Hooi Ming's Reads for 2011

I'm new to LibraryThing but am hooked once I've discovered your site 1 week back!!




Here's what I've read in Jan 2011 so far:
1. Difficult Daughters by Manju Kapur *Rating: B
2. Lovers in the age of indifference by Xiaolu Guo *Rating: C
3. Girl in Translation by Jean Kwok *Rating: A+++

Now reading:
1. Marsbound by Joe Haldeman

Welcome to the 75ers group! If you like, you can introduce yourself to the group here: http://www.librarything.com/topic/104688

Thanks ronincats!! I'd do that... just managed to add a 'ticker'... this is exciting!

Welcome!

thanks, drneutron... btw, interesting user name..are you by any chance, a SF fan too?

I've read a fair bit of sf, especially in my teenage days back in the 70s. I have a PhD in physics concentrating on high energy neutron detection. These days, though, I'm an engineering manager working on spacecraft, so I don't actually do any work. I just herd the cats that do the work! :)

Welcome! I've heard of Girl in Translation. It looks like an interesting book.

Welcome to the group, I used to live in Singapore when I was a kid and loved it. Am trying to convince the husband it would be a great holiday destination for this year.. ever hopeful.

Hi there. I felt the same way when I found the site last August and preceded to put every book I could think of that I had read in the previous few years!

Read 3 more books for Jan2011:

1. Marsbound by Joe Haldeman *Rating: A-
2. The Way We Were by Elizabeth Noble *Rating: B+
3. Separate Beds by Elizabeth Buchan *Rating: C

Now, starting on:
1. Between the Assassinations by Aravind Adiga
2. The Old Romantic by Louise Dean

Welcome, hooiming .. it's always nice to see LT expanding into new bookshelves. :-)

I've got Between the Assassinations in my TBR Tower, so I'll be keep an eye out for your review after you've finished reading the book. Err.. you will post your reviews here, won't you?

Welcome to the group, Hooi Ming!

Welcome! I, too, really enjoyed Girl in Translation.

Hi cameling, yes! Will post my review here...

When were you living in Singapore? The country has changed so much in the past ten yrs, it's definitely worth a visit! Let me know if you decide on the trip, I can definitely give u some ideas of what you can do during your visit!

Hello and welcome! We are a well read and friendly group of people.

I'm compiling a list of the birthdays of our members. Would you please list yours on the following thread.

http://www.librarything.com/topic/105833

Early 80's was when we were stationed at Nee Soon Camp in Sembawang. I adored my time there, it's not many schools that have a special assembly because a 10 foot python is found in the girls toilets!

I am working on my husband, he has a few clients there now and needs to travel a bit for them. My ideal time would be when the Singapore Formula One race is on... but I can dream.

I would imagine it is now quite different to what I remember so any new ideas to see would be appreciated.

Have you tried Joe Haldeman’s The Forever War? First rate Science Fiction.

hi jadebird, ok - will check it out!... just went to library during lunch time today, picked up Joe Heldeman's Worlds and Old Twentieth...

I'll be interested in learning your impressions of the two books you acquired from the library today.

I've not read anything of this author.

#22: Haldeman's The Forever War is terrific!

I know I've read that but it sounds like it's time for a reread. We also have All my sins remembered which I may look into. Sci-fi month sounds like a good plan.

hi Caroline, just finished 'Between the Assassinations" yesterday - overall, I'd say it's a good read.. except towards the last few chapters, I'm kinda skimming through it (perhaps I was getting anxious to get started with other new books I've acquired yesterday plus the ones I've gotten hold of from the library last 2 days)..

Basically, each chapter of the book features a 'character' from the Indian village of Khittur -- through their life experiences, the book discusses many social issues in India, such as the caste system, political atmosphere etc.. there were some passages with good writing that blows you away.. but somehow for me, after like 7 - 8 chapters of similar treatment (focus on 1 character per chapter) - it kinda 'weighed' me down..

sold ... I'm adding this to my obese wish list for sure. Thanks for the tip, hooiming.

A few days into February (not counting the days spent visiting and feasting for Chinese New Year), just finished 2 more books:

1. Between the Assassinations by Aravind Adiga *Rating: B+
2. His Lovely Wife by Elizabeth Dewberry *Rating: C+

His Lovely Wife examines the main character's feelings abt the death of Princess Diana, the phenomena that is Princess Diana... and parallels that with her own life, feelings about relationships etc.. skimmed through it within a day, 'cause not much 'writing' to shout about... but her 'reconstruction' of Princess Diana's "thoughts and feelings" are quite 'believable'... recommended quick read for those who have a thing for the British monarchy.. if not, no big hit.

Now, starting on:
1. Venice for lovers by Louis Begley (non-fiction)
2. Revenge of the Kidutz Debutante by Cathy Holton -- 10 pages in, this is beginning to feel like chick-lit, may give it a miss once it reaches my 'make it or break it threshold of 30 pages.
3. Worlds by Joe Haldeman

missed out an update on The old romantic by Louise Dean that I was trying to read.. somehow just cldn't get into it after like 10 pages or so... looking back, so far must confess that I only enjoyed Louise Dean's first novel - Becoming Strangers, the rest of the books, just didn't feel the same...

#27
I won’t force myself to read something that I’m not enjoying either.

#27: I look forward to seeing what you think of Worlds, Hooi Ming.

Me, too.

(Hi, Stasia)

#31: (Hi, Ren)

hi jadebird & alcottacre, just managed to 'skim' through Worlds over the weekend... i guess once you see the word 'skim' - you know I didn't really enjoy it.. in fact, I found it kinda confusing after a while... i felt it was difficult to follow... It was interesting for abt the first half and somewhere after 20th chapter or so (each chapter is short, 3 or 4 pages)... I found my mind drifting while reading it..

Also tried to read Italo Calvino's Cosmocomics but again, couldn't get through it after the first few chapters... decided to change genre.. I think feeling a 'lull' in my SF reading... will probably try his Invisible Cities sometime..

Am now reading:
1. The Weekend by Bernhard Schlink -- so far, so good.. a little dry but interested to know how it works out.. not as engrossing as The Reader as there's not much plot movements..
2. London Fragments by Rudiger Gorner -- ramblings about my favourite city of all, London.

Just borrowed the following from the library, can't wait to jump into them!
1. Shades of Grey by Jasper Fforde -- didn't like his other books, but excited abt this one, as it's a fantasy/SF debut by him..
2. Her fearful Symmetry by Audrey Niffenegger -- enjoyed The Time Traveller's Wife, hopefully this one is as good.

Oh, better luck on your current reads. I'm doing the same thing right now; starting books and then setting them aside. I've gone back to a sure-fire read: Robert Van Guliik's Murder In Canton. I love the Judge Dee mysteries.

Thanks jadebird for the recommendation.... and for giving me the great idea that, when all things fail (as it sometimes happens in our reading journey), it's always gd to fall back on a sure-fire read...

So far, Shades of Grey is getting a little too strange for me.. as I realize most of Jasper Fforde's books are.. but read some good reviews on it and wld like to persevere to discover more on the 'colour-coded' world he's so brilliantly conjured...

Still early into Her fearful symmetry, abt 30 pages or so... so far, ok - the writing doesn't make me sit up like The Time Traveller's Wife.. but hopefully it gets better or at least, the plot takes control... we'd see...

Glad that I got back to books that I can manage to finish (finally!!)...

just finished:
1. More Books to go by Nancy Pearl Rating: B+ > after such a 'dry season', really needed to read this to get more book recommendations
2. The other hand by Chris Cleave Rating: A++ > this is great, as good or even better than his first one, Incendiary -- his writing is at times cynical, yet sensitive... read it and you'd know what I mean..

Now reading:
1. Secrets of Eden by Chris Bohjalian - I don't usually enjoy his books.. but so far, it's been keeping me glued.. so, that's a good sign..

Abandoned:
1. Shades of Grey by Jasper Fforde
2. Her fearful symmetry by Audrey Niffenegger

Sorry you weren't able to enjoy Shades of Grey .. how far did you get into the book before you decided to abandon it, Hooiming?

Shades of Grey was not one of Fforde's best IMHO. I did not abandon it, but I can see why some might.

Hi cameling, about 50 pgs, which is 20 pgs more than my usual limit of 30... Sigh.. So wanted the bk to 'work', but unfortunately it became a little too strange for me to enjoy it...

I couldn't get into the 2nd Fforde I tried. Sometimes authors just go places you don't want to go.

Hello, you're reading some interesting books. The only Haldeman books I've read are The Forever War and The Forever Peace. They were part of my Hugo best novel award winners reading list a few years ago. I liked them because they had some really interesting ideas, but I can't say that Haldeman's style clicked with me. And I had some problems with his ideas too, but I was very intrigued with a Viet Nam vet writing a novel about war and the soldier returning home.

I'm afraid that I'm unfamiliar with all of the other books. I've heard lots of positive things about the books that you've abandoned, well, maybe other books by those authors. Better luck with your next reads.

Thanks justchris, yeah - I enjoyed the Haldeman books.. but you are right, some of his ideas were a little strange but overall, interesting reads.. and yes, the fact that he is an ex-Vietnam veteran just adds an additional dimension to him as a writer..

sometimes it's disappointing when books that enjoy 'wild reviews' don't work out... but i guess through the years, I've learnt to accept that, even amongst the works of the same author, there are some we'd enjoy and some we'd abandoned... I've learnt to let go after 30 or max 50 pages and just move on... if not, it's such a struggle just trying to finish up a book... which just defeats the entire experience..

glad that I had more 'luck' over the weekend... so here's more books to wrap up the month of Feb:

1. Read this next: 500 of the Best Books You'll Ever Read by Henry Mittelmark and Sandra Newman
> just needed to get more ideas on what to read next... especially after my recent 'dry spell'...

2. The Art of Losing by Rebecca Connell - A**
> Just to be upfront, this book discusses the psychology of infidelity. For those of you who don't want to get near books about adultery, it's probably not for you.
> I'm new to this author (surprising young and good) and felt that her writing was sensitive... it was an intimate and truthful discussion on the effects of infidelity on the people and families affected.. set in Oxford, one of my favourite places on Earth!

3. Lost Hearts in Italy by Andrea Lee - A*** (Re-read)
> This is another book on the topic of 'adultery' which I'm re-reading. The topic aside, I've always enjoyed Andrea Lee's writing... she has a special touch that creates a certain 'aura' even from the first page of the book.. thought this is Andrea Lee's best, together with her interesting women (a short stories collection).. have been hunting for her other books.. which the library or bookstores don't seem to carry.
> Interesting setup: Harvard-educated, mixed-race couple (Caucasian man with black wife) moved to Rome when the husband got a transfer from his job.. how the wife met an Italian tycoon and started an illicit relationship.. How it eventually overwhelmed their young marriage... read it to savour Andrea Lee's writing and the aura of Rome...

4. Shanghai Chic (Chic series) - unrated (a relaxing rate for the weekend!)

Now reading:
1. Gifted by Nikita Lalwani - just started this last night; a poignant look into the mind and family life of a maths prodigy, who's born in UK to migrant parents from India.

A summary of the books read in Jan & Feb 2011 (total: 15; 60 more to go!!)

1. Difficult Daughters by Manju Kapur *Rating: B

2. Lovers in the Age of Indifference by Xiaolu Guo *Rating: C

3. Girl in Translation by Jean Kwok *Rating: A+++

4. Marsbound by Joe Haldeman *Rating: A-

5. The Way We Were by Elizabeth Noble *Rating: B+

6. Separate Beds by Elizabeth Buchan *Rating: C

7. Between the Assassinations by Aravind Adiga *Rating: B+

8. His Lovely Wife by Elizabeth Dewberry *Rating: C+

9. More Books to go by Nancy Pearl *Rating: B+

10. The Other Hand by Chris Cleave Rating *Rating: A++

11. Secrets of Eden by Chris Bohjalian *Rating: A++

12. Read this next: 500 of the Best Books You'll Ever Read by Henry Mittelmark and Sandra Newman - Unrated

13. The Art of Losing by Rebecca Connell *Rating: A++

14. Lost Hearts in Italy by Andrea Lee *Rating: A+++ (Re-read)

15. Shanghai Chic (Chic series) - Unrated

2 months into the year, 5 books achieved (my own) A rating or more... good enough for my 'best of the year' list... quite a harvest!
1. Girl in Translation by Jean Kwok
2. The Other Hand by Chris Cleave
3. Secrets of Eden by Chris Bohjalian
4. The Art of Losing by Rebecca Connell
5. Lost Hearts in Italy by Andrea Lee

Just finished my first book for the month of March, it's The Anthologist by Nicholson Baker. some great writing there... tho' I need to skip through a few pages where he went a little too 'deep' into the schematics of poetry writing.. but other than that, some interesting observations about the smallest things in life... it's one of those books which you can dip in almost anywhere, and find an anecdote that you agree with...

now, onto The Secret Kept by Tatiana De Rosnay - haven't read her books before (she's written 10!) - so far, light, easy reading...

Great reading list to start the year off. Besides the Joe Haldeman book, I've never heard of the others before. Another great thing about LT is that you get to learn about new authors.

Thanks KiwiNyx, yeah - I'm doing the same... scouring others' LT pages to get ideas on what to read next...

Finished The Secret Kept - it's light reading... a nice book to curl up to on the couch, when it's raining outside...

Thinking of starting either The Unnamed by Joshua Ferris or Arcadia Falls by Carol Goodman over the weekend... visiting the library too later this afternoon, hope to pick up some more potential reads...

33: I also couldn't get into Shades of Grey. I liked his first two Thursday Next books, but after that was tired of the series, and didn't get into the nursery rhyme tales either. I did enjoy Her fearful symmetry however.

34: jadebird, I'd love to try one of the Robert Van Guliik mysteries; unfortunately my library only has them in Chinese, but I'm listing his in my TBR pile.

Finished Inheritance by Natalie Danford and Half Life by Roopa Farooki - the latter is interesting, 'cause parts of the novel is based in Singapore's Little India.

Now reading a lighter book, Nantucket Nights by Elin Hilderbrand.

Finished Nantucket Nights as usual, Elin's an easy and comfortable read... great analysis on friendships among women.. Also finished In the heart of the canyon by Elizabeth Hyde - haven't read something like this in a long while... interesting to learn more about river trips down the Colorado River, which cuts through the Grand Canyon and how people thrown together, even for a 2wk river trip, can form bonds that will last...

Now reading Starbound by Joe Haldeman... sequal to Marsbound which I've finished beginning of the year.... so far so good...

Good luck with Starbound. I look forward to your reaction, since I am unfamiliar with this but have read a couple others by him.

Just finished reading a couple of books:

1. Living Oprah by Robyn Okrant B
-- it was ok, felt a little 'self-absorbed' after a while.. just an interesting account of a woman's exploration of the 'Oprah' phenomenon

2. The hundred-foot journey by Richard C. Morais A+++
-- a great read for those who love food!!
-- definitely one of the best this year

3. The Master Bedroom by Tessa Hadley C-
-- a boring read.

Have been busy to post updates.. here are some other books read since Apr..

1. The Visual Miscellaneum by David McCandless B
-> an interesting take on 'miscelleneum', for those of you who enjoy such trivial pursuit..

2. Retail Hell by Freeman Hall B-
-> insider's view on working the shopfloor in retail shops.. newfound respect for the people who serve us!!
-> read on for the story, tho' the language is quite 'bad'... and the writing sloppy at times.. (at least to me)

3. To heaven by water by Justin Cartwright B+
-> not much happening but a moving story; tho' the ending was a little abrupt for me..

4. Caribou Island by David Vann B++

5. This must be the place by Kate Racculia A+++

6. The floating islands by Rachel Meumeier B
> an adult fantasy.. interesting read..

7. Through the heart by Kate Morgenroth A

Now, going to start either The importance of being seven by Alexander McCall Smith or Tony & Susan by Austin Wright

I still need to read This Must Be the Place, which I had from the library earlier this year and returned unread. Thanks for the reminder!

Have been going thru' a dry season in reading while being buried in work... here's 2 more I've completed this week:
1. Luanne Rice - Secrets of Paris B

2. Emma Donoghue - Room A+++
At first, was worried this book might be morbid due to the circumstances it describe... but it turned out to be insightful, sensitive and uplifting!!

Got another haul from the library yesterday - hope to switch gears to some SF and Fantasy.. will update if I get thru' any of them.. sometimes they sound promising but turned out to be difficult to get thru' after the first 20 pages or so..

I am glad you enjoyed Room so much. It was one of my favorites from last year.

just finished another two books over the weekend..
1. The PowerBook by Jeanette Winterson Rating: A*** -- some powerful writing there, tho' her ideas might seem disjointed at times, they usually come together at the end to form a complex but beautiful picture/plot etc.

2. The Very Thought of You by Rosie Allison Rating: B+ -- the writing doesn't really move me, but I was skimming through for the story, wanting to know how it ends..

Been on a roll... here are a few more down..
1. Good dog, stay by Anna Quindlen - B++ (recount of her life with her many dogs and what she's learnt from them... quick read at one sitting.. usualy Quindlen-style candid thoughts..)

2. The Time of our lives by Imogen Parker - C > not much of a read... skimmed thru' most of it.

3. She walks in beauty: A Woman's Journey Through Poems, compiled by Caroline Kennedy - B++
(my first foray into a poetry anthology, some great poems she's picked - what I like is how she's categorized them into various 'stages' of a woman's life and her short note before each section..)

finally!! the number of books I've read to date (38) is more than the number of books I need to read to hit the 75 goal!!... the goal is in sight.. yeah!

Hey well done, you're on track to make 75 for the year plus you're reading such diverse books.

KiwiNyx: Thanks! am really glad I'm on the roll here... finished 2 more over the weekend...!

1. The lost and forgotten languages of shanghai by Ruiyan Xu -- B++
> interesting novel abt how a man lost his ability to speak his native language (Chinese) after an accident and reverted to the usage of his second language (English), which he learnt as a child..

2. Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief by Rick Roirdan -- B+
> a YA selection which I've decided to read after watching the movie (on TV) two weekends ago.. must say, in this case, the movie was much more interesting!! I guess it's unfair to say this, but for fantasies like this, definitely the movie captures with so much more effects...

just finished 3 more... !

1. The love of our youth by Mary Gordon -> C
> nice premise of a story abt two ex-lovers who met again in Rome, now both middle-aged. Decided to take a walk everyday for 3 weeks while they were both in Rome... musing and sharing about life.
Nice idea of a story but didn't really like her writing style..

2. Rollback by Robert J. Sawyer -> B-
> interesting story abt extending a scientist's life in order to extend the continuity of her work in 'inter-terresterial' communications...

3. Gut Symmetries by Jeanette Winterson -> C
> this is a re-read. this time round, I found it a little too rambling, difficult to follow

went thru' kinda a 'dry' period... kept picking up books and putting them down.... just managed to finish up 2 more....

1. Kissing the Beehive by Jonathan Carroll -- C
> this re-read is somehow not as good as the earlier time... just following the plot, not as surreal as some of his other books...

2. The Tao of Travel by Paul Theroux - B+
> a great anthology of thoughts about travelling, travel quotes, insights gained from travelling and more.. some great mention of travel writers who've moved Theroux too!!

It looks like the 'dry' period is over. Good for you!

thanks alcottacre.. not really, still plodding along... just borrowed a bunch yesterday from the library.. hope to start on saving grace by anthony doerr tonight... ;).. what are you reading now?

At the top of the pile right now is the second book in Tad Williams' Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn trilogy, Stone of Farewell.

I hope the dry period officially ends soon!

Here here to that! I have my own dry period with reading and I just want to get stuck into a good book again.

Thanks alcottacre, may check that one out... what's great about reading trilogies is that, you'd always have the 'next' book to read once you're done with one... you know what i mean.. ?

Hi KiwiNyx, thanks for the kind thoughts... ;) hope you're 'doing well' in you reading journey.. what's your current read?

I've just finished Elizabeth Berg's essays, The day I ate anything I wanted B+
> her usual wry wit, still one of my favourite authors.. but must say that I enjoyed her earlier novels more than the recent ones..

Just went to the library and picked up a few more good ones.. hope to get started with either Embassytown by China Mieville or Let the great world spin by Colum McCann.

#67: what's great about reading trilogies is that, you'd always have the 'next' book to read once you're done with one... you know what i mean.. ?

I know exactly what you mean.

Let the Great World Spin is very good. I hope you enjoy it!

thanks alcottacre... thanks for the vote/recommendation.. will get started with let the great world spin tonight...... thanks!

I look forward to seeing what you think of it when you are done!

I look forward to you review of Embassytown. I've just finished Thirteenth Child by Patricia Wrede and really enjoyed it. Hopefully it was the one that stopped my dry reading period.

I'm spellbound by let the great world spin!! .. the language, the images, the complexity of the thoughts/ideas etc... all make me swoon...!

I've this habit of writing down beautiful phrases and sentences that I like/strikes me from the novels I've read.. this one took up at least 30 pgs of my A5 notebook... it was amazing...! I felt humbled after reading this book and the accompanying readers' guide..

wanted to start on a new book immediately last night.. but just couldn't get down to it... the aftershocks of the book was still lingering... so I decided to flip some magazines instead and gave it the due respect it deserved to 'sink' further into my brain-cells...

Thanks KiwiNyx, plan to start on Embassytown tonight... China Mieville's books are not the easiest to get through.. wish me luck!! Hope you're moving onto another delicious read.. if you've no idea what to pick up, check out let the great world spin!!

I know what you mean. After reading a terrific book, I generally cannot pick up another book immediately either. I am glad to see that you enjoyed Let the Great World Spin so much!

it's so good to talk to fellow bibliophiles... we all go thru' the same joys and pains (dry periods etc..).. have a great day ahead!!

You have a great day too!

hey alcottacre, I'm from Singapore - it's Fri evening 8:30pm for us now... so just a few hrs to 'good night'... ;) are you in the US on the East Coast?

I am in the US, but I live in Texas.

nice to know you...! so Texas is also 12 hrs behind Singapore then... good to know.. you have a great day!!

You have a great evening :)

hi KiwiNyx, sad to say I didn't take to Embassytown... interesting but I just couldn't follow it.. got confused after abt 40 pages or so.. now reading Once in a promised land by Laila Halaby -- so far, abt half way thru'... interesting it's a post-911 novel too (just like let the great world spin).. but this time, talking more from the perspective of the Arabs living in America, and how they felt ostracized / threatened in the post-911 days...

also read about grace by Anthony Doerr -- didn't enjoy it as much as some of his other ones, like the shell collector and 4 seasons in Rome those 2 were very much better...!

Hmm, China Mieville seems to be quite hit and miss. I enjoyed his Un Lun Dun but I think the one that I will definitely try of his is Perdido Street Station, that seems to be regarded as his best from what I've read.

I've added Let the World Spin as you described it so beautifully and enthusiastically.

yeah.. always wanted to try China Mieville.. but so far, haven't got to finish up any of his books.. will check out the 2 you mentioned.. thanks!

Hope you'd enjoy let the great world spin as much as i did!!

Just finishing up love in mid air by kim wright - B-
i'd say the writing is not great.. very easy reading.. what struck me is that, it's an honest debut abt the very real issues that married couples struggle with.. have a close friend that just got divorced.. so this book felt appropriate at this time.. the book's discussion abt the psyche of keeping a marriage going.. feels like you're talking to a close girlfriend..

oh yes.. forgot to add that I've also finished re-reading.. Say When by Elizabeth Berg -- still one of my favourite authors!!

I will have to give Say When a try. Thanks for the recommendation!

hi alcottacre, if you are new to Elizabeth Berg, yeah - try her 'older' works.. tho' she's one of my fav authors, I didn't really enjoy her latest ones.. except perhaps the day i ate whatever I wanted, which is an essay collection.

So, if you wanna try her, I'd say, try her earlier works, including:
- the range of motion
- the year of pleasures
- joy school
- the art of mending
- talk before sleep ... etc.
.. you get the drift.. basically, start with her earlier works.. enjoy!

I have read a couple of Berg's books, Dream When You're Feeling Blue and Range of Motion.

ok that's great... how do you like them?

I do not remember Range of Motion at all other than the fact that I read it - at least 5 years ago - but I very much enjoyed Dream When You're Feeling Blue.

I read Berg's Open House some time back and couldn't finish it. It just didn't grab me. But I did enjoy Year of Pleasures. I'd forgotten about her actually, so thanks for the gentle nudge ... *off to look for some of HooiMing's recommendations*

I vaguely recall Range of Motion to be about some therapist who warmed the heart of her stoic patient.. something along those lines.. but didn't enjoy Dream when you're feeling blue though.. yeah, I know what you mean about Open House.. I recalled having a little difficult getting into the story, but after a while... it was ok.. ;)

on a roll here... finished these over the long weekend (it was Singapore's National Day!):
1. Book Lover's London - Metro Guides > great for future visits to London, my fav city of all!!
2. The Lover's Dictionary by David Levitham -- B
3. Time of my life by Allison Winn Scotch -- B+
4. I love a broad margin to my life (poetry) by Maxine Hong Kingston -- B+

Out of the 4, I'd say I liked The Lover's Dictionary -- short snippets of observations about love and marriage.. very insightful! Time of my life was great too... a case of deja vu, very interesting take on second chances.. that's all I'm saying before spilling too much of the fun.. check it out!!

just finished Ender's Game, the 1st in the series by Orson Scott Card -- B++, glad it's a gd SF in a while.. looking forward to continuing with the rest of the 6 or 7 titles in the series...!

meanwhile, just borrowed Wild Seed by Octavia E. Butler and The Cookbook Collector by Allegra Goodman, plan to devour them over the weekend... !!

I have not yet read any of Butler's books, a fact I need to remedy!

didn't managed to get through Wild Seed, found it a little 'boring' after a while... just couldn't get through with it... to me, it was a far cry from my favourite Octavia Butler book, Kindred which I've read at least 3 times...

pleasantly surprised by The Cookbook Collector, my first Allegra Goodman -- A+++
Really good read, again many sensitive and insightful phrases taking up my phrase book ;)
definitely one of the best this year... great story abt 2 sisters - one a dot-com CEO and another a Philosophy PHD student + tree-hugger + used bookstore part-time employee... great discussion about the dot-com era from the inside-out, the sometimes overly enthu tree-saving movement and the people, families around them.. book ending coincides with 9/11 and its repurcussions... overall, one of the best reads this year!!

#95: I own Kindred. I will have to locate my copy!

yeah... highly recommended for a re-read!!

#97: Re-read, nothing. I have never read it at all :)

ooh... then you have to... it's very very interesting... time travelling but backwards... that's all i'm going to reveal before it spoils your fun!! Recommended it to a friend who swears off "SF or anything fantasy etc." and she loved it!!

Good to know! Now, I just have to find the book and then, make the time to read it!

let me know your thoughts after you've found the book and found the time to read it!!

I sure will!

Finished to be sung underwater by Tom McNeal over the weekend.. a quiet but insightful read about first loves and marriages.. loved it!! B++

just realized that with this read, i've finally met an invisible threshold I've set for myself when I started this challenge.. i've read 60 books in almost 8 months!!.. not bad ;P

Wanted a light read that's not 'chick-lit'.. so started A serving of scandal by Prue Leith, but somehow, after about 50 pages, just couldn't go through it.. the writing truly bored me..

Now, hoping to start with either Swim back to me by Ann Packer or You remind me of me by Dan Chaon..

More than half-way through State of Wonder by Ann Patchett... so far, really, really good!.. to me, it's her best since Bel Canto.. am enthralled by the Amazonian forest and of course, her writing!!

Just finished State of Wonder ... oh my!! I must say, the title says it all... especially the ending, it literally leaves you in a state of wonder... think Amazonian forest, tribes, scientific research -- before you think it's all dry and boring abt 'science'... it comes with a huge dollop of heart, wonder and simple appreciation for life... read it and savour it!!...

this morning, I picked up The geometry of sisters by Luanne Rice, hoping to get started on it over breakfast.. but the disparity in the writing is just too great... I'm going to have trouble finding another book to get into these 2 days... oh dear...! thinking maybe I'd give David Mitchell's latest a try - The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet... not sure if I'd like it tho'... anyone read it yet? any good? I don't usually like his books but heard some gd reviews on this...

otherwise, will try to check out one of the Booker long-listed ones from the library later today...

I surprised myself by picking up Shades of Grey by Jasper Fforde again when I saw it at the library. As it was in the fantasy/SF genre, one of the genres I'm beginning to enjoy a lot these days, I've decided to give it a second try.

This time round, to prevent getting lost in the 'forest' of all the newly-coined words by Fforde, I actually jotted down all the unique ideas/characters etc of the 'colour-coded' society Fforde has so brilliantly conjured... I've placed my notes under loose headers such as 'social practices', 'wierd names', 'colour families and their social seniorty', 'occupations' etc... and guess what? it really helped.. 'cause I got thru' the first 30 pages or so, which were the most difficult and after that, I really got into the story and finished up the book in one weekend!!

Am really glad the book didn't fail me the second time round.. It was a joy ride and an amazing social/political satire... at times bizarre, but after a while, you can really see where Fforde's 'fable' is all coming to... it turned out to be quite a fun book after all...

for those of you who wants to give this book a shot, perhaps you can try what I've done this time round.. just to get you thru' those first 30 or 50 pages or so... I'd give this read an A-!!

Didn't have a chance to update some other books read in Sept:
1. After the fall by Kylie Ladd - B
2. Tolstoy and the Purple Chair: My year of magical reading - B+

Poetry:
1. The Poems I Turn To Edited by Jason Shindler - B
2. Essential Poems to fall in love with presented by Daisy Goodwin - B
3. Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman - B++

Have you read any of Fforde's other books? I really enjoyed the Thursday Next series that starts with The Eyre Affair, but I haven't gotten around to Shades of Grey yet.

Interesting way to tackle Fforde, I tried Shades of Grey and The Eyre Affair earlier in the year and abandoned both as they were too confusing and slow to start. I may have to take your advice if I decide to try him again.

i tried one of the Thursday Next's books.. but didn't have enough interest to continue with the series..

yeah - i know exactly what u mean.. his books cld get a little confusing, slow to start and strange.. i couldn't get past the 1st 50 pages in Feb this yr when I first picked up the book.. but somehow, this time round, with a bit of effort.. i actually managed to get thru' the book... not the best I've read this year.. but one of the better ones.. something quite different, which is typical Fforde-territory... ;)

had a blast this weekend with reading...

Finished up:
1. Souvenir by Therese Fowler - B+
> bittersweet novel of choices and love.. not much re the writing but I read it in one sitting for the plot!

2. Best Poems on the Underground, Edited by Gerard Benson, Judith Chernaik and Cicely Herbert - B
> some nice selections there

3. French Leave by Anna Gavalda - A-
> love this short and breezy read!!.. tho' translated and with a simple plot, but some sharp observations and great writing overall... enjoyed it!!

Almost there, just touching 70... 5 more to go!!

Congratulations on making 70! French Leave looks especially appealing to me. Sometimes it's those subtle simple books that are the most powerful.

hey KiwiNyx, yeah - check out the book!... this is by the same author who wrote Hunting and Gathering which has been made into a lovely movie featuring the French actress Audrey Tatou..

Even tho' it's translated, the writing is pitch-perfect.. and yet, it's very easy reading.. took me i think less than 3 hrs across 2 blocks of time to finish it..!!

Let me know your thoughts if you've a chance to read it..

Just finished a few more:

1. The Doctor and the Diva by Adrienne McDonnell -- B+
> interesting insights into life of aspiring opera singers; nice setting too in one of my favourite countries, Italy.

2. Where would I be without you by Guillaume Musso -- C
> not much of a read, just read it for the plot

3. Sputnik Sweetheart by Haruki Murakami -- A-
> haven't heard Murakami for years, decided to pick up one of his books again. Great writing as always.. tho' the ending for this particular one is a little strange. But nonetheless, his usual sensitive style prevailed.

Now reading marriage by gloria nagy - never heard of her before, but she's written a really insightful piece abt the undercurrents in marriages and the other relationships with the extended family and close friends... got me scribbling non-stop in my phrase book, where I record all the nice phrases/poignant insights which caught my eye... almost 2/3 through, probably need another day or two to finish it..

anyone else read anything else from her before...?

Finished marriage by gloria nagy.. like it very much.. it's definitely an A-!

Also just finished good poems, an excellent anthology selected by Garrison Keillor.

That wraps up my 75-book journey of the year... yahoo!!

Now.... to see how much more I'd read before the new year sails in.... wish me luck!

Thought it fit to list a quick run-down of all the A-graded books I've read this year:

1. Girl in Translation by Jean Kwok Rating: A+++

2. Marsbound by Joe Haldeman Rating: A-

3. The other hand by Chris Cleave Rating: A++

4. The Art of Losing by Rebecca Connell Rating: A++

5. Lost Hearts in Italy by Andrea Lee Rating: A+++

6. Secrets of Eden by Chris Bohjalian Rating: A++

7. The hundred-foot journey by Richard C. Morais Rating: A+++

8. This must be the place by Kate Racculia Rating: A+++

9. Through the heart by Kate Morgenroth Rating: A

10. Room by Emma Donoghue Rating: A+++

11. The PowerBook by Jeanette Winterson Rating: A+++

12. Let the great world spin by Colum McCann Rating: A+++

13. The Cookbook Collector by Allegra Goodman Rating: A+++

14. Shades of Grey by Jasper Fforde Rating: A++

15. State of Wonder by Ann Patchett Rating: A+++

16. French Leave by Anna Gavalda Rating: A-

17. Sputnik Sweetheart by Haruki Murakami Rating: A-

18. Marriage by Gloria Nagy Rating: A-

wow - 18 out of 75 As... that's almost 25%... a great, bumper reading year!!

If I need to choose the best reads of the year?
1. First prize goes to let the great world spin by Colum McCann
2. Tie between state of wonder by Ann Patchett and The cookbook collector by Allegra Goodman

Yippee!

Congratulations, on reaching 75!!!

Congrats! Don't stop now... :)

Thank you...!!..

No, not stopping... started reading the kept man by jami attenberg last night... with last man in tower by aravind adiga standing by... ;P

have been really busy and not able to get thru' books tho' so many of them were great recommendations..

just finished The Unit by Ninni Holmqvist -- B+
> an interesting utopian society formed for pple who are the 'dispensable' ones in society as they did not have/could not have children
> great read.. felt quite 'surreal' throughout the entire reading of the book... it's atmospheric!

next up? trying to get started with Lark and Terminate, latest bk by Jayne Anne Phillips

just finished up 2 more...

1. The Leftovers by Tom Perrotta -- B+
-- only ok to me, not as good as The Abstinence Teacher or Little Children
-- interesting topic abt what happens to those left over, after the others have been 'taken away' after "The Rapture"
-- but somehow, I wasn't awed by the writing

2. The Summer Without Men by Siri Hustvedt -- A+++
-- another great read.. so glad I read this!!
-- sublime writing... !!

Finally found the book in the library... now absorbed in Under the Dome by Stephen King.. fascinating story... can't wait to see how it unfolds!!

Hi there, just catching up on threads but congrats on reaching 75!