So if you missed it, this is part 2 of my blog about the 50 book
challenge. The idea is to read 50 books in 2012 and I am blogging about what I
am reading because I like receiving book recommendations and feel I
should reciprocate! Part 1 has books 1-20 and this is the next 10.
I noticed this set
of books had a bit of a theme-recommendation from fellow book worms. I didn't
plan it that way but figured I would shout out to those who told me about these
books as they were all damn good! It also proves that, yes, I do listen to you
when you tell me about a really good book. It just takes me some time to work
my way around to it due to various reasons:
a) I have a long
book stack and new ones hit the bottom of the pile
(some exceptions of course...)
b) It might take
me a bit to find a copy as I don't normally borrow other peoples books but
prefer to buy my own. Libraries are great but if it's a good read, I wanna keep
a copy.
c) If it is a
series, it may be too big of a commitment at the time. HELLO Robert
Jordan....
d) Might not be
what I am in the mood for and was stored in my reserve memory.
21. The Phantom of
the Opera-Gaston Leroux.
Drama
No one recommended
this one to me, it was a part of a thrift shop $2 bag sale (seriously, two
bucks for a BAG of books!!!!) and I had no idea that it was a novel before
it was an Opera. Bet you didn't either! It was first published in France in 1909.
Upon reading, it didn't blow my mind and I think I may have had too high of
hopes for it. I had just read Great Expectations and had
a naive assumption that all books that has lasted in print for
over 100 years were going to be master works. Some things were explained (like
hold your hands at the level of your eyes...) and it is a fuller story
but...meh.
22. The
Ruins-Scott Smith
Recommended by:
Ed S.
Horror
I loves me some
horror novels and when Ed was telling me about this book I was
mentally comparing the prospect of reading it to the movie
adaptation... and wasn't quite sold. But Ed has solid taste and I put the title into mind
storage. I came across a copy in a book sale and was all YOINKS-mine. Right was price and I was in the mood for something dark.
Whoa.
For shame movie
makers, you made a passing decent film from a really good book! I was able to
get lost in this book for hours at a time and enjoyed it tremendously. DO NOT
let the movie drive you away from this read, if you like the horror genre-pick
it up.
23. 1984-George
Orwell.
Recommended by:
Every English teacher everywhere.
Classic
What took me so
long to read this book? I won't insult this book by trying to blurb about it-most of you already know of its content and impact. I will say that I feel I am catching
references that I previously didn't know the origins to and gave the
implications thought long after finishing.
24. Chelsea
Chelsea Bang Bang-Chelsea Handler
Recommended by:
Kari-An A.
Comedy / biography
I was curious
about Chelsea Handler, I don't have cable so I haven't watched her TV show but
I heard the books were funny. Little raunchy, but funny.
Ya they are!
I am
okay with a spattering of raunch among the anecdotes and practical
jokes. She seems to be the kind of person I find hilarious-from afar. I
would have a nervous breakdown if I were to befriend her. Want an easy read,
light laugh and a bit of colour? Give it a read... if you want raunchy and to
nearly piss yourself laughing-read Tucker Max.
25.
Fool-Christopher Moore
Comedy fiction
Christopher Moore
books are almost too funny. The first chapter or two is laugh out loud, show
your neighbour on the bus type funny. Then you become desensitised to it and
recognise that it is clever and funny but now it's a smile and nod.
That being said, I
still love his books and appreciate the wit and humour they provide!
This one is a rip on King Lear as told by Pocket, the court jester/fool. Oh, and when he
warns you the book is vulgar & bawdy-he means it. And it's awesome.
26. The Hedge
Knight-George RR Martin
Recommended by:
Chris S.
Graphic novel
/ fantasy
We all know and
love Mr. Martin for his 'Song of Ice and Fire' Series (if you don't, GO READ
THEM) and this is based in that same world, about 100 years earlier.
Enjoyed the story... once I got the hang of reading a comic book.
Gotta say, they
shouldn't be allowed to be called novels.
It's a big comic book.
Seriously.
Regardless, still
good and well illustrated. I found it interesting to read about the Targaryens
while alive and in power. I would say give this a read to any fans of Song of
Ice and Fire or any fantasy / comic book geeks.
27. The Lovely
Bones-Alice Sebold
Recommended by:
Jenny B
Drama
What an
interesting read. I like books that have unusual narratives. Like 'The
Book Thief' where Death is the unexpected narrator, (if you haven't read the
Book Thief, I cannot recommend it enough. I cried, I was shocked, I was
heartbroken, and I was made to feel the holocaust & war time Germany like
no other media item has produced.) a dead teenager tells her story from Heaven
in the lovely bones.
I was pulled in
within the first pages and was impressed. If you don't mind a tear jerker, it's
worth it.
28. Assholes
Finish First-Tucker Max
Recommended by:
Heather via "I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell" fame
Comedy / biography
OMG. Just, OMG. I
was looking for a birthday gift for my younger brother and had "Name of
the Wind" in my hand ready to go, when I saw this book. Assholes Finish
First. I was curious. I flipped it open and read the first short story....AND
NEARLY PEED MYSELF. I was laughing and hoping that I wasn't attracting too much
attention (no one likes the crazy lady off laughing to herself in a corner...).
Now I was pretty set on "The Name of the Wind"... and I had some time
to kill. So I flipped to a different short story and started reading, again:
Laughed out loud. Legit. LOL.
I was still
reading, yet another story, when in line at the till at the book store and
found myself desperately trying not to snort and full belly laugh.
Didn't work, I was giggling like a true nutter as I purchased it. I almost
didn't want to give it away-I wanted to read it!!! But after my brother was
done with it, he lent it to me and WORTH THE WAIT.
Don't get me
wrong, Tucker Max is an asshole and a pig. But he is damn funny.
29. Alias
Grace-Margaret Atwood
Historical
Fiction.
It's based on the
true story of Grace Marks and well told. It would seem it was
told accurately but I am no expert and the only research I've done
was Wikipedia. I was interested for the historical aspect, plus its
set in Canada and I respect the author.
It was good but I
am not inspired to rave about it. I liked it but don't think it's a repeat
read.
30. The Wind
Through The Keyhole-Stephen King
Recommended by:
ME. To EVERYONE.
Dark Tower
(deserves its own genre)
I am a big fan of
the Dark Tower series so when I was told this was coming out I nearly vibrated
with excitement. For those of you who love Roland and want more of his
back-story then READ THIS. It's like Wizard and Glass in that it is set during
the trek to the tower with Roland telling another story to Eddie, Jake, Suzanna
and Oy. It takes place very close from where Wizard and Glass leaves off (both
in dark tower timeline and Roland’s youth) and while I was sorry Alain and
Cuthbert didn't make an appearance, I was still thrilled with a new instalment.
And read it super
quick.
Guess I shall just
have to go back and reread the whole series with this one set as book 4.5!
Loves me some Uncle Stevie!
