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Melanie's 2009 List
What did you think of the Hunger games? I just read it at the end of the year and thought it was really good.
Hi KrisT-I really liked it, could not put it down. I am a sucker for post apocalyptic/dystopian novels. I heard that this the first of a trilogy.
Melanie wrote: "1. Child 44 by Tom Rob Smith"hello again! :)
what did you think of Child 44? i've got a friend who's reading it at the moment, but she's unsure yet.
Hi Muphyn!Child 44 was a slow start-I didn't really get into it till about half way through. Once it picked up though I liked it. Sad to say, I didn't know a lot about post-WWII Russia/Stalin era so it was informative in that way.
yes, that's what my friend said about Child 44 as well - well, she hadn't gotten past the slow start and was wondering whether to give it up or not. i thought the plot sounded intriguing enough to make for a good story. it's on my TBR-shelf. :)
Melanie wrote: "9. Case Histories by Kate Atkinson"
have you read any other ones of her books? i've got One Good Turn from the library but haven't listened to it yet. did you like "case histories"?
This was my first one by her and I was a bit disappointed. It seemed a bit muddled and the characters seemed a bit underdeveloped. I actually read it for a local book club that I am in. I have heard wonderful things about Behind the Scenes at the Museum so maybe I will give that one a try. Have you read any of hers?
No, i haven't read any of her books (yet). just had a look at Behind the Scenes at the Museum A Novel and it sounds great! will see if it's at my local public library.
shame the one you read was a bit disappointing; if you want, i'll let you know what i think of One Good Turn when i've read/listened to it.
Melanie wrote: "7. Loving Frank by Nancy Horan"
What did you think of Loving Frank? Do you think Mamah "got" what she deserved?
Hi Norma-I liked Loving Frank - though I had a hard time warming up to the characters, particularly Frank. Prior to reading it, I knew nothing about what happened so I was pretty horrified at the ending. How did you like it?
There is another fiction book that just came out called The Women (by TC Boyle) that is about the women in Frank's life including his wife and Mamah.
Melanie, thanks for your thoughts.
It makes two of us, I didn't know anything about Frank Floyd Wright's personal life either prior to this novel.
I agree, it was very hard to like the characters including Mamah. I could understand her reason for wanting 'out' of her loveless but otherwise perfect marriage however I had a hard time understanding the manner in which she chose to leave. Not to mention her decision to leave her young children behind with a friend! I was shocked by the ending to say the least and I do not believe Mamah's poor choices in life lead to her [her children's:] violent death.
Thanks for the book recommendation :-)
Happy Reading
Norma
Not yet. I put a hold on it at the public library but I haven't received it yet. I'll let you know what I think after I start.
22. The Devil, The Lovers, and Me: My Life in Tarot by Kimberlee Auerbach 23. Little Bee by Chris Cleave
24. Out of Exile: Narratives from the Abducted and Displaced People of Sudan by Valentino Achak Deng
Melanie,
I read "Beat the Reaper" and I loved it! I have never read anything like it! Being inside Pietro's mind exposed me to an entirely different perspective. It also made me laugh. It was such a swirl of dark humor and human vulnerability!
Hi Leshawn! Glad you liked it! Do you know if that was his first novel or has he written anything else?
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Books mentioned in this topic
Child 44 (other topics)Dead Until Dark (other topics)
The Hunger Games (other topics)
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (other topics)
Unaccustomed Earth (other topics)
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