It’s group blog time once again, It’s Monday What Are You Reading? is hosted by Sheila at One Person’s Journey Through a World of Books.
This week I finished up a mystery novel Bad Things Happen by Harry Dolan; read a graphic novel, Squirrel Mother by Megan Kelso; finished listening to the audio of An Abundance of Katherines by John Green and read a modern allegory Carmen Dog by Carol Emshwiller.
Bad Things Happen
I can’t remember where I first read a review for this debut novel by Harry Dolan, but wherever it was I remember thinking that the book sounded good, and I added it to by to-read list. I’m glad I did. Main character David Loogan has a mysterious past, who in a roundabout way ends up working for the small mystery magazine Gray Streets. Soon though, things are happening around Loogan, that makes him think he has stumbled into a real live Gray Streets story, as first one then another person associated with the magazine gets murdered. As the body count mounts it’s hard to put down this mystery novel, as each chapter seems to end in a new cliffhanger and the mystery behind who the murderer is and who David Loogan really is continues to deepen.
Squirrel Mother
This short graphic novel by Megan Kelso is a series of short graphic short stories, some on the usual themes of growing up as well as less conventional things like the Alexander Hamilton. Kelso’s stories rely mainly on her own engaging artwork to move things along, words are only there to help flesh out the stories a bit. It’s a quick “read” that can easily be completed in one sitting.
An Abundance of Katherines
I am now convinced that John Green is a bona fide master of writing about the teenage boy. Once again he takes the story of a socially awkward, somewhat nerdy teenage boy dealing with life and girls and turns it into an engaging poignant tale. His characters always feel like real people to me, people I would love to have as my own friends and maybe that’s what makes his novels so enjoyable. Colin’s a former child prodigy trying to come to terms with the fact that he is now nothing but an adult of above average intelligence as well as trying to deal with the fact that the nineteenth girlfriend he had named Katherine has dumped him. He goes on a road trip and winds up in Gutshot, Tennessee, and in that unlikely place makes some discoveries about his own life.
Carmen Dog
This novel by Carol Emshwiller is hard to classify. Unexpectedly all the women of the world start turning into animals while at the same time female animals start turning into women. The story mainly follows Pooch the family pet as she becomes a woman, dreams of singing in the opera and finds herself in one bad situation after another. It’s an allegorical tale that has the feel of something that would be read in a feminist studies course in college. The concept could be played for laughs, but the story is mainly a serious one despite the absurdity of the premise.
What’s Next?
Right now I am reading Shades of Grey by Jasper Fforde and listening to Story of a Girl by Sara Zarr. I’m hoping to read Handcuffs by Bethany Griffin.
My Books
I’ve heard great things about John Greene, but I haven’t actually read anything by him. I do own Looking for Alaska though. I really, really, really want to read Shades of Grey.
Enjoy your books!
You should definitely read Looking for Alaska. It’s a great book!
I’ve just started Shades of Grey, and it’s pretty good so far.
You had a fabulous week of reading! I hope this week is just as enjoyable. Happy reading. My Monday: http://www.rundpinne.com/2010/02/its-monday-what-are-you-reading-15.html
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Good books! Story Of A Girl sounds good. Have another great week!
.-= Sheila (Bookjourney)´s last blog ..It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? =-.
I want to read An Abundance of Katherines. I loved Looking for Alaska.
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I’m still reading Wicked.
Thanks, Jennifer!
Thanks, Sheila, and thanks for hosting this weekly meme.
An Abundance of Katherines was very good. I wasn’t sure what to expect from this one, but was pleasantly surprised.
I’ve never read Wicked, but I heard lots of good things about it.
Ooh, I loved Story of a Girl. Can’t wait to hear what you think.
I just started Dreaming Anastasia. I feel a little bad because I’m reluctant to start anything after Leaving Paradise. I loved it!
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I’m still debating whether to read Abundance of Katherines. I liked LFA, but then I read Paper Towns, and it was so similar characterwise to LFA and so slow that I almost didn’t finish it. Greene is a great writer, I just kind of wish that he’d get away from these types of characters and try something else.
Things I’m reading/have read – Jelicoe Road (loved it!!!)_, How I live now by Meg Rosoff (eh, ok), and the Percy Jackson series (a must for anyone with a love for Greek mythology). I have a huge stack on my desk to get through in the next month.
Good reading to you, Alissa!
You definitely have a lot of good books out there! I haven’t read any of those books, but have several in my TBR! Have a good week!
Lisa: Sara Zarr was recommended by a lot of people, and amazingly, I haven’t read anything by her before.
Angie: I think an Abundance of Katherines is definitely different from Looking for Alaska, with some different characters though yes there is a very non-stereotypical sort of girl and a guy with a weird obsession (not last lines, but anagrams).
Aths: Thanks for stopping by!
I’m reading my signed copy (SIGNED) of Shades of Grey right now. Cannot stop giggling. Even when I’m not reading.
I’m thinking this book might get me committed.
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Carrie: I know exactly what you mean. (Though mine is a library book, not a signed copy!) I keep trying to explain why I’m laughing which only earns me strange stares because I say things like “rabbit” or “chair census” or “apocryphal man” that don’t really make sense out of context.