Maybe not so bored

Even though I have been complaining how I am bored and have nothing to do besides job hunt I have been managing to keep myself somewhat busy. I haven’t made any jewellery in a while (the metal and beads aren’t speaking to me) but I have started writing again, doing some calculus (Cory still thinks there is something wrong with doing calculus without a gun to my head) and I have been doing quite a bit of reading.

When I started writing this post I came to the realization that I have read 4 books in the last month. For Christmas I got some gift cards for Indigo and Chapters and I have put them to good use. The books I read are all fiction but vastly different from one another.

Coyote Blue– Christopher Moore

Samuel Hunter is a successful life insurance sales man. He has the ability to understand his clients, find their point of view, and change himself into who ever he needs to be to make the sale. This has made him wealthy and his life very comfortable. One day he meets Calliope Kincade. She is young, she is beautiful, and he falls in love with her. This means trouble for him; it throws his life out of balance and brings to the surface a past that he left a long time ago.

Christopher Moore is one of my favourite writers and this marks the eighth book by him I have read. I seem to be drawn to his writing. His books are funny making them seem light and refreshing but there is always something deeper, a message, that you cannot help but see. His writing is layered and highly entertaining. He weaves together the paths of his interesting complex characters flawlessly creating a story that takes you on a real ride.

This book is no exception. Samuel Hunter is a man who has worked hard to hide who he is and in the process lost himself. Meeting Calliope reawakens who he really is and even though he tries to resist his true self emerges. Calliope is stronger than you are initially led to believe. She has been through a lot in her short life but manages to still be naïve and un-jaded by her experiences. Her honesty confuses Samuel at first because he is so used to hiding himself that he cannot understand a person who could so wholly put themselves out there. Then there is Coyote, the trickster, whose incredibly logical illogic provides great comic relief for the reader but a lot of pain for the other characters in the novel.

Even though I am less partial to his early work than his newer stuff this book I really recommend. It was his sophomore novel but I like it much better than “Blood Sucking Fiends” or “The Lust Lizard of Melancholy Cove” that came after it.

Scott Pilgrim and the Infinite Sadness – Bryan Lee O’Malley

This is the third book in the “Scott Pilgrim” series. Scott’s old girlfriend, Envy Adams, is back in town. She stole his band, his fame, his heart, and now she is here to flaunt it. Scott also has to fight Todd Ingram, her bass player, current boyfriend, and powerful vegan. He is also Ramona’s 3rd evil ex-boyfriend. Will he prevail?

Ok. I know this isn’t really a “book” book, it is more of a pseudo-manga. But it has a cover and pages with writing so it totally counts, plus the “Scott Pilgrim” series if pretty entertaining with its randomness. I am not sure how to describe what I thought of the book. It is fun and funny but a little more spastic than the first 2 books. This series isn’t one that can really be explained you have to read it to get it. I can go on about a battle in Honest Ed’s, veganity violations, and save points but you would be left scratching your head.

I am trying to get through the books before the movie comes out. My friend recommended the books to me, tried to explain it and I was left with a very confused look on my face but she was right, I like them. She is also hella excited about the movie and may be a possible extra.

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time – Mark Haddon

Christopher Boone is autistic. He is very smart and is especially good at maths. He has a picture perfect memory; he remembers everything, dates, names, conversations, and places. He lives with his father, his mother died a few years ago. A dog in the neighbourhood has been killed and he is determined to figure out by whom. His investigation leads to the discovery of more than he expected and drastically changes his life.

The title of the book may be long and a bit clumsy but if it was anything else it would not fit the content between the covers. This is a very well written, mind encompassing, sad book. It is written from Christopher’s view of events. He is methodical in his writing and conveys everything because that is what he sees. The author tries to show what it is like to be in the mind of a person with autism and (if it is accurate) does an amazing job of doing so. Of course not all autistic minds are the same but this gives a glimpse of what it may be like. It is scary, confusing, and at times just too much to take in.

I waited a long time to read this book, I just kept meaning to pick it up but there was always something else. But now that I read it I don’t know why I waited so long. It really is an amazing read that at times can be hard to wrap your head around (he goes into complex mathematics at points) but is totally worth it.

Gods Behaving Badly – Marie Phillips

A long time ago Greek gods were praised and worshipped. They lived a life of luxury as they kept the world turning. In 21st century however few people believe in them. They are immortal but are now show signs of aging and losing their power. Many of them have been crammed into a house in London for centuries getting on each others nerves. Artemis, the goddess of hunting now dog walker, her twin brother Apollo, the god of the sun/TV psychic, Aphrodite, goddess of beauty/phone sex operator, and more are stuck together for all of eternity. But one day a timid cleaner and the man she loves come into their lives changing it forever.

This book is really a lot of fun. It starts out really raunchy. The first chapter is a conversation with a woman who has been turned into a tree because she didn’t want to give a god a blow job and chapter two is Apollo’s thoughts of how bored he is while he is thrusting (if you know what I mean). But then it gets into the story; the author brings many of the gods into the plot, a lot of Greek mythology and modern society.

It is a light funny read. Phillips obviously knows her mythology but also takes some liberties with her modernization. I totally recommend this book as long as you are not easily offended or highly religious.

So that is what I have read so far. I have already started the next book so you may get some more book reviews soon. It is funny, I hated doing these when I was in school now here I am doing it for fun.

Tra

About the Author

Tra

2 Comments

Sarah

So, I think your “friend” with all these awesome reccomendations should maybe be named? It seems like this “friend” has quite an influence… Maybe your “friend” should become a contibutor to your blog?

Your friend,
Sarah

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Tra

Sarah you are so subtle. And Yes you do have great recommendations and you can contribute any time you like.

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