Do we ever really know our parents? Should we uncover the secrets that they have partially revealed/chosen to conceal from us? I found Emma Brocke's journey compelling reading and I admire her courage and sensitivity in exploring dark family secrets, told from differing memories and viewpoints.
This Beautiful Life
I have given this 3 stars because, although I thought most of this book rang true, I thought that the conclusion was rushed. I would have liked the author to have explored the fallout more thoroughly.
Stuck at Ch.11 on this. Beautifully constructed prose is a joy to read but so far am finding this to be a somewhat bleak read. Perhaps it does not suit New Year and dismal weather blues.
Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman's Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia
Zzzzzzzzzz ....self- obsessed drivel
How To Be a Woman
I struggled to finish this book. I enjoyed many of the biographical anecdotes but the sections on feminism became increasingly tedious with each chapter. Admittedly, I do not spend any time fretting about how to be a woman, I just get on with living my life.
On Canaan's Side
This is the most exquisitely written book, beautiful prose, wonderfully evocative, I would give it 10 stars if I could. I have taken my time reading this, savouring each and every paragraph. I have really enjoyed his plays, but this is the first novel by Sebastian Barry that I have read, and I am looking forward to reading more. I was not sure if I was going to like this novel when I read the synopsis, but it has surpassed my expectations, it is just wonderful.
The Art of Fielding
Beautifully written and totally compelling. Despite knowing nothing about baseball and being in the midst of a major sciatica flare-up. I could not put this book down. I read this on my Kobo Touch e-reader. Yes, I know that some of you probably think that e-readers are instruments of the devil, but when you are off work for a week, barely able to walk or sleep at night, it is a sanity-saver to fire up your Wi-Fi and download a great book to your e-reader.
If this was written by a woman it would be classified as Chicklit. I like the concept of revisiting the protagonists on the same date each year, but this novel has failed to live up to my expectations.
The Slap
Hated this book and all of its characters. Tsiolkas is a very talented writer, the novel raises many interesting questions, but I found his characters so totally unsympathetic that it was a chore to make it to the end of the book.
