Liked this one, but there is more going on in the Monk series. This series was written first and I think Perry has improved over time.
Tremendous portrayal of Nigerian tribal life at the moment of the coming of white missionaries. The changing clan culture is seen through the eyes of a single man, prominent but not supreme in his village, whose fortunes are determined by both his own character and complicated turns of fate.
The Search (Eve Duncan, #3)
These are a little formulaic for my taste, but I have gotten attached to some of the characters and so I keep one on my phone to read when I don't have something else handy!
Enjoyed it. I was proud of myself for figuring this one out early on, but then there was much more to it!
Really wasn't sure I would like this book when I read the description. I wasn't sure I was up for a three volume history of the Americas in the guise of literature. But I ended up enjoying it and really looking forward to the next 2 volumes of the series (which I won't get to right away, since they make good Uruguay entries in Worldwide reading challenges and am saving for that purpose). The book is made up of small vignettes in chronological order based on records of tribal life/myth and then on the history of the conquest of the Americas by Europeans (This volume covers prehistory to 1700). I cringed with each story of destruction of so many people and so much irretrievable cultural wealth and wisdom. Sobering. And yes, I had read this in typical history books long ago, but reading it in this form does exactly what the author intends, it brings the process to life in a much more poignant way. I am really looking forward to this process applied to more recent centuries as well.
Another fun adventure with Monk, Oliver, Evans, and Hester. This one centers on the death of the daughter of a prominent London family. At this point reading these, all I can predict is that I probably will not see the correct solution until they do. That is more satisfying me than figuring it out on page 50.
I enjoy Lisa Scottoline even more now, since I live in the city where all her novels take place. This one was quite suspenseful and a quick, easy read.
Didn't know if I would like this one so much, but actually was laughing out loud at Dumbledore's commentary. Love it.
Sobering historical fiction that examines the complex lingering impacts of Germany's experience as both aggressor in Europe and victim of Soviet atrocities during WWII. The book explores the reactions of 3 generations of one family affected by the sinking of the Gustloff, in which thousands, mainly, though not exclusively, civilian refugees, died in the Baltic after the ship was torpedoed by a Soviet sub. The event was hushed up by both sides at the time, and little discussed after the war, leaving the incident as potential polemical fuel for resurgent Neo-fascist sentiment.
This book was actually smuggled out of Communist Albania by the author and a French friend. The preface tells this story of literary intrigue, and makes the reading of the novella that starts this collection feel more real. I'm now eager to read The Successor which forms the second part of the same story. The other stories in this collection are about autocratic rule in the Ottoman Empire (of which Albania was historically a part) and about the territorial battles between those within and without the Great Wall of China.
Really excited to have this book to recommend to family/friends of those suffering with Borderline Personality Disorder. This disorder creates a lot of upheaval for all involved, and anything that can help with reducing the stress is a very good thing. Looking forward to checking out the other books by Kreger too.
William Monk is looking for a husband presumed murdered by his twin. Meanwhile Hester is nursing typhoid patients in the same neighborhood. So far these aren't feeling formulaic and have nice twists at the end.
Zaibatsu
Enjoyed this book a lot. Was glad to get my hands on it for the 666 Challenge (a book from each of 6 countries in each of 6 continents). It is my Papua New Guinea read.
Wow. Couldn't put it down once I was a little ways into it. I don't speak Spanish, so I undoubtedly missed some (and learned some Spanish...), but it didn't seem to matter. It was an amazing mix of history, novel, fantasy. The narrator's voice was marvelous. I'm pretty sure I will never again see in a novel a relevant reference to a professional conference session in the midst of a beatdown scene. Will definitely be on the lookout for more Junot Diaz!