A book about books: Howard's End is on The Landing: Susan Hill

Now here's a book for me! A book, about reading books! I feel like this is the sort of book you should read tucked up in a chair with a hot drink in Autumn. I'm too sentimental.

Our author, Susan Hill is a fiction and non-fiction writer, and great book lover, who lost among her sea of unread books, decided to halt her endless purchase of new books, and explore her expansive library of books collected over her lifetime.

This was a charming wee book to read, and finished all too soon: i felt if she'd had a bigger book, she could have gone into greater depth about her collection. Essentially it was a journey through some of her favourite authors, and books, why they were her favourites and some fantastic insights into books and reading. Books vs Kindle for example?

A great holiday read, and fantastic for encouraging you to read more and enjoy the books you have!

8/10 (purely because it should have been longer.)

Wicked-Gregory McGuire

   

     The hit musical! Or, my battered copy of the book, picked up from my local charity shop!
Wicked has had such a song and dance made out of it (no pun intended...) that I was sure it would be worth reading the book! So I picked it up second hand, a little daunted by its size...I mean, how much DID happen before Dorothy appeared? It was definitely worth the read though. McGuire clearly has some imagination on him, although that being said he's stolen the concept of The Wicked Witch of the West from someone else entirely!

     The book follows the "life and times" of the Wicked Witch of the West, a character you're unsure at first that you want to grow fond of. After all, she's one of our great fictional villains! But being written in his subtly humorous manner, McGuire achieves this sense of endearment towards Elphaba. I'll admit the first and the last few chapters I struggled to get through; thinking the book really did go on quite a bit towards the end, but the over all effect of the book was that you really did get to know our protagonist, and cared about her life. Small details such as how the witch, who is deathly allergic to water, cleans herself give, falls in love, and has an agenda like all of us make her a likeable character, and that perhaps this poor character is just misunderstood.

It took a little getting into, but overall enjoyable.

7/10.

The Call of Cthulhu: H.P Lovecraft

Yes my copy also came with 3D glasses...

Lovecraft's a bit weird really. His obsession with stenches and "indescribable horror" makes you really wish he actually would just describe it. The more time passes since reading his collection of "weird tales" the more it plays on my mind and begins to disturb me a bit!

     A lot of the stories are essentially science fiction, something I've never really dealt with before, and not what the book seems to present itself as...but then there will be a surprise element of pure horror story, leaving me with chills down my spine and feeling glad I'm not alone in the flat.
And Lovecraft loves to describe the horror, of what humans would actually do if we came across these ancient life forces, as described in his "Necronomicon" and what they would do if they came across us.
There is a deepening prevailing sense of darkness and despair while reading these books. Hs writing style, definitely requires perseverance, but is worth it for the overall effect. He grapples a lot with the psyche and the stress of terror and loneliness dropping down into a spiral of horror...

I'm really selling this aren't I?

This book was definitely not what I would usually go for, and was also definitely a challenge for me, but the overall effect of his writing style has managed to stay with me weeks after finishing the book, and if anything has broadened my horizons to other genres I might enjoy.

7/10, will possible reread some stories, but not the whole book. Tad depressing!

The Selection: Kiera Cass (Book 1)

     Not gonna lie, trashy young adult fiction is my weakness.

Set in a sort of dystopian future (as most of these books are post Hunger games extravaganza...) Girls from different districts are offered up to the Prince to be part of a selection: a sort of reality TV show (Bachelor style) for the country to find their new princess.  She has a sweetheart back home already, so of course vows not to fall for the seemingly vapid carefree prince, ends up falling in love, conflicting love triangle blah blah blah.

It's pretty cliched, but it's a fun read if you like that sort of thing (embarrassingly, I do,) which is why it doesn't really deserve a full review. Just to say I'd give it 7/10 for entertainment purposes, not quality of writing! And of course, as seems to be the fashion at the moment, there will be a trilogy...Stay tuned!

Ps in contrast to this nonsense, my next review is Vintage Lovecraft. I really don't have a genre I stick to.

The Great Gatsby-F.Scott.Fitzgerald

 

  I bought this book for my partner, who really wanted to read it before the film came out (which was AWESOME, by the way!) And didn't think I'd have time to read it also, but at 180 pages, finished pretty quickly. I feel like if I hadn't been in such a hurry, the book might have held greater weight with me, and I hate to say it, but watching the film did bring it to life and illustrated very well the meanings and relationships from the book.
     The book however, is a great illustration of a man's life, the dreams and downfalls of a man who seems so great to others, but to himself is so full of clear shortcomings, he hides behind grandeur , always remaining illusive and an enigma. Needless to say the book is incredibly sad; as a commentary on how our lives can be so full of meaning to us, yet so empty and disposable to others was essentially pretty depressing. But then that's what books are meant to do: teach you something, even small that you can take home with you at the end of the day.
Definitely worth the read, and as with most classics, I find are worth rereading to achieve the greater messages hidden within a text.

Aaaaaand for your viewing pleasure.

Stephen King Joyland

    Stephen King, Stephen King. Did you owe someone a favour, allowing them to publish this book? This review's a tricky one because I actually really enjoyed reading this book, and finished it in about 4 hours; but without giving too much away, the ending was a huge let down, and so many plot points felt like copouts, to the point where an episode of Scooby Doo almost has better depth and plot craft..."if only it wasn't for you pesky kids!"

     His writing style for Joyland, is unlike his usual style: although I haven't read a Stephen King in about  five years, but I was attracted but it's 60's print cover and its reminding me of the "Point Horror's" I used to read as a teenager, holed up in my room, terrified of the mere words on the page.

     Joyland is so similar to this style of book, and is marketed as such: a pulp fiction. It follows the story of a young man with a broken heart, who finds work at a funfair in order to make some money over his summer. As someone who however prefers the rational explanation over the paranormal one, many of the events that unfold lack real depth, and their explanations seem farfetched and a bit of a letdown. I feel completely conflicted because I want to love this book. But it's characters are lacking somewhat, and the finale is just weak.

For that, I'll give it 6/10...worth a read if you enjoy quick to read, trashy horror, but not worth a reread any time soon.

And for amusement purposes, here's Stephen King holding a pink Kindle

When God Was A Rabbit-Sarah Winman

   

      The first thing I will say about this book is that I finished it in 12 hours, some of which I was sleeping-it really wasn't a tough read at all. That being said, it was enjoyable enough to keep me reading, bit not a book I'd pick up again.

     I enjoyed Winman's writing greatly: the subtlety with which she delivers a blow is something many authors just haven't grasped, instead opting for in your face crass descriptions.
The book is written from the eyes of Eleanor Maud as she grows up, with the book being split in two parts, creating an almost seamless leap between her childhood and adult years.  The book provides a definite sense of what is lost in adulthood, but also what might be gained, through a better understanding of the world.
      The relationships between characters are what makes this book a success. Between Eleanor and her brother, her closest friend, the neighbour, and her rabbit...the book is a wonderful illustration of bonds that can form between people, that often last a lifetime, and this is what  took away with me from the book: that across space and time, some bonds aren;t broken, and that your closest friends are often the most unexpected.
7/10.

Assorted Musings

Coming Out.

It's true.
I'm a massive book worm.


I honestly don't know what I would do if I didn't read.
Actually I do. I'd fall asleep half an hour earlier, I'd have more space in my flat for other things, and I'd probably get out more.
I probably wouldn't even do the latter.
Reading has become an integral part of my character over the past 22 years, but let's not lie, reading isn't always described as the coolest of pastimes, especially in this extroverted world, where if you're not doing something, you're doing nothing.

This blog I hope would make it pretty obvious my love of books and reading, but slowly but surely, to friends and family alike I'm coming out as a bookworm. 

I buy books like some people buy shoes. actually back up, I buy a lot of shoes too. But I buy more books! Kindle and paper print alike-although I know I need to reel it in a little and finish what I have!

Why Reading is Good For You...

One day, I will have a room dedicated to books. What do they call that?! Oh wait...

And Why You Should Read MORE!

The facts are out there! It's GOOD for you to read! Your inner wellbeing is something that needs taking care of, and curling up with a warm drink and a good book is a fantastic was to do that.

It's actually been found in a study by a group of neurobiologists (no word of a lie) that blood flow is greatly improved to your brain, when even just leisurely reading. This means greater attention and oxygen flow to your brain!

I would argue that reading is a way of expanding your mind. Each writer will have his own vocabulary, his own imagination, his own worlds he wants you to explore. You just have to crack open a book! Apart from the fact you pick up tid-bits of knowledge when reading! Books make you a generally more rounded and interesting person.

Reading has also been suggested to mental health patients, as a form of therapy, as it help reduce stress, and de-centralize from the issues in your own mind.

There you have it. A short but sweet post on why reading really is good for you, and you should incorporate more books into your life!

Chemical Garden Trilogy Review

     I bought Wither (the first in the series) from a discount books store, having spotted it on my Kindle, but hadn't really thought of getting it. Thank goodness I did! After my scathing descent (not really!) on the Maze Runner trilogy, this was definitely a book deserving of a trilogy!

     The first book follows Rhine, living in a dystopian world where young girls live to 20 years of age, and males to 25. Girls are routinely snatched and married off to young males, in the hope of the reproducing and finding a cure for this infliction.

     This of course happens to Rhine, who courageously plots to return to her brother. 

I don't know what it was about Lauren DeStefano's writing, but I was literally hooked. Maybe it was the style, the way she described the luxury and fantastical world of the mansion, and the decrepit and debaucherous world of the carnival- I don't know. The books literally came alive for me.

By the time the third one was released this year, it was bought within 24 hour of release and read within a further 24. 

     I won't pretend the books are difficult reading, being marketed to young adults, but they do deal with some interesting questions, such as where are we going with genetic engineering of humans? But really they're just fun to read, and a great story.

    The character of Rhine, I felt was developed well from the start. You cared what happened to her, and enough was given away about her past, without it becoming burdening. Her relationships with her "sister-wives" and complex love-triangle also extended your care and understanding even to the more auxiliary characters.

This is one series I hope would never be made into a film, just in case it ruined the images I built up about this trilogy.

Cloud Atlas Review.

     Please don't hate me, but I've included the movie picture above, as a) this is the only movie edition book cover I've ever bought because I quite like it and b) because I watched the movie first (wrong way round) and I think the movie did the book good justice.

     David Mitchell's Cloud Atlas is very dear to my heart, being one of my favourite books and movie's from the last 12 months. The book is split into a number of different "stories" from different worlds and times, following different people that all covertly interconnect. 

       I thought the book was a beautiful depiction of humanity (without sounding too pretentious), with the finishing line " But what is any ocean but a multitude of drops?"

     Each plot line is intricately woven into each of the others, with all being wrapped up nicely at the end of the book, and each story seems to be its own genre,  some with it's own language, and a different message to be taken from each one. From the story of the 19th century Adam Ewing crossing the sea, in the grasp of a terrible illness, to the Neo-Seoul world of Son-Mi, who's tale seems central to the book. Due to the nature of some of the stories, it requires a little bit of attention in some parts, but is well worth it for the final effect.

     The book would be perfect for anyone looking for an adventure, something a little different, that'll make you think and appreciate the complexity of human life.

     The movie, I'll just add did a great job of doing the book justice: it was long, as it needed to be, and although a few parts were altered here and there, the finished product did great justice to a fantastic book, that is well worth the read.

Review: Maze Runner Trilogy

     I considered reviewing each book, (The Maze Runner, The Scorch Trials and The Death Cure;) but thought the trilogy would give a better picture of whether or not the trilogy is worth reading, seeing as once you've read the first you'll end up reading the next two.

     The first book was recommended to be but I remember not whom, but being an avid reader at the time, of post-apocalyptic fiction, the blurb sucked me right in. A maze? Runners trying to escape? What is all this madness?
A good blurb will definitely pull you in by giving you just enough information to want to read more, and Dashner's Maze Runner did that.

Book one, (without giving too much away,) is set in "The maze" with little explanation as to why or how Thomas and the other inhabitants of the maze got there. You essentially follow the story from Thomas' point of view, feeling just as confused as he does. This is part of the joy of first person: you discover the story as they do. Unfortunately, my problem with this is that I never really got as attached to the main character as first person't meant to make you. The character of Thomas' comes off as an arrogant self-important teenage boy, not someone you particularly want to sympathise with or root for. Flashbacks to his past certainly add to the sense of mystery, but do nothing for the character progression.

     It's hard to review the trilogy without giving too much away, but I enjoyed the second book much more than the first. You spend most of the first book confused and frustrated, and read the second book through sheer desperation for answers. What is the maze?! What are these strange Grievers with the mysterious words: WICKED IS GOOD.

The second book at least provides some answers, with the finale being a bit of an anticlimax, and not the great reveal we hoped for. I felt the first book built up so much mystery and suspense, that when things were revealed in a trickle of not-so-exciting tid-bits, the third book felt a bit of a waste of time. Like it wasn't really necessary.

     I think what I might have preferred was one larger tome, with the slower parts of the story condensed, and one great reveal at the end. Publishers these days seem to be aiming too eek books out into a trilogy as this means more money for them, but the stories do not always require this. Yes I bought and read the books, and yes I would consider them worth reading. But there is a certain lack of flow, that made me feel tired and somewhat bored by the end of the third book.
Author's take note! Not every book needs to be a series!

Note: there is also a prequel which I may get round to reading one day, but isn't essential to the trilogy, called The Kill Order.

"I don't have time."

     I might be biased but I roll my eyes at people who say they don't have time to read.

Ok, there may be some exceptions: mother's with two or more children, doctors on back to back shifts, or long distance drivers. But then there's audio books these days.

Reading is a way to expand your mind. It's also good brain exercise. More on that later.

I have heard this excuse so many times when I mention to someone that I love reading.

"I'm such a slow reader," or "I don't have time to read" are pitiful excuses.

If you WANT to read, you can, and here are some of my favourite tips for incorporating more written word into your life.

1. Never leave the house without a book. Ten minutes early to lunch? Friends ten minutes late? Twenty minutes reading time!  I read on buses, in work lunches, if I'm waiting for someone.

2. Read every night before bed. My mamma actually taught me this: no matter how tired you are, even if it's just a page, you're getting somewhere.

3. Incorporate Kindle (or other readers) into your life! I love print books, but I also have a Kindle, and the beauty of this is that it syncs to my iPad and my iPhone- I always have something to read on me!

4. Don't forget reading is "downtime!"-everyone turns on the tv and watches rubbish from time to time, and that's ok, but sometimes when I'm tired, I come home curl up with a warm drink and read for an hour or so. Unless I fall asleep.

5.Keep out the books you want to read, out. Visible reminders will remind you how many new books you have to explore!

6. And in the worst case scenario, the good old audiobook will suffice. Audible provides an excellent service now, even with "try before you buy, " where you can sign up and download a book. This option is great if you really can't read often, for example, if you get travel sick reading on buses, or are particularly busy.

Book can always be incorporated into your life.

Not another blog...

Oh God. I'm in the middle of my exams and I'm writing another blog. I'm sure that's not ok.

     Never mind. I love books. It makes me sad that not enough people read, and it's a genuine concern of mine that my children will grow up not liking books (though I'm sure with a little guidance and conditioning, we'll cross that bridge when we come to it.)

     And I read a lot, I always have. I'll admit I got a little lost over my teenage and A-level years (not that lost, really) but in the last few years, I have been writing down each and every book I've read.

     My partner doesn't understand this. He thinks, if the book was worth anything, you don't need to write it down to remember it. But I disagree: I love looking back at books I've read- because I read so much, I forgot what I've read. This I assume will only worsen over the years as my personal library expands.

     Part of me wants to write this blog to encourage everyone who come across it to read more!
But I know that's unrealistic.

In the next few posts, I'll address how busy people like you and me can fit extra reading into your life.

But essentially, it's more or less going to be a book review blog, with the odd extra article thrown in.

And I know there must be hundreds if not thousands of these floating around the internet. But I thought, why not? And if you have and blog/book/article suggestions, please let me know!

Rachael x