This is absolutely hilarious.
“It’s the notion that there is no perfection – that this is a broken world and we live with broken hearts and broken lives but still that is no alibi for anything. On the contrary, you have to stand up and say hallelujah under those circumstances.”
Leonard Cohen
Have you ever read The Beach by Alex Garland? I’ve been really lucky with books lately, I’ve read 3 great ones in as many weeks, and The Beach is the latest. I’ve wanted to read it ever since seeing the trailers for the film, and I didn’t want to watch the film until I’d read the book. Kind of strange to think that was back in 99 or 2000?
Anyway, I’d heard it was quite a messed up story so I think that’d always put me off. But I finally saw it in a charity shop recently, so I decided to pick it up. It’s actually nothing like I was expecting, a bit disturbing in places, especially Richard’s rapidly unravelling mental health, but it’s absolutely brilliant. This was his first novel too, which is amazing really.
I’ve almost finished though, so if you can suggest any books I might like, please let me know!
This is beautiful (used on the Santander advert).
55 Reading Questions
1. Favourite childhood book? The Goonies novelization, or The Turbulent Term of Tyke Tiler by Gene Kemp.
2. What are you reading right now? Just finished the amazing The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters.
3. What books do you have on request at the library? Nothing at the moment, I’m working my way through my bookshelves!
4. Bad book habit? Probably leaving crumbs in them, reading while I’m eating.
5. What do you currently have checked out at the library? Same as number 3, I’ve got a pile of unread books that I’ve bought over the years.
6. Do you have an e-reader? Yep, I’ve got a Kindle.
7. Do you prefer to read one book at a time, or several at once? Usually one or two at a time.
8. Have your reading habits changed since starting a blog? Not really, but it’s helped keeping a record of every book I read.
9. Least favourite book you read this year (so far)? The Emerald Atlas by John Stephens.
10. Favorite book you’ve read this year? The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters.
11. How often do you read out of your comfort zone? Quite often, I usually pick up books that friends have recommended.
12. What is your reading comfort zone? Science fiction or children’s books.
13. Can you read on the bus? I usually listen to music on the bus, but sometimes I like to read on longer journeys!
14. Favorite place to read? In Costa, or in the back garden when it’s sunny. The beach too, if you can find a quiet spot.
15. What is your policy on book lending? I love to give books away, if there’s something I don’t want to part with, I usually just buy another copy to send as a gift.
16. Do you ever dog-ear books? No! I used to work in a book shop, so I don’t even like bending the spines of books!
17. Do you ever write in the margins of your books? No, as above!
18. Not even with text books? Nope.
19. What is your favourite language to read in? English.
20. What makes you love a book? I actually have no idea. Good characters are a good start, a unique setting (like Hogwarts), but generally just a good story.
21. What will inspire you to recommend a book? If I finished it and thought “Wow …”
22. Favorite genre? Science fiction.
23. Genre you rarely read (but wish you did)? Not really a genre, but I wish I could read a bit more Dickens.
24. Favourite biography? Don’t tend to read biographies.
25. Have you ever read a self-help book? I’ve read a couple, mostly creative writing books.
26. Favourite cookbook? Can’t cook, won’t cook :P
27. Most inspirational book you’ve read this year (fiction or non-fiction)? Read quite an interesting book about the Sumerians that’s left me wanting to learn more.
28. Favorite reading snack? Coffee. I usually read quite a lot at work on my lunch break ..
29. Name a case in which hype ruined your reading experience. Hmm. I loved the first 4 Harry Potter books, but found the films and latter books were becoming a grind.
30. How often do you agree with critics about a book? I actually don’t bother, I usually rely more on friends’ recommendations.
31. How do you feel about giving bad/negative reviews? If I like a book, I gush quite a lot, but if I hate it I tend to just not bother reviweng it.
32. If you could read in a foreign language, which language would you chose? French. Or Japanese, I’d love to read Murakami’s books in his native language!
33. Most intimidating book you’ve ever read? Anything by Shakespeare.
34. Most intimidating book you’re too nervous to begin? I want to give Great Expectations a go, but I found David Copperfield a bit of a slog.
35. Favorite Poet? Sylvia Plath, Emily Audet.
36. How many books do you usually have checked out of the library at any given time? About 3.
37. How often have you returned books to the library unread? Quite often, sometimes I just don’t have time to start as many as I’d like.
38. Favorite fictional character? Bertie Wooster or Paddington Bear
39. Favourite fictional villain? Long John Silver, or the Trunchbull. Actually, pretty much any Dahl baddie!
40. Books I’m most likely to bring on vacation? Anything with a high page count!
41. The longest I’ve gone without reading. I remember a few periods in my twenties when I’d stop reading for months at a time. Now, I couldn’t imagine going a day without reading.
42. Name a book that you could/would not finish. Game of Thrones by George Martin, really couldn’t understand the fuss.
43. What distracts you easily when you’re reading? Daydreaming.
44. Favorite film adaptation of a novel? Dune. (I know, I know. I liked it, ok?)
45. Most disappointing film adaptation? The Golden Compass.
46. The most money I’ve ever spent in the bookstore at one time? Probably about £50. But I used to spend a good portion of my wages when I worked in a book shop.
47. How often do you skim a book before reading it? Never! I’ve never understood how people can read the last page.
48. What would cause you to stop reading a book half-way through? Depends a lot on the subject matter, if it’s too violent or bleak, or I’m finding the writing too distracting.
49. Do you like to keep your books organized? If by organised you mean piled onto a groaning book case, sure.
50. Do you prefer to keep books or give them away once you’ve read them? I keep my favourite books to read again, and either give the rest to charity shops or friends.
51. Are there any books you’ve been avoiding? Not really, I try to avoid over-hyped books, especially after forcing myself to read the Da Vinci Code.
52. Name a book that made you angry. Starship Troopers by Robert Heinlein. Not nearly enough action, and too much bizarre right wing ideology.
53. A book you didn’t expect to like but did? David Copperfield by Dickens, and Fingersmith by Sarah Waters. Wasn’t really sure what to expect, but she writes beautifully.
54. A book that you expected to like but didn’t? Perdido Street Station by China Mieville. Read The City and The City first, so had high hopes for Perdido Street, but it was so bad I couldn’t believe it was written by the same author.
55. Favorite guilt-free, pleasure reading? Harry Potter!
First newsletter for the Slow Loris Project!
So I’m pretty sure it was coffee and not fire that Prometheus stole, that’s what really got the gods upset!
Did anyone see the BBC programme last night about the Antikythera Mechanism? I was watching the whole thing with my mouth agape, it was mindblowing. That someone 2000 years ago could build something so complex, and then the efforts to reconstruct it and learn why it was made. Just amazing.
