Apparently if you refuse to help your mother on errands, Greek Goddesses would turn you into a goat as punishment.
Monday, June 27, 2011
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Books Taught Me That #003
Written on
Book Review: Casketball Capers by; Peter Bentley
genre } humor | children | pre-teens
rating } 9 - 12 yo +
date released } July 01, 2011
publisher } Albert Whitman & Company
ISBN } 9780807584620 (hb) | 9780807584637
acquisition } advanced copy from publisher
available @ book despository
Casketball Capers (Vampire School 01)
by; Peter Bentley , Chris Harrison
Summary from Goodreads
Lee and his best friends Billy and Bella are on the St. Orlok's casketball team. They're all getting ready for the big game against the Chaney Street Werewolves. But when the other team arrives, it seems that some of them aren't planning on playing fair. Lee needs a plan - fast! Will he manage to foil the cheats before the whistle?
My 2 Cents
”A biting book”
I got this as my first advance copy, from Albert Whitman & Company. Honestly, this is the first book I read from this publisher and they haven’t disappoint me a bit with this one. As you see, this the first book from a new series called the Vampire School, where they teach young vampires on how to behave like a proper vampire. It’s a cute book, quick and an easy read for either the young teens or anybody who likes a quick read between books or need to read between a hectic schedule. It is lavish with doodle likes of the scenes of the books within the pages of the book which makes you giggle at the cuteness of it.
Kids and Pre-teens would enjoy this one. Reluctant readers would be drawn to the thin book with a quick flip of the pages, not to forget the illustration are funny. Yes… it’s a keeper a library collection.
Friday, June 24, 2011
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Book Review: Addie on the Inside; James Howe
genre } family | issues | self-esteem | relationship
rating } 13+
date released } July 26th 2011
edition } Atheneum Books (224 p.)
ISBN } 9781416913849 | 141691384X
acquisition } ARE
available @ Book Depository
Addie on the Inside
By; James Howe
Summary on Goodreads
The Gang of Five is back in this third story from Paintbrush Falls. Addie Carle, the only girl in the group of friends is outspoken, opinionated, and sometimes…just a bit obnoxious.
But as seventh grade progresses, Addie’s not so sure anymore about who she is. It seems her tough exterior is just a little too tough and that doesn’t help her deal with the turmoil she feels on the inside as she faces the pains of growing up.
Told in elegant, accessible verse, ADDIE ON THE INSIDE gives readers a look at a strong, smart, and sensitive girl struggling with the box society wants to put her in. Addie confronts experiences many readers will relate to: the loss of a beloved pet, first heartbreak, teasing…but also, friendship, love, and a growing confidence in one’s self.
You Are Who They Say You Are
They say in the seventh grade
you are who they say you are,
but how can that be true?
How can I be a /Godzilla-girl /lezzie loser /know-it-all/
big-mouth /beanpole /string bean/ freaky tall/
fall-down /spaz attack /brainiac /maniac/
hopeless nerd /*bad word*/brown-nosing /teacher’s pet/
showing off /just to get
attention –
oh,
and did I mention:
flat-chested…
How can I be all that?
It’s too many things to be.
How can I be all that and
still be true to the real me
while everyone is saying:
This
is
who
you
are.
My 2 Cents
Honestly said, as much as I like reading James Howe stuff, this book, is not for me. This book is told in verses and this would be handy to people who likes poetry over the fiction within the pages. To me, it’s kind of annoying because as much as I love Homer, this is not for me.
Anyway. This book talks about bullies and relationship during the early ages of teenagers of the main character. It does capture the mindset of teens around that age. Written like Adele is pouring her heart and soul into blog or diary (sort of), with many poetry in between. I won’t judge this book, because it is not for me, but I guess, I just put this book out there in public, so people knows this book actually exists for an option read.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Written on
We interrupt blogging to feature #OurBrunei
Recently, the local twitter community have been trying to promote Brunei by trending #OurBrunei through the medium of one of the famous social media around: Twitter. I would have done this post earlier, but due to it being a big online local event, I thought I should let it settle down first before posting any of the entries, I thought would be a fun fact for the rest of the community and the world. Here are several I can share with you all =^_^= enjoy!
anakbrunei (http://anakbrunei.com.bn)
- Q. Why is Bruneian trending? A. See http://is.gd/6EELiO #OurBrunei
-
Going Green with a new look :) - anakbrunei.com.bn #OurBrunei #Green
- Bring your old directory in to Telbru HQ to redeem a woven bag while stocks last! - June 20, 2011 - http://t.co/iwmDcdW #OurBrunei
- The great jangsak jam is alive and well. Good morning #ourbrunei
- 27th National Day through my eyes - http://tinyurl.com/5t8ut4r via @anakbrunei #OurBrunei
- Have you ever been to a country that boasts the oldest reigning monarchy or the only remaining Malay Islamic monarchy before? #OurBrunei
- Have you ever wondered what a US$800 million hotel looks like? Look no further than the Empire hotel and Country club. #OurBrunei
- Kampong Ayer. A collection of several water villages straddling the Brunei river, with a history going back fourteen centuries #OurBrunei
- How many other times in your life have you been to a country that no one else has heard of?
ber360 (http://blog.bandar360.com/)
- only #OurBrunei that we can get $1 Nasi Katok till the wee hours; packed rice n fried chicken with sweet tasty sauce.
BruneianKidSays (http://BruneianKidSays.wordpress.com)
-
The House of Bolkiah has ruled #ourBrunei for over 6 centuries, making it one of the oldest monarchies in the world.
- Amazing tongkengs from JP only in #OurBrunei
BruneiTweet (http://www.projekbrunei.com)
#OurBrunei Walk along the Gadong Pasar Malam (‘Night Markets’) & say hello to the friendly local vendors.
- Public alcohol consumption is prohibited #OurBrunei
- #OurBrunei where there's always someone you know and can help you wherever you go
bruneihair (http://bruneihairsolutions.blogspot.com)
-
#OurBrunei our stockist is open today! Come drop by for Brunei's most effective hair loss treatment. Visit bruneihairsolutions.blogspot.com to learn more
- #OurBrunei Happy father's day to all dad's in Brunei :)
- #OurBrunei i tried Ahoa Burger the other day. It may be the best burger in town - and like other best burgers, may not be the 'leanest' :s
- #OurBrunei where Liverpool, Chelsea, Man Utd and Arsenal should really be playing their summer football tour
- #OurBrunei for the most effective hairloss treatment in Brunei, visit bruneihairsolutions.blogspot.com
Inspirasihanis (http://www.inspirasihanis.com)
- Silicon Bake ware Loaf Pan. $10 each. Set of 5 for $40. Available at Inspirasi Hani's #OurBrunei http://fb.me/10fDgeeaP
- #OurBrunei Gathering of all twitters in Brunei for one common cause..
- #ourBrunei should stop discrimination. We give them respect, they, in return give us respect too..
- #OurBrunei is where we can get free makan all day long on Sunday. (Jemputan Org Kawin)
- we support no plastic bags day every weekend #OurBrunei
- #OurBrunei is where everybody who is 60 years old are given pension.
- #OurBrunei I like to make Hantaran. Loving it, and it is very rewarding for me..
kangta164 (http://kangta164.blogspot.com)
- People in #OurBrunei have a luxurious life. Some prefer travelling in cars, others motorbikes but some...boats. :D http://t.co/OlYSIcw
kitarojapanese
-
Father's day sure is well celebrated in #OurBrunei
- #OurBrunei is the place to start a family..
Micbandits (http://www.microbandits.com)
- The best and dopest rap team in Brunei! :D #OurBrunei
orchidrow
-
Good Morning #OurBrunei! "Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself." - John Dewey #quote
shalalee (http://sleepy838.blogspot.com)
-
#OurBrunei It's in Asia, you know.
ThatsSoBrunei
- A Proud Bruneian
Using ME and YOU just to show how sweet and romantic you are to that person you adore. #ourBrunei
- Education is free. So is medication. Too bad some of us are misusing it. That's #ourBrunei
- " #ourBrunei We have KK KOYA and C.A MOHAMMAD"
TheWheat (http://thewheatfield.org)
-
#OurBrunei where the standard of living is pretty low and the Brunei citizens get (more or less) free education and health care
- #OurBrunei we may not have nightclubs but all you need is good food and good company
- #OurBrunei is a peaceful place and a great place to live
UBDFM (http://www.ubdfm.blogspot.com)
-
Ferdinand Magellan, the Portuguese navigator, was one of the first Europeans to visit #OurBrunei.
- The highest point in #OurBrunei is Bukit Pagon (1,850 m).
- Brunei is ranked 4th in the world by gross domestic product per capita at purchasing power parity #OurBrunei
- How the Islamic principles are maintained can be seen as #OurBrunei Darussalam progresses as a nation.
- #OurBrunei obtain better education and possess higher standard of living as compared to 144 other countries.
- Education is free. So is medication. Too bad some of us are misusing it. That's #ourBrunei
- Like any other nation with a distinct identity, the Bruneian society shares a concept of Malay Islamic Monarchy #OurBrunei
- The MIB philosophy is deeply rooted from that implemented by Sultan Muhammad Shah (1364 – 1402), the first sultan of Brunei.#OurBrunei
Other Memorable Tweets:
- Ahhh ♥ cheap groceries & veggies for less than a dollar! #OurBrunei
- http://yfrog.com/h3smsdmj Beef Shish with Bread from Shami Kebab, The Mall #Brunei #OurBrunei
…..and many many more!
Monday, June 20, 2011
Written on
Books taught me that… #002
The Itsy-Bitsy Spider gotten washed out by the rain because he had no umbrella, ella ella eh, eh, eh!
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Written on
Book Review: The Throne of Fire; Rick Riordan
genre } egyptology mythology | fantasy | young adult |
rating } 18+
date released } May 3rd 2011
edition } Hyperion Books for Children
ISBN } 1423140567 | 9781423140566
acquisition } bought
available @ Book Depository
The Throne of Fire (Kane Chronicles #2)
by Rick Riordan
Summary via Goodreads:
Ever since the gods of Ancient Egypt were unleashed in the modern world, Carter Kane and his sister Sadie have been in trouble. As descendants of the House of Life, the Kanes have some powers at their command, but the devious gods haven't given them much time to master their skills at Brooklyn House, which has become a training ground for young magicians.
And now their most threatening enemy yet - the chaos snake Apophis - is rising. If they don't prevent him from breaking free in a few days' time, the world will come to an end. In other words, it's a typical week for the Kane family.
To have any chance of battling the Forces of Chaos, the Kanes must revive the sun god Ra. But that would be a feat more powerful than any magician has ever accomplished.
First they have to search the world for the three sections of the Book of Ra, then they have to learn how to chant its spells. Oh, and did we mention that no one knows where Ra is exactly?
Narrated in two different wisecracking voices, featuring a large cast of new and unforgettable characters, and with adventures spanning the globe, this second installment in the Kane Chronicles is nothing short of a thrill ride.
My 2 Cents
I have waited for this book for so many months, and when it is finally in my hands… oh my… only another fan would know how that feels. *book-gasm* Now back to it, Rick Riordan didn’t fail my expectations! Like I have said before, first you need a total understanding and knowledge in Egypt Mythology, or else you be so lost in what who and where when??? I’m just lucky, I actually love Egyptology to bits, not to mention I am also a history buff to begin with.
Enough self patting!
This book is awesome (yes it is that word again) AWESOME! But still, the sudden burst of sibling “neener neener” within the narration of the story keeps ejecting me out of the depths of the story. I did mention, I hate that in Nanny McPhee, didn’t I? Dear God! I like to smack those two every single time they do that! Dear God!!
Set, nevertheless evil, is still a delicious character. What? You should know by now I’m into these bad “deities”. Anubis did another appearance and *fan self* that’s all I have to say. And of course.. dear wonderful Bast. I love her to bits. A new deity popped in and his name is Bes, the Dwarf god. Who loves to BOO the bezeezus out of evil spirit. Which actually works.
It is an absolutely wonderful book. I tell you, I slept at 2 am in the morning just to finish this book and it is worth fit.
Rick Riordan, time to find Percy Jackson! hehehe
Saturday, June 18, 2011
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Region in Conflict: Europe
Regions in Conflict: Europe (Chechnya, Cyprus, Kosovo, Northern Ireland, Former Yugoslavia)
Chechnya
I Am a Chechen! by German Sadulaev
Cyprus
Bitter Lemons by Lawrence Durrell
Tetralogy of the Times: Stories of Cyprus by G. Philippou Pierides
Kosovo
Northern Ireland
Former Yugoslavia
Death and the Dervish by Mesa Selimovic
The Banquet in Blitva by Miroslav Krleža
List compiled fom Goodreads and Librarything.
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Regions in Conflict: Asia
Regions in Conflict: Asia (Afghanistan, Burma, East Timor, Iran, Iraq, Israel and Palestine, Kashmir, Kurdistan, Lebanon, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Syria, Tibet, Yemen)
Multinational works
Literature from the "Axis of Evil": Writing from Iran, Iraq, North Korea and Other Enemy Nations, edited by Alane Mason
Beirut 39: New Writing from the Arab World, edited by Samuel Shimon
The Anchor Book of Modern Arabic Fiction, edited by Denys Johnson-Davies
Keys to the Garden: New Israeli Writing, edited by Ammiel Alcalay
Afghanistan
The Patience Stone by Atiq Rahimi
The Swallows of Kabul by Yasmina Khadra
East Timor
The Redundancy of Courage by Timothy Mo
Iran
Jumping Over Fire by Nahid Rachlin
The Septembers of Shiraz by Dalia Sofer
The Blind Owl by Sadeq Hedayat
Strange Times, My Dear: The Pen Anthology of Contemporary Iranian Literature, edited by Nahid Mozaffari
Iraq
I’jaam: An Iraqi Rhapsody by Sinan Antoon
The Last of the Angels by Fadhil al-Azzawi
Cell Block Five by Fadhil al-Azzawi
Baghdad, Mon Amour: A Journey of Exile and Return by Salah Al-Hamdani (memoir)
Scattered Crumbs by Muhsin Al-Ramli
Israel and Palestine
Friendly Fire by A.B. Yehoshua
To the End of the Land by David Grossman
A Tale of Love and Darkness by Amos Oz (autobiography)
Wandering Star by J.M.G. Le Clézio
A River Dies of Thirst by Mahmoud Darwish
Once Upon a Country: A Palestinian Life by Sari Nusseibeh (autobiography)
Kashmir
Chef by Jaspreet Singh
The Collaborator by Mirza Waheed
Curfewed Night: One Kashmiri Journalist's Frontline Account of Life, Love, and War in His Homeland by Basharat Peer
Lebanon
Gate of the Sun by Elias Khoury
White Masks by Elias Khoury
Origins: A Memoir by Amin Maalouf
Pakistan
The Reluctant Fundamentalist by Mohsin Hamad
A Case of Exploding Mangoes by Mohammed Hanif
In the City By the Sea by Kamila Shamsie
Reconciliation: Islam, Democracy and the West by Benazir Bhutto (nonfiction)
Sri Lanka
Brixton Beach by Roma Tearne
Bone China by Roma Tearne
Anil's Ghost by Michael Ondaatje
Reef by Romesh Gunesekera
Syria
The Pages of Day and Night by Adonis (poetry)
Breaking Knees: Modern Arabic Short Stories from Syria by Zakaria Tamer
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Regions in Conflict - Africa
Africa (Algeria, Côte d’Ivoire, The Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Libya, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Sudan/Darfur, Tunisia)
MULTINATIONAL WORKS
Beirut 39: New Writing from the Arab World, edited by Samuel Shimon
The Anchor Book of Modern Arabic Fiction, edited by Denys Johnson-Davies
ALGERIA
Algerian White by Assia Djebar
The German Mujahid by Boualem Sansal
The Last Summer of Reason by Tahar Djaout
The Attack by Yasmina Khadra (pen name of Mohammed Moulessehoul)
The Tongue’s Blood Does Not Run Dry: Algerian Stories by Assia Djebar
Côte d’Ivoire
Allah Is Not Obliged by Ahmadou Kourouma
Aya by Marguerite Abouet
The Democratic Republic of Congo
The Antipeople by Sony Labou Tansi
Life and a Half: A Novel by Sony Labou Tansi
Broken Glass by Alain Mabanckou
Libya
In the Country of Men by Hisham Matar
Anatomy of a Disappearance by Hisham Matar
Rwanda
The Oldest Orphan by Tierno Monénembo
Sierra Leone
The Memory of Love by Aminatta Forna
Sudan/Darfur
Season of Migration to the North by Tayeb Salih
Lyrics Alley by Leila Aboulela
Tunisia
The Pillar of Salt by Albert Memmi
The Malady of Islam by Abdelwahab Meddeb
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Gulf War Books
IRAQ/AFGHANISTAN WARS
Jarhead by Anthony Swofford
Prayer in Rumayla by Charles Sheehan-Miles
Night Draws Near: Iraq's People in the Shadow of America's War by Anthony Shadid
What Was Asked of Us: An Oral History of the Iraq War by the Soldiers Who Fought It by Trish Wood
What I Heard About Iraq by Eliot Weinberger
Imperial Life in the Emerald City by Rajiv Chandrasekaran
Fiasco by Thomas E. Ricks
The Forever War by Dexter Filkins
Afghan Tales: Stories from Russia's Vietnam by O. Ermakov (war between Russia & Afghanistan)
Earth and Ashes by Atiq Rahimi (war between Russia & Afghanistan)
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Vietnam War Books
VIETNAMESE
Novel Without a Name by Duong Thu Huong
Last Night I Dreamed of Peace: The Diary of Dang Thuy Tram--this diary of a young doctor operating in makeshift jungle hospitals for the Viet Cong, was found by a U.S. soldier during "clean-up" operations. Against regulations, he kept it. In 2005, he returned it to her family in Vietnam, where it was published and became a bestseller.
The Sorrow of War by Bao Ninh
When Heaven and Earth Changed Places byLe Ly Hayslip
AMERICAN
The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien
Going After Cacciato by Tim O'Brien
In the Lake of the Woods by Tim O'Brien
The Bamboo Bed by William Eastlake
Paco's Story by Larry Heinemann
Matterhorn by Karl Marlantes
The Lotus Eaters by Tatjana Soli
Tree of Smoke by Denis Johnson
The Quiet American by Graham Greene
Dispatches by Michael Herr
A Dangerous Friend by Ward Just
Dog Soldiers by Robert Stone
A Rumor of War by Philip Caputo
The Thirteenth Valley by John Del Vecchio
Tiger the Lurp Dog by Kenn Miller
NONFICTION
The Best and the Brightest by David Halberstam
Street Without Joy: The French Debacle in Indochina by Bernard Fall
Four Hours in My Lai by Michael Bilton
The Vietnam War on Trial: The My Lai Massacre and the Court Martial of Lieutenant Calley by Michael Belknap
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Korean War Books
KOREAN, CHINESE
War Trash by Ha Jin
Silver Stallion by Ahn Junghyo
The Surrendered by Chang Rae Lee
AMERICAN
MASH by Richard Hooker
MASH: An Army Surgeon in Korea by Otto F. Apel
The Useless Servants (1993) by Rolando Hinojosa--racism in the army
I Am the Clay (1992) by Chaim Potok--devastation of Korean village
The Marines of Autumn by James Brady
No Other Way (1997) by Ben DeWitt--military intelligence
The Hunters (1956) by James Salter--fighter pilots
The Coldest Winter: America and the Korean War by David Halberstam
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World War 2 Books
GERMAN
Every Man Dies Alone (1947) by Hans Fallada--Berlin during the war
The Time of Light (2000) by Gunnar Kopperud--Battle of Stalingrad
Das Boot by Lothar-Gunther Buchheim--German submariners
The Tin Drum (1959) by Gunter Grass
The Train Was on Time by Heinrich Boll
A Soldier's Legacy by Heinrich Boll
The Kindly Ones (2009) by Jonathan Littell--although the author is not German, this widely acclaimed novel is told from the pov of a German SS officer
The End: Hamburg 1943 by Hans Erich Nossack
The Forgotten Soldier by Guy Sajer
The Stalin Front (1955) by Gerd Letig
Black Edelweiss: A Memoir of Combat and Conscience by Johann Voss
RUSSIA
Life and Fate by Vassily Grossman--a classic panoramic war novel
The Life and Extraordinary Adventures of Private Ivan Chonkin by Vladimir Voinovich--satire; the Russian Catch 22
Babi Yar by A. Anatoli Kuznetsov
Live and Remember by Valentin Rasputin
OTHER EUROPEAN
The Assault by Harry Mulisch--Holland
Closely Watched Trains by Bohumil Hrabal
Bridge Over the River Kwai (1952) by Pierre Boulle--pows building the "Death Railroad" in Burma; winner of France's Prix Sainte-Beuve
Kaputt by Curzio Malaparte--experiences of Italian consul to other Facist states
The Painted Bird (1965) by Jerzy Kosinki--Poland
Chronicle in Stone by Ismael Kadare--Albania
The General of the Dead Army by Ismael Kadare--an Italian general's mission to retrieve the buried bones of Italian soldiers killed in Albania
The Forests of the Night (wrong touchstone) (1955) by Jean-Louis Curtis--winner of Prix Goncourt; Nazi occupation of village in the Pyrenees
HHhH by Laurent Binet--winner of Prix Goncourt du Premier Roman 2010; attempted assassination of Nazi official in Prague
The Unknown Soldier by Vaino Linna--Finland
The Thirty Year War by Henrik Tikkanen--Finland
The Abruzzo Trilogy by Ignazio Silone—Italy
JAPAN
Fires on the Plain by Ooka Shohei
Requiem by Shizuko Go
Black Rain by Masuji Ibuse
Grass for My Pillow by Saiichi Maruya
Harp of Burma by Michio Takeyama
The Sea and Poison by Shusaku Endo
Nip the Buds, Shoot the Kids by Kenzaburo Oe
Hiroshima by John Hersey
The Stones Cry Out by Hikaru Okuizumi
Twenty-four Eyes by Keisuke Kinoshita
Japan at War: An Oral History by Haruko Taya
Citadel in Spring by Hiroyuki Agawa
OTHER ASIAN
A Gesture Life by Chang Rae Lee--Korea
Cry Slaughter by Edilberto K. Tiempo--Philippines
The Rape of Nanking by Irene Chang--China
When Elephants Dance by Tess Uriza Holth--Philipppines
And the War is Over by Ismail Marahimin--Indonesia; Winner of Pegasus Prize
The Gift of Rain by Tan Twan Eng—Malaysia
AMERICAN, BRITISH, and CANADIAN
Catch 22 by Joseph Heller
From Here to Eternity (1951) by James Jones--Pearl Harbor
The Thin Red Line (1962) by James Jones--Guadacanal
Whistle by James Jones--wounded soldiers in hospital after Guadacanal
The Naked and the Dead (1948) by Norman Mailer
Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut
Winds of War and War and Remembrance by Herman Wouk
Europe Central by William Vollmann
A Midnight Clear by William Wharton
106178::A Bell for Adano by John Hersey
The Cruel Sea by Nicholas Monserrat
The Empire of the Sun by J.G. Ballard
King Rat by James Clavell
The Singapore Grip by J.G. Farrell
Eye of the Needle by Ken Follett
Famous Last Words by Timothy Findley
The Rising Tide by Jeff Shaara
No Less Than Victory by Jeff Shaara
The Steel Wave by Jeff Shaara
War of the Rats by David L. Robbins
Captain Corelli's Mandolin by Louis de Bernieres
No Ordinary Time: Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt: The Home Front In World War II by Doris Kearns Goodwin
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World War 1 Books
GERMAN
Arnold Zweig; The Case of Sergeant Grischa (1927) (Russian POW tries to escape from German camp)
Ernst Junger; Storm of Steel by (war from POV of young German soldier)
Fritz Nagel;
Fritz: The World War I Memoirs of a German Lieutenant
FRENCH
Henri Barbusse; Under Fire (1916) -- "one of most influential of all war novels"; 1001 list
Romain Rolland; Clerambault ( 1920) --1915 Nobelist; author describes this book as "the confession of a free spirit telling its mistakes, its sufferings and its struggles from the midst of the tempist."
Louis-Ferdinand Celine; Journey to the End of the Night (1932) -- Celine's first novel
CZECH
Jaroslav Hasek; The Good Soldier Svejk (1923) -- classic satire
RUSSIAN
August, 1914 (1972) by
August, 1916 (1998) by Alexandr Solzhenitsin
GREEK
Stratis Myrivilis; Life in the Tomb
NONFICTION
Guns of August by Barbara Tuchman
Seven Pillars of Wisdom by T.E. Lawrence--the real Lawrence of Arabia
A World Undone: The Story of the Great War, 1914-1918 (2007) by G.J. Meyer
The Great War and Modern Memory by Paul Fussel--explores the works of many of the writers who memorialized the war; winner of the National Book Award, National Book Critics Circle Award, and named as one of the Modern Library's best nonfiction books of the 20th century
Back to the Front: An Accidental Historian Walks the Trenches of World War I by Stephen O'Shea
BRITISH, AMERICAN, and CANADIAN
Regeneration; The Eye in the Door; The Ghost Road by Pat Barker (Booker prize winning trilogy)
The Enormous Room (1922) by E.E. Cummings (semi-autobiographical account of war protester incarcerated in France)
A Farewell to Arms (1929) by Ernest Hemingway (based on Hemingway's personal experiences as an ambulance driver)
Goodbye to All That: An Autobiography (1929) by Robert Graves
In Parenthesis (1937) by David Jones (one of major works of 20th century poetry)
Johnny Got His Gun (1939) by Dalton Trumbo (classic anti-war novel)
The General (1936) by C.S Forester
Parades End by Ford Maddox Ford (masterpiece about transition from orderly Edwardian age to madness of war)
An Ice Cream War (1982) by William Boyd (war in British and German colonies in East Africa)
Three Soldiers (1923) by John Dos Passos (plight of ordinary enlisted man)
Birds Without Wings (2005) by Louis de Bernieres (Gallipoli--Turkish pov)
The Wars (1977) by Timothy Findley (Canadian soldier in WW I)
Memoirs of an Infantry Officer (1930) by Siegfried Sassoon (based on Sassoon's experiences in the trenches)
Testament of Youth (1933) by Vera Brittain (memoir of a generation)
A Soldier of the Great War (1991) by Mark Helprin (cultured Italian's war experiences in the Tyrol and Sicily)
The Secret Battle (1919) by A.P. Herbert (Gallipoli; praised for its accurate and truthful portrayal of the effects of war on soldiers)
Through the Wheat (1923) by Thomas Boyd (marines in WW I)
Paths of Glory (1935) by Humphrey Cobb (basis for the Stanley Kubrik film)
Wipers: A Soldier's Tale (2009) by Jeff Simmons (digging trenches under no-man's land at Ypres)
Generals Die in Bed (1930) by Charles Yale Harrison (Canadian soldier on the Western front; "no gentle treatise on war)
The Patriot's Progress by Henry Williamson (Harper's called this a masterpiece)
Private 12768: Memoir of a Tommy (1926) by John Jackson
Death of a Hero (1929) by Richard Aldington (Lawrence Durrell called this the best war novel of the era)
To the Last Man (2005) by Jeff Shaara (American experience narrated by historical figures)
5516606::Company K (1935) by William March (series of first hand vignettes by cross-section of soldiers)
Her Privates We (1929) by Frederic Manning (Battle of the Somme; amazon reviewer: "There is no account of World War One that can be compared to this work.")
OTHER
The Penguin Anthology of First World War Stories (2007); primarily British authors
Sources: All around online groups for several sites such as Librarything & Goodreads
Friday, June 17, 2011
Written on
Rick Riordan talks about Kane Chronicles
To whoever has no idea what's the back story of the Kane Chronicles by Rick Riordan, Here is it. I wholeheartedly recommend this series to everybody. But you need to have a background knowledge on Egyptology mythology. if you don't, brush it up ;) you'll missing on a great series.
Read More
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Written on
Book Review: The Yellow Wallpaper; Charlotte Perkins Gilman
genre } classics | short stories | literature
rating } 18 yr +
date released } 1997
edition } Dover Publications; Unabridged edition (70 p.)
ISBN } 0486298574 | 978-0486298573
acquisition } Free for Kindle download
available @ Book Depository | Amazon.com
The Yellow Wallpaper
by; Charlotte Perkins Gilman
Summary;
The unnamed narrator and her doctor husband, John, live in "a colonial mansion, a hereditary estate..." She believes the house is haunted. "John laughs at me, of course, but one expects that." She believes she is ill but her husband, and her brother, also a physician, say it is only "temporary nervous depression - a slight hysterical tendency..." They insist on "phosphates or phosphites - whichever it is - and tonics" and absolutely forbid work until she is well again. She believes "Personally...that congenial work, with excitement and change, would do me good. Personally, I disagree with their ideas. But what is one to do? I did write for a while in spite of them; but it does exhaust me a good deal - having to be so sly about it, or else meet with heavy opposition." She is confined to rest in a room she hates with wallpaper she finds hideously ugly: "The color is repellent, almost revolting: a smoldering unclean yellow... dull yet lurid orange in some places, a sickly sulphur tint in others." It is in this room that she writes her secret journal that is this story. She struggles to believe in her husband and brother's "kindness" and "care" while, with terrifying starkness, she narrates her journey into madness.
My 2 Cents
Wow.. what an intense book. I ended this book with the feeling of floored, awe, amazed, confuse and some what empowered. yes it’s an insight monologue literature of a “nervous condition” in her head, and obviously throughout the story she is descending into madness. I was also kind off creep out witnessing her describing her madness how she saw things in a different light. Seeing things the rest can’t see. She is preoccupied by that yellow wallpaper in her bedroom where her husband confines her through out her “sickness”. Her mind went deeper and deeper, pulling you into the horror of her mind. The end was confusing. It can be interpreted one way or another. I get the impression, she either killed off her husband or she killed herself.
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Book Review: Dork Diaries; Rachel R. Russell
genre } humor | teens |
rating } 12 yo +
date released } February 04, 2010
edition } Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
ISBN } 1847387411 | 9781847387417
acquisition } bought @ Book Lane Brunei
available @ Book Depository
Dork Diaries (Dork Diaries #1)
by; Rachel R. Russell
Summary From GoodReads
Nikki Maxwell is not popular, in fact Nikki Maxwell is the opposite of popular; she's a total dork! But Nikki's hoping that by moving to a new school she might just stand a chance of making some friends and leaving her old lame-ways in the past. But life is never that simple! Follow Nikki's life through sketches, doodles and diary entries as she starts her new school, battles with her mum for an iPhone and meets her arch-nemisis, the school's queen bee, Mackenzie. Enter Nikki's world through her sketches, doodles and diary entries.
My 2 cents
The only reason why I pick this book up was that, I have enjoyed reading the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series. It’s a cute comic slash novel on for the pre and early teenagers who have trouble um.. resist reading…(???) um.. let’s rephrase that to reluctant readers. It is also excellent for a “between reads” for people like me who needs something light, funny and quick before picking up another “serious” fiction book. Hmm.. that just doesn’t pop up right loud out does it.
Ok.. ok.. fun fact is, I ‘ve avoided this book like a plague, before I actually picked it up just because it is “Pink” cover. Don’t give me that look. I ain’t a pink girl :P
Regressing to my book review… it is an absolutely cute book of a typical young teenage girl. Move to a new school (on scholarship – because her dad made a deal with the school board just because he exterminate the bugs for them), have a locker next to most popular girl in school who happens to be extremely superficial. Plus she has this crush with to her opinion, is the most I honestly adore the character Nikki Maxwell. It just tickle me when she keeps saying something and ended up with, she didn’t say it out loud, just in he head. She has aspiration to be one of the cute, cool and popular (CCP) and she has her own way to get to that.
This book is written as if it’s in a lined diary, most pages there’s always a Manga doodle of what’s going on in her head (her current respond to a situation or what, how to respond or see how the situation is). It’s a good laugh, refreshing and of course, it has finally popped up in my favorite list.
Librarian-wise
I know how some of us feel about series in our work place collection. This would be up to you. Pre-teens and reluctant readers would love to read this one. Catchy looking cover (unless your patrons are like me, not that keen with pink …o_o )
Written on
Link Share: Go the F**k to Sleep - read by Samuel L. Jackson
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
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TV Series Treat
Let me be one of the first to say I’m in Doctor Who’s withdrawal until when autumn will be finally here. Can you believe that cliffhanger?! I’m inbetween “I knew it!” and “Ew”. If anybody else is like me, Torchwood is coming! So yay!!! But of course the stale empty slot of nothing to watch in between….. is god damn annoying. But here’s a couple of series I found, either debuting to watch.
MTV’s Teen Wolf
Starring: Tyler Posey, Crystal Reed, Dylan O’Brien
Check out MTV’s Teen Wolf yet? If you’re into Twilight, The vampire diaries or the original Michael J Fox (yes, yes, I ♥ him) “Teen Wolf”; watch this for a try. It’s not like the original version, but it’s do fine. The story line goes like the usual, teen get bit by a werewolf. He fell in love with a girl at school, who turns out to be a Hunter’s daughter. Life sucks. But it’s the drama. I’m just surprise, it’s showing in MTV instead of a “normal” tv channels.
Switched at Birth
Starring: Katie Leclerc, Vanessa Marano, Sean Berdy
This series is about two families realizing after raising their daughters to their teens, their daughters has been switched at birth. The show focus how these two families tries to overcome this discovery, especially when one of them is deaf. It’s a good series, if you like the drama. One of these families is kind of selfish imho.. I feel sorry how the deaf girl is usually lost when they are in the middle of conversation in her biological family just because they can’t discipline themselves to face her while talking and then get dumbfound or startled when she suddenly ask about something they have already covered the minute before. The tension is soo tight in the series! >.<
There are a few others I could tell you about. but until the next time =^_^=
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
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Teaser Tuesdays: Dork Diaries
Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading.
♣ Grab your current read
♣ Open to a random page
♣ Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
♣ BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
♣ Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!
Dork Diaries (Dork Diaries #1)
by; Rachel R. Russell
The most important lesson I learned last year was that having a cruddy phone – no NONE at all – can totally RUIN your social life. While hordes of celebrity party girls regularly FORGET to wear undies, not a single one would be caught dead without her mobile phone. Which was why I was nagging my mom about buying me an iPhone.
Monday, June 13, 2011
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Books taught me that… #001
No matter how stuck you are in a problem, breaking a jar containing an Ancient Egyptian God in hopes to help you, is never a good idea.
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In My Mailbox (13.6.2011)
Hosted by Kristy from The Story Siren.
Wow.. It has been long.. Been busy and such with work.
But today let me show you what I get for my last week treasure!
A J Tata - [Threat 03] - Hidden Threat
Alyson Noel - [The Immortals 06] - Everlasting
Alyson Noel - [The Immortals 06] - Everlasting
Barbara Bottner - Miss Brooks Loves Books!
Barbara Pym - Jane and Prudence
Barbara Seranella - [Munch Mancini 02] - No Offense Intended
Barbra Annino - [Stacy Justice 01] - Opal Fire
Belinda Roberts - Mr. Darcy Goes Overboard- A Tale of Tide & Prejudice
Brenda Jackson - Perfect Fit
Candice Gilmer - [Moonlight and Shadows 01] - Unholy Night
Cara Lynn Shultz - Spellbound
Carolyn Cooke - Daughters of the Revolution
D P Lyle - [Royal Pains 01] - First, Do No Harm
Daniel and Dina Nayeri - [Another 02] - Another Pan
David Abbott - The Upright Piano Player
Dean M DeLuke - Shedrow
Deborah da Costa - Hanukkah Moon
Diane Chamberlain - The Escape Artist
James White - [Earth- Final Conflict 02] - The First Protector
Elizabeth George Speare - The Witch of Blackbird Pond
Elle Jasper - [Dark Ink Chronicles 02] - Everdark
Erica Bauermeister - Joy for Beginners
Richard Lee Byers {Forgotten Realms} - [Brotherhood of the Griffon 01] - The Captive Flame
Richard Lee Byers {Forgotten Realms} - [Brotherhood of the Griffon 03] - The Spectral Blaze
G R Yeates - The Eyes of the Dead
Hannah Howell - [Wherlocke 04] - If He's Dangerous
James Calder - [Bill Damen Mystery 02] - About Face
Jean Plaidy - [Queens of England 06] - In the Shadow of the Crown
♥
♥
Jessica Andersen - [Nightkeepers 06] - Storm Kissed
Joanne Dobson - [Karen Pelletier 03] - The Raven and the Nightingale 
Joe Kimball - [Timecaster 01] - Timecaster
John Darnton - Almost a Family
John Ringo - [Troy Rising 02] - Citadel
Jon Land - [Caitlin Strong 01] - Strong Enough to Die
Jonathan Dixon - Beaten, Seared, and Sauced
Julie Hyzy - [Manor House Mystery 02] - Grace Interrupted
K C May - [The Kinshield Saga 01] - The Kinshield Legacy
Kevin Hearne - [Iron Druid Chronicles 02] - Hexed
♥
♥Lauren Dane - Goddess With a Blade
♥
♥Lauren Myracle - Shine
♥
♥
Liane Moriarty - What Alice Forgot
Liz Braswell as Celia Thomson - [The Nine Lives of Chloe King 01-03] - The Fallen
, The Stolen
, The Chosen 
, The Stolen, The Chosen 
Lorna Barrett - [Booktown Mystery 02] - Bookmarked for Death
Lorna Barrett - [Booktown Mystery 05] - Sentenced to Death
Marie-Therese Browne - Olga- A Daughter's Tale
Mark Walden - [H.I.V.E. 02] - The Overlord Protocol
Martin Cohen - Philosophical Tales
Martin Gardner - The No-Sided Professor
Matthew Stover, Robert E Vardeman - [God of War] - God of War
♥
♥Meg Cabot - [Meena Harper 01] - Insatiable
Michael Griffo - [Archangel Academy 01] - Unnatural
Michael J Marfleet - Tutankhamun Uncovered
- The Adventure Behind the Curse
- The Adventure Behind the CurseMitchell Layne Cook - Z1N1- The Zombie Pandemic
- 2012 Was Just the Beginning
- 2012 Was Just the BeginningMorgan Hawke - In Arrears
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