Books trends post 1

Warning: This post is both slightly satirical and deadly serious.

Hey guys! I just went to a book club meeting and I'd thought I'd summarise what we talked about in a blog post.

Yes, the title is "books trends" post. That is, the latest and greatest books that are both intriguing, interesting AND fashionable. While I personally think, yes, books are supposed to be enjoyed, not toted around to look good, that doesn't mean you have to completely forego fashion, right?

So like my fashion trend posts over at dailydoseofgenius.blogspot.com, here are some books and book trends that EVERYONE'S jumping on.

Trend number 1: The 1920s

The rundown: Thanks to the upcoming movie, the Great Gatsby directed by Baz Luhrmann, everyone is abuzz with this particular time period. Obviously you're going to want to read the Great Gatsby before you watch the movie but if you can't be bothered then fine. And also, the book is referred to in "The Perks of Being a Wallflower" by Stephen Chbosky, which has also been adapted into a movie.

OMG I love, what else can I view to fuel my obsession? Gatsby's Girl by Caroline Preston seems interesting as does Midnight in Paris (film). You can read any novel by Ernest Hemingway. And go ahead and read the books listed below in the Not-Too-Keen section (they're still set in the 1920's!)

Not too keen? Try the YA series "the Flappers" by Anna Godbersen (who also wrote Luxe). The first book is "Vixen", followed up by "Ingenue" and "Diva" (released a few months ago.) "Luxe" is also set in the same time period, but focuses on the girls of high society. ^_^

Trend number 2: Picture books and graphic novels in retro style

The rundown: Retro is fashionable in interior design too, is it not? And what's perfect to put on a retro style coffee table? A retro style book. Exactly.

OMG I love, what else can I view to fuel my obsession? "Empty Fridge" by Gaetan Doremus (a picture book, yes, but I heard it's a delight.) "The Amber Amulet" by Craig Silvey (a novella) is the recommendation though - have a look at its design! Fashioned like a second hand book and with many superb graphics. I only had a flick through but it's a definite on my to-read list.

Not too keen? See above.

Trend number 3: Classics

The rundown: Well, classics are always is full force, because they're CLASSICS for crying out loud. "The Hobbit" by J.R.R. Tolkien is the most obvious one (because, you know, it's coming out as a movie soon? Yeah) and pretty much everything that's been and will be referenced in the book/movie "The Perks of Being a Wallflower."

OMG I love, what else can I view to fuel my obsession? ...continuing on from section before  - These include: "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee (also, incidentally, a 1920s book), "This Side of Paradise" by F. Scott Fitzgerald, "Peter Pan" by J.M. Barrie, "The Catcher in the Rye," by J. D. Salinger and "Hamlet" by William Shakespeare. (PS go ahead and watch the theatre production of Hamlet, the theatre productions of Shakespeare always thrill me to pieces, and are very much enjoyable.) Otherwise, go read Jane Austen, which has hugely inspired Rowling's latest book.

Not too keen? Well, you could always look up e-notes or try the abridged versions. But let me tell you, any English teacher will say that notes are not good enough for deep, detailed discussion.

Trend number 4: Good designs 

 

The rundown: Whether it be smooth vinyl covers, post-modernistic art-inspired, floral or what, unique designs are important. Not just for marketing but to also look good and/or match your interior design or your outfit, right?!

OMG I love, what else can I view to fuel my obsession? Go look for them! One book that won many design awards is "Wonder" by R.J. Palacio, which I reviewed on my main blog (this was before creating this blog). It's a great read by the way, so go read it! xD

Not too keen? Oh come on, don't be a stick in the mud. Maybe you feel that you're too hipster for this craze but really, a little won't hurt you. Honest.

Other books to look out for:

• "Team Human" by Justine Larbalestier & Sarah Rees Brennan - Larbalestier is married to Scott Westerfield, ("Uglies" series and "Leviathon" trilogy) and surely that's reason enough. I kid, I kid. She wrote "Magic or Madness", which was immensely popular earlier this year. "Team Human" is about vampires, (I can hear you groan through that computer screen, you), so I'm a bit iffy too. Look out for her writing in general. Brennan wrote "Unspoken", which seems pretty good (it's on my to-read list, too. A lot of books are, actually. Too many for me to read ASAP, I might add).

• "The Casual Vacancy" by J.K. Rowling - Do I really need to state a reason? Didn't think so, either.
• "Into that forest" by Louis Nowra - A story that experiments with language: set in the 20th century, its main characters were raised from a young age by thylacines (Tasmanian tigers) and then rediscovered and forced back into society.

• "The Fault in our stars" by John Green - A bit old to be new, but hey. I've heard good things about this book. So go read it. I will too. Promise.

• "A monster calls" written by Patrick Ness, idea developed by the late Siobhan Dowd - From the author of the Chaos Walking trilogy is a darkly amusing novel about loss.

In other news:

• I read "Catcher in the Rye" for my English Area of Study unit, and I think it was pretty good. Currently I am reading "Hamlet" because of English lessons. Ah, life. It's not too bad, but I enjoyed both Macbeth and Othello more.
• Speaking of Shakespeare, we never learnt Macbeth at school because my class skipped a year (long story, no time to tell.) I read it for 'pleasure' and wasn't disappointed, which was quite surprising. Ahaha. Since year 11's learn Othello, we were supposed to see the theatre production of it, but there weren't any in Sydney at the time. *sadface* We saw Macbeth instead, and damn it was good. *3* I do believe we will be seeing the theatre production of Hamlet, so I'll 'review' it with the play when we watch it :D

• Thank you to the Children's Bookshop at Beecroft for giving me and a few others signed copies of "Team Human"! Also a big thanks to our lovely librarian, Mrs WF for giving us a copy of whatever book we wanted. I chose "Allegiance" by Cayla Kluver (sequel to "Legacy", a favourite of mine). Reviews will be coming, except I still have a box of books given to me by a neighbour PLUS manga from a book swap PLUS books from our school's fair. OTL 
• THIS GUY WE KNOW turned down an offer to have lunch with Eoin Colfer because he didn't like Artemis Fowl. WHAT THE… /cries

Whew, bit of a long post.

Welp, till next time. xx