lauraloves Posted August 26, 2011 Author Posted August 26, 2011 Right so, I've been book buying again! Think I might be addicted I got two books in the post today; A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius - Dave Eggers - for the Rory Challenge read! I will confess that I hadnt looked into this book before it was picked, but now I have I'm so excited to read it! Its also quite a bit bigger than I expected! Oh, Carol - Carol McGiffin - the autobiography of the loose women panellist and broadcater. I've been after this one for ages! I decided as it was wet and cold I was going to visit the only second hand bookshop that my town has. I love going through all the shelves and its such a mystery as to what I'm going to find! Oliver Twist - Charles Dickens - I've never read this, only seen the film *hangs head in shame!* The Princess Diaries - Meg Cabot - I've been after this book all year! Its on a couple of reading challenges and I'm so glad I've finally got it! The Infidel - Bob Shepherd - this is a book by an ex SAS soldier, just fancied reading something like this! Sense and Sensibility - Jane Austen - yet another classic that I havent read! But that will change! The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon - Stephen King - I've never read anything by Stephen King either and I picked this one just because it wasnt too big! The Ruby in the Smoke - Phillip Pullman - I got this because there has been alot of good thoughts about these books on here, I know its part of a series, but I hope its the first! Jane Eyre - Charlotte Bronte - I know the plot of this book but I've not read this either! Gosh I sound so uncultured! The Choice - Nicolas Sparks - I've brought a few Nicholas Sparks books this year, but I hadnt heard of this one so I thought id give it a go! Not bad for all under £10! Quote
Kylie Posted August 27, 2011 Posted August 27, 2011 Excellent haul, Laura! Jane Eyre and Sense and Sensibility are among my favourite books. Quote
willoyd Posted August 27, 2011 Posted August 27, 2011 Excellent haul, Laura! Jane Eyre and Sense and Sensibility are among my favourite books. Same here. I never quite understand why Pride and Prejudice is so often people's favourite Austen. For me, S&S definitely has the edge - one of my top 3 books of all time. Quote
lauraloves Posted August 27, 2011 Author Posted August 27, 2011 not bad at all Thanks really excited about some of these! Excellent haul, Laura! Jane Eyre and Sense and Sensibility are among my favourite books. I think its really bad I've got to 21 and never read either! Really need to make up for that! Same here. I never quite understand why Pride and Prejudice is so often people's favourite Austen. For me, S&S definitely has the edge - one of my top 3 books of all time. As it comes so highly recommended I must get round to that one! Quote
frankie Posted August 27, 2011 Posted August 27, 2011 Great haul, lauraloves! You've been acquiring quite a lot of books lately, hehe! A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius - Dave Eggers - for the Rory Challenge read! I will confess that I hadnt looked into this book before it was picked, but now I have I'm so excited to read it! Its also quite a bit bigger than I expected! I already knew you got this, but it's still cause for another 'yippee'! Oliver Twist - Charles Dickens - I've never read this, only seen the film *hangs head in shame!* I haven't read it either I hope it's good and you enjoy it. The Princess Diaries - Meg Cabot - I've been after this book all year! Its on a couple of reading challenges and I'm so glad I've finally got it! I really liked the first couple of books, then it became a bit too repetitive. I hope you like them! Sense and Sensibility - Jane Austen - yet another classic that I havent read! But that will change! Yay for Austen! The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon - Stephen King - I've never read anything by Stephen King either and I picked this one just because it wasnt too big! If you end up not liking the book, please don't give up on Stephen King forever Jane Eyre - Charlotte Bronte - I know the plot of this book but I've not read this either! Gosh I sound so uncultured! There are so many classics in the history of mankind, there's not one person who's had time to read them all! Quote
lauraloves Posted August 27, 2011 Author Posted August 27, 2011 Great haul, lauraloves! You've been acquiring quite a lot of books lately, hehe! hehe I have! I've actually ran out of room on my shelves now and having to stack them up on a little table for the minute! A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius - Dave Eggers - for the Rory Challenge read! I will confess that I hadnt looked into this book before it was picked, but now I have I'm so excited to read it! Its also quite a bit bigger than I expected! I already knew you got this, but it's still cause for another 'yippee'! I can't wait to start this, have it in my bag ready Oliver Twist - Charles Dickens - I've never read this, only seen the film *hangs head in shame!* I haven't read it either I hope it's good and you enjoy it. Thanks, the only thing I keep thinking of is the musical version, hopefully I wont randomly burst into song while reading it! The Princess Diaries - Meg Cabot - I've been after this book all year! Its on a couple of reading challenges and I'm so glad I've finally got it! I really liked the first couple of books, then it became a bit too repetitive. I hope you like them! Thanks I;ve only got the first book, so if I don't like it I havent spent loads of money Sense and Sensibility - Jane Austen - yet another classic that I havent read! But that will change! Yay for Austen! Yay I'm stocking up on a fair few now The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon - Stephen King - I've never read anything by Stephen King either and I picked this one just because it wasnt too big! If you end up not liking the book, please don't give up on Stephen King forever I read somewhere that hes written over 50 books, so I can always give a different one a try! Jane Eyre - Charlotte Bronte - I know the plot of this book but I've not read this either! Gosh I sound so uncultured! There are so many classics in the history of mankind, there's not one person who's had time to read them all! Lol! I'm sure your pretty close though! Quote
Ooshie Posted August 27, 2011 Posted August 27, 2011 I am a big fan of Stephen King, and I quite enjoyed TGWLTG, but if you don't enjoy it I recommend some of his earlier books like Salem's Lot or The Shining. His short stories are usually very good, too. But I hope you enjoy the one you have! Quote
lauraloves Posted August 29, 2011 Author Posted August 29, 2011 I am a big fan of Stephen King, and I quite enjoyed TGWLTG, but if you don't enjoy it I recommend some of his earlier books like Salem's Lot or The Shining. His short stories are usually very good, too. But I hope you enjoy the one you have! Thanks I am looking forward to this one, but I do really want to read The Shining! I think its the most well known King novel? Quote
lauraloves Posted August 29, 2011 Author Posted August 29, 2011 Up All Night - Carmen Reid Synopsis - There aren't enough hours in the day for overworked newspaper reporter Jo Randall. What's she going to investigate this week? Are vaccinations safe? Does cling film kill? She's getting close to cracking the biggest scoop of her career...if she could just land an interview with the intriguing environmentalist who won't talk to her. But how will Jo meet her deadlines when her distractions include two needy daughters and a Barbie birthday party; her pompous ex-husband and his pneumatic girlfriend; her best friend Bella Browning; and the romantic intentions of a scruffy super-chef? There's no doubt about it, Jo's going to be...Up all Night. My Thoughts - This book is good. Yes, its another chick lit, but this one is good. The plot line is realistic and not too long. Sometimes I find chick lit books can be a bit drawn out but this was more to the point. This book also had a serious message behind it, about vacinations and the importance of getting your children vaccinated. Also this book was set around the timeline of one week, which makes it very fast paced which in my opinion is quite a good thing. The main character Jo, works at a Sunday newspaper, much like the news of the world once was, so I think this made it a bit more current. It also had a newspaper headline at the begining of the chapter that related to the plot, this was a good part of the book. I enjoyed this book and the author has written a young adult series too that I'm definitaly going to be adding to my wishlist! Rating - 4/5 Quote
Sofia Posted August 29, 2011 Posted August 29, 2011 Thanks I am looking forward to this one, but I do really want to read The Shining! I think its the most well known King novel? at least in the top three....it's my fave by him...read it soon!!! (did you watch the movie at least? Equally as good IMO) Quote
lauraloves Posted August 29, 2011 Author Posted August 29, 2011 at least in the top three....it's my fave by him...read it soon!!! (did you watch the movie at least? Equally as good IMO) I thought the movie was based on the film, but I'll read the book first! Is it scary? Quote
Sofia Posted August 29, 2011 Posted August 29, 2011 I thought the movie was based on the film, but I'll read the book first! Is it scary? the book was written in 1977...the movie in 1980....they couldn't of picked anyone better than Nicholson....no one does crazy like him! (ever watch One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest? ) Scary though? Nah...go watch it Quote
lauraloves Posted August 30, 2011 Author Posted August 30, 2011 the book was written in 1977...the movie in 1980....they couldn't of picked anyone better than Nicholson....no one does crazy like him! (ever watch One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest? ) Scary though? Nah...go watch it Think I might watch this one over the weekend if I can get a copy of it, but will make my bf watch it with me cos I'm a bit of a wimp! Quote
lauraloves Posted September 3, 2011 Author Posted September 3, 2011 A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius - Dave Eggers Challenges - Rory Gilmore Reading Challenge The New Classics Challenge Synopsis - Dave Egger's parents died from cancer within a month of each other when he was 21 and his brother, Christopher, was seven. They left the Chicago suburb where they had grown up and moved to San Francisco. This book tells the story of their life together. My Thoughts - I have never read a book like this one. To start with, the prologue and the achnolegement section is huge! and funny! Same with the chapter headers too. These bits made the author almost seem like he was speaking directly to me. Then the memoir as such. I read that some parts are true and some parts are more made up, but this didnt bother me. The parts that delt with the cancer of both of his parents made me cry, it was just so so sad, but this did not take up much of the book, it was more the story of the author and his younger brother Toph, and their lives together. Then at the end of the book it had another little section of notes, which I'm my copy I had to turn upside down to read, did I get some funny looks reading my book upside down! This part was also quite funny. This book was picked for the Rory Gilmore Challenge and before it was picked I hadnt actually heard of the book, I even brought this book without reading the synopsis. But I really really enjoyed it! until this time last year I wasnt to interested in reading non fiction, but the more non fiction books I read the more I love them. It also makes me think that what othe brilliant books am I missing out on that I've kind of by passed on some of the challenge lists! Brilliant book, well worth a read! Rating - 4.5/5 Quote
Kidsmum Posted September 5, 2011 Posted September 5, 2011 I love the sound of this book Laura I'm definitely going to add it to my wishlist Quote
lauraloves Posted September 5, 2011 Author Posted September 5, 2011 I love the sound of this book Laura I'm definitely going to add it to my wishlist its really good if you get a chance to read it do Quote
poppyshake Posted September 5, 2011 Posted September 5, 2011 Great review Laura I've heard such good things about this book and I do have it on the shelf .. must pick it up soon. Quote
lauraloves Posted September 6, 2011 Author Posted September 6, 2011 Great review Laura I've heard such good things about this book and I do have it on the shelf .. must pick it up soon. Thanks it really is a brilliant read, hope you get round to it soon! Quote
chesilbeach Posted September 6, 2011 Posted September 6, 2011 Glad you enjoyed AHWOSG, I did too, although I didn't actually find the section with his parents suffering from cancer that sad, just truthful and matter-of-fact, mixed up with the mad thoughts that go through your mind in times of trauma and stress. Quote
lauraloves Posted September 7, 2011 Author Posted September 7, 2011 Glad you enjoyed AHWOSG, I did too, although I didn't actually find the section with his parents suffering from cancer that sad, just truthful and matter-of-fact, mixed up with the mad thoughts that go through your mind in times of trauma and stress. I think I found it so sad because my nan was suffering from cancer and the decline is his mum is something that I could relate too. However it was a brilliant book! Quote
chesilbeach Posted September 7, 2011 Posted September 7, 2011 (edited) I think I found it so sad because my nan was suffering from cancer and the decline is his mum is something that I could relate too. However it was a brilliant book! I can totally understand how this could make you feel sad (sorry if I sounded unsympathetic, that's not how I meant it to sound), and I just think that everyone deals with the emotions of situations they find themselves in differently, however they need to in order to cope. I think my own coping mechanisms mean I have a different perspective on these situations when I read about them now, and what I got out of that chapter was the straightforward matter-of-fact way of writing about that time. Edited September 7, 2011 by chesilbeach Quote
lauraloves Posted September 8, 2011 Author Posted September 8, 2011 I can totally understand how this could make you feel sad (sorry if I sounded unsympathetic, that's not how I meant it to sound), and I just think that everyone deals with the emotions of situations they find themselves in differently, however they need to in order to cope. I think my own coping mechanisms mean I have a different perspective on these situations when I read about them now, and what I got out of that chapter was the straightforward matter-of-fact way of writing about that time. Don't be sorry, its a fact of life and it happens, I can't sweep it under the carpet if that makes sense, I think its worse when people skirt around the issue! Indeed people do cope differently and thats what makes us human, no two people are the same! Dave Eggers did seem very matter of fact about it though! Quote
Kylie Posted September 9, 2011 Posted September 9, 2011 Great review Laura. I found the cancer section to be really sad. I got the humour there, but there was a kind of subtle or underlying sadness there that there really bothered me. Quote
lauraloves Posted September 9, 2011 Author Posted September 9, 2011 Great review Laura. I found the cancer section to be really sad. I got the humour there, but there was a kind of subtle or underlying sadness there that there really bothered me. I didn't know if the humour was Dave Eggers way of coping with it all maybe? The sad bit for me was when he was weaving between his mum and dads illnesses, it just hit something with me! Quote
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