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1JonHutchings
Hi all,
I just recently joined this site and have been busy recording the books that I have read. I have been poking around the site a little as well and I saw this group. I think that I'm up for the challenge though 75 books may be a little optimistic for me. I am, however, willing to give it a go nonetheless.
My reading interests are wide open, encompassing everything from classic and modern fiction to historical texts and graphic novels, and all points in between.
Below is a list of what I've already read this year and I hope to get some reviews up for these books over the coming days. I look forward to being an active member on this site, so here is the first of what I hope to be many posts! :)
January
1. A Midsummer Night's Dream - William Shakespeare
2. Haunted Shores: True Ghost Stories of Newfoundland and Labrador - Dale Jarvis
3. The Bro Code - Barney Stinson
4. By the River Piedra I Sat Down and Wept - Paulo Coelho
February
5. Rumrunners: The Smugglers From St. Pierre and Miquelon and the Burin Penninsula From Prohibition to Present Day - J.P. Andrieux
6. The Sirens of Titan - Kurt Vonnegut
7. Jack Kirby's Galactic Bounty Hunters - Lisa Kirby
8. The Devil You Don't Know - Joel Hynes
March
9. American Gods - Neil Gaiman
Currently Reading The Slap - Christos Tsiolkas
I just recently joined this site and have been busy recording the books that I have read. I have been poking around the site a little as well and I saw this group. I think that I'm up for the challenge though 75 books may be a little optimistic for me. I am, however, willing to give it a go nonetheless.
My reading interests are wide open, encompassing everything from classic and modern fiction to historical texts and graphic novels, and all points in between.
Below is a list of what I've already read this year and I hope to get some reviews up for these books over the coming days. I look forward to being an active member on this site, so here is the first of what I hope to be many posts! :)
January
1. A Midsummer Night's Dream - William Shakespeare
2. Haunted Shores: True Ghost Stories of Newfoundland and Labrador - Dale Jarvis
3. The Bro Code - Barney Stinson
4. By the River Piedra I Sat Down and Wept - Paulo Coelho
February
5. Rumrunners: The Smugglers From St. Pierre and Miquelon and the Burin Penninsula From Prohibition to Present Day - J.P. Andrieux
6. The Sirens of Titan - Kurt Vonnegut
7. Jack Kirby's Galactic Bounty Hunters - Lisa Kirby
8. The Devil You Don't Know - Joel Hynes
March
9. American Gods - Neil Gaiman
Currently Reading The Slap - Christos Tsiolkas
5JonHutchings
Thank you for the warm welcome! I have to say that it's been a real mixed bag of books that I have read so far this year, but some have definitely been more interesting than others. With that being said, I'm really looking forward to adding to this list and cutting into the ever growing shelf of books that I have been meaning to read.
Starting now I am going to try and write a brief review of these books, so here goes
A Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare.
So somehow I managed to get all the way through high school without ever reading this play. The joke, however, was on me as I am now a high school teacher myself and found myself and my girlfriend both having to teach it for the very first time after Christmas. I therefore found myself reading the book for the first time over the holidays.
I have been a Shakespeare fan ever since my first year of university, but I always concentrated on his tragedies. After reading A Midsummer Night's Dream I have realized that this is something that I will need to change. It is funny, witty and has the elements of fantasy and mythology that really hold my attention. Puck's mix-up with the victims of his magic produce truly comical consequences. I believe that this summer a local theatre troupe called Shakespeare by the Sea is performing this, and I can't wait to get to see it acted out the way it was meant to be.
Haunted Shores: True Ghost Stories of Newfoundland and Labrador by Dale Jarvis
Dale Jarvis has the local distinction here in St. John's of being the proprietor of the St. John's Haunted Hike whereby he takes tourists around the dark alleys of olde St. John's and tells them stories of the macabe and haunted variety. A historically superstituous people, we Newfoundlanders have a large amount of haunted houses and ghost stories, many of which have been complied by Mr. Jarvis in this collection.
The stories vary in length from half a page to 3 or 4 pages and are taken from all across the province, though a majority of them are from the capital city and St. John's and surrounding areas. The stories are briskly told in true storyteller fashion and are particularly compelling when you actually know of the places being spoken about. I would recomend this book if you enjoy a good late night ghost story or if you have an interest in the folklore of Newfoundland and Labrador.
Starting now I am going to try and write a brief review of these books, so here goes
A Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare.
So somehow I managed to get all the way through high school without ever reading this play. The joke, however, was on me as I am now a high school teacher myself and found myself and my girlfriend both having to teach it for the very first time after Christmas. I therefore found myself reading the book for the first time over the holidays.
I have been a Shakespeare fan ever since my first year of university, but I always concentrated on his tragedies. After reading A Midsummer Night's Dream I have realized that this is something that I will need to change. It is funny, witty and has the elements of fantasy and mythology that really hold my attention. Puck's mix-up with the victims of his magic produce truly comical consequences. I believe that this summer a local theatre troupe called Shakespeare by the Sea is performing this, and I can't wait to get to see it acted out the way it was meant to be.
Haunted Shores: True Ghost Stories of Newfoundland and Labrador by Dale Jarvis
Dale Jarvis has the local distinction here in St. John's of being the proprietor of the St. John's Haunted Hike whereby he takes tourists around the dark alleys of olde St. John's and tells them stories of the macabe and haunted variety. A historically superstituous people, we Newfoundlanders have a large amount of haunted houses and ghost stories, many of which have been complied by Mr. Jarvis in this collection.
The stories vary in length from half a page to 3 or 4 pages and are taken from all across the province, though a majority of them are from the capital city and St. John's and surrounding areas. The stories are briskly told in true storyteller fashion and are particularly compelling when you actually know of the places being spoken about. I would recomend this book if you enjoy a good late night ghost story or if you have an interest in the folklore of Newfoundland and Labrador.
6JonHutchings
The Bro Code by Barney Stinson
A friend of mine gave me this for Christmas as a gag gift. He's a big fan of the television show How I Met Your Mother and this book contains all of the rules of the fictional bro code frequently spouted by Barry Stinson (played by Neil Patrick Harris). It only took me an afternoon to read and contains such insights as "A bro never admits he can't drive stick. Even after an accident." All in all, the fact that it's such a short read and is good for a few chuckles makes this a decent read.
By the River Piedra I Sat Down and Wept by Paulo Coelho
I have heard a lot about Paulo Coelho, in particular about how great The Alchemist is, but I had never taken the time to read any of his work. Therefore, when I saw a used copy of this book I decided to give it a shot. Sadly, I was very disappointed. Maybe this wasn't the best book to be introduced to Coelho's writing because I found this book very bland and tedious to read. It's a story of finding lost love and learning forgiveness, but I didn't like the main character at all and I think that her views and perceptions just completely turned me from the book. I managed to finish it, but it may be a while before I attempt another of Coelho's works.
A friend of mine gave me this for Christmas as a gag gift. He's a big fan of the television show How I Met Your Mother and this book contains all of the rules of the fictional bro code frequently spouted by Barry Stinson (played by Neil Patrick Harris). It only took me an afternoon to read and contains such insights as "A bro never admits he can't drive stick. Even after an accident." All in all, the fact that it's such a short read and is good for a few chuckles makes this a decent read.
By the River Piedra I Sat Down and Wept by Paulo Coelho
I have heard a lot about Paulo Coelho, in particular about how great The Alchemist is, but I had never taken the time to read any of his work. Therefore, when I saw a used copy of this book I decided to give it a shot. Sadly, I was very disappointed. Maybe this wasn't the best book to be introduced to Coelho's writing because I found this book very bland and tedious to read. It's a story of finding lost love and learning forgiveness, but I didn't like the main character at all and I think that her views and perceptions just completely turned me from the book. I managed to finish it, but it may be a while before I attempt another of Coelho's works.
7jolerie
Sorry to hear that you didn't enjoy By the River Piedra I Sat Down and Wept. I've also heard great things about The Alchemist but I haven't read it yet. Hopefully that book will prove to be a better read if you ever get a chance to read it.
8JonHutchings
Rumrunners: The Smugglers From St. Pierre and Miquelon and the Burin Penninsula From Prohibition to Present Day by J.P. Andrieux
An interesting overview of the smuggling trade which dominated the economy of the French islands of St. Pierre and Miquelon (off the coast of Newfoundland, Canada) during the prohibition era. Much of the alcohol which found its way into the United States and Canada during this time came from the sleepy little French fishing villages, where it was still legal to buy and sell spirits.
The second half of the book, however, is not nearly as interesting. It deals with the much smaller trade of liquor smuggling into Newfoundland after the prohibition was over. Newfoundlanders would smuggle alcohol over because it was simply much cheaper than to buy heavily taxed Canadian products. This section deals with the RCMP's efforts to deter would-be smugglers up until the 1990s, when the trade had all but vanished due to increased police activity.
The Sirens of Titan by Kurt Vonnegut
Vonnegut's debut novel, the Sirens of Titan is a rip-roaring, semi science-fiction satire on the human race, god and the meaning of life. If you enjoy Vonnegut's quirky style or haven't yet read anything by this master of American satire I highly recommend this book. Be warned, however, that if you are looking for an uplifting message in terms of Vonnegut's meaning of life, look elsewhere. This was definitely the best book that I had read to this point in 2011.
An interesting overview of the smuggling trade which dominated the economy of the French islands of St. Pierre and Miquelon (off the coast of Newfoundland, Canada) during the prohibition era. Much of the alcohol which found its way into the United States and Canada during this time came from the sleepy little French fishing villages, where it was still legal to buy and sell spirits.
The second half of the book, however, is not nearly as interesting. It deals with the much smaller trade of liquor smuggling into Newfoundland after the prohibition was over. Newfoundlanders would smuggle alcohol over because it was simply much cheaper than to buy heavily taxed Canadian products. This section deals with the RCMP's efforts to deter would-be smugglers up until the 1990s, when the trade had all but vanished due to increased police activity.
The Sirens of Titan by Kurt Vonnegut
Vonnegut's debut novel, the Sirens of Titan is a rip-roaring, semi science-fiction satire on the human race, god and the meaning of life. If you enjoy Vonnegut's quirky style or haven't yet read anything by this master of American satire I highly recommend this book. Be warned, however, that if you are looking for an uplifting message in terms of Vonnegut's meaning of life, look elsewhere. This was definitely the best book that I had read to this point in 2011.
9JonHutchings
Jack Kirby's Galactic Bounty Hunters by Lisa Kirby
I was a bit disappointed by the way that this book was advertised. Promoted as being a work of the legendary Jack (The King) Kirby I went into this one with expectations that the book couldn't possibly achieve. The characters of the book were based on Kirby's sketches from the 80s which he had never used which his daughter found when she was cataloging the works in his home. She decided, with the help of some family friends, to give these characters life by writing a story centering around these characters herself. While the artwork is pretty good and the story itself isn't bad, it is a little cliched and stale. Again, I think that I could never get past the fact that I was expecting this book to be something other than what it was.
The Devil You Don't Know by Joel Thomas Hynes and Sherry White
Based on characters from Hynes' Down to the Dirt, The Devil You Don't Know is a play that was originally staged with Hynes and Sherry White as two lovers trapped in a destructive unhealthy relationship. She moves to Halifax to pursue an acting career while he wallows in self-pity in Newfoundland and contemplates his life. Dark humour at its finest, this is a play about the new Newfoundlander. Messed up young people trying to find their way in a new and ever-changing world. Throw out your preconceived notions of what Newfoundlanders are all about and read this play or the book that it's based on. :)
I was a bit disappointed by the way that this book was advertised. Promoted as being a work of the legendary Jack (The King) Kirby I went into this one with expectations that the book couldn't possibly achieve. The characters of the book were based on Kirby's sketches from the 80s which he had never used which his daughter found when she was cataloging the works in his home. She decided, with the help of some family friends, to give these characters life by writing a story centering around these characters herself. While the artwork is pretty good and the story itself isn't bad, it is a little cliched and stale. Again, I think that I could never get past the fact that I was expecting this book to be something other than what it was.
The Devil You Don't Know by Joel Thomas Hynes and Sherry White
Based on characters from Hynes' Down to the Dirt, The Devil You Don't Know is a play that was originally staged with Hynes and Sherry White as two lovers trapped in a destructive unhealthy relationship. She moves to Halifax to pursue an acting career while he wallows in self-pity in Newfoundland and contemplates his life. Dark humour at its finest, this is a play about the new Newfoundlander. Messed up young people trying to find their way in a new and ever-changing world. Throw out your preconceived notions of what Newfoundlanders are all about and read this play or the book that it's based on. :)
10JonHutchings
American Gods by Neil Gaiman
So this one took the title of best book that I have read so far this year from Sirens of Titan. Basically all of the pantheons of gods that humanity have believed in throughout time are actually real, created by humanity's belief and sustained by their devotion. For years, however, these beings have been cast by the wayside as people's beliefs have shifted. Today there is a battle coming, as these god's prepare to do battle the 'new' gods of a consumerist society: Media, technology, etc... I don't want to say much more than that about it because I don't want to be a spoiler. This book is on my recommend to anyone who will listen to me list!
10. The Slap by Christos Tsiolkas
Just finished this one last night. I have to say that in the end I did enjoy it, despite not liking half of the characters in the book. The premise is that "at a suburban barbeque, a man slaps a child who is not his own". This incident happens very early in the book and somehow changes or affects the lives of everyone in attendance. The novel is told through the perspectives of eight different characters, each with a chapter of their own. The book is completely character driven, with each person being incredibly flawed and dealing with their own inner problems and demons in the wake of this incident. The book gives an interesting cross-section of Australian middle-class life (though if everyone does as many drugs in Australia as this book would have one believe, it's a wonder anyone gets anything done). Upper-middle class, working class, middle-aged, elderly, teens, homosexuals, immigrants, they are all given a voice and each views the incident that gave the book its name from their own point of view and it changes each of their lives in some fashion.
So this one took the title of best book that I have read so far this year from Sirens of Titan. Basically all of the pantheons of gods that humanity have believed in throughout time are actually real, created by humanity's belief and sustained by their devotion. For years, however, these beings have been cast by the wayside as people's beliefs have shifted. Today there is a battle coming, as these god's prepare to do battle the 'new' gods of a consumerist society: Media, technology, etc... I don't want to say much more than that about it because I don't want to be a spoiler. This book is on my recommend to anyone who will listen to me list!
10. The Slap by Christos Tsiolkas
Just finished this one last night. I have to say that in the end I did enjoy it, despite not liking half of the characters in the book. The premise is that "at a suburban barbeque, a man slaps a child who is not his own". This incident happens very early in the book and somehow changes or affects the lives of everyone in attendance. The novel is told through the perspectives of eight different characters, each with a chapter of their own. The book is completely character driven, with each person being incredibly flawed and dealing with their own inner problems and demons in the wake of this incident. The book gives an interesting cross-section of Australian middle-class life (though if everyone does as many drugs in Australia as this book would have one believe, it's a wonder anyone gets anything done). Upper-middle class, working class, middle-aged, elderly, teens, homosexuals, immigrants, they are all given a voice and each views the incident that gave the book its name from their own point of view and it changes each of their lives in some fashion.
11JonHutchings
11. Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
Great book! Another one that I'm not sure why I didn't read it sooner. At 107 pgs, I was able to read it in a day but it still packed an emotional whallop. You feel for these characters, you get a sense of the desperate times in which they lived (Great Depression era California) and you hope the best for them despite the ominous feeling of tragedy that looms throughout the book.
Great book! Another one that I'm not sure why I didn't read it sooner. At 107 pgs, I was able to read it in a day but it still packed an emotional whallop. You feel for these characters, you get a sense of the desperate times in which they lived (Great Depression era California) and you hope the best for them despite the ominous feeling of tragedy that looms throughout the book.
12JonHutchings
12. Night by Elie Wiesel
Wow! This is one of the most powerful works that I have ever read. In terms of Holocaust literature I think that this and Maus are probably the most important books out there (in terms of what I have read anyway). But whereas Spiegelman is telling his father's story, Night is Wiesel's own memoir of what happened to him and his family during one of the darkest episodes in mankind's history. An incredibly moving story which leaves little wonder as to why Wiesel's faith in God was shaken during these dark days.
Wow! This is one of the most powerful works that I have ever read. In terms of Holocaust literature I think that this and Maus are probably the most important books out there (in terms of what I have read anyway). But whereas Spiegelman is telling his father's story, Night is Wiesel's own memoir of what happened to him and his family during one of the darkest episodes in mankind's history. An incredibly moving story which leaves little wonder as to why Wiesel's faith in God was shaken during these dark days.
14alcottacre
A belated 'Welcome' to the group! It looks like your reading year is off to a terrific start!
15JonHutchings
Thanks alcottacre! It really is, plus this month I discovered the Take it or Leave it Challenge, which is both a lot of fun and has really got me combing through my TBR pile to get through some books that I may not have thought about reading quite yet!
13. Annabel by Kathleen Winter
I thought that this book was beautifully written and the story really captured me! Some people who read this book had some issues with the nature of the medical problems that the character faces. I also found some of the problems that the character faces to be far-fetched (and I think maybe even medically impossible), but as this is a work of fiction I did not find that these issues detracted from the lovliness of the story and the way in which it unfolds. For me fiction sometimes requires an inherent suspension of disbelief and the Wayne/Annabel character is no more far-fetched than Jonah being cut out of the stomach of a whale in Michael Crummey's Galore or Billy Pilgrim becoming 'unstuck in time' in Kurt Vonnegut's Slaughterhouse-Five.
Also, being from the province of Newfoundland and Labrador myself, I always like reading books set in this little corner of the world. Authors spend a great deal of time trying to translate the sparseness, and the rugged beauty of this place into words, and when it succeeds it paints a beautiful picture that would be hard to recreate anyplace else.
13. Annabel by Kathleen Winter
I thought that this book was beautifully written and the story really captured me! Some people who read this book had some issues with the nature of the medical problems that the character faces. I also found some of the problems that the character faces to be far-fetched (and I think maybe even medically impossible), but as this is a work of fiction I did not find that these issues detracted from the lovliness of the story and the way in which it unfolds. For me fiction sometimes requires an inherent suspension of disbelief and the Wayne/Annabel character is no more far-fetched than Jonah being cut out of the stomach of a whale in Michael Crummey's Galore or Billy Pilgrim becoming 'unstuck in time' in Kurt Vonnegut's Slaughterhouse-Five.
Also, being from the province of Newfoundland and Labrador myself, I always like reading books set in this little corner of the world. Authors spend a great deal of time trying to translate the sparseness, and the rugged beauty of this place into words, and when it succeeds it paints a beautiful picture that would be hard to recreate anyplace else.
16JonHutchings
The link on Annabel is not the right one for some reason.
17JonHutchings
Just finished reading a beautiful little book of poetry by one of Canada's most distinguished poets.
14. Another Gravity by Don McKay
14. Another Gravity by Don McKay
18JonHutchings
16. The Road by Cormac McCarthy
Great book, a bleak depiction of post-apocalyptic America with a touching father and son story.
Great book, a bleak depiction of post-apocalyptic America with a touching father and son story.
19JonHutchings
17. Teacher Man by Frank McCourt.
Thought this was a great book! As a teacher myself I could really relate to McCourt's struggles to find his way in the classroom. He also has such a great style, such wit and dark humour in his writing, that it makes me want to soon read his other memoirs Angela's Ashes and 'Tis.
Thought this was a great book! As a teacher myself I could really relate to McCourt's struggles to find his way in the classroom. He also has such a great style, such wit and dark humour in his writing, that it makes me want to soon read his other memoirs Angela's Ashes and 'Tis.
20JonHutchings
18. Galapagos by Kurt Vonnegut.
Awesome story of natural selection and how the human race would actually be better off if our brains haden't gotten so darn big!
Awesome story of natural selection and how the human race would actually be better off if our brains haden't gotten so darn big!
21JonHutchings
19. One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest by Ken Kesey.
Been meaning to read this one for a loooong time, and so glad that I finally did!
Been meaning to read this one for a loooong time, and so glad that I finally did!
22alcottacre
#21: I still have not read that one. Some day though. . .
23JonHutchings
Finished Choke by Chuck Palahniuk yesterday.
Very strange book, but I kind of liked it.... definitely not for everyone though.
Very strange book, but I kind of liked it.... definitely not for everyone though.
24JonHutchings
21. The Great Cat Massacre by Robert Darnton.
I haven't been reading nearly enough non-fiction this year so I decided to tackle this one on the cultural history of 18th century France. I was supposed to read it when I was doing my history degree but never got around to it. I'm glad that I finally did, Darnton is a pioneer in the field of cultural history.
I haven't been reading nearly enough non-fiction this year so I decided to tackle this one on the cultural history of 18th century France. I was supposed to read it when I was doing my history degree but never got around to it. I'm glad that I finally did, Darnton is a pioneer in the field of cultural history.
25alcottacre
#24: I will have to look for that one. Thanks for the recommendation, Jon!
26JonHutchings
No problem! Always glad to share an interesting read, especially to someone with an interest in history! :)
27JonHutchings
22. The Hangman is Never Late: Three Centuries of Newfoundland Justice by Jack Fitzgerald
An entertaining book of anecdotes of some of the more gruesome and bizarre criminal acts that have been committed in Newfoundland from the 1700s up to the late 1970s. Some of these stories were familiar to me already, but overall it was worth reading. I think that part of the reason that I enjoyed it was because I am familiar with most of the places where these crimes occured, I probably wouldn't have been as interested otherwise.
An entertaining book of anecdotes of some of the more gruesome and bizarre criminal acts that have been committed in Newfoundland from the 1700s up to the late 1970s. Some of these stories were familiar to me already, but overall it was worth reading. I think that part of the reason that I enjoyed it was because I am familiar with most of the places where these crimes occured, I probably wouldn't have been as interested otherwise.
28JonHutchings
23. Go the Fuck to Sleep by Adam Mansbach.
Listened to the audio book of this read by Samuel L. Jackson. What more is there to say!
I tried not putting the curse word in there, but this is the only way that I seemed able to get the touchstone to work, I don't mean to offend anyone.
Listened to the audio book of this read by Samuel L. Jackson. What more is there to say!
I tried not putting the curse word in there, but this is the only way that I seemed able to get the touchstone to work, I don't mean to offend anyone.
29JonHutchings
24. The Town That Forgot How to Breathe by Kenneth J. Harvey
A mystical and fantastic tale set in a Newfoundland outport fishing community whose inhabitants begin to suffer from an unknown breathing disorder and several of the townspeople try to determine the cause before its too late.
A mystical and fantastic tale set in a Newfoundland outport fishing community whose inhabitants begin to suffer from an unknown breathing disorder and several of the townspeople try to determine the cause before its too late.
30alcottacre
#28: One of the other 75ers in the group, who has 5 children, said that is the best book ever written :)
#29: I will look for that one. It sounds interesting!
#29: I will look for that one. It sounds interesting!
31JonHutchings
#30 Haha, yeah I could see how they would think that! :)
And you should definitely check out The Town That Forgot How to Breathe, it's certainly an interesting read!
And you should definitely check out The Town That Forgot How to Breathe, it's certainly an interesting read!
32JonHutchings
25. The Giver by Lois Lowry
Dystopias and alternative societies are definitely one of my favourite genres (or sub-genre maybe?) of novel. Despite this book being taught at the high school level I have never had the chance to read it until now. Basically the Giver has been tasked with holding in all the memories (both good and bad) of society from countless generations within himself and is training a young successor to take over his duties. The young boy, however, finds that now that he knows the truth about the world that he is no longer happy living in such an artificial society.
Very interesting and a quick read!
Dystopias and alternative societies are definitely one of my favourite genres (or sub-genre maybe?) of novel. Despite this book being taught at the high school level I have never had the chance to read it until now. Basically the Giver has been tasked with holding in all the memories (both good and bad) of society from countless generations within himself and is training a young successor to take over his duties. The young boy, however, finds that now that he knows the truth about the world that he is no longer happy living in such an artificial society.
Very interesting and a quick read!
33JonHutchings
26. Great Lakes Avengers: Misassembled by Dan Slott
I'm a bit of a comic book geek and therefore like to throw the occasional graphic novel into my reading list. Basically the Great Lakes Avengers are a bunch of d-list superheroes based in Wisconsin who try to fill the void left when the Avengers disbanded a few years ago. It's kind of funny but there are a lot of obscure Marvel Comics references that only a comicphile would really recognize. All in all, it was alright but I definitely would not recomend it to a casual fan of Marvel.
I'm a bit of a comic book geek and therefore like to throw the occasional graphic novel into my reading list. Basically the Great Lakes Avengers are a bunch of d-list superheroes based in Wisconsin who try to fill the void left when the Avengers disbanded a few years ago. It's kind of funny but there are a lot of obscure Marvel Comics references that only a comicphile would really recognize. All in all, it was alright but I definitely would not recomend it to a casual fan of Marvel.
34alcottacre
#32: I loved The Giver when I read it, but the other two books in the trilogy were not nearly as good IMHO.
35JonHutchings
27. Cold Mountain by Charles Frazier
One of the most elegently written books that I have ever read. It reads like an American Odyssey based during the Civil War. I didn't really ever want it to end and I feel like the characters will stick with me for some time to come.
One of the most elegently written books that I have ever read. It reads like an American Odyssey based during the Civil War. I didn't really ever want it to end and I feel like the characters will stick with me for some time to come.
36alcottacre
#35: I didn't really ever want it to end and I feel like the characters will stick with me for some time to come.
I love books that hit me like that. I am glad Cold Mountain was one for you!
I love books that hit me like that. I am glad Cold Mountain was one for you!
37JonHutchings
28. Wash This Blood Clean From My Hand by Fred Vargas
I don't usually read a lot of detective novels so I decided to give this one a shot. The story was fairly fast-paced and full of intrigue which helped keep my attention. Some of the dialogue, however, came across as very hokey to me, though I think that this may have been in part because something was lost in traslation as this is a French novel translated into English. All in all though it was a decent read, I'd give it 3/5 stars.
I don't usually read a lot of detective novels so I decided to give this one a shot. The story was fairly fast-paced and full of intrigue which helped keep my attention. Some of the dialogue, however, came across as very hokey to me, though I think that this may have been in part because something was lost in traslation as this is a French novel translated into English. All in all though it was a decent read, I'd give it 3/5 stars.
38lit_chick
Hi Jon, love the Newfoundland literature you've been reading! Yours is a wonderfully rich culture. I very much enjoyed Annabel, too, for the same reasons you did - I loved the Newfoundland characters; for me, Wayne's hermaphroditism was second to the landscape and the characters.
39JonHutchings
Hey lit_chick, I totally agree with that! The landscape is so important that I feel like it almost becomes a character in itself! And thanks for the kind words, I am truly proud of my home and our culture here. It may be changing a bit now with the oil industry getting so big here and globalization, but I think that we shall always retain a sort of distinct culture from the rest of the country. Though I would like to visit, BC, you guys have an amazingly beautiful landscape out there as well! I hope that you get to check out some of the more obscure Newfoundland books on my list, there is a ton of great talent here that may not get the sort of national spotlight that they deserve.
PS: I would have responded earlier but I haven't been on here in a bit. I recently took a full time job teaching high school English, so I've been ridicously busy since the beginning of sept. lol.. I hope to get back to more of my own reading around Christmas, lol
PS: I would have responded earlier but I haven't been on here in a bit. I recently took a full time job teaching high school English, so I've been ridicously busy since the beginning of sept. lol.. I hope to get back to more of my own reading around Christmas, lol
40JonHutchings
29. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Somehow I just read this for the very first time!!?! And I only got around to it because I have to teach it in a few weeks... For shame, I know, but it was a truly fantastic book and it's better that I read it late than never.
The way that the book treats the issues of growing up and racism in a sleepy Alabama town is definitely without parallel. Which is why I guess it's considered one of the true masterpieces of the 20th century. I look forward to sharing this classic with my students!
Somehow I just read this for the very first time!!?! And I only got around to it because I have to teach it in a few weeks... For shame, I know, but it was a truly fantastic book and it's better that I read it late than never.
The way that the book treats the issues of growing up and racism in a sleepy Alabama town is definitely without parallel. Which is why I guess it's considered one of the true masterpieces of the 20th century. I look forward to sharing this classic with my students!
41Morphidae
To Kill a Mockingbird was a happy surprise to me as well. A few years ago I started reading the classics which I had avoided until then due to poor school experiences. Mockingbird and The Count of Monte Cristo made me realize that there are some really fabulous classics out there.
42JonHutchings
30. Afterimage by Robert Chafe
Hey, I finally broke the 30 book mark! It might not seem like a lot to many of the other members of this site, but it may be a personal high for me in the run of a year. And with two and half months left to boot!
This is a play that I first saw performed at the LSPU Hall in St. John's in the summer of 2010. My girlfriend and I both agreed that it was one of the most haunting and beautiful things that we had ever witnessed. So when I saw a copy of it in a used bookstore, I naturally grabbed it and gave it as a gift to my gf. Lately, I had a few spare hours and was able to sit down and read it.
It is a story of an odd family of outcasts living in a small rural Newfoundland town. It is a hard piece to try and explain and has been adapted for the stage from a Michael Crummey short story (one of my favourite authors). All I can say is that if it ever comes to the stage again, I'll be there in the front row!
Hey, I finally broke the 30 book mark! It might not seem like a lot to many of the other members of this site, but it may be a personal high for me in the run of a year. And with two and half months left to boot!
This is a play that I first saw performed at the LSPU Hall in St. John's in the summer of 2010. My girlfriend and I both agreed that it was one of the most haunting and beautiful things that we had ever witnessed. So when I saw a copy of it in a used bookstore, I naturally grabbed it and gave it as a gift to my gf. Lately, I had a few spare hours and was able to sit down and read it.
It is a story of an odd family of outcasts living in a small rural Newfoundland town. It is a hard piece to try and explain and has been adapted for the stage from a Michael Crummey short story (one of my favourite authors). All I can say is that if it ever comes to the stage again, I'll be there in the front row!
43JonHutchings
31. The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving
I read this to my World Literature Class today as part of a Halloween themed lesson. I thought I had read it when I was young, but I think that I may have just saw the old Disney version of the tale. Anyway, despite the extensive use of imagery and early 19th century language the kids enjoyed it, and so did I!
Happy Halloween!
I read this to my World Literature Class today as part of a Halloween themed lesson. I thought I had read it when I was young, but I think that I may have just saw the old Disney version of the tale. Anyway, despite the extensive use of imagery and early 19th century language the kids enjoyed it, and so did I!
Happy Halloween!
44mamzel
I just signed up to get The Legend of Sleepy Hollow in sections via DailyLit. I'm looking forward to it.
45JonHutchings
32. Antigone by Sophocles
I recently reread this one as it is another that I am teaching this year. You have to love Greek Tragedy.
I recently reread this one as it is another that I am teaching this year. You have to love Greek Tragedy.
46JonHutchings
Yesterday I also took my seniors to a stage production of this and for the most part they enjoyed it.
47JonHutchings
33. Lord of the Flies by William Golding
Yet another reread in preperation for teaching this novel this year. I have always loved this book, it's so rich with symbolism and the theme of the savage that is lurking inside all of us just waiting for the chance to be released.
Yet another reread in preperation for teaching this novel this year. I have always loved this book, it's so rich with symbolism and the theme of the savage that is lurking inside all of us just waiting for the chance to be released.
48JonHutchings
34. Dracula by Bram Stoker
Another classic that I had neglected to read for far too long. Finally got around to it at long last! I am so glad that I finally did!
Another classic that I had neglected to read for far too long. Finally got around to it at long last! I am so glad that I finally did!
49JonHutchings
35. Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card
I enjoy science fiction, but had never read Ender's Game before. Man, the way that Ender follows the traditional hero cycle makes for quite a story. Toss in a child genius, some null-gravity fighting tactics.. this book is every sci-fi geek's dream! Including mine!!
I enjoy science fiction, but had never read Ender's Game before. Man, the way that Ender follows the traditional hero cycle makes for quite a story. Toss in a child genius, some null-gravity fighting tactics.. this book is every sci-fi geek's dream! Including mine!!
50JonHutchings
36. A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
One of my all-time favourite Christmas movies is the Alistair Sim version of this story. At just 68 pages, it's about time that I sat down and read it.. and just in time for Christmas too! "God bless us, everyone!"
One of my all-time favourite Christmas movies is the Alistair Sim version of this story. At just 68 pages, it's about time that I sat down and read it.. and just in time for Christmas too! "God bless us, everyone!"
