Books 2010 – 4 books I’ve read this summer

Zora Neale Hurston – Their eyes were watching God

I have wanted to read some Zora Neale Hurston for a while, as I know she is a revered Harlem renaissance writer, yet I know nothing else of her or her works. This book was very ‘easy’ to read, in that it was captivating and beautifully written so it flowed smoothly and made you want to read on. The story of Janie and her life is heart breaking in many ways – but despite this it is also a story of love, pure true love. It is also an amazing depiction of a very strong woman’s quest to understand herself, and to fulfil her own needs, wants and desires. I heartily recommend this novel as an introduction to Zore Neale Hurston and look forward to discovering more of her novels.

John Steinbeck – The grapes of wrath

As part of my ongoing quest to read ‘classic’ fiction that I have never read before, I bought this a while ago but hadn’t been able to actually get into it. Woah. Its depressing. Seriously depressing. And it ends depressingly. Well written, entrancing in a way once you get into it you really really want to know what happens next to the Joad family. But overall, in my view it was just so sad, bleak and depressing. But worth reading, definitely worth reading as it gave me some insight into a period of American history that I knew nothing about.

Terry Pratchett – I shall wear midnight

I really could wax lyrical about this book forever. This is the fourth (and last) of the books for younger readers about Tiffany Aching, the young witch of the chalk. It’s definitely my favourite Tiffany Aching novel, and in fact is probably up there in my top 5 discworld novels. Brilliant story, excellent pace loved the new characters and the unexpected twists. Pure Pratchett brilliance.

Nicholas Evans – the Horse Whisperer

This book is cheesy cheesetastic. I raced through it, desperately keen to know what happens next and hoping it wouldn’t be as predictable as it was. It obviously isn’t that bad or I wouldn’t have finished it –this book is an easy read, escapism , predictable trashy novel. But not a bad book, just a cheesy one. I am not that keen to watch the film.

New Urbanism

Exhibition Road, a project for accessible street design. Picture credit: The Guardian

'New Urbanism' as defined by wikipedia, is an “urban design movement, which promotes walkable neighborhoods that contain a range of housing and job types”, apparently arising in the United States in the early 1980s. Much of this movement was presumably born out of regret for the post-war urban sprawl, where the formula was simple and city suburbs were designed with the motorcar in mind. Thus begun the depopulation of dense urban neighbourhoods in many cities, which is only now being reversed.

Having lived and traveled in many cities, we do appreciate the benefits, and convenience of city living. We also acknowledge the crowds, the negative environmental impact and the other drawbacks that urban dwelling has. Urban living does not have to be like this, and can be diverse, environmentally sound, safe, fun, convenient and comfortable. For its advocates and proponents, many of who do not even use the term, it is simply a friendly way of living that just makes sense.

On Thursday, July 1, appropriately enough, Canada Day, we went to a poolside chat hosted by The Dallas Chapter of The Congress for the New Urbanism (CNU), at The Belmont Hotel (one of our favourite places in Dallas). “The Congress for the New Urbanism (CNU) is a nonprofit organization aimed at curbing sprawl and re-establishing compact, walkable, and sustainable neighborhoods and cities”. The “chat” was with Mr Larry Beasley, a Canadian urban planner, best known for his brand of his urban design principles known as “Vancouverism.” He discussed his work with the newly created Dallas City Design Studio. The Studio works with Dallas City Hall, Dallas residents and businesses to create a socially responsible approach to land use and zoning.

So will Dallas adopt ‘New Urbanism’? Dallas is a modern city, much of it was built around cars and freeways and so for ‘New Urbanism’ to have a significant impact in Dallas may take some time. In other words, New Urbanism in Dallas would require a gradualist or reformist, rather than a revolutionary approach. This has the advantage that various ideas can be tried and tested.

Not all solutions are going to be ‘one size fits all’, however. Indeed, the concept of New Urbanism, has many different advocates and expressions, many of whom do not necessarily have to or want to agree with every aspect of the concept. Success here is simply what the community wants and needs. Planning by the masses, rather than by the few. At least that is the impression we got from hanging out in the Oak Cliff area (or the ‘OC’) of Dallas. A recent article in the Dallas Observer, highlights the many positive aspects of ‘New Urbanism’ without actually referring to the label (other adjectives used are ‘bikos’ or bike friendly advocates, slow living, producers of local produce, community spirit, Euro-Urban living).

Indeed, much of the New Urbanism action is happening in the OC. Maybe the best example of this is the "The Better Block Project". A block is partially closed off to car traffic, businesses and vendors come out, cafe and store fronts open up, musicians and artists come out to play and a magical transformation occurs. Bastille Day, BBQ, Bandits and Bandana's are a few of the recent events. These events are far from exclusive as bike rides from other neighborhoods join the party, thereby linking different communities within the cities. The Better Block Project promotes neighbours having fun and enjoying their neighbourhood.

The Better Block Project in Oak Cliff. Picture credit: Go Oak Cliff

All of this can seem foreign to a culture based around the car and a 24 hour lifestyle. Whilst The Better Block Project is a collective movement grabbing national headlines, choices made by the individual (such as joining a local co-op like Urban Acres) are small but significant steps that benefits a local business, your community and your lifestyle. If you look at the little picture it really is just about taking the time to look around and ask yourself how do we want to live together so that we can all enjoy our space.

By: Walraj Singh Gosal and Jigna Vyas Gosal

books 2010 - three books i've recently read

It's been a while since i wrote up my 2010 reading. Here is a quick run down of the three I have read over the last month or so.

Morality for Beautiful Girls - Alexander McCall Smith.
I read a few of the No 1 ladies detective agency books a few years ago and enjoyed them - they are alright, easy reads. This was good, nice story which moves quickly , with good morals and a nice ending. I sometimes feel that these books have some racial and gender stereotyping which can be uncomfortable but mum says she never felt that and possibly it is reflective of that society.

The Group - Mary McCarthy
I was inspired to buy this book following an article in the Guardian. It was ok, not the great feminist tome I had thought it might be, but an interesting book nonetheless. It skits between characters in a way I liked, and told lots of different interlaced stories. It is of course depressing that so many of the issues being highlighted are still relevant now, but it was ever thus.

Sense and Sensibility - Jane Austin
I only recently saw the 1995 film adaptation and LOVED it (even though Snape is in it, he does plays a lovely character, Colonel Brandon). So then I obviously felt I just had to read the book. I am not a big fan of 19th century literature, but I enjoyed this a lot, it was good fun and easy to read.

Books 2010 - Lucy Mangan, The Reluctant Bride

Lucy Mangan (her off of the Guardian) makes me laugh out loud every single week without fail. But I haven’t read any of her books. Roops knows how much I like her, and she bought me this (again from the Greenwich-Blackheath Amnesty book sale). I started reading it and wasn’t actually sure I would finish it, because the very title makes me annoyed – I mean honestly, either you want to get married or you don’t, and surely you should just have the wedding that you want?! Yes, before all you married people start berating my insensitivity and telling me it’s just not that simple I know. I know there are lots of factors and elements that make it complicated, but my ignorant view is that you honestly should do what you want and try not to get sucked into the commerciality and hype. And competitiveness of the whole thing! Yes, one day I may eat my words, I know this too.

Anyway back to the book – it’s a very easy read and its really good, the usual Mangan laugh out loud humour and I did feel sympathy for her at times. She obviously loves toryboy and it’s funny to hear about her hilarious wedding planning, her family and her friends. I still am not quite sure about the title and the point of it though – I mean you don’t have to get married and you should have the wedding you want: it sounds like she did have the lovely wedding that she wanted, and that she wanted to get married. Its a fun easy read – but am not sure I’d ever pick it up again.

It's ok to be a Ms...

I really enjoyed reading this article by Amelia Sage on the f word blog - Miss, Ms or Mrs? I agree with her wholeheartedly, including where she questions herself - why should it matter? But it does.

Aside from the patriarchal ‘ownership’ chestnut, I don’t want to be a Miss anymore. Much to my dismay, I think I am a grown-up now. ‘Miss’ brings with it a whole host of connotations that I would rather not be attached to.

Our cousin Devon has a book when he was little called 'it's ok to be different...' For some reason I remembered this book as I read the article - perhaps we need an adult version.

Books 2010- Going Postal, Terry Pratchett

This is a re-read for me – I borrowed it from the library when it first came out. Thankfully, Roopa was at the amazing annual Blackheath/Greenwich amnesty booksale in June, and bought it for me in the hope I hadn’t got it – and I hadn’t! It’s been on my wishlist to buy for a while, so thanks Roops!

This is the first Moist Von Lipwig story (it was followed by Making Money) and it’s a real corker. With the usual Pratchett wicked humour, its set on the discworld, mostly in the anarchic, brilliant, riotous city of Ankh morpork. Lord Vetenari is as ever a key driving force- but it also introduces a whole bunch of new characters, golems, Adora Bell Dearheart and Stanley the pinhead / stamp collector whilst still making passing references to some of the better known characters, like the watchmen Carrot, Nobby Nobbs and Angua, as well as wizards like Arch Chancellor Ridcully and Ponder Stibbens.

This story is very funny and fast paced, with lots of twists, turns and laugh out loud moments of parody with the world as we know it. I love it.

roopa's reading meme

As a response to;

I’ve taken this reading meme from @Rich_W over at arbitrary constant - gonna get the both my sisters to fill it in too...

Do you snack while reading? > Very much so thank you. Much like my two big sisters (reference to age not size-no puns here) it depends on my mood and what we have got in. I love having snacks that take a while to eat eg kachi keree (un ripe mango), sweets like refresher bars, papur loat...

What is your favourite drink while reading? > same as J+D. Depends on time of day, mood and what kind of reading ie work or pleasure. Glass of wine always the most pleasurable.

Do you tend to mark your books while you read, or does the idea of writing in books horrify you? > Absolutely not horrifying! Most definitely have to mark books, in fact I'm so obsessed I get upset if for any reason I cant mark my books. Institutionalised?

How do you keep your place? Bookmark? Dog-ears? Laying the book open flat? > Yeah. All of the above. A favourite hobby growing up was to look at and remember the page number of where my sisters laid their books; then change the place and wait for them to return to it and get annoyed! Then I'd admit what page they were on because Im a really good little sister really.

Fiction, non-fiction or both? > fiction for sure, but very inspired and intrigued by Jigna's non-fiction reading and group, would very much like to be much better read in non-fiction. Aspects of work require non-fiction reading, but never too inspiring so maybe a little but put off.

Do you tend to read to the end of a chapter or can you stop anywhere? > I do tend to try to, just because I have so many books on the go- not all for pleasure- it makes it a bit easier to recall what happened before- mind you I almost always have to re-read the last few paragraphs!

Are you the type of person to throw a book across the room or on the floor if the author irritates you? > sometimes, I always liked the Friends episode when Joey puts The Shining in the freezer when it gets scary, then does it with Little Women when Beth gets poorly! Mostly I think I give up too easily and avoid picking it up again. A flakey characteristic of mine, I know.

If you come across an unfamiliar word, do you stop and look it up right away? > Yes. Always want to, if I dont have my favourite dictionary handy- mum got me for uni, its a 3-in-1 and its amazing- I write it down or write the word as an unsent text message or repeat it to myself over and over again until I can look it up. I often wish I had an iPhone for this, among other reasons. I sound a bit obsessive to admit this- but I do it with words I hear on tv aswell...

What are you currently reading? > Arthur Miller plays, realised a while back I only knew All My Sons, (ahhh mah daysss as we say at work) so read Death of a Salesman, and reading Crucible now, looking forward to A View from the Bridge. Also started lots of travel books, see titles in last bought below!

What is the last book you bought? > Eat My Globe by Simon Majumdar, Tall Story by Candy Gourlay, Video Night in Kathmandu by Pico Iyer, High Heels

and a Head Torch by Chelsea Duke, Travellers on the Dance Floor by Grevel Lindop and Australia by various writers from Granta. Im looking forward to getting my teeth stuck into them when we are away!

Do you have a favourite time/place to read? > yes, unfortunately, unlike my sisters, particularly Dhara I cant just pick up a book in any spare 30 seconds! Work takes it toll -much like most people- but Im looking forward to having some undivided attention with the written word, I have been a little slow and unfaithful with the tv.

Do you prefer series books or stand-alones? > Stand alones, never really got hooked on any series, tried same books by different authors, but willing to have a go at a series. (not Pratchet sisters, not yet anyway! )

Is there a specific book or author you find yourself recommending over and over? >Yes. Does depend on who and context. I often get colleagues/sisters to help in most recommendations.

They are all hugely well read.

How do you organize your books (by genre, title, author’s last name, etc.)? > no. wherever there is a spare nook or cranny!