"You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me."
- C.S. Lewis
Oh, hello!
So my life has pretty much completely changed since the last time I added a blog post to my archive. I'm now officially what they call a 'student'....bizzaro. I've moved in to my halls and share an amazing little flat with 6 other people (all of whom are very nice (so far)). It's always a mess. My room is set up with all the crap that I rammed, jammed and threw into boxes. It's always a mess. Our recycle bin is constantly filled with empty bottles and cans because, hey, we're students. We're always a mess.
So far, my course is brilliant and every lecture and seminar reaffirms in my mind that I want to do PR. The lecturers are fantastic and they really know what they're talking about - something you would very much hope, but to know that they do is reassuring. The course is quite small with only 60 odd people on it and so I'm looking forward to getting to know everyone and fingers crossed remembering their names. I'm bloody useless with names! It's been a nightmare so far!
I could sit here writing about the ins and outs of my first two weeks of freshers and that's what I thought I was going to end up doing, but you know what? Nahh. I've just been online and looking at books for one of the assignments that we have. The 'Writing for PR' unit requires a portfolio that needs to include a review of a book that has won, been shortlisted or longlisted for the Man Booked award. Obviously, this means that we're going to have to read a book. Who'd have thunked it? So I was quite looking forward to finding a book and having a read because, as we've already established, I love me a good book. But I know that my enthusiasm isn't shared by all and there are a couple of people who really aren't keen, trying to find a book that they've already read to review. There really isn't anything wrong with that, but personally, I still find it baffling that someone wouldn't want to read and I feel incredibly lucky that I do. Sure, there's the argument that if the book's that good, it'll be made into a film and then you're not missing out, but you are. So much. And what about the books that aren't made into films? There are millions and millions of books that will never be made into films and a large percentage of them should never be. When authors write a book, they make something that is special to them and most of the time, that comes across in their writing. You can feel their passion for their characters and tales and when that's made into a film, a lot of it is lost. As is the individuality that every reader has. Sure, you can CGI in a magical battle or a gigantic explosion, but it'll never be the same as when you see it in your own head.
Having said that, I do love films and they're fantastic for bringing books to a wider audience. (Did someone say Harry Potter?) I just can't imagine not feeling a little bit excited when looking through a book shop or ordering online and waiting for them to be delivered.
And then there is also the benefits of reading. In my first lecture we were told that if you want to be successful, you have to read. Read read read read read. Okey dokey, I can do that and I want to do that. But if you have a career goal that means that to be good at it, one of the best things you can do is pick up a book and you hate doing that then it's going to make life hard. And miserable. So I feel pretty lucky. As the God that is Dr Seuss said...
"The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go."
In fact, the amount of times I've been told this week that you have to do something that you love? I might just look into book publicity.
Speaking of waiting for books to be delivered, I've just ordered a couple and I cannot wait for them to get here!!
Good Omens - Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett
Jonathan Strange and Mr Norell - Susanna Clarke
The Book of Lost Things - John Connolly
Come on, Mr Postman. Deliver them!!
M x
