http://www.goodreads.com/review/list_rss/60863 en-US Mon, 07 Jan 2008 22:18:46 -0800 60 http://www.goodreads.com/ 200 41 http://www.goodreads.com/images/layout/gr_logo.gif 11941954 Mon, 07 Jan 2008 22:18:46 -0800
author: Sue Grafton
name: Vidya
average rating: 3.73
book published: 1986
rating: 4
read at: 01/08
date added: 01/07/08
shelves:
review:

]]> 11253296 Mon, 07 Jan 2008 22:18:13 -0800
Still, I have started on "C is for Corpse"...]]>
author: Sue Grafton
name: Vidya
average rating: 3.71
book published: 1985
rating: 3
read at: 12/07
date added: 01/07/08
shelves:
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Not as great as "A is for Alibi". Too many loose ends and unanswered questions for my liking. I mean, this is fiction, so every little thing that the writer weaves into the plot should have some relevance to the story. Just adding characters and spinning little side-yarns with no explanation is well... frustrating!

Still, I have started on "C is for Corpse"...
]]> 11253485 Sat, 29 Dec 2007 21:18:13 -0800
author: Mary Stewart
name: Vidya
average rating: 3.84
book published: 1961
rating: 3
read at: 11/07
date added: 12/29/07
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Started out okay and it had a great premise - imagine a young girl of 19 leaving her home and village suddenly and re-surfacing after 8 years... But the story suffers from too much description - the house, the farm, the horses, the gardens and also the mind games that the imposter Annabel plays - which takes away from the fast pace of the novel. And after so much build-up, it ends a little tamely.
]]> 10669023 Sat, 29 Dec 2007 21:04:21 -0800
However, "A for Alibi" scores by having a plausible motive and by its characterisation of the killer. Though I wasn't so happy with some other parts of the book. But on the whole a great read. I'm starting B next.]]>
author: Sue Grafton
name: Vidya
average rating: 3.64
book published: 1983
rating: 5
read at: 12/07
date added: 12/29/07
shelves:
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This is quite like the McNally series by L Sanders, though K Millhone is not half as funny nor has half the panache as my fav American detective McNally :-)

However, "A for Alibi" scores by having a plausible motive and by its characterisation of the killer. Though I wasn't so happy with some other parts of the book. But on the whole a great read. I'm starting B next.
]]> 8614303 Tue, 18 Dec 2007 23:21:27 -0800
author: Dick Francis
name: Vidya
average rating: 4.00
book published: 1994
rating: 4
read at: 11/07
date added: 12/18/07
shelves:
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Read it the second time. Must have read it maybe 7 or 8 years ago, but didn't remember too much of the plot. The story line was interesting (not to mention the fact that the protagonist has 6 kids!!!!) and fast-paced with the usual well-etched characters. Wasn't very happy about his unhappy marriage :-( but a good read nevertheless.
]]> 8120404 Sat, 03 Nov 2007 11:26:35 -0700
author: Dick Francis
name: Vidya
average rating: 3.70
book published: 1999
rating: 2
read at: 10/07
date added: 11/03/07
shelves:
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Supposed to be Dick Francis' comeback novel, but I found it very disappointing. Why - can't put my finger on it, may be too many twists and turns, and the protagonist was way too submissive. Liked Jett's character though!
]]> 7924906 Tue, 23 Oct 2007 05:25:02 -0700
Some highlights:
* Fascinating descriptions of wild, "untamed" Africa and the daily lives of the people of Botswana. Brings out the fondness the author has for what he considers his homeland.

* Mma (Precious) Ramotswe is delightful and quite endearing, but there are some actions and decisions of hers that I would question :-)

* Mma Ramotswe's town is a world of its own - every other person is her friend, her dad's friend, her uncle's friend, her neighbour/butcher/grocer/doctor or some other friendly neighbourhood guy. Sometimes it's cute, but at times it's not very realistic.

Half-way through the book it felt like I was reading a children's tale - simple, black-and-white characters, descriptive, and slightly didactic. But I was surprised that at the end of the book I did want to read the other 2 books in the series we had bought.]]>
author: Alexander McCall Smith
name: Vidya
average rating: 3.66
book published: 1998
rating: 4
read at: 10/07
date added: 10/23/07
shelves:
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I read the other reviews for this novel on Goodreads and it seems that most people agree that though it's not the fast-paced, nail-biting story that one would expect from a mystery/suspense novel, it is charming and quite readable.

Some highlights:
* Fascinating descriptions of wild, "untamed" Africa and the daily lives of the people of Botswana. Brings out the fondness the author has for what he considers his homeland.

* Mma (Precious) Ramotswe is delightful and quite endearing, but there are some actions and decisions of hers that I would question :-)

* Mma Ramotswe's town is a world of its own - every other person is her friend, her dad's friend, her uncle's friend, her neighbour/butcher/grocer/doctor or some other friendly neighbourhood guy. Sometimes it's cute, but at times it's not very realistic.

Half-way through the book it felt like I was reading a children's tale - simple, black-and-white characters, descriptive, and slightly didactic. But I was surprised that at the end of the book I did want to read the other 2 books in the series we had bought.
]]> 6810512 Sat, 06 Oct 2007 05:15:48 -0700 Dick Francis style. For one, the book chugs along slowly, builds up to a climax, and then peters out again. The protagonist depends a lot on help from others, though he is still the one who does the mental math and puts the pieces together, and gets beaten up badly!

However, I liked the glimpse into the repressive Communist regime of the late '70s USSR, although the author has portrayed the leadership (and the KGB) in a kind light - upholding socialist principles and averse to imperialism, but sensible and quick to protect their country. The Moscow Olympic Games are a trigger for the novel's plot and it is interesting to see how the country went about preparing for the Games. I wonder if the author travelled to Russia during that time, because he has captured well the description of the life there and the prevailing mood of the people.

May be not a must-read, but a "good read" :-)]]>
author: Dick Francis
name: Vidya
average rating: 3.72
book published: 2004
rating: 4
read at: 09/07
date added: 10/06/07
shelves:
review:
Somewhat different from the usual Dick Francis style. For one, the book chugs along slowly, builds up to a climax, and then peters out again. The protagonist depends a lot on help from others, though he is still the one who does the mental math and puts the pieces together, and gets beaten up badly!

However, I liked the glimpse into the repressive Communist regime of the late '70s USSR, although the author has portrayed the leadership (and the KGB) in a kind light - upholding socialist principles and averse to imperialism, but sensible and quick to protect their country. The Moscow Olympic Games are a trigger for the novel's plot and it is interesting to see how the country went about preparing for the Games. I wonder if the author travelled to Russia during that time, because he has captured well the description of the life there and the prevailing mood of the people.

May be not a must-read, but a "good read" :-)
]]> 2071381 Tue, 25 Sep 2007 21:53:51 -0700
author: Michael Crichton
name: Vidya
average rating: 4.00
book published: 1989
rating: 5
read at: 09/07
date added: 09/25/07
shelves:
review:

]]> 4794975 Sun, 19 Aug 2007 23:18:09 -0700
author: J.K. Rowling
name: Vidya
average rating: 4.37
book published: 2007
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 08/19/07
shelves:
review:

]]> 771413 Sun, 19 Aug 2007 23:16:04 -0700
author: J.K. Rowling
name: Vidya
average rating: 4.35
book published: 2005
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 08/19/07
shelves:
review:

]]> 1044021 Sun, 03 Jun 2007 07:09:19 -0700 Decision at Delphi is a drawn-out, boring story set in 1950s Greece, where "nihilists" try to destroy their own country in their hunger to take control (of what? I still haven't figured out!), in the aftermath of World War II. It was just too long - only I know how I managed to survive the 448-page tome. At last, I'm free of it - I can now look forward to fast-paced thrillers and mysteries!]]>
author: Helen MacInnes
name: Vidya
average rating: 3.69
book published: 1989
rating: 2
read at: 05/07
date added: 06/03/07
shelves:
review:
This book made me realise I definitely enjoyed simple whodunits over complex, politics-based cloak-and-dagger plots! Decision at Delphi is a drawn-out, boring story set in 1950s Greece, where "nihilists" try to destroy their own country in their hunger to take control (of what? I still haven't figured out!), in the aftermath of World War II. It was just too long - only I know how I managed to survive the 448-page tome. At last, I'm free of it - I can now look forward to fast-paced thrillers and mysteries!
]]> 1115881 Wed, 09 May 2007 02:39:42 -0700
author: Mary Stewart
name: Vidya
average rating: 3.99
book published: 1964
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 05/09/07
shelves:
review:

]]> 1115866 Wed, 09 May 2007 02:37:54 -0700
author: Mary Stewart
name: Vidya
average rating: 3.96
book published: 2004
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 05/09/07
shelves:
review:

]]> 1115384 Wed, 09 May 2007 01:21:16 -0700
author: Jeffrey Archer
name: Vidya
average rating: 3.19
book published: 2003
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 05/09/07
shelves:
review:

]]> 1114815 Wed, 09 May 2007 00:02:09 -0700
author: Mary Stewart
name: Vidya
average rating: 3.72
book published: 1990
rating: 3
read at:
date added: 05/09/07
shelves:
review:

]]> 1114812 Wed, 09 May 2007 00:01:20 -0700
author: Mary Stewart
name: Vidya
average rating: 3.76
book published: 2006
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 05/09/07
shelves:
review:

]]> 1114782 Tue, 08 May 2007 23:55:32 -0700
author: Nora Roberts
name: Vidya
average rating: 3.93
book published: 2002
rating: 2
read at:
date added: 05/08/07
shelves:
review:

]]> 1114759 Tue, 08 May 2007 23:47:56 -0700
author: Nora Roberts
name: Vidya
average rating: 4.01
book published: 2004
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 05/08/07
shelves:
review:

]]> 1114757 Tue, 08 May 2007 23:47:41 -0700
author: Nora Roberts
name: Vidya
average rating: 4.33
book published: 2004
rating: 3
read at:
date added: 05/08/07
shelves:
review:

]]> 1114754 Tue, 08 May 2007 23:46:57 -0700
author: Nora Roberts
name: Vidya
average rating: 4.04
book published: 2003
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 05/08/07
shelves:
review:

]]> 1044026 Sat, 05 May 2007 04:18:52 -0700
author: Nevil Shute
name: Vidya
average rating: 4.14
book published: 1968
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 05/05/07
shelves:
review:

]]> 771802 Fri, 04 May 2007 02:32:27 -0700
The only thing that stopped me from giving the book 5 stars was the ending - a little disappointing because there was no revelation, no "a-ha" moment! Yet the book offers reading pleasure and intellectual stimulation.]]>
author: Daphne duMaurier
name: Vidya
average rating: 3.62
book published: 1969
rating: 4
read at: 04/07
date added: 05/04/07
shelves:
review:
Loved this book! Though its theme is time-travel, the focus is on the human element - the drama in the life of the protagonist (in the present) and the events unfolding six centuries ago. (Kinda reminded me of Crichton's "Timeline".) Daphne du Maurier is a master at creating the right atmosphere and you are transported right into 14th century England. In spite of the descriptions and historical references that seem to slow down the action, the story is gripping.

The only thing that stopped me from giving the book 5 stars was the ending - a little disappointing because there was no revelation, no "a-ha" moment! Yet the book offers reading pleasure and intellectual stimulation.
]]> 909141 Fri, 27 Apr 2007 01:27:30 -0700
author: John Grisham
name: Vidya
average rating: 3.40
book published: 2000
rating: 2
read at:
date added: 04/27/07
shelves:
review:

]]> 909140 Fri, 27 Apr 2007 01:26:54 -0700
author: John Grisham
name: Vidya
average rating: 3.54
book published: 1999
rating: 3
read at:
date added: 04/27/07
shelves:
review:

]]> 909139 Fri, 27 Apr 2007 01:26:51 -0700
author: John Grisham
name: Vidya
average rating: 3.38
book published: 1994
rating: 2
read at:
date added: 04/27/07
shelves:
review:

]]> 909138 Fri, 27 Apr 2007 01:26:47 -0700
author: John Grisham
name: Vidya
average rating: 3.49
book published: 2000
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 04/27/07
shelves:
review:

]]> 909136 Fri, 27 Apr 2007 01:26:18 -0700
author: John Grisham
name: Vidya
average rating: 3.65
book published: 2006
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 04/27/07
shelves:
review:

]]> 908702 Thu, 26 Apr 2007 23:52:17 -0700
author: Paulo Coelho
name: Vidya
average rating: 3.74
book published: 1988
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 04/26/07
shelves:
review:

]]> 771781 Tue, 24 Apr 2007 22:10:01 -0700
I finished the book just wanting to get it over with. It put me in a dark mood for the 5 days (reading about 25-30 pages a day) it took me to finish it. This was the first Mary Higgins Clark novel I read and I'm off reading her for now, maybe forever.

You have been warned!!!]]>
author: Mary Higgins Clark
name: Vidya
average rating: 3.67
book published: 2004
rating: 1
read at:
date added: 04/24/07
shelves:
review:
A oppressively depressing book. It started on a low note, became progressively bleak and then positively funereal. There was no point, no realism to the whole dismal story. It is supposedly a thriller/mystery novel, but the revelation at the end was expected and totally done-to-death (pun intended!).

I finished the book just wanting to get it over with. It put me in a dark mood for the 5 days (reading about 25-30 pages a day) it took me to finish it. This was the first Mary Higgins Clark novel I read and I'm off reading her for now, maybe forever.

You have been warned!!!
]]> 807187 Fri, 20 Apr 2007 05:04:40 -0700
author: James Herriot
name: Vidya
average rating: 4.33
book published: 2006
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 04/20/07
shelves:
review:

]]> 807185 Fri, 20 Apr 2007 05:03:30 -0700
author: Dan Brown
name: Vidya
average rating: 3.51
book published: 2003
rating: 2
read at:
date added: 04/20/07
shelves:
review:

]]> 807183 Fri, 20 Apr 2007 05:03:09 -0700
author: P.G. Wodehouse
name: Vidya
average rating: 4.33
book published: 2000
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 04/20/07
shelves:
review:

]]> 807182 Fri, 20 Apr 2007 05:03:07 -0700
author: P.G. Wodehouse
name: Vidya
average rating: 4.28
book published: 1923
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 04/20/07
shelves:
review:

]]> 807181 Fri, 20 Apr 2007 05:03:03 -0700
author: P.G. Wodehouse
name: Vidya
average rating: 4.43
book published: 1930
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 04/20/07
shelves:
review:

]]> 807180 Fri, 20 Apr 2007 05:03:00 -0700
author: P.G. Wodehouse
name: Vidya
average rating: 4.39
book published: 2006
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 04/20/07
shelves:
review:

]]> 788108 Wed, 18 Apr 2007 22:49:47 -0700
author: Jeffrey Archer
name: Vidya
average rating: 4.09
book published: 2004
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 04/18/07
shelves:
review:

]]> 771752 Wed, 18 Apr 2007 03:14:05 -0700
author: Lawrence Sanders
name: Vidya
average rating: 3.75
book published: 2000
rating: 3
read at:
date added: 04/18/07
shelves:
review:

]]> 771749 Wed, 18 Apr 2007 03:13:13 -0700
author: Lawrence Sanders
name: Vidya
average rating: 3.79
book published: 1997
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 04/18/07
shelves:
review:

]]> 771718 Wed, 18 Apr 2007 03:02:05 -0700
author: Lawrence Sanders
name: Vidya
average rating: 3.73
book published: 1999
rating: 3
read at:
date added: 04/18/07
shelves:
review:

]]> 771297 Wed, 18 Apr 2007 01:51:42 -0700
author: J.K. Rowling
name: Vidya
average rating: 3.98
book published: 2003
rating: 3
read at:
date added: 04/18/07
shelves:
review:

]]> 771289 Wed, 18 Apr 2007 01:49:16 -0700
author: J.K. Rowling
name: Vidya
average rating: 4.29
book published: 2000
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 04/18/07
shelves:
review:

]]> 771287 Wed, 18 Apr 2007 01:48:38 -0700
author: J.K. Rowling
name: Vidya
average rating: 4.27
book published: 1999
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 04/18/07
shelves:
review:

]]> 771279 Wed, 18 Apr 2007 01:46:19 -0700
author: J.K. Rowling
name: Vidya
average rating: 3.94
book published: 1998
rating: 3
read at:
date added: 04/18/07
shelves:
review:

]]> 771270 Wed, 18 Apr 2007 01:44:15 -0700
author: J.K. Rowling
name: Vidya
average rating: 4.17
book published: 1997
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 04/18/07
shelves:
review:

]]> 755040 Mon, 16 Apr 2007 22:58:32 -0700
author: Agatha Christie
name: Vidya
average rating: 3.81
book published: 1976
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 04/16/07
shelves:
review:

]]> 755010 Mon, 16 Apr 2007 22:54:03 -0700
author: Dick Francis
name: Vidya
average rating: 3.94
book published: 1991
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 04/16/07
shelves:
review:

]]> 754971 Mon, 16 Apr 2007 22:49:25 -0700
author: Dick Francis
name: Vidya
average rating: 3.87
book published: 2006
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 04/16/07
shelves:
review:

]]> 754968 Mon, 16 Apr 2007 22:49:21 -0700
author: Dick Francis
name: Vidya
average rating: 3.90
book published: 2005
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 04/16/07
shelves:
review:

]]> 754919 Mon, 16 Apr 2007 22:47:00 -0700
author: Dick Francis
name: Vidya
average rating: 3.86
book published: 2004
rating: 3
read at:
date added: 04/16/07
shelves:
review:

]]> 754834 Mon, 16 Apr 2007 22:40:40 -0700
author: Michael Crichton
name: Vidya
average rating: 3.07
book published: 1994
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 04/16/07
shelves:
review:

]]> 754823 Mon, 16 Apr 2007 22:39:59 -0700
author: Michael Crichton
name: Vidya
average rating: 3.67
book published: 1975
rating: 2
read at:
date added: 04/16/07
shelves:
review:

]]> 754818 Mon, 16 Apr 2007 22:39:43 -0700
author: Michael Crichton
name: Vidya
average rating: 3.37
book published: 1976
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 04/16/07
shelves:
review:

]]> 754816 Mon, 16 Apr 2007 22:39:39 -0700
author: Michael Crichton
name: Vidya
average rating: 3.17
book published: 1992
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 04/16/07
shelves:
review:

]]> 754814 Mon, 16 Apr 2007 22:39:27 -0700
author: Michael Crichton
name: Vidya
average rating: 3.51
book published: 2000
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 04/16/07
shelves:
review:

]]> 754809 Mon, 16 Apr 2007 22:38:53 -0700
author: Michael Crichton
name: Vidya
average rating: 3.21
book published: 2006
rating: 2
read at:
date added: 04/16/07
shelves:
review:

]]> 740735 Mon, 16 Apr 2007 05:20:06 -0700
author: John Grisham
name: Vidya
average rating: 3.48
book published: 1998
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 04/16/07
shelves:
review:

]]> 740733 Mon, 16 Apr 2007 05:20:02 -0700
author: John Grisham
name: Vidya
average rating: 3.56
book published: 1993
rating: 3
read at:
date added: 04/16/07
shelves:
review:

]]>