Small Island by Andrea Levy

In a nutshell, a story about WWII times in England when a (white) woman, Queenie, takes in a few black lodgers and all the racism that was going on during the time. It's very bizarre considering the fact that the men from Jamaica were coming over, as volunteers, to help England fight the war, and yet they were still fighting a war in this country because the English couldn't accept them.

In actual fact, I never thought there could be as much racism in England during that time as there was in America. I mean there is still lots of racism around now, but it just never crossed my mind that it could be like that back then.

There were a whole lot of emotions while reading this book. If there is anything I hate, it's racism. It makes me sick. It makes me more sick to read about it. So I did quite angry when reading some of the book, at the some of the language that was used. I suppose that is what makes it such a damn good book, that it could make me feel like that.


But if you can't be bothered to read the book, then you can always watch the TV drama that was done on BBC. Doubt it will do the book justice.

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time

Well it literally took me only 6 hours to read this book. It's very easy to read, but quite insightful!

It's about a 15-year old boy, Christopher, who has Asberger's Syndome. The book starts with him finding his neighbour's dog murdered (with a garden fork) and sets out to solve the mystery. He's goes on a mini-adventure which ends up him discovering more than he bargained for. I really enjoyed reading it, quite funny at times. Though I'm not sure that the bits that were funny, should have been as they had to do with his Asberger's, such as him not liking the colours brown and yellow and screaming everytime someone touches him. It gave a whole new perspective on the world and the way things are as people with Asberger's see the world quite a lot differently- at least that is what I understood from the book.

Definitely going to have a look into reading Mark Hadden's other book...

Last few books...

So I've been really lazy and not bothered to update on the books I have been reading. And then I sucked myself into watching Grey's Anatomy for a good few weeks and went off reading. Seem to have periods of overdosing on something I enjoy doing and then go off it for awhile, which happened with my reading. Keeps me sane I suppose.


Brief update on books I've read since last blogged:

Cider House Rules

Such a very strange book, but so good! I think it only took me a week to read it because it was just that good. It's a story about a young man named Homer Wells and his life growing up in an orphanage where he becomes an apprentice in abortion and birth. Then by fate he meets a young couple, who come from a very wealthy apple orchard family and have come to the orphanage for an abortion. Homer thinks it's time to experience the world outside the orphanage and takes up the offer of working on the apple orchard in a cider-making factory. And basically the story goes on of his life there as well and about his strange relationship with the wife of his best friend (the young couple).

My explanations suck, but it's actually really good. There was even a film too- so you know it's got to be good.



Though not sure I like the fact that Michael Caine is in this film...isn't he a bit too English for such an American film? I may have to watch it now....


The Long Walk- actually a true story


Its 1939 and a polish cavalry officer has been captured by the Russians. He's put through quite a bit of torture and long, pointless trial in which he is sentenced 25 years. For 3 months he and other prisoners take on a gruelling trek through north Russia in mid-winter and finally reach their destination of a desolate camp. The story goes through his planned efforts of escape with 5 others and their successful escape from the camp and their epic trek from north Russia all the way to India.
I have to say at some points I got a bit bored as I wasn't sure where the book was going, but from the point of reaching the camp and then on I was gripped. Quite a lot of description, but just so interesting to read and to actually know he made it through all of that!- from the coldest of winters to the hottest of deserts to the climb through the Himalayas.


Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass




There's not really much that can be said about Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. I enjoyed it so much, mainly because I'm quite familiar with the story from different version films of the book. I didn't enjoy Through the Looking Glass too much as I didn't really know the story, but could see that the Disney cartoon film definitely used some of the characters in that book to create a rather different story for the film...not sure if I liked that in the end. Also found it at times difficult to read with the millions of songs/poems which I can't actually stand....but nevertheless it's something to cross off having read.

Although I am still trying to figure out how Tim Burton came up with the story for his version of Alice in Wonderland, I could point out a few characters and references in Through the Looking Glass that were in the film, such as the Jaberwocky.


I remember going to the theatre when at college to see Alice in Wonderland- it was nearly a damn pantomime!- but it was quite good. The costumes were so colourful and attractive and the way it was staged was so really creative in trying to portray certain points in the story such as Alice drinking the liquid that makes her massive and then the eating of the cake which makes her really tiny. I can't exactly remember it now but I remember it just 'wowing' me.


Also to add- love the illustrations...

Update on Books to Read

The Queen and I
The God Delusion
The Cider House Rules
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
Captain Corelli's Mandolin
Empire of the Sun
Enduring Cuba
The Book Thief
The Long Walk
The Road
The White Tiger
Small Island
Dissolution
The Lovely Bones
The Olive Grove- Travels in Greece I actually really didn't like this book at all so it's off the list
Second Chance- Jodi Piccoult
Choke
Sacred Hearts
Lord of the Flies
Dying to Please
The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas Watched the film so now see no point in reading the book..
Her Fearful Symmetry
The Secret Diary of Anne Frank- would like to read again
Catch 22
Pride and Prejudice
Catcher in the Rye
War & Peace
The Bell Jar
Harry Potter Series
Great Expectations
True Blood series
Alice in Wonderland
Through the Looking Glass
A Brief Guide to Greek Myths
The Iliad and the Odyssey
Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus
The Curious Case of the Dog in the Night-time
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
The Host