Looks like you're going to make it. :-) You've got several books I want to read this year too. Happy reading!
37. A Canticle for Leibowitz by Walter M. Miller Jr.
I picked up this book because I read a review earlier this year of
Anathem (#7 of this year) that was kind of negative about Anathem, saying that it was a rip off of books like A Canticle for Leibowitz. Since I loved Anathem, especially the idea behind it, of one group of society safeguarding history and science from another, I wanted to read this book too.
I found that knowing a bit about the background of the author, Walter M. Miller, who was an Army Air Force pilot and flew a bomber at the bombing of Monte Cassino. Knowing he experienced that makes reading the book even clearer.
The story itself is short and divided over three periods. Miller doesn't go as deep into the story as for example Neal Stephenson did in Anathem, but that's because that isn't the point. The beauty of the book is in the ideas behind it, the idea of cyclic history.
Although this book is generally classified as science fiction, it isn't hard science fiction. The focus of the story is a monastery, low tech. I think this makes the book also good for people who don't like the Star Wars/Star Trek type of science fiction books.
There was also a beautiful librarian quote in it; I will put that in this post tonight, when I am home and can grab the book again to look it up.
Edit: Oh, here it is, in chapter 19, page 210 in my edition.
"To Brother Librarian, whose task in life was the preservation of books, the principle reason for the existence of books was that they might be preserved perpetually. Usage was secondary, and to be avoided if it threatened longevity."
***** - Five stars, and definitely one for a reread.
Message edited by its author, Aug 18, 2009, 12:50pm.
38.
The Suspicions of Mr. Whicher by Kate Summerscale
I have seen this book in so many bookstores, and the mystery combined with history combined with a cheap price finally got to me, so I bought the book.
The book reads partly as a story, and is then backed up by historical facts and anecdotes. I especially loved how the events were tied into the history of the detective novel. As this is not my favorite historical period, I didn't quite know what to expect, but all in all, I really liked the book. The only thing I didn't like was that the Summerscale started steering towards the murderer even before the murder happened. If it was a pure history this wouldn't be so bad, but as it is also partly storytelling, this was a bit annoying.
***-- - Three stars, recommended if you like detectives, true crime and Victorian history.
39.
Consider Phlebas by Iain M. Banks
Because I wanted to get more into science fiction, I've been looking more and more in the SF section of my local bookstore. The book
Matter really spoke to me. I found out it was part of a series, so I first picked up the first part, which was this book (the series is The Culture).
Although various LT members found this book hard to get through, I found it ok. I cared for the characters, and really wanted to know what would happen and how. The book had a bit more action and a bit less philosophy than I would like, but I think that this will even out over the series, as this has given the author more time to develop the ideas and reasons.
The book was well written, had lot's of action, good descriptions (but not over done) and was a fun read. If you like science fiction (with galactic battles), this is recommended.
***-- - Three stars, as a bit more philosophy would have appealed more to me.
40.
Bonk by Mary Roach
I didn't pick this book in the bookstore, but since it is on our shelves, I might as well read it. The book is about research into the subject of sex, and describes various research subjects, their conclusions and the methodologies used. Mary Roach has great humor in describing it.
I found it interesting that in reading it I was guilty of doing exactly what makes research into sex so difficult, I was hiding the book and not feeling really relaxed reading it in a full train... Funny ;).
***-- - Three stars, as this subject is not my favorite, but I loved the easy humor in the writing style of Mary Roach.
Forgot to update:
41.
The Fire by Katherine Neville.
This is the sequel to
The Eight, and is set about twenty or thirty years later. The Game has started again. As with the previous book, I find the concepts of the Game very abstract, so I just read it as a novel with bad guys and good guys, and someone is trying to win... It is a good book, nice story which has good mysteries, mystique, history.
***-- - Three stars, because it was too abstract in some place, but still a nice story overall.
Well, I have the days off again, so I caught up with my reading, and have updates for three books:
42.
Player of Games by Iain M. Banks.
This is the second Culture novel, set in the same universe but with different characters and happenings. The lead character is a professional game player who gets an opportunity to play the game of his life, a game that is integral to an Empire. It was a short but very good book, makes me look forward to the other Culture novels.
43.
What on Earth Happened? by Christopher Lloyd.
A history of the entire world from Big Bang to now. I have the hardcover illustrated version, and it was a very nice and good book to read. Although it cannot go in depth because of the broad range of topics, it does a good job of showing you how everything is related, both things that are happening more or less at the same time around the world, and things that have happened in the past.
44.
Coraline by
Neil Gaiman.
A children's book, and therefore a quick read. On the cover a blurb calls it one of the scariest stories, and it is pretty scary. It is a good and quick story, and makes me want to read more of Gaiman's work.
All books get four stars. Now, only 6 more to go before I move to the 75 books challenge group. :)
45.
Watchmen by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbins
I have never read graphic novels before, but after hearing so many good things about Watchmen, I decided to take the plunge, and I am happy I did. There were so many layers to this story, I am still not sure I got them all. I loved it all, except the ending... But I think that needs more... thought. I highly recommend it!
****- - Four stars, because it is an impressive story, hard to put down.
46.
The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold
This book was recommended to me because I liked
The Time Traveller's Wife. I didn't like The Lovely Bones quite as much though. The writing style was much more forced, and I guess the subject of loss of a loved one hit a bit too close to home for me.
***- - Three stars because I didn't love it, but liked it.
Great books - I think we have quite similar taste... I'm starring you! Like I needed someone ELSE throwing good books onto my wishlist, eeeek!
I know, I know! Since getting seriously involved in LT, my wishlist keeps growing and growing! But LT is the best way to find new books you are almost sure to like!
47.
Attila the Hun by John Man
I knew what I was getting myself into here, and I got what I expected. John Man isn't a historian, and is easy with his facts. He makes a lot of assumptions, but if you read through them I guess this is a nice accessible introduction to Attila the Hun. I liked his
Genghis Khan better, but for a quick and easy read, this is ok.
**--- - Two stars because it wasn't really that good...
Message edited by its author, Sep 4, 2009, 4:09am.
48.
Bad Science by Ben Goldacre
Some more non-fiction for me. This book is mainly about how science is displayed in todays media, and the many errors that are made. It attempts to teach the reader some skills to evaluate science reporting. I already agreed with just about all he said, it was a nice read.
***-- - Three stars because it highlighted some important issues.
Sounds good enough to borrow it from the library, thanks!
49.
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
I normaly don't read WWII books, as I like happy endings, and these books tend to make me so sad. I got this book because it was (and is) on the top of the recommendations list, and it must be good. And it was, I could hardly put it down, it was extremely good. One of the few books to get five stars from me.
***** - Five stars, simply brilliant
50.(!)
The Lost City of Z by David Grann
I was alerted to this book when I saw the author, David Grann, as a guest on The Daily Show. I have had it on my wish list ever since, and it was as good as I expected. The book cover the history of the disappearance of Percy Fawcett, an English gentleman explorer who disappeared in 1925 in the Amazon while looking for the Lost City of Z. Grann also describes earlier explorations by Fawcett, but also expeditions mounted to look for Fawcett (including the one by the author). A fast and enjoyable read!
****- - Four stars, highly enjoyable!
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