Booking Through Thursday

Here is today's Booking Through Thursday question:

What’s the biggest book you’ve read recently?

(Feel free to think “big” as size, or as popularity, or in any other way you care to interpret.)

The "biggest" book, in terms of page numbers, that I've read recently (the last year or so) is Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett. I enjoyed the book very much, and the sequel is currently sitting on my TBR shelf. I haven't picked it up yet because it's a bit daunting. Both books are about 1000 pages.

The "biggest" book, in terms of popularity, that I've read recently is The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. I had no idea this book was so popular when I picked it up. One of the tasks in the Summer Book Challenge is to read a book that an author you enjoy has recommended. Apparently, Stephenie Meyer really liked The Hunger Games, so I used it for the task. I'm so glad I did, as it's an amazing book! Stephenie Meyer may not be the best writer in the world, but she has some good taste in books! (Well, I actually have no idea what kind of books she likes aside from The Hunger Games, so I'm just assuming she has good taste based on the fact that she liked The Hunger Games.) I can't wait to read Catching Fire! I'm waiting for my Dad to finish it so that I can borrow it.

Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte

It took me so long to read Wuthering Heights! It's only just over 300 pages and I think it took me longer to read this book than The Pillars of the Earth, which is over 900 pages! I guess it's the language.

Mr. Lockwood moves into a property called Thrushcross Grange. He visits his landlord, Mr. Heathcliff, who lives in a property called Wuthering Heights. He discovers that Heathcliff is a very odd, rude man and decides to ask the housekeeper at Thrushcross Grange, Nelly, about him. Nelly begins a very long story about Heathcliff's life and the people he hurt along the way.

This book was so depressing! Heathcliff is so mean to everyone in his life including the woman he loves! It was interesting that the book was in Mr. Lockwood's perspective until Nelly is telling her story but then goes back to Mr. Lockwood's perspective near the end. It was very difficult to concentrate on this book because of the language and it just wasn't that interesting. I'm glad I read it, though, since it's a classic. Wuthering Heights is one of the books in 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die, so I have now read 24 of them! Time for a nice easy young adult book next!

2 out of 5 stars (because of the depressing nature of the book and the fact that it wasn't capturing my attention)

The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett

I finally finished the 983 pages of The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett. This book is basically about the building of a cathedral. It switches from the story of the master builder, to the prior of the cathedral, to the bishop, to the master builder's stepson. All of their stories are intertwined, and revolve around the building of the cathedral.

It was a bit confusing when the story switched to different characters' points of view without warning. I liked the book a lot, though. It was obviously very long, but not too difficult to read. I liked how he told the stories of so many vastly different characters. It was very interesting and I really want to read the sequel. Although, if the sequel is as long as the first book, it will take me a long time to read it! This book has made me want to read more historical fiction.

5 out of 5 stars

This book is so long...

I've been reading The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett for a week now and I haven't even read half of it yet. I had no idea that 983 pages would feel like an eternity. I am really liking the book, but it's taking so long I've started reading shorter, easier books in between. The book is already overdue at the library and I can't renew it because it has too many holds on it! Oh well, at least the fine is only $.10 a day. I would have to have the book for more than 3 months to rack up a fine equal to the cost of the book new! I'm on page 383 of 983, so I only have 600 more pages!

I found this list online of 1001 books you should read before you die. It's from the book 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die by Peter Ackroyd and Peter Boxall. I scanned the list and I've only read 23 of them! This list is obviously just the opinions of the authors but it's still an interesting guideline. It has a lot of books on it that I've been wanting to read anyway. Maybe I'll read a book from the list each month or something. It depends on what I can get from the library. I will never be able to live somewhere where the library doesn't deliver books. It's way too convenient!