Setting Goals

To the right I have added a list of the New York Times top rated novels. I am setting myself a goal; this time next year I want to have scored off every book on that list. I’ve read some of these titles previously so they have been scored off already.

I’m hoping that this will broaden my reading a little bit as I tend to find it difficult to pick out new books for myself.

Breaking Dawn: Stephanie Meyer

OK so I loved it.

I didn’t want the story to end and I found myself dreaming about the characters.

At first I was a bit confused as to why this last book in the saga would go beyond what I perceived to be it’s logical end but I persevered with it and I’m glad I did. I’ve half a mind to start reading them all over again!

Eclipse – Stephanie Meyer

OK so I’m hooked.

But her writing still disturbs me. Yet again she has been referring to Edwards “topaz” eyes. Edward’s eyes are not topaz. They are brownish…depending.

I also realise I’ve been spelling the author’s name wrong.

New Moon – Stephanie Meyer

The sequel to Twilight.

I don’t know if it’s because I’m getting into the swing of her writing or if the writing is just getting better but I didn’t find this one as difficult to get through.

There still are a few sticking points with me though. Stephanie Meyer uses the following words waaaaaay too much: klutz, glower, glare, growl. I would love it if she could pick some more verbs. I would also love it if she stopped referring to Edward’s eyes as being tawny on one page to topaz on the other. These two things are not the same. And yes, I get it, she’s describing the eyes to be as hard/sparkly/deep(?) as topaz but seriously, Stephanie, there are brown stones out there. Indulge.

After I finished reading Twilight I went to Wikipedia to find out what the rest of the series had in store for me. It was both satisfying and disappointing to see that it ended in almost exactly the way I predicted. But if teenage vampire angst is your thing…

Twilight – Stephanie Meyer

So I caved.

I had a sick day yesterday so what better way to distract myself from coughing my lungs up? Clearly, borrowing myself in a pit of teen angst is the way to go.

I am undecided about this book and to be honest, I really don’t see what all of the fuss is about. The story itself is good, how it’s told however….leaves a little to be desired.

I found the prose clumsy. In fact, it was almost as clumsy as Bella Swan – a fact I was made aware of on a frequent basis. Edward glowers and glares – a lot! Bella stutters and stumbles – a lot! There is no real subtlety in this story, instead everything is laid out bare in flashing neon lights underlined with pink and yellow high lighters just to make doubly sure the reader is aware of what is going on.

In all fairness though, it is a book that I wanted to finish and it is aimed at 15-year-old girls.

The Sinner – Tess Gerittsen

Another crime, this week a medical crime and also the second book in as many weeks to feature leprosy as a key theme.

Instead of pushing the serial killer macabre and glamour, Tess Gerittsen produces a real puzzle for the reader. A horrifying industrial accident in India leads to the murder of two nuns in Boston. Never fear, Maura and Jane are on the case.

This book seemed to be a bit more meaty than the other cheesy crime books that litter my shelves. It took me a bit longer to get through and I think it was a more satisfying read. Focusing not too much on the crime itself but also the personal lives of our cast it was a nice balance.

Has raised one question in my mind though – are all the police in America either of Irish or Italian descent? Seems like it to me….

The Skin Gods – Richard Montanari

Another brief outing within the world of crime.

I don’t particularly know much about the Philadelphia Police Department….or even the police force of my own town actually but I would like to think that it is the blue and badge family that I have read about here. It all seems to tight-knit and close that it almost seems to good to be true I fear.

An endorsement from Tess Gerritsen describes this book as being soul-chilling. I would have to disagree, I didn’t find this book particularly chilly at all. I did find it rather gripping however and completely drawn into the story. The author has really created two characters you could love here. The story follows not only the crimes being investigated but the personal lives of Detectives Byrne and Balzano. It’s a nice touch. Make you care about the characters, you care about the story.

Longish story short; a serial murderer has killed a number of seemingly unconnected people. Each death has been a movie death. Kevin and Jessica investigate and after a few murky goings on, some vengeful torture a week sex and some romance, mystery is solved and we all live happily ever after…we almost everyone anyway.

Don’t know if it was deep enough to read again, but it certainly gets a double thumbs up.

Ashes to Bones – Kathy Reichs

Yet another cheap crime novel.

Tempe Brennan is a forensic anthropologist working with the FBI. She’s on her Canadian rotation with the usual mishmash of cases. One set of bones stands out and reminds Tempe of a childhood friend who when missing when she was 14. Cue a sideline investigation and a child porn ring is discovered. A little bit of tension some history and science later. Mystery solved and childhood friend is found.

In general, I like Kathy Reichs. The only thing I will fault her on is the science. She used to work in forensics herself and I feel that sometimes she goes to deeply into the science of investigations that is really needed. It can be a little convoluted and I don’t feel that it’s always necessary.

A nice easy quick read.

The Thief of Time – John Boyne

 Just like Ronseal, this book does exactly what it says on the time. Entitled ‘The Thief of Time’, I can’t help but feel that this is more a warning to the prospective reader than it is an adequate title for the book.

Written in an unhurried, conversational tone this book dragged it’s heels across two and a half centuries of what can only be described of mediocrity. There is apparently no real point or aim to this story.

Dorian Gray without the excitement.

I neither liked nor disliked this book. I just persevered with it and I think that, that is a real shame.

Mark Mills – The Savage Garden

 This was a lovely story and it was satisfying to read.

You had to work to discover the mystery between it’s pages and I like that. I don’t want a story that’s going to show me the way, I want a story that’s going to take me with it.

And that’s what I got here.

It’s sensual and tantalysing and you follow the clues making discoveries along with the main character. The puzzle is revealed in real time as you both decipher the clues in unison.

So what happens? Boy gets sent to Italy by his university professor to study a garden. Whilst trying to unravel the mystery of the garden, Boy is unwittingly being used to unravel a much more recent mystery – that of murder and deceipt within his benefactors family.

As can only be expected it all comes good in the end and despite some bumps, bruises and what promises to be a rather remarkable scar – everyone escapes relatively unscathed.

Oh and there is also some sex.

One criticism though; what’s the deal with all the Italian? It’s set in Italy, I get it but I resent having to consult Google everytime something is said that isn’t obviously translatable.

That aside, it’s a delicious book and definitely a good way to spend a few hours of your day.