Short Stories

So, I have english this semester and we just started our short story unit. Now I have never been one for short stories. I think that they have too many questions attached to them and they don't need them. Short stories require a lot more thought than most novels.
I was thinking that I could maybe review or at least mention a few of my favourites for you guys but that's only if you like short stories. If you don't like them then I won't waste my time.
So...short stories? Yes? No?
Favourites?

~Kelsey

Anna Karenina

Reviewer: Kelsey
Author: Leo Tolstoy
Pages: 754
Format: Paperback
Rating: 2 out of 10

Summary (From GoodReads): The sensual, rebellious Anna renounces a respectable yet stifling marriage for an affair that offers passion even as it ensnares her for destruction. Her story contrasts with that of Levin, a young, self- doubting agnostic who takes a different path to fulfilment.


My Take: Thought it began interesting enough, with its multiple love stories that were all woven together, it quickly grew confusing and complicated. I was interested to know how it ended and I truly did want to finish it but I just couldn't do it. I got lost in the Russian names that I couldn't pronounce and the many nicknames/short forms of names that each character had. There were many characters and each had at least three different names. Also, my mind couldn't decided which characters I liked and which I didn't. One second I liked one and the next I couldn't stand them. It drove me crazy.

The plot was good when I could keep track of who we were talking about. The switching between the different story lines had no rhyme or reason to it. Sometimes one character got two chapters and other times they got five or six in a row. I didn't like that. Soon I was skipping chapters so that I could just read the parts about Anna because I was the most interested in her but in the end I gave up on the story all together. I ended up googling the ending because I still wanted to know. One day I'll try reading it again but for now it sits on my shelf with the bookmark hanging out of it.

Final Thoughts: It has a good but slightly very confusing plot. You really have to be paying attention and have a long attention span because not all 750 pages are filled with action but are all filled with words. On the upside, you may make it all the way through it. It has a interesting ending according to google. I hope you can get through it.

P.S. How do you make it through really long books? Any tips?


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UPDATE - Kristen


It's kind of funny that Kelsey decided to post this today, because I literally recommended this to someone today! Though I'm still trudging through it, I kind of like the changing chapters though I do wish Anna herself was more focused on. I'm determined to finish this, no  matter what.
My rating thus far isn't has low as Kels', probably a 7 for me.

Remembering 2011

We know that we've only been around for a few months and that's not much to look back on but what posts were your favourite? Which book did we review that you liked the most? What was your favourite thing that we did this year? Care to share? :D

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year everybody! Thanks for following us as we move into the new year. All of us here love what we get to do, what you give us the chance to do. It wouldn't be the same without you all.
We love books and we love reading but for us, most of our experience with this blog ends there. That means that we need your help to improve. This is your chance to help us get better. Tell us what you think. What kinds of books interest you? What do you want from us this year? Let us know! We want this blog to be the best that it can be and you're the readers so let us know.
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