I haven't given an update on the books that I have read recently. My reviews are not very detailed or good, but since I've been trying to say a little something about each book that I've read this year, I might as well do it as the year is almost over.
White Teeth by Zadie Smith
I actually went to the library planning on picking up On Beauty, but then decided to grab WT instead. I chose WT because Smith had written it before OB (not that you have to read an author's books in the order that they write them), and I remembered hearing a lot about the book a couple of years ago. After I finished, I wasn't quite sure what to think, but I found that the book kept popping into my head days after I had finished. For me, that's usually a sign that it was a good, interesting book. I kind of got sick of Samad and wished that there was more about Clara and even Archie, but I liked all of the stuff about the kids. I did some googling and saw that they made a TV miniseries (only 4 episodes) and it was available on
Hulu, so I ended up sending a good chunck of the day watching. The miniseries was okay, but it had James McAvoy, which made things better. I plan on reading On Beauty sometime next year.
Sin in the Second City: Madams, Ministers, Playboys, and the Battle for America's Soul by Karen Abbott
I really liked the book at first, but started to get bored with it by the end. I would still recommend it though - it's a very interesting read. I have lived in the Chicago suburbs my whole life, and it was good to learn some of the city's history. I really liked all of the parts about the Everleigh Club and the sisters, but when there was too much about the various lawyers, reverends, politicians, etc., I sometimes lost interest.
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
My sister has been insisting that I read this book for a long time now because it's one of her favorites. One day when I couldn't decide what to read next, I finally picked up her copy and dived in. It was excellent! Seriously, you should read this book. I'm mad at myself for deciding to finish it while I was sitting in a train station and slightly intoxicated. I don't think I got the full effect of the ending because my brain was a little muddled. Oh well, I've learned my lesson - don't drink and read.
The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold
This was a re-read. I can't remember when I first read the book, but I do remember that I loved it. It was funny though because the second time reading it pretty much felt like the first. I had forgotten a lot of stuff that happened, so it was almost new to me. I did remember the sex scene at the end because it was a little out there. I still really, really enjoyed the book. I'm excited to see the movie. I've heard some reviews that it's not so great, but Peter Jackson is in charge, so it can't be that bad, right?
Rainbow Valley and Rilla of Ingleside by Lucy Maud Montgomery
I finally finished the Anne series! RV was just "meh" to me, but RoI was great. I liked that the focus was back to one character and that it didn't feel like a series of random stories. Rilla was a wonderful character, and I enjoyed seeing her mature and grow as a person. Also, it feels like I've read so many books about WWII, so it was nice for a change to read one about WWI.
My Life in France by Julia Child with Alex Prud'homme
After watching Jule & Julia earlier this month, I was inspired to read Child's book. It was a fun read. It definitely made me want to learn to cook and to live in France. Child had a very interesting life, and I feel a tad jealous of all that she did and experienced.
That brings the total of books read in 2009 to
77! I beat my goal of 70 and managed to read 11 more books than last year. I know the year isn't over yet and that there's still time to read, but I think I'm done. If I feel inspired to read one more book, then I'll do it. But if not, I'm happy. Next year, I am not going to have a goal. I love reading, but sometimes I think I do it too much (if that's even possible). I feel like I should be doing other things in my free time and not spending the majority of it reading.