Saturday, January 5, 2008

Book list for 2008

I just finished reading "Atonement" by Ian McEwan. Wow. It's been a while since I read an actual adult novel as most of my reading usually is from the middle grade/young adult genre. I enjoyed the beauty of this book, the stringing together of the characters lives--their conflicts and desires. The scenes capturing England's battle against the Germans transported me instantly. The sensory details, as you can imagine when writing about war, were raw, powerful and in many cases, just plain sad. It's been a while since I shed a few tears over a novel. The ending of this book, had me sitting in silence, weeping, for about five minutes. Read it.
So, Atonement begins my 2008 reading list. Luxe by Anna Godbersen is next. If that captures my attention, and I finish it, then it's onto Storky by Debra Garfinkle (She was a guest author at the 2007 Big Sur Writing Conference, and lucky for me, my one-on-one consultant. She was quite nice and helpful BTW).
I have a whole shelf of novels waiting to be read. Some I've already started and can't quite get into. I remember Lisa Yee at the 2007 Los Angeles Writer's Day saying that she gives herself permission to put down a book she's not interested in. I silently cheered, because I do it all the time. But I don't want to. I want to give the author the time and respect they deserve and read the whole dang thing. I also try to remember that the books I read are meant for a much younger audience. So by keeping this in mind, I vow to read every book I commit to cover-to-cover. We'll see if that works.

7 comments:

  1. Hi Patty--I love your book list. Has it been on the blog all along, and I just missed it? I am always starting lists of books I've read and then I forget to keep it current. Listing them on the blog seems like a much easier way. I'm going to add it to my blog, too.

    I bought Atonement at the Planned Parenthood book sale and it has now worked it's way near the top of my pile. I imagine it will be a challenge after all the "children's literature" I've been reading, but I've been looking forward to it.

    M

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  2. Yeah, it's been there for a while. I had it hidden at the bottom and just recently moved it to the top. It's a good way to track what you read. BTW, The Luxe is wonderful. Not into the main plot yet but I love the writing (and in third person!)
    Patty

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  3. Now I'd just love to read it- just the thought of going into Indigo and picking that up with the intention of actually reading it. Your blog really makes me want to....but who am I kidding.
    tp

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  4. Hey Tam,
    I would love to see you read it as well. Although, I think you would love The Luxe. It's pretty fast paced and it's all about proper decorum/fashion in the early 1900's. It's like Vogue a hundred years ago! Yeah fashion!

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  5. Luxe is on my reading list, too. Thanks for stopping by my blog and offering your kind words. Best wishes to you on your writing! By the way, your artwork is wonderful.

    Vivian

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  6. Thanks, Vivian!
    Next year, I won't miss your deadline to sign up for your 30-Day challenge. Keep writing.
    Patty

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  7. Loving your picks...Atonement is high on my list too! I'm reading The Gathering by Ann Enright and loving it. There is a sentence on every page that just jumps out at me and screams "True!" I love Irish authors. I know what you mean about reading an adult novel after reading so many YAs. It's like that for me with The Gathering too. Luxe looks amazing. I'll have to check that out.

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