The 50 Book Pledge discussion

Which books are occupying the first month of your 50 Book Pledge?

The Dark Elf Trilogy.
It's all in one book thought... So would that count as one or three? :D

With some of the fun "drama" that's going on I think I'm going to keep it light and simple. Already read Cinder and a graphic novel, then going to re-read the first Harry Potter book and some Black Stallion books, and maybe Ten Things We Did and see where it goes from there!

Amelie wrote: "The Dark Elf Trilogy.
It's all in one book thought... So would that count as one or three? :D"

I would say it counts as three for sure!

Well, I am not terribly organized with my reading for the month, but I do know I have the following I hope to read (and one already finished):

Rules of Civility - finished already (4-stars)
Kristin Lavransdatter - in progress, group read (excellent!!)
Lost in a Good Book - in progress, challenge task read (fun!!)
Nothing to Envy: Ordinary Lives in North Korea - challenge task read, not yet started
Slaughterhouse-Five - challenge task read, not yet started

(I am sort of embarrassed to not have an HC read in there this month, Gah! Sorry!!)

I am just finishing The Invisible Wall by Harry Bernstein, have ready Stone Rain by Linwood Barclay. That is the fourth and last book in the Zack Waller series.

Just finished Stolen: A Letter to My Captor by Lucy Christopher.
Now reading Ashesby Ilsa J. Bick.

Gwenyth wrote: "With some of the fun "drama" that's going on I think I'm going to keep it light and simple. Already read Cinder and a graphic novel, then going to re-read the first Harry Potter book and some Black..."

Can't wait to read Cinder!

My reading list for January includes Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare,Cinder by Marissa Meyer,Love and Leftovers by Sarah Tregay,The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E Smith,The Virgin Cure by Ami McKay, and A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle

Mandee wrote: "Gwenyth wrote: "With some of the fun "drama" that's going on I think I'm going to keep it light and simple. Already read Cinder and a graphic novel, then going to re-read the first Harry Potter boo..."

It was pretty good! Oh you are reading Ashes right now? I thought that was amazing! I hope you enjoy it!

Jen wrote: "My reading list for January includes Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare,Cinder by Marissa Meyer,Love and Leftovers by Sarah Tregay,The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E ..."

Those all look like great choices Jen! I still haven't read Clockwork Prince yet...but it's loaded on my Kobo!

I am currently reading The Dovekeepers by Alice Hoffman and Forks Over Knives: The Plant-Based Way to Health by Gene Stone. I have an order for The Chimps of Fauna Sanctuary: A True Story of Resilience and Recovery by Andrew Westoll from my bookstore and can't wait to delve into that one.

Charlene wrote: "I haven't even started putting together my list of reads for this month but I do know my first two reads are: Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri, and A Doll's House by Henrik Ibsen."

A Doll's House is one of my favourite plays of all time! Also check out Hedda Gabler by Ibsen if you haven't already!

Jennifer wrote: "Well, I am not terribly organized with my reading for the month, but I do know I have the following I hope to read (and one already finished):

Rules of Civility - finished already ..."

Happy to hear you enjoyed Rules of Civility, I am really looking forward to reading that one. Just bumped it up my to-read list :)

Kate wrote: "Happy to hear you enjoyed Rules of Civility, I am really looking forward to reading that one. Just bumped it up my to-read list :) ."

I really did enjoy the novel, Kate!! I hope you will like it too. From your list for January, I have the Hoffman on my TBR and have been quite keen. In December, I read her connected short story book, Blackbird House and really enjoyed it a lot. It was my first Hoffman and was a great introduction to her writing.

I read The Chimps of Fauna Sanctuary last year and really was moved by the book. I rated it 4-stars. I had a slight hesitation with the way Westoll inserted himself into the story because I think the Sanctuary's story and the stories of all the chimps had a value and ability to stand on their own. It's a minor quibble though!! :)

I'm reading The Return of Sherlock Holmes and 1Q84 at the same time! :)

1Q84 is on my list to read! I hear it is awesome!

I'm starting Book #3 today -- The Tiger's Wife by Tea Obreht! I've been interested in this one for ages. Here's my tentative list for January:

EVERY THING ON IT by Shel Silverstein (5 stars)
BORN WICKED by Jessica Spotswood (TBR Feb 2012, 3 stars)
THE TIGER'S WIFE by Tea Obreht
RULES OF CIVILITY by Amor Towles (that cover!)
THE LANGUAGE OF FLOWERS by Vanessa Diffenbaugh

So far for January I've read House of Silk, which I loved. Next I'm thinking 13 Reasons Why, Article 5 and Arcadia Awakens.

Great book suggestions. We'll have to add a few of those to our shelves. Have heard good things about Rules of Civility.

Nice to see a few of you reading The Chimps of Fauna Sanctuary. What a great book! And nominated for so many awards...Chimps Of Fauna Sanctuary

Can anyone recommend a simple book of any genre? When I say simple I mean no constant twists in the plot and such. Something relaxing to read.

Amelie wrote: "Can anyone recommend a simple book of any genre? When I say simple I mean no constant twists in the plot and such. Something relaxing to read."

The book Rules of Civility was a really enjoyable read, Amelie. It is a fairly linear plot and wasn't a story that created tension or anxiety. I would liken it to a good vacation read. If that makes sense?

A little more comedic are the Jasper Fforde, Thursday Next books. I am reading the second in the series right now. They are definitely escapist and fun. The Eyre Affair is the first book. These books are sort-of a "soft" scifi, with a bit time travel and alternate universe stuff.

(Weirdly, both of those recommendations reference lots of literary works in their prose.)

I read Ami McKay's newest novel last fall. It was very good too: The Virgin Cure.

From HarperCollins' authors, I would totally recommend Katherine Govier. She's a great storyteller!!

Can you tell me some of your favourite authors?? That might help in making recommendations. :)

Amelie: Probably the best and nicest book I read this year was "The Story Of A Beautiful Girl". Very nice read.

Thank you for the suggestions~

Just finished and posted about Red Means Runby Canadian Brad Smith. Fantastic book!

Charlene wrote: "
I just finished this one today. A very quick and funny read for any cat lover."
Loved it! Funny & so true!

Shackleton's Way: Leadership Lessons from the Great Antarctic Explorer
(half done)
The man inside my head by Pico Iyer (not on this site)
and not sure what else! The Sheltering Sky , The Prague Cemetery
And my almost done sequel...revising currently...over and over again...
The Lacuna

Megan wrote: "The man inside my head by Pico Iyer (not on this site)..."

The Man Within My Head - is it this book, Megan? I just read about this book in last weekend's Globe and Mail. I thought it sounds fascinating!

Yes. I saw it in the NYTimes book review last weekend. I love Pico Iyer and Graham Greene (and like the concept!). It's on my kindle and next in the cue. Graham Greene's books haunt me as well. You?

Greene is actually a glaring gap in my reading! I read a couple of his books (Brighton Rock and The Power and the Glory) eons ago and always mean to read more of his stuff!

I love The Power and the Glory! The End of the Affair is stunning. I think in the NYT review it said that Pico Iyer's favorite is The Quiet American so maybe I'll re-read that in February!
I'll post a review on The Man Within My Head whn I'm done (so if you're curious).
Some books just haunt...

I am definitely curious, Megan! I have both TEotA and TQA on my list. (Sorry, feeling very lazy right now!!)

Just finished book #3.

Jennifer
Here is the link to an excerpt by Pico Iyer about Graham Greene: http://www.writinginpublic.com/2012/0...
I was just reading it.

Cool! Thank you!

Have you guys entered our giveaway this month? Looks like a great new fiction to add to your February list.

http://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/sho...

The Flight of Gemma Hardy: A Novel

Is that the giveaway to which you were referring? If so, I just tried and can't enter (open only to people in Canada). Or, is that link wrong?

Thanks for mentioning. Any Harper Collins releases you feel strongly about (and want to recommend)?

Hm, yes. It is only open to Canadians, sorry!

We're really excited about these two just now, one about to go on sale and the other will be our big March release:

http://www.harpercollins.ca/books/The...

http://www.harpercollins.ca/books/The...

Thanks! Running now (literary...to the beach I go..) but I'll check them out later.

Kate wrote: "I am currently reading The Dovekeepers by Alice Hoffman and Forks Over Knives: The Plant-Based Way to Health by Gene Stone. I have an order for [book:The Chimps of F..."
The Dovekeepers is INCREDIBLE.

Started this last night (research for a project): The Emperor of All Maladies

So well written and engaging, especially given the density of the writing.

My new goal...start adding more fiction once I finish this crop of books...

That is a fantastic book, Meghan! I read in 2011 and it was my favourite book of last year! Mukherjee is a marvel of a human being. (I am still wowed that he began writing the book while doing his residency...like he wasn't busy enough!) :)

So far it's been shocking good (given the depressing topic). I really like it!

It sustains too!! It is not the sunniest of topics,sure, but the delivery it exceptional. (At least I thought so.)

Charlene wrote: "I haven't even started putting together my list of reads for this month but I do know my first two reads are: Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri, and A Doll's House by Henrik Ibsen."

Oh, you'll really enjoy "Interpreter of Maladies" by Lahiri. After I read "Namesake," I picked that up and it's excellent. Jhumpa Lahiri is one of my favourite authors. A really great choice.

Jen wrote: "My reading list for January includes Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare,Cinder by Marissa Meyer,Love and Leftovers by Sarah Tregay,The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E ..."

Reading "The Virgin Cure" now. Since Ami McKay's "Birth House," I've been waiting to read something else of hers.

Kate wrote: "I am currently reading The Dovekeepers by Alice Hoffman and Forks Over Knives: The Plant-Based Way to Health by Gene Stone. I have an order for [book:The Chimps of F..."

I loved "Dovekeepers" by Alice Hoffman. One of my favourite historical fiction novels! Enjoy.

Oooh! I loved that one, Zara (The Virgin Cure, I mean.) I really liked The Birth House too but Moth stood out as a stronger character.

Mandee wrote: "1Q84 is on my list to read! I hear it is awesome!"

I have yet to get this from the bookstore. The sheer fact that it's 900+ pages long inspires me. And the cover design and overall design of the book is just beautiful. On my 50-Book Pledge list. Enjoy!

Cristina wrote: "I'm starting Book #3 today -- The Tiger's Wife by Tea Obreht! I've been interested in this one for ages. Here's my tentative list for January:

EVERY THING ON IT by Shel Silverstein (5 stars)
BORN ..."

Are you on Twitter? Or check out Huff Post. They're hosting a book club that's covering "The Tiger's Wife" right now. I think they're on Chapter four? I wanted to read along, but it's tough for me to concentrate when I read more than one book at the same time.

"The Language of Flowers" has been pretty popular. So much so, it's going to be made into a movie. I liked it with exception to the end...but I'm not telling. Good luck with your reads.