Thanks! Just wrote it down on my TBR list. Sounds like one my husband would like too.

Hey Melanie,
Definitely try Florida Roadkill A Novel as the starting point, it's the first in the series & will give a lot of crucial background to the books that follow (if you choose to) - Providing you survive your first encounter with 'Serge' - The passionate Floridian, serial killer. I really enjoyed Florida & Hammerhead but not everyone would, the content can be completely politically incorrect and sociopathic, but also laugh out loud funny. Best of luck when you get a chance to give him a try, and please let me know how you go - I'll keep a look out.

Cam wrote: "54. Hammerhead Ranch Motel By Tim Dorsey
26th November 2009
May have been penalised due to an extreme case of readers block I was suffering whilst reading it (it was read at no fast..."

Hi Cam!
I keep seeing this author - I will have to add him to my list! What's the best one to start with?

55. Walking the Perfect Square By Reed Farrel Coleman
10th December 2009
I liked this, reminded me alot of Peter Temple (Australian author) as with his books you often lose sight of the primary story because the fundimental character developement of the lead is so all consuming, and always always painted perfectly as a person superbly flawed.
4 Stars****

54. Hammerhead Ranch Motel By Tim Dorsey
26th November 2009
May have been penalised due to an extreme case of readers block I was suffering whilst reading it (it was read at no faster pace that 2 pages per sitting) but I thought it wasn't quite the same caliber as 'Florida Road Kill' - which I loved. Whatever the reason, will definitely continue with the series as it's a rippa - it makes me laugh, and hope that no future reading of Dorsey will be marred by my own moody book reading behavior.
4 Stars****(3 1/2 - 3 3/4 for someone suffering readers block. Probably more deserving of the 4)

53. Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress A Novel By Dai Sijie
10th November 2009
I find myself a little non plussed by The Little Chinese Seamstress. I neither particulary liked nor disliked it, yet I feel the two central characters - Ma (narrator) & Luo were let off a little lightly generally as to the form a re-education during China's cultural revolution would have truly taken. I didn't feel the urgency of panic that there was an immediate risk of them losing anything more, even though most of the time they were partaking in activities that were not allowed to be spoken about let alone participated in. The General fear was well covered, it just didn't seem to be captured as well in the more detailed story to me. I was expecting something grittier and far less reasonable than what their lives seem to be on the Mountainside of the Phoenix Of the Sky.
3 Stars*** (but hovering between 2 1/2 & 3)

52. Broken Fences By Camilla Noli
29th October 2009
Mmmmmmmmm don't know about this. Uncomfortable topics - no doubt about that, actually made me feel ill for much of it - not pleasant. Thought the writing was a bit basic at times, & then subsequently came across as a tale creating shock value rather than displaying the true message that was intended to be given - one of how quick & all consuming depression & anxiety can be & of how hard it can be to overcome. A story about when a Mothers love is too much.
2 Stars** (2 1/2 stars)

51. My Life in France By Julia Child
19th October 2009
This is not at all like something I would usually have chosen to read (thankyou Kathleen). I don't read a lot of biographies & I only had the smallest of pictures in my mind as to who Julia Child actually was. Struggled a bit till just on the half way mark, then found that I'd gotten myself hooked on Julia's story with no idea how. What a clever & innovative Woman she was, & what a gorgeous & mutually respectful relationship she seemed to have with her Husband, which in itself at that time was quite a rarity I would imagine. Really enjoyed it, really enjoyed the depth of her persistence in the bringing of her loved art to the broader public & her development of her processes in proving that it can be achieved by anyone, anywhere.
4 Stars****

50. Fledgling By Octavia E. Butler
15th October 2009
My favourite book of this year came from this author (Kindred) so I had high hopes for this my second foray both into Octavia's novels & my second also into the vampire genre. Though it was far better than the earlier vampire read, I have to say that I'm not much of a fan but at least this threw in some fangs unlike 'The Strain' which just included a rather nasty tongue, so I feel like I've now actually read a vamp book at least.
The book follows the story of Shori a young Ina (vampire) a new & improved version of the old (Shori is the result of successful inter breeding between that of human & vampire) Her black skin enables her to venture out into the daylight as it has natural melonin that protects her from the suns rays. Many Ina believe she is the new super vampire of the future, however there are those that believe she is no longer true Ina. We join her story where she is suffering complete amnesia due to severe head injuries from a horrendous attack that as well as wiping her memory of her first 53 years of life, has also wiped out her entire female family line. We follow Shori as she has to begin her life from scratch & create a new support network of her own & at the same time seek out the reasons behind the mass murder of her family.
I have given it 3 Stars (3 & 1/2 Stars), which is pretty good as much of the vampireness of the book made me squirm & quite a few moments where Shori although 53 in vamp years is in reality the equivalent in appearance to that of a 10 - 11 year old girl, I'm sorry, I know it's fiction but I have one of those in this house, & it was yucky & uncomfortable to read at times, and it paid a price in how I rated it because of this.
3 Stars*** (3 1/2 Stars)

49. Prophecy of the Sisters By Michelle Zink
9th October 2009
Just finished Prophecy of the Sisters By Michelle Zink. This is the first book of a trilogy that introduces twin girls, Lia (narrator) & Alice, but soon discloses that they are the last in the line of generation upon generation of twin girls that are the central figures of a prophecy that is not only of this world. Each role that each twin has within the prophesy is clearly defined by the order of their birth, though it is also up to the individual as to how they choose to interpret their place within the two distinct titles - The Gate & The Guardian. One Sister has been given the chance to end the prophesy forever & save future generations of Sisters the grief that now consumes their family. The second Sister wants to grant the evil powers from other realms access to their own.
I will probably have to read the other two to find out what happens to the girls, but sadly I was a little disappointed with it. Was expecting it to really kick into gear somewhere just after half way, as it was building quite nicely but all I got was more of the same really. I expected a more dynamic reading of the relationship of the twin girls, it was all rather on the lean side & what there was of interaction between the two characters was generally quite predictable, even though it had worlds of potential. I'm hoping that will improve in the next installment. I didn't actually realise it was a trilogy (my own fault yes, I know). I did like many of the characters & will be keeping an eye out for book II.
3 Stars***

48. The Bell Jar By Sylvia Plath
4th October 2009
This book is the story of Esther Greenwood, a young woman in the 1950's finding her way in life & instead of reaching the potential that she believes that she was destined for & those around her expect her to naturally achieve, she begins a downward decline & spirals into deep despair.
Sylvia Plath has held a mirror up to her own life & named it Esther. I still can't begin to fathom, that a woman so ultimately self-aware of her mental health/state (Sylvia Plath)& it's warts & all - was unable to save herself, but then that's one of the devastating realities of depression. Nothing is as it seems, from those within it, to those in observation. Extremely thought provoking book, with ultimately the saddest of endings.
4 Stars**** (4 1/2 Stars).

47. Perfume By Patrick Suskind
1st October 2009
This book follows the life of Jean-Baptiste Grenouille, the unwanted boy - abandoned at birth on the stench infused streets of Paris in the eighteenth century. Passed from carer to carer as a child & from master to master as a young lad. Until it is discovered that he had a hidden talent - an unfathomable sense of smell.
His gift is quickly put to work in the world of perfumery, but Grenouille has a hidden agenda for his ability, he wants & needs to steal the essence of a coming of age virgin girl.
Not at all like I expected, really easy flow (was expecting it to be difficult read) completely original & totally unpredictable. Kept surprising me right till the very end.
4 Stars**** from me.

46. Florida Roadkill A Novel By Tim Dorsey
27th September 2009
What to say, can't remember the last time I laughed so much at a book. Dorsey is a master of something, I'm just not sure what you'd call it. He somehow manages to weave a hundred funny short stories into one outrageous tale (or tales as the 12th in the series will be released shortly), this is set around the 'Key's' in Florida, largely influenced by the repeated appearance of a serial killer named Serge. Be warned it is not for everyone, is constantly tasteless, & often displays little to no value of human or animal life. But if you suffer from a warped sense of humour & your willing to shed your p.c.ness, it is well & truely worth a go. Can't wait to start the next one.
5 Stars*****

45. The Weight of Silence By Heather Gudenkauf
20th September 2009
This book is called 'Behind The Silence' here in Australia (editions not available on GR yet), no matter. I enjoyed this, characters had more depth than your average Mary Higgins Clark novel but at the same time a similar feel. The narrative is broken up with the story being told in the perspective of 6 of the integral characters. Two of them being the very centre of the essence of the story. Calli a 7 year old selectively mute girl & her best friend, fellow 7 year old Petra go missing from their respective beds overnight with little clue as to why. The book delves into the deep dark past of both girls families to effectively find the answers to who, why & how they got to where they are in the present reality that is their lives. Solid debut whodunnit.
3 Stars***

44. The Strain By Guillermo Del Toro
19th September 2009
This book was an impulse buy, sounded good, high praise from all the right people & blurb very inticing, but failed to mention it was in fact a vampire book. Not keen on the movies or t.v.series of that genre, so my expectations weren't high. Will have to read another at some stage so I have a better grounding to compare, but that will not be anytime soon. It wasn't poorly written & I didn't give up on it altogether, but I have to say, I am delighted to be moving onto something else.
2 Stars**

43. Wish You Well By David Baldacci
13th September 2009
By all reports this book does not take the usual form of a Baldacci read. It's the first of his books that I've attempted so I'll have to take the word of others on that.
This tale is told in the voice & seen through the eye's of the eldest child of the Cardinal family - 12 year old girl, Louisa May. The family of four lives in New York city in the year 1940 & on a day trip & a picnic they encounter tragedy that will alter the family forever. For the family to survive they have to move to her Father's ancestral home in the hills of Virginia, to the kin they have never met & a home they've never seen.
The book has a lovely down homely feel, a comfortable style, that makes you imagine that if To Kill A Mocking Bird, Tom Sawyer & a sprinkling of The Secret Life Of Bee's were ever rolled into one, they would come out looking a little like this. I enjoyed this greatly & will be thinking of Lou & her brother Oz for a long time to come, not to mention the many other wonderful characters I met along the way.
4 Stars****

42. The Elegance of the Hedgehog By Muriel Barbery
8th September 2009
Struggled with the start & took some time to get used to the philisophical style of the writing, but when I got it, it was smart, funny, & deeply moving, made me smile on the inside. Beauty that was completely unexpected. I never would have picked this to be so good one quarter in, but by the finale........mmmm just lovely.
5Stars*****

I hope you like it Leslie (that comment seems odd when I think in relation to subject matter), but I still can't find a way to rephrase it. Love to know what you think when you get a chance to read it.

Cam: wrote: "41. Sharp Objects By Gillian Flynn
2nd September 2009
This is quite something. Sharp Objects is not for the squeamish, this book doesn't just rain ugliness & uncomfortable, it pour..."

This book is on my to-read list, and your comments here have made me move it up a few notches...Thanks! Looking even more forward to it.

41. Sharp Objects By Gillian Flynn
2nd September 2009
This is quite something. Sharp Objects is not for the squeamish, this book doesn't just rain ugliness & uncomfortable, it pours - but not because of how it first appears. The book became less about what I thought it would & more about what in essence it shouldn't have been. The lead character is so tightly packed in layers that at times I was so completely absorbed in her world I forgot there was a bigger picture. Nasty, Ugly, Brutal & Bare is how I'd put it, couldn't put it down, & felt like I needed to wash my hands when I did. Shockingly well done.
5 Stars *****

It is definitely one of my favorites too now Melanie.

Cam: wrote: "34. The Outsiders By S.E. Hinton
18th July 2009
Who would have thought a book this big would take so long to read. I savoured it, didn't want to miss one flip of an overgrown fringe...."

This was one of my favorites!

40. Getting the Girl By Markus Zusak
18th August 2009
I so didn't want to love this, as I feel like a bit of a broken record as far as Markus is concerned, I wanted to pick holes (they are there), but when you see what the book is supposed to be & for whom it was more intended, I think it's brilliant. I've never been a teenage boy, so I have no idea how they think & or how they feel. Yes, he has sexy thoughts - but to be realistic I would be surprised if most teenage boy's didn't - but it also goes on to show the depth of his genuine thoughts once he's inside a relationship, rather than being a voyeur.
What this book has more of an emphasis on however is the 'okayness' of being different from the crowd, the 'okayness' of being lonely, the 'okayness' of feeling lost & feeling unheard or unseen both by peers & by family. That there is a pot of gold (it may not be the 24ct you were envisaging) at the end of a rainbow, that when you get down on yourself, things can & do turn a corner.
This book cleaned me up, as Markus tends to do. It's not for everyone as 'Messenger' tends not to be for everyone. It's not 'The Book Thief' - which just about is for everyone. It's what the Outsiders would be, if it was a romance. I loved & adored this as I have everything the man has written that I've read.
5 Stars*****

39.The Blind Assassin By Margaret Atwood
16th August 2009
This was a great book, adding another Atwood to my list of faves.
The major part of this story is that of Iris & her sister Laura. The beginning is totally absorbing & just when you've had enough settle in time, it swaps to a story within a story or to the story within a story within a story. Very different from the other Atwood's I've read which are distopian through & through, only the sub sub story in this is. The real beauty of this tale though I have to say is the elder Iris, & the world of the aged that she opens up. Atwood is so very unique & has the most amazing imagination, however it's hard to believe for a second that any part of this character is made up. Few people in my view could capture & own a character like she does.
5 Stars*****

38. Eucalyptus By Murray Bail
8th August 2009
I would liken this to the tale of Rumplestiltskin that collides with the Australian bush.
A widowed Father will give his Daughter's hand in marriage to the first man that can name all 500+ species of Eucalypt he has growing on his property in central N.S.W. Ellen the daughter who is likened to the 'spotted gum' is noted for the freckled marks that cover her entire body & word of her beauty has travelled far & wide. An elderly expert arrives & looks to be a man fit for the job, but while he is romancing the Father with his knowledge & wisdom, a tale telling man is romancing the Daughter with his stories that are hidden in the names of trees.
3 Stars*** (3 1/2 stars would be more deserving though).

37. Bait By Nick Brownlee
3rd August 2009
Enjoyed this murder mystery set in Kenya - Great to get back & read a book from my all time fave genre. It packed a suprise or two that actually did suprise. Easy read, flawed characters and I wouldn't be suprised if there were more of Jake & Jouma to come & I'll certainly be picking them up if they do.
4 Stars****

36. Oryx and Crake By Margaret Atwood
1st August 2009
This is the second of Atwood's books I've read this year. She's two for two as far as I'm concerned. Her style & imagination are undeniably unique, nothing is as it seems, yet not that much is of a stretch from a possible future or a truth of a now. Very clever indeed & certainly most entertaining.
4 Stars****

35. I Have Life: Raped, Stabbed and Left for Dead - Alison's Story By Marianne Thamm
25th July 2009
Have found it difficult to rate a book like this, as it feels like I'm rating the individual & if this were the case - I would have given her 10 stars. It's an amazing story that has been told in many voices (from her parents to her surgeon) that I think the author did a fantastic job in capturing. Alison's frankness and bravery not only in living to tell this tale to many & inevitably to the writer herself is extraordinary. Then by all accounts she was an extraordinary woman in the first place. Not many could have survived her injuries or if they did, the ordeal of having lived through such a set of circumstances. The photo's alone show you not only the extent of some of her injuries, but also her bravery in allowing them to be shown to the public so a fuller picture is presented.
I would have given it 4 1/2 stars but can't and the only reason for this is that there were a few other voices I would have liked to have heard from & a few I would have liked to have heard more from. The book isn't sad it's really quite uplifting & although it does go down the philosophy path a little towards the end, It seemed necessary to the story & not the least bit preachy, just more like Alison's voice that was so ho hum I'm just an ordinary girl with an extraordinary tale to tell.
4 Stars****(4 1/2 if I could)

34. The Outsiders By S.E. Hinton
18th July 2009
Who would have thought a book this big would take so long to read. I savoured it, didn't want to miss one flip of an overgrown fringe. Still in absolute awe of a 16 year old girl having wrote this. Absolutely Amazing! Loved it, Loved it, Loved it! Ordering 'Rumble Fish' & 'That was then, this is now' & going to pick up the movie as we speak. Fantastic!
5 Stars***** in it's sleep.

33. The Little Stranger By Sarah Waters
13th July 2009
4 Stars****

32. The Broken Shore By Peter Temple
27th June 2009
This was great on two levels.
First my next door neighbour lent me this book as the two of us get really pathetically gushy about this author as he lives close by. For example. She's been in his house (when it was open for inspection before he bought it) and my cat used to go there for breakfast every day (previous owners). Yes & now you see how pathetic! But the neighbour ultimately wins our unspoken comp as she had actually read something by our gush worthy community member, whereas I had not!

But now I have!
I love a good crime thriller, and this is better than your average good. I know I have a connection & I know, I know many of the locations mentioned in the book & that his lead character Joe Cashin - in 'The Broken Shore' has two huge black poodles & every morning Mon - Fri they scare the absolute crap out of my Son & I on our morning walk to school (they have built in stealth (the neighbour & I have discussed) & never hit you at the same point of the fence line). So yes lots of funny connections, but on a more serious note this book won what's deemed as the most coveted award internationally for best crime novel 'The Duncan Lawrie Dagger'. Awarded books & myself usually don't hit it off all that much of recent but this is the exception. It is very Australian very Victorian (the State not the era), but I think the personalities & humour are universally appealing. The sequel of which is not far from release. The plot is your standard - somebody dies that shouldn't and you have to follow the story till the detective catches the who & why. However the writing and character development was far & above standard. I really enjoyed this & can't wait till the next. Would have given it 4 1/2 stars but can't, so it gets
4 Stars**** with a half held over for the dogs

31. Revolutionary Road By Richard Yates
15th June 2009
Found this quite hard going initially as I took a dislike to all the central characters, but about half way through it became less about my dislike for them and far more about the dynamics of their relationships with each other. I found I was utterly absorbed by the combination of personalities and how they bounced off one another.
Not the most uplifting book, but I really enjoyed this and am extremely glad I didn't give up on it.
4 Stars****

30. The Giver By Lois Lowry
8th June 2009
This books market could be anywhere from teenager and beyond.
Now having read this wonderful book can certainly see why it deserves the success of a 'classics' label among many others. It has a story to tell that is both unique and ageless. A book that I didn't want to end, but when it did I'd had my fill. Very satisfying read.
5 Stars*****

29. Dewey The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World By Vicky Myron
30th May 2009
All good things must come to an end. My good book roll is definitely over.
I found this story way too much librarian, not enough cat. And what was cat, was really, really, really bad cat......
Don't get me wrong, I'm a cat person & I'm really rather fond of the librarians I know. But in the future I think I'll just stick to Bunny books (The Velveteen Rabbit, Guess How Much I Love You & Watership Down). Yes! Bunnies are better!
1 Star *

28. The Secret Fire By Martin Langfield
25th May 2009
I greatly enjoyed the reading of The Secret Fire, the second of Martin's books. It has cemented my love of a dual story line.
This book however has a delightful twist on the usual. The Malice Box (the first in the series) is filled in from both sides with this account. One story line continues the path initialized with The Malice Box. Whilst the second works as a prequel, set mostly in Europe prior & during the Nazi/German occupation of France & the security threat that they posed to London during WWII.
I was concerned that my memory like a goldfish would penalise the reading of this as I read The Malice Box as a new release in 2007. But I needn't have worried, as it can easily stand alone. However if you like to do things in order, I would suggest with this, as with all series books, that you read them in order.
If you are not overly concerned with the finer details of the lead up to this book. Then I would describe it is an intricately woven multi-layered action/adventure/historical/fiction with a healthy dash of supernatural, that builds with intensity as the pieces fall into place. The historical fiction facet of this book has added a whole new dimension to the series. One I thought complimented beautifully with the existing characters & their development.
Bring on the next one I say, & quick!
4 Stars ****

cool

It is a book you just want to share. I've lent out my copy already and also looked after myself by ordering his other 3 earlier novels.

I totally agree. I finished the library book and ordered 3 online to give to certain deserving people.

It's on a par with To Kill a Mockingbird. Truly.

27. The Messenger By Markus Zusak
20th May 2009
I AM ON A ROLL, 3 out of the last 4 books have been a sensation!!!!!!!! This book is no exception, it's like a little slice of Markus Magic & Zusak is now officially my favourite author. Choosing between The Book Thief & The Messenger is like choosing a favourite child, you just can't do it! Well you probably technically could, on certain days and at certain times (the children that is)! only kidding B.I.& J. (or am I)??????????
This book made me cry & cry and cry but it was one of those happy cries that makes you smile inside all day , and I'm sure it will make me smile tomorrow, and the next day and the next. I LOVE THIS BOOK & MARKUS ZUSAK. I will now have to change my profile again!
5 Stars *****

I hope you like it Molly, regardless let me know how you go when your finished. I'm pretty confident though if you loved The Handmaid's Tale this book should be a sure thing. Best of luck!

Cam: wrote: "26. Kindred By Octavia E. Butler
17th May 2009
When I started this book I didn't dream I would be eating my words so soon (2nd last book read, The Handmaids Tale I ranked as best boo..."

WOW - sold. I loved The Handmaid's Tale and the description of this book sounds fascinating. Thanks!

26. Kindred By Octavia E. Butler
17th May 2009
When I started this book I didn't dream I would be eating my words so soon (2nd last book read, The Handmaids Tale I ranked as best book read this year). This book was so good I'll have to edit my profile for my favourite books EVER!
That is especially impressive as I don't usually do science-fiction. Kindred would be best described as time travel/historical fiction. The central character Dana, is a modern dayish (1976) African American woman that spontaneously gets sent back in time to the antebellum South, to save the life of the Son of a white plantation owner.
This book was so terrifying, so horrendous it could turn the strongest stomach nauseous, but few books have made me care for the characters more. I LOVED IT, I LOATHED IT, but I LOVED IT MORE, MORE, MORE. The easiest book to rate!
5 Stars *****

I love it!

NO WAY old age, that just makes you gifted in being unpredictable!

sorry...I don't know how that happens...I check...I must be getting dippy in my old age!

I know you'll make it!

Thankyou Aprile and thankyou Mary Todd especially for the ticker, you give me way too much credit. Literally! It will keep me going till I deserve it!!

1/2 Way!!!!!!!! Woo!

25. A Reliable Wife By Robert Goolrick
13th May 2009
Have to say that I found this a bit........... wanting. Wanting to have ends tied off not left to die off, wanting an ending that was fitting to the journey of it's characters. I think the book was perhaps edited too much, because it just seemed soft in the end & hurried! Maybe I was expecting too much as the reviews I had read had all been so positive. Set in the early 1900's a rural wealthy aging male places an add for a mail order bride in the city paper. He chooses a potential 'reliable wife', who happens to have a hidden agenda. Great start, o.k middle and boring, boring, snore.
** 2 Stars

24. The Handmaid's Tale By Margaret Atwood
10th May 2009
The Handmaid's Tale is set in a very different World than the one we live in today. Predominantly set in the future, the World's birthrate is in heavy decline, and the handmaid's only value as a member of society is delicately balanced on her potential to provide a viable womb for the privileged. Her life hasn't always been this way, as you will see when her life as it was before is gradually drip fed throughout her current life's story.
It is a beautifully vivid picture that Atwood paints. One that makes me realise with absolute certainty that although it's the first of her books that I have read, it will definitely not be the last. My favourite book so far this year.
***** 5 Stars