Charliepants Posted August 11, 2013 Report Share Posted August 11, 2013 While many people are discussing school work in the summer break (at least it's still summer break for me), not many people have mentioned their choice of literature this summer.Which books have you guys read this summer, while trying to relax?So far I've finished North and South for my EE in English, as well as having read these books for leisure:- Hard-boiled Wonderland and the End of the World by Haruki Murakami- Prince of Thorns by Mark Lawrence- A Storm of Swords by George R.R. Martin- Through the Looking-Glass by Lewis Carroll- The Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum... And right now I'm reading To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee.So how are you guys doing? If you haven't been reading, what have you been doing to relax this summer? Can't wait to see your replies! Reply Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ms.Blackford Posted August 11, 2013 Report Share Posted August 11, 2013 I have only read ONE book, I know, it truly is shameful. It's Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë, which I have read many times before. conclusion: I should read more books. Reply Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charliepants Posted August 11, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 11, 2013 I have only read ONE book, I know, it truly is shameful. It's Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë, which I have read many times before.conclusion: I should read more books.It's a good one though Reply Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
IBfreakingout! Posted August 11, 2013 Report Share Posted August 11, 2013 We did not just have summer hols and in fact it is winter here in the southern hemisphere but I read whatever books we have been doing in English.So they are (and sorry for mentioning school work)The Outsider by Albert CamusLike Water For Chocolate by Laura EsquivelOne Flew Over the cuckoo's nest - Ken KeseyAntigone the play (as well as the other 2) by SophoclesAnd we are about to read Woman at point Zero by whomever it is by Reply Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackcurrant Posted August 15, 2013 Report Share Posted August 15, 2013 (edited) Rachel Carson's "Silent Spring" and Murakami's "Kafka on the shore". The first had been a requirement for school, years ago, but which I decided to revisit after hearing Al Gore and David Suzuki in a radio CBC interview (on YouTube). her book is very enjoyable when combined with the audio (Audible) version and with support literature. She had a fascinating life, defending herself from the big pesticide firms and bio-chemical industry. Nasty bunch, on the whole. I am not so taken with Murakami's novel, which is lite lit. for me and reminds me too much of the mystery thriller light stuff of Dan Brown. Well-written, engaging, but not worth re-readings or any residual meanings. It might do for a film script. Edited August 15, 2013 by Blackcurrant Reply Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brienna Posted August 15, 2013 Report Share Posted August 15, 2013 White Mughals: Love and Betrayal in 18th century India by William Dalrymple (for school)A Storm of Swords by George R.R. MartinA Spell for Chameleon by Piers Anthony (Reread for fun)But, it's mostly been poetry.I have so much I wanted to read this summer but never got around to it Reply Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
YellowSpider Posted August 15, 2013 Report Share Posted August 15, 2013 i just read 'things fall apart' and 'the great gatsby' Reply Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Jeeves Posted August 18, 2013 Report Share Posted August 18, 2013 (edited) AAH. North and South is so amazing. I totally have a crush on John Thornton.I've been reading The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini, The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde, and Far From the Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy amongst many many others. [Like Ivanhoe, Quicksilver, Moby D ick, The Swan Thieves, et al.]My friends are all complaining about having to do summer reading but I don't have to do any. Which is ironic because I'd have finished it like two days after school got out in my eternal quest for more books! Edited August 18, 2013 by Captain Jeeves Reply Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maks123456 Posted November 18, 2013 Report Share Posted November 18, 2013 48. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald49. Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami50. 1Q84 by Haruki Murakami51. Ten Little ******s by Agatha Chritstie52. Unseen academicals by Terry Pratchett53. Sputnik Sweetheart by Haruki Murakami54. Misery by Stephen King55. Death is a lonely business by Ray Bradbury56. Dandelion wine - Bradbury57. Inferno by Dan Brown58. The woman in white by Wilkie Collins59. Duma Key by Stephen King60. Dance, Dance, Dance by Haruki Murakami61. Gerald's game by KingFunny things Reply Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mhelof Posted November 19, 2013 Report Share Posted November 19, 2013 The Gray Wolf Throne by Cinda Williams ChimaMoonwalking with Einstein: The Art and Science of Remembering Everything by Joshua FoerCity of Bones by Cassandra ClareThe Dark Half by Stephen KingSavage Garden if it counts as a bookPodróż Ludzi Księgi by Olga TokarczukThe Fault in Our Stars by John Green (best book ever)The Exiled Queen by Cinda Williams Chima(order is from the August to June ) Reply Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
blckcat412 Posted November 20, 2013 Report Share Posted November 20, 2013 For School, I read: The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd1876 by Gore Vidal Reply Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sceptyczka Posted November 22, 2013 Report Share Posted November 22, 2013 I've read many but The Outsider by Albert Camus was the one that has made the biggest impression on me. It's genuinely great! Reply Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
r1111 Posted November 24, 2013 Report Share Posted November 24, 2013 I have read lot of books over summer actually (that was a few months ago). Here the titles: The Remains of the Day --- Kazuo IshiguroGod of Small Things --- Arundhati RoyDeception Point --- Dan BrownThe Leopard --- Jo NesboThe Mirror Crack'd from side to side --- Agatha Christie Reply Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackcurrant Posted November 24, 2013 Report Share Posted November 24, 2013 Remains of the Day, IshiguroThe Immense journey, EiseleyPrivate Life of Plants, AttenboroughWatchers at the Pond (forgot who)Blue Latitudes, Tony HorwitzA lot of non-fiction which is a nice change from the usual fiction... 1 Reply Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
r1111 Posted November 24, 2013 Report Share Posted November 24, 2013 Remains of the Day, IshiguroThe Immense journey, EiseleyPrivate Life of Plants, AttenboroughWatchers at the Pond (forgot who)Blue Latitudes, Tony HorwitzA lot of non-fiction which is a nice change from the usual fiction...How did you like "Remains of the Day"? I liked it very much and it got gradually shocking. Reply Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackcurrant Posted November 24, 2013 Report Share Posted November 24, 2013 (edited) I thought it was quietly brilliant ! I am unsure still whether at the end he realized his loss, or is in self-denial, or oblivious... what do you think? Edited November 24, 2013 by Blackcurrant 1 Reply Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
r1111 Posted November 26, 2013 Report Share Posted November 26, 2013 (edited) I thought it was quietly brilliant ! I am unsure still whether at the end he realized his loss, or is in self-denial, or oblivious... what do you think?I think he is in strong denial until the very end of the journey where he has a paradigm shift. He may have realized deep down that he may have wasted so many years and opportunities. But the journey transformed him. I often feel that travel can change my perspective on things and it can help transform a person. Somehow towards the end Steven may still feel pity for Lord Darlington, but he realizes that Darlington may not be the great man he once thought he was. Anyways I read this book a couple months ago. I can't remember everything. I think I might read "Life of Pi" next because it is one of the texts for World's Scholar's Cup. What are you reading now? Edited November 26, 2013 by r1111 Reply Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackcurrant Posted November 27, 2013 Report Share Posted November 27, 2013 (edited) I am now reading (re-reading) Lolita. I am arguing with a friend about this one. She believes that the book is about love (illicit, admittedly) between Humbert and Humbert and the pre-adolescent Lolita. I think my friend has walked into a well-laid trap and is reading too closely through the eyes of a charming, witty and engaging narrator who ruins the life of a child. I think Nabokov has created a delightfully engaging character in order to lead us on. Essentially, readers like my friend connive with a man who uses a child for his own ends (it is not love but lust!). Take the eloquence away and you reveal the vicious child predator. The fact that we like him and are ready to look past or be lulled so easily by his witty eloquence just shows how partial we can be. If a man whistles at me in the street and I find him charming, then I am flattered; if anything but pleasing to the eye, then he is a sexist pig and I'll be only too happy to see him manhandled by security. Or worse. Same whistle, but one objectionable the other titillating. We are screwed up. Maybe Nabokov wants us to enjoy the story and love Humbert for the charmer he is.... Then wake up and ask ourselves what the hell we are doing. We are morally bankrupt!The paradox is that you can't fully appreciate the lesson unless you like Humbert first and get suckered in. Edited November 27, 2013 by Blackcurrant Reply Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
elliex0x0x Posted July 5, 2014 Report Share Posted July 5, 2014 I too am from the southern hemisphere so I only get 2 weeks at this time of year, but so far I have read Out Stealing Horses be Per Petterson and I am going to read Emma by Jane Austin and Lolita. Reply Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thrashmaster Posted July 6, 2014 Report Share Posted July 6, 2014 I too am from the southern hemisphere so I only get 2 weeks at this time of year, but so far I have read Out Stealing Horses be Per Petterson and I am going to read Emma by Jane Austin and Lolita. You're about a year off from when this thread started, but that's okay. I guess it is summer again, so we can talk about what we're reading. I don't have too much time for pleasure reading this summer. My reading list for IB for next year though is the essays of Virginia Woolf, the short stories of Katherine Mansfield, and the poems of Elizabeth Bishop, as well as Hamlet, the Importance of Being Earnest, the Real Inspector Hound, and the Glass Menagerie. Reply Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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