Lists · Reviews

Two Books That Are Gonna Hurt: In the Cold & Kingdom of Scars

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Happy Halloween everyone! I hope you’re doing well, enjoying your candy, your classic and not-so-classic horror movies, hiding under the cover reading THAT novel. You know the one, the one that makes you shiver, makes you quiver, makes the hair on the back of your neck stand straight up and then when you’ve put it away infiltrates your dreams.

Now normally around this time of year, I try to read something scary, or horrific. I try to find books that make me want to turn the page as quickly as I can and simultaneously make me not want to, so I can hold onto that feeling of fear for just a little bit longer.

This year however, I found myself not doing so. I didn’t even pick up a vampire novel until last night. Strange isn’t it?

Instead I read two books that hurt, and when I say hurt, I mean you care so deeply, so infinitely about these characters that you wish you could take care of them yourself.

Continue reading “Two Books That Are Gonna Hurt: In the Cold & Kingdom of Scars” →

Reviews

The Woman Who Would Be King: Hatshepsut as a Feminist Icon

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The Woman Who Would Be KingHatshepsut has been in my periphery as something amazing, something more for as long as I can remember. I remember little blurbs about her in books I saw as a child on Egyptian history. I saw her statue at the British Museum when I was only 18 years of age, and marvelled at the thought of a woman so powerful.

So when I saw given the opportunity to read this book, I leapt at it with both hands.

It should be noted though, that I am not an Egyptologist and when it comes to mythology I tend to lean toward the Greeks and Romans, for no reason in particular.

But the idea of a female Pharaoh? It appeals. Especially in a world where women are often still treated as second class citizens.

I of course, went into it with little understanding of Egyptian life, and therefore this book was definitely a breath of fresh air.

Kara Cooney cares about Hatshepsut, and the history of Egypt, something which is clear in the writing about this Queen. Half-historical and half-speculative fiction this book weaves a wonderful tale and characterization of the female Pharaoh from the beginning of her life, when she was a mere child, raised in Egyptian nurseries to taking up the mantle.

There are passages such as the one below, which enrich the display of power earned by one woman, with help from her own mother that drew me in.

Hatshepsut has the misfortune to be antiquity’s female leader who did everything right, a woman who would match her wit and energy to a task so seamlessly that she made no waves of discontent that have been recorded. For Hatshepsut, all that endured were remnants of her success, props for later kings who never had to give her the credit she deserved.

This passage, a reminder of what would have been left after her, perhaps those who were ungrateful of having “endured” a female ruler, but along with many others speak of how powerless women really were then. And perhaps those feelings are echoed, in some way how powerless women are today.

It is this book that showed me, in some small way, how far the world has come, but how much we have to learn from each other, from women from other regions, from other times.

Reviews

Review: A Life Apart

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I don’t really know what to say about this book. It evoked so many emotions in me that I cannot even begin to explain them all.

It made me sad, when I started reading it thinking about the way the world once was, how people were segregated and treated, as history fell on the page before me wrapped up in fiction. The writing is evocative, and well thought out, though parts of it did seem rushed. The multiple points of view were definitely appreciated as it allowed me to slip into the minds of each character.

The depictions of racial tension were wrought with emotion, and terror. It’s something I’m not entirely sure we’re over today, in fact I’m certain we’re not, which was brought to the front of my mind as hate speech was thrown out by those too ignorant to realize we’re all human, that we all bleed the same and that we all hurt the same.

None of these characters are without flaws, from Morris who doesn’t know when to admit to his own mistakes, Agnes who fights to remain ignorant of them, Beatrice who perhaps should’ve known when to walk away and their children who were all touched in some way or another by their parents actions.

It is a beautiful book, and I certainly enjoyed it. I would recommend it to anyone who wants to read historical fiction.

Lists

Comic Books I’m Loving Right Now

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I, like many other singles in their twenties have a personal profile on a dating site, on that site for the longest time as my headline were the words, “Must love comic books and comic book movies.”

I’ve since changed it, and am not really interested in dating so much as I am interested in my next trip. But my love of comic books remains the same.

So without further ado, the comic books that you should be reading.

 

810YhrDk40LHawkeye by Matt Fraction and David Aja

Besides the fact that Hawkeye has always intrigued me as an Avenger, and out of the Avengers this is one of the best written and drawn comic series’ of the current time. Trust me on that. Not only is Hawkeye often in trouble, as he always is, but the other characters in it are amazing. I’ll admit, I didn’t know much about Kate Bishop before this, but I sure as hell know a lot about her now.

It’s a breath of fresh air, full of wit, drama, angst and strong characters.

 

portrait_incredibleMs Marvel by G Willow Wilson amongst others such as Jamie McKelvie, Sara Pichelli, and Adrian Alphona

Marvel Now is doing some awesome things right now, so many awesome things that sometimes I can’t even handle it, nor can my bank account. Seriously, it’s become a problem.

But this, this comic, in which Ms. Marvel isn’t really Ms. Marvel but might in fact be more Ms. Marvel than she has been in years, in terms of what that means. She is Muslim, she is a teenage girl, she messes up, she feels self-conscious but she is herself.

And it is glorious. If you haven’t picked this up, or don’t think that’s a big deal you need to do it anyway.

portrait_incredible-3Black Widow by Edmonson and Noto

She has relatively normal proportions. SHE HAS RELATIVELY NORMAL PROPORTIONS. She is also a badass, and she doesn’t take crap from anyone, male or female and I love her for it. This is a new era for Black Widow, given her portrayal in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and it is awesome.

This comic takes no prisoners, and no names, it is unapologetic in its violence, and in it’s blunt nature and I love it for it.

 

Sex_Criminals_CoverSex Criminals by Chip Zdarsky and Matt Fraction

Now if you want a comic that’s unapologetic, and goofy, yet means so much this is it. There is no holds barred (though at the same time there’s…holds in other ways), it is comedic, and clever and witty. This comic shows us how ridiculous we are in being so inhibited in even talking about sex.

It’s just brimpin’ awesome.

30 Day Challenges

Book Challenge 25

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Day 25 – A character who you can relate to the most

Angel Crawford. I know that sounds crazy because I’m not really white trash and I’m certainly not a zombie but I grew up in a place, that even throughout high school when I said where I from from people would reply, “Ew you’re from _____.”

And so maybe I can get behind her, maybe I know what it feels like to be surprised when you’re doing well in life. Not many people in my public school class completed high school, not many in my high school went onto college and I’ve even met up with teachers in high school who weren’t sure I was going to make it that far. Even my parents were a little shocked that I did. I was that kid who “had so much potential.”

 

30 Day Challenges

Book Challenge Day 24

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vmars 1Day 24 – A book that you wish more people would’ve read

The Thousand Dollar Tan Line because man do I love Veronica Mars and man did I truly, and utterly love this book like you cannot believe.

It was like sliding into Veronica’s head. I wish more people had watched the show, I wish people had seen the movie and I wish they would read this book.

It’s intelligently written, and it’s clever, parts of it were so suspenseful I was gripping the book hard and hoping for the best.

I truly can’t wait to see what comes next here.

30 Day Challenges

Book Challenge Day 23

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Day 23 – A book you wanted to read for a long time but still haven’t

Oh jeez oh jeez. I own too many books like this actually.

I just cheated and grabbed the last thing I could see on my GoodReads account which is from way back in 2009.

The book I’ve been saying I’m going to read is The Golden Compass by Phillip Pullman. I own it, it’s sitting on my shelf and I still haven’t read it.

It’s also in my book tin so maybe one day that will be the title I pull out.

I’m excited to read it, everyone has told me that I will love it based on everything I currently love, and maybe that’s why I’m reluctant. Because what if I don’t? What if I actually really dislike it?

 

30 Day Challenges

Book Challenge Day 22

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Day 22 – Favorite book you own

This is such a hard decision for me. I didn’t really know what I should choose. My actual favourite book, which I’ve read cover to cover multiple times or a book with sentimental value attached.

Or a book that taught me something.

photoI was originally going to go with a copy of Little Women or Emma my grandmother bought for me from a friend, because they’re in pristine condition after all these years and my grandmother loved so much that I love to read.

But instead I’m going to go with a book I’ve read countless times, that opened me up to a world I didn’t realize even existed. It’s a book that’s dog eared, and high lighted, with notes in the margins. Something I don’t normally do.

The Power of One by Bryce Courtenay. A book I picked up myself at my mother’s and probably my sister’s insistence and one that really opened my eyes.

It was the first book I read, that I believe challenged everything I knew, and really inspired me.

30 Day Challenges

Book Challenge Day 21

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Day 21 – Favorite book from your childhood

HungryCaterpillarChildhood can mean so many things. My childhood before I got into young adult novels, my childhood when I got into young adult novels.

And the choices are endless. But I had two ultimately loved books from when I was a little kid.

The first, read for some reason, only in doctor’s offices, or at least the only time I remember having it read would be Green Eggs and Ham.

I can’t say why I loved this book so much, except that it was one of the first books I learned how to read aloud.

The other book is one that I have continuously given out to friends and family members having children, and that is The Hungry Caterpillar. I even appreciate it from an artistic standpoint as an adult.

30 Day Challenges

Book Challenge Days 16-20

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Day 16 – Favourite female character

Oh the choices the choices I could make for this challenge are vast, and each as different as the next. So I’ve gone with two.

Claire Beauchamp Randall Fraser from Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander series. She’s a woman after my own heart. She’s tough, yet isn’t scared to be vulnerable around those she truly cares about and that makes her one of the best in my book. She’s a bleeding heart in some ways, and captured my attention from page one.

The other character I would choose is Thursday Next as written by Jasper Fforde. She’s clever, inventive and oh so hilarious and I can’t help but love her. She’s tenacious and just so wonderful.

Day 17 – Favourite quote from your favourite book

“For what you see and hear depends a good deal on where you are standing: it also depends on what sort of person you are.” -C.S Lewis, The Magician’s Nephew

Day 18 – A book that disappointed you

A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness.

I’m actually re-reading this book, because my sister swears to me that the second book is better, and the third book was even better.

So I’ve decided to re-read it, but I’m finding that certain parts of it lag just like they did before, and I’m beginning to think that the descriptive nature of this book is just not my cup of tea. Though I’m still going to finish this book, as well as the second book because I paid for it, and sometimes that’s all it takes for me.

Day 19 – Favourite book turned into a movie

It’s not a book, or at least not a full length novel but my favourite book turned into a movie might surprise you. It is The Body by Stephen King, which was later turned into the movie Stand by Me starring River Phoenix, Wil Wheaton, Corey Feldman and Jerry O’Connell.

It was one of those movies I watched over and over again, and one of those books where I did exactly the same. I just loved both, as they were a wonderful tribute to adolescence and the friendships you have in those times.

Day 20 – Favorite romance book

Not really a romance novel, but the book that had me squirming happily, squeeing and oh so happy was Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell. I’m no stranger to fandom, and to wishing that things were different when I’m reading, or watching a TV show or movie.

This book felt to me, like I’m sure it does to a lot of people, like it was a reflection of who I had once been and in a way who I still am. It was gorgeously written, and captivating.