Alexi

I'm on 15 from the combined list, 334 feels like an impossible dream! I'm currently reading Onw Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest though which I think is on there, and I have a load more in my TBR pile. Still an embarrassingly low figure though!

Having to read quite a lot of sporting stuff for work at the moment so alongside stuff on derbies in Colombia I've picked up One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest alongside. Everyone's told me it's wonderful, so hope my expectations are not too high...

I love libraries and my local service is fantastic. Both my parents are big readers but don't use the library (both work long hours, my Dad works away etc) so they buy their books (and I pilfer) but they've always encouraged me to use the service as I have working hours that fit with the library (and also read at a faster pace meaning I go through more than they do). I'm moving into the city in a few months (away from the small town I currently am in) and am investigating the library system way before we move in! I was dreadfully concerned the nearest library was miles away when I clicked to find one in their website, but then I realised the council counts "local" libraries and "central" libraries as in different sections of the website and my local one would be the massive one right in the centre. It always makes me really sad when I hear of local libraries under threat. Obviously I'm not naive and know cuts have to be made at the moment but we're potentially removing a vital service from future generations. Grrrr. I hate shortened versions. I think if kids are old enough to appreciate the story and can't read it themselves get an adult - there are plenty of books designed to be short for kids learning to read.

The 'missing' apostrophe was bugging me too - I was glad to read there was a reason! But I'm exactly the same, I change inflection for sister's and sisters and now it feels wrong to say it Sisters! I'm still trundling along with Things I want my Daughters to Know. Not getting much done recently but I had an interview yesterday about an hour away (including faffing around changing trains) so I knocked out 100 pages there and back. I'm enjoying it, but want to shake a few people.

Ooh, interesting challenge! I've read Partners in crime, but didn't realise the stories were parodies! If most are available free I'm tempted to give it a go - and then like you, go back for a reread! I've read the Big Four, so 13 to do!

I've acquired far too many books today. Went to the library and got 5, despite my resolution to cut back on library borrowing until my TBR reduces a tad. Then I acquired all of Agatha Christie's books for the bargain price of 69p all in one handy electronic device. Apparently this is 88 novels. Still, at least I've read some so it's not 88 joining my TBR mount...I bet it's around 60 though. More reading, less acquiring in the next few months I think!

Well returning to a familiar YA series definitely brought my mojo back with a vengeance - hurrah! Now rushing straight on to Things I Want My Daughters to Know by Elizabeth Noble...I think it was Lauraloves who warned me I might need tissues for this one though...so no reading it in public then!

I've had a few hard slogs recently and my mojo has suffered a bit as a result so picking up a YA - Crocodile Tears by Anthony Horowitz, in the hope of a quickish read to restart my reading! I don't read much YA but I love this Alex Rider series (maybe a sign I should read more YA...!)

Given there are over 200 books to read, you can probably put it off for a while I've read 3 this year, I need to have read 2 more by the end of March to be on track with my 20 in 2012 target. Probably unlikely - too many books, too little time!

I really must remember to log in from a computer at some point to update my list - the iPad doesn't seem to believe in being able to scroll through a post so you can edit without deleting everything... Ho hum. Book 8: The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz (Dominican Republic) 6.5/10 After 50 pages I thought I was going to really struggle with this. At that stage, I contemplated putting it down. It's on the 1001 list though so I persevered, and I'm glad I did. The notes drove me bananas and the writing style did annoy me (I sort of got used to it but it still made me rage on occasion when they popped an 'author note' into the main body of the text. But the plot saved it. The first part centred on Oscar in New York, which wasn't that enthralling. But going back in time to read about the lives of his mother and grandfather in the Dominican Republic were horrifying yet fascinating, and Oscar's time there was much more interesting than his struggles in NYC. It made me want to go and read much more about people's experiences under Trujillo. Maybe 6.5 is harsh after that, but the writing style was, at times, like apples on polystyrene.

I loved Before I Die VF...if love is the right word. I read it 3 years ago but it still sticks with me, the ending and what her brother says made me bawl my eyes out.

Not brilliantly! Perhaps that's unfair given I'm only 30 pages in but the writing style isn't my cup of tea at all. if there are notes at the bottom of the page I like them to be short, sharp, snappy and there for a reason, there is a whole separate book of waffle in the notes! I'd be tempted to give up already but I believe it's on the 1001 list.

My reading mojo completely deserted me taken me ages to Plowright through Small World, but finally done! It was pants and I shouldn't have bothered! Now onto The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao which will tick off Dominican Republic for my world challenge.

I'm really struggling with Small World. Have really enjoyed Matt Beaumont's other books as light reads but something not working for me with this one. I saw my niece at the weekend and had nothing to do so nicked her Faraway Tree book to have a gander at. She insisted I borrow it to finish....I had to write her a note promising to give it back though!...and I'm reliving my childhood, even though the names have changed!

Yeah, got it free for kindle. I do occasionally like books that make me sad, if the story and characters make me invested like that I think it's a good thing...occasionally! But I guess with the title (I can't remember the blurb exactly) you suspect it may have that affect going in. Glad you think its good so far.

I downloaded that free from amazon so will be interested to hear your thoughts Laura.

I found that book tough going too. I read it for an American history class, and we read it just after reading a lot about Martin Luther King, who I guess aligns more closely with my views on racism/racial hate. Maybe it was that, maybe it was the too much race hate at once, but I did find it tough.

Finished Along Came A Spider - already added the next one in the series to my wish list for next library visit! Now reading Small World by Matt Beaumont.

I didn't see the TV thing of Birdsong because I wanted to read the book first - my Dad was really disappointed with the TV version, I think the gist of his problem was it was slow going, but his language was choicer than that! Started Along Came A Spider by James Patterson yesterday and really enjoying it already, even though I'm only 50 pages in.

I persevered and really enjoyed the second half of it! I reviewed it elsewhere, but copying and pasting and formatting on a mobile device makes me want to throw said mobile device out of the window, and I'm rather attached to it so shall refrain. Plus it's got all my ebooks on it I haven't yet read....totalling 43 as of now. Ahem. Only 14 out of the combined list completed, I feel rather embarrassed at this total. As for Mr Alexistar he is a reader (although on electronic devices) and seems extremely tolerant of my ways!

Book 7: The Great Gatsby by F Scott Fitzgerald (USA) 5/10 Really didn't get on with this book until the last 80 pages or so. That sounds worse than it is, the version I had came in at 192 pages. Really didn't want to pick it up and had to force myself to read 10 or 15 pages at a time. But I got in at 11pm last night and read until my eyes were closing, so it definitely picked up! With the first half of the book I wanted to slap most of the characters silly, and I felt little interest or sympathy for any of them, bar the narrator. But by the second half I felt some sympathy for most, and the others were wonderful to hate. All in all, glad I read it but the first half dragged too much for my tastes.

I'm just over halfway through and really struggling with this one! I don't know if it's me being harsh because I'm having a tricky week or two for various reasons, so my concentration is a bit shot, but I'm really finding it hard to get into it and want to pick it up. I am persevering because it is quite short, counts for this list and also USA on my world challenge, but I'd heard really good things so am annoyed with myself! I found a copy of Down and Out in Paris and London in my brother's room last night (away at uni so he can't stop me pinching it!) - there are some pluses to a temporary move home! Planning a move shortly with Mr Alexistar - he's been warned about the stack of books that will be next to the bed at all times...But I might leave some here and swap them at convenient moments.

I have Birdsong...somewhere...on the mount TBR, so I must make efforts to get it completed! Discovered my current read (The Great Gatsby) is on the list which is exciting! I've also never read any Austen or Dickens, and only one Orwell (1984) - must do better!

Ugh I did, I only got halfway through I detested it so much. UGH. if I ever get close to completing the 1294 I will have to read it I guess for completeness...but fortunately I don't think it's likely! If it makes you feel better, I've only read 14 from the list...and only because I recently added the two Sherlock Holmes books! I've got about 5 books from it on my mount TBR, and am hoping being able to read many classics free on iPad will encourage me to tick off a few more!

Finished The Girl Who Played with Fire - excellent read, even if I did get slightly spoiled halfway through by watching the movie of the first book. Everyone had told me they stick with the format of the book trilogy, but there is a detail they've moved into the first movie that isn't revealed til about two thirds into the second book. Grrr. About to start The Great Gatsby and thanks to this thread I'm determined to read my first Stephen King in 2012.