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Tuesday, January 23, 2018

Top 10 Tuesday - Books I really liked at the time, but can't remember much about now...



Top Ten Tuesday was hosted for years and years by The Broke and the Bookish.  It has recently been moved to That Artsy Reader Girl.  I enjoy coming up with '10 items' for this weekly meme.  Today's topic is 'Books I Really Liked but Can't Remember Anything/Much About'.  Here's my take on that topic:

I've mentioned many times that I've kept track of what I read (for the most part) since 1993.  Therefore, if I can take the time to peruse my journals, I can usually come up with books to fit almost any topic - in some measure anyway.  The books I've listed here are ones that I remember really liking when I read them.  Some were read many years ago, some more recently.  I remember liking them and may recall the broad storyline, but specifics are vague.  Should I reread them all or just remember them vaguely?  Have you read any of these? (They are in no particular order at all.)



1. The Other Typist by Suzanne Rindell - I read this one with my mystery book group 3 years ago.  Think I liked it better than the group as a whole.  I noticed that Suzanne Rindell has a new book coming out this summer - Eagle & Crane.  Looks good.  Would likely read the new book instead of the older one again.



2.  The Liars' Club by Mary Karr - I read this one with a book group too, several years ago.  Mary Karr is a Texas author and I liked this memoir of her childhood, tough as it was.  Probably won't reread it.



3.  The Iron King by Julie Kagawa - I liked this first book in Kagawa's series when I read it in 2011 - can't really remember why - I know I don't really like books about the faeries.  Didn't continue reading the series.  Should I?



4.  Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides -  I remember being fascinated with Middlesex while reading it.  I had never read anything about this topic and I think this was one of the first books I heard of that dealt with a  hermaphrodite.  It was about a Greek family and was quite absorbing.  I think I definitely need to reread this one to sharpen my memories.  It won a Pulitzer in 2003.



5.  The Bean Trees by Barbara Kingsolver - I think I read this one with an online group maybe in the late '90's.  It's this author's first book and was very different than books I normally read at that time.  The story of Taylor and Turtle and Arizona...and that's about all I remember.  Might reread it.



6.  I Know This Much Is True by Wally Lamb - This was one of those big, big books that we all read in the late '90's - an Oprah pick.  Over 900 pages.  The first cover was a little creepy to me with the two babies - twins - this one's OK.  I remember it was sad and poignant and about twins.  That's about it.  Will be unlikely to reread, but one never knows.



7.  The Cape Ann by Faith Sullivan -  This was another book that I read with online group way, way back.  One of the group members loved it and got several of us to pick it up.  I remember liking it very much and...almost nothing else.  I do plan to read this one again.



8.  The ABC Murders by Agatha Christie - I recently read a review of this one on FictionFan's Book Reviews.  It is a Poirot book and I've definitely read it, but....I cannot remember the solution.  So, yes, I'm planning to read or perhaps listen to this one again.  Because, I gotta know, you know?



9.  Sahara by Clive Cussler - I used to read some of Clive Cussler's Dirk Pitt series and Sahara is one of them.  I recall that I was reading this one when I had some surgery in 1994 - took it to the hospital with me, in fact.  It was about the desert and adventure and they made a movie of it with Matthew McConaughey (which wasn't as good as the book - naturally).  That's all I've got.  Ha!  Will not plan to reread. 



10. Birdman by Mo Hayder - This is the first book in Mo Hayder's mystery series featuring Jack Caffery.  I read it not that many years ago and meant to go on with the series.  I'm not sure why I didn't and really can't recall much about this book.  In any case, this one is definitely going on my reread list - likely will do audio.  


That's all, folks!  Join me next week for another 'Top Ten Tuesday'!

60 comments:

  1. I haven't read any of these books but they look interesting. I have recently read my first ever Agatha Christie book and I totally loved it. I hope to read more of her books this year.

    I hope you get to re-read a few of them soon :P

    My TTT :http://flippingthruthepages.com/2018/01/ten-bookish-websites-apps/

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    1. Oh you should read more AC books. They are lovely and can reread over and over.

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  2. I read Middlesex and I Know This Much is True. I remember that I liked them but probably couldn't discuss much other than what you mentioned.

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  3. You summed up everything I recall about I Know This Much is True... loved it, but unlikely to reread. I really liked The Other Typist, too!

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    1. Again, glad that I'm not the only one. LOL

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  4. This is an interesting post! Sometimes I look back at books I've read and liked and can barely remember the characters or plot. I barely remember The Bean Trees, but I remember that I liked it. It was my first book by Kingsolver who still remains a favorite author.

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    1. There was a sequel to The Bean Tress and I'm thinking I read that too, but can't remember.

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  5. I love the Bean Trees as much as I dislike its sequel. From it comes the line I quote multiple times each summer: "the only really safe way to eat potato salad is with your head in the refrigerator."

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    1. I love that quote - and I think that's probably right - about the potato salad. LOL

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  6. That happens to me a lot these days - especially if it's been years since I've read the book.

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    1. Yes, Kathy, I think it happens to a bunch of us. It's why I reread books fairly often. Ha!

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  7. I've read 3 Kingsolver books way back when, and honestly I can't remember very much at all about them. I do know I liked them but would probably not reread them.

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    1. It's tough to consider rereading a lot - I do it, but it does take time.

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  8. Wally Lamb remains a favorite author of mine. And your list reminded me of two books I have yet to read and want to: Middlesex and The Other Typist.

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    1. Oh, you should definitely try both of them, Catherine.

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  9. Oh, I could've put a couple Agatha Christie books on my list too! Should've thought of that.

    Interesting list!

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    1. Yes, the nice thing about the AC books, they aren't very long or can be listened to on audio. LOL

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  10. I love that we both have Eugenides books on our lists, Kay! :)

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  11. I have been wanting to read The Other Typist for some time now. Also, I read The Iron King forever ago and remember nothing. Hah! Great series though.

    Here is our Top Ten Tuesday. Thanks!

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    1. You should try The Other Typist. It was good - well, I liked it. Several of my mystery group did not like it very much.

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  12. I haven't read any of these books, Kay, but they do look enjoyable! A shame that you can't remember them!

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  13. I reread Liar's Club when the author came to speak in Houston a few years ago. I also read her other memoirs. I hadn't remembered much about Liar's Club before I read it.

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    1. I'm trying to remember if I read her other memoirs. Don't think so.

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  14. I only have a halfway decent memory of Middlesex because it's set (mostly) in the area I grew up. Even so, I think I need to re-read it too!

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  15. After I saw the Sahara movie, I wanted to read the book but I never got around to it. I wonder how close they are. I've heard good things about The Iron King. This is a fun prompt this week.

    My TTT

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    1. I don't think the movie was as good as the book. And I don't think the actors looked like my mind picture of the characters, but that's always the way.

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  16. You may remember that Donald Hall's mother said a great thing about getting older is she could enjoy Agatha's work over again because she couldn't remember the solution!

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  17. I've read a couple of these, but I can't really remember them either. Ha ha.

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  18. I read This Much I Know is True and I remember nothing about it either except for the person who recommended it to me and that there were twins. The solution to The ABC Murders is kind of abrupt so I'm not surprised that you don't remember it. I've read it about a dozen times and had no idea until the last reread.

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  19. Great top ten! I loved The Bean Trees and read that one for a book group too. Unfortunately my recollection of the entire story is a bit vague too. I rarely re-read just because I have so many books waiting for me but I do wonder if I were to re-read some all-time favorite books what I would think fo them now.

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    1. Yes, sometimes I like the reread and sometimes I start it and then think - what was I thinking back then? LOL

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  20. I've only read Birdman from your list. I love Mo Hayder's books but I notice she hasn't have a new book out for some time. I wonder if she's still writing.

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    1. I noticed that too. Not sure about when a new book will come.

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  21. It's quite alarming when you know you've read a book but can't remember much about it. On a few occasions I can't remember *anything*. LOL. Middlesex comes under that heading, 'Books I know I would love if I would only get around to reading them'.

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  22. I need to read some Christie, hopefully this year I can start getting into her books. And I've heard good things about Julie Kagawa's books too... another author I want to try.

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  23. I've always been really curious about Iron King, it's been on my tbr list for ages! I'm glad it was a good read even if it's been forgotten! Lol.

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    1. Yes, I'm thinking I might listen to it on audio and then see if I want to continue the series.

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  24. I have not read any of these books, although a couple of them are on my wishlist. I feel kind of like a vague recollection of the basic premise of a book is probably enough in most cases, but that's just me.

    Have a great week. - Katie

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    1. It probably is enough, Katie, though sometimes I'd like to remember more. Especially if someone else talks about it and I think, huh? LOL

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  25. I read Middlesex and remember quite a bit about it. It's one I would probably read again - or listen to.

    I loved the Bean Trees, but don't remember a thing about it except for the little girl named Turtle.

    Yep, I read and loved I Know This Much Is True, but really don't remember much about it at all! I think I get it mixed up with Beach Music.

    I read Cape Ann, as well. Don't remember a thing!

    Birdman is another that I really enjoyed (for lack of a better word for this disturbing thriller/mystery), but I don't recall too many details. I have another of Hayder's on my shelf (Pig Island) that I need to get to. I enjoyed Gone, as well.

    I should save this meme and use it at a later date! It's fun to look back, isn't it?

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  26. I may have to try The Iron King out!
    It's been forever since I last read an Agathe Christie, so I may need to pick one up soon.

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    1. Lots of Christie books to choose from - enjoy! And I may go back and reread The Iron King - thinking about it.

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  27. Only have read The Other Typist and although I don't remember that much about it, I do remember that I liked it.

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    1. I just have an idea that some in the group didn't like The Other Typist. Can't remember why. I guess I need to reread it. LOL

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  28. Periodically, as I'm looking for something on the blog, I come across books I've reviewed and even after I read my review, I still can't really remember the book. Which is kind of sad when it was a book you really liked at time!

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    1. I know what you mean. I've decided that what's in my brain has hit critical mass and now when I learn something new, something old falls out the back. LOL

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  29. I know its hard for me to remember what I read and I have only been blogging for less than a year now! (let alone remember what happens!!) I also read The Iron King and have to say the rest of the series isn't all that great and if your not really into fairies than I wouldn't bother continuing. Great post :)

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    1. Yes, I've pretty much decided to not continue with that series. Too many other books, right?

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