annesion is determined not to fail yet again.
Talk 75 Books Challenge for 2014
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1annesion
Ok last year was a little rough, and I fell miserably short of my goal. With good reason though. Here is to a better year in 2014!
3PaulCranswick
Angela - welcome back to the group. On this centenary of WWI your presence in the group as a History major will, I'm sure, be most helpful xx.
Have a wonderful 2014.
Have a wonderful 2014.
4annesion
1.) The Time of Murder at Mayerling by Ann Dukthas - Jan. 2, 2014 - 217 Pages
I both liked and disliked this book at the same time. It was a quick fun read, but the history leaves much to be desired. I didn't care for the way the members of the Habsburg family were portrayed, as they seemed very stilted. Actually all the characters were that way. I also did not care for the conclusion of the conspiracy that surrounded the mystery of the deaths at Mayerling. I think it was a good read as well because it was short, easy to follow, and somewhat entertaining. This would be a great book to read on a plane, bus, or during a short trip/commute.
I liked it enough to possibly read the other two books in the series with the same protagonist.
- 217 total pages read in 2014
I both liked and disliked this book at the same time. It was a quick fun read, but the history leaves much to be desired. I didn't care for the way the members of the Habsburg family were portrayed, as they seemed very stilted. Actually all the characters were that way. I also did not care for the conclusion of the conspiracy that surrounded the mystery of the deaths at Mayerling. I think it was a good read as well because it was short, easy to follow, and somewhat entertaining. This would be a great book to read on a plane, bus, or during a short trip/commute.
I liked it enough to possibly read the other two books in the series with the same protagonist.
- 217 total pages read in 2014
5annesion
2.) Newport Tower; Unsettled History by B. Lynn Brant - Jan. 3, 2014 - 43 Pages Kindle
This book is a very quick read trying to convince people that the Newport Tower was not built by colonials, specifically Benedict Arnold's grandfather, but rather was an earlier Medieval structure. The book was a little self righteous in tone, although I am not convinced the author is not correct in her beliefs.
- 260 total pages read in 2014
This book is a very quick read trying to convince people that the Newport Tower was not built by colonials, specifically Benedict Arnold's grandfather, but rather was an earlier Medieval structure. The book was a little self righteous in tone, although I am not convinced the author is not correct in her beliefs.
- 260 total pages read in 2014
6annesion
3.) The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters - Jan. 7, 2014 - 482 Pages Kindle
I really both liked and loathed this book. I think in many regards the reasons I disliked the book were purposefully placed by the author to make readers like me have these emotions, and if judged on that basis alone the book was brilliant!
Essentially this is not your average haunted house/ ghost story. The book had an agonizingly long build up, and a very short possibility of resolution. It's up for the reader to determine if the resolution is really resolution.
-742 total pages read in 2014
I really both liked and loathed this book. I think in many regards the reasons I disliked the book were purposefully placed by the author to make readers like me have these emotions, and if judged on that basis alone the book was brilliant!
Essentially this is not your average haunted house/ ghost story. The book had an agonizingly long build up, and a very short possibility of resolution. It's up for the reader to determine if the resolution is really resolution.
-742 total pages read in 2014
7annesion
4.) Talking to Girls About Duran Duran: One Young Man's Quest for True Love and a Cooler Haircut by Rob Sheffield - Jan. 12, 2014 - 288 Pages
Loved this book! Enough. Will read his other books!
-1,030 total pages read in 2014
Loved this book! Enough. Will read his other books!
-1,030 total pages read in 2014
9annesion
5) The Secret Rooms: A True Story of a Haunted Castle, a Plotting Duchess, and a Family Secret by Catherine Bailey - Jan. 19, 2014 -425 Pages
Oh what a disappointment this book was. There was a plotting Duchess, sort of. Secret rooms, maybe, not a spectre in sight! This book was somewhat interesting involving a family castle, some sealed rooms, and family secrets.....only in the end, the secrets were more than a little unsatisfying. Not the scandal I'd hoped to find. Kind of ordinary really. This book would have been about 50% better without all the inclusion of the information about troop and battle lines, munitions and rations from WWI....I think the author had stated that she had initially intended to write about WWI, and then stumbled upon these supposed secrets. The book could have easily been shorter and more satisfying if the secret was what you were after...which I was.
Oh what a disappointment this book was. There was a plotting Duchess, sort of. Secret rooms, maybe, not a spectre in sight! This book was somewhat interesting involving a family castle, some sealed rooms, and family secrets.....only in the end, the secrets were more than a little unsatisfying. Not the scandal I'd hoped to find. Kind of ordinary really. This book would have been about 50% better without all the inclusion of the information about troop and battle lines, munitions and rations from WWI....I think the author had stated that she had initially intended to write about WWI, and then stumbled upon these supposed secrets. The book could have easily been shorter and more satisfying if the secret was what you were after...which I was.
10drneutron
Hmmm. That one's on the list, but rapidly dropping in priority. Oh, well, thanks for taking one for the team! :)
11annesion
6) Evidence of Love by John Bloom - Jan. 26, 2014 - 360 Pages.
So I was home alone and watched the Amazon Prime Instant Stream of this old Lifetime type movie.....in a fit of excessive girlishness I bought a couple of true crime books based on my day of movie watching. I digress.
I've come to the conclusion that the genre of True Crime was better written in the 1970's - 1980's. This book was actually very interesting and well written. It tells the story of a suburban wife and mother who commits an axe murder in Wylie, Texas. The victim was a friend, and the murder itself was total Overkill (cue Men at Work). The victim was hacked 41 times. The chilling part was when the coroner determined that the victim was most probably alive for most of the blows.....The woman who committed the crime; her story is very interesting.
This book seems to be heartier than most of the modern True Crime I've Read. I compare it more to Fatal Vision, and The Sea Will Tell...., than I would any of the modern works in the genre which seem to be churned out with frightening regularity by certain authors who specialize in the field.
So I was home alone and watched the Amazon Prime Instant Stream of this old Lifetime type movie.....in a fit of excessive girlishness I bought a couple of true crime books based on my day of movie watching. I digress.
I've come to the conclusion that the genre of True Crime was better written in the 1970's - 1980's. This book was actually very interesting and well written. It tells the story of a suburban wife and mother who commits an axe murder in Wylie, Texas. The victim was a friend, and the murder itself was total Overkill (cue Men at Work). The victim was hacked 41 times. The chilling part was when the coroner determined that the victim was most probably alive for most of the blows.....The woman who committed the crime; her story is very interesting.
This book seems to be heartier than most of the modern True Crime I've Read. I compare it more to Fatal Vision, and The Sea Will Tell...., than I would any of the modern works in the genre which seem to be churned out with frightening regularity by certain authors who specialize in the field.
12cbl_tn
I first heard of Crown Prince Rudolf and Mary Vetsera when I visited a friend who was living in Heiligenkreuz. My local library has a copy of it so I've added it to my library WL. It might be fun for me to read sometime.
The Secret Rooms is in my WL, but I'm not as anxious to read it now that I've seen your comments. Maybe it's one to borrow from the library rather than purchase.
The Secret Rooms is in my WL, but I'm not as anxious to read it now that I've seen your comments. Maybe it's one to borrow from the library rather than purchase.
13annesion
@cbl_tn - I read a couple of older more biography type books on Mayerling which I liked better than the fiction one. I also recommend A Nervous Splendor: Vienna 1888-1889 by Frederic Morton, that book gave a great over view of the time.
7) Positive: One Doctor's Personal Encounters with Death, Life, and the US Healthcare System by Michael Saag, MD - Jan. 28, 2014 - 376 Pages Kindle Edition
Positive is a book I can stand behind! Dr. Saag has eloquently provided both a moving testament to the early days of HIV/AIDS treatment and a scathing indictment of the System of Health Care available to the citizens of the US today.
I recommend reading ''My Own Country: A Doctor's Story'' as a companion volume if you are strictly seeking to learn about the ravages the early years of HIV infection had on small American communities in the south. What Dr. Verghese never spoke of in his memoir was the state of the healthcare system, and his and his patients ability to navigate within that system. This is where Dr. Saag's book picks up the slack and tells it like it is. He describes his own father's struggles with medical issues resulting from lack of insurance. The patients he had who had spotty insurance which directly led to their deaths, the medications not covered, etc.
Dr. Saag ends with 8 things we can do in America to improve our health care system. He also discusses the AHA and it's origins in a Republican Think Tank; how 'Obamacare' is a good start, but ultimately a drop in the bucket of reform.
As a practitioner of the Jewish faith, Dr. Saag explained how these words from the Book of Isiah are spoken at the end of Shiva. They have meaning to me as I finish this review. "Your sun shall set no more, your moon no more withdraw; for the Lord shall be a light to you forever, and your days of mourning shall be ended"
7) Positive: One Doctor's Personal Encounters with Death, Life, and the US Healthcare System by Michael Saag, MD - Jan. 28, 2014 - 376 Pages Kindle Edition
Positive is a book I can stand behind! Dr. Saag has eloquently provided both a moving testament to the early days of HIV/AIDS treatment and a scathing indictment of the System of Health Care available to the citizens of the US today.
I recommend reading ''My Own Country: A Doctor's Story'' as a companion volume if you are strictly seeking to learn about the ravages the early years of HIV infection had on small American communities in the south. What Dr. Verghese never spoke of in his memoir was the state of the healthcare system, and his and his patients ability to navigate within that system. This is where Dr. Saag's book picks up the slack and tells it like it is. He describes his own father's struggles with medical issues resulting from lack of insurance. The patients he had who had spotty insurance which directly led to their deaths, the medications not covered, etc.
Dr. Saag ends with 8 things we can do in America to improve our health care system. He also discusses the AHA and it's origins in a Republican Think Tank; how 'Obamacare' is a good start, but ultimately a drop in the bucket of reform.
As a practitioner of the Jewish faith, Dr. Saag explained how these words from the Book of Isiah are spoken at the end of Shiva. They have meaning to me as I finish this review. "Your sun shall set no more, your moon no more withdraw; for the Lord shall be a light to you forever, and your days of mourning shall be ended"
14annesion
8) Former People: The Final Days of the Russian Aristocracy by Douglas Smith - February 2, 2014 - 496 Pages
I had mixed emotions about this book. I think that initially I thought I was going to be reading about the members of the Russian Nobility who were living in exile around the world. This was not to be the case.
The book is centered around the lives of two families, the Sheremetev and Golitsyn. Members of both these families remained in Russia under the Soviet Regime. The book details the countless arrests, interrogation, and harassment that many people faced under Communist rule. The ever increasing hunger, loss of physical property, and even freedom can't be ignored. The former aristocratic women in these families resorted to selling jewels for potatoes and onions.
I guess this book while not what I thought it was going to be was very useful in that it gave me the truth. I frequently read about the glittering world of the Russian and British Royal Families. I have read about the parties aboard the Standart, the Romanov yacht, and the yearly trips to Cowes for the Races and Ascot week in the Royal enclosure. I couldn't help but think of all the times I've read about the assassination of the Czar and his family, but what about those others...the ones that survived from the noble class. I never gave a thought to their continued existence (or extermination) inside the Soviet Union. I guess the timelines merged when I thought about all these things in relation to the continued lifestyles of the British Aristocracy, who although monetarily disadvantaged after WWI still retained their position in society. The exploits of Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson, and the children of the Jazz Age, the bright young things juxtaposed against the bitter struggle for survival in a gulag or one room hovel in Moscow for their contemporaries in Russia. This book did teach me a lesson, one that I will remember.
I had mixed emotions about this book. I think that initially I thought I was going to be reading about the members of the Russian Nobility who were living in exile around the world. This was not to be the case.
The book is centered around the lives of two families, the Sheremetev and Golitsyn. Members of both these families remained in Russia under the Soviet Regime. The book details the countless arrests, interrogation, and harassment that many people faced under Communist rule. The ever increasing hunger, loss of physical property, and even freedom can't be ignored. The former aristocratic women in these families resorted to selling jewels for potatoes and onions.
I guess this book while not what I thought it was going to be was very useful in that it gave me the truth. I frequently read about the glittering world of the Russian and British Royal Families. I have read about the parties aboard the Standart, the Romanov yacht, and the yearly trips to Cowes for the Races and Ascot week in the Royal enclosure. I couldn't help but think of all the times I've read about the assassination of the Czar and his family, but what about those others...the ones that survived from the noble class. I never gave a thought to their continued existence (or extermination) inside the Soviet Union. I guess the timelines merged when I thought about all these things in relation to the continued lifestyles of the British Aristocracy, who although monetarily disadvantaged after WWI still retained their position in society. The exploits of Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson, and the children of the Jazz Age, the bright young things juxtaposed against the bitter struggle for survival in a gulag or one room hovel in Moscow for their contemporaries in Russia. This book did teach me a lesson, one that I will remember.
15annesion
9) Lords of Chaos: The Bloody Rise of the Satanic Metal Underground by Michael Moynihan & Didrik Soderlind - February 5, 2014 - 405 Pages
These guys are real asshats.
These guys are real asshats.
16annesion
10) In The Pleasure Groove: Love, Death, and Duran Duran by John Taylor - February 6, 2014 - 392 Pages
John Taylor was always my favorite. Every girl has a favorite member of Duran Duran (well if the girl was born between 1965-1980). Although I have been a fan of Duran Duran for years, I've not read much biographical information about any of the members so this book was very informative to me.
If you are looking for a tell all about DD this is not your book. John keeps it classy and doesn't air the bands dirty laundry. All his personal relationships are pretty much candy coated. He blames himself for a lot. The real relationships explored completely are those he had with his parents who have both unfortunately passed away. There is a thread of salaciousness in the story and John takes responsibility for his actions.
The book was easy to read. I read it in one day. I feel like I was on a plane ride, or in a car with John, and we just casually talked about the story of his life thus far. Nothing overly deep, not too scandalous, and he's still living for hearing the opening notes of 'Planet Earth'on stage because in the end the music always finds him
John Taylor was always my favorite. Every girl has a favorite member of Duran Duran (well if the girl was born between 1965-1980). Although I have been a fan of Duran Duran for years, I've not read much biographical information about any of the members so this book was very informative to me.
If you are looking for a tell all about DD this is not your book. John keeps it classy and doesn't air the bands dirty laundry. All his personal relationships are pretty much candy coated. He blames himself for a lot. The real relationships explored completely are those he had with his parents who have both unfortunately passed away. There is a thread of salaciousness in the story and John takes responsibility for his actions.
The book was easy to read. I read it in one day. I feel like I was on a plane ride, or in a car with John, and we just casually talked about the story of his life thus far. Nothing overly deep, not too scandalous, and he's still living for hearing the opening notes of 'Planet Earth'on stage because in the end the music always finds him
17annesion
11) The Replacements: All Over But the Shouting: An Oral History by Jim Walsh - February 8, 2013 - 304 Pages
The Replacements. I am very fortunate to have seen them at one of their reunion gigs at Riot Fest in Denver 2013. The performance changed my life. I wasn't the overweight and underwhelmed with life 40 year old; for about two solid hours I was young and alive, and the world was still beautiful because we are all ordinary and nothing matters. There are no solutions and no one has an answer, but for once I was okay with that.
The book was not a hagiography of the band. The recollections are mainly from associates and fans of the band during their entire career. There is not a lot of salacious gossip, and the people tended to treat the band in realistic terms warts and all.
The Replacements would never make it as a band if they formed today. The market wouldn't take their antics. It was pretty clear from the book that the band had more than a few 'off' nights, and only by seeing them several times did you really get a since of their musical ability. (Fortunately I saw them on a good night!)
Through changes in lineup and management we heard about it all. The Replacement's much hyped 'rivalry' with Husker Du is talked about. The personal relationships within the band aren't really discussed at length, nor are their relationships with their wives/girlfriends ever really cogently expressed in the text. My main complaint about the book is the choppiness of the format. The lack of timeline and clarification about certain people; and why they were important to the band. The little Who's Who at the end...left me.... Unsatisfied.
The Replacements. I am very fortunate to have seen them at one of their reunion gigs at Riot Fest in Denver 2013. The performance changed my life. I wasn't the overweight and underwhelmed with life 40 year old; for about two solid hours I was young and alive, and the world was still beautiful because we are all ordinary and nothing matters. There are no solutions and no one has an answer, but for once I was okay with that.
The book was not a hagiography of the band. The recollections are mainly from associates and fans of the band during their entire career. There is not a lot of salacious gossip, and the people tended to treat the band in realistic terms warts and all.
The Replacements would never make it as a band if they formed today. The market wouldn't take their antics. It was pretty clear from the book that the band had more than a few 'off' nights, and only by seeing them several times did you really get a since of their musical ability. (Fortunately I saw them on a good night!)
Through changes in lineup and management we heard about it all. The Replacement's much hyped 'rivalry' with Husker Du is talked about. The personal relationships within the band aren't really discussed at length, nor are their relationships with their wives/girlfriends ever really cogently expressed in the text. My main complaint about the book is the choppiness of the format. The lack of timeline and clarification about certain people; and why they were important to the band. The little Who's Who at the end...left me.... Unsatisfied.
18annesion
12) Wild Boy: My Life in Duran Duran by Andy Taylor - February 10,2014 - 336 Pages Kindle
Very interesting this book the same week as the John Taylor biography. I ended up feeling Andy was more authentic. Neither book was really full of negative snipes or criticism of other band members (I felt the 'issues' were really glossed over). Andy's book was a little closer to the dirt though.
Hopefully Nick, Roger, and Simon will write books because I will read those as well.
Very interesting this book the same week as the John Taylor biography. I ended up feeling Andy was more authentic. Neither book was really full of negative snipes or criticism of other band members (I felt the 'issues' were really glossed over). Andy's book was a little closer to the dirt though.
Hopefully Nick, Roger, and Simon will write books because I will read those as well.
19annesion
13) Doctor Who: Magic of the Angels by Jaqueline Rayner - February 10, 2014 - 128 Pages Kindle Edition
20annesion
14) Return to Hell House by Nancy A. Collins - February 11, 2014 - 78 Pages Kindle Edition
21annesion
15) Tell the Wolves I'm Home by Carol Rifka Brunt - February 17, 2014 - 360 Pages Kindle Edition
I'm not a writer and I don't think my 'pen' can express the way I felt about reading this book. Here is the best I can do.
To borrow from another reviewer, "This book read me." I made it about 85% through before I started crying, and then I didn't stop until the last word...because I knew my heart was going to break regardless of the final words.
I think I personally identified with this book on several levels the most obvious to me is that I was 14 in 1987. The same as the protagonist, June in the book. The second was the love of the past, the hope that if you want to; you can move, direct, or will yourself into the past. While I never wanted to be a falconer I have always been a medievalist. After reading the reason why June wanted to be a falconer I can see the draw. The mention of movies and songs really made me feel that I was back in the 80's, which might be a point younger readers will not appreciate in the same way.
I've never been personally touched by AIDS, nor was I lucky enough to have an uncle like Finn. If I had things may have been very different for me.
“I felt like I had proof that not all days are the same length, not all time has the same weight. Proof that there are worlds and worlds and worlds on top of worlds, if you want them to be there.”
― Carol Rifka Brunt, Tell the Wolves I'm Home
“I knew the way lost hopes could be dangerous, how they could turn a person into someone they never thought they'd be.”
― Carol Rifka Brunt, Tell the Wolves I'm Home
“Nothing had changed. I was the stupid one again. I was the girl who never understood who she was to people.”
― Carol Rifka Brunt, Tell the Wolves I'm Home
I'm not a writer and I don't think my 'pen' can express the way I felt about reading this book. Here is the best I can do.
To borrow from another reviewer, "This book read me." I made it about 85% through before I started crying, and then I didn't stop until the last word...because I knew my heart was going to break regardless of the final words.
I think I personally identified with this book on several levels the most obvious to me is that I was 14 in 1987. The same as the protagonist, June in the book. The second was the love of the past, the hope that if you want to; you can move, direct, or will yourself into the past. While I never wanted to be a falconer I have always been a medievalist. After reading the reason why June wanted to be a falconer I can see the draw. The mention of movies and songs really made me feel that I was back in the 80's, which might be a point younger readers will not appreciate in the same way.
I've never been personally touched by AIDS, nor was I lucky enough to have an uncle like Finn. If I had things may have been very different for me.
“I felt like I had proof that not all days are the same length, not all time has the same weight. Proof that there are worlds and worlds and worlds on top of worlds, if you want them to be there.”
― Carol Rifka Brunt, Tell the Wolves I'm Home
“I knew the way lost hopes could be dangerous, how they could turn a person into someone they never thought they'd be.”
― Carol Rifka Brunt, Tell the Wolves I'm Home
“Nothing had changed. I was the stupid one again. I was the girl who never understood who she was to people.”
― Carol Rifka Brunt, Tell the Wolves I'm Home
