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Books 31-42
There are reasons why I try to update my book blog semi-regularly. It's so I don't have to do reviews on 12 books at once. Seriously. I know that I forget books I've read when I do this. Ah well.
31. Shakespeare, Bill Bryson - I loved this book. Part of the concise biographies series, it really got down to what we know about Shakespeare (very little), what is assumed about him (and why much of it is erroneous) and painted a lovely portrait of the life of a playwright at the time (not that great). I'd recommend to anyone.
32. Small Island, Andrea Levy - A book about Jamaicans in England during World War II and after. It was a brilliant, if confusing at times, story. Fascinating to see WWII from the perspective of colonials, and how differently they were treated, being black, than the american troops. Still, a lovely if sometimes sad book.
33. Night Watch, Sarah Waters - Four stories, told backwards. I know that may seem strange, but it's not. It starts in London in 1947 and moves back in gaps to during the war, finishing in 1941. Their lives connect in ways you wouldn't have expected, and the secrets they keep are fascinating and sometimes surprising.
34. Fingersmith, Sarah Waters - The story of two young women in Victorian England, both of whom fate has used in rather strange ways. Things are not always what they seem, and this book is simply so well-written and lovely. I recommend it highly.
35. This Charming Man, Marian Keyes - Very different than her often lighter books. Dealing with abuse in relationships, it's not always an easy read, but it is rewarding. The different storylines draw you in and make you want to know more about each character, even when you're frustrated with them and their actions.
36-38. The Summer Tree, Wandering Fire, Darkest Road, Guy Gavriel Kay - Can I say how long it has been since I've read these books? At least three years, and longer since I'd read the final one. I remembered them so out of order, and entirely differently in parts. Still, it's a series I love, a re-interpretation of Arthurian legend. It has never failed to not make me cry, and this was no exception.
39. Amazing Adventures of Diet Girl, Shauna Reid - Fun and interesting. It was really fascinating to read this woman's book, a version of the blog she kept while she was on her journey - she started at 23 stone and lost 12.5. Realistic and honest, it hurt sometimes to read it; about her fears, her worries, how hard it was for her to change her own perception of herself. A very positive journey though, and a positive body image and health change.
40. The History of Lucy's Love Life in 10 1/2 Chapters, Deborah Wright - Hated it. Chick lit about a woman who time travelled to meet the world's greatest lovers. Thought it would be amusing and was just tripe.
41. Small Favour, Jim Butcher - I really need to re-read all of this series. Too bad the first books are in Canada! As it is, Small Favour is very strong. Harry gets beat up, yes, he saves the day, yes, he's snarky in the face of certain death, absolutely. I do like these books, they're well written and give me exactly what I want. Engaging characters, a fun story, and supernatural problem to be dealt with.
42. No Humans Allowed, Kelley Armstrong - I forget sometimes that Armstrong really is one of the strongest authors in the urban fantasy genre. I've yet to read a book and not immediately want more. When I pick up a new one and discover that it's about a previously minor character (there aren't THAT many) I find myself not minding at all. I love the other characters that have been developed, but I find myself loving whoever it is she's introducing us to a bit better this time around. This book is about Jamie Vegas primarily, with a heavy dose of Jeremy, Hope and Eve. Made me happy. Made me hate to finish it. Highly recommend the entire series.
The rest of the books I've read this year
31. Shakespeare, Bill Bryson - I loved this book. Part of the concise biographies series, it really got down to what we know about Shakespeare (very little), what is assumed about him (and why much of it is erroneous) and painted a lovely portrait of the life of a playwright at the time (not that great). I'd recommend to anyone.
32. Small Island, Andrea Levy - A book about Jamaicans in England during World War II and after. It was a brilliant, if confusing at times, story. Fascinating to see WWII from the perspective of colonials, and how differently they were treated, being black, than the american troops. Still, a lovely if sometimes sad book.
33. Night Watch, Sarah Waters - Four stories, told backwards. I know that may seem strange, but it's not. It starts in London in 1947 and moves back in gaps to during the war, finishing in 1941. Their lives connect in ways you wouldn't have expected, and the secrets they keep are fascinating and sometimes surprising.
34. Fingersmith, Sarah Waters - The story of two young women in Victorian England, both of whom fate has used in rather strange ways. Things are not always what they seem, and this book is simply so well-written and lovely. I recommend it highly.
35. This Charming Man, Marian Keyes - Very different than her often lighter books. Dealing with abuse in relationships, it's not always an easy read, but it is rewarding. The different storylines draw you in and make you want to know more about each character, even when you're frustrated with them and their actions.
36-38. The Summer Tree, Wandering Fire, Darkest Road, Guy Gavriel Kay - Can I say how long it has been since I've read these books? At least three years, and longer since I'd read the final one. I remembered them so out of order, and entirely differently in parts. Still, it's a series I love, a re-interpretation of Arthurian legend. It has never failed to not make me cry, and this was no exception.
39. Amazing Adventures of Diet Girl, Shauna Reid - Fun and interesting. It was really fascinating to read this woman's book, a version of the blog she kept while she was on her journey - she started at 23 stone and lost 12.5. Realistic and honest, it hurt sometimes to read it; about her fears, her worries, how hard it was for her to change her own perception of herself. A very positive journey though, and a positive body image and health change.
40. The History of Lucy's Love Life in 10 1/2 Chapters, Deborah Wright - Hated it. Chick lit about a woman who time travelled to meet the world's greatest lovers. Thought it would be amusing and was just tripe.
41. Small Favour, Jim Butcher - I really need to re-read all of this series. Too bad the first books are in Canada! As it is, Small Favour is very strong. Harry gets beat up, yes, he saves the day, yes, he's snarky in the face of certain death, absolutely. I do like these books, they're well written and give me exactly what I want. Engaging characters, a fun story, and supernatural problem to be dealt with.
42. No Humans Allowed, Kelley Armstrong - I forget sometimes that Armstrong really is one of the strongest authors in the urban fantasy genre. I've yet to read a book and not immediately want more. When I pick up a new one and discover that it's about a previously minor character (there aren't THAT many) I find myself not minding at all. I love the other characters that have been developed, but I find myself loving whoever it is she's introducing us to a bit better this time around. This book is about Jamie Vegas primarily, with a heavy dose of Jeremy, Hope and Eve. Made me happy. Made me hate to finish it. Highly recommend the entire series.
The rest of the books I've read this year
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Mind you, I have a fair pile of books already. A couple for you also.
♥
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Oooh, i like books for me :D
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I <3 Jeremy ;D
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And Jaime finally got her own book! I've been eagerly awaiting this for some time now - I'll have to see if I can track down a copy.
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And now I want the Hope book too!
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I haven't read Fingersmiths but I have seen the movie - which was a gorgeous two parter - told first from one woman's perspective and then, turning everything on its head by telling the story from the perspective of the other main character! I really must get a copy of the novel.
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The book runs the same way, one perspective, than the other. Talk about shock when I got to the flip.
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Fingersmiths has a few neat twists eh? The direction that *the* relationship took wasn't one of them though. I just had this feeling all the way through. I was quite pleasantly unsurprised.