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Monday, July 21, 2008

Weekly Geeks #12: Questions for My Reviews


This week on Weekly Geeks we get to ask our readers to help with our reviews!

I'm supposed to make a list of books I have read but not reviewed and you're supposed to ask me questions that I'll answer in my reviews of those books. Get it? If not, you can read all the "rules" here.

I stay pretty up to date on my reviewing so there aren't any outstanding ones at the moment. Instead I offer you two lists: the books I'm reading now, and the books I plan to read shortly.

Currently Reading:
  • The Planets, by Dava Sobel (almost finished)
  • Dracula, Bram Stoker (just started)
  • Some Experiences of an Irish RM, by E. Somerville (halfway through)
Upcoming Reads:
  • Eat, Pray, Love, by Elizabeth Gilbert (this is for my book club)
  • In Defense of Food, by Michael Pollan
  • Life is So Good, by Miriam Katin
  • We Are On Our Own, by George Dawson
  • Delta of Venus, by Anais Nin
You can find summaries of all these books on Amazon.com.

So go ahead - ask away! My only request is that your questions don't include too many spoilers - everything else is welcome!

18 comments:

Amanda said...

Dracula is one of my favorite books but I can't get my husband to read it because he says he wants to read "light" books. Do you think it's a light read? Also, how do you like the way the book is presented through letters/journal style?

I've been wanting to read something by Anais Nin but I have no clue how she writes. I am just curious about Delta of Venus and would like any opinion you have on it.

Rebecca (Ramblings by Reba) said...

I can't imagine why you wouldn't want too many spoilers in the questions. ;)

Amanda said...

Hello!
I tagged you over on my blog. If you want to play along yay! If not I understand too :)

http://lifeandtimesofanewnewyorker.blogspot.com/

Thanks!
Amanda

Joanne ♦ The Book Zombie said...

I've got one question to ask about each book you are planning to read (except for "Eat, Pray, Love" which you said is for a book club)

So for the following books, let us know why you decided to read these particular ones (recommendation, review, always wanted to, etc)

- In Defense of Food
- Life is So Good
- We Are On Our Own
- Delta of Venus

Bibliolatrist said...

Did EAT, PRAY, LOVE live up to the hype? It's been sitting on my TBR shelf for awhile, and I've been doing a good job of putting it off -- should I put it off longer, or dive right in?

Also, my only exposure to Nin comes via HENRY AND JUNE, which I found a little "meh." What did you think of DELTA OF VENUS? Worth the effort, or not?

Nyssaneala said...

I just checked out The Planets from the library, in the hopes to brush up on my severely lacking science knowledge base. :) Is it a good read for those who know next-to-nothing about the solar system? Was it written after Pluto was demoted from planet status?

From ICLW

Dewey said...

How does the classic Dracula character compare to the version of Dracula that has become more the norm in current times?

Becky said...

I just answered your questions about Tom Sawyer.

I loved Dracula, though I was a bit hesitant to read the book in the beginning. What did you find most surprising in the book? Did you find it a worthwhile read? How does it compare to any movies you've seen?

Anonymous said...

Dracula: did you find it as tedious and boring as I did? Hope that question doesn't count as a spoiler. ;-)

In Defense of Food (which I haven't read): did you change your eating habits after reading it?

Ana S. said...

Had you seen any of the movie versions of Dracula? How do you think the book compares to them?

Anonymous said...

When it comes to vampire novels, the novel Dracula always gets mentioned in some manner. However, all the novels never refer to it in the same way. What other novels have you read that reference Stoker's novel and which ones do you prefer?

Colored With Memories said...

Visiting from IComWeLeave...i don't really have any ?'s for you...but wanted to let you know that just visiting your blog has made me want to pick up books more often!

Great blog!

Bybee said...

Which section did you like the best of Eat, Pray, Love?

Anonymous said...

For In Defense of Food: Which of his arguments do you think is most compelling? Do you think you'll incorporate any of his suggestions into your normal eating routine?

Kim (Sophisticated Dorkiness)

Anonymous said...

Here from IComLeavWe.

I have not read any of your current reads. However, I am reading Eat, Pray, and Love. Which I am finding not only meets its hype but also exceeds it.

Anonymous said...

We'll have to compare notes on Dracula and In Defense of Food.

My question on IDF is how do you feel about the "whole foods" thing? Is it something you could actually accomplish with your eating?

Joy Renee said...

I'm interested in the technique and art of storytelling itself so anything along that line would interest me. My questions are for any or all of the fiction titles in your list:

How was Point-of-View handled? Was there a single POV character or did it alternate among two or more. Was it always clear whose eyes and mind were filtering?

How was language used to set tone and mood?

Was the prose dense or spare? Were sentences generally simple or complex?

How was metaphor used? Were associations fresh or did they tend toward cliche? Did they add to your understanding of the theme?

What was the central or organizing theme?

How does the title relate to the story? Was it fitting?
>>>>
BTW I'm hosting a book giveaway this week. Four copies of Still Summer by Jacquelyn Mitchard. Four chances to enter until Saturday 3PM PST.

Anonymous said...

(I hope I didn't post this twice! We're having problems with the internet connection right now!)

How are you finding the Anais Nin book? Does it make heavy reading? My sister recommended The Diary of Anais Nin and bought me the first volume, but I never finished it. It's still sitting on my shelves, partway read. It wasn't really the language, I guess; I just found it rather boring.

Would you recommend her other books (assuming you've read her other works, of course)?

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