Been a bit of an odd reading year, this one. I've completed 37 books and given maximum score to only four. While normal for some, this is definitely a tad negative outcome for me, I'm not the type to "save" my fivers for the Life Changing Books :p Most of the books I've read have been 3-stars, there are a few ones among them (*cough* Not This Kind of Girl *cough*) It's been a mess, really, but on the other hand - those best books really stand out in the crowd.
The Age of Innocence, Edith Wharton - so back in the day (May 2013) I read The Innocents - a book that was said to be a retelling (gosh how I hate this word and what it represents!) of The Age of Innocence - and had some problems with it (of course I did...). So what do we learn from this situation? Don't fix it if it ain't broken. The Age of Innocence definitely ain't broken, and I recommend you read it if you at all like classic/American lit.
Pirita kägistaja, Indrek Hargla - keeping this one short since it is Estonian - this series by sci-fi author Hargla, in which chemist/druggist/apotheka owner Melchior solves mysteries in medieval Tallinn is getting better by each book.
Caliban's War, James S. A. Corey - what's summer for if not reading chick lit space operas? The first in the series, Leviathan Wakes, was okay very decent, but this one really added some gears. I'm planning to read the third book soon - even if they say it's gonna go all downhill now.
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, Philip K. Dick - you know that movie Blade Runner? Of course you do. Well, even if it is very much the matter of taste, and apples and oranges, this book is so much better. Let's just say it made a whole lotta more sense. And the whole topic of animals is just so close to my heart.
But Riv, I hear you say while counting fingers on your left/right hand - you said you read four five-star books this year and yet there are five covers on this very amateurish Picmonkey collage photo? Very observant! Because technically, I have given
Tiny Beautiful Things, Cheryl Strayed - four stars on Goodreads. However! As this year is going as it is going, meaning not very generously star-wise, I realised this is definitely a top read as well. Especially considering it has kinda stuck with me, and it was the very first book I read this year. To say I was skeptical about Tiny Beautiful Things (What Dear Sugar?? I ain't that kinda girl...) is ... well, I was very skeptical. But dear heavens, that lady can write! Don't be skeptical. It's good stuff if you feel like being a little bit emo about all sorts of relationship issues.
I've been wanting to try an Edith Wharton book, but have been neglecting my classics club list quite a bit lately -- one of these days I will feel I have regained the brain power to classics again!
ReplyDeleteI think this is the only classics book I've read this year... Just not in the mood. And you have to be in the mood for the classics, right? :)
DeleteAh, the elusive 5 star book! Edith Wharton is one of those reliable writers - I've read a number of her novels now and she's never let me down.
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear that other Edith Wharton stuff is good as well - I think I will try House of Mirth next :)
DeleteI like how different all your "chosen ones" are! Good work reading diversely! :)
ReplyDeleteConcerning sheep: I hated Blade Runner and I adored the book. I think it has something to do with books making sense and the movie not, Reading your post makes me think it's time to bring more Philip K. Dick into my life :)
Speaking about reading diversely... I think I've been reading only SFF for months now. There is no telling how these moods come and go *shrugs*
DeleteI also need more Philip K. Dick in my life - and I think I have a few of his on Kindle, picked up from Amazon sales :) The Man in the High Castle was definitely one. I was surprised how easy he was to read - I'm not sure why I thought it was going to be more of a mind exercise.
Seeeee I'm not a super emotional/sappy person so I didn't think Cheryl Strayed would be my cup of tea, but YOU liked her book, so maybe I'm wrong... we both usually lean away from wishy-washy kind of stuff, I think. Alright, alright. I'll try her out. Maybe Scribd has this one.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely did not expect to like Cheryl Strayed! Maybe I read it at the right time, I don't know, but the book didn't feel in any way too cute or shallow, I think the advice given was emotionally mature, supportive as well as harsh and often humorous. I also have Wild on Kindle.
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