book reviews: books read in december

[erychan86]

Last year I set my Goodreads Challenge to 30 books.... When I reached my goal I set it up to 36 and I ended up with 40 (38 plus a short story and a graphic novel) I set my goal at 30 again this year, but I will probably change it down the line! Thing is I am starting with a book that is 606 pages long! So I feel a little bit overwhelmed already LOL!

I'll soon do either the book meme or a personal top 5 of the books I've read this year (and I'll do the same for shows and movies probably), but for now: Here's what I've read this month:

	Lord of the Flies Originally published: 1954 Author: William Golding Genre: Classic (reading time Nov 27 - Dec 18) ★★★★

A great classic! I loved going back reading some of these books this year! This is another heavy one! A book that must be read multiple times on our lives to allow us to reflect on something very important about the human kind. I'm glad I did it this year, I'll probably come back to this book again later on in my life!

	The Princess Diarist Originally published: October 18th 2016 Author: Carrie Fisher Genre: Non Fiction / Autobiography (reading time: Dec 19- Dec 23) ★★★★

I wanted to put my hands on this book as soon as I've heard the rumor Carrie was writing it... I have to confess I was way too interested in the truth about her and Harrison, especially if given in the form of diary pages written by a 19 year old Carrie...

I enjoyed this book more that I expected... I wasn't after all expecting a lot of details about how they did it, when they did it, how many times, how was it,... but I appreciate the way it was written. I've never read anything from Fisher and I enjoyed her way of telling stories, she's - as much as this adjective might sound weird when used for her - candid... she tells you thing for what they are... she seems True to herself and to her fans...

To me the book is sort of divided in 3 parts: the story about the affair, the diaries and Carrie's experience of being Leia.

For the affair part: as Carrie said, 40 years have passed, and the truth about this, definitely has a different impact on the fans, the press and the people involved in it. If this story came out as it was happening or a few months after, it would have had another weight and it would have been seen as something different... I don't approve infidelity... but it happens... I don't feel like judging either Carrie or Harrison about it, I'm sure they were both quite hard in themselves about the whole thing for a very long time...this is not a romantic story... this is not a story with an Happy Ending for any of the people involved (and I'm not saying it because Harrison and Carrie don't end up falling in love and get married and live a happy life together) this is just a story about two people making a decision... we all do that, every day.

The fangirl in me squeed at the revealing of how it all started (with him trying to defend her/protect her from some member of a drunk crew) how the rest of the evening went (with Mark almost seeing them rolling in the back seat of the car) where it went from there (with Harrison going home with her) how did it continued (together every weekend, in silence) to how it ended (on a plane home, with kindness).

I don't think less of Harrison for what he did... maybe it's the way Carrie tells the story, but I just find it tragic... His marriage ended not long after the affair, its clear he was ko longer happy... he was probably feeling even more lonely because of that... I find interesting that part when he finds out she only had one "boyfriend" before, and he gets serious/concerned... he was probably looking for a one night stand...maybe 2... but then it feels like he made, it that very moment, the decision to stay... maybe because he felt her loneliness too and felt like maybe it was better to be alone in two and maybe get some comfort out of it... if only there was no guilt though...

Then there is the diaries part that are just heartbreaking... it has always been clear that Carrie was damaged... she had a though life emotionally speaking... and there's so much sadness that is almost beautiful... some of her poems are gloriously tragic...

In the third per she talks about interactions with fans and the awful feeling of selling herself to... definitely an uncomfortable feeling... she also makes some examples of interactions with fans and she repeats that she loves them, it's the way things are that is "wrong"... I think it's great to be loved, it's great for all of us... but our dears love us for what we are, because the know is, because of what we lived together, while the love of a fan for its idol has a different meaning... I think it's sad receiving all that love because of what you did unconsciously for that person, without being able to actually understand how you did it...

I loved that she shared her feelings in such a way... and I might like her even more after this book!

	The Little Bookshop on the Corner Originally published: Feb 11th, 2016 Author: Jenny Colgan Genre: Fiction (reading time: Dec 24 - Dec 31) ★★★★

This was a surprisingly good read! A very light book, highly recommended. The characters are very enjoyable and feel quite real and have layers! I enjoyed the dialogue and the whole narrative. A very good book!

I wasn't expecting the romance and I wasn't expecting it to happen that way! The only "negative thing" I can say is: I felt the end was a little bit rushed, 50 more pages would have not hurt to explore a little bit more Nina's situation in the romantic department... It feels like it happened too fast and it wasn't properly trigged!

But it was a good book and I really enjoyed it! I will read more about this author!


TOTAL of BOOKS READ 2016: 38 / dec: 3
TOTAL of PAGES READ 2016: 12651 / nov: 833

Comments

[orangerful.livejournal.com]

'Lord of the Flies' is definitely on my re-read list. I do remember it was one of the books I actually finished reading in high school (I had an awful track record of starting a book when it was assigned, letting it languish in my book bag, and then skimming at really quickly to find out what I needed to know to pass the test). But it is a book I need to go back to because I don't think 15 year old me was ready for it.

I don't know if I want to read Carrie's book, it sounds like it might make me cry.

[erychan86.livejournal.com]

It was the same for me (and probably I would be the same still... I don't think I liked the idea of someone choosing a book for me that EVERYONE had to read... feels impersonal!) but I decided to pick up some classics and revisit them! I understand better now WHY they "HAVE" to be read! But I think reading that when 15, today, is too soon!

You should read Carrie's book! I read it before it all happened and I felt very close to her... I went back to it a bit after she died and it sort of gave me comfort! The pages of her diary are so beautiful!

[orangerful.livejournal.com]

I'm sure it has lots of holds on it right now at the library, but maybe when it is finally sitting on the shelf, I will pick it up.

[frelling-tralk.livejournal.com]

Lord Of The Flies was always one of my favourite books at school, it has so much powerful commentary

[erychan86.livejournal.com]

It is indeed a very powerful book! I'm glad I picked it up again!!

[nila-rena.livejournal.com]

Carries book sounds really intersting.

Oh no. I guess i should have picked that one as my next audiobook afterall. But I decided to get The little bakery at the beach and so far am not really into it...

[erychan86.livejournal.com]

It is a very interesting book! I really enjoyed it!!!

It took me a couple of chapters to get into the little bookshop at the corner but the last 250 pages flew! :)

[nila-rena.livejournal.com]

That's what i hope for my book too. That I will get more into it when I'm few chapters in. *fingers crossed*

[erychan86.livejournal.com]

Let me know because I have it in my to-read list :D

[nila-rena.livejournal.com]

Will do. :)

[nila-rena.livejournal.com]

So. I'm nearly finished and I'm loving it. :)

[erychan86.livejournal.com]

YAY so good to know! And thank you for remembering to tell me <3 <3 <3

[ragnarok-08.livejournal.com]

Carrie's book sounds so interesting :)

Lord of the Flies is such a good book!

[erychan86.livejournal.com]

You should definitely read Carrie's book... Everyone should! She had a unique voice!

[imagine-peace.livejournal.com]

I need to get around to reading Lord of the Flies. I never did in high school like I should have.

I definitely want to read Carrie's books.

[erychan86.livejournal.com]

LotF It's a very powerful book... You'll be surprised!

You should read Carrie's book! It was so amazing! I loved it! She was an amazing writer!

[imagine-peace.livejournal.com]

I shall.

[blakmagjick]

I need to re-read Lord of the Flies...since i read it in high school and had a tendency to dislike anything that I *had* to read.
I can't wait to read Carrie's book!

[erychan86.livejournal.com]

It is a powerful book, LoF... I think it's better to read it at a more mature age! Also, I have to say, compared to other classics, this one can be enjoyed in school... But definitely on a way lower level!

Carrie's book is fantastic! I loved it!