Summer Readings 2009

The Karamazov Brothers - Fyodor Dostoevsky
Such a great book. Captures human emotions so well. It's a timeless classic. This was my 2nd Dostoeveski book and it just makes me want to read all of his writings. He's one of the best!

Thanks Ash for recommending it. :)

The Rescue - Nicholas Sparks

I don't know if it was me, or the book. I usually like the books of Nicholas Sparks but this one just didn't work for me. I fall for romantic stories easily, or at least I used to. Maybe I'm growing picky, but I wouldn't recommend it.

The Road - Cormac McCarthy

This book is amazing. I totally see what's the buzz is about, only two nameless people living in a world that has ended. It's so scarily believable. I highly recommend it for everyone. Really puts life in a new prespective.

Foundation - Isaac Asimov

I really liked it. It was definitely something new and exciting. I'm looking forward to reading more of Asimov's works. He's a genius!!

Thanks ViC for recommending it!!!!

The Hobbit - J. R. R. Tolkien

I didn't think I'd like it, because I thought Bilbo's charcter was a bit awkward in the Lord of the Rings but it was great. Funny, fast-paced, and highly interesting!

Silas Marner - George Eliot

My first Eliot book. I was postponing reading it, I don't know why. Maybe there was such a buzz about her that I thought I'd be disappointed but I wasn't! The book got to me. I loved it. So simple, yet so touching. Classics prove once again, they're the thing to read when you're looking for inspiration! Definitely looking forward to reading more for Eliot.

The Broker - John Grisham

Not Grisham's best, it wasn't a legal book really. I liked it though.... Pity I didn't read anything else for him this summer!

The Book Thief - Markus Zusak

I don't think I can do this book justice. It's truly a life-changing book. I loved it, and it touched me deeply. It's hard for me to talk about it, it's just one of the best books I've ever read. So simple, yet left me nearly sobbing at the end...

Just read it. ;)

Breakfast at Tiffany's: A Short Novel and Three Stories - Truman Capote

I've never watched the movie, but I thought it'd be interesting to know what it was all about so I got the book. It's a nice little book, the stories are something totally new from the things I've read, yet I could relate someway somehow.

Tender is the Night - F. Scott Fitzgerald

Although the beginning promised something bigger than the rest of the book had to offer, I must admit that I really liked the book, and the whole plot. It was very refreshing and I would recommend it. With a quote like this: "His nose was somewhat pointed and there was never any doubt at whom he was looking or talking - and this is a flattering attention, for who looks at us? - glances fall upon us, curious or disinterested, nothing more." Page 17.
I couldn't help liking it. Some have the talent of describing things that when you read them, they knock you out of your senses at how simple the author makes it sound to describe something you find so hard to define.

New Moon - Stephenie Meyer

I liked it. Jacob's character rules. Found Bella to be annoying at times, but I managed to get through the book in 24 hours. It's not an indicator of how good it is, it's just that I wanted to know what happens next. Meyer's style is too interesting in this one.

Orlando - Virginia Woolf

AWESOME READ! Truly. Too original, and with so much spirit and soul. Everyone should read it. It's a timeless book. I just loved how I could find something to ponder upon in almost every single page. How I found myself in that book at so many times. When I read in page 70: "they will yet endure ridicule and misunderstanding than keep any experience to themselves". I was stunned. How could she write something like that? How could I find myself described in that line with such truth. I have to remind myself she didn't write the book for me though.

Thank you Mohammed for this great recommendation!

Wuthering Heights - Emily Bronte

I liked it.

Gloomy books aren't my thing really, but it's a classic and it was bound to be a bit gloomy, but it was too gloomy for my liking. I don't understand why people find it so inspiring and true. Someone inlighten me please!

Enduring Love - Ian McEwan

If you haven't read for McEwan then you're definitely missing out. One of the best authors I've ever read for. He writes too effortlessly. No one, and I mean no one that I've read for can enter the mind of the character the way he does. I don't know how to say it really. You have to read for him to know what I'm talking about.

The Good Earth - Pearl S. Buck

I loved how it got me into a whole new world and people. China in the 1920s, the life of a farmer and his family. I really appreciate such books, not many can truly pull them off and tell the story the "right" way if I may say, but I think this one is such a book, it got you living with them, and appreciating the work of farmers.

Thanks Ash for introducing me to this!

Les Miserables - Victor Hugo

A great great read. Such memorable characters, such emotions. The author got very deep into his characters, I really felt very connected with them. Loved it! Loved it! It's the kind of book that sheds light into matters you did think about, but in a new way. It makes you want to get up and help the poor, the children the way one of the characters did to a young girl and changed her life.

Beautiful.

The Pillars of the Earth - Ken Follett

I can't believe I've read it to be honest. Such intensity. It's great! I didn't think I'd like it this much, but it's the kind of book that stays with you somehow. I still remember much of the details although it's a 1000 page book. The word captivating isn't enough for this book. I'd say you might want to be a little over 17 to read it though.

The Blood of Flowers - Anita Amirrezvani

I love books that tell the story of people you'd have never got the chance to hear otherwise. How carpets are made? How many of us actually looked at a carpet and considered the forces it took to make? The un-named, unknown people, who are satisfied with being anonymous with the mere thought of making the world more beautiful.

I highly recommend it, it's just one of the best books I've read. If you like Khalid hosseini's books, then read this too. Thanks goes to Rux for this awesome recommendation!

Eclipse - Stephenie Meyer

I really really didn't like this one. Couldn't stop Bella from getting on my nerves. The author was trying too hard. I was expecting something other than Bella forgetting to breathe because of Edward, even though I got something a bit drastic, I was even more disappointed. Not very excited about reading Breaking Dawn, but I will. See where that will go.

Catcher in the Rye - J. D. Salinger

Original. Very original. Made me want to be a catcher in the rye too. If you want to know what that is, you have to read the book. It's just one of the best books ever. And I simply can't stop using his expression of 'it killed me'!

Life of Pi - Yann Martel

Too good. Life is a story. Pi is too cool a character if you ask me. Cool may not be the word for him, but his mere name inspires coolness. I want such a name.

I'm thankful I got to read it. It's just... I'm getting lost for words here actually. Read it and you'll know. You won't be disappointed, I'm sure.

Harry Potter and The Philosopher's Stone
Awesome book, with loads of hilarious stuff. I loved it, I've read it before in Arabic but it's nothing like reading the original which I found to be an awesome read.

Harry Potter and The Chamber of Secrets
Again an awesome read. Having read that, now I've officially read all of the Harry Potter books. I'm pretty psyched about that! :D

Again, a huge huge thanks to ViCtoria, Ashok, Mohammed and Rux for the awesome book recommendations! My Summer reading was much better thanks to you guys!
My holidays are still on, but the Summer holidays should have been over next week, so I simply put the books I finished during the 3 months time.