52 Books in 52 Weeks (2012) discussion

As Yasmine did last year's, the same rules are here.


"In this thread, everyone will post their reviews/opinions of the book they have read this week AFTER you rate/review it on your page. The purpose of this is so everyone can see what you read this week and read your review without having to visit each profile. Some of you have their profiles locked, so this saves you the trouble of unlocking it.

ANY COMMENTS THAT ARE NOT RELATED TO THAT MATTER WILL BE DELETED.

The format will be like this:

Name of book.
Author.
n/5 stars.

"Your simple opinion/extended review/one word that expresses what you thought of the book. GO CRAZY! Anything counts. Don't feel pressured."

Link to your review.

Also, this allows us to be organized, so even if a member didn't log in for about a month, they can add the book they've read to the appropriate thread.

THANK YOU ALL!


EDIT:
As I've mentioned in the guidelines, one word or a simple opinion counts as a 'review'. I only called it that because Goodreads calls it that."


Now let's see your achievements, awesome people.

An Arabic book this time.

كيف أصبحوا عظماء؟
سعد الكريباني
3/5 stars.




كتاب جميل، يتحدث عن عظماء وطريقهم إلى العظمة.

استشهد الكاتب بكثير من الشخصيات المعروفة والمشهورة منهم أديسون، هنري فورد، تاكيو أوساهيرا (إذا كانت الكتابة صح) الكتاب يعطي دفعة حماسية! حتى أنه أعطى - مما يراه الكاتب - مفاتيح النجاح والتي منها وضوح الهدف.

الكتاب جميل وتقدر تقرأه في أي وقت، لغة الكاتب سلسة وإستشهاداته جميلة وممتعة، يأتي بأحاديث للنبي - صلى الله عليه وسلم - وقصص من الصحابة والتابعين، وقصص أيضًا من العظماء في القرون الماضية.

Sing You Home
Jodi Picoult
4/5

Jodi, once again, you have not failed me. Interesting and addicting, this book. Happy ending :)

On a Pale Horse
Piers Anthony
Zane is on the brink of suicide and about to pull the trigger when the Grim Reaper walks in through the door and he shoots him instead.However there is a small law of the universe that says whoever kills death becomes death.A little reluctant at first he discovers that becoming death is not an easy task, especially when a beautiful young woman and Satan himself make an appearance.

This book was recommended by a work colleague who thought it would be my kind of book and so it became my ninth read of the year.I wasn't disappointed and was pleasantly surprised.'On a Pale Horse' is very original and extremely imaginative and the story is pretty decent.

Ok so I may have read better stories and it doesn't really pack much of an emotional punch, but the sheer brilliance of this author to create such a fun and original world makes up for it. I can't believe I have never encountered Piers Anthony before and I will definitely be hoping to read more of his books, especially the rest of this series of which this was the first.

Me and my work colleague agreed that this was a great read and a bit like Terry Pratchet but not as wacky or funny.I also found the Author's note at the end to be a fascinating insight into his writing process and fellow writers out there may find it interesting too.


4/5

And Then There Were None
by Agatha Christie
4/5

My first time reading a book by Agatha and I must say I should have read her books a long time ago. the story is about 10 people in one island who are gathered by one host to receive a punishment to the crimes they committed that the law couldn't punish them for.

Book#9

Title: The Glass Painter's Daughter
Author: Rachel Hore

I gave it 3/5

The storyline was predictable, characters annoying except Jo and Zac, I especially disliked the lead character. The only reason I gave the book 3/5 is that it came at a time where I badly needed a book to read, I call 'em "book companions".

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/54...
1848 By George Orwell
I heard about this book from at least three different people, and it really worth it!
4/5
i am not into politics but i can say that what happen in this book relate to allot in this current time!! the book was ok till the part where the main characters start reading another book it became really boring it was like BOOKiction :p but after that it was really interesting. and believe me when i say you'll finish the book with this expression \Ö/ on your face!

Book #8
Imperial bedrooms by Bret Easton Ellis
3/5

I'm not quite sure if this is a sequel, but I never read the first book (which had the same characters). I got this book for free, which is surprising that they were giving it away.
You don't want to put it down, you're constantly guessing, and your thoughts bounce around like a pinball as you try to wrap your head around everything.
A great read, and I will definitely read his other books.

http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Again 2 books,

1.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Harry Potter, #7)
by J.K. Rowling
5/5

It was so gripping! Even though I watched the movie and read it before in Arabic, I couldn't put it down. It's truly magnificent, I was almost sorry it was the last book of the series.

2.
Vampire Academy: The Graphic Novel, #1
by Richelle Mead
3/5

It was not as exciting as I anticipated !

Allan & Barbara Pease

3/5 stars
Feb 7, 2012

This book is quite interesting. It deals with the differences between men and women. Yeah it sounds as a cliche, but the fact is: it is interesting. It focuses more on facts, scientific facts on male and female brains which reflect on many of their attitudes and characteristics. I wasn't interested in the relationship parts but on gaining a better understanding of the differences between them, and why they act the way they act. It was somehow eye-opening!


أحمد الشقيري

3/5 stars
Feb 7, 2012

ينقسم الكتاب إلى قسمين؛ الأول عن خواطره وتعليقاته على بعض الأجزاء من سيرة غاندي الذاتية وربطها بالحياة اليومية وبعض تعاليم الإسلام، والجزء الثاني -وهو الممتع حقيقةً- عن تجربته في رحلة "خلوة" روحانية في أحد منتجعات الهند..

Gregor the Overlander

Gregor The Overlander By Suzanne Collins.
5/5

I admit that the only reason I read this book is to catch some of The Hunger Games' essence. Gregor is no Katniss Everdeen,that though does not mean its not worthy your time. Gregor, although not that outgoing, is mature and many of his lines are beautiful, wisely sizing up the surroundings in a very spot on manner. Even my eyes went misty at the death of a "crawler", I kid you not. He made me empathize with cochroaches!

A short fantasy with ,surprisingly, a quite graphic and descriptive journey for an 11yo. It has everything a good novel should have, a creative plot, realistic characters and a suitable setting. This might not be as deep as The Hunger Games, but I am glad that I stumbled upon it all the same. Mind you, this is quite good for a first book. I should've guessed so by her later works.

The only thing that bothered me was the fact this book could've been a little more ,mature? Deep? Less based on coincidences? I don't know. I know it's not fair but hey, that's just my opinion and I may very well be mistaken. I'm positively sure though that the following books would clarify more and give it an edge that will make it even better.

To conclude, "Was this book any good?" you ask. If it wasn't, I wouldn't have stayed up as late as 3:00am to finish the book and write this review.

Week 5
The alchemist
Paulo Coelho
4/5
What I like most about this novel is that it is enriched with wisdom in a simple philosophical way along with a very amusing detailed description of the events that took place in the story , the writer succeed in letting the reader think deeply while reading



Week 6
عابر سرير
أحلام مستغانمي
٤/٥
أحلام ! سيدة الكلمات و اللغة ، خلال قرائتي للثلاثية أحسست أني دخلت إلى هالة من المشاعر المختلطة ، اعترتني رغبة في البكاء مع قرائتي لآخر صفحات عابر سرير ، مسك الختام لمجموعة رائعة ، ثرية لغةً و عاطفة ..

Title: Mockingjay
Author: Suzanne Collins

The third book in the hunger games trilogy was amazing. I was told that the third book was not as good as the first and second one but I loved it!The third book relentlessly strips aside those feelings of faith and hope I had after reading the second book. As I got into the book, I realized this was completely different than the first two books and yet I was caught up in the story and immersed.
The love triangle we have been following since the first book resolves itself in the best way that I could see possible. I like the realistic nature of the ending. I loved it and would highly recommend as a must read!

By Kate William/Francine Pascal
3.5

Love these books even though they're so cheesy!

الجنية للدكتور غازي القصيبي
2\5

أول كتاب أقرأه باللغة العربية بعد ٨ سنوات، و أول كتاب أقرأه للدكتور غازي القصيبي -رحمه الله. للأسف، كنت أتمنى آن تكون أولى تجربتي مع كتب الدكتور أفضل من هذا الكتاب.

http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Catching Fire
by Suzanne Collins

3/5
Liked the turns of events that went right from the first page.
The book began and ended very strongly, though it between it became just too repetitive and predictable.

Catching Fire
Catching Fire
by Suzanne Collins
3/5
This book was not as good as the first one but it was enjoyable. It took me longer to read this because some parts were just meh. I wonder if they'll make a movie of this one since this wasnt really that good.

If one is reading the trilogy, then I would say you must read this book to go to the next book!

The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I had my doubts, at the beginning. My friend has sung high praises about the book, and I was wondering whether it was just me or that I had such high expectations, the story was falling flat in comparison.

Then page 80 came along. And I fell in love.

Fast-paced, compelling, shocking (greatly), extremely quotable, and utterly heartbreaking, is what I would describe this narrative with. It pulls you in and makes it impossible to put the book down (after page 80. Before that, I was just trudging along and texting everybody in procrastination. Seriously, thank you, page 80.) It also has one of the most vivid cast of characters I have encountered, and it's given me one of my favorite secondary characters to date.

I recommend this book, if you're the 'journey to discover oneself' sort of person. I also recommend it if you like a good mystery. Actually, I recommend it, period. I won't be giving it a reread, but I think you should.