Here's my reading list for the week. I admit that it is very ambitious to think that I can read five books in one week. But one can try, right?1. Graceling by Kristin Cashore. I am 9/10th of the way through this exciting, adventure book. The plot has already climaxed so I am not sure why the story needs so much time to wrap up, but I shall see soon.
2. Hole in My Life by Jack Gantos. This memoir was a Printz Honor book several years ago. I'll be checking it off two of my lists when I complete it. Gantos is the author of very funny school-age children's books (Joey Pigza series) and a few YA titles. I am thoroughly enjoying his writing style. This book is a quick read and I'm already half way through it. I'll be sure to blog more on this book soon.
3. Lark and Termite by Jayne Anne Phillips is the selection this month for one of my book clubs. Reviewers tend to talk about the literary merits of this book that deals with two half-siblings and their father a world away in Korea. When I read reviews I always try to scan both the positive and the negative ones trying to get a perspective on the book, figuring the truth will be somewhere in between. The reviewer that gave this book one star was practically beat up by other reviewers in the comment section. Essentially they were saying, "How dare you not love the book the way I love it." We'll see where I fall?
4. Tales of the Madman Underground by John Barnes. This book won a Printz Honor this year and I am very anxious to read it for several reasons. It is my "type" of YA lit-- full of angst-ridden teens and parents with more problems than the kids. It is set in 1973, when I was in high school. Will I be able to relate? Reviewers say the prose are very realistic and heart-felt. Can't wait!
5. Rosewater and Soda Bread by Marsha Mehran. Another book club selection, I should put some priority on this book since this month I am the host and will need to lead the discussion. The setting is Ireland and the protagonists are Iranian sisters who run a cafe. I haven't read the first book in the series, Pomegranate Soup, so I am hoping I won't feel lost. A Booklist reviewer says, "For all their robust living, Mehran’s Irish are a familiar and universal mix of libido and repression, piety and profanity, xenophobia and generosity." Sounds good but often my biggest problem with books I've never heard of before is just getting started.
Guess I'd better stop blogging and start reading. What is on your reading list this Spring?
I wish we had spring break next week--and I would have said that before we had our vacation. I prefer an after Easter spring vacation. I don't know how you'll feel about L and T; it is very literary. I would probably give it 4 stars. It was well worth reading,although difficult at times.
ReplyDeleteMargaret, were you able to get some other reading done over break since the weather was so cold and rainy?
ReplyDeleteI finished Graceling today and now I am preparing for bed and will read Hole in My Life until I fall asleep.
Happy Easter!
It is Friday and I just finished Tale of the Madman Underground. Double Wow. It is better than I expected or hoped. Watch for my blog on this one for sure. So the week is nearly over and I have completed three books with a start into the fourth, Rosewater and Soda Bread.
ReplyDeleteYes, I read HUNGER GAMES and loved it; I'm now hooked on the series. (reading book 2 right now) I also read a couple of mysteries.
ReplyDeleteI didn't finish all five of these books over Spring Break, but I have finished them all now.
ReplyDelete1. Graceling..Amazing Fantasy.
2. Hole in My life... Memoir about making stupid decisions that actually one can learn from
3. Lark and Termite... very literary; I liked it alot, but it was a dense, difficult read.
4. Tale of the Madman Underground... read my review! I'm crazy about this book. I want to join the John Barnes fan club!
5. Rosewater and Soda Bread... Had a lot of good parts to it, just not enough transitions between thoughts to give me a complete view of the story; frustrating.