These books are perhaps not the most sophisticated or intellectually challenging. However, they are interesting reads that don't demand too much from the reader, so just sit back, dive in and let the book do the rest.
*Acts of Faith by Erich Segal
*Angels and Demons by Dan Brown
*Book of a Thousand Days by Shannon Hale
*Gold by Chris Cleave
*Holy Cow by David Duchovny
Mulder redeemed!!
Recommended if you want a light, fun read and are cool with talking animals.
*Life after Life by Kate Atkinson
Reading Life
after Life served as a reminder to me that gushy praise for a book does not
make it a great piece of literature. I
struggled to complete Life after Life, not that it was a difficult read,
but because I kept waiting for something ‘brilliant’ (The Times) or a ‘tour de
force’ (Daily Mail) to be revealed. In a
way, these reviews did a dis-service to the book, for if I had not been waiting
for brilliance, I would actually have enjoyed the book, for it’s an interesting
but easy read. Atkinson has penned a
family drama in Life after Life, but made it different by presenting different
alternative lives for the main character, who is re-born to the same life after
each time she dies, hence learning what mistakes to avoid and continue with life. Of course, that does not mean that all
tragedy is erased from her life....
Recommended
if you want to read a family saga set in the first half of twentieth century
Britain.
*Memories of My Melancholy Whores by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
This novella essentially consists of the ramblings and obsessions of an old man, yet the fact that I kept turning the pages and was never bored is because it was penned by a master storyteller! While not in the same league of his more famous works, this slim volume accounted for an enjoyable hour spent reading; which made me feel that not all books need to be great, a well written but simple story is often just what one requires at the end of a busy day. Don't get me wrong, the novel does raise important questions such as that of senior citizens and their desires,but not in a forceful way--it is up to the reader what he/she wants to take back.
Recommended if you want a quick read set in Latin America.
*Memories of My Melancholy Whores by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
This novella essentially consists of the ramblings and obsessions of an old man, yet the fact that I kept turning the pages and was never bored is because it was penned by a master storyteller! While not in the same league of his more famous works, this slim volume accounted for an enjoyable hour spent reading; which made me feel that not all books need to be great, a well written but simple story is often just what one requires at the end of a busy day. Don't get me wrong, the novel does raise important questions such as that of senior citizens and their desires,but not in a forceful way--it is up to the reader what he/she wants to take back.
Recommended if you want a quick read set in Latin America.
*Prizes by Erich Seghal
*Romancing Mr Bridgerton by Julia Quinn
*The Collected Works of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin
I enjoyed reading this book, however, once I had finished it the question that rose in my mind was how did it manage to be so engaging given that in terms of plot it was quite predictable. I guess part of its charm lies in the way it has been structured, just a narration of key episodes from the protagonists life interspersed with letters of his commenting on various stories. Herein, lies the key, the novel's commentary on actual works of literature is probably what binds the reader to the book. It is the shared understanding of the power of literature that keeps one reading on. Of course, that does not mean the book otherwise is not well written. It is an easy read with some endearing characters, but remove the commentary on books and the book would probably be no different than a Danielle Steel novel.
Recommended for when you want a light but engaging novel about a bookshop owner and his life.
*The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown
*The Diary of a Reluctant Feminist by Bhavna Bhavna
*The Diary of a Social Butterfly & Tenderhooks by Moni Mohsin
*The Palace of Illusions by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni
*The Strange Library by Haruki Murakami
*Two Caravans by Marina Lewycka
*Waiting for Doggo by Mark Mills
Dear Reader, I have a confession to make: I too have succumbed to the Bridgerton mania courtesy Shonda's latest venture. Season one of Bridgerton, left me wanting to know more and so I had to pick up the fourth in the Bridgerton series, Romancing Mr Bridgerton as I wanted to know how Penelope and Lady Whistledown's column would unfold. Being a Regency romance, this was a quick read and reminded me why I read so many of them in my youth…an easy read featuring some gorgeous men…a most soothing balm in frayed times. Intellectuals may frown on my reading tastes, but frankly I do believe that every type of book serves a purpose and this did prove most delightfully entertaining!
*The Collected Works of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin
I enjoyed reading this book, however, once I had finished it the question that rose in my mind was how did it manage to be so engaging given that in terms of plot it was quite predictable. I guess part of its charm lies in the way it has been structured, just a narration of key episodes from the protagonists life interspersed with letters of his commenting on various stories. Herein, lies the key, the novel's commentary on actual works of literature is probably what binds the reader to the book. It is the shared understanding of the power of literature that keeps one reading on. Of course, that does not mean the book otherwise is not well written. It is an easy read with some endearing characters, but remove the commentary on books and the book would probably be no different than a Danielle Steel novel.
Recommended for when you want a light but engaging novel about a bookshop owner and his life.
*The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown
*The Diary of a Reluctant Feminist by Bhavna Bhavna
*The Diary of a Social Butterfly & Tenderhooks by Moni Mohsin
*The Palace of Illusions by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni
*The Strange Library by Haruki Murakami
The Strange Library is a beautifully produced book that
mimics an actual library book. The illustrations
are interesting and befit the title. Yet,
once the novelty of the form wore off, I felt a bit cheated by the plot, for it
did not quite match up to its packaging, a case of great expectations? The story is a modern fairy tale set in the big bad world of the
library. Yet, despite the twists and
turns nothing really felt novel. I felt
the book lacked magic, a shame because it had so much potential. Perhaps, I am being heretical to criticise a
work of Murakami, though I feel I have been spoilt by Gaiman who is such a
master of this genre.
Recommended if you want a quick and easy fable.
*Two Caravans by Marina Lewycka
*Waiting for Doggo by Mark Mills
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