Happy New Year! I'm off to a good start by finishing the first book on my TBR list:
#1
House of the Spirits by
Isabel Allende I'm glad I finally read this book, but I wasn't as moved by it as I feel like I should have been, although, it did have it's memorable moments, which will stay with me. 3.5/5
My review1/12
Congratulations ktleyed, you have made a good start to your reading year!
#3 Thanks judylou, although I'm reading a lot of fluff, I expect to target these books (not necessarily in the order I've listed them) in additiona, so that at least they won't feel so forgotten! Funny, I think of these books as sitting around thinking "she's never going to get around to me, I've been sitting here forever!" LOL!
hehehehe
I know that feeling well!
Two down, 10 more to go!
#2
Far From the Madding Crowd by
Thomas Hardy I really enjoyed this classic. I had seen the Julie Christie movie long ago, but had always wanted to read the book. This was surprisingly readable and I had no trouble following along with the dialects (I'm so used to reading even tougher ones with all the Scottish romances I read!) Hardy is not overly bogged down with descriptions as are so many Victorian authors, and I enjoyed the storyline and poignancy of it. I'm so glad I read it! I loved it!
ReviewMessage edited by its author, Jan 17, 2009, 8:29pm.
I'm now beginning another on my TBR list that I've heard tons of good things about,
The Book Thief. So many people have told me to read it - so, finally I got it out from the library yesterday and am beginning it today.
I read
The Book Thief last year and I loved this book. I'm sure I'm going to read it again.
Enjoy reading!
My third book successfull read!
#3
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak A memorable and moving read, it made me cry. The story of a young girl struggling through life in Nazi Germany and finding books as a balm for life's adversities. 4/5
Full reviewAnother successful read:
#4
The Tea Rose by
Jennifer Donnelly. I really enjoyed this first rate piece of historical fiction that takes place in London and New York in the later 1880's and 90's. A real treat, I highly recommend it.
My full review.
Message edited by its author, Mar 8, 2009, 9:45pm.
#5
The Summer Garden by Paulina Simons Amazingly good book, final one in
The Bronze Horseman trilogy. Intense and emotional, I was so sucked in to the story, I'm sorry it took me so long to finally read this book, which I think was the best of the three. I highly recommend this trilogy about two young lovers who meet in Leningrad during WWII and their trials and heartaches, ups and downs as they escape to freedom and America where they live for the rest of their lives. I loved it!
I just finished a really entertaining historical fiction:
#6
Through A Glass Darkly by
Karleen Koen. I simply loved it. Set in early Georgian England around 1716 and in Paris of that time as well, it was the story of Barbara Alderley, grandaughter of the Duchess of Tamworth who married Roger Montgeoffrey whom she loves but he is much older than she. He carries a dark secret that ultimately ruins their marriage. But the book is so well done and rich and vibrant and full of juicy scandal and gossip and big - a sweeping epic type of book - I'm thrilled there is a sequel and prequel - even better! Highly recommend!
Message edited by its author, May 22, 2009, 10:16pm.
Thanks so much for that review. I have been wondering about that book for a while now. Sounds like a winner. I am adding it to my wishlist. :)
--BJ
billiejean - you won't be sorry, I wish I had read it sooner - one of my favorite books this year!
#7
The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Orczy I really enjoyed it, it was an audiobook narrated by David Thorn and he was wonderful with the different French and English accents. A real treat!
I have a lot of catching up to do by the end of the year! I'm way behind!
#8
Desolation Island by
Patrick O'Brian Not bad, I listened to it on audiobook which is very different from reading the previous books. I found it hard to concentrate. Interesting story, glad it's over with though. Not sure if I'll continue with the series, I liked the earlier books. Maybe this was just hard for me to listen to.
Keep up the good work!
Thank you cal!
#9
Sick of Shadows by Sharyn McCrumb I chose an alternate this time around. I hate to say this mystery did nothing for me. I'd had such high hopes for the Elizabeth MacPherson mysteries, but this was just such a dud, I won't be continuing with the series. It was funny at times, but I'm glad it was short, since it didn't really hold my interest. It wasn't "crumby", but it wasn't great either.
Message edited by its author, Nov 18, 2009, 6:13pm.
#10
Across a Wild Sea by
Sasha Lord So-so romance about a blind girl who lives on an isolated island alone with wild horses and meets a shipwrecked Scottish warrior who takes her back to Scotland. I would have liked it more if the hero had been the least bit likable. I could barely stand him. At least I've chalked off another for my challenge!
Message edited by its author, Dec 5, 2009, 9:10am.
Not far to go now.
#11
A Kingdom of Dreams by Judith McNaught Really good romance that was the first I've read by this well known and highly acclaimed romance author - I really liked it, I can see why she's so popular! This was one of my alternates - I'm almost done!
I did it! I completed my 2009 challenge and finished all 12 books!
#12
Lost in a Good Book by
Jasper Fforde I really enjoyed it, so clever and amusing, any lover of literary classics would love these books and appreciate how funny they are. I listened to it on audiobook and it made it all that much better, I will listen to all the rest of these Thursday Next books on audio. Thursday jumps from book to book and meets the various characters, this one features Dickens, Austen and Poe. Very, very tongue in cheek with that dry British wit, a good read (or listen, as in my case!)
Yay! you finished!
Thanks judylou! I'm eager for next year's, though still deciding what to choose!
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