2010 Book Log
1 journaler for this copy...
Lovely old 'World Classic' edition found in Cambridge charity shop, looks about a million years old. I've had this on my secret wishlist for no more than a few days after seeing loads of references in other books at about the same time - spooky, synchronicity!?)
I've decommissioned the aforementioned (Walden by Henry David Thoreau) because I didn't want to part with it! This is now my book-reading, book-crossing journal for 2010 :)
I've decommissioned the aforementioned (Walden by Henry David Thoreau) because I didn't want to part with it! This is now my book-reading, book-crossing journal for 2010 :)
January 2010
New Year, new book log :)
(05/01)
Read 1
'Bad Science' by Ben Goldacre
(07/01)
Read 2
'The Call of the Weird by Louis Theroux
As geeky lanky reporters go, Theroux makes rather a good writer; I only wish I had seen the original series for which this a redoux. LT tries to catch up with a number of the weird eccentric American characters from the programme, to see how they’ve changed in the intervening years, but towards the end he becomes more introspective, Theroux comparing his own profession, ‘...a tiny off-beat subculture, with its own sincerity and its own evasions. [I] had been working in a grey area somewhere south of absolute candour’ to the genuine strange fruit. As an outsider, in several respects, I found Theroux’s naïve hit-and-miss investigative style almost as interesting as the assorted UFO believers, white supremacists, porn stars, gurus and gansta pimps.
(18/01)
Read 3
'The Book Thief' by Markus Zusak
(24/01)
Read 4
'School Ties & Dutch Girls' by William Boyd
(02/02)
Read 5
'The Secret River' by Kate Grenville
In January I acquired/registered 3 books but also managed to release 3 :)
New Year, new book log :)
(05/01)
Read 1
'Bad Science' by Ben Goldacre
(07/01)
Read 2
'The Call of the Weird by Louis Theroux
As geeky lanky reporters go, Theroux makes rather a good writer; I only wish I had seen the original series for which this a redoux. LT tries to catch up with a number of the weird eccentric American characters from the programme, to see how they’ve changed in the intervening years, but towards the end he becomes more introspective, Theroux comparing his own profession, ‘...a tiny off-beat subculture, with its own sincerity and its own evasions. [I] had been working in a grey area somewhere south of absolute candour’ to the genuine strange fruit. As an outsider, in several respects, I found Theroux’s naïve hit-and-miss investigative style almost as interesting as the assorted UFO believers, white supremacists, porn stars, gurus and gansta pimps.
(18/01)
Read 3
'The Book Thief' by Markus Zusak
(24/01)
Read 4
'School Ties & Dutch Girls' by William Boyd
(02/02)
Read 5
'The Secret River' by Kate Grenville
In January I acquired/registered 3 books but also managed to release 3 :)
Journal Entry 3 by BookGroupMan from Chester, Cheshire United Kingdom on Wednesday, February 3, 2010
February 2010
(12/02)
Read 6
'The Oxford Murders' by Guillermo Marinez
(17/02)
Read 7
'The Celestial Omnibus' by E M Forster
Not really finished, but I did try, now for someone else to have a go!
(01/03)
Read 8
'In Xanadu: A Quest' by William Dalrymple
Currently Reading
'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo'...borrowed from my DD
In February I released 2 books and acquired only 1
(12/02)
Read 6
'The Oxford Murders' by Guillermo Marinez
(17/02)
Read 7
'The Celestial Omnibus' by E M Forster
Not really finished, but I did try, now for someone else to have a go!
(01/03)
Read 8
'In Xanadu: A Quest' by William Dalrymple
Currently Reading
'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo'...borrowed from my DD
In February I released 2 books and acquired only 1
March 2010
(11/03)
Read 9
'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' by Stieg Larsson...donated by my DD. Thank you :)
(19/03)
Read 10
'The Martian Chronicles' by Ray Bradbury
(27/03)
Read 11
'Essays in Love' by Alain de Botton
Currently Reading
Black Swan Green by David Mitchell (4861200)
Tommy by Richard Holmes (4715802)
In March I have registered a bit of a backlog of 3 books, but I've already released 1 book and have plans for my BC anniversary month. In the end, working from home for most of the month meant that I managed to acquire 10 books(!), and only released 6...but I have some availables, so I should be able to redress that deficit
(11/03)
Read 9
'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' by Stieg Larsson...donated by my DD. Thank you :)
(19/03)
Read 10
'The Martian Chronicles' by Ray Bradbury
(27/03)
Read 11
'Essays in Love' by Alain de Botton
Currently Reading
Black Swan Green by David Mitchell (4861200)
Tommy by Richard Holmes (4715802)
In March I have registered a bit of a backlog of 3 books, but I've already released 1 book and have plans for my BC anniversary month. In the end, working from home for most of the month meant that I managed to acquire 10 books(!), and only released 6...but I have some availables, so I should be able to redress that deficit
April 2010
(05/04)
Read 12
'Black Swan Green' by David Mitchell
(15/04)
Read 13
'Not the End of the World' by Kate Atkinson
(16/04)
Read 14
The Bridge of San Luis Rey by Thornton Wilder - borrowed from DD, used as the basis of a drama piece
Not an immediately obvious 'classic' but maybe its a grower? I was thinking about the impact of this story in 1927, the friar Brother Juniper trying to understanding the cause of the deaths of 5 travellers on the bridge of the title near Lima which collapsed in 1714. He is trying to prove - or disprove - the hand or fate, or divine intervention in the 'chosen 5'. The bulk of this novella explores each victim and there life, loves, passions and weaknesses up to the fated day. In the end this is more a study of the strangeness and insularity of the Limaen society of the time, constrained by the geography, religion and links back to the Spain. Each character is either innocent, flawed, loving or loved, beaten by life, or eager to start afresh...so everyman/woman, connected as members of the human race, and a bridge, nothing more nor less.
(30/04)
Read 15
'The State of Fear' by Michael Crichton
Currently Reading
The Madness of Adam and Eve (4859910)
During April I registered 2 new books (and that only a momentary lapse in Tesco!) and released 5 books
(05/04)
Read 12
'Black Swan Green' by David Mitchell
(15/04)
Read 13
'Not the End of the World' by Kate Atkinson
(16/04)
Read 14
The Bridge of San Luis Rey by Thornton Wilder - borrowed from DD, used as the basis of a drama piece
Not an immediately obvious 'classic' but maybe its a grower? I was thinking about the impact of this story in 1927, the friar Brother Juniper trying to understanding the cause of the deaths of 5 travellers on the bridge of the title near Lima which collapsed in 1714. He is trying to prove - or disprove - the hand or fate, or divine intervention in the 'chosen 5'. The bulk of this novella explores each victim and there life, loves, passions and weaknesses up to the fated day. In the end this is more a study of the strangeness and insularity of the Limaen society of the time, constrained by the geography, religion and links back to the Spain. Each character is either innocent, flawed, loving or loved, beaten by life, or eager to start afresh...so everyman/woman, connected as members of the human race, and a bridge, nothing more nor less.
(30/04)
Read 15
'The State of Fear' by Michael Crichton
Currently Reading
The Madness of Adam and Eve (4859910)
During April I registered 2 new books (and that only a momentary lapse in Tesco!) and released 5 books
May 2010
(09/05)
Read 16
Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant by Anne Tyler
Abandoned :(
The Madness of Adam and Eve by David Horrobin
(19/05)
Read 17
Doctor No by Ian Fleming
(24/05)
Read 18
Harriet Said... by Beryl Bainbridge
(26/05)
Read 19
The CEO of the Sofa. by P.J.O'Rourke
Currently Reading
Galapagos by Kurt Vonnegut
The Elephant and the Flea by Charles Handy
Mid-month update, i've spent a bit of time tidying up old releases (not sure how I came to have so many), resulting in 11 books released so far in May. Two books registered, 1 a donation for release only.
Oops, before I had a chance to have a quick 'audit' of my virtual bookshelves, bookcrossing 2.0 came along and has upset everything! Its starting to settle, although I must admit I don't really like the new design, but i'll get used to it. Well plus ca change...!
(09/05)
Read 16
Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant by Anne Tyler
Abandoned :(
The Madness of Adam and Eve by David Horrobin
(19/05)
Read 17
Doctor No by Ian Fleming
(24/05)
Read 18
Harriet Said... by Beryl Bainbridge
(26/05)
Read 19
The CEO of the Sofa. by P.J.O'Rourke
Currently Reading
Galapagos by Kurt Vonnegut
The Elephant and the Flea by Charles Handy
Mid-month update, i've spent a bit of time tidying up old releases (not sure how I came to have so many), resulting in 11 books released so far in May. Two books registered, 1 a donation for release only.
Oops, before I had a chance to have a quick 'audit' of my virtual bookshelves, bookcrossing 2.0 came along and has upset everything! Its starting to settle, although I must admit I don't really like the new design, but i'll get used to it. Well plus ca change...!
June 2010
(08/06)
Read 20
Galapagos by Kurt Vonnegut
(16/06)
Read 21
The Elephant and the Flea by Charles Handy (signed copy from Wellington - private collection, not for sharing!)
Charles Handy is my absolute favourite business writer…maybe faint praise as it’s not the most abundant section in my bookcase! Having read a few of his earlier books on specific aspects of business organisation & culture, the changing job market, and the role of individual ‘fleas’ within it, Handy’s style and a lot of the content (by his own admission) is familiar. This seems to be a retrospective on his experiences outside of corporations, and linking it back to his earlier ideas, primarily ‘portfolio careers’. A lot of this strikes a chord as I grapple with similar challenges within my own independent career, although at the moment the benefits far outweigh the other stuff…I *must* read this book or immerse myself in CH’s ideas regularly, when it gets a bit scary, or the passion dwindles, or I’m looking for new inspiration and the wise words of a fellow free-lancer.
Currently Reading
Sepulchre by Kate Mosse (5705277)
Proust was a Neuroscientist by Jonah Lehrer (5210687)
No monthly review as it all went a bit funny with the new 'beta' version of the site upsetting all the numbers...ho hum, it seemed to have settled now though
(08/06)
Read 20
Galapagos by Kurt Vonnegut
(16/06)
Read 21
The Elephant and the Flea by Charles Handy (signed copy from Wellington - private collection, not for sharing!)
Charles Handy is my absolute favourite business writer…maybe faint praise as it’s not the most abundant section in my bookcase! Having read a few of his earlier books on specific aspects of business organisation & culture, the changing job market, and the role of individual ‘fleas’ within it, Handy’s style and a lot of the content (by his own admission) is familiar. This seems to be a retrospective on his experiences outside of corporations, and linking it back to his earlier ideas, primarily ‘portfolio careers’. A lot of this strikes a chord as I grapple with similar challenges within my own independent career, although at the moment the benefits far outweigh the other stuff…I *must* read this book or immerse myself in CH’s ideas regularly, when it gets a bit scary, or the passion dwindles, or I’m looking for new inspiration and the wise words of a fellow free-lancer.
Currently Reading
Sepulchre by Kate Mosse (5705277)
Proust was a Neuroscientist by Jonah Lehrer (5210687)
No monthly review as it all went a bit funny with the new 'beta' version of the site upsetting all the numbers...ho hum, it seemed to have settled now though
July 2010
(03/07)
Read 21
Proust was a Neuroscientist by Jonah Lehrer
(08/07)
Read 22
Sepulchre by Kate Mosse
(13/07)
Read 23
Lady Baby Gypsy Queen... ed. Jamie Warde-Aldam
(23/07)
Read 24
12 Books that Changed the World by Melvyn Bragg
(29/07)
Read 25
Twilight by Stephanie Meyer
In July I acquired 7 books, quite a lot...however, i've released a whopping 21 collected over a couple of months for our charity fete. I enjoyed manning the bookstall with a couple of fellow bookcrossers. Hopefully we've planted a few seeds out there for new members as well as making a lot of money for good causes :)
(03/07)
Read 21
Proust was a Neuroscientist by Jonah Lehrer
(08/07)
Read 22
Sepulchre by Kate Mosse
(13/07)
Read 23
Lady Baby Gypsy Queen... ed. Jamie Warde-Aldam
(23/07)
Read 24
12 Books that Changed the World by Melvyn Bragg
(29/07)
Read 25
Twilight by Stephanie Meyer
In July I acquired 7 books, quite a lot...however, i've released a whopping 21 collected over a couple of months for our charity fete. I enjoyed manning the bookstall with a couple of fellow bookcrossers. Hopefully we've planted a few seeds out there for new members as well as making a lot of money for good causes :)
August 2010
(11/08)
Read 26
My Life with Dylan Thomas - Double Drink Story by Caitlin Thomas
(24/08)
Read 27
When Will There Be Good News by Kate Atkinson
Currently Reading
The Science of Discworld - abandoned
The Girl Who Played with Fire by Stieg Larsson (7919928)
(11/08)
Read 26
My Life with Dylan Thomas - Double Drink Story by Caitlin Thomas
(24/08)
Read 27
When Will There Be Good News by Kate Atkinson
Currently Reading
The Science of Discworld - abandoned
The Girl Who Played with Fire by Stieg Larsson (7919928)
Journal Entry 10 by BookGroupMan at Woodbridge, Suffolk United Kingdom on Friday, September 10, 2010
September 2010
(10/09)
Read 28
The Girl Who Played With Fire by Stieg Larsson
(16/09)
Read 29
A Cook's Tour by Anthony Bourdain
(22/09)
Read 30
The Golden Child by Penelope Fitzgerald
(28/09)
Read 31
Why Not Catch-21? by Gary Dexter
Currently Reading
Goldfinger by Ian Fleming (8304333)
The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell
(10/09)
Read 28
The Girl Who Played With Fire by Stieg Larsson
(16/09)
Read 29
A Cook's Tour by Anthony Bourdain
(22/09)
Read 30
The Golden Child by Penelope Fitzgerald
(28/09)
Read 31
Why Not Catch-21? by Gary Dexter
Currently Reading
Goldfinger by Ian Fleming (8304333)
The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell
October 2010
(05/10)
Read 32
Goldfinger by Ian Fleming
(08/10)
Read 33
The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell
(16/10)
Read 34
Backbeat by Alan Clayson & Pauline Sutcliffe
(24/10)
Read 35
Solar by Ian McEwan
(30/10)
Read 36
Can't be Arsed by Richard Wilson
(31/10)
Read 37
The Invisible Man by H.G.Wells
(05/10)
Read 32
Goldfinger by Ian Fleming
(08/10)
Read 33
The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell
(16/10)
Read 34
Backbeat by Alan Clayson & Pauline Sutcliffe
(24/10)
Read 35
Solar by Ian McEwan
(30/10)
Read 36
Can't be Arsed by Richard Wilson
(31/10)
Read 37
The Invisible Man by H.G.Wells
November 2010
(08/11)
Read 38
Juliet, Naked by Nick Hornby
(14/11)
Read 39
Lost for Words by John Humphrys
(25/11)
Read 40
Ragtime by E.L.Doctorow
(29/11)
Read 41
The Cosmic Ordering Service by Barbara Mohr
Currently Reading
The Damned United by David Peace
(08/11)
Read 38
Juliet, Naked by Nick Hornby
(14/11)
Read 39
Lost for Words by John Humphrys
(25/11)
Read 40
Ragtime by E.L.Doctorow
(29/11)
Read 41
The Cosmic Ordering Service by Barbara Mohr
Currently Reading
The Damned United by David Peace
Journal Entry 13 by BookGroupMan at Woodbridge, Suffolk United Kingdom on Thursday, December 2, 2010
December 2010
(02/12)
Read 42
The Damned United by David Peace
(15/12)
Read 43
The Life & Times of the Thunderbolt Kid by Bill Bryson
(28/12)
Read 44
A Week in December by Sebastian Faulks
(30/12)
Read 45
Dumb Money by Anuff & Wolf
(02/12)
Read 42
The Damned United by David Peace
(15/12)
Read 43
The Life & Times of the Thunderbolt Kid by Bill Bryson
(28/12)
Read 44
A Week in December by Sebastian Faulks
(30/12)
Read 45
Dumb Money by Anuff & Wolf
