Challenge: 50 Books discussion
*Retired* 2008 Lists
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Scott's Not Going To Read 50 At This Rate...
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Oh, this was a good 'un. All hail the return of Roberto, the Magic Fruit Bat.
Roberto's future is SO bright, he's gotta wear shades...Sadly, no talking fruit bats in my latest read:
2. To The White Sea by James Dickey.
Although I did enjoy this one, I don't care to ever read any more about lynxes and martens.
I just added this one to my wish list. Sounds great! Thanks for sharing.Judith
I about spat up reading your commentary on To the White Sea...
3. loser by Jerry SpinelliI read it to my 4th graders. I love the main character's, Donald Zinkoff, complete, inborn, and oblivious virtue.
4. Heart Shaped Box by Joe HillReally enjoyed this one. It's the first book that's given me chills since I read "The Witching Hour" six years ago. I really liked the idea of the protective soul of a dog, though I thought it could have been handled better late in the book.
I read this book too, and really liked it. I agree that the dog thing could have been done a little better, but overall I thought it was sufficiently creepy. Not many scary books out there these days it seems...Have any recommendations?
Kelly, I've gone back and read a lot of older stuff by Robert McCammon for creepiness. If you haven't read "Swan Song" I highly recommend it. It is often compared to The Stand and not without reason, though I honestly prefer it over King's version of a dystopian society. Very good stuff.Bentley Little is very topical and fun, taking small things and making them big. His books can be sick and twisted in the best way, and he's written a ton of them and continues to produce. Though he can be creepy (The Store, I think, is his most creepiest), he is more entertaining and "Oh, that's gross"-worthy than spine chilling.
You're right, though, there aren't enough scary books out there. That's the best kind of reading, I think.
5. Lost Nation by Jeffrey LentReally enjoyed this one. I've been reading a lot of Cormac McCarthy lately (yep, I jumped on the "No Country for Old Men" bandwagon and am loving it) and there are some similarities with Jeffrey Lent, not one of them being Lent's use of quotations and apostrophes. Lent uses a lot of detail, though it isn't distracting and overdone. There isn't a whole lot of dialogue, and when there is it is very simple. A very well told story, not without its twists and turns.
6. The Ruins by Scott Smith.Actually better than I had expected. Can't wait to be totally dissapointed by the movie!
7. Rabbit, Run by John UpdikeHard to identify with the lead character, but powerfully written and lyrical.
There is no way I'm going to read 50 books this year...
Don't say that... It's only March! You still have plenty of time. Just one book at a time. And worst case scenario, you don't reach 50. So what. Just enjoy the challenge.
Mod
8. Mystery Walk by Robert McCammonI love Robert McCammon. The problem with this book is that I REALLY loved Swan Song.
9. Child of God by Cormac McCarthyLester Ballard of Child of God makes Jame Gumb of Silence of the Lambs look like Brooks Hatlen of The Shawshank Redemption.
Scott,I am so pulling for you to keep READING! I think it is great that you are trying and the girls above are right...just keep plugging away. I KNOW you can do it!!!
Oh man, Child of God is one of a kind. Twisted, right? And yet, I still felt sorry for Lester, I really did. He was such a sad character. I'm going to read The Crossing next. I have to say that I'm glad Cormac writes about the things that are hard to look at, or think about. And it always makes for compelling conversation!
10. Equal Rites by Terry Pratchett"Don't think you've won, because you haven't," she snapped. "It's just that I haven't got the time to mess around. You must know where she is. I command you take me to her!"
The staff regarded her woodenly.
"By-" Granny paused, her invocations were a little rusty, "-by stock and stone I order it!"
Activity, movement, liveliness - all these words would be completely inaccurate descriptions of the staff's response.
Terry Pratchett is hilarious
11. Geek Love by Katherine DunnLoved it. Have never read anything like it. I wish she wrote more books.
She did write "Attic" and "Truck" but they are not even close to Geek Love.
I saw that, but there is so many years between those two books and Geek Love I figured her writing style has probably evolved to what it is now.
13. Hyperion by Dan SimmonsI don't normally read much sci-fi, but I love Dan Simmons as an author and so I gave this one a chance. I enjoyed it very much, though it was definitely written with sequels in mind. I look forward to learning more about these "pilgrims" in the follow up, "The Fall of Hyperion."
This is another of those books that I've started and stopped several times. Each time I visit New Orleans (my husband's hometown), I convince myself that I have to read this novel. But, I never seem to be grabbed by it. Would be interested to hear what you think...
I felt the same way reading it. I wish I could have given it 4 1/2 stars, and I think it is mostly because Ignatius is just such a whiney, annoying character. I found myself wanting to smack him throughout the book. However, the way things fall into place due to his actions and "worldview" is pretty great. And it has some great supporting characters, my favorite being the somnolent and confused Miss Trixie.
16. Pass the 7: A Training Guide for the NASD Series 7 Exam by Robert WalkerHad to read this for my new job. WHAT A PAGE TURNER! *dies*
Is it cheating putting it here? It IS a book.
:P
17. The Fall of Hyperion by Dan SimmonsA tad bit confusing at times, but a great conclusion to the first book.
30. Every Dead Thing by John Connolly
Challenge: 50 Books
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What a great way to start the new year...hearty, brain munching, yule-tide laughs from my favorite humor author. I love you, Christopher Moore.