Challenge: 50 Books discussion
Finish Line 2011
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Faye's 2011 List - 100% Complete
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Simply one of the best books ever. Very deservedly on every top book list.
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History not like a text book; enjoyable read.
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The Iron Thorn Drinking Game: Everytime the adjectives "clockwork," "steam" " brass" are used to ensure the reader is too aware this is a "steampunk" novel, drink. Anytime someone "scrabbles for purchase," " or mentions a dirigible, drink twice. DO NOT drink anytime a jitney is mentioned; we're tryng to have fun here, not get alcohol poisoning. Oh, wait, this is a YA book, we probably shouldn't be drinking... though this book would drive most people to it!
And how could you miss it being a YA book? Take one self-absorbed, moss-green eyed, outsider-type teenage girl with a tendency take on responsibility for fixing all the crap that is not really her fault, mix in one long-term do-gooder guy-friend with a crush and a new supernatural bad boy with eyes of liquid silver. Then send the girl, with the help of the sickeningly loyal dudes on a quest to save her brother. Throw in some stupid, transparent assumptions leading to threes-a-crowd tension. Oh, then make her discover her own supernatural powers!
For once, sticking through a read like this almost pays off near the end when *spolier,* the prissy good guy actually turns out to be a useful ghoul. No really, an actual ghoul - proving the author may have a sense of humour. I smiled for a whole chapter. After that the book proceeds to perfect the set up for the sequel, which I will only be reading if in a truly desperate, remote island type situation.
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This book reminded me of those times you find a great article in a waiting room and kind of regret having to leave the magazine behind when your name does get called, but you have forgotten all about it by the time your routine appointment is over.
Gruesome human interest stories, that didn't always seem to fit so well together, but were well researched and written by a fine storyteller.
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In years past I haven't included my kid's bed time stories in this list, but heh, this one is a little thicker than usual, so why shouldn't it count? It was fun to read and an enjoyable storyline, but we had to have some talking points ~ he's not exactly a role model.
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fascinating and, unfortunately, a lot over my head towards the end
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Some things I liked - lots of narrators and a glimpse into a few viewpoints I hadn't imagined, e.g. the illiterate deaf person that only knows a rare dialect of sign language. The author did a heap of research and the writing seems to span the decades quite well.
However, in some ways it was too shmarmy, if that's a word, to really win me over. Not everyone is a do-goody christian for whom life begins after 70, but that's pretty much the case here, and unfortunately listening top these characters as narrators at times was somewhat nauseating. And of course, everything just wraps up so predictably perfectly, that tears are inevitably jerked.
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I identified with some of this and was grateful to see I wasn't alone... but now I'm afraid of what parts you might think I'm identifying with! Not all of it. I've never had any domestic help, but I wouldn't object to trying it.
I'm with you. The book sounds fun, although I must admit that I used to watch those horder shows to make me feel better about my housekeeping skills.... YIKES!
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Thrilling, fast paced and even somewhat anxiety inducing at times, I can't remember a time when I ever cheered a character on this hard. Excitinga nd scary environment, perfect plot line. On top of all of that, I think this book makes at least one important, relevant and modern point very eloquently.
I'm mentally strumming through my top rated reads, and I think this is better than each of them ~ this is the best book I've ever read. It's got everything and it's fresh.
You might read one of the write ups and figure this sci-fi for video game nerds and those nostalgic for the '80's. While some may market the book that way, it's more than that. You won't need to be a video-game player or goonie fan to love it.
If you read it, let me know what you think.
Okay, so moved it up on the tbr pile, meaning I finally reserved it at the library instead of keeping it moldering on my GR list. I am NEVER getting to all those books I bought when Borders closed - or the ones I bought before the clearance started. And did you know Goodwill sells soft covers for .89?!! This is information I did not need.
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Well, there's no question that Evanovich's got pumping out the bestsellers down to a science, but I wish this one was too transparent to be much of a whodunit.
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It had it's moments. After listening to The Information: A History, A Theory, A Flood earlier this year, the language of flowers as a code was kind of fun.
I think I'm tiring of "women's literature," though. You know, the book club fodder that safely and poetically attempts to jerk tears. My tear ducts are getting callused. Too bad this genre seems so prevalent in library's audio cd collection.
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Well. This book had me fooled. At the beginning there is a prologue that is a glimpse into the future. I basically put it aside, because I generally find prologues to be author-indulgent barriers to the real story, but about 2/3 - 3/4 of the book it was impossible to put out of mind. An incident immediately following the death of a peripheral character brought the prologue to mind and I thought that because of it, I had the whole story figured out from there. And let me tell you, this post was going to be a huge rant about how the prologue destroyed the book. Who wants to read a story that can be completely predicted, with an introspective story arch? Some, I know, but not me.
However, I got it wrong, the prologue does make sense and we got a satisfactory ending anyway ~ not the one I (disgustedly) expected. I almost quit the book I was so convinced the author was going to let me down!
The glimpse into the lives of these impoverished new immigrants was interesting, the plot worked out and there were some good characters in here. This book has one of the best villains, I've encountered in a while - Dog Flea Mama, aka Aunt Paula. So overall, this was decent, but I'm still tired of the genre.
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Solid entry to the young adult paranormal genre. Decently written and entertaining.
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As the muscles in the back of my leg contracted like a elastic being released from around a bundle of love letters, my knee slowly began to rise. It felt like it had taken the weight of a thousand werewolves as the ball of my foot pressed into the leather of my shoe preparing to leave contact with the floor. The floor. The floor that had always been there. Always been there throughout the years when my parents had inhabited the house with me. The floor that had always been hard when I needed it. I wondered if I would ever feel a floor like that again. Sam would have a floor like that. In our home. The home we would make together. The thought made me smile and my gut felt the happy pings of having a floor in the future. With Sam. My foot hovered in the air for a moment. A moment that seemed like eternity as I felt the brushing of my sock gently graze the leg hairs of the calf that was firmly planted on the carpet. The hairs were soft and golden. The brushing tickled them. Not like when I was a werewolf and my hairs were short and bristly. Except by my ears where it was soft and grey. The ball of my foot felt warm and supported as it was placed confidently into the short, grey pile of berber. I wondered if berber were the best kind of carpet available in Minnesota. I'd never felt so alive or so forlorn. If only Sam were here. He'd know what to do.
268 words, just so the character can take one step forward. It's a fun little writing exercise I learned from this book. Try using as many verbs as possible to describe as little action as possible. Do a lot of wondering and feeling. Really fill it out with some superfluous imagery. Fragment. Keep it Christian.
I don't know if I could have dragged out it out for 390 pages, but then again, I wasn't under contractual obligation to torture one adequate book into a trilogy.
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I read this book as a bedtime story to my seven year old. I'd say it's aimed at grade 3 readers. Pretty Dick and Jane, run of the mill adventure. But... having just finished it on the same day I finished Forever, I can't help but compare the two.
In 100 pages, this book has way more interesting plot twists, actually, to be honest, it has way more plot. And it's 290 fewer pages. Is the character development lacking, compared to an adult book or good YA? Heck ya. Completely. But Forever's characters are only slightly more complex.
Should you read this book? Probably not unless you have a seven year old and none of the books you actually want are in stock at the library.
Faye wrote: "34. The Iron ThornThe Iron Thorn Drinking Game: Everytime the adjectives "clockwork," "steam" " brass" are used to ensure the reader is too aware this is a "steampun..."
LOVE this review!
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The Iron Thorn Drinking Game: Everytime the adjectives "clockwork," "steam" " brass" are used to ensure the reader is too aware this..."
Thanks, Chris. I won't lie. The main reason I finished the book was to have the chance to fairly write a review.
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A really well put together plot with interesting characters. I especially loved the crusty scientist, Dr. Annick Swenson. She seemed so lifelike and real; complex, not someone you see in books too often.
Most of the details that seem to drag out the start come back together as valuable ties in the end. However, I agree with some reviewers that it is a slow start and a rushed finish.
A worthy read, and near perfect in many ways, but short of capturing my heart.
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Perhaps a strange edition to add to the list, but I did read it cover to cover. Inspiring and humorous.
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When Ryan Knighton was 18 and I was 14, we both worked at the same restaurant in Suburbia. He and the owner teased me their fair share and I loved it.
When I saw Cockeyed on the Canada Reads 2012 list , I thought, hey, is this that, Ryan? Well, it is!
Reading this was like a one-sided reunion. While for most people this is a "book about a blind guy", albeit a funny one, this was for me a life after Langley coming of age. When he talks about losing his shoe at a concert in Vancouver, I'm thinking, "hey, I remember where I was when Lush played the Commodore!" And on and on it went. We didn't keep in touch after that summer we worked together (I was 14, remember?) but I can hardly believe our paths didn't cross. We drank at the same pub (not while I was 14) and bought cheese at the same deli.
20 years ago Ryan was sharp, witty, poetic and insightful. This book says he still is. And it's worth reading even if he didn't intentionally mix hollandaise into the ash tray while you slaved in the dish pit way back when. Don't ask me, ask the CBC.
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Laugh-out-loud funny, tinged with just enough sarcastic nostalgia"
Hmm. A good concept. Unfortunately, that little twinge of sarcasm that's supposed to make this "optimism for the rest of us" (Vancouver Sun) ruins it. If you're going to write a book ( or a website) about the little things in life worth celebrating, why consistently muck it up with just the tiniest twinge of negativity? It's The Secret for people that enjoy being crusty.
And, it might be humorous, but "laugh out loud funny" is really pushing it.
I think I'm being so harsh here because someone gave me a copy of this intending for it to be pick me up. It's not horrible; it's just not good enough to have been lauded by Heather at Chapters as hard as it was.
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BTW, the Ivy and Bean series is pretty fun if you read to a 7 yo girl.
But you did it without, so props to you! And isn't fun to find someone you knew popping up in public life - for a GOOD reason - especially if they were a good person to start with.
Happy New Year! In for the 2012 challenge?
Challenge: 50 Books
Books mentioned in this topic
Bound to be Bad (other topics)The Secret (other topics)
The Book of Awesome (other topics)
Cockeyed: A Memoir (other topics)
Elizabeth Zimmermann's Knitting Workshop (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Ryan Knighton (other topics)Alan Bradley (other topics)
Margaret Atwood (other topics)
Sarah Waters (other topics)
Sigourney Weaver (other topics)
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The scariest books aren't necessarily the ones with the scary monster. Often they're the ones that you can see actually coming to be.