Booking Through Thursday – Burn

It’s being a while since I joined in with Booking Through Thursday’s weekly meme, but when I saw todays question I knew I had to get involved.

This week the question is:

If your house was burning down and you could save just one book from your collection … what would it be?

(And, for the purposes of this discussion, we’ll allow series to count as “one” long, multi-volume book.)

This question immediately intrigued and excited me. My book collection is one of the most precious and sentimental things in my life. Each book is loving cared for and my entire collection takes centre stage in my home; the shelves carefully and intricately arranged.

The idea of losing my entire collection therefore fills me with dread. But what if I could save just one book? As painful as the thought of losing my books is there is one book that instantly comes to mind and is irrefutably, without doubt the book I would save.

The book is the His Dark Material collection by Philip Pullman, a trilogy that includes Northern Lights, The Subtle Knife and The Amber Spyglass. The specific book in question was a gift last Christmas and it’s a very special book indeed. Beautifully designed with a classic cover, this book is a first edition collectors item.

It’s the only first edition of a book that I own, perhaps making it even more dear to me. It’s also one of my all time favourite books, a collection of stories I could read again and again.

So this is the book I would save. I’d feel deeply guilty about leaving my other books but I couldn’t consider losing this volume. Sentimental, full of memories, a book I am truly proud to own.

What about everyone else, if your house was burning down, which book would you save and why? I’d love to hear your answers and don’t forget to post your answers at the Booking Through Thursday site.

Thanks BTT for coming up with such a great question and for prompting to really appreciate my book collection.

Celebrate Roald Dahl Day!

Of all the funny days we seem to celebrate, from crumpet day to ninja day (yes there is such a thing) I was very thrilled when I remembered that today was officially Roald Dahl day.

I’m sure many people already knew this and many others will no doubt be pleased to find it out. Dahl is after all responsible for introducing people from all ages and backgrounds to the wonderful world of reading. I bet we can all remember with vivid clarity the first time we discovered Roald Dahl’s amazing imagination and talent for creating the most captivating and spellbinding stories.

So in celebration of Roal Dahl, I thought I would ask you all to share your answers to these questions:

What was the first Roald Dahl book that you discovered?

What is your favorite Roald Dahl, and why?

If you were picking a Roald Dahl book to give to a reader who had never read one of his books before what would you chose?

And finally why do you love Dahl so much?

I do hope you’ll decide to let me know your answers, I’d love to hear everyone else’s feelings, memories and experiences of reading Roald Dahl.

So, here are my answers:

The first Roald Dahl book I discovered was The BFG, my older cousin had a copy and I remember being fascinated and terrified by the books illustrations in equal measures. I was delighted to realise that the scary looking giant was in fact a lovely friendly man and his image has become symbolic of my memories of children’s literature.

My favourite Roald Dahl book is The Witches, I was literally petrified as a child by these scary old ladies who acted and talked just like my grandma’s. What if my beloved nan was really an evil witch? This book had all of my emotions stirred, fear, joy, love and rapture. This was when I truly realised the pure thrill of reading.

If I were picking a Roald Dahl book for a first time reader I would probably end up cheating and picking two. I know, I know I asked for one book. But I just love George’s Marvellous Medicine and Matilda so much that I’m picking them both. (Feel free to cheat too, if like me you just can’t settle on one book).Who could fail to be enthralled by either of these captivating stories? Matilda is so uplifting and hopeful and Georges Marvellous Medicine is just so side-splitting funny.

And lastly, I love Dahl because even at twenty-seven I still love reading his books with just as much fervour as I did when reading them as a little girl. His books are more than just stories, there memories. The illustrations are beautiful pieces of art and his characters are like best childhood friends that you’ll never forget.

So now I think it’s time to make a hot drink, curl up in bed and lose myself in Georges Marvellous Medicine, I recently treat myself to a charity shop copy because sometimes we just need to revisit our youth and remember a really amazing writer.

Happy Roald Dahl day everyone, how did you celebrate?

To Speed Up Or To Slow Down?

Time is ticking

 Perhaps it’s through the discovery of other bloggers and their impressive ability to read at what seems to me a superhuman speed which has caused me to become so self-conscious? Either way I have recently become increasingly concerned with how much I’m reading and at what speed rather than what I am reading and if I’m enjoying it. Strange isn’t it? Surely reading should be carefree and relaxing? Does it really matter about much you read?

 These are the thoughts that I have being musing with since beginning my blog and so eventually I decided to give speed reading a chance. I’ll confess to high hopes because the idea of reading two books a week from my usual snail pace of one was very tempting.

 Initially I really struggled with ‘speed reading’, in life I’m known for analyzing situations and this seems to follow through when reading. Poetic prose and deep metaphors get my full attention and I can never move from one sentence to another without fully understanding the last. I suspected that it was this acute attention to detail that slowed me down so much and so I brought the subject up with my more swift friends.

The idea that I spent so much time trying to understand the full meaning of each sentence baffled my friends, ‘why waste so much time?’. But I’d always thought skipping through idea’s and sections that I didn’t comprehend was cheating?

 Forcing myself to give this ago I adopted the rule that if I read something that didn’t quite click for me the first time, I would re read it once, maybe twice and then move on regardless. My worry was that this would spoil my connection with the book and sully how strongly I bonded with the writer. Yet it in reality I learned that so long as I didn’t do it with every sentence I still managed to understand and appreciate the book. In fact a certain pressure was lifted and I enjoyed the book more from my own perspective instead of trying to figure out every little meaning of the writers.

Skipping the incomprehensible has definitely sped up my reading but only marginally, so I forced myself to plow through at an even faster rate and it was then that I started to notice a detachment to the books I was reading. When putting my book down for the night my first thought wasn’t ‘wow that was incredible’. No personal observations of the story sprung to mind. Instead it was ‘Ok I read 50 pages there, must read another 100 tomorrow and then 100 the day after and eureka that’s a book in 3days!!’. Brilliant but where is the emotional connection?

Currently I’m half way through both The Shadow of the Wind and The Secret Life of Bee’s and after a harried and rushed start I’m giving up on speed reading in favor of taking my time. It’s giving me reader’s indigestion. Books shouldn’t be rushed or forced in my opinion, they should be devoured as slowly as you like, taking your time to digest and absorb each delectable page.

 Off course that’s just me and a small part still envies those that can speed read but I’m giving up on that in order to try and get back to just enjoying books for what they are.

 So what about everyone else? Are you a fast reader, blasting through page after page at a super sonic pace? Or are you a slow reader who likes to take their time? Do you even care or does it just not factor into your mind? I’d love to hear how everyone else feels about it and whether or not you’ve changed your reading habits.

…Now back to those wonderful books.

Goodbye 2011…Hello 2012

Firstly Happy Belated New Year to you all! I hope 2012 started well for everyone and you all enjoyed the festive period whatever you did. I had a great New Year, hence why my blog has probably being a little quiet this past week, but also as I’ve spent the last few days enjoying everyone else’s blogs and their New Year updates. It’s being great to hear what other bloggers have been doing over Christmas, what books they’ve read and received, the ones they plan to read in 2012 and their favorites of the year.

I’ve already blogged my favorite books for 2011 but that was before I read Fingersmith by Sarah Waters and now I must say that this is firmly up there on my list of top reads for the year. I’ve also started listing the books I plan to read in 2012 but given there are so many appealing new books due for release I fear my TBR list is never ending and am trying to refrain from adding too many more.

So I thought I would do a quick little blog today reflecting instead on what has essentially being my first blogging experience. I started blogging in March after meeting Simon from Savidge Reads who allured me into blogging world by introducing me to his wonderful site and many others.

I then decided to set up I hug my books and for anyone following me in my early days you may know I had the somewhat embarrassing incident of accidentally naming my blog I hug my bogs. Marginally more funny given my name is Lou, this particular incident at least has the one bonus of making people chuckle when I tell them all about it. Oh well at least I wont ever forget how it all began.

 I soon got into the swing of the blogging though and found it ridiculously addictive, there’s something cathartic about reading a book and then jotting down your thoughts. From here I made some really great friends through my book group; a by product of I hug my books. Since our first meet in June we’ve developed a nice steady stream of book lovers who enjoy meeting once a month to catch up and talk about the current books were reading. Were a Manchester based book group and are still welcoming any new members who want to join us. Do check out the page if you think you might be interested.

As the year progressed I became more comfortable in my blogging and developed a taste for what it is I most enjoy writing. I think I’ll always enjoy reviews first and foremost. They are the reason I began blogging and remain the most challenging but rewarding part of the blog. I like having one concrete place where I can visit my own thoughts and secretly I hope that other readers might stumble upon my blog and find what I’ve written helpful or even persuasive.

One pleasant surprise was the brilliant and sometimes genius meme’s that other bloggers come up with, two of my favorites where Cornflower books ‘A Bit of Silliness’ and Simon from Stuck in a Book’s One Book, Two Books, Three Book, Four and Five. Both great ways to re cap on what I was reading or planning to read.

Other blogs that I’ve loved visiting are Tiny Library, The Book Jotter, Fleur Fisher, A Stripped Armchair, Manchester’s Artistic Son, and Manchester Meanders. Thanks to all those blogs for providing great information and intersting posts. I look forward to reading more of your stuff in the coming New Year.

I don’t have any definitive plans for my blog this year, I just hope to keep enjoying the experience, hopefully discover some more like minded bloggers and maintain a place where I can chat to other book lovers about their reading experiences.

I hope everyone else had a great year and read some great books. I hope 2012 is a wonderful year for you all full. And thanks for stopping by.

Books I Can’t Wait to Read in 2012….Part One

I probably shouldn’t be even thinking about which books to read in 2012 let alone writing my thoughts down. My bookshelves at home are threatening to cave in any day now. Yet as the new year approaches my eyes have started wandering to new releases due to hit the shelves next year. And already I can’t wait.

With that in mind I decided to start a little ‘wishlist’ so I could keep track of the books I’m most looking forward to. I’m calling it part one because I’ve only just skimmed the surface in terms of which books are coming out…I’m sure the list will only get bigger.

Firstly I’m highly anticipating The Land of Decoration by Grace Mcleen which will be released in March. (Chatto & Windus). It’s a debut novel that seems set to offer originality and innovation through a story that centers around a young girl who in her quest to escape the troubles of this world makes her own world called The Land of Decoration. She uses pipe cleaner and shaving foam to create her own perfect version of reality. The book sounds incredibly interesting and unique.

Next up is The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey, out in February (Headline). I’ve heard such positive and promising comments concerning this book and the blurb about is so enticing that The Snow Child is a book I can’t wait to read. I hope I love this book as much as the critics seem too. The book tells the story of a childless couple living in Alaska in 1920. They built a snow child and when they awake the next morning they actually see a little girl running in the forest who calls herself Faina. The book promises magical entities mixed with reality. Perfect. 

The Lifeboat by Charlotte Rogan comes out in March (Virago) and is another book that has caught my attention. It tells the story of a group of people stranded on a lifeboat, lost at sea. The boat is not however big enough to hold everyone and in their desperation to survive the passengers soon begin plotting and scheming. I particularly like books that focus on human emotions and how we react in the most tense and unusual scenario’s; I can’t wait to read this book.

So these are the books that I can’t wait to read in 2012…so far. I’m still looking for inspiration. So what about everyone else, what are you all looking forward to reading next year? Have you already started a list or perhaps you’re not interested in new releases and instead have older books that you hope to devour? What do you hope 2012 will hold for you in your reading life? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Reading Through November

Can you believe it’s December already! Finally it is acceptable to adorn our homes with Christmas tree’s, bright lights and a variety of other festive embellishments. It’s also the time of year when we can write our Christmas lists (if your still a big kid like me) and (again if your like me) ask Santa for all of those highly anticipated books you can no longer wait to read.

But before I divulge my list of desired books (well you never know Santa could be reading this post) a quick update on what I’ve being reading this month.

I started off the month reading, or rather listening to the hilarious ‘We need to talk about Alan’ which from the very first word had my rolling around laughing at Alan’s idiosyncratic view of the world, life, and the people around him. This was my first audio book experience and although I can’t see myself running out to do it all the time I’ve definitely discovered some benefits.

Next up I picked a book that I really should have read long a go ‘The Lovely Bones’ by Alice Sebold. For some reason I’d always dismissed this book, thinking foolishly that it would be too girly. Anyone who has read this book will know that’s not the case at all and the book turned out to be insightful and thought-provoking to the end.

I then began When God Was a Rabbit by Sarah Winman which I’m half way through and will be reviewing once I have met my fellow book groupers next. I don’t want to say too much too soon because I still haven’t gathered my thoughts on this one but I’m glad were reading a book that has been so topical and dominate in 2011. Fingers crossed I will love it as much as the critics.

As well as the above I have being dipping in and out of a number of other books but excessive studying and the reading of therapy and counselling textbooks for college has really drained my reading time more than I could ever have anticipated. How do people manage to read so much and work and study? Tips please.

So now I’m looking forward and thinking about what December holds for me. Hopefully some more relaxed reading time.I plan to obviously finish When God Was A rabbit, I’ve got a welcome and quiet weekend fast approaching so hopefully I’ll get some time to do that.

I’d also like to read something Christmassy which evidently reminds me of a conversation I had recently with another book loving friend. She was struggling to come up with a Christmas related book for her book group and both of us kept drawing blanks. So anyone with some festive suggestions please do get in touch?

As for books that I’m hoping to receive this Christmas, well there’s only one that I have actually specifically asked for so far; Steve Job’s autobiography. My request doesnt stem form a reverent admiration for Mr Jobs but actually from my Day Zero challenge to read a book written by someone I disagree with. I disagree with many of the things Steve Jobs said and his idea’s. So who knows maybe Christmas day will be spent changing my mind, or maybe just re cementing old idea’s.

So what does everyone else have planned reading wise this month, have you asked for any specific books? What gets you in the festive mood and which books did you love/hate in November?

Booking Through Thursday – Thankful

I was intrigued and excited by today’s Booking Through Thursday question, which is essentially an opportunity to pay homage to a favourite witting legend of mine.

The question is;

What book or author are you most thankful to have discovered? Have you read everything they’ve written? Reread them? Why do you appreciate them so much?

The author that I am most thankful to have discovered is Philip Pullman, most famously

Philip Pullman

known for writing the epic children’s trilogy ’His Dark Material’ a collection of books that seem to have enthralled and entranced just as many adults as children.

I haven’t read all of his book, just the Dark Material Trilogy and The Ruby in the Smoke; another children’s book with the power and magic to also touch all audiences.

I have actually re-read Northern Lights, the first in the trilogy, and just last night I was discussing Pullman with another book loving friend. We both agreed that if any books were worth a re visit it was these three. There’s just so much going on that a second read will only reveal more magic previously missed. I’m pretty confident a third, fourth and even fifth re read would prove just as successful and gratifying.

So why do I appreciate Pullman and his books so much? Well it’s hard to think of one concrete reason. I have so many. It could be that his material is always fresh and original, the worlds, characters and idea’s he has created are so unique and inspiring.

It could also be that he always manages to reach back into my childhood imagination, suspending my long developed adult disbelief and instead transport me to another world with daemon’s and magic knives.

In fact one of my favorite aspects of Pullman is the entire concept of the daemon. In His Dark Material he created the idea that all human beings in Lyra’s world have a

Mrs. Coulter

daemon,which is essentially a living extension of their soul. It can be an ermine or a cat, a tiger or an otter. Many a time I have spent happily speculating with friends what our own daemon’s would be. I always say a cat.

And yet there are so many more reasons that I love Philip Pullman, but ultimately he taught me that writing and reading doesn’t always have to follow the generic norms of adult fiction. It doesn’t always have to be full of flowery poetic prose, laden down with existential metaphors. Writing can be fun, writing can be transporting and writing can be magical.

If ever I want to escape the drab dreariness that can be this world then I can always grab for Pullman’s magical carpet of literary transportation and enjoy the journey of being taken away to a world enlightened with mystical creatures, feisty characters and unpredictable twists and turns.

The cherry on the top of Pullman’s cake is that deep underneath all of this childhood fantasies is actually a very serious, real and frank exploration of life and people. Mix this with his atheist messages and you have a writer who can delve into the deepest recesses of any subject whilst whisking it all up in magic and fantasy.

So Philip Pullman is the writer I am most thankful to have discovered and I look forward to discovering many more of his wonderful works which I’m sure wont fail to enchant me.

And so the same questions to you lovely readers – who is the writer your most thankful for? Why, Have you read all of their books? Would you consider re-reading them? And off course why do they mean so much to you?

Don’t forget to leave your comments at Book Through Thursday and here. If you decide to do your own post then do remember to leave a link.

And on a slightly separate note here’s another question; Have you read the His Dark Material Trilogy? If so what would your daemon be?

One Book, Two Book, Three Book, Four….and Five

I’m a little slow to join in with Simon’s latest meme ‘One book, Two Book, Three Book, Four and Five” but when I saw that he was running this wonderful and interactive post again I couldn’t resist getting involved.

So without further ado, here are my answers:

1.) The book I’m currently reading:

I’m currently reading Salem’s Lot by Stephen King and I hate to say it but wow am I struggling to get into this book. It probably doesn’t help that I’ve been in a total reading slump of late but still this book has proved hard work. I actually started reading it a month ago and just couldn’t get past the first chapter so I put it down and started it again. I’m still not very far into it but I hear it’s a slow burner and the pay off is worth it….fingers crossed.

 

2.) The last book I finished:

This was the wonderful Jane Eyre, a book that despite taking an age to get through was totally worth it and utterly charming throughout. It’s part of my Day Zero Challenge to read 10 literary classic and what a brilliant way to kick things off. Which classic should I read next?

3.) The next book I want to read:

I’m struggling with this one because like I said I have been in a reading slump. I feel therefore very uninspired by the books around me. That said I’ve just joined a new library at college and every time I walk past the literary section I feel like I’m walking through Aladdin’s cave. That said I think my next book will be The Girl With a Dragon Tattoo that I asked for and was given last Christmas and still haven’t read.

4.) The last book I bought:

I had to really think about this because I never by books, I usually wait till I’m at my favourite second-hand shop back home and go on a splurge. But the last time I parted with my cash it was to buy Annabel. Off course the book is only out in hard back so I grumbled a lot a the till but O it was so worth it so I mustn’t complain.

5.) The last book I was given:

A very kind friend of mine recently sent me The Cement Garden by Ian McEwan. I have actually read this book before but a long time ago and I adore McEwan so I’m happy this book has found its way to me for a much need, and in my case unprecedented re read. I remember being quite disturbed but I also found it incredibly thrilling. Hope I enjoy it as much the second time round.

So there my answers, what about everyone else? If you do decide to join in then remember to leave your link on Simon’s Site, and thanks to Simon for the brilliant meme.

October; A Reading Slump

I feel I should really start this blog with a big apology because October was an extremely quiet one at I hug my Books. I’m normally a huge book geek and like to cram in as many books as I can each month, I love sharing my thoughts with you all even more.

And yet the month of October was for me a huge reading slump. I’m sure we all have these moments, you pick up a book, try to get into it and yet the words just jumble into a blur and the power of the narrative just passes you by. Well that’s how October was for me and after trying to force myself to get into several different books I just decided to take a little reading break.

There’s nothing worse than forcing yourself to get into something you usually love, it just makes you resent it and reading should never in my opinion be like that. That said I took my sweet time and slowly read the rest of Jane Eyre and I also read a fair chunk of Salem’s Lot by Stephen King which is the book up for analysis at my next book group. I think I underestimated the time a book of such a size would take, it’s huge! It’s always hard reading a book your obliged to read when your really not in the reading mood but thankfully my reading funk seems to be slowly lifting so hopefully I will devour the rest of the book this month in my usual reading style.

 So as I said sadly I have few books to talk to you all about in this post, so I thought I would pose the question instead ‘do you get into reading flunks where you just can’t get into anything? If so what do you do to get yourself out of it or do you just let it ride? And what hobby to you pick up to fill the reading void’?

I usually try to read a book that is light years away from my usual stuff when in a reading flunk; the idea being I’m a little bored of reading the same stuff over and over and it’s a great opportunity to push my boundaries. Sadly there were no books that could captivate my attention this month. So I’ve thrown myself into some knitting and a lot of winter cooking, pies and stews, mm. I’ve also being snowed under with work and studying; maybe I’m just too worn out to read?

But what about everyone else? How do you tackle reading slumps? Hopefully October was a far more productive reading month for you all, What did you read? Perhaps your choices may help inspire me this month? Did anyone divulge in some scary Halloween reading?

 I haven’t made any plans for November, I did that in October and didn’t get too far. Instead I’m going simply by what grabs my attention when I reach for the bookshelf. I think instinct will be my reading guide in November. Off course finishing Salem’s Lot is first on the agenda. I hope I can get more into it. So what is everyone else reading this month? Anything planned or will you just be going with the flow? Whatever your plans Happy Reading as always.

Booking Through Thursday – Perfume; The Story of a Murderer by Patrick Suskind

I’m a little late but when I saw last weeks Booking Through Thursday question my attention was instantly grabbed. I couldn’t resist getting involved in the question;

What’s the oddest book you’ve ever read? Did you like it? Hate it? Did it make you think?

Straight away Perfume; The Story of a Murderer by Patrick Suskind came to my mind. A story about an abysmal young man with an extraordinary and almost animal like sense of smell who fuses his talents with revolting violence when he sets out to create a scent that is the epitome of purity by murdering 13 virgin girls. I told you it was odd.

The story begins in 18^th century France when Jean-Baptiste Grenouille, born to poverty, enters into the world with a gruesome and vividly depicted birth. Instantly people seem to either take an aversion to Grenouille or completely fail to ignore him. One lady describes her revulsion to the baby who instead of smelling like a normal baby has no smell at all.

From birth Grenouille is an outcast, shunned or isolated from society he lives on the fringes of life developing into one of the strangest characters I have encountered in a work of fiction.

Greouille, with his own keen sense of smell comes to realize that he is in fact himself born without a sense. His own personal identity is hindered and he feels an even greater outcast from society, almost as though he does not fully exist.

When he goes to work with Master perfumer Baldini, a once successful and affluent business man, his flare for smells enable Grenouille to help renew Baldini’s flailing business.

Grenouille discovers that his strength of smell is such that he can seek out smells from miles away that others would not detect and he can pick out the most complex and hidden notes from any scent.

He creates his own perfume that once worn instantly makes people notice him. He discovers that whilst once people passed him as though he did not exist, now they suddenly notice him. In short Grenouille understand that he can hold a great and insurmountable power through his skilled manipulation of smells and scent.

But Grenouille also discovers that he does not like the new-found attention he has earned and wishes to once again disappear.

The novel follows Grenouille on his remote and strange life, becoming intimately acquainted with the thoughts and motivations of a serial killer. When he realizes his desire to create the perfect scent of a virgin and goes on a murder spree killing local virgins he creates panic amongst the local towns people who soon realize that the killer is targeting pure, innocent girls.

PLOT SPOILER…

Grenouille eventually succeeds in creating his perfume which draws people to him and inspires immense feelings of love and reverence in the those around him. When they discover that he is responsible for the multitude of deaths he is sentenced to death. However on the day of his execution he wears the scent and subsequently people are so drawn to him that they profess love for him and are driven to have a mass orgy. I told you this book was a little different.

Grenouille, finally achieving a sense of identity realizes it’s fickleness and the reality that people only love a false sense of himself and he abandons the village where he is revered. Upon wearing the scent again in Paris his scent is so attractive that he is devoured and torn apart piece by piece by a group of people who are at once disgusted by their act but also left with a sense of blissful happiness.

But did I enjoy this book? Well despite this being one of the darkest and possibly most disturbing books that I’ve read to date, I actually loved it. I’ve read very mixed reviews of this book but I actually believe it is the perfect portrayal of how humanity can be driven by its most base human instincts and how universally even the most so-called civilised people can be reduced to mass hysteria when their own innate instincts are stirred.

It shows the depths of Grenouille’s isolation and the extremes that his keen sense of smell and desperation for identity will drive him.

The novel is off course extreme and Suskind’s means of telling his story is extravagant and unlike anything I’ve read before. But the story is daring, it is bold, Suskind is unafraid of creating repugnant characters and portraying a truly ugly side of human nature.

So this is by far the oddest book I have read but it greatly inspired me and left me wondering at just how far people can and will be inspired and motivated by their animal instincts.

So what is the oddest book you’ve read? And did you like or dislike it. I’d love to hear your thoughts and if you do decide to leave your own answer on your blog then remember to leave your link here and at Booking Through Thursday.