TwentyTen Challenge

Challenge - TwentyTen Challenge

Dates - 2010
Host - Bart over at Barts Book Shelf

Rules:
Read 2 books from each category, making a requirement of 20 books total

The categories
1. Young Adult
2. T.B.R.
3. Shiny & New - bought New during 2010
4. Bad Blogger’s - Books in this category, should be ones you’ve picked up purely on the recommendation of another blogger count for this category
5. Charity - books bought from a local charity shop
6. New in 2010 - books newly published in 2010
7. Older Than You - two books that were published before you were born
8. Win! Win! - read a couple of books for another challenge
9. Who Are You Again? - for those authors you have never even heard of before!
10. Up to You! - Want to challenge yourself to read some graphic novels? A genre outside your comfort zone? Something completely wild and wacky? Then this is the category to youThe only requirement is that you state it in your sign-up post.I'll read two westerns for this category

A November Sonnet by I.Annensky

A November Sonnet

How dimly purple blaze inflames,
How dead are yellow-hinted mornings,
How same are branches in my windowpanes
Of that already passed yesterday's remindings...

An only consolation then exists...
An onset made of silver and white-lead...
Softens by flocky frontiers of mist
Still graceful dances of a feather's steel...

In hazes of the sun, like an imprisoned one,
I need a sleigh, a twilight, and a field,
To chase vertigos of the clouds...

To feast my ears with whistles of the brass,
In shoreless reelings of the snow
To glide along these slightly rippled lines...

I.Annensky
published in 1904
translated from the Russian 29-31.10.2009

The Witches by Roald Dahl

The Witches (New Windmills) by Mr Roald Dahl

Genre: fiction - children's book
Rating: excellent *****

Amazon.co.uk Review:
"This is not a fairy tale. This is about real witches." So begins one of Roald Dahl's best books ever, and, ironically, it is such a great story because the premise is perfectly plausible from the outset. When the narrator's parents die in a car crash on page two (contrast this terribly real demise with that of James's parents who are devoured by an escaped rhinoceros in James and the Giant Peach), he is taken in by his cigar-smoking Norwegian grandmother, who has learned a storyteller's respect for witches and is wise to their ways.
The bond between the boy and his grandmother becomes the centrepiece of the tale--a partnership of love and understanding that survives even the boy's unfortunate transformation into a mouse. And once the two have teamed up to out-witch the witches, the boy's declaration that he's glad he's a mouse because he will now live only as long as his grandmother is far more poignant than eerie.
Of course, there's adventure here along with Dahl's trademark cleverness and sense of the grotesque. Dahl also communicates some essential truths to children: if they smoke cigars, they'll never catch cold, and, most importantly, they should never bathe, because a clean child is far, far easier for a witch to smell than a dirty one. (Ages 7 to 10, or read aloud to younger children)

My favourite Dahl book and one which I had to re-read for the 666 challenge Witches section!
I used to love reading this with year 7 pupils when I taught English. It was always well received and loved by all.
One of my daughter's favourite books growing up too - although she found Angelica Huston very scary in the movie!!

My favourite parts are when the grandmother tell him how to spot a witch - by their long pointy fingers, bald heads & wigs, no toes, and the fact that they can smell little children, especially clean ones - who smell like 'dogs-droppings'!

Funny, imaginative and a great tale.

Recommended!!!

fiction 2009 # 112
Challenges - 666 Horror Paranormal Challenge.,

Arthur of the Britons: Based on the Popular Harlech Television Series (Target Books) by Rex Edwards

Arthur of the Britons: Based on the Popular Harlech Television Series (Target Books) by Rex Edwards

Genre: fiction - children's books / Arthurian legends
Rating: Very Good ****

This is one of my childhood books which I still have. I bought it in 1977!!
As I'm having trouble sleeping at the moment, I picked this up last night and re-read it, as part of the Arthurian Challenge.

Based on the popular 1970's TV series of the same name, and archaeological evidence that suggests 'Arthur' was in fact a Celtic chief who united the Britons against the Saxons, this book tells the tale of young Arthur growing up, and his rise to chieftan.

Well written, good story, well researched.

# fiction 2009 - 111
Challenges - Arthurian Reading Challenge

A Little Taste of Japan by Murdoch Books

A Little Taste of Japan by Murdoch Books

Genre: non-fiction - cooking, food, Japan
Rating: Excellent *****

Product Description
A Little Taste of Japan presents a showcase of the best of Japanese cuisine. The emphasis is less on the traditional, highly rigid, Japanese food and more on the delicious flavours and tastes of modern Japanese food. It shows you that Japanese food is quite simple to prepare and can be enjoyed by everyone. The beautiful photography, shot on location, evokes the colours and details of its distinctive culture and culinary traditions.

Great book on Japanese food and cooking.
Lots of different recipes, from Ramen soup, to sushi, to more complicated dishes.
Wonderful photos which give an insight into both the food and culture.
Although a lot of the recipes use meat or fish - and I'm vegetarian - there are some nice vegetable based ones, or ones easily adapted for veggies.
There is also a great glossary at the back which explains what all the different ingredients are and are made from.

Recommended.

non-fiction 2009 # 92
Challenges - Japanese Reading Challenge 3, hello japan event,

PS. I'm off to Manchester tomorrow, so hopefully I can buy myself some Veggie Sushi there!

30 books to movie challenge

Challenge - 30 Books To Movies Challenge

Dates - January 1- December 31, 2010
Host - Chase of The Bibliophile's Lounge

Goal: To read 30 books that have been adapted into movies, and watch said movies

a) Your honest opinions of the book and movie
b) Which one did you enjoy more (book or movie?)
c) What do you think is so good about the book for it to have been made into a movie

Not sure if I'll be able to complete this callenge but will give it a go...

Reading through the Seasons 2010

Challenge - Reading through the Seasons 2010

Dates - January 1 - December 31, 2010
Host - Gina of Book Dragon's Lair

Rules:
Four books, one for each season.
Title must have a season, not holiday, winter, fall, autumn, spring, summer

I'll read:
Spring
Summer

Autumn
Winter

Vampire of Ropraz, The by Jacques Chessex

Vampire of Ropraz, The by Jacques Chessex

Genre: fiction - horror, murder
Rating: good ***

1903, Ropraz - a small village in the Jura Mountains. The virginal daughter of a local judge dies of meningitis and on a howling December day a lone walker discovers her tomb recently opened. Her body is violated, her left hand cut off, sex mutilated and heart torn out. Horror in the nearby village brings the return of atavistic superstitions, along with mutual suspicion. Garlic and crucifixes are again brandished in the Protestant region - and after two more bodies are violated a suspect must be found.

Based on a true tale, Chessex tells a tale of paranoia, suspicion and blame in a small Swiz community.

Well written, this is an interesting little novel.

fiction 2009 # 110
Challenges - western europe challenge (Switzerland 2/12)

Raliquiae Challenge - completed

Reliquiae Challenge completed today










I read 6 books:

1. Almyer Vance: Ghost Seer
2. Daughters of Darkness: Lesbian Vampire Stories by Pam Keesey
3. The Lost Book of Salem
4. Hunters Prayer
5. Night Shift
6. White is for witching

White is for Witching by Helen Oyeyemi

White is for Witching by Helen Oyeyemi

Genre: fiction - modern Gothic
Rating: Very Good ****

A strange modern Gothic novel, written mainly in the voices of 4 of the characters (including the house).

It charts the lives of Miranda Silver and her family (twin brother and father) following the death of her mother Lily, a photographer killed in a spray of gunfire in Haiti.
The central character is Miranda, Mir, whose eating disorder and fragile mental heath have resulted in a period spent in hospital. On returning home to the family hotel run by her father, she becomes increasingly drawn into a web of depression and insanity influenced by the strangeness of the house, even seeing the spirits of her mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, who have all lived in and influenced the psyche of the house.
Even the housekeepers and paying guests sense the influence of something alive in the house - something that moves things, that changes the air and sounds, and that symbolically ripens apples in the garden in the dead of winter.

The novel explores themes of loss, denial, betrayal, deceit, madness, love, desire, depression and possessiveness, all wrapped in a ghostly layer of magic and symbolic witchcraft.

While the multiple narrators and disjointed narrative may be confusing at times, I felt this only added to the feelings of despair and gothic mystery central to story.

This book reminded me of classic gothic novels such as the Turn of The Screw.
I loved it.

fiction 2009 # 109
challenges - Raliquiae Challenge, colourful reading challenge, 666 Horror Paranormal Challenge.,

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows

Genre: fiction - literary, WWII, Guernsey
Rating: Very Good ****

I loved this book.

Set in 1946, it is written in the form of letters from and to a successful writer Juliet Ashton. Receiving a letter from a Guernsey resident who has found a book of hers , she begins correspondence with him. On discovering he is a member of the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel society, formed during the German Occupation on the island, she begins writing to members, fascinated by their love of literature, their courage, and their lives during the war.
Tales of friendship, hardship, love, goodness, cruelty and forgiveness are interwoven in the letters.

Overall an informative novel of life in wartime Guernsey.
Beautifully written.

Recommended.

fiction 2009 # 108

Challenges: Western European Challenge (1/12 - Channel Islands)

Colourful Reading Challenge 2010

Challenge - Colorful Reading Challenge

Date - January 1, 2010 - December 31, 2010
Host - Rebecca of Lost in Books

I'm currently finishing off this challenge for 2009 - so will participate again for 2010.

The rules are:
read 9 books with 9 different colors in the title.
Six colors are required, while the last 3 can be your choice.
Books may be overlapped with other challenges
At least 6 of the books should be new to you
The Six Required Colors are:
1. Blue
2. Black
3. Red
4. Gold/Yellow
5. White
6. Silver
The 3 remaining colors can be anything from purple, orange, and green to magenta, crimson, and cream. It doesn't matter as long as their is a color in the title.

November # 4

November's sky is chill and drear,
November's leaf is red and sear

Sir Walter Scott

Thriller & Suspense Challenge 2010

Challenge - Thriller & Suspense Challenge 2010.

Dates - January 1, 2010 - December 31, 2010
Host - Book Chick City

Rules: To read TWELVE (12) thrillers in 2010

List of Sub-genres here

A to Z Challenge 2010

A-Z challenge 2010

Date - January 1 - December 31, 2010
Host - Becky of Becky's Book Reviews

Pick the participation level that works for you:

I'm going for - Authors -- Read alphabetically by author. Commit to 26 books

Support your local Library reading challenge 2010

Challenge - 2010 Support Your Local Library Challenge

Dates - January 1, 2010 - December 31, 2010
Host - J. Kaye from J. Kaye's Book Blog

I'm aiming for: Super Size Me – Check out and read 100 library books.

100+ Books Reading Challenge 2010

Challenge - 100+ Reading Challenge 2010

Dates - January 1, 2010 - December 31, 2010
Host - J. Kaye of J. Kaye's Book Blog

As so far this year I've read 107 fiction books and 90 non-fiction books, I'm hoping to do as well next year

Orbis Terrarum 2009 Challenge - completed

The Orbis Terrarum Challenge completed today

I read:

1. India - Fasting, Feasting by Anita Desai
2. Iran - The Septembers of Shiraz by Dalia Sofer
3. Russia - Silverland: A Winter Journey Beyond the Urals by Dervla Murphy

4. China - The Eye of Jade by Diane Wei Liang
5. Canada - The Outlander by Gil Adamson
6. Japan - Black Rain by Masuji Ibuse
7. Greece - A Rope of Vines Journal from a Greek Island by Brenda Chamberlain
8. Italy - A Walk in the dark - Giannco Carofilio
9. Bosnia and Herzegovina - The Cellist of Sarajevo by Steven Galloway
10. Lebanon - Dreams of Water by Nada Awar Jarrar

challenges 2009 # 40

Dreams of Water by Nada Awar Jarrar

Dreams of Water by Nada Awar Jarrar

Genre: fiction - Lebanon
Rating: Excellent *****

From cover:
'Anessa moves to London after the disappearance of her brother, seeking a new life. There she meets another exile who reminds her of home, Brought together by their shared feeling for their homeland, they form an unlikely friendship.
Meanwhile, back in Lebanon, Aneesa's mother is grieving for her son. Aneesa reluctantly returns home, determined to uncover the truth behind her brother's disappearance and rekindle the sense of belonging she left behind.'

This is an extraordinary novel.
Beautifully written and moving, it explores themes of family, friendship and belonging.
We get glimpses of life in Beirut during the 80's civil war, during which her brother disappears -
Glimpses of her childhood - An idea of what it is like to be an 'exile' living away from home, emotionally detached from life and those around her - and an understanding of the importance of family and friendships.

I highly recommend this novel

fiction 2009 # 107
Challenges- OT Challenge

Christmas Stalking: Tales of Yuletide Murder [Ed.] by Charlotte MacLeod

Christmas Stalking: Tales of Yuletide Murder / [Ed.] by Charlotte Macleod. by Charlotte MacLeod

Genre: fiction - short-stories, christmas, mystery
Rating: Good ***

A collection of yuletide mystery stories includes works by such well-known mystery writers as Elizabeth Peters, Robert Barnard, Sharon McCrumb, Reginald Hill, Dorothy Cannell, Charlotte MacLeod, and others.

A quick read, fun stories.

short-story collections 2009 # 9

challenges - 2009 holiday reading challenge (1/5), Fall-Winter Mystery Reading Challenge (3/7 - xmas),

The Bells by Edgar Allen Poe

Poe Fridays is a fun weekly event at We Be Reading.

This week is the poem The Bells, published in 1849

You can read it online here

Published after his death, in this poem the bells in each verse represent the transition form the joyful bells of birth to the bells of death, from bright peeling bells to doleful tolling ones..

Not my favourite poem by Poe!

The next Poe Friday will be on Deecmber the 4th and will be the short story The Purloined Letter

Friday Finds 20/11/09

Join in with your reading finds here

This week I found these books reviewed and have added it to my lists of books to order from the library:

Titan by Stephen Baxter
Lilly on Readingextravaganza is giving this book away and has reviewed it here








The Passport, by Herta Muller
reviewed on Caribousmom site here