Read the BBC's Big Read 200

working on it… enjoying the “work” very much. I’ve read about 400 pages which means I only have about 600 more to go. The only thing dampening the pleasure is that I’ve seen the movie and thus know how the story is going to end for the characters. I wish it was a bit more suspenseful even though lots of details that are in the book were not in the movie (as usual).

Anyway, I’m going to be reading this for a long time and will probably read some shorter BBC big reads in between chapters of Gone With the Wind. But I do like it a lot which again proves that this is one of the greatest lists ever made. At least me, personally, I’ve had very, very, very few disappointments yet.

Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett

I got fed up with Pratchett’s humour because it’s always the same but the Gaiman part (and you could clearly tell who had written what) was amazing. I did laugh a lot but halfway through I needed a break. I always thought Pratchett was more original than this…

Ok, so my sister had to read a Roald Dahl book for class and ended up buying a whole bunch which is why I had to buy lots of them, too and now I have read (and liked, for the most part):

The Witches
The BFG
The Twits
and the obligatory Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

This must be one of the best books I have ever read. When the story starts you can feel the heat of that particular summer’s day that will decide the course of the lives of three very different people, whose fates are intricately interwoven because of what a little girl, Briony, sees – or thinks she saw.

I don’t know what part of the book I liked best. The beginning with its poetic language, detailed descriptions and wonderful musings about the writer’s craft and the power of the written word, or the part about war and its cruelties and terrors, or the part in the hospital where the nurses take care of soldiers suffering the consequences of war… or was the best part the ending, so beautifully coming to a conlclusion that makes the reader look back to the beginning and want to start reading the book all over again.

I am very curious about the upcoming movie. I doubt it will be as powerful as the book. But I love James McAvoy so my hopes are high.

I haven’t been idle during my months in France and I read quite a few books from the BBC Big Read list, among them Milan Kundera’s “Unbearable Lightness of Being”, a beautiful book that alternately fascinated and disgusted me… how can one writer touch upon topics so dear to me and just a few pages later talk about love and sex in a way that made me flinch? I am impressed!

Yes! I’ve always wanted to read this book and not only so I could say “It’s so much better than the movie”... though it is, really. ;)

It’s a wonderful adventure story and again proof that this list is really quite brilliant. More and more of the books on it turn out to be favourites and potential re-reads for every year. The Beach definitely gets you into summer feeling. I’m probably going to re-read it next year. It was an absolutely fantastic read.

A couple of nights ago I finished #146.
The reason I’m only writing about it now is that the book left me so touched and sort of numbed that I couldn’t bring myself to do anything but think about the story.
I must admit, I haven’t read many Stephen King books yet (I think I read about five or so) but this one really blew me away.

And again, I have to say the British have excellent taste in literature as The Green Mile definitely deserves its place on this list.

I just ordered “The Grapes of Wrath” as I want to read another Steinbeck as soon as possible.
Until then, I’m spending my time with Scarlett O’Hara and Stephen King’s “Green Mile” which is already miles better than the movie. And that was great! So, if you’ll excuse me, I have a date with one Mr. Jingles. ;)

What a wonderful book. I was hooked from the very first page and couldn’t put it down until I was finished. Good thing I was on a train when I started reading – so I didn’t have to stop.

At the end, Steinbeck had me in tears and frantically making lists of all his other books I have to get.

So, I’ve read the Great Gatsby a couple of weeks ago, Animal Farm last week and now I’m enjoying Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck. I’ve only read The Pearl before, but I definitely prefer Of Mice and Men.
It’s a beautiful story and although I have no idea how it ends, I kind of expect a sad ending. :(

Anyway, Steinbeck made it onto my Autobuy-List. Memo to myself: Must read more Steinbeck!!!