Saturday, December 15, 2007

 

Susan's Book Talk: Reading Challenge Update

I figured I'd take a few minutes and update my From the Stacks challenge. I'm doing quite well. Sort of.

Here's my original post.

As of Thanksgiving, I've read:
Auralia's Colors by Jeffrey Overstreet
The Hook, by Donald E. Westlake
Death of a Saint Maker, by Allana Martin
The Heroin Diaries, by Nikki Sixx
Something else that was really badly written that I didn't finish
Stolen, by Kelly Armstrong
The Catcher in the Rye by JD Salinger (I must be missing something; I don't get it)
My New-Found Land by Diana Channing (ed by Ann Pino)

I decided I needed to read the first Kathy Reichs, which I have here in the house, before Death du Jour. And The Historian? I've decided to save it for the end of this month.

I need to pause here and say that Allana Martin's Death of a Saint Maker (links above) was quite the pleasant surprise. I've added her other books to my lists at my favorite book trading sites and as soon as I'm further caught up on what's here, I'll be picking those up, too. If anyone would like my copy, holler. I'll send it out to you, complete with promo bookmarks from other authors, many of whom hang out here. Really. If you want the book, leave a comment. If I get more than one, I'll either pick someone I particularly like, or I'll let The Opening Act pick the winner.

I've got until January 30 for this challenge. I may not make my 100 books for the year (I'm at 92 right now; I'm thinking it's not gonna happen) but I think it's safe to say that even if I don't finish the other books I'd stuck on my initial list, I'll at least read five -- which was all the challenge called for. *wink*

As for the Jewish lit challenge... nada yet, you'll notice. I'm reading a debut mystery for review at Front Street Reviews right now, but I might fix that whole Jewish reading challenge drought very soon. We'll have to see what sort of mood I'm in when I finish this.

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# posted by Susan Helene Gottfried @ 10:24 AM
Comments:
I could never finish The Catcher in the Rye. And I thought it was just me! Michele sent me over to have a dekko at your reads!

rooted
reading room
# posted by Anonymous Anonymous : December 15, 2007 10:30 AM
 
Its always nice to hear about new books that might prove worth the read. HUGS
# posted by Anonymous Anonymous : December 15, 2007 10:59 AM
 
Michele sent me back here so soon. Maybe she wants me to pick a few from your list!
# posted by Blogger gautami tripathy : December 15, 2007 11:13 AM
 
I liked The Historian a lot, when I read it. It's a long, slow sort of novel, good for end of December grey days. It's moody and dark, like winter.

I read Stolen a while ago, and liked it a lot. The rest of Armstrong's work is equally entertaining.

Thanks for visiting!
-- MissMeliss
# posted by Anonymous Anonymous : December 15, 2007 11:15 AM
 
'Something else that was really badly written that I didn't finish'
Very well-handled, Susan!
# posted by Blogger Julia Phillips Smith : December 15, 2007 11:30 AM
 
Thanks. I'm trying!!
# posted by Blogger Susan Helene Gottfried : December 15, 2007 11:33 AM
 
Gosh, you read ALOT! I used to read quite a bit too but since I started my MBA all I seem to read is business text books which are pretty dry stuff. Thank heavens for the odd Dilbert Cartoon they throw in occasionally! LOL!

I finish my Masters degree next year so I should have much more time to read then!
# posted by Blogger Bobkat : December 15, 2007 1:34 PM
 
I'm intrigued by Death of a Saint Maker. I read bi-lingual border literature in my BA program, but presumably this is all in English? (Not that it makes a difference.)

The US-Mexico border is very much a world unto itself and if I knew it better, you bet I'd be setting my stories there. I just love places that are one-off from our own and that constantly surprise.
# posted by Blogger Ann (bunnygirl) : December 15, 2007 4:01 PM
 
You're doing great with your reading, my friend! I'm reading, but lately it's been at a slower pace -- things have been pretty wild for me. Hopefully I can pick up the pace again soon. :)

I tried to read The Historian not long ago, but I got bored. There's a lot about it I liked, however, so I might try it again one of these days.
# posted by Anonymous Anonymous : December 15, 2007 5:27 PM
 
I read Catcher in the Rye a couple years ago and loved it. It's basically a long winded rant from a young man who is trying to act all grown up and failing miserably at it.

I read it after watching the first series of Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex because it has an arc-plot that draws heavily on Catcher in the Rye. I loved the series so much that I had to read the book.

I just read Franny and Zooey also by Salinger as my first selection for the Jewish Literature Challenge. I'll post a review in the next few days.
# posted by Blogger pussreboots : December 15, 2007 10:09 PM
 
You are so so so encouraging me to try to knock out my stack! I have so many to read!!
# posted by Blogger Kim Smith : December 16, 2007 10:27 AM
 
i am very jealous, i have read one book this fall. maybe after the holidays? hmm
# posted by Blogger David Edward : December 16, 2007 10:44 AM
 
I've been busy busying books for friends and relatives Christmas presents. A friend has bought Nikki Sixx's book for her partner, but I know she's itching to read it herself too.
# posted by Blogger Nikki - Notes of Life : December 16, 2007 10:45 AM
 
Thats still a lot of books you've read in one year!! I already have a lot of respect for you :p Good luck on making the hundred anyway...

www.bio-nick.co.uk
(dont feel obliged to visit lol)
# posted by Blogger Unknown : December 16, 2007 4:46 PM
 
I have to agree with Miss Meliss on The Historian. I REALLY enjoyed it but it was a slow gray read -- but still very very good.

I read a Kelley Armstrong recently - No Exit - and liked it enough to chase her into a ladies room and ask if/when she's writing a sequel.
Yes - I really did. I'm embarrassed. But she was so gracious. :D
# posted by Blogger Wylie Kinson : December 16, 2007 9:25 PM
 
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