I've always been a bookworm. Even as a child I could go through 2 or more books in a day if I was left alone to read. Here in Japan it's a bit difficult to find enough books for my obsession, so I often have to re-read the ones I have. No matter to me, my books are like old friends. If I enjoyed it the first time, I may enjoy it more the second time! Or the third time....
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Books are expensive here so I always appreciate suggestions. If you have any suggestions for my reading list, please let me know. Also, see Bookcrossing.com for ways to spread books around.
Created July 4, 2005, updated December 27, 2005
A great story. I was on a mini-break and managed to read it in one evening. A cracking good story of a man who was pardoned by an outgoing president, and then has to run from all of the people who want to kill him. Intelligent anti-hero.
Call this one reader interrupted. I've been working away on this one for ages, but never really got into it. Just when I did, it was over. The tale of a young woman's experience in a mental institution. Not very good.
My husband dared to talk to me when I was on the last two pages of this book. I very nicely asked him to wait a couple of minutes until I could finish it. A great novel. I read this on the plane and on the bus on my trip to Osaka. I finished it the same day I started it! Like many Dean Koontz novels, this one features a man with a special family, however, unlike most of his novels, the ending doesn't drag it down. Good fun, exciting story.
The story is intriguing...on his deathbed, Jimmy's grandfather tells of five terrible days that Jimmy must survive. As the clock ticks on, what will happen?
Hmmm. Not for the faint of heart. Not for anyone under, oh, let's say 30. I finally read it. That's my review.
The book that the recent film was based on. More enjoyable than Good In Bed. As a sister, I can relate to the terrible things that we do to each other, whereas I've never been an unmarried mother. Two sisters who lost their mother early due to an accident, lose each other due to stupidity. Seeking redemption, the youngest sister finds herself in some dangerous situations, before turning to her long lost grandmother for help. Three women, bound by family and shoe size. Difficult to put down. I'm sure I'll re-read this one.
A sequel to The Skull Mantra, this novel takes place in Tibet. It's about an ex-police detective who is forced to solve another case. This time, the case involves smugglers of Tibetan art, a hidden temple and Shan's long lost son. Great story, although some of the character's names tend to blur together after a while.
The true story of a teacher and her classroom of misfit kids. A good story that is more poignant because it is true.
A book about punctuation. It sounds like it might be boring, but it wasn't. She writes well and makes a good case for the use of correct punctuation. Ms. Truss is British and writes a lot about British punctuation, and the American versions of it. As a Canadian I'm caught somewhere inbetween! Enjoyable.
The story of Cannie, an overweight writer whose former boyfriend writes a tell-all column describing their love life. It's told well, with a sense of humor. Cannie makes an interesting heroine. There's a positive message and feeling to this novel, which makes it just a little bit better than usual. Worth reading.
A novella from a great author. There has been a murder in a small English village. The chief suspect is an Irish ne'er-do-well, but did he really do it? The English people say he did, but another Irish person in the village thinks he didn't. A quick read. Not as good as her full novels, but enjoyable.
A story of two sisters. The oldest, Olivia is a Movie Producer; her sister Madeline is a newlywed with a baby on the way. Madeline is diagnosed with leukemia as Olivia begins putting together a new version of Don Quixote. This is an epistolary letter, told entirely through Olivia's letters and email. Very good and quite touching.
A charming take on the Cyrano de Bergerac story, an Italian waiter falls in love with an American student in Rome, and persuades his best friend chef to cook for her. The waiter, of course, passes the food off as his own. Lots of unexpected twists and turns in this delicious story. Made me want to book my trip right away. Yum.
I found this book in the airport on our way to Singapore and got it. I'd seen it before and hadn't bothered. I kicked myself ever since. I didn't read it on my trip, but I did read it when I returned. Christopher Reeve was a good actor, activist and parent, but he had a terrible accident one day. He became a quadriplegic and in many ways became a greater person because of it. I enjoyed this book, especially the tales of his early days as an actor. He wrote with a humor and frankness that was charming. Good for people who were fans, interested in acting, or the life of a quadriplegic.
Subtitled "The Unauthorized Guide to the International Bestseller" it isn't exactly as exciting as the novel, but it is very interesting. Godwin translated the Hypnerotomachia Poliphili into English and discusses what was fact and what was fiction in the novel. Quite interesting, but maybe just for English Major geeks like me?
This is one of those new-fangled new age-y things that have hidden meanings. Well, I don't get them. I didn't hate the book, but I didn't really like it either. Seek your Personal Legend if you want to, but don't expect me to wait around while you do it. It may improve on re-reading, if I bother.
This book is like an old friend, wonderful to spend time with. I can't even remember how many times I've read this, but it never disappoints. A young man is persuaded to impersonate a missing boy, and finds he must solve the crime of the missing boy's murder. Just a great novel, never seems out of date, even though it was written in 1949. Highly, highly recommended by me!
A fascinating book about our ABC's. What are the newest letters of the alphabet? Do you know? (V and J) These and other interesting facts can be found in this entertaining book. Language history boring? No way! This is cool.
Stephanie Plum is in trouble. There's a contract out on her life, she has nowhere to live, and her sister is getting married. She has to wear eggplant at the wedding. Also, all the doughnuts that she eats are catching up on her. Basically, a regular adventure with Stephanie, the two men in her life and Rex the hamster. Lots of fun.
The second book in the trilogy leaves me panting for more! The story picks up from the last novel, the two detectives are in danger, Deucalion confronts Victor, and Erika 5 discovers a secret room. Hopefully the final book will be worthy of the first two. Fans'll love it!
Another Roald Dahl book! It was quite funny. A very ugly couple play mean tricks on each other then have a very mean trick played on them. Quite good. Worth reading for younger adults...or Dahl fans.
A sequel of sorts to Split Second, this one takes the two heroes of that book and puts them in the midst of a serial killer rampage. It's quite good, but like most of his novels, it falls apart near the end. I guessed the villian because he was one person who was never suspected. However, the beginning and middle were very enjoyable. I have one further quibble with the book though, the blurb on the book front says," A deadly serial killer says it's time to play." Is there any other kind of serial killer? Aren't all killers deadly? Hmm. Worth a shot if you like Baldacci's stuff.
Alex (Barney) Barnaby gets a phone call from her younger brother in the middle of the night. It ends with sound of a woman screaming. The next day, Alex heads to Florida to rescue her brother. He has gone missing, and so has a boat belonging to Sam Hooker. Hooker and Alex team up to find the missing brother and meet various ne'er-do-wells along the way. From the author of the Stephanie Plum novels, this one's a hoot. Fluff but fun.
Kay Scarpetta is back with Marino in tow. Benton, and Lucy also make appearances in this novel. She's been asked to consult on a case in her old department, and there are some interesting developments. I enjoyed this novel much more than I enjoyed Blow Fly, but it isn't quite up to Cornwell's usual standards. Recently there is something missing in the series. It seems like there is no passion between the characters and in the characters. Still worth reading.
A kind of cute take on a vampire tale. Betsy Taylor is a fashionista, shoe fanatic and has recently become Queen of the Vampires. She isn't happy about being queen, but is beginning to like her new powers. It's a bit of a "chick-lit" novel, fun, but nothing too serious. Summer reading only!
What can I say? The book of the year. Some people think it's not very good. They had better not say that near me. I loved it. It's wonderful. The book is both happy and sad, and now I can't wait for number 7...except that means the end of the series. Sigh. I refuse to say more because I don't want to spoil it for anyone.
Is this really a book for children? The English used is challenging and the story has some scary events. However, kids like this kind of thing, and frankly, so do I. The story of a chocolate factory owner who opens his factory for one day to 5 children, and what happens. A madcap romp.Worth re-reading.
A puzzling old book that has mystified scholars for centuries is finally solved by a university student and his dorm-mates. Is it like the Da Vinci Code? Only superficially. This one is good, intelligent and well written. There are real characters here, characters who have lives outside the book. In fact, the narrator of the novel is desperately trying to stay away from the book as it consumed his father too. A great read.
An extremely interesting book from the author of The Tipping Point. What makes us just "know" something. How can we learn to think without thinking? A book that makes us think about our thought processes. Worth reading.
Like the last book I read, this one is also a short book containing 3 short stories from the master of interesting endings. Well worth reading. I think I'm on a Roald Dahl kick at the moment as I just bought Charlie and The Chocolate Factory yesterday in preparation for the new movie. Good fun.
I feel a little bit of a fraud claiming this book as it is rather short, but it's a Pocket Penguin and that's its purpose. My favourite "chick lit" author with more tales from her travels promoting her books. Amusing and fun. A good light read, or an introduction to her work if you're not familiar with her style.
Although the title may no longer be politically correct, the novel itself is a lot of fun. Ellery Queen and his father are vacationing when they become trapped by a forest fire. They seek shelter in a house and of course there's a murder or two. And, the fire is getting closer and the food is running out. And yes, there is a pair of Siamese Twins involved.
I saw this book in Canada and didn't get it, although it sounded interesting. This weekend in Sapporo, I did get it, and I read it during our holiday. It was perfect for a vacation. A light, romantic story. I enjoyed it, although the ending got to be a little rushed I thought, and I didn't think much of the Epilogue. Good summer reading.
