10 novels that solve all of your problems

Alright, we live in a world where psychological illnesses become more and more common. Emily Temple on flavorwire.com, however, has come up with the perfect solution: books! 

Yes, the written word can do lots of things and might just cure you of your addictions, phobias, etc. So why spend extra money on expensive self-help books, if the answer to your issue might just be sitting within easy reach on your bookshelf. Read more on Emily's wonderful (tongue in cheek) suggestions here: 10 Novels to Solve All of Your Problems

(c) http://s3.favim.com/orig/47/book-crazy-girl-hair-wind-Favim.com-437340.jpg

Kate Atkinson...and her new novel

(c) Martin Hunter, kateatkinson.co.uk

Ok, I'll admit it: ever since I came across her writing as an undergraduate, I've been in love with Kate Atkinson's books. For me, she is one of few contemporary writers who effortlessly seem to be at home in different genres and who always manage to come up with endearing and versatile characters. I'm a big fan of her earlier work such as Behind the Scenes at the Museum or Human Croquet, but am equally fond of her Jackson Brodie crime series.

Yet, I'm happy to announce that it's only a good six weeks until the publication of her latest novel Life after Life, to be published on 5th March. Here is what amazon has to say about it: 

"What if you had the chance to live your life again and again, until you finally got it right?
During a snowstorm in England in 1910, a baby is born and dies before she can take her first breath. During a snowstorm in England in 1910, the same baby is born and lives to tell the tale.
What if there were second chances? And third chances? In fact an infinite number of chances to live your life? Would you eventually be able to save the world from its own inevitable destiny? And would you even want to?
Life After Life follows Ursula Todd as she lives through the turbulent events of the last century again and again. With wit and compassion, she finds warmth even in life’s bleakest moments, and shows an extraordinary ability to evoke the past." (amazon.de)

Doesn't that make you all excited??? Well, I definitely can hardly wait to get my hands on this! Meanwhile I might just re-read her short stories.

How to keep track of your books

So there's this: Keeping track of your reading can be difficult! Nothing new there, especially if you are as fond of making lists as I am. Ever since I started to 'devour' books, I've compiled lists of the titles I've already read, the ones I'd like to read, the books I own, ... (Yes, I'm a nerd!) This had become rather tedious at times because titles accidentally got left out, etc., when I came across Goodreads.

(c) www.goodreads.com

If I had to describe Goodreads in three words and to people who haven't come across it yet, I'd more or less tell them that Goodreads is like 'Facebook for bibliophiles'. And I believe this description captures the essence of Goodreads quite well, don't you think? The page is an extremely useful tool to keep track of your daily/weekly/monthly/annual book intake - you can even take part in the annual 'Reading Challenge'! It's also great when you're looking for reviews and other readers' opinions. Everyone can rate their books, create their own shelves, post comments in various groups etc., so it is a wonderful place to exchange reading tips with your fellow book lovers. Moreover, Goodreads is just plain convenient, even though it does have a few flaws (e.g. the search for titles isn't always very acurate). However, the advantages definitely outweigh the downsides, so if you aren't familiar with it yet, you should probably go check it out. It sure has made my nerdy little book lover's life a lot easier.

Review: Memoirs of an Imaginary Friend

You know what they say: Better late than never! Shortly after Christmas I promised to write one or the other review about the books I received as gifts, but unfortunately didn't really get around to it until now. The first book I would like to talk about is Matthew Dicks'/Green's Memoirs of an Imaginary Friend.  (N.B. In case you are confused about some editions of the book appearing under two different names, this site explains it all: Introducing Matthew Green).

Let me start by saying that I loved this book from beginning to end. It was quite unique and different from most books I've read before. Well, maybe except for Mark Haddon's The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime. The narrator of the story, Budo, is an imaginary friend and with his four years is exceptionally 'old' as most imaginary friends, so we learn in the story, usually disappear again quite quickly. His creator, Max, lives with a form of autism (even though a specific diagnosis is never named in the book) and is something like a social outcast at school. Budo as his only friend provides a fabulous insight into Max's inner world - he makes you laugh, cry and worry for both his and Max's well-being. I'm not going to spoil your fun by going into greater detail about the plot, but let me reassure you that the story eventually becomes very exciting and even nerve-wracking. 

All in all, Memoirs of an Imaginary Friend is simultaneously funny, smart, heart-warming and suspenseful: Clearly a must-read!!

In memory of a friend and fellow literature lover

The holidays are over and the new year has already brought about tragedy. A very good friend and colleague passed away unexpectedly last week. I'm still lost for words, but as she was a passionate Shakespeare scholar, I think one of his sonnets may function as a suitable commemoration.

Sonnet 60 - William Shakespeare

Like as the waves make towards the pebbled shore,
So do our minutes hasten to their end;
Each changing place with that which goes before,
In sequent toil all forwards do contend.

Nativity, once in the main of light,
Crawls to maturity, wherewith being crown'd,
Crooked eclipses 'gainst his glory fight,
And Time that gave doth now his gift confound.

Time doth transfix the flourish set on youth
And delves the parallels in beauty's brow,
Feeds on the rarities of nature's truth,
And nothing stands but for his scythe to mow:

And yet to times in hope my verse shall stand,
Praising thy worth, despite his cruel hand.