So I was just randomly reading on the internet and I found this list. I went througth it and realized I have read a pretty sad amount considering how exhaustive the list is. So I decided that I am going to take advantage of the fact that I go to an Ivy League school and as such have access to a huge amount of books and try to read as many as possible from now until the rest of the semester. The first book I'm reading is Andrea by Carmen Laforet, I picked it because it has my name and I like it so far. I'll post my review when I finish.
If anyone wants to check out the list it is on this website. http://1001beforeyoudie.com/
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Review: The Weight of Silence by Heather Gudenkauf
Early one morning, two young girls disappear from there beds seemingly without a struggle. The two girls are best friends so it is thought that they may be together. Calli is selectively mute and has not talked since witnessing her mother lose a baby when she is four years old. Petra is her other half, they can understand each other without words, she is Calli's voice.
This story is told through multiple perspectives, and is told in the third person only when from the perspective of Calli, the selective mute. I usually love stories told from multiple perspectives and I did enjoy this book. Even so, I think I would have liked the inclusion of Calli's father's perspective. I also found the changes to be somewhat confusing at times. Another issue I had was that I did not necessarily sympathize with some of the characters, mainly Antonia. At times her actions seemed out of character considering the way she had treated her daughter.
In spite of this, this book was definitely an intense thriller, it left me wondering what was going to happen next. I think this book did a good job of addressing a dark issue and portraying the distress caused by a child's disappearance. I would rate it 3.5 out of 5 stars.
disclaimer: I did not receive any monetary compensation for this review.
This story is told through multiple perspectives, and is told in the third person only when from the perspective of Calli, the selective mute. I usually love stories told from multiple perspectives and I did enjoy this book. Even so, I think I would have liked the inclusion of Calli's father's perspective. I also found the changes to be somewhat confusing at times. Another issue I had was that I did not necessarily sympathize with some of the characters, mainly Antonia. At times her actions seemed out of character considering the way she had treated her daughter.
In spite of this, this book was definitely an intense thriller, it left me wondering what was going to happen next. I think this book did a good job of addressing a dark issue and portraying the distress caused by a child's disappearance. I would rate it 3.5 out of 5 stars.
disclaimer: I did not receive any monetary compensation for this review.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Review: The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
My thoughts- O my gosh this was so good! I usually don't like seeing movies before I read the book but my sister really wanted to go this summer so we did. After watching the movie, I decided to go out and buy the book and boy was I not disappointed. I should have been writing a paper that is due for my class Friday but I literally couldn't stop reading.
Since I think I'm pretty sure I'm just about the last person to read this book, I think everyone knows what the plot is. Henry is a time traveler and he is married to Clare. She knows him all her life but he only meets her when he is 28. The book traces their life together and the problems they face because of the fact that they are not always in the same time. I thought it was a great story about waiting, longing and losing and how difficult it is when you are not on the same page so to speak as the one you love. It is about the power of love to transgress the conventions of normality and how endurance and perseverance are necessary to get what you desire. And about just how difficult it is to wait and to be left in the dark.
Do yourself a favor and pick up this book.
Disclaimer: I did not receive any monetary compensation for this review, this book was purchased from my local bookstore.
Since I think I'm pretty sure I'm just about the last person to read this book, I think everyone knows what the plot is. Henry is a time traveler and he is married to Clare. She knows him all her life but he only meets her when he is 28. The book traces their life together and the problems they face because of the fact that they are not always in the same time. I thought it was a great story about waiting, longing and losing and how difficult it is when you are not on the same page so to speak as the one you love. It is about the power of love to transgress the conventions of normality and how endurance and perseverance are necessary to get what you desire. And about just how difficult it is to wait and to be left in the dark.
Do yourself a favor and pick up this book.
Disclaimer: I did not receive any monetary compensation for this review, this book was purchased from my local bookstore.
I'm a vegetarian?
So I've decided to become a vegetarian. This is probably a silly reason why but last month I was walking around aimlessly like I sometimes to and I stepped on a dead squirrel. It was completely accidental and I only noticed it when I felt my foot slide but I still feel really guilty. Since then I haven't wanted to eat meat and this weekend I just decided to stop. I've gone five days so far and I'm proud of myself.
On another note, I think I'm getting sick again. I just hope I don't have a fever because if I do I'll have to go into isolation and not be allowed to leave my room for about five days. That would set me way behind on school work and it would just be bad in general. Let's hope I don't get sick again, I think my five day isolation in the beginning of the year was enough to last me for a while.
On another note, I think I'm getting sick again. I just hope I don't have a fever because if I do I'll have to go into isolation and not be allowed to leave my room for about five days. That would set me way behind on school work and it would just be bad in general. Let's hope I don't get sick again, I think my five day isolation in the beginning of the year was enough to last me for a while.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Review: Keynes: The Rise, Fall and Return of the 20th Century's Most Influential Economist by Peter Clarke
My thoughts- Let me start by saying that I think this book is for a pretty selective audience. I don't think I was necessarily part of that audience, I'm a political science major and as such have more of an interest in politics than economics. But anyone who wants to learn more about Keynes or about the impact of his policies would probably enjoy this book, it just does not really have too much of a mass appeal.
That being said, I did enjoy reading the biography part of this book and learning about both Keynes' personal life and public life; he was definitely not who I expected. I also found the epilogue to be of particular interest, in a time of economic crisis it is always valuable to look to the past to teach us lessons. My professor once said something about how historians often times study a particular topic and write about it being mindful of current situations, I think that definitely pertains to this book. If biographies and economics are your cup of tea, then you might enjoy this book.
disclaimer: I did not receive any monetary compensation for this review. I received this book in return for my honest review, the thoughts stated here are my own.
That being said, I did enjoy reading the biography part of this book and learning about both Keynes' personal life and public life; he was definitely not who I expected. I also found the epilogue to be of particular interest, in a time of economic crisis it is always valuable to look to the past to teach us lessons. My professor once said something about how historians often times study a particular topic and write about it being mindful of current situations, I think that definitely pertains to this book. If biographies and economics are your cup of tea, then you might enjoy this book.
disclaimer: I did not receive any monetary compensation for this review. I received this book in return for my honest review, the thoughts stated here are my own.
Monday, November 2, 2009
Review: Beat the Reaper by Josh Bazell
My thoughts-This book was not what I expected at all, but still I absolutely loved it. It was a lot darker and a bit more lewd than I had originally thought but since it is a story about the mob, it makes sense. The story is told by alternating between the past and the present, I really liked how it is formed using flashback fragments and how it comes together at the end. As you may or may not know this book is going to be made into a movie that will be released pretty soon, after reading the book I know I am definitely going to go see the movie. It is thrilling, funny and was able to keep my attention the entire time, I can't wait to see what this author has in store for us next.
disclaimer: I did not receive compensation for this review. I won this book in a giveaway.
disclaimer: I did not receive compensation for this review. I won this book in a giveaway.
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