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The Black Swan: The Impact of the Highly Improbable By Nassim Nicholas Taleb
Reading since Sep 27, 2009

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Little Women: (Penguin Popular Classics) By Louise M. Alcott
Reading since Jul 21, 2009

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How to Read a Novel: A User's Guide By John Sutherland

screamingbanshee has this up for trade. Trade with screamingbanshee for this.

  • 1 person find this helpful

    I scanned the last few chapters. Interesting resource about books, reading and publishing in general. Not really my cup of tea.

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    Posted on Dec 4, 2009 | Add your feedback

Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress: A Novel By Dai Sijie
Inkspell By Cornelia Caroline Funke
Reading since Mar 10, 2009

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Trainspotting By Irvine Welsh
Reading since Jul 10, 2009

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Life of Pi By Yann Martel
Reading since Oct 20, 2008

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The Graveyard Book By Neil Gaiman
  • Another great book by Gaiman!

    I'm now re-reading this. The story is imaginative: a boy raised by ghosts. The paradox is that he learns more than anyone to open his heart to living life to the fullest by living with ghosts in a graveyard.

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    Posted on Dec 15, 2009 | Add your feedback

Eats, Shoots & Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation By Lynne Truss
  • I have the seventh sense

    Funny! I am one of these people who have a horrible compulsion to edit typos and punctuation and it's actually a relief to hear someone write about it. I am not alone. And wait, I DO have a life, and I HAVE relaxed about correcting people ... lest they get offended.

    I did have a few issues with the ... (continue)

    Funny! I am one of these people who have a horrible compulsion to edit typos and punctuation and it's actually a relief to hear someone write about it. I am not alone. And wait, I DO have a life, and I HAVE relaxed about correcting people ... lest they get offended.

    I did have a few issues with the book. One, it is written for a British audience, and many punctuation rules and examples are British, of course. If you're used to American conventions, the rules may seem "wrong" to you. Two, after reading one chapter on one specific punctuation mark, say the comma, you can get a little fatigued with example after example. So best read this in several sittings.

    This isn't a book for everyone. Don't bother with it if ...
    ... you're one of those people where bad grammar and punctuation (wrong or lack of) just don't grate on your nerves, DON'T bother with this book. It will seem like a mountain was made out of a molehill.
    ... you're NOT interested in proper punctuation. At the least, one needs to keep an open mind.

    I think this book would make a great addition to my Strunk and White. Or maybe they should make an Americanized version?

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    Posted on Dec 13, 2009 | Add your feedback

Stardust: (Thorndike Press Large Print Young Adult Series) By Neil Gaiman
  • New-old fairy tale

    Beautifully told story about the coming-of-age of a young man who promises to fetch a fallen star for the woman he loves. He gets more than he bargains for and goes on a journey in Faerie, discovers his roots, and unwittingly discovers his true love and true self.

    Good reading for young adults; al ... (continue)

    Beautifully told story about the coming-of-age of a young man who promises to fetch a fallen star for the woman he loves. He gets more than he bargains for and goes on a journey in Faerie, discovers his roots, and unwittingly discovers his true love and true self.

    Good reading for young adults; although younger kids may want to watch the movie instead - the book has some tame sex scenes.

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    Posted on Dec 11, 2009 | Add your feedback

Eclipse By Stephenie Meyer
  • Bella remains needy ...

    ... and Edward still treats her like crap. The saving grace is the character of Jacob, who seems too good to be true. Ah Bella, when will you be so less full of yourself? And despite this love triangle, this third installment drags on the exceptionally long-winded dilemma of Bella ... to be or not t ... (continue)

    ... and Edward still treats her like crap. The saving grace is the character of Jacob, who seems too good to be true. Ah Bella, when will you be so less full of yourself? And despite this love triangle, this third installment drags on the exceptionally long-winded dilemma of Bella ... to be or not to be a vampire. Come on already. Bite her and get on with it.

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    Posted on Dec 7, 2009 | Add your feedback

Memories of My Melancholy Whores By Gabriel Garcia Marquez
  • The story is kind of depressing - who wants to hear an old man reminisce about the lovely whores he has slept with? This is a male's book, some references a la Lolita. Feminists beware. But I love Gabriel Garcia Marquez's language that I read this slim volume pretty quickly.

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    Posted on Dec 15, 2009 | Add your feedback

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time By Mark Haddon
  • Rainman reincarnated

    Touching and humorous, an autistic young boy's world unravels as he tries to learn who killed his neighbour's dog. Interspersed with interesting trivia, and lots of Mensa-like problems. Definitely worth a re-read.

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    Posted on Dec 6, 2009 | Add your feedback

Keeping Faith By Jodi Picoult
  • More controversy ...

    Another of Picoult's dramas based on the controversial topic of religion, a story that will draw you in and keep you page-turning until the end.

    Within a disintegrating marriage, a child of a mixed marriage (Jewish-Episcopalian) suddenly says that she talks with a female God, spouting Bible verses ... (continue)

    Another of Picoult's dramas based on the controversial topic of religion, a story that will draw you in and keep you page-turning until the end.

    Within a disintegrating marriage, a child of a mixed marriage (Jewish-Episcopalian) suddenly says that she talks with a female God, spouting Bible verses, and developing stigmata. True or hoax? Is it a ploy to get her parents' attention? Is there any evidence of abuse? All angles are examined, and yet no one can discount the possibility of a miracle.

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    Posted on Dec 4, 2009 | Add your feedback

Something Rotten By Jasper Fforde
  • Thursday Next, what's next?

    It's hard not to like Thursday Next, the so-accessible heroine of Fforde's alternate reality and alternate-book-reality. This is the fourth book in the series and I am yet to tire of her misadvertures. It's funny, imaginative reading, and you'll want to read more!

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    Posted on Dec 4, 2009 | Add your feedback

Shopaholic Ties the Knot By Sophie Kinsella
Finished on Dec 1, 2009

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Ella Minnow Pea: A Novel in Letters By Mark Dunn
  • The quick brown ...

    ... fox jumps over the lazy dog.

    A whole society built on this sentence and how it disintegrates when the letters of the revered sentence start falling one by one.

    A witty and interesting read!

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    Posted on Dec 1, 2009 | Add your feedback

Powers By John B. Olson
  • A quick suspenseful read

    Very well-written suspense novel about a gypsy girl and her search for a prophet. It's a quick read, as the suspense builds up slowly and you want to find out what happens next.

    A little confusing in its use of gypsy words -- with no glossary or explanation (e.g. dikh sight, The Badness). But ... (continue)

    Very well-written suspense novel about a gypsy girl and her search for a prophet. It's a quick read, as the suspense builds up slowly and you want to find out what happens next.

    A little confusing in its use of gypsy words -- with no glossary or explanation (e.g. dikh sight, The Badness). But then maybe because this is the sequel ... I didn't read the first book!

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    Posted on Dec 1, 2009 | Add your feedback

Coraline By Neil Gaiman
  • Modern-day Alice in Wonderland, with a creepy and chilling twist.

    PS The movie is fantastic too!

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    Posted on Nov 25, 2009 | Add your feedback

The Double By Jose Saramago
  • An interesting psychological read

    If there were someone in the world who was your exact duplicate, what would you do with that knowledge?

    Though Saramago's writing isn't for everyone - with run-on sentences and no punctuation - this book delves into the thoughts of two men who discover they aren't the only "me" in the world.

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    Posted on Nov 25, 2009 | Add your feedback

The Tale of Despereaux: Being the Story of a Mouse, a Princess, Some Soup, and a Spool of Thread (Newbery Medal Book) By Kate Dicamillo
Finished on Nov 20, 2009

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My Sister's Keeper By Jodi Picoult
  • 1 person find this helpful

    Ethical and moral dilemma

    This is a great read. How do parents face the horrible quandary of acting in the best interest of their children, when there is conflict of interest within the family? The parents want to save their child with cancer whose only hope of survival is the kidney donation from a perfectly matched donor. ... (continue)

    This is a great read. How do parents face the horrible quandary of acting in the best interest of their children, when there is conflict of interest within the family? The parents want to save their child with cancer whose only hope of survival is the kidney donation from a perfectly matched donor. The other child, expressly conceived to become that sole organ (blood, or tissues, etc.) donor for her sister ... yet wants "medical emancipation" or the right to choose to donate if she so wishes.

    The whole book is heavy reading and a tearjerker. The ending takes a surprising turn.

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    Posted on Nov 20, 2009 | Add your feedback

Dedication By Nicola Kraus, Emma Mclaughlin
  • Logical illogical rational irrational

    After all the hype of being independent, being one's own person, blah-blah .... the heroine Kate just dumps everything to be with her childhood sweetheart after over a decade. But then, isn't that how we are? Logical, illogical in many things of the heart?

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    Posted on Nov 20, 2009 | Add your feedback

Queen of Babble Gets Hitched: (Queen of Babble) By Meg Cabot
  • More realistic

    This is the next book after Queen of Babble in the Big City. Whereas the previous book left off on highly suspect fairytale ending, here is the heavy dose of reality ....

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    Posted on Nov 18, 2009 | Add your feedback

Chasing Cezanne
  • Interesting mystery surrounding art

    I didn't know what to expect, but it turned out pretty good. The story is engaging and you keep reading to you finish. It's a quick, breezy read.

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    Posted on Nov 15, 2009 | Add your feedback

Queen of Babble in the Big City By Meg Cabot
  • A little too fairy-talish

    Loved the idea of interspersing wedding gown design tips with the story. But really, the ending was a fairytale. Come on ...

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    Posted on Nov 12, 2009 | Add your feedback

Clockwork: Or All Wound Up By Philip Pullman
  • Scary and beautiful

    A wonderful short story that will creep you out and draw you in with it's simple and beautiful language and dreamy black and white illustrations.

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    Posted on Nov 9, 2009 | Add your feedback

Brisingr By Christopher Paolini
Finished on Nov 7, 2009

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Lyra's Oxford By Philip Pullman
Finished on Nov 6, 2009

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Charlie and the Chocolate Factory By Roald Dahl
Finished on Nov 4, 2009

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Eldest By Christopher Paolini
Finished on Nov 4, 2009

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Eragon: (Inheritance, Book 1) By Christopher Paolini
Finished on Nov 1, 2009

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Atonement By Ian McEwan
Finished on Oct 28, 2009

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The Other Boleyn Girl By Philippa Gregory
Finished on Oct 26, 2009

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Ballet Shoes: (Puffin Books) By Noel Streatfeild
Finished on Oct 24, 2009

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The Boleyn Inheritance By Philippa Gregory
Finished on Oct 22, 2009

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Japanese Women Don't Get Old or Fat: Secrets of My Mother's Tokyo Kitchen By William Doyle, Naomi Moriyama
Finished on Oct 18, 2009

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I Am the Messenger By Markus Zusak
Finished on Oct 17, 2009

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New Moon: (The Twilight Saga) By Stephenie Meyer
Finished on Oct 15, 2009

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The Historian By Elizabeth Kostova
Finished on Oct 14, 2009

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Shopaholic & Baby: (Shopaholic) By Sophie Kinsella
Finished on Oct 6, 2009

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Labyrinth By Kate Mosse
  • Fantastic book, I couldn't put it down!

    If you like Dan Brown, you are bound to love this!

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    Posted on Oct 7, 2009 | Add your feedback

Can You Keep a Secret? By Sophie Kinsella
Finished on Sep 30, 2009

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Confessions of a Shopaholic By Sophie Kinsella
  • Funny yet true!

    It's funny, irreverent and fun (and quick) to read. But it's not just chick lit per se; it tackles the very real problem of credit card debt and the emotional and personal reasons behind maxing out your cards. Very timely, and very real.

    Many people will be able to relate to this and hopefull ... (continue)

    It's funny, irreverent and fun (and quick) to read. But it's not just chick lit per se; it tackles the very real problem of credit card debt and the emotional and personal reasons behind maxing out your cards. Very timely, and very real.

    Many people will be able to relate to this and hopefully while laughing at Becky's antics, also see that it is a real problem and look for ways to avoid and/or solve it.

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    Posted on Oct 2, 2009 | Add your feedback

Breakfast at Tiffany's By Truman Capote
Finished in Oct 2007
Finished (re-read) on Sep 29, 2009

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The Beatrice Letters: (A Series of Unfortunate Events) By Lemony Snicket
Finished on Sep 25, 2009

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The Penultimate Peril: (A Series of Unfortunate Events, Book 12) By Lemony Snicket
Finished on Sep 24, 2009

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The Grim Grotto: (A Series of Unfortunate Events, Book 11) By Lemony Snicket
Finished on Sep 23, 2009

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The Slippery Slope: (A Series of Unfortunate Events, Book 10) By Lemony Snicket
Finished on Sep 21, 2009

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The Vile Village: (A Series of Unfortunate Events, Book 7) By Lemony Snicket
Finished on Sep 20, 2009

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