Sky Burial - Xinran
A true life story of jaw dropping proportions.
A young Chinese woman goes to Tibet in
search of her lost husband, an army doctor,
lost in action in Tibet. Set amidst the
backdrop of the Chinese take-over of
Tibet this young womans' determination to
find her husband spans many years and
many miles through the vast Tibetan
landscape, not a big book but certainly a
massive tale that left me quite staggered
at her endurance, dedication and love for
her husband.
The Book Thief - Markus Zusak
I could hardly put this book down when I read it,
and wept profusely at the ending.
War-torn Nazi Germany is the setting for this very
moving and vivid account of the life of a young
girl whose communist parents have been sent
to a concentration camp and finds herself sent
away to be fostered. The stark realities of poverty,
mistrust and fear are set against the greater good
of loving and care for individuals and encapsulates
the very best and the very worst of humanity. A
MUST read.
The Shadow of The Wind - Carlos Ruiz Zafon
An incredible tale with all the plotting, twists and turns
that we saw in Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code and
spade loads more as this book is so beautifully written
I feel it somewhat of an injustice to make that comparison
but we have intrigue here on a grand scale that makes
this such a riveting read and the characters so
compelling. A visit to the Cemetary of Forgotten Books
starts an amazing journey of discovery for a young boy.
It is no wonder that this is such an international best-seller
and I doubt there are many who have not yet had the joy
of reading such a beautifully written book.
The alchemist - Paulo Coelho
Another best-seller, very short book but very
up-lifting and thought-provoking, this story could be set
anywhere but the messages are for us all to digest and
reflect upon and basically tells us to follow our hearts
as well as also teaching us that what we strive for and
search so hard for could really be right at our feet all
the time. Very enjoyable read.
Full Tilt - Dervla Murphy
First came across Dervla Murphy and this book - eeeek -
some thirty years ago and have remained a fan of her
travel books ever since. Does this woman know no fear?
From Ireland to India on a bicyle is quite some feat
to pull off for a young woman on her own and I came
to much admire Dervla and found her story a
fascinating read as she journeyed across continents.
River Dog - A Journey Down The
Brahmaputra - Mark Shand
I just love tales of river jouneys and found this one fascinating
as much for the historical background that interspersed
the tale of this incredible journey down the length of the
Brahmaputra river.
Labyrinth - Kate Mosse
Loved this book, for me it's got the lot. History,
fantasy, time travel and set in Carcasonne, France
(somewhere I have long dreamt of visiting - maybe
one day) I was gripped from start to finish as the
elements were interwoven to create a gripping tale
I could not put down.
Life of Pi - Yann MartelHad no idea what to expect when I picked up
Life of Pi - did not anticipate at all the events that
transpited but was absolutely captivated by the
bizarre and frankly mind-blowing originality
of this book. Again, another international
best-seller - quite rightly so - I doubtr many out
there willn not have read this but I hate spoilers
myself so will not delve into the realms of the
tale here, but again, another must read.
The River at the Centre of The World:
A Journey Up The Yangtze, and Back in Chinese Time -
Simon Winchester
A lovely journey full of incredible historical facts, meeting
fascinating people and seeing amazing places you get a
full-on taste of all that is China past and present. A
sumptuous read I fully immersed myself in having both
a fascination for river journeys and China.
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