1ca_dmv
I'm ready for another ROOT Challenge! I'll commit to my "normal" 12 books and try to surpass that number. But, knowing how life goes, I will feel good just being able to read one book a month.
2023 Ticker Thread #37
ROOTS for 2023:
1. A Column of Fire by Ken Follett
2. Cowboys Are My Weakness by Pam Houston
3. Esther the Wonder Pig: Changing the World One Heart at a Time by Steve Jenkins and Derek Walter with Caprice Crane
4. The Pilot's Wife by Anita Shreve
5. Blind Sight by James H. Pence
6. The Cruelest Miles by Gay Salisbury and Laney Salisbury
7. The Lost Island by Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child
8. East of the Mountains by David Guterson
9. Death Be Not Proud by John J. Gunther
10. Godforsaken Sea: Racing the World's Most Dangerous Waters by Derek Lundy
11. The Dogs of Babel: A Novel by Carolyn Parkhurst
12. Running with Scissors: A Memoir by Augusten Burroughs
13. Predator by Patricia Cornwell
14. Happily Ever Esther: Two Men, a Wonder Pig, and Their Life-Changing Mission to Give Animals a Home by Steve Jenkins and Derek Walter with Caprice Crane
2023 Ticker Thread #37
ROOTS for 2023:
1. A Column of Fire by Ken Follett
2. Cowboys Are My Weakness by Pam Houston
3. Esther the Wonder Pig: Changing the World One Heart at a Time by Steve Jenkins and Derek Walter with Caprice Crane
4. The Pilot's Wife by Anita Shreve
5. Blind Sight by James H. Pence
6. The Cruelest Miles by Gay Salisbury and Laney Salisbury
7. The Lost Island by Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child
8. East of the Mountains by David Guterson
9. Death Be Not Proud by John J. Gunther
10. Godforsaken Sea: Racing the World's Most Dangerous Waters by Derek Lundy
11. The Dogs of Babel: A Novel by Carolyn Parkhurst
12. Running with Scissors: A Memoir by Augusten Burroughs
13. Predator by Patricia Cornwell
14. Happily Ever Esther: Two Men, a Wonder Pig, and Their Life-Changing Mission to Give Animals a Home by Steve Jenkins and Derek Walter with Caprice Crane
2rabbitprincess
Welcome back and have a great reading year!
5MissWatson
Welcome back and Happy ROOTing!
7ca_dmv
A Column of Fire by Ken Follett
Whew...finally finished! I delayed meeting this friend because of the size...almost 1,000 pages! That's a lot for me. I never thought I would enjoy reading a book based in the middle ages but I sure have enjoyed this saga. This one was as good as the original trilogy! I really enjoy the mix of history with fiction. It brings the time period to life for me.
So...I'm behind in my reading so I'm "cheating" this month and intentionally picked a shorter friend so I can catch up! :-O
Whew...finally finished! I delayed meeting this friend because of the size...almost 1,000 pages! That's a lot for me. I never thought I would enjoy reading a book based in the middle ages but I sure have enjoyed this saga. This one was as good as the original trilogy! I really enjoy the mix of history with fiction. It brings the time period to life for me.
So...I'm behind in my reading so I'm "cheating" this month and intentionally picked a shorter friend so I can catch up! :-O
8MissWatson
Congrats on finishing such a big book!
9Caramellunacy
>7 ca_dmv: Congrats on finishing that doorstop of a book! Glad you enjoyed it - I read Pillars of the Earth last year and found it engrossing, but definitely needed shorter books to give my brain a rest!
10connie53
>7 ca_dmv: I loved this one too. I think I have to try some of his other books too.
11ca_dmv
People I've talked with either love the series or hate it. There seems to be no middle ground. I was very surprised by how much I liked the series. Now I just have the prequel sitting on the shelf. Maybe this year, maybe not. :)
12ca_dmv
Cowboys Are My Weakness by Pam Houston
I'm not sure how I feel about this book. Each story had an abrupt beginning and ending which made me feel like I opened someone's private journal and was reading a passage. I thought the writing was good and I could relate to the feelings being expressed. But somehow this book left me unsatisfied. Maybe the feelings expressed hit to close to home? Maybe I knew the missing pieces and that's what left me feeling dissatisfied?
Well, I'm officially caught up!
I'm not sure how I feel about this book. Each story had an abrupt beginning and ending which made me feel like I opened someone's private journal and was reading a passage. I thought the writing was good and I could relate to the feelings being expressed. But somehow this book left me unsatisfied. Maybe the feelings expressed hit to close to home? Maybe I knew the missing pieces and that's what left me feeling dissatisfied?
Well, I'm officially caught up!
13ca_dmv
Esther the Wonder Pig: Changing the World One Heart at a Time by Steve Jenkins and Derek Walter with Caprice Crane
This is a cute story about an animal lover (Steve) adopting what he thought was a "micro pig" and turned out to be a commercial pig that was anything but "micro". I can't even imagine raising a pig in my house like a dog. To say his partner was understanding is an understatement. In the end they start a farm sanctuary called Happily Ever Esther which is also the name of their second book. I'm assuming it's about the farm sanctuary.
I'm on a roll! Now the best part of finishing a book...selecting the next adventure!
This is a cute story about an animal lover (Steve) adopting what he thought was a "micro pig" and turned out to be a commercial pig that was anything but "micro". I can't even imagine raising a pig in my house like a dog. To say his partner was understanding is an understatement. In the end they start a farm sanctuary called Happily Ever Esther which is also the name of their second book. I'm assuming it's about the farm sanctuary.
I'm on a roll! Now the best part of finishing a book...selecting the next adventure!
14ca_dmv
CAUTION...Spoiler Alert!!!
The Pilot's Wife by Anita Shreve
I enjoyed meeting this friend. I had a hunch that Jack caused the crash and was leading a double life but never would have guess the IRA. Ironically, I finished this book on a flight home from Salt Lake City, Utah! LOL!!!
The Pilot's Wife by Anita Shreve
I enjoyed meeting this friend. I had a hunch that Jack caused the crash and was leading a double life but never would have guess the IRA. Ironically, I finished this book on a flight home from Salt Lake City, Utah! LOL!!!
15ca_dmv
Blind Sight by James H. Pence
Many years ago, I found this book and suggested it for my church's book club. It was never selected but I'm glad I never gave up on it. This friend set on the shelf for many years before I finally got it down. It was a surprisingly good, suspenseful novel. The ending was a little of a letdown after the buildup of suspense but overall, a very enjoyable read.
I'm very proud of myself as I'm ahead of the pace I need to keep so that I meet my goal for the year. Maybe I'll read another tomb! LOL!!! Yeah, right...I'll save that tomb for 2024! Now I'm off to pick my next friend to meet. :)
Many years ago, I found this book and suggested it for my church's book club. It was never selected but I'm glad I never gave up on it. This friend set on the shelf for many years before I finally got it down. It was a surprisingly good, suspenseful novel. The ending was a little of a letdown after the buildup of suspense but overall, a very enjoyable read.
I'm very proud of myself as I'm ahead of the pace I need to keep so that I meet my goal for the year. Maybe I'll read another tomb! LOL!!! Yeah, right...I'll save that tomb for 2024! Now I'm off to pick my next friend to meet. :)
16ca_dmv
The Cruelest Miles by Gay Salisbury and Laney Salisbury
I have always heard about Balto and the heroic drive to Nome to deliver serum. What I didn't know about were all the other dogsled drivers and their dogs that were part of the relay. The authors also included early Alaska history and how dogsledding developed in the area. Very interesting book and a good read.
Next friend selected and still ahead of the pace needed to reach my goal!!! I'm making it a priority to set aside time for reading. :)
I have always heard about Balto and the heroic drive to Nome to deliver serum. What I didn't know about were all the other dogsled drivers and their dogs that were part of the relay. The authors also included early Alaska history and how dogsledding developed in the area. Very interesting book and a good read.
Next friend selected and still ahead of the pace needed to reach my goal!!! I'm making it a priority to set aside time for reading. :)
17ca_dmv
The Lost Island by Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child
Another good installment of the Gideon Crew Series. I thought that the story went off the rails when the Cyclops entered the picture but in some weird way, it all fit as part of the story.
Another good installment of the Gideon Crew Series. I thought that the story went off the rails when the Cyclops entered the picture but in some weird way, it all fit as part of the story.
18ca_dmv
False start...the premise was good but I just couldn't get into it...I'll try again with a new friend.
A Horse Walks into a Bar by David Grossman
I could not connect with this book. I did not realize that it was written by an Israeli author and translated to English. No wonder I didn't get most of the references.
A Horse Walks into a Bar by David Grossman
I could not connect with this book. I did not realize that it was written by an Israeli author and translated to English. No wonder I didn't get most of the references.
19ca_dmv
East of the Mountains by David Guterson
I'm not impressed with this book. When the story was centering around Ben killing himself so that his loved ones would not have to watch him die of cancer, I almost bailed on this book. Then, when Ben's plan was to kill himself while out hunting with his dogs and he's plan for the dogs were for them to fend for themselves, I was not happy. I did finish the book and was happy that Ben changed his plans as nothing was going to his plan. Hmmm, maybe a higher power had other plans for Ben's life?
I'm not impressed with this book. When the story was centering around Ben killing himself so that his loved ones would not have to watch him die of cancer, I almost bailed on this book. Then, when Ben's plan was to kill himself while out hunting with his dogs and he's plan for the dogs were for them to fend for themselves, I was not happy. I did finish the book and was happy that Ben changed his plans as nothing was going to his plan. Hmmm, maybe a higher power had other plans for Ben's life?
20ca_dmv
Death Be Not Proud by John J. Gunther
How sad that a young boy at the edge of manhood with so much potential be struck down by a brain tumor. The parents, John and Frances, were amazing in their determination to find a "cure".
This was my classic pick for 2023.
How sad that a young boy at the edge of manhood with so much potential be struck down by a brain tumor. The parents, John and Frances, were amazing in their determination to find a "cure".
This was my classic pick for 2023.
21ca_dmv
Godforsaken Sea: Racing the World's Most Dangerous Waters by Derek Lundy
A little different than I expected. Rather than a blow-by-blow description of the running of the 1996-1997 Vendee Globe, this was more of a narrative on the sailors, their boats, the Southern Ocean, the rescue of 3 sailors and the unfortunate loss of 1 sailor. It was a well written narrative.
A little different than I expected. Rather than a blow-by-blow description of the running of the 1996-1997 Vendee Globe, this was more of a narrative on the sailors, their boats, the Southern Ocean, the rescue of 3 sailors and the unfortunate loss of 1 sailor. It was a well written narrative.
22ca_dmv
The Dogs of Babel: A Novel by Carolyn Parkhurst
A very raw tale of relationships and grief. It makes you wonder how well you can ever know someone.
A very raw tale of relationships and grief. It makes you wonder how well you can ever know someone.
23ca_dmv
Running with Scissors: A Memoir by Augusten Burroughs
I think Augusten gets the award from most f-up'ed childhood. A very well written memoir that was painful and disturbing to read at times. What kept me going was knowing that he survived it. He is a talented writer and has a knack for storytelling.
I think Augusten gets the award from most f-up'ed childhood. A very well written memoir that was painful and disturbing to read at times. What kept me going was knowing that he survived it. He is a talented writer and has a knack for storytelling.
24ca_dmv
Predator by Patricia Cornwell
Lots of moving parts that added a layer of complexity that I’m not sure was needed. It’s not until the last 5 or so chapters that you understand the complexity of the story and it all comes together. I liked the investigation and forensic aspects of the story.
Lots of moving parts that added a layer of complexity that I’m not sure was needed. It’s not until the last 5 or so chapters that you understand the complexity of the story and it all comes together. I liked the investigation and forensic aspects of the story.
25ca_dmv
I am now over my goal, and it is only mid-August! Woohoo! I've made reading a priority without feeling like I'm neglecting other areas of my life. :)
26rabbitprincess
>25 ca_dmv: Awesome! Congrats!
27MissWatson
>25 ca_dmv: Well done!
30ca_dmv
Happily Ever Esther: Two Men, a Wonder Pig, and Their Life-Changing Mission to Give Animals a Home by Steve Jenkins and Derek Walter with Caprice Crane
The feel-good sequel to Esther the Wonder Pig. This sequel picks up with the creating of their farm sanctuary. It was interesting to read how about how it all came together and I was happy to see that they admit that their sanctuary took off, not all are as "successful" as their sanctuary. There was even a bit about visiting the Swimming Pigs near Exuma in the Bahamas. They gave an honest evaluation of what they encountered when they visited to provide some feedback. It was a great reminder that animals (and people) can be exploited to please the tourists.
The feel-good sequel to Esther the Wonder Pig. This sequel picks up with the creating of their farm sanctuary. It was interesting to read how about how it all came together and I was happy to see that they admit that their sanctuary took off, not all are as "successful" as their sanctuary. There was even a bit about visiting the Swimming Pigs near Exuma in the Bahamas. They gave an honest evaluation of what they encountered when they visited to provide some feedback. It was a great reminder that animals (and people) can be exploited to please the tourists.
31ca_dmv
False start...
Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe
I left poor Robinson Crusoe on his deserted island. I just couldn't connect with the story as much as I tried. Time to move on to a new friend.
Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe
I left poor Robinson Crusoe on his deserted island. I just couldn't connect with the story as much as I tried. Time to move on to a new friend.
32rabbitprincess
>31 ca_dmv: I read this for a university class and found it very hard going, because the Oxford World's Classics edition had no chapters! Or it didn't use page breaks to divide up chapters. I hope your next book is better!
