We survived our 50 books in one year challenge. In 2009 we are still reading...

Thursday, August 27, 2009

Out Stealing Horses by Per Petterson (#32, Fiction)

Out Stealing Horses is one of those books where major events happen, events that could be the central point, or apex, of the novel, but in the end they are just another part of life--never fully resolved or explained.

I definitely don't recommend this one if you are looking for an exciting book. It's a great story, and the writing is very well done, and there are some dramatic things that take place, but it's all sort of anticlimactic.

Although, I'm not complaining. Sometimes it's nice to read a book and just read along without waiting for "something" to happen. I was happy enough to follow the narrator through his solitude and memories from his past.

Thursday, August 20, 2009

A Lady's Pleasure by Renee Bernard (#31, Porn)

I debated whether or not I would document the fact that I read this book. I initially said I wasn't... but, I've put up every other book I have read for the past 2+ years, no need to get shy now.

I have nothing to say about this book. This was picked for a themed book club. It was amusing for about two seconds, then meh. What little kid says, "when I grow up I want to write trashy romance novels"? Apparently Renee did.

I don't know the exact statistics, but based on my anecdotal evidence from working at Barnes and Noble, the majority of genre purchases are SciFi and Romance.

Shocked and appalled.

But, book club was great as usual and sadly I think we spent more time discussing this one than any book to date. We may also have had a read aloud session ... maybe...

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

The Angel's Game by Carlos Ruiz Zafon (#30, Fiction)

Oh the potential. I bought this book in hardcover because I was so excited about my second round with Carlos Ruiz Zafon. And the disappointment. Expectations, too high? Maybe. I really loved The Shadow of the Wind, and so did almost everyone in book club who read it, which is a huge feat with our diverse taste in books.

My new thing is to read reviews, and The Angel's Game consistently comes up short of The Shadow of the Wind. But, to give Zafon some credit, the point at which the plot in his new book diverged on a more diabolical and mystic path is where he lost me. In Shadow you feel the mystery, and you wonder about supernatural forces, but in the end it's all real--spooky, but none of that sci-fi stuff. Not so much the case in this one.

I do really enjoy his writing and general style. Funny, clever, descriptive.

I hope his next book can do a better job of tying things up at the end... I'm still confused!