12 New Authors Challenge

[Scheherazade]

Let's carry on with our challenge from last year and read something by 12 different authors whose works we have not read before this year.

If you are interested, please let us know here and report back to update your list every time you read the work(s) of a new author.

[Dark Muse]

I am in!

[QuentinL]

Yeah, I'll do it!

[Gilliatt Gurgle]

Compared to the other challenges out there, I have a remote possibility of accomplishing this one.
I'll see how far I get.

[Scheherazade]

1. Lois Lowry - The Giver 6/10. Somewhat mixed feelings. Trying to keep in mind that it is a YA book but still found the writing pedantic and somewhat forced. Thought-provoking storyline for children.

[Gilliatt Gurgle]

Completed A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway. Does it count if I started the book in 2011 but finish in 2012? I'll say yes.

Looking ahead my next two are:
2. Frederick Douglass - Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave
3. Oscar Wilde - The Importance of Being Earnest.....Thanks Neely
(I just sent Neely a request for a recommendation)

.

[Dark Muse]

Jules Verne - Around the World in Eighty Days: Overall an enjoyable story, though at I found it a little hard to get into. It was a humorous and fun adventure story but his writing style did not really captivate my attention.

7/10 stars

Jennifer McMahon - Don't Breathe A Word: A very eerie, haunting, and suspenseful tale. I really enjoyed reading this one and it kept me on the edge of my seat. I really liked the way in which the authors portrayal of fairies touched back to traditional folklore, opposed to what has become the more modern portrayal of the fairy.

8/10 stars

[qimissung]

I'm in. I'm currently working on The Tale of Genji and The Sheltering Sky.

[the facade]

I'm also in!

Currently reading DH Lawrence's "The Rainbow". I am completely dumb-founded by the character drawing and the originality of the Tom Brangwen character whose plight I greatly identify with. Although the narrative is site-specific and hinged upon a particular time and place, Lawrence manages to lift it to a universality that surprises me. However, the prose - beautiful as it is - can at times be a bit repetitive and non-industrious.

[TheFifthElement]

I think I can do this one too. So far this year:
1. Murasaki Shikibu - The Tale of Genji 9/10. Long but worth it; would have given it 10 apart from the ropey beginning and some off chapters in the middle.
2. J W von Goethe - The Sorrows of Young Werther 8/10. Been meaning to read this one for a while. Reminded me a lot of the style of Kafka/Hamsun. A sad but interesting read.
3. Joyce Carol Oates - Black Water 9/10. Joyce Carol Oates was one of the female writers I didn't get around to last year. Black Water is a poetic interpretation of the events leading to the death of Mary Jo Kopechne in the car accident with Teddy Kennedy, which I didn't know anything about. Names changed to protect the innocent, of course. A really beautiful, sad book. I loved it, and am keen to read more by Oates as a result.
4. Gunnar Gunnarson - The Good Shepherd 7/10. An odd, short little book about an Icelandic man who goes looking for lost sheep in a bad winter storm. Both his life and faith are challenged. I suspect there as a lot I missed about this one, so maybe a re-read would be in order at some point.
5. Salman Rushdie - Midnight's Children. Watch this space...

[Cailin]

Count me in - longtime absent poster determined to get involved again!

So far this year, 2 new authors:

Philip Roth (hangs head in shame at never having read him) - Nemesis
Hans Fallada - Alone in Berlin

[Scheherazade]

1. Lois Lowry - The Giver 6/10. Somewhat mixed feelings. Trying to keep in mind that it is a YA book but still found the writing pedantic and somewhat forced. Thought-provoking storyline for children.

2. Graham Greene - Our Man in Havana 8/10. Humorous and interesting. Very much enjoyed this one. Regret not having read his books any sooner.

3. Paul Bowles - The Sheltering Sky 6/10 - Even though it is a well-written book that keeps you reading, I am left with "blah" feeling when I finished it. What was the point? By now, I know that I am not keen these Americans-in-search-of-self-through-journey type of books and this one will just go into that pile for me.

4. Marilynne Robinson - Gilead 9/10 - A fantastic story written in first person. It contains heavy sections on religious (Christian) issues but still the author manages to make it about the human nature and condition. Hard to put down.

5. Geraldine Brooks - March 8/10 - Another first-person narrative and an interesting take on what happens to the father of March girls (Little Women) when he leaves his family behind to join the war.

6. Ann Patchett - Bel Canto 8/10 - Hard to put down, absurd, heart-warming and tragic.

7. Allen Drury - Advice and Consent 7/10 - A political thriller from 1950s. It is amazing to see that things hardly ever changes where politics is concerned.

8. Orhan Pamuk - My Name is Red 7/10 - A murder mystery taking place in 16th century Istanbul where Turks are struggling to come to terms with their relationship with the Western world.

9. John Le Carre - The Spy Who Came in from the Cold 7/10 Quite an enjoyable spy thriller with some philosophy thrown in for good measure. Ideal for summer holidays.

10. Diana Gabaldon - Outlander 5/10 After an interesting start, the book turned into a cliche collection with a 2D heroine far from convincing. Could have been 300 pages shorter.

11. Jose Saramago - Blindness 10/10 Phew. Simply could not put it down, feeling disgusted with humanity and falling in love with it all the same. Marvelous writing (albeit a little hard to get used to) and, thankfully, good translation.

12. Tom Stoppard - Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead 9/10 An excellent play rich with word plays and wit.

13. Laurie R. King - The Beekeeper's Apprentice 7/10 An entertaining page turner especially if you enjoy Sherlock Holmes stories.

14. Jennifer Egan - A Visit from the Goon Squad 7/10 An interesting structure, stories being told from different perspectives, expanding on a time period of many decades in the lives of semi-celebrities and the circles they move. I did not feel moved enough to care but I enjoyed the writing style very much.

15. Julian Barnes - The Sense of an Ending -8/10 Uncomplicated, solid writing enriched with a compelling storyline. I was disappointed with the ending as it felt very predictably unpredictable.

16. Anita Brookner - Hotel du Lac 7/10 Enjoyed the writing style but was not very keen on the storyline and author's approach to the subject.

17. Richard Ford - The Sportswriter 6/10 I am not sure what it is with this book. Ford's writing style is very good but I did not care much for the main character and his struggles... Which is a shame.

18. Zadie Smith - On Beauty 8/10 Two black families dedicated two different approaches to life, religion and politics and how their lives touch each other. Smith writes with ease, detailed without being stuffy or forced. Well worth the time!

19. Annabel Pitcher - My Sister Lives on the Mantelpiece 6/10 Story of a 10-year-old boy who tries to come to terms with the death of a sister who's killed in a terrorist attack and the divorce of his parents following her death. Most issues oversimplified and sugarcoated. Cannot help but wonder whether it is one of those books that were written at the right time and place to be popular.

20. Patrick Ness - A Monster Calls 8/10 Another children's book that deals with death but in a more honest, open and realistic way. The book is enriched with the illustrations.

[Veho]

Ok, why not. I was one new author short last year!

This year so far:

1) Leo Tolstoy - Anna Karenina 7.5/10

[qimissung]

The Sheltering Sky
The Enchantress from the Stars-a YA book, but really, really good. I really recommend this one.

[Dark Muse]

1. Jules Verne - Around the World in Eighty Days: Overall an enjoyable story, though at I found it a little hard to get into. It was a humorous and fun adventure story but his writing style did not really captivate my attention.

7/10 stars

2. Jennifer McMahon - Don't Breathe A Word: A very eerie, haunting, and suspenseful tale. I really enjoyed reading this one and it kept me on the edge of my seat. I really liked the way in which the authors portrayal of fairies touched back to traditional folklore, opposed to what has become the more modern portrayal of the fairy.

8/10 stars

3. V. S. Naipaul - A Bend in the River : An interesting book. I really enjoyed the narration style and thought the ending was beautiful.

7/10 stars

[TheFifthElement]

Update:
1. Murasaki Shikibu - The Tale of Genji 9/10. Long but worth it; would have given it 10 apart from the ropey beginning and some off chapters in the middle.
2. J W von Goethe - The Sorrows of Young Werther 8/10. Been meaning to read this one for a while. Reminded me a lot of the style of Kafka/Hamsun. A sad but interesting read.
3. Joyce Carol Oates - Black Water 9/10. Joyce Carol Oates was one of the female writers I didn't get around to last year. Black Water is a poetic interpretation of the events leading to the death of Mary Jo Kopechne in the car accident with Teddy Kennedy, which I didn't know anything about. Names changed to protect the innocent, of course. A really beautiful, sad book. I loved it, and am keen to read more by Oates as a result.
4. Gunnar Gunnarson - The Good Shepherd 7/10. An odd, short little book about an Icelandic man who goes looking for lost sheep in a bad winter storm. Both his life and faith are challenged. I suspect there as a lot I missed about this one, so maybe a re-read would be in order at some point.
5. Salman Rushdie - Midnight's Children. Hmm, really torn on this one. It's a well written book, funny, interesting story, clearly Rushdie is an intelligent and creative writer but, well, really I found this one a chore. On technical skill I'd give it an 8/10 but on enjoyment/engagement I'd give it a 4/10. I just felt excluded, in every way, from the story. Glad to have finished it, to be honest.

[Desolation]

I've read 6 new authors this year:

Thomas Pynchon (V.)
Don DeLillo (White Noise)
Philip Roth (Zuckerman Unbound)
Virginia Woolf (Mrs Dalloway)
Sylvia Plath (The Bell Jar)
Djuna Barnes (Nightwood)

I don't know if I'll make it to 12, though. My to-read list from here on out is mostly composed of very long books, and new books by writers I've already read.

[Dark Muse]

1. Jules Verne - Around the World in Eighty Days: Overall an enjoyable story, though at I found it a little hard to get into. It was a humorous and fun adventure story but his writing style did not really captivate my attention.

7/10 stars

2. Jennifer McMahon - Don't Breathe A Word: A very eerie, haunting, and suspenseful tale. I really enjoyed reading this one and it kept me on the edge of my seat. I really liked the way in which the authors portrayal of fairies touched back to traditional folklore, opposed to what has become the more modern portrayal of the fairy.

8/10 stars
3. V. S. Naipaul - A Bend in the River : An interesting book. I really enjoyed the narration style and thought the ending was beautiful.

7/10 stars

4. Salman Rushdie - Midnight's Children: A very interesting book. I found the narrative style to be engaging and I enjoyed reading.

7/10

5. Siteg Larsson - The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo: It started out a bit slow, but than it really picked up speed and became quite the page turner. I loved the characters, particularly Salander.

8/10

[Gilliatt Gurgle]

1. A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway. 6/10. Easier to read compared to a couple other books I've read recently. I particularly enjoyed the historical aspects centered around WW I. Something had to give in the end, following the nearly wearisome run of romance, good luck in near brushes with death and discovery.

2. Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave by Frederick Douglass. 9/10. I lack the gift of literary gabb, so I'll just say this was a great read. Douglass' mastery of writing is superb which is saying a lot considering the hardships of his life as a slave.

[JBI]

4. Salman Rushdie - Midnight's Children: A very interesting book. I found the narrative style to be engaging and I enjoyed reading.

7/10

5. Siteg Larsson - The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo: It started out a bit slow, but than it really picked up speed and became quite the page turner. I loved the characters, particularly Salander.

8/10

Michael Chabon - The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay - 7/10 - fun, exciting, but too long - should have been made into two novels, or chopped down. Also it seems a bit of a fanboy fiction at times, and some of the nostalgia and sincerity is annoying.

Jamaica Kincaid - Annie John - 3/10, would give it worse points if I didn't think the author herself didn't even take it seriously. I have never met an author who hates the world as much as this one, and it resonates deeply in her autobiographical novel, especially her hate for her native country, and her hate for her mother, her hate for her friends, her hate for, basically, everything. If you want school of Resentment, just read anybody praising this crap.

[Mutatis-Mutandis]

1. Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood -- 9/10.
2. The Book of Joby by Mark J. Ferrari -- 8/10.
3. Jane Eyre by Charlotte*Brontë -- 7/10.
4. Midnight's Children by Salman Rushdie -- 8.5/10.
5. The City and the City by China Meiville -- 9/10.

[suprematist]

1. Pnin - Vladimir Nabokov 8/10
2. Side Effects - Woody Allen 7/10 It has its moments of brilliance, but reads often, as how I imagine it anyway- like Woody Allen sleep-talking.
3. Orphee & Antigone - Jean Cocteau both 7/10
4. Diary - Chuck Palanhiuk 7/10
5. On Photography - Susan Sontag 10/10 highly informative
6. No Exit & The Respectful Prostitute - Jean-Paul Sartre 9/10

[Dark Muse]

1. Jules Verne - Around the World in Eighty Days: Overall an enjoyable story, though at I found it a little hard to get into. It was a humorous and fun adventure story but his writing style did not really captivate my attention.

7/10 stars

2. Jennifer McMahon - Don't Breathe A Word: A very eerie, haunting, and suspenseful tale. I really enjoyed reading this one and it kept me on the edge of my seat. I really liked the way in which the authors portrayal of fairies touched back to traditional folklore, opposed to what has become the more modern portrayal of the fairy.

8/10 stars
3. V. S. Naipaul - A Bend in the River : An interesting book. I really enjoyed the narration style and thought the ending was beautiful.

7/10 stars

4. Salman Rushdie - Midnight's Children: A very interesting book. I found the narrative style to be engaging and I enjoyed reading.

7/10

5. Siteg Larsson - The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo: It started out a bit slow, but than it really picked up speed and became quite the page turner. I loved the characters, particularly Salander.

8/10

6. Robert K. Massie - Catherine the Great: Portrait of a Woman: This was part of my efforts to read more non-fiction. I did not really know much about Catherine or this particular period of time and I have to say all in all I found the book quite enjoyable to read. The very last section felt a bit dry compared to the rest and slowed down becoming more difficult to get through, but there rest was easy to read and entertaining while giving a glimpse into the life of this woman.

7/10

[Chris 73]

The Sister's Brother's by Patrick Dewitt. 7/10
The Last Werewolf by Glen Duncan. 6/10
Rendevous With Rama by Arthur C Clarke. 7/10
Dark Entries (Hellblazer graphic novel) by Ian Rankin.6/10
Cat Power:A Good Woman by Elizabeth Goodman. 6/10
Its Only A Movie by Mark Kermode. 7/10

Out of these I liked The Sister's Brother's most of all. Though I feel its rather similar to an earlier work by the wierd fantasy author Jesse Bullington, The Sad Tale Of The Brother's Grossbart.

[TheFifthElement]

Update:
1. Murasaki Shikibu - The Tale of Genji 9/10. Long but worth it; would have given it 10 apart from the ropey beginning and some off chapters in the middle.
2. J W von Goethe - The Sorrows of Young Werther 8/10. Been meaning to read this one for a while. Reminded me a lot of the style of Kafka/Hamsun. A sad but interesting read.
3. Joyce Carol Oates - Black Water 9/10. Joyce Carol Oates was one of the female writers I didn't get around to last year. Black Water is a poetic interpretation of the events leading to the death of Mary Jo Kopechne in the car accident with Teddy Kennedy, which I didn't know anything about. Names changed to protect the innocent, of course. A really beautiful, sad book. I loved it, and am keen to read more by Oates as a result.
4. Gunnar Gunnarson - The Good Shepherd 7/10. An odd, short little book about an Icelandic man who goes looking for lost sheep in a bad winter storm. Both his life and faith are challenged. I suspect there as a lot I missed about this one, so maybe a re-read would be in order at some point.
5. Salman Rushdie - Midnight's Children. Hmm, really torn on this one. It's a well written book, funny, interesting story, clearly Rushdie is an intelligent and creative writer but, well, really I found this one a chore. On technical skill I'd give it an 8/10 but on enjoyment/engagement I'd give it a 4/10. I just felt excluded, in every way, from the story. Glad to have finished it, to be honest.

6. The Woman in Black by Susan Hill A real disappointment this one. Not scary, a bit boring. Nicely written, though. 6/10
7. The End of the Affair by Graham Greene Really good book. Short and tightly written, it really packs a punch. 8/10

[Veho]

Ok, why not. I was one new author short last year!

This year so far:

1) Leo Tolstoy - Anna Karenina 7.5/10

2) Anton Chekhov - Ivanov 8/10

[Dark Muse]

1. Jules Verne - Around the World in Eighty Days: Overall an enjoyable story, though at I found it a little hard to get into. It was a humorous and fun adventure story but his writing style did not really captivate my attention.

7/10 stars

2. Jennifer McMahon - Don't Breathe A Word: A very eerie, haunting, and suspenseful tale. I really enjoyed reading this one and it kept me on the edge of my seat. I really liked the way in which the authors portrayal of fairies touched back to traditional folklore, opposed to what has become the more modern portrayal of the fairy.

8/10 stars
3. V. S. Naipaul - A Bend in the River : An interesting book. I really enjoyed the narration style and thought the ending was beautiful.

7/10 stars

4. Salman Rushdie - Midnight's Children: A very interesting book. I found the narrative style to be engaging and I enjoyed reading.

7/10

5. Siteg Larsson - The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo: It started out a bit slow, but than it really picked up speed and became quite the page turner. I loved the characters, particularly Salander.

8/10

6. Robert K. Massie - Catherine the Great: Portrait of a Woman: This was part of my efforts to read more non-fiction. I did not really know much about Catherine or this particular period of time and I have to say all in all I found the book quite enjoyable to read. The very last section felt a bit dry compared to the rest and slowed down becoming more difficult to get through, but there rest was easy to read and entertaining while giving a glimpse into the life of this woman.

7/10

7. Pearl S. Buck - The Good Earth: I have to say I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would. I had been on the fence about wanting to read this one, and I found it was beautifully written, and a well told story which I found interesting to read.

8/10

[Rores28]

I'm in. So far:

1) A Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy (Adams) - 3.5/5
2) God is Not Great (Hitchens) - 3.5/5
3) A Game of Thrones (Martin) - 3/5
4) The God Delusion (Dawkins) - 4/5
5) Freedom (Franzen) - 3.8/5

Currently Reading: A Short History of Nearly Everything, Freefall,

On Deck list: A Brief History of Time, Utilitarianism For and Against, and some Godel

[RicMisc]

I'll join in in this one to keep myself reading different things. So far:

1. The Hunger Games (Suzanne Collins) 7/10
2. The Great Gatsby (F. Scott Fitzgerald) 8.5/10
3. To Kill A Mockingbird (Harper Lee) 8/10
4. Pride And Prejudice (Jane Austen) 7.5/10

Currently reading: Hamlet

[Helga]

I have been doing this without realizing it. the books I have been reading for school are mainly by people I don't know.

1.Gunnlaðarsaga-Svava Jakobsdóttir 7/10
2. The Antelope wife- Louise Erdrich 5/10
3. Wide Sargasso sea-Jean rhys 7/10
4.Ilium-Dan Simmons 6/10
5.weight- Jeanette Winteson 9/10
6. beouwulf- ? don't know how to grade it....
7. die letzte welt-Cristoph Ransmayr 6/10

right now I am reading Gods Without Men by Hari Kunzru

if you count plays and short stories I think I am up to a lot more though.

[Cailin]

Count me in - longtime absent poster determined to get involved again!

So far this year, 2 new authors:

Philip Roth (hangs head in shame at never having read him) - Nemesis
Hans Fallada - Alone in Berlin

3. Suzanne Collins The Hunger Games - teach teens so had to read this to see what they were all raving about.

4. Chinua Achebe Things Fall Apart - been meaning to read this - such a seminal text for so many African writers.

Quite pleased I've managed to do this much so far! Not a lot of spare time in my life for reading these days :bawling:

[suprematist]

1. Pnin - Vladimir Nabokov 8/10
2. Side Effects - Woody Allen 7/10 It has its moments of brilliance, but reads often, as how I imagine it anyway- like Woody Allen sleep-talking.
3. Orphee & Antigone - Jean Cocteau both 7/10
4. Diary - Chuck Palanhiuk 7/10
5. On Photography - Susan Sontag 10/10 highly informative
6. No Exit & The Respectful Prostitute - Jean-Paul Sartre 9/10

7. Demian - Hermann Hesse 7/10
8. In Cold Blood - Truman Capote 10/10

[Dark Muse]

1. Jules Verne - Around the World in Eighty Days: Overall an enjoyable story, though at I found it a little hard to get into. It was a humorous and fun adventure story but his writing style did not really captivate my attention.

7/10 stars

2. Jennifer McMahon - Don't Breathe A Word: A very eerie, haunting, and suspenseful tale. I really enjoyed reading this one and it kept me on the edge of my seat. I really liked the way in which the authors portrayal of fairies touched back to traditional folklore, opposed to what has become the more modern portrayal of the fairy.

8/10 stars
3. V. S. Naipaul - A Bend in the River : An interesting book. I really enjoyed the narration style and thought the ending was beautiful.

7/10 stars

4. Salman Rushdie - Midnight's Children: A very interesting book. I found the narrative style to be engaging and I enjoyed reading.

7/10

5. Siteg Larsson - The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo: It started out a bit slow, but than it really picked up speed and became quite the page turner. I loved the characters, particularly Salander.

8/10

6. Robert K. Massie - Catherine the Great: Portrait of a Woman: This was part of my efforts to read more non-fiction. I did not really know much about Catherine or this particular period of time and I have to say all in all I found the book quite enjoyable to read. The very last section felt a bit dry compared to the rest and slowed down becoming more difficult to get through, but there rest was easy to read and entertaining while giving a glimpse into the life of this woman.

7/10

7. Pearl S. Buck - The Good Earth: I have to say I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would. I had been on the fence about wanting to read this one, and I found it was beautifully written, and a well told story which I found interesting to read.

8/10

8. Dashiell Hammett - The Maltese Falcon: I do not usually read detective books, or crime fiction and mysteries, but I do like Film Noir, so I was intrigued when this book was described as a Noir Detective novel. I have to say that I quite enjoyed it. It was a fun, entertaining book to read.

8/10

9. Betty Smith - A Tree Grows in Brooklyn: I found this a very enjoyable book.

9/10

[Dark Muse]

1. Jules Verne - Around the World in Eighty Days: Overall an enjoyable story, though at I found it a little hard to get into. It was a humorous and fun adventure story but his writing style did not really captivate my attention.

7/10 stars

2. Jennifer McMahon - Don't Breathe A Word: A very eerie, haunting, and suspenseful tale. I really enjoyed reading this one and it kept me on the edge of my seat. I really liked the way in which the authors portrayal of fairies touched back to traditional folklore, opposed to what has become the more modern portrayal of the fairy.

8/10 stars
3. V. S. Naipaul - A Bend in the River : An interesting book. I really enjoyed the narration style and thought the ending was beautiful.

7/10 stars

4. Salman Rushdie - Midnight's Children: A very interesting book. I found the narrative style to be engaging and I enjoyed reading.

7/10

5. Siteg Larsson - The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo: It started out a bit slow, but than it really picked up speed and became quite the page turner. I loved the characters, particularly Salander.

8/10

6. Robert K. Massie - Catherine the Great: Portrait of a Woman: This was part of my efforts to read more non-fiction. I did not really know much about Catherine or this particular period of time and I have to say all in all I found the book quite enjoyable to read. The very last section felt a bit dry compared to the rest and slowed down becoming more difficult to get through, but there rest was easy to read and entertaining while giving a glimpse into the life of this woman.

7/10

7. Pearl S. Buck - The Good Earth: I have to say I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would. I had been on the fence about wanting to read this one, and I found it was beautifully written, and a well told story which I found interesting to read.

8/10

8. Dashiell Hammett - The Maltese Falcon: I do not usually read detective books, or crime fiction and mysteries, but I do like Film Noir, so I was intrigued when this book was described as a Noir Detective novel. I have to say that I quite enjoyed it. It was a fun, entertaining book to read.

8/10

9. Betty Smith - A Tree Grows in Brooklyn: I found this a very enjoyable book.

9/10

10. Choderlos de Laclos - Dangerous Liaisons: A delightfully deviant story. I loved the fact that it was written in the form of letters, as well becasue of that there were asepcts of it which I could personally relate to. As well there is a touch of Merteuil and Valmont in myself and a former Dangerouls Liaison of my own. I much enjoyed reading this book

9/10

[Tallulah]

This sounds like a good challenge and one that I have a chance of accomplishing!

So far...

Moll Flanders by Daniel Defoe - really didn't enjoy this one too much. It seemed rather tedious.

The Boleyn Inheritance by Phillippa Gregory - really liked this one. I'm a fan of historical fiction and that particular time period so it's odd that I waited so long to read one of Gregory's books.

The Communist Manifesto by Karl Marx - very easy to read. Didn't agree with anything he said (lol!) but overall it wasn't bad.

Rosemary's Baby by Ira Levin - loved this book. Read it in one day. Couldn't put it down. The sequel was a huge disappointment however.

Les Miserables by Victor Hugo - good book. Felt like it got a little bogged down in sections. Definitely feel a sense of accomplishment just for finishing something so big!

[TheFifthElement]

6. The Woman in Black by Susan Hill A real disappointment this one. Not scary, a bit boring. Nicely written, though. 6/10
7. The End of the Affair by Graham Greene Really good book. Short and tightly written, it really packs a punch. 8/10
8. Battle Royale by Koushun Takami gruesome J-pop kid killing spree. Interesting concept, clunky translation. 6/10

[Dark Muse]

1. Jules Verne - Around the World in Eighty Days: Overall an enjoyable story, though at I found it a little hard to get into. It was a humorous and fun adventure story but his writing style did not really captivate my attention.

7/10 stars

2. Jennifer McMahon - Don't Breathe A Word: A very eerie, haunting, and suspenseful tale. I really enjoyed reading this one and it kept me on the edge of my seat. I really liked the way in which the authors portrayal of fairies touched back to traditional folklore, opposed to what has become the more modern portrayal of the fairy.

8/10 stars
3. V. S. Naipaul - A Bend in the River : An interesting book. I really enjoyed the narration style and thought the ending was beautiful.

7/10 stars

4. Salman Rushdie - Midnight's Children: A very interesting book. I found the narrative style to be engaging and I enjoyed reading.

7/10

5. Siteg Larsson - The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo: It started out a bit slow, but than it really picked up speed and became quite the page turner. I loved the characters, particularly Salander.

8/10

6. Robert K. Massie - Catherine the Great: Portrait of a Woman: This was part of my efforts to read more non-fiction. I did not really know much about Catherine or this particular period of time and I have to say all in all I found the book quite enjoyable to read. The very last section felt a bit dry compared to the rest and slowed down becoming more difficult to get through, but there rest was easy to read and entertaining while giving a glimpse into the life of this woman.

7/10

7. Pearl S. Buck - The Good Earth: I have to say I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would. I had been on the fence about wanting to read this one, and I found it was beautifully written, and a well told story which I found interesting to read.

8/10

8. Dashiell Hammett - The Maltese Falcon: I do not usually read detective books, or crime fiction and mysteries, but I do like Film Noir, so I was intrigued when this book was described as a Noir Detective novel. I have to say that I quite enjoyed it. It was a fun, entertaining book to read.

8/10

9. Betty Smith - A Tree Grows in Brooklyn: I found this a very enjoyable book.

9/10

10. Choderlos de Laclos - Dangerous Liaisons: A delightfully deviant story. I loved the fact that it was written in the form of letters, as well becasue of that there were asepcts of it which I could personally relate to. As well there is a touch of Merteuil and Valmont in myself and a former Dangerouls Liaison of my own. I much enjoyed reading this book

9/10

11. Tea Obreht - The Tiger's Wife: I was a bit disappointed by this book. I was on the fence about wanting to read it, and I have to say I just found it lacking. While there were aspects I enjoyed, during my reading I found myself waiting to see if it would start to get better, but it never really did.

6/10

[RicMisc]

I'll join in in this one to keep myself reading different things. So far:

1. The Hunger Games (Suzanne Collins) 7/10
2. The Great Gatsby (F. Scott Fitzgerald) 8.5/10
3. To Kill A Mockingbird (Harper Lee) 8/10
4. Pride And Prejudice (Jane Austen) 7.5/10

Currently reading: Hamlet

5. Hamlet (William Shakespeare) 8/10
6. Il Principe (Niccolo Machiavelli) 10/10

Il Principe deserves to be mentioned separately from the rest because I loved the book so much! There is so much truth to what he says and I loved how he backed every thing he said with a historical example. Just an amazing book.

[Seasider]

1. I'd like to try Sir Walter Scott. I have a vague recollection of a film of Ivanhoe so Ill try that.

2. I have heard good things of Villette by Charlotte Bronte...and I loved the other one.

3. I was agreeably surprised bu how much I enjoyed Somerset Maugham's short stories,so I think I'll try The Painted Veil.

[Helga]

I have been doing this without realizing it. the books I have been reading for school are mainly by people I don't know.

1.Gunnlaðarsaga-Svava Jakobsdóttir 7/10
2. The Antelope wife- Louise Erdrich 5/10
3. Wide Sargasso sea-Jean rhys 7/10
4.Ilium-Dan Simmons 6/10
5.weight- Jeanette Winteson 9/10
6. beouwulf- ? don't know how to grade it....
7. die letzte welt-Cristoph Ransmayr 6/10

right now I am reading Gods Without Men by Hari Kunzru

if you count plays and short stories I think I am up to a lot more though.

8. Gods without men - Hari Kunzru 8/10
9. Candide- Voltaire 10/10
10. Hounded- Kevin Hearne 6/10 (very bad research mistakes!!)

[suprematist]

1. Pnin - Vladimir Nabokov 8/10
2. Side Effects - Woody Allen 7/10 It has its moments of brilliance, but reads often, as how I imagine it anyway- like Woody Allen sleep-talking.
3. Orphee & Antigone - Jean Cocteau both 7/10
4. Diary - Chuck Palanhiuk 7/10
5. On Photography - Susan Sontag 10/10 highly informative
6. No Exit & The Respectful Prostitute - Jean-Paul Sartre 9/10


7. Demian - Hermann Hesse 7/10
8. In Cold Blood - Truman Capote 10/10

9. Notes on the Cinematographer - Robert Bresson 9/10

[TheFifthElement]

1. Murasaki Shikibu - The Tale of Genji 9/10. Long but worth it; would have given it 10 apart from the ropey beginning and some off chapters in the middle.

2. J W von Goethe - The Sorrows of Young Werther 8/10. Been meaning to read this one for a while. Reminded me a lot of the style of Kafka/Hamsun. A sad but interesting read.

3. Joyce Carol Oates - Black Water 9/10. Joyce Carol Oates was one of the female writers I didn't get around to last year. Black Water is a poetic interpretation of the events leading to the death of Mary Jo Kopechne in the car accident with Teddy Kennedy, which I didn't know anything about. Names changed to protect the innocent, of course. A really beautiful, sad book. I loved it, and am keen to read more by Oates as a result.

4. Gunnar Gunnarson - The Good Shepherd 7/10. An odd, short little book about an Icelandic man who goes looking for lost sheep in a bad winter storm. Both his life and faith are challenged. I suspect there as a lot I missed about this one, so maybe a re-read would be in order at some point.

5. Salman Rushdie - Midnight's Children. Hmm, really torn on this one. It's a well written book, funny, interesting story, clearly Rushdie is an intelligent and creative writer but, well, really I found this one a chore. On technical skill I'd give it an 8/10 but on enjoyment/engagement I'd give it a 4/10. I just felt excluded, in every way, from the story. Glad to have finished it, to be honest.

6. Susan Hill - The Woman in Black - A real disappointment this one. Not scary, a bit boring. Nicely written, though. 6/10

7. Graham Greene - The End of the Affair - Really good book. Short and tightly written, it really packs a punch. 8/10

8. Koushun Takami - Battle Royale - gruesome J-pop kid killing spree. Interesting concept, clunky translation. 6/10

9. Anita Brookner - Hotel du Lac - absolutely perfect little book. Well written, surprisingly deep and very enjoyable 9/10

[Gilliatt Gurgle]

1. A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway. 6/10. Easier to read compared to a couple other books I've read recently. I particularly enjoyed the historical aspects centered around WW I. Something had to give in the end, following the nearly wearisome run of romance, good luck in near brushes with death and discovery.

2. Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave by Frederick Douglass. 9/10. I lack the gift of literary gabb, so I'll just say this was a great read. Douglass' mastery of writing is superb which is saying a lot considering the hardships of his life as a slave.

3. Finished two plays by Oscar Wilde; The Importance of Being Ernest and Lady Windermere's Fan". 8/10 and 6/10 resepctively. The first one had me luaghing out loud at several points. The second one did not appeal to me as much as Ernest, the outcome was predictable, but still entertaining. I will continue on with a [i]A Woman of No Importance

4. Salman Rushdie; Midnight's Children Started this for the February "Booker Award" reading thread and obviously missed the deadline, since I finsished last night. The narrative approach was interesting but tended toward the erratic. I was having difficulty keeping up with who, what and where. On the other hand I learned more about the history of India. 7/10.

[RicMisc]

1. The Hunger Games (Suzanne Collins) 7/10
2. The Great Gatsby (F. Scott Fitzgerald) 8.5/10
3. To Kill A Mockingbird (Harper Lee) 8/10
4. Pride And Prejudice (Jane Austen) 7.5/105. Hamlet (William Shakespeare) 8/10
6. Il Principe (Niccolo Machiavelli) 10/10


7. The Stranger (Albert Camus) 8/10

Currently reading: A Tale of Two Cities (Charles Dickens)

[Venerable Bede]

1. Stardust by Neil Gaiman 7/10 - Fun, whimsical fairytale that kept me interested throughout. It is a little lacking in plot, but otherwise good.

2. Last Light of the Sun by Guy Gavriel Kay 8.5/10 - Very good historical fantasy novel. Kay successfully transports the curt, realistic style of the Norse sagas to the genre of the modern novel. I look forward to reading more from him in the future.

3. A Shadow in Summer by Daniel Abraham 8/10 - I was pleasantly surprised by this fantasy novel recommended to me by my brother (we have very different tastes in reading). I will definitely be reading the next three installments in the series.

Up next: Absalom, Absalom! by William Faulkner

[TheFifthElement]

1. Murasaki Shikibu - The Tale of Genji 9/10. Long but worth it; would have given it 10 apart from the ropey beginning and some off chapters in the middle.

2. J W von Goethe - The Sorrows of Young Werther 8/10. Been meaning to read this one for a while. Reminded me a lot of the style of Kafka/Hamsun. A sad but interesting read.

3. Joyce Carol Oates - Black Water 9/10. Joyce Carol Oates was one of the female writers I didn't get around to last year. Black Water is a poetic interpretation of the events leading to the death of Mary Jo Kopechne in the car accident with Teddy Kennedy, which I didn't know anything about. Names changed to protect the innocent, of course. A really beautiful, sad book. I loved it, and am keen to read more by Oates as a result.

4. Gunnar Gunnarson - The Good Shepherd 7/10. An odd, short little book about an Icelandic man who goes looking for lost sheep in a bad winter storm. Both his life and faith are challenged. I suspect there as a lot I missed about this one, so maybe a re-read would be in order at some point.

5. Salman Rushdie - Midnight's Children. Hmm, really torn on this one. It's a well written book, funny, interesting story, clearly Rushdie is an intelligent and creative writer but, well, really I found this one a chore. On technical skill I'd give it an 8/10 but on enjoyment/engagement I'd give it a 4/10. I just felt excluded, in every way, from the story. Glad to have finished it, to be honest.

6. Susan Hill - The Woman in Black - A real disappointment this one. Not scary, a bit boring. Nicely written, though. 6/10

7. Graham Greene - The End of the Affair - Really good book. Short and tightly written, it really packs a punch. 8/10

8. Koushun Takami - Battle Royale - gruesome J-pop kid killing spree. Interesting concept, clunky translation. 6/10

9. Anita Brookner - Hotel du Lac - absolutely perfect little book. Well written, surprisingly deep and very enjoyable 9/10

10. The City & The City by China Mieville - brilliantly odd little thriller. Loved it. 9/10.

Only 2 to go!

[qimissung]

The Sheltering Sky
The Enchantress from the Stars-a YA book, but really, really good. I really recommend this one.

Night-Elie Wiesel
Oryx and Crake-Margaret Atwood

So far I have loved all of these books. The Sheltering Sky and Oryx and Crake in particular were rich and strange.

[mal4mac]

I haven't formally accepted this challenge, but I have challenged myself to read any novel on the library "new" shelf that has serious pretensions to literature. In doing this I find I'm well on target to read twelve new authors this year. New authors I've read and *really* enjoyed:

Three men in a boat : to say nothing of the dog! Jerome K. Jerome.
Starlight Stella Gibbons.
The drinker Hans Fallada
Blindness Jos Saramago
A man in full Tom Wolfe.
Heartbreak Craig Raine.
Breakfast at Tiffany's Truman Capote.
Bed : a novel David Whitehouse.
A small town in Germany John Le Carre.
Alms for Oblivion Simon Raven
The Handmaid's Tale Margaret Atwood

I'd recommend all of these to anyone as "must reads", and will certainly be reading more by these authors in the future. There are a handful of new authors I haven't enjoyed much, but I'll not bother mentioning them.


1. I'd like to try Sir Walter Scott. I have a vague recollection of a film of Ivanhoe so Ill try that.[/I]

I tried Scott for the first time last year and was plasantly surprised - so much so that I've now read all his major novels! Ivanhoe is definitely the one to start with - unless you fancy tackling Scottish dialect :) The Wordsworth edition was excellent - good notes as well as good price.

[dark desire]

So many people putting posts in bold! I am loving the excitement at this.

Don Delillo - White Noise and one more book

Ernest Hemingway - For whom the bell tolls and one more book

Scott Fitzgerald - Tender is the Night and The Great Gatsby

Thomas Pynchon - V

Iain M Banks - The Algebriast

Anais Nin - House of Incest

Henry Miller - Haven't decided yet which one

and two others that I will decide later on.

I just realized I do not like short novels. I feel strange about it given that I am quite a slow reader.

[qimissung]

The Sheltering Sky-Paul Bowles
The Enchantress from the Stars-Sylvia Louise Engdahl
Night-Elie Wiesel
Oryx and Crake-Margaret Atwood

A Room With a View-E.M. Forester The movie is a favorite of mine, but I've never read the book. I'm glad I did. It is very charming. Who we love is part of who we are, and how we get there is mysterious indeed.

[Scheherazade]

A Room With a View-E.M. Forester The movie is a favorite of mine, but I've never read the book. I'm glad I did. It is very charming. Who we love is part of who we are, and how we get there is mysterious indeed.Read that book twice in various languages but never seen the movie. You are the second person who mentions it this week. I will see if I can find a copy and watch it.

Love the story, by the way :)

[qimissung]

It is very faithful to the book, Scher, and very well-acted. Helena Bonham Carter plays Lucy and she is delightful. Daniel Day-Lewis is Cecil and Julian Sands is George. They all do a terrific job; let me know what you think!

[TheFifthElement]

A Room With a View-E.M. Forester The movie is a favorite of mine, but I've never read the book. I'm glad I did. It is very charming. Who we love is part of who we are, and how we get there is mysterious indeed.

Ah, one of the best movies ever and the book is gorgeous too. But Qimi, is it the first EM Forster book you've read? I am thinking about that lovely poem you once wrote, Only Connect the title of which comes from Forster's Howard's End. Have you not read the book? I have it on my shelf (I have many books on my shelves), unread but waiting :)

[qimissung]

It is one of the best movies ever, isn't it? And yes, as a matter of fact "A Room With a View" is my first Forester book ever. I did get my 'only connect' from his book, of course, but I knew of it from articles I've read about him or "Howard's End".

I do plan to read it, and I have a copy of it waiting, but I wanted to dip my toes into Forester first; I've long wanted to read "A Room with a View" any way. It was excellent, and I'm glad to say that I found Forester highly readable! My thanks to the New Authors Challenge!

[TheFifthElement]

It is one of the best movies ever, isn't it? And yes, as a matter of fact "A Room With a View" is my first Forester book ever. I did get my 'only connect' from his book, of course, but I knew of it from articles I've read about him or "Howard's End".

I do plan to read it, and I have a copy of it waiting, but I wanted to dip my toes into Forester first; I've long wanted to read "A Room with a View" any way. It was excellent, and I'm glad to say that I found Forester highly readable! My thanks to the New Authors Challenge!
Ah, that's so cool that you wrote that lovely poem having been inspired by articles. If you fancy reading Howard's End with company some time let me know. I've been wanting to get around to it, and reading it with you would be an excellent excuse. I can also recommend A Passage to India which is absolutely brilliant (as is the movie).

Further update...

1. Murasaki Shikibu - The Tale of Genji 9/10. Long but worth it; I would have given it 10 apart from the ropey beginning and some off chapters in the middle.

2. J W von Goethe - The Sorrows of Young Werther 8/10. Been meaning to read this one for a while. Reminded me a lot of the style of Kafka/Hamsun. A sad but interesting read.

3. Joyce Carol Oates - Black Water 9/10. Joyce Carol Oates was one of the female writers I didn't get around to last year. Black Water is a poetic interpretation of the events leading to the death of Mary Jo Kopechne in the car accident with Teddy Kennedy, which I didn't know anything about. Names changed to protect the innocent, of course. A really beautiful, sad book. I loved it, and am keen to read more by Oates as a result.

4. Gunnar Gunnarson - The Good Shepherd 7/10. An odd, short little book about an Icelandic man who goes looking for lost sheep in a bad winter storm. Both his life and faith are challenged. I suspect there as a lot I missed about this one, so maybe a re-read would be in order at some point.

5. Salman Rushdie - Midnight's Children. Hmm, really torn on this one. It's a well written book, funny, interesting story, clearly Rushdie is an intelligent and creative writer but, well, really I found this one a chore. On technical skill I'd give it an 8/10 but on enjoyment/engagement I'd give it a 4/10. I just felt excluded, in every way, from the story. Glad to have finished it, to be honest.

6. Susan Hill - The Woman in Black - A real disappointment this one. Not scary, a bit boring. Nicely written, though. 6/10

7. Graham Greene - The End of the Affair - Really good book. Short and tightly written, it really packs a punch. 8/10

8. Koushun Takami - Battle Royale - gruesome J-pop kid killing spree. Interesting concept, clunky translation. 6/10

9. Anita Brookner - Hotel du Lac - absolutely perfect little book. Well written, surprisingly deep and very enjoyable 9/10

10. The City & The City by China Mieville - brilliantly odd little thriller. Loved it. 9/10.


11. The Angel's Game - Carlos Ruiz Zafón - really enjoyed this and interested to hear that it's not considered his best work (I believe that's The Shadow of the Wind). Beautifully written gothic / supernaturalish / bookish thriller. A bit saggy in the middle, but hard to put down all the same. 9/10.

[qimissung]

Fifth, I would like to say thank you for remembering that poem. I would say I was more inspired by the quote itself than by anything else. I've got to finish my reader's challenge, but once I've done that, which is going to take me considerably longer than it has taken you, btw, I would love to read "Howard's End" with you. And of course I do want to read "A Passage to India" someday. I saw the movie years ago; it's really good, too, although probably not as good as the book. :D

Lolita's on my list of books to read (actually I started it then put it down). I think now might be a good time to pick it back up again.

[TheFifthElement]

Fifth, I would like to say thank you for remembering that poem. I would say I was more inspired by the quote itself than by anything else. I've got to finish my reader's challenge, but once I've done that, which is going to take me considerably longer than it has taken you, btw, I would love to read "Howard's End" with you. And of course I do want to read "A Passage to India" someday. I saw the movie years ago; it's really good, too, although probably not as good as the book. :D

Lolita's on my list of books to read (actually I started it then put it down). I think now might be a good time to pick it back up again.

Oh, if you want to read Lolita it would be great to share thoughts. I have just started reading it this morning and so far so good. It's beautifully written, and the main character Humbert Humbert is simultaneously repulsive and compelling. I suspect, already, that this will be a book to tear the soul.

Anyway, I'll let you into my secret of completing the challenge early - read short books ;) most of the books on my list have been quite short (at least half are around the 150 page mark). Cheating? Pish posh. I call it 'creative solutions' :D

Another update from me...


1. Murasaki Shikibu - The Tale of Genji 9/10. Long but worth it; I would have given it 10 apart from the ropey beginning and some off chapters in the middle.

2. J W von Goethe - The Sorrows of Young Werther 8/10. Been meaning to read this one for a while. Reminded me a lot of the style of Kafka/Hamsun. A sad but interesting read.

3. Joyce Carol Oates - Black Water 9/10. Joyce Carol Oates was one of the female writers I didn't get around to last year. Black Water is a poetic interpretation of the events leading to the death of Mary Jo Kopechne in the car accident with Teddy Kennedy, which I didn't know anything about. Names changed to protect the innocent, of course. A really beautiful, sad book. I loved it, and am keen to read more by Oates as a result.

4. Gunnar Gunnarson - The Good Shepherd 7/10. An odd, short little book about an Icelandic man who goes looking for lost sheep in a bad winter storm. Both his life and faith are challenged. I suspect there as a lot I missed about this one, so maybe a re-read would be in order at some point.

5. Salman Rushdie - Midnight's Children. Hmm, really torn on this one. It's a well written book, funny, interesting story, clearly Rushdie is an intelligent and creative writer but, well, really I found this one a chore. On technical skill I'd give it an 8/10 but on enjoyment/engagement I'd give it a 4/10. I just felt excluded, in every way, from the story. Glad to have finished it, to be honest.

6. Susan Hill - The Woman in Black - A real disappointment this one. Not scary, a bit boring. Nicely written, though. 6/10

7. Graham Greene - The End of the Affair - Really good book. Short and tightly written, it really packs a punch. 8/10

8. Koushun Takami - Battle Royale - gruesome J-pop kid killing spree. Interesting concept, clunky translation. 6/10

9. Anita Brookner - Hotel du Lac - absolutely perfect little book. Well written, surprisingly deep and very enjoyable 9/10

10. The City & The City by China Mieville - brilliantly odd little thriller. Loved it. 9/10.

11. The Angel's Game - Carlos Ruiz Zafón - really enjoyed this and interested to hear that it's not considered his best work (I believe that's The Shadow of the Wind). Beautifully written gothic / supernaturalish / bookish thriller. A bit saggy in the middle, but hard to put down all the same. 9/10.

12. The Prophet - Kahlil Gibran - a beautiful inspiring book. 10/10.

Mission accomplished!

[qimissung]

I'm about on page 100 of Lolita. I had put it down earlier this year, but I am quite enjoying it this time around. And Nabakov's language is delicious! Although I find the incessant plays on words a trifle annoying.

I was a bit nervous about how things would turn out with Charlotte, but the thing that makes Humbert appealing is that her character is actually treated with some sympathy. She is not demonized, which would have been easy for the author to do. Also, I can see why, and I won't say anything more, people sometimes rationalize that Lolita is more complicit than is actually the case. It wouldn't really matter as her age makes it a moot point.

Nabakov handled that scene deftly. It's disgusting, but it could have been so much more so. He tiptoes up to the line of what we can endure, then softly backs away, because in the end this is not a pornographic novel, but a psychological examination of a corrupt soul-and literature.

Oh, and congratulations, Fifth!

[mal4mac]

A Room With a View-E.M. Forester The movie is a favorite of mine, but I've never read the book. I'm glad I did. It is very charming. Who we love is part of who we are, and how we get there is mysterious indeed.

I agree! If you haven't read Forster then this is a good one to start with. I've recently read two new authors, to me, that I'd highly recommend:

Tobias Wolff - Old School
Liz Moore - Heft

[TheFifthElement]

I'm about on page 100 of Lolita. I had put it down earlier this year, but I am quite enjoying it this time around. And Nabakov's language is delicious! Although I find the incessant plays on words a trifle annoying.

I was a bit nervous about how things would turn out with Charlotte, but the thing that makes Humbert appealing is that her character is actually treated with some sympathy. She is not demonized, which would have been easy for the author to do. Also, I can see why, and I won't say anything more, people sometimes rationalize that Lolita is more complicit than is actually the case. It wouldn't really matter as her age makes it a moot point.

Nabakov handled that scene deftly. It's disgusting, but it could have been so much more so. He tiptoes up to the line of what we can endure, then softly backs away, because in the end this is not a pornographic novel, but a psychological examination of a corrupt soul-and literature.

Oh, and congratulations, Fifth!

Thanks Qim :D

On the Lolita is complicit point, I can see why that argument might be put forward and to a certain point I wondered that too, but then I think that Humbert is an erudite but unreliable narrator and I found, as I read more through the novel, that I was questioning more whether it was Humbert trying to justify himself or, perhaps more being hopeful, rather than there being any actual acts of objective or knowing complicity. Certainly I felt the longer I was reading there was much more doubt creeping in even from Humbert's perspective (particularly references to her listlessness, her bargaining, her frequent objections 'oh no' and 'not again' which are referred to with increasing regularity as the novel progresses.

Yes yes. It is an interesting and soul splitting book. On the one hand it is abhorrent. On the other you can (or I could) see that Humbert is a charming character who in real life (and in unknowing of his acts) you might find yourself liking.

Hmm.

[qimissung]

He is certainly unreliable. I think, too, when I talked of Lolita's actual complicitness I am specifically referring to their first time together. Maybe she helped things along, it's hard to really know. He seems to think maybe she experimented at her camp and that well may be, but it's a far cry for a 12 year old to be curious or to begin dreaming of sex and of her own sexuality and another for it to become a reality. I haven't gotten as far as you (as usual), but her language certainly has the mark of that of a sexually abused child-which she is.


The Sheltering Sky-Paul Bowles
The Enchantress from the Stars-Sylvia Louise Engdahl
Night-Elie Wiesel
Oryx and Crake-Margaret Atwood

A Room With a View-E.M. Forester

Shampoo Planet-Douglas Coupland


I agree! If you haven't read Forster then this is a good one to start with. I've recently read two new authors, to me, that I'd highly recommend:

Tobias Wolff - Old School
Liz Moore - Heft

Tobias Wolff is good, but I've never read anything by Liz Moore. Thanks for the suggestions, mal4mac.

[qimissung]

The Sheltering Sky-Paul Bowles
The Enchantress from the Stars-Sylvia Louise Engdahl
Night-Elie Wiesel
Oryx and Crake-Margaret Atwood

A Room With a View-E.M. Forester The movie is a favorite of mine, but I've never read the book. I'm glad I did. It is very charming. Who we love is part of who we are, and how we get there is mysterious indeed.

Shampoo Planet by Douglas Coupland

Some Girls: My Life in a Harem by Jillian Lauren

[RicMisc]

1. The Hunger Games (Suzanne Collins) 7/10
2. The Great Gatsby (F. Scott Fitzgerald) 8.5/10
3. To Kill A Mockingbird (Harper Lee) 8/10
4. Pride And Prejudice (Jane Austen) 7.5/105. Hamlet (William Shakespeare) 8/10
6. Il Principe (Niccolo Machiavelli) 10/10
7. The Stranger (Albert Camus) 8/10


8. Illium (Dan Simmons) 7.5/10
9. Celebrated Crimes - The Borgias (Alexandre Dumas) 9/10

[qimissung]

The Sheltering Sky-Paul Bowles
The Enchantress from the Stars-Sylvia Louise Engdahl
Night-Elie Wiesel
Oryx and Crake-Margaret Atwood
A Room With a View-E.M. Forester
Shampoo Planet by Douglas Coupland
Some Girls: My Life in a Harem by Jillian Lauren
Killing Yourself to Live: 85% of a True Story Chuck Klosterman

One of my many favorite things about this book is that the author is friends with someone named Mr. Pancake.

[qimissung]

The Sheltering Sky-Paul Bowles
The Enchantress from the Stars-Sylvia Louise Engdahl
Night-Elie Wiesel
Oryx and Crake-Margaret Atwood
A Room With a View-E.M. Forester
Shampoo Planet by Douglas Coupland
Some Girls: My Life in a Harem by Jillian Lauren
Killing Yourself to Live: 85% of a True Story Chuck Klosterman
The Last Unicorn Peter S. Beagle

Well, it's a classic for a good reason. Very sweet. I'm glad I read it.

Now only three to go. Woot! :banana:

[TheFifthElement]

Knockin 'em down Qimi :D



1. Murasaki Shikibu - The Tale of Genji 9/10. Long but worth it; I would have given it 10 apart from the ropey beginning and some off chapters in the middle.

2. J W von Goethe - The Sorrows of Young Werther 8/10. Been meaning to read this one for a while. Reminded me a lot of the style of Kafka/Hamsun. A sad but interesting read.

3. Joyce Carol Oates - Black Water 9/10. Joyce Carol Oates was one of the female writers I didn't get around to last year. Black Water is a poetic interpretation of the events leading to the death of Mary Jo Kopechne in the car accident with Teddy Kennedy, which I didn't know anything about. Names changed to protect the innocent, of course. A really beautiful, sad book. I loved it, and am keen to read more by Oates as a result.

4. Gunnar Gunnarson - The Good Shepherd 7/10. An odd, short little book about an Icelandic man who goes looking for lost sheep in a bad winter storm. Both his life and faith are challenged. I suspect there as a lot I missed about this one, so maybe a re-read would be in order at some point.

5. Salman Rushdie - Midnight's Children. Hmm, really torn on this one. It's a well written book, funny, interesting story, clearly Rushdie is an intelligent and creative writer but, well, really I found this one a chore. On technical skill I'd give it an 8/10 but on enjoyment/engagement I'd give it a 4/10. I just felt excluded, in every way, from the story. Glad to have finished it, to be honest.

6. Susan Hill - The Woman in Black - A real disappointment this one. Not scary, a bit boring. Nicely written, though. 6/10

7. Graham Greene - The End of the Affair - Really good book. Short and tightly written, it really packs a punch. 8/10

8. Koushun Takami - Battle Royale - gruesome J-pop kid killing spree. Interesting concept, clunky translation. 6/10

9. Anita Brookner - Hotel du Lac - absolutely perfect little book. Well written, surprisingly deep and very enjoyable 9/10

10. The City & The City by China Mieville - brilliantly odd little thriller. Loved it. 9/10.

11. The Angel's Game - Carlos Ruiz Zafón - really enjoyed this and interested to hear that it's not considered his best work (I believe that's The Shadow of the Wind). Beautifully written gothic / supernaturalish / bookish thriller. A bit saggy in the middle, but hard to put down all the same. 9/10.
12. The Prophet - Kahlil Gibran - a beautiful inspiring book. 10/10.


Going above & beyond...

13. Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov - oh, beautifully written conflicting little book. 9/10
14. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins - research, research. Not bad, when you get past the stolen concept (Theseus & the minotaur & Battle Royale) and bearing in mind it's a YA book. Not inclined to read any more though. 6/10.

[TheFifthElement]

1. Murasaki Shikibu - The Tale of Genji 9/10. Long but worth it; I would have given it 10 apart from the ropey beginning and some off chapters in the middle.

2. J W von Goethe - The Sorrows of Young Werther 8/10. Been meaning to read this one for a while. Reminded me a lot of the style of Kafka/Hamsun. A sad but interesting read.

3. Joyce Carol Oates - Black Water 9/10. Joyce Carol Oates was one of the female writers I didn't get around to last year. Black Water is a poetic interpretation of the events leading to the death of Mary Jo Kopechne in the car accident with Teddy Kennedy, which I didn't know anything about. Names changed to protect the innocent, of course. A really beautiful, sad book. I loved it, and am keen to read more by Oates as a result.

4. Gunnar Gunnarson - The Good Shepherd 7/10. An odd, short little book about an Icelandic man who goes looking for lost sheep in a bad winter storm. Both his life and faith are challenged. I suspect there as a lot I missed about this one, so maybe a re-read would be in order at some point.

5. Salman Rushdie - Midnight's Children. Hmm, really torn on this one. It's a well written book, funny, interesting story, clearly Rushdie is an intelligent and creative writer but, well, really I found this one a chore. On technical skill I'd give it an 8/10 but on enjoyment/engagement I'd give it a 4/10. I just felt excluded, in every way, from the story. Glad to have finished it, to be honest.

6. Susan Hill - The Woman in Black - A real disappointment this one. Not scary, a bit boring. Nicely written, though. 6/10

7. Graham Greene - The End of the Affair - Really good book. Short and tightly written, it really packs a punch. 8/10

8. Koushun Takami - Battle Royale - gruesome J-pop kid killing spree. Interesting concept, clunky translation. 6/10

9. Anita Brookner - Hotel du Lac - absolutely perfect little book. Well written, surprisingly deep and very enjoyable 9/10

10. The City & The City by China Mieville - brilliantly odd little thriller. Loved it. 9/10.

11. The Angel's Game - Carlos Ruiz Zafón - really enjoyed this and interested to hear that it's not considered his best work (I believe that's The Shadow of the Wind). Beautifully written gothic / supernaturalish / bookish thriller. A bit saggy in the middle, but hard to put down all the same. 9/10.

12. The Prophet - Kahlil Gibran - a beautiful inspiring book. 10/10.

13. Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov - oh, beautifully written conflicting little book. 9/10

14. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins - research, research. Not bad, when you get past the stolen concept (Theseus & the minotaur & Battle Royale) and bearing in mind it's a YA book. Not inclined to read any more though. 6/10.

15. Kristin Lavransdatter by Sigrid Undset - a medieval epic told from a female perspective by Nobel winning author Undset. It truly is an epic and excellent read. Sad, joyous, spiritual, human, a wonderful if massive book that will stay with me for a long time to come. 10/10.

[Oof]

Zakes Mda
Stanislav Lem
John Kennedy Toole
Michel Houllebecq
Roberto Bolano
DFW (I forget his name)
Umberto Eco
D.H. Lawrence
Andre Gide
Yevgeny Zamyatin
Steve Biko
Joan Didion (Done. She's a writer's writer. I love her style. I'm bleh about her content.)

[qimissung]

The Sheltering Sky-Paul Bowles
The Enchantress from the Stars-Sylvia Louise Engdahl
Night-Elie Wiesel
Oryx and Crake-Margaret Atwood
A Room With a View-E.M. Forester
Shampoo Planet by Douglas Coupland
Some Girls: My Life in a Harem by Jillian Lauren
Killing Yourself to Live: 85% of a True Story Chuck Klosterman
The Last Unicorn Peter S. Beagle
girlbomb: A Halfway Homeless Memoir Janice Erlbaum

I'd give girlbomb an 8/10. It's very good, but it sure makes you wonder how to reach those lost teenage girls-or boys for that matter.

[Scheherazade]

Mission accomplished and five months ahead of schedule as well this year!

[russianmonk]

First time poster, but i figured i would join in the challenge as I'm most of the way there anyway!

1. The History of the Ancient World: From the Earliest Accounts to the Fall of Rome by Susan Bauer: 9/10 Fantastic overview of history! Well written and entertaining and covers India, China and Middle East as well.

2. The Humbling by Phillip Roth: 8/10 Short fast paced book by Roth who I have heard so much about but hadn't gotten around to reading. I agree that it is a strange starting point but I'm very interested in reading more of his famous works.

3. The Hours by Michael Cunningham: 9/10 Loved the way the book ended bringing all three stories together.

4. Foundation by Isaac Asimov: 7/10 Interesting scifi book, was probably more ground breaking when it was published, writing style wasn't anything special

5. Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert: 6/10 Nothing Anna Karenina didn't do a ton better in my personal opinion....

6. Dune by Frank Herbert: 8/10 Very good scifi. Well fleshed out world and decent writing style.

7. As I lay Dying by William Faulkner: 9/10 Love the stream of consciousness, much more readable then Joyce's....but that could be the shorter length, haha.


8. The stars my destination by Alfred Bester: 7/10 Fun read and some really cool concepts.

9. Hyperion by Dan Simmons: 10/10 Fantastic Scifi! Had me almost in tears at one point and books hardly ever get me that way. Very good prose as well.

10. The old man and the sea by Ernest Hemmingway: 8/10 Short book but interesting, not my favorite stylistically but still good.

11. Blindness by Jose Saramago: 9/10 Would be a perfect 10/10 if not for the cop-out ending, fantastic read though.

One more to go!

[RicMisc]

1. The Hunger Games (Suzanne Collins) 7/10
2. The Great Gatsby (F. Scott Fitzgerald) 8.5/10
3. To Kill A Mockingbird (Harper Lee) 8/10
4. Pride And Prejudice (Jane Austen) 7.5/105. Hamlet (William Shakespeare) 8/10
6. Il Principe (Niccolo Machiavelli) 10/10
7. The Stranger (Albert Camus) 8/10
8. Illium (Dan Simmons) 7.5/10
9. Celebrated Crimes - The Borgias (Alexandre Dumas) 9/10

10. Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell (Susanna Clarke) 8.5/10
11. Steve Jobs (Walter Isaacson) 8/10

[qimissung]

Congratulations, Scher!

[qimissung]

The Sheltering Sky-Paul Bowles
The Enchantress from the Stars-Sylvia Louise Engdahl
Night-Elie Wiesel
Oryx and Crake-Margaret Atwood
A Room With a View-E.M. Forester
Shampoo Planet by Douglas Coupland
Some Girls: My Life in a Harem by Jillian Lauren
Killing Yourself to Live: 85% of a True Story Chuck Klosterman
The Last Unicorn Peter S. Beagle
The Tiger's Wife Tea Obreht

I really liked it, although the ending somewhat unsatisfying.

Dare Me Megan Abbott

This really reminded me of A Separate Peace.

[qimissung]

The Sheltering Sky-Paul Bowles
The Enchantress from the Stars-Sylvia Louise Engdahl
Night-Elie Wiesel
Oryx and Crake-Margaret Atwood
A Room With a View-E.M. Forester
Shampoo Planet by Douglas Coupland
Some Girls: My Life in a Harem by Jillian Lauren
Killing Yourself to Live: 85% of a True Story Chuck Klosterman
The Last Unicorn Peter S. Beagle
The Tiger's Wife Tea Obreht
Dare Me Megan Abbott
The Chocolate War Robert Cormier

A YA classic, but extremely depressing. I guess that's why it's a classic. :D