So you can see that life around here is pretty hard. It gets worse too - just out of the shot is an almost new box of chocolates and a humungous pile of delicious books.
I finished The Devotion of Suspect X by Keigo Higashino this morning in exactly this position, and followed it up with another JLit classic, Kitchen by Banana Yoshimoto. As I say, somebody's gotta do it.
The former novel is a crime thriller with a twist - you know whodunit and why by the end of the first chapter. It takes the rest of the book to discover whether they get away with it. On the way you're confronted by the fact that the heroes are the bad guys. Do you want them to get away...well...with murder...or do you want the detectives to solve the mystery and put them where they belong? Highly recommended. This book, a huge success, selling more than 2 million copies in its native Japan, has been made into a film. You can see the trailer on YouTube if you want to google.
Kitchen is also highly popular in Japan. It's the coming-of-age story of a young woman left all alone by the death of her grandmother. It's filled with Japanese culture and wonderful, wonderful food. This book also has a twist, but I'll leave you to discover this one yourself. It is easy to see why Banana Yoshimoto is Japan's most popular female author though.
I'm now reading Aussie author Markus Zusak's The Book Thief. I'll let you know my opinion of this one once I'm further into it.
Not much to report on the Second-hand Book Trail today - most of them seem to be closed on a Monday. I did pick up a copy of Edith Nesbit's Grammar-Land though, which is a bit of fun. I have it as an e-book, but a real life paper copy is so much nicer. I'm thinking I might use this book - or Nuri Mass' Aussie equivalent, The Little Grammar People, this coming term as a break from more formalised grammar. I'll decide when I get home and compare both books, I think.
I also grabbed a copy of Michael Morpungo's Kensuke's Kingdom for Jemimah to read. Have any of you read it? It looks a lovely story.
That's about it for Day 4. Any more burning questions on life, the universe and anything that you want be to expostulate on this week while I have time? If not, it's back to the chocolates.
Sexy slipper socks! Looks very cosy. I've contemplated getting The Book Thief so I look forward to your opinion of it. My quick look at it left me wondering where on earth it was going, and felt it a bit slow, but I haven't read it properly just flicked through. Warmest wishes, Renelle
ReplyDeleteI just love your book recommendations! It seems I am unable to track down new books for myself anymore. I walk into a bookstore, look around, and wonder how I'm supposed to be able to tell the difference between a well written book and the twaddle that's put out for adults.
ReplyDeleteI get overwhelmed, especially when I have so little time to give to my reading. I don't want to waste time on garbage. So! Keep doing that important research for me. I appreciate hearing your recommendations!
I'm really looking forward to hearing about 'The Book Thief'! xxx
ReplyDeletewhat are you wearing? Are they slippers? leg warmers? Whatever they are they look cosy. I enjoy reading your book recommendations, always helps me find hidden treasures I didn;t know about. Enjoy your books and choccies :-)
ReplyDeleteLove that picture - makes my toes warm just looking at it. And the idea of chocolates lurking just of view .......... :)
ReplyDeleteGood to see you having a well earned break. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteI'm trying not to be jealous.
Thanks for the book recommendations.
BTW Have you heard of Beverley Nichols? Some of your posts remind me of his style. I'd be interested to know if you had read any of his work.
A man called Beverley? Oh dear. No I've not heard of him. Off to google! Would I like his work, do you think?
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