Kiwiria's October Reads
Nov. 3rd, 2014 11:54 am![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
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christianreaderSlightly late this month - I was away all weekend, so didn't have time to post until now.
Tender at the Bone - Ruth Reichl, 3.5/5, 320 pages
I read "Garlic and Sapphires" a couple of years ago and LOVED it, so I had great hopes for "Tender at the Bone". Unfortunately it didn't quite live up to my expectations. It was good enough, but not as good as I had hoped for.
It was interesting to hear about Ruth Reichl's background though - it was very different from what I had expected, purely based on G&S. Can't have been easy with a bipolar mother to contend with.
Falling into Place - Amy Zhang, 4.5/5, Audiobook ~5.5hrs
I had this recommended very highly by a friend of mine who works for the publisher. I downloaded the sample from Amazon, and liked what I read, so purchased it from Audible.
I'm glad I did. It's a really, really good book! It made me go on detours to continue listening, which is always a good sign :) With shades of "Thirteen Reasons Why" by Jay Asher and "If I Stay" by Gayle Forman it is obviously a very sad read, but I didn't find it as emotionally manipulative as it could have been. It was horrible to read about the kids being bullied, and how Liz Emerson slowly got convinced that suicide was the only way out.
I liked the way the book jumped in time - the chapter headers kept it from getting confusing, and the patchwork style of the book really worked for me.
I also liked that the ultimate outcome was kept under wraps until the very end. Just like in "If I Stay" it isn't made obvious right from the start, but enough hints are given that the reader is prepared for it to go either way.
The author was 18 when she wrote this! I'm terribly impressed!
The Peach Keeper - Sarah Addison Allen, 3.5/5, 272 pages
"The Peach Keeper" is only the second book I've read by Sarah Addison Allen. The first was an instant favourite ("Garden Spells"), so I was slightly hesitant to pick up another of her books, as I was certain it couldn't live up to my expectations. And it didn't - quite. Still, it came close enough that I didn't feel too cheated and it is a lovely charming book. I wasn't too convinced by the romantic pairings, but LOVED the growing friendship.
Definitely a feel-good book, and while not an instant favourite, I liked it enough that I'll definitely continue to pick up more of her books.
Ungen - Estrid Ott*, 4/5, 156
(The Kid)
I remember being rather disappointed the first time I read this, because all the lovely mischief and camaderie of "Reden" had disappeared. As I grew older, I started appreciating it more, and while I still don't think it is anywhere near as good as the first book, I do enjoy it just the same.
Apparently there's a third book in the series as well, but I don't think I've ever read that one.
Bimbi er frihedskæmper - Estrid Ott*, 3/5, 142 pages
(Bimbi as Freedom Fighter)
The "Bimbi" books used to be among my favourites as a child, so I was keen on rereading them for the read-a-thon. Unfortunately I discovered that they are just slightly too 'twee' for my tastes now, but I have a feeling that they probably work much better when read aloud than when read to myself.
Plus, nostalgia always helps as well ;)
Reden - Estrid Ott*, 5/5, 148 pages
Estrid Ott was one of my favourite authors growing up, and it's so gratifying to see that her books still stand the test of time. I've read this book times beyond number since I first discovered it in my (very) early teens. It's a lovely story about a family who support each other through thick and thin and who - of course - always come out on top. A lovely feel-good book that I always close with a happy sigh :)
An Abundance of Katherines - John Green, 3.5/5, 213 pages
It took me quite awhile to figure out where on earth this book was heading. It is completely different from "Looking for Alaska" and "The Fault in Our Stars" both in atmosphere and writing style, which took some getting used to.
I did end up liking it though. I wasn't quite as blown away by it as I've been by John Green's other books, but it was a decent enough read, and I did laugh out loud on several occasions - especially at some of the footnotes!
I really liked the three main characters, and loved reading their interactions. Despite the misleading title and back-blurb, this isn't a YA romance - it's a story about friendships... actually sort of like "The Perks of Being a Wallflower".
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets - J.K. Rowling*, 5/5, 251 pages
I can hardly believe it's been 9 years since I read this last! I figured it was about time. And of course, it was just as good as I remembered. It annoyed me somewhat that Harry didn't trust in Dumbledore sooner, but under the circumstances I think he can be excused - when even more experienced wizards (i.e. Ron) tells him that even for a wizard "hearing voices isn't a good thing", I don't blame him for wanting to keep it to himself.
I'd forgotten how short the book is though - I'd seemed to remember that Dumbledore and Hagrid were taken away at a much earlier point than they were.
Not my favourite HP book, but not my least favourite either.
The Orchid House - Lucinda Riley, 4/5, 523 pages
A must-read for anybody who enjoys intriguing family secrets. I was very pleasantly surprised by it, and quickly swept up into the events of the book. I really came to care about the characters and was interested in what would happen next.
I read this in translation which usually isn't my first choice, but I almost forgot it was a translation! The language flowed beautifully, and I never mentally translated it back into English, which is otherwise often the case.
Riley did throw one loop at the reader that I think she would have been better off just leaving alone. It had no real purpose and seemed forced.
So because of that, I've subtracted a single star. But 4 still remains because of the general delightfulness of the book :)
Phoenix Island - John Dixon, 3/5, 320 pages
This is "Unwind" meets "Lord of the Flies" with a dash of "Battle Royale" thrown in for good measure. For most of the book I had no idea what was going to happen next, or how on earth John Dixon would manage to resolve this in a satisfying way... especially as the number of remaining pages grew smaller and smaller.
Most of the book was absolutely fascinating, and I grew increasingly intrigued by the events on Phoenix Island, and Carl's chances there. However, the shades of "Unwind" (by Neal Shusterman) that I spotted in the book made me rather uneasy, and I wondered just how open an ending the book would have.
Fortunately not as much as I had feared. Enough that I've subtracted a star for it, but not so much that I wouldn't be keen to read the next book too, once it is published.
Dødesporet - Sara Blædel, 4.5/5, 314 pages
(The Death Trail)
Unlike some of Sara Blædel's earlier books, this one took off right away and threw the reader right into the action from the word 'Go'. I had a hard time putting it down, and finished it much faster than I had expected.
Just as I had assumed, a lot of the loose threads from the previous book were picked up and neatly tied together in this one, and I think she did a terrific job of mixing Louise's past with her present in order to get everything sorted out.
As always the book ended sooner than I would have liked - i.e. with the arrest rather than the outcome of the arrest. I always want to see people brought to justice for what they have done, so I hope Sara Blædel will at least refer to that in her next book.
Too Busy Not To Pray - Bill Hybel*, 5/5, 180 pages
Bill Hybels tackles some of the large issues about praying - how to pray, when to pray (scheduled prayer time is just as important as spontaneous prayer), why some prayers are answered and others aren't, and that listening is just as important a part of praying as talking is.
Very thought-provoking, very inspiring and very interesting, even if Bill Hybels didn't always touch on the topics that are most relevant to me: I have no doubt at all that God is able to provide whatever miracle I'm praying for - I wonder if he's going to. I know that listening is an important part of prayer - I just don't know how to, as my mind is always too busy with other things. He did have some practical advice though, which I'm going to try to follow.
Piger i penion*, 5/5, 155 pages
Estrid Ott writes terrific comfort books, and this is no exception. I've always loved books that take place at a boarding school, and enjoy reading about the various antics the girls get up to. There's typically not much 'depth' in Estrid Ott's YA, but it's just pleasant comfort reading, perfect for a lazy afternoon.
Book of the Month: Falling into Place.
Biggest disappointment: None this month :)
Tender at the Bone - Ruth Reichl, 3.5/5, 320 pages
I read "Garlic and Sapphires" a couple of years ago and LOVED it, so I had great hopes for "Tender at the Bone". Unfortunately it didn't quite live up to my expectations. It was good enough, but not as good as I had hoped for.
It was interesting to hear about Ruth Reichl's background though - it was very different from what I had expected, purely based on G&S. Can't have been easy with a bipolar mother to contend with.
Falling into Place - Amy Zhang, 4.5/5, Audiobook ~5.5hrs
I had this recommended very highly by a friend of mine who works for the publisher. I downloaded the sample from Amazon, and liked what I read, so purchased it from Audible.
I'm glad I did. It's a really, really good book! It made me go on detours to continue listening, which is always a good sign :) With shades of "Thirteen Reasons Why" by Jay Asher and "If I Stay" by Gayle Forman it is obviously a very sad read, but I didn't find it as emotionally manipulative as it could have been. It was horrible to read about the kids being bullied, and how Liz Emerson slowly got convinced that suicide was the only way out.
I liked the way the book jumped in time - the chapter headers kept it from getting confusing, and the patchwork style of the book really worked for me.
I also liked that the ultimate outcome was kept under wraps until the very end. Just like in "If I Stay" it isn't made obvious right from the start, but enough hints are given that the reader is prepared for it to go either way.
The author was 18 when she wrote this! I'm terribly impressed!
The Peach Keeper - Sarah Addison Allen, 3.5/5, 272 pages
"The Peach Keeper" is only the second book I've read by Sarah Addison Allen. The first was an instant favourite ("Garden Spells"), so I was slightly hesitant to pick up another of her books, as I was certain it couldn't live up to my expectations. And it didn't - quite. Still, it came close enough that I didn't feel too cheated and it is a lovely charming book. I wasn't too convinced by the romantic pairings, but LOVED the growing friendship.
Definitely a feel-good book, and while not an instant favourite, I liked it enough that I'll definitely continue to pick up more of her books.
Ungen - Estrid Ott*, 4/5, 156
(The Kid)
I remember being rather disappointed the first time I read this, because all the lovely mischief and camaderie of "Reden" had disappeared. As I grew older, I started appreciating it more, and while I still don't think it is anywhere near as good as the first book, I do enjoy it just the same.
Apparently there's a third book in the series as well, but I don't think I've ever read that one.
Bimbi er frihedskæmper - Estrid Ott*, 3/5, 142 pages
(Bimbi as Freedom Fighter)
The "Bimbi" books used to be among my favourites as a child, so I was keen on rereading them for the read-a-thon. Unfortunately I discovered that they are just slightly too 'twee' for my tastes now, but I have a feeling that they probably work much better when read aloud than when read to myself.
Plus, nostalgia always helps as well ;)
Reden - Estrid Ott*, 5/5, 148 pages
Estrid Ott was one of my favourite authors growing up, and it's so gratifying to see that her books still stand the test of time. I've read this book times beyond number since I first discovered it in my (very) early teens. It's a lovely story about a family who support each other through thick and thin and who - of course - always come out on top. A lovely feel-good book that I always close with a happy sigh :)
An Abundance of Katherines - John Green, 3.5/5, 213 pages
It took me quite awhile to figure out where on earth this book was heading. It is completely different from "Looking for Alaska" and "The Fault in Our Stars" both in atmosphere and writing style, which took some getting used to.
I did end up liking it though. I wasn't quite as blown away by it as I've been by John Green's other books, but it was a decent enough read, and I did laugh out loud on several occasions - especially at some of the footnotes!
I really liked the three main characters, and loved reading their interactions. Despite the misleading title and back-blurb, this isn't a YA romance - it's a story about friendships... actually sort of like "The Perks of Being a Wallflower".
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets - J.K. Rowling*, 5/5, 251 pages
I can hardly believe it's been 9 years since I read this last! I figured it was about time. And of course, it was just as good as I remembered. It annoyed me somewhat that Harry didn't trust in Dumbledore sooner, but under the circumstances I think he can be excused - when even more experienced wizards (i.e. Ron) tells him that even for a wizard "hearing voices isn't a good thing", I don't blame him for wanting to keep it to himself.
I'd forgotten how short the book is though - I'd seemed to remember that Dumbledore and Hagrid were taken away at a much earlier point than they were.
Not my favourite HP book, but not my least favourite either.
The Orchid House - Lucinda Riley, 4/5, 523 pages
A must-read for anybody who enjoys intriguing family secrets. I was very pleasantly surprised by it, and quickly swept up into the events of the book. I really came to care about the characters and was interested in what would happen next.
I read this in translation which usually isn't my first choice, but I almost forgot it was a translation! The language flowed beautifully, and I never mentally translated it back into English, which is otherwise often the case.
Riley did throw one loop at the reader that I think she would have been better off just leaving alone. It had no real purpose and seemed forced.
So because of that, I've subtracted a single star. But 4 still remains because of the general delightfulness of the book :)
Phoenix Island - John Dixon, 3/5, 320 pages
This is "Unwind" meets "Lord of the Flies" with a dash of "Battle Royale" thrown in for good measure. For most of the book I had no idea what was going to happen next, or how on earth John Dixon would manage to resolve this in a satisfying way... especially as the number of remaining pages grew smaller and smaller.
Most of the book was absolutely fascinating, and I grew increasingly intrigued by the events on Phoenix Island, and Carl's chances there. However, the shades of "Unwind" (by Neal Shusterman) that I spotted in the book made me rather uneasy, and I wondered just how open an ending the book would have.
Fortunately not as much as I had feared. Enough that I've subtracted a star for it, but not so much that I wouldn't be keen to read the next book too, once it is published.
Dødesporet - Sara Blædel, 4.5/5, 314 pages
(The Death Trail)
Unlike some of Sara Blædel's earlier books, this one took off right away and threw the reader right into the action from the word 'Go'. I had a hard time putting it down, and finished it much faster than I had expected.
Just as I had assumed, a lot of the loose threads from the previous book were picked up and neatly tied together in this one, and I think she did a terrific job of mixing Louise's past with her present in order to get everything sorted out.
As always the book ended sooner than I would have liked - i.e. with the arrest rather than the outcome of the arrest. I always want to see people brought to justice for what they have done, so I hope Sara Blædel will at least refer to that in her next book.
Too Busy Not To Pray - Bill Hybel*, 5/5, 180 pages
Bill Hybels tackles some of the large issues about praying - how to pray, when to pray (scheduled prayer time is just as important as spontaneous prayer), why some prayers are answered and others aren't, and that listening is just as important a part of praying as talking is.
Very thought-provoking, very inspiring and very interesting, even if Bill Hybels didn't always touch on the topics that are most relevant to me: I have no doubt at all that God is able to provide whatever miracle I'm praying for - I wonder if he's going to. I know that listening is an important part of prayer - I just don't know how to, as my mind is always too busy with other things. He did have some practical advice though, which I'm going to try to follow.
Piger i penion*, 5/5, 155 pages
Estrid Ott writes terrific comfort books, and this is no exception. I've always loved books that take place at a boarding school, and enjoy reading about the various antics the girls get up to. There's typically not much 'depth' in Estrid Ott's YA, but it's just pleasant comfort reading, perfect for a lazy afternoon.
Book of the Month: Falling into Place.
Biggest disappointment: None this month :)
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