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Was there a most enjoyable book for you for 2014, Bagman?
Leslie, I don’t want to come across as an intellectual wannabe, because I’m anything but! Most of the stuff that falls within my range of interests isn’t what I would describe as fun. Maybe I’m misinterpreting what people mean by a fun read!
I really didn’t mean to go against the grain when I reviewed The Martian. I thought, to a degree, it was interesting, but contained much too much detail for my tastes. I don’t need to understand the details involved in splitting an atom to know it’s going to create a big bang. This book had me back in my high school chemistry class, listening for hours, as the teacher discussed the smallest differences between compounds, elements and mixtures. It’s just not that entertaining unless you have a real interest in that sort of thing. I would have enjoyed this book a great deal more if it had been a short story, or even a novella.
In the past, I’ve never been a fan of female authors. My wonderful wife of forty five years claims it’s because I’m a tasteless chauvinist (not true). But, over the past year I’ve become a real fan of Gillian Flynn and thoroughly enjoyed Gone Girl and Dark Places. I’ve finally gotten a copy of her first novel, Sharp Objects, and am looking forward to starting it after I finish my current book, The Hollows.
Earlier this year I did read Help For The Haunted, which I thoroughly enjoyed. Great style, great editing and a really good plot made this book a great read for me. Couldn’t put it down.
I did reread Letters From Earth, which truly is a fun read by every definition.
(PS: It's okay to be contradictory - personally, I did not like Gone Girl. In my review I said something to the effect of the weakness of the described-as-strong female characters, the strongest female character in my opinion was Nick!)
Oh phooey...my previous comment disappeared...it went like this (before the PS one): "Letters from Earth" has just come up a couple of times in conversations I've had; I might have to check it out. For October, I just picked up (female author alert) "We Have Always Lived in the Castle," on recommendation from a "well-read" source.
I would have two and sometimes three books going at a time, but almost stopped reading entirely. The Kindle was one of the best gifts that I’ve ever received. It’s got me reading again.
I have so many books on my Read List that I don’t know where to start. After Sharp Objects it’s a toss-up between Fourth of July Creek, or The Goldfinch (Oh oh, another female author). And, by all means, read Letters From Earth. I dare say you can read it in an evening, two at the most. I believe that it was actually a series of essays, found and published after Mark Twain’s death. If you’re of a religious nature, you may want to pass it up.
Oh god I absolutely hated The Goldfinch. I am atheist. I too received my Kindle as a gift and love it. (I get my Kindle books from the library and they allow me to check out 10 at a time!) I just switched from hard copy to Kindle version of The Luminaries because I was tired of hefting it (finished it last night, liked it very much). But, that book relies on some visual aspects; I will eventually get myself a hard copy of it because I do want to read it again.
Have you read any Tana French? I liked her slightly better than Flynn.
(OH, Letters from Earth is on audiobook...that sounds fun ~ I will get it that way)
Nope, haven't read French, but I'll look her up. I too get a lot of books from the library under very similar restrictions.(Not very restrictive at all)Have to run now, but I'll look you up again. We seem to have similar tastes, except for The Martian.
Bagman, you aren't alone in your analysis, and I see your point. Those of us who loved it tended to be DIY guys who enjoyed the voice. If neither of those is there for you, it's likely as interesting as electrical code
Your review makes me want to watch this old house...
Thank you, Bagman. I thought I was the only person on Earth (or Mars) who did not love this book. In fact, I did not enjoy it at all.
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Leslie
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Sep 23, 2014 08:37AM
Was there a most enjoyable book for you for 2014, Bagman?
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Leslie, I don’t want to come across as an intellectual wannabe, because I’m anything but! Most of the stuff that falls within my range of interests isn’t what I would describe as fun. Maybe I’m misinterpreting what people mean by a fun read! I really didn’t mean to go against the grain when I reviewed The Martian. I thought, to a degree, it was interesting, but contained much too much detail for my tastes. I don’t need to understand the details involved in splitting an atom to know it’s going to create a big bang. This book had me back in my high school chemistry class, listening for hours, as the teacher discussed the smallest differences between compounds, elements and mixtures. It’s just not that entertaining unless you have a real interest in that sort of thing. I would have enjoyed this book a great deal more if it had been a short story, or even a novella.
In the past, I’ve never been a fan of female authors. My wonderful wife of forty five years claims it’s because I’m a tasteless chauvinist (not true). But, over the past year I’ve become a real fan of Gillian Flynn and thoroughly enjoyed Gone Girl and Dark Places. I’ve finally gotten a copy of her first novel, Sharp Objects, and am looking forward to starting it after I finish my current book, The Hollows.
Earlier this year I did read Help For The Haunted, which I thoroughly enjoyed. Great style, great editing and a really good plot made this book a great read for me. Couldn’t put it down.
I did reread Letters From Earth, which truly is a fun read by every definition.
(PS: It's okay to be contradictory - personally, I did not like Gone Girl. In my review I said something to the effect of the weakness of the described-as-strong female characters, the strongest female character in my opinion was Nick!)
Oh phooey...my previous comment disappeared...it went like this (before the PS one): "Letters from Earth" has just come up a couple of times in conversations I've had; I might have to check it out. For October, I just picked up (female author alert) "We Have Always Lived in the Castle," on recommendation from a "well-read" source.
I would have two and sometimes three books going at a time, but almost stopped reading entirely. The Kindle was one of the best gifts that I’ve ever received. It’s got me reading again. I have so many books on my Read List that I don’t know where to start. After Sharp Objects it’s a toss-up between Fourth of July Creek, or The Goldfinch (Oh oh, another female author). And, by all means, read Letters From Earth. I dare say you can read it in an evening, two at the most. I believe that it was actually a series of essays, found and published after Mark Twain’s death. If you’re of a religious nature, you may want to pass it up.
Oh god I absolutely hated The Goldfinch. I am atheist. I too received my Kindle as a gift and love it. (I get my Kindle books from the library and they allow me to check out 10 at a time!) I just switched from hard copy to Kindle version of The Luminaries because I was tired of hefting it (finished it last night, liked it very much). But, that book relies on some visual aspects; I will eventually get myself a hard copy of it because I do want to read it again.
Have you read any Tana French? I liked her slightly better than Flynn.
(OH, Letters from Earth is on audiobook...that sounds fun ~ I will get it that way)
Nope, haven't read French, but I'll look her up. I too get a lot of books from the library under very similar restrictions.(Not very restrictive at all)Have to run now, but I'll look you up again. We seem to have similar tastes, except for The Martian.
Bagman, you aren't alone in your analysis, and I see your point. Those of us who loved it tended to be DIY guys who enjoyed the voice. If neither of those is there for you, it's likely as interesting as electrical code
Your review makes me want to watch this old house...
Thank you, Bagman. I thought I was the only person on Earth (or Mars) who did not love this book. In fact, I did not enjoy it at all.
