Chaliepud's 2012 Reading Log

[frankie]

Out of interest, do their names translate to anything in English? They are very rare over here! I think I may have seen one Spitz not at a show ut certainly no Lapphunds, it's a shame as they are great dogs and great workers.

 

Finnish Spitz aka 'suomenpystykorva' literally means Finland's erect ear (pointed ear?) and Finnish Lapphund, 'suomenlapinkoira', means Finland's Lapland's dog. (Lapland is the northern part of Finland). Yeah I would think they are rare over there, but it's still amazing you've managed to spot one Spitz, hehe!

[chaliepud]

Finnish Spitz aka 'suomenpystykorva' literally means Finland's erect ear (pointed ear?) and Finnish Lapphund, 'suomenlapinkoira', means Finland's Lapland's dog. (Lapland is the northern part of Finland). Yeah I would think they are rare over there, but it's still amazing you've managed to spot one Spitz, hehe!

 

We would say erect ear too, I never forget when Obi was a pup, he was born with folded ears and very gradually they would unfold, a little every day, until one day, PING they were erect!

 

 

[frankie]

We would say erect ear too, I never forget when Obi was a pup, he was born with folded ears and very gradually they would unfold, a little every day, until one day, PING they were erect!

 

PING Your stories make me laugh so hard Another one of the cutest things about doggies is when the puppies (who are of the breed who have erect ears when grown up) still have their puppy folded ears, that's so cute! They look so adorably silly, almost. And when the fluffy ears bounce and flap when the puppies run about

 

(Do tell me if it bothers you that we discuss doggies on your reading thread! We could always set up a thread for dogs )

[chaliepud]

(Do tell me if it bothers you that we discuss doggies on your reading thread! We could always set up a thread for dogs )

 

Not at all, I love dogs and I love reading so it's the perfect place, in fact Obi is lying right next to my bed as I type, waiting for me to get a book out!! :)

[frankie]

Not at all, I love dogs and I love reading so it's the perfect place, in fact Obi is lying right next to my bed as I type, waiting for me to get a book out!! :)

 

I take that as a standing invitation to talk dogs And seriously, I will! So why is he waiting for you to get a book out, what happens then? Does he get to come on the bed while you are reading? I know what some dog trainers would say about having dogs in bed or even on a bed, but I'm not sure if I could ever say no to my (possible future) doggy who'd be climbing on the bed to read a book with me and to get a good night's sleep

[chaliepud]

 

 

I take that as a standing invitation to talk dogs And seriously, I will! So why is he waiting for you to get a book out, what happens then? Does he get to come on the bed while you are reading? I know what some dog trainers would say about having dogs in bed or even on a bed, but I'm not sure if I could ever say no to my (possible future) doggy who'd be climbing on the bed to read a book with me and to get a good night's sleep

 

When I read he is allowed up for a cuddle, but not when I'm on the computer or iPad, I'm sure he doesn't know the difference but he always waits for permission to get up. I probably shouldn't let him up but as it doesn't bother me or Steve... He gets down as soon as I turn the light off and sleeps next to the bed.. :)

[frankie]

When I read he is allowed up for a cuddle, but not when I'm on the computer or iPad, I'm sure he doesn't know the difference but he always waits for permission to get up. I probably shouldn't let him up but as it doesn't bother me or Steve... He gets down as soon as I turn the light off and sleeps next to the bed.. :)

 

I can see no harm in letting him up, because he waits for permission and goes willingly down to the floor to sleep next to the bed A good obedient dog I can imagine how cuddlable he is My dog fever is running high at the moment. I hope to catch (meaning: see) some great doggies later today when I'm running errands

[chaliepud]

23. Insurgent - Veronica Roth

 

Amazon synopsis

 

Fighting for survival in a shattered world… the truth is her only hope.

The thrillingly dark sequel to New York Times bestseller, DIVERGENT.

I have done bad things. I can’t take them back, and they are part of who I am.

Tris has survived a brutal attack on her former home and family. But she has paid a terrible price. Wracked by grief and guilt, she becomes ever more reckless as she struggles to accept her new future.

Yet if Tris wants to uncover the truth about her world, she must be stronger than ever… because more shocking choices and sacrifices lie ahead.

 

I really enjoyed this, not as much as Divergent, but as others have said, the middle book in a trilogy can often be weaker than the first and last. Tris is still strong, there is lots more action and characters start to fall, Tris and Four start to struggle within their relationship, more is learnt about the Insurgents...lots and lots happening and at times it seems a little too bitty, with too many battles and not enough detail, but all in all another great read and I cannot wait for the final book in the series to be released next year.

 

4.25/5

[chaliepud]

24. Deadlocked - Charlaine Harris

 

Amazon synopsis -

 

Sookie has a murder investigation on her hands. A young girl has died at a vampire party - and it looks as though her lover, Eric, might be responsible. Eric swears he didn't do it, the police don't believe him, and even Sookie isn't so sure. Nor is she inclined to take his word for it, not having caught him enjoying the victim's blood minutes before she was killed.

 

But something strange is going on. Why had Sookie been asked to come to the fateful party a few minutes early - just to catch Eric in the act? And why had the victim spiked her blood before approaching Eric? Was it simply because she wanted to be irresistible, or was it something more sinister?

 

Sookie will have to find out... but it's the worst moment to investigate, as her Fae family are having troubles of their own and Sookie is, inevitably, drawn in. And there is one last complication. The cluviel dor her grandmother left her. It will grant her one wish, which could fulfil Sookie's heart's desire. The only problem is, she still doesn't know what - or who - her heart truly desires...

 

Oh dear, I sooo wanted this to be the book that revisited the class of the earlier books in the series, but alas not, hardly any Eric, or Bill, it was a lot more concentrated on the fae and whilst the book did (at the end) tie up a fair few loose ends it just had the feeling of a Charlaine preparing us for the final book next year. This may well have been the dullest of the books so far actually, with a lot of detail of Sookie's everyday life, cooking, doing the washing, shaving and moisturising her legs... I live that life I don't need to hear about someone else doing it.. there wasn't the danger there was in the earlier books, I never felt on edge, probably due to the lack of Eric, he livened things up, but even his character has got anaemic, caring and apathetic, not the Eric I know and love!!! Anyhow, I'm rambling, I did give it 3.5/5 as I do still love the premise of the books and revisiting old friends and I will buy the last book in the series but I will be hoping against hope that she is saving the best for last!!

 

3.5/5

[chaliepud]

25. Tiny Sunbirds Far Away - Christie Watson

 

Amazon synopsis -

 

Lagos, Nigeria. Blessing's Mama found Father lying on top of another woman. It's bad enough when her father abandons them. But when her mother loses her job, they have to leave home and move into her grandfather's compound. Living with a poor countryside family is a shock beyond measure. Everything changed after that.

 

What a lovely, lovely book. It follows Blessing from a privileged life in Lagos to the Nigerian countryside where she is forced to live in poverty, with no indoor plumbing, insufficient food and the challenges that a life like this poses. She is close to her asthmatic brother but he draws away from her, her Mother spends all hours working and so she spends a lot of time with her Grandmother who teaches her the trade that her Mother taught her. The book is never graphic yet it doesn't hold back it letting you know what went on in Nigeria and about how terrifying it could be to live there.

 

A definite must read!

 

4.5/5

[chaliepud]

26. The Good Father - Diane Chamberlain

 

Amazon synopsis -

 

A little girl, all alone, with a note that reads ‘Please look after me’. Four years ago, nineteen-year-old Travis Brown made a choice: to raise his newborn daughter on his own. While most of his friends were out partying and meeting girls, Travis was at home, worrying about keeping food on the table. But so far he’s kept her safe. And never regretted his decision for a second. But now he’s lost his job, his home and the money in his wallet is all he has. As things spiral out of control Travis is offered a lifeline. A one-time offer to commit a crime for his daughter’s sake. Even if it means leaving her behind. Even if it means losing her. What would a good father do?

 

I've only read one Diane Chamberlain book prior to this one and that was The Midwife's Confession. I was surprised by the quality of that book as so many people had compared her writing to Jodi Piccoult, who, to be honest leaves me rather cold. Chamberlain has a way of drawing you into her lead characters lives, making you care for them and want everything to turn out well for them. In this book we are following Travis, a single father who clearly adores his daughter Bella and despite all the rubbish that gets thrown his way always tries to focus on the end game, that he and Bella will be together forever and she will be taken care of and know she is loved. We also follow Robin, her mother who is not in her life but is starting to have feelings about Travis and the child she never knew and never previously wanted... Then there is Erin, a woman who has suffered every mothers ultimate fear, and lost her young daughter in a tragic accident.... The characters are well drafted and come together believably (in the main.. after all every author needs a little poetic licence!) There are enough twists to keep you reading long after you should really have turned your light out and an ending that will make you hold your breath until you find out how it finishes. So, another good read from Diane Chamberlain, I have just purchased Brass Ring and am hoping it every bit as good as The Midwife's Confession and The Good Father.

 

4.25/5

[chaliepud]

Finished Delirium by Lauren Oliver today, will write a review when I have decided what I thought of it, I think I liked it but I'm not in a hurry to read the second in the series...

 

Also finished Red Dog by Louis De Bernieres, oh my it's only 115 pages long but my heart was won on the first few pages, I loved it, loved it, loved it! If you like dogs at all you must read it! :)

[chaliepud]

Ok, I seriously need to get some reviews done, I'm 8 books behind and the further behind I get the less inclined I am to get on with it! The last few weeks of school are so busy though and with children in 3 different schools at the moment I feel constantly under pressure to be at sports days, leaving assemblies and even art exhibitions (for 7 years olds!!! ) This isn't leaving much time for reading, let alone reviews!!

 

This week I had a bit of a cull of books that I don't think I'll ever get around to reading, and have now managed to get almost all my books onto one shelf, 55 in total. I haven't done too badly this year with not buying books but I could do better! I have a couple of books on pre order but other than those I need to take a leaf out of Chesil's book and read the books I have, after all I must have fancied them when I bought them!!

 

So, here are the 55 books I have left, I will now make a concerted effort to get through them, I read 33 books between January and the end of June so I could feasibly get through half of my TBR shelf before the end of the year.....

 

I Capture The Castle - Dodie Smith

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society - Mary Ann Shafer, Annie Barrows

The Angel's Game - Carlos Ruiz Zafon

Rebecca - Daphne Du Maurier

Nights at the Circus - Angela Carter

Everything is Illuminated - Jonathan Safron Foer

The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid - Bill Bryson

A Short History of Nearly Everything - Bill Bryson

Generation Dead - Daniel Waters

Half of a Yellow Sun - Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

The House of the Spirits - Isabel Allende

At Home with the Templetons - Monica McInerney

The Pain Merchants - Janice Hardy

Into the Darkest Corner - Elizabeth Haynes

Ordinary Dogs, a story of two lives - Eileen Battersby

Emma - Jane Austen

The Hare With Amber Eyes - Edmund De Waal

The Man Who Broke Into Auschwitz - Denis Avey

The Dive from Clausen's Pier by Ann Packer

The Shadow Wife - Diane Chamberlain

Eats, Shoots and Leaves - Lynne Truss

The Blue Door - Lise Kristensen

A Dog 's Purpose - W. Bruce Cameron

When Nights Were Cold - Susanna Jones

The Good Father - Noah Hawley

The Light Between Oceans - M.L Steadman

Hollow Pike - James Dawson

15 Seconds - Andrew Gross

One Dog and His Boy - Eva Ibbotson

The Weird Sisters - Eleanor Brown

You Came Back - Christopher Coake

The White Tiger - Aravind Adiga

Divine Evil - Nora Roberts

The Legacy - Katherine Webb

Letters from Home - Kristina McMorris

The Pact - Jodi Piccoult

Message in a Bottle - Nicholas Sparks

We Had It So Good - Linda Grant

Brass Ring - Diane Chamberlain

Mortal Chaos - Matt Dickinson

Hollow Earth - John and Carole E Barrowman

How I LIve Now - Meg Rosoff

My Sister Lives on the Mantlepiece - Annabel Pitcher

Mr Rosenblum's List - Natasha Solomons

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn - Betty Smith

The Last Family in England - Matt Haig

Every Last One - Anna Quindlen

The Rescue Man - Anthony Quinn

Cuckoo - Julia Crouch

All These Things I've Done - Gabrielle Zevin

Slaughterhouse 5 - Kurt Vonnegut

A Street Cat Named Bob - James Bowen

The Sign of the Sugared Plum - Mary Hooper

The Phantom Tollbooth - Norton Juster

The Horse Dancer - Jojo Moyes

 

Here goes, wish me luck!!!

Edited July 7, 2012 by chaliepud

[chesilbeach]

You have some fantastic books on that shelf, and I know you will enjoy them. I can only reiterate that books I have been putting off for years have ended up being absolutely brilliant, and I've had surprisingly few dud reads in all of the books I've tried this year. And, it's such as satisfying feeling watching those numbers go down, knowing that you're actually getting close to achieving a manageable TBR list!

[chaliepud]

You have some fantastic books on that shelf, and I know you will enjoy them. I can only reiterate that books I have been putting off for years have ended up being absolutely brilliant, and I've had surprisingly few dud reads in all of the books I've tried this year. And, it's such as satisfying feeling watching those numbers go down, knowing that you're actually getting close to achieving a manageable TBR list!

 

Thanks Chesil, I'm trying to read the books I've had longest first (bit of guesswork as I don't have records for when i bought them) but the newer books keep catching my eye!

Maybe you could bottle some of your willpower and send it to me!!

[vodkafan]

I have only read 3 off your list Chaliepud. Good luck and I look forward to reading your reviews. Does this mean a total book ban on buying for a while?

[chaliepud]

I have only read 3 off your list Chaliepud. Good luck and I look forward to reading your reviews. Does this mean a total book ban on buying for a while?

 

I don't want to put a complete ban on buying books VF as I know I'd begin to resent reading but I will try not to buy anything other than books I have already ordered, generally as part of a series, as I am just too impatient to read them!! . Also I get the occasional early review copies from Waterstones, I'll still do that where I can as it's too good on opportunity to miss.

Edited July 7, 2012 by chaliepud

[Kylie]

Great TBR pile, Chalie! I look forward to reading your thoughts on them all, if you ever get around to posting them!

[chaliepud]

Great TBR pile, Chalie! I look forward to reading your thoughts on them all, if you ever get around to posting them!

 

I shall do my best Kylie, I'm reading The Snow Child at the moment which is lovely and i'm hoping that will give me the impetus to catch up with my reviews! I just need to find more time to read!!!

[chaliepud]

I have only read 3 off your list Chaliepud.

 

Which 3 have you read VF?

[Michelle]

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society - Mary Ann Shafer, Annie Barrows

I recall liking this one, but can't remember that much.

 

Into the Darkest Corner - Elizabeth Haynes

I got about half way through my audio version, then gave up - but it has had really good reviews from others.

 

Eats, Shoots and Leaves - Lynne Truss

This was pretty good.

 

Hollow Pike - James Dawson

As you know, I love this one

 

Mortal Chaos - Matt Dickinson

A quick read - interesting idea.

 

Cuckoo - Julia Crouch

I really like Julia's books, I think this one got good reviews from those who read it here.

 

A Street Cat Named Bob - James Bowen

A nice book, not too taxing.

 

Good luck with getting through your TBR pile!

[bobblybear]

Good luck with your reading of these books; there are quite a few of these that I'd like to read as well.

 

The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid - Bill Bryson

 

Loved this one, but then again anything Bill Bryson writes is awesome, in my opinion.

 

A Short History of Nearly Everything - Bill Bryson

 

Another brilliant one, funny and educational and interesting - you can't beat that! If you have an interest in science and the world around you, then you will love it. And unlike some science books, it's not too heavy going.

 

Into the Darkest Corner - Elizabeth Haynes

 

Loved this one, very powerful story. A lot of people have given this great reviews.

 

The White Tiger - Aravind Adiga

 

I was very pleasantly surprised by this one. It was different to what I expected, and much more enjoyable. The story sucks you in right from the start, which is always good.

[chesilbeach]

I've read about 10 of the books on your list, and I think you're in for a treat in your future reading. After I loved One Dog and His Boy by Eva Ibbotson - a gift from my OH for Christmas - I insisted he read it as well, and he said it was one of the best children's books he's read for years, so that two hearty recommendations from our house at least!

[frankie]

Also finished Red Dog by Louis De Bernieres, oh my it's only 115 pages long but my heart was won on the first few pages, I loved it, loved it, loved it! If you like dogs at all you must read it!

 

You know this is already on my wishlist, and one of the books I'd like to acquire asap, but I'm just so happy to hear you loved the book (well you've mentioned it before, but I'm happy to hear it again )!

 

Ok, I seriously need to get some reviews done, I'm 8 books behind and the further behind I get the less inclined I am to get on with it! The last few weeks of school are so busy though and with children in 3 different schools at the moment I feel constantly under pressure to be at sports days, leaving assemblies and even art exhibitions (for 7 years olds!!! ) This isn't leaving much time for reading, let alone reviews!!

 

It's a horrid feeling, isn't it, having a few book to be reviewed, then feeling they will need time to do, then not getting to them, and more books to be reviewed piling up, and then you feel even more frustrated... it's a vicious circle!

 

I've noticed you haven't been around that much lately and I've been wondering how you've been! I don't know about the school holiday schedules in the UK, I hope the summer holidays are right around the corner and you'll get more time to read. Although, if you have all the kids at home, I don't know if you'll have more time to read, they must keep you quite busy!

 

So, here are the 55 books I have left, I will now make a concerted effort to get through them, I read 33 books between January and the end of June so I could feasibly get through half of my TBR shelf before the end of the year.....

 

I'm sure you can do it! We'll be rooting for you and keeping tabs on how you are doing.

 

I was looking at your TBR reads and you have so many great reads ahead of you!! You are so lucky.

 

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society - Mary Ann Shafer, Annie Barrows

I absolutely loved this!

 

The Angel's Game - Carlos Ruiz Zafon

I don't think it'll be quite as good as The Shadow of the Wind, but hopefully it'll be good anyways. I haven't read it yet so I'm looking forward to your thoughts on it.

 

Rebecca - Daphne Du Maurier

This should be really great, too!

 

Everything is Illuminated - Jonathan Safron Foer

This was great, and surprisingly funny.

 

Half of a Yellow Sun - Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

My off-forum friend keeps telling me to read this, she loved it.

 

The House of the Spirits - Isabel Allende

I also have this on TBR, I have such high hopes for this.

 

Ordinary Dogs, a story of two lives - Eileen Battersby

A Dog 's Purpose - W. Bruce Cameron

One Dog and His Boy - Eva Ibbotson

The Last Family in England - Matt Haig

Yay, more doggy books! And the Haig book especially, it's brilliant.

 

Emma - Jane Austen

Austen's always great.

 

Eats, Shoots and Leaves - Lynne Truss

This should be really funny, Kylie always sings its praised

 

Mr Rosenblum's List - Natasha Solomons

I really liked this one.

 

Cuckoo - Julia Crouch

This is on my wishlist.

 

Slaughterhouse 5 - Kurt Vonnegut

This is such a great novel when you really get into it.

 

The Phantom Tollbooth - Norton Juster

This is also superb, although I've only read half of it

 

Wow, I almost want to suggest we swap our TBR piles

[Kylie]

I already commented on your TBR pile, but I can't help but go into more detail.

 

I particularly look forward to your opinions on these books, which I have on my TBR pile or wish list:

I Capture The Castle - Dodie Smith

The Angel's Game - Carlos Ruiz Zafon

Rebecca - Daphne Du Maurier

Nights at the Circus - Angela Carter

The Hare With Amber Eyes - Edmund De Waal

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn - Betty Smith

The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid - Bill Bryson

Generation Dead - Daniel Waters

 

I have read and really enjoyed: (* enjoyed quite a lot, ** enjoyed immensely, *** one of my all-time favourites):

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society - Mary Ann Shafer, Annie Barrows *

Everything is Illuminated - Jonathan Safron Foer ***

A Short History of Nearly Everything - Bill Bryson **

Emma - Jane Austen **-***

Eats, Shoots and Leaves - Lynne Truss **

Mr Rosenblum's List - Natasha Solomons *

Slaughterhouse 5 - Kurt Vonnegut **

The Phantom Tollbooth - Norton Juster ***

 

The least I say about this one, the better: (Poppyshake liked it though)

How I Live Now - Meg Rosoff