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…

Split Second [6] February 2, 2009

After having no luck finding a copy of Split Second in Istanbul, I asked my mom to bring it when she came to visit. I was so happy to finally read about how Sean King and Michelle Maxwell met. They have such great chemistry as friends, partners, and sometime soon *crossing my fingers* as more than all that . The book helped explain the few references made to the past in both the Hour Game and Simple Genius. Also, an important character that showed up in the first book made reappearances in the latest novel. I would definitely recommend reading the books in order now that I have read them all. According to the web, Baldacci’s fourth book in the series First Family will come out this year. I can honestly hardly wait!

I have now read 2283 pages and February has officially started. I am one book ahead of schedule but we will see if I can keep up the reading pace. Being on vacation has been great for reading, but once school/work starts again I think it will be more difficult.

The Camel Club [5] January 29, 2009

I am slightly ahead of schedule on my 52 books challenge. I decided to read The Camel Club, another David Baldacci book. This is my third one so I think it is safe to say I am a fan. I really love his characters. They are just so human. They always have questionable pasts, are always flawed, and always conquer their fears to become heroic (even if it is just to a single person). So far in each book I have found myself laughing out loud a few times, tearing up a little, and getting downright angry at the villains.
The Camel Club is the first in a series of four books so far (more to come). It deals with conspiracy theories, intelligence agencies, “resurrection of the dead”, and mid-east terrorists. It is like a whole season of 24, wrapped up in an extremely readable book, with Jack Bauer being divided into four love-able middle-age men. It also puts an interesting twist on the terrorist angle that you never see coming. It also tries to explain the mentality of the terrorists. While it does not excuse what they do, it does help shed some light on the psychological driving force behind it. The explanation is a little lacking though and Nelson Demille does a far far better job explaining it in The Lion’s Game. Overall I highly recommend the book and can’t wait to read The Collectors some time soon.

Next up will be one of three books The Voices of Marrakesh, Seeing Redd, or Split Second. We will see which one suits my fancy, although all will be read during February. My pages read total is now 1802

Simple Genius [2] January 6, 2009

I literally just finished reading Simple Genius by David Baldacci. It is my second book by him and I am still very much impressed. He has four books out that feature the freelance PI team of Sean King and Michelle Maxwell. I absolutely love them! He is incredibly smart but human, and she is incredibly flawed but strong. You can’t help but root for them. I started with the second book, Hour Game, and this was the third in their series. It was right up my alley with the subject matter: CIA, cryptology, spies, WWII, treasure, Alan Turing, and the Enigma machine (I got to see a real one in Germany!). It was exciting until the very end. I can not wait to get my hands on more of his books!!!