tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31542820.post6118393867967514043..comments2024-03-03T12:52:18.548-05:00Comments on Magpie Musing: Books Books and More Books*Magpiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15460136246441367993noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31542820.post-86217604919037141482011-02-10T07:22:19.676-05:002011-02-10T07:22:19.676-05:00My favorite read from 2010 is "River Town&quo...My favorite read from 2010 is "River Town" by Peter Hessler. Hessler gave me an introduction to the area of China I'm living in that has been invaluable for my survival. Plus, it's an eye into China before the great opening. <br /><br />Yes, I am on Goodreads, though I had forgotten. Thanks for the reminder!abbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05011401296282740367noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31542820.post-15185083977356553452011-02-05T20:26:32.758-05:002011-02-05T20:26:32.758-05:00Left out my favorite--Nella Last's War, also k...Left out my favorite--Nella Last's War, also known as Housewife,49. A diary of a wife/mother in WWII Britain that is moving and inspiring for those of us in (ugh) mid-life.The Library Ladyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14321601076252214546noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31542820.post-42390154832368370292011-02-05T13:39:14.190-05:002011-02-05T13:39:14.190-05:00I just friended you on Goodreads, but it is under ...I just friended you on Goodreads, but it is under my real name.<br /><br />And I am not sure what my favorite book last year was. I don't think I read as much as I should have last year and I am trying to fix that now.InTheFastLanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09691830067979224059noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31542820.post-49888300330652584752011-02-04T23:22:34.858-05:002011-02-04T23:22:34.858-05:00and Mean Little Deaf Queer, by Terry Galloway.
T....and Mean Little Deaf Queer, by Terry Galloway.<br /><br />T.YourFireAnthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03428838843235292696noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31542820.post-26869268430930989782011-02-04T23:04:36.034-05:002011-02-04T23:04:36.034-05:00Who Will Run the Frog Hospital, by Lorrie Moore; T...Who Will Run the Frog Hospital, by Lorrie Moore; The Principles of Uncertainty, by Maira Kalman; Things That Fall From the Sky, by Kevin Brockmeier; Walking in Circles Before Lying Down, by Merrill Markoe; and Shaft, by Ernest Tidyman.YourFireAnthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03428838843235292696noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31542820.post-27766789336421670162011-02-04T22:04:02.013-05:002011-02-04T22:04:02.013-05:00I tried Library Thing first and I find Goodreads m...I tried Library Thing first and I find Goodreads more user-friendly too (I have heard the word gemutlich, for some reason I want to put a keit on the end). From seeing your updates I'm not all that surprised that you read as much non-fiction -- especially about food. I'm always reading one non-fiction book but I cycle through three or four fiction books before I finish it, usually. I had the same concerns about Room, and it was your review among others that convinced me to read it -- really glad I did. Probably the pinnacle of my reading experiences this year was re-reading A Wrinkle in Time and then reading When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead -- it was a great story and a huge engulfing wave of literary nostalgia all wrapped up into something magnificent.Bibliomamahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11825424183978181238noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31542820.post-66351266558468945182011-02-04T21:37:16.869-05:002011-02-04T21:37:16.869-05:00I'm about a year behind, maybe more, on Librar...I'm about a year behind, maybe more, on Library Thing. Something easier has a lot of appeal. <br />Best '10 book - "What is America", Ronald Wright, Knopf Canada, 2008. (I am slow to get to things.)MARY Ghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13178370815712313585noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31542820.post-68091345194546613242011-02-04T12:57:10.176-05:002011-02-04T12:57:10.176-05:00Do you know what you made me just do? Count a year...Do you know what you made me just do? Count a year's worth of reading as listed on Good Reads.<br /><br />Now of course I read a lot of picture books. But it came to 344 books--really.<br /><br />This is not counting the fact that I am a compulsive re-reader. So time when I might have been spending on new books was often spent re-reading JK Rowling, or Jenny Crusie, or Robert Heinlein, or anything else on my home shelves. Comfort food as books.<br /><br />It strikes me that most of the non-fiction I read this year, especially the ones that got a lot of write ups, weren't half as good as the best kids non-fiction I read. Authors writing for adults tend to get pretentious and lose the grip of telling a good story, something even non-fiction needs to do. Still, I enjoyed "Harry Truman's Excellent Adventure", the Charlie Chan biography and "Becoming Victoria" this year, all by writers who DO know how to tell their story!The Library Ladyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14321601076252214546noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31542820.post-70187599533093201502011-02-04T12:41:51.041-05:002011-02-04T12:41:51.041-05:00I'm afraid to read Room. I can't read abou...I'm afraid to read Room. I can't read about bad things happening to kids anymore. Especially, characters who are the same age as my boys!<br /><br />Thoughts? Is it hard to read in that respect?Life As I Know Ithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09492465378321819342noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31542820.post-4257259228379807002011-02-04T11:09:26.439-05:002011-02-04T11:09:26.439-05:00I read the Lacks book last year but I'm not su...I read the Lacks book last year but I'm not sure it was my favorite. I'll have to double-check my list (on my blog) for fav non-fiction.<br /><br />As for fiction, I read the whole Steig Larsson trilogy and I think those were my favories of the year.FreshHellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13051170717740487431noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31542820.post-26789520298720440612011-02-04T11:04:48.993-05:002011-02-04T11:04:48.993-05:00I, too, greatly enjoyed The Immortal Life of Henri...I, too, greatly enjoyed The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks. Borrowed it from a friend who said I had to read it. She said I would have a hard time putting it down. And she was right.leannehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12862076176705733998noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31542820.post-5975295196471189192011-02-04T08:16:05.444-05:002011-02-04T08:16:05.444-05:00I'm still on LibraryThing, but probably a year...I'm still on LibraryThing, but probably a year behind, and I use it more for the kids books than for me. I'd say the book that I devoured quickest last year was One Day, and that Henrietta Lacks was right up there with it.<br /><br />I don't think I can read Room, either, but it's available everywhere here and I keep thinking, "Well, it's so highly praised...."Jodyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06118652456935364104noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31542820.post-10813570256691780972011-02-04T02:37:46.127-05:002011-02-04T02:37:46.127-05:00"Room" was AMAZING. I ended up reading i..."Room" was AMAZING. I ended up reading it all in one afternoon/evening and ignoring everybody. <br /><br />I can get the Swedish library system to buy me whatever books I want, as long as I am willing to wait two months!Antropologahttp://antropologa.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31542820.post-31392832684190184402011-02-04T00:03:38.030-05:002011-02-04T00:03:38.030-05:00I'm like Anjali -- very much intrigued by Room...I'm like Anjali -- very much intrigued by Room, but a bit afraid to go there.<br /><br />I quite liked The Good Thief by Hannah Tinti (fiction). Grave-digging, storytelling, shifting alliances, and just random weirdness.mayberryhttp://mayberrymom.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31542820.post-6693544078984909862011-02-03T23:54:36.553-05:002011-02-03T23:54:36.553-05:00Can I sync goodreads with shelfari? I've been...Can I sync goodreads with shelfari? I've been wanting to read Tender Bar. Now I'm determined to get a copy pronto. A book I really liked this year was of a blend between fiction and non-fiction, Syrie James' The Secret Diaries of Charlotte Brontë. <br /><br />p.s. the author of the Broken Reality is on the Colbert Report right now.shrink on the couchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13271891110211081990noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31542820.post-10951313934701351182011-02-03T23:10:29.575-05:002011-02-03T23:10:29.575-05:00i think my favorites were The Help and Prodigal Su...i think my favorites were The Help and Prodigal Summer. Nonfiction... i really enjoyed and was challenged by "Why Jesus Make me Nervous." I don't read much nonfiction, I think, but if I actually keep up with my brand spankin new goodreads account maybe I'll find out for sure. Speaking of which... I need to go friend you. now.painted maypolehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06446625015003854710noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31542820.post-90199060267092765612011-02-03T23:08:45.760-05:002011-02-03T23:08:45.760-05:00I've been meaning to do something like goodrea...I've been meaning to do something like goodreads, mainly because I can no longer remember titles and authors the way I used to, and it annoys me when I want to know what I read six months ago and can't recall.<br /><br />Best non-fiction, by far: Switch, by the Heath brothers. Fabulously interesting discussion of how to change difficult situations (from malnutrition in Vietnam to purchasing habits in corporations).<br /><br />Best fiction: Olive Kitteridge<br /><br />I considered doing a year-end list, but figured I probably read three books a week, and I don't think I can count that high any more.Juliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06668252458131596362noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31542820.post-18170376171353054412011-02-03T22:56:32.678-05:002011-02-03T22:56:32.678-05:00You taught me a new word. I'd never heard '...You taught me a new word. I'd never heard 'gemütlich' before.<br /><br />I read 19th century literature last year, and mostly RL Stevenson. I didn't like Treasure Island's characters near as much as I'd expected (Kidnapped was more charming) but the whole, I don't know, the whole 19th-century-ish-ness of it I quite liked. Oh I read Twain too (re-read), which was fun!Jennifer (ponderosa)https://www.blogger.com/profile/17712875613623664156noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31542820.post-90854383263183830752011-02-03T22:41:12.901-05:002011-02-03T22:41:12.901-05:00I was taken by Manhood For Amateurs by Michael Cha...I was taken by Manhood For Amateurs by Michael Chabon (Taken as in: on flights of fancy, my breath away here & there, by surprise, outside of myself)<br />Revisited an Anne Lamott I had not read (or remembered reading) - Travelling Mercies - and fell in love with her all over again. Both are non fiction, and so prove your point nicely as I am almost always a fiction reader. <br />For pure bathtub reading, I was unexpectedly delighted by The Thirteenth Tale (Setterfield).EarnestGirlhttp://www.yummymummyclub.ca/earnestgirl_west_coast_chroniclesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31542820.post-69655817639906910852011-02-03T21:29:15.895-05:002011-02-03T21:29:15.895-05:00I started, but didn't finish, Grave Matters. ...I started, but didn't finish, Grave Matters. After three or four chapters, I thought it started to get a little tedious. Fiction faves: Let the Great World Spin (McCann) and A Manual of Detection (Berry); non-fiction: Darkness Visible (Styron) and Operation Mincemeat (MacIntyre). Also I re-read Gaudy Night (Sayers) in the past year, and it's still one of my favorites.Heide Esteshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08022964463219865228noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31542820.post-57648262462217335912011-02-03T20:27:59.714-05:002011-02-03T20:27:59.714-05:00Hmmm. I don't think I read anything that reall...Hmmm. I don't think I read anything that really grabbed me by the throat last year. I did like "Elegance of the Hedgehog" by Muriel Barbery.Rimahttp://www.rimarama.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31542820.post-36544354519731808092011-02-03T20:01:57.244-05:002011-02-03T20:01:57.244-05:00I'm so far behind. Normally, I would have post...I'm so far behind. Normally, I would have posted "what I read in 2010" by now. At this rate, though? I'll be lucky to post something like that by May. So ... I'll answer your question later. :)1Ahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12081407943364179723noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31542820.post-7096316702612093662011-02-03T19:51:23.018-05:002011-02-03T19:51:23.018-05:00I loved The Tender Bar. A non-fiction book I reall...I loved The Tender Bar. A non-fiction book I really liked was one I was given to review on my blog--it's a book about gaming called Reality is Broken--I was shocked at how interesting it was.<br /><br />I can't keep up with Goodreads--I did for a while, but I fell so far behind.Jenn @ Juggling Lifehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14455967210924573398noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31542820.post-68399154115623355742011-02-03T18:08:26.402-05:002011-02-03T18:08:26.402-05:00How sad is it that I can't remember which book...How sad is it that I can't remember which book I liked best last year?<br /><br />I have to say I flew through the Percy Jackson series. I was about a book behind my twelve year old and I loved his enthusiasm for the books and for wanting me to experience them as he had.slow panichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00806001325853693285noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31542820.post-42384321071895258512011-02-03T17:50:16.427-05:002011-02-03T17:50:16.427-05:00Do you usually read so much nonficton?
I've h...Do you usually read so much nonficton?<br /><br />I've heard a lot of great things about Room. The only reason I haven't picked it up is because the premise creeps me out! (And I scare easily!)Anjalihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03942336985162828835noreply@blogger.com