Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Day 90 – He didn’t like what he read in books ... (Pg 254)


Finding a job; I swear it should be much more straight forward. Am I wrong? A company advertises a job, people apply, from those applicants the company selects suitable candidates for an interview, then decide who would be best for the position. Simple, quick and not difficult. At least I’m waiting for news about jobs and not for news about the fate of a loved one as in The Lovely Bones. Good health, family and friends, a job isn’t as important as these things.

The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold is one of the original 21 from the library sale, and was not at all what I’d expected. Words on the back of the book include; luminous, astonishing, feat of imagination, terribly sad and painfully funny. I found it very sad and don't recall any humour, in fact after reading the first chapters I felt physically ill. The description of the rape and murder of this fourteen-year-old girl were extraordinarily graphic and realistic. Each time the murderer appeared on the page I got cold shivers and an awful feeling in the pit of my stomach. After finishing the book I discovered that Sebold herself was a victim of rape. In her case she was able to identify her rapist and he was given the maximum penalty. For her to be able to then go on to write a novel with this act at its core... I am in awe of her courage.

I managed to get through this novel very quickly indeed, I wanted it to end, I wanted everything to be alright, but as in life, you can't always get what you want. My mum (who had already read the book) believes she was very brave to end it the way she did, and yes I suppose she was. I own a copy of the film adaptation by Peter Jackson (no I still haven't finished his autobiography), and was waiting to read the novel before I watched it. Now I’m not so sure if I can.

The story is very well written, and if you must read The Lovely Bones, read it on a warm sunny day, outside, with lots of people around, and nowhere near a cornfield.

195 days remaining, 25 books to go.

Monday, April 26, 2010

Day 88 – I discovered something: the meaning of my life was whatever I wanted it to be (Pg 145)


I am sorry dear blog, I have been neglecting you. Fortunately however, I have not been neglecting my reading and have just finished The Fifth Mountain by Paulo Coelho. Next to The Alchemist (see cover below) it is my favourite Paulo Coelho. The Fifth Mountain is the story of the prophet Elijah who fled from persecution in his own country. Finding himself in a foreign country with foreign gods, he struggles to follow a god who seems not to support him and provide him only with challenges.

While I am by no means religious (I am agnostic at best, a true fence sitter!) This story has a philosophical base which has helped to change my point of view on life in general and be more accepting of the way things are. The story enlightens the reader with ideas of hope, discipline and patience. One cannot stop the unavoidable, they simply must overcome it. I would like to share a few more quotes from the book;


“But no one can lose sight of what he desires. Even if there are moments when he believes the world and the others are stronger. The secret is this: do not surrender.” Pg 28

“Tragedies do happen. We can discover the reason, blame others, imagine how different our lives would be had they not occurred. But none of that is important: they did occur, and so be it. From there onward we must put aside the fear that they awoke in us and begin to rebuild.” Pg 212 - 213

My refreshing outlook may also have something to do with the fact that I have had two very positive job interviews this last week. Neither were for the internship I was hoping for, but they are far from jobs I would not enjoy. And so with patience and hope I face the coming week.

197 days remaining, 26 books to go.

Friday, April 16, 2010

Day 78 – An inky shadow slid through the bricks and poured itself from the counter to the floor... (Pg 133)


Timecatcher by Marie-Louise Fitzpatrick comes from the pile of books from The Book Depository. It is a children’s book that isn’t quite sure what age group it is catering to, possibly 10 – 14 year olds. It’s very graphic in some places, describing hangings and children left to die alone from head wounds. In other places the story will spell out everything in the most annoying manner. I am no editor or expert critic, however I have read quite a few children’s books in my time and the one thing I know about children’s books is, don’t talk down to them, they get it, and probably a lot quicker than we do.

The story is all over the place and the characters are too many and too underdeveloped. It's not the most awful book I've ever read and I don’t wish to criticise the author. From a small amount of research, Marie-Louise Fitzpatrick appears to be a celebrated and award winning author and illustrator of picture books. This is perhaps her first attempt at a novel and the editor gave her free reign. Who am I to judge? Fitzpatrick is a published author.

Staying with children’s books, one of my favourite children’s authors is Eva Ibbotson. I still have her books from when I was younger, and after reading Timecatcher, I’m itching to pick up Which Witch and heave a sigh of relief. Adventurous story, funny, witty, well developed characters, a real page-turner... If you want a quick, easy and entertaining read I recommend you pick up a copy. I however cannot, I must continue on with the list at hand that is thankfully growing shorter.

In other childhood news, I ordered the animated film of The Magic Pudding online some weeks ago, and finally yesterday it arrived. I was, surprise surprise, disappointed. I think I would’ve enjoyed it more if I hadn’t just read the book and was painfully aware that the film was missing the best part, the story.

Watching the ‘making of’ extra feature I was absolutely disgusted to hear the ‘director’ Karl Zwicky say the book had fantastic characters and great pictures but no story... no story?? NO STORY?!! I’m sorry Mr Zwicky, if that is in fact your real name, but everything that Norman Lindsay put in to that story you and your ‘writers’ managed to remove. All the wit and humour and fanciful adventures which is what I loved most, missing, gone, not there. At least John Cleese as Albert the pudding managed to help some of Lindsay’s storytelling integrity shine through.

As a filmmaker I understand the need for a narrative, and the fact of the matter is, it was there in the book all along and should not have been meddled with. Win for the book.

207 days remaining, 27 books to go.

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Day 76 - Post Script / Hot Tip










Go and see How to Train Your Dragon it's fantastic, one of the best films I've seen in a long time, and funnily enough, it made me want to be a filmmaker all over again. It works a little outside the usual formula and doesn't always go where you expect, I like that. Also make sure you see it in 3D

... The bad news; it's based on a book, damn.

Day 76 – Goddam money. It always ends up making you blue as hell. (Pg 147)


I could fill you in, in detail, on what has happened since I last blogged, however to be honest, I am pretty much back where I started. There was the seemingly promising position on an American / Australian film production which all came to nothing, the possibility of ‘full time’ temp work (that may well be an oxymoron) that made me sick to my stomach, oh and news that the company I used to work for that owes me money appears to be going bankrupt... I’m not to sure what to make of all this, so I am trying to let it all go and start afresh with my doco projects, a room full of books, and as much courage as I can presently muster.

Things are still moving on the book front. I’ve just finished Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger. I first read it over a year ago, knowing it was a classic but having no idea what to expect. This time around I couldn’t remember much about it, all I knew was I had enjoyed it and asked for my own copy. I thus received this one as a Christmas gift last year.

It’s an interesting read. I think what I like most is the way you are spoken to by the main character Holden Caulfield, it’s so real and has me thinking in the same way that he speaks. All you have to do is read it and it’ll kill you, honest to god it will, it’ll stop you right there in your tracks, you just have to be there and it’ll knock you down no kidding.

There isn’t much to the story, but it somehow manages to pull you in. Even though Caulfield is quite useless and gets himself in to numerous small scrapes, you want to keep on going with him. I’m not sure what all the literary people, critics, teachers and students have had to say about it and why it’s such an important book, all I know is it’s different and not half bad.

209 days remaining, 28 books to go.

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Day 69 – There they bought half-a-dozen, very organic, freshly-laid eggs (Pg 5)


Last night I looked after my two little cousins while my Aunt and Uncle went out for dinner. Thus to both keep them entertained and knock a book off the list I took the book Musgrove and the Easter Eggs by Ilona Rodgers to read to them. The illustrations are quite lovely, the story however is a little odd and the font that it is written in is very difficult to decipher. As far as I can tell, Musgrove is a series of books that seem to be well known in the UK. There was one part we all liked and weren’t expecting, however it doesn't cut it as a children’s classic.


We then read Boo to a Goose by Mem Fox and Blossom Possum – The sky is falling down-under by Gina Newton which were both an absolute delight. Pages filled with fun, full of energy and tongue twisters, entertaining to both audience and reader, yes I am just a big kid a heart.


Being a big kid at heart is probably why I feel like all the fun and happiness has been zapped out of me by a day of mind numbing temp work. Sitting in front of a computer screen for 7hrs straight having to type out information written by people without ½ a brain and having to constantly resist the urge to correct grammar and spelling. Yes we all make spelling and grammar mistakes, however if you are submitting an application for an award, do you think you might check first that the spelling and grammar is correct?? Hmm??

Can't read... too tired, I am amazed I could sit in front of the computer to blog.

216 days remaining, 29 books to go (thank goodness for children’s books)

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Day 68 - And then there were... MORE??


I have just had a lovely Easter weekend with my boyfriend’s family in Canberra for Greek Easter. A very full on but wonderful experience in which I was introduced to Greek church services, traditions and his entire family. It also meant that I didn’t read a word. This has suddenly become a very large problem as my books are breeding like rabbits. On my return home you see, there was a rather large box on my doorstep.

Inside the box were 12... 12 new books, most of which were uncorrected proofs and media releases! There was no note included and I wondered if they were a prize from a book review I had written for the Book Depository... This turned out to be the case, see here and click on the link to my review for My Family and Other Animals.

I was quite upset by the comment the lady had made that I had incorrectly spelled the author’s name (which is odd as it is correct everywhere on my blog) and to add insult to injury, the comment was made on my birthday. I’m just a person, people manage to misspell my name all the time and I don’t hold it against them. I have now remedied the spelling issue and am trying to not take the comment personally.

So there are 12 more books to add to the list, the anti has been well and truly upped. I am also starting a bit of temp work tomorrow, which is wonderful news for the bank balance, but not so good for reading time.

The new books are;

Musgrove and the Easter Eggs – Ilona Rodgers
Timecatcher – Marie-Louise Fitzpatrick
RSVP – Tara Moore
Martha’s Journey – Maureen Lee
The Trout Opera – Matthew Condon
Jail Bait – June Hampson
Katy Carter Wants a Hero – Ruth Saberton
White Crow – Marcus Sedgwick
The Dead ~ Tossed Waves – Carrie Ryan
Savannah Grey – Cliff McNish
Old School Ties – Kate Harrison
Love Bites – Lynsay Sands

I am also officially adding to the list;

One Pair of Hands – Monica Dickens (Which I'll borrow off Mum)
One Pair of Feet – Monica Dickens (Which I purchased from the Rotary)

216 days remaining, 30 books to go
(averages to 1 book a week... yikes?!)