(no subject)
21 - Zadie Smith - On Beauty - much better than either White Teeth or Autograph Man, this book manages to explore some serious issues in an interesting way. Good read with believable characters and plot which surprises at many turns.
22 - Gok Wan - Through thick and thin - Recommended by lostock who, indeed lent me the book, interesting read but at times read more like a PR exercise and at other times more like a misery memoir. Overall interesting but not literature by any means!
23 - Mary Russell - The Blessings of a Good Thick Skirt - a history of women travellers. Or rather a history of how white western women travelled the world and complained about the natives. It's ethnocentrism is annoying but it's overall a pleasant enough read without being taxing. Like many popular history texts, the lack of analysis is annoying to a soial scientist who wants to know more...
24 - Joyce Carol Oates - Black Girl, White Girl - not one of her best but still an interesting read. There is definately a feminist essay in a comparison of On Beauty, Black Girl, White Girl and Human Stain with perhaps Oleander thrown in for good (comparative) measure.
25 - Pratima Mitchell - Indian Summer - an interesting book about caste, westernisation, heroism and generations. Definately recommend this one to anyone who likes a good read with enough political content to be interesting!
22 - Gok Wan - Through thick and thin - Recommended by lostock who, indeed lent me the book, interesting read but at times read more like a PR exercise and at other times more like a misery memoir. Overall interesting but not literature by any means!
23 - Mary Russell - The Blessings of a Good Thick Skirt - a history of women travellers. Or rather a history of how white western women travelled the world and complained about the natives. It's ethnocentrism is annoying but it's overall a pleasant enough read without being taxing. Like many popular history texts, the lack of analysis is annoying to a soial scientist who wants to know more...
24 - Joyce Carol Oates - Black Girl, White Girl - not one of her best but still an interesting read. There is definately a feminist essay in a comparison of On Beauty, Black Girl, White Girl and Human Stain with perhaps Oleander thrown in for good (comparative) measure.
25 - Pratima Mitchell - Indian Summer - an interesting book about caste, westernisation, heroism and generations. Definately recommend this one to anyone who likes a good read with enough political content to be interesting!