The Blue Door- Andre' P. Brink

Pages: 122

Published: September 25th 2007 by Harvill Secker

Format: Hardback

Acquired: Non-Local Library

Date Finished: 27^th May 2012

Synopsis:

What if . . . ?

The Blue Door is built around one of the oldest questions in storytelling: What if...? What if I returned home one day to find, behind a familiar door, an unfamiliar world? What if the people closest to me turned out to be strangers? What if strangers started claiming a place in my life I couldn’t imagine? What if the memories of the most important moments in my life can no longer be trusted? What if I am not who I think I am?

David le Roux, a teacher recently turned full-time artist, returns to his studio one afternoon to find his whole familiar world turned upside down. The woman who opens the door and welcomes him as her husband is a complete stranger to him: beautiful and loving, but not the wife he assumes he has been married to for nine years. The children are overjoyed at his return, but he has never set eyes on them before. And when he goes back to the building he believes he lives in, it no longer exists. Has everything in his life been an illusion? Or is the past real and only the present a hallucination? In a country like South Africa these questions may decide a whole life.

Instead of living with the consequences of early choices, he now discovers that behind every choice made lurks the possibility of innumerable other choices not made.

My Thoughts:

What to say about this short novella? I am struggling to share my thoughts, but what I can say with honesty is that I felt like I was on one massive trip while reading The Blue Door and I know that the story itself was supposed to be this dark, eccentric  and provocative read, but all I could think while reading it was – yes this was certainly written by a man [due to the subtle eroticism] and did the author intend for this to be such a mind-fuck because let me tell you however fascinating the entire book was it really did my head in.

The Blue door certainly is not my preferred style of literature, but I did enjoy reading it. The dark undertones gave the whole story this clouded atmosphere that was almost haunting. It begged to ask questions that were not answered, and it dared to go beyond anything I have ever read like this before. For the experience alone I would recommend it, but if weird and obscure is not your thing than I would advise against reading it unless you want a migraine.

I am giving this : 

★★★

3 Blue Door Knobs.

The Summer My Life Began - Shannon Greenland

·         Pages: 250

·         Published: May 10th 2012 by Speak

·         Format: Ebook

·         Acquired:  Net Galley/ JKS Communications

·         Date Finished:  May 26^th 2012

Synopsis:

Elizabeth Margaret—better known as Em—has always known what life would contain: an internship at her father’s firm, a degree from Harvard and a career as a lawyer. The only problem is that it’s not what she wants. When she gets the opportunity to get away from it all and spend a month with the aunt she never knew, she jumps at the chance. While there, Em pursues her secret dream of being a chef, and she also learns that her family has kept some significant secrets from her, too. And then there’s Cade, the laid-back local surfer boy who seems to be everything Em isn't. Naturally, she can’t resist him, and as their romance blossoms, Em feels she is living on her own terms for the first time.

Thoughts/ Review:

Let me tell you when I first took up the opportunity to read this book courtesy of Net Galley and JKS communications  I was a bit hesitant. I was looking for a good contemporary read, but I wanted something a little different.  When I started it I was concerned that it would fail to meet my hopes, but I was pleasantly surprised by The Summer my Life Began and Shannon’s style was so easy to get into that at times I forgot I was even reading.

The setting, magnificent and what better time to read a book about Summer when you’re stuck inside and daring to be whisked away to somewhere fresh, warm and exotic. I loved the location and the setting as it takes place in a Bed and Breakfast near the ocean and every page is radiant of this warmth throughout the novel, so even when situations turn for the worst [and they do] I always felt right there, in the moment kicking it back with a cool smoothie and taking in everything like air.

The cast of characters is varied but they all come together and really define what it means to be a family; one that our main character Em has never really had before. A close one that is, with her uptight, upper-class parents [who I would gladly love to locate firecrackers somewhere dark] ruling her life the story really plays out the needs for adventure and experience while not going to overboard with having a passionate romance.

 To say I loved the characters would be a bit too much, but I certainly enjoyed getting to know each and every one of them and their separate stories – especially the hot summer love interest – Cade who very much reminds me of a boy I was madly infatuated with in high school. Also at times Em’s blatant insensitivity kind of frustrated me, but I know within myself that put in her position I would not be able to keep my mouth shut.

The Summer my Life Began is definitely a book to pick up if you are looking for something for the Summer, but are also looking for something with a bit a few twist and turns and while it was an easy book to read it does deal with some issues that a lot of teenagers [hell adults] go through at some stage of their life; like Identity, what it means to be a family, what is love and lust and how to follow your passions and pursue interests when others might be crapping on your dreams. I really enjoyed those aspects of the novel above all else, because it took me back to when I was younger and also put things into perspective in my adult life.

Overall – I am so glad that I picked this one up, it was just what I needed between reading some heavier books and it was a great one to start especially when I wasn’t feeling the best and I needed a little pick me up. It was a tad predicable in parts, but if you can overlook that small factor and just enjoy it for what it is then I hope you enjoy reading The Summer My Life Began and if you have already let me know your thoughts on it.

I am going to give this:

 ★★★★

Strapless Bikinis.

Pick up if you like: Contemporary, Romances, Food, Laughing and a book that will take away and allow you experience a little bit of summer yourself.

The Reading Group - Elizabeth Noble

Pages: 465
Published:January 4th 2005 by Harper Perennia
Format: Paperback
Genre: Contemporary/ Women’s Fiction
Acquired: Charity Shop
Date Finished: 23^rd May 2012

Synopsis:
What starts out as a lark of an idea, born from a glass of wine and a need to socialize, turns into a forum for five very different women who walk complicated paths--but soon discover the power and importance of friendship.

My Thoughts:
What you expect is not what you get, but boy oh boy is it one hell of an addictive ride and a totally unputdownable book, that is both gut-wrenching and painfully beautiful. The Reading Group is a fantastic reflection on love, betrayal and the battles of family values and dividing friendships. The reality and bitter sweetness of life and all that drama it throws at you and the romance of reading which when blended together with the synchronicity of unfolding events grips hold of your heart and leaves you breathless.

When beginning this book I went into it with certain expectations. Like a typical chick-lit book about a reading group I did expect there to be a lot more reading and reflection and what I got was a totally different experience. We meet these characters whose lives intertwine on various occasions but are given glimpses into their private lives revolving around each book that they read throughout the course of the year. However the similarities are far and few between and merely stand as a stepping stone to propel the reader into a slightly alternative reality.

Speaking of characters with the exception of Clair [who I honestly should have connected with the most] and Susan [who I could feel for but not understand her situation] I really Loved getting to know each and every one of them and if I had to choose who my favorites were it would be Polly and Nicole, Closely followed by Harriet and Cressida. I felt every characters story was a valid story told and Elizabeth managed to tackle everyone without holding back where others books I felt have.

I enjoyed learning about the books; each month was refreshing for me seeing as though I have never even heard of some of the books. I decided to add them down to my wish list for later reference, but was disappointed [and this is the major letdown for me in regards to the books featured] that the endings and plots were discussed in too much detail, enough to ruin a later experience and frustrate me to the point off almost skipping those parts; that in truth are essence to the overall novel. Still I prevailed and moved past it to enjoy the story. Soon enough the monthly meets ups were just a finer point in the compelling story.

After a while it does get predictable, closer to the end, but honestly it was the right kind of book I was in the mood for at the time and if I had to read it again I think I would feel the same way. Overall I greatly enjoyed this book and would recommend it for fans of larger books who aren’t looking for a quick happy fix, but who like to delve into the relatable lives of mothers and wives.

I am giving this one 4 strong latte’s
★★★★

Flowers in the Rain and Other Stories - Rosamunde Pilcher

Pages: 290

Published: July 1992 St Martins Press

Genre: Contemporary/ Women’s Fiction

Format: Paperback

Acquired: Local Library

Date Finished: 13^th May 2012

Synopsis:

Rosamunde Pilcher....She makes you laugh....She makes you cry....She takes you to a world of hope and romance....And into the lives of people you'll never forget.She's Rosamunde Pilcher,America's most beloved storyteller....And this is her gift to you.

My Thoughts:

Let me paint a picture for you. It’s a cold miserable day in autumn and there is not even a slither of sunshine in the sky. You’re so cold that your lips hurt and the heater is churning out warmth just like an old fashioned fireplace. A stew is cooking on the stove and there is a fresh pot of hot strong tea brewing. You’re in your jammies, with big fluffy socks and you’re snuggled up in bed.  All you want to do is curl up and read a good book, but not just any good book, something that will keep you warm, entertained, enthralled. 

 I recently picked up Flowers in the rain from my local library, loving the synopsis and willing to try something different. This book was so wonderfully warm and just beautifully written that it just completed my time to relax and recuperate and reminded me of the many reasons I love reading in the first place. Flower’s in the rain is that book, the book I was searching for without really searching for it.

It takes me back to my childhood with the style of writing that is reminiscent of the times of Enid Blyton. You know that old fashioned funny way of talking, that doesn’t really matter a hell of a lot because the descriptions, imagery and everything about the story just makes you want to keep reading. I got the same delicious and comforting feeling reading Rosamunde’s writing that I did as a child, wrapped up in blankets in the winter escaping into stories set in chilly climates with tales of family, friendship, love, travel and all that beauty and heartache that life is. 

I enjoyed every story and tried to rate them using my system, but this book is to good and while not entirely original, she has a spin on each story that was refreshing and so very cozy I cannot help but recommend this book to anyone. I do think it will more so appeal to women, but I am not discluding men who love a good romance book. 

 Being this is the first book of hers that I have read I am super excited to pick up another book or three and while I won’t go into detail about each story [ that would spoil the surprise] I just loved this book and I love hearing your thoughts and opinions on new authors. Have you tried any new authors this year that you would recommend. Let me know in the comments. And remember, if you have read this book feel free to let me know your thoughts and if you do take me up on my recommendation I would love to hear your thoughts also.

Read if you like: Monica McInerny, Fiona Higgins, Pre 2000 literature, a darn good cozy read.

I am giving this 4 Hot Chocolate Stars : 

★★★★