(no subject)

[sasha_feather]

Here is an update! I am tired and sleeping A LOT.

2011 book and reading review: I'm still not reading as much as I used to, but I'm less concerned about it. My priorities in life have shifted, and my reading tastes have shifted. It now feels as if novels waste my time, but fanfic, graphic novels, news articles, and other forms of writing are valuable and enjoyable. Also the few books I do read, I seem to enjoy, so maybe I am picking books better.

Books I read in 2011 that I would recommend:
1. The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot
2-4. The Xenogenesis Trilogy by Octavia Butler (Dawn, Adulthood Rites, Imago)
5. Among Others by Jo Walton
6-7. The Dragon Keeper and Dragon Haven by Robin Hobb (Rain Wilds Chronicles 1 and 2)
8. The Tempering of Men by Sarah Monette and Elizabeth Bear (Iskryne #2)
9. Ammonite, Nicola Griffith
10. Hereville, or How Mirka got her Sword, Barry Deutsch (graphic novel)
11. How to Understand Israel in 60 Days or Less, Sarah Glidden (graphic novel)
12. Batwoman Elegy, Greg Rucka (comic)

Other books I read:

13. Liar, Justine Larbalestier (sort of frustrating)
14. Saints Astray, Jacqueline Carey (a big disappointment of a book)
15. Good Omens, Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman (boring!)
16. Troll, a love story, Johanna Sinisalo (creepy!)
17-18. Plain Janes, Janes in Love by Cecil Castelluci (graphic novels) (cute and fun but not awesome)
19. The Eternal Smile: three stories, Gene Luen Yang (I liked this but didn't *love* it)

total 19 books
women authors 12
male authors 5
authors of color 3
nonfiction 1

Comments

[izzy]

since it's kind of one of my favorite books ever, i must ask:

15. Good Omens, Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman (boring!)

why?

[sasha_feather]

I'm not sure. I thought about the fact that it relies on Christian theology to tell its tale. I had to do some work to abandon my Xtian upbringing, so to suspend my disbelief (thus going back to believing these things for the space of a novel) even for the sake of a satire was not actually fun for me. I was disappointed that Crowley and Aziraphale were wink-wink gay, but in that harmless way where they never have sex, you know. The perspective kept shifting to new characters, most of whom I didn't really engage with, and after a while it just felt like a chore to keep reading the book. I just didn't get much out of it; maybe I read it at the wrong time in my life.

[eggcrack]

The Xenogenesis Trilogy! One of my most favorite book series ever. <3

I love Troll, a love story, as much as the English title of the book baffles me. Then again the original title was a line from a well-known Finnish song so who knows how many copy right issues there were..

Anyway, your book count of the year looks pretty great to me.

[sasha_feather]

Yes, Troll didn't exactly seem like a love story! I enjoyed reading the book but found it awfully disturbing. Have you seen the Norwegian movie "Troll hunter"? It's pretty great.

[eggcrack]

I've heard about Troll Hunter, but I didn't know it's out already! Maybe not in my country yet, but I'll be sure to keep an eye on it.

And no, it wasn't a love story exactly. The song the book refers to was about a tragic romance of sort, but the book itself is all dark.

[sophygurl]

I also read the Xenogensis trilogy this year, along with every other novel by Butler - all in fairly rapid succession. :)