Hmm

Finished with Queen Loana, the book was good allthough the translation wasn't as good as in the other Eco-books I have read lately. The story was good though, with lots of references to old books and comics; perfect for a book lover. The book was about an antique book dealer who loses his memory, and returns to his childhood home to roam through old books and comics, trying to regain his lost memory. Very good book.

Now I have started on The Island of the Day Before, only two more books and I have finished all of Eco's books. Reading them all one after another is something I recommend. A lot of the themes are repeated over several books, hard to notice if you only read one. By reading them all, one after another, several times have I found a chapter, theme, paragraph or even just a sentence mirroring something I read in one of his other books. Very interesting.

Of course, since Eco writes in Italian, I have to read translations of his books. I usually try to read the original text, at least for Norwegian and English authors, since I like to read the authors own words. The translations of Eco's books are usually good. The best so far has to be Baudolino, with Foucault's pendulum not far behind. Queen Leona I found to be the worst translation of the books I have read so far. After reading them all maybe I'll write some more about the translations.

New year is coming up soon, but no celebration for me. Working both New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. need the money. Well, no more time to write now, busy busy. Until next time

cya

The Mysterious Flame of Queen Loana

Last night, after returning from a short shift at work, I sat down in my room, poured myself some whisky and finished Focault's Pendulum. Or actually I only almost finished it, at the end I got so tired and went to sleep. The book was finished in bed after waking up this morning. The book was really good, with a very good and thoughtful ending. Definelately a recommended book, very insightful, eductional and exciting.

I have now proceeded to The Mysterious Flame of Queen Loana, the only book by Eco I haven't read before. Therefore, I am very much looking forward to this book. The story is about an antiques book dealer, who looses his memore, or rather, he can remember the plot of every book and comic he has read, but can remember nothing of his personal life. A very interesting plot, leaving room for Umberto Eco, in his usual style, to integrate countless references to books and comics in his writing. I have just started on this book, a more detailed review will follow some other day.

Living in Norway, I am used to having white christmases, something which haven't been fulfilled in the last few years. Last christmas was completely void of snow, while this year we had snow in the beginning of December, but by christmas it has mostly melted. But tonight we did have some snow (only a millimeter or so though), so maybe we will have a white January. Personally I don't like cold weather and haven't been too disappointed in having a mild December. But Christmas could still be white though.

Anyways, soon I must once again go to work, another 8 hour shift. And I still have six more days of working before having a day off next Thursday. Well, well, I need the money. Until next time

cya

Umberto Eco

Baudolino is finished, and it reminded me of how good an author Umberto Eco really is. The story is great, but what really makes the book good are all the religious and philosophical discussions he inserts into the story. When you read a book about Umberto Eco, it's not just the story that is important. You learn something as well.

The book begins in 1204, during the sack of Constantinople. A historian, Niketas, is saved from the invaders byt Baudolino, who preceeds to tell the story of his life. Baudolina was once a simple farmer, but at age 12 or 13 he was adopted by the holy roman emperor frederick. As the emperor's son, he becomes obsessed with finding the kingdom of Prestor John, a mythical Christian kingdom which lies in the far east. I don't wanna reveal too much of the story though, but it is great. During the whole book, Umberto Eco inserts in his usual style long discussions, discussions about the vacuum, the shape of the world and different christian views that prevailed during that age. Of course, the wholy grail, or the grasal, also make an apperance, with many discussions about the true nature of the grail. A highly recommended book. Umberto Eco's style of writing is so moving, the language is beautiful and the dialoges and discussions are insightful. If you are only gonna read 100 books next year, don't start with this, because you will run the risk of the rest of the books being disappointment after disappointment.

After reading Baudolino, and remembering how much I like Umberto Eco, I decided to read all the rest of his books as well, and as fast as possible. I have now started on Foucault's Pendulum, reading over 300 pages today. This book, over 600 pages, contains a story that could probably be told in about 100 pages. The rest of the pages are filled with discussions about hermeticism, alchemy, secret societies, the knights Templar, rosicrucians, magic, philosophy and so much more. If you read the DaVinci Code, and liked it, you should read this book, as it makes the DaVinci Code look like an animated Children's book in comparison. It could also be read as a very educational book, as it writes page after page about different religions, sects and secret societies in the world. As usual, Umberto Eco's writing is awesome, the language is beautiful (the translator has done a great job as well), and the pages keep flowing.

So, over the next week or so, I will immerse myself in Umberto Eco's books. I am really looking forward to it. Until next time

cya

Christmas Presents

The tradition in Norway is to open presents on christmas eve, and now all the gifts are opened. I had already gotten a digital camara from my family, so I wasn't expecting too many presents. i did get some books though, so I have a lot to read in the near future. From my parents I received Renegade's Magic, the third book in Robin Hobb's Soldier Son trilogy. As I have read the other two books and liked them, I can't wait to open this book. From a friend I received Gardens of the Moon, by Steven Erikson. From my brother I received an omnibus containing five of Wilbur Smith's books. I have never read anything by Steven Erikson, and only one book by Wilbur Smith, so I'm looking forward to discovering new authors. Reviews will follow as soon as I read the books.

I have also been reading a lot in Baudolino, and so far I love the book. I love Eco's way of writing, and his knowledge of the historical periods he writes from. If you are interested in historical fiction, you should definelately check out Umberto Eco. More on this book will come when I'm finished (hopefully tonight or tomorrow).

Well, Christmas eve is almost over in Norway, I have loved having a day off work. Tomorrow it's back to work. My next day off is the 28th, other than that I will be working every day until at least the 2nd of january. Until next time

cya

Christmas Eve

Christmas is finally here, and the smell of good food is filling the house. Unfortunelately, we don't have as much snow as I would like, christmas is supposed to be white.

Today I finished Perdurabo. The book was good, although, at times, it mentioned a lot of names in a short period of times, making it hard to keep them from each other. Crowley certainly lived an eventful life, totally dedicated to what he saw as his mission in life. Can't say I agree with all of his ideas, but I believe the common view of him, as 'the Wickedest Man in the World' is unfounded. He had a mission in life, to bring to the masses the religion of Thelema, and did so as best he could. If you are interested in religion and the occult, I certainly recommend reading this book, as well as other Crowleyana.

I have now started on Baudolino, by Umberto Eco. I have always liked Unberto Eco's books, ever since reading Focault's Pendulum. I read that book right after reading the DaVinci Code, and was utterly impressed. Bringing up a lot of the same themes, the Pendulum comes across as a hundred times better, much more intelligent and a lot better researched. Umberto Eco certainly knows what he is writing about. I have read Baudolino before, I remember buying it at the airport in Hong Kong, the first time I travelled to Australia. I read it during the 9 hour plane ride from Hong Kong to Brisbane. That was three years ago and I don't really remember much from the book now. I usually forget books after a year or so, which I think is great, since I can reread great books several times. Of course, after three or four reading I remember more of it, and have to wait longer before reading it again. Well, I certainly look forward to reading Baudolino again and will post my thoughts on the book here on the blog as I read. Until next time

Merry Christmas

cya

Not much happening here

Life continues as it has for the last month. Either I'm at work or I'm just tired, staying home and reading or watching TV. Not that interesting, but the books are good. Hopefully I will have some more money next year, giving me a chance to take some days off work. Or maybe I'll even find a new job. Have to start looking soon.

Have been reading Perdurabo lately, a good and interesting life about Crowley's life, full of quotes from his letters and published works. The author is himself a practicing magickian, like Crowley, which definelately helps when telling the story of Crowley's life. Even though I find myself questioning a lot of the material in the book (like the efficiency of the rituals), the book is still interesting and gives a new view on one of the most misunderstood characters from this century. Until next time

cya

Finished with Liveship Traders

Today I woke up early and headed to work, only to find out there was a mix-up and I wasn't supposed to work anyways. So I had a day with no plans at all, which left a lot of time for reading, which suited me perfectly. I have been working a lot lately, and haven't slept as much as I wanted to, so I have been very tired. So most of the day was spent on the couch, reading or napping.

I managed to finish Ship of Destiny, the last book in the Liveship Traders trilogy, and I must say the ending was just superb. The whole series has been very good, and the ending completely complemented that. All the different plots and characters got interwoven into a great and believeable finale, leaving me very satisfied. It definately is the sign of a good book when I can't decide whether to quickly finish it to discover what happens to the characters I have come to love or to read it slowly just to enjoy it longer. These books will definelately be read again in a year or two.

I have now started on Perdurabo: The Life of Aleister Crowley, a biography about Aleister Crowley. I have always felt that Crowley has been misunderstood by most people. He is viewed as a satanist and even the Great Beast, 666, but in my mind he was not evil, only a man willing to explore different religions and make up his own mind about what to do in his life. Anyways, whatever he was, I find it interesting to read about his life, to see where he was coming from and how he chose to live his life. I haven't gotten very far in the book yet, but I already find it very interesting.

Christmas is also coming up fast, yesterday I bought christmas presents for friends and family, deciding this year to get books for most of them. I love walking through bookstores, browsing through books. Buying books is fun, even if they are not for me.

Now I'm gonna have to write up my resyme, as I'm planning to apply for a new job in January. I'm currently working at 7-Eleven, but planning to find a job more relevant to my finance degree. Until next time

cya

Finally finished

Yesterday I finished Mad Ship, the second book in Robin Hobb's Liveship Traders trilogy. The book finished in style, putting the chararacters in new and tricky spots and leaving the reader to ponder how things can turn out by the end of the third book. What I really loved about this book was how it, concerning some characters, totally changed the readers feelings towards them. The characters are pitted against each other in new and interesting ways, and a happy ending for all the protagonists seems unlikely. The character development is also very good. The characters are in no way static person, but evolve and develop throughout the books in a believable way. I most certainly recommend this book.

I have now begun on the third book in the trilogy,Ship of Destiny, with great expectations. I expect a grand finale to the trilogy. Luckily I don't work as much this week, leaving more room for reading. Yesterday, I did my 10th day in a row of working, which has left me very tired. Well, well. Tonight it's time to party as my best friend just finished his exams for this semester. Hopefully it will be a good night. Until next time

cya

Work, Work, Work

Allthough I am from Norway, I have been living in Australia the last three years. there I have been studing for a Bachelor-degree in Business. I have had a lot of fun, but it has also been expensive. I came home to Norway two weeks ago, with little money and a lot of debt. So the last few weeks I have been trying to work as much as possible, every day in fact. This has left me very tired and with little time to read or write in my blog. Not being used to work (I did not have a job in Audstralia) makes me so much more tired as well, and I have usually just been sleeping in my time off. Now it is 1 p.m. here, I just woke up and in a few hours it's off to work again for another 8 hours shift. Not a very interesting life, you can say, but it needs to be done for a while, just to get my finances in order.

I am still reading Mad Ship, but getting closer and closer to the end. I really wish I had more time to read, as I love the book. Well, well, I have some time off next week, my first days off in almost two weeks, and I reckon I'll get a lot of reading done them. Until next time

Cya

Liveship Traders

Ship of Magic is finished, and I have started on the second book in the trilogy: Mad Ship. Unfortunelately I haven't been able to read as much as I wanted to since I just started working after three years off due to 'studies'. Strange how tired you can get from work when you're not used to it.

Mad Ship continues where Ship of Magic left off and, in my opinion, is just as good. The characters you have come to love get thrown into bad situations and I find myself wondering if they are able to make things right and if the trilogy will have a happy ending. Also, the scope of the second book is a bit bigger, introducing new characters and making the book not only about the Vestrit family, but about the whole town. The book is certainly more political than the first one. The book does not disappoint though, I certainly recommend it.

Cya

Ship of Magic

Haven't finished Ship of Magic yet, but it's coming along really fast. This book is really good, with interesting and enjoyable characters and a good plot, although the story could progress a bit faster in the beginning. What really hooked me on this book though was the characters. They seem very real and I instantly connected with them. Whether I liked the characters or despised them, they kept the story going and made the book interesting and hard to put down. I have always been a fan of the characters in Robin Hobb's books and constantly find myself thinking about them when not reading.

The book is about the liveship traders, merchants who use special ships made of wizardwood. These ships will come alive after a few generations, to be living beings of their own. The ships always form strong bonds with the family of their owners, usually unwilling to cooperate unless someone from the family is aboard the ships. In the story you meet one such ship, the Vivicia, owned by the Vestrit family.

As it turns out, many other people are after these ships and wants to own one themselves, but the liveships only sail with Liveship traders from the town of Bingtown. I won't go into too much detail about the story here, but I greatly recommend this book. It has a good plot and interesting and believable characters. Robin Hobb always delivers, and this book is no exeption.

cya

Mad Ship

Cosmic Trigger II is finished, and in retrospect (it was published in 1991) I have to say RAW was a bit optimistic about future technology. According to his estimates, we would now live for at least 200 years due to a longievity pill and we would also be starting to move to space-cities. Well, that hasn't happened yet, but it was still an interesting read.

I have started on Ship of Magic (The Liveship Traders, Book 1). Only a few chapters into the book yet so not much to say about it, but I will write my opinions as soon as I progress a bit more. It seems promising though (I have already read this book but that was years ago and I can't remember much).

I am a huge fan of Robin Hobb, having read her Farseer trilogy and Soldier Son trilogy (actually just the first two books, but I will come around to buying and reading the last soon), so I have high hopes for this trilogy as well. If you like fantasy, but haven't yet read Robin Hobb, I recommend you give her a shot.

Mothership

Another hobby of mine is music, there is not many hours of the day that I don't have any music on in the background. Yesterday I bought Led Zeppelin's Mothership, and has listened to it non-stop since. Okay, so it doesn't really offer any new material, only digital remasterings of old songs, and the CD is very similoar to other best of compilations. Led Zeppelin is awesome though. This CD will definately be listened to a lot, and I gladly recommend this compilation to both new and old Led Zeppelin fans.

In the reading department I am still reading Cosmic Trigger II, which is a bit different from Cosmic Trigger I. Where Cosmic Trigger I focused on Wilson's spiritual journey, Cosmic Trigger II is more of a book containing many short anecdotes RAW has collected through his life, and each anecdote casts a new light on RAW's way of thinking and his view on life. It is also written in a very easy way to read; whether you read about how the Vatican makes money or the strange phenomena in modern math to the future of cyberspace and the accelerating rate at which information doubles in the world. This is a book that really makes you think about life and the dogmas that exist in the world today. Once again, RAW encourages us to think for ourselves, not blindly accept the position of the so-called 'experts'.

I assume I will finish this book shortly, and I am planning to the start on Robin Hobb's Mad Ship Trilogy, which I haven't read in years. So I guess my next post will be about those books. Until then:

Cya

Welcome to my Blog

Hello and welcome to my blog. If you are reading this I guess you are a book lover just like myself. I have been reading books for all my life or at least as long as I can remember. In fact, some of my earliest and best memories are of my mother reading for myself and my brother before going to bed. I guess my love for books comes from my mother, who used to read for us every day. From there, my love for books grew. Nowadays I read almost every day, infact it often happens that I read a book or more a day, depending on how much time I can set aside for reading.

Today I just finished Cosmic Trigger I : Final Secret of the Illuminati (Cosmic Trigger) by Robert Anton Wilson. I have been a fan of Robert Anton Wilson ever since reading The Illuminatus! Trilogy, a very peculiar and strange book. Dealing with every imaginable conspiracy, it jumps back and forth in time and space, never letting the reader know what is really happening. New conspiracies and realities are presented on a regular basis, only to be broken down and replaced by another conspiracy later. I loved the book though, and has been reading Robert Anton Wilson (RAW) ever since. Cosmic Trigger is an autobiographical book, where RAW explains his process of deliberately induced brain change. Allthough I don't agree with or believe in everything he writes, the book is an interesting read and has led me to be more critical about what I read. One of RAW's messages is to think for yourself, not blindly believe what the authorities say.

I guess this book will never be a mainstream book, and neither will Illuminatus, but if you are interested in occultism, alternatives to mainstream thoughs and psychology I definately recommend this book.

Well, no time to write more as I'm off to start another book, Cosmic Trigger II: Down to Earth, the sequel.

Cya