Recommended Reads and Reviews

Love in the present tense by Catherine Ryan Hyde

The story revolves around Leonard, the personification of love, and Mitch, a blurred reflection of it, and the growth of the endless love between them. The emotional turmoil they undergo amidst the contradictory forces that pull them apart, and how they overcome all the obstacles in their away, neither by seeking love that has gone by nor by waiting for the love that is to come, but just by defining it in their present tense.

All of us, in our lives, at one point or the other, must have come across and experienced the medium of love. Have you ever met somebody who loves 'Love'? If no, then here is a sample of it.
Catherine Ryan Hyde has beautifully drawn the character Leonard, a perfect example of indefiite love, and for whom love is not a means - it is forever and an end in itself.

Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has won the 2007 Orange Prize for Fiction.  A reader from Wath Library has submitted this review:

A portrayal of Nigerian civil war and the creation of Biafra as an independant state.  Life is told by the three main characters Ugwu (a houseboy), Olanna (a well-to-do businessman's daughter) and Richard (an English Journalist).

I enjoyed te story, particularly when Ugwu was involved.Ugawu is a loyal worker who enjoys life like a sponge, soaking up experiences and education.  I found Olanna arrogant and I feel the author has tried to make her 'fit in' with the locals but not quite got there.  Richard is the weakest character and I sometimes wondered when his role would develop!

I found the outlook on the war mild as I remember many news reports as a child and think that 'the truth' may have been too severe, so as a piece of fiction it is appropriate.  

Different but interesting if you like things about Africa.

The Inheritance of Loss by Kiran Desai
This story revolves around several Indian characters. Jemubhai (a retired judge), Sai (his orphaned granddaughter) and their cook, who live at Kalimpong in the North Eastern Himalayas at the foot of Mount Kanchenjunga.  There is also the cook's son Biju who leads the life of an illegal immigrant in downtown New York.

The novel spans several generations and continents woven together through the idea of family. Throughout this runs threads of colonisation, politics, cultural differences in the West, immigration, hopes and aspirations of a better life (but in reality is this always so?) and globalisation.

I found this a good, different read. It is beautifully written with a superb use of language and imagery, giving the atmosphere of place brilliantly. The ending is rather sudden and not really satisfying, too many threads are left hanging.

An Equal Music by Vikram Seth
Not the sort of read I'd normally choose. It's about music and love. I thought I may be bored by it but I absolutely loved it. It was thought provoking, moving and compulsive, full of beautiful prose. I would definitely recommend it.

Toast by Nigel Slater
A well written book with snappy chapters which lead you on making you want to read the next snippet. However at the end I felt really sorry for the man, what a wasted childhood, lacking in love. Not a book I'd have chosen for myself but an interesting read which made me appreciate my own gentle childhood.

Yorkshire Greats by Bernard Ingham
Historic reference book but in a very readable format, many obvious choices but many suprises too, written with love of his county. The illustrations are beautiful and it's a great book to just dip into. I would certainly recommend it to absentee Yorkshire folk.

Ice Road by Gillian Slovo
This book is set in Russia after the revolution and tells of how the people survived the siege of Leningrad. It's my kind of read so I did have expectations but it exceeded them all, it was thought provoking, very moving and kept you gripped throughout. I would definitely recommend this book, it is educational, has historical importance but above all it's a warm, human story.

The Time Traveller's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
Completely compelling original story, which really prompts lots of questions. What if you could go back or forward in time to meet yourself and your partner? It's a love story in the truest sense in that it really conveys the power of love and the strength it inspires in people. A wonderful read, highly recommended.

The American Boy by Andrew Taylor
This isn't the sort of read I'd normally choose, it follows the childhood of Edgar Allen Poe and the family who befriended him. There's a lot of mystery and intrigue in the family and amongst the characters involved. It's a completely compulsive read with a gripping plot.

Knots and Crosses by Ian Rankin
I expected this to be as good as Rankins other Inspetor Rebus books but it was actually much better. It's the first in the series and I found it very exciting and totally compulsive. If a person likes crime novels and isn't squeamish about crime scenes and murders then this is definitely worth a read.