[4] on chesil beach : ian mcewan

I picked up this book a week or so ago because it looked small and like I might be able to finish it in an afternoon.  Previously, I had tried reading McEwan's Atonement but failed miserably. I didn't end up loving On Chesil Beach, but I also didn't hate it. The story of a couple on their wedding night, I found it to be horribly sad.

It did get me in the mood to read more literature set in England, so I followed it up with The Tea Rose.

disclosure: I purchased my copy of 'ON CHESIL BEACH' from a yard sale.

[3] a gate at the stairs : lorrie moore

So far this year my reading choices have been pretty great.  Lorrie Moore's A Gate at the Stairs which I finished yesterday, is definitely my favorite of the three I have read this year.

I've never read anything by Moore before though I know that I have been recommended books that she has written - something about a Frog Hospital rings a bell, I will definitely have to look it up later.

This book follows one character, Tassie, from December of her freshman year in college when she is trying to look for a babysitting job for her Spring semester, through the next December.  I don't want to give anything away about this book, other than I loved it!  Topics throughout the novel include race, war and infidelity.  Quite the page-turner!

I've had this book since 2009 when I picked up an ARC at a book sale in Flushing - so I have not yet fallen off the wagon for the TBR dare!

[2] the house on mango street : sandra cisneros

Two books and posts in one day seems like a miracle around here but I am really trying this year!

I can't believe that I have never read this book!  The House on Mango Street seems like something that everyone would have had to read in middle/high school but somehow I missed it. Immediately I loved Esperanza and her story-telling.  Being as short as it is, I finished this little gem in about an hour and change, and I think that this was the perfect length for it, fitting with the narrator's style perfectly.



[disclosure] I purchased this book at a rummage sale for $1.50 -- Since I forgot to mention, I received my copy of Howards End is on the Landing from paperbackswap.

[1] howards end is on the landing : susan hill

Only two days into 2011 and I have already read my first book, Susan Hill's Howards End is on the Landing was a great way to start off my reading.  The main reason I wanted to begin with this book was to be motivated not only for the TBR dare but for the entire year to read mainly books that I already own.  It sounds like Ms. Hill has quite a few more books around her house than I do, but we are quickly running out of room in our apartment for bookcases so I need to work with what I have.

I enjoyed how each chapter she moved onto a different type of book or author that she would like to re-read or read for the first time. Also, I found the people she has met in her life to be extraordinary if only EM Forster could have dropped a book on my foot in a library!

This was a great light read and has a beautiful cover, highly recommend.

chunkster challenge (02.01.11-01.31.12)

This year I am signing up for the Chunkster Challenge hosted by Caribousmom, in order to read some of those hefty looking books on my shelves.  Here are the rules:

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!

I am going to sign up at the Plump Primer level which involves reading six chunksters, which I am sure I will be able to wrangle up.

Possible Reads include...

Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrel, Women in Love, The Adventures of Augie March, Sea of Poppies... 

1.1.11

happy new year!

I am looking forward to a clean slate to not only my reading this year but also to blogging!  2010 didn't yield the results I was hoping for in the literary section of my life, overall it was a tough year with a few nice parts.

Looking at 2010's reading goals, I found that I really only had one, which was to not buy any books, I did make it about half way through the year but then failed miserably.  Last year I started with 123 books in my TBR pile - and this year I have 144!  How did this happen?  I read a total of 51 books in 2010, not too shabby.

In 2011 I am hoping to read more of my own books.  I have even started off this year with the book Howard's End is on the Landing by Susan Hill to motivate me.  I am going to participate in The TBR Dare and go from January 1st to April 1st reading only books that I have previously on my shelf.  I have plenty to choose from so I don't think it will be a problem!

Hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season and a great new year!