Reading Review

Hound of the Baskervilles - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Another Sherlock Holmes children's classic, I really enjoyed this crime story. It was one story, unlike the collection I recently read but it was interesting and kept me guessing.

Pietr the Latvian - Georges Simenon

This was a gift from Nico. It's the first in the Maigret series though it's not one of the TV adaptations that we've seen.

The story follows Detective Maigret in his hunt for Pietr the Latvian a criminal wanted throughout Europe. It's not a long story but it is very descriptive and does keep you guessing.

I'm looking forward to more of this series.

Dick Whittington - Retold by Vera Southgate

This is a quick little read that my Dad recently brought over from England with some of my things.

It's the famous story of Dick Whittington going to London to make his fortune. Of course there is a cat involved and it's a fun tale.

Looking forward to reading this with the kids.

Reading Review

Killing Floor - Lee Child

I pinched this one from my Dad while we were in England and I had finished the book I was reading.  I'd only read one Jack Reacher book before and it was chronologically the first story.  I decided to carry on from the beginning and Killing Floor is the first in the series.

It was a really good read.  It was easy to read, which I tend to appreciate more these days.  It was a good story though and kept me guessing right to the end. It's a series I'll definitely be picking up again.

The Unmumsy Mum - Sarah Turner

Brilliant and very honest, I loved this book.  I already wrote about it last week because it helped me so much but I really can't recommend it enough to anyone with a toddler or two.  I've since started reading the blog which, after reading the book, is a little repetetive in terms of material but still fun and I love seeing the pictures that were missing in the book.

The Road Past Mandalay - John Masters

This was an unusual read for me.  I'm not really into military novels, especially when they are not related to my history studies - i.e. World War I and World War II.  This one found it's way to me through my grandmother. Her brother was killed in Burma during the war and I know nothing about the campaign in Burma.  This book was among her things and I decided it was time to find out a bit more.

John Master's war was not directly linked to my great-uncle's other than taking place in Burma but it was still interesting to learn more about it.  I liked the biographical sections best and the sections that described a bit more of the country.  Military accounts really aren't my thing and it took some effort to stay with the book at times but I'm glad I did.  It has left me with many family history questions again.  Maybe I'll be able to find some answers while on maternity leave.

Reading Review

Prayer for Owen Meany - John Irving

This is a book I never would have picked up had it not been on the BBC top 100 list and it took some getting into but it really was worth it.

This is Owen Meany's life story told from the point of view of his best friend. There are lots of twists and it's actually quite funny. The charcters are so well written and the story very compelling. It kept me guessing right to the end.

Disgrace - Jussi Adler-Olson

This is the second book in the department Q series and it was another good, fast read. As with lots of the Scandanavian crime novels, there was a complex plot with well formed characters.  The main detective is quite the underdog but it's also easy to identify with him. Again, I'm really looking forward to the next of these.

Dune - Frank Herbert

Again, not a book that would normally find its way onto my radar but one of the top 100 and I'm glad I read it.  Sci-fi is not my go to genre and it took me a while to get into this one because of the new jargon and unfamiliar names that took a while to recognize and get used to. (I later discovered a glossary at the back of the book.)

Dune is the now almost 'typical' story of a race war,set on the planet Arrakis.  Considering when the book was written though, this must have been one of the earlier versions of such a story. It is very cleverly written and the politics could be applied to a number of real world settings.

The characters weren't as enjoyable for me in this book but the story made up for that.  I'd still say this was a book for sci-fi fans more than anything.

Book Review

Grapes of Wrath - John Steinbeck

This is one of the books on the BBC top 100 list and while I had heard of it, I had no idea what it was about. It follows a family in 1930's America, travelling to California in search of work. 

I really enjoyed the story itself, however the book was written in chapters that seemed to alternate between the family and more general, background information.

Also, it took me a while to reconcile myself to the ending. I don't want to spoil it but it seemed quite abrupt. The more I think about it though, the less I see how else it could have been done.

Crossstitch - Diana Gabaldon

I accidently picked up a book from the Outlander series when I first arrived in Germany and having heard about the television series, I decided to read from the beginning.

This first book tells of Claire, a WW2 nurse who time travels through a stone circle in Inverness, 200 years back in time. It's a really good read. The characters are well developed and the action keeps you turning the pages.

Looking forward to the next one!

Life of Pi - Yann Martell

Another one from the top 100 list, I devoured this in three days. It was a little spoilt in that I had seen the film first but I still really enjoyed it. 

As the title suggests, it tells the story of Pi. It begins with his childhood, gives you his religious background and follows his shipwrecked adventures in the Pacific.

I'd really recommend this book, preferably before you see the film.

Reading Review

Since it's the only thing I can do during the long feeds, I've been flying through some good books lately. I already wrote about Atonement but here are three more.

The Fault in our Stars

This was a purchase I made after reading all the hype around the book and film. It was a really good read but I'd expected a little more after reading so much.

The story follows a terminally ill teenager's romance and as you might expect is a tearjerker. I think the novel is aimed more at teenagers. I actually read another review lately where the reviewer identified the most with the girl's parents and I have to agree. I'd still recommend it though.

The Lincoln Myth

The latest Steve Berry book sees Cotton Malone return to the US to work on a case involving President Lincoln and the Church of the Latter Day Saints. I have always preferred the Euopean adventures but having studied American history, I found this one interesting too. 

I never normally read the authors notes but I usually have to read Berry's to seperate truth from fiction, so good is his writing. If you like Dan Brown, you'd probably like this.

Mercy

Nico recently read this book in German and bought the English translation for our anniversary. Now we are both hooked on Scandanavian writer, Adler-Olsen. 

The novel follows detective Carl Morck in his first investigation heading his own unsolved crimes department. It has many of the usual dark aspects we've come to expect from Scandanavian writers with a bit of humour from interesting characters. I'll be ordering some more soon.

Gone With The Wind

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It's taken me over a month but last night I finally finished this epic novel. I watched the film about four years ago when I first came to Germany and remember it being very long but either I forgot a lot of the film or the book has a lot more content and is (as usual) much better than the film.

I was only pushed towards this book as it is on the BBC top 100 list that I am working my way through (63 down now). However, I did thoroughly enjoy it. It is the epic tale of Scarlett O'Hara, set in Georgia during the American Civil War. Unlike Les Mis or Anna Karenina, the added historical element didn't annoy me, it added an extra dimension to the book. Maybe it was because I studied American history or maybe because it just flowed better with the narrative.

The characters are at times frustrating but it was also possible to identify with them at different points in the story. The narrative is interesting and really pulls you in despite its length. If you're a bookworm and into classics as I am, this is one for your list. I plan to revisit the film when I have time, in order to compare.

Reading Review

Tess of the d'Urbervilles - Thomas Hardy

This was the first book I read using the kindle app and I loved that. I liked this novel but it was quite different from the classics I am used to. It follows the story of Tess and her complicated marriage and life. It really shows how difficult those times were or women.

What I found different in this novel was how descriptive it was. The story or action was quite slow and not at all character driven. Sometimes it was a little too slow but it didn't wander into the realm of whole irrelevant chapters like 'Les Mis' or 'Anna Karenina'. Overall a nice read.

Rebecca - Daphne du Maurier

I'd heard of this book but knew nothing about it until I started reading. It was completely addictive. It really reminded me of Downton Abbey but with a lot more mystery. It was another interesting take on marriage. 

The narrative kept me on the edge of my seat guessing away the whole time. I'd highly recommend this novel.

A Street Cat Named Bob - James Bowen

We spotted this little gem shopping for a German book with my Christmas vouchers and didn't know it was originally English. It was up in the bestsellers here along with its newly released sequel.

It tells the story of a ginger cat named Bob and how he found and changed the life of his owner (the author). It's a fairly regular biography but had me laughing, crying, and on the edge of my seat. I'm not sure if the book would hold the same appeal for non-cat-lovers but I suspect it would. It took me three days to devour - in German. Very excited about the sequel!

Reading Round-Up

Wolf Hall -Hilary Mantel

I kind of did this one the wrong way around. I bought and read 'Bring Up the Bodies' last year when I read all the hype about it and really enjoyed the book. Maybe it's because of that but I didn't enjoy Wolf Hall quite as much. It was still good - strong characters and a big history focus which I always love. 

If you are into historical fiction, this is for you. I really recommend reading these in chronological order though.

Nicholas Nickleby -Charles Dickens

When we rearranged the bookcase lately I became truly aware of just how many Dickensian novels I have read in the last year or so. Yes, classics can take a bit more effort to get through but I never get bored with Dickensian. He writes fantastic, entertaining characters and brilliant stories which have so many strands which come together - I love it! Nicholas Nickleby is no different, I really enjoyed it for all of the above reasons. And this isn't even one of his most popular ones! I'm so looking forward to working through the rest of his work.

The Keys to the Kingdom Series - Garth Nix

This one is kind of a guilty pleasure for me in that it is written for teenagers but I started it years ago and always wanted to read the other six books. (There are seven in all, based on the days of the week.) I bought them last year and finally got around to reading them this week.

I got through these at a rate of one a day!! Yes, I'm on holiday at the moment but they are also that easy to read. Nix creates a whole new world with seven realms for the protagonist Arthur to discover and rescue. Arthur is a teenager from Earth who kind of gets dragged into this adventure - something of an underdog who is easy to identify with. That, along with the fantastical worlds, characters and creations as well as the constant action make the series seriously addictive. Highly recommended for readers of all ages.

Reading Round-Up

Daemon and Freedom - Daniel Suarez

This pair of books was recommended to me by Nico.  He loved them as they are crime novels written for computer geeks.  I was a little sceptical being about as blonde as they come when it comes to anything computer based.  However, I was very pleasantly surprised.  There were some bits that went a little over my head but they were not necessary in order to follow and enjoy the story.

What makes the books so good, although it is a little scary is that it could happen, many of the threads to the main storyline are either happening right now or could be in the future.  You don't have to be a conspiracy theorist to enjoy the books though.  Very good crime fiction.  One thing though - don't just buy the first book - the ending was way to open for my liking, the second rounded things off nicely.

Peaches for Monsieur Le Cure - Joanne Harris

I've never read a Joanne Harris novel before but I have seen Chocolat and heard only good things about her work so I picked up this book on offer in London last year.  I was really glad I did.  The novel is so well written and it's quite the page turner.

For me the setting and the clash of cultures that this work examines were very appealing.  The only downside were the many references to the characters' past experiences which I assume were described in a novel that came out between Chocolat and this book.  I am tempted to research which of Harris' other books feature Vianne Rocher and snap them up.  In the meantime I will be rewatching Chocolat.

Desert Flower - Waris Dirie

While flicking through the channels at the weekend, we came across a programme clearly filmed in London which caught my interest - Nico realised it was the life story of Waris Dirie and couldn't believe that I had never heard of her.  We found her autobiography in Thalia at the weekend and I read it in just three days.  

Her life story is very interesting.  I was surprised myself that I had never heard of her - I think I was just born a little too late.  She was a supermodel in the eighties and nineties and is now a UN ambassador speaking out for African women, especially those who are subjected to the horrific practice of female circumcision - something she went through at the age of just five.  

The book is very informative - not just about female circumcision but several aspects of Somalian life and the ups and downs of Dirie's life.  An interesting and recommended read.

Little Women

I've had this book for a long time - so long that I couldn't entirely remember the story.  So while we were home at Christmas, I brought it back with me and devoured it this week.  (I was actually surprised to learn that I received this book as a Christmas present in 1993 when I was eight.)

Reading it again reminded me why I enjoyed it so much.  It is such a lovely story.  It's very moral and similar to other classics written around that time.  However, this one is more aimed at children and I love that.  

I think just about every little girl can identify with one of the main characters - sensible eldest sister Meg, tomboy Jo, sweet little Beth or proud Amy.  All of the characters develop throughout the story and it really made me look at myself too.

Every little girl should read this book.

Reading Goal - achieved!

I've just finished reading my latest Dickens novel - it seemed appropriate at the moment.  In fact, I read it in a day - very good...and short!

Completing the book completed my goal for the year of reading one regular book, one classic and one German book every month.

It's been nice to get into more German this year, I am getting faster with them too.

So, thirty-six books later I have decided not to carry on with this goal next year, instead I am repeating the previous one of reading all the books I have before I buy any more!  That may well keep me going until next Christmas!

Gone Girl

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I finished this book over the weekend.  It was one of those that I just couldn't put down.

It's a thriller with an interesting twist.  The novel tells the story of a woman who disappears on her fifth wedding anniversary and is told from the points of view of both her and her husband.

This one had some really unexpected twists and kept me guessing right up until the end.  I don't want to write much more because I don't want to give away the story but I highly recommend this book!

Also I can't wait for the film next year with some top actors.

Time Out

While last week was full of doctors appointments and some pretty horrendous pain, it wasn't all bad.  My favourite bit was sitting with my lovely fiance on our balcony one evening with a candle, a book and a drink.  It was lovely and we plan to do it a lot more now that some warmer weather is starting to come our way.

I definitely need more moments like this in my life at the moment!

Oliver Twist

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I picked this book up when I was stocking up on classics last year.  I really wanted to read more Dickens but they didn't have a huge range.  I wasn't particularly keen to get Oliver as I already knew the story, or so I thought.

This was the first time I have really been so surprised how different the book is to the well known version - through the film and musical.  There are so many more characters and a much more intricate story line.

I finally felt like I understood the characters and story more.  I would recommend the book to anyone who likes the story.  I'm not sure if it was a classic that is much easier to read or if I'm just getting faster after reading so many novels from the same time now.

Les Miserables

It took two months but I finally finished the doorstop that is Les Miserables.  Trouble is, it's no longer on at the cinema - guess I will have to wait for the DVD.

Actually, this novel reminded me of Anna Karenina.  There is a great story - quiet a saga and it is couched in whole chapters on boring historical episodes.  

The characters are fantastic and during the chapters which focused on them, I was engrossed.  However, the parts in between - how the sewers of Paris were built or the battle of Waterloo - I could have done without. 

I'm glad I read it but I am looking forward to some lighter reading in between.

My Story - Dave Pelzer

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After finishing Anna Karenina, I wanted a break from the classics and my brain wasn't ready to go back to German so I picked up this autobiography that I got for Christmas.

This book first came to my attention when I worked at WHSmiths and it was a big hit on the lists but I didn't really know much about it until I did my teacher training and a few of the other trainees had read it.  

It tells the true story of Dave Pelzer who grew up in the USA in the seventies with an abusive mother.  Throughout teacher training, I heard stories of abused children and it's something that seems to come up on the news every so often and quickly get forgotten about again.  I've never read such an account as this though.  

It wasn't an easy book to read - especially the first part which focuses on his childhood - the worst time, but it was an interesting book and it has a strong message of overcoming such a background, which was important.  I'm glad the book had a happy ending, even though many similar stories haven't.

It's not a genre I want to get too into but I'm glad I read this one.

Anna Karenina

After about four weeks (it feels a little longer) I've finally finished this epic novel.  I really wanted to read it before watching the film and I managed it!  

I've loved reading so many classics over the last year or so and this was no exception.  It was another look at 'high society' - this time in Russia.  I had already heard and totally agree that it is similar to Madame Bovary which I read last year.  

I loved the way the characters and the story developed.  I also loved that the story focused on several characters' lives instead of just one but also interlinked them all.  

What I didn't like so much were the huge sections of the story which were only focused on economics or politics, they lost me a little.  It's not that I didn't understand entirely - I took a lot of Russian history at school and university - but it's not what I want to read for fun and the book could have been a fair bit shorter for it.  The philosophical bit was okay though.

Next classical project will be Les Miserables before watching that film but in the meantime, I'm excited to see what this film version is like, roll on Friday.

Tintenherz

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Finally, I made it to the end of this book.  It's not that it's a bad book - far from it.  It's just that it was my first one in German for a while and I stupidly decided to break it up with some other English books so it seems to have taken forever.

To the book itself though - I can't say anything negative.  It's a book for children but the vocabulary was still a stretch for me at times.  I loved the concept - it's a little like Harry Potter for bookworms in that it mixes magic and books.  I was vaguely aware that there was a film out there - Inkheart, but I have never seen it.

The characters and settings are brilliant.  The story line is also great in the way loose ends are tied up and it's full of twists and turns that are wonderfully written.  It was also important to me to read a book that was originally written in German too.  There are some books - like Captain Bluebear where that's really impossible for me but this one wasn't too much of a stretch. 

Looking forward to the next parts of the trilogy after a little break.

My reading list

As I warned a couple of weeks ago, my reading rate has been slowing down lately as I am getting back into reading in German and starting on Anna Karenina at the same time!  This means I don't have a review this week although both of the books mentioned will be coming up in the future as I am really enjoying them both.  So this week I thought I'd share with you my own 'reading list' for the near future.  I'm still getting used to not having a proscribed reading list from school, college or university and being able to read purely for pleasure and I'm loving it.

As with Anna Karenina, I like to read books before I see them in film.  This is why Les Miserables is also sat waiting on the overflowing bookshelf at the moment.  However, I think I will need a break after Anna Karenina before I start on that one - I could use both of them as door stops!

Also waiting is Songbird.  When I reread Winter in Madrid last year, it mentioned that lovers of that book would also enjoy Sebastian Faulkes works so I had a browse and settled on this one.  If you've read my other reviews, you will know how much I love novels that combine a bit of history so I am really looking forward to this one.

My next German novel will be the second in the Harry Potter series.  I like reading new novels in German but it is obviously easier if I already know the content and it helps me expand my vocabulary.  I actually bought this one after last Christmas with vouchers from one of my classes but forgot I had it because it looks so similar to the first on the shelf!  

The last one sat waiting here is Wolf Hall.  Having read the second in the series - Bring up the Bodies - first, because of the rave reviews, I though it would be good to go back and have a look at this one.  Again, I love the history aspect although the Tudors are a relatively new one for me.

So I think these will last me a while and come in handy for the amount of travelling I have got coming up this year!

One Hundred Names

While I am still struggling my way through my first German novel of the year, I'm breaking it up a little with some English reading in between.  This, the second of my Christmas buys was perfect.  Ever since P.S. I Love You, I have been a big Cecelia Ahern fan.  I love that her novels are easy reading, chick lit, with a moral.  This one did not disappoint, it took less than a week again and made me laugh out loud as well as cry.  One not to miss.