Book readin' in 2007
January
Kat's Cradle by Karen Kijewski in paperback. I bought this used a couple of months ago at Half Price Books before a movie. I'm more than halfway through and enjoying it so far; with female PIs, I reserve my opinion until the end of the first or second novel. (Same with cozies. And let's not talk about the audiobooks I have given up on midway through/that I can't even knit or craft too.) And the verdict is... I'll read at least one more book in this series, in spite of a major groaner. We'll just see if it happens again (something remarkably similar to the reason I gave up on Sue Grafton/Kinsey Milhone). finished 1/5.
Guns, Germs and Steel by Jared Diamond. This book has been on the shelf for a few years. I'm not good at reading history but I want to--I want to know, to learn. So here we go... started 1/5.
Pirhana to Scurfy Ruth Rendell, audio. same reader as Mary Russell series, which is good. These are good short stories, some shorter and some longer; none of them seem as creepy to me as they seem to be intended, but I think it might be the problem with audiobooks, or at least, the way I listen to them, stopping and starting and doing laundry and knitting while listening. Well, I know I don't delve as deeply into audiobooks, and it's rare for me to feel like I MUST get back to them as soon as possible after waking/working/etc., whereas novels frequently have such sway over me.
Bone Key Les Standiford, audio. good but not exceptional.
By A Spider's Thread Laura Lippman, paper.
The Ha-Ha Dave King, audio. This is a very good book. I paused midway through but resumed over the weekend (Friday 1/19) and want to listen listen listen to find out what happens to the characters. (note: not a mystery novel; about a man who lost the ability to speak, read and write due to a brain injury in Viet Nam). Finished 1/31... recommended.
Shooting at Loons Margaret Maron, paper.
Rituals of the Season Maron, paper.
A Grave Talent Laurie R King, paper -- first Kate Martinelli book. Highly satisfying.
There's Nothing in This Book That I Meant to Say Paula Poundstone, paper... but it's like listening to her. It's kind of weird to read, but hilarious.
February
Still reading (at a glacial pace) Guns, Germs and Steel and in more of a stop-start fashion, There's Nothing in this Book... [note: Seth ended up reading this book and I had to return it to the library. I really want to get the audiobook rather than read this in paper.]. Reading is giving way a bit to a need to clean, organize and complete in order to prepare for my twin niecephews coming in June!
To Play The Fool Laurie R King /paperback. Naturally, a page-turner. Weirdly, I was able to set the book down for a few days that I was super busy. But when I came back to it, I was really happy to be back. I like the unusual people in King's novels, whether the Kate Martinelli or Mary Russell series.
Leaving the Saints Martha Beck / hardcover. Wow. More on this when I finish. (done but putting off this update!)
The Intuitionist Colson Whitehead / hardcover.
Night Work Laurie R King / audio. good for stitching but distracting me from "The Intuitionist"! The funny thing about these books is, they're massively addictive yet--especially in audio format--they're like candy. Here and gone with a poof. I think I'll stick with reading hard copy of these titles though.
The Eyre Affair Jasper Fforde / paperback, borrowed from Martine. Started in the middle of everything, because it was there.
March
February's book list kind of ran into March. So I'll repeat a bit...
The Eyre Affair finished in early March. I actually think I liked this better as an audiobook--maybe the best audiobooks I've listened to. Of course, this title was on the shelf at the library next time I looked, but I've already read it and listened to it, so I'm looking for #2. (Need to put it on the hold list, duh.)
The Intuitionist There are pages that dead-end me and then there are moments when I think I won't be able to put the book down. Obviously, I have been able to put it down, as I am still only 1/2-way through it as of 3/13.
The End Lemony Snicket, hardcover. Started on 3/12 or so.
The Quality of Life Report, audio. Started on 3/11. Enjoyable so far, but I'm wondering if the character is going to develop. If so, I'll forgive some of the too-obvious stuff and the annoyance of a character with my name who is totally unlike me. Reflection: This book was okay. It was a little trite overall but listenable.
Twelve Sharp Janet Evanovich, audio. As usual. These are really a soothing treat but I realize I could *never* read them in paper--I picked up this book at the super mega appliance store at Christmas and 1) balked at the price; 2) felt like I was reading pablum; 3) felt like I was reading the same thing, again. Her car doesn't blow up in this one--but someone else's car does. It's too bad these books aren't allowed to stretch out a little.
With Child Laurie R King, paperback. Maybe my favorite so far of this series. There was so much pure Kate in this novel and it just felt very true.
Citizen Vince Jess Walter, hardcover. Again, probably my favorite Jess Walter so far. There were a couple of monologues that felt forced but he seems to be coming into his own. This was slightly shorter than the first two, moved faster... I think focusing on male characters might be right for Walter.
(I think there may be another audiobook and/or regular book in here, but I don't remember what.)
April
The Intuitionist -- need to finally finish this! It's a somewhat dark story so hard to want to read during the stress of my day-to-day life lately, but it's highly poetic and deserves attention. 4/10 -- finally finished. A very deserving novel. Worth a re-read also since things fell into place really late for me.
One, Two, Buckle My Shoe Agatha Christie, audio. Started late March? A short Hercule Poirot novel--almost a novella--and so matter-of-fact. Final thoughts t/k. -- no real final thoughts. it is what it is!
Sweater Design in Plain English Maggie Righetti, library binding. Reference, but may need to purchase a copy.
The Zero Jess Walter, hardcover. Much more novelistic than previous, with an interesting disassociation problem thrown in that echos Vonnegut, oddly enough. Overdue at the library b/c it's hot on the hold list, but I want to finish it... so I'm paying. (as of 4/23). Read more on 4/25: So interesting b/c the character, Brian Remy, seems to black out when he's making decisions/actions that are reprehensible. The character and reader are present (3rd person non-omniscient narrator) only when he's "good" and reacting to blacked-out actions. Which makes the fact his son insists on acting like he (Remy) is dead from 9/11.
We Need to Talk About Kevin Lionel Shriver, audio. No verdict yet. About 1.5 discs in, I have paused, possibly for good. I think one problem with audiobooks is they take away the reader's connection with the protagonist: when reading, I often identify with the characters (varies depending on the quality [in all senses] of the book). When listening to an audio version, this is certainly not the case: it's more of a performance and someone else's story. This makes me wonder if other people find movies, TV, etc as escapist as books can be for me: do they imagine themselves in the roles they see on the big screen? Is that them? Very interesting... (note: I started again due to a dental appt, got another 1.5 discs in, then quit this audiobook. I'm planning to try "The post-birthday world" and will update on that.)
No Graves As Yet Anne Perry, audiobook. "A novel of World War I" and it's getting juicy now on disc 3. Hm, not a lot to say about this book: I'd read/listen to another by this author and I liked the historical perspective.
Sew U Wendy something... Kind of forced but (I think) worth the cost of the patterns. I actually began at the beginning and could stand to skim a little more. I'm having issues about my size at the moment, being bloated/out of shape, so I'm reluctant to cut out the patterns just now. But we'll see how it goes.
Lost in a Good Book Jasper Fforde, audio. Very good as expected. Sometimes quite silly. I managed to go from the end of disc 4 into disc 8 w/o realizing--a little ipod problem--and it took quite a while, 30 minutes maybe?--to realize I'd missed something. Not sure what this says about the book! Finished, satisfactorily--I like the way these books make you think about books and the book-world. They're perfectly suited to those of us who love to read and use it as an escape: such minor/sweet and funny escape fantasies that seem so possible/real--but are neither.
The Art of Detection Laurie R King, audio. started 4/26. Typically tightly-woven and good King. I have hopes this will go better than the last Martinelli novel in audio; that was hard to follow and I reverted to paper for "With Child," which was very good. Why then did I lose my head and request audio from the library? I have no idea. -- As it turns out, this was very good in audio.
Oops. It's May 15 and I lost track of the list! I'm putting things in May that could've been in April.
May
Maybe a Miracle audio. Stopped about halfway through. Will I finish? Depends on if I run out of other titles and/or I can't keep renewing it from the library.
most recent Tess Monaghan title by Laura Lippman, audio. Very good.
Two "Kat" books -- Alley Kat and something Kat Blues. The latter is not as engaging, I believe because it's so much backstory and there's not quite as much personal motivation. There's a layer of dramatic distrust that's much higher in other Kat stories.
To The Power of Three Laura Lippman, audio.
The Well of Lost Plots Jasper Fford, audio. I should really sit down and knit and listen; I've been really distracted lately so the book is more background noise.
Woman: An intimate geography (I think) Natalie Angier. very engaging right off the bat but haven't gotten far in the first few days of reading. eta: Had to return to the library... I'm seeking a used copy, may find one in PDX next week?!?
(I lost track in a BIG way in May. So I'm going to jump to June and hope I don't miss too much.)
June
Middlesex Jeffrey Eugenides -- solid storytelling that made me keep with it.
finished Alley Kat Blues
Plum Lovin' audio, extremely silly
finished Maybe a Miracle finally, eh. about 2x as long as it needed to be. Had a fun ending.
A Noble Radiance Donna someone, audio Sedate but pleasant murder mystery set in Italy
Murder can Ruin Your Appetite or something like that, audio, in the "pleasantly plump NY widow/PI" series... entertaining, good main character, a little silly--but one of the more tolerable cozy mystery series out there.
Catering to Nobody Diane someone, audio -- bleh. This was sort of interesting but it made me angry that in the end, the young woman who's impregnated by the doctor who's supposed to treat her amennorhea is 2 months pregnant but she's assumed to be keeping the fetus. And you know, the abortionist is a nasty, child-molesting, "no respect for human life" murderer. In other ways, the book was kind of interesting: a decent cast of characters including the main character who's escaped an abusive relationship and her friends and family.
Midnight Baby Wendy Hornsby, paper
finished Sew U
The Holland Suggestions audio
Shark River Randy (something) White, audio -- pretty good. A low-key thriller and well-written, with interesting details about fish.
July
Bleeders audio, Bill Pronzini (which sounds really familiar... so I'm wondering if I read and didn't record it). I liked this book, though the ending was a little too... something. I like the Nameless character and his personality.
Secret, Silent Screams audio, Joan Lowery something. Short and not exactly so enthralling that I couldn't, say, do Ravelry stuff while listening. It wasn't bad though.
The Yiddish Policemen's Union hardcover, Michael Chabon. A bit overwrought to start out with, but I'm hoping that if I stick with it and relax, it'll be worth it.
Bad Business audio, Robert B. Parker. Funny one-liners, funny setup. We'll see where it goes. (frustration: the last disc isn't working right!)
Touching Evil Kay Hooper, audio. Similar to the other Kay Hooper I listened to but maybe a little less fanciful... but only slightly. Still, there's a 5th grade girl in me who enjoys listening to stories about ESP. Overall, this was a pretty good book. Kinda dopey but entertaining.
Retribution Jilliane Hoffman, audio. well-written; at 12 discs long, I thought it would drag endlessly, but I was actually quite involved and the story developed well. The twists are revealed with just the right timing and some sneaky conflict and doubt thrown in that I actually cared about who would be the real killer.
August
September
October
November
December
References
You know, if I run out of books to read...
http://www.journalscape.com/LauraLippman/2007-01-04-12:43/
Kat's Cradle by Karen Kijewski in paperback. I bought this used a couple of months ago at Half Price Books before a movie. I'm more than halfway through and enjoying it so far; with female PIs, I reserve my opinion until the end of the first or second novel. (Same with cozies. And let's not talk about the audiobooks I have given up on midway through/that I can't even knit or craft too.) And the verdict is... I'll read at least one more book in this series, in spite of a major groaner. We'll just see if it happens again (something remarkably similar to the reason I gave up on Sue Grafton/Kinsey Milhone). finished 1/5.
Guns, Germs and Steel by Jared Diamond. This book has been on the shelf for a few years. I'm not good at reading history but I want to--I want to know, to learn. So here we go... started 1/5.
Pirhana to Scurfy Ruth Rendell, audio. same reader as Mary Russell series, which is good. These are good short stories, some shorter and some longer; none of them seem as creepy to me as they seem to be intended, but I think it might be the problem with audiobooks, or at least, the way I listen to them, stopping and starting and doing laundry and knitting while listening. Well, I know I don't delve as deeply into audiobooks, and it's rare for me to feel like I MUST get back to them as soon as possible after waking/working/etc., whereas novels frequently have such sway over me.
Bone Key Les Standiford, audio. good but not exceptional.
By A Spider's Thread Laura Lippman, paper.
The Ha-Ha Dave King, audio. This is a very good book. I paused midway through but resumed over the weekend (Friday 1/19) and want to listen listen listen to find out what happens to the characters. (note: not a mystery novel; about a man who lost the ability to speak, read and write due to a brain injury in Viet Nam). Finished 1/31... recommended.
Shooting at Loons Margaret Maron, paper.
Rituals of the Season Maron, paper.
A Grave Talent Laurie R King, paper -- first Kate Martinelli book. Highly satisfying.
There's Nothing in This Book That I Meant to Say Paula Poundstone, paper... but it's like listening to her. It's kind of weird to read, but hilarious.
February
Still reading (at a glacial pace) Guns, Germs and Steel and in more of a stop-start fashion, There's Nothing in this Book... [note: Seth ended up reading this book and I had to return it to the library. I really want to get the audiobook rather than read this in paper.]. Reading is giving way a bit to a need to clean, organize and complete in order to prepare for my twin niecephews coming in June!
To Play The Fool Laurie R King /paperback. Naturally, a page-turner. Weirdly, I was able to set the book down for a few days that I was super busy. But when I came back to it, I was really happy to be back. I like the unusual people in King's novels, whether the Kate Martinelli or Mary Russell series.
Leaving the Saints Martha Beck / hardcover. Wow. More on this when I finish. (done but putting off this update!)
The Intuitionist Colson Whitehead / hardcover.
Night Work Laurie R King / audio. good for stitching but distracting me from "The Intuitionist"! The funny thing about these books is, they're massively addictive yet--especially in audio format--they're like candy. Here and gone with a poof. I think I'll stick with reading hard copy of these titles though.
The Eyre Affair Jasper Fforde / paperback, borrowed from Martine. Started in the middle of everything, because it was there.
March
February's book list kind of ran into March. So I'll repeat a bit...
The Eyre Affair finished in early March. I actually think I liked this better as an audiobook--maybe the best audiobooks I've listened to. Of course, this title was on the shelf at the library next time I looked, but I've already read it and listened to it, so I'm looking for #2. (Need to put it on the hold list, duh.)
The Intuitionist There are pages that dead-end me and then there are moments when I think I won't be able to put the book down. Obviously, I have been able to put it down, as I am still only 1/2-way through it as of 3/13.
The End Lemony Snicket, hardcover. Started on 3/12 or so.
The Quality of Life Report, audio. Started on 3/11. Enjoyable so far, but I'm wondering if the character is going to develop. If so, I'll forgive some of the too-obvious stuff and the annoyance of a character with my name who is totally unlike me. Reflection: This book was okay. It was a little trite overall but listenable.
Twelve Sharp Janet Evanovich, audio. As usual. These are really a soothing treat but I realize I could *never* read them in paper--I picked up this book at the super mega appliance store at Christmas and 1) balked at the price; 2) felt like I was reading pablum; 3) felt like I was reading the same thing, again. Her car doesn't blow up in this one--but someone else's car does. It's too bad these books aren't allowed to stretch out a little.
With Child Laurie R King, paperback. Maybe my favorite so far of this series. There was so much pure Kate in this novel and it just felt very true.
Citizen Vince Jess Walter, hardcover. Again, probably my favorite Jess Walter so far. There were a couple of monologues that felt forced but he seems to be coming into his own. This was slightly shorter than the first two, moved faster... I think focusing on male characters might be right for Walter.
(I think there may be another audiobook and/or regular book in here, but I don't remember what.)
April
The Intuitionist -- need to finally finish this! It's a somewhat dark story so hard to want to read during the stress of my day-to-day life lately, but it's highly poetic and deserves attention. 4/10 -- finally finished. A very deserving novel. Worth a re-read also since things fell into place really late for me.
One, Two, Buckle My Shoe Agatha Christie, audio. Started late March? A short Hercule Poirot novel--almost a novella--and so matter-of-fact. Final thoughts t/k. -- no real final thoughts. it is what it is!
Sweater Design in Plain English Maggie Righetti, library binding. Reference, but may need to purchase a copy.
The Zero Jess Walter, hardcover. Much more novelistic than previous, with an interesting disassociation problem thrown in that echos Vonnegut, oddly enough. Overdue at the library b/c it's hot on the hold list, but I want to finish it... so I'm paying. (as of 4/23). Read more on 4/25: So interesting b/c the character, Brian Remy, seems to black out when he's making decisions/actions that are reprehensible. The character and reader are present (3rd person non-omniscient narrator) only when he's "good" and reacting to blacked-out actions. Which makes the fact his son insists on acting like he (Remy) is dead from 9/11.
We Need to Talk About Kevin Lionel Shriver, audio. No verdict yet. About 1.5 discs in, I have paused, possibly for good. I think one problem with audiobooks is they take away the reader's connection with the protagonist: when reading, I often identify with the characters (varies depending on the quality [in all senses] of the book). When listening to an audio version, this is certainly not the case: it's more of a performance and someone else's story. This makes me wonder if other people find movies, TV, etc as escapist as books can be for me: do they imagine themselves in the roles they see on the big screen? Is that them? Very interesting... (note: I started again due to a dental appt, got another 1.5 discs in, then quit this audiobook. I'm planning to try "The post-birthday world" and will update on that.)
No Graves As Yet Anne Perry, audiobook. "A novel of World War I" and it's getting juicy now on disc 3. Hm, not a lot to say about this book: I'd read/listen to another by this author and I liked the historical perspective.
Sew U Wendy something... Kind of forced but (I think) worth the cost of the patterns. I actually began at the beginning and could stand to skim a little more. I'm having issues about my size at the moment, being bloated/out of shape, so I'm reluctant to cut out the patterns just now. But we'll see how it goes.
Lost in a Good Book Jasper Fforde, audio. Very good as expected. Sometimes quite silly. I managed to go from the end of disc 4 into disc 8 w/o realizing--a little ipod problem--and it took quite a while, 30 minutes maybe?--to realize I'd missed something. Not sure what this says about the book! Finished, satisfactorily--I like the way these books make you think about books and the book-world. They're perfectly suited to those of us who love to read and use it as an escape: such minor/sweet and funny escape fantasies that seem so possible/real--but are neither.
The Art of Detection Laurie R King, audio. started 4/26. Typically tightly-woven and good King. I have hopes this will go better than the last Martinelli novel in audio; that was hard to follow and I reverted to paper for "With Child," which was very good. Why then did I lose my head and request audio from the library? I have no idea. -- As it turns out, this was very good in audio.
Oops. It's May 15 and I lost track of the list! I'm putting things in May that could've been in April.
May
Maybe a Miracle audio. Stopped about halfway through. Will I finish? Depends on if I run out of other titles and/or I can't keep renewing it from the library.
most recent Tess Monaghan title by Laura Lippman, audio. Very good.
Two "Kat" books -- Alley Kat and something Kat Blues. The latter is not as engaging, I believe because it's so much backstory and there's not quite as much personal motivation. There's a layer of dramatic distrust that's much higher in other Kat stories.
To The Power of Three Laura Lippman, audio.
The Well of Lost Plots Jasper Fford, audio. I should really sit down and knit and listen; I've been really distracted lately so the book is more background noise.
Woman: An intimate geography (I think) Natalie Angier. very engaging right off the bat but haven't gotten far in the first few days of reading. eta: Had to return to the library... I'm seeking a used copy, may find one in PDX next week?!?
(I lost track in a BIG way in May. So I'm going to jump to June and hope I don't miss too much.)
June
Middlesex Jeffrey Eugenides -- solid storytelling that made me keep with it.
finished Alley Kat Blues
Plum Lovin' audio, extremely silly
finished Maybe a Miracle finally, eh. about 2x as long as it needed to be. Had a fun ending.
A Noble Radiance Donna someone, audio Sedate but pleasant murder mystery set in Italy
Murder can Ruin Your Appetite or something like that, audio, in the "pleasantly plump NY widow/PI" series... entertaining, good main character, a little silly--but one of the more tolerable cozy mystery series out there.
Catering to Nobody Diane someone, audio -- bleh. This was sort of interesting but it made me angry that in the end, the young woman who's impregnated by the doctor who's supposed to treat her amennorhea is 2 months pregnant but she's assumed to be keeping the fetus. And you know, the abortionist is a nasty, child-molesting, "no respect for human life" murderer. In other ways, the book was kind of interesting: a decent cast of characters including the main character who's escaped an abusive relationship and her friends and family.
Midnight Baby Wendy Hornsby, paper
finished Sew U
The Holland Suggestions audio
Shark River Randy (something) White, audio -- pretty good. A low-key thriller and well-written, with interesting details about fish.
July
Bleeders audio, Bill Pronzini (which sounds really familiar... so I'm wondering if I read and didn't record it). I liked this book, though the ending was a little too... something. I like the Nameless character and his personality.
Secret, Silent Screams audio, Joan Lowery something. Short and not exactly so enthralling that I couldn't, say, do Ravelry stuff while listening. It wasn't bad though.
The Yiddish Policemen's Union hardcover, Michael Chabon. A bit overwrought to start out with, but I'm hoping that if I stick with it and relax, it'll be worth it.
Bad Business audio, Robert B. Parker. Funny one-liners, funny setup. We'll see where it goes. (frustration: the last disc isn't working right!)
Touching Evil Kay Hooper, audio. Similar to the other Kay Hooper I listened to but maybe a little less fanciful... but only slightly. Still, there's a 5th grade girl in me who enjoys listening to stories about ESP. Overall, this was a pretty good book. Kinda dopey but entertaining.
Retribution Jilliane Hoffman, audio. well-written; at 12 discs long, I thought it would drag endlessly, but I was actually quite involved and the story developed well. The twists are revealed with just the right timing and some sneaky conflict and doubt thrown in that I actually cared about who would be the real killer.
August
September
October
November
December
References
You know, if I run out of books to read...
http://www.journalscape.com/LauraLippman/2007-01-04-12:43/