Julianne's comments (member since Sep 18, 2008)

Julianne's comments from the Pick-a-Shelf group.

Joanie-

I am reading Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell--I'm almost halfway through and feeling the exact same as you...don't know if I should keep up.

I also stopped reading my other fantasy for the month: The Sweet Far Thing because it has also been dragging.

This is the first time I haven't finished anything on the Pick-a-shelf. I'm soo ashamed!

I'm going for:

Outliers
and (maybe)

Girl, Interrupted

Joanie wrote: "That's too bad Andrew. I loved Bloodsucking Fiends and bought You Suck but haven't started it yet.

I actually have two books to report!

#1[b:Stardust|16793|Stardust|Neil Gaiman|http://ecx.i..."

Joanie--I agree with you about Stardust. I vote movie over book, and I rarely do that.

Kate-I read Graveyard Book for January and really enjoyed it.

I have quite a few fantasy books on my TBR list, but I think I'll go with A Sweet Far Thing ('cause I don't think I'll finish it this month) and The Historian.

Donna-I just finished Dead Until Dark, too, and I'm debating about reading the next installment.

Mel wrote: "Julianne wrote: "Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer, 5 stars..."

Sorta...but to anyone with this issue, too ;-)

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman, 4 Stars

I picked this one up after seeing it at the Library of Congress's book fair in September. It's just taken me this long to pull it off the shelf.

It's a story about a boy who is raised from a very young age by ghosts, in a centuries' old graveyard (presumably in Europe somewhere).

This was a cute story, though not sweet by any means (it is a precursor to the R.L. Stine and Christopher Pike of my generation). I wish Gaiman had built some of his story lines and clarified some of the plot twists and character motivations, but if I were a 12 year old boy I bet I wouldn't have cared (and I think that's the author's point).

Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer, 5 stars

So, I used the January shelf to motivate me to finish the Twilight series. I loved the first book, but my attraction was fizzling out (the middle two were just so-so for me). If this hadn't been the last one (or I hadn't already co-purchased the books with my sister) I probably wouldn't have bothered to delve into Breaking Dawn.

I'm soooo glad I did. The final book in this series made it worth reading the middle two. I fell in love again with Bella and thoroughly enjoyed (almost) the whole plot line.

I think Meyer can tone down the length of her books--perhaps her editors don't reign her in b/c they know the masses will read it no matter how long it is.

I'm glad I read this series. I can see why teenage girls loved these books so much, and I give Meyer props for managing the ending I hoped from her, and not making it sugary sweet drivel.

To those who have made it partway through this series and given up, stick with it. It's worth it in the end.

Getting this on in just before the buzzer:

The Monster of Florence by Douglas Preston (4 stars)

Preston is a fiction author of several crime dramas (so he says--I've yet to read any of his fiction). He moved his family to Italy in 2000 to begin work on a fiction novel which takes place in Florence. While there, he became caught up in the story of an Italian serial killer, and ended up writing this book instead.

This book was in two parts. The first half was a synopsis of the story (up to 2006) of the Monster of Florence, a serial killer of the early 1980s that murdered young couples having sex in their cars in the Florentine countryside. The story is told third person but with a particular perpective from a journalist, Mario Spetzi (sp?) who became a "Monster Expert" during the 80s. Preston covers the murders, the various theories on who perpetrated the killings, police investigations, and the multiple trials to bring the killer(s) to justice.

The second half of the book tells what happened when Preston and his family moved to Italy. He became friends with Spetzi and they decided to collaborate writing a book on the Monster of Florence (several had already been published). When the police did not like what Spetzi and Preston had to say, they became tangled in the investigation, Spetzi even being arrested for his "involvement" in the serial killings.

It is a grim look into the Italian judicial system, with twists and story lines that are shockingly non-fiction. It is a great read for those who can keep up with non-fiction (I "read" it in audio form, so that helped me keep pace).

The Complete Stephen King Universe: A Guide to the Worlds of Stephen King by Christopher Golden (and others) -3.5 to 4 stars

This book is a compilation of all the works of Stephen King (up to May 2006). It includes a story synopsis of every novel and short story (and screenplay/teleplay) Stephen King has ever written. It also has a breakdown of each major character in the story. If a screen adaptation was made that's also included.

What makes this book interesting is that, rather than organizing chronologically, the authors divided King's works based on where in the "Stephen King Universe" it is set. So, the Dark Tower series and all that interplay in that world are one section, there's a section for Castle Rock and another for King's other notable Maine locales. There's a section for Richard Bachman...you get the picture.

This is very useful for the long-time King reader (King calls you a Constant Reader) who has read his works over decades and can't quite remember what each story you've read is about. It was a great reminder to me, particularly since I have so many books on my shelves I don't have time to reread.

I'll be honest: I read the sections for each book/short story I've already read. I skipped over the sections that included works I'm dying to read and read the ones that I'm iffy about reading.

So, I'm going to use this as an excuse to finish 2 series I'm in the middle of:

Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer
Rebel Angels and A Sweet Far Thing by Libba Bray

Sippy Cups Are Not for Chardonnay: And Other Things I Had to Learn as a New Mom. 3 Stars

A Note of Warning: This is not a self-help parenting book. This is a humorous work of non-fiction that's sole purpose is to remind you not to take your new responsibility of parenthood too seriously.

This book is reminiscent of sitting down with that hilarious friend (or co-worker) who always has the funniest (though slightly off-color) stories about her last blind date or what she and her girlfriends "accidentally" did while totally plastered last weekend. Only, now she's a full-time mom.

Recommend to anyone who rolls their eyes when looking at all the Babywise guides and LeLeche handbooks, or feels like "What to Expect When..." just doesn't seem to jive with your personality.

I read Blink also (about 18 months ago), but felt I learned much more from The Tipping Point

I just picked up Steve & Me about Steve Irwin, written by his wife, Terri. I think I'll read that, too.

Oh, and my DS got me two non-fictions for my b-day, that I might be able to whiz through also:


Sippy Cups Are Not for Chardonnay: And Other Things I Had to Learn as a New Mom

Naptime Is the New Happy Hour: And Other Ways Toddlers Turn Your Life Upside Down

The Constant Princess by Philippa Gregory. 4 Stars (would give 3 1/2 if I had the option)

This was my first Philippa Gregory book, and the chronological first in the Tudor series, though not the first written.

Interesting story (being the ignorant American that I am, I'm not familiar with the Tudor histories). Strong lead character, well rounded (not a typical heroine, Catalina had her flaws and was very ambitious and stubborn).

The story stalled occasionally, repeating itself or offering too much description and slowing the tempo down.

I look forward to the next (most popular) installment, The Other Boleyn Girl, and should enjoy having the insight given to me by this novel.

Spaceyplum-

I loved Assassination Vacation!

I have this feeling my list is going to change:

Take the Cannoli-Sarah Vowell
Think Big-Ben Carson
Monster of Florence-Preston Douglas

I usually can easily read one non-fiction per month. Adding two more really changes my monthly reading dynamics. But, I picked one that's educational, one that's inspirational, and (hopefully) one that reads like fiction.

A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray

YA Historical Fiction-5 stars

This one has made it onto my all-time favorites list. What I love is that this is one of those books I would have never read if I hadn't heard of it from a friend on GR.

Gemma loses her mother tragically on her 16th birthday. Shipped from India back to London to finishing school, she must deal with her mother's loss, her father's opiate addiction, the cattiness of well-to-do girls, and the strange visions she is having. The story is her journey to try and belong, while also trying to understand herself and her mother.

The first in the Gemma Doyle Trilogy. Well written, great characterization. I look forward to reading the rest.. See the link above for a full description.

Holy Cow, Fiona! Planning on doing a lot of reading this month?

JK!!

Okay, I'm gonna try for this. I have a hard time reading things in order, though...

C: A Christmas Carol
H: Harry Potter and the Half-blood Prince
R: Rebel Angels (Gemma Doyle #2)
I: Interred with their Bones
S: Smashed, Splattered....
T: Twentieth Century Ghosts
M: My Sister's Keeper
A: Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl
S: Stupidest Angel

D: Darkest Evening of the Year
A: Alive in Necropolis (hope I get this for my BD or XMAS)
Y: Yiddish Policeman's Union

I have Interred with Their Bones. Don't know if it's at all your genre, but that's my idea, Kathryn

Melody,

I second that!