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1ljbwell First Message
It's early in the year, so I've got a good grasp on what I've read so far (that said, I'm 99% sure Persepolis was 2008 and not the last days of 2007). For better or worse, I will also include work-related books, so the list may end up looking a bit odd. The language is for me to see how much, at the end of a year, I've done in what.
So far:
1. Persepolis (French) 365 p. (contains both I & II)
2. The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay (English) 656 p.
3. Boogaloo on 2nd Avenue (English) 319 p.
4. Divided City (YA, English) 259 p.
So far:
1. Persepolis (French) 365 p. (contains both I & II)
2. The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay (English) 656 p.
3. Boogaloo on 2nd Avenue (English) 319 p.
4. Divided City (YA, English) 259 p.
2SqueakyChu
I have Persepolis 2 traveling on a BookCrossing* bookray in Europe at this time. If you'd like to be included, just send me a private message via Bookcrossing and I'll add you to the list of recipients. Persepolis 2 deals with Marjane's young adulthood.
http://www.bookcrossing.com/journal/5208137/J_8839303
*To receive the book costs nothing other than the postage when you mail it to the next in line. Participation on Bookcrossing is also free.
...and, if you like that book, perhaps you'd also like to read Embroideries (by the same author) which also happens to be in Europe now!
http://www.bookcrossing.com/journal/3969084/J_8121035
My books are in English.
http://www.bookcrossing.com/journal/5208137/J_8839303
*To receive the book costs nothing other than the postage when you mail it to the next in line. Participation on Bookcrossing is also free.
...and, if you like that book, perhaps you'd also like to read Embroideries (by the same author) which also happens to be in Europe now!
http://www.bookcrossing.com/journal/3969084/J_8121035
My books are in English.
3carlym
Boogaloo on 2nd Avenue sounds intriguing--what did you think?
4ljbwell
SqueakyChu: Sounds interesting! I'll take a look, not so much for Persepolis 2 (which I'll probably go with in French if I get to it) as for what else is making the rounds...
carlym: Boogaloo is a fun, quick read. I made the mistake of reading it while hungry - there are moments of utter food porn (esp. for someone with a sweet tooth). I like food, I like (and am familiar with) NY in the 80s, and reading about neighborhoods in transition is interesting, too. If you want a light read with entertaining characters, this one is enjoyable. If you want a meatier, less upbeat read, you might try Lethem's Fortress of Solitude.
carlym: Boogaloo is a fun, quick read. I made the mistake of reading it while hungry - there are moments of utter food porn (esp. for someone with a sweet tooth). I like food, I like (and am familiar with) NY in the 80s, and reading about neighborhoods in transition is interesting, too. If you want a light read with entertaining characters, this one is enjoyable. If you want a meatier, less upbeat read, you might try Lethem's Fortress of Solitude.
6ljbwell
The 1st Harry Potter was the first book I read in Swedish. This was about a year and a half ago. At the time, my niece was reading the books (in English), too, and it gave us something to talk about. I'd also been hearing about the books for years from both kids and adults whose reading tastes I trusted, amazed I hadn't read any of them or seen any of the movies. So when I was looking for something to read in Swedish that would be challenging for me but not too difficult, I came up with Harry Potter. I powered through the first 6 in about a year, then had to wait for the translation to come out. I now have a strange repetoire of words like trollstav, osynlighetsmanteln, and svartkonst added to my Swedish vocabulary.
5. Harry Potter och dödsrelikerna (Swedish) 783 p.
5. Harry Potter och dödsrelikerna (Swedish) 783 p.
7ljbwell
6. Burning Chrome by William Gibson (220 p.)
A fantastic collection of short stories by William Gibson (including collaborations with Shirley, Sterling and Swanwick). In retrospect, it would have helped me to read this before Neuromancer, as there is some overlap of themes, terminology, and even characters.
A fantastic collection of short stories by William Gibson (including collaborations with Shirley, Sterling and Swanwick). In retrospect, it would have helped me to read this before Neuromancer, as there is some overlap of themes, terminology, and even characters.
8ljbwell
7. Absurdistan by Gary Shteyngart (338 p.)
After having read The Russian Debutante's Handbook I was quite looking forward to this one. It didn't disappoint. Funny, bitter, cynical satire. The chapter "A Modest Proposal" made me laugh out loud.
After having read The Russian Debutante's Handbook I was quite looking forward to this one. It didn't disappoint. Funny, bitter, cynical satire. The chapter "A Modest Proposal" made me laugh out loud.
9carlym
Glad to hear Absurdistan is good--I also enjoyed The Russian Debutante's Handbook and now have Absurdistan on the shelf.
10ljbwell
8. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak (554 p., YA)
A wonderful book with so many haunting lines and images. "The Standover Man" was beautiful in its simplicity. Fantastic and highly recommended.
A wonderful book with so many haunting lines and images. "The Standover Man" was beautiful in its simplicity. Fantastic and highly recommended.
11ljbwell
9. Pyongyang by Guy Delisle (176 p., graphic novel)
French Canadian animator goes to North Korea to work for 2 months overseeing subcontractors for a French animation work. While he's there he has the idea to write a graphic novel about his experiences in North Korea.
I like the illustrations and thought the perspective was interesting. The one thing that bothered me (and I've spoken to others who, in fact, liked this about the book) was that I felt it skipped from event to event without necessarily having developed "episodes"; I can't put my finger on it, but there seemed to be small gaps.
Overall, this is an entertaining and informative behind-the-scenes look at a country that few of us will experience.
French Canadian animator goes to North Korea to work for 2 months overseeing subcontractors for a French animation work. While he's there he has the idea to write a graphic novel about his experiences in North Korea.
I like the illustrations and thought the perspective was interesting. The one thing that bothered me (and I've spoken to others who, in fact, liked this about the book) was that I felt it skipped from event to event without necessarily having developed "episodes"; I can't put my finger on it, but there seemed to be small gaps.
Overall, this is an entertaining and informative behind-the-scenes look at a country that few of us will experience.
12ljbwell
10. A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess (148 p.)
Somehow I'd never read this one - it has long been on my must-read list. I used it in part to balance out a 900+ pager I'm making my way through right now (too much waking up at 2:00 a.m. to watch live primary results -> reading is taking more concentration than usual, and it is making 900 pages seem more daunting than they really are).
Burgess' use of "nadsat" language took a bit of getting used to - though it is always both amazing and comforting to see how context and repeated use can really get meaning across (something I love equally about Lewis Carroll's "Jabberwocky"). For me, nadsat made the violence less graphic. Now, to see the movie...
Somehow I'd never read this one - it has long been on my must-read list. I used it in part to balance out a 900+ pager I'm making my way through right now (too much waking up at 2:00 a.m. to watch live primary results -> reading is taking more concentration than usual, and it is making 900 pages seem more daunting than they really are).
Burgess' use of "nadsat" language took a bit of getting used to - though it is always both amazing and comforting to see how context and repeated use can really get meaning across (something I love equally about Lewis Carroll's "Jabberwocky"). For me, nadsat made the violence less graphic. Now, to see the movie...
13ljbwell
Apparently this vacation was not the time to shlog through an epic novel. Thus, again instead, I bring you:
11. The Final Solution by Michael Chabon (127 p.)
Set in England during WWII, the story centers around a young, mute Jewish boy and his African grey parrot and an 89-year old beekeeper. There is a murder, the parrot (the boy's only real companion) disappears, and the elderly former detective is brought in to help solve the case.
This is a slim novel and thus doesn't allow for the same level of character development as Kavalier and Clay. Still, I quite liked the book, the language, and the traditional-yet-not detective novel.
11. The Final Solution by Michael Chabon (127 p.)
Set in England during WWII, the story centers around a young, mute Jewish boy and his African grey parrot and an 89-year old beekeeper. There is a murder, the parrot (the boy's only real companion) disappears, and the elderly former detective is brought in to help solve the case.
This is a slim novel and thus doesn't allow for the same level of character development as Kavalier and Clay. Still, I quite liked the book, the language, and the traditional-yet-not detective novel.
14ljbwell
12. Werewolves in Their Youth by Michael Chabon (212 p.)
Yes, I'm on a bit of a Chabon kick. It all started with Yiddish Policemen's Union. I seem to be working my way backwards.
This is a collection of short stories - many with similar themes of failed - or failing - relationships. This is turning into a collection that is growing on me the more I think about it. I'm already looking back at the table of contents and thinking, "ooh, right, I liked that one" for more of the stories than I thought. My favorites were "Werewolves in Their Youth", "Son of the Wolfman", "In the Black Mill" and "The Harris Fetko Story".
Yes, I'm on a bit of a Chabon kick. It all started with Yiddish Policemen's Union. I seem to be working my way backwards.
This is a collection of short stories - many with similar themes of failed - or failing - relationships. This is turning into a collection that is growing on me the more I think about it. I'm already looking back at the table of contents and thinking, "ooh, right, I liked that one" for more of the stories than I thought. My favorites were "Werewolves in Their Youth", "Son of the Wolfman", "In the Black Mill" and "The Harris Fetko Story".
15ljbwell
13. You Don't Love Me Yet by Jonathan Lethem (224 p.)
Frankly, a disappointment after Fortress of Solitude. Maybe it's an East-Coast/West-Coast thing, but I just found the characters unsympathetic and ultimately vapid and uninteresting (&/or underdeveloped); it was probably a bad sign that I felt the most emotion for the kangaroo. I wanted to like this book a lot more than I did; instead it was a relatively quick read that passed the time.
Frankly, a disappointment after Fortress of Solitude. Maybe it's an East-Coast/West-Coast thing, but I just found the characters unsympathetic and ultimately vapid and uninteresting (&/or underdeveloped); it was probably a bad sign that I felt the most emotion for the kangaroo. I wanted to like this book a lot more than I did; instead it was a relatively quick read that passed the time.
16ljbwell
14. Maus: A Survivor's Tale, My Father Bleeds History by Art Spiegelman (159 p., graphic novel)
I've been meaning to read this for years and finally did. The illustrations convey emotions and incidents in ways words-only couldn't have done as effectively. I'm reading part 2 now. Highly, highly recommended for anyone interested in WWII survivor stories and in the difficulties of a father-son relationship.
I've been meaning to read this for years and finally did. The illustrations convey emotions and incidents in ways words-only couldn't have done as effectively. I'm reading part 2 now. Highly, highly recommended for anyone interested in WWII survivor stories and in the difficulties of a father-son relationship.
17ljbwell
15. Maus II: A Survivor's Tale, And Here My Troubles Began by Art Spiegelman (135 p., graphic novel)
The second of Spiegelman's graphic novel about his interviews with his father, Vladek Spiegelman. The books are not only about his dad's oral history of his experiences in Poland, and eventually the Concentration Camps, during WWII, but also about the author's own relationship with his father.
The second of Spiegelman's graphic novel about his interviews with his father, Vladek Spiegelman. The books are not only about his dad's oral history of his experiences in Poland, and eventually the Concentration Camps, during WWII, but also about the author's own relationship with his father.
18ljbwell
16. Erfarenhets lexicon - En handbok som bygger på glada, roliga, sura och bittra erfarenheter by Kjell Eriksson and Ola Karlsson (137 p., Swedish)
I needed to keep up with Swedish; this was a quick, light, sometimes entertaining read. A humorous, sarcastic look at what experience has taught (us, the authors, others, etc.).
I needed to keep up with Swedish; this was a quick, light, sometimes entertaining read. A humorous, sarcastic look at what experience has taught (us, the authors, others, etc.).
19ljbwell
17. Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card (324 p., English)
Science fiction about military training of gifted students (and one, Ender, in particular) to battle the Third Invasion of an enemy alien, the buggers. While you sometimes have to remind yourself these kids are 6 - 13ish years old, that is also what makes this book so interesting. The military psychology used to shape Ender into what he ultimately becomes, and Ender's growth and decisions along the way, made this a tough book to put down once started.
Science fiction about military training of gifted students (and one, Ender, in particular) to battle the Third Invasion of an enemy alien, the buggers. While you sometimes have to remind yourself these kids are 6 - 13ish years old, that is also what makes this book so interesting. The military psychology used to shape Ender into what he ultimately becomes, and Ender's growth and decisions along the way, made this a tough book to put down once started.
20ljbwell
18. En ö i havet by Annika Thor (197 p., Swedish, children's/YA fiction) (An island in the sea)
I had asked my older students to recommend books for me to read in Swedish (they had to be books originally in Swedish). One recommended this book, the first of 4 about Steffi and Nelli, two Austrian Jewish girls sent by their parents to Sweden to escape persecution by Germany during WWII. The girls arrive in Gothenburg in 1939; after having been told they'd stay together, they remain nearby each other but with different families on an island in the Gothenburg archipelago. The book largely focuses on Steffi's troubles adjusting (while her sister adapts more quickly).
I think it is pretty standard 6th grade reading for students in Sweden, so it was good for me to read and know about.
I had asked my older students to recommend books for me to read in Swedish (they had to be books originally in Swedish). One recommended this book, the first of 4 about Steffi and Nelli, two Austrian Jewish girls sent by their parents to Sweden to escape persecution by Germany during WWII. The girls arrive in Gothenburg in 1939; after having been told they'd stay together, they remain nearby each other but with different families on an island in the Gothenburg archipelago. The book largely focuses on Steffi's troubles adjusting (while her sister adapts more quickly).
I think it is pretty standard 6th grade reading for students in Sweden, so it was good for me to read and know about.
21ljbwell
OK, some catching up to do. I was on vacation and got through a few more books - some work-related, mostly not...
19. Coraline by Neil Gaiman (208 p., YA/children's)
So many students have read this one that I decided to have a go at it myself. I like dark, eerie lit, so enjoyed it a lot. Passed it along to my niece, who also enjoyed it.
20. The Adventures of Rabbi Harvey by Steve Sheinkin (123 p., graphic novel)
and
21. Rabbi Harvey Rides Again by Steve Sheinkin (123 p., graphic novel)
After having read about the first one here on Library Thing and mentioning that I thought it looked interesting, I got both of these for my b'day. These are graphic novels about a rabbi in the Wild West - each book retells Jewish folktales, Hasidic legends and Talmudic teachings in a humorous, Wild West setting. The first one is great; the second was also good, but not as tight as the first.
22. American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang (240 p., graphic novel)
I know, I know, I went on a graphic novel tear. I happened to see this in a library while on vacation, and - having wanted to read but not buy it, but not having found it in Sweden - took it out, and finished it before the trip was over. The book tells 3 different stories - a retelling of the Monkey King, the story of a young Chinese American boy struggling to fit in, and a young white American boy whose painfully stereotypical Chinese cousin comes to visit - then links the stories together in the end.
19. Coraline by Neil Gaiman (208 p., YA/children's)
So many students have read this one that I decided to have a go at it myself. I like dark, eerie lit, so enjoyed it a lot. Passed it along to my niece, who also enjoyed it.
20. The Adventures of Rabbi Harvey by Steve Sheinkin (123 p., graphic novel)
and
21. Rabbi Harvey Rides Again by Steve Sheinkin (123 p., graphic novel)
After having read about the first one here on Library Thing and mentioning that I thought it looked interesting, I got both of these for my b'day. These are graphic novels about a rabbi in the Wild West - each book retells Jewish folktales, Hasidic legends and Talmudic teachings in a humorous, Wild West setting. The first one is great; the second was also good, but not as tight as the first.
22. American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang (240 p., graphic novel)
I know, I know, I went on a graphic novel tear. I happened to see this in a library while on vacation, and - having wanted to read but not buy it, but not having found it in Sweden - took it out, and finished it before the trip was over. The book tells 3 different stories - a retelling of the Monkey King, the story of a young Chinese American boy struggling to fit in, and a young white American boy whose painfully stereotypical Chinese cousin comes to visit - then links the stories together in the end.
22ljbwell
23. Alias Grace by Margaret Atwood (545p., English)
Started this out of desperation - grabbed it off my parents' shelf after I'd blown through my other vacation books. I got sucked into it - the writing, the story, the characters - and ended up taking it out of the library here at home to finish it. I'd forgotten how much I like Atwood, though Cat's Eye and Handmaid's Tale remain my favorites.
Started this out of desperation - grabbed it off my parents' shelf after I'd blown through my other vacation books. I got sucked into it - the writing, the story, the characters - and ended up taking it out of the library here at home to finish it. I'd forgotten how much I like Atwood, though Cat's Eye and Handmaid's Tale remain my favorites.
23ljbwell
24. The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde (384p., English)
I'd heard a lot about the Thursday Next books and the idea of the mix of mystery, sci fi, and literary allusion held great appeal. I thought the last third-or-so of the book was much more fun and interesting, and I finally really got into it. Other parts I felt were a bit too broad-teen-humor for my taste (a character named Jack Schitt, for example). Still and all, a fun romp through time, space, and literature.
I'd heard a lot about the Thursday Next books and the idea of the mix of mystery, sci fi, and literary allusion held great appeal. I thought the last third-or-so of the book was much more fun and interesting, and I finally really got into it. Other parts I felt were a bit too broad-teen-humor for my taste (a character named Jack Schitt, for example). Still and all, a fun romp through time, space, and literature.
24ljbwell
25. The Book of Lost Things by John Connolly (512p., English)
A book I became interested in here on librarything. Part fairytale itself, part Wizard of Oz, part Life on Mars. Lovely book - and this version with notes from the author and the Grimms (and other) fairytales at the end is well worth it.
A book I became interested in here on librarything. Part fairytale itself, part Wizard of Oz, part Life on Mars. Lovely book - and this version with notes from the author and the Grimms (and other) fairytales at the end is well worth it.
25ljbwell
26. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time by Mark Haddon (268 p., English)
Work-related re-read. Great book.
Work-related re-read. Great book.
26ljbwell
27. The House of Dust by Paul Johnston (254 p., English)
The 5th, and likely final, in the Quintilian Dalrymple crime/mystery series set in Edinburgh in an alternate near future. This one takes Quint and his usual cohorts out of Edinburgh and into New Oxford to solve, among other things, the murder of one of the guardians.
The 5th, and likely final, in the Quintilian Dalrymple crime/mystery series set in Edinburgh in an alternate near future. This one takes Quint and his usual cohorts out of Edinburgh and into New Oxford to solve, among other things, the murder of one of the guardians.
27ljbwell
28. Summerland by Michael Chabon (500 p., English, YA)
I read Summerland in the interest of being somewhat completist. Chabon's writing and imagination are, once again, vivid and descriptive. This is a good book for those who enjoy baseball - though even if you don't (I'm not a huge fan myself), his characters and the fantasy story he tells are enough to keep you interested. A good adult or young adult read.
I read Summerland in the interest of being somewhat completist. Chabon's writing and imagination are, once again, vivid and descriptive. This is a good book for those who enjoy baseball - though even if you don't (I'm not a huge fan myself), his characters and the fantasy story he tells are enough to keep you interested. A good adult or young adult read.
28ljbwell
29. Zugzwang by Ronan Bennett (278 p., English)
1914 St. Petersburg, Russia, political intrigue, a psychoanalyst, murder, and chess. A fun, quick read.
1914 St. Petersburg, Russia, political intrigue, a psychoanalyst, murder, and chess. A fun, quick read.
29ljbwell
30. Amphigorey Again by Edward Gorey (260 p., English, illustrated anthology)
I am not into celebrity worship - that said, Gorey's passing was a sad day. I was thrilled to see the publication of Amphigorey Again, which includes, among other things, unfinished and previously unpublished works. "The Izzard Book" provides a very fitting, bittersweet end to the collection.
I am not into celebrity worship - that said, Gorey's passing was a sad day. I was thrilled to see the publication of Amphigorey Again, which includes, among other things, unfinished and previously unpublished works. "The Izzard Book" provides a very fitting, bittersweet end to the collection.
30ljbwell
31. How to Read Literature Like a Professor by Thomas C. Foster (314 p., English, non-fiction)
The title says it all - short essays about reading literature & recognizing a work's symbols and references. Sex; irony; weather; food; fairy tales, mythology & the Bible - these are just some of the topics covered in this entertaining, accessible how-to book. A great read for avid readers.
The title says it all - short essays about reading literature & recognizing a work's symbols and references. Sex; irony; weather; food; fairy tales, mythology & the Bible - these are just some of the topics covered in this entertaining, accessible how-to book. A great read for avid readers.
31ljbwell
32. En komikers uppväxt by Jonas Gardell (248 p., Swedish)
1970s Swedish suburbs and a 12-year old boy's experiences in school and at home. Bullying plays a central part of this story - wanting to fit in, being pressured into more-than-uncomfortable situations, and how those (non-)actions and reactions still haunt you into adulthood.
1970s Swedish suburbs and a 12-year old boy's experiences in school and at home. Bullying plays a central part of this story - wanting to fit in, being pressured into more-than-uncomfortable situations, and how those (non-)actions and reactions still haunt you into adulthood.
32ljbwell
33. Lost in a Good Book by Jasper Fforde (372 p., English)
The 2nd in the Thursday Next series (see #24). I actually liked this one better - perhaps it was an improved attention span, but I found it more interesting and got into the rhythm of the book better, too.
The 2nd in the Thursday Next series (see #24). I actually liked this one better - perhaps it was an improved attention span, but I found it more interesting and got into the rhythm of the book better, too.
33ljbwell
Summer reading while I was away for 5 weeks:
34. Well of Lost Plots by Jasper Fforde (365 p., English)
35. A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian by Marina Lewycka (324 p., English)
36. Something Rotten by Jasper Fforde (400 p., English)
37. Holy Fire by Bruce Sterling (368 p., English)
38. La grammaire est une chanson douce by Erik Orsenna (135 p., French)
39. Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman (400 p., English)
40. Monique and the Mango Rains by Kris Holloway (240 p., English, non-fiction)
41. Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides (544 p., English)
42. Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil by John Berendt (400 p., English, travel lit/non-fiction)
La grammaire est une chanson douce was a wonderfully sweet find off the shelf of a "books left behind" bookcase.
34. Well of Lost Plots by Jasper Fforde (365 p., English)
35. A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian by Marina Lewycka (324 p., English)
36. Something Rotten by Jasper Fforde (400 p., English)
37. Holy Fire by Bruce Sterling (368 p., English)
38. La grammaire est une chanson douce by Erik Orsenna (135 p., French)
39. Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman (400 p., English)
40. Monique and the Mango Rains by Kris Holloway (240 p., English, non-fiction)
41. Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides (544 p., English)
42. Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil by John Berendt (400 p., English, travel lit/non-fiction)
La grammaire est une chanson douce was a wonderfully sweet find off the shelf of a "books left behind" bookcase.
34ljbwell
A few more to add - basically from the end of summer to now...
43. The Collector by John Fowles (288 p., English)
44. Spook Country by William Gibson (384 p., English)
45. The Wrong Boy by Willy Russell (506 p., English)
46. The Brief History of the Dead by Kevin Brockmeier (272 p., English)
47. Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck (128 p., English)
The last one is a work-related annual read that I never tire of.
43. The Collector by John Fowles (288 p., English)
44. Spook Country by William Gibson (384 p., English)
45. The Wrong Boy by Willy Russell (506 p., English)
46. The Brief History of the Dead by Kevin Brockmeier (272 p., English)
47. Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck (128 p., English)
The last one is a work-related annual read that I never tire of.
35ljbwell
48. Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro (276 p., English)
I've come to realize I just really, really like the whole dystopic society genre. This one fits in well with Brave New World and The Handmaid's Tale.
I've come to realize I just really, really like the whole dystopic society genre. This one fits in well with Brave New World and The Handmaid's Tale.
36ljbwell
49. The Long Dark Tea-time of the Soul by Douglas Adams (247 p., English)
Sci-fi humor from the author of the Hitchhiker's Guide 4-book trilogy. A second Dirk Gently, holistic detective book.
50. The Uncommon Reader by Alan Bennett (121 p., English)
Comic novella about the Queen's discovery of the joys of reading later in life, and the equerries who are none-too-pleased about the development.
Sci-fi humor from the author of the Hitchhiker's Guide 4-book trilogy. A second Dirk Gently, holistic detective book.
50. The Uncommon Reader by Alan Bennett (121 p., English)
Comic novella about the Queen's discovery of the joys of reading later in life, and the equerries who are none-too-pleased about the development.
37ljbwell
51. Short Friday by Isaac Bashevis Singer (287 p., English)
Short story anthology by the Nobel Prize in Lit winner.
Short story anthology by the Nobel Prize in Lit winner.
38ljbwell
52. The End of Mr. Y by Scarlett Thomas (506 pp., English)
I love books about books, which was the initial draw. In principle, I enjoy books that explore time-travel, science, philosophy, and such. This book ultimately left me cold.
I love books about books, which was the initial draw. In principle, I enjoy books that explore time-travel, science, philosophy, and such. This book ultimately left me cold.
39Medellia
#38: I had the same experience with this one. It looked like I was going to love it, but at the end, I didn't. And I find that I like it less and less now that I'm farther from it. Oh, well.
I've been lurking in your thread for a while--a lot of great books here.
I've been lurking in your thread for a while--a lot of great books here.
40ljbwell
Thanks! You've got some great books in your library, too.
I know what you mean about Mr. Y - if I think about it, I wonder, "Where was her editor?" or "Was X part (fill in many different sections here) really necessary?"
To the extent it is of any interest, my new thread for the year is started here: http://www.librarything.com/topic/54099...
Best in '09.
I know what you mean about Mr. Y - if I think about it, I wonder, "Where was her editor?" or "Was X part (fill in many different sections here) really necessary?"
To the extent it is of any interest, my new thread for the year is started here: http://www.librarything.com/topic/54099...
Best in '09.
