The Local Lit Scene

This review of Abbie Ann by Sharlene Maclaren was sent in by one of our readers, Cathy.

Abbie Ann is the third in the Daughters of Jacob Kane trilogy…and it was a super book to read.

Abbie Ann is the youngest of the three sisters and is very much Miss Independent. She is president of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union, likes to walk every where by herself and doesn’t need a man in her life. She also likes to tell jokes…not very good ones but they made me giggle and definitely were a hit with my 8 year old son!

Any good “love story” needs a hero…and the hero in this book is called Noah and he is a boat builder…such a good play on the famous builder from the bible but so not like his namesake at all when it comes to faith issues.

This book is a journey of two people and how they come to know and trust God for their friendship and themselves. Plus add in an extra mystery or two and this is a brilliant read.

Thanks Cathy! And sorry for the roundabout way you had to get it to us, the page has been sorted for next time.

I really enjoy Scarlett Thomas’s writing. In Our Tragic Universe, she doesn’t fail to capture the imagination and pull you along the tide of her words.

Though saying that, I didn’t think that this was her best book. I far enjoyed ‘The End of Mr Y’ more aswell as Popco. If you haven’t read either of these, find yourself a copy,they are extremely good.

Basically, the story is about Meg and her life, philosophy, the age of self help books and how we tend to want the ‘perfect’ life which is just fictionalised anyway. More than that of course, but that would give it all away…

I found it unputdownable and enjoyed it. I love her writing and I always find that I am left thinking about the world and people after I have finished one of her books. That to me, is a sign of a very good book.

Mushy Peas on Toast by Laurian Clemence is not only a book but a blog too. So, if you haven’t read this book, and you think you might, you can head over there to see if you like her style of writing.

I have to say, that I didn’t particularly enjoy this book. I finished it, with some skim reading – I found large parts of it just carried on and on saying the same thing, and to me, that is a lot like boredom.

The idea was great, and maybe it is even based on a real life story, I don’t know, but it was too wishy washy for me.

In a nutshell, the main character, Peas, has broken up with her long term boyfriend and finds herself alone for the first time in years. It is the journey she takes of re finding  herself and learning to love herself as is, without the need for a man in her life to take care of her. The premise for this sounds great, how many of us have found ourselves in that situation and had the wind knocked out of us? But I didn’t enjoy her writing account of it.

For me, it was slightly too self indulgent and sameish.

I have heard from others who have read this book and loved it, saying its the best chick lit book in ages. Hence the reason why I picked it up to read.

Sadly, it did disappoint me.

Have you read it and if so, what did you think?

The Cape Town Book Fair is the place to be this weekend, only ending tomorrow so if you haven’t managed to get yourself there yet, you still have time!

I went along today, unfortunately not as alone as I would have liked. Bean came along with me, but I have to admit that she was a delight. In fact, I think she had as much fun as I did. Apart from finding children’s mags for a mere R10 and getting free popcorn, which she proceeded to perch on any available book shelf to eat (and read whatever book was available for her to read) she trotted along next to me, no complaining what soever and didn’t mind me saying ‘ lets have a look here, babs’. I think she will grow up to be an avid reader-have I mentioned that she is beginning to recognise letters? Ah, I can’t wait until she can read! Anyhoo, I am going slightly off track…

The Book Fair was delicious. There were thousands of books, and if anyone had gone in without a budget and decided to shop, they may have ended up broke:-)

This is what I came home with and is waiting patiently for ‘me time’ to get stuck into the bag of goodies.

Our Tragic Universe – Scarlett Thomas.

I have been an avid fan of hers ever since I discovered her years ago with Popco. Brilliant writer, expect a review soon!

Comfort by Tina Bester. My fingers are itching to use these recipes. They look delectable. I unfortunately did not get to see her yesterday at the Book Fair due to baking orders but I did get a glance at Jodie Piccoult and heard some of her interview.

More Milly Molly Mandy by Joyce Lankester Drisley. Anotherof my childhood favourites which I just could not resist.

How to catch a star by Oliver Jeffers. This is one of Bean’s favourites and so I had to purchase it for her, of course.

They had thousands more, which honestly I could have stocked at least a whole book shelf but I held back, it is only the beginning of the month…

There were also magazines on sale for R10 so I managed to find a couple of foodie mags and am rather tempted to go back again for more. But I will reign myself in and stick to my budget, no matter how hard it may be. Will power!

Have you found anything good to read lately?

So, after being out of the internet loop for so long, I am looking for some Book Blogs to read and I am hoping that with the help of all you lovely readers soon there will be a host of  new links for me to peruse.

Firstly, though if any of you know of South African Book Blogs, please leave a link, it would be great to find out what is out there on this side of the world.

Secondly, we need some more international Book Blogs to add to the reading list and if you know of some or are one, please leave your link.

Once I have some, I will then do a post with all the links in one place and the rest of you can all do some perusals. You never know, you may find the exact book you have been looking for, but didn’t even realise it!

On that note, I wish you all a gorgeous Monday, (where I am it is raining, raining, raining and cold) and if you are where it is cold, keep warm!

For lack of book reviews, competitions and give aways, we recently moved house and our internet connection hasn’t been connected for the last month. Luckily for 3G cards, I can be here this morning!

So, in my absence on the internet I have been reading, nothing like being forced into an exhile from blogging… and I have discovered Robert Jordan’s The Wheel of Time series.

I am currently on the second book ‘The Great Hunt’ and have to say I am hooked. I can’t say it will be everybodies cup of tea as it is a fantasy novel and series. But the thing I am really enjoying about it is that it manages to pull you into the world that Robert Jordan has created. In a very similar vein to Tolkien. The characters grow into their respective roles and like most fantasy novels, they do not know that they have special abilities until a catastrophe happens and then their world as they know it, changes forever.

This is a series of 12 books, so it may take me some time to get through them and as I am taking them out of the library, it may take even more  time (so far, I have been lucky in the fact that all three books have been in when I have gone in to look for them) I am 3/4 way through the second book so can see myself starting no 3, The Dragon Reborn, after the weekend.

As for other bookish news, I have also recently discovered Louise Bagshaw, she is great for those ‘non thinking’ days that you want something light to read. Sparkles was the first book I read, interesting story line, and light enough to be chick lit. I currently have Glamour on my bedside table, so expect a review of that in the near future!

But enough about me, tell me about you! What books have you discovered in my absence, what have you been reading?  Its Winter and I’m sure that most of you have at least one book that is keeping you warm….

I am itching to know!

I haven’t had a huge response to the Book Swap idea, but for those of us who are interested, there is a form at the top of the page, called Parcel Partner.  All you need to do is fill in the form, and it will come through to my inbox. I will then mix and match partners, confirm that you are a willing and able partner and then stick up a deadline to the posting of the parcels. Then we wait for the postman to call:-)

If anyone is still interested in joining, just fill in the Parcel Partner form.

Happy form filling!

Announcing the winner for our ‘A Million Miles from Normal’ giveaway, chosen by random.org is….

Susan  from London! Go here to check out her blog, she has just recently relocated from Manhattan to London.

Congrats Sue! Send me your email addy so I can get your postal address in order to get your very own copy of ‘A Million Miles from Normal’.

And for the rest of you who didn’t get chosen by random, head on over here to try your luck in this competition. And hurry, it closes on the 30th April.