Spring/Summer Book Reviews 2014

I am interrupting my Africa blog to bring you my quarterly book reviews. So, here is what I have been reading while I’ve been here. Hope it helps you choose your next read.

Non-Fiction

Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts

This is one of the most beautiful pieces of the non-fiction I have ever read. It is the true story of how Gregory David Roberts, a fugitive from New Zealand, comes to India and his adventures begin. The language is beautiful and deep and his story is incredible. He survives living in the slums, starting a free clinic, being involved in the drug cartels, and an Indian prison. I will say that this is a very long book, and some scenes (especially the prison scenes of cruelty) are hard to read, but it will be so worth it.

Behind the Beautiful Forevers by Katherine Boo

Another amazing story of India. Katherine Boo is journalist who spent years in the slums of Mumbai. She follows the stories of a couple families in the slums, their struggles, their wrongful imprisonment, and etc. The striking picture she creates though, is that this slum is set behind the most prosperous parts of the city, behind five star resorts and skyscraper business complexes. The people, especially children in the slums are surviving by selling the trash of those more fortunate. The thing about this book is that it unveils the complexity of poverty. It was an eye-opening culture study and I highly recommend it.  

Stiff by Mary Roach

This one is not exactly normal and it may not interest some of you at all. This is a book about what happens to corpses that are donated to science. I found it completely fascinating. She tells her narrative in such a way that it is actually funny at times and quite entertaining. It is a book about corpses though, so it does have some grossness. The University of Tennessee body farm has a chapter, though, so maybe that will encourage some of you read it.

Fiction 

The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion

Imagine being inside the mind Sheldon Cooper. Sorry, DOCTOR Sheldon Cooper. Particularly his love life. This book was the most delightful book I have read in a long time. Its smart, genuinely funny, and is respectful of the differences of the highly intelligent, as opposed to poking fun. I probably identified more than I should have with the main character. I think I read this book in almost one sitting. It was that good. A really, sweet, unexpected romance.

The No 1 Ladies Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith

This is a book about a Botswana lady who starts a private detective agency. A completely entertaining and accurate depiction of African life. Crocodiles, snakes, cheating husbands, and missing children, oh my. He wrote several books in the series if you enjoy the first one, and I’m sure you will.

The Good Father by Noah Hawley

This book follows the emotional journey of a man whose son is on death row. Not one of the best book I’ve read, honestly, but it does serve a purpose. It takes you into a world often forgotten, helping you see all aspects of the death penalty and those it effects. It is full of actual assassination history from RFK to Timothy McVeigh, so that was interesting.

Dark Places by Gillian Flynn

This is another one that I’m not sure I would highly recommend. It did bring a very original character to life. As the title suggests though, it is very dark. Following the brutal, ritualistic murder of her family, a girl descends into darkness. Then motivated, mostly by money from murder fan clubs members, decides to re-investigate the case. Her brother, who was accused of the murders, may be innocent. The dark personality of the main character and the plot twists definitely distinguish it as a Gillian Flynn novel. Not nearly as good as Gone Girl, though.  

Mary Poppins by PT Travers

After seeing Saving Mr. Banks, when I saw this book on the bookshelf here, I knew I had to read it. You begin to understand Mrs. Travers a little more when reading this, and how she didn’t want her character tainted by Disney. Plenty of things are the same as the Disney movie, but I was surprised to find a little harsher of a Mary Poppins than the Julie Andrews character. Maybe that was just my interpretation though. 

A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini 

This was an incredible book. I love books that show a different perspective and a different culture. This one take us to Taliban controlled Afghanistan, and is told through eyes of two women whose paths crossed through a series of unfortunate events. It is not the feel good book of the year, but it is more than worth reading. It made me more determined than ever to advocate for people-especially women- who have no voice. 

The Giver by Lois Lowery

The original dystopian novel. I remember reading it in middle school but not since. I actually remembered bits and pieces of it, but understand it more fully now of course. I think this a great read for middle school children and will hopefully provoke meaningful conversations about individuality, the role of government, and the effects of keeping knowledge hidden. Truly a profound read.

If my reading list seems a little short this time, I apologize. In my defense, Uganda has taken some of my time, and rereading the Harry Potter series and finishing up the Song of Fire and Ice series has taken some of the rest. Hope you find something here that interests you.