read as many books as possible, starting with all the books I own but haven't read

The Ripley series -loved them all. I watched the film again recently as I remember liking it before and wanted to compare it to the books. Big thumbs down. The book, as ever is x better than the film. The humour is maybe too dry to translate well to screen?

Red Dragon -I enjoyed it. I preferred the portrayal of the main character (whose name escapes me) in the book. I love the psychological profiling. Had a look at the FBI site to find out more but unsurprisingly, didn’t find much.

Also read another filmy book. The beyond terrible Legally Blonde. I was at the library and fancied a bit of chick lit for when I’m feeling a bit down/need fluffiness. Twas rubbish. Nearly threw it out the window. I only bothered to finish it as I cannot leave a book unfinished.

Immigrants: Your Country Needs Them -discourse on how immigration is viewed and how immigration is and should be seen as a positive. I enjoyed this despite the rather textbooky feel to it. Or maybe because. I sometimes regret not going down the social sciences/humanities route academically. Anyways, the author echoed a lot of my own thoughts and introduced some new ideas. Food for thought.

Currently reading:

Hannibal -I have a soft spot for Hannibal.

Random book I’ve forgotton the name of

The Journals of Sylvia Plath

Biography of Frieda Kahlo

Currently re-reading:

Unbearable Weight: Feminism, Culture & the Body -again. For the 86th time or something.

The Chemistry of Life -biochem book. Not too big though so it fits in my bag and I can pull it out at Starbucks and look like I might be intelligent.

I am rubbish at this. I keep taking out books from libraries thus never picking up the books I have eagerly waiting on the shelf for me. It must be hard being a book :( being constantly passed over for other, more interesting books about Hannibal, immigration, geishas and the like.

Started and finished Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro in one day. I wanted to read it for ages and have only now just got round to it. Good read. The simple language gives some depth to the character. The fact that the science behind the plot is never explained also adds to it: makes it seem more routine, unquestionable.

Loved it.

Haunted by Chuck Palahniuk. I like getting immersed in Palahniuks world. Glad I don’t have to stay for too long there mind. He paints such a decrepit, scummy, still decaying view of the world that I am reasonably happy I am wearing my rose-tinted glasses through which I go about my daily business. I’m working my way through all of his stuff and he has a definite style which, while not instantly gripping draws the reader in slowly, like the tendrils of a creeping ivy on steroids, slowly engorging the whole side of the house.

None of the books I currently own are ones I want to read. I’m fed up with the library, it’s very stressful you know trying to return them in time. I’m rubbish at it so good job I have someone to wipe the fines from the computer for me. I’m currently reading a book written by a travel writer I usually love but this book is a bit boring. I persevere because I have enjoyed his other stuff so much. Also, I don’t like giving up on books, it’s a sign of weakness and of lacking stamina.

But then someone lent me a book by a writer I have not long ago discovered. And it’s joyous reading it. But I promise, as soon as I’m done with this one I will get back to my mini library. It’s all part of my downsizing my life mission. Once I’ve read a book, I can pass it on or charity shop it. If I can do that with all my unnecessary possessions I will one day be living out of a suitcase. That will be a great day until I go out shopping and buy random crap all over again.