2008 Reading List - Part I

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Inspired by katilara and without joining any reading community, as I will do additional parts (when other books I want to read come up) I've put a list together of the first books I am planning on reading this year. It is no doubt the strangest list of planned reading that I've ever had, with manga (no way! yes way!?!?!) and lots of YA. In fact, a surprising amount of YA. Hmm. What does THAT mean?

Suggestions for other reads are appreciated, too.

Carolyn


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1. The Wolves of Willoughby Chase (The Wolves Chronicles) By: Joan Aiken *

2. Black Hearts in Battersea By: Joan Aiken

3. The Witch of Clatteringshaws by: Joan Aiken

4. Inkheart By: Cornelia Funke **

5. Inkspell By: Cornelia Funke

6. The Electric Church By: Jeff Somers ***

7. The Thief Lord By: Cornelia Funke

8. to 15. Death Note 5 - 12 By: Tsugami Ohba *@*

16. A Feast of Crows By: George R.R. Martin @@@

17. The Looking Glass Wars By: Frank Beddor %% (I am actually currently reading this right now)

18. Seeing Redd By: Frank Beddor

19. Kushiel's Mercy By: Jacqueline Carey. $$$

(see below for the notes regarding the above)



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* This author, Joan Aiken, was a childhood favorites of Nick's. They are YA, the first written in 1963, the last just this past year. The author also passed away this year. Nick's not read the third, actually, but will when he comes here. Then I will give the books to him as he wants them. :)

** This series (third coming out soon), YA, is a huge favorite of Evelyn's is Nick's PSB (psychology student buddy--lol) Anyway--she adores it almost beyond reason (is currently devastated that she's done reading and has to wait for the third), and I'd bought for my ipod the second one, oops--impossible to understand what is going on without reading the first. And Nick says that listening to a book does not mean I've read it, so I must read these PROPERLY. Fine.

***Amazon description: In the near future, the only thing growing faster than the criminal population is the Electric Church, a new religion founded by a mysterious man named Dennis Squalor. The Church preaches that life is too brief to contemplate the mysteries of the universe: eternity is required. In order to achieve this, the converted become Monks -- cyborgs with human brains, enhanced robotic bodies, and virtually unlimited life spans. Enter Avery Cates, a dangerous criminal known as the best killer-for-hire around.) This was highly recommended by a friend being driven insane by her agent. It is interesting (and sobering) to watch. I normally wouldn't pick up a book like that, but I am intrigued.

*@* Now. How in the HELL I got convinced to read a Manga series, I don't know. Oh no, wait, I do know.

NICHOLAS!

He fell in love with the character L and, when that happened, I waited patiently to see how long it would be before the PLEASE READ IT C!'s began. It was around book five, I think. I just laughed. And yeah, I got the first three--and like it. Reading manga is kinda fun, and N reminds me of L in some ways. Smile. So I read a little before bed every night. I for one like Ryuk the best. The drawings of him absolutely crack me up. I want an icon of him.

@@@ This is the fourth in the series. It has been lambasted by many, including Publisher's Weekly: Martin's Web site explains that Feast and the forthcoming A Dance of Dragons were written as one book and split after they grew too big for one volume, and it shows. This is not Act I Scene 4 but Act II Scene 1, laying groundwork more than advancing the plot, and it sorely misses its other half. The slim pickings here are tasty, but in no way satisfying.

Grrr.

Now--everyone is entitled to their opinion, but I can't wait to read this next stage of the journey. Read Nick says--no listening to it. But but but... I LIKE LISTENING TO THIS SERIES! It makes work past so quickly! Grrr. So... we'll see. But first Nick has to finish book three and catch up with me. I can't wait. I love this series. *worships Martin*

%% Another YA series, loosely based on Alice of Wonderland. My son bought the first one and loved it so much he asked me to read it. Now, if my kids ask me to read something they've enjoyed, why, you bet I do. I started it today and am enjoying it quite a bit. He gets the second one Seeing Redd, for Christmas, and I will read it too. I like the way this author writes.

$$$ This series is worshipped by me almost as much as GRRM's. In fact, these two authors, along with Philippa Gregory (who doesn't have any more books I am interseted in reading) are proving to be a major influence on the way I am viewing my own writing. Some of the books in the two trilogies have left me with an 'eh' feeling, and some, especially the latest, Kushiel's Justice, I adored beyond reason. I love the description of this one, as at long last, Melissande is brought to the fore. About time! There just better be more after this. Six books is just not enough. This book isn't available until June, but I will get it the second it comes out.

Comments

[cruentum.livejournal.com]

I'm just wondering, do mainstream adult books do much for language and creative expression in general?

[(Anonymous)]

Most stuff that's on the bestseller lists or on sale at airport newsagents... no, in general that doesn't either, in my not so humble opinion. That's rather like TV. Which is not to say that they don't serve their purpose in story-telling.

[cruentum.livejournal.com]

What are good examples for novels/books/... that do something for language/creative expression? I only come up with the old classics at the moment - are there good contemporary novels that serve this purpose?

[liriaen.livejournal.com]

Awwhuh, I could name you a hundred if I could think of any right now. ^____^ Anything that provides enough resistance to make you work while reading?

[cruentum.livejournal.com]

Ah probably so, yes. Erinnert irgendwie an Deutsch Leistungskurs. 'm just trying to figure out when was the last time that I read something that had me read sentences twice to understand them -- that's probably the cut-off that I'd use for that.

[liriaen.livejournal.com]

Das Leben ist ein einziger, langer Deutsch-LK, ha ha! :D Last time I read, re-read, re-re-read sth. was Salman Rushdie's "Shalimar the Clown" which switched tempo and tone in fast gear, whipping you through brutal litanies, an encyclopedia of atrocities, as well as lush lyrical valleys. Kaleidoscopic, beautiful, and harsh. But what we like, and what makes us pause & gasp... is always a matter of personal taste, ultimately.

[cruentum.livejournal.com]

Erinnert mich daran, dass die Lehrerin in meinem Deutsch-LK vollkommen entsetzt war, dass sich Psych studieren wollte und nicht Germanistik/Lit/irgendwas, das mit Schreiben zu tun hat. I feel that nothing of the talent I may have shown back then remained.

I am admittedly probably not as much of a language-person as you are, what makes me pause and gasps are usually images/thoughts/scenes/thoughts ... more content-level than language-level. Sure, clever twists of the sentences and words, but not usually something that shows the art of language, complicated trains of thoughts that few can follow, but more simplistic honest emotions/thoughts. There are exceptions, of course. And there are ... people... I read and grow envious of -- so maybe the solution is to read more challenging novels than I do currently.

[liriaen.livejournal.com]

That was I, too dumb to log in.