Friday, May 11, 2012

Virtual Book Club

I'm way behind on keeping you all up to date on what I'm reading. And I'm sure you're all dying to know, it's probably making you insane that I have no handy dandy widget over there on the sidebar to share my 2012 book list with you all. (Maybe I'll do that today but I may go to the beach instead.)

I've kind of fallen off the book bandwagon because so many books suck lately . Do they suck more, or am I pickier as I get older? Not sure but it's been more of a chore than it should be.

But I have to share some stuff with you and I have to urge you to read these all for different reasons:

Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal : This book was brilliant. It was seriously the funniest, most clever book I've read--ever? I was trying to put a time frame on it but I really can't think of anything that tops it. It was a smart, interesting kind of funny; irreverent but not disrespectful. It's the fictional account of Christ's first 33 years (or whatever, I read it around Easter) that weren't accounted for in the Bible, told through the voice of his candid, real, hilarious childhood friend. I loved it. If I read it again, I'd probably find funny stuff I missed the first time, it's so many layers of clever.

The Book Thief : Man, this was a good book. The writing was really different but it was beautiful. It's narrated by Death, who takes an interest in a young girl during World War II when he sees her steal a book and then continues to notice her as he comes for people in her life. It's sweet and poignant and well-written. I read a brief snippet of it to Big Kid who is desperate to read it now, but it's too intense for him. I love that he recognizes good writing, though. I really liked it.

Right now I'm reading Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close and I only got it because it was on sale in the Nook store. I don't like anything that is blatantly trying to emotionally manipulate me (even though that's the purpose of a good book) and I don't like anything related to 9/11 and I get snotty about books that become movies (I'm too cool for them or something? Not sure.) But I cannot put it down. The main character has such a great "voice", the writing is fantastic, the pace is fast, the characters are rich and real and I very much want to know what happens. It is short and so hard to put down. And I do want to see the movie.

I read other stuff that sucked that I'll add to the widget that I'll make one day but these three are not to be missed. These 3 will make it difficult to choose a Book of the Year in December (or January or whenever I finally get around to it...) and it's only May right now! There are many hopefully good books left to be read.

12 comments:

Katie said...

Thanks for the review of Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close. My father-in-law picked it up several months ago and couldn't finish it. He said it was the weirdest book he'd ever read, and gave it to me. After his stellar review I had no desire to even start it, so it's been sitting in my garage ever since. I'm definitely looking forward to giving it a try now!

Sasha said...

What? No Fifty Shades of Grey? I kid. I did read the Hunger Games series in less than two weeks, which is monumental for me since I never have time to read.

Sarah Rooftops said...

I loved The Book Thief - such an unusual story. I read one other book by Zusak, I Am the Messenger, and raved about that one an awful lot, too.

Amy and Scott said...

Literally going to Amazon right now to order these. I've been book starved lately and your reviews convinced me. Done and done. Thanks.

Susie Q said...

Can you read the 50 Shades of Gray Trilogy just b/c I think you could write some hilarious posts on it?!? =)

Unknown said...

Haha about 50 shades of gray. I have a writer friend who is a long-time rival of that author (and a better writer) who is being tortured by the fame of that smut so I promised her I wouldn't read it. But then I thought about unpromising because I do like some smut occasionally, but then I heard of an excerpt that involved sexy tampon removal or something?? Gah. I don't even know. If I could suffer through it for the LOLs and to entertain you, I might.

Sasha, I saw your other comment about going to see the HG movie. You'll be team Gale all the way. Yu-um. The movie pales in comparison to the books though, it was a little too flat and tidy and unsensational in comparison.

Katie, I could see an older person (especially a FIL) not liking it but you must try it. It's weird in a quick, wonderful way (I hope the ending doesn't make me regret all this raving though...)

Steff said...

The Book Thief is one of my top favorite books, for sure! It's so great.

I've wanted to read Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close for a while now, I need to put it on the top of my list!

Caitlin said...

I LOVE "Lamb"! I haven't met anyone else who's read it :) I love Christopher Moore.

nova said...

I think I heard that The Book Thief has two versions, the super harsh one and another 'lighter' version for YA readers. I LOVED that book, near the end it got so intense I almost cried on the bus!

And hey Caitlin, I've read it too but honestly I didn't like it that much guys...sorry!

Sasha said...

Yes yes yes- team Gale! Those scenes where he was watching the TV and seeing her kiss Peeta... killed me. Oh he is hot. And he is dating Miley? I'm bothered by this because he seems much more mature than her. No salvia for him in my fantasies.

Oh, and my plan to get Mr. Sasha to read it after seeing how good the movie was backfired. He said "Why should I read it? I know what happens!" He is a walking advertisement for Cliff Notes.

Anonymous said...

Add "The Psychopath Test" Really well written. It's non-fiction but written in such a way that you think it is a story. I am now checking people that I know out. LOL.

The Adventures of Pia said...

sorry to your friend the writer, but 50 shades is super addicitve in the completely unrealistic and impossible way! I do also hate that I get sucked into these books that become movies but I at least like to read the book first so I know what I feel to be the "true version of how things happened. LOL I love hearing book suggestions keep them coming!