LAURA ESQUIVAL – Like Water for Chocolate

Acquired via BookCrossing Nov 19 2005

I’m glad I have now read this but I was a little… well, disappointed isn’t really the word. I’m not sure what is. I was expecting the slight ickiness of a lot of magic realism but, as the quotations inside say, it’s not for the faint of heart or stomach and I found bits of it a bit much. I was also a bit let down by the ending although it obviously fitted the work. In summary – glad I read it but A Bit Much For Me.

A PARODY – Easts, Shites and Leaves: Crap English and How to Use It

Acquired via BookCrossing 29 July 2005 – from Hudsons OBCZ

This was quite amusing although, like Schotts and Eats Shoots the lack of attribution for the quotations is a bit annoying. It gives lots of entertaining quotations from politicians and sports commentators and examples of “found” language (greengrocers’ English etc).

ALLAN & BARBARA PEASE – The Definitive Book of Body Language

Bought July 2005 – The Works (exact date unknown)

This was a thought provoking and amusing book about body language, with lots of examples from popular culture but a good basic theoretical background. Caused much amusement when I noticed just how threatened the 2nd assistant we asked in Dixons was yesterday!

ANITA BROOKNER – Altered States

Bought 19 Jul 2005 (charity shop)

Hm, again. I always get the new Brookner when it comes out, although I seem to have missed this one first time around. I have a theory that either Brookner is getting more depressing as she gets older, or as *I* get older. This, I think, bears the first hypothesis out – although it is, of course, depressing, some action does actually take place, and the characters don’t all reach the ends of their lives during the book.

Keeping for the sake of completeness, but I’m hoping the next new one might be… a little more jolly?

Matt’s geek score…

This is Matt..

OK this was quite amusing!

BARBARA TONER – A mother’s guide to life

Acquired via BookCrossing 26 Jul 2005 (OBCZ bookbox)

Hm… this was OK but a bit lightweight and not as funny as for some reason I thought it was going to be. A book of advice for her daughters, this follows a steady stream of advice and etiquette books at the moment.

A.J JACOBS – The Know-it-all : one man’s humble quest to become the smartest person in the world

Bought 15 Jul 2005 (Amazon?)

In which he reads the entire Encyclopaedica Britannica and shares various juicy facts as well as anecdotes about his family and home life. Ever so sweet – I was wondering when I saw the alphabetical entries but it was really well done – enough facts balancing enough anecdotes. The bit when he tries to get onto “Who Wants to be a Millionaire” and joins MENSA were particularly amusing.

This has started a new section in my bookshelves – the “quest” book. In go Danny Wallace, Dave Gorman and the bloke who wrote the book about trying to become a Scrabble champion.

JENNIFER CHIAVERINI – The Quilter’s Legacy / The Master Quilter

Bought 15 Jul 2005 (Amazon)

The 5th and 6th books in the wonderful Elm Creek Quilts series. In “Legacy”, we find out more about Sylvia’s mother’s family, tracing their story as Sylvia tries to trace their lost quilts, and Andrew’s family try to come to terms with their upcoming wedding. In “Master Quilter”, the secret wedding quilt is at the centre of the plot, which, in unusual but satisfying overlapping narratives, updates us on the lives of the other Elm Creek Quilters.

I love these books and I read these two too fast, in a day (in fact I finished the Cather and read these two yesterday!) and I’m now sad they’re over. I will read the whole series from start to finish one day – I actually have them all and have almost read them in the right order.

One year I’m going to read no new books at all (OK, maybe Rings) and read all my series I’ve collected. One year…

WILLA CATHER – Death Comes for the Archbishop

Acquired via BookCrossing 03 Jul 2005 – Uncon swaps table

I loved this book. I am so glad I’ve finally read Cather as I looked at her for years but never read. Although I don’t share the priests’ faith, it is a lovely touching story of a long friendship and dedication to their community, and having an understanding of the religious aspects was enough to make that make sense.

What made this more poignant to me was that I have actually been to Santa Fe and seen the churches and cathedral – and spent time in Albuquerque, so it was lovely to read about places I have actually been. I am going to try to send this to Santa Fe or Albuquerque as it would be cool to see it travel there.