Archive for September, 2010

22

The Great Book Project 9 of 20 – One Fine Day In The Middle Of The Night by Christopher Brookmyre

Wednesday, September 22nd, 2010

Scottish Fun

Could that be the biggest blog post title ever? Might be.

With all the madness going on just now it’s a wonder I’m getting time to read. But seems like I am. Last week, for example, was the first time I have had the chance to see my Gran since I got married. I thought she might suplex me when I arrived at her door but she was quite the opposite. I’ve been really busy with Lucid Studio stuff and both Gemma and I are totally into the interior decorating now. Nearly finished the living room. Which means only one thing…Invasion. Invasion for the house warming party. This weekend I’ll be doing a bit of flat-pack building then some painting. Jesus, listen to me. I’ve lost the plot.

So, aye, what have I been reading that I don’t have time to be doing? One Fine Day In The Middle Of the Night by Scottish born Christopher Brookmyre. A book about a high school reunion on an Oil Rig that goes haywire when invaded by terrorists. In case you don’t know, Mr Brookmyre’s speciality is comedy so if this plot sounds a bit mental then you’d be happy to know it’s all in the name of a good laugh. Even so, I did think the story was pretty tight and worked really well.

I loved the really obscene Scottish humour in it. The moments with Charlie and Eddie catching up on the bus and when they were at the bar on the Rig. Those moments were pure gold. I would have preferred to read them ‘at it’ for the entirety of the book. But, as I said, the story did hold up and kept me interested.

Maybe one day I’d read another Chris Brookmyre novel, but there is just too much on my ‘to read’ list that I’d be more excited about.

I’m going to take a break from my list for a week or so, I’ve just got into this reading palava so much that I’ve got this massive list of books that I can’t wait to read. I’ve started reading a book called The Stars, My Destination so once I finish that I’ll get back to the project.

By the way. Sorry for not having my usual stupid picture of myself holding my book. I just couldn’t be bothered, and I look like shit these days.

Rating: ★★★★★★☆☆☆☆

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20

I’m Still Here

Monday, September 20th, 2010

Joaquin Phoenix

I really want to see this. In a nutshell, it is a documentary following Joaquin Phoenix around for a year, during what people are calling, a ‘tumultuous year’. He renounces acting for a rap career and generally goes way off the rails.

Of course there is a lot of discussion going on as to weather this is actually real. Did Joaquin Phoenix take a year long 24/7 acting role on and fool the worlds media? I’ve loved Joaquin as an actor thus far. Sign, Two Lovers, We Own The Night, Walk The Line have cemented him as one of Hollywood’s greats. I can see him being enough of a method actor to pull this off. I have some reservations, but I can’t wait to see the movie to make up my own mind.

Watch the trailer. It has one of the coolest voice-overs I’ve ever heard.

Also here is a youTube video of an appearance on the David Letterman show where he first showed his new persona.

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Posted in Movies | 3 Comments »

9

The Great Book Project 8 of 20 – The Big Sleep by Raymond Chandler

Thursday, September 9th, 2010

WOAFT! Last Thursday I got my Amazon Kindle delivered. A few days earlier than Amazon had indicated, I might add. It is a is a belated belated wedding present from my wifey. And before you go blabbing “Oh that’s terrible, Mario has been married for 2 months now”, I need to point out that it was my fault. I didn’t know what I wanted, and by the time I had made up my mind on this badboy there was already a sodding three week waiting list on it. But have no fear. My wait is over – this thing is the bees-knees.

The Big Sleep

If you don’t know already (I’m surprised how many people look at my Kindle with a ‘What-the-fuck-is-that?’ face) the Kindle is an eInk ebook reader. You can download books from Amazon’s library straight to your device and begin reading instantly. Right up my tech-appreciation avenue.

It’s not just me that seems to be liking it though. I’ve taken it into work and as a result there is already a buzz about it. Another workmate has already ordered one based on seeing it in action and there are two other ladies, maybe three (you know who you are) who have indicated their desire to order one.

Don’t get me wrong, I totally get the argument “Nothing beats having a book in your hand and having it on your shelf”, but I thought long and hard about that and decided that the good far outweighs the bad.

So, as I alluded to in my last blog post, I’ve had to change the order I read the books in. Makes more sense for me. I should have went onto W.G Sebold’s Austerlitz but this, or A Heartbreaking work of Staggering Genius which is after that, ain’t in the Kindle store yet. So as soon as they come available I’ll go back to them.

Brucie doin’ a Phil Marlowe

The next one I could read on the Kindle was The Big Sleep by Raymond Chandler so that had the privilege of being my first purchase.

This book is a wee gem. I really enjoyed it.

It’s a very complex detective story set in LA. There is loads going on, to the point where sometimes I found myself writing characters names down get their relationships with each other into my thick skull. Multiple crimes and characters criss-crossing along a path where Philip Marlowe is always one step ahead of both you and the characters within. This was refreshing for me as all books prior to this have been relatively linear stories.

It wasn’t just the story I enjoyed on this one though. I actually found myself appreciating the way it was written. The tone kinda reminded me of Max Payne and Sin City. I suppose, since this book was published in 1939, these were actually influenced by Raymond Chandler and not the other way around.

A good start to the Kindle experience. Big up to Steve for the recommendation in the comments on this post.

Rating: ★★★★★★★☆☆☆

I’m moving onto One Fine Day In the Middle of the Night by Christopher Brookmyre now.

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1

The Great Book Project 7 of 20 – Reading Lolita in Tehran by Azar Nafisi

Wednesday, September 1st, 2010

I’m getting into the swing of things now in my new home. Just recently bought a couch set (I’m sure there is a correct name for that, but can’t remember what it is), and been busy doing DIY stuff around the house. It’s hard to find spare minutes for yourself but when I do I’ve been sitting down to read this next instalment in my project.

Hide your Emotions!!!

Reading Lolita in Tehran is a memoir of Azar Nafisi, an English Lit teacher in the Iranian Capital. The book centres around a private book club that Azar organises to allow her more talented students to have more private voice when discussing various works of western literature. This ‘private voice’ is a haven for these young girls. Throughout the book we find out more and more of the tyranny against the Iranian people. Especially the women.

And this is the central theme of the book. The personal and intellectual oppression of the Islamic regime. The very title gives us a hint at this. In Nabokov’s novel (I haven’t read it but I’ve saw Stanley Kubrick’s adaptation), Lolita meets an older man and he falls in love with her. He is so besotted by Lolita that he refuses to let her live the life of a normal teenager. Lolita is forced to find devious ways to rebel against her oppressor and she eventually leaves him.

Much like Lolita, the girls in this novel have to deal with outrageous suppression in their day to day lives. They can’t show their hair (MY SISTER, GUARD YOUR VEIL. MY BROTHER, GUARD YOUR EYES) not allowed to express emotion, they are forbidden to touch another person in public, even to shake a hand. Many people are jailed or executed for showing signs of spontaneity or free expression.

The book is full of personal anecdotes giving us an idea of just how far and away our society is with that of an Islamic regime. I wont go into them here, but if you are remotely interested in the subject then I would wholeheartedly recommend this book.

Azar Nafisi

This book will stick in my head. It was tough going at times but it has given me a great insight into Islam. It reminded me of that video where the Iranian woman was killed at a protest against the election fixing and the constant issues we hear about human rights violations in Iran. Judging by what Azir Nafisi has seen and heard I’d say their is some serious shit going on that has to stop.

Best one in the project so far!

Rating: ★★★★★★★★☆☆

I’m not sure what to do about the next instalment in my project. My Kindle is due to arrive in a few days and the next couple of books on my list are not in the Kindle store yet! What I might do is jump ahead and read the ones that are available and then go back whenever they are released (15,000 new kindle books added a week I’m told!).

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Posted in Books, The Great Book Project | 2 Comments »