The Girl in the Picture by Denise Chong - The book is classified as Non-Fiction but isn't history a fictional construct of events? Other than that it's not bad at all, does quite a good job of setting Kim Phuc's story against Vietnam's rather tragic situation. I've stopped reading 7/8 into the book because it was getting a bit too depressing, and started on something a little less emotionally demanding,
*whispered*(Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince) - It feels as if you're watching a movie in your head. Harry screams less in this one, but is stil as generous with his Petrificus Totalus, Impedimenta and the newly found Septumsempra. It isn't any less depressing than the afore mentioned book, only that in this book, the depressing bits where (Dumbledore dies) is grossly marred by Rowling's very blatant attempts to milk tears out of her unsuspecting prepubescent readers. So it wasn't very nice. It was just a read-for-the-sake-of-reading thing. Lemony Snicket's a whole lot better.
The Body (and other stories) by Hanif Kureishi - I love his one liners. He combines the simplicity of Winterson and the sociological analysis of George Eliot, and isn't as tied down in cultural baggage like Shyam Selvadurai. Though I suppose it isn't very fair of me to compare writers like that. After all, everyone is 'unique' right?
The Rainbow by D.H Lawrence - Cloying. Embodies the essence (and context) of "Go forth and multiply". No wonder I took more than a year to get through the book.
Buffy and Philosophy - Very enlightening; I didn't know a girl with blond hair could generate so much academic interest.
And I've finally, finally, finished the Chronicles of Narnia by C.S Lewis which was great although after the first two books it got rather bland until The Last Battle. The Aslan bits are the most read-worthy, in general.
Presently, am ploughing through 'Blood Bread and Poetry' by Adrienne Rich (very dry except for the occasional essay;I'd rather read her poetry!) and 'A Fine Balance' by Rohinton Mistry; am putting off 'Art and Lies'by Jeanette Winterson to make sure I finish reading the two books. Please tell me this delayed gratification will pay off somehow.
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