ChocolateMuse's Challenge

Not really a challenge, though I suspect I read far too many 'old' books, and I re-read more often than I pick up a new book. So my sort-of challenge is to see if I can read more new books.

Still, I don't intend to stop re-reading the old favourites either, and will track what I read on here. I hope you don't mind me reviewing as I go.

At the moment I'm in the middle of The Fancy by Monica Dickens (re-read). I find her books very different from most other books I read, in her carefully recorded details, and her way of sticking mainly to everyday events - sounds offputting I know, but I love the way she brings people to life in a rather satirical way. I can see myself and people I know in so many of her characters, and it's rarely a nice picture. Makes me laugh at myself and cringe at the same time. I consider The Fancy to be vintage Monica Dickens, and am enjoying it heaps.

If anyone reading this is interested, also try:
One Pair of Hands
One Pair of Feet
My turn to make the tea
Thursday Afternoons
The Happy Prisoner

I've read them all, and enjoyed them. The first three go in order, they're semi-autobiographical and often funny. The other two have an air of gentle melancholy hanging around them, but are so well-written that I recommend them anyway.

I've also been re-reading books by Mary Grant Bruce - a re-visit of childhood, and a comfort read. Just finished Bill of Billabong. There's some dreadful racism and class-bias in those books, but it was written by a woman for children in the early part of the 20th century, and she's writing about Aboriginal station-hands and Chinese cooks, as it was back then, with the mindset of her times. More cringe-value! But also interesting, though I don't read them for that reason.

Oh, and last night I read Not a Penny More, Not a Penny Less by Jeffrey Archer for the first time. When I say I read it, I mean I started at about chapter 3 where I left off, and then finished the darned thing at 1am. Unusually warm-hearted for the political/high-finance/whaddyacallit genre, with a great ending.

Decided to up my challenge, to 60 books by next November (even though it's December now). I expect it won't be hard, but I might surprise myself. The greater challenge is that at least 30 of them must be books I've never read before. I re-read too much, it's embarrassing.

Don't be embarrassed about it! I used to reread probably 85% of the time at least. A big part of my challenge has been reducing that - Last year I was at about 75%, this year 50%. It's not because I suddenly think rereading is bad - I get more and different things out of books every time I reread them, and it's also relaxing when I'm upset or stressed. I'd just gotten into a rut and I was even getting tired of my old favorites, which is a sad situation for me. Last year it was a bit of a stretch to reach my new-book goal, but this year it was pretty easy. LibraryThing is a great place to get suggestions for new books to read.

The gist of that is supposed to be 'I can relate. Good luck.'

Have you read Mariana? It's my favorite by Monica Dickens. (I've only read Mariana and One Pair of Hands). You think The Fancy is her best?

bluesalamanders: thanks! I think you've pinpointed exactly what was worrying me about rereads, the getting into a rut. But there is something soothing about going back to a familiar world in a book you've read before, I'm glad you feel the same. I now resolve to be proud of my rereading habits, but still read more new stuff!

christiguc: I haven't read Mariana, but I will track it down. I think her best is actually One Pair of Feet. The Fancy is typical of her style, and a good example of it, but not necessarily her best book.

I've started a 'to read' list - I've never read in an orderly fashion before, this is all very interesting. I'm going to look out for:

Senses working overtime by Naomi Nash
Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon
and I love you, Beth Cooper by Larry Doyle.

Glad I could help :)

Started Labyrinth by Kate Mosse but had to abandon it. Clunky style, and everything felt so made up, I just couldn't get into it.

I won't include books I abandon in the challenge.

Okay, so Not a Penny More, Not a Penny Less counts as number 1.

2. The Glass Castle: a memoir, by Jeannette Walls
I was fascinated by the narrator's eccentric parents, who really take the floor in this memoir. They refuse to submit to any kind of rule, always dragging the family deeper into poverty and dirt in the most bizarre and flamboyant way possible. This book could have so easily been the author's rant about the unnecessary hardship and shame her parents put her through, but instead she describes them with warmth and understanding. A well-written book about bizarre, fascinating and frustrating people.

3. (reread #1) They Found Him Dead by Georgette Heyer
I think I might have worked out whodunnit even if I hadn't read it before, but to me that's not the point of Georgette Heyer's books. Characters are typical Heyer - imperious old lady, devoted maid, dubious business partners, eccentric peers (or if not actually peers, they might as well be), and a pair of young people for the token romance. I enjoyed it because I love Georgette Heyer's stuff, but wouldn't recommend it to those not already familiar with her works.

4. (reread#2) Sundry Agatha Christies, including but not limited to: They came to Baghdad, Murder on the Orient Express and Dead Man's Folly.
I lump these all in one because I've read them so many times before, and because I only read them to give my mind a break. Reading them was not an achievement in any way. As for reviewing them, well, they're by the one and only Agatha Christie. What else can I say? :)

Author touchstones not working today.

5. The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon
Wow. I think it was the atmosphere of this book that entranced me the most. Such a feeling of dark streets, deep passions and enormous possibilities! The city of Barcelona is like a character in itself. The human characters are more theatrical than realistic, which works perfectly: the villain is so evil, the mysterious figure so mysterious, and the staunch friend so loyal and full of personality! Love it. I had an illuminating 'bing' moment when it suddenly hit me who the mysterious figure was, a few pages before it was actually revealed, yet when it hit, I was reading an entirely unrelated part. I believe that's part of the skill of the author. His decisions of when to reveal what are the work of a master.

I hope Zafon writes more stuff :)

6. (reread #3) The Fancy by Monica Dickens
I forgot to put this one in before, I finished it before Christmas.
Loosely based on the author’s time spent working in a British aircraft factory in WW2. She must have spent a lot of that time wondering about the private lives of those she worked with, because that’s the premise of the novel: that everyone spends so many hours together in the factory, dressed the same and doing the same things, and yet they go home to completely different private lives. Kinda voyeuristic. The characters’ lives are absorbing, and some in particular I really got to care about. Not everyone’s lives are neatly tied up at the end – and in this kind of novel, that feels right.

EDIT: forgot the touchstones.

Just a random post, because I'm reading five books at the moment and finishing none of them, yet am getting addicted to posting on here.

Have you heard about MIT OpenCourseWare, in which you can download full courses for free, and they're at university standard? There are two in particular I just wish I had the time for...

Literary Studies: the legacy of England http://ocw.mit.edu/OcwWeb/Literature/21L-420Spring-2006/CourseHome/index.htm
and
Writing about Literature http://ocw.mit.edu/OcwWeb/Literature/21L-000JFall-2006/CourseHome/index.htm, which I think LTers would be particularly interested in.

On an unrelated note, what's this new fashion of titling books all about these days, that goes something like: 'The Dark and Stormy Night: a novel', or 'My Life as a Small Brown Toad: a memoir'? I guess it helps define what sort of book you're getting, but it's getting so prevalent I started wondering if it's some kind of literary movement happening out there...?

7. Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
I actually bought this book! That's very rare, because I have a Mortgage (capital M intended). But I got a book voucher for Christmas, and this is the book I invested in. I'm glad I did! I was charmed by the description of the stampede in the prologue, and also by those wonderful photos at the beginning of each chapter. Besides those, I found the writing style quite good, the characters likeable though not overly deeply depicted and the plot a definite page-turner. And above all I loved the rich imaginitive feast of the book - all those images in my head of exotic animals, circus 'freaks', horses, steam trains, and all the colourful noise and paraphenalia of a railroad circus in the 1930s.

I also felt that the jumping back and forth between the narrator now, in the nursing home, and himself then in the 30s, worked for me. Very similar indeed to Kate Morton's The Shifting Fog, aka The House at Riverton.

Oh, and the plot twist was wonderful. I thought I had it all worked out, and I was completely wrong. Gotta love that. :)

8. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
First time, believe it or not! One of my six reading categories is 'books everyone but me has already read': this was one of them.

I thought it was clever, and some of it funny. I don't join the large crowd of die-hard fans though. I'm sure it's been discussed worldwide before, but I never knew before reading this book where Terry Pratchett got his style from. Even the lengthy footnotes are dead-set the same as the colour of magic. It was a little eerie: a sci-fi Pratchett novel, yet not Pratchett...

Personally, I like Pratchett better, though still have nothing against Douglas Adams. :)

9. My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult
My sister made me read this book, and dragged me into it kicking and screaming. I hated the whole 'what would you do if...' ethical unanswerable makes-you-think hype about this book. The very thought of it made me tired.

And then I sat down and read it. And I loved it. I read it in two gulps. I was made to like it against my will, which I don't think has ever happened to me before. (I usually want to read the books I sit down to read, or, when I read bad books for school, I continued to hate them even when I'd read them.) So... I was impressed. I liked the juggling of different narratives from different characters - though their voice didn't differ much one from the other, except for Jesse's; but their stories all mixed in together made me keep turning those pages.

Plot: As a toddler, Kate develops a rare type of leukemia. Her parents create a test-tube baby as a genetic match for Kate so that the baby can donate her blood and bone marrow to keep her sister alive. Now that sister is thirteen, and is trying to deal with all the issues related to being a kind of spare-parts factory, where all the family revolves around Kate and no one else seems to really count. All the family seems to be falling apart, and Kate herself is finally dying.

As for the ending, I'm still trying to work out whether I liked it or not. I think it works. I think it's satisfying. I think.

10. (reread #4) Rilla of Ingleside by LM Montgomery
I cried again. I always do. And laughed. People who say Montgomery is fluffy and sickly sweet should read Rilla. This, in my opinion, is Montgomery's best novel. Her characters are full of life, and the funny ones are very funny. And Susan Baker completely makes this book. It wouldn't be anything without her.

It also has the merit of being the only book I've found set in WW1 that never depicts an actual battle, where the narrative never leaves the home front. I'd like to read more of that. Does anyone know of any others?

11. Bel Canto by Anne Patchett
What a gorgeous novel. The language just sings - effortless and beautiful. Sheer poetry. I was a whole lot less concerned about the plot than the language, just sat back and let the words glide over me like silk. But then I started getting attached to the characters, which in some ways was a pity.

Not sure about the ending. It's very different from the dream-like feel of the rest of the novel. Maybe it's the only thing that would have worked, I'm not sure.

12. The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco
I'm going to count this book, even though I've just made the decision to abandon it. I got nearly all the way through and then suddenly lost interest.

I like authors to assume I'm intelligent, but I think in this case Eco went too far. The book is so scholarly and dense that I just feel now it's not worth the effort. The story suffers for its own academia.

Plot: A 13th century monk and his novice (the latter being the narrator) journey to a beautiful snow-bound abbey in northern Italy. While they are there, a number of gory murders starts taking place. Our two travelling monks have to track down the murderer.

Having said that, let me add that this very interesting plot is lost amid page after page of digression, irrelevant arguments, long descriptions of inanimate objects, and religious debate about random issues such as the appropriateness of laughter. There's also a difficult subplot concerning an envoy from the Pope come to argue about poverty. Very heavy going, though with plenty of merit for someone who's prepared to devote a large amount of effort and time to the book.

ChocolateMuse, I wholeheartedly agree with you about Shadow of the Wind. I thought it was a beautiful story. And although I did finish Labyrinth, I resented the time wasted on it. I have a compulsion to read everything I start, it has to be complete rubbish for me to give it up unfinished!

Thanks judylou, I was starting to wonder if anyone was reading this thread!

It's funny, the reason I picked up Labyrinth was because I heard it discussed on the ABC Radio National 'Book Talk' podcast - and usually they only discuss 'real' literature on there. Often it's so highbrow it annoys me. And then to do an interview with the author for a book like Labyrinth! Brings it down to tabloid level with a crash! :)

I'm reading too! And I agree with both of you about Labyrinth - it was described to me as 'intelligent chick-lit', but I really don't see what's intelligent about including a lot of undigested historical research with no attempt to think about how the characters would actually have felt and reacted at the time (rant, rant).

rant away, wandering_star!

Thank you! Although I don't usually need much encouragement...

I could join in the rant when it comes to Labyrinth. How about this scintillating (semi) quote: "She felt guilty and afraid".

Okay, not sure if that's exact cos I don't have it in front of me, but it was a sentence like that that finished it for me.

Intelligent? I would as soon call Mrs Bennet a wit... (with apologies to Mr Darcy)

13. (reread #5) Emily of New Moon, Emily Climbs and Emily's Quest by LM Montgomery
Having a Montgomery revival at the moment. I still remember the all-consuming magic I felt when I read the Emily books for the first time. Not so magical this time around, but still very enjoyable. Except for the last chapter of the last book. Don't get me started on that last chapter.

But the rest is still worth reading, despite that terrible last chapter.

Started but quickly abandoned The Eyre Affair. Great plot idea, but carried out so badly - an amateur attempt at literature. I kept on seeing great opportunities for fforde to develop character, or say something worthwhile, or capture the reader's interest in some way... and every time, he missed it. Pity.

14. (reread #6) Lady of Quality by Georgette Heyer
I needed a light and frothy break from The Poisonwood Bible, which I'm enjoying greatly but have been too tired to read for the last few days. Heyer can always provide. Lady of Quality isn't as good as her best - not as witty and polished as, say, Friday's Child or Cotillion, but still a good brain-break.

Though I must say, both plot and 'romantic' scenes are cheesy and fairly awful in this particular book - Georgette Heyer is sometimes kinda like dreadful old pyjamas and a mug of hot chocolate. Private and comfy.

15. The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver
I think the most accurate word to describe this book is 'impressive' - the first part in particular, where the family is all together in the Congo. Masterly switching of narrative voices - Ruth May's 5-year-old narrative voice is particularly impressive, I could really hear her speaking. A lot of beautiful language; sensitive exploration of what Kingsolver has to say; and a depiction of 1950s Congo that rings so true I believed every word of it.

My one complaint is that in the second part of the novel, Kingsolver starts pushing barrows. It makes me feel a bit cheap even to say that, considering the enormity of those issues she's trying to push. But it did become less of a novel and more of an exploration of the political horrors that have happened in Congo and other parts of central Africa.

But still a masterly piece of work.

16. The Bunner Sisters by Edith Wharton
Quite an unrelenting story, about a pair of sisters who suffer poverty and worse through a series of unfortunate events (and no, Lemony Snickett didn't write it!) mostly out of their control. Despite the depressing nature of the story, it's very well written, gripping and kept me reading to the end. And that's quite an achievement, since it's such a narrow setting about some unnattractive sisters' narrow lives.

I think Wharton was exploring the fact that poverty isn't a fairy tale with a happy ending. I hope that's not a spoiler...

Oh, and I read it on Gutenberg.org. I often find that reading on there takes away from the interest of the story, but it didn't this time.

#25 I'm glad I'm not the only one to be unimpressed by Jasper Fforde's efforts. I was so taken by the idea of what he was doing, it sounded like my kind of a hoot, and I wanted to love love love it---but I just didn't. I thought maybe it was because I didn't start with The Eyre Affair, but with Lost in a Good Book. I finished that, but have not been tempted to pick up another.

#29 - thank you, thank you! I've been wondering what was wrong with me - so many people whose literary taste I admire and even envy have raved about how good those books are - but I just couldn't force myself past chapter 3. Having seen your literary knowledge in the First Line Game, I am relieved. :)

17. A far cry from Kensington by Muriel Spark
I was interested enough to keep reading to the end, but on the whole was a little disappointed with this one. I think the reason is that she keeps starting to tell you about an interesting character, but then glances off and starts talking about someone else. We're never allowed to really get to know anyone, or even to laugh at them or care about them or understand them very well at all. I guess by the type of novel it was, I was expecting something like Monica Dickens, with sharp, witty insights into characters - which just wasn't there.

Still, for a true story, it's interesting. And more like real life actually is - first one thing happens, then another, none of it for any apparent reason. Don't let me mislead you though - there's a definite point and plot progression, which could have been done really well. I just think this true story could have been slightly fictionalised a bit, and its structure reworked, to make it more gripping.

18 & 19 (rereads 7 & 8) Emma and Persuasion by Jane Austen
There is only one Jane Austen, sadly. Show me another writer with the same wit, warmth and insight as Jane Austen, and I will love you for it.

As a teenager, I read these books mainly for the romance. As I get older, I find that I'm more interested in the minor characters - their foibles and faults - all the things Austen slyly points out to the reader to make you look at yourself and people you know and laugh ruefully...

*SPOILER FOLLOWS:*
I did think that Mr Knightley's humility when proposing to Emma was a leetle over the top this time around. The more men I meet in life, the more sure I am that very very few would be that humble for any woman, or for any anyone, particularly a self-assured man like Mr Knightley of Donwell Abbey. (I hope I'm not being cynical!)

Here's a possibly odd recommendation from another LTer who loves Austen--have you read Kazuo Ishiguro? I've only read two, but on a few posts lately I've heard Remains of the Day compared to Austen, and if you enjoy the faults and ponderings of minor characters, I'd say this might be a good pick for you. It's a focus on interior thought and personal understanding, but so calm and mannered, and Ishiguro's writing is beautiful. Never Let me Go is another good one, but just beware of looking it up online--I don't think it's half as enjoyable the first read-through if you know what's coming, and that tends to get hinted at in reviews. Good luck...

Thanks for the recommendation, whitewave! It sounds great! I tried to reserve Remains of the Day at the library but am told something's gone wrong with my card :(

However, I will track it down eventually and review it here... watch this space...

I will--good luck figuring out your library pass....

20. Gathering Blue by Lois Lowry
Every second post I was reading in here lately seemed to be talking about this book and The Giver, so I had to try it too.

Back when I studied writing for young people at uni, I read heaps of children's and YA books, but it's been a relatively long time since I last read one. I'd forgotten the distinctive style a YA book has - very simply written, and no sub-plots. Nice ideas explored about the savage and simplistic world of a post-apocalyptic future, where people with a disability are killed off, and human compassion is a rare find. Occasional stylistic glitches, and 2D characters, but otherwise a thoughtful book that kept me reading to the end.

Oh, and I sorted out the library card problem: I had to update my address. So I've reserved Remains of the Day but will have to wait maybe a month, because it's on loan with another reserve waiting before mine... (*sulks*)

I'm getting excited about it though - the whole butler thing sounds right up my alley. :)

#33/36: I read The Remains of the Day a couple of weeks ago and LOVED it. I read Never Let Me Go a while back, and thought it quite good--but The Remains of the Day blew it out of the water for me.

Of course, you're reading so many great books here, so perhaps the library wait will be shorter than you might think!

#37 - oooh I can't wait... I hope the actual book will be as good as the anticipation :)

And I'm glad you like the books I read - that's encouraging.

What awesome books so far!

Love the link in #11.

I think it is interesting that people either love or hate Bel Canto. Most people hate the plot, it seems, and either love the language and let it flow over them, or hate the unreality and exaggerated height of it all.

Also, agree with your comments about Umberto Eco. I read once that he views the fact that people buy his books as a status symbol is a tax on stupidity. Not sure I like that attitude, as plenty of intelligent people who try him seem to find him far too up in the clouds.

Keep up the good work!

#39 - thank you! I'm so glad you like the books, and the MIT link too - if you have the time to do those courses, I do envy you...

I actually don't hate the plot of Bel Canto. I have a feeling it wouldn't stand up to a re-read, but I saw nothing wrong with it at the time. And that language... that incredible language...

I forgot to mention before that I started and abandoned Taft by Ann Patchett - because of the voice of the narrator (which I actully didn't find very realistic), it lacked the language style I fell in love with in Bel Canto and I couldn't keep going with it. But I will try more books by Patchett when I can.

That comment of Eco's makes me thankful I abandoned his book. I have a hate for writers with large egos.

Ya know, I do agree with what you're saying about writers with large egos, but I found the Eco quote sort of humorous. I've met too many people who keep books on their shelves because they "heard they're the books to have"...but they never read them. They keep the classics around as decoration, and if anything, read magazines and newspapers. I find that attitude fairly ridiculous--I won't spend money on anything just to impress someone else, and I just took Eco as talking about those folks. Am I missing something?

Yeah, but isn't he also saying that people who don't read his books are stupid? And also implying that his own books are oh-so-clever?

Maybe I'm being over-sensitive.

ETA: I do agree though that owning books you never intend to read just so they look good on your shelf is ridiculous. So maybe I'm agreeing with Eco anyway... (and now I'm confusing myself.)

Well, he is saying that people view having his books as a status symbol, but since English majors I know consider him one of the most literary authors writing in the past few decades, and tend to buy him because they think he's one of those authors they "should" be reading, I guess I just took that as him stating the truth....course, it occurs to me we're getting so detailed over a paraphrased quote...I'll have to look around online and see if I can't find his phrasing and whatever the context was.

That'd be cool, I'd be very interested if you do find it.

Maybe it's okay for Eco to know that he is a top literary author, and maybe it's okay for him to acknowledge that. If that's all his quote says, then I take back my hate. But I got the sense (dunno why really, looking back at what you actually wrote) that he was belittling people who don't read his stuff because they're not as smart as he is.

21 & 22. Adventures of Sally and Money in the Bank by PG Wodehouse

Two top-quality Wodehouses, both with superb comic language and intricate plot. There's no point explaining the plots here - both are all twists and turns and sudden surprises, and a Wodehouse plot is spoiled in the re-telling anyway.

Adventures of Sally has all the hallmarks of earlier Wodehouse - the characters are more deeply developed, there's a little more real pathos in the story, and the whole thing, though unrealistic, is still more believable. The darker side of life is more present, and the concept of 'love' is slightly more conventional and less Wodehousian.

Money in the Bank is more typical of later Wodehouse, maybe even vintage Wodehouse: lighter plot full of deception, intrigue and totally unrealistic goings-on - all heaps of fun. This book is made memorable by the utterly endearing character of eccentric Uncle George, and also by the unrivalled dialogue of the two American crooks.

23. Diary of a Nobody by George Grossmith

This book is lauded everywhere as being exquisitely funny. Frankly, I don't see it. It was nice light reading, but the pompous narrator was only occasionally pompous enough; the general humour was mainly slapstick; and some characters, like the narrator's wife and his boss, were too inexplicably nice yet not developed well enough to tell if this is because they're as pompous as the narrator, or if they're a completely different type of character.

Some bits were funny, and the whole thing was an enjoyable enough picture of the life of a British clerk in the Victorian age, but I was fairly underwhelmed by it in general.

24. The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova

My main feeling about this book is relief at having it finished at last! But I do it injustice in some ways by saying that. I really enjoyed the travel part of this book, where the narrators go to different parts of Eastern Europe - the bits one doesn't usually read about (this 'one' anyway) and has put a great inspiration in me to go to rural Romania. And the language style is fairly good, some highlights were excellent.

But otherwise... The voices of the three main narrators are all the same. The first narrator's story, that of the girl, starts off strong, then peters out, never actually coming to anything. Her story seems kinda pointless. The final dramatic scene is awfully contrived, when all the separate missing characters suddenly arrive in one place of their own accord, which just happens to be the place they need to be in at that time in order to finish off the story. And there is one scene where they do a mercy-killing of a friend, then immediately afterwards (after a brief show of grief) sit around drinking coffee and talking about something totally unrelated.

Still, I didn't abandon it! Can't be too dreadful therefore.

I totally agree with your review of The Historian. I read it all, so I did enjoy it somewhat (I am not at all afraid to abandon books), but I think I described it like this: in the end, I was more impressed by the acheivement than entertained by the story. 10 years to write that book! Like I said, I did like it, but I won't be reading it again.

One of the best things about LT (oh, I think I might have to start a thread on that topic!) is reading something and thinking "I thought it was just me!"

I'm referring to the way y'all describe (in posts #3 and #5) the joys of re-reading. It's definitely a return to a comforting "other" world and I pick re-reads based on my mood, too. And I definitely re-read Georgette Heyer more than anyone else because I love the combination of humor, romance, and the Regency period--it's a complete and wonderful escape.

Similarly, I have the experience of getting something new each time I read a book--I've noticed this with Austen, of course, but remember especially the time I re-read Gone with the Wind and really understood Scarlett's feeling for Ashley, which most of the time struck me as irrational and irritating.

#49 sussabmax - Wow, I actually didn't know it took her 10 years! Makes me feel a bit apologetic, slamming 10 years of dedication like that... but I guess I can't help my reaction, can I.

#50 ejj1955 - I've considered starting the same thread! I imagine it would get very long with quite a lot of repetition, because all LTers love a chance to praise LT! :)

And Heyer is my favourite return-to-the-world re-read as well. I actually read Arabella again a few weeks ago but didn't record it on here - reading light fiction for the tenth time is hardly an achievement! But sooo comfortable :)

For the record everyone, I actually caved and BOUGHT The remains of the day the other day. Couldn't wait for it at the library any longer. So far it's so well worth it! (every time I see it sitting by my computer at work I get a warm fuzzy feeling of anticipation!!)

Oh and one more thing - I'm joining the group read of Middlemarch soon, so my other reading may slow down but won't actually stop, while I plug away at that tome. (so all those who wait with eager anticipation for my next review might thirst for longer at a stretch :p)

LOVED Remains of the Day - I just read it (I think I wrote that to you in another group today - ?). Now I have the movie from Netflix. Was funny, I kept seeing/hearing Emma Thompson in the role of Miss Kenton as I was reading -- and sure enough, that's who's in the movie! I knew Anthony Hopkins played Mr. Stevens...who else could? Can't wait to watch it now!

Thanks teelgee, yes you did tell me earlier. I didn't know there was a movie! And since I read your post I kept seeing Emma Thompson too. Not sure if it made it better or worse - I don't usually picture actors when I'm reading a book.

And I finished it on the weekend... review will follow soon. :)

25. The remains of the day by Kazuo Ishiguro

Whitewavedarling now has the dubious honour of being loved by me (see posts 32 & 33). This is my book of the year so far, but I'm finding it suprisingly difficult to review. In fact, I’ve decided not to review it as such, just write down a few random thoughts I have about it. (Sorry it’s so long…)

Firstly, its similarity with Jane Austen – I wouldn’t have picked it myself, but I can see where that idea is coming from. It's part comedy of manners, and there is warmth and humour, but I think it’s handled differently. His humour is less satirical – with Jane Austen you just laugh delightedly at a character who’s being themselves so exactly that it’s funny. With Ishiguro, I found that the humour was more complex – the laughter isn’t unmixed, there’s a bit of pain in there too. The character is too real, too sad, too genuine, to laugh at light-heartedly.

For those who have read it, I believe the ‘bantering’ thing is supposed to be funny throughout, except for the last part – but I never found it funny from the beginning, I just felt for him too much. Would love to know what others think about that.

Lots of marvellous digression – the book is one long digression, which I usually hate, except when it’s done as beautifully as this.

To sum up, I just marvelled at the sensitivity of this book. The way Ishiguro so entirely understands, and becomes a between-the-wars British butler, down to the minute detail of his opinions, and the reasons behind those opinions, is just incredible.

Oh, and the title, ‘The remains of the day’. I thought Mr Stevens himself is the last remains of his day – he is the remnant of his generation and way of thinking, while the pre-war world has already crumbled around him. Tragic stuff.

Thank you whitewavedarling!!!

You're welcome--I'm so glad you liked it so much! I don't find him that funny, as you said, but his characters often make me smile. It's not actually something I would have picked up for myself either, but after being assigned it for a class I fell in love with it. I've got quite a few of his other books, but Never Le Me Go is the only one I've read as yet. It's very different, but also has sweet engaging characters that it's easy to follow along and feel for. Oh, and I enjoyed your notes :)

(Thanks whitewavedarling. I wish I'd been assigned books like this for class!)

26. Never let me go by Kazuo Ishiguro

Ishiguro seems to defy reviewing. However, a few impressions:

Overwhelmingly different to The remains of the day except in the general structure of the book, i.e. the way characters' histories are revealed slowly, bit by bit throughout the book until eventually you realise that you know the awful thing that's happened (or is happening) without having been told.

Sad. It's such a sad book. But in a gentle way, which is interesting, considering the subject matter. An excellent answer to an argument that hasn't arisen yet in the world (to my knowledge) and hopefully never will.

The characters are so real! Ruth in particular is so full of the kinds of small foibles you notice in others or in yourself, but which hardly register on a conscious level.

This book reminded me of various books by John Marsden. Boarding school, hidden tensions, young female protagonist... Shades of So much to tell you et al. But very different from that too.

I just love Ishiguro's thoughtfulness.

27. A game of thrones by George R.R. Martin

Thanks LT, for making this book known to me! It's fantabulous!

Sweeping fantasy of the historical/Arthurian type (but set in an imaginary world), with hardly any magic or fantastical creatures (at first). Full of realistic characters reacting to things in a realistic way, i.e. not so much 'heroic' as just plain human.

It's told from the perspectives of a number (6 or 8 I guess) of different characters. The main point of this unfinished series of BIG books is the battle to be king on the Iron Throne. But this, though the driving reason behind everyone's actions, is not the point, so much as the intensely personal and different ways the different contenders and their friends/families/enemies live, die, fight, love, desire, etc. It's a story about people, far more than about politics.

Awesome. I am neglecting Middlemarch for this series, and not regretting it!

28. The invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick

A rather fat children's book, with many of the pages containing a picture only - lovely pencil shaded drawings. Sometimes Selznick tells the story in pictures, sometimes in words. A nice idea, and carried out well. I read it in one hit. Still, it doesn't contain the kind of magic that lingers after you put it down, and I think there was an intention to create a feeling of wonder that didn't quite happen for me.

29. The velveteen rabbit by Margery Williams

I never read this as a child, which I regretted very much as I read it. It has all the right ingredients for a really magical experience for a kid. Warm and fuzzy, with plenty of drama thrown in.

30. A clash of kings by George R.R. Martin

The story continues, and grows in drama and scope. Quite a number of things I thought would be predictable, weren't. I like that.

One thing I've found about these really long, fat series, is that you often get to know the characters a little too well... but these ones are bearing up pretty well under the strain!

31. The chimneys of Green Knowe by Lucy Boston

Lucy Boston is unlike any other children's writer I've read. She writes at a level that I think could easily be over many kids' heads... yet I think the child that I was, anyway, would have liked it. I learned most of my vocabulary from books anyway, and the actual subject matter is still relevant, even perfect, for childhood. I'm an advocate of extending kids' minds in their reading anyway, and I think this is done well.

I've also noticed that she writes for all the senses to a greater extent than most do - lots of sound and touch and smell.

This Green Knowe book and the first in the series (the children of Green Knowe) are the best that I've read of the series, as both involve Tolly and the past residents of the place. They have a deep sense of history in them. I've also only just realised that the Green Knowe books are actually that genre I'd never otherwise experienced: magic realism.

32. The river at Green Knowe by Lucy Boston

I missed Tolly in this book, and his grandmother. And the magic realism aspect was a little too... well... too much like ordinary fantasy, missing that deep sense of history and place that belongs to the Green Knowe books I mention in the previous thread.

edited to fix touchstone

I haven't posted in here for ages (barring the previous post), mainly because I've been doing a lot of mindless re-reading lately which I hesitate to include on this list - revisiting childhood favourites. I'll list a few of them here though:

Pat of Silver Bush and Mistress Pat by L.M. Montgomery - someone else on LT (I forget who) said these books are morbid and disturbing because of Pat's fixated fear of change and refusal to do anything or go anywhere other than be at home. I see their point, but I can't read these books that way, maybe partly because I used to be something like that myself - but I've moved on from there while Pat never really does. Not Montgomery's best, but some jewels in these books, like the character of Irish old-retainer Judy, and the genuine horribleness of May Binnie and her mother.

Prince Caspian and The Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C.S. Lewis - I haven't seen the Prince Caspian movie, but seeing it advertised everywhere made me want to read the book again. And naturally I wanted to keep going, so moved on to Dawn Treader. The books seemed to have more depth and richness when I read them as a child, but despite that, this is lovely fantasy. I do like Reepicheep the valiant mouse very much. And ever since I was a child, that title The voyage of the Dawn Treader has been the very epitome of mystique and beauty and adventure to me.

In between reading these and others, I've been reading book 3 by George Martin - such a lovely fat immersive book! I love good books that take me forever to finish!

34. A Storm of Swords by George R.R. Martin

Brilliant, immersive, all the front-cover cliches.

I think what I like best is the way we're given so many people's point of view - and suddenly the villains become real people, and we're on their side too, as well as that of their enemies.

If I could write like that, I'd ask for nothing more, not even a packet of Tim-Tams that never runs out.

35. Unpolished Gem by Alice Pung

A memoir of the daughter of Chinese-Cambodian parents growing up in Footscray, a dominantly Asian suburb of Melbourne. The author is still quite young, so the memoir doesn't take us further than her eighteenth year.

Very well written - often funny, often painful - points out with wry humour the less-than-perfect points of herself, her family, her culture. The last part of the book, where she tries to come to terms with falling in love with a 'white' boy ('one of those ghosts' according to her parents) and the impossibility of melding his culture with hers, I found very poignant. So many unanswerable questions, and such a wealth of things that he, the white boy, could never understand.

I also read and enjoyed Unpolished Gem. I felt she captured the small things that affect the new immigrant beautifully. Things like the small, unwitting embarrassments caused by her parents in front of her friends. Having lived with this particular migrant experience for many years, I could really relate to her writing.

#66: yes, although I haven't lived that migrant experience myself, the ring of truth and authenticity in the book is unmistakeable.

Being from Melbourne, I recognised so much of what she wrote.

36. The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton

Overall, a disappointment - not because the book was particularly bad, but because my expectations were so high. The Shifting Fog (aka The House at Riverton) was my book of the year in 2007, but this, Kate Morton's second book, is far below her previous standard.

For the first half of the book, she seems to be trying out a literary style. Lots of short sentences. Starting in the middle. It gets irritating quite quickly.

Also, her chosen mood and tone of the book was fairytales, so I realise she was drawing on fairytales for the whole of the book, which explains why the evil characters are 100% evil, and the good characters 100% well-meaning. Still, despite her reasons, it's a pity. The love interest was disappointingly token, one-dimensional and irritating. His name is Christian, has floppy brown hair, and is an ex-medical student -straight out of Dolly ficton. Also, sometimes the multiple jumps between time periods and generations gets confusing.

I'm only being abusive because I'm disappointed. The plot is great, the mood and tone has a nice feel to it, and... I guess I still want to like it!

37. A feast for crows by George R.R Martin

This series just gets better and better. And now I have to wait till September for the next one.

And, I was horrified to discover that I have to wait till the one AFTER that comes out to find out (ahem) about Brienne. (trying to avoid spoilers) How can I wait that long????

Does anyone know of a discussion thread on LT that can talk spoilers about these books? I need an outlet.

Great reviews ChocolateMuse. It looks like we feel 100% the same way about the books we've both read (Emma, Persuasion, Gathering Blue, The Invention of Hugo Cabret, and Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy). I also read The Velveteen Rabbit for the first time recently (with my kids) and loved it. I couldn't believe I'd never wanted to read it before. And I never even got past the first chapter of Labryinth.

I have several books on my TBR pile that you've read and raved about and made me very excited about getting to (The Shadow of the Wind and Never Let Me Go) and you've convinced me to try several others. But now I'm worried about The Eyre Affair, LOL.

Thanks sandragon! I found my way to your 50 books thread and starred it - and my TBR mountain grew yet greater...

I can't wait to find out what you think of those three TBR books you list!

While I'm here I'll also add that I've just finished listening to The Old Wives Tale by Arnold Bennett. It's from LibriVox.org, read by Andy Minter. Highly recommended - to listen to, not to sit down and read. The combination of Bennett's marvelous detail and characterisation, and Andy Minter's lovely reading style, makes it a gentle, satirical* and surprisingly submersive story.

*not sure if satire is the right word. It's more of an intelligent and observant way of writing about the characters, while making wry observations on people in general at the same time. Something I obviously love, judging from my previous posts about Kazuo Ishiguro, Monica Dickens, Jane Austen etc...

I lost track of your thread back in March, somehow, Choco...glad to have it back on my radar. I've starred it now, so it can't happen again. Love what you have to say about The Remains of the Day--I've been waffling about whether or not it's something I want to read. You've put "Yes" over the top. And, you've mentioned a Wodehouse I didn't know about...adding Adventures of Sally to my list.

Thanks laytonwoman! I've been reading yours with interest all year :) Definitely don't miss Remains of the Day. And Adventures of Sally is on gutenberg.org if you can't find it anywhere else.
------------



38. (reread) Agnes Grey by Anne Bronte
Reading over Medellia12's challenge reminded me of this one, so I dug it out and re-read it. I'd forgotten what a little gem this is, more Jane Austenish than any other Bronte, yet still definitely Bronte-ish. I would have liked a little more character development of Mr Weston, but that doesn't really detract from the story. I like the way the narrator 'confesses' her feelings then holds back from telling us something extra personal - and yet we know what she was about to say anyway. It's a nice touch.

39. Clarice Bean, don't look now by Lauren Child
I have a fondness for the Clarice Bean books. The personality jumps out from them, with a few (but not too many) different fonts and visuals adding interest all the way through. The story contains a surface exploration of the concept of worrying needlessly, and of adapting to change - but the book mainly escapes being a 'lesson' for kids, and is mostly just a fun story.
Also: big writing, fat book. Would feel like a big achievement for kids I imagine.

40. Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier

Another book on the 'books everyone but me has already read' list. Absolutely nothing like I expected. (I grew up seeing it advertised in the back of Sweet Valley High books... why give it that association???)

Atmospheric, dramatic - not sure what genre to call it... psychological thriller maybe? But that's still not quite right.

A gauche 21-year-old girl marries a man double her age with a troubled Past. Everything that happens, or doesn't happen, or almost happens, always relates back somehow to his dead first wife Rebecca, whose unsettling personality fills the book, the character's lives, and their beautiful English 'country seat' Manderley.

One significant part of the plot had been given away to me by a well-meaning friend before I began it, but otherwise, I was left with absolutely no idea of what was going to happen next throughout the entire novel. An unpredictable and ultimately satisfying plot, with characters that range from satisfyingly dramatic (Maxim) to touchingly realistic (the narrator).

Yes, I liked it. :)

41. Down Under by Bill Bryson

It's always fascinating to see ourselves from an outsider's point of view. This is The American Man's idea of Australia - basically that it's a lot like America, only emptier, and more full of things that can kill you.

I like the way Bryson did his research - the result was lots of entertaining anecdotes about things that have happened to people other than himself - because not much really did happen to him on his travels here, which is only to be expected of any traveller in today's Western world.

I thought the book was entertaining, and occasionally thoughtful.

42. Wives and Daughters by Elizabeth Gaskell

I cannot praise this book enough. I don't even want to review it, because for me the book was an experience more than a piece of literature. I read it in conjunction with the BBC adaptation, and the two together let me live for a while in a sunshiny village full of people I fell in love with. It has officially reached the shortlist of my all-time favourite books.

The plot isn't one that bears up well under a re-telling - Molly Gibson's father marries again, to a softly selfish woman with a beautiful daughter. Molly's friends and family life change dramatically as a result. Various people gossip, fall in love, marry, and die.

Oh, and the book is unfinished, but so close to finished that it hardly matters to the reader. We know how it has to end.

I agree - Wives and Daughters is a lovely book. And the TV adaptation is also very enjoyable :)

43. Walk two moons by Sharon Creech

Beautiful YA fiction. Sensitive, with both depth and humour all the way through. One of those books that rings with genuine truth, without a single cliche. Rich language - simple, YA style, yet beautifully done. The characters are realistic, a little quirky, very human, always loveable.

What a shame I abandoned this! And now it's already the end of March 09, but I'm thinking I might start an 09 thread all the same. See if I keep going with it this time. I abandoned LT altogether since last I wrote, and spent all my online time on LibriVox instead. Now I hope to balance the two, while still getting some 'real' work done.

Welcome back! :)

Thanks digifish! Reading your thread was one of the things that motivated me to start on here again :)

I just read your entire thread, ChocolateMuse and enjoyed it so much! I look forward to seeing what you are writing about next. Coincidentally, the last book that you wrote about (Walk Two Moons) is one that I hope to read sometime soon. Have a super day!
--BJ

Thanks very much BJ. I've been reading your thread and comments with enjoyment too :)

My 2009 thread is here: http://www.librarything.com/topic/61077