rwemad
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Posts posted by rwemad
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Have The Men Had Enough? by Margaret Forster *****
I think this book is going to have to go down as one of my all time favourites. I simply thought it was fabulous.
It was funny and sad, tender and painful and it made me smile, weep, laugh and ring my Mum to tell her how much I love her.
I should really do that more often.What I love about it is that it is totally unpretentious. It created all the aforementioned feelings and emotions but at no time did I feel that that was what it was trying to do. It was simply telling the story. I am guessing that for anybody who, like myself, has cared for an ailing parent will feel doubly effected. I cared for my father, not through dementia but to the inevitable end and so much of this writing was just too true for comfort.
And yet it was comforting because it was true.
It was amazing.
I wish I had written it.
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Michelle and Frankie........ American Psycho is a book that is well worth persevering with imo.
It is shocking though. I defy anybody to read it for the first time and not raise their hand towards their face at some point.
Unless I'm particularly wooosy.
I think that as parts of it made uncomfortable reading, added to the enjoyment in a rather bizarre sense. I mean I like feel-good books as well as the next person but sometimes, just sometimes, it's good to push my boundaries and step out of the 'comfort zone' so to speak.
It really was good!!!
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Atonement by Ian McEwan***
This was nice. There were parts of it where I was thinking 'this is going to be a 4*er' but am I alone in being confused at the end?
I enjoyed it though and it was a nice calming, pleasant read after American Psycho.
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Is it OK to confess in here?
I read Pride and Prejudice because I thought I 'should' read something that would make me a 'proper' reader.
And absolutely hated it
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I enjoyed the book.
I recall we had borrowed the film to watch at home but I was called in to work and had to leave part way through.
I remember quite vividly the 'domestic' we had when I discovered my dear other half had returned it before I had chance to watch the rest.
I will be tuning in to see if it is worth me seeking it out again.
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American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis****
Oh my oh my.
I have tried to read this several times before but have struggled with the first third (or so) of the book. The constant reference and long winded description of what he and everybody is wearing etc was tiresome. It is only after I perservered that I realised how important it was to the book and the character(s). Once that first third (or so) was over with, Oh my goodness - what a book!!!!
I cannot recall having read anything more gruesome and quite frankly terrifying. I read some of the passages from behind the sofa!!!! I loved the way it was written, the gore and horror nestling amongst the self-indulgence and insecurity of the yuppie world. I found it amusing and enthralling. I read it with a certain amount of enjoyment which made me feel somewhat weird and embarrassed. What a strange book for me to enjoy. I really surprised myself. It is a book that I have discussed at length to anybody who will tolerate me. There is so much to it.... so much to talk about and so many feelings and questions raised about myself and people in general. Oh my.... what a book.
I haven't seen the film but apparently it is a bit like watching Corrie after having read the book.
Even though I enjoyed this soooo much I am reluctant to give it a ***** because of the reference to my wishing I had wrote it. mmmmm I'm going to have to get over wanting to write only the 'nice' stuff I think. I wonder though, how did he come up with such errrr 'ideas' for those more violent passages?
I intend to read it again. Perhaps in a year's time.
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The Big Picture by Douglas Kennedy.****
I really enjoyed this book. It was fast paced and simple to read. It held my attention and I even found myself reading whilst waiting for the kettle to boil my interest ws so keenly captured.
I highly recommend it.
The only reason it didn't get a ***** was that I was a bit disappointed at the ending. After such a fast story it sort of spluttered to a stop where I wanted it to squeal sideways to a mind jolting halt. Not sure how he would have done that.......... but I guess that's why I'm not a best selling author.
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After the purge of my TBR list, I succumbed to temptation in the book shop today, and I've added another five books
Ha Ha
I used to do this all the time. I find it easier just to stay away from the shops completely.
Before Xmas I overheard my OH and son discussing a shopping trip and my son said "well, we know Mum will just be in the book shops all day" and my OH replied "yes, well I'm holding the plastic this time".
Charity shops..... boot sales......... "uh oh, watch your mother there's a book stall!"
I hate ALL other shops.
You have a very varied and interesting list. I like to read all sorts too. I notice one by Penelope Lively that I haven't heard of that I may look up. I loved her 'Moon Tiger'. Have you read it?
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A Million Little Pieces by James Frey.**
I was disappointed with this one. I have a nephew who is struggling with drug addiction and was looking forward to reading about it.
I didn't really enjoy the way it was written. It annoyed me sometimes when it just kept repeating short pointless sentences. "I sipped my coffee. I sipped my coffee. I sipped my coffee". I'm thinking... OK I get it... you've got a coffee.
Having said that. Parts of it were interesting. I just wish I could be convinced that it wasn't embellished or romanticised to the nth degree.
I guess I was just hoping to learn something which may be of some use or offer me a little more understanding.
Glad I read it though.
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I have enjoyed reading this thread so thought it only fair I say five about me.
My dog has very powerful smelling wind this morning
I am an insomniac
I am a reluctant atheist
The only footwear I own is work boots, walking boots, wellie boots & trainers.
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I'm the third Welsh person to clock in..........but it seems I am the first Welsh person to add a post.
Obviously I'm British too.
And European of course.
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I actually thought this was OK.
I think 'Long Way Down' is my favourite of his but 'Slam', although light and easy, does offer some reminders as to how completely self absorbed teenagers are.
I gave it to my skateboarding teenage son to read who felt the character was very immature for his age.
I'm guessing the chats with Tony Hawks are the skateboarder equivalent to fantasising about marrying a pop star or singing into the hairbrush or air guitaring. All very immature... none of us ever did/do that did/do we.
I like Nick Hornby's books because sometimes I want to pick up a book which I know will neither be challenging or depressing.
Predictable is good sometimes.
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OK.
Hello everybody.
I have tried to edit the opening post but I have been thrown out twice. I think perhaps it is because I tried to do a little too much and waffled on and on etc.
Anyway, I thought I would try and be a little bit more organised. I am going to use this post as the opening post and add the titles of the '2009 reads' as I complete them. I may add a little bit about each book at the bottom of the list in it's own little post at the bottom of the thread.
I love books. I am as simple as that.
I will make some sort of crude effort to 'grade' each book with some stars but this is purely self indulgence on my part. I firmly believe that each reader will be touched or spoken to differently, and uniquely, by each book. It may depend on life circumstance at the time. For example, when grieving for my father, I wept openly and painfully at a passage in 'My favourite Wife' by Tony Parsons. At no other time would I say that passage, or indeed any part of that book, would have reduced me to tears. Likewise, Uncle Podger putting up the picture in 'Three Men in a Boat' by Jerome K Jerome never fails to have me crying tears of pure merriment at the memories of my dear departed Grandad. Two books, two memories, buckets of very different tears.
Such is the power of words.
Anyway, it may well depend on what is happening in my life at the time, what mood I am in on the day...anything (nobody mention month:tong:). So, add a pinch of salt and a smattering of stars and away we go.
Post Birthday World by Lionel Shriver *****
Great Dream of Heaven by Sam Shephard (short stories) ***
A Matter of Death and Life by Andrey Kirkov ****
Exits and other stories by B A Kennedy (short stories) *****
The Bookseller of Kabul by Asne Seierstad ***
bridport short story winners 2008****
Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult***
Private Papers by Margaret Forster ***
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak *****
A Million Little Pieces by James Frey **
The Big Picture by Douglas Kennedy ****
American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis ****
Atonement by Ian McEwan***
Have The Men Had Enough? by Margaret Forster *****
Catch-22 by Stephen Heller
By The Time You Read This by Lola Jaye **
A Special Relationship by Douglas Kennedy ***
Things I want my Daughters to Know by Elizabeth Noble ***
Ritual by Mo Hayder****
Over by Margaret Forster ****
According to Ruth by Jane Feaver *****
I Have the Right to Destroy Myself by Young-Ha Kim ***
State of the Union by Douglas Kennedy *
Grave Sight by Charlaine Harris ***
Is There Anything you Want? by Margaret Forster ***
The Bird Room by Chris Killen **
Pig Island by Mo Hayder****
Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell ****
Copycat by Erica Spindler***
An Artist of the Floating World by Kazuo Ishguro****
An Absolute Scandal by Penny Vincenzi *
After Dark by Haruki Murakami *****
Live a Little by Kim Green ***
The Carhullan Army by Sarah Hall ****
Crime by Ivine Welsh ****
The Life& Soul of the Party by Mike Gayle*
Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishguro ****
A Wild Sheep Chase by Haruki Murakami *****
What You Make It by Michael Marshall Smith***
Dexter in the Dark by Jeff Lindsay **
The Intruders by Michael Marshall ****
The Life You Longed For by Maribeth Fischer***
After the Quake by Haruki Murakami*****
Dance Dance Dance by Haruki Murakami****
Marley & Me by John Grogan ***
Remains of he Day by Kazuo Ishiguro*****
Running with Scissors by Augusten Burroughs****
The Road by Cormac McCarthy *****
The Straw Men by Michael Marshall ****
This Charming Man by Marianne Keyes **
Dance For YourDaddy by Katherne Shelduck ***
The Lonely Dead by Michael Marshall ****
Blood of Angels by Michael Marshall ****
Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom ***
Nothing to Lose by Lee Child ***
Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami ****
Bad Things by Michael Marshall ****
I suppose I had better offer some sort of explanation as to what they mean.
-- Couldn't finsh ... sorry
* Perseverd till the end but pretty dire really... sorry again.
** OK, glad I read it
*** Enjoyed it, pleasant, good.
**** Fabulous, recommend it.
***** WOW!!! I so wish I had written THAT!
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"I disagree."
lol. It is with many thanks to you BookBee8 that I have even read nineteen minutes.
I'm not sure your trying Kevin again would work too great if you were to sit down with nineteen minutes in mind. The ideas were the same perhaps... but really they can't be compared too closely. Maybe had I not had Kevin in mind when I read Nineteen minutes.....
I say that because I actually did enjoy reading 'Nineteen Minutes', as I did the other Jodi Picoult... I think I am being critical of it only in comparison with 'Kevin' because, to me, 'Kevin' was just outstandingly written... I just loved it.
Perhaps also I am not the right person to comment as I have had a lot to do with bullies and the bullied and so 'Nineteen Minutes' failed at a research level whereas I should remind myself it is just a story... it is not meant to be real or true... it's just a story.
What concerns me, on a personal level, about the lack of obvious popularity for the writing of Kevin, is I finished it and thought "'WOW' I wish I had written that!" - Now if ever I do get around to writing that book (been prattling on about it for..... ooooooo a lifetime now) and I reach the dizzy heights of my own approval..... nobody is going to buy it... or if they buy it they won't be able 'to get into it'....... or they just plain won't like it.
Ahhh well.
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Oh dear.
Am I alone in thinking 'Kevin' was a far better read than 'Nineteen Minutes'? 'We Need to Talk About Kevin' is one of my favourite books of all time.
I preferred 'Kevin' by a clear mile. I mean 'Nineteen Minutes' was OK, but Jodi Picoult didn't really seem to get deep into my feelings and emotions as did Lionel Shriver. 'Kevin', for me, was far more true to life.... way more believable. That may have made 'Nineteen Minutes' easier and a more 'enjoyable' read but I think the subject matter demanded a more in depth, serious approach and that's what LS gave me.
To be honest I thought the court case and the 'twist' at the end of 'Nineteen Minutes' was just stupid.
(does that mean hide behind the curtain while I speak?)I still gave Nineteen Minutes a 3 star though, like I said it was easy to read and didn't make you think too hard.
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I loved this book too.
I also enjoyed the other one A Spot of Bother... in fact I think I enjoyed it more. Definately recommend it.
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Hey Charm!!!
I am soooo sorry if I ignored you..... I didn't know what to do!!!!
I confess to not being very technically minded - Is it easy???
The only book I have read on your wish list is Life Swap. I can't really remember enough to give an opinion except that it can't be very memorable
.I have both feet very firmly in the read-book-first camp. I have always been disappointed with the films/series after having read a book. I think our own minds can imagine a character that will enhance our personal enjoyment of a book. I think a book is able to tap into, and enhance, my imagination far more effectively than a movie/series.
Some of your books and authors I have never heard of........ there are just too many books and so little time.
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Oh... thanks for that.
I was really thinking I was a being more of a numbsky than usual as I couldn't figure out where the edit option was. I've looked a number of times to correct the typos- I have a sticky space bar that is driving me nuts.
Also, Charm was kind enough to offer a personal welcome and send me some sort of invite to conversation or something. I read it but have no clue how to respond or anything and now I feel awfully rude. I'm off to find her/his thread to apologise - publicly because I don't know how else to:blush:.
I guess I should have learned how to use the site first eh.
LOOK LOOK I'm editting!!!
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Post Birthday World by Lionel Shriver *****
Great Dream of Heaven by Sam Shephard (short stories) ***
A Matter of Death and Life by Andrey Kirkov ****
Exits and other stories by B A Kennedy (short stories) *****
The Bookseller of Kabul by Asne Seierstad ***
bridport short story winners 2008****
Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult***
Currently a third waythrough Private Papers by Margaret Forster and rather enjoying it. The library have rang to say they have some of the books that I have reserved come in. I will collect them tomorrowif I can finish Private Papers in time. Otherwise it can wait till Monday.
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oooooo, until reading this thread I had forgotten about the 'different seasons' - amazing stuff.
I am another one who has 'Bag of Bones' on the shelf and am now tempted to add 'The Stand'. I have yet to read either.
I am not the biggest fan of his stories but I am one of his greatest fans of 'Stephen King the writer' ifykwim. When I try new (to me) authors/books and have been let down I can pick up any SK and think ...wow.
Ahhhhh..... so many books and so little time.
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Hi Angel
I am new here so just thought I would say Hi and to say how impressed I am with your organisation. You have a well varied list there, many of which I confess to having never heard of.
I have read a few Jill Mansell, including the two on your list. Her books are very easy to read and are all fairly similar in content. They can be very amusing as well as light and are a great summer, beachy read I think - no peace required etc. I pick them up when I know I will be unable to concentrate too hard;).
I think I may try and follow your example and organise myself a little better..... mmmmm, we'll see.
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For the full(er) list go to post 10....
..... please.
Well. I thought I would start listing the books I read on here.
I have already added many books to my library list after reading other peoples threads on here. Thanks to all of you.
Hopefully this thread will offer some new ideas to some of you. I am a newbie and so am a little shy of reviewing but will 'star' each book according to how much I liked it.
So far this year I have read..
Post Birthday World by Lionel Shriver *****
Great Dream of Heaven by Sam Shephard (short stories) ***
A Matter of Death and Life by Andrey Kirkov ****
Exits and other stories by B A Kennedy (short stories) *****
The Bookseller of Kabul by Asne Seierstad ***
I am currently reading the 2008 winning short stories from the Bridport competition. I loved the 2007 selection and am really looking forward to burying myself in this book too.
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Well............
I think my mood dictates what I read. Stephen King (we have many of his books as my middle child has read/bought loads) appears when I am a trifle moody:blush:. My other half knows to not mention any little misdemeanours until I have put it down for something a little easier on the soul. Although his books are not in my most 'enjoyable read' list I have to put Stephen King on my 'wonderful author' lists. I think he is soooo clever. Some are a little too weird but he is the only author to have made me jump!!! - Gerard's Game, "there was somebody stood in the corner". Maybe it was because I was half snoozing at the time but oh my goodness...
I don't dislike Jodi Picoult. I think when I reading any of her books my OH thinks I am quite approachable. I have read My Sister's Keeper and another that I fail to recall the title of. I have, however, taken BookBee8's recommendation and brought home a copy of Nineteen Minutes from the library. I haven't started it yet but very bizarrely it sounds a very similar story to another book I have already mentioned - and I have only written a handful of posts. I also managed to get a copy of The Book Thief, The Big Picture by Douglas Kennedy and Private Papers by Margaret Forster - all books or authors mentioned right here on this forum:mrgreen:.
I am currently reading The Bookseller of Kabul by Asne Seierstad. This is a book that has been loaned to me by a friend and I have promised to pass it on to a named person when I have finished it. It is one of three very different books. One was Slummy Mummies - the title says it all really and the other was Brick Lane by Monica Ali. I read a review somewhere about Brick Lane that says it was highly amusing. I got some way in and the poor woman had been pressured (if not forced) into a marriage and her baby had died. I have tried to start it again but have failed to get very far. It just proves how sometimes our preconceptions or expectations of a book can either spoil or enhance our enjoyment of said book. Anyway the Bookseller of Kabul is interesting and easy to read and, half way through, I have to confess I am quite enjoying it.
Enough waffling.
I think maybe my introductory thread has introduced me adequately enough and I must take the plunge and post elsewhere. Can't be a newbie for ever;).
Thanks again to all of you have taken the trouble to post a 'welcome'..... I really appreciate it.
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ooooo just found Lionel Shriver in the contemporary thread - quite predictably, some liked... others just couldn't... If you are one that 'couldn't' then the Post Birthday World is unlikely to be for you either.
great stuff going on here......... loving it.
Jodi Picoult seems another popular one....... not as many Stephen King fans as I'd have thought..... other groups seem to LOVE him.
Is there a way to edit a post???? Sometimes my typos are quite appalling and I have a sticky space bar:tong:
Rwemad 2009
in Past Book Logs
Posted
Also alot of the book,did tend to be very dramatized and hollywood-esque,like his constant daily struggle to look into his eyes..so when i foun d out afterwards that he had embellished and lied about certain parts (or all?) of his story it didn't much surprise me.
Ahhhh. I had read somewhere that there were a few porkies but I had been led to believe that it was mainly true.
The looking for his eyes in the mirror was a bit much.