Challenge: 50 Books discussion
2010
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Bookhookering of 2010
It may be a declining pattern, but 57 books still quite good, I think!Good luck!
Thanks Deni, I should be grateful to have the time to read 57 books. Goodluck for your reading this year!
1. Zeitoun By Dave Eggers5th January 2010
My rating, is a rating of the book not of the man, or his experience & that of his Wife & family. My heart aches for them and what they and thousands of others endured, certainly things that I could never imagine, even though the events of Hurricane Katrina & it's aftermath are a lot more vivid now after reading this. I found the writing almost sarcastic in it's simplicity to begin with, like Eggers was purposely trying to dumb it down with his language & description. The last probably 2/3rds was much better but very disjointed & tended to leap frog, missing detail & at times what I would have thought whole big chunks of a basic telling. Certainly not sorry to have read it, but it was just an okay read for me.
3 Stars*** (2 1/2 Stars would be a more accurate score if I could have given it).
2. In the Time of the Butterflies By Julia Alverez10th January 2010
Alveraz has succeeded perfectly in my opinion in blended the voice of the four Mirabal Sisters into one book. This non fiction/fiction telling of the girls part in the uprising against the Trujillo dictatorship of the Dominican Republic up to and around the 25th of November 1960 is hauntingly beautiful. It details gently the way each of the girls came to their involvement as revolutionaries against a Murderous rule, their punishment & the consequences to their immediate family, extended family, associates, friends & countrymen because of the choices they made.
Will certainly be trying Alverez again in the future.
5Stars*****
3. Coming Through Slaughter By Michael Ondaatje17th January 2010
Coming Through Slaughter is the fictionalised account of legendary jazz pioneer Buddy Bolden. This tales telling takes many forms, part interview, part narrative, diary, personal files & poetry. It paints a unique picture of New Orleans & the musical era at the turn of the last century (1900) & presents us with the beginning of the blues 'devil' music crossed with gospel or hymns 'angel' music. I don't know if this is the usual style of writing for Ondaatje but it certainly was a successful one in this case for me. The character Ondaatje created or recreated in Buddy Bolden was thoroughly convincing. A totally absorbing read.
4Stars****+ (4 1/2 Stars).
All the best with your reading this year Amina.
4.Scarpetta By Patricia Cornwell29th January 2010
Awful! if it wasn't for the last 10th of the book, it would have been a complete disaster in my opinion. Love Cornwell's earlier books in this series, but of late, I have been far from impressed. Had only just purchased her latest before starting this (fingers crossed that her mojo is back for 'The Scarpetta Factor' or I'm only borrowing her from the library at best, from now on).
2Stars** (take away the last 30 pages and it only scores a 1*)
5. Sun on the Stubble By Colin Thiele4th February 2010
My husband has raved about this forever, & I can see why, as it's very endearing to our formative years. Lots of relatable stories & flashbacks a plenty were induced, (I thought of my Pop alot) very sweet in a Australian Tom Sawyer way.
3Stars***
6. Testimony By Anita Shreve13th February 2010
Sadly too predictable in my opinion, unfortunately the plot twists were like gentle curves that you could see a mile away. Wasn't all that fond of any part of the telling of what was bound to be ugly tale. The one central character that I remotely liked, will I'm sure, be the same character that anyone else reading it would like - that's a little sad in itself.
2Stars**
7.The Wasp Factory By Iain Banks28th February 2010
Started many books over the last couple of weeks but this was the only one I was able to finish. It has to be a compliment, which surprises me a little because it was neck deep in gore & gruesome of the human personality traits & activities. I can see why this created a stir when it was released it has some nasty stuff in there, loved the relationship between the two Brothers - thought it was the highlight of the book.
I read it tag team style with the chef at work (one break I'd be in front, next break he was 8 pages ahead). It was a nice change in approach to how I usually read at work - whoever finishes first gets to pick the next book we've decided - YAY - ME! The ending I didn't pick - I love That! Am certainly going to try one of his sci fi ones soon, but for this one -
4Stars****
8. Thirteen Reasons Why By Jay Asher10th March 2010
Loved the structure to the novel, have read a few other books set up like this one with stories within the story - it really appeals to me.
On the content - It should definitely be catagorised as a YA read I would think. It had a fine time ticking all the boxes for the obvious messages & generalisations about teenage pressure & angst I thought. And unfortunately on the big issue, I found it somewhat vague - you can't be vague about suicide. It started out well & then just peetered out.
2Stars.....just - because half stars aren't allowed, probably worth 2 1/2.
9. Push By Sapphire17th March 2010
One of the most, if not the most graphically horrendous interaction between human beings I've ever encountered, let alone those displayed by a parent to a Child. The terms used by the lead character 'Precious' are plain & simple to follow, how she was treated by both her parents are explained by a poorly educated young lady that yearns for more than the lot she's been given. Very cleverly written - the greater the education the more improved the literacy used within the book. And on top of that, Precious' voice has the ability to make you laugh even when the subject matter is beyond explanation or comprehension.
4Stars****
This is what I found on Wikipedia about Sapphire:Sapphire was born Ramona Lofton in Fort Ord, California.[1:] She was one of four children of an Army couple who moved all over the world. After a disagreement over where the family would live, the family parted ways, with Sapphire’s mother “kind of abandon[ing:] them”.[2:] Sapphire dropped out of high school, moved to San Francisco where she enrolled in City College of San Francisco, only to drop out and become a “hippie”.[3:] She attended City College of New York and obtained her master's degree at Brooklyn College. Sapphire held various jobs before starting her writing career, working as a performance artist, and a teacher of reading and writing. She wrote, performed and eventually published her poetry during the height of the Slam Poetry movement in New York. She took the name Sapphire because of its association at one time in American culture with the image of a "belligerent black woman" and because she could picture the name on a book cover more than her birth name.[4:]" Her first and (as of January 2010) only novel, Push, was unpublished before being discovered by the renowned feminist literary agent Charlotte Sheedy, whose interest created demand and eventually led to a bidding war. Sapphire submitted the first 100 pages of Push to a publisher auction in 1995 and the highest bidder offered her $500,000 to finish the novel. The book was published in 1996 by Vintage Publishing and has since sold hundreds of thousands of copies.[7:] Sapphire noted in an interview with William Powers that “she noticed Push for sale in one of the Penn Station bookstores, and that moment it struck her she’s no longer a creature of the tiny world of art magazines and homeless-shelters from which she came”.[2:] The novel brought Sapphire praise and much controversy for its graphic account of a young woman growing up in a cycle of incest and abuse.
A film based on her novel premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2009; it was renamed Precious to avoid confusion with the 2009 action film Push.[8:] Actors in it include Gabourey Sidibe, Mo'Nique, Mariah Carey, and Lenny Kravitz.[9:] Sapphire herself appears briefly in the film as a daycare worker.
I also clicked onto the link 'poetry slam'...quite interesting, a whole genre in itself.
Thankyou Carol for posting that - you've managed to answer several niggling questions I had about Sapphire & Push in that piece. It was certainly an added bonus of popping into this thread today. Cheers
10. The Day of the Triffids By John Wyndham2nd April 2010
Really had to take my time with this read, so was the depth of thought it encouraged. Was a wonderful example of a dystopian read, it gave many examples, within the story itself. Certainly a book that hasn't aged at all.
4Stars****
There was a movie by that name (Day of the Triffids), in fact I'm always amazed at how many of the movies that have been made have been from books.
I'm going to keep an eye out for that now Carol - thankyou, I did so enjoy reading it - I haven't read a lot of sci fi &/or distopian but I certainly enjoyed this. Cheers
11. Rules By Cynthia Lord4th April 2010
A young girls story about that awkward age & surviving it with an autistic Brother, who she is sure is out to destroy any inkling of that cool image she's trying so desperately to create.
This is a great story for children with a disabled sibling in the family - largely the market this is aimed at c/o the author's daughter asking the question - 'why is there no stories that talk about families like ours'? as well as showing great empathy for the siblings of children with handicaps & things they have to deal with day to day, It's a good story for parents of disabled & non disabled children as a gentle reminder that though they may consider their non special needs children low maintenance - that doesn't mean they should be left to a DIY childhood (I've been guilty of this myself from time to time). Loads of positive messages. I'm going to be giving this to my Children to read next. 4 Stars ****
Cam, your book and review reminds me of a particularly touching tv commercial that starts out with a little girl looking out the window, then running to the bathroom where she begins to cut her hair, of course haphazardly and raggedly. Switch to the front door and mom, dad and a boy with a cap on are coming in, you get the feeling that they're 'bringing him home'...and as he takes his cap off you notice that he is bald...and the light dawns that this little kid is dealing with cancer and it's treatment. The girl takes the boy's cap and disappears for awhile, and upon returning, with a big smile, his sister hands her brother his cap...with her hair in it. It is just so touching I want to cry every time I see it...
I think that's totally understandable that you want to howl everytime you see a commercial like that. There is nothing quite like a childs fixit solution to the big problems in our lives - sounds like a great ad Carol.
12. The Invention of Hugo Cabret By Brian Selznick10th April 2010
This was a library book that my Daughter had borrowed, that I picked up by accident - it peeked my interest by it's unusual format (reminded me a little of Shaun Tan), using both pure illustration and written form to tell the story of Hugo an apprentice timekeeper that must remain anonymous, hidden within the walls of a busy Paris train station. It is part graphic novel, part story & part historical fiction as it incorporates an early film pioneer & the very real invention of the automaton (interesting links - to the working of these machines at the back of the book). Even though it's over 500 pages long it's a very quick read as over 200 pages are illustrations. I really enjoyed it.
4 Stars****
13. Dark Places By Gillian Flynn1st May 2010
Gillian is quickly establishing herself to be a writer of unusual/strange story lines - there is something a little warped about that girl I'm sure. A little more predictable than her first but as a whole really enjoyable in a sick kind of way.
4Stars****(3 3/4 Stars if I could)
14. Worst Case: A Detective Michael Bennett Novel By James Patterson28th May 2010
Falling way behind with my 50, no wonder with books like this, read a page fall asleep, read a page fall asleep. Go back to writing your own books James, sometimes less really is more.
2Stars**
15. The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane By Kate DiCamillo31st May 2010
Another gorgeous Rabbit tale. I never seem to tire of them. Not dissimilar to The Velveteen Rabbit, like themes, although this takes them further and would suit an older audience.
4Stars****
16. Fahrenheit 451 By Ray Bradbury13th June 2010
Fabulous, the 50+ year old short novel by Ray Bradbury. Timeless, amazing how many things that in common use today, this man preempted so long ago. What would happen to us if there were no books. Or worse still once having know them, to have them taken away, to what end would we be willing to sacrifice to retain them? A few of the questions this book asks and answers. I thought it was wonderful.
5Stars*****
Wow. You have an excellent list so far. Some really choice books in there. I read Push a couple of months ago too. It was amazing. Great to discover there are still some good reads out there for us to discover. Fahrenheit 451 is a book I've got my eye on. I love dystopian fiction. Is it anything like 1984?
Zee, I haven't read 1984 so I can't compare, all I can say is that Ray Bradbury's vision of the future is extremely relivant to us today as far as technology is concerned, amazing feat considering the book is over 50 years old. If you love dystopian, this would be an excellent read for you I'd envisiage - you certainly won't be disapointed (if you can get a hold of it, I'd recommend the 50th anniversary edition which has an interview with Bradbury at the end of the book, it really is a bonus to the read itself).It's been a bit of a mixed bag read wise this year, 'Push' was gut wrenching, yet narrated so matter of fact. Loved how her diction, grammar & spelling improved as her level of education increased - very clever.
If you love distopian, another one I read this year and really enjoyed was. The Day of the Triffids By John Wyndham. I see your nearly up to 30 reads yourself - well done! I think I'm going to fall short of 50 this year, (If I counted audio I'd have it covered) but I'll still have fun trying. Love your profile photo - absolutely beautiful. Cheers Cam
Sorry to jump in on this, but thought I'd give my two cents worth! I didn't find 1984 and Fahrenheit to be that similar, besides the whole dystopian theme. I actually thought 1984 was much better than Fahrenheit but my husband felt the exact opposite, so it must come down to personal preference. Either way, I'd definitely recommend reading both books, as they're classics and both deal really well with the genre. If you haven't already, I'd also recommend Brave New World, as this is another classic along those lines and is probably a bit more similar to both of those books than either is to each other.
Don't be sorry, jump away. Thanks Heather, all of my face to face bookie friends have either read one or the other, so I had little or no idea other than them both as you said being catagorised as dystopian if they were at all alike. We do have a copy of both 1984 & Brave New World in the house somewhwere, 1984 is the all time fave book of a few of my friends - I really must hunt it down, thanks for the insight. Cheers C
Yeah, it's one of my all-time favourites, too. For a modern take on the dystopian novel, I'd highly recommend The Road, by Cormac McCarthy. EXCELLENT book!
*Zee adds The Road onto her list* 1984 and Brave New World are firm favs of mine. BNW is slightly more 'technological' whereas 1984 feels closer to the current age. Can't wait to read the McCarthy, thanks for the heads up Heather!
1984 is a lot more relevant to the post-Cold War world we live in today, and you can see that it would have been extremely apt for the times, when it was written. Excellent book! Hope you like The Road :)
I hope so too! This will be one for the 50 books a year list :)
17. One Day By David Nicholls2nd July 2010
Really enjoyed this, light easy read. Stories within the story. Dex & Em meet on their graduation day and the book revisits where they are in their lives in relation to each other & singulary that same day of the year over the next 20 years.
3Stars*** Officially, but worth a tad more 3 1/2.
18. We Need To Talk About Kevin By Lionel Shriver12th August 2010
Found this quite hard going generally - which is no surprise due to the subject matter, but even more so during the first 100 pages or so due to the abstract vocab she chose to use for the narrator's voice the lead character Eva, the Mother of the infamous teenager/teen murderer, Kevin. Once I got beyond the show off language, I was completely sucked into Eva's brutal portrayal of parenthood to a child that is impossible to define. For a story that was all but spelled out on the cover, it reads surprisingly like a thriller, really well done - fantastic group read as you either love the characters or hate them, but you'll find it exceedingly hard not to talk about Kevin. 4 & a bit Stars ****+
19.Orange Crush By Tim Dorsey8th September 2010
Serge A Storms is back - the most unusual and strangely likable serial killer. This time with a whole new cast of whacky & unscrutable non politically correct characters vying for a leading role in government in the Sunshine State. As usual there is no time to pause reflect and discuss as the charcters set a rip roaring pace & will leave you behind if you ever are foolish enough to think that it's that kind of book. Fun fun fun funny.
4 Stars ****(Florida Roadkill is still my fave but this has very similar layering, well done again Mr Dorsey!)
20. Tomorrow, When the War Began By John Marsden11th September 2010
Teenage Fiction at it's best, very suspenseful, drags you straight in & leaves you wanting more (6 more in fact). A group of Australian teenagers go on a camping trip & while away the country gets invaded and taken over by unknown powers.
4 Stars+**** (Can't wait to start the next)
21. The Dead Of Night By John Marsden15th September 2010
The second book in the above 'Tomorrow' series. And at the very least as good as the first. Every little bit as exciting & suspenseful. Loved it.
4 Stars****+ (having a brief break, but will return for No3 shortly)
22. The Lock Artist By Steve Hamilton20th September 2010
Michael after a extremely traumatic childhood event no longer makes a vocal sound. He finds himself mesmerised by the workings of locks & falls helplessly in love with the art of undoing them by unconvensional means - this talent attracts persons of not the highest of moral standing & so begins a wonderfully woven tale. Not your run of the mill thriller, highly original, had me completely enthralled. Will be seeking out Steve Hamilton more in the future.
4 Stars****easy
23. A Killing Frost By John Marsden24th September 2010
Third installment down & the momentum continues. Hard pressed to think of a series that can maintain that intensity throughout like this one does. Will be moving onto No 4 shortly. Am a huge fan.
4 Stars****
24. Room: A Novel By Emma Donoghue28th September 2010
Wasn't what I expected, which is probably my own fault as I assumed that this would be a psychological thriller - it's not. It's a psychology case study more so, if your interest lies in child psychology / post traumatic stress disorders - you are go ...more Wasn't what I expected, which is probably my own fault as I assumed that this would be a psychological thriller - it's not. It's a psychology case study more so, if your interest lies in child psychology / post traumatic stress disorders - you are going to love this!!! If your after an edge of your seat ride of your life read - PUT THIS BOOK DOWN NOW. Brilliant concept for a ripping good story & don't get me wrong, Emma does a great job in selling the package of a five yr old boy growing up in a room 11ft x 11ft with only his Mother for company & the wider ramifications of that special circumstance. But ultimately I thought I'd need big hunks of brave & a sick bucket to read this - neither had a whisper of a look in (which is perhaps a good thing as my brave doesn't come from within & sick buckets aren't particularly nice reading companions).
With all of the narration basically being done by the 5 year old, many of my perceived harder elements of the book were not touched upon, and those that were mentioned, detail remains light. I think it appeals to a far larger audience than it first appears, but not to the die hard thriller lover. Really clever & 'Jack' is very well researched & verbalised, just a little misleading with it's overall form.
3 Stars***
25. Darkness, Be My Friend By John Marsden1st October 2010
Ellie & her friend start up where they left off in the last installment. Just as exciting & intense as the previous 3. Love this series!!!!!!
4 Stars****
26. Cold Comfort Farm By Stella Gibbons7th October 2010
Without question, my favourite read of the year. Caught myself laughing out loud too many times to mention. This is charming & cute & clever & brilliant & I can't believe I've had it sitting on my shelf for close to 6 months - it's radiance should have burnt the house down. Just lovely, do read it!!!!!!!!
5 Stars*****
Cam, read Lobstergirl's review at the review link.
Cam wrote: "26. Cold Comfort Farm By Stella Gibbons
7th October 2010
Without question, my favourite read of the year. Caught myself laughing out loud too many times to mention. This is charmin..."
Ok this has been on my TBR list forever. I stumbled across the movie years ago and it is one of my favorites!! Glad to see that the book was just as good.
7th October 2010
Without question, my favourite read of the year. Caught myself laughing out loud too many times to mention. This is charmin..."
Ok this has been on my TBR list forever. I stumbled across the movie years ago and it is one of my favorites!! Glad to see that the book was just as good.
Carol wrote: "Cam, read Lobstergirl's review at the review link."Hi Carol, I had actually read Lobstergirl's review before I started this, & I had many other feelings about the book that were making me drag my feet prior. But a friends recommendation (thankyou) had put it on my shelf in the first place & I am so delighted that I had it for a group read for this month or it most definitely would still be sitting there. I think it's safe to say that my reading of Cold Comfort Farm, was far more enjoyable than LG's
Lindsey wrote: "Cam wrote: "26. Cold Comfort Farm By Stella Gibbons7th October 2010
Without question, my favourite read of the year. Caught myself laughing out loud too many times to mention. This ..."
Lindsey, I am going to keep an eye out for the movie now, thankyou. Hope you enjoy the book as much as the film when you get round to reading it.
27. 28: Stories of AIDS in Africa By Stephanie Nolen12th October 2010
If 'Cold Comfort Farm' was my favourite read of the year, this has to be the best read I've had all year. Stephanie Nolen gives us 28 short biographies of individuals in Africa that are living in some way with the AIDS pandemic. 28 represents the approx x million people currently infected with the virus in Africa.
This is a fantastically well done book, I have nothing to compare it to but I doubt whether it has a rival for the comprehensiveness of the coverage of AIDS/HIV history and developement within the continent. It leaves no demographic voiceless, from Aids orphans to the Grandparents now childless but find themselves raising the next generation alone x 30. Health professionals, some living with AIDS & some giving their lives to the fighting of it, miners, longhaul transport drivers, sexworkers, Mothers, Fathers, Wives, Husbands, Daughters, Sons, Doctors, Nurses, Researchers, Activists & Politicians are all represented in this wonderful work. IT IS unbelievably hearbreaking but undeniably bouyant with it's many many tales of courage. 5 Stars*****
28. Chalk Circle Man By Fred vargas19th October 2010
I welcome Jean-Baptiste Adamsberg into my life - The new COMMISSAIRE of the 5th arrondissement police headquarters of Paris & the quirkie character that he is (he is not alone in his quirk!!!!). Charming in every way. Fortunately for me it doesn't end here, that's right theres more. 4 more with a fifth on the way. Thanks to Bria for sharing Fred with me, I liked her a lot!
4Stars****(very fun stars in a murderous kind of way).
Challenge: 50 Books
Books mentioned in this topic
Helicopter Man (other topics)Helicopter Man (other topics)
The Road (other topics)
The Road (other topics)
Pretty Little Things (other topics)
More...
2006 = 80
2007 = 68
2008 = 60
2009 = 57
2010 = 37 (ongoing total)
1. Zeitoun By Dave Eggers
2. In the Time of the Butterflies By Julia Alverez
3. Coming Through Slaughter By Michael Ondaatje
4. Scarpetta By Patricia Cornwell
5. Sun on the Stubble By Colin Thiele
6. Testimony By Anita Shreve
7. The Wasp Factory By Iain Banks
8. Thirteen Reasons Why By Jay Asher
9. Push By Sapphire
10.The Day of the Triffids By John Wyndham
11. Rules By Cynthia Lord
12. The Invention of Hugo Cabret By Brian Selznick
13. Dark Places By Gillian Flynn
14. Worst Case: A Detective Michael Bennett Novel By James Patterson
15. The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane By Kate DiCamillo
16. Fahrenheit 451 By Ray Bradbury
17. One Day By David Nicholls
18. We Need To Talk About Kevin By Lionel Shriver
19. Orange Crush By Tim Dorsey
20. Tomorrow, When the War Began By John Marden
21. The Dead Of Night By John Marsden
22. The Lock Artist By Steve Hamilton
23. A Killing Frost By John Marsden
24. Room: A Novel By Emma Donoghue
25. Darkness, Be My Friend By John Marsden
26. Cold Comfort Farm By Stella Gibbons
27. 28: Stories of AIDS in Africa By Stephanie Nolen
28. Chalk Circle Man By Fred Vargas
29. The Diving Bell and the Butterfly (MTI) By Jean-Doninique Bauby
30. Picking Cotton By Jennifer Thompson-Cannino
31. Burning For Revenge By John Marsden
32. If I Should Die Before I Wake By Han Nolan
33. White Oleander By Janet Fitch
34. The Night Is For Hunting By John Marsden
35. Pretty Little Things By Jilliane Hoffman
36. The Road By Cormac McCarthy
37. Helicopter Man By Elizabeth Fensham