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Wednesday, 4 February 2009
One Fifth Avenue by Candace Bushnell
Official Synopsis:- One Fifth Avenue, the Art Deco beauty towering over one of Manhattan's oldest and most historically hip neighborhoods, is a one-of-a-kind address, the sort of building you have to earn your way into - one way or another. For the women in Candace Bushnell's new novel, One Fifth Avenue, this edifice is essential to the lives they've carefully established - or hope to establish. From the hedge fund king's wife to the aging gossip columnist to the free-spirited actress (a recent refugee from L.A.), each person's game plan for a rich life comes together under the soaring roof of this landmark building." This book is a modern-day story of old and new money, that same combustible mix that Edith Wharton mastered in her novels about New York's Gilded Age and F. Scott Fitzgerald illuminated in his Jazz Age tales. Many decades later, Bushnell's New Yorkers suffer the same passions as those fictional Manhattanites from eras past: They thirst for power, for social prominence, and for marriages that are successful - at least to the public eye. But Bushnell is an original, and One Fifth Avenue is so fresh that it reads as if sexual politics, real estate theft, and fortunes lost in a day have never happened before.
Personal Review:- This was an entertaining light read. It was not thought provoking but the characters were not as one dimensional as most chic-lit novels. Whilst something that I probably wouldn't re-read it was entertaining enough when being read. The plot was not creative nor unique in any way and simply put about different people and their lives and how it interweaves together as they live in the same building, some parts of the story is a bit unbelievable but nonetheless if your into chic-lit it's worth a read.
Monday, 2 February 2009
"The Guardian" Reading Challenge
"The Guardian Reading Challenge" is created and hosted by Jenni from Biblio File. The list is provided by "The Guardian" a UK newspaper which can be found here. The Guidelines are as follows:-
- You must read and review 10 novels between February 1st 2009 and February 1st 2010
- You must choose at least one from each given category
- One book must be unknown to you prior to reading it on the provided list
Friday, 30 January 2009
Review ~ The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards
Official synopsis:- This stunning novel begins on a winter night in 1964, when a blizzard forces Dr. David Henry to deliver his own twins. His son, born first, is perfectly healthy, but the doctor immediately recognizes that his daughter has Down syndrome. For motives he tells himself are good, he makes a split-second decision that will haunt all their lives forever. He asks his nurse, Caroline, to take the baby away to an institution. Instead, she disappears into another city to raise the child as her own. Compulsively readable and deeply moving, The Memory Keeper's Daughter is a brilliantly crafted story of parallel lives, familial secrets, and the redemptive power of love.
Personal Review:- I love the story line, the whole concept of the consequences of decisions and lies and how it has a "domino" effect. It makes you really think about how a decision that you think is fair and right can change your life forever and not for the better, it makes you think of how precious and sensitive our lives are. The theme of down syndrome is very sad too, it makes you ponder what would you do in such a situation?
However, despite my love for the story line and it's concept and themes I was quite disappointed with the progress of the novel, I felt it very slow and felt that the ending had really much to be desired. I felt that Edwards didn't tie the loose ends well. For example; the novel was mainly about Dr David Henry's decision, why he made such a choice, what his motives were and how it affected him and in turn affected his entire family in the long run and yet he just dies! After reading the book I was thinking constantly "Why did she end it like that?" "Why did that happen to (character's name)?" Whilst it was a happy enough ending it just wasn't the happy ending that I would have desired, but then each reader have their own theories and thoughts on how one story should begin, progress and end, hence it just didn't appeal to me personally, which doesn't necessarily mean it won't appeal to you. The best way to describe the ending is "rushed" as if she just needed to finish it off due to deadline and hence, wherever the characters were in their lives at that stage got finished off.
Having said that, whilst I won't read it again I'm still pleased to have read it. The concept and themes are wonderful and one of those books that have several "morals" to the story and very thought provoking, I thoroughly enjoyed the story itself and just wished that it was implemented better. The actual writing is good, not literary masterpiece but nonetheless its a light read without the need of too much concentration but not too simplified that you loose interest whilst reading.
Monday, 26 January 2009
Happy Australia Day!!!
Happy Australia Day Everyone!!!
Today being Australia day I thought that I'd write my list of what I love about Australia. Having lived here since I was 12 and turning 13 the following month of our arrival, hence being here for 13 years I've got to say that despite the fact that I've loved other countries I couldn't imagine choosing to live elsewhere.
What I love about Australia:-
- I love how it's so multi-cultured
- I love how the Universities have HECS which for those that don't live in Oz is a system that allows people to "borrow" in effect a loan from the Government to be able to study the degree of their choice, and it doesn't have to be paid till your making $30,000 per annum
- Medicare system, despite people constantly complaining about it, I've found that the Health Care system in Australia is quite good
- Centrelink system which is good for those unemployed or those unable to work due to children, disabilities etc
- Our Educational system, our Public Schools are quite good and we pretty much don't have to spend money as text books are provided etc.
I think in general Australia is quite a lucky country and I think that we take it for granted at times but I for one am very happy that I live here.
Wednesday, 7 January 2009
Happy New Year!!!
It's been exactly one week till the turn of the year...2009 so I thought it's time to quickly drop by and wish all a Happy New Year and may the upcoming year be filled with lots of love, laughter, joy and happiness.
I also want to apologise for the lack of post since Christmas day. I've been very pre-occupied with many different books and novels, so much so that it has taken over my internet browsing "hobby". It's quite early and I have not slept hence I will save the incoherent posting for now, but stay tuned as I will write reviews and summaries of the novels I've read of late including that of the Twilight series and just recently completed, hence my late or shall I say very early morning retirement, Charlotte Bronte's "Jane Eyre".
Goodnite or shall I say Good morning for now, as you are bound to see my post is starting to become incoherent already and I will be posting soon regarding the books I've read, till then...HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
Thursday, 25 December 2008
Beautiful Classic Books
Source:- Penguin Blog
Due to a thread in the Vogue forums I became very interested in classical books. Not just any classical books but pretty and beautiful ones. So I just wanted to share a few of my recent purchases.
I had initially purchased the Jane Austen Collector's Edition Box Set (pictured above) from Dymocks for $75 but recently found it on Book Depository for $40 once converted. The books are actually pocket sized (approximately 12cmx7cm), cloth hard bound with dust jacket, gold foiled pages similar to that of the bible with a ribbon attached as bookmark. Other books also come in this same edition with some dust jacket being different colours. I've bought individuals of these same editions for Alice in Wonderland, Dracula, Frankenstein, Oliver Twist and Grimms Tales and only priced at $16.95 each. I cannot wait to line them up on my bookshelf, it'll look stunning, furthermore I love the size as it'll fit in any of my handbags without any bulk AND I was thinking that the print would be too small in size but it wasn't, it's actually perfect! I plan to get more of these books/editions for other stories. Some that are available include Great Expectations, Peter Pan, Little Women, Secret Garden and many more.
I also bought the leather bound, also pictured above, for the Bronte sister set. This particular leather bound edition are only available for six Jane Austen books (Pride & Prejudice, Sense & Sensibility, Mansfield Park, Emma, Northanger Abbey and Persuasion) and three of the Bronte sisters books (Jane Eyre, Wuthering Heights and The Tenant of Whitefell Hall), the latter set is what I had purchased as I already purchased the box set for Jane Austen's novels, these are priced at $19.95 each.
The last set, which was the actual book featured on the thread is a collection of 10 classic books, 2 being Jane Austen novels, Wuthering Heights and Jane Eyre hence I purchased, or rather my very kind Future-Brother-in-Law purchased for me the remaining six of the collection. I haven't seen it as yet in person so stay tuned for further information on this beautiful collection, but nonetheless I've got to say I've spoilt myself severely with pretty classic books the last few days.
I'm still lemming a Harry Potter Box Set which seems more likely for me to purchase as I found it (the cloth bound Collector's edition) for $240 which is half price of the RRP of $517 from Borders. Added to my lemming list are children's classic books such as Pollyanna, Little Woman, Peter Pan, The Secret Garden and many more so I'll keep this blog posted as I add to my library collection.
Wednesday, 10 December 2008
Harry Potter Set
Sources:- Amazon UK
The last few days I've been lemming the Harry Potter Limited Collector's Edition (first two pics) but at the RRP of $517 from Borders...well lets just say could I possibly live with myself if I spent that much on a set of books? It's cloth bounded with gold inscription.
The picture directly above is my complete Harry Potter Set, I've also got the last book in the Children's cover. I've got 1-5 and 7 in Children's cover in a mixture of paperback and hard cover and 6 & 7 in Adult's Hard cover. I'm not happy about it because it's not matching and just doesn't look pleasant. So my choices are:-
a) Keep the set as per picture 1-5 in children's cover and 6 & 7 in Adults
b) Return Adult no 7, Exchange Adult no 6 for Children's no 6 hence my complete set will consist of no adult covers and only children's cover
I will most likely go for (b) completing my Children's set, I will then seek out the Adult hard bound box set as it's equally as beautiful as the Limited Ed set without the price tag. The Adult set without the dust jacket looks stunning side by side on the bookshelf and recently seeing it on Ebay for $145 inclusive of postage ($20/book) I'm happy with the price too. The Adult set without the dust jacket has a beautiful black hard bound cover, with gold lettering on the binding consisting off only the title and the author's name in a signature-like font and no picture at the front cover which is just the way I like it, it looks just like the old school classic books. Looking forward to finding my bargain set, I know it's there somewhere. I'm sounding eerily obsessed so I will leave this lemming and drooling for now...till next time!
Tuesday, 9 December 2008
A Bad Day
What a depressing day. I can't really go into it, I don't really know ONE thing that's wrong, it's more a combination of things happening. A lot of it has something to do with the fact that it's Christmas and yet my home is not done like I'd like it to be, it's still messy, I'm trying to be organised and yet once again, like every year I'm not. This time though I can't just run to my Mum's home to spend Christmas and enjoy as no one's here anymore. I'm very sad, depressed and I don't know what I feel.
This year I vowed to be more organised for Christmas. My tree is finally up despite me thinking to myself if I should bother since it's so late into December already. I can't find my Christmas decorations nor lights and I'm sure it's been lost or thrown as I've got two Christmas boxes with all Christmas decorations and I've got all my Christmas stuff but my bag of tree decors and the tree lights. I'm so very sad because that means I've lost the icicle fairy light covers that I've had for as long as I can remember.
Having said that, the appearance of my tree up with a skirt, two vintage heart decoration, handmade bauble by my Mum and a personalised bauble with Mr and my name along with our beautiful Angel tree topper is lifting my spirits slightly and pushing me to keep going.
So today is an extremely bad day, lets hope tomorrow is better and that I will be able to grab some nice decors for cheap and have pics of my tree before the end of this week. I'm also terribly missing my Mum & Sister and the rest of my very large family (scattered around the globe) and miss the large Christmas we celebrate. Today is definitely the day that I'm realising my loneliness. The Christmas prep that we normally share (Sister, Mum & I) are no longer here and I try to do it on my own and it's just not the same.
I am optimistic in hoping that tomorrow WILL be a better day. Apologies for this extremely tedious post and somewhat incoherent but it's been a bad day.
Monday, 8 December 2008
Charity for Christmas
Source:- Sunrise Children's Village
Source:- Malawi Project
Source:- Faithful Heart Ministry
Whilst we prepare for Christmas I wish to just remind people to think about those that are not as fortunate as we are, especially innocent children that are faced with so much uncertainty that not even an adult in our society would be able to deal with.
In my previous post I mentioned that I give to the Christmas tree at either Target or KMart. I just wanted to ask if we can all consider doing something similar. There is no minimum value to give and it needn't be purchased from the particular store that the tree is at. Please keep the Christmas spirit alive and continue to give the gift of giving especially to those that need it the most. Lets all put a smile on a child's face on Christmas day that they would otherwise be unable to experience. This minimal input on our behalf is something that will be remembered for life by these young recipients.
For those that are seeking gifts for someone that has it all, how about putting a donation in behalf of the recipient in lieu of gifts, there are many charity organisations to choose from so there is something for everyone. If you would like to give something beyond a donation under a person's name please do check out Oxfam "Unwrapped Gifts" which includes items such as literacy programs, ducks/goat/other animals to feed villages and more, hence the recipient would feel that their "gifts" have actually gone to a particular item not just a donation lost amidst others cash. This is extremely popular with many people, however, if this does not appeal to you and your preference is to give something tangible please go to your favourite charity website as most have online stores with handcrafted, unique pieces for sale, all proceeds go towards charity work. Please continue to give the gift of giving, many will not be as fortunate as we are to experience the true Christmas celebration. Lets make someone elses Christmas as merry as ours would be.
Thursday, 4 December 2008
4 Ingredients Cook Book
I've started into my whole baking phase again and now would like to enter the unknown world of cooking. I'm in search for the perfect beginner cook book that will help and teach an amateur like myself how to cook.
"4 Ingredients" is another foray into the world of cook books however, after reading some dismal reviews and a quick peruse through the pages I returned it. I had thought that it would be an excellent cook book due to it being a best seller for quite some time and it was just perfect for me; simple, easy, four ingredients and most of all quick, but it seems my search for a beginner's cook book continues. Any recommendations would be much appreciated.
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