Kumral Ada Mavi Tuna - End, The Blind Assassin

Well last night was reserved for Kumral Ada Mavi Tuna only and it didn't dissapoint. I have found out that this novel is translated into English (along with three other languages) as Mediterranean Waltz. Haruki Murakami's novels taught me to appreciate surrealism woven into regular fiction and this one was such novel. Some parts of it were political and social observations / critiqué and I liked how they were included within. The characters seemed really one of those (unfortunately extremely) familar intellectual types going through existential crisis but as I read through their trials starting from childhood I started to like them and their worries seemed more organic as I read along. And Tuna character is the type of selfless romantic that I really  love reading in fiction. All in all this was a very good gift of literature so thank you Ms. Uzuner.

And almost started to read Redbreast by Jo Nesbo. It is the second book of the Hole series and there happened to be a Turkish translation in the house but I fear that the translation is from English (translated from Norwegian) but even though I enjoy reading his books I decided not to worry about this for a Jo Nesbo novel. Anyway in the end I decided against reading it right after Kumral Ada Mavi Tuna because it is in Turkish. I wanted to read something English so finally I have started 

The Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood. Now I have been curious about Ms.Atwood's novels, especially The Handmaiden (sadly this was not available in any of the almost all secondhand bookshops in San Francisco and Berkeley I have looked into). So I got a short story book and this one. 

So far I'm intrigued and really into it. This is such a good feeling, starting to read a book and liking it immediately. 

Nice Guy - End, Passion, The Conversation, Funny Games U.S, The Salvation of a Saint - End

Well it turned out to be a very fruitful weekend.

The Conversation It is weird but I do like Gene Hackman better now that I'm old. I also liked this film very much. Despite the fact that I'm not fond of jazz and this film's soundtrack was all jazz. I also liked how people looked real in the films. Now most of the people on film or TV look weird, plastic.

Passion Now I like Mr.De Palma's visual sensibilities. I like Rachel MacAddams and Noomi Rapace. So I ended up liking this not very good and predictable film.

Funny Games U.S Nowhere near as effective as the original. Maybe because the actors in the first one were unfamiliar hence the horror of the whole thing looked very real, maybe because I knew what was going on or maybe because the exposition here was more prominent and I was kind of a turn off. All in all this one can't hold a candle to the original.

I also finished The Salvation of a Saint and loved it nearly as much as The Devotion of Suspect X.

Nice Guy ended with a band. I actually marathoned the last 5 episodes and not because I couldn't wait to see what will happen but more due to finishing it as quick as I can. Well I underestimated the power Song Joong Ki since his performance was so so good that I have found myself shedding copious amount of tears and worrying whether he'll be alright in the end. This one is not a good drama but at least SJK was worth it. 

Nice Guy Eps. 9 & 10

Nice Guy did a complete U turn at the end of episode 9 and we had to welcome our friend the old k-drama chestnut amnesia. And it was all going so well. Now we have a brain clot, amnesia, murder, blackmail, kidnapping and our titular Nice Guy is going from test to test to his limits.

I actually fell asleep during most of episode 10 and had to rewind and rewatch more than once. Oh well, it was good while it lasted and I want to finish it because I like SJK and MCW.

Now don't get me wrong I love a good makjang to the max but this show was somehow different you know, now it looks like it has taken its mask off.

Meanwhile Kumral Ada Mavi Tuna is going good so I have stopped Salvation of a Saint for a while to wait its turn. Meanwhile I feel so greedy for books that I feel like reading Bir Gün Tek Başına (One Day All By Yourself) a novel I have read and re read and love and also Redbreast (Turkish translation) the second Hole novel by Nesbo.

Salvation of a Saint, Nice Guy Eps. 8

Ok I wanted to treat myself lunch with some good kebab outside in the sunshine by the sea. And what better to accompany me than a good book. But I was not really that into Kumral Ada Mavi Tuna (then) and decided to treat myself to Salvation of a Saint by Keigo Higashino. I loved The Devotion of Suspect X and this one is also very very good but now I have two good books in my hands waiting to be read (yeah what a delightful problem). It was a mistake to start that one. Well now I'm very much into Kumral Ada Mavi Tuna and really curious about what's going to happen in Salvation of a Saint (a murder mystery). And neither is the type of book that you can put down and pick up days later. I have put myself into this situation (and this is probably the only example of a happy problem :) )

I'm also very much into Nice Guy. Barely holding myself back from marathoning it. It is just so good, still not very believable but I don't care. I totally root for Maru and Eungi. And would like to see Jae Hee get her just deserts. Not a yawn in sight during this one and I actually kind of feel guilty to like Song Jun Ki this much. He looks like an angel and he is so much younger than me but I love his voice and he is a naturally talented and smart actor. A winning combination. 

The Accidental Apprentice - End, Hotel Iris - End, Nice Guy Eps I & II, Kumral Ada Mavi Tuna

As our house was being renewed (walls repainted and new floors) I have finished The Accidental Apprentice and was pleasantly surprised by the twists. Never saw them coming. Good job Mr.Swarup.
Then I have started long awaited Hotel Iris which turned out to be very good. It looks into the psyche of the maschochist.

Now I have turned to a Turkish book titled Kumral Ada Mavi Tuna (lit. translation of the title is Brown haired Ada Blue Tuna) - and it tells the story of a Brown Haired Girl called Ada (means Island) and a boy named Tuna (Turkish name for river Danube). It started with a bang and so far I like it a lot.

I also started Nice Guy and the first two episodes were alright if a bit needing to suspend belief. I like the lead trio so far and the main lead Song Jung Ki is really good. 

Rising Sun - End, The Accidental Apprentice - Renovation.

Rising Sun ended and it was a good ride but nothing that prompted me to seek out other novels written by Mr.Crichton.

And I have started The Accidental Apprentice written by Vikas Swarup. Loved his first two books and this one is already so good and I'm not even halfway yet. Also this one makes me want to watch Indian films again.

Last night Inuyasha only lasted me about four and a half episodes. Actually my mother's getting the whole house repainted (interiors) and after that the floors will be renewed. And insallah this will be a good opportunity to actually get rid of everything I have been hoarding for no reason. Let's see if I can handle this project - yeah I guess I have turned into one of those people who call everything a "project".

Inuyasha still

Yesterday I have finally received my shipment which included Nice Guy and Queen In Hyu's Man but instead of watching them, I have returned to Inuyasha (maybe because I missed hearing Japanese talked around me- heh) and it was good to be back. Now I realised I don't really care for Sango and her giant boomerang but other than that all was fine.