This is a simple story really, about a little girl, her brother, death, a stolen book and a new home. It takes place in Germany in the 1940's and tellThis is a simple story really, about a little girl, her brother, death, a stolen book and a new home. It takes place in Germany in the 1940's and tells the story of the girl's foster parents, the joy of reading, a Jew, everyday people, bread, words, an accordion, Hitler, theft and a snowman.
It is narrated by a common presence in that place at that time; Death himself. A thief is on the loose and life itself hangs in the balance.
A chilling look at life in a small town in Germany during the Holocaust. Brilliantly narrated....more
I looked, and had an acute pleasure in looking - a precious yet poingnant pleasure; pure gold, with a steely point of agony: a pleasure like what the I looked, and had an acute pleasure in looking - a precious yet poingnant pleasure; pure gold, with a steely point of agony: a pleasure like what the thirst-perishing man might feel who knows the well to which he has crept is poisoned, yet stoops and drinks divine draughts nevertheless.
To read Jane Eyre is to drink from this well, to imbibe a nectar that will reawaken all your senses, to the pure delight and artistry of the written word. This work, for me, shall hold court over every love story I have ever read. To say anything seems, somehow, to demean the absolute beauty and brilliance of this work.
Suffice then to say that I feel forever changed by the experience. Am I gushing? I should be. I absolutely adored it! Have no doubt that I will drink from this well again and often....more
This marks the third time that I have dipped into the writing pool of Ann Patchett and let me tell you, she does not disappoint! Dr. Marina Singh embaThis marks the third time that I have dipped into the writing pool of Ann Patchett and let me tell you, she does not disappoint! Dr. Marina Singh embarks on a trip to Brazil in an effort to determine two things: What happened to her colleague, who had died there scant weeks ago and what kind of progress was being made by her former mentor in the development of a new fertility drug that was being funded by her pharmaceutical company. Both of these tasks prove to be most complex and difficult to acheive. Her former mentor's work is at the center of her journey and involves a little known tribe of people whose ability to procreate extends well into their seventies and proves to be as closely linked to their life's rituals as the environment in which they live. Patchett is such a fine writer that you become an unseen guest on this quest into the Amazon rain forest. Encounters with cannibals, poison arrows, humongous anacondas, pyschedelic fungi and the ever incessant, insect infested jungle. OH MY! This one left me in a State of Wonder. ...more
If you are looking for a good story to escape into for a while, look no further. The Forgotten Garden weaves a tangled tale of family secrets, kept hiIf you are looking for a good story to escape into for a while, look no further. The Forgotten Garden weaves a tangled tale of family secrets, kept hidden for generations. Kate Morton does an excellent job of creating mystery and intrigue that spans generations as one woman searches for her true identity and finds her family in an unexpected place along the way. Good Stuff!
This book is impossible to resist. It has fairly leapt to the top shelf, where it's nestled down deep with my all time favourites. I confess to being This book is impossible to resist. It has fairly leapt to the top shelf, where it's nestled down deep with my all time favourites. I confess to being initially reluctant to delve into this story, I mean who really needs another campy, vampire tale? Lucky for me I put these feelings aside long enough to read the first chapter after which there was no looking back.
Step into the pages and begin an eerie, haunted, hypnotic adventure thoroughly saturated in ancient history and wondrous, exotic, old European churches, monasteries and libraries that are positively brimming with ancient parchment and long, forgotten maps and books. Kostova's historical tracking of the real Vlad Drakulya is flawless and she is able to describe with a chilling, atmospheric eye for detail, the many settings as well as the political climate in which this story unfolds. A full speed ahead rich, historical thriller with enough gothic images, cultural folklore, ancient crypts and creaking stairs that it is sure to raise the hair on the back of your neck and no doubt a compulsive, insatiable interest in this age old tale.
Who would think that a story about forensic accounting could be so exciting? Welcome to the world of Ava Lee, a young Canadian-Chinese accountant extr Who would think that a story about forensic accounting could be so exciting? Welcome to the world of Ava Lee, a young Canadian-Chinese accountant extraordinaire. In pursuit of five million in misappropriated funds Ava will take you on a heart pumping, journey fom Toronto to Seattle. From Hong Kong to Bangkok the tension builds until Ava finds herself in Guyana and destined for the British Virgin Islands. As an accountant who is five foot three and 115 pounds soaking wet, Ava still lays claim to some unique gifts of strength and perseverance, chief among them the ancient study of Bak Mei, all of which she will need when she comes up against Captain Robbins, a god father like figure who seemingly controls everyone and everything in Guyana. If Ava is to complete her assignment and redirect the five million in stolen funds back to her client she will no doubt need Captain Robbins help......but can she trust him? Who says bean counters don't have fun? I for one will be waiting for the next installment of Ava Lee's adventures in unorthodox accounting.
Every now and again you come across a book that has the power to make you laugh out loud, shed a tear or two, hope for a better day or even become audEvery now and again you come across a book that has the power to make you laugh out loud, shed a tear or two, hope for a better day or even become audibly profane with one of the book's characters. The Help is one of those rare finds. Set in the early sixties, deep in Mississippi it is the story of three women who represent both sides of the racial divide. Taking unimaginable risks two black maids and one white socialite form a bond and meet in secret to compile a tell all book about what it is like to work as a black maid in the white homes of the deep south. The Help is a story about something real, something courageous and something that should matter to us all, hope for a better tomorrow. Extraordinary..........everyone should read it. ...more
All I can say is that I thoroughly enjoyed this classic, gothic, horror novel. No need to tell you what it is all about as I expect near everyone is sAll I can say is that I thoroughly enjoyed this classic, gothic, horror novel. No need to tell you what it is all about as I expect near everyone is somewhat familiar with this tale, a fact, which in itself speaks volumes. I found the writing to be quite fresh and clean and hypnotic in it's simple elegance. Sufficiently creepy and well wrought, to have inspired over a century of followers, very few of which stand up as well as the original. Positively Chilling!
Wow, from the opening line Death is my beat. to the chilling conclusion, this haunting tale grabs you by the scuff of your neck and never lets go.
Mee Wow, from the opening line Death is my beat. to the chilling conclusion, this haunting tale grabs you by the scuff of your neck and never lets go.
Meet Jack McEvoy a reporter who makes his way covering murder stories. Little does he know that the next story he will write involves the death of his own brother, an apparent suicide. Jack has a difficult time accepting that his brother Sean, a homicide detective, would take his own life, further still he does not understand his brother's last words, written by his hand just before death " Out of space. Out of time" He begins to investigate the possible meaning in that message and in the process uncovers other deaths and other quotes, left by a suicidal hand. It would seem that other detectives also quoted Edgar Allan Poe in their final dying moments.
As Jack's investigation continues it becomes clear that he is on the path of a serial killer of unprecedented savagery. On more than one occasion as I followed Jack on his hunt for the killer I was sure I had it figured out. Not! This one keeps you guessing, delivering unexpected twists and turns as you navigate the final chapters, most likely white knuckling each page at break neck speed. A haunting and irresistable thriller!
Arah-Lynda
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Books:
2011
(42)
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