What I've Read

Too ill to post but I have been reading:

The Heart of Buddha**** by E.Sze Canada 2010  

Bhutan, Tibet, missing sister, danger, monks, political and religious oppression, travel. Includes a glossary of local terms used. Very enjoyable, highly recommended.

The Butterfly Chair**** by Marion Quednau Canada 1987 (202 pages)

Awarded the 1987 Books in Canada Best First Novel Award.

German immigrants to Canada 1950s, severe architect father, family violence. How daughter copes and finds her own balance even years after mother is killed. Very interesting story, highly recommended.

The Carnivore***** by Mark Sinnett Canada 2009 (255 pages)

Hurricane Hazel 1954; Toronto, 81 deaths, can hero policeman's marriage survive the consequences of that disaster? Original, and highly recommended.

Notes From an Exibition****+ by Patrick Gale UK 2009 (401 pages)

Study in creative process that drives a bipolar mother and wife in her painting, how her husband and four children cope with this and family tragedies. Steven Fry liked the novel so I tried it. Very enjoyable, a good writer, very observant. Highly recommended.

Breaking Lorca***** by Giles Blunt Canada 2009 (260 pages)

2009 Governor General's Award Longlist.

El Salvador and US 1980s; torture, cruelty, repression, and the search for redemption. Excellent. Not for the faint of heart.

Fall 2010: Release of Crime Machine, the new John Cardinal novel from Random House Canada. My son (37) and I read every book as he publishes them and we've enjoyed them all. I also reviewed No Such Creature.

On the lighter side:

Benny and Shrimp**** by K. Mazetti Sweden 1998 209 pgs.

Charming, complicated romance between two people with very different expectations. Some sex scenes, though most of it them I just found goofy.

Little Face**** by S. Hannah UK.

Missing baby; police procedural, original, suspense from tip to tail, complex, well-written, highly recommended. Have just acquired The Wrong Mother and can't wait to read more of Hannah.

When Will There be Good News?***** by Kate Atkinson UK (389 pages)

Read the first chapter online and simply had to know what happened. Thoroughly enjoyable, much more than a crime/mystery drama. Well developed characters and more than a single story line. Loved it, can't wait to read more Atkinson. This was my first. Highly recommended.

Currently Reading:

Every Man Dies Alone by Hans Fallada Germany 1947

Darkness Visible by William Golding UK 1979 Nobel author

Please leave links to reviews, reading recommendations, comments or questions.

Scandinavian Reading Challenge

Hosted by The Black Sheep Dances.

March 25 through December 31, 2010.

"Skal"  6 books before year end.

Read so far:

1.Benny and Shrimp***+ by Katarina Mazetti (Sweden)
2.The True Deceiver**** by Tove Jansson (Finland)

Books on hand:  

Growth of the Soil by Knut Hamsun (Norway)
The Journey Home by Olaf Olafsson (Iceland) 2001
In the Wake by Per Petterson (Norway)
Hanna's Daughters by Marianne Fredriksson (Sweden) 1998
The History of Danish Dreams by Peter Hoeg (Denmark) 1996
Smilla's Sense of Snow by Peter Hoeg (Denmark) 1995
Sophie's World: A Novel About the History of Philosophy by Jostein Gaarder
The Quiet Girl by Peter Høeg (Denmark) 2007
The Road to Lagoa Santa by Henrik Stangerup
The Man Who Wanted To Be Guilty by Henrik Stangerup

Wishlist:

Babette's Feast by Isak Dinesen (Denmark) 1958

Previously read and enjoyed:

Hunger***** by Knut Hamsun (Norway) 1890
Pan**** by Knut Hamsun (Norway) 1890s
Out Stealing Horses**** by Per Petterson (Norway)
To Siberia**** by Per Petterson (Norway)
The Blue Fox***** by Sjon (Iceland) 2009
The Unit****+ by Ninni Holmqvist (Sweden) 2009
The Sound of Language****+ by Amulya Malladi (Denmark) 2007
Absolution**** by Olaf Olafsson (Iceland)
Seven Gothic Tales**** by Isak Dinesen (Denmark)
The House With The Blind Glass Windows**** by Herbjorg Wassmo (Norway) 2002
Vita Brevis : A Letter to St Augustine by Jostein Gaarder (Norway) 1998

Non fiction

Shadows On The Grass***** by Isak Dinesen (Denmark)
Daguerreotypes and Other Essays**** by Isak Dinesen (Denmark)
Selections from the Writings of Søren Kierkegaard***** (Denmark) 1880s
Fear and Trembling; The Sickness Unto Death***** by Søren Kierkegaard (Denmark) 1880s
Kon-Tiki: Across the Pacific by Raft***** by Thor Heyerdahl (Norway) 1950
Aku-Aku: The Secret of Easter Island**** by Thor Heyerdahl (Norway) 1958

Crime fiction:

Borkmann's Point****+ by Hakan Nesser (Sweden)
The Return***** by Hakan Nesser (Sweden)
Voices***** by Arnaldur Indridason (Iceland)
Jar City or Tainted Blood**** by Arnaldur Indridason (Iceland)
The Devil's Star****+ by Jo Nesbø (Norway)
Nemesis**** by Jo Nesbø (Norway)
The Princess of Burundi***+ by Kjell Eriksson (Sweden)
The Cruel Stars of the Night**** by Kjell Eriksson (Sweden)
Before the Frost***+ by Henning Mankell (Sweden)

Recommendations of good literary fiction or requests for brief reviews of any books read are always welcomed from readers.