Journal Entry 1 by NICNIC2 from St Andrews, Scotland United Kingdom on Wednesday, November 07, 2007

A collection of reading notes made in my first reading journal. There are spoilers in here so read at your peril ;) 

Journal Entry 2 by NICNIC2 from St Andrews, Scotland United Kingdom on Wednesday, November 07, 2007

To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee
March/April 2006

In creating Scout, Harper Lee put herself on paper. She was a tomboy herself, like Scout and she hints that the females she/Scout observes are concerned with respectability and appearances. Calpurnia is a bit like this too but she has maternal qualities that redeem her. This novel shows racial prejudice on both sides of the fence and the death of Tom Robinson was quite sad and felt very needless. I think the Mockingbird in the title could refer to Tom or, equally, to justice and human rights. I would definately recommend this story. 

Journal Entry 3 by NICNIC2 from St Andrews, Scotland United Kingdom on Wednesday, November 07, 2007

Human Traces by Sebastian Faulks
April 2006

Very good story but too long - there's a lot that could be taken out with no detrimental effect on the story. An interesting account of the development of psychiatry and treatment of neurological disorders. A bit too neat in places - the characters fall in love very easily which strikes me as being a bit too twee.

Not sure about the ending but I'm not sure where else it could have gone. It is quite sad that Thomas has dementia at the end but I could see it coming from the start. Jacque's response to his son's death is excellently portrayed. A lot of the descriptions are evry vivid and this adds to the overall enjoyment of the story. I followed the lives of the main characters with interest but I think a lot of editing could have been done here. 

Journal Entry 4 by NICNIC2 from St Andrews, Scotland United Kingdom on Wednesday, November 07, 2007

The Time Traveller's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
May 2006

First of all I was surprised that he actually travelled in time. I thought he would have some neurological problem that made him regress mentally or something but, no, genuine time travel here people and not a tardis in sight.

Looking at my book journal entry from then I had it summed up as
a very romantic, sad and moving story that dealt with love and loss in an original way. I thought that Henry and Claire each spent some time waiting on the other. And I wonder, if Henry hadn't told Claire they would meet and get married would she have dated other people?? Maybe she would have ended up with someone else altogether. Or perhaps I'm missing something.

The saddest thing in the whole world is Henry's death and the fact that he knew it was coming. Henry also has to live his past over and over again which must have been a real pain. Also sad is the fact that Claire is waiting for Henry even after he dies but maybe the fact that she sees him again is a happy thing.

I would have liked to know what happened to Alba - if she had been cured, if she had wanted to be cured etc.

Time Traveller's Wife

 

Journal Entry 5 by NICNIC2 from St Andrews, Scotland United Kingdom on Wednesday, November 07, 2007

Shakespeare in a Nutshell by James Muirden
May 2006

I didn't enjoy this as much as I thought I would. It was good though and quite funny in places and I think i know a bit more about Shakespeare's plays now. One problem was that sometime I couldn't get the metre of the poems as a different one was used for each one. My favourite ones were Hamlet, most of the history plays, Pericles, Taming of the Shrew and Midsummer Night's Dream. 

Journal Entry 6 by NICNIC2 from St Andrews, Scotland United Kingdom on Wednesday, November 07, 2007

Sharpe's Havoc
March 2006

Not the nest Sharpe book I've read. it doesn't have the usaul gripping pace, at least not for the first half. In later sections it picks up and the main battle scences are as vivid as ever. The historical note is longer than usual which is good. Overall this is a good book, but not great, possibly because it isn't one of the original series. 

Journal Entry 7 by NICNIC2 from St Andrews, Scotland United Kingdom on Wednesday, November 07, 2007

The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseni
March 2006

I think the reason I didn't like this book so much as others did is that I didn't connect with Amir at all. I was still mad at him at the end even after his redemption.
I gave it 4 stars instead of 1 tho because it was an eye-opener with regards to life in Afhagnistan under the Taliban. Some truely shocking stuff happened there.I didn't expect the storyline at all. There is a lot of focus after the rape on Amir's need to atone for his failure to intervene. One amazing thing for me was Hassan's resilience. Another thing I disliked about Amir was his constant need for his father's approval. As a child this is understandable but to carry it for so long into adulthood is just irritating. But I think he earns his father's respect finally when he marries Soraya.

I had already guessed that Hassan was Amir's brother. And I think by adopting Sohrab Amir acheived his resemption at last by lifting Hassan's son out of a terrible life into one where he had a better chance. 

Journal Entry 8 by NICNIC2 from St Andrews, Scotland United Kingdom on Wednesday, November 07, 2007

Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro
June 2006

I generally like Kazuo Ishiguro's writing style but this is not one of my favourites. The story raises a lot of questions about human rights and the value we place on those rights when it comes to ourselves. Can our opinions be changed by circumstances that directly affect us? Would you want to live in country where the sort of situation described in the book existed?

I thought that the use of the term 'donations' was very clever. Depending on your interpretation of the word you might feel, like I did, that it was used by the authorities to disguise the fact that there was no other choice but to donate. I suppose it might have made it easier for the children to deal with - appearing to be a voluntary act rather than an enforced one.
What bothered me was the acceptance by the donators/carers that their entire lives consisted of live, donate, and die. That's it. No protests, no question. Unless I missed something (not unlikely ).

All in all I'd say it’s worth reading, if only because it makes you think. An interesting question is this: if you had a clone of your current self would you expect and accept it to have the same rights as you (in light of the story you've just read and of the medical implications of having a clone)? Distressingly, I can't answer. Does that make me a terrible person? Answers on a postcard 

Journal Entry 9 by NICNIC2 from St Andrews, Scotland United Kingdom on Wednesday, November 07, 2007

This Blinding Absence of Light by Tahar Ben Jelloun
June 2006

Quite good for a story with such a depressing theme. Based on true events which lends it a necessary shocking aspect to keep you reading. Poignant descriptioms as the characters die one by one. It would have benefited from more of a story after Salim is released. A historical note would also have been nice.

Very well written, it is impossible to imagine 20 years without light in a tiny cell with hardly any food. Quite a harrowing story when thought of as true events.

Blinding Absence of Light 

Journal Entry 10 by NICNIC2 from St Andrews, Scotland United Kingdom on Wednesday, November 07, 2007

The Poe Shadow by Matthew Pearl
June 2006

Not as good as The Dante Club, mainly because it lacks pace. At several points I found myself questioning Quentin Clark's sanity. The mystery of Edgar Allen Poe's death and last living days is not really mysterious enough to compel the reader on its own. However, the new facts that the author has managed to uncover are intersting.

It is difficult not to compare this book to Dante Club which had a much more exciting if equally slow plot. The chracters here are excellently portrayed and it is possible to imagine the Baron, Bonjour and Dupont as they run around Baltimore in the 19th century. All in all this is a good book but I don't think I'd go back to it. 

Journal Entry 11 by NICNIC2 from St Andrews, Scotland United Kingdom on Wednesday, November 07, 2007

The History of Love by Nicole Krauss
April 2006

An annoying book with an annoying ending. Too many unanswered questions. Nice character portrayals though and an interesting concept about loving one person your entire life and letting it consume you. I find the self-pity in the characters irritating but it does suit this story. Not one I'd recommend. 

Journal Entry 12 by NICNIC2 from St Andrews, Scotland United Kingdom on Wednesday, November 07, 2007

Sharpe's Eagle by Bernard Cornwell
April 2006

This was the first Sharpe book ever written. It is very fast paced amd engaging with vivid descriptions of battles and little pieces of historical fact scattered all over. Not my favourite Sharpe story but plenty of goosebump moments, especially when the eagle is taken. There is a french eagle at Edinburgh castle if anyone ever gets a chance to visit :) 

Journal Entry 13 by NICNIC2 from St Andrews, Scotland United Kingdom on Wednesday, November 07, 2007

Sharpe's Gold by Bernard Cornwell
May 2006

One of the best Sharpe stories. Fantastic ending, especially when you find out what the gold is for. Nice to finally meet Teresa too. Will have to find out more about Torres Vedras now. 

Journal Entry 14 by NICNIC2 from St Andrews, Scotland United Kingdom on Wednesday, November 07, 2007

The Oxford Murders by Guillermo Martinez
May 2006

This was ok, a good detective story with some unforeseen twists in the plot. Leaves you questioning your opinions on right and wrong. The constant maths references made me feel a bit slow but overall it was a good read.

Oxford Murders 

Journal Entry 15 by NICNIC2 from St Andrews, Scotland United Kingdom on Wednesday, November 07, 2007

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime by Mark Haddon
June 2006

Very well written. An interesting way of writing, telling teh story through a narrator with Asperger's. Lots of intersting revelations about the condition too.

A sad story I thought, which highlights the ignorance of the general public who assume Christopher is mad because he has problems with social interaction. The parents point of view can be sympathized with as Christopher cannot identify emotions. Left me curoius about Asperger's in general. Why doesn;t he like certain colours for example?
I liked the happy ending for Christopher and I would recommend this book. 

Journal Entry 16 by NICNIC2 from St Andrews, Scotland United Kingdom on Friday, November 09, 2007

The Door by Magda Szabo
June 2006

This was on the 2006 Independent Foreign Fiction list. Written in 1987, this is one of the most tense books I've ever read. The novel explores the idea that it is possible for someone to live only within a world that they create and that removal from that world can lead to death. It also explores guilt, atonement and the need to give and receive love.

I found this quite exhausting, especially towards the end when the tension is continually building and disaster seems iminent. There is no happy ending just grief and guilt so I suppose it could be summed up as being a sad story. Definately worth reading and I would read more of this author. 

Journal Entry 17 by NICNIC2 from St Andrews, Scotland United Kingdom on Friday, November 09, 2007

Star of the Sea by Joseph O'Connor
June/July 2006

Set in and around the Irish famine of the 1840s. I don't like how Britain gets the blame here. What happened to the Irish was shocking and undoubtedly there was more that could be done to help but that does not make the whole thing Britain's fault. The story within the novel is good but a little predictable towards the end. A few interesting twists and some important revelations are made in a passing fashion. But the anti-british feeling ruined it for me. I wouldn't recommend it.



Star of the Sea 

Journal Entry 18 by NICNIC2 from St Andrews, Scotland United Kingdom on Friday, November 09, 2007

The Sixth Lamentation by William Brodrick
July 2006

Complex and very moving storyline. Lots of characters which sometimes creates confusion but a good idea for a novel in general. The novel touches on betrayal, lief, death and forgiveness using particular events of teh German occupation of France. The story raises qustions about the possibility of redemption for war criminals. It also explores how events have consequences through generations. A thought-provoking and engaging novel with several unexpected twists. Recommended. 

Journal Entry 19 by NICNIC2 from St Andrews, Scotland United Kingdom on Friday, November 09, 2007

The Last Witchfinder by James Morrow
July 2006

A long involved story with a mixture of fact and fiction. The story is narrated by a book but I'm not sure how that was important to the story. The main point I see is that reason will always win in the end, even if it does take 300 years and over 800,000 deaths to get there. It was hard not to feel exasperated by the narrow minds of some of the people in this book.
The story has fictional characters mingling with real ones which I always like. I thought Abby and Dunstan had fittng ends, even if slightly tragic in Dunstan's case. I suppose a major point is that for every set of beliefs and ideas there is an counter-argument that is equal or greater in strength. this story is full of suspense and full of humour but it dragged a bit towards the end. Not bad, but not great. 

Journal Entry 20 by NICNIC2 from St Andrews, Scotland United Kingdom on Sunday, February 24, 2008

The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield
18th-24th Feb 2008

Well I loved it in spite of its implausabilities

I thought this was a really good first ovel with a great twist towards the end...not the fact that there were 3 girls (I had guessed that ages ago) but the fact that it was Emmeline not Adeline who died in the fire. That for me was the most tragic part of the whole novel.

I liked the nice neat finish too - no loose ends to worry over. I'm also glad that Aurelius got a family in the end and that Margaret found some happiness, it might be twee but it still makes a change from other doom and gloom endings.

The concept of time in this novel is confounding. We've no idea when it is set and no idea how old the characters are so it was difficult to try and formulate a theory that correctly placed each character. Very clever

This novel really highlights the dangers of bad parenting. I liked the idea that the twins had this unsurmountable bond that lasted even after death e.g. Adeline digging in the garden.

And I too am very jealous of that bookshop :lol: I gave this novel 5 stars as I was totally captive the full time I was reading it. I'll definately be looking out for more from this author. 

Journal Entry 21 by NICNIC2 from St Andrews, Scotland United Kingdom on Sunday, February 24, 2008

The Hours by Michael Cunningham
July 2006

Lovely style of prose. Each chracter feels that their life is sometimes an intrusion. None of the women appear to be sexually liberated. the link between the 3 women is finally revealed towards the end with Virginia Woolf's part being slightly spooky. A good read but I feel like I missed something

The Hours 

Journal Entry 22 by NICNIC2 from St Andrews, Scotland United Kingdom on Sunday, February 24, 2008

All For Love by Dan Jacobson
July-August 2006

Very good novel. Written in a style that involves the reader giving them private insights into the outcome of the story. Louise and Mattachich are both very childish characters, full of self-importantance and indignance at their treatment. Maria's part is very touching and it is a pity she was not properly acknowledged by either party. 

Journal Entry 23 by NICNIC2 from St Andrews, Scotland United Kingdom on Saturday, April 25, 2009

Disobedience by Naomi Alderman
August 2006

Hmmm. A bit irritating to be honest. The author clearly feels that her right to her own sexual identity are threatened. The story explores the pressures of living within a religious community and the effects of these pressures on personal development. It does give an interesting insight into Judaism but the religion is portrayed as being rather narrow-minded in its principals, although it is more liberal in tis womens rights than some others I think. I found Ronit an annoying character - too loud and obnoxious. I liked Esti more, especially at the end when she felt empowered enough to just be herself. I suppose the main themes are self-awareness and , more importantly, self-acceptance. Not one I'd recommend but its not awful either.

Disobedience
 

Journal Entry 24 by NICNIC2 from St Andrews, Scotland United Kingdom on Saturday, April 25, 2009

Case Histories by Kate Atkinson
August 2006

A very compelling and somewhat haunting story. Especially the thread following the Land family and the disappearance of Olivia. A few good twists towards the end, e.g. Shirley being the killer, not Michelle, and Sylvia's involvement with Olivia's death. A few good red herrings too like Victors abuse of his children and Laura's teachers crush on her. The story portrays grief, love, death and to some extent mental illness in a very vivid fashion. It has a classic detective novel feel wiwth a disturbingly realistic modern twist. There was a happy ending of sorts I suppose for everyone. I would have liked to find out what happened to Caroline though. Would definitely recommend this book.


Case Histories