1* Did not like it at all would not recommend
2** An OK read just the once
3*** Liked it but it was an Average Read
31/2 *** Better than an Average Really enjoyed it :)
4**** Really liked it would recommend
4 1/2**** Loved it would recommend but not quite top of the list
5***** Loved it .. Would highly recommend it and has pride of place on my bookshelf
Book Club reads for 2011
January - CLOCKWORK ANGEL by Cassandra Clare (Sam)
February - MY NAME IS MARY SUTTER by Robin Oliveira (Legs)
March - JULIET by Anne Fortier (Shaz)
April - ROOM by Emma Donoghue (Kristie)
May - PERFUME:THE STORY OF A MURDERER by Patrick Suskind (Irish)
June - BEYOND THE CLEAVAGE by Raquel Welch (Native)
July - PEGASUS by Robin McKinley (Sam)
August - HELP by Kathryn Stockett (Shaz)
September - BEFORE I FALL by Lauren Oliver (Legs)
October - ZOOKEEPER'S WIFE by Diane Ackerman (Irish)
November - LITTLE WOMEN by Louisa May Alcott (Native)
TEASER TUESDAYS asks you to: Grab your current read. Let the book fall open to a random page. Share with us two (2) “teaser” sentences from that page, somewhere between lines 7 and 12. You also need to share the title of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from … that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you’ve given! Please avoid spoilers
"Today he should Commemorate Comrade Ogilivy. It was true that there was no such person as Comrade Ogilvy, but a few lines of print and a couple of faked photographs would soon bring him into existence. Winston though for a moment, then pulled the speak-write towards him and began dictating in Big Brother's familar style: a style at once military and pedantic, and because of the a trick of asking questions and then promptly answering them."
One day a woman of average means waltzes by a jewellery shop window and spots a GBP20,000 diamond necklace. She can't get it out of her head. Eventually she gets the idea of sharing it with friends, persuading them to chip in a grand each to buy the necklace. This is the story of 13 ordinary women, and one extraordinary adventure. This is the amazing true story of thirteen women who don't want to give up on their dreams. They club together to buy a gorgeous necklace, each of them get it for four weeks at a time. They meet every month to find out what the necklace (now dubbed 'Jewelia') has been up to. The club has some rules: if someone goes to Paris, they get the necklace. At least once, everyone has to wear the necklace whilst making love. It's now two years later, and the necklace has been loaned out to nieces, grandmas, friends and granddaughters. It has been worn by brides and colleagues and sisters and friends. And when it's their turn for the necklace the women of Jewelia have worn it for both the daily routines and special events of their lives, to teach school, to work in the farmer's market, to go fishing and skydiving. It's raised money for charity.It's started something. The Travelling Necklace is the story of how an object of desire became a catalyst for connection, friendship and more. It's like Calendar Girls, only maybe a bit more glamorous, glitzy and sparkling. It's a book people are going to buy for their best friends and their mothers.
This is another book that I just liked the cover and I picked it up and was entreated that it was a real story ...
The book is really a delightful book to read and will be interesting to see the movie when they bring it out !!! The concept is fascinating that 13 woman some of them strangers would invest over $1000 each to purchase a real Diamond Necklace that they will each share.
It is true that you never really know what to expect when you bring a group of woman together but one thing is for sure they forge a lasting friendship. You have 13 women from different backgrounds and each one sign up for this adventure for different reasons.
I found the book open and honest - As with one question that arose with possession and sharing the necklace ... And although in some cases the woman did not all agree they all grew in different ways ...
I related to a few of the women and a few stories stuck a cord with me ... One of them was when one of the women was getting upset because she felt that her opinions did not count or where being dismissed and she was not ready accustom to that ... She said that she was an only child which is what I am and that she was used to her ideas and comments being followed because their was no one to help her or say otherwise ... And she now found it hurtful if she speaks her mind in the group and they dismiss it ... The thing that she learnt was not to be over sensitive when your ideas and thoughts do not happen the way you imagined it ... I could totally relate to that but just never looked at it in that light ... Something that I need to work on ...
Another quote I loved was "The only thing that separates us from the animals is our ability to accessorize" Love it ...
This book is a wee gem and I thoroughly enjoyed it ... If there is one thing that comes out of this book is that Women need other Women ....
I rate this book 5*****
If you are doing this book as part of your book club here is a link to some discussion questions that will interest you !!!
From beloved mother-daughter duo Mary Higgins Clark and Carol Higgins Clark comes a holiday treat you won't want to miss.
In the picturesque village of Branscombe, New Hampshire, the townsfolk are all pitching in to prepare for the first (and many hope annual) Festival of Joy. The night before the festival begins, a group of employees at the local market learn that they have won $160 million in the lottery. One of their co-workers, Duncan, decided at the last minute, on the advice of a pair of crooks masquerading as financial advisers, not to play. Then he goes missing. A second winning lottery ticket was purchased in the next town, but the winner hasn't come forward. Could Duncan have secretly bought it?
The Clarks' endearing heroes -- Alvirah Meehan, the amateur sleuth, and private investigator Regan Reilly -- have arrived in Branscombe for the festival. They are just the people to find out what is amiss. As they dig beneath the surface, they find that life in Branscombe is not as tranquil as it appears. So much for an old-fashioned weekend in the country.
Well what a great wee read ... To be honest I picked this book up mainly because of the cover and it was a nice hard backed book ... I had read some of Mary Higgins Clark books before a long time ago and I am so glad that I decided that I have rediscovered her again ...
The story is set in a small town where the communty all know each other and there still is the feeling of everyone helping each other out ... And now is a prefect time of year to read this book as it is set around Christmas ...
The book is really easy to read and just flows nicely ... There are really loveable characters along with other characters that you love to hate ... There is mystery, plotting and money involved which is a prefect recipe for a good story ...
This is a cute wee book that shows that people do have heart !!!
TEASER TUESDAYS asks you to: Grab your current read. Let the book fall open to a random page. Share with us two (2) “teaser” sentences from that page, somewhere between lines 7 and 12. You also need to share the title of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from … that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you’ve given! Please avoid spoilers
"I just tired to call his girlfriend for him, but her message box was full. What a lucky girl she is! As my grandmother would say, she certainly landed in a tub of butter"
Pg 147 Dashing Through the Snow by Mary Higgins Clark & Carol Higgins Clark
Dewey Readmore Books was the resident cat at Spencer Public Library. He was put in the book return one cold January night in 1988. When the staff found him the next morning, they decided to adopt him. After the library's board of trustees and the city council approved, the kitten was declawed, neutered, and given the proper vaccinations. A contest was held to pick a name, and Dewey Readmore Books was officially added to the staff. The staff cared for Dewey and donated their pop cans to feed the kitty. Patrons and friends from as far away as New York have donated money for Dewey's food. Dewey generated lots of publicity for the library. He was featured in the local paper, Country magazine, Cat Fancy magazine, on the Sioux City television stations, in books, and on postcards. He was a video star in Puss in Books, a documentary about library cats. Of course, Dewey was already the star of the library. Many people came in just to see him. Dewey even had his own job description. Check out Dewey as a supervisor of our staff. Dewey passed away on November 29, 2006 due to complications from a stomach tumor. He had become very frail because of hyperthyroid disease for which he was receiving medication. He died in the arms of the library director, Vicki Myron. He had just celebrated his 19th birthday eleven days before he died. Although Dewey is gone, he will be remembered by thousands of people whom he cheered by simply being a loving presence in the library. Although we may get another library cat, Dewey will never be replaced. The library won't be the same without Dewey.
DEWEY'S JOB DESCRIPTION 1. Reducing stress for all humans who pay attention to him. 2. Sitting by the front door every morning at 9:00 am to greet the public as they enter the library. 3. Sampling all boxes that enter the library for security problems and comfort level. 4. Attending all meetings in the Round Room as official library ambassador. 5. Providing comic relief for staff and visitors whenever possible. 6. Climbing in book bags and briefcases while patrons are studying or trying to retrieve needed papers underneath him. 7. Generating free national and world-wide publicity for Spencer Public Library. (This entails sitting still for photographs, smiling for the camera, and generally being cute.) 8. Working toward status as world's most finicky cat by refusing all but the most expensive, delectable foods---and even turning up his nose at those most of the time.
Thanks Heidi for recommending me this book .... I loved it ... Not only is it a lovely story but it makes it all that more precious because it happened ....
It just goes to show that we all can make a difference ... It mentions in the book about how even through hard and trying times you may not get out of your situations but if you show a little bit of love and attention to people it helps making it easier ...
This lovable cat not only caught the hearts of the people of Spencer but reached out worldwide ...
A gorgeous story that I would highly recommend whether you are a cat lover or not I guarantee your heart strings will be pulled ....
Rahel returns to her childhood home on a rainy summer's day after twenty-three years' absence. The reason that she is coming back is to see her twin brother, Estha. The only members of her family living in the house now are Baby Kochamma, Rahel's grandaunt, and Estha. Rahel recalls how very close she and her twin were, like one spirit. The twins are now thirty-one, the age that their mother was when she died. On entering the house, Rahel sees the bright blue Plymouth parked outside. Thoughts, memories and recollections come to her, with tastes, visions and smells
Ok ... this is a book that I found really difficult to read !!! I searched and searched the net and found a huge number of people who just loved this book ... It seems to be the norm recently that alot of the huge best seller books like 'The Time Travellers Wife' ,'Wuthering Heights' and this one I just did not get all the hype !!
I found this book difficult in many ways firstly I found it confusing with the characters names ... Most of the characters had a couple of names they where called by and this kept swapping throughout the book ... I had to keep referring to the back of the book to see who was who ... I found throughout the book it jumped from one story to another, and to boot I found the terminology was quite difficult to understand ...
And have to admit that I really skimmed through the last few chapters because I really wanted it over and done with ...
On a more positive note I have to say the detail in the book is wonderful and very descriptive.
If this book was not one on my reading challenge I think I would have given up a few weeks ago as it took me 3 weeks to read it ...
If you are doing this book and wish to have a more detailed account or study questions etc here's a great link
TEASER TUESDAYS asks you to: Grab your current read. Let the book fall open to a random page. Share with us two (2) “teaser” sentences from that page, somewhere between lines 7 and 12. You also need to share the title of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from … that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you’ve given! Please avoid spoilers
"As we pulled each branch out of the box. Dewey lunged at it. He wanted to sniff and chew every green piece of plastic sticking out of every green wire branch. He pulled a few plastic needles off the tree and started working them around in his mouth"
TEASER TUESDAYS asks you to: Grab your current read. Let the book fall open to a random page. Share with us two (2) “teaser” sentences from that page, somewhere between lines 7 and 12. You also need to share the title of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from … that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you’ve given! Please avoid spoilers
"That may be," he said caustically. "But Rome was not built in a day. Keep it in mind, Comrade, that this is not your Oxford college. For you what is a nonsense, for Masses it is something different"
Well girlies ... Twilight is finally here this week ..... So will be going out for dinner and then movies later with our other halves .... I will post times etc later on .... Looking forward to it ... All you need to do is buy a book for a present and we will swap them on Friday xxxxxxx
OK everything is booked ... The movie is at 6:40 so we need to meet in the front at 6:30 if not earlier .... Then we are going to head and get some pizza !!!! Cannot wait
TEASER TUESDAYS asks you to: Grab your current read. Let the book fall open to a random page. Share with us two (2) “teaser” sentences from that page, somewhere between lines 7 and 12. You also need to share the title of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from … that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you’ve given! Please avoid spoilers
"The smoke rose in dense fumes and arranged itself in complex patterns against the sky. People crowded around at a safe distance, read meanings into them"
Well I know that we are not meeting to discuss this book as it is one of our summer reads .... But it is a brilliant book !!! And I loved it !!! It has to be one of the best books I have read all year !!! Anyway here are the discussion questions for the book ... Enjoy !!!
1. What was it like to read a novel composed entirely of letters? What do letters offer that no other form of writing (not even emails) can convey?
2. What makes Sidney and Sophie ideal friends for Juliet? What common ground do they share? Who has been a similar advocate in your life?
3. Dawsey first wrote to Juliet because books, on Charles Lamb or otherwise, were so difficult to obtain on Guernsey in the aftermath of the war. What differences did you note between bookselling in the novel and bookselling in your world? What makes book lovers unique, across all generations?
4. What were your first impressions of Dawsey? How was he different from the other men Juliet had known?
5. Discuss the poets, novelists, biographers, and other writers who capture the hearts of the members of the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. What does a reader’s taste in books say about his or her personality? Whose lives were changed the most by membership in the society?
6. Juliet occasionally receives mean-spirited correspondence from strangers, accusing both Elizabeth and Juliet of being immoral. What accounts for their judgmental ways?
7. In what ways were Juliet and Elizabeth kindred spirits? What did Elizabeth’s spontaneous invention of the society, as well as her brave final act, say about her approach to life?
8. Numerous Guernsey residents give Juliet access to their private memories of the occupation. Which voices were most memorable for you? What was the effect of reading a variety of responses to a shared tragedy?
9. Kit and Juliet complete each other in many ways. What did they need from each other? What qualities make Juliet an unconventional, excellent mother?
10. How did Remy’s presence enhance the lives of those on Guernsey? Through her survival, what recollections, hopes, and lessons also survived?
11. Juliet rejects marriage proposals from a man who is a stereotypical “great catch.” How would you have handled Juliet’s romantic entanglement? What truly makes someone a “great catch”?
12. What was the effect of reading a novel about an author’s experiences with writing, editing, and getting published? Did this enhance the book’s realism, though Juliet’s experience is a bit different from that of debut novelist Mary Ann Shaffer and her niece, children’s book author Annie Barrows?
13. What historical facts about life in England during World War II were you especially surprised to discover? What traits, such as remarkable stamina, are captured in a detail such as potato peel pie? In what ways does fiction provide a means for more fully understanding a non-fiction truth?
14. Which of the members of the Society is your favorite? Whose literary opinions are most like your own?15. Do you agree with Isola that “reading good books ruins you for enjoying bad ones”?
"We are forgetting God, whose commandments we have neglected and in some cases forgotten, and which we seem reluctant- or too undisciplined- to obey. In too many ways, we have substituted human sophistry for the wisdom of the Almighty.
America is still strong, but destructive forces have been and are at work. There is a serious unsteadiness in our country's stance in terms of morality, ethics, principles, and behavior. We as a people and a nation have increasingly neglected and abandoned time-honored virtues that have been proven through the centuries to keep human beings individually, and therefore collectively, strong."
I have been reading quite abit recently and alot of my most recent books have focused on quite heavy subjects so I thought I really need to do some uplifting reading so I picked up "Standing for Something" Even though it does focus on America's problems you can see the breakdown of this virtues in any country. But President Hinckley gives us hope ...
"Healing in our hearts and in our homes, and subsequently throughout society, will begin to occur when we individually and collectively return to the code of ethics and the canons of divine truth that our honored forefathers lived by."
He outlines in his book, this code of ethics, by way of the following ten virtues:
1) Love: The Lodestar of Life Love is the only force that can erase the differences between people or bridge the chasms of bitterness. 2) Honesty: Where There Is Honesty, Other Virtues Will Follow In our day, those found in dishonesty aren't put to death, but something within them dies. Conscience chokes, character withers, self-respect vanishes, integrity dies. How cheaply some men and women sell their good names!
3) Making a Case for Morality Both experience and divine wisdom dictate that moral virtue and cleanliness pave the way that leads to strength of character, peace of mind and heart, and happiness in life.
4) Our Fading Civility Civility carries with it the essence of courtesy, politeness, and consideration of others. All of the education and accomplishments in the world will not count for much unless they are accompanied by marks of gentility, of respect for others, of going the extra mile.
5) Learning: "With All Thy Getting Get Understanding" No matter how old we become, we can acquire knowledge and use it. We can gather wisdom and profit from it. We can grow and progress and improve- and, in the process, strengthen the lives of those within our circle of influence.
6) The Twin Virtues of Forgiveness and Mercy Hatred always fails and bitterness always destroys. Are there virtues more in need of application in our day, a time marked by litigious proceedings and heated exchanges, than those of forgiving, forgetting, and extending mercy to those who may have wronged us or let us down?
7) Thrift and Industry: Getting Our Houses in Order I commend to all the virtues of industry and thift, which I believe go hand in hand. The Labor and thrift of the people make a nation, a community, or a family strong. Work and thrift make the family independent.
8) Gratitude: A Sign of Maturity Gratitude is the beginning of civility, of decency and goodness, of a recognition that we cannot afford to be arrogant. We should walk with the knowledge that we will need help every step of the way.
9) Optimism in the Face of Cynicism My plea is that we stop seeking out the storms and enjoy more fully the sunlight. I am suggesting that as we go through life, we "accentuate the positive." I am asking that we look a little deeper for the good, that we still our voices of insult and sarcasm, that we more generously compliment and endorse virtue and effort.
10) Faith: Our Only Hope Great buildings were never constructed on uncertain foundations. Great causes were never brought to success by vacillating leaders. Faith has always been , and always must be, at the root of any meaningful practice and endeavor.
There are so many beautiful quotes in this book that I could go on all day writing them down but we really need to get back to the basics ... And alot of the things in this book you would just take for granted but you can see in today's world how even the simple things like gratitude is breaking down ...
I loved the quote of "With that frame of reference, my plea is that we stop seeking out the storms and enjoy more fully the sunlight. I am suggesting that as we go through life, we "accentuate the positive". I just thought that was lovely ...
TEASER TUESDAYS asks you to: Grab your current read. Let the book fall open to a random page. Share with us two (2) “teaser” sentences from that page, somewhere between lines 7 and 12. You also need to share the title of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from … that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you’ve given! Please avoid spoilers
"Let us be more merciful. Let us get the arrogance out of our lives, the conceit, the egotism. Let us be more compassionate, gentler, filled with more forbearance, patience, forgiveness, and a greater measure of respect one for another."
Pg 92 of Standing for something by Gordon B Hinckley
*This is a challenge that anyone can join, no matter what types of books they like to read. You should be able to find books from any genre that will work.
*Dates: January 1, 2009 through December 31, 2009
*The Challenge: Choose one book from each of the following categories.
1. A book with a "profession" in its title.
Examples might include: The Book Thief, The Island of Dr. Moreau, The Historian
2. A book with a "time of day" in its title.
Examples might include: Twilight, Four Past Midnight, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
3. A book with a "relative" in its title.
Examples might include: Eight Cousins, My Father's Dragon, The Daughter of Time
4. A book with a "body part" in its title.
Examples might include: The Bluest Eye, Bag of Bones, The Heart of Darkness
5. A book with a "building" in its title.
Examples might include: Uncle Tom's Cabin, Little House on the Prairie, The Looming Tower
6. A book with a "medical condition" in its title.
Examples might include: Insomnia, Coma, The Plague
*You may overlap books with other challenges, but please don't use the same book for more than one category.
Here's the link to the site if you would like to sign up yourself
When a bid to seek out fame in New York City proves too much strain for the young writer to bear, she sinks into a deep depression and moves back to her hometown of Boston. Later, after undergoing electroshock therapy, the troubled Greenwood becomes increasingly suicidal.
Opening sentence - "It was a queer, sultry summer, the summer they electrocuted the Rosenberg's, and I didn't know what I was doing in New York"
I really didn't know what to expect from this book and it was only after I read it I found out that it was a semi-autobiographical novel and that alot of the stories related even though the names where changed was actual periods of her life ...
I have to say that I loved the beginning of the book and thought it witty and well written .. But then half way through the book she begins to suffer from depression ... Which really this is the main feature of the book ... How you can look at someone who you think has the perfect life when in reality they are suffering with inner demons. The book is based in the 60's and shows to your horror how if you where suffering from a medical disorder whether it was suicide or depression how they where treated in the institutions ....
It is a sad story of a woman who has the world at her feet and could have achieved greatness but didn't know how to cope with the depression ... It is also sad that Sylvia herself committed suicide even though she was a successful poet and novelist in her own right leaving behind two young children ...
This book is not necessary a happy book but deals with issues that are still as important today as they where in the 60's.
I rate this book 3 stars ***
There are a number of movies of the Bell Jar one that was done in the 70's another one about the life of Sylvia Plath with
Gwyneth Paltrow and one that has been planned to be made this year ... With Screen starlet Julia Stiles assumes the role of ambitious reporter Ester Greenwood. There are songs that have been written about her as well ... I have included a link to Sparksnotes if you concerning this book for your book club which gives you questions and breaks down the book into chapters with study notes ... http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/belljar/
The Road is an unflinching meditation on the worst and the best that we are capable of: ultimate destructiveness, desperate tenacity, and the tenderness that keeps two people alive in the face of total devastation.
Opening sentence ... When he woke in the woods in the dark and the cold of the night he'd reach out to touch the child sleeping beside him.
I didn't really know what to expect with this book as I didn't really know alot about it ... But I have to say that I couldn't really put it down ... Even though the subject matter was disturbing in some parts I just wanted to keep reading ...
It is a story of a father and a son on a journey to find safely in a world that has been destroyed and where other survivors track and hunt you ....
It does raise alot of questions on if you where faced with the dilemma of only having 1 bullet left could you use it on your child in order to save him ?? The whole way through the book you are just wishing them to find some joy or happiness ... And one of my favourite bits is when they come across a coca cola can and the father sits back and lets his son drink it for the first time ... It was a very touching scene ..
It is interesting to note that we are never told the name of the boy or the father and we are never told on how the earth got into the state that it is in ... It could be war, it could be natural disaster, disease or just God’s intervention.
If the world suddenly came to an end and you where alone wanting to survive what would you do ... The father is a God fearing man and is put into situations where out of necessity he has to do things he would have never dreamed of doing ... He kills and even steals and beats up other men to survive the road BUT as he assures THE BOY - they are the good guys - and we believe him given the state of the world and what demons and monsters now exists out there. He’s a good guy !!!
This book has many lessons that we can learn and Staying on the Road is one of them ...
This book may not be pretty but it is a great read and one that I will re-read again ..
I rate this book 4 stars ****
This book is being made into a movie which is coming out later next year and I have also included a rare interview with the author Cormac McCarthy ....
Ok there are a few things that set my heart a flutter .. New Handbags .... New Shoes ... and New books ....
I went armed with a list ... And I have to admit it was quite a long list of new books I would like ... I got a few new books for the kids to read and a few for myself ...
It was quite funny I thought it would be easier to just go up to the sales assistant than me wandering around the book store ( And to be honest I had my hubby with me at the time and so time is short ... I could happily spend a whole day looking for books where on the other hand my Hubby was getting abit bored ... As he had looked at all the books in the specialist end ...) Armed with my list I started to go through novels .... Which the generally response was ... We don't have it here but we could order it ... By about the 20th book ... Yes the 20th I was about to give up when the sales assisted started to jump up and down and flap her arms around screaming ...
YES we have this one
... and then proceeded to run .... Yes ... Run to the recover the book ... It was quite funny ... Out of 35 books on my list ... I got wait for it ... 4 books ... I was abit disappointed but I think my hubby was relieved that are bank account will not be hit .... lol ...
I proceeded to the children's end and managed to pick up some books for the kids ... All in all it was a good wee day and I picked up some really good books ... But I am going to have to order in the rest .... :(
TEASER TUESDAYS asks you to: Grab your current read. Let the book fall open to a random page. Share with us two (2) “teaser” sentences from that page, somewhere between lines 7 and 12. You also need to share the title of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from … that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you’ve given! Please avoid spoilers
"They sat on the embankment and waited. Nothing moved. He handed the pistol to the boy. You take it, Papa, the boy said. No. That's not the deal. Take it."
What is there to say about a novel in which a young boy shares a lifeboat with a fully grown Bengal tiger named Richard Parker? If the book is Yann Martel’s Life of Pi, there’s quite a lot to be said. The story it tells is so profound and moving that the more enlightened readers will get behind its many oddities to the message at its core. The book is, of course, the story of Pi (short for Piscine), an Indian teenager whose father runs a zoo. Much of the book’s first section is a detailed description of the minutiae of zoo-keeping, including several lessons about the connection between man and animal that come into play later in the novel. Eventually, the family – which, in addition to Pi and his father, includes a mother and brother -- decides to move to Canada, taking much of its menagerie with it. Along the way, the ship sinks, stranding Pi on a lifeboat with the aforementioned Richard Parker, along with a few other zoo animals (who, it should come as no surprise, quickly disappear as their voyage progresses). As Pi desperately searches for a place to call home, he and his feline companion form an uneasy truce, and embark on a series of unforgettable adventures that include, among other things, a blind Frenchman and a man-eating island covered in meerkats. There’s also passage upon passage explaining how Pi and his friend manage to combat the twin demons of thirst and hunger without turning on each other.
Opening sentence : This Book was born as I was hungry.
I really don't know what I was expecting with this book and I have had it on my book shelf now for abit but started to read it for one of the book challenges I am in. And I am so glad that I did. It is a great wee read ...
I liked it that much that I actually took some notes along the way ... It is written beautifully and you cannot help but get drawn in ...
Pi is a really likable character and at the beginning of the book goes in search for religion ... Where he stumbles across Hindi, Islam and Christian belief's ... He takes abit from each religion and during his journey on the sea's relies heavily on God .... There is a funny bit in the story where his older brother says ... he might try to become a Jew too. "At the rate you're going, if you go to temple on Thursday, mosque on Friday, synagogue on Saturday and church on Sunday, you only need to convert to three more religions to be on holiday for the rest of your life."
I loved all the stories about the animals and actually learnt quite abit ... I thought when I read the back cover that it was going to be abit boring and long (I admit that I thought it was going to be like the Man and Sea - which I watched with my father years ago the whole 3 hours worth ... because I actually thought it would get better which it didn't) But thankfully this book is nothing like that ... I was really enjoying the stories.
The book's final pages include a revelation that brings the rest of Pi's fantastic story into question ...... At the heart of the book is man's relationship to animals and his relationship to God.
I was really surprised at how much I really liked this book ...
The Secret Life of Bees The Time Traveler’s Wife Quantum of Solace The Road Twilight Coraline The Tale of Despereaux The Day the Earth Stood Still Defiance The Curious Case of Benjamin Button Marley & Me Revolutionary Road
I have also read Harry Potter and Angels and Demons and planning on reading The Road ... What about you !!!
TEASER TUESDAYS asks you to: Grab your current read. Let the book fall open to a random page. Share with us two (2) “teaser” sentences from that page, somewhere between lines 7 and 12. You also need to share the title of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from … that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you’ve given! Please avoid spoilers
"I noticed all the other fish had vanished from around the raft and boat. No doubt they had sensed the dorado's distress. I hurried. It's struggling would attract sharks. But it fought like a devil. My arms were aching."
A language kept a secret for a thousand years forms the backdrop for an unforgettable novel of two Chinese women whose friendship and love sustains them through their lives.
This absorbing novel – with a storyline unlike anything Lisa See has written before – takes place in 19th century China when girls had their feet bound, then spent the rest of their lives in seclusion with only a single window from which to see. Illiterate and isolated, they were not expected to think, be creative, or have emotions. But in one remote county, women developed their own secret code, nu shu – "women's writing" – the only gender-based written language to have been found in the world. Some girls were paired as "old-sames" in emotional matches that lasted throughout their lives. They painted letters on fans, embroidered messages on handkerchiefs, and composed stories, thereby reaching out of their windows to share their hopes, dreams, and accomplishments.
An old woman tells of her relationship with her "old-same," their arranged marriages, and the joys and tragedies of motherhood—until a terrible misunderstanding written on their secret fan threatens to tear them apart. With the detail and emotional resonance of Memoirs of a Geisha , Snow Flower and the Secret Fan delves into one of the most mysterious and treasured relationships of all time—female friendship.
Well isn't it a pretty cover .... I have to say that I did enjoy this book ... A look into the life as a Chinese woman in 1830's. Lily is the main character who at the beginning of the book is ninety years old and is reflecting on her life ...
She starts telling you life as a 6 year old and how she is the second daughter in the family and how she is worthless as she is just a girl basically just another mouth to feed according to her family .... Her life is changed when the matchmaker tells her parents that she is special and that she will have good feet .... ( A girl who has good feet after being bound is highly valued) And could marry into a promenade family which will not only help her but also her family ...
She makes a life long friend in Snow Flower her Lagtong as they are called and communicate throughout their lives in a secret language which only woman can read ...
This book tells of their dreams and their lives as each goes in different directions ... I was fascinated to read about this language as it actually does exist ... It was intriguing to read the different laws and rules that woman have to follow their whole life's ... How and why they bind their feet? .... And how from the young age of 6 you learn to OBEY know matter what !!!
I enjoyed the book on life has a Chinese woman and was grateful that as a child I just learned to play and be young instead of having to always try and prove my worth !!!
Beginning in 1940, as Italy prepares to attack Greece and enter the Second World War on the side of the Germans, Captain Corelli's Mandolin tells the story of Pelgia, the beautiful young daughter of Dr Iannis. Engaged to Mandras, a handsome young fisherman, Pelagia is left alone when war intervenes and Mandras enlists. Following the invasion of the island by the Italians, Captain Antonio Corelli, a young and far from fanatical artillery captain with a passion for music, is billeted with Pelagia and her father. As the Italian occupiers and Greek islanders begin to come to terms with each other, so Pelagia's love for Mandras falters and her affection for the charming and civilised Corelli grows. As an increasingly bestial war comes closer and closer, Corelli and Pelagia find themselves united by their love but divided by their nationality and by the savagery of war.
I had forgotten just how much I really like this book .... I re-read it for the 1% challenge and was so glad that I did ...
It is funny in parts and Louis de Bernieres style of writing is so vivid at times that you actually feel that you are there ... He describes the horrors of war brilliantly that you are apoured by what men can be capable of ....
The love affair with Pelagia and the Captain is beautiful ........ And one of my favourite bits is when the father is talking to his daughter about love and says :
"Love is a temporary madness, it erupts like volcanoes and then subsides. And when it subsides you have to make a decision. You have to work out whether your roots have so entwined together that it is inconceivable that you should ever part. Because this is what love is." Ahhhhhhhhhh.... Ok I am just a romantic at heart ...
There is abit of language in it and some of the descriptions of the war scenes are awful but isn't war supposed to be horrible ...
Well I am so glad that I have picked this book up again and will not leave it to long next time to pick it up again ...
I rate this book 41/2 ****
I am leaving you with Pelagia's song .... It is beautiful and haunting from the Movie "Captain Corelli's Mandolin" This is something that I enjoyed in the movie was to hear the mandolin and the music ..... Enjoy ...
Following on from the success of the hardcover edition and in the style of the phenomenally successful 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die, this is a bold, bright and incisive guide to the books and writers that have had real impact; whether in the form of critical acclaim or as cult favourites. This wide-ranging selection by a superb international team of writers and critics features classics as well as more contemporary works. This must-have book is the perfect reference for everyone who loves to read.
I have accepted the challenge and will pick 10 books to read out of the 1001 books to read before you die and have them read before February 2009 .... You can join in or just follow the link below:
Wuthering Heights is Emily Brontes only novel. It was first published in 1847 under the pseudonym Ellis Bell, and a posthumous second edition was edited by her sister Charlotte. The name of the novel comes from the Yorkshire manor on the moors on which the story centres (as an adjective, wuthering is a Yorkshire word referring to turbulent weather). The narrative tells the tale of the all-encompassing and passionate, yet thwarted, love between Heathcliff and Catherine Earnshaw, and how this unresolved passion eventually destroys them and many around them. Now considered a classic of English literature
OK lovin the cover .... But not really lovin the book ...
This is the first of the classics that as a book club we are doing .... And I have to say I had to wade through this novel ...
I found the first few chapters boring but then once Ellen started to tell the story of Catherine and Heathcliff it got alot better ... Although I have to say I couldn't really make head nor tale of what Joseph was saying ... Even thought I have family in Yorkshire and have visited the moors and Lee's many times and was trying to image in my head the yorkshire ascent, I found I just I glossed over what he said ...
It is a very tragic tale ... And I found it really depressing ... There is no real joy in the book at all really ... People are either dying, depressed, angry or going to die ... A cheery read !!!
But to be honest I am glad that we have the opportunity to read it ... It does highlight social classes and how your ill treatment of others can rub off on them to ill treat others ...
At times I was so frustrated at Catherine she played a game with heathcliff's feelings and had no thought for anyone except herself ... And when she died she left a terrible mess of misery that would continue for many years to come ...
I do have a couple of favourite lines from the book ....
"My love for Linton is like the foliage in the woods. Time will change it, I'm well aware, as winter changes the trees - my love for Heathcliff resembles the eternal rocks beneath - a source of little visible delight, but necessary."
Is Mr. Heathcliff a man? If so, is he mad? And if not, is he a devil? I sha'n't tell my reasons for making this inquiry; but I beseech you to explain, if you can, what I have married . . .
" . . . he's more myself than I am. Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same, and Linton's is as different as a moonbeam from lightning, or frost from fire."
Ok whether you love the book or hate you should at least read it once in your life .... And if you love it which I have a load of friends you do you will re-read it often ...
This paperback edition of the popular hardback combines three of Dr. Seuss's most endearing tales - "The Sleep Book", "Thidwick the Big-Hearted Moose" and "Horton Hears a Who!" Written in humorous rhyme and illustrated with characteristically bold and colourful artwork by the master himself, this beautiful treasury is guaranteed to delight young children and bring sweet dreams! Dr. Seuss's "Sleep Book" is full of wonderful yawning creatures who spread sleep thoughts at bedtime - and much more fun than counting sheep - this charming story provides the perfect remedy for children who don't want to go to bed. "Thidwick the Big-Hearted Moose Thidwick" is only too happy that his antlers "can be of some use" to a menagerie of animals who move in and make them their home. But soon his guests go too far and start to endanger the very life of their generous host. "Horton Hears a Who!": this enchanting tale tells the story of Horton the Elephant who comes to the rescue of the tiny inhabitants of a speck of dust - after all, "a person's a person, no matter how small".
Well I was totally brought up with Dr. Seuss as a child ... And as I have grown older with kids of my own I still love the stories ... They are the best and this book has three stories in one ....
The Sleep Book - Which I have lost count how many times I have read this ... When my daughter was little it was the only book that I read that actually put her to sleep and had me yawning as well !!!! A great book and children just love the characters and the pictures if they can stay awake that long to look at them ... ha
Thidwick the big-hearted moose - This story is one of my daughters favourites and she doesn't get tired of me reading it to her ... She thinks it is so funny ...
Horton Hears a Who - This is one of my sons favourite stories and was so excited that it got made into a movie .... It also teaches children the value of one and that everyone is important ...
I love the Dr Seuss range and it also helps with children's language skills as it is in a rhyming form ... Plus the extra bonus of being loads of fun ... Stories that I have read a thousand times but still never get tired of ....
I rate this Book 5 *****
Here is the trailer for Horton Hears a Who .... A funny movie if you haven't seen it ...
TEASER TUESDAYS asks you to: Grab your current read. Let the book fall open to a random page. Share with us two (2) “teaser” sentences from that page, somewhere between lines 7 and 12. You also need to share the title of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from … that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you’ve given! Please avoid spoilers
"When a girl, obey your father; when a wife, obey your husband; when a widow, obey your son." I had heard this my entire life, so I was not intimidated. But my mother-in-law taught me another axiom one day, when she was aggravated with her husband: "Obey, Obey, Obey, then do what you want"
Pg 216 of Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See
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