Books 67-72 of 2009
67. A Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin (835 pgs)
I read this along with the Sword and Laser Sci-Fi/Fantasy Book Club. I had picked up this book before but couldn't get into it, but I think after reading Robert Jordan, this was more accessible for me. And I liked it more. I was intrigued by the Dani storyline, am curious to see where the story goes, but the ending just surprised me... guess I wasn't expecting it, but I don't want to spoil it for anyone. This is great, great, high fantasy.
68. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson (590 pgs)
I feel like everyone I know has read this book. I didn't realize it was a crime novel but I stuck with it anyway. I didn't care about the plot at all but loved the setting (I don't read many books set in northern Sweden!) and the characters. I've heard the second book of the trilogy explores the character of Salander even more, and I'm sure I'll read it just because of that.
69. The Sandman, v. 9 - The Kindly Ones by Neil Gaiman (352 pgs)
This is the account of what happens when the Kindly Ones enter the Dreaming. There is some great stuff in here, and some surprises. I loved learning more about the characters living in the dreaming, particularly Matthew the Raven. I always love Delirium, but she really made me laugh in this particular volume. The randomness is a welcome respite sometimes from what is going on otherwise.
70. Neuromancer by William Gibson (384 pgs)
I appreciate this book for what it is, the book that defined cyberpunk and possibly even the World Wide Web, if you believe the essay at the end. I can't figure out why I didn't really like it. I did read it on the Kindle and haven't had that experience before, so I'm hoping my disconnection with it isn't entirely a format issue.
I was more often confused as to whether the places and feelings and people Case was interacting with were real or not, since he was having physical sensation in all the situations. He seemed most vibrant when talking about drugs or describing the techno-setting of the futuristic universe, and I did enjoy those parts, but I didn't care much about what was going on in the story itself.
71. Julie & Julia: My Year of Cooking Dangerously by Julie Powell (307 pgs) - reread
The first time I read this book, the author annoyed me with her whining and crassness. This time through it made me laugh a lot more, probably because in that time I've taken on many a seemingly impossible challenge in the kitchen, often ending in disaster late at night.
72. The Sandman: Endless Nights by Neil Gaiman (160 pgs)
This is a telling of the backstories of many of the Endless. I think I thought I was reading v. 10, but that's okay. My favorite were the 15 portraits of Despair, amazing.
I read this along with the Sword and Laser Sci-Fi/Fantasy Book Club. I had picked up this book before but couldn't get into it, but I think after reading Robert Jordan, this was more accessible for me. And I liked it more. I was intrigued by the Dani storyline, am curious to see where the story goes, but the ending just surprised me... guess I wasn't expecting it, but I don't want to spoil it for anyone. This is great, great, high fantasy.
68. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson (590 pgs)
I feel like everyone I know has read this book. I didn't realize it was a crime novel but I stuck with it anyway. I didn't care about the plot at all but loved the setting (I don't read many books set in northern Sweden!) and the characters. I've heard the second book of the trilogy explores the character of Salander even more, and I'm sure I'll read it just because of that.
69. The Sandman, v. 9 - The Kindly Ones by Neil Gaiman (352 pgs)
This is the account of what happens when the Kindly Ones enter the Dreaming. There is some great stuff in here, and some surprises. I loved learning more about the characters living in the dreaming, particularly Matthew the Raven. I always love Delirium, but she really made me laugh in this particular volume. The randomness is a welcome respite sometimes from what is going on otherwise.
70. Neuromancer by William Gibson (384 pgs)
I appreciate this book for what it is, the book that defined cyberpunk and possibly even the World Wide Web, if you believe the essay at the end. I can't figure out why I didn't really like it. I did read it on the Kindle and haven't had that experience before, so I'm hoping my disconnection with it isn't entirely a format issue.
I was more often confused as to whether the places and feelings and people Case was interacting with were real or not, since he was having physical sensation in all the situations. He seemed most vibrant when talking about drugs or describing the techno-setting of the futuristic universe, and I did enjoy those parts, but I didn't care much about what was going on in the story itself.
71. Julie & Julia: My Year of Cooking Dangerously by Julie Powell (307 pgs) - reread
The first time I read this book, the author annoyed me with her whining and crassness. This time through it made me laugh a lot more, probably because in that time I've taken on many a seemingly impossible challenge in the kitchen, often ending in disaster late at night.
72. The Sandman: Endless Nights by Neil Gaiman (160 pgs)
This is a telling of the backstories of many of the Endless. I think I thought I was reading v. 10, but that's okay. My favorite were the 15 portraits of Despair, amazing.