Two Historical Fiction Reads

The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd

I was wary about reading this, since her last book "The Mermaid Chair", was such a flop.  I was hoping this was more on the level of "The Secret Life of Bees".  I was happy that I took the chance.

This story alternates between Hattie (Handful) a slave and Sarah Grimké , the daughter of a slave owner.  We watch both of these ladies grow from very young girls to mature women.  Handful is Sarah's slave.  Sarah does not want this, but as a young girl, she has no say.  Her father, who is a lawyer and judge, keeps Sarah from following in his footsteps.  We go through their lives, together and apart, and watch how they both 'sprout wings' and fly.

This type of Historical Fiction is Kidd's specialty.  Based on a true story, this telling is very compelling. 

This is an Oprah Book Club pick.  I usually read her picks, I've not been disappointed on the new books she brings to my attention.


News From Heaven by Jennifer Haigh

"News From Heaven: The Bakerton Stories" is a collection of short stories by the author of the novel "Faith." Most of these stories take place between the 1920s through the second World War. It revolves around a town in Pennsylvania called Bakerton (a mining town).  The town's population is overwhelmingly Polish.  A few of these stories deal with the Polish Christian and the Jewish people they have contact with.  One of my favorite stories is the first one. "Beast and Bird" is a story about a young Polish woman who goes to work as a maid for a Jewish couple in New York City.  However, all of the stories are very well written and interesting.

The Fantasy Project: 101 Books in 10 Years

The list was compiled by Bella (formerly of A Bibliophile’s Bookshelf), who currently blogs at A Prairie Girl Reads, and Jo (Ink & Paper) when they held a mammoth poll in 2009 inviting readers to nominate their favorite fantasy books. The list is compiled of all the books nominated and voted for (813 total) in order by number of votes. The challenge started out with a year long format and then I changed it to a perpetual challenge. In both instances, books could be read from the top 101 or the entire list of 813.

Below are the guidelines for this revamped challenge. I hope you will join me!

The guidelines for The Fantasy Project

• Read 101 fantasy books from the list of 101, or the entire list of 813, in 10 years (access the lists at the top of the blog).
• choose 101 fantasy books from the list (due to the large amount of urban/paranormal fantasy titles on the list, I have made this exception–26 titles can be titles that are not on the list, i.e. newer releases that came out after the list was compiled, more books of a high fantasy nature, etc.) To break it down…75 titles from the list and 26 that are not on the list = 101 books total.
• you can read other books in a series in which the first book, or other books in the series, appears on the list, to complete the challenge
• post your list on your blog
• choose your completion goal date ten years in the future and make note of it with your list of titles (like this:  reading goal–101 books  goal dates–August 20, 2013 – August 20, 2023)
• come back here and post the link to your list in the linky below
• write a review on the book when finished and link it to the title in your list 
  
• there are pages at the top of the blog that link to spreadsheets where you can list/link up your reviews
• there is a members list page, where I will list your name, blog, goal date, and link to your list
• there is a “introduce yourself” page for members
• when you have completed the challenge, come add your link to the Completed Challenges page
• If you happen to host a read-a-long, or an event or challenge surrounding one of the titles on your list, post about it at this PAGE
• I will try to have periodic group check-ins too
• grab the button from sidebar

A few more important details

• this challenge can be crossed over with any other challenges
• your link in the linky below must lead to your list, not just your main blog address. Any links that are blog links only will be deleted
• the list must be made in advance. The idea is to work toward reading fantasy you may have been otherwise neglecting and/or the fantasy titles/authors you love. However, the list does not have to be set in stone. You can change out titles as the mood suits you.
• every 2 – 3 months we will have what we’ll call the Wheel of Fortune (borrowing from The Classics Club classics spin idea) where you make a list of 15 books from your list (i.e. 5 you’re dreading, 5 you can’t wait for, 5 favorites or rereads–yes, rereads are okay OR 5 urban fantasy, 5 high fantasy, 5 by the same author…the list is pretty much up to you). On a predetermined date, I will randomly draw (random.org) a number from 1 – 15 and the number that’s chosen will be the book you read from your list of fifteen.
• our Twitter hashtag is #101FantasyProject
• Addendum:  If you finish the 101 books before the ten years is up, come back and make another list and reset your ten year time limit!

Completion Date: August 21, 2023

0/101 done

* Not on original list
** Part of Series but not on original list

1 The Handmaid's Tale - Margaret Atwood
2 Tuck Everlasting - Natalie Babbitt *
3 The Door Within - Wayne Thomas Batson *
4 The Mists of Avalon - Marion Bradley
5 Story's End - Marissa Burt *
6 Ender’s Game - Orson Scott Card
7 Artemis Fowl - Eoin Colfer
8 Artemis Fowl: The Time Paradox – Eoin Colfer
9 Artemis Fowl: The Eternity Code – Eoin Colfer
10 Artemis Fowl: The Lost Colony – Eoin Colfer
11 Artemis Fowl: The Arctic Incident – Eoin Colfer
12 Artemis Fowl: The Opal Deception – Eoin Colfer
13 Gregor the Overlander - Suzanne Collins
14 Gregor and the Mark of Secrets - Suzanne Collins
15 Gregor and the Code of Claw - Suzanne Collins
16 Gregor and the Prophecy of Bane - Suzanne Collins
17 Gregor and the Curse of the Warmbloods - Suzanne Collins
18 The Book of Lost Things - John Connolly
19 The Twelve - Justin Cronin *
20 Dreams Underfoot (Newford # 1) - Charles de Lint
21 The Blue Girl (Newford #15) - Charles de Lint **
22 Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell - Suzanna Clarke
23 Black: The Birth of Evil - Ted Dekker *
24 A Christmas Carol - Charles Dickens (reread)
25 Lord Foul's Bane (Thomas Covenant #1) - Stephen Donaldson
26 The Illearth War (Thomas Covenant #2) - Stephen Donaldson **
27 The Power that Preserves (Thomas Covenant #3) - Stephen Donaldson **
28 Battle of the Ampere - Richard Paul Evans *
29 Voyager - Diana Gabaldon
30 The Drums of Autumn - Diana Gabaldon
31 The Fiery Cross - Diana Gabaldon
32 A Breath of Snow and Ashes - Diana Gabaldon
33 Stardust - Neil Gaiman
34 Good Omens - Neil Gaiman, Terry Pratchett
35 Neverwhere - Neil Gaiman
36 The Graveyard Book - Neil Gaiman
37 Coraline - Neil Gaiman
38 American Gods - Neil Gaiman
39 Anansi Boys - Neil Gaiman
40 Pandemonium - Daryl Gregory
41 Heart Shaped Box - Joe Hill *
42 Horns - Joe Hill *
43 Lost Horizon - James Hilton
44 Assassin’s Apprentice - Robin Hobb
45 The Dark Tower - Stephen King
46 The Wastelands - Stephen King
47 Wizards and Glass - Stephen King
48 The Drawing of the Three - Stephen King
49 Song of Susannah - Stephen King
50 Wolves of the Calla - Stephen King
51 The Talisman - Stephen King / Peter Straub *
52 Wrinkle in Time - Madeline L'Engle
53 Demon: A Memoir - Tosca Lee *
54 Voyage of the Dawn Treader - C.S. Lewis **
55 The Silver Chair - C.S. Lewis **
56 The Horse and His Boy - C.S. Lewis **
57 The Magician's Nephew - C.S. Lewis **
58 The Last Battle - C.S. Lewis **
59 The Power of Six - Pittacus Lore *
60 The Rise of Nine - Pittacus Lore *
61 The Cthulhu Mythos (Call of Cthulhu) - HP Lovecraft
62 Messenger - Lois Lowry *
63 Son - Lois Lowry *
64 Lilith - George MacDonald
65 At the Back of the North Wind - George MacDonald
66 Wicked - Gregory Maguire
67 Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister – Gregory Maguire
68 A Storm of Swords (Complete Book) - George R.R. Martin 
69 A Feast for Crows - George R.R. Martin 
70 A Dance With Dragons - George R.R. Martin
71 Evermore – Alyson Noel
72 Blue Moon – Alyson Noel
73 The Leftovers - Tom Perrotta *
74 Wings - Aprilynne Pike 
75 The Color of Magic (Discworld #1) - Terry Pratchett
76 Men at Arms (Discworld #15) - Terry Pratchett **
77 Going Postal (Discworld #33) - Terry Pratchett **
78 Northern Lights (The Golden Compass) – Philip Pullman
79 The Subtle Knife – Philip Pullman
80 The Amber Spyglass – Philip Pullman
81 Hollow City (Miss Peregrine #2) - Ransom Riggs *
82 The Lightning Thief – Rick Riordan
83 The Last Olympian – Rick Riordan
84 The Sea of Monsters – Rick Riordan
85 The Titan’s Curse – Rick Riordan
86 The Battle of the Labyrinth – Rick Riordan
87 Allegiant - Veronica Roth *
88 The Name of the Wind - Patrick Rothfuss
89 The Bone Season (Book 1) - Samantha Shannon *
90 The Bone Season Untitled (Book 2) - Samantha Shannon *
91 The Bone Season Untitled (Book 3) - Samantha Shannon *
92 Elsewhere - Will Shetterly *
93 The Amulet of Samarkand - Jonathan Stroud
94 The Golem's Eye - Jonathan Stroud
95 Ptolemy's Gate - Jonathan Stroud
96 The Ring of Soloman - Jonathan Stroud **
97 The Hobbit - JRR Tolken
98 The Time Machine - HG Wells
99 The Place of the Lion - Charles Williams
100 Descent Into Hell - Charles Williams *
101 The Eyes of the Dragon - Stephen King * 

Non-Fiction Adventure

Hey I am joining The True Book Addict in her Non-Fiction Adventure.
http://non-fictionadventure.blogspot.com/


Reading Goal - 150 books.
Goal Dates: April 1, 2012 - April 1, 2017


...building this list may take a while


History
The Warmth of Other Suns: The Epic Story of America's Great Migration - Isabel Wilkerson 5/18/12
Hardship and Hope: America and the Great Depression - Victoria Sherrow
History in Asphalt:  The Origin of Bronx Street and Place Names - John McNamara
The Northern Borough: A History of the Bronx - Lloyd Ultan
The Bronx: Bits and Pieces - Bill Twoomey

Social Sciences
The Souls of Black Folk - WEB DuBois


Memoirs
The Happiness Project - Gretchen Rubin
The Rat That Got Away (A Bronx Memoir) - Allen Jones
The Color of Water - James McBride
Black Like Me - John Howard Griffin
My Reading Life - Pat Conroy  4/2/12
Hellucination - Stephen Brio
Drop Dead Healthy - A.J. Jacobs 4/29/12
Dying to Be Me - Anita Moorjani
Death Be Not Proud - John Gunther

Autobiography
The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man - James Weldon Johnson


Biography
Devil in the White City - Erik Larson 4/18/12


Metaphysics/Religion/New Thought
Wishes Fulfilled: Mastering the Art of Manifesting - Wayne Dyer
Being in Balance: 9 Principals for Creating Habits to Match Your Desires - Wayne Dyer 4/13/12
The Success Principles - Jack Canfield

Health and Wellness
You, on a Diet: The Owner's Manual for Waist Management - Roizen & Oz 4/18/12
Why We Get Fat  - Gary Taubs 4/18/12
Eat Right For Your Type - Peter D'Adamo 5/7/12
The Paleo Solution - Robb Wolf 5/7/12


Other
10 People Every Christian Should Know - Warren W. Wiersbe
Late Bloomers - Debra Eve
Here is New York - E.B. White 5/10/12

Winding Down the Challenge

The High Summer Read-a-Thon has started and you can find it on The True Book Addict Blog.  

I am currently reading:

I'm so pathetic. I haven't even finished this book. There is just no time. I work from 7:30 - 5pm. I read to and from work. When I get home I cook, practice guitar and then watch my shows. By the time I'm done, I'm DONE! I haven't read in bed this week.

However, I am enjoying this book. I will review it when I'm done. I'm only 1/2 way through it, but it is holding my interest.

First Day - Currently Reading

The High Summer Read-a-Thon has started and you can find it on The True Book Addict Blog.  

I am currently reading:

I don't know what else I'm going to read.  I might just try to finish "Big Machine" by Victor LaValle. However, knowing me, I'll start something new. Just don't know what yet.

Spring Reading Thing - 2011

Being Hosted by Callapidder Days


Here’s a brief recap of how to be a part of Spring Reading Thing 2011:

Make a list of books you want to read (or finish reading) this spring. Your list can be as long or as short as you’d like. (Also, feel free to modify your list during the challenge if it’s not working for you.)

Write a blog post containing your list and submit it to this post using the Mr. Linky (see host blog for link).

Get reading! The challenge goes from, March 20th, through June 20th.
Check out other participants’ lists and add to your own to-read-someday pile!

Write a post about your challenge experience in June, telling us all about whether you reached your goals and how Spring Reading Thing went for you. But remember: this is a low-pressure challenge that should be fun. As long as you do some reading this spring (and enjoy it!), that’s good enough for me.

1. Immigrants by Howard Fast
2. The Confession by Beverly Lewis
3. The Heart of Rachel by Kathleen Thompson Norris
4. Candle in the Darkness by Lynn Austin

Reading Religions Challenge

I will be doing the Reading Religions Challenge with Wendy.
Read 10 (or more) books, each having to do with a different religion (or cult)
for ex.
book 1 = buddihst
book 2 = christian
book 3 = catholic
book 4 = quaker
etc.

Heaven is For Real by Todd Burpo (Christian)
The Shunning (Heritage of Lancaster County #1) by Beverly Lewis (Amish)

The Given Day by Dennis Lehane

The Given Day
By Dennis Lehane

Synopsis
The Given Day tells the story of two families--one black, one white--swept up in a maelstrom of revolutionaries and anarchists, immigrants and ward bosses, Brahmins and ordinary citizens, all engaged in a battle for survival and power.

This was a long book, but it had a lot of action. There was not much of a lull anywhere. It went from family to family and event to event. Riots, strikes, disasters, deaths, killings…you name it, this book had it.

Set in 1919 Boston, it mixes fact with fiction. This is a great historical novel that will bring you right into the heart of the story. There are happy endings and bitter sweet ones that will stick in your memory for a long time. I learned a lot about this era that I hadn’t known.

The only other story I am familiar with by Dennis Lehane is “Shutter Island” which I saw in the movies. I loved that movie, and probably would have loved the book. He has several novels out and I would like to read another. However, I will go on to read other stuff now, but will keep him in mind for the future.

This book: 4 out of 5 stars.

Who would I recommend this book to:
1. Anyone who likes historical fiction especially from the 1918 – 1919.
2. Anyone who likes a sweeping saga with a lot of rich characters and a great story line.
3. Anyone from Boston, USA

2011 E-book Challenge

2011 E-Book Challenge

Challenge Guidelines:
1. Anyone can join. You don't need a blog to participate.

--Non-bloggers: Include your information in the comment section.

2. There are four levels:

-- Curious – Read 3 e-books.

-- Fascinated – Read 6 e-books.

-- Addicted – Read 12 e-books.

-- Obsessed – Read 20 e-books.

-- Possessed – Read 50 e-books.

-- Fanatical – Read 75 e-books.

-- Monomaniacal – Read 100 e-books.

3. Any genre counts.

4. You can list your books in advance or just put them in a wrap-up post. If you list them, feel free to change them as the mood takes you.

5. Challenge begins January 1, 2011 and lasts until December 31, 2011.

I've decided to join in after I saw it posted on Wendy's page. I had planned to read from my Kindle more this year anyway, so why not. I will probably do -- Obsessed – Read 20 e-books. If down the line I do more, then I'll revamp the post.

No book list yet, I don't like to do that, but here is a list of the completed books so far:

1. The Given Day - Dennis Lehane
2. The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin - Benjamin Franklin
3. Heaven is for Real - Todd Burpo
4. Macrobiotics for Dummies - Verne Verona
5. The Shunning ( (Heritage of Lancaster County #1)-Beverly Lewis
6. Poke The Box - Seth Godin
7. Imaginary Jesus - Matt Mikalatos

My Personal Christmas Movie Challenge

Since I am such a Movie Maniac, I thought I'd challenge myself to a movie challenge. I love Christmas movies, and I've seen so many. A challenge for me is finding new ones to watch. I often fall back on the staples such as "Miracle on 34th Street" and "It's A Wonderful Life". Each year I manage to find a few new movies that I had not seen before. They could be new for that year, or Classic Movies that I didn't know where Christmas related.

This year I am going to challenge myself to watch 10 new Christmas related movies. New meaning I'd never seen them before, not new for 2010.

Some movies that I am considering include:
La Buche (1999)
A Christmas Carol (2009)
A Christmas Without Snow (1980)
In The Good Old Summertime (1949)

There are some movies that I really want to see, but are only on VHS, so I am hoping to catch them on TV. I generally watch around 25 Christmas movies a year, many of them old standards. I have just about exhausted the Classic Movies with Christmas themes, and I am trying to find more religious Christmas movies, but there are not too many. I will most likely be stuck with the dreaded Hallmark Christmas movies.

I am hoping to review them as I go, movie by movie. I am starting on November 15th and will go until December 26th. Hopefully I won't be too sick of them by then.

Gothic Reading Challenge (2011)

http://gothicreadingchallenge.blogspot.com/

There is nothing better than a great Gothic read - crumbling old castles, mysterious legends, shadowy characters, supernatural beings and unexplainable events, make for some of the most haunting and captivating reading imaginable.


There are four levels of participation to choose from:


A Little Madness - Read just 1 novel with Gothic elements.
The Darkness Within - Read 5 novels with Gothic elements.
A Maniacal Frenzy - Read 10 novels with Gothic elements.
Mad, Bad, and Dangerous to Know - Read 20 novels with Gothic elements.

Go to http://gothicreadingchallenge.blogspot.com/ and read more about this challenge. There is also a list of Gothic books in case you have trouble finding any. I'm going to read Dracula and Jane Eyre for sure, I don't know what level I'm doing, probably The Darkness Within (5 novels). It is a year long challenge after all.

Update - 2010 Support Your Local Library Reading Challenge

1. Dragonfly in Amber - Diane Gabaldon
2. Nigger: An Autobiography - Dick Gregory
3. Doubt: A Parable - John Patrick Shanley
4. Tennessee Williams Notebooks - T. Williams
5. Roses - Leila Meacham
6. Push - Sapphire
7. The Walk - Richard Paul Evans
8. When The Soul Mends - Cindy Woodsmall
9. Rumble Fish - S.E. Hinton
10. The Outsiders - S.E. Hinton
11. Know it All - A.J. Jacobs
12. I Am Nujood: Age 10 and Divorced - Nujood Ali
13. Island Beneath the Sea - Isable Allende
14. Stoner - John Williams
15. Bronx Accent - Lloyd Ultan
16. Why is God Laughing? - Deepak Chopra
17. Elizabeth Street - Laurie Fabiano
18. Promise Me - Richard Paul Evans

I believe my goal was 50 books from the library this year. Well, not sure if that will happen, but I will probably get to 25 books from the library. I had originally aimed high because I planned to read 100 books for the year, and 50 from the library didn't seem like it would be hard to do. However, 32 more library books in 2.5 months, nah. I have read/listened to a total of 47 books so far this year, so I will reach 50 books for the year, I will aim for 70 books by Dec. 31.

I would say I'd do better next year, however, I am planning to read books like "War & Peace", so I think next year I'll stay with 50 books, but a lot of them will be quality books.

Numbers don't matter much to me, as long as I keep reading. This year was a big year for audio books for me. I don't really know why, I suppose we all get into our moods. I just felt like hearing the soothing sounds of narration while lying in bed at night. I don't drive anymore, so I don't have a chance to listen that way. My home reading was suffering once I lost my job in July, because, although one would think I have nothing but time to read, I had time to do things I had neglected all along such as painting, practicing guitar, beading and other crafts, as well as cleaning.

I am currently working on a temporary assignment, I don't know how long, but I will be reading on the subway to and from, so I think I'll get some book reading in. I will be going to the library at lunch time too, so I'll see if I can find something fluffy to read.

My current reads/listens.

The Winds of Autumn by Jannette Oke (audio). This is the 2nd part of a 4 part series (Seasons of the Heart). The series started with Once Upon a Summer, which I loved so much (and I loved the narrator), so I got the 2nd part in audio with the same narrator. There is a male narrator for this book and a female narrator by another company. I preferred the male narrator because he sounded more down to earth. It is about a boy named Josh (now 15) who is coming of age in middle-America 1930. It is Christian fiction, as it is written by Janette Oke, an easy listen (5+ hours) and probably an easy read. I will follow with the last two books in the series: Winter is Not Forever and Spring's Gentile Promise.

The Neville Reader by Neville Goddard, is a collection of true stories about how "thoughts are things". Neville Goddard was a 20th century New Thought author. He was of the same mindset as other authors who believed in "The Law of Attraction". The stories in this book highlight how real people used their thoughts to attract what they wanted. Call it "The Law of Attraction", "Manifesting", whatever. I myself have been into this stuff for over 15 years, but this is the first time I ever read anything by Goddard, hopefully I will enjoy.

Fall Catch Up Readathon

There is a week long book challenge. It is a catch-up read-a-thon. This is something I NEED! I have so many I want to finsih and get to....

Books on the list:

Elizabeth Street by Laurie Fabiano (will finish)
Call of the Wild by Jack London (will finish)
Anne Bradstreet by D.B. Kellogg (will finish)
Mary Baker Eddy by Gillian Gill (will be in and out, it is huge)

That is it at this point, hopefully this will give me the push I need to finish these books.

Support Your Local Library 2010

I have not posted about this yet this year. So in typical fashion, it is July and I will now.

1. Anyone can join. You don't need a blog to participate.

--Non-Bloggers: Post your list of books in the comment section of the wrap-up post. To learn how to sign up without having a blog, click here.

2. There are four levels:

--The Mini – Check out and read 25 library books.

--Just My Size – Check out and read 50 library books.

--Stepping It Up – Check out and read 75 library books.

--Super Size Me – Check out and read 100 library books.

(Aim high. As long as you read 25 by the end of 2010, you are a winner.)

3. Audio, Re-reads, eBooks, YA, Young Reader – any book as long as it is checked out from the library count. Checked out like with a library card, not purchased at a library sale.

4. No need to list your books in advance. You may select books as you go. Even if you list them now, you can change the list if needed.

5. Crossovers from other reading challenges count.

6. Challenge begins January 1st thru December, 2010.

7. When you sign up under Mr. Linky, put the direct link to your post where your library books will be listed. Include the URL to this post so that other viewers can find this fun challenge. If you’d prefer to put your list in the sidebar of your blog, please leave your viewers the link to the sign up page. Again, so viewers can join the challenge too.
* * *

To make it easy for everyone to find the books I read. I will put the list in my sidebar.

Christmas Challenge Updates

As I was surfing around some blogs I saw that somebody did a Winter Reading Challenge in 2008. I thought that would be a good challenge for me to try, of course I'd have to modify it as I'm in the midsts of many challenges. So, I think I'll attempt to read 5 Christmas themed books between November 1st and December 25th. I may actually read more, but I want to be successful at my mini-challenge.

Christmas Themed Books Read in 2009

1. A Treasury of Christmas Miracles - Karen Kingsbury

2. Skipping Christmas - John Grisham

3.

4.

5.

* * * *

Winter Reading Challenge
Hosted by Book In Hand

So I was looking through my blog list today and the person I got the original idea for the Winter Reading Challenge is doing it again this year, so I also joined that. It all fits together so nicely. If you would also like to join this one, please go to Book in Hand: Winter Reading Challenge.

The rules of this one

The Winter Holiday Reading Challenge will last from November 1, 2009 to January 31, 2010.

The theme for this challenge is Winter Holidays. The books that you choose to read must have a storyline that includes celebrating a winter holiday, such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, New Year's, etc. (However the holidays are not limited to just these examples.)

You may choose the number of books you wish to read and a reading list is optional.

Read the complete rules on the website listed above.

1. A Treasury of Christmas Miracles - Karen Kingsbury

2. Skipping Christmas - John Grisham

* * * *

Since I don't want to be a spoil sport, I will also do an 'official' challenge. This one runs from November 26, 2009 - December 31, 2009

The Christmas Reading Challenge:
Hosted by The True Book Addict

will run from Thanksgiving Day, November 26 through New Year's Eve, December 31, 2009
you can choose 1 - 3 books...I know it seems a small amount, but it's a busy time of year and the challenge is only a little over a month.

These must be Christmas novels, books about Christmas lore or a book of Christmas short stories (sorry, no children's books, but YA novel is okay).

* * * *

Stephen King Challenge Update

I had started this challenge a while back, but never really looked at what I've read and what I want to read. It dawned on me that I really need to see how far I've come and how far I have to go (which I know is far). I found a list of all his works and went through it, taking out unfinished works and early hard to find stuff.

Red = Read

Blue = Want to and will read

Green = Seen Movie (but have not read book, and probably will read soon rather than later)

Purple = Read Book and Seen Movie

Since the list is massive, I've only listed the books/movies that are on my radar at the moment. The other stuff is in the TBR in the distant future.

Richard Bachman's Published Books "Richard Bachman" is a pseudonym that King used until Bachman's true identity was discovered by fans, after which he only published one more Bachman novel.

1977 - Rage
1979 - The Long Walk
1981 - Road Work
1982 - The Running Man
1984 - Thinner
1996 - The Regulators
2007 - Blaze

1974 - Carrie
1975 - Salem's Lot
1977 - The Shining
1978 - The Stand
1979 - The Dead Zone
1980 - Firestarter
1981 - Cujo
1981 - Danse Macabre (nonfiction about horror)
1982 - Creepshow (comic book, illustrated by Bernie Wrightson)
1982 - Different Seasons (novellas)
1983 - Christine
1983 - Pet Sematary
1986 - It
1987 - Misery
1987 - The Dark Tower II: The Drawing of the Three
1991 - Needful Things
1991 - The Dark Tower III: The Waste Lands
1992 - Gerald's Game
1993 - Dolores Claiborne
1993 - Nightmares & Dreamscapes (stories)
1994 - Insomnia
1995 - Rose Madder
1996 - The Green Mile (originally published as a monthly serial consisting of six parts)
1996 - Desperation
1997 - The Dark Tower IV: Wizard and Glass
1999 - Storm of the Century
1999 - The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon
1999 - Hearts in Atlantis
2000 - Secret Windows (non-fiction about writing)
2000 - On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft (nonfiction autobiography)
2000 - Dreamcatcher
2003 - The Dark Tower I: The Gunslinger (revised edition)
2003 - The Dark Tower V: Wolves of the Calla
2004 - The Dark Tower VI: Song of Susannah
2004 - The Dark Tower VII: The Dark Tower
2008 - Duma Key
2008 - Just After Sunset
2009 - UR (e-novella available only on Amazon.com's Kindle)
2009 – Under The Dome

Pretty sad I know. I've only read 11 of his books so far, I've seen more movies! Pathetic. I have a job ahead of me. And to think, these are the ones I WANT to read.

Books To Read Before I Die Challenge - 2010

Bibliophile by The Sea is hosting a challenge. Books To Read Before I Die. I tend to read several classics during the year, but all of the classics listed here, I own. I haven't read them, they are collecting dust. No time like 2010 to get them read. The newer books are coming from the local library. So far the only audio book is "The Mill on the Floss", I've had that one on the iPod for a while.

Please visit the website for the rules.

I'll stick with just 10, that is a challenge for me. And I WILL read a Jane Austen book before I die!!!!



Tentative List
1. Wuthering Heights – Emily Bronte
2. Jane Eyre – Charlotte Bronte
3. Dracula – Bram Stoker
4. Pride & Prejudice – Jane Austen
5. The Woman in White – Wilkie Collins
6. The Hobbit – JRR Tolken
7. The Blind Assassin – Margaret Atwood
8. The Grapes of Wrath – John Steinbeck
9. The Alchemist - Paulo Coelho
10. The Mill on the Floss – George Eliot

Challenge Updates

Well it is almost the end of the month. Here is how my various challenges are going.

101 Memoirs/Autobiographies/Biographies
Part of my 101 books in 1,001 Days

READ
1) Rage to Survive - Etta James
2) Wasted: A Memoir of Anorexia & Bulimia - Mayra Hornbacher
3) The Last Lecture - Randy Paucsh
4) The Year of Living Biblically - A.J. Jacobs
5) Einstein: His Life and Universe - Walter Isaacson
6) Have A Little Faith - Mitch Albom
7) Crossing Over - Ruth Irene Garrett

75 Book Challenge

I've read 66 books thus far. So that is 9 more to go. I plan to be there by mid-December, but we'll see.

2009 Support Your Local Library Reading Challenge. I only signed for 25 books, but I have gone beyond that. I think I'll up that number next year.

1. Daisy Miller - Henry James
2. 1001 Books for Every Mood - Hallie Ephron
3. The Rosary - Gary Jansen
4. A Short Guide to a Happy Life - Anna Quindlen
5. The Beach House - Jane Green
6. The Prodigal God - Timothy Keller
7. Being Perfect - Anna Quindlen
8. Showboat - Edna Ferber
9. I Never Promised You a Rose Garden - Joanne Greenberg
10. How Starbucks Saved My Life - Michael Gates Gill
11. Outlander (Book 1) - Diana Gabaldon
12. Lolita - Vladimir Nabokov
13. Lamb - Christopher Moore
14. Go Ask Alice - Anonymous
15. Turbulent Souls - Stephen Dubner
16. Shade's Children - Garth Nix
17. A Capatalist Romance - Ruth Brandon
18. Shade's Children - Garth Nix
19. A Capatalist Romance - Ruth Brandon
20. A Tale of Two Cities (audiobook - CD) - Charles Dickens
21. Summer (audiobook download) - Edith Wharton
22. Silas Marner (audiobook - CD) - George Eliott
23. Rage to Survive: The Etta James Story - Etta James & David Ritz
24. Waisted: A Memoir of Anorexia & Bulimia - Marya Hornbacher
25. The Third Jesus - Deepak Chopra
26. The Last Lecture - Randy Pausch
27. Something Wicked This Way Comes - Ray Bradbury
28. The Year of Living Biblically - A.J. Jacobs
29. Duma Key - Stephen King
30. Dead Man's Cell Phone - Sarah Ruhl
31. When The Heart Cries - Cindy Woodsmall
32. The Last Song - Nicholas Sparks
33. Have A Little Faith - Mitch Albom
34. Night Flight - Antoine de Saint-Exupery
35. The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate - Jacqueline Kelly
36. The Christmas List: A Novel - Richard Paul Evans
37. Crossing Over - Ruth Irene Garrett


R.I.P. IV (2009)

I opted to read 2 horror/scary books for this year's challenge, but have only managed to finish one. I'm in the middle of "The Thirteenth Tale", but that won't be finished by Saturday.

Duma Key by Stephen King was the only book I finished in time for this challenge. Which fits in nicely with the Stephen King/Richard Bachman challenge (ongoing).

Operation Actually Read Bible Challenge

This month I have not read from the Bible.
*slaps own wrist*

The next two months only find me doing 3 NEW challenges which overlap. My own Mini-Christmas Reading Challenge, Winter Reading Challenge and the Christmas Reading Challenge.

Still continue with the Library, 75 Books, Stephen King, 101/1,001 and Bible Challenges.

Busy's Christmas Reading Mini-Challenge

As I was surfing around some blogs I saw that somebody did a Winter Reading Challenge in 2008. I thought that would be a good challenge for me to try, of course I'd have to modify it as I'm in the midsts of many challenges. So, I think I'll attempt to read 5 Christmas themed books between November 1st and December 25th. I may actually read more, but I want to be successful at my mini-challenge.

Christmas Themed Books Read in 2009

1. A Treasury of Christmas Miracles - Karen Kingsbury

2. Skipping Christmas - John Grisham

3.

4.

5.

* * * *

Since I don't want to be a spoil sport, I will also do an 'official' challenge. This one runs from November 26, 2009 - December 31, 2009

The Christmas Reading Challenge:
Hosted by The True Book Addict

will run from Thanksgiving Day, November 26 through New Year's Eve, December 31, 2009
you can choose 1 - 3 books...I know it seems a small amount, but it's a busy time of year and the challenge is only a little over a month.

These must be Christmas novels, books about Christmas lore or a book of Christmas short stories (sorry, no children's books, but YA novel is okay).

* * * *

Winter Reading Challenge
Hosted by Book In Hand

So I was looking through my blog list today and the person I got the original idea for the Winter Reading Challenge is doing it again this year, so I also joined that. It all fits together so nicely. If you would also like to join this one, please go to Book in Hand: Winter Reading Challenge.

The rules of this one

The Winter Holiday Reading Challenge will last from November 1, 2009 to January 31, 2010.
The theme for this challenge is Winter Holidays. The books that you choose to read must have a storyline that includes celebrating a winter holiday, such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, New Year's, etc. (However the holidays are not limited to just these examples.)
You may choose the number of books you wish to read and a reading list is optional.
Read the complete rules on the website listed above.

1. A Treasury of Christmas Miracles - Karen Kingsbury

2. Skipping Christmas - John Grisham

My Read-A-Thon-Pile

Dewey's 24 Hour Read-A-Thon

The Well: David's Story by Mildred Taylor (96 pages)

The Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett (182 Pages) Reading on Kindle

The Time Machine by H.G. Wells (~144 Pages) Reading on Kindle

Cut by Patricia McCormick (160 Pages)

No Plot, No Problem by Chris Baty (176 Pages)
Just in time for Nano-need to re-read, it's been a few years.

Crossing Over: One Woman's Escape from Amish Life by Ruth Irene Garrett (208 pages)
Thanks to It's Just Me Wendy for bringing this to my attention. It is in the library waiting for me, so I'll have it in time for the 24th.

Night Flight by Antoine de Saint-Exupery (96 Pages)
Was going to wait to read for this, but have already read it, so I'm removing it from the list. It was a long train ride this morning!!


I am sure this list will grow by October 24th. As of now, these are the only ones I could think of. I'll have to raid my TBR pile and my son's bookshelf.