WWW Wednesdays....

Hosted by MizB

Its Wednesday again.....

Time to play along and answer those 3 questions...

1. What are you currently reading?
2. What did you recently finish reading?
3. What do you think you'll read next?


1. What are you currently reading?

I am reading Painless by Derek Ciccone. I am a very lucky girl and got a Kindle for my birthday recently. This book was one of their freebies so I thought I'd give it a go....

So far I am only into the character development bit, but its looking quite intriguing.



2. I recently finished Room by Emma Donoghue.

It was a brilliant book. I am quite disappointed I finished it actually....

 

3. Next I may read The Long Song by Andrea Levy. Its another one that I saw on The TV Book Club and it caught my eye.

Room by Emma Donoghue

I've just finished reading Room.

Its an emotional and inspiring read about a 19 year old girl who is kidnapped and locked in an 11 foot by 11 foot room. She is held captive for 7 long years by a man twice her age. He is a loner and a bachelor and uses her for his pleasure.

The narrator is Jack, her 5 year old son who was born into this room and has never seen the outside before. He is a remarkably clever young boy, and together he and his mother develop ways of coping in this captivity.

It is such an amazing read. The first part of the book is dedicated to their experiences within the room, and especially the relationship between Jack and Ma. Ma tries her best to protect Jack, and she inspires him with what little resources they have. They have an exceptionally close relationship and she teaches him all that she can. Jack in many ways is more able than the average 5 year old, and in other ways, of course, he is not. But the relationship that they have forged is so special, it cannot fail to move you.

The second part of the book is dedicated to life on the outside of the room, and Jack's experiences of the world. It is about their ways of coping with their new found freedom, the press and the emotional anxieties that they are faced with.

Room is an outstanding book. Although the subject matter is one which is something we would rather not delve into, it is not a depressing book at all. It is inspiring and thought provoking and the relationship between Ma and Jack is overwhelming. It took me about a day to read it, I just could not put it down.

My Rating: 4.5 Stars

Burning Bright by Tracy Chevalier

Burning Bright is the story of the Kellaways, a family from Dorset who move to London in 1792 on the brink of the French Revolution. It centres on Jem Kellaway, a thirteen year old boy, who immediately forms a friendship with local London urchin, Maggie Butterfield. Together they make an unlikely pair but are united in their fascination of Jem's next door neighbour William Blake. Blake is a printer, a painter and a poet and both Maggie and Jem are drawn to his curiosities.

As their relationship develops, so too does their relationship with Blake, and Jem and Maggie manage to entangle themselves in all sorts of mishaps and misdemeanours; the seduction of Jem's sister Maisie by the local philanderer, the riot with the Lambeth Association, not forgetting the story behind cut-throat lane.

Burning Bright is an entertaining tale of the relationship between two very different characters, Jem and Maggie. Jem is very likable, he is a hard working boy who supports his family and his sister in particular. Maggie in contrast has had a difficult childhood, her family are more often in the pub than working, and she has had to become quite self-sufficient. Her harsh and brutal ways are somewhat softened by her occasional episodes of innocence and vulnerability, so she too, becomes very likable.

Other than that, the story in itself does not progress. We only see flashes of Blake and he is not that significant a character. 18th Century London is portrayed well, but the historical backdrop for this novel, The French Revolution, was hardly integral either. I didn't learn anything historical particularly, and if I had purchased this book for the purpose of it being historical fiction, then I would have been thoroughly disappointed. However, I did not. I came across this book by accident, I thought I would read it, and I really enjoyed it.

If you want something that is light-hearted, easy to read and entertaining then give this one a go.

My Rating: 3.5 Stars

Today is....Winnie The Pooh Day!

Winnie the Pooh Day has been created in celebration of the birth of A A Milne in 1882.

Its a perfect day to dig out and read your old Winnie the Pooh books.

Personally, I'll be having an extra cuddle with Tigger this bedtime.....

What will you do to celebrate?

The Piano Tuner by Daniel Mason

The Piano Tuner is the mysterious and intriguing story of Edgar Drake, a mild-mannered dreamer who specialises in tuning beautiful French Erard piano's. Drake is happy and content with his life. He has a beautiful wife Katherine, a nice home, successful business and a passion for music. Piano's are his life, his love, and his passion.

Then one afternoon in 1886, Drake is called in to the War Office and is asked to complete a special mission; to travel to British occupied Burma, and then on to the Shan States to tune a rare Erard grand piano. The piano is owned by the eccentric Surgeon-Major Anthony Carroll, a British officer, who appears to have been channeling the medium of music to pacify the locals and obtain significant political alliances within the Shan States. This request, although irregular in nature immediately appeals to Drake, thus beginning his adventures to Burma to meet this enigmatic officer.

But Drake does not travel alone. In Mandalay, he is introduced to the beautiful and mysterious Khin Myo who travels with him, at Surgeon-Major Carroll's request, to Mae Lwin, his final destination in the Shan States. It is in Mae Lwin that the real adventures begin. As Drake embraces this new culture, he embarks on a transformation of character and values that change him forever, but as he does so he also engages himself deeply into dangerous political, and military concerns that affect his life forever.

Daniel Mason has a way of writing that draws you straight in to this intriguing adventure. Edgar Drake is a mild-mannered quiet man, yet you instantly know he is a man of depth, and that there is more to him than meets the eye, so to speak. So, you want to know exactly what this story is about, and what is going to happen to him. So, you decide to continue with this book, and to travel with him on this adventure. You feel how he feels, you see what he sees, and you smell what he smells. That's what I love about this book.

Some books that I read, I find I am getting bored with the descriptive narrative and I skip over those parts trying to get on with the story. But not this book. I enjoyed the descriptions of the scenery, the culture, the smells and the tastes. It was exotic, intriguing and it makes me want to travel. It also makes me want to learn the piano. But the story is so much more than that. Its also about values, and transformation, and the little things. And alongside that its a bit of a political mystery.

I cannot say too much about the second part of the book without spoiling it, but suffice to say that the ending was rather a surprise and left the reader having to make their own mind up. I can't say more than that. The last fifty pages or so were a rapid closure to this beautiful story, and although I am disappointed in some respects to the outcome, I appreciate why it was concluded in such a manner.

Intrigued? I was. I recommend The Piano Tuner. If you read it, let me know your thoughts. I finished it on Friday night, and only this morning (Monday) I decided what I think is the truth.

My Rating: A very worthy 4 Stars.

WWW Wednesdays. . .

I have just stumbled across this weekly event, and thought it would be fun to play along. It's hosted by MizB.

To play you have to answer the following 3 questions:

1. What are you currently reading?

2. What did you recently finish reading?

3. What do you think you'll read next?

So, lets play. . . .

1. What are you currently reading?

The Piano Tuner by Daniel Mason  - I'm about half way through and so far I quite like it. I love the imagery and the atmosphere, though the story has not really taken off yet. I am expecting a bit of a twist to what happens, but will have to wait and see.

2. What did you recently finish reading?

Tulip Fever by Deborah Moggach - Enjoyable in its own way but lacking in depth and historical content. Very passionate though.

3. What do you think you'll read next?

Tricky to answer. . . .I should be broadening my reading horizons as I seem to choose books from the same genre. However, I think its going to be, Burning Bright by Tracy Chevalier.

I need to buy some more books.

Any recommendations anyone?

Eclipse (The Film) Like it or Loathe it?

I was fortunate enough at the weekend to borrow a copy of Eclipse, the movie, on DVD. I had been looking forward to watching it having seen the first two films, and having read all the books previously.

So, there I was, chocolates in one hand, nice glass of red in the other, happily anticipating a night of pure, unadulterated vampire-wolf pleasure. So, imagine my disappointment when less than half way through the film I found myself trying desperately hard not to hate it.

'What is wrong with me?', I questioned. 'Mid life crisis?'.

I love The Twilight Saga. It is my absolute delicious guilty pleasure. I remember staying up until 5am trying to finish reading Twilight, and by the end of Breaking Dawn I was even asking myself whether I was Team Edward, or Team Jacob. Yes, even at my age, when I'm almost old enough to be their mother. (Almost, but not quite).

 I remember when I first saw Twilight; surprised to find that Jacob was actually Shark Boy (from Shark Boy & Lava Girl -a film that I have been subjected to more times than I care to remember). And when in New Moon in that most spectacular scene when he finally removes his T-shirt, all I could say was, 'Wow, Shark Boy has grown pecs!'. You could say I was stunned, truly stunned. The cinematography was outstanding.

But then there's Eclipse. And I have to admit, that for me, the cracks have begun to show. Just like in the book, the character of Bella has begun to grate slightly. She is a bit whiny at times don't you think? And does she ever smile, or think how lucky she is to have two of the most sexy men in modern literature (and film) running after her? And will she just quit it with the 'I don't believe in marriage' nonsense. No Bella, neither do we, but just marry him anyway, it's Edward for gawd's sake. You should be so lucky.

Ok, ok, so its not real and I may be getting a bit carried away here. And I am probably playing with fire as my niece reads this blog, and she thinks Eclipse is the best film yet. Maybe I'm just cynical. But, for me, the plot is wearing a bit thin now. Bella is getting annoying. Edward is getting paler. Jacob is getting....more muscles? And I wish she'd just hurry up and choose already. It really isn't that difficult. Pale, skinny, cold one or dark, muscular hot-blooded one?

It's got to be Shark Boy, Edward Jacob. Every time.

So, thank you Chloe for lending me your copy of Eclipse. I will return it forthwith. Unless you would like me to keep it for a little longer of course, just to make sure I really didn't like it that much......

Auntie Weaze's Best Reads 2010

Happy New Year!

Ok, so I'm a few days late, but its been hectic. Today I finally managed to pack the 'cherubs' off to school and before I knew it, they were home again. Not that I am complaining of course (I wouldn't dare).

So, here's a round up of my favourite reads of 2010.

1. A Thousand Splendid Suns - Khaled Hosseini
 

By far one of the most emotional books I have ever read. It is beautifully written and very moving.

2. The Book Thief - Markus Zusak

Thought provoking and sincere, its subject matter cannot fail to move you.

3. Memoirs of a Geisha - Arthur Golden

Intriguing and interesting with exquisite imagery.

4. The Painted Veil - W Somerset Maugham

An interesting read about relationship, love and faith during a cholera epidemic. Intriguing, yet bleak. Check out the film - It has a different ending and the cinematography is stunning. 

5. A Certain Slant of Light - Laura Whitcomb 

This may be a novel for young adults, and I may be the wrong side of 30, but I found it a lovely read- a charming story of love with a twist.

That sums up my favourites for last year. It's a short list, but I can't read that fast no matter how hard I try....