Kylie
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Posts posted by Kylie
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Are these books historical fiction or straight up non-fiction?
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Nicely put Kirstykat!
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So, actually 9 books so far, all pretty good, and some new authors discovered.. a good start!
This pretty much sums up my start to the year too. Let's hope it continues!
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to the group Emma!
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1- Who was your favourite character and why?
Would it be wrong to say Mr Croup?
I know he was evil and all, but I really liked his dialogue. I also liked the Marquis de Carabas.2- Was there a particular part you enjoyed/disliked more than the rest?
There's a part that comes to mind, although I didn't really like or dislike it - that was the Ordeal of the Key. Good stuff. I think Gaiman did a terrific job of that section.
3- Was this the first book you've read in this genre/by this author, has it encouraged you to read more?
Yes. I have Good Omens at home (co-writen with Terry Pratchett), and I'm really looking forward to that. I'll also be tracking down various other Neil Gaiman works in future.
4- Were there any parts/ideas you struggled with?
No.
5- Overall, was reading the book an enjoyable experience?
Absolutely
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More books added to my wish list:
Charlotte Bronte: Shirley
Stephenie Meyer: Twilight
Gene Wilder: My French 'lady of the night'
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Excellent review Echo! I'm about to start reading Jane Eyre, but will add this to my wish list.
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So is anybody participating in this reading circle? Unfortunately I can't because I have so much other reading to get through.
Just a reminder that there's one month left!
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Talisman, how do you find time to write among your other hobbies and 'life' in general? Are you strict in setting time aside every day for writing, or do you just do it when you get time?
I would like to do a bit of writing (as a hobby), but time (and, if I'm going to be honest, motivation) is always an issue.
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Yum, Poppy. I love pikelets. My Dad used to make them for a breakfast treat occasionally. Now we usually just buy them from a store.
I must stop reading this thread - it only makes me hungry
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Toshmeister! Nice to have you here.
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Hi Jo and
You'll be sure to get plenty of recommendations here!
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Despite a lot of rave reviews, I hated Paulo Coelho's The Alchemist. It is very doubtful that I will ever bother with another one of his books. If it was just the story itself that I had a problem with, I'd probably give him another chance, but his writing style was really disappointing too and I don't think that's something that would be rectified in his other books.
That said, HarperCollins currently has the text of one of his books available on their website so I might have a skim through and see what's it's like.
Generally, though, I think I would have to take it on an case-by-case basis. Depending on just how bad the book is, I may or may not decide to give the author another chance.
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Thanks for your views, Andy. I have this one on my wish list, along with Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed.
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Robert O'Brien
Rating: 7/10
Published: 1975
Number of pages: 188
Summary (taken from blurb):
Lone survivor after a nuclear holocaust, Ann Burden sees her solitary peace threatened by this unknown intruder. She hides, he watches, they both wait. Is he a friend and ally, or the terrifying near-maniac she begins to suspect? Just as Adam was the first man on earth, so this man must be Zachariah, the last...
Comments:
This is a quick and interesting read aimed at young adults. It's a story concerning the end of the world and the survival of a 16-year-old girl who believes she may be the last person alive...until she sees someone else entering her valley.
I thought the main character was a little too naive (or maybe just too optimistic) but I always love an ending that leaves something to the imagination. A pretty good read!
Started: 17 February 2008
Finished: 20 February 2008
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Recent additions to the family:
John Banville: The Book of Evidence (birthday present from my brother)
Bill Bryson: The Lost Continent
Neil Gaiman: Neverwhere
I'll be due to finish my current book at lunch time so I might get started on Neverwhere today. That'll be highly unusual for me; my books average a wait on my TBR pile of about two years before they get read! I don't think I've ever before started reading a book on the same day that I bought it
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It's ridiculous isn't it? We all read those children's books when we were young and are none the worse for wear!
I'm not sure if the original list of banned books I posted are just related to Canada or the whole world. I was hoping for the latter. Books have certainly been banned in the UK at various times, whether it be schools refusing to stock Harry Potter in their libraries, or the obscenity trial of DH Lawrence's Lady Chatterley's Lover. Wikipedia has a list of banned books, showing several from the UK.
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I think a lot of them were probably banned for religious reasons and probably others are due to parents of school-age children not wanting their kids exposed to certain materials. This website explains the reasons behind some of the book bannings. Pretty ridiculous reasons too!
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The strangest thing happened when I was travelling home on the train last night. I was reading Z for Zachariah and came across the following:
...so I brought an anthology from my room and read Gray's 'Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard'.I thought this was a bit strange as it seemed, from the context of the passage, that the character was introducing this text to the reader for the first time. I was sure she had already been reading it earlier on. But then I cast my mind back a few days and recalled that I had read a reference to the exact same elegy in the last book I read, Truman Capote's In Cold Blood.
...Andrews's farewell message turned out to be the ninth stanza of Gray's 'Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard'...How bizarre! I'd never heard of this elegy before, and then to read two references to it in two books in a row, in the space of a few days! I've found the text of it here and intend to read it when I get a chance.
A smaller coincidence happened on Monday. I went to my orthodontist appointment and was laying down looking up at the light overhead. The name written on the light was 'Faro', the same as the name of the dog in Z for Zachariah!
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Truman Capote
Rating: 10/10
Published: 1966
Number of pages: 336
Summary (taken from blurb):
Controversial and compelling, In Cold Blood reconstructs the murder in 1959 of a Kansas farmer, his wife and both their children. Truman Capote's comprehensive study of the killings and subsequent investigation explores the circumstances surrounding this terrible crime and the effect it had on those involved. At the centre of his study are the amoral young killers Perry Smith and Dick Hickock, who, vividly drawn by Capote, are shown to be reprehensible, yet entirely and frighteningly human.
The book that made Capote's name, In Cold Blood is a seminal work of modern prose, a remarkable synthesis of journalistic skill and powerfully evocative narrative.
Comments:
In Cold Blood is a terrific blend of journalistic skill and creative writing. Capote begins the story by introducing the reader to all of the main players: the Clutter family (the victims), and Perry Smith and Dick Hickock (the killers). We get to know them very well - their personality traits and quirks, their views on life, and basically all of their background stories. Other characters, ranging from local gossips to detectives, are introduced equally vividly.
Although the reader knows what's going to happen, Capote masterfully builds up the story and draws out the suspense, leaving the reader with numerous questions as to the 'why's and 'wherefore's of what's about to happen. Of course, they're all answered in time, but it's an intriguing journey and well worth the read. The story is never dull, and I had to keep reminding myself that this was not a work of fiction.
Truman Capote worked tirelessly to gather his information (along with the aid of his friend, Harper Lee, the author of To Kill a Mockingbird) and put it together meticulously to create this incredible, true story. It's chilling and scary, but absolutely terrific! Highly recommended!
Started: 31 January 2008
Finished: 17 February 2008
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Never mind keeping the list for the kids, I'm keeping this one for myself!
I've read 21 so far, with about a dozen others on my TBR pile.
Thanks Janet!
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I saw one called Nevermore today. It's based on the writings of Edgar Allan Poe and includes The Raven and several other stories of his. Looked pretty interesting.
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Hmm, I agree with nothing on this list! For the purposes of replying to each point, I'll just copy the entire list below.
10. With the internet, video games, movies, porn, iPods, 500 channels on satellite TV, manga, magazines, graphic novels, etc., all vying for people's attention, books are a hopelessly antiquated way to spend your free time and they simply can't compete.
I don't think books are antiquated at all. That's just a lame excuse people use when searching for answers as to why they think people don't read books anymore. And there are always ebooks and audiobooks if people have a hankering to download something.
9. Why pay $20 or more for something that you will only read, and therefore only use, once?
Speak for yourself! I regularly re-read books and people who don't have any intention of re-reading books could always borrow them for free from the library.
8. You can't download books in the same way you can download music, movies or video games.
Er, yes you can! Ebooks and audiobooks are obviously very popular, judging from the number of websites dedicated to them.
7. Books have no buttons or flashing lights.
Well, what can I say to that? You could always string some fairy lights around your bedroom if you need flashing lights
And ebook readers certainly have buttons!6. If you watch a good movie, play a cool video game or listen to some kick-ass music, talking about it is a good way to connect with your friends. If you read a book, who the hell are you going to talk to about it?
The Book Club Forum of course! And there are thousands of online blogs and forums dedicated to discussing books. There is a whole world full of people who love meeting others to discuss books!
5. Books require too much of an investment of time.
I invest a lot of time in reading, but for me and all others who love reading, it's well worth the effort.
4. There are so many bad books out there, that it's a good idea to let Hollywood filter out the good from the bad, and watch the movie versions.
Lazy! If you're worried about bad books, read some reviews of the book before you buy it. There are many more good books than there are bad I think. And don't get us started on Hollywood's versions of books!
3. Libraries and bookstores aren't exactly the coolest places on the planet.
Name me one place that's cooler! This is obviously not a person who enjoys reading as a past-time!
2. People's imaginations have been turned into mush by video games, movies, TV shows and YouTube videos.
Absolutely true. But I'm not sure how that links to people not reading books? Even people with the mushiest of brains will pick up a book sometimes.
1. Four words: no more Harry Potter.
True, but JK Rowling has by no means ended her writing career. And in the meantime millions of children have been inspired to pick up other books and start reading them!
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I thought you all might be interested to know that HarperCollins is going to publish several authors' works online for free, for the period of one month each.
A lot of you will be pleased to know that Neil Gaiman is one of these authors and you can vote on his blog for which book you would like to see online. American Gods is in the lead, followed by Neverwhere.
For any fans of Paulo Coelho, his book called The Witch of Portobello is currently available on their website. This link will take you directly to it.
A bit more info can be found in this NY Times article.
Mistakes in books. Have you ever found one?
in General Book Discussions
Posted
That's happened in my line of work too Jen. A piece of text will go through half a dozen pairs of hands and still get published with an error. I don't feel so bad when I'm not the only one who has missed it.