Day 209 – How could I go anywhere with my throat threatening everyone? (pg 68)

Savannah Grey by Cliff McNish comes from my winnings from the Book Depository and is another woeful teenage ‘horror’ story in the vein of Twilight garbage.

I completely fail to understand how anyone could be swept away by this story. See the quote above for a lovely example; ‘My throat threatening everyone?’ oh give me a break, parts of the story that were evidently supposed to be horrifying made me laugh in disbelief at the ridiculous manner in which they were written.

I did not care about the stupid characters, their ‘plight’, nor the ‘mysteries’ they faced. I found it very easy not to turn the page, fell asleep while trying to read it and would often put it down to go and do more exciting things like clean the toilet. I will not even bother providing you with a general overview of plot, as it may in fact put you to sleep.

Harsh? Possibly, however if I was not sworn to finishing the books on the list, I would’ve given this away to the op shop by page 2.

I do find it quite interesting to note however, the amazing reviews it has been given. Apparently wishy washy Twilight rubbish is what teenagers want these days. I can only hope there aren't anymore in my list of books yet to read.

72 days remaining, 17 books to go.

Day 207 – I went to look at one of the books, but I’m scared to. I’m scared to do anything (pg 140)

I did happen to finish One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest about 4 weeks ago, I have just been terribly hopeless at blogging. Thankfully I did write down all of my thoughts soon after I finished the book so my review is quite ‘fresh’ I assure you!

One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kesey is quite a disturbing book. I had previously seen a short scene from the film while at film school so my experience of the book was a little tainted. The story takes place in a mental asylum in the 1960s (which is when it was written and am assuming when it is set).

The tone of the story reminded me a little of Catcher in the Rye. Interesting side note, during his life J. D. Salinger would not allow Catcher in the Rye to be made into a film. Now that he has passed away, apparently Hollywood directors are falling all over themselves to try and secure the rights... a shame really I think. I am however quite interested to see One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest on screen now.

The descriptions Kesey provides from the point of view of the main character the ‘Chief’ about the life in the asylum and the forest of his childhood are magical.

The way the ward is described creates an atmosphere, although oppressive and confined, that is accepted without question by the reader.

A confronting but also beautiful book, if I was to give out stars... 4 stars from me!

74 days remaining, 18 books to go.

Day 207 - I fancied a look at some pregnancy and child-care books, but I discovered most of them are absolutely shocking (pg 136)

Oh holy whoops. I am very very very behind in my reading and it’s now going to be an epic effort to find myself at the finish line victorious.

Two books have been added and completed in this time; What to Expect When You’re Expecting by Heidi Murkoff and Sharon Mazel and Up The Duff by Kaz Cooke.

Why have these books been added? Well surely that is quite obvious?! I am both up the duff and expecting a small thing at the beginning of February next year. I am also currently planning my wedding for October this year and will be on my honeymoon in Tasmania when the deadline comes to pass...

Now while I have also borrowed other books from the library on the topic of pregnancy, I have found it best just to stick to the two mentioned above. They are brilliant books.
What to Expect when You’re Expecting is a good reference book, you can quickly look up what is going on if your hair suddenly turns blue or you start doing the nut bush uncontrollably (these are not official symptoms of pregnancy , I am merely saving those who are reading a blog about books and not one about pregnancy from the ups and downs and ins and outs of it all.)

Up The Duff is also extremely informative with multitudes of humour thrown in for good measure. This helps a lot when one finds oneself in such a condition as this. It is very easy to read and my future husband has even been found to be perusing the pages week by week keeping tabs on our baby’s development. The quote above is taken from Up The Duff. I would highly recommend both if you in fact require such books as these.

74 days remaining, 19 books to go (oh my)