Lets do some reading 2013: The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey

The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey is one of those books that you just know will completely bewitch you. As such, I decided to put off reading it until I had enough time to spare when I could let it consume me. Two days was all I needed to set aside, I devoured it in it's entirety within just 48 hours. 

I was so glad that I saved this book for my trip to Sweden. Having spent the day wading through thigh deep snow in only the half-light of the afternoon it was an absolute delight to curl up in bed and read this beautiful tale of an elderly couple living in the magical state of Alaska. 

The couple, Jack and Mabel live on an Alaskan farm, where they are building a new life after the tragedy of not being able to conceive a child. One frosty evening the first snow begins to fall. Together, Mabel and her husband, who have been drifting apart, build a little snow girl together. This first snow not only brings them closer together but it also leads to the mysterious appearance of a wild young girl, who we begin to glimpse peeping through the trees and leaving gifts of animal pelts and berries. 

Just moments into the first description of the girl I was reminded of this picture. Her delicate skin, fair hair and bright blue eyes are described with such clarity that even after you've finished the book, you can still conjure her up in your mind at will. 

I'm not going to reveal any more about the storyline because I'd like you to be surprised throughout the entire tale. If you like magical landscapes, endearing and relatable characters, stories of hope, love and determination, then I can whole-heartedly guarantee that you will adore this book. It is so hauntingly beautiful at the same time as being so carefully and delicately written. The only criticism I could possibly make is that it didn't last forever. 

Have you been enchanted recently? Which book do you find it impossible to put down?

Have a beautiful weekend my dearests!

the little nordic cabin

x

Pictures lovingly taken from here, here & here :)

Let's do some reading 2013: The Return of Captain John Emmett by Elizabeth Speller

This was a strange one. I feel like I could easily say that I really disliked this book but at the same time it had some really good aspects. I think that sums up the book quite well if I'm honest - I just don't know what to think. It was hovering so close to the brink of being a good read but it just came up short on too many occasions. I didn't know how I felt about any of the characters, I didn't know if I cared what happened and I still don't really know why I didn't give up on it. 

There were parts that I liked, Speller has a lovely way of recreating the world as it was left after the devastation of the first world war and I loved learning about things that I hadn't known had happened during the war, however I still feel like I don't quite know what the book was about.

First of all, something that is very important to me as a literature student is for a book to read fluently with no grammar/spelling or punctuation mistakes. When you're living with your characters in a world outside of your own, mistakes or difficulties in the text bring you violently back into the real world. Whilst there were no major errors, the use of ''he should of'' instead of ''should have'' got on my nerves increasingly throughout the novel. Although this was in speech, so could be put down to the accent of the character, it wasn't consistent, with ''of'' and ''have'' being used interchangeably.

Second of all, the way that some sentences were worded meant that I repeatedly had to re-read parts before understanding what they said. I know that in English our use of ''his'' is rather ambiguous, with ''he kissed his wife'' implying two very different scenarios for example, but the text just wasn't clear enough about certain things to the extent that I often wasn't sure who it was that was talking until something was said that linked back to the character. Additionally, although  I loved learning things about the war, there was a certain degree of assumption that the reader would be familiar with certain terminology or recall certain events, which were mentioned all too often with no explanation of what they meant or what significance they held.

Finally, I just didn't feel gripped by the story. I wasn't on the edge of my seat. I expected a huge twist, for the murder mystery to turn out not be a murder after all (explaining the 'return' part of the title), or for the least expected character to emerge as the villain. However, it was rather disappointing when the antagonist was finally revealed. It didn't come as a shock. Granted, it wasn't someone that I had suspected, but it was such a weak part of the story that I was happy to get to the end and didn't even bother to read the epilogue or afterword.

I think it was nicely written, but not feeling any connection to any of the characters held me back from really getting involved in the story. Having read a crime novel immediately after that had me turning pages in anticipation and excitement, I can now say quite confidently that this book was not my cup of tea in the slightest. 

the little nordic cabin
x

My Favourites of 2012 - Best Book

I don't even know where to begin when it comes to describing this book for you. I loved every single page of this book. I can't even pick a favourite character because they were all so wonderful! Aside from being beautifully written, The Night Circus has an enchanting and captivating plot and some of the best developed characters I've seen in a very long time. 

I'm going to admit something to you now. I completely judged this book by it's cover. I was looking for a new book at the beginning of the summer and it met all of my criteria with just the front page: Circus theme - tick. Nordic-sounding surnamed author - tick. Dazzling - tick. Breathtaking and Enchanting - tick. Pretty front cover - tick. Slightly embossed, shiny effect on cover - tick. Tick tick tick. Judging this book by it's cover really paid off. It was the title that got me, ever since reading Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen about 4 years ago, I have had quite an intense obsession with the circus. 

The story is about a young boy and a young girl who are involved in a challenge of sorts. The challenge is a mystery to begin with and the book jumps around in time and space from chapter to chapter meaning that you just cannot put it down. I'm not going to reveal much more than that plot-wise because I don't want to spoil a single moment of the story for you, but I will tell you this - the circus is so perfectly described that when I think back on reading about it, it feels like a forgotten memory of a real place, time, event and experience. I was blown away by this book. It has everything, fantasy, suspense, romance, personal struggle, emotion, loss and absolute exquisite beauty. I truly believe that Morgenstern is a magician herself.  

Please, if you haven't read this, put it on your christmas wish list. I promise you won't be a single bit disappointed :)

the little nordic cabin

x

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