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    • 1 person found this helpful

    #43 - 46

    Posted by Eileen, 2 years ago

    The Chamelion's Shadow

    Got some reading done last week, bringing my total count still closer, but not quite to fifty.

    #43 The Chamelion's Shadow, Minette Walters
    Severe head injuries have sent Acland unhappily home from the war in Iraq. Charles is quick to anger, uneasy in civilian life...but could he be a killer? While an unorthodox lesbian body-builder doctor Jackson offers Acland shelter and help, police hunt for a serial killer.

    This one is my favorite of the four. I was totally drawn into Acland's story and loved the feisty and compassionate character Jackson.

    #44 The Emotional Energy Factor, Mira Kirshenbaum

    Self-help for more emotional energy. Good ideas for anyone I'd think.

    #45 The Sinner's Guide to Confession, Phyllis Scheiber

    The story of three women friends, each of whom has a secret she keeps from the others. The story ends up focusing on Ellen, who gave up a child for adoption at sixteen and missed her ever since. Basically about the strength women show and draw on from their friends. Not bad. Definitely women's fiction though.

    #46 Agatha Raisin and the Haunted House, M.C. Beaton

    Scatterbrained middle-aged Agatha Raisin tries to get to the bottom of the mystery of a haunted house, then a murder. Though Agatha is appealing, I found this just a bit too light to be absorbing. The characters are very thinly drawn - it had a paint by numbers feel to it.

    And now, I'm truly finished with reading for 2010. Happy New Year!

  • UNDER THE WIRE ... PART THREE

    Posted by Christine L, 2 years ago

    133. WHAT IS LEFT THE DAUGHTER by Howard Norman. Wyatt Hillyer has been estranged from his daughter for most of her life. One night in 1967 he decides to sit down and write a letter to send his daughter on her 21st birthday. The letter tells the story of his life, and thereby her life. It is difficult to describe this book. It has moments of dark humour (both Mike’s parents died on the same night, by jumping off separate bridges because of their guilt over an affair … with the same person), moments of desperation (the accidental killing of a german student during WWII during the war-fearing frenzy in the Maritimes) and it is populated by a cast of ecccentric characters. It all combines well into a memorable tale.

    I have not read Mr. Norman before, but if this is an example of his story telling ability I will definitely be picking up more.

    134. CROOKED LETTER, CROOKED LETTER by Tom Franklin. Mississippi in the 1970’s was still rife with racial and class strain. For a short time Larry and Silas was unlikely friends. When a young girl disappears after going to a drive-in movie with Larry, he is the prime suspect in her disappearance. He never admitted to anything. As the reader moves forward 20 years another girl disappears under similar circumstances and Larry once again falls under suspicion. Silas is not the local constable, so their short lived friendship comes to the forefront as they both confront their pasts.

    Although the book is a mystery, the story of small towns and friendship was what appealed to me.

    At the end of 2009 someone posted a question asking readers to break down their reading, so here is my personal breakdown of my reading in 2010.
    Total 134
    Female Authors 63
    Male Authors 71
    Non-fiction 14
    Fiction 120
    Canadian (very sad) 13

    See you all next year!

    • 1 person found this helpful

    UNDER THE WIRE ... PART TWO

    Posted by Christine L, 2 years ago

    128. THE LAST TIME I SAW YOU by Elizabeth Berg. The setting … a fortieth high school reunion. The characters … everyone who had something left unsaid or undone in high school. The story … the exploration of roads taken or not, opportunities missed and finding out that life is not so bad after all.

    As much as I was hoping to enjoy this book, I finished it only because I started it.

    129. FULL DARK, SO STARS by Stephen King. Touted as four “short stories” I felt these were more like novellas. This pleased me … a little longer to get to know the characters and a little longer to enjoy each one. The stories are not related and do not intertwine. The only thread is that each one allows the reader to meet a character living a fairly normal life at the precise moment that character reaches a fork in their personal road. Then the reader just blindly follows along when they face the consequences of what might not have been the best decision. Best intentions unravel quickly.

    In describing this book to a fellow reader I said I was impressed with the idea of taking someone and putting them in that “what if” position where one step leads to another on the path to mayhem. In his author’s notes Mr. King states the exact idea. Sometimes it is nice to know you “got it” as a reader. In reading other reviews my impression is that so far readers have either loved this book or hated it, there seems to be no middle ground. I loved it.

    130. PETTY MAGIC by Camille DeAngelis. Evelyn Harbinger is 149 years old and still wants to be the young girl she was once. A little glimmer, a little glamour and she is transformed into a young girl who turns heads wherever she goes. No harm in having a little fun is there? That is until she falls in love with Justin, who is so much like her lost love Jonah that she believes he has come back to her.

    This alone would make a charming story. However Ms. DeAngelis throws in some WWII background and a 60 year old murder mystery and soon the story becomes as cluttered and difficult to manuever through as the Curiosity Shop where Justin works. By the second half of this book I found myself skimming through whole sections to get back to the parts I found interesting. Not my favourite way to finish a book.

    131. LEVEL 26 DARK PROPHECY by Anthony Zuiker. From the creator of CSI comes the second “digi-novel” in the Steve Dark series. Although Steve Dark has left Special Circs, but is having trouble getting on with his life. Still trying to feel secure enough to reclaim a life with his daughter he somehow gets drawn into another series of grisly murders. Officially off the books and with a mysterious partner who has unlimited sources for everything Steve runs a toe to toe footrace with Special Circs to stop the killers.

    It is what it is, an entertaining, edge of your seat read that asks you to suspend reality for a little while. I enjoyed the ride, but liked the concept of Sqweegel in the first book more.

    One thing to be said of Mr. Zuiker … he is making the most of technology … having these books hook into not only YouTube but an Iphone app as well. Its an interesting concept if you happen to have an Iphone or computer handy while you are reading.

    132. THE DINOSAUR HUNTER by Homer Hickman. Mike Wire, retired L.A. homocide detective traded his badge for cowboy boots, working as foreman for the Square C Ranch in Montana. Dr. “Pick” Pickford has received permission to dig for dinosaur bones on the property and Mike is there to help and make sure everything goes smoothly. Just as they make a discovery that will revolutionize paleontology a murder takes place. Mike is torn between the discovery and trying to solve the murder.

    The story was interesting enough to keep me reading. Dinosaurs and cowboys seem like a strange combination, but it all works to make for an intersting story.

  • UNDER THE WIRE ... PART ONE

    Posted by Christine L, 2 years ago

    Yet again, I have fallen behind in posts. My final reads for the year will probably be a post in sections so bear with me all. Belated Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all in the group and I am certainly looking forward to all the great posts and reviews in 2011.

    124. THE MONSTER OF FLORENCE by Douglas Preston. Mr. Preston, probably best known for his “Detective Pendergast” takes a page from his famous FBI sleuth and tackles the real life case of the Italian serial killer whose nickname is the title. In realizing his dream of moving his family to Italy Mr. Preston discovers the picturesque olive grove surrounding his new home was the scene of a series of double murders. To tempting not to investigate he teams up with Italian investigative journalist Mario Spezi to uncover the true identity of the killer. In a pecular twist of “justice” both Mr. Preston and Mr. Spezi become suspects, with Mr. Preston being, not so subtely, told to leave the country and Mr. Spezi actually being imprisoned as “The Monster”.

    This book had been sitting on my shelf for quite some time and I never got around to it. A friend re-introduced me to the story when explaining his fascination with the recent Amanda Knox retrial in Perugia, Italy. The lead prosecutor accused of fabricating the case against Amanda is the same prosecutor who strongly suggested Mr. Preston leave Italy. Recent publications of The Monster of Florence include an afterward by Mr. Preston which was and interesting eye opener. A good true crime thriller that will have you “googling” the facts to find out more. The moral of both this book and the Amanda Knox trial could well be … if traveling in Italy, stay on the right side of the law.

    125. KEEPING TIME by Stacey McGlynn. Daisy Phillips admits that she is an old lady, but she sure does not want to be treated like one. Before giving any consideration to her son’s suggestion that it may be time to move into a “retirement community” Daisy decides to look for her first love. A man who disappeared from her life during WWII and has not been heard from since. The only thing she has to help is an engraved pocket watch and her estranged and dysfunctional family halfway around the world.

    Another absolutely charming book from a first time author. This is definitely one to read in front of the fire with a cup of tea … you won’t want to put it down until you reach the last page.

    126. HELL’S CORNER by David Baldacci. This latest installment in the Camel club series reunites Oliver (aka John Carr) and his Camel Club cronies in a new adventure that begins with a bomb set off during a tree planting in front of the White House. Partnering with Oliver in this adventure is Mary Chapman from British Intelligence. The usual twists, turns and interesting characters keep the story moving along at a nice brisk pace and, without spoiling anything, the end is quite a shocker.

    I did enjoy this book, but personally, with Oliver out of the closet so to speak, I feel the Camel Club has lost a little of what made it charming in the earlier books.

    127. THE IMMORTAL LIFE OF HENRIETTA LACKS by Rebecca Skloot. Henrietta Lacks was a poor tobacco farmer who died of cancer in the “coloured ward” of John Hopkins in the 1950’s. Unknown to Henrietta, during the course of routine tests, cells were taken from her and grown in a lab. Labelled HeLa they were the first cells to have been successfully grown and kept “alive”. These cells have since been reproduced and used for testing to this day. If someone took all HeLa cells grown they would weigh “more than 50 million metric tons”. “HeLa cells were vital for developing the polio vaccine; uncovered secrets of cancer, viruses, and the atom bomb’s effects; helped lead to important advances like in vitro fertilization, cloning, and gene mapping; and have been bought and sold by the billions.”

    Ms. Skloot takes us on a unique journey from the harvesting of the cells to their modern day applications. More intriguing than the science is the journey she makes with Henrietta’s descendants. Henrietta’s family was unaware of the phenomenom of the HeLa cells until 20 years after she died. To this day they struggle with “the legacy of her cells”. Ms. Skloot developed a close friendship with Deborah, who does not comprehend her mother’s contribution to science but makes the reader face not only moral questions but ethical ones as well … “if her mother was so important to medicine, why is it her family can not afford medical insurance?”

    An excellent story that explains the science in an easy to comprehend manner without “talking down” to the reader. Despite her amazing story Henrietta Lacks lies in an unmarked grave and often the scientists working with the HeLa cells do not know the history behind them. Hopefully this book changes all that.

  • end of the year

    Posted by Virginia, 2 years ago

    ok, i'm admitting i won't finish another book in the less than 3 hours left in 2010. (i would have if i hadn't had the flu this week:( Good thing i'm over it:)) So here are my last ones for this year. (didn't make my goal, but made a good stab)

    80 Chainfire by Terry Goodkind
    Pretty much the same as the rest of them. I find more to be irritated about it in terms of Richard's lack of flaws/faults in this one, but since there's only 2 more to go, i'll finish the series:P

    81 Turn Coat by Jim Butcher
    Not as good as the last one, but still really good. Intriguing and fun with a driving plot. I'm excited coz i ordered Changes with gift cards i got for Christmas, and the package is at the post office, but it was closed when i got there (knowing 4 new books are Right There and i can't get them is a special kind of torture:P)

    82 Short & Tall Tales by Lilian Jackson Braun
    I haven't read anything else by her, but i found this light, fun, cute and clever:)

    83 Knit the Season by Kate Jacobs
    This wasn't what i was expecting (for some reason i got it in my head that this was a mystery series), but pretty good:) I found it kinda sentimental and superficial at times, but stil an enjoyable holiday read. i really like that the characters cover a broad age range, but are all friends, are all relate-able and are all living life:)

    84 The Art of racing in the Rain by Garth Stein
    I stayed up til 6am reading this, coz i could not put it down. it's heart-wrenching (maybe also coz it's the first sad book i've read since my Grammie died on Dec. 14)! It's well written, with really good characterization, and it hurts so hard, but good.

    85 Odd and the Frost Giants by Neil Gaimen
    i really liked this:) It was well written, and had great characters:) Quick and easy, but still had depth and substance; it felt like it really was a Norse myth:) (my boyfriend's father is apparently really good at getting me books i love! Last Christmas he gave me Moore's Lamb, and in this case and that without knowing i'd found and wanted them just days before christmas)

    86 My Mother She Killed Me, My Father He Ate Me edited by Kate Bernheimer
    My sister gave me this for Christmas, and i Really like it:)of course some were gruesome, horrifying and/or (sexually) violent, but others were gentler, and most were well told either way:) I quite like the mix of writers, styles, perspectives, etc. My favorites were The Color Master by Aimee Bender, and The Story of the Mosquito by Lily Hoang. The only one i really hated was I am Anjuhimeko, for its style and triggers.


    And that's it for me. Congrats to all on their reading this year, and here's to an even better 2011:)

    My Books For December 2010

    Posted by Bookworm, 2 years ago

    1. Miracle on the 17th Green by Nicholas Sparks-Audio Book-3/5
    2. Call Me Mrs. Miracle by Debbie McComber-4/5
    3. Wintergirls by Laurie Halse-Anderson-Audio Book-4/5
    4. Linger by Maggie Stiefvater-Audio Book-4/5
    5. Forget Sorrow by Bella Yang-2/5
    6. Jewels in the Sun by Nora Roberts -Audio Book-4/5
    7. The Front by Patricia Cornwell-Audio Book-3/5
    8. Christmas Eve at Friday Harbor by Lisa Klerpas-4/5
    9. The Shanghi Girls by Lisa See-Audio Book-4/5
    10. Born in Fire by Nora Roberts-Audio Book-4/5
    11. Born in Ice by Nora Roberts-Audio Book-4/5
    12. Born in Shame by Nora Roberts-Audio Book 4/5
    13. When Autumn Leaves by Amy S. Foster-4/5
    14. Whitehorn Woods by Maeve Binchy-Audio Book-3/5
    15. Belong To Me by Marisa de los Santo-Audio Book-4/5
    16. The Christmas Letters by Debbie McComber-Audio Book-3/5
    17. Cool Moon by Jim Butcher-Audio Book-3/5
    18. The False Friend by Mya Goldberg-4/5
    19. The Bride Collector by Ted Dekker-Audio Book-4/5

  • Close, but not quite 50!

    Posted by BookThia, 2 years ago

    Here is a list of the books I managed to finish in 2010. I'm 9 short of 50, but on the up-side, I am 6 books more than 2009!

    41. South of Broad by Pat Conroy ****
    40. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling ****
    39. Skipping Christmas by John Grisham **
    38. The Mother Tongue by Bill Bryson ***
    37. Awakening Brilliance by Pamela Sims **
    36. Children of God by Mary Doria Russell ***
    35. Sisterchicks on the Loose by Robin Jones Gunn ***
    34. Great Expectations by Charles Dickens ****
    33. Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling ****
    32. Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson ****
    31. The Jane Austen Book Club by Karen Joy Fowler **
    30. The Cellist of Sarajevo by Stephen Galloway ****
    29. The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion ***
    28. The Spinning Wheel by Rosa Maria Perez ***
    27. Morality for Beautiful Girls by Alexander McCall Smith ***
    26. Tears of the Giraffe by Alexander McCall Smith ***
    25. Life on the Refrigerator Door by Alice Kuipers ***
    24. Q&A by Vikram Swarup ***
    23.On Beauty by Zadie Smith**
    22. Extremely Close and Incredibly Loud by Jonathan Safran Foer ****
    21. God's Politics: Why the Right Gets it Wrong and the Left Doesn't Get It" by Jim Wallis **
    20. The Birth House by Ami McKay *****
    19. Mattimeo by Brian Jacques ***
    18. Twilight by Stephenie Meyer*
    17. Hateship, Friendship, Courtship, Loveship, Marriage by Alice Munro ***
    16. Rush Home Road by Lori Lansens ****
    15. Elegance by Kathleen Tessaro ***
    14. Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austin ****
    13. Letters from Yellowstone by Diane Smith ***
    12. Death in the Air by Daniel Peacock **
    11. Vernon God Little by DCB Pierre ***
    10. Percy Jackson and the Lightening Thief by Rick Riorden ***
    9. The Constant Princess by Philippa Gregory ****
    8. The Book of Ruth by Jane Hamilton ***
    7.The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell *****
    6. Fugitive Pieces by Anne Michaels *****
    5. Good to a Fault by Marina Endicott ****
    4. The Outcast of Redwall by Brian Jacques ***
    3. Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy (reread) *
    2. The Pagan Christ by Tom Harpur ***
    1. The Agony and the Ecstacy: A Novel of Michelangelo by Irving Stone***

    Made it!

    Posted by Cathy, 2 years ago

    96. Open -by Andre Agassi
    Wow! The title says it all - he tells his story openly and honestly.

    97. Franny and Zooey -by J.D. Salinger
    I liked this better than Catcher in the Rye, but I found it read more like a play than a novel: a brother and sister dialogue arising from the sister’s emotional crisis.

    98. Sh*t My Kids Ruined -by Julie Haas Brophy
    Another humourous-photos-and-stories blog turned into a book. It's funny and all the “incidents” are perceived without malice.

    99. The Atheist’s Guide to Christmas -by Ariane Sherine
    This British charity-driven book was contributed to by many artists, writers, scientists and philosophers. It is not anti-Christmas at all, just an atheist slant on the reasons to feast.

    100. Wishin’ and Hopin’ -by Wally Lamb
    I very much enjoyed this funny and heartwarming Christmas story told from the perspective of Annette Funicello’s fictional cousin in the fifth grade.

  • 50 Book in 2011

    Posted by Booktasia, 2 years ago

    Will a group be started for 2011? I love this group as I can actually meet the goal.

  • 51 - 54 - The End of 2010

    Posted by Julie Woo, 2 years ago

    51 - Remarkable Creatures - Tracy Chevalier- This story is about Mary Anning and Elizabeth Philpot, two women who have a passion for fossils in England in the 1800's. I enjoy Tracy Chevalier's books because she takes facts and creates wonderful works of fiction around them.

    52 - Major Pettigrew's Last Stand - Helen Simonson - This is a love story revolving around a retiree Major Pettigrew and his relationship with Mrs Ali, the Pakistani local shop keeper. Their friendship grows into something more, but society and family ties threaten to keep them apart. This was a really nice story and I really liked the character of Major Pettigrew.

    53 - Audrey, Wait! - Robin Benway - This is a teen book that I picked up on a whim and I'm really glad I did. This story is about a girl named Audrey, who breaks up with her boyfriend who is in a local band. He writes a song about the breakup called, Audrey Wait, which is instantly popular and puts Audrey in the public spotlight. I really liked this book, its not your typical teen book.

    54 - Glee: The Begining - Sophia Lowell - I am a full fledged Gleek and proud of it. I really enjoyed this book because it explained what was going on at McKinley High before Mr Shuester became involved. If you're a fan of the show I would recommend this book.

    It's really hard to pick the best reads of 2010 and the worst. I don't think I can pick a worst. I will be first to admit I read a lot of fluff, but I knew that going in.
    As for my top pick which is also really hard to pick, but I am going to go with The Guernsey Literary And Potato Peel Pie Society: By Mary Ann Shaffer. This book just makes me happy and I would and do recommend it to everyone.

  • The End of 2010

    Posted by Eleanor Thompson, 2 years ago

    51. Clive: Inside the Record Business - Clive Davis with James Willwerth (1974)
    Though somewhat dated now, this book tells an insiders view of rock and roll in its infancy. Davis had a knack (and still does) for finding and signing talent that would appeal to the masses. He chronicles his relationships with Janis Joplin, Simon & Garfunkel, Donavin, Blood, Sweat & Tears, Johnny & Edgar Winter, Chicago, Bob Dylan and Sly & the Family Stone and his rise and fall with Columbia. This was a good read.

    52. The Adventures of the Christmas Pudding - Agatha Christie (1960)
    This is a collection of six short stories, 5 featuring Hercule Poirot, and one with Miss Marple. Few authors write novels and short stories equally well, but Christie is definitely in this category.

    53. The Pyrates - George Macdonald Fraser (1983)
    Aaargh, 'tis a book about the fillibusters of the Seven Seas d'ya see? Fraser sends up every novel, movie and stereotype that ever involved pirates. Unfortunately it was written prior to the Pirates of the Carribean or Fraser would have had even more fun. Filled with lively characters, including the ubiquitous hero, beautiful women who faint or fight, swashbuckling pirates and much tongue in cheek humour, this book will have you laughing out loud. You have to love a book that includes the line "'Aaargh!' said the captain thoughtfully".

    54. The gift of the Magi and Other Stories - O. Henry
    O. Henry was many things, including a gifted storyteller. This slim volume of ten stories proves this. Practically perfect in every way.

    55. Perry Mason: The Sleepwalker's Niece - Erle Stanley Gardner (1936)
    Did a man commit premeditated murder or was he sleepwalking? The Perry Mason books are one of my guilty pleasures. The language of the time brings a smile to my face but the treatment of women is for shame.

    And now for my year end summary:

    Books read: 55
    Average length: 336 pages
    Longest book: A Breath of Snow and Ashes (Gabaldon) 1439 pages
    Shortest book: Gift of the Magi (Henry) 89 pages
    Oldest book: Macaria (Evans) 1864
    Newest book(s): Coventry (Humphreys), Reading by Lightning (Thomas) 2008
    Non-fiction: 4
    CanCon: 6

    Best Reads: Havenstar ( Noramly)
    Water for Elephants (Gruen)
    The Black Dahlia (Ellroy)
    Of Human Bondage (Maugham)
    Daughter of Fortune (Allende)

    Worst Reads -AVOID AT ALL COSTS!!!
    My Gal Sunday (Higgins Clark)
    Just take my Heart (Higgins Clark)
    Mutant Message from Down Under (Morgan)
    Summer of Night (Simmons)

    The group has been a lot of fun; I got some books recommended by other members and managed to avoid some others (thanks for ALL the reviews, good or bad). I've even made a few friends on here so that is great too! Looking forward to reading your posts in 2011. Happy New Year everyone and much health, happiness and great reading!

    31 of 50: Naughty 2

    Posted by Virtopia, 2 years ago

    Rating: 5/5

    The story didn't let up at all, which made me completely happy. The drama and action continued seamlessly and the characters made me not want to put the book down! I'm just picked up 3rd installment and I know I'm in for a real page turner and I just ordered the 4th one!

  • Catch-up Part 7 - The year end edition (aka Caught Up)

    Posted by DLOTS, 2 years ago

    With just a week left in the year and that full of holiday craziness, I don't think I will finish any more books. Here are the final 15 for the year.

    51 – Star Wars: Fate of the Jedi: Vortex..............................................................Troy Denning
    Part 6 of this 9 part epic escalates the conflict between the Jedi and the New Republic Head of State, ultimately leading to death for someone. If you enjoy the Star Wars universe, you should be reading this series.
    52,53 – The Electric Church, The Digital Plague...................................................John Sommers
    In typical fashion I managed to read book 2 in the Avery Cates series prior to book 1. I would recommend that you do read the books in order however. Avery Cates lives in a world that has become a police state where the rich have privilege and the poor are crushed beneath their feet. In the Electric Church, Avery Cates is a gunner that has just been hired to kill the head of the Electric Church and the Digital Plague continues the story 5 years later. Entertaining reads. I will be reading books 3 and 4 in order next year.
    54-57 – Deathstalker, Deathstalker Rebellion, Deathstalker War, Deathstalker Honor............Simon Green
    The first 4 parts of the 7 part (8 if you include the prelude) Deathstalker series. This is a space opera with a large cast of characters and plenty of action to keep the series moving along. I wouldn’t rank it anywhere near Star Wars but still enjoyable.
    58 – Under the Dome......................................................................................................Stephen King
    Too often we were subjected to 30 pages introducing a character that died at the end of the same chapter they were introduced in. The book did flow but seemed overly long for the length of time the story covered.
    59 – Full Dark No Stars.....................................................................................................Stephen King
    If you are looking for an uplifting read, do not pick up this book. Stephen King manages to succeed with four tales of misery and murder with a deal with the devil thrown in for good measure.
    60 – The Bookman’s Wake...............................................................................................John Dunning
    The sequel to Booked to Die. Cliff Janeway is hired as a bounty hunter to collect a young woman who’s jumped bail. Things are not always as they seem though as Janeway finds himself on the trail of a fabled lost Grayson book, a remake of The Raven. Not too bad overall, though not as good as booked to die. John manages to continue to educate on the world of rare books while telling his mystery.
    61 – Hell’s Corner..............................................................................................................David Baldacci
    Another instalment of the Camel Club. When a bomb goes off across from the White House, Oliver Stone is brought out of retirement and charged with finding the culprits and the reason for this attack. I thought this book was much better than the previous book in this series.
    62 – The Demon Spirit....................................................................................................R.A. Salvatore
    Book 2 in the Demon wars continues from where the first left off. This book seemed to have less pace to it than the first which seems unusual as we didn’t need to get bogged down with the origins of the main characters as told in the first book.
    63 – The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn...................................................................Mark Twain
    A ‘classic’ that reminded me why I don’t bother with the ‘classics’. It was on my KOBO so I decided to give it a try. Coincidentally my KOBO stopped working the day after I finished it.
    64 – Skulduggery Pleasant........................................................................................Derek Landy
    A tween book that my daughter had been bugging me to read. I was pleasantly surprised and will probably read the other 4 books in this series.
    65 – Discworld: Unseen Academicals............................................................................Terry Pratchett
    Terry has done it again. The Wizards of Unseen University need to compete in a football match in order to keep funding that they rely on for their meals. Football being soccer as Terry is from England though the early games described sound more like Aussie rules with death a likely outcome.

    Happy Holidays Everyone

  • Books 43-46

    Posted by Matthew McCarthy, 2 years ago

    Kazuo Ishiguro

    - Book #43: Milan Kundera, The Book of Laughter and Forgetting

    Finally I tracked down a copy of Milan Kundera's The Book of Laughter and Forgetting, and it was well worth the effort I put into finding it. This book is definitely hard to describe, and John Leonard tries to explain it quite succinctly as "part fairy tale, part literary criticism, part political tract, part musicology, and part autobiography"—and even that doesn't give the whole story.

    The first thing that came to my mind while reading this novel was its structural resemblance to Julian Barnes's A History of the World in 10½ Chapters: here, there are seven chapters, which are all thematically related somehow. Most of these stories deal with people within Soviet-controlled Czechoslovakia, and political exiles who have escaped to Western Europe. These people meditate on their experiences inside and outside the country, with a great deal of magic thrown in there as well.

    Kundera just gives a great, fun read here. Hard not to recommend this one. [4/5]


    - Book #44: Ian McEwan, Saturday

    I'm not sure how I feel about Saturday. On one hand, I have to express my admiration for McEwan's prose that is manifest in all of his fiction; yet, I can't help feeling that McEwan was far too eager to show his technological knowledge. Often the otherwise beautiful, careful dissection of neurosurgeon Henry Perowne's life diverges into neurological jargon that I believe could have been left out.

    One of John Banville's problems with Saturday—which he candidly expressed in his scathing review in the New York Times—was that Henry Perowne is an unrealistic character who leads an unrealistic life. However, I disagree with Banville: Perowne does lead what I would say is an "exceptional" life, not entirely unbelievable. Also, I can't help but see McEwan—after watching and reading interviews, as well as in general being informed about the author—in Perowne as a character; while I wouldn't say they are parallel (for example, Perowne is a staunch critic of literature), but there are some similarities, and, ultimately, I enjoyed Perowne as a character.

    Some scenes in this book I loved—such as the tension between Daisy and John Grammaticus in France—some I did not. I appreciated the thematic value of the search for happiness in a postmodern world, and the interesting ambiguous meditations on the Iraq war.

    I liked Saturday; I would definitely read it again. While it isn't my favourite McEwan, the novel itself is an experience that I do recommend. [4/5]


    - Book #45: Philip Roth, The Plot Against America

    I loved this novel. I voraciously read it in a few short days and it is a powerhouse. The genre "historical fiction" is thrown around quite a bit and imposed on a lot of works; but Roth's novel is a true work of historical fiction that has the power to make anyone irate—at something that didn't even happen.

    This book is definitely one of Roth's darker novels. There is a frenzy of paranoia and perpetual fear that follows (the fictional character) Philip Roth and his family in Jewish Newark, New Jersey. The last 100 pages of this novel have an apocalyptic overtone that emanates from its pages which I absolutely loved.

    A great book on paranoia and the potentially virulent things that can come from government control. If anything this book will make you question institutions and their effect on the lives of citizens. [5/5]


    - Book #46: Kazuo Ishiguro, The Remains of the Day

    I was hesitant to pick up Ishiguro's The Remains of the Day, for two reasons. One being that a friend of mine, whose taste in literature I value—albeit, realizing that it is somewhat different than my own—conveyed to me her dislike of this novel. Also, my own first reading of the author occured this summer when I read Never Let Me Go (some may even remember that review) and the novel, while enjoyable, left me, to a degree, unimpressed; however, that feeling of emptiness after reading did not persist after reading The Remains of the Day.

    The Remains of the Day isn't for everyone; I can see how someone would find it painfully boring and see nothing redeemable about reading a butler's private meditations on his life serving a British lord. However, Ishiguro excells here in his prose; he is at the height of his powers, and his style suits this sort of novel more so than the dystopian, gothic science-fiction he strived for with Never Let Me Go.

    A complex novel that offers many different themes—devotion, the quest for dignity, and the decline of the British Empire, as well as its "gentlemen-ly" qualities. At times it will break your heart upon reading of Mr Stevens's obstinate, devoted, yet vain loyalty to his master. One of the best novels to have won the Booker in over 45 years of its existence. [5/5]


    - I am currently reading Ian McEwan's latest, Solar.

  • #39 - 42

    Posted by Eileen, 2 years ago

    A Cure for all Diseases

    Well, I've made it to 42 this year. Perhaps I will finish one more this month. Less than last year, but I was more fully employed than last year on the other hand, so I'd say I've done pretty well. Merry Christmas to everyone in this group!

    #39 A Cure for All Diseases, Reginald Hill
    DS Andy Dalziel almost died in a terrorist attack and is now recovering in a seaside health centre. When one of the prominent inhabitants of the surrounding town is murdered, Dalziel's second in command, Pascoe, is on the case. Should Dalziel get involved? How can he not?

    This one introduces a new point of view, that of interepid student psychologist Charlotte Heywood, whose emails to her sister describing events form the backdrop of the tale. Absorbing and funny as all the Dalziel / Pascoe novels are.

    #40 The Uncommon Reader, Alan Bennett

    What would happen if the queen of England developed a passion for literature late in life? The queen's new hobby is surprisingly disruptive...Very very funny, and at around 100 pages, just a small delight.

    #41 Hannah's Dream, Dianne Hammond

    Great tale for animal lovers. Hannah is a very old elephant, cared for by an equally old zoo-keeper. The keeper needs to retire, but his strong bond and caring for Hannah keeps him working. A group of supporters forms around both of them to figure out - how can Hannah be taken care of and the keeper be allowed to retire in peace? Touching and not sickly sweet. Some of the characters have bite.

    #42 The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, Mary Ann Shaffer

    A book told entirely in letters, about the Channel Islands in the immediate aftermath of WW II and German occupation. A young journalist is drawn into the life of a small Guernsey village after receiving a letter from one of it's inhabitants.

    I wasn't even aware the Channel Islands existed, so I learned something new. The novel is enjoyable. For my taste, it did veer into territory that was a little too cute at times. The sections about the suffering during the occupation were sometimes gruesome, so I guess the cute factor balanced it all out. If that is possible. Comic relief I suppose.

  • Will I make it to 100?

    Posted by Cathy, 2 years ago

    91. Long May You Run -by Chris Cooper
    Short articles to inspire running and quotes from well-known runners. Some parts were more interesting than others.

    92. The Christmas Angel -by Abbie Farwell Brown
    Curmudgeonly old woman learns the spirit of Christmas from an angel. The theme is familiar, and being written in the early 1900s some of the wording and situations feel uncomfortable now, but it was a nice Christmas read.

    93. Dancing Barefoot -by Wil Wheaton
    Wil Wheaton of Star Trek fame gives us glimpses into his life in these five true short stories.

    94. Citizen Jane -by James Dalessandro
    True crime account of a woman seeking justice for her aunt who was murdered by a con man.

    95. Fallout -by Ellen Hopkins
    The final installment in the teen trilogy about the effects of drug addiction on a family, written in poetry. This set of books is well worth reading.

  • Catch-Up Part 6 - To 50 we go

    Posted by DLOTS, 2 years ago

    Read this book

    This post will bring me to 50 and get me in striking distance of being caught up on posting.

    41 – Star Wars: The Clone Wars: No Prisoners......................................................Karen Traviss
    A pretty good read that makes Anakin a mere supporting character and Obi Wan mentioned only in passing. This is unusual for novels in this series, well it is for the ones I’ve read anyways.
    42 – The Law of Nines........................................................................................Terry Goodkind
    If you enjoyed the Sword of Truth novels then you will enjoy this as well. Though I enjoyed parts of the SOT, as a whole I thought they were pretty bad. Why did I read this then? I’m not sure either.
    43 – Hex and the City...........................................................................................Simon R. Green
    Another tale of the Nightside. I find the adventures of John Taylor to be quite good and would recommend this novel to anyone that read paranormal fiction.
    44,45 – Daemon and Freedom...........................................................................Daniel Suarez
    A computer programmer with terminal cancer sets up a complex program with aspirations of remaking the world economy and the way everyone lives their lives. This was a tremendous duology that kept me turning the pages until finished.
    46 – The Demon Wars: The Demon Awakens....................................................R.A. Salvatore
    Part 1 in the Demon wars series introduces us to a new world of gem magic and bloody cap dwarves. A promising start to a new world of adventure.
    47 – Deliver Us From Evil....................................................................................David Baldacci
    David takes the description of torture to new levels at points in this book. This one uses the characters from The Whole Truth and puts Shaw on the trail of a monster. Not David’s best work.
    48 – Why We Suck...............................................................................................Dennis Leary
    Hilarious
    49 – Dragons of an Hourglass Mage.........................................................................Weis and Hickman
    Volume 3 in the Lost Chronicles gives us the story of Raistlin’s turn from the Red Robes of neutrality to the Black Robes.
    50 – Son of a Witch...................................................................................................Gregory Maguire
    A sequel to Wicked that was less enjoyable than the original.

    30 of 50: Naughty

    Posted by Virtopia, 2 years ago

    Rating: 5/5

    I absolutely loved this book! Although some of it seemed far fetched, Jaylin, Nokea, Felicia, Scorpio and Stephon were full of drama and storylines that kept me interested from the first to the last page. I'm anticipating great things in the next book.

    29 of 50: Millie's Fling

    Posted by Virtopia, 2 years ago

    Rating: 4/5

    I really enjoyed this book; although I could tell from about page 100 what would happen, Millie, Orla, Hester and Hugh were all hilarious characters that I enjoyed reading about. Oh, and let's not forget about Lucas!

  • 2nd batch

    Posted by Virginia, 2 years ago

    now all caught up, but currently reading 3 more and very close to finishing 2 of them:P

    75 Blood Lite ed. by Kevin J Anderson
    A good collection that makes me interested in some authors i've been thinking about reading, but wasn't sure if i'd like their style (Harris, Vaughn). I also appreciate how many stories there were; it seems like a lot of anthologies lately, esp. ones with big-name authors, only have 4-6 stories in them.

    76-77 Jane & the Unpleasantness at Scargrave Manor and Jane & the Prisoner of Wool House by Stephanie Barron
    These are clever, fun, Austen-like (of course not as good), not-too-scary, good mysteries:) I picked them up at a library sale, so i have the 1st, 6th, and 7th ones, but they're ok to read as stand-alones as far as i can tell:)

    78 Fat Girl by Judith Moore
    I didn't like this. It didn't speak to me; i don't see the point of her having written it except as a cathartic exercise. But it's true to her, so i can't offer alternatives or changes i'd like:P Overall, it feels hopeless, and that doesn't go with my attitude and outlook on life.

    79 We Need to Talk About Kevin by Lionel Shriver
    I also didn't really like this one. First off, the style really put me off. i usually like books written in letters (Guernsey Potato Peel Pie & Literary Society was my 2nd favorite book last year), but it didn't work in this book, because the letters were all from the same person, and retrospective which didn't really work for this event. Then, i didn't like any of the characters. Overall i found it very flat, yet disturbing and sensational(?), like the author was really trying to emphasize how different Kevin is. And to top it all off, i figured out the "twist" by about chapter 4. I much prefer 19 Minutes by Jodi Picoult for a school-shooting novel. [after mulling this over for a few days, i think better of this book. i still don't like it, but i do have to acknowledge that sometimes there is no sympathy or mitigating circumstance to be had, and some people are just sociopathic. i kind of admire her for trying to show that point, amidst all the "humanizing" of school-shooters and other killers.]

  • getting better at posting on time:P

    Posted by Virginia, 2 years ago

    i'll make it a couple of posts though coz otherwise i think it's too long:)

    68-70 Pillars of Creation, Naked Empire and Debt of Bones by Terry Goodkind
    This series doesn't get much better as it goes along... but it's not getting worse either!:P I will say, there are some really good supporting characters (although he killed off on of my favorites:().

    71 the Midwife's Apprentice by Karen Cushman
    This offers good lessons, but isn't preachy or condescending. I think it's good for kids who are interested in historical fiction, but it's ideas, feelings and themes work really well today too.

    72 Third Magic by Welwyn Witon Katz
    This was a neat, world-time travelling take on the king Arthur myth. Well told.

    73 The Choice by Nicholas sparks
    Sometimes you're in the mood for a Sparks book and nothing else'll do, you know? Another sweet love story about family, trust, tough decisions and their consequences, and hope. i don't necessarily agree with the outcome, but i also don't feel like he's pushing too hard that that's the only way it could be.

    74 Pay It forward by Catherine Ryan Hyde
    I love this movie and i wanted to read hte book, so i borrowed it from a friend. Which i'm glad i did, coz i def. like the movie more. the book feels kinda... choppy? and rushed. i am intrigued as too why the movie didn't keep the teacher black, since this was important to the storyline. I think Kevin Spacey's awesome, but i do like the racial element of the book.

  • #108 - Speak Ill of the Dead - Mary Jane Mafini

    Posted by Shanie [Raksha], 2 years ago

    Deserved to win an Edgar!

    "Speak" is so different from the other Maffini book that I read previously! I can definitely see why this was nominated for an Edgar. Before you read the "Closet" series, be sure and read this one! You definitely won't regret it. A real 'keeper' as well as a 'to be shared' read. Support your Canadian Authors!

    • 1 person found this helpful

    #107 - Christmas at the Mysterious Bookshop - Otto Penzler - 5 / 5

    Posted by Shanie [Raksha], 2 years ago

    Came across this one while building a suggested Holiday Read list for Christmas. What an excellent idea - commission short stories on a yearly basis that are then given away to Holiday patrons. Yes, some of the short stories are uneven, but, taken in total, this is a definite keeper! I have thoroughly enjoyed it, and have discussed same with several other 'readers' in the neighborhood who agreed that they, too, enjoyed it. Frankly, I rated it at 5 out of 5 and am very glad that I just happened to see the title when I was looking for something else. Serendipity is great! Will post my Top Ten Xmas Reads later in the week...

    Catch-Up Part 5 the Star Wars Edition

    Posted by DLOTS, 2 years ago

    32 – Star Wars: The Clone Wars.................................................Karen Traviss
    An adaption of the Clone Wars movie that was better than the movie it adapted. No surprise there as movies rarely exceed their written works.
    33 – Star Wars: The Clone Wars – Gambit – Stealth.................................Karen Miller
    Part one of an exciting duology where Obi Wan and Anikin must go undercover to prevent the new separatist weapon from coming to fruition
    34 – Star Wars: The Clone Wars – Gambit – Siege.....................................Karen Miller
    The second part of this duology finds Obi Wan and Anakin trying to survive on a hostile world as they await rescue.
    35 – Star Wars: Darth Bane – Path of Destruction.....................................Drew Karpyshyn
    In this book, the origins of Darth Bane are told as we learn about the early wars between the Sith and Jedi from the days of the Old Republic.
    36 – Star Wars: Darth Bane – Rule of Two...................................................Drew Karpyshyn
    Darth Bane takes an apprentice and brings back the ancient Sith tradition of only two Sith at any one time. One to hold the power and one to crave it.
    37 – Star Wars: The Old Republic – Fatal Alliance..........................................Sean Williams
    Based on the MMORPG (online computer game), this is a story with a rich cast of characters, treaties and backstabbing. What more could you ask for.
    38 – Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II.............................................................Sean Williams
    Based on the Lucas Arts videogame of the same name, we are once again taken on a journey with StarKiller and the beginnings of the Rebel Alliance.
    39 – Star Wars: Coruscant Nights 1 – Jedi Twilight..................................................Michael Reeves
    Part one of the Coruscant Nights Trilogy finds Darth Vader on the hunt for Jax Parvan, a jedi knight that survived order 66 and now leading the life of a private detective.
    40 – Star Wars: Fate of the Jedi – Allies.................................................................Christie Golden
    Luke must team up with the Sith to discover what has caused the young jedi to lose their minds. I’ve really been enjoying this series.

    • 1 person found this helpful

    3 weeks, 2 to go

    Posted by Bookmason, 2 years ago

    Classic Novel from the 60s made into the John Wayne movie, being re-made by Coen Brothers with Christmas release. Good read, hope the movie compares this time.

    Good end to November and start to December, three very good, but extremely different books from 3 different genres.

    46 / Gridlinked - Asher, Neal - SF

    First of the Polity universe books featuring Ian Cormac. Wonderful SF novel, adding Asher to my must read list of British SF authors that includes Banks, Reynolds, Morgan and Hamilton. Great stuff, good science, hard edge, with a tinge of dark humour. Well rounded cast with Cormac as very intersting central figure. A mix of space opera and cyberpunk, highly recommended. I will be reading more of Asher's work about another 7 or 8 novels in total. 4.0

    47 - Mr. Clarinet - Stone, Nick - Thriller

    Max Mingus is now my second favourite thriller character behind Jack Reacher. Two great books by Mr. Stone. This was his first book, but is sequel of sorts to the second as it happens 15 years later and references some of King of Swords. I actually think reading in order I did is in someways better as there are a few things that are spoiled in King of Swords by this story happending later. Stone who grew up in Haiti gives a stunning portrayal of both the people and the country in the mid-90s. Very interesting that one of the present Presidential canidates in Haiti this week, a kompas singer called Sweet Mickey is talked about in the novel. Riots this week happened because it appears there was fixing in the run-off. The UN peacekeepers don't come off well in this tale eaither.

    Will definitely be looking for Stone's next book whether it continues the story of Max or is about something else. 4.0

    48/ True Grit - Portis, Charles, Western

    Cormac McCarthy light, but excellent western for all ages, trying to talk my 15 year-old daughter into giving it a try. A very good quick read, good enough that I will probaby try another of his if I stumble across one. I didn't know the old John Wayne movie came from a novel until I read about the Coen Brothers remake coming out starring Jeff Bridges in the John Wayne Rooster Cogburn role. Considering all the accolades it got back in the early 70s when it was released it is a surprisingly bad adaptation of the book. Not sure where some of the critics comments come from about Portis being it being funny, seems rather historically accurate to me. Well done tale told from an older woman's remembrance of the when she was 14 that adds an odd and interesting flavour to the tale. 4.0

    • Great start to an interesting SF universe the Polity. Human universe run by massively intelligent, but tiny, AIs.

    • Excelletn first novel, sequel of sorts to Mr. Stone's second King of Swords.

  • Up to November

    Posted by Susan Nojonen, 2 years ago

    48. Murder with Peacocks by Donna Andrews
    Three weddings and a murder. Not bad just a little long.
    49. Bookmarked for Death by Lorna Barrett
    A best selling author is murdered in her bookshop. The sherriff is not much help
    50.The Cat, the Quilt and the Corpse by Leann Sweeney
    Her cat is catknapped and then a murder. The lady who makes cat quilts will solve the mystery,
    51. A Killer Plot by Ellery Adams.
    Another murder on the shore, Interesting charactors and plot
    52. Murder Past due by Miranda James
    I really don't know why I stayed with this one. Figured it out at the beginning. Maybe it was the Maine cat.
    53. Warning at One by Ann Purser
    Not as good as her days of the week series.
    54. Crooked House by Agatha Christie (audio) read by David Horovitch
    Never disappointing. Ending a little heavy though.
    55 .Silent in the Grave by Deanna Raybourn
    Those Victorians all so proper, but oh what secrets. Surprise ending

  • I made it to 50!

    Posted by Eleanor Thompson, 2 years ago

    46 - The Thai Amulet - Lyn Hamilton, 2003
    This is the 7th book in a series featuring Lara McClintoch, a Toronto antiques dealer and amateur sleuth. Three stories entwine, one in the ancient past, one in the more recent past and one in the present. The author meshed these stories admirably and I will definitely be looking for other books in this series.

    47 - Bandits - Elmore Leonard, 1987
    Leonard's dialogue never fails to please, even when the plot of the story is somewhat weak. Bandits, though not his best, has a likable enough protagonist in Jack Delaney, an ex-con now working in his brother-in-law's mortuary. He gets involved with the Contras in Nicaragua through an ex-nun who smuggles out a woman who has contracted leprosy. This is a typical Leonard romp.

    48 - The Black Dahlia - James Ellroy, 1987
    Based on the real-life murder of Elizabeth Short, Ellroy takes us into the investigation as seen by one of the policeman assigned to the case. Just as everyone involved in the murder seems to be obsessed by it, I too found myself totally engrossed in this story to the point where I could hardly put it down. I found it occupying my thoughts when I wasn't reading it and I felt compelled to research the real Elizabeth Short and her tragic end. This is one of my best reads of the year. Be warned, though, it is not for the faint of heart.

    49 - Primary Colors: A Novel of Politics - Anonymous, 1996
    Since publication, it has been revealed that this novel was penned by Joe Klein, and is loosely based on Bill Clinton's initial run for the U.S. presidency. It centers around Henry Burton, a black man enlisted by Governor Stanton to run his campaign. As allegations of sexual misconduct surface, Burton becomes increasingly disillusioned as he sees the clay feet of his idol.

    50 - Cut Throat - Michael Slade, 1992
    The Vancouver father-daughter duo tells another story of another serial killer. This time main characters Zinc Chandler and Robert DeClerque are both featured as they investigate a string of murders with connections to a pharmaceutical company in Hong Kong. Interwoven is a story from Custer's Last Stand and a mysterious yellow skull thought to be the missing link in the evolution of man and possibly the key to human longevity. There is a dream sequence near the end of the novel that feels like a bit of a cheat that mars an otherwise good novel.

    28 of 50: God Don't Play

    Posted by Virtopia, 2 years ago

    Rating: 4/5

    God Don't Play is the 3rd book in the God series. I enjoyed the book and the storyline as it now has Rhonda and Annette with kids. The storyline is interesting, but it's getting a bit too unrealistic for me now. A grown 40 year old woman who shares everything with her 17 year old best friend's daughter is just a bit of a stretch. I'm still interested in the next two books in the series, but not as eager as I was before.

  • CBC Canada Reads is giving away Books

    Posted by Joanna, 2 years ago

    Check out the CBC Canada Reads site they are profiling the books and giving away signed copies

    Today's giveaway "The Bone Cage" signed by both the author and defender!!!

    • 1 person found this helpful

    Books 37-42: Shakespearean Comedy (Oxford Editions)

    Posted by Matthew McCarthy, 2 years ago

    William Shakespeare

    - Book #37: William Shakespeare, Love's Labour's Lost

    In retrospect this play was not bad, but upon my first reading I found it utterly devoid of any value. [2/5]

    - Book #38: William Shakespeare, A Midsummer Night's Dream

    Ah. My favourite Shakespearean comedy. I love the entire world of this play—the Athenian wood, the magic, the frivolous love triangle, and the hilarious Bottom. A great play which I hope to see performed on stage at some point in my lifetime. [4/5]

    - Book #39: William Shakespeare, Much Ado About Nothing

    Much Ado kind of slips between the cracks for me: it isn't bad, but it isn't particularly memorable either, which is what I need when reading a play, something that pulls me in. An okay play. [3/5]

    - Book #40: William Shakespeare, As You Like It

    Another fun play with some memorable characters, especially Touchstone. If you're looking for a somewhat obscure, yet great Shakespeare play, look no further. [3/5]

    - Book #41: William Shakespeare, Twelfth Night, or What You Will

    This play is actually laugh-out-loud funny, which is something I can't say for all of these plays. Sir Toby Belch is a great character.

    - Book #42: William Shakespeare, Measure for Measure

    I did not like this play at all. The plot really did not make much sense; it was not congruent or cohesive at all. It was really just a flawed comedy. [1/5]

    - I am currently reading Milan Kundera's The Book of Laughter and Forgetting.

  • Books 32-36

    Posted by Matthew McCarthy, 2 years ago

    Charles Dickens

    - Book #32: Ian McEwan, Black Dogs

    Between reading a few novels for school, Ian McEwan's Black Dogs has been sitting on my shelf, and needing a quick read between assignments I voraciously read it over a weekend. A short novel (150 pages), but large in scope and a novel that will no doubt leave a lasting impression on me.

    Black Dogs focuses on Bernard and June Tremaine, two formerly jocund lovers but their opinions of each other turn to disdain quickly over some important ideological differences: Bernard's obsession with communism and his atheist beliefs; June's hatred of communism and her new found spirituality—a result of her "black dogs" incident in the rugged hillside of rural France.

    I have to say I loved this novel. It is for the most part brilliantly written—a few awkward sentences I found scattered throughout, however—and McEwan offers an equivocal look at religion versus politics, "deep" meaning versus the coincidental, the need for ideology or a repugnance for it. McEwan gives no answers; the book reads like a debate. Great, great novel. [5/5]

    - Book #33: Charles Dickens, Oliver Twist

    Oliver Twist is, unfortunately, the only Dickens novel I have ever picked up, and this read impinged on my having to read it for a final English paper; I saw unfortunately because I feel I SHOULD have read Dickens, but Oliver was, I believe—for myself, or anyone else—a great place to begin.

    While some people read novels for papers and end up abhorring them; I am ardently the opposite: while writing on a paper, I feel an intimacy with the novel that rises above a regular, casual reading of a text.

    Most, I’m sure, are familiar with the basic plotline of Oliver Twist—an orphan boy, the London criminal underworld, harsh and unsympathetic parochial officials, yadadada—and its thematic value still resonates today, even if our contemporary world does not resemble a filthy Victorian London: it still touches our sympathy, our inherent benevolence, and our vehemence.

    While at times I found myself laughing at the sheer ridiculousness of the cruelty Dickens evokes within the story, it is heart-wrenching—and most definitely a must-read for anyone who loves literature. [4/5]

    - Book #34: Joseph Conrad, The Secret Agent

    I must say when I first heard of The Secret Agent, I didn't exactly expect this sort of novel from Conrad. My other encounters with one of the 20th century's greatest writers—Lord Jim and Heart of Darkness—were sea-faring novels, a far cry from this novel of political subterfuges, domestic strife, and English society.

    The Secret Agent is a very dark London novel, where Adolph Verloc runs a seedy Soho pornography shop which serves as his "ostensible business," with his real business being a secret agent for a mysterious foreign power - most likely Russia. When Verloc is forced to bomb the Greenwich Observatory, which will look like an anarchist terrorist attack, Verloc becomes extremely troubled and the implications will ultimately destroy his quaint domestic life.

    An interesting novel with a great, heart-breaking plot, plus an excellent twist. My favourite Conrad thus far. [4/5]

    - Book #35: Ian McEwan, Atonement (a rereading)

    Rereading Atonement for school is impossible to not be an enjoyable experience. A book you cannot help but love more every time you pick it up. Reading the jacket even gives me shivers. The last 3 pages are still, personally, the most important pages I have ever read in English literature. [5/5]

    - Book #36: Philip Roth, The Humbling

    As anyone who follows my reviews will know, I am a HUGE Philip Roth fan. Since The Humbling just came out in paperback, I thought I'd treat myself after a long semester and start my first casual read of my winter break by reading Roth's 30th (!!!) book.

    Yet, I have to say this—and I hope I don’t have to say it often: I was not overly impressed with Roth here. The Humbling is a novella, and in being a novella, I read it fairly quickly in about two sessions of voracious reading; these two segments were fairly small, and while the narrative kept me going, it felt predictable. I won’t ruin the ending, but you can see it coming from a mile away. The novel’s discussion of power, how we compensate when we lose our power, and the ageing process, was interesting, but I never felt overly compelled. It felt like a shorter Sabbath’s Theater, which was a maverick of a novel, while this novella reads like an old mule.

    I did like The Humbling, don’t get me wrong, but I didn’t love it—and I wanted to love it. Sorry, Philip, but Simon Axler is no Alexander Portnoy—he’s not even Mickey Sabbath. [2/5]

> Read more posts from: November 2010 or January 2011

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