Tuesday Books day

Gosh I see we have not talked books in a long long time. I do love to talk about one of my favorite hobbies and my book posts are always rather popular. 2015 has not been the best reading year for me - in fact it's been the worst in the amount of books I read for the year (25) in 8 years! But I did read some great books. Quality sometimes is more important than quantity - but I am planning to read more this year.

So let me run you through the last few books of 2015 and the first two of 2016 (shown in order from right to left) I see they are 50% Afrikaans - a huge % for me - I prefer to read in English.

Die Vierkant van die Wraak - Pieter Aspe 
This book is also available in English as "The square of the revenge" - thus my short review in English:
Inspector Pieter van In is called to investigate the very odd robbery of a jewellery store. Oddly enough nothing was stolen but all the jewellery was destroyed. The investigation takes a turn for the worse when a young boy from the same family is kidnapped. A great story line with the usual characters fro this type of mystery I did find the translation into Afrikaans a bit irritating at times and have no idea what the English translation is like.
I gave it 4 /5 for a story but the Afrikaans translation was so irritating that it will drop to a 3 .

After You - Jojo Moyes
This book is the much anticipated sequel to "Me before you" a book I adored as much as many others did. I really enjoyed reading the story of Louisa after Will's passing. Beautifully written with a great few twists and turns it is well worth the read. It may not be " Me before you" but no other book will ever be that - it is a worthy and great read never the less. I gave it 4 and a half /5

Amper Einstein -  Christien Neser (Afrikaans book review)
'n Heerlike jeugboek wat goed genoeg is vir volwassenes om ook te geniet. Leonard is die skool se Wiskunde brein en boonop deel van die brugbou span. Maar sy lewe by die huis is alles behalwe gewoon, of normaal- wat ookal dit mag wees. Met sy Pa in 'n rolstoel, sy boetie wat 'n groot uitdaging is en niemand verstaan nie en sy ma wat probeer om te red waar sy kan.

'n Besonderse goeie en sensitiewe blik in die wêreld van outisme voel ek dit is 'n belangrike boek om te lees vir almal wat iewers in hul lewe met 'n outis te doen het. Vir my wat die ma is van 'n baie hoog funtionerende outis was dit sulke " ja ek weet" oomblikke gereeld. En eintlik ook vir enige kind waar dit kan help om hul idee oor die wêreld en wat "anders" of dan "in" of "uit" is aan te spreek.
4 en n half uit 5.

The unexpected Inheritance of Inspector Chopra - Vaseem Khan
I have long ago stopped reading books that take place in India. Funny enough I think I just had too much of the poverty, the hopelessness. As result Shantaram is still on my to read list. This book however seemed different from the couver to the summary on the back page. So I grabbed it at the bookclub for a holiday read.

What a lovely unexpected treat. Explore Mumbai from the eyes of a freshly retired police inspector. A great mystery to solve and a lovely human ( and elephant) angle. The style of writing reminds me of Alexander Macall Smiths Mma Ramotswe novels. A little jewel you will enjoy. A solid 4 out of 5.

Let it snow -  John Green , Maureen Johnson and  Lauren Myracle
As you may have deducted I am trying to read a bit more youth or young adult books. I feel that very soon I may be able to discuss books with my now 11 year old daughter. In fact, I really enjoyed the first books he recommended to me last year. 

This book was in my Christmas stocking - it is a very clever concept by which three writers each write a short story (more the length of a novella actually) in the same place at the same time in the same circumstances. They touch the same characters and sort of come together in the end. While I love the concept and quite enjoyed the stories the youthful angle was a bit much for me. While Green's "The Fault in our stars" is written in a style and language that will suit adults and younger in this case it's not quite there - the same goes for the other writers. I will totally recommend it as an excellent book for kids about 12 years and up it was not as great for me as an adult. A three and a half out of 5

Offerlam - Chanette Paul (Afrikaans book review)
Before I give my review in Afrikaans I have to tell you that this was one of the most enjoyable books that I have read in a long time. I know it has been translated in Dutch and distributed in Belgium and have heard from the writer that the English translation has already been assigned and in progress.

Caz Colijn kry 'n oproep uit België wat haar lewe omver ruk. Skielik is sy nie wie sy gedink het sy is nie - haar hele lewe is 'n raaisel. Terug in die sestigs in Kongo word 'n man wreed vermoor en sy beminde vir dood agter gelaat. Wat is die verband? 

Wat 'n heerlike leeservaring. Uitstekende karakters, baie kinkels in die kabel. Interessante plekke en gemaklike taal maak dit een van die lekkerste boeke wat ek in 'n lang tyd gelees het. Ek sal hom sterk aanbeveel. 5 uit 5 vir lekker lees en vasgenael hou. Ek kan nie wag vir die opvolg wat na skatting in Oktober gaan verskyn nie.