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2karspeak
January
1. The Social Conquest of Earth
2. Pattern Recognition
3. The Sixth Extinction
4. Neuromancer
5. The Righteous Mind: Why Good People Are Divided by Politics and Religion
6. The Forever War
7. Among Others
February
8. Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?
9. The Light Between the Oceans
March
10. The Power of Habit
April
11. I Am In Here
12. The Golem and the Jinni
13. The Billionaire's Vinegar
May
14. Home to Woefield
15. Zealot
16. Death on the Nile
17. Girl From Above: Betrayal
June
18. Fangirl
19. Do No Harm
20. Parnassus on Wheels
July
21. Reamde
22. Nine Princes in Amber
23. Gate of Ivrel
24. Crazy Rich Asians
25. China Rich Girlfriend
26. Oh Myyy!
27. Paladin of Souls
28. The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry
29. This Is Where I Leave You
August
30. Rooftops of Tehran
September
31. Blonde Bombshell
32. Feed
33. The Importance of Being Earnest
34. Hearts West: True Stories of Mail-Order Brides on the Frontier
October
35. Time Salvager
36. Plainsong
37. The Three-Body Problem
November
38. The Dorito Effect
39. Uprooted
40. Beacon 23
41. Rendezvous With Rama
December
42. Being Mortal
43. Sex at Dawn
44. Neurotribes
1. The Social Conquest of Earth
2. Pattern Recognition
3. The Sixth Extinction
4. Neuromancer
5. The Righteous Mind: Why Good People Are Divided by Politics and Religion
6. The Forever War
7. Among Others
February
8. Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?
9. The Light Between the Oceans
March
10. The Power of Habit
April
11. I Am In Here
12. The Golem and the Jinni
13. The Billionaire's Vinegar
May
14. Home to Woefield
15. Zealot
16. Death on the Nile
17. Girl From Above: Betrayal
June
18. Fangirl
19. Do No Harm
20. Parnassus on Wheels
July
21. Reamde
22. Nine Princes in Amber
23. Gate of Ivrel
24. Crazy Rich Asians
25. China Rich Girlfriend
26. Oh Myyy!
27. Paladin of Souls
28. The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry
29. This Is Where I Leave You
August
30. Rooftops of Tehran
September
31. Blonde Bombshell
32. Feed
33. The Importance of Being Earnest
34. Hearts West: True Stories of Mail-Order Brides on the Frontier
October
35. Time Salvager
36. Plainsong
37. The Three-Body Problem
November
38. The Dorito Effect
39. Uprooted
40. Beacon 23
41. Rendezvous With Rama
December
42. Being Mortal
43. Sex at Dawn
44. Neurotribes
4karspeak
>3 drneutron: Thanks, Jim, and thanks, as always, for organizing!
6karspeak
>5 japaul22: Thanks, Jennifer, I starred you, as well!
9karspeak
>7 evilmoose: Thanks, Megan!
10LovingLit
Hi! I remember you from early on in my LT experience, on the the NF threads :)
Happy reading for the new year and beyond!
Happy reading for the new year and beyond!
11karspeak
>10 LovingLit: Hi, Megan, I remember you, as well! Happy reading to you, as well!
16karspeak
Thanks, all! It's always fun to start a new year afresh!
1. The Social Conquest of Earth
This is a human evolutionary biology book by the famed biologist Edward O. Wilson. I enjoy reading science books written for the layperson, but this one teetered on the edge of being overly dry/academic for me. But I also gained several new insights into humanity and its evolution, so it was definitely worth the effort for me. The biggest take-home from the book is that humans' "selfish" traits, which aid in individual selection, are constantly in opposition to its "noble" traits, which aid in group survival. So a person might lie to their boss in one instant then risk their life to pull their boss from a burning building in the next.
1. The Social Conquest of Earth
This is a human evolutionary biology book by the famed biologist Edward O. Wilson. I enjoy reading science books written for the layperson, but this one teetered on the edge of being overly dry/academic for me. But I also gained several new insights into humanity and its evolution, so it was definitely worth the effort for me. The biggest take-home from the book is that humans' "selfish" traits, which aid in individual selection, are constantly in opposition to its "noble" traits, which aid in group survival. So a person might lie to their boss in one instant then risk their life to pull their boss from a burning building in the next.
17qebo
>16 karspeak: I read that a couple years ago, took loads of notes, managed to cull them somewhat (only somewhat) for a review... Lots of biologists who are in (adamant) disagreement w/ Wilson re group selection, and I'm inclined to think they have a point (I recently read Dawkins' The Selfish Gene and realized they'd been arguing about this for 30+ years), but I like that Wilson tries to apply his area of expertise to the wider world, even if the result is flawed.
18RBeffa
got you starred. >16 karspeak: looks like an interesting book. I've always been interested in genetics and how it drives our and other species. (My college BS is in genetics) but I've successfully kept myself away from the subject for the last decade. I've thought about re-entering the fray in recent years - it is advancing so rapidly esp in the hard science end but the sociological aspects like this sounds once seriously intrigued me.
19karspeak
>17 qebo: Hmm, I think I will have to read The Selfish Gene, then...
>18 RBeffa: Hey, Ron! Here's to another year of reading!
>18 RBeffa: Hey, Ron! Here's to another year of reading!
20LovingLit
>16 karspeak: so long as it was only teetering...I could probably go there.
22karspeak
2. Pattern Recognition (sister rec)
I really enjoyed this not-sci-fi-but-feels-like-sci-fi thriller. It gets a bit contrived by the end, but it's fun and clever. I don't think I can give it an adequate description, so here is a snippet from the Amazon.com editorial book review:
The first of William Gibson's usually futuristic novels to be set in the present, Pattern Recognition is a masterful snapshot of modern consumer culture and hipster esoterica. Set in London, Tokyo, and Moscow, Pattern Recognition takes the reader on a tour of a global village inhabited by power-hungry marketeers, industrial saboteurs, high-end hackers, Russian mob bosses, Internet fan-boys, techno archeologists, washed-out spies, cultural documentarians, and our heroine Cayce Pollard--a soothsaying "cool hunter" with an allergy to brand names.
I really enjoyed this not-sci-fi-but-feels-like-sci-fi thriller. It gets a bit contrived by the end, but it's fun and clever. I don't think I can give it an adequate description, so here is a snippet from the Amazon.com editorial book review:
The first of William Gibson's usually futuristic novels to be set in the present, Pattern Recognition is a masterful snapshot of modern consumer culture and hipster esoterica. Set in London, Tokyo, and Moscow, Pattern Recognition takes the reader on a tour of a global village inhabited by power-hungry marketeers, industrial saboteurs, high-end hackers, Russian mob bosses, Internet fan-boys, techno archeologists, washed-out spies, cultural documentarians, and our heroine Cayce Pollard--a soothsaying "cool hunter" with an allergy to brand names.
23scaifea
>22 karspeak: Huh. I think I have that one on my shelves... I should go see if I can find it...
24karspeak
3. The Sixth Extinction
I was expecting this to be about how human-induced climate change is screwing up the planet big-time, resulting in Bad News for lots of species. The scope of the book is much broader than that, however. Yes, humans are the cause, but through various means, ranging from the overhunting of megafauna thousands of years ago, to being so mobile that suddenly transplanted species have had detrimental effects on native species. None of these concepts were new to me, but it was a nicely done synthesis that did shift things around in my head a bit.
I was expecting this to be about how human-induced climate change is screwing up the planet big-time, resulting in Bad News for lots of species. The scope of the book is much broader than that, however. Yes, humans are the cause, but through various means, ranging from the overhunting of megafauna thousands of years ago, to being so mobile that suddenly transplanted species have had detrimental effects on native species. None of these concepts were new to me, but it was a nicely done synthesis that did shift things around in my head a bit.
25karspeak
4. Neuromancer
According to Wikipedia, this sci-fi novel from the 1980s is considered "the archetypal cyberpunk work," popularized the term "cyberspace," and was the first novel to win the "triple crown" of science fiction awards--the Nebula, the Hugo, and the Philip K. Dick Award. All that being said, I enjoyed but didn't love this novel. I enjoyed Pattern Recognition, a recent novel by the same author, much more, perhaps because I have read various other cyberpunk novels that borrowed or incorporated aspects from Neuromancer?
According to Wikipedia, this sci-fi novel from the 1980s is considered "the archetypal cyberpunk work," popularized the term "cyberspace," and was the first novel to win the "triple crown" of science fiction awards--the Nebula, the Hugo, and the Philip K. Dick Award. All that being said, I enjoyed but didn't love this novel. I enjoyed Pattern Recognition, a recent novel by the same author, much more, perhaps because I have read various other cyberpunk novels that borrowed or incorporated aspects from Neuromancer?
26karspeak
5. The Righteous Mind: Why Good People Are Divided by Politics and Religion
I thought the content of this book was excellent, and appropriate for both liberal and conservative readers, IF they can appreciate a scientific approach to moral beliefs. It is very academic in tone. I definitely came away with a better understanding and appreciation of conservatives' political views (I am fairly liberal) after reading it. But to get there the author leads the reader through a lot of cognitive psych research and evolutionary biology theory, as well as some anthropology. Not an easy read, but well worth the effort me.
I thought the content of this book was excellent, and appropriate for both liberal and conservative readers, IF they can appreciate a scientific approach to moral beliefs. It is very academic in tone. I definitely came away with a better understanding and appreciation of conservatives' political views (I am fairly liberal) after reading it. But to get there the author leads the reader through a lot of cognitive psych research and evolutionary biology theory, as well as some anthropology. Not an easy read, but well worth the effort me.
27qebo
>24 karspeak: This is one on my wishlist, probably for as soon I cave in and start buying books this year.
>26 karspeak: Looks kinda interesting, though probably not a book I'll actively seek.
>26 karspeak: Looks kinda interesting, though probably not a book I'll actively seek.
28karspeak
>27 qebo: I'll be curious to see what you think of Neuromancer, especially if you have already read some other cyberpunk.
29karspeak
6. The Forever War (Friend rec)
This military sci-fi won the Nebula in 1975 and the Hugo in 1976. The author is clearly alluding to his experience fighting in the Vietnam War and the alienation upon returning to the US after the war. I thought it was overall very well done, but it dragged a bit for me. I thought his worldbuilding was good but he sacrificed some details to better match his Vietnam allegory. For example, he mentions the boredom many times of space travel on the way to a distant battle, with not enough books to read or any other in-flight entertainment--really? I skimmed a lot of the military/fighting details, but I could still appreciate what the author did with this novel.
This military sci-fi won the Nebula in 1975 and the Hugo in 1976. The author is clearly alluding to his experience fighting in the Vietnam War and the alienation upon returning to the US after the war. I thought it was overall very well done, but it dragged a bit for me. I thought his worldbuilding was good but he sacrificed some details to better match his Vietnam allegory. For example, he mentions the boredom many times of space travel on the way to a distant battle, with not enough books to read or any other in-flight entertainment--really? I skimmed a lot of the military/fighting details, but I could still appreciate what the author did with this novel.
30qebo
>28 karspeak: Oops, I meant the other one. :-) Edited. I read Neuromancer back in the day, though I barely remember it.
32karspeak
7. Among Others
This is a lovely coming-of-age novel about a 15 year old Welsh girl in 1979 who is sent to live with her father and goes to an English boarding school. Told in her voice, she also discusses the SF books that she reads. And she can see fairies, and her mother is a bad witch who partially had a hand in her sister's death. This won the Hugo (2012) and Nebula (2011). It is a lovely and unusual blend of various elements, but it's a coming-of-age first and foremost, with an exhaustive, loving discussion of sci-fi and some fantasy from that era as the second main element.
This is a lovely coming-of-age novel about a 15 year old Welsh girl in 1979 who is sent to live with her father and goes to an English boarding school. Told in her voice, she also discusses the SF books that she reads. And she can see fairies, and her mother is a bad witch who partially had a hand in her sister's death. This won the Hugo (2012) and Nebula (2011). It is a lovely and unusual blend of various elements, but it's a coming-of-age first and foremost, with an exhaustive, loving discussion of sci-fi and some fantasy from that era as the second main element.
33scvlad
>32 karspeak: Yay! Just read this a few months ago. Agree, it's quite lovely.
34karspeak
>33 scvlad: Ooh, glad you liked it, too! I might have gotten the suggestion to read it from your thread...
35AMQS
Hi Karen! I have Among Others on my WL -- thanks for the nudge, and great review!
36karspeak
8. Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (Book Club selection)
Cute, fun book by the comedienne Mindy Kaling.
Life's gotten quite busy this past month, so I'm actually glad my book club selected a "fluff" book.
Cute, fun book by the comedienne Mindy Kaling.
Life's gotten quite busy this past month, so I'm actually glad my book club selected a "fluff" book.
37karspeak
9. The Light Between the Oceans (Book Club selection)
A well-written novel that unfolded just as I thought it would. Most readers might find it sad and poignant and lyrical, I think, but it was just sad and predictable for me.
A well-written novel that unfolded just as I thought it would. Most readers might find it sad and poignant and lyrical, I think, but it was just sad and predictable for me.
38karspeak
10. The Power of Habit (friend rec)
Hmm, I was underwhelmed by this book about how to change habits. It had a few minor pearls--the chapter on how Rosa Parks' refusal to switch seats began a social movement was quite interesting--but the author really didn't have enough meaningful content to warrant an entire book.
Hmm, I was underwhelmed by this book about how to change habits. It had a few minor pearls--the chapter on how Rosa Parks' refusal to switch seats began a social movement was quite interesting--but the author really didn't have enough meaningful content to warrant an entire book.
39karspeak
11. I Am In Here--April Autism LT Challenge
I wrote a longer than usual review for the April Autism Challenge thread.
I read I Am In Here. This is the third book I have read about a severely autistic child who is finally able to begin to communicate using a letter board or keyboard. The other two books were Carly's Voice and Ido in Autismland. Each of the 3 children is remarkably intelligent, expressive, and insightful, and each had previously been "locked in" by their autism, sometimes labeled as mentally retarded or taught the same remedial lessons for years. Of the three books, this was my least favorite. The author-mother was just too much for me, too many emotions about everything, from a homeless man the mother befriends to a deaf man who is a friend and dies of cancer.
Instead I would recommend either Carly's Voice or Ido in Autismland. Both of these books also are partly written by the titular teen. I Am In Here features the child's lovely poetry and her explanations of the poetry, but she doesn't help with the narrative of the book. So the mother's (overly wrought) narrative looms large.
I wrote a longer than usual review for the April Autism Challenge thread.
I read I Am In Here. This is the third book I have read about a severely autistic child who is finally able to begin to communicate using a letter board or keyboard. The other two books were Carly's Voice and Ido in Autismland. Each of the 3 children is remarkably intelligent, expressive, and insightful, and each had previously been "locked in" by their autism, sometimes labeled as mentally retarded or taught the same remedial lessons for years. Of the three books, this was my least favorite. The author-mother was just too much for me, too many emotions about everything, from a homeless man the mother befriends to a deaf man who is a friend and dies of cancer.
Instead I would recommend either Carly's Voice or Ido in Autismland. Both of these books also are partly written by the titular teen. I Am In Here features the child's lovely poetry and her explanations of the poetry, but she doesn't help with the narrative of the book. So the mother's (overly wrought) narrative looms large.
40karspeak
12. The Golem and the Jinni
I quite enjoyed this historical fiction/fantasy novel set in 19th century New York City. I enjoyed the setting and characters, but my favorite thing about it was that I had no idea where the plot was heading, which was so refreshing.
I quite enjoyed this historical fiction/fantasy novel set in 19th century New York City. I enjoyed the setting and characters, but my favorite thing about it was that I had no idea where the plot was heading, which was so refreshing.
41karspeak
13. The Billionaire's Vinegar (Husband rec)
This NF book takes a look into the world of high-end wine from the 1970's to the 1990's. It is very well researched and written. I found it interesting, but I would only recommend it for serious oenophiles.
This NF book takes a look into the world of high-end wine from the 1970's to the 1990's. It is very well researched and written. I found it interesting, but I would only recommend it for serious oenophiles.
43japaul22
>41 karspeak: I read that a few years back and remember it being good, but I couldn't tell you anything about it right now! It's sad how quickly I forget books.
45karspeak
Such a long time without reading/posting! I finished my job two weeks ago, and my family and I will move back to the US from Germany at the end of June. We will move to Colorado Springs for one year, then on to somewhere else.
14. Home to Woefield (LT rec)
Fun, light, clever novel about an idealistic/naive New Yorker who inherits a farm and decides to make it into a farmer's market-type dream farm. Flawed, zany, likable characters are drawn into the farm one way or another, and unusual happenings ensue. Recommended.
15. Zealot
Excellent academic yet highly readable examination of the historical figure of Jesus, focusing particularly on how similar he was to other zealots who were against Roman rule of the Jews at that time. I decided to read this after seeing a brief TV clip of the author, who did a fantastic job schooling the bigoted (against Islam, in that case) reporter. Definitely recommended if you are interested in an academic perspective of Jesus and early Christianity. I had read a few other books with the same general goal, but this one stands head and shoulders above the others.
16. Death on the Nile
I traveled this past week to Cairo and Luxor, so I thought this would be appropriate reading:). This Agatha Christie, featuring Hercule Poirot, is set on a boat on the Nile traveling further south of where I stayed. Not my favorite Christie, but entertaining enough.
I must say, I thought the pyramids, temples, and tombs lived up to the hype. Tourism is reportedly still less than 10% of what it was before the 2011 revolution. The hotels and tourist sites were practically deserted when we were there. In general, the Egyptians we interacted with were very gracious.
17. Girl From Above: Betrayal (LT rec)
Light sci-fi about a smugglers' ship captain and a "synth", an android with transplanted memories and personality of a specific human. Mildly entertaining, but it didn't grab me enough to stay with the series. Only 99 cents on Kindle.
14. Home to Woefield (LT rec)
Fun, light, clever novel about an idealistic/naive New Yorker who inherits a farm and decides to make it into a farmer's market-type dream farm. Flawed, zany, likable characters are drawn into the farm one way or another, and unusual happenings ensue. Recommended.
15. Zealot
Excellent academic yet highly readable examination of the historical figure of Jesus, focusing particularly on how similar he was to other zealots who were against Roman rule of the Jews at that time. I decided to read this after seeing a brief TV clip of the author, who did a fantastic job schooling the bigoted (against Islam, in that case) reporter. Definitely recommended if you are interested in an academic perspective of Jesus and early Christianity. I had read a few other books with the same general goal, but this one stands head and shoulders above the others.
16. Death on the Nile
I traveled this past week to Cairo and Luxor, so I thought this would be appropriate reading:). This Agatha Christie, featuring Hercule Poirot, is set on a boat on the Nile traveling further south of where I stayed. Not my favorite Christie, but entertaining enough.
I must say, I thought the pyramids, temples, and tombs lived up to the hype. Tourism is reportedly still less than 10% of what it was before the 2011 revolution. The hotels and tourist sites were practically deserted when we were there. In general, the Egyptians we interacted with were very gracious.
17. Girl From Above: Betrayal (LT rec)
Light sci-fi about a smugglers' ship captain and a "synth", an android with transplanted memories and personality of a specific human. Mildly entertaining, but it didn't grab me enough to stay with the series. Only 99 cents on Kindle.
46japaul22
Particularly interested in Zealot from your above reviews. Good luck with your move back to the States!
48karspeak
>46 japaul22: and >47 scaifea:: Thanks!!! We could definitely use some luck with this move!!
18. Fangirl (book club)
This is a YA coming-of-age about a freshman girl in college. She writes fanfic for a Harry Potter-esque series, but now she must learn to have a social life and balance these two worlds. The ending threw me, though. I was looking forward to discussing it at book club, but no one else had read it!
19. Do No Harm
This is a very well done book about neurosurgery and being a neurosurgeon, written by an accomplished British neurosurgeon at the end of his career. His mix of honesty, pragmatism, compassion, iconoclasm, cantankerousness, and caring ring true from my experience with surgeons (including my husband). Apparently there is also a documentary about him and his medical trips to the Ukraine, which I look forward to watching.
20. Parnassus on Wheels (LT rec)
This was a very cute (too cute?), short, old-timey story about a woman who buys a caravan wagon to sell books in New England. The writing reminded me of that of Laura Ingalls Wilder, but for an older audience.
18. Fangirl (book club)
This is a YA coming-of-age about a freshman girl in college. She writes fanfic for a Harry Potter-esque series, but now she must learn to have a social life and balance these two worlds. The ending threw me, though. I was looking forward to discussing it at book club, but no one else had read it!
19. Do No Harm
This is a very well done book about neurosurgery and being a neurosurgeon, written by an accomplished British neurosurgeon at the end of his career. His mix of honesty, pragmatism, compassion, iconoclasm, cantankerousness, and caring ring true from my experience with surgeons (including my husband). Apparently there is also a documentary about him and his medical trips to the Ukraine, which I look forward to watching.
20. Parnassus on Wheels (LT rec)
This was a very cute (too cute?), short, old-timey story about a woman who buys a caravan wagon to sell books in New England. The writing reminded me of that of Laura Ingalls Wilder, but for an older audience.
49thornton37814
>48 karspeak: I enjoyed Parnassus on Wheels when I read it.
51karspeak
As I was sorting through drawers getting ready for the movers to come, I found an old list of books I had read from 2003 until the start of 2008, when I began keeping track of my reading on LT. I am going to add the list here, so I have it digitally. It's pretty long, so here goes!
2003, Moved to El Paso, TX, from S. Korea
The Fix, Bordering on Chaos, *The Ghostway, 2010, Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency, *The Genome, Sea of Grass, *Sand County Almanac, The Quiet American, *Doomsday Book, North with the Spring, Beak of the Finch, Basket Case, Price of Loyalty, *History of God, The Lives of a Cell, Islam: A Short History, Mindhunter, Savage Inequalities, True Tales from Another Mexico, Sphereland, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, *The Day the Universe Changed, Down by the River, Tao Te Ching, Tao of Pooh, Holes, Walkabout, Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee, Stern Men, Under the Banner of Heaven, Dinner with Persephone, House on Mango Street, Volcano Cowboys, *Beyond Civilization, War in a Time of Peace, *DaVinci Code, Deception Point, Desert Solitaire, Galileo's Daughter, Complications, Cadillac Desert, Dead Men Do Tell Tales, And Then There Were None, Nectar in a Sieve, In Other Words, Wodehouse Collection, Coyotes and Town Dogs, Soldiers of God, The Northwest Coast, *A River Runs Through It, The Eagle Has Landed, Giants of the Earth, The Buried Pyramid, Sons of the Profits, Frankenstein, Botany of Desire, The Color of Water, How to Taste, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night, Kiterunner, Foundation, Tomboy Bride, Indian Givers.
2003, Moved to El Paso, TX, from S. Korea
The Fix, Bordering on Chaos, *The Ghostway, 2010, Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency, *The Genome, Sea of Grass, *Sand County Almanac, The Quiet American, *Doomsday Book, North with the Spring, Beak of the Finch, Basket Case, Price of Loyalty, *History of God, The Lives of a Cell, Islam: A Short History, Mindhunter, Savage Inequalities, True Tales from Another Mexico, Sphereland, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, *The Day the Universe Changed, Down by the River, Tao Te Ching, Tao of Pooh, Holes, Walkabout, Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee, Stern Men, Under the Banner of Heaven, Dinner with Persephone, House on Mango Street, Volcano Cowboys, *Beyond Civilization, War in a Time of Peace, *DaVinci Code, Deception Point, Desert Solitaire, Galileo's Daughter, Complications, Cadillac Desert, Dead Men Do Tell Tales, And Then There Were None, Nectar in a Sieve, In Other Words, Wodehouse Collection, Coyotes and Town Dogs, Soldiers of God, The Northwest Coast, *A River Runs Through It, The Eagle Has Landed, Giants of the Earth, The Buried Pyramid, Sons of the Profits, Frankenstein, Botany of Desire, The Color of Water, How to Taste, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night, Kiterunner, Foundation, Tomboy Bride, Indian Givers.
52RBeffa
>51 karspeak: I'm glad you found that. I keep hoping some of my old lists show up. I used to keep a log in the back of my desk calendar and then tear it out at the end of the year if I didn't keep it. I found my 2008 list recently which made me happy.
I think I read Parnassus shortly after joining LT. I remember liking it.
Good luck with your move!
I think I read Parnassus shortly after joining LT. I remember liking it.
Good luck with your move!
53karspeak
2005, Moved to Tacoma
The Devil in the White City, China Wakes, This Place on Earth, *Collapse, *Peace Like a River, Pope Joan, The Shadow of Kilimanjaro, *The Power of One, Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight, Childhood's End, The Jane Austen Book Club, The God of Small Things, The Green Child, The Left Hand of Darkness, Undaunted Courage, Florence of Arabia, Pride and Prejudice, The Time Traveler's Wife, Shadow of the Giant, Biggest Elvis, Tale of Murasaki, Everything is Illuminated, Thank You for Smoking, Gateway, Snow and the Secret Fan, Freakonomics, Ella Enchanted, Dead Waters, The Dog Who Wouldn't Be, *1491, Broken for You, The Professor and the Madman, The Education of Little Tree, Cloud Chamber, Across the Nightingale Floor, Shadow of the Wind, *My Life in France, *Omnivore's Dilemma, Birth of Venus, The Other Boleyn Girl, Dream of a Thousand Lives, Heat, *White Man's Burden, The Bean Trees.
December 2006, my son Cole is born,
My Sister's Keeper, A Deepness in the Sky, The Emperor of Wine, *The Third Chimpanzee, The United States of Arugula, A Fortune-Teller Told Me, I Capture the Castle, The Murder of Roger Ackroyd, *Sunshine, Colony of Unrequited Dreams, Fast Food Nation, One Thousand White Women, *Bird of Life, Bird of Death, Speaker for the Dead.
Summer 2007, Moved to Savannah, GA
Spindle's End, Nowhere Else on Earth, *Successful R Therapy, Slaves in the Family, Jack the Bodiless, Into the Wild, The Water is Wide, *I Am Legend.
The Devil in the White City, China Wakes, This Place on Earth, *Collapse, *Peace Like a River, Pope Joan, The Shadow of Kilimanjaro, *The Power of One, Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight, Childhood's End, The Jane Austen Book Club, The God of Small Things, The Green Child, The Left Hand of Darkness, Undaunted Courage, Florence of Arabia, Pride and Prejudice, The Time Traveler's Wife, Shadow of the Giant, Biggest Elvis, Tale of Murasaki, Everything is Illuminated, Thank You for Smoking, Gateway, Snow and the Secret Fan, Freakonomics, Ella Enchanted, Dead Waters, The Dog Who Wouldn't Be, *1491, Broken for You, The Professor and the Madman, The Education of Little Tree, Cloud Chamber, Across the Nightingale Floor, Shadow of the Wind, *My Life in France, *Omnivore's Dilemma, Birth of Venus, The Other Boleyn Girl, Dream of a Thousand Lives, Heat, *White Man's Burden, The Bean Trees.
December 2006, my son Cole is born,
My Sister's Keeper, A Deepness in the Sky, The Emperor of Wine, *The Third Chimpanzee, The United States of Arugula, A Fortune-Teller Told Me, I Capture the Castle, The Murder of Roger Ackroyd, *Sunshine, Colony of Unrequited Dreams, Fast Food Nation, One Thousand White Women, *Bird of Life, Bird of Death, Speaker for the Dead.
Summer 2007, Moved to Savannah, GA
Spindle's End, Nowhere Else on Earth, *Successful R Therapy, Slaves in the Family, Jack the Bodiless, Into the Wild, The Water is Wide, *I Am Legend.
54karspeak
>52 RBeffa: Thanks, Ron!!
55karspeak
21. Reamde (I loved Cryptonomicon, by same author)
This is a 1,000 page thriller involving a massive on-line computer game, hackers, Russian mobsters, terrorists, Seattle hipsters, various international locales, and lots of smart, rational characters who are against the bad guy. It started out fun, but unfortunately it jumped the shark about 3/4 of the way through, and was definitely cheesy by the end. Disappointing, but I did enjoy most of it.
This is a 1,000 page thriller involving a massive on-line computer game, hackers, Russian mobsters, terrorists, Seattle hipsters, various international locales, and lots of smart, rational characters who are against the bad guy. It started out fun, but unfortunately it jumped the shark about 3/4 of the way through, and was definitely cheesy by the end. Disappointing, but I did enjoy most of it.
56karspeak
22. Nine Princes in Amber (rec'd in another book)
The first in an old fantasy series by a Hugo and Nebula winning author. Liked it, didn't love it, appreciated it.
The first in an old fantasy series by a Hugo and Nebula winning author. Liked it, didn't love it, appreciated it.
57karspeak
23. Gate of Ivrel (rec'd in another book)
More vintage sci-fi/fantasy. I felt it got a bit wobbly at the end, as the author set things up for the sequel. The author, Cherryh, won 2 Hugo awards for other books. I'll probably try one of her Hugo winners at some point.
More vintage sci-fi/fantasy. I felt it got a bit wobbly at the end, as the author set things up for the sequel. The author, Cherryh, won 2 Hugo awards for other books. I'll probably try one of her Hugo winners at some point.
58karspeak
24. Crazy Rich Asians
This was a very fun read. It is a novel that one reviewer described as Lives of the Rich and Famous (Singapore) meets Pride and Prejudice. I have never heard so much brand name-dropping in all my life. I enjoyed a glimpse into the lives of the Chinese uber-rich. The ending wasn't a cliffhanger, but it did leave many threads dangling. Apparently this is the first in a planned trilogy, with the second book having been recently released.
This was a very fun read. It is a novel that one reviewer described as Lives of the Rich and Famous (Singapore) meets Pride and Prejudice. I have never heard so much brand name-dropping in all my life. I enjoyed a glimpse into the lives of the Chinese uber-rich. The ending wasn't a cliffhanger, but it did leave many threads dangling. Apparently this is the first in a planned trilogy, with the second book having been recently released.
59AMQS
Hi Karen! I read Parnassus on Wheels recently, adn I agree with you that it *might* my a bit too cute.
>40 karspeak: my favorite thing about it was that I had no idea where the plot was heading, which was so refreshing Love that! I have The Golem and the Jinni here -- I think I gave it to my daughter at some point. Hope to read it soon.
>40 karspeak: my favorite thing about it was that I had no idea where the plot was heading, which was so refreshing Love that! I have The Golem and the Jinni here -- I think I gave it to my daughter at some point. Hope to read it soon.
61karspeak
25. China Rich Girlfriend
This sequel to Crazy Rich Asians was terrible, very disappointing. I will definitely skip the third in the trilogy, whenever it is released. Ironically, this book was tacky and over-the-top, everything that the author made fun of in his first book!
26. Oh Myyy!
George Takei, originally famous for playing Sulu on Star Trek, is now best known (to the current generation) for the popularity of his Facebook posts. He has more than 1 million followers. In this book, Takei (rhymes with "okay") talks about how he has become so successful on Facebook, and how he uses Facebook to interface with fans and advance his agendas. I like Takei, and he comes across as a gracious, intelligent, and caring man. I had hoped to gain some insight into how social media is shaping the world these days, etc, but I didn't really learn anything new from this book. Recommended for hardcore Takei fans only.
27. Paladin of Souls(Hugo and Nebula winner)
This is an above average fantasy book, and I liked that the protagonist was a middle-aged woman, instead of young man or young woman. It dragged on a tad for me, but it was still good.
28. The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry
This novel, published in 2012, has been quite popular. It is the poignant story of a retired British man who decides on the spur of the moment to walk across Britain. Through this experience he works through some of his family issues, as does his wife. At times I found this novel touching and emotionally insightful, but the ending didn't quite live up to the rest of the novel. It ended up a tad too cutesy, perhaps.
29. This Is Where I Leave You
From the Publisher's Weekly review: "Tropper returns with a snappy and heartfelt family drama/belated coming-of-age story. Judd Foxman's wife, Jen, has left him for his boss, a Howard Stern–like radio personality, but it is the death of his father and the week of sitting shivah with his enjoyably dysfunctional family that motivates him." Yes, that is a good synopsis of the plot, but I like this snippet from the Washington Post's review better: "This is a beautiful novel about men--their lust and rage and sweetness."
I was afraid the family drama would be too dark for me, but the sharp humor, honesty, and caring of the main character kept it in balance for me. It did drag on a bit (that seems to be a theme for me this month), but it was still worth the read. It was even laugh-out-loud funny several times.
This sequel to Crazy Rich Asians was terrible, very disappointing. I will definitely skip the third in the trilogy, whenever it is released. Ironically, this book was tacky and over-the-top, everything that the author made fun of in his first book!
26. Oh Myyy!
George Takei, originally famous for playing Sulu on Star Trek, is now best known (to the current generation) for the popularity of his Facebook posts. He has more than 1 million followers. In this book, Takei (rhymes with "okay") talks about how he has become so successful on Facebook, and how he uses Facebook to interface with fans and advance his agendas. I like Takei, and he comes across as a gracious, intelligent, and caring man. I had hoped to gain some insight into how social media is shaping the world these days, etc, but I didn't really learn anything new from this book. Recommended for hardcore Takei fans only.
27. Paladin of Souls(Hugo and Nebula winner)
This is an above average fantasy book, and I liked that the protagonist was a middle-aged woman, instead of young man or young woman. It dragged on a tad for me, but it was still good.
28. The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry
This novel, published in 2012, has been quite popular. It is the poignant story of a retired British man who decides on the spur of the moment to walk across Britain. Through this experience he works through some of his family issues, as does his wife. At times I found this novel touching and emotionally insightful, but the ending didn't quite live up to the rest of the novel. It ended up a tad too cutesy, perhaps.
29. This Is Where I Leave You
From the Publisher's Weekly review: "Tropper returns with a snappy and heartfelt family drama/belated coming-of-age story. Judd Foxman's wife, Jen, has left him for his boss, a Howard Stern–like radio personality, but it is the death of his father and the week of sitting shivah with his enjoyably dysfunctional family that motivates him." Yes, that is a good synopsis of the plot, but I like this snippet from the Washington Post's review better: "This is a beautiful novel about men--their lust and rage and sweetness."
I was afraid the family drama would be too dark for me, but the sharp humor, honesty, and caring of the main character kept it in balance for me. It did drag on a bit (that seems to be a theme for me this month), but it was still worth the read. It was even laugh-out-loud funny several times.
62karspeak
30. Rooftops of Tehran (library book club selection)
Good but not great coming-of-age novel set in Tehran in the 1970s. The author's love for his native country shines through, but the structure of the novel could have been better.
Good but not great coming-of-age novel set in Tehran in the 1970s. The author's love for his native country shines through, but the structure of the novel could have been better.
63karspeak
31. Blonde Bombshell (random person rec)
This very much reminded me of Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, with light, zany humor and quirky aliens and some humans mixed in. Plot twists at every turn, all the way up to the end. I hadn't heard of the author, Tom Holt, before, but apparently his books usually fall in the "humorous sci-fi" genre. Recommended if you liked Hitchhikers.
This very much reminded me of Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, with light, zany humor and quirky aliens and some humans mixed in. Plot twists at every turn, all the way up to the end. I hadn't heard of the author, Tom Holt, before, but apparently his books usually fall in the "humorous sci-fi" genre. Recommended if you liked Hitchhikers.
64karspeak
I've been greatly enjoying reading to my 5-year old. We finished Winnie the Pooh and are now almost halfway into Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. My husband and 8-year old are reading A Wrinkle in Time together. So fun and magical.
65scaifea
Oh, five is the perfect age for Charlie and the Chocolate Factory! Or at least it was for my own Charlie, who *loved* it!
66japaul22
I've had so much fun reading with my 5 year old boy, too! He also loved Winnie the Pooh. He also likes the Magic Tree House series and a lot of Roald Dahl books (James and the Giant Peach, The Twits, Fantastic Mr. Fox), and we just read the first Harry Potter which he absolutely loved. I actually got the audio book from the library after we finished reading it and he listened to that twice too!
We are reading Mr. Popper's Penguins right now, but maybe we'll do Charlie and the Chocolate Factory next.
We are reading Mr. Popper's Penguins right now, but maybe we'll do Charlie and the Chocolate Factory next.
67karspeak
>65 scaifea: What books is Charlie into these days? My 8 year old is crazy for the Percy Jackson series and The Land of Stories series.
>66 japaul22: We enjoyed Mr. Popper, too. My 5 year old's favorite audiobooks are World According to Humphrey and the Jack Stalwart series, which is super fun for young boys. I hadn't thought to read Harry Potter to him yet, but that is a good idea!
>66 japaul22: We enjoyed Mr. Popper, too. My 5 year old's favorite audiobooks are World According to Humphrey and the Jack Stalwart series, which is super fun for young boys. I hadn't thought to read Harry Potter to him yet, but that is a good idea!
68japaul22
>67 karspeak: I'll look for the audiobooks you mentioned - thanks!
69scaifea
>67 karspeak: Well, he loves The Puppy Place books by Ellen Miles, and he's started the first Magic Treehouse book and seems to really like it, too. We finished The Hobbit not too long ago, but the language was a little much for him, I think, although he enjoyed the story.
70karspeak
>69 scaifea: Hmm, maybe I'll hold off a bit on The Hobbit.
71scaifea
>70 karspeak: I would humbly suggest so, because the language is a lot thicker than I remembered it being.
72karspeak
32. Feed (LT rec)
This is the first in a zombie fic trilogy. The world-building and premise were quite above average, and the characterization and pace of action were good, too. Unfortunately, the plot got quite wobbly at the end. I won't continue the series, but I did appreciate the first two-thirds of this book.
Just started Phantom Tollbooth with my 8-year old last night:).
This is the first in a zombie fic trilogy. The world-building and premise were quite above average, and the characterization and pace of action were good, too. Unfortunately, the plot got quite wobbly at the end. I won't continue the series, but I did appreciate the first two-thirds of this book.
Just started Phantom Tollbooth with my 8-year old last night:).
73karspeak
33. The Importance of Being Earnest
A light, cute play by Oscar Wilde that is witty. It's a comedy of coincidences, and it's a comedy of manners.
34. Hearts West: True Stories of Mail-Order Brides on the Frontier
Disappointing, not recommended, either for the content or the writing. Not terrible, but not good.
A light, cute play by Oscar Wilde that is witty. It's a comedy of coincidences, and it's a comedy of manners.
34. Hearts West: True Stories of Mail-Order Brides on the Frontier
Disappointing, not recommended, either for the content or the writing. Not terrible, but not good.
74karspeak
35. Time Salvager (LT rec)
Entertaining enough sci-fi, with creative world building but one-dimensional (although likable) characters.
Entertaining enough sci-fi, with creative world building but one-dimensional (although likable) characters.
75karspeak
36. Plainsong (LT rec)
This was a lovely novel, with spare prose to match the landscape of the fictional eastern Colorado farming town where the novel is set. I will definitely be reading more from Haruf. The LT love for this recently deceased author is much deserved.
37. The Three-Body Problem (LT rec?)
From the author blurb: "Cixin Liu is the most popular science-fiction writer in the People's Republic of China. Liu is an eight-time winner of the Galaxy Award (the Chinese Hugo) and a winner of the Nebula Award. Prior to becoming a writer, he worked as an engineer in a power plant in Yangquan, Shanxi."
I quite enjoyed this sci-fi novel. It was just published in English last year, and it has gotten a lot of buzz (in the English-reading world). It is the first in a trilogy, and the remaining two books have already been released in English, too. It was well-plotted, with twists and turns up until the end. There is an incredible amount of physics and technology woven into the plot, almost to a fantastical degree. By the end I felt that it had a classic (old school) sci-fi vibe, once various aspects of the plot had solidified. The book references a lot of Chinese cultural history, from 1967 onward, which I enjoyed. Reviews of the second book say that the plot is faster paced, since the world building was already accomplished in the first book. I'll continue with the series. Recommended for sci-fi fans.
This was a lovely novel, with spare prose to match the landscape of the fictional eastern Colorado farming town where the novel is set. I will definitely be reading more from Haruf. The LT love for this recently deceased author is much deserved.
37. The Three-Body Problem (LT rec?)
From the author blurb: "Cixin Liu is the most popular science-fiction writer in the People's Republic of China. Liu is an eight-time winner of the Galaxy Award (the Chinese Hugo) and a winner of the Nebula Award. Prior to becoming a writer, he worked as an engineer in a power plant in Yangquan, Shanxi."
I quite enjoyed this sci-fi novel. It was just published in English last year, and it has gotten a lot of buzz (in the English-reading world). It is the first in a trilogy, and the remaining two books have already been released in English, too. It was well-plotted, with twists and turns up until the end. There is an incredible amount of physics and technology woven into the plot, almost to a fantastical degree. By the end I felt that it had a classic (old school) sci-fi vibe, once various aspects of the plot had solidified. The book references a lot of Chinese cultural history, from 1967 onward, which I enjoyed. Reviews of the second book say that the plot is faster paced, since the world building was already accomplished in the first book. I'll continue with the series. Recommended for sci-fi fans.
77karspeak
>76 japaul22: Excellent:)
78karspeak
38. The Dorito Effect (random Goodreads science rec)
You've probably read about America's obesity epidemic and its causes--decreased activity, more carbs, high fructose corn syrup or sugar being added to lots of foods, etc, etc. This book adds in two more points to the debate. First, our brains have been programmed by evolution to crave foods and seek or reject foods based on flavor. The food industry now adds in tons of artificial flavorings that screw with our brains and wreak havoc with food cravings. Second, in the focus on increasing yields and disease resistance, plants and animals such as tomatoes and chickens are much less flavorful than they used to be, so that we get less flavor satisfaction from many foods than our forebears did. This was an entertaining read, and I liked that it brought some evolutionary biology into the obesity discussion.
You've probably read about America's obesity epidemic and its causes--decreased activity, more carbs, high fructose corn syrup or sugar being added to lots of foods, etc, etc. This book adds in two more points to the debate. First, our brains have been programmed by evolution to crave foods and seek or reject foods based on flavor. The food industry now adds in tons of artificial flavorings that screw with our brains and wreak havoc with food cravings. Second, in the focus on increasing yields and disease resistance, plants and animals such as tomatoes and chickens are much less flavorful than they used to be, so that we get less flavor satisfaction from many foods than our forebears did. This was an entertaining read, and I liked that it brought some evolutionary biology into the obesity discussion.
79karspeak
39. Uprooted (LT rec)
Enjoyable, well-written fantasy novel that has an Eastern European fairytale feel, but it also feels fresh, original. The pace of action is fast throughout, and I lost quite a bit of sleep to finish it.
40. Beacon 23
This is an Kindle Single, the first installment in the Beacon 23 book. I loved this author's book Wool, but I wasn't keen on Beacon, and I won't read further installments.
41. Rendezvous With Rama
Excellent. Here's the blurb from Amazon: An all-time science fiction classic, Rendezvous with Rama is also one of Clarke's best novels--it won the Campbell, Hugo, Jupiter, and Nebula Awards. A huge, mysterious, cylindrical object appears in space, swooping in toward the sun. The citizens of the solar system send a ship to investigate before the enigmatic craft, called Rama, disappears.
Enjoyable, well-written fantasy novel that has an Eastern European fairytale feel, but it also feels fresh, original. The pace of action is fast throughout, and I lost quite a bit of sleep to finish it.
40. Beacon 23
This is an Kindle Single, the first installment in the Beacon 23 book. I loved this author's book Wool, but I wasn't keen on Beacon, and I won't read further installments.
41. Rendezvous With Rama
Excellent. Here's the blurb from Amazon: An all-time science fiction classic, Rendezvous with Rama is also one of Clarke's best novels--it won the Campbell, Hugo, Jupiter, and Nebula Awards. A huge, mysterious, cylindrical object appears in space, swooping in toward the sun. The citizens of the solar system send a ship to investigate before the enigmatic craft, called Rama, disappears.
80karspeak
42. Being Mortal (LT rec)
Gawande does a great job covering all aspects of navigating aging and dying in the modern medical system. I do wish he had edited it a bit more.
Gawande does a great job covering all aspects of navigating aging and dying in the modern medical system. I do wish he had edited it a bit more.
81karspeak
43. Sex at Dawn (Goodreads Science Rec)
Well, this was really something. The authors posit that humans evolved to have multiple sexual partners within their band of hunter-gatherers. The emphasis within a hunter-gatherer band was on sharing food and resources, and, supposedly, sex. The authors say we are more similar to bonobos than chimps (we are equidistant on the evolutionary tree from each species). Bonobos have sex with various partners frequently, and sex is used to resolve disputes, in conjunction with food sharing, etc. With the advent of agriculture, the emphasis for humans shifted from sharing to ownership, and sex changed into its present iteration. Of course, there is a lot more to their theory. But, not surprisingly, there's also a lot of controversy about this book. So much so that a rebuttal book, Sex at Dusk, was written. So, I'll read the rebuttal and report back in 2016.
44. Neurotribes
This was an excellent, well-written, well-researched, exhaustive history of autism. I definitely recommend it for people who have an interest in autism. I have read many, many books on autism, and I still found it a very worthwhile and informative read.
At the end of the book, the author firmly opines that people with autism should be accepted as individuals with disabilities instead of "cured." He compares adults with High Functioning Autism to the Deaf community. Well, does it really have to be one or the other? Is he saying a 3 year-old with autism that can't speak should just be accepted and not receive speech therapy? (Full disclosure, I am a pediatric speech pathologist.) Or that an 8 year-old with a severe sensory disorder shouldn't receive sensory integration intervention? I think he probably means that the social delay component of autism should not be addressed, while other issues could be addressed. But many of the pre-teen and teenage kids that I have worked with have been very grateful for receiving help in how to interact socially with others. I absolutely agree that all individuals with autism should be accepted for who they are (as should anyone), but I think interventions can also be hugely beneficial.
Well, this was really something. The authors posit that humans evolved to have multiple sexual partners within their band of hunter-gatherers. The emphasis within a hunter-gatherer band was on sharing food and resources, and, supposedly, sex. The authors say we are more similar to bonobos than chimps (we are equidistant on the evolutionary tree from each species). Bonobos have sex with various partners frequently, and sex is used to resolve disputes, in conjunction with food sharing, etc. With the advent of agriculture, the emphasis for humans shifted from sharing to ownership, and sex changed into its present iteration. Of course, there is a lot more to their theory. But, not surprisingly, there's also a lot of controversy about this book. So much so that a rebuttal book, Sex at Dusk, was written. So, I'll read the rebuttal and report back in 2016.
44. Neurotribes
This was an excellent, well-written, well-researched, exhaustive history of autism. I definitely recommend it for people who have an interest in autism. I have read many, many books on autism, and I still found it a very worthwhile and informative read.
At the end of the book, the author firmly opines that people with autism should be accepted as individuals with disabilities instead of "cured." He compares adults with High Functioning Autism to the Deaf community. Well, does it really have to be one or the other? Is he saying a 3 year-old with autism that can't speak should just be accepted and not receive speech therapy? (Full disclosure, I am a pediatric speech pathologist.) Or that an 8 year-old with a severe sensory disorder shouldn't receive sensory integration intervention? I think he probably means that the social delay component of autism should not be addressed, while other issues could be addressed. But many of the pre-teen and teenage kids that I have worked with have been very grateful for receiving help in how to interact socially with others. I absolutely agree that all individuals with autism should be accepted for who they are (as should anyone), but I think interventions can also be hugely beneficial.
82karspeak
Reading Year in Review
Most Interesting NF--Zealot
Best Novel--Plainsong
Loveliest Novel--Among Others
Best Sci-Fi--Rendezvous With Rama
Best Light Reading Fic--Crazy Rich Asians
Most Interesting NF--Zealot
Best Novel--Plainsong
Loveliest Novel--Among Others
Best Sci-Fi--Rendezvous With Rama
Best Light Reading Fic--Crazy Rich Asians
