Celebrate the Author Challenge 2010

Celebrate the Author Challenge 2010
Hosted by Becky of Becky's Book Reviews
12 Books, 12 Months
January - December 2010

"The challenge is designed to “celebrate” author birthdays. Choose one author for each month of the year. Read at least one book a month. 12 authors. 12 birthdays. If you like, you can read MORE than that. Read the books IN ANY ORDER YOU LIKE. As long as you've got one book representing an author birthday from each month of the year by the end, then you're good."

My list:

January:

Thomas Tryon. The Other -- finished 1/23/2010

February:

Asne Seierstad. The Bookseller of Kabul - finished 2/16/2010

March:

Lois Lowry. Gathering Blue - finished 3/3/2010

April:

Edmund Cooper. Sea-Horse in the Sky - finished 4/7/2010

May:

Eoin Colfer. The Wish List -- finished 5/5/2010

June:

Whitley Streiber. The Forbidden Zone -- finished 5/3/2010

July:

David Eddings. The Redemption of Althalus -- finished 4/3/2010

August:

Daniel Keyes. The Minds of Billy Milligan -- finished 8/30/2010

September:

October:

Lorenzo Carcaterra. Sleepers -- finished 6/5/2010

November:

Mark Frost. The List of Seven -- finished 3/10/2010

December:

John Berendt. Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil -- finished 5/19/2010

The Minds of Billy Milligan by Daniel Keyes

First sentence:

"On Saturday, October 22, 1977, University Police Chief John Kleberg placed the area of Ohio State University's medical school under heavy police security."

Description:

"Billy Milligan came be anyone he wants to be. . .except himself.

Out of control of his own actions, Billy Milligan was a man tormented by twenty-four distinct personalities battling or supremacy over his body.--a battle which culminated in late 1977 when heawoke in jail, arrested for the kidnap and rape of three women. In a landmark trial, Billy was acquitted of his crimes by reason of insanity caused by multiple personality--the first such court decision in history--bringing to public light the most remarkable and harrowing case of multiple personality ever recorded.

Twenty-four people live inside Billy Milligan.

Philip, a petty criminal, Kevin, who dealt drugs and masterminded a drug store robbery; April, whose only ambition was to kill Billy's stepfather; Adalana, the shy, lonely, affection-starved lesbian who 'used' Billy's body in the rapes which led to his arrest; David, the eight-year-old 'keeper of the pain'; and all the others, including men, women, several children, both boys and girls, and the Teacher, the only one who can put them all together. You will meet each in this often shocking true story. And you will be drawn deeply into the mind of this tortured young man and his splintered, terrifying world." -- from the back cover

My thoughts:

This was an interesting book about someone who learned that he was rarely in charge of his actions. One scene that stuck in my mind was when "Phillip" decided to go to New York and "David" came forward and couldn't carry the weight of the duffel bag.

Date read: 8/30/2010
Book #: 46
Challenge: Celebrate the Author 2010
Rating: 3*/5 = good
Genre: Nonfiction

ISBN-10: 0553225855
ISBN-13: 9780553225853
Publisher: Bantam Books
Year: 1981
# of pages: 426
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
LibraryThing page

Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil by John Berendt

First sentence:

"He was tall, about fifty, with darkly handsome, almost sinister features: a neatly trimmed mustache, hair turning silver at the temples, and eyes so black they were like the tinted windows of a sleek limousine -- he could see out, but you couldn't see in."

Description:

"Shots rang out in Savannah's grandest mansion in the misty, early morning hours of May 2, 1981. Was it murder or self-defense? For nearly a decade, the shooting and its aftermath reverberated throughout this hauntingly beautiful city of moss-hung oaks and shaded squares. John Berendt's sharply observed, suspenseful, and witty narrative reads like a thoroughly engrossing novel, and yet it is a work of nonfiction. Berendt skillfully interweaves a hugely entertaining first-person account of life in this isolated remnant of the old South with the unpredictable twists and turns of a landmark murder case.

It is a spellbinding story peopled by a gallery of remarkable characters: the well-bred society ladies of the Married Woman's Card Club; the turbulent young redneck gigolo; the hapless recluse who owns a bottle of poison so powerful it could kill every man, woman, and child in Savannah; the aging and profane Southern belle who is the 'soul of pampered self-absorption"; the uproariously funny black drag queen; the acerbic and arrogant antiques dealer; the sweet-talking, piano-playing con artists; young blacks dancing the minuet at the black debutante ball; and Minerva, the voodoo priestess who works her magic in the graveyard at midnight. These and other Savannahians act as a Greek chorus, with Berendt revealing the alliances, hostilities, and intrigues that thrive in a town where everyone knows everyone else.

Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil: A Savannah Story is a sublime and seductive reading experience. Brilliantly conceived and masterfully written, this enormously engaging portrait of a most beguiling Southern city is certain to become a modern classic." -- from the inside flap

My thoughts:

I liked this book about Savannah and what happened there in 1981 and afterwards. Just learning about the city's history and its inhabitants was worth the read. I look forward to seeing the movie.

Date read: May 19, 2010
Book #: 33
Challenge: Read the Book, See the Movie Challenge, Celebrate the Author Challenge 2010
Rating: 3*/5 = good
Genre: Nonfiction

ISBN-10: 0679429220
ISBN-13: 9780679429227
Publisher: Random House
Year: 1994
# of pages: 388
Binding: Hardcover
LibraryThing page

The Wish List by Eoin Colfer

First sentence:

"Meg and Belch were doing a job."

Description:

"Meg Finn is in trouble. Unearthly trouble.

Meg's soul is up for grabs as Heaven and Hell try every sneaky trick imaginable to claim it. Helping a lonely old man complete tasks on his wish list is her only chance. But even if she takes that chance, will she really have enough points to face up to St. Peter?" -- from the back cover


My thoughts:

I enjoyed this fantasy about a young girl who learns about helping people. I especially liked the interactions between Meg and Lowrie and between St. Peter and Beezlebub.

Date read: May 5, 2010
Book #: 31
Challenges: Speculative Fiction Reading Challenge, TBR Challenge 2010, Celebrate the Author Challenge 2010
Rating: 3*/5 = good
Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult

ISBN-10: 014131592X
ISBN-13: 9780141315928
Publisher: Puffin
Year: 2000
# of pages: 200
Binding: Trade Paperback
LibraryThing page

The Forbidden Zone by Whitley Strieber

First sentence:

"To the middle of a perfect summer afternoon came a long, trembling scream."

Description:

"The mound, a quiet town gathering spot...until now. Now something undeniably evil is hiding beneath it. A powerful darkness, terror with unfathomable needs and desires, spreading its roots in secret, transforming all that the good townfolk love and cherish: their past, their hopes, their souls.

Courageous physicist Brian Kelley and his beautiful, very pregnant wife, must confront the horror. They will band together with their neighbors to battle a power transcending their worst imaginings. And only an impossible gamble will give them a chance to survive. The Forbidden one -- master storyteller Whitley Streiber's breakneck journey beyond the cutting edge of terrifying suspense." -- from the back cover

My thoughts:

This was a suspenseful book with horror and surprises from unexpected directions. Just as I thought the characters would be ok, a new horror appeared and made things worse.

Date read: May 3, 2010
Book #: 30
Challenge: TBR Challenge 2010, Celebrate the Author Challenge 2010
Rating: 3*/5 = good
Genre: Horror

ISBN-10: 0451404874
ISBN-13: 9780451404879
Publisher: Onyx
Year: 1994
# of pages: 415
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
LibraryThing page

Seahorse in the Sky by Edmund Cooper

Description:

"Eight men and eight women, with curious bumps on the backs of their heads, and no memory of anything but an interrupted journey, a flight that never landed. They emerged from their green plastic coffins one by one, into the sunlight of an endless alien plain." -- from fantastic.fiction.co.uk

My thoughts:

This is a good science fiction story about different groups of people finding themselves in a very new and unexpected place. I liked how they figured out how to get beyond the river valley and learn who brought them there and why.

Date read: 4/7/2010
Book #: 25
Challenges: Speculative Fiction Reading Challenge, Celebrate the Author Challenge 2010
Rating: 3*/5
Genre: SF

ISBN-10: 0340129751
ISBN-13: 9780340129753
Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton
Year: 1980
# of pages: 192
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
LibraryThing Page

The Redemption of Althalus by David and Leigh Eddings

First sentence:

"Now before the Beginning, there was no Time, and all was Chaos and Darkness."

Description:

"Althalus is an unrepentant rogue and scoundrel. Yet of all men in the world, it is Althalus who will become the champion of humanity in its desperate struggle against the forces of an ancient god determined to return the universe to nothingness.

On this way to stealing The Book from the House at the End of the World Althalus collides head-on with his unique destiny-- and Dweia, a seductive goddess who just happens to be a cat. Dweia can manipulate time. Unfortunately, as can her evil brother. . . and he has been using his own dark magic to rewrite history itself. The only people who can stop him are Althalus and a ragtag group of men, women, and children. But they have no reason to trust Althalus -- or one another." -- from the back cover

My thoughts:

I enjoyed this fantasy adventure very much. I liked how Althalus and his friends learn to work together as they battle Daeva and the forces of darkness. I also like the use of "doors" to get from place to place (and from time to time).

Date read: 4/3/2010
Book #: 23
Challenge: A-Z Challenge 2010, Speculative Fiction Reading Challenge, Celebrate the Author Challenge 2010
Rating: 3*/5 = good
Genre: Fantasy

ISBN-10: 0345440781
ISBN-13: 9780345440785
Publisher: Dell Rey
Year: 2000
# of pages: 792
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
LibraryThing page

Gathering Blue by Lois Lowry

First sentence:

"Mother?"

Description:

"Kira, an orphan with a twisted leg, lives in a world where the weak are cast aside. She fears for her future until she is spared by the all-powerful Council of Guardians. Kira is a gifted weaver and is given a task that no other community member can do. While her talent keeps her alive and brings certain privileges, Kira soon realizes she is surrounded by many mysteries and secrets. No one must know of her plans to uncover the truth about her world -- and to find out what exists beyond it." -- from the back cover

My thoughts:

This was a very good story about a world in which the weak are cast aside. I liked how Kira learned about her gift and the truth of the Council of Guardians. I look forward to reading the next book in the series, Messenger.

Date read: 3/3/2010
Book #: 17
Challenges: Celebrate the Author Challenge 2010; 2nd Reading Challenge; Speculative Fiction Reading Challenge
Series: The Giver Trilogy #2
Rating: 3*/5 = good
Genre: Fantasy

ISBN-10: 0440229499
ISBN-13: 9780440229490
Publisher: Random House
Year: 2000
# of pages: 215
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
LibraryThing page

Final Target by Iris Johansen

First sentence:

"Wind Dancer."

Description:

"A YOUNG GIRL IN JEOPARDY…
TWO WOMEN DETERMINED TO SAVE HER…
THE MAN WHO COULD BETRAY THEM ALL...

Melissa Riley arrives at her sister's isolated Virginia country home to find herself plunged into a deadly drama. There the renowned Dr. Jessica Riley is attempting to draw the daughter of the President of the United States out of a severe catatonic trauma. The last thing young Cassie Andreas saw was an organized team ruthlessly murder her nanny and the Secret Service agents sworn to protect her. But to free Cassie, Melissa and Jessica must trust a mysterious, charismatic man.

Michael Travis made his fortune in the international underworld. He risked everything to save Cassie during that terrible night of bloodshed. And he has entered into a secret bargain with the President. But is his show of concern all a treacherous charade? Melissa and Jessica have no choice but to accept Travis as their ally--and to follow a dangerous plan that will lead them into the world of a killer who'll destroy anyone standing between him and the... FINAL TARGET" -- from the back cover

My thoughts:

This book was a good thriller, but could have been better. I liked the character interaction, especially between Cassie and Melissa in the "tunnel" and between Travis and both Melissa and Jessica Riley. I didn't like that it took the author a long time to explain what Travis was involved in and why various people were after him.

Date read: 1/26/2010
Book #: 6
Challenges: TBR Challenge 2010, Winter Words Challenge, A-Z Challenge 2010
Rating: 3*/5 = good
Genre: Thriller

ISBN-10: 0553582135
ISBN-13: 9780553582130
Publisher: Bantam Books
Year: 2001
# of pages: 387
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
LibraryThing page

The Other by Thomas Tryon

First sentence:

"How old do you think Miss DeGroot really is?"

Description:

"Entranced and terrified, the reader of The Other is swept up in the life of a Connecticut country town in the thirties, and in the fearful mysteries that slowly darken and overwhelm it." -- from the publisher

My thoughts:

I've seen reviews that describe this book as a quiet horror and they were right. Throughout I had a sense that something was not quite right, but didn't know what it was. Tryon's description of the area and the characters brings the reader into a very insular world where not everything is as it seems.

Date read: 1/23/2010
Book #: 5
Challenges: TBR Challenge 2010, Celebrate the Author Challenge 2010
Rating: 4*/5 = great
Genre: Horror

Publisher: Fawcett
Year: 1971
# of pages: 288
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
LibraryThing page