Mmm, books. This is a big fat pile of the books I purchased in January. I don't think I've ever bought so many new books in one month before (except textbooks at the start of a fresh semester), but I stumbled across one of those $3-a-book popup stores and also had some Christmas money to spend. Hence, BOOKS. Here's a quick fly-by of the books I purchased and a bit of the reasoning why. I'll post reviews for the books as I read them:
When Did You See Her Last? by Lemony Snicket :: This is book 2 in Lemony Snicket's fabulous new(er) series, All The Wrong Questions. The first one was a very fun read, with a cute mystery and Lemony Snicket's characteristic quirky prose. I just really enjoy the way he uses words. As you read, you can almost hear him rolling the words around in his mouth, tasting them for their flavour. PS. I recommended this book to one of my students on a recent trip to our local library, and he promptly borrowed it. He's a reluctant reader (aged 11) but was totally gripped by this one. It was lots of fun to hear him laughing out loud during his "silent" reading time.
Voyager by Jan Mark :: I know nothing about this book, but Jan Mark is great, and for $3 it's worth a try.
Freedom by Jonathan Franzen :: This was super-hyped when it first appeared, but of course I'm yet to read it because sometimes I just take forever to be won over to things. We'll see.
Extras by Scott Westerfeld :: Somehow I managed to read all the other books in the Uglies series, but lost steam when I reached this one. I'm here to round out the... quadrilogy? What's it called when it's a trilogy but there ends up being four books in the series?
The Cardturner by Louis Sachar :: Even though it's Louis Sachar, storytelling prince of my heart, I steered clear of The Cardturner because I thought it was about poker, and I'm so not interested in poker. Then I read a review and discovered the card game the book repeatedly references is bridge. So yes! I'm going to read it now.
Unwind by Neal Shusterman :: Somehow I completely missed this dystopian (? sci fi?) series when it first appeared, but was alerted to it through the glories of tumblr. The concept that it's based on -- abortion of fetuses has been outlawed, but parents are allowed, instead, to "unwind" their children's memories when they reach the age of thirteen -- is incredibly intriguing. I'll let you know what I think when I'm done.
Hyperbole and a Half by Allie Brosh :: I love the blog and I loved the book. I'll be posting my review soon!
Sister Mother Husband Dog (etc) by Delia Ephron :: The entire Ephron family is intriguing. Maybe by reading this memoir, I can soak up some of their creativity by way of osmosis.
Death Comes to Pemberley by PD James :: I bought this one for a friend a while back, but haven't read it myself. PD James writing fanfiction? Yes, that's totally what this is and no one can convince me otherwise.
What books did you buy or read in January?
I *really* want to read that Hyperbole and a Half book! So much. Esp after that review you posted. I also BROUGHT - and this is the first time I have brought (or is it bought?!) a book in maybe a year!- the Girl with the Gifts. Is that what it's called?! Written by your relative. Well, someone with the same surname. You said nice things about it, my good buddy Joss Whedon said nice things about it- I think it's gonna be good. Although, I have a TON of library books to get through. Including the second in the Walking Chaos trilogy. And another one by Patrick Ness called The Crane Wife. Have you read it? I started it and liked it but had to put it down in order to read other things that had to be returned at a sooner date. Ok, enough book talk for now!
ReplyDeleteBook posts! Yay!
ReplyDeleteI spent over $500 on books in January. :-P Nearly all textbooks. Some which are not precisely required for classes but which I need to read for my research for classes, or for my research in general. So.
I am most excited about these:
This is Not a Pipe, Michel Foucault (which I have heard is a delightful essay on reality, representations, and society. Rather like his essay on Author, which I adore)
No Caption Needed, Robert Hariman and John Louis Lucaites (a groundbreaking analysis of iconic photographs which helped establish the delightful field of visual rhetoric)
The People the World Forgot, but the European Azerbaijan Society (a photo essay about the Armenian-Azeri conflict which has resulted in mass genocide on both sides and a 22 year war - the conflict, not the essay)
The Baburnama (an account of a Central Asian king who was quite intriguing and impressive)