Susan Buchanan's Blog, page 17
September 30, 2013
Sooz's Third Quarter Book Roundup
Yep, it's that time of the quarter - the end and thus, my roundup of books I've enjoyed, discovered, added to my TBR. I have to say I've been pleasantly surprised by how many books I've read since July. I'm becoming a dab hand at reading over baby Antonia's sleeping head, although this is easier to do on Kindle than in print copy!
So, what did I read in the past three months?
First of all, here's the list I set myself in January - http://www.susancbuchanan.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/soozs-2013-reading-list.html
and here's how I had done against that in June - http://www.susancbuchanan.blogspot.co.uk/2013/07/soozs-half-yearly-reading-challenge.html
But now, on to those books!
Oh, and I also updated my Goodreads challenge from 35 to 45 books and there's a good chance I will up that again, to 50 at least.
Let's go in reverse order
Just finished the latest book by Terry Tyler - What It Takes - 4 stars from me and for any of Terry's fans, her usual blend of relationships and problems with some very relatable characters.
Homing Instinct by Diana Appleyard, was recommended to me by a friend, as she knows I am a new mum and thought I might find it funny - I did, in parts, but it only gained a 3 star rating from me, as I simply couldn't like the main character.
Wrong Place, Wrong Time, by David P Perlmutter - not a genre I would normally read, being true crime, but it was set in Spain and I used to live in Spain, plus I had seen the author's tweets on Twitter a lot and I thought, what the heck, let's have a read. Unbelievable what happened to him in more senses than one. He is one lucky and unlucky man.
From Notting Hill With Love Actually by Ali McNamara - I do love to pick books up in charity shops. I buy books everywhere, but once a month if possible, I like to do a little trawl and I had heard good things about this book. I wasn't disappointed. Loved the love interests and adored the fact the protagonist repaired popcorn machines for a living. Will be looking out for more by this author. 4 stars.
Blogger Girl by Meredith Schorr - I'd already read A State of Jane by Meredith and enjoyed it. 4 stars from me. Chicklit in its purest form - both books.
Kismetology by Jaimie Admans - loved the concept, a tad unusual, dating for your mother. Some of it was a tad far-fetched for my liking, but also highly entertaining. 4 star chicklit.
By My Side by Alice Peterson - I've loved all of Alice's books, but I think this is my personal favourite, although each of them has had something a little special about them. For fans of books which cause a lump in your throat, but much happiness, too!
Sunshine With a Chance of Snow by Carole Matthews - a short story, with a message. And the bonus was it was free. Love all of Carole's stuff. Lovely story.
The Book of Tomorrow by Cecelia Ahern - bizarrely, the second time I had read this book. I say bizarrely as there are few books I will read twice these days, as there are so many books and so little time. But, I couldn't remember if I had read it and I had lent it to my auntie who said it was amazing. I couldn't remember what happened, so I read it again. It is a fantastic book.
Must be Love by Cathy Woodman - the second in the vet series. I also found out that Cathy is still a vet! Loved it. Went to the library to get instalment three and some bleep had taken it out in the space of time it took me to check availability online and pitch up at the library. Grrr. So still waiting..
4 stars from me.
The Hundred Year Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared by Jonas Jonasson - has to be read simply because of the title, but a book which I couldn't decide if I loved or loathed. I initially enjoyed the humour, but the book became continually more far-fetched, yet I still gave it 4 stars, as it was so unusual and entertaining.
In addition to those above, books I have bought in the past three months, bearing in mind I still have 500 in my home library unread...least said about that the better, are as follows:-
The Accidental Husband by Jane Green - love Jane Green, although I am told her later work is getting a bit more serious. Jemima J is still my favourite. I did, however, read quite a bit of this book yesterday and am really getting into it.
The Drowning by Camilla Lackberg - amazing Swedish crime writer, whose books I adore.
The Loveliest Chocolate Shop in Paris by Jenny Colgan
The Longest Holiday by Paige Toon
Don't Want to Miss A Thing by Jill Mansell
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
and two I scooped up on Kindle the other day, You, Me and Him by Alice Peterson and also Letters from my Sister by Alice Peterson
OK, so I've just checked and it looks like I've still got 10 of the books on my original list made in January to read. I am, however, currently reading Breaking the Rules by Cat Lavoie, another pure chicklit read, whose characters I am finding very entertaining.
Well, that's me for now. Check in on Friday when I will be interviewing an author who has a new short story collection out.
Have a good week
Sooz
So, what did I read in the past three months?
First of all, here's the list I set myself in January - http://www.susancbuchanan.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/soozs-2013-reading-list.html
and here's how I had done against that in June - http://www.susancbuchanan.blogspot.co.uk/2013/07/soozs-half-yearly-reading-challenge.html
But now, on to those books!
Oh, and I also updated my Goodreads challenge from 35 to 45 books and there's a good chance I will up that again, to 50 at least.
Let's go in reverse order
Just finished the latest book by Terry Tyler - What It Takes - 4 stars from me and for any of Terry's fans, her usual blend of relationships and problems with some very relatable characters.
Homing Instinct by Diana Appleyard, was recommended to me by a friend, as she knows I am a new mum and thought I might find it funny - I did, in parts, but it only gained a 3 star rating from me, as I simply couldn't like the main character.
Wrong Place, Wrong Time, by David P Perlmutter - not a genre I would normally read, being true crime, but it was set in Spain and I used to live in Spain, plus I had seen the author's tweets on Twitter a lot and I thought, what the heck, let's have a read. Unbelievable what happened to him in more senses than one. He is one lucky and unlucky man.
From Notting Hill With Love Actually by Ali McNamara - I do love to pick books up in charity shops. I buy books everywhere, but once a month if possible, I like to do a little trawl and I had heard good things about this book. I wasn't disappointed. Loved the love interests and adored the fact the protagonist repaired popcorn machines for a living. Will be looking out for more by this author. 4 stars.
Blogger Girl by Meredith Schorr - I'd already read A State of Jane by Meredith and enjoyed it. 4 stars from me. Chicklit in its purest form - both books.
Kismetology by Jaimie Admans - loved the concept, a tad unusual, dating for your mother. Some of it was a tad far-fetched for my liking, but also highly entertaining. 4 star chicklit.
By My Side by Alice Peterson - I've loved all of Alice's books, but I think this is my personal favourite, although each of them has had something a little special about them. For fans of books which cause a lump in your throat, but much happiness, too!
Sunshine With a Chance of Snow by Carole Matthews - a short story, with a message. And the bonus was it was free. Love all of Carole's stuff. Lovely story.
The Book of Tomorrow by Cecelia Ahern - bizarrely, the second time I had read this book. I say bizarrely as there are few books I will read twice these days, as there are so many books and so little time. But, I couldn't remember if I had read it and I had lent it to my auntie who said it was amazing. I couldn't remember what happened, so I read it again. It is a fantastic book.
Must be Love by Cathy Woodman - the second in the vet series. I also found out that Cathy is still a vet! Loved it. Went to the library to get instalment three and some bleep had taken it out in the space of time it took me to check availability online and pitch up at the library. Grrr. So still waiting..
4 stars from me.
The Hundred Year Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared by Jonas Jonasson - has to be read simply because of the title, but a book which I couldn't decide if I loved or loathed. I initially enjoyed the humour, but the book became continually more far-fetched, yet I still gave it 4 stars, as it was so unusual and entertaining.
In addition to those above, books I have bought in the past three months, bearing in mind I still have 500 in my home library unread...least said about that the better, are as follows:-
The Accidental Husband by Jane Green - love Jane Green, although I am told her later work is getting a bit more serious. Jemima J is still my favourite. I did, however, read quite a bit of this book yesterday and am really getting into it.
The Drowning by Camilla Lackberg - amazing Swedish crime writer, whose books I adore.
The Loveliest Chocolate Shop in Paris by Jenny Colgan
The Longest Holiday by Paige Toon
Don't Want to Miss A Thing by Jill Mansell
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
and two I scooped up on Kindle the other day, You, Me and Him by Alice Peterson and also Letters from my Sister by Alice Peterson
OK, so I've just checked and it looks like I've still got 10 of the books on my original list made in January to read. I am, however, currently reading Breaking the Rules by Cat Lavoie, another pure chicklit read, whose characters I am finding very entertaining.
Well, that's me for now. Check in on Friday when I will be interviewing an author who has a new short story collection out.
Have a good week
Sooz
September 16, 2013
Richard and Judy bookclub books 2003-2009 - how we were influenced
I was thinking about book clubs the other day, you know the TV ones, and I couldn't help wondering how many people have been influenced by the marketing surrounding them. Now they may be very good, even excellent books, but without that massive marketing machine behind them, would they have enjoyed the success they have? I think not.
Personally, I am not someone who needs recommendations for my next read; I'm always spoilt for choice, but I know people, friends in fact, who would always head for the book club stand in the local supermarket for their holiday reads. R&J effectively chose their books for them.
So, I thought I would go back in time and discovered there were many books from the Richard and Judy book club, which started almost a decade ago now, which I had read, without realising they were R&J picks. I should point out I didn't watch Richard and Judy's book club. Occasionally I might see a label in Tesco or wherever, indicating the book was part of R&J's choices, but that was all. There's a link at the bottom of the page to all the Richard and Judy books over the years, but here are those I've read.
2004
Brick Lane - Monica Ali - hmm, read it, it was all right.
Starter for Ten - David Nicholls - funny, but not as funny as I'd expected
Alice Sebold - The Lovely Bones (2004's winner) - loved this book, my favourite book of the year I read it (not necessarily 2004!)
on TBR list, but not yet got around to-
The Bookseller of Kabul - Asne Seierstad
Lucia Lucia - Adriana Trigiani (bought, but not yet read)
2005
The Jane Austen Book Club - Karen Jay Fowler - I wanted to like this, but struggled.
Cloud Atlas - David Mitchell (2005 winner) - excellent book, but it took me about 200 pages before I got into it.
The Time Traveller's Wife - Audrey Niffenegger - loved this book - it was so original
My Sister's Keeper - Jodi Picoult - loved this book, but I had already read The Tenth Circle by Jodi and was hooked on her books.
The Shadow of the Wind - Carlos Ruiz Zafon. LOVE CRZ and have bought almost all his books now, including the kids ones and I went to hear him speak at the Edinburgh Book Festival - so down-to-earth!
WOW - what a list - each of those I've read are worthy of winning
2006
Arthur & George - Julian Barnes (bought, not yet read)
The Lincoln Lawyer - Michael Connelly - am a big Michael C fan, but confess to being confused as to why such a mainstream, crime novel made the list.
The History of Love - Nicole Krauss - LOVED this book
Empress Orchid - Anchee Min (bought, not yet read)
Labyrinth - Kate Mosse - OH bought, I haven't read it yet (2006 winner)
2007
Half of a Yellow Sun - Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (got it out the library, never got around to reading it)
The Interpretation of Murder - Jed Rubenfeld (2007 winner) Loved this book and its follow up The Death Instinct.
2008
Random Acts of Heroic Love - Danny Scheinmann - I've either read this, or my aunt bought it and was meant to lend it to me. I've forgotten what it's about. Am going to download the Kindle sample, but I'm pretty sure I've read it and enjoyed it - I read so many books...
A Quiet Belief in Angels - R J Ellory - (bought, not yet read)
Notes from an Exhibition - Patrick Gale (got it out of the library, didn't get around to reading, but still want to!)
Then We Came to the End - Joshua Ferris - odd book
Visible World - Mark Slouka - loved, fabulous love story
Mister Pip - Lloyd Jones - loved
A Thousand Splendid Suns - Khaled Hosseini (2007 winner) - one of my favourite books of all time.
This was the first year I remember actually looking at books which were on the Richard and Judy bookclub list and actively buying them. It was a good year.
2009 - none!
Here are all the Richard and Judy book club books http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_books_from_the_Richard_%26_Judy_Book_Club#Main_list
The summer bookclub lists will be covered separately, but hopefully this has given you food for thought. Would love to know which on the lists you liked, bought, hated, or have always meant to get around to reading.
Have a good week
Sooz
Personally, I am not someone who needs recommendations for my next read; I'm always spoilt for choice, but I know people, friends in fact, who would always head for the book club stand in the local supermarket for their holiday reads. R&J effectively chose their books for them.
So, I thought I would go back in time and discovered there were many books from the Richard and Judy book club, which started almost a decade ago now, which I had read, without realising they were R&J picks. I should point out I didn't watch Richard and Judy's book club. Occasionally I might see a label in Tesco or wherever, indicating the book was part of R&J's choices, but that was all. There's a link at the bottom of the page to all the Richard and Judy books over the years, but here are those I've read.
2004
Brick Lane - Monica Ali - hmm, read it, it was all right.
Starter for Ten - David Nicholls - funny, but not as funny as I'd expected
Alice Sebold - The Lovely Bones (2004's winner) - loved this book, my favourite book of the year I read it (not necessarily 2004!)
on TBR list, but not yet got around to-
The Bookseller of Kabul - Asne Seierstad
Lucia Lucia - Adriana Trigiani (bought, but not yet read)
2005
The Jane Austen Book Club - Karen Jay Fowler - I wanted to like this, but struggled.
Cloud Atlas - David Mitchell (2005 winner) - excellent book, but it took me about 200 pages before I got into it.
The Time Traveller's Wife - Audrey Niffenegger - loved this book - it was so original
My Sister's Keeper - Jodi Picoult - loved this book, but I had already read The Tenth Circle by Jodi and was hooked on her books.
The Shadow of the Wind - Carlos Ruiz Zafon. LOVE CRZ and have bought almost all his books now, including the kids ones and I went to hear him speak at the Edinburgh Book Festival - so down-to-earth!
WOW - what a list - each of those I've read are worthy of winning
2006
Arthur & George - Julian Barnes (bought, not yet read)
The Lincoln Lawyer - Michael Connelly - am a big Michael C fan, but confess to being confused as to why such a mainstream, crime novel made the list.
The History of Love - Nicole Krauss - LOVED this book
Empress Orchid - Anchee Min (bought, not yet read)
Labyrinth - Kate Mosse - OH bought, I haven't read it yet (2006 winner)
2007
Half of a Yellow Sun - Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (got it out the library, never got around to reading it)
The Interpretation of Murder - Jed Rubenfeld (2007 winner) Loved this book and its follow up The Death Instinct.
2008
Random Acts of Heroic Love - Danny Scheinmann - I've either read this, or my aunt bought it and was meant to lend it to me. I've forgotten what it's about. Am going to download the Kindle sample, but I'm pretty sure I've read it and enjoyed it - I read so many books...
A Quiet Belief in Angels - R J Ellory - (bought, not yet read)
Notes from an Exhibition - Patrick Gale (got it out of the library, didn't get around to reading, but still want to!)
Then We Came to the End - Joshua Ferris - odd book
Visible World - Mark Slouka - loved, fabulous love story
Mister Pip - Lloyd Jones - loved
A Thousand Splendid Suns - Khaled Hosseini (2007 winner) - one of my favourite books of all time.
This was the first year I remember actually looking at books which were on the Richard and Judy bookclub list and actively buying them. It was a good year.
2009 - none!
Here are all the Richard and Judy book club books http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_books_from_the_Richard_%26_Judy_Book_Club#Main_list
The summer bookclub lists will be covered separately, but hopefully this has given you food for thought. Would love to know which on the lists you liked, bought, hated, or have always meant to get around to reading.
Have a good week
Sooz
September 3, 2013
Book review of Blogger Girl by Meredith Schorr
Two blog posts in two days - what's going on I hear you say? Well, I had been waiting for this book to come out so I could hardly not review it as soon as possible. Plus you may remember I interviewed Meredith and reviewed her previous book not so long ago.
Here's the blurb!
What happens when your high school nemesis becomes the shining star in a universe you pretty much saved? Book blogger Kimberly Long is about to find out. A chick lit enthusiast since the first time she read “Bridget Jones’s Diary,” Kim, with her blog, “Pastel is the New Black,” has worked tirelessly by night to keep the genre alive, and help squash the claim that “chick lit is dead” once and for all. Not bad for a woman who by day ekes out a meager living as a pretty, and pretty-much-nameless, legal secretary in a Manhattan law firm. While Kim’s day job holds no passion for her, the handsome (and shaving challenged) associate down the hall is another story. Yet another story is that Hannah Marshak, one of her most hated high school classmates, has now popped onto the chick lit scene with a hot new book that’s turning heads—and pages—a cross the land. It’s also popped into Kim’s inbox—for review. With their ten-year high school reunion drawing near, Kim’s coming close to combustion over the hype about Hannah’s book. And as everyone around her seems to be moving on and up, she begins to question whether being a “blogger girl” makes the grade in her off-line life.
I'd read Meredith Schorr's previous novel, A State of Jane and really enjoyed it, so was keen to read Blogger Girl. As an avid reader and someone who also writes a lot of book reviews, I was even more interested to read this particular book. The story skips along well, with the sexy Nicholas introduced early on, as a work colleague who the protagonist, Kim, fantasises about. The novel was a little racier than I'd expected, but laid bare how dating in 21st century New York works and was very direct. Women can have as loose morals as men when they want to, or when they want someone. On the one hand, Kim has insecurities over being a PA, when she sees the man of her dreams alongside his female peers, lawyers. How can she match up to them, when they're also beautiful? Of course, they're bitches. A high school reunion, a fantastic best friend and a first love whom she has practised her loose morals on, all offer up a bundle of laughs. Possibly my favourite part was the relationship with uber bitch, Hannah - Kim's high school nemesis. Who hasn't had one?! The to-ing and fro-ing between them, the dilemmas Kim faces and the eventual outcome were all highly entertaining. I also didn't see coming her competition in the love stakes.
There are a lot of social networking references, so those who are into that will be delighted. Perhaps it will take some getting used to for those who aren't, or have never heard of Facebook and Twitter.
What I love about Meredith's books is they ARE pure chicklit. They don't purport to be anything else. There are no deaths, grief, life lessons we are meant to pick up on, no-one with life threatening illnesses. I felt Kim, although flawed, seemed more real than many chicklit heroines too.
All in all a good, easy read - perfect for the beach, or if like me, you live in the UK, for curling up on the sofa under a blanket.
Here are the buy links - http://amzn.to/15L7KcL (Amazon UK)
http://amzn.to/1dxvwO4 (Amazon.com)
Enjoy and have a good week
Sooz
Here's the blurb!
What happens when your high school nemesis becomes the shining star in a universe you pretty much saved? Book blogger Kimberly Long is about to find out. A chick lit enthusiast since the first time she read “Bridget Jones’s Diary,” Kim, with her blog, “Pastel is the New Black,” has worked tirelessly by night to keep the genre alive, and help squash the claim that “chick lit is dead” once and for all. Not bad for a woman who by day ekes out a meager living as a pretty, and pretty-much-nameless, legal secretary in a Manhattan law firm. While Kim’s day job holds no passion for her, the handsome (and shaving challenged) associate down the hall is another story. Yet another story is that Hannah Marshak, one of her most hated high school classmates, has now popped onto the chick lit scene with a hot new book that’s turning heads—and pages—a cross the land. It’s also popped into Kim’s inbox—for review. With their ten-year high school reunion drawing near, Kim’s coming close to combustion over the hype about Hannah’s book. And as everyone around her seems to be moving on and up, she begins to question whether being a “blogger girl” makes the grade in her off-line life.
I'd read Meredith Schorr's previous novel, A State of Jane and really enjoyed it, so was keen to read Blogger Girl. As an avid reader and someone who also writes a lot of book reviews, I was even more interested to read this particular book. The story skips along well, with the sexy Nicholas introduced early on, as a work colleague who the protagonist, Kim, fantasises about. The novel was a little racier than I'd expected, but laid bare how dating in 21st century New York works and was very direct. Women can have as loose morals as men when they want to, or when they want someone. On the one hand, Kim has insecurities over being a PA, when she sees the man of her dreams alongside his female peers, lawyers. How can she match up to them, when they're also beautiful? Of course, they're bitches. A high school reunion, a fantastic best friend and a first love whom she has practised her loose morals on, all offer up a bundle of laughs. Possibly my favourite part was the relationship with uber bitch, Hannah - Kim's high school nemesis. Who hasn't had one?! The to-ing and fro-ing between them, the dilemmas Kim faces and the eventual outcome were all highly entertaining. I also didn't see coming her competition in the love stakes.
There are a lot of social networking references, so those who are into that will be delighted. Perhaps it will take some getting used to for those who aren't, or have never heard of Facebook and Twitter.
What I love about Meredith's books is they ARE pure chicklit. They don't purport to be anything else. There are no deaths, grief, life lessons we are meant to pick up on, no-one with life threatening illnesses. I felt Kim, although flawed, seemed more real than many chicklit heroines too.
All in all a good, easy read - perfect for the beach, or if like me, you live in the UK, for curling up on the sofa under a blanket.
Here are the buy links - http://amzn.to/15L7KcL (Amazon UK)
http://amzn.to/1dxvwO4 (Amazon.com)
Enjoy and have a good week
Sooz
September 2, 2013
Unusual Book Titles - Love Them or Loathe Them?
This week's book post is a shorter one, but one which I am hoping you will add to. We've all been seduced into buying a book by its cover, but has the same ever been true of its title? I know I have been. So, I thought I'd share a few of mine with you to start us off...
A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian by Marina Lewycka - what? Yes, that's what I thought. Taking that at face value you'd have to assume it would have a niche market, but on reading the blurb it went straight in my shopping basket. But it was the title that drew me in, see?
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time by Mark Haddon is another odd title which I discovered I had to have. Doesn't scream at you it's about an autistic boy, but it turned out to be and I am a better person for having read it. I dare say Mark Haddon's a few pounds richer too, as it meant my Other Half bought his next book too. As I must add I did with Ms Lewycka - Two Caravans (although I haven't got as far as reading it yet)
Most recently The One Hundred Year Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared by Jonas Jonasson. Hard not to miss that title, although you'd think it wouldn't take a rocket scientist to work out what it was about. But you'd be wrong. A tale spanning several decades, and featuring Mao Tse Tung, several American presidents and Churchill as well as some very unsavoury characters with a several ton surprise to boot. OK, it didn't hurt that it only cost 20p at the time, but now it's £2.99 on Amazon and is at #53 in the chart, plus it has almost 6000 reviews! I would be surprised if many didn't buy it simply because of the title.
On a trip to Washington two years ago, I browsed (rather tiddled I have to add) some of its fine bookshops in a very upmarket area (I was looking for a restaurant at the time). I came across a book called The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barberry. On writing this post, I realised I have no idea if she has any other books and I've just checked Amazon and discovered one called The Gourmet - wow - am I happy (for one who loves their food and their books - straight onto my Goodreads wishlist) . The hedgehog turned out to be metaphorical, but it truly was a wonderful book and I would never have bought it if I hadn't imbibed slightly too much on my trip to DC.
Finally, as I haven't actually downloaded it yet, My Sister Lives on the Mantelpiece by Annabel Pitcher. I'm going to, though, as it's such a great title. I have no idea what it's about, but the title alone has made my mind up for me.
Well, those are my weird and wonderful titles. What books made you buy them or consider buying them due to their unusual names?
Would love to hear from you. Tune in tomorrow for my book review of newly released Blogger Girl by Meredith Schorr
A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian by Marina Lewycka - what? Yes, that's what I thought. Taking that at face value you'd have to assume it would have a niche market, but on reading the blurb it went straight in my shopping basket. But it was the title that drew me in, see?
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time by Mark Haddon is another odd title which I discovered I had to have. Doesn't scream at you it's about an autistic boy, but it turned out to be and I am a better person for having read it. I dare say Mark Haddon's a few pounds richer too, as it meant my Other Half bought his next book too. As I must add I did with Ms Lewycka - Two Caravans (although I haven't got as far as reading it yet)
Most recently The One Hundred Year Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared by Jonas Jonasson. Hard not to miss that title, although you'd think it wouldn't take a rocket scientist to work out what it was about. But you'd be wrong. A tale spanning several decades, and featuring Mao Tse Tung, several American presidents and Churchill as well as some very unsavoury characters with a several ton surprise to boot. OK, it didn't hurt that it only cost 20p at the time, but now it's £2.99 on Amazon and is at #53 in the chart, plus it has almost 6000 reviews! I would be surprised if many didn't buy it simply because of the title.
On a trip to Washington two years ago, I browsed (rather tiddled I have to add) some of its fine bookshops in a very upmarket area (I was looking for a restaurant at the time). I came across a book called The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barberry. On writing this post, I realised I have no idea if she has any other books and I've just checked Amazon and discovered one called The Gourmet - wow - am I happy (for one who loves their food and their books - straight onto my Goodreads wishlist) . The hedgehog turned out to be metaphorical, but it truly was a wonderful book and I would never have bought it if I hadn't imbibed slightly too much on my trip to DC.
Finally, as I haven't actually downloaded it yet, My Sister Lives on the Mantelpiece by Annabel Pitcher. I'm going to, though, as it's such a great title. I have no idea what it's about, but the title alone has made my mind up for me.
Well, those are my weird and wonderful titles. What books made you buy them or consider buying them due to their unusual names?
Would love to hear from you. Tune in tomorrow for my book review of newly released Blogger Girl by Meredith Schorr
August 19, 2013
The Big Read 2013 - Let's Make Our Own!
Two weeks ago, I blogged about the first part of The Big Read (TBR) 2003, a decade on. Today I'm talking about those books which would have made the grade, were we to have a TBR 2013. Since the BBC haven't obliged, I thought I'd make my own, although I am not going to go for the whole 100 books! But I'd love you to add those you think I've missed!
I suppose really it boils down to great books since 2003. Well, that and which books have been 'popular' since then.
So, let's start with those which almost certainly would have made it on, whether rightly or wrongly, simply because of their popularity.
Well, the first four of J K Rowling's Harry Potter books were on the original The Big Read - so it stands to reason that the other three would have featured too.
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.
The Twilight series - Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse and Breaking Dawn (for those who haven't read the Stephanie Meyer books, good luck with New Moon - it seriously drags and is one book where the film is far better)
The Hunger Games - Hunger Games, Mockingjay, Catching Fire -more than that I can't tell you, as I haven't read them, but I realise I am one of the few!
I think generally series did better in the 21st century, so there are probably more of that ilk, but I can't think of any right now, except for the Stieg Larsson books - a shame he died so young - the trilogy of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, The Girl Who Played With Fire and The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest - he modernised what other Swedish crime writers like Henning Mankell had been successfully doing for years, took the world by storm and deservedly so.
If 50 SOG made the top 100 books, I would weep into my Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc - no, I haven't read it, nor will I. Overhyped books aren't my glass of wine!
Now to those books which I personally think should be there from the past decade.
Carlos Ruiz Zafon - The Shadow of the Wind - now, I've included this although it was originally published in 2001, as a) I think it's a travesty it's not on the original list and b) I suspect it hadn't been properly launched before the 2003 list was compiled c) not enough people had yet read it to put it on their favourites - can't think of another reason why it wouldn't have been on there, as it's an amazing book. For those who love mystery, Barcelona, the Spanish civil war and books, you need this book in your life. (there are future books related to this: The Angels Game and The Prisoner of Heaven
Alice Sebold - The Lovely Bones - as above, released 2002 - needs to be on the list. I don't like sad books usually, but this book was exceptional, told from the viewpoint of a murdered girl, trying to reveal her killer to her family
Now, the next book, The Historian, qualifies on all counts. Not released until 2005 - I cannot give this book away, cannot be parted from it. Elizabeth Kostova's novel about a search for the truth and the real story of Dracula, is unlike anything I have ever read or will read again.
I'm going to cheat and actually drag something up from the '70s, because I had no idea it was this old until I was creating this post and I cannot recommend it highly enough - The Food of Love by
Anthony Capella. OK, it helps that I love both food and Italy, but seriously you will not be disappointed if you pick this book up. On researching this post, I just realised he has three other novels which I haven't read - how did that happen? Right, off to add to my To Read list - back in a sec...
Two Khaled Hosseini novels would make the list in my opinion (who knows of his new release), but A Thousand Splendid Suns and The Kite Runner, both set in Afghanistan. ATSS deals chiefly with the oppression of women, whilst TKR deals with the life of young boy and his role in the wealthy family he is attached to.
Another duo, The Island and The Return by Victoria Hislop, are to my mind, worthy of being in the new top 100. The Island deals with a Greek leper colony whilst The Return is based around Spanish flamenco (OK, again, I have a particular interest in Spain and books set there, but I defy anyone not to enjoy this book). The author's prose is fabulous and you will be able to envisage everything she relates with ease, and empathise.
The Interpretation of Murder by Jed Rubenfeld, which features a Freud cameo and a sector set in Austria, is an unusual mystery published in 2006, followed up by The Death Instinct a few years later. Maybe not so many people read this book, but it's their loss!
Life of Pi - Yann Martell - what an unusual and special book - a boy's journey with Richard Parker, on a boat, but who or what is Richard Parker? You may be very surprised. Not surprising, given the December 2012 release of the corresponding movie (fab, by the way), that it's now in the top 300 on Amazon and well-deserved.
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time - Mark Haddon - a book related by a young autistic boy - who saw that coming? I read it by moonlight on a Scottish lochside - I kid you not. I couldn't stop reading it, despite the company of my poor boyfriend, lots of wine and fine food. Fortunately he read it next and agreed with my summation that it was a most singular and compelling book.
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak - The Second World War narrated by Death. Through the life of 9 year old Liesel and the residents of Himmel St, we learn just how difficult life was back then. A very emotional book - I simply can't describe it, except to say it made me laugh and cry - most unexpectedly
Do you know what? I could go on and on and on and on. There are so many, but I won't. I'm going to simply mention a few more deserving of inclusion and leave it to you to trust me and check them out.
The Help by Kathryn Stockett
Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke
Room by Emma Donoghue
The Boy In the Striped Pyjamas by John Boyne
The History of Love by Nicole Krauss
My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult
Light on Snow by Anita Shreve
The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards
We Need to Talk About Kevin by Lionel Shriver
The Five People You Meet in Heaven - Mitch Albom
See you back here in 2 weeks for the next book related post - I'm still deciding between three topics, so it will very much be a surprise! Happy reading! Sooz
I suppose really it boils down to great books since 2003. Well, that and which books have been 'popular' since then.
So, let's start with those which almost certainly would have made it on, whether rightly or wrongly, simply because of their popularity.
Well, the first four of J K Rowling's Harry Potter books were on the original The Big Read - so it stands to reason that the other three would have featured too.
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.
The Twilight series - Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse and Breaking Dawn (for those who haven't read the Stephanie Meyer books, good luck with New Moon - it seriously drags and is one book where the film is far better)
The Hunger Games - Hunger Games, Mockingjay, Catching Fire -more than that I can't tell you, as I haven't read them, but I realise I am one of the few!
I think generally series did better in the 21st century, so there are probably more of that ilk, but I can't think of any right now, except for the Stieg Larsson books - a shame he died so young - the trilogy of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, The Girl Who Played With Fire and The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest - he modernised what other Swedish crime writers like Henning Mankell had been successfully doing for years, took the world by storm and deservedly so.
If 50 SOG made the top 100 books, I would weep into my Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc - no, I haven't read it, nor will I. Overhyped books aren't my glass of wine!
Now to those books which I personally think should be there from the past decade.
Carlos Ruiz Zafon - The Shadow of the Wind - now, I've included this although it was originally published in 2001, as a) I think it's a travesty it's not on the original list and b) I suspect it hadn't been properly launched before the 2003 list was compiled c) not enough people had yet read it to put it on their favourites - can't think of another reason why it wouldn't have been on there, as it's an amazing book. For those who love mystery, Barcelona, the Spanish civil war and books, you need this book in your life. (there are future books related to this: The Angels Game and The Prisoner of Heaven
Alice Sebold - The Lovely Bones - as above, released 2002 - needs to be on the list. I don't like sad books usually, but this book was exceptional, told from the viewpoint of a murdered girl, trying to reveal her killer to her family
Now, the next book, The Historian, qualifies on all counts. Not released until 2005 - I cannot give this book away, cannot be parted from it. Elizabeth Kostova's novel about a search for the truth and the real story of Dracula, is unlike anything I have ever read or will read again.
I'm going to cheat and actually drag something up from the '70s, because I had no idea it was this old until I was creating this post and I cannot recommend it highly enough - The Food of Love by
Anthony Capella. OK, it helps that I love both food and Italy, but seriously you will not be disappointed if you pick this book up. On researching this post, I just realised he has three other novels which I haven't read - how did that happen? Right, off to add to my To Read list - back in a sec...
Two Khaled Hosseini novels would make the list in my opinion (who knows of his new release), but A Thousand Splendid Suns and The Kite Runner, both set in Afghanistan. ATSS deals chiefly with the oppression of women, whilst TKR deals with the life of young boy and his role in the wealthy family he is attached to.
Another duo, The Island and The Return by Victoria Hislop, are to my mind, worthy of being in the new top 100. The Island deals with a Greek leper colony whilst The Return is based around Spanish flamenco (OK, again, I have a particular interest in Spain and books set there, but I defy anyone not to enjoy this book). The author's prose is fabulous and you will be able to envisage everything she relates with ease, and empathise.
The Interpretation of Murder by Jed Rubenfeld, which features a Freud cameo and a sector set in Austria, is an unusual mystery published in 2006, followed up by The Death Instinct a few years later. Maybe not so many people read this book, but it's their loss!
Life of Pi - Yann Martell - what an unusual and special book - a boy's journey with Richard Parker, on a boat, but who or what is Richard Parker? You may be very surprised. Not surprising, given the December 2012 release of the corresponding movie (fab, by the way), that it's now in the top 300 on Amazon and well-deserved.
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time - Mark Haddon - a book related by a young autistic boy - who saw that coming? I read it by moonlight on a Scottish lochside - I kid you not. I couldn't stop reading it, despite the company of my poor boyfriend, lots of wine and fine food. Fortunately he read it next and agreed with my summation that it was a most singular and compelling book.
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak - The Second World War narrated by Death. Through the life of 9 year old Liesel and the residents of Himmel St, we learn just how difficult life was back then. A very emotional book - I simply can't describe it, except to say it made me laugh and cry - most unexpectedly
Do you know what? I could go on and on and on and on. There are so many, but I won't. I'm going to simply mention a few more deserving of inclusion and leave it to you to trust me and check them out.
The Help by Kathryn Stockett
Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke
Room by Emma Donoghue
The Boy In the Striped Pyjamas by John Boyne
The History of Love by Nicole Krauss
My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult
Light on Snow by Anita Shreve
The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards
We Need to Talk About Kevin by Lionel Shriver
The Five People You Meet in Heaven - Mitch Albom
See you back here in 2 weeks for the next book related post - I'm still deciding between three topics, so it will very much be a surprise! Happy reading! Sooz
August 18, 2013
Writers With Heart article
Happy Sunday! Delighted to find this article today, Writers With Heart, featuring myself and fellow author Terry Tyler.
http://a-womans-wisdom.blogspot.co.uk/2013/08/terry-tyler-and-susan-buchanan-writers.html
Don't forget to tune in tomorrow for The Big Read 2013 (Part II)
http://a-womans-wisdom.blogspot.co.uk/2013/08/terry-tyler-and-susan-buchanan-writers.html
Don't forget to tune in tomorrow for The Big Read 2013 (Part II)
August 5, 2013
The Big Read 2013 - Part One
Yep, it's Monday again and that means a post about books from me.
I found myself wondering a few weeks ago when The Big Read (BBC) was. I Googled it and discovered it was back in 2003. Now for those of you who don't know what The Big Read is/was - here's the link - http://www.bbc.co.uk/arts/bigread/top100.shtml
Now, The Big Read basically set out to find the world's favourite books. I remember it well, because I was surprised at how many of those books I hadn't read or didn't own. So, I started buying up lots of them on Ebay (to my chagrin, I still haven't read many of those I bought...)
But I wanted to share with you a few I've read and why, what they meant to me and also some of those I bought and still haven't read. And I'd love if you would click on The Big Read link and see if your favourites are there and which you've read and loved.
I've read precisely 38 of these books and own quite a few more. I confess to never having read Winnie the Pooh, even though I bought the box set in a charity shop round about the time of The Big Read. I have, however, started reading it to my baby now, so that's progress!
The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe is one of my all-time favourite books. As a child, I actually went into my wardrobe a few times, just to be sure. I would have loved to have gone to Narnia. I have the whole series of books, but TLTWATW is still my favourite.
The Wind in the Willows, I even bought on audio CD too, so I could listen to it in the car (this was only about 5 years ago!) because the antics of Ratty and Toad of Toad Hall are as hilarious to me now, as they were back when I listened to it on Jackanory.
I'm currently reading Great Expectations, following on from my recent Classics post, on the suggestion of author Terry Tyler. I think I am going to like it.
Captain Corelli's Mandolin - I even read this before Nicolas Cage appeared in the movie (big NC fan!) What an amazing book, but of course, I love books set in different countries. Fantastic love story
A Prayer for Owen Meany - I have to admit I found this book seriously hard-going, but very worthwhile and it was certainly one which made me reflect. A very sad book, but also uplifting.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - it really needs no explanation, but suffice to say, I wanted a golden ticket!
Dune by Frank Herbert is a science fiction novel (which is probably why I haven't read it yet) and one which I have been assured is a classic. I will read it at some point, but it was one of my Ebay purchases after TBR.
I have to be honest and say, although I've read and loved all of the Harry Potter books, I'm not convinced they deserve a place in the best 100 books in the world ever. I feel it's more to do with what people were reading a decade ago when TBR took place.
Anne of Green Gables. What a fab book. Reminded me a little of Little House on the Prairie too, which I watched as a child. Also, as a young teenager I watched Anne of Green Gables on TV and swooned over the boy she fancied. Gorgeous. A sweet book, which I bought new after TBR 2003.
Goodnight Mister Tom - another of my favourites which was made into a TV drama - with John Thaw. Lovely drama and wonderful heart-warming book about children being evacuated during the war.
The Secret Garden - this was my sister's book, but I read and re-read it as a child.
Artemis Fowl - have read quite a few of the Eoin Coifer books now - loved all of them. Another Kidult book perhaps? Those who like Harry Potter would like Artemis.
Swallows and Amazons - another classic children's book - which I bought after TBR, but haven't read yet. I've only had ten years to do so, so shame on me. Given how much I love adventure and enjoyed being transported, as a child, through the medium of books to another place, it's shocking that I haven't read this. Must rectify ASAP.
Memoirs of a Geisha - another of my favourite books. I have read this book several times. It might be because it's set far away, but I also loved learning about the lives of the geishas and the history. When I went to Japan for work, I did my best to make time to go to Kyoto to see the places I had read about, but didn't quite manage it. I had to settle for Tokyo.
Lord of the Flies - an amazing book, about boys surviving after a plane crash, but which I perhaps read too young and it frightened me. The detail I found very disturbing, but as an adult I can confirm that it is an excellent book. Very much survival of the fittest.
Bridget Jones' Diary - I bought this in Spanish first of all. What can I say, I was often asked if I was Bridget Jones. My life just seemed to be like hers at the time.
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho - the first book by Coelho I had read and as it turns out, part of a course I was doing in Creative Writing at the University of Strathclyde. Any book which makes you reflect the way The Alchemist does is a winner for sure, and Coelho's works often do this.
Kane and Abel - one of the few books we had at home when I was a kid. It was my father's and I really enjoyed it. The first Jeffrey Archer book I read and I then read everything he read until he went to prison and loved all of his books. However, I have to say, I don't think it should be one of the top 100 books ever.
The Princess Diaries - I read in Portuguese - I was trying to re-familiarise myself with the language after a break away. Enjoyable, but top 100? Again I disagree.
Midnight's Children by Salman Rushdie. Bought because of its controversial nature. I started reading it, but simply wasn't in the mood for so intense a read, so am ashamed to say haven't read it yet.
The Thorn Birds - I was amazed to see this on the list. I have read the book, but only because I watched the serialisation when I was very young, which featured Richard Chamberlain. Great book, but again Top 100?
One day I am going to have to write my own Top 100 books ever...
Out of the 38 I have read of this Top 100, my top 3 would have to be:-
The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe
Memoirs of A Geisha and
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (I thought I was a bit nuts, but Lewis Carroll....)
Tune in next time for Part 2, when I will be exploring which books of the past decade might appear on The Top 100 were there to be a The Big Read 2013!
Sooz
I found myself wondering a few weeks ago when The Big Read (BBC) was. I Googled it and discovered it was back in 2003. Now for those of you who don't know what The Big Read is/was - here's the link - http://www.bbc.co.uk/arts/bigread/top100.shtml
Now, The Big Read basically set out to find the world's favourite books. I remember it well, because I was surprised at how many of those books I hadn't read or didn't own. So, I started buying up lots of them on Ebay (to my chagrin, I still haven't read many of those I bought...)
But I wanted to share with you a few I've read and why, what they meant to me and also some of those I bought and still haven't read. And I'd love if you would click on The Big Read link and see if your favourites are there and which you've read and loved.
I've read precisely 38 of these books and own quite a few more. I confess to never having read Winnie the Pooh, even though I bought the box set in a charity shop round about the time of The Big Read. I have, however, started reading it to my baby now, so that's progress!
The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe is one of my all-time favourite books. As a child, I actually went into my wardrobe a few times, just to be sure. I would have loved to have gone to Narnia. I have the whole series of books, but TLTWATW is still my favourite.
The Wind in the Willows, I even bought on audio CD too, so I could listen to it in the car (this was only about 5 years ago!) because the antics of Ratty and Toad of Toad Hall are as hilarious to me now, as they were back when I listened to it on Jackanory.
I'm currently reading Great Expectations, following on from my recent Classics post, on the suggestion of author Terry Tyler. I think I am going to like it.
Captain Corelli's Mandolin - I even read this before Nicolas Cage appeared in the movie (big NC fan!) What an amazing book, but of course, I love books set in different countries. Fantastic love story
A Prayer for Owen Meany - I have to admit I found this book seriously hard-going, but very worthwhile and it was certainly one which made me reflect. A very sad book, but also uplifting.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - it really needs no explanation, but suffice to say, I wanted a golden ticket!
Dune by Frank Herbert is a science fiction novel (which is probably why I haven't read it yet) and one which I have been assured is a classic. I will read it at some point, but it was one of my Ebay purchases after TBR.
I have to be honest and say, although I've read and loved all of the Harry Potter books, I'm not convinced they deserve a place in the best 100 books in the world ever. I feel it's more to do with what people were reading a decade ago when TBR took place.
Anne of Green Gables. What a fab book. Reminded me a little of Little House on the Prairie too, which I watched as a child. Also, as a young teenager I watched Anne of Green Gables on TV and swooned over the boy she fancied. Gorgeous. A sweet book, which I bought new after TBR 2003.
Goodnight Mister Tom - another of my favourites which was made into a TV drama - with John Thaw. Lovely drama and wonderful heart-warming book about children being evacuated during the war.
The Secret Garden - this was my sister's book, but I read and re-read it as a child.
Artemis Fowl - have read quite a few of the Eoin Coifer books now - loved all of them. Another Kidult book perhaps? Those who like Harry Potter would like Artemis.
Swallows and Amazons - another classic children's book - which I bought after TBR, but haven't read yet. I've only had ten years to do so, so shame on me. Given how much I love adventure and enjoyed being transported, as a child, through the medium of books to another place, it's shocking that I haven't read this. Must rectify ASAP.
Memoirs of a Geisha - another of my favourite books. I have read this book several times. It might be because it's set far away, but I also loved learning about the lives of the geishas and the history. When I went to Japan for work, I did my best to make time to go to Kyoto to see the places I had read about, but didn't quite manage it. I had to settle for Tokyo.
Lord of the Flies - an amazing book, about boys surviving after a plane crash, but which I perhaps read too young and it frightened me. The detail I found very disturbing, but as an adult I can confirm that it is an excellent book. Very much survival of the fittest.
Bridget Jones' Diary - I bought this in Spanish first of all. What can I say, I was often asked if I was Bridget Jones. My life just seemed to be like hers at the time.
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho - the first book by Coelho I had read and as it turns out, part of a course I was doing in Creative Writing at the University of Strathclyde. Any book which makes you reflect the way The Alchemist does is a winner for sure, and Coelho's works often do this.
Kane and Abel - one of the few books we had at home when I was a kid. It was my father's and I really enjoyed it. The first Jeffrey Archer book I read and I then read everything he read until he went to prison and loved all of his books. However, I have to say, I don't think it should be one of the top 100 books ever.
The Princess Diaries - I read in Portuguese - I was trying to re-familiarise myself with the language after a break away. Enjoyable, but top 100? Again I disagree.
Midnight's Children by Salman Rushdie. Bought because of its controversial nature. I started reading it, but simply wasn't in the mood for so intense a read, so am ashamed to say haven't read it yet.
The Thorn Birds - I was amazed to see this on the list. I have read the book, but only because I watched the serialisation when I was very young, which featured Richard Chamberlain. Great book, but again Top 100?
One day I am going to have to write my own Top 100 books ever...
Out of the 38 I have read of this Top 100, my top 3 would have to be:-
The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe
Memoirs of A Geisha and
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (I thought I was a bit nuts, but Lewis Carroll....)
Tune in next time for Part 2, when I will be exploring which books of the past decade might appear on The Top 100 were there to be a The Big Read 2013!
Sooz
July 22, 2013
My Favourite Classics - How About Yours?
Morning everyone
Happy Monday! The last day of the sunshine I believe, so I intend to make the most of it.
I am managing to read quite a lot despite having a new baby - who is 4 months old today - those who said babies grow up fast weren't kidding! I often think about the fact that perhaps I should be reading the classics and not just the contemporary fiction/crime/thrillers and chicklit I prefer to read. But, five years of doing a degree in Literature and being forced to read certain texts had put me off reading high brow books for such a long time.
I have some classics in my home library - Dickens, Jane Austen, mainly, only one I've read is Pride & Prejudice. You see, I did French, Italian, Spanish and Portuguese literature, so apart from the Shakespeare I did at school and the poems of Percy Bysshe Shelley, I haven't read that many British classics. I loathed Silas Marner by George Eliot and absolutely loved T S White's The Sword in the Stone, about the legend of King Arthur. I remember being in 2nd or 3rd year at high school and realising I had read past the section of The Sword in the Stone I was meant to read aloud in class, but no-one had stopped me, as they were all transfixed, as I kept doing the voices for each character!
So, I thought I would share with you today, some of those novels I studied at university, which you may have heard of and which I actually liked! Believe me, there were far more which were seriously hard work and I hated!
You've probably all heard of Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert - a tad raunchy, Mme Bovary is very bored and how she resolves her boredom is kind of the crux of the novel - worth a read.
Stendhal's The Red and the Black, which was televised round about the time I was at university and which many of my classmates made the mistake of watching instead of reading the book...the differences were unbelievable and they all failed their essays! It's an historical, psychological novel, about a young man who wants to rise above his current station and what he does to get there - so valid in today's world too.
Now to Italy
Boccaccio's Decameron - oh, how I laughed. It's so bawdy and I tittered at the lewd tales, all set centuries ago. 100 tales told by 10 young Florentines, over a period of ten days. Guaranteed to make you giggle, but each with a lesson. Inspired Chaucer.
The Prince by Niccolo Macchiavelli - well, you know the word Macchiavellian? It didn't spring from nowhere! How to be a successful statesman and the treachery involved - again, another tale relevant today - perhaps moreso!
INFERNO and no, I don't meant the new Dan Brown, although I believe he makes reference to Dante in his novel. I loved the constant symbolism in Inferno and Purgatorio, but I chose not to take Italian to Honours and so never did read the third part of the trilogy, Paradiso - something I need to rectify - maybe this year. The trilogy is known as The Divine Comedy. If you fancy finding out more about the seven circles of Hell, then these are the books for you.
And now to Spain!
Chronicle of a Death Foretold by Gabriel Garcia Marquez - everyone raves about A Hundred Years of Solitude, which is much better known in the UK and which I read the week I left university, after first reading 5 Agatha Christie novels back to back, but Chronicle was much more to my taste - Santiago is murdered in a small town by 2 brothers - everyone knew it was going to happen, even the victim. Years later someone will try to discover why.
There were so many other great books, I really did read a lot, under duress sometimes! Here are a few other favourites -
Dom Casmurro by Machado de Assis - Brazil - a story of love, betrayal and suspicion
Tiempo de Cerezas by Montserrat Roig - Barcelona (Time of the Cherries) - if you like your contemporary feminist fiction in Spain!
Moliere - The Miser - a comedy - in the traditional sense - fun play!
Victor Hugo's Notre Dame De Paris - probably needs no explanation
Now to the three classics I want to make sure I read soon
Tess of The D'Urbervilles - Thomas Hardy - this is cheating slightly, as I downloaded this when I first got my Kindle 3 years ago, but only read about 30% - I enjoyed it too. It was actually very funny and not at all what I expected.
The Great Gatsby - F Scott Fitzgerald - well, I saw the movie and have been told the book's only 160 pages long, so why not - it was a great movie!
Hmm. can't quite decide on the third. I think it has to either be a Dickens (David Copperfield, The Old Curiosity Shop or Great Expectations) or one of the Jane Austen's I've had for years - I have the complete works. I'll let you know how it works out!
Would love to hear your favourite classics or those you feel guilty about not having read. Or even better, which classic has touched you the most?
Have a great week everyone
Sooz
Happy Monday! The last day of the sunshine I believe, so I intend to make the most of it.
I am managing to read quite a lot despite having a new baby - who is 4 months old today - those who said babies grow up fast weren't kidding! I often think about the fact that perhaps I should be reading the classics and not just the contemporary fiction/crime/thrillers and chicklit I prefer to read. But, five years of doing a degree in Literature and being forced to read certain texts had put me off reading high brow books for such a long time.
I have some classics in my home library - Dickens, Jane Austen, mainly, only one I've read is Pride & Prejudice. You see, I did French, Italian, Spanish and Portuguese literature, so apart from the Shakespeare I did at school and the poems of Percy Bysshe Shelley, I haven't read that many British classics. I loathed Silas Marner by George Eliot and absolutely loved T S White's The Sword in the Stone, about the legend of King Arthur. I remember being in 2nd or 3rd year at high school and realising I had read past the section of The Sword in the Stone I was meant to read aloud in class, but no-one had stopped me, as they were all transfixed, as I kept doing the voices for each character! 
So, I thought I would share with you today, some of those novels I studied at university, which you may have heard of and which I actually liked! Believe me, there were far more which were seriously hard work and I hated!
You've probably all heard of Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert - a tad raunchy, Mme Bovary is very bored and how she resolves her boredom is kind of the crux of the novel - worth a read.
Stendhal's The Red and the Black, which was televised round about the time I was at university and which many of my classmates made the mistake of watching instead of reading the book...the differences were unbelievable and they all failed their essays! It's an historical, psychological novel, about a young man who wants to rise above his current station and what he does to get there - so valid in today's world too.
Now to Italy
Boccaccio's Decameron - oh, how I laughed. It's so bawdy and I tittered at the lewd tales, all set centuries ago. 100 tales told by 10 young Florentines, over a period of ten days. Guaranteed to make you giggle, but each with a lesson. Inspired Chaucer.
The Prince by Niccolo Macchiavelli - well, you know the word Macchiavellian? It didn't spring from nowhere! How to be a successful statesman and the treachery involved - again, another tale relevant today - perhaps moreso!
INFERNO and no, I don't meant the new Dan Brown, although I believe he makes reference to Dante in his novel. I loved the constant symbolism in Inferno and Purgatorio, but I chose not to take Italian to Honours and so never did read the third part of the trilogy, Paradiso - something I need to rectify - maybe this year. The trilogy is known as The Divine Comedy. If you fancy finding out more about the seven circles of Hell, then these are the books for you.
And now to Spain!
Chronicle of a Death Foretold by Gabriel Garcia Marquez - everyone raves about A Hundred Years of Solitude, which is much better known in the UK and which I read the week I left university, after first reading 5 Agatha Christie novels back to back, but Chronicle was much more to my taste - Santiago is murdered in a small town by 2 brothers - everyone knew it was going to happen, even the victim. Years later someone will try to discover why.
There were so many other great books, I really did read a lot, under duress sometimes! Here are a few other favourites -
Dom Casmurro by Machado de Assis - Brazil - a story of love, betrayal and suspicion
Tiempo de Cerezas by Montserrat Roig - Barcelona (Time of the Cherries) - if you like your contemporary feminist fiction in Spain!
Moliere - The Miser - a comedy - in the traditional sense - fun play!
Victor Hugo's Notre Dame De Paris - probably needs no explanation
Now to the three classics I want to make sure I read soon
Tess of The D'Urbervilles - Thomas Hardy - this is cheating slightly, as I downloaded this when I first got my Kindle 3 years ago, but only read about 30% - I enjoyed it too. It was actually very funny and not at all what I expected.
The Great Gatsby - F Scott Fitzgerald - well, I saw the movie and have been told the book's only 160 pages long, so why not - it was a great movie!
Hmm. can't quite decide on the third. I think it has to either be a Dickens (David Copperfield, The Old Curiosity Shop or Great Expectations) or one of the Jane Austen's I've had for years - I have the complete works. I'll let you know how it works out!
Would love to hear your favourite classics or those you feel guilty about not having read. Or even better, which classic has touched you the most?
Have a great week everyone
Sooz
July 17, 2013
The Dating Game featured as a summer read on UK Arts Directory
Afternoon everyone
Just thought I would share this with you all. Am honoured that The Dating Game is the first mentioned novel on the UK Arts Directory summer chick lit reads.
http://ukartsdirectory.com/terry-tylers-blog/
Right, back to the sunshine
Sooz
Just thought I would share this with you all. Am honoured that The Dating Game is the first mentioned novel on the UK Arts Directory summer chick lit reads.
http://ukartsdirectory.com/terry-tylers-blog/
Right, back to the sunshine
Sooz
July 2, 2013
Sooz's Half Yearly Reading Challenge Roundup
Now, don't faint, yes, I am here, I am back, I've just been incredibly busy - and baby Antonia is now 14 weeks old and twisting me around her little finger like you wouldn't believe. Wonder where she gets that from? Not guilty!
Anyway, I realise that I went through June without a single blog post - shame on me, but you've got to understand, my daughter is super-cute and I can spend hours just watching her amazement at everything.
But, where are we at? Well, I think I can safely say that I am going to have to delay by a few months the release of What If, until around Feb 2014. (I know...but needs must!)
So, what have I been doing, apart from changing nappies and watching Wimbledon? Well, I have managed to do some reading and I thought it might be fun to look at the books I set myself to read this year and then look at what I've actually read. I haven't been doing as many reviews, but I might manage the occasional one every so often from now on. Stay tuned for that.
According to Goodreads, I've managed to read 26 books this year, out of my goal of 35 (bear in mind that I thought that post-baby, I'd be lucky to read a flyer for Aldi, never mind books - but I've managed)
Here is the full list I set myself on 2nd Jan - http://www.susancbuchanan.blogspot.co.uk/2013_01_01_archive.html
So, first off I started with Carole Matthews' - With Love At Christmas - 5 stars from me! Fantastic chick lit read.
Party Games by E J Greenway - 4 stars - political thriller, but with lots of relationship stuff. Review here - http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/477371955
The Racketeer - John Grisham - I was trying to work my way through the hardback books I got for my 40th birthday in December and Christmas first, otherwise I would have been as well to wait for the paperback to come out - seemed logical to me! - big Grisham fan, one of his best - 5 stars from me.
I have three Talli Roland books on my list - but so far have only managed Mistletoe in Manhattan, a Christmas novella - my only complaint was it was so short, but then it was a novella - doh! 4 stars
Jenny Colgan had 2 books on my list - Meet Me At The Cupcake Café and Christmas at the Cupcake Café. I was a tad wary, as I hate cupcakes, but actually Jenny's stories have made me think all I need to do is find somewhere which makes decent cupcakes! Loved both books, although the original was my favourite. Both 4 stars in my book.
Julia Williams' A Merry Little Christmas was I think my second Kindle read of the year. My own fault, I was thinking it was a Christmas book and I do tend to overindulge in them and read them year round, but I forgot the village in the novel was Hope Christmas and the novel wasn't really so much to do with Christmas...but no matter, it was enjoyable and a 4 star.
The Black Box by Michael Connelly was one of his best I thought - although it took me a while to get into it - but I reckon that was baby Antonia's interruptions, rather than the calibre of the book. 4 stars from me.
A State of Jane by Meredith Schorr - review here http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/444121814 - was a very fun chicklit read - easily 4 stars - looking forward to her next book.
The Mystery of Mercy Close by Marian Keyes - I have to say, I was disappointed. I don't know if it's because I never liked Helen and I get that she was meant to not be very likeable, but I think maybe it's because I am also past all the clothing references. It was novel for her to be a private investigator and yes, it was still funny, but I simply don't think it was one of her best, although I know many disagree with me. I still gave it 4 stars for the way it dealt with depression.
One Hundred Names by Cecelia Ahern - absolutely my favourite book this year - you know the kind of book which stays with you? It's one of those! As always with Cecelia's books, it's quite different from what went before. 5 stars
27: Six Friends - One Year by R J Heald - had been looking forward to reading this for quite a while - 5 stars from me! Loved the way the lives of the 6 friends intertwined. Review here - http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/481695244
The Rose Petal Beach by Dorothy Koomson - I've loved all of Dorothy's books and this was no different. It was as good as The Ice Cream Girls, if not better. If I heard right, it's being made into a TV drama too.
Second Chances by Maria Savva. I have to say, I preferred Coincidences, but I have a few others of Maria's on my list for this year and she has also just released Delusion and Dreams (which I was meant to beta read, but then baby Antonia decided to come early....kids, eh?)
Sophie's Turn by Nicky Wells - I confess to being dubious about how much I would like this, not because I had preconceptions about the author's work, but because I had recently read another rock star type novel, but I need not have worried - I absolutely loved it. So much so, I downloaded Sophie's Run, the follow up, as one of my three World Book Night reads. I've started it and it's my current Kindle read. 4 stars for Sophie's Turn. Review of Sophie's Turn - http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/437410487
Ten Years On by Alice Peterson - absolutely loved this book. Have a few more of Alice's books to read, but this reminded me, although a different subject matter, of Jojo Moyes' Me Before You. 5 stars from me. http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/344463349
You Had Me At Hello by Mhairi MacFarlane - there was a lot of hype surrounding this book and initially I just didn't get it and to a certain extent I still don't. I ended up rating it 4 stars, as I did really enjoy it in the end. But I did feel it was a bit of simile and metaphor overload - the very thing I liked about it in the early chapters, was driving me nuts by the end. It was, however, worth reading.
NOW, that brings us to the end of the books that I KNEW I was going to read. And, well, I kind of knew I would read this next one, although I didn't know when it would be released, or its title - Full Circle by Terry Tyler, the follow up to Dream On. Thoroughly enjoyed it - even with a brand new baby, still managed to read it in only a few days - although balancing a baby, a bottle and a Kindle is not as easy as others make out! Easily 4.5 stars from me. http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/589136629
And, I know she is working on a new book, which I fully expect to be out later this year, so that will have to go on my To Read list now, too.
I've just finished Emily Barr's The Sleeper, which I think is due out on 4th July, but I begged for a review copy and was kindly sent one - couldn't put it down - 4.5 stars. Another thriller from Emily. Interesting to see how her style has changed since her early books. I noticed the same with Dorothy Koomson - went from being a slightly dark women's contemporary fiction novelist to a thriller writer. They are both great at both.
I had this moment a few weeks ago, where I thought, 'I really should read some of my paper book mountain' and decided to read the first book of an author beginning with K in my home library. Well, once I discovered it was Kafka's Metamorphosis, I figured I might change that to the second book by an author beginning with K - which led me to Manju Kapur's The Immigrant. I've read about 100 pages, but although it's all right, it simply isn't gripping me. I shall go back to it, after my current paper book - The Stag and Hen Weekend by Mike Gayle, which I picked up by chance on the way back from Rhymetime with baby Antonia last week at our local library - simply can't go past a library and not get a book out - makes no difference how many books I have at home unread...
Since I've loved all of Mike Gayle's books, I figure I will love this too, I just reckon it might take a while longer, this being Wimbledon week...
Jill Mansell's A Walk in the Park is another book I picked up at the library - a book I'd missed buying last year, as I was too busy writing. Really enjoyed it - love Jill's books and another solid 4 star from me. Review here - http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/617265415
The First Last Kiss by Ali Harris - again there was a lot of hype surrounding this book, but this time I thought it was definitely well deserved. Again it had undertones of Me Before You and Ten Years On, mentioned above. Easily a 4 star.
Carole Matthews' Summer Daydreams was another novel which I had missed the boat on buying when it came out, so I picked it up in the library and absolutely loved it. I think Carole's books are simply getting better and better. But I particularly loved the occupations in this novel, the US side of things and the fact that it had more serious messages, whilst still having the usual Carole trademarks.
4 stars from me!
Sophie Hannah's The Other Half Lives - discovered Sophie's thrillers last year and they have so many twists, my head feels like it is going to spin off. I enjoyed this, but I preferred some of her others, as I thought this one was just slightly too far-fetched (not that the others aren't!) Even at that, she still gets 5 stars...
The Quintessential Gemini by Linn B Halton - this is my first book of Linn's, but I have a few others to read. I enjoyed the story, but possibly because I am not into astrology and don't believe in star signs having any sway over things (rich I realise, having written Sign of the Times!) I didn't relate to it as much as I possibly could have, were I more astrologically minded.
Baggage by Emily Barr - the reason I was so keen to get an advance review copy of The Sleeper. This is an old book, but I had it in my home library unread. Loved it. Very clever indeed. Easy 5 stars from me. Not the psychological thriller of her current novels, but a dark tale nonetheless.
And do you know what? I've finally caught up..
that said, I need to add the following - Khaled Hosseini - And The Mountains Echoed
Carlos Ruiz Zafon - The Watcher in the Shadows
and I am avidly awaiting new releases from Tracie Banister and Samantha Stroh-Bailey, who featured on my top books of 2012. Plus I am sure some of my favourite authors will bring out some new books later this year and I won't have thought of those.
Anyway, it only remains for me to say, enjoy the above and now for me, it's back to reading!
Sooz x
Anyway, I realise that I went through June without a single blog post - shame on me, but you've got to understand, my daughter is super-cute and I can spend hours just watching her amazement at everything.
But, where are we at? Well, I think I can safely say that I am going to have to delay by a few months the release of What If, until around Feb 2014. (I know...but needs must!)
So, what have I been doing, apart from changing nappies and watching Wimbledon? Well, I have managed to do some reading and I thought it might be fun to look at the books I set myself to read this year and then look at what I've actually read. I haven't been doing as many reviews, but I might manage the occasional one every so often from now on. Stay tuned for that.
According to Goodreads, I've managed to read 26 books this year, out of my goal of 35 (bear in mind that I thought that post-baby, I'd be lucky to read a flyer for Aldi, never mind books - but I've managed)
Here is the full list I set myself on 2nd Jan - http://www.susancbuchanan.blogspot.co.uk/2013_01_01_archive.html
So, first off I started with Carole Matthews' - With Love At Christmas - 5 stars from me! Fantastic chick lit read.
Party Games by E J Greenway - 4 stars - political thriller, but with lots of relationship stuff. Review here - http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/477371955
The Racketeer - John Grisham - I was trying to work my way through the hardback books I got for my 40th birthday in December and Christmas first, otherwise I would have been as well to wait for the paperback to come out - seemed logical to me! - big Grisham fan, one of his best - 5 stars from me.
I have three Talli Roland books on my list - but so far have only managed Mistletoe in Manhattan, a Christmas novella - my only complaint was it was so short, but then it was a novella - doh! 4 stars
Jenny Colgan had 2 books on my list - Meet Me At The Cupcake Café and Christmas at the Cupcake Café. I was a tad wary, as I hate cupcakes, but actually Jenny's stories have made me think all I need to do is find somewhere which makes decent cupcakes! Loved both books, although the original was my favourite. Both 4 stars in my book.
Julia Williams' A Merry Little Christmas was I think my second Kindle read of the year. My own fault, I was thinking it was a Christmas book and I do tend to overindulge in them and read them year round, but I forgot the village in the novel was Hope Christmas and the novel wasn't really so much to do with Christmas...but no matter, it was enjoyable and a 4 star.
The Black Box by Michael Connelly was one of his best I thought - although it took me a while to get into it - but I reckon that was baby Antonia's interruptions, rather than the calibre of the book. 4 stars from me.
A State of Jane by Meredith Schorr - review here http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/444121814 - was a very fun chicklit read - easily 4 stars - looking forward to her next book.
The Mystery of Mercy Close by Marian Keyes - I have to say, I was disappointed. I don't know if it's because I never liked Helen and I get that she was meant to not be very likeable, but I think maybe it's because I am also past all the clothing references. It was novel for her to be a private investigator and yes, it was still funny, but I simply don't think it was one of her best, although I know many disagree with me. I still gave it 4 stars for the way it dealt with depression.
One Hundred Names by Cecelia Ahern - absolutely my favourite book this year - you know the kind of book which stays with you? It's one of those! As always with Cecelia's books, it's quite different from what went before. 5 stars
27: Six Friends - One Year by R J Heald - had been looking forward to reading this for quite a while - 5 stars from me! Loved the way the lives of the 6 friends intertwined. Review here - http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/481695244
The Rose Petal Beach by Dorothy Koomson - I've loved all of Dorothy's books and this was no different. It was as good as The Ice Cream Girls, if not better. If I heard right, it's being made into a TV drama too.
Second Chances by Maria Savva. I have to say, I preferred Coincidences, but I have a few others of Maria's on my list for this year and she has also just released Delusion and Dreams (which I was meant to beta read, but then baby Antonia decided to come early....kids, eh?)
Sophie's Turn by Nicky Wells - I confess to being dubious about how much I would like this, not because I had preconceptions about the author's work, but because I had recently read another rock star type novel, but I need not have worried - I absolutely loved it. So much so, I downloaded Sophie's Run, the follow up, as one of my three World Book Night reads. I've started it and it's my current Kindle read. 4 stars for Sophie's Turn. Review of Sophie's Turn - http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/437410487
Ten Years On by Alice Peterson - absolutely loved this book. Have a few more of Alice's books to read, but this reminded me, although a different subject matter, of Jojo Moyes' Me Before You. 5 stars from me. http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/344463349
You Had Me At Hello by Mhairi MacFarlane - there was a lot of hype surrounding this book and initially I just didn't get it and to a certain extent I still don't. I ended up rating it 4 stars, as I did really enjoy it in the end. But I did feel it was a bit of simile and metaphor overload - the very thing I liked about it in the early chapters, was driving me nuts by the end. It was, however, worth reading.
NOW, that brings us to the end of the books that I KNEW I was going to read. And, well, I kind of knew I would read this next one, although I didn't know when it would be released, or its title - Full Circle by Terry Tyler, the follow up to Dream On. Thoroughly enjoyed it - even with a brand new baby, still managed to read it in only a few days - although balancing a baby, a bottle and a Kindle is not as easy as others make out! Easily 4.5 stars from me. http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/589136629
And, I know she is working on a new book, which I fully expect to be out later this year, so that will have to go on my To Read list now, too.
I've just finished Emily Barr's The Sleeper, which I think is due out on 4th July, but I begged for a review copy and was kindly sent one - couldn't put it down - 4.5 stars. Another thriller from Emily. Interesting to see how her style has changed since her early books. I noticed the same with Dorothy Koomson - went from being a slightly dark women's contemporary fiction novelist to a thriller writer. They are both great at both.
I had this moment a few weeks ago, where I thought, 'I really should read some of my paper book mountain' and decided to read the first book of an author beginning with K in my home library. Well, once I discovered it was Kafka's Metamorphosis, I figured I might change that to the second book by an author beginning with K - which led me to Manju Kapur's The Immigrant. I've read about 100 pages, but although it's all right, it simply isn't gripping me. I shall go back to it, after my current paper book - The Stag and Hen Weekend by Mike Gayle, which I picked up by chance on the way back from Rhymetime with baby Antonia last week at our local library - simply can't go past a library and not get a book out - makes no difference how many books I have at home unread...
Since I've loved all of Mike Gayle's books, I figure I will love this too, I just reckon it might take a while longer, this being Wimbledon week...
Jill Mansell's A Walk in the Park is another book I picked up at the library - a book I'd missed buying last year, as I was too busy writing. Really enjoyed it - love Jill's books and another solid 4 star from me. Review here - http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/617265415
The First Last Kiss by Ali Harris - again there was a lot of hype surrounding this book, but this time I thought it was definitely well deserved. Again it had undertones of Me Before You and Ten Years On, mentioned above. Easily a 4 star.
Carole Matthews' Summer Daydreams was another novel which I had missed the boat on buying when it came out, so I picked it up in the library and absolutely loved it. I think Carole's books are simply getting better and better. But I particularly loved the occupations in this novel, the US side of things and the fact that it had more serious messages, whilst still having the usual Carole trademarks.
4 stars from me!
Sophie Hannah's The Other Half Lives - discovered Sophie's thrillers last year and they have so many twists, my head feels like it is going to spin off. I enjoyed this, but I preferred some of her others, as I thought this one was just slightly too far-fetched (not that the others aren't!) Even at that, she still gets 5 stars...
The Quintessential Gemini by Linn B Halton - this is my first book of Linn's, but I have a few others to read. I enjoyed the story, but possibly because I am not into astrology and don't believe in star signs having any sway over things (rich I realise, having written Sign of the Times!) I didn't relate to it as much as I possibly could have, were I more astrologically minded.
Baggage by Emily Barr - the reason I was so keen to get an advance review copy of The Sleeper. This is an old book, but I had it in my home library unread. Loved it. Very clever indeed. Easy 5 stars from me. Not the psychological thriller of her current novels, but a dark tale nonetheless.
And do you know what? I've finally caught up..
that said, I need to add the following - Khaled Hosseini - And The Mountains Echoed
Carlos Ruiz Zafon - The Watcher in the Shadows
and I am avidly awaiting new releases from Tracie Banister and Samantha Stroh-Bailey, who featured on my top books of 2012. Plus I am sure some of my favourite authors will bring out some new books later this year and I won't have thought of those.
Anyway, it only remains for me to say, enjoy the above and now for me, it's back to reading!
Sooz x
