- The Art of War by Sun Tzu
- Why I picked it up: Another book for school reading
- Rating: 3
- Challenges: 100+
- My Thoughts:
- Well, this isn’t really a novel or nonfiction book that I can review properly. It really depends on what translation you have, but I didn’t really pay attention to the translator’s notes/interpretations. On the whole, a very handy little book. I love stuff like this that’s still relevant and meaningful thousands of years later.
- Catch-22 by Joseph Heller
- Published: September 1961
- Genre: Historical fiction/satire
- Why I picked it up: On my TBR list
- Rating: 4.5 stars
- Challenges: 2011 TBR Pile | 100+
- My Thoughts:
- I FINALLY FINISHED IT OMG. I buckled down on Tuesday and read 300 pages or so.
- I really did enjoy this book, promise. I’ve never really read any war novels or books so satirical as this one, so this was a first for me. I can see why everyone makes such a big deal about it, though! I love the balance of humourous and serious moments. When you finally read about the event that transformed Yossarian, it’s pretty heartbreaking.
- Hrrm…it’s too big for me to reflect upon -.- (yeah, I’m being lazy XP I have a lot on my mind right now, gah).
- I particularly liked Yossarian, Major Major and the chapters about Milo (although I didn’t like Milo himself, of course).
- I particularly liked The Soldier Who Saw Everything Twice. There were lots of other parts I remember. But that one sticks in my mind :/ And the chapter Colonel Catchart. Silly Colonel.
- The Road by Cormac McCarthy
- Published: September 2006
- Genre: Post-apocalyptic fiction
- Why I picked it up: Needed to read it for school
- Rating: 4 stars
- Challenges: 100+
- My Thoughts:
- I am in love with the writing style used in this book. There isn’t much more to say there XD Everything about it, I love. This book will probably serve well as future inspiration.
- In class we discussed how it isn’t really about two characters, it’s about the relationship. I completely agree. The portrayal of the father/son relationship is part of what makes this book so strong.
- Sometimes with the pronouns it would get confusing. Because it’s just ‘the man’ and ‘the boy’ so all pronouns are he and I got a little lost in some sentences. But that’s an exceptionally minor complaint.
- I was highly disappointed in the last five pages or so, however. SPOILERS AHEAD.
- I was quite prepared for the father to die of his illness, but I thought there would be more tragedy. I was sure the boy was going to die also and I thought it would be at the hands of the bad guys or the man being forced to shoot him. Alas, it was not so. The ending of the book was the least emotional part for me :/ Oh well, at least I was more invested in the style of the book than the story!
Month: February 2011
Ray Bradbury – Something Wicked This Way Comes
Author: Ray Bradbury Title: Something Wicked This Way Comes Published: 1962 Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf Length: 289 pages Genre: Light fantasy/horror Target age: 12+Why I picked it up: Inspired Neil GaimanRating: 3.5 starsChallenges: 100+ Buy: Chapters | Barnes and Noble […]
Extra Books – February 14 to 20
The Liar’s Club by Mary Karr Published: 1995 Genre: Memoir Why I picked it up: Had to read it for school, didn’t, am now Rating: 2.5 stars Challenges: Memorable Memoirs | 100+ My Thoughts: Meh. This book was unsatisfying for […]
Barbara Kingsolver – Animal, Vegetable, Miracle
Author: Barbara Kingsolver with Steven L. Hopp and Camille Kingsolver Title: Animal, Vegetable, Miracle Published: April 2007 Publisher: HarperCollins Length: 352 pages Genre: Food memoir Why I picked it up: Browsing Amazon for ‘food’ books, this one looked goodRating: 3.5 […]
Extra Books – January 30 to February 6
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling Published: July 1998 Genre: Magical fantasy Why I picked it up: Rereading the series Rating: 3.5 stars Challenges: Harry Potter 2011 | 100+ My Thoughts: What I find most interesting […]