Mona's Reading List (2013)

[anisia]

Oh, that sounds much better! I might have to look for it this way - the library only has it in one very big volume.

[anisia]

Title: The Handmaid's Tale

Author: Margaret Atwood

 

Book Description (Goodreads)

The Republic of Gilead offers Offred only one function: to breed. If she deviates, she will,like dissenters, be hanged at the wall or sent out to die slowly of radiation sickness. But even a repressive state cannot obliterate desire - neither Offred's nor that of the two men on which her future hangs.

Brilliantly conceived and executed, this powerful evocation of twenty-first-century America gives full rein to Margaret Atwood's devastating irony, wit and astute perception.

 

Personal Note

Although it took me a bit to finish it, due to just getting distracted by random things, this is probably the best book I've read in a while. Original idea, excellent writing - absolutely brilliant. I might be the only one, but I was reminded a bit of Affinity by Sarah Waters; I think it might be the atmosphere or maybe the writing style? I'm not sure, but either way, excellent book and I am looking forward to read more by Margaret Atwood.

 

Rated 5/5

 

[anisia]

Title: The White Road (Nightrunners #5)
Author: Lynn Flewelling

Book Description (Goodreads)

Dissolute nobles, master spies, and the unlikeliest of heroes, Alec and Seregil have survived exile, treachery, and black magic. But the road that lies ahead is the most hazardous they’ve ever traveled. For with enemies on all sides, they must walk a narrow path between good and evil where one misstep might be their last.
 
Having escaped death and slavery in Plenimar, Alec and Seregil want nothing more than to go back to their nightrunning life in Rhíminee. Instead they find themselves saddled with Sebrahn, a strange, alchemically created creature—the prophesied “child of no woman.” Its moon-white skin and frightening powers make Sebrahn a danger to all whom Alec and Seregil come into contact with, leaving them no choice but to learn more about Sebrahn’s true nature.

With the help of trusted friends and Seregil’s clan, the duo set out to discover the truth about this living homunculus—a journey that can lead only to danger or death. For Seregil’s old nemesis Ulan í Sathil of Virèsse and Alec’s own long-lost
kin are after them, intent on possessing both Alec and Sebrahn. On the run and hunted, Alec and his comrades must fight against time to accomplish their most personal mission ever.

Personal Note

Another excellent book in the Nightrunner series. I love how fast paced all the novels have been so far, they're the type I just can't put down once I've started reading. I'll admit, although I liked Sebhram and I enjoyed reading the whole plot related to him, I am not sad about the ending of the book and about potentially not seeing him anytime in the near future (never know what can happen in future volumes!). Alec and Seregil are still characters that I like a lot, and although I haven't yet ordered it, I am looking forward to the next book in the series.  

Rated 5/5

 

[anisia]

Title: Alice's Adventures in Wonderland

Author: Lewis Carroll
 

Book Description (Goodreads)

 

Source of legend and lyric, reference and conjecture, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland is for most children pure pleasure in prose. While adults try to decipher Lewis Carroll's putative use of complex mathematical codes in the text, or debate his alleged use of opium, young readers simply dive with Alice through the rabbit hole, pursuing "The dream-child moving through a land / Of wonders wild and new." There they encounter the White Rabbit, the Queen of Hearts, the Mock Turtle, and the Mad Hatter, among a multitude of other characters--extinct, fantastical, and commonplace creatures. Alice journeys through this Wonderland, trying to fathom the meaning of her strange experiences. But they turn out to be "curiouser and curiouser," seemingly without moral or sense.

For more than 130 years, children have reveled in the delightfully non-moralistic, non-educational virtues of this classic. In fact, at every turn, Alice's new companions scoff at her traditional education. The Mock Turtle, for example, remarks that he took the "regular course" in school: Reeling, Writhing, and branches of Arithmetic-Ambition, Distraction, Uglification, and Derision. Carroll believed John Tenniel's illustrations were as important as his text. Naturally, Carroll's instincts were good; the masterful drawings are inextricably tied to the well-loved story.

Personal Note

I read this long, long time ago and thought I didn't remember anything from it...I was wrong. So many familiar scenes; a lovely book, doesn't matter what age you are. It also has some great quotes that I just had to write down. Short but great read.

Rated 4/5

[Athena]

I haven't actually read the original English version - I bought it but haven't gotten around to reading it yet (it's not that big, I should really read it sometime). I love the story! Would probably also give it 4/5, but I'll have to see how the author writes in original English to give a definitive rating.

[Inver]

TBR List

January 1st: 114 books

 

 

 

17. The Hunger Games (The Hunger Games #1) - Collins, Suzanne

34. "The Kite Runner" - Hosseini, Khaled

47. "To Kill a Mockingbird" - Lee, Harper

52. "Gone with the Wind" - Mitchell, Margaret (one I keep meaning to read,but it is so long)

56. "The Time Traveler's Wife" - Niffenegger, Audrey

67. "Light on Snow" - Shreve, Anita (enjoyed this one)

68. "Testimony" - Shreve, Anita (tbr)

70. "The Grapes of Wrath" - Steinbeck, John (remember reading this at school, quite harrowing)

 

As you can see I have read some of the above....good luck with all your reading.

Edited February 10, 2013 by Inver

[Inver]

 

TBR List

January 1st: 114 books

 

 

 

17. The Hunger Games (The Hunger Games #1) - Collins, Suzanne

34. "The Kite Runner" - Hosseini, Khaled

47. "To Kill a Mockingbird" - Lee, Harper

52. "Gone with the Wind" - Mitchell, Margaret (one I keep meaning to read,but it is so long)

56. "The Time Traveler's Wife" - Niffenegger, Audrey

67. "Light on Snow" - Shreve, Anita (enjoyed this one)

68. "Testimony" - Shreve, Anita (tbr)

70. "The Grapes of Wrath" - Steinbeck, John (remember reading this at school, quite harrowing)

 

As you can see I have read some of the above....good luck with all your reading.

I have read a few of these....good luck with your reading.

[Inver]

Oops...sorry about double posting now idea what happened there....delete one of them if you can.

[anisia]

I haven't actually read the original English version - I bought it but haven't gotten around to reading it yet (it's not that big, I should really read it sometime). I love the story! Would probably also give it 4/5, but I'll have to see how the author writes in original English to give a definitive rating.

 I've only read the English version and I am quite happy with that - I'm not a fan of translations with books like this, mostly because they always translate the names and try to make them work in the translated language. I remember when they translated Harry Potter in my laguage, it just didn't feel the same. I only read it in English, a friend bought the translated versions too for fun - it just felt silly at times, and less like a book I'd enjoy.

 

Whoah rant

 

 

 

 

TBR List

January 1st: 114 books

 

 

 

17. The Hunger Games (The Hunger Games #1) - Collins, Suzanne

34. "The Kite Runner" - Hosseini, Khaled

47. "To Kill a Mockingbird" - Lee, Harper

52. "Gone with the Wind" - Mitchell, Margaret (one I keep meaning to read,but it is so long)

56. "The Time Traveler's Wife" - Niffenegger, Audrey

67. "Light on Snow" - Shreve, Anita (enjoyed this one)

68. "Testimony" - Shreve, Anita (tbr)

70. "The Grapes of Wrath" - Steinbeck, John (remember reading this at school, quite harrowing)

 

As you can see I have read some of the above....good luck with all your reading.

I have Testimony and Light on Snow because of reviews I've read here about them Actually a lot of the books I put on the TBR list, I chose over time after seeing them recommended here.

[anisia]

I disappeared for a bit, but not because I wasn't reading! I'm currently reading a huge Romanian series, which means I will probably post a review for it all at the end. It's my favourite series of all times, at the same place with Harry Potter. Recommended by my brother when I was 12-13 years old and over the years I've read it many times. Finally my best friend found it for Kindle and I've been rereading it. So once that's done I'll have to make an update here! 

[Chrissy]

What's it called? Is it available in translation? Would you recommend it?

 

We MUST know these things!!!!!

 

Glad all is good, but that you are reading-busy.

[anisia]

Unfortunately I haven't found it translated, and I'm not that surprised really. It's a very old series, I just checked and the series began in the late 1950s. If it was translated I would highly recommend it!

 

It's young adult, and it's about a group of teenagers who in each volume have an adventure during either the winter or the summer school holidays. First volume, they prepare and make this expedition in the mountains, wanting to explore and redo the very old map of a cave.

Second volume a new girl in their little town disappears and she sends an S.O.S. letter, saying she is being kept in a castle in the mountains...they have to find the castle even if everyone says it's only a legend. 

Third volume, in a town close to theirs they realise some important statues from the museum have been stolen so they investigate what happened. I'll be honest, this was and still is the only volume I didn't enjoy and that bored me a bit. Too little adventure! 

Fourth volume, they get trapped in the middle of winter, on a mountain, in a snow storm ...and other things happen. I have to admit, reading this reminded me so much of my summer and all my hiking adventures! And also some winter adventures I've had too. 

Fifth volume, which I'm currently reading takes place at the seaside. 

 

It's really a brilliant series, written about a time when children and teenagers had very different activities. It has first loves, and the characters are very real (actually they are partly based on real people). All the adventures could really happen, with few exaggerations  it's not that hard to see them happening.  It's the series that made me love the mountains and hiking and exploring so much.

I also have a special bond with the books because it was my brother who gave me the first volume - he used to keep them locked in his desk drawer so no one could take them

 

They're also very well written and fast paced. Written in the communist time, I was very impressed by the fact that you can't really tell, there's no propaganda in it. It's very much my childhood and teenager years' series, maybe even more than Harry Potter. HP, I love for the fantasy element and the world it creates. Ciresarii I love for many different reasons. Also now that I'm finishing the series again, I can't wait for May, when I'm going home for two weeks, and I can take some mini hikes (my knee is  much better!) during my first week there

 

I'm going to stop because I could ramble about these books forever! I just wish they had been translated

Edited March 18, 2013 by anisia

[Chrissy]

That's a shame, especially as you rate them so highly.

 

Well, that will have to be a 'little' job for you the next time you have a day or two off!  It's only five volumes to translate after all.

[anisia]

Five very large volumes too!!! 

 

I just finished the series and by the end I felt a bit like crying   I tried translating a quote from the book for a friend, but it just didn't sound right at all. Something I remembered once again while reading these books is just how beautiful Romanian is. We have a wonderful vocabulary, it sounds beautiful - these last couple of weeks, while rereading the entire series, have been a real pleasure. 

 

Now I have to decide what to read next, I'm not sure what I could read after this. 

[Chrissy]

It's wonderful Mona that you are reminded of how beautiful Romanian is.

 

It must be so hard to find your next book to read - I think you'll have to read a 'bridge' book, another old favourite perhaps, until you find your next 'proper' read.

[anisia]

Title: Supernatural. Night Terror

Author: John Passarella

 

Book Description (Goodreads)

 

Alerted to strange happenings in Clayton Falls, Colorado, Bobby sends the boys to check it out. A speeding car with no driver, a homeless man pursued by a massive Gila monster, a little boy chased by uprooted trees — it all sounds like the stuff of nightmares. The boys fight to survive a series of terrifying nighttimes, realizing that sometimes the nightmares don’t go away — even when you’re awake...

 

A Supernatural novel that reveals a previously unseen adventure for the Winchester brothers, from the hit TV series!

 

Personal Note

Approved fanfiction, this is what I call this book. The sad truth is that I have actually read much better fanfiction! Still, it has Dean, Sam, a Supernatural theme and it's not badly written at all. If I remember correctly, this is my second book in the series; while not overly impressed I do recommended it if you're a fan of the show. As a warning, it's set around season 6 and it does reference things that have happened in the previous years. 

 

Rated 3/5

[anisia]

Title: Swallows and Ice Cream

Author: Robert Fowler

 

Book Description (Goodreads)

 

If you're looking for interesting short stories or mystery short stories then Swallows And Ice Cream a Literary Fiction short story book will cover, mystery, romance, suspense, torment and desire.

 

Steve, a nineteen-year-old English boy, lives and works in one of the small Tuscan villages that surround Florence. He is a lost soul, haunted by the memory of his beloved Katherine, whom he has left behind in England. He lives in a cluttered single room high up in Fausto Pacelli’s three-storey house; the exorbitant rent as always in arrears.

 

Steve works for Tino Fabiano, owner of an ice cream shop. His handsome good looks are good for business, women of all ages seem attracted to the boy. Steve is befriended by Luca, who runs his uncle’s café, and is responsible for most of the food Steve eats, and Maria; a stunning beauty who has attached herself to the English boy.

 

Steve is a boy lost in confusion, riddled with guilt that he cannot undo. Katherine comes to him more and more in nightmares; unable to escape her, she now haunts his days as well as his nights. Everything is catching up with Steve; sooner or later, he will have to confront his bitter past.

 

 

Personal Note

I enjoyed the book, and I liked the little twists towards the end. It's a short story, full of emotion and an ending that although I can't enjoy, did fit the entire tone of the book. I will definitely read more by Robert Fowler, I did like his style a lot. 

 

Rated 3/5

[anisia]

Title: Looking for Alaska

Author: John Green

 

Book Description (Goodreads)

 

A deeply affecting coming-of-age story, Looking for Alaska traces the journey of Miles Halter, a misfit Florida teenager who leaves the safety of home for a boarding school in Alabama and a chance to explore the "Great Perhaps." Debut novelist and NPR commentator Green perfectly captures the intensity of feeling and despair that defines adolescence in this hip, shocking, and emotionally charged work of fiction.

 

Miles has a quirky interest in famous people's last words, especially François Rabelais's final statement, "I go to seek a Great Perhaps." Determined not to wait for death to begin a similar quest, Miles convinces his parents to let him leave home. Once settled at Culver Creek Preparatory School, he befriends a couple of equally gifted outcasts: his roommate Chip―commonly known as the Colonel—who has a predilection for memorizing long, alphabetical lists for fun; and the beautiful and unpredictable Alaska, whom Miles comes to adore. 

 

The kids grow closer as they make their way through a school year filled with contraband, tests, pranks, breakups, and revelations about family and life. But as the story hurtles toward its shattering climax, chapter headings like "forty-six days before" and "the last day" portend a tragic event―one that will change Miles forever and lead him to new conclusions about the value of his cherished "Great Perhaps."

 

 

Personal Note

Not as amazing as I had expected, but still a very good read. I think as part of the Nerdfighteria, and because of how much I like John Green and anything related to the Vlogbrothers, I put my hopes up too much and it caused me to be slightly disappointed. This doesn't mean I don't recommend the book - I did enjoy it. There were several things that made it a great read: the last words theme, which I find fascinating, the idea of "before" and "after". And yes, for me the plot was slightly predictable, and I'd solved the mystery that happens in the second part of the book very fast. I liked that it showed part of the healing process in the second part, but in the same time I would have liked it to be a bit more focused on that. Overall though, I liked the book, and it's certainly making me listen to the "Looking for Alaska" song different now. 

 

Rated 4/5

[Athena]

Nice review ! This book is on my wishlist.

[anisia]

I definitely recommend it I want to read all of J. Green's books in order, which is why I didn't start with the last one, that seems to be very successful.