I finished the 3rd book in Stephen King's Dark Tower series - The Waste Lands.
It ended very strangely. Not to give too much away but the 4 adventurers are in a machine and they've struck a deal with the machine. If the travelers can answer all the machine's riddles, they get to live.
The end.
Seriously. The end. No riddles, no drama, just... done. He has an Author's Note at the end that says the books he writes take on a life of their own and they say where they need to end. And I've heard other writers say the same thing. The book ended at around 400 pages and from the beginning of Book One, King said there were going to be 3+ books so it's not like it's a huge surprise. Just a bit odd.
My husband would cry Bullshit. He would say it's just a ploy to make people buy the next book and just on principle, he would never read another Dark Tower (or probably any more Stephen King at all) again.
I have no such principles and Dave's not really a fan of SK anyway so I don't think it'll ever come up.
I'm looking forward to Book 4 but I'm taking a little detour to read Shutter Island. I told y'all I saw the preview for the movie at the theater and thought I had it figured out but comments on that post told me I was wrong (yay!) and also let me know it was a book. A friend in my knitting group lent me the book and I've started reading it. So far, it's still background setup but the writer's style has already got me anticipating a very good read. He's very visual. I like that.
But, back to the Dark Tower. The Waste Lands has an underlying, running theme of riddles. It becomes very important at the end of the book. I love riddles! I'm not a very logical thinker so they are usually quite difficult for me. One of my favorite parts of The Hobbit is the riddles between Bilbo and the Golem.
Several years ago, Dave and I were in a bookstore and we were looking at these odd little books shaped like toilets. They were logic and quiz bathroom books. We flipped one open to a random page and we saw a riddle. We couldn't get the answer so we flipped to the back of the book and there were no answers! We were cracking up saying that if we couldn't even find the answers to the logic book, we should probably just put it down before we hurt ourselves.
We eventually did find the answer and more hilarity ensued but I'll tell you about that next time. Here's the riddle...
Hoarse, Mousse, Guerrilla, Links, Bare
What do these words have in common?
I guess it's more of a word problem then an actual riddle but whatever.
If you know the answer, don't say in the comments, just raise your hand.
Happy Holidays One and All, Ruth!
Showing posts with label Books. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Books. Show all posts
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Tantrums Aren't Attractive
Saturday at the Sock Summit....
It started out beautifully! We figured out why we'd been taking cold showers for the past three days - John and Melissa's guest shower has opposite markings! Turn to cold to get hot. Who knew?
Then, the outstanding breakfast! I'd requested oatmeal and Melissa put on an oatmeal that won't soon be forgotten but will often be copied. On the counter next to the real (quick, but not instant) oatmeal was the following:
white sugar, brown sugar, little spice bottles of cinnamon and ginger (cinnamon is appreciated, ginger is genius! I mixed them both in) and on the table was a huge bowl of various fresh berries, cut-up bananas and cantaloupe.
Best. Oatmeal. Ever!
The Marketplace was surprisingly slow. It was a long day but still fun and got to meet some amazing people!
At the end of the day, though, the whole trip had caught up with Donna and I. We were exhausted. Beyond fatigue. And we still had to eat and make it to the Ravelry meetup!
Imbrium and two of her friends asked where we wanted to eat. The choices were a restaurant 5 blocks away from the Convention Center (walk 5 blocks, eat, then walk 5 blocks back to catch the train for the Ravelry meetup) or a bar that was kind of on the way (take the train, walk a bit, eat, walk back to train to Rav meetup). We opted for option 2.
By the time we got off the train, Donna and I were already toast. We walked to the bar. It seemed like miles. I remember Donna and I were walking behind the others and at one point I had a little stomping, "Why the hell aren't we there yet??" fit. Thankfully, Donna was the only witness to this pathetic spectacle. (On Monday, I discovered it was only about 3 blocks.)
Then when we got to the bar, we had to wait. It was Saturday night, after all, and the place was packed to the gills. They asked if D and I wanted to go somewhere else. I said (OK, may have snapped it) no, let's just wait and get something to drink. It was a brewery and all I wanted was a bucket of water to drink. (Being in the CC building all day is like being in an airplane all day - the air is so dry and it sucks the life out of you!)
The wait was actually only about 5 minutes and we got a table. We ordered and I was feeling a little more social and a little less like taking someone's/anyone's head and putting it on a platter. The food was delicious! I ordered the thin crust pizza appetizer with pears and prosciutto and a crumbly white cheese that wasn't feta or bleu (can't remember what kind). D had the fancy mac and cheese. We ate and laughed and talked. I remember being so tired that my speech was actually slurring as if I'd been drinking a bucket of beer instead of water!
By the time we were done, D and I were truly done. What were we thinking?? Super tired, so let's order bread/pasta and cheese. We opted out of the Rav meetup. I was too tired to even be bummed about it! I was so tired that I vaguely remember seeing a HUGE white Hummer at the intersection and thinking that was the funniest damn thing I'd ever seen! We were waiting for the train back to the CC (where our car and a 20-30 min. drive awaited us) and I couldn't stop laughing at having seen that ridiculously large car!
Probably the most uneventful day in the whole trip but there it is!
Hey! I forgot to remind everyone about the R.I.P. Challenge!
I had so much fun with it last year, I'm doing it again this year. I believe you can join at any time, so have at it!
I'm tackling the first 4 books of Stephen King's Dark Tower Series. I've already finished the first one. It seemed a bit disjointed and vague but I think that was part of it's mystique. Also, looking at the inside of the title page, I saw it was published in pieces in a short story magazine (they still had a few of those in 1978 when it first came out!). My only beef is that the big reveal at the end had me asking, "Who?!" Maybe I missed something but I don't remember that name being part of the book at all! OK, maybe "not at all" isn't quite right but it was mentioned briefly enough that I couldn't even find it when trying to skim back through the whole book to get more info on that name.
But in Book Two (already started), King gives a brief overview of Book One and tells more about the name.
The Challenge host is also doing Short Story Sunday - very cool! I've been working my way through Strange Attraction - I only bought 3 books last year and this was one of them. It's very cool!
R.I.P. Roarin' and Ready, Ruth!
Friday, February 20, 2009
J is for Jester
Just like last year, it amazes me how the letters present themselves just as they're most needed! 
This is what I did last night...
Went to a book-signing with for one of my all-time favorite authors!!
Went to a book-signing with for one of my all-time favorite authors!!
Donna and I got there around 5p to get our number (that's for the signing) and also to be in line to get good seats. Front row, baby!
Knitted the whole time!
First up was the man who introduced Christopher Moore. His name is Graham something and he's the sci-fi (and other genres) book reviewer for the Denver paper...
First up was the man who introduced Christopher Moore. His name is Graham something and he's the sci-fi (and other genres) book reviewer for the Denver paper...
He was terribly funny in his own right and had a whole diatribe about bastards. (The book "Fool" is Shakespeare's King Lear told from the point of view of the king's jester. There's lots of bastards in Shakespearean plays, just as there's lots of bastards today.)
Then the author came out and we all laughed our asses off for a full hour!
If you get any kind of chance to see Christopher Moore speak in person - run to it! Get there early. About 300 people showed up and the room only holds about 200. They had an overflow room with speakers and no chairs. Seriously, go early. Even if you've no idea who the man is and/or have never read anything he's ever written, go see him. It's free and it's a great time. Unless you're easily offended. If you're easily offended, stay home - trust me! When we got home (at 11:30p!), I told Dave that Moore said he'd come to Denver for 12 of the 18 years he's been writing (for book signings) and that next time, Dave has to go with me.
I got 3 books last year. Only 3. One was the special edition of Christopher Moore's Lamb. He's the best!
Seriously great night, Ruth!
P. S. Speaking of great authors, a friend pointed me towards this recently. It's Neil Gaiman reading all of The Graveyard Book on his last book tour. A chapter per stop. Very cool!
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
E is for Equality
Equality is something I often take for granted. When I was younger, particularly in high school, I always thought I was born in the wrong year. I loved old movies (still do) and the styles and perceived glamour of the 30's and 40's. I even used to wear my grandma's old skirt suits from that era. To school. The pillbox hats, too (although pillbox hats were more from the 50's, right?). I know - I'm a geek.
Now that I'm older, I see that I'm certainly born in the era I needed. And the country. I don't think I could've stood for someone telling me I couldn't do/say/wear something just because I was female. I also realize that if I was born in another time/place, not being able to do what I wanted wouldn't have occurred to me as being wrong. It just was the way it was.
Years ago, I read A Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood. Still one of my all-time favorite books! I remember it scared the crap out of me. It's the story of how women in America have their rights taken from them. All their rights. And it's done slowly and subtly until before the women realize it, it's too late. They are relegated into very specific roles and some escape to Canada for freedom. I remember thinking how it was scary because it was so plausible. The main character in the book was angry with her man (and others) for letting this happen but she was also very angry with herself (and all women) for letting this happen.
It's a fantastic book. Don't waste your time with the movie, it sucked and didn't do the book any justice. At all. I lent that book out 4 years ago and never got it back. I need to buy a new one and read it again.
A couple of years ago, I read Reading Lolita in Tehran. A friend of mine who's actually from Tehran gave me a copy and confirmed that everything the author wrote about was dead on true. When I read RLIT, I remember thinking, "Holy shit! It's Handmaid's Tale... but for real!" Another fine book, RLIT is a bit dry here and there (nonfiction always tends to seem that way for me) but what struck me most was the fact that the women were so angry. At their men for letting these civil rights atrocities to occur and at themselves for the same reason. Tehran struck me as the mafia. The mafia says, "You have to pay us for protection." but what they mean is "You have to pay us for protection. Protection from US." It strikes the same sad ironic chord in me when I read about how the women in Tehran are treated. The men are saying, "We are just protecting you, for your own good." But the only thing the women need protection from is the way the men are treating them. If you ever want to read RLIT, I highly suggest reading Handmaid's Tale first.
So I ended 2008 with Roots. Blogged about it here. Fantastic, outstanding, stellar book!
I started 2009 with Queen. It, like that atrocity of a sequel to Gone With the Wind, was written by another author using the original authors notes. Fortunately, this author, David Stevens, did a fairly good sequel. In the afterword, Stevens, says he's often asked how much was written by him and how much by Roots author, Alex Haley. Stevens says he spent years working with Haley to create Queen. He mentions Haley's outline of what he wanted for Queen... it was a 700 page outline! The book Queen is only 670 pages!
As to the book Queen. It's pretty good. Not nearly as compelling as Roots. Roots focused on the characters, their families, the interaction of the families and what happened in their lives. Haley threw in some history here and there, things heard through the slave grapevine. The American history going on around them was entirely secondary to what was actually happening with the characters in the book and was salted in here and there more as a timeline perspective then anything else.
Queen went a different direction. Roots was the story of Haley's family on his father's side, Queen chronicled the story of the family on his mother's side. It wasn't nearly as compelling a read as Roots but still good enough that I finished 670 pages with a week of January to spare. Stevens, in his Afterword, acknowledges that Queen as it was published was not the story as Alex Haley would've written it and Stevens focused more on the American history side of the story.
It was fascinating, albeit a bit dry here and there. I often realize that I know so much more about history before I was born then the history I've lived through. Then I read a book like Queen and realize I don't know jack.
I can't believe how awful people can be. Throughout Roots and Queen, I keep thinking of how lucky I am to be born and live in this era. And to be born to the family I was, crazy as they are. Sadly, it never ceases to amaze me the capacity of cruelty that humans have. Even the "good Massas" were heartless bastards. I don't care what lies they convince themselves with, there's no getting around the fact that they are dealing with actual humans. Lies like Blacks have no souls; Blacks are livestock; Blacks aren't smart enough to learn. Truth is in actions. The slave holders often treated their livestock better then their slaves, refused to teach blacks anything and, in fact punished any slave known to be able to read or write.
I read these books mostly with my head shaking and my mouth agape at the way the plantation owners justified things to themselves and their peers. It was and is one of the biggest embarrassments in our nation's history.
This is truly an historic time we are living in. Our first Black president - how far we've come as a nation. And yet, how far we still have to go. Should be an interesting trip!
Freedom is so sweet, Ruth!
Now that I'm older, I see that I'm certainly born in the era I needed. And the country. I don't think I could've stood for someone telling me I couldn't do/say/wear something just because I was female. I also realize that if I was born in another time/place, not being able to do what I wanted wouldn't have occurred to me as being wrong. It just was the way it was.
Years ago, I read A Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood. Still one of my all-time favorite books! I remember it scared the crap out of me. It's the story of how women in America have their rights taken from them. All their rights. And it's done slowly and subtly until before the women realize it, it's too late. They are relegated into very specific roles and some escape to Canada for freedom. I remember thinking how it was scary because it was so plausible. The main character in the book was angry with her man (and others) for letting this happen but she was also very angry with herself (and all women) for letting this happen.
It's a fantastic book. Don't waste your time with the movie, it sucked and didn't do the book any justice. At all. I lent that book out 4 years ago and never got it back. I need to buy a new one and read it again.
A couple of years ago, I read Reading Lolita in Tehran. A friend of mine who's actually from Tehran gave me a copy and confirmed that everything the author wrote about was dead on true. When I read RLIT, I remember thinking, "Holy shit! It's Handmaid's Tale... but for real!" Another fine book, RLIT is a bit dry here and there (nonfiction always tends to seem that way for me) but what struck me most was the fact that the women were so angry. At their men for letting these civil rights atrocities to occur and at themselves for the same reason. Tehran struck me as the mafia. The mafia says, "You have to pay us for protection." but what they mean is "You have to pay us for protection. Protection from US." It strikes the same sad ironic chord in me when I read about how the women in Tehran are treated. The men are saying, "We are just protecting you, for your own good." But the only thing the women need protection from is the way the men are treating them. If you ever want to read RLIT, I highly suggest reading Handmaid's Tale first.
So I ended 2008 with Roots. Blogged about it here. Fantastic, outstanding, stellar book!
I started 2009 with Queen. It, like that atrocity of a sequel to Gone With the Wind, was written by another author using the original authors notes. Fortunately, this author, David Stevens, did a fairly good sequel. In the afterword, Stevens, says he's often asked how much was written by him and how much by Roots author, Alex Haley. Stevens says he spent years working with Haley to create Queen. He mentions Haley's outline of what he wanted for Queen... it was a 700 page outline! The book Queen is only 670 pages!
As to the book Queen. It's pretty good. Not nearly as compelling as Roots. Roots focused on the characters, their families, the interaction of the families and what happened in their lives. Haley threw in some history here and there, things heard through the slave grapevine. The American history going on around them was entirely secondary to what was actually happening with the characters in the book and was salted in here and there more as a timeline perspective then anything else.
Queen went a different direction. Roots was the story of Haley's family on his father's side, Queen chronicled the story of the family on his mother's side. It wasn't nearly as compelling a read as Roots but still good enough that I finished 670 pages with a week of January to spare. Stevens, in his Afterword, acknowledges that Queen as it was published was not the story as Alex Haley would've written it and Stevens focused more on the American history side of the story.
It was fascinating, albeit a bit dry here and there. I often realize that I know so much more about history before I was born then the history I've lived through. Then I read a book like Queen and realize I don't know jack.
I can't believe how awful people can be. Throughout Roots and Queen, I keep thinking of how lucky I am to be born and live in this era. And to be born to the family I was, crazy as they are. Sadly, it never ceases to amaze me the capacity of cruelty that humans have. Even the "good Massas" were heartless bastards. I don't care what lies they convince themselves with, there's no getting around the fact that they are dealing with actual humans. Lies like Blacks have no souls; Blacks are livestock; Blacks aren't smart enough to learn. Truth is in actions. The slave holders often treated their livestock better then their slaves, refused to teach blacks anything and, in fact punished any slave known to be able to read or write.
I read these books mostly with my head shaking and my mouth agape at the way the plantation owners justified things to themselves and their peers. It was and is one of the biggest embarrassments in our nation's history.
This is truly an historic time we are living in. Our first Black president - how far we've come as a nation. And yet, how far we still have to go. Should be an interesting trip!
Freedom is so sweet, Ruth!
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Sequential
Last year was the first time ever that I actually made a plan for the books I'd read during the year. I wanted to read one book a month and all the books I picked were already on my shelf. I ended up reading 25 books last year! And that doesn't even count the audiobooks I went through. (My record for reading books is 36 in a year - that was during the year of my military training and TV wasn't all that available to me.)
A few months ago, I started contemplating my reading for 2009. I was sitting in front of my bookcases and noticing that I have a lot of books with sequels. I decided to tackle most of them.
Here's the list for 2009...
January - Queen by Alex Haley and David Stevens
(This is the sequel to Roots. Roots was my last book of '08)
February - Six Stories by Doug Adams
March - This is the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy Series and it's all in one big book. I'll be reading this over Feb/Mar. After the Roots/Queen books, I'll need something a little lighter!
April - Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley
May - Forest House by Marion Zimmer Bradley (I know there's quite a few more sequels but I own these two and will start here.)
June - The Hobbit by Tolkein
July - The Lord of the Rings....
August - Trilogy (can't think of anything better I'd like to do then spend my summer with Tolkein!)
September - Stephen King's
October - Dark Tower series (This will coincide perfectly with the R.I.P. Challenge! I'm going to try to get through at least the first four of the seven books in the series.)
November - Watership Down by Richard Adams(one of my favorite books ever! I want to reread it before I read the sequel)
December - Tales from Watership Down by Richard Adams
And now for some book reviews of the books I finished during 2008....
Dark Harvest by Norman Partridge - LOVED this book. It was reviewed by the guy who does the R.I.P. Challenge and I got it from the library. I liked it so much, I've ordered it from the bookstore. I've never read The Lottery but I know what the concept is. This book is a bit like that. It's a town set in the Twilight Zone, that's for sure! Creepy and clever and spectacular. And very short - only 163 pages. I envy writers that are good enough to pack a whole story into a short story or novella. This man does it especially well. It's one of those books that makes me want to seek out other works by this author.
The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman - another novella expertly rendered. Gaiman is outstanding. This book is about a boy who is raised in a graveyard by the ghosts (and one who isn't a ghost but may not be quite human either). He is a hunted boy but as long as he stays within the confines of the graveyard, he is safe. The ghosts teach him things like becoming invisible and sending out feelings of fright. They also teach him school stuff and other useful bits. It's a very creative tale and I'm so happy I won it during the R.I.P. Challenge! I've only read this and one other novella from Gaiman (Coraline) but I'm sure more of his works will find their way to my bookcases soon...
The Book of Ruth by Jane Hamilton - I went through a period where I thought I would try to read every book in the Oprah Book Club. I'm not usually much of a follower but she kept picking these stellar books! (Except The Reader - how much did that one suck?? And, can I just say, that if it was man having sex with a 12 year old instead of a woman there's no way Oprah would've put that book on her list. But since it was a woman it was OK?? WTF?!)
Anyway...
Like most of my books, I've had this on the shelf for several years. It was my September book last year but got pushed aside for the R.I.P. Challenge. After the challenge was over, I started this book. It took me a bit to get into it (so different from the scary stuff, y'know?) but it was really a great read. The story is told by Ruth and she's not all that bright. Yet she says these things are rather profound and she's not as dumb as her mom continually makes her think she is. The event at the end was rather shocking - what a twist! But Ruth survives it (barely) and lives her life as she always has. I can't seem to find the words to do this book justice. I thought it was excellently written - in a simple manner that conveys the character completely. Excellent.
Lord of the Dead by Tom Holland - Sucked. Hard. Maybe I just didn't get it - I don't know but this book was weak and made very little sense to me. Rebecca is in a lawyer's office demanding keys to a house? a mausoleum in that house? It's not really clear. She wants the keys because there's rumored to be a copy of the lost manuscript of Lord Byron's autobiography there. Her mother disappeared trying to find it in the same place when Rebecca was a child. She gets the keys and goes to the place. Some guy chases her off. She passes a river where they are pulling out a man whose throat has been ripped out. She gets chased around and ends up back at the place she started. She goes in and finds.... not the manuscript of Lord Byron but Lord Byron himself! And he's a vampire! OK. That's page 30. For the next 200 pages, it's just Lord Byron telling his story. It's the story of how he became a vampire and his subsequent life. Rebecca essentially disappears except to give a little prompt here and there to get Byron to go on with his story. In the last 60 pages, they come back to present day with Rebecca sitting in front of Byron and they somehow - last ditch effort? deadline showed up? - tie Rebecca in with the story. WTF?? Lord Byron's story is actually pretty good but the Rebecca factor seemed scattered at best and completely unnecessary. Hated it. One of those books where you feel your time was just wasted and could've been spent with a better book. Or knitting. Or sticking a cactus in your eyes. I'm one of those lame people that, once started, can't put a book down, no matter how bad. I have to know the end of the story.
Couldn't keep it to myself edited by Wally Lamb - This is a collection of short stories; autobiographical stories from women in a prison. Wally Lamb got "roped into" teaching a creative writing class at a prison. He feels it's one of the best things he's ever been involved in. These stories are heart-wrenching and yet never invoke pity from the reader. They don't make you feel sorry for these women, they just make you seem them as truly human. I highly suggest it to all.
A few months ago, I started contemplating my reading for 2009. I was sitting in front of my bookcases and noticing that I have a lot of books with sequels. I decided to tackle most of them.
Here's the list for 2009...
January - Queen by Alex Haley and David Stevens
(This is the sequel to Roots. Roots was my last book of '08)
February - Six Stories by Doug Adams
March - This is the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy Series and it's all in one big book. I'll be reading this over Feb/Mar. After the Roots/Queen books, I'll need something a little lighter!
April - Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley
May - Forest House by Marion Zimmer Bradley (I know there's quite a few more sequels but I own these two and will start here.)
June - The Hobbit by Tolkein
July - The Lord of the Rings....
August - Trilogy (can't think of anything better I'd like to do then spend my summer with Tolkein!)
September - Stephen King's
October - Dark Tower series (This will coincide perfectly with the R.I.P. Challenge! I'm going to try to get through at least the first four of the seven books in the series.)
November - Watership Down by Richard Adams(one of my favorite books ever! I want to reread it before I read the sequel)
December - Tales from Watership Down by Richard Adams
And now for some book reviews of the books I finished during 2008....
Dark Harvest by Norman Partridge - LOVED this book. It was reviewed by the guy who does the R.I.P. Challenge and I got it from the library. I liked it so much, I've ordered it from the bookstore. I've never read The Lottery but I know what the concept is. This book is a bit like that. It's a town set in the Twilight Zone, that's for sure! Creepy and clever and spectacular. And very short - only 163 pages. I envy writers that are good enough to pack a whole story into a short story or novella. This man does it especially well. It's one of those books that makes me want to seek out other works by this author.
The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman - another novella expertly rendered. Gaiman is outstanding. This book is about a boy who is raised in a graveyard by the ghosts (and one who isn't a ghost but may not be quite human either). He is a hunted boy but as long as he stays within the confines of the graveyard, he is safe. The ghosts teach him things like becoming invisible and sending out feelings of fright. They also teach him school stuff and other useful bits. It's a very creative tale and I'm so happy I won it during the R.I.P. Challenge! I've only read this and one other novella from Gaiman (Coraline) but I'm sure more of his works will find their way to my bookcases soon...
The Book of Ruth by Jane Hamilton - I went through a period where I thought I would try to read every book in the Oprah Book Club. I'm not usually much of a follower but she kept picking these stellar books! (Except The Reader - how much did that one suck?? And, can I just say, that if it was man having sex with a 12 year old instead of a woman there's no way Oprah would've put that book on her list. But since it was a woman it was OK?? WTF?!)
Anyway...
Like most of my books, I've had this on the shelf for several years. It was my September book last year but got pushed aside for the R.I.P. Challenge. After the challenge was over, I started this book. It took me a bit to get into it (so different from the scary stuff, y'know?) but it was really a great read. The story is told by Ruth and she's not all that bright. Yet she says these things are rather profound and she's not as dumb as her mom continually makes her think she is. The event at the end was rather shocking - what a twist! But Ruth survives it (barely) and lives her life as she always has. I can't seem to find the words to do this book justice. I thought it was excellently written - in a simple manner that conveys the character completely. Excellent.
Lord of the Dead by Tom Holland - Sucked. Hard. Maybe I just didn't get it - I don't know but this book was weak and made very little sense to me. Rebecca is in a lawyer's office demanding keys to a house? a mausoleum in that house? It's not really clear. She wants the keys because there's rumored to be a copy of the lost manuscript of Lord Byron's autobiography there. Her mother disappeared trying to find it in the same place when Rebecca was a child. She gets the keys and goes to the place. Some guy chases her off. She passes a river where they are pulling out a man whose throat has been ripped out. She gets chased around and ends up back at the place she started. She goes in and finds.... not the manuscript of Lord Byron but Lord Byron himself! And he's a vampire! OK. That's page 30. For the next 200 pages, it's just Lord Byron telling his story. It's the story of how he became a vampire and his subsequent life. Rebecca essentially disappears except to give a little prompt here and there to get Byron to go on with his story. In the last 60 pages, they come back to present day with Rebecca sitting in front of Byron and they somehow - last ditch effort? deadline showed up? - tie Rebecca in with the story. WTF?? Lord Byron's story is actually pretty good but the Rebecca factor seemed scattered at best and completely unnecessary. Hated it. One of those books where you feel your time was just wasted and could've been spent with a better book. Or knitting. Or sticking a cactus in your eyes. I'm one of those lame people that, once started, can't put a book down, no matter how bad. I have to know the end of the story.
Couldn't keep it to myself edited by Wally Lamb - This is a collection of short stories; autobiographical stories from women in a prison. Wally Lamb got "roped into" teaching a creative writing class at a prison. He feels it's one of the best things he's ever been involved in. These stories are heart-wrenching and yet never invoke pity from the reader. They don't make you feel sorry for these women, they just make you seem them as truly human. I highly suggest it to all.
Roots by Alex Haley - This book was A.MAZ.ING. I treated this book the same way I treated Gone With The Wind (although this book is sort-of the anitGWTW, right?) - I took it off the shelf a few times, looked at it's width and put it back. But, like GWTW, from the very beginning, this book had me hooked. I could NOT put this book down! Haley uses really short chapters and that didn't help any because I'd look ahead to the next break in the book and think, "Yea, just a few more pages". I was constantly up until 11p-11:30p nearly every night I was reading this book. His writing is so compelling and visual. His depth of characters so rich. I think this should be required reading for every American as part of our history classes.
I've never seen the miniseries (I've currently put it on hold at the library since I finished the book) but I know the iconic scene where they are whipping Kunta Kinte until he breaks and says his slave name "Toby". In the book.... Kunta would've definitely taken a whipping over what they really did to him. Made me nauseous. People's capacity for cruelty never ceases to astound me. Even the "good Massa" was nothing but a heartless bastard when it came right down to it.
One thing it took me awhile to get over was the fact that when the... we'll say "landscape" changed in the book (don't want to spoil anything), you never heard about any of the people left behind anymore. Like I've already said, I hate not knowing the end of the story! It took about halfway through the book for me to realize, "Too damn bad. They don't get to know the end of those stories, why should you?" (That's me talking to myself, nothing in the book actually says that.) And it's true. The first part of the book starts with Kunta being born in Africa and his childhood there. The suspense was driving me crazy! I knew he was going to be captured and brought to America but when? When???? He was in Africa until he was 17. Haley has Kunta's whole family in the story and you are so involved in this family in Africa that it's hard to not wonder what happened to them after Kunta was stolen. Too. Damn. Bad. Kunta never got to know - never got to see them again. That happens a couple of times in the book and each time it rips your heart out.
I spent 2 hours on Dec. 31st reading the last 100 pages of this amazing book. The end of the book is more like an Afterword then more of the story. It's Alex Haley talking about how the book came about and the research he did to get the story he has. (Also, didn't know that this story is actually Haley's family story. His family on his mom's side. "Queen" is the story of his family on his dad's side.) There's a part when he's in Africa, meeting the tribe where Kunta Kinte was stolen from nearly 200 years earlier. When they realized Haley was a descendant of their family, they had this ritual celebrating his return to the tribe. I was bawling like a baby.
Again, one of the most compelling books I've ever read.
Looking forward to this year's literature, Ruth!
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Fin
I finished the R.I.P. Challenge! I read 4 books between Sep. 1 and Oct. 25. That's gotta be some kind of record for me! I may even finish a 5th one by the time the challenge ends on October 31, midnite.
The last book I'd picked for this challenge was Devil in the White City. It was really good! I picked it to read last since I knew it wasn't going to move as quickly for me as the others. This book is nonfiction. I don't do well with nonfiction - even when it's written to read like a novel as DWC was. It's about the World Fair in Chicago 1894. It's about how that World Fair came about and the men who were instrumental in getting it pulled together (despite the usual bureaucratic nonsense).
It's hard to grasp the magnitude of the whole affair. Maybe if there were more pictures I could've wrapped my brain around it easier (or even if there were more comparisons to modern day structures). The sheer magnitude of the crew trying to build this "city" in such a short time is mind-boggling.
How this book fits in with the R.I.P. Challenge is the way the author wove in the story of a serial killer who took advantage of the influx of strangers coming to Chicago at the time of the World Fair - both to enjoy the fair and to find work in this already large and suddenly booming city. It was shortly after Jack the Ripper made a name for himself in London. Jack was credited with 5 killings and he is in our consciousness yet today. He's so iconic, I don't think you could find a single person in the Western world over the age of 10 who doesn't know about him. The killer in this book admitted to killing 27 people (estimates are higher). And he didnt' discriminate - men, women, children, he didn't care.
The book was very well done. An occasional foray into unnecessary speculation (mostly about the killer's childhood) but other then that a fascinating and very satisfying read.
The 5th book I'm trying to finish before the week ends is a book I won from the R.I.P. Challenge! It's a first edition of Neil Gaiman's new book The Graveyard Book. I won it through a random drawing in the Challenge. (Actually someone else's name was drawn and she told the host that she had received a copy for her birthday so to go ahead and pass it on and then my name was drawn. Very generous of her - thank you!)
If you've never read any thing from Gaiman, I highly suggest you go find something of his and get started. I've only read Coraline and I adore that book! I've also watched his Neverwhere series (on DVD from the library). It's very cool! I'm thoroughly enjoying this Graveyard Book as well and will be delving more into Gaiman's works in the future.
Hey, I wanted to say thanks for the huge response I've had for the Traveling Trevor contest! I posted about it on Friday and by Saturday, I already had 15 people! I have about 20 people entered, including 2 from Canada and one from New Zealand! If you are out of the States, you can certainly enter - I will email you the paper doll and his Traveling Form and you can just mail it back to us when you've finished with him.
Still reading, Ruth!
The last book I'd picked for this challenge was Devil in the White City. It was really good! I picked it to read last since I knew it wasn't going to move as quickly for me as the others. This book is nonfiction. I don't do well with nonfiction - even when it's written to read like a novel as DWC was. It's about the World Fair in Chicago 1894. It's about how that World Fair came about and the men who were instrumental in getting it pulled together (despite the usual bureaucratic nonsense).
It's hard to grasp the magnitude of the whole affair. Maybe if there were more pictures I could've wrapped my brain around it easier (or even if there were more comparisons to modern day structures). The sheer magnitude of the crew trying to build this "city" in such a short time is mind-boggling.
How this book fits in with the R.I.P. Challenge is the way the author wove in the story of a serial killer who took advantage of the influx of strangers coming to Chicago at the time of the World Fair - both to enjoy the fair and to find work in this already large and suddenly booming city. It was shortly after Jack the Ripper made a name for himself in London. Jack was credited with 5 killings and he is in our consciousness yet today. He's so iconic, I don't think you could find a single person in the Western world over the age of 10 who doesn't know about him. The killer in this book admitted to killing 27 people (estimates are higher). And he didnt' discriminate - men, women, children, he didn't care.
The book was very well done. An occasional foray into unnecessary speculation (mostly about the killer's childhood) but other then that a fascinating and very satisfying read.
The 5th book I'm trying to finish before the week ends is a book I won from the R.I.P. Challenge! It's a first edition of Neil Gaiman's new book The Graveyard Book. I won it through a random drawing in the Challenge. (Actually someone else's name was drawn and she told the host that she had received a copy for her birthday so to go ahead and pass it on and then my name was drawn. Very generous of her - thank you!)
If you've never read any thing from Gaiman, I highly suggest you go find something of his and get started. I've only read Coraline and I adore that book! I've also watched his Neverwhere series (on DVD from the library). It's very cool! I'm thoroughly enjoying this Graveyard Book as well and will be delving more into Gaiman's works in the future.
Hey, I wanted to say thanks for the huge response I've had for the Traveling Trevor contest! I posted about it on Friday and by Saturday, I already had 15 people! I have about 20 people entered, including 2 from Canada and one from New Zealand! If you are out of the States, you can certainly enter - I will email you the paper doll and his Traveling Form and you can just mail it back to us when you've finished with him.
Still reading, Ruth!
Friday, October 3, 2008
R.I.P. Challenge Update
I finished Greely's Cove over a week ago and I finished Shadow Man night before last. It's amazing how much reading you can get done when you don't watch as much TV. Or get as much sleep.
Greely's Cove was really good. It started out very similar to Salem's Lot. Creepy, old guy moves to town. People start disappearing but reappearing to loved ones in the night. Creepy, old guy is controlling some of the weaker minds in town. A few people band together to save the day. It was really quite good in it's own right, however - very chilling and scary. And no vampires. Very makes-you-check-under-the-bed scary.
It made me realize that, while I read tons of scary books, it's actually been a few years since I read one that involved scary from the netherworlds kind of stuff. I realized that lately all the scary I've been reading is more thriller/suspense involving human monsters (serial killers). After reading Greely's Cove, I realized I'm going to have to start delving back into the shelf it came off in my bookcase. The shelf with all the not-of-this-world scary stuff.
Shadow Man was a return to the serial killer. It was also very good. Another testament to the speed with which I've read the past three books - if it's excellent, it makes me want to read straight through. This particular book has "Advanced Copy - Not For Resale" both printed on the front of the book and stamped all along the edges of the pages. Clearly someone couldn't read as I bought it resold at the used book store. (Several someone's if you count the store clerks and me). As an advanced copy, there were quite a few typos. Normally, typos in books drive me nuts as it takes me out of the story because I notice these things. But with an Advanced Copy - Not For Resale, I was expecting them and it didn't effect me as much. The main thing I couldn't get past (and this is, admittedly, unbelievably stupid that it should bother me) was that the main character was 4'10" and one of her co-workers was a "big, mountain of a man". Several times throughout the story, she'd console/comfort/lightly restrain him by "putting her hands on his shoulders". If he's over 6' and she's 4'10", she'd need to be standing on a chair to put her hands anywhere near his shoulders.
Other then my own anal retentive issues, the story line was excellent with quite a few interesting twists along the way. It's very graphically gruesome here and there, so keep that in mind if you plan on putting this one on your reading list. It's got great characters who actually cry and get physically ill when things effect them. I read a lot of stories about serial killers and the law enforcement people are always so stoic - sure they get angry but none of them ever really breaks down no matter what they see. I just don't see it being that way in real life. This story, they seem more human and humane in their reactions. Not that everyone is blubbering all the time either. The author creates a nice balance of their reactions and their ability to continue to do their jobs. Very well done.
On to Devil in the White City, Ruth!
Greely's Cove was really good. It started out very similar to Salem's Lot. Creepy, old guy moves to town. People start disappearing but reappearing to loved ones in the night. Creepy, old guy is controlling some of the weaker minds in town. A few people band together to save the day. It was really quite good in it's own right, however - very chilling and scary. And no vampires. Very makes-you-check-under-the-bed scary.
It made me realize that, while I read tons of scary books, it's actually been a few years since I read one that involved scary from the netherworlds kind of stuff. I realized that lately all the scary I've been reading is more thriller/suspense involving human monsters (serial killers). After reading Greely's Cove, I realized I'm going to have to start delving back into the shelf it came off in my bookcase. The shelf with all the not-of-this-world scary stuff.
Shadow Man was a return to the serial killer. It was also very good. Another testament to the speed with which I've read the past three books - if it's excellent, it makes me want to read straight through. This particular book has "Advanced Copy - Not For Resale" both printed on the front of the book and stamped all along the edges of the pages. Clearly someone couldn't read as I bought it resold at the used book store. (Several someone's if you count the store clerks and me). As an advanced copy, there were quite a few typos. Normally, typos in books drive me nuts as it takes me out of the story because I notice these things. But with an Advanced Copy - Not For Resale, I was expecting them and it didn't effect me as much. The main thing I couldn't get past (and this is, admittedly, unbelievably stupid that it should bother me) was that the main character was 4'10" and one of her co-workers was a "big, mountain of a man". Several times throughout the story, she'd console/comfort/lightly restrain him by "putting her hands on his shoulders". If he's over 6' and she's 4'10", she'd need to be standing on a chair to put her hands anywhere near his shoulders.
Other then my own anal retentive issues, the story line was excellent with quite a few interesting twists along the way. It's very graphically gruesome here and there, so keep that in mind if you plan on putting this one on your reading list. It's got great characters who actually cry and get physically ill when things effect them. I read a lot of stories about serial killers and the law enforcement people are always so stoic - sure they get angry but none of them ever really breaks down no matter what they see. I just don't see it being that way in real life. This story, they seem more human and humane in their reactions. Not that everyone is blubbering all the time either. The author creates a nice balance of their reactions and their ability to continue to do their jobs. Very well done.
On to Devil in the White City, Ruth!
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Perilous Reading - 1
I finished the first book in my Perilous Reading read-a-long thingy.
It was Speaking In Tongues by Jeffrey Deaver. Dave and I are huge Deaver fans. He wrote The Bone Collector which is the first of his that either of us read. My favorite from him is The Devil's Teardrop. It involves a document authenticator in the quest for who-dunnit. A Devil's Teardrop is when someone writes an i and the dot looks like a teardrop.
Deaver makes forensic science fascinating! He's gotta be doing so much research on most of his books, it's unreal. I love a book that can thrill you to death, scare the crap out of you and educate you at the same time. Plus his books almost always have this neck-snappin' twist at the end. Can't beat that!
The first time I tried reading Speaking, I was using it as my workout book. I would pick a book I really wanted to read and would only allow myself to read it while working out. This book was the third or fourth of my workout books and it just wasn't doin' it for me. I couldn't get into it. The characters were all whiners who pointed the blame at others. I put the book down.
That's something I never do. No matter how bad a book is, I have to finish it. I hate not knowing the end of a story. This book wasn't necessarily bad, I just couldn't get into it. When I picked it up this time for this read-a-long, it still had the bookmark in it from my last attempt - on page 136. I started from the beginning again (I'd put it down about 2 years ago) and apparently, I should have kept at it for a few more pages. Soon after page 136, the book takes off! It was Deaver's usual very good stuff!
I read short stories between books, to clear my brain from the last one. I finished, I was Told There'd Be Cake by Sloane Crosley. It's pretty funny. The cover touted her as a female David Sedaris. I don't know about that, but she was funny!
I'm continuing my quest to read/listen to everything by James Patterson. Man, is he good! I was listening to Kiss the Girls while making my keychains. I was reading Speaking at the same time and they were getting a little mixed up in my head as they both involved kidnapped females and crazed killers.
I wonder who came first. I'm pretty sure Patterson is the first I ever read that uses the style of really short chapters (averaging around 300 pages, his books usually have over 100 chapters per book). He also has that maddening technique where one character is in dire peril and the chapter ends and the next chapter goes to some other character and, well, whatever, Patterson makes you wait to see what happens to the threatened character.
Deaver, Dan Brown (of The Da Vinci Code fame), and countless others use that same style. It's breakneck speed and it sucks you in. D and I stay up so much later then we intend to because of these books. The short chapters are what do you in. You just keep telling yourself, 'It's only a few more pages, I gotta know what happens' and then suddenly it's past midnight.
Started my second book last night. I'm on page 20 and it's already creepy! Yay!
Loving the fake scary, Ruth!
It was Speaking In Tongues by Jeffrey Deaver. Dave and I are huge Deaver fans. He wrote The Bone Collector which is the first of his that either of us read. My favorite from him is The Devil's Teardrop. It involves a document authenticator in the quest for who-dunnit. A Devil's Teardrop is when someone writes an i and the dot looks like a teardrop.
Deaver makes forensic science fascinating! He's gotta be doing so much research on most of his books, it's unreal. I love a book that can thrill you to death, scare the crap out of you and educate you at the same time. Plus his books almost always have this neck-snappin' twist at the end. Can't beat that!
The first time I tried reading Speaking, I was using it as my workout book. I would pick a book I really wanted to read and would only allow myself to read it while working out. This book was the third or fourth of my workout books and it just wasn't doin' it for me. I couldn't get into it. The characters were all whiners who pointed the blame at others. I put the book down.
That's something I never do. No matter how bad a book is, I have to finish it. I hate not knowing the end of a story. This book wasn't necessarily bad, I just couldn't get into it. When I picked it up this time for this read-a-long, it still had the bookmark in it from my last attempt - on page 136. I started from the beginning again (I'd put it down about 2 years ago) and apparently, I should have kept at it for a few more pages. Soon after page 136, the book takes off! It was Deaver's usual very good stuff!
I read short stories between books, to clear my brain from the last one. I finished, I was Told There'd Be Cake by Sloane Crosley. It's pretty funny. The cover touted her as a female David Sedaris. I don't know about that, but she was funny!
I'm continuing my quest to read/listen to everything by James Patterson. Man, is he good! I was listening to Kiss the Girls while making my keychains. I was reading Speaking at the same time and they were getting a little mixed up in my head as they both involved kidnapped females and crazed killers.
I wonder who came first. I'm pretty sure Patterson is the first I ever read that uses the style of really short chapters (averaging around 300 pages, his books usually have over 100 chapters per book). He also has that maddening technique where one character is in dire peril and the chapter ends and the next chapter goes to some other character and, well, whatever, Patterson makes you wait to see what happens to the threatened character.
Deaver, Dan Brown (of The Da Vinci Code fame), and countless others use that same style. It's breakneck speed and it sucks you in. D and I stay up so much later then we intend to because of these books. The short chapters are what do you in. You just keep telling yourself, 'It's only a few more pages, I gotta know what happens' and then suddenly it's past midnight.
Started my second book last night. I'm on page 20 and it's already creepy! Yay!
Loving the fake scary, Ruth!
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Perilous
I'm joining this book... along.. thing. Found here. (Actually, I found it through Kelly's blog.)
I'm going to read:
Speaking in Tongues by Jeffrey Deaver
Greeley's Cove by John Gideon
The Shadow Man by Cody McFayden and
Devil in the White City by Erik Larson
The first book may be considered a bit of a cheat. I started reading this book a couple of years ago and just couldn't get into it. When we lived in Tucson, I had a gym membership. To make the gym more appealing, I'd select a book that I really wanted to read and I'd only be able to read it while I worked out. This was a book that I chose and it just wasn't working for me so I picked something else and never finished this one. I hate not finishing a book. No matter how bad it may be, I have to know how it ends. This book wasn't bad, necessarily, I just couldn't get into it while working out.
The second is a book someone gave me over 10 years ago. A friend gave it to me while I was stationed in Germany. He assured me it was the scariest book he'd ever read (and he only read scary stuff). I think I should start reading it. 13 years is long enough to put it off. Not that I had any conscious reason for putting it off, just that other books seemed to appeal more.
The Shadow Man is actually on my list of books for this year. I'll be skipping the book I had scheduled for September but will squeeze it in after I read these four.
The Devil in the White City is another that I bought several years ago. I actually bought it as soon as it came out in paperback. Just never got around to reading it. Now's the time!
I'm not the fastest reader but hope to be able to finish.
I love a good Peril, Ruth!
I'm going to read:
Speaking in Tongues by Jeffrey Deaver
Greeley's Cove by John Gideon
The Shadow Man by Cody McFayden and
Devil in the White City by Erik Larson
The first book may be considered a bit of a cheat. I started reading this book a couple of years ago and just couldn't get into it. When we lived in Tucson, I had a gym membership. To make the gym more appealing, I'd select a book that I really wanted to read and I'd only be able to read it while I worked out. This was a book that I chose and it just wasn't working for me so I picked something else and never finished this one. I hate not finishing a book. No matter how bad it may be, I have to know how it ends. This book wasn't bad, necessarily, I just couldn't get into it while working out.
The second is a book someone gave me over 10 years ago. A friend gave it to me while I was stationed in Germany. He assured me it was the scariest book he'd ever read (and he only read scary stuff). I think I should start reading it. 13 years is long enough to put it off. Not that I had any conscious reason for putting it off, just that other books seemed to appeal more.
The Shadow Man is actually on my list of books for this year. I'll be skipping the book I had scheduled for September but will squeeze it in after I read these four.
The Devil in the White City is another that I bought several years ago. I actually bought it as soon as it came out in paperback. Just never got around to reading it. Now's the time!
I'm not the fastest reader but hope to be able to finish.
I love a good Peril, Ruth!
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Summer Reading
I've been keeping fairly true to my 2008 Reading Goals. The Tom Jones book put me behind some (also the books I've been sneaking in between my list books). Tom Jones was written in the 1700s and is a difficult read. It took me almost a week to read the first 40 pages! It's 18 "books" with little chapters in each book. Each book is about 25-40 pages, 850 some pages in all. I'm reading a "book" between each regular book I read. I should have this beast finished by the end of the year. It's a good read, just difficult, old-style English.
I loved Beloved. Loved it. It's as I remember other Toni Morrison books I've read - it makes your heart hurt but it's so beautifully written, you can't stop reading. Ms. Morrison shows us the basest, cruelest, most evil that the human race can be but then just when it feels as though she's reaching inside you to pull out your heart and show it to you, you come to that part of the book where you realize that she's reaching inside you to show you where your heart is. She shows you the beauty as well as the horror that is our pitiful, lovely species. Perfection.
I just finished Oscar Wiled and a Death of No Importance. What a waste that was. It's a fluffy mystery and with the cast of characters involved it could've been sensational. It wasn't. It was trite and fairly obvious. I knew about 1/3 of the way through who the murderers were (I was just a little off as to their motives). Very disappointing.
Is it pathetic and sad that I've already decided next year's reading? I'm pretty well decided that I'm only going to read books with sequels. On my bookshelves I have Stephen King's Dark Tower series, Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy series, The Hobbit/Lord of the Rings/Silmarillion series, The Complete Sherlock Holmes, and many others that I've had for years and (with the exceptional exception of The Hobbit) have never read. I'm ending this year with Roots which would naturally have me starting next year with it's sequel Queenie!
I think for my in between books next year, I'm going to try to clear off my paperback shelf. It's 3 deep with mostly scary books (which are usually my favorite choice) and I need to read them, donate them to the library and move on! Like most of the books on my shelves, had them for years, haven't read them, but still buy more. No more buying, just reading what I've got and maybe borrowing from the library every now and then!
Wordhound, Ruth!
I loved Beloved. Loved it. It's as I remember other Toni Morrison books I've read - it makes your heart hurt but it's so beautifully written, you can't stop reading. Ms. Morrison shows us the basest, cruelest, most evil that the human race can be but then just when it feels as though she's reaching inside you to pull out your heart and show it to you, you come to that part of the book where you realize that she's reaching inside you to show you where your heart is. She shows you the beauty as well as the horror that is our pitiful, lovely species. Perfection.
I just finished Oscar Wiled and a Death of No Importance. What a waste that was. It's a fluffy mystery and with the cast of characters involved it could've been sensational. It wasn't. It was trite and fairly obvious. I knew about 1/3 of the way through who the murderers were (I was just a little off as to their motives). Very disappointing.
Is it pathetic and sad that I've already decided next year's reading? I'm pretty well decided that I'm only going to read books with sequels. On my bookshelves I have Stephen King's Dark Tower series, Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy series, The Hobbit/Lord of the Rings/Silmarillion series, The Complete Sherlock Holmes, and many others that I've had for years and (with the exceptional exception of The Hobbit) have never read. I'm ending this year with Roots which would naturally have me starting next year with it's sequel Queenie!
I think for my in between books next year, I'm going to try to clear off my paperback shelf. It's 3 deep with mostly scary books (which are usually my favorite choice) and I need to read them, donate them to the library and move on! Like most of the books on my shelves, had them for years, haven't read them, but still buy more. No more buying, just reading what I've got and maybe borrowing from the library every now and then!
Wordhound, Ruth!
Friday, April 18, 2008
Ambush!
Why is it that whenever you have more then 3 women in a room and you put them in that room more then, say, 3 times - why does there always have to be DRAMA?
PTO meeting last night (same as PTA, just spelled different). A woman, we'll call her S, starts out with a simple question to, say K. K answers. S starts verbally attacking this woman and for about 10 minutes. This spirals down in to a complete nightmare and K finally gets up and leaves. S completely ambushed K with this minor thing. This thing needed to be addressed but S just seemed to use it as an opportunity to make K look bad and also, apparently to throw the PTO prez under the bus as an added side bonus!
It was a manipulative mishandling of a minor situation and I can only be thankful that we had a very slim attendance last night. I'm equally thankful that a) none of them but my friend Rachel reads my drivel and b) I have a place to vent all this nonsense! Not that I care if they read these, just in the interest of not having even more drama to deal with. I can only imagine what would've happened if we'd actually had a new member show up to that embarrassment of a meeting!
WTF??
Halfway through this craziness, as the rest of us are sitting there shell-shocked and flabbergasted, S says, "I mean, I don't want to make anyone uncomfortable." To which I whisper to myself, "Too late."
Now y'all know I'm not the most diplomatic person but in this instance, I tried keeping my mouth shut and sticking to my knitting (yes, I take it to meetings - don't you?). I tried 3 times to shut it down by saying, "That's enough, let's move on." and "Moving on..." No dice. S was not to be stopped in her harangue.
After that meeting, Rachel and I had to go in to town and have a drink!
OK, enough of that nonsense.
Here's a reading update.
I read one of the best books ever! The Shivered Sky by Matt Dinniman.
I don't read science fiction normally. And I don't think this book falls under that category. But maybe if I did, I wouldn't be so impressed? This author created an entire world and culture and creatures we've never seen (which I imagine is de rigeur for science fiction writers, which is why I brought that up).
These 5 young adults (mid to late teens all) die and end up in Heaven. Only in Heaven, the angels have lost the war and are a minor underground force. Demons are running the show and humans are slaves (and food). These teens are part of a prophesy and are supposed to put things right.
Only as the book progresses, their version of what's right is sorely tested. This book, in a roundabout way, reminds me of the movie Crash (also one of my favorites). Those who are bad also have their good sides and those who are good, well, maybe not so much.
The depth of character in this book is phenomenal. The secondary and even tertiary characters are so well developed that you really feel for them, be they demon, angel or human. I loved this guy's style of writing and I'm sure I'll probably read it again next year.
We're lucky enough to have a signed copy. My husband read a review in The Weekly (free independent newspaper) in Tucson. If you mentioned the review when you ordered the book, the author would sign it for you. Dave read it and when I asked him about it he said, "Eh." I should've known better as he says this about most things. It's an excellent book. Go get it. Now. I'll wait....
As I was reading it, I kept thinking, this would make a great movie. But as I got further into it and the way the characters were developed and presented, I changed my mind. I think the best way to present this to the masses (besides forced literacy) would be as a TV series, possibly even animated so you could really see the creatures and landscape as the author presents in his writing.
I'm supposed to be reading The Bonesetter's Daughter next (according to my New Year's list) but I'm taking a little side journey. I listened to 1st Degree by James Patterson (with Andrew Gross) on audiobook. It was OK. I really enjoy James Patterson - he wrote Along Came a Spider and Kiss The Girls, both made in to movies with Morgan Freeman as the main character.
The 1st Degree was entertaining and I like to listen to audiobooks while I make my Stitch Savers (as yet another aside, since being featured on Knitty.com's Cool Stuff page - it's been non-stop with these things! I don't knit anymore, I just make little keychains! Not complaining, mind you, just sayin'). Anyway, it was a pretty good book until the end.
I'll try to convey this without spoiling the ending. I don't know if I'll be successful - you've been warned. There's only 2 people it could possibly be doing these crimes. They discover it's not the one so all of a sudden these 5 smart, tough, well-educated women are all, "Oh NO! Who could it possibly be????" Seriously? And note to killer - If you're going to attack a policewoman in her home with a knife, wouldn't it occur to you that she might, I know it's a stretch, but she just might have a gun?
Anyway, it got me to thinking how much I enjoyed his Alex Cross books and I decided to read/listen to everything he's ever done. If you clicked on the Wickipedia link, you'll see what a *crazy* brave endeavor this is.
So - and eventually, I like to try to get back to my original point - my side journey has taken me to James Patterson's first novel The Thomas Berryman Number. It's pretty good so far - I'm about 100 pages in. I love that Patterson has these little tiny chapters (usually over 100 per book) and he has such fast paced goin's on in these thrillers. It's like watching an intelligent (most of the time) action movie!
Is there any author you'd like to read all of? I'd like to read all of Matt Dinniman's stuff but The Shivered Sky seems to be it so far!
Reading til it hurts, Ruth!
PTO meeting last night (same as PTA, just spelled different). A woman, we'll call her S, starts out with a simple question to, say K. K answers. S starts verbally attacking this woman and for about 10 minutes. This spirals down in to a complete nightmare and K finally gets up and leaves. S completely ambushed K with this minor thing. This thing needed to be addressed but S just seemed to use it as an opportunity to make K look bad and also, apparently to throw the PTO prez under the bus as an added side bonus!
It was a manipulative mishandling of a minor situation and I can only be thankful that we had a very slim attendance last night. I'm equally thankful that a) none of them but my friend Rachel reads my drivel and b) I have a place to vent all this nonsense! Not that I care if they read these, just in the interest of not having even more drama to deal with. I can only imagine what would've happened if we'd actually had a new member show up to that embarrassment of a meeting!
WTF??
Halfway through this craziness, as the rest of us are sitting there shell-shocked and flabbergasted, S says, "I mean, I don't want to make anyone uncomfortable." To which I whisper to myself, "Too late."
Now y'all know I'm not the most diplomatic person but in this instance, I tried keeping my mouth shut and sticking to my knitting (yes, I take it to meetings - don't you?). I tried 3 times to shut it down by saying, "That's enough, let's move on." and "Moving on..." No dice. S was not to be stopped in her harangue.
After that meeting, Rachel and I had to go in to town and have a drink!
OK, enough of that nonsense.
Here's a reading update.
I read one of the best books ever! The Shivered Sky by Matt Dinniman.
I don't read science fiction normally. And I don't think this book falls under that category. But maybe if I did, I wouldn't be so impressed? This author created an entire world and culture and creatures we've never seen (which I imagine is de rigeur for science fiction writers, which is why I brought that up).
These 5 young adults (mid to late teens all) die and end up in Heaven. Only in Heaven, the angels have lost the war and are a minor underground force. Demons are running the show and humans are slaves (and food). These teens are part of a prophesy and are supposed to put things right.
Only as the book progresses, their version of what's right is sorely tested. This book, in a roundabout way, reminds me of the movie Crash (also one of my favorites). Those who are bad also have their good sides and those who are good, well, maybe not so much.
The depth of character in this book is phenomenal. The secondary and even tertiary characters are so well developed that you really feel for them, be they demon, angel or human. I loved this guy's style of writing and I'm sure I'll probably read it again next year.
We're lucky enough to have a signed copy. My husband read a review in The Weekly (free independent newspaper) in Tucson. If you mentioned the review when you ordered the book, the author would sign it for you. Dave read it and when I asked him about it he said, "Eh." I should've known better as he says this about most things. It's an excellent book. Go get it. Now. I'll wait....
As I was reading it, I kept thinking, this would make a great movie. But as I got further into it and the way the characters were developed and presented, I changed my mind. I think the best way to present this to the masses (besides forced literacy) would be as a TV series, possibly even animated so you could really see the creatures and landscape as the author presents in his writing.
I'm supposed to be reading The Bonesetter's Daughter next (according to my New Year's list) but I'm taking a little side journey. I listened to 1st Degree by James Patterson (with Andrew Gross) on audiobook. It was OK. I really enjoy James Patterson - he wrote Along Came a Spider and Kiss The Girls, both made in to movies with Morgan Freeman as the main character.
The 1st Degree was entertaining and I like to listen to audiobooks while I make my Stitch Savers (as yet another aside, since being featured on Knitty.com's Cool Stuff page - it's been non-stop with these things! I don't knit anymore, I just make little keychains! Not complaining, mind you, just sayin'). Anyway, it was a pretty good book until the end.
I'll try to convey this without spoiling the ending. I don't know if I'll be successful - you've been warned. There's only 2 people it could possibly be doing these crimes. They discover it's not the one so all of a sudden these 5 smart, tough, well-educated women are all, "Oh NO! Who could it possibly be????" Seriously? And note to killer - If you're going to attack a policewoman in her home with a knife, wouldn't it occur to you that she might, I know it's a stretch, but she just might have a gun?
Anyway, it got me to thinking how much I enjoyed his Alex Cross books and I decided to read/listen to everything he's ever done. If you clicked on the Wickipedia link, you'll see what a *crazy* brave endeavor this is.
So - and eventually, I like to try to get back to my original point - my side journey has taken me to James Patterson's first novel The Thomas Berryman Number. It's pretty good so far - I'm about 100 pages in. I love that Patterson has these little tiny chapters (usually over 100 per book) and he has such fast paced goin's on in these thrillers. It's like watching an intelligent (most of the time) action movie!
Is there any author you'd like to read all of? I'd like to read all of Matt Dinniman's stuff but The Shivered Sky seems to be it so far!
Reading til it hurts, Ruth!
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
100 Books
I'm doing this all in one so I can put it over on the side. If you've already read the 5 part series where I broke this down in to easier to chew segments, skip on to the next post!
100 Books
I’m going to stick to books I’ve read. I’ll try to give authors as I remember them, but I’m really bad at remembering author names.
Childhood Favorites
1. Robin Hood – Howard Pyle. - This is the first book that had me sobbing like a baby. My mom came into the room and was shocked to see me crying so hard, “What happened??” I could only hold up the book and say, “They killed him!” (Sorry if that’s a spoiler.)
2. Alice in Wonderland – Lewis Carroll. - This is one of my all-time favorites. In high school, I did this huge paper on it. That’s when I learned that Alice is a children’s book like The Simpsons is a children’s cartoon. It was written as a satire of the socio-economic and political layout of English society. Oddly, this didn’t ruin it for me, if anything, it made it all the more interesting, adding another layer to its wonder.
3. The Hobbit – J.R.R. Tolkein. - It took me three tries to get through this book. I was in 6th grade and had heard that some people read 2 or more books at the same time. I gave it a shot and didn’t like doing that. When I finally went to reading one at a time, I read all the way through this amazing book.
4. Where the Red Fern Grows – My 6th grade teacher (who was a rookie, first year teacher and one of my best teachers ever) read this to the class. If you haven’t read it… well, it doesn’t end well. The whole class was crying (even the boys!) and we were asking him, “Why would you read this to us???” But honestly, it’s a great book.
5. Complete Fairy Tales – The Brothers Grimm – I still read these. All the time.
6. Aesop’s Fables – I still read these all the time, too.
7. The Three Musketeers – Alexandre Dumas – I love Dumas. He’s always a good read. His books are full of adventure and are peppered with humor so things don’t get too dark.
8. Little Women – This book always gets me. I love the main character’s strength and attitude.
9. Little Men – Another great book!
10. Little House on the Prairie – Laura Ingalls Wilder – anything by her is fine by me! I used to wear this Laura Ingalls dress my grandma sewed for me while I read these books. I wore that dress well past the time I grew out of it!
11. Heidi – Johanna Spyri – Such a sweet story. When I read it now, as an adult, it’s almost too sweet! I highly recommend doing that; going back and reading your favorite childhood books as an adult. It gives such great nostalgic memories and an all new perspective.
12. Just So Stories – Rudyard Kipling – what an imagination this man has!
13. Anderson’s Fairy Tales – I’m a sucker for any fairy tales!
14. Treasure Island – Johann David Wyss – Adventure unsurpassed…
15. The Swiss Family Robinson – Robert Louis Stevenson – what a resourceful family!
16. A Christmas Carol – Charles Dickens – they say that imitation is the best form of flattery. How many ways has this wonderful tale been redone?!
17. Good Night Moon – Margaret Wise Brown – this book is a favorite of me and my kids. Even just the words she used are soft and gentle and like a written lullaby.
18. Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory – Roald Dahl – what an amazing imagination this man has!
19. ? – Here’s my first mystery book – I read a book in 6th grade about Sirius, the dog star being framed for a crime and cast out of the sky (in the book, the stars are actually sentient beings, aliens of sorts). In a burst of irony, the other stars send him to earth to live as a dog. He ends up with these two little kids who live in an abusive family. He protects them and loves them and earns his way back into the sky where he clears his name. I read it a few times and wish I could remember who wrote it or what it was called.
20. ? – Second mystery book – this one, also read around 6th grade, was a fantasy book. These 3 kids go to live with their uncle and in his attic they find a bunch or TV sets. They turn one on and a sinister man seems to be looking at them. They go to turn it off and realize it’s not plugged in. Then all the TV’s turn on (none are plugged in) and the kids get sucked into the TV’s. They land in a world of sorcery and such and have to find each other and make their way back. (I know, it’s reminiscent of The Chronicles of Narnia). It was a really good book that I read several times and I can’t remember the name!
21. The Chronicles of Narnia – I read all these just this year. I’ve had a really beautiful set of the series for about ten years. What fantastic tales!
Required School Reading
22. To Kill a Mockingbird – One of the finest books in American Literature.
23. Wuthering Heights – Dark but beautiful.
24. Lord of the Flies – Dark but sinister. JK. It’s a fascinating read – how the boys develop their own culture and degenerate into near-animals.
25. The Color Purple – Alice Walker – I just recently mailed a copy of this out for a Banned Book Swap. It was banned when it came out and I was in high school. Near as I can tell, it was banned because of the love affair btw two women. I was in the Advanced English class and our teacher had us read it anyway. It’s still one of my all-time favorite books.
26. Candide – Voltaire – What a trip. A very good book and metaphor for how things are as compared to how they should be.
27. I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings – Maya Angelou – Wow. She is an amazing writer. What beauty, what strength. I’ve read all of her stuff, too.
28. Go Ask Alice – Anonymous – OK, this wasn’t “required” reading. More like somebody read it, and we all sneaked around reading it after they told us what was in it. For me, this book confirmed my decision not to get into drugs (I’ve experimented but it was never my thing). What a fucked up life this girl got into!
29. Fahrenheit 451 – Ray Bradbury – One of those really scary books when you realize how easily that world could be our world. Like #72
30. Watership Down – Richard Adams – Talk about depth of character! This book is an amazing analogy of human relationships and life.
31. The Taming of the Shrew – Shakespeare – I will read Shakespeare at least once a year. His comedies are funny and racy and he’s incredible. Someday, I’m going to get a nice leather bound set of his works.
32. Shakespeare’s Insults – OK, this wasn’t required school reading, I went and found it on my own. Yea, I’m a geek, so what. This book is comprehensive but not very well organized. My favorite insult is, “You crusty botch of nature.”
33. Suddenly Last Summer – Tennessee Williams – Wow. Homosexuality, cannibalism, unhealthy mother-son relationship. Wow. I love Tennessee Wms; he goes to the edge and jumps off!
34. The Once and Future King – What a fantastic tale. It’s the story of King Arthur and it’s ripe with humor and adventure and poignancy.
35. The Importance of Being Earnest – Oscar Wilde – another favorite author. Damn he’s funny! A razor wit.
36. Memoirs of a Tall Girl – I read this in Jr. High School and liked it so much, I actually stole it from the library and still have it! (I should send that school a copy to replace it.)
37. The Bluest Eye – Toni Morrison – What a sad story. Beautiful, though.
Scary Stuff
38. The Stand – Stephen King. – Anything by this man is fine by me but this is my favorite.
39. The Skeleton Crew – Stephen King. – This book of short stories was given to me in 8th grade by my best friend, Nikie. It’s what got me started with Stephen King. I’ve read it so many times, I can tell you from memory the order the stories come. Nikie and I are still close and 8th grade for us was in the early-80’s.
40. The Great and Secret Show – Clive Barker. – What a fantastic scary fairy tale of a story.
41. Coraline – Neil Gaiman. – A “children’s” book. A fantastic, dark, sinister story that one critic called the next Alice in Wonderland. I wonder if the critic read either book! While I would read Alice to my little boys, I think Coraline would be too scary.
42. Ripper – Michael Slade – When I was stationed at Ft. Huachuca, I got a second job at a Hasting’s Book Store. I spent most of that paycheck at the store. I had just finished reading some really heavy, long book (can’t even remember what it was) and wanted something light and stupid. I went to my favorite section (the scary books) and was drawn by the red spine that said “Ripper”. Holy shit. What an excellent read. Not really light and fluffy at all and certainly not stupid. It was good enough that I’ve read all the other Michael Slade books. It’s a locked door mystery combining serial killer, detective, and all kinds of other stuff. Reminiscent of the next pick…
43. And Then There Were None – Agatha Christie – Love this book. I read a ton and watch a shitload of TV and movies (old b/w’s, new, doesn’t matter) so it’s hard to surprise me (nothing new under the sun, right?) but the ending on this one shocked me. Brilliant!
44. The Bone-collector – Jeffrey Deaver – another one that was good enough to lead me to read most everything the author has written.
45. The Devil’s Teardrop – Jeffrey Deaver – I think this is his best one yet.
46. Primal Fear – excellent twists and turns. Amazing.
47. The Da Vinci Code – OK, not scary, more of a thriller but damn what a fast read! I’m glad I read this before his previous book. When I read Angels and Demons by him, it was a real letdown and like reading déjà vu. Let’s see, someone gets murdered, they call the symbologist, the girl in the book is related to the dead guy, the person doing the killings doesn’t know who’s really pulling the strings and they’re all really, really smart. The only difference is that Angels/Demons wasn’t paced at the breakneck speed Da Vinci Code was. The rest of the authors books are pretty damn good, too.
48. Dracula – Bram Stoker – read this one in high school. The first scary book I ever read where I actually had to put it down and take a break. Heart-racing! (Of course, I was in adolescence…)
49. The Hunger – Whitley Streiber – this book is an excellent read. It’s also quite racy at times! It’s a great take on the classic vampire story.
50. The Last Vampire – Whitley Streiber – This sequel to The Hunger was written some 20 years after. Another good read but I wish the author had re-read his original before he made the sequel. I read them back-to-back and there were tons of discrepancies between the two books concerning the main vampire’s life!
51. The Thief of Always – Clive Barker – This, like Coraline (#41), could almost be read to kids as a scary fairy tale.
52. Red Dragon – Thomas Harris – No fairy tale here! Like Grisham, Thomas Harris’ first book is still his best.
53. Haunted – Chuck Palahniuk – This book was so gruesome, I actually got nauseous a couple of times. I have an iron stomach so that’s pretty bad.
54. Funeral March – Frank de Felita – This author is much better known for his book-turned-movie For Love of Audrey Rose. The book I’ve listed is a perfect blend for me. My favorite director is Alfred Hitchcock and in this book the killer uses his movies as inspiration for his methods of killing. (OK, I have problems!)
55. Jurassic Park – Michael Crichton – what a nail-biter!
56. Rose Madder – Stephen King – this is one of my favorites from him. It switches between this world and another. I always thought that if they made it into a movie, the other world should be animated. Not cartoony, but like sharp and gritty animation.
Short Stories
57. The Turn of the Screw (and other stories) – Henry James – this author is a sinister MF!
58. Hot Blood – I’ve read every bit of this series that I could get my greedy little hands on. These short stories combine sex and horror. Some are disgusting, some gruesome, some really scary, some funny, all good!
59. The Yellow Wallpaper – Charlotte Perkins Gilman – This woman at the turn of the century (1800 to 1900) is told she is “hysterical”. Basically, everyone keeps telling her she’s insane and eventually it drives her… insane. It’s a disturbing look at how women were discounted and ignored.
60. Different Seasons – Stephen King – I know, I know, “Again with the Stephen King!” This was, as far as I know, his first foray into something not scary. It’s 4 novellas and three of them were eventually made into movies – Shawshank Redemption (awesome!), Stand By Me (fantastic! Different title from the story in the book) and Apt Pupil (story was creepy and perfect, movie sucked)
61. Dark Visions – a collection of spooky stories from some pretty big name writers
62. Under the Fang – This collection has a really great concept. The editor asked a bunch of different authors to write stories based on this premise: What if vampires ruled the world? The different points of views are very interesting. Great stories!
Chick Lit
63. Phantom – Susan Kay – Top 5 All-Time Favorites. I actually am lucky enough to have a friend who saw a first edition of this and snagged it for me because he knew how much I liked it. It changes point of view throughout the book from character to character. And such depth of character is hard to find.
64. The Ha-Ha – Dave King – this is one of my most recent reads. I read on a blog-friend’s site about it. She couldn’t describe the plot (neither can I) only how much the book moved her. It’s the first book I’ve ever read that I knew nothing about beforehand. Get it. Today.
65. Poison – Kathryn Harrison – another hard one to describe, plot-wise. A woman is in the dungeon in Spain, through a series of events brought around by the Spanish Inquisition. Another woman is the new and very young, queen of Spain. I kept waiting for their lives to intersect but they never did. I guess the main point was that through no fault of their own, they were prisoners. It was good enough that I went and bought all Kathryn Harrison’s books!
66. The Joy Luck Club – Amy Tan – love Ms. Tan. She nails the dynamic between mother and daughter, past and present like no one else.
67. The Kitchen God’s Wife – Amy Tan – see #66. I think I like this one best out of all I’ve read of Amy Tan.
68. The Lovely Bones – Alice Sebold – goddamn this was hard to read. This girl gets killed (I’m not spoiling anything here, it happens pretty early) and tells the story from heaven as she watches how her family deals with her death. By page 70, I’d already cried 4 times. This is not one to read too soon after having a baby, just sayin’. But I adore the author’s version of heaven.
69. Memoirs of a Geisha – Arthur Golden – This book is so beautifully written. It was so real, it read like non-fiction. I couldn’t believe this was written by a man (no offense). Stunning.
70. The Red Tent – Anita Diamant – Also beautifully written. With the first paragraph, you just sigh and give in and are happy to be there. It’s funny and painful and enormously moving.
71. The Ya-Ya Sisterhood – A touching, lovely, light read.
72. A Handmaid’s Tale – Margaret Atwood – Some scary shit. Another one where you can see how easily this fictitious world could become real. And how unfortunate that it DID become real (read #86 after you read this one)
73. Wicked – Gregory MacGuire – I bought this book because I thought it was going to be a parody of sorts. The cover mentioned something about it being The Wizard of Oz from the witch’s point of view. Not parody. At. All. It’s a whole socio-political landscape of Oz. And yes, primarily from the Witch’s point of view. So. Good!
74. Gone With the Wind – Margaret Mitchell – I pulled this one off the shelf so many times, looked at how thick it was… and put it back. When I finally started reading it, by page 36 I was completely hooked. What a fantastic read. Don’t bother with the “sequel”, Scarlett. It was written by someone else using Margaret Mitchell’s notes. It sucked ASS! And the ending – WTF?? It seemed like the author’s deadline sneaked up on her because she finally has all these really great plot-lines going and she just kills everyone off and then Scarlett and Rhett ride off into the sunset. I know that’s a spoiler but, trust me, I’m doing you a favor.
75. Fried Green Tomatoes – One of the few books I read after I saw the movie. Fantastic!
76. Black and Blue – Anna Quindlen – Great story of strength and survival.
Other
77. The Life of Pi – Yann Martel – another one written like it’s a true story. Loved it.
78. Lamb, The Gospel According to Bif, Christ’s Childhood Friend – Christopher Moore – this is easily one of the funniest books I’ve ever read. It “covers” the years of Jesus’ life missing in the Bible. Another book that led me to buy all this author has to offer.
79. Letters From Earth – Mark Twain – ohmigod, this is hysterical! I love Twain’s views on religion.
80. Calvin and Hobbes 10th Anniversary Book – Read it. Every day.
81. A Time to Kill – John Grisham – I’ve read a lot of Grisham and this, his first book, is by far his best. That’s not to say the others aren’t great, they are, but they’ll never reach what he accomplished in this one.
82. The Constant Gardner – John Le Carre – I had the hardest time getting into this book but eventually it took off and was a great read.
83. Cider House Rules – John Irving – What a great book. Real depth of character (I mention that a lot, but it’s surprisingly hard to find.) Leads me to want to read all of his stuff.
Non-Fiction
84. Mindhunter – John Douglas and Mark Olshaker – (Olshaker likes “hunter” titles, he also helped write Virus Hunter). If you don’t agree with the death penalty, read this book. It’ll change your mind. Not through political nonsense, but just by realizing there are people out there who need to be put down like rabid dogs. (I already agreed with the death penalty before I read it.)
85. Between Heaven and Earth - Harriet Beinfield and Efrem Korn – This is a book about Traditional Chinese Medicine and its 5 Element Theory. I love this book. It breaks it down into laymen’s terms and is very comprehensive. You need to read it with a grain of salt, though. When Harriet became an acupuncturist, her surgeon father and surgeon grandfather were… not very understanding. She has a rather embittered view of Western medicine. There’s a test in the book to let you know which element you’re most like.
86. Reading Lolita in Tehran – Like A Handmaid’s Tale come to life. So sad and moving and scary. Moves slow sometimes but worth sticking with it.
87. History of God – Karen Armstrong – This should be required reading before anyone is allowed/forced to choose a religion. It covers the big three – Christianity, Judaism, and Muslim
88. Believing It All – Marc Parent – I read a ton of “parenting” books when I was pregnant the first time. This one blew them all away and isn’t even sold as a parenting book. The author’s description to his little boy of what death is, is perfect and beautiful.
89. Operating Instructions – Anne Lamott – Same as Believing It All but in a different way. A great view of what it’s like to have a baby. True and almost scary! This is the truest description of the first year of life after having a baby that I’ve ever read.
90. For the Defense – Ellis Ruben – This book is about the author’s most famous cases as a lawyer. He was the lawyer for the famous Twinkie Defense (google it). It’s a very interesting story and includes a lot about the author’s young life. One of his best friends from childhood is Rod Serling!
91. The Tao of Pooh – Benjamin Hoff – This book went along way in making my life better. It’s a fun read with a lot of knowledge.
92. The Te of Piglet – Benjamin Hoff – This sequel to the Tao of Pooh is among my top 5 All-Time Favorites. I re-read it at least once a year.
93. The People’s Almanac – Great bathroom reading (don’t judge, most everyone does it!). It’s informative and fascinating.
94. The Children of the Flames – I read this book at a time when I thought my life was shit. I was depressed and unhappy, had no plan for my future and was stuck in a mire of self-pity and wallowing. I happened upon this book and it really made me pull my head out of my ass. It’s about the twins at Auschwitz and the experiments they were put through. We (you, me, and everyone born in America) have it so easy.
95. America – The Daily Show – Hysterical! And a little sad.
96. Jesus and Buddha – On the left page is a quote from Jesus. On the right page is a quote from Buddha, said almost 2000 years before Jesus. They are usually almost identical. Very interesting.
97. Naked – David Sedaris – ohmigod! This guy makes me laugh my ASS off! He’s hysterical and sometimes poignant and this book is another that prompted me to go buy the rest of his stuff. Even better, get it on audiobook. I can’t stop laughing, just thinking about his stuff!
98. The Black Dahlia Avenger – Steve Hodel – the author gives a pretty convincing argument that his own father is the Black Dahlia killer as well as the killer for several other unsolved murders of the time. A bit hard to get through (slow sometimes) but worth it.
99. Seabiscuit: An American Legend – Laura Hillenbrand – An inspiring, lovely story.
100 - Stitch and Bitch – Debbie Stoller – I had a friend teach me to knit. Then I went and bought this book for reinforcement. It covers the basics incredibly well and with a tongue-in-cheek attitude that’s never boring. Also, tons of great, basic patterns. I learned in summer 2003. I still knit, but only obsessively.
100 Books
I’m going to stick to books I’ve read. I’ll try to give authors as I remember them, but I’m really bad at remembering author names.
Childhood Favorites
1. Robin Hood – Howard Pyle. - This is the first book that had me sobbing like a baby. My mom came into the room and was shocked to see me crying so hard, “What happened??” I could only hold up the book and say, “They killed him!” (Sorry if that’s a spoiler.)
2. Alice in Wonderland – Lewis Carroll. - This is one of my all-time favorites. In high school, I did this huge paper on it. That’s when I learned that Alice is a children’s book like The Simpsons is a children’s cartoon. It was written as a satire of the socio-economic and political layout of English society. Oddly, this didn’t ruin it for me, if anything, it made it all the more interesting, adding another layer to its wonder.
3. The Hobbit – J.R.R. Tolkein. - It took me three tries to get through this book. I was in 6th grade and had heard that some people read 2 or more books at the same time. I gave it a shot and didn’t like doing that. When I finally went to reading one at a time, I read all the way through this amazing book.
4. Where the Red Fern Grows – My 6th grade teacher (who was a rookie, first year teacher and one of my best teachers ever) read this to the class. If you haven’t read it… well, it doesn’t end well. The whole class was crying (even the boys!) and we were asking him, “Why would you read this to us???” But honestly, it’s a great book.
5. Complete Fairy Tales – The Brothers Grimm – I still read these. All the time.
6. Aesop’s Fables – I still read these all the time, too.
7. The Three Musketeers – Alexandre Dumas – I love Dumas. He’s always a good read. His books are full of adventure and are peppered with humor so things don’t get too dark.
8. Little Women – This book always gets me. I love the main character’s strength and attitude.
9. Little Men – Another great book!
10. Little House on the Prairie – Laura Ingalls Wilder – anything by her is fine by me! I used to wear this Laura Ingalls dress my grandma sewed for me while I read these books. I wore that dress well past the time I grew out of it!
11. Heidi – Johanna Spyri – Such a sweet story. When I read it now, as an adult, it’s almost too sweet! I highly recommend doing that; going back and reading your favorite childhood books as an adult. It gives such great nostalgic memories and an all new perspective.
12. Just So Stories – Rudyard Kipling – what an imagination this man has!
13. Anderson’s Fairy Tales – I’m a sucker for any fairy tales!
14. Treasure Island – Johann David Wyss – Adventure unsurpassed…
15. The Swiss Family Robinson – Robert Louis Stevenson – what a resourceful family!
16. A Christmas Carol – Charles Dickens – they say that imitation is the best form of flattery. How many ways has this wonderful tale been redone?!
17. Good Night Moon – Margaret Wise Brown – this book is a favorite of me and my kids. Even just the words she used are soft and gentle and like a written lullaby.
18. Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory – Roald Dahl – what an amazing imagination this man has!
19. ? – Here’s my first mystery book – I read a book in 6th grade about Sirius, the dog star being framed for a crime and cast out of the sky (in the book, the stars are actually sentient beings, aliens of sorts). In a burst of irony, the other stars send him to earth to live as a dog. He ends up with these two little kids who live in an abusive family. He protects them and loves them and earns his way back into the sky where he clears his name. I read it a few times and wish I could remember who wrote it or what it was called.
20. ? – Second mystery book – this one, also read around 6th grade, was a fantasy book. These 3 kids go to live with their uncle and in his attic they find a bunch or TV sets. They turn one on and a sinister man seems to be looking at them. They go to turn it off and realize it’s not plugged in. Then all the TV’s turn on (none are plugged in) and the kids get sucked into the TV’s. They land in a world of sorcery and such and have to find each other and make their way back. (I know, it’s reminiscent of The Chronicles of Narnia). It was a really good book that I read several times and I can’t remember the name!
21. The Chronicles of Narnia – I read all these just this year. I’ve had a really beautiful set of the series for about ten years. What fantastic tales!
Required School Reading
22. To Kill a Mockingbird – One of the finest books in American Literature.
23. Wuthering Heights – Dark but beautiful.
24. Lord of the Flies – Dark but sinister. JK. It’s a fascinating read – how the boys develop their own culture and degenerate into near-animals.
25. The Color Purple – Alice Walker – I just recently mailed a copy of this out for a Banned Book Swap. It was banned when it came out and I was in high school. Near as I can tell, it was banned because of the love affair btw two women. I was in the Advanced English class and our teacher had us read it anyway. It’s still one of my all-time favorite books.
26. Candide – Voltaire – What a trip. A very good book and metaphor for how things are as compared to how they should be.
27. I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings – Maya Angelou – Wow. She is an amazing writer. What beauty, what strength. I’ve read all of her stuff, too.
28. Go Ask Alice – Anonymous – OK, this wasn’t “required” reading. More like somebody read it, and we all sneaked around reading it after they told us what was in it. For me, this book confirmed my decision not to get into drugs (I’ve experimented but it was never my thing). What a fucked up life this girl got into!
29. Fahrenheit 451 – Ray Bradbury – One of those really scary books when you realize how easily that world could be our world. Like #72
30. Watership Down – Richard Adams – Talk about depth of character! This book is an amazing analogy of human relationships and life.
31. The Taming of the Shrew – Shakespeare – I will read Shakespeare at least once a year. His comedies are funny and racy and he’s incredible. Someday, I’m going to get a nice leather bound set of his works.
32. Shakespeare’s Insults – OK, this wasn’t required school reading, I went and found it on my own. Yea, I’m a geek, so what. This book is comprehensive but not very well organized. My favorite insult is, “You crusty botch of nature.”
33. Suddenly Last Summer – Tennessee Williams – Wow. Homosexuality, cannibalism, unhealthy mother-son relationship. Wow. I love Tennessee Wms; he goes to the edge and jumps off!
34. The Once and Future King – What a fantastic tale. It’s the story of King Arthur and it’s ripe with humor and adventure and poignancy.
35. The Importance of Being Earnest – Oscar Wilde – another favorite author. Damn he’s funny! A razor wit.
36. Memoirs of a Tall Girl – I read this in Jr. High School and liked it so much, I actually stole it from the library and still have it! (I should send that school a copy to replace it.)
37. The Bluest Eye – Toni Morrison – What a sad story. Beautiful, though.
Scary Stuff
38. The Stand – Stephen King. – Anything by this man is fine by me but this is my favorite.
39. The Skeleton Crew – Stephen King. – This book of short stories was given to me in 8th grade by my best friend, Nikie. It’s what got me started with Stephen King. I’ve read it so many times, I can tell you from memory the order the stories come. Nikie and I are still close and 8th grade for us was in the early-80’s.
40. The Great and Secret Show – Clive Barker. – What a fantastic scary fairy tale of a story.
41. Coraline – Neil Gaiman. – A “children’s” book. A fantastic, dark, sinister story that one critic called the next Alice in Wonderland. I wonder if the critic read either book! While I would read Alice to my little boys, I think Coraline would be too scary.
42. Ripper – Michael Slade – When I was stationed at Ft. Huachuca, I got a second job at a Hasting’s Book Store. I spent most of that paycheck at the store. I had just finished reading some really heavy, long book (can’t even remember what it was) and wanted something light and stupid. I went to my favorite section (the scary books) and was drawn by the red spine that said “Ripper”. Holy shit. What an excellent read. Not really light and fluffy at all and certainly not stupid. It was good enough that I’ve read all the other Michael Slade books. It’s a locked door mystery combining serial killer, detective, and all kinds of other stuff. Reminiscent of the next pick…
43. And Then There Were None – Agatha Christie – Love this book. I read a ton and watch a shitload of TV and movies (old b/w’s, new, doesn’t matter) so it’s hard to surprise me (nothing new under the sun, right?) but the ending on this one shocked me. Brilliant!
44. The Bone-collector – Jeffrey Deaver – another one that was good enough to lead me to read most everything the author has written.
45. The Devil’s Teardrop – Jeffrey Deaver – I think this is his best one yet.
46. Primal Fear – excellent twists and turns. Amazing.
47. The Da Vinci Code – OK, not scary, more of a thriller but damn what a fast read! I’m glad I read this before his previous book. When I read Angels and Demons by him, it was a real letdown and like reading déjà vu. Let’s see, someone gets murdered, they call the symbologist, the girl in the book is related to the dead guy, the person doing the killings doesn’t know who’s really pulling the strings and they’re all really, really smart. The only difference is that Angels/Demons wasn’t paced at the breakneck speed Da Vinci Code was. The rest of the authors books are pretty damn good, too.
48. Dracula – Bram Stoker – read this one in high school. The first scary book I ever read where I actually had to put it down and take a break. Heart-racing! (Of course, I was in adolescence…)
49. The Hunger – Whitley Streiber – this book is an excellent read. It’s also quite racy at times! It’s a great take on the classic vampire story.
50. The Last Vampire – Whitley Streiber – This sequel to The Hunger was written some 20 years after. Another good read but I wish the author had re-read his original before he made the sequel. I read them back-to-back and there were tons of discrepancies between the two books concerning the main vampire’s life!
51. The Thief of Always – Clive Barker – This, like Coraline (#41), could almost be read to kids as a scary fairy tale.
52. Red Dragon – Thomas Harris – No fairy tale here! Like Grisham, Thomas Harris’ first book is still his best.
53. Haunted – Chuck Palahniuk – This book was so gruesome, I actually got nauseous a couple of times. I have an iron stomach so that’s pretty bad.
54. Funeral March – Frank de Felita – This author is much better known for his book-turned-movie For Love of Audrey Rose. The book I’ve listed is a perfect blend for me. My favorite director is Alfred Hitchcock and in this book the killer uses his movies as inspiration for his methods of killing. (OK, I have problems!)
55. Jurassic Park – Michael Crichton – what a nail-biter!
56. Rose Madder – Stephen King – this is one of my favorites from him. It switches between this world and another. I always thought that if they made it into a movie, the other world should be animated. Not cartoony, but like sharp and gritty animation.
Short Stories
57. The Turn of the Screw (and other stories) – Henry James – this author is a sinister MF!
58. Hot Blood – I’ve read every bit of this series that I could get my greedy little hands on. These short stories combine sex and horror. Some are disgusting, some gruesome, some really scary, some funny, all good!
59. The Yellow Wallpaper – Charlotte Perkins Gilman – This woman at the turn of the century (1800 to 1900) is told she is “hysterical”. Basically, everyone keeps telling her she’s insane and eventually it drives her… insane. It’s a disturbing look at how women were discounted and ignored.
60. Different Seasons – Stephen King – I know, I know, “Again with the Stephen King!” This was, as far as I know, his first foray into something not scary. It’s 4 novellas and three of them were eventually made into movies – Shawshank Redemption (awesome!), Stand By Me (fantastic! Different title from the story in the book) and Apt Pupil (story was creepy and perfect, movie sucked)
61. Dark Visions – a collection of spooky stories from some pretty big name writers
62. Under the Fang – This collection has a really great concept. The editor asked a bunch of different authors to write stories based on this premise: What if vampires ruled the world? The different points of views are very interesting. Great stories!
Chick Lit
63. Phantom – Susan Kay – Top 5 All-Time Favorites. I actually am lucky enough to have a friend who saw a first edition of this and snagged it for me because he knew how much I liked it. It changes point of view throughout the book from character to character. And such depth of character is hard to find.
64. The Ha-Ha – Dave King – this is one of my most recent reads. I read on a blog-friend’s site about it. She couldn’t describe the plot (neither can I) only how much the book moved her. It’s the first book I’ve ever read that I knew nothing about beforehand. Get it. Today.
65. Poison – Kathryn Harrison – another hard one to describe, plot-wise. A woman is in the dungeon in Spain, through a series of events brought around by the Spanish Inquisition. Another woman is the new and very young, queen of Spain. I kept waiting for their lives to intersect but they never did. I guess the main point was that through no fault of their own, they were prisoners. It was good enough that I went and bought all Kathryn Harrison’s books!
66. The Joy Luck Club – Amy Tan – love Ms. Tan. She nails the dynamic between mother and daughter, past and present like no one else.
67. The Kitchen God’s Wife – Amy Tan – see #66. I think I like this one best out of all I’ve read of Amy Tan.
68. The Lovely Bones – Alice Sebold – goddamn this was hard to read. This girl gets killed (I’m not spoiling anything here, it happens pretty early) and tells the story from heaven as she watches how her family deals with her death. By page 70, I’d already cried 4 times. This is not one to read too soon after having a baby, just sayin’. But I adore the author’s version of heaven.
69. Memoirs of a Geisha – Arthur Golden – This book is so beautifully written. It was so real, it read like non-fiction. I couldn’t believe this was written by a man (no offense). Stunning.
70. The Red Tent – Anita Diamant – Also beautifully written. With the first paragraph, you just sigh and give in and are happy to be there. It’s funny and painful and enormously moving.
71. The Ya-Ya Sisterhood – A touching, lovely, light read.
72. A Handmaid’s Tale – Margaret Atwood – Some scary shit. Another one where you can see how easily this fictitious world could become real. And how unfortunate that it DID become real (read #86 after you read this one)
73. Wicked – Gregory MacGuire – I bought this book because I thought it was going to be a parody of sorts. The cover mentioned something about it being The Wizard of Oz from the witch’s point of view. Not parody. At. All. It’s a whole socio-political landscape of Oz. And yes, primarily from the Witch’s point of view. So. Good!
74. Gone With the Wind – Margaret Mitchell – I pulled this one off the shelf so many times, looked at how thick it was… and put it back. When I finally started reading it, by page 36 I was completely hooked. What a fantastic read. Don’t bother with the “sequel”, Scarlett. It was written by someone else using Margaret Mitchell’s notes. It sucked ASS! And the ending – WTF?? It seemed like the author’s deadline sneaked up on her because she finally has all these really great plot-lines going and she just kills everyone off and then Scarlett and Rhett ride off into the sunset. I know that’s a spoiler but, trust me, I’m doing you a favor.
75. Fried Green Tomatoes – One of the few books I read after I saw the movie. Fantastic!
76. Black and Blue – Anna Quindlen – Great story of strength and survival.
Other
77. The Life of Pi – Yann Martel – another one written like it’s a true story. Loved it.
78. Lamb, The Gospel According to Bif, Christ’s Childhood Friend – Christopher Moore – this is easily one of the funniest books I’ve ever read. It “covers” the years of Jesus’ life missing in the Bible. Another book that led me to buy all this author has to offer.
79. Letters From Earth – Mark Twain – ohmigod, this is hysterical! I love Twain’s views on religion.
80. Calvin and Hobbes 10th Anniversary Book – Read it. Every day.
81. A Time to Kill – John Grisham – I’ve read a lot of Grisham and this, his first book, is by far his best. That’s not to say the others aren’t great, they are, but they’ll never reach what he accomplished in this one.
82. The Constant Gardner – John Le Carre – I had the hardest time getting into this book but eventually it took off and was a great read.
83. Cider House Rules – John Irving – What a great book. Real depth of character (I mention that a lot, but it’s surprisingly hard to find.) Leads me to want to read all of his stuff.
Non-Fiction
84. Mindhunter – John Douglas and Mark Olshaker – (Olshaker likes “hunter” titles, he also helped write Virus Hunter). If you don’t agree with the death penalty, read this book. It’ll change your mind. Not through political nonsense, but just by realizing there are people out there who need to be put down like rabid dogs. (I already agreed with the death penalty before I read it.)
85. Between Heaven and Earth - Harriet Beinfield and Efrem Korn – This is a book about Traditional Chinese Medicine and its 5 Element Theory. I love this book. It breaks it down into laymen’s terms and is very comprehensive. You need to read it with a grain of salt, though. When Harriet became an acupuncturist, her surgeon father and surgeon grandfather were… not very understanding. She has a rather embittered view of Western medicine. There’s a test in the book to let you know which element you’re most like.
86. Reading Lolita in Tehran – Like A Handmaid’s Tale come to life. So sad and moving and scary. Moves slow sometimes but worth sticking with it.
87. History of God – Karen Armstrong – This should be required reading before anyone is allowed/forced to choose a religion. It covers the big three – Christianity, Judaism, and Muslim
88. Believing It All – Marc Parent – I read a ton of “parenting” books when I was pregnant the first time. This one blew them all away and isn’t even sold as a parenting book. The author’s description to his little boy of what death is, is perfect and beautiful.
89. Operating Instructions – Anne Lamott – Same as Believing It All but in a different way. A great view of what it’s like to have a baby. True and almost scary! This is the truest description of the first year of life after having a baby that I’ve ever read.
90. For the Defense – Ellis Ruben – This book is about the author’s most famous cases as a lawyer. He was the lawyer for the famous Twinkie Defense (google it). It’s a very interesting story and includes a lot about the author’s young life. One of his best friends from childhood is Rod Serling!
91. The Tao of Pooh – Benjamin Hoff – This book went along way in making my life better. It’s a fun read with a lot of knowledge.
92. The Te of Piglet – Benjamin Hoff – This sequel to the Tao of Pooh is among my top 5 All-Time Favorites. I re-read it at least once a year.
93. The People’s Almanac – Great bathroom reading (don’t judge, most everyone does it!). It’s informative and fascinating.
94. The Children of the Flames – I read this book at a time when I thought my life was shit. I was depressed and unhappy, had no plan for my future and was stuck in a mire of self-pity and wallowing. I happened upon this book and it really made me pull my head out of my ass. It’s about the twins at Auschwitz and the experiments they were put through. We (you, me, and everyone born in America) have it so easy.
95. America – The Daily Show – Hysterical! And a little sad.
96. Jesus and Buddha – On the left page is a quote from Jesus. On the right page is a quote from Buddha, said almost 2000 years before Jesus. They are usually almost identical. Very interesting.
97. Naked – David Sedaris – ohmigod! This guy makes me laugh my ASS off! He’s hysterical and sometimes poignant and this book is another that prompted me to go buy the rest of his stuff. Even better, get it on audiobook. I can’t stop laughing, just thinking about his stuff!
98. The Black Dahlia Avenger – Steve Hodel – the author gives a pretty convincing argument that his own father is the Black Dahlia killer as well as the killer for several other unsolved murders of the time. A bit hard to get through (slow sometimes) but worth it.
99. Seabiscuit: An American Legend – Laura Hillenbrand – An inspiring, lovely story.
100 - Stitch and Bitch – Debbie Stoller – I had a friend teach me to knit. Then I went and bought this book for reinforcement. It covers the basics incredibly well and with a tongue-in-cheek attitude that’s never boring. Also, tons of great, basic patterns. I learned in summer 2003. I still knit, but only obsessively.
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Turning The Last Page
OK, here's the last of my list of 100 Books. I challenge any of you to do this. If not on your blogs, then just as an exercise to see what you remember of the books you've read over the years. I was thinking of doing this as a meme - say your top 25 favorite books of all time - but I'll leave it open.
Here we go!
100 Books - Part 5
Other
77. The Life of Pi – Yann Martel – another one written like it’s a true story. Loved it.
78. Lamb, The Gospel According to Bif, Christ’s Childhood Friend – Christopher Moore – this is easily one of the funniest books I’ve ever read. It “covers” the years of Jesus’ life missing in the Bible. Another book that led me to buy all this author has to offer.
79. Letters From Earth – Mark Twain – ohmigod, this is hysterical! I love Twain’s views on religion.
80. Calvin and Hobbes 10th Anniversary Book – Read it. Every day.
81. A Time to Kill – John Grisham – I’ve read a lot of Grisham and this, his first book, is by far his best. That’s not to say the others aren’t great, they are, but they’ll never reach what he accomplished in this one.
82. The Constant Gardner – John Le Carre – I had the hardest time getting into this book but eventually it took off and was a great read.
83. Cider House Rules – John Irving – What a great book. Real depth of character (I mention that a lot, but it’s surprisingly hard to find.) Leads me to want to read all of his stuff.
Non-Fiction
84. Mindhunter – John Douglas and Mark Olshaker – (Olshaker likes “hunter” titles, he also helped write Virus Hunter). If you don’t agree with the death penalty, read this book. It’ll change your mind. Not through political nonsense, but just by realizing there are people out there who need to be put down like rabid dogs. (I already agreed with the death penalty before I read it.)
85. Between Heaven and Earth - Harriet Beinfield and Efrem Korn – This is a book about Traditional Chinese Medicine and its 5 Element Theory. I love this book. It breaks it down into laymen’s terms and is very comprehensive. You need to read it with a grain of salt, though. When Harriet became an acupuncturist, her surgeon father and surgeon grandfather were… not very understanding. She has a rather embittered view of Western medicine. There’s a test in the book to let you know which element you’re most like.
86. Reading Lolita in Tehran – Like A Handmaid’s Tale come to life. So sad and moving and scary. Moves slow sometimes but worth sticking with it.
87. History of God – Karen Armstrong – This should be required reading before anyone is allowed/forced to choose a religion. It covers the big three – Christianity, Judaism, and Muslim
88. Believing It All – Marc Parent – I read a ton of “parenting” books when I was pregnant the first time. This one blew them all away and isn’t even sold as a parenting book. The author’s description to his little boy of what death is, is perfect and beautiful.
89. Operating Instructions – Anne Lamott – Same as Believing It All but in a different way. A great view of what it’s like to have a baby. True and almost scary! This is the truest description of the first year of life after having a baby that I’ve ever read.
90. For the Defense – Ellis Ruben – This book is about the author’s most famous cases as a lawyer. He was the lawyer for the famous Twinkie Defense (google it). It’s a very interesting story and includes a lot about the author’s young life. One of his best friends from childhood is Rod Serling!
91. The Tao of Pooh – Benjamin Hoff – This book went along way in making my life better. It’s a fun read with a lot of knowledge.
92. The Te of Piglet – Benjamin Hoff – This sequel to the Tao of Pooh is among my top 5 All-Time Favorites. I re-read it at least once a year.
93. The People’s Almanac – Great bathroom reading (don’t judge, most everyone does it!). It’s informative and fascinating.
94. The Children of the Flames – I read this book at a time when I thought my life was shit. I was depressed and unhappy, had no plan for my future and was stuck in a mire of self-pity and wallowing. I happened upon this book and it really made me pull my head out of my ass. It’s about the twins at Auschwitz and the experiments they were put through. We (you, me, and everyone born in America) have it so easy.
95. America – The Daily Show – Hysterical! And a little sad.
96. Jesus and Buddha – On the left page is a quote from Jesus. On the right page is a quote from Buddha, said almost 2000 years before Jesus. They are usually almost identical. Very interesting.
97. Naked – David Sedaris – ohmigod! This guy makes me laugh my ASS off! He’s hysterical and sometimes poignant and this book is another that prompted me to go buy the rest of his stuff. Even better, get it on audiobook. I can’t stop laughing, just thinking about his stuff!
98. The Black Dahlia Avenger – Steve Hodel – the author gives a pretty convincing argument that his own father is the Black Dahlia killer as well as the killer for several other unsolved murders of the time. A bit hard to get through (slow sometimes) but worth it.
99. Seabiscuit: An American Legend – Laura Hillenbrand – An inspiring, lovely story.
100. Stitch-n-Bitch – Debbie Stoller – I had a friend teach me to knit. Then I went and bought this book for reinforcement. It covers the basics incredibly well and with a tongue-in-cheek attitude that’s never boring. Also, tons of great, basic patterns. I learned in summer 2003. I still knit, but only obsessively.
Here we go!
100 Books - Part 5
Other
77. The Life of Pi – Yann Martel – another one written like it’s a true story. Loved it.
78. Lamb, The Gospel According to Bif, Christ’s Childhood Friend – Christopher Moore – this is easily one of the funniest books I’ve ever read. It “covers” the years of Jesus’ life missing in the Bible. Another book that led me to buy all this author has to offer.
79. Letters From Earth – Mark Twain – ohmigod, this is hysterical! I love Twain’s views on religion.
80. Calvin and Hobbes 10th Anniversary Book – Read it. Every day.
81. A Time to Kill – John Grisham – I’ve read a lot of Grisham and this, his first book, is by far his best. That’s not to say the others aren’t great, they are, but they’ll never reach what he accomplished in this one.
82. The Constant Gardner – John Le Carre – I had the hardest time getting into this book but eventually it took off and was a great read.
83. Cider House Rules – John Irving – What a great book. Real depth of character (I mention that a lot, but it’s surprisingly hard to find.) Leads me to want to read all of his stuff.
Non-Fiction
84. Mindhunter – John Douglas and Mark Olshaker – (Olshaker likes “hunter” titles, he also helped write Virus Hunter). If you don’t agree with the death penalty, read this book. It’ll change your mind. Not through political nonsense, but just by realizing there are people out there who need to be put down like rabid dogs. (I already agreed with the death penalty before I read it.)
85. Between Heaven and Earth - Harriet Beinfield and Efrem Korn – This is a book about Traditional Chinese Medicine and its 5 Element Theory. I love this book. It breaks it down into laymen’s terms and is very comprehensive. You need to read it with a grain of salt, though. When Harriet became an acupuncturist, her surgeon father and surgeon grandfather were… not very understanding. She has a rather embittered view of Western medicine. There’s a test in the book to let you know which element you’re most like.
86. Reading Lolita in Tehran – Like A Handmaid’s Tale come to life. So sad and moving and scary. Moves slow sometimes but worth sticking with it.
87. History of God – Karen Armstrong – This should be required reading before anyone is allowed/forced to choose a religion. It covers the big three – Christianity, Judaism, and Muslim
88. Believing It All – Marc Parent – I read a ton of “parenting” books when I was pregnant the first time. This one blew them all away and isn’t even sold as a parenting book. The author’s description to his little boy of what death is, is perfect and beautiful.
89. Operating Instructions – Anne Lamott – Same as Believing It All but in a different way. A great view of what it’s like to have a baby. True and almost scary! This is the truest description of the first year of life after having a baby that I’ve ever read.
90. For the Defense – Ellis Ruben – This book is about the author’s most famous cases as a lawyer. He was the lawyer for the famous Twinkie Defense (google it). It’s a very interesting story and includes a lot about the author’s young life. One of his best friends from childhood is Rod Serling!
91. The Tao of Pooh – Benjamin Hoff – This book went along way in making my life better. It’s a fun read with a lot of knowledge.
92. The Te of Piglet – Benjamin Hoff – This sequel to the Tao of Pooh is among my top 5 All-Time Favorites. I re-read it at least once a year.
93. The People’s Almanac – Great bathroom reading (don’t judge, most everyone does it!). It’s informative and fascinating.
94. The Children of the Flames – I read this book at a time when I thought my life was shit. I was depressed and unhappy, had no plan for my future and was stuck in a mire of self-pity and wallowing. I happened upon this book and it really made me pull my head out of my ass. It’s about the twins at Auschwitz and the experiments they were put through. We (you, me, and everyone born in America) have it so easy.
95. America – The Daily Show – Hysterical! And a little sad.
96. Jesus and Buddha – On the left page is a quote from Jesus. On the right page is a quote from Buddha, said almost 2000 years before Jesus. They are usually almost identical. Very interesting.
97. Naked – David Sedaris – ohmigod! This guy makes me laugh my ASS off! He’s hysterical and sometimes poignant and this book is another that prompted me to go buy the rest of his stuff. Even better, get it on audiobook. I can’t stop laughing, just thinking about his stuff!
98. The Black Dahlia Avenger – Steve Hodel – the author gives a pretty convincing argument that his own father is the Black Dahlia killer as well as the killer for several other unsolved murders of the time. A bit hard to get through (slow sometimes) but worth it.
99. Seabiscuit: An American Legend – Laura Hillenbrand – An inspiring, lovely story.
100. Stitch-n-Bitch – Debbie Stoller – I had a friend teach me to knit. Then I went and bought this book for reinforcement. It covers the basics incredibly well and with a tongue-in-cheek attitude that’s never boring. Also, tons of great, basic patterns. I learned in summer 2003. I still knit, but only obsessively.
Saturday, October 13, 2007
More Books
100 Books - Part 4
Short Stories
57. The Turn of the Screw (and other stories) – Henry James – this author is a sinister MF!
58. Hot Blood – I’ve read every bit of this series that I could get my greedy little hands on. These short stories combine sex and horror. Some are disgusting, some gruesome, some really scary, some funny, all good!
59. The Yellow Wallpaper – Charlotte Perkins Gilman – This is a short story sold as a book, so maybe this one doesn't actually count as a whole book. But the story was so intense, it's stuck with me all these years. This woman at the turn of the century (1800 to 1900) is told she is “hysterical”. Basically, everyone keeps telling her she’s insane and eventually it drives her… insane. It’s a disturbing look at how women were discounted and ignored.
60. Different Seasons – Stephen King – I know, I know, “Again with the Stephen King!” This was, as far as I know, his first foray into something not scary. It’s 4 novellas and three of them were eventually made into movies – Shawshank Redemption (awesome!), Stand By Me (fantastic! Different title from the story in the book) and Apt Pupil (story was creepy and perfect, movie sucked)
61. Dark Visions – a collection of spooky stories from some pretty big name writers
62. Under the Fang – This collection has a really great concept. The editor asked a bunch of different authors to write stories based on this premise: What if vampires ruled the world? The different points of views are very interesting. Great stories!
Chick Lit
63. Phantom – Susan Kay – Top 5 All-Time Favorites. I actually am lucky enough to have a friend who saw a first edition of this and snagged it for me because he knew how much I liked it. It changes point of view throughout the book from character to character. And such depth of character is hard to find.
64. The Ha-Ha – Dave King – this is one of my most recent reads. I read on a blog-friend’s site about it. She couldn’t describe the plot (neither can I) only how much the book moved her. It’s the first book I’ve ever read that I knew nothing about beforehand. Get it. Today.
65. Poison – Kathryn Harrison – another hard one to describe, plot-wise. A woman is in the dungeon in Spain, through a series of events brought around by the Spanish Inquisition. Another woman is the new and very young, queen of Spain. I kept waiting for their lives to intersect but they never did. I guess the main point was that through no fault of their own, they were prisoners. It was good enough that I went and bought all Kathryn Harrison’s books!
66. The Joy Luck Club – Amy Tan – love Ms. Tan. She nails the dynamic between mother and daughter, past and present like no one else.
67. The Kitchen God’s Wife – Amy Tan – see #66. I think I like this one best out of all I’ve read of Amy Tan.
68. The Lovely Bones – Alice Sebold – goddamn this was hard to read. This girl gets killed (I’m not spoiling anything here, it happens pretty early) and tells the story from heaven as she watches how her family deals with her death. By page 70, I’d already cried 4 times. This is not one to read too soon after having a baby, just sayin’. But I adore the author’s version of heaven.
69. Memoirs of a Geisha – Arthur Golden – This book is so beautifully written. It was so real, it read like non-fiction. I couldn’t believe this was written by a man (no offense). Stunning.
70. The Red Tent – Anita Diamant – Also beautifully written. With the first paragraph, you just sigh and give in and are happy to be there. It’s funny and painful and enormously moving.
71. The Ya-Ya Sisterhood – A touching, lovely, light read.
72. A Handmaid’s Tale – Margaret Atwood – Some scary shit. Another one where you can see how easily this fictitious world could become real. And how unfortunate that it DID become real (read #86 after you read this one)
73. Wicked – Gregory MacGuire – I bought this book because I thought it was going to be a parody of sorts. The cover mentioned something about it being The Wizard of Oz from the witch’s point of view. Not parody. At. All. It’s a whole socio-political landscape of Oz. And yes, primarily from the Witch’s point of view. So. Good!
74. Gone With the Wind – Margaret Mitchell – I pulled this one off the shelf so many times, looked at how thick it was… and put it back. When I finally started reading it, by page 36 I was completely hooked. What a fantastic read. Don’t bother with the “sequel”, Scarlett. It was written by someone else using Margaret Mitchell’s notes. It sucked ASS! And the ending – WTF?? It seemed like the author’s deadline sneaked up on her because she finally has all these really great plot-lines going and she just kills everyone off and then Scarlett and Rhett ride off into the sunset. I know that’s a spoiler but, trust me, I’m doing you a favor.
75. Fried Green Tomatoes – One of the few books I read after I saw the movie. Fantastic!
76. Black and Blue – Anna Quindlen – Great story of strength and survival.
The last of these tomorrow, Ruth!
Short Stories
57. The Turn of the Screw (and other stories) – Henry James – this author is a sinister MF!
58. Hot Blood – I’ve read every bit of this series that I could get my greedy little hands on. These short stories combine sex and horror. Some are disgusting, some gruesome, some really scary, some funny, all good!
59. The Yellow Wallpaper – Charlotte Perkins Gilman – This is a short story sold as a book, so maybe this one doesn't actually count as a whole book. But the story was so intense, it's stuck with me all these years. This woman at the turn of the century (1800 to 1900) is told she is “hysterical”. Basically, everyone keeps telling her she’s insane and eventually it drives her… insane. It’s a disturbing look at how women were discounted and ignored.
60. Different Seasons – Stephen King – I know, I know, “Again with the Stephen King!” This was, as far as I know, his first foray into something not scary. It’s 4 novellas and three of them were eventually made into movies – Shawshank Redemption (awesome!), Stand By Me (fantastic! Different title from the story in the book) and Apt Pupil (story was creepy and perfect, movie sucked)
61. Dark Visions – a collection of spooky stories from some pretty big name writers
62. Under the Fang – This collection has a really great concept. The editor asked a bunch of different authors to write stories based on this premise: What if vampires ruled the world? The different points of views are very interesting. Great stories!
Chick Lit
63. Phantom – Susan Kay – Top 5 All-Time Favorites. I actually am lucky enough to have a friend who saw a first edition of this and snagged it for me because he knew how much I liked it. It changes point of view throughout the book from character to character. And such depth of character is hard to find.
64. The Ha-Ha – Dave King – this is one of my most recent reads. I read on a blog-friend’s site about it. She couldn’t describe the plot (neither can I) only how much the book moved her. It’s the first book I’ve ever read that I knew nothing about beforehand. Get it. Today.
65. Poison – Kathryn Harrison – another hard one to describe, plot-wise. A woman is in the dungeon in Spain, through a series of events brought around by the Spanish Inquisition. Another woman is the new and very young, queen of Spain. I kept waiting for their lives to intersect but they never did. I guess the main point was that through no fault of their own, they were prisoners. It was good enough that I went and bought all Kathryn Harrison’s books!
66. The Joy Luck Club – Amy Tan – love Ms. Tan. She nails the dynamic between mother and daughter, past and present like no one else.
67. The Kitchen God’s Wife – Amy Tan – see #66. I think I like this one best out of all I’ve read of Amy Tan.
68. The Lovely Bones – Alice Sebold – goddamn this was hard to read. This girl gets killed (I’m not spoiling anything here, it happens pretty early) and tells the story from heaven as she watches how her family deals with her death. By page 70, I’d already cried 4 times. This is not one to read too soon after having a baby, just sayin’. But I adore the author’s version of heaven.
69. Memoirs of a Geisha – Arthur Golden – This book is so beautifully written. It was so real, it read like non-fiction. I couldn’t believe this was written by a man (no offense). Stunning.
70. The Red Tent – Anita Diamant – Also beautifully written. With the first paragraph, you just sigh and give in and are happy to be there. It’s funny and painful and enormously moving.
71. The Ya-Ya Sisterhood – A touching, lovely, light read.
72. A Handmaid’s Tale – Margaret Atwood – Some scary shit. Another one where you can see how easily this fictitious world could become real. And how unfortunate that it DID become real (read #86 after you read this one)
73. Wicked – Gregory MacGuire – I bought this book because I thought it was going to be a parody of sorts. The cover mentioned something about it being The Wizard of Oz from the witch’s point of view. Not parody. At. All. It’s a whole socio-political landscape of Oz. And yes, primarily from the Witch’s point of view. So. Good!
74. Gone With the Wind – Margaret Mitchell – I pulled this one off the shelf so many times, looked at how thick it was… and put it back. When I finally started reading it, by page 36 I was completely hooked. What a fantastic read. Don’t bother with the “sequel”, Scarlett. It was written by someone else using Margaret Mitchell’s notes. It sucked ASS! And the ending – WTF?? It seemed like the author’s deadline sneaked up on her because she finally has all these really great plot-lines going and she just kills everyone off and then Scarlett and Rhett ride off into the sunset. I know that’s a spoiler but, trust me, I’m doing you a favor.
75. Fried Green Tomatoes – One of the few books I read after I saw the movie. Fantastic!
76. Black and Blue – Anna Quindlen – Great story of strength and survival.
The last of these tomorrow, Ruth!
Friday, October 12, 2007
The Knitting Heretic and More Books
Annie Modesitt is coming to Littleton to teach! Here's the email I got...
[Annie's on her way!It's official -- Annie Modesitt will be teaching four classes for us at the end of the month. (We're pleased to report that her husband is doing well after his bone-marrow transplant! For details, check out Annie's blog.)Annie's famous as the Knitting Heretic, and she's the author of many other knitting books, most recently Romantic Knits, which is a current best-seller in Amazon's Crafts/Fashion category, and Men Who Knit and the Dogs Who Love Them (woof!)She 'll be teaching four three-hour workshops, so you can take all four or pick the ones that suit your interests.
Combination Knitting/Cables without a Cable Needle - This is the knitting technique that made Annie a heretic -- and famous! Now dubbed Combination Knitting, it is faster than conventional knitting and creates a nicer tension with less row variation and wrist strain. Experienced knitters will appreciate this refined method, and new knitters will get a head start on smooth, easy knitting. Annie will also cover how to work cables without a pesky cable needle -- yeah!Saturday, Oct. 27, 9 am -12 pm
Embellishments - Accentuate your beautiful projects with knitted embellishments such as flowers, leaves, knots, knit fringes, cord and even knit buttons! Learn to see knitting as a three-dimensional craft with new potential.Saturday, Oct. 27, 1-4 pm
Double Knitting - You can knit socks and mittens on straight needles with no seams with this traditional technique. You'll learn several techniques for creating a reversible, double fabric with or without colorwork accents.Sunday, Oct. 28, 9 am -12 pm
Corset Sampler - This technique sampler will feature lace, ribbing, specialty bind-offs and cast-ons, cables and buttonholes -- all the techniques for Annie's Ribbed Corset top, a sexy little number that can also be made with cap sleeves. A great intro to a multitude of new techniques, even if you're not going to make the corset. Be sure to check out the similar Red Carpet Convertible on Annie's website -- as Annie says, everyone looks HOT in a convertible, and the same is true of this darling top. Sunday, Oct. 28, 1-4 pm
Each three-hour class is $45. To reserve a spot, call us at 303-730-0366.]
Wanna play??? I signed up for the combo knitting class.
All right - 100 Books - Part 3
Scary Stuff
38. The Stand – Stephen King. – Anything by this man is fine by me but this is my favorite.
39. The Skeleton Crew – Stephen King. – This book of short stories was given to me in 8th grade by my best friend, Nikie. It’s what got me started with Stephen King. I’ve read it so many times, I can tell you from memory the order the stories come. Nikie and I are still close and 8th grade for us was in the early-80’s.
40. The Great and Secret Show – Clive Barker. – What a fantastic scary fairy tale of a story.
41. Coraline – Neil Gaiman. – A “children’s” book. A fantastic, dark, sinister story that one critic called the next Alice in Wonderland. I wonder if the critic read either book! While I would read Alice to my little boys, I think Coraline would be too scary.
42. Ripper – Michael Slade – When I was stationed at Ft. Huachuca, I got a second job at a Hasting’s Book Store. I spent most of that paycheck at the store. I had just finished reading some really heavy, long book (can’t even remember what it was) and wanted something light and stupid. I went to my favorite section (the scary books) and was drawn by the red spine that said “Ripper”. Holy shit. What an excellent read. Not really light and fluffy at all and certainly not stupid. It was good enough that I’ve read all the other Michael Slade books. It’s a locked door mystery combining serial killer, detective, and all kinds of other stuff. Reminiscent of the next pick…
43. And Then There Were None – Agatha Christie – Love this book. I read a ton and watch a shitload of TV and movies (old b/w’s, new, doesn’t matter) so it’s hard to surprise me (nothing new under the sun, right?) but the ending on this one shocked me. Brilliant!
44. The Bone-collector – Jeffrey Deaver – another one that was good enough to lead me to read most everything the author has written.
45. The Devil’s Teardrop – Jeffrey Deaver – I think this is his best one yet.
46. Primal Fear – excellent twists and turns. Amazing.
47. The Da Vinci Code – OK, not scary, more of a thriller but damn what a fast read! I’m glad I read this before his previous book. When I read Angels and Demons by him, it was a real letdown and like reading déjà vu. Let’s see, someone gets murdered, they call the symbologist, the girl in the book is related to the dead guy, the person doing the killings doesn’t know who’s really pulling the strings and they’re all really, really smart. The only difference is that Angels/Demons wasn’t paced at the breakneck speed Da Vinci Code was. The rest of the author's books are pretty damn good, too.
48. Dracula – Bram Stoker – read this one in high school. The first scary book I ever read where I actually had to put it down and take a break. Heart-racing! (Of course, I was in adolescence…)
49. The Hunger – Whitley Streiber – this book is an excellent read. It’s also quite racy at times! It’s a great take on the classic vampire story.
50. The Last Vampire – Whitley Streiber – This sequel to The Hunger was written some 20 years after. Another good read but I wish the author had re-read his original before he made the sequel. I read them back-to-back and there were tons of discrepancies between the two books concerning the main vampire’s life!
51. The Thief of Always – Clive Barker – This, like Coraline (#41), could almost be read to kids as a scary fairy tale.
52. Red Dragon – Thomas Harris – No fairy tale here! Like Grisham, Thomas Harris’ first book is still his best.
53. Haunted – Chuck Palahniuk – This book was so gruesome, I actually got nauseous a couple of times. I have an iron stomach so that’s pretty bad.
54. Funeral March – Frank de Felita – This author is much better known for his book-turned-movie For Love of Audrey Rose. The book I’ve listed is a perfect blend for me. My favorite director is Alfred Hitchcock and in this book the killer uses his movies as inspiration for his methods of killing. (OK, I have problems!)
55. Jurassic Park – Michael Crichton – what a nail-biter!
56. Rose Madder – Stephen King – this is one of my favorites from him. It switches between this world and another. I always thought that if they made it into a movie, the other world should be animated. Not cartoony, but like a sharp and gritty animation.
Spooooooky, Ruth!
[Annie's on her way!It's official -- Annie Modesitt will be teaching four classes for us at the end of the month. (We're pleased to report that her husband is doing well after his bone-marrow transplant! For details, check out Annie's blog.)Annie's famous as the Knitting Heretic, and she's the author of many other knitting books, most recently Romantic Knits, which is a current best-seller in Amazon's Crafts/Fashion category, and Men Who Knit and the Dogs Who Love Them (woof!)She 'll be teaching four three-hour workshops, so you can take all four or pick the ones that suit your interests.
Combination Knitting/Cables without a Cable Needle - This is the knitting technique that made Annie a heretic -- and famous! Now dubbed Combination Knitting, it is faster than conventional knitting and creates a nicer tension with less row variation and wrist strain. Experienced knitters will appreciate this refined method, and new knitters will get a head start on smooth, easy knitting. Annie will also cover how to work cables without a pesky cable needle -- yeah!Saturday, Oct. 27, 9 am -12 pm
Embellishments - Accentuate your beautiful projects with knitted embellishments such as flowers, leaves, knots, knit fringes, cord and even knit buttons! Learn to see knitting as a three-dimensional craft with new potential.Saturday, Oct. 27, 1-4 pm
Double Knitting - You can knit socks and mittens on straight needles with no seams with this traditional technique. You'll learn several techniques for creating a reversible, double fabric with or without colorwork accents.Sunday, Oct. 28, 9 am -12 pm
Corset Sampler - This technique sampler will feature lace, ribbing, specialty bind-offs and cast-ons, cables and buttonholes -- all the techniques for Annie's Ribbed Corset top, a sexy little number that can also be made with cap sleeves. A great intro to a multitude of new techniques, even if you're not going to make the corset. Be sure to check out the similar Red Carpet Convertible on Annie's website -- as Annie says, everyone looks HOT in a convertible, and the same is true of this darling top. Sunday, Oct. 28, 1-4 pm
Each three-hour class is $45. To reserve a spot, call us at 303-730-0366.]
Wanna play??? I signed up for the combo knitting class.
All right - 100 Books - Part 3
Scary Stuff
38. The Stand – Stephen King. – Anything by this man is fine by me but this is my favorite.
39. The Skeleton Crew – Stephen King. – This book of short stories was given to me in 8th grade by my best friend, Nikie. It’s what got me started with Stephen King. I’ve read it so many times, I can tell you from memory the order the stories come. Nikie and I are still close and 8th grade for us was in the early-80’s.
40. The Great and Secret Show – Clive Barker. – What a fantastic scary fairy tale of a story.
41. Coraline – Neil Gaiman. – A “children’s” book. A fantastic, dark, sinister story that one critic called the next Alice in Wonderland. I wonder if the critic read either book! While I would read Alice to my little boys, I think Coraline would be too scary.
42. Ripper – Michael Slade – When I was stationed at Ft. Huachuca, I got a second job at a Hasting’s Book Store. I spent most of that paycheck at the store. I had just finished reading some really heavy, long book (can’t even remember what it was) and wanted something light and stupid. I went to my favorite section (the scary books) and was drawn by the red spine that said “Ripper”. Holy shit. What an excellent read. Not really light and fluffy at all and certainly not stupid. It was good enough that I’ve read all the other Michael Slade books. It’s a locked door mystery combining serial killer, detective, and all kinds of other stuff. Reminiscent of the next pick…
43. And Then There Were None – Agatha Christie – Love this book. I read a ton and watch a shitload of TV and movies (old b/w’s, new, doesn’t matter) so it’s hard to surprise me (nothing new under the sun, right?) but the ending on this one shocked me. Brilliant!
44. The Bone-collector – Jeffrey Deaver – another one that was good enough to lead me to read most everything the author has written.
45. The Devil’s Teardrop – Jeffrey Deaver – I think this is his best one yet.
46. Primal Fear – excellent twists and turns. Amazing.
47. The Da Vinci Code – OK, not scary, more of a thriller but damn what a fast read! I’m glad I read this before his previous book. When I read Angels and Demons by him, it was a real letdown and like reading déjà vu. Let’s see, someone gets murdered, they call the symbologist, the girl in the book is related to the dead guy, the person doing the killings doesn’t know who’s really pulling the strings and they’re all really, really smart. The only difference is that Angels/Demons wasn’t paced at the breakneck speed Da Vinci Code was. The rest of the author's books are pretty damn good, too.
48. Dracula – Bram Stoker – read this one in high school. The first scary book I ever read where I actually had to put it down and take a break. Heart-racing! (Of course, I was in adolescence…)
49. The Hunger – Whitley Streiber – this book is an excellent read. It’s also quite racy at times! It’s a great take on the classic vampire story.
50. The Last Vampire – Whitley Streiber – This sequel to The Hunger was written some 20 years after. Another good read but I wish the author had re-read his original before he made the sequel. I read them back-to-back and there were tons of discrepancies between the two books concerning the main vampire’s life!
51. The Thief of Always – Clive Barker – This, like Coraline (#41), could almost be read to kids as a scary fairy tale.
52. Red Dragon – Thomas Harris – No fairy tale here! Like Grisham, Thomas Harris’ first book is still his best.
53. Haunted – Chuck Palahniuk – This book was so gruesome, I actually got nauseous a couple of times. I have an iron stomach so that’s pretty bad.
54. Funeral March – Frank de Felita – This author is much better known for his book-turned-movie For Love of Audrey Rose. The book I’ve listed is a perfect blend for me. My favorite director is Alfred Hitchcock and in this book the killer uses his movies as inspiration for his methods of killing. (OK, I have problems!)
55. Jurassic Park – Michael Crichton – what a nail-biter!
56. Rose Madder – Stephen King – this is one of my favorites from him. It switches between this world and another. I always thought that if they made it into a movie, the other world should be animated. Not cartoony, but like a sharp and gritty animation.
Spooooooky, Ruth!
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