Dara Tries for 75

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1. Fault in the Stars by John Green

I enjoyed this more than his book Looking for Alaska.

2. Songs for the Missing by Stewart O'Nan

This was a very slow, tedious book, but it was well written. It was just OK.

3. Rattlesnake Crossing by J.A. Jance

I really like this series.

4. Five Days in November by Clint Hill

Another well written book about the Kennedy assassination by the secret service man who was there.

5. The Lace Reader by Brunonia Barry

I was not that fond of this.

6. Sycamore Row by John Grisham

This was a good sequel, but not my favorite Grisham.

7. The Wedding Dress by Rachel Hauck

I loved this book. It is my favorite book, I have read so far this year.

8. Me Before You by Jojo Moyes

This was a touching romance between a man paralyzed from the neck down and his quirky caregiver. I am not a romance reader, but I wished for more romance between Louisa and Will.

9. The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton

This reminded me of West Side Story. I did not like the pointless fighting. I thought it was a bit dated.

10. When Lightning Strikes by Kristin Hannah

I thought this was the worst Kristin Hannah I have read and usually I love her books. Too much of a western, but some explicit descriptions of sex.

11. Inside the Mind of Scott Peterson by Keith Ablow

This was an easy read. I am anxious to read his book about Casey Anthony. Considering he is a psychiatrist, he spoke in easy to understand language, not over your head. My only criticism is that sometimes you had to read carefully as he projected what Scott Peterson should of or could have said.

12. Eyes Wide Open by Andrew Gross

This was a good mystery.

13. The Green Mile by Stephen King

I have seen this movie several times and loved it. The book was really good and brought me to tears.

14. Red by Erica Spindler

I really enjoyed this book. Romantic suspense. I love Spindler anyway.

15. Levi's Will by W. Dale Cramer

I read this for my book discussion. It was a good story about forgiveness.

16. Fly Away by Kristin Hannah

I think I would have enjoyed this more if I had just read Firefly Lane and then this book. I did not think it was as good as Firefly Lane, but had a read them back to back, I think I might have felt differently.

17. Burnout by Jeannine Kadow

A very enjoyable mystery. I have owned this book for a long time.

18. First Love by James Patterson

This was an okay story. I think Patterson has much better stand alones than this. It might appeal to teenagers more than it did to this grandma.

19. So Cold the River by Michael Koryta

I have friends who really liked this. This was a different kind of book than I have read in years. It was interesting. At this point, I don't believe I will seek out any more of Koryta's book. If something comes along that I might enjoy who knows.

20. Dare Me by Megan Abbott

I kept waiting for something to happen. The characters were not likeable.

21. Private #1 Suspect by James Patterson

Another good one in this series. Maxine Patetro and James Patterson make a great team.

22. Cut by Patricia McCormick

This was a good YA novel about cutting and the treatment.

23. Reversible Errors by Scott Turow

I had read the firs few books in this series years ago and then could not get into the next book. This book was a pretty good story and I may go back and pick up the rest of them.

24. Lost by Alice Lichtenstein

This book was well written. If you want to read about dementia, Still Alice is a much better story.

25. And the Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini

This was a good book. It was not as good as The Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns in my opinion. I will echo what I have seen in several other reviews. There were a lot of characters and when you first start reading you are unsure of their connection. Eventually, it becomes clear. True also is the statement you don't find out what happens to some of the characters.

26. Stolen Lives by Malika Oufkir

About a family related to the king of Morocco that was held in deplorable conditions for 20 years before being released. The reason they were put in prison is the father of the family tried to kill the king.

27. Natchez Burning by Greg Iles

Held my interest for every page. I can't wait for the next book.

28. The Tunnels by Michelle Gagnon

For a debut novel, it was pretty good, although I am not rushing out to get the next in the series.

29. Privileged Information by Stephen White

This was okay. I have read some later in the series I liked better.

30. Shadow Man by Cody McFadyen

This was really good. I will be reading more of this series.

31. Postcard Killers by James Patterson
This was a really good one. Lisa Markland is a good writer.

32. The Lifeboat by Charlotte Rogan

Although the writing was good, I thought this was dull and lacked action.

33. Void Moon by Michael Connelly

This was a departure from Harry Boush where the good guys win.

A heist in Las Vegas goes wrong because of the bad luck of the void moon.

34. Secret Daughter by Shilpi Somaya Gowda

This was a good story that partly takes place in India. I was a little disappointed in the ending because I wanted a happily ever after ending.

35. Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline

This was wonderful historical fiction. I really enjoyed the story.

36. Nights in Rodanthe

A friend from work gave me this to read and I took it with me on a trip. I always enjoy Nicholas Sparks.

37. The Improper Life of Bezellia Grove by Susan Gregg Gilmore

I love southern literature. I really enjoyed this and plan on reading more of this author.

38. Judas Kiss by J. T. Ellison

This was another good mystery in this series.

39. Unlucky 13 by James Patterson

I enjoyed this.

40. Winning Balance by Shawn Johnson

I felt Shawn was older than her years. A lot of insight that I don't think I had at that age.

41. Secret Year by Jennifer R. Hubbard

I enjoyed this secretive teenage love story. Poor Colton had no one to talk to after Julia died, after all who would believe him, if he said he had been with Julia?

42. The Year We Disappeared by Cylin Busby

A good memoir of what this family endured and corruption with in the police Department.

43. Prayers and Lies by Sherri Wood Emmons

I loved this book. Several twists I was not expecting.

44. Bootlegger's Daughter by Margaret Maron

This was a good start to the series. I will continue this series.

45. California Girl by T. Jefferson Parker

I was a little disappointed in this book. Parker's books are usually better.

46. The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton

This had a lot of twists and turns. Another excellent book by Morton.

47. But I Trusted You by Ann Rule

I thought the first story was slow. The rest of the stories I enjoyed.

48. All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr

This was a really good story that takes place during World War II.

49. Code Blue by Nancy Fisher

I enjoyed this book. I needed an author whose last name started with F.
I might at some time in the future read something by her again.

50. Killer Show: The Station Nightclub Fire America's Deadliest Rock Concert by John Barylick

This was a very well researched book. He covered everything about the fire. He told how one of the bouncers blocked a door of escape and ultimately contributed to the death toll. He told how the money received by survivors was divided. He explained the lengths they went to prove who had made the flammable wall coverings, and how other construction contributed to people being unable to escape. This was great book.

51. The Quickening by Michelle Hoover

This was a strange story because the main characters did not like each other very much. It was kind of dark. I had hoped I would like it better than I did.

52. Murder in Plain Sight by Marta Perry

I really enjoyed this book. I have plans to read the next book.

53. In the Bleak Midwinter by Julia Spencer-Fleming

I really enjoyed this book and plan to continue the series.

54. Coroner at Large by Thomas Noguchi

I had read his book Coroner. This was interesting. (See review)

55. Immoral by Brian Freeman

This was a good mystery. I am interested in continuing the series.

56. How to Save a Life by Sara Zarr

This had a great happy ending. I liked the book.

57. A Dog Named Christmas by Greg Kincaid

I saw the Hallmark Hall of Fame movie. I really enjoyed the book more. I recommended this to a friend.

58. Heartstopper by Joy Fielding

This was not the best Joy Fielding I have read. I enjoyed it and it kept my interest.

59. Letter of the Law by Tim Green

This was the first Casey Jordan book in the series. A very creepy professor. (See review)

60. Christmas with Tucker by Greg Kincaid

This book was referred to in A Dog Named Christmas. This was very well written. I preferred the first book.

61. She said Yes: The Unlikely Martyrdom of Cassie Bernall by Misty Bernall

Even though it was proved the main premise of this book was disproved, it was interesting. I think this was the first book I have read about Columbine that said that many of the kids in school were involved in the occult, talked opening of killing this person and that person, but no took them seriously.

I think it great that Cassie was able to turn her life around.

62. Innocent Blood by Terry Ganey

This was a good true crime book. (See review)

63. Secret Prey by John Sandford

This was one of the better John Sandford books with Lucas Davenport.

Serial killer is seems to be killing people who work for a bank in order to attain promotions.

64. Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen

I loved this book. I have put the sequel on reserve for next year.

65. My last book I finished before midnight on New Year's Eve If I Loved You Wednesday by Jeannette Eyerly

I will try for 75 next year. I have a feeling I will not meet that lofty goal until I retire in about 5 1/2 years.