Challenge: 50 Books discussion
Finish Line 2009!
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Tori's 50 of 2009
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Tori
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Jun 25, 2009 07:09AM


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Finished June 28
I don't usually leave too much editorial stuff on this board, but this book was absolutely creepy, amazing, and so emotional, I wanted to throw it across the room.
Anyone with any interest into the Jonestown massacre of 1978 should pick up this book. I have long been fascinated about Jonestown everytime it was discussed, but thought about picking up a book about it after a work lunch conversation about it early last week.
#1- It's crazy that people actually believed the words coming out of their mouths in defense of Jim Jones.
#2- There are so many misconceptions about the events of Jonestown that people misconstrue. These people did not live Christian lives and their religion was socialism. Jonestown has long been a whipping post of people vehemently against religion. Also, when people say "Don't drink the kool-aid." They should actually be saying, "Don't drink the flavoraid." Poor kool-aid got some serious bad press.
#3- There were almost 1k people that lived with torture, prison camp labor, and the dread of white nights. Why didn't someone start a revolt? Would the security team have helped or turned people in? Even Jones's sons (who survived the tragedy) were disgusted by him.
#4 - According to Wiki (which I checked a few days ago) Jonestown was the biggest loss of American civilian life until Sept. 11th.
If you are interested in Jonestown, pick up Debbie Layton's book. (Yes. Larry Layton's sister.) Her writing is choppy, but this woman knows how to tell the story of the hell she lived for so long. The reader is on the edge of their seat, even though we know how it turns out.



I really didn't like this very much. It had the possiblity to be so good! However, it was funny for about 2 chapters and then it was just Jane Austen writing (sorry, I find her quite long winded and boring) for the rest of the book.
It took me forever to get through this. I had to read this and the above book Bluebeard alternately for a week.



It was written in English, but the book didn't seem to make any sense. The only part of the book I recognized as having somewhat of a plot was the short story involving the blow up doll beater. This book is whack. There is no other word for it. w-h-a-c-k.


It was written in English, but the book didn't seem to make any sense. The only part of..."
Well, that's Hunter S. Thompson for you!

DONE...although I'm going to shoot for 100. I'm half way there and only a couple of weeks past the half way point for the year. One thing though, the books I've been reading are just "plum short" so I need to get back to reading full size books.


#54- Speaking with the Angel
#55- James and the Giant Peach - Dahl
#56- One for the Money


#63- James Potter and the Curse of the Gate Keeper

Alright. Enough fun. Back to work and I probably won't have much more to add until September. :(

#67- The Mermaid Chair by Sue Monk Kidd
#68- The Invisible Man by HG Wells
#69- Four to Score - Evanovich
#70- High Five - Evanovich
#71- Julie and Julia - Julie Powell

#73- Alice in Wonderland - Carrol
#74- Tender at the Bone - Ruth Reichl
On track!

#76-Appointment with Murder - Agatha Christie
#77-Queen of Babble - cabot

#83- Puss and Boots (fairy tale) and Poe's The Cask of Amontillado, Telltale Heart, Black Cat, and the Pit and the Pendulum - These are all so short, I'll just say that reading them all makes up about one book.
#84- Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator - Dahl
#85- The Reader - Schlink

#87- Finger Lickn 15 - Evanovich
#88- Armageddon in Retrospect - Vonnegut

#91- London is the Best City in America - Audio book
Audio books count right?
Books mentioned in this topic
Shadow on the Stars (other topics)Water Witch (other topics)
Spiced: A Pastry Chef's True Stories of Trials by Fire, After-Hours Exploits, and What Really Goes on in the Kitchen (other topics)
James Potter and the Hall of Elders' Crossing (other topics)
James Potter and the Curse of the Gatekeeper (other topics)
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