Children of the Dust
Author: Louise Lawrence
Genre: Post-Apocalyptic
I was going through a post-apocalyptic phase and right when I discovered this book, I rushed to find it online and have read it 4 times ever since. It’s a really quick read but it’s shocking, powerful and depressing— it will totally blow you away. It’s a beautifully written tale of three generations of a family after a global nuclear war. This is one of those books that you read and can never forget. Recommended if you like science-fiction and end-of-the-world scenarios.
Empress (Godspeaker Trilogy)
Author: Karen Miller
Genre: Fantasy
[From a review I wrote about in a previous entry] Empress is about an unwanted, feral slave named Hekat who was destined to become the greatest empress of Mijak in a world ruled by religion. You sympathize with the her in the beginning because of who she is and where she’s from but as the story progresses, you realize Hekat is bit crazy (somewhat of a sociopath) and incapable of feeling love or sympathy— only hatred and fear so you find yourself disliking her more and more because of what she’s becoming. I find this interesting because she is suppose to be the protagonist and the protagonist is always perceived as the “good guy†(although I know not all protagonists are suppose to be likable). But anyhow, it compliments well with Hekat’s independence, desire to rise to the top and her extremely determined and ambitious personality… she is after all, “precious and beautiful, she is god-touched.”
Chasing Daylight
Author: Gene O’Kelly
Genre: Memoir
As CEO at accounting giant KPMG, Eugene O’Kelly was so immersed in his job that over the course of a decade, he managed to have lunch with his wife on weekdays just twice. His travel schedule was set 18 months out. Once, he was so obsessed with impressing a potential client that he tracked down the man’s travel schedule, booked the seat next to him on a flight, schmoozed the guy all the way to Australia, landed the account, and flew immediately back to Manhattan. His Type-A ways vanished when, at age 53, a top neurosurgeon in New York told him he had late- stage brain cancer. “His eyes told me I would die soon. It was late spring. I had seen my last autumn in New York.â€
That was enough to capture me to read the book. It’s inspiring, touching and pretty much made me bawl my eyes out.
The Other Boleyn Girl
Author: Philippa Gregory
Genre: Historical-Fiction
This is historical fiction at it’s best since Philippa Gregory is THE queen of historical fiction. I caught The Other Boleyn Girl on PPV one day and instantly became obsessed with the story, the Tudors and just [European] royalty in general so I went out and bought the book and was even more impressed. Again, if you loved the movie, READ THE BOOK!!
Mao’s Last Dancer
Author: Li Cunxin
Genre: Memoir
In a setting similar to Wild Swans that I recommended in a previous entry, Mao’s Last Dancer is an auto-biography written by Li Cuxin about his journey from a boy living in extreme poverty and laboring in the fields of China’s countryside to his career as a world-famous professional ballet dancer. When Madame Mao’s Dance Academy arrived at his school looking for students for ballet, he was chosen and admitted to the academy; this book documents his intense struggle to the top where he eventually graduated and was chosen to go to America where he danced in the Houston Ballet for sixteen years.
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I have heard a lot of positive reviews on Children of the Dust. I’m so gonna make a trip to the library now that you say it’s that good.
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I am so impress of how much reading u do. i had the same hobby.
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Katy
January 15th, 2009 |
It’s because I love love love reading (and I wish everybody did too)… I just read whenever I can (eg. at the gym); that’s how I find so much time. LOL.
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I can say with honesty that I haven’t heard of any of these books before. They all look rather intriguing though. I might have to add some to my already overly long want-to-read list
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I need to start reading more. Chasing Daylight sounds like one I’d want to read. Thank you for the recommendations!
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Your right, the other boleyn girl was an awesome book! I couldnt put it down, i think i finished it really fast .. i took that book everywhere with me.. but thanks for the other reccomendations! i am so hitting chapters now -.-
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I agree the Other Boleyn Girl is a wonderful book. You should also read the other books in the Tudor series by her especially The Constant Princess and The Virgin’s Lover. I also love another book by her titled the Fallen Sky.
You should also check out Jodi Picoult and Emily Barr. Both are excellent writers in my opinion.
Chasing Daylight sounds interesting. I would look out for it in the local library soon
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Katy
January 8th, 2009 |
I’ve read all of Phillipa Gregory’s Tudor related books except for The Other Queen which I haven’t purchased yet (waiting for the paperback version). I love them!
I will definitely check out those authors. Someone recommended me Jodi Picoult before and although I haven’t read that genre in years, I’m looking forward to it.
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Im totally in awe when I read this since Empress is also my favorite book. I have to give CHasing Daylight a try, all the reviews sound good..thanks for this
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Darn you, I didn’t need more books to read!
Adding Chasing Daylight, Mao’s Last Dancer, and The Other Boleyn Girl to my queue… [grumbles]
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I really like your book taste. It’s not the usual chick lit crap that I always end up reading just cause they’re so mind numbing. Children of the Dust sounds interesting, maybe I’ll look into it when I’m done with my current book. Thanks for the recommendations girl
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Katy
January 10th, 2009 |
The only chicklit I’ve read was the first couple books from the Shopaholic series. They’re a light read but those books are sooo annoying. I wouldn’t read those unless I have nothing else to read. What kind of books are you into?
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i need to check those books out. i’m bored out of my mind! they seem very interesting
i love reading. i read pretty fast. that’s another downfall. then i’ll have to buy like 5 books. hehe.
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Katy
January 10th, 2009 |
I do too which sucks because when I’m done I get all depressed because it’s over and there’s no more books from that series left! I try to read slowly but I can’t because I get so into it and I can’t stop.
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Thanks! I’m always looking for books to add to my shopping list!
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