147 books in 2007.
55 were dropped into the “Favorites” category.
7 were dropped into the “Don’t read this” category.
23 were YA or children’s lit (seemed like more).
27 were non-fiction (hmm, I thought that number would be higher).
17 were sequels or books in a series I’ve read in the past.
A look at the books I read in 2007 Read More »
I said recently, in a blog post elsewhere, that I don’t DO resolutions. And that’s true, I don’t. I also said that I love lists and I love a good list meme. And that’s also true, I do. And since I’ve been saying off and on that I would love to do a whole year of YA reading but know that I just cannot do that, I’m going to do a mini YA challenge.
Sassymonkey recommended the Printz Award Challenge but it’s too easy. Six YA books is not a challenge, ya know? So – how about I read all of the Prince Award winners and honor books (that I haven’t already read)? That doesn’t make it a hard challenge but it does make it more interesting. That’s 34 YA books.
I’ll also be combining that with my own “From the Stacks” challenge. 24 books that I own but have not read – two a month.
I’ll create new posts for both of these 2008 reading challenges later tonight or tomorrow, I’ll need to peruse my bookshelves for good candidates for my “From the Stacks” challenge.
No resolutions for me, but… Read More »
Aye yi yi. I was so desperate for a book with an X in the title for the A to Z challenge that I immediately jumped at the suggestion by Framed and Booked to read Asimov’s X Stands for Unknown. I should have known this was not a great choice when I couldn’t get it from my library and it never appeared from my inter-library loan request. I should have really known this was not going to be my kind of book when I couldn’t even get a used copy on Amazon. But still, I was desperate to finish so I tracked down a used copy somewhere else and I started reading it a few days ago.
Or if I’m honest, I started skimming it a few days ago and just finished skimming it.
It’s non-fiction and not science fiction. It’s full of math and science. It’s boring as hell. Except for the introductory essays of each chapter – those, I liked. I also enjoyed a few of the chapters on The Bible indicating the earth is flat, ungilding gold, and one about comets. Otherwise… bored stiff.
But, this leaves me with just two books from my A to Z challenge, one we’re halfway through on audio and the other is also on audio, just waiting for us to listen to it.
X Stands for Unknown Read More »
We started listening to Nature Girl on audio, a couple of weeks ago, and right as we’re about to enter chapter 2, the CD went crazy. Huge, deep gash. Bah! I returned it to the library and reserved the print copy, picked it back up again late last week and another book on my A to Z challenge list is in the can!
You should know I’m not really a Carl Hiaasen fan. I like him well enough but I prefer Chris Moore – it’s the zombie and vampire factor. Since not everyone can include zombies and sequined love nuns in their books, I don’t mind reading the occasional Hiaasen and Nature Girl was a good one. (Though errr, I was always waiting for the zombies to show up. Or a talking fruit bat. Or something.)
I like Honey. I also liked Euginie and Tigertail. Good characters. They should return to another book some day. (I see Tigertail is a relative of an “older” character”. Interesting. I haven’t read enough Hiaasen to have known that.)
I probably would have enjoyed Crawfish Mountain more if I didn’t have The Plague, wasn’t also listening to/reading Nature Girl, and the cover didn’t say something like “The Cajun version of Hiaasen”. ‘Cause Ken Wells’ other novels might remind people of Hiaasen but this one – not so much.
When I was creating my A to Z list, back in January, and looking for a book for the letter “U”, I found Upstate. I’m not sure how I found it, but I did – it might have been on someone else’s A to Z list, it might have been in the NY Times Book pages or blog. No idea how but it is one of the five best books, so far, on my A to Z list.
Get it on audio… it’s worth it for this one.
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas was one of the most disturbing books I’ve ever read. I’m going to be as unhelpful as the front book jacket and just say – I’m not going to tell you anything about the book. There’s a boy and the fence, and it’s a horrible fence.
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas Read More »
Agnes & the Hitman was hysterical. No, wait. It was HYSTERICAL! I loved it and not just because of the flamingos. Best Jennifer Crusie book so far. I want to be cranky Agnes when I grow up, without the hitman – though he definitely had his charm.
And an OMG I had no idea moment… Jennifer Crusie wrote Coffee at Luke’s. I need that book. Who has not bought my Christmas gift yet? Whoever it is, you can send this – NOW.
Agnes & the Hitman Read More »
Another book I should have read ages ago. It’s been living on my bookshelf since BlogHerCon06, thanks Blogher and Robin! Sorry it took me so long to read but Sweet Swan of Avon was worth waiting for.
I enjoyed it.
But I would since I totally don’t think Shakespeare wrote Shakespeare. I’m not sure Mary Sidney wrote Shakespeare either but it’s a heck of a lot more possible than Shakespeare writing Shakespeare.
Sweet Swan of Avon Read More »
Look! Another YA book! And, another book I own but have never read! And, another book I meant to read a year ago! I’m so glad I put Endymion Spring on my A to Z list. And extra glad that I’m making a final last ditch attempt to finish the A to Z list. Otherwise, I might never have found time for Endymion Spring and it would have sat quietly unobserved on RJ’s book shelf where it’s been for a year. Heh.
It was good. I wee bit of a slow start but right about the time (chapter 3) that I mentioned it was starting slow, it picked up and didn’t quit til the end.
Awesome. And I’m so glad I knew who the “shadow” was. I like it when I’m right – which is always, ya know.