Sideways

Maybe this is one of the rare occasions where the movie is better than the book? Don’t get me wrong, the book is great- I enjoyed it & I laughed- but there is something about how the characters are portrayed by the actors in the movie- it’s genius.  I’m also wondering if the soundtrack makes much difference?  What with all these electronic books happening, surely some smart novelist will make a soundtrack specifically for those gadgets so that music would be played in certain scenes in their novel?  I’m not that interested in kindle etc, but if music is incorporated…………my interest might be piqued!!!

"Sideways" by Rex Pickett

Page after page after page

Ok, I’m still alive!

I’ve calculated that I’ve read over 2000 pages (for leisure) in the last couple of weeks.  Here’s a quick run down…

1.  Atlas of Unknowns by Tania James.  Beautiful, lyrical, she is a true story-teller!  Very satisfying.

2.  Still Thinking of You (even though I shouldn’t be) by Adele Parks- true, utter crap.  So bad that I actually liked it!  Mindless reading, boring plot, even worse characters- it was just what I was looking for after reading so much heavy stuff.

3- The Post-Birthday World by Lionel Shriver- pure genius!  I totally recommend this book for so many reasons but I can’t really say too much or I’ll give away the ending.  But basically, it deals with psychology in long-term relationships.  Loved it!

4- Only Forward by Michael Marshall Smith- this was chosen as our next book for our book club.  I wouldn’t usually read science fiction but it was actually a surprising and enjoyable read.  The author’s voice was spot on & the plot was so bizarre that I just had to keep reading.  It’s the kind of book I’d always imagined my brother could write!  Surreal, strange, crazy and oh so funny!

I’m also halfway through three different books right now; I’ve started a really bad habit of reading books simultaneously.  I have to stop myself from starting another one until these ones are done and dusted!

Story of the Day

"Before we say goodbye" by Louise Candlish

I just finished this book, literally just moments ago.  Hence, although you can’t see it in the photo, I’m still in my pjs, hair a right mess and the grace of makeup far from my face.  I got to about 11.30 last night and was too tired to continue, but I’m actually glad I finished it this morning as it’s made a good start to my day.

It was a great story.  Such a simple plot on the surface but it was so much more complex once the story started to evolve.  The writing was beautiful & really interesting too.  Most of the story is in first person, but we also read from the husband’s point of view too, which is very important to the story, I think.  The time is split, and interestingly the past is written in present tense, but the “present” is in past tense.

I actually went to a novel-writing course on Saturday, and learnt how a novel should be structured.  Now that I know this, I could see that this book was spot on.  I could really appreciate how the author built the drama and tension and I had no idea how it was going to end.

And when it did end, I cried.  Ahhhhh.  Thank you, thank you, thank you, Louise Candlish.  I’ve discovered and experienced a brilliant read.

Words on a page

I just finished this book today on the bus trip home.  This is one of those books that I almost gave up on.  Glad I didn’t though, as it was fabulous.  Well, the second part was fabulous.  I struggled with the time fragments- they weren’t really flashbacks, rather two separate stories happening at different times.  It alternated each chapter.

The story is character-driven, so maybe that is why it took me a while to get into it, after all the action I’ve been reading lately.  But once I got into it, I could really appreciate just how well the author wrote this.  It’s beautiful.  It’s haunting.  It’s like a smack over the head with sad, delicate, but inspiring truth.  I love books like this.

All this reading has stirred up a deep longing in me to write.  I’ve been clicking away at the computer a bit.  The other side of it is- the more I read, the more I think that I’ll never be able to express what a good writer expresses seemingly effortlessly!

"Rough Music" by Patrick Gale

Now, I really didn’t like the title of this book- I think they could have chosen something much better, not that I can think of anything particularly brilliant off the top of my head.

And finally…lots of things touched me about this book, and one thing, I just have to put down.  Part of the story is about an 8 year old boy.  I could see how his story was not altogether his own- he was wrapped up in the story of the adults around him at the time.  I know that’s such a simple concept but it really struck me that I have to be careful in choosing what I want  to wrap Ash up in.

The Joy of Reading

I’ve really rediscovered the joy of reading.  I am starting to think that there is not much better in life than a good story.  Of course, there are the big things like love; I suppose what I am talking about here involves small yet luxurious pleasures that make daily life all the more enjoyable.  For me, this includes sleeping in freshly washed sheets & taking long hot showers in winter.  And reading a fast-paced novel, of course.

"The girl she used to be" by David Cristofano & "Shiver" by Nikki Gemmell

“The girl she used to be” by David Cristofano.  Wow.  What a book.  I absolutely LOVED it.  Ahhhhhhh.  I couldn’t sleep last night because it was just so good.  The ending!!!!!  I didn’t see that coming.  I think I’ve figured out that when I can picture the characters in my head clearly & vividly, then it is sure to be a good book.  I definitely fell a little bit in love with the main male character in this story, even though I didn’t trust him entirely.  I could even envisage his buff six pack and gorgeous black hair, and cute glasses!  Now, this book did have some faults.  In places, it was totally over the top, intensely romantic and soppy.  But, it was also peppered with violence, which surprisingly I now seem to like reading- I guess it often comes hand in hand with a gripping, tense plot.

“Shiver” by Nikki Gemmell.  I actually read this book first, but my feelings toward it have now been overshadowed by Cristofano’s book.  In any case, I couldn’t picture the protagonist.  I could picture the boyfriend though.  This is probably quite telling about me!  Anyway, it was a book more of emotional drama, rather than being plot-driven.  I always thought I liked the drama, but now (as I mentioned above), I want action!  Nevertheless, it was a good story & Gemmell does write very beautifully.  3.5 stars.

In the past week, I’ve also sent a book back to the library after the first 100 or so pages.  It was just too bad.

Recently read

“The Household Guide to Dying” by Debra Adelaide

I finished this book about 2 weeks ago.  I classify this book as an average read.  I had trouble reconciling the character’s past with their present.  It is actually a tremendously sad story, but I didn’t cry & it wasn’t overly depressing.  In fact, it had some lovely and uplifting insights into life, love and of course, death/ dying.  And I love the fact that it is written by an Australian, & set in Australia.  2.5 stars.

Another mystery

“The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” by Stieg Larsson

 

Yes, I’ve read another book this week, & it was another crime story.  I wouldn’t usually have chosen to read a book like this.  It has been quite popular, which in itself is obviously not a bad thing- it’s just that usually I don’t like all the hype.  I am a very picky reader.

But I have joined a book club this year, & this book was decided as our first book to read.

Once I started, I could hardly put it down.  I managed to read most of it at night, apart from the last little bit, which I started yesterday in Ashie’s nap (hooray), & then when he woke up 2 hours later, I proceeded to plonk him in front of the tv with a bowl of apple because I. HAD. TO. FINISH. IT.

This book is the first in the trilogy, & now of course I’m going to have to buy them too.

As-Salaam-Alaikum

“Finding Nouf” by Zoe Ferraris

 

 

I’ve recently finished reading this fabulous book.  I couldn’t stop reading it & now that I’m done, I’m still thinking about it.

This book interested me on a personal level as it is set in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.  I’ve been teaching Saudi students for a year now, & am always struck by how life in Australia must be so very different & confronting for them.  It’s not really something that I feel overly comfortable talking to my students about, but I’ve gleaned a little bit of information on what life is like in Saudi.  

I remember going to a class picnic, & when I arrived in my car, one of the boys pointed at my car & raised his eyebrows at the other boys & laughed.  Apparently, women are not allowed to drive a car in Saudi.

I am fascinated by a number of things about my Saudi students.  Most of my male Saudi students are really fashionable & dare I say it, good looking!  For some reason, that surprised me.  Some of my students have fathers with multiple wives.  Most of them seem to have cash to burn, & more importantly, many of them tend to be extremely generous- especially with food.  Mmmmm, dates & pastries & coffee (but not as we know it!) & yummy platters that they share with everyone & anyone.

Since starting to teach Saudi students, I’ve also been more aware of stories in the news from Saudi Arabia.  Like the 80 year old woman who was given lashings because she was talking to a man in public who was not a family member.  And the 12 year old girl who wants to divorce her 80 year old husband.

Anyway, back to the book.  It did actually reflect a lot of what I’ve written about above.  I would classify it as a murder mystery/ love story.  I loved the main character & I loved the ending.  Best of all, I love that there is a sequel coming out soon!

Book review #1

Love & Other Near Death Experiences, by Mil Millington

Reading is one of my favourite past-times.  There is nothing better than snuggling up on the couch, or in bed, & reading away the hours.

I haven’t read nearly as much as I used to but this is one book that I just finished.  In actual fact, Paul bought this book while we were on our Xmas holiday in Robe.  

We have read some of his other books, the best one being “Things my girlfriend & I have argued about”, which has to be the funniest book I have ever read.  I laughed out loud on numerous occasions & there was a rather embarrassing incident on a train in Switzerland where I couldn’t stop laughing- I had a complete giggle fit & Paul wanted to disown me as I obviously looked like a certified lunatic.  

You can imagine the high hopes we both had for this new book.

Paul started reading it while we were on our holiday.  One night I was knitting (yes, you did hear correctly!) & Paul was beside me giggling every few moments or so.  I couldn’t wait until he was finished so we actually started to read simultaneously.  But…….I didn’t laugh at the same spots Paul did.  Sure, it was funny, but just not that funny.

In fact, I got through probably three quarters of the book before I couldn’t help myself & let out a giggle.

There were a few things I didn’t like about the book (massive amounts of swearing, the annoying characteristics of the main character), but it did hook me & I couldn’t wait to finish it.  I especially loved the ending.

So, this is the first fiction book I’ve read in 2009.  I hope I have more time this year to read some more!