The Solitude of Prime Numbers by Paolo Giordono
I cannot really exactly explain why I like the title of this book. Unlike other books, which I choose because of the plot or the genre, I pick this up because I found the title interesting. How many books have something connected to math in their front covers? Plus, it made me think as to why it was entitled like this. What is it with the prime numbers and what could be its connection to the characters? And that’s when I realize, prime numbers seem to be really the loneliest numbers. They don’t really fit into other groups of numbers because they are only divisible by 1 and itself.
It may be very geeky but I think it could be a good description of me. I mean, I am not sure but at times, I can feel that I do not fit in into any group of friends, that somehow, I don’t belong. That could also be said about my relationship with my family. I feel out of place and a bit of an outcast. Sometimes, I can see the way they look at me like they just don’t understand why I am the way I am. It’s not a good thing but well, it happens.
Okay, enough about the personal babble. Let us go to the book again. The story of this book is about two people who are “primes”, misfits and haunted by the tragedies they experience when they were young. They met again as teenagers and both of them recognized each other’s kindred, lonely and damaged spirit. As their lives intertwine again after a few more years, emotions were revealed. But can two primes ever be together and fit the way they cannot with others? It really is a good read. A very nice view of how it is to be human despite all the difficulties we face in life.
Hello, my dear followers. Good evening!
Look what I got from the bookstore today! It’s Sherlock Holmes by none other than Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
I wasn’t actually planning to buy a book right now since I’m still saving up for a good haul. But then I was too early for my summer job and I decided to pass by a bookstore first just to browse for any good book. And then I found this one. Sadly, it’s the second volume and no matter how much I searched, I cannot find the first. Nevertheless, I still bought it since I don’t really need to read Sherlock Holmes in a certain order.
I am curious about the novels since I have watched and fangirled over BBC Sherlock, so I want to know how different the book and show are. I know for a fact that the show was modernized and completely more futuristic with all the tech-y stuff. I guess I wanted to read how the original Sherlock worked his brilliance to solve the mysteries of Victorian England. I know that Sherlock Holmes is considered to be one of the best classics ever written.
I am not really a big fan of detective books but then the mystery, cleverness and plot twists I have watched on the show is enough to convince me that the book might also be a good read. Hopefully, I can find the other volumes so that I can enjoy the whole thing completely.
This song is very catchy that I was so surprised that it was released so long ago, back in 1957. My mom actually know this song and she asked me why I have this when she heard it playing on my laptop last week. Well, I actually heard it first from the indie film, We Need To Talk About Kevin, which I watched last year and since then, I grew very much attached to the song. It’s one of my happy, feel good songs and it is just so fun to listen to.
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Everyday - Buddy Holly
Everyday seems a little longer
Every way love’s a little stronger
Come what may, do you ever long for
True love from me..
The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
The first time I read this book was way back during my junior year in high school when it was assigned to me for a book report project in my English class. Before, I thought that it would be some boring book since it was a classic. You see, I do not read the classics that time. How simple-minded I was back then, I could not defend with any possible reasons today.
Of course I was wrong, and I immediately knew it after the first few chapters in the story. Right now, this is my favorite classic book. In my mind, this book—being written during 1951 and containing such vulgar themes—have proved the bravery of the author. And this is a good thing because literary rebels usually end up with the greatest books. I believe that at that time, the book was very controversial and was banned in a lot of school for its sexual references, foul words, blasphemy and promiscuity. The book has also been named one of the ten most challenged book of all time. I guess that I am lucky to be living in this point of time when these kinds of books are much more accepted and regarded as eye-openers.
Apart from the admiration I have with the author, I like this book mainly because Houlden was depicted in a very honest manner. Unlike other books based on this novel, the main character retains his attitude until the end. It does not have the maturity cliche of most young adult books. It may sound negative being someone who rejects and resist maturity but then Houlden still knows what he wants to be. He has visions of his future. He may be the very embodiment of teenage rebellion but he has a very strong perspective of life. In reading the book, I felt conflicted as to whether I like or dislike the main character. He has his up side and down side that would really make you think. But that’s just it. In reality, people are not entirely good or entirely evil. It’s always a combination of both and I admire how Houlden is being true to himself.
Happy 159th birthday, Sir Vincent Willem van Gogh!
Certainly one of the most brilliant painters the history of art has ever known.
Collage includes:
Starry Night(1889) - his best known painting
Road with Cypress and Star (1890) - my personal favorite
Self-Portrait with Grey Felt Hat (1887)
Olive Trees with the Alpilles in the Background (1889)
