Books, Books, and More Books [12-16] May 16, 2009

My reading definitely picked up in the month of April and is still going strong. I finally got around to reading Parineeta by Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay. I have now read two of his short novels (including Devdas) and I would love to get my hands on more. Since he originally wrote in Bengali, and in the early 1900’s for that matter, not a lot has been translated. There is one collection printed in Britain, but it is scarce and pretty pricey. Parineeta was a happily-ever-after love story in contrast to the tragic love story in Devdas. My love for both books extends beyond the page because two of my all time favorite Bollywood film were based on them. I always recommend 2002 version of Devdas because it was the most visually stunning movie I had ever seen! The clothes, colors, dancing, settings, and music (not to mention Shah Rukh Khan *swoon*) were all so rich and intoxicating, I always have to catch my breath during the final scenes. It is just perfect! Back to Parineeta. The story is about two children who grow up as neighbors and best friends. They are from different castes and live completely different lives. During a very auspicious night something happens to change the nature of their relationship. Due to this change and misunderstandings, things to not get figured out for the couple for a few years. I definitely recommend this very short book to lovers on the film and people looking for something a little different from the usual. There is great insight into the lives of everyday people in Bengal during that time.

The next book I read was recommended to me by a friend before I moved to Turkey. I would have never picked it up on my own, but I was intrigued. Horror/fantasy writer (he created the Hellraiser stuff) Clive Barker wrote a young adult book? Now I am not a fan of his normally because I abhor disgusting and violent things. Scary and intense thrillers are great, but doing disturbing and gross things for shock value are entirely different. I had no idea what I expect but I loved, loved, LOVED The Thief of Always! Harvey Swick is a bored 10 year old who is invited to go stay at the Holiday House. This house is every child’s dream……until they try to leave. I do not want to say even one more thing except track this book down and read it. Awesome! I also read they are starting to adapt it to the big screen, so look for it in 2010. I am hoping against hope that they do not screw it up!

Then I read two back to back David Baldacci books, The Collectors and Stone Cold. These are the follow up books to The Camel Club. The were very good and you have to read them together. They are one big long story. They introduce a new character, Anabelle, who is the world’s best con-artist. After puling the biggest con ever in The Collectors, she has the casino boss hot on her trail. That does not get resolved until the end of Stone Cold. There are two other stories weaved into both books and lots of questions are answered. The Camel Club series is not as intense as the King and Maxwell series, but it definitely takes care of my espionage cravings

And finally, I just finished reading One True Theory of Love by Laura Fitzgerald. This book was an unexpected favorite for me. The main character, Meg, is a kindergarten teacher. I loved the  parts when she was in class and talking about her students. It was easy for me to relate to it. She is a single mother raising  the most wonderful kid, Henry. He gets in trouble and makes mistakes, but I loved this kid. Then she meets a very handsome Iranian-American, Ahmed, and Ms. Fitzgerald captures the couple’s chemistry perfectly. Not many authors have done that with out resorting to over the top sex scenes, but she does it with looks and body language. So much more exciting than getting right down to the dirty business. Every character is so well developed and memorable including the parents, sister, the Loop Group, and kindergartners, that you really love every single one. You will have to read it to find out what happens to Meg, Ahmed and Henry, and I promise you will not be disappointed in this book.

So that catches you all up on my 52 Books Challenge. I am currently reading Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami. I will let you what my thoughts when I finish it, but so far so good…

With No One As Witness [8] February 24, 2009

I am currently reading more than a few books right now which really seems to slow down my reading. I will have to work on knocking a few of them off before I start my new stash of Baldacci’s (YAY!). This latest , With No One As Witness by Elizabeth George, was another crime/drama, mystery, serial killer novel. She is a British author and lets you know that from the first page. The book was full of British vocabulary and slang (bloody this and that buggering off together to have a nosh). I was not prepared for this since I have not really read much British writing after the 19th century. It really bothered me for the first 150 or so pages, but then I started to become indifferent to it and the story took over. It was quite interesting bringing in racial politics of England, profiling, psychology of a killer, but then it brought in child pornography towards the end and became a little disturbing.

Something else I did not realize when I started the book is that it features a team of detectives, Havers and Lynley, that have quite a long history together. This is actually the 12th book in the series of 14 so far. It is kind of like starting to watch 24 in the 4th season. There were so many characters from previous seasons who made appearances but you may not care as much about them. While the main story of  the novel was stand alone, there were many smaller story lines that were not as meaningful to me. Even when tragedy strikes “at home” for one of the main characters it did not affect me as much as perhaps a loyal reader. I was far more interested in the parts about finding the killer and wanted to skip the rest. I am not in a hurry to go back and read the previous books but maybe someday. I only recommend if you have read the rest of the series first.

In other news I got my bookmark from my Ravelry swap partner today(thanks again drie80!). It is absolutely gorgeous (photo below). It was my first swap and I loved it.  I am doing an Envelope swap this month as well (fill it in under $5). With Ravelry and Postcrossing I am getting a ton of mail these days from all over the world. I also received my wedding invitation from Sarah . I can not believe how soon my trip will be coming. It is so exciting! I wish it were longer, but duty calls at work. Murat is getting everything ready for his visa so I will keep you all posted on how that turns out. Well off to do my Turkish homework so I will be prepared for lessons tomorrow.

Bookmarks I made (photo by MissJulie)

My bookmark by drie80

The Burnt-Out Town Of Miracles [4] January 21, 2009

Since I have been lying in bed with the flu for the last few days, I have had some extra reading time. My latest book was The Burnt-Out Town of Miracles by Roy Jacobsen. It was a book that intrigued me by the title alone. I like to do that sometime, pick a book because of the title or cover. I have found some gems that way and only one disappointment I can think of.

Anyway, the story takes place in Finland during the Winter War of 1939 when the Russians invaded. One man, Timo the woodcutter, decides to stay in his village while the rest flee from the coming Russians. The town is burned down before the troops arrive and Timo is taken as prisoner. It is a story about courage and bitter cold, unlikely friendships and violence, hard-work and stubbornness, and about a man that your heart just goes out to. I just wanted to give Timo a giant hug so that he knew that at least I know his story now, and he won’t be forgotten. It is also a reminder that war lasts, long after peace treaties have been signed, for those who have lived through it. I highly recommend it, but its themes are heavy for such a light book.

I will pick a new book tomorrow but for now I have read 1209 pages…

Never Let Me Go December 30, 2008

I finished my last book of 2008 a couple days ago. Kazuo Ishiguro’s Never Let Me Go was a fabulous book. Disturbing but fabulous. For about the first 100 pages the narrator talks of her childhood, and of some truth that she and her friends seemed to be right on the verge of understanding at that time. The writing mirrored this by making me feel like I too was on the verge of understanding what was going on, but could not put my finger on it. After finally being clued in on what was going on, I joined the narrator as she finishes reminiscing about her idyllic school days and becomes an adult. Her adult life is spent caring for her two best friends, the loves of her life. You watch as she just accepts the status quo and goes along with what is expected of her, a dutiful “servant”.

This is the only part I had a problem with. Not because of the writing or storytelling, but because I like to put myself in a character’s shoes. I realize that she was never taught to question her destiny, or that there was any other option available for her. I just can not believe any person could deny one of the basest human instincts. I know I would have done everything in my power to change, at the very least, my destiny. I would have become unwanted so to say. On the whole it was a beautifully written and well thought out story. I hope I was cryptic enough to have intrigued you to read the book. I would love to hear your thoughts and comments if and when you read it.

Up Next…you will have to check back in 2009 for the first book of my 52 in 52 Challenge. It will be a fun one and a super-duper easy one. I have not read it since I was a kid (like the 6th grade) but I really have a craving to read it. It will be the only one of its kind, but I must!