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1JonHutchings
So this is my second year attempting the 75 book challenge, 2011 saw me complete 36 books. This may seem like a rather meagre number to some, but I was fairly pleased with it and look forward to trying to better that this year! It may be difficult, however, as a have a lot more on my plate now than I did at this time last year. With that being said though, it's only the 4th of January and I already have my first book of the year down!!
1. Bell Island: Dawn of First Light by N.W. Sheppard
This is a brief history of an island that I used to be able to see from my bedroom window! Bell Island was once one of the country's largest producers of iron ore and employed thousands of miners. As a result, the island and the people that live there have a very unique history and heritage. My best friend's grandfather was a miner there for years and I was always interested in their story. The mines, however, closed down years ago and the town is today a shadow of its former self, though I did do the tour of the mine last summer and thought it was very cool! Anyway, looks like my reading year is off to a bright start.
1. Bell Island: Dawn of First Light by N.W. Sheppard
This is a brief history of an island that I used to be able to see from my bedroom window! Bell Island was once one of the country's largest producers of iron ore and employed thousands of miners. As a result, the island and the people that live there have a very unique history and heritage. My best friend's grandfather was a miner there for years and I was always interested in their story. The mines, however, closed down years ago and the town is today a shadow of its former self, though I did do the tour of the mine last summer and thought it was very cool! Anyway, looks like my reading year is off to a bright start.
2alcottacre
Glad to have you back with us, Jon! Good to see your reading year is off to a nice start.
4JonHutchings
thanks!! :) I look forward to sharing my reads and learning of great books from all the members of this group again this year!
5JonHutchings
So I think I'll be sticking with a Newfoundland theme for now as the next book I am reading is Death on the Ice: The Great Newfoundland Sealing Disaster of 1914 by Cassie Brown. A very brief review will follow.
6JonHutchings
2. Big Bad-Ass Bar Tricks by Jordana Tusman
Ok, so I feel like this one is a bit of a cheat, but I decided to include it anyway. After all, a book is a book isn't it? This is a tiny one that's about 3 inches tall that I got in my Christmas stocking this year. It's just a little compilation of bar tricks that you can do to impress your buddies when you're out for a couple of pints. The most common things needed to perform these are coins, matches, napkins, toothpicks, lemon wedges, etc. etc. It's not really much of a read obviously, but I am kind of itching to try a couple of these out all the same. Lol :)
Ok, so I feel like this one is a bit of a cheat, but I decided to include it anyway. After all, a book is a book isn't it? This is a tiny one that's about 3 inches tall that I got in my Christmas stocking this year. It's just a little compilation of bar tricks that you can do to impress your buddies when you're out for a couple of pints. The most common things needed to perform these are coins, matches, napkins, toothpicks, lemon wedges, etc. etc. It's not really much of a read obviously, but I am kind of itching to try a couple of these out all the same. Lol :)
7alcottacre
#6: If it is between covers, it counts! So yes, a book is a book.
9JonHutchings
3. Death on the Ice: the Great Newfoundland Sealing Disaster of 1914 by Cassie Brown
Whether you agree with the seal hunt or not, it was an important economic activity for Newfoundland for much of the 19th and the early 20th Centuries. The pelts and seal oil were considered very profitable merchandise and many a poor fisherman supplemented his meagre income by heading to the ice in the spring of the year. Unfortunately, the value of the catch far outweighed that of the crew's safety and there have been several disasters throughout the hunt's existence. The one that occured in 1914 was the largest of these, and the one that began to see some reform in the attitudes towards the men who risked their lives to make the merchants of St. John's richer.
Brown writes a powerful non-fiction narrative reconstructed through the use of ship's records and eyewitness testimony to paint as accurate a picture as possible of what happened to the crew of The Newfoundland during that fateful trip. The book basically concludes by saying that if any one of a dozon things had been done differently than this tragedy could have been lessened considerably, or maybe even avoided all together.
Whether you agree with the seal hunt or not, it was an important economic activity for Newfoundland for much of the 19th and the early 20th Centuries. The pelts and seal oil were considered very profitable merchandise and many a poor fisherman supplemented his meagre income by heading to the ice in the spring of the year. Unfortunately, the value of the catch far outweighed that of the crew's safety and there have been several disasters throughout the hunt's existence. The one that occured in 1914 was the largest of these, and the one that began to see some reform in the attitudes towards the men who risked their lives to make the merchants of St. John's richer.
Brown writes a powerful non-fiction narrative reconstructed through the use of ship's records and eyewitness testimony to paint as accurate a picture as possible of what happened to the crew of The Newfoundland during that fateful trip. The book basically concludes by saying that if any one of a dozon things had been done differently than this tragedy could have been lessened considerably, or maybe even avoided all together.
10JonHutchings
Next, I'm again sticking with the Newfoundland theme, I'm going to read Down to the Dirt by one of my favourite authors: Joel Thomas Hynes.
11JonHutchings
4. Down to the Dirt by Joel Thomas Hynes
A story about a dysfunctional Newfoundlander from up the shore. The book recounts his life from his messed up childhood up until his messed up twenties. Last year I read a play based on this novel entitled "The Devil You Don't Know," which was performed by Hynes himself along with Sherry White as his girlfriend, "Natasha."
A story about a dysfunctional Newfoundlander from up the shore. The book recounts his life from his messed up childhood up until his messed up twenties. Last year I read a play based on this novel entitled "The Devil You Don't Know," which was performed by Hynes himself along with Sherry White as his girlfriend, "Natasha."
12JonHutchings
5. The Sisters Brothers by Patrick deWitt
This is definitely my favourite read so far in the new year! I am a big fan of the Western genre and of slightly off-kilter stories and characters, as such this book is perfect for me. Esquire called it "A kind of True Grit told by Tom Waits," a review which spoke volumes to me and I knew I had to read it! I was not disappointed.
Eli and Charlie Sisters are two notorious gunmen from Oregon who have to go to California for a job. The book is told from the perspective of the less murderous and sadistic of the brothers, Eli, whose matter-of-fact voice gives the story a sort of dryness that makes it both disturbing and humerous! The book also won the prestigous Governor General's Award and the Rogers Writers' Trust Fiction Prize, among others, and was shortlisted for the Giller and Man Booker! So if this seems to appeal to you at all, I highly recommend checking this book out!
This is definitely my favourite read so far in the new year! I am a big fan of the Western genre and of slightly off-kilter stories and characters, as such this book is perfect for me. Esquire called it "A kind of True Grit told by Tom Waits," a review which spoke volumes to me and I knew I had to read it! I was not disappointed.
Eli and Charlie Sisters are two notorious gunmen from Oregon who have to go to California for a job. The book is told from the perspective of the less murderous and sadistic of the brothers, Eli, whose matter-of-fact voice gives the story a sort of dryness that makes it both disturbing and humerous! The book also won the prestigous Governor General's Award and the Rogers Writers' Trust Fiction Prize, among others, and was shortlisted for the Giller and Man Booker! So if this seems to appeal to you at all, I highly recommend checking this book out!
13JonHutchings
6. Night by Elie Wiesel
I read this book last year, but just finished re-reading it because I'm teaching it this year. It did not lose any of its moving power during the reread. Wiesel poignantly captures all of the thoughts and feelings that he had as a boy during his time in the Nazi death camps. He gives us an uncomparable description of life for these poor souls and what it was that kept them going. Such a powerful book!
I read this book last year, but just finished re-reading it because I'm teaching it this year. It did not lose any of its moving power during the reread. Wiesel poignantly captures all of the thoughts and feelings that he had as a boy during his time in the Nazi death camps. He gives us an uncomparable description of life for these poor souls and what it was that kept them going. Such a powerful book!
14JonHutchings
7. Animal Farm by George Orwell
The classic allegory of the totalitarianism of the Soviet Union.. Four legs good! Two legs bad!
The classic allegory of the totalitarianism of the Soviet Union.. Four legs good! Two legs bad!
15JonHutchings
8. Monster by Walter Dean Myers
The story of a young man named Steve Harmon who was tried for his alleged role in a robbery and murder. Half written as a movie screen-play, half as intimate journal entries, this book tells Steve's story in a very interesting way!
The story of a young man named Steve Harmon who was tried for his alleged role in a robbery and murder. Half written as a movie screen-play, half as intimate journal entries, this book tells Steve's story in a very interesting way!
16JonHutchings
9. The Death of Donna Whalen by Michael Winter
Based on a murder which occured in St. John's in the 1990s, this book takes us through the days leading up to the murder, the investigation, trial and aftermath for all involved. Rather than writing this as a straightforward narrative, however, Winter has used the court transcripts of the trial into a sort of story unto themselves. He has rewritten them into a third person narrative style and put them together in a very fasinating manner. We see the statements made by the accused, the families of the accused and victim, neighbours, friends and the police who conducted the investigation. The National Post even compared it to As I Lay Dying and In Cold Blood. Overall, this was a worthwhile read!
Based on a murder which occured in St. John's in the 1990s, this book takes us through the days leading up to the murder, the investigation, trial and aftermath for all involved. Rather than writing this as a straightforward narrative, however, Winter has used the court transcripts of the trial into a sort of story unto themselves. He has rewritten them into a third person narrative style and put them together in a very fasinating manner. We see the statements made by the accused, the families of the accused and victim, neighbours, friends and the police who conducted the investigation. The National Post even compared it to As I Lay Dying and In Cold Blood. Overall, this was a worthwhile read!
17JonHutchings
10. Borrowed Black: A Labrador Fantasy by Ellen Bryan Obed
A spine-tingling folktale set in the Labrador wild, this children's book has wonderful illustrations and is beautifully written in rhyming couplets. A must read for children!
A spine-tingling folktale set in the Labrador wild, this children's book has wonderful illustrations and is beautifully written in rhyming couplets. A must read for children!
18JonHutchings
11. The Queen of Paradise's Garden by Andy Jones
A traditional Newfoundland folktale that has been written down by Andy Jones and decorated with splendid pictures. Another worthwhile read for children everywhere!
A traditional Newfoundland folktale that has been written down by Andy Jones and decorated with splendid pictures. Another worthwhile read for children everywhere!
19JonHutchings
12. Letters From Father Christmas by J.R.R. Tolkien
A beautiful collection of letters Tolkien wrote for his children addressed from Father Christmas between the years of 1920 and 1943. This is one that I'll be reading every Christmas from now on.
A beautiful collection of letters Tolkien wrote for his children addressed from Father Christmas between the years of 1920 and 1943. This is one that I'll be reading every Christmas from now on.
20JonHutchings
13. 52 Great Hikes: Newfoundland and Labrador by Mary Smyth
As an avid hiker this guide was perfect for finding little known hiking trails in the region. A very useful resource!
As an avid hiker this guide was perfect for finding little known hiking trails in the region. A very useful resource!
23JonHutchings
16. A Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare
Another re-read. I read this last year as it was my first time teaching it. I felt I needed to go back and do it again to teach it my second time.
Another re-read. I read this last year as it was my first time teaching it. I felt I needed to go back and do it again to teach it my second time.
24JonHutchings
17. The Stream Runs Fast by Nellie McClung
The second part of an autobiography by Canadian suffragist and politician Nellie McClung. A very interesting read as it more so focuses on her private life and the time period then it was of her official history. Looking back 70 years later, some of Nellie's ideas have held extraordinarily well, while others have changed drastically, her views on education for people with mental disabilities for instance seem very dated now.
The second part of an autobiography by Canadian suffragist and politician Nellie McClung. A very interesting read as it more so focuses on her private life and the time period then it was of her official history. Looking back 70 years later, some of Nellie's ideas have held extraordinarily well, while others have changed drastically, her views on education for people with mental disabilities for instance seem very dated now.
25JonHutchings
18. The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
Great book! There's nothing like following an anti-social 16 year old boy around New York City for a couple of days as he practically has a mental breakdown!
Great book! There's nothing like following an anti-social 16 year old boy around New York City for a couple of days as he practically has a mental breakdown!
26JonHutchings
19. Tales From Old Ireland by Malachy Doyle
A delightful collection of old Irish folktales that is also beautifully illustrated. A great collection of stories for both young and old. It even includes an Irish version of Cinderella!
A delightful collection of old Irish folktales that is also beautifully illustrated. A great collection of stories for both young and old. It even includes an Irish version of Cinderella!
27JonHutchings
20. The Crucible by Arthur Miller
A great play about the Salem Witch Trails of 1692 which is also a sophisticated allegory about 1950's McCarthyism during which time Arthur Miller himself was suspected of having communist leanings. Overall, a great work which is effective on many levels.
A great play about the Salem Witch Trails of 1692 which is also a sophisticated allegory about 1950's McCarthyism during which time Arthur Miller himself was suspected of having communist leanings. Overall, a great work which is effective on many levels.
28lkernagh
De-lurking to say it has been years since I last read Miller's The Crucible..... after reading comment above I think it is time for a re-read!
29JonHutchings
I saw the movie several years ago and remembered that I liked it but had somehow put off reading the play until recently, despite my love of both theater and history! I think that it is a work that would hold up very well to a re-read.
30JonHutchings
21. The Nine Planets by Edward Riche
A satiric look at a vice-principal of a private school in St. John's Newfoundland. The main protagonist is opinionated, self-important and believes himself to be superior to those around him in many ways. As a teacher, and as someone who grew up within the St. John's metro area, the satiric comments and jabs at the local education system and the city in general are spot on. You could certainly enjoy the novel without an in-depth knowledge of the city or a background in education, but I found it did give me an added layer of enjoyment.
That being said, the novel did have some problems. The first half to two-thirds was great. It had great character development, a good flow and an enjoyable plot that was revealed at just the right speed. But I think that at some point, Riche tried to cram too much into the novel and was forced to speed up everything in the final third of the book. Everything began to unravel very quickly in the last few chapters that it was hard to keep up, and there was no real conflict resolution at the end of the novel. That last point, though, occurs fairly often in contemporary literature, and is more of a personal preference rather than a flaw with the book.
Overall though, it was an enjoyable read and I'd give it probably 3 and a half stars.
A satiric look at a vice-principal of a private school in St. John's Newfoundland. The main protagonist is opinionated, self-important and believes himself to be superior to those around him in many ways. As a teacher, and as someone who grew up within the St. John's metro area, the satiric comments and jabs at the local education system and the city in general are spot on. You could certainly enjoy the novel without an in-depth knowledge of the city or a background in education, but I found it did give me an added layer of enjoyment.
That being said, the novel did have some problems. The first half to two-thirds was great. It had great character development, a good flow and an enjoyable plot that was revealed at just the right speed. But I think that at some point, Riche tried to cram too much into the novel and was forced to speed up everything in the final third of the book. Everything began to unravel very quickly in the last few chapters that it was hard to keep up, and there was no real conflict resolution at the end of the novel. That last point, though, occurs fairly often in contemporary literature, and is more of a personal preference rather than a flaw with the book.
Overall though, it was an enjoyable read and I'd give it probably 3 and a half stars.
31JonHutchings
22. The Still Alarm by George S. Kaufman
A short little farcical play about a hotel that's on fire, but the occupants don't seem to care. Apparently the more serious you act it out, the funnier it becomes.
A short little farcical play about a hotel that's on fire, but the occupants don't seem to care. Apparently the more serious you act it out, the funnier it becomes.
32JonHutchings
23. La Grande Breteche by Honore de Balzac
A great short story about a jealous husband who discovers his wife's infidelity. Very suspenseful!
A great short story about a jealous husband who discovers his wife's infidelity. Very suspenseful!
33JonHutchings
24. In Cannon Cave by Carole Glasser Langille
A book of poetry based mostly in Nova Scotia by New Yorker turned Nova Scotian Carole Glasser Langille. There are some deeply personal poems in here.. overall this is a decent collection of Canadian poetry.
A book of poetry based mostly in Nova Scotia by New Yorker turned Nova Scotian Carole Glasser Langille. There are some deeply personal poems in here.. overall this is a decent collection of Canadian poetry.
34JonHutchings
25. Moonlight Sketches by Gerard Collins
Finished this a week ago but didn't have time to post it. This is an amazing short fiction collection of interconnected short stories all based in the fictional Newfoundland outport community of Darwin. Many of the stories are dark, poignant and sad.. It speaks to a certain way of life, one that has been on the wane for years as many of our rural communities have slowly died out, but a way of life that is still ingrained in the very essence of this place.
Finished this a week ago but didn't have time to post it. This is an amazing short fiction collection of interconnected short stories all based in the fictional Newfoundland outport community of Darwin. Many of the stories are dark, poignant and sad.. It speaks to a certain way of life, one that has been on the wane for years as many of our rural communities have slowly died out, but a way of life that is still ingrained in the very essence of this place.
35JonHutchings
26. Zombies Hate Stuff by Greg Stones
A silly little picture-book about zombies likes, dislikes and the things they hate.
A silly little picture-book about zombies likes, dislikes and the things they hate.
36JonHutchings
27. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
I first read Huck Finn when I was in high school and thought that it was finally time for a reread. A true American Classic...
I first read Huck Finn when I was in high school and thought that it was finally time for a reread. A true American Classic...
37JonHutchings
28. God Help Thee: A Manifesto by Joel Thomas Hynes
A playful little book where Joel pretty well tells every recognizable thing in St. John's and surrounding areas to go to f%*k!
A playful little book where Joel pretty well tells every recognizable thing in St. John's and surrounding areas to go to f%*k!
38JonHutchings
29. American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis
A look at late 80s yuppie culture through the eyes of a soulless wall street playboy. While I sincerely understand the importance of this book, I did find it hard to read at several points. For starters, Patrick's obsession in describing every article of clothing of everyone he meets, including their designer, gets very tedious and annoying though I do understand that it's meant to show the yuppies preoccupation with materialism and absurd luxuriousness. Secondly, Bateman spends as much time describing Huey Lewis and the News' career as he does the murders and mutilations that he commits at night. Finally, the murder scenes themselves are so gruesome and vivid that it was at times sickening to read.
Nevertheless, I will say that this is an important book and could be worth a read, but is not for the faint of heart. 3 stars.
A look at late 80s yuppie culture through the eyes of a soulless wall street playboy. While I sincerely understand the importance of this book, I did find it hard to read at several points. For starters, Patrick's obsession in describing every article of clothing of everyone he meets, including their designer, gets very tedious and annoying though I do understand that it's meant to show the yuppies preoccupation with materialism and absurd luxuriousness. Secondly, Bateman spends as much time describing Huey Lewis and the News' career as he does the murders and mutilations that he commits at night. Finally, the murder scenes themselves are so gruesome and vivid that it was at times sickening to read.
Nevertheless, I will say that this is an important book and could be worth a read, but is not for the faint of heart. 3 stars.
39JonHutchings
30. Fight Club by Chuck Palahniuk
Worker drone gets sick of his safe lifestyle and joins Fight Club to feel alive again... but things get too crazy! One of my favourite movies of all time. Finally got to read the book and loved that too, though for some different reasons!
Worker drone gets sick of his safe lifestyle and joins Fight Club to feel alive again... but things get too crazy! One of my favourite movies of all time. Finally got to read the book and loved that too, though for some different reasons!
41mstrust
You've had some interesting reads this year; I've been meaning to get to Fight Club for a year or two. It's a movie I want to see again. Meatloaf!
42JonHutchings
Thanks! I've been trying to read a broad range of material this year from a number of different genres and a I've really enjoyed most of them. Definitely read Fight Club! Great book!
43alcottacre
Jon, you have been doing some terrific reading this year!
44JonHutchings
Thanks! I'm really pleased with the what I've read so far this year and I'm on pace to really surpass my record of 35 books which I set last year!
45JonHutchings
32. Queer by William Burroughs
A continuation of Burroughs autobiography after he gets off the junk and is living in Mexico City. He decides to go to South America to find a mysterious psychedelic drug called Yage with a young man named Allerton that Burroughs is enfatuated with, despite the fact that the boy isn't gay. One big difference between this and Junky is that in this one Burroughs writes in the 3rd person, while in Junky, he does so in the first person.
A continuation of Burroughs autobiography after he gets off the junk and is living in Mexico City. He decides to go to South America to find a mysterious psychedelic drug called Yage with a young man named Allerton that Burroughs is enfatuated with, despite the fact that the boy isn't gay. One big difference between this and Junky is that in this one Burroughs writes in the 3rd person, while in Junky, he does so in the first person.
46JonHutchings
Next, I think that I may as well keep on my Burroughs kick with Naked Lunch
47JonHutchings
33. Essential Defenders Vol. 1 by Stan Lee
I am a good old fashioned comic nerd and I occasionally love to read compilations of my favourite childhood comic titles. This book compiles the first appearances of the Defenders, my favourite loose-knit group of superheroes! It has there first ever missions together as well as the first 14 issues of their own comic book. In these pages the Defenders save the world a bunch of times, end up fighting the Avengers, travel back to the Middle Ages and acquire several new members! Comic awesomeness at its best! I think I may have to continue reading the second volume of their wacky adventures!
I am a good old fashioned comic nerd and I occasionally love to read compilations of my favourite childhood comic titles. This book compiles the first appearances of the Defenders, my favourite loose-knit group of superheroes! It has there first ever missions together as well as the first 14 issues of their own comic book. In these pages the Defenders save the world a bunch of times, end up fighting the Avengers, travel back to the Middle Ages and acquire several new members! Comic awesomeness at its best! I think I may have to continue reading the second volume of their wacky adventures!
48JonHutchings
34. Essential Defenders Vol. 2 by Steve Gerber
So I kept on reading the Defenders and the craziness continued.. the Defenders recruit some new members in the form of Nighthawk, Power Man and the Son of Satan to name a few. The group's adventures even get more zany. They travel to the 31st century and help the Guardians of the Galaxy save the world from a race of alien overseers, they fight a white supremacist group that is funded by a black man, Nighthawk has his brain removed and eventually restored and even more.. Bronze era Marvel at its kookiest!!
So I kept on reading the Defenders and the craziness continued.. the Defenders recruit some new members in the form of Nighthawk, Power Man and the Son of Satan to name a few. The group's adventures even get more zany. They travel to the 31st century and help the Guardians of the Galaxy save the world from a race of alien overseers, they fight a white supremacist group that is funded by a black man, Nighthawk has his brain removed and eventually restored and even more.. Bronze era Marvel at its kookiest!!
49JonHutchings
35. Naked Lunch by William S. Burroughs
Don't know how I feel about post-modernist literature, this book is pretty hard to wrap your head around.. but I'm glad I read it.
Don't know how I feel about post-modernist literature, this book is pretty hard to wrap your head around.. but I'm glad I read it.
50JonHutchings
36. Trainspotting by Irvine Welsh
Haven't really had a chance to do a lot of reading since going back to work in Sept. I finally finished Trainspotting which I started after finishing Naked Lunch. The book follows the lives of a group of Scottish friends from Edinburgh who are in their 20's during the late 80s. The group deals with a lot of issues as everyone has some kind of issue which negatively impacts their lives. Several have heroin addictions, one is an alcoholic, another is a psychopath, all this and they are in the midst of the initial outbreak of HIV, not a good thing when several of the friends share needles. We follow these characters as they move through life trying to get by and doing as little work as possible. This is a very interesting book about a particular sub-group of lower economic class Scotland.
Haven't really had a chance to do a lot of reading since going back to work in Sept. I finally finished Trainspotting which I started after finishing Naked Lunch. The book follows the lives of a group of Scottish friends from Edinburgh who are in their 20's during the late 80s. The group deals with a lot of issues as everyone has some kind of issue which negatively impacts their lives. Several have heroin addictions, one is an alcoholic, another is a psychopath, all this and they are in the midst of the initial outbreak of HIV, not a good thing when several of the friends share needles. We follow these characters as they move through life trying to get by and doing as little work as possible. This is a very interesting book about a particular sub-group of lower economic class Scotland.
51JonHutchings
37. Beowulf by Anonymous
The oldest surviving story written in Old English, this story still packs a punch today! Beowulf crosses the sea to save the Danes from the evil monster Grendel. Once he kills Grendel, however, his even more powerful mother seeks revenge and Beowulf has to destroy her as well.
The oldest surviving story written in Old English, this story still packs a punch today! Beowulf crosses the sea to save the Danes from the evil monster Grendel. Once he kills Grendel, however, his even more powerful mother seeks revenge and Beowulf has to destroy her as well.
52mstrust
I recently read Grendel by John Gardner. It's the other side of the Beowulf tale, with Grendel narrating his encounters with humans. It's a good follow-up if you liked Beowulf.
I've seen the movie for Trainspotting but not read the book. Your review is good, but I'll still avoid the book because the baby situation is too creepy for me. (Yet I'm spending the month reading Halloween books. Go figure.)
I've seen the movie for Trainspotting but not read the book. Your review is good, but I'll still avoid the book because the baby situation is too creepy for me. (Yet I'm spending the month reading Halloween books. Go figure.)
53JonHutchings
Yes, the "wee bairn" does definitely add to the despair and sadness of the group. Some are apathetic towards the death, while others use the opportunity to take a long look at their own lives. The baby scene occurs fairly early in the book, but the memory of the child does indeed haunt the group throughout their exploits, especially Renton, who despite having a long-standing smack addiction, is probably the most mature and sensible of the entire group. I wouldn't let that stop you, but yeah, that one scene is particularly vivid and creepy.
I may have to look up Grendel as I did really enjoy Beowulf, and it would be neat to see Grendel's side of the story! Thanks for the recommendation!
I may have to look up Grendel as I did really enjoy Beowulf, and it would be neat to see Grendel's side of the story! Thanks for the recommendation!
54JonHutchings
38. Don't Look Now and 4 Other Stories by Daphne du Maurier
An odd collection of eerie and macabre stories that a coworker lent me to read in anticipation of Halloween. They seem to get progressively more strange as the book goes on, luckily I like strange. My favourite was probably the last one called "The Breakthrough" which deals with the idea of where energy goes after a person dies, interesting stuff!
An odd collection of eerie and macabre stories that a coworker lent me to read in anticipation of Halloween. They seem to get progressively more strange as the book goes on, luckily I like strange. My favourite was probably the last one called "The Breakthrough" which deals with the idea of where energy goes after a person dies, interesting stuff!
56JonHutchings
39. Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
A young adult novel which deals with some pretty heavy issues, I found this novel to be a good read! It follows a young girl through her first year of high school after being raped the previous summer by a senior. I had to teach this at the grade 9 level and was initially worried about the subject mater, but Anderson is such a good writer that she manages very nicely to balance the uncomfortable topic of the story with some humour! Overall, I have to say I enjoyed this book a lot.
A young adult novel which deals with some pretty heavy issues, I found this novel to be a good read! It follows a young girl through her first year of high school after being raped the previous summer by a senior. I had to teach this at the grade 9 level and was initially worried about the subject mater, but Anderson is such a good writer that she manages very nicely to balance the uncomfortable topic of the story with some humour! Overall, I have to say I enjoyed this book a lot.
57JonHutchings
40. The Monkey's Paw by W.w. Jacobs
I read this around Halloween but forgot to add it on here. A great and suspenseful short story about being careful what you wish for! I remembered the plot from an old Simpsons Treehouse of Horror episode, which only enhanced my enjoyment of the story.
I read this around Halloween but forgot to add it on here. A great and suspenseful short story about being careful what you wish for! I remembered the plot from an old Simpsons Treehouse of Horror episode, which only enhanced my enjoyment of the story.
58mstrust
Ha! I saw that Simpsons too and it made me think that every kid in America must have had The Monkey's Paw assigned to read in about 5th grade. It's a good story.
59JonHutchings
Somehow I hadn't read it 'till this year.. glad I found it though!
60JonHutchings
41. The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton
I originally read this in Grade 7 or 8, and just reread it. What a classic!
I originally read this in Grade 7 or 8, and just reread it. What a classic!
