Wise Blood

Wise Blood by Flannery O'Connor
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I didn't get this one. Nothing particular that I didn't like about it, but I am pretty sure I missed the point. Comic Novel the author says? I definitely missed something. On to the next!


View all my reviews

A visit from the Goon Squad 2012 list addition

I actually read this in 2011 as the Goodreads community read. How interesting that it is now on the 1001 Books list! A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

While I am unsure whether I liked the style of the different narrators for each chapter, in my more optimistic moments, it was like a mini-mystery trying to figure out who was narrating and at what point in their life, and how they were connected to the other narrators. And, as a whole, I think it fits well with the chaotic world of punk music that is the underlying theme of the whole story. I did really care about the characters, and while I typically don't like flash backs and flash forwards in abundance, I did not find these distracting. I enjoyed being pleasantly surprised by this book that I probably wouldn't have picked up had it not been for the Goodreads challenge. Thank you, Goodreads!

View all my reviews

History of Love, 2012 list addition

I read this book in March 2011, on a recommendation from my mother-in-law. Turns out it was a pretty good book to get put on the list! Enjoy! The History of Love by Nicole Krauss
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I found this book endearing with the added bonus of lingering questions when done reading. The characters draw you in, and the topic is timeless - love. I would recommend this book to all romantics.

View all my reviews

2012 List Additions

Well, I am ahead of the game! Of the 11 2012 additions, I have already read two! That brings my grand total up to 43! I will post my reviews of History of Love and A Visit from the Goon Squad. Here are the 2012 additions: The History of Love – Nicole Krauss A Gate at the Stairs – Lorrie Moore Nemesis – Philip Roth Freedom: A Novel – Jonathan Franzen Sense of an Ending – Julian Barnes There but for the – Ali Smith A Visit from the Goon Squad – Jennifer Egan The Marriage Plot: A Novel – Jeffrey Euginides Cain – Jose Saramago 1Q84 – Haruki Murakami Art of Fielding – Chad Harbach

I'm on a roll in 2013! Farewell, My Lovely

Farewell, My Lovely by Raymond Chandler
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Just started this one, but had to note this quote, "...the voice dragged itself out of her throat like a sick man getting out of bed." Who wouldn't enjoy reading a book with such specific and magnificent description! :) Had to note another doozie of a quote, "She's a charming middle-aged lady with a face like a bucket of mud and if she has washed her hair since Coolidge's second term, I'll eat my spare tire, rim and all."
More when I finish...

I love Philip Marlowe! He is just the right mix of hard-edge, softie and insane. Another great one by Raymond Chandler (see quotes above). I love the writing style, I love the description. The story was great with lots of twists and turns, some obligatory red herrings and just all around good fun for the mystery reader! Highly recommended!

View all my reviews I read The Big Sleep first as Farewell, My Lovely is the second Philip Marlowe book, and I am a little bit nutty about things like that. My local library(ies) seemed to be missing their individual copies of both books, so I have the pleasure of reading other short stories by Raymond Chandler and The Big Window from the omnibus that I was able to check out next! Then, onto Wise Blood as my next List conquest!

Murder Must Advertise by Dorothy L. Sayers
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This would have gotten a 5 star rating except for that the reveal chapter was written set at a cricket game, which I know nothing about. So, that was a bit frustrating. However, the rest of the story was quite enjoyable, and the premise was quite interesting. Lord Peter Wimsey is entertaining as always in this case working under cover at an advertising agency to sort out strange goings on. Lots of characters to keep track of, but that doesn't seem to be unusual for Dorothy Sayers. I look forward to reading her other book on the 1001 Books to Read list.

View all my reviews Next up, Farewell My Lovely by Raymond Chandler...

Frankenstein

I finished this one over the holiday.  It took a while as I put it down in favor of a couple of other books. That is not to say I did not enjoy it, though.

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Very much enjoyed this story. I found it to be very different than expected, and I very much enjoyed it. Certainly nothing like the popularized version we all think we know. Quick and enjoyable read.

View all my reviews And, bonus! I just figured out what I was doing wrong in copying my goodreads posts! Hooray! and Happy New Year! Hope to be more active this year. Last year was a tough reading year as I had a shoulder injury that ended up requiring surgery and that put a damper on my reading. However, I hope to do better this year. I have re-committed to 50 books, and I currently am reading one from the list and have another in the chute.