27 posts tagged “50 books in 365 days”
#40 The Drowning People by Richard Mason
I picked this book up at the $0.25 library sale. I had to read a bit of the cover just to know if it was a romance (which I avoid at all costs) novel, and this is what I read, 'My wife of 40 years shot herself yesterday afternoon, at last that is what the police assume.' Good enough for me!
I'm going to preface this little critique by stating that I have never written a book, nor do I believe myself to be successfully capable of doing so... however... within two pages, I realized two thing; it was written by a young person and he made fantastic use of a thesaurus. It is a book of choices and consequence. The overly used thesaurus was fairly annoying, and the continual youthful expression that 'no one understands me, I am so utterly unique and misunderstood' got old pretty quick. The book is written from the perspective of an elderly man reflecting on his life and I found that style original, and well, easy to do.
The book was 'okay'. It was slightly pretentious, the characters were naive, and I'm going to assume that the author knew the readers would understand what actually 'occurred' during the book's climax, and were just reading to find out the 'why'... which wasn't that deep either...
#41 Frankenstein - Dead and Alive, Book 3 by Dean Koontz.
This book was a long time coming. I was excited that this third and final installment of the series was promised to be out in 2007, (it wasn't) and by the time I was handed the book last month I had completely forgotten about it.
It's a good series, creatively written and original. The story is pretty gory, without much thought or value for 'human' life... which is actually quite appropriate as that is exactly how the 'New Race' would feel! The two police characters are absolutely unrealistic and their constant 'witty' banter is totally annoying. Other than that it was a good, easy, enjoyable read.
Great... VOX isn't allowing me to upload books... OR comment on other VOXERS... so annoying! The error message is pretty funny though...
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#39 - Italian Fever by Valerie Martin
I picked this book up at the $0.25 sale in my community, and I may have paid too much... I'm a total sucker for anything Italian, and fearing that this was a romance novel, I read the first line on the inside jacket, "A secluded Tuscan villa, a mysterious death, a missing manuscript, a whiff of a ghost" - wow, that sounds pretty interesting! The author should have stopped there - the book itself was never that compelling... the mysterious death, wasn't so much, it was a renovated farmhouse, not a villa, the manuscript wasn't ancient or even really interesting, and the ghost was probably as bored of the whole ordeal as I was... There was a lot of misleading assumptions and judgements made, and no real mystery. The love story was less than mediocre, as the author neglected to make the male character desirable in the least.
This book left me not wanting more, or caring in anyway about the future of the characters.
#37 - The Bean Trees by Barbara Kingsolver.
This was an excellent book. I was immediately drawn to the realistic language, characters and unusual storyline. It's a book about coincidence, community, and coming of age.
The story was a little predictable, but a fantastic novel nonetheless. If you liked 'Running With Scissors', 'Rush Home Road', or even 'The Lovely Bones', you will probably like this book.
#38 - The Shack by William P Young.
Apparently this book was a huge bestseller, but I only recently heard about it from 2
people who thought I might like it. I don't like hearing details about a book before I read it, but I found it interesting that both of the ladies told me nearly the exact same thing about the book after thinking it over for several seconds, 'something terrible happens to a man, and he spends a week-end having a conversation with God.'
Well, that does pretty much sums it up, but of course it is slightly more involved than that, but to understand fully one would have to read the novel.
It initially had the feel of a Mitch Albom novel - simple, straightforward, lacking overly descriptive language, and with a clear message. It was true that many times I found myself re-reading the same paragraph multiple times, trying to absorb the message.
I would recommend this book to anyone who has experienced a loss in their life without the benefit of closure or understanding why bad things happen to good people. The reader must be open minded to appreciate the messages of this novel.
#35 - Bella Tuscany - The sweet life in Italy by Frances Mayes. This is the author who wrote 'Under the Tuscan Sun' - probably one of my favorite movies. I found it visually beautiful and the story light and clever.
Bella Tuscany is an Italian travel book of sorts. It also describes some local traditions and everyday life.
I really love the way Italians live. It is very home focused, close to the earth, and connected to the past. It appears (sans Mafia) to be a gentle, natural, sweet way of living.
The book was a little tough when the author was describing her gardening and Italian artwork. I don't have the gene that can visually imagine and process what she is discussing.
Nonetheless, it was a good and informative read.
#36 - The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown. I have read all the fiction that Dan Brown has written (I think there is only 5 books or so), and this one featured the character Robert Langdon made famous by Tom Hanks who portrayed the character in 2 blockbuster movies.
The story was related to the Masonic Order and Washington D.C.. The plot was fast paced and compelling. It was a very good read.
I much prefer the books he has written that takes place in Italy, England and France. Washington D.C. is just not as exotic. I'm sure that this book will boast tourism and interest in general for America's capitol (as it did in European countries) and that is a good thing. Even in the novel, Robert Langdon asked a classroom of college students to raise their hands if they have been to Washington D.C., and few go up, compared to many hands when asked about London, and Paris. True. We should show more interest of what is in our backyard.
If you have liked Dan Brown's other novels, you will like this one.
By Charles Dickens. I choose to read this book as it is on several lists of important works of literature. I thought I read it in highschool, but when I picked it up at the local library, I realized that I was mistaken.
Just like most of the books I read, I knew nothing of the story. I wrongly assumed simply from the title and my ignorance in general, that this book would be a 'slice of life' kind of story.
Working through the language style, which I'm not accustomed to, was tough at first. I was several chapters in before I was able to let the story flow and the characters become real.
I was pleasantly surprised to discover a well thought out story, intersecting plot and nicely developed characters. I had to re-read a bit from the beginning as I couldn't remember some of the characters when I was lost in the language. I found the story most compelling during the revolutionary period in France, and when the past of the characters were revealed. I loved how the lives of the characters and families histories wound, revolved and finally came together.
This was a great book and a wonderful story.
Running with Scissors by Augusten Burroughs.
In my usual fashion I knew nothing of this book when someone recommended it to me. I should say that this lady was a little leery handing the book over to me, as she prefaced doing so by telling me she doesn't usually read books that are so 'graphic'. I appreciated the warning, but told her I didn't want to know any more.
This book is a memoir of a highly dysfunctional childhood spent in a pseudo 'family'. The author has a wonderfully warped sense of humor and he doesn't hold back when describing to the reader exactly what happened to him and how he felt about it.
It is a disturbing but very entertaining book. I would recommend it to 'some' (like not my mom...).
Upon completion of this book, I read the reviews on the back and inside of the jacket, and I'll quote some... (SPOILER ALERT)
'It is as funny as it is twisted'
'A hilarious and horrifying memoir'
And my favorite:
'Burroughs defies the 'woe is me' stigma of modern memoir with a raucous recounting of his loony teenage years'
If anyone was deserving of a 'woe is me' attitude it would be this guy... which is a 'stigma of the modern memoir?' I think most popular memoirs feature a terrible childhood (deservedly 'woe is me' - they are children for God's sake!) followed by a successful adult life... luckily Mr. Burroughs has an incredible sense of humor which I'm guessing he developed as a coping mechanism...'Loony teenage years'? I wonder if this reviewer actually read the entire memoir. Did the reviewer think it was nutty fun hilarity when Augusten's father refused to see him? It was just comical that the author was taking care of his crazy 'mother' with her neglectful, self destructive, selfish, and beyond abusive behavior?Did the reviewer think it to be wacky silly fun when the 13 year old boy was raped by a man in his 30's? Filth, neglect, mental illness and drugs? Good times eh? Maybe that review is an example of how our society is desensitized against abuse and neglect.
I think if I was smart enough to be paid to review a book, I would say something like
:
'This is a deeply disturbing memoir of a childhood riddled with abuse and neglect told with wicked self effacing sense of warped humor. A light retelling of a horrifying childhood.
It was a good read.
Okay, I've been busy. Here's my catch up...
#29 - 8th Confession by James Patterson. This was a typical James Patterson novel within his Women's Murder Club series. The pace of course was fast, the language, descriptive, but not annoyingly so. I found the plot a little simple and I'll even go as far to say it was a little underdeveloped (yeah, like I should have an opinion...) I think that Mr. Patterson keeps this series a little lighter, bordering on 'beach read'.
It was a good book and I will read the 9th installment. I won't run out and buy it, but I may stroll into the library a few months after it is released and see if it's available.
#30 - Final Warning by James Patterson. This is the fourth novel in Mr. Patterson's 'Maximum Ride' series. I really enjoy this series although the intended target reader is a teenager. These novels are action packed and even a little inspiring. The lead characters are good role models (although they are constantly kicking ass) and I feel much better about my 14 year old niece loving this series (she does) rather than the Twilight series (ugh, don't get me started).
At times I can't believe how well Mr. Patterson writes from the perspective of an angry, conflicted teenage girl. Some of the phrases he uses makes me laugh out loud. The global warming issue was a little overdone, but in general it was a great read.
The only dissapointing aspect of this novel was its length. It was short. I purchased the paperback for my niece and I quickly finished it and discovered a quarter of the book was previews for the next Maximum Ride novel, and 2 previews for Patterson's Daniel X series.
#31 - The Last Juror by John Grisham. I was positive that I had read every novel Grisham had ever written (except Skipping Christmas), and when I picked up this novel and began reading trying to jolt my memory I couldn't believe that I hadn't read it.
This was a good book - very typical in style and pace for a Grisham story. It was however, far from my favorite, but good nonetheless. I found this story to be a little less bloody and disturbing than other novels I have read, and that was actually nice. Certain character names in the book stuck in my head and I realized that a few characters were actually from the book/movie; A Time To Kill. I really enjoyed that crossover.
I would recommend this book to any fan of this genre.
#32 - The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls. This book was lent to my by a good friend (and fellow reader) of mine. I picked it up several times throughout the day and finished it before dark. This is an autobiographic account of a woman who grew up in extreme poverty. A total page turner.
When I finished reading it - I was surprised that the idea of mental illness was never expressed. It seemed obvious to me that these parents had issues beyond alcoholism and whatever general nuttiness inspired the flightly, neglectful, and selfish behavior the mother continually exibited. Perhaps the author did this on purpose - I'm not sure. I also found the author a little detached from the story. She never really expressed how she felt... even physical pain wasn't discussed. I suppose one would have to detach themselves in order to survive. I was shocked by the conditions in which she was raised. Appalled. I couldn't understand or relate to her parents, and I was frustrated and angry with them. I wanted to reach into the pages and slap sense into her parents - the author did an excellent job expressing her childhood, in a straighforward way. I felt while reading it that the author felt a rush of release of issues that she might have carried from her childhood into her adult world. It was dispassionate and felt like the author took one deep breath, picked up a pen and didn't stop, or allow emotion until she exhaled, finished her story and put the pen back down.
This was an excellent book. Simple, to the point, and in your face disturbing. Jeannette Walls should certainly be proud of herself.
#27: 7th Heaven by James Patterson. This is the 7th (duh) book in the 'women's murder
club' series featuring Lindsay Boxer as the main character. It is quick, compelling and interesting as I find all James Patterson novels to be.
Normally I immensely dislike books written in 1st person narratives, but this one didn't bother me so much. The author switched the narrative between the main characters, and it was rather good.
I realized just into the book that somehow I missed the 6th book. That drives me crazy! I'm reading it now.
#28: Timeline by Michael Crichton. This book has been sitting on my shelf for maybe 2 years. I thought I had read it until I was packing up some books to drop off at the exchange library at our golf course and I had a closer look at the book.
I read this book in less than 2 days. It was a page turner and I enjoyed the historical context. It was a little bit long toward the end... I remember thinking, 'okay, whose turn is it to go missing?' In the end it was a great Crichton novel, and I found myself wondering if it could be successfully translated onto the big screen.
Next by Michael Chrighton.
This novel delved into genetic manipulation, and creation gone bad.
It was a good story, but there were so many characters - 2 even with the same name. It was fast paced and thrilling at times, and although the author was able to dumb down scientific explanation of genetic engineering so the average person could easily understand it, there were so many characters and plot lines I occasionally felt lost.
The story abruptly ended and neat and tidy with a bow on top.
I liked the ideas that the novel put forth, but it could have been much better. I would recommend it, but not heartily.
I'm a little behind posting for the 50 books in 365 days... There may be a few spoilers below...
21 - Angels and Demons by Dan Brown. This was a re-read for me, as I read this book a few years ago. I really do enjoy Dan Brown's books. I have read them all, and this one was my favorite as I love the Italian background. The story is suspenseful and action packed. I'm looking forward to his new release in the fall.
22 - New Moon by Stephenie Meyer. This is the second book in the Twilight series and my favorite. Why? Because Bella wasn't constantly in a struggle with Edward. Yes, the teenage drama can get a bit annoying, but all in all, it was a decent story.
23 - Memoirs by Pierre Elliot Trudeau. I snatched this one from my mom's bookshelf. I
really didn't know anything about PET except my family didn't like him, so I correctly assumed him to a liberal, and that he created PETRO CAN, which my aunt told me (when I was about 10) that it stood for 'Pierre Elliot Trudeau Ripped Off Canada. In the back cover of the book there was a review which I made the mistake of reading. As discussed in the review, the book was written in very simple terms, for such an intellectual, and it didn't go in depth at all about his early years, or his family. I did find the book very interesting as I was quite young when he was Prime Minister, and I studied a bit of his politics in University.
In general I was fascinated with his life. He back packed throughout the world, was extremely well educated, very balanced and a true 'thinker'. I realize of course that this book was simply from his point of view, but I really think he did a lot of good for Canada. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys (a simply written) an
autobiography.
24 - Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer. This is the third book of the Twilight series. It was good, but I was still continually annoyed with Bella and Edward's relationship and teenage angst in general. Does anyone realize that essentially he is 90 years old in love with a 17 year old? Creepy.
25 - Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer. This is the last and hopefully final book in the Twilight series. This one really jumped the shark. I kept thinking, 'NO!' I can't believe the author had the characters, um, let's just say, go in that direction. Stupid. She easily could have written a few books before this one or at least spread the ideas in this book out over several novels. Things happened WAY too fast and WAY too soon. I worry because this
book is so incredibly popular with teenage girls... impressionable, drama seeking teenage girls, and I'm very concerned that they will glamorize and project the inappropriate direction the characters went. Ugh. I'll have to have a chat with my 14 year old niece who is obsessed with the series...
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