June Reads

Fifty Shades Trilogy - E L James

I don't know if there is much I can say about the 50 Shades books that hasn't already been said, but I did manage to resist them for as long as I could until curiosity got the better of me!  I much preferred the first two books to the third which I felt dragged somewhat and I did find all of the books rather unrealistic, but I guess that is the point of them really!  A somewhat guilty pleasure and very different from what I would usually read, but I felt I needed to read them to form an opinion on them!

Railsea - China Mieville

Again, very different from my normal reading, this book is essentially a retelling of the story of Moby Dick, but in a future world where water has all but disappeared and instead is replaced by rail tracks. Focusing on a boy named Sham, the novel is essentially a cross between a coming-of-age and an adventure tale, but it is so much more than that and to try to describe it in a brief paragraph would not do it justice.  It is marketed as a Young Adult book but I found the themes quite complex and it certainly reads more like an adult novel.  If you like to be transported to another world that you can easily lose yourself in for hours, I can thoroughly recommend it.  I have also enjoyed one of Mieville's past novels The City & The City, which is on a similar theme.

It's All News To Me - Jeremy Vine

I'm really interested in broadcasting and journalism, and I this autobiography of the Radio 2 presenter, Jeremy Vine, appealed as it gives a behind the scenes look of what goes on in TV and radio news and presenting.  Differing from many autobiographies, it skims over the early years of his childhood and gets straight into the gossip and stories from his life at the BBC, from his beginnings in journalism as  a political correspondent to his current job on Radio 2 (and yes, I am old listening to Radio 2!).  I liked how informal the book was in its tone and it was a very easy, quick read.  If you are interested in journalism or politics I would strongly recommend it. 

Have you read any of these books?  

If you have read any of the 50 Shades books, what did you think of them?

May Reads

Now I know these reviews are terribly late and its now nearing the end of June, but I've been super busy with work recently and haven't had as much time as I would like to read.  I have also chosen more whimsical and non-fiction books this month, not for any particular reason but I suspect it is just my current mood!

The Dark Tourist - Dom Joly

I downloaded this book as an impulse purchase after reading British Beauty Blogger’s review.  I am the first to admit I used to find Dom Joly’s ‘Trigger Happy’ series immensely irritating and not particularly funny, so I was surprised I enjoyed this book as much as I did!  The premise is that Dom Joly decides to visit six different countries to explore our fascination with ‘dark tourism’ – that is when we visit places or countries where something macabre happened,  the scene of someone’s death or just a particularly dangerous country that is an out of the ordinary tourist destination.

Joly visits Chernobyl, Cambodia and Iran amongst other places, but the chapter I was most fascinated in was his visit to North Korea.  A first-hand account of what it feels like to be a tourist in a country where everything you experience is orchestrated and nothing is as it seems, was engrossing and almost difficult to imagine, but Joly writes well and injects just the correct amount of humour into situations to prevent it from being a regular travelogue.  A recommended read if, like me you are interested in travel, and I whizzed through this in a couple of days.

Hospital Babylon - Imogen Edwards-Jones & Anonymous

If you have read any of the other 'Babylon' series, you will be familiar with the formula- details of what really happens in a particular workplace, whether it be a hotel, airplane or as a wedding planning are provided, anonymously of course, and loosely woven into a story. In the case of 'Hospital Babylon', a day in the life of an A&E doctor is told with true confessions and stories, some of which I found more plausible than others.

The Babylon series is, I admit, one of my guilty reading pleasures - not a particularly taxing read  but a  very quick one, and I found it just as interesting as the others I have read.  If you are new to the series, I would probably recommend the first one, 'Hotel Babylon' to start, although if you are currently planning a wedding, 'Wedding Babylon' is a great read for Bridezilla stories! 

Queuing for Beginners - Joe Moran

This was a bit of a departure from my usual reading material but I was really glad I gave it a try.   It explores the history of common routine activities that we do every day without a second thought, from breakfast to commuting to sitting down in front of the TV before bed.  

For such a simple premise, the book could be quite staid and dull but I found it anything but. I really enjoyed reading the history behind why these habits have developed and what they say about the culture of Britain today.  I'd recommend this to anyone who has wondered why our little habits develop and what routes they have in our society.  

This is Life - Dan Rhodes

I saved the best till last this month.  I adore Dan Rhode's work and when I found out he had a new novel out I couldn't wait to read it!  I will start by saying that his books aren't for everyone but if you enjoy a comic, whimsical novel, with vibrant characters, then this will be just up your street.  

The novel is set in Paris and revolves around an art student Aurelie, who throws a stone into the air one day that sets in motion a chain of events that will turn her life upside down.  This book really does feel like it has everything in it -love, laughs and a man who stands naked in a theatre for three months in the name of art!  Despite that strange summary, the book reminded me strongly of the film Amelie and I could see this novel translating well to film.  In my opinion, the book does not surpass my favourite Dan Rhodes novel, 'Little Hands Clapping' but it was an excellent read. 

Have you read any good books this month?

March Reads

I’ve been very busy this month and as a result, I don’t seem to have had as much time for reading as I would have liked, however I have managed to get through three books.

Deluxe: How Luxury Lost its Lustre, Dana Thomas

I’d read about this book on a couple of other blogs and had been meaning to buy it for ages. It gives a fascinating history of how brands such as Louis Vuitton developed and grew to become the gigantic international mega-brands that they are today, along with how the definition of luxury has changed since the post-war period. There are also several chapters devoted to manufacturing and counterfeiting, giving an insight into the real price of your designer bags. I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it for those interested in the history of designer brands and how the brands themselves operate today.

Fingersmith, Sarah Waters

I’m very fond of a Victorian novel and I have no idea why this book eluded me for so long! At almost 600 pages, it is fairly weighty but I didn’t find the story dragged at any point, and indeed there were several points at which I gasped out loud as the plot twists and turns unexpectedly. The story revolves around the lives of two girls whose lives become inextricably linked via an intricate scheme. Sue is an orphan, who has been brought up by Mrs Sucksby and her gang of thieves. One of the group, "Gentleman", has a plan to marry a lady, Maud Lilly - the niece of a man he is doing some work for, and who is the heiress to a great fortune, and there starts the great plot to obtain her fortune and make himself and Sue rich. 

I am loathe to tell you any further plot details as it would ruin the novel for you, but suffice to say, that is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to deception and scheming,and be prepared for your perceptions of characters to be promptly turned on their head!

The Snow Child – Eowyn Ivey

This is a retelling of a traditional Russian fairy story.  Jack and Mabel are an old childless couple, living in Alaska in the 1920s, who one day decide to build a girl out of snow. The next morning, the snow girl has disappeared but there is a trail of tiny footsteps leading towards the woods.

This story is one that sucks you in from the very first moment with its intense descriptions of the cold and isolation of Alaska. I felt it was a little overlong, at over 400 pages, and could have been at least 50 pages shorter, however I did enjoy it and it was an easy read which transported me to another world.

Have you read any good books lately?

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February Reads

Another month, and I have managed to work my way through four books, three of which I really enjoyed.

Londoners - Craig Taylor

I picked this book up following a recommendation from the lovely Sandra (Beauty Balm) as  she said she couldn’t put it down!  Not being a Londoner myself, I wouldn’t have usually picked up this book but I can assure you it is not just for those living in or near the Capital.

The book is a series of viewpoints and true stories from people of all walks of life who have connections to London, and some of them make for fascinating reading.  From the story of one man who moved to London hoping for a better life, and instead ending up living on the streets, to an interview with the Voice of the Underground, many of these stories have stayed with me long after reading.  I also found that despite not living in London and being only an occasional visitor, this book doesn’t just apply to London – it can apply to any big city and the feelings and emotions that you experience whilst living and working there.  The stories are all fairly short, often only a few pages so it is an easy, quick read, and if one story doesn’t interest you, you can be sure there will be another on the next page which will suck you in.  Highly recommended!

The Child Who – Simon Lelic

More of a ‘whydonnnit’ than a ‘whodonnit’, this is the story of a twelve year old boy who commits a terrible crime when he murders a young girl.  The unusual aspect of this novel is that it focuses on the lawyer’s point of view of the case and his client, and how this affects both him and his family in the torrent of backlash from the public. 

This is the third of Simon Lelic’s books that I have read and I couldn’t put it down, devouring it in 2 days!  His books always seem to make you think about moral viewpoints and social standpoints, turning your initial thoughts upside down and seeing things from another side.  I would certainly recommend this, although I think his debut novel, Rupture, is probably my favourite out of the three he has written to date. 

This Beautiful Life -Helen Schulman

I downloaded this book after reading about it in Grazia and thinking it sounded intriguing.  The story is of New York family who suddenly find their life in turmoil after their 15 year old son is caught in the middle of a media and public outcry after he forwards an email containing a pornographic video of an underage classmate that was intended for his eyes only.

The novel focuses on how something which was done without much thought and intention can snowball and quickly become out of control, affecting all members of a family.  From an interesting premise, I was rather disappointed with this book as I felt no empathy with any of the characters, finding them shallow and self-absorbed.  I won’t be rushing to read another of Schulman's books. 

Purge – Sofi Oksanen

It is difficult to know where to begin when reviewing this book as it is such a multi-layered, multi-faceted story interwoven over fifty years that to attempt to describe it in a short paragraph would be difficult. 

The novel, is by a Finnish writer, and focuses on the lives of two women in Estonia from 1940s-1990s and how their lives are interlinked. Aliide is an old woman, living alone in a remote village when one day, a young woman, Zara, turns up on her doorstep, battered and bruised. What follows is a story which takes us through the gauntlet of emotions and is at times not an easy read, encompassing human trafficking, the impact of Communism and a classic love triangle.

I found this book engrossing, however it was at times quite distressing but very thought-provoking. I don’t want to say too much about the plot as it twists and turns, leading you down one path and then another, turning your previous perceptions of characters upside down, but I would recommend it if you want an interesting read. It has won many awards throughout Europe and after reading the novel, I can understand why.

Have you read any good books this month?

My Week in Photos #1

I hope you have all had a fab week - mine has been especially good as I am now off work for two whole weeks!  I've got quite a lot of fun stuff planned,: I am visiting family and I've also got a wee weekend break to St Andrews planned for the second week with hubby which i am very much looking forward to!

Here is a round up of my week in photos:

1. Deluxe - Dana Thomas

I bought this book after seeing a review on Paris' blog. I'm looking forward to getting stuck into it during my time off!

2. Jolie Box

This was my first Jolie box and I wasn't that impressed to be honest.  I have cancelled my subscription as I feel I can spend my £13 a month on something more useful that I actually want.

3. A Night at the Museum

A visit to the late night event at the National Museum of Scotland. We started with a yummy Indian food at one of my favourite restaurants, followed by drinks, music, an Egyptian mummy exhibition and the chance to stroke baby meerkat and hold giant millipedes - the perfect Friday night!!

So much tasty food!

Hubby holding millipede - was a bit crawly for me!

 

4. Hen Party Fun!

A fab hen weekend in Glasgow which involved a Grease dance class, 50s style outfits and some v tasty homemade cupcakes. I also completed my testing  of the Tigi Sugar  Dust  with the help of my friend Helen. A review will be coming up this week.

5. Six Nations 

I went to the Six Nations Scotland v France rugby match  today. It was my first time at Murrayfield and the atmosphere was amazing. Would have been even better if Scotland had won though.. :-( 

 

I hope you had a good weekend. I'm now planning  on spending most of tomorrow sleeping after my uncharacteristically hectic weekend!

 

Victoria

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January Reads

This month I have managed to work my way through four books, two of which were hits and another two which didn't quite live up to expectations.

Before I Go To Sleep - SJ Watson
This book seems to be everywhere at the moment, in the front window of Waterstones and WH Smith and in the bestseller lists so I thought I should give it a go to find out what all the fuss is about!

The basic premise of the novel is that of Christine, a woman who wakes up every morning with no memory of her life. Each day she finds out more about her previous life, and her current life with her husband, Ben, however every night, when she goes to sleep, she forgets everything she has learnt and wakes up again the next morning with no recollection of any of her life’s previous events.

The idea behind this book sounded intriguing and indeed I did find the first half of the book fairly absorbing. However the second half dragged for me, I could see what was coming next a mile off, and I was getting increasingly frustrated with Christine as a character as I just didn’t find her likable, and as a result, had very little sympathy for her. Perhaps I was taken in by the hype surrounding this novel, but based on this effort, I don’t think I will be rushing to purchase Watson’s next book.

The Graveyard Book- Neil Gaiman
This is technically a children's book although I personally think it could be rather scary for children, - hey, even I was a little scared! It revolves around a boy named Bod, who grows up in a graveyard after his family is mysteriously killed by a person known only as 'The Man Jack' and focuses on his escapades as he gets older and on the undead who bring him up as one of their own.
  
This was my first Neil Gaiman book after dismissing his fiction previously as fantasy, which I didn't use to think was to my interest. I thoroughly enjoyed this, against all expectations, and will certainly be looking to read more of his books.

  
Nothing to Envy: Real Lives in North Korea - Barbara Demick
This had been on our bookshelves for some time and recent events in North Korea prompted me to pick this up. Barbara Demick is an American journalist who lives in Seoul and through a series of interviews, she pieces together the lives of 6 defectors from North Korea, telling of their experiences and views of the regime.

I found this highly fascinating, although often heartbreaking, as tales of whole families split apart are told and the population seem to accept it unthinkingly, believing there is no way out. A very informative read and it makes you feel thankful for the life that you have and often take for granted.

  
The Apple: New Crimson Petal Stories - Michel Faber
This is a collection of short stories based around the characters from 'The Crimson Petal and the White', and fills in some gaps in the character's lives, such as what happened after the conclusion of 'The Crimson Petal'.
  
I very much enjoyed Michel Faber's 'The Crimson Petal and the White' and even went along to a talk by the author at the Edinburgh Book Festival last year where Michel spoke about the recent BBC adaptation. I have enjoyed pretty much everything he has written but I felt this fell well short of his usual high standard, and almost seemed as if he was continuing the story in order to profit more from his hugely successful cast of previous characters. If you are seeking answers or a continuation of the story from the 'Crimson Petal', you will be disappointed as I felt, a little infuriately, almost all the stories raised more questions than answers.

Have you read any good books lately?  I'm always looking for more recommendations to add to my wish list!!

December Reads

Guardian.co.uk

In a departure from my usual postings about beauty, I thought I would do a post about some of the books I have read over the past month. I adore reading and ever since I got my kindle a year ago, I have been devouring more and more books. I have quite a diverse reading taste, although I read mostly fiction with the odd smattering of non-fiction thrown in.

In December, I read a little less than I would normally, mainly as I was away visiting family for 2 weeks and the lead up to Christmas was manic as usual! I did make my way through 4 books though.

Amazon.co.uk

 Pigeon English – Stephen Kelman

I first heard about this book on a show on BBC 2 about new writers and thought it sounded interesting. The story is told from 11 year old Harrison’s point of view, a few months after he arrives in an inner-city housing estate from Ghana, and begins with him seeing the aftermath of a stabbing on the estate which both he and a friend set about investigating. This forms the backbone of the story, but in essence, it is really about Harrison’s perceptions of the world around him, his family and British culture.

I raced through this book and rather enjoyed it, although it did take some time to get into the language and slang used by Harrison. However you cannot  help but feel for this boy who is just trying to fit in amongst his peers, and by the conclusion of the book, I felt quite sad that my time with him was coming to an end as I wanted to find out more about his family and background. 

Guardian.co.uk

 How to Be A Woman – Caitlin Moran

I picked this up on a whim from the kindle store after reading a review of it some time ago, although being slightly sceptical of its title as a 'feminist handbook' and a rewriting of Germaine Greer’s ‘The Female Eunuch‘. Caitlin Moran is a journalist, and I found this semi-autobiographical look at feminist views, along with all the fun aspects and annoying aspects of being a member of the ‘fairer’ sex very amusing. From chapters about what to call your breasts (!) to how to tell people to mind their own business when they ask when you are intending to have children, I found this book far more relevant to my life than I anticipate,d and very funny. So funny in fact that I actually was chuckling to myself on the bus whilst reading it and getting some rather strange looks! I would recommend this book to those of you who like an easy quick, amusing read, but with something to ponder on after reading it. It is unashamedly a book for women though. Men just would not get it! 

amazon.co.uk

 Just Henry - Michele Magorian

This was a children’s book that I picked up as the Amazon Kindle Deal of the Day for 99p. I didn’t know anything about the book but thought it sounded interesting from the reviews on Amazon and it was cheaper than a magazine so I thought it was worth a go. I particularly enjoy books based around the time of the Second World War and this story is told from the viewpoint of Henry, a teenage boy who lives with his mother, stepfather and baby sister and is fascinated with the cinema, at a time when the cinema was becoming very popular in the aftermath of the War.  He meets a woman named Mrs Beaumont who instigates great changes in his life, and the life of his friends, and it is through her that a mystery surrounding the life of his father emerges.

For me, the greater interest in this book was around the time of the war and the background to attitudes of the time. Both of Harry’s friends are seen as outcasts - one is the son of a Deserter from the Army, whilst another is the son of an unmarried mother . It shows how prejudiced many people were in the 40s and 50s and how times have changed since. The core mystery of the book, although it is what drives along the plot, is easily guessable and I felt the resolution happened a little quickly and jarred with the rest of the story. It also wrapped up everything a little too neatly. This is a children’s book (the author also wrote Goodnight Mr Tom) and one which I feel addresses some interesting issues without sugar-coating them, and is worth a read if you find post-war fiction interesting. 

amazon.co.uk

First They Killed My Father: A Daughter of Cambodia Remembers – Loung Ung

Another non-fiction pick for this month. This is the true story of a young girl and her family who were forced to flee their home when Pol Pot's Khmer Rouge army stormed into Phnom Penh, Cambodia in 1975. Loung was trained as a child soldier while her brothers and sisters were sent to labour camps and the family were forced to separate.

I won’t lie, it is not an easy read, but it was a book that I think was important to read to understand how things could change so quickly within a country. As it is told from the viewpoint of a five-year old girl, it does not dwell on any political aspects of the horrific situation, however it does give you a view of someone who was initially unaware of what was happening around her, to that of gradual understanding as her family is torn apart. I particularly found this interesting as it felt very recent to me (not long before I was born) and therefore it seemed even more horrific that this could happen only 35 years ago.

Have you read any of these books? Do you have any recommendations of your own? I am always looking to discover new books and authors.

Victoria

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