Finished Reading: The Great Gatsby by F. Scott. Fitzgerald!!

Read in December, 2012

O.o Yes really!! I don't know what to say about this book!! It was a hard read, Fitzgerald's writing style is something that I can't fanthom now, and I have to read it another time in some holidays or something so that I will be able to only focus on the read!! Apart from that, the story is OK, it is not the kind of stories that take my breath, but it was readable and enjoyable at times too!! It is absolutely necessary to read more of this author's works if I want to know what he wants us to understand out of all of these riddles. I gave it 3 stars out of 5 on Goodreads.

 

HAPPY READING DEAR READERS!!

Finished Reading: Candide by Voltaire!!

Read from December 09 to 13, 2012 

 

While reading this book, I discovered that Voltaire has described every real first-time one would encounter in the journey of one's life, for Candide has been living in "the best of all castles" and never knew what hardships are about. So after he was chased out of the famous castle, because he was unlucky enough to fall in love for the very first time with a woman, who was the daughter of the baron of the castle, Voltaire described the first time that Candide killed, got beaten, was rescued, visited a new country, became rich, was ill, etc... But what struck me is that he never uttered a word about his feelings while enduring what he had to endure, or enjoying what he had to enjoy. Candide was always kind of "indifferent" towards these things, the only thing he did was trying to see how far Pangloss' theory contradicted or agreed with his situation (Pangloss' theory is simply about "optimism", and how one should endure every hardship for the sake of the best that is to come, though I didn't agree with his "optimism"), and the farther he went through his journey the more he became convinced about the silliness of this theory, until he discovered at last that one should only work in this life and stop being philosophic about things if one want to live a calm life, and every time they were tempted by a metaphysical discussion they would say: "let's just cultivate our garden". So it was a short yet good book, and I liked it.. 

 

HAPPY READING DEAR READERS!!

Top Ten New To Me Authors I Read in 2012!!

Hello again with the "Top Ten Tuesday" which is "an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish". So the authors in question are:

 

 

 

1-Lucy Maud Montgomery who became one of my favourite authors, since her writing style is so adorable and her good humour is but to be cherished.

 

 

2- J. R. R. Tolkien, he also became my favourite author after reading his splendid novel " The Hobbit".

3- A. A. Milne, I love him and his "Winnie the Pooh"!!

4- Elizabeth Gaskell, I just finished her novel "North and South", and she's my favourite author also!!

5- Henry James, discovered him through "Daisy Miller", and how I'm fond of his writing style!!

6- Deanne Gist, I don't generally read books that are written by "new" authors, but Deanne's book has captivated my attention, and she deserves every respect!!

 

7- Danielle Steel, what I like about this author is the inspiring way she writes her romantic novels.

8- Daphne Du Maurier, I just discovered that she was a beauty, but her books are worth being read too!!

 

 

9- Charles Dickens, I read his "Great Expectation", and I'm going to read every novel written by this great author!! (God Willing)

10- Wilhelm and Jacob Grimm, I think they both contributed in writing their famous Fairy Tales, and I love them!! 

Those were the authors that I discovered this year, and I think they are the majority of the authors I know, for I am but a beginners in the world of reading English books (I was always a book lover, but I've read Arabic and French books, now I'm an English-books lover). Hope you enjoy the post, and HAPPY READING DEAR READERS!!

Raibow Tag!!

I saw a tag on Youtube that was created by ArrictineReads (check out the video by clicking here) and I decided to do it since that sounded amazing. This tag is simply about choosing some books from one's bookshelf, the only condition is that their colours should be those of the rainbow (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet). So, here are the books that I picked:

 

 

The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown;
Le journal d'une crevette by Cecile Roumiguiere;
Three men in a boat by Jerome;
The Great Gatsby by Fitzgerald;
Time management by Ibrahim el feki (Arabic book);
Peter Pan by J. M. Barrie;
Wuthering Heights by Emily Bonte.

Hope you enjoyed it, and HAPPY READING DEAR READERS!!

Finished Reading: North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell!!

Read from September 30 to December 09, 2012 

 

Love it!! How can I do otherwise!! The "North and South" on papers has nothing to do with the "North and South" on screen, but they both have something in common which is their ability of making me bewitched (positively). Margaret Hale is a strong yet soft maid, whose character has gained my entire love, and Mr. Thornton is just the kind of men whose ardent love will make one melt, and whose gentlemanly behaviour will get one's respect!! The whole thing is bitter yet sweet as one would meet some tragic events -and I acknowledge that the novel is so full of them- but then one would find rays of light here and there, at intervals that softens the harshness encountered before. So I recommend this book to everyone, you may find it boring at first, though I think you will be capable of loving it as your read progresses. I gave it five stars out of five on Goodreads!!

And, as usual, HAPPY READING DEAR READERS!!

Top Ten Tuesday!! "Top Ten Books I Wouldn't Mind Santa Bringing Me"

 

 

Here is something new to post on my beloved blog!! It is "an original feature/weekly meme created here at The Broke and the Bookish"  as the owner of that blog explained (click here for more information). So, the list of the books I would want to receive will be:

 

1- The portrait of a lady by Henry James:

 

 2-Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy:

 

 

3- Diary of a wimpy kid by Jeff Kinney:

 

 

4- Le marriage de Figaro by Beaumarchais:

5- The adventures of Robin Hood by R. L. Green:

6- Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montgomery:

7- A little princess by F. H. Burnett:

8- Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare:

 

 

9- 1984 by George Orwell:

 

 

10- The lord of the rings by J. R. R. Tolkien:

 

 

I will be more than grateful if anyone -Santa or no Santa- will give me those books!!

PS: HAPPY READING DEAR READERS!!

Chater 30: And Tomorrow..!

Well tomorrow is the first of December, so I will be able to get some money, and buy a book or two (God Willing)!

I hope I will be always a book lover - I think it is very likely because I have loved books since I was a wee kid - and make my blog a better one! 

So, Happy Reading Dear Readers!!  

Chapter 27: In Which I Post The Most Beautiful Cover On My LIbrary!!

This is it!! My most beloved book that I have not read yet!!

Chapter 24: In Which I reveal What Kind Of Readers I Am!!!

I always fancy myself sitting in such a fashion, having my warm cup of tea, reading my book, and surrounded by beautiful furniture!!  It is the position I think is best to enjoy thoroughly a read (though I've never been in one before).. I just sit in every possible position you can imagine, and read..  The number of pages I can read in one day varies and is relative to my mood, the story of the book and my duties, but I want to be able to read at least 50 pages everyday whatever the circumstances might be. I can't figure out whether I'm a slow or a fast reader because it depends on the book: if it is worth the shot, I can stay up all the night to finish it up.. So yeah!!! I am that kind of readers and am quite satisfied with it!!

Chapter 23: In Which I Write About My Favourite Romance Novel!

Yes this is the very one, Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen!! Obviously everyone has either read or heard about this splendid novel, but it actually is a "favourite book" for me, and I won't, ever, mind reading again and again and again. Same goes for all of Jane Austen's novels, but this one is really distinguished and blissful. Well, it is about that girl who jumps quickly on conclusions without analyzing deeply the conditions (despite her wisdom), this man that deserves the prejudice that's against him because of his excessive pride (despite his kindness), and the development of their relationship.  So it makes a Good book that everyone should read!!

Happy Reading Dear Readers!!

Chapter 16: In Which I Write About My Favourite Book Turned Movie & Finished Reading "The Hobbit" By J. R.R. Tolkien!!

Since I finished reading "The Hobbit" and it turned up to be my favourite book turned movie, I have to write only one post that gathers the two "things".

What a read! Actually, this is my first adventure book ever in which I was introduced to the world of elves, dwarves (may their beards never grow thin), wizards, hobbits and all of this creatures who exist only in our imagination, and you may tie to the fact that this novel made me fond of this kind of books. Well this story is about this one Hobbit, Mr. Bilbo Baggins, who has a Tookish side (adventureous side), and was, up to the unexpected visit of the dwarves, living a Baggins, tranquil, calm life, and having his six meals a day, including tea at four. Then came Gandalf to make him join a group of thirteen dwarves, to be their lucky number and lead a dangereous adventure, which he went to without knowing why: in fact his Tookish self (Took is the name of his mother's family which members were famous of being adventureous hobbits) was taking over him. And yeah! J. R. R. Tolkien, may his novels be more loved by every one, is really and officially one of my most favourite authors!! Can't wait to read The Lord Of The Rings trilogy, and watch this book's movie (God Willing)!

Chapter 15: In Which I Write About My Favourite Genre

Classics are my delight! I just don't know why!! Well actullay I think I know why, and there exists so many reasons, you may tie to that. The first is: you never regret reading a classic! I just feel good every time I read one, it may take whatever time it takes, it is still a classic and a must read! The second is the writing style is never failing you, it always is incredible, and you're often like: " Did such humans really exist at that time?", everything is just so perfect and fascinating!! I'll tell you the third and end it up here, for if I continue it will be endlessly long, and you won't have any heart to read it, and that is: you can find them wherever you go, I mean bookstores are just full of classic, hence you endure no pain trying to get them!!
Those are classics for me and I think I will love them forevermore (God Willing)!!

 Happy Reading Dear Readers!

Chapter 14: In Which I Write About That Should Be On HS Required Reading List

We, Moroccan poeple, study Arabic and French, so, of course, I should pick French books for today (I don't really read arabic books for it is my native language, and I have read a great deal of Arabic books when I was a chid)! I say that every blessed novel written by Delly can be this book. Her writing style is simple yet clever enough to make students learn heaps of new things from it. I have read a large number, as I fancy I did, of her books and they are all great! Happy reading Dear Readers!

Chapter 11: In Which I Write About The Book That Made Me Fall In Love With Reading!!

This book is considered among the very first books I have ever read!! It was splendid!! It is actually the second book of a series of two books, the first being named "Laquelle!" meaning Which One by the French  author Delly. That really makes a must-read!! Happy Reading Dear Readers!!

Chapter 10: In Which I Talk About The Book I Wanted To Read For A Long Time But Still Haven't!

Well actually there exists a large number of books that I wanted to read but still haven't. Why I chose this book is simply because I am willing to read it very soon (God Willing), and I'm overmuch excited about it!
I have already seen almost every adaptation of it (movies and mini series), and it really made me very eager to read it! So yeah, it is a must-read after all. Happy Reading Dear Readers!

Chapter 9: In Which I Write About The Book I Have Read More Than Once!!

This is the book I've read more once! Not because I did like it a whole much, but because it was the only book in my library! I actually read its translation (into French), and it was the book that made me acquainted with Louisa May Alcott, and the world of reading in general!

Chapter 8: In Which I Write About The Upopular Book That " I Believe Should Be A Best-Seller"!

This book is ucommunly and blissfully marvellous! It is actually the ninth book of the series of "The Little Colonel" by Annie-Fellows Johnston and talks simply about the little colonel (a girl named Lloyd) finding her true love. What I loved about this novel is the author's splendid style of writing, its plot, and its EVERYTHING! It is just fabulous and everyone should give it a try!

Chapter 6: In Which I write About "The Book That Made Me Cry"!

Contains spoilers! Do not read if you don't like spoiling your reads, though you can read the last paragraph!

In English

 

 

Well this book didn't actually make me cry (for when I started thinking yesterday about the book that did, I found none), but it was sad! It talked about this man who is American and lived in England. He was acquainted with a girl who had the same circumstances, and she was pretty but daring, nevertheless he couldn't help but slightly fall in love with her. They went together to some places and had great times, but then she had to go with her family to another country (I think Italy) and she pleaded him to join them. Well he did join her, hoping that she would be only with him, but she actually was, and kept being with another handsome man who had no esteem but for her beauty, so whenever she went to a hazadous place, he didn't show the slightest care about her health or whatsoever. Meanwhile, our man  "stalked" her, for he was really worried about that silly girl, and he kept warning her about the danger of some places she's going to. She ended up  taking a horrible cold and passed away!

 

Well yes! That was a terrible ending, and I don't think she deserves it, and that was the most sad ending I have ever read, for I'm not really into non-happy-endings!! I gave it three stars out of five on Goodreads!

Ne lisez pas si vous n'aimez pas qu'on vous gâche vos précieuses lectures! Mais vous pouvez lire le dernier paragraphe!

En Francais

 

 

Pour être précise, ce livre ne m'a pas vraiment fait pleurer, mais la fin était malheureuse! Le livre parle d'un jeune Américain qui vie en Angleterre et qui a fait la connaissance d'une fille belle mais pas trop polie (elle est aussi Américaine et vie en Angleterre). Toutefois, il est tombe amoureux d'elle. Ils ont fait des sorties ensemble, mais elle devait partir avec sa petite famille dans un autre pays (je crois que c'était l'Italie) et elle l'a fait jurer qu'il viendra les voir là où ils sont. Il a pu les joindre, espérant qu'elle sera toute pour lui seul, mais elle était avec un autre qui ne pensait que de sa beauté. Notre hero, continuait à la mettre en garde contre tout act dangereux, mais elle ne voulait rien entendre. Elle a fini par tomber malade et puis après elle était morte!

 

C'était vraiment insupportable pour moi, car je n'aime pas trop lire de telle histoire, mais c'était vraiment bien écrit!

Chapter 5: I Which I Write About My Favourite Female Character

In English

There she is the sweet, beautiful, lovely Elizabeth Bennet!! I first got confused whether I should write about Elizabeth or Anne Shirley (The one I talked about yesterday), because they are both dear to me, and I finally picked Elizabeth, just like that! Without any reason! 

Elizabeth is this aborable, lively little thing (just like Anne, though she lacks imagination), but a real proud, strong girl whose opinions and decisions can not be discussed once they are formulated (and we can see that in the case of the funny propsal of Mr. collins, when her mother insisted on her marrying that  man). But then she's romantic and she can actually forgive, not like Mr. Darcy who " once his esteem is lost, it is lost forever" or so he said (But he actually fell head over heels in love with her).

All in all she is a great person who can be loved and respected by everyone!!

 

 

 

En Français

 

 

Elizabeth Bennet est ma meilleure heroine! Elle est belle, Gentille et adorable! J'étais au début confuse: je ne savais pas de qui je dois parler dans ce post, est ce d'Elizabeth ou bien d'Anne Shirley (j'ai parlé de celle-ci hier), mais finalement j'ai choisi Elizabeth, sans aucune raison précise!

Elizabeth a quelques caractères communs avec Anne (cependant elle n'a pas d'imagination), mais elle est vraiment orgueilleuse, et bien forte de personalité: ses opinions et décisions ne doivent pas être discutés une fois qu'ils sont formulés (d'ailleurs elle a été bien claire dans sa décision quand elle a choisi de rejeter Mr. Collins). Toutefois, elle est romantique et elle a pu pardonner l'orgueil intolérable de Mr. Darcy.

Bref, c'est une personne qui est aimée et respetée de tout le monde!

Chapter 4: In Which I Write About My Favourite Book Of My Favourite Series

 My favourite series is "Anne of Green Gables" by Lucy Maud Montgomery, and my favourite book from this series is the first one which name is also "Anne of Green Gables". It was really worth reading, and I enjoyed it a whole much. The book talks about this orphan girl Anne, who has heaps of imagination, and always makes poeple astonished at the ideas she gets almost from nowhere. She's lively, adorable, sweet, but bad tempered which made her go through a lot of hardships. I really don't mind re-reading it again and again and again, for it absolutely is worth the shot!

Chapter 3: In Which I Write About The Book That Surprised Me In A Good Way!

This is my favourite cover for this Great Classic! This book was given to me by my cousin, and the only reason I started reading it was the fact that it was written in English. The beginning was actually boring: two men talking and an other one joining them, the three kept talking, but then things started improving in a different and exciting way. Dorian, like a child, started to discover himself, what's wrong and what's good, and here begun the struggle. All in all, this book did surprise me and I'm really grateful that I discovered it!

 

I found  that challenge on some blogs, and I wanted to try it for myself, because I think it will help me post more on my blog. Well the first day has passed, so I am going to start from the second, and here is what it's all about:

Day 01-Your favourite Book

Day 02-Least Favourite Book and Why

Day 03-A Book that completely surprised you (bad/good)

Day 04-Favourite book of your favorite series

Day 05-Favourite female character

Day 06-A Book that makes you cry

Day 07-A Book that’s hard to read

Day 08-An unpopular book you believe should be a Best-Seller

Day 09-A Book you’ve read more than once

Day 10-A book you wanted to read for a long time but still haven’t

Day 11-The Book that made you fall in love with reading

Day 12-A book so emotionally draining you couldn’t complete it or had to set aside for a bit

Day 13-Favorite childhood book

Day 14-Book that should be on hs/college required reading list

Day 15-Your favorite genre

Day 16-Favorite book turned movie

Day 17-Book turned movie and completely desecrated

Day 18-The book you’re reading now

Day 19-A Book that changed your mind about a particular subject (non-fiction)

Day 20-The most surprising end

Day 21-A guilty pleasure book

Day 22-Favorite Series

Day 23-Favorite Romance Novel

Day 24–What kind of reader are you?

Day 25-Favorite Autobiographical/Biographical book

Day 26-Would you like to write your book? What about?

Day 27-The most beautiful cover on your library

Day 28-An addictive book

Day 29-An Author that you completely avoid/hate wont read

Day 30–And tomorrow? 

 

And to add a personal something in those posts, I will call them chapters. I'm looking forward to see the whole thing done!!

PS: I won't write the posts that I can't find a proper book for!  

Finished Reading: The Perks Of Being A Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky.

 

It was a great read indeed, though I had such a painful time skipping through it because it contains some passages I don't like to read, but the whole thing is far from better. One do get something out of it if one is just being a "filter".

 Personally, I like to do some spiritual reflections from time to time while reading a book, and always thank God because I'm a Muslim girl and because I believe in God. Charlie got through hard times because he thinks that no one is there for him. He has not thought of God once, in the whole book (or he forgot Him .. I think there was something but .. I really can't remember), being there for him and never letting him down, so he did what he did and got what he got. 

But again I say that the book is really really really great, I even gave it 4.5 stars out of 5, and yeah! It desevres it!!

Finished Reading: The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie.

A most shocking and sad end! I just didn't expected it to be so -well I had my own suspecions, but I just pushed them away. Agatha Christie is a genius, she makes the most uexpected twists, she just makes you believe in things, and then you're forced to let go of it all. But I'll provide my heart no more pain by reading her novels, for I mostly like happy endings.

Book Haul

I've bought one book this month - which I'm going to do every month God willing - and that is Jane Austen's Complete Novels. I've read four of them till now : Pride and Prejudice, Northanger Abbey, Sense and Sensibility, and Persuasion, but I really want to re-read them. So I'm so happy that I actually own that beautiful book.

 

 

I'm so exicted to read it.. ^^

Finished Reading Winnie-The -Pooh! Fascinating!

If anyone should know anything about anything, then I should know that this novel is a piece of awesomeness. Winnie-the-Pooh is officially one of my Favourites-of-all-Time. It dealt with nothing, yet with everything. Its characters were silly yet wise and clever enough to lead a happy life. It is really inspiring to read its sentences and laugh at some stupid situations and conversations. Pooh Bear, Rabbit, Piglet, Eeyore, Kanga, Baby Roo, Owl and Christopher Robin are all Good Friends to me now, and I shall cherish them for ever after, God Willing.