the state that i am in » Some Recent Reads

02.01.10 Some Recent Reads

Back in December, I said that it was my goal to finish one book and read three more by the end of the month. I’m pleased to say that I met my own goal…it’s just taken me a month to write about it! So, just what did I read?

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak — It took me months to finish this book, but that wasn’t because it wasn’t good. This was one of the most beautifully written stories I’ve read in a long time. The book takes place in Nazi Germany, and is told from Death’s perspective. A different look at that period in history. What I loved most about this book was the amazing character development. I truly fell in love with many of the characters. I highly recommend this read!

Nightlight: A Parody by The Harvard Lampoon — So, a Twilight parody? Should be funny, right? And it was funny…just not as funny as I thought it would be. A good parody is supposed to be ridiculous, and this certainly was, but at times I just didn’t get the stupidity. There were a lot of things that just didn’t make sense to me, and I really was expecting some more laughs. Still, worth reading if you are a Twilight fan who is willing to laugh a little at the series.

Waiting for Daisy by Peggy Orenstein — I literally devoured this book. I got in one day, and finished it the next, so I guess you could say I liked it. It’s a wonderful, true story about one woman’s struggle with infertility. Peggy Orenstein does a fabulous job of putting you inside the mind of someone who is struggling with infertility. I highly recommend that you read this if you are struggling with infertility, or you know someone who is. (You know me, so yeah, you should read this.)

The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls — I realize I’m probably a few years behind in reading this, but I really am glad I decided to give it a go. It was a lovely, haunting, and somewhat disturbing look at a unique life. It definitely served as a reminder that you don’t have to leave our country to find Third World living conditions.

What have you been reading lately? I have no need to grow my to-read list, but I like to anyway!

The Elegance of the Hedgehog

It’s amazing. It’s translated from the French, and the translation is so eloquent that I wish I could read the original!
It’s a bit flowery, and quite cerebral, but oh so beautiful.
.-= Tio´s last blog ..I’d Like to Thank… =-.

Good for you!! I read two books in Jan. – Audrey Niffenegger’s “Her Fearful Symmetry” which was nothing at all like the Time Traveller’s Wife, but fabulous, included Doctor Who references, and an ending that brought out the literary analyst in me I also read Nick Hornby’s “Juliet, Naked”, which was light – but very enjoyable.
.-= Emily Jane´s last blog ..Holiday Guest Post 4: The Sappy Things =-.

I may need to borrow these when I finish the ones currently on my shelf!
.-= Stephanie´s last blog ..How to *NOT* buy a bathroom vanity =-.

I am so embarrassed. I’ve been reading the same book since Christmas and I’m nowhere near being finished. I need to get cracking!

I also just finished Her Fearful Symmetry and I was totally intrigued by it, the end is wild it’s an interesting read!

And The Sweetness At The Bottom Of The Pie is really fun, it’s about a 12 year old British chemist/detective solving a murder. Incredible voice =)
.-= Kyla Roma´s last blog ..Five Years =-.

Oh I loved The Book Thief! And I have a couple of the books other people have mentioned on my to read list – Her Fearful Symmetry and The Elegance of the Hedgehog. I loved The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie society (and reviewed it on my blog if you want to know more!) and right now I’m reading The Children’s Book by AS Byatt which is really good.
.-= Bluebelle´s last blog ..Moments of Days =-.

I love book recommendations. I’ll definitely check out the Glass Castle.

I just finished reading The Suspicions of Mr. Whicher. It’s a true story about a murder investigation in the mid-1800s. The case is the basis for a lot of detective books (including Sherlock Holmes, partially). It’s reads like a story but is entirely true, and entirely consuming.
.-= ClaireSuzanne´s last blog ..A view from the Islands =-.

I just finished The Cleft, which I read for a book club that meets later in the month, at first I was hesitant, as it isn’t something I would read on my own, but it was a fast and easy, yet interesting read, A fascinating and unique approach to human beginnings (although completely fictional!) I also just finished up Chuck Klosterman’s Killing Yourself to Live, I can’t believe it’s taken me so long to finally read him! Loved it, cracked me up from start to finish, but also had some serious insight.
And I just started Year in the Merde, which is a British man’s account of an interesting year in Paris, I started reading it since I’ve recently started French lessons!

I love The Book Thief.

LOVE.
.-= Britt´s last blog ..Hymn Hyminy Hymn =-.

Great post!

I’m currently (re-)reading…Frannie and Zooey. Since you’re a book-fiend, you know why!

I just finished…Let The Great World Spin. It is amazing…just a beautifully-written book about how all of these seemingly ordinary lives are connected in tragic and wonderful ways. I couldn’t put it down.

Before that I read…The Girl With a Dragon Tattoo. This is the kind of book that’s perfect for an airplane or beach, but it’s much better written than most books that get that classification. If that makes any sense!

Fun post!!
.-= SuchAGoodEgg´s last blog ..Adieu, January! =-.

Waiting for Daisy sounds good. Might add it to my list
.-= Ashley´s last blog ..A Chance to Change Your Vote =-.

Nice post…I love having a list of recommendations from friends!

I have started a few books but just can’t get lost in anything right now..I have too much else going on in my head . I definitely want to read waiting for daisy sometime soon.
.-= Al´s last blog ..Time to shake things up a bit =-.

Agree, Waiting for Daisy is going on my “must read” list. I’m currently in the middle of the Twilight saga and loving it, I don’t want it to end.

Such a fun post, love getting new recs!!
.-= Andrea´s last blog ..My 1st Ever Blog Award!!! =-.

i love glass castle, and agree with what you’ve written about it. i’m looking forward to adding the book thief to my list, sounds really interesting.
.-= Lys´s last blog ..Tuesday Tunage =-.

I have been trying to read “The Book Theif” for forever and I can’t get through it It sounds amazing, I think grad school has just killed my reading ability. I also really want to read “The Glass Castle”. I did an excerpt from it with my Creative Writing kids and I really enjoyed it. Thanks for the reviews!
.-= Camile´s last blog ..Not Me! Monday =-.

The Book Thief is 2nd from the top of my To Read Pile! I’m so glad to hear you loved it!

xox
.-= heidikins´s last blog ..Boobs and Bras. That’s right, boobs and bras. =-.

I loooooved The Glass Castle. I’m basically a total memoir whore and am always looking for new ones to read though, so keep me posted.
.-= nicole antoinette´s last blog ..my new job, my new blog design, and how my new job can lead to *you* winning a new blog design of your own. also, fuck yes. =-.

I recently read The Book Theif and am still digesting it, months later! It was so different from anything I’d ever read.

Three very good books- look for Harry Bernstein. He’s 97 and wrote his memoirs after his wife of 67 years passed away a few years ago. The first is about growing up in England during WW1, the second is his family moving to America as a young buy and the third is his love affair with his wife. They were so moving, I had tears in my eyes throughout them!
.-= Lexi´s last blog ..snowy city =-.

hi – first time commenter, just wanted to say that I also really liked Waiting for Daisy. It gave me a good idea of what goes on in the infertility struggle.. as has your blog! For me, it’s been 2 years with no baby, but we’re undecided about whether to go for medical treatments or not… so it’s really helpful to read about others who are going through it.

As for other books ~ my husband has the Book Thief but I haven’t gotten around to reading it. I should check it out but I tend to look for lighter reading material Most recent book I read was Very Valentine by Adriana Trigiani. It took me awhile to get into because it was a bit slow at the beginning, but it ended up being a pretty good escapist book – it’s good if you like shoes, and are interested in life in Italy. I read a lot, as it’s my way to pass time on my work commute – some favorite authors are Emily Giffin and Marian Keyes, if you are looking for new material.
.-= Eileen´s last blog ..goodbye, January =-.

I really want to read The Glass Castle, although I’m not sure if I can handle it.

I read Saving Cee Cee Honeycutt and finished up Best Friends Forever this weekend. It made for an excellent weekend. I just started The Secret of Joy and I’m completely in love – it’s one of those dangerous books, because I know if I let myself indulge, I won’t get anything else done.
.-= Allie´s last blog ..Writing Exercises =-.

I need to add a few of these to my book list. I read the Glass Castle a few years ago and loved it. It hits close to home because I’ve been to down state WV. It really is like a whole different world.
.-= mandy´s last blog ..Fog =-.

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