I’ve Got Your Number by Sophie Kinsella

A quick rundown… Yes, you can tell a story that uses SMS/texts as a major form of communication. Chick lit with a punch, Kinsella’s really improving.

Strengths: Ability to turn something odd (finding a mobile phone in the bin) into a major plot and make it unputdown-able.

Weaknesses: It has the ending you expected.

Why I read it: Enjoy Kinsella’s books as something light.

Pages: 387

Published: 2012

Publisher: Random House

Setting: London

Rating: 9 out of 10

If you liked this, try: Twenties Girl by the same author

I’ve got a bit of a soft spot for Sophie Kinsella’s novels for several reasons. One, they’re light, fun and easy with a happy ending; and two, I once won a competition from reading her Shopaholic series. Of late, I’ve been enjoying especially the stand-alone books she writes – Twenties Girl reduced me to tears, so I was pleased to see she had another book out.

Initially, I was a bit dubious about the plot – girl finds mobile phone in bin, starts up texting relationship with owner of phone. It actually works very, very well and Kinsella should be proud of integrating technology into fiction books so well. The texts between Poppy (our protagonist, a physiotherapist who will marry the very clever Dr Magnus Tavish within weeks) and Sam Roxton (his former PA ditched the phone so now he has no-one to organise his life) add a lot to the novel. Granted, there is some use of text speak (mainly Poppy’s J and xxxxxxx’s) but the texts reveal their growing relationship (as well as awarding Poppy victory in a Scrabble match with the future in-laws).

Poppy is fairly clever in relation to some of Kinsella’s other characters, but she has a huge inferiority complex when presented with Magnus and his family, who are all scholars. One of the ways Poppy tries to cope with this is by mockingly using footnotes as she tells her story. Sometimes these work, sometimes they don’t. It is different though to the standard chick lit fare and well done to Kinsella for integrating this too. It’s an interesting choice having a physiotherapist as a main character- definitely not something I’ve seen before, but it works. Poppy’s workmates are both evil and hilarious. Sam is a well-rounded character; while Magnus is painted as the weird and wonderful lecturer with Issues. As for Magnus’ mother, well! She is one unique lady, at least to Poppy’s eyes.

As for the ending, you’ve probably guessed it already but it’s fun making the journey there. This is chick lit with depth and feeling. There are a lot of twists and turns along the way (several quite unexpected), making the book a fun journey. I’ve already passed this one on, with the suggestion to read this book soon!

 

The Red Thread by Dawn Farnham

A quick rundown… A tale of love in 1830s Singapore between a Chinese man and Scottish woman.

Strengths: Tells the history of Singapore in a generally entertaining fashion.

Weaknesses: Sometimes the history is a bit dry.

Why I read it: Like to pick up a local book to read when I’m on holidays.

Pages: 328

Published: 2007

Publisher: Monsoon Books

Setting: Singapore

Rating: 8 out of 10

If you liked this, try: The Song of Silver Frond by Catherine Lim for another look at Singaporean history.

 

When I’m away from home, I like to browse bookshops. I like to look at the different covers of books released overseas and I also like to discover new, local authors that I wouldn’t be exposed to at home. The Red Thread is the result of one of these browsings at Kinokuniya Ngee Ann City, Singapore. (If this bookstore was a man, I’d marry it. It is fantastic, crammed with all sorts of subjects and section on local authors. But I digress).

 

Dawn Farnham was born in England but grew up locally in Perth, Western Australia. She has lived in many places throughout Europe and Asia, before settling half in Perth, half in Singapore. (Source: author’s website) She is passionate about learning history, and the intensity of her research shines through in The Red Thread. (I’m interested too to see what she comes up with about Perth). The research for this book is first class; so much so, that I was about to take a modern day map of Singapore and trace where the characters were walking. I learned quite a bit about Singapore in the 1800s just from reading this book. It was also more interesting than reading plain history.

 

This book is more than just history. It also contains an incredibly passionate love story between Charlotte (a Scottish lass whose brother is chief of police) and Zhen, a Chinese man who has come to Singapore to work. Their eyes meet across the harbour and Zhen seeks Charlotte out. Despite the language barrier, love blossoms. Zhen is engaged to be married – what will happen to the couple?

 

In terms of characterisation, both real historical characters and fictional characters exist side by side. George Coleman, an Irish architect who built many of Singapore’s early buildings and designed roads, plays a large role in the story.

 

This book is the first book in a planned quartet – it will be interesting to see where Farnham takes the characters in the next book as they seemed to be in a bit of a corner at the end!

 

A quick read, and very interesting to those who either know Singapore well, or would like to get to know it better.

April Fool’s Day by Bryce Courtenay

A quick rundown… The true story of Bryce’s son, Damon who contracts HIV through a blood transfusion.

Strengths: Very emotional and brutally honest.

Weaknesses: Very sad.

Why I read it: Present from my mother.

Pages: 648

Published: 1994

Publisher: Penguin Australia

Setting: Australia

Rating: 9 out of 10.

If you liked this, try: Holding the Man by Timothy Conigrave, which also deals with HIV and AIDS.

April Fool’s Day was a book I wasn’t sure that I wanted to read initially for several reasons – I don’t read as much non-fiction as fiction, surely Bryce Courtenay’s talent lay in fiction and it was probably out of print. Enter a Popular Penguin edition and an edict from my mother that I must read this book and she knew I would enjoy it immensely. I started reading this on my daily commute but soon I was hooked. Such a powerful story – all completely true, you can’t make up this sort of thing and an incredibly emotional, harrowing journey for the Courtenay family.

I always respected Courtenay as a writer before this, but after reading this book, I have the utmost respect for him overall. The story of his son Damon, born a haemophiliac who contracted HIV through a blood transfusion and later died of AIDS related complications is compelling for so many reasons. Damon was a brave battler and his strength while living through chronic pain, bleeding and countless infections is to be commended. The rallying of the Courtenay family and Damon’s partner Celeste around him is a testimony to the strength of the loving family (from going along with Damon’s delusions to taking him to the hospital on many occasions). This book is a celebration of life and love – the good, the bad and the ugly.

From a medical point of view, this book is also exceptionally interesting for several reasons. One, to read about diseases, hospitals, doctors and treatments from the patient and family point of view was an eye opener. The way Damon was treated on occasions by medical ‘professionals’ was awful. Secondly, to read about the medication side effects from the actual effect on the patient – also interesting. What may be classed as minor to those not taking the drug can have a huge effect on the quality of life on the person (such as Damon and diarrhoea with AZT). Finally, it was amazing to see the comparison between HIV and AIDS treatment today and in the late 80s / early 90s when Damon was being treated. So much progress has been made and I felt so sad that if this had happened 20 years later, it may be Damon telling his whole story, rather than his father.

It was also interesting to see how attitudes to the gay community have changed and how more widely educated the public is about HIV and AIDS. (Damon was mistreated by nurses who mistakenly thought that AIDS equals gay. Thank goodness we have moved on from that.)

Bryce Courtenay is brutally honest in this retrospective of his son’s life. He laments of the lack of time spent with his kids in the early years (due to a job in advertising that really does sound a little Mad Men-esque) and losing his temper when perhaps he shouldn’t. These made me as the reader warm to him more – it’s not a rose coloured view. I hope it was cathartic for him to write this.

The ending was a tear jerker. Despite you knew it was coming, it didn’t make it any easier. It was lovely to read the postscript from Celeste and her life post-Damon.

In short, April Fool’s Day has it all – the happy times, the funny times, the awful times and the sad times. What a lovely thing for a father to create for his son.

Atonement by Ian McEwan

A quick rundown… A young girl’s statement changes things for the rest of her family forever. How can she atone for her sin?

Strengths: The different types of writing in each part, the raw desolation of the war.

Weaknesses: The ending makes you want to immediately flip back to the front and start again.

Why I read it: It’s a movie and the book won lots of prizes.

Pages: 351

Published: 2003

Publisher: Anchor

Setting: England, France.

Rating: 8.5 out of 10.

If you liked this, try: Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh

It’s difficult to know where to start in this review of Atonement – many people are familiar with the book and many more have seen the film with Keira Knightley (I haven’t; I thought Keira played Briony, not Cecelia). It seems from a small amount of research I’ve done (i.e. asking friends) that opinion of Atonement is divided – you either love it or hate it. I’m one of the former, so you’ll need to excuse me for my gushings.

Briony is a young girl, determined to put on a play with her cousins for her brother’s homecoming. But over the course of one day, everything changes and Briony tells a lie, which affects the rest of her family. Both she and her older sister separate from the family as they grow older, but the events of that day are never forgotten.

This is the first McEwan book I’ve read and I was told by others to be patient, that his books grow on you. While lyrically beautiful, it did take some time to get used to the style of this first section, which is quite floaty and dreamlike (and I’m told, in the style of Virginia Woolf). It also reminded me of how a hot summer day feels – kind of endless and somewhat detached. I enjoyed this, but didn’t rave about it. The second part, which describes WWII in detail, was sharply focused and graphic in comparison to the first section. I really also enjoyed Briony’s trials as a nurse – it was unsympathetically confronting. This was where I was hooked, with the shocking turn of events. And the ending…well, I felt like flipping back to the front and starting the book all over again. It made me question everything I’d read previously in the book – which of the characters were not to be trusted? Were there any holes in the story? McEwan leaves the reader to try to figure this out rather than join the dots. It’s a little frustrating, but it certainly ensures the reader will be thinking about the book long after it’s finished.

There are some light moments in this book – the khaki green Amo chocolate bar for the soldiers for instance, but most of it is about one events and how everything after is distorted – possibly forever. It is painfully slow in some places, but picks up in others. Well worth the rewards if you persevere.

Sputnik Sweetheart by Haruki Murakami

A quick rundown… The story of a man secretly in love with his female friend, who loves another. She then disappears.

Strengths: Murakami’s beautiful prose, the haunting scenes that stay in your memory.

Weaknesses: Some might say there are similarities to Norwegian Wood. Is that a bad thing?

Why I read it: Love Murakami’s work.

Pages: 229

Published: 2002

Publisher: Vintage

Setting: Japan, Greece

Rating: 8.5 out of 10

If you liked this, try: Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami

I enjoy Haruki Murakami’s books, but I don’t make any claim to understand and offer insight into some of the more surreal points of his narrative (such as Tom down the well in The Wind-up Bird Chronicle). I chose Sputnik Sweetheart to read because it looked somewhat linear, more in the vein of Norwegian Wood. Well, I was right and I was wrong. Some odd things do happen in this book but it does remind me somewhat of Norwegian Wood. I’m not saying that’s a bad thing because I loved Norwegian Wood and would rank it as one of my favourite reads. (I watched the film trailer in Kinokuniya NAC many, many times). It’s just that the painful, silent suffering after a girl the male protagonist can’t have was a bit familiar this time round – this was a theme in both Norwegian Wood and The Wind-up Bird Chronicle. Others have likened this book to The Great Gatsby and I suppose there is a similar feeling, but I’d say that Sputnik Sweetheart is a lot stronger in its portrayal of longing, love and loss.

The story is told in the first person, but with a twist – the male protagonist tells us about his friend, Sumire (Violet) that he’s a little in love with and her love affair with Miu, a woman. He’s more of a narrator (especially later on) than an active character. The first half of the book plays it very straight and linear, describing the relationship blossoming between Sumire and Miu until they go away together. In Greece, Sumire disappears and doesn’t come back. Miu calls for help, but Sumire can’t be found. Miu then explains why she can’t fall in love with Sumire, which is where a ferris wheel and the surreal come into play. This helped to portray the loneliness and adrift feeling (I felt) of the characters once Miu had disappeared. Was the ferris wheel and Miu a symbol of Japanese culture – the society before the original? Maybe, maybe not. But it did make me think, even if I couldn’t work it out for sure.

The prose is as always, beautiful and magically able to convey the feelings, tones and emotions of each scene. Murakami and his translators are masters of this, especially the echoing feeling of loss and not being able to reach what you want that haunts this book.

A quick read; this satisfies my Murakami craving for now at least.

 I read this as part of the challenge this year – do join in!

Finding Mr Flood by Ciara Geraghty

In a nutshell… Dara’s father walked out long ago. Now Dara’s sister needs a kidney, Dara’s going to find him.

Strengths: Some interesting characters, a different idea for a chick lit book.

Weaknesses: Some characters are a bit clichéd, alternately serious and comical.

Why I read it: Enjoyed the author’s other books.

Pages: 480

Published: 2011

Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton

Setting: Ireland

Rating: 7.5 out of 10

If you liked this, try: Saving Grace by Ciara Geraghty

I’ve enjoyed previous books by Ciara Geraghty (Saving Grace and Becoming Scarlett) – they are chick lit books, but so much more – clever characterisation, innovative twists and heart-wrenching crises. So you could say that I was really, really looking forward to this book. I eagerly pounced on this book as soon as I saw it in store and began to read shortly after.

Like the author’s other books, it focuses on a young Irish single girl with a quirky family. Meet Dara, she works at a dog shelter, cares little for fashion beyond tracksuits and has an occasional ‘understanding’ with the married Ian. Behind Dara, lies her family – the quirky Mrs Flood (yes, she’s nearly always referred to as Mrs Flood) and her sister Angel. Angel has end stage renal disease and requires a kidney transplant. Dara and Mrs Flood don’t match – but could Mr Flood, who disappeared down the street shortly before Dara was born never to be seen again, be a match? Throw in a private detective with a family full of policemen, even quirkier friends and a range of coincidences and you’ve got a rollicking ride.

You could say that this sounds a little more sombre that Geraghty’s previous novels and in a way you’d be right, as Angel’s plight is always in the background and a focus for a lot of the book – finding Mr Flood. However, it is dealt with sensitivity and humour in just the right places. Geraghty also gets the renal stuff correct too – she’s obviously done her research (I hate medical inaccuracies in books). It is interesting and the ending is both sad and happy. The book takes a while to get going (there’s far too much about dogs in this book for my taste) but the last half is much faster paced.

The characters, while quirky and endearing, might be starting to come off as somewhat clichéd in comparison to her other books – Mrs Flood for example is a caricature for most of the book, while Angel is somewhat of a ghost (but perhaps this is meant to be so?). Tintin is endearing as the crazy male friend, but is in danger of becoming a parody of himself. Ian Harte, is well written, as is Mr Flood’s relatives.

In short, I enjoyed this book but not quite as much as Becoming Scarlett. It is though, a great light read and I do recommend it!

Sister by Rosamund Lupton

In a nutshell… Bea’s sister is missing and Bea sets out to find the truth.

Strengths: very emotive, tense and gripping.

Weaknesses: Possibly too much of an emotional rollercoaster at times.

Why I read it: Cheap on Amazon.co.uk

Pages: 358

Published: 2010

Publisher: Piatkus Books

Setting: London, England

Rating: 9 out of 10

If you liked this, try: My Sister’s Keeper by Jodi Picoult; Beneath the Shadows by Sara Foster

Sister is one of those books that deserves to be read in big, greedy gulps. It takes the reader on a roller coaster of emotions – from worry to shock to horror and back again. Although I found this a harrowing and moving read, the emotion was beautifully raw and honest. This is a great book and an excellent debut from Rosamund Lupton. A little bit Gothic and a little bit thriller, this was a page turner for me.

Sister is the story of Beatrice (Bee), who returns home to London from New York when her sister, Tess goes missing. Tess is about to give birth, so where could she be? Exactly what was going on in Tess’ life before her disappearance? Who is the boy following her around college? What is the nature of the relationship with her teacher? When Tess is later found dead in a lonely ablutions block, Bee wants these questions and more answered. The police don’t seem to be terribly interested and Bee herself is getting into more and more trouble. But Tess is her sister and she’ll do anything to protect her…

The story is told in the first person from Bee’s point of view as a letter to her sister, moving back in time to when Tess disappeared and then forward to Bee giving her statement. This is an interesting plot device, as you know that something will be resolved by the end of the block. The real twist however, is how the past joins up with the present – certainly original and something I did not expect in the slightest. Very well done. The only confusion I had with the jumping back and forth in time was that it was occasionally difficult to put the scene into context – possibly another font could have been used for the present, but I think this may have detracted away from the Gothic eeriness that envelopes Sister. Some of the medicine used is too futuristic for today, but thankfully this is explained in the author’s notes at the end.

The love between the two sisters is clearly evident in this book. Bee does everything out of love for Tess, even when she knows she is dead. The feelings are portrayed beautifully and I admire Bee’s fierce determination to seek the truth about Tess’ death through her grief, even if nobody believes her. You may think I’m giving too much away about the plot, but I’m not. This book is more about the search for justice for Tess’ death and how it came about rather than if she is murdered or missing. The characterisation is also very well done – Bee is certainly not without her faults (although her clear love for Tess redeems her somewhat) and the supporting characters are alternately charming or the right side of nasty.

A great book and gripping read. Can’t wait to read Afterwards (the author’s new book).

Saving CeeCee Honeycutt by Beth Hoffman

I was given this book for Christmas as part of LibraryThing’s SantaThing (secret Santa book giving). Thank you kismoody, who recommended this book based on my library.

CeeCee (or Cecelia) is a young girl with a tragic past. It’s 1960s America, and her mother is suffering from an unspecified mental illness, causing her to believe she’s still the 1951 Vidalia Onion Queen and wander the town aimlessly in tiara, gown and sash. While her mother is the talk of the town, her father copes by leaving town regularly as part of his job as a travelling salesman. When CeeCee’s mother is tragically killed in an accident involving an ice cream truck, her Great Aunt Tootie appears on the scene to give CeeCee something she’s never known – a normal life in Savannah. CeeCee learns what it’s like to be loved – by Oletta, Tootie’s cook and housekeeper, Miz Goodpepper, her neighbour, Mrs Odell, her former neighbour and Aunt Tootie. Through many mishaps and events involving slugs and the sea, CeeCee learns that she is secure.

Yes, you can tell from the above that it’s a sweet book. Sometimes I’m not sure if this book is aimed at young adult readers (a masked man and a lady in a negligee are dealt with very innocently) or it’s just being told faithfully through CeeCee’s eyes. This book is a light, quick read. It’s nowhere near as deep as The Help, but nor does it try to be. It features some great descriptions of the houses of Savannah and gardens. Just enjoy the ride and smile at the end.

Read this if: you like light Southern stories. 

7.5 out of 10.

Ellis Island by Kate Kerrigan

I had heard Ellis Island being mentioned as ‘being a book you’d like if you enjoyed [Colm Toibin’s] Brooklyn’. I really enjoyed Brooklyn, so I thought I’d read it. However, don’t trust what you hear- although this book has vague similarities to Brooklyn (namely Irish girl goes to America), that where the comparison stops. Firstly, Ellis Island is set earlier, during the War of Independence, so our main character Ellie, steps foot in New York in the 1920s. Secondly, Ellie is married with an injured husband to support.

I should backtrack to give you an overall idea of the plot – it quickly explains Ellie’s restricted upbringing in Ireland and her hasty (but loving) marriage to John, a boy she’s known since childhood. Her parents cast her out after hearing of her marriage (she was meant to be joining a convent) and Ellie and John live in a small cottege in the woods. Money is scarce and when John is wounded during the war, Ellie goes to America to work as a lady’s maid to save money for John’s operation. It will only be for one short year…or not. Ellie finds life in America to be free and cheerful in comparison to home. She makes good friends, earns good money and doesn’t want to come back to Ireland. She is eventually forced back by circumstances, but will she stay?

I found Ellie a very likeable character who desperately wants to fit in with her neighbours, but is not sure how to go about doing it. I found John to be rather frustrating at times (particularly later in the book) but his reasoning for being so stubborn is understandable. The story flows well, and I didn’t find myself skimming over any parts. I think it’s a light and interesting representation of the Irish and American people at that time.

I finished this book very quickly, as I was reading almost every moment that I had. I’m also excited to hear that there’s a sequel in the works – is Ellie happy with her decision?

If you enjoy historical novels dealing with love, family, religion and happiness, pick this book up. It’s a lot happier than Brooklyn and has a definite resolution.

Read this if: you enjoy Irish/American historical fiction. 

9 out of 10.

Dear John by Nicholas Sparks

Oh dear. Where to start with this one? I was on holiday, saw this on the Borders clearance pile and lugged it back home. It was lucky I didn’t need to pay excess baggage otherwise I’d be really annoyed. This was the time the movie Dear John was released, I simply assumed that that was the reason it was on sale.

The real reason? This book is a stinker. Boring and preachy.

We are told John is a wayward teen who straightens himself by joining the army (we don’t get to hear much about his rebellious teenage years). Coming home on leave, he rescues Savannah’s bag and they fall in love. Savannah is a good college girl – she goes to church, doesn’t drink, doesn’t swear (even asks others not to swear) and is quite chaste. There’s nothing wrong with that, but Savannah comes across as preachy, something that no real girl could compare to. Maybe that’s because this story is told through John’s lovesick eyes? Anyway, John has to rejoin his unit, so the lovebirds are parted. 9/11 happens (rates about two sentences) and John stays in the army. Then he gets his own ‘Dear John’ letter. He can’t stop thinking about Savannah and eventually goes to find her, with gooey consequences. There’s also a distant father-son relationship thrown in here.

This book was really clichéd to me. It has all the ingredients for a sugary chick flick, but I found it contrived. I’m sorry that John spent all that time pining for Savannah and that his relationship with his father only improved in his later years, but he needed to move on.

The best thing about this book? You can read it really quickly.

I haven’t read The Notebook  but I don’t think I will. 

Read it if: you need a sugary book that you can see the ending from a mile off. 

3 out of 10.