15. Poe, Edgar Allan. Complete Poems. 125 pages. 2.12.09.
16. McCarthy, Jenny. Belly Laughs. 165 pages. 2.14.09.
Jenny McCarthy's Belly Laughs is nothing short of adorable. I am currently expecting my second child, and picked up this book after hearing several positive reviews from other expectant mothers. McCarthy is straight-forward and honest about the joys and tribulations of pregnancies without ever losing her sense of humor. She makes several "taboo" subjects approachable, and in the face of so many books aimed at "scaring" pregnant women into doing things a certain way, McCarthy gives readers the bare facts while reassuring them that they can handle anything mother nature throws at them. Even if they don't agree with some of her choices, McCarthy's experiences will amuse and reassure her audience - especially those expecting their first baby.
17. De La Cruz, Melissa. Masquerade. 305 pages. 2.14.09.
18. Hamilton, Laurell K. A Lick of Frost. 342 pages. 2.14.09.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Thursday, February 12, 2009
14. Bryson, Bill. The Mother Tongue: English, and How it Got That Way. 245 pages. 2.12.09
Bill Bryson's The Mother Tongue is a delightful read suitable for any language enthusiast. While several readers have singled out the (apparently copious) errors in the book, I myself read it for its entertainment value only, and was not troubled by these technicalities. Though by no means a scholarly text, Bryson's book provides readers with a wealth of information and trivia; in less than 250 pages he touches on everything from dialects to dictionaries, crosswords to curse words. Each of the sixteen chapters is closely focused on a subject related to the use, history, or development of the English language (both in England and other English-speaking countries), and can be read (and judged) on its own merits. Likely written in the late 1980s, and published in 1990, some of Bryson's "modern" examples are a bit dated. However, most of his illustrations are historical in nature, which will allow several generations of readers to follow along with the same level of comprehension. Who knew that a book on spelling and grammar could be so entertaining?
Bill Bryson's The Mother Tongue is a delightful read suitable for any language enthusiast. While several readers have singled out the (apparently copious) errors in the book, I myself read it for its entertainment value only, and was not troubled by these technicalities. Though by no means a scholarly text, Bryson's book provides readers with a wealth of information and trivia; in less than 250 pages he touches on everything from dialects to dictionaries, crosswords to curse words. Each of the sixteen chapters is closely focused on a subject related to the use, history, or development of the English language (both in England and other English-speaking countries), and can be read (and judged) on its own merits. Likely written in the late 1980s, and published in 1990, some of Bryson's "modern" examples are a bit dated. However, most of his illustrations are historical in nature, which will allow several generations of readers to follow along with the same level of comprehension. Who knew that a book on spelling and grammar could be so entertaining?
Monday, February 9, 2009
12. Stevenson, Robert Louis. Treasure Island. 303 pages. 2.4.09.*
Stevenson's classic treasure hunt is a story that will always be remembered in cultural history. Generations of readers can easily relate to Jim's adventures, and will find it easy to navigate through the narrative itself, despite evolving vocabulary, speech patterns, and usage. Full of charming characters such as Long John Silver and Jim Hawkins, adventure, treasure, pirates and intrigue, Treasure Island is a treat for all ages.
13. Sophocles. Oedipus Rex. 37 pages. 2.9.09.+
Rereading - and teaching - Oedipus Rex as an adult was an interesting experience. While I am always a bit wary of translations, the text itself (as translated by Robert Fitzgerald) is rich with literary devices, and the use of foreshadowing is especially poignant. Sophocles adeptly leads his audience through a series of emotions, guiding responses and perceptions with ease. One characteristic of the play that I found most thought-provoking was the removal of violence. While I'm sure this was done in part to accommodate the logistics of the ancient Greek stage (how would you show someone hanging, for example), I can't help but feel it was also done in order to allow the audience to focus on the emotionally-charged consequences as opposed to the gore that is Oedipus' fate. A wonderful work.
Stevenson's classic treasure hunt is a story that will always be remembered in cultural history. Generations of readers can easily relate to Jim's adventures, and will find it easy to navigate through the narrative itself, despite evolving vocabulary, speech patterns, and usage. Full of charming characters such as Long John Silver and Jim Hawkins, adventure, treasure, pirates and intrigue, Treasure Island is a treat for all ages.
13. Sophocles. Oedipus Rex. 37 pages. 2.9.09.+
Rereading - and teaching - Oedipus Rex as an adult was an interesting experience. While I am always a bit wary of translations, the text itself (as translated by Robert Fitzgerald) is rich with literary devices, and the use of foreshadowing is especially poignant. Sophocles adeptly leads his audience through a series of emotions, guiding responses and perceptions with ease. One characteristic of the play that I found most thought-provoking was the removal of violence. While I'm sure this was done in part to accommodate the logistics of the ancient Greek stage (how would you show someone hanging, for example), I can't help but feel it was also done in order to allow the audience to focus on the emotionally-charged consequences as opposed to the gore that is Oedipus' fate. A wonderful work.
Monday, February 2, 2009
10. Glaspell, Susan. Trifles and "A Jury of her Peers". 48 pages. 1.29.09 +
11. Peacock, Caro. A Dangerous Affair. 303 pages. 2.2.09.
I went into A Dangerous Affair cold, not having read A Foreign Affair. As such, I have to admit that reading the sequel without having read the original novel may in fact have had a negative impact on my reading.
A Dangerous Affair is sweet enough as a young adult novel, but I found it wanting in several ways; Peacock's plot is unoriginal, and her characters are often 2-dimensional. As a student of literature and a Victorian enthusiast I held high hopes for Peacock's novel, and was largely disappointed.
However, I would certainly recommend the book for high school students, especially those that can be difficult to engage.
11. Peacock, Caro. A Dangerous Affair. 303 pages. 2.2.09.
I went into A Dangerous Affair cold, not having read A Foreign Affair. As such, I have to admit that reading the sequel without having read the original novel may in fact have had a negative impact on my reading.
A Dangerous Affair is sweet enough as a young adult novel, but I found it wanting in several ways; Peacock's plot is unoriginal, and her characters are often 2-dimensional. As a student of literature and a Victorian enthusiast I held high hopes for Peacock's novel, and was largely disappointed.
However, I would certainly recommend the book for high school students, especially those that can be difficult to engage.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
A couple more cheesy novels
8. Hamilton, Laurell K. Mistral's Kiss. 302 pages. 1.28.09.
I don't really know why I bother with this series - I don't find it all that engaging. But it serves as a substitute for tv, and is usually good for an evening or two of mindless entertainment.
9. Armstrong, Kelley. Men of the Otherwold. 369 pages. 1.29.09.
Despite the unfortunate title, fans of Armstrong's "Otherworld" novels will be delighted by this collection of tales. True to her style and faithful to her characters, Armstrong provides readers with the background and embellishment they desire. While the Clay that narrates many of the stories seems at time at odds with the Clay of the novels, the stories themselves fit perfectly with the history Armstrong has alluded to all along.I'm already eagerly awaiting the next collection.
I don't really know why I bother with this series - I don't find it all that engaging. But it serves as a substitute for tv, and is usually good for an evening or two of mindless entertainment.
9. Armstrong, Kelley. Men of the Otherwold. 369 pages. 1.29.09.
Despite the unfortunate title, fans of Armstrong's "Otherworld" novels will be delighted by this collection of tales. True to her style and faithful to her characters, Armstrong provides readers with the background and embellishment they desire. While the Clay that narrates many of the stories seems at time at odds with the Clay of the novels, the stories themselves fit perfectly with the history Armstrong has alluded to all along.I'm already eagerly awaiting the next collection.
Monday, January 26, 2009
6. Hamilton, Laurell K. The Harlequin. 422 pages. 1.23.09
7. Rand, Ayn. Anthem. 105 pages. 1.26.09
At once so familiar and so strange, Ayn Rand's Anthem is a phenomenal experience. She exalts the joy of man and individuality, and impresses upon the reader not only the importance of thought and scholarship, but the importance of original thought, and of self.
7. Rand, Ayn. Anthem. 105 pages. 1.26.09
At once so familiar and so strange, Ayn Rand's Anthem is a phenomenal experience. She exalts the joy of man and individuality, and impresses upon the reader not only the importance of thought and scholarship, but the importance of original thought, and of self.
Friday, January 16, 2009
The first 5 of 2009
1. Robinson, Ray (ed). Famous Last Words: Fond Farewells, Deathbed Diatribes, and Exclamations Upon Expiration. 177 pages. 1.2.09
A very disappointing collection
2. Bronte, Charlotte. Jane Eyre: The Graphic Novel. 132 pages. 1.10.09
While an interesting idea, this volume is barely a shadow of the original text, and has none of its charm. The text itself is so badly butchered that it leaves me wondering if someone unfamiliar with the original novel would even be able to follow the story itself. I can appreciate it only as a novelty item, but would never recommend it to someone who has not read Bronte's novel. It would be useful in a classroom setting only as a supplemental text, and could never replace the original.
3. Miller, Kathleen E. Last Laughs: Funny Tombstone Quotes and Famous Last Words. 157 pages. 1.12.09
4. Carson, Anne (ed). If Not, Winter: Fragments of Sappho. 355 pages. 1.13.09
This collection of fragments is simply majestic. While I can't help feeling a loss for what didn't survive, Carson's presentation is rich with possibilities.
5. Hamilton, Laurell K. A Stroke of Midnight. 385 pages. 1.16.09
A very disappointing collection
2. Bronte, Charlotte. Jane Eyre: The Graphic Novel. 132 pages. 1.10.09
While an interesting idea, this volume is barely a shadow of the original text, and has none of its charm. The text itself is so badly butchered that it leaves me wondering if someone unfamiliar with the original novel would even be able to follow the story itself. I can appreciate it only as a novelty item, but would never recommend it to someone who has not read Bronte's novel. It would be useful in a classroom setting only as a supplemental text, and could never replace the original.
3. Miller, Kathleen E. Last Laughs: Funny Tombstone Quotes and Famous Last Words. 157 pages. 1.12.09
4. Carson, Anne (ed). If Not, Winter: Fragments of Sappho. 355 pages. 1.13.09
This collection of fragments is simply majestic. While I can't help feeling a loss for what didn't survive, Carson's presentation is rich with possibilities.
5. Hamilton, Laurell K. A Stroke of Midnight. 385 pages. 1.16.09
Bibliobeau
I was never a sucker for the highlighted Livejournal communities until the end of 2006, when a community called "50 book challenge" caught my eye. The idea was, obviously, to read fifty books (or 15,000 pages) in a single year. For some members it was a challenge, and for others it was a starting point.
While I have never been a very active member of the board, the idea of tracking the books I read in a year appealed to both my anal side and my nerdy side, and 2009 will be the third year I participate in the "challenge". I fell far short of my goal of 100 books in 2008, so this year I'm going to back off a bit and shoot for 75.
I've decided to keep this blog as a way of keeping track of reviews and musings, without the clutter of a message board. However, I will continue to watch the 75 Books Challenge for 2009 group on LibraryThing (http://www.librarything.com/groups/75bookschallengefor1) and the 15,000 pages group on Livejournal (http://community.livejournal.com/15000pages/). They're great for recommendations!
So here we go - Bibliobeau 2009.
While I have never been a very active member of the board, the idea of tracking the books I read in a year appealed to both my anal side and my nerdy side, and 2009 will be the third year I participate in the "challenge". I fell far short of my goal of 100 books in 2008, so this year I'm going to back off a bit and shoot for 75.
I've decided to keep this blog as a way of keeping track of reviews and musings, without the clutter of a message board. However, I will continue to watch the 75 Books Challenge for 2009 group on LibraryThing (http://www.librarything.com/groups/75bookschallengefor1) and the 15,000 pages group on Livejournal (http://community.livejournal.com/15000pages/). They're great for recommendations!
So here we go - Bibliobeau 2009.
Monday, January 5, 2009
2009 Color Codes
I like to color-code my reading lists based on genre, but it changes a bit every year. Here is the list for 2009:
Modern horror/vampire
Pregnancy/Baby Books
Classic Literature
Poetry, Short Stories, and Drama
Fantasy/Science Fiction
Biography/Nonfiction
Fiction, YA, etc
Graphic Novels
* Read to Brooks
+ Read for work
Modern horror/vampire
Pregnancy/Baby Books
Classic Literature
Poetry, Short Stories, and Drama
Fantasy/Science Fiction
Biography/Nonfiction
Fiction, YA, etc
Graphic Novels
* Read to Brooks
+ Read for work
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Books Read in 2008
1. Goer, Henci. The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth. 218 pages.
2. Briggs, Patricia. Iron Kissed. 287 pages.
3. Pullman, Philip. The Golden Compass. 296 pages.
4. Rogak, Lisa. A Boy Named Shel. 215 pages.
5. England, Pam and Rob Horowitz. Birthing from Within. 281 pages.
6. Fields, Denise and Ari Brown, MD. Baby 411. 396 pages.
7. Alcott, Louisa May. Little Women. 525 pages.
8. Silverstein, Shel. Playboy's Silverstein Around the World. 181 pages.
9. Feinberg, Leslie. Stone Butch Blues. 301 pages.
10. Hamilton, Laurell K. Guilty Pleasures. 355 pages.
11. Hamilton, Laurell K. The Laughing Corpse. 293 pages.
12. Hamilton, Laurell K. Circus of the Damned. 329 pages.
13. Hamilton, Laurell K. The Lunatic Cafe. 369 pages.
14. Hamilton, Laurell K. Bloody Bones. 370 pages.
15. Hamilton, Laurell K. The Killing Dance. 387 pages.
16. Harrison, Kim. The Outlaw Demon Wails.. 455 pages.
17. Frost, Jeaniene. Halfway to the Grave. 358 pages.
18. Chance, Karen. Touch the Dark. 307 pages.
19. Harris, Charlaine. All Together Dead. 323 pages.
20. Armstrong, Kelley. Personal Demon. 371 pages.
21. Stein, Jeanne C. The Becoming. 293 pages.
22. Hamilton, Laurell K. Burnt Offerings. 392 pages.
23. Hamilton, Laurell K. Blue Moon. 418 pages.
24. Hamilton, Laurell K. Obsidian Butterfly. 585 pages.
25. Twain, Mark. Mark Twain's Helpful Hints for Good Living: A Handbook for the Damned Human Race. 182 pages. *
26. London, Jack. The Call of the Wild. 76 pages.*
27. Hamilton, Laurell K. Narcissus in Chains. 630 pages.
28. Harris, Charlaine. From Dead to Worse. 359 pages.
29. Hamilton, Laurell K. Cerulean Sins. 529 pages.
30. Adams, Douglas and John Lloyd. The Deeper Meaning of Liff: A dictionary of things there aren't words for yet - but there ought to be. 156 pages.
31. Jones, Ron. The Acorn People. 80 pages. *+
32. Hamilton, Laurell K. Incubus Dreams. 722 pages.
33. Hamilton, Laurell K. Danse Macabre. 483 pages.
34. Hamilton, Laurell K. Blood Noir. 340 pages.
35. Burnett, Frances Hodgson. The Annotated Secret Garden. 285 pages.*+
36. Silverstein, Shel. Uncle Shelby's ABZ Book: A Primer for Tender Young Minds. 80 pages.
37. DiPrince, Dawn and Cheryl Miller Thurston. Unjournaling. 126 pages.+
38. Schnakenberg, Robert. Secret Lives of Great Authors. 297 pages.
39. Pantley, Elizabeth. The No-Cry Sleep Solution. 247 pages.
40. Snyder, Zilpha Keatley. The Egypt Game. 215 pages. +
41. Asimov, Isaac. I, Robot. 224 pages. +
42. Pratchett, Terry and Neil Gaiman. Good Omens. 412 pages.
43. Wilder-Taylor, Stefanie. Sippy Cups are Not for Chardonnay and Other Things I Had to Learn as a New Mom.. 218 pages.
44. Barrie, J.M. Peter Pan. 159 pages.*
45. Meyer, Stephenie. The Host. 619 pages.
46. Meyer, Stephenie. Breaking Dawn. 754 pages.
47. Farooki, Roopa. Bitter Sweets. 354 pages.
48. Cast, P.C. and Kristin Cast. Marked. 306 pages.
49. Cast, P.C. and Kristin Cast. Betrayed. 310 pages.
50. Cast, P.C. and Kristin Cast. Chosen. 307 pages.
51. Bray, Libba. A Great and Terrible Beauty. 403 pages.
52. Briggs, Patricia. Cry Wolf. 294 pages.
53. Cast, P.C. and Kristin Cast. Untamed. 338 pages.
54. De La Cruz, Melissa. Blue Bloods. 302 pages.
55. Armstrong, Kelley. Living With the Dead. 372 pages.
56. Hamilton, Laurell K. A Caress of Twilight. 384 pages.
57. Marr, Melissa. Wicked Lovely. 328 pages.
58. Harris, Charlaine, et al. Wolfsbane and Mistletoe. 340 pages.
59. Arthur, Keri. Tempting Evil. 371 pages.
60. Pells, Marisha. Special Topics in Calamity Physics. 508 pages.
61. Grahame, Kenneth. The Wind in the Willow. 176 pages.*
Incomplete Reads of 45 Pages or More:
1. La Leche League International. The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding. Read 111 pages. I wanted advice on breastfeeding, but apparently purchased a 400+ page advertisement for LLL meetings and products, with extremist propaganda thrown in for good measure.
Reading List Color code:
Modern horror/vampire
Pregnancy/Baby Books
Classic Literature
Poetry
Fantasy/Science Fiction
Biography/Nonfiction
Books read for Reading Group
"Other" - Fiction, YA, etc
Books read for School
* Read to Brooks
+ Read for work
2. Briggs, Patricia. Iron Kissed. 287 pages.
3. Pullman, Philip. The Golden Compass. 296 pages.
4. Rogak, Lisa. A Boy Named Shel. 215 pages.
5. England, Pam and Rob Horowitz. Birthing from Within. 281 pages.
6. Fields, Denise and Ari Brown, MD. Baby 411. 396 pages.
7. Alcott, Louisa May. Little Women. 525 pages.
8. Silverstein, Shel. Playboy's Silverstein Around the World. 181 pages.
9. Feinberg, Leslie. Stone Butch Blues. 301 pages.
10. Hamilton, Laurell K. Guilty Pleasures. 355 pages.
11. Hamilton, Laurell K. The Laughing Corpse. 293 pages.
12. Hamilton, Laurell K. Circus of the Damned. 329 pages.
13. Hamilton, Laurell K. The Lunatic Cafe. 369 pages.
14. Hamilton, Laurell K. Bloody Bones. 370 pages.
15. Hamilton, Laurell K. The Killing Dance. 387 pages.
16. Harrison, Kim. The Outlaw Demon Wails.. 455 pages.
17. Frost, Jeaniene. Halfway to the Grave. 358 pages.
18. Chance, Karen. Touch the Dark. 307 pages.
19. Harris, Charlaine. All Together Dead. 323 pages.
20. Armstrong, Kelley. Personal Demon. 371 pages.
21. Stein, Jeanne C. The Becoming. 293 pages.
22. Hamilton, Laurell K. Burnt Offerings. 392 pages.
23. Hamilton, Laurell K. Blue Moon. 418 pages.
24. Hamilton, Laurell K. Obsidian Butterfly. 585 pages.
25. Twain, Mark. Mark Twain's Helpful Hints for Good Living: A Handbook for the Damned Human Race. 182 pages. *
26. London, Jack. The Call of the Wild. 76 pages.*
27. Hamilton, Laurell K. Narcissus in Chains. 630 pages.
28. Harris, Charlaine. From Dead to Worse. 359 pages.
29. Hamilton, Laurell K. Cerulean Sins. 529 pages.
30. Adams, Douglas and John Lloyd. The Deeper Meaning of Liff: A dictionary of things there aren't words for yet - but there ought to be. 156 pages.
31. Jones, Ron. The Acorn People. 80 pages. *+
32. Hamilton, Laurell K. Incubus Dreams. 722 pages.
33. Hamilton, Laurell K. Danse Macabre. 483 pages.
34. Hamilton, Laurell K. Blood Noir. 340 pages.
35. Burnett, Frances Hodgson. The Annotated Secret Garden. 285 pages.*+
36. Silverstein, Shel. Uncle Shelby's ABZ Book: A Primer for Tender Young Minds. 80 pages.
37. DiPrince, Dawn and Cheryl Miller Thurston. Unjournaling. 126 pages.+
38. Schnakenberg, Robert. Secret Lives of Great Authors. 297 pages.
39. Pantley, Elizabeth. The No-Cry Sleep Solution. 247 pages.
40. Snyder, Zilpha Keatley. The Egypt Game. 215 pages. +
41. Asimov, Isaac. I, Robot. 224 pages. +
42. Pratchett, Terry and Neil Gaiman. Good Omens. 412 pages.
43. Wilder-Taylor, Stefanie. Sippy Cups are Not for Chardonnay and Other Things I Had to Learn as a New Mom.. 218 pages.
44. Barrie, J.M. Peter Pan. 159 pages.*
45. Meyer, Stephenie. The Host. 619 pages.
46. Meyer, Stephenie. Breaking Dawn. 754 pages.
47. Farooki, Roopa. Bitter Sweets. 354 pages.
48. Cast, P.C. and Kristin Cast. Marked. 306 pages.
49. Cast, P.C. and Kristin Cast. Betrayed. 310 pages.
50. Cast, P.C. and Kristin Cast. Chosen. 307 pages.
51. Bray, Libba. A Great and Terrible Beauty. 403 pages.
52. Briggs, Patricia. Cry Wolf. 294 pages.
53. Cast, P.C. and Kristin Cast. Untamed. 338 pages.
54. De La Cruz, Melissa. Blue Bloods. 302 pages.
55. Armstrong, Kelley. Living With the Dead. 372 pages.
56. Hamilton, Laurell K. A Caress of Twilight. 384 pages.
57. Marr, Melissa. Wicked Lovely. 328 pages.
58. Harris, Charlaine, et al. Wolfsbane and Mistletoe. 340 pages.
59. Arthur, Keri. Tempting Evil. 371 pages.
60. Pells, Marisha. Special Topics in Calamity Physics. 508 pages.
61. Grahame, Kenneth. The Wind in the Willow. 176 pages.*
Incomplete Reads of 45 Pages or More:
1. La Leche League International. The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding. Read 111 pages. I wanted advice on breastfeeding, but apparently purchased a 400+ page advertisement for LLL meetings and products, with extremist propaganda thrown in for good measure.
Reading List Color code:
Modern horror/vampire
Pregnancy/Baby Books
Classic Literature
Poetry
Fantasy/Science Fiction
Biography/Nonfiction
Books read for Reading Group
"Other" - Fiction, YA, etc
Books read for School
* Read to Brooks
+ Read for work
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