All Consuming : restlessly

Consumed "The Unfortunate Miss Fortunes"

nobody@allconsuming.net (restlessly) — Sun, 09 Dec 2007 11:28:09 GMT

The Unfortunate Miss Fortunes

by Anne Stuart

WORTH IT!

Consumed "Happy Hustle High, Volume 5 (Happy Hustle High)"

nobody@allconsuming.net (restlessly) — Sun, 25 Nov 2007 07:52:21 GMT

Happy Hustle High, Volume 5 (Happy Hustle High)

by Rie Takada

A worthy finale

nobody@allconsuming.net (restlessly) — Mon, 23 Jul 2007 09:04:32 GMT

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Book 7)

by J. K. Rowling

I wept buckets throughout the book, but I thought this was a worthy end towards the series.

Even though my colleague revealed to me Harry’s fate on Saturday afternoon, before I had finished reading the book (and therefore, deserves to be hexed. Or at least bludgeoned with Books 3-7).

I would have to re-read the series now, and then I would decide if this book trumps my favourite of the series, Azkaban.

My first Jude Deveraux novel (rated 3 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (restlessly) — Sat, 03 Feb 2007 11:16:29 GMT

Remembrance

by Jude Deveraux

A friend lent this to me and as she passed it to me she said, “Guard this with your LIFE!” I did.. though I started to read it about a week ago, I finished most of it today.

This is the first book by Jude Deveraux that I’ve read, and it’s been an interesting read. It’s super-melodramatic in the way that romance novels are, but with a bit more substance. I’m not sure I like the main female character, or maybe I’m too cynical about the real world to like her passionate (overly dramatic) nature. In any case, the plot was substantial, dramatic and made for good reading. At climactic moments, Ms Deveraux’s story even squeezed out a few tears from me.

It was a good read, but I’m not liking it as much as I might have hoped. Don’t know why, though.

Interesting (rated 3 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (restlessly) — Sun, 28 Jan 2007 04:48:59 GMT

The History of Love: A Novel

by Nicole Krauss

I like the twists in the plot, and I love the prose, but I felt the ending felt anti-climactic. Overall, still a good read.

A review of "Persuasion (Penguin Classics)" (rated 3 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (restlessly) — Sun, 21 Jan 2007 03:39:07 GMT

Persuasion (Penguin Classics)

by Jane Austen

It took me a long time to get through reading this book. I bought it in August last year, and only finished it now. In between I’d finished reading other simpler books.

The beginning was hard for me to get through, because it focused on mainly Anne Elliot’s thoughts and observations of the people around her as she gets through her life thinking about the guy she let get away. But when Captain Wentworth makes an appearance, I find myself interested in the book. I find that the book has too much social observations, and not enough interaction between Anne Elliot and Captain Wentworth. Nevertheless, I identify with Anne Elliot a lot.

How "Goong Volume 1" changed my life

nobody@allconsuming.net (restlessly) — Mon, 01 Jan 2007 14:41:52 GMT

Goong Volume 1

by SoHee Park

I LOVE the drama series in a way I cannot describe in words. When I learnt that the show was based on a manhwa series, I just had to get my hands on the manhwa. Unfortunately, until today I had to rely on other manhwa fans generosity to translate the manhwa for me.

I was so excited to learn that this translated volume is finally here. I had been waiting for it for months. I think the fan-translated editions are more detailed, this series will aim to be true to the spirit of the comic. With the official translated edition I finally get the jokes that were lost on me beofre. I love the story, and I really love the art work by Park So-Hee.

Goong: Princess Hours made me a kdrama fan, and Goongmanhwa made me a fan of manhwa and manga. So this has definitely changed my life. If only the sequel to the drama will come soon enough, and IceKunion will publish the following volumes fast enough!

A bit late, but doesn't matter (rated 4 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (restlessly) — Mon, 01 Jan 2007 14:32:03 GMT

Santa, Baby

by Jennifer Crusie

I started and finished this today. Perhaps it’s a bit late for me to be reading Christmas-themed stories, but I don’t think it would matter.

Jennifer Crusie is the biggest name in this collection, and I’m a big fan. Her story is as wacky as any of her stories could be (and ‘Major MacGuffin’ was a big hint), but I still think this story was a bit hard to believe even for her. Maybe her style of plotting doesn’t really suit a novella. But in the spirit of Christmas, it’s a fun story, and her trademark fast-paced wit (very Gilmore Girls) is there as always and I very much enjoyed it. The other two are typical hot romance novellas. Fun to read.

Better than the next book (rated 3 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (restlessly) — Sun, 01 Oct 2006 15:44:12 GMT

Handbags and Halos

by Bernadette Strachan

I had read her second book, and was a bit disappointed. Then my colleague passed me this book and told me that this one sold very well. Fortunately, this is a tad better than her second book.

I guess I still have problems not getting her humour most of the time, but my main problem with the way this author writes is in her pacing. Her story really only picks up half way through the book. But at least the characters here, especially the main protagonist, are a bit more solid than in the second book, and all in all, although it could be better, I found the book quite refreshing after I was done with it.

Maybe I don't get it (rated 2 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (restlessly) — Sun, 01 Oct 2006 15:36:24 GMT

Diamonds and Daisies

by Bernadette Strachan

Maybe I just don’t get the humour. But I felt the story was rambling and didn’t seem to get anywhere, and the characters weren’t strong enough. As far as chick-lit go, this, unfortunately, isn’t the best that I’ve read. I really wanted to like it.

Wasted two evenings reading this (rated 1 star)

nobody@allconsuming.net (restlessly) — Sat, 05 Aug 2006 11:49:32 GMT

Dating Can Be Deadly (Red Dress Ink)

by Wendy Roberts

I really wanted to like this book, but while the main character was rather likeable, the plot itself was really blah. I felt like the story moved from point to point without really developing anything.

A review of "Baby Proof"

nobody@allconsuming.net (restlessly) — Sat, 29 Jul 2006 04:25:09 GMT

Baby Proof

by Emily Giffin

One of Emily Giffin’s earlier books caught my eye once… it was either Something Borrowed or Something Blue, I can’t remember. I remember feeling very much wanting to read it, but somehow I haven’t gotten my hands on a copy.

Then I came across this one on my colleague’s desk – and I felt like I just had to read her. I started out wishing, “Oh God, much as I can identify a little with the feeling of not wanting to have kids, I sure hope the protagonist will not be a total self-centred ass,” but I’m glad at how this book turned out. It was a real page-turner, and moved me to tears several times. Maybe I was just a sappy mood, but if you love chick-lit, you should really read this.

Why I recommend "The Lake House"

nobody@allconsuming.net (restlessly) — Fri, 28 Jul 2006 15:33:40 GMT

The Lake House

by Alejandro Agresti

It’s a wonderful movie! I’d never watched the original movie, ‘Il Mare’, but this was wonderful. The plot requires a little suspension of disbelief, but as far as time-travel plots go, it was quite plausible – more believable than ‘Frequency’, which I also love.

The movie is understatedly beautiful – great pacing in the script, good performance by Sandra Bullock and Keanu Reeves, decent cinematography, and was utterly compelling viewing. Heard quite a number of sniffles and gasps when I was in the theatre – and a couple of them even came from me.

This was worth the price of a weekend movie ticket price, and I’m so getting the DVD when it comes out. In Code 1!

Here be spoilers: I had actually figured out the plot by the time the accident happened, and I figured that the original movie was a real tearjerker because of that. I had a feeling that Hollywood would insist on a happy ending though and I’m glad I’m right! Just because I’m a hopeless romantic who loves romantic movies, of course.

A review of "Take the Lead"

nobody@allconsuming.net (restlessly) — Sat, 15 Apr 2006 17:15:37 GMT

Take the Lead

by Liz Friedlander

It’s like Strictly Ballroom meets a dash of Dangerous Minds. Not the best dance movie I’ve seen, but there’s more to this movie than just the dance bit. The plot and characters are quite alright.

A story about "Superpower Struggles: Mighty America, Faltering Europe, Rising Asia"

nobody@allconsuming.net (restlessly) — Thu, 29 Sep 2005 00:56:01 GMT

Superpower Struggles: Mighty America, Faltering Europe, Rising Asia

by John Redwood

Couldn’t finish it.

A story about "Eyre Affair, The: Thursday Next Series #1"

nobody@allconsuming.net (restlessly) — Thu, 29 Sep 2005 00:55:10 GMT

Eyre Affair, The: Thursday Next Series #1

by Jasper Fforde

I couldn’t finish it.

A story about "Olivia Joules and the Overactive Imagination"

nobody@allconsuming.net (restlessly) — Mon, 15 Aug 2005 01:57:59 GMT

Olivia Joules and the Overactive Imagination

by Helen Fielding

I hated Bridget Jones, but my colleague told me this book is better than the Bridget Jones books I decided to give it a try. Better attempt at plot, although everything is campy and reminiscent of James Bond. Everything is incredulous though, and although funny in bits, I never really bought into the whole idea (and I LOVE spies, especially girl spies. Anyone except James Bond). Fielding also adds a dash of that whole Pride & Prejudice element which she seems to love so much. Overall, I kept reading just to see what happens in the end and discover the point of the book. Olivia Joules is slightly more interesting than Bridget Jones, but ultimately this book still isn’t very satisfying.

A story about "Abby Cooper, Psychic Eye"

nobody@allconsuming.net (restlessly) — Mon, 15 Aug 2005 01:53:16 GMT

Abby Cooper, Psychic Eye

by Victoria Laurie

Will be looking out for the rest of the series.

A story about "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory"

nobody@allconsuming.net (restlessly) — Mon, 15 Aug 2005 01:52:29 GMT

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

by Tim Burton

I remember little of the book itself – my English teacher read it to us when we were eight. I remember being enthralled by the fantasy element of it all. I do remember my idea of Willy Wonka didn’t really match the one in this version though. The song numbers were Bollywood-esque, but I quite enjoyed the dark humour of it all, especially the references to the 2001: The Space Odyssey and Edward Scissorhands.

A story about "Breathe In"

nobody@allconsuming.net (restlessly) — Wed, 10 Aug 2005 05:11:24 GMT

Breathe In

by Lucie Silvas

Nice CD to play while relaxing in my quiet room at the end of the day. Interesting idea to cover Nothing Else Matters, but it didn’t impress me much.

A story about "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (Book 6)"

nobody@allconsuming.net (restlessly) — Mon, 25 Jul 2005 02:18:02 GMT

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (Book 6)

by J.K. Rowling

Not as difficult to read as book 5, but not as satisfying either. Devastating still. I guessed correctly who the Half-Blood Prince was and who died. But throughout this entire book I got the feel that Rowling is just tying up loose ends from the previous books and setting up the climax in the final book in the series.