All About Books discussion
note: This topic has been closed to new comments.
General Archive
>
What have you just read? Opinions, recommendations & reviews
Just finished
Blood Lines by Angela Marsons a stunning 5star read. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Finally finished reviews on a bunch of really good books, turning out to be a great end of the year group of reads for me!The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue - older skewing YA with a diverse main cast, swashbuckling historical epic, well done (queer) romance, and smart and funny writing. So much fun to read. 4.5 rounded up to 5 stars for me.
My review:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Books for Living - book about books and a love letter to reading as a tool to improve and broaden one's life and perspective, but also to help us slow down, enjoy, be mindful. Added quite a few titles to my TBR from this read. 4 stars
My review:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Girl in Snow - has "girl" in title but more of a character and community portrait than a murder mystery thriller (elements are present but not the focal point). Beautiful, quiet, well observed. 4 stars
My review:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I finished Sophie's World by Jostein Gaarder and didn't like it that much, therefore 2 stars.This book has been written to approach teens to philosophy. It's a kind of mistery but also an easy to understand treatise of philosophy. We go from Socrates to existentialism and the most important philosophers are in the book. It's a good way to start understanding Western philosophy or also a way to refresh our memory if we studied it at school and don't remember everything very well.
I don't know if it's appropriate for teens because there is really a lot though explained in a pretty easy way.
I didn't like it that much. It was boring and slow for me.
I have completed The Chimes by Charles Dickens. I thought, if I should read it, it ought to be over the holidays.My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
dely wrote: "I finished Sophie's World by Jostein Gaarder and didn't like it that much, therefore 2 stars.This book has been written to approach teens to philosophy. It's a kind ..."
I agree with your assessment of that book. Quite a disappointment given all the great things said of it.
Chrissie wrote: "I agree with your assessment of that book. Quite a disappointment given all the great things said of it."Also because for being it fiction, it's not easy to read 500 pages about philosophy, one philosopher after the other. At the end, the mistery, the fictional part of the book, is only an excuse to write a didactic book.
Andreea wrote: "I wrote a review of All the Light We Cannot See 
by Anthony Doerr .You can find it here "
I gave it five stars as well!
dely and Chrissie: I think that being a teen might be key to that book. I loved it back when I read it at 15 or so and was new to those philosophers. It was a great intro to the subject.
Chinook wrote: "dely and Chrissie: I think that being a teen might be key to that book. I loved it back when I read it at 15 or so and was new to those philosophers. It was a great intro to the subject."Not sure I agree with that, but maybe.
dely wrote: "Chrissie wrote: "I agree with your assessment of that book. Quite a disappointment given all the great things said of it."
Also because for being it fiction, it's not easy to read 500 pages about ..."
In my view the author does not make philosophy engaging at all!
Chinook wrote: "dely and Chrissie: I think that being a teen might be key to that book. I loved it back when I read it at 15 or so and was new to those philosophers. It was a great intro to the subject."Good to know that you liked it as a teen because I was wondering if a teen could understand or like this book. By sure it has to be read "in pieces" because all those important philosophers one after the other are not an easy read and it could be also confusing.
I don't know the school subjects of other countries' schools, but here they start studying philosophy in 11th grade so kids are around 15/16 years old (I don't know if all the highschools have it as a mandatory subject). At school with a teacher they give a deep look into the different philosophies and they also have to read books by those philosophers. So I was wondering if Sophie's World could be a good introduction but I don't think so. In my opinion it's a too difficult subject to be read without the help of a teacher. There is also too much in this book. Kids aren't able to fully understand a philosopher and they already start reading about another one. At the end they have only a superficial knowledge of all those philosphies and I'm pretty sure that at the end of the book they won't remember a lot or will do a lot of confusion. In fact in my opinion it's more a book for who already studied those philosophers and wants to refresh his/her memory (though in this case I would suggest to read books by those authors or philosophy books for adults).
Chrissie wrote: "In my view the author does not make philosophy engaging at all!"Exactly. I think that also a teen that loves philosophy would be bored by this book.
dely wrote: "I finished Sophie's World by Jostein Gaarder and didn't like it that much, therefore 2 stars.This book has been written to approach teens to philosophy. It's a kind ..."
Oh no! Sophie's World was my favorite book when growing up. I reread it an awful lot in the 90's.
Here's my review of
The Girl You Left Behind by Jojo Moyes:-https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
My review of The Watchmaker of Filigree Street by Natasha Pulley
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
reading the tales of alus seriers and have to say it keeps me interested. also about to start reading daniel faust series
Regarding Sophie's World, I can't remember when exactly I read it, but I couldn't have been older than 20. And I remember I loved it!dely, Philosophy is not a compulsory subject in all schools in Italy - I studied at an "istituto tecnico" and didn't have it as a subject. Perhaps that's why I enjoyed this book so much, it was something completely new to me! Though I agree that it's just an introduction and there's a possibility the reader won't remember much once the book's finished.
It seems me and Chrissie are the odd ones.Thanks, in fact I wasn't sure about philosophy in Italian schools. I know by sure that "scientifico, classico and linguistico" have it but don't know about the others.
Maybe I should be less strict judging books.
dely wrote: "It seems me and Chrissie are the odd ones.Thanks, in fact I wasn't sure about philosophy in Italian schools. I know by sure that "scientifico, classico and linguistico" have it but don't know abo..."
dely, I will join you and Chrissie! I read Sophie's World a year or two ago and agree with you both.
Shammy racconta e altre storie... by Elena Battaglia 3/5There isn't an English edition of this book. It has been written by a vet that lives here nearby and I bought the book to help the cat shelter of my town.
It's a very short book and the narrator is Shammy, a red Persian cat, that tells in a funny way his days with the other cats and dogs of the house. It was a cute, funny and moving story.
Only Italian review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Evelyn wrote: "dely, I will join you and Chrissie! I read Sophie's World a year or two ago and agree with you both.."Maybe this is one of those books that you love or hate. I've seen a lot of 5* reviews, but also a lot of 1*.
I have just finished reading "Salt to the sea" and "out of the easy"! Ruta Sepetys is definitely my favourite author! Her books are incredible. Does any one have any book recommendations similar to Ruta's book or books set in the 1900's or books about ww2/1
Luffy wrote: "Oh no! Sophie's World was my favorite book when growing up. I reread it an awful lot in the 90's.."dely wrote: "Chrissie wrote: "In my view the author does not make philosophy engaging at all!"
Exactly. I think that also a teen that loves philosophy would be bored by this book."
dely and Luffy, it is good to know some people liked it! I, like dely, have a hard time imagining this but it is good to know we are wrong!
I gave Homegoing 3 stars. I thought it was OK, but I didn't like it as much as many of the reviewers on GR.Here's my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Migle wrote: "I have just finished reading "Salt to the sea" and "out of the easy"! Ruta Sepetys is definitely my favourite author! Her books are incredible. Does any one have any book recommendations similar to..."If you haven't read it yet, you could try her Between Shades of Gray. You could like also The Book Thief by Markus Zusak.
dely wrote: "I finished Sophie's World by Jostein Gaarder and didn't like it that much, therefore 2 stars.This book has been written to approach teens to philosophy. It's a kind ..."
I have had this book on my shelf for at least 10 years, but have never read it. I was going to read it and have my kids read it when I was homeschooling, but they moved to public high school before they reached that stage.
I think this is a book I would have liked as a teen or in univeristy, as I have that weird philosophy-wired sort of brain, but now I'd probably end up irked and arguing with it. I find I do this with every philosophy or philosophical type of book I read.
Karin wrote: "but now I'd probably end up irked and arguing with it. I find I do this with every philosophy or philosophical type of book I read."Really? Why?
dely wrote: "Karin wrote: "but now I'd probably end up irked and arguing with it. I find I do this with every philosophy or philosophical type of book I read."Really? Why?"
Because I usually a. find a flaw in their logic and/or reasoning or b. disagree with their premise and there are a few other reasons, too. Also, philosophy underlies all of our modern science, politics, general thinking, etc, and most people are unaware of this or just go with the flow. I like to know why we think what we do. (I told you I had one of those strange brains).
Philosophers have done a lot of disagreeing over the centuries :).
Karin wrote: "Philosophers have done a lot of disagreeing over the centuries"Yes, but it's also interesting to see and to know why opinions changed. Every age had its truth that then changed again.
I just finished reading Lab Girl. I liked some parts of it but overall, I thought it was just okay.My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Petra wrote: "I just finished reading Lab Girl. I liked some parts of it but overall, I thought it was just okay.My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."
AGAIN, Petra,, we agree.
I've just finished All the Birds, Singing by Evie Wyld. I bought it on a whim at iTunes, on a "10 Great Australian Novels" promotion. The book is written in an original voice, and has a very original structure — two interleaved stories, one going forward in time, and the other going backwards in time. But it's high on the viscera (Eeewww!); I nearly stopped reading at the mid-point, but I'm glad I persevered. It's given me a real "book hangover".
★ ★ ★ ★
I've just finished a nonfiction book Gutenberg’s Fingerprint: A Book Lover Bridges the Digital Divide. I thought it was well-written and informative. Here's my review:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I've just finished a poetry book that I quite enjoyed, Bicycle Thieves: Poems. I gave it 3.5 stars. Here's my review:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Chrissie wrote: "AGAIN, Petra,, we agree. ..."LOL! I read your review, Chrissie. We thought the same about this book.
petra, yeah, it is amazing how close our views were.
Just finished
Dear Mother by Angela Marsons, a very emotional read. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Finished Burial Rites. Loved it. Then tonight also downloaded A Monster Calls, took me 2 hours to read. What a powerful read!
A 5★ story that deserves re-reading every year, The Gift of the Magi by the much-loved author, O Henry.
A poor young couple cleverly out-do each other trying to give each other a happy Christmas.
My review
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I decided to finish 2016 with this one, and you might like to do likewise or read it to start your Happy New Year!
Gemma wrote: "Finished Burial Rites. Loved it. Then tonight also downloaded A Monster Calls, took me 2 hours to read. What a powerful read!"Fantastic huh? Burial Rites, I mean. The sad thing is that her new novel, The Good People, may not be as good! One is sorely tempted to try it anyhow.
Phrynne wrote: "My review of Prodigal Summer by Barbara Kingsolver 
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."
I found that utterly boring. Even the sex! I found the characters f-l-a-t.
Vivez la différence. I am glad it worked for you!!!!!!!!!
Yes, Chrissie. Fantastic book. Really gets you involved in Agnes's story and the ending, even though not 'happy' is just great. I thought her new one sounded quite good, have you not read good reviews?
Chrissie wrote: "Phrynne wrote: "My review of Prodigal Summer by Barbara Kingsolver https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."
I found that utte..."
Absolutely! It's good we are all different:)!
Gemma wrote: "I thought her new one sounded quite good, have you not read good reviews? "I think it sounds great too, but yes the some of the reviews I have read aren't that complimentary. IF I could find someone who reacted consistently as I do my problem in choosing books would be solved! Probably I will have to try it myself. Maybe I would be missing something that appealed to me even if not to another. You do have to be wary of the reviews on new books though; they tend to be overly complimentary.
This topic has been frozen by the moderator. No new comments can be posted.
All About Books
Books mentioned in this topic
Red Shoes for Rachel: Three Novellas (other topics)Kindred (other topics)
Kindred (other topics)
Kindred (other topics)
The Promise Girls (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Octavia E. Butler (other topics)Octavia E. Butler (other topics)
Octavia E. Butler (other topics)
Marie Bostwick (other topics)
Deon Meyer (other topics)
More...
Sylvia Plath's famous fictionalised memoir, The Bell Jar is both funny and harrowing, sometimes all at the same time.
Depression and coming of age are each trying conditions. Put them together, and some people fare better than others.
My review
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...