A pleasant read about some aspects of contemporary art.
It was written in a simple manner and wasn't quite the book I was expecting.
I didn't learn too much that was very useful though as I originally borrowed it from the library in an attempt toward starting work for my thesis.
I don't even know if I'd recommend it because it's not an unbiased presentation of facts. It's a personal account that's quite often about her personal situation than the art she is discovering.
Maybe for a complete outsider but not for me.
2/5
Tuesday 13 September 2011
Thursday 21 July 2011
Scorpia Rising - Anthony Horowitz
The final instalment in this fantastic series about Alex Rider that started over 10 years ago.
It was one of those books that I borrowed from the local library; back when I used to visit all the time.
Perhaps Mum suggested it because a child at her school had enjoyed it or maybe I chose it myself. I don't remember now. What I do remember is enjoying it. From book 4 onward I started buying them and I once won the second book on audio CD (so I know that story best).
At that point in my life, aged about 11, I had no previous interest in spy stories. I'd never seen a full James Bond film and yeah, characters in books I read did sneaky business that I suppose could be classed as spying, it wasn't like this.
Since reading this series I've been encouraged to read quite a lot of the original Ian Fleming - James Bond novels and also the spin of young Bond series by Charlie Higson. All very much appealing.
The story of Alex Rider, the 14 year old reluctant spy, drew me in and I have since enjoyed all 9 books in the series. It has been a long process to reach the end of this story but it has also been a worthwhile one.
This novel in fact has kept my brain ticking over today while I've been feeling rather ill. I'm glad to say that it didn't disappoint me and was a thoroughly good read.
The books may be about a 14-15 year old boy but the adventures he goes on are told in a brilliant style that will keep you wanting to find out more. Worth looking into.
4.5/5
It was one of those books that I borrowed from the local library; back when I used to visit all the time.
Perhaps Mum suggested it because a child at her school had enjoyed it or maybe I chose it myself. I don't remember now. What I do remember is enjoying it. From book 4 onward I started buying them and I once won the second book on audio CD (so I know that story best).
At that point in my life, aged about 11, I had no previous interest in spy stories. I'd never seen a full James Bond film and yeah, characters in books I read did sneaky business that I suppose could be classed as spying, it wasn't like this.
Since reading this series I've been encouraged to read quite a lot of the original Ian Fleming - James Bond novels and also the spin of young Bond series by Charlie Higson. All very much appealing.
The story of Alex Rider, the 14 year old reluctant spy, drew me in and I have since enjoyed all 9 books in the series. It has been a long process to reach the end of this story but it has also been a worthwhile one.
This novel in fact has kept my brain ticking over today while I've been feeling rather ill. I'm glad to say that it didn't disappoint me and was a thoroughly good read.
The books may be about a 14-15 year old boy but the adventures he goes on are told in a brilliant style that will keep you wanting to find out more. Worth looking into.
4.5/5
Tuesday 12 July 2011
Dave Gorman vs. the Rest of the World - Dave Gorman
I've been a huge fan of Dave's books and his comedy in general since I read "Are you Dave Gorman?" when it was first released. Around the year 2002.
Anyway, I listen to his radio show every week and I returned home this summer to this new book of his.
Somehow I'd been oblivious to his twitter conversation that sparked his latest adventure but I'm sort of glad. It made the whole story new (except for some of the darts stuff which had been on the radio) and it was a wonderful story.
Yes, it may just be a man's recounting of a load of games he played over a few months but it is written in Dave's wonderfully witty dialogue.
Worth a read and I really want to play Khet now. A game with lazers sounds fun!
4.7/5
Anyway, I listen to his radio show every week and I returned home this summer to this new book of his.
Somehow I'd been oblivious to his twitter conversation that sparked his latest adventure but I'm sort of glad. It made the whole story new (except for some of the darts stuff which had been on the radio) and it was a wonderful story.
Yes, it may just be a man's recounting of a load of games he played over a few months but it is written in Dave's wonderfully witty dialogue.
Worth a read and I really want to play Khet now. A game with lazers sounds fun!
4.7/5
Saturday 25 June 2011
The Midwich Cuckoos - John Wyndham
I'm fascinated by John Wyndham's books and when I heard an advert for this one (It's going to be on Radio4Extra soon) I thought I'd read it first so as the audio version doesn't spoil it for me. They're often abridged which can be irritating.
Anyhow, I searched out an online pdf version of this book, which would have cost 70p if you'd bought the physical copy when it was released.
To be honest I'm contemplating searching out a full set of his books to own in physical as they're all so intriguing.
The story is about a mysterious event that leaves almost every woman of child bearing age, in Midwich, pregnant. The story then focuses on the oddities of the children born.
I'm aware that it has been made into a film called the Village of the Damned (or something similar, I'm not online while I'm writing this) and although I haven't yet seen it, the book makes me curious to view it soon.
My opinion of it is positive, I adore the strange world and even that is created yet once again it feels like Wyndham knows a lot more about the events than the narrator can tell you so you never get all the details because they're coming to you second hand.
It sure is strange and the language used is a little out of touch with contemporary life and yet fully understandable. This book could have been set in 2000 and it wouldn't have been much different!
Very much worth reading if you don't mind feeling a little unsettled.
4/5
Anyhow, I searched out an online pdf version of this book, which would have cost 70p if you'd bought the physical copy when it was released.
To be honest I'm contemplating searching out a full set of his books to own in physical as they're all so intriguing.
The story is about a mysterious event that leaves almost every woman of child bearing age, in Midwich, pregnant. The story then focuses on the oddities of the children born.
I'm aware that it has been made into a film called the Village of the Damned (or something similar, I'm not online while I'm writing this) and although I haven't yet seen it, the book makes me curious to view it soon.
My opinion of it is positive, I adore the strange world and even that is created yet once again it feels like Wyndham knows a lot more about the events than the narrator can tell you so you never get all the details because they're coming to you second hand.
It sure is strange and the language used is a little out of touch with contemporary life and yet fully understandable. This book could have been set in 2000 and it wouldn't have been much different!
Very much worth reading if you don't mind feeling a little unsettled.
4/5
Wednesday 22 June 2011
Audio Books
I've always been unsure whether they count on this blog but I've heard SO many I have to write about them.
I'm addicted to Radio 4 Extra.
I heard 3 Peter Davidson Doctor Who Stories which were awesome.
I've now heard 14 Sherlock Holmes stories.
John Wyndham's Chocky, The Chrysalids, and The Trouble with Lichen were all great too.
Tulip Fever by Deborah Moggach too.
They're all the ones I remember specifically but there have been more!
I'm addicted to Radio 4 Extra.
I heard 3 Peter Davidson Doctor Who Stories which were awesome.
I've now heard 14 Sherlock Holmes stories.
John Wyndham's Chocky, The Chrysalids, and The Trouble with Lichen were all great too.
Tulip Fever by Deborah Moggach too.
They're all the ones I remember specifically but there have been more!
Ghost World - Daniel Clowes
I saw the film of this graphic novel/comic book story in lower sixth and adored it for it's oddness but wonderful characterisation, dry humour, cinematography, casting, and many other attributes. I've watched it at least 5 times if not a few more. It's great even if it is odd.
It was strange then to read the book. I bought it for myself for Christmas but only got around to it last night!
I really loved the images, it's really rather wonderful.
The elements of the book that are in the film transfer very well but I have to admit I found it a little bit lacking.
If I'd only read the comic I'm sure I'd adore it yet because I know the complexities of the film I just was upset that Seymour doesn't even properly exist in the comic. The Bob character looks a little like Steve Buscemi but he had few of the traits of Seymour.
I'm sure to read it again but I'm more likely to return to the film with the art class and the record collection and Scarlet Johansson.
4/5
It was strange then to read the book. I bought it for myself for Christmas but only got around to it last night!
I really loved the images, it's really rather wonderful.
The elements of the book that are in the film transfer very well but I have to admit I found it a little bit lacking.
If I'd only read the comic I'm sure I'd adore it yet because I know the complexities of the film I just was upset that Seymour doesn't even properly exist in the comic. The Bob character looks a little like Steve Buscemi but he had few of the traits of Seymour.
I'm sure to read it again but I'm more likely to return to the film with the art class and the record collection and Scarlet Johansson.
4/5
Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King - J. R. R. Tolkien
Well, this was a tedious read.
I'm sorry to the book fans but I am not fond of these books.
I will gladly watch the films over and over but the book drags along and also sends me to sleep.
I had a marathon reading session on Sunday and pushed through this book but I won't be reading it again.
3/5
I'm sorry to the book fans but I am not fond of these books.
I will gladly watch the films over and over but the book drags along and also sends me to sleep.
I had a marathon reading session on Sunday and pushed through this book but I won't be reading it again.
3/5
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