Full Version: 52 in '07
You know, I didn't do this this year, but I think all this year I've slowly been warming up for 52 books in a year. I've probably read the most I've ever read this year, consistently, it's been nice. And every time I hear of a book that interests me, I add it to a list I have in notepad, and as of now I have about 55, so I can totally do it. It's just a question of if I can READ some of these books in a week. The 400 page books I'm not so sure about, considering how much I work and that I have school.
Read A Dirty Job by Christopher Moore. Loved it. The thing with the Morrigan was kind of awkward, and I was mad at the ending, but only because it didn't turn out the way I wanted it to. It didn't seem too predictable, but at the end, I was kind of like "oh wow, I'm an idiot" because I didn't see it coming, and I think other people would. Wow, rambling. Great book. Oh, and cool to read this month (Halloween, etc.).
So I forgot about 404 for like a week and now I have 9 books to report:
Oh and no actual reviews or whatever, just little notes, more to myself than anything else, about whether or not I liked it.
But I Love You Anyway by Sara Lewis
Not bad, not good. Chick lit.
The Thought Gang by Tibor Fischer
Interesting, but not my style.
The Big Over Easy: A Nursery Crime by Jasper Fforde
Definitely enjoyed this one, it was funny.
Scrambled Eggs at Midnight by Brad Barkley and Heather Hepler
Interesting collaboration. I enjoyed it, even though it's a YA book. The characters felt very real.
Ah, Sweet Mystery of Life by Roald Dahl
How could I not like Roald Dahl? Not for children, so it was neat.
The Best of Roald Dahl by Roald Dahl
Good stuff. Again, it was really cool to read some of his stories that weren't written for children.
All This Heavenly Glory by Elizabeth Crane
Better than I expected it would be.
The End of the Alphabet by CS Richardson
A bit disappointing. I was expecting something epic, and only got something cute. It would have been better if I hadn't allowed myself to assume it was about something different.
I Am America (And So Can You!) by Stephen Colbert
Fucking amazing. I could imagine Colbert's voice in my head as I read the book. I did some loling, especially at some of the pictures.
Oh and no actual reviews or whatever, just little notes, more to myself than anything else, about whether or not I liked it.
But I Love You Anyway by Sara Lewis
Not bad, not good. Chick lit.
The Thought Gang by Tibor Fischer
Interesting, but not my style.
The Big Over Easy: A Nursery Crime by Jasper Fforde
Definitely enjoyed this one, it was funny.
Scrambled Eggs at Midnight by Brad Barkley and Heather Hepler
Interesting collaboration. I enjoyed it, even though it's a YA book. The characters felt very real.
Ah, Sweet Mystery of Life by Roald Dahl
How could I not like Roald Dahl? Not for children, so it was neat.
The Best of Roald Dahl by Roald Dahl
Good stuff. Again, it was really cool to read some of his stories that weren't written for children.
All This Heavenly Glory by Elizabeth Crane
Better than I expected it would be.
The End of the Alphabet by CS Richardson
A bit disappointing. I was expecting something epic, and only got something cute. It would have been better if I hadn't allowed myself to assume it was about something different.
I Am America (And So Can You!) by Stephen Colbert
Fucking amazing. I could imagine Colbert's voice in my head as I read the book. I did some loling, especially at some of the pictures.
WTF people. Read some books.
I've got...
A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray
Another YA book. Amazing, though. Bray is probably my favorite YA author right now.
Rebel Angels by Libba Bray
Still good. I thought the sequel would suck, but I can't wait for the third book's release in December.
Design Flaws of the Human Condition by Paul Schmidtberger
Awesome at the beginning. The characters were very well developed. But the end left me feeling kind of stupid for taking the time to read it.
Elsewhere by Gabrielle Zevin
I'm definitely starting to notice a trend...I'm reading a lot of YA books. No complaints here though. This book was awesome. It reminded me a bit of The Lovely Bones, but only a little. I'd place this on my top ten, if I had one.
Just Like That by Marsha Qualey
lol YA. Not as good as others I've read recently, but still okay. No regrets.
Brief Lunacy by Cynthia Thayer
Enjoyable thriller, but not something I'd read again.
Mona Lisa Awakening by Sunny
Mona Lisa Blossoming by Sunny
I liked both of these books. There were some crazy sex 'scenes,' both passionate and violent...some of it made me really sad. Not at all what I expected, but I wasn't disappointed.
I've got...
A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray
Another YA book. Amazing, though. Bray is probably my favorite YA author right now.
Rebel Angels by Libba Bray
Still good. I thought the sequel would suck, but I can't wait for the third book's release in December.
Design Flaws of the Human Condition by Paul Schmidtberger
Awesome at the beginning. The characters were very well developed. But the end left me feeling kind of stupid for taking the time to read it.
Elsewhere by Gabrielle Zevin
I'm definitely starting to notice a trend...I'm reading a lot of YA books. No complaints here though. This book was awesome. It reminded me a bit of The Lovely Bones, but only a little. I'd place this on my top ten, if I had one.
Just Like That by Marsha Qualey
lol YA. Not as good as others I've read recently, but still okay. No regrets.
Brief Lunacy by Cynthia Thayer
Enjoyable thriller, but not something I'd read again.
Mona Lisa Awakening by Sunny
Mona Lisa Blossoming by Sunny
I liked both of these books. There were some crazy sex 'scenes,' both passionate and violent...some of it made me really sad. Not at all what I expected, but I wasn't disappointed.
Duly impressed, Jane. I ought to read as much as you do.
Since The Gospel, I've only managed 2 books - Playing for Keeps and The Mysterious Flame of Queen Loana
Playing for Keeps struck me as the quintessential Jordan book - I've never seen the man or his sport covered so effectively before. Halberstam's understanding of psychology and clarity of vision was outstanding, and I loved all the little anecdotes (Phil Jackson impressed a college coach by sitting in the back seat of a car, any car, and closing both doors simultaneously.)
Queen Loana was well-crafted, but probably not aimed at me. Inoffensive - at times excellent - it largely left me cold. A considered, measured piece of work by Eco, who is obviously somebody I'll return to once I'm, oh, 45.
Working on The Course of the Heart by M John Harrison, who continues to dazzle.
Since The Gospel, I've only managed 2 books - Playing for Keeps and The Mysterious Flame of Queen Loana
Playing for Keeps struck me as the quintessential Jordan book - I've never seen the man or his sport covered so effectively before. Halberstam's understanding of psychology and clarity of vision was outstanding, and I loved all the little anecdotes (Phil Jackson impressed a college coach by sitting in the back seat of a car, any car, and closing both doors simultaneously.)
Queen Loana was well-crafted, but probably not aimed at me. Inoffensive - at times excellent - it largely left me cold. A considered, measured piece of work by Eco, who is obviously somebody I'll return to once I'm, oh, 45.
Working on The Course of the Heart by M John Harrison, who continues to dazzle.
QUOTE
"A bird sang confusedly in the middle of the night. Everything ran together. On my way downstairs to collect the post the next morning, I would stand still suddenly and say 'Katherine' to myself, just to feel that quick lurch of excitement, like something alive inside, you get when you know that in the next instant you are going to be happy."
Course of the Heart is done - loved it. Slim book, gorgeous writing, another great piece from Harrison.
I've got Master and Margarita on my plate right now, which is interesting. I swear it's got about 1,000 words per page, so it takes a long time to get through, but the shagginess of the whole production is somehow appealing. I'm not sure exactly how comedic is - though I like the idea of a bipedal cat the size of a hog - but I feel like Bulgakov is just warming up here.
I've got Master and Margarita on my plate right now, which is interesting. I swear it's got about 1,000 words per page, so it takes a long time to get through, but the shagginess of the whole production is somehow appealing. I'm not sure exactly how comedic is - though I like the idea of a bipedal cat the size of a hog - but I feel like Bulgakov is just warming up here.
The Hippies and American Values by Timothy Miller
Really cool book about the hippie movement, etc., complete with comics/drawings from the time. Very interesting and pretty funny at times.
Water For Elephants by Sara Gruen
I've heard good things about it, but it bored me. I think I was doomed to dislike it from the moment I read the summary. It said the book was about the love between a man, a woman, and an elephant.
Pecked to Death by Ducks by Tim Cahill
Kind of funny book about Tim Cahill's travels. Everywhere he goes he has an adventure. My favorite story was when he went to Australia and tried to outdrink some guys in a bar.
The Biggest Tongue in Tunisia by B. Kliban (may not count)
Yeah, doesn't count. But I wanted to list it anyway. I recently discovered my love for Kliban's art and this book of drawings is amazing. They are pretty funny. There's even a nice little story about a hot dog.
I Am Blind and My Dog Is Dead by S. Gross (may not count)
The same kind of book as Kliban's. Funny stuff.
Enslaved by Ducks by Bob Tarte
Another funny book. True story about a guy who buys a pet rabbit, then he and his wife find that they can't really say no to new pets and they end up with several more than they intended. It's meant to show how special the relationships between animals and humans can be, but in a funny way rather than a sappy one.
God Is Dead by Jr., Ron Currie
Very...interesting. It's a work of fiction, but a few of the characters are real (like Colin Powell). Currie wrote it to show what might happen to the world if God suddenly disappeared (yes, obviously, this guy is a creationist). Though I don't agree with his beliefs, it was an interesting read and even comical at times.
By the way...I'm listing the books I read in a group on Shelfari as well, and if I include the two comic books (and not the goosebump books I read a while back), I'm at about 60. This means I've completed the 52 book thing. Oh and keats, you say you ought to read as much/often as I do, but the books you read seem to have a bit more substance to them, so I'd say we're even.
Really cool book about the hippie movement, etc., complete with comics/drawings from the time. Very interesting and pretty funny at times.
Water For Elephants by Sara Gruen
I've heard good things about it, but it bored me. I think I was doomed to dislike it from the moment I read the summary. It said the book was about the love between a man, a woman, and an elephant.
Pecked to Death by Ducks by Tim Cahill
Kind of funny book about Tim Cahill's travels. Everywhere he goes he has an adventure. My favorite story was when he went to Australia and tried to outdrink some guys in a bar.
The Biggest Tongue in Tunisia by B. Kliban (may not count)
Yeah, doesn't count. But I wanted to list it anyway. I recently discovered my love for Kliban's art and this book of drawings is amazing. They are pretty funny. There's even a nice little story about a hot dog.
I Am Blind and My Dog Is Dead by S. Gross (may not count)
The same kind of book as Kliban's. Funny stuff.
Enslaved by Ducks by Bob Tarte
Another funny book. True story about a guy who buys a pet rabbit, then he and his wife find that they can't really say no to new pets and they end up with several more than they intended. It's meant to show how special the relationships between animals and humans can be, but in a funny way rather than a sappy one.
God Is Dead by Jr., Ron Currie
Very...interesting. It's a work of fiction, but a few of the characters are real (like Colin Powell). Currie wrote it to show what might happen to the world if God suddenly disappeared (yes, obviously, this guy is a creationist). Though I don't agree with his beliefs, it was an interesting read and even comical at times.
By the way...I'm listing the books I read in a group on Shelfari as well, and if I include the two comic books (and not the goosebump books I read a while back), I'm at about 60. This means I've completed the 52 book thing. Oh and keats, you say you ought to read as much/often as I do, but the books you read seem to have a bit more substance to them, so I'd say we're even.
Finished I Am Legend, which wasn't a bad way to spend a few hours.
Alright, recap post.
I managed 22.8 books in 2007, which isn't so good.
My top 5 on the year were:
Stones of Summer
Savage Detectives
The Road
Finn
Dominion
I'd be interested to see Jane's final tally. And now... time to make 52 in 08.
I managed 22.8 books in 2007, which isn't so good.
My top 5 on the year were:
Stones of Summer
Savage Detectives
The Road
Finn
Dominion
I'd be interested to see Jane's final tally. And now... time to make 52 in 08.
Alright, my final tally (though I may have miscounted, so we'll give or take a couple) is 60. If we count the goosebumps books I downloaded, it's 66.
My favorites, in no particular order:
My Horizontal Life by Chelsea Handler
Life Expectancy by Dean Koontz
Elsewhere by Gabrielle Zevin
A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray
And of course the goosebumps books...how could they not be instant faves?
My favorites, in no particular order:
My Horizontal Life by Chelsea Handler
Life Expectancy by Dean Koontz
Elsewhere by Gabrielle Zevin
A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray
And of course the goosebumps books...how could they not be instant faves?
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