2015/08/30

August Book Haul

Summer is at an end, and I am really looking forward to autumn. Autumn is by far my favorite season; it's the season of rain, of yellow and orange, of cocoa and scarves. I can't wait!

August was a good, but stressful month; I've moved to a new place, where I'll be staying the rest of the year. I've also gotten a fair amount of new books! I'm really excited about these, I feel like they're perfect for reading in autumn. I'm especially trying to get more into poetry, so I've gotten some exciting new books filled with unread poems.

















Let me know what books you got this month, or what books you're excited about reading in September!

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2015/08/29

Book Review:
Under the Jaguar Sun by Italo Calvino

Title: Under the Jaguar Sun
Author: Italo Calvino
Translated by: William Weaver (original language: Italian)
Published: 1986
Language: English
Pages: 96
Rating: 4/5


Summary:
A series of stories exploring different senses.


Review:
I had no idea what this book was about before I picked it up, but boy, does this little book pack a punch.

There are three stories in this, each capturing and painting a portrait about a different sense; the sense of taste, the sense of hearing and the sense of smelling. It took me a while to realise that this was what the book was trying to show me, but once I got it, I was blown away.

The language of this is what really sells it. You don't read this book for character or plot, it's more a beautiful description of a human experience.

If you want to try reading some Italo Calvino, I think this is a good place to start. I will definitely be reading more from this author.


You can get this book at The Book Depository*
You can read more about it on Goodreads
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2015/08/28

2015/08/27

Book Review:
Snow White by The Grimm Brothers

Title: Snow White
Author: The Grimm Brothers, Camille Rose García (Illustrator)
Published: 1812
Language: English
Pages: 80
Rating: 4/5


Summary:
The classic Snow White fairy tale, fully and dramatically illustrated.


Review:
Before reading this, I had no experience with Snow White outside of the Disney version, and it's the first time I've read the Grimm version.

The story of this is a typical fairy tale, and as with original fairytales, it can be a little gruesome. I quite enjoyed that. I must admit though, that the story isn't what I love what about this.

Obviously, what makes this book extraordinary is the artwork. García has captured this fairy tale beautifully, and I appreciate that it has a dark and gothic feel to it. The use of typography also brings another element to the story, and makes reading it a wonderful experience.

I would highly recommend reading this, as I feel this might be the most capturing way of reading this story. The artwork makes this book a true gem.


You can get this book at The Book Depository*
You can read more about it on Goodreads

Also... sigh...


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2015/08/26

Book Review:
No Matter the Wreckage by Sarah Kay

Title: No Matter the Wreckage
Author: Sarah Kay
Published: 2014
Language: English
Pages: 143
Rating: 4/5


Summary:
This is a poetry collection about family, love, travel and history.


Review:
Yet another attempt at reading some modern poetry, and this collection turned out to be a happy surprise.

One of my problems with some poetry is that I just don't understand it, but with this, I felt like I got most of it - and even those I didn't fully understand, they still had their charm. I felt like the voice of the author shone through and I really enjoyed listening to that voice.

There are so many beautiful pieces in this, not just full poems, but sentences within those poems. I also thought all the poems belonged together somehow, which is important when you have a collection (one would think it was obvious, but sometimes it doesn't work).

One of the poems I really liked in this collection is Evaporate:

Today lasted so long, by the time I arrived at nightfall,
I had forgotten that this morning was this morning.

It seemed so far away, like yesterday, or the day before.
And days and days and days unfolded in the hours between

when I first woke and when now I sit. I notice minutes
move, much more than when I was younger.

Today I looked at my face in a mirror.
I braided my hair. I put on a dress.

Today a child shook my hand like a grown-up
and told me she was in the sixth grade.

It sounds like she said she wasn't the sick grey
which made me think that is what she thought I was.

I am watching parts of me evaporate like sidewalk water.
This wet grey, this nighttime dew, gone before morning.
p. 43

I would highly recommend this poetry collection if you're into poetry. I think anyone could find something in this that appeals to them.

You can get this book at The Book Depository*
You can read more about it on Goodreads
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2015/08/25

Top 5: African Literature I Want To Read

I know I keep going on and on about Americanah and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, but that book opened my eyes to a world I was unaware of. It's made me want to read more books about African culture, so I thought I would share five of them

Ghana Must Go by Taiye Selasi


This is the story of a family that comes together after a death. I've heard that this book takes a look at all the people in this family, uncovering truths and lies. I think that sounds pretty great!

The Fishermen by Chigozie Obioma


This book is set in Nigeria in the 90's and it's told from the perspective of a young boy who experiences an unforgettable childhood.

Waiting for the Barbarians by J. M. Coetzee


This is considered a modern classic, and though I don't really know what it's about, I know Coetzee is one of those "must-read" authors. Of his works, I find this the most intriguing.

salt. by Nayyirah Waheed


This is a poetry collection that explores language, culture and identity. As I've been making an effort to read more poetry lately, this popped up on my radar. 

The Hairdresser of Harare by Tendai Huchu


I don't really know what this is about either, but as hair is such an important part of Americanah, I thought perhaps this could be something interesting to read as well.


Let me know if you've read any of these, or if you have any recommendations for books about African culture!

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2015/08/24

Book Review:
The Thing Around Your Neck by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Title: The Thing Around Your Neck
Author: Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Published: 2009
Language: English
Pages: 220
Rating: 4/5


Summary:
A collection of stories about beauty, sorrow, longing and the human struggle to reconcile two different cultures.


Review:
This is the second book I've read by Adichie, and it was spectacular. I enjoyed almost all of the stories in this collection.

The writing in this is stunning, and the stories are very interesting. I love that clash between cultures, in this specifically the clash between African and American. This collection, though it's fiction, has the feeling of being extremely honest.

But I think what I love most about this, and Adichies writing in general, is her skill of capturing characters. They feel so real, like you can almost reach out your hand and touch them.

If you haven't read anything by Adichie yet, this is a good place to start. Either way, you should read it!

You can get this book at The Book Depository*
You can read more about it on Goodreads
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2015/08/23

Page vs Screen:
Far From The Madding Crowd

Earlier this year, I read Far From the Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy and absolutely adored it. A week ago, I went to see the new film adaptation of the book, so I thought I would share my thoughts around that.

Summary:
Bathsheba Everdene is an independent, proud woman whose life is complicated by three men; the devoted and loyal Gabriel Oak, the respectable and rich Mr. Boldwood and the seductive and impulsive Sergeant Troy.


The Book:
This is one of my favorite books of all time. I absolutely love Hardys writing and the characters in this. I could prattle on about this book forever, but I'll just stop at saying that I love it.

You can read my full review of the book here.

5/5


The Movie:
Personally, I really enjoyed this adaptation, though I'm not sure everyone would.

This film is, aesthetically, extremely beautiful. The setting of the country in England is depicted beautifully; the ocean, the vast fields, the forest, the farms. I think especially the use of the light is what makes this movie so lovely. I also found the music very fitting, and especially enjoyed the song in the opening sequence.

I thought the characters were very well casted and did an excellent job of portraying their characters. There are a few more minor characters you get to know in the book that aren't in the movie, but it's the kind of sacrifice I understand for when you adapt something to film. I especially noticed Matthias Schoenaerts as Gabriel Oak and the way he captured that silent suffering in his character that makes him so swoon worthy.

Now... the reason I don't think everyone would like this is that I'm not sure it's as enjoyable if you haven't read the book. I felt like I enjoyed it because I knew all the characters beforehand and I knew the story. I don't think time progress in this was captured very well. In the book, the story progresses over several years, and this felt like it was all crammed into a few seasons.

4/5


Overall, I enjoyed this movie very much, and I will definitely see this over and over again. I feel about this what I feel about Pride & Prejudice - it's the kind of great movie to watch when you want to revisit an old favorite without rereading the novel. I would highly recommend it if you've read the book. You could also just watch it to swoon over Gabriel Oak; I wouldn't blame you for a second.

You can read more about the movie here, or get the book here.

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2015/08/22

Book Review:
Arabic Poems

Title: Arabic Poems
Edited by: Marle Hammond
Published: 2014
Language: English/Arabic
Pages: 288
Rating: 4/5


Summary:
A bilingual collection of Arabic poems from the sixth century to the present.


Review:
This was a wonderful poetry collection and I enjoyed it so much!

I found a lot of the poetry in this to be extremely beautiful, and I must applaud those who managed to translate it. I especially found the poetry about love to be especially gorgeous, and it's easily some of my favorite love poetry I've ever read.

This book contains poetry from pre-Islamic times to modern times. I must admit I didn't enjoy the oldest poetry as much as the modern, but it was interesting to read nonetheless.  Also, even though I cannot read Arabic, I really like that the original text is included in this book.

A lot of the poetry I liked most are beautiful but a bit long, so here's one of the shorter ones I really liked called Seeing Herself Beautiful and Nubile by Qasmuna Bint Isma'il;

I see an orchard
Where the time has come
For harvesting
But I do not see
A gardener reaching out a hand
Toward its fruits
Youth goes, vanishing; I wait alone
For somebody I do not wish to name
p. 131, translated by C. Middleton and L. Garza-Falcón

I would highly recommend this poetry collection if you wish to try some Arabic poetry.


You can get this book at The Book Depository*
You can read more about it on Goodreads

Also, the color of this book is gorgeous...



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2015/08/21

Autumn TBR

Autumn is almost upon us, and I thought I would share some books I want to read this season!


What books are on your fall TBR?

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#Fridayreads



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2015/08/20

Book Review:
Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen

Title: Sense and Sensibility
Author: Jane Austen
Published: 1811
Language: English
Pages: 464
Rating: 4/5


Summary:
Elinor is a careful and sensible girl where her sister Marianne is hasty and thoughtless. After their father died, they find themselves turned out of their home, and must find a new life and manoeuvre their way through unsuitable men and schemes of rivalry.


Review:
This is the very first time I've read this book, and being unaware as to the story, I found this delightfully enjoyable.

The story took me a little while to get into; it took me the first third of the book to really get invested in the characters, but after that it was great. I especially found the female characters to be fascinating, though I must admit, I didn't find all the male characters to be all that interesting.

I also really enjoy the setting and reading about the time period is always wonderful. Austen paints a vivid picture and I especially like how she captures family relations in this novel.

Though I haven't read all of Austens novels, this is one of the best ones by her that I've read.

I would definitely recommend this book if you like classical romance.


You can get this book at The Book Depository*
You can read more about it on Goodreads
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