2012 Review Extravaganza: Pt. 7
by Jenners • 12/29/2012 • 3 Stars, 3.5 Stars, 4 Stars, 4.5 Stars, A Authors, Audiobook, B Authors, Contemporary, Essays, F Titles, Fiction, Humor, J Titles, L Titles, Literary, M Authors, M Titles, Non-Fiction, O Titles, P Authors, P Titles, R Authors, S Titles, T Authors, True Crime, Young Adult • 66 Comments
This is it, people! The last installment of mini-reviews so I’m starting 2013 with a fresh slate. These will be super-short because I’m going to cram the last seven books into this post.
Jellicoe Road by Melina MarchettaGenre: Fiction, Young Adult Why I Read It: Two words: Rhapsody Jill My Rating: 4 stars
A mystery, a coming-of-age story, a puzzle—Jellicoe Road is all of these things wrapped up in one book. When I started, I was completely lost and didn’t think I’d ever make sense of what was going on (Townies? Cadets? Territories? What was with that car crash at the start of the book?). But Jill told me no one understands Jellicoe Road when they start out, so I continued on and was rewarded with a richly layered novel that fits all the pieces together in a way that felt both satisfying and inevitable. If you’re looking for a sophisticated but exciting YA novel that would appeal to your more mature reader, this would be a great choice. It has romance, intrigue, mystery and more, all wrapped up in a lovely cover and beautifully writing.
The Sense of An Ending by Julian BarnesGenre: Fiction, Literary Why I Read It: This is another book I’d been hearing raves about forever so I had to try it.
My Rating: 3.5 stars
This may have been a case where I was expecting a different book than I got. I see why people enjoyed it (the writing is lovely and spare), but I got to the end and was like “What??? Did I read that right? Did he really think I was going to understand that equation?” Also, I didn’t get some of the motivations of the characters (specifically Veronica). In essence, this is a book about memory. Our narrator, Tony, tells us his life story, focusing on some events that happened to him in his 20s but come back to haunt him in his 60s. I was really enjoying the book (the suspense of what had really happened was getting to me) but when I got to the end, I was flummoxed. I immediately had to go on Google to make sure that I had read the book correctly (I had). I don’t know … it just didn’t work for me. I hate when I get to the end of the book and think I know what happened but am not really sure. (What the heck was that “horizontal gesture”?) Still, don’t let me turn you off of this book as many people just loved it. (Also, it won the 2011 Man Booker Prize.) Perhaps it was just too subtle for me.
The Future of Us by Jay Asher and Carolyn MacklerGenre: Fiction, Young Adult Why I Read It: The premise was great! My Rating: 3 stars
The premise of the book is what hooked me—two teens living in 1996 discover a weird thing called Facebook, see their futures, and trying to change things up—but it just didn’t work for me. I thought the writing was nothing special, the plot was predictable, the characters weren’t fully developed and it just felt really “young.” Plus all the 1990s references felt out of place. (I doubt kids would describe their world that way.) I wanted to like this book (I really really did), but I ended up feeling just ho-hum about it. It definitely felt like a YA book that I was too old for. I’m assuming that Asher wrote the Josh chapters and Mackler wrote the Emma chapters, and I kind of like this idea but neither character ended up working for me better than the other.
Lost At Sea: The Jon Ronson Mysteries written and read by Jon RonsonGenre: Non-Fiction, Essays Why I Read It: When Alyce described the book, it seemed like something I’d really like My Rating: 4 stars
Jon Ronson is a British journalist who has made a career of finding weird and crazy stories/people and writing about them in a heartfelt but snarky way. I found him very enjoyable, and I liked his somewhat subtle and sly sense of humor. The stories are just amazingly odd and intriguing (Robbie Williams and his obsession with UFOs, the hidden Christian message of Insane Clown Posse, the archives of Stanley Kubrick, the quest of the Jesus Christians to donate their kidneys, real-life superheroes). I never knew what Ronson would be writing about next, and it was fun to see what oddities he unearthed for each story. I particularly enjoyed how he inserted himself into the stories (whether he is flagging down a taxi to avoid a gun fight in Seattle or interviewing a robot). He brings a healthy sense of curiosity, skepticism and personality to his writing, which I enjoyed a great deal. If you like hearing about people who live on the fringes of “normal,” this would be a great read or listen. I definitely plan on reading more of Ronson’s stuff.
One Last Thing Before I Go by Jonathan TropperGenre: Fiction, Contemporary Why I Read It: I love Tropper and wanted to read his latest book My Rating: 4 stars
Nobody writes comedic tragedies quite like Jonathan Tropper. He gives his characters these horribly depressing situations to live through (in this book, aging rock star Silver has messed up his life and his relationship with his family and then gets the news that he could die at any second), but the books are so funny that I think of them as humorous books rather than sad ones. As Silver struggles to come to terms with his ex-wife’s remarriage, his teenage daughter’s pregnancy and the realities of his life and limited future, Tropper treads on ground that will simultaneously break your heart but make you snort out loud with laughter. I don’t quite know Tropper pulls off this balancing act but he does and I just love it.
People Who Eat Darkness written by Richard Lloyd Perry and narrated by Simon Vance
Genre: Non-Fiction, True Crime
Why I Read It: Jackie raved about it and got me interested and I’ve been wanting to listen to a book by Simon Vance, who is Sandy’s voice crush
My Rating: 4.5 stars
First off, I have to say that true crime books are not my thing. However, Jackie (who also isn’t a true crime person) made the book sound so good that I felt like I had to give it a go. The thing that really pushed me over the edge, though, was that Simon Vance narrated the book and I’ve heard about how great he is as a narrator. (And he is fabulous … I see the attraction.) As I listened about the account of the disappearance of 21-year-old Brit Lucie Blackman from the streets of Tokyo, I got caught up in the story just as Richard Lloyd Parry did. (Parry is the Asia Editor and Tokyo Bureau Chief for the London Times.) Aside from being a true crime book, it is also a glimpse into the culture and legal system of Japan, which was absolutely fascinating. The book also delves into how people grieve and react to violent crimes in different ways, and why families are often torn apart rather than brought together by such events. Parry does a brilliant job of weaving together a rather complex story in a way that was always interesting and informative. Even if true crime isn’t your thing, I still think you’d find much of interest in this well-written and riveting book. Consider it a crash course on Japanese culture, history and legal system if that makes you feel better.
Moranthology by Caitlin Moran
Genre: Non-Fiction, Essays, Humor
Why I Read It: After reading Moran’s excellent How To Be A Woman, I snapped this collection of her columns from The Times
My Rating: 4 stars
Let’s let my new BFF Caitlin Moran describe what this book is about for you:
In HOW TO BE A WOMAN, I was limited to a single topic: women. Their hair, their shoes and their crushes on Aslan from The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe (which I KNOW to be universal). However! In my new book MORANTHOLOGY – as the title suggests – I am set free to tackle THE REST OF THE WORLD: Ghostbusters, Twitter, caffeine, panic attacks, Michael Jackson’s memorial service, being a middle-class marijuana addict, Doctor Who, binge-drinking, Downton Abbey, pandas, my own tragically early death, and my repeated failure to get anyone to adopt the nickname I have chosen for myself: ‘Puffin’. I go to a sex-club with Lady Gaga, cry on Paul McCartney’s guitar, get drunk with Kylie, appear on Richard & Judy as a gnome, climb into the TARDIS, sniff Sherlock Holmes’s pillows at 221b Baker Street, write Amy Winehouse’s obituary, turn up late to Downing Street for Gordon Brown, and am rudely snubbed at a garden party by David Cameron –although that’s probably because I called him ‘A C3PO made of ham’. Fair enough. And, in my spare time – between hangovers – I rant about the welfare state, library closures and poverty; like a shit Dickens or Orwell, but with tits.
I think that is enough to let you decide if this book is for you. It was for me. My only complaint is that she must be limited in how much she can write in her columns because I wanted MORE MORE MORE!
And that’s it … I’ve reviewed all 100 books I read in 2012! Yay for me!! Whew!
My list of want to reads is getting way too long thanks to you
I’m glad! : )
The Sense of an Ending is definitely one of those books where you get to the end and have to question a lot of what came before, and that can be frustrating. I’m sorry it didn’t work for you.
I like those kind of books but it wasn’t so much of a twist where everything falls into place but a “huh????” Yet so many people just loved it — I think I’m in the minority on this one.
Way to go finishing up all your reviews! I’m so far behind on reviewing books from October and November that I’ve given up. I can’t remember things about them by now anyway. But I’m glad you talked about Jellicoe Road — Melina Marchetta is such an amazing writer. Jellicoe Road takes a while to get into it, as you say, but it’s so worth it.
Let me tell you, it was brutal finishing up all those reviews. I will not let that happen in 2013!!
Amazing end of the year posts, Jenners! Wishing you and yours a joy-filled New Year!
It is great to see that you loved People who Eat Darkness. I wasn’t sure it would work on audio, but I’m pleased to hear it did. Don’t worry – I wasn’t a fan of Sense of an Ending either. Congratulations on completing all the reviews. I look forward to seeing which books you”ve enjoyed most this year.
Thank you so much for steering me to People Who Eat Darkness. I would have never read it if you hadn’t raved about it. And the narrator was awesome so it worked really well as an audio. And I’m glad you’re not a Sense of Ending fan either. I’ll have to go back and reread your review.
I felt the same way about Future of Us. it started out well but it wasn’t for me.
Kudos for reviewing all ur books for 2012! Happy New Year !
It was hard work and I’m not going to let it happen again — having something like 35 reviews to write at the end of the year! And I’m glad I’m not the only one who didn’t fall in love with The Future of Us.
I just finished Jellicoe Road tonight. OMG, the tears! I was sobbing for the last 50 or so pages.
I didn’t sob in that one, but it was amazingly well done.
I felt kind of similarly about The Future of Us. I got a lot of the 90s references because that was my generation, but I was hoping to LOVE LOVE it because the premise was amazing, but only liked it.
I know!! I wanted to love it but just couldn’t. URGH! I hate that!
I wanted to read Jellicoe Road this year, but ‘needed’ a 2011 award winner, so went with Moon Over Manifest instead. It was very good, but I must get to JR this coming year.
I also want to read People Who Eat Darkness based on Jackie’s enthusiasm. It’s such a small world in the book blogosphere.
BTW – I didn’t get A Sense of an Ending either, Mrs. J.
Such relief that I wasn’t alone in not getting A Sense of Ending!!! It felt like maybe I was one of the few who was alone in not loving the book!!
People Who Eat Darkness was sooooo good. Jackie got us both … and she was right on the money.
And Jellicoe Road IS a deserving award winner!
Some great reviews! What a marathon of books you’ve read!
If I had kept up with my reviewing, it would have been so much more relaxed at the end of this year. I won’t do it in 2013!
Jon Ronson is something isn’t he?? I just love his stuff! Happy happy New Year to you and yours!
I so enjoyed him, and I’m thrilled to find out he’s got a nice little backlist I can dig into!
Happy New Year! Thanks for being a wonderful blogging buddy!
Right back at ya! Wishing you all the best in 2013 and lots of 5 star reads!
I LOVED 13 Reasons Why by Jay Asher and have been so sad to hear less than stellar reviews of The Future of Us.
I wonder if it was the collaboration that did it or just wasn’t the “right” book for him. I hear lots of good things about 13 Reasons Why … I’ll have to try that this year.
I felt the same way about the Future of Us, disappointing as I really liked his other book 13 reasons why. So how many books did you read in 2012???
I remember you loving 13 Reasons Why. Guess I should have read that one. And I read exactly 100 books in 2012.
Jenners, congratulations! You “outread” me for sure!! I don’t know how you manage to read so much, and write such excellent and concise reviews–especially since you have a little around! Not sure I’d enjoy all of these books, but you certainly did a great job giving the basic idea/summary for each.
Thanks for the lovely compliments! And if you saw how lax my housekeeping is, you’d understand how I read all those books! HA!
100 books – impressive! I definitely want to read Moranthology after reading your review!
100 was my target and I managed to finish up just in time. I don’t think I’ll set a target for next year though … I kind of got caught up in it too much. And Caitlin Moran rocks!! Be sure to read How To Be A Woman too!
I felt the same way about The Future of Us. I was a teen in the 90s, and all the 90s stuff felt completely out of place and wrong, and the book felt more like it was written for 12 year olds than teens.
Yes! Yes! Yes! It felt too young and the 90s references felt stilted. I’m glad I’m not alone in feeling this way. Actually, more people seemed disappointed than in love with it.
Congrats on reading and reviewing 100 books! I’ve had my eye on The Sense of An Ending, too bad it didn’t work for you. You read such a nice variety of books!
Happy New Year
I need variety in my reading or I’d get terribly bored. That is why book blogging is so awesome — I’m always being exposed to a book that I probably wouldn’t have picked up otherwise.
Wishing you all the best in 2013!
Hi Jenners, just wanted to pop in and wish you a very happy, healthy and peaceful new year. {{Hugs!}}
You should be proud of yourself for reviewing every book you read; that’s quite an accomplishment.
I shall certainly miss you and your encouragements and kind comments!
I think I’m just going to put my last books on the list tomorrow and call it a year. Your mini-reviews have been inspirational for me to “just do it” when I finish a book, so maybe I’ll do better next year.
After slogging through 35 reviews at the end of the year, I’ve got a plan to avoid this for next year. The key is to realize you don’t have to write a big lengthy review for every book. I’m going to try my best to write reviews (of any length) for all the books I’ve read by the end of each month so I don’t have this horrible backlog.
I’ve loved your mini-reviews! And I want to read Jellicoe Road so desparately after seeing it on so many year end lists.
Jellicoe Road is a good one. It’s on the lists for a reason!
Yay for you! I love having things wrapped up and ready for a fresh start. Glad to hear someone else didn’t “get” The Sense of an Ending.
It does feel good to have a blank slate for the new year and no backlog. And I’m thankful you didn’t “get” Sense of an Ending either. I thought I was alone!!
I have only read one Tropper novel but I really need to pick up more of his books! Jello or Road is another I’ve wanted to read for a while.
Oh I just love Tropper’s books!! I read one or two a year and try to save them up for a treat.
You are a little “review machine this week”…LOL I liked Sense of an Ending a lot.
I know … I churned out 35 reviews in the past two weeks. That’s what I get for getting so far behind in my reviews. It won’t happen in 2013 — this I vow!
I know I have to get to One Last Thing Before I Go by Jonathan Tropper — I *still* haven’t read or listened to it. And yay for Moranthology — it’s a good one.
I owe you thanks for alerting me to Moranthology’s existence. I loved her How To be A Woman and when I saw Moranthology on your blog, I went right out and bought it!
Jenners, I haven’t checked in for a while, so I read the first 7 of your year-end reviews (not sure if there will be more today and tomorrow) and made a list of 2 dozen books to add to my library wish list. I love that I can add books to my list, then each week, I move a few to my request list. They often show up at different times, but there is almost always something waiting for me on my weekly library trip. You are such an eclectic reader that you always review something I’m sure I’ll like. I read about 50/50 fiction & non-fiction. I am partial to mysteries, history, and memoirs. I nearly always like the books you rate highly 4-5.). I just wanted to thank you for your hard work. I know reading is certainly not work for you, but writing reviews probably is. Have a great 2013.
Oh you make me feel so good. I’m glad that this blog is place for you to find books to read. And if I didn’t read a large variety of books, I’d be so bored. Wishing you all the best in 2013 and lots of wonderful 5 star reads!
I’ve read similar reviews of The Future of Us, but still snagged a copy via paperbackswap because I have been hoping that it will be a rare occasion when my opinion will be different than those of trusted reviewers. The premise does sound so good. But reviews like yours are also the reason why it’s still sitting on my shelf unread. Maybe if I go into it with low expectations I’ll be pleasantly surprised.
I hate when a premise is so awesome but the execution doesn’t live up to it. I hope you like it more than I did. I’ll be curious to see!
I’ve only read one Julian Barnes book (Arthur & George) and while it was good, it wasn’t so outstanding that I’d rush out and try another and definitely not the one you described here.
100 books – I’m impressed!! I only managed 60 and as you know, I quit reviewing about halfway through the year.
Based on the number of reviews I had to write to catch up at the end of the year, apparently I quit reviewing halfway through the year too! HAHA! By the way, do you have to keep entering your info every time you visit still?
Congratulations! Now, you know you cannot read anything else until January 1st, right?
That’s what my husband said … but dipping a toe into a 400+ page book is allowed!
I liked The Future of Us more than you did – maybe I’m going through my second childhood.
Perhaps! I just can’t read it from the point of view of anyone other than myself. Maybe the “kids” like it … and you of course. HAHA!
You sure read your pants off this year. Seriously…so many reviews. I fell way behind with my reading but I am okay with it.
I had 35 reviews to write by the end of the year — which is an awful lot. I need to stay on top of it in 2013 because it was painful to have to write so many at one time!
You’ve got me turned on to Caitlyn Moran for sure! Can’t wait to get started!!!
I think you’ll love her!!!
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Hi Jen,
Congrats for finishing your review marathon! How many books did you read this year?
“The Sense of an Ending” got me thinking I’d missed something as well, but I did get the ending and I really liked the book, eh, you know that already.
“Moranthology” sounds like fun. I remember reading her other book at the bookstore, I was riveted for a good number of pages – she is really funny in her descriptions.
Have a great 2013, may it bring some truly amazing books your way, among other wonderful things!
I ended up reading 100 books exactly this year. It was my goal and I made it just in time.
And I think Caitlin Moran is a hoot. I want more by her!
Wishing you wonderful reads, happiness and health in the new year!