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Thursday 30 August 2007

Summer Reading Thing Udpate

I haven't posted any book reviews for quite awhile. Not because I am not reading, but because I am reading three different books from my list and they are all slowing me down. The first one I started is the Sheri Dew book, No One Can Take Your Place. It is a wonderful book and I have come across a few passages that provided me with light bulb moments. I'll tell you about those moments when I do review the book. Even though it is a great book, it isn't a page turner, and it is really easy to put it down and forget that I am working my way through it. This is usually my Sunday afternoon read.

The second book slowing me down is The Princes of Ireland, by Edward Rutherford. I have read several of his books and I love his writing. But I knew when I started that this one would be a challenge to finish. It is over 700 pages long, and kind of meanders through history. I am almost halfway through, but the sheer size makes this one a daunting task.

The last book slowing me down is Pride and Prejudice. I have never read any Jane Austin before because I hate being told by people that I have to read it because I am going to love it. It makes me feel like my opinion is pre-formed for me. So I resisted for years. (Yes, I can be a little stubborn.) I finally decided to catch up with the rest of the world and pick it up. Again, loving it, but the style of writing slows me down a bit, and it isn't a fast-paced page turner.

So I am determined to finish the books on my list and review them all, even if I have to pull out the speed reading skills and do an all-nighter or two. It would probably help if I would stay away from the library and only read the books on my list. (That isn't likely to happen.) So that is the update. I have eight books left on my list and within the next month I will write eight reviews. (Gotta set those goals for myself.) But I am thinking I will have to start Jeff Savage's House of Secrets before I finish the others. I hear it is a real page turner.

10 comments:

Unknown said...

Oooh, Princes of Ireland is on my bedstand waiting to be read. What do you think of it, is it worth it.

Pride and Prejudice, you have to remember, was written in the style of regency England. So that's probably what's slowing you down.

And yes, Jeff's House of Secrets is definitely worth it.

Stephanie Humphreys said...

Princes of Ireland has some strange parts in the beginning because it does talk about the druids. I do enjoy his books though. I have read Ruska and Sarum. Both were slow reads, but I really enjoy how he follows certain locations and the families that live there for centuries.

Shanna Blythe said...

Pride and Prejudice is about number three on my list of favorite Jane Austen books. My mom had Emma on her bookshelf and I read that one when I was 12. It wasn't until I was a senior in high-school that I actually read Pride and Prejudice or even knew that Jane Austen was this huge writer!!

Ah youth!

Karlene said...

I've read both of Jeff's books about Shandra Covington. They were pretty good. One thing though, he does leave us dangling off that proverbial cliff at the end of #2.

When's that next book coming out?

Stephanie Humphreys said...

Oh, I hate those cliffs...

Tristi Pinkston said...

Well, I actually don't think #2 is too much of a cliff-hanger, because he knows that if he takes one option, we'll all go push *him* off a cliff. :)

Sounds like you've picked some great books, Stephanie, but also some pretty heavy ones. You might want to switch one or two out for something lighter -- it's okay to trade books out. I had to dump four of mine (unreadable.)

Stephanie Humphreys said...

I think I can still manage the heavy ones, I just have to make some time for reading, which I haven't done too often lately, and I have to stop reading things that aren't on my list.

Jenna said...

Hi! I found your blog through the LDS Ring. I know EXACTLY what you mean about Jane Austen. I've had so many people tell me she's their favorite, and I don't get it. I've started several, but never finished because the language really slows me down. I do, however, own all of her books and will someday read them and see what all the fuss is about. In the meantime, I have to say that the movie Pride and Prejudice with Keira Knightley, is one of my absolute favorites, so if one CAN wade through the language and details of Austen, one is richly rewarded by the stories.

Stephanie Humphreys said...

I watched that version of the movie before I read the book. In fact, I enjoyed the story so much, that is why I read the book. I think the movie actually helped me in the reading, because I knew what the story was, so I didn't have to wade through the language and keep track of what was happening all at the same time. I am enjoying the book now too.

Karlene said...

Jenna, I feel that way about Anna Karenina. So many people say that's their favorite book, and I really just don't get it.

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