A Day in Bookland

The first reading diary of 2018, and I hope this year I can make one for each month. Last year, I didn't do one for December because I literally read one book and I felt like one book was not good enough for a whole 'reading diary' post but I've decided that even if I read one or ten, I'll do one. They're my wrap-ups in a way.

La amiga estupenda  by Elena Ferrante { Goodreads } Published by Lumen in 2012 Paperback edition; 389 pages If someone hasn't heard about Elena Ferrante yet, they've probably been living under a rock. This writer, whose identity is completely unknown, has become a complete literary hit. I've been meaning to give her a shot for the past two years and it finally happened. I have to say the first book didn't disappoint. La amiga estupenda  ( My Brilliant Friend  being the English title) starts when Lenù, our narrator, receives a call from Rino, Lila's brother, to say Lila has left without a trace. After that, Lenù takes us back to her childhood to tell us about her friendship with Lila. This first installment of the quartet talks about the childhood and adolescence of these two girls who live in a very poor neighbourhood in Naples. I have to say the most interesting aspect of the novel is indeed this friendship - a very dark and toxic one in my opinion.

Lucy of Lucy the Reader did a video with Penguin Platform and then I saw Simon's video  and I actually liked the idea of the tag and I decided to do it so here we go:  First read of 2018. The Changeling by Victor LaValle.  This is a story about a father who must overcome his fears and look for his wife once she disappears after seemingly committing a horrible act. I did write a full review of it if you're interested but it was a phenomenal read and one I highly recommend.

I'm not even sure why I'm doing a weekend reads post since my finals start this upcoming Monday and I'll probably be immersed in my notes revising 24/7. However, I've started reading La amiga estupenda  by Elena Ferrante ( My Brilliant Friend  is the title in English) because I'm making a more conscious effort to read more in Spanish this year since I kinda miss it and this has been on my radar for quite a while. I'm one third of the way through and it's a very interesting read. The friendship between the narrator and one of the girls from the same neighbourhood is fascinating and dominates the story. Follow

The Changeling  by Victor LaValle { Goodreads } Published by Spiegel & Grau in 2017 Hardback edition; 431 pages Apollo is about to become a father. He's ecstatic about it but at the same time there is a fear at the back of his mind. His own father abandoned him when he was a little baby and he is scared about not being a good father because he didn't have a fatherly figure while growing up. Once the baby arrives, he starts to settle into his new life, being a committed father and then, one day, everything changes. Emma, his wife, starts acting strange and after seemingly committing a terrible violent act, she disappears. Now Apollo's odyssey begins. He must find her and bring her back.

First weekend reads of 2018! I'm still kind of shocked that 2017 is over and I'm currently stuck on my desk with all my notes all over the place, studying and revising for finals. However, I'm taking a bit of time at the end of the day to read for a few minutes the beauty that is the changeling  by Victor Lavalle.  I'm absolutely in love with the writing style and I'm taking my sweet time with it. If you've checked my reading goals for this year you already know 2018 is the time I put the word enjoyment back into my reading and one way of doing that is just reading at my own pace. Some days I'll read, others I won't and that's okay. I don't want 2018 to be a race for me. What plans do you have for the weekend? Here were are celebrating the Twelfth Night and I'm going to the Three Wise Men parade with my family. Hope you have an awesome weekend ^^ Follow