Apologies for the delay in announcing the winner (shocking work week rendered me unable for anything but a drink and a sleep!) but I’d like to congratulate:
Tien of Tien’s Blurb
who wins a copy of Villain by Shuichi Yoshida.
Thank you to all who entered and I hope you had a lovely hop!
A quick rundown…The story of the expat lifestyle in Dubai if you’re young and single – all the glitter and all the dust.
Strengths: Lovely familiar writing style (just like one of your best mates is writing you an email)
Weaknesses: More about the social life than any in-depth cultural analysis (but that’s probably not why you’re reading this book)
Why I read it: Cheap, interesting-looking ebook.
Pages: 320
Published: 2011
Publisher: Harper Collins
Setting: Dubai (with a few international holidays)
Rating: 8 out of 10
If you liked this, try: Sophie Kinsella’s fiction, such as Twenties Girl.
I still haven’t been to Dubai. Reading this book, I’m not entirely sure about how much I want to go. The book describes incredible awe-inspiring feats of architecture, great shopping malls and fun parties but also gives the reader something to ponder about: expats get lonely.
Burqalicious is the true story of Becky who decides to try her luck in Dubai. It seems that she arrives at the heart of the boom (remember those days?) where mega skyscrapers are built overnight, parties are outlandish, all you can eat buffets last hours and there’s always something fun to do. Besides this luxurious life, where simply everyone has a maid (at least when they’re not living on a landing under a Twister towel), Becky tells of the never-ending heat, the sand, lack of public transport and shops that don’t seem to sell necessities such as tampons.
The book follows Becky through her love affair with Dubai that eventually comes to an end with the GFC and her rocky relationship with M&M (standing for ‘Married and Muslim’). The affair wasn’t the focus of the book, more of a sideline (with some great holidays thrown in). Becky also reveals that an expat’s life is full of ever-changing acquaintances as people fly in and fly out and that it can be lonely. There’s also some cultural differences (including what Becky can and can’t put on her gossip website).
I enjoyed this book. It was an easy read for my commute, plus Becky Wicks has a great ‘voice’ for her readers. I could easily relate her tale of fun, sand, heat and parties in Dubai to a friend chatting. She doesn’t sugar-coat things (we all learn early on in the piece that M&M is married and she doesn’t shy away from changing jobs). It was fun and interesting, like a big blog by a good friend – I’d happily read more of her works.
A quick rundown… The 33rd book in the series takes in England post-WWI and into the 1920s, which were not as carefree initially as portrayed.
Strengths: Great characters and a few shocking twists in the tale of the Morlands.
Weaknesses: Covers more years than the previous books set in WWI.
Why I read it: I’ve been reading this series since 2006.
Pages: 512
Published: 2011
Publisher: Sphere
Setting: England, America, Europe
Rating: 9 out of 10
If you liked this, try: watching Downton Abbey or reading more books in the series.
Thirty three books into the series and the Morlands have just been through the War to End All Wars (soon to be followed by World War II). This is a saga, but one that is worth the time and effort (in my case, more effort was expended in obtaining the books than reading them! They are quite difficult to purchase in Australia). The Dancing Years covers a longer time period than the WWI books, covering from 1919 until 1925 (the war books covered one year each).
Returning to Morland Place is as much a welcome home for the reader as for the Morland family. We are reunited with favourite characters, such as Bertie and Jessie, Jack and Helen and of course Teddy. Polly, as she grows into a young lady, has a stronger storyline than previous books and Emma also plays a leading role. The book covers the years that I had always thought were happy – post-war, into the 1920s, glamour and fun with a more realistic note. It was an eye-opener to read about the state of the English economy and how so many soldiers were unemployed (Jack being one of them) and the unsettled feeling that remained. Of course, there is Emma’s set – the Bright Young Things who dance and dance, mainly to hide the lurking shadows of the war. Cynthia Harrod-Eagles is more daring in this novel, with some very unexpected twists unfolding. Characters will face tragedy (not for the first time), happiness (but suspicion from the point of view of others) and finally, happiness. I am really interested to see what happens in #34 with the Depression approaching.
The question that I should probably answer to this book is ‘can you read this as a stand-alone or must it be read as part of a series?’ I’ve thought quite deeply about this. I think it will make a lot more sense if it is read as part of the series (starting from the WWI books at least) but you could read it as a stand-alone. The characters are warm and engaging and in these internet days, you could more than likely Google any missing strands.
A quick rundown… A novel about the residents of the small English village, Burley Cross told through letters stolen from the local postbox.
Strengths: Unique perspective telling the story through letters.
Weaknesses: Does anyone write letters anymore? Difficult to keep track of who’s who at times.
Why I read it: Liked the cover, sounded interesting.
Pages: 352
Published: 2010
Publisher: Harper Collins
Setting: England
Rating: 7 out of 10
If you liked this, try: Reading Middlemarch, another view on village life.
I’ve thought about this book for some time after I finished it but haven’t really come to any definite conclusion – do I like this book or do I not? Let me list the pros and cons of this book.
PROS
CONS
There you go. After writing the list, I’ve tempted to lean towards the ‘I like’ list, but you probably won’t feel comfortable reading a book about village life (disputes, love, friendship, planning disputes etc.) if you’re having a neighbour war of your own. On the other hand, it is a witty look at petty politics and worth a laugh, particularly if you’ve ever had any voyeuristic thought about a post box. The characters are over the top (I still shudder thinking of Baxter and his appearance post-sex hex) and cleverly illustrated to display their flaws. There are loving moments and some just plain ridiculous moments (such as the phantom dog dropping bags tied to fences). Like real life, there are some moments that just seem not to do anything or be part of the bigger picture. In retrospect, I found that nice – too often now TV programmes and some books lack any deviation from the Major Plot Line.
This book is an eccentric departure from the linear plot and should be enjoyed as such. You’ll either like it (as I ended up doing after I penned my thoughts) or think it’s a load of junk mail.
What a lovely way to start the weekend with a giveaway. And thanks to the kind Leeswammes, who has organised the Literary Giveaway Blog Hop, you can blog your way around some great book blogs with the opportunity to win some fantastic books.
My giveaway is a brand-new copy of Villain by Shuichi Yoshida. I thoroughly enjoyed this book (check out my review here) and wanted to share it with someone else. My giveaway is open worldwide, so anyone can enter! Enter by leaving a comment on this post and please include an email address so I can contact the winner. Following my blog is not mandatory; however, it will give me a ray of happiness. Entries close at 11:59pm GMT, February 22 2012 and the winner will be drawn and notified within 48 hours of the closing date.
Please enjoy hopping through the list below – happy reading!
A quick rundown… The companion guide to Series One and Two of the English drama, set in prior and during WWI.
Strengths: Beautiful photographs and a deep insight into the life and times of the Edwardian era.
Weaknesses: May give away a couple of plot points (e.g. a new character) – but spoilers are kept to a minimum
Why I read it: Loved the TV programme
Pages: 304
Published: 2011
Publisher: St Martin’s Press
Setting: Downton Abbey, England
Rating: 9 out of 10
If you liked this, try: watching the TV show!
The World of Downton Abbey is a relatively rare find in the plethora of books about television programmes. Not only does this book inform you about the characters from the show, it also gives an insight into life during pre and during World War I England.
Generally books like this are set into chapters about setting, characters, plot etc. Not so here. Jessica Fellowes has taken an innovative approach with the text and coupled it with beautifully detailed photographs from the world of Downton Abbey and the historical period. The forward is written by the show’s creator, Julian Fellowes (I believe Jessica is his niece, but there is definitely no nepotism at work – Jessica has created a wonderful book in her own right). Subsequent chapters then follow on family life, society, change (i.e. during the war), life in service, style, house and estate, romance, war and behind the scenes. Each chapter reveals to the reader what the topic would have been like during that period using both real life examples and Downton examples (e.g. a day in the life of Daisy, as well as real life anecdotes of life in service). Photographs used are relevant to the chapter and the book is beautifully styled.
I also liked that the book didn’t give away too many ‘spoilers’ for the second series, which hasn’t yet aired in Australia. I feel I can be pleasantly surprised by the events of season two – those that aren’t already shaped by history of course!
For those who enjoyed the factual and historical parts of the book, there is an extensive reading list at the back. Fans as well as more casual watchers of the show will enjoy this book, as it goes far beyond the usual ‘book to accompany the TV series’ to actively inform the reader.
Definitely worth the read!
Hi All,
Just to let you know that I’m in for a very busy couple of weeks so won’t be posting very much (and possibly not even a lot of time to read!) I will be thinking of you all, reading and blogging happily while I’m working and studying.
Coming up soon though I shall have reviews of:
as well as some Top Gear!
Have a lovely couple of weeks!
A quick rundown… A man crosses Europe and Asia by train in the 1970s.
Strengths: Looking back at the way travelling was then (no iAnything to entertain you)
Weaknesses: The author gets grumpy in places; more about the journey than the countries
Why I read it: Another Popular Penguin
Pages: 372
Published: 2011 (first published 1975)
Publisher: Penguin Australia
Setting: Europe and Asia
Rating: 7 out of 10
If you liked this, try: Around the World in 80 Days by Michael Palin
The Popular Penguin series means that I’m always finding a new genre or author to try. This book is no exception – a railway journey from London to Asia and back through the USSR in the 1970s appealed to my love of Michael Palin’s travel books. Unlike Palin though, Theroux has no camera crew, just him and leaves his family for a solo tour. He does fly some of the time when there’s no other option, but the majority of the travel is taken on a variety of railway cars – from the old and dilapidated to the new and spartan.
The book takes you back to a time when there was no such thing as a mobile phone, iPod or iPad. All Theroux has to entertain him are some books, a journal to write in and the passengers. He brings to life some of the more quirky passengers (from the passenger who says nothing but eats and eats to the passenger left forgotten at a station), but not so much the destinations. This book is about the journey – descriptions of the berths, compartments and carriages married with vignettes of the passengers making the journey. Plus the food! The food was very varied in both flavour and quality throughout the different railways.
If you’re hoping for in-depth discussion and description of the countries Theroux visits, you’ll be disappointed. Some places warrant more text (India for example) but there was very little on others. Singapore is described in not so hopeful terms and is ridiculed for the government’s wish to deliver information wirelessly to everyone, such as through a fax. Well, we have that now and I’ve used it in Singapore, and it’s really very good! As a modern reader, I laughed at this discarding of technology.
Theroux seems particularly grumpy on the return journey across the USSR and it shows in the narrative. It felt rushed and bleak, as does the ending.
This copy came with the first chapter of a new book the author has written, making the same journey in the 2000s. Will I read it? I skimmed the first chapter and decided I’d be better off watching Michael Palin or reading Bill Bryson. It’s good writing, but I catch trains regularly and know about carriages and engines. What I want to know is more about different countries – food, culture and people.
