Book Haul!

My birthday came and went with excitement and wonder. I love having a reason to splurge on books and I did just that. However I didn't break the bank. I only bought a few books at full price, the rest were bargains or second hand. The classics you see were all £2 each! The same goes for the large hardback underneath them.  I have already powered my way through The Devil Wears Prada by  Lauren Weisberger  and will have a review up in the next couple of days. Here is a breakdown of the books I bought.

Gifts

Les Miserables Volume 1 by Victor Hugo - second hand (Amazon) - 1p + £2.80 p&p
Les Miserables Volume 2 by Victor Hugo - second hand (Amazon) - 1p + £2.80 p&p
Lady Chatterley's Lover by D H Lawerence - second hand (Amazon) - 1p + £2.80 p&p
The Moon and More by Sarah Dessen - half price (Amazon)


Second hand

Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer - £1
Ooh! What a Lovely Pair: Our Story by Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly - £1.50
Dreams From My Father by Barack Obama - £1.50

Bargain New Books

Madame Bovary - Gustave Flaubert - £2
Thirty-Nine Steps - John Buchan - £2
The Idiot - Fyodor Dostoevsky - £2
Jude the Obscure - Thomas Hardy - £2
Agnes Grey by Anne Bronte - £2
The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins - £2
This is all - Aidan Chambers - £2

Full Price Books

If You Find Me by Emily Murdoch - £9.99
Cinder by Marissa Meyer - £6.99
Vanguard Legacy: Foretold by Joanne Kershaw - £5

So excluding the books I received as gifts I spent a grand total of £39.98 for 12 books.  That's a great saving, especially considering that the Ant and Dec hardback goes for £15.99 new.  If you're wondering why I am happy to receive second hand books as birthday gifts the reason is, I read fast. Therefore I can't warrant spending a large amount on books which I will probably read in a couple of days and may only read once. For example Cinder retails at £6.99 which is fun as an occasional splurge, however I could buy 3 books for the same money and prefer to do that as often as possible. This is why my full price list is far smaller than my cheaper alternative lists. Besides I enjoy the books all the more knowing I haven't broken the bank.
 

Update

I will be adding some more reviews later this week. Between work commitments and it being my birthday I've been stretched for time the last couple of weeks but now I'm on HOLIDAY!!!! I have the house all to myself and apart from housework (urgh!) I will be reading and getting into a state of utter relaxation.  Instead of rushing out the house at 6.30am to star a 14 hour shift I have woken up at my leisure (8.30am). I ate breakfast, put on a cd and mooched around online, put two loads of laundry through and tidied up my living room. Two cds later I am now listening to Christmas music (weird?...Yes, but that's how I roll. There is nothing more relaxing than Christmas songs in June). 

I will be reading City of Bones by Cassandra Clare this afternoon, I'm 41 pages in so far and it is interesting, I am intrigued by the character Clary and enjoying it very much. After which I will move onto reading The Devil Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger. This is not my usual choice of book, however I was in the book store and for some reason I had an overwhelming desire to read it. I do love the film, so hopefully the book proves to be even better :)

This week I hope to put up a couple of book reviews and also a book haul. I was going to do a book haul today but as I am going to London in a couple of days simply to look for books (love birthdays hehe) I decided that today is a bit premature and will hold back. London has the most amazing book stores, they are enormous and I would move in if they allowed me to do so.

Right, I'm off to cuddle up with the cat and my book. An armchair adventure awaits eeeekkk! I love having time off from work, I could get used to this.

PopCo by Scarlett Thomas

Everyone loves working at PopCo. It's a young, cool, toy company with no dress code and no set working hours. Creatives at PopCo are just as likely to stay up all night designing prototypes as they are to decamp to Prague for a week of trend spotting. It's just that sort of place.

PopCo isn't about fluffy toys though. They have an experimental Robotics division, a mirror brand, K, which pretends to be Japanese, a Virtual Worlds research center, and they're offering a million dollar prize for an old AI puzzle. 

Their latest plan is to create a 'killer' brand for teenage girls, and Alice has been relocated to a 'Thought Camp' to brainstorm the idea. But could her ideas have other applications? How sinister is marketing to children anyway? And is everything as it seems at the company's isolated 'Thought Camp'?

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Scarlett Thomas is one of my favorite author. I find her books very thought provoking and stimulating. Thomas has the ability to make the reader look at the world in a new light. Opening up your eyes to the darker side of the world, this book focuses on consumerism but especially products directly aimed at children and teens. It makes for an interesting book with a very different and interesting storyline.

The most enjoyable element to this book was the fact that it opened my mind to the dangers of product placement, advertising and how easily a person can be fooled into that 'must have' purchase. It makes me wonder do we have any free will at all or are we simply the puppets of large companies who have been trained since birth to respond to flashy advertising. 

The main character Alice was a perfect contrast to the other characters in the book. Alice was a deeper thinker, able to live outside of the social groups of her work force who functioned much the same as cliques do in schools. While above all she remained herself and didn't conform to any stereotype. The obvious social structure of Popco was intriguing, did Thomas intend for the lives of the employees to correlate with those of the audience they were targeting? Did she intentionally describe the fun, relaxed work atmosphere with employers  pushing extra curricular activities as a way of showing how they remained 'young at heart'. These answers I may never know but I have enjoyed mulling over them ever since.

Overall it is a wonderful book, I was sucked into the story from the first page. It is full of colourful and engaging characters with a superb and clever plot.  One of the most wonderful things about Scarlett Thomas is that her novels not only entertain but they educate. I have enjoyed learning so much such as science in The End of Mr Y to consumerism in Popco.  I highly recommend giving this book a try. 

I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars. 
It's a terrific read from a gifted writer. You won't be disappointed if you try it especially if you enjoy books which challenge your views on our society.

Nothing to Envy - Real Lives in North Korea by Barbara Demick

North Korea is one of the most repressive and secretive states on earth. Spying is encouraged, the media is government controlled, Gone with the Wind is a dangerous, banned book. In the 1990s, famine descended. Millions of people died, but the regime remained in power. Through extensive interviews, Barbara Demick has created the first portrait of like in this extraordinary county, weaving together the stories of six ordinary citizens in a gripping and vivid account of adversity and survival in the land of 'Our Dear leader'. 

 

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This is the most terrifying book I have ever read. A truly shocking and unbelievable read. All I knew about North Korea before I read this book was the little I had seen on the news. I was aware that they are a communist state, were separated from South Korea due to warfare, disliked America and that they are armed with nuclear weapons.  I picked this book up out of pure nosiness, I was intrigued of what life is really like in the secretive and insular country. After reading this book I have had my eyes opened to the true danger of corrupt governments and how if left unchecked they can do anything to the people they are meant to protect and lead. 

 

The book follows the lives of six people who grew up within the country and later desserted into China and South Korea. The stories vary from those of deeply devoted individuals who later become disillussioned with the country and its direction; to people who from childhood didn't feel they fit within the strict confines, ideology and group mentality needed to survive within the regime. The Government runs the country with an iron fist, anyone who doesn't adhere to the rules is in danger of reprisals and being sent to prison. Neighbors spy on neighbors and even children on parents. Conviction is not simply punishment for the lone individual but also his/her family both immediate and extended. To make matters worse this punishment lasts for THREE generations!!! Therefore it is understandable that people work hard to appear the perfect citizen even if they have inner doubts. 

 

What strikes me most about this book is the way it paints the Government and the Kim Jong-il as totally uncaring for the suffering of their citizens. For example, in North Korea people do not shop as we do in the western world for groceries. Instead, twice a month, they would go to a distribution center where bags of food are handed out by the Government. However when the country experienced a famine the Government simply ceased handing out food altogether. They appeared to have little thought that this would lead to starvation, especially when selling ones own produce grown in home gardens was illegal. In fact they refused aid from abroad and lied to visiting officials about the state of the country. I found this heartbreaking and shocking, people were left to cook grass and tree bark in order to survive, to the point that much of the countryside became bare. The saddest part being that the most devote follows of the regime were often the first to die, due to their reluctance to break the rules and use the black market food that was illegal but life saving.

 

During all of this suffering people were still expected to adore the 'Dear Leader' and work harder and longer than ever before, but now without pay or nourishment. They were constantly lied to and made to believe that China and South Korea were suffering worse when in reality they were thriving since embracing consumerism. A bowl of rice became a luxury with many people going years without it. This was made painfully clear when one person, after crossing the border into China, witnessed a dog being fed a meal of rice and vegetables. In North Korea such a meal was beyond the reach even for humans to eat, yet there was a dog being fed such a meal. Heartbreaking and shocking in every way. these things are made all the more shocking to me when I think they happened in the 1990s. I was teenager at the time and enjoying a life where I was well fed, listened to pop music, and did school work in a warm and safe home. The realization that during this time these people suffered at the hands of their own government really opened my eyes to a different kind of evil in the world.

I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars.

A life changing book. You cannot read it without being moved by the strength of human endurance during testing times and shocked by the brain washing and careless choices which negatively effected everyone within the country.

The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood

The Republic of Gilead offers Offred only one option; to breed. if she deviates, she will, like all dissenters, be hanged at the wall or sent out to die slowly of radiation sickness. But even a repressive state cannot obliterate desire - neither Offred's nor that of the two men on which her future hangs. 

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The Handmaid's Tale follows the life of Offred as she begins her posting at the home of a high ranking official in Gilead. Offred is not there as a secretary, cook or cleaner; she is there to breed. The population of Gilead are struggling to produce healthy babies, in fact they are struggling to produce children at all. The position of Handmaid has been formed in order to combat this. The young and hopefully fertile Handmaids are sent to stay with high ranking men and their wives, where they take part in rituals with the aim of them becoming pregnant. Offred is one such Handmaid and this is her story. 

Offred was a fabulous character, I enjoyed her determination to remain true to herself in the face of such horrifying treatment. I liked her from the moment I met her, she came across as a dynamic and independent woman forced into a life of slavery. This created much conflict within Offred and the struggle was evident from the very first chapter. It made for excellent reading as her inner musings became more detailed and eye opening. As the story progresses the reader is made aware of how she came to be in this predicament, and how Offred is now destined to die serving her country in this way. 

I enjoyed the story and found it an addictive read. The short, straight to the point sentences make it fast pace, while the descriptive writing makes the story jump off the page. The picture perfect facade of the homes, streets and town hides a very dark and terrifying world. It leaves the reader constantly on edge in the same way Offred is, you can feel the oppression and fear seeping from the narrative. All his combines to make a book that is hard to put down but leaves the reader fearful of the events to come. 

I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars. 

An excellent book which sends shivers down your spine. As horrifying as it is brilliant, and a story that I highly recommend.   

Fragment Friday

Nothing to Envy - Real Lives in North Korea

by Barbara Demick

 As a former South Korean soldier, Tae-woo's ranking was toward the bottom of the heap - not the very bottom, because those people (about 200,000 or 1 percent of the population) were permanently banished to labor camps modeled after the Soviet Gulag. 

North Koreans of the lower ranks were banned from living in the showcase capital of Pyongyang or the nicer patches of countryside toward the south where the soil was more fertile and the weather warmer. Tae-woo couldn't dream of joining the Workers' Party, which, like the Communist Party in China and the Soviet Union, controlled the plum jobs.

 People of his rank would be closely watched by their neighbors. North Koreans are organized into what are called the inminban - literally, "people's group" - cooperatives of twenty or so families whose job it is to keep tabs on one another and run the neighborhood. The inminban have an elected leader, usually a middle-aged woman who reports anything suspicious to higher-ranking authorites. It was almost impossible for a North Korean of low rank to improve his status. Personal files were locked away in local offices of the Ministry for the Protection of State Security and, for extra safekeeping , just in case someone dared to think of tampering with the records, in the mountainous Yanggang Province. 

The only mobility within the class system was downwards. Even if you were in the core class - reserved for relatives of the ruling family and party cadres - you could get demoted

 for bad behaviour. But once in the hostile class, you remained there for life. Whatever your original stain, it was permanent and immutable. And just like the caste system of old Korea, family status was hereditary. The sins of the father were the sins of the children and grandchildren.

Beauty Queens by Libba Bray

SURVIVAL. OF THE FITTEST.

The fifty contestants in the Miss Teen Dream Pageant thought this was going to be a fun trip to the beach, where they could parade in their state-appropriate costumes and compete in front of the cameras. But sadly, their airplane had another idea, crashing on a desert island and leaving the survivors stranded with little food, little water, and practically no eyeliner. 

What's a beauty queen to do? Continue to practice for the talent portion of the program - or wrestle snakes to the ground? Get a perfect tan - or learn to run wild? And what should happen when the sexy pirates show up?

Welcome to the heart of non-exfoliated darkness. 

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This was a highly entertaining book which poked fun at the consumer and image driven world in which we live. It focuses on the pressure placed on teenage girls to be and look a certain way. The failure to meet these society set standards and the effect it has on self esteem is discussed in a laid back and fun way. 

The writing is simple and fun, with many satirical elements. The roots of this book are very much based on social criticism. The author manages to highlight the fact that although people may have outside beauty and appear to be in control that is often an illusion and far from the truth.  Instead of having a one size fits all and stereotypical beauty pageant contestants Bray gave the characters depth and interests far beyond what would be expected. She portrayed them as intelligent, brave, inventive and independent women and it worked well. 

I really enjoyed the humor in this book and the way it tackles a tough subject without becoming preachy.  It shows that girls are not necessarily open about their views and interests through a fear of ruining the perfect image. However, throughout the book it proves girls are able to achieve whatever they set there minds too. While also explaining how accepting people as they are is far more rewarding than missing out on a friendship through misconceived ideas. 

Overall it was an entertaining read which I thoroughly enjoyed. The book covers a wide variety of situations that teenagers may find themselves facing such as, body image, parental and peer pressure, educational achievement, and sexuality including transgender. Therefore it is may be deemed unsuitable for younger children.

I rate this book 3 out of 5 stars.

This book was entertaining and an enjoyable read. It uses satirical writing to cover a wide range of issues facing teenagers today, including consumerism and self worth. Subject matter is not suitable for the younger reader but it is a fun book and speaks the truth in a humorous way.

 

 

Living History by Hillary Clinton

Hillary Rodham Clinton is known to hundreds of millions of people around the world. Yet few beyond her close friends and family have ever heard her account of her extraordinary journey. She writes with candor, humor and passion about her upbringing in suburban middle-class America in the 1950s and her transformation from Goldwater Girl to student activist to controversial First Lady. Living History is her revealing memoir of life through the White House years. It is also her chronicle of living history with Bill Clinton, a thirty-year adventure in love and politics that survives personal betrayal, relentless partisan investigations and constant public scrutiny.

Hillary Rodham Clinton came of age during a time of tumultuous social and political change in America. Like many women of her generation, she grew up with choices and opportunities unknown to her mother or grandmother. She charted her own course through unexplored terrain - responding to the changing times and her own internal compass - and became an emblem for some and a lightning rod for others.  Wife, mother, lawyer, advocate, and international icon, she has lived through America's great political wars, from Watergate to Whitewater. 

Hillary Rodham Clinton is the only First Lady to play a major role in shaping domestic legislation; she traveled tirelessly around the country to champion health care, expand economic and educational opportunity and promote the needs of children and families, and she criss-crossed the globe on behalf of women's right, human rights and democracy. She redefined the position of First Lady, and helped save the presidency from an unconstitutional, politically motivated impeachment.

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I found this book to be very inspiring and extremely interesting. Hillary Clinton has been on television for most of my life, in fact, I can't remember the time before Bill Clinton was President and Hillary lived in the White House.  I therefore conclude that I must have first become aware of politics and politicians during Bill Clintons Presidency. I always find it interesting to see the story behind the headlines so to speak and although I knew of Hillary Clinton as the First Lady I was unaware of what that role actually entails which is why I picked up this book. I was shocked to find that such an important and busy role, which is in many ways essential to a successful presidency, is actually done without salary. Even considering the perks of living at the White House I would have expected even a small salary to be given due to the work and commitment needed in the role.

The book focused on Hillary's life from birth right through to her run for a seat in the Sentate towards the end of her husbands Presidency. The stories were not just limited to what was reported in the news or public knowledge but the reader is given an intimate look into her life. The book discusses not only her career and political life but also her private life and marriage. Holding no punches she explains how she dealt with public life, raising her daughter while balancing not only her needs but also those of the United States and dealing with the aftermath of her husbands infidelity while all eyes were on her. 

It was well written and Clinton has a clear voice throughout. Her writing is humorous and friendly. The stories she mentions allow the reader to see the softer side of her character and to understand why she fights so strongly for the causes she supports. Personally I was not aware of her own career aspirations until I read this book. Before she became 'the wife of the President' Hillary had her own very successful law career.  When her husband became President she put this on hold in order to fulfil his dreams. However she kept busy and possibly changed the role of the First Lady forever. Hillary took an active role in the White House using her substantial legal knowledge to aid her in policy changes, foreign negotiations, the implementation of medicare reforms to name but a few. 

Overall it is a worthwhile read. It took me a while to work through but it was a rewarding read which I thoroughly enjoyed. I actually took some time away from it and read another book midway through which allowed me to come back to Living History with a renewed energy. I found this book an education into American politics. I knew very little about politics before I began but now find I am more aware of how it works and the steps involved, as the book explains the process in an accessible and simple way.

I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars.

This was a great book which I really enjoyed. Hillary Clinton writes in a friendly, open and down to earth manner and is not afraid to mention difficult moments in her life and marriage. I highly recommend this book. 

The Murder on the Links by Agatha Christie

An urgent cry for help brings Poirot to France. But he arrives too late to save his client, whose brutally stabbed body now lies face downwards in a shallow grave on a golf course. 

But why is the dead man wearing an overcoat that is too big for him? And who was the impassioned love-letter in the pocket for? Before Poirot can answer these questions, the case is turned upside down by the discovery of a second, identically murdered corpse...

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I really wanted to enjoy this book. I love Poirot and have for many years therefore I sat down to this book expecting to love it as I have others. I was sadly disappointed. I'm not sure what it was about this book which didn't work for me but I really found it a chore to finish. 

I found the plot slow and the quite boring. While the characters were not very appealing. They lacked an energy and likeable qualities which meant I had very little interest in who was the killer or why the man was murdered. Poirot himself was written well and he still retained his elegance and unique style of doing things which was the main reason I continued to read on. Hastings really annoyed me through his strange actions and decisions in regards to a murder suspect. I found his character extremely unbelievable and quite silly. 

Although I disliked this book it doesn't put me off reading the next title in the series. As I mentioned above I have read and thoroughly enjoyed Poirot books before which leads me to believe that this book was simply not for me. In fact I am looking forward to picking up Poirot Investigates in the very near future.  

I rate this book 1 out of 5 stars. 

This book wasn't for me despite my usually love of Poirot. Although Poirot himself was written well, I found the supporting characters lacked depth and Hastings was simply annoying. However I still plan to read more Poirot titles in future based on my previous enjoyment of Christie's other books.

 

The Dwelling Place by Catherine Cookson

When fifteen-year-old Cissie Brodie loses her parents to cholera, she is forced out of the family cottage and left to raise her nine siblings alone. Although desperately poor, the strong-willed Cissie determines to build a new home for the Brodies. It is only a rough stone shelter, but to Cissie and her family it is enough to keep them from the workhouse.

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 This is a story which I thought I knew so well. It has been a staple in my television life for years. I have watched the televised drama of the book probably every time it has been shown on television since I was about 10. I am not sure what drew me to this story from such a young age but I have always loved it. I've been meaning to read the book for some time and was thrilled when I was finally able to get my hands on a copy.

Another reason I thoroughly enjoyed this book was the fact it was based in the North East of England where I was born and raised. As a young adult I also lived in both Newcastle and South Shields for many years and so I knew the names and places that were mentioned well. It was thrilling to read the book and be able to picture the streets mentioned in there current state; while also imagining them as they once were and how Cookson described them in the book. 

 The story follows Cissie as she attempts to keep her younger siblings from the workhouse after both her parents die suddenly. Cissie is little more than a child herself at fifteen years of age and yet she takes on such a mammoth task with real determination. Unable to stay in there current home she is left with no choice but to take the children  into the surrounding hills and live out in the open. The home she finds is little more than a cave and yet this strong willed young woman makes it work. The writing was very descriptive and really portrayed the cold, desolate weather and the utter isolation of the dwelling place.

Cissie is a remarkable character, independent, strong willed, kind, caring and compassionate. I truly love her in every way. Even during the hardest and cruelest moments she was able to hold her head high and remain strong. After a rape against her committed by an alleged nobleman and the subsequent birth of his child she showed amazing inner strength and bravery.  I enjoyed her determination against those richer and more powerful than she could ever dream of being. 

Overall it is an intricate story spanning many years - from Cissie at fifteen to well into her forties. It has many twists and turns and two very different love interests. It was a very engaging story which I really loved and would recommend to anyone who enjoys not only classics but also romance. 

I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars

A wonderful story that really captivates the reader. I found it entertaining and thoroughly enjoyable. The ending honestly shocked me and made me love the book all the more. A great read.

 

The Darling Buds of May by H.E. Bates

 'Home looks nice. Allus does though, don't it? Perfick'

And so the Larkins - Pop, Ma, Mariette, Zinnia, Petunia, Primrose, Victoria and Montgomery - return from an outing for fish and chips and ice cream one May evening. There, amid the rustic charms of home, they discover a visitor: one Cedric Charlton, Her Majesty's inspector of taxes. 

Mr Charlton is visiting to find out why junk-dealer Pop hasn't paid his tax - but nothing's that simple at the Larkins'. Mariette takes a shine to 'Charley' - as Pop calls him - and before long the family have introduced the uncomplaining inspector to the delights of country living: the lusty scents of wild flowers, the pleasures of a bottle of Dragon's Blood, cold cream dribbled over a bowl of strawberries and hot, hot summer nights. 

In fact, soon Charley can't see any reason to return to the office at all...

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Growing up I was a regular viewer of The Darling Buds of May on television. When I look back to cold winter evenings snuggled in front of the television this is one of the shows I remember watching. My dad was a big fan and watching it together is one of my strongest memories. I had often wondered how the book would compare to the television show. Usually books are far superior than their adaptations to the screen and so I was interested in how this one would fare. All I can say is that it is the most exact adaptation I have ever had the pleasure of watching and reading. I could easily have been reading the script itself and the actors who portrayed the characters on screen were cast perfectly. 

The book was written in dialect which I found easy to understand, whether that is due to the fact I grew up with the show and was used to its sound and meaning I am unsure. I don't believe it is something that would block a reader from enjoying the book as it is very simple to extract the meaning of the words. Bates does a fantastic job of making the language, dialect and slang accessible to all. I found that by writing in dialect it also enhanced the characters, especially Pop, reading him was a pleasure and his speech portrayed a warm, loving and welcoming man who would be a true joy to know. 

The story follows the family as they get to know Charley who is a young office worker with little experience of the peaceful, laid back ways in the countryside. Pop and the rest of the family welcome him with open arms and despite his initial reservations Charley quickly warms to them. Insisting Charley stays at first for a night and then an extended visit, the family introduce him to the fun of strawberry picking, gentle walks in the evening and the gymkhana. It has a lovely pace and upon finishing it you can only smile and feel refreshed. 

I rate this book 4 out of 5 books.  

Overall a wonderfully cheerful read. It's a great book for lifting your spirits as Pop never saw a negative side to any situation and this view was infectious to everyone around him. A simple story which I highly recommend. A 'perfick' read!

 

Bout of Books Read-A-Thon Wrap Up!

Sadly my first venture into the Bout of Books Read-a-Thon was a bit of a fail. I only managed to read two books which is one behind my target of three due to being asked to do extra shifts at work which limited my time. I was also unable to unable to update or blog due to computer problems.  So instead of a 7 day diary I will simply show you the two books I was able to complete. 


Book 1 - The Dwelling Place by Catherine Cookson

Fabulous book. A story I thought I knew so well though watching the television drama as a child but  the ending completely shocked me. ITV have lied to me all these years 'sniff'.
 

Book 2 - The Darling Buds of May by H. E. Bates

Wonderful but also something I have watched many times on television. Whereas the book above had been changed for television and surprised me, this book didn't. It was like reading a script from the show. It brought back great memories of watching it with my dad but I doubt I will read it again. I will most likely watch the dvds as they are virtually identical.

I've only just noticed that both of these books have television shows that I loved as a child. I was obviously going though a phase of nostalgia without realising. The more detailed reviews are both to follow.

Fragment Friday

Talking about Jane Austen in Baghdad

The True Story of an Unlikely Friendship

 By Bee Rowlatt and May Witwit

 

01.01.07

The Old Man is dead. 

Dearest friend

Happy New Year to you and all the family. I'm sorry I couldn't write over the past few days because they've been quite extraordinary. we are in a state of shock. You must have heard about the execution. We were awakened by the sound of helicopters flying at low altitude a 5am. We've just been switching from one television channel to another. 

Now that the Old Man is dead, I expect it will get worse. You probably didn't know that the day of his execution was a Moslem feast and greatly honoured by Moslems all over the world. On such a day Moslems butcher or slaughter sheep and cows , or whatever animal may be eaten (not pigs), and distribute the meat to the poor and needy. So the Old Man was butchered in a symbolic way. 

This timing is not in the new government's favour. It changed his image in the eyes of the people from that of a dictator and a brutal killer into a martyr who was sacrificed, and a scapegoat for the occupiers and their collaborators. but to tell you the truth, I was impressed by his unprecedented courage in meeting his death. 

Gunfire is rumbling all over the area. The militias have come to occupy our district again, and the residents have gone out to defend it. The villas in our area are considered a very tasteful meal for the looters, and also for the militias, because many of the residents were well off before the war. Now there are many newcomers, mostly Islmic extremists and I expect a lot of violence to come.

Bee. Please, please, please advise me what I should do. As for Ali, and all the other men in the district who are Sunnis, they are afraid to go out because of the brutal militias and Islamic extremists. So we both have good reason o fear for our lives. We are terrified and have decided we should try to get out and seek asylum. What do we need? The only evidence Ali has is his passport, which has expired and which he can't renew at present. 

By the way, if you do not get emails from me for two months, write to my friend Maysoon. i will forward you her email. She will know what has happened to me. 

Will always love you. 

xxxxxxx May

 

Bout of Books Rea-A-Thon!

I am going to take part in Bout of Books read-a-thon next week. For anyone who doesn't know what this is here is a little information to explain.

The Bout of Books read-a-thon is organized by Amanda @ On a Book Bender and Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal. It is a week long read-a-thon that begins 12:01am Monday, May 13th and runs through Sunday, May 19th in whatever time zone you are in. Bout of Books is low-pressure, and the only reading competition is between you and your usual number of books read in a week. There are challenges, giveaways, and a grand prize, but all of these are completely optional. For all Bout of Books 7.0 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog. - From the Bout of Books team

http://boutofbooks.blogspot.co.uk/ 

I'm also working nights during this period but hopefully I will still find time to read a few books.

Fragment Friday

Living History by Hillary Rodham Clinton (Memoirs)

At the end of the school year I decided to take a long trip back to Chicago and he East Coast to visit friends and people who had offered me jobs. I still wasn't sure what to do with my life. On the way to the airport, Bill and I passed a red brick house near the university with a "For Sale" sign out front. I casually mentioned that it was a sweet-looking little house and never gave it a second thought. After a few weeks of traveling and thinking, I decided I wanted to return to my life in Arkansas and to Bill. When Bill picked me up, he asked, "Do you remember that house you liked? Well, I bought it, so now you'd better marry me because I can't live in it by myself."

Bill proudly drove up the driveway and ushered me inside. The house had a screened in porch, a living room with a beamed cathedral ceiling, a fireplace, a big bay window, a good-sized bedroom and bathroom and a kitchen that needed a lot of work. Bill had already bought an old wrought-iron bed at a local antiques store and had been to WalMart for sheets and towels. 

This time I said "yes."

Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky

'Crime? What crime?... My killing a loathsome, harmful louse, a filthy old moneylender woman... and you call that a crime?

Raskolnikov, a destitute and desperate former student, wanders through the slums of St Petersburg and commits a random murder without remorse or regret. He imagines himself to be a great man, a Napoleon: acting for a higher purpose beyond conventional moral law. But as he embarks on a dangerous game of cat and mouse with a suspicious police investigator, Raskolnikov is pursued by the growing voice of his conscience and finds the noose of his own guilt tightening around his neck. Only Sonya, a downtrodden prostitute, can offer him the chance of redemption. 

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Crime and Punishment begins with Raskolnikov, a down on his luck, former student as he is sneaking out of his 'cupboard' of a room without being seen by his landlady to whom he owes rent. What follows is the story of his decline into possible madness and definite criminal activity. A desperate man, he decides to kill a local loan shark in order to steal her money and in turn use it to improve his circumstances and those of others around him. At the time of the killing Raskolnikov feels no sense of regret but this slowly changes. As he grows remorseful his fear of being caught also increases this shows through his behavior as it becomes increasingly erratic.

This was my first big classic. I have read a few recently but this is the longest and hardest one I have read so far. I found it very enjoyable yet also taxing. At 650 pages it was a book that I had to read at a slower pace but I really enjoyed that. I took my time and it allowed me time to really digest the story. If I like a book I usually read through it very quickly, however that was impossible to do with this one. I had to take my time and read in shorter bursts. It helped me understand it fully and grasp the small details of the story.  

I really enjoyed the fact that the story was written from the point of view of the murderer. Usually in crime novels it is the opposite and the story concentrates on the investigation from the investigators view. It was interesting to find that although I disagreed with Raskolnikov's view that the murder of the loan shark was necessary and not really murder. I actually understood his reasoning and how he got to that point in his life. Throughout the book I found him hard to predict, his actions contradicted his needs. If he needed something he seemed unable to keep it for himself but would give it away.  I loved this element of his character and it really kept me on my toes. 

One thing I found hard to get to grips with was the Russian names. At certain times, such as during long conversations, I found myself reading out loud as pronouncing the names allowed me to grasp them better. I never really understood the need for some characters to go by two different names, it is something I found confusing at times. However as I read on I did eventually grasp who was who. All the lesser characters were entertaining, especially Raskolnikov's friend Razumikhin who provided some lighter and more humorous moments.

It was a great book which I really enjoyed.  I'd recommend it to anyone who likes crime and the narrating murderer was a fantastic touch to the book. It isn't a book to read when you are in the mood for light entertainment. It is a gripping and complicated story to be read overtime and when fully alert. 

I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars. 

It was a fantastic story which contained allot of detailed narrative. I really liked the book and took my time reading it. The Russian names were confusing at times but this didn't hamper my enjoyment. 

 

 

 

Fragment Friday

Beauty Queens by Libba Bray

MISS TEEN DREAM FUN FACTS PAGE!

Please fill in the following information and return to Jessie Jane, Miss Teen Dream Pageant administrative assistant, before Monday. Remember, this is a chance for the judges and the audience to get to know YOU. So make it interesting and fun, but please be appropriate. And don't forget to mention something you love about our sponsor, The Corporation. 

Name: Adina Greenberg
State: New Hampshire
Age:17
Height: I resent this question. 
Weight: I really resent this question. 
Hair: Brown. Obviously. 
Eyes: Also brown. Also obviously.
Best Feature: My Intellect. 

Fun Facts About Me:

• I hate high heels. Walking in high heels for eight hours a day should be forbidden by the Geneva Convention. 
• I am applying to Brown, Yale, Harvard, and Columbia. 
• I was voted Most Likely to Figure Out Who Really Killed JFK. 
• My mum is married to Alan, aka, Stepfather #5. He is a complete tool. No, you have no idea. 
• My favourite Corporation TV show is the news. If you can call it that. 
• My platform is identifying Misogyny in American Culture. It's all about helping girls ID the objectification of women when they see it. You know, like girls are asked to parade around in bathing suits and heels and get scored on that. 
• The thing that scares me most is falling in love with some jerkwad, and ending up without an identity at all, just like my mum. 
• I intend to bring this pageant down.
• You will never see this. 

Fragment Friday

Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky

Raskolnikov went out feeling decidedly confused. The confusion got worse and worse. As he descended the stairs he even stopped several times, as though he had been struck by some sudden thought. And, at last, when he was out on the street, he exclaimed:

'Oh God! How loathsome all this is! And could I really, could I really...No, it's nonsensical, it's obsurd!' he added, firmly. 'Could I really ever have contemplated such a monstrous act? It shows what filth my heart is capable of. though! Yes, that's what it is: filthy, mean, vile, vile!...And for a whole month I've been...'

But he could find neither words nor exclamations with which to give voice to his disturbed state of mind. The sense of infinite loathing that had begun to crush and sicken his heart even while he had only been on his way to the old woman had now attained such dimensions and become so vividly conscious that he was quite simply overwhelmed by his depression. He moved along the pavement like a drunkard, not noticing the passers-by and knocking into them, and only recovered himself when he reached the next street. Looking round he observed that he was standing beside a drinking den, the entrance to which lay down from the pavement, at the foot of some steps, in the basement. Just at that moment two drunks emerged from the doorway and began to clamber their way up to street-level, supporting each other and cursing. Without so much as a thought, Raskolnikov went down the steps. Never before had he been a visitor to the drinking dens, but now his head was spinning and, what was more, he was parched by a burning thirst. 

Bright Young Things by Scarlett Thomas

Bright Young Things wanted for Big Project.

They're in the prime of their lives but these bright young things are all burned out. Six sparkly twenty-somethings just past university and working dead-end jobs, they are bored to tears with their lives and looking for a way out. When a mysterious job is advertised in the newspaper, they all apply. 

What they least expect is to find themselves prisoners on a deserted island. There's food in the fridge and they have a bedroom each, but there's no telephone, no television - and no way to escape. 

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I read Bright Young Things on the strength of  The End of Mr Y which was the first book I reviewed on this blog. The End of Mr Y was truly amazing and I instantly knew that I must read another novel by Scarlett Thomas. I liked the mystery surrounding the blurb and was intrigued how a job interview could lead to imprisonment. I also liked the idea of them having no telephones or television, and being completely cut off from the outside world. 

I loved the writing style, it flowed so fluidly that before I knew it I'd read twenty pages. I became completely immersed in the story and would lose all sense of time. The characters were all well written and I loved their strong individual personalities. Another element that I thought was a great addition was the fact that although they were all 'Bright Young Things'  none of them had it all together. They all had achieved the same stunning academic standards but none of them felt satisfied with the lives they had. It gave the book a great sense of realism which was a joy to read as many people feel you leave university and instantly land a dream job which is in fact rarely true. 

The thing I enjoyed most about this book was the references it made to entertainment and life in the year 2000. I was eighteen at that time so a little younger than the characters in this book but it totally worked for me. I felt like I was talking to old friends, I knew exactly what they meant, who they were talking about, what song they loved or hated and which storylines they were discussing from Home and Away.  It really made the book for me. It was as if I had stepped back in time and returned to 2000.  The characters do spend a large portion of the book in conversation about television and lifestyle. It could cause a problem for readers who are to young to recollect this time and could possible age the book. However if, like me, you were a teenager or young adult in 2000 then this book is a great find and perfect for an afternoon of pleasant nostalgia. 

The storyline itself was interesting and fun. I liked the basic idea and the fact that the characters had been placed in a situation so far flung from normal society. The pace was like a gentle walk in the park for me, I was totally relaxed and immersed in the story and my own thoughts. The next thing I knew I couldn't believe how far I'd come (read). I liked the fact that the characters didn't feel threatened by the situation at first, it was like one big sleepover with good conversation and food. I loved that just as everyone was lulled into a sense of security that Thomas through a spanner in the works. It was a great addition and really made the book stand out for me. Overall it was a great book and I can't recommend it highly enough. 

I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars. 

A wonderful read which is perfect for people after a bit of nostalgia for the year 2000. After The End of Mr Y and now Bright Young Things, Scarlett Thomas is fast becoming one of my most loved authors. 

 

Book Haul!

Bright Young Things by Scarlett Thomas 

Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon 

Prisoner of Heaven by Carlos Ruiz Zafon

Brave New World by Aldous Huxley

The Luxe by Anna Godberson

CD - Beautiful freak by The Eels

Nineteen Eight-Four by George Orwell

Hidden away in the Record Department of the sprawling Ministry of Truth. Winston Smith skilfully rewrites the past to suit the needs of the Party. Yet he inwardly rebels against the totalitarian world he lives in, which demands absolute obedience and controls him through the all-seeing telescreens and the watchful eye of Big Brother, symbolic head of the Party. In his longing for the truth and liberty, Smith begins a secret love affair with a fellow-worker, Julia, but soon discovers the true price of freedom is betrayal.

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Nineteen Eighty-Four is an amazing book of dystopian fiction. Winston Smith is a man living within a world which makes him feel like a square peg trying to fit into a round hole. Everyone he lives and works with are devoted members of the Party. While Winston sits and ponders the difference between truth and lies, the other members blindly follow and obey every instruction given by Big Brother. Everything in Winston's life is controlled by the Party, his work, social life and even the food he eats are dictated to him. Anyone who goes against the wishes of the Party vanishes without a trace and their very existence is removed from history. Even disloyal thoughts are punishable and children are raised to watch and turn in their own parents. It is a cold and harsh world and a scary view of a controlled state. 

This book was frightening, not in a scary movie kind of way but in a way that shows the true strength of propaganda and powerful governments. It reminded me very much of North Korea and the current control that the state demands there. I believe they even have telescreens, similar to the ones mentioned in this book, in the homes of citizens there. It opened my eyes to the fact that if a government controls all information available to the public then anything is possible. A mind may be a sponge especially in the young but if everything they soak up is strictly monitored to adhere with party ideologies then it is natural for them to follow without question as they grow up. 

Winston was a complicated character, he was old enough to have vague memories of life before the Party took hold. These memories lead him to see cracks in the perfect image provided by the Party and question not only their policies but also the motivation behind them. it starts out as a private and personal journey of self discovery with its origins even taking him by surprise. However it soon snowballs and he gains a sense of freedom which makes him bolder as the story continues. The more Winston rebels he comes more fearful while strangely he also becomes happier. As I said before, Winston is a complicated man.  I loved how he thought although I doubt I would have been as brave or anywhere near strong enough to rebel in his situation. I expect I myself would have been a sheep and followed the party due to the lifetime of conditioning I'd received. 

It's a thrilling book which really keeps you on the edge of your seat. I loved it and found Winston to be a very interesting and complex character that really kept me guessing. I liked his inner voice and really felt his confusion and struggles to find the truth.  The story pulls you in and I found it a very believable situation. A frightening prospect but any Government with to much power and long enough in office could in theory achieve this level of control. After finishing this book you continue to debate it and its resemblance to real life, the story and characters linger with you. You have to read it to really understand the meaning of my parting words which are that...
the ending left me literally torn in half. I didn't know whether I should be happy or sad. I still don't know!

I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars. 

I really liked it and I'm still left debating the ending, whether I am happy or sad about the outcome may be something I never decide on. Its a wonderful book and I highly recommend it. Gritty, frightening, tender and shocking this book keeps you guessing until the last page.