Pride & Prejudice: My thoughts…

This is not review because I feel like I am literally the last person on earth to read this classic! Instead I thought I’d share my expectations because prior to reading the book I’d heard so much about it, and also include my thoughts! (There may be some spoilers ahead, so if you still haven’t read it yet, wait you haven’t read it yet? I’m not alone!)

My expectations:

  • Let me start by saying that I did not expect to find the dialect an issue. I’ve heard so much about the book but not once that it’s written in old English so I had no ideaaaaa!
  • I had the general idea that it was a romance novel because I knew of a love story involving the famous Mr Darcy. (The amount of memes of Colin Firth as Mr Darcy I have seen on instagram is ridiculous!)
  • Mr Darcy at the beginning, I was so confused, am I reading the right book? He’d been described as such a gentleman and girls all around the world are STILL swooning over him, within the first 10 pages I’m like huuuuuh? This guy is an idiot!

My thoughts:

  • The main barrier for me at the beginning was the fact that it was written in old English. I honestly didn’t expect this to have such an impact at the pace in which I was reading. For example the age twenty-one is actually one and twenty, which for the first 100 pages I was like, what is this witchcraft? Having said that though, I didn’t expect to adjust to it as quickly as I did, literally from one-sitting to the next I felt like it was much easier to read quicker than before. Also I think that it was a barrier because I consider myself quite a fast reader, so I tried to read it at the same pace I usually do and I was just a bit frustrated when it just wasn’t happening.
  • Mr Darcy is an arsewipe until almost over halfway through the book. The confusion I was going through…I saw that the storyline was progressing, but from our viewpoint he’s still a pompous prick.
  • For a romance novel it’s got a lot going on, I don’t mean it’s an action packed thriller, but she adds minor events that help you understand the characters more e.g. Mr Collins’ proposal to Elizabeth Bennet. Jane Austen has a way of slowly getting the reader acquainted to the setting, characters and relationships that you could read it 1000 years in the future but still be able to immerse yourself in her novel. It also has a very authentic feel to it, the emotions and dialogue feel very real even if the reader may never experience these situations in their lifetime. It may be down to the main character Elizabeth Bennet who’s very blunt and straightforward so we tend to connect with her more!
  • I really loved that it touched on some serious topics that were common at the time period, e.g. every family strived for the right marriage with a financial/status gain and a girls’ reputation is all she has! It also allowed us to explore a toxic society where idle gossip was enough for the whole village to condemn an individual. I mention this because I am someone who really loves historical fiction, and especially interested in court settings, so I have read/watched about similar ideas (I am by no means an expert, actually didn’t enjoy studying history in school, which doesn’t make sense…) but I’m rarely able to connect with the environment and the characters as I did in this novel.

After reading this I’m really interested in reading more of Jane Austens work , though I’ve heard it doesn’t get better than Pride and Prejudice… Hopefully I’ll start reading classics again. What are some of your favourite classics that you would recommend?

Shadowhunters TV show: short review

I know I haven’t posted in a while, its been a hectic couple of weeks and before I upload any kind of content, I edit it around 5 times and make so many changes. So for the meantime, how about my general ideas on the second adaptation of The Mortal Instruments?

First of all, I’ll start by saying that I am not the biggest fan of the TMI but I enjoyed the books enough to want to see the new TV show. I haven’t watched the movie City Of Bones yet, simply because I’ve heard terrible reviews about it from die hard fans. Recently after this series has come out, people are actually reflecting on how accurate the movie was in comparison to the TV show.

Cast: Honestly, I had no problem with the cast, in terms of appearance, I feel like they all definitely looked the part of their characters. For me the most believable character was Simon ( Alberto Rosende). His mannerisms and the way he delivered his lines were pretty close to the Simon from TMI. There were some scenes in the episodes where Simon would do something that Simon from the book would never have done ( wow that was a mouthful!), but  I guess that comes down to the writing and I’ll talk about that later on… In terms of the other characters I thought Alec ( Matthew Daddrio) was quite good, and he was actually funnier in the TV show than in the books which was nice to see. Jace ( Dom Sherwood) was too serious most of the time, he was supposed to be witty and sarcastic, yet he was always getting into arguments about Clary.( I think I ‘ll leave it here in terms of cast otherwise this will turn into a several page review which no one has the time to read!)

The script/writing : For me this was the main downfall of the show. From the dialogue to the way some scenes were portrayed it just didn’t gel for me and a lot of other viewers. Let me start off by saying that if you haven’t read the books prior to watching Shadowhunters you’d really have no clue what’s going on. The plot line is rushed, certain information we discover in book 2 or 3 is happening within the first 6 episodes. That being said, the plot line was the only thing developing at all, the relationship between the characters doesn’t change, they don’t develop. Especially the relationship between Jace and Clary, it’s all very confusing. At this point I don’t know what they are. I also didn’t like the way they portrayed Jace, he is so depressing, every time he appears in a scene he’s either in a mood or arguing with either Simon or Alec.

This being a TV show we were all expecting additions to the books and definitely some changes but at this point I honestly don’t know what’s going on. The new additions just add to the already existing confusion. Some of the basic aspects/concepts of the Shadowworld are still very unclear and we’re already finding out that Valentine is testing Seelie blood for the Mortal Cup. Also, how is Simon already turning into a vampire? Another thing that was incorporated into the TV show that was completely unnecessary and slightly sexist, Isabelle and her ways of retrieving information. I am NOT a prude, but I also found it slightly annoying that when we’re talking about Jace and Alec we acknowledge how they’re both great fighters, but when we think of Isabelle, she just sleeps with downworlders for info? She’s supposed to be distinguished by her ability and skill especially with her whip but most of her involvement has been sexual. I’ll conclude this section by saying there have been some minor improvements from episode 1 to episode 6 but there is still a long way to go.

Visual/sound effects( inc. CGI animation): I don’t even know where to begin with this… Lets start with the runes, well they were terrible. Everything looked fake , from the runes to the warlocks ‘magic’. Had it been any other genre where special effects weren’t crucial, it wouldn’t have mattered that much but its fantasy. Try and make it a bit more believable!

I think its best if I end this review here… Looking back I’ve noticed that most of the review is critiquing the show but as I said I do see that it’s improving (slightly). Hopefully by the end of the season I’ll understand what’s going on in each episode? On a completely unrelated note, I’ve heard that the adaptation for The Shannara Chronicles is really good, apparently better than the book! Thinking of giving it a try…

A new book blog? Still adapting…

Hey there,

You may or may not have noticed but I have yet to put a post to introduce you to my blog, this blog is still not quite what I want it to be yet.The best thing I could think to do is to at least get some content/reviews out so that there’s something to read! I am still developing it so if you notice that the themes are changing and not consistent please bear with me while I try to figure it out. WordPress is not the easiest platform to start a new blog on but I am finding that over time I can navigate through it better! I would love know what you would like to see from my book blog, so it would be much appreciated if you could leave any suggestions in the comments, dm me on instagram at abooknation or email me at abooknation@outlook.com.

The Liebster Award

I just wanted to thank mamandapanda and Julia from thetreeofbooks for nominating me for this award. Check out their blogs for great reviews and their posts on these awards (link attached to their names). I tried to keep my answers short but as you can see, that didn’t really happen.

  • Acknowledge the blog that nominated you and display the award.
  • Answer 11 questions that the blog gives you.
  • Give 11 random facts about yourself.
  • Nominate at least 3 bloggers and up to 11 other bloggers you think are worthy of this award.
  • Let the blogs know you have nominated them.
  • Give them 11 questions to answer

My nominations:

  1. How many book boyfriends do you have? Tell us your top 5.

For this question I really tried to choose some characters that you may have not heard of so that hopefully you can hear about these characters and read the books!

->Simon Lewis from TMI

->Sherlock Holmes, I mean do I even need to explain myself? He is able to store and retrieve information from his mind (mind palace) any time he wants. He’s smart manipulative, cunning and uhh Benedict Cumberbatch…

->Hugh Stanton, You may not be familiar with this character as I don’t think a lot of people have read this book but he’s the main character from the book Time And Time Again by Ben Elton. I definitely recommend you read this book, its about the main character Hugh Stanton who has to travel back in time to prevent a war that will pretty much destroy European Civilisation. His character is extremely brave, passionate about his cause and he’s also a very kind and thoughtful dividual and as you read on through the book and discover his journey you really fall in love with him even more. ( I might have to write a review on this one!)

->Jack Reacher

->Reed Conway from I’ll Be Watching You by Beverly Barton.

2. Who is your favorite Booktuber?

This was fairly easy! Christine from polandbananabooks I mean if her youtube name doesn’t explain I don’t know what will (she’s not even Polish). I find her videos really entertaining, she works hard to give the best to her viewers and she’s hilarious.

3.What is your favourite kind of chocolate or do you just hate chocolate?

Milk chocolate!

4. What is the weirdest book that you have ever read? Why?

This isn’t weird in a bad way but Dan Browns Da Vinci Code. I don’t know why but i just found it really creepy and sinister, but I think its because I read most of it at around 3am.

5. Name a book that you can read again and again until you die.

I haven’t read a book that has made me feel like that yet, soon though!

6. Do you have any siblings? What is the thing that you have in common?

I have 2 younger brothers, watching YouTube videos for hourssss

7. What is your favourite song for the moment?

The song came out I think a few months ago but Coldplay Adventure of a lifetime. I LOVE IT.

8. How long can you survive (going crazy) without reading?

That depends, if its during the school year when things get hectic probably a week, but if its the holidays maybe a day!

9. What is your favourite number? Why?

I don’t actually have a favourite number. Is that weird, considering I love maths? I don’t feel particularly drawn to any number.

10. What is your favourite subject and why?

Math is the only subject I can sit through. I think for me it’s the process of learning in this subject and just being able to use one concept and apply it to different questions.

11. Do you read fanfiction?

I have actually never read fanfiction before,  I wouldn’t even know where to find it!

Random facts about me:

  • There are a lot of ridiculously popular books put there that i haven’t read yet. E.g The Hunger Games
  • Sometimes I don’t read for a week (not by choice, that student life) but when i do I can probably finish a 400 page book in one sitting.
  • The genres i read vary so much, from historical fiction to crime thrillers to sci-fi fantasy.
  • My favourite childhood book is by Roald Dahl (obviously) and its James And The Giant Peach.
  • I’ve just discovered i am really not that interesting.
  • I have a weird habit where if I start a series i have to finish it even if it bores me to death. E.g I sat through 6 seasons of Gossip Girl even though I lost interest at season 1.
  • I love coffee. I could probably have 5 cups a day (probably shouldn’t be saying this )
  • I feel like as someone who’s lived in London all her life at some point I should have been on the London eye but that is yet to happen…
  • My name spelt backwards is ‘name’ (Eman) and it means faith in Arabic.
  • My pet peeve when it comes to books is when the spine caves in. I will literally open my book just enough for me to read the page just to prevent damage to the spine, which is uncomfortable but when it sits on my shelf perfectly intact…
  • Around 60% of my bookshelf consists of the genre crime/crime thrillers.

My questions :

  • If you could be the main character in one book what would that book be and why?
  • You have one chance to go back in time to one event that happened in the past (not you’re past). Where would you go?
  • If you could have a superpower what would that be (you an invent your own if you want to)?
  • If you had to read one author for the rest of your life who would it be?
  • What’s your favourite TV series/book at the moment?
  • What’s your favourite childhood book?
  • Favourite book to movie adaptation?
  • Favourite snack?
  • Favourite singer?
  • You have just had £1billion/$1billion transferred into your bank account. What is the first thing you’d do?
  • If you had to live with a book character for the rest of your life who would it be?

Thank you for the nomination and if you have been nominated by me comment the link to you’re post and I’ll definitely check it out!