The anniversary of September 11 this year was accompanied by a myriad tv shows and documentaries. I watched them all of course.
Several months ago, I heard about a book called September 11 - From The Inside by Rubram Fernandez and ordered it from my favourite bookstore with the intention of reading it in September. After waiting two months for the book to be shipped from USA, I couldn't wait to read the novel claiming to 'stir deep emotion in the reader'.
Well it certainly did do that, except the emotion was disappointment!!! This was the most ridiculous attempt at recreating the events from inside the World Trade Centre buildings, with pathetic descriptions.
Here's one pathetically amusing excerpt:
"the sight of dozens dead white doves made the scene remind one of a documentary on the effects of the atomic bomb."
It was almost an insult to the victims and their families to print such rubbish, and I'm annoyed now that I bought the book, but I was 'sucked in' by the subject matter.
Don't buy/read this book.
Carpe Librum!
The last time I put a book down without ever intending to finish it was about 10 years ago, and the book was Moby Dick. In fact, there were several books in that era (University) that I didn't have the time or the will to finish.
Since then however, I always finish every book I start. This is probably why it took me two years to read Crime and Punishment, and one year to get through Anna Karenina. They were classics, sure, but just soooo boring.
So, imagine my dilemma, 361 pages into Grand Days by Frank Moorhouse when I realised that the book was boring, and just a waste of time? Sure, I could keep reading, but there is a stack of books waiting for me on my shelf, and another 330 pages of this book and probably another 600 pages in the sequel Dark Palace!!!
Well, I decided to take the advice from Sara Nelson and recognise when to put a book away for good. It's not like anyone cares if I finish it or not, and it's certainly not a crime.
Having made the decision, I feel quite relieved, almost as if the weight of 900 pages have been lifted from my shoulders! Quitting a book is okay!
That's my four bucks!
I remember reading the Golden Books version of Pollyanna as a kid, and wanted to read the novel now given it's status as a classic.
I was very pleased to find that although the language has dated, the moral of the story is still very valid in today's society (usually the case in a classic).
Pollyanna was an easy and uplifting read, and I would recommend it to anyone wanting a break from reading heavy crime novels, and who need a little 'sunlight' between the pages.
Rating = *****
Carpe Librum!
