Friday, 20 May 2011

Day 01 – Best book you read last year

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Anyone who has read this blog or any length of time knows that I am really bad at picking favourites. There were several books that I loved last year but I’ve chosen to feature Gaudy Night by Dorothy L. Sayers today as I will feature other favourites throughout the next 30 days.

GaudyNightI’ve chosen Gaudy Night  because for me it was a perfect mixture of mystery, sweetness and academia. As I wrote at the time I really felt transported to Oxford in the 1930s. It felt so very very real to me. And it was refreshing to read a mystery where no one actually dies.

The book also discusses a topic dear to my heart: The Education of Women. Why educating women is important. It shows the start of women trying to break through the glass ceiling. As struggle that we are still fighting.

And then we have the river scene. Oh. My. The River Scene.

This is a book I think everyone should read.

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Copyright ©2011 Zee from Notes from the North. This post was originally posted by Zee from Notes from the North. It should not be reproduced without express written permission.

Thursday, 19 May 2011

The 30 Day Book Challenge

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I turn 30 tomorrow (or 21 for the 10th time depending on how you count). In honour of this I thought I would do the 30 days of Books Challenge that is doing the rounds. I first saw it on Lost in Books. Here is the list of topics that will be covered over the next 30 days:

Day 01 – Best book you read last year
Day 02 – A book that you’ve read more than 3 times
Day 03 – Your favorite series
Day 04 – Favorite book of your favorite series
Day 05 – A book that makes you happy
Day 06 – A book that makes you sad
Day 07 – Most underrated book
Day 08 – Most overrated book
Day 09 – A book you thought you wouldn’t like but ended up loving
Day 10 – Favorite classic book
Day 11 – A book you hated
Day 12 – A book you used to love but don’t anymore
Day 13 – Your favorite writer
Day 14 – Favorite book of your favorite writer
Day 15 – Favorite male character
Day 16 – Favorite female character
Day 17 – Favorite quote from your favorite book
Day 18 – A book that disappointed you
Day 19 – Favorite book turned into a movie
Day 20 – Favorite romance book
Day 21 – Favorite book from your childhood
Day 22 – Favorite book you own
Day 23 – A book you wanted to read for a long time but still haven’t
Day 24 – A book that you wish more people would’ve read
Day 25 – A character who you can relate to the most
Day 26 – A book that changed your opinion about something
Day 27 – The most surprising plot twist or ending
Day 28 – Favorite title
Day 29 – A book everyone hated but you liked
Day 30 – Your favorite book of all time

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Copyright ©2011 Zee from Notes from the North. This post was originally posted by Zee from Notes from the North. It should not be reproduced without express written permission.

Wednesday, 18 May 2011

Book Review: Sense and Sensibility

Sense and SensibilitySense and Sensibility by Jane Austen

Publisher: Barnes & Noble Classics

Category: Classics

Challenges: The Classics Circuit

Synopsis: The two Dashwood sisters, Elinor and Marianne couldn’t be more different if they tried. Elinor is clam and considerate whereas Marianne is romantic and passionate. The two sisters have very different ideas of what constitutes a perfect husband, and both face heartache because they set their sights on men who do not quite live up to the sisters ideas of who these men are.

My Thoughts: Well I don’t think I will ever be an Austen fan and this book did nothing to change that (but for the Austen versus Dickens fight it should be noted that I am also not a Dickens fan, so call me a tie). I like this book better than I liked Emma last year but it is still not one of my favourites. I did see the humour and sarcasm that everyone seems to go on about in Austen’s books. Quotes such as the one below had me giggling:

At last the affair was decided. The ivory, the gold, and the pearls, all received their appointment, and the gentleman having named the last day on which his existence could be continued without the possession of the toothpick-case, drew on his gloves with leisurely care and bestowing another glance on the Miss Dashwoods, but such a one as seemed rather to demand than express admiration, walked off with a happy air of real conceit and affected indifference.

The comment about not being able to live another day without a toothpick-case strikes me as a rather caustic comment on the materialism of certain parts of society at the time. I found it highly amusing that we could write something similar about certain aspect of our own society. This is perhaps where we can find the reason why these books keep enduring. There is some insight into the character of mankind.

Despite this I do not love the book as others seem to love Austen. I think it is perhaps the fact that the books all seem to similar for me. There are the interfering older women; the miss understandings between the young couples; the need for money, although no one ever seems to actually work. It is all always so similar. I also found the ending to be a bit to pat for me, and I do like a happy ending.

I have now read all but one of Austen’s novels left to read: Persuasion and from what I have heard this is many people’s favourite so I will probably give it a go, but Austen will never fall on my frequent re-reads.

 

AustDickens-1

CymLowell

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Copyright ©2011 Zee from Notes from the North. This post was originally posted by Zee from Notes from the North. It should not be reproduced without express written permission.

Tuesday, 17 May 2011

17 Mai: Norway’s National Holiday

Norwegian flag

May 17th is the day Norwegians celebrate being free from Sweden (that would be us Open-mouthed smile) and in honour of this I thought I would post some ideas for Norwegian authors people might like to check out.

Henrik Ibsen: No list of Norwegian authors is complete without mentioning Ibsen. I read and reviewed A Doll’s House for A Year of Feminist Classics. It is the only one of Ibsen’s works I have read but I also saw a performance of The Wild Duck when I was in high school that I enjoyed.

Sigrid Undset: An author I have not yet read. One day I will tackle Kristin Lavransdatter. There was a read-a-long in 2009. Check it out for more information on the author and the book.

Jostein Gaard: The author of Sophie’s World (which I haven’t read either, but want to). It is supposed to be a good introduction to philosophy. I can actually remember when it came out and I have wanted to red it ever since.

For those who like crime there is Karin Fossum, Jo Nesbo and Anne Holt. I haven’t read Fossum but I tried Nesbo earlier this year and it wasn’t really for me, but others seem to like them. I will give one of his other books a try though. One of Holt’s books is sitting on my shelf waiting to be read.

Zoe from Playing by the Book (which is quickly becoming my go to blog for children’s books) has some recommendations for picture books from Norwegian authors.

As you can see I have read shockingly few Norwegian authors. Do you have any favourites that I have missed? Please give me some recommendations!

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Copyright ©2011 Zee from Notes from the North. This post was originally posted by Zee from Notes from the North. It should not be reproduced without express written permission.

Friday, 6 May 2011

Book Review: Damia’s Children

Damia's childrenDamia’s Children by Anne McCaffrey

Publisher: Corgi

Category: Sci-fi

Synopsis: Damia’s Children follows the three oldest of Damia and Afra’s children: Laria, Thian and Rojer as they become working Primes. We get to see the problems they encounter on their different jobs but also their small joys.

My Thoughts: Occasionally I need to dip into one of my comfort reads. You know, the kind of books that you know, that are familiar and that never fail to entertain you. One such series is Anne McCaffrey’s Tower and the Hive series. And that is actually really strange, because the Tower and the Hive is a Sci-fi series which is very far from my normal comfort reads. But this series is so much more to me.

Damia’s Children is the third book in the five book series. It is preceded by The Rowan and Damia. I’ve never liked these two books as much as I do the last three books in the series and since I was looking for comfort I bypassed them. One day I might re-read them and review them, but for now know that they exist and it is probably a good idea to read them first, although it isn’t necessary.

The series shows the life of the talented, that is those who have the ability to use telepathy and telekinesis to move things and talk to others across the vastness of space. These talents come in different strengths with the strongest being referred to as Primes. At the end of Damia an alien species known as Dini’s contact Damia and other talents in order form an alliance against a common enemy.

Although this book sometimes feels a bit cursory, it really works as a bridge between Damia and Lyon’s Pride it still shows the tight bonds between the siblings, parents and their Dini’s. It really shows the pressure we can put on very young people and how they can rise to meet this pressure. It also shows the courage it takes to stand up to people who are more senior than you.

Although I am not in any way, shape, or form talented in the way the characters in the book are I did feel a certain kinship with the three teens when I was growing up. And to a certain extent I still do. We are often thrust into situations that feel completely alien to us and how we deal with it is a big part of whom we are. I often wish I was more like Laria and Thian.

In addition to this the series discusses larger moral issues regarding destroying entire civilisations and what constitutes honour. These sorts of philosophical debates always interest me.

I do have one problem with these books and that is the many editorial mistakes in it. Characters, especially the Dinis and their ships can change names, often  on the same page. This makes for very confusing reading at times.

This is a series of books that I recommend to anyone interested in sci-fi and or political debates (if you like BSG you’ll enjoy these books).

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Copyright ©2011 Zee from Notes from the North. This post was originally posted by Zee from Notes from the North. It should not be reproduced without express written permission.

Wednesday, 4 May 2011

Book Review: The Dowry Bride

The Dowry BrideThe Dowry Bride by Shobhan Bantwal

Publisher: Kensington Books

Category: Lit

Challenges: What’s in a Name, SAAC

Synopsis: Megha is a young woman in India who finds out that her mother-in-law wants her killed as her father has failed to pay the dowry that was promised.

My Thoughts: The story was very compelling and brought to light a very important topic, unfortunately, I felt that the book was both predictable and at times badly written. The dialogue was clunky at times (and I am the queen of clunky dialogue), for example:

“I trust you completely, Kiran, but Amma is a vindictive woman. I’ve lived with her for the past year. When she wants something, nobody can stop her. She’s like a rock hurtling down a steep mountain.” (105)

At this point it has already been established that Amma is a very nasty person but Bantwal seems to be bent on hammering it home. She also doesn’t seem to trust that her readers can understand, or don’t need to understand certain things, such as when she enumerates the foods that Kiran and Megha eat:

Kiran watched with amused contentment Megha eat the rich mkhani chicken curry, alu matar or potatoes with peas, the hot, puff bread called naan, and the rice pulau and salad. (114)

To me passages like this feel very wordy and unnecessary and really took away from my enjoyment of the book. I had similar problems with The Forbidden Daughter last year and I am beginning to think that this authors writing style just doesn’t work for me. I really wish it did though, because I love stories she tells.

I did enjoy the basic story and actually read the whole book in an afternoon. I wanted so much for Megha to be okay, she was a very likeable character. Her desires were completely disregarded by those around her and yet she tried so hard to please them. I did find it a tad unnecessary that she needed a man to save her. I wish she could have been a bit more independent, at the same time I understand that in the culture where the book is set it might not have been possible for her to have more independence.

The issue of dowries and dowry brides that Bantwal brings up is a very important one with regards to women’s rights. Bantwal shows how the young brides are put to the mercy of her husbands family and how badly these families can treat the brides if the dowry is not paid in a timely manner, or if the girls fail to produce a child. Although there are laws against dowries these laws are ignored and disregarded and the girls are put in a very vulnerable position.

Overall the stylistic choices the author makes mean that I will probably not be reading any more of her books, even though I thought the story fantastic and the themes important.

CymLowell

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Copyright ©2011 Zee from Notes from the North. This post was originally posted by Zee from Notes from the North. It should not be reproduced without express written permission.

Monday, 2 May 2011

Book Review: A Hat Full of Sky

A Hat Full of SkyA Hat Full of Sky by Terry Pratchett

Publisher: HarperCollins e-book

Category: YA Fantasy

Challenges: What’s in a Name

Synopsis: An ancient creature enters Tiffany’s mind and causes her to desire power.

My Thoughts: This book continues to follow Tiffany Aching.

Tiffany has now moved in with Miss Level to continue her training as a witch. At Miss Level Tiffany also meets a coven of younger witches. The creature that invades Tiffany’s mind feeds the desire one often sees in teenagers, a desire for power. The creature causes Tiffany to act in a way that is very out of character for her, but I think was realistic for a teenager trying to find themselves.

The introduction of the coven also allows Pratchett to explore the relationships amongst younger girls. The book shows that these relationships can be filled with jealousy and meanness but also that the girls can be fiercely loyal to each other and that even those who at first might not seem to be ones friends turn out to be the best friends.

I really enjoyed the book but to be honest it was over a month since I read it and I am having trouble articulating and remembering what I loved about it apart from those things that I always love about Pratchett’s books: his humour and his insights into that which makes us human. I also have to say that the Nac Mac Feegles are quickly becoming my favourite characters. They are hilarious but also caring.

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Copyright ©2011 Zee from Notes from the North. This post was originally posted by Zee from Notes from the North. It should not be reproduced without express written permission.