I've just joined so I'm just going to list the books I've read since the beginning of the year.
I'm way behind!

1. Life of Pi by Yann Martel
2. The Collected Tales of Nikolai Gogol by Nikolai Gogol
3. Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell
4. Fathers and Sons by Ivan Turgenev
5. The Stranger by Albert Camus
6. 1984 by George Orwell
7. Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh
8. The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton
9. Perfume: The Story of a Murderer by Patrick Suskind
10. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
11. I am the Messenger by Markus Zusak
12. The Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri
13. The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri
14. Fight Club Chuck Palahniuk
15. The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand
16. Anthem by Ayn Rand
17. Atonement by Ian McEwan
18. The History of Love by Nicole Krauss
19. Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card
20. The Magicians by Lev Grossman
21. Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte
22. The Wild Things by Dave Eggers
23. Mother Night by Kurt Vonnegut
24. Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer
:)

Message edited by its author, Nov 6, 2009, 3:39am.

Welcome to the group, Hyacinth! You are ahead of me when I joined the group on July 1 last year. You have an interesting set of books.

Welcome Hyacinth! Looks like you're off to a great start. Life of Pi is one of my all time favorites. Hope you liked it too. Happy reading!

Hello and welcome! You've already got a nice list I see. :) Good luck with your challenge!

Hey, nice list. You're not far behind me and I've been here since February :)

Welcome to the group! You have certainly read some good books since the beginning of the year.

You have some interesting books listed - a few that are on my own TBR list.

Tell me, what did you think of Perfume: The Story of a Murderer? I picked it up when the film came out, but never got around to reading it...

Welcome to the group. Great list you have there!

Welcome, HyacinthLo. You have some wonderful books on your list. I've been meaning to reread Fathers and Sons for years - I read it in college but I suspect that like War and Peace I'd take more away from it now. I'm also interested in your take on Perfume, it seems to be one of those books readers either love or loathe.

Thanks Everyone for the welcomes!!

haha, I tend to be all over the place as far as book selections go.
There's just too many books and oh so little time!!!

Now
Perfume: The Story of a Murderer
a review

This book was given to me as a gift, and I was initially put off because murder stories aren't particularly my cup of tea. But this book is not a hack and slash horror novel, while there are a few graphic bits, the thrust of the story is the subtle psychological drama that unfolds delicately.
I thought Süskind executed his novel flawlessly. He was able to zero in on perhaps the most potent and yet most ignored sense experienced by human kind, smell and writes through that experience almost exclusively. Which makes into a fascinating story from a most unique and compelling perspective. Some might find his style to be overworked or redundant but to me it was suspenseful and depth-charged with threads of intoxication woven thickly throughout the novel as I anxiously awaited to find out what was around the next corner.
My two cents.
It's a quick read, 4 days at the most, read it.
:)

Message edited by its author, Apr 27, 2009, 4:40pm.

I think I'll have to pick it back up this year. Thanks!

^^^
I hope you enjoy it.

12.The Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri
I found it to be quite interesting, I'll be reading The Namesake soon.

But next I'm ready to tackle something longer, I'm thinking either Swann's Way or Moby Dick.
Je ne sais pas!!

HyacinthLo - I really like Jhumpa Lahiri. I think you'll enjoy The Namesake, but I like her short stories best. I read Unaccustomed Earth, her most recently short story colection, earlier this year.

Good luck with your longer read!

15. The Namesake
I lied, I decided to it right after reading Interpreter of Maladies.
Although I really loved the book, I found it to be insanely heart breaking.
All her stories have an undertone of sadness to them.

anywho
I'm ready for my longer read now.

Message edited by its author, May 3, 2009, 3:55pm.

Hello and welcome!
I note you read I Am The Messenger. I finished this book a few days ago and I'm curious to learn your impressions/thoughts.

^^^
thanks for the welcome!!

I read I am The Messenger right after first reading The book Thief, big mistake. I expected another book thief and to be honest I don’t think I will ever find another book remotely like it. That book is singularly and uniquely its own.
What I feel about I Am the Messenger is what I feel about most young adult books, good reads but often left with a feeling of something missing. I found the book to be inspired but too ambitious, the journey forced and too perfect, the writing good but nothing special either. I feel that Markus Zusak had not yet cultivated into the man that would write The Book Thief. I can’t help but wonder if he could go back and rewrite it how he would do things differently.
There you go, my two cents. :)
I’m not too great at writing reviews so please forgive me. :(

Your reviews are just fine!!! Don't underestimate yourself.

I agree with you regarding your thoughts on I am The Messenger.

Though, I say this realizing that each one of us has our own thoughts/feelings regarding specific books.

I believe The Book Thief is one of my favorite reads thus far in 2009. And, like you, I think his other work simply cannot compare.

Have you read The Reader by Bernard Schlink? If not, I highly recommend this book. I read it after The Book Thief and the two were good books back to back.

#16 Your review is wonderful! Perhaps you would have like it more had you read it before the book Thief. I've just picked up The Book Thief (on Whispers recommendation) from the library and I was sorry to see that they only had it on cassette. I've heard others say that the audio version is not as good as the book so I'm contemplating returning it and requesting the book version. It's just such a long wait, it must be very popular but it may be worth the wait.

Lynda
It is worth the wait!

#19 Okey Dokey, Whisper I just reserved it again (book version this time) and I'm #2 on the waiting list so it shouldn't be a long wait.

@#18

thanks!!
yeah, perhaps I would have liked I am the Messenger if I've read it before TBT but I guess I'll never know!?!!
I look forward to reading many Zusak books in the future tho! I've never heard an audio version of a book so I can't really comment on that but I recommend waiting for the book too, just because that's how I experienced and fell in love with the story :)
when you do get around to it, I hope you love it as much as I did!!

#17
I haven't read The Reader. I saw the movie and wasn't a big fan, but books often tend to be the better version of the two. I might have to add it to my tbr list. Thanks for the recommendation whisper!!

Oh and did you guys know they're making a movie out of The Book Thief? I don't know about you guys but I'm totally excited about it!!
... even tho movie versions tend to be kind of lame for the most part :

#22 Didn't know. Thanks for the heads up!

I didn't know they are making a movie of The Book Thief. The book was ever so good that I hope the movie can follow suit. In my experience, I'm usually disappointed by movie versions of books I like. To Kill a Mockingbird was an exception!

16. Fight Club by Chuck Palahniuk

I love this book so much. It's the only book I've been able to read more than one time.

I am so behind!!!!

#25: Do not worry about being behind. Just have fun with the group.

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I keep toying with picking that one up. I loved the movie but never bought the book.

#28 I encourage you to do so!!!

it took me a while to crack open the book, and I'm sure it just sat in my bookshelf for at least a year. But once I got started I couldn't put it down.

I loved the movie too and I actually think the movie might be better then the book, but in reading it I think certain parts get a little more explanation, and you get a better grasp as to what the purpose of it all was. It's an insanely fast read too, two days max.

If you do end up reading it, i hope you enjoy it as much as i do!

17. The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand
I finally got to reading a longer book! and I loved it! I started this in high school but never got around to finishing it. I liked the story, and the message, but I didn't really like the characters. the only one I did was the young college student in the first chapter of book 4, Howard Roark. I could relate to what he was going through.

my favorite passage of the book.
"Don't help me or serve me, but let me see it once, because I need it. Don't work for my happiness, my brothers-show me yours-show me that it is possible-show me your achievements- and the knowledge will give me courage for mine."

My book came with a little mail card thing that you could pull out, fill out, and send in for some free information on Objectivism. I look forward to receiving that info.

Message edited by its author, Jun 21, 2009, 12:54am.

>30: Have you read Atlas Shrugged?

^^^
nope not yet. I own it, but at this point I'm not really looking to read a long book. I'm thinking I might read Anthem before I read Atlas Shrugged.

Have you read it? How does it compare to The Fountainhead?

Atlas Shrugged is a very good book and an interesting take on capitalism.

I copied the following from Wikipedia:

Atlas Shrugged is a novel by Ayn Rand, first published in 1957 in the United States. It was Rand's fourth, longest, and last novel, and she considered it her magnum opus in the realm of fiction writing.1 As indicated by its working title The Strike, the book explores a dystopian United States where leading innovators, ranging from industrialists to artists, refuse to be exploited by society. The protagonist, Dagny Taggart, sees society collapse around her as the government increasingly asserts control over all industry, while society's most productive citizens, led by the mysterious John Galt, progressively disappear. Galt describes the strike as "stopping the motor of the world" by withdrawing the "minds" that drive society's growth and productivity; with their strike these creative minds hope to demonstrate that the economy and society would collapse without the profit motive and the efforts of the rational and productive.

IMHO, In light of the huge bailouts and government intervention happening in the USA today, I think Rand was spot on.

>32: I think that The Fountainhead is a bit easier to read: it's shorter, less focused on making Objectivism's points, etc.

However, I think that Atlas Shrugged is the better book. Rand delineates her philosophy a bit more clearly, and you see more gradations of things. If you try it and find yourself getting bogged down in Galt's long speech, you won't be the only one in history...but the basic story is enjoyable whether or not you agree with Objectivism.

I definitely recommend you read it. Personally, I think it's better than Anthem as a next read though, of course, the latter is trivially short.

Message edited by its author, Jun 22, 2009, 8:48am.

I'll be on the lookout for books by Rand. She sounds like a very interesting/enlightened writer.

16. Anthemby Ayn Rand
Just got done with this, talk about a fast read! I must say I didn't really like it. I've read 1984 and it's hard not to compare other dystopian novels to it. So while I was reading Anthem I kept thinking about 1984 and how I much rather be reading that. I want to read Brave New Worldby Aldous Huxley, eventually, but sometimes I feel like why bother if they all are gonna end up reading alike. I guess I'm just going to have to wait and see!!

and yes, I am totally going to read Atlas Shrugged. I know it's a must, but I'm going to read some other things first.

17. Atonementby Ian McEwan
I absolutely loved this book, the story, the way it was told, and the way it was written. I'm impressed at how precise the movie is with the book.

a great read!

Atlas Shrugged is indeed a book to read.

Atonement has been on my tbr pile for awhile. I'll move it up closer to the top.

hmm, I have no idea what book to read next! Anyone have any recommendations they think I might enjoy?
I would appreciate a point in the right direction.
:)

Whisper1, if you liked the movie at all, you will definitely like the book a lot more.

I'm glad to know Atonement is a good read. I've got it on the TBR pile as well.

I love, love, love Atonement - I'm glad it has found another fan!

ok, then, on to the tbr pile goes Atonement.

18. The History of Love by Nicole Krauss
I just finished it and I don't exactly know how I feel about it. Reading it made my head hurt. Heartbreaking to say the least.

>36 and dystopian novels... I actually love both Brave New World and 1984, but BNW slightly better. It's got a different feel to it than 1984. A lot more sf used. I know 1984 is the book everyone goes to for a dystopian novel, but I hope you don't write all others off for fear they aren't as good. One you might want to try is Ella Minnow Pea, it is so different from other dystopias(that I've read anyway) that the elements don't feel over done.

^^
No, I will definitely get around to reading BNW, I just didn't want to read them back to back or so close together.
Hmm, I've never heard of Ella Minnow Pea, I'm going to have to check that out.
thanks for the recommendation.

19. Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card
I was hesitant to get started on this one, just because it's not typically the type of book I go for. But I saw it on this list of books that people under the age of 25 should read before turning 25. I read the summary and got interested. It was a good read. I enjoyed it.

:)

Where did you find that list - I'd be interested in seeing it.

>46. Definitely one of my favorite series of all time, I'm glad you enjoyed it :)

#48: Thanks! I've only read 8 of these books - not a great total!

#50: yeah, I've only read 8 too! but I still have a couple more years to complete the list.

here's a list of 30 books to read before turning 30 too, if you're interested. I find this one more interesting than the last one.

30 books to read before turning 30

#49: I'm debating on wether or not to read further into the series, would you recommend?

#51: I've only read 12 of those! Good thing I have another 7 years to go, although I don't think I will ever read The Art of War or Plato's Republic.

Erk... I've only read 3 on the first list and 2 on the second... not my typical fare, I suppose... heh.

>52. I would definitely recommend reading into the series. Depending on which aspect of the books you liked best, I would recommend different directions into the series though.
There is a companion to Ender's game called Ender's Shadow which follows Bean. The rest of the Shadow series follows Ender's siblings and the other children after they get back to Earth. So there's a lot of politics and war in those.
The rest of the Ender Series it follows Ender and Vi into space and colonization and other alien forms. The next would be Speaker for the Dead. Much more sf.

Thanks for the link to 25 books to read before you turn 25! My birthday's in February, and I've only read 6 of them, so I guess I better get going on that!

Message edited by its author, Aug 31, 2009, 12:38pm.

20. The Magicians by Lev Grossman

Fantasy books aren't usually the kind of books I tend gravitate to. But I like this and it has made me extremely interested in reading the Narnia books.

... only 20 books in. :(

#57: I have that one home from the library now and hope to get to it soon.

20 books is closer to 75 books, than no books!

21. Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte
I really liked this book but was surprised by how, ummm, crazy the characters were in it. I mean, I have always heard it descried as a classic romantic novel, and I just didn't expect what I read! :)

hmm have read 9 of the under 25 ones...not bad I guess. Although the list is full of all the books one would expect to find on there, no surprises. I agree that the 30 list is a bit more interesting.

22. The Wild Things by Dave Eggers
just got done with this this morning. I liked it, I saw the movie the day it came out and this book follows the movie plot in some spots and is completely its own in others.

If you're a fan of either the original book of the movie, I recommend you read this.

23. Mother Night by Kurt Vonnegut
I just got done reading this.
this was my first experience with Vonnegut, and I must say, I can't wait for my next.

When I was in college one my my professors loved Vonnegut. We had to read successive books and write papers. I confess that at the time I wasn't all that enamored with Vonnegut. Perhaps now that I'm older -- much older -- I whould revisit his works.

Regarding Wuthering Heights, those Bronte sisters sure did write about craziness. Jane Eyre has crazy Bertha way up in the attic in a padded rome.

24. Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer

this was heartbreaking. It's heartbreaking that's it over, and it's heartbreaking that my time with Oskar Schell is over.

to say it was an incredibly beautiful read would be an understatement.

Sounds like you were just as touched by Oskar's story as I. JSF is such a wonderful writer, don't you think?

Message edited by its author, Nov 6, 2009, 5:00am.

I've never heard of this author. I'm adding the book to the huge tbr pile.