Norabelle's books for 2010

Snak75 Books Challenge for 2010

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Norabelle's books for 2010

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1norabelle414
jan 1, 2010, 7:13 am

Happy New Year!

For the past couple years I have read about 58 books per year. Things are definitely going to change this year, however, because I will be graduating from college in May and going out into the real world.

I don't know if this change is going to result in reading a greater or fewer number of books, but I chose to be ambitious and join this group instead of the 50 book challenge. Maybe this will be my year to actually complete it!

My New Year's resolution is to make some kind of dent in my "owned but not read" pile. This pile is currently at 181 books. Let's see how far I get!

2alcottacre
jan 1, 2010, 7:19 am

Glad to see you back with us for another year!

3Apolline
jan 1, 2010, 7:35 am

Happy new year! Good luck with your readingambitions for 2010 and with your graduation. I know it can be a few stressful months, but you'll get there in the end. Keep up the good work, and it will all be worth it!

4drneutron
jan 1, 2010, 11:26 am

Welcome!

5AndreaBurke
jan 2, 2010, 1:59 am

I graduated in 08 and I read more in 2009 than ever before, largely because I didn't have classes to worry about. What are you studying?

6norabelle414
jan 2, 2010, 2:52 am

I'm graduating with a BS in Genetics, but I don't know what I want to do with it yet so I am most likely going to join the Peace Corps for a few years.

7norabelle414
jan 15, 2010, 2:23 pm

Book #1: The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie by Muriel Spark

This was short and I liked it, but I felt like it could've been a little longer. I wanted some more.

8alcottacre
jan 15, 2010, 5:53 pm

Muriel Spark is an author worth seeking out. If you can find a copy of her autobiography Curriculum Vitae, I recommend it.

9norabelle414
jan 23, 2010, 1:47 pm

Book #2: Dewey by Vicki Myron

Made me miss having a cat so much. And going to the library.

To Read collection is currently at 182. Oops! I'm in the middle of a couple big fat ones now, though, so it should be going faster soon.

10dk_phoenix
jan 24, 2010, 9:10 pm

Aww, I can't wait to read Dewey. It's in a pile next to my computer here, waiting for me to pick it up...

11norabelle414
feb 24, 2010, 5:10 pm

So it turns out this semester is not so conducive to reading. But in my defense these are both whoppers of books.

Book #3: The Return of the King by J. R. R. Tolkien

I even read the appendices too! I can't believe the movies left out the whole last several chapters of the book (when they go back to the shire) because that was totally my favorite part!

Book #4: The Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood

Good and interesting, but a little hard to follow. It reminded me a lot of Atonement, but it was less straightforward and thus a little harder to get through.

12FAMeulstee
feb 24, 2010, 5:52 pm

> 11
That was my problem with the movie too!

13norabelle414
mar 2, 2010, 9:44 am

Book #5: Ender's Shadow by Orson Scott Card

Of course I've read this a million times, but I've never made it through the other books in the parallel series, so I'm setting myself up to read those, hopefully this summer.

14norabelle414
Redigeret: jan 11, 2011, 9:13 am

Book #6: Run by Ann Patchett

Absolutely spectacular. I inhaled this book. I started it on the bus Tuesday morning, just for something to do, and I ended up reading almost half of it in just one day.

The "summer reading" book I had to read before my freshman year of college was Truth and Beauty. While I liked Ms. Patchett a lot as a person, I wasn't really fond of the book and put off reading anything else by her for several years. That was a HUGE mistake. Both this and Bel Canto were simply amazing. Her character development is some of the best I've ever read; she takes such care with even the smallest character. I really, really recommend this book.

15alcottacre
mar 5, 2010, 12:43 am

#14: I have also enjoyed Bel Canto and Run. I am glad to see that you liked them as well.

16norabelle414
mar 13, 2010, 11:19 am

Book #7: Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman

I don't ALWAYS like Gaiman's work, but I really loved this one. He definitely knows how to come up with some interesting characters.

17dk_phoenix
mar 13, 2010, 10:30 pm

I've been meaning to get my hands of a copy of Neverwhere for the longest time... I've heard nothing but good things about it!

18alcottacre
mar 14, 2010, 3:41 am

#16: I liked that one a lot, too. Glad to see it has another fan.

19willowsmom
mar 16, 2010, 8:04 pm

#16: Agreed! I actually saw the BBC miniseries adaptation of Neverwhere first...it was pretty good. Not as good as the book, of course, but still quite entertaining.

20norabelle414
mar 17, 2010, 12:13 am

According to the info in the back of the book, the BBC miniseries came first, and the book was adapted to it. That's not something you see every day.

21norabelle414
mar 21, 2010, 4:14 pm

Book #7: The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan

Interesting, definitely good, but nothing groundbreaking. I had a little trouble keeping the characters straight, I wish I had taken notes while reading.

To Read pile is currently at 177.

22alcottacre
mar 22, 2010, 12:42 am

#21: To Read pile is currently at 177.

I wish mine were that small!

23norabelle414
mar 25, 2010, 9:52 am

book #8: Matchless by Gregory Maguire

I won this through Early Reviewers.

I actually heard this story in its original form, read by the author on NPR at Christmastime last year.

The story is beautiful and, as we have grown to expect from Gregory Maguire, really well adapted and true to its original form, but expanded and embellished.

On par with the story in this collector's edition are the illustrations. The beautiful drawings are printed in circles surrounded by a dark green background. The words on the other side are centered, so they appear to be encircled as well. Hopefully this was deliberate, because the effect is beautiful.

The story is short and heartwrenching and sweet. As it says in the back of the book, the story is meant to be read out loud. The combination of this and the visual appeal of the book itself makes it absolutely perfect as a Christmas gift, especially for a family who can read it to each other every Christmas.

24alcottacre
mar 25, 2010, 10:24 am

#23: That one looks good. I will have to see if my local library has a copy. Thanks for the recommendation!

25norabelle414
mar 25, 2010, 11:25 am

#24: I would say, unless you're going to buy it as a keepsake or read it to a child, you might be better off listening to it, because it was meant to be read aloud. You can listen here:

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=98143170

(I hate audiobooks and even I like to listen to it every once in awhile)

26alcottacre
mar 25, 2010, 11:26 am

#25: Thanks for the link!

27RosyLibrarian
mar 26, 2010, 1:35 am

23: I have always wanted to like Gregory Maguire. His ideas for his novels are so interesting and then when I read them...I just can't get into his characters. But, I really love audio books and I'm not ready to give up just yet. Perhaps this will do the trick. Thanks for the link!

28norabelle414
Redigeret: apr 7, 2010, 12:43 pm

Book #9: Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett

I've had this for awhile, I think what kept me from reading it sooner was the mistaken assumption that it was in the Discworld series (which I am trying to read in order).

It's not, it's just fabulous. As much as I liked this book, however, I'm pretty sure my favorite part was at the end when each author wrote a bit about the other. It reminded me of The Salmon of Doubt (which I LOVED) because I got to see more about the personalities of the authors than they would ever be willing to tell about themselves.

But of course the story itself was wonderful. It had the best aspects of the writing of both authors. It was hilarious lighthearted and serious and dark. I especially totally agree with the substitution of Pestilence with Pollution; just that small change makes the thought of the apocalypse much more realistic.

(Edit: fixed touchstones (hopefully))

29ronincats
apr 8, 2010, 12:13 am

That (Good Omens) is a particular favorite of mine--I'm glad you enjoyed it so much!

30norabelle414
apr 21, 2010, 1:39 pm

Book #10: The Island of Dr. Moreau by H. G. Wells

It has recently come to my attention that I am a huge H. G. Wells fan. Not that I have a problem with that, it just some how managed to not come to my attention. But I do really love his books, and this one is no exception. I found it to be the perfect balance between action and introspection. The subject matter is horrifying (and sometimes gory), but very realistic and similar to what is currently being done with modern medicine and surgery. As usual, Wells shows himself to be almost creepily psychic. The science in this book would be a little off if it had been written 50 years ago, but it was written in 1896!!! Whereas so many science fiction authors have pictured the future with unisex silver bodysuits and hovercars and anthropomorphic robots, H. G. Wells is the only one who ever seems to get close to where the future is actually going, and all from 115 years ago.

31RosyLibrarian
apr 21, 2010, 1:59 pm

I went a Jules Verne kick last year and I've been meaning to do the same with H.G. Wells. Great recommendation, I'll have to add it to the wishlist! :)

32boekenwijs
apr 21, 2010, 3:03 pm

@30, Totally agree, I'm a huge H.G. Wells fan as well! I remember that The island of dr. Moreau had a large impact on me. I definitely should read more by him in the near future. Thanks for bringing him back to my attention.

33alcottacre
apr 22, 2010, 2:35 am

#30: Although I have read several of Wells' books, I do not believe I have ever read that particular one. I will add it to the BlackHole. Thanks for the reminder!

34norabelle414
Redigeret: jan 11, 2011, 9:14 am

Book #11: Applying Anthropology by Aaron Podolefsky

Ok so maybe this was a textbook I had to read for class. But if someone is going to force me to read for a gen-ed course to the detriment of my personal reading time, I'm going to count it towards my total.

This book is a collection of published papers about anthropology. Some of them lean more towards scientific research, some of them lean more towards opinion essays. All in all I enjoyed it though. As a genetics major I read a LOT of VERY BORING papers on a weekly basis, so these less technical papers were actually a respite. The opinions tend towards the liberal side, but anthropology is supposed to be that way.

35alcottacre
apr 22, 2010, 11:18 pm

#34: if someone is going to force me to read for a gen-ed course to the detriment of my personal reading time, I'm going to count it towards my total.

I cannot blame you a bit for that!

36norabelle414
Redigeret: maj 16, 2010, 11:00 pm

Gah too much going on right now to talk about these much! I graduated on the 7th, took a last minute trip to Paris, and now I have to unpack everything and get my life organized before I start work on the 24th!

Book #12: A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian by Marina Lewycka

loved it loved it loved it!

Book #13: Shadow of the Hegemon by Orson Scott Card

read it before, but I'm reading it again so that I can read the sequels, which I never managed to get through as a kid. I like the Ender's Game sequels better, but this was still good.

Book #14: On Chesil Beach by Ian McEwan

Definitely original. I've never really thought about what was going on in England after WWII, but this book makes it sound very awkward. Very, very awkward, in the way that real life is awkward. I could easily see it being the imagination of some poor virgin teenager, dreading what their life will be like if they never have sex. Short, interesting, and easy to get through (though not without a twinge of vicarious embarrassment). And did I mention awkward?

Book #15: Your Inner Fish by Neil Shubin

Oh hey, a book on science for the masses that uses tons of unnecessary metaphors that don't really apply! How original! The last chapter is good though. It talks about the evolutionary basis of health problems. It's mostly straightforward, and only uses one stupid metaphor comparing the human body to a souped-up VW Beetle.

Book #16: Tales from the Thousand and One Nights (Penguin Classics edition)

Some of these stories are short, and good. Most of them start out good, and then go on. and on. and on.

Book #17: Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: Dawn of the Dreadfuls by Steve Hockensmith

Little did we know that Hockensmith's true talent was being held back by his strict adherence to Jane Austen's plot. This book is definitely better than the first. It's imaginative without being outlandish, and it almost feels a bit steampunk-ish. Love love love!

37alcottacre
maj 17, 2010, 2:09 am

Congratulations on graduating, Nora!

38RosyLibrarian
maj 17, 2010, 1:36 pm

Congrats!

And also, I agree with your thoughts on On Chesil Beach - very awkward - and a little sad too.

39norabelle414
maj 20, 2010, 9:29 pm

Book #18: The Animal Review by Jacob Lentz and Steve Nash

Gah this book was horrible. Note to authors: extended metaphors don't work, so you probably shouldn't base your whole book on them. I just finished writing an essay of a review on this so I won't go into more detail (nor will I bore you by posting the whole thing), except to say I don't recommend this at all. Good thing it was a LTER book and thus I did not pay money for it.

40alcottacre
maj 21, 2010, 12:33 am

#39: Sounds like one for me to stay away from. I hope you enjoy your next read more!

41norabelle414
maj 29, 2010, 12:13 pm

Book #19: The Boleyn Inheritance by Philippa Gregory

I was initially wary about reading a book with a 3-way narrative, but it ended up working well. Philippa Gregory gave different voices to each of the three women, and it was not at all confusing. I also thought it was very interesting to hear the story of some of the more obscure characters in King Henry VIII's life. I had not known anything about Anne of Cleves or Katharine Howard before reading this book except their fates. I also thought this book was a little less tedious than some of her other novels.

Book #20: Fragile Things by Neil Gaiman

This book was good, but I don't think I liked it quite as much as Smoke and Mirrors. The stories are generally longer, and don't stand alone as well. However, there is something to be said for that as well. I particularly liked the poem "Instructions" from this collection. It is a general guide for what to do if you find yourself in a fairy tale.

42norabelle414
jun 1, 2010, 3:45 pm

Book #21: World War Z by Max Brooks

This book was nothing like I expected. At times I had to remind myself that it was about zombies at all, and that it was not real, and that I shouldn't get too involved. This book is written in the style of a series of interviews with people involved in different parts of "World War Z", the fictional war against the zombies. The interviews are in order such that the the events they describe are roughly in chronological order, from all over the world, and many different types of people.

This isn't even really a book about zombies, it's about war, and world politics, and how different styles of government and types of people would cope (or not) with a war against a completely different kind of enemy. And it is SO GOOD.

43RosyLibrarian
jun 1, 2010, 3:57 pm

Looks like you have been doing some good reading! I like Philipa Greggory for the most part, but have not read The Boleyn Inheritance, nor the other two books you mentioned. World War Z isn't usually something I'd read, but you make it sound so good! I love a unique book so it might have to be wishlisted. :)

44alcottacre
jun 1, 2010, 4:00 pm

#42: I loved that book when I read it - much to my surprise. I am glad you enjoyed it too.

45norabelle414
jun 17, 2010, 9:41 pm

Book #22: Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen

Pretty boring to begin with, but it picked up quite a bit later on.

46RosyLibrarian
jun 17, 2010, 11:46 pm

45: Sense and Sensibility had to grow on me too, but it ended up being one of my favorite Austen novels. Glad it picked up for you - now you have to go watch the Ang Lee film version of it!

47norabelle414
jun 18, 2010, 11:37 am

Book #23 Men at Arms by Terry Pratchett

Another great one. It's a bit sad at the end, though, which is weird for a Pratchett book.

To Read pile update: 178. That's three less than when I started. But I guess three is better than nothing?

48alcottacre
jun 18, 2010, 11:44 pm

Three is definitely better than nothing!

49norabelle414
jun 19, 2010, 8:02 am

I won't tell you about the 5 books in the mail right now ;-)

50alcottacre
jun 19, 2010, 8:12 am

I have about 1000 unread books in my library - it does not stop me from buying more though. Your secret is safe with me :)

51norabelle414
jun 23, 2010, 10:19 am

Book #24: The Outcast of Redwall by Brian Jacques

Excellent, as usual.
I think it's so cheesy and kind of annoying how every Redwall book starts out with some character telling a story. Am I really expected, 350 pages later, to remember anything about the first 4 pages which tell me who is telling the story and why?

But of course they're all delightful so I put up with it anyway.

TBR: 178

52alcottacre
jun 24, 2010, 12:45 am

#51: I have not yet read the Redwall books. One of these days I will get to them.

53norabelle414
jun 24, 2010, 6:12 am

I got the first 14 or so in a bundle on e-bay for about $20 a couple years ago :-)

54alcottacre
jun 24, 2010, 6:15 am

I like buying bundles of books on EBay. I got 30+ Agatha Christie books that way.

55norabelle414
jun 25, 2010, 8:51 pm

Book #25: Peter Pan by J. M. Barrie

One of those books that I somehow managed to not read when I was a kid. There was more killing in it than I expected, but it wasn't graphic, so whatever.

TBR: This gets complicated. Peter Pan takes me down to 177, and then I found that I had never taken The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie out of TBR, so down to 176. But then I decided that I'm allowed to re-read a book if I haven't read it in the past 10 years. Considering I was 12 at that time, and most of the books that I wanted to read again from that point in my life I already have, it doesn't add a lot.

But to make a long story short, I'm now up to 184, but without buying any new books, which was the goal of this resolution.

56alcottacre
jun 26, 2010, 12:12 am

That is too complicated for me :)

57norabelle414
jun 30, 2010, 11:23 pm

Turns out I misnumbered something somewhere along the way, so this is actually book #27 (and the halfway point of the year)!

Book #27: Soul Music by Terry Pratchett

This wasn't particularly my favorite Discworld book (I like the witches best), but something about it just really touched me deeply. Maybe I identified with the music a lot more than, say, Moving Pictures. And, of course, it was Pratchett, so it was awesome.

58norabelle414
Redigeret: jul 5, 2010, 10:59 pm

Book #28: The Magician's Book: A Skeptic's Adventures in Narnia by Laura Miller

The first 3rd of the book is SO GOOD. It evoked all my memories of reading Narnia for the first time when I was 6 and how magical and perfect it was. Once the book started getting more in-depth into Lewis' motivations and inspirations it was still interesting. However, from there the book goes into the motivations and inspirations of Lewis' motivations and inspirations. This was kind of interesting, I guess, but wasn't really what I was looking for. But, then it got good again! Hooray!

Don't worry about the issues of Christianity that are inevitably raised when discussing C. S. Lewis. While they are a definite part of the book, there's nothing to offend either devout Christians or devout secularists.

I especially loved how the author incorporated the opinions of other children's/young adult fantasy authors, namely Neil Gaiman, Susanna Clarke, and Philip Pullman

If you didn't read The Chronicles of Narnia when you were young and impressionable, I doubt this book would speak to you. If you did, everything the author has to say about childhood reading you already know, deep down in your heart. But you should read this book anyway. After all, can you even count the number of times you've read The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe?

(ETA: apparently touchstones aren't working as well as we were just told they are...)

59alcottacre
jul 6, 2010, 2:58 am

#58: After all, can you even count the number of times you've read The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe?

No, I cannot, so the book sounds like a natural for me!

60dk_phoenix
jul 6, 2010, 8:49 am

Do you think you'll read the "official" Peter Pan sequel? I can't remember what it's called... I have it sitting around here somewhere, but haven't read it yet.

Soul Music was the very first Pratchett I ever read. At the time I didn't LOVE it, but I liked it enough to keep reading... all told, Death is one of my favorite characters, so that helped. :)

61norabelle414
jul 6, 2010, 9:29 am

>59 alcottacre: And it counts as a "book about books" for TIOLI July (hint hint)

>60 dk_phoenix: I've never even heard of the Peter Pan sequel! I only got this copy of Peter Pan because it was packaged with the DVD of the movie that came out a couple years ago.

DEATH is my fav after the witches and the Librarian, definitely.

62alcottacre
jul 7, 2010, 3:02 am

#61: Unfortunately, the hint does not do me any good - my local libraries do not have the book.

63norabelle414
jul 14, 2010, 12:54 pm

Book #29: The Hundred Secret Senses by Amy Tan

This was excellent! I did not love The Joy Luck Club, but this book was way better. It has the interesting stories and good writing, but just two plot lines and fewer characters. Also the names were easier to remember.

At first I didn't at all understand Olivia's professed dislike for Kwan. She was a bit clingy and I understood Olivia's being jealous of her as a child. However, this did not translate into the teenage/adult dislike that Olivia mentioned throughout the first third of the book. Once I got into the meat of the story, though, this enmity seems to be forgotten and the book as a whole was much more relatable from then on.

I'm picky about books involving ghosts, but this one was good. Not too dismissive, not too superstitious. And of course I always love books about other cultures.

64alcottacre
jul 16, 2010, 3:03 am

#63: I will look for that one. Thanks for the recommendation!

65dk_phoenix
jul 16, 2010, 9:06 am

>61 norabelle414:: Oh! It's called Peter Pan in Scarlet and it was commissioned a few years back by J.M. Barrie's estate (or whoever owns the rights to the original, I can't recall who). I have a copy, but I haven't read it yet. However, I've heard it's quite good...

66chinquapin
jul 16, 2010, 9:37 am

>29 ronincats: I liked The Joy Luck Club and Amy Tan novels in general, but I have not read this one. I am going to have to see if I can fit it into my reading schedule soon.

67norabelle414
jul 27, 2010, 9:05 am

Book #30: Changer by Jane Lindskold

This was not anything I'd ever heard of until someone recommended it to me. It was pretty good. Kind of like American Gods in that there are a race of immortals who are the truth behind pretty much every myth ever (fauns, bigfoot, selkies, Greek/Norse gods, etc) and they just live among humans who have no idea they exist. It was much less dark than American Gods, though, probably because it was from the point of view of the immortals themselves, not a human who is trying to deal with such a foreign concept.

TBR: 187. A little counting shows that I have gained only one more book than I have read this year (not counting reference books).

68TadAD
jul 27, 2010, 6:11 pm

>67 norabelle414:: There's a sequel, if you're interested: Legends Walking.

69ronincats
jul 28, 2010, 1:20 pm

Even though I am a Gaiman fan, and I loved the book following American Gods, Anansi Boys, I prefer Changer to American Gods--I really liked the personalities and motivations better. The sequel is decent too.

70norabelle414
jul 28, 2010, 4:54 pm

Reading American Gods was a fun ride, but something about the premise really bothered me. I'm not exceptionally protective of my country, but I was offended at the idea that America is inhospitable to gods, as opposed to other countries. I think that's what I meant by Changer being less dark. It's less jaded and cynical.

71norabelle414
jul 30, 2010, 3:58 pm

Book #31: Seventh Son by Orson Scott Card

I'm not sure what I was really expecting from this book. All I knew about it was that it had something to do with early America, and magic.

I ended up really liking it. It was more religious than books I normally read, but not in a preachy way. I really liked the way every character or force in the book could be, by the end of the story, categorized into good or bad, maker or unmaker. I felt the maker vs. unmaker (order vs. chaos) dichotomy, especially, was much deeper and more interesting than good vs. evil.

I'm not sure I agree with the book's ideas on fire vs water, however. While water can certainly be destructive, it is often necessary for making as well. And I'm not sure I can think of any way in which fire makes things. Maybe this will develop in later books.

72alcottacre
jul 31, 2010, 12:26 am

#71: I have heard good things about Card's Alvin Maker series. I am going to have to check it out. Thanks for the reminder!

73norabelle414
aug 1, 2010, 1:27 am

Book #31: A Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare

eh, it's not Twelfth Night. But it's good.

74alcottacre
aug 1, 2010, 4:12 am

#73: For some reason, A Midsummer Night's Dream is one of my favorite Shakespearean plays. I think it must be Puck (or Bottom, lol.)

75TadAD
aug 1, 2010, 11:45 am

>71 norabelle414:: I liked Seventh Son. I more or less liked the sequels I read but, somewhere along the way, I stopped reading them. I can't remember why. Maybe they just started to mush together.

76norabelle414
aug 1, 2010, 1:02 pm

There were a lot of things in it I would have been confused about if I didn't know there were sequels.

77norabelle414
aug 30, 2010, 11:19 am

Book #32: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson

Eh. It was entertaining enough, but I doubt I'll remember it in a month or two.

Book #33: Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy

Really, really proud of myself for finishing this one. It's quite an accomplishment, I think. Also, it was good.

Book #34: Out of the Silent Planet by C. S. Lewis

Very good. I'm not sure what I was expecting, but this exceeded it.

Book #35: A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams

Excellent, as expected.

78alcottacre
aug 30, 2010, 1:15 pm

#77: I am going to be wrapping up Anna Karenina in September. I am glad you enjoyed it!

79TadAD
aug 31, 2010, 7:56 am

>77 norabelle414:: I liked Out of the Silent Planet but neither Perelandra nor That Hideous Strength had the same appeal for me. They were OK but not as good. Imo.

80dk_phoenix
aug 31, 2010, 8:45 am

I've only read the first Alvin Maker book as well... I really liked it at the time, but stopped reading Red Prophet halfway through. I'm not sure why. I think I have the whole series on my bookshelf, I really should get back to it...

81norabelle414
sep 2, 2010, 8:52 am

Rounded out the month with two children's books:

Book #36: The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster

The golden standard to which all children's fantasy books will be held to, and to which they will always somehow fall short. I just felt the need to read it again. Plus, Norton Juster is going to be at the National Book Festival!

Book #37: Hello, Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle by Betty MacDonald

I loved a couple of these books when I was little, and I've recently acquired the full set, so I'm reading them. They're so hilarious, if a little dated. And sexist. But it was the 50s, so I'll let it slide.

82alcottacre
sep 2, 2010, 8:06 pm

#81: I just read The Phantom Tollbooth for the first time not too long ago. I wish I had discovered it as a kid!

83norabelle414
sep 2, 2010, 11:01 pm

I reread the actual copy that I read (probably once a month) when I was little. I colored in all the pictures with marker, and at some point I decided that Milo needed to be a girl so I gave him long hair. Boy, was I adorable.

84alcottacre
sep 3, 2010, 1:37 am

#83: LOL! Sounds like what I used to do as a kid.

85norabelle414
sep 3, 2010, 8:51 am

I can tell which books were my favorites by how much coloring-in-the-pictures I did. The Phantom Tollbooth is second only to Half Magic (which I plan on rereading sometime soon, since I just obtained the full series).

86alcottacre
sep 3, 2010, 8:52 am

#85: I do not believe I am familiar with Half Magic. I need to check and see if the local library has it!

87norabelle414
sep 3, 2010, 8:58 am

It's amazing! There are seven books total, and in each of them a group of kids make wishes that go wrong. In Half Magic, everything the kids wish for comes half-true, so they have to adjust their wishes to be double what they actually want, but they always forget something. In Magic or Not? all of the wishes come true, but in a round-about way that could just be coincidence. Then I think there's another book where anything the children wish for comes true for someone else in their neighborhood. They're really imaginative.

88alcottacre
sep 3, 2010, 9:53 am

It looks as though my local library has at least the first book in the series. I will have to check it out some time.

89norabelle414
sep 27, 2010, 3:43 pm

Book #38: Valeria's Last Stand by Marc Fitten

Loved it. It's really cute and imaginative, and a little bit dirty, but not in an inappropriate way. In that way it's similar to Like Water for Chocolate, I thought, but it takes place in Hungary instead of Mexico. Also less food. But still a good book.

Book #39: The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan

Lame. Lame lame lame. YA authors should realize that their books are forevermore going to be compared to Harry Potter, and should try to go in a completely different direction. This book was too close for comfort. While I was reading this book, I came up with a list of issues I had with it. I then left it at home. But most of them had to do with the author's lack of research into Greek mythology. And other ways in which this book sucks compared to anything Harry Potter.

Book #40: The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde

My favorite. I just started dating this guy who reads more than I do, and we have about a 75% overlap of book-interests, and I told him that this was my favorite book. He then went out and bought it within the hour and read it in 3 days, and now it's his favorite too. I might be in love.

And then I realized that he was probably expecting to discuss it with me, and I should probably read it again. So I did, and it was even better than I remembered.

90mamzel
sep 27, 2010, 4:55 pm

I just finished the Fforde book, too. I don't think I laughed as hard with any other book. The production of Richard III had me in stitches.

91norabelle414
sep 27, 2010, 5:10 pm

>90 mamzel: I loved that part too!

92RosyLibrarian
okt 1, 2010, 2:11 pm

Must read Jasper Fforde! And congrats on dating the book lover - siiigh, if only I could get my boyfriend to read...:)

93norabelle414
okt 1, 2010, 2:54 pm

I've tried dating non-readers, but we really just don't ever have anything to talk about.

I'm going to start reading Shades of Grey soon, and I'm so excited about it!

94norabelle414
okt 12, 2010, 11:30 am

Apparently this challenge is too difficult for me, as I cannot reliably count to 75. Due to a(nother) misnumbering, this is:

Book #42: The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

This book was way better than I was expecting, though the writing style seemed awfully juvenile for a 16-year-old, especially an aspiring writer. However, the epilogue completely ruined everything.

Book #43: The Man in the High Castle by Philip K. Dick

Eh. I understand that this is a very insightful and revolutionary science fiction/alternate history book, but it didn't really speak to me.

Book #44: Shades of Grey: The Road to High Saffron by Jasper Fforde

Oh my goodness, was this book good. Like amazingly good. I thought that I fell so in love with The Eyre Affair because of all of the literary references, but it turns out I just love Jasper Fforde. So so so so much. I just absorbed this book, like I haven't done in awhile, and I can't stop thinking about how good it was, and how I can't wait for the sequel.

95alcottacre
okt 12, 2010, 12:11 pm

#94: Apparently this challenge is too difficult for me, as I cannot reliably count to 75.

I have days like that too, Nora. No worries, just hang in there!

96RosyLibrarian
okt 12, 2010, 6:54 pm

Man, MUST get to Jasper Fforde!

97norabelle414
Redigeret: okt 25, 2010, 11:18 am

Book #45: The Twits by Roald Dahl

Not my favorite Roald Dahl book, by any means.

Book #46: Bunnicula: A Rabbit-Tale of Mystery by Deborah Howe

Hilarious. I loved these when I was little.

Book #47: The Night Watch by Sergei Lukyanenko

I absolutely love the movie that is based on this book. I wasn't sure what to expect when reading the book, but it turned out to be good. It's not better than the movie, or worse, it's just very different. The movie really only encompasses the first 50 pages or so, and then changes the plot so it can end at that point. But the movie is a work of art in its own right. So don't skip either one.

Book #48: Android Karenina by Leo Tolstoy and Ben H. Winters

This book was just kind of okay, until the ending. The ending was spectacular. I was getting worried because I was about 30 pages from the end and no resolution was in sight. But then there was an ending! And it was awesome! It was worth reading the whole darn thing. And there are even hilarious "Reader's Discussion" questions at the end, such as: (I picked the least spoiler-y one) "In a crucial moment, Levin chooses his wife over Socrates, his beloved-companion robot. Are there any technological devices in your life that you love more than your spouse?" Fantastic.

I would like to take a moment to mention that for the past 2 weeks I've been reading two 450+ page Russian novels at the same time. And before I started Android Karenina, I was reading Anna Karenina. So I've been reading big fat Russian novels back-to-back since July 16th. My brain hurts. So badly.

98RosyLibrarian
okt 25, 2010, 12:32 pm

97: Ooo man, I couldn't read two big Russian books simultaneously. It hurts my brain bad enough to read one. Sounds like this last book was a good break though. I'd probably need to read Anna Karenina before I added it to the wishlist though.

99alcottacre
okt 25, 2010, 2:53 pm

I thought Anna Karenina was good, but did not care for her as a character at all. I loved the minor characters of Levin and Kitty though.

100norabelle414
okt 25, 2010, 3:04 pm

I felt the same way; I hated Anna. The only good thing Anna ever did for anyone was get Vronsky out of the way. Even in Android Karenina, Anna has the opportunity to save the entire planet, but she's too selfish to do the right thing.

101alcottacre
okt 25, 2010, 5:11 pm

#100: I do not think I will be reading Android Karenina. Not my cup of tea.

102norabelle414
nov 1, 2010, 12:20 am

Book #49: The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

Super. Loved it. Better than Coraline, I think, though I was quite fond of that as well. It was interesting and completely unpredictable. And had very good characters.

Book #50: King Henry VIII by William Shakespeare

Ugh. History plays. They're infinitely inferior to the ones where Shakespeare actually made up the plot. Others, like Richard III and Julius Caesar, at least, have really dramatic scenes that make up for the boring plot. Henry VIII, not so much.

I decided to read this play because I got tickets to go see it at the Folger this past Friday. It was much more interesting in person, of course, mostly because all of the minor characters were played by one really funny man. But it was still kind of boring.

103alcottacre
nov 1, 2010, 3:20 am

#102: I enjoyed The Graveyard Book more than Coraline as well.

As for Shakespearean plays, I will alway prefer the performed versions to reading them!

104norabelle414
nov 6, 2010, 9:55 am

Book #51: The Watsons by Jane Austen

The story was good, but it needed some serious editing. I found the dialog very hard to follow.

Book #52: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling

Excellent, as usual. Now on to the next!

105Eat_Read_Knit
nov 6, 2010, 11:54 am

#104 I've got a combined edition of Lady Susan, The Watsons and Sanditon which I've never yet got around to reading, and I think it is the (almost) inevitable roughness of unfinished works that is putting me off. If the story is good, I shall have to make more of an effort to get to it!

106norabelle414
nov 22, 2010, 1:14 pm

Book #53: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling

Book #54: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling

Book #55: The Tales of Beedle the Bard by J. K. Rowling

Same old. Deathly Hallows still makes me cry. The movie was kind of lame though. I knew at what points I was supposed to feel sad, but I just couldn't make the emotion happen.

I'm currently reading (among other things) The Unbearable Lightness of Being but I might have to abandon it until I'm in a better mood. Right now I just find it horribly bleak and depressing.

107alcottacre
nov 22, 2010, 1:21 pm

I need to dig out my daughter's HP books and re-read them. I started on them at the beginning of the year and got sidetracked after the first couple. I need to get going again.

108deep220
nov 22, 2010, 2:17 pm

# 106--I am sorry to hear the movie ws lame. I have been looking forward to it. But given the amount of people that have agreed with your assessment I might just wait to rent it.

109norabelle414
nov 23, 2010, 10:31 am

Book #56: American Nerd: The Story of My People by Benjamin Nugent

Soooo good. I read it in less than 24 hours, on a work day. It's not exactly a bible of all things nerdy, but it's a pleasant overview of how nerds came to be and how they fit into our society. There are a few case studies of specific groups of nerds and the things they do, as well as anecdotes from the life of the (nerdy) author. There was a whole chapter on the relation of Asperger Syndrome to nerdiness which I found fascinating. All-in-all, it was a pleasant read, and left me feeling reassured that I'm not alone in the world.

Which is more than I can say for The Unbearable Lightness of Being, grumble grumble.

110RosyLibrarian
nov 23, 2010, 10:49 am

Sorry to hear The Unbearable Lightness of Being isn't going that well, but the last book you listed sounds pretty good. As a fairly nerdy person I should go add it to my wishlist. :)

111alcottacre
nov 23, 2010, 2:08 pm

#109: I already have that one in the BlackHole, nerdy person that I am, but unfortunately the local library still does not have it.

112norabelle414
nov 30, 2010, 9:48 pm

Book #57: The BFG by Roald Dahl

I've decided there are two categories of children's books. Some should not be re-read as an adult. The BFG I should've left behind me at 10 years old. It's a good story, but not pleasant to read at this point in my life.

Book #58: Half Magic by Edward Eager

Half Magic, on the other hand, is always a joy to read. I love the cultural differences in a kids' book from so long ago. Most people don't have cars, the kids sneak away from their nanny without anyone caring, and when the youngest kid complains too much at the movies, her sister traps her under the movie theater seat. UNDER THE SEAT! Could you imagine if someone did that today?! It's hilarious, but only because it's 50 years ago.

113amandameale
dec 1, 2010, 7:16 am

Hi norabelle. I noticed you were planning to read The Unbearable Lightness of Being with me last month. Where were you??? I expected it to be a difficult read but it wasn't. Although there was a lot of philosophising I enjoyed it very much. Shall return another time to see if you've picked it up.

114norabelle414
dec 1, 2010, 8:53 am

>113 amandameale: I'm still working on it. It was going okay, but then I got dumped (in RL) and suddently a book about a bunch of people who are completely unable to communicate, and how no one's life matters, is not so appealing. I should finish it this month.

115RosyLibrarian
dec 1, 2010, 10:40 am

114: Ugh, that's terrible. Sorry to hear. I would want to stop reading any sad books too. Hope you're feeling better.

116norabelle414
dec 1, 2010, 12:38 pm

>115 RosyLibrarian: It's nothing a little scifi/fantasy can't fix.

117alcottacre
dec 3, 2010, 4:31 am

#112: I just discovered Half Magic and thoroughly enjoyed it. I am glad you did too.

118norabelle414
dec 3, 2010, 7:24 am

At a booksale I recently acquired all 7 books in the series, and I read them so long ago that it's going to be like reading them all for the first time. I'm excited!

119alcottacre
dec 3, 2010, 7:58 am

#118: Unfortunately for me, my local library has only the first book in the series. Kudos to you for finding the whole set!

120norabelle414
dec 3, 2010, 10:48 am

whoopsies, forgot to update:

Book #59: A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle

Another children's book that stands the test of time. I'm still fairly convinced that Meg and Calvin is the greatest romance in history. Well, maybe tied with Thursday and Landon.

121alcottacre
dec 3, 2010, 11:16 am

#120: A Wrinkle in Time is one of my all-time favorites!

122dk_phoenix
dec 4, 2010, 9:51 am

It's been a long, long time since I read A Wrinkle in Time and associated books... those are some classics that I keep meaning to re-read but never get around to it. Thanks for the reminder, and you're right, the book definitely does stand the test of time.

123norabelle414
dec 14, 2010, 8:58 am

Book #60: The Pigeon by Patrick Süskind

Weird. Not a lot happens, but it's short. I didn't love it like Perfume: The Story of a Murderer, but it wasn't a waste of time.

Book #61: The Unbearable Lightness of Being by Milan Kundera

Ugh. So depressing, but not in that satisfying "have a good cry" way. All people are horrible. No one communicates. Everyone cheats on everyone, but it's not even intriguing like a soap opera. It's just bleak. And depressing.

124alcottacre
dec 14, 2010, 9:02 am

#123: Not good news for me regarding the Kundera book since I had that one slated to read next year. Hmm, I may rethink that.

125amandameale
Redigeret: dec 20, 2010, 8:55 pm

Nora, I liked The Pigeon. It was crazy. I enjoyed the fact that the man's life was turned upside down in one day just because of the stupid pigeon. Reminded me of Kafka's The Metamorphosis somehow.

Agree that the Kundera is depressing. If you're not in the right frame of mind it would be impossible to read.

126norabelle414
dec 20, 2010, 10:36 pm

I definitely didn't dislike The Pigeon, it was just rather anticlimactic after Perfume. And I agree, it did have the same feel as The Metamorphosis.

127norabelle414
jan 4, 2011, 6:28 pm

The last few books of 2010:

Book #62: In the Woods by Tana French

I thought this was pretty lame. Maybe I'm just not a detective/mystery novel person, but I thought the ending was really predictable. And then the author went on and on about how unpredictable it was. Also, the characterization was bad. But the plot itself was okay, despite it's predictability

Book #63: Dune by Frank Herbert

I'm not sure what the fuss is all about. It was okay, but the ending was weak. It was more about visualizing a world than any actual storyline, I thought.

Book #64: The Next Queen of Heaven by Gregory Maguire

An ARC, and definitely not the worst I've read. I'll write a proper review when I'm not so very jet-lagged.

I hope everyone has had an excellent start to their new year! You can find next year's thread here: http://www.librarything.com/topic/105698

128norabelle414
jan 6, 2011, 12:34 pm

In 2010:

I READ 64 books
I ACQUIRED 64 books (Not including textbooks and travel guides - I didn't even plan that!)
I BOUGHT 51 books (not including textbooks and travel guides - though this includes books bought with gift cards)
I DISCARDED 10 books (all donated to Goodwill, I think)

Not where I hoped I'd be, but better than I thought I'd be.

129alcottacre
jan 6, 2011, 4:55 pm

#128: Not where I hoped I'd be, but better than I thought I'd be.

That is still good!

130elkiedee
jan 10, 2011, 8:18 pm

I reread one old favourite Dahl last year, Fantastic Mr Fox and two new to me ones. I enjoyed The BFG but disliked The Twits.

131norabelle414
jan 11, 2011, 9:10 am

The Twits appeals more to kids, I think. I liked the story of The BFG a lot more than actually reading it, as the BFG's dialect bothered me a bit. My three favorite Dahl books (there are so many good ones it's impossible to pick one) are Danny the Champion of the World, The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar, and The Witches. I think.

132elkiedee
jan 11, 2011, 12:16 pm

All of which I have yet to read.

133norabelle414
jan 11, 2011, 12:27 pm

Better hop to it! I'm sure you don't have enough to read already ;-)