Book Review: The Art of War

My Score: 4/5

Admittedly a very short book, I found these musings inspirational and empowering. I have actually gotten it out twice since, to inspire me more! I find that everything from roller derby to the gym, studying to social situations relate to the Art of War.

A definate must read for those in need of inspiration, especially for sporting situations!

Book Review: And the Ass Saw the Angel.

This book was the book I ended up choosing for bookclub's 80s theme. I am so pleased it was really good: I would have looked like a fool otherwise!

My score: 5/5

This has to be my favourite penguin I've read so far. I really enjoyed the realistic story, but at the same time the exaggerated situation allowed by the protagonist being a mute in a secluded, hyper-religious society. It's not clear when this book is set, but I felt like it was timeless: it could have been anywhere from 1900 to today. Nick Cave has a particually brilliant writing style. The way he allows for so much scandal and violence, without it being overly shocking is amazing. If this was a movie, it would be rated R, Tarantino would direct it and I would love the SHIT out of it.

What was my favourite bit? It's hard, there was so much. I particually liked the prostitute's baby becoming the town's new massiah. I found that hilarious, and tragic at the same time.

Please read this book! You're missing out if you dont!!!

Book Review: Witches of Eastwick

I'm so sorry I haven't been reviewing my books! I've just been reading them! But now that exams are over I have a moment to breathe, and to blog.

I read Witches of Eastwick while on holidays in Europe. I really enjoyed it!

My score: 4.5/5

My favourite thing about this book was that it was about witches, but in a modern time. I was real and relatable, despite the supernatural themes. My favourite bits were the acts of shocking violence and death: when they made the voodoo doll spell of the other woman, and she got cancer and died, and when the man killed his wife (the awful woman that she was) and the killed himself. Also, the horrendously large amount of sex was written in such a way that it wasn't distasteful.

I would definately recommend this one to anyone! Best book club book chosen so far, I think. Thanks Kelsey!

(PS the movie is bullshit and crap.)

Update Update

Oh my it has been a while since I updated this blog last!
My bookclub book totally pulled me under, but luckily the last bookclub book and this one are Penguins, so I can blog about them! Also, next book club month is choose your own book, so the will be a penguin too, but which one? hrmm.

Anyways, I have now read The Witches of Eastwick by John Updike and The Art of War by Sun Tsu. Currently I'm about halfway through And the Ass Saw the Angel by Nick Cave, which I have to finish reading by Tuesday night, eeep!

Since my last blog I have been buying Penguins every time I go into the ECU bookstore (only one more and then I get 20% off the next one!) I've bought Monkey Grip by Helen Garner and The Philosophies of Andy Warhol by Andy Warhol. I was reluctant to buy Monkey Grip because in high school we had to read a book by Helen Garner, Joe Cinque's Consolation and it was the most bat-shit boring book I have ever read, which was more about Ms Garner then any Cinque. However, on this particular day when I walked into the ECU bookshop it was the only one sitting there that I hadn't already bought, so I thought, why not.

Reviews on Witches of Eastwick and The Art of War soon, I promise!

Book Review: Dracula

Finally I've finshed it! Phew! Its been a long time since I've written a review (all those book club books taking up my reading time...) But finally Dracula is finished! So, here is what I think.

Lucy is weak and annoying, and I'm quite glad she died, but it took so long. I suppose it was nessisary for the whole vampire thing, but I really wished she had just, you know, died. Although, it did make me feel very sorry for Seward, Quincy and Godalming. I really liked Mina, she was very strong even in the face of tragidy, which is unusual for a victorian woman, but I liked it. Even though the book was very long, and some parts (chasing down Dracula) seemed to take forever, and a lot of the twists I could see coming, (which I put down to my modern brain being quite used to plot twists. In fact, I'm usually the first one in the cinema of a thriller to get it.) Overall Ifound the book quite enjoyable. However, I found that the ending was overall much too neat and succinct. Its like, 200 pages of chasing Dracula, then killed his wenches, kill him, all in about 10 pages. The End, with a feel good afternote about babies, lol.

Anyways, its a definate classic, and should be read by everyone, especially now when Vampires are so popular. I give Dracula by Bram Stoker 4/5.

I've also been watching the Dracula movies, starting with the 1931 version, and next weekend going to the 1958 version. Its quite fun to see their interpretation of Dracula. In other news, the next book is a nice short one: Picnic at Hanging Rock by Joan Lindsay. Hope to write again soon!

A Handful of Dust

So I bought A Handful of Dust by Evelyn Waugh yesterday at the university bookshop. They have a new thing where if you buy 5 general books you get the 6th one 20% off. It's great because the Penguins are already $9.30, 70c cheaper. Just more insentive to buy them from there!

I'm really looking forward to this book. I feel like I haven't been reading enough recently. I'm off to Europe in 6 weeks, which will let me catch up on my reading a lot more! I'm only about 100 pages off finishing Dracula, so expect a review soon. The last book club book was really massive and it put me behind with the Penguins. Luckily, the next few are Penguins, so yay! My blogging should be picking up soon.

New Books.

Hey everyone!
Today I was feeling a bit down so I took my $20 and went down to the bookstore and bought two new Penguins. My shelf at home was so full I had to move stuf around! I'm so happy. I bought And the Ass Saw the Angel by Nick Cave and Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte.
I worked out yesterday that Dracula is my ninth Popular Penguin! After this and the next one I would have read ten in less than a year! I am so proud of myself.
Just updating you on my latest "Top Five to Find"
1. Frankenstein
2. War of the Worlds
3. The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
4. Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (New Release)
5. Beowulf (New Release)

75 New Books!

The 75 new Penguin Books (to be released in June) have been announced! Here's the video on youtube so you can have a look too.



I'm particually excited about The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Dangerous Liasons and From Russia with Love. ^_^ I'm so excited to read all these books! Which is your favourite from the new releases?

New book and progress update

So I went in to Borders to get one of my friends a gift voucher for her birthday, and they have a lovely rack of Penguins near the counter. So, I took a moment, waded through the three thousand books I already had and came across The Merry-Go-Round in the Sea by Randolph Stow. I'm looking forward to reading this because it is set in Geraldton in WA, which is my state. I've been there, so I'll be able to picture everything really clearly. I'm excited. I might even read it next.

Also, my friend from bookclub has picked The Witches of Eastwick for her bookclub book in June, which is a Penguin Book. I want to pick a Penguin too, because it will be easy to find, and cheap to buy, but the rule is that it has to be published in the 1980s. Research needs to be done, I think. My month is August.

I'm about a third of the way through Dracula. I'm hoping it goes back to Johnathon soon. If the whole book is about Mia and Lucy I'll be very dissappointed!
I'm trying to read a little each night before I go to sleep, but some nights I'm just too tired! Hopefully I'll have a review for you soon :)

Persuasion Book Review

So, finally I finished reading Persuasion by Jane Austen. Thats four Austen books this summer! I'm quite proud of myself! So, heres what I thought:


My score: 3.5/5

I've got a soft spot for period pieces, making me think of frilly dresses and "taking a turn about the garden" is very romantic. Normally I quite enjoy Jane Austen because of her strong heroine, who, despite society telling her she is too old at 21 or too plain or too smart, manages to snag the perfect man.
However.
Anne is a lot older than 21. Also, Anne is surrounded by idiots and fools who I really hated (namely her sisters and father). Everytime she went into a new situation I just felt so sorry for the poor girl having to put up with her stupid sisters, or stupid Lousia or stupid Mr Elliot. Even Lady Russel, the woman who she likes the best, has actually ruined her life by making her break off with her one true love. Luckily, it all ends happily, but I really can't help but feel awfully sorry for all that time and youth wasted on waiting! >_> *sigh* I guess an empathy overload just really lessens the enjoyment value of the book. So yes, 3.5.

In other news, I have just started reading Dracula by Bram Stoker. I am very excited to read this, and am hoping to get in in over the easter holiday week. I actually have to read another book before April 6th, wish me luck! Haha, book club is really getting in the way of the Penguin Challenge!

Love Emma xxx

Uni Bookshop strikes again!

I vistited the uni bookshop again today (to buy a visual diary) and just HAD to buy another penguin classic. Today was Picnic at Hanging Rock. I know they've made a movie of this but I've never seen it, I'm looking forward to reading this book!

Persuasion is almost finished! Expect a review within the week :)

- Emma

New Book, More Releases, and Update!

Yesterday I visited my uni bookshop and found that they had some penguin classics for only $9.30! Thats 70c cheaper than at any other store I've visted so far. So, I had to buy one, and I bought My Family and Other Animals by Gerald Durrell.

In other news, I saw on my facebook that they will be releasing 75 new penguin classics in June to celebrate 75 years of Penguin! Now, this is super exciting but also super scarey: that will take the number up to 175 books I have to read!

At the moment I'm reading Persuasion by Jane Austen. I figured I should read one non fiction and one fiction book concurrently. I dont think I will be finishing Fabric of the Cosmos anytime soon: uni is going to be WAY intense. Also, I have to read a book for book club before the first Tuesday in March.

Wish me luck! ^_^

Emma
Currently Reading Persuasion

Book Review: Lolita

My Review: 4/5

I loved this book. I have to say it, it was weird and creepy and unnerving, but it was a very very good read. I really want to see the movie now. I would suggest to anyone above the age of 15 to read this book. Its not really child appropriate, lol.

Um, the only thing I didnt really like about it was how Lolita ended up, with a deadbeat husband and poor. I really wish she ran off with someone and ended up happy and normal, I mean, she says she's happy, but I wish she could be happy and at least decently wealthy. *sigh* poor girl, I really do feel very sorry for her.

Emma
Currently reading Fabric of the Cosmos (Still!)