Lord of the Flies (29/03/2014)

So I was meant to read this for GCSE English way back when, and whilst I think we read it in class I never actually read it independently. I remembered what I needed too to pass the exam and vaguely remember what happened. I decided that it was time to try again, thinking that maybe I missed the point; being too young, it being for school, or even that I just should try again. Upon starting the book again I found it really difficult, the langue is horrid, I can’t even imagine people talking the way Golding wrote in this book. I know it was written a long time ago blah blah, whatever, I read Jane Eyre and didn’t find that tedious or awkward. So there really is no excuse.

The conversations seem disjointed, and it almost feels like Golding was thinking while he was writing but never went back over it. I do not finding it surprising that I turned off during lessons on this book. Even now in my mid-twenties I am finding it hard not to have to re-read pages and I feel like I’m going through the motions. It didn’t even feel like an actual story until 75% of the way through. I think he overdid the symbolism and then suddenly remembered it was also meant to be a story and things needed to happen.

The last 25% of the book was better, still not great, and I have to say I’m glad it’s over. I won’t be reading it again, but at least I can honestly give my opinion of the book now that I understand how poor a book this really is. I believe this is the prime example of a book people say is ‘good’ or a ‘classic’ because they think they should, not because they actually enjoyed it. I feel sorry for any school group that has to read this like I did. There are many other books that can be used, that are written in a much better way.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (17/02/2014)

So once again I have found myself at what seems to be the end of an era. This last book in the series always seems to be the point I aim for, to relive some of my favourite parts, but also one of the books which destroys me emotionally along the way. It never has the same impact that it had the first read through, but I don’t suppose a book will ever have so much expectation resting upon it from me. I had grown up and journeyed with these characters, which seemed to make their loses, my loses. Their triumphs, my triumphs.

I salute Rowling, and thank her for making reading an essential part of me. That is something I will always have and I wonder if without Harry Potter I would be quite the bookworm I am today!

Also as far as my personal challenge I am well ahead now, but hopefully this will give me a bit of room it I then hit a tougher book that takes a bit longer. I don’t tend to choose ‘small’ books, as the pace I normally read at makes it seem pointless and I like to invest in a story, so this time ahead of my challenge may well be needed later on. But overall so far I am really pleased and really enjoying challenging my reading in this way and making myself stick to a deadline is very useful and makes me feel much more productive. From here on the books I read I will attempt to actually review at least in regards to my expectations of them, I didn’t want to review Harry Potter as I have read them so many times and in my opinion they can do no wrong that it felt pointless.

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (14/02/2014)

So I managed to read this super quick so I am now well ahead on my personal challenge. Being able to read on the bus on my kindle has greatly increased my reading hours in the week even when I’m at Uni. Once again my emotions feel battered after reading this installment of the Harry Potter series. It seems no matter how many times I read this series, and how prepared I am for the plot elements, I crumble in the same places every time. I actually think my emotions crumble more now than they did first time reading them, as my mind jumps to elements of the story I know will happen later. Conversations have more meaning, especially in characters I know won’t make it. I also seem to pick up on more subtle elements that escaped me when I read them through all those years ago.

I just feel so happy that I was able to be part of the reading legacy that is Harry Potter, I can only hope if I ever have children in the future that another author enriches children’s reading in the same way. I do so miss being able to excitedly wait for the next book, the thrill of cover releases and pre-ordering a book!

...... Simple pleasures.