Summer Reading 2013

mhairesa

Have read a few books in quick succession. I'll put them all in a different post.:cool:

Title: Foster

Author: Claire Keegan


Thoughts: Lovely simple story. I really liked the protagonist, felt very sorry for her family circumstances. The ending left more questions that I would have thought from such a short, simple story. I would recommend.

mhairesa

Title: How Many Miles to Babylon?

Author: Jennifer Johnston

Thoughts: Having heard about this book I was apprehensive to read it, but I'm really glad I did! The characters were great, I loved Alec but I was frustrated with Jerry! The bond between the pair was very natural and the descriptions of the war time struggles were very realistic.

mhairesa

Title: All My Sons

Author: Arthur Miller

Thoughts: I love Arthur Miller. I love this play! One of the best things I've read in a while. The characters are complex and understated, the descriptiveness is very thorough and you can almost imagine the characters while reading. I haven't read much from the American perspective during the war but this would encourage me to look more into it. I would definitely recommend this play.

mhairesa

Title: Heart Shaped Box

Author: Joe Hill

Thoughts: I read this for a book club, it wouldn't be something I'd choose to read. I didn't like it. No bond with the characters, the concept seemed forced and unbelievable. I can get caught up in worlds created by writers and imagine the strangest events being true but this didn't achieve what it set out to do. Wouldn't recommend.

mhairesa

Title: The Book Thief

Author: Markus Zusak

Thoughts: Thoroughly enjoyable. I found it a little hard to get into in the beginning. Great concept. I am very interested in WWII so this appealed to me straight away. The characters were endearing and believable. I felt a strong bond with them. The style of writing was great. Death is a great narrator! I would highly recommend.

mhairesa

Title: Ham on Rye

Author: Charles Bukowski

Thoughts: I have heard a lot about this book, from various friends and acquaintances so when I got the chance to read curiosity got the better of me. I did enjoy the book. I was well written and the story was interesting. Very in funny in parts but also quite crude. I was left wanting with the ending, very abrupt. I don't think I'd recommend it and I probably wouldn't go out of my way to read other work by Bukowski but I did think this was okay.

mhairesa

Title: Siddhartha

Author: Hermann Hesse

Thoughts: Recommended to me by my dad. It was quick to read. It was thought provoking and beautifully descriptive. I can see why it is such an inspirational piece of literature. Didn't warm to the characters, seemed a bit self-righteous.

mhairesa

Title: The Leopard

Author: Jo Nesbo

Thoughts: Having read all of the previous books in the Harry Hole series but having heard bad things about this book, I was sceptical about reading. I had to leave a gap between finishing The Snowman and reading this because the worlds created by Nesbo are intense and draining. I like the suspense and the twists. Not altogether believable, much too long but enjoyable. I'll give it a break before reading the next in the series.

mhairesa

Title: The Bell Jar

Author: Sylvia Plath

Thoughts: I am a huge fan of Plath's poetry, having read two of her collections I was saving this book up with anticipation. This book has been compared to 'The Catcher in the Rye' and I can see why, although I think this is a lot more personal and moving. I feel we catch a glimpse of a fragile woman trying to come to terms with the world around her. It reminds me of Chopin's 'The Awakening', and I know it is a book I will re-read again and again.

mhairesa

Title: The Fault in Our Stars

Author: John Green

Thoughts: Decided to try out something different. My cousin is a big fan of John Green. I found the novel loaded with teenage melancholy. I did shed a tear though! Doubtful I'd read another by this author.

mhairesa

Title: Mister Pip

Author: Lloyd Jones

Thoughts: Another good read. The story was quick to begin and it held my interest throughout. The protagonist was likeable and to a certain extent compelling. I would be interested to read more on this subject and by this author.

mhairesa

Title: The White Tiger

Author: Aravind Adiga

Thoughts: Took me a while to get interested in this book, I think it may be because of the style it is written in.The protagonist writes a series of letters that give an account of his life. I didn't warm to the protagonist, but the story was interesting.

mhairesa

Title: Revenge Wears Prada: The Devil Returns

Author: Lauren Weisberger

Thoughts: Well I thought I'd try a 'light read'.... and boy do I regret it now! Having not read the previous book, but having seen the film, I thought this may be at least readable. Everything about this book annoyed me! The characters, the ridiculous plot, the 'twists' that were glaringly obvious! If I could erase it from my mind I would!

mhairesa

Title: The Dinner

Author: Herman Koch

Thoughts: Saw this mentioned in another posters reading log and I was intrigued. Good concept for a story. I did enjoy reading it, although I found it long-winded at times. Thought provoking subject matter. It was a good read.

mhairesa

Title: Z: A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald

Author: Therese Anne Fowler

Thoughts: Having previously read work by F. Scott Fitzgerald, and being a fan of historical fiction in relation to some of the literary greats, I was looking forward to reading this. I found it slow moving in the beginning, but I got into it by the time they had moved to Paris. From what I can gather the author used her artistic licence generously. The characters seemed a but whiny in places, but I did feel sorry for the Zelda created in this book.

mhairesa

Title: A Thousand Splendid Suns

Author: Khaled Hosseini

Thoughts: Really enjoyed this book. Felt a real connection to the characters. The narrative was so emotional and personal. The two main characters were beautifully described and I really felt as if I knew how they felt in their situation. It was sad but really worth the read.

mhairesa

Title: The Uncommon Reader

Author: Alan Bennett

Thoughts: I chose this as a quick read that I've had on my Kindle for a while, I was taking a flight and had it read in about two hours. They are two hours I wish I could get back to be honest! I can't even say anything good about the book at all! Bad in every way

trishasaffron

Title: The Devil I know

Author: Claire Kilroy

Thoughts: Its a fairly light satire on the Celtic Tiger set mostly around Howth. Quite different to other books of hers I have read. I enjoyed it, some of the scenes seemed outlandish and unbelievable but then one only had to think of the tone of the Anglo tapes!

mhairesa

Title: Swimming Home

Author: Deborah Levy

Thoughts: This book was only okay. I felt that the narrative was a bit too disjointed and there was no real flow. The events weren't explained enough and there was no real understanding of the characters actions. It took a while to read, even though it's a short book, because I had no real connection to the characters.

mhairesa

Title: The Lord of the Flies

Author: William Golding

Thoughts: I knew the general plot and was intrigued to read the novel. I really enjoyed it. The characters were well thought out, a good mix of personalities. Great pace and build up of excitement. I would recommend this book.

mhairesa

Title: Girls in White Dresses

Author: Jennifer Close

Thoughts: Was in the mood for an easy read so I chose a chick-lit for a change. It was okay. Much like a rom-com the story was a bit predictable. Wasn't too taken with the protagonist and the ending just fizzled out. I wasn't expecting much, and I didn't get it! But it hit the chewing gum for the brain spot.

Banneret

very nice