I love the way Maya Angelou writes about her life and thoughts. This book is vivid and enchanting, and I enjoyed reading it, although it made me sad aI love the way Maya Angelou writes about her life and thoughts. This book is vivid and enchanting, and I enjoyed reading it, although it made me sad a few times.
"I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" is the first of seven autobiographies Maya has written, and it is about her early life from age 4 to 16. She has expressed it from the magical perspective of a child, and you know how innocent kids are in the way they see the world. Truly amusing. Maya Angelou has captured all that, and it is delightful to read.
Marguerite's love for books plays a central role in the autobiography. It's adorable that at an early age, she is saying that Shakespeare is her first white love.
This book is frank, and it is written with an excellent sense of humour. There are a few traumatic moments that change Maya's life entirely. I'm astounded how she talks about those moments - completely self-aware and with not even the slightest emotion of anger or hatred.
The impression I get from the book, Maya Angelou is fearless and determined in whatever she is doing. You can recognise that by her longing to work as a streetcar operator even though they don't accept people of colour. Maya's persistence grants her the job and she is the first person of colour to drive a streetcar in San Francisco.
Maya Angelou is a bird with a bright and hearty voice, and her song deserves to be heard (or read in this case)....more
Last year (2018) I continued with my Japanese books obsession. Other than that, I read a few surpassing personal development books and a few classic bLast year (2018) I continued with my Japanese books obsession. Other than that, I read a few surpassing personal development books and a few classic books. I'm pleased with my choices, and it was challenging to recommend only ten books.
It is so much easier and efficient to do your reading challenge for 2018 after the year has ended! :D
Also, in 2018 I accumulated many books in my "anti-library" (a term coined by Nassim Nicholas Taleb). In result, to discipline myself I came up with a "book ban" that consists of a simple rule - I can buy a new book only after reading 3 books from my anti-library. Of course, it doesn't count if a book is given to me as a present. I strongly hope my friends will read this (maybe I should have started the review with the book ban rule :D). By the way, there’s a word in Japanese for the literary affliction of buying books you don’t read. It's called "Tsundoku" (積ん�). Surprise, surprise. After all, in 2018 I read a few Japanese books, started learning Japanese at Duolingo and ate a lot of sushi, gyoza, ramen and matcha. I can say that a little part of me is Japanese already. :D いただきます
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Hopefully, 2019 will be an awesome reading year for everybody. :)
That's a book which I saw in the bookstore and thought, it would be interesting to read, mainly because it's a fictionPulitzer Prize for Fiction, 2018
That's a book which I saw in the bookstore and thought, it would be interesting to read, mainly because it's a fiction book about a writer. A few months later, I received it as a present from a friend.
It is a book about happiness and love, sorrow and realisation. Also, it's partially a satire with good humour. The protagonist's name "Less" is a pun by itself.
There is a depth, although you may not see it if you don't look for it.
It will not resonate with everyone, but it did with me.
Yes, I had some mixed feelings after reading the first few chapters. And yes, I was wondering why did it get the Pulitzer (not that I'm aware what is the judgment criteria). After finishing it, I got my answer. That's a book that rewards you at the end and it touches essential questions about how we live our lives and what is right and wrong to do, what is important etc. The book itself is very original in terms of literary techniques. ... And I have a theory. It may not be me rightful, but I like it.
/* Theory start */
In the beginning, the book feels a bit shallow - I think that's intentional. In a way, what happens with this book is precisely what happens to Less's new book in the book. At first, it is rejected, because "it is a little hard to feel sorry for a white, middle-aged American man and his sorrows". We see Less's journey around the world, and on each step, we discover something that caused the current situation. And at some point, Less re-writes the novel. And this is when the book becomes extraordinary for me - the last three chapters - more depth, more clues, metaphorical battles, and finally understanding who the narrator is.
/* Theory end */
I like Less; he has interesting observations and humorous reflections. We started our journey together in New York. Afterwards, I got home, but his solo-journey had just begun - Mexico, Italy, Germany, France, Morroco, India, Japan.
His long journey is another reason I liked the book. Every country brings its own culture, so the scenery changes too.
Less is looking for an inspiration for his new book but also running from something. I find his way of dealing with what troubles him good. And I believe he is courageous, although these are his own words:
"Name a day, name an hour, in which Arthur Less was not afraid. Of ordering a cocktail, taking a taxi, teaching a class, writing a book. Afraid of these and almost everything else in the world. Strange, though; because he is afraid of everything, nothing is harder than anything else. Taking a trip around the world is no more terrifying than buying a stick of gum. The daily dose of courage."
In the end, he is challenged to break a physical wall to get out of a Japanese restaurant. However, it felt like this is an allegory. It was more of a mental wall - not to be escaped but to be dealt with.
I liked the literary twists - one of the journeys is plotted like Agatha Christie's novel. Another one is represented like "Alice through the looking glass". Most of all, I liked the symbolism of how his old relationship ended the same way as his experience reading "In search of lost time" by Marcel Proust. Nietzsche as well.
As I mentioned in my theory already, for me, the novel ripes at the end. The last three chapters are great because they not only contain details about Less's travel but depict his emotional struggles and the questions he asks himself and the answers he finds. All of this is beautifully set by the dreams he has and his hurdles.
His dream: "I ride up the mountain, and at the top is a cave and a priest - you know, like in a cartoon. And I say I'm ready. And he says for what? And I say to think about more important things. And he asks, 'More important than what?' 'More Important than love.' And he looks at me like I'm crazy and says, 'What could be more important than love?'"
Less is very big-hearted. Not to mention that he had also culturally enriched the life of every coal miner in France.
Interestingly, a character in the book wins a Pulitzer.
---------
Some quotes and moments:
When he is attending a kaiseki dinner and seeing the same dishes as he tasted in the previous place, he was at - butter bean, mugwort and sea bream. "He greets each dish with a mad smile, recognising the spiral nature of being, Nietzsche's concept of eternal return."
"He knows the absurdity of asking someone to explain love or sorrow. You can't point it. It would be as futile, as unconveyable, as pointing at the sky and saying. "That one, that star, there."
"He kisses—how do I explain it? Like someone in love. Like he has nothing to lose. Like someone who has just learned a foreign language and can use only the present tense and only the second person. Only now, only you. There are some men who have never been kissed like that. There are some men who discover, after Arthur Less, that they never will be again."...more
Four stars for this candid novel garnished with a lot of emotional blends.
The story is mostly about the consequences of an erroneous sentence and how Four stars for this candid novel garnished with a lot of emotional blends.
The story is mostly about the consequences of an erroneous sentence and how many lives and relationships are affected by it.
The book starts with a complicated situation. Roy is innocent but sent to jail for twelve years. They have been married with Celestial for just over a year. What is going to happen to their marriage?
We witness their communication via letters exchange. The young family is fighting to protect their relationship but is it feasible for them to keep what they have and then start all over after 12 years? Their marriage and their love for each other is a victim of the circumstances.
Andre, who is Celestial's childhood friend is the third side of the story. Their friendship evolves in the story to something stronger.
All sides are confused, they don’t really know what they want. Although I didn't agree with many of their choices, I think I understood most of them. I repeatedly asked myself:
“Why is he doing it? What is she thinking?�
The truth is that it’s effortless to judge others and so difficult to take decisions in tough moments.
The characters in the story ask themselves a lot of questions as well:
“Is it love, or is it convenience?� or “Is this a crime of passion or crime of opportunity.�
I loved the dialogues, but I couldn't bond to any of the characters. There were some funny moments as well: “How would it look if I hung back while my date chased a criminal.�
That's one of my favourite parts near the end of the novel:
“But someone was going to pay for what happened to Roy, just as Roy paid for what happened to that woman. Someone always pays. A bullet doesn’t have nobody's name on it as would people say. I think the same is true for vengeance, maybe even for love. It’s out there - random and deadly like a tornado.�
It's one of those books that make you start thinking about human nature and other people's choices. It brings more sadness than happiness which doesn't mean it's not an enjoyable book. On the contrary, it's a delightful one. Highly recommended....more
I’ve been consciously avoiding this book for such a long time, but I’m finally happy that I managed to read it and put an end to this hide-and-seek gaI’ve been consciously avoiding this book for such a long time, but I’m finally happy that I managed to read it and put an end to this hide-and-seek game. In my head, I’ve always associated John Steinbeck with depressive and too serious books. And yes, it’s not an easy read, but it pays off in some way.
Now, I’ve a better opinion of Steinbeck, although I don’t think I will read him again soon. I’m amazed how he did that - he made me feel kind of emotionally drained in just ~ 100 pages. I don’t think I would like to go for a coffee with Steinbeck, even if I had the chance.
The story is full of solitude. Everybody is lonely in this book. It’s a cruel and tragic, sad and oppressive story, but it’s touching. The characters are described so well. Everyone has his own dream, and it’s so charming that Lenny’s mere dream is just to pet rabbits and look after them.
I’ve sympathised many of the characters - Lenny, George, Curley’s life (and she doesn’t even have a name), Candy, Crooks. They are all mistreated in a different way (I somehow blame Steinbeck for this). The strength of the friendship between Lenny and George is heart-breaking.
This book had a great impact on me but I wouldn’t recommend it to everyone.
There are so many spices in the book, not only literally! It's an adventurous book full of cooking metaphors and a deep storyline at the same time. ThThere are so many spices in the book, not only literally! It's an adventurous book full of cooking metaphors and a deep storyline at the same time. The story emphasizes that not everything is what it looks like. No matter how good you know yourself, rejecting to see the other side of the painting puts you in boundaries which existence you've never known.
My favorite moments of the book are when Wedge is cooking and the way he depicts his meals. It's magical - so many feelings and details. It's almost like you are in the kitchen experiencing the whole event.
And just a friendly advice - do not read this book while you are hungry - it's a suicide....more
The name of the book is connected a lot with "Inferno" by Dante Alighieri.
I admit that I didn't like "The lost symbol" much only because it felt like The name of the book is connected a lot with "Inferno" by Dante Alighieri.
I admit that I didn't like "The lost symbol" much only because it felt like "patternized" but this one I enjoyed a lot. My opinion may be biased because I'm a huge Florence and Dante Alighieri's fan. The story is very interesting and mysterious. It has a few surprising turns as double crossings and sudden reunions.
No spoilers! I highly recommend it. Furthermore, the movie is released in October and you may want to read the book before watching the movie. :)...more
A charming reading. The narration is flowing like a thought and it’s bringing a powerful message regarding topics like racism, equality, and injusticeA charming reading. The narration is flowing like a thought and it’s bringing a powerful message regarding topics like racism, equality, and injustice.
Well, well...I can't believe it took me sooo long to read this book, at times it was hard for me to follow the story but in spite of all it was very iWell, well...I can't believe it took me sooo long to read this book, at times it was hard for me to follow the story but in spite of all it was very interesting. I've watched the movie long time ago and it's good that I didn't remember anything. Chuck Palahniuk has this weird style of writing, in fact that makes the book so interesting and it's not just the story plot but this unusual style is making the book some kind of charming and unique. The story is about this guy - the narrator - who is living boring, unsatisfied employee's life. He doesn't have his freedom, he wants to do things but he is not doing anything in that direction. He is suffering from inosmnia and that's why he is visiting these support groups for people having cancer - the idea is to see what is real pain, listening to the stories, he cries with these people and he can have a sleep after this. The other main character in the book is Tyler - he is almost the opposite of the narrator. He has that inner charm and he is very chaotic and a little insane, the narrator is saying this about him: "I love everything about Tyler Durden, his courage and his smarts. His nerve. Tyler is funny and forceful and independent, and men look up to him and expect him to change their world. Tyler is capable and free, and I am not". After Tyler set on fire the narrator's house they are living together on "Paper street". They have an intentional fight and after finding the revealing cure of the fight they are inventing "Fight Club" and after this Tyler is inventing "Project Mayhem". "Fight club" projects freedom because there your name is not important, it doesn't matter how much money do you own there is only you fighting someone else, the people are really equal there. "Most guys are at fight club because of something they're too scared to fight. After a few fights, you're afraid a lot less." Tyler becomes a legend, many people admire him and it's like half the world is participating in "Fight club". And the idea of "Project Mayhem" is breaking down the modern civilization to make the world a better place where people can do whatever they really want to do, to follow their dreams - not to live some pattern-like lives. At the end it turns out that the narrator and Tyler are the same person......more
What do I think? - I'm thinking that whatever book I will pick now it just will be not good enough. After this one the lath is too high. I'm so happy What do I think? - I'm thinking that whatever book I will pick now it just will be not good enough. After this one the lath is too high. I'm so happy that I read it, that's why I'm recommending it to everyone. The book is priceless believe me!...more
If you think you have "seen" enough in the first book and there is nothing more than that - that means you live in a great delusion. WAKE UP and read If you think you have "seen" enough in the first book and there is nothing more than that - that means you live in a great delusion. WAKE UP and read it finally, don't feel hesitant about it! Frankly, I think to delay reading the third book because I need some rest of that tension and that constant rush and I already know that the third book will be the top of it all. So I need to prepare myself for this - collect some supplies, have a shower, have a good sleep, have a good ... oh, never mind. :)...more
First I watched the movie, and then I decided to read the book. I hate to do that in this sequence. I love to do it in reverse.
I have to admit that thFirst I watched the movie, and then I decided to read the book. I hate to do that in this sequence. I love to do it in reverse.
I have to admit that the movie (2013) is maybe the best movie on a book that I have ever seen. There are some parts of the book that I love because of the style of the author, and I have re-read them a couple of times, even highlighted them. Some thoughts are expressed very strongly, and this reminds me of Oscar Wilde a bit.
The way the story goes makes me have strong feelings about the characters - positive for some and negative for others and of course some parts of the story make me feel sad - for example the image of the weak and snobbish people in the book....more
I'm finally happy for reading this book because now I'm aware of the original meaning of the phrase "Catch 22" (which by the way can be considered as I'm finally happy for reading this book because now I'm aware of the original meaning of the phrase "Catch 22" (which by the way can be considered as a "deadlock" in programming context). It was a long reading and I certainly had problems with remembering who is who because of the too many characters (30+). There is this strange silly humour which made me laugh and a few very strong brutal moments which I think I will remember for a long time. There were moments that made me feel very upset but I guess in time of war the picture couldn't be more shiny....more
I don't know how to explain how this book made me feel like. I laughed, then I cried at the end... It is really thoughtful book - makes you think abouI don't know how to explain how this book made me feel like. I laughed, then I cried at the end... It is really thoughtful book - makes you think about what the human nature is, what the System is and how it acts, how strong the mind power is and how much can a single person take before he gets trodden on. The characters are chosen and depicted in an excellent way - you could feel them and you could think that you talked to them yesterday....more
Really great story depicted very keenly by the author. The madness lives in one little and beautiful world - only for one boy and the birds. This valuReally great story depicted very keenly by the author. The madness lives in one little and beautiful world - only for one boy and the birds. This valuable world is described in many details, kind stories and real friendship. It's about someone that know what exactly he wants to do no matter what other people say and he tries to get it every time he got a chance. Well that's for admiring. Sanity? I'm ok, the others are insane. :)...more
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