LOOKING BACK TO "30 BOOKS I'VE REALLY ENJOYED" (2017)

 

In 2017 I wrote a BLOG post with a LIST of 30 BOOKS I had read and really enjoyed.

• http://azestylife.blogspot.com/2017/07/30-books-ive-really-enjoyed-in-past-few.html

My friend MILLY recently told me that she had COMPLETED reading of ALL 30 BOOKS and she's asked me for a NEW LIST!! What a huge compliment to a BLOGGER to have someone respond in this way. I had NO idea!!

While I compile a new list, I thought you might be interested to read what MILLY had to say when I asked her which were her FAVORITES on that original list.

• The one book that has really stayed with me, in that some of the scenes were so vivid the visual pictures in my mind just have remained (and I'll say I could never go see this as a movie), is THE PARIS ARCHITECT. It may not have been the best writing, but it really riveted me and gave me a true sense of what it must have been like. I'll put it in my top group.
  
  
• I really liked THE LAST PAINTING OF SARAH DeVOS, and it had an influence on me. My daughter and I went to pick a spot for a mom/daughter graduation trip for her last Spring and we picked Amsterdam and Brussels. Unfortunately, we did not get to go, as we were "locked down".
  
  
• One that surprised me (although I wouldn't say it was TOP 3) was A TREE GROWS IN BROOKLYN. When I read the synopsis I thought it may be slow or not hold me. I was wrong - I enjoyed reading about her life very much and was pleasantly surprised. Hence, the great thing with a list, is that you do pick up things you probably wouldn't have otherwise.
  
  
• Really liked POPE JOAN - although it was one of the first I read, so it has been a while and the details are no longer there - I just remember being intrigued by the whole idea of the possibility.
  
  
• I talked about SOUL OF AN OCTOPUS so much. My husband also then read it and enjoyed it, as he did FIVE PRESIDENTS as well. I read FIVE PRESIDENTS before MRS. KENNEDY AND ME and I'll say that MRS. KENNEDY AND ME was a little redundant (I read them close together).
  
  
• Enjoyed both THE DOVEKEEPERS and the whole Russian-Fairytale part of WINTER GARDEN and I could call out a number more.....
  
  
• After reading AMERICA'S FIRST DAUGHTER, I ended up suggesting it to our neighborhood Book Club, and it was a big hit there too. 
  
  
• Just too hard to pick top favorites....
  
  
• Loved being "forced" to read A TALE OF TWO CITIES - I had seen a musical based on it on Broadway (it was only there a short time and never made it big, but I had liked it), but never actually read the book, so was pleased to be given additional motivation.

Thank you again for many hours of enjoyment, Milly

"So many books, so little time" (quote from FRANK ZAPPA), right?!!

JOAN