The December/January book list

I am going to try read at least 2 of these over the festive season. Will you be joining me in reading any these books in Dec/Jan?

1. The Ladies of Grace Adieu by Susanna Clarke

2. The Distant Hours by Kate Morton

3. The Brave by Nicholas Evans

4. The Zombie Survival Guide by Max Brooks

5. Summer Sisters by Judy Blume

6. Playing with the Grown-ups by Sophie Dahl

Click on book titles for more information.

Happy reading!

The Dec/Jan book list coming soon...

Darlings, I realise I am late putting up the December / January book list (my apologies). The new book list will be up next week :)

Book review: Cutting for Stone

Cutting for Stone By Abraham Verghese

reviewed by JHB Princess

I loved this book. I have no idea how exactly to start this review except to say - I loved it! It was the kind of book which left me bookless for a good few weeks after I’d read it, in book mourning really*.

The story is set in Ethiopia around the 1950’s, at a mission hospital called Missing (actually Mission, but the name was confused by one of the locals and became Missing), and centers around Marion and Shiva Stone. The story is told by Marion, and starts before they were born, with their mother as a young woman and her voyage to Ethiopia.

Although complex and full of many different relationships, between the boys, their parents, the dead and other characters, the one underlining question remains - who is the boy’s father and how did they come to be.

Naturally there’s a little love triangle, a few moments which may leave you close to tears, a little suspense and a slight twist or two.

Abraham Verghese’s fantastic use of the English language as well as the gorgeous way he describes Ethiopia, human emotions, the complex and diverse relationships truly has one bonding with the characters and not wanting the book to end!

I highly recommend this book.

*The reluctance to start a new book, in fear it just won’t match up to the last.

Second hand books are wild books...

"Second hand books are wild books, homeless books; they have come together in vast flocks of variegated feather, and have a charm which the domesticated volumes of the library lack"

- Virginia Woolf

Recent book buys

Recently I bought myself these two books (I hope to read them both over the December holidays):

1. The Brave by Nicholas Evans - Nicholas Evans is definitely in my top 10 favourite authors. I have read all of his previous books and loved them. This is his latest book. I can't wait to read it. Here's a  bit about the book (from Amazon): "Alternating past and present, Evans expertly juggles his twin narratives until they come shatteringly together as father and son yield to the combined weight of the secrets they hide. Combining elements of the prep school drama, the Hollywood novel, the western, and the war story, Evans (The Horse Whisperer) skillfully mixes genres to create a real crowd-pleaser."

2. Playing with the Grown-ups by Sophie Dahl  - I actually chose this book more for it's pretty cover, than the fact that I was curious to read a book by Roald Dahl's, ex-supermodel, granddaughter. After buying it I read about the book and it sounds delightful. Heres a bit about the book (from Bloomsbury.com): "To Kitty, growing up at Hay House, surrounded by bluebell woods and doting relations, is heaven. But for her mother, the restless Marina, a silver-eyed beauty who paints and weeps with alacrity, Hay cannot provide the novelty or excitement she so craves.Swami-ji, Marina’s guru, sees her future in New York, and so the family is scooped up and relocated, leaving Kitty exiled in a colourless boarding school. Reprieve comes in the form of the guru’s summons to the ashram, but then, just as Kitty is approaching enlightenment, they are off again, leaving everything behind to come back to an England that is fast and unfamiliar. And Kitty, turning fourteen, must choose: whether to play dangerous games with the grown-ups or to finally put herself first."

What book/s have you bought recently?

The October / November book list

Here are the 4 books that made the Oct/Nov book list:

1. The Imperfectionists by Tom Rachman

2. The Story Sisters by Alice Hoffman

3. Zoo City by Lauren Beukes

4. The Girl Who Chased The Moon by Sarah Addison Allen

Note: to see all the past book lists click HERE

My greatest wish...

"My greatest wish - other than salvation  - was to have a book. A long book with a never-ending story. One I could read again and again, with new eyes and a fresh understanding each time." - Yann Martel (from " Life of Pi")

I'm about to start reading..

"Alice Hoffman's new novel, The Story Sisters, charts the lives of three sisters–Elv, Claire, and Meg. Each has a fate she must meet alone: one on a country road, one in the streets of Paris, and one in the corridors of her own imagination. Inhabiting their world are a charismatic man who cannot tell the truth, a neighbor who is not who he appears to be, a clumsy boy in Paris who falls in love and stays there, a detective who finds his heart’s desire, and a demon who will not let go." - Amazon

Today I bought myself this novel. I am really looking forward to reading this book and since Alice Hoffman has been one of my favourite authors for over 10 years, I really don't think that I will be dissapointed by it.

What are you reading right now?

I wanted to tell...

"I wanted to tell the book thief many things, about beauty and brutality. But what could I tell her about those things that she didn’t already know? I wanted to explain that I am constantly overestimating and underestimating the human race-that rarely do I ever simply estimate it. I wanted to ask her how the same thing could be so ugly and so glorious, and its words and stories so damning and brilliant."

- from "The Book Thief" by Markus Zusak

Clothbound Classics

Alice's adventures in Wonderland  by Lewis Carrol

Emma by Jane Austen

Little Woman by Louisa May Alcott

Great Expectations by Charles Dickens

Don't you just love clothbound, hard cover books? I know i do. Penguin has a fabulous selection of clothbound classics. Go HERE to see full selection.

Clever book bag

Look its a book...no its a bag...
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Apparently this clever, canvas book bag  was sent to Anthropologie’s (a top US store) top customers in 2008 as a Holiday gift and thank you. Its very cool.

Books are delightful society...

"Books are delightful society.

If you go into a room and find it full of books

- even without taking them from the shelves

they seem to speak to you, to bid you welcome."

-William Ewart Gladstone

Ive been reading...

I recently finished Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen and I loved it. I enjoyed it from beginning to end and can't wait to watch the film version next year. I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for an interesting, superbly written read.

* Note: Sara Gruen's new book, Ape House, is coming out next month in USA. 

I have just started reading Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. Ive been wanting to read this book for over a year or two , but when so many people started to read it (and talk to me about it) and there was so much hype about it - I decided to read it at another stage of my life or not at all (i don't know why, its just how i felt at the time). Anyways, so here I am starting to read it on the week that the Eat, Pray, Love film is released in US cinemas (and no, I wont see the film until I finish the book). I have not read very much yet, but so far I am really enjoying it (i finally get why everyone has been raving about it). I absolutely adore Gilbert's style of writing. I will keep you posted on what I think of the book.

What are you reading right now? do share...

Read the best books first...

"Read the best books first

or you may not have a chance to read them at all".

- Henry David Thoreau

The August / September book list

After much thought, here are the the 6 books that made the August / September book list (note:  I chose a few that are, or will be, movies):

1. Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen (yes, it has been on one my book lists before, but because I am busy reading it and loving it - I thought i'd put it on again)

2. Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert

3. The Death and Life of Charlie St Cloud by Ben Sherwood

4. The Help by Katheryn Stockett

5. The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton

6. The Magicians Assistant by Ann Patchett

Click on above book names to read more.

Books are a hardbound drug...

"Books are a hardbound drug
with no danger of an overdose.

I am a happy victim of books."- Karl Lagerfeld

Do tell...

I am currently between books and have started to wonder which book I feel like reading next. Top of my list right now is Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen ( I did put it on my first book club list on here, but never got around to reading it)

What are you reading right now? do tell...

The hardest way of learning...

"The hardest way of learning is that of easy reading; but a great book that comes from a great thinker is a ship of thought, deep freighted with truth and beauty." - Pablo Neruda

Current non-fiction book wants

Here are the 4 books I would really like to read at the moment:

1. Affluenza by Oliver James

This book sounds very interesting and I think most people suffer from some form of this very contagious epidemic.

"There is currently an epidemic of “affluenza” throughout the world — an obsessive, envious keeping-up-with-the-Joneses mentality that has resulted in huge increases in depression and anxiety among millions. Over a nine-month period, author and psychologist Oliver James travelled around the world to try and find out why." - from Amazon

2. Gorgeously Green by Sophie Uliano
I want to be more "green", but I think I need some reading material to help me think further than just buying organic food, recycling  and turning off my lights- I think this book may help me with that .

"In Gorgeously Green, Sophie offers a simple eight-step program that is an easy and fun way to begin living an earth-friendly life. Each chapter covers topics from beauty to fitness, shopping to your kitchen—even your transportation. Whether it's finding the right lipstick, making dinner, buying gifts, or picking out a hot new outfit, finally, there is a book that tackles your daily eco-challenges with a take-charge plan. Just consider Sophie your go-to girl with all the eco-solutions."

3. This is Your Brain On Music by Daniel J Levitin

I will admit, this book does sound like "heavy" reading to me - but it does sound very interesting too. I think The Boyf might enjoy reading this one.

"A fascinating exploration of the relationship between music and the mind—and the role of melodies in shaping our lives. Whether you load your iPod with Bach or Bono, music has a significant role in your life—even if you never realized it. Why does music evoke such powerful moods? The answers are at last be- coming clear, thanks to revolutionary neuroscience and the emerging field of evolutionary psychology." - Goodreads.com

4. The Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan

I also am becoming increasingly more aware of what I buy at the grocery store and what I put in my body. I think this book will be very enlightening (plus Ive read alot of good things about it).

"To Pollan, the omnivore's dilemma is twofold: what we choose to eat ("What should we have for dinner?" he asks in the opening sentence of his book) and how we let that food be produced. His book is an eater's manifesto, and he touches on a vast array of subjects, from food fads and taboos to our avoidance of not only our food's animality, but also our own. Along the way, he is alert to his own emotions and thoughts, to see how they affect what he does and what he eats, to learn more and to explain what he knows. His approach is steeped in honesty and self-awareness. His cause is just, his thinking is clear, and his writing is compelling." - The Washington Post

Whats on your "book wants" list at the moment?

The June / July book list

After much thought, here are the six books that made the June/ July book list:

If you keen to join in, just try read one (or more) of the above books by the end of July. Do keep me posted on what you reading and please send in reviews if you want to ;)

1. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows

2. The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein

3. The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets Nest by Stieg Larsson (The third book in the trilogy - other 2 in previous book lists)

4. The Swan Thieves by Elizabeth Kostova

5. Julia's Chocolates by Cathy Lamb

6. Much to your Chagrin by Suzanne Guillette

Words are like...

"words are like nets - we hope they'll cover what we mean, but we know they can't possibly hold that much joy, or grief, or wonder." — Jodi Picoult (Change of Heart)

Book review: The Alchemist

The Alchemist by Paulo Coehlo

Reviewed by Rox

After hearing so much about The Alchemist, I was expecting something very different. I expected a long, intense and involved book, with endless pages and sophisticated prose. What I finally realised once I was a few pages in however, is that the real power of The Alchemist is its pure simplicity... it doesn't need to be anything more than what it is, and that is a story for anyone who has ever had a dream.

The Alchemist follows the journey of Santiago, a shepherd boy from Spain. After having a mysterious dream, Santiago begins an epic trip across the sea to Egypt in search of a treasure beneath the pyramids. Along the way, he learns the secret of the Language of the World, and discovers how to listen to his heart.

Hope, dreams, courage and faith are just some of the key themes that this book delivers... in a sense it has a similar message to The Little Prince, and as a fable it is more than the simple story of a boy in search of a treasure - it is also a reminder about following our paths, our hearts and hopes, and finding our destiny in life, whatever it may be.

It is no wonder that The Alchemist is one of the most translated book in the world - regardless of language, country or religion, this is one book that everyone should read in their life!

New Stephenie Meyer book (novella)

"Fans of The Twilight Saga will be enthralled by this riveting story of Bree Tanner, a character first introduced in Eclipse, and the darker side of the newborn vampire world she inhabits. In another irresistible combination of danger, mystery, and romance, Stephenie Meyer tells the devastating story of Bree and the newborn army as they prepare to close in on Bella Swan and the Cullens, following their encounter to its unforgettable conclusion." - Amazon.com

"The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner" is being released on 5 June 2010. I am rather excited to get my hands on a copy of this book. I love a good teen novel and I am a big fan of the Twilight book series, so I am pretty sure I will enjoy this book :)

Are you going to read this book?

Book review: The Elegance of the Hedgehog

The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery

Reviewed by Liesbeth

There are some books you read, where you just think, yes, that’s exactly how it is for me, that’s exactly what life is like. The Elegance of the Hedgehog is one of those books, and this is a testament to not only the author Muriel Barbery, but also to Alison Anderson who translated the book so perfectly from its original French.

For me the best parts of the book were those that described the friendship between the heroine and her closest friend. At one stage, they meet for tea, and Barbery writes: “We sit and converse a while longer, in the calm space of an old friendship.” I just love that phrase. The calm space of an old friendship is often where I am at my happiest, knowing I can be 100% myself with my dearest old friends. Barbery really knows how to capture these little life moments without being clichéd or dull.

The Elegance of the Hedgehog to me was kind of like a big sister book – it challenges you to think, but it rewards you for it as well. Some chapters dabble in philosophy, and they ask you to think in new ways, or get your head around what might at first seem like a tricky concept. But if you persevere it really is worth it.

These philosophical chapters are interspersed with intriguing plot development and charming quirky characters who really make the book come alive, and at times made me laugh out loud. Overall it is a lovely warm book, that makes you laugh and think in equal measures. It deserves to be read on sunny Saturday mornings at a Parisian style coffee shop.

The April / May book list

After much thought, here are the six books that made the April/May book list:

If you keen to play along , just try read one (or more) of the above books before June. Do keep me posted on what you reading and please send in reviews if you want to. Hope you like the list...

1. Moxyland by Lauren Beukes 

2. The Irresistible Henry House by Lisa Grunwald

3. The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield

4. The Wednesday Sisters by Meg Waite Clayton

5. The Girl Who Played With Fire (book 2) by Stieg Larsson

6. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak 

* click on book name to get more details on book

Do tell...

What book are you currently reading?

Book review: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

"The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" by Stieg Larsson.

Written by Cat

I really enjoy a good crime novel and love intrigue and drama in a story (off course my addiction to CSI speaks of the same love). This book is exceptionally brilliant within it's genre.

The plot is interesting in the hidden layers of motives and actions keeps it filled with tension throughout the book. I would have never guessed the final outcome and the plot eventually almost becomes two separate mysteries rolled into one storyline.

At times the book is very graphic about sex and violence - after all the story line leads to such type of material, but never unjustified. It is also interesting to gain an insight in the Swedish way of life and society as well as short descriptions of the lifestyle that never bores you.

I feel that the strongest element to the book is not the excellent story line, but the great characterization. Each and every character, even very minor ones, are drawn full rounded with enough information to let your imagination fill out the person, without becoming long winded and overly descriptive. The main characters deploy themselves to you as the book progresses and grow to involve you to form your opinion regarding them. They are rich and developing and hold your attention right to the end.

I will certainly recommend this book to anyone that is not an overly sensitive reader. I can not wait to read the second book in the series.

If you...

"If you only read the books that everyone else is reading,

you can only think what everyone else is thinking."

- Haruki Murakami

Book review: A Year on Ladybug Farm

A Year on Ladybug Farm by Donna Ball

Review by Walking on Sunshine

3 women + 1 mansion + 1 year = an incredibly sweet story about finding out that change is always a good thing.

Lindsay, Cici and Bridget are women who have raised families, cared for their husbands and worked for the majority of their adult lives. But now their husbands are gone (either deceased or have run off with other women), their children are grown and these three best friends have decided that purchasing a run-down mansion together is the solution to all their problems. As the friends view the house, which they name “Ladybug Farm” they anticipate making a profit in one years time, a profit which they hope will allow them to live a life filled with worry free problems and ultimate happiness surrounded by one another. But as we all know, keeping your eye on the prize can be difficult when you run into problem after problem.

When I first started reading Donna Ball’s “A Year on Ladybug Farm”, I thought it was a little too sugar coated, meaning there were lots of “I love you” and “I couldn’t do anything without you” moments, but as the plot thickened so did the characters and I grew to care for each of them separately. I found the novel to have a lot of similarities with Frances Mayes’ novel, “Under the Tuscan Sun”, which was a great novel (and a great movie). Lindsay, Cici and Bridget were charming, sweet and always had each other’s best interest in mind. The story grew into a charming novel about rediscovering who you are and what your friends really mean to you.

I’d highly recommend this book to people who have an afternoon of nothing planned, but this book and a cup of coffee.

* to submit your own review click HERE

A strong woman...

"I believe a strong woman may be stronger than a man,

particularly if she happens to have love in her heart.

I guess a loving woman is indestructible."

- John Steinbeck (from book "East of Eden")

Other peoples love letters

"Other peoples love letters" by Bill Shapiro sounds and looks like a very interesting book. Personally, I find the love letters (happy or sad) of other people so very intriguing and beautiful - So, when i stumbled upon this book I thought I should share it.

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Here is a description of it (from amazon.com):

"Fevered notes scribbled on napkins after first dates. Titillating text messages. It's-not-you-it's-me relationship-enders. In Other People’s Love Letters, Bill Shapiro has searched America’s attics, closets, and cigar boxes and found actual letters–unflinchingly honest missives full of lust, provocation, guilt, and vulnerability–written only for a lover’s eyes. Modern love, of course, is not all bliss, and in these pages you’ll find the full range of a relationship, with its whispered promises as well as its heartache. But what at first appears to be a deliciously voyeuristic peek into other people’s most passionate moments, will ultimately reawaken your own desires and tenderness…because when you read these letters, you’ll find the heart you’re looking into is actually your own."

Choosing books

I'm rather picky when it comes to choosing books to read.

Here is how I usually choose a book to read.....

* I try stay away from anything political, depressing, scary or disturbing (because if i want to fill my head with negativity & politics i'll just read the news).

* I often go for fiction novels that contain a dash of romance and/or a touch of magic (or a bit of the supernatural) in them. I think reading is suppose to to be a kind of "escape" from reality.

Note: Occassionally I do notice an autobiography or biography about a person I deeply admire and then I have to read it (but this doesn't happen too often)

* Sometimes I am swayed by book covers (i know, i know, never judge a book by its cover...blah blah blah) but don't you think sometimes a good cover can change the way you look at some books?

* I stick to authors that I know and love. I always read everything I can find by authors I love. Only problem is that sometimes I read faster than they can write books (how selfish of them *winks*)

* I should also admit that I like to read what I wish I had written or what I feel is closest to my own writing style .

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* oh and of course...another great way to pick a book to read is to start a book blog where you have to make a book list every 2 months - really helps me find some new books to try *winks*

How do you pick your books to read?

What type of books do you like to read?

Book review: Alice in Wonderland

Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll

review by Prixie
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If there is not a soul familiar with this story, then they were probably stuck in the bowels of Hades.

Much to my surprise, the Walt Disney movie version remained very true to this classic story. It is such an outright quirky yet delightful tale, it makes you wonder if the author was under any sort of, er, influence. I mean caterpillars that smoke the sheesha, Alice arguing with herself, cards painting white roses red and a Queen of Hearts with a sadistic penchant to say "Off with their heads!" Really, it makes you want to crawl into Carroll’s mind to be a bystander!

Overall, this classic comes highly recommended for anyone at any age. Now I cannot wait for the Tim Burton interpretation of the book into a movie. And I am sure many of you cannot wait to see Johnny Depp as the Mad Hatter too!

What I will be reading in Feb/March

From the book club list I have decided to read "The Lost Book of Salem" (aka the Physick book of deliverence Dane). I chose this book mainly because I already own it and have not read it yet.

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The other book I will be reading over Feb & March is "The Maeve Binchy Writers Club". Though I am not really a huge fan of Binchys novels, I am definitely impressed with her success - So when I noticed that she had written a book of advice for aspiring writers I had to buy one.

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I will be sure to let you know how both books are.

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So, what are you reading? Do tell.....

My favourite author

Alice Hoffman is undeniably my favourite author. I adore her writing style and the way she mixes supernatural and real life elements in a wonderful, believable way.

I read my first Hoffman book many years ago, after I discovered a copy of "Practical Magic" in a second hand bookstore. The book (which was made into a film, starring Sandra Bullock & Nicole Kidman) was truly beautiful and romantic.

Now, I am lucky enough to own a first edition, signed, hardcover version of "Practical Magic" (thanks to an old friend) and it is my favourite book (and the book I used in this blogs header picture)

Here's a few of her books I can highly recommend: The River King, Practical Magic, Here on Earth and Seventh Heaven.

Who is your favourite author?

Some things...

"Some things don't last forever, but some things do.

Like a good song, or a good book,

or a good memory you can take out

and unfold in your darkest times,

pressing down on the corners and peering in close,

hoping you still recognize the person you see there."

— Sarah Dessen

What will you be reading?

So, which book will you be reading for Feb/March?

Will you be reading something off the Feb/March book list (click HERE to see list)?

Time to read

Recently I've felt like I don't have enough to read - but I guess this is mainly due to the fact that Iv'e allowed reading to drop down to the bottom of my priorities list (naughty) and I tend to procrastinate alot.

This year one of my personal goals is to read more (which is one of the reasons I started this blog).

Here are a few tips on how to find more time to read:

* Go to bed a bit later. Spend fifteen minutes before bed reading a chapter or two of your favorite book. You may lose a little bit of sleep, but you'll get a chance to do some extra reading.
* Multi-task your reading. Carry a book with you so you can read whenever there's an opportunity, such as: in the doctor's waiting room, lunch times at the office.
* Turn off the TV. Most people watch hours and hours of TV each week. Turn off a sitcom to get thirty minutes of commercial-free reading.
* "Read" your books in the car. Instead of reading traditional books, consider audio books. You can listen to them in the car, so they're ideal for people with a long commute to work.

- above tips from E-how

The hardest thing...

Quote from: The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd.

(I really loved this book.)

Current book wants

Two books I'd really love on my bookshelf at the moment are:

1. Amys Bread by Amy Schreber - because I am totally addicted to bready things and this book has tons of wonderful bready recipes from New York's favourite bakery. yum.
2. The Anti 9 to 5 Guide by Michelle Goodman - because its a "practical guide for young women who are ready to abandon their cubicles and carve out their own dreams"...need I say more? (thanks for recommendation, Mish Mish)

What book/s do you currently want on your bookshelf?

The Feb/March book list

After much thought, here are the six books that made the Feb/March book list:

1. A Year on Ladybug Farm by Donna Ball

2. The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane (also known as "The Lost Book of Salem" - in UK & SA) by Katherine Howe

3. Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
4. The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery

5. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson

6. Twenty Chickens for a Saddle by Robyn Scott

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Im not sure which one I'm going to start reading at the end of this month...still thinking.

NOTES: The next list will go up by about the 27th March. Please see guidelines if you have forgotten how this will all work.

Happy reading!

Guidelines

THE BEING BRAZEN BOOK CLUB GUIDELINES:

First off,  I should mention that this is not your typical book club...we don't all have to read the same books and there is no set meeting date or any obligation to write a review.

Here is what I will be doing and what you can do:

* Every TWO months I will pick a list of books (4 to 6) - I will consider recommendations for books from anyone.
* Then, you can pick one or a couple to read from the book list
* you have TWO months to finish it/them - if you want to read along (Sometimes im a distracted reader, so i need plenty of time)* Then you may submit a review of what you read, if you want  to, and I may post it  (if there are a few reviews about the same book, I will probably only use one)
* IF you don't like any of the books on the list  - thats cool  - I dont mind hearing about anything you reading (so feel free to send a review in about any book you may have read).;

Want to write a review?

If you want to send me a book review, please send it to: beingbrazen@gmail.com

When sending a book review, please....

* do not forget to include title and author of book

* attach a JPEG Image of book cover (no bigger than 100KB)

* try not to write super, essay-long reviews

* Check for spelling mistakes (it will save me doing it)

* Please include your name AND a link to your twitter/blog or website

Thanks.

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I look forward to reading your review :)