book review: the book of negroes by lawrence hill

the book of negroes, the review:

everyone went on and on about how wonderful this book was. i don't know, i'm not convinced. it was certainly very interesting, but i really felt like the male author didn't capture the voice of the main character (a woman) that well. there was a little too much driving the plot and not enough emotion for me. it kind of felt like i was reading a newspaper article - a bit of horror then back to my morning coffee. i didn't really think about this book at all while i was not reading it, which is a bad sign.

i think the book of negroes is worth reading, but i will probably never read it again. by probably i mean i just never.

tough to update

movie review. benjamin button - enjoyable. 

concert review. no doubt - amazing! 

book review. the senator's wife - interesting enough. 

book review: the elegance of the hedgehog by muriel barbery

the elegance of the hedgehog, the review: 

i had to read this book for one of my book clubs. yes, i am in two book clubs. i love books and clubs about them. 

this book was ... good. i liked it a lot more upon reflection after i had finished it actually. i would recommend this book to my friends because it makes you think about the big picture in life: what is the meaning of life, what is the point of living, how different people can affect your life in a meaningful way - that sort of thing. 

the book is divided into parts by two different narrators. there is renee, a 50-something widowed concierge and paloma, a 12-year-old genius who just happens to come from a wealthy family that lives in renee's building. the parts by paloma are definitely more interesting, unless you are really into philosophy, then you might prefer renee's text. i found renee's text to be a lot of blah blah blah. 

i found the climax of the story to come together a little too conveniently at the end of the book. there is a japanese character named ozu who makes the book a lot more interesting, for the characters in it and for the reader. all in all, not something i would choose to read or ever read again, but worthwhile all the same.

jackie collins

i know they're trashy but i love them, i can't help it. jackie collins novels. i've never read one but i'm on my second audiobook and i'm hooked. i think reading the actual books will be more fun. it's like reading without thinking. here is a list of her books. i'll check them off when i'm done reading them. maybe i can be done in ... one year?

The World Is Full Of Married Men (1968)
The Stud (1969)
Sinners (first published as Sunday Simmons & Charlie Brick) (1971)
The Love Killers (first published as Lovehead) (1974)
The World Is Full Of Divorced Women (1975)
Lovers & Gamblers (1977)
The Bitch (1979)
Rock Star (1988)
American Star (1993)
Thrill (1998)
Lovers & Players (2006)
Married Lovers (2008) READING NOW
Poor Little Bitch Girl (October 5th, 2009)

Hollywood Series

Hollywood Wives (1983)
Hollywood Husbands (1986)
Hollywood Kids (1994)
Hollywood Wives: The New Generation (2001)
Hollywood Divorces (2003)

The Santangelo Novels

Chances (1981)
Lucky (1985)
Lady Boss (1990)
Vendetta: Lucky's Revenge (1996)
Dangerous Kiss (1999)
Drop Dead Beautiful (2007) READ
Goddess of Vengeance (2010)

Madison Castelli Series

L. A. Connections (serialised novel):
Power (1998)
Obsession (1998)
Murder (1998)
Revenge (1998)
Lethal Seduction (2000)
Deadly Embrace (2002)