Tags
fear and loathing, Haruki Murakami, hunter s thompson, in the miso soup, Its monday what are you reading?, liz jensen, meme, rum diary, ryu murakami, Sputnik Sweetheart, steig larrson, the girl with the dragon tattoo, the rapture, wind up bird chronicles
Welcome to ‘It’s Monday, What Are You Reading?’, a weekly meme initially hosted by Sheila at the ‘Book Journey – One Persons Journey Through a World of Books’. This is a great way of letting people know what I’ve been reading over the past week and what I’ve got lined up for this week.
I’m sorry to say it’s been a slow one this past week, but it’s a good thing because I tend to take time over the books I like. So, here’s a list of books I completed, am still reading/ listening to/ look forward to reading this week:
BOOKS READ:
1. Sputnik Sweetheart – Haruki Murakami
I’m quite surprised by how quickly I get through Murakami’s books. They are so reader friendly! This one took no time at all. I think next up is ‘The Wind-up Bird Chronicles’. Click here to read my review.
2. In The Miso Soup – Ryu Murakami
Another amazing read, this time by Ryu Murakami, who just happens to be Haruki Murakamis favourite author. Hmm. I wonder why? lol! Again, a quick read, not because I wanted to get through it quickly; but because the suspense was so masterfully engrossing. Review coming soon!
CURRENTLY READING:
1. Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas: A savage Journey into the Heart of the American Dream – Hunter S. Thompson
Taking it easy with this one, nice slow doses, no sudden movements… after all, you must have your wits about you if you are to venture into Gonzo journalism at its finest! One toke over the line…
2. The Rapture (Audiobook) – Liz Jensen
Another one I’m taking my sweet time with. It’s been a while since I listened to a story, and I’m finding it quite enjoyable, if not a bit too tedious at times. WIth books, you can scan a page if nothing worthwhile is happening, but with audio, you have to listen to every single word. It’s a good thing that my version comes with three different narrator speeds. I’m listening to it in ‘Chipmunk mode’. Hilarious! Watch out for the review, it’s going to be one helluva breakdown.
BOOKS TO READ:
1. The Rum Diary – Hunter S. Thompson
I’m going full-throttle through as many Gonzo books as I can. It’s my version of buying the ticket and taking the ride. I’ll probably end up reading a biography of him too. Anyone recommend a good one?
2. The Wind-Up Bird Chronicles – Haruki Murakami
I want to read a fat book by Murakami. I’m fed up with the thin ones. This will give me more food for thought.
3. The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo – Stieg Larsson
After reading an excellent description of the main character (a kick-ass girl who’d give Trinity a run for her money) I decided it’s high time I started reading the trilogy. And besides, I saw the movie trailer and it looks absolutely stunning!
Well, that’s my little list for now, I’d love to hear what other people have been reading the past week and what they’d recommend.
Wordly Obsessions 
I look forward to hearing what you think of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. Have a good reading week. My Monday is here.
I haven’t read any of these books! Hope you have a great week!
Oh I do hope you like The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo. Have a great week reading. My Monday: http://www.rundpinne.com/2010/07/its-monday-what-are-you-reading-2.html
The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle is excellent. I haven’t read Sputnik Sweetheart, but your review made me decide to add it to my unreasonably long summer reading list. I really liked your description of Murakami’s writing as “controlled simplicity.” It’s spot on and what every writer should aspire to do–simplify and clarify the complexities of life.
I’m currently reading The Children’s Hospital by Chris Adrian and very much enjoying it.
Happy reading!
Thanks everyone, I hope I’ll have more books to report back to for next Monday. And yes, I’m so looking forward to ‘Girl With The Dragon Tattoo’.
So glad my review made you think about ‘Sputnik Sweetheart’ Fran. I know what you mean. Avid readers like us who get through 5-6 books a week are extra sensitive to the flow of a narrative. I personally can’t stand it when an author starts to ‘babble’. I feel like I’m wasting my time.
Happy reading to everybody, I’ve visited all your sites and I’m really glad to have discovered some excellent book bloggers!
I agree with you about audiobooks getting tedious sometimes because you can’t skim through the boring parts.
I love the Steig Larsson books.
It’s a real bummer. I want to hit the skip button but then the story won’t make sense. Anyhow, I’ve decided that I’ll finish it when I finish it. Can’t do much else really can I?
Heather, I tried to visit your blog but it said it had been deleted. I was hoping to find a review of the Larsson trilogy. Maybe something weird happened with wordpress lol!
I started Murakamis Wind Up Bird but I didn’t finish it, I just couldn’t get into it. I am planning on rereading it this year sometime. In the Miso Soup sounds really good! I’ll have to add that one to my wish list. Hope you enjoy your reads!
Natalie
Have a great week —
Hi Natalie!
I’ve heard many people give ‘Wind-Up’ a break. I’m all curious as to why. Maybe Murakami is trying something a little different and it’s thrown off his readers. ‘In The Miso Soup’ was creepy… I really liked the way the author made everything seem so surreal. In the end I sort of started feeling sympathy for the antagonist (which you shouldn’t, because he’s killed a LOT of people). A bit of a warning though, there are some graphic moments of nudity and explicit murder. Just so you know if it’s not your thing.
The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo is soooooo on my hit list…. 😀 Cant wait to get going on these and must beat the movie!
I haven’t read any of these books…my son loved Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, and, of course, we saw the movie.
Enjoy!
Here’s my Monday:
http://laurel-rain-snow.blogspot.com/2010/07/its-monday-what-are-you-reading-july-5.html
Hi Laurel,
Fear and Loathing is a bit of a boys book, but I’m absolutely loving it so far. I don’t want it to end! It’s like being inside the head of a maniac who actually makes sense (creepy as that sounds!)
Can’t wait to watch the movie. I caught some clips on Youtube with Del Toro in the bathtub asking for the ‘White Rabbit’… absolutely hilarious!
Am currently reading Blue Dahlia by Nora Roberts. I have planned to read Midnight Children by Salman Rushdie and Full House by Janet Evanovich
Some fine reads you have there Selva. I too have Midnight’s Children on Audiobook… but I can’t bring myself to read it until I finish ‘The Rapture’.
I’ve seen the Janet Evanovich book on quite a few book bloggers lists. I haven’t read anything by her yet. What are her books like?
Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum series is little famous and I liked it. But Full House is a romantic stuff. Just now started
Can’t stop here… this is Bat Country!!!
Too damn right it is! 😛