The Buddha in the Attic - Julie Otsuka

The Buddha in the Attic is a tour de force of economy and precision, a novel that tells the story of a group of young women brought over from Japan to San Francisco as ‘picture brides’ nearly a century ago.

In eight incantatory sections, The Buddha in the Attic traces their extraordinary lives, from their arduous journey by boat, where they exchange photographs of their husbands, imagining uncertain futures in an unknown land; to their arrival in San Francisco and their tremulous first nights as new wives; to their backbreaking work picking fruit in the fields and scrubbing the floors of white women; to their struggles to master a new language and a new culture; to their experiences in childbirth, and then as mothers, raising children who will ultimately reject their heritage and their history; to the deracinating arrival of war.

In language that has the force and the fury of poetry, Julie Otsuka has written a singularly spellbinding novel about the American dream.

This was a really good book. It was set out in a unique way using multiple voices at one to demonstrates how different each of their lives were back then.  

Although it was a quick read (I read it in 3 days on the commute to and from work) it gave an in-depth look about a time I didn't really know about.

Definitely worth a read.

Fifty Shades of Grey - E.L. James

When literature student Anastasia Steele is drafted to interview the successful young entrepreneur Christian Grey for her campus magazine, she finds him attractive, enigmatic and intimidating. Convinced their meeting went badly, she tries to put Grey out of her mind - until he happens to turn up at the out-of-town hardware store where she works part-time. 

The unworldly, innocent Ana is shocked to realize she wants this man, and when he warns her to keep her distance it only makes her more desperate to get close to him. Unable to resist Ana’s quiet beauty, wit, and independent spirit, Grey admits he wants her - but on his own terms. 

Shocked yet thrilled by Grey's singular erotic tastes, Ana hesitates. For all the trappings of success – his multinational businesses, his vast wealth, his loving adoptive family – Grey is a man tormented by demons and consumed by the need to control. When the couple embarks on a passionate, physical and daring affair, Ana learns more about her own dark desires, as well as the Christian Grey hidden away from public scrutiny.

Can their relationship transcend physical passion? Will Ana find it in herself to submit to the self-indulgent Master? And if she does, will she still love what she finds?

Erotic, amusing, and deeply moving, the Fifty Shades Trilogy is a tale that will obsess you, possess you, and stay with you forever.

After reading all the mixed reviews, I couldn't resist reading this book to see which side of the fence I fell on - from what I've read you will either love or hate this book, with not many in between.

I have a very varied taste when it comes to book I like to read, and I have read a few 'romance' novels before. How does this one stack up against the others?

I didn't hate it, but I also don't think it is quite deserving of the cult-like following it seems to have developed. My feeling is that like with the Twilight series, there are women out there who may have a relationship that is lacking something, so look to books like this to escape to...?

Overall the story itself was quite well written and set out in a way that made me want to keep reading to find out what happened (and the first book left on such a crucial turning point that I am now struggling with the decision if I will pick up the second one to find out what happens!) The author does well to create pity in the main male character, when at first he seems like a very unlikeable person. There were times when he was so controlling and unrealistic with his expectations of Anastasia that it made me feel quite mad at both him AND her. For God's sake, what self respecting woman would want to be with a man that got 'palm-twitchingly' angry and threatened violence against you when you said you wanted to go visit your Mum for a few days, or go out to dinner with one of your friends! That's not a turn on, its called physical and emotional abuse. Yet on the other hand when the story develops further I was surprised when I actually started to feel some sympathy for him - I am assuming this will go into it in more detail in the next book... 

I did find parts of the  book a little far-fetched, but then again, isn't that part of reading, to escape reality for a little while where anything is possible? All I will say though, it that I don't think there are many people out there who lose their virginity in the way that Anastasia does...

The sex scenes weren't really as controversial as some people led me to believe - I don't partake in that kind of activity though so as to their accuracy I can't comment.

Overall not as bad a read as some people made it out to be, and I will probably pick up the next in the series after a short break with something else.

Lone Wolf - Jodie Picoult

A life hanging in the balance…a family torn apart. The #1 internationally bestselling author Jodi Picoult tells an unforgettable story about family, love, and letting go.

Edward Warren, twenty-four, has been living in Thailand for five years, a prodigal son who left his family after an irreparable fight with his father, Luke. But he gets a frantic phone call: His dad lies comatose, gravely injured in the same accident that has also injured his younger sister Cara.

With her father’s chances for recovery dwindling, Cara wants to wait for a miracle. But Edward wants to terminate life support and donate his father’s organs. Is he motivated by altruism, or revenge? And to what lengths will his sister go to stop him from making an irrevocable decision?

Lone Wolf explores the notion of family, and the love, protection and strength it’s meant to offer. But what if the hope that should sustain it, is the very thing that pulls it apart? Another tour de force from Jodi Picoult, Lone Wolf examines the wild and lonely terrain upon which love battles reason.

Jodie Picoult has never let me down with a single one of her novels and Lone Wolf is no exception, which is why I was so surprised to see so many mixed reviews for this book on Amazon.com and Goodreads.com. Some commented that the main characters was boring, that her novels are becoming too predictable, and that the stories of the wolf packs woven in were unnecessary, but I can honestly say that those thoughts never occurred to me when I was reading it, so don't let that dissuade you if you are a fan of her previous novels.

My upbringing was nothing like that of Edward and Cara in this story, so sometimes I found the bickering and lies/deception a little annoying as a whole lot of drama and misunderstanding could have been avoided if they just communicated a bit better and listened to each other, but thanks to that aspect Lone Wolf was a great reminder to me that no family is perfect and that each has its own unique dynamic that might not be understood to outsiders. 

The way it was written, with both Edward's and Cara's secret guilt being referred to but not given away until that final chapters, made read faster so I could find out the twist. And I enjoyed the way that the story was told throughout from each member's different prospective, which made me sway my loyalty between each one as more information unfolded. I think this is one of the main strengths of Picoult's writing, she can take a normally black and white concept and make me think in grey after observing each side. 

The diary style writing from Luke throughout gave depth to the plot and tied in what was happening to the human family with how it would be in the wild with a wolf pack. Very clever.

All in all if you are a usual fan of Jodie Picoult I don't think you would be disappointed. I wouldn't expect anything less from her and she continues to be one of my favourite authors.

Guilty Wives - James Patterson

No husbands allowed

Only minutes after Abbie Elliot and her three best friends step off of a private helicopter, they enter the most luxurious, sumptuous, sensually pampering hotel they have ever been to. Their lavish presidential suite overlooks Monte Carlo, and they surrender: to the sun and pool, to the sashimi and sake, to the Bruno Paillard champagne. For four days they're free to live someone else's life. As the weekend moves into pulsating discos, high-stakes casinos, and beyond, Abbie is transported to the greatest pleasure and release she has ever known.

What happened last night?

In the morning's harsh light, Abbie awakens on a yacht, surrounded by police. Something awful has happened—something impossible, unthinkable. Abbie, Winnie, Serena, and Bryah are arrested and accused of the foulest crime imaginable. And now the vacation of a lifetime becomes the fight of a lifetime & for survival. GUILTY WIVES is the ultimate indulgence, the kind of nonstop joy-ride of excess, friendship, betrayal, and danger that only James Patterson can create.

I loved this book and found it really easy to read, I didn't want to put it down, but wouldn't expect anything less from James Patterson.

Great plot, great characters, great twists! 

Get your copy now! 

The Lady of Bolton Hill - Elizabeth Camden

Female journalists are rare in 1879, but American-born Clara Endicott has finally made a name for herself with her provocative articles championing London's poor. When the backlash from her work forces a return home to Baltimore, Clara finds herself face-to-face with a childhood sweetheart who is no longer the impoverished factory worker she once knew. 

In her absence, Daniel Tremain has become a powerful industry giant and Clara finds him as enigmatic as ever. However, Daniel's success is fueled by resentment from past wounds and Clara's deeply-held beliefs about God's grace force Daniel to confront his own motives. When Clara's very life is endangered by one of Daniel's adversaries, they must face a reckoning neither of them ever could have foreseen.

I have mixed feelings about this book after reading it. Overall I did enjoy the storyline, it was easy to ready, had twists and drama in the right places, and had characters that were vivid, even if they were a little unrealistic at times. 

There are two things that bring let this book down for me. The first is that it wasn't until halfway through that I realised it was a Christian book. Now to be fair it wasn't as 'preachy' as it could have potentially been, although there were times towards the end when the same bible quote was repeated over and over again, and that got a little repetitive. 

But the main reason the book lost points from me is that the main antagonist in this book changed from being a hardened opium dealer criminal, to a born-again christian in a matter of days and after only a few short conversations with the main heroine he completely changed his life. I have not been in the situation where I have been convinced to change my opinion on religion, but I really doubt it would happen so quickly. To make this story more realistic I would have hinted at Bane's wishes to change his lifestyle rather than him saying how much he enjoyed it and wanted to climb up the criminal ladder.

Overall the story wasn't too bad, but not one I would rave about and highly recommend. There are far better writers out there that I would rather read more from. 

The Happiest Refugee, A Memoir - Anh Do

“There are only two times. Now and too late.” - Anh Do

Anh Do nearly didn't make it to Australia. His entire family came close to losing their lives on the sea as they escaped from war-torn Vietnam in an overcrowded boat. But nothing - not murderous pirates, nor the imminent threat of death by hunger, disease or dehydration as they drifted for days - could quench their desire to make a better life in the country they had dreamed about.

Life in Australia was hard, an endless succession of back-breaking work, crowded rooms, ruthless landlords and make-do everything. But there was a loving extended family, and always friends and play and something to laugh about for Anh, his brother Khoa and their sister Tram. Things got harder when their father left home when Anh was thirteen -- they felt his loss very deeply and their mother struggled to support the family on her own. His mother's sacrifice was an inspiration to Anh and he worked hard during his teenage years to help her make ends meet, also managing to graduate high school and then university.

Another inspiration was the comedian Anh met when he was about to sign on for a 60-hour a week corporate job. Anh asked how many hours he worked. 'Four,' the answer came back, and that was it. He was going to be a comedian! The Happiest Refugee tells the incredible, uplifting and inspiring life story of one of our favourite personalities. Tragedy, humour, heartache and unswerving determination -- a big life with big dreams. Anh's story will move and amuse all who read it.

This book was fantastic! I was expecting a really comedic book full of his usual funny outlooks, and don't get me wrong, the book was definitely full of his quirky humour, but it was also very touching and full of stories of his childhood. Reading his story made me realise how lucky I am and actually made me feel selfish that I don't do as much for society as he does.

Anh's childhood was full of so many adventures that most of us couldn't dream of, and I loved reading his journey. A great read that I highly recommend!

Musical Chairs - Jen Knox

“An intelligent person can rationalize anything, a wise person doesn't try.” - Jen Knox

Musical Chairs explores one family's history of mental health diagnoses and searches to define the cusp between a '90s working-class childhood and the trouble of adapting to a comfortable life in the suburbs. In order to understand her restlessness, Jennifer reflects on years of strip-dancing, alcoholism, and estrangement. Inspired by the least likely source, the family she left behind, Jennifer struggles towards reconciliation. This story is about identity, class, family ties, and the elusive nature of mental illness. 

This was one of those raw stories you read that makes you examine your own life and think how lucky you really are. 

This book COULD have been full of self-pity, but instead it was full of optimism. It COULD have been full of excuses and weakness, but instead it showed strength and determination. It COULD have been hard to read, but instead I found it a refreshing glimpse in to the life of someone who struggles with mental illness, but fights back. 

This is a great book for those who has never really had any contact with someone who has a mental illness, but is interested in seeing how their thought pattern works. A great read!