Reading: Picking up the Pace

I started reading Arundhati Roy's The God of Small Things last week, but I got bored. I didn't finish it. It was not something that I needed when I was so busy with work with a couple of things I need to juggle at the same time. The book reeks of sense and thought but it just didn't work out for me. So it doesn't make sense making a review about it even though I remember some interesting bits and pieces. I did not even reach the middle part! I promise to read it again this year, hopefully in a better and more relaxed time.

Now, I'm reading The Shining Girls on my IPAD and This is How you Lose her. Yes, I can do simultaneous reading with just at least a strict allotted hour per book each day. It's been a challenge these past couple of days because I am so tired lately from work, but I make sure I read at least a chapter a day. I might finish This is How you lose Her soon though. It's funny, light and insightful. While the Shining Girls is provides an interesting pair up with a serial killer plot with a time traveling twist. I'll have to finish everything this weekend or the week before I go to Baguio. I am excited on which book to read on that trip. I'd probably need my IPAD while reading on the bus and a fallback book to bring with me. Excited!

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. 

Winter of the World by Ken Follet

The first time I read the Fall of Giants by Ken Follet, I was hooked. As much as I am not a telenovela fan, this is my own guilty telenovela pleasure in literary form. I was hooked on the well versed effort and epic story of the main characters and how their lives are gracefully intertwined in the face of war. 

It took about 2 years for me to wait for the 2nd book and another couple of months to wait for a paperback version to come out. Finally I got it this year. 

This is the 2nd book of Ken Follet's Century Trilogy. The story centralizes on the 2nd generation of Fitzherberts, Peshkovs and Von Ulrichs and how their lives are magnificently intertwined in politics, war and relations. While the first book was set up on the 1st world war, the 2nd book is set in 2nd world war from the start of a rising power of Nazi Regime. More characters are introduced with sweeping connections with the main characters. There are the usual topics of betrayal, familial ties, politics and romance that are brilliantly knitted to create another epic story. Honestly, I don't know Ken Follet does it. How he maintains and flourishes stories with infinite characters in this magnitude. Think of Pillars of the earth. This involved clearly a lot of thought, writing and immersion to the web of characters. This is again an epic read. 

Best to read it on vacation! 

my frugal adventures.com

**Out in the leading bookstores. Got mine in Fully booked, mass paperback. 

BATTLE ROYALE Koushin Takami

With all the young adult genre novels about post apocalypse, future societies, angels, werewolves, vampires, zombies and everything else in between, one particular plot type that's out in the market is about survival, the basic story of to kill or be killed. And there's an interesting flavor if kids do it, the actual game of killing that is.

Imagine the SURVIVOR show, but instead of fighting for material reward, they are fighting for their life, survival of the fittest.  Also imagine that raging kids or teenagers are involved. It's either monsters or life threatening challenges are created by these sick organizers (usually the government) or the goal is simply for the participants to kill each other. I've read the Maze Runner Series and Catching Fire. Both have interesting plots and challenges. While Maze Runner is an experiment, Catching Fire is a tradition. If you like this kind of genre, I hope you won't miss Koushun Takami's The Battle Royale because by far, this one tops the list for me.

Battle Royale is about a yearly military government project where they randomly select a 3rd year HS class to be deported to a controlled island to kill each other. Winner would obviously be the last man standing. Society knows of this with only the hopes that their son, daughter, sister, brother or friend will not be a part of that selected class. Anyone creating violent objections from family, friends and organizations will immediately be put to death. The fight is televised and all actions completely monitored.

The kids being in the same class know each other and developed their own groups or connection, which is an added emotional burden. With minimal explanation, they were only given collars to wear and randomly selected weapons and supplies to carry in the island. There is no escape. If they try to escape, they will be killed. If they take off their collars, it will self detonate. If no one is killed within 24 hours, all collars will self detonate resulting to no winner. And some additional challenge, there will be randomly selected areas that the government will announce every few hours for the kids to avoid. If they find out that they are in the forbidden area at the announced time, their collars will also self-detonate. So the challenge is to strategically hide from your peers, familiarize the map, listen to announcements and efficiently kill opponents (which are your classmates and friends), without losing one's sanity. Did I mention that suicide is allowed?

What's interesting about the novel is how the human behavior will transform given the situation. It clearly mirrored the degradation of reasoning and emergence of paranoia and how these affect and transcend through their actions. The novel also explicitly showcased the emotional and psychological damage it has imposed on these kids more than the physical one. For round 30 so students, the author has given a glimpse of each student's background and how the person reacted to the situation. As a person, fighting for one's life, the reader will get to fully understand why someone pulled the trigger. Others were scared, others were paranoid, others became systematic while others were betrayed. It doesn't matter if they're highschool or college; it's the intensity and rawness of a person trying to survive.

Sure, there will be gory deaths and commendable twists. Written in 1996, a disturbing, fast paced and interesting read, this is the ultimate survival-thriller book. You've read Catching Fire, well this is as raw and real as it gets.

**OUT IN LEADING BOOKSTORES. GOT MINE IN FULLY BOOKED around 800 Pesos. Worth it.