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1Cariola
I'm starting late, as I just joined LT about five weeks ago, but, fortunately, I keep a book journal and can list what I've read so far in 2007. Pleas post you comment on any of my books--I'd love to talk about them!
January
1. Duty and Desire: A Novel of Fitzwilliam Darcy, Gentleman--Pamela Aidan
The second in a series that tells the story of Pride and Prejudice from Darcy's point of view. I really enjoyed the first volume, As Assembly Such as This, and was looking forward to continuing the series; but this one was a bit disappointing. What I liked about the first one was that it stayed true to the original, even to the point of borrowing exact lines of dialogue. This one was totally imagined by the author, since it coveres what Darcy did after Elizabeth rejected his proposal. Not nearly as good, and I may wait awhile before getting to the third volume.
2. Family Matters--Rohinton Mistry
While I liked it, this one was rather a downer, and I wanted to shake some of the characters! The relationship between the professor and his younger grandson was really touching.
3. The Linnet Bird--Linda Holeman
Events and descriptions in this novel were often so horrendous that it was hard to read. While I could empathize with the main character, I didn't really like her.
4. St. Lucy's Home for Wayward Girls--Karen Russell
Just not my style (fantasy). I read it in hopes of finding a story to use in a class I am teaching that involves myth; I chose the story about the kid whose dad is a minotaur.
5. Girl in Hyacinth Blue--Susan Vreeland
A reread for me, again for the same class, Introduction to the Interdisciplinary Arts. I was trying to tie the reading material (literature) in to art and music. I was drawn in by the use of a painting as the connectino between the series of short stories.
6. Small Island--Andrea Levy
The multicultural aspect and shifting narrators was intriguing, but I thought the second half of the novel dragged.
7. Water for Elephants--Sarah Gruen
I didn't expect to like this one because of all the hype--but it was so much fun and really kept my interest.
8. Great Expectation--Charles Dickens
Not my favorite Dickens novel.
9. Hamlet--William Shakespeare
10. Titus Andronicus--William Shakespeare
These were rereads for class prep.
January
1. Duty and Desire: A Novel of Fitzwilliam Darcy, Gentleman--Pamela Aidan
The second in a series that tells the story of Pride and Prejudice from Darcy's point of view. I really enjoyed the first volume, As Assembly Such as This, and was looking forward to continuing the series; but this one was a bit disappointing. What I liked about the first one was that it stayed true to the original, even to the point of borrowing exact lines of dialogue. This one was totally imagined by the author, since it coveres what Darcy did after Elizabeth rejected his proposal. Not nearly as good, and I may wait awhile before getting to the third volume.
2. Family Matters--Rohinton Mistry
While I liked it, this one was rather a downer, and I wanted to shake some of the characters! The relationship between the professor and his younger grandson was really touching.
3. The Linnet Bird--Linda Holeman
Events and descriptions in this novel were often so horrendous that it was hard to read. While I could empathize with the main character, I didn't really like her.
4. St. Lucy's Home for Wayward Girls--Karen Russell
Just not my style (fantasy). I read it in hopes of finding a story to use in a class I am teaching that involves myth; I chose the story about the kid whose dad is a minotaur.
5. Girl in Hyacinth Blue--Susan Vreeland
A reread for me, again for the same class, Introduction to the Interdisciplinary Arts. I was trying to tie the reading material (literature) in to art and music. I was drawn in by the use of a painting as the connectino between the series of short stories.
6. Small Island--Andrea Levy
The multicultural aspect and shifting narrators was intriguing, but I thought the second half of the novel dragged.
7. Water for Elephants--Sarah Gruen
I didn't expect to like this one because of all the hype--but it was so much fun and really kept my interest.
8. Great Expectation--Charles Dickens
Not my favorite Dickens novel.
9. Hamlet--William Shakespeare
10. Titus Andronicus--William Shakespeare
These were rereads for class prep.
2Cariola
February
11. The Glass Menagerie--Tennessee Williams
12. Richard III--William Shakespeare
13. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead--Tom Stopppard
14. The Merchant of Venice--William Shakespeare
All rereads for class prep. It had been some time since I read R&G Are Dead, and I really enjoyed it (even if the studnts were a bit confused).
15. Hard Times--Charles Dickens
Also not my favorite Dickens novel.
16. Leonardo's Swans--Karen Essex
Interesting novel about the two Este sisters, both of whom modelled for DaVinci and who were married to the most powerful men in Renaissance Italy. However, I thought the scenes with DaVinci were weak, and the end of the novel seemed rushed.
17. Funny in Farsi--Firoozah Dumas
A rather dreadful collection of humorous essays. Way too many sterotypes of both Americans and Iranians.
18. The Boleyn Inheritance--Philippa Gregory
This is my favorite of Gregory's Tudor period novels, probably because the three narrators--Jane Boleyn, Anne of Cleves, and Katherine Howard--have been written about less and are therefore more open to fictional interpretation. (Often the license she takes with hsitory tends to grate on me.)
19. The Thirteenth Tale--Diane Setterfield
For me, this one didn't live up to the hype. It was just OK.
11. The Glass Menagerie--Tennessee Williams
12. Richard III--William Shakespeare
13. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead--Tom Stopppard
14. The Merchant of Venice--William Shakespeare
All rereads for class prep. It had been some time since I read R&G Are Dead, and I really enjoyed it (even if the studnts were a bit confused).
15. Hard Times--Charles Dickens
Also not my favorite Dickens novel.
16. Leonardo's Swans--Karen Essex
Interesting novel about the two Este sisters, both of whom modelled for DaVinci and who were married to the most powerful men in Renaissance Italy. However, I thought the scenes with DaVinci were weak, and the end of the novel seemed rushed.
17. Funny in Farsi--Firoozah Dumas
A rather dreadful collection of humorous essays. Way too many sterotypes of both Americans and Iranians.
18. The Boleyn Inheritance--Philippa Gregory
This is my favorite of Gregory's Tudor period novels, probably because the three narrators--Jane Boleyn, Anne of Cleves, and Katherine Howard--have been written about less and are therefore more open to fictional interpretation. (Often the license she takes with hsitory tends to grate on me.)
19. The Thirteenth Tale--Diane Setterfield
For me, this one didn't live up to the hype. It was just OK.
3Cariola
March
20. Dark Angels--Karleen Koen
This one drew me write in, I raced through it, and I couldn't wait for more. (As you see, I read another Koen novel this month.) Koen did a fantastic job of depicting both the French and English courts--great detail about the manners, objects, dress, etc.
21. Hester--Christopher Bigsby
OK, maybe I shouldn't count this one, because it was so awful that I couldn't finish it. The premise was great: the story of The Scarlet Letter from the point of view of Chillingworth. But the writing was stuffy and boring.
22. Portrait of an Unknown Woman--Venora Bennett
I read an ARC for Harper Collins' First Look. There were a few flights of imagination that bothered me (the hazard of being a specialist in a period and trying to read historical novels!), but overall, I enjoyed it. Bennett focuses on Meg Griggs, ward of Sir Thomas More, who is depicted in Holbien's famous painting of the More family. She creates an interesting character and gives us a portrait of More than was quite different from what we see in A Man for All Seasons--not a good man wronged so much as a religious zealot who didn't hesitate to persecute others.
23. Othello--William Shakespeare
24. The Piano Lesson--August Wilson
25. Oleanna--David Mamet
Again, rereads for class prep. The students loved to hate Oleanna!
26. Through a Glass Darkly--Karleen Koen
The second written of Koen's three novels, written prior to Dark Angels. Koen's three connected stories, however, were written in nonchronological order: here, Alice Verney, the young heroine of Dark Angels, is the widowed grandmother of the focal character (i.e., it's a prequel). Just as intriguing and fast-paced, and I can't wait to get my hands on a copy of Now Face to Face.
20. Dark Angels--Karleen Koen
This one drew me write in, I raced through it, and I couldn't wait for more. (As you see, I read another Koen novel this month.) Koen did a fantastic job of depicting both the French and English courts--great detail about the manners, objects, dress, etc.
21. Hester--Christopher Bigsby
OK, maybe I shouldn't count this one, because it was so awful that I couldn't finish it. The premise was great: the story of The Scarlet Letter from the point of view of Chillingworth. But the writing was stuffy and boring.
22. Portrait of an Unknown Woman--Venora Bennett
I read an ARC for Harper Collins' First Look. There were a few flights of imagination that bothered me (the hazard of being a specialist in a period and trying to read historical novels!), but overall, I enjoyed it. Bennett focuses on Meg Griggs, ward of Sir Thomas More, who is depicted in Holbien's famous painting of the More family. She creates an interesting character and gives us a portrait of More than was quite different from what we see in A Man for All Seasons--not a good man wronged so much as a religious zealot who didn't hesitate to persecute others.
23. Othello--William Shakespeare
24. The Piano Lesson--August Wilson
25. Oleanna--David Mamet
Again, rereads for class prep. The students loved to hate Oleanna!
26. Through a Glass Darkly--Karleen Koen
The second written of Koen's three novels, written prior to Dark Angels. Koen's three connected stories, however, were written in nonchronological order: here, Alice Verney, the young heroine of Dark Angels, is the widowed grandmother of the focal character (i.e., it's a prequel). Just as intriguing and fast-paced, and I can't wait to get my hands on a copy of Now Face to Face.
4Cariola
April
27. Bird Without Wings--Louis de Bernieres
Story of interfaith love in the midst of war and religious turmoil in early 20th century Turkey. I found it hard to stick with--maybe a bit too much detail, and surely a bit too much brutality.
28. Proof--David Auburn
Reread for class prep.
29. Doubt--John Patrick Shanley
I read this one for class prep but had never read it before; I took a chance assigning it on the basis of what I'd heard about it. A great play. Shanley creates a shifting doubt in his readers throughout the play. Is the young priest really abusing his students? Or is the overly zealous Sister Aloysius wrongly accusing him? Just when you think you know the truth, Shanley leaves you, the reader, with doubt.
30. The Meaning of Night--Michael Cox
Sweeping Victorian novel about misplaced love, lost identities, murder, and deceit. It's not the kind of thing I usually read, but overall it kept my interest. Strong characters and a number of plot twists.
31. The Salt Letters--Christine Balint
A touching and unique novel. Sixteen year old Sarah is on a ship bound for Australia--we're never exactly told why, although we get hints. Each chapter begins with a letter to her mother back home in England (a letter she can never seem to finish), then describes events on board and in flashback. Balint's prose is lovely--simple and lyrical.
32. The Shape of Things--Neil LaBute
33. Twelfth Night--William Shakespeare
34. The Tempest--William Shakespeare
All rereads for class prep.
27. Bird Without Wings--Louis de Bernieres
Story of interfaith love in the midst of war and religious turmoil in early 20th century Turkey. I found it hard to stick with--maybe a bit too much detail, and surely a bit too much brutality.
28. Proof--David Auburn
Reread for class prep.
29. Doubt--John Patrick Shanley
I read this one for class prep but had never read it before; I took a chance assigning it on the basis of what I'd heard about it. A great play. Shanley creates a shifting doubt in his readers throughout the play. Is the young priest really abusing his students? Or is the overly zealous Sister Aloysius wrongly accusing him? Just when you think you know the truth, Shanley leaves you, the reader, with doubt.
30. The Meaning of Night--Michael Cox
Sweeping Victorian novel about misplaced love, lost identities, murder, and deceit. It's not the kind of thing I usually read, but overall it kept my interest. Strong characters and a number of plot twists.
31. The Salt Letters--Christine Balint
A touching and unique novel. Sixteen year old Sarah is on a ship bound for Australia--we're never exactly told why, although we get hints. Each chapter begins with a letter to her mother back home in England (a letter she can never seem to finish), then describes events on board and in flashback. Balint's prose is lovely--simple and lyrical.
32. The Shape of Things--Neil LaBute
33. Twelfth Night--William Shakespeare
34. The Tempest--William Shakespeare
All rereads for class prep.
5Cariola
May
35. Two Lives--Vikram Seth
Interesting biography of Seth's uncle and his German-born Jewish wife. They lived in England and opened their home to Seth when he was a student. After their deaths, he started to put together his own memories and came across old letters and photographs that enriched his research. What makes this biography of two ordinary people impressive is that it reminds us that even the most ordinary among us have moments of exceptional courage, joy, heartbreak, and triumph.
36. The Book of Air and Shadows--Michael Gruber
Another ARC from Harper Collins First Look. I thought it might catch my interest because it was a mystery focussed on a "lost" Shakespearean manuscript. Well, I was wrong. Just not my cup of tea.
37. Persuasion--Jane Austen
Reread--just as good the second time!
38. Ophelia's Fan--Christine Balint
Fictionalized bio of Harriet Smithson, a young Irish girl who became a famed actress (her Ophelia took early 19th-century Paris by storm) and the inspiration for Hector Berlioz's Symphonie Fantastique; she later married him. Interesting but I can't say it was a favorite.
35. Two Lives--Vikram Seth
Interesting biography of Seth's uncle and his German-born Jewish wife. They lived in England and opened their home to Seth when he was a student. After their deaths, he started to put together his own memories and came across old letters and photographs that enriched his research. What makes this biography of two ordinary people impressive is that it reminds us that even the most ordinary among us have moments of exceptional courage, joy, heartbreak, and triumph.
36. The Book of Air and Shadows--Michael Gruber
Another ARC from Harper Collins First Look. I thought it might catch my interest because it was a mystery focussed on a "lost" Shakespearean manuscript. Well, I was wrong. Just not my cup of tea.
37. Persuasion--Jane Austen
Reread--just as good the second time!
38. Ophelia's Fan--Christine Balint
Fictionalized bio of Harriet Smithson, a young Irish girl who became a famed actress (her Ophelia took early 19th-century Paris by storm) and the inspiration for Hector Berlioz's Symphonie Fantastique; she later married him. Interesting but I can't say it was a favorite.
6Cariola
June
39. Luncheon of the Boating Party--Susan Vreeland
Based on the painting of the same name by Jean Renoir, Vreeland's novel both focuses on the process and progress of the artist's work and creates back stories for the persons depicted in it. I found it disappointing. The characters were rather shallow, and the author seemed to want to impress us with her own knowledge of painting. (If she had used "rose madder" or "Prussian blue" one more time . . . Yes, yes, we KNOW you are familiar with the colors of the artist's palette!)
40. The Perfect Royal Mistress--Diana Hager
Biofiction based on Nell Gwynn, orange girl turned actress and longtime mistress to Charles II. An adequate historical novel, nothing to get excited about.
41. King Lear--William Shakespeare
Reread for article I am writing.
39. Luncheon of the Boating Party--Susan Vreeland
Based on the painting of the same name by Jean Renoir, Vreeland's novel both focuses on the process and progress of the artist's work and creates back stories for the persons depicted in it. I found it disappointing. The characters were rather shallow, and the author seemed to want to impress us with her own knowledge of painting. (If she had used "rose madder" or "Prussian blue" one more time . . . Yes, yes, we KNOW you are familiar with the colors of the artist's palette!)
40. The Perfect Royal Mistress--Diana Hager
Biofiction based on Nell Gwynn, orange girl turned actress and longtime mistress to Charles II. An adequate historical novel, nothing to get excited about.
41. King Lear--William Shakespeare
Reread for article I am writing.
7Cariola
July
42. The Wayward Muse--Elizabeth Hickey
Biofiction based on the life of Jane Burden, pre-Raphaelite model who married William Morris and had an affair with Dante Gabriel Rossetti. One of those novels that starts out well and sort of falls off the further you get into it.
43. On Chesil Beach--Ian McEwan
Wow. I generally love McEwan but wasn't sure about this one, after reading a few reviews. It's so much more than the story of a failed wedding night, and it has stuck with me for weeks now. Beautifully written, poignant, McEwan at his best.
44. Innocent Traitor--Alison Weir
Nothing too surprising here, but a solid, detailed historical novel based on the life of Lady Jane Grey. It stands up well next to Weir's other work, and it certainly kept my interest throughout.
45. Astonishing Splashes of Colour--Clare Morrall
Another great book this month. Like On Chesil Beach, this one was shortlisted for the Booker Prize. Morrall does a wonderful job of recreating the mind of a distraught young woman who has lost her baby and her ability to have another, and who now faces questions about her own identity. Kitty sees the world through her emotions, represented by colors--the yellow period, the red swirl of her skirt. It's a sad story, but one not without hope.
42. The Wayward Muse--Elizabeth Hickey
Biofiction based on the life of Jane Burden, pre-Raphaelite model who married William Morris and had an affair with Dante Gabriel Rossetti. One of those novels that starts out well and sort of falls off the further you get into it.
43. On Chesil Beach--Ian McEwan
Wow. I generally love McEwan but wasn't sure about this one, after reading a few reviews. It's so much more than the story of a failed wedding night, and it has stuck with me for weeks now. Beautifully written, poignant, McEwan at his best.
44. Innocent Traitor--Alison Weir
Nothing too surprising here, but a solid, detailed historical novel based on the life of Lady Jane Grey. It stands up well next to Weir's other work, and it certainly kept my interest throughout.
45. Astonishing Splashes of Colour--Clare Morrall
Another great book this month. Like On Chesil Beach, this one was shortlisted for the Booker Prize. Morrall does a wonderful job of recreating the mind of a distraught young woman who has lost her baby and her ability to have another, and who now faces questions about her own identity. Kitty sees the world through her emotions, represented by colors--the yellow period, the red swirl of her skirt. It's a sad story, but one not without hope.
8judylou
I am a great fan of Louis de Berniere and have really enjoyed his books - the sense of humour, the characters and the story in his books always appeals. But like you I was very disappointed with Birds Without Wings. The story dragged, I was lost in the middle of it and didn't care much about what happened to any of the characters. I thought there was too much hostorical detail as well and as I'm not a great fan of historical novels, it just didn't hit the spot.
9Cariola
#8
Generally, I love historical novels, but this one just didn't do it for me. I'm not too into the war thing, especially when it gets too detailed. Do you have any recommendations for another good book by de Bernieres? I'd certainly give him another chance.
Generally, I love historical novels, but this one just didn't do it for me. I'm not too into the war thing, especially when it gets too detailed. Do you have any recommendations for another good book by de Bernieres? I'd certainly give him another chance.
10judylou
I particularly enjoyed his South American novels The War of Don Emmanuel's Nether Parts, Senor Vivo and the Coca Lord and The Troublesome Offspring of Cardinal Guzman. I love this style of writing, with a little bit of magic, some humour, and a great story. But I also enjoyed Red Dog which was quite different.
12Cariola
46. There Are Jews in My House by Lara Vapnyar.
A little book of short stories by the young Russian emigre. Some are set in Russia, some in New York, and most deal with children and young people: a preschool girl whose classmate tells her "I'm sorry to tell you this, but you ae a Jewess." A young teacher assigned a sex ed class for adolescent girls. Quiet little stories with moments of insight.
A little book of short stories by the young Russian emigre. Some are set in Russia, some in New York, and most deal with children and young people: a preschool girl whose classmate tells her "I'm sorry to tell you this, but you ae a Jewess." A young teacher assigned a sex ed class for adolescent girls. Quiet little stories with moments of insight.
13Cariola
47. Minaret by Leila Aboulela. Young Sudanese woman's life is changed when a coup results in her father's arrest and execution and the rest of the family's flight to London. Her life drifts downwards, until she finds herself in a job as a nanny/housekeeper. Finally, Islam gives her a sense of focus and meaning.
48. The Diana Chronicles by Tina Brown. Very cheesey account of Diana's life, continually linking events to her last years. Jumps around a bit frenetically, but it was interesting and a nice change of pace from my usual fare.
48. The Diana Chronicles by Tina Brown. Very cheesey account of Diana's life, continually linking events to her last years. Jumps around a bit frenetically, but it was interesting and a nice change of pace from my usual fare.
15Cariola
51. Richard III (reread)
52. The Woman's Prize, or The Tamer Tam'd by John Fletcher
53. The Pirate's Daughter by Margaret Cezair-Thompson
52. The Woman's Prize, or The Tamer Tam'd by John Fletcher
53. The Pirate's Daughter by Margaret Cezair-Thompson
21Cariola
64. A Chaste Maid in Cheapside by Thomas Middleton (reread)
65. I Think of You by Ahdaf Soueif
66. King Lear by William Shakespeare (reread)
65. I Think of You by Ahdaf Soueif
66. King Lear by William Shakespeare (reread)
22Cariola
67. The Duchess of Malfi by John Webster (reread)
68. The Accidental bu Ali Smith
69. The Alchemist's Daughter by Katharine McMahon
68. The Accidental bu Ali Smith
69. The Alchemist's Daughter by Katharine McMahon
23Cariola
70. The Crimson Portrait by Jody Shields
71. The Changeling by Thomas Middleton and William Rowley
72. Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare (reread)
73. Epicoene, or The Silent Woman by Ben Jonson
71. The Changeling by Thomas Middleton and William Rowley
72. Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare (reread)
73. Epicoene, or The Silent Woman by Ben Jonson
24Cariola
74. The Gathering by Anne Enright
75. England's Mistress: the infamous life of Emma Hamilton by Kate Williams
75. England's Mistress: the infamous life of Emma Hamilton by Kate Williams
25Cariola
76. The Roaring Girl by Thomas Middleton & William Rowley
77. Pericles by William Shakespeare
78. 'Tis Pity She's a Whore by John Ford
79. The Mercury Visions of Louis Daguerre by Dominic Smith
77. Pericles by William Shakespeare
78. 'Tis Pity She's a Whore by John Ford
79. The Mercury Visions of Louis Daguerre by Dominic Smith
26Cariola
Very weird. I clicked "Edit" to correct a typo in the post above and nearly all the touchstones disappeared.
28Cariola
81. The Small House at Allington by Anthony Trollope
