2013 Book Reviews: Old post

Here are the quick reviews of books I remembered reading last 2013.

This is just for documentation purposes.

Secret Speech by Tom Rob Smith

Fantastic Sequel to Leo Demidov’s story in Child 44!

Again, there is a rich backdrop of Stalin’s rigid Russia while Leo Damidov heads his own special crime unit with a much more noble cause. If he was confused and robotic in the first novel, in this second one he puts more heart and soul into it. He starts to rebuild his life with a new family dynamics adopting two daughters of a villager that was unceremoniously killed by his comrade. Day by day he learns the meaning of family and how as a father, the extent of protecting them from conflicts and authority.

With the internal tug of war that’s been happening, he is also unearthing a national mystery, a crime of a terrorist group who seeks nothing but the demise of Russia.

On Beauty by Zadie Smith

                                    Funny Funny Funny. This is the first novel I read by Zadie Smith and it was hilarious. I thought it would be a bore, which is the tendency for me for contemporary British humor, but it was amazing. It was reading the magnified lives of this multi-racial family undergoing their own rift with their dreams and each and other’s expectations. It’s the usual dysfunctional family we can relate to at some point to: A philandering husband, a perfectionist and neurotic daughter, an independent and carefree younger son and the sensitive and rock of a brother. Reading this reminds me of Modern Family. Though more polite, more polished, but still equally smart and funny.

We were the Mulvaneys by Joyce Carol Oates

                                    Heartbreaking and I remember reading how perfect they were and I wish had three brothers to take care of me. But with their love and perfection comes the incident that tore them apart. You kind of think, they’re not so perfect and strong after all.

Verdict:     Go ahead, read it. 

Bag of Bones by Stephen King

                                    A story about a capable writer mourning over the death of his wife while getting entangled by the town’s weirdos headed by the in-law of this mother and daughter he befriended. It’s the story of an old town’s criminal history that comes to haunt the ancestors of the responsible.

Verdict:      You can skip this one. Try other Stephen King favorites. 

Rosemary’s Baby by Ira Levin

                                    Can I just that I’ve been eager to read this since forever?

                                    This is a light read and it’s a classic. Two start up couples finding this perfect house. The wife wants kids but the husband is a struggling actor. From the start, their love and partnership for each other are strained by separate needs. You’ll know that they want something more out of their marriage and their wants couldn’t be more opposite with each other. The hidden contrast in their marriage prompted the series of misjudgment and involvement of a less desirable cult.

                         Stupidity, selfishness and greed motion this story into play. How much I wanted to kill the husband by the way.

Verdict:    A classic must! It's a very light read. You can finish it in a day and it's a story you probably already know, but this is the original.  

The Heretic’s Daughter    by Kathleen Kent             

                      It’s one of those calm novels set in a different time. It’s one of those light reads on a rainy day. This reminds me of crucible although this centers the strength of a highly assertive an independent mother against the false judgments of authority. We know that the Salem witch trials have a shitty foundation. We don’t even know what people back then were thinking. The story doesn’t attempt to answer the injustice but the relationship seen in the eyes of the daughter with her mother.

Verdict:    Good for melancholic reading. Nothing spectacular.

A hologram for the king by Dave Eggers

                  This novel is cute and worthy of a summer read. I brought this on my quick sojourn to Cebu and I was not disappointed. It’s a light read and a heartfelt story about a project manager trying to sell a hologram meeting projector in a foreign land. All we know is that he’s not your typical-flying-high-businessman. He's already down on his luck, has a college kid to fund and he's waiting for a break from this sale. You kind of feel sorry for him as he goes to through the process of waiting for the project to end. 

Verdict:   Read it. Good travel book, puts thing into perspective. 

The White Tiger

This book is H-I-L-A-R-I-O-U-S! Read it! One of the books that literally made me laugh crazy. It's smart too. It's about this Indian writing to a Chinese Prime Minister mirroring the true situation of his country through his experiences in life. 

Verdict:   Read it!!

The Bat by Jo Nesbo

I initially got this because I was curious about Jo Nesbo and they say this is one of his best. But it's your typical crime-thriller. I swear, nothing great. I slept through some parts even. 

Verdict:   If you're curious, try e-books first or book sales.

The Snobs by Julian Fellowes

Not much dialogues, but I like it. It's one of those elegantly written snooty novels set back in previous time magnifying etiquettes, relationships and society. I loved reading it. You'll read about the lives and challenges of the rich and snobbish. And you won't hate them, it's just the way things are. 

Verdict:  Read it. Good for summer and traveling

Night Film by Marsha Pessl

Can I just say that I love this book? I will write a separate review on this one cause it made such an impact on me. I rarely get scared out of my wits. My training with RL Stine is supreme. I don't get horrified easily, but this book reminded me what an intelligent horror novel should be. Yes, it's hinting some supernatural aspects, but at the same time it's a mystery and test of "facts." Probably it's written in such an effective way incorporating fiction newspaper articles and pictures. I also love it that the ending was open-ended. And clearly there are two possible explanation for all the mysteries of the elusive filmmaker Stanislas Cordova and his enigmatic daughter Ashley.

Verdict:   READ IT!

Padre Gaetano's Puppet Catechism

It's a dark children's fairytale really, but nicely done. It's about puppets who come to life in a post war orphanage. Not much action, history and graphics here, but worth your child's scary horror. Reminds me of sophisticated Goosebump story of a ventriloquist

Verdict:   Sure, you can finish this within the day. It's perfect for youngsters though

Dark Places by Gillian Flynn

It's a good thriller of "did he do it?" genre. The premise and the writing style is gripping enough. But I liked Gone Girl better

Verdict:  A good thriller book to keep on hand when the need comes

The Silent Wife by ASA Harrison

A new take on the wife who is cheated on. All throughout the book, you imagine this perfectly calm and capable wife who puts her husband first. But she's not sappy. She's just elegantly calm that sometimes it's scary. You'd like to kill the husband and the mistress for being too bold, but you kind of wait what the wife would do.

Verdict:   Read it before the movie comes up. There's a lot of emotions, thoughts and profile the book has laid out that the movie won't be able to show. 

Sanctus by Simon Toyne

One of the Holy Grail mysteries circling on this brotherhood in the Ruins. But I believe some chapters were unnecessary. But it follows the traditional formula for thrillers so you won't be lost. And it has an interesting take on the "holy grail."

Verdict:  Sure, keep a copy if you're into holy grail thrillers. But yes, Da Vinci Code is better.

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak by Robin Sloan

Heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time. This follows the story of a "forced orphaned" german girl adopted by a couple trying to make ends meet during the 2nd world war. Obviously she has a passion for reading as the title suggests and how it helped her and her community in the dark ages.

Verdict:  Sure, read it before the movie. It's a good summer/christmas read. A friend of mine cried through this. 

Mr. Penumbra's 24 Hour bookstore

I initially got this because the title is about books. I thought there was some book magic involved. Well not really, but it's a mystery being solved by a cult devoted of cracking the codex vitae of Mantius, an ancient publisher. It's about merging technology to the ancient business of books. 

Verdict:  Though the story is promising and I like the concept of technology, cult and books, but the actual story doesn't mesh well with me. Try it in ebooks instead.

47 Ronin

This is a traditional story of acceptance, suffering, love and honor in extreme settings. Being the setting is in Japan, you know certain aspects would be extremes since their culture and beliefs are so strong and distinct. Reading this reminds me of Samurai X anime. Aside from the very basic good and evil premise, you will enjoy reading Japan's feudal system and samurai culture. You can't help but feel for how Samurais follow a strict way of life and actions backed by principles. I warn you, this story is depressing (in a good way though).

Verdict:   Read it before watching the movie. I liked it.

Apartment 16 by Adam Neville

The title looked promising enough, but I didn't latch onto a very specific instance. It was lackluster and dull. It doesn't help that there are questionable supernatural stints involved in a specific apartment that houses an evil spirit continuously haunting the tenants. I don't even remember the why and how. 

Verdict:  Skip it if you're looking for a real good scare. I was bored.

666 Park Avenue by Gabriella Pierce

Dashing and rich husband marries a commoner just because she has a witch's lineage and it will preserve two ancient families of witches. What's interesting is that it happens in New York no less with all the glitter, snobbishness and glamor. And not to mention you have a overbearing, snobbish and witch of a mother-in-law.

Verdict:  Good for summer read. Light and sort of series worthy

Heart Shaped Box by Joe Hill

I liked it. The story is very original and gothic. I also got scared about some scenes written and played out, I applaud Joe HIll there especially in scenes that the ghost comes up and announces his presence. I also love it that despite the supernatural, there's a strong history involved. 

Verdict:  Read it. If i were to choose, I still liked Horns better.

Red Rain by RL Stine

A classic RL Stine novel. RL Stine likes to tickle but not entirely go for the ultimate graphic scare. If you're used to reading RL Stine, this is worthy enough to add to your library.

Verdict:   Sure, especially if you're a fan. 

The Time Keeper by Mitch Alboom

It's a romantic story of Father time. It also puts into perspective how we value our life given the limited time we have. It's a usual novel that makes you reflect.

Verdict:  Light read, but will make you reflect. Go ahead read it.

Middlesteins by Jami Attenberg

It's a story about a dysfunctional family which centers into the life of Edie, a seriously overweight matron of the family. How her excessiveness and weight pushed people to reconsider their lives and their involvement in keeping the family intact. 

Verdict:   It's okay, I guess. I'd rather you read The Corrections by Franzen. I found the premise here falling short.

Freedom by Jonathan Franzen

He writes stories about dysfunctional families best. I think it's a good thing. It's funny. Makes you think that you're normal and there are funny more dysfunctional families out there

Verdict:   If you enjoyed The Corrections, you'll like this. 

I might be forgetting something but will just add if I come across my jilted memory.