I thought about this entry while I was away, jotted down some notes and here I am sharing it with you.
If you had to pick five books all from 'different' genres (I use different liberally as some genres kinda mould into one another) What five would you choose to recommend to others and why?
Here is my list:
Romance / period piece: Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë - I read this book at school when I was 14 and I really enjoyed it. Of all the books I've read from this 'period' aka Austin, Bronte sisters etc. This wins each and every time.
Horror: Hater by David Moody - Hands down the best book I've read in some time. You want to know what it's like for a zombie? Cause zombie's have feelings too you know!! Moody tells the story from the un-dead rotting flesh point of view.
Science-Fiction: The Time Machine by H. G. Wells + Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury - When it comes to Sci-fi I can't split Wells and Bradbury. Both prolific world creators re futuristic settings. If you've not read either, I highly recommend both.
Autobiography / Memoir: Tigers Eye by Inga Clendinnen. I read this book as part of my Uni course. This woman's story was remarkable and I could relate to it (She tells a story of going through liver failure) My uncle died of liver failure and when I read this book, it in a way allowed me to see the world for a moment through his eyes. Clendinnen writing style is amazing and this piece is one of the best books I've ever read.
So pick five from various genres that you like, tell me a little about it and I'll add some to my reading list.
That's all I've got
Showing posts with label books. Show all posts
Showing posts with label books. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Friday, December 11, 2009
Getting there
I've written more to my novel. It's technically day 41 and I have an accumulated a word count of 54,497. The thing is - I don't want to rush an ending just so I have something to take out to my brothers for x-mas. He's keen to read it along with a few other people I'm happy to show it to. But I don't want to share a piece of work that has a nice pace to it, only to have it rushed and kinda 'thrown' together ending.
My mum asked me today (I'm currently at her place for the weekend) if I'd finished the story. I told her no, she asked how much longer did I think it would take, and I said I wasn't sure, maybe a few more weeks seeing as Christmas is coming. She seemed disappointed that I'd not have it finished in time to get out to see my brother for x-mas. I told her it wouldn't matter he'd not have time to read it anyway! So I'd rather wait and finish it the way I want too, than rush it and have a wad of paper that I might be able to physically hand to my brother, but with all the stuff going on surrounding x-mas and new year he won't have time to pick it up and read it. I'd rather wait and post it out to him say at the end of January.
This brings me to books. Most people read books, but I want to know if others are like me and have a few books on the go at one time, or if they just settle in on one and read it from cover to cover and move on? The reason why I have a few different books on the go is that I look at them kinda like a TV series, in that you get bits of it at a time, before waiting a week to get more. I'm like that with chapters. I might read four chapters of one book, then not pick that book up for another week, but in between I've read a chapter or two from another book, and so on. I generally have two to three on the go.
Which brings me to this question. Is that just me? or are there others out there that do that? The ONLY person I know who does this is a friend of my fathers who has books for certain places. He has a book in the kitchen he reads while he eats, one in bed, and one in the car which travels with him should he go to a doctors appointment or something, but always remains in the car for a time filler. So when people ask me 'what are you reading?' and I'll generally name two books, they always look at me in a confused way and always say - How are you reading two books at once? I sometimes think in their minds they see me holding up two books and reading them simultaneously! Some people are a little special I guess.
Anyway I'll leave you to ponder your reading routine. I look forward to your responses.
That's all I've got.
My mum asked me today (I'm currently at her place for the weekend) if I'd finished the story. I told her no, she asked how much longer did I think it would take, and I said I wasn't sure, maybe a few more weeks seeing as Christmas is coming. She seemed disappointed that I'd not have it finished in time to get out to see my brother for x-mas. I told her it wouldn't matter he'd not have time to read it anyway! So I'd rather wait and finish it the way I want too, than rush it and have a wad of paper that I might be able to physically hand to my brother, but with all the stuff going on surrounding x-mas and new year he won't have time to pick it up and read it. I'd rather wait and post it out to him say at the end of January.
This brings me to books. Most people read books, but I want to know if others are like me and have a few books on the go at one time, or if they just settle in on one and read it from cover to cover and move on? The reason why I have a few different books on the go is that I look at them kinda like a TV series, in that you get bits of it at a time, before waiting a week to get more. I'm like that with chapters. I might read four chapters of one book, then not pick that book up for another week, but in between I've read a chapter or two from another book, and so on. I generally have two to three on the go.
Which brings me to this question. Is that just me? or are there others out there that do that? The ONLY person I know who does this is a friend of my fathers who has books for certain places. He has a book in the kitchen he reads while he eats, one in bed, and one in the car which travels with him should he go to a doctors appointment or something, but always remains in the car for a time filler. So when people ask me 'what are you reading?' and I'll generally name two books, they always look at me in a confused way and always say - How are you reading two books at once? I sometimes think in their minds they see me holding up two books and reading them simultaneously! Some people are a little special I guess.
Anyway I'll leave you to ponder your reading routine. I look forward to your responses.
That's all I've got.
Monday, June 22, 2009
Middle of June
I've just literally walked in the door after returning home from a holiday out with my brother and my nephews. I had a wonderful time hanging out with the boys, playing soccer, watching movies, running races etc. Kids grow up so fast its a little freaky. I worked out I've not been to my brothers house in two years. So I'll try and make sure that it's a smaller gap between visits next time.
Just a quick update to say it's all about to kick off here with semester two of Uni starting on Wednesday. I've read two of the eight books so far, though haven't had a chance to look at anything else. Need to work on the time management side of things. I have become a quicker reader thought, I'd not have been able to get through 500+ pages per book in a week in the past, but I've managed over 1,000 pages in two weeks. So I'm quite happy with that.
Off to sort out stuff for class on Wednesday and start book number three.
Hope life in generally 'good' to all who are reading this.
That's all I've got
Just a quick update to say it's all about to kick off here with semester two of Uni starting on Wednesday. I've read two of the eight books so far, though haven't had a chance to look at anything else. Need to work on the time management side of things. I have become a quicker reader thought, I'd not have been able to get through 500+ pages per book in a week in the past, but I've managed over 1,000 pages in two weeks. So I'm quite happy with that.
Off to sort out stuff for class on Wednesday and start book number three.
Hope life in generally 'good' to all who are reading this.
That's all I've got
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Shoot the bloody Parrot
I'm on page 25 of this book and it's boring me to death. As I read the words on the page my mind drifts off to the hundred other things I've got to complete. I get to the end of the page stare at it blankly and think - what did I just read!?!
The e-notes site isn't a lot of help thus I'm 'reading' the book. I think the lecturers knew that the majority of students wouldn't read the text as it was so close to the end of semester and time is running out etc. so they deliberately set the questions at level 8.5 out of 10 on a scale of difficulty. One being getting your name right!
So as I type out this entry and procrastinate from reading this dull book. I'm forced to hit the publish post button and get back to reading. I'll give it ten more pages - if it's still shit I'm out.
That's all I've got.
**Update** just found a website that reviewed the book. I'm screwed now - this lady states that the book is beyond shit (My words not hers) and she's in struggle town (again my words) at page 95. I'm cutting my losses. I'll try and wing it and hope for the best.
The e-notes site isn't a lot of help thus I'm 'reading' the book. I think the lecturers knew that the majority of students wouldn't read the text as it was so close to the end of semester and time is running out etc. so they deliberately set the questions at level 8.5 out of 10 on a scale of difficulty. One being getting your name right!
So as I type out this entry and procrastinate from reading this dull book. I'm forced to hit the publish post button and get back to reading. I'll give it ten more pages - if it's still shit I'm out.
That's all I've got.
**Update** just found a website that reviewed the book. I'm screwed now - this lady states that the book is beyond shit (My words not hers) and she's in struggle town (again my words) at page 95. I'm cutting my losses. I'll try and wing it and hope for the best.
Monday, April 6, 2009
Post # 6 Lack of communication
I’m writing this entry off line as the technicians are out the front fixing the faults with the phone lines in my street, and thus there is no phone which means no internet.
Books I ordered online arrived. I love getting deliveries, its like a little mini Christmas or birthday gift. The surprise of not knowing what this particular parcel might contain, as you can’t remember what you ordered online four weeks ago.
I got some books I need for Uni – mostly experimental writing books.
Hazel Smith’s - The writing experiment
Jack Hodgins – A passion for narrative
Barbara Ann Kipfer’s – Flip Dictionary. It falls into the reference category.
I seen the Flip dictionary online and it had a preview of what was in it. I bought it for a number of reasons; however the clincher was the little ‘extras’ you don’t see in regular dictionaries, like the long list of ships and shipping terms (Just to name one 'extra') as you never know when you might want to write a book that contains ships, and with this reference book, I'll be able to name them correctly now :). It was on sale for $20 so I put it into the cart and it’s now sitting on my desk!
So no phone means no internet, so I have no excuses for procrastination regarding the readings and questions I have due for Uni (Not that writing this BEDA isn’t a form of procrastination… Good procrastination thought :) However, at $600 a class, I need to pull my proverbial finger out and get on top of this work. Plus I need to write this essay for Shakespeare and post-colonial theory in relation to colonial discourse…in The Tempest WTF? I can hear you say! Yeah I know I’m thinking the same!!!
It’s due on Tuesday. So I should try and at least throw 1,000 words onto the page!
*update* It phone issue is clearly fixed as I’m back online posting this :) I started to read on the couch, but fell asleep. Mrs Dalloway *is* that riveting!!
That’s all I’ve got
Books I ordered online arrived. I love getting deliveries, its like a little mini Christmas or birthday gift. The surprise of not knowing what this particular parcel might contain, as you can’t remember what you ordered online four weeks ago.
I got some books I need for Uni – mostly experimental writing books.
Hazel Smith’s - The writing experiment
Jack Hodgins – A passion for narrative
Barbara Ann Kipfer’s – Flip Dictionary. It falls into the reference category.
I seen the Flip dictionary online and it had a preview of what was in it. I bought it for a number of reasons; however the clincher was the little ‘extras’ you don’t see in regular dictionaries, like the long list of ships and shipping terms (Just to name one 'extra') as you never know when you might want to write a book that contains ships, and with this reference book, I'll be able to name them correctly now :). It was on sale for $20 so I put it into the cart and it’s now sitting on my desk!
So no phone means no internet, so I have no excuses for procrastination regarding the readings and questions I have due for Uni (Not that writing this BEDA isn’t a form of procrastination… Good procrastination thought :) However, at $600 a class, I need to pull my proverbial finger out and get on top of this work. Plus I need to write this essay for Shakespeare and post-colonial theory in relation to colonial discourse…in The Tempest WTF? I can hear you say! Yeah I know I’m thinking the same!!!
It’s due on Tuesday. So I should try and at least throw 1,000 words onto the page!
*update* It phone issue is clearly fixed as I’m back online posting this :) I started to read on the couch, but fell asleep. Mrs Dalloway *is* that riveting!!
That’s all I’ve got
Friday, February 27, 2009
Procrastination
If there was a masters degree in it. I'd have that Phd bit at the end of my name. Just Sal Phd in Procrastination.
I start off with the best intentions. Then I get online and a void sucks me in and I just wander off and check out none related Uni sites kinda like this one ;P I just can't seem to find the motivation required to put my head down arse up and study. I've got those five books to get through and I'm slightly concerned that I just can't seem to get into it. When I say 'it' I mean Uni in general.
I've also got a 3000 word creative piece that I have to workshop in two weeks. I'm not 100% sure where I'm going to pull 3000 words from right now. Though the idea I have is quite solid in my mind, and the research I've done so far on the storyline is coming along nicely. I even managed to jot down some points at 2am this morning when I couldn't sleep due to the revealers in the park with their doof doof music playing at a high volume before a large fight broke out and broken glass seemed to be shattering a lot. Perhaps a volley of bottles where thrown at each group. I'm not sure. The street this morning is quite dishevelled and well the council was out cleaning the street when I checked the post.
So plan for this weekend:
Get the tempest read.
Get back into Jane Eyre.
Make Muffins. Mmmmm Muffins
Try and get some solid groundwork completed of the 3000 words creative piece.
Do homework for Prose class for Monday
Watch the kick arse movie on TV this evening called The guardian.
That's all I've got.
I start off with the best intentions. Then I get online and a void sucks me in and I just wander off and check out none related Uni sites kinda like this one ;P I just can't seem to find the motivation required to put my head down arse up and study. I've got those five books to get through and I'm slightly concerned that I just can't seem to get into it. When I say 'it' I mean Uni in general.
I've also got a 3000 word creative piece that I have to workshop in two weeks. I'm not 100% sure where I'm going to pull 3000 words from right now. Though the idea I have is quite solid in my mind, and the research I've done so far on the storyline is coming along nicely. I even managed to jot down some points at 2am this morning when I couldn't sleep due to the revealers in the park with their doof doof music playing at a high volume before a large fight broke out and broken glass seemed to be shattering a lot. Perhaps a volley of bottles where thrown at each group. I'm not sure. The street this morning is quite dishevelled and well the council was out cleaning the street when I checked the post.
So plan for this weekend:
Get the tempest read.
Get back into Jane Eyre.
Make Muffins. Mmmmm Muffins
Try and get some solid groundwork completed of the 3000 words creative piece.
Do homework for Prose class for Monday
Watch the kick arse movie on TV this evening called The guardian.
That's all I've got.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Reading
I'm a slow reader. Super slow. I received the list of books for one of my classes yesterday they are as follows:
Jane Eyre
The Tempest
Mrs Dalloway
Wide Sargasso Sea
Flaubert's Parrot
Five books FIVE and that's just one class, not including weekly readings etc. If I start today I 'might' have the books finished by the end of semester. (20 weeks) Not sure I'll have them read in time to write the 5 essays about them all!
Five books which I've never read before. On the up side. At least I can add them to the list of books I've read in my lifetime which isn't that many considering my age!
Semester one 2009 officially kicks off on Monday the 23rd of Feb the day after my birthday. I'll clearly be spending all my 'free' time reading if I'm to ever get through these books.
That's all I've got.
Jane Eyre
The Tempest
Mrs Dalloway
Wide Sargasso Sea
Flaubert's Parrot
Five books FIVE and that's just one class, not including weekly readings etc. If I start today I 'might' have the books finished by the end of semester. (20 weeks) Not sure I'll have them read in time to write the 5 essays about them all!
Five books which I've never read before. On the up side. At least I can add them to the list of books I've read in my lifetime which isn't that many considering my age!
Semester one 2009 officially kicks off on Monday the 23rd of Feb the day after my birthday. I'll clearly be spending all my 'free' time reading if I'm to ever get through these books.
That's all I've got.
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