So after almost one month of recording my reading habits, its already quite interesting to look back and see what kind of things I'm reading. I can't wait until I have some more months to compare this with, to see whether I'm preferring certain genres/authors, or reading a lot at different periods of my life. It's also a way for me to remember what I've read, and which books were great, and which are best avoided.
The Stone Gods was the last book I read, and it was really enjoyable, regardless of having read it before. It makes you think long after you put it down, and the different stories weave together in a beautiful way. It highlights the terrible sides of humanity but also makes you realise how full of hope we are to keep trying, to keep making those same mistakes, keep creating and destroying in an endless cycle.
As for the book club, I couldn't find the book in time for the meeting, which is a shame. More because I still want to read it. I might pop in and see what the next book is because I feel it's still something I should try.
Book to film news:
Hunger Games is out at the end of March. Oh my, that's barely two months away, I thought I would have to contain my excitement until the summer at least.
Warm bodies is coming out in August. I'm very excited and very sceptical all at the same time, which is pretty much my standard reaction to the news that adaptions of my favourite books are coming out, but especially this one because I'm not sure how it will translate to the screen. The best parts of the story take part inside the central character's head, which starts as a foggy mess of consciousness- will this just all be voiceover narration? I have my doubts.
Friday 27 January 2012
Friday 20 January 2012
Deja Vu
I started reading the Stone Gods, after reading the blurb and thinking it sounded really interesting. After reading a couple of chapters the story became more and more familiar, until I realised that this is the second time I've read this book.
Having said that, I don't remember the plot, or even the character's quirks ahead of re-reading them, it's only when I read it again that the words remind me. This is quite a nice way to read books, although it doesn't say much for my memory.
I remember that my intuition was right, and I enjoyed the book, but my ignorance of the details means I can enjoy it a second time. It's sort of like meeting an old friend after a long time, and its only after spending time with them that you remember how good a friendship it was and how much you enjoyed their company.
Sometimes I wonder whether my time would be better spent reading new books (there's not enough time in the world for me to read them all, unfortunately) rather than revisiting old ones.
But I do both, I don't just revist the books of my past, I also read new books. And sometimes, as in this case, I can return to books without even meaning to. You can't argue with your subconscious.
Having said that, I don't remember the plot, or even the character's quirks ahead of re-reading them, it's only when I read it again that the words remind me. This is quite a nice way to read books, although it doesn't say much for my memory.
I remember that my intuition was right, and I enjoyed the book, but my ignorance of the details means I can enjoy it a second time. It's sort of like meeting an old friend after a long time, and its only after spending time with them that you remember how good a friendship it was and how much you enjoyed their company.
Sometimes I wonder whether my time would be better spent reading new books (there's not enough time in the world for me to read them all, unfortunately) rather than revisiting old ones.
But I do both, I don't just revist the books of my past, I also read new books. And sometimes, as in this case, I can return to books without even meaning to. You can't argue with your subconscious.
Tuesday 10 January 2012
Book clubs
I am thinking of joining a book club in my local pub. I've never been to one before, and although at first the idea seems perfect for me, I'm not quite so sure.
Of course getting recommendations from fellow book lovers, and discussing how great books are would be brilliant. I would also welcome the motivation to read books that otherwise I might not have even picked up.
But the dissecting, the evaluation? That sounds a bit too much like English Literature too me, and I left that behind with my GSCEs. Of course we can examine each little part of a book and consider why the author made these choices, and to what effect, and I can even acknowledge that this could give a greater type of fulfilment from a book as only then do you truly understand how great the writing is.
Then again, I have always held the suspicion that critiquing any form of media is less enjoyable than simply experiencing the media, in this case books, without any other agenda on your mind, no need to hold back from immersing yourself in the created world that lies before you in order to compare and contrast it with other books of its time, for example.
I read because I simply love reading. Not because I am interested in how authors from different times, personalities and circumstances set about creating these works of art. But maybe I'm just being too stubborn. I'm going to go along and see whether I enjoy it. The first book is To Kill a Mocking Bird (I've never read it, so that's a good start).
Of course getting recommendations from fellow book lovers, and discussing how great books are would be brilliant. I would also welcome the motivation to read books that otherwise I might not have even picked up.
But the dissecting, the evaluation? That sounds a bit too much like English Literature too me, and I left that behind with my GSCEs. Of course we can examine each little part of a book and consider why the author made these choices, and to what effect, and I can even acknowledge that this could give a greater type of fulfilment from a book as only then do you truly understand how great the writing is.
Then again, I have always held the suspicion that critiquing any form of media is less enjoyable than simply experiencing the media, in this case books, without any other agenda on your mind, no need to hold back from immersing yourself in the created world that lies before you in order to compare and contrast it with other books of its time, for example.
I read because I simply love reading. Not because I am interested in how authors from different times, personalities and circumstances set about creating these works of art. But maybe I'm just being too stubborn. I'm going to go along and see whether I enjoy it. The first book is To Kill a Mocking Bird (I've never read it, so that's a good start).
Tuesday 3 January 2012
Books of 2011
So I realise this is quite late, but thought I would do a recap of some of my best books from last year. I also forget which books I've read, so this year plan to write down every single book, so I can have hopefully have a great long list this time next year!
Saddest book: Without a doubt its got to be A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini. Made me weep, but not in a life-is-so-desolate-The-Road kind of way, in a very human and uplifting way.
Best thriller: Before I go to sleep by S. Watson. So enthralling I had to read it extra quick to find out what was going on and who she could trust.
Best fantasy: Towers of Midnight by Robert Jordan. Nearing the end of this series (this is book 13) they just seem to keep on getting better. So excited for the final installment.
Best horror: I seem to be lacking a bit in this area, but I promise I will return from my next trip to the library with armfuls of Steven King. In the meantime, for 2011, maybe Perfume? By Patrick Suskind. It's an amazing book, such a novel idea, just not sure if it qualifies as horror. Definitely weird.
Best romance: Delirium by Lauren Oliver. Very romantic and all about love defying all odds and how important it is, in every form, to our humanity.
Best sci-fi: Anything by John Wyndham! Probably The Trouble with Lichen. His books examine great and powerful ideas, beautifully woven into worlds where such strange things happen.
Best adventure: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, had to get it in there! Again, very fast-paced, exciting, with great characters and storyline. Bring on the film!
That's all the categories I can think of at the moment, so until next January, happy reading.
Saddest book: Without a doubt its got to be A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini. Made me weep, but not in a life-is-so-desolate-The-Road kind of way, in a very human and uplifting way.
Best thriller: Before I go to sleep by S. Watson. So enthralling I had to read it extra quick to find out what was going on and who she could trust.
Best fantasy: Towers of Midnight by Robert Jordan. Nearing the end of this series (this is book 13) they just seem to keep on getting better. So excited for the final installment.
Best horror: I seem to be lacking a bit in this area, but I promise I will return from my next trip to the library with armfuls of Steven King. In the meantime, for 2011, maybe Perfume? By Patrick Suskind. It's an amazing book, such a novel idea, just not sure if it qualifies as horror. Definitely weird.
Best romance: Delirium by Lauren Oliver. Very romantic and all about love defying all odds and how important it is, in every form, to our humanity.
Best sci-fi: Anything by John Wyndham! Probably The Trouble with Lichen. His books examine great and powerful ideas, beautifully woven into worlds where such strange things happen.
Best adventure: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, had to get it in there! Again, very fast-paced, exciting, with great characters and storyline. Bring on the film!
That's all the categories I can think of at the moment, so until next January, happy reading.
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