But I'm never doing it again! I know.....
For me - it limited my reading! I found myself doing two things:
a) I would set aside longer books and
b) I wasn't reading classical books anymore
This is bad. I'm not afraid of long books and classical books are my favourite! I have two big books that have been on my shelf for a couple years now and it's time I got to them. So no more book challenges for me.
Anyway......I have lots of books this time......
The Outlander - Gil Adamson
I was drawn to this one because of CBC Canada Reads - which I adore. The book was written in lovely prose, the plot was fantastic, interesting characters and holy crap I wasn't expecting what happened in the end! Great read.
A Cry in the Night - Mary Higgins Clark
I needed something kinda mindless and turned to this author - who I had never read. Mindless - she delivered. Writing style - not so much for me. I couldn't handle the way everyone kept calling the main character by her first name. 'Jenny you look lovely.' Two sentences later 'Jenny, I told you not to go in there.' Who talks like this?!
Jewel - Bret Lott
This has been on my shelf since the big book sale of 2010! I fell in love with this book from the beginning - the writing is fantastic. Jewel is an amazing character who I really got into. The storyline was excellent - although my only complaint was that I felt it could have been way shorter. Still, highly recommend.
The Alchemy of Air - Thomas Hager
I needed a break from novels, which happens when I get over emotional. I turn to Brad and his bookcase, he recommended this beauty. It's written like a novel - which is right up my alley - so keeps me interested. Super interesting subject matter, I'm glad I read it.
The Imposter Bride - Nancy Richler
Back to novels, I couldn't believe it when I saw this one go on sale on Kobo for 4.99?! Giller Prize Nomination for sure. Read this, just do it.
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas - John Boyne
This was NOT what I was expecting! It's written from the perspective of an 8 year old. Which adds an interesting twist to the war and everything that went along with it. You have to take a lot of this book with a grain of salt - which kind of ruins it but overall - worth reading.
The Last Time they Met - Anita Shreve
Shreve is one of my favourite authors. After I finish one of her books I'm off novels for a while. She thinks and experiences emotion exactly the way I do. Her books are so deep, well written and incredibly moving. The end of this one caused a reaction in me similar to what happened when I finished my first Thomas Hardy book* - which means I consider this a successful book.
What are you guys reading? Any recommendations?
*It was Tess and I threw the book across the room.
3 comments:
I'm with you on the reading challenge - after my crazy year of reading in 2012, I like taking things at my own pace.
Wow - there's a lot on here that I'm def. going to put on my must-read like "The Imposter Bride" and "Boy in the Striped PJs."
I like Mary Higgins Clark when I was high school, and didn't enjoy Jewel when I read it, when I must have been around high school aged too. However, if there's one thing I've learned, is that for the most part, what I loved in high school, I don't like any more and vice versa. So, I should give Jewel a re-read and stay away from the MHC.
I just read a couple of buzz books:
"Me Before You" by Jojo Moyes. Lots of ads on the subway for this one. It was all right. Light read, but brings a few tears at the end.
"Brain on Fire" by Susana Cahalan. Book about a girl with a rare autoimmune disease. I like this kind of stuff. I read it in less that 24 hours.
I do enjoy your reviews…
Sadly, I'm not really reading anything at the moment. I've got a couple "stuck somewhere, sick of angry birds" books on my phone and two books I kinda started and then Christmas happened but it's been a while since I had the mental time to really dig in and enjoy. And I love reading. Just can't sit still long enough lately. It's a bummer.
I've been reading nothing but Lonely Planet guidebooks lately. Oh, well!
There are a lot of books I would like to read at the moment, but I don't know about buying them and hauling them back to Canada. Maybe I'll end up buying 1 or 2, but definitely not a boat load of books. (Still without an e-reader, obviously).
Good call on the book challenges, though. So much pressure!
Post a Comment