Here are the Books on my Nightstand right now.
Recent Reads I'm too lazy to properly review. I shall call them Mini Reviews. Click for more mini reviews!
LEFT Neglected by Lisa Genova
By the same author who wrote Still Alice, Left Neglected is a new novel with a similar feel. It tells the story of a working mom, trying to have it all, and her struggle to recover from a car accident that's left her unable to go back to the life she knew. From the Sarah Nickerson's perspective, we learn about the neurological syndrome called Left Neglect, aptly named as it is when the brain does not recognize the left side of the body (caused by damage to the right hemisphere of the brain).
It's a decent read, though I found not as engaging as her other novel, where I felt I was looking through the eyes of the antagonist.
I appreciate the way Genova studies what she writes about and portrays things with as much truth as an "outsider" can. While her writing itself and style are not among my favourites, it's a quick and easy read that made me contemplate my life a little.
You may have seen the movie previews for this story, featuring George Clooney. Yep, that's him on the cover. My Nana loaned me the book and I quite enjoyed it. It was easy to read, quite conversational really. In the first couple of pages we meet a dad and his 10-year-old daughter who are coping with the unpredictability of the mom who has been in a coma for 20-something days. The father's not close to either of his two daughters (the other a teenager). In light of his wife's current condition, he takes on an active role of father while struggling to make a decision about whether or not he should sell his inherited land in Hawaii.
It's a family saga and comedy mishmashed together. The plot moves a bit slowly, but once a couple of chapters in, I wanted to read on and enjoy, from the father's perspective, getting to know the children and seeing relationships develop.
The first three-quarters of the book were decent, though somewhat predictable. This Southern "thriller" is set in the late 1960's, featuring twin 12-year-old girls, Shenny and Woody, whose mother disappeared. Her disappearance lead one twin (Woody) to stop speaking and turned their father, Judge Carmody, into a mean drunk. Coming up on the first anniversary of their mother's disappearance, their father threatens to send Woody away which spurs Shenny to do all that she can to located her mother. While encouraging her sister to speak and sleuthing around for clues about her mother's disappearance, Shenny begins to put things together and it is through her 12-year-old eyes and ears that we learn the truth. I enjoyed the point-of-view, but found the last bit of the book dragged on and on once the mystery was revealed. Not a bad no-brainer book, if that's what you feel like.
A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin (part of the series A Song of Ice and Fire)
I will preface this write-up with the fact that I don't usually read (or enjoy) books in the fantasy genre, but was compelled to give them a try after watching - and loving - the first season of the HBO series. Therein lies the first problem I had reading the book: I knew what was going to happen. This made it difficult to stay focused, instead I found myself skimming a lot. Once I made it through, I was eager to start the second book in the series A Clash of Kings. I have battled through about 100 pages and have set aside for now.
I'm not a huge fan of Martin's writing style. I mean, don't get me wrong, he certainly excels in character development (very important to me), interweaving plots, and has brilliantly created an entire universe. Somewhat similar to Tolkien, Martin writes very flowery prose, though not particularly lyrical. The only time I enjoy this sort of writing is when it has rhythm and a poetic-feel. I can't believe I'm saying this, but I think this is the first time - ever - that I have enjoyed something on the screen more than a book. *gasp* I know, I know, blasphemy. What do you think?
p.s. A Song of Ice and Fire is an epic fantasy series that takes place in the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros, which is similar to Medieval Europe including knights, ladies and seasons that last for years. The plot follows three storylines divided by geography and individuals. Actually, the t.v. series is follows the story really well, check out my write-up!
From the author of Alice I Have Been comes a new novel based on the real life of nineteenth century icon, Mercy Lavinia "Vinnie" Bump. In a time when little people were encouraged to live behind closed doors, Vinnie (2 feet 8 inches tall) had big plans to see the world and see the world she did! The novel follows her adventures, including the start of her career on a show boat and as part of a circus troop, which took her all over the world. Vinnie, a small but mighty heroine, had me giggling at her unwavering politeness and worrying for her safety as she approached potentially dangerous situations with unflinching bravery. I really enjoyed this novel and recommend it to any who liked Water for Elephants or an adventure with a courageous female protagonist.
Click for more mini reviews!
Here are some books I couldn't put down:
Don't Breathe a Word by Jennifer McMahon
She's Come Undone by Wally Lamb
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Neffenegger
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne
