This topic is currently marked as "dormant"—the last message is more than 90 days old. You can revive it by posting a reply.
1captainsflat
I have not tracked my reading for years - I feel it has been SO SLOW that it didn't merit tracking. But this year, this year I will try.
2captainsflat
1. Jasper Fforde - Early Riser
First finish of the year. Enjoyed this even though it was a little bit more uneven than the Thursday Next series. I really like the posters at the end. It was fun to think through the ideas of all people having to hibernate, and the implications. Not eating enough to last through winter being a crime! I just enjoy Fforde's playfulness.
First finish of the year. Enjoyed this even though it was a little bit more uneven than the Thursday Next series. I really like the posters at the end. It was fun to think through the ideas of all people having to hibernate, and the implications. Not eating enough to last through winter being a crime! I just enjoy Fforde's playfulness.
3captainsflat
2. M G Lewis - The Monk
I had just listened to some interviews with Rene Girard, and reading this straight after I think enhanced the fun. I also had open Lyzard and SqueakyChu's readalong thread from 2012. I really enjoyed it, and it was nothing like what I expected. It was funnier, more theatrical and hugely entertaining.
I had just listened to some interviews with Rene Girard, and reading this straight after I think enhanced the fun. I also had open Lyzard and SqueakyChu's readalong thread from 2012. I really enjoyed it, and it was nothing like what I expected. It was funnier, more theatrical and hugely entertaining.
4captainsflat
3. Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen
Stitching a Jane Austen sampler this year, so will read/listen/watch each book while stitching it's band. Because I am so slow a stitcher, I have read, listened to the Audiobook, and watched both the Ang Lee movie and the 1971 BBC adaptation. And I haven't finished the band yet. Sigh.
Stitching a Jane Austen sampler this year, so will read/listen/watch each book while stitching it's band. Because I am so slow a stitcher, I have read, listened to the Audiobook, and watched both the Ang Lee movie and the 1971 BBC adaptation. And I haven't finished the band yet. Sigh.
5captainsflat
4. The Hound of the Baskervilles by Arthur Conan Doyle
In this horribly humid and absolutely sweat covered summer days, reading this is like sucking on a Super Dooper. Ahhhh. Total comfort read. I want to live on a moor and be haunted by a devil dog too. Much better than sweating it out and being swarmed by sand flies and mosquitos.
In this horribly humid and absolutely sweat covered summer days, reading this is like sucking on a Super Dooper. Ahhhh. Total comfort read. I want to live on a moor and be haunted by a devil dog too. Much better than sweating it out and being swarmed by sand flies and mosquitos.
6captainsflat
5. Wonder by R. j. Palacio
Yes, stealing sons book club book. I enjoyed it, read it in one sitting. What is better is that he, the reluctant reader, is enjoying it. The rest of us are totally fantasy heavy, and maybe he just isn’t?
Yes, stealing sons book club book. I enjoyed it, read it in one sitting. What is better is that he, the reluctant reader, is enjoying it. The rest of us are totally fantasy heavy, and maybe he just isn’t?
7captainsflat
6. The Sovereign Individual by James Dale Davidson and Sir William Rees-Mogg
Almost didn’t record it, totally embarrassed to have read it, but I did slog through. Somebody’s wet dream - barely and tangentially related to reality. I mostly felt outrage. And what is the point of education if it doesn’t inoculate you from this tripe?
Almost didn’t record it, totally embarrassed to have read it, but I did slog through. Somebody’s wet dream - barely and tangentially related to reality. I mostly felt outrage. And what is the point of education if it doesn’t inoculate you from this tripe?
9captainsflat
8. Addicted? by Matt Noffs and Kieran Palmer
I think it does a good job of humanising. Putting you in the body of someone with trauma. A quiet book in a pretty shrill topic.
I think it does a good job of humanising. Putting you in the body of someone with trauma. A quiet book in a pretty shrill topic.
10captainsflat
9. This Our Exile by Joshua Hren
Overall I enjoyed (if that is the right word) the writing. At the end though, I felt like they hadn’t reached a peak. Maybe I just shouldn’t read a collection of short stories in one sitting. I loved the voice, perfect for the grittiness. And I’m undecided about the light moments - they really aren’t very light or shiny. More like only a slight easing. Is that really all there is? My favourite was ‘Throw away the ladder’.
Overall I enjoyed (if that is the right word) the writing. At the end though, I felt like they hadn’t reached a peak. Maybe I just shouldn’t read a collection of short stories in one sitting. I loved the voice, perfect for the grittiness. And I’m undecided about the light moments - they really aren’t very light or shiny. More like only a slight easing. Is that really all there is? My favourite was ‘Throw away the ladder’.
11captainsflat
10. The Thirty-Nine Steps by John Buchan
Others have reviewed this much. It is very dated. I enjoyed the languages and dialects though. “Albania was the sort of place that might keep a man from yawning”. Haha! And “I believe everything out of the common. The only thing to distrust is the normal.”
“His name was Marmaduke Jolley and he was an offence to creation.” I wish to have occasion to use that, even if only to myself.
Others have reviewed this much. It is very dated. I enjoyed the languages and dialects though. “Albania was the sort of place that might keep a man from yawning”. Haha! And “I believe everything out of the common. The only thing to distrust is the normal.”
“His name was Marmaduke Jolley and he was an offence to creation.” I wish to have occasion to use that, even if only to myself.
12captainsflat
11. Freedom by Jonathon Franzen
Ate this up. So I feel Franzen is thoroughly read up on Girard. You don't really want things, only if other people want things. Competition. Beautifully delineated in this. Other reviews said it was a bit ranty, but it is nowhere near as ranty as Facebook these days. And the ending was just so satisfying, that I am delighted and totally suspicious all at the same time. This is the kind of wrap up and light that was missing in Joshua Hren's stories - but may be too neat. One's disowned/unconsious desires stealing a march on you and waging guerilla warfare on you - how depressingly familiar.
Ate this up. So I feel Franzen is thoroughly read up on Girard. You don't really want things, only if other people want things. Competition. Beautifully delineated in this. Other reviews said it was a bit ranty, but it is nowhere near as ranty as Facebook these days. And the ending was just so satisfying, that I am delighted and totally suspicious all at the same time. This is the kind of wrap up and light that was missing in Joshua Hren's stories - but may be too neat. One's disowned/unconsious desires stealing a march on you and waging guerilla warfare on you - how depressingly familiar.
13captainsflat
12. Dangerous Ideas about Mothers edited by Camilla Nelson and Rachel Robertson
No Touchstone. Interesting, but uneven. Just something to read with your coffee.
Edited:found the touchstone
No Touchstone. Interesting, but uneven. Just something to read with your coffee.
Edited:found the touchstone
14captainsflat
13. Imperial Purple by Edgar Saltus
Something to dip into and lead me down rabbit holes and enjoy the language of. I realise it could just be Saltus, but how do a people end up at ‘wanting’ a Nero, or worse? I hadn’t heard of Heliogabulus before, but have seen the flower banquet painting. I wonder whether we will get to the point of attending potentially by design fatal events for amusement. Not Hunger Games - making others do it, but actually sign ourselves up to a flower banquet that might smother.
Pre-Christian anything interests me, trying to glimpse what other moral systems ‘feel’ like.
Something to dip into and lead me down rabbit holes and enjoy the language of. I realise it could just be Saltus, but how do a people end up at ‘wanting’ a Nero, or worse? I hadn’t heard of Heliogabulus before, but have seen the flower banquet painting. I wonder whether we will get to the point of attending potentially by design fatal events for amusement. Not Hunger Games - making others do it, but actually sign ourselves up to a flower banquet that might smother.
Pre-Christian anything interests me, trying to glimpse what other moral systems ‘feel’ like.
15captainsflat
14. Winter Solstice by Rosamunde Pilcher
Another easy read. Totally escapist, and I am a bit worried that I enjoyed it so much. Am I getting older and soft? It's just nice seeing things work out so well for nice people. Or is it the English houses and Scottish villages and weather that I am enamoured of? Probably the latter.
Another easy read. Totally escapist, and I am a bit worried that I enjoyed it so much. Am I getting older and soft? It's just nice seeing things work out so well for nice people. Or is it the English houses and Scottish villages and weather that I am enamoured of? Probably the latter.
16captainsflat
15. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
17captainsflat
16. Mansfield Park by Jane Austen
Yes, still stitching the sampler, although these two seemed to stitch up faster. I was just irritated with Mansfield Park. Too drama. And with PandP, I was mostly interested in the two sisters' relationship. Each complimenting the other. Very sweet.
Yes, still stitching the sampler, although these two seemed to stitch up faster. I was just irritated with Mansfield Park. Too drama. And with PandP, I was mostly interested in the two sisters' relationship. Each complimenting the other. Very sweet.
18captainsflat
17. The Virgin in The Ice by Ellis Peters
I just love descriptions of the English countryside. The language is delightful.
I just love descriptions of the English countryside. The language is delightful.
19captainsflat
18. Withering-By-Sea by Judith Rossell
This YA was hugely entertaining and exactly what I was in a mood for, all oldfashioned and English, with a touch of magic. It almost hit the peak point. I'm not quite sure what was missing. Maybe some of the dialect wrenched one out of the world a little, instead of enhancing it. I would definitely want to read more.
This YA was hugely entertaining and exactly what I was in a mood for, all oldfashioned and English, with a touch of magic. It almost hit the peak point. I'm not quite sure what was missing. Maybe some of the dialect wrenched one out of the world a little, instead of enhancing it. I would definitely want to read more.
20captainsflat
19. The False-Hearted Teddy by John Lamb
Easily read but pretty awful. Cringey cliches and attitudes. Can I not find a cozy that doesn’t make me cringe?
Easily read but pretty awful. Cringey cliches and attitudes. Can I not find a cozy that doesn’t make me cringe?
21captainsflat
20. Descended from Shadows: Book of Sindal 1 by D. G. Swank and Others
Well, no wonder I haven't been tracking my reading. It's horrible. This is what I am reduced to. I am reading other more interesting things, but I don't finish them, I dip into them instead. Sob. Please believe me. My brain has not totally atrophied. Anyway, this book is co-written by the lady who is making the Jane Austen Sampler pattern I mention above. She linked it in the stitching group, so I checked it out. It was easily read, and I found myself wondering how they decided how much 'slang' to put in, and smiling when the character sounded like she was posting in the stitching groups I belong to (no one here in Aus talks like that, but they definitely do in the groups), and whether the main character mentioning libraries and crafts was my patternmaker's contribution?
Well, no wonder I haven't been tracking my reading. It's horrible. This is what I am reduced to. I am reading other more interesting things, but I don't finish them, I dip into them instead. Sob. Please believe me. My brain has not totally atrophied. Anyway, this book is co-written by the lady who is making the Jane Austen Sampler pattern I mention above. She linked it in the stitching group, so I checked it out. It was easily read, and I found myself wondering how they decided how much 'slang' to put in, and smiling when the character sounded like she was posting in the stitching groups I belong to (no one here in Aus talks like that, but they definitely do in the groups), and whether the main character mentioning libraries and crafts was my patternmaker's contribution?
22captainsflat
21. Sharp Objects by Giillian Flynn
23captainsflat
22. In A House of Lies by Ian Rankin
24captainsflat
23. Candlenight by Phil Rickman
25captainsflat
24. The Bookshop that floated away by Sarah Henshaw
26captainsflat
25. Farewell to the horse by Ulrich Raulff
27captainsflat
26. Bleak November by Rohan O’Grady
28captainsflat
27. Dear Fahrenheit 451 by Annie Spence
29captainsflat
28. myths and Legends of the Garden by John and Rosemary Hemphill
30captainsflat
29. Skulduggery Pleasant by Derek Landy
Quick note to myself. Easy and quite pleasant to read. All the other characters were quite good, but the lead heroine is such a nonentity I am confused as to her purpose. A blank the reader can project themselves onto? There’s just nothing about her. She is a reflection herself. This annoys me. I am annoyed at how many times the lead in modern fiction is an avatar instead of real.
Quick note to myself. Easy and quite pleasant to read. All the other characters were quite good, but the lead heroine is such a nonentity I am confused as to her purpose. A blank the reader can project themselves onto? There’s just nothing about her. She is a reflection herself. This annoys me. I am annoyed at how many times the lead in modern fiction is an avatar instead of real.
31captainsflat
30. Wisdom, Madness and Folly by R. D. Laing
Note: one thing I’ve been thinking, about horrible people with interesting ideas. On one hand, how can you accept anything horrible people make/do/say. They should be utterly cast out, thrown out the door with anything that’s theirs - because they are horrible. Obviously the thing didn’t stop them from being horrible so it must be worthless. Then there are those who deify the horrible person on account of the good thing/idea made and say the horribleness doesn’t count because the thing itself is redeeming. I am not happy with either of those positions.
Note: one thing I’ve been thinking, about horrible people with interesting ideas. On one hand, how can you accept anything horrible people make/do/say. They should be utterly cast out, thrown out the door with anything that’s theirs - because they are horrible. Obviously the thing didn’t stop them from being horrible so it must be worthless. Then there are those who deify the horrible person on account of the good thing/idea made and say the horribleness doesn’t count because the thing itself is redeeming. I am not happy with either of those positions.
32captainsflat
31. Fire and Hemlock by Diana Wynne Jones
A good antidote to skulduggery pleasant - this is not an avatar heroine. Diana would never do that to us. Although I am not sure I follow the logic at the end.
A good antidote to skulduggery pleasant - this is not an avatar heroine. Diana would never do that to us. Although I am not sure I follow the logic at the end.
33captainsflat
32. The poison Garden by Sarah Singleton
I would give this 3.5 stars - enjoyable with intriguing concepts to think about, but probably forgettable.
I would give this 3.5 stars - enjoyable with intriguing concepts to think about, but probably forgettable.
34captainsflat
33. Slippin’ on the Lino by Jane Grieve
35captainsflat
34. Citizen: An American Lyric by Claudia Rankine
She made me feel each slight, each word, in my body. Or is it, remember?
Reading reviews, I am surprised by the number of people saying they have not experienced microaggressions. What erasure does to your body, especially as a child. But here, it goes on and on and on.
She made me feel each slight, each word, in my body. Or is it, remember?
Reading reviews, I am surprised by the number of people saying they have not experienced microaggressions. What erasure does to your body, especially as a child. But here, it goes on and on and on.
