So, looking back over the past few months, I've read a number of books, some I wanted to read, but a number were suggested by a friend, who probably will read this and knows who he is...
* Trainspotting by Irvine Welsh I blogged about that one here: LINK
* An Anthropologist On Mars by Oliver Sachs This was the first non-fiction book I'd picked up in a long time. It covers a number of cases the author (who is a doctor) has studied and interacted with the subjects. Each case is an odd one: a painter goes colorblind, a blind man has his sight restored but can't really see, and a surgeon with Tourette's Syndrome. There's a couple chapters about Austic people that I had trouble getting into. The book is enjoyable and highly readable, though there is an over abundance of footnotes. I also remember finishing the book at the library.
* Boy by Roald Dahl I was told I'd finish it in a day. I did it in two. The book is Roald Dahl's autobiography, covering his childhood, ending abruptly during his military service. If Dahl was a master storyteller, he certainly knew how to tell his own. The book is engaging, and even when he stops for exposition, he manages to make it sound interesting. He even brings up points that explain inspiration for his books, though he doesn't point it out, with the exception of a story where he told about tasting new Cadbury chocolate bars and giving them feedback on it.
* It by Stephen King One of the longest books I've read in three weeks. And the first book by King I've read. Was it good? Well, the story is, if you ignore the part where the kids have sex in the sewers... My problem with King is he fills pages with details that end up having no bearing on the story. The copy I was reading was 1090 pages long. (I was surprised the library didn't have a hardcover edition.) Basically, the story is about unnatural brutal murders of children in and around the town of Derry. The story switches from 1958 to 1985, with the same characters who find out what is causing the murders and put an end to it once and for all.
* Porno by Irvine Welsh I blogged about that one here: LINK
* Lucky Man by Michael J. Fox Fox's memoirs, mainly about his life (including his acting career, though he doesn't do a lot of reminiscing over filming anything), and his discovery, coping with, and eventual acceptance of Parkinson's Disease. Well-written, and easy to read! I was actually glad he didn't do a lot about his acting, because I've seen biographies that focus more on the person's work and then their life becomes secondary. (Try From Prince Of Splatter To Lord of the Rings, a biography of Peter Jackson.)
* A Lion Among Men by Gregory Maguire I just returned this to the library today. I blogged about it here: LINK
Now, here's some books I want to read, but don't own, and the library doesn't have copies.
* Picnic At Hanging Rock by Joan Lindsay I love the movie, I hope I love the book. I tried getting it through interlibrary loan, but it was unavailable. And when I look for copies to buy, they're either too pricey for me at the moment, or at insane prices.
* Filth by Irvine Welsh Another recommendation, though the two other books I read by him weren't...
And someday, I'll have to finish The Silmarillion, The Unfinished Tales, and The Three Musketeers.
No comments:
Post a Comment