New homes for me and my books

I´ve just moved to a new country! As exciting as this is, it means that there was a lot of work attached to the move; flat-hunting, furnishing flats, finding your way around a new town etc. None of these tasks was more daunting than the pre-trip decluttering, particularly so the decluttering of my books. I knew in my heart of hearts that there was absolutely no way it was viable to keep all my books, but given how enormously attached I am to all my children books, I kept putting it aside until five days before my actual flight. It was a hard selection process, but I am happy that at least all the books went to either some lovely people or will go to raise money for charity.

My babies ready to go to their new homes.

The move also meant that I momentarily abandoned this blog and fell waaaay behind in my reading! This is extra annoying as it´s so early in the year... Hopefully now I´m settled I´ll be able to carry on as planned! 

My new home.

Don't let the movie ruin the book!

So very many films nowadays are adapted from novels. I have to be very honest (and I can feel the arthritic pains coming on just from thinking this), I really don't remember it being like this when I was young. At 31, I'm not exactly ready for my free bus pass yet, but still I can see the change. The only book adaptation that stands out in my mind was The Neverending Story. I liked the film, but I distinctly remember being mighty pissed off at every detail they changed/neglected to include.

Please tell me I wasn't the only one left emotionally scarred by the horse scene...

The point is, as awesome as movies are, they will never come near to the full experience of the book. Take the Harry Potter series for example. I know there are millions of people out there who are fans of the film but have never read the book. While there is quite obviously noting inherently wrong with that, I can't help but feel these people missed out on so many lovely bits and bobs from the book. Details that made you feel like you were really part of that world. I, for one, will never forgive the script writers for the glaring omission of Peeves. I mean, really?!?!?!? Throughout all the films I felt like I was mentally adding details to complete what was missing, and I kept thinking, but how can you possibly get the whole picture here if you didn't read the book? 

I've always made it a priority to read a book before watching the film. It seems nowadays you have to be extra speedy, as any book that is vaguely successful seems to have the rights to it snatched up before  the first copy has hardly left the printer. I feel very strongly about this, but I always assumed I was just being my usual anal bookish self. Imagine my delight then, when I realised Hank Green felt the same! YAYYYYY! A couple of years ago, he (with some help from Nerdfighteria!) created Read It 1st, a website were you can pledge to read the novel before watching the film. It was created because, 

"five of the top 10 movies of 2010 were based on books. Most of the people who watched those movies had never read the book. In fact, most people in America read fewer than two books per year. While movies are great, and we love them, the stories from those movies were originally envisioned in a different way. A way that requires more interaction, more brain, more relaxation, more free time, and more commitment. We think those are all things that the world doesn't have enough of these days."

If you would like to join the pledge, go here, and in the words of Hank Green, "don't let the movie ruin the book"!!!

Book Haul: sharing is caring!

These books come courtesy of my brilliant mate Julie (Little Gosh)! She had the super idea of passing on some of the books she'd already read and enjoyed to her friends, and I got these two. They are perfect for me because I love Art and anything Art-related; she knows me well! Apart from the obvious excitement of a book gift (which always goes down well with me!), I absolutely love getting second hand books from my friends. I love feeling that I am reading something that they have as well. It makes me feel like I know them a little bit better! Another bonus point is that you avoid clutter and save money! How wicked is that? :)

There are books that I read and re-read to the point that some have got the duct tape treatment, so those stay with me, but otherwise I also love passing on books. One of the things I really like doing, is leaving a book I enjoyed in a public place with a little note in it so someone else can hopefully have the same fun I did reading. I guess from now on I should leave this blog address on my note and see where they end up!

Book Review: The Graveyard Book

Book Blurb: "When a baby escapes a murderer intent on killing the entire family, who would have thought it would find safety and security in the local graveyard? Brought up by the resident ghosts, ghouls and spectres, Bod has an eccentric childhood learning about life from the dead. But for Bod there is also the danger of the murderer still looking for him - after all, he is the last remaining member of the family. A stunningly original novel deftly constructed over eight chapters, featuring every second year of Bod's life, from babyhood to adolescence. Will Bod survive to be a man?"

Review: Some children get raised by a whole village (or so the saying goes), this one gets raised by a whole graveyard. Despite the fact that it starts off with a triple murder (which includes a child), this book is ultimately incredibly sweet and moving.

The characters are all very well developed, and I really felt for all of them. I also appreciated the fact that Bod (the main character) is far from perfect. He has flaws and he has moments when he messes up, yet these serve to show the strength of family ties. It also highlights the fact that family is not necessarily made up of those people bound to us by blood, but by those who have chosen to love us and support us unconditionally, and whom we have chosen to love and support in return.

This novel is as much about belonging, acceptance, forgiveness, fighting for what you believe in and protecting the things and the people you hold dear, as it is about loss and the unexpected things life can throw at you. And that is something everyone (whether alive or dead!!!) can relate to.

The 'ivy-covered marvel' that is Highgate Cemetery West, which partly inspired parts of the book.

Photo credit:Paul Grover/ Rex Features

Favourite quotes:

"'It is going to take more than just a couple of good-hearted souls to raise this child. It will,' said Silas, 'take a graveyard.'"

"'It must be good,' said Silas, 'to have somewhere where you belong. Somewhere that's home.'"

"If you dare nothing, then when the day is over, nothing is all you will have gained."

Overall score: 5/5

Looking forwards to reading... The Horologicon

One of the many books I'm looking forwards to reading this year is The Horologicon. I haven't wanted to get my hands on a book this badly since the last Harry Potter was due to be published!!! I found out about this book from Booksandquills, which is a great Youtube book review channel run by Sanne, a UK-based Dutch girl. Definitely worth checking out!

I am a HUGE language geek. I love etymology. One of my favourite books is Simon Winchester's The Meaning of Everything, which tells the story of how the Oxford English Dictionary came to be. I love finding out new words like other people love finding out new bands.  In other words... I love words and everything language related, which is why I find the concept of this book so flipping brilliant.

The Horologicon is a book about 'lost' words of the English language. That in itself would bean  interesting concept, but what makes this book super fun, is that the words are not presented in alphabetical order, but rather in the order that you would be most likely to use them during the day (hence the title, which means 'book of hours').

I mostly buy books through the Kindle these days, bit I sense this one might have to be a 'proper' book purchase!

And speaking of being a language geek... Can I please point out the genius that is the person who made this?

                                                                           Photo credit: kaz814 at Craftster

Video: The Joy of Books

                   

I love this video! For me, a big part of reading is having an outlet to let your imagination run wild; to get lost in places and situations that you would otherwise never get to experience. I think this video really captures that spirit of reading. It was done by Sean Ohlenkamp (who also happens to be behind these adorable videos for the Toronto Zoo).

The bookshop in the video is Type Books in Toronto, which has now obviously gone into the list of bookshops I need to visit!

Enjoy, and have a bookish week :)

Beautiful Bookshops: Hatchard's

Ever wonder where the Queen gets her books from when she fancies a read? From here, that's where!

Photo credit: Hatchard's

In the. business since 1797, this illustrious bookshop has not one, not two, but three royal warrants! 

Photo credit: A Tale of Two Cities

The fact that Oscar Wilde was a patron, automatically makes it hallowed ground for me. Add to that the wonderful atmosphere it has, and it's a non-negotiable stop whenever I'm in London. Yes, I love Waterstones for sheer volume and variety, but you really cannot beat the rickety (in the best possible way!) stairs and seemingly endless little rooms that Hatchard's has.  

Photo credit: PaulaSHx

All the people who work there really know their stuff; they are a veritable fountain of bookish information! In terms of their website, I always enjoy looking through their VIP (Very Important Publications!) section to see which recently published books they consider worth reading, as well as their general recommendations. Also, the little book bags they sell are also pretty sturdy!

Incidentally, Hatchard's is also next to another store that's part of the select group that holds a royal warrant: Fortnum & Mason! So you if you need a well-deserved break after an exhausting bit if book hunting, you can go there and have a tea or coffee. Look at the photo below. Do you see that little thing on the left of the coffee cup? That, my friends, is a teeny tiny ice-cream cone. Yes, that's right. A tiny ice-cream. With every coffee. Just go there already!