The Book Whisperer

jottings, musings and recommendations of an incurable bookaholic

Boof’s Challenge Update June 21, 2010

Filed under: Uncategorized — The Book Whisperer @ 11:32 am
Tags:

Bath, book, wine - what else is there?

At the beginning of this year, when I started blogging, I spent a lot of time surfing round any book blog I could find to see what other people wrote about and what was popular etc. One of the beggest things I found was that book bloggers appear to be obsessed with challenges. So after some careful consideration and narrowing the thousands of choices available to just a handfull I finally chose the following: Typically British, Thrillers and Suspense, Global Challenge, Our Mutual Read and Chunksters.

 

To be honest, I’ve been really lazy about keeping up with updating my challenges so I thought it about high time that I rectify that with a little post about where I am YTD:

Typically British

My challenge for this task was to read 8 book by British authors during the cours of 2010. It turns out that I am really patriotic, however, as I have already read 15!

Yay for the Brits!

1) Corrag by Susan Fletcher

2) East Lynne by Ellen Wood

3) Shakespeares’ Truth by Rex Richards

4) The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters

5) The Hanging Valley by Peter Robinson

6) Fever of the Bone by Val McDermid

7) In a Dry Season by Peter Robinson

8) The Victorian Chaise-Longue by Marghanita Laski

9) Blueeyedboy by Joanne Harris

10) Part of the Furniture by Mary Wesley

11) Little Boy Lost by Marghanita Laski

12) North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell

13) The Camomile Lawn by Mary Wesley

14) The Land of the Living by Nicci French

15) Caedmon’s Song by Peter Robinson

 

Chunksters

For this challenge I had to read 4 books with 450+ pages during the course of 2010. I have read 5 so far:

1) East Lynne by Ellen Wood

2) The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters

3) Blueeyedboy by Joanne Harris

4) The Help by Kathryn Stockett

5) The Book of Negroes by Lawrence Hill

 

Thrillers and Suspense

 

Whodunnit???

 I planned to read 8 thriller / suspense novels this year but due to my clearly morbid taste I have already read 14 of them! I do love me some good ole whodunnits!

1) The Cradle Will Fall by Mary Higgins Clark

2) The Hanging Valley by Peter Robinson

3) You Belong to Me by Mary Higgins Clark

4) In a Dry Season by Peter Robinson

5) The Snowman by Jo Nesbo

6) Let Me Call You Sweetheart by Mary Higgins Clark

7) Retribution by Jilliane Hoffman

8) Fever of the Bone by Val McDermid

9) Say Goodbye by Lisa Gardner

10) The Second Time Around by Mary Higgins Clark

11) The Shadow of Your Smile by Mary Higgins Clark

12) The Land of the Living by Nicci French

13) Caedmon’s Song by Peter Robinson

14) Caught by Harlan Coben

 

Our Mutual Read

 

Them Victorians!

 I just love those Victorians! This challenge is to read 12 books in 2010 from the Victorian era. Six of them must have been written between 1837-1901 and the other six can have been published later but must be set in Victorian times. Considering that this genre is one of my favourites I am not doing too well on this challenge yet. I have read a total of 6 but most of those are from the ne0-vic category. I must pick up some more Collins and Gaskell SOON!

1) East Lynne by Ellen Wood

2) Soulless by Gail Carriger

3) Alice I Have Been by Melanie Brown

4) The Victorian Chaise-Longue by Marghanita Laski

5) A Woman’s Life by Guy de Maupassant

6) North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell

 

Global

Globe-trotting!

I am a huge culture vulture and have actaully been to nearly 30 different countries around the world (I love exploring new places) so I just had to join in this challenge. The task is to read 2 books from each continent in 2010. So far I have read 7 out of the 14 I need:

AFRICA: The Book of Negroes by Lawrence Hill (Sierra Leone)

ASIA: The Japanese Lover by Rani Mancura (Malaysia)

Mornings in Jenin by Susan Abulhawa (Israel)

AUSTRALASIA: None as yet

EUROPE: The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters (England)

The Snowman by Jo Nesbo (Norway)

NORTH AMERICA: The Help by Kathryn Stockett (USA)

The Shadow of Your Smile by Mary Higgins Clark (USA)

SOUTH AMERICA: None as yet

ANTARCTICA: None as yet

 

For reviews on any of the above books please go to the review tab and you will find most of the books above listed there.

Are you doing any of these challenges? How are you getting on with yours?

 

Boof’s Blah Blah Blah’s May 11, 2010

Filed under: Uncategorized — The Book Whisperer @ 10:37 am
Tags: ,

Pussy cat, pussy cat where have you been?

I’ve been to London to see the Queen!

Ok, not exactly the Queen, but a group of UK book bloggers instead (far more exciting!). This meet-up was organised by Simon of Stuck In A Book and 18 of us turned up to chat, eat and swap books.

I managed to get a couple of London book shops in before I met up with the gang – a seconh hand bookshop that had nooks and crannies everywhere where I managed to pick up a couple of Amos Oz’s books (which I have been dying to read as he is an Israeli author and I used to live in Israel). Then I found Foyles which is the largest independent bookshop in London and I was like a kid in a sweet shop! All these thousands of beautiful books just calling my name from the shelves (it would have been rude to leave them all there so I got 3!) I got Mary Wesley’s The Camomile Lawn as I have just read another of hers and adored it, Dashiell Hammett’s The Maltese Falcon (for Nymeth’s 1930′s challenge) and Edward Rutherford’s The Forrest which I can’t wait to read as I love books with nature and animals.

My lovely new books!

Then I headed over to meet ithe others in the Persophone book shop which was so pretty: all these gorgeous books piled high with matching bookmarks for each. Again, how rude would it have been to walk out empty handed (so I got 3 again!) After a quick pit-stop in Starbucks we headed down the road to The Lamb, where Simon had hired us a room and here are the lovely peeps who I met:

Annabel (Gaskella)
Claire (Paperback Reader)
David (Follow the Thread)
Guy (Pursewarden)
Hayley (Desperate Reader)
Jackie (Farm Lane Books)
Katy (5th Estate)
Kim (Reading Matters)
Kirsty (Other Stories)
Lizzy/Marcia (Lizzy’s Literary Life)
Naomi (Bloomsbury Bell)
Polly (Novel Insights)
Rachel (Book Snob)
Sakura (Chasing Bawa)
Simon (Savidge Reads)
Verity (The B Files / Verity’s Virago Venture)

One of the highlights of the evening (as any bookaholic will know) was our book lucky-dip! We all donated a book (wrapped) and then picked another out of the pile.

It was like Christmas!

 

The book I picked up was from Sakura and although it’s not one I have heard of before it looks really good. It’s called The Makioka Sisters by Junichiro Tanizaki. I have heard that there is a group read going on for this book sometime in the summer so I will look out for that.

It was so lovley to meet up with so many like-minded people on Saturday and yes, the conversation was all about books, books and more books (with a hefty does of recommendations that I will, of course, now have to seek out for myself.)

 

A competition for the chance to decide the plot of an authors book!

This is a prize if I ever saw one. My fabulous friend Lori, over at The Next Best Book Blog, has a competition open until 15th May where not only can you win a copy of a book called The Book (which sounds really good – especially if you like dystopian fiction as I do) but also there is an opportunity to have your idea turned into the authors next book with your name up in lights in the book itself when it comes out.

All you have to do is write the outline of a plot (about anything at all) in less than 300 words! I will be entering myself as I really want a copy of that book if nothing else. Hop on over to Lori’s blog to check it out.

 

1930′s mini challenge

I am jumping at the chance of joining in this mini challenge as I have read a few books lately that have been set between the wars and so the 1930s sounded right up my street. The lovely Nymeth of Things Mean A Lot has come up with this challenge and I have already started on my first book – The Camomile Lawn by Mary Wesley.

I have a few more already lined up and ready to go like some Dorothy L Sayers, more Mary Wesley, Dashiell Hammett, a couple of Persophone’s etc. Any one else fancy joining in?

 

 

 

My beauties!

 

Our Mutual Read Challenge February 8, 2010

Filed under: Uncategorized — The Book Whisperer @ 11:52 am
Tags:

My second book in this challenge is completed.

 

1) Soulless by Gail Carriger

2) Alice I Have Been by Melanie Benjamin

 

Both of these books fall into the neo-vic category.

10 to go!

This challenge is hosted by Amanda at The Blog Jar

 

Global Reading Challenge February 7, 2010

Filed under: Globe Trotting — The Book Whisperer @ 9:35 pm
Tags:

I think I’m getting a bit challebge- happy today but when I saw this one I just had to answer. I love books set around the globe!

This challenge is hosted here and these are the rules:

 

The Easy Challenge
Read one novel from each of these continents in the course of 2010:
Africa
Asia
Australasia
Europe
North America (incl Central America)
South AmericaThe Medium Challenge
Read two novels from each of these continents in the course of 2010:
Africa
Asia
Australasia
Europe
North America (incl Central America)
South AmericaThe Expert Challenge
Read two novels from each of these continents in the course of 2010:
Africa
Asia
Australasia
Europe
North America (incl Central America)
South America
Add two novels which are set in Antarctica.

From your own continent: try to find a country, state or author that is new to you.

Try to find novels from twelve different countries or states.

Select novels from fourteen different countries or states.

 

 

I’m going for the expert challenge! This challenge will be backdated to Jan 1st 2010 so in that case I have already done:

The Expert Challenge
Read two novels from each of these continents in the course of 2010:
Africa
Asia – Mornings in Jenin by Susan Abulhawa (set in Israel)
Australasia
Europe  – Corrag by Susan Fletcher (set in Scotland) and Soulless by Gail carriger (set in England)
North America (incl Central America) – The Cradle Will Fall by Mary Higgins Clark (set in USA)
South America
Add two novels which are set in Antarctica.

 

Chunkster Challenge February 7, 2010

Filed under: Uncategorized — The Book Whisperer @ 9:05 pm
Tags:

I have decided to join in the Chunkster Challenge for 2010 which started on Feb 1st. This challenge is hosted here and here are the details:

Definition of a Chunkster:

  • A chunkster is 450 pages or more of ADULT literature (fiction or nonfiction) … A chunkster should be a challenge.
  • If you read large type books your book will need to be 525 pages or more … The average large type book is 10-15% longer or more so I think that was a fair estimate.

The Rules:

  • No Audio books in the chunkster. It just doesn’t seem right. Words on paper for this one folks.
  • No e-Books allowed – we are reading traditional, fat books for this challenge.
  • Short Stories and Essay collections will not be counted.
  • Books may crossover with other challenges
  • Anyone may join. If you don’t have a blog, just leave me a comment on this post with your progress (and to let me know you are playing)
  • You don’t need to list your books ahead of time.
  • Once you pick a level, that’s it…you’re committed to that level!

You must pick a level of participation (thanks again to Dana for the humor in these categories!):

  1. The Chubby Chunkster – this option is for the reader who has a couple of large tomes on their TBR list, but really doesn’t want to commit to much more than that. 3 books is all you need to finish this challenge.
  2. Do These Books Make my Butt Look Big? – this option is for the slightly heavier reader who wants to commit to 4 Chunksters over the next twelve months.
  3. Mor-book-ly Obese – This is for the truly out of control chunkster. For this level of challenge you must commit to 6 or more chunksters OR three tomes of 750 pages or more. You know you want to…..go on and give in to your cravings.

 

I think I am going to go for the Do These Books Make my Butt Look Big? challenge (to start). I haven’t decided which books will be in this yet but I am reading The Little Stranger now which has 500 pages so that will count towards it.

 

Is anyone else doing this challenge?

 

Our Mutual Read Challenge #1 January 15, 2010

Filed under: Gail Carriger — The Book Whisperer @ 5:42 pm
Tags:

 My first book in this challenge is completed.

I have read Soulless by Gail Carriger which falls into the Neo-Vic category as it is set in Victorian time. See my review of this book.

1) Soulless by Gail Carriger

11 to go!

 

This challenge is hosted by Amanda at The Blog Jar

 

New Book Challenge – Our Mutual Read January 13, 2010

Filed under: The Victorians — The Book Whisperer @ 12:03 pm
Tags:

I’ve found a great new challenge (this one was made for me!). It’s called Our Mutual Read and here are the details:

It’s hosted by Amanda at The Blog Jar. The aim is to read books published during the Victorian times or Neo-Victorian books (books set in Victorian times).  

Next, decide on what level you’d like to participate:
~ Level 1:  4 books, at least 2 written during 1837 – 1901.  The other books may be Neo-Victorian or non-fiction.
~ Level 2:  8 books, at least 4 written during 1837 – 1901.  The other books may be Neo-Victorian or non-fiction.
~ Level 3:  12 books, at least 6 written during 1837 – 1901.  The other books may be Neo-Victorian or non-fiction.

Then, determine if you are up to a mini-challenge:
Period Film Mini-Challenge — watch at least 6 films that take place between 1837 – 1901 (they don’t necessarily have to be based on a book) and post a review.

Short Story Mini-Challenge — read 12 short stories written or taking place between 1837 – 1901 and post a review.

This challenge will run from January 1st, 2010 to December 31st 2010.  And it is completely okay to double-dip, what you read/watch here can count on other challenges!

I’m going to go in for Level 3 and read 12! Ambitous I know, but I think I can do it. For those that don’t know, I co-run the Victorians group on Goodreads so this will tie in nicely with our group reads.

I’ll update as I read.

 

Typically British Challenge January 8, 2010

Filed under: Frances Hodgson Burnett,Joanne Harris,Rose Tremain — The Book Whisperer @ 3:41 pm
Tags:

 I have joined a new challenge in support of my fellow country-men and British authors! This is hosted by Book Chick City and here are the rules:

Timeline: 1st Jan 2010~ 31st Dec 2010. Only books started on January 1st count towards this challenge.
 
Details:
 
1. Anyone can join. You don’t need a blog to participate. 
 
2. There are four levels:
 
 • “Put The Kettle On” – Read 2 Typically British novels.
 • “Gordon Bennett” – Read 4 Typically British novels.
 • “Bob’s Your Uncle” – Read 6 Typically British novels.
 • “Cream Crackered” – Read 8 Typically British novels.
 
3. Any book format counts. Must be fiction not non-fiction.
 
4. You don’t have to select your books ahead of time, you can just add them as you go. Also if you do list them upfront then you can change them, nothing is set in stone! 
 
5. The books you choose can crossover into other challenges.
 
I’m going for the “cream crackered” option. There’s loads of books that I want to read that are by Brisith authors, some to be released this year and some that I have on Mt. TBR at home. Some of my picks at the moment are:
 

Blueeyedboy by Joanne Harris

Trespass by Rose Tremain

The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
 
Shirley by Charlotte Bronte
 
Moonstone by Wilkie Collins
 
 

Victorian Corner January 4, 2010

Filed under: Charlotte Bronte,The Victorians — The Book Whisperer @ 10:45 am
Tags:

I am a huge fan of Victorian lit. My favourite author is Charlotte Bronte (if you haven’t read Jane Eyre or Villette you missing a real treat). So when I came across this meme on Laura’s Reviews I just had to join in the challenge.

Challenge Details
 
1. The All About the Brontes challenge will run from January 1st to June 30, 2010.
 
2. You can read a book, watch a movie, listen to an audiobook, anything Bronte related that you would like. Reading, watching, or listening to a favorite Bronte related item again for the second, third, or more time is also allowed.
 
3. The goal will be to read, watch, listen, to 3 to 6 (or beyond) anything Bronte items.

There are a whole pile of suggestions on Laura’s blog: as well as the original works by the sisters there are a huge range o biographies as well as spin-off books like Daphne du Maurier’s Rebecca that were influenced by the Bronte’s.

My list for this challenge is:

Shirley – Charlotte Bronte

“Written at a time of social unrest, it is set during the period of the Napoleonic Wars, when economic hardship led to riots in the woollen district of Yorkshire. A mill-owner, Robert Moore, is determined to introduce new machinery despite fierce opposition from his workers; he ignores their suffering, and puts his own life at risk .Robert sees marriage to the wealthy Shirley Keeldar as the solution to his difficulties, but he loves his cousin Caroline. She suffers misery and frustration, and Shirley has her own ideas about the man she will choose to marry.”

Charlotte Bronte: A Passionate Life by Lyndall Gordon

“In this groundbreaking and unconventional biography, Lyndall Gordon dismantles the insistent image of Charlotte Bronte as a modest Victorian lady, the slave to duty in the shadow of tombstones, revealing instead a strong and fiery woman who shaped her own life and transformed it into art. “

The Infernal World of Branwell Bronte by Daphne Du Maurier

“As a bold and gifted child, Branwell Brontë’s promise seemed boundless to the three adoring sisters over whom his rule was complete. But as an adult, the precocious flame of genius flickered and burned low. With neither the strength nor the resources to counter rejection, unable to sell his paintings or publish his books, Branwell became a specter in the Brontë story, in pathetic contrast with the remarkable achievements of Charlotte, Anne, and Emily. Daphne du Maurier concentrates all her biographer’s skill on the shadowy figure of Branwell Brontë, and no reader could fail to be intensely moved by Branwell’s final retreat into laudanum, alcohol, and death.”

I have also set myself a challenge of reading a total of 10 Victorian novels for 2010 for my Victorians  group  on Goodreads. I keep changing my mind about what I want to read but some of the favourite contenders are:

The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins

North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell

Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens

Far from the Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy