Booking Through Thursday – Thankful Leave a reply

Posted on November 22, 2012 in Books

On BTT this week:

It’s Thanksgiving here in the U.S., so … what are you thankful for this year, reading-wise? New, favorite books? New gadget for reading? New comfy chair? Bonus time to read? Just the mere fact of BEING a reader? Having the internet to share ideas/recommendations/conversations about books?

I’m always thankful for being a reader and the gift of the languages I have learned. I’m also glad this year that I decided to blog about books again and that I had the chance to buy books too. The internet has always been very helpful for me to discover new reads and to explore books and my own reading further.

What are you thankful for?

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Soulless Manga, Vol. 1 by Gail Carriger and REM Leave a reply

Posted on November 19, 2012 in Books

Soulless the manga

As someone who has read and enjoyed The Parasol Protectorate Series and also graphic novels in general, I decided to read this managa to spur my current reader’s block.

This is actually a manga rather than a graphic novel. It has been awhile since I read the original Soulless novel, but I remembered relatively quickly. The adaptation worked really well. I found Alexia even more sympathetic in the manga than in the novel and while Alexia/Maccon is a bit more rushed, I also felt more invested in it. The visuals really helped and really illustrates this is more of adult book for teens.

I imagined Lord Maccon as looking more bigger and macho, but his depiction really grew on me too. Then again, this style of art renders everyone too being more pretty than handsome. Something I’ve really liked about this series is the supporting characters and Lord Akeldama is wonderfully depicted here too.

I don’t know if I’ll get the chance to read the rest of this series from my library, but I enjoyed myself as one should from manga. I think this series would do very well in Japan as it really reminded me of when I did read manga years ago, not only the artwork but the storyline too.

Recommended if you enjoy manga and fantasy series.

Read November 17th 2012.

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Sunday Salon: Lazy and Hopeful 6 Replies

Posted on November 18, 2012 in Books

Sunday Salon

Hello everyone! I’ve been forgetful about the Salon and do them much later than in my mornings. [One hour later] See, it happened again. I become busy doing other things.

Since I stopped working, I haven’t been a particularly good reader or all that productive in my job search. I have been looking after my spiritual health a bit more and feel more content and hopeful about the future.

I did read yesterday: Soulless: The Manga and the review will be up tomorrow.

Other news of this week which made me satisfied was that I bought a rechargeable electric toothbrush: Oral-B 5000 series. I am really geeky since this has pleased me greatly. It really does make my teeth very clean after every brushing. I really can’t afford to go to the dentist as much anymore, but I try to be diligent with my dental routine with flossing, tongue cleaning, and by investing in this toothbrush. Does anyone else have an electric toothbrush too?

In other news, the weather is cool but bright. The snow hasn’t made any significant appearance so the only thing that tells me it’s the holiday season is coming is the plethora of people shopping and the decorations. I really do like the festive season even though (or because) my family and friends aren’t big on it so there isn’t much stress about gift giving or obligations.

How are you looking forward to the end of the year?

Have a happy Sunday everyone!

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The Classics Club – November 2012 Meme 4 Replies

Posted on November 13, 2012 in Books

The Classics Club November 2012 Meme Question:

What classic piece of literature most intimidates you, and why? (Or, are you intimidated by the classics, and why? And has your view changed at all since you joined our club?)

Since I grew up with classics, they are not really intimidating to me. I think it was a bit daunting when I first started in my adolescence with the serious reads, but since then, it’s been natural to read the classics.

I think the classic I am closest to being intimidated with is Marcel Proust’s In Search of Lost Time. I don’t really get scared by long reads, but this is the longest novel in literature with 1.5 million words. Secondly, I rarely hear of other people actually reading this work. People will go on about how long Ulysses and War and Peace are, but rarely do I read about people willing to read Proust’s magnum opus. It makes me a bit a curious to read it for the challenge. Also, since it’s in French, I’d also be tempted to read at least part of it in the native language to since from all I can gather, Proust was a great writer. The novel doesn’t seem particularly exciting though, but I do like some modernist works so there is a good chance that I’d like at least one volume of it.

How about you? What’s an intimidating classic for you?

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Sunday Salon: Changing Routines 4 Replies

Posted on November 11, 2012 in Books

Sunday Salon

Hello, everyone!

It’s Remembrance Day and I hope everyone has taken some time to reflect on that. Out of tradition, I tend to read or recite In Flanders Fields by John McCrae.

My review for Gone with the Wind was posted this week.

I have more free time now, but I haven’t really made a dent in my big pile of books. I will today though. Maybe read a chapter or two of Bel-Ami and start Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell.

This weekend, I’ve just been watching movies, knitting, and took a few of photos. A friend and I are doing a 20 week photo challenge with our respective new DSLRs. It’s been a good way to set some time each week to thinking about photography and also getting out there.

Today, I will read, maybe start making some lime marmalade, play the fiddle, and watch some more movies. What are you doing this Sunday?

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Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell 6 Replies

Posted on November 8, 2012 in Books

Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell

This book was epic. Once again, I was conflicted about giving it a 4 or a 5 on Good Reads. As with before, the deciding factor was if I would reread it again. I wouldn’t be against reading it, but then again, I’m not planning on it. It was frustrating and very long at times, but there is no doubt that this is a well written book in many ways and a classic.

I started reading this book September 20th, but I really didn’t read much of it until the last weekend of September wherein I read 70% of the book from Saturday to Tuesday October 2nd.

The Beginning: Not that bad, easy going, lots of exposition, lots of idyllic life of the antebellum South.

The Middle: Gripping, dark, and compelling. This was when I started to really hit my next page button.

The End: Scarlett gets more and more cruel, ridiculous and unbearable. Book just ends a bit abruptly.

Continue reading →

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Sunday Salon: November Blues 6 Replies

Posted on November 4, 2012 in Books, Food

Sunday Salon

Hello everyone!

Sadly, I did not read at all this week. Work has been hectic, but it’s my last day this Wednesday. Even though I will miss the income and don’t want to job search, I really need the break from working.

Today, I may read a bit, but I have been particularly tired from my weeks. The weather has been dark and gloomy all week. While Sandy didn’t really hit us around here, we got the tail end rain of it.

Brownies

In good news, I baked brownies yesterday. They were a bit too sweet for me, but I used over 10 ounces of chocolate (I had a lot of leftover dark chocolate). Also very crumbly and buttery. Hmmm. I think I am really a blondies girl at heart.

What are you reading and eating this weekend?

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Monthly Movies – October 2012 Leave a reply

Posted on November 2, 2012 in Monthly Movies

The AvengersThe Avengers (October 28th 2012) – Finally got around to watching this. I even had a dream about this movie last month. In the dream, I was tempted to side with Loki and I kinda was during the movie if only because Tom Hiddleston is very charismatic and really steals all his scenes. The only other person to rival him in the cast charisma was Robert Downey Jr. I liked the other actors OK, but they really didn’t hold up to RDJ and TH. Otherwise, it was a decent action flick and Whedon’s script made sure all the Avengers had a vital role in the climactic scene. It wasn’t as funny as I thought it would be, and I felt the team was good, but perhaps needed another member to balance it out. Colbie Smulders impressed as well, and I wish she got more roles than just being in “How I met your mother”. She needs a get a bigger role in the next Avengers movie; I’d be willing to ship Maria Hill/Captain America. All in all, very few directors could have done as well with this movie than Joss Whedon and the supporting character death count was low for Joss too so yay. Fun stuff.

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Lime Frozen Yogurt – Canning for a New Generation by Liana Krissoff Leave a reply

Posted on October 30, 2012 in Books, Food

Lime frozen yogurt canning for a new generation

Cookbook Review: This cookbook was one of three new cookbooks I bought last Boxing Day. I have about eight cookbooks now, seven I got in the past year. Of all these, I’ve used this one the most. The main reason being is that right now, I don’t really cook or bake that much, but in the summer, I did canning, but this book doesn’t just have recipes for canning.

First off, this book is good value for money. It has 200 recipes and it’s seasonal based. While this doesn’t always apply since I live in Canada and the author lives in California, the layout of the book does apply to most places i.e. berry recipes follow berry recipes.

Additionally, it’s not all just canning, but it includes various clever ways of using leftover or excess fruit such as in the recipe below. The book is a great resource for any novice or seasoned canner, and most of the recipes are from scratch. There are no packets of pectin around here.

Some of the canning recipes I liked included: “Strawberry and lemon preserves”, “Blueberry Apple Jam” and “Concord Grape Jelly with Green Apples”. I wasn’t a big fan of her “Do Chau” (pickled carrot and daikon) recipe, but all in all, this book is incredibly useful for the casual and serious canner and cook.

There are also recipes on how to use your canned goods (for pies, savoury dishes, etc) and other ideas for preservation like the Lime Frozen Yogurt recipe below.

All in all, I recommend this book for canners and those who just like fruit.

Canning for a new generation

Continue reading →

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Sunday Salon: Food & Meditation 4 Replies

Posted on October 28, 2012 in Books

Sunday Salon

Hello everyone! How is your Sunday going?

This week, I read Lost Laysen by Margaret Mitchell and continued to read Bel-Ami. I may read a bit of it today, but I also want to fiddle. I like the writing in the book, but it requires more concentration because of the French.

Last week, I made Lime Frozen Yogurt from Canning for a New Generation and I am writing up a review of the cookbook. The yogurt turned out ok, but it’s going to take me awhile to eat it!

Skipped badminton again this week, but still love yoga. I’ve been thinking I should meditate again. I use to do it once a week back in graduate school, and I really think it helped me get through that year. Does anyone else meditate?

It’s colder, and I like to stay indoors more. I am a homebody at heart.

Have a good week, everyone!

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Lost Laysen by Margaret Mitchell 2 Replies

Posted on October 26, 2012 in Books

Lost Laysen Margaret Mitchell

This is the ‘lost’ romantic novella Mitchell wrote for one of her beaus when she was fifteen (going on sixteen). Mitchell probably didn’t want this published since she dictated that all her personal artifacts, writings and original manuscripts be burned after her death. Furthermore, this was seemingly a gift between young friends and lovers.

This story is melodramatic. Three men are in lust/love with the main female character named Courtenay Ross. Billy Duncan, the hard fighting sailor and narrator/protagonist, is ardently in love with Courtenay. I’m not sure why, but I guess Courtenay has Scarlett O’Hara level of attractiveness that make men want to marry, love, or rape her in this story.

Reading this and Gone with the Wind reminds me how sheltered Mitchell’s life seemed to be. I often wondered when reading what her exposure to other ethnicities and non-Caucasian people were. There is some derogatory remarks about the Japanese in this story. Did she even meet a Japanese person when she wrote this? The antagonist and would-be rapist of the story is a “half-breed” who is half Spanish and half Japanese, but receives no dialogue in this story at all.

It is a bit unfair to critcise this novella too much since she didn’t intend for many people to see it. I do think it shows her promise as a writer. It is definitely much better than most high school short stories. I enjoyed the book not just for the novella, but mostly for the insight about Mitchell’s life in the early twentieth century.

Read October 23-24th 2012.

My Gone With the Wind review will be up on Margaret Mitchell’s birthday November 8th.

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Booking Through Thursday: Cover Story part 2 7 Replies

Posted on October 25, 2012 in Books

This week on BTT:

Are there any good books that you read IN SPITE OF the cover and ended up wondering what on earth the artist and publisher were thinking to pair up a cover that so badly represented a perfectly good book?

And … if you didn’t like the cover, what made you pick up the book? The author? Assigned reading from school? A recommendation from a friend?

As I said last week, most times, I don’t really see that many bad covers. If I do, I don’t notice it as much as the book for itself. I do notice that French publishers keep their covers much simpler than those in the anglophone publishing world. I was French book browsing this weekend and noticed again how many of their books lack a lot of colour and intrigue. They focus less on advertising to be sure.

Usually, I pick up books for a plethora of reasons, including, but not limited to: author that I have read before, it is a classic/award winner, part of a series, or a recommendation from a friend/blog/or other source. I use to read for school, but it doesn’t apply now that I am out of it.

How about you?

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