Reading:: The Goldfinch (Donna Tartt)

I procrastinated on this book really, really hard. 

For one thing, it's 864 pages long. I like fast conquests. Something I can knock over in a couple of days. But a good friend read it, loved it, and so when we went away on holidays, I grabbed a copy, determined to get into it. 

It did not take long and it did not disappoint. 

After the first day of reading (and around 300 pages in) I wrote to my friend: I feel like a leaf floating down a flooding creek, being tossed around. 

And so it is The Goldfinch. 

If you haven't read it. Do it. And don't let the sheer length put you off. 

It's a beautiful, sad, detailed telling of the life of 13 year old Theo. I'm not going to give any spoilers, but for me, it was the poetic prose that just blew my mind. 

Donna Tartt's writing is thick with description. In a good way. You really get drawn in to this world, the story, everything. It's compelling. It's page flipping good. Honestly, one of the best books I have read in a really, really long time. 

One of my other friends thought it was a little too long, a little too wordy, but me? Nope. Perfect. So freaking good I can't stop processing it in my mind. And now I can't pick up another book because it's not going to live up to Tartt's amazing-ness. That's the worst. Not being able to say goodbye to your beloved characters who become friends, and feeling if you start something new, you're abandoning your friends. 

I know. I am a bit crazy. But that's how much this book affected me. 


The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt - $13.95 from Booktopia

* Reading is all about what I'm reading. It's not sponsored. It's simply me, reading a book and sharing with you. A book club of sorts. In 2015 it's my goal to read at least one book per month - and share my lowdown on them with you. Maybe you'd like to read along? If so, let me know and we can virtually have a book club. 

Reading:: Hector and the Search for Happiness (a book review)

By now you should know that there's no rhyme or reason why I pick up books. I just go for random books and read them. By no means is this Oprah's book club either. I don't have enough dress changes to warrant that. 

But again (I know, I know) I saw the movie trailer for this film, and was drawn to reading the book.

So Still Alice was about a psychologist, and Hector and the Search for Happiness is about a psychiatrist. Maybe there's something going on with my sub conscious ? Never mind, I saw the trailer and thought it looked pretty darn funny. It made perfect sense to me to read the best selling book as translated from French to English by Lorenza Garcia. 

I did wonder if some of the depth was lost because of the translation (Lost in Translation anyone), but then again - I really enjoyed this - delightful, simple and fun, this book has been read by over two million people. It delivers an easy-to-follow story, and some important lessons along the way.

About 18 months ago I read The Happiness Project. I am always on the hunt for happiness (who isn't!), and reading this book (it's a really swift and simple read) was a good - and different - kind of adventure. 

It's the story of Hector. A psychiatrist who leaves his office in Paris to travel the world to find out what makes people happy. In over 20 neat lessons, Hector narrows his lessons down to succinct findings - and then tests them against a happiness researcher with happy results. 


Hector and the Search for Happiness by Francois Lelord $18.50 



* Reading is all about what I'm reading. It's not sponsored. It's simply me, reading a book and sharing with you. A book club of sorts. In 2015 it's my goal to read at least one book per month - and share my lowdown on them with you. Maybe you'd like to read along? If so, let me know and we can virtually have a book club. 

Reading:: Mr Rosenblum's List

It's been a while between books. But I have been reading. But incredibly slowly. Slower than a snail. 

My local bookstore recommended 'Mr Rosenblum's List' post 'Gone Girl' (totally unrelated reading matter) and it wasn't the same pace. But that was kind of nice coming off the adrenal high of that thriller. 

It took me a little while to get into, but I am so happy I persevered with this book.

Set in mid-century London, it's the story of Jack and Sadie, a Jewish husband and wife, together with their daughter who leave Germany to start a new life. 

Despite his thick accent and foreign sensibilities, Jack is determined to become an English gentleman. On arriving in England he is presented with notes on how to acclimatise to his new home - and sets about adding to this list with his own observations. A huge part of Jack's plan to become an English gentleman is to build a golf course. 

He wants to blend in, but the best thing is - he doesn't. At five foot three and a half inches, wearing dowdy tailored suits, he stands out, which makes him all the more endearing. 

This is a beautiful, delightful read. You will laugh, cry, be gobsmacked and be thoroughly enchanted by this couple, who despite all odds, find peace and a new place to call home. 

Author Natasha Solomons struggled with dyslexia as a child, but her grandfather always believed she would be a writer, leaving his writing desk to her in her will. Isn't that the coolest? Seriously can't wait to read more of her beautiful writing. 

You can buy Mr Rosenblum's List here. 

* Reading is all about what I'm reading. It's not sponsored. It's simply me, reading a book and sharing with you. A book club of sorts. I've read seven books this year. This is seven more than I did last year.

Reading:: Gone Girl

It's been a long time since I tore through a book.

That drought is over. 

I read Gone Girl in less than three days. It was that good. That page turning. That action packed, psychologically compelling, easy to read, crazy good. 

I'd heard people talking about this book - but it wasn't until I saw the trailer for the film that I thought I better get my roller-skates on. I had to read it before I saw it on the big screen.

Right from the get go I was absorbed into this book. About a marriage turned sour, and written from the two differing perspectives of a married couple, Nick and Amy, fired from their respective magazines - and life spirals from their. It all starts on their fifth wedding anniversary - when Amy goes missing. In case you didn't read the cover - it's a thriller, and it's fast-paced - it's so good I didn't want it to end. 

The film is set to be released soon. But read the book first. It's really super good. 

Gone Girl from Booktopia $13.95

* Reading is all about what I'm reading. It's not sponsored. It's simply me, reading a book and sharing with you. A book club of sorts. I've read four books this year. This is four more than I did last year.