What I’m Reading: Just One Day

This came as a recommendation from the wonderful blog of Theodora Goss (which you should absolutely check out) and she wasn’t selling it short. The premise is a familiar one for romance novels. Girl meets strange and exotic boy, strange and exotic boy invites girl to magical city on spur of the moment romantic trip, previously sheltered girl’s eyes are opened to the beauty of the world and men… And so forth.

But Just One Day has a massive saving grace: it’s narrator Allyson (Lulu). The writing throughout the book is so authentic, and so genuine that even though the story feels like something I’ve read before, for the first time it feels like it’s happening to a real person. So far I am in complete agreement with every snigle word Gayle Forman has said about love and life. It’s beautiful and even though I kind of hate the love interest at the moment (I’m only half way through), it’s in the best possible way.

Just One Day is completely worth it, for much much longer than it’s title presumes.

 

What I’m Reading: Bridget Jones’s Diary

Did you ever just get an urge to read something? Just a random urge that you wanted to re-read a book you haven’t gone near for about five years? Well that happened to me this weekend with Helen Fielding and the wonderful, perfectly normal and hilarious Bridget Jones. I just had a yen to read this modern Pride and Prejudice again and my train journeys all week have not been disappointed. Nobody is ever going to say that Bridget Jones is Shakespeare- but you know what? I’m delighted that she isn’t because she’s all the more fun for it.

What I’m Reading: Pretty Monsters

Happy New Year one and all! In honour of stepping into 2013 I took a bit of break from posting but I’m back and still reading non-stop. So for that reason, I’ve stepped back from reading something new and instead decided to re-read an old favourite- Kelly Link’s Pretty Monsters take it from me- if you haven’t already read it- then you completely should. It’s easily one of the best short story collections I’ve ever read. If you want librarians who challenge each other to sword fights, grandmothers who play scrabble, hats that have a habit of eating people and girls with goats heads- then this collection is the one for you.

I got my camera back!

What I’m Reading: Silver

I’ve just gotten started on  Silver,  the ‘sequel’ to Treasure Island.  Now, normally I’m not into sequels of classical novels but so far Silver is a pleasent surprise.

[My camera is currently on the fritz, so you’ll have to forgive the lack of photos for the next few posts]

What I’m Reading: The Girl who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of her own Making

November 10th 2012

I’ve gotten never-ending recommendations for The Girl who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of her Own Making, and I have to say that so far, it’s wonderful, like a fantastic mix of The Wizard of Oz, and  Alice in Wonderland with a healthy measure of The Phantom Tollbooth and the best title ever! (And for those of you paying attention, yes I did cut my hair!)

What I’m Reading: The Onion Girl

This week I’m reading the ever unusual Charles De Lint’s The Onion Girl. I’ve wanted to read about Newford for ages, and this is the first opportunity I’ve had. It’s a little confusing coming in at the middle of things- but so far the writing is gorgeous.

What I’m Reading: A Shadow of Night

I loved A Discovery of Wtiches  so much I moved straight onto Shadow of Night, it’s a completely different setting but absolutely as compelling.  The Elizabethan antics are incredible all by themselves!

.

 

What I’m Reading: A Discovery of Witches

I bought Deborah Harkness’ A Discovery of Witches  on holiday because it was recommended for those who enjoyed  Daughter of Smoke and Bone. I’m enjoying it so much! Vampires, witches and academia- what more could you ask for?