Challenge: 50 Books discussion
Finish Line 2011
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Hev's Hearty attempt to read 50 books in 2011!
date
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2.
.Still MidnightNot as enjoyable as Garnethill seemed to be too much emphasis on getting the Asian characters right, however still in the great setting of Edinburgh and will still give her other books a go.
3.
The ShiningRead this as was tempted to rejoin a reading group which in the past has been a bit Richard and Judy, and was impressed by their choice of this. It is only the second horror book I have read, coincidentally I read a Richard Laymon last year at the same time-the lead up to Valentines day! The writing was much better, but thought it did tend to drag on a bit in description of things ( especially the boiler!), but this seems to be the way of male writers sometimes. Had lots of things going on, some clever plots and characters, and suspense but thought it dragged on a bit and found my self skipping pages so I could get to the end. I understand from friends who read this in their teens that it was especially chilling, I wouldn't say that but the scenes towards the end, gathered pace and can see how it was made in a film, which I will have to rewatch as can only remember "Here's Johnny" !!
4.
Shadow Sister Found this whilst shelving at work, always nice to get a brand new library book! I was attracted to it because it was by a Dutch thriller writer, and althought Scandinavia seems to be being thrashed around at the moment everywhere, have never read a book by a Dutch author. I really enjoyed it and the suspense and use of the different characters narratives swopping and changing through the chapters left me guessing right until the end whodunnit, will now explore other Dutch crime writers, and her other books.
5.
Help Me, Jacques book:Help Me, Jacques Cousteau
Loved this bok, long time since a book made me laugh out loud, a quirky kinda feel good book, a change from what I normally read, to begin with I was getting dreaded flashbacks of readingLife of Pi, but then it turned into funny observations of a Canadian family, the dry sense of humour and the child's observations were uncanily how I see life, and I felt a link with the narrator. The writing style was also very good, I am even going to read one of her other books nowThe Outlander despite it being historical, another genre I avoid, but hey there is a murder thrown in so should be able to get through it!
6.
Mint Tea and Other StoriesHaven't read short stories for a while, I enjoyed the clever mix of people and settings for these stories
7.
Where the God of Love Hangs Out
Another book of short stories, pretty gritty dissecting the more unpleasant things/not spoken of apsects of love and life, and it's loss.
8.
SisterStarted off really liking this mild thriller, trying to read it in one sitting. The tale of how a sister refuses to give up on her missing sister, you do warm to her through the book but I still found myself finding similarities and sympathies with the missing Tess, the mother is also an interesting character. The book has a good pace as you try to find out the plot but ends rather dissapointedly. Still worth a read but not up there with the greats, it's a Richard and Judy after all!
9.
Tough, Tough Toys for Tough, Tough BoysVile and disturbing, yet interesting, however slightly pretentious, no not my cup of tea!
10.
UnseenI have started at the beginning of this series following my quest for new Scandinavian crime writers, still holding back from Larsson, but will have read them before the year is out! Found this book slightly boring however I am going to get the next in the series before I hold judgement!
11.
Bitter BitchContinuing on my Scandanavian quest, this time a totally different genre about a woman in her mid thirties who decides to go on holiday to Spain leaving her husband and child behind, to find her focus for life again. Reliving events through her childhood and her homelife, whlst also touching on varied feminist questions to life and the role of women, accompanied by quotes from Erica Jong's Fear of Flying, very odd combinations for this Swedish author's debut. I often wonder what gets lost in translation, but look forward to reading further books books by Maria Sveland
12.
Beka LambWas supposed to have read this in '95 as part of Uni course, finally got round to reading it! The politics and culture of Belize seen through a girl's eyes. i wonder what the story would be like if written today.
13.
Newjack: A Year as a Prison Guard in New York’s Most Infamous Maximum Security Jailthis book infuriated me as it was written by a journalist who was undercover, who had no intention of working in the jail for very long, although he did highlight how difficult the job was for the Correction Officers in Sing Sing Prison, he undermined his colleagues and prisoners by being a fake, like secret millionaire but nobody got any money, and no lives/conditions were improved.
15.
The DogDull, dull, dull! This book has prompted to me abandon my quest around the desolate and cold landscapes of Scandinavia and travel to American writing, Slouching Towards Bethlehem, however delving into Polish tranvestite world at the same time, should make for an interesting journey!Lovetown
16.
LovetownWell, was unaware I had just read the first Polish Gay Novel until I read the translators notes, think they should have been at the start as would have shed a bit more light on the various tales of female dressing gay crusiers of post communism, an eyeopener, not for the homophobic!
17.
SumA very interesting book which is a combination of fiction, fantasy, science and theology, at some points had to just take a break, although each short story is only 2 or 3 pages long, they condense many concepts to grasp, at times I found myself questioning was I intelligent enough to read it?! Recommended to all as it will be unlike anything else you have ever read, but take it steady!
18.
The Worm in the BudWasn't overly impressed by this run of the mill crime novel, however it has always been well recommended, going to try a few more in series before pass judgement!
19.
The Great Gatsby; "Whenever you feel like critiscising anyone, 'he told me, 'just remember that all the people in this world haven't had the advantages that you've had. " This is exactly how my father has brought me up, and something that should resonate with anyone regardless of their status. The quote is from the first page, and I enjoyed this book from start to finish. Reminding me of the greatness of well writen books, which can transport us to another place, in another time and totally engulf yourself in it's pages-beautiful, a much needed respite!
20.
The Day of the TriffidsTried a sci fi classic after being inspired to read more classics after Gatsby. Was impreseed and will now read John Wyndham's other books, and maybe even some more sci-fi, although I will admit I am really going out of my comfort zone!
21.
The OutlanderWell this was as grueling a journey to get through and read as was 'the widow's'!Much preferred Help Me, Jacques Cousteau. This book had far too much description of scenery in it, at times I was having flashbacks to the tedious The Dog!
23.
The OutsiderFirst time to read a classic originally written in French, in the setting of Algeria of which I know nothing about either. The book seemed to drag a little until the final chapter where we then see the philosophical writting of Camus, as Meursault faces his fate and you can then start to like him, refusing to accept the help of the chaplain even as he faces death. The added letter of explanation of Camus also helps to understand what he was getting at with this book and why it was called the Outsider or L'Etranger. "Meursault doesn't play the game. The answer is simple:he refuses to lie.Lying is not only saying what isn't true. It is also, in fact especially, saying more than one feels. We all do it, every day, to make life simpler. But contrary to appearances, Meursault doesn't want to make life simpler. He says what he is, he refuses to hide his feelings and society immediately feels threatened." Go Meursault!
24.
The End of the Wasp SeasonBetter than Still Midnight but didnt enjoy as much as Garnethill, dragged on a bit although the plot was quite clever, too much public school for me!
26.
Evil at Heart Enjoyed this, seemed a bit more gory than the others but not as well written. Still look forward to the next one though, this has rejuvinated my love of serial killer crime novels, and after the last few books I have read, was light relief, despite being downright sick!!!
27.
Ice MoonThis was a slow starter but really enjoyed it, German writer but set in Finland. Apparently he is married to a Finn hence the setting and his knowledge. Am going to order the next in the series straight away!
29.
SilenceEnjoyed this second book in the Kimmo Joentaa series, going to get next one, but would help if I knew how to pronounce Finnish names, next quest!!
I need to check out JCW's books. As a Finn, I'm very interested in how foreigners view our culture. :)
30.
The Night SeasonThought I wouldn't enjoy this as Archie is no longer in pursuitof Gretchen, however Susan reappears, major flooding and a killer who uses sea creatures as his weapon, read it in one sitting!!
Challenge: 50 Books
Books mentioned in this topic
You Deserve Nothing (other topics)Cell 8 (other topics)
Dancer from the Dance (other topics)
Miss Garnet's Angel (other topics)
Le Bal & Snow in Autumn (other topics)
More...
Wanted to read this as inspired by all the Norwegian and Swedish writers I have been reading, and No I haven't read the Girl with Dragon Tattoo yet! I definitely want to visit soon and absorb the ambiance, but not get murdered!