52-book challenge: March didn’t go as planned

Okay, not total failure. I’m a drama queen.

I vowed that even with a hectic month of travel, I would stay truthful to my mission of 52 books.

And then the shitstorm known as Ireland happened (and is still happening) and fell right off that wagon and onto my face.

I DID read three books. And I vow to read FIVE books this month, to catch up on everything…even if one of those books is a 100-page book of Oscar Wilde poetry. Hey, that counts.

Here’s what I did read.

The World According to Garp – John Irving

Quick summary

This is the life and times of T. S. Garp, the bastard son of Jenny Fields–a feminist leader ahead of her times. This is the life and death of a famous mother and her almost-famous son; theirs is a world of sexual extremes–even of sexual assassinations. It is a novel rich with “lunacy and sorrow”; yet the dark, violent events of the story do not undermine a comedy both ribald and robust.

Three-line review

Well slap my ass and call me Charlie, this was unexpected! My first ever John Irving book, and it won’t be my last. I love the dark humour throughout, and Garp might be one of my all-time fave characters. I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 because I hate books within books.

****/*****

A Brief History of Ireland – Richard Killeen

Quick summary

An insanely thorough, in-depth account of Irish history, from prehistoric times right up until now.

Three-line review

I literally threw up my hands at page 250 and yelled, “THAT’S IT, I’M OUT!” The offending word was “indeed,” which I had counted 20 times by page 10. Is it possible to write a good history book without being fucking academic? If so, let me know.

**/*****

Bossypants – Tina Fey

Quick summary

Before Liz Lemon, before “Weekend Update,” before “Sarah Palin,” Tina Fey was just a young girl with a dream: a recurring stress dream that she was being chased through a local airport by her middle-school gym teacher. She also had a dream that one day she would be a comedian on TV.

She has seen both these dreams come true.

At last, Tina Fey’s story can be told.

Three-line review

Nothing groundbreaking in literature about this book, but Tina Fey is HYSTERICAL and reading this autobiography was a breeze. I laughed out loud often and obnoxiously. Fey is one smart cookie, and I wish she’d let me be her best friend.

****/*****

April 05 2013

Micamyx|Senyorita

I refuse to embrace e-books too (Well, for now!)

I started reading novels again last month and this post just gave me an idea that i should also write about it. Lemme check that Tina Fey book :P

- April 18 2013
  
  Candice Walsh
  
  Go for it! And you’ll love Tina. She’s fab.
  
April 05 2013

Steph

World According to Garp is one of my favorite books ever! Irving can be pretty hit or miss but I suggest Cider House Rules and A Widow for One Year, they are both excellent.

- April 18 2013
  
  Candice Walsh
  
  I have Cider House Rules with me right now! Can’t wait to crack it open.
  
April 05 2013

crw

Love Irving. My favourite is A Prayer for Owen Meany. Just awesome. As for the Irish history “textbook”, I find historical fiction at least teaches and entertains. Try the Princes of Ireland and then Rebels of Ireland by Edward Rutherford. You should also read some Roddy Doyle since you’re in Ireland. The Committements is awesome AND it’s a novella. Novellas count too I think

- April 18 2013
  
  Candice Walsh
  
  Good call on the historical fiction. One of my favourite English classes of all time was a historical fiction course, and I learned as I was entertained.
  
April 05 2013

Karin Erica

I recommend an e-reader. I have a kindle and now an ipad mini and it does make things so much easier. I read on average a book a week and just being able to download any book I want is so efficient. I still go to book stores for ideas on what to read though as I find that Amazon doesn’t always do a good job of ‘selling’ me on a book or even notifying me of good books.

- April 18 2013
  
  Candice Walsh
  
  Can’t do it! Can’t! Ahhhhhh! E-reading cult!
  
  ;)
  
April 06 2013

Sally Thelen

I’ve read a lot of John Irving books and I’m telling you that you need to read “A Prayer for Owen Meany” NOW. It will change your life & how you think about storytelling & then you won’t be able to ever read it again for fear that it won’t be as good as you remember it & then you’ll have to email me and let me know if it’s as good as I remember it, okay?
And, I’m going to have to agree with Karin & start bullying you about getting an e-reader. I was completely resistant at first, but it has made reading quality books while traveling so much easier. No more crappy Nicholas Sparks novels that I picked up free at the hostel for me!

April 06 2013

Sally Thelen

I’ve read a lot of John Irving books and I’m telling you that you need to read “A Prayer for Owen Meany” NOW. It will change your life & how you think about storytelling & then you won’t be able to ever read it again for fear that it won’t be as good as you remember it & then you’ll have to email me and let me know if it’s as good as I remember it, okay?
And, I’m going to have to agree with Karin & start bullying you about getting an e-reader. I was completely resistant at first, but it has made reading quality books while traveling so much easier. No more crappy Nicholas Sparks novels that I picked up free at the hostel for me!

April 06 2013

Sally Thelen

I’ve read a lot of John Irving books and I’m telling you that you need to read “A Prayer for Owen Meany” NOW. It will change your life & how you think about storytelling & then you won’t be able to ever read it again for fear that it won’t be as good as you remember it & then you’ll have to email me and let me know if it’s as good as I remember it, okay?
And, I’m going to have to agree with Karin & start bullying you about getting an e-reader. I was completely resistant at first, but it has made reading quality books while traveling so much easier. No more crappy Nicholas Sparks novels that I picked up free at the hostel for me!

April 06 2013

Sally Thelen

I’ve read a lot of John Irving books and I’m telling you that you need to read “A Prayer for Owen Meany” NOW. It will change your life & how you think about storytelling & then you won’t be able to ever read it again for fear that it won’t be as good as you remember it & then you’ll have to email me and let me know if it’s as good as I remember it, okay?
And, I’m going to have to agree with Karin & start bullying you about getting an e-reader. I was completely resistant at first, but it has made reading quality books while traveling so much easier. No more crappy Nicholas Sparks novels that I picked up free at the hostel for me!

- April 18 2013
  
  Candice Walsh
  
  Added that one to my Goodreads fo sho! But NO TO THE EREADER. NEVER. I WILL WRITE A BLOG POST.
  
April 06 2013

Eytan Levy

Shoot for the moon and you’ll land…like, somewhere cool. There’s a guy at Slate who read a book a day for a year. His philosophy was that graphic novels count. And embrace the dark side of ereaders. Here’s why:

1) You can read on your side
2) You can have a cup of tea in one hand and the book won’t fall shut
3) You don’t have to keep the page perfectly flat for focus optimization
4) You can buy whatever you want instantly instead of reading whatever you can get
5) You can check out library books for free
6) You can download all old books for free (pre-1923 I think)
7) You don’t have to hold the book open
8) “Pages” turn faster
9) You can often get free samples of early chapters

You may very well be un-convincible, but Amazon has tracked usage and has found that Kindle owners quadruple their reading. You could go for 208 books a year. Live the dream. Submit to the power of the dark side.

- April 18 2013
  
  Candice Walsh
  
  Still can’t do it, although you’ve made some valid arguments, hahaha. It’s been a bitch on this trip as well, because as you said in point #4. But my hands are constantly filled with gadgets, and sometimes I just want a bloody book.
  
April 06 2013

Alouise

I totally agree with you on the e-reader. I know it’s probably easier to have one when traveling, but nothing beats sitting with a cup of tea (or another beverage of choice) and flipping through the pages of a real book. I can’t remember if I’ve recommended this book before, but Beyond Belfast by Will Ferguson is an enjoyable read. It’s a memoir/travel narrative about Northern Ireland, which I know is not the same as Ireland, but there’s a bit of history in the book to give it context, and it’s quite funny.

- April 18 2013
  
  Candice Walsh
  
  Ooh, I hadn’t realized he wrote about Belfast. Will definitely add that to my list, thanks Alouise! And ditto, nothing will EVER make me give up my books, haha.
  
April 07 2013

Melissa

I tried several John Irving novels and just couldn’t get into them. For whatever reason I was very ‘meh’ about the characters which was surprising because I’d good things about him.

One of the only entertaining history book’s that I’ve read has been Kevin Major’s As Near to Heaven by Sea. He seemed to make the island sound like another character in the book.

April 07 2013

Melissa

I tried several John Irving novels and just couldn’t get into them. For whatever reason I was very ‘meh’ about the characters which was surprising because I’d good things about him.

One of the only entertaining history book’s that I’ve read has been Kevin Major’s As Near to Heaven by Sea. He seemed to make the island sound like another character in the book.

April 07 2013

Melissa

I tried several John Irving novels and just couldn’t get into them. For whatever reason I was very ‘meh’ about the characters which was surprising because I’d good things about him.

One of the only entertaining history book’s that I’ve read has been Kevin Major’s As Near to Heaven by Sea. He seemed to make the island sound like another character in the book.

April 07 2013

Melissa

I tried several John Irving novels and just couldn’t get into them. For whatever reason I was very ‘meh’ about the characters which was surprising because I’d good things about him.

One of the only entertaining history book’s that I’ve read has been Kevin Major’s As Near to Heaven by Sea. He seemed to make the island sound like another character in the book.

April 07 2013

Melissa

I tried several John Irving novels and just couldn’t get into them. For whatever reason I was very ‘meh’ about the characters which was surprising because I’d good things about him.

One of the only entertaining history book’s that I’ve read has been Kevin Major’s As Near to Heaven by Sea. He seemed to make the island sound like another character in the book.

April 07 2013

Melissa

I tried several John Irving novels and just couldn’t get into them. For whatever reason I was very ‘meh’ about the characters which was surprising because I’d good things about him.

One of the only entertaining history book’s that I’ve read has been Kevin Major’s As Near to Heaven by Sea. He seemed to make the island sound like another character in the book.

- April 18 2013
  
  Candice Walsh
  
  Nice! Will add that one to my list. And I’m sad you couldn’t enjoy John Irving! I felt the same way about Kurt Vonnegut, to be honest. Ha.
  
April 27 2013

Sarah Park

If you get an e-reader, you can read really embarrassing shit in public places without having to be all like YES, I AM READING THE GREAT GATSBY AND YES IT’S ONLY BECAUSE THERE’S A MOVIE COMING OUT. Just saying. I keep the good shit on the shelves, and reserve my Kindle for like dog psychology books and The Hunger Games.