Books Read in January

Progress toward my 20-book goal was much stronger than I anticipated.  By January 10th, I was through 3.5 books, though I'm not sure I'm counting Hunger Games, as I had read it before.  By the end of the month, I had read 6.  I may have to up the goal!  Here's what I thought of them.

1984 by George Orwell

Rating: ***

I know, I know, it's a classic.  And most people read it in high school, but I never did.  I picked it up off of my parents' bookshelves over Thanksgiving, and started it shortly before Christmas.  So, this may be cheating a little bit.  I FLEW through the first half of the book.  I absolutely loved it.  Recommended it to too many people.  Then, I hit the second half.

The premise is fairly popular at the moment.  It's a distopian society of the "future" (it was written in 1949) where people's lives are controlled to an unbelievable extent.  In fact, the term "Big Brother" was originated in the book.  The premise, character development, and initial pace drew me in.  However, the second half becomes very philosophical and preachy.  Those last 100 pages or so absolutely dragged.  If you can let yourself read 1/2 a book, do so.  I'm not one of those people.  It ends exactly the way you expect it to by the time the lecturing starts.  Do yourself a favor and stop then.

Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith

Rating:*****

OK, I liked this book way too much, and I never would have picked it up myself.  My husband gave it to me for Christmas.  You know what the best indicator is?  I want to go find an actual biography of Abraham Lincoln to figure out exactly how much of it was true.  It seemingly is incredibly well researched, and then twisted.  This is by the author of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, which I may have to now find and read.  This is an entertaining, fast read.  Though, now my grasp on reality will forever be a little off.  

When She Woke by Hillary Jordan

Rating:**** 

I gave this book 4 stars, but I'm honestly a little torn.  I thought it was heavy handed and sacrilegious.  But, of course, I think it was intended to be exactly that.  In THIS distopian society (you may notice a theme in what I read yet), criminals are punished through "melachroming" or the tinting of their skin according to their particular crime.  As this is a modern take on The Scarlet Letter (which, now I need to re-read), the protagonist, Hannah, is guilty of adultery and having an abortion.  Essentially, this is supposedly the near future where the far-right has taken control and implemented stringent religious controls on the population.  The author quite clearly does not share those views.  For the most part, what was intriguing was the character's inner torment, but I thought that the need to eventually quickly trample through every moral premise became tiresome and unnecessary.  Be forewarned that there are graphic scenes in the book.

Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
I actually re-read all three of these.  I like them a lot, but I fly through them.

Which, means my total as of the end of January was 6.  I slowed down after that and am currently in the middle of 3.  (19Q4, The Alchemest [re-reading], and Portrait of a Lady)  The only one I read in February was Catherine the Great.  I think.  Honestly don't remember.  That one was fantastic, though.

Mission Productivity Underway

Wow.  So, in the last 3 days, I have read 2 books, traveled to Columbus, and I've already exercised this morning.  It's amazing what cutting out tv can free me to do.  I have seen some basketball and news between Chris and my parents watching, but that's pretty much it.  Oh, and I suppose my mom was flipping to watch American Idol last night, too.  But so far, no problem sticking to it.

The Books

  Homer's Odyssey by Gwen Cooper

READ THIS BOOK.  I loved it and flew through it.  This is a very sweet, true story about a woman who adopts an eyeless kitten who proves to be even more adventurous and rambunctious that the standard, seeing cat.  He scares off burglars, survives 9-11, and many other adventures.  Even if you're not a cat person, you'd probably enjoy it.  Monster may have gotten some extra love while reading it, though.

  The Road by Cormac McCarthy

I decided to read this book because I thought that maybe just having a list to work through while I'm churning through reading material would work well.  I chose "The 100 Best Books of the Decade" according to the Sunday Times.  This may be a little UK biased because of the source, but seemingly a good list.  I actually surprised myself when I loved this book!  I inwardly groaned when I saw it was an Oprah's Book Club book.  I don't tend to choose particularly mushy, women-oriented books, and that's what I feared I was getting.  Nope!  Much more up my alley.  This is a post-apolyptic book about a father and son trying to survive as they travel across the desolate country.  Highly recommended.

Ok, I walked on a treadmill, went to a weight lifting class, and now am about to head out to get a pedicure (yay!) so I've got to run and make this shorter than it could be.  I am so excited, seeing as I can no longer reach my toes on my own. 

Book Recommendation: Artisan Bread in 5 Minutes a Day

I have seen many blogs touting the wonders of this book, and it is admittedly why I wanted to buy it, but I need to add my voice to the crowd.  Artisan Bread in 5 Minutes a Day is truly all it is cracked up to be, and a staple of my cookbook collection. 

I always enjoyed making my own bread, but this book makes it much more efficient and doable on any week-day.  Their innovation is that you can make a large quantity of moist dough which is then kept in the fridge for up to TWO WEEKS, and only needs a 40 minute rise before going into the oven.  Each batch of dough produces about 4 loaves.  I OFTEN will make the bread before work, and have it available for the day.  Pictured is their standard boule bread, though I did add some wheat flour to the mix. 

It's also a life-saver when due to your refusal to give up Cheerios, you have to eat 2nd breakfast.  Sigh.  I'm a fool.  But I'm a fool that really believes that you'd love this cookbook, too.

Book Reviews

This is a highly unsatisfying post, since one book I did not like very much, and one I'm not quite finished with.  Sometimes it happens.

Killer Angels by Michael Shaara 
I liked this book exactly as much as I thought I would.  I apologize to the Pulitzer committee.  Was it well written?  Absolutely.  Historically accurate?  As far as I know.  Something a large portion of the population would enjoy?  Most definitely.  Me?  Nuh uh.

Why didn't I like this?  For 3 very important reasons.  1)  I know how Gettysburg turned out.  No surprises there.  2)  I watched the movie Glory, which is pretty true to the book.  3)  I just don't like war books.

If you like war books, and don't mind knowing how things are going to end, go for it.  Just not my cup of tea.
Grade:  C

  The Jester by James Patterson & Andrew Gross
Full disclosure: I have not finished this book yet.  Why?  I was actually listening to a book on tape in the car during our long road trip, and once at home, it's hard to convince yourself to put on the CD's, when there are paper books at hand.

HOWEVER, I like this book so far.  It speaks to the politics behind the crusades, and one man's individual tribulations after his lord seeks to punish him for abandoning his serf-ship (is that a word?) to go fight.  He returns to find that his wife and son have been murdered and enters the court of the evil lord as a jester to reek havoc.  Entertaining, though gruesome at times.

The oddest note I have about this book is that, once again, I have more sympathy with animals dying than humans.  I suppose this was true in Killer Angels, too, because I found the horses dying on the battlefield heart-wrenching.  I don't know why I have the tendency to over-connect with the animals, but not the humans.  Perhaps that it would just touch too close to home to connect to the humans as well?  I can't answer this.  I just know that this was even true as a child when I wasn't able to make it through Bambi or White Fang because I was too upset by the mother deer dying and the dog fighting scenes.

Back to the book:
Grade: B+

Do you have trouble with animals dying in books and movies?

Break from the Action

So, the conclusion is that I'm not a nag.  I have no new photos.  So, I'll whine a bit and do some book reviews.

Full disclosure:  I can no longer continuously run a 5k.  Oh, the horror!  I let all the merry-making and joy cut into my running, and became a blob.  Perhaps this is a slight exaggeration.  I ran 2 miles of the 5k this morning (and walked the rest).  We are not talking apocalypse here, but we are talking that anyone who can give me a kick in the butt to get moving again would be greatly appreciated.  I have ran a total of 3 times since the wedding.  Oof.

Step 1:  Find motivation.

Step 2:  Stop hurting myself.

The run this morning was PAINFUL.  And not a little bit.  A whole, freakin lot.  In the past week, I ran into the dog crate when the lights were out and bruised my thigh, dropped a heavy-duty salt grinder onto my foot and bruised it, and just have my old hip war-injury.  Oh, did I never tell you about that?  My freshman year of college, some drunk guy picked up my friend and I in each of his arms (we both were pushing 100-lbs), and then fell over.  All 3 of us landed on my left hip.  I now have the old-lady ability to sense rain.

Step 3:  Stop whining.

What I DID manage to do on the honeymoon is read.  A lot.  It was wonderful.  I would find my patch of shade next to Chris's patch of sun, and lay on the beach, reading and napping.  Heaven on earth.  4 books to sum up:

   A Lion Among Men by Gregory Maguire

Oh Gregory Maguire.  I usually REALLY love you.  Wicked set off a massive addiction and I've read pretty much everything you've written.  Some, yes, were better than others, but this book?  It took me over a year to get through.  I just was NOT feeling it.  There's nothing I can put my finger on.  The writing was fine, the plot seemingly had potential, but I just couldn't get into it.  Maybe I just don't share the cowardly lion's perspective?  Although I certainly relate to the idea of letting life happen to you rather than vice-versa.  I really wish I had enjoyed this more.

Grade: C  

The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo - Stieg Larsson

I have a habit of assuming that if a book is on the best seller list, that it rots.  Typically once everyone starts raving, I've decided that I will never read it.  I am VERY glad that I made an exception.  This is a long book, but I flew through it.  It is a murder mystery of sorts, but has fascinating characters that are deeper than the typical gumshoe you run across.

There was a funny coincidence involved with this book.  My sister-in-law had forgotten to pack a book for while they were in Ohio.  Knowing I am an avid reader, she approached me and asked if there was any chance I had "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo" with me, was not reading it, and if she could borrow it.  Ironically enough, the answer was yes.  What a long shot!

Grade:  A



Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World by Haruki Murakami

HOOO boy.  This is a WEIRD book.  I was 100 pages in and was still telling Chris that I couldn't figure out what is was about.  However, right around that point, the two plot lines that had been alternating every other chapter began to converge.  And the book began to entrance me.  By the end, I was thoroughly enthralled, did not want the story to end, and generally loved it.  All that being said, I'm not sure that if I had picked it up during my daily life where I don't get to read a few hundred pages at a pop, I would have given it enough of a chance.  My recommendation is to stick it out.  It really does get good.

What is it about?  Hard to say without giving it away.  There's a data processor who goes on a job, and then starts having thugs coming after him, mental issues, and just thoroughly confusing events surrounding him left and right.  He has to figure out how to both internally and externally get his life in order.  Vague enough?

Grade:  B (because of the SLOW start)



The Likeness - Tana French

This was an airport purchase as I had run out of books.  And, oh!  What a find!  The only problem is that it is the 2nd book in a series.  Apparently, In the Woods is the first time you meet Cassie Maddox, the female detective that the story revolves around.  I fear that I may know a little too much about what happened from bits and pieces in this book to go back and read the 1st.  I may still try.  The Likeness was good enough to run that risk. 

The plot is not just improbable, but impossible.  But, if you don't mind, and can get past that, it's a fascinating story about identity.  A woman is found murdered who not only looks identical to Cassie, but is using one of her former aliases from when she worked undercover.  Obviously, Cassie decides to pick up where the dead woman left off.  Read it.

Grade: A


I've moved on to The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara.  It may be painful.  I usually am not at all intrigued by war books.  Chris loved it, though, so I'm giving it a shot.


What are you reading?  Is it any good?

Mere Christianity - C.S. Lewis

So, I listened to this as an audio book while at work, so didn't catch everything. What I did catch, was incredible. Certain things would be considered a little off-color and not PC in this day and age (as the books like 1/2 a century old), but generally it makes articulate, clearly laid out arguments for every aspect of Christianity, and spoken about from the perspective of a former cynic. I'd highly recommend it, and may make a point of sitting down and reading it on paper. Grade: A+

100 Mile Challenge

So, I am floored by the book, and the television show challenging people to eat locally, and to limit their consumption to 100 miles. We try to be conscious of eating seasonally, getting US-grown foods, and shopping our local farmers market, but to get EVERYTHING locally? I think I'd fail in a few seconds flat. I think spices would be my downfall. We live in an area that has a vast selection of fruits, vegetables, and quite a lot of the country is fed by things that are local...however...I'm just not that optimistic. I think I'll continue to try and make better choices, but I think a strict adherence to the 100-mile rule is just not in the cards, as much as I'd like it to be. If you think you can do it, here's the books:

Book Title Meme

Got this from Find Your Next Book Here

What To Do: Using only books you have read this year (2009), answer these questions. Try not to repeat a book title. It’s a lot harder than you think!

Describe yourself: Eldest (Christopher Paolini)

How do you feel: Baby Proof (Emily Griffin)

Describe where you currently live: Dune (Frank Herbert) --Um, not at all, but it's all I've got

If you could go anywhere, where would you go? Magic Study (Maria Snyder)

Your favorite form of transportation: Like Water for Elephants (Sara Gruen)

Your best friend is: Stone of Tears (Terry Goodkind)

You and your friends are: The World Without Us (Alan Weisman)

What’s the weather like: Shadow of the Wind (Carlos Ruiz Zaffon)

You fear: The Assault on Reason (Al Gore)

What is the best advice you have to give: Every Good Boy Does Fine (Tim Laskowski)

Thought for the day: Wizard's First Rule (Terry Goodkind) --"People are stupid; given proper motivation, almost anyone will believe almost anything. Because people are stupid, they will believe a lie because they want to believe it's true, or because they are afraid it might be true. People’s heads are full of knowledge, facts, and beliefs, and most of it is false, yet they think it all true. People are stupid; they can only rarely tell the difference between a lie and the truth, and yet they are confident they can, and so are all the easier to fool." (This IS the 1st rule, from p. 397)

How I would like to die: Poison Study (Maria Snyder)

My soul’s present condition: Atlas Shrugged (Ayn Rand)

Reading Lists

So my reading wish list has gotten out of control. My Amazon list is up to 136 or something crazy like that and I have MANY books on my shelves that I have not finished. Many GOOD books. Ranging from the last few pages of The World Without Us, to one of Gregory MacGuire's recent ones, to the Idiot, and on and on and on. I need to make a point of sitting down and reading more often. But of course, needing to exercise, finish house projects, and all of that get in the way. I WILL start reading and letting all of you know what I think again soon. For now, I'll review a book I'm ALMOST done with...c'mon I'm on 921 of 979 pages, it's taking me awhile, but I'm close.



The Stone of Tears by Terry Goodkind
Enjoying it a LOT. It's the sequel to The Wizard's First Rule (The basis for the television show Legend of the Seeker...which I have never watched). It's kind of the standard fantasy, journey epic, but not entirely predictable. It's not like the blatant rip-off of Tolkien that I discussed in the past (and won't bother to name again). This doesn't really involve other species (e.g. elves, trolls, the like), but does have a magical element, and is more political. Highly recommended for those of you that enjoy this sort of thing.

Books, books, and more books

Quick rundown on books I've read recently:

Poison Study - AWESOME. 1st book for Snyder. A+
Magic Study - 2nd book in the series. Still pretty darn good. A
Fire Study - Yeah, read reviews that kinda warned about this...not so great. Too many "reminders" of what already happened. Still a good story, and obviously, want to remain in the world! B
Elfstones of Shannara - HATE this book. And this is my 2nd time. Why? Dunno. C-
Eldest: Inheritence Series, Book 2 - Pretty good. I guess. Pretty standard fantasy, journey book. B-
Cherry Cheesecake Murder - Cute. Fairly predictable. Lightweight. Good plane or beach reading. B

Take a Chance Challenge: Random Book Selection

For my random book selection, where I had a plan on where to go in the library, I ended up with "Every Good Boy Does Fine" by Tim Laskowski. Admittedly, I finished this quite awhile ago, but completely forgot about posting it. I REALLY enjoyed this book and don't think I would have picked it up on my own. The main character had been a concert pianist in his "real life." That is, the time before his brain injury. In his early twenties, he had gone rock climbing, fallen, and lost most of his short term memory, inhibitions, and some physical function. His struggles to deal with his new "real life" were fascinating, and based off of the author's relationship with a brain-damaged patient in his own life. Grade: A

Cesar's Way

In eager anticipation for our future puppy (still a few months out), Chris and I have started reading training books. Of course, that means all other books have been relegated back to the "to be read" pile. This weekend, I read the bestseller "Cesar's Way", and, to be honest, it deserves to have sold every copy that it has. I thoroughly enjoyed it, learned a ton, and am glad it's on my bookshelf. It did name drop a little excessively, but other than that, was everything I hoped it would be. Remember, your dog needs Exercise, THEN Discipline, THEN Affection...and be the best Calm, Assertive person you can be. Grade: A

Take a Chance Challenge

So, the next challenge I plan to participate in is the Take a Chance Challenge. This involves new and innovative ways of either finding a book, or reviewing it. I figure I'll just do the challenges in order. So task number 1:

Random Book Selection. Go to the library. Position yourself in a section such as Fiction, Non-Fiction, Mystery, Children (whatever section you want). Then write down random directions for yourself (for example, third row, second shelf, fifth book from right). Follow your directions and see what book you find. Check that book out of the library, read it and then write about it. (If you prefer, you can do the same at a bookstore and buy the book!)

My plan: I will find a shelving unit and select the bottom row, 10th book. I'll let you know what I end up with!

The World Without Us

Well, the Challenge is now over, with my total only being around 6.5 hours. Didn't finish The World Without Us, but have been enjoying it, and I'll write up the review to where I've reached.





The World Without Us was turned into a television special, which I've seen a few times, and may have done a better job. I'm thoroughly enjoying the book, but it does sometimes go off on tangents, or get bogged down in facts. I'm a complete dork, though, and appreciate it. Can't say I think it would be for everyone. I was laughing, though, as Chris was writing a paper for class on urban stream management, and I was reading a chapter on how Manhattan's rivers that had been forced underground, would likely be an early factor in the city's deterioration after humans disappeared. I will finish the book, and will enjoy doing so, but you have to remember that we have an environmental, hippy bent to us, and so it may be of interest to a narrow group of people. Grade: B+.

Last Night at the Lobster

So, the challenge has not gone well. I was getting sick trying to read in the car, then the wedding, then went and played wiffleball with friends once I got home. So...at a grand total of 3.5 hours so far, I have one book done.



Last Night at the Lobster was a wonderfully written book. Not really something you want to read if you are looking for "light and happy", though. The book centers around the manager of a Red Lobster, that has been slated to close the next day. It is how he faces the last night of the restaurant, the last time he'll see a former girlfriend who waitresses there, and a snow storm to boot. It is touching, and you can't help but love, respect, and pity Manny throughout the last hours he works. I would highly recommend it to anyone. Grade: A.

48 hours to the 48 hour challenge

So, I'm getting excited! I haven't felt like reading much at all recently, though, so this is slightly odd. Anyway, we are officially 48 hours away from the 48 hour book challenge . I decided to just try and read books that have been sitting on my shelf untouched. I know, no theme, I should be ashamed. Hopefully, the fact that I liked them enough to buy them will make them interesting enough!

Reading list

Recently, I just have not found time to read, which, really makes me sad, but it's the way life goes sometimes. However, I'm actually really enjoying The Other Boleyn Girl by Phillipa Gregory. Never thought I'd read it, never thought I'd like it, always struck me as romantic drivel before I started. Actually, not so bad. And, when I get a chance to sit down and read, it actually goes pretty quick. Maybe I shouldn't be so quick to judge. I just don't read a ton of fiction anymore, and if I do...tends to be wacked out sci-fi stuff. So...here's to expanding horizons.