Kylie's Literary Adventures In 2010

[Kylie]

I usually find them pretty dull, but I always read them because I felt obliged too. I've gotten over that now and I just skip the intro. I'd rather get stuck straight into the book, and if I leave the intro until last, I find that I'm no longer interested in reading it at all.

[Janet]

Ella Minnow Pea by Mark Dunn

I've read about this book before and like the sound of it, but it's only now that I've worked out where the title comes from!

[Kylie]

I knew before I read it because I read reviews elsewhere, otherwise I probably still wouldn't have gotten it.

[Kylie]

I got 5 new books on the weekend; mostly birthday presents :

 

Isobelle Carmody: Farseekers

Eoin Colfer: The Supernaturalist

William Corlett: The Bridge in the Clouds

Janet Evanovich: To the Nines

Stieg Larsson: The Girl who Played with Fire

 

I also won three books on ebay yesterday, all by Jack Womack. The first and last books are for my dystopian challenge:

 

Ambient

Let's Put the Future Behind Us

Random Acts of Senseless Violence

 

And I just ordered three books from The Book Depository. The first two are for the Rory Gilmore Challenge (and the Wolfe book is also on the 1001 list) and the Jack Womack book is, again, dystopian:

 

Sylvia Plath: The Unabridged Journals of Sylvia Plath

Tom Wolfe: The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test

Jack Womack: Heathern

 

<sigh> And I had been so good lately!

[frankie]

You have been so good lately and I still think you are, it's not like you bought tons of books! Nice batch of birthday pressies, you've earned it I particularly like the Larsson and Evanovich pressies (not read them but will think would enjoy them, and I knew you definitely will!) Also, great job on winning on ebay!

 

And the best thing: You're going to get the Unabridged Journals of Sylvia Plath!! Yay! And I'm so jealous for the Electric Koo-Aid Acid Test book :)

[Kylie]

Thanks Frankie. I'm particularly excited about those two books as well. Do you have either of them yet?

 

The Sylvia Plath book is over 750 pages long. I have read and enjoyed The Bell Jar in the past but for some reason this book never really appealed to me that much. Then today I was reading reviews on GoodReads and there were so many glowing reviews and people recommending it as a great book for women (particularly under the age of 30), and it sounds like I might really be able to identify with her, so I'm quite excited to read it now.

[frankie]

Thanks Frankie. I'm particularly excited about those two books as well. Do you have either of them yet?

 

I do have the Journals and eventhough I haven't read them yet, it's one of my most precious books. It'll be so interesting that I'm almost afraid to start it. But I don't have that Electric Kool-Aid book yet, but it's one of the Rory books I'm most interested in! I want it, I want it bad

 

The Sylvia Plath book is over 750 pages long. I have read and enjoyed The Bell Jar in the past but for some reason this book never really appealed to me that much. Then today I was reading reviews on GoodReads and there were so many glowing reviews and people recommending it as a great book for women (particularly under the age of 30), and it sounds like I might really be able to identify with her, so I'm quite excited to read it now.

 

When did you read The Bell Jar? Maybe you weren't in the right mood for it... Or maybe it's just not for you. I must recommend Ronald Hayman's The Death and Life of Sylvia Plath, it's a really insightful biography of Sylvia. Before reading it I always thought Sylvia was just a self-centered weirdo and I didn't think too much of her since I don't even read poetry, but then I read that Hayman book and I can't begin to describe you what kind of an effect it had on me, I totally identified with Sylvia in some parts of her life. I started to understand her personality and her decisions (the suicide) a lot better and I felt like she was a precious but lost spirit. It totally changed my opinion of her, and after that I just had to get the journals. I really think you might enjoy that book as well.

I still haven't read The Bell Jar yet, btw, I'm looking forward to that one as well

[Shin]

Janet Evanovich: To the Nines

 

Hi Kylie, I noticed that you bought a Stephanie Plum novel. I really love these books. I have just finished reading Finger Linkin' Fifteen which I quite enjoyed. Hope you enjoy To the Nines.

[Kylie]

I do have the Journals and eventhough I haven't read them yet, it's one of my most precious books. It'll be so interesting that I'm almost afraid to start it. But I don't have that Electric Kool-Aid book yet, but it's one of the Rory books I'm most interested in! I want it, I want it bad

 

When did you read The Bell Jar? Maybe you weren't in the right mood for it... Or maybe it's just not for you. I must recommend Ronald Hayman's The Death and Life of Sylvia Plath, it's a really insightful biography of Sylvia.

 

I read The Bell Jar a few years ago and as I recall I quite enjoyed it. But for some reason it didn't spur me on to get her journals straight away. I have a feeling Plath's journals will also become precious to me. I want to start it as soon as I get it. The Hayman books sounds really interesting, thanks!

 

Hi Kylie, I noticed that you bought a Stephanie Plum novel. I really love these books. I have just finished reading Finger Linkin' Fifteen which I quite enjoyed. Hope you enjoy To the Nines.

 

Thanks Shin! I've been buying the Stephanie Plum novels when I find 'em cheap. Luckily I've managed to go in order up until now. I have the first 7 but am missing 8. So far I've read the first 4 and it's about time I read the next one in the series, I think. I'm glad you're still enjoying the series at 15!

[Kylie]

Macbeth by William Shakespeare

 

I first read this about 15 years ago for school and really disliked it, mostly because I had trouble understanding it. I was looking forward to giving it another go to see if my tastes had matured and was very pleased to see that they have.

 

I bought a No Fear Shakespeare edition of the book, which had a modern-day translation alongside the original. I thought I would need this to help me understand the text, but I rarely needed to refer to it (I read it all anyway). I now wish I had gone for an edition that had more notes on the actual text and the background of the play. At least I'll know this for when I buy Shakespeare plays in future.

 

The story itself was great, and I recognised many lines as I went along, either from my first reading of it all those years ago, or because some sayings have become common in the current day.

 

As the play built towards the climax, I found it quite exciting and I really enjoyed Shakespeare's prose throughout. I will definitely be seeking out more Shakespeare in the future, perhaps starting with his sonnets.

 

8/10

[Kylie]

Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell

 

GwtW is one of those brilliant books you regret not reading earlier. I found it hard to put down from beginning to end and I got right into the story thanks to Mitchell's wonderfully descriptive writing.

 

Despite Scarlett O'Hara's flaws, she has become a favourite literary character of mine due to her strength and resilience. I had a bit of a love/hate relationship with her and it was interesting watching her character develop throughout the story, and to see why she did what she did.

 

The story is peopled with memorable characters and events, and it was great to learn about the Civil War and the events surrounding it. I love a story that both entertains and educates.

 

I cannot recommend this highly enough, and the movie is a terrific adaptation as well.

 

10/10

[Weave]

Great review Kylie, I have 'Gone with the wind', I need to read it at some point I notice you are reading 'Flowers for Algernon', looking forward to reading your thoughts.

 

[Kylie]

Living Dead in Dallas by Charlaine Harris

 

This is the second in the Sookie Stackhouse series and it gets off to a flying start - the pace rarely lets up. It was interesting to go to Dallas with Sookie, but I did miss the characters back in Bon Temps a little. I enjoyed getting to know Eric a little more; he doesn't seem so horrible in this one.

 

I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the series. I'm trying to resist reading them all in one go because I'm afraid I'll get muddled and forget which one is which, but it's getting harder to resist them.

 

8/10

[Kylie]

After the Fireworks by Aldous Huxley

 

I received this as an Early Reviewers copy from LibraryThing. After the Fireworks was originally published in the 1930s and is supposed to be satirical, but I didn't really get the satire in it.

 

The story follows a well-known, middle-aged, womanising novelist and a 21 year-old fan who meets up with him in Rome. Her desire is to be an intellectual, but she doesn't seem to be particularly interested in learning anything. He takes her around Rome trying to educate her while trying to resist her advances, even though he's interested in her.

 

There is some philosophical discussion throughout, which is sometimes interesting and sometimes a little tedious. I did find some parts of it quite thought-provoking and Huxley's style of writing is interesting (in a good way).

 

I'm not sure that it's a story I would recommend to all and sundry, but if you've enjoyed other stories by the same author, you will likely enjoy this as well.

 

8/10

[Shin]

Hi Kylie, glad you enjoyed Living Dead in Dallas. They are great books and so addictive.

 

I have Gone with the Wind on my Wishlist and I know my library has it but I am waiting until I am ready to go through a big book like that before taking it out. I just loved the film and I know I will love the book too.

 

"Frankly. my dear, I don't give a damn."

[Kylie]

Thanks Shin! I watched a little bit of an episode of True Blood last night, but because I can't watch it from the first episode yet, I resisted watching more. Have you seen it?

 

If you need motivation to read the long Gone with the Wind, we still have a mini reading circle going with several members reading it right now, and we'd love to have you join! If you loved the movie I have no doubt you'll love the book too.

[Kylie]

Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes

 

I'll never be able to write a review to do justice to Flowers for Algernon, but I'll give it my rambling best.

 

This is an incredible story full of hope, sadness, anger and despair. It's a touching story about Charlie, a retarded man who yearns to be smart and to be able to read and write. He undergoes an experimental operation in an effort to become more like everyone else - the operation has been successfully performed in the past on a mouse named Algernon.

 

To travel with Charlie through his incredible journey is wonderful and heartbreaking, all at the same time. There are some lovely thoughts expressed throughout, along with one of the saddest quotes I've ever read (I don't have it with me so can't post it).

 

Despite the differences between myself and Charlie, I could identify with him in different ways, and recognised qualities of myself and my loved ones in him. He's a charming character.

 

I just cannot rate this book highly enough. Highly recommended to absolutely everyone.

 

10/10

[Kylie]

I got three books in the mail yesterday, all by Jack Womack:

 

Jack Womack: Random Acts of Senseless Violence

Jack Womack: Ambient

Jack Womack: Let's Put the Future Behind Us

 

The first two are part of a series of 6 dystopian books, which I can now finally begin reading because I've been buying them out of order (and I still have two more to get).

 

The third book looks interesting, but it just happened to come with the other two (I got them off ebay).

 

Right now I am reading Cloudstreet by Tim Winton. It's a bit of a modern Australian classic and, I hadn't realised until today, it's supposed to be quite funny. I'm only about 20 pages in, and while I have chuckled a couple of times, there's also been a heck of a lot of tragedy!

 

Still, it's off to a great start, which I'm pleased about, because I didn't overly enjoy the other Winton book I've read (Breath). And I felt a bit sacriligous about that because everyone else seemed to love it. I'm enjoying the prose much more in this book; it's really top-class, lovely writing.

 

And I'm quickly knocking another Trixie Belden book off my TBR pile on the side.

 

February is really being an awesome month for me, book-wise!

[Kylie]

I got another three books in the mail today:

 

Sylvia Plath: The Unabridged Journals of Sylvia Plath

Tom Wolfe: The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test

Jack Womack: Heathern

 

I'm quite excited about all of them. The first two are on Rory's list, and the second one is also on the 1001 list. The third book is for my dystopian challenge.

 

I'm currently reading Casino Royale by Ian Fleming and Club Dead by Charlaine Harris.

[frankie]

Sylvia Plath: The Unabridged Journals of Sylvia Plath

Tom Wolfe: The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test

 

Couldn't help but come here when I saw your post on Book Activity thread, I wanna celebrate! I'm so pleased for you!

 

Club Dead was a really good SS-book, I don't think it was one of my favorites when I was reading it but on hindsight it's one of the best, definitely Enjoy it!

[Kylie]

Thanks Frankie! I'm really excited too. I flicked through the Journals and it looks like being a great read, although it's quite long and the print is small! She's such a wonderful writer.

[Kylie]

Trixie Belden and the Sasquatch Mystery (#25) by Kathryn Kenny

 

I've always been interested in the Sasquatch/Yeti/Bigfoot mystery, so it was enjoyable to watch Trixie and co tackle the mystery themselves. Another fun read.

[AbielleRose]

Trixie Belden and the Sasquatch Mystery (#25) by Kathryn Kenny

 

I've always been interested in the Sasquatch/Yeti/Bigfoot mystery, so it was enjoyable to watch Trixie and co tackle the mystery themselves. Another fun read.

 

That title sounds very intriguing! I love Sasquatch/Yeti/Bigfoot mysteries too!

[Kylie]

I should explain a bit about Trixie Belden. It is a series of books written over several decades. They're basically like Nancy Drew for a younger audience. The books are quaintly old-fashioned, for example, the characters say 'Gleeps!' and 'Jeepers!' a lot. It's kind of cute, and they're just light, fun reads.

[Kylie]

I have a lot of awesome-looking non-fiction books on my TBR pile that sadly get neglected in favour of all the fiction books that I want to read, so I've decided to make more of an effort and try to read one non-fiction book every month. For March I'll be reading The Unabridged Journals of Sylvia Plath.

 

Here the nine others that could take me through to the end of the year:

 

Geoffrey Blainey: A Short History of the 20th Century

Graeme Blundell: King: The Life and Comedy of Graham Kennedy

Bill Bryson: Mother Tongue

Vincent Bugliosi: Helter Skelter

Anthony Burgess: Language Made Plain

Ann Charters: The Portable Sixties Reader

Paul Davies: The Mind of God

Jared Diamond: Guns, Germs and Steel

Melissa Katsoulis: Telling Tales

 

I'm also contemplating making more of an effort to read books from my TBR pile that I know I wouldn't otherwise be getting around to for several years. Obviously all of the books on my TBR pile are books that I want to read, but these ones are nearer the bottom of the pile. Here's a selection of 10 of those books:

 

Gyles Brandreth: Oscar Wilde and the Candlelight Murders

Christopher Brookmyre: The Sacret Art of Stealing

Pearl S Buck: The Good Earth

Tom Collins: Such is Life

Daphne du Maurier: Julius

Glen David Gold: Carter Beats the Devil

Joanne Harris: Chocolat

Nick Hornby: High Fidelity

Milan Kundera: The Unbearable Lightness of Being

Arturo Perez-Reverte: The Dumas Club