Revzonian's Stack of Finished Reads 2010

Hi, I have a huge TBR pile that keeps on growing, but I am determined to make a bigger dent in it this time around. Of course, there are always good reads from the libraries, too! Good luck, everyone!

Glad to see you back with us for another year, Catherine!

Welcome back!

Thanks!

Kitchen by Banana Yoshimoto

I believe this was a textbook that one of my siblings used, and it got added to my collection because I offered to take them. Although it has sat on my shelf for a while, I am glad I decided to read it because it was wonderful! The style, flow, and characterization were just beautiful! I felt the heaviness of the losses of people close to her and the happiness from good relationships experienced by Mikage.

Set in Japan, it is a beautiful story about a girl, Mikage, whose grandmother passes away and the only comfort she can find to help her sleep through the nights is her kitchen. She is then taken in by the Tanabes, who have a kitchen that she also finds naturally comforting. The story continues from there. The only discrepancy I wondered about was in the very last chapter when the author went back and told us the story of Mikage's greatest love and loss. It was a minor detail about her mother (maybe she meant grandmother) because I thought her parents died when she was young. She had mentioned that she was sick with a cold and her mother laughed at something she said; Mikage was in her 20's. Overall, a great quick read and it would make a really good choice for a book club.

Nice start to your reading year, Catherine. That one has been in the BlackHole for a while now. I need to get to it soon.

Thanks, Stasia! Happy reading!

2) The Bridegroom by Ha Jin

What a great collection of short stories! I enjoyed the first one ("The Saboteur") about a scholar who was framed and forced to confess to a petty crime. His vengeance was starting an epidemic of his illness. My second favorite was "The Bridegroom" whose secret "illness" was then treated with electric baths. I must sound like a sadist, but it was really the writing of Ha Jin that sucked me in. His descriptions are so amazing that I got lost in the stories. In fact, I was reading at the table one day and my daughter asked me a question that I didn't even hear. My husband had to say, "MOMMY!" Oops, and the trance-like state was broken. It didn't take long for me to get back into it, though. I have his other books and will be reading them soon.

#8: I have that one in the BlackHole already along with several of Jin's other books. I really must get to them soon.

3) Hardboiled and Hard Luck by Banana Yoshimoto

Both stories were good, but I enjoyed Kitchen much more. It was definitely more emotionally charged, though these two stories also were filled with love, fear, and sorrow.

4) Asleep by Banana Yoshimoto

Liked these three stories about somnolence better than #10.

5) The Space Between Us by Thrity Umrigar

LOVED this book. All characters were well developed. The pain and realization the truth about people (despite having "known" them for years). A really great book club read!

#12: The Space Between Us looks very good. I already have it in the BlackHole. I really must bump it up!

6) Lizard by Banana Yoshimoto

While I enjoyed the other two books I read after Kitchen, I still liked Kitchen best. I enjoyed the short story, Lizard, but found that I couldn't finish the rest of the book. I just had to put it down. Maybe I just need a break from this author. On to finish The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

7) The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo by Steig Larsson

8) The Girl Who Played with Fire by Steig Larsson

Lisbeth Salander is my new favorite character. I can't wait until the third book of the trilogy hits the US in May!

If you are anxious for book 3 and cannot wait until May, you can order it through The Book Depository here: www.bookdepository.com

9) The Help by Kathryn Stockett

Loved this book! Really quick and easy read with a great insight into civil rights and relationships. Lots to talk about for book clubs.

#17: Already in the BlackHole. Glad you enjoyed it, Catherine.

10) Goodbye Tsugumi by Banana Yoshimoto

I liked this one very much. This was much better than the short stories. There were no ghosts involved in this novel, but the book definitely had moments where I got really emotional. The story revolves around Tsugumi, who has a chronic illness and is expected to have a short life. She is surrounded by her parents, who own an inn; an older sister, who is willing to sacrifice much to care for her; an older cousin, who is her best friend; and later Kyoichi, her boyfriend. Tsugumi is a nasty person, but she really is a softie inside.

#19: That one looks very good. My local college library has a copy, so hopefully I can get my hands on it soon.

11) Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout

Short stories, I just can't get into them! I enjoyed the first story (The Pharmacist), and I understand the rest of the stories are linked to one another. I tried...

Not every book is for every body. You gave it a try, did not like it, now you can move on. No sense beating yourself up about it, Catherine.

Thanks, Stasia. I wanted to like it because it got such rave reviews =)

#23: Sometimes I look at reviews and go "OK, what did those people see in the book that I did not?" I just have decided that I cannot let it bother me too much.

12) House Rules by Jodi Picoult

Enjoyed it. http://bubblesncups.wordpress.com/2010/04/16/booktalk-jodi-picoults-house-rules/

#25: Sounds like you enjoyed that one much more than Olive Kitteridge, Catherine. Good for you.

13) Pearl of China by Anchee Min

Great book. It was beautifully written about friendship, survival, faith, and loyalty.

#27: I will have to look for that one. Thanks for the recommendation, Catherine.

14) Girl in Translation by Jean Kwok

I love coming-of-age novels and Asian authors, so this was the perfect book for me from the get-go. It's about a Chinese girl from Hong Kong who enters the 6th grade in a public school in Brooklyn knowing very little English and works in a sweat shop in Chinatown. This may be cliche, but she is hard-working and intelligent, so she wins a full scholarship to the top schools, but still has to work alongside her mother in order to repay their debts to her aunt and uncle, their sponsors for immigration. It is so well-written that I finished the book in 3 days. The characters were very realistic, as are the challenges that Kimberly, the main character, faces: fitting in, keeping secrets, respecting others, gaining power, pursuing dreams, and being in love. Being Chinese myself, I had fun trying to figure out how things would have been said in Chinese, like "How dare you give me so little face?" Many of the other sayings that are phonetically written in English are translated.

I HIGHLY recommend this book.

#29: I think Catey has a copy of that one here somewhere. I will have to see if she will let me borrow it.

15) Getting Mother's Body and Suzan-Lori Parks

It's a good and happy ending, but I almost didn't make it there.

16) Hush, Little Baby by Katharine Davies

It was not what I expected, but at least it ended well.

17) The more you ignore me by Jo Brand

A delightful read from beginning to end. Ignorance may be bliss for you, but not for the person who is not receiving the attention much desired. Check out my review at http://www.librarything.com/profile_reviews.php?view=revzonian

Just found your thread and it looks interesting. You've read some nice ones! I just bought Kitchen recently, and your reviews about Banana Yoshimoto make me eager to start it soon!
I also might be interested in Jo Brand. I think I know her from QI and there I like her.

#33: Nice review, Catherine!

boekenwijs - Kitchen was really great! I wonder if I had read her other ones first I might have liked them better. I think after Kitchen I had high expectations for the others.

18) The Girl Who Fell From the Sky by Heidi W. Durrow

Excellent read - full of sorrow, dread, and hope for a girl who survived a tragedy.

#37: I have that one home from the library now. I hope I enjoy it as much as you did, Catherine.

#35 Thanks, Stasia!

#36 Banana's books are really good, except for one I couldn't get into, but you may enjoy it.

19) The woman who walked into doors by Roddy Doyle

My book group will berate me for yet another depressing book. However, it is well-written, short, and the end rewards you for sticking with it. Sometimes there is a fine line between love and hate, but in the end, everyone's definition of love is her own.

#41: I started Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha by Doyle this morning and am not sure how I feel about it yet. I tried his A Star Called Henry recently and gave up on it. I am wondering if Doyle is an author for me.

20) The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest by Stieg Larsson

What. A. Ride! Lisbeth is still my favorite. Although I was satisfied with the ending, I feel that the series could go on and on!

21) The Indian Bride by Karin Fossum

I got into this book right away and was feeling quite unfulfilled at the end because I'm left to wonder if the person who was arrested really was the cold-hearted murderer. It seems other readers are just as frustrated, but this book is worth reading. The character development is extremely well done. It was definitely a great suspense novel! I need to find more of her books.

#44: I read Fossum's When the devil holds the candle and would recommend that one to you, Catherine, if you have in mind another go at her books.

22) The Zen of Fish by Trevor Corson

Interesting, not boring because it told the story of students attending a sushi academy and how they succeeded in making sushi. I learned some facts, too (like sushi = rice not fish).

23) Bad Mother... by Ayelet Waldman

I'm not that bad of a mother after all...I have read a couple of novels by this author and now know the basis of them. I enjoyed this self-reflective piece of work and agree that we are sometimes good mothers and sometimes a mother who could have done things in a different way. This would make a great book club choice.

24) Bel Canto by Ann Patchet

Really enjoyed this one. The ending was not what I expected at all.

#48: Bel Canto is my favorite of Patchett's books. I am glad you enjoyed it, Catherine.

25) Everything Lovely, Effortless, Safe by Jenny Hollowell

I didn't care for this book. There was too much whining and self-loathing.

Sorry your 25th book was not better, Catherine, but congrats on hitting 25 any way!

#51 Thanks, Stasia!

26) My Formerly Hot Life by Stephanie Dolgoff

I'm still laughing! I love how I can relate to much of the book. What a fantastic writer, too! Thanks for a quick read and a lot of enjoyment.

#53: That one does not look like my cup of tea, but I am glad you enjoyed it much more than book 25!

53- I got that one as an early review book. I have to read it shortly. Not sure if it's going to be my cup of tea either, but we'll see. Glad to know you liked it. I don't even remember requesting it, but I guess I must have...

27) The Broken Places: A Novel by Susan Perabo

Ever lie to hide your fear, but then things got out of control and you're not sure who you are anymore? Sonny puts too much pressure on himself. Laura, the wife, is a godsend. And Paul is a pre-teen who is starting to question his own life and aspirations.

#56: That one looks pretty good. I will have to look for it.

#57, Stasia, maybe we can swap books?

Don't Look Back by Karin Fossum

So, after I read The Indian Bride, I ran to the library to get Fossum's other books. I love how the books seem to end...well, she leaves us hanging.

Anyway, in Don't Look Back, I thought it was going to be about a missing girl and I feared the worst after the first few pages. Then, after reading a little more, it turned into a murder mystery of different person. I almost believed it was one particular person who murdered Annie, a teenager who was athletic, full of life, but kind of reserved at times. In my mind I started conjuring up my own theories; some ended up being correct. Fossum is a master storyteller. Sejer, the detective, is such a lovable guy. Character development of all potential suspects is really well-done. On to the next one...

29) He Who Fears the Wolf by Karin Fossum

Another great book that ended with one line that made me wonder who did what. In this one, a schizophrenic escapes from the mental institution and is seen lurking near a murder scene in the town where he once lived. Then he ends up being a hostage for a different crime and bits and pieces of his life are revealed. An overweight boy, who enjoys archery, and is actually quite good at it, may be the key witness for the murder.Detective Sejer is called upon to help solve the murder, but also serves as a witness for the second crime. Who's really guilty and who's innocent?

#60: Sadly, my local library only has one of Fossum's books. I hope they will get more in soon because I really liked the one I read.

#61: And the one you read is the only one missing from my local library. I'm reading Black Seconds now.

#61: You could always come to Texas to check it out :)

30) Black Seconds by Karin Fossum

This suspect has autism and does not speak, but did he kill Ida Joner, a 9 year-old girl who rode on her new yellow bicycle to town? Then there's her cousin, newly licensed, who damaged his car the same day Ida goes missing. Or was it Willy Oterhal, the older boy who helped the cousin fix his car and is usually up to no good. Sejer remains calm and collected as he questions everyone. He even figured out how to get Emil (the initial suspect) to reenact the scenario. A great read!

I have Fossum on my Wishlist, but haven't read any yet. Your recent jag makes me want to get to try her sooner rather than later.

31) When the Devil Holds the Candle by Karin Fossum

There is a devil inside of all of us. Whether you are able to suppress it becomes a question. In this novel, a young man falls into his own death trap when he tried to mug a woman and followed her home. The woman turns out to be a friend of the man's mother, but remains quiet about the man's whereabouts. Very cleverly written. Even Sejer's anger is released in this one.

32) The Water's Edge by Karin Fossum

Another great book about a dead boy found in the woods by a couple during their weekly stroll. The storyline is a bit disturbing, as it is about pedophiles, but the mystery as to how they capture the offender is a good one. It is also a story about relationships - being very happy in one, but not knowing the partner's past or intentions and another relationship where it is simply a bond on paper and a routine, but the woman no longer is happy. In the latter case, we wonder if the husband is an offender himself after the woman finds a picture... Finally, because of fear, another boy loses his life.

#66: That is the only one of Fossum's books that I have been able to read since it is the only one my local library has. I am glad you liked it.

33) The Language of Trees by Ilie Ruby

Wow, I'm only halfway towards my goal, but at least I've been reading, right?

I enjoyed this book, which is about more than what the summary on the back describes! It's about love, regrets, forgiving, redeeming, trusting, healing, and letting go to start over. I would recommend it.

#69: I'm only halfway towards my goal, but at least I've been reading, right?

Right, Catherine!

I already have The Language of Trees in the BlackHole because of another recommendation in the group. Glad to know you enjoyed it as well.

34) Ok, I can't do math. Almost halfway...

Broken by Karin Fossum

Maybe it's because I've read so many of her books over a short stretch of time (similar thing occurred with Banana Yoshimoto, but I didn't really care for this one. Maybe because it wasn't a Sejer mystery. It was a darker story about a man who had led a quiet life and then ended up having to deal with an unsettling situation just to try to prove that he is indeed a good person. He had to learn the hard way that some things are better left alone.

I hope you enjoy your next read better than your last one!

35) City of Tranquil Light by Bo Caldwell

If I had read this one before I read Pearl of China by Anchee Min I might have enjoyed it more. Although City of Tranquil Light is more of a love story about two people for each other and their bond to China. Still a great read; rather emotional.

#73: That one looks like it might be interesting. I will have to look for it. Thanks for the recommendation, Catherine.

36) The Man in my Basement by Walter Mosley

This was a very quick and intriguing read. I was not sure what to expect, but was surprised at the ending. I suppose it would be the only way to end. I actually liked the guy in the basement by the end, despite the hideous crimes he had committed. It was an interesting proposition for a lot of money, but not without a lot on one's guilty conscience.

#75: I read that one a couple of years back and found it immensely disturbing. Not one I care to revisit.

37) Little Bird of Heaven by Joyce Carol Oates

Not one of her best, but interesting story about two families torn apart by a murder that neither party's fathers committed.

Congrats on reaching the halfway point of the challenge, Catherine!

38) Zeitoun by Dave Eggers

An absolutely amazing anecdote. It's a captivating, horrifying, emotional story of how one man and his family suffered unnecessarily because of a break down in our justice system during the natural ordeal. Although I do not belong to a religion, I am convinced that having faith and hope are important during times of duress to overcome the madness. I could not put the book down and I certainly can't wait to discuss it at book club (in 3 weeks!)

#79: That is one I took back to the library unread because I just did not have the time for it. I am going to have to re-check it out! Thanks for the reminder, Catherine.

39) Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts

I finally finished after 2 years (on and off). It's a long one and it gets a little slow towards the end, but it was worth it. It's an interesting story about a man who escapes from the Australian prison to India, where he first leads a life in the slums and then as a professional thief. A lot of things happen - many friendships, love interests, power struggles, and religious wars. All I kept thinking was - wow, this guy is like Jack Bauer - he never dies.

#81: I have that one in the BlackHole. One of these centuries I will get to it. I am glad to see you enjoyed it, Catherine.

40) Night Road by Kristin Hannah was a true tear jerker. I loved it. After the surprise addition to the family, the ending that occurred was expected, but I enjoyed it anyway. Parenting is not easy to begin with, and mother does not always know best.

#83: My daughter Catey has that one. I will have to see if I can borrow it. Thanks for the recommendation, Catherine!

41) Eden: A Novel by Yael Hedaya

I did not enjoy the slow pace of this book. However, I did find the last 50 pages enjoyable, particularly the open ending.

Catherine, the 2011 group is up and running. I do hope you will join us again!

http://www.librarything.com/groups/75booksin20111

Thanks, Stasia!

Under the Mercy Tree by Heather Newton

LOVED it. A mystery novel that kept me guessing and got me all emotional - perfect combo. I have also reviewed this book for Library Thing.

Under the Mercy Tree looks good! I will have to hunt for that one.