Shakespeare Joins the Desert Island Sunday, May 27 2007 

Uncategorized loveofbooks 10:20 am

After much deliberation and arguments with myself, I have at long last come to a decision regarding the fifth and final choice of book for my desert island. I found myself thinking about all sorts of different novels that I have read in the past.  My aim was to come up with something that I could comfortably read over and over again.  Apart from enjoying thinking about various works of fiction, it was difficult for me to reach a decision.

I wanted something that would take me some time to read.  There is certainly no point in me taking a fast thriller which although exciting on the first read, inspires less interest the second or third time, when you know what happens at the end.

Then, I don’t quite know how it happened, but the thought of playwright William Shakespeare popped into my mind.  This could actually be it, I remember thinking to myself.  There is so much to be found inside the words of Shakespeare – however many times you read his works.  As my choice for the desert island, I decided upon a volume of the complete works of William Shakespeare. 

I realised that upon reading some of the plays, I would be reminded of shows that I had seen on the stage.  But what is wrong with that?  What could possibly be bad with memories of “Much Ado about Nothing” at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford upon Avon, while sitting alone on my desert island.  If this book would not be good company, then what would?

 

4th Desert Island Choice Monday, May 21 2007 

Autors and Books loveofbooks 10:49 am

It is rather difficult for me to explain my love of the book “Of Mice and Men” by John Steinbeck.  I first read this novel when I was in my late teens and today I still have a treasured copy on my bookshelf.  I have to confess that I still shed a tear or two each time I read the book – even though I know what will inevitably happen as I make my way through the story.  This is a short story, but each time I read the book I find that I can appreciate the work as though I am reading it for the first time.  Once again, I eagerly turn the pages – perhaps partly wishing that there will be a different outcome and that somehow by reading the story again I will manage to change the ending.   I will not spoil the story for you – if there is anyone out there who has not yet read the book.  I am sure that you will enjoy Steinbeck’s skillful portrayal of the characters Lennie and George.

This book is my selection for my fourth book out of five, for the desert island.  Although this book obviously does not provide a laugh a minute – good entertainment and a good read does not always have to be humorous or have a happy end.  I will just have to remember to take a box of tissues along with me to the desert island! Anyway enjoy the book – as I do.

 

Book Worm Monday, May 21 2007 

Uncategorized loveofbooks 10:49 am

Have you ever given some thought to the expression ‘book worm’?  Whenever I think of the term, it makes me smile.  You have to admit, it is rather amusing.  What image does it bring to your mind?  For me, I can imagine a picture of a friendly – almost cartoon like worm, wearing a hat and scarf and adorned with a smile.  This cheery book worm is settled happily on one of the pages of the book - ready to read.

This image is rather strange, as if I were to consider the common garden worm in a nature scene, I believe that I would find it to be rather repulsive and creepy.  However, you just have to mention a ‘book worm’ and the character of the worm appears to change completely.  Forgotten is the dirt and also the earthy and the creepy-crawly creature – and note the entrance of a cute, friendly and apparently clean reading companion.  Here and now we have the book worm - perfect for all ages.

When a person is compared to a book worm, this also seems to me to be a likable comparison.  A person referred to as a book worm would make their way, silently – slowly but surely through the pages of the book.

According to Wikipedia, a book worm is described as an avid reader and lover of books.  In general, a book worm is considered to be a serious reader, irrelevant of the type of books that are consumed and enjoyed.

 

 

Island with a View Thursday, May 17 2007 

Uncategorized loveofbooks 12:54 pm

The search had begun in order to find a suitable third book for my stay on a
desert island.  I decided that it was time for a novel.  This choice did not
take me long at all.  The chosen book is “Room with a View”.  From the first
time I read this book I loved it.  I loved the atmosphere depicted in the novel,
the characters and the views of Florence. I also remember enjoying the film of
the same name.  I find that this does not happen very often if you see a film
after you read the book.  I usually find that I am disappointed with the film
version of a book.  However, with a “Room with a View” this was not the case – I
enjoyed both of them.  The film version provided great entertainment and if I
remember correctly, had a wonderful cast, starring among others Maggie Smith and
Helena Bonham Carter.

This book would provide me with a view from my island and would offer me a
clear picture of magical Florence, while on my desert island.  I have to confess
that my choice of this book is partly influenced by my memory of the film.  It
is difficult for me now to read the book without a picture in my head of the
beautiful Helena Bonham Carter.  However, I do not see this as a factor that
would detract from my enjoyment of the book and my selection of the book “Room
with a View” remains my third choice.

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Second Book on a Desert Island Wednesday, May 9 2007 

Uncategorized loveofbooks 9:42 am

Having already settled on my first book as part of my choice out of five books for my isolation on the desert island, I began deliberations for my second selection.  My first choice as a volume of wonderful aerial views would provide me with something to look at and dream about.  Now I needed to come to a decision regarding my second book.

Titles of all types of different books and volumes began to race through my mind.  I would need to decide whether to select something amusing, thrilling, a book containing fact or fiction.  I tried to think of all sorts of different books that I have ever read.

In the end, I settled on a compilation of fairy tales in one hard backed copy.  This book would include favourites such as Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty and Rumpelstiltskin.  Perhaps to some people this would appear rather a strange choice.  However, since I was a child I have remained a devoted lover of fairy tales.  I am sure that this book would provide me with light entertainment – as each tale produces a separate world of fantasy.  I can imagine myself spending hours lost inside each individual story, dreaming of princes, princesses and other magical, enchanted stories.

I am convinced that these entertaining legends would help me - at least for a while - to forget that there are no other people on my little desert island.  I would be able to read my fairy tales over and over again, relying on my choice of books for companionship.

 

Books on a Desert Island Thursday, May 3 2007 

Uncategorized loveofbooks 8:24 am

So, you all know the game – you have heard all about it before now.  You have to choose a certain number of records or books to take with you onto a desert island.  You would be all alone, without any human company.  So the idea is to be able to obtain some companionship and entertainment from the books chosen.

I have invested some thought into this matter and have gone through the various obvious questions like whether or not one is allowed a series of books as one of the five choices, or a set of dictionaries or encyclopedias as one out of five options.

Unable to reach a suitable conclusion to this question, I began to search in my mind through all the novels I have ever read.  Obviously if I were to choose a work of fiction, it would have to be a book that could be read several times.  After all, there is no point in selecting a book, that although proving to be an enjoyable read – if it is not a book that could be read many times.

Suddenly, it came to me in a flash.  I had decided upon my first book.  It did not take me too long to settle upon my first option.  I remember seeing a book consisting of photographs taken from the air – containing aerial views from all over the world.  The beauty of the photographs in this book would keep me entertained for a long time.

For those who wish to hear about the remaining four books, you will have to wait until the next blog.