The Bookworm’s Thread 2018

Cocketts

gettingtheresometime wrote: »

I started that book and gave up.

I nearly did that! It was a very odd book - I've never read anything quite like it!

greentiger

My next book for my 'Reading the Alphabet Challenge' was

R by Bobbie Doctor, on Flickr
This was a very easy read, but not great literature. I won't rush to seek out others from the series. I'd still read one, if it fell into my lap, though

pollypenny

Cocketts wrote: »

Being an 'Essex Girl', I've just read The Essex Serpent by Sarah Perry.
I can't honestly say I did or did not enjoy it. I found it hard to relate to any of the characters. I enjoyed the references to local places - The George and the Red Lion are accurately described.
It makes for a 'different' read, but this is not a book I would keep on my bookshelf.

I have read it twice. It went down well with our book group, too. Good on superstition, role of women at that period, including sexuality.

VfM4meplse

Book 23:



7/10 . An interesting continuation of the tale, but the more I read of her life, the more I dislike her negligent parents. This girl had resilience.

pollypenny wrote: »

I have read it twice. It went down well with our book group, too. Good on superstition, role of women at that period, including sexuality.

These mixed reviews are enough to pique my curiosity - lots on the list to get through first though! Am getting into the swing of reading for long periods of time once more.

VfM4meplse

Book 24:



7/10. Now this really is an unusual book, about childhood in Iran and Europe in the 1980s written as a comic strip, which was interesting compared to what I've read about Afghanistan in the 1908s. Iranian humour is a bit different to Western, I'm used to a pithy punchline but many times this lacked it so I guess this is cultural. I picked it as a reference had been made to the author in a feminist article I'd read, and the reviews on the back were glowing. It did consolidate my knowledge of Iranian modern history and I'd like to read more about it now.

Syman

Very well written characters. the story moves along at a good pace.
If ou liked "the unlikely pilgramge of harold fry" and " the lovesongs of queenie hennessy" then this is a definite read.

VfM4meplse

3/10. There are 53 targets, and a postscript that covers others, and I read just 8 short chapters before realising what a waste of time this book is. It's not funny or witty, just nasty. I don't know the author, but should have guessed how vile their views would be by virtue of the fact that he has been a DM columnist for decades.

I not including this is my book count as it wasn't worth reading in its entirety, but unless you are a miserable bigot I would strongly recommend giving it a swerve.

timehastoldme

VfM4meplse wrote: »

Book 24:



7/10. Now this really is an unusual book, about childhood in Iran and Europe in the 1980s written as a comic strip, which was interesting compared to what I've read about Afghanistan in the 1908s. Iranian humour is a bit different to Western, I'm used to a pithy punchline but many times this lacked it so I guess this is cultural. I picked it as a reference had been made to the author in a feminist article I'd read, and the reviews on the back were glowing. It did consolidate my knowledge of Iranian modern history and I'd like to read more about it now.

The film is wonderful

timehastoldme

John Christopher - Empty World not the best I've read by him. An illness kills the old people, eventually mutating to kill nearly everyone. A lad is left behind and is hoping to find other people to help with the loneliness. I think this is a YA book, but it feels unformed compared to some of the others. It's no 'The Stand' for sure.

Anna Kavan - Ice ice age approached, wars and rumours of wars and all he can think about is the girl and finding her. Weird stream of consciousness style with literary prose leanings, vastly unlikable characters, interesting intertwining of threats and situations both real and perceived. Genuinely don't know if I liked it (gave it 3/5 on good reads).

Just picked up Ursula Le Guin Earthsea quartet. , new to me.

Callie22

timehastoldme wrote: »

John Christopher - Empty World not the best I've read by him. An illness kills the old people, eventually mutating to kill nearly everyone. A lad is left behind and is hoping to find other people to help with the loneliness. I think this is a YA book, but it feels unformed compared to some of the others. It's no 'The Stand' for sure.

It is YA - probably not Christopher's best but it's one I have a real soft spot for as it was probably the first example of dystopian fiction that I ever read. Quite shocking when you're under 10! I bought myself a copy a few years ago, when it was still out of print and was quite hard to find, as I had such strong memories of it. I managed to persuade the OH to read it too and he enjoyed it. But I agree, it's definitely not The Stand!