karspeak whittles away in 2013
Talk ROOT - 2013 Read Our Own Tomes
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1karspeak
Hi, all, I have 81 books listed on my TBR list, and would love to get it below 50 by the end of the year. Happy reading everyone!!!!--Karen
2susanj67
Good luck, Karen! I'm aiming for 30 books as well, but I am easily led astray by new things...
5karspeak
For a nice, even number, my goal is to read 30 ROOTs this year. I will only list ROOTs on this thread.
6karspeak
1. The Dog Stars (Friend Rec)
This was a well-written and enjoyable post-apocalyptic novel. It was much less bleak than The Road, but the novels do remind me of each other quite a bit. This was a fun way to start off the year.
This was a well-written and enjoyable post-apocalyptic novel. It was much less bleak than The Road, but the novels do remind me of each other quite a bit. This was a fun way to start off the year.
7karspeak
2. Grass
I've read two other books by Tepper, Beauty and The Gate to Women's Country. Grass is by far the best. This sci-fi novel, which takes place on the planet Grass, so named because of the vast grasslands, has a great plot, characters (human and otherwise), and pacing. It took the first third of the book for me to become absorbed in the story, but I was completely gripped for the rest of the book, putting all else aside to finish it! Tepper is well known for expressing her feminist and environmental views through her novels, but the messages she worked in at the end didn't detract from the storyline and weren't very controversial, especially compared to her other writings. Recommended if you enjoy sci-fi.
Woo-hoo, 2 down, 28 to go!
I've read two other books by Tepper, Beauty and The Gate to Women's Country. Grass is by far the best. This sci-fi novel, which takes place on the planet Grass, so named because of the vast grasslands, has a great plot, characters (human and otherwise), and pacing. It took the first third of the book for me to become absorbed in the story, but I was completely gripped for the rest of the book, putting all else aside to finish it! Tepper is well known for expressing her feminist and environmental views through her novels, but the messages she worked in at the end didn't detract from the storyline and weren't very controversial, especially compared to her other writings. Recommended if you enjoy sci-fi.
Woo-hoo, 2 down, 28 to go!
10connie53
Just Beauty, because they only translated Grass and Beauty over here in the Netherlands.
But I've heard good things about The Margarets,
But I've heard good things about The Margarets,
11karspeak
Ah, sorry more haven't been translated! I think I will try her The Family Tree.
13karspeak
3. God's Hotel (Book Club selection)
This nonfiction book is one physician's story of working many years at Laguna Honda Hospital in San Fran, the last almshouse in the country. The author/physician, Victoria Sweet, shares what she learned from her time there, both medical lessons and life lessons. She also talks a lot about what can go wrong with "the health care system" and with patient care. Sweet is a talented writer, and I know several friends and LTers who have loved this book. For me, since I am married to a physician, have worked in a few medical systems, and have heard my mother, an RN, talk about how medical practices have changed since she went to Butterworth Nursing School in the 1960's, none of this was new information. My husband was just telling me yesterday about how the architects for a new hospital had told him they planned to have all of the new patients for three clinics walk past the audiological testing booths on their way to their exam rooms. Hmm. This almost exactly mirrors one of the stories in God's Hotel. But I recommend it if these topics sound interesting to you.
This nonfiction book is one physician's story of working many years at Laguna Honda Hospital in San Fran, the last almshouse in the country. The author/physician, Victoria Sweet, shares what she learned from her time there, both medical lessons and life lessons. She also talks a lot about what can go wrong with "the health care system" and with patient care. Sweet is a talented writer, and I know several friends and LTers who have loved this book. For me, since I am married to a physician, have worked in a few medical systems, and have heard my mother, an RN, talk about how medical practices have changed since she went to Butterworth Nursing School in the 1960's, none of this was new information. My husband was just telling me yesterday about how the architects for a new hospital had told him they planned to have all of the new patients for three clinics walk past the audiological testing booths on their way to their exam rooms. Hmm. This almost exactly mirrors one of the stories in God's Hotel. But I recommend it if these topics sound interesting to you.
14karspeak
4. The Xenophobe's Guide to the English
Not as interesting for me, I think, because as an American I already have so much exposure to English culture. But it did explain a few of the patterns of behavior among all of the Brits in my ski class, such as never, ever bringing up work, even so much as mentioning one's profession, although we skied and chatted together for two days.
I read 4 ROOTs in January, leaving me 26 to go! My TBR List is currently at 80 (goal is 50 or fewer).
Not as interesting for me, I think, because as an American I already have so much exposure to English culture. But it did explain a few of the patterns of behavior among all of the Brits in my ski class, such as never, ever bringing up work, even so much as mentioning one's profession, although we skied and chatted together for two days.
I read 4 ROOTs in January, leaving me 26 to go! My TBR List is currently at 80 (goal is 50 or fewer).
15karspeak
Alas, I did not read any ROOTs in February, and my TBR list crept up to 85, but I'll do better in March:).
*5. The Boy Who Was Raised as a Dog: And Other Stories from a Child Psychiatrist's Notebook--What Traumatized Children Can Teach Us About Loss, Love, and Healing (Friend Rec/Professional Dev.)
My first starred review of the year! The author is a pioneer in the field of helping children recover from neglect, abuse, and/or trauma, and the insights he brings to the subject are amazing and heartening. The book is also remarkably well-written and readable for the layperson. I rarely have patients who have been neglected or abused (as far as I know), but I feel very prepared now for when I do. I strongly recommend this book for anyone who regularly works with children (teachers, pediatricians, etc), anyone with an interest in psychology, or anyone who knows children who have been abused or neglected (including many foreign adoptees).
*5. The Boy Who Was Raised as a Dog: And Other Stories from a Child Psychiatrist's Notebook--What Traumatized Children Can Teach Us About Loss, Love, and Healing (Friend Rec/Professional Dev.)
My first starred review of the year! The author is a pioneer in the field of helping children recover from neglect, abuse, and/or trauma, and the insights he brings to the subject are amazing and heartening. The book is also remarkably well-written and readable for the layperson. I rarely have patients who have been neglected or abused (as far as I know), but I feel very prepared now for when I do. I strongly recommend this book for anyone who regularly works with children (teachers, pediatricians, etc), anyone with an interest in psychology, or anyone who knows children who have been abused or neglected (including many foreign adoptees).
16connie53
That book sounds very interesting, karspeak. And I hope you can read some ROOTs in march.
18karspeak
Finally a few more books to add!
6. The Great Train Robbery (LT Rec)
This is a Michael Crichton account of the famous train robbery of Victorian London. Entertaining.
7. North and South (LT Rec)
This classic, originally published in 1855, was excellent. It is like Pride and Prejudice, Middlemarch, and Ross and Rachel from the TV show Friends mixed together. I stayed up very late to finish it!!
6. The Great Train Robbery (LT Rec)
This is a Michael Crichton account of the famous train robbery of Victorian London. Entertaining.
7. North and South (LT Rec)
This classic, originally published in 1855, was excellent. It is like Pride and Prejudice, Middlemarch, and Ross and Rachel from the TV show Friends mixed together. I stayed up very late to finish it!!
19rabbitprincess
Interesting description of North and South! Love it when a book is so good you have to stay up late to finish :)
21shinyone
I'm glad to see some love for my favorite book, North and South! Have you seen the excellent miniseries starring Richard Armitage?
23karspeak
8. The Sweet Life in Paris (Europe book)
The author David Lebovitz was a pastry chef at Chez Panisse for many years then started writing dessert books and moved to Paris. He writes insightfully and respectfully about Parisian food and culture and his experiences adapting to the city. Well-written and very readable. There are also one or two recipes at the end of each chapter.
The author David Lebovitz was a pastry chef at Chez Panisse for many years then started writing dessert books and moved to Paris. He writes insightfully and respectfully about Parisian food and culture and his experiences adapting to the city. Well-written and very readable. There are also one or two recipes at the end of each chapter.
24karspeak
9. Monument
A sci-fi novel originally published in 1974, pretty good but not great. It's about a group of humans in the future living on an exotic beach paradise planet with a Polynesian-like culture. Their existence is threatened when the planet is discovered and a giant resort is planned by an off-world developer. But the natives have been given "The Plan" to outsmart the developers, if they can follow it...
A sci-fi novel originally published in 1974, pretty good but not great. It's about a group of humans in the future living on an exotic beach paradise planet with a Polynesian-like culture. Their existence is threatened when the planet is discovered and a giant resort is planned by an off-world developer. But the natives have been given "The Plan" to outsmart the developers, if they can follow it...
25karspeak
I may finish one more ROOT by the end of May, we'll see. But my TBR list is now down to 67 (from 81 at the beginning of the year), so I am excited about that!
28karspeak
My first ROOT for June:
10. Weight Loss Boss (darn my slowing metabolism)
I found this book helpful, even though I don't follow Weight Watchers. His main premise is that you have to establish healthy new habits, such as what/how much to eat, when to exercise, etc, or you will surely fail. New habits take at least 2 months to establish, so it takes patience to build them. I did skim quite a bit, though, since weight loss mantras can get old quickly.
10. Weight Loss Boss (darn my slowing metabolism)
I found this book helpful, even though I don't follow Weight Watchers. His main premise is that you have to establish healthy new habits, such as what/how much to eat, when to exercise, etc, or you will surely fail. New habits take at least 2 months to establish, so it takes patience to build them. I did skim quite a bit, though, since weight loss mantras can get old quickly.
29karspeak
So, I need to step it up for the rest of the year to meet my goal of 30 ROOTs! But my TBR list has dropped from 81 to 67 (goal is fewer than 50 books), so I am happy about that.
30karspeak
Three ROOTS to add for July!
11. Foreign to Familiar: A Guide to Understanding Hot- and Cold-Climate Cultures (Europe)
This book was poorly written and edited, but the content was very good. I've read tons of books on various cultures, but this provided a different framework, perspective, and insight on cultural differences than other books I've read. Recommended in spite of the poor writing.
12. How Bad Are Bananas?: The Carbon Footprint of Everything (Global Climate Change)
This was quite good. It's very well-researched and achieves its aim of helping the average joe/jill understand how carbon intensive various things in their lives are, and what things are truly worth (in terms of size of carbon footprint) trying to change. We all have limited amounts of time, (human) energy, and money, so what should we try to change in our lives if we are only going to change one or two things, to get the most global climate change "bang for the buck"? Hint, it's not skipping plastic produce bags, using cloth diapers for infants, or using hand dryers instead of paper towels...
13. Clean Break: The Story of Germany's Energy Transformation (Global Climate Change)
Not recommended. Too pie in the sky. It only listed the positives, and none of the negatives (there are at least 2 major downsides that I know of). A pity, since the book was otherwise well-written.
11. Foreign to Familiar: A Guide to Understanding Hot- and Cold-Climate Cultures (Europe)
This book was poorly written and edited, but the content was very good. I've read tons of books on various cultures, but this provided a different framework, perspective, and insight on cultural differences than other books I've read. Recommended in spite of the poor writing.
12. How Bad Are Bananas?: The Carbon Footprint of Everything (Global Climate Change)
This was quite good. It's very well-researched and achieves its aim of helping the average joe/jill understand how carbon intensive various things in their lives are, and what things are truly worth (in terms of size of carbon footprint) trying to change. We all have limited amounts of time, (human) energy, and money, so what should we try to change in our lives if we are only going to change one or two things, to get the most global climate change "bang for the buck"? Hint, it's not skipping plastic produce bags, using cloth diapers for infants, or using hand dryers instead of paper towels...
13. Clean Break: The Story of Germany's Energy Transformation (Global Climate Change)
Not recommended. Too pie in the sky. It only listed the positives, and none of the negatives (there are at least 2 major downsides that I know of). A pity, since the book was otherwise well-written.
31karspeak
And two more ROOTS--a good start for August.
14. Dragon Bones (fantasy, familiar author)
This was a light, fun but very forgettable fantasy. Not NEARLY as good as the author's Mercy Thompson series.
15. Dragon Blood (2nd/final in the series)
This completed the duology (the author's term, not mine!). Again, light, fun, very forgettable. Also, I found the hero's personality unbelievable and too perfect.
14. Dragon Bones (fantasy, familiar author)
This was a light, fun but very forgettable fantasy. Not NEARLY as good as the author's Mercy Thompson series.
15. Dragon Blood (2nd/final in the series)
This completed the duology (the author's term, not mine!). Again, light, fun, very forgettable. Also, I found the hero's personality unbelievable and too perfect.
32karspeak
16. An Invisible Thread (Book Club selection)
A sales exec in NYC walks by a boy on a corner who is panhandling and treats him to lunch. This becomes a weekly ritual and their relationship grows, and it ultimately helps the boy's life turn out better. It's a nice true story, but unfortunately you have to wade through lots of sappy stuff, navel gazing, the lady's issues, etc. Not recommended. If you want a true feel-good story, read The Blind Side instead!
A sales exec in NYC walks by a boy on a corner who is panhandling and treats him to lunch. This becomes a weekly ritual and their relationship grows, and it ultimately helps the boy's life turn out better. It's a nice true story, but unfortunately you have to wade through lots of sappy stuff, navel gazing, the lady's issues, etc. Not recommended. If you want a true feel-good story, read The Blind Side instead!
33karspeak
17. Dissolution (LT Rec)
This is a murder mystery set in 16th century England on the grounds of a monastery. I did not care for it nearly as much as some other LTers have. It dragged on a bit for me, and it was a bit gloomy. But its historical fiction aspect seemed nicely done.
This is a murder mystery set in 16th century England on the grounds of a monastery. I did not care for it nearly as much as some other LTers have. It dragged on a bit for me, and it was a bit gloomy. But its historical fiction aspect seemed nicely done.
34karspeak
18. Food Matters (global climate change)
Excellent. I've read lots of food and foodie books, such as Michael Pollan's books, etc. But I still gained a lot of new insight from this book and will end up changing my and my family's diets somewhat as a result of this book, both for health and environmental reasons. The recipes included in the last half are very helpful, as well.
Excellent. I've read lots of food and foodie books, such as Michael Pollan's books, etc. But I still gained a lot of new insight from this book and will end up changing my and my family's diets somewhat as a result of this book, both for health and environmental reasons. The recipes included in the last half are very helpful, as well.
35karspeak
19. Turkey: Culture Smart (Europe and thereabouts)
Okay. It got the job done, but it wasn't particularly enjoyable to read, it felt like reading an encyclopedia sometimes. My first September ROOT!
Okay. It got the job done, but it wasn't particularly enjoyable to read, it felt like reading an encyclopedia sometimes. My first September ROOT!
36karspeak
20. The Orphan Master's Son (book club selection)
This was a fantastic novel, well deserving of the Pulitzer. I particularly loved the various psychological aspects of living in North Korea, which were masterfully played out in the second half of the novel. Highly recommended, I am still savoring it!
21. The Xenophobe's Guide to the Swiss (Europe)
Another enjoyable and informative book in the Xenophobe's series. I had an amazing trip to Mürren, Switzerland, two weeks ago (breathtaking!!!).
This was a fantastic novel, well deserving of the Pulitzer. I particularly loved the various psychological aspects of living in North Korea, which were masterfully played out in the second half of the novel. Highly recommended, I am still savoring it!
21. The Xenophobe's Guide to the Swiss (Europe)
Another enjoyable and informative book in the Xenophobe's series. I had an amazing trip to Mürren, Switzerland, two weeks ago (breathtaking!!!).
37karspeak
Just finished ROOT #22, eaarth, I'll post a brief review soon. Four ROOTS read for September, and only 8 more to go to reach my goal for the year!
38karspeak
22. Eaarth (global climate change)
Yikes, this is a heavy book. The premise is that, with the reality of climate change, we are/will be living on an altered planet, and we will have to change our lives accordingly. As I read the last page, my thought was, "Oh, damn!!!". It's that kind of book. I am glad I read it, but I would definitely not recommend it as an intro to the topic of global climate change. For that, I would turn to Hot by Mark Hertsgaard.
Yikes, this is a heavy book. The premise is that, with the reality of climate change, we are/will be living on an altered planet, and we will have to change our lives accordingly. As I read the last page, my thought was, "Oh, damn!!!". It's that kind of book. I am glad I read it, but I would definitely not recommend it as an intro to the topic of global climate change. For that, I would turn to Hot by Mark Hertsgaard.
39karspeak
23. Lean In
I thought Sheryl Sandberg's (COO of Facebook) book discussing women and work was very good, with lots of good advice, research, and interesting and pertinent anecdotes. However, if you don't feel like reading 240 pages on the topic, her 14 minute TEDtalk hit the main points from her book, and watching it might help you decide if you want to read Lean In. First ROOT for Oct.
I thought Sheryl Sandberg's (COO of Facebook) book discussing women and work was very good, with lots of good advice, research, and interesting and pertinent anecdotes. However, if you don't feel like reading 240 pages on the topic, her 14 minute TEDtalk hit the main points from her book, and watching it might help you decide if you want to read Lean In. First ROOT for Oct.
40karspeak
24. The Song of Achilles (LT Rec)
Excellent. A re-telling of the Trojan War, and in this author's hands it is a fresh, exciting, and heartbreaking story. Definitely recommended.
Excellent. A re-telling of the Trojan War, and in this author's hands it is a fresh, exciting, and heartbreaking story. Definitely recommended.
41karspeak
Finally, 2 ROOTs to add for November!
25. The Weather Makers (LT and Amazon Rec, Climate Change)
It took me a while to wade through this book, but it was yet another well done book on climate change. It may have too much science for some lay readers. It added more to my knowledge of climate change, and I thought the author's last chapter about what individuals can do was particularly well done. Also, it helped me understand why it is so difficult to make accurate predictions about exactly when/how much the sea will rise, currents change, global temperature rise, etc, since there are so many complex and interrelated scientific variables.
26. Where'd You Go, Bernadette?(Book Club selection)
This was a very fun read. It was well-written, the writing was particularly clever, and the plot was humorous, warm, and satirical. It is a nice balance between modern literature and light, easy reading.
25. The Weather Makers (LT and Amazon Rec, Climate Change)
It took me a while to wade through this book, but it was yet another well done book on climate change. It may have too much science for some lay readers. It added more to my knowledge of climate change, and I thought the author's last chapter about what individuals can do was particularly well done. Also, it helped me understand why it is so difficult to make accurate predictions about exactly when/how much the sea will rise, currents change, global temperature rise, etc, since there are so many complex and interrelated scientific variables.
26. Where'd You Go, Bernadette?(Book Club selection)
This was a very fun read. It was well-written, the writing was particularly clever, and the plot was humorous, warm, and satirical. It is a nice balance between modern literature and light, easy reading.
44karspeak
27. The Xenophobe's Guide to the Czechs (Europe)
Another good and enjoyable entry in the series. And its descriptions do hold true for the few Czech friends that I have.
Another good and enjoyable entry in the series. And its descriptions do hold true for the few Czech friends that I have.
46karspeak
29. Maze Runner (Amazon or LT rec?)
Oh my goodness, I scarfed this book down in a day. It is Hunger Games meets Lord of the Flies meets Wool. Very fun and very gripping YA, recommended if you enjoyed Hunger Games. I also finished the other 2 books in this trilogy, but I won't count them toward this challenge since they weren't on my TBR list.
Oh my goodness, I scarfed this book down in a day. It is Hunger Games meets Lord of the Flies meets Wool. Very fun and very gripping YA, recommended if you enjoyed Hunger Games. I also finished the other 2 books in this trilogy, but I won't count them toward this challenge since they weren't on my TBR list.
50karspeak
Oh, it was a random app called Maze Runner, not the digital book Maze Runner, that is available in Dutch. Sorry about that:(.
51karspeak
30. And the Mountains Echoed (Book Club selection)
A very well-done novel that follows the different lives that have touched or intertwined over a few generations originating from a family in a small village in Afghanistan. The stories range from Afghanistan to Greece to the US to Paris. This is a beautiful and emotionally complex novel.
A very well-done novel that follows the different lives that have touched or intertwined over a few generations originating from a family in a small village in Afghanistan. The stories range from Afghanistan to Greece to the US to Paris. This is a beautiful and emotionally complex novel.
53rabbitprincess
Yay! Nice work! :)
54karspeak
Thanks!!
ETA: Rabbitprincess, I just visited/starred your thread and added several books to my TBR list based on your reviews--thanks!!
ETA: Rabbitprincess, I just visited/starred your thread and added several books to my TBR list based on your reviews--thanks!!
56MissWatson
Great job!
58karspeak
Thanks, everyone!!
31. Beautiful Ruins: A Novel (friend rec)
This was a good but not great novel. It is one of those lives-interwined, and all the threads come together at the end kind of book. It ranged from 1950's Italy to modern Hollywood, etc. It kept reminding me of A Visit from the Goon Squad, but it wasn't as good, or as edgy, alas.
31. Beautiful Ruins: A Novel (friend rec)
This was a good but not great novel. It is one of those lives-interwined, and all the threads come together at the end kind of book. It ranged from 1950's Italy to modern Hollywood, etc. It kept reminding me of A Visit from the Goon Squad, but it wasn't as good, or as edgy, alas.
59karspeak
32. The No Sweat Exercise Plan (Amazon rec)
Excellent book. The book's premise is that 30 minutes of walking, bike riding, or other gentle exercise, per day will yield the full health benefits of exercise. There is no need to run, do aerobics, etc, except for athletic training or to speed up weight loss. The author is a Harvard physician who founded the Harvard Men's Health Review, and he will have you convinced by the end of the book that not exercising is the stupidest thing you could do, but that exercise can also be very easy. That's great news for me because I hate running and have been trying on and off for years to get into it. Highly recommended if you are looking for a readable, very well researched, encouraging book on exercise, whether you are young and in pretty good shape or older and dealing with a variety of medical issues.
Excellent book. The book's premise is that 30 minutes of walking, bike riding, or other gentle exercise, per day will yield the full health benefits of exercise. There is no need to run, do aerobics, etc, except for athletic training or to speed up weight loss. The author is a Harvard physician who founded the Harvard Men's Health Review, and he will have you convinced by the end of the book that not exercising is the stupidest thing you could do, but that exercise can also be very easy. That's great news for me because I hate running and have been trying on and off for years to get into it. Highly recommended if you are looking for a readable, very well researched, encouraging book on exercise, whether you are young and in pretty good shape or older and dealing with a variety of medical issues.
60karspeak
I don't have computer access right now, besides my iPhone, but wanted to briefly post that I have 3 more ROOTs to add, bringing my current Dec total to 5 ROOTs.
33--Hyperbole and More
34--Culture Shock! Morocco
35--Hyperion
I may squeeze in one more, we'll see!
BTW, my best book of the year was Orphan Master's Son, and best NF was Hot: Living Through the Next 50 Years on Earth.
33--Hyperbole and More
34--Culture Shock! Morocco
35--Hyperion
I may squeeze in one more, we'll see!
BTW, my best book of the year was Orphan Master's Son, and best NF was Hot: Living Through the Next 50 Years on Earth.
61karspeak
33. Hyperbole and a Half (on multiple lists as "funniest book of 2013")
I enjoyed it, and I'm glad I read it. I often found her more insightful than funny. The book reminds me very much of Let's Pretend This Never Happened, except this author is sharper and particularly good at expressing complex ideas/concepts. I sent my sister a copy, I think she will love it.
34. Culture Shock! Morocco (I just got back from a one-week vacation to Morocco!!)
Very good, I strongly recommend this in addition to a guidebook if you travel to Morocco or want to learn about Morocco culture/life.
35. Hyperion (friend rec)
Very well-done sci-fi, it reminded me a lot of Iain Banks' Culture series. This is the first in a 4-book series.
I enjoyed it, and I'm glad I read it. I often found her more insightful than funny. The book reminds me very much of Let's Pretend This Never Happened, except this author is sharper and particularly good at expressing complex ideas/concepts. I sent my sister a copy, I think she will love it.
34. Culture Shock! Morocco (I just got back from a one-week vacation to Morocco!!)
Very good, I strongly recommend this in addition to a guidebook if you travel to Morocco or want to learn about Morocco culture/life.
35. Hyperion (friend rec)
Very well-done sci-fi, it reminded me a lot of Iain Banks' Culture series. This is the first in a 4-book series.
62karspeak
I won't have time for any more reading in the next few days, so my final tally for Dec was 5 books, and 35 (5 over my goal!) for the whole year. My thread for next year is here. Happy New Year!!
63rabbitprincess
Hyperbole and a Half is on my list of books to get with my Christmas gift card. It looks great (I really like her blog).
