Van genres en ander lekkertes

'n Lekker ligpunt in my lewe tans is die heerlikheid van nuwe skrywers ontdek in Afrikaans. Ek het my Afrikaanse lees baie afgeskeep deur die jare maar kyk, ek is nou besig om werk daarvan te maak. Hierdie jaar het ek meer Afrikaans as Engels gelees - seker die eerste keer in my grootmens lewe. Saam met nuwe skrywers kom ook nuwe genres en style. Vars nuwe stemme. Dit maak my altyd baie opgewonde as ek iets in Afrikaans ontdek wat 'n wêreld tendens is. Dit is nou nie dat Afrikaans nog ooit moes terugstaan nie as ons dink aan die Sestigers nie.

Ek het my grootmens lees jare begin met 'n Universiteits lys van "aanbevole boeke vir Argitektuur studente". Anders as wat jy mag dink het hierdie lys nie 'n enkele boeke wat direk slegs oor Argitektuur gegaan het bevat nie maar het  meer gegaan oor die skep van 'n goeie lees agtergrond en goeie algemene lees kennis. Op die lys was boeke soos "Animal Farm" ," Mein Kampf", "The Fountainhead", "The Unbearable lightness of being", "The Name of the Rose" en "Catch 22". Ook die klassieke werke soos "Lolita", "Where Angels fear to tread" en "Passage to India".

My grootste ontdekking was egter die werke van die Suid Amerikaanse magiese realisme skrywers soos Marquez en Allende ("One hundred years of solitude" en "The House of the Spirits") was op daardie lees lys - ai die lekkerte. 'n Hele ander wêreld het vir my oopgegaan. Daarom ook was my ontdekking van magiese realisme in Afrikaans vir my 'n hoogtepunt - "Die swye van Mario Salviatti" van Etienne van Heerden en Andre P Brink se "Sandkastele" is daarom twee van my gunsteling Afrikaanse boeke wat ek al oor en oor gelees het. Maar ek wil nie eintlik magiese realisme gesels nie - eerder boeke met 'n geskiedkundige agtergrond - soos hierdie twee ook het. Boeke met 'n geskiedkundige agtergrond is nie regtig my gewone leesstof nie maar gooi iets anders by of vertel die storie vars en nuut en ek mag dalk dit baie geniet. Ja, daar is uitsonderinge soos die poetiese skoonheid van PG du Plessies se "Fees van die ongenooides" maar ek hou van beweeg in die hede of onlangse verlede. Die toekoms is oop vir debat - ek het byvoorbeeld "Koors" baie geniet (dit was my 2016 boek van die jaar) en selfs "The Hunger Games" maar dit is nie my eerste keuse oor die algemeen nie.

In dieselfde asem hou ek van boeke wat mens uitdaag om effe anders na die wêreld te kyk - veral die mense naby jou. 'n Boek soos "Gone Girl " van Gillian Flynn en "Broken Monsters" van Lauren Beukes is miskien nie die "mooiste" boeke wat jy ooit gelees het nie" en jy mag dalk nie van 'n enkele karakter hou of aanklank by vind nie, maar jou denke word gedraai en uitgedaag.

Daarom is ek vandag baie opgewonde om oor twee nuwe Afrikaanse boeke te gesels - een in 'n relatiewe nuwe genre - Domestic Noir (dink "Gone girl" en "Girl on a train") en een waar die geskiedenis bewonderingswaardig teer hanteer word en so een van daai groot uitsonderings word in my lewe.

"Pelgrimshoop" van Ronel Nel

Dit is 1956 en Hanna haar broer Abram kom per trein aan in die denkbeeldige dorpie Pelgrimshoop. Dadelik is die leser uiters bewus van hul andersheid in die gemeenskap - hul stads maniere en klere spel dit uit. Boonop is Hanna daar om Elias Bart te onderrig en gou blyk dit dat hy ook 'n uitgewekene of eenkant persoon in die dorp is. Buiten dit is Hanna en Abram half Joods - iets wat in daardie tyd duidelik hul een kant en anders gestel het.

Alhoewel die verhaal in esensie 'n liefdesverhaal is gaan dit oor soveel meer. Die tydperk word in die mooiste details uitgelig met hoe die modes en motors gelyk het. Onder andere die verskying van Tupperware gee wonderlike kleur en detail sonder om die verhaal oor te neem. Die navorsing is duidelik deeglik gedoen en ek het selfs van die klere gaan Google en my verstom aan die kontras tussen wat Hanna en Abram sou dra en wat toe die norm op 'n klein dorp sou wees. Dit gee selfs meer insig in die andersheid wat hulle sou beleef en ervaar het.

Behalwe vir die hoof karakters is die boek gevul met pragtige vol ingekleurde karakters wat bydra tot die storie. Ek wil nie eers uitsonder nie maar die Dokter in sy wysheid en die Dominee in sy aanvanklike kortsigtigheid weerspieel elk die tipes mense wat 'n klein dorpie vandag seker steeds populeer.

In besonder het die gedeelte met die Vrouemars op 9 Augustus my geraak. Toe ek kort na die lees van die boek toevallig fotos van die geskeidkundige dag raakloop het ek myself uitgevang hoe ek na ons vier heldinne op die fotos soek. Vir my het geskiedenis tasbaar geword in 'n fiksie

Maar bo alles gaan Pelgrimshoop oor vooroordeel en aanvaarding, oor rassisme en ongeletterdheid en seksisme. Temas wat vandag steeds daar is. Die geskiedenis van die tyd word teer getoon - en daarmee bedoel ek nie goed word verskuil en weggesteek nie want die hantering van die temas is reguit maar met die nodige ontlonting wat 'n terugkyk in die geskiedenis behoort te hê.

Pelgrimshoop is nie jou tradisionele liefdesverhaal nie maar sal liefdesverhaal lesers wel tevrede stel. Alles rondom die boek is mooi en sag - en ek wil hom graag weer herlees. Dit is 'n unieke boek wat die geskiedenis laat leef en wat tot 'n baie wye leespubliek sal spreek. Ek gee die boek 'n 9/10 en beveel hom aan vir een en almal.

"Die Mense Langsaan" van Elsa Hamersma

Christine en Zebith hou saam skool met die aanvang van die boek. Albei is vasgevang in hulle eie unieke huislike situasie en steek doelbewus wat in hul lewens gebeur veilig weg van die skool en omgewing waarin hulle saam leef. Veral Christine se giftige huwelik met Frikkie het my diep geraak en verskriklik kwaad gemaak.

Hulle paaie skei as Zebith van skool verander en trek na 'n nuwe omgewing - 'n sekuristeits area waar sy gou besef dat haar bure vele geheime hou en dat die gevoel van sekuriteit bloot 'n illusie is. As dit nie was vir haar natuurlike beskerningsin as onderwyseres nie sou sy seker nooit eers betrokke wou wees nie.

Christine se lewe neem 'n groot draai na die mag in haar huweik selfs meer na Frikkie se kant toe skuif en na die nuwe bure betrokke raak in haar lewe - ten goede of ten slegte is die vraag. Die twee se lewens ontmoet weer na hulle mekaar se bure word en die aanvanklike ongemak met mekaar en die situasie is opmerklik en skep sy eie spanning in die storie.

Deur die boek is daar 'n aanvanklike amper onvoelbare spanningslyn wat opbou en opbou tot die oorkook punt. Dit word subtiel en meesterlik gedoen en ek was van die eerste sin vasgevang in die verhaal. Om die waarheid te sê ek het 'n etenstyd ontsnap by die werk om die boek klaar te lees omdat dood eenvoudig nie tot die aand kon wag om die laaste 3 hoofstukke te lees nie.

Soos met ander boeke in die genre wonder mens onbewustelik wat jou eie bure se geheime is. Wat daar agter die skanse van die tuinmuur aangaan. Ek moes diep asem haal en net eers so bietjie dink en tot verhaal kom na ek klaar was met die boek.

Die boek is in n nuwe genre en is 'n vars stem in Afrikaans. Ek het dit werklik baie geniet en meen elkeen wat van iets anders en effe uitdagends hou behoort die boek te lees. 'n 9/10 vir 'n baie genotvolle spannende lees.

Tuesday bookday - Until Thy Wrath be Past

I have written before about my love for Scandinavian writing and authors. There is a special breed of them up north in the white cold winters that form the backdrop for so many of their books. As a lot of you know my favorite genre to read is crime and mysteries. In particular I enjoy Nordic Noir - that particular brand of murder mystery that the Scandinavians do so well. A bit edgy, sometimes gory but always tension filled right to the end. I was really happy to discover a new (for me) Nordic Noir writer recently.

Until Thy Wrath be Past by Asa Larsson

Wilma Persson and Simon Kyrö disappears on a Winters day while diving in a lake in the icy weather. When the first sign of Spring comes Wilma's body is found - and Wilma makes her first visit to Prosecutor Rebecka Martinsson who starts to investigate the case with Inspector Anna-Maria Mella. 

The setting is small town northern Sweden with all the usual trappings of a rural community - be it in Sweden or South Africa. The community and how it functions form the background to the story. The story is partially told by Wilma herself and constantly switched between today and the past as the intrigue around it unfolds. Larsson uses this very effectively and gives very interesting background to the Swedish, Norwegian and German Nazi occupation during World War 2. 

I thoroughly enjoyed the tension and complexity of the story and it is great to see two strong female protagonists . I got the idea that it might have been beneficial to have read the others in the series (this is number 4) to fully understand the emotional complexities they are both dealing with and that impacts on the background on the story.

As with a lot of the Nordic Noir books the area forms a big part of the story as does the climate and the cold and snow. What did stand out for me about Larsson's writing is that it holds a lot more emotion than any of the other Nordic Noir books I have read up to date. She taps into and expresses the emotions of her characters and have the reader involved in the emotions leading up to and following most events in the book.

A 9/10 for a great tension filled murder mystery. I will without a doubt find her other books and read them.

It's Tuesday - and booksday!

The All - Girl Filling Station's Last Reunion - Fannie Flagg

Sookie has just married off her last daughter in Alabama and it seems the biggest issue in her life is to keep the Bluejays from eating all the bird food before the little ones have their share. It seems 2005 is going to be her year to at last relax until a package arrives for her dominating elderly mother . Sookie opens it up as she does with all her mother's affairs she had to take over and it changes the whole way she thinks about herself - who she is and where she belongs. The package sends her back to Pulanski Wisconsin in 1941 and the world of the Jurdabralinski sisters and how World war II not only affected the men fighting but also the whole of America. 

The book seamlessly moves between the two time frames and is filled with wonderful characters that really come to life. I love how I could picture almost every one of them in my head - not only in the way they looked but how I would imagine they sound and hold themselves. The description of the places that house the book is rich and colourful and one can clearly imagine living there.

What I particularly enjoyed about the book was that I learned a bit of history that I had no idea even took place. Did you know that the first US female pilots were already recruited in World War II? It is a fascinating piece of history and have prompted me to do a bit of research myself.

I totally fell in love with  Fanny Flagg's writing - it is so charming and easy to read. You may remember "Fried green tomatoes at the Whistle stop cafe" - her best know book (turned into a lovely movie). If you loved it this book will not disappoint. It is a great family saga well told with lots of sensitivity. Many laughs but also a tear or two.

A great 9/10 for a great read. 

Dinsdag en dit is lekker boeke dag!

Ek het 'n liefde vir Ierse skrywers - daar is vir my baie ooreenkomste tussen die Iere en my eie ou volkie. Natuurlik het heelwat van ons 'n lekker tikkie Ierse bloed iewers ook maar dit is hoe ons en hulle familie benader wat my in besonders tref - en natuurlik die Italianers ook.  Behalwe vir die hoog aangeskrewe skrywers soos Frank McCourt ("Angela's Ashes" moet die moderne Ierse boek wees om te lees) en Roddy Doyle wat so raak die Ierse samelewing saamvat ("The Commitments" is my gunsteling en "The Woman that walked into doors" is uitsonderlik ) is daar 'n hele string skrywers wat so in die ligte luim skryf. My gustelinge onder hulle is Marian Keyes (lees haar "This Charming Man" ) en dan ook  Sinead Moriarty - sy het die talent om heerlike stories oor gewone families en gewone goed wat gebeur lekker en met genoeg humor te vertel. My gunsteling boek van haar is "Me and my sisters" - so lekker familie storie oor drie susters wat almal op een of ander manier hulself moet bymekaar skraap om deur iets te gaan wat hul wêrel omver gooi - en dit regkry met hul susters se hulp. Gits ek wou nog altyd susters gehad het.

Ek was dus heerlik verras om in Bernette Bergentuin se "Stilettos' van Staal" 'n heerlike Afrikaanse storie van drie susters te ontdek wat my net so vermaak het. Sy het dieselfde talent as Sinead Moriarty om families met deernis te ondersoek met 'n lekker storie. Die boek spreek van familie en liefde en hoe situasies daarin hanteer word. Lona, Vanessa en Sienna Beauman het elkeen hul unieke persoonlikheid en unieke stel probleme op die oomblik dat hul pa besluit om die familie besigheid in 'n openbare maatskappy te omskep. Elke vrou gaan iewers aanklank vind by een (of meer ) van die susters - Lona wat op 'n laagtepunt swoeg deur babas en kleuters met 'n lyf wat dit wys, Vanessa wat as professionele vrou besef die lewe bestaan uit meer as werk en Sienna wat sukkel om te voldoen aan haar familie se verwagtinge wat haar studies betref . Die dogters van 'n Afrikaanse pa en Italiaanse ma beweeg in die warmte van 'n heerlik vermengde famlie.

Wat ek werklik geniet het was die heerlike Pretoria verwysings - natuurlik aangepas om soms by die storielyn te pas (en sommige verouderd met nuwe verwikkelinge in Hatfield) - maar ek kon die karkaters in my geboortestad en Alma Mater sien en volg. Tukkies se kampus weer herleef en indrink.

Stiletto's van staal is 'n heerlike ligte romatiese komedie oor familie en susters. Die liefde en grappies, die onderstrominge en die hartseer. Ek het die boek werklik geniet en gaan besis nog van Bernette Bergentuin se boeke lees. 'n 7/10 vir lekker lees en ontspan.

Tuesday - books day. The Satanic Mechanic by Sally Andrew

I absolutely loved Sally Andrew's first Tannie Maria book "Recipes for Love and Murder". It was an absolute joy to read and apart from the great plot it was the people, food and places that really sparked the joy in me. I have a huge love for the Karoo, it's people and it's food. I immediately had the urge to read another Tannie Maria book - which I only managed in December but was it a worth the wait? Totally!

In the second Tannie Maria mystery Sally Andrews brings us back all our favorites from the previous book. Some just get a mention but others are once again the main or supporting characters. Oh the joy of finding the familiar in another page turner! The stunning recipes also return and once again I constantly felt hungry while reading the book. I am planning to bake her Venus cake this weekend.

This book however delves a bit deeper into Tannie Maria's past and the reasons why she handled some issues as she did in the first book - and once again in this book. The theme of the abuse of woman on many levels are highlighted even stronger and a lot of the story line touch base on abuse in all forms and how it affects the abused and those around them. However the tone stays in the light hearted off handed manner in which Andrews writes and Tannie Maria speaks and thinks.

To add to it all the plot in this book is interwoven with many stories and characters and the guilty party was a total surprise for me. Sally Andrew was my new English writer discovery of 2016 and I literally am keeping an eye on her website every day to find out when the next Tannie Maria book will be available.

By now most of you know I do have a bit of a thing about covers - I do feel it adds so much to a book if a cover is well designed and I have been know to buy books simply because the design appeals. I also for instance put off reading "I am Pilgrim" because I found the cover so uninspiring. I adore the Tannie Maria covers though - well designed, strong graphics and with a bit of a retro feel which is totally how I picture Tannie Maria in my mind.

A truly unique voice in South African English fiction this is one of my best reads for 2016. 10/10 and a must read. (Have a look here on her website for an extract from the first book and yo may get an idea of the way she tells a story)

2016 - My year in books

I had such an amazing reading year - honestly it's been one of the better ones. Although I have not reviewed every book I have read I have at least reviewed the best ones. To ask me to give you "my best book of 2016" is a bit like asking me to tell you which of my 3 kids is my favorite - totally impossible and extremely unfair. So I give you the following (bilingual as books go in my little space in the computer) based on what I read this year of course, and not as the best books released this year.

Book of the year (English): I could not choose just one (or the planned 3) because there is very little to choose for me between numbers 3 and 4

1. I am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes reviewed here  -spies, adventures, galore!
2. Recipe for love and murder - A tannie Maria Mystery by Sally Andrew  - reviewed here
totally unexpected and unique in every way . A great local read.
3. The husband's secret by Liane Moriarty -  reviewed here - a great book touching the issue of community responsibility and the moral question on poetic justice (or not)

and a special mention to:

The curious charms of Arthur Pepper by Phaedra Patrick reviewed here  - a most charming read.

Boek van die jaar (Afrikaans): By ver my moelikste keuse

 

1. Koors deur Deon Meyer - my resensie hier. Na lang oorweging moes die boek vir my wen bloot omdat Meyer gewaag het so ver uit sy gewone genre en dit so vrek goed gedoen het!
2. Offerlam/Offerande tweeluik van Chanette Paul - my kort resensie oor Offerlam hier. Ek het sopas Offerande klaar gelees en in my vakansie roetine nog nie by 'n ordentlike resensies van die tweeluik uitgekom nie (beplan wel een in die nuwe jaar) maar ek kan maklik sê dat van my heerlikste leesure hierdie jaar in Caz se geselskap plaasgevind het.
3. Die Soenoffer - Isa Konrad - my resensie hier - een van die beste sielkundige rillers wat ek nog ooit gelees het.

en 'n spesiale vermelding aan:

Oorlewingsgids vir 'n bedonnerde Diva van Sophia Kapp - my resensie hier - lees as jy
n vrou is - of selfs al is jy nie. Jy kan nie hierdie boek mis nie.

Youth/Young adult book of the year: (an Afrikaans choice)

 

'n Goeie dag vir boomklim van Jaco Jacobs - lees hier. Jaco is 'n meester en ek en my 11 jarige dogter was albei gaande oor hierdie middelkind grootword storie.

New writer discovery of the year: (English)

 

Sally Andrew - I am busy with the second Tannie Maria mystery and it is possibly even better that the first one. A new style and voice and local to boot.

Nuwe skrywer ontdekking van die jaar: (Afrikaans)

Isa Konrad - ek het nou 3 van haar boeke gelees en elkeen vreeslik geniet. Sy is 'n meester wat atmosfeer en plek skep betref.

The book I abandoned this year:

A year of Marvelous Ways by Sarah Winman -it has great reviews everywhere but I found it slow, over descriptive and very static. I loved "When God was a rabbit" also written by her but not this one.

So there you have it - my year in books. What was your best books this year and did you abandon any? Any new favorite writers?

Dis Dinsdag - tyd vir boeke

As 'n enigste kind was lees vroeg in my lewe al 'n toevlug. 'n Toevlug uit alleen wees, uit verveeld wees en ontsnap na 'n wêreld buite jou eie. In graad 2 moes ek aan die skool biblioteek juffrou bewys dat ek goed genoeg kan lees om boeke te kon uitneem uit die groter kinders se afdeling. Na my juffrou se insette is ek toegelaat my te verlustig in Liewe Heksie, Pippie Langkous, Trompie en Saartjie. So het ek baie vinnig myself deur dit wat toe beskikbaar in Afrikaans gewerk - dis net Maasdorp wat my nooit regtig geinteresseer het nie. Maar Die Uile was my absolute gunsteling tot ek Frits Deelman en die Lennet boeke ontdek het.  In Engels is elke liewe Enid Blyton boek verslind en Nancy Drew en die Hardy Boys. 'n Lekker speur storie was maar altyd my kos - van vroeg af. Dit is daarom so heerlik om my Prinses te sien lees - ek sien myself op dieselfde ouderdom - met dieselfde lekker en uitdagings - en presies dieselfde Nancy Drew boeke!

Gou het ek myself dus so half sonder nuwe leesstof bevind - tot my Ouma Anna (sy was 'n besondere vrou - ek het hier oor haar geskryf) besluit het ek is oud genoeg vir haar Ena Murray boeke en selfs Danielle Steel. Ek het stadig deur haar boekrak gewerk - hier al op laerskool. Vir my 12de verjaarsdag het ons buur tannie haar eie boek vir my gegee - "Waardin in die Wolke"  - ek was heel verstom om te ontdek Tannie Ettie (Bierman) was 'n skrywer. So het ek al haar boeke ook verslind.

By die biblioteek in Waverley was daar twee tannies - een wat altyd geglimlag het en my enige iets laat uitneem het, en een wat kwaai oor haar bril geloer het en vir wie ek altyd moes oortuig ek het regtig al deur die kinder afdeling gewerk. Hier in standerd 5 kyk die kwaai tannie eendag na my Mills and Boons hopie vir die dag en sug. "Nee wat my kind", sê sy. "Los hierdie - kom saam". En sy prop "The Hobbit " in my hand - en "Dune" van Frank Herbert en "The Clan of the Cave Bear". En dit was die einde van my belangsteling in enige boek wat as romanse bestempel kan word. 'n Hele nuwe wêrel het vir my oopgegaan.

Dus was dit vir my 'n onverwagse uitdaging toe ek gevra word om "Wilde hawer" van Madelie Human te lees.

Wilde klawer is 'n omnibus met 3 Romanza boeke - "Om Ben lief te hê", "Om Dirk te tem" en "Om Kobus te ken". Ek het so langtand begin lees aan die eerste boek en voor ek my kon kry het ek was ek vinnig deur die boek - en gaan toe maar sommer aan met die tweede een en die derde een.

Alhoewel ek dood eerlik moet erken dat hierdie nie my gewone koppie tee is nie, het ek werklik lekker gelees. Verbasend - maar dit is wat gebeur as jy jouself buite jou gewone gemaksone uitdaag. Jy mag dit dalk net geniet. Ek dink wat die verskil was van die gewone liefdesverhaal is dat Madelie Human romanse uit 'n komiese oogpunt benader - en dit maak al die verskil. Dink "When Harry met Sally" in 'n Afrikaanse boek. So bietjie tong in die kies oor die liefde en die tipiese slaggate rondom dit.

As jy hou van romantiese komedies is hierdie heerlike vakansie leesstof. Dit is ook 'n baie oulike Kersgeskenk vir enige iemand in jou lewe wat van hierdie genre hou.

Boheem van Chanette Paul 

Kayla Cilliers (voorheen Katrien Bresselaar)  beland op die kunstenaarskolonie Bohemia met 'n verlede vol geheime  - net om haar in 'n moord vas te loop. Sy kan hierdie komplikasie in haar lewe nie regtig bekostig nie - veral nie met haar vingerafdrukke op die moordwapen nie.

Hierdie is die derde boek in Chanette Paul se Gys Niemand reeks wat afspeel in die Niemandsdorp omgewing. Gys, Gertjie en die nimlike Faantjie Fortuin (my gunsteling van die trio) is na Springety en Fortuin al ou bekendes. Dit is volgens my een van die lekkertes van hierdie reeks - elke storie is uniek, spanningsvol en vol intriges maar 'n mens voel tuis in die bekendheid van die drie deurlopende karkaters.

Boheem is gevul met heerlike kunstenaar karkaters soos wat die omgewing van die boek toelaat. Judy was vir my 'n gunsteling wat kleurvol beskryf word - maar elke karkater in die boek is lewensgetrou - in hierdie geval meestal in hul eie eksentrieke denke. Dit is maklik om 'n prentjie te vorm sonder dat die skrywer in lang beskrywings verval.

Die storie is tipies van die reeks deurlopend op 'n spanningslyn geskryf met 'n bietjie komedie ter verligting gesprinkel. Ek het veral geniet hoe die magspel selfs in so 'n omgewing tussen karakters uitgespel word -in 'n omgewing waar mens nie so iets verwag nie - of moet mens juis? Is kunstenaars verhewe bo die soek na mag en erkenning of is hul juis soveel te meer soekend daarna? Getrou aan die reeks sal daar wel romanse iewers ter sprake wees maar sonder om noodwendig die storie se lyn te beinvloed of oorheers.

Twee vrae bly by my - gaan Gys en Gertjie ooit bymekaar uitkom? En wanneer gaan die Visvrou se misterie verduidelik word?

Boheem is 'n heerlike boek en perfekte vakansie leesstof. Die Gys boeke word almal tans weer uitgegee met pragtige nuwe skudblaaie.  9/10 vir 'n uitstekend geskryfde boek.

LAPA het die boeke aan my verskaf vir resensie doeleinde - die opinies hier uitgespreek is egter 100% my eie

Dinsdag - tyd vir boeke!

Ek is steeds aangenaam verstom oor die wonderlike hoeveelheid goeie Afrikaanse spanningsverhale wat deesdae verskyn. Dit 'n fees van lekkerte vir aanghangers van die genre. Dit was dus vir my 'n ware fonds toe die boeke van Isa Konrad my pad gekruis het. Ek kan nie dink dat ek tot nou toe nog nie haar werk onder oë gehad het nie. Die twee boeke wat ek gelees het is egter elkeen 'n perd van 'n ander kleur en wys hoe 'n veelsydige skrywer sy is.

Moord op Karibib - Isa Konrad

Alet se lewe is op 'n totale laagtepunt toe sy stukkend en verneder op Karibib beland - net om haar vas te loop in 'n moord en die gepaardgande intriges wat op alle klein dorpies voorkom. Die sterwende man uiter sy laaste woorde aan haar en voor sy asem skep is sy betrokke in die moordondersoek.


Die boek het 'n opwindende storielyn wat vinnig beweeg en baie lekker lees. Die karakters is heerlik - kleurvol en volrond in meeste gevalle. Konrad skryf baie beskrywend sonder om langdradig te wees en ek kon baie maklik n prentjie van elke karakter in my kop in detail vorm - soveel so dat ek sommige amper kon ruik. Haar atmosferiese beskrywings van die omgewing is net so raak en mens beweeg met gemak in jou kop na Karibib en die plase daar rondom.

Alet self was die een karakter wat my effe geiriteer het - soms wou ek haar net aanpor om haarself reg te ruk en aan te beweeg. Sy is net te mooi, te ryk en te slim om op te tree soos sy soms doen. Miskien laat sy mens effe jaloers en dan wonder jy hoe sy van alle mense beland waar sy het? Nietemin spreek dit van hoe goed Konrad haar karakters aan mens voorstel dat jy so betrokke word by een van hulle. Wat my ook opgeval het is die omslag - as ontwerper stel ek altyd belang in die omslae en die effek daarvan op die leser. Ek dink werklik hierdie een dra vir my bitter min by tot die boek se atmosfeer en mag dalk 'n invloed gehad het in my siening van Alet.

Ek het redelik vroeg in die boek een stukkie van die ontknopings legkaart geraai maar selfs dit het nie die finale einde totaal uitgespel nie en die laast paar bladsye was van die "kan nie neersit nie" gehalte.

Moord op Karibib is 'n heerlike spanningsverhaal en 'n uitstekende vakansie lees. Ek gee die boek 'n 8/10 vir suiwer lees genot . As jy van Chanette Paul se spanningsverhale hou of 'n Lee Child aanhanger is, is ek seker hierdie boek sal so reg in jou kraal val.

Die Soenoffer - Isa Konrad
 Wessel Janke word gestuur na Pretoria om daar 'n onderhoud te voer met een van Suid Afrika se skokkendste moordenaars ooit - 'n vrou wat as kind 'n reeks moorde gepleeg het. Haar agtergrond is seker van die haglikste wat mens kan indink en stadig leer Wessel haar ken as veel meer as net 'n reeksmoordenaar.

Die atmosfeer deur die hele boek is donker en ongemaklik wat bydra om die hele toon van die boek te stel. Konrad beskryf dit so goed dat jy self ongemaklik en angstig voel net soos Wessel. Ek sal nooit weer dieselfde voel oor die Jakaranda bome in my stad nie. Die minder mooi ontbindende blomme in die strate vervang die mooi wat ek so geniet elke jaar.

Die storielyn beweeg in tyd en gee die agtergond wat nodig is om insig in die reeksmoordenaar se lewe te kry. Die poisie verslae verskaf die feitlike inligting en afwisseling waar die emosionele amper oordonderend word. Ek wil nie veel oor die karakters sê nie omdat dit so reuse deel van die storie vorm maar hulle is almal goed ontwikkel en volrond. Daar word ook heel tyd alle kante van die karakters aan jou uitgewys en jy raak self betrokke in jou evaluasie van nie net die moordenaar se motiewe en karakter nie maar van elke ander van die hoofkarakters.

Die omslagontwerp van hierdie boek is vir my uitstekend gedoen en gee die donker atmosfeer en amper ongemaklike gevoel alreeds deur.

Hierdie boek is meesterlik geskryf en die ontknoping skokkend - selfs al raai jy 'n deel daarvan is dit seker een van die moeilikste laaste twee bladsye wat ek ooit gelees het.

Die Soenoffer is 'n sielkundige riller uit die boonste rakke. As jy van Mo Hader, Gillian Flynn of Lauren Beukes se boeke hou gaan hierdie een jou voete onder jou uitlsaan. Baie sensitiewe lesers moet dalk oorweeg of hulle kans sien vir hierdie skokkende verhaal. Ek gee Die Soenoffer 10/10.

LAPA het die boeke aan my verskaf vir resensie doeleinde - die opinies hier uitgespreek is egter 100% my eie

Tuesday Booksday - featuring one of my best finds of the year.

Today I have two English books for your reading pleasure. While writing this post I thought a lot about reading habits and how this influence the joy of reading a particular book. I have half a post in drafts about this - so think about your reading habits - we will have a little chat about those soon.

The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd

Handful and Sarah grow up in the constricting ways of a southern household in Charleston. Handful is the slave given to Sarah on her 11th birthday as a handmaid. Both of them yearn to escape the constriction of their born to lives - Handful to escape the slavery she was born into and Sarah to escape the given road as a southern woman. From early in her life Sarah knew she was born to be so much more than just a wife and mother.Their stories run parallel until the climax is reached. The book is well written with extensive research into the time it portrays. Sarah Gimke is based on the historical figure that carries the same name.

This is a well written book with a good balanced story. I did however take months to read it as it just did not grab my attention and there were often other books that called me from my bedside table. However I am glad that I did read it and will certainly recommend the book to lovers of historical fiction. I also have to mention that I read it on Kindle and I still prefer real paper books most of the time. I find books that I may want to refer back to difficult to read on Kindle so this could well be why I did not enjoy the book as much as I think I should. Somehow I also never felt like a made a true connection to any one of the characters - they all remained rather distant in my opinion.

7/10 in my rating.

The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper by Phaedra Patrick

If you are a regular reader you know that once in a while I get all excited about a book that I feel is a real find and a "have to read" for most people. This is one of my finds of the year.

Arthur Pepper leads a quiet life of routine and loneliness after the death of his dearly beloved wife Miriam. He is irritated by his overly kind neighbour and his relationship with his grown up children is worsening every day. On the one year anniversary of his wife's death he decides to at last clear out her belongings. In a pair of boots he makes a wonderful discovery  - a gold bracelet with beautiful charms that he does not remember at all. This discovery leads him on a fantastic journey to places he never would have visited. He discovers mysteries about his wife and her life before they met but in the course thereof he rediscovers himself and his family and finds joy in life again

A truly wonderful and uplifting read  - a 9/10 for pure joy.
If you enjoyed "A man called Ove" or "The Universe vs Alex Woods" you will love this book.

So now you know what I am going to ask - what are you reading right now? And have you read any of the two books above or do any of them grab your attention?

Tuesday booksday - en tyd vir 'n Afrikaanse book resensie

As 'n mens se gunsteling misdaad skrywer 'n totaal ander veld betree is jy versigtig om soos gewoonlik, die eerste een te wees wat die boek koop. So het ek toe gewag dat die boek eers beskikbaar was in ons boekklub en toe hom opgeraap en dadelik begin lees. En so het my eie persoonlike Koors ontwikkel. Een om op elke moontlike oomblik te sit en lees. Om die boek so gou as moonltik in te gulsig. Wat 'n heerlike lees fees!

Deon stel 'n soort post apokaliptiese Suid Afrika aan ons voor deur die oë van 'n volwasse Nico Storm - maar ook gereeld deur ander karakters in die boek se vertelpunt. 'n Suid Afrika nadat 95% van die wêrel se bevolking deur in virus vernietig is. Nico vertel hoe hy en sy pa die Koors ontsnap het en 'n nuwe nedersetting in die ou Vanderkloof gestig het. Later Amanzi genoem, vorm 'n groep mense wat werklik strewe na 'n nuwe suksesvolle lewe. Soos met enige georganiseerde struktuur is die verskillende oogpunte en faksies gou duidelik. Meyer ondersoek die mens se verskillende reaksies op 'n probleem en hoe die sosiale maar ook persoonlike dinamika afspeel.

Wat ek veral van die boek geniet het was hoe versigtig Meyer sy navorsing gedoen het en hoe selfs klein dingetjies sin maak as mens daaraan dink. Hoe mense verskillend sal reageer op die krises. Hoe diere sal optree en verander. Watse tegnologie steeds bruikbaar of aanpasbaar sal wees. Wat sal gebeur met natuur reservate, damme, sluise en die klimaat in geheel. Die hipotese is gestel en versigtig ondersoek. Ek het soveel keer terwyl ek lees gedink - ja, natuurlik is dit iets wat kan of sal gebeur.

Van die begin af egter besef jy dat tot 'n mate is hierdie wel 'n speur storie - is daar wel 'n moord gepleeg - en dat dit wel 'n spilpunt van die storie is. Die ontknoping en einde is totaal onverwags. Dit behoort sy mees getroue leser tevrede te stel.

Ek vermoed ook dat Meyer 'n nuwe groep lesers gaan wen met hierdie - die jong volwassene mark is bekend vir hulle liefde vir appokaliptiese/distopiese tipe verhale - dink maar aan die Divergent en Hunger games reekse. Lees gerus met 'n oop gemoed as jy 'n Deon Meyer bewonderaar is- en vermy om Bennie of Lemmer te soek. Hulle is nie daar nie en hulle is nie nodig in die storie nie. Koors het sy eie pakkie heerlike kleurvolle karakters.

Vir my 'n 10/10 boek vir 'n heerlike lees in 'n nuwe en oorpsronklike rigting.

The book will be available in English in 2017 - do not miss it! Well deserved 10/10

It's Tuesday - and it's time for books.

Hello fellow book lovers - it's Spring and for some I guess the focus shifts to other things than reading. However - a good book is always a winner. I have found myself taking a short lunch time break outside in our office garden over the last two weeks or so, enjoying the great weather and reading a few pages to clear my head from all the work stuff. I am loving the fact that for the first time in many years, I am still on track with my yearly reading challenge. Since my last books post I have read two books:

The Peacock Emporium by Jojo Moyes

 Suzanne Peacock moves back to her old town with her husband Neil - a town where her family still owns the big estate and where the family history runs thick in the memories of the townsfolk. Unhappy to be forced to move out of her beloved and more anonymous London and during a rocky part of her marriage she convinces her husband that she needs to open a shop and agrees that his much wished baby will follow suit.

At the same time she is forced to deal with her mother and the memories others have of her  - the one she never met and am convinced died giving birth to her.

The Peacock Emporium constantly switch in time frames, places and characters a lot like other of Jojo Moyes's earlier books. At first I could not get into it but by a quarter in I actually started enjoying it. Towards the end I found my that I read with a growing unease - which may simply mean that the story moved in directions that may not be within my comfort zone.

I did enjoy reading the book but the story line is tedious at times and the book is possibly much longer that it has to be. What I did love about the books are the wonderful full bodied characters that populate it.

It's one of those "good enough" books if you get what I am saying  - a 6/10 for me.

Moordvis/Dead in the Water by Irna van Zyl



















Although I have read the book in Afrikaans I will do my review in English as it is also available translated.

To start of I have to say that this is possibly my most favorite genre to read - and there is a wonderful amount of great books written in it available in Afrikaans with very high standards and great reading to be enjoyed. I therefore read this book with a lot of maybe unfair expectations after good reviews in the press.

Irna van Zyl is a well known Afrikaans media personality and editor. This is her first novel and takes place in Grootbaai (or then Gansbaai) the shark cage diving capital of the world. It features Storm van der Merwe a detective punished after an incident and reduced to admin work. She discovers a body on a walk on the beach with dogs. The storyline develops from there.

The storyline in itself is well constructed and moves at a reasonable pace although at times it felt a bit slow. It is full of the necessary intrigues and complicated cross involvements and makes for a good read. What did bother me though was the characters and development of them - or more then - the lack therof. Storm herself is comes across as cold although I am quite sure that was not the intention.  To me she showed very little development taking into account all that happens and I did not find myself forming a particular attachment to her which I guess is not the worst of it. But Moerdyk - gosh, does every novel in this genre need an alcoholic policeman - as if Bennie Griesel has set that mark as a "has to have"? Moerdyk to me has very little or nothing that sparks even the faintest sympathy and no development whatsoever.

Moordvis or Dead in the Water is a good read but not in my top reads - a 6/10

So what are you reading? Any ones to add to my "to read" list?

Tuesday Booksday

I have been thinking about reading and writing - the more I think about it the more I am leaning towards thinking that writers, even if just bloggers, are in general readers too - it seems to go hand in hand. Or what do you think?

I have read 3 great books over the last few weeks apart from the rather large batch of Afrikaans books I reviewed 2 weeks ago. Not all of them are everyone's taste but I do think there is something for all in this batch.

The Husbands Secret - Liane Moriarty

 Cecilia Fitzpatrick has her life sorted - a successful Tupperware business, a household that runs like clockwork, 3 adorable daughters and top school mom. Then she discovers an envelope with the words "For my wife - to be opened only in the event of my death".

Tess lives a seemingly very happy life with her husband, son and cousin and business partner. Her life falls apart in a few sentences and she decides to move to Sydney and her mom with her son.

Rachel's life is centered around her grandson after her daughter passed away as a teen. Then her life gets turned upside down when her son and daughter in law informs her that they are moving to New York.

At first one is unclear as to how these 3 very different woman's lives interact with each other apart from sharing a school and geographical location. As the story progress the connecting points and interwoven fabric becomes more clear.

The characters are beautifully depicted and the development in the book is very clear and defined. Moriarty writes with such understanding and sympathy that  makes the great story line even more enjoyable.

I absolutely loved this book and found it an outstanding read. I will without a doubt find Liane Moriarty's other books and read them too. A must read for all. 9/10 

Broken Monsters - Lauren Beukes

This crime -noir (by lack of other genre description) novel by South African author Lauren Beukes takes place in Detroit - a city marked by dread,  darkness and depopulation - and mostly despair. The whole atmosphere of the book is marked by it's setting.

Detective Gabi Versado is tasked with capturing the quickly named "Detroit Monster" after the discovery of a half boy half fawn body. Her teenage daughter Layla is on the verge of danger while playing a dark game with an online predator and dealing with her best friend's impulsive behaviour. There are plenty other characters and subplots exploring everything from homelessness to online journalism and bullying.

Broken Monsters is a very dark crime thriller bordering in places on the unexplained and unknown world. It is a very unsettling book that is without a doubt not for all. But it is a very well written book and if this is your type of read I will surely recommend it. Not for sensitive readers. 8/10

Recipes for Love and Murder - A Tannie Maria Mystery by Sally Andrew

Now and again one reads a book that totally absorbs you into it. You can smell, see and even taste it while reading the book. You wish that you can step into the world of the book that is so well portrayed. You can even hear the characters and the tone of their voices.

Recipes for Love and Murder is exactly this type of book. I fell in love with the story and characters right from the first page. Wonderful characters populate it each with their own motives and thinking. Typical small Karoo town it takes all kinds of folks to make it as colourful as it is.

Tannie Maria is the local paper's agony aunt (and recipe dispenser, cook of note and amateur detective). She makes a great if hard headed team with Jessie her fellow Karoo Gazette journalist. She is also cast from the same formidable African woman mold as Mma Ramotswe - not only in stature but also in good rational and clear thinking.  I can picture the two of them sharing a cup of Rooibos tea and some cake on Tannie Maria's stoep or under Mma Ramotswe's big tree . In fact I would love to be Tannie Maria's best friend.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and will asap buy the second Tannie Maria Mystery. A book that provides you with the wonderful recipes cooked in it is in any event a winner. And a book that had me buying vetkoek and making mince on a Saturday afternoon because I have been craving it since I read a chapter in it 3 days ago is a winner for sure. A 10/10 for a fabulous easy and hugely entertaining read. My must read recommendation of the moment.

So what are you reading? Are you going to read any of these?

Tuesday Booksday - Afrikaans book reviews (Afrikaanse boek resensies)

  My third most viewed post in 9 years and1447 posts is a called "Afikaans book review" and reviews an early Chanette Paul book. Therefore I am 100% sure that there is a demand for Afrkaans book reviews. I have read an extraordinary percentage of Afrikaans books over the last 2 months (for me) so today's Tuesday Books day is devoted to Afrikaans books. 

As jy hier is en Afrikaanse resensies soek is jy welkom om deur my ander Tuesday Booksday posts te soek - hulle is so tussen die Engels ingesprinkel. Jy kan ook op die "Afrikaanse book review" tag kliek. Ek het ook Tags vir van die skrywers

 'n Goeie dag vir Boomklim - Jaco Jacobs

Jaco Jacobs doen dit weer 'n keer! Skryf 'n jeugboek wat net so heerlik lees vir die bedoelde gehoor se ouers. Ek lees gewoonlik 'n jeugboek as my leesverslaafde 11 jarige hom my in die hand stop met 'n "jy gaan van die ene hou". En ek het - sommer baie.

Marnus is 'n gefrustreerde middel kind - in elke opsig. Die Desember vakansie is ook die slegste een van sy lewe ooit - lank en sonder hoogtepunte strek dit voor hom uit. Tot Leila een oggend die deurklokkie lui met haar petisie om 'n boom in die parkie te red. Voor Marnus sy oe uitvee is hy 'n eco-stryder, hoog in die boom saam met haar. In die proses oor die volgende 3 dae leer Marnus van menswees, meisies, protes, dapperheid, familie en bo alles om homself te laat geld.

Wonderlike (letterlike) kleurryke karakters gee lyf aan die boek - van mevrou Merriman met haar pienk hare, pienk poedels en pienk kombers tot die sober standvastige Caretaker - my gunsteling karakter in die boek.

Dit is 'n heerlike boek vir oud en jonk. Lees hom gerus as jy van jeugboeke hou 
9/10 vir lekker lees

Oorlewingsgids vir 'n Bedonnerde Diva - Sophia Kapp

Simone trek terug na haar grootword dorpie in die Vrystaat na haar tweede huwelik rampspoedig einding. Saam met haar is haar tienerseun met wie sy 'n nuwe lewe moet uitbytel tussen die mense in 'n klein dorpie. Tipies klein kunstenaarsdorpie is daar iets van alles en almal en word Simone deel van die gemeenskap so op haar eie manier. Iewers in die jaar ontdek Simone weer haarself en haar menswees en werdwees vir ander - en boonop 'n romanse.

Diva is 'n heerlike boek en werklik sonder gelyke. Ek was mal oor die oorlewingsgids gedeeltes wat vir almal onder ons lekker , soms tong in die kies, raad gee.

'n Heerlike leeslekkerte wat ek vreeslik geniet het.
10/10 vir 'n deurbraak boek vir Divas

Snoeiskêr - Piet Steyn

Snoeiskêr is maklik een van die grusaamste boeke wat ek nog ooit gelees het. Dit is op die vlak van die Skandinawiese skrywers se boeke waar geen grafiese detail verswyg word nie. Dit net eerstens vir 'n waarskuwing - dit is nie 'n heel eintlik mak Deon Meyer boek nie. 

Lyke word geving met hul duime afgensy en soms heel seremonieel op hul borste geplaas. Eers is die plekke en persone so wyd uitmekaar dat daar nie ooreenkomste gevind word nie maar weldra word besef dat hul hier met 'n reeksmoordenaar te doen het. 

Die storielyn is baie spannend en die karakters heel interessant. Sommige is baie stereotiep maar ander heel interessant.. Ek het egter die "twist in the tale" heel vroeg besef so dit het effe van die verassingsfaktor weggeneem.

Ek sal beslis sy ander boeke lees soos wat ek hulle in die hande kry. 8/10 vir 'n lekker storie

 Openbaring - C Johann Bakkes

Dit is baie moeilik vir my om die regte woorde te vind vir hierdie boek. Johan neem ons op 'n reis na die koudste en warmste plek op aarde - sodat mens nie lou word nie. Hy ondersoek sy (en ons ) strewe na voluit lewe ten spyte van soveel. Om warm of koud te lewe - met ander woorde voluit, maar tog asseblief nie lou nie - nie sonder oordenking en oorgawe nie. Die boek gaan baie dieper as 'n reisvertelling - dis meer 'n vertelling van die lewe en voluit lewe ten spyte van baie.

Hierdie boek het my ook op 'n reis geneem en weer laat dink oor hoe mens lewe en beleef. Dit is beslis in die "moet lees" kategorie. 10/10

Yeah - Tuesday books day

Yes, that time of the week - let's talk books! And although my last book post was one of my least commented on I shall persist with this because I do love them and I know there are a few of you who particularly drop by for the book posts.

Today I will be reviewing two South African books - one in English and one in Afrikaans (which I will do in Afrikaans). I have joined a few Facebook pages dedicated to books and on one of them there was a recent discussion on South African books. The initial poster mentioned that she is not reading any South African books at the moment as she is finding them "as depressing, violent and sad as the general state of the country". This triggered a days long discussion about South African books and authors. Most other members were quite shocked by this and posted many alternative South African reads that will not fit the depressing, sad and violent category. Neither of the books I am reviewing fit this description - although  there is possibly enough violence in "Skarlaken" it is the type that will be found in any good murder mystery and reminds one of the great Scandinavian crime writers.  So , before you read or skip over the reviews - please tell me which South African books or authors do you enjoy or do you also find South African fiction depressing, violent and sad? And what are you reading right now?

The Sculptors of Mapungubwe By Zakes Mda
 Imagine being able to look into the past and live in the thriving gold rich city of Mapungubwe. I have always been fascinated by the history of South Africa before the recorded part we know so well. By the little gold rhino and the other artifacts. By the links to the Eastern African kingdoms and talk of trade with the East.

In this book Mda draws a beautiful and detailed picture of the city state with the story of two "brothers" - rivals in every way , the two lead sculptors of Mapungubwe. It is the age old story of jealousy and betrayal, of love for a woman and power over many. He imagines the city and describes it so well that it forms a complete picture in your head - prompting me to read about it and what is knows to us today.

Well researched but also colourfully imagined this is a n intriguing and captivating read. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Skarlaken deur Irma Venter
Om een of ander rede het ek tot nou toe nie 'n enkele Irma Venter book gelees nie . Hierdie een het ek in die boekklub krat opgetel, dieselfde aand begin lees en kon hom nie neersit voordat ek klaar was nie. Wat 'n heerlike ontdekking - nog 'n lekker speurstorie skrywer in Afrikaans.

Jaap Reynecke kan nie die dood van sy peetkind, Janien Steyn daar laat tot hy haar moordenaar gevang het nie. Al is dit nou 3 jaar later. Hy vra Sarah Fourie, hacker en rekenaar genie om hom te help in sy ondersoek en kort voor lank bevind sy haar kniediep in die omdersoek.

Janien is kort voor haar troue met haar universiteitsliefde gevries in die pan op hul plaas gevind - halflyf in die modder , op 'n fiets met 'n vliegbril en in haar trourok. Boonop met 'n dekoraiewe skarlaken drapeersel. Op die oog af 'n gewilde kunstenaar en besigheidsvrou ontdek Sarah veel meer oor haar.

Ek het die boek baie geniet- dit het my fasineerd gehou reg tot op die laaste bladsy. Wondelike kleurvolle effe anderse karakters gee die boek sy lewe. Ek kan nie wag om meer Sarah stories te lees nie - uiteindelik 'n sterk vroulike hoofkarakter en protoganis. 

Another Tuesday booksday

I am leaving today's Book review over to A - who wrote this review for school and gave me permission to publish it here. So here's something for the tween girls to read:

Meet Mia Thermpolis – an ordinary girl that feels very unpopular and struggles to pass her Algebra exam. One morning she wakes up as herself and goes to bed that same night as Amelia Migonette Grimaldi Thermpolis Renaldo – Crown Princess of Genovia.

Today, I am reviewing The Princess Diaries by Meg Cabot. Mia lives in Manhattan, New York with her artist Mom who is dating one of her teachers, Mr. Gianini. Her Dad, after falling ill with cancer, decides it’s time for Mia to grow into the Crown Princess she is destined to be.

The storey also features Mia’s best friend, Lilly who I do not like so much as she is very arrogant about being smart and having her own TV show. My favourite character however is Grandmêre who has the task of teaching Mia to be a proper Princess of Genovia. I realise a lot of readers may not like her but I think she is funny and wise and although she and Mia often do not agree they do love each other. Mia in particular is a warm and honest character that you grow to love.

The book reminds us that even if we used to something our wholes lives, it doesn’t mean that it is necessarily the truth. Mia makes many mistakes in the book but she always learns from her choices. The story also teaches us that what may seem very ordinary may disguise something very extraordinary.

I really recommend the book for girls. It’s a great story with wonderful characters you will grow to love. Maybe we all want to be Mia and be a real life Princess or maybe we would like to have a wonderful best friend like Mia.

it's Tuesday - and booksday!

I have had an exceptionally good reading month and since my last post on the 26th of April I have completed 3 books - a total wow for me about half a month. Let me share them:

The Silver Star by Jeanette Walls

Liz and Bean Holladay has the misfortune to be the daughters of a very flaky and irresponsible mom. They are however both very bright and resourceful girls. This is also where any comparison with Jeannette Wall's brilliant memoir "The Glass Castle" ends. Some of the girls in our bookclub felt that the story was too much the same type of story as in the Glass Castle. I however feel that their story is unique and features wonderful family to strengthen their arms an support them in life. I loved the wonderful descriptions of the town and it's people during the integration years. It is rich with symbols and a really good story. I truly enjoyed it. 7,5/10 on my scale

One Hundred Days of Happiness by Fautso Brizzi

Lucio Battistini - water polo coach and personal trainer learns that he has about a hundred days left to live. All the time talking to himself and trying to absolve himself for his womanizing habits he makes one resolution - he is going to get his beautiful wife that he clearly loves, Paola , to forgive him. Follow him as he lightheartedly talks about the choices he makes for his last 100 days, things he learns and discovers that we may miss so often. Resounding a bit with "Me before you" and " The Universe vs Alex Woods" I still enjoyed it for it's unique humoristic look into the decisions this impossible situation forces him into. A truly lovely read - I laughed and I cried and could not put it down. 8/10

Zululand Gold by Ian Tennet

After reading Zululand Snow, the first of Ian Tenent's books in the YA series I was keen to read Zululand Gold. I was not disappointed for one second. The book features our by now well know three friends and add a character or two. I love the area of Cape Vidal and all the folk lore and history stories interwoven in this tale of adventure. I also love the rather unusual characters that Tennet introduce in every one of his stories. Fast paced and a great read I definitely recommend it to anyone that loves a good story. I am sure my two boys would love his books in a year or two and I wish Ian will write a few more in the series for us all to enjoy. I am sure Craig has many historical tales to follow. 8,5/10 as a Young adult book
Disclaimer - I was given this book free of charge to review - my opinion however is 100% honest.

Tuesday Booksday

Time for some book talk again. I though to wait unti next week to give you the May books in one batch but honestly I do not know how much reading is going to happen over the long weekend in any event .

The Handome Man's Deluxe Cafe by Alexander McCall Smith

Reading a no 1 Ladies detective agency novel is like having coffee with an old friend. You know her family and friends but you get an update on their newest movements and doings. Just as it's not really about the coffee (or the case in question) it's about the cast of characters we know so well. It's familiar and comforting and in the same sense there is always something new. I feel like I have just had a great cup of redbush tea and a genorous slice of fruit cake with Mma Ramotswe. 

Recommended for fans and friends of Mma Ramotswe with a 8/10

 Still Alice by Lisa Genova

Sometimes one needs a day or two to write a book review - sometimes it needs to sink in a bit before you can write about it. This was the case with "Still Alice" which left me very sad, but to an extent at peace when the books ends. Walk the devastating road with Alice Howard, Linguistics professor who at the very young age of 50 is diagnosed with early onset Alzheimers disease. The book is so well written that you experience life as seen by Alice as the disease progress and her memory fades away. You feel her pain, her frustration and in the end her sadness and content ease. I do love how the relationships between her and her children and husband are changed and affected and how each is portrayed in the book - especially with Lydia. I found myself questioning my own memory at times... A great read - 9/10. I hear that the movie is a great interpretation of the book but have not seen it. Any book recommendations?

It's Tuesday Booksday

Personally I am a huge fiction reader - its my poison of choice. So is A. She can get lost in a book - reminds me so much of myself at her age. Hunter would rather read an autobiography or biography or anything that is in the non -fiction genre (with some exceptions like Deon Meyer). C reads very well but he is not a lover of fiction. He reads the odd book but he loves non fiction too. Add to that his insatiable curiosity about anything historical and you have an idea of what to get him to read. After all he is our aspiring archeologist. That being said, all 3 the kids love a certain type of book - call it an illustrated fact book. Like this one (History year by year) we reviewed before.

Today let me show you this wonderful book (that I picked up at the Exclusive Books sale for R69,00 - best buy ever!) It has been one of those where they fight over who gets to read it today. It is called Archeology detectives, written by Simon Adams and published by Barron's.

The books starts with a child friendly index page that show you the different archeological discoveries the book features with their time frames.

This is followed by a page that is very informative on what archeology is a how some techniques work

The seperate archeological finds follow is a well structure format of:

A title page with a big photograph and a location pointer on the world map with description and a summation of what the discovery is.

 He next two pages gives background on the people and place that was discovered - background to the find.

The next two pages shows the actual find with sketches and photographs.

The last two pages is about the archeology itself - how it was found, restored or displayed and what the finding showed.

 It's a wonderful fascinating read that I have dipped into myself.

So I would love to know which books your kids love (and fight about) and would they be interested in a book like this?

Let's talk books

Its Tuesday - the day I try to (sometimes) talk about books and gosh yes, it has been a while. So a rundown on the last 4 books I have read - by chance I see all of them can vaguely fall into the thriller/ murder mystery category.

The Redeemer by Jo Nesbo
I have read a good share of Jo Nesbo's Harry Hole series but this one in all honesty is my favorite up to date. In the midst of a freezing cold December a Salvation army officer is shot in public. But nobody has any recollection of who shot him or can recognize a face from the newspaper photos taken at the event. Our friend Harry has to find the murder while also dealing with a new boss and as always trying to stay sober.

What a story? Full of twists and turns and many surprises on the way this is an excellent read that speaks much deeper than the obvious story line. If this is at all your cup of tea, give it a read. a well deserved 10 / 10.

Zululand Snow by Ian Tennent
Craig, Sean and Hannes are 3 rather typical boys of their time - growing up in a fictional town in Zululand in the 1980's. Full of gusto and spirit they conquer the bush with their BMX bikes and seek adventure of the rather historical kind. They deal with imaginary but also some very real threats in the process resulting in a fast paced adventure of note.

I really enjoyed this book for so many reasons. One of them is without a doubt that I can place myself in the time frame with ease. I grew up with Casio watches and Mongoose bikes and cyclone Demoina is still vivid in my memory. They could have been my friends at school - although I wish I had the honour to grow up in this more rural setting. The author sets the scenes in a perfectly described world where you can smell the dust and the rain and feel the heat on your skin. The story line is well paced and enough suspense to keep one turning page after page without thinking about how late it is.

I am a bit in two minds as to how I feel about the very beautiful descriptive language the author use. Although I love it in most of the places there were times where I felt that it interfered with the pace of the action and I almost wanted to glace over them. That being said, I did find myself sometimes going back to re read once I had the tension released in the part to enjoy the writing again.

Although classified as Young Adult I thoroughly enjoyed the book - but then I am a tad partial towards Young Adult books and read them often enough. Ian Tennet is going to make a name for himself in the South African literary circle with this book - a solid 8/10
Disclaimer: I  was given an electronic copy of this book to review in exchange for an honest review. 

Prooi deur Fanie Viljoen 
Prooi is die verhaal van 3 jong mense - Owen, gedrewe oosterse vegkuns tier, Cody, doellose selfgeabsorbeerde narcis en Lauren, beeldskoon en sensueel maar sonder werklike anker. Die drie se paaie kruis met mekaar en die geheime klub "Black Valentine" met sy misterieuse eienaar is waar als bymekaar kom.

Aanvanklik het ek die boek klaar gelees en gesug en gedink, aarde, maar as die jeug vandag so is het ons reuse probleme. Die drie hoofkarakters het my almal intens geirriteer.  Ek besef dat ek geen raakpunt met daardie generasie en hulle probleme het nie. Maar hoe meer ek dink aan die boek hoe meer meen ek dit is tog die lees werd - tog die nadink en waarskuwing.

'n Redelike storie met 'n spanningslyn wat my nie altyd geboei het nie - dink ek tog sal party mense die boek werklik geniet, 6,5/10.

I am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes.
I really do not know where to start with this review apart from saying that it is possibly one of the best books in this genre that I have ever read. Meet Pilgrim, an outsider, an orphan,  a spy in the most secret of worlds and a top class thinker. Meet Saracen - a traumatized boy, a physician, a terrorist out on revenge and also a top class thinker. Their worlds collide to dramatic effect in a city I once visited, Bodrum in Turkey to the backdrop of the international world of the rich and famous.

What I really liked about the book is that the background and history of the characters provide so much substance to add to and excellent tension filled story line. The background spans years over many continents while the pace never slacks. The language is relatively simple and makes for very easy reading. It is a gripping 800 plus pages that I could gladly have extended with another few hundred.

Fast paced filled with many credible and fully coloured characters it is a MUST READ if you are at all a fan of this genre.  All the hype is not for nothing. But what I like most of all is that the characters are so real - their thinking, their motivations and their decision all ring true to them and their background. Another great 10/10 .