In any case, that series is totally for new readers, but if your heart's in it, go right ahead and read it (belong to the inner sanctum of the fandom). I do want to read the Infernal Devices, but... omgies, why is it always about how gorgeous the covers are! (I knew not of their Mortal Instruments affiliation, and this is what I get for loving the covers so much ;o; regret and hesitant love from afar, I guess.)
Moving on!
This year I have bought so many books I've been curious about for the past five months. These include works by Hemingway, Kafka, and Emerson. I'm going to immerse myself in their pages sooner or later. Lately, it's been a constant battle of staying on task with the things I love and actually getting back into the groove of everyday self-love, which kind of includes hanging out with my awesome self more often.
This includes my love of books, art, and this very huge love for cute things (I will obtain a cupcake shaped cookie jar one day, one of those cute ceramic ones that I remember looking at... oh, and maybe a mint green cardigan! So many things in the future!).
So, in the lieu of things, here's my recently read list:
A Storm of Swords by George R. R. Martin
(I'll be referring to him as GRRM, from now on, folks... unless I already did that before o_o)
Such Red Wedding. I'm currently reading the book that comes after it (A Feast for Crows). The book series continues to grow and thrive on new characters and all sorts of death (all of which are based in an alternate world based in a time similar to our Middle Ages; I'm very interested in seeing where the rest of the world building lies because of the longest summer, which I've heard of becoming the longest winter - I mean, soon, right?). I love it. I love it, I love it! I say this mainly because of the imagery, though :)
The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien
A painstakingly long read for me, but verbose in the ways of description and intense camping. I can also see where the gigantic following comes from (even before the films came out a decade or so ago).
Edit: There's more action in the movies than there is action in the book. (An English teacher, one of the few I used to see at my last job, joked about this once when I was almost done reading it.)
The Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C.S. Lewis
Good book, sad but great ending (I can't believe they can't go back!!!). I hope to keep reading this series, though.
Edit: I bought the hardcover versions that same year and I haven't read them at all xD And I have the whole (I repeat, the whole) series. What's stopping me? I do not knoweth thus.
Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami
Good book, great description, and interesting characters. The plot was a trip, but isn't life a trip, too?
Edit: omg, I had sleepless nights filled with this book (sleepless: I don't remember if it was because of stress or because I had seen Snowpiercer... and Snowpiercer scared the hell out of me -- not like a horror film, but more like an introduction of: we are all doomed, we are all going to die among the poor and the rich will live a life of plenty without a single thought about what happens among the poor, and omg, we have less than 10 years for this to even happen to us... Anyway...). I related to the main character. There is a character death in this one (I think I've heard that Haruki Murakami writes in at least one character death in his books? Somehow?). I loved the message of "just LIVE" that this book instilled in me. I also wish I had as much casual sex as the characters in this book did. I mean, it was there as a means of comfort, but... I don't know. How can people free their bodies up so easily and say goodbye the next day as if the casual sex was just a nice talk with some tea one afternoon just before nightfall?
I don't know if I'll ever know, but I kind of hope so.
(But damn, the book steeps itself in this nostalgia and melancholy for things -- no, people -- lost and left in the past.)
The Prince of Mist by Carlos Ruiz Zafón
This book was interesting and outside of my comfort zone. This takes a horror and mystery angle and it is also a teen and young adult novel. Feel free to look into it whenever if this interests you. I usually read fantasy fiction and contemporary work, so... I don't have much to say except that this wasn't my cup of tea.
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz
This book was hearty and cultural. I enjoyed it greatly because the characters were relatable to me in how they were as individuals trying to figure out what they wanted to do and who they wanted to be. I also loved the characterization of the narrator as well as his voice. I do think that he should have realized his crush by himself rather than his parents pointing it out, but... such is life sometimes.
Anyway, I totally recommend it :)
Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell
One of my favorites! Rainbow Rowell is a must read. Her work is raw; she exhibits such skill in describing her characters and she creates space for us to develop empathy for them. I personally loved Fangirl because I myself am a fangirl. I used to write Harry Potter fanfiction all the time as a teen. I miss being like Cath in how her imagination just opens up the world of Seth and Simon! This book has a romance subplot that isn't annoying (my kind of book always has that established!) and it follows along with the conflict going on in her own family.
Anyway, I love this chick's work. There'll be a couple of her books showing up after this one in a bit.
The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter
This book exhibited a lot of promise (Greek gods and archetypal stuff), but it really didn't turn out that well. The writer could have been a little bit more creative. However, if you happen to like works like Twilight, it'll actually not seem so bad. Besides that... it's a trilogy, so there's more where this came from.
Coraline by Neil Gaiman
Awyiss! This book is similar to its movie adaptation, which is pretty good. Neil Gaiman's work is driven by his characters and whatever the main plot is, and that's what makes reading his books so much fun. I recommend Coraline to anyone who likes a little bit of adventure and a little bit of the real world working together to tell a good story. There will also be a couple of Neil Gaiman's other books mentioned later (just sayin'!).
Ever by Gail Carson Levine
Ever was a fluffy romantic story of a god who is in love with a mortal. I do recommend it if you like fairytales.
Anya's Ghost by Vera Brosgol
I thought this was going to be a chapter book, but it turned out to be a graphic novel. It was interesting and a fun read. It's told from the perspective of a Russian-American who is struggling to accept her differences and other teenage things going on (crushes hehe). It's a cute and intriguing short read.
Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman
See, I told you that there would be a couple of Neil Gaiman's works mentioned again. This one's marvelous! (But so are his other works, so I totally recommend reading from him if you happen to love the fantasy section of things!) There is another London under the actual London, and there are people who remain unseen in this London Below! I loved it. It has adventure, heroes, betrayal, and a silly ending. I totally recommend it :)
Entwined by Heather Dixon
This is a fairytale retelling which is filled with imagery and small romances (much like Toads and Diamonds by Heather Tomlinson). The fairytale in question: the twelve dancing princesses (links to the Wikipedia page for said fairy tale). The plot moved slowly along and there were confusing fight scenes involved as well. Some of the characterization is a bit skewed in perspective as well for a couple of the characters (many a reader has pointed this out). In truth, the use of imagery is great, but the characterization could have used a bit more work. The main romance is lovely, though :)
The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman
Another fantasy-realism adventure! In this case, the narrative is interwoven between the present moment and memories of the past... which somehow are still relevant to the narrator's present and future. This tale is reminiscent of Miyazaki-directed Studio Ghibli films. If you happen to like said stories, please do read this book :D I enjoyed it but also remained puzzled by what I read...
Anyway, he's still a great writer. I mean, when anyone writes and goes into different genres: oh, yes, they are very much a great writer :) Then again, it's up to anyone's personal taste to find out who they like (and I just happen to like Neil Gaiman xD).
Edit: Neil Gaiman brings in mystical elements -- in my eyes: the Crone, the Maiden, and the Child -- into the everyday life of this boy... who is at the same time a man, forgetful of why he always comes to the pond down a ways from his childhood home. This time around, he's there after a funeral... and he remembers again. In some way, Neil Gaiman allows an insider into this coexisting world where magic (or something close to magic) exists. This book was just a different way of entry.
(And now I want to see MirrorMask again. Sigh.)
Moving on...
Goodbye Tsugumi by Banana Yoshimoto
In the efforts of reading outside of my comfort zone, a friend let me borrow a copy of Goodbye Tsugumi. It's a slice of life literary work, and I enjoyed seeing the contrasting characters: two girls who have been best friends since childhood. Each leads a different life, but they are both still somewhat involved in each other's lives. It was a quick read and an interesting one that dealt with the relationships of different people coming together during the summer (and the year after). The imagery and the movement of the story were subtle and coexisted calmly.
I haven't really been one for Japanese writers, but Banana and Haruki have opened several perspectives in order to allow the reader a window into the Japanese way of life, and how these characters live through their everyday struggles, just like everyone else. This might be attributed to the books being translated into English and other languages (yay, world lit/literature!).
I do think that their writing is hearty; both are sublime (all that figurative language wow ♥♥♥) with subtle notes of nostalgia and melancholy.
My sister happens to have another one of Banana Yoshimoto's books (Kitchen) in my room, and I think that I'm going to read that soon :D
Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse (Hilda Rosner, translator)
I truly loved this. Its narrative allows us to question certain points in Siddharta Gautama's life as he lives it. It is indeed a relatable book, and I keep suggesting it to other readers. It's a short read and it is a different but insightful retelling of the Buddha's life. I especially loved how Hesse instilled the importance of living in the present moment and that we are free to choose where we are meant to be.
I don't really have much to say... except that the modern things sucked? The idea was novel and it could have worked out if someone more skilled had written it, but... that's pretty much why I read it. I love Jane Austen's work as well as the dramatizations and adaptations that have been reworked over the past ten years (and more), so I guess that I was expecting more awesome and less... lousy jokes. I didn't like what happened to Charlotte, but what can you do? The book's been published and a lot of people happen to enjoy things like this more than me. Try it out if you are interested. You may want to also consider Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters... and maybe even Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter.
Most recently... I have delved into Rainbow Rowell (even after Fangirl, yes, yes!) mainly because of the boom her books have on popular (and not-so-popular) book blogs on tumblr:
I enjoyed this so much♥
Other exciting books now include my latest reads...
What a fantastic adventure! Great imagery, great colorful characters... great plot, and not-so-great ending xD I say that last bit because it wasn't the grandeur that everyone expected, even the characters in the book didn't expect that.
This follows up with the same thing I said for Penumbra's bookstore. It's a fantastic adventure! I loved the character development... I loved the location (Paris, France!), I loved the colorful set of characters... and the tone was thoughtful. There is a lot of self-searching involved in this book. Lots of soul-searching, too, and it's so calm in comparison with the book above this one.
There is so much to be seen in the people who surround themselves with books. They are all such deep and intricate people, same as others outside of that, but still, I love to romanticize my brethren as such - like books.
I'm still undergoing some side reading with Feast for Crows, but this is it for the moment. I will see when I'll come back again for more. In the meantime, I should announce that I'm going to be writing with my actual name now (Meli) and that I will try to blog more often or... whenever I get trembly all over to write something I've been thinking about in regards to books.
Also, make sure to visit your local library if you don't have enough money to buy books. Libraries save the lives of books that haven't been read, and libraries provide those books a shelf-life that will indulge, inspire, and enrich the life of some other human being who may need that book in their lives.
In the meantime, please enjoy the links. Goodreads is a great middle person to purchase books. It links to other bookstores based on whatever book you're looking up, and it provides an assortment of reviews that you can see without being a member on the website.
Anyhow, good morrow and good day!
Meli♥
The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman
Another fantasy-realism adventure! In this case, the narrative is interwoven between the present moment and memories of the past... which somehow are still relevant to the narrator's present and future. This tale is reminiscent of Miyazaki-directed Studio Ghibli films. If you happen to like said stories, please do read this book :D I enjoyed it but also remained puzzled by what I read...
Anyway, he's still a great writer. I mean, when anyone writes and goes into different genres: oh, yes, they are very much a great writer :) Then again, it's up to anyone's personal taste to find out who they like (and I just happen to like Neil Gaiman xD).
Edit: Neil Gaiman brings in mystical elements -- in my eyes: the Crone, the Maiden, and the Child -- into the everyday life of this boy... who is at the same time a man, forgetful of why he always comes to the pond down a ways from his childhood home. This time around, he's there after a funeral... and he remembers again. In some way, Neil Gaiman allows an insider into this coexisting world where magic (or something close to magic) exists. This book was just a different way of entry.
(And now I want to see MirrorMask again. Sigh.)
Moving on...
Goodbye Tsugumi by Banana Yoshimoto
In the efforts of reading outside of my comfort zone, a friend let me borrow a copy of Goodbye Tsugumi. It's a slice of life literary work, and I enjoyed seeing the contrasting characters: two girls who have been best friends since childhood. Each leads a different life, but they are both still somewhat involved in each other's lives. It was a quick read and an interesting one that dealt with the relationships of different people coming together during the summer (and the year after). The imagery and the movement of the story were subtle and coexisted calmly.
I haven't really been one for Japanese writers, but Banana and Haruki have opened several perspectives in order to allow the reader a window into the Japanese way of life, and how these characters live through their everyday struggles, just like everyone else. This might be attributed to the books being translated into English and other languages (yay, world lit/literature!).
I do think that their writing is hearty; both are sublime (all that figurative language wow ♥♥♥) with subtle notes of nostalgia and melancholy.
My sister happens to have another one of Banana Yoshimoto's books (Kitchen) in my room, and I think that I'm going to read that soon :D
Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse (Hilda Rosner, translator)
 |
| Good book, insightful :) |
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by (mostly) Jane Austen and (not so much) Seth Grahame-Smith
I don't really have much to say... except that the modern things sucked? The idea was novel and it could have worked out if someone more skilled had written it, but... that's pretty much why I read it. I love Jane Austen's work as well as the dramatizations and adaptations that have been reworked over the past ten years (and more), so I guess that I was expecting more awesome and less... lousy jokes. I didn't like what happened to Charlotte, but what can you do? The book's been published and a lot of people happen to enjoy things like this more than me. Try it out if you are interested. You may want to also consider Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters... and maybe even Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter.
Most recently... I have delved into Rainbow Rowell (even after Fangirl, yes, yes!) mainly because of the boom her books have on popular (and not-so-popular) book blogs on tumblr:
Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell
I enjoyed this so much♥
It's a cute love story with a raw sense of characterization and description. I read it voraciously into the night, and it took me about 3-4 days to finish it while consistently having a life.
Edit: two teens come together through their mutual love of music and (suddenly) comic books, and they are both incapable of staying together because of events outside of their control. (I love love love them, though. I hope that they made it back together in their post-book, post-plot life.)
Another love story... which includes a magic phone that calls into the past. The present takes place in the lives of two adults who are struggling to spend time together. Again, the story is told with a raw sense of characterization and description. I admire this writer a ton, and I feel so much empathy (or sympathy??) for her characters.
Landline by Rainbow Rowell
Another love story... which includes a magic phone that calls into the past. The present takes place in the lives of two adults who are struggling to spend time together. Again, the story is told with a raw sense of characterization and description. I admire this writer a ton, and I feel so much empathy (or sympathy??) for her characters.
Other exciting books now include my latest reads...
What a fantastic adventure! Great imagery, great colorful characters... great plot, and not-so-great ending xD I say that last bit because it wasn't the grandeur that everyone expected, even the characters in the book didn't expect that.
I loved the location (San Francisco, California!), I loved the characterization, I loved the main character's narrative. It's lively and active, and it's invigorating!
Edit: THE COVER GLOWS IN THE DARK, Y'ALL!
and...
Edit: THE COVER GLOWS IN THE DARK, Y'ALL!
and...
The Little Paris Bookshop by Nina George
There is so much to be seen in the people who surround themselves with books. They are all such deep and intricate people, same as others outside of that, but still, I love to romanticize my brethren as such - like books.
I'm still undergoing some side reading with Feast for Crows, but this is it for the moment. I will see when I'll come back again for more. In the meantime, I should announce that I'm going to be writing with my actual name now (Meli) and that I will try to blog more often or... whenever I get trembly all over to write something I've been thinking about in regards to books.
Also, make sure to visit your local library if you don't have enough money to buy books. Libraries save the lives of books that haven't been read, and libraries provide those books a shelf-life that will indulge, inspire, and enrich the life of some other human being who may need that book in their lives.
In the meantime, please enjoy the links. Goodreads is a great middle person to purchase books. It links to other bookstores based on whatever book you're looking up, and it provides an assortment of reviews that you can see without being a member on the website.
Anyhow, good morrow and good day!
Meli♥
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