see how many books I can read in 2007

I had not planned on reading anymore this year, but my Dad gave me a book for Christmas that he wanted to read himself, so he pressured me to finish.
it gets a B++
Batya Gur Murder Duet….

Not bad, a little too overinvolved in some of the details of early music etc…. but well written and apparently translated well as well…out of hebrew. I hope she will enjoy some success in the english speaking world.
Fifty eight books, and I will close the goal.

Turns out that I can read about 29 books in a year. I will be changing this goal to “see how many books I can read in 2008.” I hope to top my 29 books next year. I really enjoyed this goal. It is something fun for me to work towards without stressing out about it.

Joanna Fluke’s “Sugar Cookie Murder”

Apologies to Ms. Fluke but This was THE WORST BOOK I HAVE READ ALL YEAR. Horrible. The plot was unrealistic and contrived and simplistic. Even worse, Ms Fluke includes recipes with her novels, but the recipes were not that impressive either, and involved a great deal of Jell-O, Cake Mixes rather than ingredients and pre-packaged meatballs…..
I finished it at work on this last particularly slow night.

I’m shocked that she is allowed to churn out such drivel.

This was an interesting book by Ann Benson. It is set in future England and 14th Century England. The chapters leap-frog back and forth between the two time periods and leave you guessing until the end what the total connection between the two stories is. One story is of a 14th Century Jewish physician striving to gain knowledge of a cure for the bubonic plague that has struck most of the land. The other story is of a lady scientist who has lost everything to a plague that has changed life as we know it. Studying in England where health and medicine is now strictly controlled she must face a new outbreak of a long dead disease.
The book was good, but it started dragging a bit near the middle. The climax was a bit disappointing and the ending seemed like a cop-out for the writer. It’s like she just had to end it on a happy note, but not bad for a $1 book.
I think this might be my final book for the year. I would have loved to read more, but work gets too demanding this time of year. Merry Christmas!

Not the best book ever.
Patricia Cornwell’s “The Last Precinct”
A little far fetched, and convolouted for me. In addition, after doing a little reseaqrch on the author, I felt she was just a little too “involved” with her characters. Just by reading the book I was able to deduce several things about the author….But for reading on Night shift it was quite good…
I think this will probably be the last book of the year, unless I find a moment to hit the library….

I have been reading just not that fast. Work has gotten a lot busier and I just haven’t had as much time. I am about half way through the book I’m reading now. I haven’t given up. I will read at least two more books by the end of the year. Then I’ll try to top my number of books next year.

John Fowles The French Lieutenants Woman

A well written novel. Overwhelming and dark and coveys the Victorian tragedies of life quite beautifully.

Christie…

Funerals are fatal.

All in all the ending was a little surprising…not exactly what I would have liked. But in general, i did enjoy it. And it definitely kep me on edge with all those suspects!!!
Yay for Christie. I am going to try to book cross it today.

The Dark WInd

A Jim Chee solo suspense novel. Not as good as he is when paired with Leaphorn. BUt not bad, not bad at all.
I’m not doing quite as much reading as before…

This was the second of the Odd Thomas books by Dean Koontz. I can’t say that it was as good as the first, but it was definately quality reading. I love the characters in these books. Just by reading the first one I feel like I know them. I can’t wait to get the third one.