I finally fulfilled the new-book craving I have been having.
I went to Waterstones, spent too long browsing then grabbed two books as I left. But, sometimes that's the best way to do it.
I am going away and will be spending a ludicrous amount of time travelling so I thought these would while away several hours or would provide an escape from the obvious revision that will be taking place.
Lolita-Vladimir Nabokov (3.87 rating on Goodreads)
'Lolita, light of my life, fire of my loins. My sin, my soul. Lo-lee-ta: the tip of the tongue taking a trip of three steps down the palate to tap, at three, on the teeth. Lo. Lee. Ta.'
This book is widely controversial. It is overtly presented as a book about pedophilia and, reading reviews, I have found accounts of people who are shocked that anyone would read a book about this topic. In all frankess, I was attracted simply to the beauty of the opening paragraph (above)-just the way it was written. Pure craft.
I cannot predict what I will make of this text; it was banned at one point in the UK but is now one of the '100 books you should read before you die' and is used as an option of A-level Eng. literature so I am hoping to find it analys-able and complex. This review I found put it really well so it may be worth reading.
In a Dark, Dark Wood-Ruth Ware (3.62 rating on Goodreads)
"Someone's getting married. Someone's getting murdered. In a dark dark wood. Nora hasn't seen clare for ten years. Not since Nora walked out of school one day and never went back. There was a dark, dark house. Until, out of the blue, an invitation to Clare's hen do arrives. is this the chance for Nora to finally put her past behind her? And in the dark dark house there was a dark, dark room...But something goes wrong. Very wrong. And in the dark, dark room...Some things can't stay secret forever."
This sounds so much more chilling than I am prepared for. I never really know how I deal with horror but this sounds fast pace and gripping and I adore books like that. It sounds dark and mysterious and I can't wait until I am away to begin reading it.
***
Speaking of books-I reread my favourite book-'We Were Liars' and I decided I would tell you my thoughts. I appreciate this book mostly for the insane writing style, it's confusing and complex but totally necessary to develop a good story. The mystery that surrounds it before you read it is, again, totally necessary to get the full 'experience' but, after reading it for the second time, I am still in love with it. I cried, which was a first, and felt such deep sympathy for the main character. I saw their flaws clearer than I did the first time but felt such heartache for Cadence. If you haven't read this, 100% do it. Now.
I hope these will last me the two weeks I am away for, although I do have a few more stacked up on my shelf.
Have you read either of these books? What did you think?
Katie x
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