Reading with Style discussion
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WI 11-12 Completed Tasks
Liz M wrote: "Christin wrote: "10.3 Home For The Holidays (NYC)The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan - 740L
+15 Combo (10.9, 20.2 - NYC/LA/Las Vegas, 20.3) ..."
For 20.2 the book mu..."
Ah, gotcha! I'll go back and change that then ^_^
Christin wrote: "10.3 Home For The Holidays (NYC)The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan - 740L
+10 Task
+10 Review
+15 Combo (10.9, 20.2 - NYC/LA/Las Vegas, 20.3)..."
Oh dear, there is some location confusion for this book. For 10.3 the book should be set entirely in the chosen location and for 20.2 the book should be set in two different countries. So, unfortunately this book does not qualify for either of those tasks.
Please let me know if you want to move it to task 10.9 or task 20.3.
ETA: And you're too fast for me -- noticed my post before I finished correcting myself in a new post!
Task 10.5 Under-rated The Provoked Wife by John Vanbrugh
Considered one of the most morally dubious plays of the long eighteenth century (1660-1837), The Provoked Wife is a bawdy, fun read. For an eighteenth-century play, it is incredibly easy to understand, and is full of intrigue. While problematic, as many eighteenth-century plays are, in its portrayal of the French, it has dynamic characters and a marriage-driven plot (also usual for the eighteenth-century. With the slapstick comedy and witty dialogue (not to mention the fun in Spring Garden), I think it is an entertaining read. Restoration comedies are among the most fun to read (sometimes), and I think this is a good example of such a play.
+10 Task (10 ratings)
+10 Review
+20 Oldie (pub 1697)
Task Total = 40
Grand total = 260
Liz M wrote: "Christin wrote: "10.3 Home For The Holidays (NYC)The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan - 740L
+10 Task
+10 Review
+15 Combo (10.9, 20.2 - NYC/LA/Las Vegas, 20.3)..."
O..."
Oh dear, I'm making errors all over the place! I went back and fixed it so that it's now for the 20.3 challenge with only the combo with 10.9. Thanks! ^_^
Christin wrote: "Oh dear, I'm making errors all over the place! I went back and fixed it so that it's now for the 20.3 challenge with only the combo with 10.9. Thanks!...">grin< No worries! There's lots of details/nuances and it's hard to remember them all.
Christmas in Vegas15.7 The Country of the Blind and Other Selected Stories by H.G. Wells, 464 pages, pub.1904
V-W-X-Y-Z, 461-500, 1892-1904
55 points
15.8 William - An Englishman by Cicely Hamilton, 226 pages, pub.1919
G-H, 221-260, 1917-1928
65 points
Points this post = 120
Grand Total = 1725
RwS Tasks10.6 – The Uncommon Letter
Earth-Shattering Poems by Liz Rosenberg no lexile
+10 Task
Task Total: 10
20.7 – Elizabeth (Alaska)’s Task – Baby it’s cold outside
Canada:
Selected Poems: 1965-1975 by Margaret Atwood
Reading Margaret Atwood’s Selected Poems was an excellent reading experience. I didn’t really get poetry when I was a younger reader. I got too caught up in the rhythms and the rhymes to understand how to read through the line breaks and experience the meanings behind the words. Now I am entranced by the form and the deeper meanings that can be evoked in a sparse number of words. I have long loved Margaret Atwood’s prose, in fact Cat’s Eye was the book that turned me into a mature reader, so discovering her wonderful poetry is icing on the cake for me as a reader. I plan to seek out her second book of collected poetry soon. Highly Recommended!
+20 Task
+10 Review
+10 Combo: 10.9 11 in 11 Atwood’s Book 11 / Combo: 10.5 Underrated (473)
+ 5 Oldies: 1976
Task Total: 45
20.10 – Sam’s Task – Play the numbers
2011:
The Day Before by Lisa Schroeder low lexile (560)
+20 Task
Task Total: 20
Points this Post: 75
Grand Total: 1905
10.5 UnderratedHarry Potter's Bookshelf: The Great Books behind the Hogwarts Adventures by John Granger
This was a very interesting book that explore different books and writing styles that have affected J. K Rowlings work. Granger deals less with specific books that he does with literature styles (gothic, Christian fantasy, alchemical writing). As I am currently rereading the series, this book gives lots of things to think about and new angles to consider. Some of the ideas he presents are deeply analytical and clearly take research, multiple readings and thought to find the similarities. I enjoy his light tone, his openness to comments and new ideas and his organization. I never would have reached these conclusions on my own but Granger's thoughts make a lot of sense. Also, he backs up his arguments really well with examples from the texts. Well written, interesting and definitely worth a read!
+10 task (119 ratings)
+10 review
Task Total: 20 points
20.8 Fictional Fiction
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling
This has always been probably my least favorite book but I found myself enjoying it more than usual this time around. I can't explain why I liked it less than the others, but maybe its because Voldermort is a less tangible character. Also I think in the other books that you see more of Harry's classes and lessons and I really enjoy those parts. Of course, I also highly dislike Lockhart (who doesn't) and having to put up with him for 250 pages is just a pain. It's funny when he comes back in Book 5 but I feel overwhelmed by him in this book. Alright, I get the point that he is an inane idiot, no need to try and pound it through my head. Side note: Kenneth Brannaugh is a wonderful actor. Now I am looking forward to Defense Against the Dark Arts with Lupin (one of my favorite characters).
+20 Task (includes Tom Riddle's Diary and Lockhart books)
+10 Review
Task Total: 30 points
Post Total: 50 points
Grand Total: 810 points
10.5 UnderratedThe Folded World by Amity Gaige
+10 Task (152 ratings)
10.7 What' Your Type
INFP
Deafening by Frances Itani
+10 Task (Author's initials: FI)
+20 Combo (10.5-653 ratings; 20.2-Canada-US-England-France; 20.4-historical; 20.7-Canada)
20.1 200th Anniversary
North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell
+20 Task (pub 1855)
+5 Combo (10.6-'z' in author's name)
+15 Oldies (1855)
Post Total: 80
Season Total: 1795
20.7 Baby, it's cold outside (yes, indeed!)The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
Review: Reading The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo is like breaking out in hives. It's really annoying, very uncomfortable, it makes you look bad, sometimes it hurts - on the plus side, you probably won't die from it.
It's quite possibly the most poorly written, appallingly bland and uninteresting mystery that ever left a publishing house, and standards for that aren't that high anyway. I don't get the hype - every paragraph was a mess of boring, unnecessary details and uninspired writing (he booted up his iBook with the 8GB hard disk while he made some coffee. He had sandwiches with that, which he prepared by slicing some bread... o, rly?), the characters are wooden cutouts which never develop, and subtext doesn't exist, because everything is spelled out.
The only good thing about having read this book is that I now know I don't have to bother with the other two.
Task: 20 (Swedish author)
Review: +10
Combo: +15 (20.2 Sweden/Australia/Switzerland; 20.3 Exceeded Expectations #9; 20.8 protagonist writes book)
LiT: +10
Jumbo: +5 (500+ pages)
Total: 60
Grand Total: 495
10.7 What's Your Type-EJ -"Full House" by Janet Evanovich.Task +10
Style + 10 (Review)
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
Total: 20
Grand Total: 510
Don wrote: "Task 10.1 Square PegBlood and Thunder: An Epic of the American West by Hampton Sides, 2006, 460 pgs, 1454 ratings.
+10 10.1 Square Peg
Total +10
Grand Total +320"
This doesn't fit Square Peg because Hampton Sides is from the US, which means it would fit 20.7, the Arctic Circle task. It might also fit 20.2 Tale of Two Cities if it describes events in both Mexico and the United States.
15.1 CiV #1
Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman
P-Q-R; 381-420; 1989-2000
+15 task
20.4 A Christmas Carol
All Clear by Connie Willis(takes place during WWII)
All Clear, listed as Blackout #2, is really the second half of a large novel published in two pieces--Blackout and All Clear. Each of these was over 500 pages on its own. I’m a fan of Connie Willis, but even so, this was a big project for me. I listened to it in audiobook form and each book included introductions from the author.
The story centers around 3 time travelers who are trapped in London during WWII. There is quite a bit of spinning around in the lengthy middle section of this story. People just miss each other or are short one critical bit of information or can’t quite wrap their minds around a particular idea coming back to it repeatedly. Over and over.
But, I love Willis’s characters even in a repeating loop of missed connections. She is clearly of the philosophy that people are inherently good. Her books are largely populated by people with good hearts trying to do the right thing and performing feats of unexpected bravery and love. Its probably because I don’t quite have her optimism that I find her books enchanting. This was no different in that respect. Her goal was to tell the stories of some of the every day people living in London during WWII and their stories are really good. There even camio appearances by famous people such as General Patton and Agatha Christie.
I also like that her books have children and old people them. I feel like its somewhat rare to see them in books, movies, tv that aren’t specifically about kids, parenting or aging. In Willis books, they are part of the world. And, just like real life, they don’t fade into the background when the action starts and even the naughty children deserve love.
+20 Task
+10 review
+5 jumbo (643 pages)
+5 Combo 20.10 (pub. 2010)
post total= 55
grand total= 585
Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman
P-Q-R; 381-420; 1989-2000
+15 task
20.4 A Christmas Carol
All Clear by Connie Willis(takes place during WWII)
All Clear, listed as Blackout #2, is really the second half of a large novel published in two pieces--Blackout and All Clear. Each of these was over 500 pages on its own. I’m a fan of Connie Willis, but even so, this was a big project for me. I listened to it in audiobook form and each book included introductions from the author.
The story centers around 3 time travelers who are trapped in London during WWII. There is quite a bit of spinning around in the lengthy middle section of this story. People just miss each other or are short one critical bit of information or can’t quite wrap their minds around a particular idea coming back to it repeatedly. Over and over.
But, I love Willis’s characters even in a repeating loop of missed connections. She is clearly of the philosophy that people are inherently good. Her books are largely populated by people with good hearts trying to do the right thing and performing feats of unexpected bravery and love. Its probably because I don’t quite have her optimism that I find her books enchanting. This was no different in that respect. Her goal was to tell the stories of some of the every day people living in London during WWII and their stories are really good. There even camio appearances by famous people such as General Patton and Agatha Christie.
I also like that her books have children and old people them. I feel like its somewhat rare to see them in books, movies, tv that aren’t specifically about kids, parenting or aging. In Willis books, they are part of the world. And, just like real life, they don’t fade into the background when the action starts and even the naughty children deserve love.
+20 Task
+10 review
+5 jumbo (643 pages)
+5 Combo 20.10 (pub. 2010)
post total= 55
grand total= 585
Task 20.8: Fictional FictionI read The Hawk and the Deer by Sue Clifton
REVEIW:
I read this book because it was written by a friend of mine, Dr. Sue Clifton. I'm so glad I read this--it was so good! A classic romance of boy meets girl, they fall in love, fate separates them, they reunite, and live happily ever after. (Which is very much like my true-life love story.) However, it's so much more. The writing is engaging and the story flows along easily. There are great descriptions of the scenery, yet they aren't so minute in detail that they bored me. The characters are human and likeable. They make mistakes and I like that they don't do the predictable all the time. There are some twists at the end and this made for a page turner. I even shed a few tears....so unlike me. Read it!
+20:task (references the fictional work The Half-breed and The Lady)
+5: combo with 10.5 underrated
+10: review
+35: task total
RwS TOTAL: 300
20.9 Heaven, Texas by Susan Elizabeth Phillips+20 pts - Task
+15 pts - Combo (10.3-ENFP, 10.6 - Texas is my home state, 10.6-Z in Elizbeth)
+10 pts - Review
Howdy Y’all! I’m pounding on these little buttons here to tell you all I reckon there are a heap of clichés in this here book. For instance, the scribbler must ‘a thought that us folks down here in ole Texas all talk like this all the time. That little lady writer thinks all us folks got beehive hair and double names like Bobby Tom, Terry Jo, Jimbo, and such like.
There is also the old tried and true Cinderella story as I said in my review of Naked in Death. Poor working girl meets very rich, very sexy, very lovable boy. After a little doing they hit it off and this case they ride a in ’57 Thunderbird into the sunset.
But again we like these type of stories. They’re very popular and although Phillips did a lot of stereotyping, it is still a sweet story but I swear I don’t know a single woman here with beehive hair and although I do boot-scoot we don’t all own multiple pairs of boots in rainbow colors. Of course she was right about football being a religion in Texas, and at least she made us all friendly, salt of the earth kinda folks! Still it’s cute and a fun read, with some great steamy scenes to make us blush. 3.5 stars
45 pts - Task Total
1195 pts - Grand Total
Task 15.8 – Christmas in Vegas1977-1988 L-M 341-380/741-780
8th book claimed – 65 points
Sung in Shadow (1983) by Tanith Lee (Paperback, 352 pages)
Quick review: Dark-hued fantasy closely based on Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet and told with Tanith Lee’s knife-sharp descriptions. The fantastical elements were present but relatively a minor part of the story.
Task Total: +65
Task 20.6 - In honor of Bleak House, read a book about courts, the legal system, or a book in which a lawyer or judge is the primary character.
Bleak House (1853) by Charles Dickens (Paperback, 1037 pages)
Review: Bleak House was originally published in serial mode - meaning it came out in monthly installments. It ran from March 1852 through September 1853. What I did was read the novel an installment at a time. I recommend reading the novel in this way. The novel has an overarching plotline – a case of disputed and conflicting wills called Jarndyce vs Jarndyce – with numerous digressions and sub-plots. There is melodrama, humor, social commentary, and a mystery (including what the internet says is the first fictional detective!). I found the notes in my edition helpful as Dickens makes several references to things and people known well to his original readers (and not at all to me). Recommended --- especially if the reader reads the novel in the original installment chunks.
+20 Task (20.6)
+10 Combo (20.1 Dickens Lifetime, 20.3 Great Expectations (#94 on exceeded expectations list on 02-10-12) )
+10 Review
+ 15 Style: 4. Oldies (5 to 25 points): -151 to 250 years old: 15 points (1761-1860)
+ 25 Style: 5. Jumbo (5 to 25 points): -1000+ Pages: 25 Points
Task Total = 20 + 10 + 10 + 15 + 25 = 80
Task 20.10 - Sam’s Task - Play the numbers “1” and ”2”
Entry to Elsewhen (1972) by John Brunner
Note: "All three stories have been completely revised by the author for the present book."
Review: Brunner took three of his novelettes originally published in science fiction magazines in the 1950s, revised them, and published them in this book. The three stories are completely separate and distinct from each other. One unifying theme was that of psychiatry as an exact science (!)
Host Age • (1956) • novelette
Our hero-physician treats victims of a new Plague, in between searching for a cure.
Lungfish • (1957) • novelette
A Generation Ship originating from Earth nears its destination. The plan: a new colony! The complication: inter-generational tension between the older “Earthborn” and the younger “Tripborn”.
No Other Gods But Me • (1956) • novelette
Adventure tale featuring the fifth dimension. I think the cover of a green humoniod shooting laser beams from his eyes was inspired by this story.
Overall: I enjoyed “Host Age”; the other two were OK “Golden Age” sci-fi. Recommended for Golden Age Science Fiction Aficionados.
+20 Task
+10 Combo (10.5 Underrated, 20.4 the Future)
+ 10 Style: 2. Review (10 points):
+ 05 Style: 4. Oldies (5 to 25 points): -25 to 75 years old: 5 points (1936-1986)
Task Total: 20 + 10 + 10 + 05 = 45
Grand Total: 1110 + 65 + 80 + 45 = 1300
15.7 CiVThe Outsiders by S.E. Hinton 218 pages, pub. 1967.
G-H; 181-220/581-620; 1965-1976
Task Total = 55
Grand Total = 905
20.4 In Honor of A Christmas CarolI Am Half-Sick of Shadows by Alan Bradley
I cannot stress how much I love the Flavia de Luce novels. They are so well written and charming that I cannot wait to see what Bradley comes out with next. Flavia is a mature and verbose 11 year old, completely relatable and highly entertaining. I found that it took a while to get to the "mystery" part of this book... there was quite a lot of set up, but it carried well and I didn't mind. I hope we/she will find out more about Harriet and that the conflict between her and her sisters will be fully exposed and resolved. After reading Sayer's "Whose Body", I see quite a lot of Lord Peter Wimsey in Flavia's character, and the same style, setting and set-up as the novel.
4.5 stars!
+20 Task (set in 1950, printed in 2011)
+5 Combo 20.7 Canadian Author
+5 Combo 20.10 published 2011
+10 Review
Task Total: 40 points
Grand Total: 850 points
10.5 UnderratedBasic Instructions for the Shy Disciple by John R. Sisemore
+10 Task (I was the first to rate this book)
20.2 In Honor of a Tale of Two Cities
Gulliver's Travels by Jonathan Swift
+20 Task (England, the Netherlands, Japan)
+10 Combo (20.3-#86 on Exceeded Expectations List; 20.10-1726)
+20 Oldies (1726)
20.3 Beloved or Despised
Animal Farm by George Orwell
+20 Task (#12 on Root Canal list and #163 on Exceeded Expectations list)
+5 Oldies (1946)
20.10 Play the Numbers
The Surgeon by Tess Gerritsen
+20 Task (pub 2001)
+5 Combo (10.9-first in a series by an author with more than 11 books)
Post Total: 110
Season Total: 1905
15.2 Christmas in VegasCat's Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut
V-W-X-Y-Z - 1953-1964 (1963) - 301-340/701-740 (320 pages)
Task Total = 20
15.3 Christmas in Vegas
Wonderboys by Michael Chabon
C-D - 141-180/541-580 (551 pages) - 1989-2000 (1995)
Task Total = 25
20.8 - Liz M’s Task - Fictional fiction
Task Total = 10One of Our Thursdays Is Missing by Jasper Fforde
+ 20 Task
+ 5 Combo : 20.10 (2011)
Task Total = 25
20.10 - Sam’s Task - Play the numbers
Started Early, Took My Dog by Kate Atkinson (published in 2010)
+ 20 Task
Task Total = 25
10.1 - Square Peg
Hercule Poirot's Christmas by Agatha Christie
+ 10 Task
+5 Oldies (1938)
Task Total = 15
Post Total = 110
Grand Total = 245
CIV 15.4I read The Marvelous Land of Oz by L. Frank Baum, 192 pgs, pub 1904
A-B, 181-220/581-620, 1892-1904
+30 Task Points
Task Total = 30
Grand Total = 280
20.8 References to a fictional bookI read One of Our Thursdays Is Missing by Jasper Fforde
+20 Task
+5 Combo (20.10- pub 2011)
Task Total = 25
20.10 Sam’s Task - Play the numbers
I read The Best of Me by Nicholas Sparks
Review:
I am a huge Nicholas Sparks fan who has read all of his novels more than once. I would highly recommand The Best of Me to anyone who has enjoyed a Sparks book in the past. Some of his are hit and miss but this one is dead on.
The story follows a group of individuals who's lives are intertwined in an unusual way. The main characters are two former high school sweethearts who have not seen each other in 20 years who are brought together by an old friend. The story goes back and forth between current day and memories of the past. It shows the struggles people go through as they grow into adults and the pain that they can experience along the way.
I wanted to give this novel 4 1/2 stars but as that is not possible I down graded it to 4 stars. The novel had everything you can expect from a Sparks novel and as per usual I was crying by the end of it. But there was just something too expected which is why I didn't give it 5 stars. I can't wait for his next novel to come out!
+20 Task
+10 Review
Task Total = 30
20.10 Sam’s Task - Play the numbers
I read Damned by Chuck Palahniuk
Review:
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this novel. I stopped reading Chuck Palahniuk after reading the first chapter of Pygmy. (I just didn't understand that one at all) I thought I would read this one based upon the cover and man! I'm I glad that I picked it up.
For those who have read Judy Blume's 'Are you there god? It's me Margaret' you will appreciate the point of view that Palahniuk has used to write the story of Madison Spencer; a 13 year old girl who has woken up one day in a jail cell in hell and starts to write to Satan.
I mean seriously! How did he come up with this as a subject? It made me laugh, made me shake my head and all in all just made me enjoy the hours that I spent reading it.
I would not recommend this novel to everyone but if you like Palahniuk's sense of humour and you are in the mood for a new outlook on the afterlife; I say give it a go. And remember not to take life so seriously :-)
+20 Task
+10 Review
Task Points = 30
Grand Total = 365
RwS Tasks:20.2 – In honor of A Tale of Two Cities:
Mexico and the US
Under the Mesquite by Guadalupe Garcia McCall
Low Lexile
+20 Task
Task total: 20
20.4 – In honor of A Christmas Carol:
25 years + in the future(the year is 126 TE, 126 years after WWIV and from p 43 “Lunars were a society that had evolved from an Earthen moon colony centuries ago”)
Cinder by Marissa Meyer
790 Lexile
In Cinder, Marissa Meyer achieves a retelling of Cinderella that is recognizable, but completely fresh and new. The year is 126 T E and it is now 126 years after WWIV. The moon is occupied by Lunars and those on Earth are known as Earthens. Cinder is a cyborg and a mechanic in New Bejing. History has repeated itself and the few Lunars who have escaped to Earth have brought with them a terrible plague and many Earthens, including the Emperor, are dying. The story revolves around the efforts of the Earthens to find a cure for the disease and the need for an alliance between the two factions involving a potential arranged marriage for Prince Kai and the Lunar Queen. Prince Kai brings his android to Cinder for repair and the fun begins! The writing itself is excellent as well. I am going to have a hard time waiting for book two of The Lunar Chronicles, Scarlet.
+20 Task
+10 Review
+ 5 Combo: Combo: 20.10 Play the Numbers (2012)
Task Total: 35
20.10 – Sam’s Task – Play the numbers
2011
Rip Tide by Kat Falls
780 Lexile
The underwater society introduced in Dark Life continues to fight to survive in Rip Tide by Kat Falls. Gemma and Ty are in search of Ty’s parents because the whole township has disappeared. They have to team up with some dangerous underworld gang members and fight dangerous and aggressive sharks and alligators if they hope to find and rescue their family and neighbors. Along with these challenges, they must control and use their “dark gifts” and not let those very gifts have power over them. Rip Tide is an enjoyable addition to the Dark Life series. Kat Falls keeps the reader engaged with strong characters and lots of adventure!
+20 Task
+10 Review
+ 5 Combo: 10.5 Underrated (297)
Task Total: 35
Points this Post: 90
Grand Total: 1995
10.2 CountdownThe Boy with the Cuckoo-Clock Heart by Mathias Malzieu
I understand the frequent comparisons to Tim Burton's work. The book has a similar combination of dark strange characters and sweet storyline. I found the central romance of the book lacking in either interest or novelty, but the supporting cast was sufficiently strange and compelling to keep me interested, particularly since the book is quite short. The reader for the unabridged audio did a nice job of depicting the dark fairy tale feel of the book but could have done more to give the different characters more unique voices. Overall, I'd recommend the book only to particular fans of the genre, not to general interest readers.
+10 Task
+10 Review
+10 Translation (from French)
+15 Combo (20.2 [Scotland/France/Spain], 20.4 [set in 1874]; 10.6 [z in author's name])
Task total: 45
10.10 Group Reads
Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
Extremely entertaining trip through computer and video game history as well as some classic science fiction. The plot was fairly mundane, but the picture of a future reality where everyone spent a great deal of time logged into a Second Life like virtual reality was fun and sufficiently detailed to carry the novel. The reader for the unabridged audiobook did an excellent job narrating the story, handling the detailed descriptions of video game play, and recitations of the scoreboard in ways that kept the story moving and fun to listen to. Highly recommended for anyone with any interest in video games or science fiction.
+10 Task
+10 Review
+20 Combo (20.2 [US/Japan/Canada], 20.4 [set in 2044], 20.8 [fake almanac referenced throughout], 20.10 [published 2011])
Task total: 40
Grand total: 680
CiV 15.4I-J-K/221-260/621-660/1989-2000
Cod: A Biography of the Fish that Changed the World by Mark Kurlansky, 233 pages [not including appendix, notes, etc.], published 1997
Task total: 30
Grand total: 710
20.10 - Sam’s Task - Play the numbersFly Away Peter by David Malouf
Published in 1982
+20 Task
+15 Combo (20.4 - set in WWI; 20.2 - in Australia then some European countries for the war bits; 10.5 - 236 ratings)
+5 Oldies (1982)
20.7 - Elizabeth (Alaska)’s Task - Baby it's cold outside
Message in a Bottle by Nicholas Sparks
Set in United States
The first word I thought to describe this book was: gooey... yup, gooey, not gushy or mushy BUT gooey. Absolute romantic sweetness that can be a bit much when you're not a lover of chick lits.
This is the third Nicholas Sparks book I've read and he has not failed in squeezing those tears from my heart. Theresa Osborne found a message in a bottle which touched her inner being. In fact, it gotten to her so bad, she really had to meet this person. The rest, you'd have to read for yourself.
I knew that it was going to be a tissue-box-next-to-you kinda book and 20 pages shy of the last page, it just clicked and I knew something was happening. YET... I resisted the tears and was feeling pretty proud of myself until... I hit the last 5 pages... **sigh** what can I say *shame-faced*? I just can't help myself!
+20 Task
+10 Review
20.2 - In honor of A Tale of Two Cities
The Unlikely Spy by Daniel Silva
Mainly in the UK and Germany with a little bit in the beginning in US
Alfred Vicary was pulled in to serve the MI-5 at the beginning of WWII. Whilst most German spies have been routed out, there is a division which has buried their intelligence officers deep in Britain. It's been allocated to Vicary and his team to stop these spies sending out crucial information about the upcoming invasion. But he's only a professor of history...
The beginning of the book felt messy. There were a lot of characters being introduced and timeline was slightly back and forth within a few years. So, I quickly got confused however after a handful of chapters, the story settled down and the main characters are now on focus. Up to halfway, it was slightly slow but after halfway, it was suddenly Bam! Bam! Bam! Fast paced and action packed. I really liked this part of the book. Unfortunately, since I'm not up with the technicalities and lingos of espionages and was strategies, I was slightly lost. In any case, it didn't drag me down too much.
+20 Task
+10 Review
+10 Combo (20.4 - set in WWII & pub in 1995; 10.9 - Debut novel with total of 14 books published so far)
+10 Jumbo (736 pages)
20.10 - Sam’s Task - Play the numbers
Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah
Published 2010
So, I'm writing this review with slightly swollen eyes... Yes, I've shed lots of tears for this story - in fact, I came very close to sobbing out loud...
Just after the first chapter, I really wasn't sure if I was in the mood to read this type of story. A story, that is, guaranteed to be full of pain but hopefully with a hopeful conclusion. So, I looked around a bit more about what others say and one said, it gets better in the second half.
It did get better, a little bit sooner, I think. For me, I think it was because I was so invested in Meredith right from the beginning where she was experiencing emotional issues and wasn't able to work her way through it and when she started to open up, I was drawn into the story.
Meredith and Nina didn't feel or think their mother loves them at all. Their father though was the centre and glue of their family. The death of father and the promises he asked of the women on his deathbed brought them together to finally go on a journey to find themselves.
The story touches me a lot. Besides Meredith, I found Vera's (Meredith & Nina) story so sad because I keep imagining how I would be if I were in war and starved near to death. How would I treat others and most especially, what about my little one? This is the one question which always has haunt me even though I'm living in Australia in the 21st century! But I hope I can be as strong & courageous as Vera.
+20 Task
+10 Review
+5 Combo (20.2 - set in Russia & USA)
20.4 - In honor of A Christmas Carol
Galileo's Daughter by Dava Sobel
Published in 1999 & set in 17th century
+20 Task
20.1 - Charles Dickens was born on February 7, 1812.
Cranford by Elizabeth Gaskell
Published in 1851
Having read North and South and Mary Barton, I kind of expected the book to be in some sort of similar lines though less in volume & depth. Totally the wrong impression.
Cranford is a little English town where majority of residents are women. We, as the readers, are given a peek into Cranford from the point of view of Mary Smith, the narrator, who was once a resident of Cranford but no longer. Removed from the Cranford society, she is still a regular visitor of the town, being a good friend of many in town but in particular, the Jenkyns sisters. It is from Mary, we hear all about life in Cranford. Of new residents, deaths and marriages; of the dynamics in the society of the Cranford women, the cliques, and kindness & generosity of these women.
In a way, nothing much happened. It's all just normal life and yet, it was cleverly written & quite witty. I may have thought it to be a crack-up, if I was a contemporary of Gaskell but unfortunately, it's not a crack-up but I can still appreciate the wittiness.
+20 Task
+10 Review
+5 Combo (10.6 - Z in Elizabeth)
+15 Oldies
Total this post: 225 points
Total to date: 1,480 points
Struggling with my last 2 CiV books... procastinating...
CiV Task 15.10 Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh 351 pgs, pub 1945
V-W-X-Y-Z, 341-380 pgs, 1941-1952
+85 task
+100 - because it is done!
Task total 185
Total points 1095
V-W-X-Y-Z, 341-380 pgs, 1941-1952
+85 task
+100 - because it is done!
Task total 185
Total points 1095
Task 10.5 Underrated Death And The Dancing Footman by Ngaio Marsh (408 ratings)
+10 Task
+10 Combo (20.10 - pub 1942, 10.8 - #11 in the Roderick Allyn series)
+5 Oldie (pub 1942)
Task total 25
Total points 1120
+10 Task
+10 Combo (20.10 - pub 1942, 10.8 - #11 in the Roderick Allyn series)
+5 Oldie (pub 1942)
Task total 25
Total points 1120
nsfancy wrote: "CiV Task 15.10 Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh 351 pgs, pub 1945V-W-X-Y-Z, 341-380 pgs, 1941-1952
+85 task
+100 - because it is done!"
Congratulations! Whoopee! Good job! (And what a book to finish on - hope you liked it, it's one of my all time favorites.)
10.9 - Kate's task; 11 in '11Task B- the 1st book in a series of 11 or more books
Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris
A couple of my co-workers were discussing the TV show "True Blood" at lunch the other day. I've never been able to get into the show myself, the one episode I saw was very weird and made no sense out of context of the rest of the show so I never gave it much thought. "You HAVE to read the books!" I was told. "They are a million times better than the show." Ok, I thought. I was just about finished with the audiobook I was reading and Audible had a sale on the first book from any of a number of popular series. I figured for $4.95 I would give Sookie Stackhouse a shot. Man, do I wish I had skipped this book.
For starters, I found the protagonist vapid and annoying. I got the impression that Charlaine Harris wanted to present Sookie as a street-smart, sassy Southern gal (forgive the alliteration) but she came off primarily as stupid. The narrator's affected drawl didn't help matters. I was traveling in Georgia while reading this and NOBODY sounds like that!
Harris' writing style also irked me. I found her diction repetitive and her syntax juvenile. I think the phrase "I said, tartly..." was used about five times a chapter.
I found Bill, the love interest, less than intriguing, as were most of the characters. The few clever bits (such as Sam's antics later in the book and the character "Bubba") were not enough to redeem the lackluster plot and dull cast of characters. I am relieved that I spent less than 10 hours listening to this book because it was unfortunately, a waste of time. I know a lot of people love this series but I guess it's just not for me!
Task +10
Review +10
Combo +10 (20.10 - published 2001; 20.7 - American author)
Task Total = 30
Grand Total = 190
Carolyn wrote: "10.9 - Kate's task; 11 in '11Task B- the 1st book in a series of 11 or more books
Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris
A couple of my co-workers were discussing ..."
I've read the first 4? Books of the series and I definitely thought the first one was the poorest. They do improve as the series continues. But I find Sookie best in small doses.
Task 20.10 Play the NumbersRed Mist by Patricia Cornwell
Published in 2011
+ 20 task points
+ 5 points Jumbo (500+ pages)
= 25 total task points
GRAND TOTAL: 765
Task : 20.3 - In honor of Great Expectations, the top 100 of the would prefer a root canal list. (on 02-15-12 was #44)The Sun Also Rises (1926) by Ernest Hemingway
Review: Prohibition in America began in 1920 and ended in 1933. The Sun Also Rises was published in 1926, right in the middle of Prohibition. Almost every page featured at least one character who was drunk. It was set in Paris, France and Pamplona, Spain, a contemporary novel of the early 1920s. The good: half the novel was dialog. Hemingway was exceptionally talented in writing realistic dialog. Additionally, the focus of the novel is on American expatriates who live on the Left Bank of Paris, a group that Hemingway was a member of during the time he wrote this novel. The bad:the novel endorses negative stereotypes about Jews (and, to a lesser extent, “Negroes”); fist fights/boxing is the best way to solve problems; and, the nobility of bull fighting (which always ends with the death of the bull).
Recommendation: if you need to read something for school, this is a quick and easily understandable read. Alternatively, if you want to read a novel about 1920s expat culture in Paris, this novel was written by someone who was there. Otherwise, I’d say, too many books exist in the world to put this one high up your TBR.
+20 Task
+10 Style: 1. Combo (20.2 France, Spain; 20.10 pub. 1926)
+ 10 Style: 2. Review (10 points):
+ 10 Style: 4. Oldies (5 to 25 points): -76 to 150 years old: 10 points (1861-1935)
Task Total: 20 + 10 + 10 + 10 = 50
Grand Total: 1300 + 50 = 1350
In post 659, Jayme(the ghost reader) wrote: "20.10 Play By The Numbers
by Kami Garcia and Margaret StohlPublished 2010
Task +20
Jumbo +5..."
Jumbo points are style points, and with a Lexile score of 660, this book does not qualify for Jumbo points.
In post 663, Joanna wrote: "10.7 Personality TypeScorpions: The Battles and Triumphs of FDR's Great Supreme Court Justices..."
+5 combo points for 20.10, published in 2010
In post 668, Leigh wrote: "10.2 NYE Count DownA Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle (Lexile 740)..."
+5 combo for 10.9, first in a series for an author with more than 11 books.
In post 674, Deedee wrote: "Task 10.7 - What's Your Personality Type?: ISTJTheft of Swords (The Riyria Revelations #1-2) (2011) by Michael J. Sullivan (Goodreads Author) (Paperback, 692 pag..."
Unfortunately, the two works in this omnibus were originally published in 2007 & 2009, so it does not count for 20.10.
Deana wrote: "20.10 Play the numbers taskI read New York to Dallas by J.D. Robb. This book was written in 2011...."
+5 combo for 20.4, this series takes place more than 25 yrs in the future.
Rachael wrote: "20.2 In honour of a Tal of Two Cities
By David Nicholls..."The review for this book is not quite 100 words long. If you'd like to receive the review points, please repost this book with a longer review.
In post 723, Rachelccameron wrote: "15.6 Introduction to Shakespeare by Marchette Gaylord ChuteC-D, 101-140 (123 pages), 1977-1988 (book says copyright 1979, goodreads says 1988 but both fit!)
Task Total: 45 points..."
I hate to have to tell you this, but this book was originally published in 1951 (I know, because my library has the 1951 edition). Since you have already used the 1941-1952 date range, I have not counted this book for CiV. Let me know if you want to move it to another task.
In post 726, Silver wrote: "15.2 Christmas in Vegas Kristin Lavransdatter, Part 2: The Wife by Sigrid Undset, S-T-U, 461-500/861-900, 1917-1928
+20 Task points
Grand Total: 270"
The edition to which you've linked has 402 pages. For the moment I have it recorded as using the 381-420 category. If this is incorrect, please repost with a link to edition you read.
Erin wrote: 15.6 CiVA-B | 101-140/501-540 | 1941-1952
Waiting for Godot by Samuel Beckett
128pp. p.1949 ..."
Oh boy, this edition is all sorts of unhappy. The linked edition has only 60 pages & is listed as originally published in 1953. I'm not sure what do do about the date; according to wiki the play was written in 1948/9, but it was not performed until 1953. There is not "published" date listed.
If you can find the correct-length edition, repost & I will grant an exception for this work.
Kazza wrote: "20.1 - Charles Dickens was born on February 7, 1812.The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins
Pub. 1859..."
This book was posted twice -- post 613 & post 677. So the total I have for you is 45 points less than you posted in 677.
Norma wrote: "10.5 UnderratedClaim of Innocence (An Izzy McNeil Mystery #4 by Laura Caldwell - 50 rating
+10
+5 published 2011
10.5 Underrated
The Night I Got Lucky by Laura Caldwell - 163 rating
+10
20.6 I..."
Please use the booklinks when you post. It really slows down the score keeping if I have to look up each of your books.
Liz M wrote: "In post 674, Deedee wrote: ....Unfortunately, the two works in this omnibus were originally published in 2007 & 2009, so it does not count for 20.10.
Sorry about that ....
New Total: 1350 - 05 = 1345
Would Leviathan count as taking place in two different countries-England,Austria or England and Switzerland?
20.2 Tale of Two CitiesDark Star by Alan Furst, pub 1991
On the cover of this edition a New York Times review is quoted: A rich, deeply moving novel of suspense that is equal parts espionage thriller, European history and love story. I'm not sure of the "equal" part, but it is all of that.
I felt myself getting lost, however, in the espionage thriller part. Maybe I needed to be paying closer attention, but there were a lot of characters and, of course, they didn't all have the same motives. Reading espionage from the perspective of a Russian spy is interesting, simply because it's not the common perspective.
This novel takes place just before and the very beginning of World War II, and the action takes place in the major cities of continental Europe and some of the not so major ones. I'd like to say my knowledge of history is pretty good, but I'm afraid it's just short of adequate. Getting the feel of Europe in the late 1930s adds to my knowledge of this period without my reading non-fiction. Alan Furst has done his research and the reader is the beneficiary.
The Night Soldiers novels are more a collection than a series. Each can be read as a stand alone, although apparently there are characters who reappear in some of them. I plan to read them in order of publication, but it isn't necessary.
+20 Task
+10 Combo (10.5 Underrated, 654 ratings; 20.4 Christmas Carol)
+10 Review
Task Total = 40
Grand Total = 870
Don wrote: "I thought I had used 20.7 so I will switch it that one for the main task. A lot of the story does take place in New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado and California when they were part of Mexico and tells partly how they became U.S. territory, so would it count for Tale of Two Cities?"Even if you have already used that task, the book could have qualified for the task, which is why it can't be used for Square Peg. Yes, if the book, as written, takes place in two countries it can be used for 20.2. Could you repost so that it is clear to Liz for scorekeeping? Thanks.
Don wrote: "Task 20.7 Baby It's Cold OutsideThe Girl With the Dragon Tattoo by Steig Larsson, 644 pages, pub. 2005,
+20 20.7 Author from Sweden
+15 Combo (20.2 In honor of tale of 2 cities..."
Don, the edition you linked to here has less than 500 pages. Perhaps you read a different edition. Can you provide the proper link, so that you can get the jumbo style points?
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The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan - 740L
+15 Combo (10.9, 20.2 - NYC/LA/Las Vegas, 20.3) ..."
For 20.2 the book must take place in two different countries.