Happy New Year 2012! Recap for 2010-2011

Every true love and friendship is a story of unexpected transformation...

These have been a few incredibly busy years. Between work and school (etc. etc. etc. – and the unexpected whirlwind into the unknown, which I’d like to explain but simply can’t find the words to do it).  I’ve hardly had the time to keep up with my reading and the many wonderful choices on my list. Plus, new ones show up all the time and I have to drop what I’m doing and go with the flow. This means, I have quite the stack of unfinished novels on my bookshelf.

These include:

1984: More eyeballs. I got to page 66 and then I’m not quite sure what happened, but I have to say how I felt about the novel then is different from how I feel about it now. Not quite as literal as one would think - more symbolic, maybe? Maybe Orwell was going through his own whirlwind, but hey, who really knows. And recently I had to go back and read about room 101 – where you are tested against your worst possible fear.

Dracula and Oryx and Crake

Biology of Belief: Basically, our environment makes us who we are, not just our genes. “The mechanisms by which DNA controls biological life became the central dogma (I love that word, or creed is even better) of molecular biology, painstakingly spilled out in textbooks”. It challenges some of Darwin’s ideas and gives credit to Lamarck (moving 'up' a ladder of progress). There’s other stuff too. I’m not the most scientific person, to say the least (nor do I want to be) but Biology of Belief was easy to follow and fascinating.

I do hope to one day finish them all – it’s just that I’m not great at restarting novels I haven’t finished. Plus, some of them have to go back to the library before I get arrested.

I WAS able to get through a few novels, though: 2011 and 2010

One of my favourites was: The Forty Rules of Love - Elif Shafak – so beautiful!

I look forward to what the New Year will bring, and hope to harness my skill of attracting the right book at the right time and finish some great choices (esp. some gifts - mostly romantic novels from my very special cousin that have been eagerly waiting on my bookshelf).

And, although I have not perfected the art of blogging {yet} - and I’m not sure if anyone even reads my posts - I would still like to say THANK YOU and HAPPY NEW YEAR to anyone who may!

'Tis the season for love

I came across an inspiring quote while searching the internet:  "Love authentically; don’t accept substitutes”.  For some reason this really inspired me to think about finding authentic romantic novels.

As the holidays are fast approaching, I’m feeling overwhelmed with the potential reading experiences that lie ahead. Since I won’t have time for everything, I will have to pick and choose carefully, and the above topic is on my mind lately. Here are a few contenders:

*I have my festive novel I'll be Home for Christmas which my mom sent me last year – never underestimate a mother’s wisdom, especially when it comes to love (enjoying these so far).

*This year mom sent me The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. I must read this at some point - I’m just really tired of hearing about women getting their heads bashed in by men. Need a break from that. But I know I'm the last person on earth to read this.         

*And, a gift to myself: The Host – a romantic Sci-Fi. I might dive into this one soon….and I might just have to see Breaking Dawn as well this year, as this was one of my favorites in the Twilight Series (hardly ever is the last book one of the best).

*On my list …. Delirium. I’m excited to read this for some reason and explore why LOVE – something so wonderful and necessary – could possibly ever be extinct or prohibited.

*Some favorite love novels of days gone past: Four Letters of Love; Fountainhead; Jane Eyre.

These have one thing in common: they are tragic in a way. So, in the spirit of Bridget Jones, this year I will turn a new page and try to find a love story which will inspire me.  The search is on!

My considerations so far for Sci-fi challenge

Goodreads Best 2011!

http://www.goodreads.com/award/choice/2011?utm_medium=email&utm_source=Dec_newsletter&utm_content=choiceawards#winners

Soul Idenity - Dennis Batchelder

One of my picks for the
Sci-Fi Challenge 2012

Like so many novels, this one is full of symbolism and connections, and I enjoyed it for that reason. But it’s also really entertaining. I felt like I could have been sitting by a campfire listening to someone tell a story. There’s hardly a moment of boredom, if any, and it’s a great book to carry on your Kobo and sort of reminded me of Angels and Demons (maybe it’s the eyeball thing).

Like always, I don’t want to give it all away, but in a nutshell this novel is about an organization which has existed for a very long time to hold assets (money, memories, and wisdom) for its customers after they pass on - and return again - in a new form but with the same soul identity. Proof of this identity is in the eyes (which are as unique to each individual as a fingerprint). {You can imagine how things could go really wrong!!}

Mr. Waverley is handsome and charismatic, and he’s the one who must save the organization from a takeover by worldwidesouls (kinda like the illuminati or new order) – and, of course, he has to rejoice with a little romance in between his security analysis and travels to India to visit a Buddhist temple and such. He’s actually a great character and seems like a swell guy to hang out with. I liked all the characters, come to think of it. There’s a fortune teller, a really hot female Russian programmer, and others!

Another fun novel. And my second e-book.

The Hunger Games are Coming! Watch the movie trailer.

My Review - I definitely have to get going with the other two books in the series.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4S9a5V9ODuY

Another Challenge: Sci-fi 2012

The last challenge was so much fun that I have to do it again. This time the topic will be Sci-fi 2012, hosted by Curiosity Killed the Bookworm.

Since I tend to like Sci-fi and fantasy, this will be fun for me. I've already got a head start with free Kobo e-book "Soul Identity", and will be on the lookout for more quality novels in this genre - maybe even romance and sci-fi, since they go together so well ;)

Dracula - Bram Stoker **Happy Halloween**

I haven’t finished Dracula, sad to say, but I’m still plugging along. I did finish Coraline for the challenge (R.eaders I.mbibing P.eril VI!) and I did watch a few scary movies – Zombieland and Ghostbusters I and II – all were funny, and I was surprised at how entertaining Ghostbusters still is to this day.

Bram (Abraham) Stoker was born Nov 8, 1847. Bedridden until the age of seven with an unexplained illness, he went on to study mathematics and explore his passion for theatre, and eventually ended up working for the Irish Service and marrying (his wife was previously courted by Oscar Wilde).

Stoker claimed the idea for Dracula (which took seven years to create) came to him from a nightmare, but admitted that he was also inspired by his Hungarian friend who’d told him tales about European vampires. He suffered a stroke and was partially paralyzed but continued to write until his death. His wife sold the rights to Dracula to Universal Pictures for $40,000. It’s said that this transaction has lead to the continued popularity of the novel.

Horror expert, Peter Straub wrote:

“Stoker opened his internal doors and allowed sexual fears, fantasies, and obsessions he ordinarily kept out of sight to find expression on the page, encoded into the receptive language of vampire seduction and penetration”.

 “Henry Irving was Stoker’s Dracula. Stoker knew what psychic battles he drew on in the creation of his most famous character”.

“Unfortunately, by applying debased, parlour version of Freudian analysis to this novel, several generations of readers and critics have rendered the sexuality in Dracula completely banal. Everyone thinks they understand that the book portrays a conflict between Victorian repression and anarchic eroticism, and that the slaying of the vampire at its conclusion represents the triumph of repression. In this drastic misreading, the vampire embodies the erotic, which threatens the orderly societal fabric woven from premarital chastity, well-supervised courtships, lengthy engagements and sensible marriages, so the vampire must be destroyed. Finis.”

“Good horror never works in such a reductive template (all category horror is about good vs. evil, and that’s that. Why it’s weightless and disposable – no more than a formula)”.

“Stoker’s willingness to surrender to his own text allows for psychic distress signals and linguistic giveaways, elevating this novel from other horrors”. (This I can subscribe to, Dracula is downright HEAVY! and works its magic on your mind without conscious detection.)

A war between dark and light? A tale as old as time? Straub says the opposite: it is not which is why it is Dracula, and that the Doppelganger (Dracula and Jonathon) is the most psychologically loaded version of duality (the other we don’t like to see in the mirror).

I believe it’s a love story above all else, and I have to mention the movie ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7leC4YClrI) because having seen it before I read the novel, I can't separate the two.  It has remained with me, a part of me, since I first viewed it. If art is to reveal truth, this is pretty close (esp. the love scene) – even better that its origins came from the page.

From the novel (Bram): “No man knows till he has suffered from the night how sweet and dear to his heart and eye the morning can be”.

Dracula...in progress :I

Reading Dracula. Dreaming of Dracula. Book is obviously driving me crazy. If I make it through it, and remember more of my dreams, I will write more. Maybe :)

This happened to me while reading Master and Margarita - repetitively. Also, just had a real and weird "meeting in the park", just like in MM. What is it with these books!!

Coraline – Neil Gaiman

My first Kobo experience! I was sceptical if I would enjoy reading e-books but I am now a hard-core fan!

I chose this book for the challenge (R.eaders I.mbibing P.eril VI!) because I was curious why a children’s novel would be kept in the horror section at Chapters. Also, the reviews were good - one said it is one of the scariest books ever (by the mysterious Lemony Snicket). 

I don’t know about horror or even scary, but the imagery is definitely vibrantly dark and twisted at times, in an easy-to-stomach kind of way. It does make for a great children’s novel and slightly reminded me of a darker - and smarter - Alice in a nightmarish wonderland which includes a black cat and a lot of apples.

Coraline is a brave and intelligent girl who is bored and discontented with her life. She is looking for some serious adventure and stumbles across a hidden portal in her new home which leads her to a parallel reality – one darker and more dangerous than her real life. She has to learn to face her fears (the things that scare her, not just the scary things) and find strategies to escape – especially from her other mother (how cool).

All ends well and Coraline discovers how precious her real life is and learns to appreciate the stars, the sky, the trees – and her family – just the way they are.

The author says he’s most proud of this book and I can see why, in a really subtle way. In the intro he also says he came up with the name Coraline because of a typo and relayed that a science fiction author once told him that writers should cherish their typing mistakes. In this case I think that wisdom rings true. That he wrote this makes me like him, and Coraline, even more.

Marked – P.C. & Kristin Cast

Little book. Long review...

My cousin has been on me to start these novels for the longest time, being a fan of the Twilight Saga and such. Since I was in the mood for more teen vampire fiction (does this genre ever end) I took her advice and embarked on my journey – which will include 8 more novels in the series. The next one is Betrayed.

A hybrid of the Twilight and Harry Potter Series, these novels are about a change taking place amongst humans – specifically for the students at the House of Night (the marked or chosen ones) - bringing forth ancient powers and gifts and turning the successful changers into vampires (or vampyres). The characters worship the Goddess Nyx and struggle to make it through the Change using their individual strengths and her guidance.

Marked was a fun novel to read, but along with that it also references many topics of our time, such as junk DNA, vaccines (which are made to prevent the Change) and spiritual ideas and rituals. There’s no deep dissertation on these topics, unfortunately, just a quick word here and there in relation to the simple context of the novel.

Zoey Redbird, with her native heritage, Grandmother’s wisdom, and inheritance from Nyx, leads the pack. But she has her challenges – mostly Aphrodite, a superficial but beautiful fledgling whose selfishness and immaturity causes harm and heartbreak to almost everyone (but even she has a divine part to play). Zoey’s aim is to find a place where she belongs and to learn about her new friends and whether or not she can trust them. And, of course, to explore her new found blessings and romance(s) (I peaked at the other books to come).

I loved the Wiccan rituals and learned how to use a smudge stick. Coincidentally, I’d just bought one before reading this novel. Lavender and sage (white) is the best option for cleansing (a person, place or object) of spiritual negativity and influence. The smoke of these sacred plants and resins purify, especially when used with prayer. Lavender helps with balance (of light and dark, one would guess) and draws loving energy. Sweet grass is one of the most sacred herbs, bringing forth spiritual energy (only to be used after sage has been used to purify).

The only thing that continued to bother me throughout the novel was the lack of compassion and understanding for the souls (humans) who’ve not made it to the House of Night...yet - even from Zoey. I found all of the characters to be very judgemental, displaying a type of vanity, considering their own personal species to be superior and to be modelled by others (ego – made in their image). I prefer to believe all spirits are individual and should be celebrated as so. Some are beautiful, some are not. Some are loud and some are soft. It’s just the nature of all things. Not to be fixed, only to be grown at an appropriate pace and to be admired.

The language, content and style are very simple, but I enjoyed having a little literary fun, which is certainly no crime. I’ll give it a break for awhile and then continue on again soon with the rest of the House of Night novels. I’ve even convinced a friend to join me! :)

RIP Book Challenge – until October 31st

The search is on for a few scary novels so that I can participate in this annual challenge.  I chose Peril the Second (two novels) to sink my teeth into over the next few months and also Peril on the Screen (one movie). This is so much fun. Can’t wait!

Click here to join R.eaders I.mbibing P.eril VI!

Some contenders:

Dracula – Bram Stoker; The Reaping - M. Leighton; The Host - Meyer; The Corpse Bride; The Fourth Kind; Coraline (Novel by Gaiman or movie). 

Still thinking about it...I want something really good :) Stay tuned!

Sweet Misfortune - Kevin Alan Milne

There is something special about this novel. It definitely has a certain charm and innocence and I would recommend it to anyone who’d like a quick and entertaining read with a little depth.

A love story about a woman who’s distraught about her past (rightly so), who then meets tragedy again when her fiancé, after a Hollywood romance, leaves her with no explanation. She creates misfortunes cookies to deal with her anger, coating them in bittersweet chocolate to make them taste bad on top of delivering a negative fortune.

This novel was a little simple for me as I usually enjoy philosophical novels with more complexity. But sometimes we have to give our minds a rest - and our hearts a workout - and that’s exactly what happened....I cried at the beginning and I think I felt my heart move a few times throughout.

The first half of the novel was a delight – funny, romantic, with a little mystery. Then, at some point, as mentioned, I did get bored with the simplicity. However, it picked up again near the end with a bit of a revelation: of all the bad things that happen, most people blame themselves and live with regret which is a tragedy on top of the bad thing that has happened.

The misfortune cookie on the cover says “some people are lucky in love, you aren’t one of them”, and the whole premise of these cookies is just brilliant (thank you to the author). Like in The Gargoyle, the idea is that you have to face, again, the scene of the crime (both novels involve car accidents) to move past tragedy. Maybe in order to induce positive thinking – and a positive life - we should come to terms with, or play with, negative thoughts through humour and kindness.

Have patience: rainy days will soon return.
An apple a day keeps the doctor way. You should invest in an apple orchard.
You will soon fall in love. Caution: when people fall, something usually breaks.
Yesterday was the high point of your life. Sorry.
If you thought things were looking up, you were upside down.

Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince

Year 6 at Hogwarts and things are starting to get a little less PG. Pick a side and go with it – you’re on the side of light or dark and there does not seem to be an in between...

Or is there? Enter the half blood prince who knows how to use magic in a more advanced way than regular wizards. But, it’s not what you know; it’s how you use this knowledge that matters (in the grand scheme of things)!

The characters in the novel are adhering to their chosen side and the real war has begun...even though it’s been happening for years now, and for Harry since the day he was born. But, unlike the other novels, nothing is black and white anymore (good vs. evil) – everyone must work together and sacrifice has possibly become a necessity to save Hogwarts and humanity at large.  This includes muggle-borns, pure and half bloods.  Light material in these books...

I can’t say more, as I don’t want to spoil the second last novel for those who’ve not yet read it, but both sides reach triumph and disaster in efforts to balance light and dark. That JK has managed to do all this still amazes me to this day.

One more book left. I am both thrilled and sad to be nearing the end of my journey into these novels.  The characters will be missed deeply. And this time even Draco and Snape, as this book has made my heart go out to them for very different reasons. But especially, Harry, Ron, and Hermione, who I’ve watched grow up, and gone on adventures and heartbreak with, just the like the rest of the world.

Save Toronto's Public Libraries - Sign the Petition!

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/save-torontos-public-libraries/

Oryx and Crake - Margaret Atwood

My newest hobby is finding connections to my next read from my last, and that’s how I found Oryx and Crake – from a similar word in The Forty Rules of Love that made me instantly think of this Margaret Atwood novel. Also, while looking for another novel by Shafak, being totally in love with the last one, I came across another future read: Curiosity which just happened to be misplaced beside Shafak’s other novels. I love coincidences.

Not being totally excited about the topic of this novel – a dystopian future world – I was reluctant at first to start it. I decided to give it a chance, and started enjoying it a little more by the time I got to page 23. It was the quote at the beginning that ignited my interest and kept me plugging away, determined to find out what the author hopes to transpire:

“I could perhaps like others have astonished you with strange improbable tales; but I rather chose to relate plain matter of fact in the simplest manner and style; because my principal design was to inform you, and not to amuse you.” Jonathan Swift, Gulliver’s Travels.

From this you get the direction and focus of the novel. Wanting to have open eyes, I’m going to read the rest of this novel and, hopefully, will enjoy it. But I have discovered through the process of wanting to have open eyes that the future, which has not happened yet, depends on our thoughts and actions. If this is really the case, shouldn't we all be reading more books about utopia?

I appreciate the knowledge so far, and look forward to writing more about this novel as I continue on. Who knows, reality could be stranger than fiction after all.

The Forty Rules of Love - Elif Shafak

I have a new ability: I seem drawn to the right book at the right time - it’s almost as if the book is yelling “Yoo-hoo, over here”... well, not exactly like that, but that’s the only way I know how to explain it. If only everything in life was so clear.

My eyes settled on The Forty Rules of Love when I was at St. John’s Airport, just as my Dad ran off to grab a coffee. I grabbed it right off the shelf and didn’t think for another moment about whether it was worth my time – I knew it was!!

This novel is pure and simple magic and a pleasure to read from start to finish. To-date, I can’t think of a story that has inspired my mind and heart and flowed in such a way as this one did. I made little stars along the way to mark where I must go back and read again the poetic little scriptures that seem to hit the nail right on the head.

About the poet and scholar, Rumi, Elif Shafak takes us on a journey through time to Konya, Turkey, and the Anatolia/Asia Minor area in the thirteenth century to Rumi's moment of enlightenment, love and connection to his spiritual advisor, Shams of Tabriz. Sham's is a wandering, dancing dervish who practices Sufism.

There is so much more to this book than I can explain. Like Shams of Tabriz says, “There are different levels of wisdom, truth, and vision to everything” (he was speaking about the Qur'an).

There’s also a parallel story of modern day love between the writer of Sweet Blasphemy, Rumi and Sham’s story, and a married woman who’s writing a report of the novel for work. This contrast was nice and made the rules of love easy to apply to the world we live in today.

The fortieth rule made me cry and, although it closes off the novel nicely, in a way it brings us right back to the beginning, letting us know that there may be lessons but no rules, and this may be the hardest lesson of all. We are responsible, if not entirely for our path, for our spiritual growth and actions and how we view all things.

“Fret not where the road will take you. Instead concentrate on the first step (Faith). That’s the hardest part and that’s what you are responsible for. Once you take that step let everything do what it naturally does and the rest will follow. Do not go with the flow. Be the flow.”