Wednesday, December 30, 2020

My Life in Books - the 2020 version


I have planned to write a kind of wrap up post of this year's reading, but then I found this book tag by Annabookbel, and I thought it would be much fun (and easier!) way to do it. Here we go...


In high school I was... The Accomplice (Theodore Boone series by John Grisham) - not reviewed

People might be surprised by... Whose Body?

I will never be... The Vicar of Wakefield

My life in lockdown was like... This Side of Paradise (staying at home is a bless-in-disguise for an introvert!)

My fantasy job is... The Deerslayer

At the end of a long day I need... One Hundred Years of Solitude

I hate being... Murder(ed) on the Orient Express

Wish I had... The Fortune of the Rougons

My family reunions are... Hard Times

At a party, you'd find me with... The Belly of Paris (food is my sole entertainment at parties! ๐Ÿคฃ)

I've never been to... Dublin(ers)

A happy day include... The Song of the Lark

Motto I live by... Why Didn't They Ask Evans? (or: when you're not sure, asking is better than assuming)

On my bucket list is... Three Act Tragedy (I've never seen live performance )

In my next life, I want to be... The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus


Monday, December 28, 2020

The Classics Club #2: COMPLETED! - A Wrap Up

Today I proudly announce that I have completed my 2nd The Classics Club challenge which I started in March 2017. Here's some summaries of what I've read in less than four years:

Original time frame
๐Ÿ“š 60 books - March 1, 2017 ~ March 1, 2022

Actual time frame
๐Ÿ“š 50 books - March 1, 2017 ~ December 20, 2020

Most mind blowing
๐Ÿ‘๐ŸผEast of Eden - John Steinbeck

Most boring
๐Ÿ‘Ž๐ŸผResurrection - Leo Tolstoy

Most surprising
๐Ÿคฉ Max Havelaar - Multatuli
I thought it would be boring, it being a semi non-fiction, but turned out to be rather hilarious and interesting!

Most disappointing
Possession - A.S. Byatt

New favorites
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ The Tenant of Wildfell Hall - Anne Brontรซ
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Rebecca - Daphne du Maurier
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ The Brothers Karamazov - Fyodor Dostoyevsky
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Cannery Row - John Steinbeck

Newly found favorite authors
Anne Brontรซ
Willa Cather
Daphne du Maurier (still partial, but will definitely read more of her)

Glad I've Read (but once is enough!)
One Hundred Years of Solitude - Gabriel Garcia Marquez
The Lord of the Rings - J.R.R. Tolkien
This Earth of Mankind - Pramoedya Ananta Toer

You might wonder why I had stopped at the 50th book, while there's still a year and three months ahead to finish the challenge. It's because I'm planning on having a new approach of the challenge, starting next year. And that's why I have to stop this year, to start afresh on January. You'll get to know more about this next week. Stay tune! ๐Ÿ˜‰

Friday, December 25, 2020

The 12 Days of Christmas Book Tag

Saw The 12 Days of Christmas  Book Tag over at Hamlette's blog the other day, and I think it's one merry way to celebrate Christmas!

Rules: 

#1 Use a different movie for each prompt 
#2 Add photos and/or explanations of how your choices fit the prompts 
#3 Tag a few friends to play along

Let's play!!

1. A Partridge in a Pear Tree - book that involves agriculture:



2. Turtle Doves - book about a long-lasting relationship:
The Mysterious Affair at Styles

The book isn't about relationship, but thinking about long-lasting one... there aren't many relationships which are as strong and long-lasting as Hercule Poirot's and Captain Hastings, right? ๐Ÿ˜‰


3. French Hens - book that takes place in France:
The Belly of Paris... the title says it all, right?


4. Calling Birds - book where people talk on the phone:
The Murder of Roger Ackroyd


The phone call is one of the essential factors in this case.


5. Golden Rings - book with multiple romance:
Sense and Sensibility... ❤❤

6. Geese A-Laying - book with a birth or that features babies:
Dombey and Son



7. Swans A-Swimming - book where someone goes swimming:
The Pearl

It's not really a leisure swimming, but plunging into the water, nonetheless, right? ๐Ÿ˜†


8. Maids A-Milking - book with cows:
The Earth

"The cow had bolted and was galloping through a patch of lucerne, followed by the girl, who was desperately trying to hold her back."


9. Ladies Dancing - book with a dance scene:
War and Peace

How could one ever forget Natasha's dancing scene??


10. Lords A-Leaping - book about athletes:
The Great Gatsby

Jordan, the female golfer


11. Pipes Piping - book with someone playing a musical instrument:
The Song of the Lark... before becoming an opera singer, Thea is studying to be a great piano player


12. Drummers Drumming - book with characters in the military:
One Hundred Years of Solitude... how will one ever forget Colonel Aureliano Buendia and his entourage?!

Want to share the fun? Consider yourself tagged!