Lu (Regular Rumination) had this great idea to do a “Great Review Catch Up” post to quickly sum up the books she read this year but never wrote reviews for. I liked the idea so much that I decided to “borrow” the idea myself and do a quick post about the books I read this year but never reviewed on the blog.
It’s a rather mixed bag of books, but there were definitely some good ones that I passed over because I just didn’t have anything (or, in one case, too many things) to say about them.
April
Fables IX, X, and IX by Bill Willingham and Others — Reviewing books so late in a series seems pointless… so I didn’t. But I did love the way Willingham et. al. finished up this story arc and I’m looking forward to having time to start the next big plotline.
Priceless by Nicole Richie — I read this one because of a horrible dare. I actually wrote an entire, almost 800 word review of this one but apparently I never posted it, I think because I thought it was too mean. I really, really, really didn’t like this book (is anyone surprised?) but I might put up the review if anyone wants to read it…
June
The Secret Ingredient by Laura Schaefer — I read this one as part of a freelance story I did for an arts magazine in Madison, WI, but never reviewed in on the blog. The book is sweet and wholesome and smart and funny; it’s exactly the sort of book I’d want my middle-grade daughter to read (if I had one).
August
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling — I needed a comfort read during The Big Move, and this was perfect. I’ve read this one so many times I practically have it memorized. It’s obviously more juvenile than the later books, but Rowling does a great job building the wizarding world without getting bogged down in the details. Also, the action comes SO LATE in the book. That surprised me.
October
Breakfast at Tiffany’s by Truman Capote — I read this one after reading Fifth Avenue, 5 A.M. by Sam Wasson. The short story is darker and more mysterious than the movie, but all I could think of when I read was Audrey Hepburn.
Ghost Hunters by Deborah Blum — I wanted to write a review of this one… but could never think of what to say other than that the book was fine, I liked reading it, but didn’t think it was remarkable.
November
Covering the Courts by S.A. Alexander — I got this one as a primer on doing courts and crime reporting for work. I thought it was good overview of the courts system, but I would have appreciated a little more practical advice about open and public records.
The Magicians by Lev Grossman — I re-read this one in preparation for reading The Magician King. When I went back to my original review, I discovered I highlight the exact same awesome passages and, in essence, felt the same way about it — pretty awesome, but also a little flawed.
December
Dash and Lily’s Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn & David Levithan — I wanted to read a Christmas book to get me in the mood for the holidays, and I think this one did the trick. Dash and Lily are a little bit too sophisticated sounding for 16-year-olds, but on the whole I liked this one.
Holidays on Ice by David Sedaris — I needed an audio book for my drive home for Christmas, and the library has this one in last Thursday. I was a little put-off by how many times Sedaris used the word “retarded,” but the collection still made me laugh.
This isn’t quite all the books I still have left to review, but I’m hoping to write longer reviews of most of them and be caught up by… the end of January? Maybe? We’ll just have to see, I suppose.
Welcome back after the holidays, everyone!
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Please, please do put up the review of the Nicole Richie book – I feel like it has the potential to be hilarious 🙂
I’m not sure it’s especially funny, but it is really sarcastic because, honestly, the book was so bad! I’ll try to get it up soon 🙂
I really need to get back into Fables. I loved the first four, but I haven’t gotten around to picking up the rest.
That’s such a good series. My new library doesn’t get them, which makes me sad.
Oh man, I GOTTA read your review of Nicole Richie’s book. I still can’t believe you read it ! TOO funny !!!
I can’t quite believe I read it either 🙂
I really like this idea of mini-reviews – despite my best efforts and intentions, I have a stack of books I really liked that I still have to review! I’m borrowing this idea, too.
You actually read Nicole Richie’s book? The whole thing? I’d love to read your review!!!!
Lu did have a brilliant idea. I liked writing this and feeling caught up. And yes, I did… the whole thing. It’s embarrassing to admit it!
I love the idea of mini-reviews and must might “borrow” this one myself!
Great idea but the reviews I have hanging are pretty easy. I’m doing something similar for my “did no finish” DNF reads.
I’ve never done anything with DNF books, but maybe next year I’ll start keeping better track of those too.
I’ve been considering hijacking Lu’s idea myself, even though I just have a few books to deal with.
I love this idea; I might just steal it myself. Like everyone else, I’d love to read your review of Nicole Richie’s book. Also, I felt the same about the first HP on my last reread. It really is great at world-building, but the main part of the action is very close to the end.
I couldn’t believe how much of the book was setup, and how little was the memorable action. It was interesting to notice than on another reread.
I want to read your review of Priceless! I really really do!
I also want to read the review of Priceless. What would the holidays be without some meanness?
An excellent point. It’ll be like a white elephant gift 🙂