La12 goes for 100

Now all I have to do is get my book list going.

I'm also doing the 999 so I'll just be adding 19 books to fill out the 100 challenge.

Glad you're joining us, LA12!

Thank you.

Finally got around to posting my comments.

1. Case Closed Vol.1 by Gosho Aoyama
A cute book about a teen detective who is made physically young. He has to track down the men who drugged him with out getting killed in the process. In the mean time he helps a not so bright Private Investigator solve some crimes.

2. Haunted Bookshop by Christopher Morley
Roger Mifflin's second-hand bookshop is only haunted by "the ghosts of great literature." Then why does Thomas Carlye book Oliver Cromwell's Letters and Speeches keep disappearing and reappearing and what does the German druggist have to do with everything.

3. Lady Windermere's Fan by Oscar Wilde
A young husband tries to help a woman in distress, or is she? His wife sees right through her or does she? Good story with a nice but predictable twist.

4. Star Trek Vol.1 Shinsei/Shinsei by Chris Dows
A collection of short stories. i liked the first one with the surprise ending. But the last one was to predictable. Still it was a good book for a Star Trek fan like me.

A book a day! Keep this up and you'll have read 365 for the year! :)

Haunted Bookstore and Lady Windermere's Fan sound really good. They're now on my wish list.

I wish I could. I just have the time now.

5. Memories can be Murder by Connie Shelton

A young women finds out her parents death 15 years ago didn't happen as she had thought. Now someone is trying to keep her from finding out how and why they died. A good cozy that keeps you interested to the end.

6. Merry Wives of Windsor by William Shakespeare

Take an aging knight trying to woo two wealthy wives, who are aware of his scheme. Add one jealous husband, and elderly suitor, two young lovers and a plot for revenge and you get a great story.

I loved this book. It was funny, witty and hard to put down.

I just had to add The Haunted Bookshop to my TBR list - the first addition of 2009!

7. The Day Boy and The Night Girl by George MacDonald

A witch raises a boy to only know sunlight and never experience the dark. While she raises a girl to live in the night knowing only the light of the moon. Now they must come together to defeat the witch and make a life of their own.

8. The Innocence of Father Brown by G.K. Chesterton (audio book)

A collection of short stories about a Roman Catholic priest who solves crimes using his wit and wisdom. I really enjoyed listening to them.

9. Mister Roberts by Thomas Heggen

Goes into more detail about the life aboard the "Reluctant" but the movie was true to the book.

10. The Importance of Being Ernest by Oscar Wilde

A very funny and witty play about dating in early 1900 England. My favorite line is:
"To lose one parent, Mr. Worthing, may be regarded as a misfortune; to lose both looks like carelessness."

I read or listened to 4 books today, being sick has it's advantages.

I listened to The Importance of Being Ernest last year and also very much enjoyed it's wit. Thanks for the quote ~ it was one of my favorites too. Hmm, I think it bears rereading this year.

11. The Return of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle audio book.

I love Sherlock Holmes and was given a collection of old Holmes movies on DVD. Many of these stories were made into those movies and it was fun listening to them.

12. Don Quixote by Miguel De Cervantes

The most agreeable madman who ever lived!
The greatest tragedy was when Don Quixote regained his sanity. All his adventure were for naught and his death left me deeply saddened.

13. Cyrano de Bergerac by Edmond Rostand

Roxanne loves Christian for his beauty and soul.
Christian wants Roxanne to love him for who he is.
Cyrano is Christian's soul and Roxanne's love.
A hauntingly tragic tale. I fell for the beautiful soul of Cyrano.

14. Wisdom of Father Brown by G.K. Chesterton

Father Brown uses the knowledge he gains from his interaction with people to solve crimes.

15. The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett

Mary is strong willed, Dickon is friendly and Colin is misunderstood. Despite the problems of the adults around them, they manage to create a world of their own. Together they form a strong bond of friendship.

I loved this book when I was younger. I always wished I could charm the animals like Dickon could.

16. The Canterville Ghost by Oscar Wilde

When a proper English ghost meets a modern American family the culture shock is almost to much for him. Then again it might just do him in.

A wonderful story.

17. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

I can now say I read Pride and Prejudice.

18. Wit and Wisdom of Don Quixote de la Mancha by Harry Sieber

Forgot to include this book when I read it.
I didn't reailize how many everyday sayings came from Don Quixote. It is a very interesting book.

19. My Man Jeeves by P.G. Wodehouse

A collection of short stories about an english gentleman and his most capable servant. They remind me of old TV sit-coms. All in all they were fun.

20. Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare

Don John hates his brother the Prince of Arragon Don Pedro.
Lord Claudio of Florence loves the governor, Leonato's, daughter Hero, who loves him back.
Lord Benedick of Padua hates Hero's cousin Beatrice who hates him back.
But Claudio won't marry Hero. Benedick will marry Beatrice. Don John plans to ruin is brother.
And they call this Nothing?

my absolutely favorite Shakespeare play! the banter between Benedick and Beatrice is priceless.

Great reading so far this year LA12!

My favorite was the marriage proposal. It was priceless.

21. The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame

My mom read this to me when I was 8. I still love it. Mole will always be my favorite..

22. Three Blind Mice by Agatha Christie

A collection of short stories, some have Miss Marple, some have Poirot, and some have other detectives. I liked "The Tape Measure Murder" even though the title is a spoiler. I also liked " Third Floor Flat".

23. Shattered by Dick FrancisThe references to glass blowing were interested and accurate. The mix up and ending made for a fun read.
Dick Francis is one of my favorite writers and he did not disappoint me.

24. Looking Out the Back Door by Brian S. Elliott

Four school friends grow up to become the Guardians of the "Pathway". The characters are very engaging and the story is a quick read. An ARC from the author.

25. The Lasko Tangent by Richard North Patterson

How do you do your job when no one wants you to actually succeed? Washington D.C. intrigue and backstabbing make for a good read.

26. The Penguin Who Knew too Much by Donna Andrews

Meg found moving into her new house stressful. Between her mother trying to decide where to put the sofa in the living room, her brother asking her what to do with the punch bowl he just broke and her dad wanting the police for the body in the basement, she hardly had time to decide where to put the penguins, the llamas and that cage full of hyenas.

27. And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie

A Classic.Who was behind the deaths of ten visitors to a mysterious island? Was there someone else on the island or could it be one of the guest?

(Don't know why the touchstone won't work)

28. The Big Bad Wolf by James Patterson

The story and plot were good, but it was to drawn out and dragged at times. The ending was not surprising but it was good.

29. Carrot Cake Murder by Joanne Fluke

A family reunion, the return of a long lost family member and a cake worth dying for, what better way to spend a week at the lake?

I enjoyed this book. The plot was well thought out and the story flowed along nicely.

Hello la12hernandez; long name that. Was just reading your comments about Carrot Cake Murder and had a quick question. Is the recipe for the "carrot cake" worth dying for recipe included in the novel? Based on your comments, I think I will look for this one at the library as it sounds like a fun, light read but was:
just wondering,
N/B

Yes, the cake recipe is included as well as the cream cheese icing. There are also several cookie recipes.

30. The Camel Club by David Baldacci

How was the President of the United States kidnapped by a group of Muslim terrorist, who were dead at the time? Oliver and The Camel Club use their old contacts to help them rescue the President an prevent a nuclear attack.

31. Dick Tracy by Max Allen

The movie followed the book pretty well and the book was like the comic only with out pictures. Still I enjoyed it.

32. Frogs by Aristophanes

Dionysus goes to Hades to bring back Euripides because he thinks he's the worlds best poet. I was surprised to find it funny and I really liked it.

33. As You Like It by William Shakespeare

Not the best Shakespeare play I've read and it took me forever to finish.

34. Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories by
Shiro Amano

King Mickey and Riku are are sealed in the Kindom Hearts. Now Goofy, Donald and Sora are in the Castle of Oblivion trying to find a way to save them. I really liked this mangas.

Just dropping in to say Hi. Looked at your list, and thought I would mention there are two really good recent movies of a couple of the books and one TV series.

Message #16, The importance of being Earnest.

http://video.barnesandnoble.com/DVD/The-Importance-of-Being-Earnest/Rupert-Evere...

I too love the comment about losing both parents.

I also like the one about missing 4 trains to return home, and missing anymore will expose us to comment on the platform.

Message # 7 Lady Windermere's Fan

I don't know what they called it, but it was also recent and had Rupert-Everett in it. It was very good.

Another good movie is:

An Ideal Husband

http://video.barnesandnoble.com/DVD/An-Ideal-Husband/Rupert-Everett/e/7179510046...

Also based on an Oscar Wilde play.

Finally the TV series based on Jeeves and Wooster is really funny.

http://video.barnesandnoble.com/DVD/Jeeves-Wooster-Complete-Series/Stephen-Fry/e...

Using B&N because of Amazon's bad behavior.

I have read a few of the Agatha Christie books, but in general am not a fan of older works, unless on the screen.

35. A Man for all Seasons by Robert Bolt

A play about the conflict between King Henry VIII and Sir Thomas More. More's speeches give me pause to wonder how I would have reacted in the same situation.

36. Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney

Cute books about a middle school boy and his take on life. Reminded me of my own sons and brought back many memories.

37. Black Orchids by Rex Stout

Nero Wolf actually leaves the Brownstone. That was worth reading the book in it's self. But then there was the black orchids and of course the dead body at the flower show.

#35 The movie is wonderful too - recommend it!

>dihiba
I loved the movie that is why I wanted to read the play. They were both great.

38. Agamemnon by Aeschylus

After ten years of fighting the Trojans, Agamemnon returns triumphant... well sorta;
First before he left he sacrificed his daughter, Iphigenia, to insure victory over the Trojans.
Second when he came back he brought his mistress, Cassandra, home.
No wonder he didn't receive a warm homecoming from his wife, Clytemnestra.

39. Antigone by Sophocles

Against the orders of the king, Creon, Antigone preforms a burial ritual over the body of her brother Polyneices. Even though she is to marry Creon' son, Haemon, Creon has her sealed in a cave to starve to death. And since this is a Greek tragedy she and Haemon die and the king is left a broken man.

40. Long Day's Journey into Night by Eugene O'Neill

Mom slips into a drug induced fog, at the dismay of her family. All the while blaming her husband for making her feel lonely. She blames her oldest son for killing his 2 year old brother when he was 7 by giving him measles. And holds her youngest son responsible for making her a drug addict when the doctor gave her morphine for her pain after he was born.

Lynda;
Could you lighten it up just a little? I am getting depressed here just reading your reviews. I think it's time for you to read a "happy book". Well, really, I guess it was just the last three that were downers. And what with it being Greek tragedy and O'Neill ------- I guess you couldn't get a way from it.
Anyway, I wanted to wish you a good week end. Looks to be good weather here and I'm working my way out from under a vertigo/bug I've been fighting for over four weeks; finally went to the Dr. yesterday (now that is a tragedy (or stupidity)----waiting that long) so maybe I can enjoy the good weather too. Let's hope.
Happy reading.
belva

What I don't understand is why her family is dismayed (#40) ? she sounds like such a jackass, that they should be happy she is permanently medicated and no longer part of their lives.

>nannybebette
I am trying to read all those books from my TBR pile that have been there forever. I was actually suppose to read those in high school but joined a readers theater and got out of it. A heads up I will be reading Iliad, Aeneid, and Plato's Republic next. Of course I hope to work some fun reads in there.

>ficusfan
She had just come home from a rehab center and for a few weeks she was her old self. But her youngest son developed TB and she used that as an excuse to start up again. Even thought the boys are adults and knew they weren't to blame they still felt guilty. This hit home because I have an addicted parent also and even though I'm in my 50's and I have spent years in counseling I know exactly how they feel.

I have The Iliad coming up on my TBR really soon also (actually I should be on it now, but grabbed a Steinbeck instead) and I am very "ASCARED". I have this mind block when it comes to Homer or any of the great Greek, Latin, etc. classic works, yet I really want to read them. Fear just jumps right in and scares me off. I so admire all of you who do read them, understand them and actually enjoy them. I am so impressed by these young students especially.

And ficusfan;
I totally know the drill. It took me 60 years to figure it out and get there but that's where I am right now. I always wondered who/what that bear in the middle of the living room was. (I always thought it was something within me and that if I was good enough and tried hard enough to hide it, no one else would see it.) And-----not only do you go through what you must in order to come out whole on the other side, but you have to fight the insurance companies all the way as well.
Best of luck to you.
belva

41. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Nick lives next door to Jay Gatsby, who loves Nick's cousin Daisy, but Daisy loves money and Jay didn't have it.
George loves his wife Myrtle but Myrtle loves money and though George owns a garage it's not enough.
Tom has money, so Tom gets Daisy as a wife and Myrtle as a mistress.
Jay finally gets money so he gets a chance with Daisy and Myrtle gets a chance with Tom.
But Daisy accidentally kills Myrtle.
Tom tells George, Jay did it so George shoots Jay then himself.
Myrtle is dead but Tom doesn't care. Jay is dead but Daisy doesn't care.
Only Nick cares.

Did you care?
just askin'.
belva

Very good synopsis. More than I got out of it. I just wanted it to end.

Actually so did I. I took a break from the Aeneid, and I thought I'd enjoy it more.

So you didn't care for The Great Gatsby?

It was alright but I didn't connect to the characters and so found it tedious to read. I enjoyed The Beautiful and the Damned better because I found the characters more intriguing.

I was just curious because I remember when I first read "Gatsby" years ago I liked the book but I didn't really understand people who could spend their lives like that. It was beyond my understanding and it all seemed so surrealistic to me.

> 66 ...I didn't really understand people who could spend their lives like that. It was beyond my understanding and it all seemed so surrealistic to me.

Exactly nannybebette that was why I couldn't get into the characters.

Hey lady;
I just wanted to pop over here and say hello and ask what you are reading these days. Is life going good for you?
It had been really warm (in the 90s) here for a few days and that is quite warm for us this time of year. Usually it rains all of June. We will see just how long it does stay dry.
Well you take care and I will talk to you soon.
belva

42. The Iliad by Homer
I finally finished, the Trojan War in Verse. Although I enjoyed the book, I kept getting the characters confused. I knew the story, of course, so the action was easy to follow. But the people kept getting mixed up while I was reading.
Agamemnon and Achilles take two girls as spoils of war. But when Agamemnon is forced to return his, he claims Achilles. Achilles is insulted by the act and with draws his forces. While Agamemnon tries to rally his men the gods decide to play...well gods, and interfere in the War. Between the gods interferences and the pride of Achilles and Agamemnon it's no wonder the Trojan War lasted so long.

43. The Aeneid by Virgil

Took me forever to finish this book. It wasn't just hard to read, it was hard for me to get into. I didn't enjoy it as much as The Iliad and The Odyssey,but it was worth the the time.

The story of Aeneas and a band of Trojan refugees, as they seek a new homeland and establish what will become the Roman Empire.

I think I have a major reading block when it comes to the Greek/Roman classics. I have been trying to read The Iliad for probably at least a month now and keep putting it down. I just get so lost in it. I want to read it so badly but just can't concentrate enough to keep going. What do you think is up with that? Is there a remedial "classics" class somewhere? If so, sign me up.
Mythology is just so difficult for me. The Penelopiad was a breeze, but it was light and funny and actually a spoof so I don't think that counts.
Anyway I am glad that you were able to read them and enjoy them. Waaaaa!~!
belva

Trust me, it took more than a month to get through The Iliad and the Aeneid. I had the same problem as you, I'd get through a section just fine then the very next sentence I'd read... I'm lost. So I would put down the book and read something else. I went on line and read a summary of the books, didn't help a lot, I got lost in the summaries! But my son told me today that there is a graphic novel version of both books. Too late for me but you might want to look into them.
*sigh* I still have to read Plato's Republic. Maybe they have a graphic novel of it also.

44. Four Arthurian Romances

If you love Arthurian legends you will love these stories. They are full of Knights, and Ladies,quests and tournaments. I plan to keep this as my "Pick Me Up" book.

45. A Man of Means by P. G. Wodehouse

Roland has to have his salary reduced or he'll have to marry his landlord's daughter and support her family. He succeeds only to win a lottery. Now as a man of means he manages to get even more money while foiling those who try to take advantage of him. I like this book and plan to listen to it again.

46. The Secret of Chimneys by Agatha Christie

Anthony spends the weekend at the Historic Chimneys where kings, princes, police, thieves, young and old are not what they seem. While two deaths, blackmail, love letters, oil and the unpublished memoirs of the Prime Minister of Herzoslovakia, prove more exciting then Anthony anticipated.

47. Dead Cert by Dick Francis

Alan finds himself between the women he loves and the man she adores. But finding the bad guy doesn't mean Alan is safe. Sometime your worse enemy is a close friend.

48. Republic by Plato

I finally ploughed through this book. I found this book hard to read in high school and it still is for me. Like a prof's lecture it was informative but my mind wandered a lot. After months of work I did it.

Whoa girlfriend, you are definitely challenging yourself, aren't you? That is great. You are my new hero!~!
There are so many classics out there (the old ones {Greek and Roman}) and also the ancient Mythology books that I would love to challenge myself on, and I just myself to be intimidated and I guess I put a hex on myself and just cannot do it. But I will keep trying.
You're doing great! Congratulations!~! Good job!~!
later dayz,
belva
a href="http://www.glitter-graphics.com">

Thanks for the encouragement belva.

49. The Man in the Brown Suit by Agatha Christie

Anne knew the man in the brown suit wasn't a doctor or a killer, or how he was connected to the two deaths. Using her inheritance she follows him to South Africa to find answers, and she just might find the murderer there, if she survives the trip.

50. Murder in the Gunroom by H. Beam Piper

Did Lane, an avid gun collector, really shoot himself accidentally? Was it suicide behind those locked doors? Or was he murdered? Gladys hopes Jeff Rand will be able to find out while he catalogs Lane's 2000 some odd guns for sale. What Jeff does are cheap copies of missing guns and the man who made them dead. Can Jeff tie all the ends together and find out what's going on?

51. Curtains for Three by Rex Stout

Three short Nero Wolfe stories. I like "Disguise for Murder". A murder is commited in Wolfe's office and Cramer has it sealed off as a crime scene.

52. The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas

Loved the movie with Gerard Depardieu and the book filled in the details. Edmond Dante is wrongly accused and imprisoned. After finally escaping he exacts his revenge. His enemies never saw it coming.

53. Might as Well be Dead by Rex Stout

He let himself be convicted of killing her husband because he thought she did it. She didn't help him because she thought he had kill her husband. But three more murders convinced Nero Wolfe that the murderer was still out there.

Now that the summer is over I have time to get caught up on my reading.

54. Mountains of Majipoor by Robert Silverberg

I read the first 5 chapters then skipped and read 9 and 10 then skipped and finished 17 and 18. Boring, and I loved Lord Valentine's Castle and Valentine Pontifex but this was disappointing.

Prince Harpirias is sent to rescue a group of paleontologist from a group of barbarians that have never had contact with the citizens of Majipoor before. There are just two conditions, one is no problem but the other...

55. Nerilka's Story by Anne McCaffery

Rill leaves Fort Hold at the height of a deadly plague and works her way to Ruatha Hold as a healer's assistant. At Ruatha, Prince Alessan, recognizes Rill as the Lady Nerilka and makes her and offer. But how can she accept it? How can she refuse?

56. Rat Race by Dick Francis

Matthew just can't seem to get his life back on track. He gets a new job and the plane blows up, he makes a new friend but has to break the rules to keep them from crashing. And now he has to stay alive long enough to save the Duke of Wessex and his nephew. Will he ever get a break?

Hi Lynda;
Just doing a quick flybyhi catching up on the threads I have missed during the past two weeks. Me thinks you like the mystery genre, eh?
Just how far from Dallas is Central Texas?
belva

Glad to have you back. Yep, love a good mystery.
Dallas is 4 to 5 hours north of us here in the CenTex area.

57. Hour Game by David Baldacci

Sean King and Michelle Maxwell are after a serial killer copying other famous serial killers. Then a copycat copies the copycat and two more are killed in an un-copycat way. Are the victims connected somehow? Did one person murder all the victims or should they be looking for more then one killer? And can they stay alive long enough to stop the bodies from piling up.

58. The Outlaw Demon Wails by Kim Harrison

Some one is summoning a demon who wants to kill Rachel. Is it her friend Ceri who needs her to go to the ever-after? Minias who lost his job because of her? Ivy's new Master? And can she find out before it's to late.

59. Pilgram's Progress by John Bunyan

I have tried to read this several different times and though I find the story interesting I have trouble keeping my mind from wandering. I will give this another try next year.

60. Sorcerers of Majipoor by Robert Silverberg

A thousand years before Lord Valentine. Prince Korsibar steals the throne from Prince Prestimion. After all the Oracle did say Korsibar will Shake up the world. Now for the first time in a thousand years Majipoor is at war. The question is, can the world survive it?

Boy am I behind on my posting.

61. All the Weyrs of Pern by Anne McCaffery

This book answers alot of questions about the people of Pern the 3 sisters and the Red Star. Whew it is quite a ride between.

62. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith

My sister loved this book growing up and I can see why.

63. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

This would make a great Opera! There is true Love, longing, insanity, loveless marriages, suicide and revenge. Even with a happy ending this still would be a great opera.

64. Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte

Had a hard time with this book I kept getting mad at the characters. Heathcliff learns nothing during his lifetime and comes to nothing in the end.

Oh boy I just didn't realize how far behind I am with my reviews.

65. The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas
The movies followed the book pretty closely. The book helped to fill out the story and make it more exciting.

66. Great Expectations by Charles Dickens
I didn't enjoy this book as much as I've enjoyed other books by Dickens. I never connected with Pip and found him shallow and trite. But the glimps into the life style at Dickens time was worth reading the book.

67. The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan

Percy and the Olympians are fun to read and very well written. Even though it is written children it kept my attention. Percy finds out he's a demigod and his father is Poseidon. Explains a lot to him. Now all he has to do is make it through his quest and 6th grade.

68. The Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordan

Percy can't wait to go back to Camp Half-Blood, a camp for demigods like himself. So when he hears the camp is in trouble he's determined to help. But Clarisse, daughter of Ares gets the quest. So what is Percy doing in the Sea of Monsters?

69. Seducing the Spirits by Louise Young

Jenny is "exiled" to the Panamanian Rain-forest to study the Harpy eagles. What she learns is how to adapt to a new and strange situation. How to accept others vastly different form herself. And most all that there is more to herself then she believed.

70. Cabbages and Kings by O. Henry

71. Death on the Nile by Agatha Christie

Hercule Poirot is on a vacation cruise down the Nile. But when Linnet Doyle is murdered Poirot has to go through the passanger list and find the murderer.

72. Odds Against by Dick Francis

Sid Halley's hand was useless but at least it was a hand. So the idea that he could lose it was more than he could handle but that's not what the thugs saw.

73. Dead Man's Folly by Agatha Christie

74. The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie

Been so busy since Thanksgiving that I have missed a lot of post. So now I will try to finish up the year and get caught up.

75. Hidden Champions of the Twenty first Century: Success strategies of unknown World Market Leaders by Hermann Simon
An ER book about finding a niche in which to establish your company and then growing in that niche.