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1arrianarose
Well, I was just under 50 new books in 2014, but that's okay. Time to start off fresh this year, with a slight change. I've joined the ROOT challenge as well, so I'm hoping to have 25 of my 50 new books be ones I already own. I have stacks sitting in tbr piles and I'm hoping to make a noticeable dent in them this year (hopefully without adding too many more to the pile!). My ROOT ticker is on the group post, but I'm mark next to the dates read any ones that are ROOT books. Off I go!
1. Our Town by Thornton Wilder Jan 8: Jan 11 (ROOT book)
Starting off small but with a purpose. I read a couple of pages of this over the summer (only book handy in my roommate's car, while waiting for a tow truck), but then completely forgot to go back to it. One down for both 2014 challenges!
1. Our Town by Thornton Wilder Jan 8: Jan 11 (ROOT book)
Starting off small but with a purpose. I read a couple of pages of this over the summer (only book handy in my roommate's car, while waiting for a tow truck), but then completely forgot to go back to it. One down for both 2014 challenges!
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2. Under the Tuscan Sun by Frances Mayes Jan 11: Jan 16 (ROOT book)
I'm already in love with Italy, so I didn't need Mayes to convince me, but now I also want to own a house there and learn to shop and live and cook as though I was born there, and my great-grandfather had never emigrated to the US. Maybe the old family land is for sale and has a livable house on it. Would Aeolian island life be as captivating as Mayes' escapades in Tuscany? Alas, Mayes clearly has a decent amount of capital at her disposal, which I most certainly do not, so I will have to content myself with vicarious living through books like this until such a time as I can visit again for an all too short vacation.
3. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Schaffer & Annie Barrows Jan 18: Jan 19 (ROOT book)
Absolutely wonderful. This made me laugh out loud, cry, fall in love with the characters and I could not put it down. What more can a person ask for in a book? I love the premise that reading books can bring together complete strangers and create lasting friendships between them. What else is Library Thing but a bringer together of kindred spirits whose glue is the love of books and reading? Absolutely and whole-heartedly recommended.
I'm already in love with Italy, so I didn't need Mayes to convince me, but now I also want to own a house there and learn to shop and live and cook as though I was born there, and my great-grandfather had never emigrated to the US. Maybe the old family land is for sale and has a livable house on it. Would Aeolian island life be as captivating as Mayes' escapades in Tuscany? Alas, Mayes clearly has a decent amount of capital at her disposal, which I most certainly do not, so I will have to content myself with vicarious living through books like this until such a time as I can visit again for an all too short vacation.
3. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Schaffer & Annie Barrows Jan 18: Jan 19 (ROOT book)
Absolutely wonderful. This made me laugh out loud, cry, fall in love with the characters and I could not put it down. What more can a person ask for in a book? I love the premise that reading books can bring together complete strangers and create lasting friendships between them. What else is Library Thing but a bringer together of kindred spirits whose glue is the love of books and reading? Absolutely and whole-heartedly recommended.
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4. Across the Nightingale Floor by Lian Hearn Jan 13: Jan 27 (audio book)
First audio book of the year! Good, but part of a series, so I now need to look for the second book.
First audio book of the year! Good, but part of a series, so I now need to look for the second book.
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5. Swimming to Antarctica by Lynne Cox Jan 20: Jan 28 (ROOT book)
Interesting story, it's amazing that someone was able to swim in such cold waters across the world. It did get bogged down towards the end with all the names of people who helped her, people she contacted, etc., etc. I completely understand that she wanted to give credit to everyone who gave her support when she needed it, but for the reader it dulled an otherwise very interesting tale.
Interesting story, it's amazing that someone was able to swim in such cold waters across the world. It did get bogged down towards the end with all the names of people who helped her, people she contacted, etc., etc. I completely understand that she wanted to give credit to everyone who gave her support when she needed it, but for the reader it dulled an otherwise very interesting tale.
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6. In the Wake of the Plague by Norman F. Cantor Jan 29: Feb 2 (ROOT book)
As I was telling my roommate earlier today, this seems like a book I might have written, if I had written a book in college.
The topic is interesting and it starts off with a good premise, but veers off on in-depth semi-related tangents and suddenly ends without having quite proved its point. (I would get very excited about the research, but had a hard time staying focused, often choosing a topic/idea too broad for the paper length.) Additionally, the sentence structure and wording was a bit awkward to follow at times.
On a separate note, my virtuous 2014 resolution to read ROOT book (and it's unstated flip side, to curtail new book purchases) took a bit of a nosedive this weekend, as the big used bookstore nearby suddenly announces its closing due to lease renewal issues and had a very big closing sale. Thankfully, due to discounts and stray gift card, the damage was minimal, but I now have a dozen new books added to my TBR pile. Oops!
As I was telling my roommate earlier today, this seems like a book I might have written, if I had written a book in college.
The topic is interesting and it starts off with a good premise, but veers off on in-depth semi-related tangents and suddenly ends without having quite proved its point. (I would get very excited about the research, but had a hard time staying focused, often choosing a topic/idea too broad for the paper length.) Additionally, the sentence structure and wording was a bit awkward to follow at times.
On a separate note, my virtuous 2014 resolution to read ROOT book (and it's unstated flip side, to curtail new book purchases) took a bit of a nosedive this weekend, as the big used bookstore nearby suddenly announces its closing due to lease renewal issues and had a very big closing sale. Thankfully, due to discounts and stray gift card, the damage was minimal, but I now have a dozen new books added to my TBR pile. Oops!
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7. Return to the Chateau by Pauline Reage Jan 17: Feb 16 (ROOT book)
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8. 1491 by Charles C. Mann Feb 2: Feb 23
I've been meaning to read this for quite some time and I'm glad I finally got to it, as it was excellent. It really is a travesty how brief a mention North/South American early history gets in American schools, and how much misinformation or cliched myth is mixed in with that already small amount.
I've been meaning to read this for quite some time and I'm glad I finally got to it, as it was excellent. It really is a travesty how brief a mention North/South American early history gets in American schools, and how much misinformation or cliched myth is mixed in with that already small amount.
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9. Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov Jan 3: Feb 28 (audio book)
A. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone Feb 2: Feb 3
B. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets Feb 23: Feb 26
Jeremy Irons does an excellent job of reading Lolita. I had heard very good things about this version and was not disappointed. Technically, I have read Lolita before, it was quite a few years back, and listening to it is such a different experience, that I've included it anyway. Next, I'll move on to book two of Tales of the Otori.
The Harry Potter books I'll be re-reading this year as part of a discussion in the 75 Book Challenge group.
A. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone Feb 2: Feb 3
B. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets Feb 23: Feb 26
Jeremy Irons does an excellent job of reading Lolita. I had heard very good things about this version and was not disappointed. Technically, I have read Lolita before, it was quite a few years back, and listening to it is such a different experience, that I've included it anyway. Next, I'll move on to book two of Tales of the Otori.
The Harry Potter books I'll be re-reading this year as part of a discussion in the 75 Book Challenge group.
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10. Unredeemed Captive by John Demos Feb 28: Mar 6
11. Joy in the Morning by Betty Smith Mar 7: Mar 8
After my excitement of reading 1491, I was rather disappointed with my next historical read, Unredeemed Captive. Before I was even five pages into it, I was already irritated at the author's seemingly arbitrary and unnecessary use of quotation marks in "places" where it was "absolutely unnecessary." I honestly have no idea what his intention was, but it was exceedingly distracting as a reader. Regarding the content itself, I wasn't as engaged as I had expected to be, given the highly interesting subject matter - a captive child who is completely assimilated into her new life, such that she refuses to return to her old life.
Joy in the Morning, on the other hand, was lovely. I'm very fond of A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, so bought this when I saw it at the used bookstore, and am glad I did. From the small blurb about the author's life, she seems to write very close to her own life experiences, and definitely shows in the believable and sympathetic characters she creates.
11. Joy in the Morning by Betty Smith Mar 7: Mar 8
After my excitement of reading 1491, I was rather disappointed with my next historical read, Unredeemed Captive. Before I was even five pages into it, I was already irritated at the author's seemingly arbitrary and unnecessary use of quotation marks in "places" where it was "absolutely unnecessary." I honestly have no idea what his intention was, but it was exceedingly distracting as a reader. Regarding the content itself, I wasn't as engaged as I had expected to be, given the highly interesting subject matter - a captive child who is completely assimilated into her new life, such that she refuses to return to her old life.
Joy in the Morning, on the other hand, was lovely. I'm very fond of A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, so bought this when I saw it at the used bookstore, and am glad I did. From the small blurb about the author's life, she seems to write very close to her own life experiences, and definitely shows in the believable and sympathetic characters she creates.
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12. Venus and Adonis by William Shakespeare Mar 8 (ROOT book)
13. My Antonia by Willa Cather Mar 13: Mar 20 (ROOT book)
14. Notes from a Small Island by Bill Bryson Mar 20: Mar 23
I was inspired by the LibraryThing's blog post on Valentine's day, listing the staff's favorite literary love stories to check out one's I hadn't already read. Since I do own The Riverside Shakespeare, I figure I need to keep it in use. Unfortunately, I was not terribly enthralled by Venus & Adonis, but that's okay.
On the other hand, My Antonia was absolutely wonderful. I love how some authors can create such a quiet novel that still manages to completely envelope the reader much more than other, more exciting or action filled stories.
I also returned to Bill Bryson, always funny. Though I preferred A Walk in the Woods, I'll definitely continue reading his books. A read this just now as a bit of a mood-shaper, getting me psyched up for my trip to London next month. Yay!
13. My Antonia by Willa Cather Mar 13: Mar 20 (ROOT book)
14. Notes from a Small Island by Bill Bryson Mar 20: Mar 23
I was inspired by the LibraryThing's blog post on Valentine's day, listing the staff's favorite literary love stories to check out one's I hadn't already read. Since I do own The Riverside Shakespeare, I figure I need to keep it in use. Unfortunately, I was not terribly enthralled by Venus & Adonis, but that's okay.
On the other hand, My Antonia was absolutely wonderful. I love how some authors can create such a quiet novel that still manages to completely envelope the reader much more than other, more exciting or action filled stories.
I also returned to Bill Bryson, always funny. Though I preferred A Walk in the Woods, I'll definitely continue reading his books. A read this just now as a bit of a mood-shaper, getting me psyched up for my trip to London next month. Yay!
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15. 1000 White Women by Jim Fergus Mar 23: Mar 30
Very interesting premise. I'm always a fan of something slightly different, so the faux family history research/journal format appealed to me. I do love nonfiction, but this type of historical fiction is the next best thing. The only thing that irked me (in a good way) was not always knowing which events were actual history and which were made up. It just means I'll need to add some nonfiction books to my tbr pile, which is no bad thing. How some people find history boring, I'll never understand!
Very interesting premise. I'm always a fan of something slightly different, so the faux family history research/journal format appealed to me. I do love nonfiction, but this type of historical fiction is the next best thing. The only thing that irked me (in a good way) was not always knowing which events were actual history and which were made up. It just means I'll need to add some nonfiction books to my tbr pile, which is no bad thing. How some people find history boring, I'll never understand!
12arrianarose
16. Grass for his Pillow by Lian Hern Mar 3: Apr 17 (audio book)
I am really enjoying this series - it is so well written and the two narrators have such good voices that it's even more of a pleasure to listen them read the story. I'm impatient to get the next book in the series, but I'm waiting until it's available on paperbackswap.com. I've had too many expenses this year to be making any book purchases, sadly. But I have plenty at home in my tbr pile, and the library (and friends' libraries) aren't going anywhere, so I should be fine. No audio books for the next week anyway, as my flight leaves tomorrow night for my vacation to London. Yay!! I'm so excited for this trip!
I am really enjoying this series - it is so well written and the two narrators have such good voices that it's even more of a pleasure to listen them read the story. I'm impatient to get the next book in the series, but I'm waiting until it's available on paperbackswap.com. I've had too many expenses this year to be making any book purchases, sadly. But I have plenty at home in my tbr pile, and the library (and friends' libraries) aren't going anywhere, so I should be fine. No audio books for the next week anyway, as my flight leaves tomorrow night for my vacation to London. Yay!! I'm so excited for this trip!
13arrianarose
17. The Mother Tongue by Bill Bryson Apr 18: Apr 24
18. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight by Anonymous Apr 25: Apr 26 (ROOT book)
19. A Scandal in Bohemia by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Apr 26
20. Forever Amber by Kathleen Winsor Mar 31: Apr 29 (ROOT book)
The first three were my holiday reading - easy and quick. In honor of my London trip, and having actually walked on Baker Street, I finally read my first Sherlock Holmes short story.
I was almost finished Forever Amber prior to leaving, but didn't quite have enough time to finish it up. It was too fat a book to travel with on a plane, so now that I'm home again, I finished it up. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. There's something about an unscrupulous non-heroine that sucks you right into a long book like this. I don't know how I didn't make the correlation initially, but Amber had many similarities to Scarlett O'Hara (or Becky Sharpe) - flawed, passionate characters who fascinate you even when you can't quite root for them. It's like watching a train wreck - you know it can't end well, but you can't tear your eyes away.
18. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight by Anonymous Apr 25: Apr 26 (ROOT book)
19. A Scandal in Bohemia by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Apr 26
20. Forever Amber by Kathleen Winsor Mar 31: Apr 29 (ROOT book)
The first three were my holiday reading - easy and quick. In honor of my London trip, and having actually walked on Baker Street, I finally read my first Sherlock Holmes short story.
I was almost finished Forever Amber prior to leaving, but didn't quite have enough time to finish it up. It was too fat a book to travel with on a plane, so now that I'm home again, I finished it up. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. There's something about an unscrupulous non-heroine that sucks you right into a long book like this. I don't know how I didn't make the correlation initially, but Amber had many similarities to Scarlett O'Hara (or Becky Sharpe) - flawed, passionate characters who fascinate you even when you can't quite root for them. It's like watching a train wreck - you know it can't end well, but you can't tear your eyes away.
14arrianarose
21. Brick Lane by Monica Ali Apr 30: May 4
I flew through this book, not wanting to put it down. I especially enjoyed the intimacy of Nazneen's internal thoughts/memories and her sister's letters. Excellent reading, highly recommended.
I flew through this book, not wanting to put it down. I especially enjoyed the intimacy of Nazneen's internal thoughts/memories and her sister's letters. Excellent reading, highly recommended.
15arrianarose
22. Arctic Wild by Lois Crisler May 6: May 23
I would have finished this some time ago, but was thwarted by a publishing snafu. Two thirds of the way through the book, I discovered that about forty pages were missing and accidentally replaced by a repeat of forty earlier pages. I checked my library, but there was only one copy in the whole consortium, so I had to wait for it to be inter-library loaned to me in order to finish up the story. Silver lining, though - the hardcover library book (mine was a trade paperback) had a few extra photos of the wolves in it, which was nice. The part that really irks me, though, is that now I can't post my book on paperbackswap.com and will probably have to put it in recycling. It was an enjoyable book and I would like to share it with others who might be interested, but not with a whole section missing.
I would have finished this some time ago, but was thwarted by a publishing snafu. Two thirds of the way through the book, I discovered that about forty pages were missing and accidentally replaced by a repeat of forty earlier pages. I checked my library, but there was only one copy in the whole consortium, so I had to wait for it to be inter-library loaned to me in order to finish up the story. Silver lining, though - the hardcover library book (mine was a trade paperback) had a few extra photos of the wolves in it, which was nice. The part that really irks me, though, is that now I can't post my book on paperbackswap.com and will probably have to put it in recycling. It was an enjoyable book and I would like to share it with others who might be interested, but not with a whole section missing.
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C. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte May 24 - May 26
23. The Help by Kathryn Stockett May 1: May 30 (audio book)
After just having watched the Masterpiece Theatre movie version of Jane Eyre, I decided to re-read the book, as I have not read it since high school. I flew through it, not wanting to put it down, which probably was not the case as a teen. Although I devoured books my whole life, for some reason my appreciation for classics like the Brontes and Austen was lacking until mid-college. I get so much more out of then, and enjoyment from re-reading them now that I did originally.
I also just finished up the audio book of The Help, which I very highly recommend. I've been listening to audio books in the car for a couple of years now, but had been choosing them haphazardly, based on what was available at the library and what had been purchased for me by my father. I finally got around to checking what others were recommending online as the best quality, best-read versions, and I am so very glad I did. As anyone who listens to audio books knows, the choice of reader(s) is essential and this one definitely delivered. The book also was excellent, with so much more depth and nuance than the movie was able to portray, but that lent itself so well to being read aloud.
23. The Help by Kathryn Stockett May 1: May 30 (audio book)
After just having watched the Masterpiece Theatre movie version of Jane Eyre, I decided to re-read the book, as I have not read it since high school. I flew through it, not wanting to put it down, which probably was not the case as a teen. Although I devoured books my whole life, for some reason my appreciation for classics like the Brontes and Austen was lacking until mid-college. I get so much more out of then, and enjoyment from re-reading them now that I did originally.
I also just finished up the audio book of The Help, which I very highly recommend. I've been listening to audio books in the car for a couple of years now, but had been choosing them haphazardly, based on what was available at the library and what had been purchased for me by my father. I finally got around to checking what others were recommending online as the best quality, best-read versions, and I am so very glad I did. As anyone who listens to audio books knows, the choice of reader(s) is essential and this one definitely delivered. The book also was excellent, with so much more depth and nuance than the movie was able to portray, but that lent itself so well to being read aloud.
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24. Guns, Germs & Steel by Jared Diamond May 28: Jun 12
25. Howard's End by E. M. Forster Jun 2: Jun 14 (audio book)
25. Howard's End by E. M. Forster Jun 2: Jun 14 (audio book)
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26. A Study in Scarlett by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Jun 14: Jun 18
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27. The Winter's Tale by William Shakespeare Jun 13: Jun 22 (ROOT book)
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D. The Fires of Heaven by Robert Jordan Jul 2: Jul 6
28. Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter Jun 18: Jul 8 (audio book)
Summer time, back to my re-reading of The Wheel of Time series, so I can finish up the series at some point. I feel like my reading has slacked a bit the past couple weeks, possible due to hot weather lethargy or because I'm attempting to re-learn Italian. It's strange, the bits of a language that you retain and the sadly large quantity of knowledge that you lose when not in use. I want to be able to read (and possibly listen to) books in Italian, though I'm at a bit of a loss on which books to choose once my vocab and grammar are sufficient to the task. Definitely something I need to look into.
28. Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter Jun 18: Jul 8 (audio book)
Summer time, back to my re-reading of The Wheel of Time series, so I can finish up the series at some point. I feel like my reading has slacked a bit the past couple weeks, possible due to hot weather lethargy or because I'm attempting to re-learn Italian. It's strange, the bits of a language that you retain and the sadly large quantity of knowledge that you lose when not in use. I want to be able to read (and possibly listen to) books in Italian, though I'm at a bit of a loss on which books to choose once my vocab and grammar are sufficient to the task. Definitely something I need to look into.
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E. Lord of Chaos by Robert Jordan Jul 7: Jul 23
F. Romeo & Juliet by William Shakespeare Jul 21: Jul 30
G. The Horse and His Boy by C.S. Lewis Jul 23: Jul 24
29. Master and Commander by Patrick O'Brian Jul 8: Aug 6 (audio book)
I'm in a summer re-reading glut at the moment, so only my audio book is a new read.
F. Romeo & Juliet by William Shakespeare Jul 21: Jul 30
G. The Horse and His Boy by C.S. Lewis Jul 23: Jul 24
29. Master and Commander by Patrick O'Brian Jul 8: Aug 6 (audio book)
I'm in a summer re-reading glut at the moment, so only my audio book is a new read.
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H. Palace Walk by Naguib Mahfouz Aug 5: Aug 15
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30. Storyteller: The Life of Roald Dahl by Donald Sturrock Apr 26: Aug 16
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31. The End of the Affair by Graham Greene Aug 7: Aug 20 (audio book)
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I. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J. K. Rowling Jul 26: Aug 24
32. The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman Aug 21: Sep 8 (audio book)
33. Women's Lives edited by Phyllis Rose Aug 16: Sep 15
The full cast audio version of The Golden Compass was just wonderful. The young girl who does the voice of Lyra is engaging, expressive, and much better than many of the adults I've listened to. I highly recommend listening to this and plan to continue with the audio series.
32. The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman Aug 21: Sep 8 (audio book)
33. Women's Lives edited by Phyllis Rose Aug 16: Sep 15
The full cast audio version of The Golden Compass was just wonderful. The young girl who does the voice of Lyra is engaging, expressive, and much better than many of the adults I've listened to. I highly recommend listening to this and plan to continue with the audio series.
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34. The Sign of Four by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Sep 12: Sep 23
35. The Wilder Life by Wendy McClure Sep 15: Sep 30 (audio book)
Moving forward in my Sherlock Holmes reading (complete works downloaded onto my phone) and my most recent book on tape. Every year seems to have its slump period and this has definitely been the case these past few months. Hopefully with the imminent cold weather my reading will perk up a bit.
35. The Wilder Life by Wendy McClure Sep 15: Sep 30 (audio book)
Moving forward in my Sherlock Holmes reading (complete works downloaded onto my phone) and my most recent book on tape. Every year seems to have its slump period and this has definitely been the case these past few months. Hopefully with the imminent cold weather my reading will perk up a bit.
27arrianarose
36. I, Claudius by Robert Graves Sep 17: Oct 5
I'm not really sure what I feel about this one. It's not that it was uninteresting or badly written, but I somehow didn't quite connect with it. Maybe it's that I expected a story of someone in power, rather than an insider/outsider discussing the extremely corrupt and violent events around him? That's not quite it - maybe the tone of the "author," sometimes effected but generally distant and aloof? I can't quite decide.
I'm not really sure what I feel about this one. It's not that it was uninteresting or badly written, but I somehow didn't quite connect with it. Maybe it's that I expected a story of someone in power, rather than an insider/outsider discussing the extremely corrupt and violent events around him? That's not quite it - maybe the tone of the "author," sometimes effected but generally distant and aloof? I can't quite decide.
28arrianarose
37. Kitty Nirvana by Barry Corbett Oct 8 (ROOT book)
38. Louisa May Alcott: A Personal Biography by Susan Cheever Oct 2: Oct 15 (audio book)
I think had completely forgotten about the ROOT challenge I set for myself this year and the majority of books this year have either been audiobooks from the library or books purchased at the very beginning of the year when the bookstore closed, so I have not been including them as "my own" (owned as of Jan 1st). I'm in the middle of Wolf Hall right now, which I'm really enjoying, but I've set up a new (as yet untested) system for eating into my tbr stacks - all tbr titles, plus a few library books, are written on slips of paper and in a jar right next to them; when finished my current book, a new one gets randomly chosen from the jar. This idea is thanks to similarly dilemma-ed internet book readers. We'll see how it goes!
38. Louisa May Alcott: A Personal Biography by Susan Cheever Oct 2: Oct 15 (audio book)
I think had completely forgotten about the ROOT challenge I set for myself this year and the majority of books this year have either been audiobooks from the library or books purchased at the very beginning of the year when the bookstore closed, so I have not been including them as "my own" (owned as of Jan 1st). I'm in the middle of Wolf Hall right now, which I'm really enjoying, but I've set up a new (as yet untested) system for eating into my tbr stacks - all tbr titles, plus a few library books, are written on slips of paper and in a jar right next to them; when finished my current book, a new one gets randomly chosen from the jar. This idea is thanks to similarly dilemma-ed internet book readers. We'll see how it goes!
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39. Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel Oct 5: Oct 21
Excellent! I'm so glad I finally got around to reading this; it was worth the hype. The only thing I'm not sure of is how it can be a trilogy. How much longer does Cromwell have? A good amount of history is covered in this book and there is obviously enough remaining for a second, but a third? I guess I'll have to wait and see!
Excellent! I'm so glad I finally got around to reading this; it was worth the hype. The only thing I'm not sure of is how it can be a trilogy. How much longer does Cromwell have? A good amount of history is covered in this book and there is obviously enough remaining for a second, but a third? I guess I'll have to wait and see!
30arrianarose
40. The Food of a Younger Land by Mark Kurlansky Oct 17: Nov 6 (audio book)
41. Pamela by Samuel Richardson Oct 22: Nov 16 (ROOT book)
I'm glad I listened to this rather than read it, as I fear I would have skimmed over some of the recipes, but it was interesting to listen to them read out, as it's not normally something you hear read to you. The only downfall is that the ones that sounded good and I might want to try, I don't have in paper, so would need to find the physical book, recall which sections the recipes I liked were in, and search for them, which in essence means I'll never actually do it. Too bad, that. And Pamela, oy. So very much longer than it needed to be - this is the book that never ends. Each time you get to a point where you can't possibly see what else can or needs to be told and you realize that you're only one third, halfway or two thirds through.
41. Pamela by Samuel Richardson Oct 22: Nov 16 (ROOT book)
I'm glad I listened to this rather than read it, as I fear I would have skimmed over some of the recipes, but it was interesting to listen to them read out, as it's not normally something you hear read to you. The only downfall is that the ones that sounded good and I might want to try, I don't have in paper, so would need to find the physical book, recall which sections the recipes I liked were in, and search for them, which in essence means I'll never actually do it. Too bad, that. And Pamela, oy. So very much longer than it needed to be - this is the book that never ends. Each time you get to a point where you can't possibly see what else can or needs to be told and you realize that you're only one third, halfway or two thirds through.
31arrianarose
42. Hiroshima by John Hersey Nov 18: Nov 19
43. Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers by Mary Roach Nov 13: Nov 24 (audio book)
Both were quite good and, given the subject matter for each of them, neither was at all morbid or depressing.
43. Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers by Mary Roach Nov 13: Nov 24 (audio book)
Both were quite good and, given the subject matter for each of them, neither was at all morbid or depressing.
32nancyewhite
I really enjoyed looking at your thread.
>28 arrianarose: What did you think of the Susan Cheever biography? I'm interested in reading a bio of Louisa May Alcott, but likely only one so I'm trying to find the one I'll enjoy the most.
>28 arrianarose: What did you think of the Susan Cheever biography? I'm interested in reading a bio of Louisa May Alcott, but likely only one so I'm trying to find the one I'll enjoy the most.
33arrianarose
>32 nancyewhite: nancyewhite Hi! Thanks for stopping by! :) It wasn't bad, but I think I'd recommend another bio, honestly. Unfortunately it's the only one I've read on Alcott, though, so I don't know where else to point you. I know as a biographer you have to fill in the missing pieces a bit, but I feel as though she speculated/assumed a bit too much on Alcott's inner feelings and motivations, particularly regarding her relationship with her father.
34arrianarose
44. Bunker Hill: A City, a Siege, a Revolution by Nathaniel Philbrick Nov 23: Dec 13
45. My Korean Deli by Ryder Howe Dec 1: Dec 12 (audio book)
Another random pull from my book jar accomplished! I'm taking a free MOOC course on the History of Boston through Suffolk University this fall, so Bunker Hill fit in perfectly. It was actually one of the supplemental books suggested in the section on the Revolutionary War. As always, Philbrick does a great job.
I also enjoyed my audio book, a random choice from the library. Humorous memoir and a good narrator.
45. My Korean Deli by Ryder Howe Dec 1: Dec 12 (audio book)
Another random pull from my book jar accomplished! I'm taking a free MOOC course on the History of Boston through Suffolk University this fall, so Bunker Hill fit in perfectly. It was actually one of the supplemental books suggested in the section on the Revolutionary War. As always, Philbrick does a great job.
I also enjoyed my audio book, a random choice from the library. Humorous memoir and a good narrator.
35arrianarose
46. Kushiel's Justice by Jacqueline Carey Dec 17: Dec 26
47. Texts from Jane Eyre by Mallory Ortberg Dec 25: Dec 26
Another excellent book by Carey. I have mixed opinions on Texts, though. The premise is great, and some of the passages are really funny, but why are they so short? And why on earth did she decide to use so very many books/authors? Despite the title, the Jane Eyre section is only three pages long - three very widely-spaced pages. Wouldn't this idea have been better served by focusing on a much smaller selection of books and rewriting them in their entirety? A highly abridged, witty retelling a few select stories, rather than miniscule snippets of 50+? As other reviewers have said, borrow it from the library to read, but don't bother buying it.
47. Texts from Jane Eyre by Mallory Ortberg Dec 25: Dec 26
Another excellent book by Carey. I have mixed opinions on Texts, though. The premise is great, and some of the passages are really funny, but why are they so short? And why on earth did she decide to use so very many books/authors? Despite the title, the Jane Eyre section is only three pages long - three very widely-spaced pages. Wouldn't this idea have been better served by focusing on a much smaller selection of books and rewriting them in their entirety? A highly abridged, witty retelling a few select stories, rather than miniscule snippets of 50+? As other reviewers have said, borrow it from the library to read, but don't bother buying it.
36arrianarose
48. The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Sep 24: Jan 17
49. The Authoritative Calvin & Hobbes by Bill Watterson Dec 20: Jan 3
49. The Authoritative Calvin & Hobbes by Bill Watterson Dec 20: Jan 3
37therealjim
How did you get the tracker here? I have tried but have not been ablel to.
Thank you
Thank you
38arrianarose
If you go to the website and choose Objects/Actions counter, you can personalize your own tracker. Once you've chosen your info and pictures, it will give you a few code options to copy/paste into your message here. I believe I chose the option for message boards, etc. Whenever you want to update your tracker, just click on it in your message thread and it will ask if you want to update or create a new one. Click update and you can add in however many new books you've read. Hope that helps! Good luck and happy reading!
