Sunday, November 14, 2010

Book Review #4

It's that time again - I've read four books since the last post. I blame this low number on all the crafting I've been doing for the craft show.

Anyway, I'll begin.

Far from the Madding Crowd - Thomas Hardy

What can I say other than: genius? If you've been reading my blog you know he's my favourite and after a rather disturbing/emotional read before this I found myself running back to Hardy almost like a security blanket. Which is interesting because his books are nothing but heartache and wretchedness.....but there is something so beautiful about it. It's hard to explain. Not my favourite book of his, but incredible nonetheless.


The Raw Shark Texts - Steven Hall

This was a book recommended to me by my boss. It sounded kind of like Memento so it peaked my interest - I don't normally read books like this. It was umm.....interesting. It totally gets you hooked from the start, and keeps the pace throughout the book - but it's confusing. At times I wasn't sure what the hell was going on and in the end it wasn't
totally explained, but I guess that's part of what makes it good. Overall, I would recommend it.

The Affair of the Bloodstained Egg Cosy - James Anderson

Sometimes I get an itch for a good murder-mystery, so I head to the library and randomly pick off the shelf. I like my murders classy - a big house with lots of interesting people locked up in it, someone is shot with a revolver in the music room and a smart ass detective shows up and explains it all at the end. James Anderson delivers. I really enjoyed it. I'm planning on reserving another of his books for the beach in Cuba.

The Secret of Annexe 3 - Colin Dexter

Yawn. I brought this one home because sometimes English murder mysteries are really good. This one was boring, the characters not engaging at all and the story just didn't run the way I like. The murder wasn't even that interesting. Don't bother.

I'm reading an awesome book right now (I'm back on to novels for the moment) so it will be the first of my next batch of reviews. Cause I know you guys all run out and get these books based on my advice.

Ha. Ha.

7 comments:

Benjamin Madison said...

You should read MY book - it's in the library and a few local booksellers. It's only fair - how many other authors read your blog? "The Moon's Fireflies" by Benjamin Madison, published by Oolichan Books.

rawbean said...

Four book and it's been slow? You're crazy! And my reading hero...

Christielli said...

You know, I've never read anything by Thomas Hardy. *hangs head in shame*

I like the sounds of the mysteries you like. I'm not a big mystery fan myself, but one that is like the game of Clue is right up my alley!

p.s. So glad you are enjoying Clara Callan.... go put Wright's latest "Mr. Shakespeare's Bastard" on hold at your library now. It's a really nice read.

Jabba said...

Ben - Okay I'll read it! I promise!!

Benjamin Madison said...

Excellent!

Robyn said...

I concur with Rawbean - You're my reading hero, too! I'm currently in the "read one page then fall asleep" mode, which makes me a very slow reader, indeed. Thanks for the reviews!

Dana said...

I'm totally going to run out and get at least SOME of the books you've recommended throughout the summer. :) Not a big murder mystery person, but a lot of the ones you've read this year sound intriguing.