Alexi's Reading 2013

[Alexi]

I've set myself a goal of 52 books for this year, but I have no idea how job changes will affect the total really, so I've no idea whether this is a realistic target or indeed one I'll sail past in September!

 

I'm participating in two long term challenges - Books Around the World and the 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die list - and I'd like to read 10 for each of them. (Some may count for both)

 

Other than that I'd just like an enjoyable, varied reading year!

 

Books read:

 

January:

Life of Pi by Yann Martel (2/5)

High Fidelity by Nick Hornby (3/5)

The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle (3/5)

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak (5/5)

 

February:

The Dinner by Herman Koch (2/5)

Justin Fashanu by Jim Read (4/5)

The Spy Who Came in from the Cold by John Le Carre (4/5)

Scorpia Rising by Anthony Horowitz

Dangerous Liaisons by Pieere Choderlos de Laclos

 

March:

Explosive Eighteen by Janet Evanovich (3/5)

Chocolat by Joanne Harris (3/5)

The Death of Ivan Ilyich by Leo Tolstoy (3/5)

My Sister Lives on the Mantelpiece by Annabel Pitcher (4.5/5)

The Yard by Alex Grecian (4/5)

 

April:

The Yard by Alex Grecian (4/5)

Madame Verona Comes Down the Hill by Dimitri Verhulst (2/5)

The Crimson Petal and the White by Michel Faber (3.5/5)

 

May:

The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie by Muriel Spark (4/5)

Snowing in Bali by Kathryn Bonella (4/5)

Dear John by Nicholas Sparks (3/5)

The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon (5/5)

Breaking Vegas by Ben Mezrich (4/5)

 

June:

Armed Struggle: The History of the IRA by Richard English (4.5/5)

Mrs 'Arris Goes To Paris by Paul Gallico (3/5)

Mrs Harris Goes to Paris by Paul Gallico (3/5)

Before I Go To Sleep by S J Watson (4.5/5)

And the Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini (4/5)

 

July:

The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce (2/5)

Ilustrado by Miguel Syjuco (2/5)

Summer by Edith Wharton (3/5)

This Is The One by Daniel Taylor (3/5)

Hit Girls by Dreda Say Mitchell (3/5)

Jelleyman's Thrown a Wobbly by Jeff Stelling (3/5)

 

August:

September:

October:

November:

December:

Edited July 28, 2013 by Alexi

[Alexi]

TBR LIST:

 

Ben Aaronovitch - Rivers of London

Douglas Adams - Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy

Tahmima Anam - A Golden Age

Sam Baldwin - For Fukui's Sake

Tom Bower - No Angel: The Secret Life of Bernie Ecclestone

William Boyd - A Good Man in Africa

Rodric Braithwaite - Moscow 1941: A City and it's People at War

Jimmy Burns - La Roja

Augusten Burroughs - Running With Scissors

Luca Caioli - Messi

Mark Cappell - Run Run Run

Lewis Carroll - Alice's Adventures in Wonderland

Noam Chomsky - Occupy

Suzanne Collins - The Hunger Games

Thomas H Cook - The Last Talk with Lola Faye

John Deering - Bradley Wiggins: Tour de Force

Becky Dennington - Me and the Ugly C

Arthur Conan Doyle - The Sign of the Four

Arthur Conan Doyle - A Study in Scarlet

Arthur Conan Doyle - The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes

Arthur Conan Doyle - The Return of Sherlock Holmes

Arthur Conan Doyle - The Valley of Fear

Sam Eastland - Siberian Red

Wessel Ebersohn - The classifier

Nick Edwards - In Stitches

Michael Esslinger - Letters from Alcatraz

Jeffrey Eugenidies - The Virgin Suicides

Roopa Farooki - Half Life

Joseph Finder - Paranoia

John Foot - Calcio

Dawn French - A Tiny Bit Marvellous

Tess Gerritsen - The Silent Girl

Tess Gerritsen - Bloodstream

Zohreh Ghahremani - Sky of Red Poppies

Charlotte Perkins Gilman - The Yellow Wallpaper

Richard Guard - Lost London

Duncan Hamilton - Provided You Don't Kiss Me

Thomas Hardy - Far From the Madding Crowd

Robert Harris - Imperium

Richard Herley - The Penal Colony

Peter Hook - The Hacienda

Mary Hooper - At the Sign of the Sugared Plum

Nick Hornby - High Fidelity

John Hoskison - Inside

Victor Hugo - Notre Dame de Paris

Walter Isaacson - Steve Jobs

Eowyn Ivey - The Snow Child

Jonas Jonasson - The Hundred Year Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared

Lindsey Kelk - I Heart Hollywood

Lindsey Kelk - I Heart London

Simon Kernick - The Business of Dying

Simon Kernick - Relentless

Stephen King - 11.22.63

Herman Koch - The Dinner

Steig Larsson - The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest

Debra Lee - Taken

Sheri Leigh - Graveyard Games

Marina Lewycka - A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian

Samantha Mackintosh - Kisses for Lula

Scott Mariani - The Alchemist's Secret

Andrew Marr - History of Modern Britain

Daniel Martin - Black Tie, White Noise

Bob McElwain - Free to Die

Mike McIntyre - The Kindness of Strangers

Ben Mezrich - Breaking Vegas

Candy Miller - Kalahari Passage

Brian Moore - Beware of the Dog

Liane Moriarty - What Alice Forgot

Joseph O'Neill - Crime City

David Nicholls - Starter for Ten

S J Parris - Heresy

James Patterson - Kiss the Girls

Chris Pavone - The Expats

John Pearson - Learn Me Good

Annabel Pitcher - My Sister Lives on the Mantelpiece

Jim Read - Justin Fashanu

Lexi Revellian - Replica

Tom Reynolds - Blood Sweat and Tea

Angus Roxburgh - Strongman:Vladimir Putin and the struggle for Russia

Anna Sewell - Black Beauty

William L Shirer - The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich

Christopher Smith - Fifth Avenue

Ali Sparkes - Frozen in Time

Dana Stabenow - A Cold Day for Murder

Garth Stein - The Art of Racing in the Rain

Mark Stevens - Broadmoor Revealed

Bram Stoker - Dracula

Georgie Thompson and Imogen Lloyd Webber - The Twitter Diaries

Rosy Thornton - Ninepins

Leo Tolstoy - The Death of Ivan Ilyich

David Wailing - Fake Kate

Mike Ward - Gullhanger

Heather Wardell - Seven Exes is Eight too Many

S J Watson - Before I Go To Sleep

H G Wells - The Time Machine

Scott Westerfeld - Uglies

Jacqueline Wilson - The Story of Tracy Beaker

Jacqueline Wilson - The Bed and Breakfast Star

Sarah Winman - When God was a Rabbit

David Winner - Brilliant Orange

Scott Wittenberg - The May Day Murders

Jennifer Worth - Call the Midwife

Mona Yahia - When the Grey Beetles Took Over Baghdad

A B Yehoshua - Friendly Fire

[Alexi]

WISH LIST: (To be gradually filled in!)

 

 

[Alexi]

RESERVED

 

....

 

Think that's it now! Happy 2013 travels through books one and all

[frankie]

TBR LIST:

 

Augusten Burroughs - Running With Scissors

Garth Stein - The Art of Racing in the Rain

 

You have a lot of great reads ahead of you on your pile TBR, but those two stand out for me, they are two of my most favorite reads! I hope you enjoy them.

 

Good luck with all your endeavours, and a happy reading year 2013!

[Brian.]

Robert Harris - Imperium

Leo Tolstoy - The Death of Ivan Ilyich

I highly recommend both these books. The Death of Ivan Ilyich was the first Tolstoy I read and found it a surprisingly entertaining read. Imperium I read a few years ago and it is a great read, the second book in the series, Lustrum, is even better.

 

Steig Larsson - The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest

Marina Lewycka - A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian

Both solid reads even if Hornet's nest does feel a little unfinished in places. Tractors started slow for me but there is a lot of humour in there.

 

 

Peter Hook - The Hacienda

Ben Mezrich - Breaking Vegas

The Hacienda is a very easy read, I think I finished it in a day, its a really well written account with some great anecdotes. I love Breaking Vegas, it is far better than the movie based on it, '21'. I think I have read it 4 or 5 times since it came out and it always keeps me entertained when ever I pick it up.

[vodkafan]

Hi Alexi!

Richard Herley - The Penal Colony

This was a freebie on the kindle that really surprised me with its quality.

 

Marina Lewycka - A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian

I second this one, as Brian says it is very funny.

 

Enjoy your reading

[Kidsmum]

Looks like you've got plenty to keep you busy next year Alexi . Some great reads on your list , i read & enjoyed When God Was A Rabbit Sarah Winman, Before I Go To Sleep S J Watson & Rivers Of London Ben Aaronovitch. I've also got The Hundred Year Old Man..... on my wishlist as well so i'll look out for your review

 

Happy reading in 2013

[Alexi]

 

 

You have a lot of great reads ahead of you on your pile TBR, but those two stand out for me, they are two of my most favorite reads! I hope you enjoy them.

 

Good luck with all your endeavours, and a happy reading year 2013!

 

Thanks Frankie! I'm really excited about those two - particularly The Art of Racing in the Rain after so many positive reviews on here!

 

Robert Harris - Imperium

Leo Tolstoy - The Death of Ivan Ilyich

I highly recommend both these books. The Death of Ivan Ilyich was the first Tolstoy I read and found it a surprisingly entertaining read. Imperium I read a few years ago and it is a great read, the second book in the series, Lustrum, is even better.

 

...

 

Peter Hook - The Hacienda

Ben Mezrich - Breaking Vegas

The Hacienda is a very easy read, I think I finished it in a day, its a really well written account with some great anecdotes. I love Breaking Vegas, it is far better than the movie based on it, '21'. I think I have read it 4 or 5 times since it came out and it always keeps me entertained when ever I pick it up.

 

I downloaded the Tolstoy on the strength of your review and I'm excited to get around to it - too many books, too little time so far! I've seen 21 and enjoyed it, so pleased at the prospect of a better book! (which is nearly always the case I find...)

 

Hi Alexi!

Richard Herley - The Penal Colony

This was a freebie on the kindle that really surprised me with its quality.

 

Marina Lewycka - A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian

I second this one, as Brian says it is very funny.

 

Enjoy your reading

 

Thanks VF

 

Looks like you've got plenty to keep you busy next year Alexi . Some great reads on your list , i read & enjoyed When God Was A Rabbit Sarah Winman, Before I Go To Sleep S J Watson & Rivers Of London Ben Aaronovitch. I've also got The Hundred Year Old Man..... on my wishlist as well so i'll look out for your review

 

Happy reading in 2013

 

Thank you!! I'm excited to read so many books on my TBR at the moment that I wish I could start them all NOW... Maybe swallow them all at once...but the anticipation of an exciting TBR is half the fun I suppose!

[chaliepud]

TBR LIST:

 

Ben Aaronovitch - Rivers of London

I bought this for my Mum for Xmas so I expect I'll see it back at some point!

 

Suzanne Collins - The Hunger Games

Brilliant YA series!!

 

Mary Hooper - At the Sign of the Sugared Plum

Just finished this, thought it was very good and have put the sequel on my wish list for this year..

 

Eowyn Ivey - The Snow Child

Beautiful book with a beautiful cover, definitely a keeper..

 

Steig Larsson - The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest

Really should read this at some point, I enjoyed the first two but couldn't quite get into this one, I should try again this year!

 

Annabel Pitcher - My Sister Lives on the Mantelpiece

I also have this on my TBR shelf.

 

Garth Stein - The Art of Racing in the Rain

Brilliant!!!

 

Scott Westerfeld - Uglies

I haven't read this but my teenage son has read the entire series and thought they were excellent.

 

Have a great reading year!!!

 

[Devi]

Happy reading in 2013 Alexi! A few of your books are on my tbr list as well. I look forward to seeing what you think of them.

Edited December 30, 2012 by Devi

[chesilbeach]

Other than that I'd just like an enjoyable, varied reading year!

Well, if you read the books on your TBR list, then you'll definitely have it!

 

Happy 2013 reading

[Janet]

Hey, Alex. Yay at you having a proper reading blog this year!

 

Some great books there too - quite a few I have to read or on my wish list, so I shall be watching with interest - and probably stealing some of your World Challenge books too.

[Lilywhite]

Ooooh some good books on that TBR pile! I will enjoy popping back in here and seeing how you are getting on.

 

Happy reading 2013!

[Kylie]

Great TBR pile, Alexi! I read the Uglies series several years ago - I thought they were pretty good reads at the time, and the series has really stuck with me, which is unusual (I tend to forget books as quickly as I read them), so I think that's a pretty good recommendation!

 

Happy reading for 2013.

[Janet]

Alex - I'm not sure if you'll see this in time, but one of today's 99p Kindle books (their Daily Deal, not 12 Days of Christmas) is House of Evidence by Icelandic author Viktor Arnar Ingolfsson, if you haven't already done Iceland.

[Alexi]

Thanks for all your recommendations Chalie! I've had the Hunger Games on my TBR for ages and never really got around to it, yet every time it's mentioned it seems to get a positive review. I really must pick it up in 2013!

 

 

Well, if you read the books on your TBR list, then you'll definitely have it!

 

Ha - that is true. It is need a motley crew of books on my shelf and kindle. I will read anything, but I also inherit books from my Dad, boyfriend's Mum, as well as being swayed by Kindle daily deals, so it's an interesting variety!

 

Happy reading in 2013 Alexi! A few of your books are on my tbr list as well. I look forward to seeing what you think of them.

 

Thanks Devi I think my TBR pile has definitely started to be influenced by BCF and what others have on been reading or acquiring!

 

Ooooh some good books on that TBR pile! I will enjoy popping back in here and seeing how you are getting on.

 

Happy reading 2013!

 

Thanks

 

Great TBR pile, Alexi! I read the Uglies series several years ago - I thought they were pretty good reads at the time, and the series has really stuck with me, which is unusual (I tend to forget books as quickly as I read them), so I think that's a pretty good recommendation!

 

Happy reading for 2013.

 

Ooh thanks Kylie! I can't remember how Uglies ended up there, so it's good to have such a good rec!

 

Alex - I'm not sure if you'll see this in time, but one of today's 99p Kindle books (their Daily Deal, not 12 Days of Christmas) is House of Evidence by Icelandic author Viktor Arnar Ingolfsson, if you haven't already done Iceland.

 

Thanks I bought it I think I have 7 on my TBR pile which count for the challenge currently, plus future purchases and the library. Hopefully I can make the 10.

[Janet]

I bought it too!

[Alexi]

Since posting my TBR pile on 28 December I have acquired the following:

 

Maria Angels Anglada - The Auschwitz Violin

Lee Child - The Affair

Victor Arnar Ingolfsson - House of Evidence

Yann Martel - Life of Pi

Jo Nesbo - The Bat

Jo Nesbo - nemesis

Jo Nesbo - The Devil's Star

Jo Nesbo - The Redeemer

Jo Nesbo - The Snowman

Jo Nesbo - The Leopard

Jo Nesbo - Phantom

Karin Slaughter - Indelible

 

Admittedly I didn't buy all these, but still, an impressive start to 2013! I did feel guilty, but OH said I shouldn't feel guilty because acquiring books makes me happy so I should continue. Dangerous...

[Brian.]

That's a lot of Nesbo

 

I must have picked up The Auschwitz Violin about half a dozen times in my last few visits to book shops but never actually bought it so I will be very interested to see what you think of it once you get round to reading it.

[frankie]

Since posting my TBR pile on 28 December I have acquired the following:

 

Karin Slaughter - Indelible

 

Admittedly I didn't buy all these, but still, an impressive start to 2013! I did feel guilty, but OH said I shouldn't feel guilty because acquiring books makes me happy so I should continue. Dangerous...

 

Definitely a great way to start a new year! Slaughter is amazing, but I forget, have you read her before?

[Alexi]

That's a lot of Nesbo

 

I must have picked up The Auschwitz Violin about half a dozen times in my last few visits to book shops but never actually bought it so I will be very interested to see what you think of it once you get round to reading it.

 

My Dad gave me these - he's a huge Nesbo fan and I loved the Redbreast, so he's rehomed them Like you, I've picked it up a few times, but when I saw it for 99p on kindle I decided to take the plunge!!

 

 

 

 

Definitely a great way to start a new year! Slaughter is amazing, but I forget, have you read her before?

 

No never! That one came off my OH's Mum's shelf and I was thrilled she passed it on, because Slaughter is an author I've heard a lot about and never read. I've heard lots of good things though so hopefully I will find the time for that one soon!

[Alexi]

Off the mark for 2013....

 

Life of Pi by Yann Martel

 

Synopsis:

One boy, one boat, one tiger... After the tragic sinking of a cargo ship, a solitary lifeboat remains bobbing on the wild blue Pacific. The only survivors from the wreck are a sixteen-year-old boy named Pi, a hyena, a zebra (with a broken leg), a female orang-utan - and a 450-pound Royal Bengal tiger. The scene is set for one of the most extraordinary and best-loved works of fiction in recent years.

 

Thoughts:

I posted in the Book Activity thread two days ago that I was hoping for the tiger to eat Pi just so this book ended. I was advised to stick with it and what excellent advice that was, because the ending has been on my mind since I finished the book several hours ago.

 

I was disappointed with the first two thirds of the book, because I felt the premise of boy on life boat with tiger held so much promise, and what I was getting was a detailed account of him tying up ropes to a lifeboat. While I appreciate life at sea is monotonous and the author was trying to illustrate that, I wouldn't write a (what felt at times rather repetitive) account of me getting ready for work in the morning.

 

But the ending blew me away. I was previously annoyed with how I was supposed to suspend reality so much during a story of a castaway purportedly set in the "real world", but the ending was so magnificently stitched together that I'm glad I experienced the full range of emotions, starting with annoyance, during the last 20% of the book (I read this on my kindle!).

 

I don't want to say more for fear of spoilers, but if you do pick this up, the ending really is the best bit so follow it through to the end, it is worth it.

 

(2/5)

Edited January 14, 2013 by Alexi

[Janet]

Hmmmm!

 

I downloaded this recently (well, only 20p so why not?!) but I didn't really fancy it much. I can't say your review has made it any more appealing!

I might get round to it at some stage, so I will bear in mind what you say about it getting better towards the end, but with so many books on my shelves (and so many free classics beckoning) I'm not sure it'll happen during 2013!

[Alexi]

I have to say I knew nothing about it when I downloaded it! I read it because everyone's going on about the movie but I felt I had to read the book first, even though I knew nothing about the subject matter! I won't bother with the film now.