MARCH 2013

The Rooster is happening!

Play In Round :
http://www.themorningnews.org/tob/2013-pre-tournament-play-in.php
Opening Round :
http://www.themorningnews.org/tob/the-round-house-v-the-fault-in-our-stars.php
http://www.themorningnews.org/tob/the-orphan-masters-son-v-whered-you-go-bernadette.php 
http://www.themorningnews.org/tob/dear-life-v-building-stories.php 
http://www.themorningnews.org/tob/gone-girl-v-ivyland.php
http://www.themorningnews.org/tob/may-we-be-forgiven-v-billy-lynns-long-halftime-walk.php
http://www.themorningnews.org/tob/beautiful-ruins-v-the-song-of-achilles.php 
http://www.themorningnews.org/tob/bring-up-the-bodies-v-hhhh.php 
http://www.themorningnews.org/tob/arcadia-v-how-should-a-person-be.php
Quarter Finals :
http://www.themorningnews.org/tob/the-fault-in-our-stars-v-the-orphan-masters-son.php
http://www.themorningnews.org/tob/building-stories-v-may-we-be-forgiven.php
http://www.themorningnews.org/tob/gone-girl-v-beautiful-ruins.php
http://www.themorningnews.org/tob/bring-up-the-bodies-v-how-should-a-person-be.php
Semi Finals :
http://www.themorningnews.org/tob/the-orphan-masters-son-v-building-stories.php
Zombie Round :
http://www.themorningnews.org/tob/the-fault-in-our-stars-v-building-stories.php
http://www.themorningnews.org/tob/the-orphan-masters-son-v-gone-girl.php
Championship :
http://www.themorningnews.org/tob/championship-the-fault-in-our-stars-v-the-orphan-masters-son.php

Orphan Master's Son 14 downed The Fault in Our Stars 3

Black Swan Green ~ David Mitchell

** OK **

Longlisted : Booker Prize 2006

Linked short stories / self-contained chapters
Readable but not memorable

The set of stories is a year of the coming-of-age of the main character, a 13 year-old stutterer.  The story was moved along in slightly separate segments, interlinked, separately complete but encouraging you on to the next phase.  The growing up in the 80's in England references were ever present (from the Falklands War to Duran Duran).  But while it was readable and enjoyable as you read it, it is not one that I will dwell on or recall for its content or style.

Was this autobiographical?  What gives with the "Frobisher" (Cloud Atlas) reference?

Before I Go To Sleep ~ S. J. Watson

*** LIKE ***

One more page Before I Go To Sleep
An intriguing page turner

I found this a compelling read that was tightly written.  It may not have been a great literary masterpiece but it was an excellent example of the suspense genre.  It held interest and kept up a fast pace.

The plot was repetitive (well, it had to be!) but it was also full of subtleties and intricacies,  making you pay attention to what new information could be gleaned from Christine's memory.  It was like a scary game of Hide-and-Seek where you weren't quite sure who she should hide from and where was a safe haven.

Biggest criticism : The ending may have been a little cheesy.

Wonder ~ R. J. Palacio

** OK **

I had to struggle to finish this one. 

A Clash Of Kings ~ George R. R. Martin

 *** LIKE ***

#2 Song of Fire & Ice

Metamorphosis ~ Franz Kafka

 *** LIKE ***

 

Whoa ... weirdly engrossing

A Game Of Thrones ~ George R. R. Martin

 *** LIKE ***

A Song Of Fire and Ice #1