What's on My Shelf

Because good things continue to come in threes...

2007-05-07T20:38:00.000-03:00

I am reading three books simultaneously again:

1. The No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith.
I figured that there are so many of them, it must be a good book. It's off to a slow start for me, though. I am hoping it gets better.

2. When a Crocodile Eats the Sun by Peter Godwin.
I have a thing for Africa. Any time I find out that there is a biography or autobiography of someone who lived and experiences some part of Africa, I have to read it. So this is the latest. I have high hopes. I'll let you know...

3. Shopaholic Takes Manhattan by Sophie Kinsella.
In my last post here I told you I was reading Kinsella's first book in the series, which I thoroughly enjoyed. I am excited to read the next on, although I've been told that none of them stack of to the first in the series. But I am holding out hope regardless.

Good things come in threes...

2007-04-09T21:23:00.000-03:00

I am reading three books simultaneously right now and they are all really good.
1. A Death in Belmont -Sebastian Junger (given to me by Mr. C for Easter)
2. Confessions of a Shopaholic -Sophie Kinsella (yes, it took me awhile to get on this bandwagon)
3. Bodies and Souls -Isabel Vincent (purchased on a recent weekend trip away and inspired by my desire tor ead more about the persecution of the Jewish prior to WWII)

I recently finished Suite Francaise by Irene Nemirovsky, so anything I read after that was a hard act to follow.

What else?...

2007-02-07T22:01:00.000-04:00

It's awesome.
It's relevant.
It's scary as hell,
but everyone should read this book.

Blood Diamonds

2007-01-10T21:29:00.000-04:00

Mr. C and I went to see the movie by the same name a week ago. It was one of those movies that makes you want to go home and join an organization, or donate money, or adopt an orphan. I couldn't shake the images, and to some extent still can't. I wanted to read more about it and find out where truth and fiction were blurred. Turns out there was more truth than fiction in the film, as I had anticipated. I have just started the book. I can't imagine that it will be a bad read; only a very sad one.

Museum of the Missing

2007-01-07T19:38:00.000-04:00

Museum of the Missing by Simon Houpt was one of many books that I received for Christmas. Some of my favourite moments on Christmas Day and in the days following Christmas are spent curled up on the couch, with a hoard of dark chocolate and some really good books. I usually like to read non-fiction right after Christmas. I really don't know why...

This book is a nice coffee table book, but also a very easy and interesting read. The early section deals primarily with artwork that was stolen during WWII, which is a concise and fascinating read. It is well-written and has beautiful photographs and reproductions of all the major artwork which is described. I highly recommend it if you find this topic in any way interesting. I am half-way through, but so far, I rate it an 8/10.

Serving Crazy with Curry

2006-11-22T09:04:00.000-04:00

I am currently reading Serving Crazy with Curry by Amulya Malladi, which humorously describes a woman's pressure to marry and become a traditional Indian wife and the humiliation os losing her job in Silicon Valley. She tries to commit suicide as a result, only to be found and rescued by her obsessive mother. This book was recommended to me by Sophie, when I was going through my brother's suicide attempts, and I am finding it very insightful and genuine. I don't know whether the author has any firsthand experience with suicide attempts, but it reads in a refreshing and candid tone. The characters are delightful and remind me of Bend it Like Beckham, which remains one of my favorite movies. I am not finished yet, but I have a feeling that it will warrant a high rating!

Christmas Reading Wishlist

2006-11-18T16:29:00.000-04:00

My Christmas Book Wishlist
In no particular order:

Hundertwasser -Harry Rand
Childhood Treasures: Handmade Gifts for Babies and Children: -Caroline Zoob
My Naughty Little Sister -Dorothy Edwards
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas -David Fickling
Sala's Gift: My Mother's Holocaust Story -Anne Kirschner
Inheritance of Loss -Kieran Desai
Running in the Family -Michael Ondaatje
The Sea -John Banville
Your Daughter Fanny; The War Letter of Frances Cluett
Apples: Recipes from Canada's Best Chefs -Elaine Elliot
Jamie's Dinners: Family Meals for Everyone -Jamie Oliver
Women in England 1500-1700: A Social History -Anne Laurence

The Zahir by Paulo Coelho

2006-11-15T19:21:00.000-04:00

I recently blogged about the meaning of the "zahir", so thought that I would review Paulo Coelho's book, which I just read in September.

The Brazilian author PAULO COELHO was born in 1947 in the city of Rio de Janeiro. Before dedicating his life completely to literature, he worked as theatre director and actor, lyricist and journalist. And since becoming an author, he now adds blogging to his list of leisure activities.

Readers might be more familiar with The Alchemist or Eleven Minutes, but I am certain that The Zahir will become another of his well-read books. In fact, it is an International bestseller, so readers the world over have already enjoyed his message. That's what I like about Coelho. His books are not only wonderful to read, but they are full of important messages for people of the world to think about and reflect upon.

The Zahir begins with a glimpse or a passing thought. It ends in obsession .One day a renowned author discovers that his wife, a war correspondent, has disappeared, leaving no trace. Though time brings more success and new love, he remains mystified – and increasingly fascinated – by her absence. Was she kidnapped, blackmailed, or simply bored with their marriage? The unrest she causes is as strong as the attraction she exerts.His search for her – and for the truth of his own life – takes him from France to Spain, Croatia and, eventually, the bleakly beautiful landscape of Central Asia. More than that, it takes him from the safety of his world to a totally unknown path, searching for a new understanding of the nature of love and the power of destiny. With The Zahir, Paulo Coelho demonstrates not just his powerful and captivating storytelling, but also his extraordinary insight into what it is to be a human being in a world full of possibility.

"Freedom: The Story of My Second Life" by Malika Oufkir

2006-11-13T19:06:00.000-04:00

I read Malika Oufkir's first book, Stolen Lives a number of years ago. It documented her life as a prisoner in the desert of Morocco, after having lived for most of her life as a princess, among the King and his family for so many years. I remember the details that she wrote about her horrendous captivity, and when I saw her second book on the shelf, I didn't hesitate to buy it.

I haven't completely finished the book yet, so this may be unfair, but I would not recommend Freedom. It would have been hard to compare to the first book at any rate, but the detailed discussions of her trials learning how to use faucets and bank machines was tedious to say the least. I like her message in the second book, but it is not an enjoyable read, unfortunately.

Rating: 5/10

Hello

2006-11-13T11:25:00.000-04:00

I am starting a Book Blog.
I'll make my first post as soon as I get a free moment or two!