It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? (26/07)

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chinua achebe, ford madox ford, hubert selby jr, hunter s thompson, Its monday what are you reading?, jm coetzee, l. frank baum, meme, sara stockridge

Welcome to ‘It’s Monday, What Are You Reading?’, a weekly meme initially hosted by Sheila at the ‘Book Journey – One Persons Journey Through a World of Books’. This is a great way of letting people know what I’ve been reading over the past week and what I’ve got lined up for this week.

The past week has been a VERY busy one for me, and quite exciting. Apart from the fact that I’ve managed to read 3 books (yay!), I’ve also had the pleasure of receiving my first blog award by Readitin7days and join in the Book Blogger Hop hosted by the fabulous Jen @ Crazy for Books.

I had a great week meeting and talking to other book bloggers and getting into the spirit of the whole experience. I also had a chance to pick up on some fab books that I’ll hopefully be reading in the near future.  Without further ado, here is the round-up: 

BOOKS READ:
1.The Rum Diary – Hunter S. Thompson

Finally finished this one. I don’t know why it took me so long, but there you go. Johnny Depp supposedly has the rights to this story (given to him by Hunter himself when he was alive) and is planning to shoot/ has already shot the film version. I wonder if we’ll see Depp as the good Doctor again?

2. Things Fall Apart – Chinua Achebe

This was a quick read. I loved the story and everything about it. Review is here.

3. The Wonderful Wizard of Oz – L. Frank Baum

Did you know this story was 110 years old? Being part of the ‘Rory Gilmore Challenge’ made it a fun read, but I also enjoyed being a little kid again. Anyone who hasn’t read this yet should do so, in fact read it with your kids if you have any. It makes it twice as enjoyable. Lots of moral lessons to be learned! I’ll be writing a review for this one soon.

CURRENTLY READING:
1. Disgrace – JM Coetzee

Again, this one got pushed to the back of the pile! I’m notorious for switching my reading preferences, but I promise I will read it for next week. PROMISE!!!

2. ‘A Thousand Splendid Suns’ by Khalid Housseini

An excellent book so far. My mother and I are joint reading it so I only get a peek in when I get the chance.

3. ‘The Good Soldier’ by Ford Madox Ford

Part of the 1001 book list, I picked this up by chance. I have only taken a quick peek so I have no idea what it beholds yet.

4. Hammer by Sara Stockridge

This was a library pick. I just liked the cover! And I’m a sucker for anything based in and around ancient Victorian London. It’s a mystery/ suspense novel written by a British actress.

BOOKS TO READ:

1. ‘The Room’ by Hubert Selby Jr.

I know I said it would be ‘Last Exit to Brooklyn’ last week, but after reading about ‘The Room’ I decided I would throw myself into the deepest, darkest, dankest of Selby’s novels to see if I survive the ordeal. It’s the kamikaze in me I suppose.

There we are. My grand week in a single post. Hope everyone else has had a great one, and I look forward to your thoughts.

Quick Review | ‘Things Fall Apart’ by Chinua Achebe

Tags

1001 book list, 50 books a year, africa, book review, chinua achebe, Grapes of Wrath, Nelson Mandela, Nigeria, Okonkwo, rory gilmore reading list, things fall apart, Umuofia

Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Challenges: 1001 BYMRBYD (no. 468), 50 Books A Year (no. 38)

“The writer in whose company the prison walls fell down” – Nelson Mandela

This year I’m really lucky to have the chance to read a whole bunch of famous authors for the first time. Chinua Achebe just happens to be one of those, and his book ‘Things Fall Apart’ is a find that puts a smile on a readaholics face. Yes, it’s a wonderful find, and I say ‘find’ because for me at least, the reading quest is a personal one of discovery. With ‘Things Fall Apart’ I have found a valuable, intimate account of the ways of old tribal life in what was then the region of Umuofia, but what is now a part of Nigeria.

The story is of the great warrior Okonkwo, whose bravery and hard-earned glory is legendary among the various tribes. He is revered by his countrymen as the epitome of manhood and respected as a leading authority figure. However, as the story unfolds we witness the personal demons that haunt him, as we learn of his fathers lazy ways and the shame Okonkwo felt about this as he grew up. The day-to-day life of the villagers are told in a simple but powerful way. At one point I began to feel like one of the tribe, because I genuinely cared for what happened to the villagers of Umuofia. Okonkwo’s wives and his children, even the local medicine woman and the problems with the heavy rains and droughts that ruined a whole year of harvest shows a people who were brave and noble.

With Achebe you get to see the natives and their nobility of thought as well as the superstitious beliefs that caused a lot of grief for the various tribal members.

This book was so engrossing that I almost stayed up all night reading it. I couldn’t tear myself away, especially when the white man begins to threaten the existence of the settlements. I’ve never read anything as detailed as this about African tribes. Okonkwo is a very powerful character, and the tribe members all have their own distinct voices. Overall the sense of community is very strong in Achebe’s story and I found this to be for Africa what ‘The Grapes of Wrath‘ was for America. It tells of the way time-honoured traditions are cruelly massacred by white strangers with their white god. It shows how a community that has known each other for generations can fall apart at the intrusion of another faith. The tribes are not ready for the confusion that the travellers from the North bring them, and it marks the beginning of the end for these people.

View all my reviews >>

Related articles

• Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe (ruthlessreadings.wordpress.com)
• The Return of the Muthamaki Idealogy in Kenyan Politics (msemakweli.com)
• Things Fall Apart (kansamuse.wordpress.com)
• Chinua Achebe by Chelsea Berriochoa (slideshare.net)
• Achebe colloquium tasks Africa on good governance (vanguardngr.com)
• The trouble with Achebe (vanguardngr.com)
• Things Fall Apart (mandibelle16.wordpress.com)

It’s Monday, What Are You Reading? 19/07

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chinua achebe, hubert selby jr, Its monday what are you reading?, jm coetzee, kazuo ishiguro, l. frank baum, nocturnes, rory gilmore reading list, rum diary, sylvia plath, winter trees

Welcome to ‘It’s Monday, What Are You Reading?’, a weekly meme initially hosted by Sheila at the ‘Book Journey – One Persons Journey Through a World of Books’. This is a great way of letting people know what I’ve been reading over the past week and what I’ve got lined up for this week.

Reading-wise things are finally beginning to pick up a bit. I’m spending far too much time on the blog and real-life seems to be a pain in the backside. There’s been a couple of inteesting reads and a nice little discount discovery I made the Stephen King’s ‘Under The Dome’ – only half price at WHSmith’s which is far better than the full £8.99. I recommend that UK book bloggers check it out as it’s supposed to be quite a cool read. My goodreads friends have recommended it to me. I’m also waiting on news from the arrival of ‘Last Exit To Brooklyn’ by Hubert Selby Jr., an author I’ve been dying to read ever since I heard about him.  

So, here’s the round-up for last week’s reads:

BOOKS READ:
1. Winter Trees by Sylvia Plath

A very short collection of poems that were written during the last 9 months of Plath’s life. As you can imagine, not a happy read, but it certianly satisfied my need to exercise that part of the brain that deals with poetry. It took a while to get into her mindframe, but when I did it totally blew me away. Click here for review. 

2. Nocturnes – Kazuo Ishiguro

Although the cover looks good (very inviting for a music lover like myself), I found this collection of five loosely interwoven stories a little lacking. I felt there was something missing. Maybe the short story isn’t for Ishiguro, he should stick to novels. Having said that, a concept like this would be wonderful to read from Haruki Murakami who also uses Jazz music as an element in his story-telling.

CURRENTLY READING:
1. The Rum Diary – Hunter S. Thompson

Currently on page 110 of this fictional account of Thompson’s journalistic experiences during his short stay in Puerto Rico in the late 1950’s. It was written before Fear and Loathing, and retains the linear writing style of your average reporter. But I’m glad to say I can spot flecks of the pioneering Gonzo style very now and then.

2. Things Fall Apart – Chinua Achebe

I’m halfway through this incredible read. It’s so engrossing that I stayed up till 2am reading till my eyes felt sore. I’ve never read anything as detailed as this about African tribes. Okonkwo is a very powerful character, and the tribe members are all very distinct from each other. The sense of community is very strong in Achebe’s story. Reading his work is like touching warm, fertile soil for the first time. 

3.Disgrace – JM Coetzee

Thanks to the Achebe, I haven’t had a chance to give this one much attention. But it will be finished today, so I’ll have lots to write about next week.

BOOKS TO READ:

1.‘Last Exit To Brooklyn’ by Hubert Selby Jr.

I heard about Selby Jr. through the movie ‘Requiem For A Dream’. I didn’t know it was originally a novel by Selby, and after some research about him I was surprised that not much is know about this unique author. His ad hoc writing style and gritty, dark subject matters make Chuck Palahnuik look like a writer for YA. I quickly decided that Selby Jr. was the real deal, and I would not rest until I’ve read something by him.   

2. The Wonderful Wizard of Oz – L. Frank Baum

And for something completely different! I’ve gotten tired of the ‘heavy’ books lately. I feel like a soldier with combat stress! This is on the Rory Gilmore Reading List, and surprisingly I’ve never read it before. Something warm and fuzzy for the child in me.

That’s this weeks round-up fellow book bloggers. I hope you all have a great reading week and if you have any suggestions for good reads I’d be glad to know your thoughts! I’m off to make the rounds!

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?

Tags

audiobook, Character Crush, chinua achebe, disgrace, Dr. Gonzo, fear and loathing, hunter s thompson, jm coetzee, kazuo ishiguro, liz jensen, meme, nocturnes, puerto rico, rum diary, sylvia plath, the rapture

Welcome to ‘It’s Monday, What Are You Reading?’, a weekly meme initially hosted by Sheila at the ‘Book Journey – One Persons Journey Through a World of Books’. This is a great way of letting people know what I’ve been reading over the past week and what I’ve got lined up for this week.

Another slow one this week and I’ve gotten side-tracked a lot, but here’s an honest list of things finished/ pending and currently in the works:

BOOKS READ:
1. Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas: A Savage Journey into the Heart of the American Dream – Hunter S. Thompson

Savoured every last word of this insane epic. Loved it so much that I think I’ve been sitting and re-reading choice paragraphs and committing them to memory. Click here to read my review, and check out my ‘Character Crush’ of the week! 

2. The Rapture (Audiobook) – Liz Jensen 

Finally finished the audiobook version of this dystopian/ environmental/ Armageddon themed book that has a healthy dash of religious fanaticism thrown in for good measure. Click here for my review.

CURRENTLY READING:
1. The Rum Diary – Hunter S. Thompson

Currently on page 50 of this fictional account of Thompson’s journalistic experiences during his short stay in Puerto Rico in the late 1950’s. It was written before Fear and Loathing, and retains the linear writing style of your average reporter. But I’m glad to say I can spot flecks of the pioneering Gonzo style very now and then.  

2. Winter Trees – Sylvia Plath
 
This is where I start to deviate from last weeks reading plans. I felt a dire need for some poetry, so I managed to pick up this very slim (but seriously dense) book of Plath’s poems. Written towards the last 9 months of her life, they evoke the emotional turmoil for a woman trapped in a loveless marriage. She writes like a trapped beast. Each word a cutting claw, a razor tooth. I feel disdain for Ted Hughes…

BOOKS TO READ:

1. Nocturnes – Kazuo Ishiguro

Not the promised Murakami, but still a Japanese author nonetheless. I have been desperate to get my hands on Nocturnes ever since ‘A Pale View of Hills’. Haven’t started it yet, but I’m sure it’ll be wonderful.

2.Things Fall Apart – Chinua Achebe

I have yet to read any Achebe, and I was seduced by ‘Things Fall Apart’ at my local library. Now that the world cup is on I wanted to read some African Literature. Praise for the book goes like this: “The writer in whose company the prison walls fell down” – Nelson Mandela. 

3.Disgrace – JM Coetzee

Again, another book with a setting in South Africa, this time by Coetzee, another first time read. This novel won the Booker Prize in 1999. Took a sneak peek and I think it’s marvellous. 

That’s it for this week folks. Would love to know what you think of my choices.