Hey,
4:33 pm. I'm currently enthralled in the world of Lloyd Jones' 'Mister Pip'. That's the thing about books. They wrap you up into somewhere else, you have an escape. There are so many books I want to read this year, so many that I'm almost ashamed I haven't read yet.
WHITE TEETH - ZADIE SMITH
SUMMARY: On New Year's morning, 1975, Archie Jones sits in his car on a London road and waits for the exhaust fumes to fill his Cavalier Musketeer station wagon. Archie—working-class, ordinary, a failed marriage under his belt—is calling it quits, the deciding factor being the flip of a 20-pence coin. When the owner of a nearby halal butcher shop (annoyed that Archie's car is blocking his delivery area) comes out and bangs on the window, he gives Archie another chance at life and sets in motion this richly imagined, uproariously funny novel.
I've become interested in Zadie Smith's works, and I've seen quite a lot of people reviewing it, it's intriuging and sounds like a thought provoking novel.
WUTHERING HEIGHTS - EMILY BRONTE
SUMMARY: Wuthering Heights is a wild, passionate story of the intense and almost demonic love between Catherine Earnshaw and Heathcliff, a foundling adopted by Catherine's father. After Mr Earnshaw's death, Heathcliff is bullied and humiliated by Catherine's brother Hindley and wrongly believing that his love for Catherine is not reciprocated, leaves Wuthering Heights, only to return years later as a wealthy and polished man. He proceeds to exact a terrible revenge for his former miseries.
I'm interested in finally reading this because for a long time I thoroughly shunned what's considered 'Classic Literature' it wasn't until I read the entire Little Women books that I realized Classics aren't just the yellowed old books stacked in your grandmothers house.
POUNAMU, POUNAMU - WITI IHIMAERA
SUMMARY: This book is a compilation of short stories based around a Maori boy and his family, written by iconic New Zealand author Witi Ihimaera.
Personally being a New Zealander myself I think it's really important to educate yourself on your own country's culture and of course literature. Witi Ihimaera wrote 'The Whale Rider' which is one of the most famous books in NZ by a New Zealander.
I AM NOT ESTHER - FLEUR BEALE
SUMMARY: Imagine that your mother tells you that she is going away. She is leaving you with relatives whom you have never heard of-and they are members of a strict religious cult. Your name is changed to a biblical one, Esther, and you are forced to follow the severe set of social standards set by the cult. You don`t know where you mother is, and you are beginning to lose your own identity.
I actually met Fleur Beale in 2010, my primary school did a 'Speed date with an author' where a few English lit focused kids got to meet all these New Zealand authors and get advice. I remember her as having short blonde hair, and telling us about how she drew in her math books, after that my math books were covered in scribbled flowers.
I actually met Fleur Beale in 2010, my primary school did a 'Speed date with an author' where a few English lit focused kids got to meet all these New Zealand authors and get advice. I remember her as having short blonde hair, and telling us about how she drew in her math books, after that my math books were covered in scribbled flowers.
THE COLOR PURPLE - ALICE WALKER
SUMMARY: Taking place mostly in rural Georgia, the story focuses on the life of African-American women in the southern United States in the 1930s, addressing numerous issues including their exceedingly low position in American social culture.
I found out about this novel while watching CandySomething's video, and I'm really interested in getting my hands on it.
CUCKOO IN THE NEST - MICHELLE MAGORIAN
SUMMARY: As an evacuee, Ralph received a good education, but after the war Ralph's working-class father resents his education and his ambition to be an actor, and is furious when Ralph is sacked from the paper mill. The story traces Ralph's struggle to reconcile the disparate strands of his life.
SUMMARY: As an evacuee, Ralph received a good education, but after the war Ralph's working-class father resents his education and his ambition to be an actor, and is furious when Ralph is sacked from the paper mill. The story traces Ralph's struggle to reconcile the disparate strands of his life.
I don't actually remember how I found this book, but nevertheless I'm interested!
THE HANDMAIDS TALE - MARGARET ATWOOD
SUMMARY: Set in the near future, in a totalitarian Christian theocracy which has overthrown the United States government, The Handmaid's Tale explores themes of women in subjugation and the various means by which they gain agency.
SUMMARY: Set in the near future, in a totalitarian Christian theocracy which has overthrown the United States government, The Handmaid's Tale explores themes of women in subjugation and the various means by which they gain agency.
I feel like this is another classic novel, and I'm sure by now you can tell I'm really into books challenging society and books that have more depth to them.
THE BRIEF WONDROUS LIFE OF OSCAR WAO - JUNOT DIAZ
SUMMARY: Although a work of fiction, the novel is set in New Jersey in the United States, where DÃaz was raised and deals explicitly with the Dominican Republic experience under dictator Rafael Trujillo. The book chronicles both the life of Oscar De León, an overweight Dominican boy growing up in Paterson, New Jersey who is obsessed with science fiction and fantasy novels and with falling in love, as well as the curse that has plagued his family for generations.
I found this novel through researching another novel, and decided this one sounded better!
NOT THE END OF THE WORLD - GERALDINE MCCAUGHREAN
SUMMARY: Not the End of the World is a young adult novel by Geraldine McCaughrean. It retells the Biblical story of Noah's Ark. The main character is Noah's thirteen-year-old daughter, Timna. The story is also relayed from the points of view of the animals.
SUMMARY: Not the End of the World is a young adult novel by Geraldine McCaughrean. It retells the Biblical story of Noah's Ark. The main character is Noah's thirteen-year-old daughter, Timna. The story is also relayed from the points of view of the animals.
From a Christian standpoint it's made me rather curious to how it will play out, and it just sounds like nothing I've read before.
AN ISLAND OF OUR OWN - SALLY NICHOLLS
SUMMARY: Holly and her younger brother Davy have been in the care of their 18 year old brother Jonathan ever since their mum died. Life is hard, they never have money for new clothes or nice food, and, although he says he does not mind, Holly is pretty sure Jonathan is not too happy about giving up his place in university to work in a café in order to pay the bills. So when Holly's eccentric, wealthy great-aunt gives her a photo album shortly before her death, she is sure it contains clues to buried treasure. Solving the clues is only the beginning, though, as Holly also has to convince her brothers the treasure is real and get to it before anyone else does.
I know you're not supposed to judge a book by it's cover, but it was the cover that initially attracted me to it! Plus how cool does treasure sound?
WAR GIRLS - ADELE GERAS
SUMMARY: 1914: war has broken out across Europe and beyond. Nothing will ever be the same again for those caught up in the conflict.
This collection of short stories explores how the First World War changed and shaped the lives of women forever. A courageous nurse risks her life at the Front Line; a young woman discovers independence and intrigue in wartime London; and a grief-stricken widow defends her homeland amidst the destruction of war.
Through these and other tales, War Girls presents a moving portrait of loss and grief, and of hope overcoming terrible odds.
As a young woman I love reading stories about strong women that I can relate to and look up to, and I find war a topic we've studied in school a lot, really riveting.
SUMMARY: 1914: war has broken out across Europe and beyond. Nothing will ever be the same again for those caught up in the conflict.
This collection of short stories explores how the First World War changed and shaped the lives of women forever. A courageous nurse risks her life at the Front Line; a young woman discovers independence and intrigue in wartime London; and a grief-stricken widow defends her homeland amidst the destruction of war.
Through these and other tales, War Girls presents a moving portrait of loss and grief, and of hope overcoming terrible odds.
As a young woman I love reading stories about strong women that I can relate to and look up to, and I find war a topic we've studied in school a lot, really riveting.
This is in no way my complete list, but possibly my number one interests. A particular author I'm interested in right now, is Katherine Mansfield. A female New Zealand author who really is one of the greatest New Zealander's in history. Get inspired.
- georgia maree
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