Book Kaleidoscope 2014 – Day 5: Top Five Most Favorite Books

Now here we are…..on the last day of 2014, and this would also be the last post of Book Kaleidoscope 2014, as well as my last post of year 2014. It has been another great year in term of reading, I have read 41 books; 19 of them are classics (less than 50%...but I’m going to catch up next year!). Most of them were great books, and it’s quite difficult to pick only 5 from these tough candidates. But at last I came to this…

#5  Greyfriars Bobby by Eleanor Atkinson

I enjoyed this book very much; it is light, memorable, and adventurous, but also touching. It taught me about love and loyalty, without patronizing.

#4  The Last of Mohicans by James Fenimore Cooper

Its rich sentences might be slightly intriguing, but beyond that, this book is quite an epic. While reading it, I wished it never ends, so that I could spend more time with Uncas and his father.

#3  The Debacle by Emile Zola

This is Zola’s only historical fiction, and as always, he ‘painted’ the brutality of the war very vividly. His criticism of France’s incapability and the Emperor’s indecision struck deeply in mind—as is usual with Zola’s books.

#2  Of Human Bondage by W. Somerset Maugham

This book’s emotion is so thick and intense, it felt like reading a personal diary of an intimate friend. And knowing his strength and weakness throughout this coming of age story, I can only love him, despite of his many flaws.

...and the winner is....

#1  The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton

Reading this book was a blissful moment for me. The story is great, and Wharton’s beautiful but mind-blowing prose has made her another (female) ‘Zola’. She has become one of my favorites, and I can’t wait to read more of her books.

What are yours? Share in the linky below, and Happy New Year everyone!

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Book Kaleidoscope 2014 – Day 4: Top Five Underappreciated Secondary Characters

Day 4 of Book Kaleidoscope is the freebie day, you can create whatever bookish categories you want to feature. For me, it’s the underappreciated secondary characters. After having praising five ‘shinning’ male (or female) characters in Top Five Book Boy/Girl Friends, now it is fair to make room for secondary characters to shine a bit in Book Kaleidoscope. They are not what the books are about, but without them, perhaps our heroes/heroines won’t be what they were. Here are my picks:

#4  Sancho Pança in Don Quixote

I loved Sancho because he is very loveable: simple, humorous, and loyal. While Don Quixote is absurd, Sancho is more down to earth. I think he is one of the most interesting side-kick characters in classic literature.

Alfredo Landa as Sancho Pança

#4  Major Duncan Heyward in The Last of the Mohicans

Maybe Heyward has not the strong character of Hawkeye, although they are both white people among Indians. However, during difficult times he proves himself to be brave and kind. Not the real hero, but an amiable person with integrity.

Steven Waddington as Duncan Heyward (1992)

#3  Mr. Edwards in Little House on the Prairie

Who would refuse to have such a kind friend and neighbor as Mr. Edwards? He is a bachelor, but he knows how to treat Ma Ingalls politely. But especially…..his generous act of going through thick snow to get Laura and Mary Christmas present, and to make their Christmas so unforgettable.

Victor French as Mr. Edwards

#2  Mr. Traill in Greyfriars Bobby

Here is a businessman who does not only think about business, but has a sense of humanity. He provides Auld Jock a special place at his restaurant, regardless of his shabby appearance. After Auld Jock died, Mr. Traill still provides Bobby his lunch every day without payment. He treats everyone (including dog) equally and always kindly.

Laurence Naismith as Mr. Traill (1961)

…and the winner is…

#1  Thorpe Athelny in Of Human Bondage

Athelny is a perfect person you would like to have as a friend. Love, joy, and affection can always be found abundantly in him. He also cares about his friends; when Philip is burdened with a problem, he knows instantly, and listens to him calmly without judging. Athelny is a man who dedicates his life for others (family and friends), and get happiness and satisfaction from it. I am pleased to pick him as…. 

What are you featuring today in Book Kaleidoscope? Or do you have any favorite unappreciated secondary character too? Share it in the linky below!

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Book Kaleidoscope 2014 – Day 3: Top Five Best Book Covers

Cover must have been one of the most important aspects of a book (at certain point, we often judge a book from its cover, right?), and that’s why we are having this category for Book Kaleidoscope Day 3. Here are five of the most beautiful covers from books I have read in 2014,

#5  Of Human Bondage by W. Somerset Maugham

#4  The Kill by Emile Zola

#3  Tender is the Night by F. Scott Fitzgerald

#2  I Know Why the Caged Birds Sing by Maya Angelou

...and the award goes to....

#1  The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton

Red is my favorite color, and I don’t know why, but I feel that red represents Lily Bart’s character. The hats also represent how vanities—in style and appearance—had become one of the most important things in social life in that era. I also love this Penguin English Library edition, and so it becomes…

What are your favorite covers? Share with us in the linky below.

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Book Kaleidoscope 2104 – Day 2: Top Five Most Memorable Quotes

While the first category (Top Five Book Boy Friends) is relatively easy, picking memorable quotes turned out to be a harder task. There are books which have more than one quote; nevertheless, five best and memorable quotes must I pick, so here they are….

#5  Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë

#4  Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingals Wilder

#3  Of Human Bondage by W. Somerset Maugham

#2  The Last of the Mohicans by James Fennimore Cooper

...and the winner is....

#1  The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton

 Except for Jane Eyre’s, each quote I have picked here really represents what the books are about. But my favorite—and the one which has sunk deepest in my hear—is this one below… The truth and the irony are so strong, just like the book. It deserved to get the title of....

What about you? Share your memorable quotes in the linky below!

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Book Kaleidoscope 2014 - Day 1: Top Five Book Boy Friends

This is the first day of Book Kaleidoscope 2014, the rewinding of bookish aspects of books we have read this year. I did not find many perfect heroes this year; most of the male protagonists were average. So, these are five of my best picks for book boyfriends, and the actors who best played (or will best play) them:

#5.  Edward Ferrars

in

Sense and Sensibility

Okay, maybe Edward Ferrars is not a distinguished fiction character. I admitted that he is here, more, because Dan Stevens plays him in the 2008 mini-series adaptation…! *blushing* But an ordinary man as he is, Edward has quite an interesting side—quietly interesting. Edward is not ambitious, but honorable. What distinguished him is his principle to be fair and good to others. He is willing to sacrifice his own happiness (to marry Elinor) because of his promise to Lucy. He doesn’t seem quite strong, however he is brave enough to disobey his mother and reject fortune. Shy, honorable, brave, humble; just an interesting combination in a boyfriend, eh?

Dan Stevens (2008 – TV miniseries)

#4.  Mr. Rochester

in

Jane Eyre

I don’t think I would have liked Jane Eyre if there was no Mr. Rochester! Now this is an eccentric man with strong personality, whom you could hardly forget if he ever… ehm… enters your life. Edward Rochester is not handsome, but has a vigorous and temperamental character. His morality was perhaps a bit loose, but he does not hesitate to sacrifice his life when others are in danger. He could be a better man if his past don’t overshadow his youth, but sometimes, a rebellious man is more attractive than a perfect one…as a boyfriend at least. Do you agree? ;)

Toby Stephens (2006 – TV miniseries)

#3  Uncas

in

The Last of the Mohicans

Uncas is an Indian native from Mohicans tribe. He is not the main protagonist, and though the number of his dialogs is not significant (you know how little Indians talk!), yet the power of his soul covered the whole story. He is brave, honest, pure-hearted; and as a man, he is tender and attentive. Uncas loves without a need to express it—he is very shy—but once he loved a woman, he would give his life to protect her, without slightest doubt. And without slightest doubt, a man with Uncas’ quality would be a great boy friend; if not husband. Do you agree? ;)

Eric Schweig as Uncas (1992)

#2.  Philip Carey

in

Of Human Bondage

Thanks to Maugham’s vivid portrayal of this character, I felt like I have known Philip for years. Although I disliked him at first, my fondness for him grew while he was developing throughout the story. Philip might not be a very pleasant friend to have, but you can’t resist loving him. Deep down, he is a loving man; he is easily touched by his friends’ sorrows, and he gives helps even when he is in difficulty. The problem is, he has suffered too much from lack of affection and humiliation, that he always creates invisible walls to protect himself from being hurt. Philip would be one of the best boyfriends you’d like to have after he got through al his obstacles! Though Of Human Bondage has been adapted into movies before, I would love to watch Eddie Redmayne as Philip. Actually, during the reading, I was always imagining Philip as Redmayne! :)

Redmayne as Philip Carey...what do you think?

....and the award goes to.....

#1.  Lawrence Selden

in

The House of Mirth

In Selden I found most of the qualities I like in a real man. He is a representation of balance and stability. There is no exaggerating in his manner or mind; he is not too kind, nor he is too sensitive or ambitious. He is distinguished because of his self-possession; he knows what’s best for him, and cannot be dictated by the society to do otherwise. But the most important is, Selden can understand Lily Bart very well, and can guide her. He never forces her to love him, but always be there for her. Who can resist this kind of man? And that’s why I crowned him as my….

Eric Stoltz as Selden (2000)

So, who are yours? Share in the linky below!

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Book Kaleidoscope 2014

Near the end of the year is the perfect time to highlight our reading lives for the whole year we are about to leave behind. That is the main purpose of this feature—now the third year—Book Kaleidoscope. It is my way of wrapping up and rewinding my yearly reading, at the end of it. Now I invite you all to participate in the Book Kaleidoscope 2014.

Same as last year, here are the details,

• There will be five categories and five separate posts for each.
• Each post will have its own linky; each will be opened until January 15^th, 2014.
• The linky will be opened below each of my posts.
• I will post according to my own scheduled date, but you can choose your most convenient time to post it, as long as it’s not later than January 15^th.
• You can use any books to join (don’t have to be classics, but it must be fiction).
• I’d be grateful if you put a link back to this master post in your Book Kaleidoscope posts, but it’s not obligatory.

Day 1 - Top Five Book Boy/Girl Friends

From all the books you have read throughout the year, rank five male characters (if you are female) or five female characters (if you are male) you loved most. Tell us the reason, and it would be great if you use images to describe them (if the book has been made into movie, you can share photo(s) of the best actors/actresses to perform them).

My post schedule: 26 December 2014

Day 2 – Top Five Most Memorable Quotes

Do you have any quotes that touched you deeply or reminded you of something special from what you have read this year? Pick five that were most memorable to you, rank them, and let us know why they’re special.

My post schedule: 27 December 2014

Day 3 – Top Five Best Book Covers

Rank five covers of books you have read in 2014. Pick the edition that you really read, but if you read ebook, at least pick one that you used for your post. Tell us why you think them gorgeous.

My post schedule: 29 December 2014

Day 4 – Top Five of Your Own Category

I dedicated day 4 as freebie day. Pick your own category (besides the existing four)—any aspects from books. Rank five of your most favorites, and tell us why you chose them. If you don’t have any (better) idea, you are welcomed to join mine: Top Five Underappreciated Secondary Characters.

My post schedule: 30 December 2014

Day 5 – Top Five Most Favorite Books

No explanation needed for this category, of course…; just rank and let us know books you find most awesome, and you have enjoyed the most! (and why…).

My post schedule: 31 December 2014

No subscription is needed; just post and submit your links. For any question, post in the comment box, or mention me on twitter: @Fanda_A using hashtag: #BookKaleidoscope2014.

Let’s rewind it and have fun! :)

Book Kaleidoscope 2013 – Day 5: Top Five Most Favorite Books

And here we are…..on the last day of 2013, and this would also be the last post of Book Kaleidoscope 2013, as well as my last post of year 2013. It has been another great year in term of reading, I have read 54 books; 34 of them are classics (63% of my reading is of classics…yay to me! :D). Most of the books are great, I have conquered (at last) two chunkster I’ve been dreading all these few years: War and Peace and Moby Dick, but both are proved to be great books. It’s quite difficult to pick only 5 from these tough candidates, but at last I came to this…

5. Saint Joan by George Bernard Shaw

I am very grateful that I decided to read one of Shaw’s plays: Saint Joan. It is so inspiring and enjoyable. Joan’s character is lovable; she is far away from your image of a saint (well, at least mine :D). She is naïve, witty, enthusiastic, and very brave. Her lines are very deep, inspiring and touching. The other characters are interesting too. In fact, this is the best play I read this year, and becomes my favorite after Julius Caesar.

4. David Copperfield by Charles Dickens

David Copperfield is the most intense novel of Charles Dickens I have ever read so far, and certainly becomes my new favorite. Dickens wrote it from the heart, he seems to pour down his childhood burden onto this book. I could sympathize with David so much, it feels like reading Dickens’ diary. It is well written too, with not too much blabbing like in Little Dorrit, for instance. I would love to reread it again some other time….

3. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

I have a feeling I could never completely ‘move-on’ from The Great Gatsby. This is the second time I read it, and it still amazed me. I love especially Fitzgerald’s beautiful narration and his metaphors (a lot of it!). I think this novel would never bore me, and I will love to read it every two years or so… :)

2. Moby Dick by Herman Melville

How can we not love Moby Dick? It is epic, adventurous, and makes you think at the same time. The Shakespearanish style Melville sometimes used makes it more lively and colorful; and when Moby Dick finally appeared, it is epic and unforgettable. Captain Ahab’s character only adds the uniqueness of this novel.

1. La Bete Humaine by Emile Zola

If you are a follower of my blog, or have been reading my posts often, you would not surprise to learn what novel—or rather from which author—would claim the first place in my bookish year of 2013 (by the way, his novel was also my favorite for 2012!). He is, of course, Émile Zola. And La Bete Humaine is another intense and sharp novel from Zola. It speaks a lot about human nature, and how modernization is like two sides of a coin; it brings prosperity on one side, but also moral corruption on the other. So, it’s not because Zola is my favorite author, but because this book is really awesome, that I awarded La Bete Humaine as…..

What are yours? Share in the linky below!

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Book Kaleidoscope 2013 – Day 4: Top Five Underappreciated Secondary Characters

Day 4 of Book Kaleidoscope is the freebie day, you can create whatever top five bookish criteria you want to feature. For me, it’s the underappreciated secondary characters. After having praising five ‘shinning’ male (or female) characters in Top Five Book Boy/Girl Friends, now it is fair to make room too for secondary characters to shine a bit in Book Kaleidoscope. They are not what the books are about, but without them, perhaps our heroes/heroines won’t be what they were. Here are my picks:

5. Nick Carraway in The Great Gatsby

Tobey Maguire as Nick Carraway (2013)

I imagine Nick Carraway to be an innocent man who has been molded by his family to be a straightforward man with good moral. In the middle of the jazz age, while people seek only their own pleasure, Nick looks queer in his own principle. And that is why he is a perfect choice to narrate The Great Gatsby, to point out the irony between the good and the bad. Apart from the enigmatic Jay Gatsby, Nick should be appreciated more as he is the only one who could see what’s good in Gatsby.

4. Starbuck in Moby Dick

Leo Genn as Starbuck (1956)

It is quite funny that two of Moby Dick’s central characters are either the antagonist or only the silent narrator. So, if I must pick a favorite, it would be the secondary character, Starbuck, the only man in this novel who has good conscience. Starbuck is the chief mate, not distinguished in any sort, but he consistently keeps his conscience and principle throughout the story. Starbuck is the most intelligent man on board, apart from Captain Ahab. I admire him because he is very brave; has the courage to reprimand his captain because the captain would do something evil, even though he is alone (the others, either taking side of Ahab or don’t take any side). He is my hero from this novel!

3. Pierre Sandoz in The Masterpiece

This is Zola, and I always imagine Sandoz
as Zola himself

Although The Masterpiece is regarded as Émile Zola’s most autobiographical novel, it is not in the main character (Claude) that Zola’s personalities appear; it is in the secondary character, Pierre Sandoz, Claude’s best friend. Sandoz is portrayed as an amiable and enthusiast young man, loves socializing and is always attentive to his friends. He loves to have small dinner party at his house every week, and the habit continues after he is married. To his friends, Sandoz is like a father or big brother who is always ready to protect them from world’s cruelty. It’s impossible to not feeling warm every time you read about Sandoz, because that’s how he is. I’m just wondering, whether Zola is really like a guy like that, if yes, I would love him ever more!

2. Robin Ellacott in The Cuckoo’s Calling

Robin is Cormoran Strike’s secretary. She is an attractive young woman, and is interested in detective and investigation. Robin is proved to be very efficient, sharp, and has a natural talent of a detective. She is a woman with principle and dignity; and although she is an employee, she let her boos know that she deserves to be respected properly. She does not like gossips or sneaking around his boss’ privacy, and although her boss is not treating her very well, she keeps defending him, as a secretary should do to her boss and her institution. I like Robin a lot, and really want to be like her. Talking about Robin, doesn’t she remind you of someone familiar….uhm…Hermione Granger, perhaps? So, do you think Emma Watson would be a good choice to play Robin Ellacott? :)

Emma Watson as Robin Ellacott, will you agree?

1. Tommy Traddles in David Copperfield

While David Copperfield—whose life is told in this book—has no distinguished personalities, I like Tommy (Thomas) Traddles much better than David. Traddles is good-humoured, lively person; he is persevere against hardship, and always knows what he is doing. Traddles is also a good friend, faithful, and always helpful towards others. In short, he is a guy who always makes our days fun. But more than that, Traddles can become serious and responsible while attaining some important matters. He helps his friends in needs silently and joyfully. Therefore I crowned him as…

What are you featuring today in Book Kaleidoscope? Or do you have any favorite unappreciated secondary character too? Share it in the linky below!

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Book Kaleidoscope 2013 – Day 3: Top Five Best Book Covers

Cover must have been one of the most important aspects of a book, and that’s why we are having this criteria for Book Kaleidoscope Day 3. Honestly, I didn’t read many books with very artistic cover this year, and I read a lot of ebooks too. But five best cover must I pick, so here they are….

5. La Bete Humaine by Emile Zola

I don’t know why, I just love this cover from the moment I first saw it. I thought at that time, that this is a man who is reflecting his evil doing—maybe having a bit moral-struggling—and considering whether he must jump from the bridge or not. Then after I read the book, I thought, perhaps he is crying over his ‘beast-within’ which he could not control. Overall, I love the perfect angle, and the clean whitish style of Oxford Classics books.

4. The Beekeeper’s Apprentice by Laurie R. King

Since I love red, this cover has interested me already since I saw the book for the first time. Mizan publishing, who translated the Mary Russell series into Bahasa Indonesia, has done a good job in combining the early 20^th century theme (from the wooden door and the building background) and the feminine touch (the color red and the tumbling honey pot) brought by Mary Russell into Holmes’ masculine aspects. I could sense mystery and sweetness at the same time.

3. The Old Man and The Sea by Ernest Hemingway

This is the Indonesian-translated edition from Serambi publishing. I love the art in this cover, it’s not only artistic but also represents the book theme. The illustrator could grasp the old man’s hardship into this illustration, just look at his face, and you could tell how he has been living a very hard life. And although he could finally win the big marlin fish, it’s not the end of his hardship; it’s only another drama in the sea. And so, the old man would through that kind of life again and again, maybe to his last day, but he keeps strive on.

2. Moby Dick by Herman Melville

Lately I am fond of Penguin English Library edition, the colorful cover and the tiled icons which always represent the book main theme. In Moby Dick’s, the icons reflect perfectly its theme—or one of its main themes—the cruel means of killing whales which is a noble creature. It is represented in the whales and the sharp-pointed harpoons. And there are white whales too (like Moby Dick) which adding the air of tragedy (adding the pureness to the existing nobleness of whales). As in Moby Dick Melville put a touch of divinity, killing a white whale in barbarian manner like this in the cover can be regarded as how savage it is when men want to ‘kill’ God.

1. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

From so many editions of The Great Gatsby, this particular one if my favorite. It’s a hardback edition from Penguin Classics (now becomes one my most precious treasure…). I love its classics motive (the semi circles look like waves, don’t you think?) and the color. The beige background and the bronze motive (it is so ‘Gatsby’, right?) are very elegant, just reflecting the atmosphere Gatsby wanted to create to amuse Daisy: solid and elegant. And that’s why it becomes my choice of…..

What are your favorite covers? Share with us in the linky below.

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