Books #31

[CommentBelow]

How are you finding Count of Monte Cristo? I have it but it scares me

I got inspired to pick up a few cheap kindle classics. For a couple of quid I got Wuthering Heights, The Little Prince and Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. I may have googled 'easiest classics' and gone for a kids book and a novella...hopefully my lil ACOTAR brain can take it but I'll report back comparing Heathcliffe to Rhysand ASAP.

I’m at 25% and so far it’s really good.

I was reading a chapter a day - which was working out well - then I got to a 30 page chapter (most are only around 10 pages) and was near the end of another book I wanted to finish so focused on that, then went away a couple of times and didn’t want to carry it with me.. and now I need (and want!) to get back into it.

 

[Eureka]

I'm gonna assume some of you here have read The Bee Sting. Were you all as infuriated by it as I was having just finished it myself?

Like it was an epic, tragic, powerful, really incredible story. Really well developed characters and evocative imagery and depth and it really really pulled me in, enraptured me, broke my heart and was stunning in many ways.

But I was just constantly pissed off by the choices of the author in the way they structured the book and their grammar choices (or should I say lack of grammar choices).

Chapters went on and on and on. The lack of full stops in Imelda's chapters made it really hard to read at times and broke the flow. And it didn't add to the impact of the book, lessened it for me. Also the lack of speech marks also made it hard to read at times. It needed proper grammar to let it really read well for me.

And the ending...well... unbelievably tense and heart racing. Was arguably both the best and worst bit of the book. Because I didn't like the ambiguous ending. It can be seen as allowing the reader to chose where and how it ends.

But for me it was just a lazy ending because there was no ending, it needed something. It didn't need to resolve everything but it needed more from the epiphanies almost the characters were having.



Really hard to rate it as a book overall, but I think the ending choice and the grammar and structural decisions of the author drag down what was otherwise a great book. So I'm concluding

Reading it at the moment. I'm on the first part of Imelda's back story and totally agree about the lack of punctuation. It's so unnecessary and irritating.

I am finding the book good at the moment but not great so I'm sticking with it because I'm hoping something incredible happens to justify all the love it's received.

 

[StrawberryBanana90]

Has anyone here joined a "silent book club" event?
I've realised there's one fairly locally to me and they do appeal since there's no pressure to read one particular book or even socialise. Ideally I'd like to make some friends but I always feel awkward describing the book I'm currently reading to another person

 

[karry1412]

I’ve started Demon Copperhead today. It’s alright so far but I’m not itching to pick it up. Maybe because it’s so bleak for poor Demon.

Oh, I loved that book & Demon If you're not loving it perhaps it's not the right time for you to read it?
---

I'm gonna assume some of you here have read The Bee Sting. Were you all as infuriated by it as I was having just finished it myself?

Like it was an epic, tragic, powerful, really incredible story. Really well developed characters and evocative imagery and depth and it really really pulled me in, enraptured me, broke my heart and was stunning in many ways.

But I was just constantly pissed off by the choices of the author in the way they structured the book and their grammar choices (or should I say lack of grammar choices).

Chapters went on and on and on. The lack of full stops in Imelda's chapters made it really hard to read at times and broke the flow. And it didn't add to the impact of the book, lessened it for me. Also the lack of speech marks also made it hard to read at times. It needed proper grammar to let it really read well for me.

And the ending...well... unbelievably tense and heart racing. Was arguably both the best and worst bit of the book. Because I didn't like the ambiguous ending. It can be seen as allowing the reader to chose where and how it ends.

But for me it was just a lazy ending because there was no ending, it needed something. It didn't need to resolve everything but it needed more from the epiphanies almost the characters were having.


Really hard to rate it as a book overall, but I think the ending choice and the grammar and structural decisions of the author drag down what was otherwise a great book. So I'm concluding

Yep, read it. Didn't love it but I seem to be very much in the minority that I DID love the ending. Normally I hate an ambiguous ending but I felt the ending, or perhaps my interpretation of it, suited the book. Totally agree that it needed better grammar & editing.

---

Just finished Cleopatra & Frankenstein & I'm destroyed

 

[anniemouse]

Has anyone here joined a "silent book club" event?
I've realised there's one fairly locally to me and they do appeal since there's no pressure to read one particular book or even socialise. Ideally I'd like to make some friends but I always feel awkward describing the book I'm currently reading to another person

I’d love to find one. The book club I went to at the library here was awful. They all hated every book we read, I didn’t mind the books…

A quick reads of short stories
The Romantic
The Cat Who Saved Books
The Island

I gave up after that, we got given Lyrics Alley at my last one but I didn’t even bother reading it. Someone took lots of dried dittany in to the library for the chat about The Island even though she hated the book and made a mess of the table. Me and another lady didn’t know where to look.

At least at a silent book club there’s less chance of someone being annoying.

 

[inksmear]

I'm gonna assume some of you here have read The Bee Sting. Were you all as infuriated by it as I was having just finished it myself?

Like it was an epic, tragic, powerful, really incredible story. Really well developed characters and evocative imagery and depth and it really really pulled me in, enraptured me, broke my heart and was stunning in many ways.

But I was just constantly pissed off by the choices of the author in the way they structured the book and their grammar choices (or should I say lack of grammar choices).

Chapters went on and on and on. The lack of full stops in Imelda's chapters made it really hard to read at times and broke the flow. And it didn't add to the impact of the book, lessened it for me. Also the lack of speech marks also made it hard to read at times. It needed proper grammar to let it really read well for me.

And the ending...well... unbelievably tense and heart racing. Was arguably both the best and worst bit of the book. Because I didn't like the ambiguous ending. It can be seen as allowing the reader to chose where and how it ends.

But for me it was just a lazy ending because there was no ending, it needed something. It didn't need to resolve everything but it needed more from the epiphanies almost the characters were having.



Really hard to rate it as a book overall, but I think the ending choice and the grammar and structural decisions of the author drag down what was otherwise a great book. So I'm concluding

I absolutely loved The Bee Sting! I read it last month and have raved about it since. I also read I who have never known men which also has a very

Spoiler: Spoiler

ambiguous ending

and I loved that too. Two of my favourite books this year.

 

[wishiniwasskinny]

I'm gonna assume some of you here have read The Bee Sting. Were you all as infuriated by it as I was having just finished it myself?

Like it was an epic, tragic, powerful, really incredible story. Really well developed characters and evocative imagery and depth and it really really pulled me in, enraptured me, broke my heart and was stunning in many ways.

But I was just constantly pissed off by the choices of the author in the way they structured the book and their grammar choices (or should I say lack of grammar choices).

Chapters went on and on and on. The lack of full stops in Imelda's chapters made it really hard to read at times and broke the flow. And it didn't add to the impact of the book, lessened it for me. Also the lack of speech marks also made it hard to read at times. It needed proper grammar to let it really read well for me.

And the ending...well... unbelievably tense and heart racing. Was arguably both the best and worst bit of the book. Because I didn't like the ambiguous ending. It can be seen as allowing the reader to chose where and how it ends.

But for me it was just a lazy ending because there was no ending, it needed something. It didn't need to resolve everything but it needed more from the epiphanies almost the characters were having.



Really hard to rate it as a book overall, but I think the ending choice and the grammar and structural decisions of the author drag down what was otherwise a great book. So I'm concluding

Wow really enjoyed your review! I completely get what you mean. I found the changes in structure to the chapters hard but found it interesting to read how the author wanted the characters to sound in their mind. I gave it 4 stars in the end as I thought the way it all joined up was very interesting but yes an ambiguous ending! I’m the type to lean towards the bleak though

also re Demon Copperhead - I absolutely loved it @twilightgarden .. it is bleak but I found that Demon was just such an endearing character. He accepted his lot in life and didn’t expect much but I was willing the best for him all the time. 5 star book for me.I loved the optimistic ending too which felt warm and sunshiney for him.

 

[twilightgarden]

Oh, I loved that book & Demon If you're not loving it perhaps it's not the right time for you to read it?
---

I’m not disliking it, just reading it sloooowly. I like Demon as a character so far. I’m about halfway through.

 

[wishiniwasskinny]

Oh, I loved that book & Demon If you're not loving it perhaps it's not the right time for you to read it?
---


Yep, read it. Didn't love it but I seem to be very much in the minority that I DID love the ending. Normally I hate an ambiguous ending but I felt the ending, or perhaps my interpretation of it, suited the book. Totally agree that it needed better grammar & editing.

---

Just finished Cleopatra & Frankenstein & I'm destroyed

I’m currently 23% into C&F and it isn’t grabbing me to want to keep picking it up but I’m enjoying as it moves through the chapters and each character
---

I’m not disliking it, just reading it sloooowly. I like Demon as a character so far. I’m about halfway through.

So sorry for my slight spoiler if you saw it!I’ve now put it in a spoiler in line as I feel so terrible

 

[Brightlycolouredbowels]

I read The Count of Monte Cristo (physical book) in the first lockdown. My first classic book I think. Loved the Jim Cavaziel film so knew the main plot but did need a tab open on my iPad so I could keep referring to all the characters and how they were related.

I’m glad so many of us like it

 

[cowtastrophe]

I’ve just started re-reading Elizabeth Knox’s The Absolute Book. It’s one of my stand-out favourites.

 

[ScoutFinch]

Is it weird that I feel a bit sad tonight that there’s just SO MANY books and SO LITTLE time.

I’m reading The Silence In Between at the moment and enjoying it. It’s breaking my heart that Lisette and Axel are separated though.

 

[wishiniwasskinny]

Thanks to the raves here and the 5star review's on GR I have added The Count of Monte Cristo to my TBR list!

 

[twilightgarden]

---

So sorry for my slight spoiler if you saw it!I’ve now put it in a spoiler in line as I feel so terrible

Don’t be daft it was hardly a spoiler!

 

[Booklover]

Finished Sunset by Jessie Cave at the weekend. OMW! Heartbreaking, heartfelt, real and brilliant.

 

[Chocolategoggler]

I have news which may be of interest.......or not.
My library has had in quick succession two drops of books (unusual).
Anyway, some of them rang a bell with me regarding this forum.
Soooooo I know some of you are reading the classics, well it seems there is a special East of Eden book just out, which the library have ordered. Here's a picture:

Plus, they have got some Sarah J Maas. Here's a picture of one of them:

Naturally I've ordered a few Christmas books and the latest Agatha Raisin for myself.
ETA yes, I know the author died. I like the way the new author writes.

 

[Hannahebee]

Naturally I've ordered a few Christmas books

I've got so many Christmas books that I need to read.

 

[murphao]

Reading it at the moment. I'm on the first part of Imelda's back story and totally agree about the lack of punctuation. It's so unnecessary and irritating.

I listened to The Bee Sting on audio book, and I enjoyed the book so much more because I didn’t get frustrated about the lack of punctuation. I’m currently reading Prophet Song — another book with no paragraphs or speech marks!

 

[Warpaint]

Another shout out for The Count Of Monte Cristo. Once it really got going it ended up one of the best books I've ever read.

 

[ToolaRoola]

Is it weird that I feel a bit sad tonight that there’s just SO MANY books and SO LITTLE time.

Glad it's not just me.