Saturday, November 07, 2009

Saturday Mini-Reviews: A Catch-up Post


Evernight by Claudia Gray (Evernight Series, Book 1)

When I read this book I admit I got a little excited by it. For a moment I thought it was different and that maybe it was better than the teen vampire books that everyone loves and I mostly hate. It was at least better written than a certain series about sparkly vampires... Anyway, I did enjoy this book. It was a fresh approach to the vampire stories AND it takes place at a boarding school. I am just not very interested in the romance aspect of the novel and it is quite apparent that it is important. It is also a coming of age book, but maybe a bit different than what is normally labelled as that. I am really not sure what to think about this book. On the one hand I did like it, but on the other I could do without it. Sort of recommended.


Skellig by David Almond

I was going to review this book on its own, but so much time has passed that I don't know if I could think of enough to talk about to give it its own review. It's unfortunate because I really liked this book! It was the first Almond I had ever read, but I have read two more since. It was a different sort of read. I can safely say that it will not be for everyone, but it is still worth taking a chance on. I really don't want to say a lot because I enjoyed the bit of mystery to the story, but I am sure that spoilers abound and people are well aware of the basics to the story. I am just not going to add to them and it is hard to say what is a spoiler with this book. I think, anyways. The best thing to say is just read the book! Strongly recommended!


Ex Libris: Confessions of a Common Reader by Anne Fadiman

I need to read more books of essays. Especially books of essays that are about books! I have heard of this book over and over again, so I am glad that I can finally say that I have read it. I really enjoyed it. It is nice to know that there are people that are obsessed with books as you are. Some of the essays were not as good as others, but overall it was a good read. I wish my library had her other book... Recommended!


Wishful Drinking by Carrie Fisher

I was standing in the line at the library one day when my eyes fell on this book. Carrie Fisher is actually a pretty good author. I have read a couple of her novels. Add to this that she was in Star Wars and When Harry Met Sally and I knew I was going to have to see what she had to say. It was actually an interesting read. Fisher has lived a very varied life and she writes about it with humour. Normally I am not a big fan of celebrity memoirs, but I am glad I made an exception with this one. She actually turned it in a one woman play, which I wouldn't mind seeing if the chance presented itself. Obviously, this book is not for everyone, but I enjoyed it.

How to Talk About Books You Haven't Read by Pierre Bayard
This book could be about itself! Wow, was it ever boring. I could not get into it at all. Interesting title and idea, but the execution could use some work. Obviously some people have read and enjoyed this book, but I don't know how it is even possible. I think I prefer muddling through on my own in pretending that I have read books and wish I had never wasted time trying to read this! This was a total fail! I should also mention, though, that this is a translation. Maybe the original is really good and the translation is just really bad... It's a possibility, anyway.

12 comments:

  1. I keep meaning to read Skellig. I know it's one of Nymeth's favorite books. Your review of How to Talk about Books. . made me laugh! I hope you didn't read the whole thing.Carrie Fisher is an author I keep reading great things about. I need to get to her books soon. So glad you liked the Fadiman book. I love reading essays about reading. Have a great weekend.

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  2. Vasilly: Yes, I read Skellig because of Nymeth. I wasn't sure about it, but I ended up really liking it! I am glad that my review of How to Talk about Books... was appreciated. lol Carrie Fisher is really funny. I have another novel by her on my TBR pile that I am thinking I really must read! Have a great weekend, too!

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  3. I REALLY want to get to Skellig!!! I had started it for the readathon but was too tired at that point to actually read a novel, so I went the graphic novel route instead :/ But I just got Clay by him in the mail this week!! That one sounds good too!

    I've been wanting to read Ex Libris for ages too. Sounds really good. How to Talk About Books You Haven't REad on the other hand sounds horrible. For some reason, I had put it on my wishlist a long time ago and then went back and read about it and deleted it :p Glad you found it boring too.

    I actually really really want to read the Carrie Fisher memoir!! I heard an interview with her about it on NPR a long time ago and it sounded really good. I've been wanting to read it ever since. I'll definitely have to check it out now.

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  4. I like your mini-reviews :) I really should do the same since I'm behind in my reviews too.

    Evernight is one book I keep meaning to read and haven't yet. Definitely have to try it soon :)

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  5. I just bought Wishful Drinking today - I've been hearing good things about it, so you're continuing that trend :-).

    I read Ex Libris years ago, and loved it...but I Bookcrossed it away. I may need to get another copy one of these days.

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  6. Sounds like you have the same opinion of *those* teen vampire books that I do (LOL). I wish they'd just cut the romance garbage and some of them might just be great books.

    I just added Wishful Drinking to my library queue on Friday after reading a review. I love celebrity memoirs as long as the celebrity is old enough to have had a life. I read Fisher's Postcards from the Edge and enjoyed it.

    The How to Talk about Books review made me LOL!

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  7. I too love Skellig, and the film is worth a watch too. I am very behind in my reviews at the moment, which is frustrating as I can no longer express exactly how I felt about each book because too much time has passed. Hopefully I shall learn my lesson!

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  8. I like the mini-reviws thing, so efficient! :-)

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  9. I love, love, love Ex Libris. anything about books finds me an easy target. ;-) Fadiman's other stuff is good too and she has another collection of essays called At Large and at Small that are worth taking a gander at.

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  10. Ex Libris sounds like something I'd REALLY enjoy. I need to read more books of essays too!

    As for How to Talk About Books You Haven't Read, I loved what Nick Hornby said about it in one of his columns. It was something along the lines of: any adult who still pretends to have read books they haven't in front of their friends seriously needs some new friends :P

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  11. Skellig is my first Almond book too and I loved it. :)

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