(completed July 2004)

Absolutely loved it. I bought it for myself with a gift card from the Wagners. As Gatsby is one of my favorites, reading anything that refers to it is great. Henry James has been added to my list of must-read authors and I might even reread Pride and Prejudice as a result of this book. I know very little about Iran, but I think it was particularly interesting to read while living in the former DDR.

(completed August 2004)

Bought in a used English language bookstore in Berlin. The guy who works there was from Boston and had the funniest, most high pitched laugh ever. Anyway, great book. Best line was something about a German being able to change religion, but no matter what the religion says, he will always be a beer drinker because he is German.

(completed August 2004)

I may have read an abridged version, but it cost only 2 EUR at Alexanderplatz S-, U-Bahn. I was pleasantly surprised by how entertained I was by this ridiculous story.

(completed August 2004)

I almost started reading The Wind Up Bird Chronicles in October, and then I remembered that I didn’t like this book much. I felt that it was cheap pleasure and the language was uninteresting (though that could be the fault of translation).

(completed October 2004)

I started this in Germany and it took me a long time to finish (thanks to the Shuttle for giving me time to read!). Overall, I enjoyed it, but it’s not making any favorites lists.

(completed October 2004)

I just wish I hadn’t read all of Ishiguro’s novels. I loved this one as much as the rest.

(reread May 2006)

I think this book was even better the second time than the first. I just can’t get enough of Ishiguro and the pained yet thoughtful and optimistic protagonists.

(completed November 2004)

I read Go Carolina from Me Talk Pretty One Day and expected to thoroughly enjoy more of Sedaris’ work. The stories about his family were fun, but hitchhiking and more seemed to drag forever. I think I’ll stick to Sedaris in small doses in the future.

(completed November 2004)

I listened to the book on tape, so it was somewhat abridged. I think I missed something by not reading the book. I hope to sometime.

Ben told me ahead of time that everyone else thought the book was sad, but he found it funny. I listened to the story from this perspective, and it really was hilarious. I don’t think McCourt is trying to make the reader feel sorry for him, but to explain the humor of his hardships.

(completed November 2004)

Great book, though it dragged some in the middle. Well written. The story gave me a lot to think about.

(completed December 2004)

I loved it (ask coworkers for confirmation) until the last 10 pages. I’m not sure what I wanted to happen, but it certainly wasn’t what de Bernieres chose).