Study says revisiting classics makes us happy

Shamelessly stolen from this week's Stylist, and endorsed by yours truly.

Study says revisiting classics makes us happy

How many times have you read your favourite book? Once? Twice? Nine times? Well, new research has shown that re-reading books that we first experienced during a happy time in our lives can have a comforting effect and be good for our mental health.

Academics, who studied people in New Zealand and the US, found that the repeated experience led to heightened pleasure and increased knowledge and awareness.

The study, which also looked at re-watching films and re-visiting favourite haunts, showed that the second reading of a book is also more ‘emotional’ as readers delve deeper into the layers of the novel. Think twice before throwing away that battered Penguin Classic then…

Source: Stylist

How Persuasion won me over

I am, as I have probably said before, not a fan of old books. By this I don't mean wonderfully musty books you've had for ages, or those passed down in generations, I simply mean literature that is anything less than modern. I don't really like the language and although the idea of 'classics' is appealing, the few I've struggled through I've found are just too boring.

Anyway, I do dislike the thought of missing out on all these books so many people admire. So I tried Persuasion. The fact that a major reason in me choosing this book was that it was a character from a film I like's favourite book is neither here nor there.

It was better than I expected, which was a nice surprise. I still don't like the style of writing, with sentences that go on forever with a minimum of ten clauses. It's difficult and unecessary and puts people, me included, off.

But after a slow start of trying to get into it, I found the characters interesting and the whole system of norms and pleasantries and politeness of good society made for a good story. Would I read it again? Probably not. But I may be more inclined to read something else by Jane Austen if it ever comes across my path readily. Perhaps it is an acquired taste that takes more than one experience to cement.

A short history of tractors in Ukranian

I got this through a book exchange - one of the best inventions ever! Unfortunately I didn't have a book with me to swap, but I gave a donation instead and took this book, one I'd been meaning to read for a while. It took me so long because even though I trust my friend's recommendations, personal (albeit irrational) prejudices can be difficult to overcome. In this case, it was the title. I knew (or thought I did) that the book wasn't actually about tractors. But still, everytime I thought about finding the book, a  little voice inside would complain 'But I don't like tractors! It will be boring!' So this fortunate set of circumstances that led me to the book exchange meant I gave it a chance.

And I am glad I did! It was a great book, very easy to read and the quirky broken English actually made the book more enjoyable, despite structural changes like this usually resulting in off-putting, or distracting language. It was also very interesting to see the difference this made to the atmosphere of the book, and how while every sentence is easily intelligible, the sense it gives to the story is fascinating.

I also liked it because it has a lot of crazy characters in it, crazy in the best kind of way, that reflects human irrationality. The book also shows how extreme circumstances can change our values and beliefs far more easily than we would have predicted.

It is also a very funny look at one 'dysfunctional' family and how strong those bonds of love are, regardless of how little we like particular members, or their habits. Again this reflects the paradox of holding contrasting attitudes to the same object simultaneously.

Shadows in Flight and other nonsense

New Ender's (well Bean's really) book is coming out soon aaaahhh! Shadows in Flight by Orson Scott Card is out on February 13. If anybody truly loves me, that is my valentines present right there. I adore the way this series is more a continually expanding network of awesomeness, rather than a linear set of sequels. It provides so much more possiblity for MORE!

Courtesy of Macmillan publishing, here is a delightful audio clip to whet your appetites!

On a calmer note, I have several books to read before this date so need to get on it. Also my re-reading schedule is getting a bit out of control, what with film versions coming out and final installments, I need to catch up on quite a few of my favourite books.

And I must get my hands on the Handmaids Tale, which I thought was all about medieval handmaids (e.g. historical drama which does not interest me in the slightest) but is actually all about a dystopian future. Excellent.

Final note: if you haven't eaten in the Waterstones restaurant, you should! Gorgeous food, huge portions and beautiful setting.