February 2009: Book no 6

Well, I have done it! One month ahead of schedule I have reached my targeted 36 books for the year. I still have a lot of book reviews to catch up on here, but goal achieved!

Book no 6: Amsterdam by Ian McEwan

I discovered Mc Ewan last year when I read the bestseller "Atonement". I really enjoyed the book and I have subsequently read quite a few of his books. I share his fascination of mentally disturbed individuals or normal people being challenged on an emotional level to beyond general reasoning.

Amsterdam is an extremely clever story with a great unexpected turn to it. It is well written as one would expect of McEwan.

Cat's opinion: 8/10 and well worth the read.

November 2009; Book no 32

Book 32: Handle with care by Jodi Picoult
In general I enjoy Jodi Picoult's books that deal with controversial topics - like her most read "My sister's keeper" and "Nineteen minutes". This book has more than its fair share of controvercial and heart breaking topics.

The main character Willow never speaks for herself and the whole book is constructed from letters or conversations directed to Willow. This makes for interesting reading and an unique angle.

What I did find very uncomfortable, I can really find no other way to describe it, is that I really never got to like Charlotte, in a sense the hero of the book. She is portrayed in a way which evoked very little sympathy in me - maybe this is due to peronality on my side. On the other hand, I really liked sone of the other characters where the father, Sean, and the doctor, Piper attracted me immediately.

I really hated the end of this book and would have loved any other ending.

Cat's opinion : an ok Picoult - 7/10

November 2009: Book no 33

Book 33 : People of the book by Geraldine Brooks.

I can with all honesty say that this book will definitly find its place in my top 20 books of all times.

A very valuable and old Haggedah (Jewish prayer book) is saved twice by Muslims in Sarajevo - once right below the nose of the Nazis in the second world war and once during heavy shelling in the Bosnian war in the 1990's. But this is not the first time that this very special book has been saved from fire or other destruction. On these two instances of true life rescues Brooks base a long lifetime of stories for the earliest illustrated haggedah ever discovered.

Elegantly written with stunning true to life characters, it is truly exceptional. I can not wait to read it again. I will also make sure that I read more of her books.

Cat's opinion: a rare 10/10

January 2009 - Book 4

Book 4 - 13 uur by Deon Meyer.

Deon Meyer is the king of suspense in South Africa. His books are all written in Afrikaans and then translated in English and many more languages. This specific book will only be published in the US and UK in 2010. Go to Deon Meyer's website for more information.I can recommend every single one of his books and most are available through Amazon.com.

I had sick babies, I hardly slept, but I read until 3 in the morning to read to the conclusion of this book. This about sums up how absolutely spellbinding and thrilling this book is.

The storyline is original and unexpected, the hero unusual. As always, this book is well researched and frighteningly realistic of the crime ridden South African society. The language is just as realistic in the world that this story takes it's shape. One of the best books I have ever read and certainly the best suspense thriller ever.

Cat's opinion: A well deserved 10/10

January 2009 - Book 3

Book no 3 - Mao's Last Dancer by Li Cunxin

I am not a biography or autobiography reader. I have read and enjoyed a few, but they are not my chosen poison.I like the escape of fiction. But some true stories are certainly larger than fiction. This is one of those, and so well told.

The book tells the story of a dirt poor Chinese boy that gets chosen to go to the elite state ballet school - without ever having seen a ballet or know what it is about. It provides him with the opportunity to escape the hardships so graphically described and the chance to have a better future. In time he becomes a star and see the world. But he also realizes how he has been brainwashed to believe the communist principles forced down with the pirouettes.

The book is well written and holds the attention although it is a long read. I found life in communist China fascinating and the portrial of the west through his eyes is just amazing to read.

Cat's opinion: A well deserved 8/10

January 2009 - Book 2

"Op die Agterpaaie" deur Dana Snyman
This book is available in English as "On the Backroads" to order on Kalahari overseas if you are really interested in reading great South African travel writing.

This is Dana at his best - the people are so real you can smell them, touch them and talk to them. He describes places and adventures, but mostly it is the colourful characters that lives in this book that makes the read worth it. AS always, the nostalgia for long forgotten times and places lingers.

Cat's opinion: 9/10

October 2009 - Book no 31

"The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" by Stieg Larsson.

I really enjoy a good crime novel and love intrigue and drama in a story (off course my addiction to CSI speaks of the same love). This book is exceptionally brilliant within it's genre.

The plot is interesting in the hidden layers of motives and actions keeps it filled with tension throughout the book. I would have never guessed the final outcome and the plot eventually almost becomes two separate mysteries rolled into one storyline.

At times the book is very graphic about sex and violence - after all the story line leads to such type of material, but never unjustified. It is also interesting to gain an insight in the Swedish way of life and society as well as short descriptions of the lifestyle that never bores you.

I feel that the strongest element to the book is not the excellent story line, but the great characterization. Each and every character, even very minor ones, are drawn full rounded with enough information to let your imagination fill out the person, without becoming long winded and overly descriptive. The main characters deploy themselves to you as the book progresses and grow to involve you to form your opinion regarding them. They are rich and developing and hold your attention right to the end.

I will certainly recommend this book to anyone that is not an overly sensitive reader. I can not wait to read the second book in the series.
Cat's opinion: 9/10

August 2009 - Book no 25

"The Atonement Child" by Francine Rivers.

I love Francine Rivers' books that has a historical undertone like the "Voice in the wind" series. But the two books that I have read that takes place in the here and now both disappointed me. This book is an exception. I cried, I read without stopping and I found it hard to fall asleep, events just milling in my head.

I immediately liked Dynah - a honest and loving young woman. The tragedy of what happens to this woman is one thing to digest, the failing of her so called "loved ones" is something else. Her mother I can understand, the rest, just shows too much on stereotypical characters. I found Ethan such a stereotype, that I could forecast just from the back cover what his reactions were going to be. Also the Dean's reaction was no surprise. These two characters are weak. Some other characters are well developed and make the reading worth it. I especially enjoyed Grandma Evie and Cynthia Wyatt - two side characters that add a lot of dimension to the story and the message.

I found the end of the book and the resolution a bit shallow and the question of Grandam Evie remains unsolved, but in conclusion, although I have quite a bit of critic about it, a really good read. I will never be sorry that I read this book and it supports my pro-life support. Keep the tissues ready. Enjoy!
A good 8/10

July 2009 - Book no 24

"The Women" by T.C. Boyle.

Most architects have a hero, and architect that inspired them when they were students, someone that fascinates them. I have two, Le Corbusier and Frank Lloyd Wright. I was therefore so excited when I heard about this book on Frank Lloyd Wright and the women in his life and I could hardly wait to buy it and read it.

In a fiction format it provides a fascinating look into the real life person of one of the greatest and most famous architects that ever lived and the 4 woman that played a major role in his life. From his arrogance and arguably womanizing ways to is sensitive part, well hidden behind the curtain of his larger than life persona. I also learned a lot about the facts surrounding his private life and biggest projects.

The narrator is a fascinating character in his own right and keeps a lively story line. I found that I could not put this book down and although it is a long read, I really enjoyed every page. Although this is really an excellent book, I am not sure if you would enjoy it if you have no previous knowledge of Frank Lloyd Wright and his work. A great read for a limited audience.

9/10 for the interested.

July 2009 - Book no 23

In stead of trying to catch up on books from January, I would rather review them as I go along and catch up on the rest as I go on. As you can see, I am right on track with my target - actually 2 books ahead of schedule, but believe me with what I am busy at present, I am going to need that bit of play.

Book 23: The Secrets of the Notebook by Eve Haas.
I can not find this book at Amazon, but it is published by Harpertrue in the United Kingdom.

Imagine fleeing before the Nazi's and leaving your aged Grandmother behind, hoping she would go unnoticed. Imagine not hearing from her after 1943. Imagine being shown a notebook by your great grandmother on your 16th birthday, just to be denied reading it until you mothers death. And imagine finding out that you are the decedent of one of the biggest war heroes and wealthiest princes to have ever lived. And that you are not even Jewish. And that your Gran was murdered by the Nazis who was one of this prince's biggest admirers.

Yes, this is what Eve Haas finds out in a long search for her origins. It is a well written and fascinating story exploring the Prussian, Nazi era and cold war eras at the same time. What is even more amazing is that this is a 100% true story. I have not told you half of what happens, so do read this little book, it is a great read.
A fascinating 8,5/10

January 2009 - Book 1

Things without a name by Joanne Fedler.

When I saw this book at the Bookclub I was immediately attracted to the cover (unfortunately no image available on Amazon) and that was the sole reason I chose it. The main character of the book works as a social worker with a woman's rescue centre and one is immediately struck by the sense of hopelessness that this type of work sometimes involve. Her personal and family life ill equipped her to deal with theses situations and at best, she is emotionally unstable herself.

However the book turns at a stage towards a positive message - as her personal life takes an upturn you spot the positive in her work as well. At the end of the book, a list of names used reflect real life abused people as a sort of eulogy which gives the book a new meaning. I found myself paging back and looking for the characters and reflecting on the connection with their real life counterparts.

This book really made me reflect on a subject that seems to only surface once in a while in a newspaper article or on the TV news. It makes these poor abused people so much more real in your mind.

In general, a good and provocative read. It does have the obligatory romance at the end, but in this case it serves well to turn towards the positive.

A solid 7/10

So this what it is all about.

As a child, my favorite place in the whole world to visit was a book store or the library. I could get lost in them - spend hours and hours. My dream was to have a huge bookstore filled with books. I just love to smell a new book, to hear the pages turn and the back band bend. I love books!I taught myself to read at around age 5 and has never stopped. I can always find the time to read - even while tandem breastfeeding twins, I always have a book with me - in case I have to queue somewhere, in case I have to wait for someone - I'll read. I'll read in the car, while eating lunch, while dressing, everywhere. Not in the bath though - I have way too much respect for a book to subject it to a watery plunge. That's what magazines are for. I buy a lot of books but I also belong to a Book club where we create a pool of books to borrow.

In my PK (Pre-kid) days I used to read a lot - really a lot. About 50 plus books a year! I found that after my children's birth and as they grew up, I read less and less. Not that I'll ever stop! It is just way less than I used to. I never make New Years resolutions, but did decide that for 2009 I will put a goal to myself - to read 36 books this year - that brings me to 3 a month. This blog is an attempt to review and report on my progress - I have a hand written book journal that I have been keeping for years. Off course, I have 6 months of books to catch up on reporting in this blog!

This also creates an opportunity for my friends in the blogging community to see what I am reading, to hopefully participate and give their own comments and to aid them in choosing books to read themselves. I do sometimes read books in my Mother tongue, which might not be available in English, in which case I will try to recommend another book by the same author that has been translated or I will take an older review out of my journal and publish it. Enjoy!