Wednesday Reading Meme
What I Just Finished Reading: Since last week I read three books: As You Wish by Cary Elwes, This Perfect Day by Ira Levin, and The Color Purple by Alice Walker. I also wasted a couple of days on Soulstar, the third book in the Kingston Cycle trilogy, before giving up and DNFing.
What I'm Reading Right Now: I'm about halfway through Unwind by Neal Shusterman, which is really good.
What I'm Planning to Read Next: Next up will probably be Edin, the second book in the Monstrous series, while I wait for my next round of library books to arrive.
95. As You Wish by Cary Elwes
The best phrase to describe this book is simply delightful. Now this is the way you write a memoir! The actor takes us a little tour through his memories of filming the fabulous The Princess Bride. His love of the cast and joy of filming shines through in his charming and often humorous tales. He shares a lot of behind the scenes information, including that he broke a toe on set (now I know what scenes to look for to see if I can tell!) Most impressive to me were his stories of working with Andre the Giant. It seems that Andre was beloved by all, and I got a smile on my face whenever there was another story featuring him. There are sidebars throughout the book of quotes from the cast, director, and writer also discussing their memories as well, which was fantastic. Now I just need to go and rewatch the movie.
Dates Read: August 11 to 12, 2023
Page Count: 259
5 out of 5 stars
Lost Challenges Pyramid of Books - Task 7 - read 7 books written by a man (03/07)
Challenge Factory Genre Roulette - Task 4 - read 4 books tagged ‘humor’ (04/04) (15/15 total> + Complete!
CCC Aah Walkers - Prompt 28 - character who trains others to fight (42/52)
96. This Perfect Day by Ira Levin
In the future, UniComp rules all. The computer controls where you work, who you marry, whether you can have offspring, and even when you die. The populace is drugged into compliance, sleepwalking through life without rancor or sadness, but also without love, passion, and curiosity. The members of “the family” are even genetically altered into a single race. One man, however, has a grandfather who encourages him to think outside the box, and eventually Chip seeks his freedom.
This was an absolutely fantastic story. It’s not only got an intriguing, page-turning plotline and is an interesting character study, but of course it deals with the bigger issues of individuality and freedom of choice vs. what is best for the many. And who decides what is best? Is mankind doomed to revert to cruelty and aggression, or are people driven to it due to their circumstances? There is a lot to think about but it never gets heavy-handed or preachy.
Dates Read: August 12 to 13, 2023
Page Count: 368
5 out of 5 stars
Lost Challenges Pyramid of Books - Task 7 - read 7 books written by a man (04/07)
CCC Aah Walkers - Prompt 13 - baby who is a family member of the MC (43/52)
97. The Color Purple by Alice Walker
I’m going to go against the grain here, but I just was not a fan of this novel. I simply couldn’t connect with the story on an emotional level, and I think there’s a few reasons for that. One is that it just lacks immediacy, particularly because of the epistolary format. Celie tells God, and later her sister, about her life in a series of letters, so all the emotions are held at arm’s length. It’s a story being TOLD, not SHOWN. Except that it also feels like less than a story and more of a series of vignettes, oftentimes with years between the letters. I couldn’t form bonds with any of the characters because their circumstances, lives and feelings had changed drastically literally from one page to the next. And honestly, I felt like the nature of God discussions came out of left field. This one was just not for me.
Dates Read: August 13 to 14, 2023
Page Count: 314
2 out of 5 stars
Lost Challenges Pyramid of Books - Task 14 - read 14 books that take place in a state [Georgia] (07/14)
CCC Aah Walkers - Prompt 29 - takes place at least partly in Georgia (44/52)
Challenge Factory Dusty Bookshelf - August pick
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What I'm Reading Right Now: I'm about halfway through Unwind by Neal Shusterman, which is really good.
What I'm Planning to Read Next: Next up will probably be Edin, the second book in the Monstrous series, while I wait for my next round of library books to arrive.
95. As You Wish by Cary Elwes
The best phrase to describe this book is simply delightful. Now this is the way you write a memoir! The actor takes us a little tour through his memories of filming the fabulous The Princess Bride. His love of the cast and joy of filming shines through in his charming and often humorous tales. He shares a lot of behind the scenes information, including that he broke a toe on set (now I know what scenes to look for to see if I can tell!) Most impressive to me were his stories of working with Andre the Giant. It seems that Andre was beloved by all, and I got a smile on my face whenever there was another story featuring him. There are sidebars throughout the book of quotes from the cast, director, and writer also discussing their memories as well, which was fantastic. Now I just need to go and rewatch the movie.
Dates Read: August 11 to 12, 2023
Page Count: 259
5 out of 5 stars
Lost Challenges Pyramid of Books - Task 7 - read 7 books written by a man (03/07)
Challenge Factory Genre Roulette - Task 4 - read 4 books tagged ‘humor’ (04/04) (15/15 total> + Complete!
CCC Aah Walkers - Prompt 28 - character who trains others to fight (42/52)
96. This Perfect Day by Ira Levin
In the future, UniComp rules all. The computer controls where you work, who you marry, whether you can have offspring, and even when you die. The populace is drugged into compliance, sleepwalking through life without rancor or sadness, but also without love, passion, and curiosity. The members of “the family” are even genetically altered into a single race. One man, however, has a grandfather who encourages him to think outside the box, and eventually Chip seeks his freedom.
This was an absolutely fantastic story. It’s not only got an intriguing, page-turning plotline and is an interesting character study, but of course it deals with the bigger issues of individuality and freedom of choice vs. what is best for the many. And who decides what is best? Is mankind doomed to revert to cruelty and aggression, or are people driven to it due to their circumstances? There is a lot to think about but it never gets heavy-handed or preachy.
Dates Read: August 12 to 13, 2023
Page Count: 368
5 out of 5 stars
Lost Challenges Pyramid of Books - Task 7 - read 7 books written by a man (04/07)
CCC Aah Walkers - Prompt 13 - baby who is a family member of the MC (43/52)
97. The Color Purple by Alice Walker
I’m going to go against the grain here, but I just was not a fan of this novel. I simply couldn’t connect with the story on an emotional level, and I think there’s a few reasons for that. One is that it just lacks immediacy, particularly because of the epistolary format. Celie tells God, and later her sister, about her life in a series of letters, so all the emotions are held at arm’s length. It’s a story being TOLD, not SHOWN. Except that it also feels like less than a story and more of a series of vignettes, oftentimes with years between the letters. I couldn’t form bonds with any of the characters because their circumstances, lives and feelings had changed drastically literally from one page to the next. And honestly, I felt like the nature of God discussions came out of left field. This one was just not for me.
Dates Read: August 13 to 14, 2023
Page Count: 314
2 out of 5 stars
Lost Challenges Pyramid of Books - Task 14 - read 14 books that take place in a state [Georgia] (07/14)
CCC Aah Walkers - Prompt 29 - takes place at least partly in Georgia (44/52)
Challenge Factory Dusty Bookshelf - August pick
.