The Crusades Through Arab Eyes by Amin Maalouf

A fascinating historical account of the crusades.

These tales of the time seem less tainted by propaganda somehow.

Brilliantly told by the master Malouf. Absolutely recommended to anyone interested in Arab history.

Little Bee by Chris Cleave

Post-traumatic stress blocks out horrible events that we witness.

Little Bee is caught up in a violent uprising in Nigeria.

A British couple encounter during a moment so horrific they want to forget forever.

But they can never do it. And as soon as she escapes to England you feel that it is inevitable that the consequences will be too great.

Cover of Little Bee: A Novel

A great and impelling read from Chris Cleave.

Saturday by Ian McEwan

A day in the life of a neurosurgeon undergoing a mid life crisis. He crashes his car while driving through a cordoned off London, during an anti-war demonstration, into the car of a violent criminal with early signs of what seems to be Huntington’s disease.

The brilliant McEwan turns what should be an ordinary day into one filled with tension. The dinner scene where the criminal reappears in the neurosurgeon’s house and threatens his family is memorable.

McEwan is a master of atmosphere.

The Best of Myles by Flann O’Brien

The great under-recognised talent of Irish comedic writing. A collection of material written for his Irish Times column.

Some of the writing is pure genius, some is pure rubbish and the rest is just downright hilarious and have you laughing out loud.

Some surreal comments from the brother, fascinating myths of myles na gcopaleen, and many potentially lucrative and commercial inventions that although quite plausible have never unfortunately caught the imagination of the entrepreneur set.

Reading this is for fun.

The Storyteller by Mario Vargos Llosa

A Peruvian in Florence chances about a photo-exhibition in which he spots an old friend. Or is it? Has his friend become the mythical storyteller of a lost tribe or is it just a case of mistaken identity.

More magic realism from Senor Llosa but for me this story is just a bit too disjointed unfortunately. I am going to reread The War of the End of the World and this will not put me off though as this is a great classic.

Havoc in its Third Year by Ronan Bennett

An excellent historical novel set in puritan England in the 17th century. Long listed for the Booker in 2004 and perhaps should have done better.

Recommend it.

Sophie’s World by Jostein Gaarder

I absolutely recommend this.

It is like an idiot’s guide to philosophy so cleverly weaved into a tale of a young girl’s curiousity about the world we live in and the meaning of things.

This is an absolute classic. Enough said.

Also by Jostein Gaarder is The Christmas Mystery
and The Solitaire Mystery

Moon Palace by Paul Auster

For some bizarre reason I have avoided Paul Auster until now. Maybe it was the hype about him.

But no doubt any praise is justified.

Really good read this.  I very much like the twist in the plot.

Want to read more Auster now.

Recommend.

Santa Evita by Tomas Eloy Martinez

A strange novel about the stolen body of Eva Peron and how it was embalmed and stolen.

It has been replicated and is hidden and moved around.

The body makes a journey that brings calamity and mystery.

It doesn’t save the political career of her husband Juan Peron.

Complex novel but recommend.  A classic.

The Housekeeper & The Professor by Yoko Ogawa

This is an enchanting story of the relationship between a professor who is mentally stuck in the present after a head injury, his housekeeper and their son.

Each morning they must rebuild their relationship between one another – but it is a special relationship based on numbers and riddles.

Poetic work and recommend you read it twice.