Anna Begins Posted July 26, 2014 Author Share Posted July 26, 2014 (edited) This is a short list of upcoming books TBR or tried via Kindle Sample. 12 Years a Slave by Soloman Northup Salt by Colin F. Barnes (own it) All Rivers Run to the Sea- Memoirs by Ellie Wiesel World Without End by Ken Follett (Own it) Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver something by Clive Barker Take Me With You- Catherine Ryan Hyde The Boy From Reactor 4- Orest Stelmach Burnt Tongues An Anthology of Transgressive stories Edited by Chuck Palahniuk Celestine Prophesy by James RedField Choke by Chuck Palahniuk Close Your Eyes, Hold Hands by Chris Bohjalian Cuckoo’s Calling by Robert Galbraith (JK Rowling) Reading Now A Time to Kill by John Grisham She’s Come Undone by Wally Lamb My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult Second Hand Heart by Catherine Ryan Hyde ADDED 9/15/14 I, Claudius by Robert Graves (Own it) Wool by Hugh Howey Edited September 17, 2014 by Anna Begins Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Athena Posted July 26, 2014 Share Posted July 26, 2014 Some interesting titles there! I have World Without End, Before I Fall, The Cuckoo's Calling and A Time to Kill (I bought it today) on my TBR. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anna Begins Posted July 26, 2014 Author Share Posted July 26, 2014 Some interesting titles there! I have World Without End, Before I Fall, The Cuckoo's Calling and A Time to Kill (I bought it today) on my TBR. My TBR list this year keeps growing so I have to tone it down a bit and remind myself what I should be reading lol I went through all my Kindle Samples last night and cleared some out and then decided on these. I might even read them in that order, so if you read one before I do, let me know! I really want to read A Time to Kill, it's 2nd down from the bottom... might have to be moved up I do want to read World Without End too, but after The Fountainhead, I don't want another epic so close, ya know? I thought 12 Years a Slave would help that at 140 pages I think I'm gonna do more shorter stories too, for the rest of the year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Athena Posted July 26, 2014 Share Posted July 26, 2014 That makes perfect sense! I also read some short books after finishing a long book . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anna Begins Posted July 26, 2014 Author Share Posted July 26, 2014 (edited) That makes perfect sense! I also read some short books after finishing a long book . Yes, (as of today) 15 days is a bit much for a book. Just for 730 pages. 70% finished so far. But 30% left to go sounds better! Edited July 26, 2014 by Anna Begins Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alexi Posted July 26, 2014 Share Posted July 26, 2014 I'm the opposite, I feel like I'm reading too many short/easy books at the moment but need books I can pick up for 30 mins and then not read any more for 2 days to keep going through work trip season. Epics to return as of August - got my eye on Pride and Prejudice (gulp!) and 11-22-63. I really enjoyed The Cuckoo's Calling Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anna Begins Posted July 26, 2014 Author Share Posted July 26, 2014 (edited) I'm the opposite, I feel like I'm reading too many short/easy books at the moment but need books I can pick up for 30 mins and then not read any more for 2 days to keep going through work trip season. Epics to return as of August - got my eye on Pride and Prejudice (gulp!) and 11-22-63. I really enjoyed The Cuckoo's Calling Oooooh- thanks for the input on Cuckoo's Calling! So far I've heard nothing about it (I won't read Amazon's reviews because of spoilers). wow- I was surprised to find out 11/22/63 is over 800 pages! It didn't seem that long at all. I hope you like it! I haven't read Pride and Prejudice, just Pride and Prejudice and Zombies Edited July 26, 2014 by Anna Begins Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anna Begins Posted July 26, 2014 Author Share Posted July 26, 2014 Hey! In case no one see's my Rare Book post, I am in desperate need of help finding and getting advice about acquiring a special copy of The Count of Monte Cristo. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobblybear Posted July 28, 2014 Share Posted July 28, 2014 I can read vertically or horizontally on my Kindle. I prefer reading vertically (ie. Kindle is the longest up and down - not left to right). I have tried reading horizontally but it just doesn't feel right. I take it back! On my new Kindle, it doesn't look like I can read horizontally. On my old Kindle Keyboard I definitely could. World Without End is quite good, but not as good as The Pillars of the Earth. I have The Cuckoo's Calling on my TBR pile, and I really want to read it this year. A Time To Kill is good (but avoid the sequel), and I loved She's Come Undone. Looks like you've got some interesting reading ahead of you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anna Begins Posted July 28, 2014 Author Share Posted July 28, 2014 I take it back! On my new Kindle, it doesn't look like I can read horizontally. On my old Kindle Keyboard I definitely could. Oh- if you went back to that, you saw my Prey rant Anyway, you're not missing anything by not being able to read horizontal! Thanks for all the input on my list- these are the ones I must absolutely read asap. So many books, so little time- so true! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anna Begins Posted August 1, 2014 Author Share Posted August 1, 2014 (edited) The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand, 740 pages. As often criticized, Atlas Shrugged and The Fountainhead are not the same book. They are different books about the same philosophy. In The Fountainhead, Objectivism leads the plot, while Atlas Shrugged relies on an elements of science fiction to capture the essence of the philosophy. At the heart of Atlas Shrugged is a female railroad tycoon, strong and confident, unable to find something she is searching for, in both man and world. The Fountainhead focuses on the world of architecture, two male architects in particular, and a whole host of others, all in various stages of Objectivism and on their way (or not ) to an Objective inner Nirvana. The antagonist, of course, holds opposite beliefs- Communist ideas, not one of a free will but of a collective one in the interest of all others, sort of a “collective soul” and definitely one of a socialist utopia. This all ties up around… oh 91% into the book or so, when Rand fills in the gaps and leads the reader to realize the contradictions between Objectivism and Existentialism, Communism and Capitalism, and in that way, sets us up for the ending. Then it all clicks and continues to reverberate as you go on thinking about it. Much controversy has been made about Ayn Rand, her Objectivism and libertarian views, many comparing Objectivism with Existentialism. According to Rand, Objectivism is achieved through lifting oneself above environmental factors that can influence one’s own happiness, which Objectivism claims to be the moral purpose of one’s life. This can be achieved by separating one’s idea’s from religion, government, society, etc. Knowledge also factors heavily in Objectivism, along with logic and the pursuit of happiness- which can come through the freedoms allowed in Capitalism (If anything, Rand cannot be described as a communist or socialist. In her belief, those types of Governments preach against the sacrifice of personal joy and support a collective society/ government that takes away the personal freedom to find one’s happiness). Finally, if Objectivism sounds idealistic, Rand writes, that Objectivism is "a philosophy for living on earth, aimed at defining human nature and the nature of the world in which we live.” The characters in The Fountainhead have lots of knowledge about social systems, governments, the economy, Objective and existentialistic beliefs, which are routinely discussed throughout the book. Although thought provoking, The Fountainhead does became redundant in parts but allows the reader to not debate Objectivism, but to have understanding of some of its nuances. The focus of The Fountainhead is more the philosophy and how the characters public and private images are shaped by their views. Atlas Shrugged is more focused on a passionate love story Originally published in 1943, The Fountainhead is timeless, dealing with subject matters that must have been discussed in the midst and aftermath of a second World War, and are still debated today- the role of Government, the impact of religion on society, societies values on oneself, how one finds happiness and how that happiness can be achieved. In the Introduction to the 25th edition of this book, Rand stated she has changed none of the text in The Fountainhead (which was turned down by 12 publishers) and has sold 6.5 million copies. In terms of ratings, I cannot recommend this book to anyone who isn't interested in philosophy but I could recommend the passionate love story of Atlas Shrugged. Personally, I like Ayn Rand and find her ideas interesting. I don't think I will rate this book. Edited: spoiler tags because some impressions of the book could be considered a spoiler. Just on the safe side. Edited August 5, 2014 by Anna Begins Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Athena Posted August 1, 2014 Share Posted August 1, 2014 Great review ! I can imagine it must have taken a while to get through. According to Amazon, both books (paperback versions) have a lot of pages! It does sound interesting and I am interested in philosophy, though I don't know how easy or hard it would be for me to follow the book. It makes sense it's hard to rate the book. It's not really one to read for your enjoyment, more for learning more about things. It's nice you have finally finished it, now you can concentrate on reading something else . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anna Begins Posted August 1, 2014 Author Share Posted August 1, 2014 (edited) Great review ! I can imagine it must have taken a while to get through. According to Amazon, both books (paperback versions) have a lot of pages! It does sound interesting and I am interested in philosophy, though I don't know how easy or hard it would be for me to follow the book. It makes sense it's hard to rate the book. It's not really one to read for your enjoyment, more for learning more about things. It's nice you have finally finished it, now you can concentrate on reading something else . Thanks for the freedback! I just think it transcends a rating! I could simply not come up with a numbered rating. I guess it would be a 3/5, just normal to a 4/5, it was good. Because it was. I hate that I posted my trials with this book, because I don't want to give the impression it is a bad book or so difficult you can't read it, it's just a book of philosophy and is an intense epic. Yes, that is the word I should have used in my review- an intense epic. Edited August 1, 2014 by Anna Begins Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Athena Posted August 2, 2014 Share Posted August 2, 2014 Thanks for the freedback! I just think it transcends a rating! I could simply not come up with a numbered rating. I guess it would be a 3/5, just normal to a 4/5, it was good. Because it was. I hate that I posted my trials with this book, because I don't want to give the impression it is a bad book or so difficult you can't read it, it's just a book of philosophy and is an intense epic. Yes, that is the word I should have used in my review- an intense epic. It makes sense! I would find it hard to rate such a book too, I've had it happen more often with non-fiction books. "An intense epic" sounds like an appropriate description . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alexi Posted August 2, 2014 Share Posted August 2, 2014 Hi Anna Great review! I did a philosophy class at university, but it was a late elective choice and I decided I wasn't cut out for it - midway through discussing whether a table existed I wanted to out my hand up and say - I can see it, feel it and if we all described it we would probably say similar things, which is good enough for me so may I be excused to go for a swift drink in the union? However, your review has made me really intrigued about this book...so I have tentatively added it to the wishlist! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anna Begins Posted August 4, 2014 Author Share Posted August 4, 2014 (edited) Hi Anna Great review! I did a philosophy class at university, but it was a late elective choice and I decided I wasn't cut out for it - midway through discussing whether a table existed I wanted to out my hand up and say - I can see it, feel it and if we all described it we would probably say similar things, which is good enough for me so may I be excused to go for a swift drink in the union? However, your review has made me really intrigued about this book...so I have tentatively added it to the wishlist! Yes, but does that really prove the table is there? Does it want to be there? How did it become to be there? I'm totally kidding. Thanks so much for reading my review! I appreciate it. And if you ever get to The Fountainhead, I'd love to hear your thoughts. I looked up a thread on here and some people were pretty harsh. I personally, like Ayn Rand and find her views really interesting. I did delete quite a bit from this review lol I didn't want to start a big hoopla. I guess it helps that I don't believe similarly to Rand and existentialism, I can find the other side interesting and a mind challenge... with this book, I just went on with the presumption of Objectivism as a goal for the characters and then enjoyed the arguments for and against. Edited August 4, 2014 by Anna Begins Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anna Begins Posted August 5, 2014 Author Share Posted August 5, 2014 (edited) 12 Years a Slave by Solomon Northup 227 pages Genre: Non Fiction In the epilogue of 12 Years a Slave, Solomon Northup nearly apologizes for making his story “too prominently on the bright side”. Indeed, it is on the lighter side of the slave perspective. Choosing to write in first person, Northup tells of his experiences after being kidnapped and sold into slavery. Born a freeman, Northup preservers through those 12 years in stoic character, hardly describing events with any emotion. The book is short, each chapter being only a few pages. In never really inserting his emotions into his experiences, and the manner in which they are described, something was left missing. I did cry once though, so I guess it isn't that unemotional. It is a grim book- plenty of whippings, beatings, cotton picking, ripped apart families and "man's inhumanity to man", but the book is not graphic and you know the outcome by how he narrates and foreshadows. Published in 1853, 12 Years a Slave is dedicated to Harriet Beecher Stowe. 3/5, it was just a normal read, but I would recommend it to those interested in books such as Uncle Tom's Cabin, etc (No, I have not seen the movie, just clips on the Oscars) Edited August 5, 2014 by Anna Begins Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobblybear Posted August 5, 2014 Share Posted August 5, 2014 I bought this one for my Kindle, because I'd heard so much about the movie. I have yet to read it though (like so many others ). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anna Begins Posted August 5, 2014 Author Share Posted August 5, 2014 I bought this one for my Kindle, because I'd heard so much about the movie. I have yet to read it though (like so many others ). It's really short, you can probably do it in two days. It's not harsh, like the clips of the movie I have seen. Not a page turner, but the length of the chapters save it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muggle not Posted August 8, 2014 Share Posted August 8, 2014 It's really short, you can probably do it in two days. It's not harsh, like the clips of the movie I have seen. Not a page turner, but the length of the chapters save it. I haven't read the book but the movie was good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anna Begins Posted August 8, 2014 Author Share Posted August 8, 2014 I haven't read the book but the movie was good. I might watch it next week, I am going to watch Winter's Bone in the next day or so. I have so many I want to watch but I can't tear myself away from the Chris Bohjalian book I'm reading, haven't finished it yet, but think you would like it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anisia Posted August 8, 2014 Share Posted August 8, 2014 I've had this on my TBR list for a while, I think it's time to actually go ahead and read it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alexi Posted August 8, 2014 Share Posted August 8, 2014 12 Years a Slave is on my TBR, but I keep putting it off - worried I won't be affected emotionally in the way you're "supposed" to be I think... It does sound like the film is much harsher than the book though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anna Begins Posted August 8, 2014 Author Share Posted August 8, 2014 (edited) 12 Years a Slave is on my TBR, but I keep putting it off - worried I won't be affected emotionally in the way you're "supposed" to be I think... It does sound like the film is much harsher than the book though. The book is not harsh at all. It is worth a read, but I wouldn't move it up on my TBR (Frankly, I was a little bored in parts) and don't think it's some terrible emotional book- like the clips of the movie I've seen (one of my friends actually saw people walking out of the theater- book is SO not like that). Edited August 8, 2014 by Anna Begins Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muggle not Posted August 8, 2014 Share Posted August 8, 2014 I might watch it next week, I am going to watch Winter's Bone in the next day or so. I have so many I want to watch but I can't tear myself away from the Chris Bohjalian book I'm reading, haven't finished it yet, but think you would like it. I put Close Your Eyes Hold Hands on hold at the library. I now have 3 books on hold and that can be a problem sometimes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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