A change in direction for BookGeekism.com

I have taken a lengthy sabbatical from blogging due to some unforeseen issues that occurred in my personal life.  If you will excuse me I would prefer not to go into detail in these matters at this time and only apologize for the lack of any substantial update.  Now on to what I really intend to say at this juncture in time.  I have spent the last week really thinking about this blog which I have neglected for far too long mainly because as I sat and looked at the plethora of books that lay stacked and unread on my bookshelves I discovered a sorrow that even now I cannot articulate.  This 3 week vacation I have taken from work due to a medical issue has left me with the ultimate question, why had I abandoned this blog for so long?   Why had I cast my love of books as reading by the wayside?   Why did I allow myself to become entrenched in trite dilemmas that had left me feeling academically and socially hollow?  After a lengthy period of self examination i found  I had the desire rekindled in me to refocus on my reading, my own effort in self education and the betterment of the mind.

During this introspective period I had a discussion with a close friend of mine that allowed me to really think about the idea of self education.  My friend and I came from the same educational background which I will elaborate on.  (Note: Dear reader, if what I am about to explain changes your opinion of me and the validity of my reviews and criticism of literature I do apologize, but as we learn in literary theory...we must always question  "what is literature?" .  Please do not let my explanation lead you to believe that I am unqualified to offer a layperson's review of books.)

My educational background along with my friends is mostly a high school diploma and a smattering of college classes interspersed through these last 13 years of adulthood. Most of my education has been self taught, through literature and textbooks I have purchased, along with magazines and journals in topics that I have always had an interest in.    In these past few months, as my friend and I were discussing, I found that I had almost totally abandoned my pursuit of self education and allowed those things which had always been of keen interest in me to fall along the side of the road, cast aside by more vain pursuits that left me feeling sort of hollow and empty. (Note:  One should not try to change their identity to conform to what someone else whats of them or what others expect of them. Society and Media have always dictated that we should look and behave a certain way.  Falling prey to this leads one to lose sight of themselves.)  So after this rather deep discussion with my friend I found myself reoriented, directing myself back to the original path that I had always followed but due to a lapse in judgement I allowed myself to deviate from.   So here I am book geek girl renewing myself .. my original self so to speak..

And in this rambling I guess I should ultimately explain what I intend to do here, and in sincerest hopes to make it manifest.  Bookgeekism.com is in for a change.  the 1001 books idea has kind of been discarded but not entirely.  This book blog will still focus on reviews but it is going to take on a new sort of direction. I still will review books, classics and newly published or more current novels, but I will also be blogging about my journey through the path of self education.

Certain Books have lead me along this newly navigable path of academic enlightenment.  I will no longer approach books as some obstreperous child choosing books and devouring them without gleaning any real education from them.  Dear reader please do not thing I intend to force my own intellectual observations on books on you, I will continue to review them and if anyone is interested in discussing them I am considering creating a forum to discuss said books if anyone has read them or after one reads them.

Pandemonium-Daryl Gregory

Pandemonium

Daryl Gregory

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Del Rey; 1st Edition/1st Printing edition (August 26, 2008)
• ISBN-13: 978-0345501165

    Pandemonium by Daryl Gregory is this authors first full length novel.  The novel centers our Del Pierce, who was possessed at the age of 5 by a demon called the "Hellion" who never left his body although had been believed to have been exorcised. Del embarks on a dangerous journey to free himself of this demon. His world is plagued with demon possessions, an appearance by Philip K. Dick. and Jungian Psychology...Metaphysics..and an a conclusion that leaves you hoping for a sequel.

     Where to start the review, I had been contemplating this most of all after I completed the novel last night during work. I didn't have horrible things to say, and I have a huge habit of gushing over the novels that I absolutely love. This falls into the latter category of course.  Gregory's fast paced prose and wonderful story line intrigue the reader almost instantly and lead the reader to devour the novel as quickly as possible because you have to know what happens. The novel reads fast and I definitely wouldn't consider this a "snack" book because as you read this you're left questioning you own ideas of Possession, Psychology, and even Mental Illness. Unlike most possession novels there aren't very overt religious overtones, no "power of Christ compels you", this one centers  a lot around psychological aspects of possession and that's what had sucked me in. Would I recommend this novel to anyone? Hell Yes. It's a quick great sci-fi read that I think most would enjoy.  My only real disappointment with the book was in the format, for those of us who like the format, the publisher only released this in paperback. I would have loved to have it in Hardcover.

-you may now return to your regularly scheduled programming-
GeekybookGirl

The Huger Games-Suzanne Collins

The Hunger Games
Suzanne Collins

Hardcover: 384 pages
Publisher: Scholastic Press (September 14, 2008)
ISBN-13: 978-0439023481

Okay so here is my very delayed review of the Hunger Games, I finished this book almost 2 weeks ago. Bad I know, especially since I am already 3/4ths of the way through the 2nd book and have already pre-ordered the 3rd book. Hopefully that gives you a clue as to how much I love this series thus far. Once again we are delving into another young adult book that resides in my favorite genre, post-apocalyptic, dystopian etc..

So I guess I'll start by giving you my back of the book blurb. In the not to distant future, Katniss (our wonderful heroine) lives in District 12,the area formally known as Appalachia. The whole of what is probably North America divided up into 12 districts all answering to the Capital. So the Capital decides that in order to continue to maintain control of the populous, they have installed severe rules with even more severe punishments, and also the Hunger Games. Where each district must offer up 2 tributes through a lottery system and all 24 tributes must battle it out till there is one survivor standing. During the lottery, Katniss' sister is originally picked up and Katniss volunteers to take her place. Katniss and Her Male tribute partner, Peeta, are shipped off to the Capital to endure training and preparations for, and eventually the Hunger Games themselves. This first installment of the series deals with the events of the Hunger Games themselves, with the Capital and the relationship between Katniss and Peeta. With an ending that will leave you going.. OMGWTFBBQ (sue me couldn't resist that one :) )

If you have not guessed it already, I loved this book and devoured it. Yes it is also another young adult reading selection, (I have a tendency to look at the books while I wait for my younger sister to make her selections). This novel does follow in the footsteps of other dystopian literature-1984, A Brave New World, etc-and in her own way Collins does illustrate the problems of our modern society in the behaviors of the Capital residents. From her opinions on a Totalitarian State, The Have's vs Have Not's and society's own grotesque interest in violence for the sake of violence. Collins' style of writing is definitely clear, concise and her descriptions of the world draw you in to the Capital and District 12 as if you had seen them all your life. The love story in the novel is also a cute portion of the story that softens the harshness of the narrative. I would easily recommend and give this book to anyone, it's an enjoyable read. The story is engaging and draws the reader in almost immediately. Truth be told I couldn't put it down and only did when it couldn't be helped, for work and for sleep. So if you're reading this, and this rather biased opinion of mine piques your interest in the book, go order it from amazon, or barnes and noble and read it.. and Love it.

-Geeky Book Girl
read,eat,read,sleep,read, live..

Hardcover or Paperback: My Elitism....

Maybe because I am an aspiring book collector (even though my financial means prohibit this severely) , or maybe it is because I prefer the heft of a hardcover book in my hands, I prefer hardcover novels to their lighter more manageable siblings the paperback. Although for someone who tends to carry their books around with them one would suspect that I am prone to paperbacks just for their sheer portability, but that is a negative. I own many paperback books and look at them in dismay longing for leather bound (yes... leather bound.. sorry I can only take my tree hugging bunny loving non animal cruelty self so far) hardcover editions. God forbid anything happen to any of my hardcover books, I would probably have an aneurysm, a coronary, and a small personal apocalypse if I ever lost one of these precious volumes and the memories associated with them.

Granted none of these books are probably collectors items, no real worth other than the price on their book jacket. But they each hold some form of memory. There is only one paperback, that was in my collection, that holds such a similar sway over my memory. The piece is no longer part of my collection, as I had gifted it to someone who meant..means... quiet a lot...(excuse me for saying this with some sort of sadness or apprehension.. this individual has currently removed themselves from my life......I'm digressing.) As cliche as it might sound the one book that held so much meaning and was read till it was falling to pieces and bound together with tape, was a brown covered tattered copy of JD Salinger's Catcher In The Rye. ( One might ask why I would part with such an important part of my collection... to this I will only answer.. that is between me and it's new owner who I don't know if he will ever read it or not, but it is with someone who I believe knows it's personal value to me.)

Except for my Salinger paperbacks, most of my paperback purchases these day are only books that only partially spark my interest, maybe something about their story has piqued my curiosity but not drawn me in enough to want to make it something that is a part of my personal collection. One such paperback that I can recall is The Road-Cormac McCarthy, this book, although praised so highly by many was pure drudgery to get through. It was far easier to get through The Spy Who Came In From The Cold, but still, it fell under quick classification of books I simply did not like. Those who know me know I do love my fair share of dystopian and apocalyptic tales but that book will not become permanent collection and has been relegated to paperback land.. a desolate shelf near the desk, holding books that may find themselves quickly loaned out or given away.

I am not sure why I prefer hardcover books to paperbacks, it's most likely because they look better on the bookshelf, maybe it is nothing more than aesthetics, maybe it's something more.. durability...endurance (shakes head).. no.. that is not the word... the give me.. something that seems far more tactile and persevering to leave behind than paperbacks....


-This has been another wonderful ramble of jumbled thoughts from the GeekyBookGirl Herself--

Genesis by Bernard Beckett

Genesis
Bernard Beckett

• Hardcover: 150 pages
• Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt; 1 edition (April 20, 2009)
• ISBN: 978-0547225494

So where do I start in my review in this novel. I came across the title while surfing other personal book review blogs and was intrigued by the readers review of the novel. At 150 pages it was a very quick read and I finished it one day and thoroughly enjoyed the quick read. The novel is considered a Young Adult piece of work but I think even most adults will find the subject matter interesting enough to get sucked into the work to the point you can not and will not want to put it down till you finish it.

A post apocalyptic novel centers that around Anaximander, in the novel she is being examined for her entrance into the prestigious "The Academy" who are the Philosopher Kings who run the Republic. During the examination she is presenting her take on a portion of their history, specifically relating to an Adam Forde and his imprisonment and interaction with an advanced ai android created during their time. During the examination we learn about Anax, the Republic, Adam Forde and his history and Anax's connection to Adam. with a chilling ending that will leave you in shock.

I highly recommend this novel to anyone, regardless of your preference for science fiction. The author has created a world and story that draw you in and keep you spell bound till the very end. There is also an amazing tie in to Plato's Republic and the question of progress and it's costs seems to be an underlying theme as well. I do not believe I can gush more about this book than I have to people I have told about it in person. All I can say is Read it!!! :)

The Spy Who Came In From the Cold

I offer up a prayer to the patron saint of Bookgeeks--Looks like the closest I'm going to get is Saint Jerome, the patron Saint of Librarians.. I cannot get through this book. Maybe it's because I'm not a fanatic for spy novels. I have tried and tried to read this book but I cannot get into it, I feel like I am limping along with a mortal wound and this book is driving the sword further in.. I don't know what it is. It is a well written novel, and an easy read but the material does not interest me. I was even shocked when the book group even wanted to compare it to Ian Flemmings 007. I'm not sure what to do next, Lady Chatterley's Lover is the next book for the group and I honestly look forward to that more than anything else. I currently have cast aside LeCarre's "masterpiece" and picked up something not so renowned Genesis by Bernard Beckett. I will be offering up the review of that novel on Monday instead of LeCarre's The Spy Who Came In From The Cold....

Six Suspects by Swarup-- The Final Review

Six Suspects by Vikas Swarup.


On the Author, Vikas Swarup is the same mind that gave us Slumdog Millionaire originally titled as Q & A. Unfortunately I have not read the book that inspired the movie. Six Suspects is his second novel.

Six Suspects so far is an interesting whodunit. A rather disreputable fellow is murdered and in the beginning we are presented with the six individuals who may or may not have been involved in the murder.

I completed Six Suspects this evening finishing up the last hundred pages I had yet to complete during my downtime at work. I am amazed at Mr. Swarup's ability to weave a story that draws the reader in, much like a black hole. Unlike a black hole the reader returns from the Mumbai created by Swarup feeling as if he or she has emerged from a whole new unexpected world. I guess unexpected for those of us who have never been to India, or those who have never experienced the Socio-political or cultural norms of Indian society.

The six suspects, the characteristics they hold, at times seem a bit cliche, but this aside doesn't take away from the novel. As I have said, the novel is a quick and fast paced read, I would definitely recommend this novel to anyone I know who enjoys to read period. Six Suspects, is a treat for even the most elitist reader, who clings only to "literature".

Footprinting One's Books

As I stared at the ceiling of my bedroom last night, unable to be lulled to dreamland by the ever increasingly elusive sleep, I found myself pondering the notion of foot-printing books. Leaving behind personal annotations in books has been a common practice for many years and if these annotated tomes from a personal library are passed on they may either be enriching to the next reader or detrimental, causing the next reader to follow your own train of thought instead of developing their own thoughts an opinions.

I have yet to fully decide if I am a foot-printer, I find it difficult to mar the pristine pages of a crisp clean hardcover novel with what may be only the misinterpretations of the writers true meaning. I have come to rely on post-it notes in these situations..the smaller versions and flags to highlight phrases, blocks of text, or ideas I found intriguing. I still find myself unable to vandalize a book with my own personal annotations emblazoned on it's pages in my own reckless hand. It is akin to destroying a beautiful and delicate flower in my mind, though in my younger years I found myself highlighting, marking, annotating willynilly things that at the time seemed brilliant, only in retrospect to discover the naivete of my opinions and understanding of the authors meaning. Steve Leveen, CEO of Levengers, in his book The Little Guide to Your Well-Read Life does make a good argument for foot-printing books, and leaving behind annotations with the impression that you will take more from it and enrich your reading experience.

Even now I still struggle with trying to decide if I want to footprint my books, leave behind marginalia. I do want to leave behind some form of annotation in my books but for now instead of marring those pristine pages I will continue to relegate my opinions to those bright yellow notes from post-it notes tucked between the pages of the current read.

Auctioned Volume of Poe's First Book

I randomly came across this almost a month old article reference the Auction of Edgar Allan Poe's first book "Tamerlane and other Poems"

December 05,2009
http://www.salon.com/books/2009/12/05/us_poe_s_first_book

Six Suspects by Vikas Swarup * Will Be Updated*

Six Suspects by Vikas Swarup.


On the Author, Vikas Swarup is the same mind that gave us Slumdog Millionaire originally titled as Q & A. Unfortunately I have not read the book that inspired the movie. Six Suspects is his second novel.

Six Suspects so far is an interesting whodunit. A rather disreputable fellow is murdered and in the beginning we are presented with the six individuals who may or may not have been involved in the murder. I am only 1/4th of the way through the novel but it is a fast paced and easy read that keeps the reader wanting to not put the book down. As I said this is just my precursory review of this novel. I will provide a more complete review of the novel when it has been finished.

A Literary Survey I found Online.

1) What author do you own the most books by?

Jack Kerouac

2) What book do you own the most copies of?

I want to say that it was Catcher In The Rye

3) Did it bother you that both those questions ended with prepositions?

Not at all, but if I had been a grammar nazi it might have.

4) What fictional character are you secretly in love with?

I'm torn between Mr. Darcy from Pride and Prejudice and Zooey Glass from
Franny and Zooey

5) What book have you read the most times in your life?

Catcher In The Rye

6) What was your favorite book when you were ten years old?

I was not much of a reader as a child, I was too busy with Nintendo games.

7) What is the worst book you've read in the past year?

The Road by Cormac McCarthy, there was just something in that book that
was disappointing and definitely was not the worse but close to..

8) What is the best book you've read in the past year?

The Guide by R.K. Narayan which was a birthday gift from my partner.


9) If you could force everyone you tagged to read one book, what would it be?

If I could actually force anyone to read one book, they are like perfume they are not liked by all, but I would have to say The Last Lecture

10) Who deserves to win the next Nobel Prize for literature?

Since I have not kept up to date on who is being nominated for the Nobel Prize I cannot voice an opinion.

11) What book would you most like to see made into a movie?

Honestly I worry about most books that have been turned into movies, there are too many liberties taken and the actual meaning of the book is lost for commercial gain. I fear what they will do to Gatsby by Fitzgerald when it is released.

12) What book would you least like to see made into a movie?

Any book by Kerouac

13) Describe your weirdest dream involving a writer, book, or literary character.

I have yet to have any weird or disturbing dreams involving a writer, book or literary character.

14) What is the most lowbrow book you've read as an adult?

Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris

15) What is the most difficult book you've ever read?

No One Belongs Here More Than You by Miranda July... I just have not been able to get through it.

16) What is the most obscure Shakespeare play you've seen?

I am not much for actually watching plays.

17) Do you prefer the French or the Russians?

I have a new found appreciation for the Russians.

18) Roth or Updike?

Updike, although it is unfair because I have not read enough Roth.

19) David Sedaris or Dave Eggers?

Sedaris, most definitely.

20) Shakespeare, Milton, or Chaucer?

Don't make me choose between any of the Holy Trinity :)

21) Austen or Eliot?

Austen

22) What is the biggest or most embarrassing gap in your reading?

I think the fact that I tend to get into books but get sidetracked easily at times that I don't finish most books that I would prefer to finish.

23) What is your favorite novel?

My absolute favorite no matter how cliche it is, Catcher in the Rye... followed perhaps by Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri.. the idea behind struggling against your cultural identity was amazing.

24) Play?
The Crucible, by Arthur Miller

25) Poem?
Hymn to Intellectual Beauty by Percy Bysshe Shelley

26) Essay?

At this point I cannot say there is any essay that is my favorite

27) Short story?

I can think of Novellas, but not really short stories.

28) Work of non-fiction?

I guess I am not that well rounded of a reader, I am not a huge fan of non fiction though the autobiography of John Adams was good


29) Who is your favorite writer?

I am torn between Salinger, Kerouac and Steinbeck

30) Who is the most overrated writer alive today?

I can't say any author is really overrated, I think people have their personal preferences as to who they enjoy reading.

31) What is your desert island book?

Desert island book would definitely have to be my collection of Hemmingway's Short Stories.

32) And ... what are you reading right now?

I am currently reading Six Suspects by Vikas Swarup who wrote Slumdog Millionaire