After Dark by Haruki Murakami

It is night. A young girl has missed her last train. She sits in a cafe and reads.

A boy who knows her sister interrupts her solitude. Then goes off to practise jazz.

Events of the night are surreal in another great readable novel by Murakami.

The Sand Fish by Maha Gargash

In a rare novel from the Arab world, we get a glimpse into family life in the United Arab Emirates. A young poor woman has a favourable arranged marriage into a wealthy family. The complexities of her life in a polygamous society, with three wives competing for one man’s affection, are resolved when she becomes pregnant, but there is the possibility it may not be her husband’s son.

Lions of the Grunewald by Aidan Higgins

It is Berlin before the wall has come down. Two women are fighting over one man – well at least they are rivals.

Weaver, an Irish professor/writer is enjoying the limelight, but is running out of popularity.

A great meandering wander of a novel with a huge cast. It is often difficult to keep up with the writer. But still an enjoyable read.

Awareness by Anthony De Mello

This book is either for you or it isn’t. You will either hate De Mello or love him.

For me, it is a well written book on spirituality. There are some bits that resonate so deeply and others I just skipped over.

To be honest, I don’t think could disagree with the benefits of his campaign to make people more aware of themselves, others and their surroundings. Only a benefit. For those who wonder what the fuss is about they should give him at least a try.

Canada by Richard Ford

A brilliant idea for a book. The parents of twins rob a bank. They are ordinary folk who have fallen on hard times. The impact on their children when their caught is profound.

And yet this book to me, although very well written, seems just a little drawn out. It is a little too long.

 

The Valkyries by Paulo Coelho

The Brazilian mystic and magus is on a journey through the Mojave Desert with his wife. The journey is one of self-discovery.

In a world of only partial reality, myth and spirituality the reader is transported to an inspiring place. For this is one thing this writer does is inspire you to look closer at yourself.

 

Therese of Lisieux by by Jean Chalon

Sainte therese de lisieux 

Her life was simple. She devoted it solely to God.

A biographical work that is a bit over-lavish in its praise and yet perhaps it is a depiction of a reality. Can someone really be so good, so holy and so devoted? If it is true, then she deserves sainthood.

This book is well written and does make what seem to be a simple dreary life come alive for the reader. Maybe I am too cynical of such devotion.

Caravan of Dreams by Idries Shah

Illustration of Idries Shah

Short stories, myths, poems from the land of the Mystical Middle East.

Inspiring and informative texts and some that are positively enlightening.

Great read and good for bookshelf for future browsing.

Desert Wisdom by Neil Douglas-Klotz

A collection of a diverse series of texts from the ancient Middle East that give some ideas as to the origins of moral and religious ideas in the area.

This collation is educational and insightful and some of the texts are inspiring.

A great book to dip into and be inspired.

The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver

The Poisonwood Bible (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

A tale of misplaced evangelicalism deep in Africa.

The setting is the Belgian Congo and an American family is stranded in the early 1960s at a time of independence.

This historical novel is a fascinating read and captures the uncertainty of the time and the threat and danger of violence.

The Baptist belief at that time had no place on this African soil. A good read.

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