Book Review: Going Postal by Terry Pratchett

Wednesday, January 29, 2014
I love reading. Books are amazing. They are a form of escapism, yes, but they are also inspiration, joy, and... well. Goodness. I think in some ways I have used my appetite for reading to define parts of my personality, so it made sense for me to review some of what I read! Here we go...



Title: Going Postal
Author: Terry Pratchett
Series: #33 in the Discworld books

Synopsis: "Moist von Lipwig is a con artist...

...and a fraud and a man faced with a life choice: be hanged, or put Ankh-Morpork's ailing postal service back on its feet.
It's a tough decision.

But he's got to see that the mail gets through, come rain, hail, sleet, dogs, the Post Office Workers' Friendly and Benevolent Society, the evil chairman of the Grand Trunk Semaphore Company, and a midnight killer.

Getting a date with Adore Bell Dearheart would be nice, too."

My thoughts: This book is the first on in my challenge for this year, and comes recommended by my brother who is a huge Terry Pratchett fan. (To be honest, I expected him to recommend a Pratchett book :P)

I have read another Discworld book before, and I remember enjoying it, but on the whole feeling a little underwhelmed with all of it after my brother had talked it up so much. With Going Postal, I felt similarly. The writing style is good, and I did find myself laughing every now and then, but ultimately I felt like Pratchett was just a bit too cynical and dry at times for his own good. I know people that would love this book for that very reason, so I believe it's just my own personal brand of humour that makes me feel slightly distant from this kind of writing.
The characters were interesting and the storyline was good, but I also felt like it moved along a little slowly - paragraphs of text were dedicated to making observations about people. For me this didn't work very well.
So I guess, to sum up, I enjoyed it, but it wouldn't go on my top five list :)

You would like this book if: you enjoy cynical, dry humour; you want some awesome postal action.

Rating:  7/10

If you'd like to keep up to date with what I'm reading, follow me on Goodreads here!

weekly glimpse #7

Sunday, January 26, 2014
Blueberries, raw chocolate, pajamas, and reviewing my goals.

currently reading: oh man, big reading week! Well, the start was... I finished the last book for the Aurealis Awards, then tore my way through the last of Scarlet. And then I picked up my first challenge book - my brother's recommendation, Going Postal by Terry Pratchett. I have since finished that (review on the way) and started The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch :D
listening to: so much asian pop. a favourite at the moment is Goodbye 20 by Lim Kim - super cute.
watching: new episodes of HIMYM and My Little Pony. :) Also, Frozen. :D
food: euch. don't mention food right now...
drink: herbal tea seems to be okay right now...
writing?: shh.

general... (inspired by Havi)
the hard
: had an interesting migraine on Friday... instead of feeling a bit better when I lay down, I felt worse. So I had to just sit propped up staring at nothing for awhile, waiting for the painkillers to kick in. blah.
: many people I know going through difficult stuff, and trying not to take it on as my own, but doing it anyway. a breath for still needing to practise being gentle with myself.
: feeling nauseous. even when drinking water. a breath for just generally feeling ick.
: complex issues that seem to come back to me being fragile, and not knowing why I'm feeling like that. a breath for needing to take everything extra slow.
: I haven't "____" in months. I miss it. and yet something's holding me back and I'm having trouble getting back to this thing that is so part of who I am.

the good
: finishing up things, getting things done. this is good and means progress.
: Japan is in less than two weeks. I don't think I need to say more than that.
: new episodes of MLP are making being bed-bound much easier. so is reading.
: I am still in love with all things asian pop, and have definite favourites that seem to appear in my head when I wake up to cheer me up. I'm going to make a list of albums to attain, and that makes me excited. A happy heart sigh for being interested in something and unashamedly demonstrating that love.
: a dear friend, Xin and Bronte cheering me up and keeping me company when I've been feeling ick. A smile for having people I can rely on.

what i want for next week...
~ I am connected with all and feel grounded.
~ I can do this.
~ Love is everywhere.

mantra? I do what is right for me and don't allow guilt to make me feel any different. I am capable. I can do this. All is love.

Top Five People I Most Want To Meet.

Wednesday, January 22, 2014
This idea has kind of been sitting in my head for some time now and, while I am of the belief that I will probably never have any communication with the people in the following list, it would be pretty cool to meet them :D

Onwards!

1. G-Dragon


This one is probably most obvious to those that know me, as I am a little obsessed with G-dragon lately. (Please note: 'a little' may be a term that actually means 'super'. Just saying.) I am not just interested in his music and modelling, etc., but I am interested in who he actually is underneath all that. I read the other day that he was under contract from the age of eight - how does someone deal with so much pressure to not just be a style icon, but to be a role model for people all over the world? I would be really interested in knowing how he keeps himself together, and whether making so much money has changed who he is on the inside.

Also, he's a little insane, and I like that.

2. Darren Hayes

The first Savage Garden album was one of the first albums I ever got for myself - I adored the music and only realised recently how inappropriate it would be for someone in primary school to be singing the lyrics to 'Universe'.
Years later, thanks to a friend, I started listening to his music again (after being judged for enjoying his music for so long, I finally rebelled and basically stated - 'I like him. I like his music. I am a fan of Darren Hayes.' and everyone around me just had to deal. XD) and loved it even more than before. For some reason his lyrics and style just really speak to me, and that is my primary reason for wanting to meet him. For me, listening to someone's music is one thing - you feel like you can understand them from that point of view - actually talking to someone is completely different. Darren Hayes has inspired me to be strong in who I am and what I like, and I think he's an awesome person. It would be cool to tell him that sometime.

3. The 14th Dalai Lama

A friend was kind enough to get me and Xin tickets to go see the Dalai Lama speak while he was in Perth a couple of years ago, and it was amazing. He just radiates this aura of peace and serenity, and he is so happy - he has the best laugh! I adore his teachings and would love to be able to be in his presence again someday.

4/5 (/6/7/8). SHINee


Okay, yes, so maybe my TOP FIVE became a TOP EIGHT of sorts... but SHINee are just so wonderful! I love each of them for their own reasons - they seem to individual that I can even tell them apart by their voices (that is, I can tell who is singing a line at any point in a song). However, Onew is my favourite. Because... he's just so cute. ANYWAY.
I mostly want to meet these guys because they work so hard and still seem to have fun. I think it would be great to be around people like that. I want to see them in concert someday! :D



weekly glimpse #6

Sunday, January 19, 2014
the view while I was doing some writing early one morning this week :3

currently reading: well my reading has been a bit floopy this week, and I have been struggling through the last few books for the Aurealis Awards, but I will be finished with that very soon. and then I will officially start on my monthly challenge, and even (maybe) get to the very VERY attractive books sitting on my bookshelf! huzzah!
listening to: still loving all things g-dragon and SHINee. in fact, I now have folders for next semester with them on! so excite.
watching: haven't really been watching anything with any regularity... bit of HIMYM, some Disney movies, some Studio Ghibli movies. otherwise I'm working hard on not having the tv on as background noise.
food: this week wasn't really an 'OMG FOOD' kind of week. and by that I mean I wasn't fascinated with food and what I was going to eat. But I have been eating a LOT of blueberries.
drink: coconut water, fresh juice when I can get my hands on it.
writing?: euch. not so much.

general... (inspired by Havi)
the hard
: incessant migraine symptoms. just every. single. day. managed to rid myself of some of them as of yesterday because of going back to bed and sleeping them off, but they're still lurking a little.
: beginning to feel anxious about Japan. excited, yes, but there's a lot that I'm worried about happening. a breath for trying to let go.
: being unable to sleep some nights, and then having nightmares. not a nice combo.
: feeling pressured and confused about things happening right now. a breath for overwhelm.

the good
: getting stuff done! just all over the place - blog posts, reading, moving my room around, cleaning, shopping, organising things for Japan. just everything!
: being home. house-sitting was super fun, but I really wanted to connect with home before I went away. and I'm getting there :)
: Japan! In 17 days! AHHH. :D
: all the books looking so pretty on my bookshelf, just waiting to be read. ah the joy.
: new crystals. taking supplements. looking after myself as much as I can while still getting things done. crossing things off my 101 list. :)

what I want for next week...
~ reading time abounds (re-ask because...reading!)
~ oh my, the people in my life are the sweetest. (re-ask)
~ completely supporting and nourishing my body: physically, mentally, spiritually (re-ask)
~ it is so wonderful that it worked out like this!
~ I am feeling loved.

mantra? a variation on last week: I know what is true and right for me. I am healthy and healed, and I feel loved, capable, intelligent, and content. 

101 things in 2014.

Friday, January 17, 2014
I have been trying to finish this list for about a month or so, but I didn't want to rush it as I wanted this list to be stuff that I really want to do this year. I'm not going to beat myself up if I don't complete everything on this list, they're just things that appeal to me right now - and that might change, or not be possible. I wanted to put them up on my blog to make myself a little more accountable - ie. so I actually try to DO the stuff on the list. There are a lot of awesome things!
Also, occasionally you will come across an item within the list that is just marked as personal - there aren't many, but there are a few. These are just ones I want to keep to myself. :)
Okay! Onto the list! By the way, this list is from the lovely workbook created by Leonie Dawson.

1. learn a bit of fire-bending (ie. Nothern Shaolin style) [started! Xin is helping]
2. learn a Kpop dance routine.
3. attend 3 yoga classes.
4. get a massage.
5. start swimming laps - do laps 4 times.
6. get my heels on the floor in ado mukha svanasana (downward-facing dog).
7. develop a regular bedtime. [working on it...]
8. learn enough Japanese to follow what's happening in a Cardcaptor Sakura episode without subtitles.
9. learn to play my drum well.
10. write a book of haiku.
11. find paid writing or reading work.
12. get a totem or painting done of one of my spirit animals.
13. update my birthday book.
14. give six unexpected presents.
15. send at least one letter or postcard per month.
16. join a book club. 
17. spend a day with Xin in the Swan Valley.
18. have a birth-month.
19. obtain the perfect piece of smokey quartz.
20. obtain the original CCS manga in Japanese.
21. read/watch two other CLAMP series.
22. blog about my reading month ala Nick Hornby.
23. plan for uni assignments at least two weeks in advance.
24. see my cousins and my Nana more often than once a year.
25. have at least one day per week where I rest and reconnect.
26. read 'writing a book and getting it published for dummies'.
27. learn how to submit a book proposal.
28. read 3 auto/biographies.
29. resume my bard lessons.
30. have at least 2 writer's dates (alone!)
31. get a food allergy test.
32. create a Singapore/MR photobook.
33. create a Japan photobook.
34. write another novel.
35. take part in another NaNoWriMo.
36. reorganise study shelves (post-Aurealis Awards).
37. attend an archery class or session.
38. learn three different, new origami shapes.
39. do some volunteer work.
40. finish Okami on the PS2.
41. organise a 2014 book challenge. [done! you can see the post here, and I will update as I go!]
42. personal
43. personall.
44. have a plushie made for me via commission (etsy?)
45. GO TO JAPAN!
46. cosplay Li Syaoran!
47. visit the beach at least six times.
48. learn 20 kanji.
49. learn how to look after my car from my dad.
50. watch all the unwatched DVDs on my shelf, or donate them.
51. read at least 7 TBR Jar books.
52. visit temple?
53. attend a Kpop or Jpop concert?
54. look after my feet at least once per week.
55. always make baths luxurious.
56. write about my experience with pain and sickness and the lessons I've learned.
57. read Maus.
58. take myself on a solo date.
59. climb a tree!
60. walk a small part of the Bibbulman Track.
61. get a notebook or folder and organise my stories!
62. join or create a writer's group.  [a friend actually asked me if I'd be interested, so I said HELL YES.]
63. complete two more Professor Layton games.
64. have a gaming night (or two!).
65. go bowling with Xin.
66. engage with people at uni more - make friends!
67. do another tea/book swap with Katharine!
68. read an informative/uplifting book on friendship/relationships.
69. have nourishing relationships (this means: work on existing ones and/or make new ones)
70. personalll.
71. stop putting TV on as background noise all the time. [working on this already.]
72. be truly alone with myself more often.
73. clear out my glory box.
74. obtain three new (to me) records.
75. figure out how to attach headphones to my record player.
76. obtain two more Kpop/Jpop CDs/albums.
77. find another anime/manga to adore.
78. get a tattoo?
79. read three graphic novels that aren't manga or Marvel/DC comics.
80. spend more time with my brother.
81. find a new Asian drama to love.
82. watch/read North and South.
83. start saving for another trip, or to move out.
84. read The Velveteen Rabbit.
85. work out the best time of day for me to work (and do it!).
86. obtain a beautiful picnic blanket.
87. obtain tibetan prayer flags.
88. learn more about editing and how to be effective at it.
89. purchase three items of clothing made from natural, organic fibres.
90. do some algebra!
91. get some more pillows for my bedroom (including a floor pillow for gaming!)
92. write four releasing letters.
93. grow aloe vera in a pot.
94. purge my wardrobe. [done and done! two days of feeling the need to get rid of a load of stuff, and I am feeling awesome about it!]
95. go see turtles at the zoo :D
96. invest in a protective sunhat or dye my current one :3
97. find a beautiful crystal pendant necklace.
98. watch as many Studio Ghibli films as I can. [so far I've added Porco Rosso and Kiki's Delivery Service to my 'watched' list, alone with Howl's Moving Castle, My Neighbour Totoro, Princess Mononoke (although I may rewatch this one), Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea, Spirited Away, and Grave of the Fireflies. I think that's it so far...]
99. cleanse my face every day. [I just have never gotten into the habit of this, BUT I now have a gorgeous cleanser, toner, and moisturiser so I am making progress!]
100. do something to help save the bees.
101. go on a meditation retreat (self-designed or otherwise).

As you may have noticed, I've actually already done a few of these! I will update each month on whether I've made any progress - obviously some of these things are over a certain amount of time, while others have specific limits. I think from now on bold text will mean an item that is still going on.

What do you want to do in 2014? Have you written a list or are you going to wing it? :D

EDIT ONE: 24/03/14 - a few more items completed.

Reading Challenge 2014

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

I decided towards the end of 2013 that I'd like to have a reading challenge for myself for 2014. Originally, it was going to be to read a certain book each month - resulting in twelve mini-challenges. But I am thinking about being involved in the Aurealis Awards again this year, and so I wanted to keep most of the latter half of the year free for that.

So what I did instead was ask my family, my boyfriend, and my best friend what they'd recommend for me to read. And then I added in two books of my own - one to read for Japan, and one to read for my birthday. And that resulted in the below list...

January - Going Postal by Terry Pratchett (recommended by my brother)
February - Tales of Unfamiliar Japan by Lafcadio Hearn (for Japan)
March - The Signature of All Things by Elizabeth Gilbert (for my birthday)
April - The World According to Garp by John Irving (my dad's recommendation)
May - The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis (Xin's recommendation)
June - Sabriel by Garth Nix (a re-read that my best friend recommended, and I'm thinking about reading the others, too, if I can!)
July - A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens (my mum's recommendation, and is good for Christmas in July!)

I will try and write a review or at least a post on my thoughts on the book in question after each month.
As you can probably tell, I will have to fit in my brother's book pretty quickly, but that's okay. I'm very nearly finished with Aurealis stuff and I have a feeling I will be able to get through Going Postal pretty quickly :)

What about you? Do you have any reading challenges for yourself this year?

weekly glimpse #5

Sunday, January 12, 2014
Aoife (my blue dinosaur heatpack) was a constant companion this week...

currently reading: sttiiillll reading Scarlet when I can afford to tear my eyes away from Aurealis stuff, but down to just four books for that so will be free to read whatever very soon! :D
listening to: the click-click-click of a desk fan. a very determined grasshopper.
watching: whatever I feel like... Sex and the City, Cardcaptor Sakura, Almost Naked Animals and other children's tv shows.... Some Dylan Moran DVDs.
food: oh my goodness, there's this coconut icecream that's dairy free and soy free, and it's called So Delicious and we tried it in a flavour called Turtle Trails. Oh my. Yum. A bit expensive for me normally, but yuuuummmmm....
drink: good old water, coconut water, iced tea, some orange juice. and a lotttt of tea.
writing?: yeh. not so much.

general... (inspired by Havi)
the hard
: migraine of super amazing ow on Tuesday. Much of that day was dedicated to lying in bed and trying not to feel awful.
: holy PMS craziness, batman. for those who don't want to know about period math, skip to next point. for others who aren't as bothered - I skipped my period last month because it landed during christmas and I just couldn't deal with it at the time. And my next period (which I will be having) is next week. And oh my GOODNESS my body is letting me know it's going to be a crazy one. My skin has gone crazy, my mood is extremely fickle, and I am getting pains and discomforts like nobody's business. Plus - dizziness. All the time. And proper dizziness where I think I'm going to faint, not just feeling a bit odd. Blah. A breath for your body sending you BIG SHOUTING SIGNALS.
: probably because of the above PMS, I had a moment a couple of days ago where I just questioned EVERYTHING about my life and whether I was making the right choices and whether I'd ever 'amount to anything'. A breath for feeling misunderstood by YOURSELF... and really really lost.
: most likely because I was PMSing, I got irritated and demanding with Xin. I really don't like being like that, and it made everything ten times worse. I have been apologising a lot lately. A breath for feeling like you're not in control of your own body.

the good
: despite having a migraine on Tuesday and feeling fairly shoddy this week, I have been coping with needing to rest a lot better. I just take myself off to bed and rest, and, if I can, do things from bed. A happy sigh for feeling supported.
: I have been filling out my 2014 workbook and just feeling so happy and excited about the year to come. There will be some scary parts, yes, but I am feeling good.
: time with Xin (even when grumpy-faced) has been amazing. feeling happy and content.
: Japlanning! My trip to Japan is getting close now, and I am excite!
: receiving amazing gifts in the mail has been great this week. On Tuesday when I had my migraine, my dad kindly dropped off a package that had arrived for me - a teapot and two teacups I had ordered from T2. To my surprise, they had put in two extra cups and some samples, and a card from them. And then on Thursday I picked up another package from home, and it was two wonderful books from a friend, with a gorgeous card. Feeling spoiled and happy :)

what i want for next week...
~reading time abounds! (re-ask)
~oh my, the people in my life are the sweetest. (re-ask)
~completely supporting and nourishing my body: physically, mentally, spiritually.
~past-me is a genius!
~i feel so grounded.

mantra? going to stick with the one from last week, because it fits: I support my body, mind, and spirit without feeling pressured or flustered. I know what is true and right for me.

How did I not find this until now?!

Wednesday, January 8, 2014

Yes. It's official. I am a SHAWOL.


P.S. I am working on a few things for this blog, so I will be returning to properly written posts soon, rather than just random stuff on a Wednesday XD Love to all who read!

weekly glimpse #4

Sunday, January 5, 2014
taken in an alleyway in Subiaco 04/01/14

currently reading: still haven't finished Scarlet, but have needed to put it down to focus more on Aurealis Awards books (you'll notice in the sidebar on my blog that my progress bar has moved up!). Otherwise, reading the odd part of Glimpses of Unfamiliar Japan by Lafcadio Hearn.
listening to: Xin play random games on PS3; the hum of the airconditioner; my fingers tapping away on these keys. Music? Loving Sherlock by SHINee (an old on but still awesome).
watching: The Legend of Korra; still re-watching Cardcaptor Sakura. Thinking about watching some other CLAMP stuff, but not sure as yet.
food: mochi. just finished my last one today (I actually gave it to Xin) and am now sad. More mochi?
drinking: delicious green tea sent to me by a friend, plus back on chamomile tea, too. Nom.
writing?: yeah.... no. Mostly writing a list of things to do in 2014.

general... (inspired by Havi)
the hard
: confronting some issues with needing to go out more than I want to. a breath for feeling pressured.
: massive confusion and frustration regarding Centrelink and things relating to that. trying to remain calm and collected despite feeling hurt and ignored.
: feeling like Centrelink are TRYING to make me slip up so they can cut off my payments, because of above. a breath for feeling trapped and dependent.
: falling asleep one day while feeling relatively fine, and then waking up a little while later feeling absolutely awful. not just physically, but emotionally. a breath for the body showing you when you need to take a step back.
: migraine symptoms. a breath for needing quiet.

the good
: I have been feeling really lovely this week, despite the above. a happy sigh for less symptoms coming up.
: going out and doing stuff! seeing friends! making brunch! many wins.
: I have a new mug which has a bear on it and a matching bear spoon that holds onto the mug with his bear hands. His name is Bertie.
: exercise! I am still getting it! walking and yoga and a bit of training with Xin here and there. fresh air is helping, too.
: having a new morning routine where I write down my three MITs (most important tasks) and an affirmation for the day. it is making me feel grounded and more capable. :)

what I want for next week....
~reading time abounds! (re-ask)
~eating foods that support my body and make me feel good (re-ask)
~I am gentle and loving with my body.
~it is so wonderful that this worked out!
~oh my, the people in my life are the sweetest. (this is true)
~joy!!
~I am feeling so prepared for Japan now!

mantra? I support my body, mind, and spirit without feeling pressured or flustered. I know what is true and right for me.

Saying Goodbye to 2013

Wednesday, January 1, 2014
I don't really feel like I have a lot to say on this topic - 2013 went by quickly for me, to be honest.
Looking back on it, I feel that a lot of my energy was dedicated to understanding myself and what I wanted out of life even more than before. I made the choice to start a degree in writing, and I have thoroughly enjoyed my first year of it. I dedicated even more time to this blog - trying to make it a place where people would come for reviews and anecdotes from my life. I took the leap and applied to be on a panel for the Aurealis Awards - and got accepted (leading to my study and my Kindle being filled with even more books than before).

In terms of my health, I continued to try and figure out what was going on, but I think I was fairly relaxed about everything until about October, where I had a bad episode while home alone. Since then, I've been firing on all cylinders to feel better, and I'm already feeling the effects. My health may always be a huge factor for me - bigger than for most people - but I'm okay with that. I just don't want to become lazy about that.

Continued problems with my health led me to confront some buried emotions - some that I am still trying to clear even now. It is difficult, but that's okay. I will keep trying.

And finally, 2013 was the year I decided to start planning a trip to Japan - something I have been dreaming of since Primary School. 2014 may be the year that I actually go, but 2013 was the year that I decided it was an option. And that's a big step.

2013 hasn't been overly difficult for me, but it has come with it's challenges. I have had to cope with grief over losing loved ones, deep fear of dying myself, anger and frustration over not being able to figure out what was wrong with my health, and confronting long-held beliefs that weren't entirely true.

But I have also experienced great happiness, compassion, and love.

While 2013 may not have felt extremely life-changing for me, I think it actually was on some level. Because it feels like a planning year before an action year, if that makes sense. I feel like 2013 was a year of quiet introspection and thought, slowly preparing me for 2014.

I am looking forward to 2014. It feels like it's going to be a good year.

P.s. I am writing some goals and things to do in 2014 in a workbook right now (made by Leonie Dawson and highly recommended by me), and I am thinking I will post them up on here at some point - for moral support, and also for accountability! I am excited about some of the ideas I've had.

Love to all who read.
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