The Camel Bookmobile

The Camel Bookmobile by Masha Hamilton is a lovely story about an American woman, Fi, who goes to Africa to help with a travelling library that goes by camel train to remote villages to bring books and literacy. Fi becomes intrigued by a particular village and its characters when she discovers that a disfigured teenage boy refuses to return his books. She learns the reasons for that and at the same time learns more about the culture of the village. Some of the elders see the travelling library as an unwanted intrusion into their culture, so there is a clash of the culture as the villagers are exposed to a "better" life and there is a fear they will reject their own culture. So here is a intriguing philosophical debate about the worth of the library. 4/5

Song Yet Sung

This lovely story Song Yet Sung by James McBride was a good read. Set in 1850s America when slavery is still a harsh reality, a young slave girl, Liz, escapes and is harbored by other slaves. She has a gift of "dreaming the future" when there will be a better time for America's blacks. There are some intriguing characters - Patty the tough slave-stealer, the slaves, owners, slave catchers. An interesting time as there is hope for the future. 4/5

Taking Control of Multiple Sclerosis

I've found Taking Control of Multiple Sclerosis by Dr George Jelinek a very interesting book. It was lent to me by a friend and I was surprised that so much of the book was relevant to my own condition CIDP and Transverse Myelitis (the myelin sheath is attacked by my immune system) so I got a lot out of the book. Dr Jelinek says it is important to take control as early as possible to slow down the effects of MS. He advocates a change of diet (for example - eliminate saturated fats), sunlight, some vitamins, meditation and counselling to help deal with the condition. Dr Jelinek was diagnosed with MS about seven years ago and with his medical knowledge he researched everything that had been written about it and has provided the results of his investigation in an easy to read manner to benefit others with the condition. It is essential reading for anyone newly diagnosed with MS. 5/5

Rage

Rage by Jonathan Kellerman was a really bizarre serial killer thriller. It starts out as what seems a "James Bolger" type case when a toddler is murdered by two young teens. However, as psychologist Alex Delaware and LAPD Detective Milo Sturgis delve deeper after the teen killers are themselves murdered, they uncover a tale of depravity they could not have foreseen. 4/5

Remember Me

I very much enjoyed Remember Me by Derek Hansen as I've enjoyed many of his other books. Set in 1950s New Zealand, a 12 year old boy writes an essay on "Burden of Responsibility" and thus sets in place an unstoppable chain of events. This time is not long after World War II so is fresh in the minds of people. An event during the War has repercussions for the people in the boy's community. Friendships and loyalties are sorely tested and some found wanting as certain characters seek redemption for actions taken during the War. A lovely story as a child struggles to understand the adult world as bitter wounds are re-opened as a consequence of his "innocent" action to help a mate. 41/2/5

The Girl Who Played With Fire

I've just finished the wonderful The Girl Who Played With Fire by Stieg Larsson. This is one of those rare books that you can't wait to finish but then feel flat when you've finished because the joy of reading it is over. This is the second in Larsson's trilogy and it makes you hungry for the next one. Mikael Blomkvist, journalist at Millennium is about to publish an expose about the sex trade written by two writers when they are murdered and crime scene evidence points to Lisbeth Salander as the murderer. Mikael knows this is not possible and sets out to find the real murderer. Salander is the most interesting character to emerge in thrillers in recent times.The reader is led on a trail of government cover ups, murders and espionage before the truth is finally revealed. I highly recommend this book, but be sure to read the first in the trilogy The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo before you read this one. 5/5

Obsession

Obsession by Jonathan Kellerman was quite a good read. A dying woman, Patty, warns her adopted daughter, Tanya, that she "killed a man" but gives no details. Bewildered, Tanya turns to Alex Delaware who in turns enlists the help of Det. Milo Sturgis to search Patty's past and gradually they uncover a series of murders committed by a disturbed sociopath who may be a danger to Tanya. Was the murderer a product of genetics or his indifferent and dysfunctional upbringing? 31/2/5

The Alchemist

This beautiful book The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho was a treat. A young man seeks his 'personal legend' and his 'treasure' and sets out to find them, meeting many people and having adventures along the way. As he does, he learns more about life and himself and the meaning of happiness. Some people fail to seek their 'personal legend' as other things get in the way or they are afraid of what they will find. A lovely philosophy. 4/5

The Memory Room

The Memory Room by Christopher Koch was intriguing, a bit slow at first until an affair developed between two of the characters - Erika and Derek. There is espionage and intrigue and tempestuous love. Erika is an unstable character and when she has an affair with a Russian journalist, there are consequences for all involved. 3 1/2/5