Sandals and Snowshoes

Mini reviews of my six summer reads

noreply@blogger.com (pinkilili) — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 20:56:00 +0000

I've been away from blogging for my whole summer vacation, so I'm really behind on my book reviews. Since I won't have time to write detailed reviews of each book I've read on my holiday, I'm just going to write a few words about each one. Maybe you'll be tempted to pick one of these up!

Leopard Rock by Tarras Wilding

Blurb:

Roo Beckett knew there had to be a catch when she won first prize in a prestigious wildlife fim-making competition. A month's mentorship in the beautiful South African game reserve, Leopard Rock, with renowened film-maker Wyk Kruger, seemed simply too good to be true.

Sure enough, after her free-loading, fashion-magazine colleagues decide to tag along, Roo's solo African adventure doesn't have the best of starts. But that's the least of her worries. Lost in the African outback, Roo's soon struggling with a bigger and more unexpected problem - her attraction to the mysterious Wyk himself...

My thoughts:

I bought this book earlier this year in when I was visiting South Africa. The story is based in the Johannesburg area at a game reserve and as you can imagine, it paints a beautiful picture of the South African wildlife and nature - something I just can't resist. The story in itself is cute and interesting and perfectly light for a holiday read - recommended.

The Abortionist's Daughter by Elisabeth Hyde

Blurb:

Two weeks before Christmas, Diana Duprey, an outspoken abortion doctor, is found floating in her pool, a bruise the size of a golf ball visible through her dark curls. A national figure, Diana inspired passion and ignited tempers, never more so than on the day of her death.

Her husband, Frank, an attorney in the D.A.'s office for more than twenty years, had fought bitterly with her on the day of her murder. Yet to reveal the nature of their fight would cost him not only his career but something greater still—a relationship he will go to any lengths to protect. Diana's daughter, Megan, a college freshman, had also quarreled with Diana that day, and her role in her mother's murder will prove more significant than she ever could have anticipated. The Reverend Stephen O'Connell, founder of the town's pro-life coalition, obviously had issues with Diana, but his anger extended beyond the political to the personal—namely, Dr. Duprey's involvement with his own troubled teenager. Meanwhile, the detective on the case grapples to make sense of it all. His investigation implicates many in this town and reveals a series of gross miscalculations, each one challenging what we know, or think we know, about community, fidelity, justice, and love.

My thoughts:

I've seen this book around in the library but haven't been interested enough to borrow it. I actually found the book at the villa we rented in France and had an opportunity to have a better look. Soon I found out that I couldn't put the book down!! The characters are complex and the realtionships difficult, just like in real life. The key to the mystery was kept hidden till quite the end which was a huge plus as well. The book has many heavy issues going on which makes you think of ethics and might disturb some readers. A page turner!

Two Lipsticks and a Lover - Helena Frith Powell

Blurb:

French women are innately elegant and sexy. How do they do it? Author Helena Frith Powell goes undercover in her book TWO LIPSTICKS AND A LOVER to transform herself from a Fulham frump to a sensual French woman in just one year.

This edgy and hilarious guide takes Helena on a journey where she unlocks French secrets and learns:

-> The best way to have an affair
-> Style tips from French female icons
-> How a little Flaubert keeps you sexy
-> Exercise tips without breaking a sweat
-> How seduction must be in the forefront of your mind at all time
-> How French women age with elegance and without botox

My thoughts:

I've actually read this book before but since I was holidaying in France and found it at the apartment where we were staying, I decided to refresh my memory. The book has some fun tips how to be more glamorous and more like the sensual French woman but its also a good reminder to take care of yourself - not for others but for your own well being. That's something us moms tend to forget at times. I think everyone can learn from the French about that! Helena tells us that one of the French women's secrets to being slim is that they can eat a lot one day but then they will ration their eating the next day. After watching the French women at the supermarket crazily stocking up on the croissants, cakes and baguettes, I'm still inclined to think that the secret to their thinness is genes!!

Rumour Has It - Jill Mansell

Blurb:

When newly single Tilly Cole impulsively quits her London job for a fresh start in the small town of Roxborough she finds she's arrived in a hotbed of gossip, intrigue and rampant rivalry for the most desirable men. Tilly has no intention of joining in – she's just happy with her new Girl Friday job.

Then she meets Jack Lucas.

Jack is irresistible… and he's got his eye on Tilly. But there are shocking rumours about his wicked reputation. Tilly doesn’t want to be just another notch on anyone's bedpost. But is she being mature and sensible – or is she running away from the love of her life?

My thoughts:

I loved Rumour Has It! Jill Mansell had me glued from the very first pages. It's a cute and heartwarming story which you won't want to put down. Mansell has created really lovable characters who you'd love to be best friends with. Excellent chick-lit.

The Perfect Lie - Emily Barr

Blurb:

Lucy lives in Cornwall. She has a partner, and a job in a waterside pub, and she has friends. Her life is perfect: it just happens to be a lie.

One day, she climbs a cliff to rescue a child. A stranger on the beach points a camera at her, and the footage ends up on television. Lucy’s life unravels, and she flees across Europe, desperate to stay one step ahead of a figure from her past.

My thoughts:

Out of all the books I've read in July, I liked this one the least. However, that does not mean that it was a bad book, it simply wasn't my favourite. Saying that, Emily Barr had me hooked to the mystery of what had happened to Lucy - what was so terrible that she had to constantly be on her toes? The dark undertone of the book kept me reading till the end.

This is Where I Leave You - Jonathan Tropper

Blurb:

The death of Judd Foxman's father marks the first time that the entire Foxman family-including Judd's mother, brothers, and sister-have been together in years. Conspicuously absent: Judd's wife, Jen, whose fourteen-month affair with Judd's radio-shock-jock boss has recently become painfully public.

Simultaneously mourning the death of his father and the demise of his marriage, Judd joins the rest of the Foxmans as they reluctantly submit to their patriarch's dying request: to spend the seven days following the funeral together. In the same house. Like a family.

As the week quickly spins out of control, longstanding grudges resurface, secrets are revealed, and old passions reawakened. For Judd, it's a weeklong attempt to make sense of the mess his life has become while trying in vain not to get sucked into the regressive battles of his madly dysfunctional family.

My thoughts:

I remember loving Jonathan Tropper's How to talk to a widower, so I was really looking forward to reading this one. I'm not sure if I've ever heard of sitting shiva (seven day mourning period) before and found it interesting to learn more about the Jewish tradition. Tropper writes humorously but the book is not only funny, it's also heartbreaking and very true. The Foxman family is a bunch of weird individuals whose lives give you a glimpse into different kinds of relationships, life is never easy for anyone. If you're easily offended, then you might not enjoy this book.. I adored it.

Have you read any of my summer reads? Do share your thoughts!

Orbis Terrarum 2010 Wrap-up

noreply@blogger.com (pinkilili) — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 17:34:00 +0000

The Orbis Terrarum Reading Challenge was the first challenge I took part in and it was very exciting! I love traveling so reading around the world was a treat for me. Here are the rules of the challenge in case you still want to take part, the challenge ends in November, so there's still time!

Orbis Terrarum 2010 Challenge Rules:
*The Orbis Terrarum Challenge begins April,1st 2010(you are welcome to join later) through the month of November.
*For the challenge each reader is to choose 8 books (for the 8 months of the challenge).
*Each book must from a different country, I have decided to go by the country of origin of the author, or the country he/she lives in is fine as well-meaning NOT the country the book is set in!
*You don’t have to have a list, that means you can change your mind at any time. As long as there are 8 books you have completed the challenge.

Here are all the books I read:

1. United Kingdom: Twenties Girl - Sophie Kinsella
2. Sri Lanka: The Road from Elephant Pass - Nihal de Silva
3. New Zealand: Novel about My Wife - Emily Perkins
4. North America: Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet - Jamie Ford
5. Cambodia: The Road of Lost Innocence - Somaly Mam
6. Pakistan: Half Life - Roopa Farooki
7. South Africa: People Like Ourselves - Pamela Jooste
8. Iran: Rooftops of Tehran - Mahbod Seraji

Thanks again to Bethany of Dreadlock Girl for hosting this wonderful challenge!

Rooftops of Tehran - Mahbod Seraji

noreply@blogger.com (pinkilili) — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 17:15:00 +0000

Rooftops of Tehran by Mahbod Seraji was my last Orbis Terrarum reading challenge book and it's for Iran. I'm actually sad I've read all the eight books required, it's been so much fun!! Thanks so much to Bethany of Dreadlock Girl for hosting this fabulous challenge. I'll be sure to take part next year. If you're hearing about this challenge for the first time, then I'm sure you can still join and read around the world!

Blurb from Goodreads:

In a middle-class neighborhood of Iran’s sprawling capital city, 17-year-old Pasha Shahed spends the summer of 1973 on his rooftop with his best friend Ahmed, dreaming about the future and asking burning questions about life. Pasha is also wrestling with a crushing secret: he has fallen in love with his beautiful neighbor, Zari, who has been betrothed since birth to another man. Despite Pasha’s guilt for loving her, the long, hot days transform their tentative friendship into a rich, emotional bond. The bliss of one perfect, stolen summer is abruptly shattered in a single night when Pasha unwittingly guides the Shah’s secret police to their target: Zari’s intended. The violent consequences awaken Pasha and his friends to the reality of life under the rule of a powerful despot, and lead Zari to make a shocking choice from which Pasha may never recover.

My thoughts:

I love this book! I've read many books based in Iran but none have been set before the revolution. Seraji's accounts on the happenings of that time period were both facinating and enlightening.

Rooftops of Tehran is a sad story but not one without hope. It's all about friendship and love and it really paints a picture of the Iranians as generous, loyal and kind people. The bond Pasha shares with his friends is truly remarkable and draws the reader into the story. I really enjoyed the way Seraji writes, emotionally and heartwarmingly and it's just a really flowing read.

I can't gush enough about this book and recommend it to everyone. If you're still not sure if you'd enjoy reading this book, check out two other bloggers' reviews:

S. Krishna's Books
Book Addiction

Apparently Mahbod Seraji's next book is about a man with four wives who feels that he's been deprived of love for all of his life!! I seriously can't wait for it's release!

In My Mailbox - 28th June

noreply@blogger.com (pinkilili) — Sun, 27 Jun 2010 17:46:00 +0000

In My Mailbox is a meme hosted by The Story Siren. Mailbox Monday, which I've enjoyed participating in, is being hosted for the last time by Marcia at The Printed Page. Thanks so much for hosting this meme Marcia, I've been a regular and loved it! In both these memes bloggers share the books they've recieved.. which I have to admit has caused my wishlist to expand a bit too much..

Actually, I'm cheating a bit because I got this book weeks ago from my boss but I forgot to mention it. Technically she's not my boss at the moment because she's on leave with her baby, but I can't wait for her to come back to work because she's the best boss anyone could wish for! :) And she reads in English which is not that usual in Finland - so I have someone great to exchange books with!

Perfect Match - Jane Moore

Anything fun in your mailbox?

Midsummer and a Finnish leech

noreply@blogger.com (pinkilili) — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 15:57:00 +0000

Midsummer is a much loved celebration in Finland. Midsummer's Eve is always on a Friday and it's a holiday for everyone. Even all shops close at noon. You could say that Finland shuts down for Midsummer because almost everyone takes off and travels to the countryside to summer houses for rest and relaxation. I say almost everyone because this year we decided to stay in the city. Last year we went to a summer house with my in-laws which was fun but it's also tiresome driving back and forth hundreds of kilometers for just a weekend.

Today is Midsummer's Day and we decided to go trekking to Noux National Park. It's been a while since we were there. At first I was quite enthusiastic about it but once I got there and was attacked by the mosquitoes, I wasn't so sure. At that point I was most scared of spotting snakes..

Whilst walking along, I suddenly felt something sting me beneath my hair. I grabbed what I thought was a mosquito and was shocked to see a LEECH on my hand. Here's a close up of the slimy thing.

I have had a bit of a leech phobia ever since we were in Borneo and the horrid creatures latched onto me on our jungle walk. I've been happy not to see any leeches since then. Actually, we've gone to this particular national park in Finland for seven years and I've NEVER seen a leech in that time - nor anywhere else in Finland, so it was quite a rare occurance. I wish I could say that I was calmly posing for this photo while the leech wiggled on my nail but the truth is that I was screaming hysterically because I was terrified of it sucking my skin again!

Thankfully that was the only slimy creature we came upon and the rest of the trek went quite peacefully - if you don't count a few lost tourists we had to help out!

A collapsed bridge

Is this the right way?

Wooden planks on marshy ground

Even a teen needs to get in touch with nature now and then :)

Happy Midsummer to all!

Love the One You're With - Emily Giffin

noreply@blogger.com (pinkilili) — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 18:52:00 +0000

Ellen has been married for around a year to the perfect guy, Andy. He's thoughtful, cute and even wealthy and on top of all this, his whole family loves her. But when Ellen bumps into her old flame, Leo, she starts doubting her marriage and the life they've built together and pondering on the question what if..

When Leo calls her and asks her to do an assignement with him Ellen finds herself agreeing, all the while knowing that she's getting herself into deep waters by doing so.

Emily Giffin's novel is both heartwarming and bittersweet. I'm sure many readers will find that Ellen is very easy to relate to in her journey to discover she wants. Ellen analyzes everything to the core, making it quite an emotional book - she goes from lust to desperation and back again. I found both Andy and Leo attractive in their own ways and could see why Ellen needed to find closure. And frankly, I did feel that the life she'd settled into sounded a bit boring.

The story is very predictable but Giffin writes in such a way that she still managed to keep my interest throughout. Andy's family seemed a bit too perfect in my opinion and I kept thinking how sad it was that she was questioning the marriage only after being married for such a short while. I'm not sure I can recommend this as a light summer read because it can get tiresome living throughout Ellen's struggle and frustration. But saying that, I'd happily read more by Giffin!

Mailbox Monday - 21st June

noreply@blogger.com (pinkilili) — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 17:06:00 +0000

Mailbox Monday is a meme where booklovers share the books they've recieved throughout the week. Mailbox Monday is hosted by Marcia at The Printed Page. I was happy to recieve two books, the first one through Bookmooch and the other from my lovely friend at work!

Ten Thousand Sorrows : The Extraordinary Journey of a Korean War Orphan by Elizabeth Kim

Knit Two by Kate Jacobs - this is the sequel to The Friday Night Knitting Club

What interesting books were you lucky to get?

A relaxing mini-break

noreply@blogger.com (pinkilili) — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 20:30:00 +0000

I was quite stressed before last weekend, so I was happy to go for a holiday to get a break from it all. Thankfully the holiday was successful and got my thoughts onto other things entirely - isn't that what the best holidays are about?

On Thursday morning I flew from Helsinki to Vienna, Austria. I decided to spend the day there exploring magestic Schönbrunn Palace and shopping before catching the train to Györ, Hungary. I wish I lived in Central Europe - it would be so easy to just drive or catch a train to neighbouring countries!

Scönbrunn and a taste of the gardens

I went on the guided tour of the Palace which was great. Guided in the way that actually you listen to the guide on an electronic appliance and press a button as you proceed from room to room. Each ticket has an exact time when you must enter the palace, they won't let you in even a minute before! The palace was Empress Sisi's summer palace and on the grounds you can find a vast gardens, a labyrinth and even a zoo. Since I wanted to save some time for shopping - I only toured the palace and went on a small walk in the gardens. The palace is really worth a visit, it's lovely!

After the palace I took the metro to the city center. I'm ashamed to say I had to visit Starbucks because we don't have it in Finland and I was craving a frappuccino. But at the end of the day I also visited the gorgeous Oberlaa for a strudel and tea, so at least I got to have an Austrian experience as well!

Oberlaa

I found a stunning shop in Vienna - the Swarovski Flagship Store. I've never seen so much glitter and sparkle, it was really cool! I had my eye on a bracelet but the prices were sky high, so decided to leave it - maybe I regret that a bit now..

A gorgeous bracelet from Swarovski

In the evening I hopped on the train to Hungary and met up with my husband in Györ. Györ is a town halfway between Vienna and Budapest. The train journey only took a bit over one hour. Györ a pretty place with a historical center. It is known for it's industrial area but don't let that fool you! I loved the fact that it was so warm that we were able to sit on the terraces even in the evening after dinner.

The inner town square where people gather

Friday was spent exploring Györ while my husband was working and on Saturday we rented a car and drove to Lake Balaton. Lake Balaton is a much-loved vacation spot for Hungarians and I love it too! We chose to go to the main town, Balatonfüred. The last time I was there it rained so much that we couldn't enjoy the lake. There are many beach areas (mostly grass, not real beach) which are fenced and you pay to get in. We chose the beach Lonely Planet recommended, Kisfaludy Beach, which was a good choice. The lake is a lovely green color and great to swim in. The area also had restaurants and bars, so you can spend the whole day there!

Balatonfüred's ambiance

On Sunday we drove to Fertőd to visit Esterházy Palace which is also known as the Hungarian Versailles. The composer Hayden worked for the Esterházy family and his works were performed in the Opera House on the grounds of the palace. Quite remarkable!

The palace grounds

Before my husband dropped me off at the Vienna airport, we had time for a quick lunch in the pretty town Sopron. Once again we followed Lonely Planet to the Restaurant Jégverem where apparently the portions are huge even for Hungarian standards. How true - I ordered half a portion and couldn't even finish that!

Sopron

I walked so much on my mini-break that I got huge blisters on my feet. I've now bought sport sandals and however silly I'm goíng to look in them, I'm going to wear them on our next holiday - comfort before style! Okay, it's not like me to say so, but since we're a family who loves to walk, even I have to make sacrifices :)

People Like Ourselves - Pamela Jooste

noreply@blogger.com (pinkilili) — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 18:18:00 +0000

This was my seventh Orbis Terrarum read, the country being South Africa.

I was drawn to this book on my trip to Johannesburg because of the absolutely divine cover. And I am not the only one - I was reading this book in Vienna last weekend when the waiter at the Italian restaurant I chose to have lunch commented on the beauty of the book!! My other reason for purchasing the book was that it's based in South Africa which in my opinion is a very facinating country.

From Fantasticfiction:

Julia belongs to the inner circle of Johannesburg high society. It is rumoured that all those not invited to her wedding pretended to be out of town at their beach houses to save face. But in the New South Africa, things have changed. The days of tea on the lawn are over and white 'madams' of the affluent suburbs like Julia have to adjust. Julia's husband, Douglas, is a serial adulterer and is no longer willing to pay for the small luxuries she has always enjoyed. Her daughter has rebelled herself right out of her life. She doesn't seem to be able to manage the 'home workers' who appear, in these new days, to come with a will of their own, and her best friend, Caroline, is quietly considering killing her husband. Now Douglas's ex-wife, who is never spoken of, has announced her intention of coming to visit from London bringing, no doubt, her politically correct credentials along with her. She's coming to see Nelson Mandela, she says.

My thoughts:

The story moves in a slow way, mixing past and present quite elegantly. Jooste writes in a sophisticated manner and I felt that I had to read with concentration, so as not to miss anything.

I've read quite a few reviews where the reviewer has mentioned the book being humorous and funny. Unfortunately I failed to find that side of the book. The underlying feeling for me was sadness and longing. Maybe if you're South African, you can find the humour in the book?

The characters all seem to be alone in their own way, loneliness just radiates from them. Most of them are finding adjusting to the new South Africa difficult, others are just lugging along as always. In the end I felt like crying from all the sadness the book made me feel.

The book awoke thoughts on South Africa's colorful history and where the country might be heading in the future. All in all People Like Ourselves was a different read which left me unsettled and even a bit uncomfortable afterwards. But saying that, you don't always need to feel light and airy after interesting reads.

Wish You Were Here - Mike Gayle

noreply@blogger.com (pinkilili) — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 17:37:00 +0000

I grabbed this book on a whim from the library, hoping for a light, summery read.

From Bookdepository:

Their holiday brochure said 18-30 ...But they've just turned 35. After ten years together Charlie Mansell has been dumped by his live-in girlfriend, Sarah. All he wants to do is wallow in misery, but mates Andy and Tom have a better idea: a week of sun, sea and souvlaki in Malia, party capital of the Greek islands. But Charlie and his mates aren't eighteen any more. Or even under thirty. And it shows. It isn't the cheap beer, the late nights or even the fast-food that's the problem. It's girls. And life. And most of all ...each other. WISH YOU WERE HERE is a heart-warming, funny and wise tale about love and friendship and how seven days in the sun can change your life forever.

My thoughts:

I enjoyed the book and it certainly was a light summer read, just perfect for the beach - after all, it's about a holiday. I couldn't help thinking that the book was just like chick-lit but with guys as the main characters.

I liked Charlie the best, he's a very sympathetic and real but I did find him quite soppy. All the friends are opposites of each other and each have their own dilemmas to deal with. I felt that Andy was extremely irritating and obnoxious and I wouldn't put up with him for even a day.

The book is a fast and entertaining read although the outcome is quite predictable. Reading the book made me want to go on holiday but the thought of going to a place (when you're over 30) which is targeted at the 18-year old crowd sounds ghastly and absolutely nightmarish. I can't really imagine why anyone would want to do that or even go to a holiday destination where the main reson for being there is to party. I guess the guys - at least Andy - want to recapture their youth but what will come of that.. Find out for yourself!

Holiday!

noreply@blogger.com (pinkilili) — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 20:24:00 +0000

I'm going on holiday tomorrow. I'm accompanying my husband on his business trip to Hungary for a few days. I was in Hungary a few summers ago and I really liked it. It was a speedy visit because we were driving around Croatia, Slovenia, Italy, Hungary and Austria for two weeks and as you can imagine, we didn't really have that much time to spend in one place.

Vienna in 2008

I'm flying to Vienna where I'll spend Thursday shopping and looking around. I'm hoping to find a nice cafe for a strudel as well! In the late afternoon I'm going to catch a train to Györ, which is a 1 h 15 min train journey from Vienna. I tried to surf the web to find out where I'm supposed to catch the train but couldn't really understand which train station was the right one. I then found a tourist-info email address, where I asked for help and you won't believe what a detailed and informative email I recieved from them. Great service! They even told me which train station I should go to so I can store my bag, since the other train station doesn't have any storage lockers! I'm truly impressed.

I'll be flying back on Sunday evening and right back to work on Monday!

Mailbox Monday - 7th June

noreply@blogger.com (pinkilili) — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 10:13:00 +0000

Only one book in mailbox through Bookmooch:

Hungry: A Mother and Daughter Fight Anorexia by Sheila and Lisa Himmel

Read Heather's review of the book at book addiction.

Mailbox Monday is a meme where booklovers share the books they've recieved throughout the week. Mailbox Monday is hosted by Marcia at The Printed Page.

Anything fun in your mailbox?

The Book of Tomorrow - Cecelia Ahern

noreply@blogger.com (pinkilili) — Sat, 05 Jun 2010 09:29:00 +0000

Previously I've read two books by Cecelia Ahern - PS I Love You and If You Could See Me Now which were cute entertaining reads but nothing I got excited about. The Book of Tomorrow was a total different Cecelia Ahern reading experience for me! I seriously didn't want it to end. There's always something magical in Ahern's books and this one really is a beautiful fairytale adults and teens alike can enjoy.

From Cecelia Ahern's site:

Tamara Goodwin has always got everything she’s ever wanted. Born into a family of wealth, she grew up in a mansion with its own private beach, a wardrobe full of designer clothes, and a large four poster bed complete with a luxurious bathroom en-suite. She’s always lived in the here and now, never giving a second thought to tomorrow.

But then suddenly her dad is gone and life for Tamara and her mother changes forever. Left with a mountain of debt, they have no choice but to sell everything they own and move to the country to live with Tamara’s Uncle and Aunt. Nestled next to Kilsaney Castle, their gate house is a world away from Tamara’s childhood. With her Mother shut away with grief, and her Aunt busy tending to her, Tamara is lonely and bored and longs to return to Dublin.

When a travelling library passes through Kilsaney Demesne, Tamara is intrigued. She needs a distraction. Her eyes rest on a mysterious large leather bound tome locked with a gold clasp and padlock. With some help, Tamara finally manages to open the book. What she discovers within the pages takes her breath away and shakes her world to its core.

My thoughts:

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It's a joy to pick up since the cover of the book is beautiful and fits the story perfectly. Ahern makes the characters come alive and keeps the reader guessing till the very end. Even though Tamara is a teenager, she's very easy to realate to. I really enjoyed the fantasy of the book and the magical atmosphere. Ahern describes the setting wonderfully and it's easy to get lost in the story. This is a book to curl up to and read in one sitting. I've read so many painful books lately that this was exactly what I needed!

Let the Northern Lights Erase Your Name by Vendela Vida

noreply@blogger.com (pinkilili) — Sat, 05 Jun 2010 08:52:00 +0000

I really love the name of Vendela Vida's book - Let the Northern Lights Erase Your Name - it's so haunting. I have to admit that it was one of the reasons I wanted to read this book. The other reason was that it's a book partly based in Finnish Lapland.

Clarissa has just buried her father when she finds out that he wasn't her real dad after all. Her birth certificate says that her biological father is a Sami (the indigenous people of Lapland) living in Finnish Lapland. Clarissa decides to drop everything, leave her finacé and her disabled brother behind and travel to Finland to look for her roots. After all, she's experienced her mother dropping everything and dissapearing when she was a teenager. But in the end, what Clarissa finds in Lapland isn't exactly what she was expecting..

I loved this book and actually completed it in one day. I really liked Clarissa even thought the choices she makes aren't ones I'd reccomend. Clarissa comes about as self-centered which can be a bit off-putting. Still, you can't ignore the history she has and the effect it has on these choices. The book is about facing the past, coping with what life brings you, identity and family-ties.

I'm sure readers who don't know anything about Finland or Lapland will find the potrayal interesting. BUT being Finnish, I was very amused with some aspects of the book - the author really hadn't done her reasearch properly, mixing up Finland and Iceland and her own (?) imagination. I understand that the audience she's writing for is clueless about Finland but once a Finn or someone who has been to Finland reads a book like this, the mistakes are obvious.

First-of-all, when Clarissa arrives in Finland she takes the hotel shuttle bus to the hotel and the driver checks her into the hotel. Hmm.. there are no shuttle buses for hotels in Helsinki and the driver would never check the customers in - Helsinki is the capital of Finland, not some small rural town! I doubt that would even happen there. Second, Clarissa showers in sulphur smelling water - there's no such water in Helsinki, you'd have to travel to Iceland to experience that. The people in church kneel to pray, which I've never heard of in Finland, at least not in the kind of congregation Vida describes it happening in.

Here's is my favourite mix-up:

"The desk in my Helsinki hotel room had a thin phone book in its top drawer. Finland was so small that every listing fit into the same volume, the numbers organized by town."

There are over five million people living in Finland and you most certainly cannot fit them all into a thin phone book! Iceland has 317,630 inhabitants, so maybe Vida mixed the two countries here as well. I'm not an expert in Sami culture but there seemed to be some inconsistencies there as well.

Saying that, I still enjoyed the book and recommend it to everyone but please take the descriptions of Lapland, Finland and the Sami people with a grain of salt.

If...

noreply@blogger.com (pinkilili) — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 21:20:00 +0000

I stumbled on Uniquely Priya's website and found this tag on her webpage.

If I were a month, I’d be April because it marks the beginning of Spring.. and my son and I have our birthdays in April ;)

If I were a day of the week, I’d be Wednesday - by then Monday is over and everyone is looking forward to the weekend.

If I were a time of day, I’d be evening.. when everything slows down.

If I were a season, I’d be Summer because I'm such a sucker for the sun and warmth.

If I were a planet, I’d be our home planet, Earth. Where else can you find such diversity?

If I were a direction, I’d be South East - because I love South East Asia, hee hee.

If I were a piece of furniture, I’d be a comfy, plush reading chair.

If I were a liquid, I’d be water - the most precious resource.

If I were a tree, I’d be an Umbrella Thorn Acacia. There's just something breathtaking about the acacia and it can survive in all kinds of conditions - drought, rain, heat and freezing temparatures.

If I were a tool, I’d be jewelry making pliers because you can create beautiful things with them!

If I were a flower, I’d be a hot pink gerbera, because it's the cutest flower and gerberas stand for cheerfullness.

If I were an element, I’d be Ag.. silver.

If I were a gemstone, I’d be jade. Jade is thought to attract love and money and bring you clarity. It also gives you protection and healing.

If I were a kind of weather, I’d be sunshine after the rain.

If I were a musical instrument, I’d be an electric guitar :)

If I were a color, I’d be purple which is the color of magic and mystery..

If I were an emotion, I’d be empathy, because where would the world be without empahty?

If I were a fruit, I’d be a mangosteen, sweet and tangy.

If I were a sound, I’d be a baby's laughter.

If I were a car, I’d be a four door Smart. Okay, that's my dream car as well!

If I were a material, I’d be Thai silk.

If I were a food, I’d be sushi - cool and sophisticated, not to mention healthy.

If I were a taste, I’d be curry, a mix of spices.

If I were a scent, I’d be a sweet scented Lilac flower.

If I were an object, I’d be a book - suprise!

If I were a sound, I’d be the call for prayer from a mosque. I'm not Muslim but I grew up listening to the sound and still find it very comforting.

If I were a body part, I’d be hands. You can tell a lot from people's hands!

If I were a place, I’d be the jungle in Cameron Highlands, Malaysia because then I would know the secret to what happend to the American Thai Silk King Jim Thompson who dissapeared into the jungle mysteriously. I've been intrigued by this since I was a child!

If I were a facial expression, I’d be the twinkle in someones eyes.

If I were a pair of shoes, I’d be a pair of flat strappy sandals used on carefree holidays.

Hope to see this tag on your blog as well!

Do you run?

noreply@blogger.com (pinkilili) — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 20:29:00 +0000

I always thought that I couldn't run. I'd tried it on and off over the years and felt like it was pure torture!It didn't take more than a few weeks for me to quit and I always vowed never to run again. This year was different. I really felt that I needed to get myself in shape - nordic walking and aqua jogging just wasn't doing it for me.

People who run always say that all you need to run are good runnning shoes. So the first thing I did was buy a pair and threw in a pair of running socks as well.

After that I've got a Suunto watch and belt to track my heart rate and a footpod to keep track of the kilometers. Not to mention different kinds of running clothes for the varying weather we have in Finland. And my husband actually thought that running was a cheap hobby! ;)

What I love about running is that you can do it anywhere anytime. There's no wasted minutes getting in the car and driving to a gym to excercise - you can just take off the minute you open your front door. It's a great chance to get some fresh air and now that I can run longer distances, I can explore new places. I love running by the beach and just breathing in the salty sea air!

The longest distance I've run is 11,5 km. At the moment my regular run is 6-7 km. Now that it's summer, running is fun and easy but when the rains kick in in September there might be some motivation problems! I can't imagine that I would run in the snow and ice, so I might have to think of something else for the winter.

One of the reasons I've managed to stick with running compared to other times I've quit as soon as I'd started, is that I have a running partner - my husband. Kudos to him for putting up with my slow paced runs!

I was inspired by my dear Danish friend to start running, so I hope this post inspires someone else to dig out their trainers and take a shot!

Mailbox Monday - 31st May

noreply@blogger.com (pinkilili) — Sun, 30 May 2010 18:04:00 +0000

The last Monday of May is here! Mailbox Monday is a meme where bloggers share the books which they've got during the past week. I love seeing what others have recieved and getting new ideas of books to look forward to. Marcia at The Printed Page hosts Mailbox Monday.

I haven't been recieving so many books throught the mail lately because I've discovered that our library has many of the books I have on my wishlist. I like how I can borrow a book and if I don't like what I'm reading, I can just ditch the book and go for another one! And it doesn't cost a thing. I've been going to the library every week now and hauling books home but over half of them go into the "could-not-finish" pile. Anyway, I did recieve one book this week via Bookmooch:

Something Might Happen by Julie Myerson

Please share yours!

Half Life by Roopa Farooki

noreply@blogger.com (pinkilili) — Sun, 30 May 2010 17:26:00 +0000

Half Life by Roopa Farooki is my sixth Orbis Terrarum book which means that I only have two more to go! The author is from Lahore, Pakistan.

From Bookdepository:

'It's time to stop fighting, and go home'. Those were the words that finally persuaded Aruna to walk out of her East London flat in the middle of breakfast, wearing flimsy sandals on a brisk Spring day, carrying nothing more substantial than a handbag, and keep on walking. Leaving behind her marriage to Patrick, her adoring husband of less than a year, she gets on a plane to Singapore, running back home to the city and the old life she had run away from in the first place. And there she finds her childhood friend and former lover, Jazz, troubled by the pleas of the dying father he refuses to forgive, who has never stopped waiting for her to return. After years spent fleeing the ghosts of her past - the life that she and Jazz tried and failed to make together, the terrible revelation that tore their relationship apart, and the troubling psychological diagnosis she would rather forget - Aruna is about to discover that running away is easy. It is coming home - making peace with herself, Jazz and those they have loved - that is hard.

My thoughts:

Half Life caught my eye first because of the beautiful cover and second because in addition to London, it's based in Malaysia and Singapore. And those of you who know me, know that I will read any book which will take me to the two latter countries. I was a bit disappointed though because I didn't get the feel of the atmosphere as well as I would have liked.

At first I thought I had the story all figured out and actually felt quite annoyed by that. But in the end I was nicely suprised to find out that things weren't exactly as I thought they were and felt quite foolish! Unfortunately I didn't connect with any of the characters till the very end and didn't even like the main character Aruna, whose behaviour really got to me.

Farooki writes in a very flowing way, so the book is easy and fast to read. Like many of the books I've been reading lately, this one also has intense issues going on in the story but since I don't want to give anything of the story away, I'll just name manic depression as one of them.

I've read many praising reviews for this book, so if any of my readers have read it, I'd love to hear your thoughts. Like I said, the book was a flowing read and interesting enough to finish, so I can't say that I didn't like it at all, but it wasn't such a great read for me - I think I was expecting too much!

Precious by Sapphire

noreply@blogger.com (pinkilili) — Sun, 30 May 2010 16:16:00 +0000

Precious by Sapphire is also known as Push. The book is about Precious, a sixteen-year-old girl. She lives with her abusive mother in Harlem and is pregnant for the second time by her father. Her first baby who she had when she was 12 years old has Down Syndrome and is cared for by Precious' grandmother. The book is Precious' journal which is quite an achievement because when the story starts, she's illiterate! Precious is suspended out of school for being pregnant but fortunately get's a second chance at schooling through a special program called Each One Teach One. With the guidance of a inspirational teacher, Precious starts learning to read and write AND makes friends for the first time in her life.

The book deals with serious issues like poverty, incest, rape, HIV/AIDS, teen pregnancy and education. As you can imagine, it's not an easy book to read and I have to admit I felt quite depressed once I'd finished it. I was planning to watch the movie but since the book was so intense that I don't think I can watch the movie anymore!

Precious herself is a wonderful and strong character. She's been through so much but still has the will to fight and make something of her life. The book isn't entirely bleak - there's a hopeful aura around the story. It took a while to get used to the way Precious writes because her spelling isn't very good and she writes phonetically. Saying that, I wouldn't have it any other way, it's what makes the journal so special and moving!

I heard that this book has recieved reviews where reviewers have said that the story is unrealistic. I'm saddened to say, I did not find it unrealistic at all. What Precious goes through is happening as I write this. The horrific fact is that there are children in this world who have to live through similar experiences everyday and even though it's an ugly truth, it's something we have to wake up to.

Mailbox Monday - 24th May

noreply@blogger.com (pinkilili) — Sun, 23 May 2010 09:40:00 +0000

Mailbox Monday is here again! It's been a few weeks since I've taken part because I've just been too busy to blog. But not too busy to recieve interesting books :)

Mailbox Monday a meme where bloggers share the books that they've got during the past week. I love seeing what others have got but be warned that it can result in a really looooong wishlist. The Printed Page hosts Mailbox Monday and The Story Siren In My Mailbox - visit the sites to see other bloggers' loot!

Here's mine:

Secret Daughter by Shilpi Somaya Gowda - very very excited about this one, an adoption theme!!

A Change in Altitude by Anita Shreve - also extremely excited and can't wait to read this, it's based in Kenya one of my most favourite countries in the world.

Find Me by Rosie O'Donnell - could be interesting, many different opinions about this book going around.

Loose Girl by Kerry Cohen - not sure about this one, seems quite disturbing.

What goodies came to your mailbox this week?

The Lace Reader - Brunonia Barry

noreply@blogger.com (pinkilili) — Sat, 22 May 2010 21:10:00 +0000

I've really been behind with my book reviews and reading everyone's blogs because we've been selling our house! Tonight I've managed to catch up on some of the blogs I follow and write two reviews. Here's a final one more for this evening - The Lace Reader by Brunonia Barry.

From Bookdepository:

Drawn by family. Driven by fear. Haunted by fate. Would knowing the future be a gift or a burden? Or even a curse!? The Whitney women of Salem, Massachusetts are renowned for reading the future in the patterns of lace. But the future doesn't always bring good news -- as Towner Whitney knows all too well. When she was just fifteen her gift sent her whole world crashing to pieces. She predicted -- and then witnessed -- something so horrific that she vowed never to read lace again, and fled her home and family for good. Salem is a place of ghosts for Towner, and she swore she would never return. Yet family is a powerful tie. So it is that fifteen years later, Towner finds herself back in Salem. Her beloved Great Aunt Eva has suddenly disappeared -- and when you've lived a life like Eva's, that could mean real trouble. But Salem is wreathed in sickly shadows and whispered half-memories. It's fast becoming clear that the ghosts of Towner's fractured past have not been brought fully into the light. And with them comes the threat of terrifying new disaster. A literary page-turner with depth, narrative power and a story that novels like 'The Thirteenth Tale' can only dream of, 'The Lace Reader' is a bewitching and tightly plotted read.

My thoughts:

I really wasn't sure what to expect when I started this book. Reading lace sounded really strange and not at all appealing, quite boring actually. But I found myself really immersed in the story from the very first pages and absolutely loved this book!

At first glance I didn't really warm to Towner, she seemed distant and aloof but once the story progressed, I saw that there was so much more to her than the first impression. All the different characters and what goes on with them keeps you on your toes at all times.

I don't want to give anything away, but let's say that I was truly suprised as the story unwound itself and had to return to the beginning to really make sure I hadn't missed anything. The Lace Reader also deals with many serious issues like mental illness and sexual abuse.

I'm sure many of you have read this book already, so do let me know what you thought!

The Road of Lost Innocence - Somaly Mam

noreply@blogger.com (pinkilili) — Sat, 22 May 2010 20:28:00 +0000

The Road of Lost Innocence: As a girl she was sold into sexual slavery, but now she rescues others. The true story of a Cambodian heroine is my fifth Orbis Terrarum read and it's for Cambodia.

From Bookdepository:

Somaly Mam was abandoned as a baby and looked after by her grandmother until she disappeared. She was then taken into the care of a man she called 'grandfather', but was treated no better than an unpaid servant. sold. Raped at twelve, Somaly was forced to marry at fifteen and then sold to a brothel. She endured years of abuse before managing to escape. The Road of Lost Innocence is a moving account of a traumatic childhood and also the inspirational story of a determined and courageous woman devoted to helping other girls caught up in the illegal sex trade and violent underworld in Cambodia. In 1997 Somaly Mam co-founded AFESIP to combat trafficking in women and children for sexual slavery.

My thoughts:

This book was recommended to me by a friend and I'm very grateful to her for pointing it out. It's not an easy book to read. Somaly accounts the raw truth and the horrors of her experiences to open our eyes to the reality which millions of children worldwide are facing.

At the end of the book I felt sick to my stomach and tremendously angry at the parents who sell their children like livestock and the disgusting men who exploit and rape these kids. This is happening all over the world, not only in Cambodia - even in the States and Europe - and the children can be as young as 4-years old. Somaly Mam's book is a powerful and inspiring read and I recommend it to everyone.

Somaly Mam is a true heroine and an example to all women. Her cause to combat human trafficking and sexual slavery deserves all our attention. Please take a moment to visit the Somaly Mam Foundation website or their Facebook page.

Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet - Jamie Ford

noreply@blogger.com (pinkilili) — Sat, 22 May 2010 20:07:00 +0000

Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet is my fourth Orbis Terrarum Reading Challenge read. It's for North America, since the author Jamie Ford was born there.

The book is set in Seattle, where Chinese-American Henry lives. The book goes back and forth between the 1940s (World War II) and 1986, describing Henry's life as a young boy and then as an old man. In the 1940s 12-year old Henry attends a prestigious American school on a scholarship but despite the opportunity feels like an outsider. Then one day, Keiko, a pretty Japanese-American girl, starts attending the school and the two become good friends. Henry is torn between his love for Keiko and his loyality to his family, who is very anti-Japanese and consider them the enemy. In 1986 Henry has just lost his wife when he discovers that the old Hotel Panama from his childhood neighbourhood is being restored and the belongings of Japanese people interned during WWII have been found in the basement. This brings back the memories and Henry feels the need to discover the past and what it holds.

Before starting to read this book I really fell in love with the name. I mean, bitter and sweet, that's what life is about, isn't it! I found it to be a very enjoyable read. Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet is a story about families, love and friendship. I found it moving and have admit I felt warm and fuzzy after completing it.

The story in itself is quite predictable but I do love historical fiction, so that compensated for the lack of suprises. Ford taught me a lot about the internment of Japanese Americans during the WWII and I'm sure it's something everyone should know more about.

The dilemmas Henry faces seem very real - should he rebel against his family and the values they stand for and give up his best friend? I'm sure anyone brought up on Asian values can identify with his conflicting feelings on some level. If you liked Shanghai Girls by Lisa See then I'm sure you'll enjoy Ford's book, so I urge you to pick it up!

Mailbox Monday - 3rd May

noreply@blogger.com (pinkilili) — Sun, 02 May 2010 16:25:00 +0000

Mailbox Monday is here again! It's a meme where bloggers share the books that they've got during the past week. I love seeing what others have got but be warned that it can result in a really looooong wishlist. The Printed Page hosts Mailbox Monday and The Story Siren In My Mailbox - visit the sites to see other bloggers' loot!

I recieved one book, via Bookmooch:

The Point of Rescue by Sophie Hannah

I've never read anything by Sophie Hannah, so I don't know what to expect - let me know if you've read this book!

Anything fun in your mailbox?

Novel About My Wife by Emily Perkins - New Zealand

noreply@blogger.com (pinkilili) — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 17:17:00 +0000

Novel About My Wife is my third Orbis Terrarum read. It's by New Zealander Emily Perkins. I bought the book from Johannesburg in March because I really felt the storyline was calling out to me and I was facinated by the cover of the book.

Tom Stone and Ann are in their forties and expecting their first child. Life is good although their finances seem to be spiralling out of control. There's a shadow looming over them because Ann is sure she's being followed by a mysterious homeless guy who Tom never manages to see. As the pregnancy progresses, Ann's behaviour becomes stranger and stranger..

I'm going to be brutally honest. I did not like this book. I found it very hard to follow and had to go back and re-read sections just to understand what was going on - maybe it was all too complex for me? The life Tom and Ann are living is not pleasant. They try to survivie their financial troubles and all the things going wrong around them. They're living quite a sad life actually.

But saying that, this story did affect me somehow. So even though I didn't like the book, it did make an impression. I felt that it was very disturbing and Ann's delusional behaviour frightening. After finishing the book I started having really vivid dreams which weren't entirely positive and I'm sure it's because of this read.

I'd love to hear what other bloggers thought of this book!