Brida
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Posts posted by Brida
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The first thing that comes to mind is The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho (though most of his books had the same effect on me).
It helped me feel better when I wasn't feeling very happy, and helped me become more open minded and just more positive I guess
A similar thing happened with Life of Pi - it influenced my opinion about religion, and certain religions in particular, and also, gave me hope, to put it simply.
And, even though this is not the main topic here perhaps, obviously Uni books change my life, because they inform me about life and human beings and how we function
So I guess they might change my life the most. -
Noticed some great books on your lists (Kafka on the Shore, Flowers for Algernon, The Diary of Anne Frank - though it's been a long time since I read that one).
Nice to see you enjoyed Lestat, I've only read Interview with the Vampire, so it's great to see your thoughts. Might give it a go myself.
Happy reading!
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White Lies - Bad Love
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This week I haven't read much, so I'm still at page 95(ish) of The Sea, The Sea, and it doesn't seem like I'll ever finish it
It seemed a bit slow, and not very interesting in the begining, but I decided not to give up, and it turned out to be the right decision. It's very good, and intriguing even.
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REVIEW
*Starter for Ten by David Nicholls*
Synopsis:
It's 1985 and Brian Jackson has arrived at university with a burning ambition - to make it onto TV's foremost general knowledge quiz. But no sooner has he embarked on 'The Challenge' than he finds himself falling hopelessly in love with his teammate, the beautiful and charismatic would-be actress, Alice Harbinson. When Alice fails to fall for his slightly over-eager charms, Brian comes up with a foolproof plan to capture her heart once and for all. He's going to win the game, at any cost, because - after all - everyone knows that what a woman really wants from a man is a comprehensive grasp of general knowledge...Starter for Ten is a comedy about love, class, growing-up and the all-important difference between knowledge and wisdom.
Such a funny and entertaining book!
A few years ago I read Nicholls' The Understudy - and loved it - so I decided to see what his other books are like. And this one hasn't disappointed me.
There's a similarity to the Adrian Mole series, but the style is different, a bit more raw, or crude maybe is a better word. Maybe even a bit cruel
Anyway, it's brutally funny at times, and it made me laugh out loud - litterally - in each chapter. And no other book has made me laugh out loud, I can usually sustain myself The main character, Brian, is loser - ish (in the Adrian Mole kind of way) and a bit self-centered becuase of his own dissatisfaction with himself. He constantly keeps messing up his life more and more, when he wants to do the complete opposite. Which makes him annoying, but annoyingly funny, thank God. Everytime he's about to make a decision, he thinks - considers what the reasonable and right thing to do would be - and decides to do the wrong thing
Is it predicting? Well, yes in the sense that you know he's going to screw up what he yet hasn't managed to, but still not predictable enough to let you guess what exactly he'll do. And that's what makes it funny, the anticipation You just know something bad's going to happen, but what exactly...Only Brian knows It also is actually very sad at times, but covered up with a lot of humour, so still more funny than sad 
This is a real page turner, and once again, sooo funny. Highly recommended.
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I thought you meant food
Hmm, well there's always a lot of notes in library books. Other than food particles of course...
There was this one Paulo Coelho book I got from the library, and someone made notes on every page, underlining sentences, and writing (mostly) questions like ''Why?'', ''What does he mean??'', ''This is so ridiculous!?!?'' '' What a load of...'' and it kept annoying me throughout the book
I tried to ignore it but - I have eyes! It just kept popping in front of my eyes...
Other than that, just the usual notes: X&Y <3 4ever, ''I'm dying here'', lyrics etc.
I haven't ever found money or anything other than notes, though
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I've been meaning to read Everything is Illuminated, so I might join you if I find time in February, if that's ok?
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He has a sort of calm way of writing, which I like too
I have to finish The Remains of the Day when I find the time, I started reading it, but had to return it to the library, so I'm waiting for better days
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Haha, well that's certainly better than not liking the book
I've only managed 20 pages so far... xD I hope I'll read more/faster...
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I take it you're not enjoying it then, pontalba?
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First book of 2011
REVIEW
*Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro*
Synopsis:
Narrated by Kathy, now 31, "Never Let Me Go" hauntingly dramatises her attempts to come to terms with her childhood at the seemingly idyllic Hailsham School, and with the fate that has always awaited her and her closest friends in the wider world. A story of love, friendship and memory, "Never Let Me Go" is charged throughout with a sense of the fragility of life.
The topic here is, sort of, similar to the topic in Flowers for Algernon. When thinking of the wellbeing of some makes us forget about others.
Never Let Me Go is a thought provoking book. It speaks of people who are practically 'made' (not born) to be organ donors, while the fact that they are human beings is ignored, sometimes even deliberately so that other 'normal' people would have a clear conscience. Because if they (the donors) are not human, then it's ok if they only live long enough to donate a couple of organs and then die. Without experiencing most of the things a human being has a right to.
Yes, now I realise how much this book has affected me. It's easy to read, and I found it hard to put down at times, especially as the story was progressing to the end.
The main idea is pretty morbid, and scary if you think about it, but the story itself isn't what's shocking about the book. The story is about their life at Hailsham, and later on when they became donors or were taking care of other donors.
What is interesting, or shocking or sad or scary or something else, is how they were treated, and how humanly they were, when at the same time being treated as something revolting. It really did make me sad, thinking about what it would be like if it were not only a story, but reality. The saddest part of it all for me was the fact that their life was so peaceful, and calm (?!?). You know, they were just accepting what they were told, only a few actually questioning and trying to understand their life. But somewhat irritatingly (imho) they accepted it all, their destiny so to speak! I kept wishing for them to rebel or something
And I'm a quiet and peaceful person!I guess that's what made me most sad and mad, not even thinking they have an alternative, or the right to an alternative.
BUT, that's what makes the book so good. It makes a strong point. Are we really going to go that far and treat some people like that, that it'll become acceptable, even to the ones who are being used.
Really good book. I recommend it.
(It'll be interesting to see what the movie is like).
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Hello everyone
How are you getting along with The Sea, The Sea?
I'm affraid I just got hold of the book today (
), and it's kinda huge lol. Sooo, I probably won't be able to finish it before February, but I'll do my best.I've already started it and it seems good. And long.
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What’s the best book you read this year?
I didn't read a lot of books this year, but on the other hand, most of the books I finished were probably amongst the best books I've ever read
- Life of Pi (Yann Martel) - You're probably thinking ''Stop it already!'', but it needed to be said
Such a positive book even though it describes very painful events and states of mind. So incredibly honest, real and comforting. Love it. - Le Testament Français (Andrei Makine) - Such a beautiful book! Great story, beautiful descriptions, I loved the main character/narrator. Highly recommended!
- Tender is the Night (F. Scott Fitzgerald) - Great characters who have a lot of flaws, not what you'd call nice or perfect, or maybe even likeable, but they sure make an impact, excellent topic...
- Kafka on the Shore (Haruki Murakami) - I loved the mixture of realistic things and fantasy here, some things are not very clear, but you don't feel the need to explain them
And then, there's things which you keep pondering over and trying to understand. An easy and enjoyable read, though not just a simple book you read and then toss away (not that I toss away books, mind you). It's an interesting book, with lots of funny, sad, emotional, surreal things happening, and a bunch of very interesting and strange characters.Worst?
I started reading The Book Thief, but didn't finish it. It just didn't appeal to me, and I could really see where it was going. Couldn't see the point. It seemed to be a favourite here on the forum, so I was sorry not to have liked it. Luckily, there were other books to make up for it
Favorite?
One of my favourite books ever (if not *the* favourite) - Life of Pi. Yes, I've already mentioned it too many times. But I also need to mention Le Testament Français here, because it made a huge impression, and was one of the most beautiful books I've ever read.
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^^The Michael Caine version?
4. ''42''
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2.
- Go put the kettle on.
- You take sugar?
- No, thank you, Turkish. I'm sweet enough.''
Snatch
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Welcome to the Forum
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Hello Himself, welcome to the BCF
Merry Christmas.
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The Short Person with Hairy Feet by J.R.R. Tolkien (The Hobbit)Short Chicks by Louisa May Alcott (Little Women)
Raymond Chadler The Somewhat Large Doze (The Big Sleep)The Overextended Parting Comment (The Long Goodbye)Phillip Pullman
:lol:My attempt...
Expiation (Atonement - Ian McEwan)
Earth's New Satellite (New Moon - Stephanie Meyer)
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Well the fellowship of the...book is growing!
Lovely. I hope that means there'll be a huge discussion on our next read If it's ok with everyone who's decided to join in, I'd really like it to be a December/January read, because I'm not sure how much time I'll have for reading (non uni stuff that is lol)...?
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Of course we don't mind, Kylie
The more the merrier -
I'm a slow reader, on average I'd say I read a book or 2 a month, which is not a lot. During the summer I read more because I have more free time.
The reason^^ is obviously lack of time, when uni starts there's always something to do, although to be completely honest, if I tried, I could find more time to read.
It's just me not trying
But still, I don't mind it that much, because I want to enjoy the book I'm reading, and for that I need to take my time.
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Hi Eliza
Nice to see you started your own blog, hope you'll have fun with it, and I'm sure it'll be useful to keep record of what you read and how you liked it As for the review, In a Strange Room reminded me of Paulo Coelho's stuff, which I love(d).
Sounds interesting, I might give it a go when I find the time.
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Yes I'll join in
I'm sorry I missed the English patient but I'd like to read a review. I think The Sea, The Sea is a great choice, I've seen it so many times in book shops but never got round to picking up a copy. Is this for the Man booker prize challenge, or is it book of the month? I'd like to write a review on some books I've read.. well try anyway. I've read Michelle's guide to writing a review, it's really helpful. Do I just open a thread in the genre and put in the Author and title? Can you just do it that way?
Great, welcome then!
You can read the reviews here:
The Sea, The Sea has been suggested as part of the challenge, yes. So it's 3 votes for it so far!
Yes, you can post a review in the appropriate section, or in your own thread like the one's in the Reading Lists/Blogs section
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Yesterday I bought
- Dance Dance Dance by Haruki Murakami
- Sophie's World by Jostein Gaardner
- Everything is Illuminated by Jonathan Safran Foer
- Parrot and Olivier in America by Peter Carey
and am particularly excited about the latter 2, because it was an impulse buy - they seemed interesting and I can't wait to get around to them!
Your Book Activity Today ~ Thread 13
in General Book Discussions
Posted
Umm, the books you've already finished?
Definitely give it a try, it gets better as the story progresses. Well, there isn't much of a story in the begining, so I guess that's the problem
On topic - no progress with The Sea today, I'm affraid. I hope I'll find some time for it later.
*Now, sign out from BCF, Brida, and get to work...*