Book Quote of the Day

“He who controls the past controls the future. He who controls the present controls the past.”

― George Orwell, 1984

Book quote of the day

“It was terribly dangerous to let your thoughts wander when you were in any public place or within range of a telescreen. The smallest thing could give you away. A nervous tic, an unconscious look of anxiety, a habit of muttering to yourself–anything that carried with it the suggestion of abnormality, of having something to hide. In any case, to wear an improper expression on your face…; was itself a punishable offense. There was even a word for it in Newspeak: facecrime…”

- George Orwell, ”1984″

My Book Recommendations

I thought i would post a list of books which i would recommend people to read, based on the sort of thing they like!

• If you like “Bridget Jones’ Diary”, you might like ” Funny Valentine” by Amy Jenkins. A journalist follows a famous film star and develops feelings for him unexpectedly. 
• If you like easy read chick lit, try “I Heart New York” by Lindsey Kelk, a tale of heartbreak, recovery, escape and shopping.
• If you like dystopian fiction, and particularly something a bit chilling, try “Unwind” by Neal Shusterman. It is a YA fiction title but works as a crossover title as well so adults should try it too.
• If you like vampires, but would rather avoid “Twilight” teenage angsty vampires, try “Let The Right One In” by John Ajvide Lindqvist. It’s proper Horror fodder.
• If you like “Twilight” and “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and want something that’s equally about teenage issues as well as supernatural, try the “Wicca” series by Cate Tiernan – A teen discovers that she’s a witch and other witches want to steal her powers because she is so powerful (There’s 15 books to keep you going!).
• If you like dystopia, try George Orwell’s “1984″, or if you want something a bit more feminist try Magaret Atwood’s “The Handmaid’s Tale”, where the human race is struggling due to mass infertility. Or maybe try “Woman on the Edge of Time” by Marge Piercy, which describes a woman’s life in an institution for supposedly mentally unstable/hysterical women and her escape to a utopian dreamland. 
• If you like utopian themed books, and specifically something more feminist, try “Herland” by Charlotte Perkins Gilman, where three men discover a colony of women who learned to live and reproduce without men.
• If you are curious about life after death (who isn’t?!), try David Eagleman’s book of very short stories about the afterlife, “Sum: Tales of the Afterlives”.

If you want to read fiction from other cultures:

• If you like books about confused teenagers trying to come to terms with their identity and something a bit dark, try “At the Edge of Light” by Maria Peura. It’s a little confusing and intense, but it brings together all the feelings of trying to work out who you are as a teenager, while set in the harsh atmosphere of  Finland’s grim north.
• If you like a bit of horror, try John Ajvide Lindqvist, the Swedish horror writer. Maybe try his books “Let the Right One In” (recently made into a film) or “Little Star”.
• If you are interested in how the digital age affects our relationships with our loved ones and total strangers, try “Love Virtually” by Daniel Glattauer.

Book Quote of the Day

“‘If everybody minded their own business,’ the Duchess said, in a hoarse growl, ‘the world would go around a great deal faster than it does.’”
- Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland

Book Quote of the Day

“People simply disappeared, always during the night. Your name was removed from the registers, every record of everything you had ever done was wiped out, your one-time existence was denied and then forgotten. You were abolished, annihilated: vaporized was the usual word.”
- George Orwell, 1984

June Book Challenge – Day 28

Image via Wikipedia

Today’s question: What is your favourite book which you studied at university?

“1984″ By George Orwell

- I had always been curious about this book, having heard so much about it, and when i had the chance to choose my own topic for my undergraduate dissertation, i chose to study Dystopia in literature. As a result, i was able to study “1984″ and compare it to other dystopian fiction. It’s a very thought-provoking novel, and now i see what the fuss is all about. It really is a brilliant book, and the ideas are really unique and interesting.

June Book Challenge – Day 11

Image via Wikipedia

Today’s question: What genre do you really want to read more of?

Dystopian fiction

- Considering i did my undergraduate degree dissertation on the subject of how realistic utopia is to create, and looking at dystopia as the opposite to a utopian world, i really didnt read enough into the subject. My main books were “The Handmaid’s Tale” by Margaret Atwood, “1984″ by George Orwell, “Herland” by Charlotte Perkins Gilman, and “Utopia” by Thomas More, and i didn’t really read much else.

I love dystopian fiction, and i really want to read more books on the subject, such as “Fahrenheit 451″ by Ray Bradbury, “The Children of Men” by PD James, and “Brave New World” by Aldous Huxley.

As it’s 2012 next year, and the year when the Mayans supposedly predict the world will end, dystopian fiction and films will inevitably become popular, and i want to be a step ahead!

Where do you write?

Image via Wikipedia

I read an interesting article today about the advantages of writing in bed: The advantages of writing in bed – The Guardian. It describes how authors like George Orwell wrote in bed, and how the bed is the perfect place for reading and writing.

This made me think of where i like writing. The answer to this question: pretty much anywhere i get inspiration.

In the past i have had inspiration and started writing there and then, wherever i am. Of course, i don’t always have pen and paper on me, so occasionally i’ll write it as a note on my mobile phone so i don’t forget and put it down on paper as soon as i get hold of some.

Places:

1. Bed – I too like writing in bed. It’s comfortable and relaxing for long periods of time. I tend to write in bed in the morning or in the evening…. occasionally i’ll wake up in the middle of the night and just write there and then. I also almost always read in bed!
2. Train – A lot of my time is spent on trains so it is no surprise that i get inspiration to write while travelling, and particularly if i’m inspired by the landscape i’m travelling through, or by the music i’m listening to.
3. A viewpoint, ie. on top of a mountain, by the seaside, etc. – Places which have a beautiful view are also great for inspiration. A lot of the time i don’t have paper with me, as it tends to be on walks, so i’ll use my mobile to write small notes for later. Or i take photographs, as i’m usually either carrying a phone/camera or paper.

You may notice that “Desk” isnt on the list: To be fair, i rarely use my desk these days, its currently covered in junk when my laptop isnt sitting on it!

As for reading, i read in bed a lot, i read on trains (not on buses/in cars as i get carsick weirdly!), and sitting outside either on the decking or on the table!

So, where do you all read and write?