I finished No. 43, Water for Elephants, on Saturday and today added The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn to my unread library. I won’t be adding any more books, even though I remembered another hiding place and came across a handful of books on popular humorists and writing techniques, because every time I add a book the number count on my unread library list changes and I have to go back and edit all the posts in which I reference a book by number on the list. Forget it.
Thoughts on Water for Elephants: it was fine. I wouldn’t have read it in four evenings if it wasn’t. Still, I didn’t love it as I was hoping I would. It was a perfectly fine book, but not one that compels me to take a break from reading because the thought of moving on from the characters disturbs me.
Maybe that’s just me. There are books so good I turn over the story and character in my mind a few times before I can press forward with a new story. These books usually end up on my nightstand, and when I am too tired to read (I must read something before I fall asleep at night) I turn to these and read my favorite passages. Jane Austen’s Persuasion is a good example of a story I can’t let go, clearly. I can read Chapter XI twenty times in a row and find something new each time. I did the same thing years ago with A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving. Don’t be too impressed; I reread portions of the Twilight saga, too. It’s not all Western canon over here. But, yeah, I am ready and willing to dive again into the library again.
I can’t decide what to read next. I’ve considered The Age of Innocence, The Merchant of Venice, Romeo and Juliet, Bloodroot, and Spunk and Bite (the only piece of nonfiction in the group), but nothing seems to grab me. I think I’ll go reread the comments in the original post and see what you recommended.
Oh, disappointing news about “Elephants”, it sounded like a decent book, but I’m not so inclined now to pick it up.
I was just on your “unread” list, not too much “light” reading! Do you manage to get to sleep at night?
cheers!
I had quite a few friends tell me how great Water for Elephants was…so I read it (also wanting to read it before the movie comes out). I’m with you — it was just “fine”. I enjoyed reading it, but wasn’t blown away by it.
I’ve moved on to The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo — recommended by friends and because of all the hoopla behind it. I do enjoy reading it, but I think it’s a little out of my league. haha
BTW – love your blog. Can’t remember how I came across it (as is usually the case) but I’ve added it to my Google reader. :)
Andree–no, not a lot of light reading. Why do you think they’re unread? ;) The fun and light ones are always the first to be devoured. I don’t sleep much, actually, and that’s a bad thing. I’m confident it’s one of the reasons I got sick as often as I did this past winter season. I don’t think Water for Elephants is a bad book…just not a great book, either. I would definitely check it out of the library.
Beverly–Thanks! :) I’m glad to know I’m not the only one who didn’t LOVE it. Actually, I think a few people commented on another post that they liked it, not loved it. Of course, a lot of people also commented that they loved it, too.
GAH! I hate it when a book is a disappointment … even if a little bit. The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafron was like that for me. Like you said, it wasn’t bad … it just didn’t live up to my lofty expecations.
But I do so love those books you can return to over and over again. Sigh. Oddly enough, I count the Hornblower series amongst that number. :)
The Age of Innocence is one of my faves!
Love your blog!
I usually read books, but this one I listened to on a cross country trip in the car. When I read I generally skim sections like the descriptions of the burlesque show and the narrator’s relationship with the burlesque women. As luck would have it, each of those sections were playing when I got to a tricky intersection, and I missed my exit!
Other than that I liked the book. The narrator was great. The unexpected life he gave to the risque sections gave good momentum and character to the rest of the book.
I am in a book club with two serious knitters, and we always discuss the difference between reading/listening to a book. The narrator is key.
Great post! I’ve heard a lot about Water For Elephants but haven’t read it yet.
I totally agree about Persuasion! It’s so rich! And, I’m in the middle of A Prayer for Owen Meany right now – have been for a few months. It’s entertaining but I haven’t been able to get enthralled with it. I have that horrible habit of reading about 15 books at once!
I think your idea of making yourself read all of your unread books before you can buy any is a great idea! I need to do that as well! Oh, and I say Merchant of Venice next!
Ah.. haven’t read that one.. But, for your next, can I please vote for Romeo and Juiet? But soft, what light from yonder window breaks……….???????? I am definitely a romantic at heart, and a push over for the classics. Doesn’t that old school chivalry make your heart race? Of course, they were a little on the stupid side, but we can chalk that up to youth, yes?
Have you read “Catcher in the Rye” or “Catch 22”? I cannot remember if they are on your list or not… I feel like I need to read them both, but other books keep getting in the way.
You wrote: “I can�t decide what to read next. I�ve considered The Age of Innocence, The Merchant of Venice, Romeo and Juliet, Bloodroot, and Spunk and Bite (the only piece of nonfiction in the group)…”
Well, I hate to go up against Shakespeare, Jules, but I vote for SPUNK & BITE, having written it. Also, there will be no movie as a substitute.
Fun blog!
All best wishes,
Art Plotnik
I loved Water for Elephants. I read it and then reread it because I didn’t want to let the characters out of my head. After reading it the second time, I went on the Internet to soak up everything I could find on circuses during that time period. I do animal rescue, mostly pot belly pigs, and have a connection with animals at a really deep level.
I just wanted to share because I think there might be people out there who might love the book like I did.
Happy reading,
Cathy
Arthur Plotnik commented on my blog. Just saying.
Cathy–I completely agree! I panicked a bit when I saw people weren’t going to read Water for Elephants because it really is a great book, just not one that knocked me off my feet. I loved A Prayer for Owen Meany and read it without stopping but Leslie can’t get through it and she started it months ago. Everyone is different!
Ah, I am sad you didn’t like it, I really did, but I don’t read a lot of fiction so my barometer may be off. Cathy K. liked it too so maybe I am not alone, it is no Jane Austen but really re-reading passages of Twilight? Mon dieu.
I so know what you are saying about going over something in your head, I am currently so obsessed with the Sherlock Holmes series that I feel I will need to go back and re-read stories (they are broken up into shorts) so I don’t have to let go. Can’t wait to read your next book review (and I don’t think people care if you go out of order or add books, it’s still fun!)
Hello, Arthur Plotnik commented on your blog! You’re a super star!
Great, now I’m going to have to read the Elephant book because I just can’t leave well enough alone. I seem to have the same taste in books that you have (Remember how I went kicking and screaming into the Twilight saga, but decided to read them after you did?), but now you’ve peaked my curiosity. When someone tells me a book is just ok I feel compelled to read it. I do the same thing with dating. I really should break this habit. It never ends well for me.
I love that you go back and reread parts of books. Something about that is so sweet to me. I vote for Romeo and Juliet next. I know that Mr. Plotnik commented on your blog, but it just seems like such a romantic summer read!
Miss B–I liked it! I really, really liked it! I just didn’t go crazy ga-ga for it. And leave me alone about my Twilight books, woman. ;)
Toi–I say read it. It’s a great book that you can read quickly. Plus, I’m sure the movie will be great. It’s just not obsession material for me.
Whoa. Impressive that one of the authors posted! I should not be allowed to, after that!
I will forever be soured against “The Age of Innocence.” I, honestly, can’t remember if I liked it or not. It was assigned reading for a class, in college. We were set to discuss it during the afternoon class period of 9/11/2001. The professor was a no-nonsense, must-stick-to-the-syllabus-at-all-costs type. We discussed it, that day, as planned. All other classes at the school had already been cancelled. It was terrible.
So, with that cheery little comment (!) I suggest Romeo and Juliet. Light, fun, classic.
My 13 year old is reading Huck Finn right now (at my command), but he is enjoying it despite the dialect that he struggles with but enjoys reading aloud amidst giggles and stumbles. I would recommend Romeo and Juliet, The Odyssey, and Night. I will be teaching those works to my upcoming 9th graders starting in two weeks. Eeek! I have taught this same list for 4 years (plus Jekyll and Hyde which I noticed you want to read as well), and my students LOVE Night, enjoy R&J and “deal with” The Odyssey just to get to the movie. Ironically, my students love J&H but despise the movie version (the one with Charlton Heston). Oh well. Personally, I am trying to finish An Echo in the Bone by D.G. before I have to go back. Oh, please forgive the lack of italics for my titles. I can’t figure out how to italicize using this laptop. :)
I loved Water for Elephants. I finished it, then started it all over again the same day. I am not sure what to read next, but I am not ready to leave these characters and their story yet. If your debating reading it, I suggest that you do. It is an easy read, yes, but a wonderful story also.