A few people asked me for recommendations lately, so I decided I'd make a short list: (that turned out to be not so short, so maybe choose the category that interests you?)
Crime/Mystery
Agatha Christie.
Everything. Absolutely everything. Those who know me well know that I worship the woman. They're not only very good mysteries, but also they have an atmosphere of eternal elegance. These books deserve to be savoured, don't rush them, don't look ahead; enjoy them. I promise you you'd never guess the murderer.
My personal favourites: the Hollow and the Murder of Roger Ackroyd.
Nero Wolfe Series by Rex Stout
I haven't read enough of them. Last time I read one my internal temperature was between 38-40 C so... but amazing. the structure and story, while you may suspect the killer, the surrounding and personalities of the characters are brilliant.
Both of the above writers make very good studies of human character, this makes the detail of the interactions incredible.
Fantasy
Darkweaver/Imperial Series by Mark Robson
Technically the Series are connected and are in the same universe/same decade. However the stories are quite different. What I love about this writer is the fact that he doesn't make excuses, there is no introduction; these books employ the sink or swim method. And once you get the hang of the storyline you really appreciate the detail - which is very intricate and rather, well, creative.
The Cry of the Icemark by Stuart Hill
Only the first book; it is a series but in this case the first book is the best. I suppose it counts as a young adult book, but not a lot of morals and lessons to be learned. So I see it more as one of my comfort books; it is a very sweet desperate story with bits of every genre included.
Cozy Mysteries
This is a genre I'm still discovering, it is a mysteries but I guess softer. In Rita's newly discovered maths: cozy=mystery - thriller.
Gray Whale Inn Series by Karen MacInerney
I guess these are more focused on a female audience, but they really are feel-good books despite being murder centered. I especially love the main character, the reality of her life and the homey feeling of the books. It's a combination that makes these books irresistible to me and easily consumed in a day.
Humour
Absolute Power (DVD)
Not a book, I know. But there is such power and dedication in the script. I think the idea(s) are the things that makes this series really really consuming. It has a modern feel without becoming all chrome and angles. It also shows the world, media and people in a unique and rather harsh yet humorous light. It also challenges the popular conceptions we have about truth, morals and deception. Rather sharp, sarcastic humour very often at the expense of others.
Art/Photography/Unconventional Writing
This is a photographer that really inspires me, his photographs show a lot of skill and reality. I am in awe of how he shows human nature through a combination of photographs and writing. His projects are unique and in a way he really has the dream job. I also am drawn like a moth to a flame, to his thought process and personal reception of his work.
One of my favourite photographs of his is this one. For me it's the simplicity and the relaxed atmosphere.
However to fully appreciate it you really need look at his photographs as a group, project by project.
Kmye Chan
This artist creates something we often see with very good fantasy writing. She creates universes, proper structured universes that you see in you mind with her art. Her pieces aren't in proportion or conventional and yet they give of the feelings and atmosphere that I generally get from a very good book.
My favourite art of hers is the one I've seen first. Yes it was the theme that drew me in, but it is the unrealistic detailed that captured me. Most people when doing a fantasy setting simplify the art and focus on a few aspects, she does the opposite and this is what makes it so much more real.
Monday, 15 June 2009
Sunday, 1 March 2009
I'm in the mood to write. Just am. So going to write about books. (Don't look so surprised! If you're reading this you know me well enough.)
Book 1. The Mystery of the Blue Train by Agatha Christie (Finished)
"In an Empire where rats ruled, he was the king of the rats."- pg9
"It was raining, not violently, but with a quiet, well-bred persistence."-pg327
""The squirrel, my good Georges, collects nuts. He stores them up in the autumn so that they may be of advantage to him later. To make a success of humanity, Georges, we must profit by the lessons of those below us in the animal kingdom. I have always done so. I have been the cat, watching the mouse hole. I have been the good dog following up the scent, and not taking my nose from the trail. And also, my good Georges, I have been the squirrel. I have stored away little fact here, and little fact there. I go now to my store and I take out one particular nut, a nut that I stored away - let me see, seventeen years ago. You follow me, Georges?"" pg296
You know it's good writing when you pick bits to remember for later.
Book 2. Was Napoleon Poisoned? and Other Unsolved Mysteries of Royal History by Peter Haugen (unfinished and will probably remain so)
Sounded interesting. Got it out of the library. Haven't gotten past the introduction but currently it sound much less interesting.
Book 3. Watchmen by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons (unfinished)
On the First Chapter. I left it for a day. Didn't remember names. Damn. This is the type of book one needs to read in one go. Double damn. It thick and I'm not good with graphics novels. Plus Rita wants it. (Well she cant have it, it's mine for three weeks and she read it already.(I think I'll give pretty soon don't you?))
Book 4. Tales of an Urban Werewolf: Howling at the Moon by Karen MacInerney
On chapter 7 or so. 1. I likelove this author. She introduced me to 'cozy' mysteries with her first series, so I was very glad when I saw this book on the library website. So far, not as good as the first series which is a great shame. The third book in that one came out but the library is yet to get it. (This author and her first series are on my 'personal library' list).
Despite all that. It's still good on the whole-or at least so far.
Book 5. Freedom of the City by Brian Friel. (unstarted)
Ok, so yeah I haven't read it. I've been away. And you really don't want to know the amount of books I read in Russia. Lemme do and approximation count:
Ahem. Looked in my Diary Found the Following Poem:
The dark night settles,
Her frost-ridden cloak,
Crunching the armchair .
Leg over leg, hair flapping back,
She smiles at the circle around her.
"I'm here, aren't I?"
Dawn, in her little silk dress,
Waves her feet in the air
and smiles her baby girl smile.
Twilight, snaps her filed sharp teeth
and flicks chapped nail polish.
"We could do with out you..."
Midday is asleep, snuffling slightly,
and the rest carry on
with their own affairs.
A day's gone by,
-and another begins.
I really should keep track of what I write. Should try the idea again.Found some other snippets of poems. Not writing them down.
So books: 15. And that's the ones I remember, and have written down + finished (and I also didn't read the first two weeks there). So school books? Not that much time.
Wednesday, 17 December 2008
Update
Reviewed the following books: On What Ground by Cleo Coyle, Eragon by Christopher Paolini, Eldest by Christopher Paolini, Права и обязанности by Карина Пьянкова, Red Dragon by Thomas Harris, A Cage of Butterflies by Brian Caswell.
Am Planning to Review: Harry a History by Melissa Anelli, The Tales of Beedle the Bard by by J. K. Rowling, Vera by Oscar Wilde, The Importance of Being Ernest by Oscar Wilde.
Continued to update and upload the photographs.
Writting Part 2 of My Trip of a Lifetime.
Got my immunization that I missed. Ow.
Posted 25 cards.
Am taking recommendations for my holiday reading list.
So far my plans include (probably): Oscar Wilde, The reread of Harry Potter Series (maybe),The Silence of the Lambs by The Great Gatsby by Another Fine Myth (Myth Adventures, Book 1) by Titus Groan (Gormenghast Trilogy, 1) by In the Lake of the Woods by The Last Sherlock Holmes Story
Saturday, 8 March 2008
Reviews...
The gadget: Axiotron Modbook
Those of you who haven't heard of it (which I suspect is the majority) will do so now. Essentially is is an apple laptop, but instead of a screen it has an interactive pad for artists. I personally think it is immensely... well cool I guess doesn't describe it in it's full capacity. I have used artist pads before and have concluded that paper is much easier on the hand-eye coordination. However I suspect using this application would be just like using paper but also with the extra bits that come with art programs on computer.
The Book: Don't You Know Who I Am? by Piers Morgan
What can I say? I enjoyed reading it ( I wouldn't have finished it otherwise.) But 'why' is the question I can't answer. I guess the fact that his career was based on the fact he did what he loved (what I love) and succeeded, needs some recognition. The fact that he made a career-in the time period of the book- out of being popular and no other talent, intrigues me; while a part of my brain disregards it as impossible. The fact that in England -a country obsessed more that any other I know (but maybe America) with popularity,- he isn't even famous, he is relatively unknown to the general public in the time he describes in the book. It is the celebrities that know him, fear him, hate him. The story doesn't have plot or any meaning but it is fascinating in it's own right. You get to know his personal writing style rather intimately. It all adds to the heady mix. I think the only reason I didn't stop reading at the lack of plot is because the book portrays a dream world -one way or another- of the general public. Mix that dream land with the slightly smug yet self depicting tone of the whole book and the interestingly distance - but not frigid- tone and you get the best seller it is now.
The writing style I like a lot, I like it because it holds a fascination for me, diary I can do, but diary to the public? The whole point of what is written is the audience, and of the top of my head I can't think of any other publication that is a book and it's sole point it's the audience. A textbook is to inform, a magazine is to entertain, but in this I do not know the point. It is written like a diary, yet it is written for the audience. And I as the said audience enjoyed it, - but as I said above I can't think of a reason - what I wish to know is how do you obtain such a talent: to know what the audience wants before the audience it -or her-self. Experience? Talent? Muse? Luck?
The Series: New Tricks
I wont give to much away, but I'm not to sure how to describe it. The police opens a new department: UCOS which stands for Unsolved Crime and Open Case Squad. The head is Sandra Pullman who became disrespected and a general scapegoat for the police since an incident involving a dog and a pistol. She is to hire retired police officers to solve such old cases.
She hires 3:
Jack, who is relatively normal for the fact that his wife Mary died in a car crash and he often talks to her grave in his back garden.
Jerry, who has 3 ex-wife's and a daughter from each of them. Other than that he has many useful concession and a general disregard to the rules (but then again, so do Jack and Brian)
Brian, is a genius when it come to memory and can remember all of police officers records. He can be scary when without medication.
All in all most of the hour long episodes are funny and contain an edge of danger, they all have a good plot but also work well as a wind down after a bad day. I can say anything else to it. If you wish to watch the first/pilot episode:
This is the pilot but I'm not sure how well it will work
This is the first episode and it will work
Both may take a while to work properly. But seriously if you like it I would recommend buying it (I'm personally planning on asking it for my birthday/Easter)
Love Sasha
