Book Report -- 2005 Reading List

Well, I've been making patterns and installing a new toilet (more on that another day), so no knitting has been done. I haven't knit in so many days that I actually feel weird about it. Usually I knit every day, so this is a big deal.

However, I have done some reading & finished a few books off of my 2005 realing list, so I thought I'd write a bit about them.

First up, Hominids by Robert J. Sawyer. I decided to read this book because it won the Hugo Award in 2003. Don't let that fool you, it's not your typical spaceship type sci-fi. It's a parallel universe story which explores the idea that Neanderthals flourished in another world. At the time that the story is set, a quantum computer glitch occurs which re-unites the Neaderthals' world and our own. Very well done, very quick reading. I liked this book so much that I went out the next day and got Calculating God, another book by Sawyer. It was also excellent and I will be reading more by him in the future.

Next, A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson. Bryson is an excellent travel writer. Notice I didn't say science writer. I checked this book out of the library 6 weeks ago and still haven't finished it. It's not that it wasn't good. . . it's just that I've read much better "popular" science books. (Try Simon Singh for some really excellent books of this type.) If you want to read a great book by Bryson, pick up A Walk in the Woods or I'm a Stranger Here Myself.

Blankets by Craig Thompson, was next. And I have to say that I relly loved this book! If you tried Marjane Satrapi and liked the graphic novel format, give this book a try. I sat down and read it straight through -- that's how good I thought it was. I'm sure I'll be tracking down a copy of Good-Bye, Chunky Rice, his first (I think?) book which is supposed to be somewhat of a cult classic from what I've read.

Well, I guess I've been reading more than I thought because I also finished Saturday by Ian McEwan. Excellent book. I just finished it and I look forward to reading it again. This book is simply an account of one man's Saturday, but of course there is so much more to it. Many levels, quite thought provoking. Really, I think you should read it!

Well, that's all the books that I have read off of my 2005 realing list. Looks like I'm going through them more quickly than I thought I would. Guess I'll have to find some more items to add. Any suggestions?

Comments

[erika]

goodbye chunky rice is really sweet and sad from what i remember. you should really go get it though, ive read and reread it dozens of times, and the line work is outa site.

[michele]

I just purchased 'Saturday' and am looking forward to reading it...I really liked 'Atonement'. Lately, I'm into memoirs. I just finished 'A Million Little Pieces' and I found it very very good. Take care.

[Vicki]

I really should read more, so little time. I've enver tried a graphic novel, but everyone seems to be getting into them lately. I'm always open to new things :)

[Teresa C]

I have the Bryson book on cd waiting for me to listen right now. I just finished reading to Second Glance by Jodi Picoult. My first book by her and I loved it. Have you read anything by her? If you have, which one should I read next? And have you read A Walk in the Woods by Bryson? (I think that is the title). My husband loved it.

[Teresa C]

Of course now that I read the post a little more carefully, rather than the quick browse before I comment.....

[Kristen]

I listened to that Bill Bryson (a favorite author) book on tape and it's not his typical funny book, but he sure makes learning about quantum physics entertaining! It was a disappointment to discover the BOT was- curses- abridged. Luckily I ran across the title in hardcover at the local Job Lot for $4 so now can read the entire book at my leisure.

[heatherly]

HI! i agree with you about simon singh! he makes you actually want to learn science, and you don't fall asleep in his lectures. we caught him on c-span a couple months ago. sounds nerdy, huh? loved it though.

[Leisel]

I've read Hominids... and Humans and Hybrids from the same trilogy. All very, very good.

[Sarah W.]

Hominids sounds really interesting - I'll have to check that one out. For recommendations, if you haven't read it yet, I recommend "Bel Canto" by Ann Patchett and a newly released book "Gods in Alabama" that's the first novel of Joshilyn Jackson (who has a blog!) and quite an enthralling read.