Hello 2013! A new year calls for a new list of books to read. As always I will update the list as I go along, commenting on my favourites!
October
September
August
May
April
March
February
The Secret History - Donna Tartt
A tutor recommended this to me while I was studying at Slade. I love a mystery crime novel, and I'm hoping this proves to be filled with twists and intellect!
September
Jane Eyre Laid Bare - Charlotte Bronte & Eve Sinclair
I have a feeling I'm going to be enraged reading this butchered classic with no erotic integrity. Still, let's not judge a book by its cover!
September 20th - WHAT A LOAD OF RUBBISH. It's a horrid defilement of a classic, don't read this if you love Jane Eyre.
September 20th - WHAT A LOAD OF RUBBISH. It's a horrid defilement of a classic, don't read this if you love Jane Eyre.
August
Daughters of Decadence: Women Writers of the Fin-de-Siècle - Elaine Showalter
A gift from my best friend, it's full of short story wonders written by women at the turn of the century, a great follow-on from The French Lieutenant's Women. The stories cover many themes such as female sexuality, marriage and feminism.
September 14th - I definitely have favourites from this collection, I really enjoyed Kate Chopin's stories, Sarah Grand's 'The Undefinable: A Fantasia', and Olive Schreiner's 'Life's Gifts'.
JulySeptember 14th - I definitely have favourites from this collection, I really enjoyed Kate Chopin's stories, Sarah Grand's 'The Undefinable: A Fantasia', and Olive Schreiner's 'Life's Gifts'.
The French Lieutenant's Woman - John Fowles
'The epic love story of two people of insight and imagination seeking escape from the cant and tyranny of their age...' I was given this book by a friend who insists I will enjoy it, I trust his judgement although if I find it dull I may throw it back at him.
August 10th - This book certainly did not disappoint, I loved the turn of the century passion with comparisons to the present day, Fowles is a pleasure to read. There was humour and lust and a real insight of Victorian sensibility.
JuneAugust 10th - This book certainly did not disappoint, I loved the turn of the century passion with comparisons to the present day, Fowles is a pleasure to read. There was humour and lust and a real insight of Victorian sensibility.
Perfume - Patrick Süskind
Mystery and murder in the heart of 18th century Paris. I can tell this book will be a winner for me. Itching like nappy rash to get stuck in!
July 2nd - This book did not disappoint, in fact, it is one of the best novels I've read. Intriguing and entertaining from start to finish with some wonderful morals and food for thought included.
July 2nd - This book did not disappoint, in fact, it is one of the best novels I've read. Intriguing and entertaining from start to finish with some wonderful morals and food for thought included.
Is It Just Me? - Miranda Hart
It's impossible not to love Miranda. She's a wonderful comic and endearing actress. I'm looking forward to reading her book, especially when it's her voice I'll be hearing in my head!
June 14th - SUCH FUN! A real, light hearted read with beautiful morals and truths that we can all learn from and live by. This book is like a much lighter version of Caitlin Moran's 'How To Be A Woman' and I couldn't help but read it with Miranda's voice in my head.
June 14th - SUCH FUN! A real, light hearted read with beautiful morals and truths that we can all learn from and live by. This book is like a much lighter version of Caitlin Moran's 'How To Be A Woman' and I couldn't help but read it with Miranda's voice in my head.
May
The Casual Vacancy - JK Rowling
I purposefully avoided reading the many mixed reviews this book received upon release, I'm very excited to throw myself into Rowling's new fictional venture, and to make my own opinions on her work, post-Potter.
June 5th - I quite enjoyed this book, I found myself reflecting on the different family dynamics and issues each character carries. It was a reflective observation on life and the gritty truths within many family/friend/partner relationships. I guess it didn't blow me away, I was carried through it quite comfortably, with some climactic points.
June 5th - I quite enjoyed this book, I found myself reflecting on the different family dynamics and issues each character carries. It was a reflective observation on life and the gritty truths within many family/friend/partner relationships. I guess it didn't blow me away, I was carried through it quite comfortably, with some climactic points.
April
The Passion of New Eve - Angela Carter
I've been told this is a loaded, heavy read but has a wonderful story. My empowering path of female literature continues!
May 9th - I'm a fan of Angela Carter's 'Bloody Chamber' and this book also had me gripped. The story is a lot to get my head around but absolutely fascinating in terms of questioning gender and sexuality. I really enjoyed it, and think it could be well worth giving another read in the near future to let its messages sink in properly.
How To Be A Woman - Caitlin Moran
I'm hoping this is as hilarious as I've heard this is! I find Moran to be a fascinating personality, I can't quite figure out if I find her truly funny or offensive.
April 28th - This was such a quick read, utterly BRILLIANT writing, I could not agree more with so many of Caitlin Moran's views, and there were a few life experiences I could relate to and chuckled aloud in recognition! It's a must read for any 21st century woman/girl/guy/person.
May 9th - I'm a fan of Angela Carter's 'Bloody Chamber' and this book also had me gripped. The story is a lot to get my head around but absolutely fascinating in terms of questioning gender and sexuality. I really enjoyed it, and think it could be well worth giving another read in the near future to let its messages sink in properly.
How To Be A Woman - Caitlin Moran
I'm hoping this is as hilarious as I've heard this is! I find Moran to be a fascinating personality, I can't quite figure out if I find her truly funny or offensive.
April 28th - This was such a quick read, utterly BRILLIANT writing, I could not agree more with so many of Caitlin Moran's views, and there were a few life experiences I could relate to and chuckled aloud in recognition! It's a must read for any 21st century woman/girl/guy/person.
March
Vagina: A New Biography - Naomi Wolf
Yep, I've got my 'empowering woman' hat on and I'm diving head first into this study on the neural connection between the brain and the vagina, and its important role in many women's creativity and sexuality.
April 18th - Wow! What a fascinating, educational read. A bit too airy fairy hippiefied in places, but there is so much women can learn about the power of their sexual energy and how integral it is for our wellbeing!
April 18th - Wow! What a fascinating, educational read. A bit too airy fairy hippiefied in places, but there is so much women can learn about the power of their sexual energy and how integral it is for our wellbeing!
February
Wide Sargasso Sea - Jean Rhys
My friend Emma has kindly lent me this book after my recent enthusiasm for Jane Eyre. It tells the story of Mr Rochester's crazy wife and how they met, then how she goes on to be locked up by him.
Feb 16th - A wonderful, quick read. It didn't tie in with Jane Eyre as much as I expected it to, but I'm glad it didn't. You really get a feel for Mr Rochester's 'history' and I felt so sorry for Bertha/Antoinette.
Feb 16th - A wonderful, quick read. It didn't tie in with Jane Eyre as much as I expected it to, but I'm glad it didn't. You really get a feel for Mr Rochester's 'history' and I felt so sorry for Bertha/Antoinette.
January
I Love Dick - Chris Kraus
To kick off the new year I would like to start with a novel recommend to me by artist and current RA student Eddie Peake. We had a brilliant discussion about sex and desire in art and painting during a tutorial at Slade last term, it really had an impact on me.
Feb 9th - Really loved Kraus' writing style; a cross between cultural criticism and fiction. The line trodden between desire and obsession was quite inspirational in terms of my work, which explores the tensions between attraction and repulsion.
Feb 9th - Really loved Kraus' writing style; a cross between cultural criticism and fiction. The line trodden between desire and obsession was quite inspirational in terms of my work, which explores the tensions between attraction and repulsion.
This Year's List
In no particular order...
In no particular order...
I Love Dick - Chris KrausThe Passion of New Eve - Angela CarterVagina: A New Biography - Naomi WolfHow To Be A Woman - Caitlin MoranJane Eyre Laid Bare - Charlotte Brontë & Eve SinclairThe French Lieutenant's Woman - John FowlesIs It Just Me? - Miranda HartDaughters of Decadence - Edited by Elaine Showalter- The Secret History - Donna Tartt
Perfume - Patrick SüskindThe Casual Vacancy - JK Rowling- Solar - Ian McEwan
- 1Q84 (Part 3) - Haruki Murakami
- Under The Volcano - Malcolm Lowry
Wide Sargasso Sea - Jean Rys- Lady Chatterly's Lover - DH Lawrence
- Norwegian Wood - Haruki Murakami
- Les Miserables - Victor Hugo
- Rebecca - Daphne du Maurier
- Fings Ain't What They Used T' Be - The Lionel Bart Story
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