33) Julemysteriet av Jostein Gaarder
Lest: 1. - 24. desember
Sider: 322
Karakter: 4
Adventskalenderbok med ett kapittel for hver dag fra 1. til 24. desember. Joakim finner en gammel julekalender i en bortgjemt bokhandel. I hver luke er det en liten lapp med historien om Elisabeth som følger etter det lille bjellelammet som rømmer fra kjøpesentret fordi det ikke orker å høre på lyden av alle kassaapparatene. Elisabeth reiser gjennom Europa og Lilleasia, men også bakover i tid, til Betlehem og Jesu fødsel. En koselig fortelling som blander de viktigste elementene i juleevangeliet med en slik gåte Jostein Gaarder er en mester på. Denne utgaven har flotte, fargerike illustrasjoner av Stella West.
34) The Christmas Promise by Donna Van Liere
Read: 25 - 26 December
Pages: 206
Rating: 5
35) Glad Tidings by Debbie Macomber
Read: 26 - 30 December
Pages: 475
Rating: 3
Two books in one: There's Something About Christmas and Here Comes Trouble. They're both your average romantic holiday story, quickly read and quickly forgotten.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Read in November
31) The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield
Read: 27 October - 22 November
Pages: 454
Rating: 5
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. A tragic, yet beautiful ghost story with mad people, ruined mansions, dark secrets and a very wilful cat.
32) Hard Eight by Janet Evanovich
Read: 22 November - 1 December
Pages: 326
Rating: 4
Read: 27 October - 22 November
Pages: 454
Rating: 5
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. A tragic, yet beautiful ghost story with mad people, ruined mansions, dark secrets and a very wilful cat.
32) Hard Eight by Janet Evanovich
Read: 22 November - 1 December
Pages: 326
Rating: 4
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Read in October
29) The Judas Strain by James Rollins
Read: 8 September - 12 October
Pages: 525
Rating: 4
30) The Last Oracle by James Rollins
Read: 12 October - 26 October
Pages: 430
Rating: 5
Read: 8 September - 12 October
Pages: 525
Rating: 4
30) The Last Oracle by James Rollins
Read: 12 October - 26 October
Pages: 430
Rating: 5
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Read in September
28) Die Trying by Lee Child
Read: 1 September - 8 September
Pages: 422
Rating: 4
Second book in the Jack Reacher series.
Read: 1 September - 8 September
Pages: 422
Rating: 4
Second book in the Jack Reacher series.
Monday, September 1, 2008
Read in August
24) Det tredje tegnet av Yrsa SigurdardóttirLest: 29. juli - 3. august
Sider: 382
Karakter: 5
Islandsk debutkrim med svartekunst som hovedtema.
25) The Princess Bride by William Goldman
Read: 4 August - 14 August
Pages: 398
Rating: 5
I loved this book - like it says, it really has everything one could want in a story. The only reason I'm not giving it 6 is because I thought the ending was rather abrupt. I wasn't thrilled about the first chapter of the "sequel" Buttercup's Baby either, as I didn't think it added anything to the story. But the rest of the book was absolutely wonderful!
26) Seven Up by Janet Evanovich
Read: 14 August - 21 August
Pages: 337
Rating: 4
Another great Plum book, though I don't think it's the best of the first 7. I do love Stephanie and Grandma Mazur, but I'm afraid the whole Morelli/Ranger thing might take the story in the wrong direction (I'm afraid Stephanie will choose the wrong guy...).
27) Felicia forsvant av Jørn Lier Horst
Lest: 25. august - 31. august
Sider: 279
Karakter: 5
Første bok i serien om kriminalbetjent William Wisting. God krimbok med et persongalleri og politimiljø jeg tror på.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Friday, August 1, 2008
Read in July
20) Digital Fortress by Dan Brown
Read: 29 June - 6 July
Pages: 510
Rating: 2
The characters of Digital Fortress are cryptographers, computer techs and professors who are supposed to be among the sharpest brains in the US, yet I, a humble linguist, had the "code so ingeniously complex that if released it will cripple U.S. intelligence" figured out ages ahead of them. This is usually a sign of a poorly written book, and Dan Brown's debut novel is no exception. As with many other books, the initial idea is good, but sadly the plot is so predictable and the characters so stereotypical that you get the feeling you have read the book many, many times before. I didn't care what happened to the characters at all (except the assassin, he was actually a tad interesting), and throughout the book I kept wondering who were supposed to be the good guys and who were the bad guys. Maybe Brown intended for the book to be morally ambiguous, but I was just confused. And if the NSA is as secret an organisation as Brown claimes, why do I know about them? I'm not even American.
Thankfully Dan Brown has become a better writer over the years (yes, I know many people will disagree with me, but at least he has learned how to write suspense), because I can understand why Digital Fortress never became a success when it was first published. Not completely useless as a novel, but it certainly leaves a lot to be desired.
21) Tsarens juveler av Tormod Haugen
Lest: 7. juli - 15. juli
Sider: 299
Karakter: 5
Dette var en av favorittbøkene mine som tenåring, og den tålte godt en gjenlesning 12-13 år senere.
22) Catch Me If You Can by Frank W. Abagnale
Read: 16 July - 26 July
Pages: 277
Rating: 5
This was a very entertaining book. You can't help cheering for Abagnale, even though what he did was wrong. I like the fact that despite him being a con artist, he never swindled an indiviual (unless they deserved it). I'm amazed at his imagination and observation abilities, and how easily he seemed to pull off all the scams - and how lucky he was. I loved this book, and it was so much better than the movie.
23) Mrs. Miracle by Debbie Macomber
Read: 26 July - 29 July
Pages:
Rating: 5
My first Debbie Macomber book, but it won't be the last. This was a sweet and heartwarming tale that would have felt even better closer to Christmas.
Read: 29 June - 6 July
Pages: 510
Rating: 2
The characters of Digital Fortress are cryptographers, computer techs and professors who are supposed to be among the sharpest brains in the US, yet I, a humble linguist, had the "code so ingeniously complex that if released it will cripple U.S. intelligence" figured out ages ahead of them. This is usually a sign of a poorly written book, and Dan Brown's debut novel is no exception. As with many other books, the initial idea is good, but sadly the plot is so predictable and the characters so stereotypical that you get the feeling you have read the book many, many times before. I didn't care what happened to the characters at all (except the assassin, he was actually a tad interesting), and throughout the book I kept wondering who were supposed to be the good guys and who were the bad guys. Maybe Brown intended for the book to be morally ambiguous, but I was just confused. And if the NSA is as secret an organisation as Brown claimes, why do I know about them? I'm not even American.
Thankfully Dan Brown has become a better writer over the years (yes, I know many people will disagree with me, but at least he has learned how to write suspense), because I can understand why Digital Fortress never became a success when it was first published. Not completely useless as a novel, but it certainly leaves a lot to be desired.
21) Tsarens juveler av Tormod Haugen
Lest: 7. juli - 15. juli
Sider: 299
Karakter: 5
Dette var en av favorittbøkene mine som tenåring, og den tålte godt en gjenlesning 12-13 år senere.
22) Catch Me If You Can by Frank W. Abagnale
Read: 16 July - 26 July
Pages: 277
Rating: 5
This was a very entertaining book. You can't help cheering for Abagnale, even though what he did was wrong. I like the fact that despite him being a con artist, he never swindled an indiviual (unless they deserved it). I'm amazed at his imagination and observation abilities, and how easily he seemed to pull off all the scams - and how lucky he was. I loved this book, and it was so much better than the movie.
23) Mrs. Miracle by Debbie Macomber
Read: 26 July - 29 July
Pages:
Rating: 5
My first Debbie Macomber book, but it won't be the last. This was a sweet and heartwarming tale that would have felt even better closer to Christmas.
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Christmas In July
Be sure to check out Terra's Christmas In July Contest for the chance to win some great books!
Most appealing TBRs
These are the most tempting books from Mt. TBR at the moment:
- Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke (finish it, actually, after a pause of almost two years)
- Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling
- Neptune Noir (I miss Veronica Mars)
-Det tredje tegnet by Yrsa Sigurdardottir
- Raise the Titanic by Clive Cussler
- American Gods by Neil Gaiman
-Die Trying by Lee Child
-The Princess Bride by William Goldman
- A Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare
- The Judas Strain by James Rollins
- Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke (finish it, actually, after a pause of almost two years)
- Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling
- Neptune Noir (I miss Veronica Mars)
-
- Raise the Titanic by Clive Cussler
- American Gods by Neil Gaiman
-
-
- A Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare
- The Judas Strain by James Rollins
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Read in June
16) The Fourth Bear by Jasper Fforde
Read: 31 May - 11 June
Pages: 375
Rating: 4
As always with Fforde, I can't help feeling that he has a little trouble weaving all his wonderful ideas into a continuous storyline. There are so many characters and subplots that they take the focus away from the main plot. I do like the main characters though - the actually feel real despite their obscurity. I liked The Big Over Easy better than this one, but I'll definitely keep reading this series if Fforde keeps writing.
17) In the Company of Cheerful Ladies by Alexander McCall Smith
Read: 12 June - 19 June
Pages: 252
Rating: 5
The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency book 5
As always, a sweet and warm tale of Mma Ramotswe and her companions.
18) The Colour of Magic by Terry Pratchett
Read: 19 June - 28 June
Pages: 285
Rating: 3
Good thing I rad some comments about this book on the forum before starting it, otherwise I would have been disappointed in this series. Now I know there are better things to come. :-) The Colour of Magic didn't impress me by any means, although it was fun and at times interesting. Rincewind the wizard (of sorts) and Twoflower the tourist make a good pair of companions, and I do love the Luggage. However, I thought there was just too many characters and too many things happening, and the whole thing got a bit confusing sometimes. I can see why Pratchett has been compared to Douglas Adams, though. Maybe this wasn't the best introduction to Discworld for me, but it won't keep me from trying other books from the series when they cross my path.
19) Det hvite hotellet by Jo Nesbø
Read: 29 June
Pages: 53
Rating: 4
Read: 31 May - 11 June
Pages: 375
Rating: 4
As always with Fforde, I can't help feeling that he has a little trouble weaving all his wonderful ideas into a continuous storyline. There are so many characters and subplots that they take the focus away from the main plot. I do like the main characters though - the actually feel real despite their obscurity. I liked The Big Over Easy better than this one, but I'll definitely keep reading this series if Fforde keeps writing.
17) In the Company of Cheerful Ladies by Alexander McCall Smith
Read: 12 June - 19 June
Pages: 252
Rating: 5
The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency book 5
As always, a sweet and warm tale of Mma Ramotswe and her companions.
18) The Colour of Magic by Terry Pratchett
Read: 19 June - 28 June
Pages: 285
Rating: 3
Good thing I rad some comments about this book on the forum before starting it, otherwise I would have been disappointed in this series. Now I know there are better things to come. :-) The Colour of Magic didn't impress me by any means, although it was fun and at times interesting. Rincewind the wizard (of sorts) and Twoflower the tourist make a good pair of companions, and I do love the Luggage. However, I thought there was just too many characters and too many things happening, and the whole thing got a bit confusing sometimes. I can see why Pratchett has been compared to Douglas Adams, though. Maybe this wasn't the best introduction to Discworld for me, but it won't keep me from trying other books from the series when they cross my path.
19) Det hvite hotellet by Jo Nesbø
Read: 29 June
Pages: 53
Rating: 4
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Read in May
12) Vineyard Deceit by Philip R. Craig
Read: 23 April - 5 May
Pages: 235
Rating: 5
I received this as a RABCK, and having never heard of the author or the Martha's Vineyard mysteries, I didn't have very high expectations. As it turned out, it was a surprisingly good mystery with ex-policeman J.W. Jackson as the main character. Jackson is a likeable guy, and I like his sense of humour. The plot (which involves a stolen necklace, a kidnapping and the Padishah of Sarofim) works well and even all the fishing that goes on (Jackson's favourite pasttime) doesn't bore me. I'll have to keep a look-out for the other books in this series.
13) andungen og jeg (jul) by Emilie Christensen
Read: 5 May
Pages: 43
Rating: 5
14) The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón
Read: 5 May - 22 May
Pages: 402
Rating: 6
This book has received a lot of publicity, and I wasn't expecting to like it, because I thought it sounded rather long-winding and dull. How wrong I was! I haven't been this engrossed in a book in a long time, and it's such a wonderful feeling ('flow', I think they're calling it these days). This is a story of burning passion, lost love, friendship, hatred and memories that won't let go of you. The characters are real and experience real emotions, and nothing is like it first seems. It's a story about life and death and everything in between, and ultimately it's about living - and about Victor Hugo's fountain pen.
15) Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman
Read: 23 May - 31 May
Pages: 372
Rating: 5
I think Gaiman is the most creative and imaginative writer I've ever read. He creates these utterly strange, yet very familiar worlds and populates them with utterly strange, yet completely recognisable people (and animals). He might just be a new favourite author to me.
Read: 23 April - 5 May
Pages: 235
Rating: 5
I received this as a RABCK, and having never heard of the author or the Martha's Vineyard mysteries, I didn't have very high expectations. As it turned out, it was a surprisingly good mystery with ex-policeman J.W. Jackson as the main character. Jackson is a likeable guy, and I like his sense of humour. The plot (which involves a stolen necklace, a kidnapping and the Padishah of Sarofim) works well and even all the fishing that goes on (Jackson's favourite pasttime) doesn't bore me. I'll have to keep a look-out for the other books in this series.
13) andungen og jeg (jul) by Emilie Christensen
Read: 5 May
Pages: 43
Rating: 5
14) The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón
Read: 5 May - 22 May
Pages: 402
Rating: 6
This book has received a lot of publicity, and I wasn't expecting to like it, because I thought it sounded rather long-winding and dull. How wrong I was! I haven't been this engrossed in a book in a long time, and it's such a wonderful feeling ('flow', I think they're calling it these days). This is a story of burning passion, lost love, friendship, hatred and memories that won't let go of you. The characters are real and experience real emotions, and nothing is like it first seems. It's a story about life and death and everything in between, and ultimately it's about living - and about Victor Hugo's fountain pen.
15) Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman
Read: 23 May - 31 May
Pages: 372
Rating: 5
I think Gaiman is the most creative and imaginative writer I've ever read. He creates these utterly strange, yet very familiar worlds and populates them with utterly strange, yet completely recognisable people (and animals). He might just be a new favourite author to me.
Monday, May 12, 2008
Read in April
10) The Subtle Knife by Philip R. Craig
Read: 1 April - 15 April
Pages: 288
Rating: 5
I thought this book was even better than the first one. Each of the characters are strong and interesting, and I'm left wanting to know more about them and what happens to them. I particularly like Will (better than Lyra), Serafina Pekkala and Lee Scoresby. I was also glad to see less of Mrs. Coulter, because her dæmon makes me cringe. Love the idea of windows between different worlds. Can't wait to read the next book now!
11) Stardust by Neil Gaiman
Read: 16 April - 22 April
Pages: 333
Rating: 5
A sweet and funny story of love and life's coincidences.
Read: 1 April - 15 April
Pages: 288
Rating: 5
I thought this book was even better than the first one. Each of the characters are strong and interesting, and I'm left wanting to know more about them and what happens to them. I particularly like Will (better than Lyra), Serafina Pekkala and Lee Scoresby. I was also glad to see less of Mrs. Coulter, because her dæmon makes me cringe. Love the idea of windows between different worlds. Can't wait to read the next book now!
11) Stardust by Neil Gaiman
Read: 16 April - 22 April
Pages: 333
Rating: 5
A sweet and funny story of love and life's coincidences.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Book Wishlist
Since Cliff's wishlist site is about to close down, I've stored my book wishlist here for now: http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=pQI_UyMPcgIfp7acDkkbhTA.
Feel free to take a look. :-)
Feel free to take a look. :-)
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Read in March
7) Along Came a Spider by James Patterson
Read: 23 February - 17 March
Pages: 435
Rating: 4
Detective story with a twist: did the murderer really commit the murders, or does he truly suffer from multiple personality disorder? An interesting read with a very creepy antagonist, but I lost interest a couple of times along the way. Might have benefited from being 100 pages shorter. Sadly it didn't leave me wanting to read more of the Alex Cross novels.
8) Black Order by James Rollins
Read: 17 March - 28 March
Pages: 423
Rating: 4
Interesting read. I had a bit of trouble getting my head around all the quantum theory, and I might just have to read more on the subject. It was an exciting book, and despite somewhat stereotypical characters I liked it.
9) Dødens codex av Gert Nygårdshaug
Read: 29 March - 31 March
Pages: 220
Rating: 4
Tredje bok i serien om Fredric Drum. Jeg begynner å ane at grunnoppskriften er lik i alle bøkene i serien: Fredric faller ned i et hull el.l., innser at noen er ute etter ham, men skjønner ikke hvorfor, oppdager hvorfor, holder på å dø flere ganger, avslører en stor hemmelighet, alt sammen mens han drikker mye vin.
Read: 23 February - 17 March
Pages: 435
Rating: 4
Detective story with a twist: did the murderer really commit the murders, or does he truly suffer from multiple personality disorder? An interesting read with a very creepy antagonist, but I lost interest a couple of times along the way. Might have benefited from being 100 pages shorter. Sadly it didn't leave me wanting to read more of the Alex Cross novels.
8) Black Order by James Rollins
Read: 17 March - 28 March
Pages: 423
Rating: 4
Interesting read. I had a bit of trouble getting my head around all the quantum theory, and I might just have to read more on the subject. It was an exciting book, and despite somewhat stereotypical characters I liked it.
9) Dødens codex av Gert Nygårdshaug
Read: 29 March - 31 March
Pages: 220
Rating: 4
Tredje bok i serien om Fredric Drum. Jeg begynner å ane at grunnoppskriften er lik i alle bøkene i serien: Fredric faller ned i et hull el.l., innser at noen er ute etter ham, men skjønner ikke hvorfor, oppdager hvorfor, holder på å dø flere ganger, avslører en stor hemmelighet, alt sammen mens han drikker mye vin.
Friday, March 7, 2008
Read in February
4) Northern Lights by Philip Pullman
Read: 29 January - 16 February
Pages: 399
Rating: 4
I thought this was a good read, although I didn't have any trouble putting it down when I had to (which is probably why it took me almost 3 weeks to finish). I really liked the descriptions of the surroundings, especially those of the Aurora. They were almost as beautiful as the real thing, which I see all the time in the winter. I also liked how Norway got a little mention (Norroway). :-) Lyra was great, and I don't know who were scarier, Mrs. Coulter or Lord Asriel. I did love Iorek Byrnison and Serafina Pekkala.
5) The Six Sacred Stones by Matthew Reilly
Read: 16 February - 23 February
Pages: 506
Rating: 5
Second book in the Jack West Jr. series. I got excatly what I expected: dangerous stunts, nerve-wracking cliffhangers, extreme stereotypes and a completely unrealistic plot. Loved it!
6) O Little Town of Maggody by Joan Hess
Read: 8 December - 27 February
Pages: 237
Rating: 3
I started this before Christmas, but I stopped somewhere in the middle because it didn't really manage to hold my interest. I didn't care for any of the characters, and the plot wasn't very exciting. Okay, nothing more, nothing less.
Read: 29 January - 16 February
Pages: 399
Rating: 4
I thought this was a good read, although I didn't have any trouble putting it down when I had to (which is probably why it took me almost 3 weeks to finish). I really liked the descriptions of the surroundings, especially those of the Aurora. They were almost as beautiful as the real thing, which I see all the time in the winter. I also liked how Norway got a little mention (Norroway). :-) Lyra was great, and I don't know who were scarier, Mrs. Coulter or Lord Asriel. I did love Iorek Byrnison and Serafina Pekkala.
5) The Six Sacred Stones by Matthew Reilly
Read: 16 February - 23 February
Pages: 506
Rating: 5
Second book in the Jack West Jr. series. I got excatly what I expected: dangerous stunts, nerve-wracking cliffhangers, extreme stereotypes and a completely unrealistic plot. Loved it!
6) O Little Town of Maggody by Joan Hess
Read: 8 December - 27 February
Pages: 237
Rating: 3
I started this before Christmas, but I stopped somewhere in the middle because it didn't really manage to hold my interest. I didn't care for any of the characters, and the plot wasn't very exciting. Okay, nothing more, nothing less.
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