Bookmarked, My New Blog

When I'm looking for a new, interesting book to read I often search for recommendations for young adults online. However I must confess i've become increasingly disappointed with the results that these searches produce. I'm usually directed towards amazon lists entitled "books for teens" or something of that sort which list the most predictable young adult books I've already read which include with half hearted descriptions which either tell you nothing of any use or make the book sound dull. I think you'll agree that one faceless stranger on the internet telling you that "This Book's AMAZINGGG!!!" isn't going to convince you to read a book, especially when the blurb hasn't even been included in the description.

So, that, ladies and gentlemen, is how my new blog, Bookmarked, was born. As this blog is currently a new born baby, the structure and content will probably change over time but I'm going to kick start it off by regularly posting non-spoiling book reviews/recommendations of any good book that I think is worth sharing. I also hope to involve visitors to submit their own recommendations in the form of comments. The first post went up today introducing the blog and providing a few recommendations just to get the ball rolling. Click the follow button on "Bookmarked" if you're interested in the subject matter but don't worry; I'll still be updating this blog regularly just probably not for book talk. So, if you read this blog purely for my book reviews then switch to Bookmarked but I will probably post things on here relating to creativity and literary discussion because that's what interests me.


Thanks for reading! 

The Bookmarked Mission: Decrease usage of the following phrase "I have nothing to read!".

Two Film Reviews: "P.S I Love You" and "Pride and Prejudice" (Keira Knightly version)

I've decided that I will, from this point on, update my blog every Sunday. I may post extra if I get an urge to but I will make sure I post something every week because I'd hate to be the owner of an inactive blog...or something.


The point of this post is going to films. I'm not a big "film watcher" usually as I find my attention span can't usually stretch to a two hour film. My thoughts either stray to things I'd rather be doing or I feel guilty loosing a large portion of my day when I should be working but in the last month or so I've sat down (in the evening) and watched two DVDs; one which I liked and one which I did not like. Here are two mini- reviews to inform you without spoiling you:


P.S I Love You


"Based on the best-selling novel from Cecelia Ahern, P.S. I Love You is far more than the standard chick flick that it may first appear to be. Relocating the novel from Ireland to America, multiple Oscar-winner Hilary Swank stars as the young woman who has recently lost her husband. And yet amidst her grief, she discovers a series of letters that he’s written to help. These letters give her certain things she has to do, to help her move on with her life." amazon product description


My mum actually bought this DVD for herself and she sat down on a friday night to watch it. She warned me that I probably wouldn't like it as it was "very soppy" and I'm not in to films like that. So, initially, I wasn't going to watch it but I didn't feel like sleeping that night and my parents were eating crisps in front of the TV so I decided to watch the film (mostly so I could eat crisps)...

I loved it. It was a funny, quirky, emotional and life affirming film. Despite the fact that the title makes it sounds clique, it really isn't what you may expect. It was very moving and I am currently trying to get hold of the novel it was based on to compare the two. It's a very sad film but incredibly entertaining and really real. I recommend it to anyone.


Non-spoiling film highlight: The Irish countryside which was beautiful and inspiring. 


Rating: *****


Pride and Prejudice


"One of the greatest love stories of all time, Pride & Prejudice, comes to the screen in a glorious new adaptation starring Keira Knightley. When Elizabeth Bennett (Knightley) meets the handsome Mr. Darcy (Matthew MacFadyen), she believes he is the last man on earth she could ever marry. But as their lives become intertwined in an unexpected adventure, she finds herself captivated by the very person she swore to loathe for all eternity. Based on the beloved masterpiece by Jane Austen, it is the classic tale of love and misunderstanding that sparkles with romance, wit and emotional force. Critics are calling it "Exhilarating. A joy from start to finish" (Carina Chocano, Los Angeles Times)." amazon product description


One of the greatest love stories of all time? Yes. But I really don't feel like this adaption is true enough to the classic novel by Jane Austen. Keira Knightley (Elizabeth)spoke too fast and too quietly so we couldn't hear her, Matthew MacFadyen (Mr Darcy) had no stage presence whatsoever and, overall, it seemed that the film focused more on flashy nature shots, "attractive" visages and trying to rush some of the best scenes in the book to make room for these unnecessary additions. I didn't hate the film but after recently seeing, on DVD, the Pride and Prejudice TV series starring Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle I was very disappointed with the Keira Knightely version. Of course, I'm speaking from the point of view of a huge fan of the original book and also a firm believer that film interpretations should remain as close to a good book as possible so I'm based towards the TV series. But, seriously, as it was much longer (as it came in episodes)and as a result lot more true to the book and ..the ...acting ...was...soooo much better! Hopefully, I'm going to be posting a separate review on the TV series but for now let me conclude by saying if you are a loyal fan of Pride and Prejudice, the novel then... don't expect to enjoy the Keira Knightely film. 


Non-spoiling film highlight: Mr Bingley, who was hilarious but in all the wrong ways (plus he's funnier in the TV series).


Rating: ** 


So...I've just realised this post is actually very seasonal as both the films I just reviewed are romances and 'm posting this in the week of Valentine's Day! 


Bye everyone, I'll update soon. 

Appreciating Photography and The Beauty of Nature

I sometimes find that when I'm out, walking and I spot something out of the corner of my eye that appeals to me or looks interesting I kind of squint at it, imagining I'm photographing it. Now, in writing this I'm not trying to make out that I'm a photographer and I'm certainly not pretending I have any unusual talent in photography either. But, seriously, the fantastic thing about photographing something is that you don't have to show the full picture. When you're walking home for school or work and a small section of the sky stands out nicely against say a little tree in the distance, providing a little relief from the perhaps otherwise dull scenery, it doesn't look as if it fits. You almost feel as if you have glimpsed something rare, special; a small element of beauty in a very ordinary place. And that's where photography comes in because if you have a camera with you you can take the opportunity to direct the lens, at whichever angle you wish, towards the element of beauty and capture it. Thus, it becomes it's own unique picture as a photograph. A single stolen element from a bigger picture perhaps, but anyone who wasn't present at the capture may imagine freely what surroundings went along with the photograph's focus, which is what makes photographs art.
An idealist looking at a beautiful photograph may assume it was part of a larger landscape of beauty, perhaps in the countryside, likely a place they personally consider idyllic. I find myself guilty of this idealism when it comes to beautiful photographs but I do find myself trying to imagine more than one possible place or even scenario the photograph could belong to. Others may not look so deeply in to a photograph and merely appreciate it more it's physical beauty rather than considering where it came from. I would probably advice these people not to but it depend what inspires you and whether or not your imagination can take you so far.

I believe that carrying a camera around with you is extremely good practice for I regret the many times when I have glimpsed a unique moment of pure incredible beauty and haven't been able to capture it. Of course I can remember the ones I missed that have been recent but, inevitably these memories will fade and I won't be able to share the moment with those who missed it. The comfort is, however that the world provides so many of these unique moments of beauty that we each get to experience at least a few, provided we look and listen out for them. The saddest thing is that the best photographs are ones that nature created and as we watch our world become more and more concrete and human infested, the special moments of natural beauty will become even more scarce and will eventually leave us entirely. Then only photographs, from years and years in the past, will provide future generations with some understanding about the complexity, integrity and beauty of mother nature.

This problem is particularly relevant now due to the fact that the UK's government is looking to sell of Britain's forests; they wish to change the law to allow private companies to chop down the woods. We need to stop them and protect our trees for the conservation of wildlife and the enjoyment of the public. To sign the petition which is nearing half a million people click here!