Reading Books For Pleasure

[FurryFury]

December 2010

120. Breaking the Girl by by Kim Corum 2.5/5

121. In the Company of Others by Jan Karon 5/5

122. Matched by Ally Condie 4/5

January 2011

1.) Bloodthirsty by Flynn Meaney 4/5

2.) A Dog's Purpose by W. Bruce Cameron 5/5

3.) White Cat by Holly Black 4.5/5

4.) The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skoot 5/5

6.) Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins 5/5

 

[FurryFury]

7. Palimpsest by Catherynne M. Valente 1/5

8.) Bundle of Trouble by Diana Orgain 3/5

9.) Room by Emma Donoghue 4/5

10.) The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch 4/5

11.) The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan 4/5

12.) The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson 3.5/5

13.) Born Standing Up by Steve Martin 4/5

March 2011

14.) Homer's Odyssey: A Fearless Feline Tale, or How I Learned about Love and Life with a Blind Wonder Cat by Gwen Cooper 4/5

15.) Dewey's Nine Lives: The Legacy of the Small-Town Library Cat Who Inspired Millions by Vicky Myron and Bret Witter 3.5/5

16.) One Dark Night by Jaid Black 3.5/5

17.) The Boy Who Couldn't Sleep and Never Had To by D.C. Pierson 3/5

18.) The Heretic Queen by Michelle Moran 4/5

 

[FurryFury]

19.) The Many Lives and Secret Sorrows of Josephine B. by Sandra Gulland. 4/5

20.) The Cat Who Went To Paris by Peter Gethers 4/5

21.) Cleopatra's Daughter by Michelle Moran 4.5/5

22.) Dirt Road Home by Watt Key 4/5

April

24.) Z Is For Zachariah by Robert C. O'Brien 3/5

25.) Tales of Passion, Tales of Woe by Sandra Gilland 4/5

26. The Talented Mr. Ripley by Patricia Highsmith 3.5/5

 

[Etoile]

Made this thread sticky because it's awesome!

 

[FurryFury]

Wow! Thanks!



FF

Made this thread sticky because it's awesome!

 

[Etoile]

I stuck the wrong one! LOL. I shouldn't have senior moments at 30, right?!
Stuck the right one this time!

 

[FurryFury]

LOL!

I see.

Okay. Thanks!

*hugs*

FF

 

[Felix_Jones]

Just finished We by Yegenyi Zamyatin and The Original of Laura by Nabokov. Moving on to Gilgamesh, will probably buy something new as well. Bloodlands is informative but a bit depressing.

 

[FurryFury]

Just finished We by Yegenyi Zamyatin and The Original of Laura by Nabokov. Moving on to Gilgamesh, will probably buy something new as well. Bloodlands is informative but a bit depressing.

Sounds interesting. I'm going for comedy tonight as my dreams from last night were not pleasant. This is why I sometimes have a "day" book and a "night" book.

FF

 

[FurryFury]

27.) Making Rounds With Oscar by David Dosa, M.D. 4.5/5

28.) Pathfinder by Orson Scott Card 4.75/5

29.) A Cat Abroad by Peter Gethers 4.5/5

30.) The Last Great Dance on Earth by Sandra Gulland 5/5

31.) The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting 3/5 hmm, might should be a 2/5 instead. *thinking*

32.) Angry Management by Christ Crutcher 3.50/5

33.) The Cat Who'll Live Forever by Peter Gethers 4/5

34.) Mistress of the Sun by Sandra Gilland 4/5

35.) Patience by Lisa Valdez 3.5/5

36.) Historical Cats by Norton, The cat Who Went to Paris 2/5

May

37.) Beyond Eden by Kele Moon 3.5/5

 

[Etoile]

27.) Making Rounds With Oscar by David Dosa, M.D. 4.5/5

I enjoyed this, but I shouldn't have read Nasty, Brutish, and Long: Adventures in Eldercare right after...got to be a bit too much dementia at one time.

 

[FurryFury]

I enjoyed this, but I shouldn't have read Nasty, Brutish, and Long: Adventures in Eldercare right after...got to be a bit too much dementia at one time.

Yes. Dosa's book made me think about dementia quite a bit differently. It was particularly interesting to me that though doctors rarely say it, there is a time table once diagnosed for the end of life. I'm watching this begin to happen with several relatives. I really wish doctors wouldn't try to obfuscate the truth so much.

I am going to work at aging gracefully. I'm going to be working at keeping my body and my mind. However, there is dementia in both sides of my family so I also want to make a file for things just in case. One file would be would be to help my loved ones at a stressful time such as when I have severe dementia, so they know how best to soothe and distract me.

Types of music, books and so on, will be included should they care to work at those kinds of things rather than warehouse and forget me. If this occurs I'll be forgetting them so it's only fair in a way. I do not want to be a burden to anyone.

I also want to create a file for what my wishes would be upon my death. They don't have to follow it but it could make things much more simple if they do. I'll be dead so I won't really care if they want to buff, stuff and bury me but I'd rather a cremation and a party / wake / memorial service / celebration of life, than a burial and a funeral. I particularly would rather NOT have a religious service but whatever they need is fine too.

 

[Etoile]

Yes. Dosa's book made me think about dementia quite a bit differently. It was particularly interesting to me that though doctors rarely say it, there is a time table once diagnosed for the end of life. I'm watching this begin to happen with several relatives. I really wish doctors wouldn't try to obfuscate the truth so much.

I am going to work at aging gracefully. I'm going to be working at keeping my body and my mind. However, there is dementia in both sides of my family so I also want to make a file for things just in case. One file would be would be to help my loved ones at a stressful time such as when I have severe dementia, so they know how best to soothe and distract me.

Types of music, books and so on, will be included should they care to work at those kinds of things rather than warehouse and forget me. If this occurs I'll be forgetting them so it's only fair in a way. I do not want to be a burden to anyone.

I also want to create a file for what my wishes would be upon my death. They don't have to follow it but it could make things much more simple if they do. I'll be dead so I won't really care if they want to buff, stuff and bury me but I'd rather a cremation and a party / wake / memorial service / celebration of life, than a burial and a funeral. I particularly would rather NOT have a religious service but whatever they need is fine too.

I really like the idea of a dementia file. Thank you, FF. I'm not sure who would read mine, because I don't have any kids...maybe my sister-in-law? She's the only person in my family younger than I am, but only by two years. However, I'll have to talk to my mom about creating one for herself. Probably wait till after Mother's Day though, I don't want to be morbid that day.

 

[FurryFury]

I really like the idea of a dementia file. Thank you, FF. I'm not sure who would read mine, because I don't have any kids...maybe my sister-in-law? She's the only person in my family younger than I am, but only by two years. However, I'll have to talk to my mom about creating one for herself. Probably wait till after Mother's Day though, I don't want to be morbid that day.

I think it's a good idea. I've had to go through the death of too many people this year. One of them seemed to be uncomfortable and restless, which if his pains meds were done well, shouldn't not have been happening. I asked his wife and adult children if there was anything we could read to him or any music that would possibly soothe him. They said no.

I felt there must be something. I also knew they were so upset and out of sorts they couldn't think clearly. It wasn't my place to decide either but this began the germ of my idea.

When my dad was dying, over two decades ago, I did everything I could along those lines for him.

FF

 

[FurryFury]

Would like to discuss The Glass Rainbow by James Lee Burke

With anyone who has read it and enjoyed the series so far. Burke did some things in this book that I thought were shocking and not wise overall. So if anyone has read it. Let me know!

Thanks!

 

[FurryFury]

38.) Pale Demon by Kim Harrison 4/5

Good as always.

39.) Drop Dead Gorgeous by Mary Janice Davidson 3/5

Silly and fun!

40.) Merle's Door by Ted Kerasote 4/5

Interesting non fiction about the relationship between a dog and man, as well as biological and scientific theories about the origins of such bonds.

41.) The Glass Rainbow by James Lee Burke 3.75/5

I didn't much care for the all too pat and negative depiction of kinky folk as murderers and torturers in this book but then I'm sensitive about such things.

Also there was a passage "about when a man begins his 8th decade" that if it's about the main character upsets the entire series for me.

42.) Side Jobs by Jim Butcher 4/5

Even though there were only three new stories for me, and I don't love short stories generally, I enjoyed this very much.

43.) Surviving Antarctica Reality TV 2082 by Andrea White 4/5

Good but tainted with the YA, not quite deep enough, or finished feeling of old.

44.) Burn by Nevada Barr 4.5/5

Disappointed that child molestation, slavery, abduction and torture were tied with BDSM and New Orleans. Otherwise a good novel this was as usual by Ms. Barr.

45.) The Chosen One by Carol Lynch Williams 4/5

Good enough, didn't produce a nightmare though it dealt with compounds and religious patriarch control.

46.) The Gardener by S. A. Bodeen 4/5

YA sci fi, that was pretty decent.

47.) Wicked Appetite by Janet Evanovich 4/5

Unlike the Stephanie Plum books she writes, I couldn't recommend this to men that don't like romance, no matter how silly and slightly supernatural this was. I liked it for very light reading.

48.) A History of the World in 6 Glasses by Tom Standage 3.75/5

Very interesting take on drinks and history. I generally find modern history quite a bore but this was more interesting. I enjoyed it.

June

49.) Shiver by Lisa Jackson 3.5/5

Though placed in New Orleans, the sense of dread is not my cup of tea. I had nightmares but had to finish it. Never again. LOL

50.) All My Patients Are Under the Bed by Dr. Louis J. Camuti 4/5

How interesting, what it was like to be a vet when horses made up the lion's share of the practice but got phased out due to horses. Of course the resulting cat specialty was just my sort of thing to read about.

51.) Silver Borne by Patricia Briggs 5/5

I love, love, love this series! I must read it slowly because I will be sad when it's done.

 

[catalina_francisco]

I can see I am going to have to check out a lot of the books you have listed here FF. I am in the middle of Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts right now which I love, partly because it not only is written beautifully, but it has a way of making you think and mull over life and many moments and people you encounter in it. Oh, and it is nice and thick (almost 1000 pages), which I love.

Catalina

 

[FurryFury]

I'll have to check your book out too Catalina!

*hugs*

FF

 

[catalina_francisco]

LOL, I thought my admiration might have been unusual, but found his page on Facebook is full of people saying mush the same. Some have read the book 3 times!! Johnny Depp is such a big fan he bought the film rights to the book a couple of years back, but so far production has not happened for a variety of reasons. There is a second book in the works so am keeping my eyes open for that. And to think I picked the book up on a whim because the books I went in search of were not available at the shop I was in and Shantaram caught my eye.

Catalina

 

[Etoile]

Is anybody a fan of China Mieville? His book "Embassytown" has been recommended to me, and I'm thinking of picking it up.

 

[FurryFury]

Sounds awesome! I'm always looking for authors and books new to me that flip my switches!

FF

LOL, I thought my admiration might have been unusual, but found his page on Facebook is full of people saying mush the same. Some have read the book 3 times!! Johnny Depp is such a big fan he bought the film rights to the book a couple of years back, but so far production has not happened for a variety of reasons. There is a second book in the works so am keeping my eyes open for that. And to think I picked the book up on a whim because the books I went in search of were not available at the shop I was in and Shantaram caught my eye.

Catalina

 

[FurryFury]

Never tried to read any of his. Hope you enjoy it!

FF

Is anybody a fan of China Mieville? His book "Embassytown" has been recommended to me, and I'm thinking of picking it up.

 

[FurryFury]

52.) The Neon Rain by James Lee Burke 4.5/5

It was great fun to revisit the first of a long series I've enjoyed. I rarely re-read a book. This was the pick for my new nilla book club on fet. I hadn't remembered a number of things. Now I'm half tempted to read more to find out what happens to Dave's half brother among other details.

53.) There Are Mountains To Climb by Jean Deeds 4/5

This book almost made me want to hike the AT myself. Key word almost. That is so not my thing. I would enjoy meeting some of the characters but my "trip" will have to be far different. I don't enjoy hiking, self deprivation ain't my thing.

54.) Enclave by Ann Aguirre 4/5

Fun little end of the world with zombies of a sort, trying to survive and rebuild society YA book!

54.) I Beat the Odds from Homelessness to The Blind Side and Beyond by Micheal Oher with Don Yaeger 5/5

Amazing story by the person that two other books and a movie have been written about. Any young person feeling nihilistic needs to read this. Plus it's a great book for kids in sports or trying to make it in school.

One of my fav things in it is that he says if you know where your next meal is coming from you are rich. Love that. Great solid wake up call there, particularly in this economy.

55.) Graveminder by Melissa Marr 4.75/5

I really enjoyed this first adult book by the author. I don't think I've read any of her YA books but I'm considering it. I'd like more books about these characters and town.

July

56.) Gang Leader For a Day by Sudhir Venkatesh 4/5

This book was really interesting non fiction. I enjoyed being taken into these worlds which I could not normally get to see. I think a gritty drama in the tradition of say, Weeds and True Blood might work based on the details in the book.

57.) Save Me by Lisa Scottoline 4/5

Child in danger books typically produce nightmares in me. Happily I have gotten my meditation deflection shields up to prevent that with this and other stimulus.


58.) Hit List by Laurell K. Hamilton 4.5/5

This book surprised me by being much better than I expected. Less sex! More violence. I enjoyed it.

59.) Untied by Meredith Baxter 4.5/5

Found this one very interesting. I was wondering why a gay woman would marry three time and have five kids. Now I know. I understand it too. I loved her from Family Ties on.

 

[Abraxas Winterlight]

FF, you have an E-reader?

Most of my books lately (well, all but comic books) have been on my Kindle.
(been in a zombie/Superhero kick lately.

Ex-Heroes by Peter Clines: Zombie apocalypse & Superheroes in one, how can you go wrong?

Subject 12 (Guild Files) by S.W. Douglas: Gritty superhero novel. devoured this one

Wearing the Cape by Marion G. Harmon: Another good superhero read, & this one was only $.99

Hounded & the next in the series Hexed by Kevin Hearne: Urban Fantasy. Excellent read.

Plus I grabbed a bunch of novels I had in paperback & got them on my kindle. I have been keeping busy.

 

[FurryFury]

No. I don't have an e-reader. I'm not sure I'd be an e-reader kind of girl.