BABBLING BOOKS

heathera · Posted: Wed Feb 27, 2008 8:34 pm Post subject:

This month I have read:

The Lovely Bones - Alice Seabold - 3/5 was disappointed with this.
The Thirteenth Tale - Diane Setterfield - 5/5 loved this, probably a keeper for me!
The Carhullan Army - Sarah Hall - 3.5/5 - enjoyed the idea of this and was engrossed in the story, but felt the ending was rushed, it could have been 100 pages longer!
Jane Eyre - Charlotte Bronte - currently reading this, and am really enjoying it. I last read it about 10 years ago and remember loving it then.

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Currently Reading:

The Moonlit Cage - Linda Holeman

1001 Book Challenge:
2009 - 4
2008 - 14
Books Available for Swapping on RISI

Amie · Posted: Fri Feb 29, 2008 10:02 am Post subject:

The Robber Bride - Margaret Atwood 3/5
Things We Knew Were True - Nikki Gerard 2/5
Light in August - William Faulkner 3/5
Pig Island - Mo Hayder 4/5
A Boys Own Story - Edmund White 4/5
A Thousand Splendid Suns - Khaled Hosseini 4/5
Gardens of the Dead - William Brodrick 2/5
Madame Bovary - Gustave Flaubert 4/5
My Sister's Keeper - Jodi Picoult 2/5
The Sheltering Sky - Paul Bowles 1/5
The Unnumbered - Sam North - haven't quite finished yet.
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Kill the tbr - currently 124
Currently reading:
War and Peace - Leo Tolsty
Wild Swans by Jung Chan
The Golden Notebook - Doris Lessing

Tigerlily · Posted: Fri Feb 29, 2008 10:56 am Post subject:

How are you getting on with The Unnumbered, Amie? You've read some interesting titles there. Glad you liked Madame Bovary, have it to read, and I really want to read Pig Island. Did you speak to anyone who'd read it?
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Reading: Miss Smilla's Feeling for Snow by Peter Hoeg
Reading Challenge 2009: 8
2008: 4
2007: 10

Amie · Posted: Fri Feb 29, 2008 2:19 pm Post subject:

I enjoyed the Unnumbered to start with but it's gone a bit flat now - there's not much of a storyline and I think it's a fairly sanitised view of life on the streets, it doesn't really fit with the image I get from the papers etc which make it seem a lot grimmer than it is in the book.

I didn't speak to anyone who's read Pig Island, hopefully someone will soon, or maybe I'll nominate it for April's choice!
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Kill the tbr - currently 124
Currently reading:
War and Peace - Leo Tolsty
Wild Swans by Jung Chan
The Golden Notebook - Doris Lessing

Tigerlily · Posted: Fri Feb 29, 2008 2:48 pm Post subject:

Yeah, nominate it!
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Reading: Miss Smilla's Feeling for Snow by Peter Hoeg
Reading Challenge 2009: 8
2008: 4
2007: 10

Daniela-26 · Posted: Fri Feb 29, 2008 8:00 pm Post subject:

Here is the list for this month:

Theft: a love story by Peter Carey
The Mathematics of Love by Emma Darwin
Mister Pip by Lloyd Jones
Davey Swag by David Grimstone
Nerverwhere by Neil Gaiman
The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory
PS I Love You by Cecelia Ahern
Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert

I've had a really great month in February ~ looking at my TBR I'm sure March will be the same!
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Reading: The Devil and Miss Prym by Paulo Coelho
2009 '1001 Challenge':

mummymelly · Posted: Fri Feb 29, 2008 9:12 pm Post subject:

OK this month I have read...

To Cut A Long Story Short by Tony Hadley 9/10
Time In A Bottle by Denise Deegan 9/10
Cut Her Dead by Iain McDowall 7/10
The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold 8/10
The Girls by Lori Lansens 6/10
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Swap List: http://tinyurl.com/33pg6r
Currently Reading "Switchcraft" by Lowri Turner

seanat · Posted: Sat Mar 01, 2008 9:21 am Post subject:

Monsters of Templeton by Lauren Groff 10/10 - my first Waterstones review, I hope they're all as good as this one! Loved it and really hope she writes another book soon.

When my Sister was Cleopatra Moon by Frances Park 7/10 - good read about 2 first generation Vietnamese /American sisters.

Tell No One by Harlen Coben 8/10 - great as always.

Eternal by Craig Russell 7/10 - good but lacked momentum, not as good as Brother Grimm.

The Book with No Name by Anonymous 7/10 - lots of momentum here, felt very much like a movie. Got a bit samey after a while though, but did enjoy it. Very like From Dusk to Dawn and Desperado(movies).

The Girl from the Chartreuse by Pierre Peju 6/10 - never really grabbed me, maybe the translation.A bookseller accidentally knocks down a young girl and becomes involved in her life. Lovely quotes though the book though about the joy of reading/books.

Deviant Ways by Richard Montanari 7/10 - good fun thriller, but do prefer his series.

Time in a Bottle by Denise Deegan 8/10 - enjoyed this, a mother whose son develops cancer has to deal with the choices she's made in the past.

Naked to the Hangman by Andrew Taylor 6/10 - well written and sets the period (1950's small town England) well, but a bit too slow-paced for me.

Out by Natsuo Kirino 8/10 - loved it. Very violent and great characterisations throughout. Four down-trodden unhappy factory ladies become involved in murder, set in Japan.

Oystercatchers by Susan Fletcher - couldn't force myself to finish as nothing was happening and characters didn't grab me.

The Book of Fathers by Miklos Vamos - another i couldn't finish, too disjointed and the writing/translation didn't flow.

In Her Sisters' Shoes by Sinead Moriarty 4/10 - loved her 'baby' trilogy, but this was dull and predictable.

Crocodile Soup by Julia Darling 5/10 - maybe it's me! All month i've struggled to get into books. This was good but lacked something for me.

annecater · Posted: Sat Mar 01, 2008 4:33 pm Post subject:

Touching From A Distance by Deborah Curtis : the life story of Ian Curtis, the lead singer of Joy Division as written by his wife. A must-read for any Joy Division fan, very well written and very sad. I must now watch the film 'Control' which is based on this book.

The Carhullan Army by Sarah Hall : a totally new author for me and also a new genre. Set in the near future about a group of women who have opted out of life controlled by The Authority. I really enjoyed this, it could have been longer with more detail but still a great read.

Falling Man by Don DeLillo : a book I've been after for ages and kindly given to me by Annie130 who did warn me that she wasnt keen. The premise of the story is excellent, set around one of the 'falling men' of the 9/11 tragedy. I agreed with Annie! Just couldnt engage with the story at all, gave up after around 70 pages.

Pobby and Dingan by Ben Rice : I think Mummymelly recommended this one - thanks Mel. A lovely little story set in Australia about a young girl and her imaginary friends who go missing. A quick and easy read, but very lovely. I believe that this has been made into a film too.

Sleep Pale Sister by Joanne Harris : This had been on my TBR for ages and I promised it to someone on the forums. I'm really glad I read it, Joanne Harris books are a bit hit and miss for me. Chocolat was divine, yet some of her others I really disliked. This was a very dark, ghostly read. Enjoyed it though.

The Book of Proper Names by Amelie Northomb : My second read by this author and enjoyed it very much. Another short book but fascinating, some of her subject matter is disturbing but the brilliant writing just makes you want to read on.

I, Coriander by Sally Gardner : Another book I've been after for ages, and yet another acquired via Annie130 - thanks! This one didnt let me down, I loved every page of it. Another one aimed at young adults but perfectly readable for adults too. I'm really beginning to enjoy historical fiction.

One Red Paperclip by Kyle MacDonald : The idea behind the story is brilliant and the book started off really well. However, by half way through I was getting a little bored by it. Once the USA media picked up the story, the whole book seemed to revolve around tales of TV and newspaper interviews.

Last Witness by Jilliane Hoffman : I'd read the first in this series a couple of years ago and enjoyed it, so was looking forward to this. However, I really think my tastes have changed and just didnt enjoy this. I gave up on it about half way through.

A Secret Affair by Barbara Taylor Bradford : A real curl up on the settee with a mug of tea and some biscuits sort of read. Totally 80s really! Glamour - girl meets boy - trials and tribulations, tear, happiness- all that sort of thing. A blast from the past!

A Kestral For A Knave by Barry Hines : Otherwise known as Kes. Read as part of the 1001 Challenge. Why on earth I've never read this before, I dont know! I loved every page of it and was sobbing at times. Still very topical almost 40 years later - wonderful read

What Was Lost by Catherine O Flynn - I must admit that this had never appealled to me, but my friend loved it and urged me to read it and even got my copy for me! I'm very grateful to her! It was a great read, so well written, funny and sad and I just wanted it to go on and on. O Flynn deserves every award she has received for this book.

Random Acts of Heroic Love by Danny Scheinmann - I struggled to get into this one. I felt the first half was very slow - sluggish in fact! There are some beautiful phrases but I was waiting for something to happen. Then, half way through it just turned around and I started to really enjoy it, by the end I loved it!

Cat People by Margaret and Michael Korda - real life tales by a couple living in America about all the cats they have shared their home with. Cat lovers will relate to it and there are some funny parts. Not a patch on the Marilyn Edwards books though.

Lottery by Patricia Wood - this was a great read. A man who is considered a retard by his family and usually ignored wins $17million on the lottery. A very touching, moving story about how he copes and how people around him change their attitudes. You will fall in love with the hero Perry.

The Declaration by Gemma Malley : Another young adult book and another fantastic read. I just couldnt put this one down. Set in 2141 when drugs that can provide eternal life have been discovered. Lots of morals in the story and obviously it has a message - but a wonderful read. I cant wait til she finishes the sequel.
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Currently reading: The Tent The Bucket and Me by Emma Kennedy and Granny The Pag by Nina Bawden

1001 Challenge Books read in 2009 - 3
1001 Challenge Books read in 2008 - 8
1001 Challenge Books read in 2007 - 13

Amie · Posted: Sat Mar 01, 2008 7:50 pm Post subject:

Oh I love A Kestrel For A Knave, I studied it for my GCSE's and then re read it a couple of years ago, it still rings true now.
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Kill the tbr - currently 124
Currently reading:
War and Peace - Leo Tolsty
Wild Swans by Jung Chan
The Golden Notebook - Doris Lessing

eightlegs · Posted: Sun Mar 02, 2008 12:22 am Post subject:

Glad you liked Sleep Pale Sister Anne, so did I. One of her older ones that was reprinted when she became more popular more recently. If you haven't read Holy Fools that is the one I think it is most like. The other one of hers I've loved was Coastliners but it doesn't often seem to get a mention!

willie96 · Posted: Sun Mar 02, 2008 10:43 am Post subject:

The books I read in february were:

Point Blanc – Anthony Horowitz (7/10)
Terminal Man – Michael Crichton (7/10)
Shadowmancer – G P Taylor (6/10)
Sharpe’s Fury – Bernard Cornwell (8/10)
Break no Bones – Kathy Reichs (8/10).
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Currently reading: Adept
Please have a look at my swap list here or here.

lovely treez · Posted: Sun Mar 02, 2008 10:16 pm Post subject:

Death of a Murderer - Rupert Thomson - this lacked something for me, I was quite indifferent to the leading character Billy Tyler which didn't bode well and the Myra Hindley connection was tenuous. I think I've been permanently seduced by historical fiction. 6/10

The Man in the Picture - Susan HIll - a novella which was perhaps not as spooky or suspenseful for me as The Woman in Black but, nevertheless, a great story, very atmospheric. 8/10

Cloth Girl - Marilyn Edward Mills - great read and a remarkable first novel - set in the African Gold Coast in the 30s and 40s, this is the tale of Matilda (14) who catches the eye of successful black lawyer Robert Bannerman who is determined to take her as his second wife much to the

of his accomplished, elegant first wife. Highly recommended and very readable. 9/10

The Journal of Dora Damage - Belinda Starling - an absolute stunner of a first novel from a young author who unfortunately died before seeing it published. I put off reading this since I got it at Christmas as I didn't want it to be over. Not for those who are easily offended or prudish. 10/10

Six Feet Over - Mary Roach (library copy) I enjoyed Stiff, the author's previous book, investigating the practical side of death, and looked forward to this one, subtitled Adventures in the After Life. Roach is a very humorous writer, her natural cynicism and wit is evident throughout the book but this one lacked something for me and seemed more self-indulgent than Stiff. 7/10

A Gathering Light - Jennifer Donnelly - what a great story with the central character Mattie really encouraging me with her natural vibrance and determination. Based on the true story of a murder, there are lots of literary references and I loved the inclusion of the "word of the day". Looking forward to reading more by this author. 8.5/10

Airmail - T Ravenscroft - I read this humorous book in a couple of hours and it had me laughing out loud for most of the read. If you're in need of a tonic in the way of instant laughter, then pick this up. 8/10

The Other Side of You - Sally Vickers - how have I had this on my TBR pile for so long and failed to pick it up? It's a beautifully written, haunting yet somehow uplifting tale which makes you think long and hard about what really constitutes love. A mesmerising read for me which I read slowly in order to savour every word. 9.5/10

Vroom with A View - Peter Moore - I loved this humorous, enthusiastic tale about Peter and his 40 yr old Vespa (Sophia) on their travels from Milan to Rome. It is peppered with little nuggets about characters he meets along the way. I nearly went out and bought a Vespa myself. Definitely going to read more by this author. Passing this onto my OH as I think it's a book that would appeal to a lot of men too. 10/10

Tamburlaine Must Die - Louise Welsh - a novella speculating on the events surrounding Christopher Marlowe's death - a very well written, atmospheric read. 8.5/10

The Visible World - Mark Slouka - a beautifully written, lyrical, intense book which, at times, reads like a love poem. Slouka has a great eye for detail. My only criticism would be that it does meander too much in parts but overall a very satisfying read for me. 9/10

The Book with No Name - Anon - An enjoyable, far fetched read- vampires, gunslingers, mysterious monks, bounty hunters people this tale which reads like a film script at times, given that it is a homage to lots of cult films including Dusk Till Dawn, Kill Bill, Desperado, all the old spaghetti westerns. Not everyone's cup of tea but I love these types of films so I found it entertaining. 8/10

A great month's reading which has livened up a dreary February.
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Currently reading - The Italian Boy - Murder and Grave Robbery in 1830s London - Sarah Wise

blueflower · Posted: Thu Mar 06, 2008 7:43 pm Post subject:

The Thirteenth Tale – a rare 10/10.

Excellent book that didn’t revel its secrets easily. So much as already been said about this book so I can’t add much but if you haven’t already done so I would recommend you ready it!

The Carhullan Army – Sarah Hall 9/10.

This is a story of unofficial women living on a remote farm in Cumbria in a futuristic England where floods and war have devastated England and it is no run by The Authority.

It is a book that could provoke a lot of discussion on the role of women and men. How would you behave in a society where rape and over ‘minor’ crimes went unpunished and were the Authorities Monitors had the right to stop you anywhere and ‘check’ that your compulsory birth control was still in place. Your house has been ‘quartered’ and your neighbours live with you and you had to work long hours in factories etc. Life as an ‘official’ was tough but life on the farm was tougher. It would be interesting to hear a man’s view on the book.

Don’t usually read futuristic books but this is about girl power and Cumbria so had to read it.
You can read about the book in an interview given to the Telegraph.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/arts/m...07/12/01/bohall101.xml&page=1

The Book of Illusions – Paul Auster 7/10

This is my 1001 read for this month. The story was alright but sometimes it felt as though I was reading an autobiography of a unknown silent movie star and at other times the entire scripts for a number of films. Strange book but quite interesting most of the time.

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