Soffitta1's 2015 Challenge

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Soffitta1's 2015 Challenge

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1soffitta1
Editat: des. 29, 2014, 4:02 pm

I do read a lot, but 15x15 is beyond me! I'm going to have 15 categories, but I am still not sure how may books I will aim to read. My first thought was 5, 10 or 15 books.
There will be a number of familiar categories, but I really want to get stuck into my series, so will choose three to for the year to be completed.

2soffitta1
Editat: gen. 15, 2016, 3:44 pm

1. 1001 Books



Aiming to hit 550 books read.

AlphaCat
Jan: 1. A Tale of a Tub T
Mar: 2. The Fox H
Aug: 7. Platform M
9. The Black Prince M
10. Jack Maggs M
Sept: 11. Moon Palace A
12. Atomised A
13. The Ambassadors A
14. Phineas Finn A

No Category
3. Tono Bungay
4. The Nose
5. Group portrait with lady
6. The Bluest Eye
8. Hallucinating Foucault
15. Henry von Ofterdingen

15x 1001

3soffitta1
Editat: nov. 26, 2015, 5:31 pm

2. Asian Books


Huge pile of Asia-related books on my TBR pile.

HistoryCat
Apr: 2. The Tale of Genji *1001 Book
Jul: 6. Samurai William

AlphaCat
Mar: 1. Himalaya H
Apr: 3. Old Man of the Moon
May: 4. Shifu, you'll do anything for a laugh L
Jun: 5. the Four Books Y
Jul: 7. Red Lotus P
Aug: 8. Mr Muo's Travelling Couch M
9. Maidenhome M
Sept: 10. Two Lives V
11. Midnight all day A
12. The woman in the dunes A
Oct: 13. Paper Tigress P
14. The Shanghai Union of Industrial Mystics
15. Inner Courtyard

1x 1001
4x BX TBR

4soffitta1
Editat: nov. 26, 2015, 5:33 pm

3. Film


Love films. love to compare books and their adaptations.

AlphaCat
Jan: 1. The Bonfire of the Vanities *1001 Book, T
2: Quartet *1001
Feb: 3. The Whale Rider, I
Feb: 4. The Invisible Man, I *1001
Mar: 8. Moby Dick H *1001
Mar: 9. The Crime of Padre Amaro *1001
May: 11. Holes L
Aug: 15. Confessions of an ugly stepsister M

HistoryCat
Feb: 5. Quo Vadis? *1001
Mar: 500-1000, explorers
10. Beowulf

RandomCat
Feb: 4. The Invisible Man Film *1001
Mar: 6. Catching Fire Popular
Mar: 7. Mockingjay Popular
Jul: 13. The Fault in our Stars light

SciFi
Feb: Classics
4. The Invisible Man*1001
Mar: Distopia
5. Catching Fire Popular
6. Mockingjay

No Cat:
12. Cosmopolis
14. The Bourne Identity

6x 1001

5soffitta1
Editat: des. 12, 2015, 4:00 am

4. World Book Night



A great project and a good way to get me to vary my reading.

USA
RandomCat
Feb: 1. The Perks of Being a Wallflower film
No Cat
Nov: 11. Enchanted
HistoryCat
Dec: 15. Mudbound

2013
Nov: 12. Red Dust Road

2014
Oct: 4. The boy with the topknot
Nov: 9. The Recruit
Dec: 13. Theodore Boone

2015
Apr: 2. When God was a Rabbit
Jul: 3. Prime suspect
HistoryCat
Oct: 5. The Martian Science
Nov: 7. Custard Tarts and Broken Hearts
SciFi
Oct: 6. Skellig Strange being
Nov: 8. The unlikely pilgrimage of Harold Fry Journey
10. Street Cat Bob The complete book, not the Quick Read which was given out.
Dec: 14. Assassin's Apprentice

6soffitta1
Editat: nov. 5, 2015, 2:45 pm

5. Crime, mystery and thriller



AlphaCat
Jan: 1. The Grifters
Feb: 2. The Boy who followed Ripley
Mar: 3. The Crime of Padre Amaro * 1001 Book
Apr: 5. The Wishlist E
June: 7. Pigeon English P
Sept: 11. The Secret Agent A, *1001

RandomCat
Apr:5. The Wishlist

SciFiCat
Jun: 6. The Yiddish Policemen's Union
Aug: 10. Triumff

HistoryCat:
Jul: 1600-1700
8. Gunpowder Plot part 1
9. Gunpowder Plot part 2
No Category
Apr: 4. Hue and Cry
Oct: 1850-1900 - 12. The Iron Horse
13. Railway to the Grave
14. Blood on the line
Nov: 1900-1950 -
An Englishman in Madrid

7soffitta1
Editat: nov. 25, 2015, 11:55 am

6. History


HistoryCat
1. The Shelters of Stone

AlphaCat
Jan: 1. The Shelters of Stone J
Jan: 2. Toro! Toro! T
Feb: 5. Labels B
Apr: 8. The Shock of the Fall F
May: 10. Look who's back

HistoryCat
Jan: BC, Myths
3. The Odyssey
May:
9. Katherine Swynford
12. Elizabeth, the Queen

RandomCat
Apr: 8. The Shock of the Fall

SciFiCat
Apr: 7. El cuento del tigre y el conejo

No Cat
Feb: 4. Guerra
Apr: 6. Mi cancion es un pedazo de jade
May: 11. The Mutiny
Jul: 13. Maus
Jul: 14. Maus II
Nov: 15. The History of Rasselas *1001

8soffitta1
Editat: oct. 17, 2015, 4:11 am

7. Women Writers


AlphaCat
Jan: 1. Presumption J
Mar: 2. The House of Mirth *1001 Book H
Apr: 3. Rumours F
Apr: 4. Chances F
Aug: 15. Northanger Abbey V

RandomCat
Apr: 5. The Voyage out *1001

No Category:
Apr: 6. The Garden Party *1001

7. Mosquito
8. African Laughter
9. How to be both
10. NW
11. The Waves
12. Pig Heart Boy
13. Pictures or it didn't happen
Aug: 14. The Cave M

9soffitta1
Editat: des. 11, 2015, 1:29 pm

8. Group Reads


A great way to read those scary books that have been lurking for a while.

Jan
1. Sula - 1001 group, AlphaCat T

Mar
2. I am Malala , Read around the world
3. The Dictionary of the Khazars , 1001 Group

Apr
4. Drop City

May
5. The year of the death of Ricardo Reis, 1001, Read around the world

Jun
6. Independent People, *1001
7. Cain, *1001, Reading Globally

Jul, Aug, Sept: non-English speaking Nobel Prize Winners
8. The Autumn of the Patriarch 1001
9. leaf storm

Oct, Nov, Dec: Female writers not writing in English
10. Troubling Love *1001
12. Princess of Cleves *1001
15. The House of Ulloa *1001, RandomCat

November: J.M. Coetzee
11. Waiting for the Barbarians *1001
13. Dusklands *1001
14. In the heart of the country *1001

10soffitta1
Editat: nov. 17, 2015, 4:15 pm

9. Name



A name in the title, another way of cutting down Mount TBR.

AlphaCat
Jan: 1. Waiting for Columbus
Jan: 2. Tess of the D'Urbervilles t, 1001
Feb: 3. Zeno's Conscience Z, *1001 book
Apr: 6. Aura F
Jul: 7. Platero y yo Y
9. Michael Kohlhaas K
10. La muerte de Artemio Cruz M, 1001
Oct: 13. Pamela
14. The Adventures of Peregrine Pickle *1001 Book

RandomCat
Mar: 4. The Rosie Project
5. Rani and Sukh

HistoryCat
12. Sept: The Last Journey of William Huskisson

No Category:
Jul: 8. Gargantua and Pantagruel *1001 Book
11. Sept: El gaucho Martin Fierro *1001
15. The Book of Daniel *1001

11soffitta1
Editat: nov. 14, 2015, 4:17 pm

10. Geography



Books with place names in the title.

HistoryCat
Jan: 1. The Orphans of Eldorado myths

AlphaCat
Feb: 2. The Moon over Soho B
Feb: 3. Beijing Doll B
Apr: 4. La forma de Mexico F
Apr: 5. Espedair Street E
May: 6. the way to paradise L
May: 7. Las Batallas en el Desierto L
May: 8. Ladysmith L

RandomCat
May: Place in the title
8. Ladysmith
9. Master of Petersburg, *1001
10. Castle Richmond
11. Lost Paradise

Jul
13. Bajo el sol jaguar
Aug: Dog Days
14. No place like home

No Cat:
12. South from Granada
15. Spoken Here

12soffitta1
Editat: nov. 5, 2015, 3:00 pm

13soffitta1
Editat: nov. 25, 2015, 11:57 am

14soffitta1
Editat: nov. 23, 2015, 5:27 pm

15soffitta1
Editat: jul. 26, 2015, 1:35 pm

14. People



Books with people-related words in the title, e.g. courtesan, widow, major.

RandomCat
Feb: 1. The Naked Civil Servant Film
3. Wives and Daughters Film
4. The Island of Doctor Moreau Film
Apr: 10. The beggar and the hare Fairy Tale

AlphaCat
Feb: 2. Modern Baptists B
4. The Island of Doctor Moreau I
5. Hacker B
6. The boy who followed Ripley
7. The Painter of Battles B
Mar: 8. The Impressionist H
Apr: 9. Dance of the apprentices E

Mar: Major Pettigrew's Last Stand
May: The Nun
Jun: The Dangling Man
Jul: The Bone People
Jul: The Secret Keeper

17soffitta1
set. 28, 2014, 4:02 am

to keep track of the Kits and Cats.

18soffitta1
Editat: nov. 14, 2015, 4:17 pm

I'd like to try the Bingo this year.



1 - set in a different country from your own - The Three-Cornered Hat Jan
2- genre bender - Moon over Soho Feb
3 - reminds me of my childhood - Asterix bei den Briten
4 - Suggested by someone else (my student) - I am Malala Mar
5 - animal - Moby Dick Mar
6 - letters or correspondence - The Perks of Being a Wallflower Feb
7 - A book you have owned for more than a year - Notes from a big country Feb
8 - A book translated from a language you don't know - The Dictionary of the Khazars Mar
9 - A major historical event - Quo Vadis? Feb
10 - Book published in 1915 - Voyage Out Apr
11-signs and portents - The Red Tent
12 - scientists - Tono Bungay Apr
13 - read a cat - The Railway Detective AlphaCat- Aug
14- name of an ancestor - Custard Tarts and Broken Hearts - Nov
15 - disaster - The Year of the Flood May
16- mythical creature - The Last Dragonslayer Jul
17 - LGBTQ Character - The Naked Civil Servant Feb
18 - LT author - The Maze Runner Aug
19- language - Spoken Here Nov
20 - Out of my comfort zone - The Court of the Air Steam Punk Jan
21 - a book about Autism - The Rosie Project Mar
22 - Inspired by another book - Presumption inspired by Pride and Prejudice Jan
23 - unfamiliar subject - The Last Journey of William Huskisson Sept
24 - fairy tales - Confessions of an ugly stepsister Aug
25 - protagonist of opposite gender - The hopeless life of Charlie Summers Jan

19mysterymax
set. 28, 2014, 7:46 am

This looks like fun. An idea I may copy one of these years!

20rabbitprincess
set. 28, 2014, 8:12 am

Good setup, especially to have a catch-up-on-series category!

21DeltaQueen50
set. 28, 2014, 1:10 pm

You seem to be ready for some serious Mount TBR climbing in 2015. Good luck and I'll be here to root you along!

22soffitta1
Editat: set. 28, 2014, 1:24 pm

I have learnt from others to keep the categories as wide as possible, got to get TBR down, though it doesn't help when you go shopping at the weekend and buy the best part of 20 books! Now, just to find the right images.

23christina_reads
set. 28, 2014, 4:20 pm

I like your categories that involve words in the title! I'll be interested to see what kinds of adjectives you unearth. :)

24mamzel
set. 28, 2014, 5:55 pm

I don't think you'll have any trouble finding a category for any books you choose this year! Have fun!

25Poquette
set. 28, 2014, 6:26 pm

Your approach is intriguing. Like Christina said in #23, I will be watching to see where your reading leads you in categories with words in the title.

26MissWatson
set. 29, 2014, 3:53 am

Some very interesting categories. Best of luck with your attempt on Mount TBR!

27Roro8
set. 29, 2014, 4:51 am

Good luck. I sense some interesting titles are going to appear in those categories.

28-Eva-
oct. 1, 2014, 12:41 am

I repeated quite a few of my categories too - they were working for me and I have plenty left on Mt. TBR to read in them! :)

29lkernagh
des. 25, 2014, 2:27 pm

>1 soffitta1: LOL - I think 15x15 is beyond most of us! I have never considered reading books from the 1001 Books list so I love that you continue working towards that goal. As for War and Peace, I think there is a planned group read of this one that will occur in January over on the 75 Group Challenge and the more the merrier.

Great setup!

30VivienneR
des. 25, 2014, 8:26 pm

Love your categories!

31rabbitprincess
des. 26, 2014, 12:24 am

>29 lkernagh: BBC Radio 4 will also be airing a 10-hour dramatization of War and Peace on New Year's Day!

32lkernagh
des. 26, 2014, 12:54 pm

>31 rabbitprincess: - That would qualify as an audiobook read, wouldn't it? ;-)

33rabbitprincess
des. 26, 2014, 2:31 pm

>32 lkernagh: I'd count it ;)

34soffitta1
des. 26, 2014, 6:09 pm

RE 31 - I would count it as well!
RE 29 - Thanks for the tip, I'll head over to the group for a look. I find the group reads really motivating, especially for these tomes.

I am getting my first books together, can't wait to start!

35soffitta1
gen. 4, 2015, 11:39 am

1. The Shelters of Stone
I have been slowly rereading the series since I was given the sixth volume for Christmas a few years ago. Jondolar has arrived home with Ayla, who is certainly a surprise to his people.
Enjoyable, looking forward to reading the final book.

36soffitta1
gen. 10, 2015, 11:23 am

2. Quartet
I really enjoyed Wide Sargasso Sea, so had been keeping an eye out for more of her work. This is a really short book, but with a lot packed in. A show girl is left to fend for herself in Paris when her Polish husband is arrested. She falls under the influence of a manipulative couple. This really draws you in.

3. The Court of the Air
My first Steam Punk novel and, to be honest, probably my last. I found the book quite hard going at times, the plot meandered, but mostly I found I just didn't really care enough to wade through the strange world Hunt created, with the bizarre machines. I don't regret giving it a go though, it is always good to read outside your comfort zone.

37soffitta1
gen. 10, 2015, 11:30 am

4. The Three-cornered Hat
Based on a Spanish folk tale, this is a lot of fun. I read it in the cafe today, taking refuge from the driech weather.

38lkernagh
gen. 13, 2015, 11:10 pm

Sorry to see that your introduction to steampunk was not one to cheer about. I haven't read The Court of the Air or any of Stephen Hunt's other books so I am unable to comment except to say that I did take a quick glance at the members ratings and the two LT handles I recognized as steampunk readers both gave the book a rather low rating so I will give you kudos for see the story through to the end.

39mysterymax
gen. 13, 2015, 11:54 pm

My into to steampunk, which hooked me, was Phoenix Rising by Pip Ballantine. Not too heavy, but just a rousing good adventure story.

40soffitta1
gen. 14, 2015, 12:47 pm

Thanks for the suggestion, one day I may return and have another go!

41christina_reads
gen. 19, 2015, 8:12 pm

>36 soffitta1: I didn't even finish The Court of the Air; like you, I just couldn't get interested in the world or the story. But I have enjoyed other steampunk novels, so I hope you aren't put off the genre entirely!

42soffitta1
feb. 7, 2015, 1:25 pm

I keep meaning to write posts, but somehow I never get round to it!

5. The Hopeless Life of Charlie Summers
A comfortable read, enough twists to keep you reading.

6. The Grifters
Saw the film years ago, and the book was better. Dark, twisted relationships.

7. The Odyssey
I read this at school, but it was fun to revisit. Lots of characters to keep track of!

8. The Red Tent
Really enjoyed this, both the story and the detail of the women's lives.

9. The Bonfire of the Vanities
Well, I wonder if this is a book best enjoyed by people who are more familiar with the setting, both in space and time. I wasn't that taken by it, felt it was rather overdone.

10. Tess of the D'Urbervilles
I have seen the TV adaptation, but really enjoyed this. Funny to think that I am a late comer to Hardy. The dilemmas and the characters were well-written.

43soffitta1
feb. 7, 2015, 1:31 pm

11. Presumption
Another follow up of Pride and Prejudice, this time following the life of Georgiana and her two suitors. Good train read.

12. Orphans of Eldorado
Not what I expected, rather myths and reality collide in the heart of Brazil. Recommended.

13. Sula
A readalong with the 1001 group. Left me wanting more, more about the main female characters, but a good read nonetheless.

14. Die Trabantenstadt
A gift from my parents, this time civil servants fall foul of French satire.

15. Waiting for Columbus
I am glad I persevered with this, so strange, but it was enthralling. One thing that did jar was its setting, the local colour of the writing felt wrong, more North American than Spanish.

44soffitta1
feb. 7, 2015, 1:34 pm

16. A tale of a tub
A short 1001 book, you need to be paying attention for this one!

17. Toro! Toro!
Set in Spain, this will be great for my tutor group, who need some book inspiration.

18. The Timekeeper
Interesting premise, too much spirituality for me though.

45soffitta1
feb. 7, 2015, 1:46 pm

And now for February!

19. Guerra
Webster discusses the Spanish Civil War, more anecdotes would be better than the regurgitated history lesson. Interesting for dipping into.

20. The Whale Rider
I remember enjoying the film, thought this would be a good one for my tutor group. I enjoyed reading about the Maori myths and how the fate of the whales was tied up with the fate of the Maori culture.

21. Notes from a big country
I do so enjoy reading Bryson's work, it is like nattering with an old friend.

22. The Blithedale Romance
Didn't really grab me, to be honest.

46soffitta1
feb. 7, 2015, 2:07 pm

23. Modern Baptists
Bought in a pack of 10, a book I knew nothing about. Two very different brothers, a snapshot of American life.

24. The Naked Civil Servant
Entertaining insight into Quentin Crisp's life.

47soffitta1
feb. 18, 2015, 5:11 pm

25. The Invisible Man
I agree with another reviewer that it was the depiction of British village life more than the story that got to me, still it is interesting to read the original work that has spawned so many films, TV shows and similar books.

26. Quo Vadis
I am sure I have seen bits of the film(s). I am an atheist, so occasionally I found the overt Christian message too much, but I cannot fault the detail of the book - I felt like I was with them watching the "spectacle" in the arena. Fascinating.

27. The Perk of being a Wallflower
Despite the film doing well, it never crossed by radar, so I was able to read this with no preconceptions. I thought it was a stand up book, slowly revealing the full story, and choc-full of nostalgia.

28. Ordinary Thunderstorms
A thriller from the writer of Restless. The main character meets a fellow scientist by chance and is drawn into a conspiracy around the launch of a new wonder drug. I found this to be page turning, lots of detail - both about the drugs industry and life in the British underbelly.

29. Asterix bei den Briten
I had a few days with family in Germany and bought this at the train station. I love the Asterix series, so much going on, and hope to include it in my lessons soon.

48soffitta1
feb. 21, 2015, 1:58 pm

30. Moon over Soho
Took me a while to get back into the swing of the series, but once I did I flew through the book.
A mix of Jazz, magic and mystery.

I am over half way through Wives and Daughters, I loved the '90s adaptation, so had been hesitant on reading this, but it seems the adaptation was faithful to the book and I do so enjoy Gaskell's attention to detail.
Next up will have to be a 1001 book, need to read two more by the end of the month to keep on track with my target. I have Tono Bungay, Zeno's Conscience and The Island of Dr. Moreau as possibles.

49rabbitprincess
feb. 21, 2015, 3:38 pm

>48 soffitta1: I love the Rivers of London series! Will be reading the 5th book this month for the RandomCAT.

50soffitta1
feb. 22, 2015, 9:46 am

I came across the series via a friend, I will look out more in the series. Rather fun, aren't they!

31. Wives and Daughters
Great book, don't get put off by it being unfinished, as you can see where it was going. Molly Gibson is a greay herojne, we see her mature, yet keep her sweet nature. Gaskell is a master of detail, here she captures life so well.

51soffitta1
feb. 28, 2015, 4:22 am

32. The Painter of Battles
A war photographer lives alone painting a mural on the inside of a tower, inspired by the epic painters, like Goya, and also of his own career. A man turns up one day, forcing him to re-evaluate his life and work, including a former flame. I found the book compelling, especially as it made me think about the images we see everyday now in our papers and on our TV screens.

33. Zeno's Conscience
A 1001 book I picked up in a charity shop, Zeno's musings on his life that he is asked to write as he tries again to give up smoking.

34. The Island of Doctor Moreau
What a strange book! Not the best I have read, but certainly a pioneer in the genre.

35. Hacker
I really enjoy Malorie Blackman's books, and picked this one up with the idea of adding it to a box of books for my students. In this book, Victoria's world is turned upside down when she is accused of cheating in an exam and her father of stealing money from his workplace.

36. Labels - A short book I picked up in a charity shop. A man obsessed by the labels on tins of catfood.

52soffitta1
març 1, 2015, 5:58 pm

37. Beijing Doll
Hmmm, maybe I wasn't the target audience, but this wasn't great. Written by a 17-year-old and it showed. Interesting in terms of when it was written, as I was in China a few years later, but the teacher in me was more concerned about her downward spiral.

38. Catching Fire
A number of my tutor group are reading this series, so I thought I'd keep going. It is page-turning and I am pleased that I have book 3 ready to go. Not that challenging in terms of language, but I can see why it has been so successful. One thing we ask them to do in PSHCEE is justify their responses, and this is a good series for that - why Catniss (and the others) makes split-second decisions and their repercussions.

53soffitta1
març 15, 2015, 3:34 am

39. Mockingjay
Just had to read the
Sat book, unexpected twists as I still haven't seen fils two and three.

40. The Boy who followed Ripley
I do enjoy these books, this time you get a glimpse of Ripley's conscience as a runaway turns to him for help.

41. I am Malala
Given to me by a student to read, this was such an interesting read, I had no idea of how Malala had become famous before she was shot and I learnt more about Pakistan.

42. The Crime of Padre Amaro
I saw the excellent Mexican film of this a while back, so was interested to see how the novel compared. I have been to Leiria, the setting of the book, and am not surprised at the citizens being angry at their portrayal in the book. Petty squabbles, hypocrisy and the church being held up for scrutiny - this makes for a thought-provoking book, one which manages to keep the reader engaged as the plot spirals downwards.

43. The Rosie Project
Recommended by a friend, this was funny, but also made me think about the hazards and pitfalls of the dating world. I will look out the next ones in the series.

44. The Dictionary of the Khazars
So strange, but I loved the premise, a cross-referencing set of books, so you the story of a nation was built up piecemeal.

45. Himalaya
I have seen the series, so it was good to revisit it with the book. A fascinating look at the mountain range and the people's that live along it.

54-Eva-
març 16, 2015, 4:41 pm

I loved The Crime of Father Amaro (and am a huge fan of its writer), but haven't gotten to the movie version yet - how do you think they compare (other than being set in completely different countries)??

55soffitta1
Editat: ag. 6, 2015, 1:37 pm

Wow - been away a lot from this board!

Re 54 - I think they compare well, similar situations and the acting is very strong in the film. I'd recommend both as they capture the hypocrisy of the plot.

46. How to be Good
A middle-aged man tries to put his money where his mouth is, much to the dismay of his family. Entertaining.

47. The Impressionist
I loved this, the titular character is conceived in a disaster, caught between two worlds - that of his Indian mother and the other of his English father. His natural charm means he is taken up by people from both cultures, but he struggles to fit in, waiting to be found out.

48. Major Pettigrew's Last Stand
A second chance at love comes with the problems of overcoming prejudice in a small town. I enjoyed this a lot.

49. Beowulf
I have been wanting to read this for years, I read Seamus Heaney poems for GCSE and also remember looking at Beowulf in primary school. This version did not disappoint, a great literary translation with the added bonus of essays delving deeper into the text, including one by J.R.R. Tolkein.

50. The Orange Tree
A series of short stories by a key Mexican writer. I particularly enjoyed the opening story set around the story of Malinche. The stories were all very different, in tone and setting. Strangely enough, I have just been given another of his books Aura by my sister-in-law.

51. The House of Mirth
A worth book on the 1001 list, a woman not content to play social ball.

52. Moby Dick
Not what I expected at all, this is the story of Captain Ahab and his whale, but there is more - details about whales and whaling, regional colour and a raft of interesting characters.

53. The Fox
A short 1001 book, a fox disturbs a coop of chickens, having much the same effect as a soldier on the two women running the farm.

56soffitta1
Editat: ag. 6, 2015, 1:42 pm

54. Backpacked
Bought by my brother. An Irish girl goes backpacking in Central America, though she can't really hack the lifestyle.
Not well-written, unwittingly funny to the point of making the reader feel smug and superior.

55., 56. and 57.
I went into a great second hand bookshop on my travels in Mexico, a small village called Tepotzlan with views of the pyramid.
El cuento del tigre y el conejo
A funny story with great pictures in Spanish and Nahuatl.

La forma de Mexico
A history of Mexico for children, but it brings up a lot of good discussion points.

Mi cancion es un pedazo de jade
Based on very old poems, again it has lovely illustrations.

58. The old man of the moon
A short book, but an interesting story. Gives you an insight into Chinese society.

59. The red house
2 families on holiday.

60. Hew and Cry
Mum gave me this to read, a book set in St. Andrews, a city I know well! An entertaining first entry in a historical crime series.

57soffitta1
Editat: juny 6, 2015, 1:39 pm

61. Life after life
What if you kept living your life over until it was right. An interesting idea, lots of possibilities and rather page-turning.

62. Dance of the Apprentices
Life in the Gorbals, harsh reality.

63. Espedair Street
A rock star decides to live out of the spotlight after a traumatic event, a good look at the downside of fame.

64. and 65.
Two books given to me by my sister-in-law.
Aura was banned by the state for many years. A short, strange story about a young man asked to write the memoirs of a military figure, but all is not what it seems.

El principio del placer

58-Eva-
abr. 27, 2015, 11:01 pm

>55 soffitta1:
Thanks, I'm putting the movie on the wishlist for sure.

59soffitta1
juny 6, 2015, 1:43 pm

66. Drop City

67. Tono Bungay

68. The Wishlist

69. and 70.
Two Freya North books, unfortunately not up to her earlier work, but it was good to have some light relief after work.
Rumours
Chances

60soffitta1
Editat: juny 6, 2015, 2:31 pm

71. The Voyage Out
An interesting range of characters, with a couple of familiar ones.

72. The Shock of the Fall
A look at mental health, really gripping.

73. Mr. Darcy's Diary
Pride and Prejudice from the other side, entertaining.

74. The Tale of Genji
A book to read in chunks, a really interesting look at Japanese life many centuries.

75. When God was a Rabbit
A childhood friendship where not everything was as it seemed, with abuse having a lifelong affect. I read this quickly, a good choice for World Book Night.

61soffitta1
Editat: gen. 15, 2016, 11:36 am

76. The Beggar and the Hare
Loved it! Bought on a whim for the cover and was not disappointed! An adaptation of a famous Finnish book, updated to today.

77. Lobo rojo y Capurecita Feroz
A role reversal with a good wolf and a naughty Red Riding Hood who needs a lesson.

78. The Garden Party
A collection of short stories, a couple were rather poignant.

62soffitta1
Editat: gen. 15, 2016, 11:36 am

Life, or should I say work, has got in the way of this thread. I have been reading, but not online as much as normal.
So, I will add the books I have read here, but not necessarily in order.

79. Shifu, you'll do anything for a laugh
Short stories from the famous Chinese writer.

80. The Life of Katherine Swynford
A very detailed look at the Duchess of Lancaster, though a lot of the first half was spent on her husband, John o'Gaunt.

81. The Mutiny
Set in the British Raj, a good read.

82. Remarkable Creatures
Two women who changed the face of British fossiling. Engrossing read, based around further discoveries of dinosaurs in the U.K.

63soffitta1
Editat: gen. 15, 2016, 11:37 am

83. Rani and Sukh
A Romeo and Juliet like tale set in the British Sikh community. A love is doomed because of a feud that reaches back to India. I picked this up to read with a view to add this to my tutor group's bookbox, I think it would appeal to them.

84. Mosquito
A writer returns to Sri Lanka which is on the brink of complete civil war. He becomes friends with a girl, one who inspires him to write again.

85. Lion in the Valley
The indomitable Amelia Peabody is back in Egypt and intrigue is still following her. Such fun, just what you need to escape from a busy time at work.

86. The Way to Paradise
Vargas Llosa follows two threads related to the painter Gaugin, his own life in Tahiti and then that of his grandmother, Flora. Lots to learn here, especially in looking at Flora's work for improving the life of workers and women in particular.

87. The Nun
A young girl is given to a convent, where she is treated abominably. Compelling writing and also an insight into the life of women at the time.

88. Look who's back
I saw this in Germany, and decided to read it when I got back. The premise is that Hitler did not die, but rather wakes up in today's Germany. It is an interesting satire, though you need to know Germany and its history to get the most out of it. There are truly comedic moments, when the satire really bites, when Hitler confronts modern Germany, though it should have been shorter.

89. The Nose
A strange little book from the 1001 list in which a nose becomes more famous than the man who had it.

64soffitta1
Editat: gen. 15, 2016, 11:37 am

90. Las Batallas en el Desierto
Another book given to me buy my sister-in-law. This time, there are short stories all based in Mexico.

91. The Year of the Death of Ricardo Reis
This was the 1001 book readalong. I loved it, it made me really miss Portugal. The style of Saramago's writing can be off putting for readers that are new to his work, but I love the way you feel like you are right next to people talking.

92. Holes
Picked this up as a recommendation for my tutor group's bookbox. Another good read, I think it will be popular.

93. Castle Richmond
Love, land and money in this tale set in Ireland, it was alright, but I am not sure that it needed to be on the 1001 list.

94. Master of Petersburg
Coetzee has such a diverse ouevre, this time his book is set in Russia, around the life of Dostoevsky. Quick read, though, as with many of his books, not always easy to read.

95. The Year of the Flood
The second book in Atwood's apocalyptic future. Interesting to see the other side of the story.

96. Ladysmith
A fiction book based around the siege of Ladysmith. I do enjoy Giles Foden's work, the detail is great as is tangled narrative.

Well, that was May!

65soffitta1
Editat: gen. 15, 2016, 11:38 am

97. Elizabeth, the queen
Elizabeth's live, from birth to being cut out of her father's line of succession, then to her reign and succession. I am big fan of Weir's work, factual without being dry.

98. Of love and other demons
A short read, but lots going on.

99. The Yiddish Policeman's Union
Set in a parallel world where the US gave land for a limited time to Jewish people after WW2, there is a murder and Landsman has little time to get it solved. I enjoyed this a lot.

66soffitta1
Editat: gen. 15, 2016, 11:38 am

100. Cosmopolis
A day in the life of a cutting edge business, one that shows you the depths, or possibly the shallows, of the main character. A man who has it all, but is still unsatisfied.

101. to 103. were three Dr. Siri cases.
Love Songs from a Shallow Grave, takes the action to Cambodia, where Siri struggles to recognise the country he visited before. In Slash and Burn, Siri involves an M.I.A. American pilot bringing the Vietnam War back on to Laotian soil. In The woman who would not die, Cotterill goes back into the personal history of Madame Daeng as a man tracks her down. I do enjoy the series, lighter reading, but with a message.

104. NW
I have had this on my radar for a while, Smith brings us the four very different lives of 4 school friends. I didn't connect with it as much as I would have liked, but did appreciate the style of writing.

105. Independent People
A hard read about a hard life, what made it tough at times was the main character and my lack of sympathy towards him. I am glad I read it, but wouldn't hurry to do so again.

106. The Four Books
A satire of re-education in China, humourous but also tragic.

67soffitta1
Editat: gen. 15, 2016, 11:46 am

107. Dangling Man
I don't really know where to start with this one, I thought it was a good book, but I am not sure if I can say why I liked it!

108. Cain
My second Saramago of the year! I had an urge to splurge on the last of my book voucher and I have had my eye on this for a long time. This is the story of Cain after his expulsion, not just a single episode, but with him at key events in the bible.

109. How to be both
Also bought on my book buying spree, and, as with Cain, read within a couple of days of purchasing! Two stories hundreds of years apart connected the life of a painter and, later, a girl whose mother loved their work. Compelling read.

110. Pictures or it didn't happen
From the series of Quick Reads, picked up at the tube on the way to the cricket at Lords.

111. and 112. Two Woolf books to round off the reading, The Waves was a stream of consciousness, following the lives of a group of friends. You have to pay attention, but I can see why this ground-breaking novel was added to the 1001 list. Night and Day was a rather different affair, lighter initially in tone, but there was more to this love story, if you were willing to look for it.

113. African Laughter
Lessing's journeys back to Zimbabwe. Thoughtful, especially when she transcribes the her views in contrast to those living there.

Nearly up to date!

68lkernagh
jul. 27, 2015, 5:36 pm

Look at you go! Great reading!

69soffitta1
jul. 28, 2015, 1:54 am

Thanks! Most importantly I have gaps on my shelves!

70MissWatson
jul. 28, 2015, 3:28 am

Wow, that's an amazing number of books! And what will you do with the gaps, fill them with new books??

71soffitta1
jul. 29, 2015, 1:47 pm

Of course!

72MissWatson
jul. 30, 2015, 3:26 am

I know. Silly question.

73soffitta1
Editat: gen. 15, 2016, 11:46 am

I am trying to be really good and read what I have, but it is so hard with so many tempting books out there!

114. Red Lotus
The book follows two women, Li-Xia and her daughter, Red Lotus. It is a tough life for women, starting from Li-Xia being discarded by her family, but both women show determination and character. Enjoyable weekend read, with enough historical detail to lift it above other contenders.

74soffitta1
Editat: gen. 15, 2016, 11:57 am

115. and 116. The Gunpowder Plot
A book in two volumes about the infamous Gunpowder Plot. I saw a documentary on this from the Beeb, so had it in the back of my mind. Lots of research put into this, what interested me was the focus on lesser known figures and the situation around it.

117. The Bourne Identity
Bought in a pack of books made into films, I just felt like a good, old-fashioned thriller. I was curious to see how the film related to the book, there are major differences, but I found it just as enjoyable. Yes, the book was dated, especially in the the female lead's dialogue, but the plot had me hooked.

118. The Bone People
I enjoyed this for the writing style, the plot was hard-going at times. A look at the Maori community as well as abusive relationships. I am glad to have read it, but it would be hard to read again.

119. Pig-heart boy
A boy needs a transplant and is offered a pig's heart, but all hell breaks loose once the media gets hold of the story. I will be adding this to my tutor group's book box as it is thought-provoking.

75soffitta1
Editat: gen. 15, 2016, 11:57 am

120. Wrong time, wrong place
A creepy short read, a trafficked girl breaks free from her captors and ends up in the remote Scottish countryside. I can't say more without ruining it, but it was a page turner.

121. The Last Dragon-slayer
Picked up as I enjoyed the Thursday Next series, entertaining but not as good in my mind.

122. Gargantua and Pantagruel
Hmmm, a 1001 book, elements were good, others were puerile.

123. Prime Suspect
I have seen the series, so was curious how the book would rate. Jane is a complex character, a woman in a man's world. I think the book holds up 20 years later. There is still such a difference in how men and women are seen at the workplace and in the home sphere, summed up in her boyfriend's mind as he comments how he has seen work-Jane at home and doesn't like her.

124. The Jane Austen Marriage Manual
An easy read with nods to more than one of Austen's works.

76soffitta1
Editat: gen. 15, 2016, 11:58 am

125. The Secret Keeper
I do enjoy Kate Morton's books, well-written books that you can dive into and escape from marking! In this one, a young girl sees her mother commit a violent act, one which colours her life, but it is only at the end of her mother's life that she starts to investigate what really happened.

126. Bajo el sol jaguar
I bought this from a shop in Mexico, this is a set of short stories. The premise was a story for each of the senses, but the author died before completing the final two. What you have here are three sumptious books where the sense is the hero. I loved Invisible Cities, I think it might be one of my favourite books of all time, and this did not disappoint. Just so beautifully written, I did a year of Italian at school a LONG time ago, but reading this in Spanish made me feel closer to the original than his other works that I have read in English.

127. The Fault in our Stars
I have watched many of my tutor group reading this and was curious to see how it was. Yes, it is cheesy, but I can see how it appeals to YAs and also gives them a chance to talk about a difficult topic.

128. The Bluest Eye
So sad, but written in Morrison's great style. The copy I have has a forward from the author which reiterates the book's relevance today as much as when it was written.

129. Group Portrait with Lady
A look at modern German history through the life of a woman. Very interesting, lots going on, room for speculation and thought.

77soffitta1
Editat: gen. 15, 2016, 11:59 am

130. Pigeon English
Life of a teen in London, inspired by the tragic murder of a school boy in Tower Hamlets. Harrison is trying to fit in at school, a young boy from an immigrant family, but life turns darker as boys start joining gangs and another boy is killed.

131. Platero y Yo
I have read this book before, but picked up my own copy when on holiday. I reread it with a view to adapting it for my students. Such a beautiful book, a snap shot of a bygone era.

132. Emil und die Detektive
A book that has been on my radar since childhood, but never read until now. Written a long time ago, I think children will still get caught up in the drama of Emil trying to get back the money stolen from him.

133. South from Granada
Memoir of an English writer who spent many years in the south of Spain. Definitely a lucky charity shop find.

78soffitta1
Editat: gen. 15, 2016, 12:00 pm

134. and 135. Maus I and Maus II, that wonderful moment when you see wishlist books on your friend's bookshelf! Actually it was a student who turned me on to these books, this is a man coming to terms with his family's past through a series of conversations with his father. The author was born after the war and his elder brother went missing in the war, there is a lot here about survivor's guilt, there are many ghosts in his past and he realises that there may not be much time to get answers from his father. Highly recommended.

136. Michael Kohlhaas
A man is done wrong and seeks revenge, a quick 1001 read.

137. The Maze Runner
Another tutor group read, a boy wakes up in the maze, but feels he has been there before. Kept my attention, not sure where it will go from there though.

138. Samurai William
What an interesting read, I have read a number of books by the author and was once again impressed by the depth of the research and the interesting way it was presented. The titular William lived in Japan at a time when the Japan had started to open up, but that window could close at any time. Milton shares details about living in Japan at the time, trading and also how William felt when confronted by his long awaited compatriots.

79soffitta1
ag. 6, 2015, 1:06 pm

And here it is - that moment when you realise you have "lost" a book! I will have to find it!

80soffitta1
ag. 6, 2015, 1:47 pm

It was in May. I am really enjoying my holidays, reading some of those books that I have had around for a while.

81lkernagh
ag. 7, 2015, 9:36 am

Nice batch of mini reviews!

I remember reading the Bourne books long, long before the movies were made. Good summer reads but I can see where they would probably be dated now. I still need to track down a copy of The Secret Keeper. Glad to see Morton continues her wonderful writing.

82soffitta1
Editat: gen. 15, 2016, 12:00 pm

Thanks! The premise of the Bourne books still works, which is why I enjoyed the book, I would just say that it was the dialogue that dated it most.

139. Platform
My first from the controversial French writer. I am not sure what to say about this book, it is always hard to enjoy a book in which the main character is not that likeable. Houellebecq also brings together controversial themes, in this case prostitution and sexual tourism, touching on religion as well. Is it better to have a book that raises red flags AND discussions, or to close our eyes to actual issues?

140. Confessions of an ugly stepsister
I have seen the film and wanted to see how this matched up. Less dark than other Maguire books, good Summer read.

141. Northanger Abbey
This is Scottish writer Val McDermid's take on Austen's classic. I enjoyed the update, with the Edinburgh Festival taking the place of Bath, and Cat's love of vampire novels.

83soffitta1
Editat: gen. 15, 2016, 12:00 pm

142. The Autumn of the Patriarch
A descent into death, the last days of a dictator's life. This is not an easy read as you get pulled into the dark world of the dictator. Worth the read.

143. No Place like Home
The true tale of a marine and his work with rescue dogs from Afghanistan.

144. The Railway Detective
The first in a series of a detective who fully embraced modern methods, perfect to solve a crime in a changing world. Entertaining.

84LittleTaiko
ag. 18, 2015, 9:26 pm

Nice to see I'm not the only one resorting to mini-reviews due to real life getting in the way. Have a whole stack to add (not as many as you though!).

85paruline
set. 1, 2015, 10:36 am

I should just follow your lead and just. write. my. reviews. already :)

86soffitta1
set. 1, 2015, 2:24 pm

Writing short reviews has made my life easier, I am behind again though :( And as school has just started again, today was an INSET day with the students starting tomorrow, I doubt I will be up to date any time soon!

87soffitta1
Editat: gen. 15, 2016, 12:01 pm

145. The Weaker Vessel part 1 and 146. The Weaker Vessel part 2
A very interesting look at the lot of women from all walks of life in 17th Century, this books looks at health, education, marriage, as well as birth and death.

I have read another 2 books from The Railway Detective series, they are enjoyable reads.
147. The Excursion Train
A man is murdered on the way to see an illegal fight, a man unpopular because of his job.
148. The Railway Viaduct
A body is thrown from the newly opened viaduct, opening a case that will take Colbert and his close associates to France.

149. Mr Muo's Travelling Couch
A man returns to China from France on an unusual quest. A little disappointing if I am honest, this didn't stand up to Balzac and the Chinese Seamstress.

88soffitta1
Editat: gen. 15, 2016, 12:01 pm

150. Two Lives
A fascinating look at the author's uncle and aunt's lives. His uncle was a dentist who trained in the U.K. and Germany, where he lodged with the woman he was to marry. Seth spoke to his uncle, but unfortunately much of the part about his aunt had to come through letters, which do give us a window into her world, while leaving the reader with many questions. I really connected with the book, but there is much regret in this work.

151. Triumff
Not my normal fare, a book set in an alternate reality where Elizabethan England life still reigns. Things are potentially going to change when Australia, a modern continent, is found, but there are many mysteries. Light reading for a long train journey.

152. Half a Life
Naipaul this time, the main character is always caught between two worlds, be that his mother's versus his father's or later his wife's and his own. He never quite seems to be able to find himself. Sad reading.

153. Agatha Raisin and the Busy Body
M.C. Beaton chooses a popular victim this time - a busy body who is a stickler for health and safety. I don't think I will actively seek out any more from the series, the premise is normally good, but a little too formulaic.

154. Maidenhome
A rather eclectic selection of short stories from a Chinese author, the linking theme is women. I will try and find more by the author.

89soffitta1
Editat: gen. 15, 2016, 12:02 pm

155. The Black Prince
I do so enjoy Iris Murdoch's work. Every time you think you know where you stand, more information comes in.

156. Mr. Darcy takes a wife
A salacious reimagining at the Pride and Prejudice story, different sides of the story told - including life after their wedding - and new characters introduced to add some mystery. Entertaining, while not prize winning.

157. La Muerte de Artemio Cruz
A strange book, but one that needs close reading as the titular character's life follows that of his country's. I liked the idea of it, well-written, but one I will need to read again (with a history reference book at my side).

158. Hallucinating Foucault
A student is dumped and ends up finding the elusive writer he has studied. Boundaries are crossed and lives are changed. I picked up the book after recognising the title from the 1001 book list, not disappointed.

159. Jack Maggs
A returned convict in London is in the right place for a job, it is a hard life, especially for lower class servants. I was quickly caught up in this.

90soffitta1
Editat: gen. 15, 2016, 12:02 pm

*160 The Rice Paper Diaries
Another missed book. I bought this for the HK connection, a woman arrives in HK just before the Japanese arrive to be with her husband. As the couple are separated by circumstances beyond control, it seems that they know little about each other. Could have been better written, to be honest, but of interest to me.

91soffitta1
Editat: gen. 15, 2016, 12:02 pm

161. The Cave
I couldn't understand why this was familiar, until I realise I had read the book that came out of this novella. Two times collide as a young man dreams of Cathars.

92soffitta1
Editat: gen. 15, 2016, 12:02 pm

* 162. Lost Paradise
A short book, angels and a game. A quick read, but one that stays with you.

93soffitta1
Editat: gen. 15, 2016, 12:03 pm

September

163. El gaucho Martín Fierro
The epic Argentine tale, took a bit of getting used to the Spanish as it is written as the character spoke.

164. The Secret Agent
Not a great example of the genre, but important as one of the first of it. At times convoluted, but entertaining.

165. Phineas Finn
An Irish saga, I read this after a couple of false starts, there were passages that grabbed me more than others. I think that modern writing has pared down stories, making me impatient at times with classics that meander. A good enough commute read.

166. Moon Palace
Stories within stories, changing identities and the search for the self, I raced through this. Thoroughly enjoyed.

167. By Night the Mountain Burns
Bought on a whim because of the great cover and being from Equatorial Guinea. A strange tale told with plenty of magical realism of a boy and his life on an island. It is a hard life, one where outside forces have a great effect, even if they are not always present.

168. Atomised
Ugh. I have read this book, I never want to see it again, let alone reread it. Depravity with no higher purpose, despite what the pompous author may think.

169. The Ambassadors
I have enjoyed many of his works, but there was something off here, I just wasn't grabbed by the book.

94soffitta1
Editat: gen. 15, 2016, 12:03 pm

170. Darcy & Elizabeth: Nights and Days at Pemberley
Shameless escapism, following on from Pride and Prejudice.

171. Land of Painted Caves
I have been rereading this series and have finally reached the last book. It was good to see the story wrapped up, but some readers may find the focus on life at the time over plot an issue.

172. The Woman in the Dunes
A strange, creepy tale about a man who finds himself trapped with an unknown woman. Intriguing.

173. For one more day
A man is forced to take stock of his life when he gets to spend one more day with his dead mother. Not really my cup of tea.

174. Heart Songs and Other Stories
An enjoyable mix of short stories from the writer of Brokeback Mountain

175. Days of Atonement
A mystery set in Prussia on the arrival of the invading French, playing on prejudice at the time.
Rather dark, more than my usual fare. The book was alright, but a bit dark for me to look for more by the same writer.

176. Leaf Storm
Strange, but compelling.

177. Lost Hearts & Other Chilling Tales (Penguin Chillers)
Rather Gothic for my taste.

178. The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid
I do so love to read Bryson's work, and it is fun to read about his life.

179. The Last Journey of William Huskisson: How a Day of Triumph Became a Day of Despair at the Turn of a Wheel
A case of fact being stranger than fiction. This is about the dawn of rail in the U.K. and how one of its champions seemed to have shockingly bad luck.

180. Midnight All Day
Short story collection, good read for commuting.

95soffitta1
Editat: gen. 15, 2016, 12:04 pm

181. Henry Von Ofterdingen
A book I had heard much of, it is an important German work. There is a lot to glean from the text and I can see the resonance of the ideas in the text even today.

182. The Passion
An enthralling read, rather different from previous books I had read by the author. I liked the magical touches and the dual story line, also a Venetian backdrop rarely fails to disappoint. I was reminded of Orlando.

183. Tender is the Night
I can't get on board with this author, I disliked The Great Gatsby, and this was no better. I just couldn't find it in me to care about the characters.

184. The Infatuations
Death brings strangers together, both of which were outside a wonderful relationship they wanted to be part of.
Sad and compelling.

185. Paper Tigress
A look at the life and career of the author. I found the book particularly interesting as I was born in the BMH and lived in both HK and China. Her career unfolds against a back drop of great change in HK, from British Colony to SAR. There are many interesting strands, such as seeing behind the curtain of HK government policy; the career path of a female civil servant, as well as her passages on Chinese colleagues; juggling a career and a family; and HK itself.
For readers less familiar with HK, I would recommend the sections on immigration, SARS and the handover.

186. The Martian
It is has been interesting reading the film director's surprise at the film being classed as a comedy, there are certainly comic moments, mainly in the attitude of the Martian himself, a man left behind on a space mission. Of course, like any good book, there is more to it than comedy, rather it is a matter of how to survive in an inhospitable place with danger all around you. Very entertaining.

187. Skellig
I had never come across this, but it was on the World Book Night list. Poignant and curious, a great teen read.

188. The Adventures of Peregrine Pickle
Funny at times, though some sections were rather dull, they didn't fit together well at times.

189. Absent without leave
A collection of short pieces from the great German writer.

96soffitta1
Editat: gen. 15, 2016, 12:04 pm

190. The Boy with the Topknot
The coming of age of a Sikh boy in the U.K.

191. Pamela
A twist on the fallen woman tale, well-written and I look forward to reading more of his work.

192. The Shanghai Union of Industrial Mystics
A rather strange book, a mystery with eclectic characters.

193. Courtesans
An interesting look at the life of infamous women.

194. Inner Courtyard
A collection of stories by female Indian writers - some real gems here.

195. - 199. From The Railway Detective series.
The Iron Horse; Murder on the Brighton Express; The Silver Locomotive Mystery;
Railway to the Grave; Blood on the Line .

The series is really enjoyable to read, both for the mysteries and the technical detail. Inspector Colbeck is a rail enthusiast with a sharp mind, it is also good to see his companion getting a greater role.

97soffitta1
Editat: gen. 15, 2016, 12:05 pm

200. Enchanted
A mix of various fairy tales retold for a YA audience. A fun read, though to be marketed for an older audience, it would need editing.

201. In the heart of the country
Not a book for the fainthearted, a downward spiral set in South Africa.

202. Dusklands
A tale of two very different halves. I enjoyed the juxtaposition of modern and past struggles.

203. Waiting for the Barbarians
History is written and whitewashed by the victors, but here is the darker, usually forgotten, side.

204. Hinter Verzauberten Fenstern
Bought in Basel, this is a Christmas book by Cornelia Funke. A girl is disappointed to receive a traditional advent calendar instead of a modern chocolate one, little does she know, but hers is a magical one. Fun festive read.

205. The Princess of Cleves
Entertaining courtly tale.

98soffitta1
Editat: gen. 15, 2016, 12:06 pm

206. Troubling Love
A new author to me, and one I will return to. Such sadness, but told with great tenderness.

207. A Week in Winter
Binchey's last book and it shows. While the premise is pure Binchey, a group of people drawn together by a charismatic guest house owner, with love lacking and being found in unusual places, it didn't quite gel together. It is still enjoyable enough for a week in Winter, though.

208. The Radiant Way
Many books look at the lives of the latest bright young things, this is what happens next. Success, failure, age, broken relationships and deaths have marked them. A good read.

209. A Street cat named Bob
The true story of a man at rock bottom saved through his relationship with a stray cat.

210. An Englishman in Madrid
Interesting setting - Madrid on the eve of the Civil War. A British art expert gets caught up in a shady dealings with a family with Falangist connections. Entertaining, but needs to be tighter to really stand out in the genre.

211. The History of Rasselas
A quick read, more than what meets the eyes.

212. The Book of Daniel
The life of the unforeseen victim, the son of supposed Communist traitors. There is anger, pain, distrust that spill into the young man's life. Compelling.

99soffitta1
Editat: gen. 15, 2016, 12:06 pm

213. The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry
A letter from an old friend sparks a journey across England, this is Harold's journey, both physical and mental.

214. Custard Tarts and Broken Hearts
A story set in London's factories during WW1, with a focus on the life of women.

215. The Recruit
YA book. A boy in danger of falling off the grid is saved and recruited into a secret agency which uses children as agents. Page-turning, one to add to the bookbox at school.

216. Red Dust Road
An autobiography, not my usual fare, but a pleasant surprise. The author was adopted as a baby, as was her brother, and this is her life as she interacts with her birth parents. I really got caught up with this, both by her writing style and the questions it raised about family, gender and race.

217. Tomorrow
A mother will tell her children something that will change their lives in the morning and here we have the story leading up to that point. I found it compelling, as it brought up many scenarios in which I thought about what I would have done.

218. The Concubine
The life of Anne Boleyn, a more sympathetic book than normal.

219. Spoken here
A fascinating look at languages and their struggle to survive in the modern world.

100soffitta1
gen. 15, 2016, 12:18 pm

220. Theodore Boone
The first in a series of a teenage law expert. I would add it to a YA box, good read.

221. Mud Bound
Set after WW2 in the South of the States, this is a story of race and death. An interesting debut novel.

222. The House of Ulloa
A book set in Galicia, of the corrupting influence of power. It reminded me of The Crime of Padre Amaro.

223. Heart and Soul
Based around a heart clinic, this is a classic Binchey book with love and loss mixed together in a cozy Irish setting.

224. Assassin's Apprentice
This is the first in the series, a fantasy-historical novel. I am more of a history fan than a fantasy one, but I found myself caught up in the action as the bastard royal son finds his place in an increasingly hostile world. I am probably alone in this, but it reminded me more of Across the Nightingale Floor and Japan than Medieval Europe (from the names).

225. Hearts in Atlantis
A series of short stories that had a thread running through them. I've had this for a long time, but this was worth the wait, if not off the wall.