Susanna's comments
(member since Jun 16, 2009)
Susanna's comments from the 50 Books A Year group.
(showing 1-20 of 82)
Vicki Jean wrote: "Last book to read for this year is.... 50)Anthem- Ayn Rand"
I have Atlas Shrugged which I hope to tackle this year. I need to get a few books out of the way first.
Carol wrote: "Susanna, I wonder if this is the Tim Burton of Nightmare Before Christmas (and other offbeat movies) fame? He's weird (in a good way)."Yep, same guy.
#63 Tim Burton: The Melancholy Death Of Oyster Boy & Other StoriesI feel like I'm cheating since the book is barely over 100 pages and it took me ten minutes to read it. There were a few funny bits, just the kind of dark humour I like. But overall, not my kind of book. Two stars.
#62 Nick Rennison: 100 Must-Read Classic NovelsUmm, I like reference books. Enough said, really. Three stars because I could have used a more international take on these classics.
#61 Audrey Niffenegger: The Time Traveler's WifeI was a little apprehensive about reading this book. The writing took a few pages of getting used to but I finally got into it. I read a comment about it that the book should be read as what it really is: an epic love story. I agree with that opinion. I was intrigued by the science of time traveling as well but it was the love story that got me in the end. I am glad I read this book though I usually don't read books that focus on romance. Four stars because I like Niffenegger's writing but the ending was a little too rushed for me. But that's just me, I like knowing what happens in-between. I definitely want to read Her Fearful Symmetry at some point.
Hey, Tim. I tend to listen to music every chance I get: walking, riding the bus, in the car, when I'm on the computer... almost always. So usually no music for me when I'm reading :)
I don't need absolute silence but if there's a conversation going on that's too near in my viscinity, I can't concentrate. Music usually doesn't bother me so I sometimes listen to it while reading if I want some background noise.
#60 Sarah Waters: FingersmithI said I'd read more Waters, and so I did. I absolutely adored this book. I loved the setting, I was swooped into London of 1862. I loved Susan and hated Maud but in the end I loved both girls and just wanted the best for them. I loved the flow of the story, Waters' writing, the captivating story... Four stars. I must read more. Soon, hopefully. :)
My list basically consists of my bookshelf. I've neglected all the books I've bought for the past... five years? I decided that I'll read all the library books I've borrowed so far and try not to borrow more. I know it'll be hard but my books deserve love too, right? :)
#59 Kathleen Kent: The Heretic's DaughterThis was a group read for the Historical Fictionistas group a few months back. I only got around to it now, and I can't say I was really into it. I liked the flow of her writing but the story didn't really grip me at any point. I'd give this 2.5 stars but since it wasn't that bad, I'll make an exception and make it three.
#58 Ann-Marie MacDonald: Fall On Your KneesI was pretty disappointed in this book. I was expecting something more epic than the book delivered. That's a mistake I sometimes make: my expectations can be too high. This would have gotten five stars from me, had I only read the beginning and the end. The middle somehow felt like everything stopped for a few hundred pages, and nothing really happened. Three stars because it wasn't all bad but I could have been reading something else during those 400 pages. I did not read this because it's one of Oprah's book club choices although it seems I've been reading a lot of those lately. Nope, this one is on the 1001 list which I'm using as a reference.
Gamze wrote: "Book #44 Fall on Your Knees by Ann-Marie MacDonaldI hated the big fat sign on the cover saying: Oprah's Book Club. As if I care! The book didn't turn out great in my opinion. It was told in too many different points of view, very confusing! The story wasn't very catchy, so I really had to struggle to get through. When I finally got to the end I was glad that it made up for many loose ends left throughout the whole book.
It wasn't a stunner though... "
I have 100 pages left of this one and I have to say it really hasn't lived up to my expectations yet. I hope it delivers in the end but I have been struggling with this one.
#57 Alan Paton: Cry, The Beloved CountryFour stars. I enjoyed this book though it was a painful journey but there were a lot of lessons here. I have a weird relationship with religion but I enjoyed the religious aspect very much. I will probably read more Paton.
#56 Ian McEwan: In Between The SheetsTwo stars. Short stories like I've been saying all along: not my forte. (WILL!) I think I liked the first collection better. There was one story here that I enjoyed. I will read more McEwan because this was in the beginning and he went on to write Atonement so I remain positive.
#55 Michael Chabon: Wonder BoysThis is one of a friend's favourite books so I decided to read it. I saw the movie years ago and all I can remember is RDJ was in it. I really liked the flow of Chabon's writing and the story was really compelling because I love reading about books and authors and writing. (I really felt for Terry and James, aww.) Four stars because I felt like something was missing. I will definitely read more Chabon.
#54 Stephen King: Night ShiftI know short stories are not my thing. I know this for a fact. But Stephen King is my thing and though usually even his short stories are not my thing, this one hit the jackpot.
This was a group read for the Stephen King Fans group but I'd read it years ago and was a little apprehensive to pick it up again. But I read the introductions and was immediately tuned into his writing. It definitely helped to be reading the original instead of the translation. King translations are usually of great quality in my experience so it hasn't really bothered me to read the translation but with these stories the chill and the thrill really came through.
Five stars for my favourite author for he is not my favourite for nothing.
#53 H.G. Wells: The Invisible ManTwo stars. I don't know, maybe it was the translation again because there's Finnish and then there's that somewhat old school Finnish that you read in books and this was the latter and that made it a little difficult to adjust. Then again, the book was originally written in 1897. But I didn't like the main character at all and while I was intrigued by the science, there wasn't much to salvage the story for me. I'll be reading War Of The Worlds at some point but I'll have to be careful of which edition I read.
Melissa wrote: "Check out Into Thin Air - about the disaster on Mt. Everest. I enjoyed that one. 
"Thanks for the rec, Melissa :)
#52 Jon Krakauer: Into The WildMy first Krakauer book. The book was as thorough as you could have expected. I felt for McCandless very much, and I liked the comparisons between different people who have ventured into the wild, including the author himself. (It actually helped that I had just before watched the first episode of The National Parks which introduced me to John Muir.) I could have used a more linear approach, though. Solid three stars. I wouldn't mind reading another Krakauer book.
In case you're interested: the nomination post for November is up. Voting for the November book will start on the 29th!
