Merry Christmas!

I hope you all had a wonderful christmas :)

I was lucky enough to get some awesome presents, including a typewriter!

Isn't she beautiful?? It works as well, and I've been having great fun bashing out nonsense on it. Everything seems so must more certain when it's written on a typewriter...

I also got 'Before I go to sleep', that book I've been wanting to read forever. It's just as good as I expected, couldn't put it down. A perfect mix of thriller and intriguing medical anomaly, it's about a woman with severe amnesia who wakes up each morning not knowing where she is or who is lying next to her. Captures the fear and feeling of losing yourself that such circumstances must bring.

Just been to see the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (take two: hollywood version). I have to say I enjoyed it. Of course I have my quibbles, but generally it was a really good film and most of the actors had convincing Swedish accents. Roll on the Girl who Played With Fire!

Next on my reading list: The Handmaids Tale, The Crimson Petal and the White, the last three WoT books (in preparation for the final final installment next year). Also plan to read some Steven King books. Oh and the latest True Blood book is out, so that as well. Can't wait for 2012.

Literary spots in Oxford

If you happen to be visiting this lovely place (or even be lucky enough to live there) make sure you check out the following spots:

The Alice in Wonderland shop. Yes, shop! It sells all sorts of amazing goodies and memorabilia.
You can sit on Lyra's bench (Northern Lights) and dream your way into other worlds.
If you take a walk, you can find the same lamp post that marks the way into Narnia, and a carved wooden door which gave inspiration for the title The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe.
Visit the Bird & Baby (real name: Eagle & Child) where great writers such as Tolkein and C.S.Lewis gathered around to talk about their books with the other 'Inklings'.
Parts of the Harry Potter films were also taken around Oxford, so keep your eyes open. For example, Hogwart's infirmary is set in the Bodleian Library (another great place to look around anyway).

I'm sure there are countless more references and literary haunts of past greats to be found in this city, and to be able to walk in their footsteps, sit where they sat, might even inspire a similar level of creative wondering.

The Hunger Games - verdict

So I read the Hunger Games. In a day. IT'S THAT GOOD.

But seriously, it really lived up to expectations. A perfect mix of adventure, and horrible-oppressed-world-of-the-future background that I find so fascinating. The books are very addictive, so much so that for a moment (just a moment) I considered staying at work so I could spend more time reading instead of taking the long (ten minute) walk home. When a story is this gripping, things like food, and moving become irrelevent compared to the necessity of just one. more. chapter.

As well as a good dose of fantasy and suspense, the Hunger Games has a great element of humanity that just tugs at your heartstrings; for Katniss's family, her friends, and all the people trapped in this terrible society.

There are only two things I find annoying about the series. One, Katniss's ignorance of what is going on around her can get tiring, especially when things are so obvious from an outsider's perspective. Yet, as I have acknowledged before, this is typical of anyone caught up in the middle of their own drama, and so only makes her more realistic. You don't like absolutely everything about any person you know, and this is true of main characters as well. We must empathise with them, we must like them, but not too much.

The other thing...I started the second book last night, and finished it about half an hour ago. I was excited to get to the end of the book, not only because I was so desperate to find out what happened, but also because I was looking forward to taking a break, and being able to do something other than read Suzanne Collins stupidly brilliant series. Just as I thought it was possible, the last sentences set the next book up perfectly and have me dying to know what it means, what's going to happen next and how it will all end.

I think I'm addicted.

Started writing again

My book that is. I never really realised that it would be so much fun. Perhaps I never expected it to be because some people do this for a living and work is not meant to be one of your favourite things. Or in an ideal world it is of course, but thats not reality. But I love writing, and I love books, so maybe my surprise was unfounded. Anyway, its fantastic! Developing characters means I can dissect the personalities of all the people I've met, mixing and matching characteristics, as well as my own, to create brand new people. Its kind of like the Sims, and I think treating it more like a game than something too serious could help ease any regimentalised pressure to write a certain amount of words each day or anything like that.

Additionally, that rush of excitement you get whenever you read about a place or activity you recognise? That happens all the time when its your own book, because the story and setting are inspired directly from your personal experience.

Writing a book also allows you a degree of objectivity to life; a perspective thats very welcome when you are prone to get caught up in the little things. Events that happen to you, people you meet; these can all become research, as opposed to dramatic changes. Things are often easier to understand, and accept, if you are not directly in the middle of things all the time.

Judging books by their covers...

...and titles and recommendations. They are pretty much the only things I go on, in that order. I have read some amazing books using this method of identification of reading matter and will continue to do so. Obviously it has its failures, but few books are bad enough for me to stop reading out of protest. I do find it quite interesting when I choose a book, perhaps due to the cover art, start reading and get disheartened, only to perservere and find something really worthwhile further on. This has happened to me very recently with the Facility. It had quite an interesting title, sounds a bit mysterious, blurb is fascinating so I got it out of the library. However on my first reading I was less than impressed. I think this was more to do with the language used very early on (for effect- which it had on me, just not in the way they intended I assume) rather than the style of writing or plot content. Anyway, I've carried on reading anyway (its one of only two books in my desk drawer) and its become quite gripping. I am genuinely intruiged now about what is going on, and why and what will happen next. The characters are written quite well, apart from the 'mysterious' and evil Dr. Silk. That name for one thing! It sounds exactly like something I would have written in my GSCE creative writing unit, rather than a serious character. I'm sure Dr.Silks exist in real life, but the slippery, suavely cruel connotations it summons up are just too cliched for me to accept. But yes, apart from him, they are good and believable and have multiple aspects to them. The angle on the spin from the Government in trying to first cover up an infection, and then to assure the public it is contained, is also very interesting. I find the different ways in which people can understand and perceive a situation vary radically depending on the language and press used to manipulate this. It makes you think about how we, as a society are so often similarly deceived (or presented with a situation in a certain, biased way) without our knowledge, or even suspicion that there could be another side to the story...

Audiobooks

After reading a post on Hellogiggles I have been introduced to the wonders of audiobooks. Everybody loves hearing stories; for me it brings back wonderful memories of being read to as a child, as well as the dozens of audiotapes we would listen to on long car journeys. To be able to reclaim those simple joys, on the move on an ipod, or at home instead of listening to music all the time? Perfection. I've already downloaded too many free audiobooks to list them here, but I will just add that is incredible what kinds of things people record. Roget's Thesaurus? Who would want to listen to that for fun? Anyway, I think I am going to start with Persuasion, one of those books I always intended to read but haven't got round to.

The Hunger Games - Suzanne Collins

Just ordered the trilogy boxset eeh! The books are set in a dystopian future (interest: check) about a deadly reality TV programme. The fact that there are three, and that it is shortly going to be made into a film; even more reason to buy them. I'm very excited.

The Memory Artists - Jeffrey Moore

Finished this book on my train journeys this week; very good, fascinating and incredibly sad. I might have mentioned before that books hardly ever make me cry- this one didn't either, but it was pretty close at some parts. It was the kind of sad that makes it difficult to go on reading, sad because its real and people actually go through that type of pain, and there's nothing we can do about it.

On a brighter note, I enjoyed the way the two memory conditions contrasted each other, and how the narration from such fractured viewpoints made reality a bit hazy and difficult to comprehend, reflecting the protagonists' experience.

The book also aptly demonstrates how the grass is always greener on the other side, and extremes of any kind can make life difficult to live.

Finally and fundamentally, it tells a love story; the unrequited love for a girl who is enthralled by someone else, the love evident in an unlikely friendship that provides acceptance when nobody else can understand, and the love of strangers for a woman in desperate need of care and stability.

It tells of the love of a son for his mother, love that shoulders burdens too heavy to bear, without a hint of bitterness, even though he can barely care for himself. Love for someone unable to remember his name.

Guilty pleasure

I have an admission to make. I am a sucker for old-fashioned American stories about big families with little money. I'm talking about books like the Little House series, Anne of Green Gables, Little Women, to name a few.

Very plain plotlines, the day-to-day lives of plucky villagers provides enough content. These books don't need flashy adventures or exciting new developments; they focus on simple characters who are always good, but not perfect, and how they grow up. It's the little things in life that keep us happy, and these stories reflect this; a comforting reflection that ordinary life is interesting enough. People each go through their individual dramas and have their share of trouble, but its nothing different or special.

This may sound incredibly boring, but instead I find them familiar and simply provide pure entertainment. They remind me that, if my own life were a book, it would not be a fantasy, or a thriller. I hope it would be the English equivalent of these.

These books emphasise the importance of less glamorous values and ideals; they do not dissuade ambition, but instead advocate hard work to realise your dreams, and when they are reached, to appreciate them.

In a society where people are getting further apart, choosing to communicate online rather than face to face (I'm proving my point by writing this on a blog) they focus on close relationships with family, friends,  and neighbours.

It might be far from fashionable, and it won't make you think for days afterwards, but some books should simply bring you joy, and inspire you to live in a certain way, rather than dazzle you.

Limitless

There was a book before the film (of course there was!) called the Dark Fields, by Alan Glynn. I want to read this now. For those of you who don't know, it concerns a wonder drug which allows your brain to tap into all that potential that don't normally have access to. On it, you can see more, do more, and understand and pull together all the random bits of information that we assimilate on a daily basis. With the drug you can actually use this experience. Unfortunately, it comes with side effects, and the film follows a guy who is introduced and seduced by an opportunity which quickly leads to addiction.

It makes you wonder if we would all be better version of ourselves, improved people, if we were constantly on this drug? Apart from the negative consequences of regularly using the drug, and the issue of supply not being able to keep up with desperate demand, I think it might be too good to be true.

If we were as good as we could be, constantly, there would be nothing to reach for and nothing left to achieve. The problem with reaching your potential is that once you've done that, you are left with the big 'what next?'

Living with limits is our reality. The boundaries to what we can do are not only there as a safety mechanism to protect us, they are there because the wonder of humanity is that we will never be all that we can be. The point is we have to choose, we have to allocate our time and our energy into certain pursuits and leave others. If we could do everything we ever wanted to do, would we want to do anything at all?

I have a feeling that we would get bored and apathetic pretty quickly once the novelty had worn off. At the moment, we are very rarely satisfied, and that is an essential part of human nature- that we continue striving, and struggling, pushing ourselves onwards- we progress.

Having it all at once would immeadiately render this void, leaving us without meaning. You can get too much of a good thing.

Will post again with my thoughts when I get my hands on the book!

Who wants to live forever?

Just finished reading Trouble with Lichen, by John Wyndham, which considers the practical consequences and effects that would come from discovering a way to significantly prolong life. Again, his books take a slightly different stance from the one I expect, and in this case it is probably because most people cannot get past the initial shock and judgement about extended life to properly consider how it would change society, and the different benefits that it could bring.

People split into two camps; those who think it is a great thing, and those who think it is terrible. There are few who would remain ambivalent in the face of such a large change, although the way our health care is advancing, we are aleady slowly and gradually pushing the limits of 'natural' age.

One of the central characters suggests that the extra time could allow humanity to develop solutions to the many problems we currently face, and could even increase the level of equality between the sexes. She argues that, by directly facing the consequences of our actions, and not just knowing that what we do will negatively impact some abstract future, we will be more involved and motivated to stop harming ouselves and this world and instead spend our time thinking about how to improve things.

While this has some logic to it, I'm not sure whether I'm convinced. Of course some people would realise that they must change their behaviour immediately in order to ensure their continued survival and happiness, but some people already do that. Whether enough people would realise, and change, in time to save ourselves, is a different story.

People are already faced with consequences in our current short(er) lifetimes. We still mainly ignore them, and carry on doing whatever we want, with little heed to the future. Humanity seems to be stubbornly disinclined to plan and act for long-term gratification, even though this is one of the things which is meant to seperate us from other animals, and from small children.

So, although it demonstrates the lack of faith I have in human kind, I am not sure that the clear-thinking minority could override tradition, ignorance, and reluctance to any kind of change. Additionally, for certain individuals at least, the amound of damage they could inflict over a lifetime would be expanded, leading to more for those with hope and forward thinking to repair.

Thankfully, there hasn't been such a discovery so far. I think we would misuse and abuse any extra time we were afforded, and so am firmly in the 'it's unnatural!' opposition camp. I don't think longer lives would help us to lead better, or happier lives, and the problems surrounding a longer-living race are so large as to overwhelm any benefit of the scientific progress.

What do you think?

One Day

Spoiler alert- although I'm pretty sure I must be the last person to read this.

So I finally got to read it! Definitely better than the film, what a surprise. The book has enough time to go into depth into each of the years they spend together, or apart. It allows a greater understanding of minor characters, and there is something about a lack of pictures that gives far more imagination, generally leading to a closer empathy with the characters and comprehension of their situations.

It is also much sadder, and the bit where Emma dies is far less predictable. Words can creep up on you in a way that a visual narrative can never achieve. It almost made me cry, but unfortunately I had to change trains at a pivotal point, which spoiled the illusion of the book somewhat.

The switching between the two viewpoints is also more interesting as you have direct access to the characters' thoughts, again bringing you closer to the story.

I like the way that Emma and Dex start from two very different perspectives and attitudes towards life, and slowly merge together. Additionally, it clearly demonstrates the different types of heartache that people can experience; whether it is as deep and cutting as the death of a family member, feeling stuck with the wrong person, or just not being good enough.

All in all, a very good book, and worth all the hype, although probably not on my top ten.

It's library day!

& I bet you all can't wait to hear what I got...

The Memory Artists- Jeffrey Moore
The Trouble with Lichen- John Wyndham (the kraken didn't put me off enough to stop reading him)
Tono-Bungay- H.G.Wells
A Thousand Splendid Suns- Khaled Hosseini (thought it was about time I read this)


I'm getting One Day at the weekend as well, so will be booked up (haha) for the forseeable future!

Thoughts on Google and the end of the world

I know this isn't a book, but check out this article in the London Review of Books. It's about the domination of Google, and how it's feedback system allows it to become more and more intelligent every time we use it. Since I use Google a lot, in a work capacity as well as just random searches, it's really made me think about what a powerful tool it is, and how impossible life would be now if it were suddenly removed. It also holds some lessons for our own mental wellbeing; everytime we click on a link that is below the number one spot, we are showing Google that it got the ranking wrong, and it needs to readjust the information it provides us with. Instead of facing this criticism with sulking, defensiveness or a drop in self confidence, Google learns from the experience. Without these criticisms, it could never have become as intelligent as it is now. All feedback is useful. Everything we experience can teach us something, even if its something which we feel threatened by.

On an entirely unrelated note, I finished the Kraken Wakes. I have to say I didn't like it as much as I mostly like his books, and found it a bit disappointing. The book focuses on the (admittedly more realistic) element of how humanity would react if there was really an alien invasion. We would be confused, and very slow to react, and react badly, and turn on each other. However the despondent atmosphere makes it hard to enjoy. The slow, bleak loss of hope is probably a more truthful portrayal of the end of the world, however much we (or just me?) like the drama of one final battle, with blazing emotions, and devastating losses. The monotony that uncertainty and futility would create is far more depressing than some grand sacrifice, or bittersweet victory. I read the whole thing waiting for something to happen, and by the time you realise that this is all there is, there has been nothing but emptiness for so long there are no contrasts left. Its why I didn't like The Road, even though again, I understand that that is the whole point; the desolation of the circumstances is reflected in a tedious narrative where nothign happens, and all emotions are numbed.

Manchester Literature Festival

The 6th annual Manchester Literature Festival is running from the 10th till the 23rd of October, and I for one am very excited. Guest authors include Alan Hollinghurst, Anthony Horowitz and Francesca Simon and events range from discussions about books, writing competitions, afternoon tea with prices ranging from free to an affordable £10. A diverse range of backgrounds lends a variety to the exhibitions, including the Cuban poet Victor Rodriguez Nunez and Argentinian photographer Daniel Mordzinsk.

The event covers so much more than just reading as well, as you can see performance poetry, quizzes, dancing, pub walks, storytelling and music. Booking is recommended for certain events as they are sure to sold out, and they are taking place all over the city; so there's no excuse not to go to something! Check out the website to see if your favourite authors will be there, or go along and get inspired by someone new. Pick up a few tips about how to write your own stories, or listen to some analysis and really understand a work of literature.

Events on my to-see list;

• Crime in a Cold Climate- conversation from some of the leading authors of Nordic crime writing, the newest craze following on the success of the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.
• Face 2 Face with Stephen Butchard- a great new screenwriter for the BBC
• Prize culture- a debate on a culture that demands rewards
• Manchester blog awards
• At least one of the poetry slams!

You can pick up a brochure at any of Manchester's libraries.

Jostein Gaarder

One of my favourite authors; writes fairytale-esque, beautiful stories within stories that never fail to make you think. It's all very philosophical, but in a completely readable, easily understood context. This is the way we learn best of all, when we don't even realise we are learning. Gaarder turns the study of meaning into a game, and rather than answering the big questions, he invites us to consider our own answers.

Apart from the general tone of his books, there are also some reoccurring features; scandanavian father and son relationships, their love for beautiful yet elusive women, and journeys of understanding. The plot never strays too far from the realm of realistic to be discounted as pure fantasy, the events described are so wonderful, the reader believes in their possibility.

The stories are often tinged with sadness, which only makes them more believable. It is very easy to empathise with the characters, as they experience feelings with are fundamental to every human being.

It's not all seriousness either; Gaarder likes to envoke the playfulness of life, and some of his books (especially the Orange Girl) are laugh out loud funny, something that may at first seem unexpected. The humour comes from a very raw portrayal of how people actually think and behave; they are often ridiculous and embarrassing and just plain bizarre. It's the kind of writing that makes you laugh with the characters, laughing with an understanding of having lived in similar situations, or simply the ability to percieve yourself acting the same way.

Reasons I love Ender's Game

Ender's Game, by Orson Scott Card, is one of my favourite books, and probably the one I am most likely to recommend to people. I love the original book, because it just has everything you could possibly want from a book. It's interesting and exciting, sad and very human. For me, it's a comfort read; one I can pick up at any time and just know I'm going to enjoy it as much each time.

But the wonderful thing about this book is it's part of a series, not just a linear series of sequels, but a whole network of prequels, and in-between books, books from other perspectives, short stories that fit into the world Scott Card has created to explain it in even more detail.

I just ordered one of these short stories that I hadn't heard of before, a War of Gifts, which is a perfect example of this. It investigates some of the background of other boys at Battle School at the same time as Ender. It answers some of the questions as to what else was going on at the time, making the saga very multi-dimensional (in a human relation, not a sci-fi way).

I liked a War of Gifts, only problem was it's too short. I am just greedy for more.

Fortunately, there is still one more part of the puzzle I havn't read, First Meetings, as well as a few additions to the Shadow series in the pipeline.

The other books in this network are just as good as the original, weaving a mass of subjects together with great storytelling. These include philosophy, politics, theology, sociology, history, phsyics, biology and pysycholog, all in a completely digestable, readable way.

Holmes vs. Poirot

Sherlock Holmes. Hercule Poirot.

Two legendary detectives, created by two great authors. I am more fully acquainted with the latter, having read all of his adventures, so may obviously be biased, but I honestly think Agatha Christie's writing is better than Arthur Conan Doyle's. The stories are more interesting to me, and the protagonist easier to like.

The two are very similar however, both with a great respect for logic, and both with a talent for spotting clues that elude others, using their powers of observation and deduction to perform great mental feats.

Both are very odd, and not easy to get along with due to to their eccentric lifestyles, and distinction from the rest of society due to their intellect. Both are also very much aware of their talents, leading to a certain arrogance. Although this can be understood as an honest appraisal, it also alienates them from other people, who they can often see as beneath them.

Yet Poirot is also kind. While both detectives obviously care for, and are extremely loyal to their respective companions, Poirot is also kind to strangers he encounters during his cases, something I have found no evidence of yet with Holmes.

They are very different in a number of ways, including most obviously, their nationality. Poirot represents the quirky oddity found in foreigners, and the understanding that although people may differ superficially, fundamentally we are driven by the same motives, and humanity can be evaluated in the same way. Sherlock Holmes instead is the essence of Englishness, and of a certain time where men were gentlemen, and criminals were villains.

Which is your favourite?

Books that are difficult to get into

A good beginning is obviously vital in any book, as it can grab your attention, draw the reader in and encourage them to keep on reading. However, some books just start really slowly, or can seem uninteresting and prove a real challenge to continue. Is it worth continuing? Sometimes it can be difficult to tell, and usually I want to perservere, because I am generally optimistic about books.

One notable series I found very difficult to get into was His Dark Materials. Looking back, I can't really understand it, but the start of the Northern Lights took me forever to read. I wasn't interested and would have happily stopped right there if my family hadn't assured me they were brilliant. I'm so glad they did, as they're are now some of my favourite books, with wodnerful characters and epic storytelling.

Sometimes, books that are difficult to get into are that way for a reason. They're just plain bad. A recent example of this was the Wasp Factory, which I had heard was really good, and by a great author whose work I hadn't yet tried. So I started reading. The book had a horrible subject matter, disturbing in a way which wasn't even profound, wasn't used for some different level of understanding, just nastiness. None of the characters were likeable, or even ones you could connect to in any way. I kept reading, holding out hope that it would improve. It didn't. I read almost the entire book before I gave up, finally admitting that it was just not a book I would enjoy in any capacity.

All books should be given a chance, just don't let that chance drag on to long and leave you struggling through a story you hate.

Stylistics

Some books use quirky stylistics to grab attention, showcase dialect or...well I'm not sure what other reasons could justify it to be honest.

Excess use of capitals, non-standard spellings, badly formed sentences- I personally find them uncessary and distracting. It's the literary equivalent of turning up to an interview in a Hawaiian shirt.

I know some authors feel they can represent certain characteristics (such as madness, I suppose), or obviously ANGER. Nobody likes to read page upon page of capitals, it just feels like you are constantly being shouted at.

Purposeful misspellings are even worse. It takes too long to understand them, meaning you spend more time on decyphering the text than on enjoying the story and forgetting reality. A good book should make you feel like you're not even reading, and, at least for me, messy stylistics decidedly hamper this.

Goodbye to Ayla

So I finished the Land of the Painted Caves, and with it the Children of the Earth series is over. Pause for the end of an era...

Okay I'm done. Seriously it was a great series, and while the last book didn't quite live up to my expectations, it doesn't deter from the collection as a whole, the epic idea behind it, and most importantly, Ayla.

She is the main character, with the books spanning her life from childhood to the fine old age of 26. She is resourceful, brave, kind and talented, but before that gets too annoying, she's also pretty dumb at times, naive and stubborn.

Ayla also manages to get everything she most wants in life, but has to sacrifice a lot to get there, which is the kind of realism I like in books. (I know that's quite at odds with all the fantasy and scifi, but I mean writing that makes you believe it's true, regardless of how factually improbable/impossible it is). I don't believe in fairytales, but appreciate the idea that there is some sort of balance of happiness at work. I'm also aware that this in itself is unrealistic, as not everyone gets an equal balance. But I still like to believe it.

Anyway, it is a welcome change from some of the more unrealistic elements of the series...Ayla single handedly discovers how to domesticate animals, and invents needles, carriages and firelighters to name just a few.

Apart from the bad parts of the latest book- slow start, endless descriptions of caves, repeated plots from an earlier book, ending without a bang- I did enjoy the examination of prehistoric culture, and the existence and replacement of societal norms. It offers an interesting perspective on how certain knowledge could have been discovered, shared and integrated into their daily lives.

It also looks at cultural differences between what are essentially very similar people, and how each seperate tribe will always consider themselves to be superior to all others. The struggle to understand, and accept these differences reflect the same difficulties we deal with when interacting with social groups outside our own.

Ayla shows that living in different circumstances, and experiencing different types of people allows us to be more tolerant of others, and a better person as a result. Being able to handle social situations well hasn't changed that much since way back then...

The youth of today

do not read enough books. This makes me sad. Parents, take your children to libraries, buy them books as presents, tuck them up in pages of literature! Okay maybe I'm being a little dramatic, but I really think they are missing out. Websites and magazines are great, but books are better.

Respect for books

While I do respect books (obviously), I am not one of these people who treats their books as if they are still in the shop. I like my books to look like they have been read, and the slightly-worn-ness just adds to their charm, reflecting how much they are loved. I am in no way advocating dropping books in baths or pools (although I have done both, I am ashamed to admit), or throwing them about the room etc.

But I do fold the corners of pages down to save my place. Bookmarks are so fussy, and always fall out and lose your place. They are a very nice item in theory, but not practical enough for me. I also keep the page I'm reading by putting books face down on some surface, which I know is bad for their spines. The whole point of books is to be read, not to sit there looking immaculate.

I think the reason I feel this way is that most of the books I read are either second hand or from libraries, so have already been handled by multiple readers. I like that as well, knowing that the very book you're reading has been read and enjoyed by so many others before you; it adds a bit of history.

Having said that, I do have a thing for penguin classics. They are so beautiful, they really demand to be kept in mint condition and displayed proudly.

Boys books vs. girls books

There is no denying that certain genres are considered as more suitable for one gender rather than catering to the whole population. Books targeted towards males include sci-fi, crime, war and thrillers. The female half of the equation is chicklit (of course), romance, family sagas etc. It made me wonder whether my personal tastes fit these society prescribed molds...

To check off the female side first; I do like chicklit. Sometimes fluffy, predictable, easy to read books are just what you need. As for romance, while I like fiction with a romantic element, I wouldn't say I'm a particular fan of the full-blown, mills&boon, viking-on-the-front-cover type Romance genre. I have never read a family saga and never wish to.

As for traditionally male genres, war books bore me beyond belief. I don't read many thrillers, but I have nothing against them. Crime I quite like, and have read a bit more of. Sci-fi I love. I admit it, books about different worlds, futuristic dystopias, parallel universes, the whole lot.

Another favourite genre of mine is fantasy, not sure where that lies on the male-female spectrum. I also like adventure stories (male!) but equally books about the supernatural (mainly female?). The only horror stories I have ever read were Goosebumps, although I would quite like to try something more grown up. Maybe Stephen King? I don't really know where to start.

Anyway, the point is, at least from my perspective, that these categories shouldn't be treated like iron-clad barriers between the sexes. Of course they are based on generalisations, and I have no doubt that yes, more men do enjoy stories about battles, whereas women want to read about Mr. Tall, Dark and Handsome. That doesn't mean we can't mix and match; it can broaden your horizons, and you might find something you like. The stereotypes are creations, crafted by us. Which means we can create new ones if we choose to.

The more the merrier

So you may have noticed I like to be reading multiple books at the same time- there's usually one or two that I've started but not got back to for a while, books which take much longer to read, and a stream of books that are so quick to read they're constantly changing.

The benefits of this approach include having a book to suit every occasion. There's at-home books, too big to carry about with you, there's my e-reader which is a must for train journeys, books in my desk drawer to read at lunch at work, books at my mum's house for when I visit, books to re-read when only something familiarly brilliant will do.

If one of these categories is missing a current book, I can just start another one. Or if I get bored of a book, I can switch. The extra books provide a great variety of different topics to choose from, so whatever mood strikes me, there's a book to fit that.

Stylist

From today's Stylist:

"Even the longest journey can be transformed into a holiday in its own right with a great book. The pleasure that we extract from reading fiction has long fascinated psychologists. They postulate – although it is near-impossible to prove – that reading novels significantly improves a person’s capacity to navigate their social world, changing the way we see ourselves and helping us identify what we want from social interaction. Novels help us make sense of the world around us; they help us carve out our sense of right and wrong, they influence what we look for in our romantic relationships and they help us assess our life priorities."

I think this is definitely true. A lot of times after I've finished reading a book, its taken a while to revert to 'my' personality, rather than the character of the protagonist. Reading about situations you may never had experience of (and perhaps never will) allows you to consider how you would react, and how suitable you feel the character's reactions are. Reading fiction also introduces you to new people, some of whom can be more real to you than people you actually know. Having contact with different people, even if just through the removed medium of writing, gives you the opportunity to re-evaluate some of your assumptions, learn something new, and furthermore, discover what kind of a person you are.

Some books can change your life.

Delirium- Lauren Oliver

I'd read a review, or some recommendation for this book recently, so when I saw it in Smiths I started to read, to see what it was like. I was waiting for a friend and it turned out her train was severely delayed, so I decided to buy it and read until she arrived. Quite a big thing as I hardly ever buy books, especially in a non-virtual setting and at full price!

Anyway, I'm really glad I did, as I really enjoyed this book. The premise is 'what if love was a disease...and we had the cure?'. This involved a future in which society-is-improved-but-with-a-hidden-dystopia sort of thing, which is a favourite genre of mine. Of course there are the rebels who have shunned the new order and are living on the outskirts. So the main character's questioning of her mapped-out future and subsequent rejection of the values she was brought up with are predictable enough. But the book is well written, I think it's a great idea, and it makes you want to read it so quickly, so very addictive. One good thing about gobbling books is you will always be able to appreciate it as much a second time, as you actually take in all the details you missed the first time around.

Add to this wonderful mix that the book is incredibly sad, and it's a surefire winner for me. I love books that really make you feel something, and my favourite emotion to be manipulated into is sadness. If a book makes you angry, its frustrating because your emotion has nowhere to go, no tangible subject to attach to. If they induce an abundance of happiness I usually dismiss it as unrealistic. I have never yet been truly scared by a book (would be interesting to experience though). Anyway, part of the whole ideology of the book is that it is better to have pain, to have a full range of emotions, including sorrow and heartbreak, as this means we are really living and connecting rather than just sailing through, indifferent.

So although this may look like a trashy romance, I think it transcends this pigeonhole marvellously and I was very impressed.

Library & News

I was very excited to visit my new library today. Manchester City Library is in a different location while they redo the old one, and you can really tell its not permanent; the building looks nothing like a library. Its very unassuming from the outside (I've already walked straight past it once), and inside it has stained glass windows and thistle (yes, thistle!) wallpaper, juxtaposed with modern chairs, moveable shelves and all the latest do-it-yourself technology. I'm actually dubious about whether those self-service checkout things are a good idea. Maybe in a big city, but in my hometown, there is a high percentage of elderly people who are less confident/good with computers or technology. It takes twice as long to work than the old fashioned way and can get a bit irritating if there are queues. On the other hand, maybe its a good opportunity for more people to have access to the speedily techny world we now live in. Anyway, I like the library! Didn't have much of a chance to browse, but I'm still reading a fair few bits and pieces so I'll be back soon.

Also very excited to get Stylist and Metro in real paper copies again, even though my commute is walking distance. The best bits (of Stylist) is the Elsewhere page- news from around the world in bitesized chunks, the Work Life feature- some people have some crazy jobs!, and Tanya Gold, even though she does wind me up, I appreciate thats pretty much the point of her writing.

Some disapointing news for Larsson fans; apparently the rumour that he had left remains of a workable fourth book were overexaggerated- there are some notes, but nothing substantial enough to work into a full novel. I will be keeping my eye out for anything his partner, Eva Gabrielsson, writes, as she claims that much of the Millenium series comes from her ideas.

Final piece of news; Penguin Ink covers! To celebrate the company's 75th anniversary, they are producing ten of their favourite books with unique, tattoo-inspired cover art, and they are beautiful. I think my favourite is The Bone People, but check it out and tell me what you think.

Game Control- Lionel Shriver

I read this based on someone's recommendation, and the fact that We Need To Talk About Kevin was incredible. Game Control is great in a lot of similar ways; the subject matter is controversial and taboo according to social norms. The frank acknowledgment of the darkness that can be found in humanity is intriguing, just as we find the horror of a car crash fascinating, and cannot look away. The characters she portrays are anything but boring and manage to cover a full spectrum of familiar human emotion. Additionally, the moral issues which this book in particular raises are incredibly complex- you find yourself agreeing with several conflicting positions simultaneously in an attempt to solve that which may be beyond our control. The main thread behind the novel reflects a typically human trait to interpret evidence in a way which benefits the interpreter; in this case the AIDs outbreak is viewed as a catastrophe or just a drop in the ocean depending on the field in which it is discussed. Our failure to remain objective about facts leads to interpretations which can build or break civilisations, yet we refuse to face this truth about ourselves, and this remains a psychological quirk of our species. If this doesn't make the book sound appealing, I should also mention that it is very funny as well, which balances the more serious issues it tackles. Few books manage to make me laugh out loud, but this succeeded. Above all, Shriver makes you think- what more could you ask for?

Holiday Reading

I am packed and ready to go, and my reading list is as follows;

1. Anne of the Island (don't judge)
2. The Land of Painted Caves (been waiting for ages for this)
3. Dracula + the rest of my ebooks
4. Game Control (only just started, so thought I would save it for holiday)
5. The Foxes Come at Night (the dutch book I got at the World Literature Weekend)

Plus magazines for the plane. Its a pretty condensed list for me, as my holiday companion is not such a big reader.

In other news I read the latest two True Blood books by Charlaine Harris, but I read them so quickly I'll probably reread them. I might even start the series again as it's getting quite complicated, especially as I also watch the (based on the books but modified) TV series.

My Italian consists of key phrases plus a lot of food names which are the same in English e.g. mozzarella, spoken in an over-the-top accent and accompanied by large hand gestures. It'll be fine. So I'll see you back in Blighty in August. Happy Reading!

A note to say...

Sorry for the lack of blogging recently, and further apologies for the near future. Due to technological difficulties (I broke my laptop) and being rushed off my feet, I haven't had the time or resources to write on here.

Something to keep you going in the meantime...

Fiction vs. Non-Fiction

As you may have noticed, I have a strong preference for fiction. For me, reading is pure entertainment and generally the more fantastical the better to escape this world. That being said, I do like stories that are more realistic, even to the point of them actually reflecting real life. Some (a few) of my favourite books are based on real life, for example The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks. As long as the story is gripping and interesting, it is almost irrelevant whether it is true or not. Anyway, it is stories that fascinate me most, instead of historical accounts, or information about niche topics. Of course I am interested in some non-fiction, having read textbooks for the last three years (and actually enjoying some of them!) but it is far harder to get lost in non-fiction. The grounding of reality limits the extent to which you can, for an hour or two, experience something completely separate to your own life.

Additionally, I am not a huge fan of autobiographies. Although I have no doubt that certain people do lead extraordinary lives, I am not generally inclined to seek out their books to read. I think the fact that there are a lot of poor quality biographies about also puts me off somewhat.

What do you think?

Suspending Belief

Couldn't stop reading We Need to Talk About Kevin until I finished it last night. It's a very good book. Horrible, and fascinating and certainly makes you think. I was most struck by the way it made me feel, vividly, for the characters, getting frustrated and angry on their behalf. I also failed to predict the ending- big surprise. I think there must be a few reasons for my willingness to be led up the garden path by authors, as I'd like to think I'm not so easily fooled in real life. For one thing, if the book is great, I will read as fast as possible, simply leaving no time to consider events carefully. Additionally, there's something about fiction that makes me want to give in to artistic licence and suspend belief for the duration of the story. You surrender completely to the judgement and indiviudal perspective of the narrator that is offered to you. Of course there are other factors, different points of view; yet we rarely acknowledge these in real life, let alone in what is meant to be a leisure activity. Personally, I relish the surprise, the slow realisation that I have been played; full of admiration for the creator of such literary tricks. Then again, maybe I am especially gullible. Anyway, it was a great book, one that continued to get better, while tackling a taboo topic that few have dared to touch.

Am I the only one blind to twists and turns, or do you experience this as well?

Into the Amazon- Jon Harrison

Just finished this real-life account of a couple's adventures through the Amazon, first by canoe, then by trekking through the jungle. Although I don't normally read/ enjoy non-fiction, this action story really grabbed my attention, and I couldn't put it down. It documents the challenges they face, the times they get lost, the food shortages and bugs and the pure endurance that pulls them through. Even with all the things that go wrong, and all the horrors that surround them, it still makes me wish I could do the same and just take off for some unkown part of the world, equally hostile and beautiful, that has not been disturbed by humanity. The book also includes facts and figures concerning the conservation of the rainforest, and certain governments complete lack of respect for the earth. In this way, it is a sad book, even as it celebrates man's ability to adapt and survive against insurmountable odds.

Some news

From Thursday till the 14th July the London Literature Festival is running; those lucky enough to go will get to see some amazing authors, such as Philip Pullman, Michael Morpurgo, and many more. Events include creative writing workshops, discussions of new books and talks from authors. Get tickets here.

Also going on in the world of words, there's a new magazine out, called 'We Love This Book', which has a good mix of reviews, comments on different genres, a desert island book interview as well as short stories. Have a look, let me know what you think.

Finally, not so literary, but extremely cool is Stylist Magazine. Its been around for a couple of years now, and is distributed free in the country's biggest cities. It manages to balance hard hitting journalism about topics that really matter, with pretty materialism and recommendations on how to have the best time. Particular highlights include the career section, which follows a 'day in the life of' a different job each week. Stylist delivers the unexpected, which in my opinion sets it apart from other women's weeklies. There's also Shortlist Magazine for men, which I have also read and enjoyed.

A new book to look out for is The Psychopath Test, by Jon Ronson, which investigates psycopathism and how it may be diagnosed. Sounds interesting!

Warm Bodies

I have just heard that Isaac Marion's book Warm Bodies is being turned into a film. Even with my usual book-film sceptism, I am excited. I really enjoyed the book and thought it was pretty original. It's usually categorised as a zombie romance, which admittedly sounds horrendous. But it's not. It is set in a post-apocalyptic world where most of the population has transformed into zombies, and the last surviving humans run and hide from these monsters. Although I am a fan of pst-apocalyptic stories, the interesting thing about this one is the main charcter, known only as R. Throughout the book, he slowly retains his consciousness and with it, his humanity. Its a classic case of a monster in search of redemption, and he certainly makes you care about him. It is so much more than a horror story with more gore than substance, which is what you may expect from the premise. Warm Bodies makes you think about life, and meaning and what matters most. Zombies are apparently the new vampires, and if this is the kind of offering we can expect, all the better.

Have you read any good supernatural stories lately?

World Literature Weekend 11

So I went down to London this weekend for the Literature Weekend and had a really good time. The first night we went to see Kitty Garden play an acoustic set in a variety of languages. There was a great atmosphere- the venue was this little dark room off an alley that seemed very fitting. The next night Monooka's Caravan played a more lively set. Led by a Romanian gypsy (who looked every inch the part), the band consisted of double bass, guitar and electric violin (who was incredible!) They did a mix of emotive ballads and some more energetic songs. There were also puppets. If you think I'm joking, I have proof.
It was really interesting to hear music in different languages, something I haven't really experienced before, and definitely worth it.








Sunday morning we headed to the London Review bookshop- floor to ceiling books in beautiful covers, armchairs and cake- what more could you possibly want? I was very excited to be there.




We went to the Literary Kaffeeklatsch event, where two publishers held a discussion about their latest publications translated from foreign languages. The two short books were Beside The Sea and Down The Rabbit Hole. We were treated to brief excerts from each and they sounded intriguing. They both looked at parent-child relationships gone wrong due to a distorted perception of reality, and focused on the importance of strength of voice in a short book.

Afterwards there was a Live Translation event, held in the British Museum, where two English translators compared their interpretations of a German novelist's work. Not even one line of the text was identical in the two translations, demonstrating what a difficult and variable task translating must be. The panel also discussed how faithful a translator should be to the original, how they made decisions concerning certain words or structures and the importance of accuracy balanced with a feel for the flow of the book. Google's Babelfish translation showed how bad translation can be by lacking the common sense that a human translator uses automatically.

They talked about their experiences collaborating for a translation, and how this can be challenging. A close relationship with the author was considered an advantage to producing a good translation. The author, Daniel Kehlmann, who was also present, reported that he reads the first draft of his translators text and questions her over the parts where he feels she has not completely caught the meaning of what he wanted to say. Sometimes changes will be make, but ultimately the decision is in the hands of the translator. Kehlmann also mentioned the difficulty with translating humour into different languages, as well as the differences in using direct speech.

The event was very educational on the topic of translation, as well as being highly entertaining. I bought my first translation of a book by Cees Nooteboom, and am looking forward to reading it. The knowledge that it is not in its original language will make me wonder how different the text is, and what changes in nuance have been made. It is clear that translation is a personal exercise, yet how far does the responsibility for the book lie with the translator? In some way they have re-created the book, so what degree of ownership should be allocated to them?

The Spy Who Came In From The Cold

Just finished this book and really enjoyed it. I don't read that many spy novels, and the traditionally complicated plot may be one reason for that. The multiple twists and turns meant that it was difficult to keep track of who was on which side. However, this didn't diminish from the book, it just means I will be able to read it again (several more times) to properly understand it. It was very well written and kept me enthralled right to the last page. The idea of a person wearing an act so long that it actually becomes part of who they are is fascinating, and when your life depends on your ability to uphold this act, it becomes more and more ingrained in your personality. Humans are very good at adapting to all number of horrible conditions, which we must tolerate in order to survive, and this book showcases a few ways in which this can happen.

The author awakens

I'm going to write a book. I realise that this sort of sweeping statement is usually supported by an idea, a plan, some sort of concept; not me. Its just that recently I was struck with this thought. It hit me when I was settling down to relax with Anne of Avonlea (the sequel, because I've read the first one too many times). I am embarrassed to admit this. If you don't have any idea what I'm talking about then that's probably a blessing, but the title shows just how twee the book is. Anyway I love the series, have done since I was a little girl, and as I started reading I realised that I wanted to write a book. Not anything like the one I had in my hands, but hopefully one I would enjoy as much.

The idea of writing a book has always been a vague ambition of mine, but only lurking in the back of my mind, and has never translated into actual action. This time I've started to scribble ideas down, and the more I think about it, the more I want to do it.

I'm grateful for any tips you can offer, or similar experiences you are willing to share. My current list of writing essentials includes;

• someone you trust to discuss ideas with, without them laughing 
• pen and paper (as wonderful as technology is, there's nothing quite like writing till your hand aches when you have an exciting idea)
• being open to changing your mind
• an idea you really believe in
• limited expectations (not being a perfectionist, I have no pressure for this to be published, or very good, or even finished. It's just something I want to do for fun. I can always try again, so I have nothing to lose.)

Global English

Although Chinese may be spoken by more people, English is the language spoken in the highest number of different countries. As it becomes more dominant, the advantages to learning English increase, as there are more and more people who can use it and speak it with you. For business, a lingua franca is very useful for communication and saves the need for several different translators. In terms of literature, books or papers that get published in English have access to a greater audience across the world, and so can increase publicity and sales. The idea of one language that everyone can understand is appealing, as it would allow an incredible amount of knowledge and information to be shared, and allow links to be created regardless of geographical location or ethnicity. However, it also results in a loss of hundreds of minority languages, whose speakers are too low in number and the applications too limited to ensure the survival of their mother tongues. The myriad of nuances that are lost to translation also lead to an overall loss of meaning. English cannot describe the entire range of experiences avaialble to the world, as it is a language native to a small island. Yet a world where everyone speaks exactly the same language is still improbable. As fast as English is spreading, new dialects are breaking off, creating variations of the language which can be mutually incomprehensible in some instances. I feel that this wealth of differences is something to be protected and encouraged, although I also understand that language can be unpredictable and difficult to control, whichever way that control is aimed.

Do you think books should all be printed in English, regardless of their original language?

Foreign Phrasebooks

I like taking phrasebooks with me on holiday if I don't speak the language of my destination. Yet all things considered, they don't actually seem to be much help. Most people only learn a few key phrases; hello, goodbye, thankyou, please and help! are good starters. The rest of the vocabulary lies untouched, for a variety of reasons. It can seem like too much effort to learn a totally new language by yourself, especially for a place you may only visit once, or if the language is quite obscure. The rise of English as a global language has cut the motivation to learn anything different- we can rest safe in the knowledge that enough people will be able to understand us almost anywhere we choose to go.

Phrasebooks also tend to assume an all or nothing approach- they can teach you useful phrases that are practically useless if you remain unable to comprehend the response. Questions such as 'how deep is the water?' are valid enough, but further require a knowledge of the number system and measurements to ensure successful communication.

Additionally, the 'phonetic' pronunciation guide can be tricky. The same English letter combinations can produce a variety of sounds, meaning this form is not the most helpful for determining the correct pronunciation. Unless you know the I.P.A, nothing beats hearing a teacher, or native speaker pronouncing the words so that you can copy the sounds.

One thing that is positive about phrasebooks is the display of stress on certain syllables. That and their dinky size.

Multiple Perspectives

Some books like to split the narrative between several main characters, with each chapter or so told in the voice of a different person. This can make the story more realistic, as people's perceptions of the same events can differ drastically. It can also show the direct effects of one person's actions or words on another. Many great books employ this device to good effect; it keeps it interesting and allows the use of different writing styles to represent the different characters.

However, there is always one 'voice' which you prefer to read, a favourite character or style, and the deviations from this can, in some cases, diminish the story. Particularly if certain perspectives are actually irritating, or worse, boring, this can make you want to skip certain chapters until you reach your favourite again.

Yet it is also possible that the only reason you are able to appreciate a certain character to such a degree is the fact that their narrative is surrounded by 'lesser' accounts. It's the old idea that we need to experience the bad to truly recognise the good.

On the other hand, if a book could be full of more or less equally good viewpoints, then so much the better. The fact that this evaluation of character is an entirely subjective exercise makes it difficult for a writer to please everyone with every voice they choose to use. Multiple perspectives- do you love or hate them?

The book is better than the film

This is a phrase I hear myself saying reguarly. It's an adage I firmly believe in; more often than not, the book precedes the film and so is the original. Books can go into more detail than films, and allow the imagination free reign. Annoying characters are found far less in writing as we have the ability to shape them, rather than being handed a fully-formed personality by an actor who may have different perceptions of how to interpret that character. They say that a picture speaks a thousand words, yet one word can also elicit a thousand different pictures when read by different people, in different circumstances and moods. Being able to choose how the character appears allows wonderful variation from reader to reader, making the experience more personal for each of them. Also, sometimes when turning a book into a film, odd and seemingly unecessary changes are made to the plot which can leave many readers perplexed and annoyed. I do love films as well, but usually enjoy them more if they aren't based on a book, or at least not one that I've read.

However, there are some exceptions to this rule. As mentioned before, I think the film of The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is better than the book. Another major example is Hannibal Rising by Thomas Harris. I'd seen the film first, and while it wasn't as good as Silence of the Lambs, it was alright. I was expecting the book to go into more depth and to further explore the character of a psychopath. I was disapointed. It read exactly like the film, employing none of the techniques available to books for better effect, no inner monologues or exact description to highlight certain aspects of a scene. It felt more like a script than a book, and in this case the horror and violence was better portrayed on film.

Do you know any other films that beat the book?

MisLit Interpreted

MisLit (miserable literature for those of you who have managed to evade its presence) is the genre equivalent of shopping at a pound shop. It is considered tacky, unsophisticated and although most of us have been in one at some point, it is looked down upon by most, and especially those who aspire to dizzying literary heights. You can recognise MisLit at twenty paces. The books have titles like 'Mummy, No!' or any negative past-tense verb (think 'Damaged' or 'Cut'). They have pictures of sad children on the front and the font is in the style of handwriting. They describe horrific stories of abuse and abandonment. But what exactly is it about these books that repel so many of us? Shouldn't we feel sympathy instead of a sense of superiority?

MisLit produces a similar feeling to watching a car crash. We don't want to stand and stare, but we can't tear our eyes away. We instinctively feel that viewing such misery and horror up close is somewhow intruding, that to gawp is vulgar. It can also be argued that such literature brings home the evils of the world when we would rather focus on more positive content. It can be difficult to accept the worst of humanity so we choose to ignore it as much as we can. Other reasons for the lowly status of MisLit may include the suspicion that many of these 'autobiographies' are in fact invented, which again may stem from the fear that if we acknowledge the darker side as real we leave open the possibility that it could happen to us, or to someone we love.

I personally enjoy sad books, but not as a defining feature. What do you think?

Writing from beyond the grave

When an author dies in the middle of writing a book, or before completing a series, there is the possibility that someone else will be enscripted to write for them, and finish their work. The thought of this can pull fans in two opposite directions; they may be dying to read the rest of the story, and to find out what happens in the end, and so would be grateful to the substitute author, and eager to read their offering. On the other hand, there may be a strong sense of loyalty to the original author, especially if they were well known, wrote prolifically, or had created a long series of books.

This is what happened when Robert Jordan passed away in 2007, leaving a plethora of fans and books, including the unfinished Wheel of Time series. In his case, death was not sudden, and so he had the chance to share his notes and ideas concerning the last book (split into three volumes). He also chose the writer to continue the work, Brandon Sanderson.

When I heard this news, I was sceptical. No-one could possibly follow such an amazing author, and the story would obviously suffer as a result. Still, it was equally impossible for me not to read the new installment, so judgement firmly in place, I bought the book and started to read.

I was halfway through The Gathering Storm before I remembered this wasn't Robert Jordan, and that it was meant to be worse and that I would definitely hate it. Brandon Sanderson has done an incredible job, and the next book, Towers of Midnight is possibly my favourite of the entire series. It just goes to show that people can surprise you, and judging a book by its author (or cover, or genre etc.) is often mistaken. I'm so glad this series has continued, and am looking forward to reading the final final installment when it comes out next year.

Endings

*Minor Spoilers Alert*

The ending of a book is very important, as it fixes the overall impression that you are left with, and this feeling will determine whether you look back positively on the book or not. Yet it is quite tricky, and often rare to find the perfect ending. Although this is entirely subjective, books should finish in a way the reader agrees with; they should be realistic, tie up all the loose ends and leave you thinking. Whether its a part of a series or not, the ending should make you want a sequel. Either that or a frontal lobotomy so you can start at the beginning and enjoy it all over again.

Twists are good- something unexpected that makes you mentally go back through the book to see all the clues you missed. Thats much of the appeal of mystery or thriller novels, and while some people take pride in being able to predict the ending, I always like to be surprised. I'm quite a gullible reader anyway so am easily led down whichever mistaken path of thought the writer may want to lead me. Case in point: in a series I am reading, a woman 'disappears' never to be heard of again (for several books), with all evidence pointing to her death. When she came back I was pleasantly shocked, not having questioned the death theory at all.

Happy endings are not essential for me, I quite like sad books. If it must be happy, it should be good in an unexpected way to avoid being a cliche. With sequels and multi-book series there is even more pressure to get the final ending just right as the story is longer and the reader will be more involved. The ending should not feel as if it is rushed, or comes too quickly, or it can make you feel cheated.

My personal worst ending is the Harry Potter series. Sickeningly cheesy. In books with major battles or wars, the 'good' side always sustains only a handful of casualties and the main characters are rendered invincible regardless of the danger they are frequently in. One of my favourites is Perfume: the story of a murderer. It's different, and brings everything together in a fascinating culmination of events. What's your favourite ending?

One more thing; never read the ending first. You'll only ruin it for yourself. 

Lisbeth Salander: Anti-heroine

Much has been written about Stieg Larsson’s female protagonist, so different and so much more complex than the cookie cutter women we find in so many books. Lisbeth is cold and unfriendly and acts almost purely for her own self interests. She can be violent and crude. She wouldn’t like us, yet we still feel affection for her. The injustice she has had to face justifies much of her antisocial behaviour in our eyes and we admire the way she makes her own rules. Her loyalty for the few that she allows near is touching, even more so as we appreciate how difficult it is for her trust people and to form normal social relationships. We want her to win, and at the same time are intimidated by the methods she will take to achieve her goals. Her survival instincts are incredible, and this drive to get what she wants, whether revenge, security or independence, pulls the audience along. We would feel sorry for her, but the tough exterior rejects pity like a shield. Lisbeth does not need our sympathy, indeed her lack of dependence on others is something we may find hard to accept. So the positive regard we feel collects vaguely around her as there are no recognisable normal methods of ascribing this to her. One thing is certain; Lisbeth Salander is a pretty unforgettable character, and the perfect anti-heroine. What do you think of her?

E-readers

I didn’t always love e-readers. People say there’s something special about an actual book, and they’ve got a point. Real books have eye catching covers and interesting blurbs, a certain smell and weight that can’t be replicated by electronic versions. Besides, I couldn’t live in a house with an empty bookshelf. When I tried one for the first time, my real-book-only snobbery left me in a minute. They are amazing! Honestly, if you haven’t yet, just try one. Not an i-pod with a screen so small you have to turn the page once a second, a proper e-reader. Mine’s from Sony and you can download a free classics collection to start you off. They’re so convenient for travelling, my number one reason in their support. They also come with extra features. You can write notes (granted, I’ve only ever written notes whilst demonstrating to friends that you can write notes, but still) and the dictionary is pretty cool. You can even add photos and music, so if I’m ever stranded with just me and my e-reader, I’ll be happy. Recent news has suggested that publishing is set to follow the music industry as people pilfer digital files, and that’s a real shame. As libraries start lending e-books, you can get them for free! I hope this doesn’t damage publishing completely, but it’s difficult to enforce regulations and payment on a product that is so abstract. What do you think about the e-reader versus paper books debate?

E-Library

Manchester has an e-library. This is excellent news. I love my e-reader and use libraries profusely, so I've been waiting for Birmingham to get on board with the scheme ever since I first heard about it. My hometown's unlikely to upgrade anytime soon- it's too small and the population mostly elderly. But Manchester is close by and I visit a lot. I feel justified in joining my third library in the country if its Manchester. Of course, you can join as many libraries as you like in England, but it does seem a bit greedy. Anyway, you can even join online, by filling in this form. I plan on going away this summer and being able to borrow ebooks will reduce my luggage load by approximately half a suitcase. You might suggest I actually buy some ebooks instead of waiting around for virtual libraries to appear, but I am a firm believer in unrestricted reading. Everyone should have the opportunity to read and modern technology means this is available in different mediums of access. I'm not even sure how borrowing ebooks will work to be honest; do they just disappear after 21 days? How do they know when to self-destruct? I guess I'll find out soon enough.

Anyone else an e-library fan?

World Literature Weekend

The London Review is hosting its third annual festival for foreign writers and books from around the world, how exciting! The theme this year is history and its traces on the present. The weekend includes workshops on how to translate from several different languages- which look amazing but quite pricey. Other events include talks from authors and publishers, the independent Foreign Fiction prize, and two social evenings (think singer-songwriters and cake, rather than the local band and gravy). Its on from the 17th to the 19th of June and you can get your tickets here. It takes place in various locations in London, the nearest tube station is Russell Square. I've got my eye on the Scandinavian crime talk and the 'literary Kaffeeklatsch'. Possibly because 'Kaffeeklatsch' is one of the best words I've heard in a long time. It means an informal social gathering with coffee and conversation. While I haven't read much 'world' literature (mainly due to my less-than-fluent second language skills), I am really interested in translation and how it affects writing, shaping and presenting ideas in a slightly different way.

Anyone else going to the festival?

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

I decided to start reading The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, by Scott Fitzgerald, and was shocked by how short it is. I’ve seen the film and to say it was long would be an understatement, so when I realised that the book is little more than a pamphlet I was taken aback. The same key events occur in the book, just significantly pared down, with a minimum of description. It skips over milestones such as marriage and joining the army with scarcely a backwards glance. The main idea is so interesting, so different from most storylines that I can’t help but feel disappointed with the lack of expansion in the book. Although my stance on film adaptions is generally ‘the book always wins’ I have to say that this case is an exception. Screenwriter Eric Roth may have taken the story to the other extreme in terms of length, yet I feel he has significantly added to it.

The book does include some aspects that the film omits, or skirts around, especially the generally painful atmosphere of watching as Benjamin grows up (or down?) in a family that directs so much negative emotion towards him. Fear, confusion and anger surface over the abnormality which is out of their control. Benjamin’s growing dissatisfaction with his ageing wife is also fascinating, an aspect of the story, and almost certainly of certain people’s lives, which is deemed distasteful by Hollywood, which seeks to glamorise and centralise the romantic element of the story.

Unrelenting in its pace, changes happen in the book before the narrative moves swiftly on. At the end of the novel, there is less than sufficient time to absorb all that has happened over the course of this incredible life, and then its over. The fairly callous, abrupt nature of the writing is certainly a style that makes you think- and although I wish there was more, perhaps the questions raised are designed to be answered in a personal way. Unfortunately my expectations had been primed by the film and so I will never know how I could have interpreted the book alone.

All in all, the style is as weird as the concept, and humanity’s swift rejection of the unfamiliar is clearly represented in the book, with the reader definitely left wanting more. Have you seen the film? Or read the book? Which way round?

Top 50

To welcome you to this blog and to give a little insight into my reading preferences I have compiled my top 50 ‘books everyone must read’. I will continue to update the list whenever I read something new and amazing, or if I remember some forgotten gem I should have included. What are your favourite books?

1.       Enders Game-Orson Scott Card

2.       Towers of Midnight- Robert Jordan & Brandon Sanderson

3.       His Dark Materials- Phillip Pullman

4.       The Chronicles of Narnia- C.S. Lewis

5.       Poirot Books- Agatha Christie

6.       The Wind on Fire- William Nicholson

7.       Alice in Wonderland- Lewis Carroll

8.       I Am David- Anne Holm

9.       The Help- Kathryn Stockett

10.   The Solitaire Mystery- Jostein Gaarder

11.   Little Women- Louisa May Alcott

12.   Ludo and the Star Horse- Mary Stewart

13.   The Time Traveller’s Wife- Audrey Niffenegger

14.   Mister Pip- Lloyd Jones

15.   Passenger- Billy Cowie

16.   Letters from the Inside- John Marsden

17.   A Different Life- Lois Keith

18.   Noughts and Crosses- Malorie Blackman

19.   Earth’s Children- Jean M. Auel

20.   The Midwich Cuckoos- John Wyndham

21.   Room- Emma Donoghue

22.   North Child- Edith Pattou

23.   The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks- Rebecca Skloot

24.   The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time- Mark Haddon

25.   You Don’t Know Me- David Klass

26.   Riding Tycho- Jan Mark

27.   Uglies- Scott Westerfeld

28.   Addition- Toni Jordan

29.   The Lovely Bones- Alice Sebold

30.   Little House on the Prairie- Laura Ingalls Wilder

31.   Arabian Nights- Various authors

32.   1984- George Orwell

33.   Perfume- Patrick Suskind

34.   Mondays are Red- Nicola Morgan

35.   The Diary of a Young Girl- Anne Frank

36.   Never Let Me Go- Kazuo Ishiguro

37.   The Ice Cream Girls- Dorothy Koomson

38.   The Diving Bell and the Butterfly- Jean-Dominique Bauby

39.   The Girls- Lori Lansens

40.   Plain Truth- Jodi Picoult

41.   Millennium Trilogy- Stieg Larsson

42.   A Brave New World- Aldous Huxley

43.   Just So Stories- Rudyard Kipling

44.   Homeward Bound- Diana Wynne Jones

45.   The Kin- Peter Dickinson

46.   The Hobbit- J.R.R. Tolkien

47.   The Deepwood Chronicles- Paul Stewart and Chris Riddell

48.   The Song of the Lioness- Tamora Pierce

49.   The Phantom Tollbooth- Norton Juster

50.   Coram Boy- Jamila Gavin