Fresh Ink Books

The World We Found by Thrity Umrigar

2012-01-12T16:41:00.002-05:00

Readalong and Discussion at S. Krishna's Books

Release Date Jan.3, 2012

I am waiting for a copy from my public library. I have also read The Space Between Us***** and The Weight of Heaven****+ and recommend both very highly. Thrity Umrigar is my latest favourite novelist and I will be reading her backlist as well.

Start Reading The World We Found...

Have you read or reviewed any of this author's books? Leave your comments or a link, I would love to read them.

Thrity Umrigar's favourite books about India.

Friday Finds (1.6.12)

2012-01-06T01:19:00.000-05:00

Hosted by Hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading

What great books did you hear about/discover this past week? Share with us your FRIDAY FINDS!

All is Song by Samantha Harvey (UK) January 5

Interest in reading: I enjoyed her first novel The Wilderness**** 2009, about Alzheimers. Orange Prize Shortlist, Booker Prize Longlist, Guardian First Book Award Shortlist, Betty Trask Prize.

Book Description:

"Set against the backdrop of growing national unrest, tabloid frenzies and an escalating fuel crisis, "All Is Song" is a novel about filial and moral duty, and about the choice of questioning above conforming. It is a work of remarkable perception, intensity and resonance from one of Britain's most promising young writers."

The Orphan Master's Son by Adam Johnson (US) Jan 10

Interest in reading: Set in North Korea, that's enough for me.

Book description:

"Part breathless thriller, part story of innocence lost, part story of romantic love, The Orphan Master’s Son is also a riveting portrait of a world heretofore hidden from view: a North Korea rife with hunger, corruption, and casual cruelty but also camaraderie, stolen moments of beauty, and love. A towering literary achievement, The Orphan Master’s Son ushers Adam Johnson into the small group of today’s greatest writers."

Let's hope they're even half right.

The Angel Makers by Jessica Gregson Dec.6 2011

Interest in Reading: Husband and his family are from Hungary. He recognized the name of the town the story is set in when I mentioned it to him. It's based on historical events and is one of a kind (one hopes).

Book Description:

"When the men of a remote Hungarian village go off to war in 1916, the women left behind realize their lives are much better without them. Suddenly, they are not being beaten; they have time for friendships; they even find romance with the injured Italian soldiers staying just outside of town.
For Sari, an intelligent girl who's always been an outcast (her fellow villagers suspect her of being a witch because of her medical knowledge), it's the first time in her life she's had friends. When the men return at war's end, the freedom Sari and the others have enjoyed is suddenly snatched from them, and they realize they need to do whatever it takes to hold onto it. Sari puts her medical knowledge to use to off her husband. Then she helps one of her friends. And another. When the word spreads, she realizes her problems are only beginning. This creeping and hugely readable first novel is based on a true story."

"In truth, between 45 and 300 people were intentionally poisoned in Nagyrév, Hungary, over 15 years during and after WWI. Gregson's version of events is horrifically plausible and psychologically astute, and Sari makes a surprisingly sympathetic narrator." --Mari Malcolm

Wellcome Trust Book Prize 2011

2011-12-25T03:26:00.001-05:00

Celebrating Wellness in Literature

If you visit Fresh Ink Books you know that I follow many literary awards for reading recommendations. I don't always love the winners per se but I always find some very good reading in both the shortlists and those longlists that are released. The Wellcome Trust is a new one for me. In it's third year now, it rewards the book of fiction or non fiction which dealt with a medical subject.

I've always loved novels with some aspect of medicine or with doctors in them. I have to say that the improvement in the quality of the subjects covered has greatly improved since I was young and scrounging around for good stories that dealt accurately and not mawkishly with illness or disease. This year's shortlist for The Wellness Trust Book Prize were Announced on Oct. 6. The winner Turn of Mind by Alice LaPlante was announced on Nov.9, 2011

Fiction

Turn of Mind

Alice LaPlante
The police are convinced that Jennifer White has killed her best friend. Amanda's body has been discovered, with four fingers neatly removed from her right hand. Jennifer's work as an accomplished surgeon and the stormy nature of their friendship make her the prime suspect. But Jennifer has Alzheimer's, and the disease that is gradually destroying her once brilliant mind prevents her from knowing if she really is the murderer.
Publisher: Harvill Secker

Nemesis

Philip Roth
Set in 1944 during a fictional polio epidemic that threatens children in the Jewish community of Newark, New Jersey, this book is the story of Bucky Cantor, the 23-year-old playground director of the local school. Cantor becomes a hero to the boys, but as polio begins to ravage the playground and they begin to die, he is forced to make decisions that will haunt him in later life.
Publisher: Vintage

My Dear I Wanted to Tell You

Louisa Young
Set on the Western Front in World War I, and also in London, Kent, Paris and Wigan, this is a novel of love, class and sex during wartime. By weaving together the stories of five disparate characters, Louisa Young describes the birth of modern reconstructive surgery and the psychological impact that it had on the men who received it.
Publisher: HarperCollins

State of Wonder

Ann Patchett
Among the waterways of Brazil's Rio Negro, Dr Annick Swenson is developing a drug that could alter the lives of women for ever by granting them lifelong fertility. Her work is shrouded in mystery so Anders Eckman, a mild-mannered lab researcher, is sent to investigate. Eckman's untimely death leads his colleague Marina Singh to investigate - stepping into the jungle's darkness to track down Dr Swenson and uncover her jealously guarded secrets.
Publisher: Bloomsbury

Non-fiction

The Emperor of All Maladies: A Biography of Cancer

Siddhartha Mukherjee
The history of cancer is a story of human ingenuity, resilience and perseverance, but also of hubris and arrogance. Cancer researcher Siddhartha Mukherjee describes the work of his predecessors and peers, with their successes and failures, as they pit their wits against a resourceful enemy. This book investigates the way doctors, scientists, philosophers and lay people have observed and understood the human body and offers a glimpse into the future of medical treatments.
Publisher: 4th Estate

The Two Kinds of Decay

Sarah Manguso
Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) is a hugely distressing disease in which one's own immune system attacks the nerves outside of the brain and spine. Sarah Manguso developed CIDP at 21, leaving her paralysed for weeks at a time. Written after seven years of remission, this book unflinchingly describes the medical routines that kept her going, confronting the often meaningless and irrational nature of real pain.
Publisher: Granta Books

I enjoyed and can recommend State of Wonder as I usually do with Patchett's books, and Turn of Mind and My Dear I Wanted to Tell You are already on my tbr list. I'm not one for Philip Roth but I may change my mind and read Nemesis as we have a family member who's endured polio his entire life. I expect I will read The Emperor of All Maladies one day, as we all probably should, but for now the experiences associated with my father and both of my husband's parents succumbing to this pestilence preclude my wish to concentrate on it.

I do read medical books and journals when I want information but I've always found that reading about medical subjects in the context of fiction is often a good way to learn about how people cope and it can teach empathy in a way that non fiction sometimes doesn't.

Shortlist for 2010

So Much For That by Lionel Shriver
Grace Williams Says it Loud by Emma Henderson
Medic: Saving lives - from Dunkirk to Afghanistan
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot (Winner)
Teach Us to Sit Still by Tim Parks
Angel of Death: The Story of Smallpox by Gareth Williams

Do you enjoy novels with medical themes or do you prefer non fiction?

Have you read any of the books mentioned or have any plans to?

Which outstanding novels dealing with illness or disease can you recommend?

Leave your thoughts or links to reviews in the comments. I'd love to read them

The Wellcome Trust Book Prize Official site

Dewey's Readathon 4

2011-10-22T18:22:00.001-05:00

Reading during Dewey Readathon:

On Canaan's Side by Sebastian Barry

First in importance as the library is threatening to release my address to the bazillion patrons who are waiting for it. Two days late-bah. And I really enjoyed The Secret Scripture**** which won several awards in 2008.

Snowdrops by Andrew Miller

The last of the Booker Shortlist I had hoped to read before the winner (Julian Barnes)was anounced Oct. 18. If a comparison of the six entries interests you, let me know, I'll write up a little something..

The Free World by David Bezmozgis

The next to last of the six Giller Prize shortlist I want to read before the Nov 8 winner announcement. It's also up for the Governor General's Award, to be announced on Nov.15. The last tbr is The Antagonist by Lynn Coady. But not today, the library is holding it hostage until I return some others. I will not be reading Better Living Through Plastic Explosives by Zsusi Gartner. Short stories are not what I want in literary awards.

Litttle Shadows by Marina Endicott

Governor General's Literary Awards shortlist, winner to be announced on Nov.15. I enjoyed her book Good to a Fault**** which was on the 2008 Giller shortlist.

Touch by Alexi Zentner

Also on shortlist for Governor General's Literary Award 2011.

Nice covers all around too.

I've participated in many readathons. Have fun, do not drive yourself to exhaustion. Have a nap and read again.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

2011-09-11T20:05:00.001-05:00

Hosted by Sheila at Book Journey.

Recently completed:

Canada:

The Cat's Table****+ by Michael Ondaatje 2011 (269 pgs)

Also read: Divisadero****

UK

The London Train***+ by Tessa Hadley 2011 (352 pgs)

Orange Prize longlist 2011

UK/Monseratt

A Cupboard Full of Coats****+ by Yvvette Edwards 2011 (260 pgs.)

Man Booker Prize longlist 2011

US:

State of Wonder***+ by Ann Patchett 2011 (368 pgs)

Also read: Bel Canto****+, Run****, Patron Saint of Liars****

Currently reading:

Jamrach's Menagerie by Carol Birch UK 2011 (348 pgs.)

Man Booker Prize shortlist 2011

On the Nightstand:

The Sense of an Ending by Julian Barnes UK 2011 (150 pgs)

Man Booker Prize shortlist 2011

Also read: The Lemon Table****+ (short stories), Nothing to be Frightened of***+ (essays).

The Soldier's Wife by Margaret Leroy UK 2011 (392 pgs.)

My third novel set in Guernsey in the past.

The Bells by Richard Harvell US 2010 (374 pgs.)

All worth reading this week. My favourite was A Cupboard Full of Coats. Highly recommended.

Leave links if you've reviewed any of these books, I'd love to read them.

I take requests for reviews from my readers. Please just ask if something I've read interests you.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

2011-09-04T21:29:00.001-05:00

Hosted by Sheila at Book Journey.

Recently completed:

Australia:

The Paperbark Shoe****+ by Goldie Goldbloom 2009 (373 pages)

Japan:

The Changeling**** by Kenzaburo Oe (468 pages) Nobel author, Man Asian Literary Prize shortlist 2010

Not an easy read for those unaccustomed to ploughing through introspective literature.

Nigeria:

Oil on Water**** by Helon Habila 2010 (240 pages) Winner Commonwealth Prize

The Secret Lives of Baba Segi's (the Four) Wives***** by Lola Shonyin 2010 (280 pages)

Tiny Sunbirds Far Away****+ by Christie Watson UK/Nigeria 2011 (438 pages)

UK:

Wish Her Safe At Home**** by Stephen Benatar 1982 (263 pages)

The Book of Lies***+ by Mary Horlock UK 2011

US:

The Bird Sisters**** by Rebecca Rasmussen 2011 (390 pages)

Faith****+ by Jennifer Haigh 2011

Currently reading:

The Cat's Table by Michael Ondaatje Canada 2011

On the Nightstand:

The Soldier's Wife by Margaret Leroy UK 2011

Tiger Hills by Sarita Mandanna India, Man Asian Literary Prize longlist 2010

No time-wasters in the bunch. I can recommend them all. The stars say it. Any opinions?

Please leave links if you've reviewed any of these books, I'd love to read them.

I take requests for reviews from my readers. Please just ask.

Winner of Blindness by Jose Saramago

2011-08-24T20:04:00.001-05:00

Congratulations to Riki of Reading Challenged, who has won my copy of Blindness by Jose Saramago.

And thank you to everyone who entered the giveaway and especially to my new followers.

My health has been poor these last couple of months but I am reading some very good books and will post about them in the next few days.

Summer Giveaway Hop Aug 1-7, 2011

2011-08-01T14:54:00.000-05:00

Summer Giveaway Hop Hosted by Kathy at I am a Reader Not a Writer, and Mary at Bookhounds.
This Giveaway runs from Aug1-Aug7. I am offering an already read copy of Blindness by Jose Saramago, a Nobel author. Simply follow me through Google or Twitter in the sidebar, or tell me that you already follow and which you do, and leave your email in a comment. One entry per person and it's open worldwide. If you've already read it, here are more than 300 other giveaways being offered this week during The Summer Bloghop: 1.I am a Reader Not a Writer 2. BookHounds (Int)
3. Forever Young (adult) (Int)
4. Rachael Renee Anderson (US)
5. Its All About The Kissing (US)
6. Michelle @ Book Briefs (US)
7. A Foodie Bibliophile in Wanderlust (US)
8. The Lovely Getaway (US)
9. She Known As Jess (Int)
10. Pretty Opinionated (US)
11. Miss Remmers Review (Int)
12. So Many Books. . So Little Time (US)
13. Taming the Bookshelf (Int)
14. Reading Challenged (US/Can)
15. In The Next Room (US/Can)
16. Confessions of a Bookaholic (Int)
17. Romancing the Book (US)
18. Library of Clean Reads (US/Can)
19. AsianCocoas Secret Garden (Int)
20. StuckInBooks (Int)
21. Alexis @ Reflections of a Bookaholic (Int)
22. Lisas World of Books (US)
23. Cuzinlogic (Int)
24. She Sparkles (US/Can)
25. Be Joyful Always (Int)
26. Helen Smith (Int)
27. Workaday Reads (Int)
28. Jennifer @ The Book Nympo (Int)
29. Dr. Stravagantes Traveling Book Circus (Int)
30. Imaginary Reads (Int)
31. Frequent Reader, Infrequent Blogger (Int)
32. Ninth Street Notions (US)
33. Scattered Figments (Int)
34. Live To Read ~Krystal (US)
35. Unabridged Andra (US)
36. SpadesHighReads (Int)
37. Authors Book Corner (US)
38. lauriehere Reading and Writing Reviews (US)
39. Practical Frugality (US)
40. Logan E. Turner (Int)
41. Lisas Loves Books of Course (Int)
42. Backseat Writer (Int)
43. Bookworm Lisa (Int)
44. Kimmels Tidbits (Int)
45. The Readers Suite (Int)
46. Gabrielle Carolina @ The Mod Podge Bookshelf (US)
47. Kristis Book Nook (US)
48. Tethered Mommy (US)
49. IngaSilbergBooks (Int)
50. Working for the Mandroid (US)
51. Mickey @ imabookshark (US)
52. To Read, Perchance to Dream (Int)
53. Preternatural Primer (Int)
54. Memrie @ darkangel88 (Int)
55. The Purple Roses (US)
56. Taffys Writings (US)
57. Sara York (US)
58. Bitten Books (Int)
59. Jinky is Reading (US)
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70. Reading, Writing, and the World of Words (Int)
71. Sweeping Me ~ (Int)
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73. At Home Between the Pages (Int)
74. Kristinas Book Reviews (US)
75. Ravishing Reads (US)
76. Makobi Scribe (Int)
77. Simple Wyrdings (Int)
78. A Family Friendly Blog (Int)
79. Look What I Got For Free (US)
80. A Book in the Hand (US/Can)
81. Jess resides here (US)
82. Tifferz Book Review (US)
83. BOOKS R US (US/Can)
84. Shameless Romance Reviews (Int)
85. Truly Bookish (US)
86. Mymcbooks Blog (US)
87. Close Encounters with the Night Kind (Int)
88. Book Twirps (US)
89. Simply Stacie (Int)
90. Jamies Precious Peas (US)
91. Life, Love, Lust (US)
92. Living, Loving, Laughing, Reading (US)
93. Cedar Fort Books (US/Can)
94. Of Thoughts and Words (US)
95. The Guardian Legacy (US)
96. E. B. Walters Weblog (US)
97. Muriel Reeves Mysteries (Int)
98. Reader Girls (Int)
99. Inside BJs Head (US)
100. Red Hot Books (Int)
101. Getting Naughty Between the Stacks (US)
102. Mina Burrows - books for paranormal & mystic minds (US)
103. MyLadyWeb: Womens History & Women Authors (US)
104. April @ Book Geek Central (Int)
105. Dollycas Thoughts (US)
106. Oh My Gosh Beck! (Int)
107. The Write Path (US/Can)
108. A Thousand Wrongs (a little about writing and a lot about books) (US)
109. LovLivLife Reviews (US)
110. Ley Mesinas Blog (US)
111. Adventures of a Military Family of 8 (Int)
112. N2Fan (US)
113. Dreams about writing (Int)
114. Enter The Spirit World of S. B. Niccum (US)
115. A Little Hope. . . Amidst the Chaos (US)
116. Waiting on Sunday to Drown (US)
117. Acting Balanced (Int)
118. Secret of the Stars (Int)
119. AmethystDaydreams (Int)
120. Lauries Thoughts & Reviews (Int)
121. Life Happens (US)
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128. 24/7 Book Cafe (Int)
129. The Literary Imaginarium (Int)
130. Amy Stuart Paranormal Blogger (Int)
131. Hedgeland (Int)
132. DrANyland (Int)
133. kindle fever (Int)
134. My Devotional Thoughts (Int)
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136. Reading Lark (US/Can)
137. Lis Careys Library (US)
138. A Casual Readers Blog (US)
139. GH&MC (US)
140. Love and Money by Feng Shui (Int)
141. Deco My Heart (US)
142. Refracted Light \| YA Book Reviews (US/Can)
143. Clean Romance Reviews (Int)
144. Laurens Bookshelf (US)
145. The Book Garden (Int)
146. SortofBeautiful (Int)
147. News and Reviews from the Heart of the Dragons Den (US)
148. My Life With Books (US)
149. Kristen @ Seeing Night Reviews (US)
150. Book Savvy Babe (Int)
151. Vicki @ Id Rather Be Reading At The Beach (US)
152. Jagged Edge (Int)
153. I Smell Sheep (US)
154. Peace from Pieces (US)
155. The Book Monsters (Int)
156. Shopping for Savings (US)
157. Throwing Books (Int)
158. Ella Bella Reviews (Int)
159. The Deadly Dose (Int)
160. Sometimes Its Cloudy, Sometimes Its Clear (US)
161. Beccas Backyard (US)
162. Pages Turned & Lessons Learned (US)
163. Love of Books (US)
164. Getting Your Read On (Int)
165. The Bookish Babes (Int)
166. Chloe Bierge: On Writing and the Brain (US)
167. Book Him Danno (US)
168. Burning. x. Impossibly. x. Bright (Int)
169. Stories of my life (Int)
170. The Crazy Dream Blog (Int)
171. TEENS READ AND WRITE (Int)
172. Words By Webb (US)
173. Brooke Reports! (US)
174. Writing for Christ (US)
175. I Loves to Read (US)
176. Rants N Scribbles (Int)
177. AlaskanBookCafe (US)
178. AwesomeSauce Book Club (Int)
179. Autumn Blues Reviews (US)
180. Bibliosaurus Text (US/Can)
181. The World of the Blue Bells Trilogy (US)
182. World of Samar (US/Can)
183. Book Lover Musings (US)
184. One Thrifty Gurl (US)
185. A Classroom Full of Books (US)
186. Everyday Is An Adventure (US)
187. Judy Croome, Author on the Prowl (Int)
188. One A Day Y. A. (Int)
189. No Page Left Behind (Int)
190. Kelseys Book Corner (US/Can)
191. Blog O The Irish (US)
192. I Must Be Dreaming (US)
193. Read for your future! (Int)
194. Inner Muse blog (US)
195. Musings From the Slush Pile (US)
196. Book Noise (US)
197. Lauren Gets Literal (Int)
198. Author Julia Crane (US)
199. Dag-lit central (Int)
200. Pimpin Reads (Int)
201. Riverina Romantics (US)
202. Queen of the Clan (US)
203. Books4Learning (US)
204. Author Misty Moncur (US)
205. The Balanced Writer (US)
206. Someday Ill Learn (US)
207. A Rush of Green (Int)
208. Coffee books and me (Int)
209. But What Are They Eating? (Int)
210. iLive, iLaugh, iLove Books (US)
211. For What Its Worth (US)
212. Author Crystal Marcos (US)
213. Loris Reading Corner (US)
214. Starcrossed (US)
215. Darlenes Book Nook (Int)
216. Cindy M Hogan-discover 7 things I love (US)
217. Genre Reviews (US/Can)
218. ChristFocus Book Club (US/Can)
219. Ashley Suzanne - (Int)
220. twimom101 book blog (US)
221. Talk in a Whisper (Int)
222. Mug of Moxie (US)
223. A Tale of Many Reviews (Int)
224. Brookes Box of Books (US)
225. Stone Cottage on a Hill (Int. )
226. The Wannabe Knight (Int)
227. Christa Writes (US)
228. Lemon Inkwell--The one and only blog of author Melissa Lemon (US)
229. Murphys Library (Int)
230. Librarian Mouse (Int)
231. Nancys Amusing Reviews (US)
232. Hott Books (US/Can)
233. Elemental Series (Int)
234. Seaside Book Nook (Int)
235. Christine Bryant @ Day Dreamer (US)
236. Maria @ Reading is the ultimate aphrodisiac. (Int)
237. Book Recommendations (US)
238. Karissas Reading Review (US)
239. Sarahs Books & Life (US)
240. Pawing Through Books (US)
241. Seduced by a Book (Int)
242. Melissa Mc @ Gerbera Daisy Diaries (US)
243. Storyweaver (US)
244. GirlsPWN (US)
245. Mudrock and Pink Nail Polish (US)
246. Book Sake (US)
247. Rage, Sex and Teddy Bears (Int)
248. Texas Type A Mom (Int)
249. Missys Reads & Reviews (Int)
250. Paranormal Romance Author Caridad Pineiro (US)
251. Pink Lemonade (US)
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253. Moonlight Reader (Int)
254. Honest Book Reviews (Int)
255. Paper Dreams (YA)(US)
256. Smart Girls Read (US)
257. The Revolving Bookcase (US)
258. Im Loving Books (Int)
259. page 317 (US)
260. All-Consuming Books (US)
261. Book Obsessed (US)
262. Moms Focus On Cyber World (Int)
263. Karen V. Wasylowski (US)
264. vvb32reads (Int)
265. Tyras Book Addiction (Int)
266. My Sentiments Exactly! (US)
267. Escapade through Egypt (Int)
268. From the TBR Pile (US)
269. By The Book (US)
270. For Those About to Read. . . (US)
271. Sídhí World News (Int)
272. Readers Refuge (Int)
273. Radiant Light (US)
274. English Epochs 101 (US)
275. Jenaissance (US)
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280. Happy Little Homemaker (US)
281. The Cozy Reading Corner (Int)
282. Booking in Heels (Int)
283. A Myriad of Books (US)
284. Wannabe Author ~ Avid Reader (Int)
285. Anxirium (Int)
286. Book & Movie Depository (US)
287. Childrens Interactive Mysteries (US)
288. Piedmont Island Trilogy (Int)
289. My Shelf Confessions (Int)
290. Walden Pond Press Blog (US/Can)
291. Queen of Sexual Tension (US)
292. Stephanie Barko - Literary Publicist (US)
293. Esthers Ever After (Int)
294. Shauna Nosler (US)
295. Beckys Barmy Book Blog (Int)
296. The Irish Banana Review (US/Can)
297. Roof Beam Reader (Int)
298. Grace Elliot - gripping historical romance (US)
299. Fresh Ink Books (Int)
300. WV Stitcher (US/Can)
301. YA Booklover Blog (Int)
302. Escape from Reality (US)
303. Books and Barks (US)
304. Reading Between the Wines (US)
305. Marie and Her Friend the Sea Turtle (US)
306. Cocktails and Books (US)
307. A Three Way Tie (US)
308. Urban Girl Reader (Int)
309. Living, Learning, and Loving Life (US)
310. Harris Channing, Author of Erotic and Mainstream Romance (US)
311. Sugarbeats Books (US/Can)
312. Jennifer Lane Books (Int)
313. Westlake Book Reviews (Int)
314. 21st Century Writer (Int)
315. Etherton Photography (US)
316. The Whine Sisters (US)

Summer Giveaway Hop

Hosted by Kathy at I am a Reader Not a Writer, and Mary at Bookhounds.

This Giveaway runs from Aug1-Aug7. I am offering an already read copy of Blindness by Jose Saramago, a Nobel author. Simply follow me through Google or Twitter in the sidebar, or tell me that you already follow and which you do, and leave your email in a comment. One entry per person and it's open worldwide.

If you've already read it, here are more than 300 other giveaways being offered this week during The Summer Bloghop:

1.I am a Reader Not a Writer

2. BookHounds (Int)

Forever Young (adult) (Int)

Rachael Renee Anderson (US)

Its All About The Kissing (US)

Michelle @ Book Briefs (US)

A Foodie Bibliophile in Wanderlust (US)

The Lovely Getaway (US)

She Known As Jess (Int)

10.

Pretty Opinionated (US)

11.

Miss Remmers Review (Int)

12.

So Many Books. . So Little Time (US)

13.

Taming the Bookshelf (Int)

14.

Reading Challenged (US/Can)

15.

In The Next Room (US/Can)

16.

Confessions of a Bookaholic (Int)

17.

Romancing the Book (US)

18.

Library of Clean Reads (US/Can)

19.

AsianCocoas Secret Garden (Int)

20.

StuckInBooks (Int)

21.

Alexis @ Reflections of a Bookaholic (Int)

22.

Lisas World of Books (US)

23.

Cuzinlogic (Int)

24.

*She Sparkles* (US/Can)

25.

Be Joyful Always (Int)

26.

Helen Smith (Int)

27.

Workaday Reads (Int)

28.

Jennifer @ The Book Nympo (Int)

29.

Dr. Stravagantes Traveling Book Circus (Int)

30.

Imaginary Reads (Int)

31.

Frequent Reader, Infrequent Blogger (Int)

32.

Ninth Street Notions (US)

33.

Scattered Figments (Int)

34.

Live To Read ~Krystal (US)

35.

Unabridged Andra (US)

36.

SpadesHighReads (Int)

37.

Authors Book Corner (US)

38.

lauriehere Reading and Writing Reviews (US)

39.

Practical Frugality (US)

40.

Logan E. Turner (Int)

41.

Lisas Loves Books of Course (Int)

42.

Backseat Writer (Int)

43.

Bookworm Lisa (Int)

44.

Kimmels Tidbits (Int)

45.

The Readers Suite (Int)

46.

Gabrielle Carolina @ The Mod Podge Bookshelf (US)

47.

Kristis Book Nook (US)

48.

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49.

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51.

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52.

To Read, Perchance to Dream (Int)

53.

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54.

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55.

The Purple Roses (US)

56.

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57.

Sara York (US)

58.

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59.

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60.

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61.

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62.

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63.

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64.

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66.

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67.

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68.

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69.

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70.

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71.

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72.

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73.

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74.

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75.

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76.

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77.

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78.

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79.

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80.

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88.

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89.

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91.

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92.

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93.

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96.

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98.

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99.

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100.

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101.

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102.

Mina Burrows - books for paranormal & mystic minds (US)

103.

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104.

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105.

Dollycas Thoughts (US)

106.

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107.

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108.

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110.

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112.

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113.

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114.

Enter The Spirit World of S. B. Niccum (US)

115.

A Little Hope. . . Amidst the Chaos (US)

116.

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117.

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118.

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119.

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121.

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122.

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123.

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124.

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125.

Three Boys and an Old Lady (US)

126.

Illusions (Int)

127.

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128.

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129.

The Literary Imaginarium (Int)

130.

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131.

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132.

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133.

kindle fever (Int)

134.

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135.

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136.

Reading Lark (US/Can)

137.

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138.

A Casual Readers Blog (US)

139.

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140.

Love and Money by Feng Shui (Int)

141.

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142.

Refracted Light | YA Book Reviews (US/Can)

143.

Clean Romance Reviews (Int)

144.

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145.

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146.

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147.

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148.

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149.

Kristen @ Seeing Night Reviews (US)

150.

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151.

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152.

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153.

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154.

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155.

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156.

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157.

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158.

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159.

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160.

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161.

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162.

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163.

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164.

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166.

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286.

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289.

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Book Beginnings

2011-07-14T22:26:00.004-05:00

Hosted by Katy at A Few More Pages.

"Before the crimson rays of dawn touched the treetops, before the crow of the cock, the bark of the dog, or the bray of a donkey pierced through the heavy darkness, or the voice of Sheikh Hamzawi echoed in the silence with the first call to prayer, the big wooden door opened slowly, creaking, with the rusty sound of an ancient waterwheel."

God Dies by the Nile by Nawal El Saadawi (1974) Egypt, pb,138 pages, translated from the Arabic

I really liked this opening, just my cup of tea for a novel's writing style. I have to believe that I will enjoy this book. I own three others by this author, including two non fiction books about her experiences as a medical doctor and as a prisoner in Egypt. I've liked everything I read by her and can recommend them highly.

Twenty years ago when my budget was bigger her books were very difficult to find in English. I must thank Christina at The Blue Bookcase who generously sent me God Dies by the Nile after my comments on her review of it here. She read it as the June selection for A Year of Feminist Classics.

Leave links if you've reviewed this author, I'd love to read them. Have you read any good fiction of modern Egyptian authors or settings?

The Literary Giveaway Blog Hop!

2011-06-24T21:05:00.006-05:00

Hosted by Judith at Leeswammes' Blog.

All giveaways from June 25th to June 29th inclusive are books of literary fiction or non fiction.

I have one AUDIO copy of The Swan Thieves by Elizabeth Kostova to give to one of my readers.

Open worldwide. You do not have to be a follower to enter. Just leave a comment with your name and email after midnight EST June 24th to qualify. Entry closes at midnight Wednesday June 29th, winner to be announced after Thursday June 30.

This is one great story, I have read it and I loved it.

Other participants in The Literary Giveaway Blog Hop!

WWW Wednesdays

2011-06-14T07:52:00.003-05:00

Hosted by Miz B at Should be Reading.

To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…

*What are you currently reading?
*What did you recently finish reading?
*What do you think you will read next?

*What are you currently reading?

Man Walks into a Room by Nicole Krauss.

The History of Love***** is an all-time favourite and I enjoyed Great House**** very much as well. This is Krauss' first novel, "a meditation on the nature of memory and loss."

*What did you recently finish reading?

A Month in the Country***** by J. L. Carr

A wonderful post WWI story that I can't recommend highly enough. I will be buying my own copy now and rereading it as soon as I can.

Howards End is on the Landing: A Year of Reading from Home**** by Susan Hill

Very enjoyable. I have read several of her novels, including The Bird of Night****, Mrs. De Winter***+ (yes, it's the sequel to Rebecca), as well as her five Simon Serrailler detective series which offers so much more than the usual police procedurals do. I recommend Howards End is on the Landing and will no doubt read it again.

*What do you think you will read next?

The Changeling by Kenzaburo Oe

For the Japanese Literature Challenge. I have read A Personal Matter**** and Teach Us to Outgrow Our Madness*****. This is a Nobel author who never disappoints.

Grace Williams Says it Loud by Emma Henderson

Orange Prize shortlist 2011

Leave me links if you've reviewed any of these, or tell me what you thought. Any plans to read some of them? I offer brief reviews by reader request. Please just ask.

Japanese Literature Challenge 5

2011-06-01T11:16:00.002-05:00

Hosted by Bellezza at Dolce Bellezza.

June 1, 2011 - January 30, 2012.

"Read at least one work of Japanese origin. If you want to read more than one, wonderful. If one is all you can manage, wonderful. Once you've read it, you may wish to post your review on the JLC5 review site."

Suggested Reading List

Books I have read and can recommend:

The Housekeeper and the Professor by Yoko Ogawa
Shipwrecks by Akira Yoshimura
Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami
Hotel Iris by Yoko Ogawa
Kitchen by Banana Yoshimoto
Silence by Shisaku Endo
Snow Country by Yasunari Kawabata
The Narrow Road to the Deep North by Basho
The 210th Day by Natsume Soseki
The Temple of The Golden Pavilion by Yukio Mishima
When We Were Orphans by Kazuo Ishiguro
Teach Us to Outgrow Our Madness by Kenzaburo Oe
A Personal Matter by Kenzaburo Oë
Stained Glass Elegies: Stories by Shusaku Endo
Obasan by Kogawa
The Electrical Field by Kerri Sakamoto
Glass Children and Other Essays by Daisaku Ikeda
In Praise of Shadows by Junichiro Tanizaki

Books on hand, with those completed highlighted or linked to reviews:

Changeling by Kenzaburo Oe
Picking Bones from Ash by Marie Mutsuki Mockett
The Lake by Banana Yoshimoto
Translucent Tree by Nobuko Takagi
The Woman in the Dunes by Kobo Abe
Why She Left Us by by Rahna Reiko Rizzuto
The Samurai's Garden by Gail Tsukiyama
The Sound of the Mountain by Yasunari Kawabata
The Master of Go by Yasunari Kawabata
The Decay of the Angel by Yukio Mishima
Spring Snow by Yukio Mishima
Runaway Horses by Yukio Mishima
The Temple of Dawn by Yukio Mishima
The Samurai by Shusaku Endo
The Twilight Years by Sawako Ariyoshi
Japan, the Beautiful and Myself by Yasunari Kawabata
Strangers From a Different Shore by Ronald Takaki
The Strangeness of Beauty by Lydia Yuri Minatoya

Recommendations of good literary fiction in this or any other category are always welcomed.

TSS Recently Read

2011-04-16T23:04:00.001-05:00

It's become difficult for me to create posts but I still do a passel of reading. So if you can forgive the lack of art, this is what I've been reading.

For April is Aussie Author Month:

Butterfly**** by Sonya Hartnett
Dreams of Speaking**** by Gail Jones

Next:

Legacy by Kirsten Tranter
-------
Chinese Literature Challenge:

Three Sisters by Bu Feiyu**** (China) Man Asian Prize Winner 2011
Taroko Gorge*** by Jacob Ritari (Taiwan)

Book Reading Challenge, subject for April and May-India:

Dahanu Road**** by Anosh Irani Man Asian longlist 2011
Serious Men***+ by Manu Joseph Man Asian Prize shortlist 2011
Saraswati Park***+ by Anjali Joseph

Next:

The Pleasure Seekers by Tishani Doshi 2010
Tiger Hills by Sarita Mandanna
-------
Ireland Reading Challenge:

The Truth About Love**** by Josephine Hart

Next:

The Reconstructionist by Josephine Hart
The Matchmaker of Kenmare by Frank Delaney
-------
For Anita Brookner International Day, July 16, 2011:

Altered States**** by Anita Brookner

Next:

Dolly, Brief Lives, or The Bay of Angels

African Literature:

Sleepwalking Land***+ by Mia Couto (Mozambique)
Sweetness in the Belly***** by Camilla Gibb (Ethiopia)

Next:

The Yacoubian Building by Alaa Al Aswany (Egypt)

Jewish Literature Challenge:

Wherever You Go**** by Joan Leegant
Foreign Bodies***+ by Cynthia Ozick
The Glass Room***+ by Simon Mawer

Canadian Literature Challenge:

The Matter With Morris**** by David Bergen
Letters to Omar***+ by Rachel Wyatt
The Beauty of Humanity Movement***** by Camilla Gibb

Questions, opinions, recommendations, links to reviews, or requests for reviews are welcome from readers.

The Typist by Michael Knight- Review

2011-02-28T02:41:00.001-05:00

Set in Japan 1945-1946 during the American occupation post WW II. A young soldier, Francis Vancleave, narrates the story about getting assigned to General Douglas McArthur's staff when it's discovered that he has typing skills. We get some scenes inside McArthur's family, especially with the general's eight year old son, whom Francis befriends beyond the request to babysit when he realizes how lonely it must be for a young boy so far from the familiar things of home and confined to a military compound. We also see his perspective of Tokyo and its nightlife with fellow soldiers, especially his bunk mate with whom he shares letters from home and the constant worries about what those letters may, and eventually do bring them. Francis has a new war bride waiting for him Stateside.
While his bunk mate gets deeper into some shady dealings and entertains pan-pan girls Frances tries hard to stay faithful and out of trouble even while he worries about him. There are other aspects of the story I have not mentioned but I don't like to say too much in a review, I like to be surprised when I read a story myself. The writing is very smooth and the story moves at a good pace. At 208 pages it's an easy one day read and it's a smaller hardcover that fits the hand just right. The story is very true to life I thought. I'm familiar with the time period and military service and I believed every word of it. Highly recommended

This review was requested by Kathy at Bermudaonion's Weblog who asked...

"I'd like to know what you thought of The Typist - I met the author in September and he was charming."

Aspects of the story I think you'll enjoy:

-Francis is an Alabama boy whose Southern standards are very important to him.

-I know your father was military, mine was too, so many of the things mentioned will be more familiar to us.

-There's a army/navy football game arranged by McArthur in the story. This is based on a true incident that occurred in Japan at the time. I know how much you like watching men fight over a pigskin.

I think this story is made for you, Kathy. Thank you for asking.

My policy is to write brief reviews only by request of my readers. Any book I've read or am currently reading, please just ask.

Chinese Literature Challenge 2011

2011-02-19T22:46:00.001-05:00

Hosted by Chinoiseries.

February 3rd, 2011 to January 23rd, 2012.

"Must be books written by a Chinese author or books about China (incl. Hongkong and Macau) or Taiwan. Read at least one book and write a review about it. There are four levels of participation."

My goal is Artisan level (4-6 books)

Books completed:

1.Three Sisters by Bu Feiyu**** (Man Asian Prize Winner 2010)
2.Taroko Gorge*** by Jacob Ritari (set in Taiwan)
On hand tbr:

Soul Mountain by Xingjian Gao (Nobel author)
Moa's Last Dancer by Li Cunxin
Turbulence by Jia Pingwa (Pegasus prize for Literature)
The Drink and Dream Teahouse by Justin Hill
Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress by Dai Sijie
Twenty Fragments of a Ravenous Youth by Xiaolu Guo
A Concise Chinese-English Dictionary for Lovers by Xiaolu Guo

The Lost and Forgotten Languages of Shanghai by Ruiyan Xu
Transparency: Stories by Frances Hwang

Previously read and recommended:

Village of Stone by Xiaolu Guo*****
The Cave Man by Xiaoda Xiao*****
The Heart of the Buddha by Elsie Sze***+
The Skull Mantra (Inspector Shan Tao Yun) by Eliot Pattison*****
When We Were Orphans by Kazuo Ishiguro****+ (set in Shanghai)
The Piano Teacher by Janice Y. Lee****+ (set in Hong Kong)
The Painted Veil by W. Someret Maugham***+ (set in China)
The Good Earth by Pearl Buck*****
Sons (#2 of The Good Earth Trilogy) by Pearl Buck****
A House Divided (#3 of The Good Earth Tirlogy) by Pearl Buck****
Imperial Woman by Pearl Buck****
Peony by Pearl Buck****

A list of Chinese literature suggestions provided by the host.

Feel free to join us. Questions, comments, reading recommendations, requests for brief reviews, or links to reviews you've written are always welcomed. I'd love to read them.

What's On Your Nightstand? Jan 2011

2011-01-24T23:35:00.002-05:00

Hosted by Jennifer at 5 Minutes For Books.

Read in January:

1.Sunset Park****+ by Paul Auster US 2011
2.The Elephant's Journey*** by Jose Saramago Portugal 2010
3.The Typist**** by Michael Knight US 2010
4.Purge**** by Sofi Oksanen Finland 2010
5.The Library of Shadows*** by Mikkel Birkegaard Denmark 2008
6.Stoner**** by John Wiliams US 1965
7.The Cement Garden**** by Ian McEwan UK 1978
8.Sweetness in the Belly***** by Camilla Gibb 2005
9.Chapter 1 of On Canaan's Side by Sebastian Barry (Aug 2011) which you can read here:
I loved The Secret Scripture.

I will write brief reviews or answer questions about any of these books that interest you. Please just ask. What would you like to know?

Currently reading:

The Lake of Dreams by Kim Edwards US 2011 because I really liked The Memory Keeper's Daughter. (my review)
Secret Son by Laila Lalami for Orange January (longlist 2010)

Still on the nightstand:

For Black History Month and the Persons of Colour Challenge:

Billy by Albert French US
The Man in My Basement by Walter Mosley US
Jazz by Toni Morrison US
Paradise by Toni Morrison (Orange Prize nom 1999) and Nobel author
1959 by Thulani Davis US
The Stillborn by Zaynab Alkali (Nigeria)
So Long a Letter by Miriama Ba (Senegal)
Going Down South by Bonnie Glover (US)
I Am Nujood, Age 10 and Divorced by Nujood Ali (Yemen)
White Teeth by Zadie Smith (UK)
The Help by Kathryn Stockett (US)
Rooftops of Tehran by Mahbod Seraji (Iran)
The Seasons of Beento Blackbird by Akosua Busia (Ghana)

Man Asian Prize nominees, shortlist to be announced in February and the winner in March 2011:

Three Sister by Feiyu Bi
Serious Men by Manu Joseph
Dahanu Road by Anosh Irani (also Giller Prize shortlist 2010)
Tiger Hills by Sarita Mandanna

For Canada Reads 2011:

The Bone Cage by Angie Abdou
The Birth House by Ami McKay

For Canadian Literature Challenge 2011:

Cool Water by Diane Warren (Giller Prize Winner 2010)
The Beauty of Humanity Movement by Camilla Gibb because I just finished Sweetness in the Belly and loved it.

For Jewish Literature Challenge 2011

The Violin of Auschwitz by Maria Angels Anglada
Homesick by Eshkol Nevo
Mr. Rosenblum Dreams in English by Natasha Solomons

Stranger Here Below by Joyce Hinnefeld because I really enjoyed her first novel, In Hovering Flight. (my review)

Isa and May by Margaret Forster because I liked Keeping the World Away**** very much.

Safe From the Sea by Peter Geye

Taroko Gorge by Jacob Ritari

Howards End is on the Landing by Susan Hill because my library finally purchased it at my request. I've read all 6 of Hill's Detective Serailler series and a few others, including Mrs. De Winter***+.

The Good Psychologist by Noam Shpancer for the Mental Illness Advocacy Challenge.

Buttterfly by Sonya Hartnett for the Aussie Author Challenge. I was really impressed by What the Birds See***** (Of a Boy in Australia).

And something by Iris Murdoch. I've read The Black Prince****The Sea The Sea****, The Italian Girl***+, and The Message to the Planet***+. Which would you recommend?

Opinions, reading recommendations and links to reviews are always welcomed. I'd love to read them.

Costa Award Reading Challenge 2011

2011-01-06T00:00:00.021-05:00

An ongoing project to read the Costa Prize fiction winners from1971 when the prize (then called the Whitbread) was established to the present. I will be reading all of the fiction and first novel winners and any shortlist nominees that appeal to me. There are no longlists provided for this prize and shortlists contain only four nominees.

The 2011 shortlists with winners announced on January 3, 2012:

Costa Novel Award

• Pure**** by Andrew Miller (Winner)
• The Sense of an Ending**** by Julian Barnes
• A Summer of Drowning by John Burnside
• My Dear I Wanted to Tell You by Louisa Young

Costa First Novel Award

• Tiny Sunbirds Far Away****+ by Christie Watson (Winner)
• City of Bohane by Kevin Barry
• The Last Hundred Days by Patrick McGuinness
• Pao by Kerry Young

Official Costa Award site.

Winners I've read:

2010 Pure**** by Andrew Miller
2010 Tiny Sunbirds Far Away****+ by Christie Watson

2010 The Hand That First Held Mine**** by Maggie O'Farrell
2008 The Secret Scripture***** by Sebastian Barry
2008 The Outcast**** by Sadie Jones
2007 What Was Lost***** by Catherine O'Flynn
2007 Day**** by A L Kennedy
2006 The Tenderness of Wolves****+ by Stef Penney
1985 Hawksmoor***** by Peter Ackroyd (read twice)
1972 The Bird of Night**** by Susan Hill

Also read, from the shortlists:

2010 The Sense of an Ending**** by Julian Barnes
2009 The Elephant Keeper****+by Christpher Nicholson (reviewed)
2009 The Music Room**** by William Fiennes (Biography)
2008 The Other Hand***** by Chris Cleave (Little Bee in US) reviewed
2008 Trauma***** by Patrick McGrath
2008 The Behaviour of Moths**** by Poppy Adams
(The Sister in US)
2007 Death of a Murderer***** by Rupert Thomson reviewed
1983 Flying to Nowhere**** by John Fuller

On my shelves tbr:

2005 The Silk Factory by Tash Aw
2003 The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon
2000 White Teeth by Zadie Smith
1978 Picture Palace by Paul Theroux
1974 The Sacred & Profane Love Machine by Iris Murdoch

Which have you read and can you recommend them? Feel free to comment, request a brief review, or leave a link if you've written one. I'd love to read them.

Jewish Literature Challenge 2011

2010-12-13T00:49:00.005-05:00

Hosted by Callista.

December 1, 2010 to April 26, 2011

"Read 1, 3, or 5+ books by Jewish authors or about Judaism."

My completed books:

1.The Finkler Question**** by Howard Jacobson
2.The Lampshade: A Holocaust Detective Story from Buchenwald to New Orleans*** by Mark Jacobson (non-fiction)
3.Sunset Park**** by Paul Auster
4.Wherever You Go***** by Joan Leegant
5.

Books on reserve at library tbr:

The Violin of Auschwitz by Maria Angels Anglada
Gratitude by Joseph Kertes
Mr. Rosenblum Dreams In English by Natasha Solomons
Running The Books: The Adventures Of An Accidental Prison Librarian
by Avi Steinberg (non-fiction)
To the End of the Land by David Grossman
The Invisible Bridge by Julie Orringer
Tightrope by Michael Karpin

Waiting on the shelves:

The Believers by Zoe Heller
Strand of a Thousand Pearls by Dorit Rabinyan
Look For Me by Edeet Ravel
Your Sad Eyes and Unforgettable Mouth by Edeet Ravel
Scheisshaus Luck by Peierre Berger (non-fiction)
The Pianist by Wladyslaw Szpilman (non-fiction)
Schindler's Ark by Thomas Keneally
Return From Darkeness by Nina Vida
A Scrap of Time by Ida Fink
Snow in August by Pete Hamill
Soumchi by Amos Oz
Giving up America By Pearl Abraham
The Seventh Beggar by Pearl Abraham
Kaddish for a Child Not Born by Imre Kertesz (Nobel author)
A Blessing on the Moon by Joseph Skibell
Fima by Amos Oz
The Ghost of Hannah Mendes by Naomi Ragen
The Final Opus of Leon Solomon by Jerome Badanes
American Jewish Fiction Guide by Josh Lambert

Books completed for 2010 Challenge:

1.Beatrice and Virgil**** by Yann Martel
2.Rashi***** by Elie Wiesel
3.Day For Night****+ by Frederick Reiken
4.Man in the Dark**** by Paul Auster
5.The Sonderberg Case****+ by Elie Wiesel
6.The Postmistress***+ by Sarah Blake
7.Homer and Langley***+ by E. L. Doctorow
8.Great House**** by Nicole Krauss
9.Based Upon Availability**** by Alix Strauss
10.The Debba***** by Avner Mandelman

And a longer list of previously read and star-rated recommendations of Jewish literature.

Feel free to ask about any books that interest you, or leave recommendations or links to reviews of good Jewish lit. I'd love to read them.

WWW Wednesdays

2010-11-09T21:19:00.003-05:00

Hosted by Miz B at Should Be Reading.

To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…

What are you currently reading?

What did you recently finish reading?

What do you think you’ll read next?

What are you currently reading?

The Finkler Question by Howard Jacobson (US 2010) 170/307 pages

Doctor Zhivago by Boris Pasternak (Russia 1957, 496 pages) Reading Introduction now for the Doctor Zhivago Group Read...discussion posts and comments to appear on November 16.

The True Deceiver by Tove Jansson (Finland 1982) 150/208 pages
for NYRB Reading Week Nov.7-13, 2010 at The Literary Stew.

Jansson (1914 - 2001) was a very famous award-winning children's writer who is still popular years after her death. The last nine book she wrote were adult ficition. This is one of them.

What did you recently finish reading?

Blindness**** by Jose Saramago (Portugal)

for the Nobel Reading Challenge

Earth and Ashes***** by Atiq Rahimi (Afghanistan 2003) 54 pages

The 210th Day**** by Soseki Natsume (Japan 1915) 94 pages

Both for the November Novella Reading Challenge

What do you think you’ll read next?

The Stillborn by Zaynab Alkali (Nigeria 1984,106 pages)
for the Novella Challenge.

The Mistress of Nothing by Kate Pullinger (Canada 2009) for the Governor General's Literary Awards (Winner 2009).

Comments, links to reviews, or requests for brief reviews are always welcomed.

Novella Reading Challenge 2010

2010-10-31T14:54:00.008-05:00

Hosted by J.T. Oldfield at Bibliofreak.

Goal: Read novellas in November.

"Level I: Read one (just one!) novella by Nov. 30
Level II: Read four novellas (one each week, mayhaps?) by Nov. 30
Level III: Read eight novellas (two a week?) by Nov. 30
Level IV: AKA, the As Many As You Freakin’ Can by Nov. 30 level"

Books on hand tbr:

Earth and Ashes by Atiq Rahimi (Afghanistan) 54 pages
The 210th Day by Natsume Soseki (Japan) 90 pages
The Stillborn by Zaynab Alkali (Nigeria)106 pages
Hiroshima Mon Amour by Marguerite Duras (France) 112 pages
Farwell Sidonia by Erich Hackl (Austria) 135 pages
On the Side of the Angels by Elizabeth Smart (Canada) 135 pages
The White Castle by Orhan Pamuk (Turkey) 145 pages
I Am Nujood, Age 10 and Divorced by Nujood Ali (Yemen) 167 pages
The Typist by Michael Knight (US) 185 pages

Brief reviews will be posted here as I complete them. Which have you read, or which interest you?

Completed:

Earth and Ashes by Atiq Rahimi

A short but powerful masterpiece from Afghanistan. 4.5 stars Highly recommended reading for everyone, and very topical. This was my first experience reading Rahimi but I have his One Thousand Rooms of Dream and Fears my library and will be reading it soon. Then The Patience Stone when I acquire a copy.
Any comments on this book or author?

Also reviewed by The Boston Bibliophile
Bermudaonion's Weblog
Caribousmom
Seeing the World Through Books

Doctor Zhivago Group Read

2010-10-31T14:38:00.002-05:00

Doctor Zhivago by Boris Pasternak
Hosted by Frances at Nonsuchbook

Goal: Read Doctor Zhivago in November. Posts and comments begin on Nov.16

I look forward to this modern Russian classic which I will reading for the first time. Won't you join us?

Recently Read and Recommended

2010-09-02T22:34:00.000-05:00

The Day the Falls Stood Still***** by Cathy Marie Buchanan

The Siege***** by Helen Dunmore

Day For Night****+ by Frederich Reiken

Three excellent novels with fascinating historical details (Niagara Falls, Leningrad, Israel and the Holocaust). I highly recommend them all.

Currently enjoying The White Woman on the Green Bicycle by Monique Roffey, shortlisted for the 2010 Orange Prize. Set in Trinidad.

Have you read any of these books? What do you think? Leave me a link to reviews, I'd love to read them.

Winners of The Elephant Keeper by Christopher Nicholson

2010-08-22T20:26:00.003-05:00

Apologies to my readers. I have too ill to blog for some time now. I have been reading a great deal though and will have a lot of books to write about soon.

Winners of The Elephant Keeper:

Amy at Amy Reads

Diane at Bibliophile By the Sea

Nicole at Tribute Books Reviews and Giveaways

Congratulations.

Thank you to Harper Collins for their generosity and for offering me such an enjoyable story. I highly recommend this one.

Browse Inside this book

Get this for your site

The Elephant Keeper by Christopher Nicholson

2010-07-22T20:52:00.002-05:00

The Elephant Keeper by Christopher Nicholson UK 2009

Shortlisted for the 2009 Costa Whitbread Prize

Paperback Fiction, 298 pages

Harper Collins US

Book Description:

"Set in Bristol, England in 1766, this is the story of Jenny and Timothy, brother and sister baby elephants, that arrive from India half dead. Under the care of a sensitive and astute young stable boy named Tom Page, the two elephants recover their health and spirits and eventually form a remarkable bond with each other. But it’s not until the two creatures are sold to different owners that Tom learns the true meaning of love and loyalty.

Deeply soulful and richly imaginative, The Elephant Keeper is a mesmerizing tale you won’t soon forget. Critics and readers are united in their glowing praise for this beautiful novel, which was short-listed for the prestigious Costa Prize in the UK (and is a perfect summer read for book clubs too)"

What a heartwarming, realistic, and powerful story of devotion this is. I loved every minute of it. Set in 1770s England with just the right pace to create a feel for the times. Elephants fascinate me and I was worried that too much of the story might be taken up with people and their doings. But The Elephant Keeper really does tell the story of the elephants themselves, and their lives with their devoted keeper. I highly recommend this book to everyone.

Harper Collins has generously offered three paperback copies to readers of Fresh Ink Books.

Open worldwide until midnight Friday August 6, 2010.

To enter:

1. Go to Reviews tab at the top of the sidebar and post a relevant comment on any review on my blog.
2. Then comment on this post indicating that you'd like to win a copy of The Elephant Keeper by Christopher Nicholson and that you are a follower or subscriber.*
3. Provide your email address.

Entries not following the rules will be not qualify.

*My giveaways are for my readers. If you become a new follower/subscriber for the duration of the giveaway I have no problem with that. I am confident that a few visits may make you want to stay.

Harper Collins

WWW Wednesdays

2010-07-14T13:42:00.000-05:00

Hosted by Miz B at Should Be Reading.

I usually do Library Loot on Wednesdays but they've been so long lately (18 or 20 books at times). Since almost all my reading is library books anyway I thought I'd keep it shorter for my readers by doing my first WWW Wednesday post.

To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…

* What are you currently reading?
* What did you recently finish reading?
* What do you think you’ll read next?

What are you currently reading?

The True Deceiver**** by Tove Jansson 1982 (Finland)

Almost finished. Jansson (1914 - 2001) was a very famous award-winning children's writer who is still popular years after her death. The last nine book she wrote were adult ficition. This is one of them.

The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Doestoyevsky 1880 (Russia)

For the Readalong at Fizzy Thoughts, July 10 to October 1, 2010. There's still time to sign up. We post our thoughts every three weeks. I've just started, still in the introduction. I've really liked what I've read of his so far, Crime and Punishment****+, Notes From Underground***** but The Brothers K is new to me.

What did you recently finish reading?

The Ghost Brush***** by Katherine Govier 2010

Historical fiction in 19th century Japan based on life of the daughter of Hokusai the famous painter. For the Japanese Lit and Canadian Book Challenge 4. Brief review forthcoming, if anyone is interested? Saturday perhaps?

The Shadows in the Street**** by Susan Hill 2010

The fifth in the Simon Serailler crime mystery series in the UK. Hill spends much more time on the personal lives of the characters than most crime writers, which makes them more interesting. I have read them all and recommend them highly. The series starts with The Various Haunts of Men****. I thought the first three were her strongest but I was crying at the end of this one so it stood up well too.

What do you think you’ll read next?

The Unnatural History of Cypress Parish by Elise Blackwell 2007

An Unfinished Score by Elise Blackwell 2010

I really enjoyed Hunger****+, set in1942 Leningrad. Cypress Parish is historical fiction about Louisiana, including mention of Carville, the leprosy colony there. Leprosy is a special interest of mine. It just happens that both of her books have arrived from the library at the same time.

Which have you read, or do you plan to? What did you think? Leave me your links, I'd love to read them. Questions and reading recommendations of good literary fiction are always welcomed. I do not accept review copies but am happy to write brief reviews of books read if requested. Please just ask.

Canadian Book Reading Challenge 4

2010-07-09T22:46:00.017-05:00

Hosted by John at The Book Mine Set.

July 1, 2010 - July 1, 2011

"Read (and write about) 13 Canadian books by Canadians and/or about Canadians."

Books completed (21) with links to those reviewed for Challenge 4 (2010):

Beatrice and Virgil by Yann Martel****+ 2010
Afterimage by Helen Humphreys****+ 2000
The Ghost Brush by Katherine Govier***** 2010 GG Award nom
Come, Thou Tortoise by Jessica Grant***+
The Day the Falls Stood Still by Cathy Marie Buchanan***** 2010
Crime Machine by Giles Blunt**** 2010
Sanctuary Line by Jane Urquhart**** 2010
Ape House by Sarah Gruen**** 2010
Water For Elephants by Sarah Gruen****+
Devotion by Howard Norman***+
The Bishop's Man by Linden MacIntyre***** 2009 Giller Winner
Room by Emma Donaghue***** 2010
Falling by Anne Simpson****
The Mistress of Nothing by Kate Pullinger***** 2009 GG Award Winner
The Debba by Avner Mandelman***** 2010
The Singer's Gun by Emily St. John Mandel**** 2010
The Sentimentalists by Johanna Skibsrud***+ 2010 Giller Winner
Sweetness in the Belly by Camilla Gibb***** 2005 Giller shortlist
The Matter With Morris by David Bergen****2010 Commonwealth shortlist
Letters to Omar by Rachel Wyatt****
The Beauty of Humanity Movement by Camilla Gibb*****

Books completed (18) with links to those reviewed for Challenge 3 (2009)

No Such Creature***+ by Giles Blunt
Conceit***** by Mary Novik
The Entropy of Aaron Rosclatt*** by James Sandham
The Last Woman***+ by John Bemrose
Ticknor*** by Sheila Heti
Fall on Your Knees***** by Ann-Marie MacDonald
Random Passage***** by Bernice Morgan
Nikolski**** by Nicolas Dickner
Good To a Fault**** by Marina Endicott
The Practice of Perfection**** by Mary Frances Coady
Chef***** by Jaspreet Singh
February**** by Lisa Moore
Wild Dogs**** by Helen Humphreys
The Golden Mean***** by Annabel Lyon
The Butterfly Chair by Marion Quednau
The Carnivore***** by Mark Sinnett
Breaking Lorca***** by Giles Blunt
The Heart of Buddha***+ by Elsie Sze

Books completed (27) with links to those reviewed for Challenge 2 (2008)

Atmospheric Disturbances by Rivka Galchen****
Changing Heaven by Jane Urquhart****
The Fat Lady Next Door is Pregnant by Michel Tremblay***
The Disappeared by Kim Echlin****+
An Audience of Chairs by Joan Clark****
Last Night in Montreal by Emily St. John Mandel****
The Cellist of Sarajevo by Steven Galloway****
Mercy Among the Children by David Adams Richard*****
The Gargoyle by Andrew Davidson****
What We All Long For by Dionne Brand****
The Museum Guard by Howard Norman****
Through Black Spruce by Joseph Boyden*****
Ten Thousand Lovers by Edeet Ravel*****
Red Dog, Red Dog by Patrick Lane****
The Retreat by David Bergen****
The Outlander by Gil Adamson****
The Boys in the Trees by Mary Swan*****
The Letter Opener by Kyo Maclear***+
The Lizard Cage by Karen O'Connell*****
Alligator by Lisa Moore***+
Late Nights On Air by Elizabeth Hay****
At A Loss For Words by Diane Schoemperlen***+
Mister Sandman by Barbara Gowdy***
Twice Born by Pauline Gedge****
Quintet by Douglas Arthur Brown***+
Coventry by Helen Humphreys****+
Ex-Cottagers in Love by J. M. Kearns***+

Canadian literature on the shelves waiting tbr...

Yellowknife by Steve Zipp
The English Patient by Michael Ondaatje
Alias Grace by Margaret Atwood
Too Close to the Falls by Catherine Gildiner
Monkey Beach by Eden Robinson
Wild Geese by Martha Ostenso
The City of Yes by Peter Oliva
The Stone Diaries by Carol Shields
Larry's Party by Carol Shields
A Complicated Kindness by Miriam Toews
Anil's Ghost by Michael Ondaatje
The Cure for Death by Lightning by Gail Anderson-Dargatz
Consolation by Michael Redhill
Angel Walk by Katherine Govier
The In-Between World of Vikram Lall by vassanji
April Raintree by Beatrice Culleton
The Assumption of the Rogues and Rascals by Elizabeth Smart
A Recipe for Bees by Gail Anderson-Dargat
See the Child by David Bergen
The White Bone by Barbara Gowdy
On the Side of the Angels: The Second Volume of the Journals of Elizabeth Smart
Eriksdottir by Joan Clark
The Widows by Suzette Mayr
The Book of Emma by Marie-Celie Agnant
An Equal Music: A Novel by Vikram Seth
Madame Zee by Pearl Luke
The Hatbox Letters by Beth Powning
Raymond and Hannah by Stephen Marche
Story House by Timothy Taylor
No Great Mischief by Alexander MacLeod
Sitting in the Club Car Drinking Rum and Karma-Kola: A Manual of Etiquette for Ladies Crossing Canada by Train by Paulette Jiles
Look for Me by Edeet Ravel
The Sudden Weight of Snow by Laisha Rosnau

Reading recommendations or links to reviews of good literary fiction (Canadian and otherwise) are always welcomed. I'd love to read them. I do not accept review copies but am happy to write brief reviews of books read if requested. Please just ask.

Library Loot

2010-07-07T08:39:00.002-05:00

Hosted alternately by Eva at A Stripped Armchair and by Marg, who has the Mr. Linky this week at The Adventures of an Intrepid Reader.

Library books completed in the last month:

45.Beatrice and Virgil****+ by Yann Martel (Canada)

An allegory of the Holocaust involving a writer and a taxidermist. Original, if flawed and somewhat self-indulgent, therefore disliked by many professional critics. I appreciated what he was trying to do and enjoyed it and recommend it despite all that. (When in doubt, borrow from your public library first).

Marie at The Boston Bibliophile said it better than I can. "This is a book about understanding the Holocaust, not reliving it. Despite the many negative reviews I believe that in time Beatrice and Virgil will be
appreciated for the important work that it is."

46.The Solitude of Prime Numbers****+ by Giordano Paolo (Italy)

Two dysfunctional young people become friends and help each other get through the many difficult phases of their lives. The math is fun and interesting. I loved it. Highly recommended.

47.Tinkers***** by Paul Harding (US Pulitzer Prize Winner 2010)

A dying man's thoughts and reminiscences of his life and that of his father, an itinerant tinker by trade. Wonderful story, well written. Highly recommended.

48.The Halfway House****+ by Guillermo Rosales (Cuba, 121 pages)

Story among mentally ill in a Miami, Florida halfway house. Insightful and very well written. I enjoyed it very much and recommend it. So does Marie at The Boston Bibliophile where I first heard of this book.

49.Our Horses in Egypt***** by Rosalind Belben (UK) James Tait Black Memorial Prize

We follow an Englishwoman's efforts to find and save horses used during World War I in North Africa and Palestine who managed to survive. Most of course did not. Great historical fiction. I loved it. Highly recommended. Also reviewed and recommended by Lynne at dovegreyreader scribbles.

50.Man in the Dark**** by Paul Auster (US, 180 pages)

I've enjoyed ever book I've read by Auster, fiction or non fiction: City of Glass****, Ghosts****, The Locked Room****, (The New York Trilogy), The Music of Chance*****, The Invention of Solitude*****, The Art of Hunger*****, Invisible****+

51.Silk by Alessandro Baricco**** (Italy, 132 pages)

An unusual love story set in 19th century France and Japan. A French silkworm buyer takes several trips to Japan and falls in love. Enjoyable and recommended. Some sexual content. The first cover shown is magnificent. I'd buy this book for the cover.

Also reviewed and recommended by kimbofo at Reading Matters and Isabel at Books and other Stuff.

The second edition (the copy I got from the library) has a cover with the movie tie-in for the upcoming film adaptation of the book, which was originally written in Italian and set in 1860s France. Typically, it does not reflect the sense of the book's characters at all. Herve and Helene are closer to middle age, even as the story begins, and "(Helene) was a tall woman, she had long black hair that she never gathered onto her head..." (page 22).

51.blueyedboy****+ by Joanne Harris (410 pages) UK 2010

A man writes online stories about his life that suggest either a deeply disturbed family or a wildly imaginative young psycopath. Tightly wound psychological suspense from tip to tail, and original. A real departure for this author. I loved it and recommend it highly.

52.Major Petigrew's Last Stand*** by Helen Simonson (358 pages) UK 2010

Interracial middle-aged romance in England, light reading but very enjoyable.

53.Secrets of Eden****+ by Chris Bohjalian (370 pages) US 2010

A murder-suicide in an abusive family shocks a small town in Vermont, even more so when their respected pastor suddenly leaves town, and the church, immediately afterward. Very enjoyable story and well written as Bohjalian's books always are. Highly recommended.

I loved Double Bind***** and Skeletons at the Feast****+. Before You Know Kindness*** was not a great hit with me, but I'm working on this writer's backlist. He writes about interesting topics.

54.Afterimage by Helen Humphreys (250 pages) Canada 2009

Historical fiction, female photographer, her maid, and cartographer husband in 1860s England. Wonderful sense of time and place, details of first attempts in photography and 19th century mapmaking add greatly to the story. I loved it and recommend it highly.

My thoughts on Coventry***** and Wild Dogs****+ by this author, who has never disappointed me.

55.Homer and Langley**** by E. L. Doctorow (210 pages)

Historical fiction based on real lives on two reclusive brothers in New York City. One is blind, both are eccentric and extreme hoarders. Interesting and enjoyable. Better opening and ending than many novels, smooth enough writing. This was my first experience of reading Doctorow. I can't say I'm keen to read more but it would depend on his subject. He's too big an author not to try more of.

56.No One Thinks of Greenland**** by John Griesemer (310 pages) US 2001

Highly original. American soldiers who were reported missing in action in Korea are being kept secretly in Greenland. Much more here than your average suspense. Well-developed characters make it very enjoyable. A first novel, I will watch for more from this author.

57.Hotel Iris**** by Yoko Ogawa (164 pages) Japan 2010

Sexual obsession between a very lonely teenager and older man in Japan. Very well written as her books usually are, but this will not be everyone's cup of tea. Some sado-masochistic content.

My thoughts on The Housekeeper and the Professor***** which I loved. I will read The Diving Pool next.

58.Dog Boy***** by Eva Hornung (304 pages) Aus 2010

About one of Russia's abandoned and homeless children who grows up among stray dogs. Fascinating both historically and psychologically. Stunning, most highly recommended. And for once, a cover that perfectly reflects the story.

59.The Line***** by Olga Grushin (323 pages) US/Russia 2010

Also published as The Concert Ticket.

Rumours of concert tickets have people lining up at kiosks in 1950s Stalinist Moscow. As time goes by the lives of those waiting become intertwined. Very good. Highly recommended.

60.In the Sanctuary of Outcasts by Neil White US non-fiction memoir 2010

Personal true account of a white collar criminal finding himself in prison on the grounds on a leper colony in Carville, Louisiana in the 1990s. Most highly recommended. Opening line and comments here. Don't miss this one.

Currently reading:

61.The Ghost Brush by Katherine Govier (Canada 2010)

Wonderful historical fiction about the 19th Japanese painter Hokusai and his daughter, who actually did much of his work. I previously read Three Views of Chrystal Water****+ about pearl divers and absolutely loved it.

62.The True Deceiver by Tove Jansson (Finland 1982)

This is an internationally know childrens' writer who also wrote a few novels for adults. My public library has those for the young ones, still very popular years since her death. I convinced them to purchase this adult fiction. Given budget restraints, restrictions about not buying books more than two years old (!), and current tastes for the latest popular books, always makes me a happy camper.

Speaking of Libraries...

This weeks' Great Wednesday Compare by John Mutford at The Book Mine Set is Libraries VERSUS Bookstores. "If you had to choose one or the other, bookstores or libraries, which would you pick?" Do click through and tell us what you think by July 14. John has hosted the Canadian Book Challenge for four years now and always has fun things to say about literature, Canadian and otherwise.

So, which have you read, or do you plan to? What did you think? Leave me your links, I'd love to read them. Questions and reading recommendations of good literary fiction are always welcomed.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

2010-07-04T23:05:00.003-05:00

Hosted by Sheila at One Person's Journey Through a World of Books.

Thoughts on books recently completed:

45.Beatrice and Virgil****+ by Yann Martel (Canada)

Allegory of the Holocaust involving a writer and a taxidermist. Original, if flawed and somewhat self-indulgent, therefore disliked by many professional critics. I appreciated what he was trying to do and enjoyed it and recommend it despite all that. (When in doubt, borrow from your public library first).

Marie at The Boston Bibliophile said it better than I can. "This is a book about understanding the Holocaust, not reliving it. Despite the many negative reviews I believe that in time Beatrice and Virgil will be appreciated for the important work that it is."

46.The Solitude of Prime Numbers****+ by Giordano Paolo (Italy)

Two dysfunctional young people become friends and help each other get through the many difficult phases of their lives. The math is fun and interesting. I loved it. Highly recommended.

47.Tinkers***** by Paul Harding (US Pulitzer Prize Winner 2010)

A dying man's thoughts and reminiscences of his life and that of his father, an itinerant tinker by trade. Wonderful story, well written. Highly recommended.

48.The Halfway House****+ by Guillermo Rosales (Cuba, 121 pages)

Story among mentally ill in a Miami, Florida halfway house. Insightful and very well written. I enjoyed it very much and recommend it. So does Marie at The Boston Bibliophile where I first heard of this book.

49.Our Horses in Egypt***** by Rosalind Belben (UK) James Tait Black Memorial Prize

We follow an Englishwoman's efforts to find and save horses used during World War I in North Africa and Palestine who managed to survive. Most of course did not. Great historical fiction. I loved it. Highly recommended. Also reviewed and recommended by Lynne at dovegreyreader.

50.Man in the Dark**** by Paul Auster (US, 180 pages)

I've enjoyed ever book I've read by Auster, fiction or non fiction: City of Glass****, Ghosts****, The Locked Room****, (The New York Trilogy), The Music of Chance*****, The Invention of Solitude*****, The Art of Hunger*****, Invisible****+.

51.Silk by Alessandro Baricco**** (Italy, 132 pages)

An unusual love story set in 19th century France and Japan. A French silkworm buyer takes several trips to Japan and falls in love. Enjoyable and recommended. Some sexual content. A magnificent cover. I'd buy this book for the cover.

Also reviewed and recommended by kimbofo at Reading Matters and Isabel at Books and other Stuff.

This edition (the copy I got from the library) has a cover with the movie tie-in for the upcoming film adaptation of the book, which was originally written in Italian and set in 1860s France. Typically, it does not reflect the sense of the book's characters at all. Herve and Helene are closer to middle age, even as the story begins, and "(Helene) was a tall woman, she had long black hair that she never gathered onto her head..." (page 22).

51.blueyedboy****+ by Joanne Harris (410 pages) UK 2010

A man writes online stories about his life that suggest either a deeply disturbed family or a wildly imaginative young psycopath. Tightly wound psychological suspense from tip to tail, and original. A real departure for this author. I loved it and recommend it highly.

52.Major Petigrew's Last Stand**** by Helen Simonson (358 pages) UK 2010

Interracial middle-aged romance in England, light reading but very enjoyable.

53.Secrets of Eden****+ by Chris Bohjalian (370 pages) US 2010

A murder-suicide in an abusive family shocks a small town in Vermont, even more so when their respected pastor suddenly leaves town, and the church, immediately afterward. Very enjoyable story and well written as Bohjalian's books always are. Highly recommended.

I loved Double Bind***** and Skeletons at the Feast****+. Before You Know Kindness*** was not a great hit with me, but I'm working on this writer's backlist. He writes about interesting topics.

54.Afterimage by Helen Humphreys (250 pages) Canada 2009

Historical fiction, female photographer, her maid, and cartographer husband in 1860s England. Wonderful sense of time and place, details of first attempts in photography and 19th century mapmaking add greatly to the story. I loved it and recommend it highly.

My thoughts on Coventry***** and Wild Dogs****+ by this author, who has never disappointed me.

55.Homer and Langley**** by E. L. Doctorow (210 pages)

Historical fiction based on real lives on two reclusive brothers in New York City. One is blind, both are eccentric and extreme hoarders. Interesting and enjoyable. Better opening and ending than many novels, smooth enough writing. This was my first experience of reading Doctorow. I can't say I'm keen to read more but it would depend on his subject. He's too big an author not to try more of.

56.No One Thinks of Greenland**** by John Griesemer (310 pages) US 2001

Highly original. American soldiers who were reported missing in action in Korea are being kept secretly in Greenland. Much more here than your average suspense. Well-developed characters make it very enjoyable. A first novel, I will watch for more from this author.

57.Hotel Iris**** by Yoko Ogawa (164 pages) Japan 2010

Sexual obsession between a very lonely teenager and older man in Japan. Very well written as her books usually are, but this will not be everyone's cup of tea. Some sado-masochistic content.

My thoughts on The Housekeeper and the Professor***** which I loved. I will read The Diving Pool next.

58.Dog Boy***** by Eva Hornung (304 pages) Aus 2010

About one of Russia's abandoned and homeless children who grows up among stray dogs. Fascinating both historically and psychologically. Stunning, most highly recommended. And for once, a cover that perfectly reflects the story.

59.The Line***** by Olga Grushin (323 pages) US/Russia 2010
Also published as The Concert Ticket.

Rumours of concert tickets have people lining up at kiosks in 1950s Stalinist Moscow. As time goes by the lives of those waiting become intertwined. Very good. Highly recommended.

60.In the Sanctuary of Outcasts by Neil White US non-fiction memoir 2010

Personal true account of a white collar criminal finding himself in prison on the grounds on a leper colony in Carville, Louisiana in the 1990s. Most highly recommended. Don't miss this one.

Currently reading:

61.The Ghost Brush by Katherine Govier (Canada 2010)

Wonderful historical fiction about the 19th Japanese painter Hokusai and his daughter, who actually did much of his work.

62.The True Deceiver by Tove Jansson (Finland 1982)

Which have you read, or do you plan to? What did you think? Leave me your links, I'd love to read them. Questions and reading recommendations of good literary fiction are always welcomed.

Book Beginnings on Friday

2010-06-24T23:56:00.001-05:00

Hosted by Becky at Page Turners.

Share the opening sentence of your current read, include the title and author. If you like, share with everyone why you do, or do not, like the sentence.

In the Sanctuary of Outcasts by Neil White
US 2010 non fiction, memoir

"Daddy is going to camp. That's what I told my children... But it wasn't camp. It was prison."

Daddy is in for a shock when he discovers that the prison shares the grounds with the home of a leper colony in Carville, Louisiana, USA. This is a fascinating and informative story of one man's discovery of innocent outcasts and what is truly important in life. Such a good read, I'm not even stopping to eat. Don't miss this one.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

2010-05-03T00:37:00.000-05:00

Hosted by Sheila at One Person's Journey Through a World of Books.

Books completed since my last It's Monday post:

35. The Golden Mean***** by Annabel Lyon Canada
36.The Butterfly Chair**** by Marion Quednau Canada
37.Little Face**** by Sophie Hannah UK
38.When Will There be Good News****+ by Kate Atkinson UK
39.The Carnivore**** by Mark Sinnett Canada
40.Breaking Lorca***** by Giles Blunt Canada
41.Benny and Shrimp*** by Katarina Mazetti Sweden
42.The Heart of Buddha**** by Elsie Sze Canada
43.Notes From an Exibition**** by Patrick Gale US
44.Even the Dogs***** by Jon Mcgregor UK
45.Beatrice and Virgil***** by Yann Martel Canada
46.The Solitude of Prime Numbers**** by Giordano Paolo Italy
47.Tinkers***** by Paul Harding US

Loved them all. Benny and Shrimp was the only weak one in the bunch, only because romances are not my thing. I was looking for something Scandinavian to read that was not a mystery ( I love them but consider them light reading). So many peple liked this one. Glad I read it, just could have done without the goofy sex scenes.
I highly recommend all of the others. I will write brief reviews on any titles that may interest you, just ask.

Currently reading and why:

The Halfway House by Guillermo Rosales Cuba/US (121 pages)

Reviewed and recommended by Marie at The Boston Bibliophile and I love all things Cuban.

Ransom by David Malouf Australia

Historical fiction set during the Trojan war. It's up for major awards in Australia, as his novels often are. I regularly read from all major literary awards longlists. I'm one chapter in- male, so very male. But I will stick with it.

Next up and why:

The Secrets of Eden by Chris Bohjalian US

I've read Double Bind*****, Skeletons at the Feast*****, and Before You Know Kindness****. I really enjoy this man's writing.

A Summons to Memphis by Peter Hillsman Taylor US

Marisa Silver's (The God of War and others) answer to "What is the best book we’ve never heard of?".

Our Horses in Egypt by Rosalind Belben

Reviewed and recommended by Lynne at dovegreyreader scribbles.

Please leave comments or links if you've read or reviewed any of these books. I'd love to read them. I will happily write brief reviews on any titles that may interest you, please just ask.

What I've Read

2010-04-16T02:45:00.000-05:00

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

2010-04-07T18:26:00.001-05:00

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.