Friday 26 June 2015

The Struggle

Today is Thursday, which means I should have a blog post...

Unfortunately I have zero inspiration to write. I tell younger writers to write anyway, even if it is writing about not writing. Well, I'm definitely not writing and I am barely reading. I do still read when I can, on the tube, in the mornings on lazy days.

I don't think I've lost the love of reading, but maybe I miss talking about books more. I don't really have anyone to talk to about reading anymore, maybe I need to join a book club.

My visions of a book club doesn't actually exist like I think it does though. I envision the kind of bookclub that my grandmother is part of, which I think is part of the WI or something. I want to sit down with a group of people read a book and come back next week to discuss it. How do you join a book club now? There are so many that are run online and though book shops but there is no actual meet up, you have to remember to log in and post your comments.

It's less of a discussion when you can change each others minds than just a circle jerk of opinions broadcasted over twitter or in the comment sections. If I wanted your review I'd go to Amazon!

Anyway, I want to talk about books more and be inspired to read more, get recommendations, lend books with people etc. Where are these people in my life?? I'll tell you where, they're English graduates who are living without books and working their jobs.

Book loving is something that I have to work at now, it's something I don't want to lose and it's up to me to keep looking for new books and keep being interested in making times to read.

Thursday 18 June 2015

May Reviews

The Woman Who Went To Bed For A Year
Sue Townsend
Penguin 13/9/2012
4/5
Found in housemate's giving away bag

I loved this book, it wasn't an easy read though. I struggled with the story progression, there was a climax problem with the plot. It was a really interesting concept though. An insight into the weird psychology of an under appreciated mother.
Things kept taking more and more bizarre turns in the people surrounding the protagonist. Eventually though she needed someone to come and rescue her, white knight style, which bothered me a little. I couldn't decide what I thought about the concept, 'Just get up', but when the doctor's argued with her I was on her side.
It was very cleverly written and one I would definitely recommend to people of sound mind; it occurred to me to follow suit but I am alone with no one to bring me food. *note to self, make sure to have a family and support system before doing something mad.*



Pride and Prejudice
Jane Austen
T.Eggerton, Whitehall 28/1/1813
5/5
Borrowed from Mummy's library

I took this book from Turkey for the plane ride home. I LOVED it. amazingly, having grown up watching pride and prejudice 1992 TV series on VHS round and round until we didn't know the colours of the dresses, I never actually read the book.
This is part of my classics initiative. Now that I'm not working in publishers, I have less access to new releases so I am focusing on some of the classics that I SHOULD read. Anyway, Pride and Prejudice lived up to everything that I wanted it to be. I loved reading the original characters and felt them evolving and changing in my brain.
I will say though, that it was easier to read because I already had the tone of the TV series in my mind, and so it was much easier for me to follow than I think it would be if I wasn't so familiar with the narrative already.


Trigger Warning
Neil Gaiman
William Morrow & Company 3/2/2015
4/5
Lent from housemate.

After reading Smoke and Mirrors, I had to pick up Trigger Warning. I did enjoy it... once again the stand out stories will stay with me for a long time. I would love to read more short stories.
I am really getting into Neil Gaiman, perhaps I should delve into his back list where I can. The trouble now is getting my hands on those books! His writing is so real, I love the voice that he has through all of his stories. I'm sure I read his writing differently than I read Pride and Prejudice.

Thursday 4 June 2015

TBR List

The list changes all the time! Since I've left working in traditional publishers I'm a tad bereft of my usual TBR options. However I did have a huge backlog of books I'd collected and wanted to read but got distracted. When I moved out of my parent's house I made sure to bring some comfort books but MOSTLY I packed those books that I wanted to read but had never got around to.

The other positive thing about not really having access to new books is to really get into the literature that everyone should read/says they have read but they havent. I love classics but they are tiring, I tend to alternate between contemporary and classic books to allow my brain to change gear.

So my new TBR list, as it stands on my shelves is:

The Architect's Apprentice 
Othello
The Strange and Beautiful Happenings of Eva Lavender
The God Delusion
The Courage to Create
Confessions of an English Opium Eater
Sense and Sensibility
I am Pilgrim
All About Love
The Mistress Contract
Sex, Drugs and Rock n Roll


Books to Dip in and out of:
The Moth
Four Gothic Novels
The Raven and Other tales
Ovid
Shakespeare's sonnets
Collected Stories of Lorrie Moore
Bernard Shaw
Good News Bible


I've also updated the list on the TBR tab at the top of the blog AND my wish list!!