H O M E .      A B O U T .      C O N T A C T .      T U M B L R .      T H E   B O O K   J O U R N A L .      sailorjennie [at] gmail [dot] com

Tuesday, 22 October 2013

Bookshelf: Three New Books.

Even though my 'to-read' shelf is getting a little too crowded I couldn't resist popping into my favourite charity shop for books to have a little rummage and see if anything caught my eye. I never seem to go in and leave without purchasing at least one book; this visit was no exception and I ended up with three new additions to my collection.
The first book that caught my eye was Trainspotting by Irvine Welsh. Many years ago someone told me that I absolutely must read this book because it was one of their favourites and although I didn't pick it up at the time, something stuck in the back of my mind that I remembered when I saw this on the shelf. I'm not sure when I'll get around to reading this, I think it's one of those books I'll have to be in a certain mood to tackle, but it's nice to know it's there on my self waiting, whenever I'm ready.

Northern Lights by Philip Pullman is one of those much-loved books that seemingly passed me by somehow, I remember buying a copy for a friend as a gift but I never ended up reading it myself and I'm not sure why. This is one of the optional set books for my Children's Literature course; I have the option to reference either this or Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone in a few of my essays this year and I've decided to go with HP, even though at times it might be difficult for me to detach myself in order to look at it from a critical eye, because I pretty much know that book like the back of my hand. Even though I'm probably not going to use it within my course I do still really want to read Northern Lights anyway because of the huge praise it receives & the amount of people that adore it.

Lastly I picked up Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn. I finished Gone Girl a few weeks ago (review coming soon) and even though I was left feeling a little underwhelmed, I'm looking forward to seeing if I like this any more. Gone Girl was so hyped up I was expecting something amazing and was left a little disappointed so I'm hoping that because I don't really know anything about Sharp Objects, I won't be going into it expecting great things & I'll end up enjoying it a little more. We shall see!

Have you bought any new books recently? 
What are you currently reading? 

Love, Jennie 
xoxo
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70 comments:

  1. Laura Gois22 October 2013 at 10:08

    Ohhh more books that I want to read! I never got around to reading Northern Lights either although a lot of my friends loved it xx
    www.LaurasHaven.com

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    1. jennie22 October 2013 at 13:29

      I'm excited to see what all the hype is about! xo

      Delete
  2. Fragile Bird22 October 2013 at 10:20

    I love buying books from the charity shop, they have a bit more personality to them than buying new. I especially love it when I find notes inside written to other people as they were bought as a gift, it's like a little insight into someone elses life...

    Anywho, I haven't read the other two but I have read Trainspotting. I love it, although it's quite a difficult read as it's written in a scottish accent if you know what I mean. If you don't, you will understand from the very first page. I guess it's alot like reading A clockwork orange, it's like trying to get your head around another language... but it's so worth it.

    Hope you enjoy!

    I love building up a collection of books to pick from to read, it's like my own little library then

    Helen

    www.fragile-bird.blogspot.co.uk

    xxx

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    1. jennie22 October 2013 at 13:30

      I agree, those personal notes are lovely! I'm excited to read it, I'll definitely have to wait until I'm in the right mood! xo

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  3. Sarah22 October 2013 at 10:37

    I read Northern Lights quite a few years ago, but I never really got into the story. I lost my interest about a third of my way into the second book. So the series wasn't really something for me. But hey, to each their own, I hope you'll enjoy the book a lot more than I did! I've always been quite curious about Gillian Flynn's writing because of all the praise her books get.

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    1. jennie22 October 2013 at 13:31

      Ohh that's a shame! I do recommend Gillian Flynn, Gone Girl is a good read, I'm just not sure it really lives up to all the hype! xo

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  4. Nicola Purkins22 October 2013 at 11:06

    Aw I loved Gone Girl and Sharp Objects - but I do think, like you said, it can be much better to dissolve all expectations and just read it from scratch as it were...I always get more out of books that way!! Loving your posts lately gorgeous lady x

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    1. jennie22 October 2013 at 13:32

      Definitely. Everyone seems to love it, I just thought it was a little predictable I think xo

      Delete
  5. zoe louise22 October 2013 at 11:12

    I loved northern lights!I couldnt get into gone girl at all but I'd quite like to read other Gillian Flynn books xx

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    1. jennie22 October 2013 at 13:33

      I'm excited to read Northern lights, I hope I love it because then I've got a little series to get lost in again! xo

      Delete
  6. Sophie22 October 2013 at 11:16

    I have Northern Lights on my never ending list - I need to dig it out after i've finished The Memory Keepers Daughter. I'm a nightmare for always picking up books in a charity shops. They're always so cheap at 99p!
    Sophie
    x

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    1. jennie22 October 2013 at 13:33

      I know, it's too good a deal to resist! xo

      Delete
  7. To The River22 October 2013 at 11:40

    I bought recently Train dreams by Denis Johnson but I haven't started reading it. Now, I m combining two, The kiss of the spider woman by Manuel Puig and Heaven has no favorites by E.M. Remarque, I don't know why but I'm going back to a older literature. xx

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    1. jennie22 October 2013 at 13:34

      I think that's lovely, I must admit I haven't read a ton of older books, I would definitely like to though! xo

      Delete
  8. Nic and Claire22 October 2013 at 11:54

    Gone Girl is the worst Gillian Flynn book in my opinion, the others are much better. I hope you like Sharp Objects more, I was also really underwhelmed by Gone Girl and don't understand the hype! Trainspotting is great if you can understand the lingo lol. Can't wait to hear your reviews! x

    Claire | AgentSmyth

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    1. jennie22 October 2013 at 13:35

      Ooh that's interesting, I'm definitely looking forward to reading sharp objects. I like Flynn's writing, I just found Gone Girl a little...predictable I think! xo

      Delete
  9. Becks22 October 2013 at 12:10

    I was never really a fan of Northern Lights (and the rest of the trilogy) but I know people love it. Trainspotting (and Irvine Welsh's other books) are a great read - bit of a different style to get into but worth it for the total no-holds-barred stories! I too enjoyed Gone Girl - to a point, but was left so underwhelmed and disappointed - I think I might give Sharp Objects a go though. (Have you seen that they're making a film of Gone Girl?!)

    Becks xo
    thenotsosecretdiary.com

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    1. jennie22 October 2013 at 13:37

      I have, will be pretty interesting to see how it turns out! xo

      Delete
  10. Emma Lou22 October 2013 at 12:11

    Oh god the His Dark Materials trilogy were probably my favourite books as a kid, so so good! In fact I could probably happily read them again now... might dig them out from under my bed!

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  11. Hanna Lei22 October 2013 at 12:27

    Just from the cover trainspotting seems awesome. -Hanna Marie

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  12. Maya C22 October 2013 at 12:32

    I really want to read Trainspotting!
    PS: I have that bunny lamp too! :)
    Spider Leg Lashes xo

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  13. Tereza22 October 2013 at 12:49

    Sharp Objects is a bit weaker than Gone Girl, but since you did not LOVE Gone Girl (I'd put it on a little book pedestal if I had one, that's how much I love it).. you might like SO more. Let me know what you think!:) x

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  14. Sophie Sierra22 October 2013 at 12:49

    It just shows what gems you can find in charity shops! These three look like amazing finds, Trainspotting sounds really cool & I love the review on the front cover <3

    Sophie xo soinspo

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    1. jennie22 October 2013 at 13:47

      I love charity shops, they're like little treasure troves! xo

      Delete
  15. Eloise .D22 October 2013 at 13:11

    Its weird how you recognise a cover, I recognised Northern Lights, I always saw it in the school library displayed, but it ones of those ones you never really wanted to read when you were younger but should of.
    Glad to hear theres a review on gone girl coming soon , eager to hear your thoughts!

    Eloise | simplynaturale xo

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    1. jennie22 October 2013 at 13:54

      Same with me and Northern Lights, I always saw it in the library! xo

      Delete
  16. Erin22 October 2013 at 13:48

    Really looking forward to hearing your thoughts on all of these Jennie, especially Trainspotting.
    I'm currently reading Helen & Troy's Epic Road Quest... it's uh, an interesting one! xx

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  17. Sally | Queenie and the Dew blog22 October 2013 at 13:58

    First off, once you read Northern Lights you'll canter straight through the sequels! I studied Trainspotting at uni. It takes a while to get into the language but stick with it. It's a fab book xx

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    1. jennie22 October 2013 at 14:02

      Ooh I'm excited, I really want to find a new series I love! xo

      Delete
  18. Jess | Just Jesss22 October 2013 at 14:20

    I adore Northern Lights, I really need to re-read it!
    I just finished Gone Girl yesterday and was kind of disappointed, too - the ending really annoyed me! Looking forward to hearing how you get on with Sharp Objects, I was thinking about getting that one too :)

    Jess xo

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    1. jennie22 October 2013 at 22:48

      I hated all the characters, I think that's what bugged me the most! xo

      Delete
  19. Laura Neal22 October 2013 at 16:49

    The whole Northern Lights Trilogy is one of my favourite collections of books ever. I must have read them a thousand times. The first book feels more like a clever and magical children's book and then as you read through to the final book it evolves into a really beautiful and thought provoking adult discussion about life, love, religion and spirituality. They are truly incredible so I hope you enjoy it and that even if it doesn't grab you at first, that you read them all. I know you'll be amazed! Happy reading Jennie
    xxx

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  20. Hélène Heath22 October 2013 at 17:55

    Oh man, i've heard soooo much hype about gone girl so i'm not surprised that it fell kind of flat.. that's too bad. Every time i visit your blog i tell myself i should read more! When i decide to finally do, i will for sure reach for one your recs. Btw is that Trainspotting book the original story from the movie? If so, i had no idea it was a book! It's probably amazing...

    xx

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    1. jennie22 October 2013 at 22:50

      It is indeed that Trainspotting! Pretty excited to read it soon! xo

      Delete
  21. Carly22 October 2013 at 18:32

    I adore the His Dark Materials trilogy so I'm sure you'll enjoy Northern Lights! It's one of those trilogies that really sucks you into the character's world. xxx

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  22. Hazel22 October 2013 at 18:49

    That bunny lamp is so cute!

    Slightly Skint Blog

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  23. Deenie22 October 2013 at 19:11

    I remember having to read the second book in His Dark Material's series for a drama exam and I've always wanted to go back and read the first one so I understood it more, maybe I should now you've reminded me!

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  24. Katrina Sophia22 October 2013 at 20:13

    I've read Northen Light and it is good! Not my kind of book but fun enough to read on for sure. Off the point, your rabbit is adorable ;)

    The Young Bridget Jones

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  25. Beth22 October 2013 at 20:41

    I haven't read Gone Girl, but I've heard all about the hype so i picked up Dark Places (by the same author) the other day. I can't really say I'm enjoying it, in fact it actually makes me feel very uncomfortable and a bit tainted when I read it. But it's kind of addictive too...

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    1. jennie22 October 2013 at 23:11

      She has that kind of style I think, you can't help but keep reading! xo

      Delete
  26. Gail J22 October 2013 at 22:28

    cute rabbit and interesting books!

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  27. Josie22 October 2013 at 22:39

    I really liked that Phillip Pullman series which was kind of surprising because I'm not usually into that genre! I've had Trainspotting for a long time but I find it so hard to get into but I'd like to finish it one day! xxx

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    1. jennie22 October 2013 at 23:14

      I think it's one of those books that's a tough read, but worth it! xo

      Delete
  28. LeeLee22 October 2013 at 22:55

    Interesting books. I will definitely check some of these out!

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  29. Isa23 October 2013 at 10:05

    Philip Pullman did that His Dark whatever trilogy right? I remember loving them! Also let us know how trainspotting actually is, I LOVED the movie.

    http://lasaloperie.blogspot.com

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  30. Zoe23 October 2013 at 12:29

    I really didn't enjoy Gone Girl, hopefully Sharp Objects is better... Think Gone Girl was way too hyped up!

    And I know what you mean about Trainspotting and needing to be in a certain mood, I'm exactly the same!

    Zoe xoxo

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  31. L.E.N23 October 2013 at 14:46

    nice blog! you're beautiful and have a great style!

    would you like to follow each other?
    so glad if you like my blog,too!

    http://fetish-tokyo.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  32. Kate A23 October 2013 at 18:58

    I love reading, I wish I had more time to do it though! I've never read Northern Lights, but I think it's on my must-read list!
    http://golddustk.blogspot.co.uk/
    xx

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  33. Sarah Parsons23 October 2013 at 23:02

    Northern Lights is such a good book! Just avoid watching the film version as it is pretty awful, unfortunately!

    What Sarah Says

    xx

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  34. niamh moloney24 October 2013 at 12:09

    SO MANY BOOKS

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  35. Nancy Wilde24 October 2013 at 22:42

    Trainspotting has to be one of the best books I've ever read! Irvine Welsh = genius. You should read Ecstasy, it's also one of Irvine's masterpieces^^ x

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