2016 Reading Challenge: Week Three

This week, I read Margaret Atwood's Alias Grace, for the week 38's topic: A book about an anti-hero.  You might recognize Margaret Atwood's name as the author behind The Handmaid's Tale, and while her voice is definitely recognizable in this work, it's a very different story than that dystopian one.  The book is based on the actual trial and notes of Grace Marks.  It is based on the trial of Grace and James McDermott (her alleged co-conspirator in murder and lover) in 1843 Toronto for the murders of their employer and his mistress.  Each main chapter has a quote from a contemporary interview with Grace - either trial transcripts or from interviews with her after she was imprisoned.  She originally was sentenced to death by hanging (which as the fate of James McDermott), but that sentence was changed to life imprisonment.  The chapters tell the story of her childhood up to and including the murders and her time in prison and the lunatic asylum after she was arrested.

A well-told story that kept me riveted.  Did she or didn't she?  Atwood also introduces several subcharacters such as a doctor who interviews Grace to try to determine if she truly helped commit the murders or not, and throughout the whole book, you're never quite sure if Grace is sane or not.  A well-researched and interesting book.  I enjoyed this one a lot.

Next up, I've downloaded (but haven't started yet) What She Left to start this week.

The 2016 List
1. A book you meant to read in 2015, but didn't
2. A book set in a different continent
3. A book from the Goodreads Choice Awards 2015 (winner or nominated)
4. A book by an author you discovered in 2015
5. A book with a title beginning with the 1st letter of your name
6. The highest rated on your TBR
7. A book about books
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
10. A book by an author you feel you should have read by now
11. A book from the Rory Gilmore challenge
12. A childhood classic
13. Reader’s Choice
14. A book with one of the five W’s -or H in the title (Who/What/Where/When/Why/How)
15. A book set in the past (more than 100 years ago)
16. A book from the top 100 mystery novels
17. A book with a beautiful cover
18. A book on a summer/beach reading list
19. A non-fiction book
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
23. The next book in a series you are reading
24. A "between the numbers" book of a series (0.5, 1,5, 2.5, etc.)
25. A book whose main character is in a profession that interests you
26. A book everyone is talking about
27. A book with a beautiful title (in your own opinion)
28. A biography, autobiography, or memoir
29. A book by an author who writes under more than one name
30. A fairytale from a culture other than your own
31. A work of young adult fiction
32. A historical fiction book
33. The 16th book on your TBR
34. A book about mental illness
35. An award winning book
36. An identity book - a book about a different culture, religion or sexual orientation
37. A book that you've seen the movie of but haven't read
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)
42. A top 100 fantasy novel
43. A book about a thing that goes bump in the night
44. A book you're embarrassed to read in public
45. A book related to a hobby or passion you have
46. A crime story
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