The Help, Chapters 1-9

So, I'm taking part in Alice over at Reading Rambo's readalong of The Help, and for the first time EVER am following the instructions exactly, which means posting about various chapters in various weeks and stuff, and Alice better feel proud that I'm stopping every 10 chapters or so and writing stuff rather than carrying on reading like a slightly deranged reading obsessed person (yeah, that's me...)

Anyway, the first 10 chapters of The Help. I don't really know what to think yet. There are some things I know- Hilly and Elizabeth need good swift kickings, Skeeter needs to find some new friends (seriously, hers SUCK- although actually they act like human beings around her, because, guess what, she's white! Yay?) and I want to give Aibileen a big hug because she doesn't deserve any of the bad things that happen to her. Also, Minny is my personal hero, and oh MY do I want to know what was in that pie she served Hilly...

So I have feelings about characters already, which is good, and keeps me entertained thinking 'I wonder what Minny's going to do next' while Skeeter's going on about wanting to be a writer and blah blah blah, my life's so hard and my mum tries to tell me what to do whine whine bitch bitch, while Aibileen has, you know, legitimate grief and does Skeeter's job as well as her own. I don't exactly hate Skeeter, but I don't really like her either. I mean, obviously she's better than any other white woman in the novel, but that's not really saying much, you know? We'll see how her character develops throughout though, and I'll decide at the end whether I actually like her or not, based more or less on whether or not she ditches her friends.

I don't have a whole lot more to say about The Help so far, and I really want to get back to reading it (say what you like about it, it sure is readable) BUT I just have to point out how laughably clear it is that Skeeter's date with that guy whose name escapes me right now is definitely not going to be the end of their association, and that fact is about as subtle as a bag of bricks in the face. Not cool Stockett. Not cool at all.

Top Ten Tuesday

Top Ten Tuesday! I am back, after that one week I was away, and oh my how I missed you. Actually, I didn't that much because I had no input for last week's top ten, so really, I'm ok. I can't be bothered to think of a good preamble for this week's list because I'm writing this on Monday afternoon when in mere hours I'll be going to see Red Hot Chili Peppers at the O2 in London, so I'm too excited to even type properly! Be jealous as you peruse the books I read that were uncomfortable...

Top Ten Books I Read That Were Outside My Comfort Zone


1. Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy- Let's just say, Russian literature, 800 odd pages long and half as many characters as it seems like there are because they all have at least 2 names. I was not at all prepared to read a novel of such grand scope, and nor was I prepared for how fantastic it would be. Anna Karenina, above all other books, is one which encourages me to step out of my comfort zone more and more, because the discoveries such books promise far exceed the difficulty of reading them.

2. Tristram Shandy by Laurence Sterne- Talk about outside my comfort zone- I could hardly understand this book. At all. In any way. It didn't exactly help that I had to read it in my second week at university, when I didn't know what the fuck was going on anyway! Attached to it was one of the most amusing lectures I've ever been to, but unfortunately that didn't even make this book palatable.

3. Mrs Dalloway by Virginia Woolf- This was beyond my comfort zone because it has a narrative that I definitely wasn't used to, but it was really great. I can only vaguely remember it now so it definitely requires a re-read, but I know that it was really good.

4. Sexing the Cherry by Jeanette Winterson- I think I might be being kind by describing this book as being outside of my comfort zone, when I fear that, actually, it might just have been crap, but nonetheless, I did feel out of my depth when I was reading pretty much most of it, and I was hugely relieved when it was over. A highly uncomfortable experience, so does that make it outside of my comfort zone?

5. American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis- So the style of this book was fine and I had no problems with it, but it turns out I'm uncomfortable with minutely described murders of unsuspecting homeless people, prostitutes, children...

6. Pamela by Samuel Richardson- Published in 17-somthing, this was always going to be outside of my comfort zone because it was written before anyone knew how to write novels. This means that Pamela is overlong, whiny, and quite frankly just dreadful (most annoyingly of all, SPOILER Pamela marries her would be rapist and then falls quite dramatically in love with him because... they're married. Honestly, it's just appalling.) Pamela was, in fact, part of a University unit composed of books outside of my comfort zone, which made that 2 hour seminar on a Friday really fun, let me tell you!

7. Lord of the Rings Trilogy by J R R Tolkein- When I read these books, they were outside of my comfort zone because I just hadn't really encountered adventure/fantasy stories of such magnificent scope before. They are, of course, awesome, and kind of encouraged a widening of my comfort zone, opening the door to stuff like The Dark Tower series by Stephen King, which is really the best consequence of venturing outside ones own comfort zone.

8. The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood- Again, I'm not really sure if this was outside of my comfort zone because I enjoy a good dystopia, but it certainly made me uncomfortable just with the concept of the world that was created in it. In fact, it made me cry about it. More than once. I still highly recommend it though.

9. Perfume by Patrick Suskind- I have to assume that this book is outside everyone's comfort zone because it's just so... strange feeling, good as I thought it was. Another one of those Anna Karenina types, in that it fully encouraged me to push the boundaries of what I was willing to read.

10. Naked Lunch by William Burroughs- So far beyond my comfort zone that I had to put it down after about 4 pages. I just can't... there's no... it's so... See, I can't even describe it, yet alone read it. It has defeated me, for now, but I will read it one day because, you know, I own it and it wouldn't be good not to read it... right?

So there are my uncomfortable books, how about you? Do you now think I'm a pleb for having such a crappy comfort zone? Or has my bravery in reading these books astounded you? Do let me know!

Devouring Books: Stir-Fry by Emma Donoghue

This is another one of those 'I read it in the dead of night for the readathon' books, and this is also the point where I'm going 'I should have just done a post reviewing all the books I read for the readathon together', but I obviously couldn't do that because I have to review Stephen King books separately, and The Hunger Games deserves its own post where I'm going to talk about the trilogy seemingly endlessly, plus I read two books for the GLBT Challenge, and they really need separate posts too. So my brain remains relatively logical, albeit a little bit unhinged.

Anyway, Stir-Fry is relatively simple to sum up- naive Irish country girl goes to the Big City (in this case Dublin, which I'm not sure is that big. But anyway) unwittingly moves in with two lesbians, and then starts to explore her own sexuality, as well as learning a lot of new things about people, having previously only been exposed to her family, and I guess, some sheep and potatoes. I realise I'm sort of taking the piss out of this book, and I am a little bit, but I also found it really fun, lighthearted, and a really great coming-of-age story. It was also nice to see a less 'woman held captive in a room' side to Donoghue because, although I did love Room (in a wholly depressing way) I couldn't have coped with another book like it, probably ever.

Anyway, Stir Fry. I think what I probably liked best about it was the memories it evoked for me from university. Not the whole 'OMG, Uni was the best time of my life so I'm never going to move past it' way, because UGH, but more of a measured 'this is what it's actually like, and it's a nice experience, but you don't have to be a twat and get continually drunk to have a good time.' There's actually one part that I remember sort of inwardly cheering at, which was where the main character Maria (rhymes with pariah) and her brand new friend go to some awful sounding club night thing and her friend's all 'let's talk to people!' and Maria's like 'How are we meant to talk to people when we can't even hear ourselves think?' and I'm just like, 'Say it sister!' Basically, I am Maria- she also says something about how she always just hears about the things other people do and is just on the sidelines of their lives, and I kind of feel like that sometimes too- that nothing ever really happens to me, so I'm listening to other people's stories and not having my own, which I guess is one of the maladies of reading too much...

What I also really liked about Stir Fry was the fact that Maria's sexuality is not at all fixed, and nor is it just used as a plot device. Instead, what you get is something that I feel is quite realistic, in that, she doesn't really know what her sexual orientation is, and she goes from fancying this boy, but then finding him lacking, whilst also being mildly freaked out to find out her flatmates are lovers; to being open to the suggestion of a relationship with a woman. Nothing ever feels forced, and this all just feels like a natural progression of Maria's character- that she's blossoming and learning who she might be, while also not being forced into any stereotypes, or anything that doesn't seem completely right for her character.

While the book is mostly focused on Maria and her evolving friendships with her flatmates, there is also a glimpse into other people's opinions on homosexuality. And, they're not the best, shall we say. While there's not really any outright hostility, the flatmates have to keep their sexuality hidden from their less than forward-thinking mothers, and even Maria's friend is sort of mocking/hostile to the entire concept of lesbianism (is that even a word?!)- she treats it as a kind of joke, and sort of warns Maria 'ooh, you know what people will be saying about you!' It's juvenile and disappointing, but I'm not sure that it's inaccurate, which is even more disappointing. But it's a minor part of a book that is much more interesting than the prejudices of a few.

Basically, well played Emma Donoghue! I'm definitely glad that Room wasn't  a one-off of goodness from her, and I'm quite excited to read Hood now (which is the last book of Donoghue's that I own, I'm still open to more of her stuff). I'm also definitely thinking I'm going to re-read Stir Fry when it's not 1.30am and I haven't been reading for like 13 hours already, because I'm sure there's more I could mine from it then! But until then, let's just say I liked it.

Top 5 TV

Since I never write stuff about TV even though I love it, I'm going to start doing these Top 5 TV posts on a non-specific day, at non-specific time intervals, just to make me happy and indulge my love of that most disrespected art form, the telly. I'm starting off with my Top 5 Red Haired Supporting Actresses...


Ever since Kate Winslet appeared in Titanic, I've harboured a secret (ok, not that secret) desire to have her exact hair in that film, lame as it may now be. It occurs to me, though, that the red-haired ladies are sorely lacking in starring roles, especially in TV-land. What's up guys?! Is there some kind of law that prevents red haired women being cast in lead roles, because TVs around the world with explode with an excess of awesomeness? That must be it, because the following women absolutely kill in their respective roles, and sometimes even overshadow their leading ladies. And, quite frankly, I'd pretty much watch Christina Hendricks do anything and be happy with it...

Top 5 Red Haired Supporting Actresses


1. Christina Hendricks as Joan Harris in Mad Men- I mean, I know technically Joan's a main character, but there was this whole time when she was hardly in it, and really, I'm going to say, Peggy is the leading female role on this show. I have a total girl crush on Christina Hendricks, but quite apart from that, I think she's a wonderful actress, and portrays in Joan a woman who is willing to do anything unconventional to get the conventional life that she dreams of. Also, is anyone else disturbed by the fact that her husband-to-be raped her, and yet this has never been mentioned again? Or is that just me?

2. Alyson Hannigan as Willow Rosenburg in Buffy the Vampire Slayer- I have been enjoying a total Buffy obsession of late, and (as well as fancying the pants of Giles whilst also considering how inappropriate that is) I've been finding the Willow love, especially through the development of her character which is considerably more than the growth of probably any other character (except maybe Spike). She's the perfect sidekick (the brains to Buffy's brawn) and I can't even express how much I love her and Tara's relationship (Tara's probably my actual favourite character in the entire programme. Except maybe Spike...) But yay, Willow! Now there's a character that would have done so well in a spin-off...

3. Cynthia Nixon as Miranda Hobbes in Sex and the City- I do love Carrie and all (if we're ignoring the movies, which is always my aim in life) but I do feel like Miranda is so much more sensible and sorted than she is, as well as being totally sarcastic and dry and hilarious. I probably have the most consistent love for Miranda of the four women because she's the most awesome/least annoying of them all. Fun fact: Cynthia Nixon is actually blonde, but dyed her hair red to get more roles. I guess if she'd stayed blonde, she might have had a shot at a leading role though!

4. NiCole Robinson as Margaret Hooper in The West Wing- Yeah, I didn't know Margaret had a surname either. But there it is! Clearly the best of all the secretaries, I can only assume that Margaret has a less starring role than Donna because of her glorious red mane. She's very odd, which means she's very funny, and Leo and CJ both spar with her to great comic effect. Also, she basically runs the country, which, in my eyes=AWESOME.

5. Deborah Ann Woll as Jessica Hamby in True Blood- I think Jessica might technically count as a main character because this is a series that doesn't really have any, but she's not, let's just say, Sookie. What she is, though, is one of my very favourite characters in a TV show brimming with characters I love, and I think through her, they are really able to express the differences between humans and vampires as she learns them herself, as well as keeping her innate humanity. Also, she's hot.

Narrowly missing this list is Amy Pond from Doctor Who, basically because I can't call her a supporting actress (tentatively: she's the Doctor's sidekick, but only slightly less important than him. But sometimes more so). But she's pretty awesome too, as well as being another girl crush...
So, things we've all learnt today- I have a thing for red haired women! But enough about me, how about you? Can you think of any horribly overlooked (for leading roles) redheads? Or, alternatively, can you tell me about any redhaired leading ladies that I can't actually think of? I'll be waiting with baited breath...

Literary Blog Hop, November 3-6

Literary Blog Hop time! Hosted by The Blue Bookcase, it's that one time at the start of each month where I try to say something intelligent about something, but mostly end up sounding thick (probably...) But still, I persevere with the intent that one day I'll say something clever and everyone will go 'WOAH!' We'll see.

Anyway, this month's question is:

To what extent do you analyse literature? Are you more analytical if you know you're going to review the book? Is analysis useful in helping you understand and appreciate literature, or does it detract from your readerly experience?

Firstly, I'd just like to point out that that's three questions... but I like them, so I'm going to let that one go!  So, I've got a GCSE, A Level and Degree in English Literature, so I think it would be kind of impossible for me not to analyse books as I go along. These days, I almost feel like, when I say I don't like a book, it's more to do with the fact that there's nothing to it other than its surface words, and so there's nothing for me to argue about/have an opinion about/ or really even think about once I've finished it. So analysis is actually a big part of what I enjoy about reading, and has been ever since I realised how much I enjoyed reading Shakespeare in a class, and thinking so much more about what the words actually meant, rather than just taking them at face value.

BUT- and this is a big but- in terms of literary criticism, where you take a certain approach to a book and read it only according to those rules rather than just, you know, with your brain; I really hate that. What I mean is, deciding to take just a marxist approach to say Anna Karenina, or just looking at To Kill A Mockingbird from a feminist viewpoint. While I guess these are valid things that can be done (and are done, generally by academics, I guess) I think that deciding to do this early on means that you miss out on so many other subtleties of the book, and your conclusions about it are likely to make me puke a tiny bit. Having said this, I, more often than not, have something to say regarding a feminist reading of a book, but that's a natural part of what I do when I'm reading (and, you know, generally living) but that's never the only thing I'm concerned with when I'm reading/analysing a book. There is a place for this kind of analysis, but I think this is the kind of thing that would detract from my readerly experience.

As for whether I'm more analytical when I know I'm going to review the book- I don't really think I am. I mean, whilst I'm actually reading I don't really add much extra to the book in my brain (unless there's references to other things I know about, and then all my synapses start firing and I get excited [because I'm cool]) but then when I'm reviewing them, I'm often surprised by just how much extra I've taken away from the book, and it pleases me that my English degree wasn't a complete waste! 

So, to sum up- I'm analytical in my own way, which doesn't drive me crazy with having to take notes about the hidden marxist messages in Middlesex, or something, but which also enriches my reading experience more than if I just had the words to focus on, and nothing to orient them with in my brain. Yay analysis!

Devouring Books: Election by Tom Perrotta

This review is probably going to be quite short, because I read Election in the midst of readathon FRENZY, which means that I can't remember masses about it (just wait til we get to my review of The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake which I basically sleep-read. That'll be fun!) I also might get it confused with the film on occasion, but they really are pretty similar so I guess that's ok. So I'll just get on with it, shall I?

Election is a fun, easy read, (I read it in about 2 hours) probably because the sections are tiny, and it's really clear whose perspective each part is from because the sections are handily labelled as such (although this isn't really that necessary, because it's pretty clear anyway). Hands up who thinks I could have said that more succinctly? Anyway, the story centres around the school election (something which, I might add, we don't actually have in England) for student president, and it coincides with the 1992 Presidential Election, and allows the school it's set in to see democracy in action etc etc. Running for the highly unimportant role of president are Tracy Flick, an academic overachiever who just had an affair with her English teacher which led to his getting fired, as well as having no friends to speak of. Against her, masterminded by Mr M (the government or whatever that lesson that we also don't have in England is called teacher, whose best friend is the teacher who just got fired because of Tracy) runs Paul Warren, a nice guy who Tracy considers real competition. Then, against Paul, as retaliation for stealing the woman she loves, runs Tammy, his sister, and the candidate that I would so be most likely to vote for.

I find Tammy by far the most interesting character in the book. She's a lesbian who's perfectly comfortable with that fact, but she's unfortunately fallen in love with a girl, Lisa, who is far less comfortable with her feelings for Tammy, and so does the obvious and goes and has sex with Tammy's brother. I mean, how cold can you get?! But Tammy is seriously awesome- apart from the times she's going 'oh poor me no one loves me I'm going to die alone, no one's ever been as sad as me' etc, she's running for President on the platform that it doesn't at all matter who you vote for, because the winner's not going to be able to change anything anyway. And I'm just all 'Hell yes Tammy! You tell them, and then you go get the girl!' Which isn't exactly what happens, but then Tammy expects too much from her teenage years anyway.

Tammy isn't the only interesting character (in fact, all those who get actual viewpointy sections are pretty interesting) and I also enjoy seeing the vulnerable core within Tracy, as well as the hypocrisy present in Mr M's views about stuff- mainly, adultery. Election, basically, has convinced me further that I'm a bit of a Perrotta fan (although I can't really remember how to spell his name) and I have to once again thank the shallowness of wanting to see Patrick Wilson's naked body that led me to the revelation that was Little Children (although I actually saw Election even before that, I just didn't realise it was a book and so didn't seek it out). So basically, good work Tom. And of course good work Patrick Wilson, who should really always be naked.

October Wrap-Up/Rest of the Year Planning

I can't really be bothered to do Top Ten Tuesday this week (out of laziness more than anything else) so I feel like this is a good time to conclude some things and start off some others, and generally just get myself organised in a book-sort-of-way. This might be a horribly boring post, so feel free to skip it if you like- it's just a way for me to get my brain thoughts straightened out in some kind of sensible way. Like that's actually possible...

So, I read and reviewed so much shizzle in October that I actually had to make a proper schedule and everything so I didn't miss anything out. Which was cool, or actually not at all cool, and really a little bit lame. But useful, anyway. SO, I read everything George Orwell wrote ever (sort of) which, on reflection, was a bit of a mistake to do all in one go, and I probably won't be doing that with one author again, because I just ended up resenting it, really. But anyway, to see allllll those reviews, you can go to my Orwell October Master Page and have a little peek around.

Of course, October wasn't just about Orwell, it was also about being really really scared, and participating in my very first readathon! October saw the conclusion of the RIP Challenge, for which I read 5 books in the end:

Different Seasons by Stephen King
Christine by Stephen King
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
Dracula by Bram Stoker
Pet Semetary by Stephen King

Which was one more than I was even supposed to, but hey, I like to overachieve! With reading anyway.

Enough with the past, now onto the future! Most excitingly for me this November is going to be taking part in Alice from Reading Rambo's readalong of The Help, because 1) She's fantabulous and her blog is hilarious, and 2) I really want to read The Help! If you haven't read it yet, I recommend going over to Alice's blog and signing up, because I think it's going to be a lot of fun! I'm also signed up to read Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad for Allie's readalong on A Literary Odyssey, basically because it's a book that I own and haven't read, so why not?!

Other than that, I'm basically going to read whatever the hell I feel like for the rest of November, while also trying to carry on with the GLBT reading challenge (only 2 months left for that!) and the Books to Movies Challenge (details of both can be found here). But, you know, I'm not too competitive, especially when I'm competing with myself, so really, I'm going to read what I feel like. Which is as it should be.

I feel like other people manage to do this kind of thing a lot more succinctly, so that was probably really boring for you. Sorry. I'll try to be more entertaining for the whole rest of the month to make up for it!