McKoala Days: What's in a name? #3

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

What's in a name? #3

I just read a book in which one of the characters was called 'Jem Stone'. And nobody seemed to notice.

Any recommendations for my convalescent reading? I'm going through a book a day at the moment so Mr Koala will be sent to the library again very soon.

6 comments:

writtenwyrdd said...: I would have noticed that!

If you haven't read Michelle Sagara's Elantra Chronicles, they are lush fantasy.

Sunshine by Robin McKinley is one of my latest favorites. I've reread it half a dozen times since it came out about 3 years ago.; 9:45 AM
writtenwyrdd said...: Just caught up on the posts. (See what happens when I am too busy to read every blog I like for a week? Imiss important things like your surgery!)

I am glad to hear you are feeling better. Glad you are recovering, and glad you didn't haven't anything serious wrong. Be well soon!; 9:46 AM
Robin B. said...: If they the book we read for the book chat- Sean Stewart's book Perfect Circle - that is one excellent read.

Also- if you haven't read Tim O'Brien, I'd recommend giving him a go.

Read Lolita lately?

P D James?; 5:37 PM
McKoala said...: Thanks WW and Robin! Mr Koala found Sunshine at the library, but no Michelle Sagara, Sean Stewart or Tim O'Brien.

Lolita! Funny one to ask about. I read it years ago.; 10:47 PM
Sarah Laurenson said...: Hm. Thought I answered this one, but I guess I got distracted.

Tamora Pierce's Tortall series - 4 books of Alanna, 4 books of Daine, 4 books of Kethry, 2 books of the Trickster. There is another book in this series that I started to read and haven't returned to so can't recommend it and her other series (The Circle Opens) isn't my favorite either. For me, there are too many characters and it's splintered. I don't like splintered.

Lois McMaster Bujold - oh, just about any of hers. Lots of series here.

Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card. First in a set of series but my favorite of them all. And he just came out with the immediate sequel to Ender's Game.

Elizabeth Moon - her Esmay Suiza series, Herris Serrano series, Paksenarrion series. The Speed of Dark - very different from the rest and really good.

All of the above - except for Card - feature strong female characters who kick butt. Card is strong kid characters kicking butt.

Here's to you kicking butt very soon.; 4:01 PM
Chris Eldin said...: I'm reading Edgar Sawtelle right now. I've been at it for a while, but it's actually very, very good.
You like dogs?; 5:54 PM

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The 2012 Koala Challenge

I think we'll call this column an 'example' of a typical month for a while...keep picking up the badges, though!

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McK's Top Ten Books 2011

I lost count a while ago. But it's well over 100 now, and I suspect it will be somewhere between 150 and 200 by the end of the year.

1. Before I Die - Jenny Downham According to my library, technically this is YA, but I think it defies genre. I think I managed not to cry until about page 25, but after that...I. Did. Not. Stop. Crying. Until I got to the end two and a half hours later. I couldn't stop reading either. Absolutely amazing. Utterly transcendent.
2. Dark Matter - Anita Paver I have a strange weakness for historical Arctic expeditions and this one added in one of my other weaknesses...ghoulies and ghosties. Admirably tight writing as well. Highly recommended.
3. Major Pettigrew's Last Stand - Helen Simonson Wonderful portrait of English village life with all its petty biases, plus a sharper undercurrent of racism. A beautiful story of love in the older generation, and it's funny too! The best thing, though, and the element that really made this story sing for me, was the strength of characters.
4. Ender's Game - Orson Scott Card Yes, I can't believe I hadn't read it before either. Isn't it good!
5. Room - Emma Donoghue Enchanting and utterly horrifying at the same time; an unforgettable read.
6. The Hunger Games - Suzanne Collins Ah, good old-fashioned adventure! Unputdownable.
7. Sixty Lights - Gail Jones Admirable, but oddly frustrating. Maybe a bit too 'surface literary' for my taste. Tells the story of a fascinating life, with some interesting motifs running through it, but personally I think I would have preferred a plainer style. That's just me though. And it makes the list.
8. The City in the Lake - Rachel Neumeir Just gorgeous!
9. The Harrowing - Alexandra Sokoloff A fairly traditional little horror tale that I zipped through in a couple of hours - gave me a few genuine chills.
10. The Good Mayor - Andrew Nicoll - Didn't really come to life for me until around half way through, but then it really did!

Total books read so far this year: 85

McK still wants to read...
Most of the Orange Prize shortlist
Most of the Booker Prize shortlist
The Bird Sisters - Rebecca Rasmussen

McK's Top Ten Books - The Rules
Rules? What rules? One rule only - if McK is not impressed or entertained, it doesn't go on the Top Ten list. Oh, OK, rule number two - books on the Top Ten list will move around depending on how much McK is impressed or entertained.

McKoala Days

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

What's in a name? #3

6 comments:

The 2012 Koala Challenge

McK's Top Ten Books 2011

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