SunnyShadows
-
Posts
36 -
Joined
-
Last visited
Content Type
Profiles
Forums
Events
Books
Posts posted by SunnyShadows
-
-
Hi everyone,
Hope everyone's enjoying the new year so far! It's been rather rainy for me!
My coursework starts again this Saturday, so I'm just enjoying my holiday till then. I had a few errands to run this morning, and am planning on spending my afternoon making some jewellery.
I like Christmas, but as soon as it's over I like to get the decorations down. I think it makes my flat look too cluttered. I did get lots of chocolates, though (so it can't be too bad!).Holidays are over and I am so happy! I am not Scrooge to hate Xmas but the fuss everyone makes about it, running, shopping, cooking and buying everything they need and mostly don't need is making me weary.
-
I also enjoyed 'After Dark'. I like the mixture of realism and surrealism in Murakami's work, which is widely reflective of Japanese literature and media in general. Strangely, though I find Murakami's one of the most inspiring writers from a writing perspective, I find I'm rarely able to get through one of his books.
I tried to read 'The Wind-Up Bird Chronical' last year, and couldn't get through it. I enjoy the almost comforting way he makes mundane activities interesting, but sometimes the book would go on for ages with absolutely nothing happening. I didn't feel it really had much of a plot, and I gave up after reading about 200 pages.
I also find his female characters a bit lacking. I vaguely remember the protagonist of After Dark being an exception, but a lot of the women characters don't seem to do much or have much personality, and seem to only be there for the sex scenes. Not all are like that, but too many are. Sometimes I feel like Murakami's writing reads like a hormonal teenage boy's fanfiction. It's just a bit off-putting.
I might read another of his in the future, probably one of the shorter ones. I liked 'Kafka on the Shore' and 'After Dark' the best so far.
-
Thank you for welcoming me back everyone!
Thanks, I think that's probably the reason I chose that name. Yes, the weather has been rather grim where I am as well. The new year started with rain for me, but I'm hoping for sun sometime soon!Welcome back, SunnyShadows. I like your name - atmospheric in itself! Let's hope for some sun to make some shadows - it's grey and damp here in Kent.
-
Hi everyone (and Happy New Year)!
I posted on this forum for a short time about two years ago. Then coursework took over my life, and I left for some time. I often found myself thinking about the interesting discussions I'd had on here, and the people I'd met. So, I'm pleased to be back!
I've changed quite a lot since I was last here. Though my favourite books and authors are still the same! I love the Brontës, and Wilkie Collins. Also Daphne du Maurier, particularly Jamaica Inn. Anything with a good setting that's tied up to the atmosphere!
In modern literature, I love Mark Haddon's 'The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime' and I'm currently reading his short story collection. I tend to enjoy quite obscure modern books that I rarely see people talking about. Preeta Samarasan's 'Evening is the Whole Day', Janni Visman's 'Yellow', Krys Lee's short story collection 'Drifting House' are all favourites. I love anything that ramps up the tension like du Maurier!
I'm a critical reader, and though reading is a hobby, I rarely find a book I like! The majority of books I read, I get through a few chapters and then get fed up. I'm quite picky, I suppose!
I've tried my hand at writing a few times, but it didn't really get anywhere. My ideas tend to be too sprawling, so I never get past the planning stages. I'm attempting short stories now, because they have to be concise. I'm doing an English Literature and Creative Writing Degree with the Open University, and the creative writing part starts next year, so hopefully that will guide me a bit!
Looking forward to posting!
-
I finally finished The Tenderness of Wolves by Stef Penney. It took me a while, since I felt it dragged at a couple of points, but overall I enjoyed it. I liked reading the posts about it on the Group Read on this site when I was finished. It was interesting to hear what other people thought.
I found it a bit predictable at times, and I felt some points were rushed, and it left me caring less than I felt I should. What I did enjoy, however, was the setting and atmosphere. The use of the snow and cold weather to set the tone really brought it all together.
I found the ending a bit disappointing, since not all the questions were answered. I'd rate it about 3.5/5.
I'd like to post about it in more detail, since though it wasn't my favourite book, I do have a lot of views on it. I can't seem to find spoiler tags, though.
-
Listening to wintermute's songs for Hatsune Miku. I can't believe how few views these videos get, because I think they're amazing. These are some of my favourites:
Alchemy is my absolute favourite! These songs always inspire me to write!
-
I like these. I also enjoy Cinema Sins' 'Everything Wrong With-' series. They point out all the plot holes and errors in movies bad and good.
-
I read The Radleys, but I wasn't a big fan. I might get round to some of his others sometime.
-
Thanks
! Which book is it? The one I'm reading at the moment, The Traitor Spy Trilogy 2: The Rogue explains the past events pretty well and concisely.That's funny, turns out it's the same one you're reading, and I hadn't realised! I'm looking forward to reading it!
-
I mostly find books in charity shops. But when I'm looking for a specific type of book, or similar books to ones I've already enjoyed, I find Amazon or Goodreads are brilliant. Though since I've been on this form I've had a lot of good ones recommended too!
-
Ooh, I'm glad you liked this one, Athena, as I have a book from this series, but I've yet to read it. It's not the first in the series, so I was a bit unsure if I'd be able to catch up, but I think I'll give it a try!
Great review, as always!
-
-
-
The weather's pretty strange where I am at the moment. Last night and this morning, it was really cold. Then in the afternoon it got pretty warm, only for me to be shivering again an hour or so later.
-
Thanks everyone for welcoming me! I'm enjoying taking part in the forums!!
-
Finished The Tenant of Wildfell Hall yesterday, so now I've started on The Tenderness of Wolves. I'm liking it so far.
-
I really enjoyed The Tenderness of Wolves, I hope you shall enjoy it too!
We did a reading circle on it last year, if you want to take a look at the thread after finishing the novel, you can find it here .Thanks, I'll give that a look when I'm done!
Oooh- are you an Atwood fan?? Have you read any of her other novels?
This will be my first time reading one of her novels. I do have Oryx and Crake as well, which I also would like to read. Maybe I should start with that one first?
Ah, I think I'll probably read The Tenderness of Wolves first, then. Only a few more pages of Wildfell Hall to go!The Tenderness of Wolves is a brilliant read - very atmospheric and moving. Like Frankie says, we did a Reading Circle on it last year and had quite a few things to discuss.
I read Cat's Eye many years ago, but unfortunately can't remember much about it. I know it's not one of my favourite Atwood's but I don't recall disliking it either.
I'm about 10% through Revival. It started a bit slow but things are picking up now.
-
Only about 1/4 left of The Tenant of Wildfell Hall, so I'm wondering what to read next. I tend to read a classic novel and then a modern one, so I don't get sick of the styles.
For my next modern novel to read, I was thinking either Cat's Eye by Margaret Atwood or The Tenderness of Wolves by Stef Penney . I got them both at a charity shop a while ago, but still yet to read them.
-
Nothing really happened in it as far as I got. I found it difficult to connect with the characters as well, but maybe that was because it kept changing every 75 pages or so. My least favourite part was the middle, too. I gave up at 'Sloosha's Crossin' an' Ev'rythin' After' (all those apostrophes drove me crazy!), but I didn't like 'An Orison of Sonmi ~ 451' either. I enjoyed the start, but the dystopian future was way overdone.I am in total agreement SunnyShadows. I kept reading in the hope of some amazing development later in the book which would bring it all together and blow my mind. Sadly it did not happen. I'm just not a fan. I particularly hated the middle story. I have not read The Tenant of Wildfell Hall but was not a particular fan of the other Bronte sisters work.
Ah, I'll take that into consideration if I go. I'm not a big fan of going when there's a lot of people. I imagine it must be quite an amazing place to visit!Definitely worth a visit - but make sure it's not during the tourist season, as all atmosphere disappears under the crush. Best time is mid-winter, on a stormy/gloomy day, midweek. We're lucky in that it's fairly close (I can see Haworth from the hills the other side of Keighley when I drive into work), so were able to pick the time, but it is worthwhile. Quite uncanny standing in the dining room (the first room you visit) and thinking that this was where so much was written, and where Emily died.
-
Maybe it was just Emily, then. The description in the front of my copy of The Tenant says it was popular, but I believe it was rather controversial and criticised. I'd like to read about the Brontes since I enjoy their books, but I'll probably wait till I've read all the books since I don't want to read any spoilers. I'd love to visit the museum someday, too.
I believe they read a lot and had great imagination, so I suppose the isolation gave them a need for writing stories.
I know there was quite a bit of drama relating to Branwell, as well, and Anne blamed herself for it.
-
Awww that's a shame to hear. The book is on my wishlist but I think your criticism would annoy me too!I started to read James Dashner - The Maze Runner 3: The Death Cure yesterday, I'm only on page 18 atm, almost at chapter 5, but so far it's interesting. I look forward to read more in it later today.
The book has its good points, so I'd say it's still worth a go. I just really can't move past accents. XD I also didn't really know where the story was going, nor was I that invested in the characters, and I was a good way through. I'm glad you're enjoying your book, though!
It was so sad that they all died so young, and around the same time. It must have been sad for Charlotte who outlived all her siblings. I read she was terribly saddened by her sisters' lack of success.I must read this soon. I'm currently reading a biography of Charlotte and am gaining a real insight into the girls and how they lived etc. I have read Agnes Grey but really want to read The Tenant of Wildfell Hall as most regard it as Anne's masterpiece. The sad thing is .. neither Emily or Anne knew that their books would become so celebrated. Only Charlotte had success in her lifetime. They'd all be amazed though at just how famous their books and their names have become.
I'd like to read Agnes Grey as well, since Anne's books are probably the least well known. I think it's amazing that three sisters should all become famous authors.
-
My mum and I have been watching Jeeves and Wooster. We used to have a video of it when I was younger, so it's nice to watch them again. Though Wooster is such a pushover I find myself constantly shouting at my tablet screen telling him to talk back to Aunt Agatha. I get way too invested.
-
Well, after struggling to finish Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell, I decided I really couldn't get on with it. Unfortunately, I was already a couple of hundred pages in. I find even if I really dislike a book, I hate to give up. I just can't stand books that overuse accent as if that's a good substitute for character personality and development. It may be 'realistic', but it's nigh on impossible to read without getting a headache. :'(
I'm now reading The Tenant of Wildfell Hall, which I really like. The characters are interesting and the relationships are well developed. I notice there are a lot of similar elements in the Bronte's novels, with a lot of descriptive scenery and troubled romance.
-
I love the word 'ocean'. I think it's my favourite English word.
I love the Japanese word 'darou' (だろう) which has a meaning similar to ' I expect'.
I also love the word 'tangerine'.
Your Book Activity - January 2017
in Past Book Logs
Posted
That's quite a diverse set of books! Probably a good idea to have a children's book on hand when reading something heavygoing. (Although children's books can be quite dark these days...)