Books, books, books

A reading post... I am traveling quite a bit at the moment, and these are probably my only 'finishes' - except for Wool, but honestly I tried, really tried to finish it- but I just couldn't.

Before I go really into it ... you need to read this book. It is a very tough topic, but dealt with in the most unexpected way, and it talks about perceptions and the parameters you are brought up with.  

I picked this one at the library because of its title - I expected something fun and light. WRONG! OMG, I could not have been more wrong. One thing you need to know about The First Book of Calamity Leek is that you will not understand the first chapters. I thought it was my English, and then I checked on goodreads in case it was not. And everyone was saying that they had no idea what had been going on either in the first chapters but that it was worth carrying on with. And it was. The book lacks some details sometimes, but it is an amazing book. But beware the topic is tough. Sorry I cannot really tell you more. Oh, also,you will probably get it faster if you are based in the UK.

So I did not finish this one.. I did read 180 pages of it, but there were still 400 pages to go - in small caps, (and another 2 volumes), and I just could not face it. I am one of the few ones who did not like it, they say it is the next Hunger Games - I personally never got into it. 

Life is good in the silo. The people are friendly, food is plentiful, healthcare is readily available when needed. Those in charge are democratically elected and take their office on the top floor. A skilled IT department keeps channels of communication open throughout. And the whole silo is kept ticking over by the engineers in Mechanical, deep in the belly of the Earth. Just one look at the screens projecting video images of the bleak, uninhabitable landscape outside, and the inhabitants of the silo know how good they've got it. There are always some crazy folk who question this from time to time. How did the silo get here? What exactly is out there, out of view of the lens? These ungrateful dissenters are punished by being cast out with a woolen cloth to clean the cameras so that everyone else can continue to enjoy the view - fated to certain death. But one day sheriff Holston, the sensible and much-respected warden of the silo, joins the dissident ranks and chooses to go outside. This sets in motion a chain of events that shake the foundations of the entire community.

Another Musso - I got it out of the library (yes it also has a few French books!) because I needed to go back into a genre I knew after spending 3 weeks on Wool. It is a romantic thriller - a typical Musso, and it felt good to be in safe hands. I read it within a week, and I was happy.

This is the one I am currently reading - as it was a hit in the 52 books challenge. This is the first volume - out of three. The main character has just entered the Game - but has not yet really 'played'. It is intriguing, I am not gripped yet (maybe I am just a picky reader) but maybe the Game really needs to start in earnest. 

Any good read your end? I reserved Karen Perry ('The boy that never was') at the library, following watching a good review on French TV. 

And can I just say, I am SO glad that our library system in Hertfordshire mean that I can reserve any book from any library in the network! If you have a similar system, it is definitely worth using it - especially if your house is already full of books like ours!

Books, books, books...

I mentioned it a few times here, I am not a public crafter and in fact it took me a while to tell people about my craft addiction and about this blog. I am not sure why, I suppose the fact that one of my ex-boyfriends said it was really old-fashioned and stupid may have something to do with it... To be honest, on my train to work, there will probably no elbow space for me to do anything, so instead I read, and as it happens quite a lot. I thought that once in a while I would share my latest reads as I know a lot of you are also avid reader.

There is something for everyone here, French and English (I try to alternate between French and English books), some will be translated - some may never be (and in fact should not be...). Like this first one... 

Romain Puertolas, L'extraordinare voyage du Fakir
qui etait reste coince dans une armoire

I finished this book in 5 days - however this is not a sign of its high quality. I was drawn by the lengthy, weird and wonderful title - 'The extraordinary journey of a Fakir who has stuck in a IKEA wardrobe'. And to be honest, it was a very easy and pleasant read for a bout a third of the book. What a story! An Indian Fakir comes to France on a one-day return journey to buy a new bed of nails. He orders it and has to wait for the next day to get it - but where to sleep? Of course, in one of the IKEA beds. But he finds himself in need of a hiding place, and finds himself stuck in a IKEA wardrobe. The start of an extraordinary journey... or not. So yes, the storyline is bonkers, but I can deal with that, what I really did not like is the author style. He is trying to make (bad) jokes every page about the names of the protagonists and other silly things - totally distracting from the actual story. As you can imagine this is supposed to be a light-hearted book, except that the author decides to go on about his philosophical views on illegal immigration. I agree this is an important issue to discuss, but not when I bought a book because it sounded like a fun story. So, it is probably never going to be translated; if you speak French, I personally wished I bought myself something from IKEA with the money, but I did see some positive reviews, and this is only my personal view. 

Maria Semple, Where'd you go Bernadette. 

Out with the negative comments, and onto an amazing book! Bernadette Fox is famous. To her Microsoft-guru husband, she's a fearlessly opinionated partner; to fellow private-school mothers in Seattle, she's a disgrace; to designers, she's a revolutionary architect (who knits!!), and to 15-year-old Bee, she is a best friend and, simply, Mom. Then Bernadette disappears. It began when Bee brought back a stellar school report card and claimed her promised reward: a family trip to Antarctica. But Bernadette's intensifying allergy to Seattle- and people in general - has made her so agoraphobic that a virtual assistant in India now runs her most basic errands. A trip to the end of the earth is as you can imagine problematic. It is really funny, I loved the style - using emails, police reports etc - which makes it a very entertaining read. Total worth getting! I got it for the cover, and I am so glad I did!

Guillaume Musso, 7 ans apres

This is the second book I read from this author (that would be the name in big letter on the front page - the title is in a much smaller font... hmmm). You can find his books translated into English - he is in fact quite well known. My Mum is a big fan and leave them for me to take when I go to France. This is much better than the first book I read from him. A divorced couple gets involved in a drug affair as they are trying to find their son. It is quite a clever story, and it writes beautifully about New York and Paris. It is not one of my must-read but it is entertaining and an easy read for the train journey.

Helen Fielding, Bridget Jones - Mad about the Boy

Finally, Bridget Jones is back. I am sure you all know about it. I had pre-ordered the book, but never got round to read it until I started commuting again. I could have been really disappointed. I loved the first two Bridget Jones, and yes I have both films on DVDs. So how was going to relate to a 50-something Bridget Jones? Well interestingly, I think it is because we both moved on from being single in London, to being married and having children - trying to balance being the-best-to-our-abilities Mum, working and having a personal life as well. The comparison stops there though - I do not have a toy boy lurking in the backgroung. It is written in the style of the other Bridget Jones, and for that I am grateful, it felt like a safe territory. It is a great read, I cried, I laughed, I nodded a lot - all in one read. Definitely worth the pre-order! 

So what do you think my next book should be? What did you really enjoy reading recently? I have Donna Tart's Goldfinch - which is massive to carry around but apparently amazing, I have a Tracy Chevalier as well - always a good read... 

I link to the 52 Books Challenge - at this rate I should be on schedule!