What Are You Reading Monday, 21 December

Thanks to J Kaye’s Book Blog for hosting this weekly meme.

Well last week I finished #47. I had a few books lined up so I could make a valiant attempt to complete the Everything Austen challenge (I have finished 3 of 6 books, and the challenge runs through Jan 1st), but with the approaching holidays I was in the mood for something fun and light. I settled on Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (which I am reading for the Harry Potter reading challenge. I do also have a bookmark in the first few pages of The Lost Memoirs of Jane Austen so maybe by the end of the year I will add another one or two to the Austen “completed” list.

I’m not really sure what my reading plans will be for this week. Once I finish HP I might decide to keep going with the series or go with an Austen book, or a totally different way altogether. We’ll see where the mood takes me.

How about you, what will you be reading this week?

BOOK I COMPLETED
1. Fallen by Lauren Kate (sent from publisher)

BOOKS TO READ
1. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J. K. Rowling
2. The Lost Memoirs of Jane Austen by Syrie James
3. Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters by Jane Austen and Ben H. Winters (Contest win)

More 2010 Challenges

With less than two weeks left until we hit 2010, I am thinking about the challenges that will take me through my next reading year.

I made my first challenge declaration with J. Kaye’s 100+ Reading Challenge (completion of which will be nothing short of a miracle, or the work of reading lots of pamphlets). But thanks to these three other challenges, I will be that much closer to my 100 books goal.

The 2010 TBR Challenge. For this challenge, I need to pick 12 books from my TBR list that have been there for six months or longer. I am pulling books off of my shelves that have been sitting, patiently waiting to be read, but always put aside (some I have even started previously, but for whatever reason were never finished – re-reads are not allowed, BTW). What will be most challenging about this challenge is that once I have created my list, I can’t change it. Here is my list:

1. The Age of Innocence
2. A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius
3. Anna Karenina
4. Atlas Shrugged
5. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
6. David Copperfield
7. Empire Falls
8. High Fidelity
9. The Historian
10. Jane Eyre
11. The Pilot’s Wife
12. The Poisonwood Bible

And because some of my TBRs are so big, I will also be joining the Chunkster Reading Challenge (I just love the title of this one since “The Goonies” is one of my all time favorite movies, although I was more of a Mouth fan, than Chunk). Given some of the books both in my TBR Challenge, and others waiting to be read (yes I’m looking at you Under the Dome and World Without End) I will be joining at the Mor-book-ly Obese level, which is six or more chunky books. FYI, if you’re interested in joining this one Chunksters for this challenge are books more than 450 pages, and it doesn’t begin until February 1st.

Finally (well probably not my final challenge I will sign-up for in 2010, but the final one that I will post about here), I am signing up for the South Asian Author Challenge. I plan to use this challenge to discover authors I have not previously read. I am going to join the challenge at the Five Book level.

So before the champagne cork is even popped, I have already signed up for four challenges in 2010 (and that doesn’t count the other two I am in for 09 that carry through to 2010). Wow!

How about you? What challenges are you going to participate in in 2010?

Review: The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown and Decoding the Lost Symbol by Simon Cox

Where to begin with my thoughts on The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown?

It seems too easy to tell you that if you liked The Da Vinci Code (if you can remember back far enough to when you read it) then you will probably enjoy this book. So the short synopsis: Robert Langdon haplessly finds himself in a race against the clock to solve a mystery drawing upon his expertise as a symbologist. In this one he stays in only one well known tourist location, Washington D.C. This time the woman he teams up with is his friend’s sister, and the ancient order this book looks at is the Freemasons.

OK, I know I am being a little flip about this book, but as a blockbuster book there probably isn’t too much else to say that you haven’t already heard or read.

I don’t often read books like this anymore, but I do enjoy Langdon and his adventures because they are typically entertaining (although Robert did try my patience a few times in this book). Even when I am rolling my eyes about some serendipitous turn of events I still close up the book thinking, “that was fun.” And I can definitely say that about The Lost Symbol. I read it over the Thanksgiving holiday, which was the perfect time for me to read a book like this (Note to self – I need to figure out one for the Christmas holiday now).

Over the break (and beyond) I also read Decoding The Lost Symbol by Simon Cox, which was offered to me for review by FSB Associates. I had not previously read any of the “companion” books that were released following Brown’s other Langdon novels so I wanted to see if a book like this offers anything to the reading experience.

I find that when I read historical fiction or books like Brown’s which roll in historical information, I do want to know more about the subjects. Some authors do include a bibliography or an afterward noting where some of their research came from, and sources to get more information. Brown does not do this, so I found Cox’s book a nice resource to have after I read it (and you do need to read it after reading The Lost Symbol because spoilers abound).

The book alphabetically includes informational entries about locations, historical ideas, people, etc. from The Lost Symbol. It is written pretty conversationally, although at times I felt a little lost (not sure if it was me or the fact that some of the heavier topics needed to be distilled so much). And with each entry no more than a few pages, at the most, it offers a nice topline summary of information, as well as a bibliography at the back of the book should you want to delve deeper into a certain subject. So I did find it interesting to have a little more background on the topics Brown broached in his latest novel.

Thank you to FSB Associates for sending Decoding The Lost Symbol to me for review.

The Lost Symbol
Author: Dan Brown
ISBN: 978-0385504225
Published: September 15, 2009 (Hardcover First Edition)
Publisher: Doubleday Books
Pages: 528

Decoding The Lost Symbol
Author: Simon Cox
ISBN: 978-0743287272
Published: November 3, 2009 (Paperback)
Publisher: Touchstone
Pages: 256

What Are You Reading Monday, 14 December

Thanks to J Kaye’s Book Blog for hosting this weekly meme.

Happy Monday, everyone!

Finished #46 – so I might hit 50 before year’s end. But of course it’s not a race and there is a lot to enjoy about the holidays beyond curling up and reading in the glow of the Christmas tree’s lights.

Happy reading week to you! What will you be reading this week?

BOOK I COMPLETED
1. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows

BOOKS TO READ
1. Fallen by Lauren Kate (sent from publisher)
2. Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters by Jane Austen and Ben H. Winters (Contest win)

My First Challenge of 2010

I am so excited about the coming of the New Year. I started book blogging in the middle of 2009, so I am looking forward to starting the New Year with this blog.

As I am starting to review all of the challenges to start on Jan 1, 2010, what better place then to enter a challenge of the number of books I will read this year? But J. Kaye’s 100+ Reading Challenge … Am I nuts?!?!

I will be lucky to finish up 50 books this year (and this is up from the 43 I finished in 08). But still – a challenge is about setting goals, maybe pushing yourself a little and most definitely about having fun. So what better way to start my 2010 reading intentions than with this challenge.

Want to join me? Check out J. Kaye’s 100+ Reading Challenge page with all the details (and of course Mr. Linky).

Here’s to lots more reading in 2010! (And yes, I am sure many more challenges, too.)

Tuesday Teaser, 8 December – The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

It’s that time of week again for Should Be Reading’s fun meme Teaser Tuesdays.

So how does this work:

• Grab your current book
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Today’s tease is from The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows.

“God knows, my intentions are pure, or at least, non-mercenary. The simple truth of it is that you’re the only female writer who makes me laugh.” Pg 34

QUESTION OF THE DAY
What’s your tease for this Tuesday?

What Are You Reading Monday, 7 December

Thanks to J Kaye’s Book Blog for hosting this weekly meme.

Happy Monday, everyone!

I’m feeling good because this weekend I finished my 45th book, so hopefully with a little dedication to some reading time in between holiday festivities I should hit 50 books this year. Yay!

Speaking of holidays, given my concern over my reading and writing time over the holidays, J Kaye and I will not be doing a read/tweet along for Fallen by Lauren Kate. Hopefully we will be able to coordinate something in the future. So, now that book is next in line for me to read this week.

I hope you have a great week! What will you be reading?

BOOKS I COMPLETED
1. Decoding the Lost Symbol by Simon Cox (sent from publicist)

BOOKS TO READ
1. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows
2. Fallen by Lauren Kate (sent from publisher)

November in Review

Oh November, where did you go? How can it be December 3rd already?

In looking back over the month, I see I didn’t put a big dent in the Books Read pile. That makes me a little sad, I really had hoped to read more than four books. I was so certain I would finish up 50 by the end of the year (although the goal I set for myself on December 31, 2008 was 45) but as of today I have only finished 44 (but should have #45 done by the end of the week). Can I really finish up five books before December 31st? Guess this means I might have to save Under the Dome for either book #51, or the new year, whichever comes first.

While I would have liked to have a better reading record, I am happy with catching up on my reviews. I also hit a milestone with my 100th blog post!

My challenges are sort of stalled, and think I need to officially realize that I will not be participating in the Back to School Challenge hosted by Five Borough Book Review. I will be saving up the books I wanted to read for next year because I really loved the idea of school reading list books.

All the holiday excitement, prep, planning and outings might put a crimp in reading and blogging, unless I take a few extra pieces of Peppermint Bark to sustain me for some late nights here. But, that’s OK. If I don’t hit 50 books, no big deal – there is always next year!

How about you? How was your reading month, and how is your last month of 09 looking?

A Look Back:

Books Read
1. Club Dead by Charlaine Harris
2. Benny and Shrimp by Katarina Mazetti (review copy provided by publicist)
3. The Private Papers of Eastern Jewel by Maureen Lindley (review copy provided by publisher)
4. The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown

Reviews (disclosures noted on review)
Dancing with Ana
The White Queen
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Club Dead
Benny & Shrimp
The Private Papers of Eastern Jewel

Challenges
Everything Austen hosted by Stephanie’s Written Word
Challenge Time: July 1, 2009 – January 1, 2010
Books Completed: 3 (of 6)

Harry Potter Reading Challenge hosted by Galleysmith
Challenge Time: August 1, 2009 – June 30, 2010
Books Completed: 2 (of 8 )

Sookie Stackhouse Challenge hosted by Beth Fish Reads
Challenge Time: July 1, 2009 – June 30, 2010
Books Completed: 3 (of 9)

What Are You Reading Monday, 30 November

Thanks to J Kaye’s Book Blog for hosting this weekly meme.

Hello and Happy Monday – I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday.

Given all the festivities, it was quiet on the reading front, but I did at least finish a book, and am chipping away at hitting 50 books by the end of the year. I am having a hard time choosing my reading this week, so what you see below might change later this week.

How about you, what will you be reading this week? And, how are you doing on reaching your 2009 reading goals?

BOOK I COMPLETED
1. The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown

BOOK TO CONTINUE
1. Decoding the Lost Symbol by Simon Cox

BOOKS TO BEGIN
1. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Borrows
2. Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters by Jane Austen and Ben H. Winters

Review: The Private Papers of Eastern Jewel by Maureen Lindley

I had really high hopes for The Private Papers of Eastern Jewel: A Novel by Maureen Lindley, it has some of my favorite elements – historical fiction, set in Asia and offering a glimpse into a piece of Asian life. But my feelings for this book are lukewarm. It’s not that it wasn’t well written, or that there wasn’t a good flow or overall storytelling. In this instance it really was a case of disliking a main character so much that I had a hard time looking past it.

Eastern Jewel (later renamed Yoshiko) is a princess born to a concubine in China in 1906. Beyond being a spoiled child, one of her pastimes was spying (which turned out to be good training for her future career). When she is eight, she spies on the wrong person – her father – and he sends her away to a connected, influential family in Japan.

While she never bonds with her new adoptive mother and is treated as a plaything for her adoptive father and grandfather, she still forms a love and loyalty to Japan. As Eastern Jewel grows up in the house, her adoptive father offers her to valued connections, and she falls in love with one of these men. It is this experience of loving him and being rejected that hardens her resolve to put herself and her needs first in all matters.

She is eventually given in marriage to a Mongolian prince. She hates Mongolia, it is cold and to her it is boring. She finds excitement in emotionally manipulating her brother-in-law to help her in her plot to escape from Mongolia. Following her escape less than a year after she is married, she builds a life for herself in Tokyo, entertaining important clients of her landlord, Tamura. Eastern Jewel is kept busy and interested, but as her interest wanes, she leaves for Shanghai where her partying and connections eventually put her in a position where she is recruited as a Japanese spy.

Given her love of partying and socializing, she easily slips into the role of a spy, gaining confidences and influencing the actions of others on behalf of Japan. During her time as a spy she (as best she could) falls in love with two men but of course can not let herself fully create a relationship with either. Eastern Jewel continues to be a spy until her arrest by the Chinese in Peking in 1945.

Eastern Jewel’s life portrayed in the pages of this book certainly provides for a great story, but as I said I just did not like Eastern Jewel enough to really care about her. I could not find any likable part of her. She used and hurt others with seemingly little concern. To me, it seemed like she had no heart and without some connection to such a difficult character, I could not connect with this book as much as I had hoped.

I received this book from the publisher via Shelf Awareness.

The Private Papers of Eastern Jewel: A Novel
Author: Maureen Lindley
ISBN: 978-1596917033
Published: September 1, 2009 (Paperback)
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA
Pages: 304