I thought it might be cool to do little book reviews on my journey....Book# 1 - Blackwater - Kersten Ekman
What a crappy book. I've read some trash mystery novels (Sex, Murder and a Double Latte is the first that comes to mind!) but this one was just awful on too many levels.
I was waiting and waiting for something interesting to happen the entire time, and then when something seemed to be going in the right direction it would turn into these bizarre situations that I couldn't relate to. Once I realized I was 3/4 of the way through the book, I just skimmed to the end to find out who the murderer was. Weak. I never skim.
Book #2 - Elizabeth and After - Matt Cohen
What a breath of fresh air after Blackwater. This was a story that I could get into. I love books that have interesting main characters but then go a step further and give the history of their parents and grandparents.
On the other hand, it was a bit depressing - too much alcoholism, depression and hopelessness.....but I could relate because I grew up in a small town and have known people in this situation.
Book#3 - People of the Book - Geraldine Brooks
Holy crap is this book ever awesome. Have you ever bought a used book and found a slip of paper with a phone number or a receipt inside and wondered about the history of the book? Well, this is like that - but way deeper.
Lots of interesting history and brutal depictions of the cruelty we are capable of towards each other, so it's a sobering read but well worth it. I'm almost 3/4 finished and I'm sure I'll love the entire thing.
Up next is likely Possession and then we'll see, maybe I'll have to have someone else choose for me again. Since I started reading like this (3 weeks ago), I've been watching way less tv, and guess what else? I've been dreaming way more.
5 comments:
I read Elizabeth and After when I was in university and I really loved it. However, i wonder what my opinion would be now. I bet it would be similar to yours, and I can also identify since I grew up in a small town.
Possession is a book I love. (Assuming you're talking about the one by AS Byatt.) I couldn't read all of the poetry within the book, if I recall, but I love the letters and the story. I was really disappointed with the movie adaptation.
I see "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society' on that pile. That's a great read for when you need something light, yet amazing, to read.
I love your challenge. I need to read a lot this summer. Lately I've not been reading much, but I'm hoping a break from work will help.
Ohhh the watching less TV is very intriguing. Since I'm moving in a few weeks, I have considered not hooking up my cable right away - like maybe leave it for the summer so I can other things done and hey maybe read more!
That Christielli always has thoughful comments hey?
At least you read Blackwater first and not last. Get the crap out of the way, is what I say! :)
Christielli - Yup, A.S. Byatt. I'm looking forward to it!
Do you remember the opening scene with the white Pontiac from Elizabeth and After - it had me laughing out loud. After Possession I plan on getting into light, light reads for the beach season - I'll move Guernsey Literary up the list.
Rawbean - Sometimes when you don't hook up your cable right away, you still have it anyway from the previous owners! Do it, I say.
Dana - True that. I'm sure all the rest in my pile of 32 are amazing compared to Blackwater!
Too bad Blackwater didn't measure up. Damn. Oh well. The other 2 sound interesting. I'm reading a fictional travel book called Currency right now. Sigh. Travel seems to be my life.
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