April Booklist

[eleneariel]

1. Full Moon, P.G. Wodehouse

    It only took me a couple months to read this ... somehow I just wasn't in the mood for Wodehouse (gasp! Is that possible?) Once I really got into it, it was as mapcap an adventure as ever.

 

2. Ruslan, Barbara Scrupski

    Fairly non-descript quasi-historical fiction about an impoverished Russian countess who disguises herself as a man and joins the military. The writing is not that great and there are certain content issues but by the end I had actually bumped up my rating from two stars to three.

 

3. Eyes Before Ease, Larry Beason

    A delightful journey through the mysteries and oddities of spelling.

 

4. When Hope Springs New, Janette Oke

    You know, just ... yeah. I read all her books when I was nine. I haven't read them since. This was mostly curiosity to see what exactly I was reading when I was young. And actually, of all the Oke books I remember, this one was not quite as cringe-worthy. And the dogs are wonderful.

 

5. The Society of S, Susan Hubbard

    A very quiet, thoughtful and atmospheric addition to the vamp-lit genre. The ending seemed to peter out in a disappointing manner, but then it is the first in a series.

 

6. Take Back Your Life, Odette Pollar

    ... I can't remember why I read this. Um. Possibly because I was stuck with nothing to do and this was the only book available?

 

7. How to Train Your Dragon, Cressida Cowell

    SO CUTE. Worth looking at for the drawings alone. Haven't seen the movie and now I almost don't want to because I'm not sure how it could top this dryly humorous tale of vikings, heros, and dragons.

 

8. In Odd We Trust, Dean Koontz (graphic novel)

    Not bad as far as GNs go, but knowing it was based on a novel made me conscious of how much was being left out. The back contained the first chapter of Odd Thomas, and it was funny and witty and looks like something I might like, which I didn't expect. It may or may not show up on next month's booklist.

 

9. Rebecca, Daphne DuMaurier

    Listened to the audio book in the car ... this is one of my favorite modern classics ever. :)

 

10. The Driver: my dangerous pursuit of speed and truth in the outlaw racing world, Alexander Roy

    I won't lie: I was absolutely positively enamoured with this book. The writing: not terribly awesome. The content: had some issues. The subject: illegal. But ... I see what would make someone attempt to race cross-country in high-powered BMW filled with radar detectors, laser jammers, and police scanners.

 

He made it from NYC to LA in 31 hours and 4 minutes. O_____________O

 

Clearly it's illegal, dangerous, stupid, and expensive. But oh, what a ride.

    
11. Working in the Shadows: a year of doing the jobs (most) Americans won't do, Gabriel Thompson

    Thompson spent several months each picking lettuce, working in a poultry plant, and as a bicycle delivery boy for a resturant. His conclusion: it's hard work. Some liberal bias, but not enough to irritate me into putting the book down.

Books from the To Read pile: 4

    

Comments

[belovedwarrior.livejournal.com]

Oh, Janette Oke. I read every book that I could get my hand on of hers when I was in fourth grade. I'd be worried to pick them up again because they were so precious to me once upon a time. The Once Upon a Summer quartet was my favorite and I am pretty sure I would dislike it if I read it again, so I will safely treasure the characters in my memory. ;)

[eattheolives.livejournal.com]

I'd say that's a wise thing to do. Don't sully your memories. ;)

[thinkinthots.livejournal.com]

LOL! I agree. :)

Did you ever read Lori Wick? :-D

[eattheolives.livejournal.com]

Ohhh yes. Lori Wick! I will actually still read her books occasionally, but they are so badly written and everything is so predictable and cliched ... oh my word.