[no longer a sticky post] 2010 book list

[trishtrash]

I didn't quite manage my non-fiction/classic fiction - general fiction ratio; things sort of fell apart with the arrival on my TBR pile of a bunch of great general fiction, and a budget problem that meant I couldn't buy the non-fiction I'd been recommended. Still, I read some amazing books last year. Anything with four or five *s you can consider

Comments

[kirke]

January 10th 2015. Where has the time gone, less beard growth than one would have expected.

Also, I was reading A Canticle for Leibowitz back in late may, early june, 2010. Freaky how time flies.

[trishtrash]

You're old enough to grow a beard? I definitely call time-travelling shenanigans ;)*

*Actually, you might have been old enough when we 'met', but only just, dammit.

[ungulata]

I hast also read: 23. (Trois Mousquetaires, een French, weeth 20 ans Après also, not as good).
27. 20,000 Leagues (a long, long time ago. Maybe in French too. I went on a Verne tear in like grade 5.)

Corfu (22.) is a trilogy now? I read ...and Other Animals and maybe another one about Corfu. Which one had the Bootle Bumtrinket, dogs "Widdle" and ("crap?")?
I don't think I ever got 'round to reading the Chrysalids, don't know why.
You want more classic French Scifi? Go for Merle Un Animal doué de Raison (Day of the Dolphin) and Boulle Planète des Singes (Planet of the Apes).

[trishtrash]

Thank you for the recommendations ... I'm trying to read missed classic fiction this year (no particular country of origin in mind), and I always enjoy a good sci-fi yarn, so I'll add these to the list.

The Bootle Bumtrinket, and 'Widdle and Puke' made their main appearance in My Family and other Animals (I read this one first, a long time ago, and didn't realise there were two others) - all three books cover different incidents involving the same characters on roughly the same time-line (although there are new additions in each book). I wouldn't have believed there could be enough material for three books, until I read them.

[catyah]

So cool! I have A Canticle for Leibowitz checked out from the library right now, and hope to start reading it soon -- I'm on a bit of a post-apocalyptic kick, lately. I hope I'll like it as much as you did!

[trishtrash]

Ooh, I hope you do enjoy it! Less action than most in the genre, but then, it's more than just post-apocalyptic sci-fi. I found it very thought-provoking.

I'll post a review, but I've got two more books to read before I can post a group of five; I look forward to seeing what you thought of it.

[jaelle_n_gilla]

Wow, you're reading faster than I can watch TV :-D
Thanks for the rating. I do come back to your book revs once in a while to look for new books to read.

[trishtrash]

*grins* Actually, this is quite a sedate year for me... I got caught on one or two books that slowed me down a bit, and I'm reading outside my 'comfort zone' in terms of preferred reading material, which also makes a difference. That said, this has been the most satisfying reading year for a long time, so it's worth the slow-down.

[edith_jones]

Good list, impressive. How you can give four stars to Faulkner's The Sound and the Fury, which was loathsome, and not give five stars to The Chrysalids, which is one of my favourite books ever are just minor quibbles. You're doing impressively well on the non-fiction.

[trishtrash]

The characters in The Sound and the Fury were loathsome, largely, but the writing was captivating. I'd have given it five stars, if Quentin's part of the tale had dragged for me.

Actually, I'm not sure why The Chrysalids didn't get five stars - excellent classic sci-fi which I hugely enjoyed reading, and don't really have a good reason for not apportioning my stars more liberally. Perhaps I'll do an end-of-year grading reshuffle, based on remaining impressions.

The non-fiction reads have been almost consistently brilliant! I'd recommend this approach to anyone (who doesn't already know what areas of non-fiction they want to concentrate on next).

[edith_jones]

I'd recommend this approach to anyone (who doesn't already know what areas of non-fiction they want to concentrate on next).

This sounds good, as I don't know what areas of non-fiction to read, but I'm unclear; to what approach are you referring?

So far this year I've read my annual one non-fiction book, it was about trafficking in women for the international sex trade and very hard to read, but incredibly informative and eye-opening. Now I've picked up a book from John's study called The No-Nonsense Guide to the Arms Trade, written from the perspective of someone who is very much against the arms trade, and who has a depth of knowledge that is impressive. It's not my usual sort of reading, but it looked like fun, so I'm reading it in dribs and drabs.

[trishtrash]

Oh, sorry ... the whole 'one non-fiction or classic-fiction for every work of preferred genre fiction read'. Sticking to it has made for a superb reading list so far this year.

I like the sound of The No-Nonsense Guide to the Arms Trade, although I'm sure I'd find it utterly alarming.