Lynda's Book Blog

The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

2008-07-01T11:29:00.006+01:00

The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

Again, I can't believe it's taken me so long to get around to reading this book.
Clearly a modern classic.
Any review of mine wouldn't do it justice.
Simple a wonderful book...heartbreaking, touching, moving...I learnt a lot about the history of Afghanistan, as well as the nature of friendship and redemption.

A MUST READ

Read as part of the Banned Book Challenge and 80 Books Around the World Challenge
Finished 29th June 08

Shakespeare's Sonnet # XVI

2008-06-29T12:04:00.002+01:00

XVI

But wherefore do not you a mightier way
Make war upon this bloody tyrant, Time?
And fortify your self in your decay
With means more blessed than my barren rhyme?
Now stand you on the top of happy hours,
And many maiden gardens, yet unset,
With virtuous wish would bear you living flowers,
Much liker than your painted counterfeit:
So should the lines of life that life repair,
Which this, Time's pencil, or my pupil pen,
Neither in inward worth nor outward fair,
Can make you live your self in eyes of men.
To give away yourself, keeps yourself still,
And you must live, drawn by your own sweet skill.

Friday's Poem # 12

2008-06-28T11:03:00.005+01:00

Autumn Love

Search. Search. Seek. Seek.
Cold. Cold. Clear. Clear.
Sorrow. Sorrow. Pain. Pain.
Hot flashes. Sudden chills.
Stabbing pains. Slow agonies.
I can find no peace.
I drink two cups, then three bowls,
Of clear wine until I can’t
Stand up against a gust of wind.
Wild geese fly over head.
They wrench my heart.
They were our friends in the old days.
Gold chrysanthemums litter
The ground, pile up, faded, dead.
This season I could not bear
To pick them. All alone,
Motionless at my window,
I watch the gathering shadows.
Fine rain sifts through the wu-t’ung trees,
And drips, drop by drop, through the dusk.
What can I ever do now?
How can I drive off this word
— Hopelessness?

Li Ching Chao

Just discovered Li Ching Chao, and am really enjoying her poems.
She was born into a literary family and became an antiquarian, book collector, and calligrapher.
Of her six original volumes of lyrics, only about 50 lyrics remain.

Misfortune by Chekhov

2008-06-25T20:04:00.008+01:00

Misfortune by Chekhov - short story in the collection Lady With Lapdog and Other Stories

I've never read any of Chekhov short stories before, although I've read most of his plays.

I chose this one to start with as the preface said it was influenced by Anna Karenina.
This is the tale of a woman's internal struggle between loyalty, family and expectation, and her real feelings which she dares not acknowledge.
I'm looking forward to reading more of these stories now.

Read as part of the Short Story Challenge

Finished 23 June 2008

With Mystics and Magicians in Tibet

2008-06-23T20:44:00.004+01:00

With Mystics and Magicians In Tibet Alexandra David-Neel

First published in 1931 this is the remarkable story of one woman's travels in Tibet at a time when the country was isolated and closed to foreigners.
Wonderfully lyrical, exploring the lives of ordinary Tibetans as well as Lamas and Buddhist religion.
Well written and very interesting.
A must read for anyone interested in travel, history, Tibet, feminism or Buddhism.

Read as part of the Non Fiction 5 Challenge
21 June 2008

Shakespeare's Sonnet # XV

2008-06-23T20:27:00.011+01:00

XV

When I consider every thing that grows
Holds in perfection but a little moment,
That this huge stage presenteth nought but shows
Whereon the stars in secret influence comment;
When I perceive that men as plants increase,
Cheered and checked even by the self-same sky,
Vaunt in their youthful sap, at height decrease,
And wear their brave state out of memory;
Then the conceit of this inconstant stay
Sets you most rich in youth before my sight,
Where wasteful Time debateth with decay
To change your day of youth to sullied night,
And all in war with Time for love of you,
As he takes from you, I engraft you new.

A Midsummer Night's Dream

2008-06-23T20:27:00.007+01:00

A Midsummer Night's Dream

I'd forgotten how lovely this play is to read.
Although I've seen it performed a few times, and see the film, I hadn't read the play for over 10 years.
I loved it.
Easy to read, accessible to Shakespeare newbies, funny and moving!

Finished 21st June 2008

Friday's Poem # 11

2008-06-21T17:01:00.003+01:00

Count That Day Lost

If you sit down at set of sun
And count the acts that you have done,
And, counting, find
One self-denying deed, one word
That eased the heart of him who heard,
One glance most kind
That fell like sunshine where it went --
Then you may count that day well spent.

But if, through all the livelong day,
You've cheered no heart, by yea or nay --
If, through it all
You've nothing done that you can trace
That brought the sunshine to one face--
No act most small
That helped some soul and nothing cost --
Then count that day as worse than lost.

George Eliot (Mary Ann Evans)

Serving Crazy With Curry - Amulya Malladi

2008-06-19T21:31:00.008+01:00

Serving Crazy with Curry by Amulya Malladi

I LOVED this book.

The novel opens with Devi, a modern Indian woman living in the USA, trying to kill herself. She is saved by her interfering mother, and as she beings recuperating in the family home she begins cooking imaginative dishes which reflect her mood. Throughout most of the novel she remains silent and only her cooking lets them know how she is feeling as she recovers from her depression.
The lives of the other members of the family are interwoven throughout the story, as we come to understand Devi, her sister, mother, grandmother, father and brother-in-law.

A well written, beautiful, at times sad and other times funny story, which you'll love.
Oh, and you'll learn a thing or two about Indian cooking too!

The memsahibs : the women of Victorian India

2008-06-18T20:03:00.010+01:00

Memsahibs: The Women of Victorian India (Century Travellers) by Pat Barr

Not sure what I think of this book. It's interesting to read of the lives of these Victorian women who travelled out to India to be with their husbands, brothers and so on. The book tells of the strength and determination of some of these remarkable women - surviving in an alien environment, adjusting to a new culture and way of life, experiencing war etc.

However, while the book also suggests that many of these women were spoiled, used to being waited on hand and foot, it does not tackle the issues of race and British colonisation of India, which I think should have been included.

Despite this, it's worth a read, and taught me a lot about mid 19th century British rule in India.

Part of the History Reading Challenge
Finished 16 June 08

Summer Solstice

2008-06-16T10:48:00.002+01:00

It's the summer solstice at the end of this week so...I'm going to have to read A Midsummer Night's Dream on Friday aren't I! Essential midsummer night's reading!

The Other Side of the Hedge by E.M. Forster

2008-06-16T10:37:00.004+01:00

The Other Side of the Hedge by E.M. Forster

The second story in his Collected Short Stories (Twentieth Century Classics)

A wonderful short story. At first you think it's just a story about someone on a long distance race, but as you read on you realise it's an allegorical story about the meaning of life.

I love E.M. Forster, but haven't read any of his short stories until now. They're definitely worth a read.
Excellent! Recommended collection.

Read as part of the Short Story Challenge
Finished 16 June

Seeing Angels by Emma Heathcote-James

2008-06-16T10:25:00.006+01:00

Seeing Angels by Emma Heathcote-James

A friend bought me this book for Christmas, and I have only just got around to finishing it.

'For over five years, Emma Heathcote-James has been researching a phenomenon that has not, as yet, been studied seriously. Hundreds of British people have claimed to have experienced visions of angels. These people are not crazy new-age loonies, but ordinary people from all walks of life, from professionals to prisoners to children. Emma Heathcote-James is a 24-year-old theology graduate researching for a PhD into contemporary experiences of angels. Her findings are groundbreaking and unique, and include the first 350 fascinating case histories she researched.' (book synopsis from Amazon)
.
The book was interesting to read...various accounts of people's experiences of 'angels'. The book makes no judgements about the authenticity of these accounts, just documents the 'facts'.
Whether you believe these people are actually experiencing 'angels' or having some other experiences is up to you to decide.

Shakespeare's Sonnet # XIV

2008-06-15T10:58:00.003+01:00

XIV

Not from the stars do I my judgement pluck;
And yet methinks I have Astronomy,
But not to tell of good or evil luck,
Of plagues, of dearths, or seasons' quality;
Nor can I fortune to brief minutes tell,
Pointing to each his thunder, rain and wind,
Or say with princes if it shall go well
By oft predict that I in heaven find:
But from thine eyes my knowledge I derive,
And, constant stars, in them I read such art
As truth and beauty shall together thrive,
If from thyself, to store thou wouldst convert;
Or else of thee this I prognosticate:
Thy end is truth's and beauty's doom and date.

Friday's Peom # 10

2008-06-13T08:58:00.007+01:00

Night

I love the silent hour of night,
For blissful dreams may then arise,
Revealing to my charmed sight
What may not bless my waking eyes!
And then a voice may meet my ear
That death has silenced long ago;
And hope and rapture may appear
Instead of solitude and woe.

Cold in the grave for years has lain
The form it was my bliss to see,
And only dreams can bring again
The darling of my heart to me.

Anne Bronte

I'm really starting to enjoy poetry again since I started looking for a weekly poem for this blog.
I love this Anne Bronte poem, full of longing and love.

Another Blooming Challenge Completed

2008-06-10T16:16:00.007+01:00

Finished this Challenge today.

NOSEGAY: Like a small bunch of flowers gathered together, this challenge level asks you to read two or more books with the same flower in the title.

I read The Ghost Orchid by Carol Goodman and The Military Orchid by Jocelyn Brooke.

I might even look for some more books with Orchid in the title to add to this Nosegay over the coming months!

The Military Orchid

2008-06-10T16:02:00.006+01:00

The Military Orchid by Jocelyn Brooke

The first book in Jocelyn Brooke's semi-autobiographical trilogy, descriing his childhood, schooling and time in the military in WW2. Interwoven throughout the story is his search for the elusive Military Orchid.
His love of life and sepecially of botany pervade this novel.

Enjoyable read.

Read as part of Another Blooming Challenge
Finished 10 June 2008

Tibetan Buddhism by Stephen Hodge

2008-06-10T15:58:00.004+01:00

Tibetan Buddhism (Piatkus Guides) by Stephen Hodge

Well written book, explaining the history of Tibetan Buddhism and it's beliefs.

What Makes You Not A Buddhist by Khyentse

2008-06-10T15:52:00.002+01:00

What Makes You Not a Buddhist by Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse .

A very interesting book, explaining and investigating the 4 truths which make you a Buddhist ...accepting impermanence, that all emotions bring pain, that all phenomena is illusionary, and enlightenment is beyond concepts.

A very well written book, easily readable, and exploring these issues in a way which helps the reader come to grips with these Buddhist principles.

Madam Crowl's Ghost by Le Fanu

2008-06-09T15:28:00.003+01:00

Madam Crowl's Ghost by Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu

Read this short story last night, from the volume of short stories by the same name.
Set at Applewale House, the story centres around Madam Crowl who is described at the start of the story as 'possessed by the devil, and more than half a ghost.'

As usual Le Fanu spins a good tale of suspense and horror.

Read as part of the Short Story Challenge
Finished 9/6/08

The House on the Lagoon - Rosario Ferre

2008-06-08T17:35:00.004+01:00

The House on the Lagoon by Rosario Ferre

I chose this book as a Puerto Rico novel for the '80 Books around the World Challenge', and I'm really glad I did. I loved it.

The novel is told by Isabel Mendizabal who writes the history of both her own and her husband's families, revealing secrets, scandals and exposing family lies.
Her husband Quintin discovers her novel and the rift between them gradually increases as she exposes the truth of their lives.
The history of Puerto Rico is woven in to the story, as is superstition, race, politics etc.

The novel is witty, charming and well written.

Finished 7 June 2008
Read as part of the '80 Books around the World Challenge'

Shakespeare's Sonnet # XIII

2008-06-08T17:30:00.002+01:00

XIII

O! that you were your self; but, love, you are
No longer yours, than you your self here live:
Against this coming end you should prepare,
And your sweet semblance to some other give:
So should that beauty which you hold in lease
Find no determination; then you were
Yourself again, after yourself's decease,
When your sweet issue your sweet form should bear.
Who lets so fair a house fall to decay,
Which husbandry in honour might uphold,
Against the stormy gusts of winter's day
And barren rage of death's eternal cold?
O! none but unthrifts. Dear my love, you know,
You had a father: let your son say so.

Prayer of the Dragon - Eliot Pattison

2008-06-07T17:15:00.006+01:00

Prayer of the Dragon by Eliot Pattison

Another Inspector Shan novel set in Tibet.

These are some of my favourite books. This time the story centres around two murders, and a Navajo ex-judge exploring Tibetan sacred sites with his niece.

This latest novel in the series is more gritty and political in many ways than the rest, including episodes of torture and thamzing by a villager on Shan and his two monk companions.

I highly recommend this book but, as usual, suggest you read the series in order starting with The Skull Mantra, if you want to understand the psyche of the characters in detail.
The books stands on it's own as a good thriller though. Recommended.

Classics Challenge July - December 2008

2008-06-07T16:35:00.018+01:00

Classics Challenge 2008

Pre-Challenge Fun

1. My favorite classic is The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Bronte
2. The classic I had the toughest time finishing is War and Peace ... that's definitely on my list this time.
3. I would recommend one of Jane Austen's novels to someone who doesn't read a lot of classics or who doesn't generally like classics because I think they are fairly accessible and fun to read.
4. To me, a classic book is a book that stands the test of time, is well written, and has something to say.
5. The type of relationship I have with classics is pure love!

My Challenge Choices (see rules below)
Option Three: five books from at least two different countries and two different genres.
plus Bonus sixth book of a 'should be' classic.
1 War and Peace by Tolstoy - Novel - Russia
2 A Woman's Kingdom and other stories by Chekhov - Short Stories - Russia
3 A Winter's Tale by Shakespeare - Play - UK
4 Prologue to the Canterbury Tales by Chaucer - Poetry - UK
5 To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee - Novel - USA

Bonus 6 The Name of the Rose (Vintage Classics) by Umberto Eco

Challenge Rules
'Because there are so many different types of classics, different genres are acceptable and encouraged--for example, novels, short story collections, non-fiction, poetry, essays--I'm open for other suggestions!RULES (keep reading for the bonus):
OPTION 1: Read FIVE classics.
OPTION 2: Read FIVE classics from at least TWO different countries
OPTION 3: Read FIVE classics with any combination of at least TWO different countries and TWO different genres (see above for genres).
Cross-posting with other challenges is allowed (and encouraged!); Audiobooks are fine; books must be finished after July 1st to count for the challenge although re-reads are acceptable.
Lists don't have to be set in stone; you can change your selections at any time.
BONUS!! (optional)
As you can see, I'm requiring FIVE classics for six months. For the sixth book, I would like the participants to offer suggestions for books that may not be considered classics but that you think should be or books that you think will be a classic one day. '

Friday's Poem

2008-06-06T20:38:00.001+01:00

Women

My three sisters are sittingon rocks of black obsidian.

For the first time, in this light,

I can see who they are.

My first sister is sewing her costume for the procession

She is going as the Transparent lady

and all her nerves will be visible.

My second sister is also sewing,

at the seam over her heart which has never healed entirely,

At last, she hopes, this tightness in her chest will ease

.My third sister is gazing
at a dark-red crust spreading westward far out on the sea.

Her stockings are torn but she is beautiful.

Adrienne Rich