Book Pledge Update - Valpot

Valpot is tearing away with her book pledge, claiming to be totally up to date, with 15 books read by February 9th, though only 20 were read by February 25th.

Here's what she said about books 11 - 15:

11. Next by Michael Crichton
Interesting ideas as always, but the plethora of horrible characters and their sordid lives made this book impossible to enjoy. Slightly redeemed by the two non-human characters.
Rating: Half-way Decent

12. The Chingles Go West by Patricia Murphy
A sequel to The Chingles From The East, this time the three children have to find where the mythical goddess X (I can't remember her name) is hiding so that her vote might allow her goddess sister to marry the children's inventor uncle. Lots of magic, and the depiction of the celtic gods and druids is very well done. Simply written, this book has a lot of story (how unlike my book 10!)
Rating: Readable

13. The Opal Deception by Eoin Colfer
Another Artemis Fowl adventure. Like the others, enjoyable reading, though I would like to see more of the eponymous hero and less of the fairies.
Rating: Not bad

14. The Diving Bell & The Butterfly
Amazing tale of a man who suffered a massive stroke which left him totally paralysed with the exception of his left eyelid. With this he dictated the book, which is an account of his months in hospital, interspersed with memories. It is an inspiring tale of how determined he was to live as fully as he could, despite his condition. What struck me as remarkable was not only the lack of bitterness, but also the poetry of his language - and considering it took an average two minutes to dictate one word, it's some achievement. A lesson in how to treat people who are castigated as sub-human or "vegetable" by the world.
Rating: I like it

15. A Good Man is Hard to Find by Flannery O'Conner
Collection of short stories, which the author described once as being about original sin. Very well written, her characterisation makes you understand why she has been compared to Jane Austen. Unlike Miss Austen, her tales are rather grim - a lot of original sin and rather less redemption, so be warned!
Rating: I'd have liked them if they had been slightly less grim! Otherwise rated 8.