tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10393010624156080972024-03-12T19:56:08.432-07:00RabbitinTake a trip down the rabbit hole and discover the world through the pages of books.Tinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13203750648397058107noreply@blogger.comBlogger296125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1039301062415608097.post-12594074332257317222018-05-24T01:06:00.002-07:002018-05-24T01:06:22.745-07:00What I've Read So Far: January-May, 2018<br />
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<b style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11870085-the-fault-in-our-stars" target="_blank">The Fault in Our Stars by John Green</a> - 4/5 Stars</b></div>
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Now I know what all the hubub about TFIOS is about. Sure the hype is well deserved, but had I read this at a different time, I would have raved about it. But I am old AF and I think I am a little less dazzled by young love of this kind. The story is pretty basic and so are the characters.For me, it is the dialogue that stands out. John Green is a superb wordsmith. He can string a lot of quotable quotes that stirs all the right bits in your heart. </div>
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<b><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/search?q=annihilation" target="_blank">Annihilation by Jeff Vandermeer </a>- 4/5 Stars </b></b></div>
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Weird ass book, this. And I loved it. It's ooky, kooky, icky, and all other sorts of oky! It's like an Amazon Jungle Twilight Zone thing. More than the mystery, I love how the protagonist (The Biologist) is written. It is largely very character driven, and I felt all of her frustrations and sadness and grief and curiosity. I think, I'll take a bit of a breather though before taking on book 2, Authority. Because Area X can be really suffocating. </div>
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<b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26883558-the-ballad-of-black-tom?ac=1&from_search=true" target="_blank">The Ballad of Black of Tom by Victor Lavalle</a> - 4/5 Stars</b></div>
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I was suprised by this tiny little book, inspired by “The Horror at Red Hook", H.P. Lovecraft's extremely racist story. One among the many, or so I'm told. Now I have a close to non-existent knowledge of H.P. Lovecraft, let alone The Horror at Red Hook but it did not, in any way, affect my enjoyment of the tale. It is a straight up,well written, engaging fantasy horror story that talks about how shitty it is to live amidst discrimination. How hard it is to be decent and to just do life when the society you are living in treats you like crap because of your race. This was set in the 1920s, but it still reflects modern day racial injustices. And oh, it has some awesome magic and monsters in it too.<div>
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<b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3711.White_Teeth" target="_blank">White Teeth by Zadie Smith</a> - 5/5 Stars</b><br />
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This too surprised me. Judging by how thick this book is, I was expecting it'll take me ages to finish. And historical novels aren't always my jam. But I breezed my way through White Teeth in no time at all. The story encompasses more than one family history, and how each of these family histories soon intertwine. There is something grand and sprawling about this tale, but somehow it is also very personal and intimate. And there is a degree of the ridiculous in White Teeth, which make me love it all the more. Also, I am in love with Zadie Smith's writing. She is funny and blunt and poetic, all at once.</div>
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<b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16057198-manila-noir?from_search=true" target="_blank">Manila Noir edited by Jessica Hagedorn</a> - 4/5 Stars</b><br />
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Manila Noir is a bit of a hodgepodge of good and okay stories. I enjoyed some but not others. But overall, it is a solid collection that captured the grit and grime of Manila, and does justice to the "noir" genre. Satan Has Already Bought U by Lourd de Veyra, Trese: Thirteen Stations by Budjette Tan & Kajo Baldisimo, and Jose Dalisay’s “The Professor’s Wife, and Batacan’s “Comforter of the Afflicted, are among those that made an impression to me. Although the other stories too, left a lot of gruesome imagery in my head in true noir style.</div>
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<b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18594409-can-t-we-talk-about-something-more-pleasant?ac=1&from_search=true" target="_blank">Can't We Talk About Something More Pleasant by Roz Chast</a> - 4/5 Stars</b><br />
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An uncomfortable read. And I mean that in the best possible way. It is a testament to Roz Chast's ability to be completely vulnerable and honest about her contentious relationship with her parents that dates way back childhood and continous up until the end. She talks about the complicated and terrifying nature of aging and sickness and death that all parent and child woul have to go through. Her drawings, of the quivery and scratchy type, brings out Roz Chast's anxiety to the forefront. And her humor undercuts the grief and pain of her life story. It is a wonderful piece of graphic fiction.</div>
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<b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20819685-the-bone-clocks?from_search=true" target="_blank">The Bone Clocks by David Mitchell</a> - 5/5 Stars</b><br />
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Okay. The Bone Clocks has plenty of issues. It is the most expositiony of all of Mitchell's works, and there are clunky parts where I felt a disconnect. But once again, I am bawled over by the sheer ambition of a novel of this scale. And because Mitchell's stories are very entertaining and this one is particularly gripping and INSANE. Yep, that's ALL CAPS INSANE to you. Like more insane than his usual brand of insanity. And being a legit David Mitchell fangirl (quick shout out to the DM girls: Lynai, Meliza, Gwaxa, Joy, and newbies Inga Cary!) The Bone Clocks felt like a tribute of sorts to all of his past works. It feels like an amalgamation of all the books that came before this. So expect old character cameos and stuff. And for a fan like me, it was a pleasure spotting familiar names. Overall, I don't think I have come across a David Mitchell book that didn't impress and satisfy me. So yeah, The Bone Clocks is awesome sauce in my book.</div>
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<b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20170404-station-eleven?ac=1&from_search=true" target="_blank">Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel</a> - 5/5 Stars</b><br />
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I've read a handful of post apocalyptic fiction in my time, but what makes Station Eleven standout is that it is largely about the love of the arts amidst a post apocalyptic world where you would think that the arts would have already become obsolete, a frivolity that no one would care for because everybody is busy surviving. But clearly survival is insufficient, to quote from the book. The story talks about the life of an actor, about passion for theater, about the ups and downs of being a performer. And I also love that is tackles the absence and presence of things. Because you really will never know what you've got until it's gone, or until the world turns into a wasteland and plumbing and electricity are a thing of the past. Station Eleven is a beautiful and haunting book, and I really didn't expect it to be this comtemplative and intimate. I loved it to pieces.</div>
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So far, that's all I've managed to read from th beginning of the year. And from my very achievable goal to read at least 10 physical books I already have on my shelf, I managed to do 6 from among the 8 I have above. With TFIOS, I did ebook and for Station Eleven I listened to Mommy L's audiobook (supplemented by an ebook copy).</div>
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So yeah, so far so good!</div>
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If you've read any of these, do talk to me about it in the comments section below! Any thoughts on the Annihilation movie perhaps? (I haven't seen it BTW) And I hear somebody in Hollywood bought the rights to Station Eleven so color me excited. </div>
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Tinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13203750648397058107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1039301062415608097.post-55694417570371914142018-01-10T22:14:00.003-08:002018-01-10T22:14:57.769-08:00My 2017 Reading Year<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So I managed to read 20 books last year. Not too bad. 20 isn't stellar but it's not a zero. Obviously. But I am happy with it.<br />
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I've had some pretty awesome reads this 2017 too. And my <b>top ten</b> are as follows:<br />
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1. I would say <b>Lincoln in the Bardo</b> <b>by George Saunders</b> is my best book of 2017. Surprise, surprise. The novel is a feat in terms of style and emotionally electric in terms of content. And if you doubt my word, give a listen to an interview of George Saunders in Bullseye with Jesse Thorn, right<b> <a href="http://www.maximumfun.org/bullseye/bullseye-jesse-thorn-george-saunders-chris-gethard-and-dj-jazzy-jeff" target="_blank">HERE</a></b>.</div>
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<b>2. The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood </b>was another memorable read. So much so that I now have a necklace with the mock Latin phrase: "Nolite te bastardes carborundorum". What I love about Margaret Atwood is how her writing tends to be quiet and subtle, but it pulsates.<br />
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<b>3. Ready Player One by Ernest Cline</b> was such a fun read, took me back to the old gaming days of blowing on cartridges, and playing straight because they didn't have memory cards back then. And the absolute tragedy of losing the game because you yanked on the controller too hard and the screen froze.<br />
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<b>4. The Guernsey Literary Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows </b>was quite a history lesson. There is an underlying hint sadness to it, but there is also a lot of charm and schmaltz (in a good way), the result of which is a charming and uplifting read. <br />
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5. Lenonard Peacock is among the well-written characters I've read in YA. This is the reason why <b>Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock by Matthew Quick</b> is on this list. I cannot help but think about Leonard as if he is an actual person that I know, and that is perhaps the best thing a literary character can achieve, to feel so real to the readers.<br />
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6. <b>Wonder by R.J. Palacio</b> is one of those books that I would love for my niece and nephew to read because when you live in this world for a certain amount of time, it can get to you, and it is easy forget to be kind, and then you'll be out of practice, and then you'll become a terrible adult. <br />
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7. <b>Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern</b> was truly spellbinding and romantic. I now have a red scarf which was an impulse buy, during the height of my feels for Night Circus. It is too thick for the tropics and I guess I will have to wait to find myself in much cooler climes.<br />
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8. It's quite easy to look at The Holocaust as a piece of history, to feel a little bit removed from it because we weren't there. But when you read a very personal account of it, such as <b>Elie Wiesel's Night </b>you can't help but feel deeply moved and grieved and angered by the things that we humans do to each other.<br />
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9. I am also happy that I got to read books that aren't necessarily in my wheelhouse. Like the science book, <b>Seven Brief Lessons on the History of Physics</b> which was an eye-opening and mind-blowing read. There were still a lot of concepts that I had diffculty with but Italian theoretical physicist, <b>Carlo Rovelli</b> has pared things down, the most basic way he can. But not in a cold, and clinical way, he pretty much waxes poetic about science and it is great.<br />
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10. I was quite excited about the pet themed month over at our book club last year. <b>A Dog's Purpose by W. Bruce Cameron</b> inspired me to teach my dog the "find" trick. Okay, my dog is of the toy breed variety so it's not the kind of "find" trick that police dogs like Ellie does. What happens is that I put her in a room, hold an object close to her nose, and then leave her locked inside said room. I would then proceed to hide the object in question in another room/area, and let her out and yell "find!" This party trick is quite a hit with the niece and nephew during the holidays.<br />
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Blogging wise, I must admit, writing about books has been getting harder somehow. There is nothing in my brain except superlatives. And words like "freaking" and "awesome" and "great". And I realized that I say "really" a lot, which make me cringe. Anyway. I also say "anyway" a lot. Gosh, I am losing steam now.<br />
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I really don't have much by way of goals except to continue keeping up with my online book club reads for the year, and to read 10 physical books on my shelf that aren't new acquisitions (that is only books acquired during the year 2017 and below). I haven't been very good with reading challenges too, so I am going to skip that this year. So yeah. I'm keeping it casual. <br />
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So that's it! I'd love to hear your thoughts on any of the books on my list, as well as your very own memorable reads of 2017!Tinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13203750648397058107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1039301062415608097.post-36617080324330130892017-09-29T03:07:00.001-07:002017-09-29T03:07:27.977-07:00What I've Read So Far<div style="text-align: justify;">
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Hi guys! Here comes the mini reviews for the books I've read so far, and also what I am currently reading. </div>
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<b>1. <a href="https://www.google.com.ph/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwiBoNPWkcrWAhXKTLwKHe8uCCQQFggpMAA&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.goodreads.com%2Fbook%2Fshow%2F22237161-the-sellout&usg=AFQjCNGjV7bSbOFeR02291dgCN5vkfwxSQ" target="_blank">The Sellout by Paul Beatty</a> - 4/5 Stars </b></div>
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The Sellout is unlike anything I've read before. It's funny because it doesn't really have a plot, it's just mostly commentary. And it's good commentary. Funny, smart, witty and full of passion. He is a great wordsmith, Paul Beatty. His sentences are like firecrackers, they snap, cackle and pop. He can take any argument about race and turn it even more explosive than it already is. I listened to his interview on WTF, Marc Maron's podcast, and he said something about how he couldn't understand what "black pride" (or gay pride, or national pride, or any other pride) meant, and how everything about race is just so contextual. It's a really good interview. You can give it a listen <a href="http://www.wtfpod.com/podcast/episode-798-paul-beatty-jackie-kashian">HERE</a>.</div>
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<b>2. <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30075802-the-princess-saves-herself-in-this-one?ac=1&from_search=true">The Princess Saves Herself In This One by Amanda Lovelace </a>- 3.5/5 Stars</b></div>
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First off, I really love minimalist covers. Anyway, this poetry collection won the Goodreads Choice Awards, and rightfully so. It feels honest and personal. However I was less responsive to certain entries, where instead of letting the words speak for itself, they had to do some text effects on them, like say, make the words form the shape of a heart, or like make the last word which is "away", ascend, as if it is flying away. This seems like a very nit picky complaint. But it's a nit that I cannot not pick. So there's that. But overall I do think the collection is moving, and you can tell that this is very near and dear to the author's heart. She has indeed been through hell and back, and that comes out of her poems. </div>
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<a href="https://www.google.com.ph/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwj0nLTZkcrWAhUBy7wKHfuOC4IQFggmMAA&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.goodreads.com%2Fbook%2Fshow%2F11387515-wonder&usg=AFQjCNGaPnlbsB1z665pn0mjLWExiBv6Cw" target="_blank"><br /></a></div>
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<b>3.<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11387515-wonder" target="_blank"> Wonder by R.J. Palacio</a> - 4/5 Stars </b></div>
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We place more emphasis on material achievements, that is a fact. Parents would encourage and reward good grades, or good performance in extra-curriculars such as sports. And that is fine, but not when these achievements become the end all-be all. Doing good in school is important, but so is being a decent human being. And it is easy to raise over achieving jerks. But over achieving nice kids, that is golden. I love Wonder because it teaches kids and adults alike that is important to be kind. I know we all lose sight if this sometimes. Wonder is a wonderful, honest, charming and moving book that I hope becomes required reading in a lot of schools.</div>
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<b>4. <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18052985-romancing-the-duke">Romancing the Duke by Tessa Dare</a> - 3/5 Stars</b></div>
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What I love about Romancing the Duke is that it lighter and cheekier than all the other very melodramatic historical romances I've read. It seems to be a bit self-aware too, and is poking fun, in a loving way, at some romance tropes. I mean there are plenty of cringe worthy, contrived, extremely Hallmark-y, cheesy moments for sure. And I am not sure as to what date this is set, but I am certian that they didn't have cosplayers in historical England. But I had a blast! The plot is cornball, crazy bonkers, and the titular Duke is more Fabio than an actual guy. But the whole thing is good fun!</div>
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<b>5.<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25734172-seven-brief-lessons-on-physics?ac=1&from_search=true"> Seven Brief Lessons on the History of Physics by Carlo Rovelli</a> - 4/5 Stars</b></div>
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Let me just say, me and Physics had a contetnious relationship back in highschool. Every grading quarter I would beg my teacher to please not give me anything that's lower than an 80. So if there's anyone who would purchase the Physics for Dummies book, that's me! I mean, I want to understand it, but my brain capacity for all the concepts seems to be a tad lacking. Anyway, I think this book is brilliant. Rovelli makes Physics a lot less abstract and academic. He uses accessible terms over highfalutin science speak to explain quantum mechanics, Einstein's theory of relativity, the cosmos, and time, among others. Mind-blowing and thought provoking ideas abound in this dense book. And the most imortant for me, is how Rovelli explains the concept of time, or lack of it in physics.“In physics there is nothing that corresponds to the notion of the ‘now." There is no "present", or anything to explain that such a concept exists. And our whole idea of "past" and "future" is exactly how we think it works. “The difference between past and future only exists when there is heat,” This probably makes no sense. But the way Rovelli explains it, makes everythng a little less foggier and a whole lot fascinating. Because, fuck yeah science!</div>
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<b>6. <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15196.Maus_I">Maus: A Survivor's Tale by Art Spiegelman</a> - 4/5 Stars</b></div>
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The last Holocaust literature I've read was Night by Elie Wiesel. And it is soul crushing. Before that, I read A Woman in Berlin by Marta Hillers, and it took me a while to recover from that one too. Maus though did not grip me as much as aforementioned two, but it doesn't mean that it isn't powerful. The difference between Maus and the other two holocaust literature is that Maus is a second hand account of someone else's (Vladek's, the father) holocaust experiene. I love that the graphic novel choose to include scenes of Art interviewing his father Vladek in order that his experiences be translated into a book. And you can more or less see how different the Vladek of the holocaust is from Vladek of the now. The subtitle: My father bleeds history seems apt. Past trauma will always stay with you and will make you bleed.</div>
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Maus, is not only the first graphic novel to win The Pulitzer Prize, but it is also the first of its kind too show that graphic novels can have serious subjects, and thus is not an inferior form/genre. My only problem with the genre is that it is burning a hole in my pocket. So I to save some money I would hunt down used copies just as I did with this one. Hopefully I'll get lucky again with Maus II, fingers crossed. </div>
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<b>7. <a href="https://www.google.com.ph/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwiN68f8x9bVAhWKvrwKHXUwDyQQFggsMAE&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.goodreads.com%2Fbook%2Fshow%2F24780.The_Book_of_Three&usg=AFQjCNHsv6z4P2OhHkmsPUnSR9U4Kwu4fw">Book of Three (2/5 Stars) </a>and <a href="https://www.google.com.ph/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=3&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwj93KeAyNbVAhVGUrwKHdUYAfkQFghhMAI&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.goodreads.com%2Fbook%2Fshow%2F24784.The_Black_Cauldron&usg=AFQjCNF_95eNhU0T4eSo0Ic-hlYQMV6U8g">The Black Cauldron by Lloyd Alexander</a> (3/5 Stars) </b></div>
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This was a book club pick for Children's Literature month and it was an okay read. I guess if you've read other bigger fantasy books with amazing world building and compelling characters, this will pale in comparison. The Book of Three was a bit too sleepy and too twee for my taste. The Black Cauldron is a little more engaging and I quite enjoyed that last leg of their adventure. It has a solid villain too. </div>
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<b><a href="https://www.google.com.ph/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwiC_42YksrWAhXLUbwKHdw_CagQFggpMAA&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.goodreads.com%2Fbook%2Fshow%2F20819685-the-bone-clocks&usg=AFQjCNE_g1DNwprXqIF7EEBVTvGOGKfFqg" target="_blank">The Bone Clocks by David Mitchell</a></b> - Shout out to the David Mitchell girls! You see, me and four other lovely lassies started a tiny group where we devote ourselves to reading David Mitchell books together. We started with Cloud Atlas (2004), loved it and was obsessed about it. So we thought, we'd go and read all of Mitchell's remaining books together in chronological order starting with Ghostwritten (1999). Then number9dream (2001), then Black Swan Green (2006), then The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet (2010), and now The Bone Clocks (2014). </div>
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I also would like to welcome two new comers to our group! Cary and Ingrid! We will still do Slade House after okay?</div>
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Also Bone Clocks is turning to be an awesome read. It feels a bit like amalgamation of all of this previous 5 books. And Mitchell has the habit of putting in cameos of characters from other books and that is making the fangirl in me happy. </div>
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I hope you all are having a good September! Do talk to me about any of these books if you've read them already, and also as to what you are currently reading! </div>
Tinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13203750648397058107noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1039301062415608097.post-85590684886707373652017-06-11T23:17:00.000-07:002017-07-27T19:12:56.945-07:00Rabbitin Turns 6!<div style="text-align: justify;">
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I thought this would be the perfect time to break my blog post drought! So I guess, it's been six freakin years. Although it does seem embarrassing putting up an anniversary post when there hasn't been any "actual posts" for a long time now. But who cares. My blog, my rules! Now on to business!<br />
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Now let me tell you a quick story. My sister and I went to a local nursery in the city. The one with plants in them and not babies. The owner was very attentive and accommodating in helping us decide which plants to get. And in my case, very low maintenance plants. Plants have been known to die at my hands, so I need a black thumb proof plant. Okay, so she toured us around the nursery and she was marvelous. My sister got the ZZ plant. And nope the plant doesn't make snooze-y sounds. Bummer. But it has really pretty, shiny leaves. And I got an Aloe Vera plant (which I named Alouette.) My sister is counting the days before little Alouette dies. She is a monster. Now back to my story. So we got in the car, quite happy with our purchases. And I said that maybe plant loving people are generally nicer than most, that's my unscientifically proven, theory. And happier, my sister quipped. And it is true, that lady nursery owner probably belies her age. She has a youthful aura about her which we presume is a result of being happy, and being happy is a result of getting boatloads of oxygen from being surrounded by so many plants.....So what's the point in all this? I will get to that. Okay, so then I told her that book people are like that too. Kinder and prettier than most. To which I received a massive eye roll to end all eye rolls.<br />
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Okay fine, there seems very little point to my story. But let me just say to all book lovers, and book blog readers and writers, thank you! And it's true book people are the most awesome of people! And books make you feel young don't they? <br />
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To TFG, I know I have hardly been active in the online stuff, never mind offline because I live relatively far-ish. But don't worry because I still read the monthly books. And I try to make a peep over at Goodreads when I can. Anyhow, I can't say this enough, I am thankful for finding you guys!<br />
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And once again, thanks to all the readers out there! You have powered this blog (and me!) in more ways than one. Life is a little less hard with you around!<br />
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Also since this is technically a book review blog. I thought I'd do some flash reviews of the books I've read since the start of the year.<br />
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<b>7.<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2728527-the-guernsey-literary-and-potato-peel-pie-society" target="_blank"> The Guernsey Literary Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Schaffer and Annie Barrows</a> - (4/5 Stars)</b> </h3>
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I love the intimacy of epistolary novels. Letter writing has somewhat become a lost art in this digital age that whenever I receive letters, I consider it a treat. I mean, yeah, e-mails serve the same purpose, sure. But with letters you get to have something to hold, something tangible, and that gives a different feeling altogether. I have been blessed to find a friend who made me rekindle my love for letter writing. We make it a point to correspond the old-fashioned way. (Hi Joy!) We also have a family friend, a WWII veteran who writes to us every Christmas. He is 90 years old (for reals) and his writing has become really wobbly. But for about three years or four, he always makes it an effort to write to us. And it is just so heartwarming, reading his letters.</div>
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Okay, I am getting sidetracked. Back to the book. One of the reasons why I love Guernsey is because much of the conversations are through letters. They characters were introduced through letters first, before even meeting in person. And I think people tend to be less guarded when conversing through mail. That and because the book spins a very entertaining yarn. This is a historical novel, of the WWII variety, and yes, it contains some dark moments of when the island of Guernsey was occupied by the Germans. The social restrictions, the enslavement, the torture. But the general tone of the book is very lighthearted. Perhaps sometimes to the point of it being a bit daytime soap-y. The romance, in particular, felt too arranged and not at all spontaneous. That is perhaps my only complaint. But overall, the book will leave you feeling all warm and fuzzy. It makes for some good cozy reading.<br />
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<b><br /></b><b>6. <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9361589-the-night-circus" target="_blank">The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern</a> - (4/5 Stars)</b> </h3>
I've seen this around. Mostly on <i>"If You Are A Fan of Harry Potter Read This"</i> lists. And it is precisely because it is found on those lists that I've been reluctant to pick it up. But this was a book club read and so I've finally come face to face with <i>The Night Circus</i>. And the only thing that's similar to with it and the Potter books is that it too, has magic in it. See, those darned lists simply cannot be trusted.<br />
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The writing isn't particularly stunning and the story felt a little too contrived, and for the longest time, I had my mind set on giving this only three stars out of five. But I just couldn't stop turning the pages, gosh darned it. I do think this is an imaginative novel, the whole concept of a roving circus as the arena for two rival magicians is pretty inspired. And no, the competition isn't even the "duel" kind. No one yells "Expellarmus." And while they my not have something as obvious as the killing curse, this is a battle to the death. As to how, I'll leave for you to discover. <i>The Night Circus</i> has a whole gang of quirky, fun characters. They aren't all compelling, but they're fun. And <i>The Night Circus</i> will paint you a very pretty picture of a black and white world worthy of walking down the runway in Fashion Week. <i>The Night</i> Circus is sometimes ostentatious to a fault, but I loved it. </div>
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<br /><b>5. <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13477676-forgive-me-leonard-peacock?ac=1&from_search=true" target="_blank">Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock by Matthew Quick</a> - (4/5 Stars)</b> </h3>
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I take a lot of things for granted. I sometimes think that nothing matters, so why bother? We just make shit up to make ourselves feel better. Nothing has any value and we just conjure the worth of things. A friend once called me out on this existential nihilism. And yes, I realize how detrimental this kind of thinking is for my overall well-being. That's why I have books and stories like <i>Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock </i>to remind me that small things can and should matter. Who cares if everything in this world is made-up in order to make us feel better? What's wrong with feeling better? A one-sentence birthday greeting can go a long way. A hug can sustain a human being for hours or days. A smile, a kind question, a squeeze of the shoulders, any small little thing can sometimes mean a whole lot of difference. It all sounds terribly cheesy, I know. But the book is nothing but. It can go really dark, this book. Leonard is broken, and lonely, and in desperate need of love. Which is painful because he is a lovable kid. He is an old soul with so much good in him, more than he knows what to do with. And he is smart and funny.</div>
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I know you've all had the feeling of your heart going out to a fictional character. (I mean of course you have, we are readers for chrissakes.) And I wanted to hold Leonard. Just hold him and not let go. This book hasn't cured me of my nihilism if that's what your thinking, but it helped make me less of a<br />
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<b>4. <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1617.Night" target="_blank">Night by Elie Wiesel</a> - (4/5 Stars) </b></h3>
Wiesel's writing is simple and succinct which makes everything about his experience even harder to imagine. Surely, no human could have been this savage. And yet, we all know the Holocaust happened. And fundamental to this particular Holocaust memoir is faith. Young Elie Wiesel was struggling with his beliefs. And in the midst of war, torn from your home, family and friends, faith is the only thing you can cling too. But when women and children are burned in ditches, when young boys are hanged in gallows, and fathers are beaten to death, it can be impossible to find anything else left to believe in. And the intensity of young Wiesel's pain and anger is so palpable, I felt hallowed out.<br />
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<br /><b>3. <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8608089-pulse" target="_blank">Pulse by Julian Barnes</a> - (4/5 Stars) </b></h3>
Pulse is a difficult read. Not in the sense that it isn't accessible. But because there is so much grief in the stories. It was bad timing that I read the titular story whilst I was in the office, with people around me. Barnes writes with simplicity but his stories teem with emotions, mostly sadness. It reminds me a bit of Raymond Carver's <i>What We Talk About When We Talk About Love</i> with its meditation on everyday, small moments. Except Barnes' stories are very British. But they are about the same when it comes to creating vivid voices. Despite having very little description or elaboration about the narrator/s, their voices are so compelling that they seem like actual people, real enough to touch.<br />
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<b>2. <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29906980-lincoln-in-the-bardo" target="_blank">Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders</a> - (5/5 Stars)</b> </h3>
Initially it was tough having to jump from one voice to another, and another, and another. Especially considering that there are roughly 166 very, very candid ghosts in this book. But once you find your pace it is easy to settle into it. The narrative can be considered "oddly" structured, but I find that it is still an accessible read. I think this because Saunders writes relatable, fallible characters. It doesn't matter if they're cyborgs, or mutants, or human lawn ornaments, or in this book's case, ghosts. They still mirror humanity. They still very much retain their flaws, and is every inch as vulnerable as the living. They too can be selfish and stubborn and blind and egotistical, but at the same time exhibit kindness and compassion and love. </div>
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<i>Lincoln in the Bardo</i>, strange as the whole premise might be, (or perhaps not so strange, as the whole concept of the "bardo" is lifted from Buddhism) is so very human at it's core. And it is strangely, both depressing and uplifting to read. The sadness and pain of loss can be overwhelming, but Saunders is a brilliant satirist that the humor is not to be missed, and he seems like a chipper kinda a guy too, enough that he always allows for a sliver of hope and boatloads of kindness in his stories.<br />
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<b>1. <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/38447.The_Handmaid_s_Tale" target="_blank">The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Attwood</a> - (5/5 Stars)</b> </h3>
You know when you come across a book that you love so much, all you can say is how amazing it is? This is one of those. It is so amazing! Really it is! Okay, let me compose myself. <i>The Handmaid's Tale</i> is set in the future where a fertility virus of some kind has affected most of the women in the population, causing a group of Christians to establish a patriarchal theocracy. Women who aren't affected by the virus are called handmaids and are reduced to and for procreational uses only. They are assigned to Households where they are to perform sexually with the patriarch aka "Commander". To complicate things, the Commanders are married to what they call "First Wives" (First Wives are usually infertile).<br />
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It is so satisfying when you find a book with ideas in them that burrows inside your brains. And as progressive as our society may now be, I can't help but think that our future might just be the future Attwood is talking about in this book. We advocate female rights more now than before, but most of the world's societies are still pretty much male dominated. And sure one might think that this is a fictional story, and is too far fetched to be anything but real. But when you read this, it chillingly feels like something that could happen. And aren't science fiction stories, at least the best ones, are mirrors of reality? Or predictions of the future?<br />
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<b><u>Less than 4-Starer 2017 Reads:</u></b><br />
<b>1. Weight of Water by Sarah Crossnan - (3.5/5Stars)</b><br />
<b>2. Don't You Cry by Mary Kubica - (2/5 Stars)</b></div>
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<u><b>Currently Reading:</b></u></h3>
<b>1.<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22237161-the-sellout" target="_blank"> The Sellout by Paul Beatty</a></b><br />
Only 40 more or so pages to go. I barely understand most of Beatty's references but the writing snaps, pops and cackles.<br />
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<b>2. <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30075802-the-princess-saves-herself-in-this-one" target="_blank">The Princess Saves Herself In This One by Amanda Lovelace </a></b><br />
A contemporary poetry collection that got my attention because it won the Goodreads Choice Award For Poetry 2016. And the minimalist cover looks fabulous.<br />
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<b>3. <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11387515-wonder" target="_blank">Wonder by R.J. Palacio </a></b><br />
Will start on this as soon as I finish The Sellout. But I am confident this will be a good one. This has been regarded highly by the folks at our book club.<br />
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Aaaah feels so good to be able to write about books again! But I am as volatile as the stock market, and while I am making no promises lest I disappoint myself, I am glad to have written these all down. Yep, one time, big time!<br />
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Anyhow, please come talk to me in the comments section! (Pretty Please?) I miss you guys!</div>
Tinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13203750648397058107noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1039301062415608097.post-12295041751798693872017-03-26T03:18:00.000-07:002017-03-26T03:18:55.674-07:00George Saunders and an Attempt at Reading More...Hopefully...Maybe<div style="text-align: justify;">
It's been three darned months. And I know I made promises I didn't keep in terms of blog posts. But I have never stopped reading. I may not read as much as I used to, but still do. Haven't been blogging that much though. Obviously. But I managed to come up with two posts for my movie blog, and for that I am glad. So now I shall refrain from making promises I may or may not keep, and just post whenever I am up for it.</div>
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<b><u>What I'm reading:</u></b></h2>
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<b>Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders</b> - Right now, I am reading The Filipino Goodreads Book Club's book of the month which is George Saunders' Lincoln in the Bardo. If you haven't heard of George Saunders, you need to re-examine your life asap. George Saunders' brain is like entering a darkened, albeit familiar room. You grope your way in, recognizing familiar objects. The lamp, the leather couch. But then you your hands feel something strange, something you can't quite place. A gooey substance, a pointed end. And eventually, you find the light switch and then bam. You find the familiarity of the real world but with bits and pieces of unconventional things, that is a product of George Saunder's weird, bad-ass imagination. So it's like an unreal reality. But more than the postmodern type of style, the thing that gets me about George Saunders' books is the honesty. His stories just feel so gosh darned honest. Saunders feels like the bestmate who doesn't mince words and will always be real with you. Fine, I harbor delusions of being best friends with Georgie. I call him Georgie now. And I am just about 30 percent into Bardo, but already I know I am going to love it. Georgie is also funny as hell, just so you know.</div>
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<b><u>What I want to read a.ka. Recommendations Please!</u></b></h2>
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1. <b>Short novels</b> - So y'all probably noticed that I don't get to read as much. Obvs. So perhaps if I read shorter novels, I can up my book quantity a notch. So any recommendations? Preferably less than 100 to 200 pages. 250 tops. It can be any genre. But it would be great if it's something that's not too taxing in terms of language, like say, um, the classics. So yeah, I am going to have to hold off on The Old Man and the Sea, for now.</div>
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2.<b> Novels in verse</b> - Again, an attempt at getting myself to read more. Verse novels are generally more sparse in terms of word count right? YAs in verse are welcome, but if you could point me to the direction of adult ones, that'd be even cooler.</div>
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I do doubt my plan of action, but hey what's the harm in trying? Well, there's that thing called disappointent. But, oh well. Happy Sunday guys!</div>
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Tinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13203750648397058107noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1039301062415608097.post-55778687527425336222016-12-08T20:44:00.000-08:002016-12-08T20:44:39.954-08:00I'm Still Here! Plus, A Love Letter To My Book Club<div style="text-align: justify;">
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But first things first....</div>
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<b>To my blog readers</b> (or what's left of em! Sob!): I know, it's been a looong while! Sob! I haven't been reading much lately. I can only manage to read one book a month, half if the book is long. Sob! It's not that I don't have time. Well, perhaps I have less time now than before. But still, I got time. But for the past months I have been burning through all six seasons of the AMC TV series called The Walking Dead, and then I managed to watch the first two episodes of the currently airing, 7th season. And it is not a very good idea to watch this show in succession on account of emotional exhaustion. After that, I finally acquired a copy of the complete fourth season of Doctor Who. It is also not a very good idea to watch this show after The Walking Dead, because this show and I, have a history. And then there's this thing called "movies." So yeah, I am double crossing books for television and film. Sob! So there's that. And I also have this habit of composing my book reviews inside my head but never putting them down on paper (or computer) until days, weeks and months have passed and the best bits of my thoughts have already been deposited inside what Pixar calls the "memory dump". Sob! </div>
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I think doing required reading posts is no longer viable for me, considering that I have taken to not actually reading whatever is "required" in my required reading list. But like I once said, I want to keep this blog alive. I love this blog, this blog has helped keep me sane among other things. And speaking of things that help keep me sane, I would like to dedicate this post to all the awesome people at my awesome book club, The Filipino Goodreads Group. They will be having their Christmas Party tomorrow sans me. Sob!</div>
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<b>Dear TFG,</b></h3>
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It's that time of the year again when I desparately wish I live near where you guys are. But I am happy that I managed to join a meet-up twice this year. It's a good number. And it always gladdens my heart to see you all be nerdy and things. This is probably how a "salon" worked in the the early 17th century. A salon being what they used to call a gathering of people, conversing to please, as well as to refine the taste and increase the knowledge of the other. Okay, I know we have yet to pioneer a literary movement, but we'll get their. Char. Now there is this movie called The Lobster which I cannot, not talk about enough of. The premise is that single people are banished to this hotel where they must find a partner within 45 days or be turned into an animal of their choosing. And how exactly do you find a partner? Through similarities. Do you both stutter? You're a perfect match. Do you have a limp, and she does too? Get thee to the altar. This particular rule is silly, I know. But the main idea is that similarities can foster connections, and perhaps lasting unions. Now, one of the characters, played by the very cute Ben Whishaw, managed to outwit the system. What he did was to make a habit of bashing his face into things in order to simulate a nosebleed, so he can couple up with this girl who suffer from constant Epistaxis, aka nosebleeds. What I am getting at? Nothing. I just want to shove my favorite movie down your throats. :D I kid. (partly kid :D). All I am saying is, I have found people I share similarities with. And it's a plus that I don't have to bash my face into anything at all!</div>
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I know I hardly talk when I come to meet-ups, it's just that "not talking" has been a long time habit of mine. But just know that I am happy to be around you all, whenever I get the chance to. If in reality, our world operates the same way as the one in The Lobster (I told you I cannot not talk about this movie enough!), I'd probably have been turned into a goop already. Okay, a goop is not an animal, but you get my drift. I meant it when I said before that this book club makes me a whole lot less insane in the membrane. Thank you guys! I mean, for just being yourselves! This year has been a good year for our book club no? Here's an even better 2017 for all of us! </div>
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Merry Christmas to all of you!<br />
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Wish I Was There!</div>
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<b>Yours Truly,</b></div>
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<span style="background-color: yellow;"><b style="background-color: white;">TINTIN</b></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">And before I sign off, <b>to my blog readers</b>, I hope I can do a post about how our first ever moderator gig went last November! Along with updates on the stuff I did get to read. And then there's still the end of the year best of lists....and I did acquire a couple of books too. Anyway, A Very Merry Christmas to You All, lovely readers! I hope you can still talk to me in the comments section whenever I do actually post. Haha. :D </span><br />
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Tinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13203750648397058107noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1039301062415608097.post-4660197126388800162016-09-06T02:28:00.000-07:002016-09-06T02:28:13.577-07:00September 2016: Required Reading<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><u><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">August 2016 - Required Reading Report:</span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>1. The History of Love by Nicole Krauss - (5/5 Stars)</b> I got to attend the face to face discussion on this! Okay, we were late. And the long table was long so I wasn't able to truly listen to everybody's insights. But it was great! The book is great! Although a few people in our group felt lukewarm towards it. And I get why. Or at least, I think I do. It's kind of fanciful rather than grounded from life. It's a tad telenovela-ish, if you know what I mean. And one of the book club members even mentioned something about Leo Gursky being caricaturish. He's not someone you would encounter in real life, he says. And yeah, he may be right. Krauss sort of strings him along on these antics. Dropping change all over the floor, hassling the shoe sales person, posing nude for an art class. And this guy, he's 80 years old! And then there's Alma, one of the protagonists, who is also on the peculiar side. In fact, I was asked during the discussion whether I think Alma and Bird (the brother) are a bunch of weirdos. And I said, yes. A hundred percent weirdos. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">So yeah, we have this book with a bunch of quirky characters, too quirky to exist in the real world! So why the five star rating? It's because I find that they are portrayed so lovingly by Nicola Krauss. That and because there is nothing false about their struggles and desires. Sure, Leo's and Alma's antics might just be considered as irksome, but what they're feeling are real to me. The pain, the grief, the sorrow, the loneliness. </span><span style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">And one cannot say that these characters are not entertaining, at least.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I think The History of Love in all its talk of death and grief and invisibility, it is very life-affirming. It is passionate and vibrant, without it being overly sentimental. That's not to say there isn't some schmaltz because there is. But it's not the kind that will drown you. It's the kind that will make you feel elated, and hopeful, and just a little bit less lonely. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>2. Time's Arrow by Martin Amis - (On hold! Again!) </b>I am sorry Martin Amis. It's me not you. Actually I got to around 20 percent and I am still very much curious to know who Tod Friendly actually is. Or who is inside his body, if it's Patrick Swayze in dire need to do some pottery. But this kind of story has the time all wonky, so you kind of need to be really focused. Anyhu, I will get back to this! In this lifetime..hopefully. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><u>September 2016 - Required Reading:</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">1. </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30851.A_Woman_in_Berlin" target="_blank">A Woman in Berlin: Eight Weeks in the Conquered City: A Diary</a></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30851.A_Woman_in_Berlin" target="_blank">by Marta Hillers, Philip Boehm (Translator), Hans Magnus Enzensberger (Editor)</a> </b>- Our<b> </b>book club's book of the month. And the matter-of-fact tone of the diarist does not in anyway diminish the horrors of rape and war. I have to stop and steady myself during certain parts of this book. It's not because it is graphic, because it isn't. But it is the frankness that is quite brutal. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><u><i>Backlog from last month:</i></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">2.<b> </b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/452343.The_Worry_Cure?ac=1&from_search=true" target="_blank"><b>The Worry Cure: Seven Steps to Stop Worry from Stopping You by Robert L. Leahy, Ph.D</b>.</a>- I think I may have mentioned before that I have trouble keeping my anxiety in check. And I also have trouble seeing a self-help book through the bitter end. So yeah, I don't know what I am doing with this. But who knows? This might be the CURE! Bull. There ain't no cure. And with that said, the title feels a tad hoax-ey doesn't it? I am not saying that the contents of this book is a hoax, because it's not. But yeah, brownie points for the marketing team! Anyway, so far I am doing good with this book. It has an extensive list of destructive habits which I find extremely familiar (and uncomfortable to read, especially when it is so spot on), along with some solid tips on how to put a stop to them. It has a less clinical approach than the other self-help book I've read (er..half-read). I think this may be more attainable for me. All that's missing is my frakking willpower. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">That's it for now! And do talk to me in the comments section below! </span></div>
Tinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13203750648397058107noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1039301062415608097.post-83215180334047397792016-08-09T22:24:00.000-07:002016-08-09T22:24:26.563-07:00August 2016: Required Reading<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><u><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">July 2016 - Required Reading Report:</span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Okay so remember what I said about me and Meliza moderating a book club discussion sometime this November with the theme: Book to Movie Adaptation? And that I would like to keep the titles a secret until voting day? We'll I am going to keep it that way! Because I am annoying that way!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>1. Mystery Book #1 - (5/5 Stars)</b> While I don't think I have fully grasped what this book is truly saying, the writing style is something else. It's brusque and coarse, and with sentences and phrases that repeat all throughout the book. And I mean all that in a positive way. And there is that chaotic, random and trippy feel to the whole thing. But it works because the style doesn't appear to me as gimmicky, instead I find it significant to the kind of story the author wishes to bring to life here. This book is just mental but it's one hell of a thrill ride.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>2. Mystery Book #2 - (5/5 Stars)</b> The author's choice of an unreliable narrator is brilliant. And he does it so well. It gives the story that sense of unease, you don't really know whether what he's telling you is the story, straight up; or is it the story, as seen through his off-kilter vision? The comedy aspect is what hits you first in this novel, but soon enough the tragedy seeps into every little crack. And the killer plot twist is a killer.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>3. Mystery Book #3 - (5/5 Stars)</b> The subtlely and calmness of this novel is evident. By that I don't mean sluggish or boring, but restrained in such a way that reflects the views during the 50s, a time where people are not very open to the many gender distinctions, and consider them taboo. It's a lovely and elegant book, altogether. And what I love even more is that there are these moments where the mundane aspects of ordinary life is thrust at you in the most ugly light. I know it sounds harsh, but really those moments took me by surprise because it is so very opposite the elegant prose. And the longing is so piercing, it hurts. </span></div>
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<b style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">1. All You Zombies by Robert Heinlein - (3.5/5 Stars) </b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">As I was reading this story, I kept waiting for them zombies to pop out! So yeah, I am going to go ahead and tell you that the undead don't make any appearance here. Sad, I know. "Zombies" is the word, playfully used, to refers to an existing being that is not you. Did I get that right? Anyway, I still enjoyed the story. It has humor. And yeah, like the best time stravel stories, it tackles the philosophical issue of having a fixed timeline versus having free will. </span></div>
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<b style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">2. The Paper Menagerie by Ken Liu - (4/5 Stars) </b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The familiarity of grief and regret in The Paper Menagerie is tough to take. I always, always wished I had shown love for my own father more, and did not take his love for me for granted. I misjudged this for a whimsical story that showcases flights of fancy more than anything else. I surely did not expect the emotions to run high here.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>3. Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes - (5/5 Stars) </b>I love the diary entry style. And having those entries depict the progress of Algernon's intelligence is absolutely brilliant. And it's painful to realize how the mentally challenged are perceived and treated. And how much intelligence is significant in how we perceive the world and how the world perceive us back. Man, this story broke my heart to pieces. </span></div>
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<b style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif; text-align: justify;">4. The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas by Ursula K. Le Guin - (5/5 Stars) </b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">The story opens with a lively city, all happy, and gay and sunshiney! And them kablam! Kid in the dungeon. I guess nothing is ever simple is in this world no? There is a price for everything. But how much are we willing to pay or not pay? Okay I am being annoyingly, vague. But the moral quandary it presents is perhaps not a question we haven't heard of before, but the way Le Guin laid everything out is worth a read. Just go and read it. Don't Walk Away from Le Guin! </span><br />
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">August 2016 - Required Reading:</span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>1. The History of Love by Nicole Krauss</b> - Our bookclub's book of the month, and it is lovely! It's funny and sad and all sorts of things! I know these are generic stuff, but I'll say more lucid things about it next month!</span></div>
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<b style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">2. Time's Arrow by Martin Amis - </b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I put this on hold a couple of months back, hopefully I can get to it this time, and to be able to finally complete a line on my TFG Bingo card. But we are told not to count our chickens before they'e hatched! </span><br />
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<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Happy August, All!</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> Do t</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">ell me about what you're readin'!</span></div>
Tinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13203750648397058107noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1039301062415608097.post-4597160904167516982016-07-07T00:05:00.000-07:002016-07-07T00:05:38.541-07:00July 2016: Required Reading<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><u><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">June 2016 - Required Reading Report:</span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1. <b>The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Luiz Zafron (4/5 Stars) </b>- The Shadow of the Wind feels like a really big lunch. It's like say, a particularly chunky, thick stew. A hearty, warm bowl of goodness that left me with the satisfied smile of a well- fed grizzly bear ready for hibernation. Okay bears don't smile, but you get my drift. While this book has indeed the trappings of a 'telenovela', that is, expect some high drama and a great deal of preposterousness. But who cares? Carlos Luiz Zafron spins a really engaging yarn, it's impossible for me not be beguiled by the mystery of Julian Carax and the other slew of colorful characters. Carlos Luiz Zafron, I like your flourishes!</span></div>
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<u><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">On Hold:</span></i></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1. <i>Time's Arrow by Martin Amis</i> - I wasn't able to finish The Shadow of the Wind before the month ended, so Mr. Amis would just have to wait. </span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">July 2016 - Required Reading Report:</span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>1. A Book turned into a Movie!</b> - Nope this ain't no title of a book. You see, I am set to moderate a book club discussion with a friend and fellow member, Meliza sometime this November with the theme: Book to Movie Adaptation. And right now, I am feeling excited with just a smidge of the jitters. I imagine the scales will tip as the time draws nearer and nearer. But enough about my feelings! Ugh! So yeah, I will be devoting this month to (hopefully) two books turned into movies. And I'd like to keep the titles a secret for now! </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Unless you can guess the blurry book covers above. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Because who doesn't love a surprise? No one! </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></div>
Tinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13203750648397058107noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1039301062415608097.post-39133010913386714122016-06-12T03:15:00.004-07:002016-06-12T03:15:52.685-07:00June 2016: Required Reading<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><u><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">May 2016 - Required Reading Report:</span></b></u></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>1. The Rest of Us Just Live Here by Patrick Ness</b> - <b>(4/5 Stars) </b>I was unsure about this during the first few chapters. The whole "wink-wink", meta thing can be terribly annoying. Parodies too can grow tired fast and sometimes turn mean in lesser skilled hands. But I worried for naught because Patrick Ness is an amazing writer. At least for me, he took a risk and he pulled it off. Having the chosen one fantasy story in the background adds texture to the YA contemporary story in the forefront. It made, what could have been a run-of-the-mill coming of age story, less hackneyed. I love the contrast between the plot driven fantasy story of the indie kids, and that of the character driven, internal monologue-y contemporary story of Mikey and his friends. That and the fact that Ness writes such good prose and with much sensitivity. Mikey's experiences with OCD and anxiety felt very genuine to the point of familiarity. The Rest of Us Just Lives Here came to me as a very good kind of surprise. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>2. The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch</b> - <b>(4/5 Stars) </b>Speaking of plot driven fantasy stories, The Lies of Locke Lamora is one hell of a complex web of one entanglement after another. All the world's a stage for Locke f***ing Lamora! But I don't know, I somehow wasn't that much invested in the characters. I mean sure, they're bad-asses, and witty and charming and all. But I think they got lost in all the action. I just didn't feel strongly enough for any of them. And I so wanted to feel devastated when *bleep*, *bleep* and *bleep* got killed. I wanted to feel every fiber of my being root for the revenge of so and so. But no. The characterizations didn't afford me that. It's one heck of a good yarn fo shore, but I am not compelled to read the next installment just yet. </span></div>
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<i><u><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">June 2016 - Required Reading:</span></b></u></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>1. <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1232.The_Shadow_of_the_Wind" target="_blank">The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Luiz Zafron</a> - </b>Our book club's book of the month. I just received the e-book and audio copies from discussion leader, Doc Ranee now, so I am going to get a crack at this tonight. That is, if I don't get distracted by watching the rest of CW's The Flash Season 2! But from what I hear Zafron's book is a page turner, so yeah, I am excited. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>2. <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23031.Time_s_Arrow" target="_blank">Time's Arrow by Martin Amis</a> -</b> I only need to finish reading an experimental novel to be able to yell out Bingo for TFG's ongoing reading challenge. And for the longest time, I couldn't decide on what title to read under the said genre. Because you know experimental novels are mind melters so I had a tough time trying to research just which one is less so. My mind is melted enough already, thank you very much. Now, I have to thank Meliza for suggesting Time's Arrow. Or maybe I have to hold off that thank you until I'm done? Ha. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">That's about it! I hope you all have a smashing June!</span></div>
Tinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13203750648397058107noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1039301062415608097.post-6328764153409196632016-06-12T01:51:00.003-07:002016-06-12T03:16:55.979-07:00Rabbitin Turns 5!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Things have been awfully quite here in my blog, I know. I haven't been putting out posts as frequently as I would like. It's not necessarily that I lack time. I mean I can make time. But it's more like my brain being all over the place. My sister going away for good during the start of the year seems to have put me in a certain headspace that I haven't been to before. Well, I already haven't been blogging that much late last year, so I guess it's not that after all. Bah, what am I saying? See? Brains all over place! Anyhu, I will always do my darnest to keep this blog afloat! Because I love that I got to meet awesome books and people (TFG and Meliza, I hope to see you sometime this year!) through this blog! I love that I always feel comfort and the joy when I am writing in this blog! I will always cherish this darned blog! I love you blog! I love you blog readers! I love you literature! I love you all! BRAINS.ALL.OVER.PLACE.</span></div>
Tinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13203750648397058107noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1039301062415608097.post-88029245295449894572016-05-07T21:09:00.000-07:002016-05-07T23:35:35.720-07:00May 2016: Required Reading<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><i><u><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">April 2016 - Required Reading Report:</span></u></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>1. The Thousand Autumns of Jacob De Zoet by David Mitchell - (5/5 Stars)</b> I admit I was expecting Mitchell's spinning, twisting, genre-hopping razzmatazz, so I was very surprised to find a straightforward narrarive this time. Well it has several storylines, yes. But it is more simple in structure than his books prior to this. I say this not as a complaint but as a compliment to his range. And well, every inch of it is still very much a Mitchell book. That is, it touches on big themes like religion and belief, and immortality and reincarnation, and life and death, and supremacism. And as always he spins a fantastic yarn, historically rich, and magical, and grand, and romantic, and saddening. My gawd. Why is he so disgustingly good? </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /><i><u>On hold:</u></i><br /><br /><i>1. Daytripper by Fabio Moon and Gabriel Ba</i> - I was supposed to have read this last month, but Thousand Autumns proved to be a lenghty read. And I have to prioritize the above mentioned books because The Rest of Us Just Live Here is our book club's book of the month, and Locke Lamora is a planned buddy read which I am already lagging behind in terms of schedule. So yeah, putting this one on hold until further notice.</span><br />
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<b><i><u><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">May 2016 - Required Reading:</span></u></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>1. The Rest of Us Just Live Here by Patrick Ness</b> - I am liking this. I mean at first I wasn't quite sure about how things will turn out, with this whole meta, breaking of the fourth wall narration thing. But it is shaping up to be less annoying that what I perceived such type would be. Now I am going to hold off whatever thoughts I may have until I finish the book.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>2. The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch</b> - Buddy reading this with Meliza of Mecanism. This is a hefty book. But if it is as entertaining as they say it is, then the "heft" won't be a problem won't it? Besides I find the whole idea of having "Gentleman Bastards", that is elite, con-artists bearing taste, and style, and suaveness, quite alluring and amusing. Reminds me a bit of Maurice Le Blanc's gentlemen master thief, Arsene Lupin III.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">That's about it folks! Tell me what you have lined-up for May! And have a great summer!</span></div>
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Tinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13203750648397058107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1039301062415608097.post-91672151029938073312016-04-07T18:55:00.000-07:002016-04-07T19:04:25.937-07:00April 2016: Required Reading<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><u><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">March 2016: Required Reading Report</span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>1. Siglo: Freedom (Siglo #1) by Dean Francis Alfar (Editor), Michael Vincent Simbulan (Editor) - (3/5 Stars)</b> This is one of those things where "the whole is greater than the sum of its parts". I mean as a collection, I like how varied the stories are, and how it showcases that freedom can mean different things to different people. Individually, however, the stories doesn't seem to hold much weight. There is no strong feelings generated from any of them, not from me, at least. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b style="text-align: justify;">2. The Penelopiad by Margaret Attwood - (5/5 Stars) </b><span style="text-align: justify;">I love how funny The Penelopiad is, which I was quite surprised to find in an Attwood work. But come to think of it, her short story Happy Endings (my first and only Attwood experience) has comedic elements. So yeah, I guess I shouldn't be surprised after all. I love her dark humor, and how she was able to create such a compelling and inventive narrarive from the perspective of a character whom we all know plays but a suporting role in Homer's Odyssey. And I was tickled pink by the whole idea of having the 12 hanged maidens narrate their perspective, in a chorus line. The songs are a macabre hoot! </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>3. Animal Farm by George Orwell - (5/5 Stars) </b>I love it when something that I don't expect to blow me away, actually blows me away! I now understand why Animal Farm is considered a classic. This is a such a thought provoking piece of literature that will continue to stand the test of time because it gives us a glimpse of how society works, of how life works. <i>"Life would go on as it had always gone on — that is, badly"</i> It's bleak, I know. But there is some truth to it. And as Orwell tackles big, universal themes such as bondage, oppression, revolution and freedom, his writing is a bit of a contrast because it is simple but at the same time it packs a massive punch. I love this book. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>4. Call Me By Your Name by Andre Aciman - (5/5 Stars) </b>This book is the most erotic thing I have ever read! My gawd! But save for maybe one or two very, very raunchy scenes, the rest of the sex scenes are quite refined.<b> </b>But geeez consider my sensibilities, shocked! I used to get fun of by a friend for skipping the sex scenes in all those highland romance books she lent me. If you've read you've read them all, that's what I told her. Besides they're horrible to be honest. Sex is noisy and painful that's what those scenes almost always emphasize, and nothing more. There is absolutely zero passion. But with Call Me By Your Name, sure the sex made me cringe and flinch, but by golly this one has passion! Loads of em! But I realized that my flinching is mostly a result of the fact that I couldn't take the level of candidness from the characters. Opening themselves up to each other in an absolute state of vulnerability.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">But there is more to this book than the sex! It also captures perfectly the tiny little things that come about then two people are drawn to each other. It's basically a dance, a game. The subtle signals, the unspoken truths, the missed cues, the urges, the obsession. So so many things. And Aciman just covered all those little details. He is brilliant.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Now sexual identity is a common theme in literature but I have read none as open and honest and searing and insightful as this one. (And not to mention sensual! *fans self!*) And there is this bit about parallel lives relating to sexual identity that absolutely killed me. </span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">April 2016: Required Reading: </span></u></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>1. The Thousand Autumns of Jacob De Zoet by David Mitchell - </b>I am happy to be back in Mitchell's world which has grown into such a familiar one to me. It's like a comfortable bed that I am more than happy to jump into. I am thankful to the few book club buddies that roped me into buddy reading Cloud Atlas. And now we have made a tradition of buddy reading Mitchell since! Yay! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>2. Daytripper by Fabio Moon and Gabriel Ba - </b>Since Zoet is a massive read, about 400 plus pages, I thought I'd pair it up with a graphic novel, and Daytripper is my graphic novel of choice because I heard it's fabulous. Also this is my entry for the "By a Central /South American" item on our TFG Bingo. Thanks to Monique of Marginalia for paying for this one, as a prize in her blog giveaway! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">What reads have you guys lined up this month?</span></div>
Tinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13203750648397058107noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1039301062415608097.post-14526616518934002992016-03-06T19:43:00.001-08:002016-03-06T19:45:14.812-08:00March 2016: Required Reading<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><u><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">February 2016: Required Reading Report:</span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>1. The Narrow Road To The Deep North by Richard Flanagan - (5/5 Stars) </b>A Sense of an Ending by Julian Barnes still remains to be my number one Man Booker Winner read to date, but The Narrow Road is among the top three, definitely. Man, I am changing my views on Booker winners being entirely too stuffy and high brow and whatnot. This particular Flanagan book is such a page-turner. And it is so intense and tumultous and passionate and visceral and lyrical. Although there are moments when the lyricism turns a bit cheesy and unsubtle. But well, in the end, I love how the book made me feel. Which is a combination of disgust and awe and bewilderment and heart-break. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>2. Persuasion by Jane Austen - (4.5/5 Stars) </b>Okay, I was resistant to reading Persuasion to be honest. It has nothing to do with Austen. I had a pleasant experience with Pride and Prejudice. But it's just that I usually find myself being reluctant and lazy when it comes to actually beginning any classic lit. By that I mean actually cracking the book open and reading the first few pages. I usually fight it, or put it off or something. But gosh darn it, I really enjoyed Persuasion. There are some philosophical musings here and there about love and life and stuff, and some soap opera melodrama to spice things up. And I love the idea of Anne Elliot as the protagonist, she's a regular girl. I mean she's not particularly beautiful or vivacious, and most often than not she is quite invisible to the family. And there is a love letter in this story that will just make you swoon. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>3. </b></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Object Lessons: The Paris Review Presents the Art of the Short Story -</b> This is an anthology of the most masterful short stories published in The Paris Review. (Thank you Angus!) What's amazing about this anthology is that for every short story comes a commentary from an equally well-known writer. And of course, since they know their craft, they take apart the narrative with great precision and clear insight and passion. Anyway, I read<i> two short stories </i>from this collection, randomly chosen.</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><br />
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<li><b style="font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif;">Pelican Song by Mary Beth-Hughes - (4/5 Stars) </b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">There is something really silent about Mary Beth-Hughes writing. It's like a fluttering of the breeze, but then you get these moments that charge at you with such force, it will knock you out. The domestic violence in Pelican Song, in particular is so tough to read because it is so real but also really poetic. I love the kind of characters this story has, they're real and have very precise personalities, and most heartbreaking is how vulnerable they are. </span></li>
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<li><b style="font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif;">Car Crash While Hitchhiking by Denis Johnson - (5/5 Stars)</b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> T</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">his one blew my brains out. Car crashing is such a terrifying fear of mine. And in most movies, all I see are the blinding headlights and then the aftermath of the crash. Everything happens in a split second right? But Denis Johnson's story captures the entire incident in minutiae. It was like having a car crash played in slow-mo, it was just so utterly savage and horrifying. And speaking of "incident". This story gives you nothing but. And at first I got this feeling of being in the dark, groping for things, trying to make sense of what are the things before me, and where I actually am. But despite not knowing, Denis Johnson will have you glued to the story the whole time. </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">And the writing! Oh, the writing! This is one of those stories where your brain starts scrambling about, trying to relish all those amazing sentences which is impossible because they are almost everywhere! </span></li>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">March 2016: Required Reading:</span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>1. Siglo: Freedom (Siglo #1) by Dean Francis Alfar (Editor), Michael Vincent Simbulan (Editor), </b><b>Gerry Alanguilan, Andrew Drilon, Honoel Ibardolaza, Lan Medina, Elbert Or, Carlo Vergara, Nikki Alfar, Arnold Arre, Jayce Banico , Marco Dimaano, Jamie Bautista</b> - This is our book club's book of the month. It is an anthology of stories all done in graphic novel form, from a group of talented Filipino writers and graphic artists talking about what freedom means. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>2.The Penelopiad by Margaret Attwood - </b>Okay, I bailed out on The Blind Assassin, eons ago. Not because of anything else, aside from me being young(er) and stupid(er) back then. Now, I have on my TFG Bingo Card, a mythology book item and then I found out that Attwood has one that fits the bill. And it sounds mighty interesting too, having the story (or part of it) of Odysseus told from the point of view of Penelope and the twelve hanged maidens. Yeah, a chorus of 12 hanged maidens. I mean, doesn't that sound dark and delicious?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">That's about it! Have an awesome March everyone!</span></div>
Tinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13203750648397058107noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1039301062415608097.post-91558897762897058982016-02-09T02:54:00.001-08:002016-02-09T02:54:27.479-08:00February 2016: Required Reading<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Better late than never!</span><br />
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<b><u><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">January 2016: Required Reading Results:</span></u></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1.<b> The Book of Strange New Things by Michel Faber - (4/5 Stars)</b> I love how reflective this book is, and I realize that the best science-fiction are of this sort. Outrageous worlds and creatures are but secondary. And Faber's most recent sci-fi offering is less concerned about the extraterrestrials and their worlds, but more about the workings of communication, the intricacies of language. And religious faith is also theme to be remarked upon, and Faber has such an open-minded view of Christianity that you don't have to worry things turning entirely too preachy. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>2. Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy by Gary D. Schmidt- (4/5 Stars) </b>What's amazing about<b> </b>Gary D. Schmidt's writing is how skilled he is in making the setting the pop. I pretty much got a very clear picture in my head of Malaga Island even down to it's weather. At one point I even felt chilly just reading about the sea breeze. That and because Lizzie Bright is an informative history lesson (Malaga Island is a real island in Maine, whose interracial community was forcibly evicted in 1912) and a riveting adventure story at the same time. But most importantly it is a story that teaches compassion and unprejudice treatment. </span><br />
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<b><u><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">February 2016: Required Reading</span></u></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>1. </b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17905709-the-narrow-road-to-the-deep-north?ac=1&from_search=1" target="_blank"><b>The Narrow Road to the Deep North by Richard Flanagan</b></a> - I am already done with this book! And my god, did this book kill me. It is poetic and penatrating and self-aware and soul-crushing and spirit-uplifting all at once. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>2. <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25597577-persuasion" target="_blank">Persuasion by Jane Austen</a></b> - This is a buddy read with Meliza of Mecanism and to be honest I was disuading her from picking this title for our joint read, for no other reason (I quite enjoyed Price and Prejudice) other than I wasn't quite feeling up to reading (more like decipehering) the formal language of classic British literature. But I already gave my word, so now, it is a truth universally acknowledged, that I shall henceforth be reading Persuasion this February. :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">That's about it. Have a great February everyone!</span>Tinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13203750648397058107noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1039301062415608097.post-36573437788740772062016-01-05T00:35:00.001-08:002016-01-05T00:42:29.855-08:002015: A Year in Reading + January 2016 Reads<div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><u>2015 Reading Year</u>:</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Fiction</b>: 22</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Short Story Collection</b>: 3</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Poetry Collection</b>: 1</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Essay/Non Fiction</b>: 2 </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Graphic Novel</b>: 3 </span></div>
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<b style="background-color: yellow;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Total: 31</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I think I did okay in 2015. While I seem to be reading less and less each year, but still 31 ain't too shabby. Besides I read some pretty good stuff. So here's my top ten books of 2015. That is, books read during the year 2015 and not necesarily books released during said year.</span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Top Ten Fiction Books of 2015:</span></u></b></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ENIyA2CNMzM/VopIdX-Z2VI/AAAAAAAAArE/7jo5_kCmg_s/s1600/top%2Bten%2Bbooks%2B2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="497" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ENIyA2CNMzM/VopIdX-Z2VI/AAAAAAAAArE/7jo5_kCmg_s/s640/top%2Bten%2Bbooks%2B2015.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1.<b> The Sense of an Ending by Julian Barnes</b> - The Sense of an Ending came like a tornado. It sort of upended how I look at life. You know, like after you've read it, you hold your hands up to the heavens and you give a despairing cry of something along the lines of: What does life even mean?! What does my existence mean?! Then thunder, then lightning, then a massive downpour, and then you see Ryan Gosling hauling a canoe, and then you...this is moving in another direction, a different dream. Haha. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2. </span><b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Perdido Street Station by China Mieville</b><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> - Perdido Street Station is one of those books that would make an awesome monster movie. Guillermo del Toro should get to it. The world Mieville created is sprawling and intricate. The story is not your run of the mill dystopian fantasy of some chosen one going on a monomythic journey. Instead it is made richer by tackling the tricky gray areas of theology and science and morality. And well, it is a hang-on-to-the-edge-of-your-seat story as well.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">3. <b>The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro</b> - Sometimes there is such beauty in subtlety and quiteness and understatedness. And Remains of the Day are all those three things. The prose flows like a soft breeze and the story is about memories and aging and choices, and it is equal parts sad and hopeful. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">4. <b>Ghostwritten by David Mitchell</b> - It's not surprising to see a David Mitchell on this list because I love the guy. And I just realized that I am terrible at endorsing Mitchell to people. I mean, I couldn't properly explain Cloud Atlas, and it is the same way with Ghostwritten. So I say: There is this story and it's kind of interconnected to this other story, but not really. And then there's a Zookeeper who doesn't really keep a zoo. I just can't. But Mitchell is a madman and he is brilliant. That's all I can say. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">5. <b>Death with Interruptions by Jose Saramago</b> - I had a tough time getting through this, to be honest. Saramago's writing is pretty darned dense. The structure takes some getting used to. But it ultimately turned out to be a rewarding reading experience because the second half is just mind-blowingly strange and devastating. I was, somewere in act two, an avid shipper of death and the cellist dude. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">6. <b>High Fidelity by Nick Hornby</b> - High Fidelity is ace. Or brill as the Brits would say it. Rob Fleming has some witty, hilarious and droll observations about relationships, and life in London, and of course music and other people's musical tastes. He is a character that takes some getting used to, or maybe even not at all, and if the latter is indeed the case, just go see the movie adaptation, and think about John Cusack, and all will be well.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">7. <b>The Absolutely True-Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie</b> - This book should be 'unbanned'. It is such a good-natured, positive, candid, earnest and funny read. It tells of a story that is relatable and universal, and I am sure kids will take away nothing but kindness from it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">8. <b>Ubik by Philip K. Dick - </b>Ah loopy, loony, screwy Ubik. This was a blast. I am glad it is less dense than what I initially thought it would be. But the story is still complex enough for it to be one heck of a mind-bending sci-fi read.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">9. <b>Monstress by Lysley Tenorio</b> - I love the the variety of characters and setting and tone and mood in the various stories in Monstress. Tenorio writes compelling characters and it is heartbreaking to see their glittering American dreams turn murky. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">10. <b>Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri </b>- Jhumpa Lahiri writes all the nine stories with clear-eyed grace and simplicity that they feel as intimate as a whisper, resulting in an effect that is richly emotional. She is a lovely discovery this year.</span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Special Mention - Graphic Novels:</span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1. <b>Mythology Class by Arnold Arre</b> - I am so happy to read such an engaging story as Mythology Class. I think it is a world class comic book. I sort of forget how rich Philippine folklore can be, and Mythology Class reminded me of that. And because this has the most amazing chase sequence I have ever in a graphic novel.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">2. <b>Sandman Vol. 1 by Neil Gaiman</b> - You've probably heard of Sandman at some point. They say this is the graphic novel to recommend to girlfriends or girls in general who turn their noses up at graphic novels, or are reluctant to get into them. I don't particularly know why. Perhaps I missed some feminist ideals here and there? I don't know! Besides this is just the first volume. And I am rambling! I don't really need any convincing when it comes to anything Neil Gaiman or comic books. Anyway, I digress. Sandman is an absorbing read with a complex story and detailed worldbuilding. It is dark and scary and unsettling and sometimes viscelrally violent. It is amazing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">3. <b>Stitches by David Small</b> - This is one of those things that is just painful to read. Family abuse is a tough subject to get through, and even more so when you have David Small's illustrations that enhance that feeling of claustrophobia, of being trapped in a home where you are not safe, where your well-being is of the least import. The bubbling tension can be so palpable even in the drawings of empty hallways, of the family dinners wrapped in silence.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">For my <b><u>January Reads</u></b>, I got two lined up.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1. <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28087366-the-book-of-strange-new-things?from_search=true&search_version=service">The Book of Strange New Things by Michel Faber</a> - The Book of Strange New Thangs is shaping up to an interesting and engaging read. And I am loving the audiobook narration. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2. <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/165856.Lizzie_Bright_and_the_Buckminster_Boy?ac=1&from_search=1">Lizzie Bright and Buckminster Boy by Gary D.Schmidt</a> - I got a used copy which has been staying on my shelf for awhile now, and I thought it'd be nice to get back to kidlit. I roped in Meliza of <a href="https://mecanism.wordpress.com/">Mecanism</a> for a read along. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The End! Exit stage right. </span></div>
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Tinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13203750648397058107noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1039301062415608097.post-41383387768649586822015-12-13T23:38:00.000-08:002015-12-13T23:40:27.982-08:00Of death, and monsters, and swans and swimming<div style="text-align: justify;">
You know what my blog smells of? Neglect. I really have no explanations for it except for laziness. Just your everyday, average genral lack of drive to write down anything substantial about the stuff I've read. Even my reading has suffered, I mean quantity wise, if you compare it to last year. But who cares? No one! Okay, maybe I do care, a little bit. I wouldn't be writing this down if I didn't. But still, I am as chill as the cold breeze blowing outside today. Actually a typhoon is about to hit us, so yeah, I am not entirely "chill". I am making no sense so I am just going to stop now.</div>
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Below are some mini-reviews for the awesome four-five star rated books I read from October until today. </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zExkWx9tSIM/Vm5vLACGU4I/AAAAAAAAApw/hzqodkEP9QE/s1600/monstress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zExkWx9tSIM/Vm5vLACGU4I/AAAAAAAAApw/hzqodkEP9QE/s200/monstress.jpg" width="132" /></a></div>
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<b>1. <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12345883-monstress?from_search=true&search_version=service">Monstress by Lysley Tenorio</a></b> - There is something "pop" about Lysley Tenorio's collection. I mean that in a good way. Monstress talks largely of the immigrant experience but told with a certain level of kookiness that reminds me of George Saunders. Although Tenorio's collection is less hard hitting than the latter, but it's still pretty solid none the less. Tenorio writes compelling characters filled with despondency and hopelessness. It's heartbreaking having their glittering dreams turn murky. My favorite stories are: <i>Monstress, Brothers, Felix Starro and Save the I-Hotel.</i></div>
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ctyrzb_doFw/Vm5vROS1D5I/AAAAAAAAAp4/cfBdgranrjY/s1600/drown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ctyrzb_doFw/Vm5vROS1D5I/AAAAAAAAAp4/cfBdgranrjY/s200/drown.jpg" width="127" /></a><br />
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<b>2. <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/531989.Drown?from_search=true&search_version=service">Drown by Junot Diaz</a></b> - One of the things I love about Drown is whenever it tackles the family unit. Mother and father are not getting along. There are arguments, and infidelity, and lack of communication, and distance. And the wounds that the actions of the parents leave on a child can be absolutely devastating. And Junot writes all these with such gut wrenching rawness, and then he sprinkles in a humurous piece here in there just to keep our hearts from being utterly crushed. My favorites are: <i>Ysrael, Fiesta, 1980, Aguantado, No Face and Negocios. </i></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NCBcAyrPjqY/Vm5vWE4-BfI/AAAAAAAAAqA/SErRFwdgOOs/s1600/death.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NCBcAyrPjqY/Vm5vWE4-BfI/AAAAAAAAAqA/SErRFwdgOOs/s200/death.jpg" width="131" /></a><br />
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<b style="font-weight: bold;">3. <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3018539-death-with-interruptions?from_search=true&search_version=service">Death with Interruptions by Jose Saramago</a></b><b> - </b>If death does go on a hiatus, for real, it will play out exactly how Jose Saramago wrote it in Death with Interruptions. Saramago is so precise with his scenarios, everything is utterly believable. And he's unbelievably funny. And life is a comedy first and a tragedy next if you ask me. And yeah, I've read about death personified but not like this. Death has become so fleshed out, so human because she looks inwards. She doesn't talk about her job and her observations about human nature, not always no. But she examines her actions, shall I do this? Shall I do that? What has become of me? And the last act was so sweet and so moving and I thought I was in this book for the laughs. On one hand, Saramago's writing can be tough to get through, for me at least. He writes mile long sentences that seem to have no period in sight. My utmost concentration was necessary. Haha. </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bXivUsM-H6g/Vm5vfcHU1uI/AAAAAAAAAqI/mUXsiQLVOKQ/s1600/swan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bXivUsM-H6g/Vm5vfcHU1uI/AAAAAAAAAqI/mUXsiQLVOKQ/s200/swan.jpg" width="133" /></a><br />
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<b>4. <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/14316.Black_Swan_Green?from_search=true&search_version=service">Black Swan Green by David Mitchell</a></b> - For the first time in my history of David Mitchells, I didn't have to do genre hopping, or think about interconnections and reincarnations and cycles and things. Black Swan Green is a simple coming of age story with enough pizzazz and kookiness that is customary of David Mitchell. And as usual he has written an excellent character in Jason Taylor. He is a relatable and down to earth kid, and sensitive and smart and very observant. It is impossible for you to not rally behind him, and it is even more impossbile for you to not be impressed at how precisely and intelligently, he unpacks the society and the world around him. No wonder he is an excellent poet, with that kind of keen sense of observation.</div>
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<b><u>December Required Reading:</u></b></div>
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I started reading<b> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16003526-alif-the-unseen">Alif the Unseen by G. Willow Wilson</a></b> but I am only about ten pages in, and it's quite a hefty book, so I can't say much about it. But it has gotten positive reviews all around so I am not worried about it sucking. I am worried however about my volatility and laziness. Haha. But so far so good. </div>
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Happy Holidays Everyone!</div>
Tinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13203750648397058107noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1039301062415608097.post-13539609386302996872015-10-03T23:51:00.002-07:002015-10-03T23:51:20.080-07:00October 2015: Required Reading<b><u><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">September 2015 Required Reading Report:</span></u></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>1. Go Set A Watchman by Harper Lee - (4/5 Stars)</b> I can't help but marvel at Harper Lee's grasp of the South, and the simplicity and clarity of her writing. It's no To Kill A Mockingbird (because what is?) but it is a lovely way of extending time in an old familiar world and revisiting beloved characters. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>2. Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe - (3/5 Stars) </b>Things Fall Apart is compelling in the sheer amount of despair that comes with the story. A tribal life haunted by fears and changes and anxiety and aspirations. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>3. Stitches: A Memoir by David Small - (5/5 Stars) </b>A harrowing account of childhood abuse that's equal parts raw and whilsical. </span><br />
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<b><u><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">October 2015 Required Reading:</span></u></b><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WWhno4NNkC8/VhC7qXUeh6I/AAAAAAAAApM/Uy3zLEQeaR8/s1600/monstress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WWhno4NNkC8/VhC7qXUeh6I/AAAAAAAAApM/Uy3zLEQeaR8/s320/monstress.jpg" width="211" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gFc6qrrvLSY/VhC7rYfjrbI/AAAAAAAAApU/_FXhRBwXTps/s1600/drown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gFc6qrrvLSY/VhC7rYfjrbI/AAAAAAAAApU/_FXhRBwXTps/s320/drown.jpg" width="204" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qG_U5QK7efc/VhC7sf9z1iI/AAAAAAAAApc/AY6Acq5aS0w/s1600/death.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qG_U5QK7efc/VhC7sf9z1iI/AAAAAAAAApc/AY6Acq5aS0w/s320/death.jpg" width="210" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12345883-monstress">1. Monstress by Lysley Tenorio </a>- </b>Our book club's book of the month. I just finished reading the titular story and I have a huge feeling that I will love the rest of the book. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/531989.Drown">2. Drown by Junot Diaz</a> -</b> Another short story collection which I think I will adore. No, I don't "think" I "know". PS. I am on my fourth short story now, so I guess I can already assume as much. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3018539-death-with-interruptions">3. Death with Interruptions by Jose Saramago</a> - </b></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">When I read the premise, I was sold. But I will come into this cold, having no clue about Saramago's approach/narrative style. Also, a quick shout out to </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Meliza of<a href="https://mecanism.wordpress.com/"> Mecanism</a> who introduced this to me, and to Mommy Louize of <a href="http://thepagewalker.blogspot.com/">The Page Walker</a> who gave me an ebook copy! Thanks guys!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">What are you reading this October?</span><br />
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<br />Tinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13203750648397058107noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1039301062415608097.post-74687898989725822252015-09-18T19:31:00.001-07:002015-09-18T19:31:14.422-07:00Supergods by Grant Morrison<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5gSrZNlDKuA/VfJAxqtbvDI/AAAAAAAAAo8/1L-sAIliEHs/s1600/supergods.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5gSrZNlDKuA/VfJAxqtbvDI/AAAAAAAAAo8/1L-sAIliEHs/s320/supergods.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Summary from <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11985115-supergods">Goodreads</a>: </span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Iron Man, and the X-Men—the list of names as familiar as our own. They are on our movie and television screens, in our videogames and in our dreams. But what are they trying to tell us? For Grant Morrison, one of the most acclaimed writers in the world of comics, these heroes are powerful archetypes who reflect and predict the course of human existence: Through them we tell the story of ourselves. In this exhilarating work of a lifetime, Morrison draws on art, archetypes, and his own astonishing journeys through this shadow universe to provide the first true history of our great modern myth: the superhero.</span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Supergods, chronologically traces the evolution of caped crusaders through four eras: The Golden Age, The Silver Age, The Dark Age and the Renaissance in what I think is a thorough approach. Grant Morrison covers everything from the characters, the writers and creators, the cover and panel layout, the societal and political influence of comics and more. But what separates this from all the other superhero history books is that Grant Morrison writes with the passion of a fanboy writing for fanboys. His voice can be accurately described as "punk", a term he once used to refer to himself. He writes with hubris and bravado. And he is extremely opinionated which makes the reading experience all the more entertaining. It's true, this book is riddled with Morrison's biases. You cannot miss the fact that there's friction between him and the legendary Alan Moore of Watchmen acclaim, as well as a strained relationship with his old boss, Marvel Comics. But he is still a gentleman (gentleman punk) about these issues, quick to point out the things he admires about Moore's work, as well as all the important changes Marvel brought to the superhero tapestry. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">On one hand, Grant Morrison, in his narration, is somewhat of a loose canon. Here he is talking about Doom Patrol and then suddenly we are in New Zealand on his bungee jumping trip. And next we taken to Kathmandu where we witness his experience of spiritual "transcendence" after having one too many drunken days. While I acknowledge him as being among the important names, certainly important enough to make it as part of comics history, but the autobiographical turn somewhat feels a tad self-serving. It kind of threw me off the rails. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">That aside, Grant Morrison manages to accomplish what he sets out to do, that is, to make us see superheroes in a whole new light. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">That they are more than just paper people in spandex but a reflection of our fears, deepest longings and aspirations. They are a sign of the times. They are in some sense, an image of our best and worst selves. They are us and we are them. And there is always a shred humanity in every supergod.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Despite superhero movies always making a killing at the box office (okay, maybe not Green Lantern..and Green Hornet) comic books, as a medium, is still grappling for legitimacy. Perhaps a little less in this day and age, that is true, but if I go out with a comic book in hand, one or two people in my vicinity will judge me and my book. But reading Supergods, I now couldn't care any less.</span>Tinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13203750648397058107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1039301062415608097.post-11249445322088630792015-09-03T01:09:00.000-07:002015-09-03T01:09:47.448-07:00September 2015: Required Reading<b><u><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">August 2015 Required Reading Report</span></u></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1. <b>Ubik by Philip K. Dick</b> - (5/5 Stars) I now understand PKD's reputation as being among the sci-fi greats. Ubik is a story that can be interpreted in so many different ways, it's mind boggling. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">2.<b> Supergods: What Masked Vigilantes, Miraculous Mutants, and a Sun God from Smallville Can Teach Us About Being Human by Grant Morrison</b> - (4/5 Stars) The arrangement of ideas and topics is somewhat chaotic that one can get confused as to whether what kind of book Morrison is actually aiming for. But Morrison's passion for comic books shines through his writing. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">3. <b>Fables by Bill Willingham (issues 41-48) </b>- (3-4/5 stars) An old favorite of mine and one of those comic book series that has gone on for a quite a long time, wrapping up only this July. It has 150 issues compiled inside 22 volumes. Issues 41-48 brings with it a lot of revelations and some interesting of backstories for some of the lesser characters. </span><br />
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<b><u><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">September 2015 Required Reading:</span></u></b><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bM4u_pnNDpA/VeFPeKareXI/AAAAAAAAAoQ/3QY50eG3omw/s1600/watchman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bM4u_pnNDpA/VeFPeKareXI/AAAAAAAAAoQ/3QY50eG3omw/s1600/watchman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bM4u_pnNDpA/VeFPeKareXI/AAAAAAAAAoQ/3QY50eG3omw/s320/watchman.jpg" width="211" /></a><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OlaAymfso8U/VeFPgkQCnxI/AAAAAAAAAoY/DxtrWdGfztQ/s1600/thiings%2Bfall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OlaAymfso8U/VeFPgkQCnxI/AAAAAAAAAoY/DxtrWdGfztQ/s320/thiings%2Bfall.jpg" width="206" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PZiy41CMBKg/VeFPjEdhRzI/AAAAAAAAAok/i4lIjoCGbqQ/s1600/stitches.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PZiy41CMBKg/VeFPjEdhRzI/AAAAAAAAAok/i4lIjoCGbqQ/s320/stitches.jpg" width="245" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1. </span><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24817626-go-set-a-watchman?from_search=true&search_version=service" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee</b></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> - Our book club's book of the month. This was all anybody could talk about at the time of it's release and my curiosity has been at its peak since then. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">2. <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6490587-things-fall-apart"><b>Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe</b></a> - Introduced to me by Meliza of <a href="https://mecanism.wordpress.com/">Mecanism</a> and it is said to be among the influential works in African Literature. This is also my entry for Book Riot's Read Harder Challenge item #8: A book by an author from Africa. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">3. <b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6407014-stitches?ac=1">Stitches: A Memoir by David Small</a> </b>- My first foray into the world of graphic novel memoir. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Reading anything interesting this September? </span>Tinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13203750648397058107noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1039301062415608097.post-2931871096522435212015-08-23T00:11:00.001-07:002015-08-23T00:11:25.184-07:00The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian by Sherman Alexie<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_O3hTk1JXcM/VdFSR_kiLlI/AAAAAAAAAns/ImWsA1p3jQY/s1600/693208.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_O3hTk1JXcM/VdFSR_kiLlI/AAAAAAAAAns/ImWsA1p3jQY/s320/693208.jpg" width="210" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Summary from<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/693208.The_Absolutely_True_Diary_of_a_Part_Time_Indian?ac=1"> Goodreads</a>:</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Bestselling author Sherman Alexie tells the story of Junior, a budding cartoonist growing up on the Spokane Indian Reservation. Determined to take his future into his own hands, Junior leaves his troubled school on the rez to attend an all-white farm town high school where the only other Indian is the school mascot.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Heartbreaking, funny, and beautifully written, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, which is based on the author's own experiences, coupled with poignant drawings by Ellen Forney that reflect the character's art, chronicles the contemporary adolescence of one Native American boy as he attempts to break away from the life he was destined to live.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I was largely unaware of the existence of Indian Reservations and the terrible amount of societal restrictions they have to live with. It's the 21st century but it feels like we are back in 1920s for all it matters. That's why I am terribly grateful when I get to read books like this. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I think Sherman Alexie has the uncanny ability to present the stark reality of poverty, racial discrimination and abuse experienced by a Native American as it is, while tempering (not downplaying) the pain and darkness with humor. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This book is written like a diary peppered with funny drawings, so there is that feeling of intimacy. You feel like you get right up there inside Junior's brain and heart, and that makes the emotions all the more hard-hitting when it comes.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Junior, the protagonist, exhibits a certain pluck that is surprising for someone whose life is composed of one tragedy after another. He has a tremendous amount of spirit and hope. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I remember saying after reading this book that it feels like I just did some crowd surfing. Like a hundred people just lifted me up. Yeah the world is a dark and scary place for the most part, but there patches of light here and there. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I think I can say that the majority of my middle grade and YA reads I get nasty kids and even nastier adults. School bullies, abusive parents, domineering teachers. They do have them in this book, but Sherman Alexie shows that not all humans are terrible. Not all white people harbor KKK tendencies. Not all Native Americans are alcoholics or tree huggers. I think Sherman Alexie exposes the human tendency to box people in, to limit them. When people shouldn't really be defined by their race, or class, or illness or addictions. Sometimes they do disappear beneath the booze and the drugs and the paranoia that it takes a little more effort to find the real person in there. But by Junior's example, it is always worth the effort. There can be good in everyone. Junior's father in particular is a man who has tendencies to spend the little they have left on the nearest bar. But he is a good father who loves his family, and he always makes it a point to take care of them. On the other end of the spectrum Alexie doesn't candy coat the destructiveness of alcoholism. He covers the yin and yang of it, so to speak. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I was a little bit taken aback to find that this book has been banned in several schools. In fact, it's the most banned and challenged book last year. I am guessing it's a word or a scene taken out of context here and there (0r the fact that we sometimes just don't give children a lot of credit). But really this book emits nothing but positivity in my opinion. It's about persevering in the face of adversity! It's about standing up against racism! It's about breaking down cultural barriers! I am pretty sure it was the word "boner" that caused the School Board lynch mob to break out the pitchfork and tar. Ha. As much as there are dissenters, there are also many defenders who were responsible for the book being reinstated in several school curriculum. And if I were Oprah, I'd go around handing out this book, yelling: "You get this book!" "You get this book!" Yeah. That's how powerful (and entertaining) I think it is.</span>Tinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13203750648397058107noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1039301062415608097.post-19954064645167144792015-08-13T20:30:00.003-07:002015-08-13T20:35:57.110-07:00The Sense of an Ending by Julian Barnes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Summary from <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10746542-the-sense-of-an-ending?from_search=true&search_version=service">Goodreads</a>:</span></i><br />
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<i>Tony Webster and his clique first met Adrian Finn at school. Sex-hungry and book-hungry, they would navigate the girl-less sixth form together, trading in affectations, in-jokes, rumour and wit. Maybe Adrian was a little more serious than the others, certainly more intelligent, but they all swore to stay friends for life.</i></span><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Now Tony is retired. He's had a career and a single marriage, a calm divorce. He's certainly never tried to hurt anybody. Memory, though, is imperfect. It can always throw up surprises, as a lawyer's letter is about to prove. </span></i><br />
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The Sense of an Ending is unsettling. For a book that spans 167 pages, it sure packs a wallop that I did not quite expect. A huge portion of the story is Tony Webster's musings on the meaning of life. But I assure you it is more than a running journal of his thoughts. And yeah existentialist talk can easily brow beat me into exasperation. But Julian Barnes is a philosophical wordsmith that writes with amazing flair. The result is an evocative and reflective read about life, death, youth, aging and memories. The story is both quiet and aggressive, with a mixture of wistful nostalgia and abstract philosophizing. And there's a biting break up letter that trumps all other break up letters. That last one was the aggressive part. Ha. But really, that letter demands a Taylor Swift song of it's own.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Back to the book, what perturbed me about this book is that it kind of took life and put it in a box. The nature of life, as I am won't to read about it, is complex, incomprehensible, too grand to ever be explained or contained. But here comes Julian Barnes upending this idea. Eros and Thanatos. Sex and Death. Life boiled down to two words. And what is history? You'd think of the words, factual, accurate, true. But really, where does history come from? From memories. And memories are unreliable. History, as Tony Webster puts it, <i>"is the memories of the survivors, most of whom are neither victorious nor defeated."</i> <i>"History is that certainty produced at the point where the imperfections of memory meet the inadequacies of documentation." </i>*mind blown.* </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Anyway, The Sense of an Ending also brings with it an intriguing mystery story that Barnes decides to reveal piece by piece. And just when you are lost (and most probably, terribly confused) in the reverie of hazy, unreliable memories, it is punctured by a stark revelation that will, once again, blow your mind.</span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"There is accumulation. There is responsibility. And beyond these, there is great unrest. There is great unrest." </span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This book definitely brought a sense of unrest in me. This is a narrative I won't be forgetting anytime soon, not until my memory fails me. </span>Tinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13203750648397058107noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1039301062415608097.post-18607505969825458162015-08-04T20:05:00.000-07:002015-08-04T20:05:21.031-07:00number9dream by David Mitchell<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Vci_btxvJ2g/VbhPxvbfsxI/AAAAAAAAAm0/lovIzRdfVlw/s1600/6820.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Vci_btxvJ2g/VbhPxvbfsxI/AAAAAAAAAm0/lovIzRdfVlw/s320/6820.jpg" width="207" /></a></div>
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Summary from <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6820.number9dream?from_search=true&search_version=service">Goodreads</a>:</span></i><br />
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<i>David Mitchell follows his eerily precocious, globe-striding first novel, Ghostwritten, with a work that is in its way even more ambitious. In outward form, number9dream is a Dickensian coming-of-age journey: Young dreamer Eiji Miyake, from remote rural Japan, thrust out on his own by his sister’s death and his mother’s breakdown, comes to Tokyo in pursuit of the father who abandoned him. Stumbling around this strange, awesome city, he trips over and crosses—through a hidden destiny or just monstrously bad luck—a number of its secret power centers. Suddenly, the riddle of his father’s identity becomes just one of the increasingly urgent questions Eiji must answer. Why is the line between the world of his experiences and the world of his dreams so blurry? Why do so many horrible things keep happening to him? What is it about the number 9? To answer these questions, and ultimately to come to terms with his inheritance, Eiji must somehow acquire an insight into the workings of history and fate that would be rare in anyone, much less in a boy from out of town with a price on his head and less than the cost of a Beatles disc to his name.</i></span><br />
<i><br /></i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">number9dream plunges us right away into the narrative without any warning. And it can be disorienting jumping from one dream to another, and one memory to another. It can be tough trying to weed out which is actually real and which isn't. But really this is hardly a complaint because it is such a joy to see David Mitchell's writerly flair, creating some sort of organized chaos out of all these dreams and nightmares and memories and various character voices. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Here we have Eiji Miyake, a small town teenage boy searching for his father in the big city of Tokyo, where he somehow gets mixed up with Yakuzas, kamikaze kaiten pilots, persimmon dispensing-knitting-witches, a tale of talking animals and the girl of his dreams, and that's not even the end of it. It's easy for the narrative to take off and go over our heads. To be just full blast trippy and surreal. But it doesn't. Mitchell still manages to keep it entrenched in reality. I think it's because Eiji Miyake is such an effective protagonist. He is relatable and genuine and through him the reader is kept grounded. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Okay there is this thing that I do when reading a David Mitchell book. I tend to look for connections between events and characters because Mitchell loves his interconnections. But in comparison to Cloud Atlas and Ghostwritten, I had a hard time giving explanations as to what a certain event (or five) might mean to the main story line. Like there is this talking animals story that served no purpose whatsoever in advancing the narrative. I was told that it merely acted as David Mitchell's commentary about the state of publishing and the literary world. And that's that. So this part threw me off a bit. But I was okay with it in the end. <span style="line-height: 105%; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">A
fussy goat, an even fussier hen, a lovable caveman talking in like they were from Downton Abbey was pretty entertaining, afterall. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">number9dream covers the gruesome, the absurd, the romatic, the comedic, the frightening and the suspenseful. It's like a bunch of genres all in one place. In this book, I feel like David Mitchell took his signature elements to slightly over the top ends. But the post modern structure never undercuts the emotional through-line but strenghtens it instead, making it an extradordinary coming of age story. </span>Tinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13203750648397058107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1039301062415608097.post-54616679783340108382015-08-02T19:54:00.000-07:002015-08-03T04:58:12.207-07:00August 2015: Required Reading<b><u><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">July Required Reading Report:</span></u></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1. <b>The Quite American by Graham Greene</b> - (4/5 stars) A wonderful personal examination of conscience, morality, neutrality, innocence, idealism, cynicism, and more big stuff. It sort of gives perspective on humanity. Or the different kinds of it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">2. <b>The Sense of an Ending by Julian Barnes </b>- (5/5 stars) How can such a short book be so..so unsettling? It has so many insights about existence and death that sort of upended my own. That and because Barnes writes with so much flair. This is my favorite Man Booker read to date! (I realize that I say this everytime a read a Booker! Bookers can be terribly surprising!)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">3. <b>The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian by Sherman Alexie</b> - (5/5 stars) This book is so bouyed by hope, it feels like I don't know, like crowd surfing. There are times when humans can be terrible and mean spirited, but then there are also times when they have your back and love you and accept you. </span><br />
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<b><u><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">August Required Reading:</span></u></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1. <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22590.Ubik?from_search=true&search_version=service"><b>Ubik by Philip K. Dick</b></a> - The Filipino Goodreads online book club book of the month. I am now on chapter 13. And I want answers. Huhuhuhu.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">2. <b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10081832-supergods">Supergods: What Masked Vigilantes, Miraculous Mutants, and a Sun God from Smallville Can Teach Us About Being Human by Grant Morrison</a></b> - This is my pick for the microhistory in the <i>Book Riot Read Harder Challenge</i>. It traces comic book history from The Golden Age to Renaissance. And it seems like a fitting choice because our online activities for Ubik sort of touches on superpowers (psionic powers to be exact.) Yep we get to be telekinetics, mimics, mind controllers, teleporters. It's a riot!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Have a great August everyone! </span>Tinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13203750648397058107noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1039301062415608097.post-3780096434705811012015-07-13T19:46:00.001-07:002015-07-13T19:46:45.717-07:00Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Summary from <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/243714.Interpreter_of_Maladies">Goodreads</a>:</span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Navigating between the Indian traditions they've inherited and the baffling new world, the characters in Jhumpa Lahiri's elegant, touching stories seek love beyond the barriers of culture and generations. In "A Temporary Matter," published in The New Yorker, a young Indian-American couple faces the heartbreak of a stillborn birth while their Boston neighborhood copes with a nightly blackout. In the title story, an interpreter guides an American family through the India of their ancestors and hears an astonishing confession. Lahiri writes with deft cultural insight reminiscent of Anita Desai and a nuanced depth that recalls Mavis Gallant. She is an important and powerful new voice.</span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Belonging and displacement in marriage and immigrant life. This is a prevalent theme in Interpreter of Maladies. Union and Isolation seem unlikely to converge. But to Lahiri there is isolation in union and union in isolation. My favorites among the nine are as follows:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The opening story entitled <b>A Temporary Matter </b>tells of a couple forced to confront the growing loneliness in their marriage caused by the lingering grief from having a stillborn child. Confessionals done during scheduled blackouts become moments of convergence as they allow themselves to be vulnerable. But once the power comes back, the isolation sets in. This particular story leaves one with an ache because what you "know" can truly hurt you. And because there is such a disparity from when they were first married to their present relationship, underscoring the fact that even love can be temporary. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The titular story <b>Interpreter of Maladies</b> speaks of Mr. Kapasi, a guide and interpreter who fantasizes about having a relationship with a married woman tourist named Mrs. Das. The guide, experiencing discontent in his own domestic life, causes him to interpret Mrs. Das' interest in his profession as interest in himself, as a partner/lover. But a confession from Mrs. Das shattered Mr. Kapasi's dreams. A confession the former wishes the latter to interpret for her. It's true these two don't have a language barrier but theirs is a heartbreaking kind of miscommunication.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Sexy</b> is about Miranda who experiences a profound realization of her current stature as a mistress when a seven year old boy she was baby sitting points it out to her so succinctly through the definition of the word "sexy", a word Dev (the married man) once referred to her. "Sexy means loving someone you don't know." Hearing these words became the turning point for Miranda. In most societies, mistresses are seen as anomalies in relationships. They could never belong, much like how immigrants will always find themselves unable to truly assimilate in a country not their own. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>The Third and Final Continent</b> is about an Indian man who moves to America for a job. He soon finds himself renting a room in an elderly lady's (Mrs. Croft) loft. These two, in their isolation, develop an unlikely bond to the point that Mrs. Croft's approval of Mala, his bride from an arranged marriage, initiated the first signs of affection between the couple. Eventually the narrator and Mala chose to stay in America, living a good life, growing old with his wife and rearing a son. The father finds himself looking back to those days with Mrs. Croft and reflect on how far he's gone. It is about as astonishing as having landed on the moon, he says. This story brims of hope. Marriage and immigrant life doesn't always end in sadness. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Jhumpa Lahiri writes all the nine stories with clear-eyed grace and simplicity that they feel as intimate as a whisper, resulting in an effect that is richly emotional. She is a revelation.</span>Tinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13203750648397058107noreply@blogger.com6