The Open Door by Latifa al-Zayyat is a novel. It starts in 1946 when Cairo is engulfed by demonstrations against the British rule. The protagonist of the novel is Layla and her brother Mahmud, who is involved in those demonstrations. He comes home wounded, which…
1984 by George Orwell is a book Kelly and I decided to review today, read her review on her blog. It was just the nudge I needed to pick up this book. I’ve read other books by Orwell and loved them, so I was sure…
I got Le voci della sera by Natalia Ginzburg because I wanted to read something in Italian, in preparation for my trip to Italy. I read a book in Italian last year, a biography of Michael Schumacher. It is a short book, of only a…
My Uncle Napoleon by Iraj Pezeshkzad was recommended by my Middle East tutor. It is the first novel I read by an Iranian author. In true Iranian style, the novel is best enjoyed by those with a bit of knowledge of history, as it is…
Storytellers by Bjørn Larssen* is a novel taking place in 1920 Iceland, the story of blacksmith Gunnar who lives alone. He takes Sigurd into his home, a stranger with a broken ankle who needs help to recover, but who also has a lot of money…
Snow by Orhan Pamuk is a novel set in Trukey. Ka, a journalist, goes to a remote city on the Turkish border to investigate what appears to be a suicide epidemic of young women. The novel touches of complex issues, such as religion, Western views…
In Diamond Square by Mercè Rodoreda is a must read. Published in the 1960s for the first time, it is the story of Natalia, a shop-girl, and Joe, a carpenter. They marry in the 1930s and soon the Spanish Civil War starts. She remains with…
The Office of Historical Corrections by Danielle Evans* is a collection of 6 short stories and the title novella. These stories deal with race issues in US and it is written in such a lovely and interesting way. I am not biased when it comes…
I discovered The Package by Sebastian Fitzek on Yvonne’s blog and I wanted to read it. Taking a package for a neighbour triggers a chain of events which are, in part, very disturbing. I liked the idea, but, when I read the book, I thought…
I don’t read thrillers, but I read about Dear Child by Romy Hausmann on Yvonne’s blog and on Kelly’s. I’m so glad I read it because I couldn’t put it down. Although reading this after watching The Fall, a fantastic series about a serial killer…
Cilka’s journey by Heather Morris is the second book I read by her. It was published earlier this month and I was so keen on reading it. The first book I read was The Tattooist of Auschwitz (see my review linked at the end of…
Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov is one of the most controversial novels of the twentieth century. It is one of the classic books I challenged myself to read this year. I was reluctant to pick it, because of the story, but I was curious at the…
I wanted to read The librarian of Auschwitz by Antonio Iturbe after I saw Dita at BBC Breakfast. The book is about her, a fourteen-year-old child that is living in the concentration camp at Auschwitz. She is designated as the secret librarian by Jewish leader…
Eleanor Oliphant is completely fine by Gail Honeyman is a novel (almost) everybody knows about. It was the winner of Costa Book Awards in 2017 and I’ve read reviews for it on a lot of blogs. Finally I’ve borrowed it from the library and I’ve…
I’ve heard about The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris, I’ve read reviews on blogs, like the one made by Sarah at salocainwonderland.co.uk. I loved the book, with the picture of the entrance to Auschwitz and the uniforms the prisoners would wear. Of course, I…
I received Angelica Stone by Susi Osborne as part of a Book Blog Tour*. It is the story of Angelica Stone, a victim of sexual abuse that resulted in psychological trauma. She was reluctant to allow others in her life, but becomes best friend with…