Miss Clueless

I didn't know about Anne of Green Gables or the book series until I watched the Netflix series, Anne With An E. Oh, how I came to adore Anne. Then, I wanted to read the books and continue Anne's life in my head. It's been a delight.  I've picked out some excerpts and lines, some of which are my favourites, some that resonated with me, and some that reminded me of things.  1. Anne of Green Gables Orphan Anne Shirley is mistakenly sent to live with siblings Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert in Avonlea. With her vivid imagination, talkative nature, and warm heart, Anne slowly wins over the community while learning lessons about friendship, mistakes, and belonging. ~For we pay a price for everything we get or take in this world; and although ambitions are well worth having, they are not to be cheaply won, but exact their dues of work and self-denial, anxiety and discouragement. ~"Dear old world, you are very lovely, and I am glad to be alive in you." 2.  Anne of Avonle...

"I like good strong words that mean something." "Have regular hours for work and play, make each day both useful and pleasant, prove that you understand the worth of time by employing it well. Then youth will be delightful, old age will bring few regrets, and life become a beautiful success, in spite of poverty." "I want to do something splendid before I go into my castle, something heroic or wonderful that won't be forgotten after I'm dead. I don't know what, but I'm on the watch for it, and mean to astonish you all some day." "If we are all alive ten years hence, let's meet, and see how many of us have got our wishes, or how much nearer we are then than now." "Love is a great beautifier." "When we make little sacrifices we like to have them appreciated, at least." "You have grown abominably lazy, you like gossip, and waste time on frivolous things, you are contented to be petted and admired by silly ...

So I recently watched the 2017 Russian adaptation of Anna Karenina , an eight-part series by Mosfilm (one of the largest and oldest film studios in the Russian Federation and in Europe, according to Wikipedia). This one takes a unique narrative approach, presenting the story from Vronsky’s perspective.  Let me tell you—I was absolutely enthralled. From the acting to the costumes, the sets to the overall production quality, I liked almost everything about this adaptation, except for a few scenes and bits here and there. The performances felt authentic and moving, capturing the essence of the novel’s characters with remarkable fidelity. So satisfying was this adaptation that I’m not eager to seek out others. Somehow, I feel that no other version could match the artistry of this one. I’d like to explore more films and series by this studio, and I most certainly will. And I don't know why it's got such low ratings: 6.3/10 on IMDb and 17% on Rotten Tomatoes. It DESERVES much higher!...

It was a joy reading Upstream by Mary Oliver. H ere are a few quotes and phrases from the book that I want to keep remembering. "you must not, ever, give anyone else the responsibility for your life" "I quickly found for myself two such blessings- the natural world, and the world of writing: literature. These were the gates through which I vanished from a difficult place." "Reading, then writing, then desiring to write well, shaped in me that most joyful of circumstances- a passion for work." "..having chosen to claim my life, I have made for myself, out of work and love, a handsome life" "And that I did not give to anyone the responsibility for my life. It is mine. I made it. And can do what I want to with it. Live it. Give it back, someday, without bitterness, to the wild and weedy dunes." "Creative work needs solitude. It needs concentration, without interruptions. It needs the whole sky to fly in, and no eye watching until it c...

“Don’t you wonder sometimes, what might have happened if you tried?” “She always wanted to believe in things.” “All children have to be deceived if they are to grow up without trauma.” “You say you’re sure? Sure that you’re in love? How can you know it? You think love is so simple? ” “The problem, as I see it, is that you've been told and not told. You've been told, but none of you really understand, and I dare say, some people are quite happy to leave it that way.” “I saw a new world coming rapidly. More scientific, efficient, yes. More cures for the old sicknesses. Very good. But a harsh, cruel, world. And I saw a little girl, her eyes tightly closed, holding to her breast the old kind world, one that she knew in her heart could not remain, and she was holding it and pleading, never to let her go.” "I could make out in the mid-distance, near where the field began to fall away, Tommy's figure, raging, shouting, flinging his fists and kicking out. I caught a glimpse of...

 " If you will stay close to nature, to its simplicity, to the small things hardly noticeable, those things can unexpectedly become great and immeasurable. If you will love what seems to be insignificant and will in an unassuming manner, as a servant, seek to win the confidence of what seems poor, then everything will become easier, more harmonious, and somehow more conciliatory, not for your intellect - that will most likely remain behind, astonished - but for your innermost consciousness, your awakeness, and your inner knowing." "dear friend, embrace your solitude and love it." "Your innermost happening is worth all your love." "Do not expend too much courage or time to clarify your position to others." "We must embrace struggle. Every living thing conforms to it. Everything in nature grows and struggles in its own way, establishing its own identity, insisting on it at all cost, against all resistance." "To love is also good, fo...

"Piranesi" is set in a strange, dreamlike world called the House, an endless labyrinth of halls filled with statues. The protagonist, Piranesi, lives alone here, meticulously recording his observations in journals. He believes only one other person exists—the mysterious "Other," who meets him to discuss a search for "Great and Secret Knowledge." As the story unfolds, Piranesi begins to uncover the hidden truths about the House, his identity, and the unsettling reality behind his existence. The novel explores themes of memory, identity, isolation, and the nature of reality. It delves into how our surroundings shape who we are and challenges the idea of reality itself, while also examining humanity’s relentless pursuit of knowledge and the risks that come with it. Is It Worth Reading? Absolutely. "Piranesi" is a richly atmospheric, beautifully written novel that pulls readers into a unique, mysterious world. Though I found the first quarter of th...

  Opening Line:  "Everyone now knows how to find the meaning of life within himself." I read Kurt Vonnegut’s The Sirens of Titan , and there’s one thing I need to talk about: the chrono-synclastic infundibulum .  In the novel, the chrono-synclastic infundibulum is described as a region of space where different truths coexist simultaneously, and all perspectives are equally valid. It's a sort of cosmic zone where time, space, and reality bend in such a way that contradictory ideas can exist together without conflict. Within this region, the linear, singular perspective of time and reality breaks down, allowing for multiple realities to overlap. The character, Winston Niles Rumfoord, becomes permanently stuck in a chrono-synclastic infundibulum while on a space journey. As a result, he is no longer a solid being in one place or time but exists as a wave that can materialize on Earth, Mars, and Titan whenever these planets align with his wave trajectory. This gives Rumfoord ...

I’ve read a few of Stephen King's books – It, Pet Sematary, Salem’s Lot, and The Dark Tower: The Gunslinger. Out of these, It and Pet Sematary really grabbed my attention. I’m not a huge fan of horror, but there’s something about King's writing that pulls you in, even if you’re not into scary stuff. My friend and I recently decided to read Later, one of King’s shorter horror novels. I had no big expectations—I just wanted to see what the book was about. Later turned out to be a really easy and enjoyable read. The story is narrated by a young boy who can see and talk to dead people. For some reason, he keeps reminding the reader that it’s a horror story. As I read, I thought, "Okay, but I don’t feel the horror yet." It was only towards the end that I felt the horror kick in. I was expecting something, not sure what, but other than whatever was in the book, to happen. But I realized that what I was waiting for or thought was supposed to happen would happen later . I fel...

Fan of Leo Tolstoy's works here. I've read his epic novels, "War and Peace" and "Anna Karenina." I've read some of his short stories, too. "How Much Land Does a Man Need?" may be my favourite. But this blog is about "The Death of Ivan Ilyich." "The Death of Ivan Ilyich" tells the story of Ivan Ilyich, a successful judge in 19th-century Russia. After falling seriously ill, Ivan starts to reflect on his life and realizes that his relentless chase for social status and material success has led to a shallow, unfulfilling existence. His life is filled with superficial relationships and a loveless marriage. Facing his mortality, Ivan undergoes a profound transformation, discovering the importance of compassion, forgiveness, and living authentically. In his final moments, he finds peace by embracing these newfound values and acknowledging the emptiness of his previous pursuits. When I was living alone, I often found myself thinking...

"A Gentleman in Moscow" by Amor Towles begins with a map of Moscow, 1922, showing the Metropol Hotel and an epigraph, the poem "Where Is It Now?" by Count Alexander Ilyich Rostov, 1913.  Published : 2016 Author : Amor Towles  Genres : Historical Fiction, Urban fiction, Political fiction Pages : 462 My rating : 3.5/5 The novel is divided into five parts and presents a unique premise: a gentleman under house arrest in a luxury hotel in Moscow. At first glance, this premise does not seem particularly compelling for a full-length novel (at least for me), but Towles manages to craft an engaging and elegant narrative. One of the novel's highlights is its prose, sophisticated and beautiful. Towles' admiration for Russian literature is evident throughout the book, and I couldn't relate more. I found the conversations between the protagonist, Count Rostov, and his friends—Mishka, Osip, Anna, and Nina—particularly enjoyable. It shows the author's talent for di...

"The night I watch Athena Liu die, we're celebrating her TV deal with Netflix."  The opening line of Yellowface by R. F. Kuang immediately sets a tone of intrigue and suspense.  Published : 2023 Author : R. F. Kuang  Genres : Satire, Thriller, Suspense, Psychological Fiction Pages : 336 My rating : 3/5 The book centers around June Hayward, an aspiring author who becomes embroiled in controversy after witnessing the death of her former classmate, Athena Liu, a literary sensation. When June decides to rewrite Athena's manuscript and pass it off as her own, chaos ensues, and she has to deal with accusations of cultural appropriation and plagiarism. Throughout the book, there are frequent references to movies, celebrities, and pop culture topics, many of which I am familiar with (it's funny how familiar I am with Western pop culture). I was thinking it'd be fun to be friends with Kuang and chat about all these topics. I even took a break to watch Christopher Nolan...

"History has failed us, but no matter."  The opening line. Published : 2017 Author : Min Jin Lee  Genres : Novel, Historical Fiction Pages : 490 My rating : 5/5 "Pachinko" follows the lives of a Korean family living in Japan from the 1910s to the 1980s. The story revolves around Sunja, a young woman who becomes pregnant by a wealthy married man, leading her to marry a young minister and move to Osaka. As the family grapples with discrimination, poverty, and the complexities of identity, they become entwined with the world of pachinko, a Japanese gambling game.  The novel explores themes of love, sacrifice, ambition, and the impact of historical and societal forces on the characters' lives. It provides an empathetic portrayal of the immigrant experience of the Koreans in Japan. Once in a while, a book leaves an indelible mark on the reader, and "Pachinko" is one such experience for me. The last time I felt something like this was for "One Hundred Y...

"Before Mazer invented himself as Mazer, he was Samson Mazer, and before he was Samson Mazer, he was Samson Masur –  a change of two letters that transformed him from a nice, ostensibly Jewish boy to a Professional Builder of Worlds –  and for most of his youth, he was Sam, S.A.M. on the hall of fame of his grandfather's Donkey Kong machine, but mainly Sam." reads   the opening line of  "Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow." My two friends and I have had this little book club thing going on for about three years now. We don't have strict rules or meet regularly—it's more like whenever we feel like it. We chat about books and sometimes throw in movies or TV shows. Recently, we decided to pick the same book and share our thoughts within our group. I thought, why not blog about it too? It'll be cool to look back and remember what we felt or learned from each book. So, our first pick was "Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow." When I first saw...

What image comes to mind when you think about sci-fi. Well, the above is AI-generated and I agree, it's quite close to what I imagined. I've been reading a lot of sci-fi lately, so I wondered: What elements make for a perfect sci-fi? Do the books I read have those elements? Of course, these will vary based on personal preferences and the specific subgenre of science fiction. However, I believe below are some common elements that many readers and critics appreciate in a compelling sci-fi novel: Original Concept or Idea: A unique and innovative concept that explores new ideas or pushes the boundaries of existing ones. It could involve advanced technology, alternate realities, or speculative future scenarios. Well-Developed World-Building: Detailed and immersive world-building that creates a believable and intriguing setting. This includes the fictional universe's social, political, economic, and technological aspects. Complex Characters: Well-rounded and relatable characters ...

Let's talk about some Russian Literature here. War and Peace:  This book by Leo Tolstoy changed me. I shall never forget it. Yeah, it's long and not an easy read, but it's worth it. Anna Karenina: A tragic tale depicting the doomed love affair of the titular character, Anna Karenina. After War and Peace, I had to read the other major work by Leo Tolstoy. I like this one too. Crime and Punishment: Having explored the major works of one of the greatest Russian authors, of course, I wanted more. So, I turned to none other than Fyodor Dostoyevsky. From what I found, most people who have read Dostoyevsky like Crime and Punishment, and it's my favorite Dostoyevsky book too. It's fascinating how you find yourself empathizing with a cold-blooded murderer. The Brothers Karamazov: Another book by Fyodor Dostoyevsky, blending elements of crime, morality, and spirituality. Though it didn't have a similar impact as Crime and Punishment, I still enjoyed reading it. The Idio...