MORE (ENGLISH) BOOKS!!
Initially, I had wanted to talk solely about Roald Dahl. But, I realized that the number of books he's written that I've NOT read far outweighs the number I've read. So, I'd like to invite a Roald Dahl enthusiast to take over my blog for a special Roald Dahl tribute.
No worries, though, I shall be reading them in the coming weeks.
I shall, however, speak briefly about those books that I have read.
Sometimes, when I sit and think about the surreal experiences and amazing opportunities I've had in the past year, I think I know how Charlie in 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory' must have felt. This book is definitely a must-read! And, if you absolutely can't touch a book, you can get your sugar high from the 1971 or 2005 films.
This book teaches a very valuable lesson: Not all children are cute fuzzballs, regardless of what they're parents think!
Just look at the glutton Augustus Gloop, the entitled and obstinate brat, Veruca Salt, the chewing gum-addicted Violet Beauregarde, and the television-obsessed Mike Teavee (I guess now it'll be Netflix, huh).
Charlie's story, however, is heartwarming. Fifty pence in the snow and a bar of chocolate later, he finds himself at Willy Wonka's Factory. His impeccable character serves him well when tale comes to its fitting end.
Of course, I have to issue a disclaimer. This book contains violently disturbing scenes of children, the angelic cherubs that they are, getting sucked up pipes and blowing up into gigantic fruit after chewing gum (Maybe when Style magazine told me not to chew gum if I wanted a toned stomach, it wasn't just an attempt to blow some hot air!). What's more, they are thrown down the garbage chute and shrunk down to size all the while having to listen to some creepy Oompa-Loompa songs.
At its core, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is a magical and mouthwatering tribute to good parental upbringing and the intangible fixtures that transform a house into a home.
My advice: Your home candy stash should have run out before you pick up this book to read. And keep it that way for at least two weeks after you're done reading. You'll need a great deal of self-discipline to remember even one reason why your doctor and dentist told you to limit your candy or chocolate intake!
Other books written by Dahl that I thought were also great but probably not as sweet and irresistible as Charlie's story:
'Matilda' - Horrible parents and an even meaner headmistress, anyone? But, you'll get your happy ending, don't worry.
'The BFG' - You'll be amazed by the magic in this fantasy tale, but you'll also mourn with The Big Friendly Giant.
'Danny, The Champion of The World' - I'm not sure whether bird poaching is denounced or glamorized in this one, actually.
'Boy: Tales of Childhood' - An autobiography. Need I say more?
He has so many other books, but these are all I've read so I'm really looking forward to the takeover!!
Another series I've not read is J. K. Rowling's Harry Potter. It would be wonderful to hear your thoughts on it because it's referenced in a lot of other books and movies as well.
The author Beatrix Potter (Remember the Tale of Peter Rabbit?) is also in the running.
I've also never really read C.S Lewis' 'The Chronicles of Narnia' so I'm excited to see if someone picks that as well.
I'm really excited to see what you think about these books that are in the running for the TAKEOVER. Just pick one, do it, and include the link to the document in the comment bar. I'm really excited and I hope you are too!
Now, if you're anything like me, you'll be asking: 'Hey, where's Jacqueline Wilson in all of this?'
Well, her tales of loss and love, adoption, divorce, and mental illness, are controversial yet beautiful and heartfelt, and I'll be doing a feature on her at a later date.