Guest Post: Top 5 Books - by Elizabeth Buchan

JANE EYRE by Charlotte Bronte

The unmatched story of an orphan’s struggle to grow into maturity who, after suffering deprivation and abuse, survives to take charge of her life and family, all rolled up into a novel with high gothic drama and echoes of the fairy tale. Above all, its heroine stubbornly insists that, if she is poor and plain, she has a much as heart and soul as the richest and handsomest. It is great cry for equality.

Atonement by Ian McEwan

This shows the author on top form in which he uses his narrative skill to explore themes of guilt, retribution and redemption in such a clever and subtle way that one is almost persuaded that the novel is simpler than it is. Also the ending offers big questions for debate.

The Accidental Tourist by Anne Tyler

I still laugh and weep after several re-readings. The story of a buttoned-up travel writer whose son has died and whose wife has left him, and his subsequent emotional education at the hands of the chaotic Muriel shimmers with humanity and tenderness. Who else can write about ‘ordinary’ people with such freshness and insight? 

Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert

An extraordinary and complex novel. Filled with romantic longings, Emma a troubled young wife is married to a doctor in the French provinces and driven almost mad with boredom. In it, Flaubert drives deep into the female psyche, exposing intimate, pitiful and, ultimately, destructive fantasies.

Testament of Youth by Vera Brittain

This is an agonized, heartbreaking, sobering and haunting account of Vera Brittain’s experiences of the 1914-18 war which turned her into a life-long worker for peace. In her anger and grief, the author speaks for a wasted generation in particular and for the agony and stupidity of war in general.

About The New Mrs Clifton by Elizabeth Buchan
As the Second World War draws to a close, Intelligence Officer Gus Clifton surprises his sisters at their London home. But an even greater shock is the woman he brings with him, Krista - the German wife whom he has married secretly in Berlin.

Krista is clearly devastated by her experiences at the hands of the British and their allies - all but broken by horrors she cannot share. But Gus's sisters can only see the enemy their brother has brought under their roof. And their friend Nella, Gus's beautiful, loyal fiancée, cannot understand what made Gus change his mind about their marriage. What hold does Krista have over their honourable and upright Gus? And how can the three women get her out of their home, their future, their England?

Haunted by passion, betrayal, and misunderstanding these damaged souls are propelled towards a spectacular resolution. Krista has lost her country, her people, her identity, and the ties that bind her to Gus hold more tightly than the sisters can ever understand... 

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My Top 5 Musicals

As you all already know, I’m a huge Musical fan. My mum loves them as well and she kind of introduced me to them. She joined a Theatre Group when I was a child and I always went to see their shows. Now, I’m a member myself and took part in one show already. I love singing, dancing and acting and I really believe that it is the perfect combination. A story gets more lively with music, lyrics and dances and actors have more possibilities to express their emotions. I like a lot of Musicals, here I only chose five of them, so there’s more, just that you know.

1. Les Misérables

Oh, I can’t even tell you how much I love this Musical. My mum took me to see it on the West End in London in 2008. I already knew some of the songs before and I was so excited. I was literally crying at the end of the show. The actors were so great and they put all their emotions into the songs. The songs of this Musical are amazing, there are so many I adore so much and also the lyrics are fabulous. I had to read the book in French for my final exam at high school and we also looked at some lyrics, I prefer them in English though. Last year I went to see the movie of  the film and it was awesome. The actors were brilliant, especially Hugh Jackman, he is so talented. I also fell in love with Aaron Tveit and Eddie Redmayne. Samantha Barks, who played Eponine was wonderful too. I already knew her from the show I’d do anything on BBC and I was so happy for her, that she got this part.

The fact that all the actors sang live during filming made it even more special.

2. Wicked

 

This musical is amazing. I saw it in London on the West End a few years ago and fell in love with it. The scenery and costumes were brilliant and so perfect for the whole story. The story is so moving and special, I really loved the storyline and the songs helped to express all the emotions. The music is a masterpiece, great melodies, lyrics and arrangements and the actors made it perfect with their singing. I was especially touched by Defying Gravity and As Long As Your Mine. Oliver Tompsett was a brilliant Fiyero, loved him. I had to buy his CD instantly and I never regretted it.

Idina Menzel has a gifted voice.

3.  Oliver!

I know the story of this musical by heart, partly because I had to read it for my final exams in English at high school and also because we performed it with our theatre group two years ago. And the highlight: I saw it in London with Jodie Prenger as Nancy. The musical is so adorable, with all the kids included and it was so much fun listing to these great songs and seeing the creative choreographies. I was happy when our theatre group decided to perform it. I auditioned and was part of the choir and it was such a great experience. I also added some pictures for you.

Waiting Backstage

4.  The Sound of Music

This Musical is so cute. It’s about a family living in Austria and a nun is going to take care of the children and she falls in love with their dad. There is a movie on this Musical with Julie Andrews as Maria. It’s so adorable and the kids are great. I love the lively and sparkling songs. My highlight last year, was when I went to see this show in London in an open air theatre. It was amazing how they included the nature with the trees and lawns into the stage and the show was so great. The children were awesome and their dances were so creative. One of the girls was played by Isabelle Allen, who played little Cosette in the Les Mis movie, she was brilliant, so talented.

Well, I was so excited when our theatre group announced that this was going to be our next show. Auditions were a couple of weeks ago and I am in the nun’s choir now, so happy. I wanted to audition for a role first, but I am too busy with my Bachelor exams coming up.

5. Hairspray

This was the hardest pick, because there are so many other Musicals. It’s gotta be Hairspray though. The music is so awesome and I love belting them out and dancing to them. I saw the movie in Canada and I instantly had to buy the DVD when it came out. I love Tracy’s story and the songs just make you feel good :)

What is our favourite Musical? 

My Top 5 Movies including music

Yes, I'm an avid reader, but I also have another passion and that's music, whether it's singing, dancing, playing to piano or only listening to it. I love movies where music plays an important role, so here are my favorites.

      1. Les Miserables

      2. Pitch Perfect

      3. Raise Your Voice

      4. Burlesque

      5. Frozen

    1. Les Miserables

As you probably already know I love Les Mis. I’ve seen the Musical on the West End and it was amazing. The story is so deep and the songs fit perfectly. I was overexcited when I heard they’re making a movie out o fit and then I saw the cast: Wow! Well the movie was fabulous and I love the fact, that all the actors were singing life in front oft he camera. Hugh Jackman as Jean Valjean was breathtaking. He’s a great actor and his voice is great. Samantha Barks played Eponine which really made me happy. I already knew her from I’d do anything,  a casting show on the BBC, where they were looking for Nancy in Oliver! For the West End show. And I totally fell in love with Aaron Tveit and Eddie Redmayne, real talents. I literally had to cry at the end of the movie.

    2. Pitch Perfect

  Great movie about an accepella group at college. Funny storyline and an awesome soundtrack. Anna Kendrick did a great job.

3. Raise Your Voice

 I watched that movie many many years ago, it’s with Hilary Duff. She plays a girl, who wants to go to LA for a music camp, her dad is against it. Her brother send in the application and then he dies. She gets in and goes to LA, also for her brother. Romantic and adorable movie, inluding great songs.

4. Burlesque

Wonderful actors and Christina Aguilera is just awesome in that movie, the role fits perfectly. A lot of drama, but also great music, wonderful dances and more...

5. Frozen

Before I even saw this Disney movie I listened to some songs of the soundtrack on YouTube and I instantly fell in love with the music and the lyrics. The songs sound like out of a great and successful Musical and you all no I like Musicals a lot. Let It Go sang by Idina Menzel is amazing, can't get enough of it and also the other songs are lovely, big compliments to the composers. Then I finally got to see the movie and I loved it. A story with lots of depth and messages and courageous characters. I'm actually listening to the soundtrack right now ;). 

Well, that was it already, I would have had other movies to share with you, but I wanted to focus on these five. Tomorrow another review will be up. Have a nice weekend lovely reads and btw I'd really appreciate it, if you could follow me on bloglovin: Follow Sky's Book Corner on bloglovin . Thank you :)