As clearly stated in my ‘To read’ section – I love to read. One of my favourite things about going on holiday (as I recently did to South Africa) was the ability to take a number of book in my handy e-reader (I’m a Nook girl myself) and immerse myself in the terrible* to the truly amazing books that I have been storing up. So here is what I have been reading lately…
The Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins – I loved these – didn’t really put them down. It was a pleasure reading about a female protagonist with strength and complexity, and I hope that this translates into the film adaptation.
The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold – Not sure if I agree with the ‘hype’ I think that it might be re-enforcing some stereotypes about sexual predators that ‘we know who they are’ – but it does deal well with the rippling effects such a devastating effect such a horrible crime can have on the lives around it – and how different people come to terms with those issues.
The Reader by Bernard Schlink – Beautifully written – evocative – a pleasure reading – even though the topic jarred the comfort of the reader.
Are you there, Vodka? It’s Me Chelsea; Chelsea Chelsea, Bang Bang; My Horizontal Lifeby Chelsea Handler – Yep, I read all three of them – and loved it! Chelsea Handler makes me laugh.
A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson – My first Bryson book – I can now see the appeal. It had me entertaining the idea of a walk in the woods too. Funny story is that I actually read this entire book out loud – as my father and I had a 16 hour car journey over a couple of days – I think that reading out loud actually made it more enjoyable as it is a book for sharing.
The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood “A gripping vision of our society radically overturned by a theocratic revolution” – A book I would definitely recommend written with powerful simplicity.
Super Freakonomics by Levitt & Dubner – Interesting, just like the first book they authored – but with this one I was a bit more ‘grain of salt’ about – as the mention of some IP related work they were touting has its controversy.
I also started A Suitable Boy by Vikram Seth (in paperback – through half a dozen airport security checkpoints!) that book is a tomb – in so many ways – I am only 300 some pages in – and I need a break – intricately woven and detailed – but intense and oh my a challenge.
I am breaking with Everything is Illuminated by Jonathan Safran – a present from a dear friend for my 25th birthday – by the way getting older sucks – but I guess books & wine are a great way to celebrate if I must.
With my youth waning I will probably try to spend more time writing in 2012 – but for now I’m off to read…
*By ‘terrible’ I mean those books that you as somewhat embarrassed to say you are reading when people ask – and generally just name the last suitable book you remember reading like Birdsong or A Suitable Boy…but I will admit it – I love a good guilty please book (or half dozen) on holiday
