Claire's book list 2012

[frankie]

Oi! That's me!

 

(I am allergic to caffeine though... But even before I discovered that I just couldn't abide the smell!? I just have to make do with other essential pleasures.........)

 

You'll find a kindred spirit in Kylie, then. She despises the smell of coffee. I find it so strange! However, I'm still willing to turn a blind eye on this (is that how you say it? I got a momentary blackout!) because you have awesome dogs

 

Edit: Claire, I swear, the last time I looked at the number on your TBR it was 27. I spend a few hours writing review and now you're down to 25!! How can that be But of course, you read the Burroughs book. I told you earlier you'll be able to reach zero TBR by the end of the beginnign of autumn, but I'll now say you'll be able to reach that by the end of June

[chesilbeach]

This journey in to my TBR is throwing up some real gems at times, and the latest one was Running With Scissors by Augusten Burroughs. A memoir of his teenage years, which were unconventional to say the least! When his parents split up, his mother leaves him in the care of her psychiatrist, who eventually becomes his legal guardian, while she moves into an apartment and continues her treatment. The psychiatrist, Dr Finch, and his highly unusual family provide enough fodder for the most bizarre experiences which tells his story with painful honesty but also and humour.

 

The style of Burroughs writing is very informal and easy to read, and I thought that Running With Scissors read more like a novel than a memoir. You find it hard to believe how young he was going through some of these experiences, and how far removed his life was from what we would think of as a normal childhood, yet he recounts these episodes with candid realism but always there is a darkly comic side to his story. From how he is excused from school, to his first (and graphically told) sexual experiences, to his final realisation of where and what he wants in life, this book endears you to him, and I found it utterly compelling to read, and hard to put down until I'd finished it all.

Edited June 5, 2012 by chesilbeach

[chesilbeach]

I've decided to abandon my second book of the year, A Handful of Honey by Annie Hawes. I've loved all three of her previous books about how, after a trip to Liguria, she was so entranced by the place, she and her sister bought a small stone house for a ridiculously cheap amount of money, and the books follow her life and the new friends she makes in the community. This book takes a different direction when Annie decides to visit a small town in the Sahara, and this follows her journey through Morocco and Algeria. I have to say, I've read about a third of it, but I'm just not enjoying it. I love the familiar characters and the Italian lifestyle she normally writes about, more memoir than travel, but this is out and out travelogue, and on a completely different continent, it just didn't engage me and after two attempts to read it, I've decided to give up.

[chesilbeach]

Another Sunday comes around, and I've managed another week without buying any books, but I have to say, it's been a tough week! I've seen some fantastic reviews, come across quite a few new authors I want to try, and rekindled my interest in some others I haven't read for a while and all of this has seen my wishlist expand alarmingly, but I've so far managed to resist the temptation. My TBR has come down by four books, so I'm now down to just 24. I've decided to try and just stick to the paperbacks left now, and leave the few ebooks I have remaining until after I've finished the paperbacks. I have 19 paperbacks and 5 ebooks, so there is definitely light at the end of the tunnel now. I'm just hoping I can keep my will power high and not give up, as I know I'll feel fantastic if I can just keep going and achieve that ultimate goal of an empty TBR shelf.

[frankie]

I was going through the first page of your log to take a look at your wishlist but bummer, woman, you don't keep one on here! How very naughty of you Then I got curious to see which books you have on your TBR, because it's such a short list now and I know you'd be tackling all of those books in the near future.

 

Emotional Geology by Linda Gillard

 

This is actually the only book I've read from your TBR pile, but I loved it very much, and I hope you enjoy it too!

 

Birdsong by Sebastian Faulks

Human Traces by Sebastian Faulks

The Library of Shadows by Mikkel Birkegaard

The Opposite of Fate by Amy Tan

The Hare With Amber Eyes by Edmund De Waal

 

And going by the reviews of other members on this forum, I think these should be great. Faulks is very much recommended, The Opposite of Fate is on the Rory list, and I remember someone writing about The Hare, too. I've once borrowed The Library of Shadows from the library to read but didn't have time to read it, but I found the blurb very promising. The other books on your TBR are ones I haven't heard about.

 

Running With Scissors by Augusten Burroughs

 

A memoir of his teenage years, which were unconventional to say the least!

 

Very unconventional indeed It's horrifying actually how easy it was to forget that the things really happened to Augusten and that one oughtn't be laughing out loud so much. But I was quite helpless, Burroughs knows how to write!

 

Great review, I'm happy you enjoyed the book! I agree on everything you said about it. And I really don't want to seem pushy, but I can't help but ask: do you think you might read more Augusten Burroughs's books? And oh shoot, I've just realised the dilemma. Unless you borrow his stuff from a library. That's not cheating and it's not buying a book!

 

Another Sunday comes around, and I've managed another week without buying any books, but I have to say, it's been a tough week!

 

You are doing a wonderful job! You can be hella proud of yourself

 

I'm just hoping I can keep my will power high and not give up, as I know I'll feel fantastic if I can just keep going and achieve that ultimate goal of an empty TBR shelf.

 

You've come this far, I'm sure you can keep yourself together and in check. It'll be so rewarding when you pick up that last book on your TBR and start reading it, and then put it down and can sigh of satisfaction. I have faith in you!

 

Edit: I almost forgot. When I was going through the first page of your log, I was reminded of your Jane Austen challenge, and this in turn reminded me of this book a friend of mine told me about some weeks ago. I was going to mention it to you back then but I've completely forgotten until now. She is a big Jane Austen fan and she had somehow heard of a book called Dancing with Mr Darcy. Apparently, the Chawton House Library set up a Jane Austen short story competition, and the book consists the winning story and 19 runners-up. Sarah Waters is one of the editors, so I expect the book is of high quality. I'm not sure if this book is something you might consider for your challenge, but I thought of you when I heard of it and wanted to let you know about it.

[chaliepud]

I think I may have said that Human Traces is the best book I have ever read , very closely followed by Birdsong, I'm so jealous that you still have these treasures ahead of you, I can't wait to hear what you think of Human Traces!

 

I agree with frankie, not about coffee, but that Emotional Geology was a great read, have a great time getting that list down to zero, I'm very mucg looking forward to finding out what will be your first book purchase... :smile:

[chesilbeach]

I was going through the first page of your log to take a look at your wishlist but bummer, woman, you don't keep one on here! How very naughty of you Then I got curious to see which books you have on your TBR, because it's such a short list now and I know you'd be tackling all of those books in the near future.

My wish list is way too long to be on here! I also tend to do a slash and burn on it regularly, so it keeps changing far too often

This is actually the only book I've read from your TBR pile, but I loved it very much, and I hope you enjoy it too!

I've read three other books by Linda, so I'm confident I'm going to enjoy it

And going by the reviews of other members on this forum, I think these should be great. Faulks is very much recommended, The Opposite of Fate is on the Rory list, and I remember someone writing about The Hare, too. I've once borrowed The Library of Shadows from the library to read but didn't have time to read it, but I found the blurb very promising. The other books on your TBR are ones I haven't heard about.

I've had a mixed experience with Faulks books, but I'm totally open minded about the ones on my wishlist. I actually asked for The Opposite of Fate as a gift because it was on the Rory list, but it's wallowed on the TBR shelf for a couple of years now. The Hare With Amber Eyes was also a Christmas present, although not one I would have chosen myself, but I have no expectations about it at the moment. The Library of Sahdows was a freebie in a 3 for 2 offer, but it's difficult to resist a book about books, isn't it?!

Very unconventional indeed It's horrifying actually how easy it was to forget that the things really happened to Augusten and that one oughtn't be laughing out loud so much. But I was quite helpless, Burroughs knows how to write!

 

Great review, I'm happy you enjoyed the book! I agree on everything you said about it. And I really don't want to seem pushy, but I can't help but ask: do you think you might read more Augusten Burroughs's books? And oh shoot, I've just realised the dilemma. Unless you borrow his stuff from a library. That's not cheating and it's not buying a book!

I think I will read more by him, but it won't be for a while, as I want to get this TBR challenge sorted, plus concentrate on a couple of other things first.

You've come this far, I'm sure you can keep yourself together and in check. It'll be so rewarding when you pick up that last book on your TBR and start reading it, and then put it down and can sigh of satisfaction. I have faith in you!

Thanks! I think this last bit will be the toughest. I've written myself a sort of order of books I'm going to read with the remaining 18 paperbacks, but I'm fairly flexible, however, I know there are some I've been putting off for a long time that I've been reluctant to start for ages.

Edit: I almost forgot. When I was going through the first page of your log, I was reminded of your Jane Austen challenge, and this in turn reminded me of this book a friend of mine told me about some weeks ago. I was going to mention it to you back then but I've completely forgotten until now. She is a big Jane Austen fan and she had somehow heard of a book called Dancing with Mr Darcy. Apparently, the Chawton House Library set up a Jane Austen short story competition, and the book consists the winning story and 19 runners-up. Sarah Waters is one of the editors, so I expect the book is of high quality. I'm not sure if this book is something you might consider for your challenge, but I thought of you when I heard of it and wanted to let you know about it.

Thanks, I'll have a look and see if it takes my fancy.

[chesilbeach]

I think I may have said that Human Traces is the best book I have ever read , very closely followed by Birdsong, I'm so jealous that you still have these treasures ahead of you, I can't wait to hear what you think of Human Traces!

 

I agree with frankie, not about coffee, but that Emotional Geology was a great read, have a great time getting that list down to zero, I'm very mucg looking forward to finding out what will be your first book purchase... :smile:

Well I don't think Human Traces will be too far away in my reading, so watch this space!

 

I can't wait for the TBR list to be gone, but I suspect my first purchase will be something silly and light hearted, as I've got some heavy old tomes to read over the next couple of months.

[frankie]

My wish list is way too long to be on here! I also tend to do a slash and burn on it regularly, so it keeps changing far too often

 

Okay now I'm curious. What kinds of numbers are we talking here? 50 titles on wishlist? 100? 200?

 

I've had a mixed experience with Faulks books, but I'm totally open minded about the ones on my wishlist.

 

I knew chaliepud would come and say something about Human Traces What book(s) by him did you not like? I'd be really happy acquire a copy of his Faulks on Fiction, just the sort of thing to read and love!

 

I actually asked for The Opposite of Fate as a gift because it was on the Rory list, but it's wallowed on the TBR shelf for a couple of years now.

 

I got the book for that reason only, too, and just like yours mine has been gathering dust on the shelf for some years now Maybe we should go over to the Rory thread and suggest we could do it as a group read! Whenever you're ready for it, that is, I know you have other books to go through

 

The Library of Sahdows was a freebie in a 3 for 2 offer, but it's difficult to resist a book about books, isn't it?!

 

Difficult, verging on impossible

 

I think I will read more by him, but it won't be for a while, as I want to get this TBR challenge sorted, plus concentrate on a couple of other things first.

 

I'll have to try and wait patiently, then! I knew you'd want to get to zero TBR first, though, so it's not a (huge) disappointment, hehe!

 

Thanks! I think this last bit will be the toughest. I've written myself a sort of order of books I'm going to read with the remaining 18 paperbacks, but I'm fairly flexible, however, I know there are some I've been putting off for a long time that I've been reluctant to start for ages.

 

One of the things that is so great about books is that you might start reading a book a few times and you can't get into it and loose hope with it. And then you read others and might get back to that particular book years later, and then wham, you are totally into it. There's really no predicting what might suit one's fancy and when.

[chesilbeach]

Fragrant Harbour by John Lanchester tells the story of four different people whose lives have taken them to Hong Kong, but through their lives, Lanchester gives us the history of this city over the last seventy years of the twentieth century.

 

At first, I wasn't sure about the book. The first persons story was interesting, but seemingly innocuous, esepcially when you get to the second character, following Tom Stewart. Tom's story is the meat on the bones of this book. Escaping from what he predicts would be a stilted, safe life in England, he sails to Hong Kong in the mid-1930s. His adventure starts with a bet on board the ship, which along with the contacts he makes on the journey, springboards him into a successful career in the hotel industry. By the end of the book, the four characters have played a significant part in one or all of the other peoples lives, resulting in an absorbing and fascinating book.

 

I have to admit, it was only after I'd almost finished the book, that I realised this was actually a book on my OH's TBR list that had somehow wheedled it's way on to mine, but I'm very glad it did! I knew very little about Hong Kong before reading this book, and it was a bit like a crash course in fiction form, but I got completely caught up, particularly in Tom's life. I loved the style of writing which was very straight forward, and simply told the story, while it felt that the author felt affection for his characters, and I thought it gave heart to the book.

 

A very enjoyable book, so I'll be looking out for more from Lanchester, and a discussion at home has indicated I only have to hunt the bookshelves in my own house to find some!

[chesilbeach]

Okay now I'm curious. What kinds of numbers are we talking here? 50 titles on wishlist? 100? 200?

It's over 200, I think around the 250 mark

 

I knew chaliepud would come and say something about Human Traces What book(s) by him did you not like? I'd be really happy acquire a copy of his Faulks on Fiction, just the sort of thing to read and love!

I loved The Girl at the Lion D'Or, enjoyed but didn't love his James Bond book, Devil May Care, chuckled at Pistache but didn't really get on with A Week In December.

 

I got the book for that reason only, too, and just like yours mine has been gathering dust on the shelf for some years now Maybe we should go over to the Rory thread and suggest we could do it as a group read! Whenever you're ready for it, that is, I know you have other books to go through

That's not a bad idea - if we suggest it now, then it will give others a chance to get the book and join in if they want to.

 

[frankie]

I have to admit, it was only after I'd almost finished the book, that I realised this was actually a book on my OH's TBR list that had somehow wheedled it's way on to mine, but I'm very glad it did!

 

That's priceless I bet you had a good laugh over it with OH! But so great that the mix up paid off in the end and you enjoyed the novel

 

It's over 200, I think around the 250 mark

 

That quite a long list then But at least it's long enough that I don't think you'll be buying all of those books off your wishlist the minute you reach zero TBR. And that's good because you wanted go more like book by book in the future.

 

I loved The Girl at the Lion D'Or, enjoyed but didn't love his James Bond book, Devil May Care, chuckled at Pistache but didn't really get on with A Week In December.

 

I didn't know he'd written so many books. I'm only familiar with the three historical books, although I didn't remember one of the titles, and that is you above mentioned TGatLD´O I don't think it really matters how much you love an author; if he writes a James Bond book, there's always a fair chance that it's not something you'd place on your top 5 books ever

 

That's not a bad idea - if we suggest it now, then it will give others a chance to get the book and join in if they want to.

 

Indeed! I see you haven't posted about it yet, so I'll go ahead and do so now

[chaliepud]

 

I loved The Girl at the Lion D'Or, enjoyed but didn't love his James Bond book, Devil May Care, chuckled at Pistache but didn't really get on with A Week In December.

 

 

I truly wish I could love all of Faulk's books, but so far I have only enjoyed Birdsong, Human Traces and The Girl at the Lion D'Or, I tried and tried with Charlotte Gray but could never get more than half way, the same with Engleby, I've not tried A Week in December but the reviews aren't brilliant...

[chesilbeach]

That's priceless I bet you had a good laugh over it with OH! But so great that the mix up paid off in the end and you enjoyed the novel

It was more than

 

That quite a long list then But at least it's long enough that I don't think you'll be buying all of those books off your wishlist the minute you reach zero TBR. And that's good because you wanted go more like book by book in the future.

Yeah, just a wee bit long But you're right, once I've reached that target, then I'll just be able to pick and chose which book I want to read next from a staggering array!

 

I didn't know he'd written so many books. I'm only familiar with the three historical books, although I didn't remember one of the titles, and that is you above mentioned TGatLD´O I don't think it really matters how much you love an author; if he writes a James Bond book, there's always a fair chance that it's not something you'd place on your top 5 books ever

To be fair, I've only read two James Bond books, Casino Royale by Fleming and the Faulks book, and I have to say, Faulks was far superior in my opinion. I didn't enjoy Casino Royale at all, but thought Devil May Care was pretty good. I do love the Bond films though, and I think these win over the books for me, one of the few occasions I can say the film is better than the book!

[poppyshake]

Another Sunday comes around, and I've managed another week without buying any books, but I have to say, it's been a tough week! I've seen some fantastic reviews, come across quite a few new authors I want to try, and rekindled my interest in some others I haven't read for a while and all of this has seen my wishlist expand alarmingly, but I've so far managed to resist the temptation. My TBR has come down by four books, so I'm now down to just 24. I've decided to try and just stick to the paperbacks left now, and leave the few ebooks I have remaining until after I've finished the paperbacks. I have 19 paperbacks and 5 ebooks, so there is definitely light at the end of the tunnel now. I'm just hoping I can keep my will power high and not give up, as I know I'll feel fantastic if I can just keep going and achieve that ultimate goal of an empty TBR shelf.

You have so much willpower .. I really don't know how you do it. Well done Claire I have not the slightest doubt that you will reach your goal and much more quickly than you probably thought you would. If I was wearing a hat I would take it off to you but I will do a sort of awkward curtsy instead *bobs up and down in an ungainly fashion* .. you're an inspiration to us all Last weekend I vowed that I wouldn't eat cake during the week .. on Monday I ate a brownie ... that sums up my willpower

[chesilbeach]

You have so much willpower .. I really don't know how you do it. Well done Claire I have not the slightest doubt that you will reach your goal and much more quickly than you probably thought you would. If I was wearing a hat I would take it off to you but I will do a sort of awkward curtsy instead *bobs up and down in an ungainly fashion* .. you're an inspiration to us all Last weekend I vowed that I wouldn't eat cake during the week .. on Monday I ate a brownie ... that sums up my willpower

You say that about my willpower Kay, but it only seems to work on books at the moment! Like you, I keep promising myself no more cakes, and within a couple of days, I've decided I've earned a "treat"

 

But back to the books, and although I still haven't bought any new ones, I'm starting to get a bit stir crazy. I'm constantly looking up at the shelf thinking that I can't really have that many books to read, can I? Alas, it's true. 23 seems like such a small number compared to where I started, but it still feels like a mountain to climb. The worst thing is, I've started sorting bookshelves out at home, which has in turn started a few discussions, and I've found quite a lot of OH's books that I want to read too! I'm NOT adding them to current TBR, but a different shelf is currently being planned with another selection of books I'll be able to delve into when the mood takes me, after the end of this challenge.

Edited May 20, 2012 by chesilbeach

[frankie]

To be fair, I've only read two James Bond books, Casino Royale by Fleming and the Faulks book, and I have to say, Faulks was far superior in my opinion. I didn't enjoy Casino Royale at all, but thought Devil May Care was pretty good. I do love the Bond films though, and I think these win over the books for me, one of the few occasions I can say the film is better than the book!

 

Oh, I'm sorry, I was being a jerk I don't care for James Bond movies myself and just, without any good reason and quite stupidly, I assumed that they can't be favorites for a lot of people. I've realised this week that I seem to have a lot of prejudices, I have to check myself for that! Sowwy I've read Casino Royale and I didn't enjoy it very much, but it was better than I expected from a Bond novel. And the ending was quite unexpected, so that was a pleasant surprise

 

You say that about my willpower Kay, but it only seems to work on books at the moment! Like you, I keep promising myself no more cakes, and within a couple of days, I've decided I've earned a "treat"

 

Well your willpower is completely focused on books and it must be one heck of a struggle, so it's really only natural that you should not have that much left for other purposes. I've noticed that for myself, too

 

23 seems like such a small number compared to where I started, but it still feels like a mountain to climb.

 

If you have any pics of your bookshelf when you still had a lot more titles on mount TBR, you could look at the pic and visualize just how many books you've gone through, and compare it to the current state of affairs.

 

The worst thing is, I've started sorting bookshelves out at home, which has in turn started a few discussions, and I've found quite a lot of OH's books that I want to read too! I'm NOT adding them to current TBR, but a different shelf is currently being planned with another selection of books I'll be able to delve into when the mood takes me, after the end of this challenge.

 

Maybe you are going through the empty nest syndrome? Soon all your babies will be moving away from home, and it feels so empty and silent, and you start mothering OH's books because you need to keep busy?

[chesilbeach]

Oh, I'm sorry, I was being a jerk I don't care for James Bond movies myself and just, without any good reason and quite stupidly, I assumed that they can't be favorites for a lot of people. I've realised this week that I seem to have a lot of prejudices, I have to check myself for that! Sowwy I've read Casino Royale and I didn't enjoy it very much, but it was better than I expected from a Bond novel. And the ending was quite unexpected, so that was a pleasant surprise

Of course you weren't being a jerk! Like I said, I love the films, probably because they were a staple of my childhood - I still remember going to my local fleapit cinema to see For Your Eyes Only on a Saturday matinee, and they are always on television nowadays. We all have our own likes and dislikes, and I can totally appreciate that they're not everyone's cup of tea (or coffee, in your case ). I disliked the book of Casino Royale, but I love all the films because they have an added element of humour, and have been a strong franchise for the British film industry for decades. I like that they've kept reinventing themselves to change with the times, and I like that we've had a variety of actors playing the lead to keep refreshing the character.

 

Well your willpower is completely focused on books and it must be one heck of a struggle, so it's really only natural that you should not have that much left for other purposes. I've noticed that for myself, too

That sounds as good an excuse as any I can think of!

 

If you have any pics of your bookshelf when you still had a lot more titles on mount TBR, you could look at the pic and visualize just how many books you've gone through, and compare it to the current state of affairs.

I do have an old photo, and I can genuinely see the difference anyway, with the gaps appearing all the time, but it still seems like a lot of reading before I can indulge myself again.

 

Maybe you are going through the empty nest syndrome? Soon all your babies will be moving away from home, and it feels so empty and silent, and you start mothering OH's books because you need to keep busy?

Ha! That's certainly an interesting concept, I think you could be onto something there...

[chesilbeach]

The Science of Doctor Who by Paul Parsons is an attempt to look at how much of the science in this science fiction television series is or could be plausible. From why a Time Lord might have two hearts and what functions they might have, to whether a calcium based life form from Raxacoricofallapatorius could have really evolved, to how close are we to genuinely creating a real life psychic paper. All this mixed in with some reminiscing of Doctor's old and new, with a sprinkling of my favourite quotes.

 

This book was bought as a present for me when I was at the height of my Doctor Who fan girl period, but I do enjoy the odd science book, so I wasn't too apprehensive about reading it. It was an even more pleasant surprise that I was expecting! Easy to read, with enough technical and science knowledge to impart, using some of the interesting research and investigations being carried out in the field of the various areas of science, and a great fun read. Not too heavy handed, told in a straight forward easy to understand way - I really enjoyed it. I did get a bit lost with some of the cosmology and physics, but these were always a bit of a blind spot to me at school as well, so I think that was a failing on my part and not the authors.

Edited May 23, 2012 by chesilbeach

[chesilbeach]

I bought a book today! Don't panic, I haven't fallen off the wagon, it was a practical decision to get the Kindle version of The Children's Book by A. S. Byatt, which is my local reading group choice for next month, but the paperback is over 600 pages long, and it was not only difficult to fit in my bag, but I also find it uncomfortable to read books of that size in paperback. Hardback would be okay, as the pages stay open more easily, but my library copy was paperback so I decided to buy the Kindle version instead. Fortunately, I knew this may happen when I started my attempt to read everything on my TBR, so I'm not too bothered as far as the challenge goes.

 

That means that although I'd finished two books this week, another one is added to the list, so my TBR now stands at 22. Not too shabby, if I do say so myself.

[frankie]

Not too shabby and not really shabby at all, because it was a reading group book! I've got to ask, have you read any A. S. Byatt before?

[chesilbeach]

No, I haven't. I've had Posession recommended to me a few times so it's on my wishlist, but I've not looked into her other books. Have you read any, frankie?

[frankie]

No, I haven't. I've had Posession recommended to me a few times so it's on my wishlist, but I've not looked into her other books. Have you read any, frankie?

 

I also have both Possession and The Children's Book on my wishlist. I think Possession might turn out a great read, but I think the language in that will need a fully concentrated mind I've never read any Byatt so far, but I'm curious about her. And her sister, Margaret Drabble, is the one whose book is central in my thesis I hear they have totally different styles, Drabble being the more easily approachable.

 

I'll be looking forward to your thoughts on TCB

[Kylie]

I think you've earned that book, Claire. I can't wait to read your thoughts on The Children's Book. I'm rather daunted by the size.

 

I don't know whether to be sad, jealous or excited that your TBR pile is so small *runs out of thread before head explodes*

[vodkafan]

Haha you are down to 22 Claire? I am on 33 tree books. I will race you and see who gets to zero first.