Now Reading #30 The Kings of Cool by Don Winslow

I love how Don Winslow writes. He’s a genius. He uses narrative to make social statements while treating them like they’re a waste of time, or unimportant; the writing is totally irreverent.

That being said, I didn’t get as excited about this book as I thought I would. The Kings of Cool is the prequel to Savages, which was made into a movie last year. I absolutely loved that book, so it’s not surprising that this one was disappointing. When you try and retell a story, or tell parts you thought of after, it’s always awkward. In my opinion, it’s pretty rare to create a successful prequel.

The Kings of Cool follows Ben and Chon as they fight a larger organisation for territory and the safety of those that work for them. It feels like the same story over again, as we watch them get in over their head, make choices that put the other ahead of themselves and get by only by the skin of their teeth. There’s none of the actual excitement of the other novel. I didn’t feel desperate or shook up. Also, O felt like a useless addition. The story couldn’t really have happened without her, but I couldn’t remember why she was there half the time.

Also on the train of women characters, I missed Elena. She was amazing. I felt the absence of the strength of her character, and I think the other characters suffered for it. Savages was captivating bu The Kings of Cool fell short.

Bonjour mes cheres!

I have been diligently working away at the beautiful book that is Gone with the Wind for you, but this weekend I bought myself Savages and have been totally distracted, so here you are! Review for that first (soon) followed by the much anticipated GwtW write up. Hopefully no hearts are broken! Enjoy xox

Now Reading #19: Of Love and Other Demons by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

I judged a book by its cover. I bought this book because of its beautiful cover art, even though I didn’t like the last Marquez I read (Love in a Time of Cholera) and I’m so glad I did! I was apprehensive to read it, but did because I have it and it was wonderful.

The first few chapters of this book are a little hard to follow, they jump and tend towards letting you figure out what’s going on rather than telling you, but if you can get through that the reward is excellent! Marquez is known for his flowery language, which I found overwhelming in Cholera, but here it is perfect. The story is based on a legend of a young girl with beautiful hair and the lives she touches. She’s not perfect and she’s not good, but she is definitely beautiful. It’s a really wonderful story, which I still am not sure I understood entirely.

I’m going to recommend this book. It’s a really short read, and a good one, especially if you have a romantic soul like me! Not romance like falling in love, but just romance in legends.

P.S. I’ll try and post a picture of the cover art, because it’s amazing.

Books (by Moochin Photoman)

Now Reading #18: Casion Royale by Ian Fleming

Oh James Bond, you disappoint me.

I was so excited to read this book! I designed an entire project so that I could fit it in to my insane schedule, and ended up with nothing to show for it.

I think it suffered for lack of context. This book was published in the fifties, during the long attempt to regain some semblance of normalcy after the Second World War, and so it seems obsessed with its own virility. There is even direct discussion of James Bond fearing he won’t be able to get it up. I won’t go into the blatant misogyny, because I don’t think there’s a point in criticizing a perspective of what was once common. I’m just happy it isn’t now.

The plot of Casino Royale focuses on the rather complicated game of baccarat and financial ruin, rather than the back and forth spy games promised by the movies. It is hard to follow, and Fleming fails to explain it well enough that the reader can get involved in the game. There is the excitement of a car chase and kidnapping, but these come far too late. I may have been ruined by the movies, but I wouldn’t recommend this book to anyone. The characters fall flat, and the plot is slow. I will give credit to how Fleming sets a scene though. I would love to find a place like the seaside hotel in which he ends the novel.

(via House of Books - JPG Photos)

Summer Reading (by Majorlight)

Book and wine (by marcoirek)

(Source: s-wah)

books-and-coffee-lover:

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