Book 72: The Scarlet Letter

The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne

Date Commenced Reading: September 2019 Date Completed: 12th December 2019

Rating: HHH.5

What did I think this book about: Saw the movie years ago…but as usual the book is better.

Book format: paperback off BD

Thoughts: I started reading this, then got distracted, but became determined to finish what I started!!!!

I won’t lie, I struggled a bit with this novel, but ultimately did become intrigued and emotionally involved in the happenings and sufferings of Hester Prynne. One does sympathize with her, and admire her determination not to betray the secret of who little Pearl’s father is. My heart did ache for this hopeless couple. I do wonder what inspired the author to write this book. A reflection of his own mishaps? Sin is a fickle thing, and all we can do is strive to do our best, honour God, admit to him when we’ve done wrong, and ask his forgiveness. For God so loved the world, He sent his one and only son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life. His blood was spilled to atone for our sins. Amen.

In Closing: It’s obvious why this is considered a literary classic.

Book 71: Frankenstein

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

Date Commenced Reading: Dec 2019 Date Completed: 11th Dec 2019

Rating: HHH.5

What did I think this book about: Everyone has heard of Frankenstein!

Book format: Paperback version, cheap as chips from the Warehouse

Thoughts: I have to say: I genuinely enjoyed this book, there’s so much more to it, than what snippets I had seen from the movies etc. Fairly action packed narrative, a very international caper, the whole monster-making bit happens quite quickly, but the rest of the story is sad but intriguing. I admire how Mrs Shelley planned the timeline.

In Closing: Excellent work Mrs Shelley

Book 70: 1984

1984 by George Orwell

Date Commenced Reading: 11th June 2019 Date Completed: first half 2019

Rating: HHH

What did I think this book about: I knew of the story

Book format: 2nd hand paper back

Thoughts: Quite a frightening image if where our governments might be taking us 😬

In Closing: Unique and intriguing

In the Midst Memo

Well here we are – about 70 books down, 30 to go…

Pictured above are the bulk of the remaining books…  I am going to TRY to complete the 100 this year!!  I have been very easy on myself, when I was not in a reading frame of mind, I didn’t read, and when I was – I read all kinds of books, not just ones on my list.  However with 30 books to go, I feel the time is nigh to push myself. I am currently reading 1984 (not in picture), and it’s going good.  I want to finish with Kidnapped (top left corner) – as that was the book I saw burning, the only one my Poppa had written in to me (see here).

Wish me well.

Heidi xo

Book 69: Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe

Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe by Fanny Flagg

Date Commenced Reading: October 10th 2018  Date Completed: October 18th 2018

Rating: HHHHH

What did I think this book about: Had seen the film

Book format:  2nd Hand Paperback I purchased for a dollar, from Countdown Supermarket, raising money for Kids appeal or the like.

Thoughts: I was so pleased to have found a copy of this book, I’d wanted to read it for a long while. It is a beautiful story, and was brilliantly put together, I loved it immensely. I was especially pleased to find there were a selection of recipes in the back.

In Closing: Lovely book, lovely film.

Book 68: A Man Lay Dead

A Man Lay Dead by Ngaio Marsh

Date Commenced Reading: 13th March 2019  Date Completed: 18th March 2019

Rating: HHH.5

What did I think this book about: A murder mystery similar to the likes of Agatha Christie

Book format: A ratty old paperback circa 1960 with a hilariously badly faked murder scene photograph for the front cover.

Thoughts: Thought I had better intermingle some well known Kiwi authors into my list – and I had never read any of Ngaio Marsh’s works… I was very pleased with my decision, this book was fab!

First published in 1934 It starts out with the typical murder in a large manor, a handful of suspects and we proceed through the alibi’s, motives and time-frame of the murder etc…  That is where the typicality dies my friend!! Off we go from there on a whirlwind adventure of madcap shenanigans of the likes I have never seen! or read rather. I had some solid LOL’s and had to share a few lines with friends and family because they were too classic, and I suppose by today’s standards would be somewhat controversial…

In Closing: Apparently this is the first in a series of Detective Alleyn… I would happily read more.

Book 67: The Giver

The Giver by Lois Lowry

Date Commenced Reading: 12th March2019 Date Completed: 13th March 2019

Rating: HHHH.5

What did I think this book about: Another which I had already seen the film, I hadn’t known this was a book though.

Book format: Wee paperback, probs from Book Depos.

Thoughts: Wow. I really loved this book, it was simple, yet very deep. A beautiful piece of writing craft. I was confused by the ending though…did he die? or was it real?

In Closing: Beautiful and special

Book 66: Phantom of the Opera

Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux

Date Commenced Reading: 9th March 2019  Date Completed: 12th March 2019

Rating: HHH.5

What did I think this book about: We all know the musical!!

Book format: Lovely petite fabric covered hardback

Thoughts: Like other books which have been made into film, it’s hard to keep the music from the film’s soundtrack out of your head. Phanty was no exception, in fact it was a pre-requisite – “Think of meeee, think of me fondly when we say gooooooodbyyyyyeeee!!!…”

The book was pretty much exactly the same as the musical, but without the wonderful ALW additions…  I enjoyed it.

In Closing: Good stuff.

Book 65: Catch 22

Catch 22 by Joseph Heller

Date Commenced Reading: 4th March  Date Completed: Paused

Rating:

What did I think this book about: I knew it was something war-based

Book format: Solid paperback in good condition, cannot recall where from.

Thoughts: The writing style and banter in this book was difficult for me to absorb whilst feeling …anxious isn’t the quite the right word, but I was struggling to concentrate, so only got about 7 chapters in. I will attempt to finish before Dec.

In Closing: