It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?
January 30, 2012 29 Comments
“It’s Monday! What are you reading?” is a weekly event hosted by Sheila at Bookjourney to share with others what you’ve read the past week and planning to read next.
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Have you been waiting for it? It’s time for another Literary Giveaway Blog Hop! It will run from February 18-22. Do you want to give away a book to your readers?
Join up so you are linked to all the other blogs that are participating.
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I read 3 books in the last week
The Collector by John Fowles. A Room-type story, but this time in the 1960s with a friendly abductor. 4 stars.
Spin by Catherine McKenzie. A woman goes undercover to a rehab clinic to follow a famous actress. But maybe she could do with some treatment herself. 4.5 stars
The Gargoyle by Andrew Davidson. A porn-star is badly burned in an accident and will never be beautiful again. He meets a woman who claims they have been lovers for the last 700 years. Is she mad? 4 stars
Currently Reading
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Adam the Roof Beam Reader is organising a Magical March Challenge in which participants read a number of magical, SF and fantasy novels. I’m taking part!
Reviews:
The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery. A janitor with a good taste in books and music pretends to be a working class woman with no such interests. But two of the people in her apartment building befriend her, and discover the real her. 3.5 stars
The End of Alice by A. M. Homes. The story of a pedophile in prison who writes with a young woman, who herself likes younger boys. Very disturbing. Very good. 4 stars
The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh. A girl is released from care and has to try and set up a life for herself. But events from the past make it very hard for her to think about a future. 4.5 stars
The Flight of Gemma Hardy by Margot Livesey. A Jane Eyre story taking place in the 1950s in Scotland. A great read for Jane Eyre lovers (and those who care slightly less). 4.5 stars
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That’s it! What are YOU reading this week?
About Leeswammes
I’m about to start The Little Stars by Marnia Endicott. This is a book I received from Random House to review. It will be published on February 2nd and I doubt that I’ll have my review up by then (the book is 500+ pages and I am working as well) but at least I won’t be too far behind the publishing date.
In other booknews, my bookclub will be meeting tomorrow to discuss Mistaken by Neil Jordan. I love my bookclub and always look forward to our monthly meetings.
No further reading plans for this week yet. I should try and get some of the library books I brought home read, but the review books keep on getting in the way.
Marleen, oh yes, the new Endicott! I hope you’re enjoying it! I wish I had my hands on a copy! I’m sure the publishers don’t mind a week or two delay.
Have a good time at the bookclub! We had a great meeting on Friday – no one liked The Finkler Question very much, but we still had a good discussion.
This is my first book by Endicott so I’m not sure what to expect, but it does sound interesting.
I will hopefully have the book read and my review up before the end of the week.
Oh, I remember The Collector! The movie was awesome, too. And I’m waiting for Spin. The Flight of Gemma Hardy is on my wish list.
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I haven’t seen the movie, Laurel-Rain, but if you say it’s so good, then I guess I should! It’s probably even more creepy than the book.
The Gargoyle sounds really interesting! I’d love to hear your thoughts on The Magician King – I wasn’t a huge fan, but lots of people seem to love it. And I’m excited to get to The Flight of Gemma Hardy in the next few months!
The Gargoyle is a bit odd, but a good read. Yes, do read Gemma Hardy – it’s very good.
You have chosen some great books! I remember the Collector too. I’ve been reading a Di Morrissey book this week called the Valley, about a forgotten country area in New South Wales, Australia. I haven’t adored every Di Morrissey book, but this is a good one. Loving it! xx
That sounds like a great book, Wendy. I don’t come across enough books that take place in Australia. I love it when I do.
I have started using the ‘bookmark’ feature while reading on my iPad, so I have a few notes for questions to send to you. I promise to do this soon (today). I have already been into the city and back.
Have a great reading week!
Mari, I didn’t write any reviews this weekend, just didn’t feel like it. I’m planning to send you my questions today too, or at the latest, tomorrow.
I think I have read The Collector. Sounds really familiar.
Have an awesome week!
It’s quite an old book, Dollycas so it’s very possible that it crossed your path at some point. Happy reading!
I enjoyed The Gargoyle immensely! It’s one I’d like to re-read one day.
I liked it but didn’t love it, Andi. I think the book is definitely full enough of ideas and stories that a re-read would be nice to discover some more.
Glad you liked The Gargoyle. Are you going to blog about it? As you know I loved it and am curious to hear more about what you thought about it.
Rikki, yes, I will blog about it. In fact, I was planning to write my review tonight, but I’m not seeing it happening just yet. But I will.
I loved The Gargoyle. Though my copy really does look like it’s been in a fire, it’s got damp at some point and all the lovely black edging has leached into the paper!
Ellie, I guess that’s very suitable although maybe not handy if you were to re-read it. Funny, though!
I am glad to see you enjoyed The End of Alice. It almost seems like my kind of book, but at the same time I’m afraid it’s actually too creepy for me.
Dixie, it wasn’t a pleasant reading experience, but it was an experience I won’t easily forget.
The Language of Flowers is on my wishlist. I finished a nice mix of things. Please come see what I’m reading now.
Love your blog, hoping by to see what your reading and to become a new follower…
http://breathoflifebookreviews.blogspot.com/
Oh I want The Language of Flowers too. It sounds so interesting 🙂
Tes, I’m quite sure (close to 100%) that you will love this book!
Glad to see that you enjoyed Gargoyle! It’s been on my wishlist ever since I started reading blogs.
Aths, Gargoyle is a strange, but fun book, I thought.
Thanks for the great list; I’m off to the library to find some of them.
Really enjoyed the Language of Flowers (reviewed). Gemma Harding was fun (but Jane Eyre was better – my review coming soon).
Looking out for your review, RFW!