Books 2007: Update, Plz

[rebness]

I can't help but fear that I shall never reach the giddy heights of reading eighty books a year as in my university days, so therefore I'm having to be more selective with my reading, Point Horror re-reads notwithstanding. Anyway, I've managed an awesome three books thus far this year. I guess reads are just that inspiring:

Vernon God Little by DBC Pierre
I decided to read this just on the strength of Pierre's charismatic documentary on the occult in Mexico, which may or may not have been a mistake. I didn't really expect satire, but that's what I got. Personally, I think Pierre would be better at angst (he just looks so blase!) but whatever. Fun, silly but pointed read. Also, Vernon's favourite word of choice is 'ass', so whenever I think 'Vernon God Little' I immediately think 'ass'. 4/5

Last Exit to Brooklyn by Hubert Selby, Jr.
I keep picking this book up and putting it down again for days at a time. I read through a depressing beating, then a depressing party where people got high and felt lonely, then more depressing stuff, then put it down again. It's well-written and good social commentary and all that, but it's winter and grey and cold and I can't be dealing with Worthy Reads right now. Unfinished.

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
At times rather plodding, but evocative story. I really liked Gatsby and his idealistic visions of love, though I had to re-read certain parts over and over again, either because events were unclear or because I have the concentration span of a.. ooh, shiny. 3/5

The Book Thief by Some Guy
I'm twelve pages in and I hate it already. Please, someone tell me it's worth sticking with this book. At the moment, all I envision is a non-funny Death from Terry Pratchett's books. Urgh. Unfinished.

I keep thinking back to The Shadow of the Wind. I think I'm going to re-read that. It kept me intrigued and thrilled, and nothing I've read since then has caught my imagination so fiercely. It sucks. >:(

Comments

[saffronlie.livejournal.com]

Yeah, but Gatsby's hot.

[rebness.livejournal.com]

Would Gatsby dig up a corpse and hug it, crying, in the rain? Because that's my benchmark, man.

[pandorasblog]

Can't fault that logic. And I had the very same problem with Last Exit To Brooklyn. I got through it somehow, but geez... actually, read my review, and be forewarned of the OMG CAPS!!! horrors to come: http://www.bookcrossing.com/journal/4837319

[rebness.livejournal.com]

I've just read your review on Bookcrossing, and I have to say I agree with you. I don't know, maybe I'm just tiring of the genre in general, but it's very, very hard-going. Hmph.

Have you read Shadow of the Wind? I have a spare copy going... >:)

[pandorasblog]

Ooooh, yes please! I've been hearing about and wanting to read that for ages! I also have a book you might be interested in, but I don't have the energy to try and convert you to it right now, so I'll have to leave that to another day. :D

[rebness.livejournal.com]

Muhahaaha! It's a deal. I need more people to obsess about it with. >:D

I'm all for conversions. Well, except for farenheit and religious.

[rebness.livejournal.com]

*Fahrenheit, even. I can never spell that right first time around. >:|