"Have you read" and other odds and ends

This week, my Google reader had a BBC story on the 100 books teachers recommend, which linked to this article that gives the actual 100 books: 100 Favourite Books (yeah, it's British). I will copy the list at the bottom, with my commentary, and you can read it if you want.

I know last week, I mentioned that article, about guns and Swiss gun culture. It's an article I really do want to discuss, but I don't want this to get so long that I lose your attention. But, if you'll notice, it is also a BBC article. So, yes, I'm going to confess: I prefer to get my news from the UK. I follow the BBC in Google Reader, and if I ever subscribe to a magazine, it's going to be The Economist. Why do I like British news so much? 1) They have a much better global perspective. They give worldwide coverage with a global perspective, if you know what I mean. 2) their coverage of American events is unbiased by political partyism, so even their American news is, in many ways, better, because you don't have to cut through the rhetoric. Just my opinions, though.

What all that has to do with reading, I don't know. Maybe, "expand your horizons" and "It's important to read a variety of materials, not just literature." But, I did read some literature, too. I've been enjoying P.G. Wodehouse of late. Today, I finished listening to Jeeves and the Mating Season, and I'm just going to say, delightful. My siblings and I used to play a game called "Doctor, Doctor," where one person would be the doctor and leave the room. The rest of us joined hands in a circle and tangled ourselves up as much as possible (step over linked hands, crawl underneath). Then we called "Doctor, doctor, we need help!" and the doctor had to come untangle us without anyone ever letting go of anyone else's hand. The goal was to have us in the original circle, holding hands. That basically describes the plot of this book. Read it and enjoy.

So, now, if you aren't interested in my opinionated commentary, you may depart and get on with your life. But, you are welcome to see the list of 100 and what I have to say, if you like.

TEACHERS’ TOP 100 BOOKS

1. Pride and Prejudice Jane Austen

The first time I tried to read it, I got bored and quit. Picked it up later, and was so glad I did. It is excellent, and I particularly enjoy that it's not (at least to me) promoting one gender over another. In the end, they both make mistakes, and both are good enough to admit it. 

2. To Kill a Mockingbird Harper Lee

Love love LOVE this book! Atticus Finch is my hero. 

3. Harry Potter (series) J.K. Rowling

I take great pride in the fact that I started these before the big fanatic frenzy broke loose. I do enjoy these books. They are really fun reading. I don't rate the characters on the level of Atticus Finch--in some ways, they are flawed, but I still love the books.

4. Wuthering Heights Emily Bronte

Haven't read it

5. Jane Eyre Charlotte Bronte

I read it in high school, and haven't picked it up since. But I should probably read it again.

6. Nineteen Eighty-Four George Orwell

Haven't read it, but it's on my list

7. The Lord of the Rings (series) J.R.R. Tolkien

LOVE this trilogy. In my opinion, in terms of character, it is way better than Harry Potter. It is an incredible piece of literature.

8. The Book Thief Markus Zusak

I really like this book--I find the narrator to be an interesting and fascinating choice.

9. The Hobbit J.R.R. Tolkien

Love it--excellent use of language, terrific plot, super fun.

10. The Great Gatsby F. Scott Fitzgerald

I've read it twice, and I want to read it again. I still remember the fake books.

11. The Kite Runner Khaled Hosseini

Haven't read it

12. The Hunger Games (series) Suzanne Collins

Took me a while to break down and read it--it seemed so gory. But, I really enjoyed the series, even the third book. 

13. The Time Traveller’s Wife Audrey Niffenegger

Haven't read it, but I'm intrigued

14. The Chronicles of Narnia (series) C.S. Lewis

Excellent series, definitely one that deserves to be on the list

15. Of Mice and Men John Steinbeck

Haven't read it, but I feel like I should read some Steinbeck (I've never read anything by him).

16. Birdsong Sebastian Faulks

Haven't read it--is it incriminating to say I've never even heard of it?

17. His Dark Materials (series) Philip Pullman

Haven't read it. I did read his series about Sally whoever, his mystery series. I really enjoyed those books, and maybe at some point I'll read this series.

18. The Gruffalo Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler

Lots of fun. Just so you know, it's a picture book series, but I really enjoy these books. Also, if you are a Whovian, in season 5, "The Hungry Earth."

19. The Catcher in the Rye J.D. Salinger

Haven't read it

20. Life of Pi Yann Martel

Haven't read it, but I want to. 

21. Tess of the d’Urbervilles Thomas Hardy

Read it, and it was super depressing. I don't even remember the plot details, I just know that it was one of those endings where everyone ends up miserable.

22. Rebecca Daphne du Maurier

I really liked this one. I seem to recall that I felt like I shouldn't like it, or like the lead male, but I did. 

23. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time Mark Haddon

Haven't read it

24. Lord of the Flies William Golding

Read it, in high school, it is kind of gory. Has parallels to The Hunger Games. 

25. Matilda Roald Dahl

Read it, it's a good one. 

26. Catch-22 Joseph Heller

Haven't read it. I started it, but got halfway through and was tired of all the trash in it.

27. Millennium (series) Stieg Larsson

Haven't read it

28. Animal Farm George Orwell

Read it, I recall enjoying it, but it's been a while. It's one to read.

29. The Handmaid’s Tale Margaret Atwood

Read it, and I wrote about it I think. It's one that I liked, but I don't know that I'll read it again, and I'd be cautious who I recommend it to.

30. Persuasion Jane Austen

Another really good one. 

31. One Hundred Years of Solitude Gabriel Garcia Marquez

Haven't read it. I started it, because every Spanish major should read it right? But, again--there was so much garbage in it (or else I really didn't understand my Spanish, but the dictionary was really expanding my do-not-use vocab) I tossed it. 

32. Kensuke’s Kingdom Michael Morpurgo

Haven't read it

33. Goodnight Mister Tom Michelle Magorian

I really liked this book. It takes place during WWII, but is less about WWII and more about abuse and love.

34. The Grapes of Wrath John Steinbeck

Haven't read it

35. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Roald Dahl

I've read it. Not my favorite, but it is a classic and a good read.

36. The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas John Boyne

Haven't read it. I watched the movie, and I don't know--if the book is like the movie, it is too tragic to read.

37. Little Women Louisa May Alcott

Classic. I do feel like it is very much fiction for females. Not because it's soap opera-ish. It is just one of those art-imitating-life stories.

38. One Day David Nicholls

Haven't read it (never heard of it!)

39. We Need to Talk About Kevin Lionel Shriver

Haven't read it, or even heard of it

40. The Twits Roald Dahl

Read it, not sure I'd put it on a must read list, but it's been a while, and so who knows.

41. Wolf Hall Hilary Mantel

Haven't read it or heard of it

42. A Thousand Splendid Suns Khaled Hosseini

Read it, and it was interesting, but in terms of gaining an understanding of what it's like to be a woman in the middle east, I'd recommend The Bookseller of Kabul. 

43. The Wind in the Willows Kenneth Grahame

Haven't read it

44. Frankenstein Mary Shelley

Haven't read it

45. Great Expectations Charles Dickens

Haven't read it

46. Captain Corelli’s Mandolin Louis de Bernieres

Haven't read it

47. George’s Marvellous Medicine Roald Dahl

I read it, but I really don't remember it. It was one that I read decades ago (not many decades ago, but still).

48. The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy Douglas Adams

Really enjoyed this book. Whimsy, that's all I can say. 

49. Room Emma Donoghue

Haven't read it, or heard of it

50. Anna Karenina Leo Tolstoy

Haven't read it

51. Atonement Ian McEwan

Haven't read it.

52. Emma Jane Austen

One of my favorite Jane Austen books. Maybe my favorite. I don't really keep track.

53. Middlemarch George Eliot

Haven't read it

54. The Shadow of the Wind Carlos Ruiz Zafon

Haven't read it

55. The Color Purple Alice Walker

Haven't read it

56. The Very Hungry Caterpillar Eric Carle

I have read it, and even had to read it from the Chinese version. I gained a better appreciation of it when I translated from the Chinese version.

57. Brave New World Aldous Huxley

I enjoyed this book, unexpectedly.

58. Sense and Sensibility Jane Austen

My least favorite Jane Austen book. Marianne drives me CRAZY.

59. The Bell Jar Sylvia Plath

Haven't read it

60. Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland Lewis Carroll

Haven't read it

61. Charlotte’s Web E.B. White

I've read it. Can't say it's my favorite book, but I'm also not 8, so it probably shouldn't be.

62. Dracula Bram Stoker

Haven't read it

63. We’re Going on a Bear Hunt Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury

Haven't read it, I don't think.

64. A Prayer for Owen Meany John Irving

Haven't read it

65. The Secret History Donna Tartt

Haven't read it

66. The Little Prince Antoine de Saint-Exupery

This is one of those books that I wonder if I really got the story at all. I like it, but it's one I need to keep reading it over and over.

67. Crime and Punishment Fyodor Dostoevsky

Haven't read it

68. The Poisonwood Bible Barbara Kingsolver

Haven't read it

69. Jude the Obscure Thomas Hardy

Haven't read it. Haven't been too interested in Hardy since Tess of the D'Urbervilles.

70. Skellig David Almond

Haven't read it

71. The Woman in White Wilkie Collins

Haven't read it

72. Gone with the Wind Margaret Mitchell

Haven't read it

73. Game of Thrones (series) George R.R. Martin

Haven't read it. Probably won't. I think he's basically trying to sex up fantasy, and I don't really need that in my life. 

74. David Copperfield Charles Dickens

Haven't read it

75. Never Let Me Go Kazuo Ishiguro

Haven't read it

76. Where the Wild Things Are Maurice Sendak

Read it, own it in Spanish.

77. Twilight (series) Stephenie Meyer

Haven't read it. I will NEVER read it. On principle.

78. Beloved Toni Morrison

Haven't read it

79. The Help Kathryn Stockett

I really liked this book. The pie story was a bit disgusting, but the book was fantastic. A really interesting perspective.

80. Sherlock Holmes (series) Arthur Conan Doyle

Haven't read it. Somehow, Sherlock Holmes has never been my thing. I love the new series, though. 

81. Half of a Yellow Sun Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Haven't read it

82. Moneyball Michael Lewis

Haven't read it

83. My Family and Other Animals Gerald Durrell

Haven't read it. I started it, but was having a hard time getting into it. Not because it wasn't good, it just wasn't reeling me in.

84. Memoirs of a Geisha Arthur Golden

Haven't read it

85. On the Road Jack Kerouac

Haven't read it

86. Cloud Atlas David Mitchell

Haven't read it. Started it, then got into the George, Nicholas, and Wilhelm book. Cloud Atlas wasn't drawing me in. It was so slow. I may pick it up again eventually, but it's not on the top ten list.

87. Wild Swans Jung Chang

Haven't read it

88. Anne of Green Gables L.M. Montgomery

This is a good book. It isn't my favorite LM Montgomery book, and it isn't even my favorite Anne Shirley book. But, you have to read it to get the rest. (Just learn what parts of the poetic prose you can skim).

89. Les Miserables Victor Hugo

Haven't read it, but I really need to.

90. Room on the Broom Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler

Haven't read it

91. Private Peaceful Michael Morpurgo

Haven't read it

92. Noughts and Crosses Malorie Blackman

Haven't read it

93. Cider with Rosie Laurie Lee

Haven't read it

94. Danny the Champion of the World Roald Dahl

Read this one, during my Roald Dahl reading kick, years ago. If memory serves, this was one of my favorites from Dahl.

95. Down and Out in Paris and London George Orwell

Haven't read it

96. The Magic Faraway Tree Enid Blyton

Haven't read it

97. The Witches Roald Dahl

One of his creepier books. Good, but a little unnerving.

98. The God of Small Things Arundhati Roy

Haven't read it

99. Holes Louis Sachar

Terrific book. It's so cool how everything fits together at the end.

100. The Picture of Dorian Gray Oscar Wilde.

Haven't read it. I should at some point, just haven't yet.

Not in the mood

I'm in the middle of multiple books right now, but not quite done with any of them. I finished Starship Troopers, by Robert Heinlein last week, and I really enjoyed it. If you are looking for military sci-fi, it's a must read. If you are looking for a young man coming of age book, it's also a must read.

Anyway. Have you ever had one of those times when certain books just aren't fitting your mood? I usually read a pretty decent amount of young adult fiction. (Hey, I'm an aunt of young adults, I have to keep up on these things!) It's quick and easy, clean (generally), and some of the best, most thought provoking literature was written for this audience. (One example: The Giver by Lois Lowry, amazing dystopian novel. Definitely thought provoking. And it looks like they are making a movie of it!) Well, I had a couple of books checked out for this age group, and I started reading them, and I just couldn't get into them. One of them was just too over the top: fifteen year old girl on her way to an interview as a governess, worrying about the most ludicrously impossible things in the world. Way too dramatic. The other one had a potentially good plot, but I just couldn't get into it. I just wanted something deeper, something on my level. So I made a decision. I returned the books to the library and didn't read them.

Sometimes, I have moods in literature. And it seems like when I am in those moods, I can never find the book I'm looking for (what is it with unsatisfied cravings?!). Fortunately, this mood is pretty broad: I just want stuff that isn't written for teenagers or grade school students. I have discovered, though, that my list of adult fiction authors is pretty sparse. But, on the bright side, there is lots of space to fill, so I can experiment and find lots of new authors to enjoy. If you have any suggestions, I'm all ears (eyes? Since I'm assuming you'd mention them in the comments?) And I'll let you know what I discover, too. Serendipitous discovery--one of the great joys of reading. (ah, another post topic...)

Ah, love

I recently finished reading a book and there was something about the romance plot line that I just didn't like, and I just couldn't figure out what it was that I didn't like about it. And then it hit me. It was just too much of the romance genre romance. I don't mind the love story plot. There is nothing wrong with a good old bit of romantic interaction. But, there is a difference between romance and the romance genre, and I just don't do the romance genre. Generally the writing style is obvious, the action is shallow, and it just doesn't work for me. And that is what I didn't like about this book. Everything else worked, but the romance was a huge detractor for me. It distracted from the major plot and I think it weakened the story.

As I said, I never mind a bit of romance. People falling in love is always a happy thing. One of the greats for adding romance is, remarkably, Agatha Christie. Honestly, Poirot? Brilliant detective, but his other hobby is matchmaking. It's impressive. He's such a sucker for love.

I can't actually think of any other romance books right now, but I do enjoy the more organic approach rather than the spontaneous and passionately crazy love. For example, I don't really buy the Cinderella love story, but I do like Gail Carson Levine's Ella Enchanted. This is a much more believable love story. And, a lot more fun.  Little Women is another great romance story. The way the characters fall in love is so normal, natural, and believable, that you just gotta like it. And Jane Austen, for all the stereotypes she gets, really does know how to do a love story.

Anyway, I clearly haven't read a ton of romance/love stories, but a love story done right is a pleasure to read.

Talking the talk

I am happy to report that I finished The Blue Sword and Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy. I also finished A Lesson in Secrets. And now I am reading a bunch of other books, and not making much progress because I have been working, applying for jobs, and checking out the American Museum of Magic, where I plan to volunteer in their archive (seriously awesome stuff!). All of which has kept me pretty busy, and I'm going to use that as my excuse for not posting on Friday, as I try to do. No one complained, so I'm assuming you didn't mind (or didn't notice. Or you are a figment of my imagination and don't really exist, and no one reads this blog).

Anyway, on to the book part of the blogging, which is what you are all waiting for I'm sure. Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy. This was a new experience for me. I have never read spy lit before, really, so I wasn't sure what to expect. I actually read it because my dad asked me to help him find spy novels that weren't rated R, so I was kind of screening John Le Carre for him. (This particular novel passed the test). But it was a totally new genre for me, and I discovered that I have a few things to learn about the spy novel.

I did enjoy the book, and I checked out another book by Le Carre, but I feel like I missed a lot of content because I don't quite understand the lingo yet. I think I had a similar experience when I started reading mysteries. I hadn't quite figured out how they worked, so I missed things. (I can't say I'm a whole lot better at solving mysteries, but I get how to read them and understand what's going on). I think there is a learning curve to understanding a particular type of literature, and I hope that with more exposure, I figure out this genre. It's always good to expand your options. And having read this one, I'm better prepared for the next one. I know that the Circus is the British spy agency, the Centre is the Russian one. Never did figure out what janitors really are, or the mothers. But I got enough to follow the basic plot. But, if you are planning on picking up the genre, (is spy novel a distinct genre? It had a mystery sticker on it...) be warned that there might be some stuff that you aren't familiar with. Don't be afraid of it, just be prepared.

Another thing about this book: don't think James Bond when you read it. There are not explosions and shootouts in every chapter. In that sense, it is a mystery. Smiley pours over files and records, putting pieces together. He interview people, gets stories. It's methodical. It's a lot of brain work. It's cover stories, people acting like normal people. I think in that sense, it is much more realistic, but if you are expecting an action movie in book format, you might be disappointed. I liked it for it, though.

And finally, I just want to say, Bill Roach was a great character. He will always have a spot in my literary heart.

Favorites

I am not a fan of favorites. There are too many good things in the world to pick favorites, most of the time, so I actually have very few favorites. (Random favorite: word. Defenestrate. Yes, I know. What kind of nerd has a favorite word?!) Besides, favorites require making decisions, which is just a lot of work.

That being said, you can imagine that "what's your favorite book?" is not a question I look forward to. If you were to ask me that question, I would say, "Be more specific. Give me a genre" or some such qualification. I mean, out of all the books that have been written, you can't expect me to choose just one. But I do have a few favorites. Keep in mind this is by no means a complete and fixed list.

Picture book: Three Cheers for Tacky, by Helen Lester and illustrated by Lynn Munsinger. I read this book for the first time when I was in high school, and I spent fifteen minutes rolling on the floor, laughing my head off at the pictures. It has been a favorite ever since. Their other books are also fantastic.

Favorite fantasy: I think that I have to vote for Lord of the Rings, by JRR Tolkien. I'm going to cheat a bit, and include The Hobbit in here. I read these for the first time rather late in life, and loved them. I think the timing was just right for me. I think the characters are just amazing.

Favorite classic: I'm not sure if this really counts as a classic, but it is the best way to categorize it for me. My favorite here is probably To Kill A Mockingbird, by Harper Lee. As I mentioned before, Atticus Finch? Amazing. And such a well written story.

Favorite series: Okay, I know, this is a stretch, because in a way, Lord of the Rings is a series. However, it was meant to be one book, and this is my blog, so I'm going to fudge here, because I don't know what else to put this in. It's kind of fantasy, but more mythological than fantastical, so I don't really know how to categorize it. Here it is [drumroll]: The Thief, The Queen of Attolia, and The King of Attolia, by Megan Whalen Turner. I'm not sure what the name of the series is, and there is a fourth book, A Conspiracy of Kings, which I have listened to, but the narrator and I have a different interpretation, so I need to actually read it before making a decision. Anyway, the first three books are absolutely wonderful. Excellent plot twists, great characters, and a little bit of the spy element. Gen? Totally awesome. And there are a lot of great philosophical questions, if you look for them. Little nuggets of truth, if you will. Anyway, the author did a fantastic job and I highly recommend them.

I'm going to leave off on favorites for now, but there are definitely more categories to cover. I just have to figure out if I have a favorite in them! But, in the meantime, I'd love to know your favorites. (Because my to-read list isn't long enough?)

The Black Hole of Genre

I have a twelve-year old niece who is very into fantasy and science-fiction. Her mom is a little bit worried about her limited literary diet, which naturally got me thinking about reading preferences. I tend to get sucked into certain topics or genres, myself. For example, my obsession with World War II. I read a book on World War II, and while I'm reading, I start to think of all these aspects that I've never learned about before--the ghettos, the war in the Pacific, the Holocaust, the battles in North Africa, D-Day, etc. So then I want to read more about those things, and I find books and read about them, and learn more things I want to know about. Or with fantasy--I just get caught up in it, and want to read more. Eventually something else makes it into my reading list, and right now, I've got a pretty good variety on my to-read shelf, I think. But I do go through phases.

The best is when I am reading stuff like Jane Austen. You can always tell, because I start to talk like the books. And that is after only one book. I'd hate to see what happens after reading several novels back to back. I haven't had that problem with fantasy that I've noticed, or World War II, but I wouldn't be surprised if there were subtle changes in my vocabulary. But the worst so far is Jane Austen.

Anyway, I don't think one has to worry too much about the genre black hole, but diversity is good too. For one thing, it expands your conversational repertoire. But more importantly, if you branch out, you'll never run out of things to read.