boekenwijs' 75 (or more?) for 2010 - Take 2

Looking at the length of my previous topic, I decided to make a new topic for the last two months of this year.

My previous topic can be found here:
http://www.librarything.com/topic/80556

My progress:



The book reviews you can find in this topic:
60. The best American short stories 2010 by Richard Russo (31/10) (#2)
61. Pereira maintains by Antonio Tabucchi (31/10) (#5)
62. Herinnering aan mijn droeve hoeren by Gabriel García Márquez (6/11) (#7)
63. The white tiger by Aravind Adiga (17/11) (#13)
64. The best American comics 2010 by Neil Gaiman (20/11) (#16)
65. Het kleine meisje van meneer Linh by Philippe Claudel (20/11) (#17)
66. Jij bent mijn schat by Niccolò Ammaniti (21/11) (#22)
67. Slaughterhouse 5 by Kurt Vonnegut (4/12) (#27)
68. The best American nonrequired reading 2010 by Dave Eggers (5/12) (#29)
69. De moord op de eenendertigste verdieping by Per Wahlöö (8/12) (#33)
70. The curious case of Benjamin Button by fscottfitzgeraldandz::F. Scott Fitzgerald (14/12) (#35)
71. De kleur paars by walkeralice::Alice Walker (19/12) (#37)
72. Moord in het vliegtuig by Agatha Christie (26/12) (#41)
73. Encyclopedie van nutteloze feiten by Hein Meiers (26/12) (#42)
74. The best American essays 2010 by Christopher Hitchens (31/12 (to be reviewed)
75. Het pauperparadijs by Suzanna Jansen (1/1) (to be reviewed)

For the people liking Dutch reviews of the books I read, the link to my blog can be found in my profile.

The book reviews you can find in my previous topic:
1. Seeing by José Saramago
2. Het wespennest by Agatha Christie
3. In de ban van mijn vader by Sandro Veronesi
4. Don Quixote (volume I) by Miguel de Cervantes
5. Duizend schitterende zonnen by Khaled Hosseini
6. De vrouw in het Götakanaal by Maj Sjöwall
7. De Japanse tuin by Pieter Aspe
8. Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert
9. Rimpels by Paco Roca
10. The raw shark texts by Steven Hall
11. Mank by Herman Brusselmans
12. Timoleon Vieta come home by Dan Rhodes
13. Mrs Dalloway by Virginia Woolf
14. Quirkology by Richard Wiseman
15. Duel by Joost Zwagerman
16. Boven is het stil by Gerbrand Bakker
17. Mijn eeuw by Günter Grass
18. The ritual bath by Faye Kellerman
19. De uitvreter / Titaantjes / Dichtertje by Nescio
20. Een vreemde kostganger in mijn hoofd by Evert van Rossum
21. Eerst grijs dan wit dan blauw by Margriet de Moor
22. This is how by M.J. Hyland
23. Duistere bestemming by Elisabeth Mollema)
24. The time traveler's wife by Audrey Niffenegger
25. Twilight by Stephenie Meyer
26. Intuïtie by Malcolm Gladwell
27. Man zoekt vrouw om hem gelukkig te maken by Yusef el Halal
28. De eerste steen by Dorinde van Oort
29. The secret life of E. Robert Pendleton by Michael Collins
30. The ice princess by Camilla Läckberg
31. Paddy Clarke ha ha ha by Roddy Doyle
32. Bestsellers, a very short introduction by John Sutherland
33. Dubliners by James Joyce
34. Onmacht by Charles den Tex
35. Code Rebecca by Ken Follett
36. Food rules by Michael Pollan
37. Excuses voor het ongemak by Kees Volkers
38. Sneeuwstorm en amandelgeur by Camilla Läckberg
39. High fidelity by Nick Hornby
40. Wat te doen als iemand sterft by Nicci French
41. De schapen van Glennkill by Leonie Swann
42. Van den Vos Reynaerde
43. Treasure island by Robert Louis Stevenson
44. Het zingende gras by Doris Lessing
45. Binde wereld by Ellen Heijmerikx
46. Brief Lives: Leo Tolstoy by Anthony Briggs
47. Dress your family in corduroy and denim by David Sedaris
48. De man die in rook opging by Maj Sjöwall
49. Sneeuw by Orhan Pamuk
50. On what grounds by Cleo Coyle
51. De breiclub by Ann Hood
52. The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith
53. Kind 44 by Tom Rob Smith
54. Mama Tandoori by Ernest van der Kwast
55. Dorsvloer vol confetti by Franca Treur
56. Godenslaap by Erwin Mortier
57. It had to be you by Jill Churchill
58. De man op het balkon by Maj Sjöwall
59. What we believe but cannot prove by John Brockman

60. The best American short stories 2010 by Richard Russo

My first try of a netGalley book! As I don't have an e-reader (yet), I had to read the book on my laptop. Still not optimal, but working.

Although I'm not a real fan of short stories, I enjoyed this book. That's because the stories are all so different, as are the authors (of whom I didn't know anyone). A nice mixture and therefore every story is a new adventure. What would it be about? A good selection, there is something in it for everybody. And a nice list at the end with other good stories.

Found you again!

Wow, Stasia, you're fast! Glad that you found me.

61. Pereira maintains by Antonio Tabucchi

This book was an Early Reviewer. One that I really liked.

Although this book plays in Portugal and is written by an Italian author, the most important topic is the Spanish Civil war. This is a period in Spanish history they prefer not to talk about, I found out last week.

Pereira is the editor of the culture page of a second-rated weekend newspaper in Lisbon. Before he used to be a journalist at a better paper. The story plays in 1938. Pereira asks Monteira Rossi to become his assistent after he read about his thesis about death. All the articles he gets are unpublishable and politically dangerous. But Pereirs keeps helping his assistent.

The question in the book is, is Pereira so naive, or does he want to be rebellous? The answer might be in the book. Well written and interesting.

#5: Someone else in the group was reading that one as well. I do not think they had finished with it last I saw though. Glad to know it is a good one. I will look for it.

62. Herinnering aan mijn droeve hoeren by Gabriel García Márquez
(originally Spanish, English title Memories of my melancholy whores)

It was some time ago that I read something by Marquez, but I'm still a fan. This novella is about a 90 year old man, who decides on his birthday that he would like to visit a virgin whore, something he didn't do for a long time. But then he falls in love...

A beautiful story, nice told in a dreamy sense, about love and the daily life of this 90-year old man.

#7: I have only tried one of Marquez's books (actually I tried the same book twice) and did not get on with it, so I think I will give that one a pass. I am glad you enjoyed it though!

After a long doubt, I just did it, I bought an e-reader last weekend! And I'm enjoying it. Easy when travelling and difficult to stuff completely full!

#9: Cool! Congratulations. I hope you enjoy yours as much I as I like mine :)

Ditto message #10 - I love my e-reader! But I also love my 'real' books!

Thanks for your good wishes, I'm happy with both kinds of books, too.
Unfortunately, I seem to be in a kind of reading slump at the moment. I do read, but mostly the piling up newspapers and magazines....

@8, Stasia, he might be just not your kind. I guess it's an acquired taste. Untill now I liked One hundred years of solitude the best.

63. The white tiger by Aravind Adiga

Finally another book finished! One that already on my shelves for a while.

Something different then I expected from the title. The life story of an Indian (as in, from India) entrepeneur told to the Chinese prime minister. A story running from being a tea seller to becoming a driver and later an entrepeneur. A story where you know something terrible will happen. Bit when and why?
Also a story that gives inside in living in a lower caste in India. Well written, unexpected and fresh. Recommended.

Glad to see the book slump has gone!

Hi, found your new thread. I loved Marquez too, particularly One hundred years, and Love in the time of cholera - but haven't read anything of his for years.

Glad you have got over your reading slump. The white tiger sounds interesting.

64. The best American Comics 2010 collected by Neil Gaiman

In this book, stories and parts of comic novels that are published in 2009 are collected. And its a very nice collection. I was slightly afraid of a book with stories about super heroes (as was the first story of the book, not a good sign). But that was not the case. A critical pro-morning-after-pill piece, a part of the book Genesis, the New Orleans flood, love stories, etc. A very nice compilation where everybody can find something that will suite him or her.

65. Het kleine meisje van meneer Linh by Philippe Claudel
(originally French, don't know if it's translated in English)

This is a small, gripping story. Mister Linh escaped from an East Asian counrty and comes in Europe (I guess, most likely in a coastal city in France). He comes together with his grand child. There he meets mister Stark. They don't understand each orther's language, but they do understand each other.

An emotional story about a very special friendship, with some unexpected twists. I will read more of his books!

#17: Several of Claudel's books have been translated into English, but it does not look as though that is one of them. Too bad.

Good news; The Book Depository has "Monsieur Linh and His Child" available for pre-order; it looks as though it will be published in 130 days.

Monsieur Linh and His Child

I bought Brodeck's Report, which won (I think) this year's Independent Foreign Fiction Prize, and I'll probably read it early next year.

#19: Very good news. The book fast will be over by then!

#19, that's good news!

66. Jij bent mijn schat by Niccolò Ammaniti
(originally Italian, I guess not translated in English (sorry for my English unfriendly reading choice recently))

Niccolò Ammaniti is hyped a lot in the Netherlands, so I decided to try this thin work. It's about a heavy drug-addicted cosmetic doctor. He has to enlarge some breasts, but the police is waiting. Where to hide his cocaine?

The story is dramatic and over the top, but I enjoyed it. Just because it was all too much it made it funny. I'm interested in this writer.

#22: It looks as though some of Ammaniti's books have been translated, but I am not sure about that one.

Do not worry about 'English unfriendly reading choice' recently. Read what you want to read!

@23, Stasia, to be honest, I won't be that nice ;)

Just dropping by to tell that I'm still around and reading, but don't seem to be able to finish a book. Halfway The best American nonrequired reading 2010 (which contains some very interesting pieces) and Slaughterhouse five. Hope to finish both this weekend! And still going strong in finishing magazines and newspapers (where did they all come from...?)

Hi, Boekenwijs. I noticed you read Het kleine meisje van meneer Linh by Philippe Claudel. I'm glad you enjoyed it as much as I did. And as for Brodeck's Report, it's still among my all-time favourites.
Btw, which e-reader did you buy?

I loved Het kleine meisje van meneer Linh too when I read it last year, and have Het verslag van Brodeck waiting on the shelf.
Good that there is a translation on its way!

@25, I will be looking for Het verslag van Brodeck! I have the Sony Reader Pocket (ERS350), the new pocket edition (5 inch screen) with a touch screen.

67. Slaughterhouse 5 by Kurt Vonnegut

This book was already for some time on my wishlist, and I now finally read it. I didn't expect the sciene fiction part of the story (stupid, I should have known). But it fluently fits in the story about Billy Pilgrim, who is traumatized by the bombing of Dresden. A good story that makes you think.

#28: I still have not read that one either. One of these days I will get to it!

68. The best American nonrequired reading 2010 by Dave Eggers

This is a very nice collection of mostly very interesting pieces. The first part of the book consists mostly of lists, which I didn't like to much.

But the much larger second part contains essays and short stories. With some interesting topics, like a hostage in Afghanistan and Pakistan, living among the homeless in tents, a story of a special made country for prisoners. And short stories by Sherman Alexie, Etgar Keret and Kurt Vonnegut. Three authors I didn't really know, but I want to read more of. A very good way to get an impression of what is published in 2009/2010.

I also haven't read Slaughterhouse-Five... then again, there are many "classics" I haven't read yet...

Monica and Anita, thanks for your reactions about Het verslag van Brodeck. I bought it this afternoon and guess I will read it in the beginning of next year!

69. De moord op de eenendertigste verdieping by Per Wahlöö
(originally Swedish, English title Murder on the Thirty-first floor)

This year I already read some books that Per Wahlöö wrote together with his partner Mah Sjöwall about Martin Beck. The policeman in this book, Jenssen, is less interesting and more flat. But the story is, like the Marin Beck series, socially engaged. This book handles about a bombletter about a bomb on the 31st floor of a publisher, the one and only in the country. Everything is censored.
Although not as good as the Martin Beck series, it still were to relaxing nights with this book.

#33: My local library does not have any of the Martin Beck series or this one either. *sigh*

70. The curious case of Benjamin Button by F. Scott Fitzgerald

When this movie came out, I was immediately interested. But I didn't see the film yet, and only read the story now. The concept of an old man growing young triggered me. And it's well known, I guess. It's worked out nice, the details make the story.

The bundle I read also contains the stories Bernadice bobs her hair and The diamond as big as the Ritz. The first story is about a girl made popular by her cousin, but maybe a little to much. This story I didn't like too much. The last story is about a diamond as large as a mountain. How to hide that? Interesting concept.

Over all I enjoyed this bundle.

#35: I have not read that particular Fitzgerald book yet. I need to give it a look though!

71. De kleur paars by Alice Walker
(Dutch translation of The color purple)

This book I already want to read for about twelve years. Not because I knew what is was about, because I didn't have an idea what that was. But the title intrigued me. The story about Celie and Nettie, dark-coloured women in America in the 30s, told by the letters they write. This way really worked for me. And the story is shocking, I didn't realize that the power of the men and the white was so big at the moment of time. Scary. And a brilliant read.

#37: I still have not read The Color Purple even after all this time. I really need to get it read!

Are you going to join us for the 75ers group again next year? I do hope so! The group is up and running: http://www.librarything.com/groups/75booksin20111

Yes, I'm planning to join again and have big reading plans. But I first have to finish another 4 books this year ;)

I am glad you will be joining us again for 2011!

Thanks Stasia!

72. Moord in het vliegtuig by Agatha Christie
(Dutch translation of Death in the clouds)

A nice read when travelling 2 x 4 hours by train. Even in the crowds, the story grips and I wanted to know who killed madame Chriselle. Just another ok mystery with Hercule Poirot.

73. Encyclopedie van nutteloze feiten by Hein Meijers

A thin book with 1111 facts, which I don't remember. Nice to read a few pages once in a while. Interesting, but not more than that, and not sticking to my brains, I need more context.

Well, the title says it all :-)

Finished book 74: The best American essays 2010 by Christopher Hitchens. The review will follow tomorrow, as I'm too busy right now.

I guess I will end halfway book 75: Het pauperparadijs by Suzanna Jansen and think I will finish that tomorrow and review it than as well.

74. The best American essays 2010 by Christopher Hitchens

Although I expected this book the most interesting one of this series. A few essays I liked, for instance about language, personal DNA, science in Central Asia. The rest was too American for me, as I miss the political and cultural background.

I didn't come close to finishing book 75 yesterday and I still have a large number of pages to go. So it will be the first book of this year. So I failed....
Not that I really care. I read a number of very good books and enjoyed posting. So I wil start a new challenge this year. The link will be posted when my topic is up.

#46: I read a number of very good books and enjoyed posting.

To me, that is not failure. I am glad you had a satisfying reading year in 2010. I hope for the same for you in 2011.