Random: The entry of odds and ends
May 30, 2008 Ramblings
I am still ever-so-slowly going through my Books I’ve Read list in mad attempt to catch with my reviews and stuff. I am getting close however, got about three fiction novels to get through and then I’ll be all caught up. I’ve been thinking of going back and editing out my old reviews (not all, just some) at one point, maybe add some more reflections about the books I’ve read and such. But it’s just a thought, I don’t know if I have time to go back and add information; maybe if I’ve re-read the book, then perhaps.
But anyways, I’ve also been meaning to post up some thoughts about the various Jane Austen adaptations I’ve been watching these past few months; having watched the Jane Austen season on PBS’s Masterpiece Theatre, I finally got to see the older adaptations of certain books (i.e. 1995′s Pride and Prejudice). So hopefully I’ll get those up eventually. I might also make entries every now and then about my work-in-progress; it’s almost done, which is quite exciting. Mind you, it’s only the rough draft, but it’s still an accomplishment.
In the meantime, and on a completely random note, I finally upgraded by WordPress program to 2.5.1. It’s quite different from the old one (which I’ve used for ever and ever and ever); am still getting used to the set up, but it’s interesting.
Finally, just a heads up, I’ve over at GoodReads if you want to add me. Gotta love social networking websites that have books as its main emphasis.
Tags: ramblings: random
Review: A Year in the Merde
May 29, 2008 Books
A Year in the Merde
By: Stephen Clarke
I’ve always seen his books in the bookstores, was always amused by their covers, but I never got around to reading his book until recently. I always thought his book was more nonfictional than fictional (then again, I noticed his book close to the travel section in Indigo’s, which didn’t mean much). But anyways, the book follows the story of Paul West, a English businessman who was invited by a French business owner to open a series of British tea room franchise in Paris. Paul figures why not and goes for it, figuring it’d be a piece of cake. Little does he know what he’s really in for: constant strikes, fellow employees whose work ethics are completely different from what he’s used to, a series of women he just can’t really understand and a boss who isn’t all that he appears to be. The book follows his adventures from Septembre to Mai, chronicling his encounters and the contrasts in French culture. It’s an amusing read, perfect if you’re taking a break from a string of hefty reads. My favourite aspect of this novel was the narrative; it’s written in Paul’s point of view, so the way in which he describes his surroundings and his experiences and his use of analogies to aid him in this are what I think makes this book as hilarious as it is.
Rating: 
Visit Stephen Clarke’s official website || Order this book from chapters.indigo.ca
Tags: books: fiction, books: review
Random: Cow-Onomics
May 12, 2008 Ramblings
I found this recently on a friend’s Facebook notes; it’s quite amusing, makes understanding politics and economics very easy…using the two-cow system. For a more complete listing of all the terms, you can check out this website.
Tags: ramblings: random
