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.