Brave New World

Brave New World by Aldous Huxley

Finished August 26th, 2007

Rating: 4/10

Dystopian Challenge Book #4



I had high expectations for this book as I have really enjoyed all of the other books I have read for the Dystopian Challenge. I was disappointed as I felt that something was missing for me in this book.

The book takes place in the seventh century A.F. (after Ford) and depicts a futuristic society where humans are genetically designed in laboratories. They are conditioned to be in a specific social order by physical and mental conditioning. The society uses drugs to keep the masses happy and encourages sexual promiscuity as the thought is that a person belongs to everyone.

Many people find this book very thought-provoking however it really didn't provoke much thought in me as the other books I have read for the Dystopian Challenge.

I also read Brave New World Revisited which Huxley wrote about 25 years after he originally wrote Brave New World and found his thoughts and insights were more thought provoking than Brave New World. However my rating is based on Brave New World alone.

The Heart is a Lonely Hunter

The Heart is a Lonely Hunter by Carson McCullers

Finished August 22nd, 2007

Rating: 3/10

Decades Challenge Book #7 (1940s)



Synopsis from Barnes & Noble
Published in 1940, The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter is considered McCullers' finest work. The focus of the work is on John Singer, a deaf-mute in a Georgia mill town during the 1930s, and on his effect on the people who confide in him. When Singer's mute Greek companion of 10 years goes insane, Singer is left alone and isolated. He takes a room with the Kelly family, where he is visited by the town's misfits, who turn to him for understanding but have no knowledge of his inner life. The book's emphasis on individuals who are considered outcasts because of race, politics, disability, or sensibility placed it squarely within the Southern gothic tradition of American literature.


I started reading this book without knowing what is about. It wasn't until I got half way through the book that I started to understand the message the author was trying to convey. I got to the end of the book and simply just didn't like it very much.

2007 Summer Mystery Reading Challenge Finished

I successfully completed my first reading challenge. It was a good challenge for me as most of my reads were very enjoyable and I was introduced to new authors that I plan to read more of.

I just couldn't resist signing up for this challenge as there is nothing better than reading a good mystery in the Summertime.

The challenge which is being hosted by Reviewed By Liz is to read six mysteries between June 1st and August 31st, 2007 by authors whose works you haven’t read before. Book choices are also allowed to overlap with other challenges.

There will be some prizes - a book drawing every week of the challenge for ALL participants, and a drawing for a $25.00 Amazon gift certificate at the end of the challenge for those who complete the challenge.

My proposed book list is as follows:

Harvest by Tess Gerritsen (overlaps with the Medical Mystery Madness Challenge) [completed June 21st, 2007]

Size 12 is Not Fat by Meg Cabot [completed July 30th, 2007]

Whispers and Lies by Joy Fielding [completed July 8th, 2007]

A is for Alibi by Sue Grafton [completed June 24th, 2007]

The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield [completed August 5th, 2007]

The Black Echo by Michael Connelly [completed August 13th, 2007]

The Black Echo

The Black Echo by Michael Connelly

Finished August 13th, 2007

Rating: 8/10

2007 Summer Mystery Reading Challenge Book #6
Book Awards Reading Challenge Book #2


This was the first book I have read of Michael Connelly and I very much enjoyed it. The writing reminded me of David Baldacci who is one of my favourite suspense writers.

The story is about an LAPD detective (Harry Bosch) that finds one of his former Vietnam army colleagues dead. It appears to be a drug overdose however after further investigation Bosch believes otherwise. The story is fairly fast paced as it involves bank robberies, the FBI, Internal Affairs, etc.

I was a little disappointed with the Bosch character as he seeems to be the typical loner tortured detective. I hope his character develops over the next few books in the series.

Eiger Dreams

Eiger Dreams by Jon Krakauer

Finished August 8th, 2007

Rating: 4/10

Non-Fiction Five Challenge Book #4




This is the third book I have read of Krakauer. I had previously read and really enjoyed Under the Banner of Heaven but disliked Into the Wild but decided to give this book a go anyways. I was not overly impressed.

The book is a bunch of short stories that Krakauer has written over the years for magazines about mountain climbing. Some of the stories are first hand experiences as Krakauer is an avid climber.

While some of the stories were interesting, more often I found myself a little bored reading this book. This could be due to the fact that I am not mountain climber and may not be able to appreciate the stories.

The Thirteenth Tale

The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield

Finished August 5th, 2007

Rating: 8/10

2007 Summer Mystery Reading Challenge Book #5



I wasn't sure what to expect when I choose this book for the Summer Mystery Reading Challenge and I ended up really enjoying this book. It tells the tale of a best-selling author (Vida Winter) who is reaching the end of her days. She is a mystery to the world and she now wants to tell her story and has reached out to Margaret Lea to be the biographer. And what an interesting story that Winter tells Margaret that I couldn't wait to find out what happened.

Setterfield writes a beautifully unique story. I am glad I choose this book for the challenge otherwise I probably would never have read this book on my own.

July 2007 Reads

36. The Road by Cormac McCarthy - Rating: 9
[Dystopian Challenge] & [Book Awards Challenge]

37. Whispers and Lies by Joy Fielding - Rating: 7
[Summer Mystery Reading Challenge]

38. The Terminal Man by Michael Crichton - Rating: 4
[Decades Challenge]

39. Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See - Rating: 9
[Armchair Traveler Challenge]

40. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling - Rating: 10

41. Size 12 is not Fat by Meg Cabot - Rating: 6
[Summer Mystery Reading Challenge]

New Authors Read = 4
Male Authors = 2
Female Authors = 4