Forty books down; twelve to go (actually ten and two halves). I'm not really doing a great job catching up to where I should be for this challenge, but I continue to hold out hope that it's possible for me to complete it. And even if I don't finish, it's still been a very good reading year for me, so I'm pretty happy with how things stand.
36. A mystery or thriller
The Way to Dusty Death, by Alistair MacLean
If you're in the mood for action, conspiracy, and intrigue, Alistair MacLean's books are always good for a quick, fun read. While the plot of this one isn't as complex as some of his other books, the action moves along at a nice clip and the characters are interesting enough that the story never drags. Plus, who doesn't love a conspiracy set in the world of Formula One racing? (A confession: this book may have adversely affected the safety of my driving back in high school...)
My rating: 8/10
37. A book that came out the year you were born
The Cardinal of the Kremlin, by Tom Clancy
I was really into Tom Clancy books back in high school, and I still enjoy them, even though they feel a bit dated now. I especially like the attention to detail regarding the science, the spycraft, and the politics, and have always appreciated how tightly the plots of his books hold together. While this book is not my very favorite of his, it's definitely up there. Filitov is a very sympathetic character, so it works well to have the story centered around him, and several of my favorite characters from other Clancy books show up in this one as well (Mancuso, Clark, etc.). I think one thing I enjoy about Tom Clancy's books (at least the Jack Ryan ones) is how interconnected they are, so the more of them you read, the better you appreciate them.
My rating: 9/10
38. A book from an author you love that you haven't read yet
The King's Justice, by Stephen R. Donaldson
The two novellas in this book were quite different from each other in style and concept, and yet both were recognizable as Stephen Donaldson's work. The first one, which shares its title with the book, struck a very interesting balance between the intensity with which Black pursues his purpose and the detached manner in which he views the world around him. I wasn't a fan of the occasional paragraphs that were from other characters' perspectives, as I felt they detracted from the story rather than adding to it, but aside from that the story held together well. The second novella, The Augur's Gambit, was filled with grandiose language, which fit well with its setting: a small island where political intrigue runs rampant. Narrated by the queen's hieronomer, this tale of court politics and impending dooms did a lovely job of using first-person narrative to add urgency and suspense. Overall, both novellas were engaging and well-constructed.
My rating: 8/10
39. A book written by someone under 30
A Darker Shade of Magic, by V.E. Schwab
I found this book to be a highly enjoyable fantasy adventure with a slightly darker edge. Both of the main characters were likable, and the supporting characters were given enough personality that they felt real as well. The whole concept of multiple Londons in multiple worlds made for a great story setting, and each London had a very distinct feel to it, which added to the believability of the fictional universe of this book. I'm glad this is a series, because I'll happily read more of Kell and Lila's adventures.
My rating: 8/10
40. A book you own but have never read
The Mind and the Machine, by Matthew Dickerson
This book was given to us as a wedding gift from a college professor/mentor of ours. Sadly, it's taken me five years to finally get around to reading it. I appreciated the progression from differing views of the mind and of human nature to the logical outworkings of those views in different areas of life. Like most books of its kind, it could have been distilled down to a much shorter collection of statements, but then it wouldn't have been a book. All in all, it was a decent read, and made a few good points that I hadn't thought about before.
My rating: 8/10