~Andrea~ Posted May 2, 2007 Share Posted May 2, 2007 Ok so i'm not the fastest reader in the world unlike some of you folks out there My aim for 2007 is to read 25 books. So far this year: 1 The girl in a swing - Richard Adams 9/10 2 Ugly - Constance Briscoe 9/10 3 The last word - Brian McLaren 7/10 4 The big love - Sarah Dunn 7/10 5 Dolores Claiborne - Stephen King 6/10 6 Keeping faith - Jodi Picoult 6/10 (30/04 - 16/05) 7 This book will save your life - A M Homes 8/10 (11/05 - 04/06) 8 The Thief of Always - Clive Barker 8/10 (04/06 - 08/06) 9 The Other Side of Nowhere - Daniella Westbrook 9/10 (08/06 - 14/06) 10 Of mice and men - Steinbeck 9/10 (15/06 - 21/06) 11 The picture of Dorian Gray - Oscar Wilde 9/10 (23/06 - 11/07) 12 The Hobbit - Tolkein 9/10 (11/07 - 27/07) 13 Dracula - Bram Stoker (8/10 28/07 - 20/08) 14 Carmilla - Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu (7/10 09/08 - 12/08) 15 Anne of Green Gables (8/10 20/08 - 9/09) 16 My cousin Rachel - Daphne Du Maurier (10/10 09/09 - 24/09) 17 Selected Writings - Meister Erkhart (unfinished 25/09 - 16/10) 18 Harry Potter and the half blood prince - J K Rowling (8/10 29/09 - 29/10) 19 Northanger Abbey - Jane Austen (audio, abridged) (9/10 17/10 - 21/12) 20 Karma - Holly Harvey (7/10 30/10 - 10/11) 21 Knots and Crosses - Ian Rankin (8/10 10/11 - 26/11) 22 Flatland - Edwin Abbott (10/10 26/11 - 18/12) 23 The Stand - Stephen King (26/11 - ) To read soon: Life of Pi - Yann Martell Guards Guards - Terry Pratchett The Virgin Suicides - Jeffrey Eugenides Books on the Bookshelf: Unread Minnette Walters - The shape of snakes Minnette Walters - Acid Row PD James - A Certain Justice Wilkie Collins The Woman in White Chaucer - The Canterbury Tales (modern translation) Thomas Hardy Far from the madding crowd Helen Fielding - Bridget Jones The Edge of Reason Joanna Trollope - The men and the girls Justin Cartwright - The promise of happiness How to talk to a widower - Jonathan Tropper Damaged - Cathy Glass James Herbert - Haunted Agatha Christie - Five little pigs Shakespeare plays: Othello The Merchant of Venice King Lear Julius Caesar Twelfth night A Winter's tale half read: Pride And Prejudice The French Lieutenant's woman - John Fowles To read at some point: The Testament of Gideon Mack A spot of bother - Mark Haddon James Herbert - The Secret of Crickley Hall Walking Ollie - Stephen Foster The Time Machine - H G Wells The House on the Strand - Daphne Du Maurier The Secret Garden The Ghost Writer - John Harwood Superstition - David Ambrose LOTR - Tolkein Far from the madding crowd - Hardy The Princess Bride Rabecca - Daphne Du Maurier Something Wicked this way comes - Ray Bradbury The Time Travellers Wife Shopgirl - Steve Martin The book of lost things - John Connelly Chocky - John Wyndham Little Women - Louisa May Alcott Harry Potter and the deathly hallows - J K Rowling Winnie the Pooh - (complete short stories and poems) A. A. Milne Rumble Fish - Susan Hinton Dirk Gently's Holistic detective agency - Douglas Adams (reread) The Little Prince - Antoine de Saint-Exupery The Planiverse - A.K. Dewdney Stuck in neutral - Terry Trueman The Oyster House Siege - Jay Rayner Spilling the beans - Clarissa Dickson Wright To consider reading: Middlemarch - George Eliot Black Swan Green - David Mitchell The commitments - Roddy Doyle Plague Dogs - Richard Adams Angela's Ashes Authors to try: Phillip K Dick Anthony Horowitz David Baddiel Anne Tyler Kelley Armstrong Raven Hart Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louiseog Posted May 2, 2007 Share Posted May 2, 2007 I really enjoyed the Virgin Suicides thought it was well written and thoughtful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
~Andrea~ Posted May 2, 2007 Author Share Posted May 2, 2007 Yea has been on my list for a little while, really must order it from amazon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Polka Dot Rock Posted May 2, 2007 Share Posted May 2, 2007 It's a wonderful book - and also one of the only ones where the film adaptation has really captured the spirit of the book, I think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
~Andrea~ Posted May 15, 2007 Author Share Posted May 15, 2007 I've been meaning to add my thoughts about each book I read for ages. Here's a start. The girl in a swing - Richard Adams 9/10 I really loved this book. Its beautifully written in the first person. Its essentially a love story with some quite dark supernatural undercurrents. It won't be everybody's cup of tea because, well, there's a lot of writing here but not a lot actually happens. I loved reading it though I think because I enjoyed the writing style so much. I didn't want it to end. Ugly - Constance Briscoe 9/10 I also greatly enjoyed this book. A true story of child abuse, again not everyone's cup of tea, but real page turning stuff. The early chapters make quite difficult reading but as the central character gets older emerging into the strong woman she eventually becomes, well its quite inspiring stuff. I don't think i've ever rooted for a character so much, probably because this character is a real human being. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nici Posted May 15, 2007 Share Posted May 15, 2007 Ugly - Constance Briscoe I also greatly enjoyed this book. A true story of child abuse, again not everyone's cup of tea, but real page turning stuff. The early chapters make quite difficult reading but as the central character gets older emerging into the strong woman she eventually becomes, well its quite inspiring stuff. I don't think i've ever rooted for a character so much, probably because this character is a real human being. This is on my "to buy" list as it has got very good reviews from everyone here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madcow Posted May 15, 2007 Share Posted May 15, 2007 It's also on my TBR mount. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
~Andrea~ Posted May 16, 2007 Author Share Posted May 16, 2007 Well I can't recommend it enough. Hope you both get as much out of it as I did. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nici Posted May 16, 2007 Share Posted May 16, 2007 I think it will be the sort of book which will make me cry and want to give Robbie a huge cuddle... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
~Andrea~ Posted May 16, 2007 Author Share Posted May 16, 2007 The last word - Brian McLaren 7/10 This is probably of quite specialist interest, the third in a trilogy about an evangelical pastor in america questioning his beleifs. More of a theological discussion presented in the form of conversations between the characters than a true novel. This book is really a critique of the evangelical view of Hell. I enjoyed it but it may be more of interest to those who have had some involvement with evangelical or fundamentalist christianity. The Big Love - Sarah Dunn 7/10 Light humourous well written chick lit. Very funny. The characters religious neurosis annoyed me on times but on the whole I liked her and the humour made up for this books shortcomings. Dolores Claibourne - Stephen King 6/10 My first Stephen King. Quite enjoyable. Interesting device of telling the story through the single voice of the central character as she is interviewed by the police. This is more of a crime than a horror story though it doesnt really fit that category neatly either. Its really the story of how a person is driven to commit murder with hints at the supernatural. Enjoyable, dark, not particularly cheerful although it does contain some humour, and one part did make me laugh out loud. I will definitely read more of this author, perhaps based more on his reputation than on this book. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
~Andrea~ Posted May 18, 2007 Author Share Posted May 18, 2007 Keeping Faith Jodi Picoult 6/10 This was quite a long book, nearly 500 pages (not quite a "doorstop" but close ). I have mixed feelings about it. I enjoyed the beginning but found it dragged in the middle. The characters didn't really grab me and I was tempted to give up. However the last 100 pages were very gripping and I was glad I persevered. Had it been a little shorter I might have enjoyed it more. I'm not sure if I will try this author again, perhaps but probably not anytime soon. The book is very well written but somehow it just didn't pull my chain. Interesting subject matter though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sofia Posted May 18, 2007 Share Posted May 18, 2007 Keeping Faith Jodi Picoult 6/10 This was quite a long book, nearly 500 pages (not quite a "doorstop" but close ). I have mixed feelings about it. I enjoyed the beginning but found it dragged in the middle. The characters didn't really grab me and I was tempted to give up. However the last 100 pages were very gripping and I was glad I persevered. Had it been a little shorter I might have enjoyed it more. I'm not sure if I will try this author again, perhaps but probably not anytime soon. The book is very well written but somehow it just didn't pull my chain. Interesting subject matter though. I've debated several times over getting this book.....I also just finished one of hers that tended to drag a bit, then perked up (second glance) wasn't there a tv movie made for keeping faith? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
~Andrea~ Posted May 18, 2007 Author Share Posted May 18, 2007 I've debated several times over getting this book.....I also just finished one of hers that tended to drag a bit, then perked up (second glance) wasn't there a tv movie made for keeping faith? Oh was there? That would be interesting to see. It's ok if you are stuck for something to read and I did enjoy it in the end. I know other people have rated this book highly so maybe I am in the minority here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sofia Posted May 18, 2007 Share Posted May 18, 2007 whoops...the pact and plain truth are tv movies....I guess keeping faith is in the works....my bad:blush: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
~Andrea~ Posted May 21, 2007 Author Share Posted May 21, 2007 whoops...the pact and plain truth are tv movies....I guess keeping faith is in the works....my bad:blush: hehe well it would be interesting to watch if they do get round to making it then. If you do read it let me know what you think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
~Andrea~ Posted June 12, 2007 Author Share Posted June 12, 2007 This Book Will Save Your Life - A M Homes I enjoyed this. It was quirky and humorous. The plot meandered about with no real pace but the characters and situations kept me interested. Did it have a deep underlying message or was it just an excuse to poke fun at LA life? I wasn't sure about the ending though. The Thief of Always - Clive Barker I enjoyed this children's story. It was intriguing and quite gripping and creepy (it probably would have been quite scary if I was ten years old). There are some great descriptions and ideas in this book but it took me a while to get used to the writing style and I didn't enjoy the first chapters much, unsure if I would like the book at all. I kept reading though. I doubt I would read it again, unlike other children's stories I keep going back to like say the chronicles of Narnia. However I may try some of the authors other work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
~Andrea~ Posted June 12, 2007 Author Share Posted June 12, 2007 The Other side of nowhere - Daniella Westbrook I'm about half way through this and loving every minute of it. I admire anyone who can conquer an addiction especially one as severe as hers. I remember watching a documentary about her several years ago and was very impressed with the way she was so down to earth, didn't take herself seriously and how she coped everything including all the negative press attention. She just seemed like a really nice girl. Its fascinating to read about the other actors in Eastenders. I'm finding it quite moving and don't want to put it down. It made me cry last night. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
~Andrea~ Posted June 15, 2007 Author Share Posted June 15, 2007 I finished The Other Side of Nowhere last night and it was brilliant. It made me cry again. I had no idea of the devastating extent of her problem. This is the story of someone seriously screwing up their life. Over and over again. If you didn't already know the outcome you would begin to believe she would never get better. But here you see someone hit absolute rock bottom and then amazingly make their way back up. This book is also a fascinating insight into the powerful stranglehold an addiction can have on someone's life. In spite of her huge mistakes she comes out the other side with her integrity intact. Great stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
~Andrea~ Posted June 15, 2007 Author Share Posted June 15, 2007 Now I have to decide what to read next Its between "Of Mice and Men" and "The Picture of Dorian Gray". I think I'll probably end up going for Of Mice and Men. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liz Posted June 16, 2007 Share Posted June 16, 2007 Those are some great choices. I've read both of them and really enjoyed them. I think Dorian Gray would be my favourite out of the two of them, but Of Mice and Men is great as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
~Andrea~ Posted June 17, 2007 Author Share Posted June 17, 2007 Thanks, I ended up going for Mice and Men in the end. Its the shorter book. But i'm really looking forward to reading Dorian Gray too. I'm only 25 pages in. I'm bracing myself for the ending which I gather isn't too cheery! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
~Andrea~ Posted June 27, 2007 Author Share Posted June 27, 2007 Of Mice and Men - John Steinbeck 9/10 Excellent. The characters are so well drawn in this book and the story is superb. I was surprised at the excessive use of adverbs though which jarred a little. There was about 5 a page, quite obtrusive ones too, disgustedly, admiringly, threateningly. Maybe trends in writing have changed but you wouldn't expect that today, it almost smacks of () bad writing. A brilliant book nonetheless. I was sorry that I had worried about the ending so much because I ended up deliberately distancing myself from the characters which spoiled my enjoyment of the book. I wish I'd got more involved and had a good cry at the end. It wasn't as depressing as I'd feared, the ending was more touching and less grim than I had expected. (Not to say it isn't grim but its dealt with differently to how I'd expected). I should have just trusted the writer and gone with it. Also before I read this I had guessed the ending based on things I'd heard about it but I was wrong. I thought that Lennie would kill George not the other way round Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
~Andrea~ Posted June 27, 2007 Author Share Posted June 27, 2007 Currently thoroughly enjoying the picture of Dorian Gray. Very well written. Only 40 odd pages in. I hope I don't finish it before "Dracula" arrives because I'd like to read that next for the comparative circle. Otherwise it'll be The Hobbit which I'm also looking forward to re-reading in readiness for finally tackling LOTR. Oh so much to read... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janet Posted June 27, 2007 Share Posted June 27, 2007 I enjoyed Of Mice and Men - we did it for GCSE last year. I'm afraid I gave up on Dorian Gray recently - I just couldn't seem to get into it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
~Andrea~ Posted June 27, 2007 Author Share Posted June 27, 2007 I enjoyed Of Mice and Men - we did it for GCSE last year. I'm afraid I gave up on Dorian Gray recently - I just couldn't seem to get into it. I can understand that, Dorian Gray is quite dense and wordy. I find myself re-reading paragraphs all the time. I think its one of those books you really have to be in the mood for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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