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Mini-Reviews for the End of 2011

Mini-Reviews for the End of 2011 post image

Lu (Regular Rumination) had this great idea to do a “Great Review Catch Up” post to quickly sum up the books she read this year but never wrote reviews for. I liked the idea so much that I decided to “borrow” the idea myself and do a quick post about the books I read this year but never reviewed on the blog.

It’s a rather mixed bag of books, but there were definitely some good ones that I passed over because I just didn’t have anything (or, in one case, too many things) to say about them.

April

Fables IX, X, and IX by Bill Willingham and Others — Reviewing books so late in a series seems pointless… so I didn’t. But I did love the way Willingham et. al. finished up this story arc and I’m looking forward to having time to start the next big plotline.

Priceless by Nicole RichieI read this one because of a horrible dare. I actually wrote an entire, almost 800 word review of this one but apparently I never posted it, I think because I thought it was too mean. I really, really, really didn’t like this book (is anyone surprised?) but I might put up the review if anyone wants to read it…

June

The Secret Ingredient by Laura Schaefer — I read this one as part of a freelance story I did for an arts magazine in Madison, WI, but never reviewed in on the blog. The book is sweet and wholesome and smart and funny; it’s exactly the sort of book I’d want my middle-grade daughter to read (if I had one).

August

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling — I needed a comfort read during The Big Move, and this was perfect. I’ve read this one so many times I practically have it memorized. It’s obviously more juvenile than the later books, but Rowling does a great job building the wizarding world without getting bogged down in the details. Also, the action comes SO LATE in the book. That surprised me.

October

Breakfast at Tiffany’s by Truman Capote — I read this one after reading Fifth Avenue, 5 A.M. by Sam Wasson. The short story is darker and more mysterious than the movie, but all I could think of when I read was Audrey Hepburn.

Ghost Hunters by Deborah Blum — I wanted to write a review of this one… but could never think of what to say other than that the book was fine, I liked reading it, but didn’t think it was remarkable.

November

Covering the Courts by S.A. Alexander — I got this one as a primer on doing courts and crime reporting for work. I thought it was good overview of the courts system, but I would have appreciated a little more practical advice about open and public records.

The Magicians by Lev Grossman — I re-read this one in preparation for reading The Magician King. When I went back to my original review, I discovered I highlight the exact same awesome passages and, in essence, felt the same way about it — pretty awesome, but also a little flawed.

December

Dash and Lily’s Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn & David Levithan — I wanted to read a Christmas book to get me in the mood for the holidays, and I think this one did the trick. Dash and Lily are a little bit too sophisticated sounding for 16-year-olds, but on the whole I liked this one.

Holidays on Ice by David Sedaris — I needed an audio book for my drive home for Christmas, and the library has this one in last Thursday. I was a little put-off by how many times Sedaris used the word “retarded,” but the collection still made me laugh.

This isn’t quite all the books I still have left to review, but I’m hoping to write longer reviews of most of them and be caught up by… the end of January? Maybe? We’ll just have to see, I suppose.

Welcome back after the holidays, everyone!

Photo Credit: albertogp123 via Flickr

Comments on this entry are closed.

  • Bettina December 27, 2011, 11:13 am

    Please, please do put up the review of the Nicole Richie book – I feel like it has the potential to be hilarious 🙂

    • Kim December 29, 2011, 8:43 pm

      I’m not sure it’s especially funny, but it is really sarcastic because, honestly, the book was so bad! I’ll try to get it up soon 🙂

  • Trisha December 27, 2011, 12:05 pm

    I really need to get back into Fables. I loved the first four, but I haven’t gotten around to picking up the rest.

    • Kim December 29, 2011, 8:46 pm

      That’s such a good series. My new library doesn’t get them, which makes me sad.

  • Maphead December 27, 2011, 3:43 pm

    Oh man, I GOTTA read your review of Nicole Richie’s book. I still can’t believe you read it ! TOO funny !!!

    • Kim December 29, 2011, 8:47 pm

      I can’t quite believe I read it either 🙂

  • Susan December 27, 2011, 4:24 pm

    I really like this idea of mini-reviews – despite my best efforts and intentions, I have a stack of books I really liked that I still have to review! I’m borrowing this idea, too.

    You actually read Nicole Richie’s book? The whole thing? I’d love to read your review!!!!

    • Kim December 29, 2011, 8:48 pm

      Lu did have a brilliant idea. I liked writing this and feeling caught up. And yes, I did… the whole thing. It’s embarrassing to admit it!

  • kathleen December 27, 2011, 4:27 pm

    I love the idea of mini-reviews and must might “borrow” this one myself!

  • jennygirl December 27, 2011, 4:29 pm

    Great idea but the reviews I have hanging are pretty easy. I’m doing something similar for my “did no finish” DNF reads.

    • Kim December 29, 2011, 8:50 pm

      I’ve never done anything with DNF books, but maybe next year I’ll start keeping better track of those too.

  • softdrink December 27, 2011, 8:50 pm

    I’ve been considering hijacking Lu’s idea myself, even though I just have a few books to deal with.

  • Meghan December 28, 2011, 8:31 am

    I love this idea; I might just steal it myself. Like everyone else, I’d love to read your review of Nicole Richie’s book. Also, I felt the same about the first HP on my last reread. It really is great at world-building, but the main part of the action is very close to the end.

    • Kim December 29, 2011, 8:50 pm

      I couldn’t believe how much of the book was setup, and how little was the memorable action. It was interesting to notice than on another reread.

  • Aths December 29, 2011, 1:23 am

    I want to read your review of Priceless! I really really do!

  • Jeanne December 29, 2011, 6:28 pm

    I also want to read the review of Priceless. What would the holidays be without some meanness?

    • Kim December 29, 2011, 8:51 pm

      An excellent point. It’ll be like a white elephant gift 🙂