Which LIST book did you just finish? Showing 3,501-3,550 of 10,323

[Laurie]

Finished Smilla's Sense of Snow by Peter Høeg

[Maggie]

Just read Little Women. It's been a long time since I last read this and I've forgotten most of the story. The little family is so delightful!

[George P.]

Diane wrote: "Just finished The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri. I can't believe it has taken me so long to finally read it. Great book!"
That's nearing to top of my to-read list. I liked Lahiri's Interpreter of Maladies, for which she won the Pulitzer.

[George P.]

Diane wrote: "Sarah wrote: "Diane wrote: "I just read a side read for Ian McEwan."
Overall, I think his books are hit or miss and he is way over-represented on the list (he has 8 list books). ."

He was over-represented. On the 2012 edition of the list he was reduced to just two- Atonement (which I loved) and Cement Garden. So your taste agrees with the editors.

[Linda]

George wrote: "He was over-represented. On the 2012 edition of the list he was reduced to just two- Atonement (which I loved) and Cement Garden. So your taste agrees with the editors."

Interesting. And those are the only two Ian McEwan books I have happened to read so far.

[Sarah]

Diane wrote: "Unlike some of the newer "over-represented" writers on the list, his writing is consistent and his book have stood the test of time.

What is your favorite Dickens? "

I agree and I've grown accustomed to his writing style. He takes his time and wraps things up nicely. There's always a surprise. You can never say that you'll know how things will end. Character development wise, there's few who equal him. He fleshes them out quite well.

As for favorites, David Copperfield has my vote. I've read all the books on the list save Martin Chuzzlewit.

[Mia]

I finished Uncle Petros and Goldbach's Conjecture by Apostolos Doxiadis. It was way more interesting than I thought it would be, 4 stars.

[Diane]

Mia wrote: "I finished Uncle Petros and Goldbach's Conjecture by Apostolos Doxiadis. It was way more interesting than I thought it would be, 4 stars."

I loved that book!

[Diane]

Sarah wrote: "Diane wrote: "Unlike some of the newer "over-represented" writers on the list, his writing is consistent and his book have stood the test of time.

What is your favorite Dickens? "

I agree and I'v..."

David Copperfield is one of my favorites of his, too. I have yet to read one I haven't liked. The only two list books of his I haven't read yet are Hard Times and Nicholas Nickleby.

[Diane]

George wrote: "On the 2012 edition of the list he was reduced to just two- Atonement (which I loved) and Cement Garden."

H..."
I am glad the editors reduced the number of his books and added other authors to the list. Since I am reading the combined lists, however, I am still committed to reading the books of all of the initially over-represented authors.

[Aileen]

I finished the mammoth Gargantua and Pantagruel by Rabelais last night. A 3* read for me, overlong, rambling, and lots of bits I just didn't get. Glad I can cross it off the list!

[Nicola]

I got bogged down in some rather uninspiring reads - Metamorphoses, Shirley and The Charterhouse of Parma. Ovid was probably the best as the poetry was pretty awesome but it was also the longest and the most repetitive.

They all rated 2 1/2 stars

I re-read a selection of old favourites while I was avoiding reading those - Mansfield Park, Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice and Bleak House. All great but they didn't help much in expanding my reading!

I've also re-read Le Petit Prince - this time in French but I didn't like it any more in the original language than I did in english translation.

Much better reads were: Ethan Frome - short but intense as expected from a Wharton book. 3 1/2 stars

Woman at Point Zero - It read a bit much like a diatribe against all men. Possibly justified. 3 stars

Cat's Eye - Another Attwood which began slowly but snuck up on me. I ended up rating it 4 stars.

The Sound of Waves - Very simple. A pleasant easy read for when you are looking for a 'light' book from the list. 3 1/2 stars

The Marriage Plot - This wasn't that appealing to me because of the setting and the characters. White, middle class college kids with inflated idea's of their own intelligence/importance and lots of romantic angst is fairly much par for the course for people like me so it lost my interest because of that. It was still interesting enough though I suppose. 3 stars

The Feast of the Goat - Very cool. I haven't found enough solid Historical Fiction in the List yet so this was especially welcome. You might need a strong stomach for a few of the scenes. 4 stars

At Swim, Two Boys - I can see why this guy is compared to Joyce. This is much much more reader friendly though. Lyrical and moving. 5 stars

All Quiet on the Western Front - I still can't believe that this is the first time I've read this. Unsurprisingly it was rather devastating. A definite 'must read'. 4 stars.

[J]

The Vegetarian Amazing story that takes on the ride of mental and physical disorders and ultimately the effect it has on family and oneself. Incredible read. Not at all what I expected!

[Aileen]

Mercedes wrote: "Aileen wrote: "I finished the mammoth Gargantua and Pantagruel by Rabelais last night. A 3* read for me, overlong, rambling, and lots of bits I just didn't get. Glad I can cross it off the list!"

..."
Thanks Mercedes, I've actually read all the earlier books on the list (from my edition) and had many 5* reads from them. This one... well it was just, different.

[Sarah]

Diane wrote: "The only two list books of his I haven't read yet are Hard Times and Nicholas Nickleby."

In my opinion David's humanity and its imperfections are what make him such a memorable character. Plus, I adored his aunt!

I started with Hard Times and it was good as is Nicholas Nickelby. Though you'll probably want to throttle the mother in due time. ;-)

[Sarah]

Nicola wrote: "I got bogged down in some rather uninspiring reads . Ovid was probably the best as the poetry was pretty..."

Ovid in small doses is an enjoyable read. But I think it loses a bit of its luster when read through without pausing. As for Shirley, it's the lone title whose character has nothing to do with the author. She is Brontë's strongest and most independent heroine. A far cry from the dependent helplessness which often figures in Jane Eyre and Villette. If you're a fan of her work you may enjoy Charlotte Brontë: A Fiery Heart. She did an excellent job and provides a great looking glass into the influences behind Brontë's characters.

[Sarah]

Aileen wrote: "I finished the mammoth Gargantua and Pantagruel by Rabelais last night. A 3* read for me, overlong, rambling, and lots of bits I just didn't get. Glad I can cross it off the list!"

I've been debating between this and Plutarch. Although the latter isn't on the list I'd like to check it off this year. Thanks for the feedback. I'll definitely do a side read in tandem.

[Sarah]

Finished Moby-Dick; or, The Whale by Herman Melville. Despite the slow start the novel began to pick up steam but was bogged down by the endless whale references which left the characters capsized and waiting for retrieval.

[George P.]

Finished Nights at the Circus by Angela Carter, an excellent British writer who died rather young. British Magical Realism a la Garcia Marquez and Laura Esquivel (Like Water for Chocolate). 4 stars. Also on the Feminista list.

[George P.]

J wrote: "The Vegetarian Amazing story that takes on the ride of mental and physical disorders and ultimately the effect it has on family and oneself. Incredible read. Not at all what I expec..."

This book won the Man Booker International Prize (2016) but isn't on the Boxall list. It was only recently published in English translation (from Korean). Maybe will be on the next edition.

[George P.]

Mia wrote: "I finished Uncle Petros and Goldbach's Conjecture by Apostolos Doxiadis. It was way more interesting than I thought it would be, 4 stars."

My friend Natalie gave it 5 stars. I'm putting it on my list. It's in the 2012 edition. Mia, you are a great resource for the more obscure European writers.

[Mia]

George wrote: "Mia wrote: "I finished Uncle Petros and Goldbach's Conjecture by Apostolos Doxiadis. It was way more interesting than I thought it would be, 4 stars."

My friend Natal..."

You should read it, I'm sure you're gonna love it :D

[Mia]

I finished Sandokan: The Tigers of Mompracem byEmilio Salgari.

[Karina]

Just finished The Satanic Verses by Salman Rushdie. I think I preferred The Ground Beneath Her Feet but I feel like there is some background history I need to know before undertaking The Satanic Verses but I'm
Not sure if I do that I will read this again.

[Diane]

Just finished Joseph Andrews by Henry Fielding.

[Sarah]

Diane wrote: "Just finished Joseph Andrews by Henry Fielding."

How did you like it?

[Angela]

The Wasp Factory - disturbing but fascinating (one of those ones that catch you off guard by making you momentarily empathise with a psychopath). 3 stars (liked)

Before that A Room with a View - much more uplifting! 4 stars (really liked).

[Jennifer]

Just finished Cranford. Was really struggling with this until about half way through as found it pretty light on the plot.

Persevered and ended up enjoying it and becoming pretty fond of the characters.

Not a favourite but pleasant enough nonetheless.

[Diane]

Sarah wrote: "Diane wrote: "Just finished Joseph Andrews by Henry Fielding."

How did you like it?"

It was okay. Not nearly as god as Tom Jones. Parts of it are quite funny, though, in a bawdy sort of way.

[Tim]

Just finished, We, by Yevgeny Zamyatin. I gave it four stars. This is an early, if not the first, dystopian, science fiction novel. It was completed in 1920-21 but not published until later. This novel deserves a wider read than it has received.

[Diane]

Just finished Less Than Zero by Bret Easton Ellis.

[Tyler]

Finished To the Lighthouse this week. Perfectly captures the inner thoughts of people toward their families and friends.

[Sarah]

Diane wrote: "It was okay. Not nearly as god as Tom Jones. Parts of it are quite funny, though, in a bawdy sort of way. "

Sounds a little like Candide. I may get to it this year but I'm presently engrossed in Trollope. I've made it to book five of the Barsetshire series and it's good!

[Dee]

Finished The Sense of an Ending in practically one sitting last night. Although I knew the writing would be good, I was still surprised how emotionally gripping the story was. It's a very philosophical novel, playing with ideas of memory and responsibility across time.

[Diane]

Sarah wrote: "I'm presently engrossed in Trollope. I've made it to book five of the Barsetshire series and it's good!..."

I haven't started that series yet. I will have to move it up on my list.

[Diane]

Finished In a Free State by V.S. Naipaul.

[Heather]

I'm reading Doctor Thorne right now and really enjoying the entire series!

[Sarah]

Heather wrote: "I'm reading Doctor Thorne right now and really enjoying the entire series!"

Oh yes! The dear doctor forced me to go ahead and read the next title in the series. I love his writing.

[Sarah]

Diane wrote: "I haven't started that series yet. I will have to move it up on my list."

Pastoral like Eliot but gets to the point much quicker! ;-)

[Patrick]

Finished White Noise by Don DeLillolast night. It was a solid three stars. There were parts that individually were amazing, but the whole didn't hang together as much as I would have liked. Plus the last section was really dragging.

[Peter]

Finished Moll Flanders by Daniel Defoe. Personally found this rather laborious.

[Maggie]

Finished If on a Winter's Night a Traveler by Italo Calvino. I love what he did with this. I think I could read it over and over and never fully see everything.

[George P.]

Tyler wrote: "Finished To the Lighthouse this week. Perfectly captures the inner thoughts of people toward their families and friends."

I read my 1st Woolf book, Orlando about a year ago and was rather amazed by it. I have To the Lighthouse in my list as my next Woolf, but not for a year 2; so many other writers are competing... but you're inspiring me to move it up a little.

[Diane]

Finished At Swim-Two-Birds by Flann O'Brien.

[Linda]

Maggie wrote: "Finished If on a Winter's Night a Traveler by Italo Calvino. I love what he did with this. I think I could read it over and over and never fully see everything."

That's good to hear. I've got a few Calvino books lined up to read this summer and I don't know what to expect.

[Kirsten]

I recently finished Cakes and Ale and Twelve Short Stories by W. Somerset Maugham. I really enjoyed it and it inspired me to read more short stories by this author!

[Sarah]

Kirsten *Make Margaret Atwood Fiction Again!" wrote: "I really enjoyed it and it inspired me to read more short stories by this author!"

I haven't read that one as of yet but The Painted Veil is very good.

[Bob]

Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra.

[Karina]

Just finished Cakes and Ale by W. Somerset Maugham and I really enjoyed it.

[Diane]

Finished The Princess of Cleves by Madame de La Fayette.