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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
~~~
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)
____________________________________________
* 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.
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
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 @@@
18. Seeing Redd By: Frank Beddor
19. Kushiel's Mercy By: Jacqueline Carey. $$$
(see below for the notes regarding the above)
____________________________________________
* 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.
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.
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(no subject)
Date: 2007-12-19 06:44 pm (UTC)Aiee, I hear you on the "I can do this!"; there are ever so many writers that depress the living fuck out of me by sheer virtue of their power, just the narrative force they wield. But I think rather than being cowed by them, we should find them liberating, because: chances are, they disregard most of what your creative writing teachers or books will tell you "works" or "is right" - they'll go with a mix of gut feeling, semantic violence, eccentricity, and sheer willfulness, without listening to the naysayers.
In its time, "Gravity's Rainbow" was considered an unprintable monstrosity by virtually every publisher. It IS an unreadable monstrosity (and rather wonderful). Either way, it will leave a dent in your brain, be it in a good or a bad way. Facile books don't do that.
Oh, don't get me started on manga. So much to love, so much to discover!
(no subject)
Date: 2007-12-19 08:10 pm (UTC)I mostly read what grabs my attention via suggestions by friends. Nick is a huge influence on my reading, but almost always (not always though) I like his suggestions. Novels I likely wouldn't have picked up like DANCER and Lipschitz 7 and my favorite book of last year, hands down, MIDDLESEX. I have to admit--a huge part of adoration of Nick is the fact that we read and enjoy and discuss the same things. Having had a spouse who hated reading, hated my writing? Nick is a slice of heaven in that regard.
Sometimes I do disappoint him re: some books he loves and I am just 'eh' about. (Sorry, Baby). Right now, we both are on a fantasy swing, both wanting the escapism, the easy enjoyment, getting enough work out of dealing with uni for him (all those articles, yikes!) and what I already said up in other post.
I'm open for suggestions, mind you! Suggest a book or two for me to add to the list, and I will. One that leaves you breathless, in a state of Wow, one that makes you reread lines and/or paragraphs for the sheer joy of the words. There's room for more on my list!
(no subject)
Date: 2007-12-19 08:20 pm (UTC)"One Hundred Years of Solitude", Gabriel Garcia Marquez...
"The Sorrow of Belgium", Hugo Claus...
(no subject)
Date: 2007-12-19 10:35 pm (UTC)Several of these--I read the descriptions and knew I would keel over. Depressing... LOL.
I got Norfolk's "The Pope's Rhinoceros" and Jim Crace's "Quarantine." The former because it just intrigued me--the setting especially, and some readers' comments. "Quarantine" because I am anything but religious, and am intrigued by the description of the author's power of description and the relationship between the two women.
And, lastly, because it sounded fascinating and was only 4 bucks, I got Marina Warner's "The dragon Empress Life and Times of Tz'u-hsi 1835-1908 Empress Dowager of China." I like stuff like this. LOL.