I think I vastly overrated how much I would actually read this weekend. I had hopes I would have finished at least one more book than I did. The best-laid plans and all. Better luck next week!
FINISHED SINCE THE LAST UPDATE:
The Helen Dunmore novel was not so excellent. Slow, meandering, and somewhat without a plot, the only thing that kept me reading it was the descriptive passages, which are so beautiful. I thought about DNFing it at the halfway point but did not do so for fear it actually got interesting. It did not, but I have no regrets reading it. Ms. Dunmore leaves no part of living in the 1790s unexplained, so I learned more than I probably ever needed to know.
I don’t know what it says about me but I did not find William Peter Blatty’s bestseller to be all that frightening. Perhaps it is because I was listening to it in short increments of time. Perhaps it is because even though I have never seen the movie, I knew the story and how it ended. Perhaps it had something to do with the author’s voice; as narrator he makes for an excellent demon but his voice is too low and gravelly for feminine voices. I was disturbed at times, especially with what the demon forces Regan to do and say, but I was never frightened. I think I am getting jaded.
Emily Suvada’s novel is an outstanding sci-fi novel. All bits of darkness and clever science and computer science – I have no idea if any of it is accurate, and I don’t really care. The story itself is a lot of fun and kept me guessing. To be honest, I had thought of setting it down at the quarter mark because I thought I had the story completely solved. I am so glad I did not because I was totally wrong in every one of my suppositions. It is exciting and tense and just fantastic.
DID NOT FINISH:
Still going strong.
CURRENT READ:
I have heard this is one you want to read in one sitting. I find I am enjoying it much more by reading it in small sections at a time. It is a lovely, emotional story and I find myself wanting to savor it.
CURRENT LISTEN:
I’ve been reading a lot of dark and disturbing stuff lately. I need to lighten things up a bit.
NEXT UP:
So, what are you reading?
Ooh, this is the second person this week to rave about the Emily Suvada book! I’m going to have to bump it up on my list.
I can see you liking it a lot. It isn’t as crazy as The Prey of Gods but it is out there. I loved it. Granted, any story that involves people blowing up as part of a virus is going to keep my interest.
Oh that Exorcist movie, a bit chilling in places. I always thought about it when I passed the infamous stairs in Georgetown (DC). But maybe you are too used to all these dark disturbing books — to be scared anymore!
I am curious about the movie now. I was really surprised by how much of the story I already knew. I haven’t been to DC in a while, but I do want to go visit those stairs.
Can’t wait to hear your thoughts on Best Day Ever.
I thought I’d get a lot more reading done, too. I managed to finish one book at least.
It might be a while before I get to Best Day Ever. The one I am currently reading is taking me much longer than I anticipated, some of which is my own fault because I am drawing out the story as long as I possibly can!