Book Journal: Neil Gaiman's Neverwhere

Neverwhere
By Neil Gaiman

Mini-Summary: Richard Mayhew’s humdrum life is turned upside-down when he is dragged down into London’s dangerous supernatural underworld after he meets a magical girl who desperately needs his help to avenge her family.

Some themes at play within the novel: Poverty, Friendship, Identity, Discovery, Revenge, Good versus Evil

Characters: Richard Mayhew, Lady Door, marquis de Carabas, Hunter, Islington, Mister Croup, Mister Vandemar, Old Bailey, Anaesthesia, Lamia, Serpentine, Black Friar, The Earl, Lord Portico

Some Thoughts (Spoiler-ish, fair warning):
After reading Gaiman’s Black Orchid, I was curious to read more of his work. I noticed Neverwhere received great reviews on GoodReads, so I bought it for some adventurous summer reading without having much of a clue as to what the book is about.

Fight/Book Club

This gave me a nice, hearty chuckle. Jimmy Kimmel's thoughts on what would make Oprah's book club more exciting...



You're welcome.

#DailyBookPic Photo-a-Day Project, The Finale

This is a very delayed update on the finale of my adventures with the #DailyBookPic challenge. Consider this entry the Closing Ceremonies, if you will. Let's pick up where we last left off...

Day 29- Autographed Book: My autographed copy of The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros! I listened to her speak at a nearby university a few years ago, and afterwards I got to meet her. She is an amazing and inspirational woman.

Day 30- Book-to-Movie: My favorite Austen adaptations. I have quite the collection, if I do say so myself. They are the best to watch on rainy days. 

Day 31- Did Not Finish: A few books I gave up on. I am willing to start Life of Pi again, though. 

Check out my recaps of Week 1, Week 2, Week 3 and Week 4. 

All the Daily Book Pics, collage style:

 

Here are my personal favorites:

I was lucky enough to be featured on Book Riot a grand total of 7 times for various #dailybookpic prompts!

• Day 3, Book Browsing
• Day 14, Picture Book
• Day 19, Reading Glasses
• Day 23, Learning to Read
• Day 27, Outdoor Reading Spot
• Day 30, Book-to-Movie
• Day 31, Did Not Finish

It was a really fun creative exercise that combined my new love of photography with my first love, books. The challenge is supposed to come back around again on Book Riot some time in the autumn, and I can't wait to get involved a second time.

Book Journal: Emily Giffin's Something Borrowed

Something Borrowed
By Emily Giffin

Mini-Summary: Rachel, a 30 year old lawyer living in Manhattan, breaks the cardinal rule of friendship and sleeps with her best friend Darcy’s fiancé, Dex. Darcy, Rachel’s complete opposite, continues planning her wedding, unbeknownst to her that Rachel and Dex are continuing to see each other behind Darcy’s back. Lines of right and wrong are blurred, and the characters become tangled in a web of deceit.

Some themes at play within the novel: friendship, betrayal, relationships, sex, loneliness, manipulation, infidelity, jealousy

Some Thoughts (Spoiler-ish, fair warning):
A good friend of mine really hyped this book up to me. It is one of her all-time favorites, and I generally trust her judgment, as she is a big literary lover not unlike myself. That being said, to my chagrin, I do not like this book. I don't absolutely hate it, but there is very little about it that I enjoyed.