlemaker's Wife by Earlene Fowler 368 pages
total pages to date in 2009=6,793

I have read Earlene Fowler's Benni Harper series. This had different characters and setting. It is a story that didn't turn out as I expected. I would give it 3.5 stars out of 5

Žinutė pakeista jos autoriaus, Liepos 19, 2009, 6:04pm.

#41 Winter's Bone by Daniel Woodrell 193 pages
total pages to date in 2009=6,986

I am giving this 4 stars. Ree Dolly, the heroine, is a young woman with courage and determination. Set in the Ozarks.

#42 Downtown Owl by Chuck Klosterman 273 pages
total pages to date in 2009=7,259

I can barely give this 1 star--I did like two sections that were classroom humor but the rest was a waste of my time except it did prove to me that I don't want to read any other of his books. The characters are mad, sad, angry, or drunk or various combinations. The worst part was Klosterman's constant inclusion of pop culture. ---I read in other reviews that the readers were so surprised by the ending----I disagree. Since the rest of the book was trite, then so was the ending. It was something a highschool freshman would write when they didn't know how to end something in Creative Writing class.

I admit I was mildly amused the first 30 pages---but the same joke just kept up. Enough already---Chuck just write a short story. This is another case where I kept reading just because I wanted to be able to write a review. This book is the monthly selection on BookBundlz.com. I was looking forward to participating in this on-line bookclub. I sure hope they have a better selection for next month!

I love the books you've been reading!

I enjoyed The Kite Runner, The God of the Small Things and Waiting

I still need to read Reading Lolita in Tehran, The Pilot's Wife and Life of Pi.

There are many books on your list which I have not heard of... I might have to check out a few of your recommendations!

#43 Tagged for Murder by Elaine Flinn 304 pages
total pages to date in 2009=7,563

I am enjoying this series. I am now reading the 3rd book in the series Deadly Collection and I have the next book in the series on my bookshelf. Elaine Flinn's mysteries are fun and I like learning more about the antique trade.

#44 & #45
Deadly Collection by Elaine Flinn and Deadly Vintage by Elaine Flinn
611 pages
total pages to date in 2009=8,174

I have now read all 4 in this series. I believe the author has passed away so this probably is the last book to be published.

#46 Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout 270 pages
#47 The Heretic's Daughter by Kathleen Kent 332 pages

I enjoyed both books. I read Olive Kitteridge as part of an online book club at bookbundlz.com. It was the August selection.

The Heretic's Daughter tells of a Puritan family and what happens when the Mother is accused of witchcraft during the Salem Witch trials.

total pages to date for 2009=8,776

What next???? Maybe Grass for His Pillow since I have read the first in the series.

I am doing a catch-up message for what I have recently read:

#48 Death of a Poison Pen by M.C. Beaton 227 pages
#49 Grass for his Pillow by Lian Hearn 287 pages
#50 Brilliance of the Moon by Lian Hearn 344 pages
total pages to date for 2009=9,364

Next I will be reading The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley as part of the online book club at bookbundlz.com. I am looking forward to a good discussion of this book on the discussion board.

#51 The Watcher by James Howe 174 pages
total pages to date for 2009=9,538

I just remembered that I also read this book recently.

#51 Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley 373 pages
#52 Hooked on Murder by Betty Hechtman 280 pages
#53 The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven by Sherman Alexie 242 pages
#54 The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown 509 pages
#55 The Desert Rose by Larry McMurtry 254 pages

I was behind on keeping up with my book list.

I am reading The Angel's Game by Carlos Ruiz Zafon which is the October bookclub selection on bookbundlz.com---interesting book

total pages to date for 2009=11,196

#56 The Angel's Game by Carlos Ruiz Zafon 531 pages
#57 Death of a Perfect Wife by M.C. Beaton 175 pages

#58 Death of a Cad by M. C. Beaton 200 pages

#59 The Bean Trees by Barbara Kingsolver 232 pages

#60 In the Path of Falling Objects by Andrew Smith 323 pages
#61 Death of an Outsider by M.C. Beaton 182 pages

#62 Fever 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson 272 pages

#63 The Year of the Flood by Margaret Atwood 431 pages

This is one of the best books I have read this year. It gave me a lot to think about. I am enjoying the discussions of this book on bookbundlz.com

Žinutė pakeista jos autoriaus, Lapkričio 7, 2009, 9:04am.

#64 Say You're One of Them by Uwem Akpan 354 pages

This is maybe the best book I read this year. Emotionally speaking it was not easy to read as it reveals the conditions many African children exerience every day. I saw this was Oprah's book selection and listened to her comments on her website and decided I wanted to read this book. Usually, I like Oprah's selections. There is an interview with the author on her site that I will listen too also. I hope that Akpan writes more books soon!

I will decided that I will award my "Alice" awards at the end of the year for the best and worst books I read this year.

Žinutė pakeista jos autoriaus, Lapkričio 23, 2009, 9:45pm.

#65-Death of A Hussy by M.C. Beaton 151 pages

I really enjoy this series and am now trying to read them or listed to the CD books. The earlier books are not available on CD or tape from my interlibrary loan system.

I ordered Say You're One of Them this week, it sounds really interesting. I tend to stay within my comfort zone when it comes to short stories so I've been looking forward to this one. Glad to see you liked it so much!

#66 One Bad Apple by Sheila Connolly 262 pages

very good cozy mystery. Characters are interesting and well developed. This is #1 in the series. There is one more in the series and another due out in March, 2010.

#67 Death of a Prankster by M.C. Beaton 151 page

I am reading this series in order now. Found this book on inter-library loan.

I am reading something much more serious now: Sickened by Julie Gregory. It is memoir of a girl whose mother had Munchausen by Proxy. As with all cases of child abuse, it is a frightening story.

#68 Sickened by Julie Gregory 244 pages

The abuse described in this books is very horrible even to think about. It increases the awareness of Munchausen by proxy. I wonder why so many professionals: doctors, teachers, social workers, etc. did not help this child. I read The Glass Castle: A Memoir earlier this year. There was love shown by the parents of Ms. Walls in Glass Castle. In Sickened it was total abuse.

#69 Death of a Glutton by M.C. Beaton 152 pages

#70 Dead Wrong by J.A. Jance 437 pages

#71 Death of a Traveling Man by M.C. Beaton
#72 Rotten to the Core by Sheila Connolly
#73 April & Oliver by Tess Callahan

Žinutė pakeista jos autoriaus, Gruodžio 13, 2009, 1:56pm.

#74 Edge of Evil by J.A. Jance 400 pages
I am reading this series by Jance from #1 on. Her latest in the series just came out on December 1 and I am trying to catch up. The setting is in Sedona, Arizona which is a place I really like.

I have already started the next book in the series Web of Evil

#75 Web of Evil by J.A. Jance 383 pages

#76 Death of a Charming Man by M.C. Beaton