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.