Coming soon: My favorite music of 2010!
BOOKS PUBLISHED IN 2010
BOOKS PUBLISHED EARLIER THAN 2010
Showing posts with label Best Books I Read in 2010. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Best Books I Read in 2010. Show all posts
Monday, December 27, 2010
Series Finale: My Best Reads of 2010 #10
OLD FAVES RE-ENJOYED IN 2010
Two of my favourite authors are PG Wodehouse and Georgette Heyer, and I returned to a couple of their books in 2010.
I read a bunch of Wodehouse's Jeeves stories (collected in Carry On, Jeeves and The Inimitable Jeeves).
These stories are told from the point of view of the dimwitted but kind hearted Bertram Wilberforce Wooster. He's an independently wealthy man-about-London, who gets himself into trouble (usually when trying to help his friends), and is always saved by Jeeves, his genius gentleman's personal gentleman. The price is usually an item of clothing that Bertie has purchased without Jeeves' approval (purple socks, multicolored spats, a straw boater, etc.) 
The most brilliant bit about Wodehouse: His similes...
"The poor chap gave one of those mirthless laughs. He was looking anxious and worried, like a man who has done the murder all right but can't think what the deuce to do with the body."
He was a tubby little chap who looked as if he had been poured into his clothes and had forgotten to say "when!"
He was white and shaken, like a dry martini.
She had a penetrating sort of laugh. Rather like a train going into a tunnel.
As for Heyer, I re-read two of the best: Frederica and Cotillion.
Frederica is a practical young woman tasked with caring for three trouble-making brothers, a gorgeous and overly romantic sister, a man-hating governess, and a large, excitable dog. Alverstoke, the most selfish man in London, is sucked into helping Frederica extricate her charges from one mess after another, and of course they fall in love. The charm of the story comes from the contrast between the world-weary Darcy-esque hero, and the earnest, high-spirited Merrivale family.
In Cotillion our hero, Freddy, is another Bertie Wooster--a fashionable but dumb young man about town. His orderly bachelor life is turned about when his cousin Kitty strong-arms him into a fake engagement, and he finds his hands full of troubles and responsibilities. Freddy surprises everyone (including himself) with his problem-solving abilities, and wins over Kitty who's always had a crush on her more dashing cousin Jack. This book contains my favorite Heyer scene of all time: Freddy and Kitty see the Elgin marbles (or "They've got no heads!")Both books have the same plot--falling in love while helping the heroine fix everyone's problems--but in one scenario the two leads are played by intelligent people (Frederica and Alverstoke), and in the other by two idiots (Freddie and Kitty). The former is more touching, and the latter is funnier. Both are my idea of the perfect romantic-comedy.
______________
“Oh, Meg said I must go see the marbles which Lord Elgin brought from Greece! She says everyone has seen them! They are at Burlington House, she told me.”
As the carriage wended its way southward again, Freddy confided he would not object to taking a look at them. “Deuce of a dust kicked up about ‘em!” he said. “Seem to be all the crack, though.”
But when, having, as he put it, dropped the blunt for two tickets of admission and a catalogue, he confronted these treasures of ancient Greece, he was quite dumbfounded, and only recovered his voice when he was called upon to admire the Three Fates, from the eastern pediment. "Dash it, they've got no heads!" he protested.
"No, but, you see, Freddy, they are so very old! They have been damaged!" explained Miss Charing. "Damaged! I should rather think so! They haven't any arms either!
" Well, if this don't beat the Dutch! And just look at this, Kit!”
" 'Birth of Athene from the brain of Zeus'," said Kitty, consulting the catalogue .
"Birth of Athene from what?"
"The central groups, which are the most important features of this composition, are missing," said Kitty in propitiating accents. "And the catalogue says that the metopes are not in good preservation either, so perhaps we should just study the frieze, which is excessively beautiful!”
But the disclosure that he had been maced of his blunt by a set of persons whom he freely characterized as hell-kites only to see a collection of marbles of which the main parts were missing so worked upon him that he could not be brought to recognize the merits of the frieze, but seemed instead to be so much inclined to seek out the author of this attempt to gull the public that Kitty hastily announced her wish to visit St Paul's Cathedral, and coaxed him out of the building.
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Series: My Best Reads of 2010 #8 & 9
BEST BOOKS I READ IN 2010 - PUBLISHED EARLIER THAN 2010
Mystery
Emily Dickinson is Dead - Jane Langton - American author (Published in 1984)
About a couple murders that take place in connection with an Emily Dickinson symposium, with Langton's usual detective: Homer, a Thoreau scholar and ex-cop.
There are tons of drawbacks to this book. It's full of unrealistic coincidences; and the baddie is a very fat woman whom Langton describes in a sort of sweaty-gross-detail-misery-secreted-away-in-folds-of-her-fat way. It's offensive to read, and very dated.
And yet it's so good! Because while her plots aren't always real, her characters are. In this case, the book is peopled with scholars--sincere ones, greedy ones, scheming ones, desperate ones, kind ones, etc. I was totally drawn into their little dramas and worries. Plus Langton always works in a theme--in this case the life and poetry of Emily Dickinson.
Special Relationship: Langton's books are filled with 'em! Homer always pairs up with someone who needs a little help--in this case a lonely widower. And the lonely widower has a wee romance with a jilted woman. Then there's also the older woman who helps care for a troublesome toddler.
Further Reading: My two favourite Langtons are The Memorial Hall Murder, which made me want to visit Harvard. And Dead as a Dodo, which made me want to visit Oxford, England. All her books make me want to travel.
____________
The Thin Man - Dashiell Hammett - American author (Published in 1934)
A 1930s noir with a traditional cast of guilty characters and good mystery. But the reason to read it is for ex-detective Nick Charles and his rich socialite wife, Nora. Nick's no longer interested in crime-solving, but Nora's eager to watch him in action, and loves meeting all the thugs, floozies, and weirdos who drag him into the mystery. "I love you Nicky, because you smell nice and you know such lovely people." Nick and Nora booze their way around New York with their little dog Asta, exchanging kisses and barbed witticisms. If you haven't seen the movie, it's a must! Played to perfection by Myrna Loy and William Powell.
This is a terrible cover! The only redhead I remember from the book wielded a frying pan.
Mystery
Emily Dickinson is Dead - Jane Langton - American author (Published in 1984)About a couple murders that take place in connection with an Emily Dickinson symposium, with Langton's usual detective: Homer, a Thoreau scholar and ex-cop.
There are tons of drawbacks to this book. It's full of unrealistic coincidences; and the baddie is a very fat woman whom Langton describes in a sort of sweaty-gross-detail-misery-secreted-away-in-folds-of-her-fat way. It's offensive to read, and very dated.
And yet it's so good! Because while her plots aren't always real, her characters are. In this case, the book is peopled with scholars--sincere ones, greedy ones, scheming ones, desperate ones, kind ones, etc. I was totally drawn into their little dramas and worries. Plus Langton always works in a theme--in this case the life and poetry of Emily Dickinson.
Special Relationship: Langton's books are filled with 'em! Homer always pairs up with someone who needs a little help--in this case a lonely widower. And the lonely widower has a wee romance with a jilted woman. Then there's also the older woman who helps care for a troublesome toddler.
Further Reading: My two favourite Langtons are The Memorial Hall Murder, which made me want to visit Harvard. And Dead as a Dodo, which made me want to visit Oxford, England. All her books make me want to travel.
OTHER COVERS
I prefer the one above, cause it shows Dickinson's dress which is key to the story.
The Thin Man - Dashiell Hammett - American author (Published in 1934)A 1930s noir with a traditional cast of guilty characters and good mystery. But the reason to read it is for ex-detective Nick Charles and his rich socialite wife, Nora. Nick's no longer interested in crime-solving, but Nora's eager to watch him in action, and loves meeting all the thugs, floozies, and weirdos who drag him into the mystery. "I love you Nicky, because you smell nice and you know such lovely people." Nick and Nora booze their way around New York with their little dog Asta, exchanging kisses and barbed witticisms. If you haven't seen the movie, it's a must! Played to perfection by Myrna Loy and William Powell.
Dorothy patted the dog's head and left us. We found a table. Nora said: "She's pretty."
"If you like them like that."
She grinned at me. "You got types?"
"Only you, darling--lanky brunettes with wicked jaws."
"And how about the red-head you wandered off with at the Quinns' last night?"
"That's silly," I said. "She just wanted to show me some French etchings.
OTHER COVERS
This is a terrible cover! The only redhead I remember from the book wielded a frying pan.
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Series: My Best Reads of 2010 #7
BEST BOOKS I READ IN 2010 - PUBLISHED EARLIER THAN 2010
Humour
Three Bags Full - Leonie Swann - German author (First published in 2005, in English in 2007)
Three Bags Full is about a flock of sheep whose shepherd in murdered. He may not have been the best shepherd, but he was theirs', and no one had the right to kill him! So led their smartest sheep, Miss Maple, they determine to solve the mystery.
The book is a little slow at times, but a new clue always turns up in time to keep things moving. And I was impressed by Swann's ability to handle such a large number of characters and keep them well differentiated. But the main appeal of the book isn't the plot, it's the sheep themselves--what they're thinking and talking about. It turns out sheep are very entertaining. Here's an excerpt that'll let you know whether it's your sense of humour or not. The sheep have just found George dead by spade-in-chest and get sidetracked into a discussion about whether he was a good shepherd:
Special Relationship: When you first hear about George he sounds like an average shepherd, not particularly affectionate towards his flock. But as the book progresses both the reader and the sheep learn just how special George thought they were, and the ending is surprisingly touching.
Further Reading: I was once asked for a recommendation of an author similar to Alexander McCall Smith, who writes the popular No 1 Ladies Detective Agency series. The gentleman loved the series, and wanted something else that wasn't violent (but not too silly either). Unfortunately I hadn't yet read Three Bags Full, which would have nicely fit the bill.
Humour
Three Bags Full - Leonie Swann - German author (First published in 2005, in English in 2007)Three Bags Full is about a flock of sheep whose shepherd in murdered. He may not have been the best shepherd, but he was theirs', and no one had the right to kill him! So led their smartest sheep, Miss Maple, they determine to solve the mystery.
The book is a little slow at times, but a new clue always turns up in time to keep things moving. And I was impressed by Swann's ability to handle such a large number of characters and keep them well differentiated. But the main appeal of the book isn't the plot, it's the sheep themselves--what they're thinking and talking about. It turns out sheep are very entertaining. Here's an excerpt that'll let you know whether it's your sense of humour or not. The sheep have just found George dead by spade-in-chest and get sidetracked into a discussion about whether he was a good shepherd:
Special Relationship: When you first hear about George he sounds like an average shepherd, not particularly affectionate towards his flock. But as the book progresses both the reader and the sheep learn just how special George thought they were, and the ending is surprisingly touching.
Further Reading: I was once asked for a recommendation of an author similar to Alexander McCall Smith, who writes the popular No 1 Ladies Detective Agency series. The gentleman loved the series, and wanted something else that wasn't violent (but not too silly either). Unfortunately I hadn't yet read Three Bags Full, which would have nicely fit the bill.
I love this cover! It's so lurid!
Here's some others...
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Series: My Best Reads of 2010 #6
BEST BOOKS I READ IN 2010 - PUBLISHED EARLIER THAN 2010
Books about non-western countries
Girls of Riyadh - Raja al-Sanea - Saudi-American author (Published in 2004, published in English in 2007)
Maybe this is a weird category, but I consciously try to read a little outside my Western Reality. Girls of Riyadh is about four upper class university-aged women in Saudi Arabia, and their troubled love lives. One Goodreads reviewer was teaching English there at the time it was banned, and felt that her students were put off by the book because it rather accurately showcased their usually very private daily lives.
Besides enjoying the characters and caring about what happened to them, here's why I liked the book: I think in the west we're exposed to the most sensationalistic stories about Islam or the Middle East (kidnapping, female circumcision, stoning), and Girls of Riyadh provides us with a different piece of the tapestry--a more everyday one. To see what I mean, here's an excerpt from another Goodreads reviewer:
Further Reading: The Yacoubian Building, another Arabic book about a bunch of people in Egypt. There was one main character I loved, who was very sweet. (Or see the movie!) Something I own but haven't read yet is Novel winner Naguib Mahfouz's Cairo Trilogy--supposed to be excellent. And I also recommend Honeymoon is Purdah, though it's written by a non-Iranian (it's a travel journal by a Canadian.) It's interesting, funny, and the people the author meets are so warm and friendly to strangers--it made me think my husband is living in the wrong country.
Books about non-western countries
Girls of Riyadh - Raja al-Sanea - Saudi-American author (Published in 2004, published in English in 2007)Maybe this is a weird category, but I consciously try to read a little outside my Western Reality. Girls of Riyadh is about four upper class university-aged women in Saudi Arabia, and their troubled love lives. One Goodreads reviewer was teaching English there at the time it was banned, and felt that her students were put off by the book because it rather accurately showcased their usually very private daily lives.
Besides enjoying the characters and caring about what happened to them, here's why I liked the book: I think in the west we're exposed to the most sensationalistic stories about Islam or the Middle East (kidnapping, female circumcision, stoning), and Girls of Riyadh provides us with a different piece of the tapestry--a more everyday one. To see what I mean, here's an excerpt from another Goodreads reviewer:
As an outsider, I've been judging them ["women of Islam and the Middle East"] based on my own values and culture, painting quite the unflattering picture in my head. To me these were mousy, dumb women who have neither the courage, nor the ambition to stand up for themselves. But I also refused to believe this was the entirety of it, I wanted to believe that there's some big piece of the puzzle that I was missing. ...the women Al Sanea describes are real and relate-able, making it difficult not go get wrapped up in their fates. I mean what woman hasn't suffered a broken heart? or dreamed of marrying her soul mate? or shared her deepest secrets with her friends? or hasn't been burdened with the expectations of society or family? These are just some of the things that I have in common with them; we're all just working within the confines of the world we were born into, doing the best we can with what we've been given.I think if you're interested in another culture, the best thing you can do is set out to understand, rather than judge. Hopefully this book will help a few readers do that. And I would recommend it to teen readers as well.
Further Reading: The Yacoubian Building, another Arabic book about a bunch of people in Egypt. There was one main character I loved, who was very sweet. (Or see the movie!) Something I own but haven't read yet is Novel winner Naguib Mahfouz's Cairo Trilogy--supposed to be excellent. And I also recommend Honeymoon is Purdah, though it's written by a non-Iranian (it's a travel journal by a Canadian.) It's interesting, funny, and the people the author meets are so warm and friendly to strangers--it made me think my husband is living in the wrong country.
COVERS
Though I like my red cover, I like the original one best--it reflects the internet setting of the book (which is written in the form of an email newsletter.)
Here's some others...
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Series: My Best Reads of 2010 #4 & 5
BEST BOOKS I READ IN 2010 - PUBLISHED IN 2010
Non-fiction:
Stuff - Randy O. Frost & Gail Steketee - American academics (April 2010)
Hoarding hasn't been studied much, so not much is known about it yet--you won't learn the secrets to healing hoarding, but that's because no one's found a smoking gun yet. But the book is a good start. Each chapter deals with a different hoarding case, and the authors' attempts to understand them. It's a more sympathetic approach than some of the sensationalistic TV shows, and you might see bits of yourself in these folk.
Do you always see bits of yourself in various mental illnesses? I do. In this case, I definitely struggle with book and music hoarding.
Further Reading: I don't have any great recommends, but if you're interested in books on getting organized, I'm a fan of Julie Morgenstern. I'm good at cleaning up messes and creating systems to keep things organized, and I find her approach is very intuitive--her tips similar to the methods I follow.
_______
Graphic Novel:
Scott Pilgrim - Bryan Lee O'Malley - Canadian author (Last edition published July 2010)
I don't have much to say, it's just a fun, well-done series. Everyday life for a bunch of 20somethings in Toronto, Canada, except this universe includes Mad Fighting Skillz and Epic Battles with Your Girlfriend's Exes. What's lost in the movie is the character growth of both Scott and Ramona, which brings more depth than you expect.
Best Humour: Scott's roommate. And I loved the Vegan Police.
Further Reading: I'm still trying to get people to read the Top Ten series by Alan Moore! Like Pilgrim it's a funny series, but with great world building.
Non-fiction:Stuff - Randy O. Frost & Gail Steketee - American academics (April 2010)
Hoarding hasn't been studied much, so not much is known about it yet--you won't learn the secrets to healing hoarding, but that's because no one's found a smoking gun yet. But the book is a good start. Each chapter deals with a different hoarding case, and the authors' attempts to understand them. It's a more sympathetic approach than some of the sensationalistic TV shows, and you might see bits of yourself in these folk.
Do you always see bits of yourself in various mental illnesses? I do. In this case, I definitely struggle with book and music hoarding.
Further Reading: I don't have any great recommends, but if you're interested in books on getting organized, I'm a fan of Julie Morgenstern. I'm good at cleaning up messes and creating systems to keep things organized, and I find her approach is very intuitive--her tips similar to the methods I follow.
_______
Graphic Novel:Scott Pilgrim - Bryan Lee O'Malley - Canadian author (Last edition published July 2010)
I don't have much to say, it's just a fun, well-done series. Everyday life for a bunch of 20somethings in Toronto, Canada, except this universe includes Mad Fighting Skillz and Epic Battles with Your Girlfriend's Exes. What's lost in the movie is the character growth of both Scott and Ramona, which brings more depth than you expect.
Best Humour: Scott's roommate. And I loved the Vegan Police.
Further Reading: I'm still trying to get people to read the Top Ten series by Alan Moore! Like Pilgrim it's a funny series, but with great world building.
Wallace the Roommate
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