March 2011 - Book 8

 Room by Emma Donoghue

Jack lives with Ma in Room - a space of 11 feet by 11 feet. Everything on TV is not real our "out in space on another planet". The only person Jack ever sees or talk to is Ma and evil Nick is just a voice and a shadow. 

Just after his 5th birthday Ma makes a confession and Jack's whole idea of the world is blown apart. Driven by anxiety of her son growing up in total isolation, the delicacy of their safety and extreme dental pain, Ma plots a plan for Jack to escape outside of Room.

Told in Jack's own words and voice, this is a thrilling story about one woman and her son's ordeal at the hands of a mad man and monster. It is however also the story of how they adapt back into the outside world. I can see why is was on the Man Booker Prize 2010 short list at is truly brilliantly written.

A unique story well told - 9/10

July 2011 - Book 17

Feniks deur Deon Meyer

Kaptein Mat Joubert is lewensmoeg- en oorgewig en propovol cholestrol en rook te veel. Moord en Roof se nuwe polities aangestelde bevelvoerder is boonop besig om druk op almal te plaas om sy Scotland Yard idees af te druk op die eenheid.

En dan begin die Mauser moorde wat oenskynlik geen konneksie tussen die slagoffers het nie. Terwyl 'n sjarmante bakrower 'n bank teister met sy elegante styl en 'n nuwe vermomming vir elke roof.

Intussen met Mat sy vrou Lara se dood na 2jaar in die oe staar as hy verwys word vir sielkundige behandeling. Bennie Griesel sy kollega het ook hulp nodig om uit die kloue van die drankverslawing te ontsnap.

Met 'n aller briljante ontknoping is dit weereens 'n heelike lees.

'n Toonkrul lekker 9/10

December 2010 - Book 31

Committed by Elizabeth Gilbert

I am not a good non-fiction reader, preferring the escape from reality to reality itself. This book however, is  a startling exception to the rule. I loved it and it kept me fascinated throughout.

Liz, the charming divorcee from "Eat, Pray, Love" tells the story of what happened after the sweet love story in Bali. The supposedly happily ever after part. It turns out to be the harsh reality o trying to carve out a life together in the worst of circumstances. Having been forced to marry in the modern equivalent of a state induced shotgun wedding, she uses the time to research the history and future of the institution we call marriage.

To me, it reinforced some ideas but what I loved most is the realization that above all the intimacy and privacy of a marriage between two people is still the most powerful union of all.


A must read for all married woman (and those contemplating the idea). It was such an apt read on the eve of our 10th anniversary.


A stunning 9/10 

July 2011 - Book 16

 The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls

 

 I am not a lover of autobiographies or biographies at all. I much rather prefer the escape that fiction brings. But sometimes the saying "truth is stranger than fiction" actually rings true. Without a doubt this is one of those instances.

Whilst reading this book I was constantly gasping for my breath, wondering if indeed there were people thinking and living the way the author was raised. The result of a total dreamer alcoholic for a dad and a frustrated idealistic artist for a mom, Jeannette turns out a huge success in life, but not without fighting every misguided principle her parents forced on them Strangely enough, only the youngest sibling seem to be unable to break the constraints of a seemingly childhood of freedom or neglect, however you wish to phrase it.

Totally fascinating and extremely well written, this is a memoir worthy of a read and the bestseller status it has achieved. 

A must read 9/10

May 2011 - Book 10

Consolation by Anna Gavalda

I have to admit that sometimes, the cover of a book is the first draw card for me. This was certainly the case with this book with such a lovely cover.

Charles is a life-tired architect, frustrated in his work and life at home. In fact, his only bit of positive feedback and the light of his life is a teenager that is not even his own child. Charles also has a colourful past, dominated by his down to the rules parents , a unique neighbour , her son and a rather unconventional nanny. And although in secret, Charles loved that neighbour, Anouk, not like a son but like the man he was yet to become.

When he receives the news that she has died, his life all of a sudden goes into an out of control spin until, inevitably, he sets out to find her son. There life hands him the best consolation prize ever - Kate, a woman Anouk touched with her unique light. And a woman that will heal his heart.

I found the first half of the book a rather tough read - maybe due to the translation from the original French. But once you reach the last half it turns into pure magic.

A wonderful positive read and well worth a 9/10

May 2011 - Book 12

Gone - Mo Hayder

When a car is hi-jacked with an 11 year old girl still in the back seat, DI Jack Caffery quickly realizes that he is dealing with way more than an accidental disappearance. When the hi-jacker starts to send letters to the victims and police, Jack knows that this was not the last child to be grabbed by this monster. He also realizes that he is dealing with the most intelligent criminal he has ever encountered.

Full of unexpected twists and turns and filled with a colourful range of characters, this book will keep you wanting for more and reading into the wee hours of the morning.

A thriller second to none, this will be only the first of many books by Mo Hayder that I will read.

Cat's mark: a well deserved 9/10

June 2009 - Book 16

The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver
I have looked at this book for years, thinking to buy it and always choosing something else in stead. I was simply not ready for another story of liberation in Africa. So when I saw it in the Book club, I also took a few months before I actually borrowed it and read it. And boy, was I wrong about this book - it is not about politics in -Africa at all, but more about politics right in every home.

When a borderline deranged missionary decides to take his family to Africa to "save the savages" the real savage in him comes out to play. A brutal and disillusioned man, he influences the lives of his daughters until the end of time.

Excellently written and a great story with very real and unique characters, this is simply a "must" read. Even if you do not feel like another African read.

Cat's rating: 9/10

April 2009 - Book no 13

The brief wondrous life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz
Oscar is a young man, and outcast that finds himself growing up in the most extraordinary circumstances. He is transplanted to the very intriguing environment of Santa Domingo where he once again find himself caught up in a world that he does not really belong to. Eternally the fringe figure he finds his solace in science fiction. If you know a bit about this genre in literature or the movies you might find yourself surprise every now and again by references and quotes.

A truly original, but very sad read that is so well written that you can actually see the characters come alive. I would greatly recommend this book to every one that likes an original read.

Cat's rating: A great 9/10 

March 2009 -Book no 11

Emotionally Healthy Twins by Joan A Friedman
I met Joan when she gave a talk at SAMBA - South Africa's Multiple Birth Association.I was really impressed by her principles and bought the book to read more.

Joan encourages separate individuality to a huge extend going as far as separate parties etc. We decided to implement several of the suggestions she makes and it has surely already been of benefit to us.

I would encourage all parents of multiples to read this book - we all take such care of their physical health, let's do the same for their mental health.

Cat's rating 9/10

March 2009 -Book no 9

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer
There has been so much written about these books that I am not going to add much to the debate. Suffice with that I found the book completely "unputdownable " and can see why it is a bestseller of note. The whole concept of an almost completely parallel world running along side and interweaving with ours was fascinating.  At the time when I read the book I was not sure if I actually was going to read the rest of the series, but subsequently have and enjoyed all.

I did find Bella extremely irritating though. Her neadyness and passive character type really frustrated me and I was sure that in real life Bella and me would never have been friends. Way too dark and broody. Although a good book on it's own, it is really just the introduction to the rest of the series.

Cat's rating: 9/10 for a good read.

July 2010 - Book no 20

The third Angel by Alice Hoffman

Spanning the time frame of 3 lifetimes, this book brings together the stories of a whole cast of characters that one meet as the book progress. In each part of the book, in each time frame you start to make the connections between the different characters. The picture and the whole frame of the story becomes more apparent.

The book connects the loves of two present day sisters, getting together to prepare for the one's wedding, with the life of the groom's mom in the swinging sixties, where she discovers while defying her father that her greatest joy is actually being with him. Years before that the two sister's mother witness a heartbreaking event that changes her life forever. The one factor that binds all of the stories is a dingy hotel in London, that almost acts as a character all of its own.

Cleverly written this books addresses the love between parents and their children and the devastating effect the loss of a loved one has on the lives of those left behind.An excellent and clever read.

Cat's opinion: A clever 9/10

(I also enjoyed her book Here on Earth and the film Practical magic, based on one of her books)

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

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.