shelbel Posted July 17, 2008 Share Posted July 17, 2008 My daughter Emily, loved these books when she was around 10 or 11. I think we still have a box of Trixie Belden books tucked away in a box under Emily's bed. If you like Kylie, I'll have a look and see if we have any of the remaining books you are looking for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kylie Posted July 17, 2008 Author Share Posted July 17, 2008 Wow, that's nice of you to offer! If you find my missing numbers and don't want them anymore I would be happy to pay for them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shelbel Posted July 18, 2008 Share Posted July 18, 2008 Sorry to build up your hopes Kylie; I had a look through Emily's box today, and couldn't find any of the Trixie Belden books your after. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kylie Posted July 18, 2008 Author Share Posted July 18, 2008 Not to worry! I thought it might be a long shot. Thanks for checking anyway! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kylie Posted July 28, 2008 Author Share Posted July 28, 2008 I bought one book on the weekend and my Mum bought me another, for no particular reason: Daphne du Maurier: Julius Stephen King: Night Shift I have several reviews to write up - I'm slipping behind again! I'll be finishing up Timequake by Kurt Vonnegut today, and I've finished Charlotte's Web by EB White and have moved onto Stuart Little by the same author (both books are in one volume, along with The Trumpet of the Swan). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kylie Posted July 31, 2008 Author Share Posted July 31, 2008 Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator Roald Dahl Rating: 6/10 Published: 1973 Number of pages: 137 Summary (taken from blurb): Charlie has won the chocolate factory, and sails off in his strange new means of transport to take possession. But somehow the elevator goes into orbit and Charlie, Mr Wonka, and all the grandparents have to save themselves and three gallant astronauts from a mob of vicious space monsters. Comments: Another enjoyable read by Roald Dahl, but nowhere near as good as Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. My edition has been illustrated by Faith Jacques, and while the illustrations are nice, it's just not the same as having it done by Quentin Blake. Surprisingly, I found this had a definite impact on my enjoyment of the story. That said, there were some humorous parts (including the stuff that was politically incorrect and which I probably shouldn't have laughed at), and overall it was a decent read. Not one of Dahl's best, but worth a read nevertheless. Started: 4 July 2008 Finished: 7 July 2008 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kylie Posted August 9, 2008 Author Share Posted August 9, 2008 My reading slowed down a little last month because I was busy packing and moving house. I read 4 books in July, which is about average. My total for the year now stands at 37. July was a pretty poor month for my challenges. One book counted towards my YA Challenge, but the rest didn't fit into any. With regards to my various challenges, my running totals stand at (completed challenges in orange): CL: Classics Challenge (20/25) +0 1K: 1001 Books Challenge (13/20) +0 RD: Reading through the Decades Challenge (10/11) +0 BF: Book Club Forum Reading Circle Challenge (6/10) +0 YA: Young Adults Challenge (9/10) +1 SF: Sci Fi/Fantasy Challenge (9/8) AU: Australian Literature Challenge (5/6) +0 DY: Dystopian Challenge (5/5) BB: Banned Books Challenge (5/5) I bought 4 books in July. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kylie Posted August 9, 2008 Author Share Posted August 9, 2008 William S Burroughs: Naked Lunch Arthur C Clarke: The Space Trilogy (Islands in the Sky, Earthlight, The Sands of Mars) John Connolly: The Book of Lost Things Charles Dickens: Oliver Twist Helen Fielding: Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason Henry Fielding: Tom Jones Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kylie Posted August 11, 2008 Author Share Posted August 11, 2008 Similar to what I did last year, I thought I'd make a note of the books I really want to read by the end of the year. At the rate of approximately 1 book per week, that means 18 books in the next 4 and a half months. I think I'll just list 12, and leave the rest to chance. Jane Austen: Northanger Abbey & Persuasion For the BCF Jane Austen Reading Circle. Kim Edwards: The Memory Keeper's Daughter Now that this has come up in the reading circle, I'll hopefully be able to bump it off by the end of this month. Ralph Ellison: Invisible Man A classic I've been wanting to read for a while. If I'm having trouble getting through this list, this is one that can probably wait until next year. Thomas Hardy: Far from the Madding Crowd I had this listed last year, and actually started it in December before life got in the way and I had to abandon reading it. I had been enjoying it though, so I'm looking forward to it again. Hermann Hesse: The Glass Bead Game This has been on my TBR pile for ages and I'm sick of seeing it there. Time to read it! Audrey Niffenegger: The Time Traveler's Wife Maggie O'Farrell: The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox Jodi Piccoult: Vanishing Acts Three books I've had for a while and really want to read. All are new authors to me. William Makepeace Thackeray: Vanity Fair I've had this for ages and have been desperate to read it, but other books keep jumping the line. I've decided my dodgy second-hand copy isn't going to do justice to the story, so I'm on the lookout for a new copy before I begin. John Kennedy Toole: A Confederacy of Dunces Also hoping to read this one by the end of this month because it's going to be featured on a book review TV show in early September. John Wyndham: The Chrysalids The next in my Wyndham odyssey. Really looking forward to this one. Hmm, looking at this list, I think I have a few long and (sometimes) difficult reads coming up. Hopefully I'll get through them all! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janet Posted August 11, 2008 Share Posted August 11, 2008 Some great books there. The Time Traveler's Wife and The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox are both fantastic books, and 'Esme' is a quick read. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roland Butter Posted August 11, 2008 Share Posted August 11, 2008 (edited) Ralph Ellison: Invisible ManA classic I've been wanting to read for a while. If I'm having trouble getting through this list, this is one that can probably wait until next year. I'd certainly recommend that, Kylie. Definitely a "classic". John Kennedy Toole: A Confederacy of DuncesAlso hoping to read this one by the end of this month because it's going to be featured on a book review TV show in early September. I'd be interested to know what you think of this, if you do read it. I read it a couple of years back and didn't get on with it, but many people rate it highly, I know. Edited August 11, 2008 by Janet Fixed the quotes :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shelbel Posted August 12, 2008 Share Posted August 12, 2008 Wow! That's impressive, I can't believe how organized you are with your reading Kylie, I always write lists and try to plan my reading with the best of intentions, but then I'll buy a new book and find myself reading it on impluse. I wish I had just a little bit of your restraint. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kylie Posted August 12, 2008 Author Share Posted August 12, 2008 Well, let's see how my list has gone by the end of the year. You're more optimistic than I am! I should also point out that I bought Thank You, Jeeves by PG Wodehouse last week and started reading it the same day, even though I already had another book with me (and 300+ more waiting for me at home). Not so impressive now, is it? Thanks for your comments, Janet and Roland! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TashaG Posted August 12, 2008 Share Posted August 12, 2008 Audrey Niffenegger: The Time Traveler's Wife Jodi Piccoult: Vanishing Acts Three books I've had for a while and really want to read. All are new authors to me. I really enjoyed the Time Traveler's Wife although it was a while ago that I read it! Have just finished reading Vanishing Acts and really enjoyed it! I had the impression that Picoult was a chic lit kind of author (not meant as a criticism, I quite like chic lit) but acutally have found that all of her books that I have read have been quite thought provoking! Hope you enjoy it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kylie Posted August 14, 2008 Author Share Posted August 14, 2008 The Thirteenth Tale Diane Setterfield Rating: 8/10 Published: 2006 Number of pages: 459 Summary (taken from blurb): Angelfield House stands abandoned and forgotten. It was once the imposing home of the March family - fascinating, manipulative Isabelle, Charlie, her brutal and dangerous brother, and the wild, untamed twins, Emmaline and Adeline. But Angelfield House conceals a chilling secret whose impact still resonates... Now Margaret Lea is investigating Angelfield's past - and the mystery of the March family starts to unravel. What has the house been hiding? What is its connection with the enigmatic author Vida Winter? And what is it in Margaret's own troubled past that causes her to fall so powerfully under Angelfield's spell? Comments: The Thirteenth Tale is an engaging and atmospheric gothic novel, and Setterfield reveals herself as an excellent story-teller. Having a booklover narrate the story helped me to identify with Margaret, the main character, and there are some lovely insights on reading. The story is very well developed and the mystery is built up nicely. I wouldn't say it was suspenseful, but I was kept very interested in learning the outcome, which I didn't guess beforehand. I like that not everything was resolved, and also that the story had no definite time setting; it helped add to the mystery. The main problems I had with the book were Margaret's obsession with her twin, which came on a little strongly, and I also felt that the Angelfield family were a little too unbelievable as characters. They were all so remote as to not even seem human most of the time, and in the time setting that I had concocted in my mind, they seemed very out of place (actually, when I tried to place them at different points in time, they didn't seem to fit anywhere). Overall, a very enjoyable book; different and full of intrigue. Highly recommended. Started: 7 July 2008 Finished: 15 July 2008 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kylie Posted August 14, 2008 Author Share Posted August 14, 2008 Timequake Kurt Vonnegut Rating: 6/10 Published: 1997 Number of pages: 219 Summary (taken from blurb): 'Timequake explores what happens to Vonnegut when, in 2001, a 'timequake' hits. The universe has a decade of self-doubt, shrinking back to 1991 and forcing everybody to relive the last 10 years of their lives exactly as they had before, but without free will. The same mistakes. The same corny jokes. The same doses of clap.' James Urquhart, Independent Comments: I really tried to enjoy this book, but it was just so disjointed and confusing that I couldn't really get into it. Part autobiography and part fiction, it's often hard to tell where fact ends and fiction begins. I know the book is supposed to be this way but, regardless, I struggled with this method of writing. The basic plot (and I use the term 'plot' very loosely) discusses a 'timequake': an event whereby the universe shrinks slightly and everyone is thrown back 10 years in time to relive their lives exactly as they happened the first time around. That is, every thought, every action and every word is identical. When the timequake ends and humans are suddenly presented with free will again, most don't know what to do with it. It's an interesting premise, but one that isn't used to great effect. The timequake is more like a thin thread that weaves together some of the thoughts and anecdotes of Kurt Vonnegut, which make up the bulk of the book. Timequake's saving grace is that Vonnegut comes up with some absolute gems concerning humans and their environment. Some of his stuff is very quotable (so quotable, in fact, that I forgot to write any down!) I'd only recommend this for the more hardcore Vonnegut fan. Having only previously read Slaughterhouse-Five, I'm not in that camp myself, but Timequake certainly hasn't put me off reading other works by Vonnegut. Started: 16 July 2008 Finished: 28 July 2008 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kylie Posted September 8, 2008 Author Share Posted September 8, 2008 Wow, I am way behind in updating this thread (not like me). I'll start by posting a catch-up list of all the books that I've bought recently. John Brunner: Stand on Zanzibar GK Chesterton: The Man Who Was Thursday Aldous Huxley: After Many a Summer Aldous Huxley: The Devils of Loudun China Mieville: Perdido Street Station William Makepeace Thackeray: Vanity Fair Melina Marchetta: On the Jellicoe Road Melina Marchetta: Saving Francesca PG Wodehouse: Blandings Castle PG Wodehouse: Full Moon PG Wodehouse: The Heart of a Goof PG Wodehouse: Jeeves in the Offing PG Wodehouse: Leave it to Psmith PG Wodehouse: Piccadilly Jim PG Wodehouse: Ring for Jeeves PG Wodehouse: Service with a Smile PG Wodehouse: Summer Lightning PG Wodehouse: Ukridge Markus Zusak: The Messenger Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weave Posted September 8, 2008 Share Posted September 8, 2008 Happy reading Kylie, I can't wait to hear what you think of 'The Messenger' by Markus Zusak, I keep meaning to buy it but get sidetracked by something else. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kylie Posted September 9, 2008 Author Share Posted September 9, 2008 Looks like I'll have to read it soon then so I can tell you both what it's like! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kylie Posted September 14, 2008 Author Share Posted September 14, 2008 John Marsden: The Journey John Marsden: Letters from the Inside John Marsden: Out of Time Sue Townsend: The Growing Pains of Adrian Mole Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kernow_reader Posted September 14, 2008 Share Posted September 14, 2008 (edited) I should also point out that I bought Thank You, Jeeves by PG Wodehouse last week and started reading it the same day, even though I already had another book with me (and 300+ more waiting for me at home). Not so impressive now, is it? Bwah-ha! That's how I read too. I always have to delve into a new book soon as it's there in my hands even if it's just a few pages. Lately I have been attempting to exercise a disciplined approach and have divided my reading into tbr piles of genre or author. Then there's discussion reads, recommendations, the challenges on here. . . . ps That's an astounding list, Kylie. I'm well impressed. Edited September 14, 2008 by kernow_reader Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kylie Posted September 15, 2008 Author Share Posted September 15, 2008 (edited) A belated wrap-up of last month. I'm way behind on my reviews too August was a bit slow with a few short books read, and one moderately long one. I read 4 books in August, which is about average. My total for the year now stands at 41. I caught up a bit on my CL and 1K Challenges, and I completed the Reading through the Decades Challenge. With regards to my various challenges, my running totals stand at (completed challenges in orange): CL: Classics Challenge (22/25) +3 1K: 1001 Books Challenge (16/20) +2 RD:Reading through the Decades Challenge (11/11) +1 BF: Book Club Forum Reading Circle Challenge (7/10) +1 YA: Young Adults Challenge (9/10) +0 SF: Sci Fi/Fantasy Challenge (9/8) AU: Australian Literature Challenge (5/6) +0 DY: Dystopian Challenge (5/5) BB: Banned Books Challenge (5/5) I bought 3 times as many books in August as I did in July (from 4 in July to 12 in August...and September's number is going to be even worse!). Edited September 17, 2008 by Kylie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kylie Posted October 4, 2008 Author Share Posted October 4, 2008 Found a couple of good secondhand bookshops today! Clive Barker: The Thief of Always Lois Lowry: The Giver John Updike: Rabbit, Run Dorothy Wall: Blinky Bill I haven't updated my 'books bought' for a while, so here's the rest of what I've been buying, all for the month of September I'm afraid (and already posted in the other thread): Arthur C Clarke: Childhood's End Jack Kerouac: On the Road: The Original Scroll Walter Miller Jr: A Canticle for Leibowitz Vladimir Nabokov: The Real Life of Sebastian Knight And from a bookfest: Douglas Adams : Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency Virginia Andrews: Flowers in the Attic Isaac Asimov: Foundation's Edge Isaac Asimov: Prelude to Foundation Isaac Asimov: Rest of the Robots, The Isaac Asimov: Second Foundation Isaac Asimov: Stars Like Dust, The Isaac Asimov: Foundation Isaac Asimov: Foundation and Empire Clive Barker: Everville Clive Barker: Galilee Ray Bradbury: Day it Rained Forever, The Ray Bradbury: From the Dust Returned Ray Bradbury: Machineries of Joy Ray Bradbury: Silver Locusts, The John Brunner: Squares of the City, The Frances Hodgson Burnett: Little Lord Fauntleroy Orson Scott Card: Ender's Shadow Geoffrey Chaucer: Canterbury Tales Agatha Christie: Taken at the Flood Arthur C Clarke: Cradle Iris Rainer Dart: Beaches 2: I'll Be There Philip K Dick: I Hope I Shall Arrive Soon Philip K Dick: Divine Invasion, The Philip K Dick: Three Stigmata of Palmer Eldritch, The Philip K Dick: Transmigration of Timothy Archer, The George Eliot: Mill on the Floss, The Michael Ende: Neverending Story, The William Gibson: Neuromancer Ursula Le Guin: Dispossessed, The Thomas Hardy: Jude the Obscure Dashiell Hammett: Thin Man, The Harry Harrison: Deathworld 1 Harry Harrison: Deathworld 2 Harry Harrison: Deathworld 3 Harry Harrison: Stainless Steel Rat, The Stanislaw Lem: Hospital of the Transfiguration Stanislaw Lem: Memoirs of a Space Traveler Stanislaw Lem: More Tales of Pirx the Pilot Stanislaw Lem: Solaris CS Lewis: Dark Tower, The CS Lewis: Perelandra CS Lewis: That Hideous Strength Norman Lindsay: Magic Pudding, The Michelle Margorian: Goodnight Mr Tom John Marsden: Great Gatenby, The China Mieville: Scar, The Philip Pullman: Northern Lights Olaf Stapledon: Last and First Men Sue Townsend: Adrian Mole: The Wilderness Years Edgar Wallace: Door with Seven Locks, The John Wyndham: Seeds of Time, The Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kylie Posted October 12, 2008 Author Share Posted October 12, 2008 Charlotte's Web EB White Rating: 8/10 Published: 1952, 1946, 1970 Number of pages: 530 Summary (taken from blurb): Charlotte's Web This is the story of a girl called Fern who loves a little pig called Wilbur. And of how Wilbur's dear friend Charlotte A Cavatica, a beautiful grey spider, saves Wilbur from the usual fate of nice fat pigs, by a wonderfully clever plan (which no one else could possibly have thought of). Stuart Little Stuart Little is a fascinating character. A debonair, intelligent mouse, game for every kind of adventure, and always managing to overcome any difficulties. The Trumpet of the Swan Louis is a trumpeter swan without a voice, a swan of great character not at all deterred by his handicap. With the help of his friend Sam beaver, Louis learns to read and write, but his main problem is still how to woo the elegant Serena. And so Louis learns to play the trumpet. Comments: I loved Charlotte's Web when I was young and was looking forward to revisiting it as an adult. The story has lost none of its charm and wonder for me and Charlotte and Wilbur's friendship is beautiful to behold. Stuart Little and The Trumpet of the Swan were equally charming stories. Highly recommended. Started: 19 July 2008 Finished: 1 August 2008 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kylie Posted October 12, 2008 Author Share Posted October 12, 2008 Thank You, Jeeves PG Wodehouse Rating: 9/10 Published: 1934 Number of pages: 275 Summary (taken from blurb): Thank You, Jeeves is the first novel to feature the incomparable valet Jeeves and hist hapless charge Bertie Wooster - and you've hardly started to turn the pages when Jeeves resigns over Bertie's dedicated but somewhat untuneful playing of the banjo. In high dudgeon, Bertie disappears to the country as a guests of his chum Chuffy - only to find his peace shattered by the arrival of his ex-fiancee Pauline Stoker, her formidable father and the eminent loony doctor Sir Roderick Glossop. When Chuffy falls in love with Pauline and Bertie seems to be caught in flagrante, a situation boils up which only Jeeves (whether employed or not) can simmer down... Comments: Ah, the joy of discovering a new author! Wodehouse's brand of humour is right up my alley and I thoroughly enjoyed my first taste of Jeeves and Wooster. Since finishing this book a few months ago, I've gone and bought a couple of dozen other works of Wodehouse. If that doesn't tell you how much I enjoyed this book, nothing will! A light, entertaining read and highly recommended. Started: 31 July 2008 Finished: 8 July 2008 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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