Play Book Tag discussion
2016-19 Activities & Challenges
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Listopia Challenge
Jenni Elyse wrote: "Cheryl wrote: "New member, so I couldn't join in January ... may I join now?"Yes, you can. :)"
Ok. I'll be reading off the list of books that have received Newbery Honors: https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1.... There are many other lists that I like, but this is one I know I've got because I'm the host of the Newbery Club in the Children's Books group. I know I won't get any bonus points but that's ok.
(So, already this year, I've enjoyed:
Charlotte's Web
All Alone
Shadrach
Hurry Home, Candy
but these won't count)
My list: Diversity Bingo 2017 - 368th on the listCross-posted to March: Other books
Book #2: Scarlet
Rating: 4 stars
This is the second of the Lunar Chronicles book and we are introduced to more characters. Cinder had been thrown in jail after the revelations in book 1. While she is plotting to escape, with a fellow prisoner, Captain Thorn. In France, Scarlet Benoit's grandmother has been kidnapped and she is trying desperately to find her. Unlikely help comes from a streetfighter nick-named wolf, but it's unclear where his loyalties really lie. In the meantime, Queen Levana is still blackmail Kai into marrying her.
There was quite a lot going on in this installment. I listened to the audio book, but I think that I wasn't tracking closely enough because I did get a bit confused a couple of times. Perhaps I will read the next installment. The story is still very engaging and there were definitely some twists and turns that I didn't see coming. I liked the new characters -- especially Scarlet and Thorn (for comic relief).
I'm actually not quite sure why this series is on the diversity list. I suspect it is because Cinder is a cyborg
Hi Cheryl!That sounds like a super fun list to choose from . . .Charlotte's Web is one of my all time favorites I must admit.
I think you were just clarifying your interest in the list and sharing the reads you've enjoyed from it, but just to make sure everyone knows the "rules" (such that we have them), the objective is to read six books after the list is selected.
We have a lot of new members so just trying to clarify . . .we've had a couple of behind the scenes question regarding when the books must be read.
It sounds like reading six books going forward certainly won't be an issue for you given your interest! Enjoy!!
ok.. I did assume that I could read from the beginning of the year, when the challenge started for existing members... but you're right, I should be able to complete the challenge anyway before the end of the year...
Cheryl wrote: "ok.. I did assume that I could read from the beginning of the year, when the challenge started for existing members... but you're right, I should be able to complete the challenge anyway before the..."So sorry for the confusion, Cheryl! We will try to make it more clear.
The reason for the "rule" is that someone could change their list in say, November, and just pick a list that had six books on it that they had already read. So we thought it is most fair that if you are just joining us, OR if you want to switch lists, it is fine, but you need to read six books from the time the list is chosen.
Otherwise it is easy for someone to join in November, pick a list where they've already read six books, and call it a day.
List: Around the World Through Fiction - https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...Book 5 - China (cross-posted to Other Books March)
Women of the Silk - 4 stars
This is the second of Gail Tsukiyama's novels I have read and I enjoyed it very much. This is the story of Pei from the time she is 9 years old and her mother has another baby, another girl. The family is in bad shape, they are farmers and it is a bad year. At the age of 9 Pei is give to the silk work. She is left at the Girl's House. The story continues through Pei's life into her adulthood though her age is not obvious at the end of the story but she is not an old woman.
I expected the story to be one of mistreatment but it wasn't and Pei's life is very interesting. It is not without its hardships but not as bad as I expected. I really found it to be a story of hope. There are many excellent characters and the information about the silk work is not overly technical but enough to enlighten the reader.
Well done and a fascinating look at an historical period and industry.
Book #5https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/2...
The Most Disturbing Book Ever Written
Under the Banner of Heaven: A Story of Violent Faith by Jon Krakauer
3 stars
Krakauer has obviously done exhaustive research once again for one of his books. This time he focuses in on the birth of Mormonism, its phenomenal growth in less than 200 years, the infighting that led to fundamentalist sects, and the horrific murder of a young wife and her baby daughter by Ron and Dan Lafferty, her brothers in law. While the history of the religion is quite fascinating, the endless parade of names, dates and revelations became quite tiresome after awhile. The true-crime tale of the Laffertys is heart-breaking especially in light of their claim that they were told to commit these murders by God. Blind faith is not always a good thing no matter what religion is involved. I wish I could rate this book higher as I gave 5 stars to "Into Thin Air" but I just did not enjoy it very much at all.
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...I'm Glad Someone Made Me Read This Book - Book 5
Girl with a Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier
4 stars
This novel by Tracy Chevalier is a fictional story that follows a young maid named Griet who works in the home of Dutch painter Johannes Vermeer. It takes place beginning in 1664 and places Griet as the girl wearing a pearl earring in his famous portrait.
Griet does not have an easy time working in the home and is disliked by some who live there. The author creates characters who speak few words, but have their ideas expressed in other ways. Griet also needs to make decisions regarding own life. It is a quick read and written very well.
Best Biographies: https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/2...1. Mountains Beyond Mountains: The Quest of Dr. Paul Farmer, A Man Who Would Cure the World / Tracy Kidder
3.5 stars
Before Paul Farmer became a doctor, he spent some time in Haiti with poor people. He already had an anthropology degree. He realized that helping these people get well was what he wanted to do with his life. And workaholic that he seemed to be (at least doing this, what he loved to do), that’s what he did! And, he started a foundation (Partners in Health) that expanded to Peru and Russia and beyond. They treated mostly TB and HIV.
This was good. Impressive, everything he did/does, but at the same time one wonders how he managed/manages to get everything done. He had to also navigate political interactions, as well.
Amy's Listopia book number two: Wild Swans: Three Daughters of China, from the Listopia list: Remarkable Women in Historical Fiction.Five Stars! I am not normally a lover on non-fiction, but lately I have read such compelling reads. In my Goodreads main group I have already seen a number of reviews of this, so its hard to recap. It traces the life of Jung Chang and her siblings, parents, and grandparents, through the Komingtang, and the Cultural Revolution under Mao Tse Tang. In places it was hard to read, as the devastation and violence of her childhood experience, and that of her parents and grandparents was bleak and traumatizing. It was one of those stories that was hard to read, but needed to be told. Its a miracle that she lived through it to tell the harrowing tale, and that she was at some point able to leave China for the West. She loved her family and was an extremely good daughter to them. She was also a young woman with ideas, intellect, and passion, in a country that didn't tolerate that - and in fact supressed it.
Loved the first line and drawn in right away - At Age Fifteen, my Grandmother was a concubine to General .... (Famous Chinese Official who ran the country.) The story was actually quite amazing, even more so because every word was true.
A note about challenges. I started this book when the Tag of the Month was Asia. Finished it when the Tag of the Month was Autobiography. Next Month is Strong Women and it fits that category too. But as or more importantly, this is also my Listopia book Two - Remarkable Women in Historical fiction. Now that I think about it, it shouldn't be on the list. Its non-fiction. But I am reading plenty more women who probably should be on the list, but aren't. And in terms of the actual list, I am sure to hit way more than 6. So I am actually just fine with that. It also is one of nine or ten books in Nicole's Cultural challenge, which I knew I'd complete with my eyes closed. See how many countries I can visit this year, and I am excited to see how much of the world I have seen even in just three months. So - for many reasons, I am really glad to be done with this quite excellent read. My home book club is getting together to talk about it too, within the next month. I love how one book hits all the categories at once, and without PBT, I would never have known about it, much less picked it up. Hooray for PBT and also for me! Brava to Jung Chang for her survival and teaching us with her tale of resilience and difficult history.
Here is the third book from my Listopia List. The list is President Obama's Reading List. https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...
It is cross-posted to the March Tag Folder.
Barbarian Days: A Surfing Life - William Finnegan
3 1/2 stars
Barbarian Days is the story of the authors surfing life, from his childhood in Hawaii to traveling the world in search of great waves. The descriptions of surfing are very good, but I did find myself zoning out reading a lot of it. I was more interested in other aspects of the author's life, but once those parts pulled me in it would end and return to descriptions of surfing that would lose me again. I will definitely be interested in reading some of the author's other books about other aspects of his life. It sounds like he has had a fascinating life, but I am more interested in his experiences as a reporter/writer across the world than that of surfing. I did learn a bit about the surfing life and I really liked learning about Hawaii in the 1950s.
Books That Make You Laugh-Listopia book #3 Cross-posted to the March Tag Folder
Bossypants by Tina Fey
3 stars
March 2018: Autobiography > (Listopia)>Bossypants by Tina Fey 3 stars (edit)
Over the years I have enjoyed watching Tina Fey on SNL and in the smattering of movies she has made. This book, however, doesn't even register on the humor scale for me. I gave it three stars because even though I didn't love it I've read worse. She includes many stories about her awkward childhood and adolescence. The better stories are about her adult career in comedy. Her best anecdotes concern her portrayal of her doppleganger Sarah Palin.
If you're looking for a laugh out loud book, this one isn't for you. You might get a snicker or two, but that's about it.
Third book from my LISTOPIA list Best Literary Mysteries # 93 on list
The Cuckoo’s Calling – Robert Galbraith – 4****
Galbraith is the pseudonym of J K Rowling, and this book proves that she knows how to craft a compelling story. I really liked Strike as a lead character, but I really loved his assistant, Robin. These two make a great team. The plot is suitably complex, with plenty of red herrings to confuse and misdirect both Strike and the reader. I’ll definitely continue with this series.
LINK to my review
CROSS Posted to March "Other" books
My first book from the list Best Strong Female Fanatsy https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...A Darker Shade of Magic
4 Stars
NOTE: I also found this book on Linda's List and used for the January challenge-if I can't do that-let me know
A Darker Shade of Magic is the first in the Shades of Magic Trilogy by V.E. Schwab.
Schwab was an author new to me, so I was going in blind.
The storyline revolves around a magician named Kell, who is one of the last magicians able to travel between parallel cities: The Red, White, Grey and sealed-up Black London. Kell is in the service, and an adopted member, of the Royal Family of Arnes in Red London, the only London where magic seems to thrive.
But Kel has a secret life.During his duties of carrying messages across the Londons,he has become a smuggler of items between the 3 London's that are open to him. Prince Rhy, his friend and adopted brother has discovered his sinister hobby and told him to stop before something goes wrong.
After and exchange of items, something does start to go wrong and Kell slips into Grey London where he meets Delilah Bard-a thief and want-to-pirate. As things snowball into chaos, Kel and Delilah jump betweens London’s in a quest to not only save Red London, but magic itself.
I really did enjoy this book, but it only gets 4 stars because it took awhile for me get attached to it. I was a little confused at the start and it seemed slow. But, my opinion changed as I finally grasped what was going on. I am looking forward to the next book and will be reading more of this author!
From Best Middle East Fiction2. Frankenstein in Baghdad by Ahmed Saadawi - 4 stars
(read in French)
Set in Bagdad under American occupation, the tale focuses on events taking place in a small street in one of the poorer quarters of the city. We meet Hadi, who tells tall tales at the local café and stitches together a body from parts he finds at the sites the frequent bombings. And Oum Daniel whose son was sent to war some twenty years earlier and never came back. Abou Anmar who owns the run down hotel that bleeds the last of his money. Mahmoud al Sawadi, the journalist who picks up Hadi's tale and who links it to people and events outside the little street.
Here is a fresh take on the Frankenstein theme that focuses much more on the real life in Bagdad, than it does on the presence in the background of the corpse come to life through the soul of a man who lost his body in a bombing and is now seeking revenge for those who gave it parts of his body.
This was my choice for the Listopia challenge of Books Based on Myths, Legends, Fairy Tales and Folk Taleshttps://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...
Listopia book #2
Title: Bitter Greens
Author: Kate Forsyth
Rating: ★★★
Although there is a fairy tale in the book, it is also very much historical fiction, telling the story of Charlotte-Rose de la Force who wrote Persinette which was later adapted by the Brothers Grimm into the fairy tale Rapunzel.
I did like the book, but I was disappointed that the story of Rapunzel was less than 1/3 of the book. It was a very different story then the one I am familiar with but since it was a retelling I was okay with that.
The book intertwines the story of Charlotte, the witch Selena and Marguerite. Marguerite is taken from her parents by Selena who renames her Rapunzel after telling her that her parents sold her for a bunch of parsley which translates into Rapunzel.
The story is told by 3 women over a period of 200 years, from the point of view of a nun in a convent who tells the story to a new sister.
I have to say this book dragged a lot in many parts, especially the never-ending story of Charlotte in the court of Louis XIV. It also contained a lot of sexual content, which I wasn’t expecting in a fairy tale. And the story of Rapunzel, while central to the book was often given short shrift. I did like the ending, although I did figure out the ‘surprise’ long before the reveal.
My list: Diversity Bingo 2017Book #3: March: Book One - 95th out of 365
Rating: 5 stars
Finished: 3/31
Another book that I think should be required reading for middle-grade/high school. This is the story of the beginning of the civil rights movement from the perspective of John Lewis (now a Congressman). The art was well done (but it is black and white). The story jumps around a bit because Lewis is telling some visiting children about what some of the memorabilia on his wall.
He covers his own childhood as well as the organization of the first sit-ins and the leaders of the non-violent movement that started in the 60's.
From Best Middle East Fiction3 - The Complete Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi - 5 stars
Marjane Satrapi grew up in a very liberal family in a very repressed country. In this memoir she gives us insights into not just her own life, but that of her friends and family: people getting thrown in jail for their conviction, neighbors getting killed in a bombing raid, people dealing with the aftermath of the Irak-Iran war, encounters with the watchers over the moral code, all the while trying to find a balance between private freedoms and necessary public conformity, between carefree enjoyment and critical political awareness.
I liked the honesty of her brash judgements as a young girl and the struggle to find her place that finally led her to leave Iran, which she loved despite the regime, first as a teenager and later for good in her mid twenties. Hers is a very personal perspective, which nevertheless gives us fascinating insights into a culture that I knew very little about.
Aileen wrote: "I choose: "What Book Got You Hooked?""
Great, Aileen! Looking forward to see what you choose from that list!
If it's not too late to join this challenge - I will. and hi... I've started posting in your group without saying an official hello. But you seem like a lovely bunch :)
I will go with this: The book bucket "top 10 challenge" compilation...
just because. I'm starting late. and have my own 2018 agenda (read a book from each year 1900 and onward.
was also looking at New York Review Books, and Women Around the World but will keep them on the background
Idit wrote: "If it's not too late to join this challenge - I will. and hi... I've started posting in your group without saying an official hello. But you seem like a lovely bunch :)
I will go with this: The b..."
Thank you for your kind words! It definitely isn't too late. You definitely identified some very interesting lists that I hope to check out . . .
From The Natural World
Book #1 The Drunken Botanist: The Plants That Create the World's Great Drinks by Amy Stewart 3 stars
If barley be wanting to make into malt, We must be content and think it no fault, For we can make liquor to sweeten our lips, Of pumpkins, and parsnips, and walnut tree chips.
-Edward Johnson, 1630
This historic ditty shows that colonists arriving in the New World were willing to try anything to get their hands on a drink—even if that meant turning parsnips into wine.
-Amy Stewart
The overriding message of this book is the human race has been making alcoholic beverages for centuries and will use almost anything fermentable that is readily available. It was surprising to learn about the variety of plants that have been used to make palatable alcohol and also the science that goes into the brewing/distilling process. It also made me wonder how many individuals became violently ill (or worse) while trying to make their own homebrew.
Although the book reads like an encyclopedia, it still was interesting. I also must give kudos to the author for her meticulous research and the humor she injected into her writing. Beyond the whole history of alcohol, I appreciated the recipes, illustrations and the section concerning how to grow herbs.
Book #1 The Drunken Botanist: The Plants That Create the World's Great Drinks by Amy Stewart 3 stars
If barley be wanting to make into malt, We must be content and think it no fault, For we can make liquor to sweeten our lips, Of pumpkins, and parsnips, and walnut tree chips.
-Edward Johnson, 1630
This historic ditty shows that colonists arriving in the New World were willing to try anything to get their hands on a drink—even if that meant turning parsnips into wine.
-Amy Stewart
The overriding message of this book is the human race has been making alcoholic beverages for centuries and will use almost anything fermentable that is readily available. It was surprising to learn about the variety of plants that have been used to make palatable alcohol and also the science that goes into the brewing/distilling process. It also made me wonder how many individuals became violently ill (or worse) while trying to make their own homebrew.
Although the book reads like an encyclopedia, it still was interesting. I also must give kudos to the author for her meticulous research and the humor she injected into her writing. Beyond the whole history of alcohol, I appreciated the recipes, illustrations and the section concerning how to grow herbs.
2nd read from my listBest Strong Female Fantasy
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...
Children of Blood and Bone
4 stars
About halfway through this book I was struggling. The story was very intriguing, but at times I really felt the author was assuming her readers were not intelligent enough to figure out what something was, so she named it something ridiculous like lepordiare(a large leopard) or pantherniarie(a large panther):you get what I am saying….but
As I mentioned--the story was very intriguing. Zelie is a young girl(soon to be woman) who is born into magic through the blood of her mother. There are ten tribes in the land of Orisha -and this land had magic once, each tribe with a different power. But when Zelie was just a child, a ruthless King killed her mother and other strong woman of magic, and the magic died. Now Zelie, along with her brother and a runaway Princess, are on a quest to bring back the magic.
They have one chance and little time, so of course there are huge roadblocks along the way.
If you are a fantasy fan, I recommend you give this one a go. It is the first of story-line that I hope will keep getting better as the authors character and world-building skills advance.
All in all it was a very enjoyable read. I was leaning toward 3 stars, but the last few chapters were griping and I changed my mind and I bumped it up to 4.
NOTE: if you do pick up don’t ignore the Authors notes and the Acknowledgments at the back of the book, well worth the time.
I'm new to this group so let me know if I don't do this right...My list is 100 books to read in a lifetime: https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/6...
Book #1 Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury 5 stars
Having read this makes me realize how startling close we are coming to this with our participation awards and 'snowflakes'. I wonder what Ray Bradbury would have thought of our current culture where everyone is so sensitive.
Books That Make You Laugh>LISTOPIA Book #4Cross-posted to the APRIL TAG Folder
Wee Free Men by Terry Pratchett
3 stars
I do not enjoy reading Terry Pratchett books. I put him in the same catagory as Douglas Adams, Neil Gaiman, and Kurt Vonnegut-pretentious, weird, and beyond silly. If my comments offend anyone, I apologize. I am expressing my own personal reading preferences. I'm sure there's a couple of people who think my reading habits are strange-however, I do like Terry Pratchett's book concerning one Tiffany Aching, witch-to-be.
The book, Tiffany Aching, #1 a.k.a. Wee Free Men, is mainly about Tiffany protecting her home in the Chalk and rescuing her kidnapped brother from the monsters of Fairyland. To do so she enlists the help of the local Nac Mac Feegle-a clan of drinking, swearing, sheep stealing, six-inch tall blue men also known as the Wee Free Men.
Discworld fan or not, Wee Free Men is a humorous take on a young girl (witch) on the verge of womanhood standing against the evil powers of the elf queen and the monsters of fairyland.
Just to report where I am on my listopia books. I have five lists that I am playing around with, one or two that I am most serious about. List One: Remarkable Women in Historical Fiction. I have just reviewed my fourth book, (In April Strong Women folder) the Last Tudor which features Queen Elizabeth and Jane, Katherine, and Mary Grey. My first three books were: 1) the Other Queen, 2) Wild Swans, 3) the Girls in the Picture. I am about to read for the 5th, Abundance featuring Marie Antoinette. I have also read, not on the official list, the Munich Girl, featuring Eva Braun, and Freuds Mistress featuring Minna Bernays. I have also read the Other Einstein, about Einstein's wife.
My second serious listopia list is an Amazon 2017 top 100. I have read two, including Lillian Boxfish and the Hate U Give. Up soon is Beartown, the Hearts Invisible Furies and a few other familiars.
I then have three fun lists. One is Girl in a Red Dress, and I'd love to see how many I can knock off this year. Already four, but challenges have distracted me from this novelty.
The fourth is Historical Fiction Set in the Jazz Age. I already have two for this too category, and I have no doubt I will finish that out.
The final list is historical fiction with a dash of magic. The Ghost Bride fits in there. Lets just see how that one plays out. I'm drawn to those, and we will see if they occur.
Last list would be Nicole's cultural challenge, for which I have already visited over ten countries. Eventually there will be a separate thread for that. But that one, I didn't even have to try. Historical fiction travels one quite far.
My list, 100 books to read in a lifetime: https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/6...Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood by Marjane Satrapi
4.5 stars
If I'm judging a book based on the impactfulness of the content, then I would definitely give this book 5 stars. The reason I'm giving it 4.5 instead of 5 is there were several chapters where I felt the resolution was super quick and I didn't feel like it was fully resolved. It left me wanting more.
I can't even comprehend what Satrapi experienced as a child. It definitely makes me thankful for where I was born and the family I was born into. It was an interesting perspective to see how she interpreted the issues at hand as a child.
I highly recommend this graphic novel! Serious subject but great storytelling. A great perspective on another culture.
Best Biographies: https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/2...Peter the Great: His Life and World / Robert K. Massie
2 stars
This is a biography of Peter the Great, who was Tsar of Russia in the late 17th and early 18th centuries. Of course, it’s also a history of Russia at the time. Entwined with that (due to wars) is some history of Sweden.
I should start by mentioning that I listened to the audio. It was very very loooooong. And boring. At least, the entire looooong middle section about warring with Sweden (or Tsweden, as pronounced by the narrator – like tsar; and unfortunately, we also got words like tsea and tsince), just isn’t all that interesting to me, so I tuned out. The stuff about Peter’s family life and Russian architecture – that held my interest a bit more, but not by much, unfortunately. But, oh my god – listening to that guy pronounce many words starting with ‘s’ as if they start with ‘ts’ - gaaahh! I should also add that I do find the history/biography of women more interesting to start with. Also, I seem to prefer female narrators – not all the time in either case, but often. So, all those factors may have lessened my interest in this one.
List: Around the World Through Fiction - https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...Book 6 - Burma (cross-posted to Other Books April)
A Well-Tempered Heart
See review here: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...
Would it be okay to hop on this very late and select a list now? I love this idea but I'm a little late to the party
Kirsten wrote: "Would it be okay to hop on this very late and select a list now? I love this idea but I'm a little late to the party"Hi Kirsten!
It's 100% totally fine to join in now. There's plenty of time left to read six titles. Look forward to seeing your list.
Awesome! I choose Best Canadian Aboriginal Literature as I'm already heading that direction with my book choices. Looking forward to it!https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/9...
That is an interesting list. I had no idea that Canadian and Aboriginal went together. Can’t wait to see what you are reading.
Amy wrote: "That is an interesting list. I had no idea that Canadian and Aboriginal went together. Can’t wait to see what you are reading."Oh, Amy, there's lots of Canadian aboriginal stuff - and some great Native Canadian authors!
...And of the top 8 on that list, I've read 6! And #9 is one I will read at some point... Indian Horse is really really good, Kirsten (or anyone else), if you want to give it a try. That's my favourite of the ones listed there that I've read.
I don't think I've read anything else by him. I probably should!
Book #4 from President Obama's Reading List 2009-2017https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...
Cross-Posted to April Tag - Strong Women folder
Nora Webster - Colm Toibin
4 stars
Nora Webster is about a woman who has become a widow at a relatively young age. The story takes place in a small town in Ireland in the 1960s. Nora is the mother of four children and she must deal with her grief while also redefining herself as a single mother. Nora is not always easy to like, but I found myself relating to her. The plot is pretty low key - it is simply about a woman learning to rely on herself. Not much happens and I can see some people finding that boring, but I liked the ordinariness of her life. I think it fits the category of strong women because although some women seem to be born strong and confront what life throws at them, others are made strong by what life gives them. In this case, Nora has no choice but to become strong for herself and her children. She has to learn to do what she needs to do regardless of what others may think of her. I do believe that she was strong.
I listened to the audio version of this novel and the reader was excellent. I definitely recommend it.
Listopia List - I'm Glad Someone Made Me Read This Book - Book 6https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...
Also fits April - Strong Women tag
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
3 stars
In this book Jane Eyre is a strong women who follows her principals. Her parents had died and she originally lived with an aunt who did not like her. At a young age Jane was sent away to a school. Although her life was difficult, she was well educated and became a governess where she met Mr. Rochester. As the story goes on she needs to make difficult decisions regarding Mr. Rochester and her own future.
The writing in the book is reflective of the 1847 timeframe when it was written. It is very wordy in comparison to a modern story, which made it difficult to stay interested in at times. I see why it is a classic though.
I don't think I have added any of my books here, so I will do it on this one post and come back and edit it as I read more books. My list is Man Booker Prize Eligible 2018
1. The Sparsholt Affair
2. Asymmetry
3. The Adulterants
4. The Only Story
5. Manhattan Beach
6. Freshwater
7. Circe
8. An American Marriage
9. Red Clocks
10. My Year of Rest and Relaxation
11. Snap
12. The Water Cure
13. From a Low and Quiet Sea
14. Warlight
15. The Mars Room
16. In Our Mad and Furious City
17. The Shepherd's Hut
18. Milkman
19. Everything Under
20. The Overstory
21. Sing Unburied Sing
22. Winter
23. Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine
24. Washington Black
25. There There
26. The Long Take
27. A Ladder to the Sky
28. Sadness is a White Bird
29. The Great Believers
Update on my message # 30 second book read.I Picked It Up Because of the Title because yes sometimes I do judge a book by it’s title (or book cover).
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/5...
1. So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish 5⭐️
Read 1/16/18
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
2. The Last Jedi by Jason Fry 5⭐️❤️
Read 4/14/18
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Michelle (MichelleBookAddict) wrote: "Update on my message # 30 second book read.I Picked It Up Because of the Title because yes sometimes I do judge a book by it’s title (or book cover).
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/5......"
I love this list!! I am going mosey around there!
Best Biographies: https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/2...3. Catherine the Great: Portrait of a Woman / Peter K. Massie
3 stars
Catherine the Great was Empress of Russia in the mid- to late-18th century. This looks back at her entire life and reign.
I listened to the audio and there were parts that were ok and parts that I liked. I suppose (no surprise to me) I enjoyed the parts about her personal life more than about her reign. In fact, I probably enjoyed the first half better for that reason – the second half was after she became empress. I think I’ve read one other book about her, but had forgotten about her very childlike husband, Peter III (the grandson of Peter the Great). I thought it was a decent biography, though another friend who likes history was bored by it. In my opinion, though, it was much better than the author’s book on Peter the Great!
I am very interested in Catherine the Great. Planning to read the Winter Palace got Fall Flurries December this year. It’s Listopia for me too. Care to join?
1001 Books You Must Read Before You Diehttps://www.goodreads.com/list/show/9...
Trainspotting ★★★★
Read in April
I loved this book. Would have been nice to have this on audio though, as I struggeled a bit with the dialect and keeping track of all the persons in the beginning. I knew the storyline from the movie, but it's been many years since I last saw it so it was not fresh in my mind.
The book is brutal, sore, sad, sarcastic and funny. And very scary. And very Scottish. Who can forget about Begbie boy. Kinda rough being in his head (and the others as well)..
Solid 4 stars!
Amy wrote: "I am very interested in Catherine the Great. Planning to read the Winter Palace got Fall Flurries December this year. It’s Listopia for me too. Care to join?"I commented in the thread for the book, as well, but if it's the one by Eva Stachniak (sp?), I've already read it. Enjoy!!!
My list: A year in the life: https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/2...Book #2
Moonwalking with Einstein: The Art and Science of Remembering Everything by Joshua Foer 3 stars
Josh Foer covers the U.S. Memory Championships for a magazine article and he becomes interested in finding out if there are ways he can improve his own memory. He gets a British trainer and begins using mnemonic tricks to help improve his memory. The book doesn't spend a lot of time on these tricks and if you want to learn how to improve your memory this isn't the book for you. The book is more a discussion on how memory works and how it connects to our ability to reason and understand. Each chapter reads more like a magazine article on a different aspect of memory. Despite everything Foer writes I don't see the value of the Memory Championships which involves events such as memorizing a deck of cards as fast as possible and memorizing a string of random numbers. Having to assign each card a specific image and then memorizing that image seems like a lot of work for a skill that won't be very useful. The title of the book is misleading in my opinion since the book has nothing to do with Einstein or moonwalking; it refers to one set of card images that the author memorizes near the end of the book
I have completed by Listopia!!! All reviews are posted earlier in this thread.
I have also completed Listopia! I was thinking that I should post that here so Joni, you prompted me.
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Books mentioned in this topic
Longitude: The True Story of a Lone Genius Who Solved the Greatest Scientific Problem of His Time (other topics)Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood (other topics)
One Hundred Years of Solitude (other topics)
Behind the Beautiful Forevers: Life, Death, and Hope in a Mumbai Undercity (other topics)
Fahrenheit 451 (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Ned Vizzini (other topics)Khaled Hosseini (other topics)
Donna Tartt (other topics)
Julian Barnes (other topics)
Robert Ludlum (other topics)
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2 / 6 books from Listopia read
My Name is Red – Orhan Pamuk – 3***
Set in 16th-century Instanbul, this is a murder mystery, an art history lesson, and a love story all in one. I found it difficult to follow because of Pamuk’s unusual style. Each chapter has a different narrator. When he focuses on the murder and the investigation, the story is quite compelling. However, Pamuk also includes long passages on art, the history of Turkey, and the teachings of Islam. I found these interesting, but felt they interrupted the story arc and sometimes had me scratching my head wondering what I had just missed.
LINK to my review