Monday, December 27, 2010

Welcoming Notes Examples

's your vote: become editorial board!

No "It's Monday! What are you reading?" this week, since I read almost anything in recent days. Instead, I suggest you join an editorial board and select a new one which will be published in 10,000 copies in a few months!

How is this possible? With the contest between Livraddict and the other edition, entitled "The man who dreamed." Is the title of the second novel by John Marcus to be published by The Other Editions in 2011. I told you about on this blog, with great enthusiasm, the first volume Commissioner Delajoie adventures, "The man who dreamed " and I look forward to more to come ...

Well, it turns out that Jean-Marc Bastardy, director of the Other editions, decided to take this opportunity to showcase a young unknown writer. In the manner of singers who invite young artists in the first part of their concerts, the novel "The man who dreamed" will be accompanied a detective story. The junior authors were able to offer their news Livraddict for a few weeks and now it's time to choose the best!


is where you come in: for the first stage of the selection, screening of the five best news is in your hands. To vote, just to be (or become) a member of Livraddict, read the new proposed and select the one you prefer. You can also share your impressions with other members, support your foal, discuss the qualities or faults with each new authors. A new experience and free!

It tempts you ? Livraddict is on! But do not dally: You have until January 16!

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Watykan Wybór Papieża

Vannek Helena, Armel Job

It's been three or four weeks I have this novel and I do not know why I have not commented yet ... Correct this injustice!


Abstract:

"In the Flemish countryside, before the Second World War, Helena Vannek witnessing the death of his mother. The family comes the terrible authority of the father, Theo. Suddenly, under the pretext to distract the brother of Helena's grief, Theo into the house a young and mysterious stranger.
Everyone takes a liking to the newcomer. Helena, she begins to love him. But we must reckon with all the fates ... "
(back cover )


My opinion:

I got this book after reading "You're not judge," the same author. These two books have been donated and hung in my library for six months. I do not have a PAL, but cons I love discovering new authors and styles that I knew absolutely not by magic gifts ...

I did not Armel Job is a man, or that he was Belgian, I understand that seeing the two novels set in my small country. I knew nothing of his style was pleasantly surprised by her coldness. All history is written in first person and in these cases is expected to much emotional investment on the part of the narrator, but here the heroine, Helena, is content to relate almost happened with distance Yet very painful. In After a few pages, however, you get used and it includes: Helena is not in an environment where expressing feelings is valued and finally, his way of narrating what is happening is quite the image that we have of his personality.

can not say that I am attached to the heroine, Helena is too strange for that. I struggled to understand and accept his passionate feelings that arise suddenly, be it hate or love. But it is interesting and the characters that revolve around it are even greater. We do not always understand but they fascinate.

Moreover, their mystery deepens with time, and that's where it gets interesting. It is believed to know everything, and in fact they are wrong. Was entitled to a reversal unexpected situations, then a second and a third ... I do not want to say too much, but read to the end, it's worth it.

Here is a novel cold, mysterious, a pen and interesting context untapped, which serve the plot more complex than one might think. The whole is interesting and worth reading.


For more information:

Sheet Bibliomania Book:

Criticism Betty, who has seen Helena in a very different of mine, take a look at comments, nice discussion ensued about the character.

Monday, December 13, 2010

What Does It Mean If Your Breasts Are Pert

It's Monday! What are you reading? (5)

After jumping a few weeks (in any case very low in reading), I resume my habits on Monday.



What I read last week?

Well, just imagine, not much interesting. It happens that this time, the readings "mandatory" supplant largely for pleasure reading, and playtime ends up reduced to a trickle, consumed by time spent at work (which in my case rather takes a plural: the jobs). So I read primarily a legal treatise on the evolution of copyright that I must appear before a group of researchers (I'll spare you the details), and a biography of Florence Nightingale that I need to register on Dictaphone a person who has vision problems - nearly 550 pages to read aloud, it will take me some time. And the two in English, please.

For the rest, I have a little progress in reading " All the King's Men " began several weeks ago, and I recently started " The Eight" by Katherine Neville will be Book Club of January.


What I'm reading right now?

Same as above, alternating along moments.


What shall I read the next week?

I have to finish the treaty Legal and analysis for tomorrow (argh!), and when I am freed I also intend to complete " All the King's Men " I look forward to comment.

And you, Read- you?

Sunday, December 12, 2010

Much Does Cost Change Your Name

for fans of French literature: The Mag Livraddict No. 4 awaits you!

It is a little time for me to comment, as it is already out there 12 days, but it is never too late to advertise a good product. On December 1 came out on Livraddict Mag n ° 4, devoted entirely to contemporary literature in French!



In Mags lineage of previous Team Livraddict wanted to offer an overview as varied as possible a kind of very heterogeneous. You will find in this issue presentations of authors from all sides such as Hubert Reeves, Jean-Christophe Grange or Serge Brussolo; an exclusive interview Bernard Werber, a presentation of the major literary prizes, and many discoveries to be made under different themes ( selected the last of Goncourt, release to come, favorites of the Team and Livraddictiens some recent discoveries), a presentation of some interesting film adaptations And our recipe, our comic ... and many other things.

This issue also contains a very moving tribute to author Pierre Bottero, who died a little over a year. Livraddict members wanted to honor him in their own way, and it is also an opportunity to discover his work. This case is accompanied by a contest to win three volumes of the series Ellana but You only have three days to participate, hurry up!

As usual, you can read the magazine online ; to see the pages more closely, just click or use mouse wheel. You can also download format. pdf and print it if you want. Do not hesitate to make known in the broadcasting around you!



Saturday, December 4, 2010

Can Ridgeline Tow Travel Trailer

The undrowned child, by Michelle Lovric

Here is a common understanding on the initiative of Miss Spooky Muffin who invited us to discover a book not yet published in French . As the book was available at the library, I threw myself into the adventure, to discover an author that I know absolutely and without any prejudice to the contents of the plot. Here is my opinion on this original work ...


Abstract:

Venice, 1899. Strange phenomena threaten the city of sharks roam the canals, water has become hot and salty, floods have become powerful and unpredictable. Teodora, a small Milanese eleven years, has always dreamed of exploring Venice. When his parents finally there emmènent, She spends her days to walk around the streets and visit the city in every corner. She also spends much time in a very strange little bookstore that sells individual pieces of mysterious books about ghosts or mermaids. When a book falls on his head, she sank into unconsciousness for a few minutes. This is the first step in a journey that will help them discover what lies beneath the appearance of the city, the strange beings who protect and above all, the great danger that threatens it.


My opinion:

This novel-like fairy tale has a lot going for it. For starters, a nice blanket faded puts you directly into the atmosphere of the novel. Then the little Teodora is adorable, sensitive and a little girl dream that can be attached. The scenery is beautiful: what better than Venice at the dawn of the twentieth century? And we can say that the story we walk from one corner to another, and in the habits and minds of its inhabitants and in the history of the city. I also enjoyed some of the characters whose originality beguiled me: ghosts, cats, and especially the sirens of course, their press, their cuisine and their special vocabulary. The plot has no timeouts, the adventure is changing rapidly and we do not get bored. In short, a lot of news around legends revisited, originality, action and a touch of poetry.

However, I do not know why the magic did not effect me. I read this book in one week but I returned without particular pleasure. A few days after the end my reading, I still wonder about the reasons for this indifference.

Perhaps it is the abundance of the supernatural, I had a little feeling of drowning in the legendary characters and magic in strange and supernatural phenomena. The consistency of I also missed the magical world: from start to finish, new characters, new events are added without at some point we can say we know the functioning of the created universe and the rest Part shall follow its rules. At several moments, while Theodora is in a particularly dramatic situation, it is off the hook by a phenomenon or a character hitherto unknown. To me it is as if the author cheated constantly adding new rules to the game it invented. I would have preferred a set of specific laws as in Harry Potter, where consistency is rigorously maintained from one end to another and where the twists may be predictable but are hidden only by the talent of the author to divert our attention.

this in mind, I was also disturbed by some flaws in the logic of history: at times the author is very clear on some details, but others it seems to leave out important elements. At times I asked myself the question: why does she Teo this, why this character does he do that? "All this feels like a dream with the actual pace but where there are inevitably some problems of logic. Regarding the heart of the plot, I still have a lot of questions, the most disturbing concerns the substance of the threat to Venice. I am still struggling to represent its exact nature, and because it is the engine of any action, it's pretty unpleasant. But perhaps Have I not been careful enough ...

Sometimes I'm a bit lost in the descriptions. Even with the ballads of Teo on the map provided at the beginning of the book, I had a little trouble to myself all the places described. However, it is often essential to understanding the events.

short, I was not convinced, without really knowing why. Yet this book is well written, set in a beautiful setting, it is original and full of action. Do not you trust my opinion and you could read those of my co-readers, because I'm sure some of them have loved it.


Sheet Bibliomania Book:

The opinions of my co-readers:
- Miss Spooky Muffin
- Erato
- Sita
- Flo_boss
- Sabaha
- Eli
- Avalon

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Kitchenaid Refrigerator Water Leaks Back

Elegance of the Hedgehog, Muriel Barbery

This is a book that I offered without reading, then I got my turn, I read some time ago and I finally said, in favor of a common reading. A novel whose much has been made to its output ... And me, what do I say?


Abstract:

"My name is Renee, I'm fifty-four years and I am the caretaker of 7 rue de Grenelle, a stately building. I am a widow, a small, ugly, chubby, I have some onions and feet, according to some self-bothersome morning, a breath of a mammoth. Most importantly, I'm so true to the image we have of janitors he would dream of who I am more literate than all those rich enough.

My name is Paloma, I'm twelve years old, I live at 7 rue de Grenelle in an apartment for the rich. But for a very long time, I know the final destination is the fishbowl, emptiness and absurdity of adult existence. How do I know? It happens that I am very intelligent. Exceptionally intelligent, well. That's why I made my decision: at the end of this school year, the day of my thirteen years, I kill myself. "
(back cover)

My opinion:

Admit that this summary makes you want to read this book. It did that to me, to me, too. Two original characters, especially the concierge, we want to know why she hide, why it plays comedy and locks himself in a miserable little life almost to conceal his abilities. We also want to learn more about the little Paloma, even if you already guessed the malaise of teenage boy-to-rich and misunderstood. We want to discover how these two worlds are gonna meet and will help each other - it's always what happens in this kind of novel.

No problem, open the book and you know it all. Even more: it is not expected to really smooth Manuela or the emergence of Mr Ozu. The narrative unfolds nicely, reveals the secrets of each other and ends on a rather abrupt end but not particularly disappointing. All that is left is kindly read and have a good time.

What do you say? Patronizing me? Yes, I admit, there's a bit of that. Because he has missed something in the reading so that I want to come back. Perhaps it is the grotesque side of the thing that bothered me. Renee not hold, it is too intelligent to be satisfied with a miserable little life, or not enough to look for as high. Paloma is never really credible nor his desire to commit suicide rather annoying and arrogance in his teens. Mr Ozu left me astonished, unable to really identify and especially to understand what enables him to see through the real Renee. Arrival at the end I found having had a good time but I could put this book on the shelf without the slightest regret.

So what shall I say? Read it, get your own opinion, because I know many have loved and you will not go the wrong time. But do not expect the work that will shake up the literature ...


Sheet Bibliomania Book:

My co-readers:
- those who really loved Yogi, Melusine, Anneso
- those who did not like: Setsuka