klarusu journals 75 in 2017
Talk 75 Books Challenge for 2017
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1klarusu
So, thanks to Morphy I became totally hooked on bullet journals last year. Obviously, my day-to-day journal became consumed by book lists (who knew I like those so much?). This year, I've devoted a lovely Berry Leuchtturm1917 dotted journal to books alone as well as my standard one. I'm going to use it as a thread theme here because (a) I really like it and (b) it legitimizes my ever-spiraling stationery purchasing habit.
3klarusu
First Quarter Reads: January-March
- Sinner by Maggie Stiefvater
- Injection: Volume 2 by Warren Ellis
- Friday Night Lights by H.G. Bissenger
- Message from Nam by Danielle Steel
- The Vegetarian by Han Kang
- Rosemary and Rue by Seanan McGuire
8PaulCranswick
I am part of the group.
I love being part of the group.
I love the friendships bestowed upon my by dint of my membership of this wonderful fellowship.
I love that race and creed and gender and age and sexuality and nationality make absolutely no difference to our being a valued member of the group.
Thank you for also being part of the group.
9klarusu
Currently Reading
Message from Nam by Danielle Steel
The Disappearing Spoon by Sam Kean
The Book Thief by Markus Zuzak
Neurotribes by Steve Silberman
London: the Biography by Peter Ackroyd
Gardens of the Moon by Steven Erikson
Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes
War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy
Assassin's Apprentice by Robin Hobb
Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela
A Storm of Swords by George R.R. Martin
Master and Commander by Patrick O'Brian
Friday Night Lights by Buzz Bissenger
The Reality Dysfunction by Peter F. Hamilton
10klarusu
1. Sinner by Maggie Stiefvater
A solid 3-star proposition. I read the Shiver trilogy and suffered the whingey-emo-hipster-fest that was Sam and Grace's relationship, and yet I was still 'taken' enough to read this Cole & Isabel spin-off. They're intriguing enough characters to carry this but maybe I'm just too old now to take this much teen-angst in one package.
I do generally think Maggie Stiefvater writes and characterises well but this is one of her weaker efforts, lacking the magic, mysticism of alternative world-building that carries her other, better novels. Definitely not a The Scorpio Races or The Raven Boys but still worth a look if you've read the preceding trilogy.
A solid 3-star proposition. I read the Shiver trilogy and suffered the whingey-emo-hipster-fest that was Sam and Grace's relationship, and yet I was still 'taken' enough to read this Cole & Isabel spin-off. They're intriguing enough characters to carry this but maybe I'm just too old now to take this much teen-angst in one package.
I do generally think Maggie Stiefvater writes and characterises well but this is one of her weaker efforts, lacking the magic, mysticism of alternative world-building that carries her other, better novels. Definitely not a The Scorpio Races or The Raven Boys but still worth a look if you've read the preceding trilogy.
11klarusu
>7 drneutron: & >8 PaulCranswick: Thank you! I shall endeavour to be better at keeping my threads up-to-date this year!
12countrylife
Your journaling is SO beautiful!
13FAMeulstee
Happy reading in 2017, Claire!
You have a beautiful way to keep track of your readings.
You have a beautiful way to keep track of your readings.
15_Zoe_
Morphy also got me hooked on bullet journals last year, and now I'm obsessed with planners in general. Mine aren't nearly as artistic, though.
16Morphidae
How are you doing with your journal? I'm awful I'm afraid to admit.
Reading anything good?
Reading anything good?
17klarusu
>14 Morphidae: & >15 _Zoe_: Thanks! Yes, Morphy you're responsible for this! ;-)
I'm not doing brilliantly at work/life journalling at the moment. I'm a bit cross with myself because if I can just get back into the habit, I'm so much more productive. I have a feeling that I have so much work stuff on my plate that I'm avoiding making a list ... that never ended well for anyone so I'm going to bite the bullet (mwa-ha-ha ... see what I did there?) and make that list! I love the book journal though ... that's a pleasure! I must update my posts with the latest pics.
I'm not doing brilliantly at work/life journalling at the moment. I'm a bit cross with myself because if I can just get back into the habit, I'm so much more productive. I have a feeling that I have so much work stuff on my plate that I'm avoiding making a list ... that never ended well for anyone so I'm going to bite the bullet (mwa-ha-ha ... see what I did there?) and make that list! I love the book journal though ... that's a pleasure! I must update my posts with the latest pics.
18klarusu
2. Injection: Volume 2 by Warren Ellis (Owned since 2016)
I'm a Warren Ellis fan. I think he comes up with some really innovative speculative/dystopian narratives. By far my favourite is Freakangels. Injection ranks a bit lower than that but it's still a great dark series and the second volume builds well on the initial premise of Volume 1. I'm hooked by the bleak juxtaposition of technology and magic, for want of a better word ... but not really the fluffy mystical kind. Ellis is not one for fluffy mysticism. This lacks the dark humour of Freakangels but the artwork is great and I'm intrigued to see where this is heading.
I'm a Warren Ellis fan. I think he comes up with some really innovative speculative/dystopian narratives. By far my favourite is Freakangels. Injection ranks a bit lower than that but it's still a great dark series and the second volume builds well on the initial premise of Volume 1. I'm hooked by the bleak juxtaposition of technology and magic, for want of a better word ... but not really the fluffy mystical kind. Ellis is not one for fluffy mysticism. This lacks the dark humour of Freakangels but the artwork is great and I'm intrigued to see where this is heading.
19klarusu
3. Friday Night Lights by H.G. Bissenger (Owned since 2014)
This book is completely deserving of its reputation. I'm European so although I follow the NFL to some degree, I'm not part of the American Football culture (see how we call it 'American' here ;-) ). This really opened my eyes to how screwed up school sports can get when they're invested with more importance than they're really due. But this book is about so much more than simply high school football. It chronicles racial, cultural and financial divides and the gradual death of an industry and a community that used the catalyst of their high school team as a rallying point for their hopes and expectations, putting an unreasonable weight on the shoulders of children and elevating them to heights of adulation that warp their perspectives for life. There is much embedded in this book that has relevance to the American landscape today and the political climate we're heading into. Highly recommended read.
This book is completely deserving of its reputation. I'm European so although I follow the NFL to some degree, I'm not part of the American Football culture (see how we call it 'American' here ;-) ). This really opened my eyes to how screwed up school sports can get when they're invested with more importance than they're really due. But this book is about so much more than simply high school football. It chronicles racial, cultural and financial divides and the gradual death of an industry and a community that used the catalyst of their high school team as a rallying point for their hopes and expectations, putting an unreasonable weight on the shoulders of children and elevating them to heights of adulation that warp their perspectives for life. There is much embedded in this book that has relevance to the American landscape today and the political climate we're heading into. Highly recommended read.
20klarusu
4. Message from Nam by Danielle Steel (Owned since 2016)
This was a re-read of a book that I had for some reason enjoyed quite a lot when it was first published, although it is way out of any genre I enjoy reading now. I'm trying to re-read some of these 'old favourites' and see how they stand up with more seasoned adult eyes, and also to see whether I can identify any positive appeal at the time that has changed or lasted. It's surprising how much looking at how you re-read a book can show you about how you've developed over the years.
This was not a good book, although I did fly through it so it wasn't narrative stodge. 'Romance' is just not my genre and the writing was pretty poor and simplistic. I can see though, why as a younger person I was caught by the idea of a young woman pretty much running away to Vietnam to report valiantly on the war at personal cost and danger. I certainly don't think the same appeal is there now. I never did thing the writing was any good so that bit was unsurprising.
I doubt I'll ever read this again though. Curiosity satisfied!
This was a re-read of a book that I had for some reason enjoyed quite a lot when it was first published, although it is way out of any genre I enjoy reading now. I'm trying to re-read some of these 'old favourites' and see how they stand up with more seasoned adult eyes, and also to see whether I can identify any positive appeal at the time that has changed or lasted. It's surprising how much looking at how you re-read a book can show you about how you've developed over the years.
This was not a good book, although I did fly through it so it wasn't narrative stodge. 'Romance' is just not my genre and the writing was pretty poor and simplistic. I can see though, why as a younger person I was caught by the idea of a young woman pretty much running away to Vietnam to report valiantly on the war at personal cost and danger. I certainly don't think the same appeal is there now. I never did thing the writing was any good so that bit was unsurprising.
I doubt I'll ever read this again though. Curiosity satisfied!
21klarusu
5. The Vegetarian by Han Kang (Owned since 2016)
This is a tough one to rate. Told from 3 different perspectives, it is a bleak little book that details the mental deterioration of a woman, enacted through her withdrawal from reality and her descent into an extreme vegetarian lifestyle which is contrary to all cultural norms. It was a very well-written book and I can see why the author made stylistic choices she did but I really didn't like this book. There wasn't a single character I liked or empathised with. For me, this meant it was more of a technical exercise in reading (of which is was an exemplary example) than a pleasurable experience.
This is a tough one to rate. Told from 3 different perspectives, it is a bleak little book that details the mental deterioration of a woman, enacted through her withdrawal from reality and her descent into an extreme vegetarian lifestyle which is contrary to all cultural norms. It was a very well-written book and I can see why the author made stylistic choices she did but I really didn't like this book. There wasn't a single character I liked or empathised with. For me, this meant it was more of a technical exercise in reading (of which is was an exemplary example) than a pleasurable experience.
22klarusu
6. Rosemary and Rue by Seanan McGuire (Owned since 2016)
This was one of my great SantaThing books. I really enjoyed the urban fantasy/Fae-world mix. I know this kind of thing isn't deep but it really is entertaining and this is one of the best books in the genre that I've read recently. I'd recommend it if you enjoy Jim Butcher's Dresden Files but are looking for something without the somewhat sexist undertones (*Disclaimer: I thoroughly enjoy Dresden even with the sexist undertones ... so sue me! ;-) ).
This was one of my great SantaThing books. I really enjoyed the urban fantasy/Fae-world mix. I know this kind of thing isn't deep but it really is entertaining and this is one of the best books in the genre that I've read recently. I'd recommend it if you enjoy Jim Butcher's Dresden Files but are looking for something without the somewhat sexist undertones (*Disclaimer: I thoroughly enjoy Dresden even with the sexist undertones ... so sue me! ;-) ).
23klarusu
January's been a really crazy month for me work-wise. I have a PhD student starting this week too ... so that's like parenting all over again ;-) This week is a week of funerals ... for a neighbour and for family (which I can't fly to Poland for because of crazy work) so it's been a funny old start to the year. There've been many more ups than downs though and I spent all lunchtime today in the 'virtual' queue for Hamilton tickets for the London shows and I've got a great seat for May ... 2018 ... but I'm still most excited. It doesn't start until November this year and I do like to have big, exciting things on the calendar to look forward to. The best thing about this month has been the fact that my daughter (who is an incredibly precocious reader for a 9 year old ... wonder where that came from?) has suddenly rediscovered the pleasure of being read to at night. I'm reading Artemis Fowl right now and it's turned into a whole family reading session each evening before bed which is just lovely in this age of technology and distance. Looking forward to February!
24klarusu
Woohoo! It's my 10-year Thingaversary. I got my Tenner badge. So many books I wouldn't have read if I hadn't found LT. Here's to 10 more years!
26FAMeulstee
Congratulations on your 10th Thingaversary!
Feeling the same about LT :-)
Feeling the same about LT :-)
27klarusu
>25 _Zoe_: & >26 FAMeulstee: Thanks!
