Just finished reading

The Brooklyn Follies - Paul Auster

I was mildly embarrassed for not knowing who Paul Auster was when two people in different countries told me to read his books.  I came to the conclusion that as I wander further and further from the path of librarian to facilities slave, my knowledge of books and authors is drifting away.  This does not for one moment indicate any reduction in my love of books and literature, just a waning intense knowledge.  I guess something has got to give and now I am the 'customer' reliant on the knowledge of my colleagues and friends to extend my reading menu.  Thank god for librarians I say.

Apparently The Brooklyn Follies is considered by many as a step away from the usual Auster subject matter and accessibility but still holds the essence of his writing which is well awarded and much loved.  I thought the story of Nathan Glass, 60 something, moving to Brooklyn to live out the last years of his life was a sweet story.  The lessons of life, making plans and  reconciliation were rolled up into a tale of men trying to find a way to a meaningful existence, a purpose and value, I think.  The neighbourhood setting and characters created a very embracing safe place to grow, make mistakes and live.  I expected something a little sharper and no way was I expecting a 'happy ending', you be the judge of if it really is.

A very nice book to while away the hours with, interesting characters, good back stories and of course pretty perfectly written.

 

Just finished reading #62

Literally, I have just finished this book.  I am at home feeling poorly today.  Made it to work but turned around and headed home once I realised I did indeed feel crap and had a temperature.  In bed for sleeping and the GIANT yellow and black sucker truck arrived on the front lawn to complete the sewer work that has ensured months of giant road works at the end of the drive.  No sleeping for me.  So what better time to finish a book? 

The messenger - Markus Zusak

This guy sure knows how to write a book.  I just loved it.  As I did The Book Thief. The front cover says ...'comedic, romantic, thrilling, confronting, playful, deceptive'  What a great description.  There is something about Markus' use of language that enables him to skillfully let you inside the story in no other way I have experienced.  The language is spare in some ways, the vernacular is unique and could be in someone elses hands a little silly or perhaps contrived but he just nails it.  I love Ed Kennedy the main character, he is flawed, kind, a little pathetic but so likeable.  Essentially he is 'chosen' to become 'the messenger', whereby his instructions come in the form of a few words on some playing cards.  It is for him to work out the clue and then go about doing the good or evil that comes from his solving of the clue.  I like a book that goes forward at a pace and has meaning and this one does.   Being set in Sydney is a bonus too. I think the ending might disappoint a little but I wont spoil that.

Just finished reading #60 & 61

It has been months since by last book post and I can assure that I have been reading non-stop through that period, however I cannot tell you for one moment what it is that I have been reading.  Sad but true.  But I do have my latest two books still in my possession so at least I can tell you about them.

The Red House - Mark Haddon

I have read two previous titles by this author 'A spot of bother' and 'The curious incident of the dog in the night'.  Both I loved although neither is happy or joyous but rather realistic and deep.  'The red house' is also not a joyous romp through a family holiday, rather it is a snapshot of a family gathered on holiday on the Welsh border after the death of the mother of  Richard and Angela.  Both families come to the holiday house with their own issues and problems.  We have a step daughter a lost baby and some other day to day ordinary family things.  Mark Haddon is a really good writer and this book, although heavy going in places and dense in words, is a good read.  My friend Alex couldn't get into it and I can see why.  It takes a certain mindset to wade through the early bits and you are not always in the mood for that.  I was lucky to be in the mood but I could have put it down at some  points.  So, it is more my dedication to the writing of Mark Haddon that I finished it rather than an absolute love of the book.  In saying that, I would read any more of his books in a heartbeat.  It is a dark tale but not horrible and it really is a slice of life so ends with a farewell as you do when leaving a holiday to go back to ordinary life. 

Sweet tooth - Ian McEwan

I love Ian McEwan's books.  Similarly to Mark H above, they are not cheery light little novels to read on holiday.  Although extremely readable they often deal with odd situations and characters and a happy ending is not always on the cards.  In saying that I loved 'Sweet tooth'.  It was very readable but all the way through, knowing McEwan's writing, you are waiting for something bad to happen.  The bad things are always of the personal nature, not guts and gore but dilemma's lies and treachery.  Set in the late 1970's in London this is the story of Serena Frome and her tale of time in the British Secret Service which was short but eventful.  She had one mission which ended badly.  This book is not of the James Bond ilk but has enough twists and turns to keep you very engaged.  I loved it!  That's it, loved it.  Enjoy

 
 

Just finished reading #59

I just found this languishing in my drafts...lovely book

Linda Olsson - the kindness of your nature

Linda has written three books and I have read them all and I am a BIG fan.  Check out 'Sonata for Miriam' and 'Let me sing you gentle songs'.  The latter is gorgeous.  Linda has an amazing way of sharing gentle and interesting characters how should be desperate and sad but are warm and engaging.

Again the story is of a woman (Marion) living a solitary life, this time on the wild west coast of the North Island.  She is s Dr so has some community face but generally keeps herself to herself.  The reason for this is revealed during the story.  She comes across a young boy (Ika) who has a bunch of problems of his own and from there they start a relationship.  Both are lonely and isolated and together they learn about trust and love.  It could be an achingly sad story but that Linda is such a master storyteller you just love the whole thing.  Just beautiful writing and story telling.

Just finished reading #58

The shadow girls - Henning Mankell

This book was written in Swedish and published in 2001.  Ten years later it turns up in English and even ten years on it is very relevant and surprisingly current.  It is the story of a poet Jesper who is moderately famous and his discovery and interaction with the underworld of illegal immigrants.  We learn about the life of Tea Bag, Leyla and Tanya.  All have tales of horror about how they ended up in Sweden or how life is for them once they got there.  There is a lot of train travel, a boxing gym and mad mother and some very funny scenes with Olaf the idiot editor who is trying to get  Jesper to write a Swedish crime novel as a money maker.

Interestingly, Jonty is reading Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and the barely veiled references in my book about crime novels are referring to his book. Spooky,  Another spooky incident was the mention of New Zealand in both of our books pretty much at the same time as we were reading them.  NZ always sounds a little exotic in other peoples books. 

This story is not surprising  as we know more about the subject than we might have a few years ago but it is still sad and thought provoking. The level of value placed on human life in many countries is probably astounding to most people living in our first world.

I love Henning Mankell's books and this is no exception.  Not as good as 'Italian shoes' but a good read.

Just finished reading #57

After the party - Lisa Jewell

Couple Ralph and Jem have been together for 11 years and things aren't going so well.  For various, reasonably ordinary reasons they are drifting apart a bit.  As they drift away and experience some different people and experiences they start thinking long and hard about each other, why they are together and what their future might or might not be.  This is a story that us everyday married folk will find points of connection and places to give advice as our own experiences are likely to be reflected in some way.

It took me ages to read this book and I didn't love it.  However, I didn't not like it.  You know how some books rock your world? (The book thief) - and others just help you get through some long cold nights.  I found this book readable, credible and I probably wont remember it forever but if you are scanning the library shelves looking for something to read, then pick this up, it is worth the time it takes to read it.

I have read a few other reviews and those people LOVED it so it is probably a low risk read.

Just finished reading #56

Last Summer - Kylie Ladd

This is the second of her books I have read and it was a page turner.  A simple tale of an Aussie bloke who dies too young and the fall out of his passing.  It really is just about a bunch of friends and their story and how their lives change because of or just because Rory passed away. 

There is no big story and there is no great epiphany but just a cosy story about people you might know or perhaps might be.  I think there are about 9 characters whose story we connect with in alternate chapters.

Set in Melbourne you get that real Aussie warmth and love of life.

 After the Fall I found a bit unsettling but this one was just a nice weekend read.

Just finished reading #55

The particular sadness of lemon cake - Aimee Bender

When lovely nine year old Rose eats her birthday cake she is astonished to find that she can taste the emotions of the maker...her mother.  This discovery, although interesting puts Rose into a place she never really becomes comfortable with.  Being able to feel her mother's sadness, her despair and loneliness is a heavy burden on a your girl.  She can also taste the angst of potato growers, can intentify factories all of the country and taste the happiness of one particular chef at a favourite restaurant.  Rose is an intuitive and gorgeous girl and the story of her life unfolds in a slightly sad and wistful way.  Her relationship with her father, brother Joseph and his friend George are all interesting, honest and strangely warm, considering how un-ordinary they all are.  Essentially this is a book of 'fantastic realism' along the lines of Like Water for Chocolate so you have to get with it and go with it to enjoy the story.  It is tightly written and draws you in to Rose's world kindly.  Someone said it was funny but I must have missed that bit .

Just finished reading #54

Me before you - Jojo Moyes

I managed to squeeze Jojo in between Christian and Anastasia (more about them later).  My two besties both recommended this little tear jerker and I am so pleased I read it.  The type is large which is always appealing to me as I have to wear glasses to read these days...bugger.  Anyway, when I saw the big writing I thought how cool, no glasses.  Alas, not to be.  Instead it was just fuzzy big writing.  Back to the story. 

Louisa Clark is a mid 20's woman in a small town in England with a bit of a nothing life.  She has potential but no dreams.  Will on the other hand has dozens of dreams and a great big life behind him.  Sadly he has been made a quadriplegic by an accident and is living in his parents home.  Living is not really how he sees it, going from an action man to a deflated image of what he used to be. 

I don't want to ruin the story as it is too good to do that.  The relationship between Lou and Will is prickly and feisty and full of excellent dialogue.  Lou's family is great too.  I loved this book.  It really is one of those very easy reads that draws you in and envelopes you.  I had to sneak off and read it at every spare moment.  It is a bit of a tissue grabber. 

Just finished reading #53

I have been reading up a storm lately but woefully not sharing with you so although this is post number 53 there are others, quickly forgotten books on my giant pile of paper loveliness.  This morning in bed I finidhed

The Marriage Plot by Jeffrey Eugenides

I am not sure that this a book that you can describe the plot as it is a little bit confusing to explain.  IT issessentially a story about three people with the central character being Madeliene.  ALready this doesnt sound very good so here is someone elses much better description of the book....by the way...LOVED it. Jeffrey is a stunning writer and this is the second book of his I have loved.  He is really really good.

Good Reads review gives you a good overview and accurate summation of the novel.  Read it.

Just finished reading (3 books) #50, #51, #52

March turned out to be a bit of read fest for me.  I was the star of the boogroup this month having completed 3 whole books, an amazing feat in our post EQ year.  I had such a rich month.  In order

The Book Thief   Markus Zusak

I think I might be the last person in bookland to read this book.  I managed to avoid it for years in bookgroup.  I was put off by the 'narrator is death' thing and the ugly cover.  However, I LOVED this book, just like everyone else I guess.  So much did I love it that I raved about it to Jonty who also read it.  That in itself is a minor miracle. He LOVED it...'the best book I have read in years'.  He seldom reads fiction and I witnessed tears from my husband.  We loved it so much we bought for Jasmine for her birthday.  She is yet to read it, I hope she loves it too.

You can look this book up on a zillion blogs and get a great review.  My reviews are seldom great, more like a reaction statement.  Death as narrator is great as he (?) sees all and is just lovely...just a guy doing a job.  The characters in this book are gorgeous.  Liesel our hero child is stunning and her love for language and stories is heartwarming.  Set in Germany in WW2 it is the story of ordinary people living through an extraordinary time.  Their reaction to war, Nazism, hunger and death are endearing.  The humour is great.  I am not going to tell you anything else about the story.  Give it a go, you wont be disappointed.  It is much better than you can imagine and anyone can describe.  If you want to read a really good review of this book, check out Reading Matters link in my blog roll just of there to the right.

After the Fall - Kylie Ladd

Two couples of young professional people set in Aussie, cant remember if it is SYD or MEL.  Anyway, written from all four of their perspectives we navigate an attraction to an obsession and beyond through the eyes of the four people involved and a couple of friends.  I liked it as a fish eye view of what life in an affair was all about.  Not a place I ever want to be but with no judgement at all because this can happen to anyone.  I really enjoyed it for lots of reasons - the situation, the location, the characters.  Good writing and something quite different from my previous read.

The devotion of suspect X - Keigo Higashino

Another excellent read.  I loved it.  How some people are so bloody clever is beyond me.  We know who is murdered, we know who did it and then we are taken on the tightly written, masterly thought out crime thriller ride as the police try to solve the crime.  Paced just right and with no excessive crap 50 pages that so many other writers just have to add to their stories...a common complaint from me. An ex night club hostess and her daughter, a maths professor genius neighbour, his physics mate and a couple of detectives, one wily and the other a newby are our characters and their story is a triumph of clever story writing.  Just great.  I think it has been made into a film.  A must see.   Loved the setting and couldn't wait to go there every day.  I also wanted to eat Bento every day too.  I will not give anything away as the story line is the key to whole thing.  It is not scary but just very very clever and unexpected.  Thanks Lisa, our Japan-ophile and book wholesaler who buys great books.

Just finished reading #49

Ed King - David Guterson

I have taken the time to read some reviews of this book before writing mine as I had heard it had been given a 'bad sex writing' award so thought I should see what the world thought of it.  The bad sex writing is correct but when I was reading that I thought it said more about the characters than bad writing but now that I think about it....The guy at the Guardian hated it but others enjoyed.

Sex is quite important in this book because it is an Oedipal tale.  I didn't focus on the tale too much on before I read the book and did my usual gasp at various points...not a sexual gasp I might add, just a dawning.  The joys of not reading blurbs and reviews before I read a book.

The writing is quality writing; a style of omnipotent fact telling I really like.  It moved around a bit from Seattle 1962 to the future with each character getting spotlight chapter in equal measures.  Walter is our first protagonist and he has a lot of sex with the au pair, Diane, and she gets pregnant.  Ed King is their child.  That is all I will tell you about the plot, I am not a spoiler.  However, what I did enjoy (something I always find appealing) is the cleverness of the lead female character.  Conniving, ruthless, driven and so kick arse confident.   The 'search' motif through the book is appealing to me also being a librarian, finding stuff is what we do well so Ed's search software and his need to know everything was cool, although it was his undoing.  Can you ever know too much and is truth the ultimate?

Just finished reading #48

Zugwang Ronan Bennett
Synopsis from the cover ...

St Petersburg, 1914. Dr Otto Spethmann, a famous psychoanalyst, is implicated in a murder. But he is preoccupied with two disturbing new patients: Anna Petrovna, the troubled society beauty with whom he is inappropriately falling in love, and Avrom Rozental, the brilliant chess master who is due to play the most important competition of his life but is on the verge of a breakdown. With the city rife with speculation and alarm, Spethmann must rely on his wits if he wants to save those he loves an escape from a Zugzwang of passion and politics.

I really enjoyed this book.  For some reason I am attracted to Russia as a setting for novels.   Great writing, nice and tight.  It was a real thriller set in a time of mistrust and on the edge of revolution where no one could trust anyone and loyalty was bought and sold.  The Zugzwang refers to the chess move and with a chess game going on through the game there was a clever relationship between it and the action on the page.

I would recommend this book to anyone who likes a good murder and/or if you are wanting to read something interesting and thought provoking.  A good solid read.

Just finished reading #47

Cutting for Stone -Abraham Verghese

This is a book I had been ignoring in the book group library for over a year; this was due mainly to two things…. The cover and the setting.  Books set in the misery of the African continent tend not to be appealing to me, however, my pals implored I read it as it was becoming a favorite of the group.  So, I tackled it in late November and have only just finished it.  Since living in an earthquake zone I would have to say reading becomes a very difficult activity.  Not because of shaking but of your mind finding it hard to focus.  Plus, I have issues with most books I read these days as I suspect they lack an editors hand and have between 50-100 pages too many.  I find myself bogged in the middle reading superfluous blah blah.  I am sure this is a well worn record from me so I will move on.  

Marion Stone is the narrator, a twin to Shiva; he is born in the Missing hospital in Addis Ababa during the time of Emperor Haile Selasie.  Their mother, a nun, dies during the birth and the father disappears.  From here we live through the trials and tribulations of Ethiopian politics and history as well as those of a hospital in a poor nation and in a loving family of two Indian Doctors who lovingly and mildly eccentrically raise these boys.   The life they have with their nanny and helpers is wonderful and warm. A lovely story of culture, history, life, love, cultures and traditions.  I really did enjoy it and raced through the last 250 pages in a day or so.  It isn’t depressing or worthy, rather a story of love and loyalty.  I really enjoyed the extensive medical stuff.  Well written and a good holiday read with a bit more.

On another note, I picked up a ‘chic lit’ title from the library for my real holiday reading.  40 pages in and I was furious with the character and the plot had a giant hole in it.  I am not a great reader but really, yuk.  That will teach me.   I am sure there is a ton of great chic lit out there but I obviously can’t pick them. 

Just finished reading #46

When God was a rabbit - Sarah Winman

Loved it.  Dark and funny but not dark in a way that you feel like you are in a dark room and too scared to go out.  Darkly optimistic if there is such a thing.  Great characters that you just can't help but wanting to know.  Told through the eyes of Eleanor Maud through a reasonaly trautatic 30 year period.  Elly is a loyal non judgemental girl who was born exactly the year I was so her songs and significant world events match mine which is just a wee bonus for me.    Set in London (I think), Cornwall and New York it such a delight to read on a cold weekend that you just don't want to put it down.  It is really about Elly and her brother, the bonds of family love (in many forms) and the acceptance of all kinds of delightful and interesting people.  Jenny Penny, Nancy the film star auntie and eccentric Arthur are favourites.  When I was telling some friends about it the other day I was laughing with tears and I didn't realise until then how bloody funny it was.  Highly recommend.

Just finished reading #45

A secret kept - Tatiana De Rosnay

I finished this bookgroup book this afternoon while sitting by the fire after a stint in the garden.  I thought it was an enjoyable light read that fulfilled my need to be absent in mind from my surroundigs.  Set in Paris and other bits of France, I got 'Google Earthing' to check out some of the locations.  I think it is a good sign when you do this.  I also had a croissant for breakfast as well so I was in the zone.  The author penned 'Sarah's Key' so I knew what I was getting into.  I read a review which totally slammed it but I don't care, I enjoyed it for all its flaws.   So, the main character is called Antoin.  He is divorced, unhappy and hates his job.  Helping his sister celebrate her 40th birthday in a favourite childhood holiday spot, he unwittingly opens up the wound of losing his mother as a child.  Along with his teenage kids issues, his ex-wife issues, a car accident and long hidden family secrets we are treated to a Parisian tour.   I liked how it ended,  I liked the writing, the story and the characters.  A nice weekend read. 

Just finished reading #44

I have been reading but such is the state of my mind, I can't actually remember a few of them.  For the life of me I just can't but I do remember this little gem.

Dolci di Love - Sara-Kate Lynch

I have read all of SKL's books and really enjoy them.  I bought this one when it was my turn at bookgroup last month and it was just the perfect thing for when you just can't get into a book.  There is no pretense as to what the books are for and this one totally fulfilled its promise. 

 When childless Lily Turner finds out her perfect husband has a secret family in Tuscany she goes there to find him but gets tangled up with an underground league of Italian widows hell-bent on mending broken hearts - including hers.  It is full of interesting characters, foody themes and some interesting twists and turns.  There is also Lily the slightly annoying heroine.  A common feature of SKLs books.  Anyway, a good weekend or holiday read Thanks Sarah-Kate for taking me to Tuscany when I really needed not to be here.
BTW - the two other titles I bought for book group were 'The conductor' by Sara Quigley and 'The brief wondrous life of Oscar Wao' by Junot Diaz.  Cant WAIT to read them both.

Just finished reading #42 and #43

Unlike many of my friends I have managed to read since the earthquake.  It was as shaky start (excuse the pun) as it is very hard to concentrate after a major natural disaster but eventually I managed to pick up a book.  Having two good'ns has made my journey back into the world of words very easy. 

The Hut Builders - Laurence Fearnley

 
It is no secret that I love this woman's work.  She writes with perfection I think.  I am not a scholar so don't know if she is that great but her words, sense of place, characters and stories are enthralling.  I loved this book.  I suspect the title could really be anything really so don't be put off by the reference to the mountains.  It is set in the beautiful McKenzie country region and follows the life of Boden from the late 40's to the present day.  He is a very appealing character, self effacing, quiet and likable.  He does go up a mountain - ahh, I think I have just worked out the significance of that....  This is a book that requires commitment so stick with it, it is really worth it.  Beautiful writing and I own it.

The good daughters  Joyce Maynard

I read this one in one day and a bit.  I don't think it was the best book I have ever read but it was written in a style that made you want to turn the next page.  It was also one of those stories told by two characters taking a chapter each.  Those kind of books are often spellbinding.  Anyway this is how it goes...two girls are born on the same day to very different families in a small rural town.  their lives are entwined in many different ways and lots of good and bad things happen.  What I enjoyed was the subtlety and sophistication of the writing.  It could have been very bland and 'he said, she said' but it was delightful. Time passes and many things happen. This is such an enjoyable and interesting read.  No more information is forthcoming as I just can't bring myself to ruin a good story by telling you what happens.  For me the slow unraveling of a story is the delight of reading and the sign of a well developed story. 

Just finished reading #41

Mary-Anne in Autumn  Armistead Maupin

I have been a fan for many years but I am guessing it would be at least 10 years since I read one of his books.  Sometimes when you go back to an author you find that the thing you liked about them was the time and place you were in yourself and what this person represented and a revisit is not as fulfilling as you thought it might be.  this is what I thought as I was about 50 pages through but as the book continued I realised the characters and story just crept up on me and enveloped me.
This book is part of a long drawn out series called Tales of the City.  The characters appear in various strengths in each book.  I loved the way all the characters had a chapter and then they start intertwining.  And there are gay and straight and young and old in there.  Set in San Fransisco in an interesting community of trans and gay and straight friends of a range of ages all on a quest for discovery of some sort.  Acceptance, closure and sex and so on.  A nice easy and warm read.

Just finished reading #39 & 40

Well, I would have to say that it has been the slowest and dullest reading summer for many years.  I just can't seem to get really excited about anything in particular.  Besides the Lee Child page turner in early January, I have only finished two books since then.  Sadly I have started quite a few more.  So all I have is a re-cap of the two finished items .In an unusual and very enjoyable twist, Jonty read fiction this summer and I tackled non-fiction.

Only two seats left - John Anderson (non fiction)

This is the story of Contiki, not a style of traveling I have experienced yet but an interesting story non the less.  We all love a tale of adventure and endeavour, especially that of a fellow Kiwi.  I enjoyed this read as the life of a company as well as a man.  It is not fantastically written but the story is interesting and fun.  I would love to be a person who gets an idea and puts it into practice and grows something fantastic out of it.  However, I don't think I am one of those people so love reading about people who have the drive and ambition to take the risks.   How all the ideas were developed and the lessons learned was  fascinating and I enjoyed reading it on holiday.  John Anderson is a good guy.

While in the holiday mood I decided to tackle another Nicky Pellegrino novel.  Having really enjoyed Recipe for life last year, I had high expectations of The Gypsy Tea Room and I was left a little wanting.  I could see what Nicky was trying to do and it wasn't a horrible book but it just didn't spin my wheels.  It is set in Italy in a lovely little hill town in modern times but it is a town with some old fashioned values.  The main character Raffealla is gorgeous and widowed so she is a no go zone.  Sent off to the big house to cook and clean for the visiting Americano ...you get the picture.  HOWEVER, to the book's credit, it does not end the way you are thinking.  It has a lovely ending and in hindsight there are some lovely characters.  As I was reading it I kept thinking, 'I can see where the author got her idea for the next book'.  So, an ok read if you are fast and can spare a week for a light read.

I have picked up the recent Armstead Maupin, an author I probably haven't read for about about 20 years...and it is ok, but I will save that till I have finished.  I have a couple of goodies on the pile which I can't wait to read.