Complicated relationships

I picked up Brother of the More Famous Jack, because I had already read, and enjoyed, another book by Barbara Trapido. It took me too attempts to get into it, but once I got going, I couldn't stop. It was quite graphic and harsh in places, about sex and relationships, but was set around the glorious beauty of genuine love. It was a story about a young, innocent girl, and her friendship with her college tutor and his family. There is humour and sadness, decorated with colourful descriptions. It was very enjoyable, although not an easy read in places. But the compassion definitely made you feel good.

Book binge!

I can't believe that it has taken me so long to update this blog, but I guess, there have been holidays and of course loads of work. I had a bit of a Chalet School fest, reading about four books which I bought from eBay, a good source for books that are no longer in print.

I also bought The Third Angel which is just such a beautiful, but tragic love story. Alice Hoffman writes about such sad events, but with such beauty and gentleness. She also tackles the death of a lover which such dignity. It was so moving, but this wasn't the entire focus of the book. This story links a variety of characters over a period of about fifty years, focused around the events in a hotel and two sisters. I just loved it.

And now, I am reading The Glass Painter's Daughter which I am really enjoying. I would love to do a stained glass workshop now. I am learning so much about glass and also choirs, and it is a wonderful story with a mystery based on a historical journal. I am struggling to put it down. But alas, responsibilities beckon...

Amazing imagination!

Kazuo Ishiguro amazes me. His books are so different and so convincing. He must be so intelligent to have gathered such a wealth of experience and knowledge. I have just finished Never Let Me Go. It is a strange topic, which I won't divulge because you really wouldn't guess from the description on the back cover and I wouldn't want to ruin the plot. In honesty, the subject material did make me uncomfortable, but in a good way, because it made me question man's current behaviour. It was so believable, and the characters were endearing. I am just full of awe that someone can come up with a story like this. It is just so different to Remains of the Day, which was equally brilliant. I have read three of his books so far, set in different eras, and about people's lives. Really enjoyable.

Latest readings...

My mother-in-law left a Maeve Binchy for me to read, Quentins. It was a lovely story, set around a restaurant in Dublin and focused on several people. It was quite dramatic in places, with extra-marital affairs, fraud, but also love, friendship, everything required to make al lovely read.

I have also read another of Elinor Lipman's books, Isabel's Bed, which, although it wasn't as good as my favourite, was sufficiently entertaining. It also had my dream job, ghost-writing, by the sea...actually, anything by the sea would be good.

I caught up with The Tales of Beedle the Bard, the fairytale book in Harry Potter, written by JK Rowling. It was very interesting because each story was followed by commentary by Professor Dumbledore. Very inventive.

Final Twilight for now

I have just finished the fourth book in the Twilight saga, Breaking Dawn. This was quite a bit darker towards the start, to the extent that I did worry about younger teenagers reading it. I won't say what it was about because I don't want to spoil the plot. It was entirely compelling, and I really enjoyed it. The end was perfect, and the ideas, and the complexities in the story were fantastic. The author, Stephenie Meyer has started writing another book with the Cullen household, Midnight Sun, which tells the story from Edward's point of view. Unfortunately, it was leaked onto the Internet, and so the author has stopped writing this for now, which is sad. She has however, made Chapter 1 and a partial draft of Midnight Sun officially available on her website. (This material is copyrighted by Stephenie Meyer.)

I did see the film Twilight, and I really enjoyed it. I know it was different to the book, but I think it was really well done. It was quite raw and slow, in a good way. I hope that now they have greater investment, it won't lose those qualities. The effects and the shots were superb. I am disappointed that they are changing directors, but shall wait for New Moon with an open mind.

Okay, while I am still obsessed with the Twilight saga, I am going to read other books now. I started reading The Tales of Beedle the Bard last night, but JK Rowling. She really is incredible the way she comes up with these ideas.

Author websites

Many authors are setting up their own websites now, to support their publications. They often have guidance for authors, book clubs, and additional resources, such as recipes, and information about the history of where the stories are set. These are some of my favourite websites:

• Fannie Flagg
• Kate Mosse - Labyrinth
• Kate Mosse
• JK Rowling
• Adriana Trigiani

I am sure there are many other great author websites. Please let me know of any.

Twilight - saga continues

I can't believe that I only started reading the Twilight saga on the 23rd December! I am now onto the third book. New Moon was brilliant, just as thrilling, romantic, well-written, as the first one. I wasn't sure if the suspense could continue; how the story could continue, but it has, and also into the third, Eclipse. I am going to have to find time for another trip to the bookshop for the next book! I think I am turning into a chain-reader!

Little bit of self-promotion

For anyone who is interested in finding the evidence for clinical practice, I have co-written a book. Searching skills toolkit: finding the evidence, is due for publication on the 9th January 2009. I have never done something like this before, so it isn't perfect, but it is a starting point.

On a lighter note, I finished Twilight, and am now completely hooked on the series, hurtling through New Moon. I am going to see the film...I think, although I fear it will not be as good as the book. Saying that though, the trailer looks great!