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1lbucci3
Hey everyone- my name is Laura. I hope I can keep up with everyone's posts for the year. I tried to get to 75 last year (2009- which i guess is this year?)- but I stopped keeping track in about August when I had 40- so I have no idea how many books I've read as of now (I'm going to guess around 60?- That seems pretty solid)
Let's see- I'm a college senior, preparing to take my GREs in the spring (and then hopefully going to PhD programs in the fall of 2011?). I love political behavior, memoirs, the English, and some great fiction. I'm trying to read more classics but tend to get side-tracked by books with pretty covers.
Let the new reading year begin! Hello 2010!
January
1)What the Dog Saw And Other Adventures by Malcolm Gladwell
2)Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide by Nicholas Kristof
3) Freakonomics by Steven D. Levitt
4) Official Book Club Selection by Kathy Griffin
5)A Practical Guide to Racism by C.H. Dalton
6)Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel
7)The Wordy Shipmates by Sarah Vowell
8)Thinking about Program Evaluation by Richard A. Berk
9)Tipping the Velvet by Sarah Waters
10)Disagreement: Politics and Philosophy by Jacques Ranciere
February
11) Confederates in the Attic by Tony Horwitz
12) Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane
13) The politics of Aesthetics by Jacques Ranciere
14) The Lightening Thief by Rick Riordan
15) Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordan
March and April
16) Discipline and Punish by Michel Foucault
17)No Other Way Out by Jeff Goodwin
18)Taking Power: On the Origins of Third World Revolutions by John Foran
19)Lynching Photographs by Dora Apel
20)Regarding the Pain of Others by Susan Sontag
21)The Abu Ghrahib Effect by Stephen Eisenman
22)Undoing Gender by Judith Butler
May
23)No Touch Monkey by Ayun Halliday
24)Imperial life in the Emerald City by Rajiv Chandrasekaran
25)Empire of Illusion by Chris Hedges
26)Let the Great World Spin by Colum McCann
27)The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
June
28)The Girl who Played with Fire by Stieg Larsson
29)Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman
30) Zeitoun by David Eggers
31) The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets Nest by Stieg Larsson
32) The Dharma Bums by Jack Kerouac
July
33) In The Woods by Tara French
34) Peace is Every Step Thich Nhat hanh
Let's see- I'm a college senior, preparing to take my GREs in the spring (and then hopefully going to PhD programs in the fall of 2011?). I love political behavior, memoirs, the English, and some great fiction. I'm trying to read more classics but tend to get side-tracked by books with pretty covers.
Let the new reading year begin! Hello 2010!
January
1)What the Dog Saw And Other Adventures by Malcolm Gladwell
2)Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide by Nicholas Kristof
3) Freakonomics by Steven D. Levitt
4) Official Book Club Selection by Kathy Griffin
5)A Practical Guide to Racism by C.H. Dalton
6)Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel
7)The Wordy Shipmates by Sarah Vowell
8)Thinking about Program Evaluation by Richard A. Berk
9)Tipping the Velvet by Sarah Waters
10)Disagreement: Politics and Philosophy by Jacques Ranciere
February
11) Confederates in the Attic by Tony Horwitz
12) Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane
13) The politics of Aesthetics by Jacques Ranciere
14) The Lightening Thief by Rick Riordan
15) Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordan
March and April
16) Discipline and Punish by Michel Foucault
17)No Other Way Out by Jeff Goodwin
18)Taking Power: On the Origins of Third World Revolutions by John Foran
19)Lynching Photographs by Dora Apel
20)Regarding the Pain of Others by Susan Sontag
21)The Abu Ghrahib Effect by Stephen Eisenman
22)Undoing Gender by Judith Butler
May
23)No Touch Monkey by Ayun Halliday
24)Imperial life in the Emerald City by Rajiv Chandrasekaran
25)Empire of Illusion by Chris Hedges
26)Let the Great World Spin by Colum McCann
27)The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
June
28)The Girl who Played with Fire by Stieg Larsson
29)Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman
30) Zeitoun by David Eggers
31) The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets Nest by Stieg Larsson
32) The Dharma Bums by Jack Kerouac
July
33) In The Woods by Tara French
34) Peace is Every Step Thich Nhat hanh
2alcottacre
Glad to see you with us again, Laura!
5Carmenere
I'm hoping to keep up with threads this year too. Maybe getting jump on things now will help later on, then again.............
6lbucci3
It's one of those things I regret not having finished last year. Maybe this year will be better. . . I hope at least!!
7lbucci3
I'm getting anxious about the new reading year- - -
So here are my planned TBRs:
Freakonomics by Steven D. Levitt- I saw him presenting Superfreakonomics on the Daily Show a few weeks back, and realized I hadn't gotten to the first book yet.
What the Dog Saw by Malcolm Gladwell
The Wordy Shipmates by Sarah Vowell- Heard some really great things about this book, the library is sending it to me soon!
Half the Sky by Nicholas D. Kristof
Official Book Club Selection by Kathy Griffin- I cheated a bit and started early on this one- I just think her show on Bravo is so fun, and I got it as a gift- so how could I not dive right in?
Let's see now if I get any books for Christmas- let's hope!
So here are my planned TBRs:
Freakonomics by Steven D. Levitt- I saw him presenting Superfreakonomics on the Daily Show a few weeks back, and realized I hadn't gotten to the first book yet.
What the Dog Saw by Malcolm Gladwell
The Wordy Shipmates by Sarah Vowell- Heard some really great things about this book, the library is sending it to me soon!
Half the Sky by Nicholas D. Kristof
Official Book Club Selection by Kathy Griffin- I cheated a bit and started early on this one- I just think her show on Bravo is so fun, and I got it as a gift- so how could I not dive right in?
Let's see now if I get any books for Christmas- let's hope!
9lbucci3
Nothing better to bring in the new year than reading in the wee hours of the morning!!
1)What the Dog Saw and Other Adventures by Malcolm Gladwell
410 pages
A collection of Gladwell's essays from the New Yorker. While I did enjoy the book (I'd say a solid 3 stars)- I felt a little cheated because I could have just read each essay separately in The New Yorker (Which I probably should get a subscription to). I felt like the work lacks the cohesion that Gladwell promises in the introduction. Each piece is wonderful, particularly his history of the Birth Control Pill, and profile of the Dog Whisperer Cesar Milan, but they're just wonderful 20 page pieces and then there is another- and another, and another. I want connection!
Maybe I'll try some more Gladwell later.
1/75 books
410/ 30,000 pages
Just put my toe in the ocean (and was very proud of the few people who jumped in to start the new year) but that made me cold enough to stay in tonight and read Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide by Nicholas D Kristof.
Loving 2010 already! Where's my tea?
1)What the Dog Saw and Other Adventures by Malcolm Gladwell
410 pages
A collection of Gladwell's essays from the New Yorker. While I did enjoy the book (I'd say a solid 3 stars)- I felt a little cheated because I could have just read each essay separately in The New Yorker (Which I probably should get a subscription to). I felt like the work lacks the cohesion that Gladwell promises in the introduction. Each piece is wonderful, particularly his history of the Birth Control Pill, and profile of the Dog Whisperer Cesar Milan, but they're just wonderful 20 page pieces and then there is another- and another, and another. I want connection!
Maybe I'll try some more Gladwell later.
1/75 books
410/ 30,000 pages
Just put my toe in the ocean (and was very proud of the few people who jumped in to start the new year) but that made me cold enough to stay in tonight and read Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide by Nicholas D Kristof.
Loving 2010 already! Where's my tea?
10FlossieT
Oh, I really want to read Half the Sky. It's not out in the UK until August, which seems SUCH a long way away.
12lbucci3
So far its really wonderful- it came out in the states a few months ago (November I want to say?)- I really like the stories they're using- they're personal to the point where I feel like I'm meeting a new person. It's really a rich book (I'm on page 60-ish) which is great because it had the potential to be so broad that it wouldn't have been effective at all. As of right now- I've already recommended it to two friends both studying gender.
Be patient- August is coming soon!! :) -- I know its tough!
Whisper- Thanks! I'm excited to see how your thread progresses!
Be patient- August is coming soon!! :) -- I know its tough!
Whisper- Thanks! I'm excited to see how your thread progresses!
13lbucci3
2)Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide by Nicholas D Kristof
252 pages
This book was wonderful, I can't even begin to describe the picture it paints for women abroad. I'm honestly moved. I was particularly interested in the passages on maternal mortality (Chapter 6)- it's shocking and disturbing. Read this book!
Also- I had no idea that iodized salt was so important?
2/75
662/30,000
252 pages
This book was wonderful, I can't even begin to describe the picture it paints for women abroad. I'm honestly moved. I was particularly interested in the passages on maternal mortality (Chapter 6)- it's shocking and disturbing. Read this book!
Also- I had no idea that iodized salt was so important?
2/75
662/30,000
14Carmenere
To the wish list Half the Sky goes. It's really gotten some great reviews on LT. Thanks for bringing it to my attention.
15alcottacre
Looks like you have already made a great start on your reading year, Laura! I already have Half the Sky in the BlackHole - I just need my local library to get a copy.
16lbucci3
3) Freakonomics by Steven D. Levitt 242 pages
This book did serve its intended purpose of making me think differently about the correlations of social issues. Just a pet peeve of mine -- Levitt often says one action is because of some other action. He's trying to simplify in order to please a broader audience and confusing relationship to causality.
4)Official Book Club Selection by Kathy Griffin
368 pages
I was expecting light and funny (just like her show), which the book was, but it was much more than that. Her life is interspersed with highs and lows and intense drama. I had no idea the relationship between her and her ex-husband was as intense as it actually was. I sped through this book- it's much more than just fluffy reading.
4/75
1272/30000
Still working on Wolf Hall
This book did serve its intended purpose of making me think differently about the correlations of social issues. Just a pet peeve of mine -- Levitt often says one action is because of some other action. He's trying to simplify in order to please a broader audience and confusing relationship to causality.
4)Official Book Club Selection by Kathy Griffin
368 pages
I was expecting light and funny (just like her show), which the book was, but it was much more than that. Her life is interspersed with highs and lows and intense drama. I had no idea the relationship between her and her ex-husband was as intense as it actually was. I sped through this book- it's much more than just fluffy reading.
4/75
1272/30000
Still working on Wolf Hall
17carlym
What a great start! I've added Half the Sky to my wishlist.
18lbucci3
5) A Practical Guide to Racism by C.H. Dalton
224 pages
This book provides a satiric look at racism. Attacking all groups (racial, sexual, women, and merpeople), Dalton is able to not only make me laugh but also to point out just how absurd racism is. I expected the book to be funnier, but it was light reading and extremely quick. I enjoyed it, but see no need to ever pick it up ever again. It's just something silly!
This was the book that I carried in my purse in case I was stuck in a waiting room book. Wolf Hall is just too big to be purse-ready. But that book is coming along too! So far so good. Tudor England has far too many Thomases!
5/75
1496/30,000 pages
224 pages
This book provides a satiric look at racism. Attacking all groups (racial, sexual, women, and merpeople), Dalton is able to not only make me laugh but also to point out just how absurd racism is. I expected the book to be funnier, but it was light reading and extremely quick. I enjoyed it, but see no need to ever pick it up ever again. It's just something silly!
This was the book that I carried in my purse in case I was stuck in a waiting room book. Wolf Hall is just too big to be purse-ready. But that book is coming along too! So far so good. Tudor England has far too many Thomases!
5/75
1496/30,000 pages
19alcottacre
#18: While I agree with you on the complete absurdity of racism, I think I will give the book a pass.
Based on comments I have seen about Wolf Hall, I may have to make myself a chart of all the characters just to keep them straight when I get a chance to read it :)
Based on comments I have seen about Wolf Hall, I may have to make myself a chart of all the characters just to keep them straight when I get a chance to read it :)
20lbucci3
6) Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel
560 pages
After reading so many great reviews of this book here on LT, I was very excited to sit down and read it. It is beautifully written. The depth of Cromwell as a character is intense (and the question in my head still remains- same family as the Oliver Cromwell of a hundred years later?). He's understandable, a character who knows that Henry VIII's court really is a Wolf Hall, where no person is safe. He ends up on the better side of every function- from his dealings with Cardinal Wolsey, to the Princess Mary to the Boleyns to Henry himself- Cromwell takes care of number one. Maybe its because of his upbringing. Either way the character itself is well developed.
Now to what I didn't like. The reading was strenuous. It required me to keep turning back to the list of characters ( why were there so many Thomases?) and it took me over a week of continuous reading to get through it. Was it worth it- maybe. Would I do it again?- probably not. Am I glad I read Wolf Hall - yes, yes I am.
6/75
2056/30,000
560 pages
After reading so many great reviews of this book here on LT, I was very excited to sit down and read it. It is beautifully written. The depth of Cromwell as a character is intense (and the question in my head still remains- same family as the Oliver Cromwell of a hundred years later?). He's understandable, a character who knows that Henry VIII's court really is a Wolf Hall, where no person is safe. He ends up on the better side of every function- from his dealings with Cardinal Wolsey, to the Princess Mary to the Boleyns to Henry himself- Cromwell takes care of number one. Maybe its because of his upbringing. Either way the character itself is well developed.
Now to what I didn't like. The reading was strenuous. It required me to keep turning back to the list of characters ( why were there so many Thomases?) and it took me over a week of continuous reading to get through it. Was it worth it- maybe. Would I do it again?- probably not. Am I glad I read Wolf Hall - yes, yes I am.
6/75
2056/30,000
21lbucci3
7)The Wordy Shipmates by Sarah Vowell
272 pages
Vowell gives a witty account of Puritan New England. She's funny, and interesting. I think I like this book more because I'm a Rhode Islander- and I understand the Williams references. I read it in a night. A fun book, but there's facts there. Her style is informal, but she's also discussing Puritan writing which is heavily formal so the style fits (it's a balance). She also continues to refer to current events despite talking about the 17th century. It's interesting that one minute she's discussing Williams and then comparing something to Martin Luther King, or Reagan, or 9/11 or her favorite childhood show Charlie's Angels.
7/75
2328/30,000
272 pages
Vowell gives a witty account of Puritan New England. She's funny, and interesting. I think I like this book more because I'm a Rhode Islander- and I understand the Williams references. I read it in a night. A fun book, but there's facts there. Her style is informal, but she's also discussing Puritan writing which is heavily formal so the style fits (it's a balance). She also continues to refer to current events despite talking about the 17th century. It's interesting that one minute she's discussing Williams and then comparing something to Martin Luther King, or Reagan, or 9/11 or her favorite childhood show Charlie's Angels.
7/75
2328/30,000
22alcottacre
#21: The Wordy Shipmates looks interesting. Thanks for the recommendation, Laura.
23lbucci3
8)Thinking about Program Evaluation by Richard A. Berk
110 pages
First school book of spring semester- about research and understanding programs.
8/75
2438/30,000
110 pages
First school book of spring semester- about research and understanding programs.
8/75
2438/30,000
24lbucci3
9) Tipping the Velvet by Sarah Waters 472 pages
Wonderful storyline about two girls and their lives, love, and world on the stage and into the city of London. I read Fingersmith by Waters last year, and I think I may have liked this book even more. Her writing is quick and easy, but thought proviking. I found myself staying up for hours at night just trying to read to see what would happen. I hear its a bbc tv special from a bit ago - maybe I'll watch that too!
9/75
2910/30,000
10) Disagreement Politics and Philosophy by Jacques Ranciere 150 pages
Reading this for a class, it's quite a tedious read, but the philosophy itself is fascinating.
10/75
3060/ 30,000
School is getting in the way of my casual reading- - and I'm not liking that much at all!!
Wonderful storyline about two girls and their lives, love, and world on the stage and into the city of London. I read Fingersmith by Waters last year, and I think I may have liked this book even more. Her writing is quick and easy, but thought proviking. I found myself staying up for hours at night just trying to read to see what would happen. I hear its a bbc tv special from a bit ago - maybe I'll watch that too!
9/75
2910/30,000
10) Disagreement Politics and Philosophy by Jacques Ranciere 150 pages
Reading this for a class, it's quite a tedious read, but the philosophy itself is fascinating.
10/75
3060/ 30,000
School is getting in the way of my casual reading- - and I'm not liking that much at all!!
25alcottacre
#24: School is getting in the way of my casual reading- - and I'm not liking that much at all!!
Summer is on the way!
Summer is on the way!
26lbucci3
Thank God for summer!
11) Confederates in the Attic by Tony Horwitz 390 pages
My grandmother was from Tennessee, but when she married my grandfather they moved where he was from- Rhode Island. At 10, I took a trip with my entire northern family to Atlanta GA to visit our southern roots, and oh boy. As we were standing at Stone Mountain, and all the Confederate generals were staring down on us, I knew I wasn't in Rhode Island any more. Not that we didn't have fun, it was just another world entirely. This book caught my interest because I wondered what Horwitz would come up with. It's a very entertaining look at Southern culture and obsession with the Civil War. I liked it quite a bit, and enjoyed the way he traveled through the battles, associated with buffs, and really tried to see the historical treasures. I'm still interested in the Civil War, but I think much less so than any person pictured in this book.
11/75
3450/30,000
11) Confederates in the Attic by Tony Horwitz 390 pages
My grandmother was from Tennessee, but when she married my grandfather they moved where he was from- Rhode Island. At 10, I took a trip with my entire northern family to Atlanta GA to visit our southern roots, and oh boy. As we were standing at Stone Mountain, and all the Confederate generals were staring down on us, I knew I wasn't in Rhode Island any more. Not that we didn't have fun, it was just another world entirely. This book caught my interest because I wondered what Horwitz would come up with. It's a very entertaining look at Southern culture and obsession with the Civil War. I liked it quite a bit, and enjoyed the way he traveled through the battles, associated with buffs, and really tried to see the historical treasures. I'm still interested in the Civil War, but I think much less so than any person pictured in this book.
11/75
3450/30,000
27alcottacre
#26: I like Tony Horwitz as an author. I highly recommend his other books as well.
28lbucci3
12) Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane 369 pages
A reread, gearing up for the new movie! I was still so surprised by the ending even though I knew it already. The movie is never going to live up but the previews look very interesting at least.
13) The Politics of Aesthetics by Jacques Ranciere 93 pages
A school book for a class on visual culture and power. It's challenging, but rewarding.
13/75
3,912/30,000
Currently reading The Lightning Thief.
A reread, gearing up for the new movie! I was still so surprised by the ending even though I knew it already. The movie is never going to live up but the previews look very interesting at least.
13) The Politics of Aesthetics by Jacques Ranciere 93 pages
A school book for a class on visual culture and power. It's challenging, but rewarding.
13/75
3,912/30,000
Currently reading The Lightning Thief.
29lbucci3
Sorry I've fallen so far behind in posting on here- everyone's probably given up on this thread :-/ . I recently finished up my undergraduate degree, so now I have more time to commit to reading. The following books I read in March and April. Most were for school related projects- some are pretty heavy philosophies (looking at you-Foucault) so they took me a bit longer than expected.
14) The Lightening Thief by Rick Riordan 400 pages
15) The Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordan 304 pages
16) Discipline and Punish by Michel Foucault 352 pages
17)No Other Way Out by Jeff Goodwin 428 pages
18)Taking Power: On the Origins of Third World Revolutions by John Foran 410 pages
19)Lynching Photographs by Dora Apel 110 pages
20)Regarding the Pain of Others by Susan Sontag 144 pages
21)The Abu Ghrahib Effect by Stephen Eisenman 144 pages
22)Undoing Gender by Judith Butler 288 pages
22/75 (29.3%)
6920/30,000 (23.1%)
Currently Imperial Life in the Emerald City
14) The Lightening Thief by Rick Riordan 400 pages
15) The Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordan 304 pages
16) Discipline and Punish by Michel Foucault 352 pages
17)No Other Way Out by Jeff Goodwin 428 pages
18)Taking Power: On the Origins of Third World Revolutions by John Foran 410 pages
19)Lynching Photographs by Dora Apel 110 pages
20)Regarding the Pain of Others by Susan Sontag 144 pages
21)The Abu Ghrahib Effect by Stephen Eisenman 144 pages
22)Undoing Gender by Judith Butler 288 pages
22/75 (29.3%)
6920/30,000 (23.1%)
Currently Imperial Life in the Emerald City
30alcottacre
Congratulations on finishing your degree!
32lbucci3
23) No Touch Monkey by Ayun Halliday 273 pages
Fun travel writing about misadventures. She sounds like she gets into the sort of trouble on vacation that I tend to get in to :) (That is to say, lots of getting lost and ending up in strange predicaments). Fun.
24) Imperial Life in the Emerald City by Rajiv Chandrasekaran 384 pages
Currently, I'm very interested in the Middle East. This is primarily about America's involvement in the Iraq War. Interesting read. Hear it'll be a movie soon.
24/75 (32%)
7577/30,000 (25.3%)
The political science department bought the top ten students books for our graduation. I got two
Deer Hunting with Jesus and
The Myth of the Rational Voter
Let's see how they go, I'm pretty excited.
Fun travel writing about misadventures. She sounds like she gets into the sort of trouble on vacation that I tend to get in to :) (That is to say, lots of getting lost and ending up in strange predicaments). Fun.
24) Imperial Life in the Emerald City by Rajiv Chandrasekaran 384 pages
Currently, I'm very interested in the Middle East. This is primarily about America's involvement in the Iraq War. Interesting read. Hear it'll be a movie soon.
24/75 (32%)
7577/30,000 (25.3%)
The political science department bought the top ten students books for our graduation. I got two
Deer Hunting with Jesus and
The Myth of the Rational Voter
Let's see how they go, I'm pretty excited.
33alcottacre
Congratulations on being in the top ten! That is terrific.
34cushlareads
Congratulations on graduating and being in the top 10 pol sci students. What graduate programs are you applying for? I remember GREs... good luck! I still have lots of GRE revision books in a box somewhere.
Just found your thread and really like the books you're reading. I have Half the Sky out from the library but have got sidetracked with one word titles for the TIOLI challenge, but must get on with it.
I loved Wolf Hall and hope she writes the sequel soon!
Just found your thread and really like the books you're reading. I have Half the Sky out from the library but have got sidetracked with one word titles for the TIOLI challenge, but must get on with it.
I loved Wolf Hall and hope she writes the sequel soon!
35carlym
Congratulations!
I'm putting No Touch Monkey on my wishlist. The two books you got for graduation look pretty interesting.
I'm putting No Touch Monkey on my wishlist. The two books you got for graduation look pretty interesting.
36lbucci3
Thanks everyone!!
re34: I'm looking at Rutgers right now. They have the Center for Politics and the American Woman and it looks fantastic. I'm also looking at University of Wisconsin in Madison. A few others too, but let's see how I do on the test. Half the Sky is definitely worth it - it's easy to read it in one day (guess starting is the hardest part)
re35: No Touch Monkey is a sweet book. Hope you enjoy it :)
re34: I'm looking at Rutgers right now. They have the Center for Politics and the American Woman and it looks fantastic. I'm also looking at University of Wisconsin in Madison. A few others too, but let's see how I do on the test. Half the Sky is definitely worth it - it's easy to read it in one day (guess starting is the hardest part)
re35: No Touch Monkey is a sweet book. Hope you enjoy it :)
37lbucci3
25) Empire of Illusion by Chris Hedges
He's discussing the end of literacy in America, and the ability to regurgitate ideas/accept the way society works. While I understand his point, and it's well written, I would argue that it's no new cultural shift. I'd say a majority of cultural functions are to keep people complacent- make sure people think they belong in whatever place they're in- but maybe I'm a bit too cynical.
25/75 (33%)
7817/30,000 (26%)
He's discussing the end of literacy in America, and the ability to regurgitate ideas/accept the way society works. While I understand his point, and it's well written, I would argue that it's no new cultural shift. I'd say a majority of cultural functions are to keep people complacent- make sure people think they belong in whatever place they're in- but maybe I'm a bit too cynical.
25/75 (33%)
7817/30,000 (26%)
38alcottacre
#37: The premise on that one looks interesting, so I will check it out. Thanks for the mention, Laura.
Congratulations on making it 1/3 of the way through the challenge!
Congratulations on making it 1/3 of the way through the challenge!
39carlym
#37: Does he point to a time when a majority of Americans were literate and well-read? I'm curious, because I can't think of an example.
40lbucci3
Hope you like it, it's definitely interesting!
@34-He doesn't - and that's where his work falls flat, imho.
@34-He doesn't - and that's where his work falls flat, imho.
41lbucci3
26)Let the Great World Spin 400 pages
Probably the best fiction I've read in a long time. It's so interesting how his characters interact and overlap.
26/75 (34.7%)
8217/30,000 (27.4%)
Probably the best fiction I've read in a long time. It's so interesting how his characters interact and overlap.
26/75 (34.7%)
8217/30,000 (27.4%)
42alcottacre
#41: I liked that one too, Laura. I am glad to see it has found another fan.
43lbucci3
Sorry I haven't posted in so long. I just took a job as a VISTA with Americorps, so I've been pretty busy. I've also been getting a lot closer to my local library because I'm living in poverty (got to live in it to fight it)- but the library has been a big benefit. So here's June and so far in July:
27)The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson 608 pages
28)The Girl who Played with Fire by Stieg Larsson 630 pages
29)Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman 400 pages
30) Zeitoun by David Eggers 368 pages
31) The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets Nest by Stieg Larsson 576 pages
32) The Dharma Bums by Jack Kerouac 224 pages
33) In The Woods by Tana French 464 pages
34) Peace is Every Step Thich Nhat hanh 160 pages
Let's do brief summaries- all of the girl with the... books I thought were wonderful. I understand how popular they have been but I think that the popularity is totally justified. Love Neil Gaiman and everything that I have read of his. Neverwhere imho was not as good as Anansi Boys but still excellent. I'm very interested in mindfulness lately and living a more conscious life- thus the Thich Nhat Hanh book and the Dharma Bums both made me think, but I probably wouldn't read the Kerouac ever again. In the Woods was alright for the long train ride I read it on, but the ending left me unsatisfied, so I'm not thrilled.
11,647/30,000 (38.8%)
34/75 (45.3%)
27)The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson 608 pages
28)The Girl who Played with Fire by Stieg Larsson 630 pages
29)Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman 400 pages
30) Zeitoun by David Eggers 368 pages
31) The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets Nest by Stieg Larsson 576 pages
32) The Dharma Bums by Jack Kerouac 224 pages
33) In The Woods by Tana French 464 pages
34) Peace is Every Step Thich Nhat hanh 160 pages
Let's do brief summaries- all of the girl with the... books I thought were wonderful. I understand how popular they have been but I think that the popularity is totally justified. Love Neil Gaiman and everything that I have read of his. Neverwhere imho was not as good as Anansi Boys but still excellent. I'm very interested in mindfulness lately and living a more conscious life- thus the Thich Nhat Hanh book and the Dharma Bums both made me think, but I probably wouldn't read the Kerouac ever again. In the Woods was alright for the long train ride I read it on, but the ending left me unsatisfied, so I'm not thrilled.
11,647/30,000 (38.8%)
34/75 (45.3%)
44carlym
I read On the Road and had the same reaction about Kerouac. I get it, but that was enough.
45alcottacre
I am glad to see you have found a job, Laura. I am unfamiliar with Americorps. What are you doing for them?
46lbucci3
@44- That was exactly how I felt :) Glad someone was with me there.
@45- It's a year of service- VISTAs work in community organizations that work to end poverty- so the overall mission of VISTA is to end poverty. Its the domestic version of the peacecorps.
@45- It's a year of service- VISTAs work in community organizations that work to end poverty- so the overall mission of VISTA is to end poverty. Its the domestic version of the peacecorps.
47alcottacre
#46: Wow. What a terrific cause. I wish you the best of luck with your endeavors.
