Reading List 2016: Part 2

Another year, another book list! I didn't quite make my 60 books goal, but I came darn close! I was about 2/3 through book #60 the night of December 31st and finished it on the 1st.

I posted a reading challenge at the beginning of the year, with different kinds of books that I would try to read throughout the year. I filled it out when I first posted it, so I'll post the final answers in blue.


1.) A book I've been meaning to read: Withering Heights by Emily Bronte? Villette by Charlotte Bronte?  The Inheritance by Louisa May Alcott (the movie was so good, I wanted to read the book!)
2.) A book published this year: NYPD Red 4. maybe? Or Private: Paris? NYPD Red  4 and Truly Madly Guilty.
3.) A book in a genre you don't typically read: Umm...umm...
4.) A book from your childhood: Goodnight Moon? Rats...I forgot about thsi category. 
5.) A book your mom loves: Any suggestions, mom? :) ...mom?
6.) A book that was originally written in a different language: I've always meant to read Faust...especially once I found out the real version ends differently than the Wishbone version (Part 1, Part 2 & Part 3)!  Does British instead of American English count? :D 
7.) A book "everyone" has read but you: The Girl on the Train  Done! 
8.) A book you chose because of the cover: Take Me With You by Catherine Ryan Hyde I didn't get around to reading this one, but I did buy it. Too Much Too Soon by Jaqueline Briskin would count though.
9.) A book by a favorite author: Jesus Shock by Peter Kreeft  Done! 
10.) A book recommended by someone with great taste: Anyone? Anyone?
11.) A book you should have read in high school: 1984? Brave New World by Aldous Huxley. Such a good book!
12.) A book that's currently on the bestseller list: The Good Girl by Mary Kubica Done!


Well, that could have gone worse. :)

Here is my 2016 reading list. I posted thoughts and comments on a few of the entries.

1. Sanctuary by Nora Roberts 
2. Silent Night by Mary Higgins Clark
   - I don't know that I'd recommend Mary Higgins Clark novels. They're not bad, but they aren't great either. I admittedly judge her a bit harshly because the things I don't like about her writing style are the things that bug me about mine.
3. Jesus Shock by Peter Kreeft
   - Favorite quote: "We are ontological oxymorons. The very word "oxymoron" is a providential joke, for we are animals like oxen and also spiritual morons, for sin is the stupidest thing imaginable." 
4. Birthright - Nora Roberts
5. The Murder House by James Patterson
6. The Necromancers by Robert Hugh Benson
   - This book was...odd. I can see it being poignant for its time, but it does not hold up as well as Lord of the World, Dawn of All, Come Rack! Come Rope!, etc.
7. Alert (a Michael Bennet novel) by James Patterson
8. Now You See Her by Linda Howard
9. Before I Go To Sleep by S.J. Watson
   - I saw the movie first. I would recommend both.
10. An Independent Wife - Linda Howard
    - Not worth reading. First book I can remember throwing out once I finished it. Independent my...butt. 
11. Room by Emma Donoghue
    - The book was interesting and I would recommend it. The movie was not a great adaptation or a particularly good movie. I am genuinely surprised it was nominated for so many awards.
12. Sweet Revenge - Nora Roberts
13. Burn: A Novel by Linda Howard
14. The Good Girl by Mary Kubica
    - If you like pyschological thrillers, this one had some good twists.  
15. Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty
    - This was on a list of books that are being turned into movies or TV shows. I'm very excited to watch the mini-series, starring Nicole Kidman, Reece Witherspoon, Alexander Skarsgård, Adam Scott and Shailene Woodley.
    - I liked the book so much, I ordered everything else Liane Moriarty has written.
16. Whiskey Beach - Nora Roberts
17. The Liar by Nora Roberts
    - Not one of Robert's best. Fairly predictable...I guessed the major twist less than halfway through.
18. The Inheritance by Louisa May Alcott
    - The movie adaptation is better than the book!
    - Fun fact: Louisa May Alcott wrote The Interitance when she was 17. The manuscript wasn't discovered until 1988 and was first published in 1997. 
19. The Hypnotist's Love Story by Liane Moriarty
20. Zoo 2 (Bookshot) by James Patterson
    - James Patterson started a line of "bookshots," long short stories that are meant to be read in a few hours. Some are standalone, but several are linked to series such as Alex Cross, Michael Bennet or, in this case, as a sequel to Zoo.
    - Zoo was turned into a TV show, which is utter garbage. Not only has it departed almost completely from the book, but it's basically a propaganda piece for the rabidly environmentalist movement. The only reason I finished season one was because of Billy Burke. 
21.  The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins
    - Another good thriller. I'd recommend it.
    - The movie, starring Emily Blunt, Luke Evans, Justin Theroux and Rebecca Ferguson comes out this fall. 
22. Too Much Too Soon by Jaqueline Briskin
    - I found this in the clearance section of a really cool kitchen store in Kansas City. I've had pretty good luck in the past just judging a book by its cover (that's how I found James Patterson), but I think this is going to be the exception that makes the rule.
    
    
    Part 2:
23. Modern Romance by Aziz Ansari
    - A good read, though very secular. It was an interesting perspective on modern relationships and singlehood. If you're not too put off by some crudeness, I would recommend it. 
24. The Last Anniversary by Liane Moriarty
25. Uprooted by Naomi Novik (author of the Temeraire series)
    - Very different from the Temeraire series, but an interesting read. If you like fantasy settings, I would recomment it. 
26. The Husband's Secret by Liane Moriarty
    - I love Liane Moriarty and this book did not disappoint. Big Little Lies is still my favorite of hers, but this is probably #3. 
27. Postcard Killers by James Patterson 
28. This Is Where I Leave You by Jonathan Tropper
    I really liked the movie, so I picked up the book when I saw it for $5 at Barnes and Noble. There are some interesting differences, as always happens with book-to-movie adaptations. I will say the Tropper went into excruciating detail on how poor Judd discovered his wife's affair, something I'm glad the movie toned down (thankfully was only PG-13).
29. Looking for Alaska by John Green
    - Very sad...as John Green books are apt to be. 
30. Virgin by James Patterson
    - Throw out book #2 this year. It was written back in 1980 and not only wasn't one of Patterson's best written books, but it was fairly offensive as a Catholic...more so since it was written by a Catholic! 
31. Cradle and All by James Patterson
    - I thought this was a sequel to Virgin, but then realized as I started reading it that it was a revised/updated version. Tossed this one too. Bleh.
32. An Abundance of Katherines by John Green
    - Another teen, coming of age-y book. Less sad than some of his other book. If you're a Green fan, I'd recommend it. 
33. Genuine Lies by Nora Roberts
34. Chase: A Michael Bennet Bookshot by James Patterson
35. Bloody Valentine by James Patterson (Quick Read)
    - Not my favorite Patterson. As short stories are want to be, there was a decided lack of background and character development. 
36. Three Wishes by Liane Moriarty
37. NYPD Red 4 by James Patterson
38. North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell
    - I watched the BBC TV series before reading the book. It's written by the same author as Wives and Daughters, which is an awesome BBC series. I really need to read the book.
39. Truly Madly Guilty by Liane Moriarty
40. Sail by James Patterson
41. What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty
    - My second favorite book by Liane Moriarty. 
42. Shadow Woman: A Novel by Linda Howard
    - Not my favorite by Linda Howard. Sounded like a good thriller and leaned hard romance. It also took too long to set the stage (first 2/3rds of the book) and didn't give enough of a payoff.
43. The 10,000,000 Marriage Proposal (BookShot) by James Patterson
    - Kinda lame. 
44. The Grownup by Gillian Flynn
    - A short story she wrote thanks to George R. R. Martin, who asked her to write him a story...or so it claims. It wasn't great...nowhere near as good as her other books (Gone Girl, Sharp Objects and Dark Spaces). 
45. Trollhunters by Guillermo del Toro and Daniel Kraus
    - Interesting and odd little book. If you like fantasy settings, I would recommend it.
46. Angels Fall - Nora Roberts
47. Luckiest Girl Alive by Mary Kubica
48. The Films of Sam Mendes by Michael Jolls
    - My cousin wrote a book! :)
49. Bullseye (Micheal Bennet novel) by James Patterson
    - This series is about an NYPD detective, so I decided to buy this while I was in NYC. It was my token purchase on 5th Avenue. :)
50. Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
    - A spontaneous purchase at The Strand Bookstore in NYC. It was much better than I thought it was going to be! Would definitely recommend it!
51. Driving Heat (Nikki Heat) by Richard Castle
    - Final book in the "Richard Castle" series.
52. Damsel in Distress by PG Wodehouse
    Borrowed from and read on the recommendation of Maryann Hebda! :) Before I'd even finished it I messaged Maryann and asked how I'd never heard of this author before, it was that good! If you like witty dialogue and period settings, I'd highly recommend it.
53. Grave Descend by John Lange
    - Oddly enough, I bought this by accident. It was ok...not worth re-reading. I added it to a pile of stuff to give away.
54. Dark Matter by Blake Crouch
    - If you're a fan of Scifi, I'd recommend this one. It's a thriller with a SciFi bent. I liked it so much I just ordered two more books by the same author. 
55. The Midnight Club by James Patterson 
56. Dash and Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan
    - Borrowed from and read on the recommendation of Morgan White! :)
57.  The Beach House by James Patterson
58. Desert Places (an Andrew Thomas novel) by Blake Crouch
59. Killer Chef (Bookshot) by James Patterson
    - a Christmas present from Matt! :)
60. Locked Doors (an Andrew Thomas novel) by Blake Crouch
    - Read about 2/3 before midnight on NYE. 

Books TBR (to be read) in 2017, in no particular order:

1. Will Greyson, Will Greyson by John Green
2. Wives and Daughters by Elizabeth Gaskell 
3. Pretty Baby by  Mary Kubica
4. Carrie by Stephen King 
5. Take Me with You by Catherine Ryan Hyde
6. Cinder: Book One of the Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer 
7. Scarlet (Lunar Chronicles, Book 2) by Marissa Meyer (need to buy)
8. Cress (The Lunar Chronicles) by Marissa Meyer (need to buy)
9. Winter (The Lunar Chronicles) by Marissa Meyer (need to buy)
10. Fairest: The Lunar Chronicles: Levana's Story by Marissa Meyer (need to buy)
11. Stars Above: A Lunar Chronicles Collection by Marissa Meyer (need to buy)
12. A Game of Thrones (Song of Ice and Fire Series) by George R. R. Martin
13. A Clash of Kings (Song of Ice and Fire Series) by George R. R. Martin
14. A Storm of Swords (Song of Ice and Fire Series) by George R. R. Martin
15. A Feast of Crows (Song of Ice and Fire Series) by George R. R. Martin
16. A Dance of Dragons (Song of Ice and Fire Series) by George R. R. Martin
17. The Adventuress (Good Morning, Irene): An Irene Adler Novel by Carole Nelson Douglas
18. Soul of Steel: An Irene Adler Novel by Carole Nelson Douglas
19. Another Scandal in Bohemia (Irene's Last Walz): An Irene Adler Novel by Carole Nelson Douglas
20. Chapel Noir: An Irene Adler Novel by Carole Nelson Douglas
21. Castle Rouge: An Irene Adler Novel by Carole Nelson Douglas
22. Femme Fatale: An Irene Adler Novel by Carole Nelson Douglas
23. Patriot Game by Tom Clancy
24. Clear and Present Danger by Tom Clancy
25. The Sum of All Fears by Tom Clancy
26. Villette by Charlotte Bronte  (author of Jane Eyre, one of my all time favorites!)
27. Spy of Napoleon by Baroness Orczy  (author of The Scarlet Pimpernel)
28. Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert
29. Socrates Meets Freud by Peter Kreeft
30. Private London by James Patterson
31. Private Games by James Patterson
32. Private: #1 Suspect by James Patterson
33. Private Berlin by James Patterson
34. Private Down Under (aka Private Oz) by James Patterson 
35. Private L.A. by James Patterson
36. Private India: City on Fire by James Patterson  (need to buy!)
37. Private Vegas by James Patterson (need to buy!)
38. River's End - Nora Roberts
39. Airframe by Michael Crichton
40. The Hunchback of Notre Dame by Victor Hugo
41. Weep No More, My Lady by Mary Higgins Clark
42. Stillwatch by Mary Higgins Clark
43. A Cry In The Night by Mary Higgins Clark
44. The Shadow of Your Smile by Mary Higgins Clark
45. Let Me Call You Sweetheart by Mary Higgins Clark
46. We'll Meet Again by Mary Higgins Clark 
47. The Drop (A Harry Bosch Novel) by Michael Connelly
48. Prey by Michael Crichton
49. Swimsuit by James Patteron
50. Ring of Bright Water by Gavin Maxwell
51. 1st to Die by James Patterson
52. 2nd Chance by James Patterson
53. Third Degree by James Patterson
54. 4th of July by James Patterson
55. The 5th Horseman by James Patterson
56. The 6th Target by by James Patterson
57. 7th Heaven by James Patterson
58. The 8th Confession by James Patterson
59. The 9th Judgement by James Patterson
60. 10th Anniversary by James Patterson
61. 11th Hour by James Patterson
62. The 12th of Never by James Patterson
63. Unlucky 13 by James Patterson
64. 14th Deadly Sin by James Patterson
65. 15th Affair by James Patterson (need to  buy!)
66. The Obsession by Nora Roberts (need to buy!)
67. Death of a Writer by Michael Collins 
68. With Intent to Kill by George Harmon Coxe
69. Error of Judgement by George Harmon Coxe
70. Slack Tide by George Harmon Coxe
71. Triple Exposure by George Harmon Coxe
72. The Reluctant Heiress by George Harmon Coxe
73. Top Assignment by George Harmon Coxe
74. The Impetuous Mistress by George Harmon Coxe
75. The Big Gamble by George Harmon Coxe

So many books! :)

Earlier this year I bought a couple new book cases for my room, which made a huge difference (ie. got a ton books up off the floor where they had previously been residing). I really enjoy seeing them whenever I'm in my room. There's just something special about a nice, ever growing library. :)

Are there any books that you've read last year that you would recommend I add to this years reading list?


~ Katie