Book Haul, Pt. 1

Hey everyone! Just went to Jarir Bookstore yesterday, and picked up the following books:

- The Light Between Oceans by M. L. Stedman.
M. L. Stedman’s mesmerizing, beautifully written novel seduces us into accommodating Isabel’s decision to keep this “gift from God.” And we are swept into a story about extraordinarily compelling characters seeking to find their North Star in a world where there is no right answer, where justice for one person is another’s tragic loss. 

- A Sentimental Journey and other Writings by Laurence Sterne.
Celebrated in its own day as the progenitor of 'a school of sentimental writers', A Sentimental Journey (1768) has outlasted its many imitators because of the humour and mischievous eroticism that inform Mr Yorick's travels. Setting out to journey to France and Italy he gets little further than Lyons but finds much to appreciate, in contrast to contemporary travel writers whom Sterne satirizes in the figures of Smelfungus and Mundungus. A master of ambiguity and double entendre, Sterne is nevertheless as concerned as his peers with exploring the nature of virtue; unlike other writers of sentimental fiction Sterne insists on the inseparability of desire and feeling.


- People of the Book: The Forgotten History of Islam and the West by Zachary Karabell.
We live in a world polarized by the ongoing conflict between Muslims, Christians and Jews, but - in an extraordinary narrative spanning fourteen centuries - Zachary Karabell argues that the relationship between Islam and the West has never been simply one of animosity and competition, but has also comprised long periods of cooperation and coexistence. 

- Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury.
Guy Montag is a fireman. His job is to burn books, which are forbidden, being the source of all discord and unhappiness. Even so, Montag is unhappy; there is discord in his marriage. Are books hidden in his house? The Mechanical Hound of the Fire Department, armed with a lethal hypodermic, escorted by helicopters, is ready to track down those dissidents who defy society to preserve and read books.

- Brethren by Robyn Young.
Will Campbell longs to become a Knight Templar, but first he must serve as apprentice to the foul-tempered scholar Everard, a man of dangerous secrets.
 Amir Baybars has fought his way from slavery to become a fearsome commander, driven by an unquencahable desire to free his people from the European invaders of the Holy Land.
These two men are destined to collide, in that extraordinary clash of civilizations know in the West as the Crusades.

- An Abundance of Katherines by John Green.
When it comes to relationships, Colin Singleton's type happens to be girls named Katherine. And when it comes to girls named Katherine, Colin is always getting dumped. Nineteen times, to be exact. He's also a washed-up child prodigy with ten thousand dollars in his pocket, a passion for anagrams, and an overweight, Judge Judy-obsessed best friend. Colin's on a mission to prove The Theorem of Underlying Katherine Predictability, which will predict the future of all relationships, transform him from a fading prodigy into a true genius, and finally win him the girl.

 I don't think I have ever bought a more random set of books, though I am excited to start reading (I've already started Fahrenheit 451). 

Happy Reading everyone,

:)

The Wonderful World of Roald Dahl

The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar by Roald Dahl

The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar is a book by Roald Dahl containing six short stories, three of which are non-fiction. This book is more directed towards older readers than children, but I still think some stories would be an inspiration for children to read.
 The stories were really interesting, my favourite fiction story was The Boy Who Talked with Animals, but The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar was a close second. The title story in this book is about a rich, old man who decides to dedicate his mind to make more money and the changes (unexpected ones) he feels as he works harder and harder. The last story, a non-fiction one, called A Piece of Cake, is the first story Dahl ever wrote.

I have always been a big Roald Dahl fan and am planning on reading all his adult books. I just loved his non-fiction story Lucky Break, it was such an inspiring and lovely story to read, about how life isn't defined for anyone and how a conversation with one person can change your life so drastically. There are also some facts about Dahl's life that would be shocking to read, but that was how life was back then (school stories similar to Boy, if anyone read that).
I recommend this to all Road Dahl readers and would love to hear your thoughts, and what your favourite stories were.

Rating: 4/5

Favourite quote: “The secret of life', he said, 'is to become very very good at somethin' that's very very 'ard to do.” 

MIllay's The Sea of Tranquility..

The Sea of Tranquility by Katja Millay

Nastya Kashnikov is an ex-pianist who lives to destroy the boy who took everything from her. Josh Bennett, a fellow student, protects himself with an anti-social bubble to be left alone. Everyone stays away from him, except Nastya. However, the closer they get, the more the  secrets start to unravel.

Let me jut say, wow, it's been a long time since I have seen such a high rating on goodreads for a relatively new  book (4.50 by 24,153 readers). It is also going to be a long time until I trust ratings again as well. I'll start off by saying I love "slow" paced novels (I'll be using that word a lot here, it's a favourite, made-up genre of mine) but this book just kept dragging the story on for way too long. Even though I understand the author wanted to give the book a sense of mystery to the book, Nastya's backstory just too long to develop to the point where it just felt a little anti-climatic. I also did not understand why some characters felt certain feelings for other characters (let's keep this spoiler-free, shall we?). There were also some pretty cringey scenes in the book, but maybe some people like that kind of stuff. I must admit I was disappointed as the plot was very good and it's also rare for me to like a book with a first person point of view, but really, her writing style was very good, it was just the prolonged plot that put me off. I can't be too critical because the writing is good, I just wish the book was a bit more condensed.

Rating: 3/5.

Favourite quote: “I am pressed so hard against the earth by the weight of reality that some days I wonder how I am still able to lift my feet to walk.” 

The Girl Who Read The Girl With Glass Feet.

The Girl with Glass Feet by Ali Shaw

This poignant novel is about an outsider to St. Hauda’s Land called Ida McLaird, who is slowly turning to glass. Ida returns to this magical land hoping to find a cure by searching for Henry Fuwa, a recluse who might be able to help. During her journey, she meets Midas Crook, and they slowly start to fall in love.


Even though we all deny doing this, there is nothing better than reading a novel more beautiful than its cover. The moment I saw this book and read the blurb, I just knew I had to buy it - and I obviously haven't regretted it. The characters in this book feel very real in terms of their personalities and how they develop in the book. The story line was captivating and the description of Ali Shaw's world was beautiful and very deep. There were so many good quotes in this book, before I got halfway through it, I had already planned on reading it again so I can record all the words I loved so much. I honestly love these types of "slow" novels, where the story, the scenery and the dialogue can all be appreciated. I really recommend reading this novel is a breath of fresh air.

Rating: A concrete 5/5.

Favourite quote:
"Hug me."
"I... I'm sorry?"
She opened her eyes a crack. They couldn't focus. Her irises were ash between red eyelids. "Put your arms around me."
Carefully, he reached around her with both arms so his fingers locked across her back.
"You have to squeeze," she whispered, "or it's not a hug."