cal8769's 2008 list

This is an awesome idea. I generally read more than 75 a year but when I checked my journal I only read 73 in 2007. So this is my list for 2008:

1.My Favorite Horror Story Edited by Bauer and Greenberg

2.The Amber Room by Steve Berry

3.A Complaint Free World by Will Bowen

4.A Brief History of the Dead by Kevin Brockmeier

5.Tunnels of Terror by Patricia Edwards Clyne

6.Echo Park by Michael Connelly

7.Tenderness by Dorothy Garlock

8.The Old Man And The Sea by Ernest Hemingway

9.Skin Tight by Carl Hiiasen

10.The Beloved Scoundrel by Iris Johnson

11.White Satin by Iris Johanson

12.Hell House by Alison Rattle and Allison Vale

13.Valley of Silence by Nora Roberts

14.Once Upon a Dream by Nora Roberts

15.Immortal in Death by Nora Roberts

16.Train From Marietta by Dorothy Garlock

17. A Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde

18.Seperate Beds by LaVyrle Spencer

19.Blood Brothers by Nora Roberts

20.The Dark Tide by Andrew Goss (Touchstone isn't working )
An ER Book.

21. Heart Shaped Box by Joe Hill

22.Some of Tim's Stories by S.E. Hinton

23.The Last White Knight by Tami Hoag

24.The Sheriff Takes a Wife by Debbie Macomber
25.The Cowboy's Lady by Debbie Macomber (Touchstone's not working)
Together inThe Manning Sisters

26.Summer of Roses by Luanne Rice

27.20th Century ghosts by Joe Hill

28. The Somnambulist by Johnathan Barnes
An ER book from the library

29. You've Been Warned by James Patterson
An ER book.

30. Iron Orchid by Stuart Woods

31. I'm Looking Through You: Growing Up Haunted: A Memoir by Jennifer Finney Boylan

32. Dry Ice by Stephen White

33. One in a Million by Kimberla Lawson Roby
An ER book.

34. Blaze by Richard Bachman

Been recommending Blaze to everyone I see interested in it. Hope you enjoyed it as much as I did. Are you a King fan?

35. My Big Fat Supernatural Honeymoon by P.N. Elrod

36. Cross Bones by Kathy Reichs

37.Small World by Tabitha King (Touchstone isn't working)

38.Four Dark Nights by Bentley Little (Didn't finish, Really didn't like it)

39.Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens

40. Pushing Up Daisies by Rosemary Harris
An ER book from another LTer.

#21 Okay, this is a very intriguing title. Any good?

No not really. It had 9 short stories dealing with vampires, etc.... Some of the stories were pretty good but overall not that great.

41. Devil's Cape by Rob Rogers
An ER book

AAAAHHHH I'm in a reading slump. Too much nice weather, work and LT!

#29. I find that I read in spurts. There are slumps followed by a succession of reading many books.
Hang in there!

Thanks Whisper. I am trying.

42.Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
43.Through the Looking Glass and What Alice Found There by Lewis Carroll
Together in More Annotated Alice by Lewis Carroll edited by Martin Gardner

44.Daylight and Nightmare by G.K. Chesterton

Msg 33. Ok that title sounds cool....more info, please.

So far, it's pretty interesting. It's a collection of G.K. Chesterton's early stories before he was published. I'm not too far into the book and I have never read this author before but his stories are off the beaten path, a little strange, a little fantasy.... You can tell they are written by a 'not so polished' author. I'll let you know when I'm finished how it turns out.

BTW, how did 20th Century Ghosts compare to Heart Shaped Box. I have read the novel but not the collection of shorts and wondered if they were as good as the novel.

The shorts were a wide variety, some truly disturbing, others strange but moving. I actually had tears in my eyes at the end of 'Pop Art'. I enjoyed the shorts because it showed many styles of writing. The creepy, disturbing stories were just as good as HsB. Try it. I don't think you will be disappointed.

45.The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch

46. Crazy Aunt Purl's Drunk, Divorced and Covered in Cat Hair by Laurie Perry

47. The Friday Night Knitting Club by Kate Jacobs

48. Wife For Hire by Janet Evanovich
49. Blackman's Coffin by Mark de Castrique

50. The Tenth Gift by Jane Johnson
51. The Richest Season by Maryann McFadden an ER book.

Message #41
How did you like Wife for Hire I've been a bit disappointed in recent Evanovich books.

It was OK. Nothing like the Stephanie Plum books. Wife For Hire is part of nine books that she wrote early in her career that were rereleased. No thought required just an attempt at slapstick comedy/romance. Other than the first several Stephanie Plum books her writing isn't that great. Very predictable. I like to try and read everything an author writes but if I would have read this book first, I probably wouldn't have tried another.

52. The Extra Large Medium by Helen Slavin
53. Signing for Dummies by Alan Penilla, II and Angela Lee Taylor
54. Hot Stuff by Janet Evanovich (wrong touchstone)
55. Annie Freeman's Fabulous Traveling Funeral by Kris Radish

I would read the last one (#55) just because of the title alone!

Me too. I saw it in the library and had to laugh!

56. Sunday's at Tiffany's by James Patterson and Gabrielle Charbonnet
57. Fearless Fourteen by Janet Evanovich

Hi cal8769
What did you think of Fearless Fourteen

Hi, I just started it. I'll let you know toward the end of the week or early next week. Everyone I talked to about it said it was very funny, more like her early Plum books. I hope so because I was starting to get bored but I want to see where Stephanie ends up.

Hi Cal8769
I've been very disappointed in the latest Evanovich books. Previously, the Stepahnie Plum books made me laugh right out loud. Recently, I find I'm bored with them and think Evanovich has stretched the story line way too thin.

I'm of much the same opinion. The last few have been fairly humdrum. But there were a few scenes in 14 that made me laugh out loud again - once loud enough to thoroughly tick off the wife because I woke her up.

But yeah, I think Evanovich should consider wrapping the series up soon.

IMO, the best moment was when Grandma shot the turkey off of the table and her poor dad just talked to himself. I was in tears.

I completely agree that Evanovich needs to retire Stephanie soon. I have not yet read Fearless Fourteen yet (actually I am several books behind because the series was losing steam), but have heard good things about the latest one, so I will probably try and catch up again. Maybe we could petition Evanovich for a Plum retirement party - with grandma as the headliner, of course!

LOL, she would steal the show for sure!

I finally finished Fearless Fourteen. It didn't seem as cookie cutter as the previous books but it wasn't as good as I had heard. I smiled at a few things but overall Evanovich is beating a soon to be dead horse. I don't regret reading it but I'm getting disappointed.

58. The 13th Reality by our very own, James Dashner
A Early Reviewer book kindly sent to me from a fellow LTer.

59. Why the South Lost the War: and Other Things I Don't Understand by Bo Whaley

60. The Dead Guy Interviews by Michael A. Stusser
61. Sorceress by Lisa Jackson (wrong touchstone)
62. Plum Lucky by Janet Evanovich

Hi Cal8769

I read Plum Lucky a few months ago and liked it. Unlikedsome of her most recent works, Evanovich made me laugh out loud while reading this one.

Did you enjoy the book?

Just started it. I am a bad girl and put the books on my list as I start to read them rather than when I am finished. I am just getting done with jury duty so my reading has suffered but we finished up tonight. Yeah!

I enjoyed Plum Lucky a lot. I was surprised but I found myself laughing out loud. It reminded me of the early Plum books.

I agree with you. I laughed out loud many times.
Evanovich has a formula and cast of characters that you grow to know (predictibly so.) However, her later books are not as witty and funny...perhaps it is time for her to find a new group of loonies we can love.

I was hoping with the Metro Gal or the Full Spin, House, etc.... books that would happen. So far, no dice. I love the Plum family.

I want to be Grandma Mazur when I grow up! (if I ever do, although I am not sure she has)

Hi alcottacre...
I laughed right out loud re. your comment of Grandma Mazur.

Very funny!

63. Married at Midnight by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss and others

Hi
I haven't heard of the book Married at Midnight please tell me about it. Did you like it?

It's OK. It's 4 short stories from different authors. It's your typical woman in trouble, man saves her, they fall deeply in love, have a misunderstanding, split apart, very unhappy, finally get back together for a fulfilling life. I enjoy Kathleen E. Woodiwiss' writing with Shanna and Ashes in the Wind being my favorites. She writes a good love story even if they are 'typical'

64. Blindsighted by Karin Slaughter
65. Last Breath by Michael Prescott
66. The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss a GD group read
67. Knockemstiff by Donald Ray Pollock

#71 cal8769: I am a big fan of Karin Slaughter's Grant County series, so if you like Blindsighted you may want to check out the rest of the series.

I read Faithless and enjoyed it. I didn't realize it was a series until you mentioned it. I grabbed Blindsighted by luck. It was eye level on a shelf on the way to the check out counter at the library. More books for the TBR mountain.

#73: The books in the series, in order are: Blindsighted, Kisscut, A Faint Cold Fear, Indelible, Faithless, and Beyond Reach. She also has a couple of non-series books as well , Triptych and Fractured, but I have not read either of those.

alcottacre, Thanks for the order of the Grant County series. I have Triptych on my TBR pile. If you want to read it I will send it to you once I read it. PM me your address. It might be several weeks as I am currently in a group read of The Name of the Wind with the Green Dragon crew and have 4 other books to read first.

#75: Thanks for the offer, cal. I will send you the mailing info on your LT page. Do not worry about the time frame - believe me, I have enough other books to keep me busy!

68. Prufrock and Other Observations by T.S. Eliot

69. Triptych by Karin Slaughter

70. The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman

71. Sticklers, Sideburns and Bikinis by Graeme Donald
An August ER book from a fellow LTer

You are close, very close to reaching the 75 book challenge. Hang in there!

72. For One More Day by Mitch Albom

Thanks, Whisper, I'm trying. I have a few books that I am still reading on the list but am tying them up. I am reading Oliver Twist from dailylit.com and they send me 3 installments a week so I probably won't finish it by the end of the year. I am currently reading three more but that's not unusual for me. I tend to read multiple books at once. 1 book I am waiting for from the library. I started it but only got halfway through and had to return it. Now I'm 3rd in line to get it but it's a short one and will have no problem finishing it when I finally get it. If I can't finish a book by the end of the year, I will mark it as such.

I like to put the books on this list when I start them that way I keep on track. I have so many TBR books that sometimes I feel like I have no direction. This list lets me choose a few books and makes sure that I read them.

73. The World's Most Haunted Places by Jeff Belanger

Hi. How was book #73. It sounds interesting.

It's a collection of shorts about different locations around the world. It's pretty good, kind of typical but the stories are interesting.

74. Famous Modern Ghost Stories by Various Authors
(wrong touchstone)

Don't congratulate me just yet. I have to finish some books before I truly have my 75 done but I am close. I'll let you know when I got them finished.

75. The Hollow by Nora Roberts (wrong touchstone)
76. Stiff by Mary Roach
77. Real Ghosts, Restless Spirits and Haunted Places by Brad Steiger

#87: What did you think of Stiff? I currently have it on Continent TBR.

Don't know about cal, but I liked it. Fascinating, but a bit gruesome in spots. I mean, after all, she's talking about what happens to dead bodies.

Spook was also good. I've got Boink on the TBR pile somewhere and have heard good things.

I have to agree with drneutron. It is fascinating. I work in the medical field and it is interesting to see what happens to some of the bodies after they leave us. I knew about seeking permission to practice procedures on the deceased and I was glad to know of the respect shown to cadavers. I know with organ donations it is a very respectful and moving experience. To know that someone can share their loved ones at the most terrible times in their life is inspiring.

I've added books #73 and #75 to my list. Thanks for the recommendations.

Did you read Blood Brothers by Nora Roberts? It is the first book in the trilogy before The Hollow. (stupid touchstones!)

I'm going to renumber my books. I currently have 1 reference and 2 e- books that won't be finished by the end of the year so I am currently at 74.

75. Chez Moi by Agnes Desarthe

Yeah I have officially reached my goal. YYYYAAAAAA

Congratulations to you!

Thanks, Whisper!

Congrats!

yet another reached 75, congratulations cal8769!

Woo Hoo! Add my congratulations to the rest.

Thanks everyone!

And congratulations from me, cal8769, you got the nubmers on this challenge!!!!

76. The Mercedes Coffin by Faye Kellerman
An ER book from the library
77. Carrie by Stephen King
A King's Dear Constant Readers group read
(A reread)

#101 cal8769: How is The Mercedes Coffin? I have slowly (actually imperceptibly slowly) working my way through the Peter Decker/Rina Lazarus series this year.

Hi, alcottacre,

I'm not done with it yet but it seems OK. The story isn't very gripping so far. I haven't read Kellerman before and I keep hoping that this story doesn't sour me to trying her other books.
Did you enjoy her other books in the series? What was the first one?

Finished The Mercedes Coffin and didn't care for it. I felt that the author wouldn't let the reader think for themselves. The author did a good job of building the characters because it is importantant to me to visualize the story but that was it. I don't think the mystery was very good and the dialogue was never ending. The characters just talked and talked. I probably will never read another Kellerman book. It's a shame because I was looking forward to reading this book ever simce I saw it on the ER list.

Personally, even though I have stuck with the series, I feel the stronger books in the series are the early ones. I thought the first book in the series, The Ritual Bath, was very good.

Thanks for the info, alcottacre. Maybe I will try an earlier one and see if I like her any better.

78. Spook by Mary Roach
79. The Lucky One by Nicholas Sparks

80. What We Keep by Elizabeth Berg

I've read several in The Ritual Bath series and I agree with Alcottacre--I think the stronger books were the earlier ones. Some of her writing is so derivative, especially compared to her husband's, but I did enjoy the initial books in the series.

Thanks, Prop2gether. I will need to give her early books a try.

81. Salem's Lot by Stephen King
A King's Dear Constant Reader's group read
(a reread)

Cool!!!!!

82. Pennsylvania Curiosities by Clark Deleon

#112 cal: I would have to read book 82 just because of the name alone. I was born in PA as were both of my parents, and I still have a ton of relatives living up there!

It's good. I tend to look for PA books a lot. It has stories about the Rocky statue in Philly, Centralia, Gravity Hill, and the Railroaders Museum among others.

Cool beans! I will have to look for it (although I suspect I will have to order it over the internet, since I live in Texas now).

you are right we do have similar tastes. you have read several that are still on my shelves waiting. guess i will have them for next year's challenge.

83. The Pagan Stone by Nora Roberts
84. Fractured by Karin Slaughter
85. The 6th Target by James Patterson

message 112

Cal,

I'm curious about the book Pennsylvania Curiosities. Heck, I've lived in PA all my life and I thought the only curiosities were my family members....
I'll need to get a copy of this book and see if entire chapters are devoted to them...
For example, is there a mention of a crazy Uncle David who tried to blow up a picnic table during a family reunion Fourth of July party?
or, an Aunt who accused a family member of stealing precious art work? In truth the "art work" was a velvet painting purchased at a five and ten cent store thirty years ago...
Oh, I could go on, but I'll stop here.

Whisper, Are you sure that you are not related to me?

cal
Thanks for making me smile

I always thought that all Pennsylvanians were related to each other (even those of us who no longer live there!)

Stasia
Perhaps you, Cal and I can start a group
called
The Sane Pennsylvanians...
However, the danger in doing so is that those we deem not as sane as us, we certainly disagree.

>118 Whisper1: Whisper, don't stop! Tell us some more about your crazy relatives - Uncle Dave sounds like a hoot!

- TT

My family's all from Louisiana - they're the dictionary definition of crazy relatives...And that's why I live in Maryland! 8^}

I'm not sure if I would be one of the sane ones!

I see, my dysfunctional family is no exception here ;-)

I think that all families are normal, in a dysfunctional kind of way. ;)

Cal..
I agree with you...however in my family "normal" simply would never be a term used.

And while some of the tales may be funny, over all, many of the stories are sad, heart breaking..and
VERY frustrating. The exact kind of stuff Anne Tyler writes about. Dinner at the Homesick Restuarant was a book I could relate to.

Sigh, another book to the wishlist.

My husband's family are famous, or infamous, whichever you prefer, for telling family stories. I have an odd Uncle Dave too. Maybe they should get together.

#124: doc, I am really in trouble then . . .my family is from Pennsylvania, but my husband's are all from Louisiana!

*snort*
Isn't that the truth.

Heh. Great title!

At my family reunions, there was always a lot of spitting, and usually into used coffee cans.

blackdogbooks..
Please do welcome your family to join mine and then, at the joint reunion, my family can blow up things and yours can use their spitting techniques to put out the fire(s).

First, I warn you though, before the picnic tables fly through the air, there will be an intense conversation about the family claim to fame, ie that we have a cemetary plot where family members are buried, right in the same row as Jayne Mansfield.
In case you are not familiar with her, she was a contemporary of Marilyn Monroe.

Messge #131...TT...your first book should of course contain this marvelous phrase in the title!

>135 Whisper1: Whisper, did you click on the link? - that title is already taken!

Any other suggestions?

- TT

Don't forget All Families Are Psychotic too....

>137 FlossieT: Flossie, everyone is psychotic except you and me and I think that even you may be a bit psychotic!

- TT

http://www.librarything.com/work/book/38804884

TT.

Sorry, I didn't click on the link. I have major brain fog at the end of the semester.

>138 TheTortoise:, why, thank you TT.... I certainly feel I have borderline psychotic tendencies at certain times of the day (most frequently the 15 minutes in between when the children ought to have gone to bed and when they actually go to bed).

What about me? I would like to think that I'm not psychotic. (and who am I kidding)

I am borderline with a lot of other issues, my sister is psychotic (and denies it) won't mention the flaws in the rest of my family, you could get depressed ;-)

Good thing none of of us have antisocial personalities!!!

86. The Shining by Stephen King
A King's Dear Constant Reader's group read.
(reread)
87. Doublecross by James Patterson
88. T is for Trespass by Sue Grafton
89. The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson

edited for a substitution. I was going to read Cross County but set it aside for Hill House.

90. Tender Grace by Jackina Stark, an ER book

cal
Can you tell me a bit about Sue Grafton's works. Do you recommend her books?

I have read all of the alphabet series and I would recommend her. It's neat to see how she grows with her writing as the series progress. Grafton has a nice sense of humor which comes out in her writing and the mysteries are good. She is a little more serious than Evanovich's Plum series and with any series, after a while it starts to get a little stale. She changed it up a little with 'Q' where she wrote her story around a real crime that was never solved. Her main character is a PI named Kinsey Milhone and she gets in her share of trouble.

Add my recommendations for Sue Grafton. I haven't finished all the series, but I really like Kinsey and her cohorts.

I may have to try the series again. I read the first one years ago, and did not care for it so I never tried any of the rest of the alphabet, lol.

Prop2gether and Cal...Thanks for your comments re. the Grafton books.
I'll give her a try in 2009.

91. Low Man by T.J. Vargo an ER book

92. Bone Collector by Jefferey Deaver

93. Dockside by Susan Wiggs

Well, this is it. 93 is about 20 more than last year so goody for me. I'm glad all of you were here to help me out and I'm looking forward to an amazing '09. I'll see you here.......http://www.librarything.com/topic/51319 ..Keep the comments coming.

Thanks!

I'm looking forward to reading your posts in 2009!

93 books is quite an accomplishment!

Thanks Whisper. I'm tickled with myself. Thanks for your support.