Our Favorite Books

[schweppes]

:peekaboo: calling Autumnbronze, Duriz and all Lit lovers


I just finished reading this book, \"Major Pettigrew's Last Stand\", which I borrowed from the library. The whole time I was reading the book, I kept thinking how you would enjoy reading this book too.

It's a charming and delightful book set in a picturesque English village, filled with quirky characters. The protagonist is a cantankerous old man rediscovering a new life and love whilst trying to preserve honour, duty and traditions.

You can read the review on

http://www.amazon.com/Major-Pettigrews-Last-Stand-Novel/dp/1400068932/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1285158489&sr=8-1

A refreshing change from mystery, thrillers, vampires and chick lit type books.

Love this book and its wonderful storyline.

[schweppes]

Blobbi:

These days, I can't read fiction. Best books I've read:


Blood & Oil, Manucher and Roxane Farmanfarman.
Manucher Farmanfarman (family name means Prince of Princes) comes from a line of royalty in Iran. he was instrumental to, I can't remember his exact words, the rape of his country's oil reserves by the British in the early 20th century. The narrative is personal - this guy is an old world charmer who's opening line talks of attending a meeting for ambassadors (that's what he was) and meeting with wives (not his), with hungry eyes. Anyway, I felt so enraged with the treatment that the Brits meted out to their \"sovereign\" properties.

The Orientalist, Tom Reiss
A semi-biography of a mysterious writer of a book Tom Reiss came across while in Soviet Central Asia. As it unfolds, it's clear the man, Kurbin Said, was a Jew trying to run away from his own identity when being Jewish was a mark of death. It paints a picture of how Central Asian Jews, Muslims, Christians lived together before revolution tore them apart.

Now reading Uranium Wars by Amir Aczel. About how Uranium was discovered, how nuclear fission was discovered. Are we at the forefront of mass renewable energy? Very exciting!

Wah Blobbi, why the books u read so cheem one?! :salute: :udawoman:

[autumnbronze]

schweppes:

:peekaboo: calling Autumnbronze, Duriz and all Lit lovers


I just finished reading this book, \"Major Pettigrew's Last Stand\", which I borrowed from the library. The whole time I was reading the book, I kept thinking how you would enjoy reading this book too.

It's a charming and delightful book set in a picturesque English village, filled with quirky characters. The protagonist is a cantankerous old man rediscovering a new life and love whilst trying to preserve honour, duty and traditions.

You can read the review on

http://www.amazon.com/Major-Pettigrews-Last-Stand-Novel/dp/1400068932/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1285158489&sr=8-1

A refreshing change from mystery, thrillers, vampires and chick lit type books.

Love this book and its wonderful storyline.

Sounds real interesting Schweppes. Thanks for the recommendation :love:

Going to Bishan Library next few days, will most def check it out :celebrate:

[hermes173]

Hi fellow parents,


For many years, reading was my favourite and main hobby. Now I’m too caught up with work and family and so this hobby has taken a backseat recently.

I would like to share some of the best books that I’ve read. (Don’t have one favourite; very hard to decide. Different books affect me in different ways; it would be like comparing apples with oranges with bananas.)

1. 100 Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

In condensed form, it is about the rise and fall of the family of the Buendia family. Set in Columbia (think so but not sure), the story is gripping and what makes it even more fascinating for me is the use of surreal realism in the story.


2. Mr Norrell and Jonathan Strange by Suzanne Clark

One of the most under-rated books to hit the market in recent years. This story is about the relationship and growth of two magicians in an alternative-universe Britain. Clark paints such a vivid and moving tale that as I was reading the book, I thought that one of the central characters, the Raven King, was based on an existing figure (mythical or otherwise). Went to google it only to realise that the Raven King was truly a figment of Clark’s imagination. Despite the length of the story, I was truly sorry when it ended. It’s one of those great books that I wish would never end.

3. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

I’m sure this one needs no introduction, it being one of the O-level texts in Singapore. What can I say? Humour, tick. The poignancy of growing up, tick. The deeper societal issue of racism and justice. Tick. The universal truth of fairness and humanity. Tick. This little book packs a great wallop. What is most impressive for me though is how Harper Lee managed to ‘capture’ the voice of a nine-year-old girl just right.

My summaries really don’t do justice to these books. You have to read them personally to experience the magic that I did.

[duriz]

schweppes:

:peekaboo: calling Autumnbronze, Duriz and all Lit lovers


I just finished reading this book, \"Major Pettigrew's Last Stand\", which I borrowed from the library. The whole time I was reading the book, I kept thinking how you would enjoy reading this book too.

It's a charming and delightful book set in a picturesque English village, filled with quirky characters. The protagonist is a cantankerous old man rediscovering a new life and love whilst trying to preserve honour, duty and traditions.

You can read the review on

http://www.amazon.com/Major-Pettigrews-Last-Stand-Novel/dp/1400068932/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1285158489&sr=8-1

A refreshing change from mystery, thrillers, vampires and chick lit type books.

Love this book and its wonderful storyline.

Thank you for your lovely message schweppes.
I cannot wait to check it out.
Incidentally, Friday is our (DH, DD & I) dinner out, after which we go reading at Borders.
YAYY for your recommendation :hugs:

[schweppes]

duriz:

Incidentally, Friday is our (DH, DD & I) dinner out, after which we go reading at Borders.
YAYY for your recommendation :hugs:

Nice :love:

Enjoy yourselves tonite!

[schweppes]

hermes173:

1. 100 Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

2. Mr Norrell and Jonathan Strange by Suzanne Clark

Thanks for the recommendation, hermes173. The one by Clark sounds interesting. Will chk it out.

[phtthp]

which Enid blyton books are suitable for K1, K2 kids to read ?

[wayne.012373colquitt]

Harry Potter…?

[bonjour]

I got The Carrot Seed for my daughter when she turned 2 YO. Very simple to read yet meaningful. Talks about the little boy who perservered and eventually managed to grow carrot seeds when everyone told him that "it won’t come up".