Hayley's better late than never blog 2011...

[chaliepud]

Day 24 – A book that you wish more people would’ve read -

 

Sorry, will have to bore you by repeating myself, this one will be Human Traces by Sebastian Faulkes, Birdsong is always said to be his finest hour, and I did love that too, but to me Human Traces was even more fascinating, enlightening and captivating (and many more ings) than any ever book I have ever read. The characters were beautifully drawn and I truly felt that I lived their story, I felt emotionally drained through much of it yet uplifted by the optimism that tried so hard to rise above the gloom.

 

Day 25 – A character who you can relate to the most -

 

Hmm, a tough one, so will have to play safe and go with George from the Famous Five, I was most definitely a tomboy as a child and always had a dog or two in tow, I was (and still can be) extremely hot headed and stubborn and have always had a strong sense of right and wrong - can't stand Ginger Beer though so will stick with homemade lemonade if thats ok?

 

Day 26 – A book that changed your opinion about something -

 

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot, I couldn't read this in its entirety as I found the medical jargon a little hard going, but I was astonished by what I read and could see why it is popular as a book club read. I realised that just because people have degrees and are in a career in which they have chosen to help people it doesn't mean they will, and not to trust people without making your own investigations and judgements.

 

Ok, think I have caught up now, back to one a day - if I remember! Sorry if I've bored anyone!!!

Edited July 19, 2011 by chaliepud

[Chrissy]

I have been really enjoying reading your daily question answering. It's a fascinating thing to do aas a reader, and a fascinating thing to read as a nosey fellow reader!

 

I hope you don't mind but gave your above multiquotes a tweak ~ they sometimes has a wobbly and doesn't do as it should.

[chaliepud]

Thanks Chrissy, I've loved reading everyone else's too, though my Amazon wishlist is getting rather long!

 

(Oh, and tweak away, I need all the help I can get!! )

[frankie]

Day 24 – A book that you wish more people would’ve read -

 

Sorry, will have to bore you by repeating myself, this one will be Human Traces by Sebastian Faulkes,

 

There's nothing wrong in a little repetition, seeing as this is now going on my wishlist, having heard so many great things about it from you

[chaliepud]

Oh please do frankie, I'd love to hear your opinion on it!

[chaliepud]

Day 27 – The most surprising plot twist or ending -

 

This happens a lot to me as I rarely think ahead, or often even think at all when I am reading! My Mum always laughs at me when I pass a book on to her saying you'll not guess the ending of this one, she invariably does, which I put down to her reading almost nothing but murder mysteries her entire life! Only now are her reading tastes getting more diverse as I pass on books more of my taste.

 

Anyhow, to get to the point, the most recent book to surprise me was Sister by Rosamund Lupton, I truly was shocked and surprised by the ending, literally the last few pages. I won't spoil it for anyone by explaining why but I saw no clues leading up to it - very clever though. (Of course my Mum had figured it out )

[poppyshake]

Day 27 – The most surprising plot twist or ending -

 

This happens a lot to me as I rarely think ahead, or often even think at all when I am reading! My Mum always laughs at me when I pass a book on to her saying you'll not guess the ending of this one, she invariably does, which I put down to her reading almost nothing but murder mysteries her entire life! Only now are her reading tastes getting more diverse as I pass on books more of my taste.

 

Anyhow, to get to the point, the most recent book to surprise me was Sister by Rosamund Lupton, I truly was shocked and surprised by the ending, literally the last few pages. I won't spoil it for anyone by explaining why but I saw no clues leading up to it - very clever though. (Of course my Mum had figured it out )

 

I have a theory about this because my husband does the same .. he nearly always guesses the twist correctly but I think it's because I've forewarned him .. so he thinks outside of the box. It's a completely different thing to read a book not expecting a twist and to have one sprung on you so to speak than it is to be told there is a twist that you'll never guess .. they start looking for clues earlier.

That is my explanation anyway and it makes me feel better

 

Great answers to the 30 day challenge Hayley, I'm enjoying reading them

[chaliepud]

Day 28 – Favourite title -

 

The Cross With Us Rhinoceros by John Bush and Paul Geraghty - A delightful rhyming picture book that my three children have all loved at some point, one (among others) that I will be keeping for my grandkids!

 

I can't believe there are only 2 days left of this questionnaire, does anyone know of any more, I've so enjoyed doing it.

[chaliepud]

I have a theory about this because my husband does the same .. he nearly always guesses the twist correctly but I think it's because I've forewarned him .. so he thinks outside of the box. It's a completely different thing to read a book not expecting a twist and to have one sprung on you so to speak than it is to be told there is a twist that you'll never guess .. they start looking for clues earlier.

That is my explanation anyway and it makes me feel better

 

Great answers to the 30 day challenge Hayley, I'm enjoying reading them

 

Right, thats it, no more clues for Mum!!!

[Easy Reader]

I have a theory about this because my husband does the same .. he nearly always guesses the twist correctly but I think it's because I've forewarned him .. so he thinks outside of the box. It's a completely different thing to read a book not expecting a twist and to have one sprung on you so to speak than it is to be told there is a twist that you'll never guess .. they start looking for clues earlier.

That is my explanation anyway and it makes me feel better

 

Great answers to the 30 day challenge Hayley, I'm enjoying reading them

 

Excellent theory

 

I always guess the twist when I know there is one and have always been surprised if I didn't know there was one. I think you are more alter to the clues along the way if you know there is a twist. I much prefer not realising until the end as I believe that is what the author wants.

[Kylie]

I can't believe there are only 2 days left of this questionnaire, does anyone know of any more, I've so enjoyed doing it.

 

Be careful what you wish for! I believe Frankie posted some more, perhaps on Poppyshake's reading list.

[frankie]

Be careful what you wish for! I believe Frankie posted some more, perhaps on Poppyshake's reading list.

 

Haha, I did indeed

[chaliepud]

Ok frankie, I found 14 questions, is that the entire list??

 

As for today:

 

Day 29 – A book everyone hated but you liked -

 

I'll go for Her Fearful Symmetry by Audrey Niffenegger, I bought this off the back off The Time Travellers Wife which I adored and found a book that I enjoyed just as much maybe even a little more. It offered an exciting to new slant of the afterlife, had some wonderfully unique if not particularly likeable characters and a great setting (which I plan to visit one day when I have a little more freedom). I know many many people for whom TTTW was a favourite but most people have either chosen not to read HFS or didn't really like it, so maybe it's just me!

[chaliepud]

Day 30 – Your favourite book of all time - Did I mention this?

 

Human Traces by Sebastian Faulkes

 

[bobblybear]

 

Day 29 – A book everyone hated but you liked -

 

I'll go for Her Fearful Symmetry by Audrey Niffenegger

 

I loved this book too, though I was skeptical after reading some bad reviews by people who loved The Time Traveller's Wife (as I did). I'm glad I read it, and I don't think you can compare the two, apart from having some kind of 'supernatural' theme to them. Thought the ending to Her Fearful Symmetry was very disturbing though.

 

 

Day 30 – Your favourite book of all time - Did I mention this?

 

Human Traces by Sebastian Faulkes

 

Yes, you may have mentioned it a few times. I shall add this to my Wish List, as you have piqued my curiosity.

[chaliepud]

Yes, the end of HFS was very disturbing and stayed with me for a while, I thought it was a positive that an author could leave me feeling that way but I think many readers felt it was a negative.

 

I wonder if she has any more books in the pipeline?

[bobblybear]

^ Her website says she is working on her third book - The Chinchilla Girl in Exile. Interesting title. No release date is mentioned though.

[chaliepud]

Hmm, the mind boggles with that title! Thanks though BB, will take a look

 

This is what little is says about the future book on Wikipedia -

 

She is currently working on a third novel called The Chinchilla Girl in Exile, about a girl called Lizzie Varo, who suffers from hypertrichosis (excessive body hair).

Edited July 23, 2011 by chaliepud

[chaliepud]

Ok, the holidays are here so probably won't be reading quite as much for a while, taking the kids and a friends to see the new Cars movie but not sure it's acceptable to take a torch and read in the corner...

 

Am currently almost halfway through 'Forever' and definitely getting into it now though not as gripping (so far) as 'Shiver' and 'Linger'.

 

I think I will start the second book questionnaire from Frankie now too, so here's the first one -

 

1.Book next to your bed right now:

 

Well, Forever by Maggie Stiefvater is there, as is The Return of Captain John Emmett which I only got a third of the way through. Also there is a copy of my friends book, The Long Second by Marshall Buckley, I read the first proof after it was written but didn't read it properly as was just getting a gist of the story so I could offer my opinion on it, now I have a printed (signed of course) copy I will savour it more slowly, once I have finished Forever.

[chaliepud]

2. Favorite series:

 

Ok, in the last questionnaire I went for a childrens series, The Famous Five, so this time I will go for YA instead, but will cheat and say Twilight and The Hunger Games!! Both great books for young and old(er) alike.

[chaliepud]

Managed to not buy anything in Waterstones today though picked up three books from the charity shop -

 

Everything Is Illuminated - Jonathan Safran Foer

Half of a Yellow Sun - Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

The Angels Game - Carlos Ruiz Zafon

[Roland Butter]

I read Half of a Yellow Sun a couple of years ago, and enjoyed it a lot.

[Weave]

Managed to not buy anything in Waterstones today though picked up three books from the charity shop -

 

Everything Is Illuminated - Jonathan Safran Foer

Half of a Yellow Sun - Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

The Angels Game - Carlos Ruiz Zafon

 

Happy reading

[chaliepud]

Rubbish day yesterday and didn't feel like posting so catch up today!

 

3.Favorite book:

 

Hmmm, let me think..... Oh yes, Human Traces - Sebastian Faulkes

 

 

4.The one book you would have with you if stranded on a desert island:

 

If it's a desert island where I have to fend for myself I would take John 'Lofty' Wisemans SAS Survival Handbook. If on the other hand it's a 6 star luxurious desert island, I'd take The Shadow of the Wind, as I'm itching to get this back off my Mum to read as I have heard such good things on here...

[lopeanha]

4.The one book you would have with you if stranded on a desert island:

 

If it's a desert island where I have to fend for myself I would take John 'Lofty' Wisemans SAS Survival Handbook. If on the other hand it's a 6 star luxurious desert island, I'd take The Shadow of the Wind, as I'm itching to get this back off my Mum to read as I have heard such good things on here...

Very thoughtful