JustJoey's Book Blog - part 2

Welcome to part 2 of my 2014-thread

November 2014
51. Dead Souls by Nikolai Gogol (1842) - 4 stars
50. Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese (2009) - 4 stars
49. The Man of Property by John Galsworthy (1906) - 4 stars
48. The Tin Drum by Günter Grass (1959) - 4 stars
47. Nadirs by Herta Müller - 2 stars

October 2014
46. Fall of Giants by Ken Follett (2010) - 3 stars
45. Spoorloos by Jane Casey (2010) - 3,5 stars
44. The Help by Kathryn Stockett (2009) - 4 stars
43. Woesten by Kris Van Steenberge (2013) - 4 stars
42. Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn (2012) - 3,5 stars

September 2014
41. An Officer and a Spy by Robert Harris (2013) - 4,5 stars
40. A dreadful murder by Minette Walters (2013) - 1 star
39. Outlander by Diana Gabaldon (US, 1991) - 4 stars
38. The Epic of Gilgamesh by Anonymous - * stars
37. Fingersmith by Sarah Waters (GB, 2002) - 2 stars
36. Knielen op een bed violen by Jan Siebelink (NL, 2005) - 4 stars

August 2014
35. A Place of Secrets by Rachel Hore (GB, 2011) - 3,5 stars
34. Lady Chatterley's Lover by D. H. Lawrence (GB, 1928) - 2,5 stars
33. Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montgomery (CN, 1908) - 3,5 stars
32. The Ways of the World by Robert Goddard (GB, 2014) - 2,5 stars
31. Kathedralen uit de steentijd : hunebedden, dolmens en menhirs in de Lage Landen by Herman Clerinx - 3,5 stars

July 2014
30. Miss Pym Disposes by Josephine Tey (GB, 1946) - 3 stars
29. Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell (US, 2004) - 3 stars
28. Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier (GB, 1938) - 4 stars
27. The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende (CH, 1982) - 3,5 stars
26. The Quincunx by Charles Palliser (GB, 1989) - 3 stars

June 2014
25. On Chesil Beach by Ian McEwan (GB, 2007) - 3,5 stars
24. De Aanslag (The Assault) by Harry Mulisch (NL, 1982) - 4 stars

May 2014
23. The Radetzky March by Joseph Roth (AT, 1932) - 4 stars
22. Het labyrint by Pablo De Santis (AR, 1998) - 3 stars
21. Zee van papaver (Sea of Poppies) by Amitav Ghosh (IN, 2008) - 4 stars
20. Een boek per dag (Tolstoy and the Purple Chair) by Nina Sankovitch (US, 2011) - 4 stars

April 2014
19. The Earth Hums in B Flat by Mari Strachan (GB) - 4 stars
18. The Reluctant Fundamentalist by Mohsin Hamid (PK, 2007) - 3,5 stars
17. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak (AU, 2005) - 4 stars
16. The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion (AU, 2013) - 3,5 stars
15. Leven na leven (Life after Life) by Kate Atkinson (GB, 2013) - 4 stars

March 2014
14. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon (AU, 2003) - 4 stars

January 2014
13. The Man Who Smiled by Henning Mankell (SW, 1994) - 3 stars
12. In Cold Blood by Truman Capote (US, 1965) - 3,5 stars
11. The Talented Mr. Ripley by Patricia Highsmith (GB, 1955) - 2,5 stars
10. Kartonnen dozen by Tom Lanoye (BE, 1991) - 2 stars
9. The Hours by Michael Cunningham (VS, 1998) - 3 stars
8. Disgrace by J.M. Coetzee (ZA, 1999) - 4 stars
7. Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf (GB, 1925) - 4 stars
6. Felicia's Journey by William Trevor (IE, 1994) - 4 stars
5. Hoffman's honger (Hoffman's Hunger) by Leon de Winter (NL, 1990) - 2,5 stars
4. The End of the Affair by Graham Greene (GB, 1951) - 3,5 stars
3. De man die werk vond (The man who found a job) by Herman Brusselmans (BE, 1985) - 2,5 stars
2. The Music of Chance by Paul Auster (US, 1990) - 4 stars
1. Gabriela, Clove and Cinnamon by Jorge Amado (BR, 1958) - 4 stars

I never thought I'd make it to over 250 posts this year, but it happened. So here's part 2.
I look forward to your comments. You're very welcome.

Happy New Thread, Monica!

I'm a bit behind in posting comments on the books I read lately, so I thought I just drop a few lines to catch up.

43. Woesten by Kris Van Steenberge (2013) - 4,5 stars


Why I read this book?
This debut by a Flemish author first caught my attention because of a glowing review by lunarreader. It then popped up here and there and it sounded like a book I might like.

Summary
In short, this is the story of a family living in a small village in Flanders before the First World War. A young woman marries a doctor but it's not a happy marriage from the start. The birth of their twin-boys puts extra pressure on the couple because the face of one of the boys is seriously disfigured and while the mother loves her twins equally, the doctor cannot stand this. Although the family stays together and the twins grow up, communication staggers. But then, a life-changing event disrupts their lives and when the war breaks out, things change drastically for all of them.

Comments
I cannot really tell you a lot about the story and the characters, because it would give away too much of the plot, but I can assure you this is a wonderful book. The story is told from changing points of view, which allows the reader to better understand the characters and their motives. If you hear one point of view, it's easy to judge, but when you hear a second, third and fourth voice, it's a lot more complicated. This is a very thoughtful book, packed with subtle emotions and surprising yet believable twists and turns. The fact that the book is set against the background of rural Flanders, early 20th century adds a touch of melancholy to the story.
My only criticism with this book is that it may contain too many issues for the length of this book. I rarely think that an author could or should have elaborated on a story, but this is one of those rare cases. It would have benefitted from some extra pages and chapters.

But despite this criticism, I think this is one of the best books published in Dutch recently. Unfortunately, it's not avaible in English yet, but it really should be. It's a gem.

Thanks for visiting and following, Connie. I've been a member of this group since I joined in 2010 (well, actually, the 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and now 2014-version of the 75'ers). I came across quite a few Dutch and Flemish people on LT, but most of them are not very active in this or other groups. I tried reviving the Dutch readers, but we don't seem to be very talkative in our own language (apart from some who talk for everybody). But to me, language or country doesn't matter. It's the love for books we share that interests me most. But I do like to find someone who can read books in Dutch!

Happy New Thread, Monica. Wishing you a good start into the week ahead.

Well, you found me. I read Dutch books only, but I know some of my friends on the Dutch book club, http://www.ff-leesclub.nl/forum/index.php who are also LT members, read books in the English language only.

44. The Help by Kathryn Stockett (2009) - 4 stars


Why I read this book?
I thought I'd dodged the hype but when my sister told me she had watched the film and rather enjoyed it, I couldn't resist reading the book. My sister likes the films and series based on the books I like and vice versa. We only recently found this out, so it's become a bit of a joke to see who's first in discovering the book or film. I usually "win" because I have the natural advantage of the book being prior to the film. Not in this case though, for the reason mentioned earlier.

Summary
I guess most of you are familiar with this plot about a white aspiring writer who writes a book about and with the help of the black servants in Mississippi, early 1960s.

Comments
I thought this was a book with a refreshing look on overt racism and subtle discrimination in a particular time and place. The characters were vivid and believable. The book may seem a bit too "light" but maybe the fact that, despite the tragic topic, the story was engaging and often humorous, made it stand out well enough.

Happy New Thread! Woesten sounds good. It is rare when I wish that a book were longer. Usually it's because I don't want to leave the world the author created though, rather than because the plot or characters needed more space. Hope you are having a good day!

I loved Een keukenmeidenroman! I postponed reading it for a long time, but then my daughter advised me to read it soon and told me she just loved it I (of course) did read it. And I really loved it too.

# 6 - Thank you, Barbara. I look forward to this week. A fairly quiet one ahead at the job (it's been a while...) and a day off for Armistice day. The weather is still holding up wonderfully, so I'll probably be able to work in the garden and finish a book afterwards. Now that is what I call a little piece of heaven in November.

# 7 - Hi Connie, I guess we cross-posted. I notice you read books in Dutch translation, which I also often do, mainly because the original isn't as easily available as the Dutch translation. But I do try to read the classics in English, French or German (the latter if it's not too difficult, though!).
Interesting link to your book-club. So how does this work (you can send me a PM in Dutch if you prefer that)?

# 8 - Thanks, Lisa. I think you would love Woesten. And yes, I've rarely come across books where the plot or characters needed more space, but this was one of the cases. But maybe, it would not have felt as subtle then. It's a pity I cannot convey the atmosphere of this book any better, but the author's style is somewhat similar to Philippe Claudel and we know what we think about him, don't we? :-)

Happy new thread, Monica!

Happy New Thread, Monica!

And you should be careful with your invitations to visit you in Belgium - Tomm, Charlie and I just may take you up on it some day...

>11 Trifolia: Indeed we do! In fact, I got all excited for a moment thinking that maybe another book by Claudel had been translated into English since I last checked. But alas, no.

# 12 - Thanks, Lori!
# 13 - You're very welcome, Amber, but maybe there are cheaper ways to find Leonidas-chocolates ? :-)
# 14 - I'm not sure which books of Claudel have been translated yet, but I liked all of the ones I read, except for The Investigation, which I remember you liked. Apparently, there's a new one with short stories, which I'll try to look into. I'm not a huge short-story-fan, but I'll make an exception for Claudel.

45. The Missing by Jane Casey (2010) - 3,5 stars

Why I read this book?
I received this e-book as a gift when I bought a new ereader. In between books, I decided to start with this one and didn't stop before it was finished.

Summary
When a young school-teacher finds the body of one of her pupils, murdered in the woods, she gets involved in the murder-investigation. But when the police finds out that her brother disappeared in more or less the same circumstances, she become a suspect.

Comments
Obviously, this is not the best detective-novel I've ever read. The plot is a bit wonky and some characters are a bit too cliché. But the reason I read this book as quickly as I did was that I loved the author's style. Casey managed to captivate my attention from the start and keep it going, which is something that rarely happens.
This was Casey's debut and I wonder how she has evolved ever since. Okay, this may not be Literature with a capital L, but it gave me a few hours of simple reading-pleasure.

>16 Trifolia:

A I've read that one! And loved it. I likes the author's style as well. 4,5 stars for me.
I've read 3 more books by JC and they all got 4 stars.

I noticed you're a detective-addict, too. Do you have any favourites that you would recommend?

I'm in love with Harlan Coben! and Peter James and Simon Beckett.

I'm now reading Robert Galbraith (aka J.K. Rowling) and she writes a very nice non-violent detective story too; Koekoeksjong and the next one is on the VSTBR pileZijderups

Coben, Peter James and Simon Beckett I like all of those authors too.

>15 Trifolia: *snork!* You're right, of course, but cheaper isn't nearly as fun...

# 19 - Connie, I take it you're into the gritty sort of detective-novels? I have read Harlen Coben before I joined LT, but never read anything by Peter James or Simon Beckett, because they seemed a bit too scary for my taste.I could be mistaken though.

# 20 - Barbara, are they also your favourite detective and thriller-authors or do you have other favourites as well?

# 21 - Amber, you're right and you know what? If you ever do come to Belgium, I'll give you a kilo of Leonidas-chocolates :-).

Monica, I've some more favourite ones as Steve Berry, John le Carre, Mary Higgins Clark, Michael Connelly, Lindsey Davis, Graham Hurley, Janet Evanovich, Stuart MacBride, J.D. Robb, Daniel Silva.

Thee are still more authors I read on a regular bases but I hope this list may help for a starter.

Simon Beckett is a bit gritty some times, but I don't mind. If you like non-gritty you might want to try Robert Galbraith as mentioned above. There are a few murders in there but nothing gritty about that.

I just went upstairs to see what other writers I have read and liked. How could I forget;
Linwood Barclay
Jonathan Kellerman
Karin Slaugther
John Sandford
Tess Gerritsen
Camilla Läckberg

>22 Trifolia: Whoa. That's a very difficult to refuse offer!

Monica, I wish you a lovely weekend.

# 23 - 24 - Thanks Connie and Barbara, for listing your favourites. I always find it helpful to see what other people like to read and which are their favourite books. I have tried and like many of the ones you listed (mostly in my pre-LT-years), but lately, I prefer the less bloody type of mystery. My current favourites are Robert Goddard, Michael Robotham, Minette Walters, Peter Robinson, P.D. James and I probably forget quite a few.

# Thanks, Barbara :-) I wish a lovely Sunday!

I have done quite a bit of reading last week. In a few cases, I had started to read the book a while ago, abandoned it and now finally wrapped it up. I don't have the time nor the energy to write reviews right now, but you can find them in my first post. I'll elaborate on them later.

I'm glad to see Cutting for Stone rated 4 stars for you. I have it in my TBR stash.

It looks like it was a good reading week for you: the last your books you read you rated 4 stars. I, too, am glad you like Cutting for Stone. I would like to read some of his nonfiction. Gogol is an interesting author. I read a complete collection of his short stories in college and wrote a paper on fantastic realism entitled something like "Flying Pigs and Gogol's Overcoat".

I loved Dead Souls and have been meaning to read more Gogol.

# 29 - Cutting for Stone was an unusual read to me, but highly satisfying.

# 30 - Yes, it was a good reading-week, but it probably looks more impressive than it actually was, because I'd already finished half of both Gogol's and Forsyte's books earlier this year. It was just a matter of wrapping things up.
"Flying Pigs and Gogol's Overcoat"... have you ever considered becoming a novelist? I'm sure you can pull it off if you come up with titles like that!

# 31 - I enjoyed Dead Souls, if only to find out that Russian authors have a sense of humour after all. Or is Gogol the exception to the rule?

Okay, I'll try to jot down some comments on the books I've read in my next post.

46. Fall of Giants by Ken Follett (2010) - 3 stars

Why I read this book?
I'm always looking for the most recent historical fiction. When I noticed the third in this Centrury-trilogy had been published, I decided to read the first one in the series. Added to that, I enjoy "wide spectrum books", chronicles with a lot of characters and a lot of history. This one seemed perfect for me.

Summary
The first in a series beginning before the First World War that focusses on families in England, Germany and the US and their personal actions and fate.

Comments
I had been hoping for a book with fleshed-out characters in a historical setting but I was very disappointed. Follett is an excellent writer but his characters are mere devices on the historical stage and they are very predictable. The author uses history and kneads his characters from it. So we have the rich English nobleman, his spoiled Russian wife, his feministic sister, the poor but honest mine-worker, his racy sister, the solid German who wants to engage in a war and his peaceloving son, the two Russian brothers, a good one and a bad one, etc. I might have been able to accept this, because after all, there's a historical setting, but it became almost ridiculous when it seemed they all knew each other (more or less) and they personally knew or ran into the English King, the Russian Czar, the German Kaiser, the American President. They personally were involved or took up a leading role in women's emancipation, the rise of communism, etc. How believable is that?
As I progressed, I was really annoyed with this book. And my mood did not improve when I found out that the author was adamant to elaborate on the intimate details of every couple's first night together.
I wonder why many people seem to like this series. To me it felt trite, predictable and ridiculous. Needless to say I won't read the other books in this series.

47. Nadirs by Herta Müller - 2 stars

Why I read this book?
I chose the debut of Nobel-Prize-winning author Herta Müller for Romania for my Endless European Challenge. .

Summary
The autobiography of the author, told in relatively short scenes and chapters.

Comments
As I mentioned earlier, I have finished Nadirs and I was glad it was finished. Herta Müller is definitely not one of my favourite writers. Although she is a great writer, I simply don't like her style. It's too dense, too hermetic for my taste and I cannot relate to this style.

That's surprising! I would have thought Fall of Giants would have been a good one for both of us. Based on your impressions, however, I think I'll steer clear. Have you read any of his other novels? I picked up Pillars of the Earth for $1 the other day. Perhaps I shouldn't have...

You summed up my opinion of Herta Müller exactly.

I've read Eye of the Needle by Ken Follett and loved it. I've heard good things about Pillars of the Earth too, so maybe Fall of Giants is just the odd novel out?

Monica, I wish you a lovely weekend.

Merry Christmas, Monica!

Happy Holidays!

Monica, I wish you belated Merry Christmas and a lovely weekend.

May all your wishes come true.

My apologies for my absence, but it seems that 2014 will not make it to the list of the best years of my life. After the loss of my father in February and the illness of my mother, I recently had some serious health-issues myself that kept me busy and preoccupied (but everything's pretty much ok now). All this made me think about my priorities. Somehow, reading will be part of it, so I've started a new thread to log my own reading.
I won't participate in any challenges, group-reads or anything of that sort, since it seems that every time I try to engage or participate, the challenge weighs on me like a millstone round my neck. Instead, for 2015, I'll let the joy of reading prevail and take things slowly.
You can find my new thread here.