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Alexi

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  1. Alexi

    Ruth - 2014

    Great reviews Ruth! I really must read The Three Musketeers soon. I need to stop time for a decade or so and just READ. The Dave Gorman book sounds intriguing as well, you've had some good reads recently
  2. Hi Devi. Great news on the Vitamin D! And lovely birthday books - the best birthday presents. Happy belated Birthday!
  3. Sparrow migration sounds very interesting - another for the wish list! I do enjoy coming in here because you are often reading interesting things I have never come across before.
  4. #45 13 Reasons Why by Jay Asher Synopsis: You can't stop the future. You can't rewind the past. The only way to learn the secret . . . is to press play. Clay Jensen returns home to find a strange package with his name on it. Inside he discovers several cassette tapes recorded by Hannah Baker - his classmate and first love - who committed suicide. Hannah's voice explains there are thirteen reasons why she killed herself and Clay is one of them. If he listens, he'll find out why. All through the night, Clay keeps listening - and what he discovers changes his life . . . Forever. Thoughts: This is written for young adults, but the synopsis was sufficiently intriguing, and I had enjoyed a previous read of Asher's, The Future of Us sufficiently to pick this up on kindle. The synopsis is certainly different to anything I've ever read before. Hannah leaves a series of cassette tapes for 13 people to listen to, explaining why she took her own life. They start off with events that appear fairly innocuous, but the idea is that every action has a consequence and seemingly mundane events add up to something much more. However, I did wonder whether it was "fair" of Hannah - and she is a character we do need to root for - to tell someone they are a reason she committed suicide when they stole a few notes from her. And the person who did the absolute worst, abhorrent, criminal action did not receive the tapes because "they wouldn't pass them on". For goodness sakes, you made 2 copies of the tapes for security, you could have made a third! This didn't really make sense to me that he got to carry on with his blissful life and others who did far less...didn't. However, while I enjoyed this and it was a good, quick read I can only mark it as a 3 because this should be an emotional read. A 16 year old has committed suicide after all and we are hearing her voice telling us why, but I didn't feel many tugs on the heartstrings at all. I can't put my finger on why exactly - perhaps the style of having Clay explaining that he was ordering a hot chocolate in the middle of one of her stories didn't help - but it should have been far more emotional than it was. 3/5
  5. Thanks Athena! I think I was in the minority, it gets fantastic views on Amazon. I hope you enjoy it. #44 11/22/63 by Stephen King Synopsis: WHAT IF you could go back in time and change the course of history? WHAT IF the watershed moment you could change was the JFK assassination? 11.22.63, the date that Kennedy was shot - unless . . . King takes his protagonist Jake Epping, a high school English teacher from Lisbon Falls, Maine, 2011, on a fascinating journey back to 1958 - from a world of mobile phones and iPods to a new world of Elvis and JFK, of Plymouth Fury cars and Lindy Hopping, of a troubled loner named Lee Harvey Oswald and a beautiful high school librarian named Sadie Dunhill, who becomes the love of Jake's life - a life that transgresses all the normal rules of time. With extraordinary imaginative power, King weaves the social, political and popular culture of his baby-boom American generation into a devastating exercise in escalating suspense. Thoughts: If the last book was ugh, this one was wow. It thoroughly restored my reading mojo and I read solidly for 6 hours on the plane trying to get through as much as possible before we landed! Jake Epping is coaxed by a local friend and diner owner back to 1958 with the hope of averting the JFK assassination and thereby (in theory) aiding the civil rights movement, saving thousands of lives in Vietnam and certainly changing the course of US and world history. Recently divorced from his alcoholic wife, Jake accepts and takes us back to the 1950s, enjoying root beer floats and very cheap petrol. The most interesting aspect of it all was the past being obdurate - it doesn't want to be changed and resists Jake's meddling, as it did his friend Al's before him. On days he is trying to change major events (such as the death of his friend Harry's family on Halloween) he suffers illness, his car won't start, other people from 1958 get involved at inopportune moments etc. I thought this, and the idea that the "past harmonises with itself" was very clever from King. It allows him to build a story full of suspense where Jake is thwarted at most turns, and a world full of coincidences, and explain it away by the previous two statements. I have never read King before, but the man is clearly a master storyteller. He wends his way through the late 50s and early 60s with ease, taking in Maine, Florida and Texas. We meet the Oswalds as soon as they land from Russia and Jake moves in opposite, so we we get a glimpse into their (dysfunctional) family life. But what King does so well is make this a love story alongside the adventure of trying to change history and prevent the assassination. Jake meets and falls in love with a librarian, who he must lie to about his past, his present and even his name. Can love conquor a time difference of 50 years, an obdurate past and a man trying to change history? The character of Jake is easy to root for, and the supporting cast are well drawn. But most of all this is just a bloody good yarn. The 750 pages flew by and I was upset to reach the end! Read it now, while I go and read everything else King has ever written. 5/5
  6. I'm catching up with the latest instalments of Nicholas Nickleby that I missed reading because I was on holiday. Not sure what I'm in the mood for really to read alongside it. I'm really enjoying NN so not sure what else will measure up
  7. I really liked that one - read it earlier this year. Not heard good things about the movie though!
  8. #43 The New York Trilogy by Paul Auster Synopsis: The New York Trilogy is an astonishing and original book: three cleverly interconnected novels that exploit the elements of standard detective fiction and achieve a new genre that is all the more gripping for its starkness. In each story the search for clues leads to remarkable coincidences in the universe as the simple act of trailing a man ultimately becomes a startling investigation of what it means to be human. Auster's book is modern fiction at its finest: bold, arresting and unputdownable. Thoughts: Ugh. I could leave it there, but I will continue. This book has won awards and is on the 1001 list, and has received plenty of glowing recommendations on Amazon (including the above, labelled as a synopsis). But I just didn't get it. It consists of three short stories, each set up with the potential to be an excellent detective story. Then, in each case our leading character - the investigator - goes off the rails to leave an unsatisfying ending that makes little sense. Post modernism at its finest, apparently. Well, what I felt was that it was simply Auster trying to prove he is far cleverer than his readers. His attempts at being original simply come across as being pretentious, a "read this to impress your vacuous friends" sort of novel. I'm all for originality but original doesn't have to mean something that comes off as the author's vanity project. I'm all for interpreting books in your own way (I enjoy Murakami for instance) but give me some clue. Apparently they are investigating what it means to be human. Really? Did I need to read endless pages in the first story about a man living on the street watching a window to find out what it means to be human? If so, I'm all for not knowing, thanks all the same. I struggled giving this book a 1, thinking it deserved a 2 because each story hooked me in, but then it threw me down again and I wonder if that wasn't worse meaning I didn't abandon the darn thing. I'm the end, I shall liken it to eating a kebab at 3am. I would never eat one sober but the first few bites taste awesome, only for the meat to prove distinctly fake and the inevitable sickness or food poisoning to follow. 1/5
  9. Thanks both. Anna - no idea how the 16-year-olds feel to be honest. I've no real issue with them voting - as long as someone is informed I think they have every right to vote. In Scotland, the age of of marriage is 16 so it seems a bit crazy they can't vote on something so monumental but could commit to someone else for the rest of their lives. Any age can make an uninformed vote, unfortunately! I meant to say yesterday, whichever way Scotland votes (and I have suspect they will vote yes) good luck to them. It will at least up the number of countries I've lived in to three rather than two! Two of my best friends have said they would move south in the event of a yes vote but I suspect they will wait and see a bit longer. Anyway I'm behind on reviews so here goes.... #42 Kiss Me First by Lottie Moggach Synopsis: Leila has never met Tess, but she now knows more about Tess than anyone in the world. She’s read all of her emails, researched her past and asked Tess for every detail about her friends and family. Tess has never met Leila. But if she wants to slip away from the world unnoticed, she needs to trust Leila with her life. At first, Leila finds it easy to assume Tess’s identity, and no one has any reason to distrust her. But as Leila is soon to discover, there is much more to a person than the facts and there are things about life you can learn only by living it . . . Thoughts: the synopsis of this book grabbed me straightaway and I raced through the first half, but I'm afraid it rather tailed off and by the end I was quite keen to finish. Leila is an interesting character, introverted without much of a social life, she becomes absorbed in the online world after the death of her Mum. I felt very sorry for her, but she wasn't someone I could particularly relate to - she seemed overly socially awkward, as if the author had decided that someone who got such a kick online couldn't function in the real world at all - I physically cringed in embarrassment for her on several occasions. To fit the character she needed to be for this "project" she needed to be more obsessed with online than offline, I get that. But that doesn't preclude her from being able to go to a bar and not act like she just stepped off the plane from another planet. Through Leila we learn about Tess. Tess was the opposite of Leila in many ways, with many acquaintances, boyfriends and party invitations but wanted to kill herself without anyone knowing she had. Interesting premise, no? And it really was. I wanted to find out more about the project, more about Leila and Tess and what motivated each of their actions. Who was the mysterious leader of the site, Red Pill who introduced them? And would it work? This had all the basis of an excellent read but it felt apart in the second half for me, like the author wasn't entirely sure how to get to the ending which was underwhelming. Just ran out of steam. That said, it was an enjoyable read and different from what I've read before. 3/5
  10. I need a new kindle, my battery life has markedly decreased since purchase and I was thinking about asking for a paper white for Xmas... Until now...
  11. So various reviews to follow tomorrow probably but here are my thoughts on Scotland. First of all I would just like to say I don't mean to offend anyone reading. Everyone is entitled to their opinion and this is mine. I'm not Scottish but I did live there for 3 years of my adult life. As a result I have friends both Scottish and English North of the border who will be voting and know Scots currently living elsewhere in the UK who hold strong opinions but cannot note. Personally, to back up my experiences of living there I have also done a lot of reading from economists and experts in fields like defence to back up media reports. Firstly, I have been a little disappointed that many of my friends, normally extremely discerning around general election time, seem to have forgotten this is still politics. I am rather red up of reading that Side X are spewing propaganda while Side Y trot out nothing but facts - side Y being the side they support and Side X the one they don't. Both sides are clearly going to exaggerate the stats that work for them and play down the ones that don't - it's politics! I have an acquaintance who worked in Edinburgh in the research side of it, and part of his job was twisting stats to fit that narrative. It seems sad some people can't see through it all. Prime example: debt. A quick glance through my Facebook newsfeed reveals several yes voters who are convinced that should Scotland go independent then they would receive no share of the national debt. Now, this may happen (although I think it unlikely) but whatever the outcome it would have to be negotiated after a vote for independence was confirmed. So who is telling them this untruth and why do they blindly believe it? Both sides are just as bad with this though, this was just an example that came up today so was fresh in my mind. If I had a vote, I would vote no. I don't think we have enough information to vote yes and know the situation will improve. We don't know what will happen and once the Scots vote yes there is no turning back if the situation sours. Examples: a lot of Britain's banking currently resides in Edinburgh. Should this remain so after independence it would be too large for the current Scottish economy to support in case of a crash - see Iceland in 2008. Or does the banking sector start moving back south costing jobs in a thriving sector in Scotland? Will the EU accept Scotland? Will Spain kick up a fuss given effect on Catalunya and Basque regions? Will Scotland be able to join NATO if they fulfill Salmond's nuclear desires? What of borrowing as a small new nation? Is it true independence without control of currency as Salmond wishes to retain the pound? Scotland currently has a larger share of the benefits system than England (and slightly higher than Wales). If oil can support that in medium term it seems unlikely money can be put aside for when oil runs out. Or do Scots wish to see cuts to NHS, health etc that supporting larger benefits on smaller taxes would bring? Too many unanswered questions for me. I would support no but campaign for increased devolution (as promised by Westminster). Sorry for the essay but wanted to back up my point of view as best as I can.
  12. I must get round to Trainspotting! Everything I've read suggests awesomeness once you get past the style- which should in theory be easier for me given I spent three years north of the border. When I first came home after leaving I started saying dinnae ken a lot (I don't know) and Mum was terribly offended thinking it meant I didn't care when asked a question! Personally have really enjoyed reading your bookaday selections Anna. I rarely base my book choices on covers (particularly since splitting my reading between paperback and kindle).
  13. I'm in the airport on free wifi on the trip back. Will catch up properly with everything when I get home (in about 16 hours - saved £500 but going round the houses a bit!) Trip was fabulous thank you. Gutted to be going home. So many highlights, although lowlight was busting my foot with suspected fracture. Off to medical centre as soon as I get home. But I hobbled (!) to the top of the Empire State Building, to the New York giants and over the Brooklyn Bridge so hope I haven't made it worse. Didn't want to miss out on anything. Read a bit on the flights, finished 11.22.63 which was fantabulous and currently 3/4 of the way through 13 Reasons Why by Jay Asher. Hardly any time to read outside of the travelling though. I'm behind on my reviews though - finished 2 books before I left which I still need to review. How's everything with you? Will write a full post on the Scottish referendum in my next post but might not get a chance til the next stop.
  14. I must get hold of Russian Roulette! (typed Tourette's at first there, sod phone typing). I loved the Alex Rider series and it sounds like a worthy spinoff! Congratulations on the modship! I'm also trying to reduce the TBR (although mine is sitting around the 250 mark) but buying/acquiring books is so satisfying
  15. Mine is 340 but the typing is small, which I don't think is helping! But yes, it's a trilogy of short stories, allegedly twists on the detective novel. Pfft, I'm not sure it should be marketed like that, although the lead characters are engaged in detective work that's not really the point of the story so if you're reading for that you will be sorely disappointed. I'm midway through the second one now.
  16. I have Capital on TBR, so good to read such a recommendation! I'm struggling through The New York Trilogy - for me, it's trying to be a bit too clever and it ends up pretentious. Quite looking forward to reading the first part of Nicholas Nickleby for a break
  17. Same!
  18. I've also added it to my wishlist - really intrigued by this!
  19. Joining you on that one J, I go away for 2 weeks next week so won't be around for a while after the first discussion. Will be reading and ready to chinwag when I get back though!
  20. Yeah, I'm thinking writing the review without giving away spoilers might be tricky! I liked the ending though, which is a turn up - I normally find endings the weakest part of many books! I really want to read The Three Musketeers one day... ugh, if only I had Bernard's Watch
  21. I (largely) gave up reading for my undergraduate university years (18 to 22). I read a little during post grad but that was more a time issue, working all week to ensure I could go out once a week on a Saturday! Mine picked up again majorly from graduation (so September 2010) and like you, increased majorly once I found this place. Although that coincided with a new job that I get to on public transport rather than driving to, so I guess several factors were involved. Thrilled about the new book shop, that sounds ace.
  22. I always want to change my ratings too. If I leave reviews too long I forget the salient points, but at least then I feel more confident in my ratings as I can judge how much I am still thinking about the book... ho hum.
  23. Finished Kiss Me First by Lottie Moggach. Really not sure what to make of it to be honest! I will attempt to formulate my thoughts and write a review asap. Now starting The New York Trilogy by Paul Auster. Now seemed like a good time to tackle a book set in NYC
  24. Coped over from my book log: I was extremely nervous in starting this book. Pride and Prejudice is a book I'm not only "supposed to" have read, but also "supposed to" enjoy - or at least, so I felt. I was nervous I would hate it! I shouldn't have been, I was enraptured. The first few chapters are a bit of a struggle but in the end I felt myself rushing to get to the end to find out what happened, then when I got to the end I was disappointed it was over - always the hallmark of an excellent novel in my opinion! I'm not sure I need to explain what goes on here. Even those who haven't read it have a vague idea of the synopsis, and really, most of the book is predictable from a few pages in, but the writing is gorgeous, the characters pop out of the book and the dialogue is witty. I did like the character of the long-suffering Mr Bennet, who seems so utterly mismatched with his wife, who I took an instant dislike to! I also found the constrast between the sisters, particularly Jane and Elizabeth, compared to Kitty and Lydia, and then Mary rather on her own extremely interesting and well plotted. I must say, I don't see the fuss with Mr Darcy at all - but then, I haven't seen the BBC version Just wonderful. 5/5 I absolutely loved this book, and am so pleased the challenge prompted me to get around to it sooner. Must be less scared of Jane Austen books in the future!
  25. I really want to read the Wiesel memoir, and I really like the sound of Then - another for the wishlist me thinks!
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