Ben's Reading 2011

[Kylie]

In other news, I'm reading Definitely Dead by Charlaine Harris and I don't know if it's me, but there seems to be gaps with this plot-line, like there should be another in-between. I'm either reading them too quickly, or have a bad memory, or I haven't even heard of Hadley before. The book refers to how she died and Sookie dealing with the punishment of the vampire responsible, but it seems like we're being filled in with the gaps and should already know what happened. Am I missing something here? As far as I'm aware I've read these books in order.

 

Alas, I just explored Wikipedia to see if I could get some answers, and it seems there's a short story called One Word Answer that proceeds the Definitely Dead novel that I wasn't aware of; makes much more sense now.

 

I had the exact same problem. It's very frustrating isn't it? It seems to me that such an important plot point shouldn't come from an event that happened in a short story that relatively few people have read.

[Ben]

I had the exact same problem. It's very frustrating isn't it? It seems to me that such an important plot point shouldn't come from an event that happened in a short story that relatively few people have read.

Yeah I can understand her having little spin-off stories but the entire plot was based on that which was really confusing.

[Ben]

Finished The Interpretation of Murder in the early hours of this morning and thought it was fantastic.

 

Review here - I had a lot more to say about this.

 

Thoughts:

Well where do I start with this one? Rubenfeld's story of Dr Sigmund Freud's first and only ever journey to the United States is one that has always confused biographers. In this novel, the author has managed to blend real-life events and characters perfectly with fiction. From the minute he steps on American soil with his two followers Carl Jung and Sandor Ferenczi, to deliver a series of lectures at a prestigious university and hopefully propel his psychoanalytical theories across America, mysterious forces are at work to stop him from doing so. For the present, though, Freud and his followers have more pressing issues; a beautiful young woman has been found whipped and mutilated in an apartment high above the city, and the next day another stunning heiress is attacked in her home, barely escaping her killer. Freud hands the case to Dr Stratham Younger, a young psychoanalyst who idealises the Master. Little does Stratham know that he has become embroiled in a mystery that will delve into the darkest, most secret depths of the city, and into the darkest corners of the human mind.

 

5/5.

Edited August 3, 2011 by Ben

[Ben]

Going to get started on Die Trying by Lee Child. I read the first Jack Reacher book as my first book this year, so been meaning to get round to more of them since.

 

Synopsis:

Jack Reacher, alone, strolling nowhere. A Chicago street in bright sunshine. A young woman, struggling on crutches. He offers her a steadying arm. And turns to see a handgun aimed at his stomach. Chained in a dark van racing across America, Reacher doesn't know why they've been kidnapped. The woman claims to be FBI. She's certainly tough enough. But at their remote destination, will raw courage be enough to overcome the hopeless odds?

 

Reading this one on my Kindle, hoping its as a good as the first one.

Edited August 5, 2011 by Ben

[Inver]

Afterwards. - Rosamund Lupton.

If it as good as 'Sister' it will be a great read....one I want to get too Ben.

[chesilbeach]

Sounds like your reading mojo is picking up nicely during the summer break, Ben.

[Ben]

If it as good as 'Sister' it will be a great read....one I want to get too Ben.

Never read Sister but quite honestly want to read both; I'll be getting round to Afterwards very soon.

 

Sounds like your reading mojo is picking up nicely during the summer break, Ben.

It is indeed; much to my pleasure I had a great reading month last year and hope to continue that through this month.

 

Wish I was in your calibre though; closing in on 100 books at this stage of this year is very impressive.

[Ben]

Finished Die Trying by Lee Child, and thought it was brilliant; really loving this fast-paced, action-packed series and I'm only two books in.

 

Thoughts:

So, the second book in the Jack Reacher series, one which I've waited a while to read now. I finished the first at the start of this year and enjoyed immensely, so this has been a long time coming. It's safe to say I haven't been disappointed though, as this book is a fantastic, fast-paced thriller, which had me turning the pages not wanting to put it down. This time, Jack Reacher is caught up in extremely unlucky circumstances, in the wrong place at the wrong time, as he stops to help a woman on crutches coming out of the dry-cleaners. It's an innocent move, but one that lands him in a whole heap of trouble as he turns to find a gun levelled at him. Kidnapped, Reacher and the young woman are driven thousands of miles across America, and become embroiled in more than they could ever imagine. Out in the mountains a lunatic visionary and his loyal followers plot meticulously their plans against the US government, and Reacher, the FBI, and an old acquaintance must tackle them head on in a battle for all their lives. Die Trying is a brilliant novel that will have you holding your breath as the characters race against time to try get out alive.

 

4/5.

[Ben]

Making a start on Eldest by Christopher Paolini, I read Eragon last year and for some reason, even though I enjoyed it, I never got around to the sequel.

 

Synopsis:

The challenges for Eragon and his dragon Saphira are by no means over. Having proved himself in battle as a Dragon Rider, Eragon must now travel to the land of the elves to be tutored in magic and swordsmanship, the essential skills of a Dragon Rider. But the Empire is in the grip of evil and Eragon is dogged by chaos and betrayal at every turn. Will the wicked king Galbatorix's dark hand strangle all resistance? Eragon may not escape with his life..

 

Looking forward to this one.

[Ooshie]

I like the Jack Reacher books as well, Ben - the only problem is that I keep forgetting which ones I have read and which ones I haven't, so his back story jumps about a bit when I get them in the wrong order!

[Ben]

I like the Jack Reacher books as well, Ben - the only problem is that I keep forgetting which ones I have read and which ones I haven't, so his back story jumps about a bit when I get them in the wrong order!

That's why book-lists are key, Ooshie. I'm so glad I've got more of these to read though, they're brilliant.

[vodkafan]

Also going to took into The Interpretation of Murder by Jed Rubenfeld that has earned some glowing recommendations from you lovely people.

 

Synopsis:

On the morning after Sigmund Freud arrives in New York on his first - and only - visit to the United States, a stunning débutante is found bound and strangled in her penthouse apartment, high above Broadway. The following night, another beautiful heiress Nora Acton, is discovered and tied to a chandelier in her parents' home, viciously wounded and unable to speak or recall her ordeal. Soon Freud and his American disciple, Stratham Younger, are enlisted to help Miss Acton recover her memory, and to piece together the killer's identity. It is a riddle that will test their skills to the limit, and lead them on a thrilling journey - into the darkest places of the city, and of the human mind.

 

Looks fantastic this, will read it alongside A Game Of Thrones which I'm reading on my iPad of course.

 

Interpretation of Murder is a brilliant book Ben, I wrote a review of it somewhere on here. Be interested to know your thoughts.

[Ben]

Interpretation of Murder is a brilliant book Ben, I wrote a review of it somewhere on here. Be interested to know your thoughts.

I finish it a couple of days ago, vodkafan, my review is here if you fancy reading it; if not, there's some briefer thoughts a page back in this thread.

[Ben]

What's happening with me reading-wise then?

 

Well, I've downloaded Nemesis by Jo Nesbo for my Kindle, because I have to read books in publication order (even if it's not entirely necessary), and I already have The Snowman and The Redeemer waiting for me. I read The Redbreast earlier this year and really enjoyed it, and have been wanting to read some more of his work for a while now. Now I've got the next in the series, I'll be doing that as soon as possible.

 

As for Eldest - well, it's coming along quite nicely. I've read over two hundred pages and I just love the way Christopher Paolini tells a tale; his writing style is most enjoyable. I haven't had as much chance to read the last couple of days though, and it's quite a long book at over six hundred pages. I'm sure I'll get into a lot more soon enough, but for now I'll just keep tackling it slowly and enjoyably.

 

Oh also, I'm going on holiday to Greece for two weeks on Friday. Of course that means choosing which books to take with me. I'm only going to take a few actual paper-backs with me, as I'm taking my Kindle and that will save me all the space I could need, whilst giving me all the choices I could ever need as well. I'm going to think through this week which books I want to take and which books I want to make sure are downloaded before I go. I know I could download them while I'm there, but I'll make sure I have what I need before just in case.

[Ben]

Finished Eldest by Christopher Paolini in the early hours of this morning, and even though I don't really have time to review it and put up some proper thoughts, I will say that I thought it was fantastically well-written with action aplenty and numerous twists and turns that caught me by surprise. Although a novel about Eragon's brilliant journey, this - the second book in the series - leaned a lot towards focusing on Eragon's family and friends in Carvahall as well. I found the second book more enjoyable than Eragon and whilst it maintained the traditional fantasy elements within the story, it also talks philosophy and discusses a lot of interesting points when read closely. I would recommend the series to anyone who enjoys a good fantasy tale, and I will be looking for Brisingr very soon.

 

I've also decided on five books to take on holiday with me tomorrow; I will read more than that but I'm taking my iPad and Kindle with me also.

 

Holiday Books

 

The Lacuna. - Babara Kingsolver.

Hell Gate. - Linda Fairstein.

The Long Song. - Andrea Levy.

From Dead To Worse. - Charlaine Harris.

Afterwards. - Rosamund Lupton.

 

I'm happy with those choices, and at least I know I have countless more books just at my fingertips whilst I'm there.

[Kidsmum]

I have Lacuna to read so looking forward to your thoughts on it Ben.

[Ben]

I have Lacuna to read so looking forward to your thoughts on it Ben.

It does look like an interesting read; I studied Russia at school, so should know a bit of back-story to what's going on.

[bobblybear]

I gave up on The Lacuna earlier this year. Just could not get into it, though I loved The Poisonwood Bible (also by the same author). Hope you enjoy it more than I did!

[chesilbeach]

My library group read The Lacuna a couple of years ago, and my summing up of it was "the reading equivalent of trudging through a muddy field." There was some interesting stuff in there, and I did read all of it, but I think maybe she might have been better writing it as a non-fiction as there was so much research and factual information in there.

 

When you've finished it, Ben, there's a thread with my thoughts and a couple of reviews in it here - The Lacuna by Barbara Kingsolver

[Ben]

Oh snap guys you've really sold this one to me, haha. Thanks for the link Claire I'll pop in there with my thoughts when I'm done, though from what you've said maybe these thoughts won't be favourable haha.

[chesilbeach]

There's no reason why you shouldn't love it though, Ben. We all have different tastes - The Great Gatsby springs to mind

[Kidsmum]

I gave up on The Lacuna earlier this year. Just could not get into it, though I loved The Poisonwood Bible (also by the same author). Hope you enjoy it more than I did!

 

 

My library group read The Lacuna a couple of years ago, and my summing up of it was "the reading equivalent of trudging through a muddy field." There was some interesting stuff in there, and I did read all of it, but I think maybe she might have been better writing it as a non-fiction as there was so much research and factual information in there.

 

When you've finished it, Ben, there's a thread with my thoughts and a couple of reviews in it here - The Lacuna by Barbara Kingsolver

 

 

Oh dear that doesn't sound too promising

[Inver]

Finished Eldest by Christopher Paolini in the early hours of this morning, and even though I don't really have time to review it and put up some proper thoughts, I will say that I thought it was fantastically well-written with action aplenty and numerous twists and turns that caught me by surprise. Although a novel about Eragon's brilliant journey, this - the second book in the series - leaned a lot towards focusing on Eragon's family and friends in Carvahall as well. I found the second book more enjoyable than Eragon and whilst it maintained the traditional fantasy elements within the story, it also talks philosophy and discusses a lot of interesting points when read closely. I would recommend the series to anyone who enjoys a good fantasy tale, and I will be looking for Brisingr very soon.

 

Afterwards. - Rosamund Lupton.

Kenny glad to hear you enjoyed Eldest Ben. I want to read Afterwards on my To Get books

[Ben]

There's no reason why you shouldn't love it though, Ben. We all have different tastes - The Great Gatsby springs to mind

That is very true Claire; plus it would be boring if we all liked the same books.

 

Oh dear that doesn't sound too promising

It doesn't does it? Bit apprehensive about getting started, leaving it until last.

 

Kenny glad to hear you enjoyed Eldest Ben. I want to read Afterwards on my To Get books

Will definitely be getting the third one soon, Eldest was brilliant.

 

Oh and I've received my book-list from university for my studies in September. I won't type it all out because it's long but over the next month or so the books you'll see me reading will probably be on the list. If anyone's really interested I can send it. Put it this way, I'm excited. Despite that though, there's a lot of books I definitely don't have and the whole lot is going to cost me an absolute fortune. I'm looking at nearly 100 pound just for the first semester. Ah, I'm sure I can see if my grandma has any, and I'll work from there; least I'll have a decent excuse to go book shopping on a large scale.

Edited August 19, 2011 by Ben

[Ben]

Searching for all the correct editions of these books is such a pain. I've had to trawl through and sign up to at least four websites to get all the correct editions, and the total cost is going to be extensive, in the region of a hundred pounds. It's a necessary evil, however, so later today I'm going to buy them all and start getting them delivered to my house for when I get home. That way, I can start using the next month to get ahead on some of my reading material before term starts. Something I'm quite excited about, I must admit.

Edited August 20, 2011 by Ben