Ian's A- Z Challenge 2011

[Ian, Moderator]

Summer Pasta - might try that tomorrow as I have an excess of lemons to use up. Could be a cooking day as I was already planning to make the page 66 lemon cheescakes anyway

[Helen]

On page 50? That does look nice. I must have a go at some of them over the summer.

[Ian, Moderator]

Cheescakes made - still page 66 - same menu as the mushroom risotto.

And on the subject of my A-Z am now reading Intimacy by Hanif Kureishi for my K. Not in the mood for The Lacuna yet.

[Helen]

We'll all have to pop round for tea!

[Ian, Moderator]

All welcome - btw am reading by Arnaldur Indriðason which is also known as Jar City in some editions. As this is now my I author, I'll just have Y to go

[Ian, Moderator]

Well that's my 2011 A to Z done and dusted. Just finisshed my last one which was Toby Young. Disappointing end as it was really poor......but here's the full list

A - Case Histories by Kate Atkinson - April - 4 stars
B - The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown - January - 1 star
C - Heart of Darkness by Jospeh Conrad - March - 3 stars
D - Room by Emma Donoghue - March - 4 stars
E - The Communist Manifesto - by Karl Marx and Freidrich Engels - May - 3 stars
F - The Blasphemer by Nigel Farndale - March - 2 stars
G - The Confession by John Grisham - July - 3 stars
H - Mister Chartwell by Rebecca Hunt - June - 4 stars
I - Jar City/Tainted Blood by Indridur Indridason - July - 2 stars
J - The Rapture by Liz Jensen - May - 3 stars
K - Intimacy - Hanif Kureishi - July - 1 star
L - Sister by Rosamund Lupton - February - 4 stars
M - The Prince by Niccolo Machiavelli - March - 3 stars
N - The Devil's Star by Jo Nesbo - February - 4 stars
O - 30 Minute Meals - Jamie Oliver - June - 4 stars
P - The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath - April - 5 stars
Q - After Dachau by Daniel Quinn - May - 2 stars
R - 44 Years withe the Same Bird - Brian Reade - March - 5 stars
S - Dry Season by Dan Smith - May - 5 stars
T - Trespass by Rose Tremain - February - 2 stars
U - Bad Penny Blues by Cathi Unsworth - May - 3 stars
V - Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese - July - 5 stars
W - Tamburlaine Must Die - Louise Welsh - June - 2 stars
X - Death of a Red Heroine by Qiu Xiaolong - July - 3 stars
Y - How to Lose Friends and Alienate People - Toby Young - August - 1 star
Z - The Warsaw Anagrams - Richard Zimler - May - 4 stars

All fully reviewed by yours truly if you are desperate to know more - lol

[Susan]

Congratulations Ian....that's some achievement....which one was your favourite?

[Ian, Moderator]

Thanks Susan.....the best by a distance was Abraham Verghese's Cutting for Stone followed by our friend Dan Smith's Dry Season

[Susan]

I've been thinking about Cutting for Stone, I'm always hearing good things about it.
I agree about Dry Season....I would have given it 5 stars except for one incident in the plot, near the end.
I have his latest book on my iPad, and as a bonus it will fit into my around the world challenge.
I hope he gets the recognition he deserves....I thought his book was much better than some of the 'best sellers', I've read in the last few years.

[Helen]

Ooh Susan you are making me want spoilers! Congrats Ian, I'm still repeating letters!

[Lynne - The Book Squirrel]

Well done Ian - great list too!

[Em]

Susan wrote: "I've been thinking about Cutting for Stone, I'm always hearing good things about it.
I agree about Dry Season....I would have given it 5 stars except for one incident in the plot, near the end.
I h..."

I would also recommend Cutting for Stone Susan, definitely worth bringing it forward on your to read list - It is my second favourite of the year but that's only because I read and fell in love with David Copperfield after years of being a Dickens-a-phobe!

Congrats Ian.

[Susan]

I think I shall have to buy Cutting for Stone soon, it's a pity I've already done V on my A to Z!

I've read my way through Dickens twice....a couple three times, but whenever anyone writes that they have loved one of his books, I really want to read some of them again.
I haven't read Pickwick Papers....perhaps I'll give it a try

[Ian, Moderator]

Thanks Lynne and Em - I shall start again on an A to Z in 2012 - concentrating on sailing the seven seas for the rest of the year.....maybe Dickens next year.....I am also a bit phobic in that area - hate all the dramatisations/films, so just not tempted to go back to source