Friday, 26 August 2011

Inspirational Images (2)


OK, so this is sort of inspired by the Daily Dose Monday meme I saw on Erika Breathes books. But since we already have a meme for Mondays that I would like to keep for the time being, I'm reincarnating it under the working title Inspirational Images. Since there re no days of the week beginning with I, I'm not setting a particular day for us to do it on, it'll just appear whenever we see something, well, inspirational. Or pretty, or beautiful, or funny, or magical. Whatever takes our fancy.




Allie

Wednesday, 24 August 2011

Who told you that there's no such thing as a Gothic Hippie? They have mislead you thoroughly in the ways of life. Demand compensation.

Book...reveiws? Don't worry, I don't have any. Ha. Unlike sister dearest, I'm a selfish reader. I read for myself and me only. I can't recommend many books, or reveiw them on paper.













There we go.

You know, Obsessive-Twins-Like-To-Have-The-Last-Say disorder is going to get the best of us with these pictures.

Love, Tora.

Tuesday, 23 August 2011

Book Review - The Year The Gypsies Came, by Linzi Glass

Isn't the cover pretty?  It's ever so
exotic, but also peaceful-looking.
Sorry for the lapse in posts, everyone! I've written a few reviews for you to keep the blog alive while we try to get back into the swing of things again.

I first read this book a few years ago. I didn't really know what to expect (it was Glass's debut novel, and the cover doesn't give too much away) but I knew I wanted to read it. I hadn't heard of it at all, but that didn't matter. I've read my copy so many times by now - it's one of those books that will just keep temtping you back. Not because its a fantastically paranormal YA romance, or a roller coaster action adventure, but because it's a simple story with many layers, dealing with soemthing that has been dealt with in many books and in many people's real lives, woven together with lyrical words clearly coming from a very talented writer. It's understated, detailed and powerful, and will imprint its memory on you from the very first read.

Set in 1960s South Africa with a backdrop of harsh apartheid and spreading urbanisation, it tells the story of Emily Iris and her family - her affluent parents and her older sister Sarah, whom she idolizes. They have nightwatchman, Buza, an old wise black man; he is the mnost intelligent and knowing character in the book, and yet he has the least power and influence. His tales of Zulu warriors and old myths and legends help Emily get through the days - her parents have a stormy relationship, their screaming matches often causing Emily to hide out in Sarah's room as they wait out the fights, or retreat to the garden where Buza resides.
When things get really bad, her parents invite complete strangers to stay with them, as though ths mooth exterior that must be created to keep up appearances will somehow become deeper and more permanant and mend the cracks that are so obvious when the huge house is filled with echoes of arguments and frosty silences.

In this novel the guests are a family of travellers, a man and a woman, a menagerie of exotic possessions, animals and stories, and their two sons, Otis and Streak. Emily forms a friendship with Streak, but a devastating and tragic event changes the course of Emily's life, and that of every person around her.
Linzi Glass provides plenty of vivid descriptions and relatable anecdotes, little incidents that mkae you stop and think and re read the lines she has just portrayed to you. The book is colourful and so easy to imagine, she might as well have filled the pages with pictures and not words. The writing can sometimes seem detached and distant, but otherwise, it's a pleasure to read. I personally especially enjoy reading Buza's tales, which are as deeply researched as they are provacative. I think that's the main message of this book; it's thought-provoking, and struck a chord with me, for many reasons, but firstly and most prominently, it struck me as an excellent book, written by a master storyteller.

For me if there is one downfall, it's that of the characters, who for me are sometimes just unrealistic and hard to like, (but I do have a favouite - Buza) and  it does have the earmarks of a debut, and perhaps Linzi Glass would have changed some elements or small parts of it, as I'm sure any published writer would if they had a chance to edit their novel after it had been released, but over all I think it's great, and though it may not be for everyone, it's defintiely worth just trying it. You never know, it may appeal to you even if other books of its genre haven't.

Re-readability: 4.5/5
Writing: 4/5
Plot: 3.5/5
Characters 3/5
Overall: 3.5/5
In five words: thought provoking, beautiful, dream-like, lyrical.

Allie

Tuesday, 16 August 2011

Inspirational Images...



OK, so this is sort of inspired by the Daily Dose Monday meme I saw on Erika Breathes books. But since we already have a meme for Mondays that I would like to keep for the time being, I'm reincarnating it under the working title Inspirational Images. Since there re no days of the week beginning with I, I'm not setting a particular day for us to do it on, it'll just appear whenever we see something, well, inspirational. Or pretty, or beautiful, or funny, or magical. Whatever takes our fancy.




Allie

Monday, 15 August 2011

Music Monday 10

Meme borrowed from Zakiya at WBF....


Lady Luck by Jamie Woon

This is just a really cool song...really easy listening, and so unique!

Allie

Monday, 8 August 2011

Music Monday 9

Meme borrowed from Zakiya at WBF....

Today's song:


Everywhere I Go, by Lissie - Live version by Lissie and Ellie Goulding

This is a haunting and beautiful song...it's sad and kind of happy, and always strikes a chord with me whenever I listen to it...

Allie

Wednesday, 3 August 2011

Waiting On Wednesday #3 - Shatter Me, Tahereh Mafi


'Waiting On' Wednesday is a meme taken from Jill at Breaking the Spine.

Today's book: Shatter Me, by Tahereh Mafi
Publication Date: November 15th 2011

OK, so you've probably heard all the hype about this book - and I really hope it's true. I can't believe its long until its out! Fingers crossed I get myself  a copy as soon as possible...

I'm looking forward to this book because: the plot sounds brilliant, and even if it only half-lives up to expectations it'll be a fantastic read. It's exciting, dark, and dystopian - what more could a YA reader wish for? I wish had the kind of talent Tahereh Mafi does to have created this kind of story; it's going to be a stunning debut - and I'm pretty sure it'll have me on tenterhooks the whole way through. If what I've read about it is to be beliveed it'll be a rollercoaster ride full of lyrical words and powerful images...*dreamy sigh*

(Description from Goodreads.com): Juliette hasn't touched anyone in exactly 264 days. The last time she did, it was an accident, but The Reestablishment locked her up for murder. No one knows why Juliette's touch is fatal. As long as she doesn't hurt anyone else, no one really cares. The world is too busy crumbling to pieces to pay attention to a 17-year-old-girl. Diseases are destroying the population, food is hard to find, birds don't fly anymore, and the clouds are the wrong color. 

The Reestablishment said their way was the only way to fix things, so they threw Juliette in a cell. Now so many people are dead that the survivors are whispering war- and The Reestablishment has changed its mind. Maybe Juliette is more than a tortured soul stuffed into a poisonous body. Maybe she's exactly what they need right now. 

Juliette has to make a choice: Be a weapon. Or be a warrior. 

In this electrifying debut, Tahereh Mafi presents a world as riveting asThe Hunger Games and a superhero story as thrilling as The X-Men. Full of pulse-pounding romance, intoxicating villainy, and high-stakes choices, Shatter Me is a fresh and original dystopian novel—with a paranormal twist—that will leave readers anxiously awaiting its sequel.

If this post gets the Shatter Me news out to even one new person, than my mission shall be complete...

Allie

Monday, 1 August 2011

Music Monday 8

Meme borrowed from Zakiya at WBF...

Today's song:


One Big Family, by Templecloud

This is such a simple song, but from the moment I heard it on that ad I wanted to hear the full version. I think the lead singer (yes it's a band!), Hannah Symons, has a great voice....it's just easy listening, y'know?

Allie

If you've made it this far, you might as well look through the blog archive...