I'm getting really bad at keeping up with these at the moment. This week for sure has been one big emotional rollercoaster, it still is infact, never-ending it seems, but I'm learning to keep it inside me, only letting myself have the excuse of crying at the sad parts of Desperate Housewives and things like that! It's during this time that I read about 40% of this book, it was a great escapism into someone else's world and their dramas and troubles and I could leave mine behind for a little bit.


Summary: It's Jack's birthday, and he's excited about turning five. Jack lives with his Ma in Room, which has a locked door and a skylight, and measures 11 feet by 11 feet. He loves watching TV, and the cartoon characters he calls friends, but he knows that nothing he sees on screen is truly real - only him, Ma and the things in Room. Until the day Ma admits that there's a world outside . . . Told in Jack's voice, Room is the story of a mother and son whose love lets them survive the impossible. (Goodreads)

Today has just been one of those weeks - busy central! In fact all this course reading and essay writing got abit too overwhelming this week and I just needed to read something for fun! So my work-free evening on sunday was spent curled up on the sofa reading Paige Harbison's New Girl! I started at about 8ish and could not stop until I had finished just gone midnight! What a way to spend an evening! It just goes to show that I could not put this book down, I had to finish it in one sitting!


"They call me 'New Girl'... 

Ever since I arrived at exclusive, prestigious Manderly Academy, that’s who I am. New girl. Unknown. But not unnoticed—because of her. 

Becca Normandy—that’s the name on everyone’s lips. The girl whose picture I see everywhere. The girl I can’t compare to. I mean, her going missing is the only reason a spot opened up for me at the academy. And everyone stares at me like it’s my fault. 

Except for Max Holloway—the boy whose name shouldn’t be spoken. At least, not by me. Everyone thinks of him as Becca’s boyfriend…but she’s gone, and here I am, replacing her. I wish it were that easy. Sometimes, when I think of Max, I can imagine how Becca’s life was so much better than mine could ever be. 

And maybe she’s still out there, waiting to take it back." (Goodreads Summary)

http://juliekagawa.blogspot.com/2012/03/giveaway-immortal-rules-signed.html?showComment=1330710318946#c5126485474170744304

Day 10 without chocolate #Lent




I had to read this book for my 'Contemporary Women's Writing' module at uni this week, and thought I could review it!
Although it is written relatively recently (1996) it is set in a working-class, white dominated village of Tollington in the 70's. The general overview is a little girl, Meena, who is part of the only Indian family in the village as because of this her family 'stick out'. In order to combat any bullying, she uses story-telling, lying and fighting which constantly gets her in trouble with her disappointed parents who expect that have a perfect, feminine Indian girl to grow up with a passion for Indian culture. Meena, however, just wants to fit in like the other girls. The book follows her friendship with Anita Rutter, an older, white girl from her street, and how Meena grows with her desire for popularity and to be like Anita. It is only when the village start turning against the 'darkies' does Meena realise what a bad influence Anita is on her and how little their friendship means to Anita. This is further emphasised when Meena breaks her leg and ends up in hospital for weeks and soon forgets Anita's existence. The books ends with her family moving away and the friendship between the two girls coming to a natural end.


I think what is great about this book is that Syal brings such humour and light-hearted reality to the book that makes it relatable to any teenage girl with the worries of puberty, boys and friendships as well as those who have already been through it. She admires everything about Anita and will do anything to be her friend and be like her. The references to hanging around in their den with copies of Jackie magazine and fashion, swapping stories and gossip are something that are a part of every girl's teen-hood and you can't help but feel sorry for Meena trying so hard to be a part of it like everyone else.


Nevertheless, underneath the surface is the overlying social critique of how the Indian family are treated in a white community. The white working-class characters lay emphasis on the Britishness of their community and only tend to compliment Meena's family by talking of 'how english' they are ('as if it is a buggering compliment' is Mrs K's response). Yet as the family show, they are no trouble to the street, in fact they are always polite and friendly and helpful neighbours yet the colour of their skin and the culture characteristics that come with this will always stop them from being properly accepted.

One of my top favourite moments in the book is during Meena's time in hospital and she meets Robert. It is a very My-Sister's-Keeper-esque moment with Kate and Taylor and it possibly one of the most touching moments in the book. Earlier during her 'den' days with Anita, Meena wrote a letter to Jackie magazine asking whether she would ever get a boy to like her because she is 'brown', of which their reply was to smile and be herself, Michael Jackson seemed to be doing well with his colour (Oh the irony!). In hospital, however, she meets Robert - a boy in an isolation room on the ward and they get to talking and soon develop a real affection for eachother. I think the sheer significance of this story line is showing that even she, a pre-teen, indian girl who thought she had no hope, can find love. She as in her nightie with no lipgloss on and he STILL talked to her! Love is not, and never will be, restricted to one type, age or race of people and I liked that Meena got to realise this by the end of the novel.


I think the ending was abit flat, however, it is closely tied in with the beginning as it closes off Meena's relationship with Anita, but I think it possibly leaves the reader feeling abit anti-climaxed. The fact that Meena's family move away and leave behind Anita and the street simply shows that they have given and moved away to a more Indian dominated community where they would be accepted rather than standing up for themselves amongst the white community. 
But I think it serves the purpose of concluding Anita's friendship to Meena and how she moves along into her new stage of life, a new stage of acceptance and community which should hopefully suit her better.

I definitely enjoyed reading the novel and would recommend it to others as it confront a socio-political issue of race in the 70's but it does so in an appealing, comical way through the eyes of a pre-teen girl that is 100% relatable and enjoyable!

I have become increasingly addicted to pretty things lately - this can range from anything from notebooks to jewellery, usually book-type items or vintage styles! This is when my geek-y side comes out and I become like a magpie for these things. One thing that lacks (as always) is money, if only I was rich *sigh*.

Notonthehighstreet.co.uk is one of my favourites at the moment, selling vintage style stationary and accessories and even funky homeware. When I get my own house I so wish I could fit it out with everything from this store!
I'm also attracted to the word and book themed vintage items at the moment, I love words and writing and reading, so the thought of having decoratives and accessories that are made of, or encompass those things is so amazing!
I am also not one of those people that thinks that books should be exclusive to sitting on bookshelves untouched. Noone could ever doubt my love and passion for books, but in my love I find that it comes with nuture and comfort: I like to use and love my books, so if they have that tattered, 'read' look it shows they are well-used. Those books that are in protective covers in imaculate condition that are never touched look lovely but they do not hold the same appeal! This extends further to things made from books! I love these things! As I said, I love books, so the thought of having alternative decorations that are made of these are so good! Books are still being used and referenced and looked at and it's so easy to pick up some cheap, unwanted books from the charity shop to create some masterpieces!

 

I need to get some arts & crafts going I think - present ideas sorted for all my English friends (not that they probably are as enthusiastic as me!)

It has been a while since I have updated on here, far too long in fact. My life (as most I'm sure) is as hectic as always in many ways (rubbish excuse, I know), my focus on my final semester of my degree has taken over in one last push to do as best I can. As hectic as it may be, I feel I have actually finally found my routine and rhythm with it - I'm reading all the texts on time, in fact enjoying most of them too, and I'm also managing to make the most of the social side outside of reading, seeing friends and doing things. I'm enjoying this year possibly more than I have done the first two, which is sad as it's the last few months and I know they will flyby!


It's coming to the end of February and it feels like Easter is coming along really fast. Although now that I have given up chocolate for lent I'm sure the next 38days will drag on! I can't actually ever remember properly giving anything up for lent before, so I felt like now, living independently, I could make the decision myself and give it a go! It's day 3 and I'm starting to forget about it but I'm having to consciously find other baking products that don't have chocolate in!
Doing a Google still comes up with the most amazing looking chocolate cakes and sweet things that makes me question why I gave it up at all! I think I'm going to have to try and substitute it with toffee or marshmallow (or both!) in the likes of crispy cakes and cookies! 
I'm going to have to give them a go this weekend, as there is nothing better than curling up with a good book and a freshly baked thing to pass the time away!


I am going to try and keep up with this now, including book reviews. It's not like I'm ever short of books I'm reading or things to say about them! That and Goodreads is becoming my new found addiction!
http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/5886440-emily-finn