MIA in Mullumbimby

I have spent the last little while off the grid camping with a bunch of friends for the holidays. No phones and no Internet. It has been wonderful.

I have still been reading. Sex & the City by Candace Bushnell was ok. Not really my cup of tea but my need for an easy read was definitely satisfied. I expected more of a story rather than snippets and articles.

Now I’m reading (and have almost completed) Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov. Although some have described this book as a comedy, I myself have found it difficult to read at times. Pedophilia and comedy don’t belong together in my opinion. Vladimir Nabokov is a brilliant writer though. I really enjoy his style and am really looking forward to reading more of his work.

I’ve also had the pleasure of being nominated for the booker awards. I will dedicate a post to completing this task once I get home in a few days!

Feeling Girly!

Yesterday, I finally finished Great Expectations by Charles Dickens. While I thoroughly enjoyed the book, it was a tough book to read.

I spent this morning trying to decide on my next book. After about 40 minutes of getting nowhere, I decided to do some baking.

This, along with the fact that Summer here in Sydney is showing its beauty (26 degrees Celcius by 9:15am) put me in a rather girly mood. Only on days as perfect as this do I feel relaxed enough to lay out in the sunshine in a bikini.

Having been taken over by my beaches girl persona, I chose to read Candace Bushnells Sex and the City. I also felt like a very easy read after climbing my most recent mountain!

The Longest Book I’ve Ever Read…

Never has it taken me so long to finish a book! But just now, I finally finished Great Expectations by Charles Dickens. This book took me through a vast range of emotions and while some areas went on for quite some time, I thoroughly enjoyed it!

While I generally liked Pip, I found myself disappointed and annoyed at his arrogance throughout part II. This I blame on my love for his relationship with Herbert. Their beautiful friendship was very touching and I really enjoyed their admiration for each other. They were such loyal friends.

For me, the language (having not read anything quite this old before) was difficult to adapt to during part I. I had my doubts about getting through the entire novel but pushed through. Upon reaching part II and discovering an older, more educated Pip, I was delighted I had persevered! It was here I developed more of an opinion of Pip. I hadn’t thought all that much of him as a child, except that he was a good, timid and, at time, scared boy. I must also admit that I was cheering for Biddy throughout the majority of the book, but I could not be happier at her change in circumstance!

I am aware of my being completely vague on the storys details, but that is entirely because I think if you haven’t read it, and you have the skill or the patience for old English novels, you really must read it!

There were definitely points that I thought to be bland or just drag on too long. That aside, I generally enjoyed this book. More-so parts II and III.

Now… What to read next??

READ ME said the book

Reblogged from Ms Peacock Escapes:

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A recent blog post by the ever interesting Alex Donald provoked me to consider how I choose the books I read, or more specifically the books I buy. Some people are hunters, they know what they want and they zoom right in on it. Not me, I graze. I once explained this process to a prof at university. In my (possibly romanticized) memory of this exchange, the office was dimly lit, the chairs were old leather and there was a huge glass ashtray on the low coffee table between us.

Read more… 1,229 more words

I love this post! One minute I am walking into a book store, the next I am leaving with at least 3 books... What happens in between is a mystery! How do you choose a book?

Continue reading

I am more detailed!

When I first started this blog, I was so eager to start blogging about books that I blurted out whatever came to mind when writing my ‘about me’ page. I hate writing about who I am, because I have no idea.

Finally, I sat down and had a better go at it. It’s not a complete picture, but its all I know so far. So check it out!

Hmmm…

To be completely honest, I am having a really hard time reading Great Expectations by Charles Dickens. Don’t get me wrong, I am thoroughly enjoying it, but when they say he was probably paid by the word, I don’t think they were wrong!

It is most probably the language used that is tricky for me. I have never read a book that is this old before so I find myself having to slow down in order to really comprehend and visualise what Mr Dickens is portraying.

I am really enjoying it but I have also never taken so long to finish a book before, and with so many beautiful titles staring me in the face everyday (which I just tidied up and alphabetised) I am getting a little restless! BUT, I will push on and grow with Pip until the end.

Better get on with it!

Unexpected Poetry

The unqualified truth is, that when I loved Estella with the love of a man, I loved her simply because I found her irresistible. Once for all; I knew to my sorrow, often and often, if not always, that I loved her against reason, against promise, against peace, against hope, against happiness, against all discouragement that could be. Once for all; I loved her none the less because I knew it, and it had no more influence in restraining me, than if I had devoutly believed her to be human perfection.

I love this quote. It is so honest and beautiful. I actually went back and read it a couple of times just to let it sink right in!