karen.d's Reading List 2014

[Anna Begins]

I have the Kindle Sample for Cloud Atlas, hopefully I will get to it this year!  Thanks for the review!

Edited June 21, 2014 by Anna Begins

[Athena]

Great review! I have the book on my wishlist.

[bobblybear]

Great review. I've heard loads about Cloud Atlas but I have always hesitated to pick it up. Have you seen the movie?

[karen.d]

Great review. I've heard loads about Cloud Atlas but I have always hesitated to pick it up. Have you seen the movie?

I've seen the film adaptation of 'Cloud Atlas' and thought it was very disappointing. Major things in the book were changed and a lot of the workings out (which for me was the fun part of this book), were spelled out for the viewer. I think it's better to skip the film and read the book.

 

Have you seen the film?

[bobblybear]

No, not seen the film though I have it on DVD. I haven't watched it because I would rather read the book first. One day I shall get to it, though my TBR pile is seriously overflowing!

[karen.d]

No, not seen the film though I have it on DVD. I haven't watched it because I would rather read the book first. One day I shall get to it, though my TBR pile is seriously overflowing!

I would read the book first!

[bobblybear]

Thanks, Karen - will do.

[karen.d]

The 'Harry Potter' series of books and films are a bit of a guilty pleasure of mine. Lately I have been watching the developments of the new Diagon Alley theme park in Florida, on YouTube. Having so much of Potter around, I decided to give the books another re-Read, just to see if I would enjoy them as much now as when they came out.

 

I must admit that first time around, I did dismiss the first couple of Potter books as not as well written as the others. However on their second reading, I take that back. I think initially I was looking at these books as an adult, but considering the fact that audience these two books are admit at are between 8-10, I think they are well crafted and are actually mature in their approach. I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the series.

 

Have you ever re-read a novel and change your mind (for better or worse) about it?

[chesilbeach]

Oddly enough, (although it's not a novel), I've just had a similar experience with Cider With Rosie. I had to read it at school, and actively disliked it, but having read it again for the English Counties Challenge, I enjoyed it a lot more, although I still think it has faults, but I was able to put those aside this time. I guess I must have grown up a lot since I was thirteen!

 

Glad you've enjoyed the first two Potter books more this time - I've always felt the first three were better than the last four, with Prisoner of Azkaban being the best written and my favourite. After that, my personal opinion is that the books were such a phenomenon that no-one wanted to be the one to say they needed editing. From what I've heard on radio programmes discussing them, I'm not sure which book this started, but to protect the secrecy of the novels, more than one editor was employed for each book, but not one of them edited the book in its entirety, so I'm not sure how they could do their jobs and point out problems with plots or story lines that didn't make sense or were superfluous. I know there are lots of people who don't think there are any issues, but like I say, it's just my personal opinion, and this is all conjecture anyway, as none of us here have the insiders knowledge of how these things work!

 

P.S.  Another of my personal opinions which I've recently adopted and am now strident about - there should be no such thing as a *guilty* pleasure - you like what you like, and who is anyone else to judge you.  As long as it doesn't hurt anyone else or break any laws, a pleasure is a pleasure and let there be no guilt about it!

[julie]

Karen

I've read a few books lately that I read long ago and really loved then, but not quite as much this time around ,so maybe sometimes our tastes change over time .

Nothing wrong with reading whatever you want ,it's no one else's business if it's acceptable to them or not ! Read what you enjoy .

[karen.d]

Oddly enough, (although it's not a novel), I've just had a similar experience with Cider With Rosie. I had to read it at school, and actively disliked it, but having read it again for the English Counties Challenge, I enjoyed it a lot more, although I still think it has faults, but I was able to put those aside this time. I guess I must have grown up a lot since I was thirteen!

 

Glad you've enjoyed the first two Potter books more this time - I've always felt the first three were better than the last four, with Prisoner of Azkaban being the best written and my favourite. After that, my personal opinion is that the books were such a phenomenon that no-one wanted to be the one to say they needed editing. From what I've heard on radio programmes discussing them, I'm not sure which book this started, but to protect the secrecy of the novels, more than one editor was employed for each book, but not one of them edited the book in its entirety, so I'm not sure how they could do their jobs and point out problems with plots or story lines that didn't make sense or were superfluous. I know there are lots of people who don't think there are any issues, but like I say, it's just my personal opinion, and this is all conjecture anyway, as none of us here have the insiders knowledge of how these things work!

 

P.S.  Another of my personal opinions which I've recently adopted and am now strident about - there should be no such thing as a *guilty* pleasure - you like what you like, and who is anyone else to judge you.  As long as it doesn't hurt anyone else or break any laws, a pleasure is a pleasure and let there be no guilt about it!

It's interesting that each of the 'Harry Potter' books had different editors. I haven't found plot holes (yet), but it's possible that I might find some in later books.

 

Karen

I've read a few books lately that I read long ago and really loved then, but not quite as much this time around ,so maybe sometimes our tastes change over time .

Nothing wrong with reading whatever you want ,it's no one else's business if it's acceptable to them or not ! Read what you enjoy .

I think whether you like a book depends on many things. Age is one of them, but I think there are certain books that you need to be in the mood for, in order to read them. Has anyone else had this? I had a friend who couldn't read a book set in winter, during the summer. Is that weird, or is this a common thing?

 

As for what you  have both said, I will try and read what I want, without worrying too much what people think.   Do you think things like e-books, lessen the pressure to read certain books? It used to be that people would put so called 'intelligent' books on their book shelves to impress others, regardless of whether they intend to read those books or not. (I've never done this, as people don't see my book shelves!)

[Devi]

I read a lot of things, I especially like real life stories on odd jobs - for example I read one on what its like to be an escort in the US, what they go through and some of the people they meet etc. This one lady, had an elderly gentleman, they never did anything sexual, its just he wanted company and it got to the point where the lady refused to take the money but she still visited him anyway. I find that sweet, but also sad that the poor guy was so alone, he had to (at first) pay for a friend to spend time with him.

 

Oh back to my point, I read it on the kindle as I was a bit concerned my mother (who is a buddhist nun) might happen across it while browsing my real bookshelves one day.

 

She isn't very tech savvy so my kindle is a safe place.

Edited August 3, 2014 by Devi

[Athena]

Karen, I'm glad you're having fun re-reading the Harry Potter books. I re-read them end of last year and beginning of this year and also liked them more than the first time around .

 

Have you ever re-read a novel and change your mind (for better or worse) about it?

Yes! Several times in fact. A recent example are the Harry Potter books (see above), but it happens with other books too. I can't think of anything else recent though.

 

P.S. Another of my personal opinions which I've recently adopted and am now strident about - there should be no such thing as a *guilty* pleasure - you like what you like, and who is anyone else to judge you. As long as it doesn't hurt anyone else or break any laws, a pleasure is a pleasure and let there be no guilt about it! [/font]

I agree! For years at school and university I was so afraid of what people would think about the books I read. It took me many years but eventually I didn't care as much what they'd think and just read. I'm much happier being able to be myself than hiding.

 

It's interesting that each of the 'Harry Potter' books had different editors. I haven't found plot holes (yet), but it's possible that I might find some in later books

 

I think whether you like a book depends on many things. Age is one of them, but I think there are certain books that you need to be in the mood for, in order to read them. Has anyone else had this? I had a friend who couldn't read a book set in winter, during the summer. Is that weird, or is this a common thing?

 

As for what you  have both said, I will try and read what I want, without worrying too much what people think.   Do you think things like e-books, lessen the pressure to read certain books? It used to be that people would put so called 'intelligent' books on their book shelves to impress others, regardless of whether they intend to read those books or not. (I've never done this, as people don't see my book shelves!)

I didn't know they had different editors!

 

I agree on that. I find I can read winter books in summer and vice versa, but it's a nicer experience to read them appropriate for the reason (same with Christmas books). But if I really want to read a book I won't wait for the right season.

[julie]

Karen,

The people that put classics or such on their shelves just to impress others are being fake. If you don't read them or plan to, why have them just to make people think highly of you ? I read whatever I enjoy, and don't really care what others think .

 

I haven't ever noticed a time when I'd read a certain book because of the weather or time of year. I just read whatever sounds good at the time  .

 

 

Devi

That's funny about your mom and you hiding certain books on your kindle ! Might be best to do that if you think she'd object to certain books .

[karen.d]

I read a lot of things, I especially like real life stories on odd jobs - for example I read one on what its like to be an escort in the US, what they go through and some of the people they meet etc. This one lady, had an elderly gentleman, they never did anything sexual, its just he wanted company and it got to the point where the lady refused to take the money but she still visited him anyway. I find that sweet, but also sad that the poor guy was so alone, he had to (at first) pay for a friend to spend time with him.

 

Oh back to my point, I read it on the kindle as I was a bit concerned my mother (who is a buddhist nun) might happen across it while browsing my real bookshelves one day.

 

She isn't very tech savvy so my kindle is a safe place.

I didn't know your mum was a buddist nun! I can see how a Kindle could be quite useful for you!

 

Karen, I'm glad you're having fun re-reading the Harry Potter books. I re-read them end of last year and beginning of this year and also liked them more than the first time around .

 

 

Yes! Several times in fact. A recent example are the Harry Potter books (see above), but it happens with other books too. I can't think of anything else recent though.

 

 

I agree! For years at school and university I was so afraid of what people would think about the books I read. It took me many years but eventually I didn't care as much what they'd think and just read. I'm much happier being able to be myself than hiding.

 

 

I didn't know they had different editors!

 

I agree on that. I find I can read winter books in summer and vice versa, but it's a nicer experience to read them appropriate for the reason (same with Christmas books). But if I really want to read a book I won't wait for the right season.

 

I'm glad you enjoyed re-reading 'Harry Potter' too Athena! I suppose the season thing works with films too. I've watched 'How the Grinch Stole Christmas' in August and it didn't feel right somehow!

Karen,

The people that put classics or such on their shelves just to impress others are being fake. If you don't read them or plan to, why have them just to make people think highly of you ? I read whatever I enjoy, and don't really care what others think .

 

I haven't ever noticed a time when I'd read a certain book because of the weather or time of year. I just read whatever sounds good at the time  .

 

 

Devi

That's funny about your mom and you hiding certain books on your kindle ! Might be best to do that if you think she'd object to certain books .

 

 

Yeah I agree. I have bought 'War and Peace' and it has so far remained on my bookshelf I do intend to read it though, it's just a bit daunting.

Edited August 4, 2014 by karen.d

[Devi]

My mum is pretty open minded, and I don't think she would actually mind, but to me, its like a respect thing because she is a nun. If that makes sense.

Edited August 4, 2014 by Devi

[karen.d]

My mum is pretty open minded, and I don't thinks he would actually mind, but to me, its like a respect thing because she is a nun. If that makes sense.

Yeah I totally get that.

[Athena]

Yeah I agree. I have bought 'War and Peace' and it has so far remained on my bookshelf I do intend to read it though, it's just a bit daunting.

Same here! 

 

My mum is pretty open minded, and I don't think she would actually mind, but to me, its like a respect thing because she is a nun. If that makes sense.

That makes a lot of sense to me.

[karen.d]

Didn't mean to repost my reading list, just wanted to update it (as I haven't updated for a long time)....opps! Never mind.

[Athena]

Would you like me to delete the post? I don't mind either way .

[karen.d]

Would you like me to delete the post? I don't mind either way .

If you don't mind, yes please!

[Athena]

If you don't mind, yes please!

You're welcome !

[karen.d]

Thanks!

[karen.d]

I've finally finished 'Ghostwritten' by David Mitchell! I loved 'Cloud Atlas' but have NOT enjoyed this book at all. Will post my views after the read-a-thon this weekend.

[Athena]

Awww sorry to hear that . I hope you enjoy your next read more!