My summer project this year is to read 50 books, quite a bald statement if we consider the fact that almost half the summer vacations are gone and I didn't get even close to half that number, even half of a half of half that number :v
Anyway, there is always hope. That's why I'll do my best to catch up with the plan.
Unlike the usual reviews, this project will go reported : I won't review books as much as I will be marking the progress made so far. There will be a report in every 10 books landmark, and if you do the maths then hopefully by the end of summer there will be 5 of them. To do that I'll have to attain the "One book everyday ratio", which is quite hard (but doable !).
Let's start !
1. Mort sur le Nil :
Author : Agatha Christie
Themes: Detective Work, Mystery.
Rating : 5.5/10
Mini-review :
After reading "And there there were none", I'm afraid my expectations were high. Add to that the fact that I read this book throughout the duration of 3 months (because I was reading it in the bus when I can sit to read), you can get how it compiled up in my brain. There was no aspect of novelty in the Crime/Mystery cooking formula. Expect the very expected twist in the end, too.
2. The World as I see it :
3. Wuthering Heights :
4. Lord of the Flies :
Author : William Golding
Themes: Human nature, Good and Evil & Primal instinct, Social Satire, Hierarchy, Religion, Fear, Power-lust ...
Rating : 10/10
Mini-review :
The best book I've had in a long time (clear in the Perfect Score, the first given since I started this blog).
When I started reading this book, I had no idea that in the end, I'd be changed by it. It's that kind of books that makes a difference in you as a human when you least expect it.
The books depicts the "adventures" of a swarm of kids who ended up in a deserted island in the complete absence of adults. It really grows from your average thriller story to a full-blown allegory of society, existentialism and even Life itself.
An inhibiting psychological portrayal of the human society painted with a brush of pessimism. Dark, spooky and somewhat disturbing (if you can really get into books), and a true work of wonder.
Definitely a reread is planned and a full review.
5. Fight Club :
Author : Agatha Christie
Themes: Anarchy, Unaccomplishment, Male portrayal, Violence, History, Psychology ..
Rating : 7/10
Mini-review :
After watching the movie (that I rated 9/10 for the record), the novel didn't seem to exceed its pictured version. Although brilliant at times, the book leaves you with a bitter taste in your mouth and a lot of uncertainties. The ending was disappointing to some extent (unlike the movie) and supporting characters weren't given any depth. It's the kind of book that could have done better.
6. قنديل أم هاشم :
Author : Yahya Haqqi
Themes: Various : Belief, Destiny, Freedom, Choice, Love ..
Rating : 9/10
Mini-review :
I think I fell in love with short stories thanks to this work right here. Every story is a retake on an idea, a thought that the writer had at some point of his life, either by meeting a person or internalizing the possible scenarios in his head. I'm glad he got them on paper because they're brilliant.
The lack of ending and development is more redeemed by the pleasure of standing on a cliff, you guess an ending or imagine it or deduce it or even leave it behind .. It's entirely up to you.
Great use of symbols too (the stories themselves are symbols to draw a bigger image).
7. The Old Man and the Sea :
Author : Earnest Hemingway
Themes: Remembrance, Loneliness, Patience ..
Rating : 6.5/10
Mini-review :
I give 6.5 to the experience of reading the work, not the work itself. It's always mentioned as one of the best novels of the English Language which, although relative, it usually means that the work have some literal value. Unlike most of the classics, I failed to see this value in this work, maybe because I was tired, maybe because the air was hot, or maybe because I just don't like this kind of books.
Reading this work felt exactly like the process of fishing (haha, Fisher .. Sea .. get it ? Okay), boring and not necessarily rewarding at the end.
Was that intended by the author ? If it was, then this novel deserves more credit.
Author : Ahmad Al Shugairi
Themes: Thoughts. (translation of the title, very clever of me)
Rating : 8.5/10
Mini-review :
The book is a collection of mini-articles written by Ahmad Al Shugairi in diverse matters such as spirituality, mentality, politics, religion ..
I liked the book because at times it just put words to my thoughts! Maybe more precisely and with a studied intention but I felt myself mentally saying "I agree! .. Exaactly !".. which is cool.
Another thing I liked since the book is a promotion of the Islamic "lifestyle", the writer didn't pick up the "religious" tone anywhere throughout the book. It all laid in that sweet spot of "moderated Islam" and all it sought was a better understanding of the religion. It's a call for a change of paradigm, a gradual revolution of the mind and the soul first, that will eventually lead to the birth of the Islamic society as it should be, not as it unfortunately is.
I only wished the book was longer and had a stronger thematic orientation, but it's fine, really.
9. Of Mice and Men :
Author : John Steinbeck
Themes: Human Bonds, Travel, Loneliness, Morality and Mental Ability, Need ..
Rating : 9.5/10
Mini-review :
The feels train hit me, and it hit hard.
Prepare yourself to the Roller-coaster of feelings that it "Of Mice and Men".
I loved the book since the very first pages, the brilliant writing style makes you feel acquainted to the two protagonist and takes off the need to dozens of pages of introduction and background. Lennie is straight-out adorable, with all the dorky air around him and the big-boy thing going on, very innocent and likeable (watch out). George is the contrast of Lennie. The two set on a journey that is bigger-than-life and inspiring.
I won't give out anything about the book, but sincerely, if you were awake enough while reading it, it will lead you silently to the ending you don't want to believe it's the ending.
BIG thumbs-up to the use of foreshadowing, it was a very bitter-sweet sensation of guessing and discovering that earned this novella a spot in my current top 5.
I actually felt something in the end, can you believe that ?
10. Les Fourberies de Scapin
Author : Molière
Themes: Greed, Destiny, Social Satire.
Rating : 8/10
Mini-review :
For my first Molière, it's definitely a good one. I know now what "Comedy" as a genre stands for (I didn't finish any of the plays that were suggested in our Frnech program, so this one is a learning experience for me :p).
Well, what to say ? It's a funny play, a social satire sugarcoated in an amusing piece of literature. All the characters were caricaturized to exaggerated versions of their archetype, and the story wraps up hopefully making some points across.
One thing to confess : I'm still not ready to "literary" and "classic" works in french. Although this piece is a relatively simple and unsophisticated script, I really had bad time understanding it all, I deliberately left some pieces out because there were too many weird words for me to guess. Of course, that doesn't mean I won't try later. One baby step at a time.
I admit laughing like a dumb at some hilarious parts of the dialogue for some reason (well they're hilarious that's the reason) and that's something I'd like to have from time to time.
Well, those are my first 10 reads this Summer. I had a late start but screw it, it's a start.
I hope I can finish my second 10 before the end of this month because if not, well I'll fail myself.
I need to know why although I enjoy reading much more than lurking on Facebook and I still manage to switch the switches in my mind darn it.
Anyway, there is always hope. That's why I'll do my best to catch up with the plan.
Unlike the usual reviews, this project will go reported : I won't review books as much as I will be marking the progress made so far. There will be a report in every 10 books landmark, and if you do the maths then hopefully by the end of summer there will be 5 of them. To do that I'll have to attain the "One book everyday ratio", which is quite hard (but doable !).
Let's start !
1. Mort sur le Nil :
Themes: Detective Work, Mystery.
Rating : 5.5/10
Mini-review :
After reading "And there there were none", I'm afraid my expectations were high. Add to that the fact that I read this book throughout the duration of 3 months (because I was reading it in the bus when I can sit to read), you can get how it compiled up in my brain. There was no aspect of novelty in the Crime/Mystery cooking formula. Expect the very expected twist in the end, too.
2. The World as I see it :
3. Wuthering Heights :
4. Lord of the Flies :
Themes: Human nature, Good and Evil & Primal instinct, Social Satire, Hierarchy, Religion, Fear, Power-lust ...
Rating : 10/10
Mini-review :
The best book I've had in a long time (clear in the Perfect Score, the first given since I started this blog).
When I started reading this book, I had no idea that in the end, I'd be changed by it. It's that kind of books that makes a difference in you as a human when you least expect it.
The books depicts the "adventures" of a swarm of kids who ended up in a deserted island in the complete absence of adults. It really grows from your average thriller story to a full-blown allegory of society, existentialism and even Life itself.
An inhibiting psychological portrayal of the human society painted with a brush of pessimism. Dark, spooky and somewhat disturbing (if you can really get into books), and a true work of wonder.
Definitely a reread is planned and a full review.
5. Fight Club :
Themes: Anarchy, Unaccomplishment, Male portrayal, Violence, History, Psychology ..
Rating : 7/10
Mini-review :
After watching the movie (that I rated 9/10 for the record), the novel didn't seem to exceed its pictured version. Although brilliant at times, the book leaves you with a bitter taste in your mouth and a lot of uncertainties. The ending was disappointing to some extent (unlike the movie) and supporting characters weren't given any depth. It's the kind of book that could have done better.
6. قنديل أم هاشم :
Themes: Various : Belief, Destiny, Freedom, Choice, Love ..
Rating : 9/10
Mini-review :
I think I fell in love with short stories thanks to this work right here. Every story is a retake on an idea, a thought that the writer had at some point of his life, either by meeting a person or internalizing the possible scenarios in his head. I'm glad he got them on paper because they're brilliant.
The lack of ending and development is more redeemed by the pleasure of standing on a cliff, you guess an ending or imagine it or deduce it or even leave it behind .. It's entirely up to you.
Great use of symbols too (the stories themselves are symbols to draw a bigger image).
7. The Old Man and the Sea :
Themes: Remembrance, Loneliness, Patience ..
Rating : 6.5/10
Mini-review :
I give 6.5 to the experience of reading the work, not the work itself. It's always mentioned as one of the best novels of the English Language which, although relative, it usually means that the work have some literal value. Unlike most of the classics, I failed to see this value in this work, maybe because I was tired, maybe because the air was hot, or maybe because I just don't like this kind of books.
Reading this work felt exactly like the process of fishing (haha, Fisher .. Sea .. get it ? Okay), boring and not necessarily rewarding at the end.
Was that intended by the author ? If it was, then this novel deserves more credit.
8. خواطر شاب :
Themes: Thoughts. (translation of the title, very clever of me)
Rating : 8.5/10
Mini-review :
The book is a collection of mini-articles written by Ahmad Al Shugairi in diverse matters such as spirituality, mentality, politics, religion ..
I liked the book because at times it just put words to my thoughts! Maybe more precisely and with a studied intention but I felt myself mentally saying "I agree! .. Exaactly !".. which is cool.
Another thing I liked since the book is a promotion of the Islamic "lifestyle", the writer didn't pick up the "religious" tone anywhere throughout the book. It all laid in that sweet spot of "moderated Islam" and all it sought was a better understanding of the religion. It's a call for a change of paradigm, a gradual revolution of the mind and the soul first, that will eventually lead to the birth of the Islamic society as it should be, not as it unfortunately is.
I only wished the book was longer and had a stronger thematic orientation, but it's fine, really.
9. Of Mice and Men :
Themes: Human Bonds, Travel, Loneliness, Morality and Mental Ability, Need ..
Rating : 9.5/10
Mini-review :
The feels train hit me, and it hit hard.
Prepare yourself to the Roller-coaster of feelings that it "Of Mice and Men".
I loved the book since the very first pages, the brilliant writing style makes you feel acquainted to the two protagonist and takes off the need to dozens of pages of introduction and background. Lennie is straight-out adorable, with all the dorky air around him and the big-boy thing going on, very innocent and likeable (watch out). George is the contrast of Lennie. The two set on a journey that is bigger-than-life and inspiring.
I won't give out anything about the book, but sincerely, if you were awake enough while reading it, it will lead you silently to the ending you don't want to believe it's the ending.
BIG thumbs-up to the use of foreshadowing, it was a very bitter-sweet sensation of guessing and discovering that earned this novella a spot in my current top 5.
I actually felt something in the end, can you believe that ?
10. Les Fourberies de Scapin
Themes: Greed, Destiny, Social Satire.
Rating : 8/10
Mini-review :
For my first Molière, it's definitely a good one. I know now what "Comedy" as a genre stands for (I didn't finish any of the plays that were suggested in our Frnech program, so this one is a learning experience for me :p).
Well, what to say ? It's a funny play, a social satire sugarcoated in an amusing piece of literature. All the characters were caricaturized to exaggerated versions of their archetype, and the story wraps up hopefully making some points across.
One thing to confess : I'm still not ready to "literary" and "classic" works in french. Although this piece is a relatively simple and unsophisticated script, I really had bad time understanding it all, I deliberately left some pieces out because there were too many weird words for me to guess. Of course, that doesn't mean I won't try later. One baby step at a time.
I admit laughing like a dumb at some hilarious parts of the dialogue for some reason (well they're hilarious that's the reason) and that's something I'd like to have from time to time.
Well, those are my first 10 reads this Summer. I had a late start but screw it, it's a start.
I hope I can finish my second 10 before the end of this month because if not, well I'll fail myself.
I need to know why although I enjoy reading much more than lurking on Facebook and I still manage to switch the switches in my mind darn it.
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