It's the small things....

It’s my second time reading this book. I first read The God of Small Things by Arundhate Roy when it was first published. I didn’t quite recall what it was about but I remembered that involved twins, and that I didn’t care for the ending.

I’m reading this book for two challenges. Book Awards II and Orbis Terrarum.

The God of Small Things won the Man Booker Prize in 1997.

Here’s the blurb:

The year is 1969. In the state of Kerala, on the southernmost tip of India, a skyblue Plymouth with chrome tailfins is stranded on the highway amid Marxist worker‘ demonstration. Inside the car sit two-egg twins Rahel and Esthappen, and so begins their tale…
Armed only with the invincible innocence of children, they fashion a childhood for themselves in the shade of the wreck that is their family - their lonely, lovely mother, Ammu (who loves by night the man her children love by day), their blind grandmother, Mamma chi (who plays Handel on her violin), their beloved uncle Chacko (Rhodes scholar, pickle baron, radical Marxist, bottom-pincher), their enemy, Baby Kochamma (ex-nun and incumbent greataunt), and the ghost of an imperial entomologist‘s moth (with unusually dense dorsal tufts).
When their English cousin, Sophie Mol, and her mother, Margaret Kochamma, arrive on a Christmas visit, Esthappen and Rahel learn that Things Can Change in a Day. That lives can twist into new, ugly shapes, even cease forever, beside their river “greygreen. With fish in it. With sky and trees in it. And at night, the broken yellow moon in it.
The brilliantly plotted story uncoils with an agonizing sense of foreboding and inevitability. Yet nothing prepares you for what lies at the heart of it.

Here’s another example on how a book can sweep you right in and keep you captive. I started reading this book around 10:30pm, and I couldn’t put it down until 3:00am, and even then my husband “forced” me to it. And the first thing I did after I got the kids busy doing there thing, was finish it.

I loved the story. It’s a story of love, jealousy, madness, hope and joy. It’s the story of how the smallest things can cause great loss and pain.

The twins have a good life, they have a special relationship. They love their mother and are concerned about her. They meet their cousin Sophie for the first time, they are in awe of her. Then something happens to Ammu, which causes her pain, they ask her if they can help, she lashes out at them, accusing them of ruining her life. And thats when everything starts to unravel. One simple act leads to tragedy.

The characters were wonderful. I loved Ammu, she wants to be loved and wanted. She loves her children, but somehow that doesn’t seem enough. Then there’s Baby Kochamma, who once was in love with a priest, and followed him, became a nun, and now is a bitter, unfeeling woman. And the twins, as children they feel each other emotions, and as adults they are so apart that they commit such a taboo act for that closeness.

The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy (4/5) General Fiction; Published: Random House (1997); Man Booker Prize Winner (1997); 100 + Reading Challenge (53); Orbis Terrarum Challenge (4); Book Awards II Challenge (2); Keeper shelf;

Friday Fill-Ins

1. When I'm sick I'm a suck (I have no problems admitting to it!).

2. When I take a walk, I think about absolutely nothing - walking clears my head.

3. Money can't buy happiness but it can certainly help.

4. Cotton makes me comfortable and leather makes me sweaty and sticky.

5. The strangest person/character I've had lewd thoughts about was - me, lewd thoughts! lol Can't think of anyone.

6. My favorite color these days is orange because it's cheerful.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to watching TV with my husband, tomorrow my plans include going to Toronto to visit my sister and my father and Sunday, I want to get the kids things together for school and relax!

You can join the fun here.

The Angel

I haven’t read too many of Carla Neggers novels, but what I’ve read I’ve enjoyed. So I didn't think twice about grabbing The Angel at the library.



Here's the blurb:

On a remote stretch of the rugged coast of Ireland, folklorist and illustrator Keira Sullivan pursues the mysterious Irish legend of an ancient Celtic stone angel. As she searches an isolated ruin, she’s certain she’s discovered the mythic angel, but before she can examine her find, she senses a malevolent presence. . . . Is someone in there with her? Then the ruin collapses, trapping her.

Keira’s uncle, a Boston homicide detective, enlists the help of Simon Cahill to find his missing niece. Simon, an expert with First Rescue, a rapid-response search-and-rescue organization, is trying to keep a low profile after secretly assisting in the takedown of a major criminal network, but he rushes to Ireland, pulling Keira out of the rubble just as she’s about to free herself.

Simon isn’t interested in myths or magic, nor is he surprised when Keira can’t find a trace of her stone angel. He doesn’t believe it exists. But the gruesome evidence of a startling act of violence convinces him that whatever she found in the ruin, the danger she faces is real.
When the violence follows them to Boston—Simon and Keira realize that the long-forgotten story that has captivated her has also aroused a killer . . . a calculating predator who will certainly kill again.

Suspenseful and evocative, The Angel is a riveting novel of dangerous myths, haunting secrets and the shattering truth concealed within them. It is Carla Neggers at her best.

I was looking forward on reading this book, but at the time I didn’t realize it was part of a series, there’s a previous book that is connected to this one, The Widow. It usually doesn’t bother me, but there seemed to be a lot going on from the previous book. I felt like I was missing something, ok, eventually I figured out, but it bothered me all throughout the book.

Also I expecting more of a mystical, paranormal feel to the story. Maybe I just thought it was a paranormal, I thought that the crimes that were being committed were of paranormal forces and not of human sort. Because they were pretty gruesome.

I did enjoy the book, I liked the characters (even feeling that something was missing - previous book), I liked the setting: Ireland, Boston and the woods of New Hampshire. I did find some of the mystical magic that I was looking for, but I wanted more of that. I think it was my misconceptions of this book that turned me off. I was expecting something and got something entirely different.

The Angel by Carla Neggers (3/5) Romantic Suspense; Published: Mira (5/08); 100 + Reading Challenge (52); Library book;

His Brother's Secret

Time for another short read! I can’t help it, I love reading these books on the deck and enjoying the weather.

Here’s the blurb for His Brother’s Secret by Debra Salonen:

In college, Shane Reynard lacked the nerve to tell Jenna Murphy how he felt. Now, with all his Hollywood success behind him, lack of nerve is not what holds him back. When his latest TV show lands him in Jenna's hometown, he offers her a place on his writing team. Too bad spending a lot of time with her reminds Shane of every single thing he liked about her.

But as much as Shane wants to fall for her, there's a family secret he has to confess first. And once she knows the truth, there's a real chance Jenna will never want to see Shane's face again.

I had mixed feelings about this book. I enjoyed it, but… and that’s where I can’t really pinpoint just one problem. The characters were interesting, their problems although heart wrenching felt to me to be too over the top especially Shane’s. His fear that Jenna would “hate” him was understandable, but he was overreacting a tad, and I won't start on his views on future generations. He had a bad time with this father and brother, but he never really got over that.

Oh well, maybe the next book will be better…

His Brother’s Secret by Debra Solonen (2.5/5) Romance; Published: Harlequin (9/08); Harlequin Super Romance # 1516; Series: # 2, Spotlight on Sentinel Pass; 100 + Reading Challenge (51);

What's On Your Nightstand?

It's the last Tuesday of the month, so it's time for What's On Your Nightstand?

I went back to last month's entry, and I noticed some similarities, but also a few books that I didn't read. Let's just say that I'm a very moody reader. People are always surprised on the amount of books that I take out of the library. I don't read them, half of them go back unread, and someday I hope I go back and read them. But it all depends on my mood.

Here's what I have on my nightstand.




The Jericho Pact, I've had in my TBR for while. Eventually it will be read.

The Darkest Pleasure, I read the first book of the series, which I enjoyed. I've tried reading previously but couldn't get into it. Yep, my mood. It's on my nightstand, so I once I read it I can pass it on to my sister. I hope she's not in a rush.

Girls In Trucks, was a recommendation by a friend. It's looks interesting.

The Janissary Tree, I'm reading for the Book Awards II challenge.

The Smoke Thief, I'm reading for a group discussion.

Zorro, I'm reading for Orbis Terrarum Challenge.

The Mambo Kings Play Songs of Love, I'm reading for the Book Awards II challenge.

Acheron, I'm a huge fan of the Dark Hunter series by Kenyon. This is the latest of the series. I find its size a little intimidating.

Backyard reading

I was in the mood for something short and sweet. Something to read in the backyard, while the kids play and hunt for insects. I did a blind pick through my Super Romance, and came out with An Imperfect Match by Kimberley Van Meter.

Here's the blurb:

Widower Dean Halvorsen is concentrating on just two things: his construction business and raising his teenage son. He doesn't really care about anything else. Not anymore.

Then Annabelle Nichols comes to Emmett's Mill, California, with her baby daughter, Honey. Before Dean quite knows how, Annabelle is working in his office and turning his world upside down. Still, the more time he spends with Annabelle and Honey, the more he realizes what's missing in his life. But Annabelle is all wrong for him.

Of course, when something—or someone!—is all wrong, that doesn't mean things won't work out just right.

Here's a story of two people that know that falling for each other is dangerous. The danger of getting their hearts broken. Annebelle thinks she can't compete with the memory of Dean's dead wife, and Dean doesn't want to fall in love again, for different reasons. There's also Dean's son, he's not dealing very well with Annabelle in their lives. But what happens next took me by surprise. (I won't get into it here, you have to read the book!)

I really enjoyed reading this book. It was short and sweet (just like I like them!), but it also had something more...a mystery. Who wants to hurt Annabelle? I loved the way she went back to confront a man in her past; and the way she made Dean realize that he wasn't the cause of something that hurt him so much. I really liked her character, I also like Dean, but Annabelle was the scene stealer for me.

I knew before I started reading this book that it was part of a series, usually it doesn't bother me, but now I have to go back and read the previous books of the Emmett's Mill' series.

An Imperfect Match by Kimberly Van Meter (4/5) Romance; Published: Harlequin (9/08); Harlequin Super Romance # 1513; Mini-series: You, Me & The Kids; Series: # 4, Emmett's Mill; 100 + Reading Challenge (50);

Dancing With The Stars

I've been looking forward to this for the longest time! Yep, I'm a huge fan!

The latest lineup has been announced. Here they are:

Toni Braxton (singer) paired with season one DWTS champ Alec Mazo

Lance Bass (singer) paired with Lacey Schwimmer

Ted McGinley (actor) paired with Inna Brayer

Cloris Leachman (actress) paired with Corky Ballas

Warren Sapp (former NFL star) paired with Kym Johnson

Rocco DiSpirito (chef) paired with Karina Smirnoff

Kim Kardashian (TV personality) paired with reigning DWTS champ Mark Ballas

Maurice Green (Olympic gold medalist track and field) paired with two-time DWTS champ Cheryl Burke

Misty May-Treanor (Olympic gold medalist beach volleyball player) paired with Maksim Chmerkovskiy

Susan Lucci (Emmy-award winning soap opera actress) paired with Tony Dovolani

Jeffrey Ross (comedian) paired with Edyta Sliwinska

Cody Linley (actor) paired with two-time DWTS champ Julianne Hough

Brooke Burke (TV personality) paired with Derek Hough

Any favorites?

Manic Monday

If you could take more control of one aspect of your life, what would it be?
My diet. I've been trying to lose weight for a while now, but's so hard to stick with it.

If you were to name the difference between the male soul and the female soul, what would it be?
I think there are no differences between male and female souls. The differences are in the choices that the individuals make.

If you had to admit the most selfish thing you do on a regular basis, what would you say it is?
I want quiet alone time. It doesn't happen all the time, but when it does...it's bliss.

Join the fun here.

What Olympic Sport Are You?

Saw this over at Ana's and I had to join in the fun!

You Are Gymnastics

You are agile, expressive, and precise. You have the drive to practice until you get something perfectly right. And you have the confidence to perform difficult moves when under pressure.

What Olympic Sport Are You?

Gabriela

My first memory of Gabriela, Cravo e Canela was as a child. During one of my summer visits to Portugal, I saw relatives enthralled watching this "novela", Gabriela. But what sparked my curiosity was the setting of this soap opera, somewhere that looked magical and scary all at the same time. And the way they talked. It was fascinating. And the music...

Later on, when I figured out that it was based on a book, I begged my mother to let me read it, and she didn't consider it appropriate for my age, I let it go, but it's been in my mind ever since. I've had several opportunities to read this book, but it wasn't until I was searching for another Jorge Amado book, that I decided this time that I would read it.

Here's the blurb of Gabriela, Clove and Cinnamon by Jorge Amado:

Ilhéus in 1925 is a booming town with a record cacao crop and aspirations for progress, but the traditional ways prevail. When Colonel Mendonça discovers his wife in bed with a lover, he shoots and kills them both. Political contests, too, can be settled by gunshot...

No one imagines that a bedraggled migrant worker who turns up in town–least of all Gabriela herself–will be the agent of change. Nacib Saad has just lost the cook at his popular café and in desperation hires Gabriela. To his surprise she turns out to be a great beauty as well as a wonderful cook and an enchanting boon to his business. But what would people say if Nacib were to marry her?

Lusty, satirical and full of intrigue, Gabriela, Clove and Cinnamon is a vastly entertaining panorama of small town Brazilian life.

It took me a while to really get into the story, but never did I feel that I wanted stop reading, I knew (and expected) it would pick up, and when it did I was blown away.

This book has two main stories: Nacib and Gabriela's love story, and Mundinho Falcao political aspirations in Ilhéus.

Nacib is suprised that Gabriela loves him, and she is happy that way their affair is going. She cooks for him, helps him in the cafe, takes care of him and loves him. He on the other hand is afraid to lose her, always freightened that one of the Colonel's will take her away. Their relationship changes when Nacib slowly changes Gabriela. He expects her to change the way she has always, and slowly you see her sad and drifting aways.

In Mundinho's case he desperately wants to help the people of this town. He came to Ilhéus to find himself, to grow into the man that his family expected him to be and also to run away from a love affair that would destroy his family. Ilhéus to him, was the place that he can succeed, but he has the old fashion Colonels to deal with, and they have no qualms is dealing they way they've always have: with fists and guns.

What I enjoyed most in this story was the setting. Ilhéus in the book was as magical to me as it was when I was a child watching the show. I fell in with its people: the crusty old Colonel Ramiro Bastos that didn't want his town to change; his playboy son, Tonico; Dona Arminda, and her obsession with spirits; Malvina, a young girl who didn't want to end up married and miserable; and so many others.



Gabriela, Clove and Cinnamon by Jorge Amado (4.5/5) Historical Fiction; Published: Livraria Martins Editora 1958 - Brazil; Published: Alfred A. Knopf 1962; Translated from the Portuguese by James L. Taylor and William L. Grossman; 100 + Reading Challenge (49); Orbis Terrarum Challenge (3); Library book; Added to shopping list;

The Matrix, Case!

Here's another book that my husband has been after me to read, hmm, since well...ever since I met him. And I finally did...It only took twelve years, honey! But I did it!

Okay, want to know what really got me fired up to read this book. This. So I gave it try, and surprisingly enough, I even enjoyed it.

Here's the blurb (taken for the author's site):

Case was the hottest computer cowboy cruising the information superhighway--jacking his consciousness into cyberspace, soaring through tactile lattices of data and logic, rustling encoded secrets for anyone with the money to buy his skills. Then he double-crossed the wrong people, who caught up with him in a big way--and burned the talent out of his brain, micron by micron. Banished from cyberspace, trapped in the meat of his physical body, Case courted death in the high-tech underworld. Until a shadowy conspiracy offered him a second chance--and a cure--for a price....

Like I mentioned before, I enjoyed the book. It didn't surprsise my husband, it didn't suprise my sister (another fan), but it surprised me. Although I have read science fiction before, I always thought it was hard for me to follow. Truth be told, I always felt like I needed a manual to understand certain things, but with this book I did not feel that way at all.

I was swept right in at the beginning of the book, and didn't want to let go until the bitter end...And then I ended cursing myself for not reading it sooner. Yes, mia culpa. It was always available to be read, I just didn't want to commit.

Okay back to the book... Loved the characters, although Case was great, my favourite was Molly. Now she knew how to kick butt. And together they made an awesome team, and I couldn't quite the author's intention with the ending, but that's just my opinion. The setting was so interesting, to travel cyber space through Case and Molly's eyes was exciting and a little scary, and their cities were dark and dangerous, but the combination made the book.

Neuromancer not only won the Hugo Award in 1985, but it also won the Nebula Award in 1984, and also the Philip K. Dick Award in 1984. Very impressive.

Neuromancer by William Gibson (4/5) Science Fiction; Published: Ace (1984); New Author; 100 + Reading Challenge (48); Book Awards II Challenge (1); Keeper shelf;

Manic Monday

This week's Manic Monday questions are:

How would your friend describe you to someone who has never seen you?

Short, cute and too nice!

Do you trust anyone to protect you? Who, and why?

Myself! lol My husband, J, if I can't trust him to protect me, who can I trust?

If you died or went missing, who would miss you?

My children, husband, sister and parents.


Join the fun here!