Never Could Stay Away..

from reading leisurely..

The title pretty much sums it all..

Hi to everyone on the cyberworld! I am semi officially back, from a hiatus (?). Uni is tiring and I just got myself a two week intra-week break which was supposed to be catching up on some uni readings when I have reverted back to procrastinating and leisure readings. I mentioned earlier that once uni started I wanted to start solely concentrating on my course readings, notes and academic shizznit related. I simply wanted to change and become more organises and academically minded, Fat lot that did me. I was out of funk for the first few weeks when uni started, I mean I liked my classes but I always felt like something was missing.

That something was leisure reading..

Life had become mundane, repetitive and I wanted something exciting in my life. I felt like I had forcefully avoided and left reading for fun for fear of that it would greatly affect my course work. My volition has crumbled, and since it has already affected my in a way, I went back to what I do best. Read!!

And so I am semi officially back, and I fervently agree to the above photo: MIND BLOWING POWER OF BOOKS!!!

They are my mood stabilisers, they are my drug that keeps me sane and stable. After being away from them from almost a month, I cave in a whole week and ended up reading, almost a months worth of novels (all hopelessly romantic sappy books btw).

Please go to my Goodreads and see my progress *smug face*, add me. I need more excitement and more bibliomaniac friends in my life (^__^).

 

Adios amigos!!!… for now

 

*May the reading force be with you always !!!

Damned by Chuck Palahniuk

Heaven or Hell. Life or Death. Love or Despair. Yin and Yang. The polar opposites of one another, whatever it is. I know for sure that reading Palaniuk’s newest book Damned was one hell of a ride (no pun intended).

I have heard of Chuck Palaniuk and his literary prowess, and after looking up available books from the library, I settled on with his newest 2011 release, Damned. To be perfectly honest with you, I cant really say something book review-worthy about the book since I felt like it was all over the place. Good and exciting but mostly illicitly descriptive and deranged <3. Nonetheless a book that had me laughing in fits with its black humor and more than slightly off-beat plot lines.

In a nutshell:

The book is about the protagonist Madison Spencer (who’s got one heck of a long full name) who apparently ‘died’ from a marijuana overdoes and is stuck in hell. She then meets a blonde bombshell named Babette, Patterson the jock, Leonard the nerd and Archer the anarchist. Madison, along with her gang of misfits embark on a hellish journey of discovery and what it means to live after dying.

*I swear its a massive mind fuck really..

(My favourite quotes from the book):

Really, just looking around, you feel a twinge of pity for the pool souls who succeeded in getting past the Pearly gates. One cant help but picture the lacklustre VIP lounge in Heave, a kind of nonalcoholic ice-cream social starring Harriet Beecher Stowe and Mahatma Gandhi. Hardly anyone’s idea of a ‘with-it’ social register.

It’s power, but kind of pointless power. No one is discriminated against more than alive people discriminate against the dead. Nobody is as badly marginalized. If the dead are portrayed in popular culture its as zombies.. vampires..ghosts, always something threatening to the living. The dead are depicted the way blacks were in 1960s mass culture, as a constant danger and menace. Any dead characters must be banished, exorcised, driven from the poverty like the Jews in the fourteenth century. Deported like illegal-alien Mexicans. Like lepers.

In the prejudiced, bigoted modern world, alive is alive. Dead is dead. And the two factions must not interact. This attitude is entirely understandable when you consider what the dead would do to property values and stock prices..

The story is really soo much more than a thirteen year old girl dying and finally living her ‘life’ in hell. Im more than happy to read more of Mr. Palahniuk’s books. If only library borrowers would just return them before their due dates *sigh..

 

Hold my breath till I enter..

Photo courtesy of Zazzle (dot) com

I absolutely and without a doubt, love libraries. It comes with the whole bibliophile territory- I am every bit as obsessed (perhaps even more ),excited as being in a library than I do at nightclubs- or wherever it is people my age go to, to unwind and be in the ‘zone’. I have been very fortunate to live in Sydney, where awesome libraries are abundant. I have been a member of three libraries; one from uni and the other two both from by previous and current residence. It has already been more than a year since we moved and I cannot help but to constantly compare both libraries; lets call one Library A and the other Library B:

• One is much bigger and spacious than the other (much more comfortable seats and couches provided),while the other is of average size.
• Library A offers a higher level of service and has more admiringly patient librarians that Library B.
• Library B has more YA related books available, and has a much bigger YA sections

Despite the 20 minute train ride (not to mention an additional 25 minute bus ride to the train station) I still am actively a member/regular borrower from the library from my previous residence. I love their service and I simply cannot say no to being a member of another town’s free books. No matter the distance and my unstable timetable, I still make it a point to visit both these libraries on a regular basis (I mean who says no to free books?) But it has come to my attention- as well as my nose. That Library B, has a distinct smell as soon as the automated entrance door opens. Library goers get to whiff through an unusually strong smell, I personally detest it.

I look forward to a heavenly day of browsing Library B’s bookshelves of newly shelved or released books, but definitely not looking forward walking past the entrance. As a person who has always been sensitive to smells and whatnot, I was curious as to what have been the trigger, I loved second hand book stores and the treasures and troves that we can all find from them. I love the smell of books, both new and old. So, I was a bit confused as to my initial reaction to the smell, it definitely wasn’t book related- there was even a time where I had to stomach the smell long enough to pin point as to where it originated from. I thought it came from the toilets but unfortunately I wasn’t able to properly pin point its exact location. So, you could say that up till now- a year and some months living in the same place, I have learnt to armed myself by pinching my nose. I mean why bother letting the entrance bother me, for much longer, when I know for a fact that I can thoroughly enjoy myself once I’m inside.

I pretty much just needed to vent. Thanks for listening/reading =)) I feel heaps better now..

Now, have you had some issues with your libraries? a quirk or a pet peeve perhaps?

 

Remembering

I was clearing out the remaining boxes from my cupboard, when I came across a vintage looking photo that triggered something of a familiarity in me. The photo itself was clear enough, but the sides were worn off and the image somewhat dusty. I brushed it off and in it revealed a trip down memory lane..

The image showed a girl dressed in floral with some awkwardly tassels sewn in, completely adorned in pigtails and a massively audacious sash with the words ‘Happy Birthday pinned through. The young me was holding on to my mum’s hand, the other hand enjoyed holding my favourite cookies n’cream ice cream and dad’s hand was draped across from my arms. We looked at the camera, eyeing the photographer comfortably, posing like every bit the perfect family everyone around us assumed as to be. Hindsight is a wonderful thing.

Looking back, it seems obvious that my mother shouldn’t have made my eighth birthday celebration a garden party. My father and I initially agreed that it was going to be low-key and for family only type of gathering, but my mum persuaded us both. If it wasn’t for that party I would’ve still lived a lie in the confines of a prison which had entrapped me to what I had known as my supposed family…

Harriet the Spy Blog WARS

Oooohh, Harriet the Spy has gone all technology advanced, must watch!!  Like totally!!!

In case you weren’t able to detect the level of sarcasm on the above sentence then, Please save yourself the time and eye strain by skipping this ludicrously patronising movie. 

When I was heaps younger, my mum bought me a videotaped copy of the original Harriet the Spy movie with Michelle Tratchenberg. It was love at first sight; I was fascinated, mesmerised and utterly and completely consumed by her world, her thoughts and inferences (which she thought were her observations) and stories inside her little book. Not to mention that awesome-esque yellow coat that completed that sleuth ensemble. The 7 year old me was adamant to become her- it ran its due course around, uhm,uhm,  never mind..

Back to the movie:

[Young spy Harriet Welsch crosses paths with popular student Marion Hawthorne as the two girls vie to become the official blogger of their high school class. As Harriet struggles to   hold the student body's interest with her blogs, she finds a way to level up her candidacy in the form of Skander Hill- teenage celebrity heartthrob]

*This movie left me breathless. Breathless, in the sense that I was seething in anger at how crappy and mediocre the plot/acting/ storyline was. There was nothing and I repeat nothing justifiably redeeming about this shite of a movie. I know that this Harriet is a teenager and that would mean that she would have had lost her ‘cuteness’ and naivety in the original movie (or the books) in exchange for becoming her very own person- an assertive individual. 

But no siree, she is a massive hyprocrite, she hides her ‘individuality’ and her ‘want of the truth and righteousness’ for an actual path to popularity and acceptance. This Harriet frowns on people’s misdemeanours and thinks so very highly of herself that she loses touch of reality- that the world does not revolve around her. I understand that she is a teenager and most of us would’ve easily done the same mistakes, but I still hated her attitude nonetheless. The ending was even worse, I mean, lets all hug and make up, and don’t worry about almost ruining my life since I got a better offer.. No seriously?!! WTF..

If this Harriet was in the real-world, what she’s doing is, and would be classified as stalking. A huge possibility that she would most likely end up in a juvenile penitentiary or a mental asylum or both, since she clearly has some issues she needs to sort out..

 

Stolen by: Lucy Christopher

If you’re anywhere near a library or a book store, I suggest you run off and get yourself a copy of this book- Immediately!!!

Stolen: A Letter to My Captor by Lucy Christopher

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A VIVID NEW VOICE FOR TEENS  Melvin Burges

[front cover rave]

No shit, he wasn’t lying. Not one bit. This book is hauntingly vivid and fascinating, I cannot for the love of me begin to describe what this book has done for my nerves- basically, words pale in comparison in describing this book. I have just finished the book minutes ago before typing this, and I am barely coherent enough much less emotionally-stable to succinctly put proper sentences together. The story consumed me. It was utterly and completely ah-mazing!!!!
I want to give this book a much deserved ‘book review’ but all I can say is that this is an absolute MUST READ!!! and I cannot stress that enough.

Gemma is made out of awesome-sauce and is every bit a kick ass character=))

View all my reviews

Shadow by Jenny Moss

Long Ago, in a kingdom far away, it was prophesised that the queen would die before her sixteenth birthday. So, Shadow, an orphan girl the same age as the young queen, was given the duty of watching her every move. Shadow remains confined  in the fortress-like castle, virtually a slave to the queen. But when tragedy strikes, Shadow suddenly finds herself escaping under the protection of Sir Kenway, a young knight, who she believes was bethrothed to the queen.

Unsure of why she is following Sir Kenway, but determined to run as far from her longtime prison as possible, Shadow sets off an adventure with the handsome kniwhgt. But the kingdom  is dying around them, and Shadow senses there are unknown forces at work. As mystery and romantic tension build, will Shadow uncover her own destiny?

In an adventure filled with magic and romance, one girl will embark on an incredible journey to find herself and change the fate of a kingdom forever.  [copied from hardback sleeve]

In a Time of crowns and conspiracy, its impossible to know whom to trust……

And with that promising blurb, I swiftly snatched this book from the library and instinctly swiped it through to be borrowed and devoured at home, comfortably…or so I thought.

This was perhaps the only book I have read this month which took me days (possibly weeks) to finish. I practically read 3 books in between reading this, and thats definitely saying something. I whole-heartedly admit that I am a mood reader; to be in the zone, feel the characters grow and see them as friends. I can only describe my mood as a doughy- it got flattened, deformed and stretched out again-and-again as I persevered to devour this book (>__<)

Shadow, initially offered a mysterious aura and a well developed pacing and promised a good old fun adventure. However, the execution felt flat,the build-up disappointing. The whole story is a tad predictable, I havent read a lot of historical ‘mystery’ fiction, but it doesn’t take a genius to realise and  to put two and two together, thus ruining the whole story- for me anyways. Its really more of a book wherein the readers already know whats happening but the characters are just stubbornly ignorant or apathetic.

The only  thing that pretty much allowed me to finish reading this book was the writing. Jenny Moss, is clear and very blunt in her manner of expressions- naive and innocence narrative comes to mind. The narration is descriptive and somewhat cinematic, however her character’s development as well as pacing are at times rushed and flat. This book was found in the YA section of my library, but perhaps grade schoolers will love it more?

I wanted to love Shadow, and for awhile there I thought I did. I liked that she was courageous and a no nonsense type of girl, a dreamer, albeit a realistic one, and she has the ability not to cave under intimidation and bullying. Yet all these wonderful attributes went downhill, it had been no more than a mask of her insecurities as well as her ignorant pride. The question of ‘to be or not to be?’ comes up a lot during her inner monologues (when you read the book you’ll get my gist) and between those I sometimes feel like chucking a rock at her for her indecisiveness and at times selfishness. I had to constantly remind myself however, that this is a damaged girl who attachments have made her insecure and must in no doubt give her my empathy.

Romance?!  Was it mentioned? implied? Yes, indeed it was. But it was poorly executed however. I felt like there was no real chemistry, no concrete back story. It felt like the writer was thinking ‘we need an alpha male to spice things up. Someone vulnerable, sensitive, yet ignorant and sometimes narcissistic’.  and I was like wtf??

It was an alright read. If you like lovely descriptive medieval styled surroundings and stories on queens and knights with a mediocre characterisation growth, then this book is for you. I still am glad to have read the book, but once is definitely more than enough.

Happy Reading y’all =))

Fuck Yeah Reading Challenges (2012)

Nothing says eager like a good challenge (or in this case challenges). So, for the year 2012 I have browsed through a dozen online book challenges and will be participating in the following:

 

The Dystopia Challenge 2012 (Hosted by bookishardour) 

  15 books- Contagion

The level I have chosen is contagion, which requires 15 books to be read. I’ have read the first book of the Hunger Games Trilogy and loved it. Definitely more than willing to read some more..

 

 

 

 

 Off the Shelf Book Challenge 2012  (Hosted by bookishardour)

 30 books- Making a  Dint

A humongous amount of unread books lie dormant on my bookshelf- it comes with the territory of being both a book lover and a massive hoarder. Every year vows are made to read the books, and every year it is broken, and instead new books are added. What better to start changing by joining a challenge to help me with my motivation.

 

 

Steampunk Reading Challenge  (Hosted by darkfaerietales)

   6 Books- Gaslight

The steampunk genre, most definitely something that I am very much unfamiliar with. I have read rave reviews about this sub-genre and would love to know more about it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Zombie Challenge 2012 (hosted by Book Chick City)

6 books- One Chomp

I have always loved zombies. The walking dead- eager to satisfy themselves with some blood, guts and brain. What surprises me the most is that I haven’t read as many zombie genre books as much as the many times I have seen them in movies and tv shows. Excited to sink my teeth into some gore !!

 

 

 

Young Adult (YA) Contemporary 2012 Book Challenge (Hosted by Katiesbookblog)

10 Books- Level 2

My choice of YA books are always leaning towards contemporary, I love that realistic-fiction feeling, where the characters and situations somewhat more easier to empathise. The only difference between this contemporary challenge is that the books read must be published during 2012. So, as much as I love reading brand- new, newly published books, I just dont think I have enough moolah to acquire more than 10. My two favourite libraries are always there, but they cant always guarantee that they’ll be on-shelf or in-stock.

Chunkster Reading Challenge  (Hosted by Chunksterchallenge) 4 Books- The Chubby Chunkster

The idea is to read Adult literature 450+pages long. I am open and looking forward to it, I havent read a lot of adult literature, and this will just hopefully motivate me more. Middlesex by Eugenides is on my list =))

 

 

 

 

And this ladies and gentledudes is just the beginning. I am hopeful that 2012 will prove to be a bibliogasmic experience for me.. If you would like to look at more reading challenge please check THIS OUT!!…

 

Wish me all the best and may this journey be a mind-opening experience =))

Velkommen

Nothing thrills me more than starting afresh. The unmistakable hope. Higher expectations and a much needed ego boost at best! Welcome to the year 2012!! Where this blog will hopefully be used simply for cathartic puroses, with regards to books and life in general.

 

I hope that you would accompany me in this journey towards book hoarding, insomniac rambling self-preservation. Trust me when I say I am as mundane and as petty as they come, but I would like to think that I have some hidden persona within me that has yet to be properly unleashed..

 

Toodles (^__^)