Title: Talk Before Sleep
Author: Elizabeth Berg
Pages: 210
Started/Finished:June 13-June 15
My rating: 3.75/5
Why I read this book: I had never read a book by this author before, and she came highly recommended.
Setting of book: United States, present day. Urban area.
Plot of book: Ruth is dying of cancer, and her friends help take care of her.
What I liked about this book: An easy read; plot moves quickly. Story held my interest from begining to end.
What I didn't like: A little to "chick lit-ish" for my taste: I would classify this book as "women's fiction". Just not my type of book. Also didn't care for the main protaganist: I thought she was a bit selfish.
Would I recommend this book: Only for people who enjoy women's fiction.
e premte, 15 qershor 2007
e mërkurë, 13 qershor 2007
A Thousand Splendid Suns
Title: A Thousand Splendid Suns
Author: Khaled Hosseini
Pages: 367
Started/Finished: June 11-June 13
My rating: 4/5
Why I read this book: I really enjoyed The Kite Runner; also it's a Bookies group read and counts towards the Around the World in 80 Books challenge.
Setting: Afghanistan 1960s-2000s
Plot: Two women surving under various regimes in urban Afghanistan (Kabul).
What I liked about this book: The plot was very engaging, and moves along quickly. I also enjoyed the descriptions of Afghanistan.
What I didn't like: I wasn't overly impressed with the writing. Also, I thought the book *somewhat* predictable. Characters are a bit stereotypical. Plus it's a very short book to span 30+ years; the reader doesn't get much detail.
Would I recommed this book: Yes, for anyone looking for a fast and interesting read.
Author: Khaled Hosseini
Pages: 367
Started/Finished: June 11-June 13
My rating: 4/5
Why I read this book: I really enjoyed The Kite Runner; also it's a Bookies group read and counts towards the Around the World in 80 Books challenge.
Setting: Afghanistan 1960s-2000s
Plot: Two women surving under various regimes in urban Afghanistan (Kabul).
What I liked about this book: The plot was very engaging, and moves along quickly. I also enjoyed the descriptions of Afghanistan.
What I didn't like: I wasn't overly impressed with the writing. Also, I thought the book *somewhat* predictable. Characters are a bit stereotypical. Plus it's a very short book to span 30+ years; the reader doesn't get much detail.
Would I recommed this book: Yes, for anyone looking for a fast and interesting read.
e hënë, 11 qershor 2007
A Suitable Boy
Title: A Suitable Boy
Author: Vikram Seth
Pages: a whopping 1474
Started/finished: May 23-June 11 (20 days!!!)
My rating: 4.75/5
Why I read this book: It was a Bookies group read; also counts towards the Around the World in 80 Books challenge.
Setting of the book: 1950's India--mostly in Brahmpur and Calcutta
Plot of the book: Mrs. Rupa Mehra is determined to get her 19 year old daughter, Lata, married to a suitable boy. Lata however has other ideas, much to her mother's dismay. Other family members and friends (Savita, Maan, Pran, etc.) also have various issues going on in their lives.
What I liked about this book: Loved the imagery of India! The descriptions of the land was beautiful, as well as the description of the Ganges River. I also liked how the characters all interacted together, and how the "society" of the book worked.
What I didn't like about this book: There wasn't anything I didn't like. However, the chapters involving politics got a little long for me (just not my taste).
Would I recommend this book to others?: Yes! Especially anyone interested in India.
Author: Vikram Seth
Pages: a whopping 1474
Started/finished: May 23-June 11 (20 days!!!)
My rating: 4.75/5
Why I read this book: It was a Bookies group read; also counts towards the Around the World in 80 Books challenge.
Setting of the book: 1950's India--mostly in Brahmpur and Calcutta
Plot of the book: Mrs. Rupa Mehra is determined to get her 19 year old daughter, Lata, married to a suitable boy. Lata however has other ideas, much to her mother's dismay. Other family members and friends (Savita, Maan, Pran, etc.) also have various issues going on in their lives.
What I liked about this book: Loved the imagery of India! The descriptions of the land was beautiful, as well as the description of the Ganges River. I also liked how the characters all interacted together, and how the "society" of the book worked.
What I didn't like about this book: There wasn't anything I didn't like. However, the chapters involving politics got a little long for me (just not my taste).
Would I recommend this book to others?: Yes! Especially anyone interested in India.
e hënë, 4 qershor 2007
Book Awards Reading Challenge
This challenge is for reading 12 award-winning books from July 1-November 30 2007. I actually have a list ready for this one! I will post the date I finish each one--and, more than likely, the list will change before the challenge ends.
1) The Line of Beauty by Alan Hollinghurst
2) True History of the Kelly Gang by Peter Carey
3) Amsterdam by Ian McEwan
4) Moon Tiger by Penelope Lively
5) The Bone People by Keri Hulme
6) The Sea, The Sea by Iris Murdoch
7) Small Island by Andrea Levy
8) Beowulf by Seamus Heaney
9) The Mambo Kings Play Songs of Love by Oscar Hijuelos
10) The Optimist's Daughter by Eudora Welty
11) Humboldt's Gift by Saul Bellow
12) The Confessions of Nat Turner by William Styron
1) The Line of Beauty by Alan Hollinghurst
2) True History of the Kelly Gang by Peter Carey
3) Amsterdam by Ian McEwan
4) Moon Tiger by Penelope Lively
5) The Bone People by Keri Hulme
6) The Sea, The Sea by Iris Murdoch
7) Small Island by Andrea Levy
8) Beowulf by Seamus Heaney
9) The Mambo Kings Play Songs of Love by Oscar Hijuelos
10) The Optimist's Daughter by Eudora Welty
11) Humboldt's Gift by Saul Bellow
12) The Confessions of Nat Turner by William Styron
Around the World in 80 Books challenge
Like the title says--this challenge is for reading 80 books set in 80 different countries! Again, I have no idea what books I'll be reading for this one, so will be making the list after I read the books:-)
1) A Suitable Boy by Vikram Seth (India) Finished June 11, 2007
2 A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini (Afghanistan) Finished June 13, 2007
1) A Suitable Boy by Vikram Seth (India) Finished June 11, 2007
2 A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini (Afghanistan) Finished June 13, 2007
Classic Challenge
The Classics Challenge will run from July 1- November 30, 2007. The goal is to read five classic novels during this time frame. I'll be listing the books I've read for it here--so far, I have no idea which ones I'll be reading for it!
I've finally come up with a list for this challenge:
1) Villette by Charlotte Bronte (replaced this with the Hardy selection, since it appears that this one will be the Bookie pick rather than The Mayor of Casterbridge)
2) The Optimist's Daughter by Eudora Welty (I can also use this one for the Award Winners challenge!)
3) Emma by Jane Austen (it's a personal goal to slowly work my way through all of Austen's books--I've read only two so far)
4) 1984 by George Orwell (been on my TBR list for years)
5) The Awakening by Kate Chopin (just because it sounds interesting!)
So that's my current list!
I've finally come up with a list for this challenge:
1) Villette by Charlotte Bronte (replaced this with the Hardy selection, since it appears that this one will be the Bookie pick rather than The Mayor of Casterbridge)
2) The Optimist's Daughter by Eudora Welty (I can also use this one for the Award Winners challenge!)
3) Emma by Jane Austen (it's a personal goal to slowly work my way through all of Austen's books--I've read only two so far)
4) 1984 by George Orwell (been on my TBR list for years)
5) The Awakening by Kate Chopin (just because it sounds interesting!)
So that's my current list!
My up-coming reading challenges
I've decided to participate in three upcoming reading challenges! I will be participating in Classics Challenge, Around the World in 80 Books, and the Book Awards Reading Challenge. Sounds like fun!
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