Kylie's Reading List

[Kylie]

Kylie's Reading List :readingtwo:

Books that have been read are in bold, with a rating out of 10 next to them. Books that I'm reading; books that have been borrowed. Unless otherwise noted, I'll be reading hard copies of all books.

I'll do a brief review of each book when I finish it. Please feel free to share your thoughts with me on any of these books! :)

A selection of books on my TBR list:
Margaret Atwood: The Handmaid's Tale 8/10
Jane Austen: Emma 9/10
JM Barrie: Peter Pan (ebook on iPod) 8/10
Ray Bradbury: The Small Assassin 8/10
Bill Bryson: A Walk In The Woods 8/10
John Buchan: The Thirty-Nine Steps 6/10
Anthony Burgess: A Clockwork Orange 10/10
Lewis Carroll: Alice's Adventures In Wonderland 8/10
Lewis Carroll: Through The Looking-Glass (ebook on iPod) 8/10
Santo Cilauro, Tom Gleisner, Rob Sitch: Molvania 8/10
Paulo Coelho: The Alchemist 4/10
Roald Dahl: Danny The Champion Of The World 8/10
Diane: Into My Life (Beatles fan fiction) (ebook on iPod) 8/10
Charles Dickens: A Christmas Carol 9/10
Charles Dickens: Great Expectations 9/10
Fyodor Dostoevsky: Crime And Punishment 8/10
Tim Flannery (ed): The Birth Of Sydney 8/10
Tim Flannery (ed): The Explorers 8/10
George Grossmith: Diary Of A Nobody (ebook on iPod) 9/10
Mark Haddon: A Spot Of Bother 7/10
Kathryn Kenny: Trixie Belden And The Marshland Mystery (#10) 6/10
Jack Kerouac: The Town And The City 9/10
Ken Kesey: One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest 10/10
Stephen King: Different Seasons (borrowed from brother) 8/10
Stephen King: Night Shift (borrowed from brother) 7/10
DH Lawrence: Lady Chatterley's Lover (ebook on iPod) 5/10
Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu: Carmilla (ebook on iPod) 8/10
Harper Lee: To Kill A Mockingbird 10/10
Ian McEwan: Atonement 8/10
David Mitchell: Cloud Atlas 6/10
LM Montgomery: Anne Of Green Gables (ebook on iPod) 8/10
Vladimir Nabokov: Lolita 9/10
Sylvia Plath: The Bell Jar 8/10
Ayn Rand: Anthem (ebook on iPod) 7/10
JK Rowling: Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows 10/10
Anna Sewell: Black Beauty (ebook on iPod) 4/10
John Steinbeck: Of Mice And Men 9/10
Bram Stoker: Dracula 10/10
Hunter S Thompson: Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas 9/10
Kurt Vonnegut: Slaughterhouse 5 9/10
HG Wells: The Time Machine (ebook on iPod) 8/10
John Wyndham: The Midwich Cuckoos 7/10

A selection of books on my To Be Re-read list:
Roald Dahl: Matilda 8/10
Roald Dahl: The Twits 8/10
JK Rowling: Harry Potter And The Philosopher's Stone 8/10
JK Rowling: Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secrets 8/10
JK Rowling: Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban 8/10
JK Rowling: Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire 9/10
JK Rowling: Harry Potter And The Order Of The Phoenix 8/10
JK Rowling: Harry Potter And The Half-Blood Prince 8/10
Jonathan Wylie: The Lightless Kingdom (Book 2, Unbalanced Earth) 8/10
Jonathan Wylie: The Age Of Chaos (Book 3, Unbalanced Earth) 8/10

[JudyB]

A long list Kylie!

Far From the Madding Crowd jumps out for me as it's my all time favourite novel and Northanger Abbey is my favourite Jane Austen.

I've also read (and enjoyed) Dracula, Jane Eyre, A Town Like Alice, Frankenstein and Sense and Sensibility.

happy reading!

[Renniemist]

Good list Kylie.

I really enjoyed To Kill a Mockingbird

I have also read and enjoyed A Handmaid’s Tale, Jane Eyre, A Walk In The Woods, In Cold Blood, Gone With The Wind, Vanishing Acts, Frankenstein, and A Town Like Alice.

I also have a handful on your list on my TBR pile.


Let us know how you get on.:)

[Purple Poppy]

Some excellent books there.
But i wouldn't fall over backwards to read Edith Wharton. (Sorry....just my opinion from reading House of Mirth last year):blush:

Pp

[Angel]

Some very good books on that list Kylie

[Kylie]

Some excellent books there.
But i wouldn't fall over backwards to read Edith Wharton. (Sorry....just my opinion from reading House of Mirth last year):blush:

Pp

No need to apologise Pp! I like to hear everyone's opinions of books. It helps me to decide what to read next (or not :lol: )

I think maybe I'll leave House of Mirth for a little while. I've heard quite a few good reviews of A Handmaid's Tale on here, so I think I'll read that next.

Today I started reading The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath. So far so good!

[Kylie]

A long list Kylie!

Far From the Madding Crowd jumps out for me as it's my all time favourite novel and Northanger Abbey is my favourite Jane Austen.

I've also read (and enjoyed) Dracula, Jane Eyre, A Town Like Alice, Frankenstein and Sense and Sensibility.

happy reading!

Far From The Madding Crowd has been on my TBR list for a while. I read Pride and Prejudice late last year (my first Jane Austen) and I absolutely loved it. I was going to read Emma next, but maybe I should go for Northanger Abbey!

My brother also highly recommended Frankenstein and Dracula :smile2:

Thanks for the recommendations!

[Kylie]

Good list Kylie.

I really enjoyed To Kill a Mockingbird

I have also read and enjoyed A Handmaid’s Tale, Jane Eyre, A Walk In The Woods, In Cold Blood, Gone With The Wind, Vanishing Acts, Frankenstein, and A Town Like Alice.

I also have a handful on your list on my TBR pile.


Let us know how you get on.:)

Hi Renniemist! I first read To Kill A Mockingbird for school around 10 years ago. I couldn't remember what I thought of it at the time so thought I'd give it another go. What a great book! It's now one of my favourites.

I'm really looking forward to reading A Handmaid's Tale and, well, all the rest of the books on my list! I might leave A Walk In The Woods for after I've read a 'difficult' book and I need some light reading and a laugh :mrgreen:

[Kylie]

To Kill A Mockingbird
Harper Lee

Rating: 10/10

Published: 1960
Number of Pages: 309
ISBN: 0099419785

Summary (taken from blurb):
'Shoot all the bluejays you want, if you can hit 'em, but remember it's a sin to kill a mockingbird.' A lawyer's advice to his children as he defends the real mockingbird of this enchanting classic - a black man charged with the rape of a white girl.

Through the young eyes of Scout and Jem Finch, Harper Lee explores with exuberant humour the irrationality of adult attitudes to race and class in the Deep South of the thirties.

The conscience of a town steeped in prejudice, violence and hypocrisy is pricked by the stamina of one man's struggle for justice.

But the weight of history will only tolerate so much.

Comments:
This is one of my favourite books. The characters are beautifully written and the story is funny, touching and heart-rending. The story is told from Scout's point of view, as a woman looking back on her childhood. I very highly recommend this book. The movie, starring Gregory Peck, is also wonderful.


Started: 8 January 2007
Finished: 12 January 2007

To Kill A Mockingbird (at Amazon.com) (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0099419785/ref=nosim/librarythin08-20)

[Kylie]

Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas
Hunter S Thompson

Rating: 9/10

Published: 1972
Number of pages: 204
ISBN: 0007204493

Summary (taken from blurb):
Hunter S Thompson is driving to Las Vegas with his attorney, the Samoan, to find the dark side of the American dream. Roaring down the desert highway from Los Angeles, they realise there's only one way to go about such a perilous task: getting very, very twisted. Armed with a drug arsenal of stupendous proportions, the duo engage in a manic, surreal tour of the sleaze capital of the world. Their perilous, chemically-enhanced confrontations with casino operators, police officers and assorted Middle Americans have a hallucinatory humour and nightmare terror. Riotously funny, daringly original and dead serious at its core, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas is a classic statement on the collapsed dream of the American sixties.

Comments:
Well, it's just like the blurb says. This book is hilarious. The paranoia of Thompson and his Samoan attorney as they hoon around Las Vegas and try to act 'normal' when they find themselves in the middle of a narcotics conference surrounded by police is very, very funny. This book is a one-of-a-kind, and a fantastic read. Made into a very good movie starring Johnny Depp.


Started: 15 January 2007
Finished: 20 January 2007

Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas (at Amazon.com) (http://www.amazon.com/Loathing-Harper-Perennial-Modern-Classics/dp/0007204493/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2/103-0387162-1086228?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1173350241&sr=1-2)

[Polka Dot Rock]

Hello Kylie! Excellent list - very far reaching :) Of those on your list...

Margaret Atwood: A Handmaid's Tale
Charlotte Bronte: Jane Eyre
Ken Kesey: One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest
Vladimir Nabokov: Lolita
Sylvia Plath: The Bell Jar
Bram Stoker: Dracula
William Makepeace Thackeray: Vanity Fair

...are amongst my favourites. All quite high up in the-invisible-chart-in-my-mind too!

I read Kate Mosse's Labyrinth last year. Thought it was, well, okay. It wasn't a highlight but everyone else I know really enjoyed it. So clearly I'm just a kill joy :lol:

[Kylie]

Crime and Punishment
Fyodor Dostoevsky

Rating: 8/10

Published: 1866
Number of pages: 462
ISBN: 1840224304

Summary (taken from Wordsworth blurb):
Crime and Punishment is one of the greatest and most readable novels ever written. From the beginning we are locked into the frenzied consciousness of Raskolnikov who, against his better instincts, is inexorably drawn to commit a brutal double murder. From that moment on, we share his conflicting feelings of self-loathing and pride, of contempt for and need of others, and of terrible despair and hope of redemption: and, in a remarkable transformation of the detective novel, we follow his agonised efforts to probe and confront both his own motives for, and the consequences of, his crime. The result is a tragic novel built out of a series of supremely dramatic scenes that illuminate the eternal conflicts at the heart of human existence: most especially our desire for self-expression and self-fulfillment, as against the constraints of morality and human laws; and our agonised awareness of the world's harsh injustices and of our own mortality, as against the mysteries of divine justice and immortality.

Comments:
I found this book quite enjoyable, if somewhat tough going. I wouldn't call it 'one of the most readable novels ever written'. It took me a while to read because I just couldn't get into it and kept re-reading the same sentences over and over. I don't know how much of this could be attributed to the book though, and how much was a result of outside influences and distractions. I think this is a book that would get better with repeated readings, which I fully intend to do, once I've knocked quite a few more books off my TBR pile. I occasionally got confused with the Russian characters' names, with each going by different names. Luckily Wordsworth had kindly put a list of characters at the beginning of the book which I could refer to.

I know it may seem that I haven't really wrapped this book up, but I would highly recommend reading it; the thought processes and actions of Raskolnikov are fascinating to witness as he wanders around St Petersburg. I was really interested to see how it would end, and it was a book that stayed with me after I had finished it. I think, looking back on it almost a month later, that I can appreciate it much more than I probably did while reading it. I'm very glad I put in the effort.


Started: 29 January 2007
Finished: 18 February 2007

Crime and Punishment (at Wordsworth Editions) (http://www.wordsworth-editions.com/)

[Kylie]

The Alchemist
Paulo Coelho

Rating: 4/10

Published: 1993
Number of pages: 177
ISBN: 0061122416

Summary (taken from blurb):
Paulo Coelho's enchanting novel has inspired a devoted following around the world. This story, dazzling in its powerful simplicity and inspiring wisdom, is about an Andalusion shepherd boy named Santiago who travels from his homeland in Spain to the Egyptian desert in search of a treasure buried in the Pyramids. Along the way he meets a Gypsy woman, a man who calls himself king, and an alchemist, all of whom point Santiago in the direction of his quest. No one knows what the treasure is, or if Santiago will be able to surmount the obstacles along the way. But what starts out as a journey to find worldly goods turns into a discovery of the treasure found within. Lush, evocative, and deeply humane, the story of Santiago is an eternal testament to the transforming power of our dreams and the importance of listening to our hearts.

Comments:
This book just didn't grab me. I didn't realise until too late that it was going to be a new age fable. If I'd known beforehand, maybe I wouldn't have had such high expectations. I thought the ending was hugely disappointing because it was so very, very predictable. I was really hoping the treasure wouldn't be something as mundane and obvious as it turned out to be. And it didn't really seem to me a very appropriate treasure when you take into consideration the main character.

Maybe if I'd read this book 5-10 years ago, I would have enjoyed it more, but now it just seems like another new age book that's a bit past its use-by date. This is slightly odd because, for quite a few years, I was very much into all that new age stuff. Maybe it's because I've moved on from it that I wasn't able to enjoy this book. I can understand why it was a bestseller, because I imagine for people trying to follow their dreams, they can get something out of it. I'm not, so I didn't. :D

I didn't think it was spectacularly written either, which is something I really look for in a book. I hate to say it, but I kind of regret spending the money on it. At least I got it in a 3 for 2 deal, so I'll just pretend this was the freebie :tong:

In short, if you're not into all that new age 'listen to your heart' stuff, then this book isn't for you. But if you are, and you need some inspiration when trying to follow your dreams, then give it a go, by all means. Don't let me put you off :mrgreen:


Started: 19 February 2007
Finished: 20 February 2007

The Alchemist (at Amazon.com) (http://www.amazon.com/Alchemist-Fable-About-Following-Dream/dp/0062502182/ref=pd_bbs_2/102-5958795-0236149?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1173488042&sr=1-2)

[Kylie]

The Explorers
Tim Flannery (ed)

Rating: 8/10

Published: 1998
Number of pages: 380
ISBN: 1876485221

Summary (taken from blurb):
The explorers of Australia tell an epic story of courage and suffering, of dispossession and conquest. This bestselling anthology, brilliantly edited and introduced by Tim Flannery, documents almost four centuries of exploration and takes us beyond the frontier into a world of danger, compassion, humour, brutality and death.

The Explorers includes the work of Wills, Giles, Leichhardt, Sturt, Eyre and Mitchell, and a host of other fascinating figures. Here, in one place, is the most remarkable body of non-fiction writing every produced in Australia.

Comments:
This is a collection of fascinating accounts written by early European explorers, beginning with the Dutch in 1604 and going through to 1977. It details their early encounters with the Aborigines, when the English gave them presents of tomahawks and handkerchiefs and the Aborigines willingly became their guides and helped them find water on their explorations inland.

There are chilling stories of men becoming weakened in the desert (and sometimes dying) while searching for days on end to find water. Above all, it shows the courage of the early explorers when boldly going into the unknown. It also shows a much darker side of our history, when the relations between the Europeans and Aborigines broke down and they became enemies.

This was a very thought-provoking book, and enabled me to better understand Australia's history and the events that brought us to where we are today. Humorous in some parts, scary in others, it overall left me with a sense of admiration and respect for both the original and new inhabitants of this country.


Started: 21 February 2007
Finished: 7 March 2007

The Explorers (at Dymocks.com.au) (http://www.dymocks.com.au/ProductDetails/ProductDetail.aspx?R=1876485221)

[Kylie]

The Bell Jar
Sylvia Plath

Rating: 8/10

Published: 1963
Number of pages: 258
ISBN: 0571081789

Summary (taken from blurb):
'This terse account of an American girl's breakdown and treatment gains its considerable power from an objectivity that is extraordinary considering the nature of the material. Sylvia Plath's attention had the quality of ruthlessness and...imagery and rhetoric is disciplined by an unwinking intelligence.' Stephen Wall in the Observer.

Comments:
This was a thoroughly enjoyable book and very well written. I love Plath's use of metaphor throughout. I would have enjoyed studying this book at school and probably would have been able to identify a bit more with the character when I was younger. Highly recommended.


Started: 8 March 2007
Finished: 13 March 2007

The Bell Jar (at Amazon.com) (http://www.amazon.com/Bell-Jar-Novel-Perennial-Classics/dp/0060930187/ref=sr_1_1/002-0545438-7419204?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1174699109&sr=1-1)

[Kylie]

The Birth Of Sydney
Tim Flannery (ed)

Rating: 8/10

Published: 1999
Number of pages: 349
ISBN: 1876485450

Summary (taken from blurb):
The Birth Of Sydney tells the story of the founding of one of the world's great cities. Tim Flannery's brilliant anthology reveals Sydney's strange and secret life from its unruly beginnings as a dump for convicts to its arrival as the 'queen of the south' a century later. In this compelling narrative history we hear the voices of everyone from Aboriginal women to Russian sailors, from Elizabeth Macarthur to Charles Darwin and a host of others.

Comments:
Another thoroughly entertaining and educational collection of accounts of the early history of Australia. It's amazing to compare the old colonial town of Sydney with what stands in its place today. A lot of stories centre around the area I work in, and I know I'll never view these streets and parks the same way again.


Started: 25 February 2007
Finished: 24 March 2007

The Birth Of Sydney (at Dymocks.com.au) (http://www.dymocks.com.au/ProductDetails/ProductDetail.aspx?R=9781876485450)

[Purple Poppy]

I still haven't read the Bell Jar, why I don't know, because I love her work, and Ted Hughs. I must read it soon!
The book on Sidney sounds fascinating. Did you know much of the history before you read it, or was it a complete eye opener? Again, given the time, I'd love to read it.

[Kylie]

I still haven't read the Bell Jar, why I don't know, because I love her work, and Ted Hughs. I must read it soon!
The book on Sidney sounds fascinating. Did you know much of the history before you read it, or was it a complete eye opener? Again, given the time, I'd love to read it.

I don't know exactly what I was expecting from The Bell Jar. I had always heard about Sylvia Plath and her poetry and for some reason I thought the book might be a bit - for want of a better word - pretentious. I'm happy to report that it's not :D

That's one thing I love about books. They constantly surprise me.

I would love to read Plath's diaries one day. A little before I finished The Bell Jar, I looked Sylvia up on Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sylvia_plath) and was saddened to read about the way her life ended.

Sad as it is to say, I really didn't know that much about the history of Sydney before I read this book. We'd learnt a bit in school about the 'discovery' of Australia by Captain Cook but I think they glossed over the details quite a bit. This book filled in a lot of holes in my knowledge about the way convicts were treated, the hardships that were faced, and just how long it took to get the colony off the ground.

It was great to see a large cross-section of accounts, from Aborigines to convicts to Governors. It's really given me a longing to explore this city more. There are so many coves, beaches etc that have a history I was not aware of and I can't wait to see them with new eyes :D

[Kylie]

The Handmaid's Tale
Margaret Atwood

Rating: 8/10

Published: 1996
Number of pages: 324
ISBN: 0099740915

Summary (taken from inside front cover):
The Republic of Gilead allows Offred only one function: to breed. If she deviates, she will, like all dissenters, be hanged at the wall or sent out to die slowly of radiation sickness. But even a repressive state cannot obliterate desire - neither Offred's nor that of the two men on which her future hangs...

Brilliantly conceived and executed, this powerful evocation of 21st century America gives full rein to Margaret Atwood's devastating irony, wit and astute perception.

Comments:
I'm a big fan of dystopian novels and was really looking forward to reading this one after the reviews I read on here. I wasn't disappointed! The style of writing was a little different from what I was used to and I found it a bit hard to get a feeling for the personality of Offred (I guess that was intended, but still...). However, I found it to be a thoroughly enjoyable read, and one that made me think (and appreciate my life). I look forward to reading more Margaret Atwood in the future.


Started: 24 March 2007
Finished: 1 April 2007

The Handmaid's Tale (at Amazon.co.uk) (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Handmaids-Tale-Contemporary-Classics/dp/0099740915/ref=sr_1_1/202-3006913-6776659?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1178007225&sr=1-1)

[Kylie]

Lolita
Vladimir Nabokov

Rating: 9/10

Published: 1959
Number of pages: 361
ISBN: 014102349X

Summary (taken from blurb):
Humbert Humbert is a middle-aged, fastidious college professor. He also likes little girls. And none more so than Lolita, whom he'll do anything to possess. Is he in love or insane? A silver-tongued poet or a pervert? A tortured soul or a monster?...Or is he all of these?

Comments:
It took me ages to read this book (I was too sick to read for the first week), but it was well worth it, and it's one that I think will get better and better with repeated readings. Although next time I think I'll keep a dictionary and a French translator at hand ;)

I love to read books that make beautiful use of the English language, and this is one of the best I've read yet. It's so well written, it's astounding :icon_eek: This was my first Nabokov and certainly not my last - what a brilliant writer! I don't know what else to say...this a superb book and highly recommended.


Started: 1 April 2007
Finished: 27 April 2007

Lolita (at Penguinclassics.com) (http://www.penguinclassics.co.uk/nf/Book/BookDisplay/0,,10_9780141023496,00.html?sym=SYN)

[Kylie]

Black Beauty
Anna Sewell

Rating: 4/10

Published: 1877
Number of pages: 176
ISBN: 014240408X

Summary (taken from Amazon.com):
This graphic novel adapts the classic children's story of a horse whose gentle nature triumphs over abuse and misfortune. Anna Sewell's original remains beloved to preteen girls in particular, not just for the adventures Black Beauty goes through, but also for Sewell's lyrical descriptions of a past era. Husband-and-wife team Brigman and Richardson do a wonderful job illustrating that period, with b&w drawings that pop off the page and give readers an excellent sense of place as well as time. Unfortunately hamstrung by having to shorten a story that spans many years, they have had to cut all of Sewell's descriptions and most of her transitions, leaving short, choppy chapters that represent information rather than tell a story. Sewell originally wrote the story to expose mistreatment of animals in her society, and the cuts leave the adaptation sounding a bit preachy and repetitive. The spirit of the author's brave horse still comes through, as Black Beauty describes his different masters and the other horses he meets in his life. This should be a hit with horse lovers still too young for the original.

Comments:
Not a bad read, but I wouldn't read it again. It was very repetitive in the way that it describes Black Beauty's various encounters with humans ('horse meets bad person, horse meets good person, horse meets bad person' etc). When there were actually things happening I enjoyed it but otherwise it was a bit tedious. As an aside, I downloaded this book from Project Gutenberg (http://www.gutenberg.org/wiki/Main_Page) and read it on my iPod.


Started: 16 April 2007
Finished: 28 April 2007

Black Beauty (at Amazon.com) (http://www.amazon.com/Puffin-Graphics-Beauty-Graphic-Novels/dp/014240408X/ref=sr_1_5/002-5582908-1988042?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1178010264&sr=1-5)

[Kylie]

I've acquired the following books in the past week or so :mrgreen:

Books purchased from book fair
Now, this isn't as bad as it looks. It only cost me $19.50 for the lot! Bargain! I was particularly pleased to find The Stand and I Am David. :D

The Small Assassin: Ray Bradbury
Such Is Life: Tom Collins
Bridget Jones' Diary: Helen Fielding
Tess of the D'urbervilles: Thomas Hardy
The House Of The Seven Gables: Nathaniel Hawthorne
I Am David: Anne Holm
The Stand: Stephen King
The Jungle Book: Rudyard Kipling
A Tree Grows In Brooklyn: Betty Smith
A Walk to Remember: Nicholas Sparks
Gulliver's Travels: Jonathan Swift
20,000 Leagues Under The Sea: Jules Verne
Nana: Emile Zola

Books borrowed from my brother
My brother is a big Stephen King fan and told me to borrow whatever I wanted. I would really like to read IT (which he has), but figured it would be a long time till I got around to it. In the meantime, I now have the two books below. I've actually read Night Shift before (my one and only SK), but would like to read it again.

Different Seasons - Stephen King
Night Shift - Stephen King

Book given to me by a complete stranger
A kind gentleman on my train saw me reading Lolita and recommended a couple of other books by Nabokov, including Pale Fire. A couple of days later he showed up with Pale Fire, and told me I could keep it because he had another copy! Wow! You don't see generosity like that every day! The book is in really good nick too. Now I ask you, what chance does a girl have to knock a few books off her TBR pile when people are literally walking up and giving her books? :yahoo:

Pale Fire: Vladimir Nabokov

[Polka Dot Rock]

Book given to me by a complete stranger
A kind gentleman on my train saw me reading Lolita and recommended a couple of other books by Nabokov, including Pale Fire. A couple of days later he showed up with Pale Fire, and told me I could keep it because he had another copy! Wow! You don't see generosity like that every day! The book is in really good nick too. Now I ask you, what chance goes a girl have to knock a few books off her TBR pile when people are literally walking up and giving her books? :yahoo:

Pale Fire: Vladimir Nabokov

That's amazing! :eek2: I wish someone would walk up to me and give me a copy of Pale Fire (I really fancy reading it). Go you and your book luck, missy! I hope it continues for you! :)

[Kylie]

More books acquired in the last week :mrgreen: The first 5 are from a bargain basement bookshop and all at very good prices. Jules Verne is from a charity shop. I'm very pleased with these purchases and can't wait to read them :D

Margaret Atwood: Oryx And Crake
Jasper Fforde: The Big Over Easy
Jasper Fforde: The Fourth Bear
CS Lewis: The Chronicles Of Narnia (complete)
David Mitchell: Cloud Atlas
Jules Verne: 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea (illustrated hardcover)

Also, just noticed a 'Buy 2, get 1 free' on Penguin Classics at Dymocks. There's no way I can pass this up! I still have $30 left over from a gift voucher and a little over $10 in reward points, so it won't cost me anything if I get a few books!

I've decided on A Clockwork Orange (Anthony Burgess), and Of Mice And Men (John Steinbeck - will come in handy if chosen for this month's book ring). The freebie will be a Penguin Read Red classic.

Looking forward to tomorrow :mrgreen:

[Kylie]

Went out at lunch today and bought A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess and Of Mice And Men by John Steinbeck. Received Great Expectations by Charles Dickens for free as part of a Penguin 'buy 2 get 1 free' deal! Also found a nice cheap Wordsworth edition of The Complete Father Brown Stories by GK Chesterton. Another good haul today! Looking forward to reading these - especially A Clockwork Orange.

Four more added to the TBR pile! :readingtwo:

[Kylie]

The Lightless Kindom (Book 2 of the Unbalanced Earth trilogy)
Jonathan Wylie (re-read)

Rating: 8/10

Published: 1989
Number of pages: 351
ISBN: 055328147X

Summary (taken from blurb):
After restoring the magical balance of the rocking stone, Gemma begins her search for the remarkable valley that she has saved - and longs to be reunited with Arden.

During their travels together, she had been shown the different futures which could exist for her world, and must now decide how to use her unreliable wizardry for the best. She knows that the Guild in Great Newport must be overthrown, and cannot bear to consider the alternative. But other, unforeseen forces are at play on the southern continent - and what is the Lightless Kingdom?

Comments:
Many years ago I randomly picked up the first book in this trilogy and was hooked from the first page. I've since re-read this trilogy many times. Outside of this author and Tolkien I've read few, if any, other fantasy novels; not because I have anything against the genre but because I wouldn't know where to start. I think it can be very hit and miss with fantasy (it irritates me when authors feel they have to use the strangest, most unpronounceable names for their characters and places - it feels like they're trying too hard).

Happily, this book is unpretentious and it's just a good, fun read - nothing too heavy. The heroine of the book is Gemma, who receives a calling to go the southern continent, where she discovers she has magical powers and must learn to use them to overthrow a powerful evil force. The characters are diverse and likeable (well, except for the evil ones of course).

I have a bit of a soft spot for these books; I guess they are 'comfort' books to me, and ones that I turn to every couple of years so I can revisit the characters and their adventures. I would recommend them if you can find them! I re-read the first book at the end of last year, and will re-read the third book shortly (probably won't have much of a review for that one - this review pretty much covers it all).

A funny anecdote regarding this story: in the first book, Gemma meets up with a tribe of meerkats (see my avatar) who become her familiar; she can communicate with them via thought. I was about 12 when I first read this book and I had no idea that meerkats actually existed. I thought they were just a cute animal made up by the author (it is a fantasy novel after all!) Imagine my surprise when I went to Taronga Zoo one day and walked up to an enclosure to find it full of real live meerkats! :lol: I was so happy! I think that's where my love of meerkats has come from - one moment they were a mythical creature to me and the next moment they were real! :exc:


Started: 29 April 2007
Finished: 4 May 2007

The Lightless Kingdom (at Fantasticfiction.co.uk) (http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/w/jonathan-wylie/lightless-kingdom.htm)

[Kylie]

Alice's Adventures In Wonderland
Lewis Carroll (re-read)

Rating: 8/10

Published: 1865
Number of pages: 108
ISBN: 086112457X

Summary (taken from blurb):
When Alice follows the White Rabbit down the rabbit-hole, she finds herself in a wonderland of amazing characters where anything can happen. There is a Mad Hatter, a March Hare and a sleepy Dormouse who hold a never-ending tea-party; a Cheshire-cat who appears and disappears at will; a sad Mock Turtle who enjoys dancing with a Gryphon; a Caterpillar who gives invaluable advice on how to shrink and grow and a Queen of Hearts whose constant command is 'Off with their heads!'

Comments:
I got my edition of Alice's Adventures In Wonderland when I was quite young, and its illustrations of Alice are based on the original inspiration for the story, Alice Liddell. This is the first time in many years I've read this story - usually I just watch the Disney movie (one of my all-time favourite movies) - and I was interested to see the similarities and differences between the two.

Lewis Carroll has a wonderful way with words. I liked some parts (tea party, croquet game) more than others (Duchess and screaming baby - glad they left that out of the movie!), and the poems/songs were great. Alice is a terrific character and says some pretty amusing things; I like Carroll's play on words. I intend to read Through The Looking Glass soon, which I've never read before.


Started: 3 May 2007
Finished: 5 May 2007

Alice's Adventures In Wonderland (at Amazon.com) (http://www.amazon.com/original-Alice-Wonderland-Lewis-Carroll/dp/B000MVJUIA/ref=sr_1_16/103-8232726-5098264?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1180144081&sr=1-16)

[Kylie]

Night Shift
Stephen King (re-read)

Rating: 7/10

Published: 1978
Number of pages: 409
ISBN: 0450042685

Summary (taken from blurb):
A collection of terrifying stories that reveal a shudderingly detailed map of the dark places that lie behind our waking, rational world.

These are tales to invade and paralyse the mind as the safe light of day is infiltrated by the creeping, peopled shadows of night. As you read, the clutching fingers of terror brush lightly across the nape of the neck, reach round from behind to clutch and lock themselves, white-knuckled, around the throat.

This is the horror of ordinary people and everyday objects that become strangely altered; a world where nothing is ever quite what it seems, where the familiar and friendly lure and deceive. A world where madness and blind panic become the only reality.

Comments:
This is a collection of King's short stories, first published in the late 70s. This is the first and only Stephen King book I have read. I borrowed it once off my brother quite a few years ago, and decided to read it again before I get started on any others (I have The Stand, and also borrowed Different Seasons from my brother).

The stories are pretty varied and some are a bit gruesome (Graveyard Shift, The Mangler), while others aren't too scary. The Children of the Corn and Trucks are two stories that I always remembered from the first time I read it. Overall, a pretty good read. I'm looking forward to reading more of his work.


Started: 5 May 2007
Finished: 10 May 2007

Night Shift (at Amazon.com) (http://www.amazon.com/Night-Shift-Signet-Stephen-King/dp/0451170113/ref=pd_bbs_2/103-8232726-5098264?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1180149757&sr=1-2)

[Kylie]

Anthem
Ayn Rand (ebook on iPod)

Rating: 7/10

Published: 1938
Number of pages: 147
ISBN: 0452281253

Summary (taken from Wikipedia):
Anthem is a dystopic science fiction story taking place at some unspecified future date. Mankind has entered another dark age as a result of what Rand saw as the weaknesses of socialistic thinking and economics. Technological advancement is now carefully planned (when it is allowed to occur at all) and the concept of individuality has been eliminated (for example, the word "I" has disappeared from the language).

Comments:
Anthem is an interesting dystopian novella in which the word 'I' (and individuality, by extension) does not exist. As most dystopian novels, it gets you thinking about the future of society and humankind. My first impression was that the book could have been made full-length, but in retrospect, Rand manages to say all she needs to in a short amount of space, which I guess enables it to pack a more powerful punch than if it had been drawn out.

I don't feel like I absorbed this book as much as I could have; maybe because I was reading it on my iPod and rushing a bit to get it finished that day. I look forward to re-reading it in the future so I can analyse it a bit better. If you like dystopian novels, you should definitely read this.


Started: 11 May 2007
Finished: 12 May 2007

Anthem (at Wikipedia.org) (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthem_%28novel%29)

[Liz]

Hi, Kylie :)

I see you've just re-read Alice's Adventures In Wonderland. I recently read both that one and Through The Looking Glass, and I think I actually prefered ...Looking Glass.
Everybody else I know who has read both say they prefer ...Wonderland.

It would be interesting to see whether you enjoy one more than the other.

:) xx

[Kell]

... I think I actually prefered ...Looking Glass.
Everybody else I know who has read both say they prefer ...Wonderland.I prefer Looking Glass myself - I adore Jabberwocky - it's my favourite poem ever!

[Liz]

I love Jabberwocky, as well. It's a wonderful poem.
I used to have an illustrated copy of it somewhere and it had some beautiful pictures for it.

[Kylie]

Thanks Liz and Kell on your views of Looking Glass. After I read Of Mice And Men and A Clockwork Orange, I might get into Looking Glass.

I just had a quick look at the Jabberwocky poem but didn't read it all the way through. The words 'tulgey wood' and 'mome raths' jumped at out me - in the Disney movie, Alice winds up in Tulgey Wood and I do believe the mome raths were the little critters that pointed the way for her. I never knew they incorporated part of Looking Glass into the movie! That's cool :mrgreen:

[Kylie]

Dracula
Bram Stoker

Rating: 10/10

Published: 1897
Number of pages: 402
ISBN: 0141024976

Summary (taken from blurb):
Count Dracula's castle is a hellish world where night is day, pleasure is pain and the blood of the innocent is prized above all. Young Jonathan Harker approaches the gloomy gates with no idea of what he is about to face...

And back in England eerie incidents are unfolding as strange puncture marks appear on a young woman's neck...Can Harker's fiancee be saved? And where is the evil Dracula?

Comments:
This is a wonderfully told story and Stoker certainly knows how to build tension; I was hooked from the beginning. This novel has stood the test of time well, and it's no wonder that it's still one of the greatest horror novels ever written. The characters are lovely and the dialogue is beautifully written.

When I started reading Dracula, I realised that I never actually knew much about the story, other than that Dracula is a blood-sucking vampire. The book was quite different to what I was expecting, and in a good way. Not being much into the horror genre, I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it. I very highly recommend it.


Started: 16 May 2007
Finished: 27 May 2007

Dracula (at Penguin.co.uk) (http://www.penguinclassics.co.uk/static/cs/uk/10/minisites/penguinreds/index.html)

[JudyB]

Dracula
Bram Stoker

Rating: 10/10

Dracula (at Penguin.co.uk) (http://www.penguinclassics.co.uk/static/cs/uk/10/minisites/penguinreds/index.html)

My daughter is reading this at the moment. She loves vampires and has read loads of Anne Rice and other vampire writers. I teased her about not reading the definitive vampire book to which she replied 'I know, I know!' so now she's reading it. I read it years ago while camping and totally got into it. I was still reading it when I returned home to my Edwardian house with sash windows it was then that I started to get spooked - funny how environment can have such an effect!

[Kylie]

My daughter is reading this at the moment. She loves vampires and has read loads of Anne Rice and other vampire writers. I teased her about not reading the definitive vampire book to which she replied 'I know, I know!' so now she's reading it. I read it years ago while camping and totally got into it. I was still reading it when I returned home to my Edwardian house with sash windows it was then that I started to get spooked - funny how environment can have such an effect!

I hope your daughter enjoys it as much as we did Judy! I woke up at night a couple of times at the wrong end of my bed and all disorientated. I don't know if it was because of the book or because I was really tired at the time but it was definitely freaking me out a little bit. And I don't even live in an Edwardian house! :lol:

[Kylie]

Of Mice And Men
John Steinbeck

Rating: 9/10

Published: 1937
Number of pages: 121
ISBN: 0141023570

Summary (taken from blurb):
Streetwise George and his big, childlike friend Lennie are drifters, searching for work in the fields and valleys of California. They have nothing except the clothes on their back, and a hope that one day they'll find a place of their own and live the American dream. But dreams come at a price. Gentle giant Lennie doesn't know his own strength, and when they find work at a ranch he gets into trouble with the boss's daughter-in-law. Trouble so bad that even his protector George may not be able to save him...

Comments:
I read a lot of rave reviews beforehand but still wasn't sure what to expect from such a short book. By the end I was bawling my eyes out :weeping: Steinbeck goes a great job of building up the relationship between these two characters so that by the end you come to feel very deeply for them. The rest of the characters are also portrayed very vividly. What a heartbreakenly emotional read. Highly recommended.


Started: 28 May 2007
Finished: 28 May 2007

Of Mice And Men (at Penguin.co.uk) (http://www.penguinclassics.co.uk/nf/Book/BookDisplay/0,,10_9780141023571,00.html?sym=SYN)

[Kell]

Of Mice And Men by John SteinbeckI read this one years ago when I was at school (although it was off my own bat, rather than us being told to read it) and absolutely loved it. Like you, I bawled my eyes out. I've read it several times since and looking back, I can't believe I've never read any other books by Steinbeck... yet! Glad to hear you enjoyed it so much. :)

[Kylie]

I have The Grapes Of Wrath and East Of Eden on my shelf to be read (I actually bought them before Of Mice And Men). I've gotten into a couple of discussions about Steinbeck in the last couple of days and The Grapes Of Wrath has been very highly recommended, so I guess I'll read that one next (well, after I get through a few others on my TBR pile!).

Can you get through re-reads without crying Kell? I can't imagine it getting any easier to read - in fact, I'd probably start crying earlier on because I'd know what was coming :smile2:

[Kell]

Can you get through re-reads without crying Kell? I can't imagine it getting any easier to read - in fact, I'd probably start crying earlier on because I'd know what was coming :smile2:No - I cry very easily if I'm involved in a good book, and re-reading makes not one jot of difference - I still bawl my eyes out - sometimes even more than I did before!

[Kylie]

A Clockwork Orange
Anthony Burgess

Rating: 10/10

Published: 1962
Number of pages: 141
ISBN: 0141182605

Summary (taken from blurb):
Fifteen-year-old Alex doesn't just like ultra-violence - he also enjoys rape, drugs and Beethoven's Ninth. He and his gang rampage through a dystopian future, hunting for terrible thrills. But when Alex finds himself at the mercy of the state and subject to the ministrations of Dr Brodsky, the government psychologist, he discovers that fun is no longer the order of the day...

The basis for one of the most notorious films ever made, A Clockwork Orange is both a virtuoso performance from an electrifying prose stylist and a serious exploration of the morality of free will.

Comments:
A Clockwork Orange is a frightening and sad look at a future society in which gangs are rife and no one can be trusted. Not being one that can stomach much in the way of violence and rape, I was a bit wary about reading this book; but my desire to read another dystopian classic won out. There were a couple of disturbing scenes, but it wasn't too bad overall.

Burgess has done a great job with the language in this book; the narrator, Alex, and his friends ('droogies') speak a slang language referred to as 'nadsat'. If this had a been a made-up language, it probably would have detracted from the story, but Burgess, a linguist, has based a lot of these words in Russian or Cockney rhyming slang. It took a while to get used to (a bit distracting early on) but I found a good translation of nadsat on the web which I referred to when needed. By the end of the book, nadsat had become almost second nature and it was a lot of fun to read.

You would think that Alex would be a very unsympathetic character, and he certainly is, at first. By the middle of the book, however, I found myself feeling very sorry for him, which I suppose can only be understood when you read the book. This is a terrific read and quite touching in some places, and funny in others. Very highly recommended. Now to decide whether I can stomach the movie...


Started: 29 May 2007
Finished: 4 June 2007

A Clockwork Orange (at librarything.com) (http://www.librarything.com/work/1473&book=16135245)

[Kylie]

The Age Of Chaos (Book 3 of the Unbalanced Earth trilogy)
Jonathan Wylie

Rating: 8/10

Published: 1989
Number of pages: 352
ISBN: 055213418X

Summary (taken from blurb):
On the southern continent, history has reached a turning point, and the struggle for the future is reaching its climax.

Now that Gemma has at last come to terms with the powers within her, and the role she has to play, she believes that it is possible for her to change what is to come, and thus avert the terrible devastation threatened by the Age of Chaos.

With Arden at her side once more, and aided by a force that includes the meyrkats, the people of the Lightless Kingdom and the Undergound, Gemma faces her ultimate battle.

Comments:
Another good read. See the review of Book 2 for my comments about this trilogy.


Started: 4 June 2007
Finished: 10 June 2007

The Age Of Chaos (at librarything.com) (http://www.librarything.com/work/451569&book=15899240)

[Kylie]

Through The Looking-Glass
Lewis Carroll (ebook on iPod)

Rating: 8/10

Published: 1871
Number of pages: 224
ISBN: 0486408787

Summary (taken from Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Through_the_Looking-Glass) and slightly altered by me):
Through the Looking-Glass, and What Alice Found There is the sequel to Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, although it makes no reference to its events. In it, there are many mirror themes, including opposites, time running backwards, and so on.

Whereas the first book has the deck of cards as a theme, this book is loosely based on a game of chess, played on a giant chessboard with fields for squares. Most main characters met in the story are represented by a chess piece, with Alice herself being a pawn. The looking-glass world is divided into sections by brooks, with the crossing of each brook usually signifying a notable change in the scene and action of the story.

Comments:
It's a close call, but I think I enjoyed the sequel more than I did the original. Whereas in Alice's Adventures In Wonderland I found a couple of the characters to be irritating, in the sequel I found the characters to be more likeable and interesting to read.

The humour is still present, as is Carroll's wonderful play on words. I enjoyed the poetry more in this one as well - in particular, The Walrus And The Carpenter. A very good read and highly recommended if you've read (and enjoyed) Alice's Adventures In Wonderland.


Started: 10 June 2007
Finished: 10 June 2007

Through The Looking-Glass (at librarything.com) (http://www.librarything.com/work/39116)

[Kylie]

Well, I almost lasted a month without buying any books! And just when I was starting to get my TBR pile down a bit :roll: I just about cleaned all the Ray Bradbury's out of my local second-hand bookshop. I did originally intend on getting more, but I was strict with myself and only got 4 of his books instead of 7. Don't know I bothered - I'll probably go back and get the others soon enough :blush:

Pierre Boulle: The Planet Of The Apes
Ray Bradbury: Dandelion Wine
Ray Bradbury: The Golden Apples Of The Sun
Ray Bradbury: S Is For Space
Ray Bradbury: Something Wicked This Way Comes
Daphne du Maurier: Jamaica Inn
John Wyndham: The Kraken Wakes
John Wyndham: Stowaway To Mars

[Kylie]

I was just having a look at my ever-expanding TBR pile and thought I would post a note to remind myself what I consider to be my 'essential' reading for the rest of the year, because obviously I'm not going to get through the entire pile!

I guess you could say that I'm setting myself a goal, and this being around the middle of the year, it seems like a good time to stop and take stock of the reading situation :smile2:

The lucky books to make it onto my short-list are: (drum roll, please...)

Jane Austen: Emma
So far, the only Austen I've read is Pride and Prejudice, which I absolutely loved. I haven't yet gotten around to reading any more of her work this year, :eek2: and I want to read this one the most. At this rate (setting myself a target of one book per year), it'll only take me 5 years to read them all!

Ray Bradbury: The Small Assassin
I bought several of his books recently, and it's been a while since I've read any of his work (actually, I've only ever read Fahrenheit 451, which I love). I chose this particular book solely because I've had it the longest :mrgreen:

Bill Bryson: A Walk In The Woods
Again, I haven't read any of his books this year. I like to throw a funny, 'light' read in among the 'heavy' classics.

Charles Dickens: Great Expectations
I read my first Dickens last year (A Tale of Two Cities) and loved it. I think I'll enjoy this one too.

Thomas Hardy: Far From The Madding Crowd
I've been wanting to read this for so long! It'll be my first Hardy.

Jack Kerouac: The Town And The City
It's been over 18 months since I read my first (and last) Kerouac. He's a very unique writer and I'm really looking forward to reading this.

Ken Kesey: One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest
I've been stubbornly refusing to watch the movie until I read this book! It'll probably be top of the list after I get through the Harry Potter books.

JK Rowling: Harry Potter (Books 1-7)
Does this really need an explanation? ;) I want to re-read the first 6 books before the 7th comes out. I'm looking forward to getting stuck into them again after my current book (which seems never-ending, despite how much I'm enjoying it!) Bring on Harry Potter!

John Wyndham: The Midwich Cuckoos
I was going to go for The Chrysalids (being a dystopian novel - my favourite type of book :mrgreen:) but I think I should spread my dystopians out a bit more (I've already read 3 this year!) This sounds like a really good book, and I've been hankering to read more of his work since I read The Day Of The Triffids last year.


I would really like to have put Jane Eyre on there, (I can't read The Eyre Affair until I've read this), but I think I'll run out of time. Poor old Vanity Fair has been put back again and again for so long, and I really want to read it :cry2: A Confederacy Of Dunces will also be added to the list if I have time.

[wrathofkublakhan]

Ken Kesey: One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest
I've been stubbornly refusing to watch the movie until I read this book! It'll probably be top of the list after I get through the Harry Potter books.



OooooKaaaaay! The movie came out 32 years ago, prolly time to tackle this beast. The movie won five Oscars and well worth the ticket price -- and yes, the book is even better. Put on your reading glasses, brew a pot of tea and settle in for a wonderful experience.

[Kylie]

OooooKaaaaay! The movie came out 32 years ago, prolly time to tackle this beast. The movie won five Oscars and well worth the ticket price -- and yes, the book is even better. Put on your reading glasses, brew a pot of tea and settle in for a wonderful experience.

I should probably have mentioned that I've only been interested in seeing the movie for a couple of years (it came out 7 years before I was born, after all!) Still, I know there is no excuse for not having watched the movie/read the book.

I promise I'll get to it right after Harry Potter! In fact, if it looks like I'll be finishing up the 6 books with time to spare before the 7th comes out, I'll start reading it then (you've inspired me!)

[Kell]

Jane Austen: Emma
You should definitely try Northanger Abbey - it's excellent (and far better, in my opinion, than Emma!).

Ken Kesey: One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest
I agree with Wrath - excellent book - and brilliant film. Both are an absolute must!

John Wyndham: The Midwich Cuckoos
If you enjoyed Triffids, you should enjoy this one just as much. And f you haven't already, think about reading Chocky too - it's not just a kids' book...

I would really like to have put Jane Eyre on there, but I think I'll run out of time, and I still want to read The Eyre Affair first (which I don't even own as of yet!)
I would recommend reading Jane Eyre first - you'd still probably enjoy The Eyre Affair without it, but you'd get so much more out of it if you now all the intricacies of Jane Eyre before coming to it. And it's a wonderful book on it's own anyway, so I heartily recommend it. Actually, I highly recommending following the Bronte with the Fforde - it's what I did and I adored both of them!

[JudyB]

Thomas Hardy: Far From The Madding Crowd
I've been wanting to read this for so long! It'll be my first Hardy.



An excellent first Hardy.:D

[Michelle]

In the early days of the forum, I bought an old box set of John Wyndham books from Kell. I wanted to read The Crysalids again, because I loved it at school.. but I really enjoyed all the books. :D

[Kylie]

If you enjoyed Triffids, you should enjoy this one just as much. And f you haven't already, think about reading Chocky too - it's not just a kids' book...


In the early days of the forum, I bought an old box set of John Wyndham books from Kell. I wanted to read The Crysalids again, because I loved it at school.. but I really enjoyed all the books. :D

I looked up Chocky on Wikipedia and it sounds a bit scary for a kids book! Still, it looks pretty good. Thanks for the recommendation - I'll keep an eye out for it, as I will for other Wyndham books I don't have.

An excellent first Hardy.:D

Thanks Judy :D I've read a lot of good reviews about it on here.

[Kylie]

I went to a Winter Magic Festival at Katoomba in the Blue Mountains today. There are quite a few good bookshops up there (a happy coincidence) so I thought I might get to look in a few. Seems most of them were closed because of the Festival but at least one shop had a book stall. $2 per softcover book so I got 14, much better than I thought would do! :smile2:

Richard Adams: Watership Down
Ian Fleming: Diamonds Are Forever
Miles Franklin: My Brillilant Career
Helene Hanff: 84 Charing Cross Road
Hermann Hesse: Steppenwolf
Aldous Huxley: Point Counter Point
James Jones: From Here To Eternity
Elyne Mitchell: The Man From Snowy River
Robert O'Brien: Z For Zachariah
George Orwell: Animal Farm
George Orwell: 1984
Mario Puzo: The Godfather
John Steinbeck: The Winter Of Our Discontent
Charles Webb: The Graduate

I've read both Orwell books before, but I didn't have them in book form.

[Janet]

Wow - that's quite a haul! :)

I've re-read both the Orwells this year and I've bought a couple of his non-fiction to try.

[Kylie]

Different Seasons
Stephen King

Rating: 8/10

Published: 1982
Number of pages: 560
ISBN: 0751504335

Summary:
Different Seasons is comprised of four novellas, each completely different from the rest. The four stories are (with Stephen King's quotes included after the titles): Hope Springs Eternal - Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption, 'about an off-beat prison break'; Summer Of Corruption - Apt Pupil, 'an old man and a young boy locked up in a gruesome relationship based on mutual parasitism'; Fall From Innocence - The Body, 'a quartet of country boys on a journey of discovery'; A Winter's Tale - The Breathing Method, 'an off-the-wall horror story about a young woman determined to give birth to her child no matter what (or maybe the story is about that odd Club that isn't a Club'.

Comments:
I was mostly interested in reading this book because of Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption; The Shawshank Redemption is one of my favourite movies and I was interested in seeing how the book and the movie compared. I was surprised to find how similar they were - I had assumed that Hollywood would take a lot of liberties but a lot of the dialogue from the movie came straight out of King's story. So it's no surprise that I loved this novella. I think it's a brilliant story and a wonderful movie.

I found Apt Pupil to be really disturbing and couldn't wait to get it over with, which isn't to say it was a bad story, just that King did well to stir up my feelings of disgust and horror at these two terrible characters. I enjoyed The Body and the interrelationship between the characters. I've previously seen Stand By Me and enjoyed the movie, but didn't remember enough of the movie to interfere with the book. I liked the fact that the ending of The Breathing Method left many unanswered questions about the Club.

Overall, a really good read with some interesting and varied stories. When reading Rita Hayworth... and The Body, in particular, I had to keep reminding myself that this was Stephen King, the 'horror' writer. Highly recommended, even if you would usually avoid Stephen King, as there's next to no horror here.


Started: 11 June 2007
Finished: 22 June 2007

Different Seasons (at librarything.com) (http://www.librarything.com/work/1482)

[Kylie]

I received more books from a friend I commute home with, who is trying to clear some space on his bookshelves. They all look like being great reads!

Angela Carter: The Bloody Chamber and Other Stories
Colette: The Claudine Novels (At School, In Paris, Married, And Annie
Michael Chabon (ed): All New McSweeney's Enchanted Chamber of Astonishing Stories (which comprises the following short stories)
Lusus Naturae - Margaret Atwood
What You Do Not Know You Want - David Mitchell
Vivian Relf - Jonathan Lethem
Minnow - Ayelet Waldman
Zeroville - Steve Erickson
Lisey And The Madman - Stephen King
7C - Jason Roberts
The Miniaturist - Heidi Julavits
The Child - Roddy Doyle
Delmonico - Daniel Handler
The Scheme Of Things - Charles D'Ambrosia
The Devil Of Delery Street - Poppy Z Brite
Reports Of Certain Events In London - China Mieville
The Fabled Light-House At Vina Del Mar - Joyce Carol Oates
Mr Aickman's Air Rifle - Peter Straub
Donna Tartt: The Secret History
Donna Tartt: The Little Friend

I'm not going to add these to my TBR list just yet. It has grown frighteningly long as it is, and the number of books I've read so far this year just looks pathetic in comparison :lol:

[Kylie]

I bought some books that I've been wanting for a long time! I'm very happy with today's purchases :mrgreen:

Jasper Fforde: The Eyre Affair
Jasper Fforde: Lost In A Good Book
Jasper Fforde: The Well Of Lost Plots (won this on eBay so don't actually have it yet)
Jasper Fforde: Something Rotten
Mark Haddon: A Spot Of Bother (thanks to this forum)
Maggie O'Farrell: After You'd Gone (thanks to this forum)
Kurt Vonnegut: Slaughterhouse 5

The three Jasper Fforde books were a very pleasant surprise. I had gone to a bookshop to pick up A Spot Of Bother, which I'd seen there recently, and thought I'd look around on the off-chance that there might be some Fforde's in stock (it's a 'bargain' bookshop so you never know what'll you find). They had three of them in stock, and it just so happened that there was an eBay auction ending shortly thereafter for the fourth book I needed to complete the set. I had to make a mad dash back to work, but I made it with a couple of minutes to spare! I tell you, this book buying business can be nerve-wracking sometimes! :lol:

This means that in the past week and a half, 35 books have come into my house! :blush:

[Kell]

LOL - I'm about to get the three Jasper Ffordes too - I've read the Jack Spratt ones and the first Thursday Next, so now I'm dying to get my mitts on the rest of them!

[Kylie]

Harry Potter And The Philosopher's Stone
JK Rowling

Rating: 8/10

Published: 1997
Number of pages: 223
ISBN: 0747532745

Summary (taken from blurb):
Harry Potter thinks he is an ordinary boy - until he is rescued by a beetle-eyed giant of a man, enrols at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, learns to play Quidditch and does battle in a deadly duel. The reason: HARRY POTTER IS A WIZARD!

Comments:
There's probably not much left to say about the Harry Potter books, so I'll keep it short and sweet. This is the first novel in the series and it's much shorter than the following novels, which is a bit strange considering this is our introduction to the world of Harry and his friends.

These books are great light reads and I think it's a shame that some people avoid them simply because they're so popular. The fourth book had been out for a couple of years before I finally read them and I'm so glad I did. It's not often you can get excited about the release of a book, and I love to see footage of kids and adults on TV all dressed up and waiting in line to get the next book. I don't think that's something we'll see again for a long time, if ever.

If you've been even mildly interested in reading these books but have refused to because you don't want to be like everyone else, well, it's your loss! Highly recommended!


Started: 22 June 2007
Finished: 26 June 2007

Harry Potter And The Philosopher's Stone (at librarything.com) (http://www.librarything.com/work/2805100&book=16090489)

[Kylie]

Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secrets
JK Rowling

Rating: 8/10

Published: 1998
Number of pages: 251
ISBN: 0747538484

Summary (taken from blurb):
Harry Potter is a wizard. He is in his second year at Hogwart School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Little does he know that this year will be just as eventful as the last...

Comments:
Another thoroughly enjoyable Harry Potter book. Slightly longer and slightly dark than the first, this book sees Harry trying to find out who is behind the attacks on mudbloods, while most people suspect him.

I always enjoy Harry's chats with Professor Dumbledore at the end of the books - there's a pretty special relationship there. Incidentally, my favourite character is Professor Snape; I always enjoy his scenes with Harry too, especially in the later books (book 5, where Harry is studying Occlumency, and book 6 as well). I think he's going to figure prominently in the last book (hooray!).

I want to re-watch the movies before the next one comes out as well. As I recall, the kids seem to grow up a lot before the first and second movies, and their acting improved too :mrgreen:


Started: 26 June 2007
Finished: 29 June 2007

Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secrets (at librarything.com) (http://www.librarything.com/work/683408&book=16090484)

[Kylie]

The Time Machine
HG Wells (ebook on iPod)

Rating: 8/10

Published: 1895
Number of pages: 128
ISBN: 0141439971

Summary (taken from amazon.com):
When a Victorian scientist propels himself into the year a.d. 802,701, he is initially delighted to find that suffering has been replaced by beauty, contentment, and peace. Entranced at first by the Eloi, an elfin species descended from man, he soon realizes that these beautiful people are simply remnants of a once-great culture - now weak and childishly afraid of the dark. They have every reason to be afraid: in deep tunnels beneath their paradise lurks another race descended from humanity - the sinister Morlocks. And when the scientist’s time machine vanishes, it becomes clear he must search these tunnels if he is ever to return to his own era.

Comments:
An enjoyable story about a nameless time-traveller's journey into the future and his search for the truth about humanity's fate. I liked Wells' interpretation of mankind's future rise and fall and I particularly liked the description of the earth as it appeared millions of years into the future. The Time Machine is also one of my favourite sci-fi movies (the 1960 version); very nicely done. I'm glad to have finally read this (short) book and would definitely recommend it to others.


Started: 26 June 2007
Finished: 30 June 2007

The Time Machine (at amazon.com) (http://www.amazon.com/o/ASIN/0141439971/ref=s9_asin_title_1-1966_g1/103-2387707-3510269?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-1&pf_rd_r=0DV1TXC981VRK9QDF1GR&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=278240701&pf_rd_i=507846)

[Kell]

I have The Time Machine on Mount T-B-R - looking forward to it more than ever now!

[Kylie]

Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban
JK Rowling

Rating: 8/10

Published: 1999
Number of pages: 317
ISBN: 0747546290

Summary (taken from blurb):
Harry Potter, along with his best friends, Ron and Hermione, is about to start his third year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Harry can't wait to get back to school after the summer holidays. (Who wouldn't if they lived with the horrible Dursleys?) But when Harry gets to Hogwarts, the atmosphere is tense. There's an escaped mass murderer on the loose, and the sinister prison guards of Azkaban have been called in to guard the school...

Comments:
I like this book slightly more than the first two, particularly the whole time-turning part at the end (which I thought was done really well in the movie too). This book introduces Professor Lupin, a very likeable character, and also the hippogriffs, which will play an important role in an upcoming book. A jolly good read.


Started: 29 June 2007
Finished: 2 July 2007

Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban (at librarything.com) (http://www.librarything.com/work/2742161)

[Icecream]

I'm currently re-reading HPATPOA too. I noticed that Snape wanted the defence against the dark arts work in on the Monday morning, and it was the Monday mrning when Lupin said it wouldn't need doing!

[Kylie]

I'm currently re-reading HPATPOA too. I noticed that Snape wanted the defence against the dark arts work in on the Monday morning, and it was the Monday mrning when Lupin said it wouldn't need doing!

And is that when Hermione was disappointed because she'd already done it? :lol:

I've almost finished Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, possibly my favourite HP book. I'm up to the slightly scary graveyard scene.

[Icecream]

Yes it is.

I am being to slow. I have to read more or I will never catch up in time for book 7!

[maclsj]

I tried to re-read bok 6 a few months ago and didn't get very far. Have decided I'll save it for my 'moving' reading as I'll have had to return all my library books by then. I'm looking at 5-6 hours to just get as far as my parents followed by about 3 hours the following day to get to the new place (all by train) so it should be big enough to see me through all that!

[Kylie]

Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire
JK Rowling

Rating: 9/10

Published: 2000
Number of pages: 636
ISBN: 0747550999

Summary (taken from blurb):
It is the summer holidays and soon Harry Potter will be starting his fourth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Harry is counting the days: there are new spells to be learnt, more Quidditch to be played, and Hogwarts castle to continue exploring. But Harry needs to be careful - there are unexpected dangers lurking...

Comments:
This is probably my favourite Harry Potter book. It's a fair bit longer than the first three, but not too long. Harry also hasn't gotten too irritating yet. I wish there wasn't so much about house-elves though; Dobby, Winky and Kreacher (in the next book) are all really annoying characters.

The Triwizard Tournament, and everything that comes about as a result of it, is entertaining reading. The novel is much darker and more scary than the previous books and there's never a dull moment.


Started: 2 July 2007
Finished: 6 July 2007

Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire (at librarything.com) (http://www.librarything.com/work/113&book=16090480)

[Kell]

Goblet of Fire is my favourite HP book to date - it's so full of action and adventure with real thrills and spills along the way. It's where things really start taking a darker turn - really I think it's the turning point in Harry's life where he realises that he has to shoulder a great responsibility and there's the very real possibility that he could die in the process!

[Kylie]

I found a couple of excellent second-hand bookshops today and couldn't resist (I've been good for a week and a half!). I've been after several of these (Asimov, du Maurier, Williams, Wylie) for ages.

Isaac Asimov: I, Robot
Wilkie Collins: The Moonstone
Wilkie Collins: The Woman In White
Daphne du Maurier: The Birds And Other Stories
Daphne du Maurier: My Cousin Rachel
Daphne du Maurier: Rebecca
F Scott Fitzgerald: The Beautiful And Damned
Aldous Huxley: Crome Yellow
Hunter S Thompson: The Rum Diary
Kurt Vonnegut: Timequake
Tennessee Williams: A Streetcar Named Desire And Other Plays
Jonathan Wylie: Across The Flame

[Louiseog]

What a fantastic haul!

[Kylie]

What a fantastic haul!

Thanks Louise, I thought so too! :smile2:

Now the problem is to find room for them. I'm seriously short on space. I might have to pack away more of my CDs so I can gain an extra (small) bookshelf. :roll:

[Kylie]

Harry Potter And The Order Of The Phoenix
JK Rowling

Rating: 8/10

Published: 2003
Number of pages: 766
ISBN: 0747551006

Summary (taken from blurb):
Dumbledore lowered his hands and surveyed Harry through his half-moon glasses. 'It is time,' he said, 'for me to tell you what I should have told you five years ago, Harry. Please sit down. I am going to tell you everything.'

Harry Potter is due to start his fifth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. He is desperate to get back to school and find out why his friends Ron and Hermione have been so secretive all summer. However, what Harry is about to discover in his new year at Hogwarts will turn his world upside down...

Comments:
Another stunning chapter in Harry's life. This book loses points, however, for a few reasons. Harry is, for the most part, really irritating in this book. He spends most of his time shouting at the people that care about him the most. He redeems himself slightly in the DA classes, which are enjoyable sections to read - I think JK Rowling could have devoted more time to the DA classes and a bit less time on other parts (like the somewhat long-winded start of the book). It probably could have been trimmed a bit in other places too; this is one long book. Maybe Rowling was trying to make up for the earlier, shorter books. Dolores Umbridge also irritates me; it was a bit of overkill I think.

The scenes that take place at the end in the Ministry of Magic are done well and are very exciting (also very sad). We also finally receive some answers to questions that have plagued the reader since the first book - namely, why did Voldemort try to kill Harry? An enjoyable, if long, read.


Started: 7 July 2007
Finished: 13 July 2007

Harry Potter And The Order Of The Phoenix (at librarything.com) (http://www.librarything.com/work/115&book=16090477)

[Icecream]

I think that Rowling, in this book, is trying to explain a lot of things. This book needs to catch up with things so that the battle against Voldemort can commence. These things could not have come in earlier books, as it was the wrong time. There are also a lot of questions that come out of reading this book, so by tying up loose ends Rowling, is making the readers less confused.

[Kylie]

I'm almost done with the 6th book. I've purposely slowed down the reading so I'd be sure to finish today; that way I can carry on tomorrow without suffering HP withdrawal for a day (I've been reading them non-stop for almost a month, after all!). I love that you've put Hogwarts as your location Icecream :smile2: I feel very much as though I've been living there for the past month (with the occasional sidetrips to Privet Drive and Hogsmeade) because I've been so immersed in the books.

I have to say, I'm pretty excited about tomorrow :mrgreen: I've been talking about the book a lot at work with another HP fan and we've just been getting more and more excited. I expect I won't be visiting the forum until next Tuesday; I'll be shutting myself away to read the 7th book, and I'm also going away so I won't have net access for a couple of days anyway.

To all my fellow BCF Harry Potter fans, I hope you have a pleasurable reading experience and that it ends the way you hope it will! OK, I think I'm getting a little too caught up in the hype :blush: But what the heck? It's not very often such a huge event comes along in the literary world, so I'm going to milk it for all it's worth!

:exc: :exc: :exc:

[Icecream]

You do that Kylie. I love Harry Potter just because I think it is wonderful and I am so very excited. I too feel I have been living in Harry's world lately, although I am a little mad that I couldn't get to the 6th one. We have had tantrums and allsorts this wk. It is still fresh in my memory though.

Harry's anger in the fifth bk is obviously tied to his link with voldemort. It will be interesting to see what happens to Harry's mental state if he defeats voldemort.

[Kylie]

Harry Potter And The Half-Blood Prince
JK Rowling

Rating: 8/10

Published: 2005
Number of pages: 607
ISBN: 0747581088

Summary (taken from blurb):
It is the middle of the summer, but there is an unseasonal mist pressing against the windowpanes. Harry Potter is waiting nervously in his bedroom at the Dursley's house in Privet Drive for a visit from Professor Dumbledore himself. One of the last times he saw the Headmaster was in a fierce one-to-one duel with Lord Voldemort, and Harry can't quite believe that Professor Dumbledore will actually appear at the Dursley's of all places. Why is the Professor coming to visit him now? What is it that cannot wait until Harry returns to Hogwarts in a few weeks' time? Harry's sixth year at Hogwarts has already got off to an unusual start, as the worlds of Muggle and magic start to intertwine...

Comments:
The 6th book sees the revelation of the Horcruxes and the mission that Harry and Dumbledore must complete to destroy Voldemort once and for all. This book is very much all about setting up the 7th book and giving the reader information that will be important or become clear in the final book.

Another enjoyable installment and immensely sad at the end, where there is a showdown between two of my favourite characters, culminating in the death of one of them. :cry2:


Started: 14 July 2007
Finished: 20 July 2007

Harry Potter And The Half-Blood Prince (at librarything.com) (http://www.librarything.com/work/1133624&book=16090481)

[Kylie]

Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows
JK Rowling

Rating: 10/10

Published: 2007
Number of pages: 607
ISBN: 0747591054

Summary (taken from blurb):
Harry Potter is waiting in Privet Drive. The Order of the Phoenix is coming to escort him safely away without Voldemort and his supporters knowing - if they can. But what will Harry do then? How can he fulfil the momentous and seemingly impossible task that Professor Dumbledore has left him?

Comments:
Wow! What a phenomenal end to a great series! I won't put any spoilers here so don't worry about me ruining it for you. I absolutely bawled my eyes out at so many different parts. The book is full of action and excitement and terrible tragedy. What a ride!

There is very little I would have liked done differently, which says a lot, because there are so many things about this book that could have been unsatisfactory. Possibly the only thing I would have changed (that is, left out altogether) was the epilogue: it just wasn't necessary, I felt.

I'm still slightly overwhelmed with the whole thing, and therefore can't think of much else to say except that this is one brilliant book and has now overtaken Goblet of Fire as my favourite HP book!


Started: 21 July 2007
Finished: 22 July 2007

Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows (at librarything.com) (http://www.librarything.com/work/3452530&book=18738955)

[Kylie]

Slaughterhouse-Five
Kurt Vonnegut

Rating: 9/10

Published: 1969
Number of pages: 157
ISBN: 0099800209

Summary (taken from blurb):
Prisoner of war, optometrist, time-traveller - these are the life roles of Billy Pilgrim, hero of this latter-day Pilgrim's Progress, a miraculously moving, bitter and funny story of innocence faced with apocalypse, in the most original anti-war novel since Catch-22.

Comments:
A great book, with some interesting and thought-provoking ideas. Before I read it, I heard some people say that this book changed their lives and others have said it's not the same when re-read after a long period of time; I think where you are in your life may determine how much you get out of this book. For me personally, I think it's one that needs repeated readings in order to fully appreciate it.

One thing I didn't particularly like: I couldn't quite figure Billy out; throughout the whole book he seemed to be in a daze, which can't be what he was like all the time because he was clearly still able to function normally most of the time.

The book is amusing in parts (dark humour) and cleverly written, but mostly it's terribly sad as you see what the horrors of war have done to Billy, and the parallels between his memories of the war and the hallucinations that occur thereafter. It's a great anti-war novel (but not as great as Catch-22, in my opinion!)

A much better review of the book can be found in this thread (http://www.bookclubforum.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=1096&highlight=vonnegut). And there are many more great reviews at the librarything.com link below.

Not everyone will enjoy this book, and I can understand why, but I would highly recommend it nevertheless. There aren't too many books that I feel should be read; this is one of them.


Started: 22 July 2007
Finished: 26 July 2007

Slaughterhouse-Five (at librarything.com) (http://www.librarything.com/work/816613&book=17579248)

[Kylie]

One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest
Ken Kesey

Rating: 10/10

Published: 1962
Number of pages: 393
ISBN: 0141024879

Summary (taken from blurb):
Tyrannical Nurse Ratched rules her ward in an Oregon State mental hospital with a strict, unbending routine. Her patients, cowed by mind-numbing medication and the threat of electric shock therapy, dare not oppose her. But everything changes with the arrival of McMurphy - the swaggering, fun-loving trickster with a devilish grin. McMurphy battles Nurse Ratched and the ward regime, challenging everyone's beliefs about madness...who, of them all, is really insane?

Comments:
Beware! Contains possible spoilers!

This is a brilliant book - every bit as good as everyone says it is. The ending was a bit of a surprise to me, and heart-breaking. It reminded me a bit of Of Mice and Men, which I read a couple of months ago (I cried at the end of both books).

McMurphy is a wonderful character, probably one of my favourites in literature, and I loved his relationship with the Chief. He made such a wonderful impact on the lives of the other patients, which Kesey portrayed beautifully in subtle and not-so-subtle ways. I loved seeing the Chief change and become more aware of his surroundings (with the lifting of the fog) and, of course, when he began speaking again.

I watched the movie immediately afterwards and thoroughly enjoyed it, although I think the book is much better. Both book and movie very highly recommended.


Started: 26 July 2007
Finished: 3 August 2007

One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest (at librarything.com) (http://www.librarything.com/work/2122&book=15858511)

[Liz]

I'm really glad you enjoyed One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest as I read this a few weeks ago and absolutely loved it. I enjoyed the relationship between Nurse Ratched and McMurphy.

[Esiotrot]

Sounds good Kylie ~ off to add to my wish list :smile2:
Kx

[Kylie]

Today I bought two more books:

Michael Chabon: The Amazing Adventures Of Kavalier And Clay
John Le Carre: The Spy Who Came In From The Cold

:roll: I'll never get my TBR pile down :lol:

[Kylie]

Carmilla
Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu (ebook on iPod)

Rating: 8/10

Published: 1872
Number of pages: 152
ISBN: 1587155958

Summary (taken from Amazon.com):
A chilling tale of the un-dead, Carmilla is a beautifully written example of the gothic genre. The story takes the reader into the dark, mysterious world of a girl and her family tormented by visitations and nightmares. While the continual reoccurrence of a beautiful woman, unknown, yet familiar, meanders through the lives of the characters, to the very heart of the story, the precise use of language emphasises and heightens the images that the book presents and sends the reader spiralling towards its bloody conclusion. Said to be the inspiration for Bram Stoker's gothic masterpiece 'Dracula', Carmilla stands out as a classic horror masterpiece.

Comments:
I thought this was a wonderful book and can easily see why it was the inspiration for Dracula. It's beautifully written and the descriptions of the 'schloss' and the surrounding countryside are simply mouth-watering. Having said that, I did struggle a little with the style of writing at times - I like to be challenged though!

It was always going to be interesting to read this book because Dracula became an immediate favourite of mine the first time I read it. This one stood up well, although it was perhaps lacking in some respects; because it is so much shorter than Dracula, I feel that the story and characters weren't developed as fully and I was left with some unanswered questions at the end.

One thing that surprised me a little was the graphic nature of Laura and Carmilla's relationship - I didn't expect the writing to be so risque coming from that time period! I think in this respect Carmilla was more graphic than Dracula.

I would highly recommend reading Carmilla, particularly if you have read and liked Dracula. The differences and similarities are interesting to note.


Started: 4 August 2007
Finished: 6 August 2007

Carmilla (at librarything.com) (http://www.librarything.com/work/215392&book=19412906)

[Kylie]

Peter Pan
JM Barrie (ebook on iPod)

Rating: 8/10

Published: 1911
Number of pages: 230
ISBN: 1566197139

Summary (taken from wikipedia):
It is a story of a mischievous little boy who won't grow up. Peter Pan, a fierce swordfighter, spends his never-ending childhood adventuring on the island of Neverland as leader of the Lost Boys. The story features some fantastical elements, one of them being that Peter has the ability to fly, and his friends include a fairy named Tinker Bell. In addition, a crocodile that has swallowed a ticking clock stalks the pirate leader, Captain Hook, Peter's nemesis.

Comments:
This is an utterly magical tale of young boy without a mother who is the leader of the lost boys and lives in Neverland. He convinces three children to fly from their nursery and join him so that the girl, Wendy, can be mother to the lost boys.

Putting aside the sexism, which I guess I have to make allowances for seeing the time it was written, (Wendy does nothing but cook, clean and sew), it's a very enjoyable and imaginative romp. There are a lot of little touches that I loved, such as Mrs Darling tidying up her children's minds, and Peter losing his shadow.

All I knew of Peter Pan before I read the book was what I'd seen in a movie called Hook. I had no idea Peter was so arrogant or violent (all those little kids murdering people!) and I was expecting Tinkerbell to be a sweet little thing. Some rude shocks there! Highly enjoyable and recommended. Now to watch the Disney version.


Started: 7 August 2007
Finished: 8 August 2007

Peter Pan (at librarything.com) (http://www.librarything.com/work/6252&book=19512826)

[NiceguyEddie]

I'm really glad you enjoyed One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest

I've never read this. It is supposed to be one of those books that stay with you forever. I'll see if I can find a copy.

[Kylie]

Anne Of Green Gables
LM Montgomery (ebook on iPod)

Rating: 8/10

Published: 1908
Number of pages: 320
ISBN: 0451528824

Summary (taken from librarything.com):
Anne, a mischievous, red-haired, eleven-year-old orphan, is sent by mistake to live with a lonely, middle-aged brother and sister on a Prince Edward Island farm and proceeds to make an indelible impression on everyone around her.

Comments:
I once saw a mini-series of Anne... but didn't remember much of what it was about, which was good because it didn't spoil my enjoyment of the book.

I found Anne to be a simply enchanting character, and wise beyond her years. I love her way of looking at things, and the pleasure that she takes in everyday things that other people would take for granted. I especially like that she didn't lose that aspect of herself whenever bad things happened.

I'll definitely be reading the following novels (and re-watching the mini-series). I can't wait to see what Anne gets up to next!


Started: 8 August 2007
Finished: 10 August 2007

Anne Of Green Gables (at librarything.com) (http://www.librarything.com/work/3253&book=19513782)

[Kylie]

Just as I was leaving for work today, I took delivery of a book I won on eBay:

Margaret Atwood: Alias Grace

I was a bit worried about what condition the book would be in because there was no photo and it was described as 'good', so I was pleasantly surprised to find the book in almost brand-new condition! I only had a quick glance through (enough to note that it's quite lengthy!) before I had to leave for work.

Looking forward to reading it after the reviews on here, although I probably won't get to it for a little while yet.

[angerball]

Margaret Atwood: Alias Grace

I hope you enjoy this one. It's my favourite Atwood book by far. :)

[Kylie]

Lady Chatterley's Lover
DH Lawrence (ebook on iPod)

Rating: 5/10

Published: 1928
Number of pages: 400
ISBN: 0143039617

Summary (taken from Kell's Reading Circle blurb):
Constance Chatterley feels trapped in her sexless marriage to the invalid Sir Clifford. Unable to fulfill his wife emotionally or physically, Clifford encourages her to have a liaison with a man of their own class. But Connie is attracted instead to her husband's gamekeeper and embarks on a passionate affair that brings new life to her stifled existence. Can she find a true equality with Mellors, despite the vast gulf between their positions in society? One of the most controversial novels in English literature, Lady Chatterley's Lover is an erotically charged and psychologically powerful depiction of adult relationships.

Comments:
I was a bit disappointed in this book for a few reasons. The first being that I never really got a clear picture of any of the characters. It was probably just me, but I felt there were contradictions all over the place when they were being described (and it was throughout the whole book, not just the beginning). One moment Clifford seemed to be strong and the next moment weak (physically, not mentally). If the physical description of him was supposed to be symbolic of his mental strength, I didn't find it to be very effective. I couldn't like Connie at all; Mellors was perhaps the only character I had any real understanding and liking of.

I also found the text a bit too repetitive for my liking. I'm not referring to the parts where a single phrase or word was repeated - I could handle that. My problem was where whole ideas were repeated and ruminated over ad nauseum. I like a bit of deep conversation in a book, particularly when it concerns the state of humanity, but the long passages of dialogue and thoughts bored me to tears in this book.

The beginning was very drawn out and not particularly interesting, however, it seemed to pick up a little around the time that Connie and Mellors were first meeting, before becoming boring again. It then seemed to be in a big damn hurry to finish.

There were a couple of redeeming points: the descriptions of the woods were nice, although it would have helped the ol' imagination if I'd actually heard of any of those particular plants before! I mostly enjoyed the scenes between Connie and Mellors (not just the sex scenes!), except when Connie was being clingy and demanding over and over that Mellors tell her they'd be together and that he loved her.

At least the ending was somewhat of a surprise to me. I've seen a movie adaptation of this and I'm sure it ended differently (Connie staying with Clifford while Mellors went to work at the pits).

I'm glad I read the book, if only so I can better understand its importance in the history of literature, but I'll not be reading it again.


Started: 13 August 2007
Finished: 20 August 2007

Lady Chatterley's Lover (at librarything.com) (http://www.librarything.com/work/17336&book=20034924)

[Kylie]

Diary Of A Nobody
George Grossmith (ebook on iPod)

Rating: 9/10

Published: 1892
Number of pages: 174
ISBN: 0792833278

Summary (taken from amazon.com):
'Why should I not publish my diary? I have often seen reminiscences of people I have never even heard of, and I fail to see - because I do not happen to be a `Somebody' - why my diary should not be interesting.' The Diary of a Nobody created a cultural icon, an English archetype. Anxious, accident-prone, occasionally waspish, Charles Pooter has come to be seen as the epitome of English suburban life. His diary chronicles encounters with difficult tradesmen, the delights of home improvements, small parties, minor embarrassments, and problems with his troublesome son. The suburban world he inhabits is hilariously and painfully familiar in its small-mindedness and its essential decency.

Comments:
This is an excellent, light and amusing read. I wouldn't say it's laugh-out-loud funny, but it certainly had me smiling a lot, which is quite a feat.

Charles Pooter is a loveable and slightly old-fashioned, bumbling character, whose diary chronicles his life over the period of a year or so. He's a middle-class man who enjoys a pun (while the puns themselves are not uproariously funny, his reactions and elatedness at thinking them up are pretty amusing).

He (usually) enjoys the company of his friends, Gowing and Cummings (the objects of one of the best puns in the story), but is sometimes indignant at their behaviour, as well as at the behaviour of certain other characters and visitors to the household.

Even the short summaries of the diary entries at the beginning of each chapter are entertaining: 'Make the acquaintance of a Mr Padge. Don't care for him. Mr Burwin-Fosselton becomes a nuisance.'

This is such a good read, and one that I think I'll re-read quite often. I was originally going to give this a rating of 8 but it crept up to 9 while I was writing this review and remembering how thoroughly enjoyable it was. Very highly recommended!


Started: 21 August 2007
Finished: 21 August 2007

Diary of a Nobody (complete text and illustrations online) (http://www.authorama.com/book/diary-of-a-nobody.html/)

[Icecream]

I have Diary of a Nobody Kylie. Glad to see you liked it.

[Liz]

I am so pleased you enjoyed Diary of a Nobody, Kylie. I love the book to pieces and it's one of my favourites. I completely agree with you that Charles Pooter is a loveable character.

[Kylie]

I've won a couple of books on ebay recently:

Michel Faber: The Crimson Petal and the White
Maggie O'Farrell: The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox

I chased up both books solely because of reviews I've read on this forum. Thanks BCF! (Or should I be cursing you all for making my TBR pile grow even more?!) :tong:

[Kylie]

The Midwich Cuckoos
John Wyndham

Rating: 7/10

Published: 1957
Number of pages: 220
ISBN: 0140014403

Summary (taken from blurb):
Cuckoos lay eggs in other birds' nests. The clutch that was fathered on the quiet little village of Midwich, one night in September, proved to possess a monstrous will of its own. It promised to make the human race look as dated as the dinosaur.

Comments:
An enjoyable book, though I didn't think it was anywhere near as good as The Day of the Triffids. I felt like it could have been fleshed out a lot more; it is a fascinating concept and could have been more exciting than it was. Still, it was interesting as a reader to keep coming back after intervals of time to see how things had advanced in regards to the Children, and the ending was pretty good!

Overall, a slightly disturbing book which provided food for thought, especially in terms of the place of humans in the world. Recommended.


Started: 22 August 2007
Finished: 25 August 2007

The Midwich Cuckoos (at librarything.com) (http://www.librarything.com/work/19812&book=15943891)

[Kylie]

Emma
Jane Austen

Rating: 9/10

Published: 1816
Number of pages: 508
ISBN: 0141028092

Summary (taken from blurb):
She's beautiful, rich and clever, and has decided she's perfectly happy with the single life. What Emma does love, however, is interfering in other people's business (and she is always convinced she's right). When she ignores the advice of her friend Mr Knightley and insists on matchmaking for her friend Harriet, her carefully laid plans go disastrously wrong.

Is Emma so wrapped up in other people's love lives that she fails to spot happiness when it's right under her nose? Perhaps, when it comes to affairs of the heart, she can't control everything after all...

Comments:
I read my first Jane Austen last year, Pride and Prejudice, which immediately became one of my favourite novels. Today I finished my second Austen, Emma, and I'm pleased to say that Jane Austen has now cemented her position as my favourite author. Her style of writing is delightful to behold and I thoroughly enjoy every single sentence I read of hers. Even though not much appears to be happening, I find that I'm hooked from beginning to end.

I think Jane Austen builds up her characters and situations beautifully, and if I've learned anything from reading her novels, it's that deep down I'm a hopeless romantic. I'm usually pretty good at resisting flicking forward through a book to see what happens, but I'm a lost cause when it comes to Austen. Even though I may guess early on in the novel what's going to happen, I just have to flick through to see the manner in which the most important events take place between the characters.

Emma is an exquisitely crafted piece of writing. A lot of the characters are annoying in some degree, but that's how they're supposed to be. I thought I would find it difficult to like Emma, but I think, for all her faults, she is quite a decent person and she tried so very hard to avoid making the same mistakes twice. I could see her growing and maturing throughout the novel and I came to like her quite a lot. There is the same sense of humour here as there is in Pride and Prejudice, but not quite as much.

I suspect that Jane Austen's novels have their faults, but it's as though I'm looking at them through a haze (or, more likely, rose-coloured glasses). I know they're there, but for me they get lost in everything else. I've given a rating of 9 to Emma, only because I loved Pride and Prejudice a bit more <sigh> This is why I love to read. And just think, I have four more of her books on my shelf that I still have the honour of reading for the first time! :D


Started: 24 August 2007
Finished: 31 August 2007

Emma (at librarything.com) (http://www.librarything.com/work/364&book=15717190)

[Kylie]

On Friday, I received two books in the mail that I bought on ebay (one mentioned in an earlier post):

Kathryn Kenny: Trixie Belden #30 (Mystery of the Midnight Marauder)
Maggie O'Farrell: The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox

[angerball]

I loved The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox. It's such a moving story, and a very well written book. You're in for a real treat. :)

[Kylie]

Cloud Atlas
David Mitchell

Rating: 6/10

Published: 2004
Number of pages: 529
ISBN: 0340822783

Summary (taken from blurb):
'Souls cross ages like clouds cross skies...' Six interlocking lives - one amazing adventure. In a narrative that circles the globe and reaches from the 19th century to a post-apocalyptic future, David Mitchell erases the boundaries of time, genre and language to offer an enthralling vision of humanity's will to power, and where it will lead us.

Comments:
I don't think I fell in love with this book as a lot of other people seem to have, but it was a good read and I'm glad I read it. I definitely enjoyed some sections more than others (I guess that's always going to be a problem in a book that's made up of such completely different stories), but I enjoyed picking up on the little 'clues' linking the stories together. I also really liked the closing comments of Adam Ewing's Journal/the book.

One part I had trouble getting into was the first part of Adam Ewing's Journal. It was a difficult section to lead into the book with, but once I got past that it picked up, particularly with the second story, Letters from Zedelghem. This was the most enjoyable section for me; Robert Frobisher's character was probably the least likable but his letters were so witty and enjoyable to read that I could look past all that.

I struggled a bit with The First Luisa Rey Mystery because it was so terribly cliched. The entire thing reminded me of a bad movie. The Ghastly Ordeal of Timothy Cavendish didn't really affect me one way or another. I quite enjoyed The Orison of Sonmi-451. I love dystopian literature and comparing different futures. This one gave me more food for thought. I also had trouble with Sloosha's Crossing, mostly because of the colloquial style of the language, and because it was the middle section, it was unbroken so I didn't even get a break from it!

There were a few major themes running throughout all of the stories: reincarnation (the comet-shaped birthmark), betrayal, inequality, imprisonment, and the progress of mankind through the ages and the struggles of minorities to gain acceptance and freedom.

I know I've said a few bad things about this book and I think ultimately that the whole was greater than the sum of its parts, but overall it was an enjoyable experience,. It's definitely a very ambitious novel for anyone to undertake, and I think David Mitchell did really well linking the various stories together. Recommended.


Started: 1 September 2007
Finished: 11 September 2007

Cloud Atlas (at librarything.com) (http://www.librarything.com/work/3654&book=15981831)

[Kylie]

Danny The Champion Of The World
Roald Dahl

Rating: 8/10

Published: 1975
Number of pages: 214
ISBN: 0141311320

Summary (taken from blurb):
Danny thinks the world of his father, but imagine his surprise when he finds out he's been breaking the law! Even grown-ups bend the rules sometimes, but Danny knows his father is still good, kind and clever and full of exciting ideas.

Join them in this thrilling adventure as they hope to pull off the most daring and dangerous plan ever.

Comments:
Danny the Champion of the World is one of the few books of Roald Dahl's that I never got around to reading when I was a kid. Something about it never really appealed to me. Happily, that terrible oversight has now been rectified (if only I had read it 20 years ago!)

The love between Danny and his father is so strong and so sweet. You don't see that very often in books nowadays. I love Dahl's imaginative writing; it's so vivid and it's easy to picture everything that's happening. I thought it was a lovely story and another piece of brilliance from Roald Dahl. (Happy Birthday Roald Dahl!) Highly recommended!


Started: 11 September 2007
Finished: 12 September 2007

Danny The Champion Of The World (at librarything.com) (http://www.librarything.com/work/5729&book=15902445)

[Kylie]

The Twits
Roald Dahl

Rating: 8/10

Published: 1980
Number of pages: 87
ISBN: 014131138X

Summary (taken from blurb):
Mr and Mrs Twit play some horrible tricks on each other. I bet you have never met two people more revolting. They never wash, they trap birds for Bird Pie and they hate children. Find out what brilliant trick the Roly-Poly Bird and the Muggle-Wump monkeys think up for them.

Comments:
A short but very enjoyable read. There's not too much I can say about this book without giving the plot away, but what I can say is that I love the Roly-Poly Bird and the monkeys, and the ending is terrific! There are also some lovely words of wisdom imparted ('a person who has good thoughts cannot ever be ugly'). And what would a Roald Dahl book be without Quentin Blake's illustrations?

I believe this particular Roald Dahl story is aimed at younger readers than some of his other books (such as Matilda), but it's just as wonderful a read and has always been one of my personal favourites.


Started: 12 September 2007
Finished: 12 September 2007

The Twits (at librarything.com) (http://www.librarything.com/work/1531&book=15902424)

[Kell]

The Twits remains my favourite Roald Dahl book ever - I used to read it and read it over and over as a kid. I really must get a copy to read again - I think I'll check the library...!

[Kylie]

Went to a huge book fair today and came away with 38 books! :eek2: Oh well, most people there were buying about the same amount as me, if not more. I got some really good bargains; most books were priced between 20c and $2, and if I had bought 2 of those books in shops, it would have cost me more than it did for all 38 books! And they're in pretty good condition. Let's see now...

Jean M Auel: The Clan of the Cave Bear
Emily Bronte: Wuthering Heights
Dan Brown: Angels and Demons (read before, but wanted my own copy)
Dan Brown: Digital Fortress
John Buchan: The Thirty-Nine Steps
Isobelle Carmody: Obernewtyn
Agatha Christie: The Secret Adversary
Arthur C Clarke: Against the Fall of Night
Arthur C Clarke: Expedition to Earth
Eoin Colfer: Artemis Fowl: The Arctic Incident
Roald Dahl: Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator
Roald Dahl: Fantastic Mr Fox
Iris Rainer Dart: Beaches
Ian Fleming: Casino Royale
Ian Fleming: Goldfinger
Ian Fleming: Moonraker
Ian Fleming: You Only Live Twice
Anne Frank: The Diary of Anne Frank
Kenneth Grahame: The Wind in the Willows
Thomas Hardy: The Woodlanders
Frank Herbert: Children of Dune
Carolyn Keene: Nancy Drew and the Clue of the Dancing Puppet
Robin Klein: Hating Alison Ashley
John Marsden: So Much to Tell You
Yann Martel: Life of Pi
Ann M Martin: 3 BSC Books (including the last one of the series; I haven't read any of these in ages, but I always wanted to read the last book)
Robert O'Brien: Mrs Frisby and the Rats of NIMH
Ruth Park: Playing Beatie Bow
Terry Pratchett: The Colour of Magic (Discworld #1)
Terry Pratchett: Equal Rites (Discworld #3)
Terry Pratchett: The Light Fantastic (Discworld #2)
Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman: Good Omens
JRR Tolkien: The Silmarillion
Mark Twain: The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
Mark Twain: Huckleberry Finn
Lew Wallace: Ben-Hur

[Louiseog]

Wow!

[Kylie]

I know! Do you think I have a problem? I try to convince myself that I'm just building up my future library now, and that these books will stay with me forever. So in theory, after I finish building up my collection, I won't need to buy so many books, and so often. In theory. :blush:

[angerball]

Wow! That's gotta be a record! :thud:

When you posted about this book fair yesterday, I had to resist the urge to ask where it was, because otherwise the same thing would have happened to me. :lol: Damn books, they'll get you every time! :motz: :lol:

[Kell]

Terry Pratchett: The Colour of Magic (Discworld #1)
Terry Pratchett: Equal Rites (Discworld #2)
Terry Pratchett: The Light Fantastic (Discworld #3)
You've got 2 & 3 the wrong way round. ;) Although, No.3 is the best of those ones. :)

[Angel]

Wow! What a bargain for all those! Where to start??