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
Uglies - Scott Westerfeld
The first in the series.
It was great, it was strange reading it as if it was a prequel but it clarified some relationships and gave me much more information about the world it's set in.
I'm very much looking forward to reading the last 2 books!
4/5
It was great, it was strange reading it as if it was a prequel but it clarified some relationships and gave me much more information about the world it's set in.
I'm very much looking forward to reading the last 2 books!
4/5
Sunday, 24 April 2011
The Lover's Dictionary - David Levithan
I read this one this morning.
Hazel was given it as one of her Easter Eggs.
I've talked before about my adoration for David Levithan's writing style. He knows how to engross a reader in the lives of his characters and he never gives too much away.
He is a master of "show not tell".
This book is a wrench, a verbal wonder and an emotional journey.
Read it. I will again probably because it's one of those books that is already to me like Sharon Creech's Love That Dog.
4/5 bananas, because no matter how beautiful it was also lacking in completion.
Hazel was given it as one of her Easter Eggs.
I've talked before about my adoration for David Levithan's writing style. He knows how to engross a reader in the lives of his characters and he never gives too much away.
He is a master of "show not tell".
This book is a wrench, a verbal wonder and an emotional journey.
Read it. I will again probably because it's one of those books that is already to me like Sharon Creech's Love That Dog.
4/5 bananas, because no matter how beautiful it was also lacking in completion.
Pretties - Scott Westerfeld
I am aware now that this book is the second in the series.
I wasn't aware when I bought it but I read it out of sync with the knowledge it was the second.
I considered waiting until I'd got hold of the first one.
I'd never read a series in the wrong order before (unless you count Animal Ark and I don't).
I decided I needed to see if it was worth buying the first one so I read it.
It was great. Compelling and intriguing.
There are some books where you fall in love with the characters.
Some the world they live in.
Other books you read just so you can know "what happens next".
While I was reading this I found the characters a bit distant. However that's probably my fault for not reading the first book where I hope our protagonist is introduced in more depth and also because of her (and many others) being "pretties".
The world the book is set in and the subsequent battle with authority is what intrigues me most and it will probably annoy me to have to go back and not forward in the plot when I read the first book.
I am looking forward to reading Uglies (book one, which I now own) and Specials/Extras which follow.
4/5
I wasn't aware when I bought it but I read it out of sync with the knowledge it was the second.
I considered waiting until I'd got hold of the first one.
I'd never read a series in the wrong order before (unless you count Animal Ark and I don't).
I decided I needed to see if it was worth buying the first one so I read it.
It was great. Compelling and intriguing.
There are some books where you fall in love with the characters.
Some the world they live in.
Other books you read just so you can know "what happens next".
While I was reading this I found the characters a bit distant. However that's probably my fault for not reading the first book where I hope our protagonist is introduced in more depth and also because of her (and many others) being "pretties".
The world the book is set in and the subsequent battle with authority is what intrigues me most and it will probably annoy me to have to go back and not forward in the plot when I read the first book.
I am looking forward to reading Uglies (book one, which I now own) and Specials/Extras which follow.
4/5
Wednesday, 23 March 2011
The Dead - Charlie Higson
I bought this one with a Waterstone's card that I was gifted on my Birthday.
Expecting a sequel but getting a prequel was a little bit disappointing but that was until I read the story within.
This series may be about children under the age of 14/15 but it is not for children of that age, well not really any younger than 12. I read all sorts as a child but I wouldn't have wanted to read this then.
It was shocking and gruesome and he is not afraid to let you get emotionally invested in a character and then kill them. (This happened in The Enemy too).
It is a gripping read but not one for before bed. Higson is weaving a world that I want to know so much more about, I wished this book would just go on and on and tell me everything.
The small links between the two books were fantastic too, even though they were guessable from early on, the sinister nature of revealing who the man in the England shirt is from the first book or where Sam's story fits into this one make it wonderful.
Give this series a go, I dare you.
4/5
Expecting a sequel but getting a prequel was a little bit disappointing but that was until I read the story within.
This series may be about children under the age of 14/15 but it is not for children of that age, well not really any younger than 12. I read all sorts as a child but I wouldn't have wanted to read this then.
It was shocking and gruesome and he is not afraid to let you get emotionally invested in a character and then kill them. (This happened in The Enemy too).
It is a gripping read but not one for before bed. Higson is weaving a world that I want to know so much more about, I wished this book would just go on and on and tell me everything.
The small links between the two books were fantastic too, even though they were guessable from early on, the sinister nature of revealing who the man in the England shirt is from the first book or where Sam's story fits into this one make it wonderful.
Give this series a go, I dare you.
4/5
Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers - J.R.R.Tolkien
This one was really great for the first half and then a bit dreary in the second.
Following Merry and Pippin and the Ents was a wonderful tale but Frodo and Sam is dull and the films do it so much better.
Another book I'd not read again but it is worth it to get all those extra snippits of the world.
Following Merry and Pippin and the Ents was a wonderful tale but Frodo and Sam is dull and the films do it so much better.
Another book I'd not read again but it is worth it to get all those extra snippits of the world.
Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring - J.R.R.Tolkien
I enjoyed reading this book, finding out more about the world. reading about Tom Bombadil who was missed out from the films.
However, there is a very very small chance of me ever reading it again when the films are so amazing and the book is so wordy.
However, there is a very very small chance of me ever reading it again when the films are so amazing and the book is so wordy.
Wednesday, 5 January 2011
Boys Don't Cry - Malorie Blackman
When I saw an advert for this book I knew I would enjoy reading it.
I've loved every word of Malorie's I've ever read before.
James gave it to me for Christmas and I started it during the day and found it gripping.
Both Dante and Adam have stories that draw you in, make you concerned for those involved and compel you to read through to the end. Twinned with beautifully crafted writing it is a pleasure to read.
In a few years I wouldn't mind reading it again either!
4.5 bananas!
Also, there is the phrase "Damn it, Adam!" printed more than once and as this is a phrase I hear often at Uni and so made me laugh out loud.
I've loved every word of Malorie's I've ever read before.
James gave it to me for Christmas and I started it during the day and found it gripping.
Both Dante and Adam have stories that draw you in, make you concerned for those involved and compel you to read through to the end. Twinned with beautifully crafted writing it is a pleasure to read.
In a few years I wouldn't mind reading it again either!
4.5 bananas!
Also, there is the phrase "Damn it, Adam!" printed more than once and as this is a phrase I hear often at Uni and so made me laugh out loud.
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