The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie
Well, I was right. I had to force myself to stick with it a bit. It wasn't poorly written or anything, it's just not what keeps my attention in general. Simply doesn't do it for me. Prepare for some major spoilers: the narrator, James Sheppard, is the murderer. OOOOHH. (Read sarcastically.) I'm not all that surprised by the revelation...it felt almost... weak. I had really been curious as to whose motivations we could have matched to the murder, I started to feel for the characters, to fear my favorites being the murderer. Unfortunately, when Poirot turned around and said "Aha, it is you!" and Sheppard began to address the reader in his final apology chapter, I was rather deflated and more or less skimmed my way through it. Blah, blah, blah. It felt to me like when someone asks you the safest way to do something, and tells you the safest way is not to do it. That's a stupid answer. That's not doing it safely, that's not doing it at all. Maybe I'm a bit jaded and these "big twists" don't seem so big to me anymore because I've read a good amount of stories where that's the case. I think the fact that straight up mystery novels just aren't my thing had a lot to do with it too.
Besides the disappointing conclusion, the book was written well and everything. It would probably work for the right kind of reader. For me, though, it all feels too distant and far away. From the phrases I didn't understand to the distinct old-timey feel of it, everything was too foreign for me to view it realistically and have any kind of appropriate emotional response. When clues consist of colors of boots and secret engagements, I just don't buy it. It felt cartoony, like Scooby-Doo was going to come around any moment with his own input. It especially paled in comparison with a five page short story I read at the same time as this, that was far more chilling and disturbing. FIVE PAGES, and it was so realistic and twisted that I shivered at the end and went to hug someone. If that sounds intriguing to you, check out Queeny by Ridley Pearson, from "The Best American Mystery Stories 2007" (Otto Penzler).
Friday, January 30, 2015
Saturday, January 24, 2015
January 18 - 24
Fight Club by Chuck Palahniuk
Finished! Very cleverly done, this book. I watched the movie again after I had finished it and really, both are so cleverly done. It was interesting to read this book knowing the way it ends because I was able to pick up on the little hints and tips throughout the novel, to see things that the narrator himself didn't see (like how we never know his name...!). I'm still not sure how I feel about spoilers on this blog, even though I don't exactly think I'll have a huge readership or anything. I guess this will be a short entry, because I don't think I'll forget how this story ends.
The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie
I haven't read much of this yet, mostly because I've been pretty invested in Fight Club. I'm a little worried I'll have some trouble getting through it because mystery novels---straight up mystery, like a classic whodunnit---isn't really my thing. It just doesn't compel me enough. That's the vibe I've been getting even so far, only a little way in. There's a little bit more intrigue than I had anticipated, so that at least might lead somewhere engaging enough, but I'm still a bit wary. We'll see how it goes.
Finished! Very cleverly done, this book. I watched the movie again after I had finished it and really, both are so cleverly done. It was interesting to read this book knowing the way it ends because I was able to pick up on the little hints and tips throughout the novel, to see things that the narrator himself didn't see (like how we never know his name...!). I'm still not sure how I feel about spoilers on this blog, even though I don't exactly think I'll have a huge readership or anything. I guess this will be a short entry, because I don't think I'll forget how this story ends.
The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie
I haven't read much of this yet, mostly because I've been pretty invested in Fight Club. I'm a little worried I'll have some trouble getting through it because mystery novels---straight up mystery, like a classic whodunnit---isn't really my thing. It just doesn't compel me enough. That's the vibe I've been getting even so far, only a little way in. There's a little bit more intrigue than I had anticipated, so that at least might lead somewhere engaging enough, but I'm still a bit wary. We'll see how it goes.
Friday, January 16, 2015
January 11 - 17
What's on the bill:
I got the book list for my English class on unreliable narrators, and it's looking pretty solid! Expect to hear about Gone Girl, Fight Club, Pale Fire, and We Came to the End along with several others! I'm pretty excited!
The Call of Earth by Orson Scott Card
Stefan's voice reading Orson's words is a wonderful combination. The second book is holding up strong as we travel to other cities in the land and learn a bit about places outside of Basilica. The oldest brother, Elyemac (and I very well could have the spelling wrong since I've been hearing it, not seeing it--audiobook, remember?) is going absolutely bonkers. He's pretty much freaking me out, and I'm not sure how no one else is seeing it!! The charismatic new general is a delightful character though, clever and charming and deadly and completely aware that he is all of that and more. I'm quite excited to see where his plot line leads to.
After reading a bit more (well, finishing the book, really) I am absolutely delighted with the way all the loose ends came together in the end to reveal that they were all part of the same string the whole time. It was done in a very tidy and intriguing way, and I think the next book will be the most exciting yet!
Fight Club by Chuck Palahniuk
Well, I just couldn't stay away. I was so excited to read this that I already started it, although I'm not sure if I'm going to finish it before we start reading it in class (because I may just choose to save some of the excitement!). It's incredible to see how closely the movie really does mimic the book. The lines are almost always the exact same as in the book! I'm glad to see that both were done well. I read one time that the author of Fight Club actually said he thought the movie did a better job than the book---his own book! Anyway, the book is holding up wonderfully, and it's interesting to see all the clues to the big reveal at the end as I go through the novel. The hints are scattered so wonderfully! Marla always seems like she's nuts before you learn the truth, but then everything makes so much sense!! Oh, I can't wait to discuss this in class! I hope there are at least a few people who aren't familiar with it.
I got the book list for my English class on unreliable narrators, and it's looking pretty solid! Expect to hear about Gone Girl, Fight Club, Pale Fire, and We Came to the End along with several others! I'm pretty excited!
The Call of Earth by Orson Scott Card
Stefan's voice reading Orson's words is a wonderful combination. The second book is holding up strong as we travel to other cities in the land and learn a bit about places outside of Basilica. The oldest brother, Elyemac (and I very well could have the spelling wrong since I've been hearing it, not seeing it--audiobook, remember?) is going absolutely bonkers. He's pretty much freaking me out, and I'm not sure how no one else is seeing it!! The charismatic new general is a delightful character though, clever and charming and deadly and completely aware that he is all of that and more. I'm quite excited to see where his plot line leads to.
After reading a bit more (well, finishing the book, really) I am absolutely delighted with the way all the loose ends came together in the end to reveal that they were all part of the same string the whole time. It was done in a very tidy and intriguing way, and I think the next book will be the most exciting yet!
Fight Club by Chuck Palahniuk
Well, I just couldn't stay away. I was so excited to read this that I already started it, although I'm not sure if I'm going to finish it before we start reading it in class (because I may just choose to save some of the excitement!). It's incredible to see how closely the movie really does mimic the book. The lines are almost always the exact same as in the book! I'm glad to see that both were done well. I read one time that the author of Fight Club actually said he thought the movie did a better job than the book---his own book! Anyway, the book is holding up wonderfully, and it's interesting to see all the clues to the big reveal at the end as I go through the novel. The hints are scattered so wonderfully! Marla always seems like she's nuts before you learn the truth, but then everything makes so much sense!! Oh, I can't wait to discuss this in class! I hope there are at least a few people who aren't familiar with it.
Saturday, January 10, 2015
January 4 - 10
The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood
I picked this book up over the summer at a used bookstore because I was intrigued after reading the first few pages. I never got a chance to read it because I headed back up to school shortly after, and decided I would save it for this winter break. Well I finally started it, and ohmygoodness! I'm quite interested in the world. It's a very disorienting combination of old-world-ish-ness (so many hyphens!) and references to clubbing and booty shorts and whatnot. It's a mashup like no other, and I love the way the author weaves them together. The language is fantastic as well. There have been so many sentences that I just paused and re-read for the sheer joy of it. When that happens once in a book, I'm pleased. In this book, it's already happened several times, and I'm not even halfway through. I am pretty pleased.
The Memory of Earth by Orson Scott Card
I decided to give a bit more of my time to Orson Scott Card after I really enjoyed his novel The Lost Gate. I have a feeling part of that is because I listened to The Lost Gate as well as this one in audiobook, and both were read by this man with a purely magical voice, Stefan something.... I was so pleased to hear his voice start up the opening of this book! I was even more pleased as the words he read were holding up to my understanding of Card's quality. Humans have left Earth after we (inevitably) destroyed it, and set in place a machine called the Oversoul to prevent humans from destroying their new world, aptly named Harmony. This works out for some odd 40 million years, but the Oversoul wasn't supposed to have to last so long, and starts losing its power to subtly redirect humans' thoughts when they turn towards potentially disastrous things (such as war). The narration begins with the point of view of one character for a while, and slowly begins adding in sections of other characters, which keeps it really interesting. There's lots of political intrigue and mystery, which was so well done that it kept me wanting to read (hear) more. I actually listened to the whole book in a week, which surprised me, I'll be moving on the second one as soon as I can!
I picked this book up over the summer at a used bookstore because I was intrigued after reading the first few pages. I never got a chance to read it because I headed back up to school shortly after, and decided I would save it for this winter break. Well I finally started it, and ohmygoodness! I'm quite interested in the world. It's a very disorienting combination of old-world-ish-ness (so many hyphens!) and references to clubbing and booty shorts and whatnot. It's a mashup like no other, and I love the way the author weaves them together. The language is fantastic as well. There have been so many sentences that I just paused and re-read for the sheer joy of it. When that happens once in a book, I'm pleased. In this book, it's already happened several times, and I'm not even halfway through. I am pretty pleased.
The Memory of Earth by Orson Scott Card
I decided to give a bit more of my time to Orson Scott Card after I really enjoyed his novel The Lost Gate. I have a feeling part of that is because I listened to The Lost Gate as well as this one in audiobook, and both were read by this man with a purely magical voice, Stefan something.... I was so pleased to hear his voice start up the opening of this book! I was even more pleased as the words he read were holding up to my understanding of Card's quality. Humans have left Earth after we (inevitably) destroyed it, and set in place a machine called the Oversoul to prevent humans from destroying their new world, aptly named Harmony. This works out for some odd 40 million years, but the Oversoul wasn't supposed to have to last so long, and starts losing its power to subtly redirect humans' thoughts when they turn towards potentially disastrous things (such as war). The narration begins with the point of view of one character for a while, and slowly begins adding in sections of other characters, which keeps it really interesting. There's lots of political intrigue and mystery, which was so well done that it kept me wanting to read (hear) more. I actually listened to the whole book in a week, which surprised me, I'll be moving on the second one as soon as I can!
Friday, January 2, 2015
December 28 - January 3
It's a new year!
And yet, I managed to cram in one last book before it ended. I'm going to tag this only with 2014 because I did read this last book in 2014.
Teaching Will by Mel Ryane
There is a story behind this book. I entered a giveaway contest for it on Goodreads probably sometime in early November 2014. Totally forgot about it. Never heard from it again. Then one day I stopped to pick up the mail and had an unexpected pacakge, containing a signed copy of the book and a letter saying I had won the contest! AWESOME?! So I sat down in read it in two days (although a span of three because one day in the middle I couldn't read because of other obligations). It was absolutely wonderful!
Now to the actual book. I think the fact that I plowed through it in just two days says a lot. It's easy to read, and it keeps you wanting to read. The pacing is done really well, and you get through a year of time in just a couple hundred pages. There's always something new happening, some new issue arising that has you feeling right there with the author, "Oh no, what to do about this?!" Ryane captured the craziness and struggles of teaching very well, and has so many of the same issues as all early teachers do, and also ended up at the same conclusion: it was hell, and there's no way I'd give it up. Despite the struggles, Ryane ends the book mentioning her next year with a new group. This book was insightful and terribly funny, with just the right amount of painful cringing moments. I highly suggest it, especially to any other teachers who will recognize themselves in so many moments of Ryane's early struggles, despite their subject area.
And yet, I managed to cram in one last book before it ended. I'm going to tag this only with 2014 because I did read this last book in 2014.
Teaching Will by Mel Ryane
There is a story behind this book. I entered a giveaway contest for it on Goodreads probably sometime in early November 2014. Totally forgot about it. Never heard from it again. Then one day I stopped to pick up the mail and had an unexpected pacakge, containing a signed copy of the book and a letter saying I had won the contest! AWESOME?! So I sat down in read it in two days (although a span of three because one day in the middle I couldn't read because of other obligations). It was absolutely wonderful!
Now to the actual book. I think the fact that I plowed through it in just two days says a lot. It's easy to read, and it keeps you wanting to read. The pacing is done really well, and you get through a year of time in just a couple hundred pages. There's always something new happening, some new issue arising that has you feeling right there with the author, "Oh no, what to do about this?!" Ryane captured the craziness and struggles of teaching very well, and has so many of the same issues as all early teachers do, and also ended up at the same conclusion: it was hell, and there's no way I'd give it up. Despite the struggles, Ryane ends the book mentioning her next year with a new group. This book was insightful and terribly funny, with just the right amount of painful cringing moments. I highly suggest it, especially to any other teachers who will recognize themselves in so many moments of Ryane's early struggles, despite their subject area.
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