It was fun, and strange. I want the monster's language learning ability and eloquence, though. Monsters these days just aren't as genial and eloquent as they used to be.
Friday, September 28, 2012
Book 61: Frankenstein
This is October's book club "spooky read".
It was fun, and strange. I want the monster's language learning ability and eloquence, though. Monsters these days just aren't as genial and eloquent as they used to be.
It was fun, and strange. I want the monster's language learning ability and eloquence, though. Monsters these days just aren't as genial and eloquent as they used to be.
Thursday, September 27, 2012
Book 60: Under the Loving Care of the Fatherly Leader
Here we have another installment in my North Korea series.
This covered virtually the entire history of North Korea as seen through Chinese and Soviet archives, propoganda anaysis, the author's three visits to the DPRK, and defector interviews. It was a more nuanced view of the country and Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il than some things I have read; some events and characters were portrayed in a positive light.
The book was written before the death of Kim Jong-il, so the discussion of his successor is interesting and gave additional insight about the Great Successor and also those who did not become the new supreme leader.
Stylistically, the book was a little jarring. Some of the information from defector interviews is presented in a narrative, while some is presented as transcripts of questions and answers. I found myself wondering why the author made this decision. The ending was very interesting as well, but also a bit strange.
This covered virtually the entire history of North Korea as seen through Chinese and Soviet archives, propoganda anaysis, the author's three visits to the DPRK, and defector interviews. It was a more nuanced view of the country and Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il than some things I have read; some events and characters were portrayed in a positive light.
The book was written before the death of Kim Jong-il, so the discussion of his successor is interesting and gave additional insight about the Great Successor and also those who did not become the new supreme leader.
Stylistically, the book was a little jarring. Some of the information from defector interviews is presented in a narrative, while some is presented as transcripts of questions and answers. I found myself wondering why the author made this decision. The ending was very interesting as well, but also a bit strange.
Saturday, September 22, 2012
Book ?: Moby Dick
I recently heard about the Moby Dick Big Read project: each chapter of the book will be read by a different person (celebrity and non-celebrity) and posted on the website, a day at a time.
The recordings will continue until the end of January 2012, so this really won't count in my total for this year. Postings started on September 16, so I'm already a little bit behind.
Who would like to join me? Anyone?
The recordings will continue until the end of January 2012, so this really won't count in my total for this year. Postings started on September 16, so I'm already a little bit behind.
Who would like to join me? Anyone?
Friday, September 21, 2012
Book 59: Middlesex
Gasp. I've just discovered that this was an Oprah's Book Club pick. Oprah and I don't usually read the same stuff, so this came as a bit of a surprise.
But I really, really loved this. Oh, the writing was so good. Oh, the characters were so interesting--that's kind of an understatement. I listened to the audio book, and sometimes I thought the voice talent had a bit too much saliva, but hey, dry mouth isn't fun to listen to, either.
It seems that Oprah and I agree on this one.
But I really, really loved this. Oh, the writing was so good. Oh, the characters were so interesting--that's kind of an understatement. I listened to the audio book, and sometimes I thought the voice talent had a bit too much saliva, but hey, dry mouth isn't fun to listen to, either.
It seems that Oprah and I agree on this one.
Monday, September 10, 2012
Book 58: Year of Wonders
I've read (listened to) two other books by Geraldine Brooks this year, and they were both very good, so I jumped at the chance to listen to this one.
I loved most of it. The writing was lovely and the story was very interesting.
But the ending was unsatisfying and didn't seem to fit the rest of the story or the time period. There, have I ruined it for any of you who might have wanted to read it now? I'm still kind of mad that it ended the way it did. Grrr.
I loved most of it. The writing was lovely and the story was very interesting.
But the ending was unsatisfying and didn't seem to fit the rest of the story or the time period. There, have I ruined it for any of you who might have wanted to read it now? I'm still kind of mad that it ended the way it did. Grrr.
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Book 57: Wheat Belly
I am so impressionable. Call me Gluten Free Girl now.
Yes, after listening to about half of this book about the evils of gluten, I have been gluten free for *gasp* three days.
Is there any ill that gluten is not implicated in? This author thinks not. And while I may not agree with everything he says, I do think wheat is making me fatter. And so I embark upon my gluten-free adventure.
One very minor pet peeve of mine: Neither the voice talent who read the audio book and nor any of the people who supervised and edited the audio know how to pronounce quinoa properly.
Yes, after listening to about half of this book about the evils of gluten, I have been gluten free for *gasp* three days.
Is there any ill that gluten is not implicated in? This author thinks not. And while I may not agree with everything he says, I do think wheat is making me fatter. And so I embark upon my gluten-free adventure.
One very minor pet peeve of mine: Neither the voice talent who read the audio book and nor any of the people who supervised and edited the audio know how to pronounce quinoa properly.
Sunday, September 2, 2012
Book 56: May the Road Rise Up to Meet You
This is September's book club read. I enjoyed it.
The characters were engaging, and the story was interesting.
I found its descriptions of awful things (the Civil War, slavery) a lot less disturbing than what I have recently read, so that was nice, though it feels a little like emotional dishonesty. But I was grateful not to have to stop every few minutes and decide if I wanted to continue reading.
I was a little disappointed when I discovered that the characters were all going to be romantically involved with one of the other ones, but that is a peculiar quirk of mine. And the ending was unsatisfying and confusing for reasons I haven't yet figured out for myself.
The characters were engaging, and the story was interesting.
I found its descriptions of awful things (the Civil War, slavery) a lot less disturbing than what I have recently read, so that was nice, though it feels a little like emotional dishonesty. But I was grateful not to have to stop every few minutes and decide if I wanted to continue reading.
I was a little disappointed when I discovered that the characters were all going to be romantically involved with one of the other ones, but that is a peculiar quirk of mine. And the ending was unsatisfying and confusing for reasons I haven't yet figured out for myself.
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