READINGS #1

So my attempt at 100 book this summer was somewhat adventurous and I underestimated the amount of time I have left in a day after working, sleeping, and having the will to do absolutely nothing. So the count is somewhere between 1 and 10 thus far and I'm thinking maybe just aim for 100 for the year, including the last month or two of last year and not much was read then anyway.

Here's my readings and ratings of the books so far :)

1. Vixen by Jillian Larkin

rating; 6/10

reasons; i picked up this book because I love the 1920's and stories of flappers. This was extremely entertaining though and easy read due to the simplistic writing. Although that's in comparison to works such as Jane Eyre and Pride and Prejudice. The complexity of their lives and the love of the lifestyle made me wish that I myself could be there living in that time rather then my own.

likelihood of reading again; very high







2. Water For Elephants by Sara Gruen

rating; 5/10

reasons; the pull of circus lifestyle and writings from a past era caused me to read this. Was good for something to dabble in while lying on the beach as there is no need for thinking. The jump between former as past times of a mans life was rather interesting but lack of mystery or hidden elements made it almost too easy. However, still a great book if you're looking for something interesting and an adorable love story to pass the time.



likelihood of reading again; ish






3. Girl With A Pearl Earring by Tracy Chelalier

rating; 7/10

reasons; I'd heard of this novel many times and thought it would be an interesting read. Also, I've been tending to read things of older nature as a form of research for my own novel where I'm trying to incorporate stories from each era. A beautifully written story where the pull of an unattainable man can probably be felt by any woman reading it.

likelihood of reading again; high

4. The Last Living Slut by Roxana Shirazi

rating; 8/10

reasons; Stuck in the Melbourne airport for hours I was in the mood for a Biography and in the limited airport stores I stumbled upon this. A mixture of the dirty life of rock and roll and the struggles of a girl in Iran as the government ruins lives. Extremely, extremely interesting to read about and understand Iran, and equally interesting being shown what happens with rockstars back stage. Not a book a young child should be reading, or in public, as I had to hide chapter titles from those sitting around me. Had to keep reminding myself that it was real, and an authors note on the modern use of the world slut was great, a diverging piece of writing trying to force a positive meaning on something used in such a constantly degrading way.

likelihood of reading again; very high



Unfortunately I must now venture off into my jungle of a room in an attempt to clean, as in four weeks I must move! Will continue with my reading adventures soon :)

C;x

OVER MY SHOULDER

Images from Google. Okanogan Lake - Peachland, BC (where we stayed)

Apparently I haven't been blogging enough lately and should get back into it :) So for apps, I shall try.

The rest of my Christmas holiday was absolutely amazing. We moved on from Fiji to Canada and every day was so completely hectic that the entire trip felt like it went on for months. I missed my home friends dearly but loved where I was. Something I feel I'll be struggling with a lot as I go on this year.

In Canada we did everything I could have hoped for. The day after we landed we were taken uphill and in the falling snow picked out a Christmas tree to have outside the little apartment my siblings and I were to stay in, which was conveniently two doors down from my Grandma.

The next two weeks turned into an almost blur moving from day to day and each night having a huge dinner to celebrate the fact that we were all together.

Even Christmas Eve and Boxing day where a celebration, completely different to the lax style back in Australia.

We had a fancy shmancy dinner on New Years where I managed to encounter some raw Caribou and the yummiest Steak I've ever eaten. The night turned into alcohol induced cards and very loud noises when the clock struck twelve. Was an experience to remember.

Peachland Yacht Club (uncles on the left)

My sister and I had some adventures on our travels, one being the adventure of what happens when you get stuck on a snowmobile in the snow, probably about 5km away from camp. Or possibly more. We got stuck in at least a meter deep of powder snow, which has the tendency to make heavy machinery sink. Somehow, after half an hour of strenuous pulling and pushing we got it back onto the path only to realise we had the inability to restart it. So after a little anxiety and some confused moments and the question "what would Bear Grylls do?" we decided to walk back to where the rest of the clan was making a little song on the way.. "the idiots go marching one by one oh yes they are so dumb", luckily being rescued on the way.

In between the slight chaos and monumental moments there are so many little memories and personal jokes I will never forget. It was ultimately the family trip of a lifetime and I couldn't have asked for it to be any better or any different.

But now I have been transported back into the real, normal world where I must unfortunately spend each dull mundane day working 8-5 earning money which will be all gone in the next year or even the next month. I have the slight inability to save.

So for now its goodbye as I spend another night watching trashy TV and wishing I was doing something more creative with my time.

C;x