I lingered round them, under that benign sky: watched the moths fluttering among the heath and harebells; listened to the soft wind breathing through the grass; and wondered how anyone could ever imagine unquiet slumbers for the sleepers in that quiet earth.
~ Wuthering Heights
Every now and then I stumble across a book that really surprises me: A book I thought I'd detest but end up immensely enjoying.
Emily Bronte's novel, Wuthering Heights, is one of those books.
I know why it took me so long to read it: I feared I would end up passionately despising it like I did her sister Charlotte's famous novel, Jane Eyre. Then Wuthering Heights turned up in the post, a surprise package from Shelley over at Tea Time, and I began to re-assess why a ten-year hatred of Jane Eyre and sister Charlotte should make me so afraid to read any other works by the Bronte sisters?
It sat on my bookshelf for months whilst I pondered. Wuthering Heights is considered as one of the best novels ever written. There have been movies, TV adaptions, endless book editions, and Kate Bush even wrote a song about it, so why should I so fervently avoid it?
So, I quit stalling. I read it, and would you believe it: It is so good. So very, very good. I loved it.
The story centres around violent and mean Heathcliff, brought to Wuthering Heights as a child and treated badly after the death of his guardian. It's hard not to think of him as an unloved orphan, who is so angry and bitter at the world that he takes it out on everyone he knows, and probably justifiably so. He is so sad that it is difficult not to pity him, despite the misery he inflicts on those around him.
Yet, in a dark, brooding story with dark, brooding characters all around her, Catherine Linton shines. Strong-willed and determined not to let Heathcliff get the better of her, she is like a smouldering ember, just waiting for the right moment to spark and set the whole place alight...
Wuthering Heights is a brutal yet brilliant novel, in true gothic style.
If you've not read it (assuming I'm not the last person on the face of the planet to do so) then I highly recommend it.
What books have surprised you in this way?
- Location:Work
- Mood:
hot
amused
No, seriously: A Magpie ate my breakfast this morning.
I made myself a piece of toast (covered in vegemite, of course) and a cup of tea, and went out to the table on the back decking to eat it and enjoy the morning.
Then I realised I'd not got Bailey (the dog) his breakfast, so I quickly ran back into the kitchen and fed him, which would have taken no more than 30 seconds.
Then I went back outside to finish my breakfast, only to discover a magpie on the table eating my toast!
He (I assume it was male, I dont know why) looked at me as if to say, "Oh bugger, I've been caught!", and I looked back at him totally dumbfounded.
Then he scuttled to the edge of the table and flew away.
- Mood:
surprised
I was supposed to annouce the winner of my Pride & Prejudice giveaway on Saturday, but once again my weekend got away from me and it just didnt happen. This is becoming a recurring problem. I think I need to try and organise my time a little better; suggestions, anyone?
Anyhow, it's another useless day at work and I am here super early, yet again, so I decided to put that time to good use and pick a winner. This time I've used an online random list generator and let it decide for me. The entrants were Jenny, Mari and Michelle, but the WINNER IS...
Michelle
Congratulations, Michelle! Please email me your postal address and I will have the brand-new copy of Pride & Prejudice in the post before the end of the week.
Thanks to all who took part.
- Mood:
lethargic
This post is repeated at my blog.
Last weekend I finally finished reading Daughter of the Forest by Juliet Marillier. Due to an unfortunate busy schedule it ended up taking over a month for me to finish, which was a bit frustrating because it turned out to be an incredibly good read.
Juliet Marillier writes historical fantasy. Her novels are set during historical time periods, but she bases the story on myths. Daughter of the Forest is set on both sides of the Irish Sea, with Sorcha being the heroine of the story (no wonder I just had to read this one, right?). Sorcha is set a seemingly impossible task by the Fair Folk (faeries) to save her six brothers from a curse that has been placed upon them by an evil enchantress.
At first I found the story a little slow; there was a lot of explanatory text and dialogue, yet I couldnt make sense where the story was heading. However, around 200 pages in (keeping in mind this novel is over 500 pages in length) it all started to fall into place and I gradually became more and more engrossed in the story.
I became attached to the characters, so much so that whenever something bad happened I wasnt sure if I would be able to continue reading for fear of another bad thing happening. I didnt want bad things to keep happening, I wanted Sorcha to save her brothers in a timely, ordely, pain-free manner; nothing horrible was allowed to happen to anyone or anything! Of course, it probably wouldnt have been nearly as enticing and exciting without it, though. In fact, a week after having finished reading it, I still find myself gazing off into space, thinking about Sorcha, her plight, her brothers, her story...
Daughter of the Forest is the first novel of four in the Sevenwaters Series. The other three novels are Son of the Shadows, Child of the Prophecy, and Heir to Sevenwaters. These and other books by Juliet Marillier are available at Amazon for all international readers, or if you're in Australia/New Zealand/Asia I recommend checking them out at Fishpond.
I have registered my copy at BookCrossing, but am yet to decide what I should do with it next: Keep in my Permanent Collection and loan out? Start a Bookring or Bookray? RABCK? However, if this is a novel you think you might be interested in reading, let me know and we might be able to arrange something.
Also, just a reminder that entries close for the Pride & Prejudice giveaway today. I will announce the winner sometime over the weekend, so if you'd like to put yourself into the draw you'd best hurry over to this post here and leave a comment. Good luck, everyone!
- Location:Work
- Mood:
tired
Marge Simpson to pose nude for Playboy.
Also, since I'm here, just a reminder that the giveaway for a new copy of the novel Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen will be announced this coming Saturday, 17 October 2009.
If you'd like to enter, all you need to do is leave a comment on this post, even if it's just to say you want the book. Whether you want it for yourself or to give to someone else, I dont mind. I'm taking entries until midnight on Friday, 16 October 2009.
Best of luck!
Also, since I'm here, just a reminder that the giveaway for a new copy of the novel Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen will be announced this coming Saturday, 17 October 2009.
If you'd like to enter, all you need to do is leave a comment on this post, even if it's just to say you want the book. Whether you want it for yourself or to give to someone else, I dont mind. I'm taking entries until midnight on Friday, 16 October 2009.
Best of luck!
- Location:Work.
- Mood:
busy
Anyone who knows (and understands) how much I love books, and how much I love, love, love Jane Austen's Pride & Prejudice will not be surprised by this entry.
Borders Books Australia recently held a poll for people to vote for their favourite book of all-time. After the votes were compiled and counted, a top 100 was put together.
I was as happy as a book/Austen nerd could be to discover that Pride & Prejudice was voted in at #1 on Borders favourite books of all time. There is something inherently wonderful about this novel: it is witty, ironic, romantic, clever, and can be read over and over again and never becomes boring (trust me, I've done it!). In fact, each time I read it I end up loving it just that little bit more...
So, to share the love and to celebrate its #1 status, I've a brand-new copy of Pride & Prejudice to give away. If you'd like to go into the draw to win, all you need to do is leave a comment on this entry anytime between now and next Friday, 16 October 2009, and then on Saturday, 17 October 2009 I will randomnly draw a winner.
Other personal favourites of mine that made the list include:
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee - #2
The Bronze Horseman by Paullina Simons - #12
Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery - #24
Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt - #38
If you'd like to see if your favourite book made the top 100, you can find the list here. Of course, some of the results are questionable (The Lovely Bones? What the hell were people thinking? That book is TERRIBLE!), but overall it's a pretty fair list. One of the better lists I've seen of late, anyhow.
And since we're on the topic: What is your favourite book of all time? I'm curious to know.
- Mood:
curious
I've decided that this year I will take part in Blog Action Day, which will occur on the 15 October.
This year the topic will be on Climate Change, which I find more-than-appropriate considering my lj entries of late.
On the 15 October, I will be posting an entry about Climate Change over at my blog, if anyone is interested in stopping by on that day to read my entry.
If you'd like to take part as well, just go to the Blog Action Day website to register. It's quick, easy and it's free!
There's a list of people taking part here, and you can read more about the Action Day here.
- Mood:
contemplative
Is anyone else suffering really strange weather at the moment?
It is Spring here. Spring usually follows dry winters and brings with it a bit of wind, dirt and thunderstorms that bring little more than a great lightening show and, if we're lucky, a few drops of rain. There would be beautifully pleasant days with the odd yucky one here and there, but nothing extremely horrible.
Apart from a ten-year stint in the city to study at University, I've lived my entire life in this part of the world, so I know what to expect. Or, at least, I thought I did.
Last Spring brought with it wind and dust and I hated it. This Spring has been a hundred times worse. Every couple days we are being blown away by gale force winds, which brings in dust-storms that turn the sky red. Sometimes it is so thick the sun cant be seen, and people in their vehicles need to have their headlights on - in the middle of the day.
On a couple ocassions the dirt has been followed by rain. Last Monday it rained mud (see picture above), the second time in a fortnight. Other times the wind just blows it in and then stops, and the dirt is left to settle.
You can probably imagine the health problems being experienced: People without asthma are being prescribed ventolin by their doctors to help open their lungs, and allergies/hayfever are the worst you could imagine, with permanently swollen sinuses, constant sneezing and coughing, dry throats, stinging swollen eyes, and itchy skin. Last week I was still blowing dirt out of my nose four days after the dust storm had passed!
Yet I cannot help but think we only have ourselves to blame for this Armageddon-like weather.
If you would like to see a clip of the type of weather we're having at the moment, go here: It is a video clip of the storm-front that hit Broken Hill last week, that hit us first, and then went on to bother the people in Sydney (at which point it made the news). Watch it all and be amazed.
Until next time,
- Mood:
irritated
After two days of dust storms, I've plenty of it:
On and in just about everything.
- Mood: tired
** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** **
Right Now, I am:
feeling... tired and hungry. It's been a long day at work!
enjoying... the quiet of the late afternoon, when people are far too busy organising their dinner to bother me at work.
wondering... why the last half-hour of the working day seems to go by so very, very slowly...
listening... to the birds singing in the trees outside, and the passing of the occasional car.
drinking... nothing, but should probably pour a glass of water. Mouth is starting to feel a little dry.
wanting... a few extra hours in the day. It's not so much to ask, is it? And whilst I'm at it, I might as well request the need for less sleep. Nine hours each night is simply wasteful. I must be the only 20-something on the face of the planet that cannot function without at least nine hours sleep each night...?
loving... the clear blue sky. No doubt the ocean is like glass at the moment. Pity I cant see it from my desk!
looking... forward to a night at home with my boys (being Shane and the dog), gorging on vegetarian takeout from The Transcontinental Hotel (pictured above), and a nightcap before bed.
** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** **
How the Irish Saved Civilization analyses what was happening in Ireland and amongst the Irish during the time when the Roman Empire was crumbling and the rest of Europe was falling into chaos, a period often referred to as the "Dark Ages".
Whilst the rest of Europe was stumbling through a period of "barbarianism", Ireland was entering its own little renaissance. From the arrival of St Patrick and the subsequent advent of Christianity, to St Columbanus and St Brigid, this was a time of enlightenment for the Irish, who used their new-found literacy to prevent the loss of an entire period in history. Who knows where we would be without the Irish monks of the 4th & 5th Century?
A quick and immensely enjoyable read.
The only disappointment I have is that I did not know of the existence of this book until now. It would have been wonderful to have read it prior to our trip to Ireland in 2006 as it gives such a fascinating insight into Irish history, the remnants of which can still be seen in Ireland today.
- Mood:
hungry
...watching afternoon shadows.
- Mood:
sore
But I do have a good excuse, or at least, I believe it to be a good excuse: I've been reading!
I decided to finally pick up Elizabeth Kostova's 700-page novel on Vlad the Impaler/Dracula, The Historian, and I've been reading it at every opportunity, which hasnt left all that much time for the internet and updating my livejournal. Shame on me, perhaps, but no doubt the God of Books (and there is one, I'm sure) will forgive me, at least.
Since I've spent the majority of my spare time (and I dont have much of it) reading this book, there isnt much else I can find to write about. So, I thought I'd share my thoughts on The Historian, and I'm curious to hear the opinion of any other person who has read this book also.
If you like vampires and/or historical fiction then at some point you'll most likely get around to reading this novel. The plot centres around Vlad Tepes/the Impaler (the real Dracula) being an actual, real night-stalking-blood-sucking fiend. Now, I'm picky when it comes to vampire stories. Very picky, and I was somewhat apprehensive about reading this one. However, The Historian is somewhat more historical fiction than just another vampire story. Kostova has undertaken some serious research in order to portray the characters and places in the book, from Vlad/Dracula, to life in Communist Europe in the mid-twentieth century, to medieval monastries, Ottoman traditions and customs, vampire lore, historical events and beyond. With this is mind alone, the novel could be a work of genius.
Could be, but alas, is not.
I felt Kostova lets herself down in the manner she chose to communicate the story to the reader. It begins normal enough, in first-person narrative, told from the perspective of a young woman who stumbles across her father's unfortunate legacy: the hunt for Dracula. However, as the novel progresses, one person's story turns into four, and Kostova attempts to tell the four different yet intertwining stories through letters, and journal entries, and postcards, and page after page of continuous dialogue. The young woman the reader is introduced to at the start of the story, and who pops up again for a few pages here and there through the middle, and then closes it at the end, fades into the background and her purpose in the construction of the story as a whole becomes unclear. In fact, the entire story could have been just as effective without her at all. I cant even recall her name, if she had one...
However, an upside is that it doesnt feel like a 700-page novel; it is a relatively easy read, despite the layout and prose being awfully frustrating at times.
Belongs to my permanent collection, and is available to loan under my bookcrossing conditions found here.
- Mood:
nerdy
When I left the city for my quiet life in the country, I didnt think there'd be anything I'd miss, aside from my friends.
I certainly wasnt going to miss the early mornings, the long days, the over-crowded and smelly public transport.
I wouldnt miss the shops or the endless sea of people, the traffic jams that made the trip home unbearable.
I did not need the go! go! go!
I was looking forward to being able to see the stars at night, and listen to crickets chirp in summer. No longer would their sight and sound be drowned by the noise of fast cars, sirens and the constant hum that makes a city.
I would be escaping my concrete jungle and be getting back to nature!
I didnt need it and I wouldnt miss it, and the truth is I havent missed any of those things.
However, there is something that bothers me about where I now reside, and that is the lack of a good coffee house that is open for my convenience before 9am, where I can sit in a booth in the far corner with my skinny 'cino and a good book open in front of me, whilst I idly watch the early-morning world go by.
In the city it was one of my favourite things, and a part of my working week routine. Amongst the insanity that was my over-worked life, it was my saving grace. I'd be off the bus at 7.15am, beat the tram to the cross the road and step into my favourite coffee house, where I'd order my first cup for the day, sit down and read and observe for half an hour before heading into work.
I just cannot do that where I am now, and it was only Sunday evening when I realised how much this truly upset me. I was lying on the lounge reading The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova, drinking toxic instant and contemplating how long it would take me to finish this 700-page book, when it dawned on me that if I was able to read for half an hour every morning before work like I used to when I lived in the city, I'd probably have it finished by the end of the week.
On a weekday morning I arrive at work approximately 45 minutes before I am due to start. This is because Shane and I travel in together, to save money on travelling costs (there is no public transport service here, so getting from home to work requires a car, and it is a 20-minute drive each morning). A colleague arrives soon after I do every morning and then I have a distraction, regardless of what it is I am doing, an no reading ever gets done.
So, this week I thought I would hunt out somewhere to go in the morning, where I could order a coffee and kill half an hour before the hum-drum of another working day begins. There are no coffee houses, but there are a few cafes, so surely one of them would be clued-in enough to be open at 8.15am to catch the morning traffic, right?
Well, no. Not a single one.
In fact, the earliest any of the cafes open is 9am, the time that us office-bound folk have to start work.
Typical.
It would appear that if I want my morning caffeine fix, with a bit of time to read and observe the world in passing, then the only place for me to go is McDonalds. Yet I refuse to drink the worse-than-day-old-dishwater they try to call "coffee".
Of all the things I could have missed about the city, it turns out the only thing is a quiet place to sit, read and enjoy some coffee, made from fresh, ground coffee beans like it should be, with steamed milk that is not too hot so it doesnt burn the coffee, handed to me by a real barrista whose sole purpose at that moment in time is to make me a great cup of coffee...
...The Buzz on Coffee.
- Mood:
disappointed
Today I learnt the sad news that one of my favourite authors, Frank McCourt, passed away on 19 July 2009.
He was 78 years old.
Frank McCourt was an Irish-American school teacher who wrote Angela's Ashes, 'Tis and TeacherMan, memoirs of his life starting from childhood and moving into his early adult years, and finishing with his life as a teacher in New York.
He wrote beautifully.
His books are heartbreakingly honest, yet incredibly inspirational.
His words tug at the heartstrings and weave their way to the centre of your soul, where they remain, etched forever.
Requiescat in Pace, Frances McCourt.
- Mood:
sad
This post is repeated at my blog.
Recently I read Jane Austen's novel Persuasion.
Recently I read Jane Austen's novel Persuasion.
Unlike other Austen novels in my possession, which have been read until the pages are worn (and in some cases come loose from the binding!), it was the first time that I had read this particular story.
I believe it to be one of Austen's later novels, and found it to be distinctly different to other stories that make up my favourites, such as Pride & Prejudice and Emma.
Persuasion, to me, felt quite sombre. The heroine of the story, Anne Elliott, is just so sad! I was waiting for the Austen sarcastic wit to break through, but it is hard to find anything funny when the heroine's sadness envelopes every bit of the story.
At times I felt that Austen had made attempts to be humourous and ironic, a trait that makes Jane Austen's stories so charming and enjoyable, but in Persuasion it all fell flat. I cannot say that I disliked the story, because the characters were interesting, as was the plot, but it wasnt what I was expecting, and I dont feel it will be added to my favourites list. I never thought I would say this about an Austen novel, but I dont believe I will make the time to read it again.
Have you read Persuasion? If so, what were your thoughts?
- Mood: curious
Happy (slightly belated) Birthday, BIG BEN!
Wow, 150 years old already.
My, you look good for your age.
...I still love you.
xo
- Mood:
nostalgic
This year seems to be passing by at break-neck speed, and it is hard to keep up sometimes.
Already two weeks has passed since we arrived home from our "mini-holiday" to the Eyre Peninsula and Talia Beach, where the boys (being Shane and the dog) and I spent three days fishing, reading (Persuasion by Jane Austen), chasing seagulls, running through sandhills and enjoying the fresh ocean air on a stretch of coast that we had all to ourself.
It was great to get away from home and work for a few days and not have to worry about anything, apart from keeping warm. The weather was reasonably pleasant despite the time of year (Winter), and we had to run and take cover from over a few passing showers.
More pictures at my blog, if you are interested.
On returning to work I have been up to my neck in stuff that needed to be done for the end of the financial year. It's been incredibly busy for me, as I try and squeeze in all the extra work around my normally-busy schedule.
I've been ignoring the usual Winter sniffles, and avoiding swine flu (to date). My desk is loaded with the required germ-killers: Glen20 + Pine-O-Clean Disinfectant Wipes. If you sneeze or cough in my vicinity, prepared to be sprayed!
I've been consuming the maximum daily intake of strepsils to ease a sore throat, and drinking copious amounts of tea and coffee to keep warm.
The mornings here in the Ranges have mostly been cold, wet or foggy, but this morning we woke to a gorgeous sunny start to the day. The sun was so bright and warm, and all the flowers in the garden were in bloom, peeping through all the winter weeds. So, I went outside with the camera and took some photos, because if the frosts arrive this month I may not see any more until the Spring.
I've potato and leek soup bubbling away in the crock-pot, waiting for dinner time, and a loaf of bread on. The fireplace is lit and everything feels so cozy and warm.
Winter in the Ranges is a wonderful time.
- Mood: hungry
Aah, only two weeks into the month and I finally have a moment to sit down at the computer and declare that
![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small}
mrbaggins1 will be receiving a little something in the mail shortly as a thank you for stopping by and reading my livejournal, as well as making the effort to visit my blog. He also wrote a fantastic lj entry recently that I want to share, about what makes Bookcrossing such a great online community to belong, which can be read here.
mrbaggins1, I have had to order your thank you gift, which I hope will arrive this week so that I can get it into the post on its way to you, but I will confirm when it is definitely in the mail!
If you also read my lj and would like the opportunity to receive a little something too, all you need to do is leave a comment here at any time during the month. Mostly, I choose at random, but every now and then I get such a great comment from someone that I just have to say thanks!
Until next time...
~S. xo
- Mood:
cheerful
