Unfortunately, I am still completely incapable of writing reviews, so instead here are a few lines about each of them. Hopefully these lines will encourage you to pick up one or all of the books mentioned.
Brooklyn by Colm Tóibín
A tender and moving story about a young Irish girl emigrating to New York and discovering herself in her new world. Tóibín wrote such beautiful detail that the book is an incredibly vivid and realistic chronicle of an immigrant's life - and of the struggle between family and self.
Has this been filmed? I keep thinking I have seen it on television. No reason to think so, really; I just do.
Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi
Clever autobiographical graphic novel about growing up in Iran during the Islamic Revolution. Told with wit and charm, it's not at all what I was expecting, and I completely enjoyed it. The drawings are simple but effective, and it's all in black and white. If you read only one of the books in this post I suggest you choose this one.
I agree.
Temeraire by Naomi Novik
When Benjamin first told me about this book I was very sceptical. Seemed liked a cheap knock-off of Susannah Clarke's idea in Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell. It's not. It's nothing like that at all. Instead, it's utterly lovely and a perfect piece of relaxing reading.
The plot: Napoleonic Wars, part 1 (so 1805, if the chronology holds true). Captain in the Royal Navy bonds a dragon after taking the egg from a French ship, and accordingly must leave the Navy and join the Air Corps as a dragon pilot.
Told with great charm, and some clever invention, this was a joy to read, and I must get my hands on the rest.
I am glad. I will probably pick it up at some point.
How's your reading been lately? Managing to keep up with the challenges?
I read The Murder of Roger Ackroyd over Easter, so even if Wire in the Blood does not count, I have the mystery genre down pat. And I have arranged to borrow a bona fide Western novel from my boyfriend's father some time during the summer.
And what have you read recently that you think we should pick up?
To Kill a Mockingbird was lovely beyond words. And I (finally) started The Lies of Locke Lamora.
*MySmiley*
structured procrastinator
structured procrastinator
I have read some lovely books recently. (Including my March/April challenge book.)
- 25/04/2011 07:42:29 PM
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My most recent read was excellent, but I'm not sure "lovely" is an accurate description. 
- 25/04/2011 10:08:26 PM
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- 25/04/2011 10:08:26 PM
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Re: My most recent read was excellent, but I'm not sure "lovely" is an accurate description.
- 01/05/2011 11:02:44 AM
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- 01/05/2011 11:02:44 AM
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Re: My most recent read was excellent, but I'm not sure "lovely" is an accurate description.
- 01/05/2011 12:50:39 PM
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- 01/05/2011 12:50:39 PM
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i super adore temeraire. as you can tell from my sn......
- 26/04/2011 12:20:29 AM
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- 01/05/2011 11:05:07 AM
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- 01/05/2011 11:05:07 AM
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Did you see the movie adaptation Persepolis?
- 26/04/2011 01:31:36 AM
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Not yet, but it has jumped right near the top of my To Watch list.
- 01/05/2011 11:07:31 AM
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I may pick up Temeraire
- 26/04/2011 11:16:06 AM
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I considered reading Persepolis after seeing the film. Do you know how the comic compares to it? *NM*
- 27/04/2011 12:16:16 AM
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It's really, you know, the same. Only without Chiara Mastroianni's voice, obviously. *NM*
- 27/04/2011 07:12:32 PM
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