Miscellaneous
| Love from Both Sides by Nick Spalding | Another humerous book that had me laughing out loud. Nearly put this in chick lit, but decided against it as I think a guy would enjoy it just as much as I did. Great descriptions of disasterous dating told from both perspectives. A good quick read. Sheila/June 2015 |
| The Extra Ordinary Life of Frank Derrick Aged 81 by J B Morrison | A little bit along the lines of Harold Fry in the sense thathe's an old man trying to get along in life when left injured after being run over by a milk float. The book is one of those ones that does make you "laugh out loud" or at least chuckle. The writing is easy to follow, very accurate and captures the essence of a man in his twilight years. Very much recommend. Sheila/May 2015 |
| The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harrold Fry by Rachel Joyce | A very poignant (if impracticel) tale of an elderly couple and Harold who decides to make a journey to visit an old friend. (Sort of like Forrest Gump keeping on running). The people Harrold meets are all beautifully described and the book is written in a very easy style that keeps you wanting to read. Never predictable and very enjoyable. Sheila/December 2014 |
| Medal for Leroy by Michael Morpurgo | My favourite author covering a subject I am fascinated by! According to the sleeve for this book, the author was contacted by his friend and asked whether he had heard the fascinating tale of Walter Tull. Walter Tull was the first black officer in the British army at a time when prejudice was rife and played professional football for Northampton Cobblers. (Hence the Walter Tull memorial and street named after him by Sixfields). He should have been commended for bravery, but the paperwork got lost ..... Anyway I digress, Morpurgo's book is losely inspired by Tull and is a wonderful and touching account of the first world war, fighting for your country and love across the centuries. Well worth a read. Sheila/Jan 2015. |
22.11.63 by Stephen King |
A Helen recommendation which I was reluctant to read as I "don't like Stephen King books." Suppose you should never judge an author by his main genre!! Really excellent time travelling story combined with an interesting, informative (and gripping) storyline of the shooting of JFK by Lee Harvey Oswald. The time travel back to early 1960's America is so fascinating with the prejudices, ways of life and also how the modern hero (Jake) comes to love the period. The love story intertwined is never predictable. Loved this book. Now whether I would read another Stepehn King .... Sheila/October 2014 |
The Girl Who Saved the King of Sweden by Jonas Jonasson |
Probably a mistake to read the next book from the author of 100 year old man so soon after that one. The style is the same (which is quite distinctive) and it felt like I was just reading the other book. This plot follows a Soweto shanty town girl and her quite unlikely path through life to end up saving the King from nuclear destruction. Worth reading if you haven't read the 100 year old man! Sheila July 2014 |
The 100 year Old Man who Climbed Out of the Window and Diappeared by Jonas Jonasson |
Rather spookily the last two books I have read have had the same theme and yet been totally different stories. I read one at the same time my sister was reading the other (The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry)! So first off is this one. Often you hear the phrase "laugh out loud funny" and it always disappoints, however this one did have me laughing out loud! Tell the story of Allan Karlsson's 100th birthday and how he literally climbs out of the window and start his unlikely journey involving murder, criminals, a suitcase of cash. At the same time he recounts his past life and the adventures he experienced. (This section was like the book version of Forrest Gump). I loved both the past and the present in this really enjoyable, not to be taken too seriously, story. Sheila/February 2014 |
And the Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini |
A story spanning generations with with threads linking all the characters. Each story is almost self contained and the only criticism of this book would be that if didn't get chance to read in one go, I couldn't remember who was who. Hosseini's story telling is as good as Splendid Suns and Kite Runner and the ending certainly tugs at the heart strings. I liked the fact that he missed out chunks of some of the characters timelines and skipped quickly over others. It gave it a sense of ownership from the reader as you wanted to fill in the missing gaps (desperate to try and get a happy ending)! Sheila/January 2014 |
The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce |
This is her first novel and it is a lovely heart-warming book. The title was not exactly "grabbing" but the story is so touching and felt very real. It is a story about how hard relationships can be and that it is never too late to rekindle companionship and love. You feel like you can recognize parts of the characters in people you know. The story is not fast-paced at all, but it is a page turner and hard to put down. It was a perfect read for a few days of post foot surgery rest. Highly recommended. Karen/December 2013 I assumed this would also be a funny book on a similar theme to the 100 Year Old Man etc, the old person goes on a journey and looks back at his life. However, this is sad, moving, touching and ultimately uplifting. Gentle humour perhaps, but mostly about looking at life in a different way and seeing what difference that makes to your own life. It's about Harold's upbringing, his prejudices, his relationship with his wife and son. It confronts all the things people leave unsaid, things they could have handled better, guilt over things they didn't do. His journey through Britain and the people he meets seem so real, so lifelike. Brilliantly written, loved it. Sheila April 2014 |
The Bookseller of Kabul by Asne Seierstad |
Khan is the head of a wealthy Kabul family and a bookseller by trade. He copes with one regime after another. In 2001 he meets a Norwegian war journalist and agrees that she should spend time with his family to write a story of their lives. The result is a brilliantly written book that shows the culture, lifestyles or the Afghan people and the extent to which woman are subjected to a second class life - with or without the Taliban. As it is based from fact, there is sadly no happy endings for all the people she writes about. At the end of the book, you truly hope that the Taliban are kept as bay as it is so difficult to image a country without books, music, love and laughter. Well worth reading. Sheila/November 2013. |
Departures: Seven Stories from Heathrow by Tony Parsons |
Great concept - reminded me of one of my favourite films - Love Actually - except this time it's the stories from the people who work at the airport, not just meet there. Loved the way the individual stories just linked together and made up a great insight into life at a major airport. A very quick read as under 150 pages - possibly perfect length of time whilst waiting for a plane! Sheila/March 2012 |
Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen |
Recommended by Karen as one to read before the film came out (with Robert Pattinson in). It's the story of a young boy left orphaned and in his confusion and grief, wanders away from his old life and jumps on a train to get away. This train is a circus train in the mid 1900's America. Very descriptive of the harsh and brutal life as the circus itself struggles for survival. Sara Gruen has obviously done a lot of homework as the characters and life are described in such a realistic way. At the same time the story of Jacob is intertwined with him as an old man reflecting back on his life. Well written and a recommended read. Sheila/July 2011 |
Salmon Fishing in the Yemen by Paul Torday |
An amazing debut novel and so cleverly funny. The characters seemed to come to life and the political spin was so wonderfully woven into the story. (Alistair Campbell himself would have been proud of it)! The story charts Dr Alfred Jones, a lowly civil servant instructed to introduce salmon into the Yemen - a scheme which appears to be doomed to failure - possibly! The ending seemed a little hurried (and bizarre) but highly recommend reading. Sheila/August 2009. PS Just learn't it's been made into a film due out in March 2012. |
The Road by Cormac McCarthy |
Read this on Karen's suggestion and being a fan of Viggo Mortenson, heard that he was in the film being made. Well it was a very long road and the end couldn't come quick enough! It's a very depressing tale of a post apocalyptic America and the journey of a man and his son towards the south and hope. It's a very bleak, depressing read and scarily enough you could actually see how it could happen. That must mean it's well written and very descriptive - just don't read if feeling a bit down! Sheila/May 2011 |
The Other Hand by Chris Cleave |
A very over-hyped back cover (or brilliant piece of marketing), makes this book stand out - although not for the writing or story line. The characters seem stilted and it does make you appreciate a well written book. It seems to stereo-type the Nigerian and English characters involved (Little Bee and Sarah) and their tale of asylum. Sheila/July 2007 |
Slumdog Millionaire by Vikas Swarup |
Based on the novel Q&A it tells the tale of a poor ill-educated orphan who gets to appear on the Who Wants to be A Millionaire equivalent in Mumbai. He goes on to correctly answer all 12 questions. The book's 12 chapters each tell the story of why he knows the answers to those questions. Watched the film after the book (always the best way to do it) and the book has far more depth. A lovely uplifting book. Sheila/December 2006 |
Half a Yellow Sun by Chapamanda Adiche |
This is her second novel, and she’s still in her twenties, but she’s already winning prizes for this one, and for my money she could have won for the first one too (Purple Hibiscus) which I’ve just begun.The background of Yellow Sun is the “Biafran” war of 1967-1970. You are forgiven for not remembering it. Biafra only lasted those three years as a separate country after its attempted secession from Nigeria. Adiche herself was much affected by the loss of two of her grandparents in the war, and “Half of A Yellow Sun” – that’s the Biafran flag – is her way of getting it out of her system. She is an extremely good writer, her characters – attractive and not so attractive – have depth, against the detailed background of a real war. This isn't made-up stuff. You want her side to win all the way through, especially Olanna, the main female character who you suspect could be Adiche herself. This would have been my runaway Number One favourite for the summer, had it not been for “Atonement”. Michael/July 2007 Really quite a stunning book. Moving descriptions, interesting characters - vibrant and lasts long in the memory. Sheila/March 2008 |
Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini |
Probably the best book I've read for ages. So many turn of events, some very raw emotionally - Karen/August 2005 |
A Thousand Splendid Sons by Khaled Hosseini |
Thousand Splendid Sons, by the author of the Kite Runner tells the intensely moving tale of two modern Afghan women who overcome great challenges facing all women in a country that doesn't seem to recognise women any more. Brilliantly written books like this tend to do more to make you understand the history of a country than television reports or history books. Wonderfully written, very emotional. Sheila/March 2008 |
The Life of Pi by Yann Martel |
The Life of Pi is very unusual to say the least. It's about a young Indian boy who is shipwrecked and travels the pacific in a lifeboat with various animals and "Richard," but survives to tell the tale. It's a good, compelling read. I read somewhere that it appears to have deep meanings about life, death and belief in god. That doesn't come across whilst reading the book, but once you get to the end - it really makes you think about what you've just read. Sheila/March 2009 |
The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri |
The Namesake is a first novel and the depth Lahiri manages to achieve whilst still making the story so readable and realistic is amazing. It is the story about a family moving from India to America and the son who is born in the US and given a name he spends his early life unhappy with - until he gets old enough to realise it is the person and not the name. A very quietly moving novel, leaving you wanting to know what happens next. Karen lent this to me and says there is a film out there - must try and get hold of it. Sheila/September 2007 |
Running with Scissors by Augusten Burroughs |
The reviews of this book consider that it is funny and humorous and it has also been made into a film. Not sure what it says about my sense of humour but I found it rather tedious and not at all funny! The story is of the author who at the age of twelve is given away to his mother's psychiatrist. The story charts his bizarre years spent in an run down Victorian mansion in Northampton, Massachusetts, and getting to know the extended family, patients and paedophiles - all of whom probably need committing. The narrative itself is well written, just the subject matter is one I don't find stimulating. Perhaps the film is better than the book, but I would not really recommend. Sheila/May 2007 |
Tender at the Bone by Ruth Reichl |
Recommended by Deb. Not a title that grabbed me, but was a good size book for my daily ride on the bus to work. Ended up being a really enjoyable read. It is a memoir about a young girl growing up with a passion for food. She relates the people she meets with the foods they are associated with (her mother was an awful cook and often served food with mold on). Ruth Reichl is the Editor in Chief of Gormet magazine and writes for the New York Times. She is a good story teller and the book includes a number of actual recipes. Karen/July 2006 |
The Bee Season by Myla Goldberg |
I borrowed this book whilst in San Francisco from Deb and also rather handily managed to watch the film with Richard Gere. The book was much better and more descriptive - covering the aspects of American Spelling Bee competitions, woven round the story of a dysfunctional family who have lost the art of communication with each other. My family who were forced to watch the film did not rate it highly and the book although enjoyable is only a five out of 10 read - Sheila/April 2006 |
On Chesil Beach by Ian McEwan |
This is like another masterpiece of writing by Ian McEwan but it left me aching again for the main characters and what they suffer, however cleverly drawn. It’s not a long story and it only covers one incident on one day but the guy doesn’t seem to go for happy endings (which I do). More than that he seems to enjoy scouring the guts of people’s inner pain. So again it’s read it for its skilful writing (it’s short-listed for the Booker prize) but don’t expect a bunch of laughs. Michael/March 2007 |
The Piano Tuner by Daniel Mason |
"The Piano Tuner" is another of those amazing pieces of writing, like Kite Runner or Cadfael or Labyrinth which tell an interesting story against a background you know little about. This one is set during the British "annexation" of Burma in the late 19th century (which doesn’t leave us much room to criticise the US in Iraq by the way) and by the time you’ve finished you know a lot about the great river Irrawaddy, the exotic local botany and equally exotic local warlords. Also about how grand pianos work and how to tune them, though in the end I wasn’t sure I really needed to know all that. On the other hand this is Daniel Mason’s first novel and it really is a stupendous achievement to pull the whole lot together into the story of a Victorian piano tuner, asked by the War Office to go out to the remote jungles of Burma to repair the piano of an eccentric and mysterious character, who happens to be key to the military pacification of the region. But Lord, is it slow. You don’t expect a middle-aged Victorian piano tuner to be a greyhound, but it takes this lad the first hundred pages just to land in Rangoon, never mind the distant jungle. It’s true that by this time you’ve fallen under the spell of Mason’s rich imagination and the mesmeric quality of his writing, yet looking back I don’t feel any better for having read it, and (surprisingly?) wouldn't really recommend it, unless you too are planning a five week voyage to the Orient on a tea clipper. Michael/ March 2006 |
