STOP THE PRESS

On the 11th July, I wrote that The Magicians by Lev Grossman wasn’t long enough. And that I hoped for a sequel. Well. Silly me. I hadn’t thought to look on amazon, had I? He has now written a trilogy. So, a review of:
The Magicians King will happen soon, followed by The Magicians Land when it has been released.

My apologies to Lev Grossman.

Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer

Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer

The movie scared me, so I decided to read the book. It didn’t help. The first thing to say is that it is worth a read. Krakauer does a good job of piecing together fragments of Chris’s journey but makes it clear that he can’t do put all of it together thanks to a lack of documentation. I still feel a bit divided about Chris’s story. He is not a likeable young man; a job Emile Hirsh did an excellent job of portraying. If you are especially close to your parents, you will have a difficult time understanding Chris’s actions. And even if you aren’t close to them, you probably will view Chris as a stuck up rich kid who was on a rebellious streak. To describe Chris’s death as a tragedy is loaded with meaning and I think (although one should not speak ill of the dead) tragedy might be a bit too much. A tsunami is a tragedy; the recent Malaysian air crash (not to mention the one that is still missing) was a tragedy. Chris’s actions that lead to his untimely death were preventable. However, the book works because Krakauer has a personal story sort of confirming his claims that him and Chris were alike in some ways. That Krakauer is able to understand Chris’s initial actions because he took the same risks. 

WARNING: This isn’t a book for the faint hearted. 

The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt

The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt 

Whatever you are doing, stop and read this book. I was going to leave this review as that one line but I’d better elaborate. Especially for those of you who have not heard of Donna Tart. The reason I picked up one of her three novels was because she is associated with Bret Easton Ellis. Her first novel The Secret History has become a cult classic. Unforgivably I have not read it! The Goldfinch is everything and the only thing people should be reading right now. Like right this second. It focuses on Theo Decker’s life after an event (not to give away any spoilers) kills his mother. (you find this out on the back cover) The plot is so rich and alive that at points I didn’t even realise I was still in my sitting room. I was running in Vegas with him and the unforgettable Boris. I was watching as Theo returned back to his flat in New York, thirteen years old and clutching the painting. I was in a horrible mood at work because I couldn’t get back (for four hours) to read this book. It has helped that the weather here has been unbearable. One “too hot to sleep” night meant I ploughed through half of this novel. But even if the temperature had been just right, that still would have happened. It is a testament to Tartt’s writing that you are immediately pulled into the scene. Nothing could be going on, but you are there. I’ve read her second novel, My Little Friend and although I didn’t enjoy that as much, I still remember the Mississippi heat radiating off the page. I am planning on tracking down The Secret History sooner rather than later. There is a reason that Tartt’s third novel won the Pulitzer Prize this year. I hope she is writing her fourth novel as I’m writing this review. 

Makeover!

Books over Bros is having a make over! I woke up this morning and realised I wasn’t that keen on the name. I mean, I’m not making any conscious choice at the moment with books over guys as I don’t tend to meet people of the opposite sex. So I just have books! After a terrible nights sleep I rolled over and saw my bedside table. Ever since I could remember I have had (or made sure I had) a bedside table. It holds my alarm clock, a clock with American time and a lamp. But most importantly there are books. So, the book choices will now revolve around what I have on my bedside table. Enjoy! 

Five things that can only improve a weekend!

Thought I’d do a little snapshot between the book reviews to make this blog more personal! I usually have my weekends on Sunday and Monday’s due to working Saturdays. This was no different and Saturday was not the best shift in the world. And last week was a bit tough. But then I have had a lovely two days off! And you can’t let one day ruin the next.

1.     Homemade iced lattes. Due to a lack of espresso powder or a barista I make them with normal, brewed coffee. I’m lucky enough to have a French press in my cupboard and some nice coffee. I just pop some ice cubes in glass, pour over some coffee after it has cooled slightly then pop the milk in. Stir it all together with a stripy straw and hey presto! Delicious, cold and caffeinated drink for these muggy afternoons!

2.     Chloe Howl. I completely adore her voice; she is so different from all the generic rubbish you hear off the radio. Everyone should be listening to “no strings” and “rumour.” 

3.     A big red jumper. I went shopping this weekend, determined to stock up on summer tops. But, habit will out as I made my way into the Joules shop in Worcester and found a magnificent red cable knit jumper on sale, reduced to £20! Finger’s crossed for snow in August.

4.     Mikhail Bulgakov. I love the Country Doctor’s Notebook! And a friend had said that The Master and Margarita is just as good, perhaps even better. As fate would have it, I found a copy in Rise, the independent record shop. Can’t go wrong with two for five-pound offer on books!

5.      Skype. More specifically, good friends on the other end of the line. 

Invitation to the Waltz by Rosamond Lehmann

Invitation to the Waltz by Rosamond Lehmann

Not to be confused with the Zelda Fitzgerald novel, Invitation to Waltz! (Once I’ve read that one, I will do ‘waltz’ special review) I finished this novel on a train to and from London. It centers on Olivia Curtis’s first dance and introduction into society. So much happens yet the whole novel takes place in about twenty-four hours. I don’t think I’ve done a review on Dusty Answer, my friend is devouring my copy but when I eventually prize it out of her grasp I’ll do a review. Although it will effectively say “read all of her novels.” “Gush, gush, gush.” (etc.)

I was on my way to an interview, which I thought was appropriate reading about another girl who was on her way to stepping out from the comfort of her family and into womanhood. You can almost feel the sweat of the dance; able to see her leaning against a dusty wall. It is as if you are standing beside her. The terror when she gets her dress the wrong way round and is convinced that she looks awful, then her awkward encounters with drunken folk is all too familiar to those of us who do not enjoy long nights out. The expectation on the girls is reminiscent of any song centered around partying, with the adverts for alcohol portraying beautiful people having beautiful, none sweaty fun in clubs. But Lehmann rips the façade away and shows the sweat, tears and humiliation thanks to unattainable social expectations placed on the sisters. And she does it in a way that made me want to step in and join them for hot cocoa at the end of the dance. 

The Magicians by Lev Grossman

The Magicians by Lev Grossman

To say I wasn’t sure what to make of this book would be an understatement. Did it blow me away? I’m not sure. I think it could have been about three hundred pages longer and that would have been fine! It would have been even better. It would have cleared a lot of things up. For example, I found it unrealistic to think that Quentin developed so quickly over the years at Brakebills. He went from being an almost recluse to a sex having, drug taking badass with the Physical Kids. I feel like there is going to be a second novel. I hope so anyway, we’re still not sure what magical power Quentin is supposed to be specializing in. And what is the deal with Elliot? We’re never sure. Half way through, I think I was rooting for him and Quentin but then he is removed from the school. And Alice? Gets. On. My. Nerves. Not sure why.

The descriptions of everything was amazing, the magical school fantastic and the layers of the real world to Fillory’s to the other world left your head spinning. However, it fell short because ultimately, it was too short to deal with the subject matter. By page fourteen, Quentin was being put through examinations for the school. At the moment there seems to be a vogue for longer books so it is a shame that the author didn’t jump on board that train! Finger’s crossed there will be a second one that explains more. And if this was every a movie, than get comfortable! And bring a lot of popcorn. But before anyone starts filming/buying rights or putting out a trailer, I think I need to reread this novel. I wouldn’t say no to having my own copy!