Monday, January 9, 2012
2012 is going to be a busy year and, unfortunately, I wont have much time for reading. I will continue to read and update my list as much as possible, but it wont be anywhere near what I've been able to finish in the past. I've also decided that this year I want to focus on radio serials. Yup, old time radio dramas and adventures. Obviously I'm starting with the original Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy because it's one of my favorite stories and the 5 phases of the series are all fantastic! After that I'll be venturing into what the internet has to offer for the old time serials and perhaps some newer ones that are made in the same spirit. It ought to be fun!
Friday, January 14, 2011
2011 Book List
*facepalm* Oh no, I lost books 23 to 44 on the list :( I've got 45 & up though!
50) The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins - Reread
49) LiveScience - I read enough LiveScience to claim it as a book, so this year that's just what I'm doing!
48) Moby Dick: or, the White Whale by Herman Melville - Hands down the best book to take out of context! Loved the story, hate Melville's writing style. Oh well, can't have everything.
47) The Capture (Guardians of Ga'hoole, Book 1) by Kathryn Lasky - Didn't really like it.
46) One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez - Marquez is such a wonderful story teller
23) Ooooooooh. Wow. Hands down one of the best things I've ever read. Usually a book will settle into the library stacks of my mind within 24 hours. It's been a good 3 days and it's still messing with my head. Splendid. Absolutely marvelous. I really wish the movie had done it some sort of justice, but then again no 1.5-2 hr movie ever really could. Watchmen is being filed right next to Les Miserables on my favorites shelf. Which probably says far more about me than I really want anyone to know!
22) Eh...It's not often that I don't like classics. I mean they're classics for a reason. I wasn't really wild about this story though. I guess I just can't jive with people telling a person to stop doing something that is obviously not their fault, like aging backwards. How could anyone possibly think that one is stubbornly reversing the entire course of nature on purpose? Perhaps I'm missing something?
21) Same ole neuroses, new year. Just like life only more funny and true! I'm pretty sure Brig and I are related. With any luck I'll have a happy ending with Colin Firth too!
20) With as strong a second book as Catching Fire was, I absolutely couldn't read another book before Mockingjay. I completely understand why my son's Boy's Life magazine ranks this series among the "100 books every boy should read" and it's been since...well since Deathly Hallows... that I've been this excited about a book-to-movie. When Booklist Jr. gets a bit older I'll be sure to introduce him to this amazing series!
19) It's not too often that the second novel in a series is just as good as the first. The Two Towers. Chamber of Secrets. Prince Caspian. Catching Fire definitely ranks among these. I just wish Katniss wasn't so stubborn absolutely all the time.
18) My (not so) inner neurotic-almost-30-and-single girl appreciated this novel more than I thought possible. Let's face it, damn near all of us are a lot like Brig, some of us just hid it better than others.
17) All that Scott really needs to come across now is a "?" box with a fire flower in it and I'll completely nerdgasm!
16) Absolutely hilarious and completely frightening. I have no doubts that the government actually funds projects such as the ones described in this book.
15) History, myth, psychology, genetics, sexuality, nature vs. nurture, and wonderful humor. What more could a girl want? Loved it!
14) Ooooooh I do love dystopian books and it's no wonder this particular one has made such a huge splash. I, pardon the pun, devoured The Hunger Games!
13) Reread. Bedtime stories for Booklist Jr. Still adore it!
12) Intricately woven, richly and darkly told.
11) Mr. Washington is probably one of the most humble people ever to have lived, never feeling he deserved fame. He dedicated his life to hard work and education all the while keeping his feet firmly planted on the ground, making him one of the people I truly look up to. I hope this story continues to inspire people the world over, we all could truly learn some lessons from him.
10) Fantastic mystery starring a cheeky little 11 year old. Loved it.
9) Just as awesome as the first!
8) The only things I really got out of this book are a fear of embolisms and an annoyance with the phrase "true fact."
7) People of the Book was AMAZING. I think I've found a new favorite genre in historical fiction. Brooks weaves an interesting tale using a fictional reverse chronology story of the path a real book takes to it's current place in history. Historical fiction, more than any other genre, encourages me to research (something I love to do anyway) while at the same time creating truly interesting entertainment. People of the Book has been compared to the writings of Dan Brown (of Da Vinci Code fame) and I'm inclined to agree. Well worth the read.
6) This was basically a good book. I found the extensive internal monologues around the middle of the book to be quite cumbersome, especially for one character in particular. But the book in general, the message of equality and peace and love, and the struggle of all the characters during such a turbulent time in American history, was a wonderful and educational read.
5) The only word I can really use to describe this book is profound. This book is intelligent and quirky and the ending sad, hopeful, and beautifully tragic. Every now and then a book will come along that slightly alters my perception of the world. Based on how Elegance is still haunting my mind, I'd say this is one of those books that's beyond good, beyond great...
4) What a fun, intriguing book full of interesting characters this is! I'd really like to see this one made into a movie. A bit noir, a bit offbeat, a bit...soggy!
3) I think every teenaged girl (and every woman with an inner teenaged girl) should read this great book about self discovery, friendship, love, and the crazy ride it takes us on.
2) Poirot's little gray cells solve another fatal intrigue. I just adore Christie's style and the narrator's complete inability to figure out, after knowing him for so long, that Poirot is never wrong!
1) Chabon weaves a tale that is nothing short of magical as three kids on the cusp of their teen years realize that they are greater than they ever imagined. As much as I love baseball, never has the great American game been so exciting!
50) The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins - Reread
49) LiveScience - I read enough LiveScience to claim it as a book, so this year that's just what I'm doing!
48) Moby Dick: or, the White Whale by Herman Melville - Hands down the best book to take out of context! Loved the story, hate Melville's writing style. Oh well, can't have everything.
47) The Capture (Guardians of Ga'hoole, Book 1) by Kathryn Lasky - Didn't really like it.
46) One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez - Marquez is such a wonderful story teller
45) Dracula by Bram Stoker
23) Ooooooooh. Wow. Hands down one of the best things I've ever read. Usually a book will settle into the library stacks of my mind within 24 hours. It's been a good 3 days and it's still messing with my head. Splendid. Absolutely marvelous. I really wish the movie had done it some sort of justice, but then again no 1.5-2 hr movie ever really could. Watchmen is being filed right next to Les Miserables on my favorites shelf. Which probably says far more about me than I really want anyone to know!
22) Eh...It's not often that I don't like classics. I mean they're classics for a reason. I wasn't really wild about this story though. I guess I just can't jive with people telling a person to stop doing something that is obviously not their fault, like aging backwards. How could anyone possibly think that one is stubbornly reversing the entire course of nature on purpose? Perhaps I'm missing something?
21) Same ole neuroses, new year. Just like life only more funny and true! I'm pretty sure Brig and I are related. With any luck I'll have a happy ending with Colin Firth too!
20) With as strong a second book as Catching Fire was, I absolutely couldn't read another book before Mockingjay. I completely understand why my son's Boy's Life magazine ranks this series among the "100 books every boy should read" and it's been since...well since Deathly Hallows... that I've been this excited about a book-to-movie. When Booklist Jr. gets a bit older I'll be sure to introduce him to this amazing series!
19) It's not too often that the second novel in a series is just as good as the first. The Two Towers. Chamber of Secrets. Prince Caspian. Catching Fire definitely ranks among these. I just wish Katniss wasn't so stubborn absolutely all the time.
18) My (not so) inner neurotic-almost-30-and-single girl appreciated this novel more than I thought possible. Let's face it, damn near all of us are a lot like Brig, some of us just hid it better than others.
17) All that Scott really needs to come across now is a "?" box with a fire flower in it and I'll completely nerdgasm!
16) Absolutely hilarious and completely frightening. I have no doubts that the government actually funds projects such as the ones described in this book.
15) History, myth, psychology, genetics, sexuality, nature vs. nurture, and wonderful humor. What more could a girl want? Loved it!
14) Ooooooh I do love dystopian books and it's no wonder this particular one has made such a huge splash. I, pardon the pun, devoured The Hunger Games!
13) Reread. Bedtime stories for Booklist Jr. Still adore it!
12) Intricately woven, richly and darkly told.
11) Mr. Washington is probably one of the most humble people ever to have lived, never feeling he deserved fame. He dedicated his life to hard work and education all the while keeping his feet firmly planted on the ground, making him one of the people I truly look up to. I hope this story continues to inspire people the world over, we all could truly learn some lessons from him.
10) Fantastic mystery starring a cheeky little 11 year old. Loved it.
9) Just as awesome as the first!
8) The only things I really got out of this book are a fear of embolisms and an annoyance with the phrase "true fact."
7) People of the Book was AMAZING. I think I've found a new favorite genre in historical fiction. Brooks weaves an interesting tale using a fictional reverse chronology story of the path a real book takes to it's current place in history. Historical fiction, more than any other genre, encourages me to research (something I love to do anyway) while at the same time creating truly interesting entertainment. People of the Book has been compared to the writings of Dan Brown (of Da Vinci Code fame) and I'm inclined to agree. Well worth the read.
6) This was basically a good book. I found the extensive internal monologues around the middle of the book to be quite cumbersome, especially for one character in particular. But the book in general, the message of equality and peace and love, and the struggle of all the characters during such a turbulent time in American history, was a wonderful and educational read.
5) The only word I can really use to describe this book is profound. This book is intelligent and quirky and the ending sad, hopeful, and beautifully tragic. Every now and then a book will come along that slightly alters my perception of the world. Based on how Elegance is still haunting my mind, I'd say this is one of those books that's beyond good, beyond great...
4) What a fun, intriguing book full of interesting characters this is! I'd really like to see this one made into a movie. A bit noir, a bit offbeat, a bit...soggy!
3) I think every teenaged girl (and every woman with an inner teenaged girl) should read this great book about self discovery, friendship, love, and the crazy ride it takes us on.
2) Poirot's little gray cells solve another fatal intrigue. I just adore Christie's style and the narrator's complete inability to figure out, after knowing him for so long, that Poirot is never wrong!
1) Chabon weaves a tale that is nothing short of magical as three kids on the cusp of their teen years realize that they are greater than they ever imagined. As much as I love baseball, never has the great American game been so exciting!
Friday, January 15, 2010
2010 Book List
39) Finished off the year with this great little read. It was campy and humorous and and all around fun little whodunit!
38) Yes, I'm a bit behind on the Pilgrim reading, and yes I saw the movie first. Bad me! I absolutely adored this graphic novel and can't wait to get the rest!
37) Big Brother is watching. Big Brother is always watching. Big Brother will always catch you and turn you into a brain washed zombie. Scary, because I could also see Orwelle's vision of the future happening someday. Hell, in some aspects we see it happening already!
36) This collection of short stories by Philip K Dick was fantastic, a bit frightening (like all of his "we've doomed ourselves" future stories, they could sooo easily turn out to actually happen some day), and darkly humorous.
35) Nearly 6 months after getting it for my birthday I finally finished it. A very interesting addition to the Twilight Saga.
34) Interesting story of survival and opposites attract friendship.
33) Daaaaaang girl, no you didn't! I loved this book. That bitch is totally warped. And I loved the strength drawn from God at the end!
32) Colfer did a pretty good job continuing the H2G2 story. I was thoroughly entertained and have a few new great quotes to add to my Guide book!
31) Brooklyn was a fantastic coming of age story about a girl who immigrates from Ireland for work and all the trials that go with not only finding yourself and adjusting to a whole new life, but also (of course) finding yourself in love.
30) Stinker's Return
; Read this one to Owen. It's a cute sequel to Stinker from Space
.
29) I really quite liked this story of a woman coming to terms both with her past and her destiny.
28) I know I don't often go in for love stories, but I am trying to vary my literary horizons. This was a very sweet, very emotional book, Sparks' faith in God is evident throughout and I can only hope and pray that someday I find a man like Noah to give me that kind of love.
27) This was a pretty decent murder mystery. The plot isn't bad. The humor isn't bad either, though sometimes feels a little forced. I liked it enough that I may someday read further into the series.
26) Loved this book. I'm still rather annoyed at the way in which Stephanie's female leads, so strong in everything else, get so damn pathetic when it comes to love. I get that fierce women love fiercely, I've got a bit of that in me myself, but that doesn't mean they need to be pathetic about it. Meyer has become a source of admiration and her female leads have become role models for millions of very young girls and they really don't need to start thinking that being pathetic and whiney and clingy is they way girls in love should act. That aside the rest of the book was fantastic. The Host, unlike the Twilight saga, ended pretty much exactly how I wanted. The characters were well fleshed out and I came to care about them all (to the point of tearing up a bit at the end), the plot was cool and gave you plenty to think about on the human condition.
25) It's taken me years to realize something. Partly "Scarpetta" helped me realize it. Mostly it was my extreme excitement at PBS' Masterpiece Mystery Poirot series that got me to FINALLY get to reading Agatha Christie. I prefer Victorian era whodunnits to modern day investigative stories. Less reliance on technology, more reliance on "the little grey cells." I've always been a girl that prefers brains over looks. (Well those reasons as well as I'm a steampunker at heart and just adore the fashion of the period.) I've 100% fell in love wit Poirot and Christie with this book and have picked up a few more of hers and will also soon be FINALLY reading some Arthur Conan Doyle.
24) Awwwww, poor Oscar. Having been an overweight scifi nerd myself and being a proud nerd for life I just fell in love with the guy. I cried for him a fair few times, and I squeed with glee at all the nerdtastic references.
23) I wasn't even half way through this masterpiece when it became my favorite read of the year thus far. The characters, the plots, the clever way Thackeray cast satirical commentary on the selfishness of 19th century society (which we are most certainly still guilty of)! I'd truly be hard pressed to come up with a single criticism of this delicious treat!
22) Wish I had known I was coming into something akin to the middle of the series of these. I hate leaving a series unread but I was really pretty unimpressed so I think I may just have to deal with the feeling of abandonment these books will have.
21) William Faulkner. One of the best books of the 20th century. Stream of consciousness writing, which I just love. Wow. These people were truly something else. I'm not sure how I feel about a single one of them, but I know how I feel about this book. Incredible.
20) What a fantastic adaptation of an old fairy tale. Not quite as fantastic as "The Book of Lost Things" or Gregory Maguire's adaptations, but I very truly enjoyed this book!
19) Very interesting, both in it's style and for a person who didn't have the experience of growing up inner city and thus never had to deal with a truly rough childhood.
18) I am absolutely convinced that I could never be high society. Those people, men and women, prattle on constantly about absolutely nothing. It was a decent book and all, but definitely not one of my favorites. As far as classic chick lit is concerned, I think I'll go with Charlotte Bronte. I think her style suits me better.
17) Sometimes a girl just feels plain and unworthy and hopes to find love, even in unlikely places. I'm sure that's why this book is so popular. I did enjoy it, an interesting departure from my usual tastes. However, having read this and being half-way through Emma I am convinced I could never be anything near high-society. Good lord I hope people don't actually talk that much while saying so little in real life!
16) Mystery and intrigue in the Congo with British flair. Really, you can't get better than that!
15) Stinker From Space
by Pamela Service An absolutely adorable little science fiction book I read to my son. We both loved it!
14) An amazing follow up to "Wicked". Liir's journey of self-doubt is something we all can relate to, though perhaps not in such extremes.
13) One of the most celebrated pieces of literature of all time, a true masterwork and I adored it!
12) I've always been of the opinion that we as a species are mere moments from complete digression into chaos and an animalistic society worse than any nature has to offer. Saramango decribed one way in which this might happen in this amazing book. And of course, as any good book should do, gave a glimmer of hope at the end. I loved this book, it was terrible and beautiful.
11) Even more fun than the last!
10) Thus far my favorite book of the series.
9) I think these books are making my dyslexia worse by mentioning dyslexia so much!
8) Better than the 1st!
7) I only have a few words for this one... WHEN IS THE 4TH BOOK COMING OUT?!?
6) It's very obvious that Riordan decided to cash in on the Harry Potter craze. Everything from the black haired, green eyed hero kid to the unlikely hero with a smartypants female and goofy male friend golden trio to the moniker "Half Blood." Being a ginormous Harry Potter fan you'd think the blatant stealing of ideas from my favorite series would upset me. I'm a very open minded kinda gal, though, and I have a soft spot for all youth fantasy. I also love anything that's going to open up kids minds to learning. Getting kids interested in learning about Greek mythology is awesome and I loved this book!
5) I enjoyed the way the series ended with such hope. Altogether a great series for families with younger kids.
4) 3rd in the Books of Ember series, which is really the prequel. Tells a story of the events that lead up to the Disaster. Interesting, and a good moral along with the rest of the series, but DEFINITELY not my favorite book in the series.
3) 2nd in the Books of Ember series. My favorite of the series.
2) I really wish I would stop seeing Julia Stiles and Heath Ledger in my head while reading this.
1) 2nd in the Inheritance series. Fun book, look forward to the 3rd.
38) Yes, I'm a bit behind on the Pilgrim reading, and yes I saw the movie first. Bad me! I absolutely adored this graphic novel and can't wait to get the rest!
37) Big Brother is watching. Big Brother is always watching. Big Brother will always catch you and turn you into a brain washed zombie. Scary, because I could also see Orwelle's vision of the future happening someday. Hell, in some aspects we see it happening already!
36) This collection of short stories by Philip K Dick was fantastic, a bit frightening (like all of his "we've doomed ourselves" future stories, they could sooo easily turn out to actually happen some day), and darkly humorous.
35) Nearly 6 months after getting it for my birthday I finally finished it. A very interesting addition to the Twilight Saga.
34) Interesting story of survival and opposites attract friendship.
33) Daaaaaang girl, no you didn't! I loved this book. That bitch is totally warped. And I loved the strength drawn from God at the end!
32) Colfer did a pretty good job continuing the H2G2 story. I was thoroughly entertained and have a few new great quotes to add to my Guide book!
31) Brooklyn was a fantastic coming of age story about a girl who immigrates from Ireland for work and all the trials that go with not only finding yourself and adjusting to a whole new life, but also (of course) finding yourself in love.
30) Stinker's Return
; Read this one to Owen. It's a cute sequel to Stinker from Space.29) I really quite liked this story of a woman coming to terms both with her past and her destiny.
28) I know I don't often go in for love stories, but I am trying to vary my literary horizons. This was a very sweet, very emotional book, Sparks' faith in God is evident throughout and I can only hope and pray that someday I find a man like Noah to give me that kind of love.
27) This was a pretty decent murder mystery. The plot isn't bad. The humor isn't bad either, though sometimes feels a little forced. I liked it enough that I may someday read further into the series.
26) Loved this book. I'm still rather annoyed at the way in which Stephanie's female leads, so strong in everything else, get so damn pathetic when it comes to love. I get that fierce women love fiercely, I've got a bit of that in me myself, but that doesn't mean they need to be pathetic about it. Meyer has become a source of admiration and her female leads have become role models for millions of very young girls and they really don't need to start thinking that being pathetic and whiney and clingy is they way girls in love should act. That aside the rest of the book was fantastic. The Host, unlike the Twilight saga, ended pretty much exactly how I wanted. The characters were well fleshed out and I came to care about them all (to the point of tearing up a bit at the end), the plot was cool and gave you plenty to think about on the human condition.
25) It's taken me years to realize something. Partly "Scarpetta" helped me realize it. Mostly it was my extreme excitement at PBS' Masterpiece Mystery Poirot series that got me to FINALLY get to reading Agatha Christie. I prefer Victorian era whodunnits to modern day investigative stories. Less reliance on technology, more reliance on "the little grey cells." I've always been a girl that prefers brains over looks. (Well those reasons as well as I'm a steampunker at heart and just adore the fashion of the period.) I've 100% fell in love wit Poirot and Christie with this book and have picked up a few more of hers and will also soon be FINALLY reading some Arthur Conan Doyle.
24) Awwwww, poor Oscar. Having been an overweight scifi nerd myself and being a proud nerd for life I just fell in love with the guy. I cried for him a fair few times, and I squeed with glee at all the nerdtastic references.
23) I wasn't even half way through this masterpiece when it became my favorite read of the year thus far. The characters, the plots, the clever way Thackeray cast satirical commentary on the selfishness of 19th century society (which we are most certainly still guilty of)! I'd truly be hard pressed to come up with a single criticism of this delicious treat!
22) Wish I had known I was coming into something akin to the middle of the series of these. I hate leaving a series unread but I was really pretty unimpressed so I think I may just have to deal with the feeling of abandonment these books will have.
21) William Faulkner. One of the best books of the 20th century. Stream of consciousness writing, which I just love. Wow. These people were truly something else. I'm not sure how I feel about a single one of them, but I know how I feel about this book. Incredible.
20) What a fantastic adaptation of an old fairy tale. Not quite as fantastic as "The Book of Lost Things" or Gregory Maguire's adaptations, but I very truly enjoyed this book!
19) Very interesting, both in it's style and for a person who didn't have the experience of growing up inner city and thus never had to deal with a truly rough childhood.
18) I am absolutely convinced that I could never be high society. Those people, men and women, prattle on constantly about absolutely nothing. It was a decent book and all, but definitely not one of my favorites. As far as classic chick lit is concerned, I think I'll go with Charlotte Bronte. I think her style suits me better.
17) Sometimes a girl just feels plain and unworthy and hopes to find love, even in unlikely places. I'm sure that's why this book is so popular. I did enjoy it, an interesting departure from my usual tastes. However, having read this and being half-way through Emma I am convinced I could never be anything near high-society. Good lord I hope people don't actually talk that much while saying so little in real life!
16) Mystery and intrigue in the Congo with British flair. Really, you can't get better than that!
15) Stinker From Space
by Pamela Service An absolutely adorable little science fiction book I read to my son. We both loved it!14) An amazing follow up to "Wicked". Liir's journey of self-doubt is something we all can relate to, though perhaps not in such extremes.
13) One of the most celebrated pieces of literature of all time, a true masterwork and I adored it!
12) I've always been of the opinion that we as a species are mere moments from complete digression into chaos and an animalistic society worse than any nature has to offer. Saramango decribed one way in which this might happen in this amazing book. And of course, as any good book should do, gave a glimmer of hope at the end. I loved this book, it was terrible and beautiful.
11) Even more fun than the last!
10) Thus far my favorite book of the series.
9) I think these books are making my dyslexia worse by mentioning dyslexia so much!
8) Better than the 1st!
7) I only have a few words for this one... WHEN IS THE 4TH BOOK COMING OUT?!?
6) It's very obvious that Riordan decided to cash in on the Harry Potter craze. Everything from the black haired, green eyed hero kid to the unlikely hero with a smartypants female and goofy male friend golden trio to the moniker "Half Blood." Being a ginormous Harry Potter fan you'd think the blatant stealing of ideas from my favorite series would upset me. I'm a very open minded kinda gal, though, and I have a soft spot for all youth fantasy. I also love anything that's going to open up kids minds to learning. Getting kids interested in learning about Greek mythology is awesome and I loved this book!
5) I enjoyed the way the series ended with such hope. Altogether a great series for families with younger kids.
4) 3rd in the Books of Ember series, which is really the prequel. Tells a story of the events that lead up to the Disaster. Interesting, and a good moral along with the rest of the series, but DEFINITELY not my favorite book in the series.
3) 2nd in the Books of Ember series. My favorite of the series.
2) I really wish I would stop seeing Julia Stiles and Heath Ledger in my head while reading this.
1) 2nd in the Inheritance series. Fun book, look forward to the 3rd.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
2009 Book List
1) This book has 100% become my all time favorite book.
2) A post-apocolyptic book for kids. Gotta love.
3) Yes, I loves me so James Bond. I'm such a dude sometimes. The book was, of course, great. It helps hearing Sean Connery's voice in your head for all of Bond's dialogue.
4) An interesting general overview of Buddhism, something I've always been interested in.
5) Another interesting non-fiction read. Makes me more interested in creamation or plastination than ever. Seriously, ever seen Body Worlds? So fascinating, and very educational for those who aren't there merely for morbid curiosity!
6) I'm becomming more and more of a fan of classic world lit. Phantom was great. Not as great as Les Mis, which still holds the #1 book spot in my heart, but definitely amazing. Those French really know how to write!
7) I know, I took forever to read this one. Bad me. Joe Hill wrote some amazing stories. He definitely inherited some mad talent from his pops. I find it hard to pick a favorite. The book's namesake story moved me. The final story freaked me out enough that my boyfriend had to tell me everything's ok. I'm not even really sure why I'm freaked out. I just am. Most definitely a book I'll read again someday.
8) Fantastic again. Picked up on much more this 2nd go-round.
9) Decided to throw in another light read because it was so short and I've been itching to finally get some Gaiman. Read by Gaiman himself, contains 3 short stories by the author, all very cute, and and interview with him by his daughter.
10) Just about one of the most amazing books I've ever read. Just about. Gregory Maguire has got a great writing style and I'll never look at the wicked witch again!
11) What a marvelous story! Even as a grownup I still sometimes wish I could fall down a rabbit hole and experience a land of wonder!
12) Zaphod's just this guy, you know?
13) Fantastic. Not quite as amazing as Les Mis, but a wonderful classic that explores human nature in a thought-provoking way.
14) Genius, Douglas Adams is pure genius!
15) Oh I just love the way this ended. And I seem to really enjoy books that explore the nature of the soul, even in non-human animals!
16) Yeah, sometimes I want to pull a Captain Nemo and forsake civilization for a life of my own design under the seas.
17) *glee*
18) Good book, didn't like it as much as 20,000 Leagues though.
19) Soooo close to finishing the series!
20) I have read this before, but I like to experience books in every medium. Besides, this book is well worth a re-read or two.
21) Young Zaphod Plays it Safe by Douglas Adams The status as "book" is highly debatable. But still I can claim it, and the fact that it's Zaphod makes it all ok.
22) *le sigh* I so *heart* the Hitchhiker series, in all it's incarnations.
23) Just as trippy as Alice
24) Love it. Read it to someone awhile ago.
25) What an amazing story of enduring love!
26) Loved this tale of a boy and his dragon. Can't wait to finish Eldest
27) I loooves me some Robert Langdon. He's amazing and I love having a book that drives me to look up, research, and learn about new things. Though once you've read a Dan Brown book you can pretty much always figure out the twists but that doesn't make it any less fun considering I can do that with other great authors.
28) This book of loss and grief and how we deal with them is absolutely stunning, and hit me rather personally on more than one level. A fantastic read that I would highly recommend to everyone.
2) A post-apocolyptic book for kids. Gotta love.
3) Yes, I loves me so James Bond. I'm such a dude sometimes. The book was, of course, great. It helps hearing Sean Connery's voice in your head for all of Bond's dialogue.
4) An interesting general overview of Buddhism, something I've always been interested in.
5) Another interesting non-fiction read. Makes me more interested in creamation or plastination than ever. Seriously, ever seen Body Worlds? So fascinating, and very educational for those who aren't there merely for morbid curiosity!
6) I'm becomming more and more of a fan of classic world lit. Phantom was great. Not as great as Les Mis, which still holds the #1 book spot in my heart, but definitely amazing. Those French really know how to write!
7) I know, I took forever to read this one. Bad me. Joe Hill wrote some amazing stories. He definitely inherited some mad talent from his pops. I find it hard to pick a favorite. The book's namesake story moved me. The final story freaked me out enough that my boyfriend had to tell me everything's ok. I'm not even really sure why I'm freaked out. I just am. Most definitely a book I'll read again someday.
8) Fantastic again. Picked up on much more this 2nd go-round.
9) Decided to throw in another light read because it was so short and I've been itching to finally get some Gaiman. Read by Gaiman himself, contains 3 short stories by the author, all very cute, and and interview with him by his daughter.
10) Just about one of the most amazing books I've ever read. Just about. Gregory Maguire has got a great writing style and I'll never look at the wicked witch again!
11) What a marvelous story! Even as a grownup I still sometimes wish I could fall down a rabbit hole and experience a land of wonder!
12) Zaphod's just this guy, you know?
13) Fantastic. Not quite as amazing as Les Mis, but a wonderful classic that explores human nature in a thought-provoking way.
14) Genius, Douglas Adams is pure genius!
15) Oh I just love the way this ended. And I seem to really enjoy books that explore the nature of the soul, even in non-human animals!
16) Yeah, sometimes I want to pull a Captain Nemo and forsake civilization for a life of my own design under the seas.
17) *glee*
18) Good book, didn't like it as much as 20,000 Leagues though.
19) Soooo close to finishing the series!
20) I have read this before, but I like to experience books in every medium. Besides, this book is well worth a re-read or two.
21) Young Zaphod Plays it Safe by Douglas Adams The status as "book" is highly debatable. But still I can claim it, and the fact that it's Zaphod makes it all ok.
22) *le sigh* I so *heart* the Hitchhiker series, in all it's incarnations.
23) Just as trippy as Alice
24) Love it. Read it to someone awhile ago.
25) What an amazing story of enduring love!
26) Loved this tale of a boy and his dragon. Can't wait to finish Eldest
27) I loooves me some Robert Langdon. He's amazing and I love having a book that drives me to look up, research, and learn about new things. Though once you've read a Dan Brown book you can pretty much always figure out the twists but that doesn't make it any less fun considering I can do that with other great authors.
28) This book of loss and grief and how we deal with them is absolutely stunning, and hit me rather personally on more than one level. A fantastic read that I would highly recommend to everyone.
Monday, September 1, 2008
2008 Book List
1) ...again. I reread these at least once a year.
2) Read mostly while Owen was in the hospital. Two thumbs up.
3) awesomeness rolled up in fast paced fun. Read mostly in class because the teacher sucks and the class is basic computer aps crap. Way better then the movie, which pretty much sucked. Which in itself sucked because I had such high hopes, what with it starring whats-his-name and Kevin Spacey.
4) ...again
5) I've been meaning to get to this book for years and I'm so glad I finally did. I just wish I couldn't see this happening sometime within my lifetime. And I choose to end my commentary there instead of continue on about the current administration...
6) Of course I cried again when Sirius snuffed it. I am in a perpetual state of mourning for him.
7) It was cute, intended for prepubescent kids. At first I was rather annoyed by the extreme "properness" of the characters, the very xenocentricity of them all...but then they are all 19th century British. I did find what the author did with space, space travel, and space beings in the 19th century interesting and cute. But of course the cutest of all was how the 10-ish year old boy hero was completely oblivious to the love growing between his 15 yr old sister and the space pirate, dismissing all instances as signs that they obviously hated each other. And speaking of the space pirate...um, enough with the Capt. Jack's already?!? I mean obviously Capt. Jack Sparrow is the most awesome pirate ever to grace the big screen and Capt. Jack Harkness is the hottest omnisexual ever to screw everything in sight and all through space and time, but I think any more Capt. Jack's is really just over doing it.
8. Communication Mosaics by Julia T Wood Obviously a school book, not something I would have read of my own accord. Interesting though, especially the bits about the history of communication. Can't say it's really helped me with my communication skills, though.
9) Yes, I cried again.
10) Uh...yeah. I think I need to reread this one.
11) I'll admit it, the man confuses me sometimes. But still, I love him!
12) Dammit, ended on one hell of a cliffhanger. I so have to go out and get the last part of the trilogy. I'm so very interested in how the relationship between Cian (the "goodguy" vamp)and Moira (the princess/scholar) is going to turn out. Obviously they'll hook up, they're the only 2 who haven't, but they have the most interesting dynamic. *sigh* Another trip to the bookstore. I spend waaaay too much money on books.
13) It's one of those books that gives you a bunch of little deep thoughts, but this one is much better because it's go that Lemony Snicket wryness and slight darkness that makes him such a fun author. I'd say my favorite quote by far from the book is "Never trust anyone who has not brought a book with them."
14) My first reread. *sob* I can't say anymore.
15) Cute!
16) Read it to Owen. The version I got from the library had ugly illustrations.
17) Absolutely fantastic. I can see why it's one of the best books of the year. Of course my favorite part is written in itty bitty font size along the spine. Cover photo by Charles Manson. Of course it doesn't say the Charles Manson, but hey.
18) Meh. Should actually be titled Stupid History: Tales of April Fools Jokes Throughout the Ages Peppered with a Few Moments of Stupidity, Coincidences, and Famous Misquotes.
19) Yes that's right, a pop-up book based on a Stephen King book. That alone is worth a FAN-FRICKING-TASTIC rating.
20) Every time I went to Borders (which is way too often) I eyed this book longingly. But I kept telling myself I had tons of other books to read so I didn't need to be starting on a series. Then I got the Entertainment Weekly with a very pale Cedric Diggory with his chest hanging out of his shirt on the cover talking about the Twilight movie. Not that he looks very attractive all deathly pale and stuff, but it was enough to catch my attention. I got a few paragraphs into the article about the author when I decided I had to rush to Borders right away because I was thoroughly tantalized and I really didn't want to read any more spoilers in it. I figured at the very least I'd have the book read before the movie came out, but probably wouldn't have the other two done before the 4th and final installment came out. Yeah. Finished the novel in a day, neglecting everything but keeping food in my kids tummy and serious injury away from him. Went to Borders at 3, exactly 24 hours after I bought Twilight to by New Moon, the 2nd novel, because I only had 100 pages left and I knew I'd hate myself if I had to wait until Borders opened tomorrow morning to get it. I hear that the movie stays pretty close to the book, which I am super excited about because my gawd what a book!
21) Wish I had finished sooner, but you know how life can get in the way of a good book...which it was.
22) What can I say? It is pretty much the classic coming-of-age story for a reason.
23) Yeah, I can't remember what I thought about it beyond it was my 2nd fave of the series. Oh no wait, I do remember wishing Bella would stop whining about Jacob so much. I mean I love Jacob and all but sheesh!
26) First off, yes I have the collector's edition and no it's not as beautiful as in the pictures. It's 1,000x more so. I'm almost afraid to have it, beause I worry that I wont have it in a safe enough spot and Owen will spill something on it or Shania will decide it's a play toy. Anyway, aside from how beautiful it is, AWESOME!!! JK is just such a wonderful sotry teller. She definitely give the Brothers Grimm a run for their money. And yes, The Three Brothers was my favorite tale. Not because it was core to Deathly Hallows but because it was just the best. The best out of 5 amazing tales.
25) FINALLY! Jeez that took me forever. Mainly because...I'm sorry, I just couldn't stand Jacob's 1/3. But you know what? Once I got back to the real book I loved it again. Left me with good vibes at the end. Not my favorite of the series, didn't completely adore it like I adored Deathly Hallow but all in all pretty good.
26) Very very cute!
27) Again, cute!
28) Oh I just love Snicket's style and this was a very cute and offbeat Christmas story. Read while getting tattooed today.
29) Giggle. I liked this one even better than Coal! Also read this while getting tattooed.
30) I was never really interested in poetry in my younger days and though my interest has grown exponentially as I've gotten older I haven't had much of a chance to really jump in. My limited experience with poetry being made clear, I've read Howl many times since I was introduced to it. I'd say that to date it's my favorite poem, it's raw emotions surely must speak to all. Anyway, I'm glad to finally be introduced to more of this groundbreaking Beat poets work and hope to delve further into the works of him and his collegues soon! On a side note Henry Fool, one of my all time favorite movies, reminds me of Howl.
2) Read mostly while Owen was in the hospital. Two thumbs up.
3) awesomeness rolled up in fast paced fun. Read mostly in class because the teacher sucks and the class is basic computer aps crap. Way better then the movie, which pretty much sucked. Which in itself sucked because I had such high hopes, what with it starring whats-his-name and Kevin Spacey.
4) ...again
5) I've been meaning to get to this book for years and I'm so glad I finally did. I just wish I couldn't see this happening sometime within my lifetime. And I choose to end my commentary there instead of continue on about the current administration...
6) Of course I cried again when Sirius snuffed it. I am in a perpetual state of mourning for him.
7) It was cute, intended for prepubescent kids. At first I was rather annoyed by the extreme "properness" of the characters, the very xenocentricity of them all...but then they are all 19th century British. I did find what the author did with space, space travel, and space beings in the 19th century interesting and cute. But of course the cutest of all was how the 10-ish year old boy hero was completely oblivious to the love growing between his 15 yr old sister and the space pirate, dismissing all instances as signs that they obviously hated each other. And speaking of the space pirate...um, enough with the Capt. Jack's already?!? I mean obviously Capt. Jack Sparrow is the most awesome pirate ever to grace the big screen and Capt. Jack Harkness is the hottest omnisexual ever to screw everything in sight and all through space and time, but I think any more Capt. Jack's is really just over doing it.
8. Communication Mosaics by Julia T Wood Obviously a school book, not something I would have read of my own accord. Interesting though, especially the bits about the history of communication. Can't say it's really helped me with my communication skills, though.
9) Yes, I cried again.
10) Uh...yeah. I think I need to reread this one.
11) I'll admit it, the man confuses me sometimes. But still, I love him!
12) Dammit, ended on one hell of a cliffhanger. I so have to go out and get the last part of the trilogy. I'm so very interested in how the relationship between Cian (the "goodguy" vamp)and Moira (the princess/scholar) is going to turn out. Obviously they'll hook up, they're the only 2 who haven't, but they have the most interesting dynamic. *sigh* Another trip to the bookstore. I spend waaaay too much money on books.
13) It's one of those books that gives you a bunch of little deep thoughts, but this one is much better because it's go that Lemony Snicket wryness and slight darkness that makes him such a fun author. I'd say my favorite quote by far from the book is "Never trust anyone who has not brought a book with them."
14) My first reread. *sob* I can't say anymore.
15) Cute!
16) Read it to Owen. The version I got from the library had ugly illustrations.
17) Absolutely fantastic. I can see why it's one of the best books of the year. Of course my favorite part is written in itty bitty font size along the spine. Cover photo by Charles Manson. Of course it doesn't say the Charles Manson, but hey.
18) Meh. Should actually be titled Stupid History: Tales of April Fools Jokes Throughout the Ages Peppered with a Few Moments of Stupidity, Coincidences, and Famous Misquotes.
19) Yes that's right, a pop-up book based on a Stephen King book. That alone is worth a FAN-FRICKING-TASTIC rating.
20) Every time I went to Borders (which is way too often) I eyed this book longingly. But I kept telling myself I had tons of other books to read so I didn't need to be starting on a series. Then I got the Entertainment Weekly with a very pale Cedric Diggory with his chest hanging out of his shirt on the cover talking about the Twilight movie. Not that he looks very attractive all deathly pale and stuff, but it was enough to catch my attention. I got a few paragraphs into the article about the author when I decided I had to rush to Borders right away because I was thoroughly tantalized and I really didn't want to read any more spoilers in it. I figured at the very least I'd have the book read before the movie came out, but probably wouldn't have the other two done before the 4th and final installment came out. Yeah. Finished the novel in a day, neglecting everything but keeping food in my kids tummy and serious injury away from him. Went to Borders at 3, exactly 24 hours after I bought Twilight to by New Moon, the 2nd novel, because I only had 100 pages left and I knew I'd hate myself if I had to wait until Borders opened tomorrow morning to get it. I hear that the movie stays pretty close to the book, which I am super excited about because my gawd what a book!
21) Wish I had finished sooner, but you know how life can get in the way of a good book...which it was.
22) What can I say? It is pretty much the classic coming-of-age story for a reason.
23) Yeah, I can't remember what I thought about it beyond it was my 2nd fave of the series. Oh no wait, I do remember wishing Bella would stop whining about Jacob so much. I mean I love Jacob and all but sheesh!
26) First off, yes I have the collector's edition and no it's not as beautiful as in the pictures. It's 1,000x more so. I'm almost afraid to have it, beause I worry that I wont have it in a safe enough spot and Owen will spill something on it or Shania will decide it's a play toy. Anyway, aside from how beautiful it is, AWESOME!!! JK is just such a wonderful sotry teller. She definitely give the Brothers Grimm a run for their money. And yes, The Three Brothers was my favorite tale. Not because it was core to Deathly Hallows but because it was just the best. The best out of 5 amazing tales.
25) FINALLY! Jeez that took me forever. Mainly because...I'm sorry, I just couldn't stand Jacob's 1/3. But you know what? Once I got back to the real book I loved it again. Left me with good vibes at the end. Not my favorite of the series, didn't completely adore it like I adored Deathly Hallow but all in all pretty good.
26) Very very cute!
27) Again, cute!
28) Oh I just love Snicket's style and this was a very cute and offbeat Christmas story. Read while getting tattooed today.
29) Giggle. I liked this one even better than Coal! Also read this while getting tattooed.
30) I was never really interested in poetry in my younger days and though my interest has grown exponentially as I've gotten older I haven't had much of a chance to really jump in. My limited experience with poetry being made clear, I've read Howl many times since I was introduced to it. I'd say that to date it's my favorite poem, it's raw emotions surely must speak to all. Anyway, I'm glad to finally be introduced to more of this groundbreaking Beat poets work and hope to delve further into the works of him and his collegues soon! On a side note Henry Fool, one of my all time favorite movies, reminds me of Howl.
Saturday, August 30, 2008
2007 Book List
The first year I actually kept track.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14 I bought these kids books for me. They're just too cute!
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25 The beginning of the audiobook series, which I had been wanting to listen to forever.
26
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14 I bought these kids books for me. They're just too cute!
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25 The beginning of the audiobook series, which I had been wanting to listen to forever.
26
About Me
- Sasha
- Missouri, United States
- yearlybooklist & yearlybooklistjr; keeping track of our reads and generally being big nerds! Find Momma Yearly @ facebook.com/sooshaq "Fight evil, read books" -The Remus Lupins