3 posts tagged “50 in 365”

Girl, Interrupted

Susanna Kaysen

Girl Interrupted

I have seen the movie dozens of times, and being one of my favourites for a long time, I was curious and eager to read the book that started it all. I absolutely loved it, and the movie will never measure up (but do they ever exceed the book?)

The movie has been so Hollywoodized making Susanna into a trouble maker when in fact she is so relatable even to to someone who hasn't been through what she has. You can find a piece of yourself in all the women in the novel and feel a real sadness for them. I found myself wishing them the best of luck. I also prefer the real ending to the Hollywood ending as well.

For anyone who has seen the movie, the book is a must. It doesn't drag on in depressing content, but is actually honest and lighthearted. Her writing is witty and captivating and she gives you just enough details with out complicating you with stuff you can never truly understand. It's actually quite an entertaining book. It's also a short read, it took me less than 2 days to read it, so that's a bonus too.

The Second Child: Poems

Deborah Garrison

This is yet another book of Poetry from me. I swear the other two books I’m currently reading are not of poetry. This is called, “The Second Child” by Deborah Garrison.

I found this book, basically by browsing the Poetry section at Chapters, and I immediately liked what I saw. Deborah is a contemporary free verse writer who writes about life, love and motherhood after her second child (hence the title of the book).

Her writing is clean and simple. She doesn’t express that overt darkness that I find a lot of contemporary poets do. Well, ones that I read anyway.

I did my best to find a short poem of hers, so that you can see what sort of thing to expect from her.

Song After Everyone’s Asleep

When I woke in the night with a mania
To please you and shifted so you’d shift and
Half-wake too, in the dark without my glasses, you
Without yours, I reached into your shorts; your lashes
Flicked up, and in the blur I caught the smoother face
Of the boy you were when you first grabbed my hand
On the path through the woods behind the school yard,
A stone’s throw from my mother’s house –
When I felt suddenly entire, that I was a whole body
Holding another whole body with my hand.

We can never go back there.
But with eyes still closed you smile
Permission for me, with my hand,
To keep you awake awhile.

That one is a bit sexual, but it’s as shocking as it gets. Besides, I still think the undertone is still very sweet.

Book of Longing

Leonard Cohen

I just recently joined the group 50 in 365, which is a challenge to read 50 books in 365 days. That would mean almost 1 a week. Considering that it’s March and I’ve only completed 1, I would say I am way behind. I am still going to give it a shot though. Why not? I love reading. I will be placing all the books I have in the books section of my blog.

The one book I have completed so far this year is “The Book Of Longing” by Leonard Cohen. It’s a collection of his poetry and drawings. And for anyone who is a fan of his music, or a fan of poetry in general, I strongly recommend this book.

His writing is introspective, personal and at times witty, while his drawings are both philosophical and erotic. He composes simplistic free verse poems alongside complex rhyming masterpieces that always leaves you wanting to read more.

I found this book inspiring, and I can’t wait to go out and buy his other works.