LizzieG's 75 for 2008

Well I'm 15 days late coming to this, so maybe 75 is a bit high to aim for, but you've got to have high targets!

Number one on the list, that I am currently reading is The Robber Bride by Margaret Atwood, one of my favourite authors.

My other aim will be to read at least two thirds new books - things I haven't read before as opposed to comfort reading. There's a steadily growing pile of new books at home, so hopefully this shouldn't be too tricky...

Hi, Lizzie! Welcome to the group. Come on over to The Kitchen and tell us a little about yourself.

welcome Lizzie. Did you know there is a group called The Atwoodians here on LT. It's pretty quiet these days, but it's a great group of readers!

Thanks Avaland, I'll head over and get myself joined up

1. (New) The Robber Bride by Margaret Atwood. Really interesting narrative structure using three central characters as narrators. I loved the fact that even the smallest throw-away piece of description was revisited later in the story and explained. The slightly ambiguous denoument was a good touch (or was it just me being a little dense?). Would definitely reccomend.

2. (New) Perfume - The Story of a Murderer by Patrick Suskind. I'm still not sure about this book, a couple of days after finishing it. I liked the general idea of the story, but felt it was a little insubstantial. Perhaps it was meant to be that way, and reflect the subject matter, but it left me a little frustrated.

3. (New) The House of Sleep by Jonathan Coe. Loved it, the story, the structure and the pace were all spot on as far as I am concerned. I'd guessed the twist at the end fairly early on, but it didn't spoil it for me at all. Definitely an author to read more of.

4. (New) The Parasites by Daphne Du Maurier. Not quite up to her usual standard, but an engaging storth nonetheless. The narrative style was interesting, kept the characters at arms length, and ensured that there was little sympathy for the three main characters, which was entirely appropriate for the story.

5. (New) Arthur & George by Julian Barnes. I enjoyed this, but couldn't say I loved it and I'm not entirely sure why! Telling the story from both protagonists points of view kept the pace of the narrative up, and the fiction-based-on-fact angle is something that usually grabs me, but there was something missing.

6. (New) On Chessil Beach by Ian McEwan. Deliberately chosen to counter Arthur and George's 500+ pages! I've been gripped by the other couple of McEwan novels that I have read, and this one was the same, despite its shortness. The nub of the story was wonderfully simple, but the detail-filling rememberances were wonderfully rich and evocative. The ending was poignant, and I just managed to keep my composure - shedding tears on the train is not the done thing...

7. (New) In Cold Blood by Truman Capote. I've really enjoyed the other Capote books that I've read, so when I needed to buy something new to read on a journey, this was an obvious choice. Although it is based on a true story, the majority of the book reads like a novel, with a fascinating amount of detail and wonderful description, but I was left a little disappointed by then end, once the killers - Dick and Perry - are standing trial. Capote's style seemed to switch between novel and academic writing too readily, and the inconsistency made for a jarring denoument.

8. (Comfort) The Light Fantastic by Terry Pratchett

9. (Comfort) Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett

10. (New) The Ladies of Grace Adieu by Susanna Clark

11. (New) Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

12. (Comfort) My Family and Other Animals by Gerald Durrell

13. (Comfort) The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien

14. (New) The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde

15. (Comfort) The Two Towers by J.R.R. Tolkien

16. (Comfort) The Return of the King by J.R.R. Tolkien

17. (New) Can Any Mother Help Me? by Jenna Bailey - simply fabulous!

18. (New) The End of Mr Y by Scarlett Thomas

19. (New) The Book of Lost Things by John Connolly

20. (New) Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood

21. (New) The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory - about 40 pages in and already so hooked that I'm at work thinking about when I can next read a chunk of it......

22. (New) Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl although I can't quite believe I haven't read this before!

23. (New) James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl in the same vein as no 22, it seems strange that I haven't read this before, given that I adore the film version

24. (New) The Rain Before it Falls by Jonathan Coe

Well I thought reading 2/3rds new books would be a good idea, and allow me to get through my backlog, but all its done is encourage me to buy more new stuff to read. A new bookcase will be due soon!

There are never enough books!!! And sadly, the bookshelves of the world are horribly inadequate to hold my own avarice for books.

How did you find Frankenstein? It's on my next TBR stack. Different from my current TBR stack and also different from the two TBR stacks that follow it.

(blackdogbooks) I really enjoyed Frankenstein, once I'd got to the story proper (there's quite a long introduction/scence setting bit), it was quite a strange contrast to the Boris Karloff film that I had in my mind's eye though!

I really like your idea of keeping track of new and tbr/backlog books. I think I'll borrow your idea on my thread; I'll have to add library books in there, too. If I'm not buying/trading books I'm bringing them home from the library it seems. I'm definitely reading more new/unowned books than tbr, I'm afraid, even though I have enough tbr to keep me in books for several years.

Msg 8, Had the same experience this year with Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. So much better than the film representations that have been played out in so many movies. Still like movies but this book's characters were so much more complete and interesting.

(streamsong) It's certainly made me more concious of what I've read this year - I sometimes find it all too easy to slip in to a routine of re-reading old favourites, rather than seeking out new books that interest me. I've certainly read a couple of books that normally I wouldn't have gone for, which is all good. Feel free to borrow the system!

25. (new) Fanny Hill by John Cleland. Far more erotic than the recent BBC adaptation. Well, I say erotic, what I really mean is dirty!

26. (new) The Witches by Roald Dahl

27. (comfort) To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

28. (New) No Country for Old Men by Cormac McCarthy

29. (New) Children of Hurin by J.R.R. Tolkien

30. (Comfort) The Twits by Roald Dahl

31. (New) The Boleyn Inheritance by Philippa Gregory hasn't quite gripped me as the Other Boleyn Girl did, but is nevertheless an intriguing read.

32. (Comfort-ish) The Complete Fairy Tales by Hans Christian Anderson. One of my favourite books (the book itself, not the stories) as it was my mother's originally. I really need to upload my own cover, which is a beautiful Franch navy leather, with silver-embossed title. And of course, it smells wonderful.......!

Hi Lizzie G

If you think the book didn't quite grip you, you should NOT see the movie. It is terrible! Anne Boleyn is my all time favorite historical character. I've read as much as I can about her. The Boleyn Inheritance is filled with inaccuracies. Granted, it is a novel, but Philippa Gregory took some grave liberties here!

Hi Whisper - you've certainly confirmed all of the reviews about the film I've read! I think I'll stick with The Tudors, which is showing on the BBC at the moment. It's a little difficult to follow, even though I've only read both books recently.

Do you have any firm favourite books about Anne Boleyn? She certainly is a fascinating character!

Hi LizzieG

Thanks for asking about books I could recommend re. Anne Boleyn.

There are many written (both fictional and non-fictional) about this fascinating character.

I guess I would recommend starting with an old time favorite Anne of the Thousand Days by Edward Fenton. Carolly Erickson has written an excellent novel -- Mistress Anne: The Exceptional Life of Anne Boleyn

Thanks Whisper - they're both on my to beg/steal/borrow list now!

33. (Comfort) Bonjour Tristesse by Francoise Sagan Not in the original unfortunately - my French does not go that far! A particularly evocative novel, that warms you with it's descriptions of a hot French summer. It amazes me how, each time I read this, I think differently about the main character, Cecile.

34. (New) Esio Trot by Roald Dahl

35. (New) Julius by Daphne du Maurier

36. (Comfort) Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling. I need some escapism from a bit of an emotional crisis and this should do the trick. Easy to read, and easy to get lost in!

37. (New) She by H. Rider Haggard

38. (New) The Bloody Chamber by Angela Carter

What did you think of Julius? I read a biography of duMaurier earlier this year and that was one of her books that I hadn't heard of before. Was wondering if it is worth reading.

Just to add another Anne Boleyn novel to the pile, you might try Robin Maxwell's The Secret Diary of Anne Boleyn, which I found more intriguing that Ms. Gregory's books.

How did you do with She? I've started it several times, but seem to need to have a concentrated period of time to get past the first 20 or 30 pages.

Prop2gether

Your recommendation re. another Anne Boleyn book is a good one. Anne is my all-time favorite historical figure.
I've read as many books about her as I can find.

#20 Fourpawz2, I find it hard to articulate quite what I thought about Julius! I hadn't heard of it either, but it came in a box-set of du Maurier's that I'm working my way through. The writing, I think, is of the same wonderful standard as the rest of her novels I have read, and the story is quite epic, covering Julius' whole life throughout some interesting and turbulent periods in history. However, becasue of his nature, I found it quite impossible to connect with him on any level. I'm sure that this is intentional, but it stops me from claiming to have found it as enjoyable as some of her others.

#21 She is definitely a book that requires some dedicated reading time! It's been sat on my shelf for a while (bought as the 3rd book in a buy 2 get 1 free splurge) and I've taken it to read on the train, but never quite got started with it, several times. Once I got in to it though, and became more comfortable with HRH's style of writing, I did quite enjoy it.

Thanks for the other A.B. recommendation too, the sooner we get a wishlist function here the better!

39. (New) The Rotters' Club by Jonathan Coe. Loved it and actually motivated myself to write a better review than previous attempts! Guess it's about time I tried to figure out what makes me tick when it comes to books. Its only taken me 30-something years to get to that point.....

40. (Comfort of the highest order) Persuasion by Jane Austen. Is Anne Elliot my favourite heroine? Possibly, unless I am reading another Jane Austen! I get so sucked in by the story, characters and setting every time I read her novels.

41. (New) Wise Children by Angela Carter

What did you think of Wise Children? I just finished it and I'm still sorting out my reactions to it.

I'm not quite done with it yet, and already I'm having the same reaction as you! I do love Carter's way with words though. What about it has left you unsure (if that's the right word) about your reactions?

Two things actually--first, I'm a huge Shakespeare fan, and the mixed-up twins scenario was a favorite of his. Carter uses three sets of twins to muddle the paternity works, then ends with yet another set of twins. At some point, this twin hating that twin loving this twin got stale for me. Second, there is no real story beyond a family that couldn't get along for three generations. Carter spreads the action all over the place (England, Hollywood, South America), but really--it's a one-set piece with several female comic figures thrown in for spice.

I enjoyed the reading, but I felt disappointed by the ending. The surprise (okay, the really big surprise out of many) at the ending birthday party I anticipated and then the scene felt like nothing so very much as a food fight in a teen movie to fill in the action. I'll read more of Carter, and have read some of her short stories, but I'm just ambivalent about this one.

Well, I finished this last night, and have had a wee while to get my thoughts in order!

I agree with you about the last pair of twins - that was definitely a bit OTT for me. The others I could cope with, but this did seem like a step too far. I can see how it might be veiwed as completing a circle, but I don't think it was necessary.

I did feel as though it had more to it than a one-set-piece. I liked the way that Carter used a series of vignettes to build up a rich backstory for Nora and Dora and to flesh out the main characters. To me that's what constitutes a memoir, which this essentially was, rather than using a typical novel structure.

Like you though, I'll definitely read a bit more of her work (I've only read the Bloody Chamber other than this). I do like her overall themes of (for want of a less corny phrase) female empowerment, and her use of language really intrigues me.

42. (new) Atonement by Ian McEwan. Loved it, utterly, utterly absorbing and I defy anyone not to be moved to tears by it.

43. (new) The Book of Dave by Will Self. Not quite done yet, and finding it a little hard going, though not quite as bad as at the start when I nearly gave up due to not being able to follow 'mockni'. Looking forward to seeing if there's an explanation for how the future turned out!

Msg #6 -- 2/3 new books -- what a great idea!

'Austen. Is Anne Elliot my favourite heroine? Possibly, unless I am reading another Jane Austen! I get so sucked in by the story, characters and setting every time I read her novels.' -- that's it exactly :)

Hi LizzieG - so glad you loved Atonement! I also completely adored it and got splashed with a large bucket of cold water when I came on LT and discovered that it seems to be a Marmite book. So it is always so great to find someone else that gives it the thumbs-up.

OK, forgive the literary ignorance......what's a "Marmite book"????

BDB, not literary so much as culinary (or possibly cultural?). Marmite is a spread (for toast etc.) that is sold in the UK (it's made of yeast extract) and has a very particular flavour. It's generally held that one either loves it or hates it - hence a "Marmite" book.

Sorry for the confusing reference!

No apologies here, please!!!! This is the way I stretch my boundaries. I love all of these unusual references, especially the ones from the diverse cultures as they creep into your posting!!

Great new word/reference.

#32 - I've actually pushed it a lot past two thirds - 31 out of 43 - which has been great as I've discovered a number of new authors that I really enjoy. Space on the bookshelves, however, is at a premium, with all bar a couple of them doubled up!

#33-36 I adored Atonement and found it almost embarassing to review, such was the praise I wanted to lavish on it! Everybody I know in real life has had a similar positive reaction towards it, so I was also surprised when I saw the differing reactions on here. When you factor in how popular the film was (and I thought it was a fairly decent adaptation the marmite reaction is even more surprising.

Mmmmmm marmite on toast.....................

(BDB - this is a great advert showing the marmite reaction - http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=t1Y3qgi3Og8&NR=1)

LOL!!! Thanks for the Marmite advert--it's priceless! But so you know anything is possible, I got converted to beans on toast as well.

No problem - there was close on outrage in the UK when Paddington was used to advertise marmite. People couldn't accept that he would switch from marmalade!

44. (new) Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton. I'm determined to finish it this time - not quite sure why I gave up previously, given I enjoy Wharton normally. Wrong book, wrong time most likely

45. (comfort) Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen

People couldn't accept that he would switch from marmalade!

And they were right! Next they'll be telling us Pooh likes Aspartame instead of honey.

Well, my Paddington is nearly 40 years old now and he wouldn't dream of switching from marmelade--especially when he can have all of mine (not my favorite!), but it's a great advertising attempt.

FlossieT - loved learning about Marmite books. From the sound of it I think I would be a hater of that stuff, but who knows? As for Atonement I was somewhere in-between. I liked the writing - for the most part - but that book made me very angry. I hate it when an author plays with his readers like that.

#44 I think it helped that I was a film-firster, so didn't have the feeling of disappointment that I'm sure could kick in if you read the book first. My own frustration was most heartily directed towards Briony - knowing how her actions affected Robbie and Cecilia I was so annoyed by her!

46. (new) The Flight of the Falcon by Daphne du Maurier

47. (comfort) Breakfast at Tiffanys by Truman Capote. I read this every year about the same time, not for the title story, but for the last short story in the volume - A Christmas Memory - which is a wonderful piece of writing, dripping with seasonal nostalgia.

LoL was going to write 'ah, a comfort read!' (which I did do ;->), and then I saw your first word -- a bit slow on the uptake here :) I love those kinds of books. I tried to find a dvd of Its a Wonderful Life for the same reason. Mine went walking while I lived in France. Couldnt find it here in Romania but I did stumble across To Kill a Mockingbird and Charade, both of which are now in our collection.

Truman Captote was such a troubled little vengeful soul. What a terrible shame that he was so incredibly talented and in equal measure so acerbically nasty.
Still, he is one of my favorite authors.