I finished reading
The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky for week #11 (a book from the Rory Gilmore challenge). Definitely not a favorite of this year's reading group. Too much teenage angst. I am glad now I didn't also see the movie as I can't imagine I'd have liked it either.
I also read
The Lazarus Gate by Mark Latham as week #22's "First book in a new-to-you series." A fun, entertaining read. Lots of suspension of disbelief albeit wrapped in an appealing package. This one combines late 19th century history, a retired military man, some Dr. Who-vian time warping, a parallel universe and all sorts of adventure. You kind of have to read it to see how he pulls all of this together.
I then started
The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova. An interesting premise involving some ancient books and old letters - I suspect I'm going to agree with my friend, Christine's, review that this one could have used some editing. The story concept is good - but every time I look at the percentage read, it doesn't seem to be increasing very much. Slow going, but I'm invested now, so I'll try to finish this one up this week.
43/52.
The 2016 List
1. A book you meant to read in 2015, but didn't. Entwined by Heather Dixon - DONE.
2.
A book set in a different continent: Circling the Sun by Paula McLain - DONE.
3. A book from the Goodreads Choice Awards 2015 (winner or nominated) - The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah (audio) - DONE.
4. A book by an author you discovered in 2015: Four Seasons in Rome by Anthony Doerr - DONE.
5. A book with a title beginning with the 1st letter of your name: Wallace Stegner's Angle of Repose - DONE.
6.
The highest rated on your TBR: The Clockmaster by Betsy Tobin - DONE.
7.
A book about books - Gutenberg's Apprentice - Alix Christie - DONE.
8. A classic book with less than 200 pages: Edith Wharton's Age of Innocence - DONE
9.
A book that was mentioned in another book: West with the Night - Beryl Markham - DONE
10.
A book by an author you feel you should have read by now: Thud - Terry Pratchett - DONE.
11.
A book from the Rory Gilmore challenge - The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky - DONE.
12. A childhood classic: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by JK Rowling - DONE.
13. Reader’s Choice: Vienna Nocturne by Vivien Shotwell - DONE.
14. A book with one of the five W’s -or H in the title (Who/What/Where/When/Why/How) What She Left - T.R. Richmond - DONE.
15. A book set in the past (more than 100 years ago): Cervantes Street by Jamie Manrique - DONE.
16.
A book from the top 100 mystery novels: The Blessing Way by Tony Hillerman - DONE.
17. A book with a beautiful cover: Bluebeard's Egg by Margaret Atwood
18. A book on a summer/beach reading list: Career of Evil by Robert Galbraith - DONE.
19. A non-fiction book - Lives in Ruins by Marilyn Johnson - DONE.
20.
A book with a first name in the title
21.
A book from the Goodreads Recommendations page
22.
The first book in a new to you series: The Lazarus Gate by Mark Latham - DONE.
23.
The next book in a series you are reading: The Silkworm by Robert Galbraith - DONE.
24. A "between the numbers" book of a series (0.5, 1,5, 2.5, etc.): The Three Monarchs by Anthony Horowitz - DONE.
25. A book whose main character is in a profession that interests you: Mind of the Raven by Bernd Henrich - DONE.
26.
A book everyone is talking about - Knitlandia by Clara Parkes - DONE.
27. A book with a beautiful title (in your own opinion): Belle Cora - Richard Margulies - DONE.
28. A biography, autobiography, or memoir: Jack London: An American Life by Earle Labor - DONE.
29. A book by an author who writes under more than one name: The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith (aka JK Rowling) - DONE.
30.
A fairytale from a culture other than your own: The Firebird by Susanna Kearsley - DONE.
31. A work of young adult fiction: The Iron Thorn by Caitlin Kittredge. DONE.
32. A historical fiction book: The Scribe by Matthew Guin - DONE.
33.
The 16th book on your TBR:
The Dark Lantern by Gerri Brightwell.
34. A book about mental illness: Adeline by Norah Vincent - DONE
35. An award winning book: River of Doubt by Candice Millard - DONE.
36. An identity book - a book about a different culture, religion or sexual orientation: Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides - DONE.
37.
A book that you've seen the movie of but haven't read - The English Patient by Michael Ondaatje - DONE.
38.
A book about an anti hero: Margaret Atwood's Alias Grace - DONE.
39.
A previous suggestion that did not make it into the list
40.
A novella from your favorite genre:
41.
A book about a major world event (fiction or non-fiction): The Paris Architect by Charles Belfoure - DONE.
42. A top 100 fantasy novel: The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss - DONE.
43
. A book about a thing that goes bump in the night: The Edinburgh Dead by Brian Ruckley - DONE.
44.
A book you're embarrassed to read in public: A Stolen Rose by Amy Corwin - DONE.
45.
A book related to a hobby or passion you have: The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova.
46. A crime story: The Cutting Season by Attica Locke - DONE.
47.
A book with a type of food/drink in the title
48.
A dystopia
49.
A book with a great opening line
50. A book originally written in a language other than English: Tove Jansson's The Summer Book - DONE.
51.
A short story from a well-known author
52. A book published in 2016 - The Dark Lady's Mask by Mary Sharratt - DONE.
