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"As Gregor Samsa awoke one morning from uneasy dreams he found himself transformed in his bed into a gigantic insect." - The Metamorphosis by Franz KafkaAn unpleasant awakening.
"Before beginning this story proper, a story which has its fictional feet firmly on the ground, it is worth taking a moment to look upwards, high above the teeming masses of rush-hour London where most of this story is set," Gridlock by Ben EltonLooking forward to this one and some good laughter.
"When I am asked, "Why did you go to Ethiopia?" I find it impossible to give a short, clear answer." - In Ethiopia with a Mule by Dervla MurphyWell Dervla, I actually want the longer answer, and I know clarity won't be a problem.
"Was there really any reason for him to be so anxious?" - Tropic Moon by Georges SimenonFirst book by Simenon not featuring Maigret.
"1801 - I have just returned from a visit to my landlord - the solitary neighbour that I shall be troubled with." - Wuthering Heights by Emily BrontëYes, just like I remember from my first read, lots of anti-social characters in this one.
"Frans Balder always thought of himself as a lousy father." - The Girl in the Spider's Web by David LagercrantzMr Lagercrantz is stepping into big boots here.
Mod
Streams of consciousness is not my preferred format, but at least this is relatively short. I enjoyed Your Ad Could Go Here: Stories by the same author, so have some hope.
Mod
Yes, just like I rem..."
I gave up on this one, so good luck!
Carolien wrote: "Wayne wrote: ""1801 - I have just returned from a visit to my landlord - the solitary neighbour that I shall be troubled with." - Wuthering Heights by Emily BrontëYes, j..."
I pushed through, but I realise it can be a very difficult read with all the difficult characters. I gave it four stars (3,5 actually), but I was not surprised to learn that it was rejected at first.
Carolien wrote: ""Not today, she says to herself."- Fieldwork in Ukrainian Sex Streams of consciousness is not my preferred format, but at least this is relatively short. I enjoyed [book:Your Ad Co..."
Will be looking out for your views on this one.
"When a bell somewhere rang twice, the prisoner was sitting on his bunk with his two large hands clasped about his folded knees." - A Man's Head by Georges SimenonBack to Maigret, and my third Simenon in this quarter.
"You don't know about me without you have read a book by the name of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer; but that ain't no matter." - The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn - Mark TwainI have read the Adventures of Tom Sawyer, and in fact have read about your adventures too already, so please to meet up with you again.
"All nights should be so dark, all winters so warm, all headlights so dazzling." - Gorky Park by Martin Cruz SmithAnother first-time author for me.
"I had desired to visit the Hebrides, or Western Islands of Scotland, for so long, that I scarcely remembered how the wish was originally excited; and was in the Autumn of the year 1773 induced to undertake the journey, by finding in Mr Boswell a companion, whose acuteness would my inquiry, and whose gaiety of conversation and civility of manners are sufficient to counteract the inconveniencies of travel, in countries less hospitable than we have passed." - A Journey to the Western Islands of Scotland and The Journal of a Tour to the Hebrides by Samuel JohnsonLooking forward to learn what Scotland was like in the latter part of the 18th century.
TGIF Morning Drive Time News:
Though several residents of the Ang Mo Kio Housing Development Board block of flats heard a loud crash sometime after midnight early Friday morning, none of them made their way downstairs to investigate." - Aunty Lee's Deadly Specials by Ovidia Yu
I enjoyed the first instalment, hoping for more of the same.
"Detective Chief Inspector Michael Matlock watched himself with the queasy distaste that always overtook him when he was required to review his media appearances." - Identity Crisis by Ben EltonBen Elton has always delivered, so looking forward to some good laughs and niggling questions to self.
"Al-Sayyid Ahmad al-Jawad closed the door behind him and crossed the courtyard of his house by the pale light of the stars" - Palace of Desire by Naguib MahfouzOld habits die hard, they say.
"Dr Johnson had for many years given me hopes that we should go together, and visit the Hebrides." - The Journal of a Tour to the Hebrides with Samuel Johnson, LL.D. by James BoswellLet us hear from the sharp-minded, friendly and polite Mr. Boswell.
"The secret is how to die." - The Lost Symbol by Dan BrownA option available to the fortunate or desperate?
"On the island in the Moluccas there were a few islands left from the great days of spice growing and 'spice parks' - a few only." - The Ten Thousand Things by Maria DermoûtI am looking forward to this one.
"In the corner of a first-class smoking carriage, Mr Justice Wargrave, lately retired from the bench, puffed at a cigar and ran an interested eye through the political news of the times." - And Then There Were None by Agatha ChristieI read this about '80/81 under the original title, but cannot remember much apart. Let me see if it comes back as I read.
Mod
This looks amazing! I have to add it to the list.
"Sunday afternoon was clear, and the snow-covered prairie sparkled in the sunshine." - These Happy Golden Years by Laura Ingalls WilderOnto #8 in the series.
"One night when she was four and sleeping in the bottom bunk of her bunk bed, Ruth Cole woke to the sound of love-making - it was coming from her parents' bedroom." - A Widow for One Year by John IrvingInteresting start from an author who is yet to disappoint.
"I was driving alone, on a moonless night, along the rim of the vast desert known as the Empty Quarter." - Baghdad Without a Map and Other Misadventures in Arabia by Tony HorwitzLet me accompany Mr Horwitz into Iraq.
"These things are there." - Possession by A.S. ByattAn interesting start, a sentence from a work of a fictitious poet. Not surprising though, since the male protagonist is based on a Victorian poet. According to the clever people online, either Robert Browning or Alfred Tennyson.
"The first time Ceasar approached Cora about running north, she said no." - The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead.Another one that has been lurking on the shelf for a while.
"The pickup bucked and heaved as it bounced over the scraggy greasewood." - People of the Wolf by W. Michael Gear and Kathleen O'Neal GearMust admit I expected the heaving to come from a mastodon, but maybe it is still coming.
"Start with a blank surface." - Duma Key by Stephen KingThis one has been on the TBR shelf for a long time.
"When I stepped out into the bright sunlight from the darkness of the movie house, I had only two things on my mind: Paul Newman and a ride home." The Outsiders by S.E. HintonSaw the movie in 1985 I think.
Mod
Well, let's find out who the person is.
"Stately, plump Buck Mulligan came from the stairhead, bearing a bowl of lather on which a mirror and razor lay crossed." - Ulysses by James JoyceI am just a little apprehensive of this book.
Mod
I am just a little app..."
Just a little? Good luck with this one, Wayne!
"On the morning it all started, I woke and sat in one movement." - The Native Commissioner by Shaun JohnsonMmmm, not so sure about this.
"Once upon a memory, at the far end of the Mediterranean Sea, there lay an island so beautiful and blue that the many travellers, pilgrims, crusaders and merchants who fell in love with it either wanted never to leave or tried to tow it with hemp ropes all the way back to their own countries." - The Island of Missing Trees by Elif ShafakI wanted to read The Bastard of Istanbul first, but this also looks an interesting prospect.
" 'Take one hundred people' said Isabel." - The Careful Use Of Compliments by Alexander McCall SmithIt's been awhile since I spent time with Miss Dalhousie.
Mod
Enjoy, I loved it, but the fig tree takes getting used to.
Carolien wrote: "Wayne wrote: ""Once upon a memory, at the far end of the Mediterranean Sea, there lay an island so beautiful and blue that the many travellers, pilgrims, crusaders and merchants who fell in love wi..."It is early days yet, so do not know how that thread evolve, but I suspect it might have issues. Then again, I will have issues if a lowly apple gets all my shine, erroneously nogal, and my leaves are relegated, briefly, to be used as bikinis and jockeys.
""Here is an account 0f a few years in the life of Quoyle, born in Brooklyn and raised in a shuffle of dreary upstate towns." - The Shipping News by Annie ProulxLooking forward to this reread.
"Nobody runs in Japan." - The Flower Master by Sujata MasseyHayibo mme, you'd better explain yourself.
"The unusual events described in this chronicle occurred in 194- at Oran." - The Plague by Albert CamusAnother one that has been in my sights for a while.
"-------. July ---, 2002, 10 p.m." - Guantánamo DiaryThe dashes between the quotation marks represent redacted text. No freedom of expression from the land of the free.
"The South-Easter lifted the smell of pig manure spread across farms in Philippi, crossed Lansdowne Road and dumped it like a wet poep over Hanover Park." - What Will People Say? by Rehana RossouwHa, the south-easterly wind is known as the Cape Doctor because presumably it clears the Cape Peninsula of pollution.
" On Friday, 12 June, I woke up at 6 o'clock and no wonder; it was my birthday." - The Diary of Anne Frank by Anne FrankI have been postponing this read for long enough now.
"Friday, 7 November." - The Yellow Dog by Georges SimenonLate autumn in Maigret's world, so I suspect it is going to be windy, chilly with lots of rain.
Mod
I have been postponing this read for long enough ..."
It's been on my TBR for about 10 years...
Carolien wrote: "Wayne wrote: "" On Friday, 12 June, I woke up at 6 o'clock and no wonder; it was my birthday." - The Diary of Anne Frank by Anne FrankI have been postponing this read fo..."
In my case, I think I subconsciously kept putting it off because I knew the sad end.
"Before the reader is introduced to the modest county medical practitioner who is to be the chief personage of the following tale, it will be well that he should be made acquainted with some particulars as to the locality in which, and the neighbours among whom, our doctor followed his profession," - Doctor Thorne by Anthony TrollopeI have read the first chapter, and know I will not be disappointed with the rest of it.
SA Book & Challenge Lovers
Books mentioned in this topic
The Three-Body Problem (other topics)Lords and Ladies (other topics)
Wyrd Sisters (other topics)
Wyrd Sisters (other topics)
Finders Keepers (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Liu Cixin (other topics)Terry Pratchett (other topics)
Terry Pratchett (other topics)
Stephen King (other topics)
Agatha Christie (other topics)
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My first story by Gogol, although I have read many books where his works cropped up.