02.Apr.2009 Herding Cats II: Attack of the Hairball

1 April 2009 – 31 December 2009

Renay is hosting the Herding Cats II challenge. I didn’t join the first one, but now I will!

Rules:

1. Make a list of five books you love. Directions:

• Five. I’m as serious as a beached whale.
• All titles must be books you’ve read in 2007, 2008 or 2009.
• Please don’t list a series; just the first book. If you really want to list a book in the middle of a series, you can, but it has to be that specific book.
• Feel free to share why you’re putting the book on your list, because I am nosy.

2. Post your list:

• in your own journal, in the comments here, whatever is fine. Share the list here.
• Lists should be public (no locked entries, no logging in to view).

3. Browse the new book list. Stay a while. Read a few (eta: if you want; not even reading is required this time around if you don’t have time to commit to a new challenge but still want to share your favorites).

4. If you review your books, you can share the reviews. You know, if you want. No pressure. Definitely not.

The home page for this project is at http://www.echthroi.org/getliterate/herdingcats/ (or http://tinyurl.com/cdxk45). If you twitter, feel free to #herdcats over there. ;)

The 5 books that I picked to recommend:

1) Leaving Microsoft to Change the World by John Wood
It tells the journey of an ex Microsoft Exec who went to Tibet for holiday. Visiting the schools that so lacked of books, he promised he’d come back with more books, whose offer accepted by the people gladly but with skepticism. He did, left his job, took the plunge, and found Room to Read, an organization that has built thousands of schools and libraries in the developing world. [my review]

2) Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami
This is one of my top books of all time and I happened to read it in year 2007, so I have to include this. A book about youth, loneliness, and despair with the setting of contemporary Japanese. It’s hard to explain what it’s about without spoiling it, so I’d say just pick it up! Keep in mind that it’s not a typical of Murakami, it doesn’t have any fantasy elements, and it is said to be a book that’s probably half biographical for him. [my review]

3) The Key by Junichiro Tanizaki
Another book by Japanese author, who is probably less well known than Murakami. The Key tells an interesting story about 55 year old husband who’s very much in love and lust with his wife who’s 11 years younger. But the culture doesn’t let them to be upfront. So each keeps a diary with the hope and suspicion that the other would read it to know more about the other. It’s a thin book so it’d be a quick read! [my review]

4) A Long Way Gone by Ishmael Beah
A story that follows Ishmael Beah, a child soldier from Sierra Leone, of how he ran away when his village got attacked, all the way to survival, and ultimately, freedom. Sierra Leone had a brutal civil war that forced recruitment of children as soldiers which leads to shocking facts. An eye opener that lets us learn more about situation in other parts of the world. [my review]

5) Embroideries by Marjane Satrapi
Everybody knows Persepolis, so I’m picking this one. Embroideries is also a graphic novel by Marjane Satrapi, that tells the story about the sex lives of Iranian women in Iran. About virginity, plastic surgery, arranged marriage, and men. It’s short, funny, and entertaining. Didn’t expect any less from Satrapi :) [my review]

At this second there are 102 books in the Master List, so I’m not gonna set up my mind now, but there are a few that I’m interested in:

1. The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick
2. Nation by Terry Pratchett
3. Rapunzel’s Revenge by Shannon Hal
4. Ten Cents A Dance by Christine Fletcher
5. The Devil and Miss Prym by Paulo Coelho
6. Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See (but this one I have wanted to read anyway regardless)
7. Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen (this one too)
8. The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield (this one three)

I’ll be happy if I can read at least 2 from the master list!

Books I read

1. Dracula by Bram Stoker — recommended by Kara’s Book Challenges (who seems to be on hiatus)
2. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows — recommended by A Book Lover
3. Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See — recommended by katrina’s reads