Which LIST book did you just finish? Showing 4,701-4,750 of 7,922

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

This might say something about my liking for romance novels. My review of list book: The Princesse de Clèves

http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

[Julia]

Riona wrote: "I just finished Cloud Atlas and was blown away. I'm shocked that it's not more well-known for how good it is. I wrote a very detailed, glowing review if anyone is interested - I enjoye..."

Oh cool - this one is on my to read list (and to buy list). Will maybe make it my next buy then ... :)

[Max]

@Julia - rush out and buy Cloud Atlas right away - it is one of my favourite books of all time and such an amazing read. Enjoy!

[Lisa]

I just finished The Poisonwood Bible, & LOVED it! I could relate better to the book because a dear friend of mine actually did live in Zaire with a mission back during the early-mid 1970's, & her tales were spot on to the story this book tells, so it is indeed authentic to the time period & the living conditions, not to mention the people themselves.

[Julia]

Riona wrote: "Max wrote: "@Julia - rush out and buy Cloud Atlas right away - it is one of my favourite books of all time and such an amazing read. Enjoy!"

Yes! You really have to. I just found out the Wachowski..."

Thanks Riona and Max - will do!!!

[Gini]

Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "I don't like romance. Price and Prejudice was flat and uninteresting. Yes, I've read other books of the period and some even earlier. I'll probably try others, but I prefer Victorian literature."

Honestly, I wasn't trying to challenge you or anything, I was just curious whether there was a unifying theme to those who dislike it. But apparently it's very individual. Some people think Thomas Hardy is the most amazing writer ever, while I find him only just readable.

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

No, Gini, you were fair in asking. Sorry if my answer sounded defensive/aggressive or that I was offended. I simply don't like Jane Austen, and, while I know she's immensely popular, can't for the life of me figure out why it should be so. You've said why you like her which is a lot more than most who do. Yes, readers are different from each other, which is perhaps why this eclectic 1001 books list appeals to so many.

[Bucket]

Gini wrote: "Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "I read Pride and Prejudice several years ago. On that basis, I won't be reading any more Jane Austen. "

I'm such an Austenophile that it amazes me to hear people say the..."

I definitely thought parts of it were funny - when Austen is describing the characters she doesn't take seriously like Collins. However, I got extremely bored with the characters she does take seriously (Elizabeth, Darcy, Jane). I thought they were just as ridiculous as the rest of the characters, but Austen wasn't making fun of them. So I was bored out of my mind by the mundane details of Darcy and Elizabeth's relationship torments - I just didn't care to take their relationship seriously.

I don't think it's Austen's style I have a problem with. Like I said, I agree there are very funny moments, especially towards the beginning of the book. It's more the content that I didn't enjoy, along with Austen's tendency to detail the minutiae of everything when she is taking events/characters seriously.

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

Oh, and if you like humor, try Trollope. His names are a hoot. Sir very rich minor royalty is called Damask Monogram. Or the not very quick legal firm is that of the Mssrs. Slow and Bideawhile.

[Bucket]

I will finish Home by Marilynne Robinson today and I just found out it's on the list - 2010 version anyway. While it's an amazing book, I don't get why it's on the list instead of Gilead. They're both amazing, but Gilead is clearly at least equal and in my opinion and the opinions of most people I've read reviews from Gilead is the superior book. I can only guess that our friend Mr. Boxall read Home and loved it when it came out in 2008 but never bothered to go back and read Gilead.

[Sissy]

Riona wrote: "I just finished Cloud Atlas and was blown away. I'm shocked that it's not more well-known for how good it is. I wrote a very detailed, glowing review if anyone is interested - I enjoye..."

I haven't read Cloud Atlas yet but managed to get ahold of his more recent Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet - which was really good, and made me more eager to read Cloud Atlas. I could imagine Thousand Autumns making it on to the list eventually.

[Julia]

Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "No, Gini, you were fair in asking. Sorry if my answer sounded defensive/aggressive or that I was offended. I simply don't like Jane Austen, and, while I know she's immensely popular, can't for the ..."

I'm with you - I'm not a Jane Austen fan ... :)

[Namida...]

i just finished Orlando for Virginia Woolf ...so far it's 4 books for her and she can't cease to amaze me. i found this one different from the rest even though it's the same stream of consciousness style as Mrs Dalloway and To The Lighthouse, it's more funny and realistic (even with the man/woman transition thing), but i personally don't think anyone just starting with Woolf's works should pick it up first; just won't be as enjoyable

[Bea]

Flaubert's Parrot by Julian Barnes.

Having just finished a re-read of Madame Bovary, I picked up this one. It was a perfect segue, sort of a combined biography of Flaubert and musings of the author on the human condition. I really enjoyed it, largely for all the tastey Flaubert quotes from his letters and other writings. But Barnes has a flair for the mot juste himself and the narrator, a retired doctor and amateur Flaubert detective, is entertaining too. Don't go into it expecting a plot and you will probably enjoy the ride. Four stars.

[Gini]

Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "Oh, and if you like humor, try Trollope. His names are a hoot. Sir very rich minor royalty is called Damask Monogram. Or the not very quick legal firm is that of the Mssrs. Slow and Bideawhile."

Those are great names. I've been meaning to get to Trollope, but I have a pile of borrowed books that I must plow through so that I can return them to their rightful homes.

What I do know about Trollope is his unique writing style. He awoke at 4am every morning and wrote for two hours before leaving for his day job. If in those two hours he happened to write "The End," he simply pulled that last page of the book out of his typewriter, rolled in the next page, and started a new book. That's dedication!

[Gini]

Bucket wrote: "It's more the content that I didn't enjoy, along with Austen's tendency to detail the minutiae of everything when she is taking events/characters seriously. "

I can understand that. The abundant detail is not to everyone's taste--which is why I love The Lord of the Rings and reread it regularly, while my husband wouldn't reread it on a bet. I live for all that detail-y stuff. But it's not for everyone.

[Chuck]

Just finished The Corrections. I thorougly enjoyed squirming through the entire novel. Franzen is truly masterful at allowing the truth of these character's shine through layers of self-deception, shame, and defensiveness. They are human, indeed. For my money, qualifies to be added to the pantheon of Great American Novels. Here is the link to The Corrections

[Robin]

Finally I finished Roth's American Pastoral. I can't say I enjoyed it, but I do appreciate and respect him. Now I'm off to choose one of the library books I picked up from the list. I'm trying to save money but I'm thoroughly squeamish about reading library books. Wish me luck. May the force be with me, instead of my OCD!

[Judith]

The Sea, The Sea by Iris Murdoch

Quite memorable!

[Lisa]

Just finished War of the Worlds & Invisible Man by Wells. Only ONE comment from me, LOL. The movies were better :)

[Kate S]

Just finished Middlesex, I certainly enjoyed it.

[Bucket]

Gini wrote: "Bucket wrote: "It's more the content that I didn't enjoy, along with Austen's tendency to detail the minutiae of everything when she is taking events/characters seriously. "

I can understand that...."

I actually love abundant detail - Charles Dickens is a major favorite of mine, and I loved The Once and Future King. But what Dickens takes seriously and describes in detail, I also take seriously. And T.H. White describes in detail with whimsy that I also appreciate. Austen's detail bugs me because she takes seriously things like going over Elizabeth's conversation with Darcy in the garden, and I thought the whole convo was absurd.

Anyway, it's great to disagree about books - and debating is a wonderful way to make sure everyone is more entrenched in their own viewpoint! :) Thanks for having the conversation, Gini!

[Robin]

I just finished Carol Shields' Unless. I thought The Stone Diaries was heftier and really completed her purpose. Unless is good, but needed more weight, I felt.

[Julia]

Kate S wrote: "Just finished Middlesex, I certainly enjoyed it."

Yes, yes, yes!! :)

[Gini]

Bucket wrote: "Gini wrote: "Bucket wrote: "It's more the content that I didn't enjoy, along with Austen's tendency to detail the minutiae of everything when she is taking events/characters seriously. "

I can u..."

It's been interesting! I'm always fascinated by what makes a book loved by some and hated by others, but I can seldom find a "common denominator." Taste is just a really subtle thing. Thanks for taking the time to consider!

[Judith]

"A Pale View of Hills" by Ishiguro

A sad and realistic one, interestingly presented.

[Lisa]

The English Patient, which also won the Booker in 1992. A lovely, lovely book! My review is at http://anzlitlovers.wordpress.com/201...

[Judith]

Robin wrote: "I just finished Carol Shields' Unless. I thought The Stone Diaries was heftier and really completed her purpose. Unless is good, but needed more weight, I felt."

I felt the same way about Shields' two books on the list, Robin. So many people have praised "Unless" that I sometimes think I should re-read it because I must have missed some gravitas!

[Mikela]

Just finished The Thin Man. I think the title is very appropriate as I found the book just a little too thin on substance. On the whole it was a quick entertaining read but much prefer Chandler's Marlowe.

[Robin]

Judith wrote: "Robin wrote: "I just finished Carol Shields' Unless. I thought The Stone Diaries was heftier and really completed her purpose. Unless is good, but needed more weight, I felt."

I felt the same way ..."

It hints at it. It's a Good Feminist Book, I'd say, but as a feminist in the 21st century, I need more than that. I loved the read, just wanted More.

[Robin]

I just finished "Invisible". What a great writer. I was disappointed by the last 20-30 pages, but other than that it was an almost perfect book for me.

[J_BlueFlower]

I finished The Island of Dr. Moreau by HG Wells. I have read The Time Machine and The Invisible Man as well. Liked the The Invisible Man best, but all of them are lasting classics. Now I have 10% of the 1800s books.

[Maggie]

I finished Murder Must Advertise by Dorothy L. Sayers. The mystery itself is almost a side-issue, the real joy of the book lies in the descriptions of the advertising industry.

[Rusty]

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time
by Mark Haddon

[El]

Finished Middlemarch last week. Enjoyed it, but still happy to be done with it.

[Julia]

Rusty wrote: "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time
by Mark Haddon"

What did you think of it?

[Yrinsyde]

Finished Kavalier and Clay last weekend - I enjoyed it and it certainly tied in with reading The Watchmen (which I have nearly finished). I just finished reading Brave New World - wow, what a powerful ending. I enjoyed reading that too - gave me lots to think about - especially in regard to the pursuit of happiness at all costs ...

[MichelleCH]

Robin wrote: "I'm a huge fan of Henry James and just finished Daisy Miller. A sweet read that took just a couple of hours. Ah, what next?? This was my 8th book this week, I believe."
Wow Robin! That is great...I need less work, more reading!

[Jennifer W]

Tonight I finished Professor Martens' Departure. I enjoyed it.

[laut]

I finished White Teeth

Couldn't stand the beginning, really enjoyed the ending. Was very strange.

[Jenna]

I read The Elegance of the Hedgehog and The Catcher in the Rye in the last week

I think I should have read Catcher in the Rye in my teens but I really enjoyed The Elegance of the Hedgehog

[Judith]

Jennifer W wrote: "Tonight I finished Professor Martens' Departure. I enjoyed it."

Is this one on the list?

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

Judith wrote: "Jennifer W wrote: "Tonight I finished Professor Martens' Departure. I enjoyed it."

Is this one on the list?"

Added to the 2006 list.

[Sandi]

The only book from Estonia that's on the list, I believe.

[whimsicalmeerkat]

The Long Goodbye by Raymond Chandler

[Lauli]

Lord of the Flies. I'm awestruck. Horrifyingly beautiful.

[Deanne]

Finished A Dry White Season by Brink, a description of life during the apartheid years in South Africa.

[Julia]

Deanne wrote: "Finished A Dry White Season by Brink, a description of life during the apartheid years in South Africa."

Hi Deanne - I'm South African. What did you think of this book?

[Susanna]

Just finished The Quiet American . I did not expect to like the book at all. There was something in his style that appeals to me. My first Greene, btw. I'll definitely be reading more of his work.

[Robin]

I just finished "Oscar Wao" and so enjoyed it. What a funny read, and touching, and such a unique voice - like hip hop language and high intellectualism, very hip.