Mini - Comments

These are the last books I've read in April. Nothing in common between them, but since I don't have much to say about them, I've decided to group both in a smaller post.

The Postman by Antonio Skarmeta is a well known short story featuring Pablo Neruda and a man who is his postman for a while, Mario. The story isn't developed much and the social and political allusions to the situation in Chile in the 1970s quite superficial. I suppose a short book would not contain much anyway, but I did expect a bit more setting and sequence to what was being said. 

The focus is on the postman who, by getting to know the poet, sees Neruda for who he is and not for his fame. Mario was a likable character but he is also quite distracted by his feelings for Beatriz. This relationship didn't convince me, but it was also a way for Mario and Neruda to talk and the best part of the book was certainly the supposed meaningful short conversations they shared. 

This short book was one of those that I think have a special value but don't leave a big mark on the reader, at least not for me. Sadly, it's very likely I'll forget about it easily.
Grade: 6/10

The Full Moon Coffee Shop by Mai Mochizuki is also a short story (less than 200 pages, just like Skarmeta's book) about a set of characters who connect somehow. The element they all have in common is the coffee shop which only seems to be open and available at certain times, and is managed by talking cats. In recent years, I have read several books by Japanese authors who have stories with cats and bookshops or coffee shops and in general all have been easy to appreciate. Of course, not all have been great for most include some sort of magical realism element too, and this can be tricky to do well.

In this book, sadly to me, I think the conjunction of things did not work out. I could not seem to connect with the characters, I had some difficulty recognizing the fun or the cuteness of the talking cats and although the book is short, it was also boring. There is also an element of astrology, which the author inserts in each character's life by having the cat providing advice and wisdom, but I was not convinced. I cannot say this bothered me as it did other readers but yes, it didn't help.
All in all, it just didn't make sense to me at any level, so I've decided to not finish.
Grade: DNF

Mini - Comments

Here are two more books I have read recently, but of which I don't have a lot to say. I mean, i suppose I could write a lot more about each one, but at the same time I don't really feel like it, although I still want to leave some reference to having read them.

Death at the Sanatorium by author Ragnar Jonasson is my first attempt with this author. I had no expectation beyond the notion this would include a mystery and a police investigation.

This was a story with potential and did include several elements we often seen in mystery novels, with people doing weird/suspicious things and people seemingly having complicated motivations and/or life choices. I was intrigued, no doubt about it but I will be honest and say I wasn't fond of the writing style. Everything is kind of superficial and there are way too many things being hinted at that don't have a matching development. This made the story feel rather disjointed and focused on things that don't really matter. I've found the mystery to be quite thin and the killer's reasons to be poorly explained.
The author wrote this as a sort of homage to his love for crime books similar to Agatha Christie (an author I have read and like) and I can see where he went with it in how this book was structured. Unfortunately, the result was only average to me. I might try another one of his books, perhaps the writing style of one of those might suite me better.

Grade: 6/10

* * *

A Mulher que Correu Atrás do Vento by author João Tordo is yet another book by this Portuguese author I have been reading for some years now. The title might be literally translated as "the woman who chased the wind" and is the tale of four women who have some sort of connection, even though they lived in different time periods. 

I've found this book to be as well written and as emotionally complex as most of his books and by now I'm already used to his "voice", which means that this went on as smoothly as i imagined. However, I will say that part of this book's plot references some situations and includes characters who also appear in another book. By chance, I did read that one before but chronologically what happens in this one comes first. Well, it did kind of change my perception of some things and I will admit it did affect part of my experience. 
The four main women are Lisbeth in the late 19th century, then Graça in 1976, then Beatriz and Lia after the 1990s. I didn't particularly like the women in the past periods, not that they were bad people, but the surroundings of their lives just didn't captivate me. Beatriz and Lia also seemed more interesting, from a psychological POV, but this time, the back and forth between so many people and all of them dealing with some sort of tragedy... well, I won't think of this book as part of my favorites by the author.
Grade: 5/10

Mini - Comments

Here is another summarized post... I suppose I could write more about each of the books but, to be honest, there isn't that much I feel like writing, so a small post it is.

These two books are each part of a different series, which I had started before. They have in common the fact they were written by Spanish authors and are set somewhere in Spain, but the content and style are quite different.

I got both at the library, just as I had gotten the others in the series I had read previously.

The Legacy of the Bones by Dolores Redondo is the second installment in the Baztan trilogy. The plot of this story begins a few months after the end of the first book and follows most of the threads we had followed there. Now, some deaths are happening in very similar ways, which means the killer must be the same and it seems whoever it is, has a specific goal in mind, namely provoking detective Amaia. However, when she finally realizes what is behind the whole thing, those she cares about are already in danger... 
I liked this book, it has interesting scenes and a captivating enough development, and I think the web between the crimes, the victims, the culprit was quite engaging, even though there were times I was a little confused on how they went from point A to point B. I would say that I got this impression because there are way too many details to think of and lots of apparently random situations taking center stage. I'm specifically thinking about the huge amount of details related to all the characters, which are interesting, no doubt. But it's also a little distracting because.. will these details have any relevance in the end, will the information be pertinent for us to have closure on why this was shared? I hope so, otherwise it will be very frustrating. I'm still curious so I will certainly read the last installment to find out.
Grade: 7/10

A Nina is the Portuguese translation of this third installment in the Elena Blanco series by author Carmen Mola. One could translate into English as "the child" I suppose. The plot of this book annoyed me to no end, let me tell you. It is focused on Chesca, a secondary character from the books, who is kind of kidnapped at the beginning of the book and from then on things get weird and annoying and her police friends try their best to find and rescue her. 
I won't go into spoilers but I will say that it felt as if the authors decided to go all the way in into bizarre and shock factor. I kept wondering in my head if they sit down somewhere and just randomly gave ideas on how to shock the reader the most and then agreed on this plot, probably collecting other similarly distressing ideas for the next books. Sadly, I quickly lost interest and actually skipped a few paragraphs here and there. I thought about not finishing but admit I was curious to see how things would end. Well, it wasn't in any way that gave my any hope for what might come next, and this means I won't read the next books.
Grade: 3/10

Mini-Comments

I've recently read two books by Spanish authors, which I got at the library. One of them was a novelty, actually recommended by the librarian - it didn't take much effort, though - and the other was the sequel to a book I had read last month.

It seems Spanish thrillers have been quite successful in the recent years among readers but I confess I had not tried many. The ones I mention here were both interesting, yes, for what purpose they had, and I had a good time reading, even if the themes in one of them weren't as thrilling as I imagined.

The Purple Network, as I would literally translate the original title, by Carmen Mola is the second book in the Elena Blanco series, whose first book I had read last month. I had liked it enough to try this one, although I knew this one would not be as easy. I say this, for the first book was focused on a crime investigation with some rather repugnant details, but a clue then set up the plot for this second book and it would be centered on investigating and ending a criminal network, which deals with illegal events. I've found the situations depicted in this book to be repulsive too, but mostly from a moral POV. 
I still like the main characters, but they seem themselves in some complicated situations, again, mostly related to their behavior. I can see that this adds drama and realism to the story, but my enjoyment of it was way less than in the first book. I kind of wanted the "good guys" to be above reproach. 
I might try the next one, because it is available at the library.
Grade: 5/10

The Invisible Guardian by Delores Redondo is another crime investigation novel, with a few touches of supernatural and/or mysticism, with detective Amaia as the main character. Girls have been found dead in the woods in an obviously staged position and the investigation reaches detective Amaia's own family...
I liked this one, the pace and the plot felt intriguing and I liked that we get to delve into the main characters' psychological mind frame and even their pasts. I suppose this is ongoing through the remaining books, for this is the first of a trilogy, but here enough was added to make me curious. The case has its appeal, and I liked the process and most of the characters. I wasn't as convinced of the mythical content and such because, to me, it felt like an afterthought. I also think the culprit's motivation was a bit over the top, didn't seem organic to the character's construction, but it was nice to have an explanation. I liked it enough to read the next one, when it's available. I also saw a TV series was done based on these books...something for one day!
Grade: 7/10

Mini - Comments

I've recently read two books, part of series I've started in the past, which were alright but not outstanding. 

Both had characters that were captivating and who seemed to be part of promising plots, but the execution wasn't as well done as I hoped for.

Mac Argeneau knows all too well: immortals can be killed. Not with holy water or silver crosses, but by decapitation or being set on fire. So when Mac’s house bursts into flames—with him inside—he’s sure it was no accident. But who would want to kill a scientist specializing in hematology? There is a silver lining: a blonde investigator appears on the scene and sparks feelings in him that have been dormant for centuries.
CJ Cummings is in town on a special investigation, but she’s been waylaid by the local police to deal with this arson case. The biggest mystery is how this sexy scientist with silvery blue eyes has emerged from a blazing inferno without a burn mark on him. He’s clearly hiding something. Sure, she’d love to see him without his lab coat, but she’s got a job to do—despite his insistence that he needs a bodyguard and...he wants her.

But when a second attempt on their lives puts CJ in harm’s way, it’s Mac who will do anything to safeguard the woman who’s destined to be his life mate.

Meant to Be Immortal by Lynsay Sands is book #32 in her long Argeneau series. This time, the story is focused on Macon Argeneau, brother to Katricia, from a novella (#15.5) released years ago and, to be honest, a character I remember badly. I won't repeat what I have said regarding the most recent books in the series I've read, for the same issues continue, namely the same ideas and situations without real depth into characterization and plot as the first books used to have. Macon and his love interest CJ were interesting characters, both had a good base for a solid development but I think the author was focusing on the wrong details. These books are now, basically, just a check on the list, but somehow I still find myself going back to them from time to time, who can understand why.

Grade: 6/10

* * *

As a child, Sierra Brighton traveled the world. She swam with the baby whales, danced in storm funnels, and lived in complete magical freedom. And then Momma died and Sierra ended up in foster care, an unhappy and very secret witch.
Fetched by Nell's spell, she'll no longer need to do magic on lonely beaches - but can Sierra learn to use her power safely? Or will her reckless blood put Witch Central at risk?

A Reckless Witch by Debora Geary is the third installment in the Modern Witch series. I was utterly fascinated by the first book, which I loved, even though it was a sugar fest. the second book wasn't as addictive, but most of the elements I liked were still there. There was a focus on a certain character, though, someone I wasn't too interested in, honestly. The same thing happened here, Sierra is a young woman who has a greater power than she imagined and she needs help to control it. I liked the community, the group of characters who are a huge family and I liked that this had a very mild angst content. Sadly, I think the most wonderful little things I loved in the first book weren't here. I still have hopes for the next story, though... fingers crossed it will be more similar to the first book.
Grade: 7/10

Mini - Comments

Busy summer season is always one of my least favorite moments of the year. I'm going to be 40 this year and it feels that, as with each new year behind me, my tolerance for heat waves and long hot days is getting smaller and smaller. I don't like a lot of cold but I hate this heat.
Anyway, these busy summer months, mostly due to work, can sometimes be tricky for my reading too!
Thus, a mini-comments post with my most recent reads, of which I don't have much to say...

The Perfect Stranger by Anne Gracie is the third installment in her Merridew Sisters series. This time the focus is on twin sister Faith, whom we saw falling in love with a musician in the previous  book, believing him to be "her destined one". Well, of course it wasn't so and when this story begins, Faith is somewhat lost on what she can do somewhere in France and is helped by Nicholas Blacklock. Nick is traveling with two friends through France and Spain so he can think of what he aims to do when he reaches his destiny. He decides to help Faith out of chivalry but their connection is strong and he proposes a marriage of convenience, to save her reputation when she goes back home...
I did like this story and it was very easy to read and finish. Faith is a bit livelier than what I remember from he other books, but she is sweet and resilient and I liked the group's adventures. I think the story lost points at the end, by the way the author thought on how to solve the plot's biggest problem. Surely, there would have been a better way... still, it was entertaining, cute and I'm eager to read the last installment.
Grade: 7/10

Os Loucos da Rua Mazur by João Pinto Coelho could be literally translated into "the crazed of Mazur street" and is a fictional tale based on true facts. In Poland, during WWII, many Catholic people in certain places/villages were as terrifying to their Jewish neighbors as the Nazis in the the type of atrocities committed. In this story, the author used this idea to explore how things might have happened and how what seems one thing at one time, might turn into another with the right "setting",
This is the third book I read by this Portuguese author (actually born in England) and the one I liked less. The positive aspects in the other books were completely missing here and I struggled to follow the narrative and the amount of characters. My biggest problem was understanding who was who, so much that sometimes I had to go back and try to find where a specific character had been introduced. 
I also disliked the writing style here. It felt a little patronizing with so many fancy words and descriptions. I can't be certain but this didn't feel so obvious in the other books. I was also easily distracted by other things and not even the terrible last pages were enough to move me. I've turned the last page happily and the only reason why this doesn't have a lower grade from it is due to the theme, as always, quite well developed and researched by the author.
Grade: 5/10

Mini - Comments

The following two books are both part of their respective series and while I liked them both enough for their own merits, even bearing in mind the flaws I've perceived in them, they were not as bad or as fascinating that I feel like writing the amount of text I usually do in my comments.

The Governess Club: Bonnie by Ellie Macdonald, is the second story in a small collection of four novellas about four friends who happen to be governesses. The first one wasn't that great or outstanding but it was concise and, sometimes, it's enough to know the story won't be very big. In this second installment, Bonnie is the governess to two boys, who are devastated after the death of their parents. The estate affairs have not been solved yet but Bonnie cannot leave, as she promised to her friends, because she can't stand to leave the boys. Finally, their new guardian arrives and is caught unaware over what happened. With time, he starts doing what is necessary and Bonnie seems to be a great help...

Since this is a novella, the development is quick and, of course, there are some things that feel under done. I liked the setting up, that felt fluid, and the hint of romance was also believable. I also liked the relationship Bonnie had with the boys and her sense of duty and caring. It's not a big surprise to know the death of the boys' parents wasn't really an accident, and the investigation the new guardian does is understandable. I only wish the romance had been dealt with with more...skill, which I think the author has. Thus, this was a fine story, but not memorable.

Grade: 6/10

Take Us There by Louisa Masters is the fourth and final installment in the Joy Universe series. In this story, Dominic Hurst is getting used to the work and the demands that come with it, of being the new director of Joy Universe, after the debacle which happened in the previous book. He moved with his teenager daughter and things are going well, so much that he even starts dating a teacher at her school, Oliver. The problem is that someone is not a nice person and starts creating problems...

Since I've liked the previous books in the series, this too was easy and pleasant to read. I'd change a few details but as a whole, this delivered once more.Dominic and Oliver are, as all the key characters before them, competent and fair in their jobs and the conflicts sound realistic. Sometimes, a bit too much which might bring in the feeling that something is happening out of nowhere...Their relationship is cute but it wasn't as romantic as I would prefer. This feeling comes since book #1, which I think kind of had a more balanced romance (to me) and at some point they need to face some issues which were, again, a little forced. Still, it was a good enough way to finish the series and it's one I actually liked reading quite a lot, if I think about it in general terms.

Grade: 7/10

Mini-Comments, again

Here is the second post with mini-comments...

Lover Arisen by JR Ward is the 20th installment in the Black Dagger Brotherhood series. There was a time I defended and loved this series in a way that, now, makes me see how "obsessed" I was with the world building. Everything was great, even doubtful elements. In this story, when things are clearly reaching the end of the arc, I'm not as blind to the flaws and I no longer feel that drive to know what happens.
Balthazar and Erika aren't bad protagonists, and I love the wold building and the characters (and their interactions) as much as ever, but the path taken by the author feels very unfair. I also dislike the enemies that currently have a role in the series, and I abhor the fact the main villain has a voice and that there are so many pages from their POV.
Plot wise, there isn't much to say, because the true value of this series was in the world the author created and in the characters, who brought everything to life. I will always cherish some of the books in a special way and I might read other books but yes, to me, who have read all 20 of them, the first 5 or 6 had the true magic, that's for sure. What a pity the romance and the characters' interactions are no longer the only point of interest. I mean, there has always existed a villain, but to me it was never really important. Now, things are different and I feel a little sad...
Grade: 6/10

Beloved Imposter by Patricia Potter is an historical romance which has been in the shelf for many years, and the fact the setting is medieval probably put me off a little. Now I've read it, I must say I was positively surprised and this tale of a young woman (an original I'm sure) who doesn't want to marry a lecher and decides to run away to find a solution, did captivate me. I also liked that her family and the hero's were enemies but, as always. things find a way to be solved. The romance was actually quite well paced and I was entertained by all the things that took place.
This is the first book I try by the author but now I even feel I need to read the rest of this trilogy, which will feature the brothers of the male protagonist. The writing does feel a little dated, but unlike many other books, this story felt well balanced between plot and romance, and the protagonists weren't in love at first sight nor were they doing things they shouldn't when anyone could see. I actually found it refreshing to have an historical romance story where the characters fall in love before they get intimate. Perhaps it's only my impression... there are some details that, of course, feel a little less achieved, but my overall idea is a positive one.
Grade: 8/10

Mini-Comments

In order to finish the year with correct personal registers, this post and the next will feature mini comments with the last books of 2024.

Never Lie by Freida McFadden was my first try with this author's work. I got this book at the library because I knew many friends had enjoyed the author's work. It's the story of Ethan and Tricia, a couple who stumbles on a house which was supposed to be ready for them to visit. The previous owner was a famous psychiatrist who went missing, and Tricia doesn't feel well staying in, but the snow won't allow them to leave, plus there is no network. 

In terms of vibe and atmosphere, this was certainly an intriguing novel, and the short chapters made the reading experience very easy. I can see why readers like the books if they are all this way. However, I must say that, to me, the plot was presented in a way that was a miss because some things probably would have required more development, a more established process. Beside, something I keep criticizing in romance novels, and which in mysteries isn't as negative, ended up being so here: this story makes no sense and even feels poorly executed because it's in first person. It should not be.

Grade: 5/10

Gravity by Tal Bauer seems to be a single title about two hockey players who meet at the all star weekend that often takes place in the North American league, featuring players from the Us and Canada (if I got that right). Brice and Hunter play for very different teams, had never played together before, but somehow mesh perfectly and are the unsurpassed stars of the weekend.
The fact they are attracted to one another certainly helps in making their connection a smooth one and there's a very slow build up to them expressing precisely that. Well, Brice does and Hunter is so surprised he can't react, and this seems to affect them more than it should. When they go back to their teams, their performance isn't as great and Brice's team, a lot better financially, decides to hire Hunter, to get their "magic" once more. Of course, things can't be that easy if they like one another and should not admit it, but I liked how the author played this out. 
This is the second book I try and I think the formula is this: things start slowly and beautifully, and after a certain point it feels as if everything descends into cheesiness. This means it's mostly good but could be so much better.
Grade: 8/10

Mini - Comments

I've recently read two more books I got at the library, by Portuguese authors, of which I don't have much to talk about. Thus, to leave only a register of having read them, here's a mini-comment on both.

Palavra do Senhor by Ana Bárbara Pedrosa can be literally translated as "Word of the Lord" and it's a fascinating fictional text from the POV of God, if God were to be explaining Himself to humans. The book isn't big and is divided into two parts, the first where God tries to explain some events from the Old Testament, the second His POV after seeing Mary for the first time and how she came to be the mother of Jesus.

Thinking of this as a fictional work, it was very interesting to read and the author has an incredible style to write (my first attempt at her work, she was unknown to me), very correct grammatically and with a clever use of vocabulary but also engaging. This isn't usually that well done, if the narrator is in first person but addressing the audience because it might lead into a cluttered text. Here, between the writing style and the small page count, this didn't happen. I think some situations should have been developed more and it should be said that the God who speaks seems to be the Bible God and not a... let's say, universal God, but... 

In terms of reading, it was quite engaging, as I've said. I'll check other things by the author if I find them at the library.

Grade: 8/10

Uma Terra Prometida by several authors is a small book with a collection of nine short stories by nine different authors. The goal was to write a story with the "refugee" theme, which is so contemporary nowadays... each story is individual and features different types of situations related to refugees.

It was also the first text I've tried by all these authors and, usually, short stories tend to be good ways for us to have an idea of an author's style, which certainly happened here to a point. I liked the stories as a whole, for the purpose of their existence: all embodied somehow the refugee status and used more or less visible clues to let us be aware of the refugees who were seeking help or why were they in this situation. None of the stories were melodramatic, all seemed to want to convey the idea in a simple way, and the reader should read between the lines.

All stores were based on real life events, even if only for inspiration, but any reader would easily recognize what the story is about and what could be the reason for it. There was one in particular I liked most, about a little boy who describes his life after bombs happen in his neighborhood. This story was the one that stayed with me, not only for the compelling writing but for the images it used.

Of course, in a book with nine stories, not all touched me the same way and one or two were actually a little disappointing and didn't seem to mesh so well with the others, and that's why my grade isn't higher. As for the idea and goal in creating this small anthology, very good.

Grade: 8/10

Mini-Comments

Since last week I've been in vacation mode, at last!

To be honest, things have not been going that well in that regard, but I've been trying to do some things I've saved for this time, and it's almost Christmas, so I've been entertained with shopping as well, and it seems I have less time for some things if out of my routines.

Reading has been slow, and what I had planned not that great, sadly, therefore some mini comments follow...

Ensaio Sobre a Lucidez by José Saramago (translated as Seeing) is a kind of follow up to Blindness, which I liked a lot, but only in the sense that it mentions two important characters from that book, and the action of this book happens four years after Blindness. It's really not important to have read Blindness first but if so, that is a pity. for I thought that one to be so much better than Seeing.

The story begins very well, at the day of elections, and having been at the polls myself I immediately recognized those descriptions, which was great to get me into the mood. The story is simple, during a certain election, the majority of voters in a city votes blank, meaning, they don't vote for any party, which translates as not agreeing with the established parties. What happens next is, as always in Saramago's books, a study on human behavior and possible actions which are mostly food for thought. 

I liked reading this story and there are, indeed, great witty passages here and there, but as a linear plot this didn't impress me as much as Blindness. All the features one expects from the author's style are here, that is not the issue, but the characters and the musings they have sometimes just didn't feel as interesting or captivating. I feel glad I've read it, but it wasn't great.

Grade: 6/10

Tudo é Rio by Carla Madeira could be translated into "all is river" and this is my first attempt at this Brazilian writer's work. I was given this book otherwise I probably would not pick it myself, and I must say I didn't end up a fan of her style. This is a pity, for I've seen this book has been quite a success here, but between the plot and the writing, it was more meh to me.

We have the story of three main characters, prostitute Lucy and couple Dalva and Venancio, who get mixed up after a few events. I can assume the author wanted to show how everything in life flows (like a river of course) from one moment to the next, from one decision to the next. What the three protagonists do when in reaction to a few emotional situations will make the difference in their lives.

The book is short, to be fair it is easy to read, but there are lots of descriptions of Lucy's actions and thoughts, which I could do without, and the author uses vulgar language, which I assume is on purpose, but still disappointed me, and then Dalva and Venancio have issues which give the story this doom feel. I also think the author writes in a similar way to other Latin author's I've tried before, with a style of telling rather than showing character' growth. It's fine if one likes it, but to me fails to grab my emotions.

Some situations were good to read and Dalva and her mother are great characters for instance, but I cannot say I was amazed by reading this. As with other cases, perhaps if I find another book by her at the library I could think of trying it.

Grade: 6/10

Mini-Comments

Recently, I've read two more books by Portuguese authors. Both weren't big books, actually around 200 pages each, more or less, and I figured they would be quickish reads. Both books are fiction as well and I brought them from the library.

Mãe, Doce Mar by João Pinto Coelho, which is literally translated as "mother, sweet sea", is the story of Noah, who discovers who his mother was when he was 12, after being in an orphanage and in foster care. He now needs to know how to adapt to this new life, but everything twists again when they go have some holidays in Cape Cod and he meets Frank, an eccentric Jesuit priest, someone who is also part of his mother's past.

I liked this novel, as I had liked one other by the author I had tried, and his writing is very competent and likable and I was easily drawn into Noah's life. The book is divided into parts, where we get to see how everything - and every main character - is connected and the impact of revelations done as the story moves along. It's true some things are surprisingly told, but once the big picture is obvious, I have to say this book turns out to be a lot more dramatic than what I anticipated. There's also this vibe of "meant to be" which can seem rather dark here. Some events are definitely emotionally draining to contemplate.

I liked this one and I'll certainly try other things by the author if they become available.

Grade: 8/10

O Diabo by Gonçalo M. Tavares, which literally translates as "the devil", is a metaphorical tale centered on the image of the devil. Here, the devil is a character from the imaginary of many tales and myths and legends and the author uses him as the leading figure in a story where we can see how the devil might be thought to be everywhere.

This is the first book I try by this author and it seems I've chosen the wrong book to start, because this is part of a series, loosely connected it seems, on mythology. The writing is good and very, very clever, but I must confess I was not a fan of this book. 

When it starts it seems the author picked the characters of the children of the last czar in Russia and we follow them in mundane situations with the devil always around. At first, I thought the book would be an allegory on this moment of History and what it entailed but then, as the story moves along I've started to feel more and more lost. Many other situations and allusions appear and start being part of the more or less linear development but it gets to a point I had no idea anymore what I was reading. If the goal was for the reader to recognize elements of real life events and see them through a more mythical/dreamlike/fairy tale type of story, then I failed miserably.

I might try another book by the author, not in this "world" so I can have something else to compare the writing at least.

Grade: 3/10

Mini-Comments

I've recently read two books by Portuguese authors, which I brought from the library. 

One of them is an author I had read before and that I had good expectations about this new book, and the other is by a new author, whose "voice" seems to be well received.

O Nome Que a Cidade Esqueceu by João Tordo could be literally translated into "the name the city has forgotten" and is a story the author wrote after reading a piece on a newspaper from New York. The story is based on a man who lived alone and died without anyone knowing and in this book, the author picks up that idea and developed it by introducing a young woman who arrived in New York as a refugee from Georgia in the early 1990s. This young girl, away from everything familiar, has to start over and she ends up "working" for this man, by reading him the phone book aloud.

I really liked the story and the vibe. The author is known to add social commentary here and there and I think this time, a lot of what is said and a lot of what is shown through the characters somehow touched me and I was more than captivated by the story. Not everything is perfect, in fact some passages were a little irrelevant to me, if I think about the big picture, but overall, reading this was a pleasure, despite the subdued themes. Plus, there's a little bit of hope in the female character, for she finds love and something to look for in life, despite the tragedies she saw. There are also some emotional passages and situations which made me care more for what was happening. If I had time, this is a book I'd re-read.

Grade: 9/10

Leme by Madalena Sá Fernandes could be translated into "rudder", meaning something used to steer. In this story's context it could be seen as something that influences the narrator to take on a direction. This is the first book I try by the author - it's also her debut - and is a short story about the memories she had regarding her stepfather. The story is more a set of small scenes/situations grouped into chapters, and not a traditionally narrated tale. 

Perhaps, due to this graphic choice, I struggled to really get into this sort of memoir. It's true that the text is beautifully written, truly competent and with perfect syntax, hits all the correct elements but it also sounds incredibly automated and I failed to connect wit what the author wanted. Apparently, the stepfather was a bully and was violent towards the author's mother, so this is a depiction of how abusive he was and how this shaped the author. I can see how many readers loved this writing and apparent mundane way of presenting such a terrible scenario, but at the end I confess I felt if I had not read it, I would not have missed much...

Grade: 5/10

Mini-Comments

I've recently read two books by Portuguese authors, both to suit a topic in a challenge I'm doing in one of my GR groups.

Neither book was long and I managed to read them both in one day and a half, which is always positive!

Imaculada by Paula Lobato de Faria is an historical story, set in 1956 during the dictatorship regime my country had and that lasted until 1974. Imaculada is the name of an estate, owned by a well established high society family, and the plot is about their lifestyle and values, and how Cristiana, the daughter, is going to face the fact she falls in love with an unsuitable man. 

This was the first book I tried by this author and I had no expectations, therefore I was actually positively surprised by the writing style (fluid and easy) and the sometimes clever remarks here and there. the book isn't big, and I thought this would be a pretty straightforward plot, probably about Cristiana rebelling or something, during a time when girls/women had their roles pretty much set on stone.

Well, I discovered that no, this story is more focused on presenting the characters and their lives, and I will have to confess my contemporary notions did clash with what the characters said... how frustrating and a little irritating having them say outdated and ridiculous things, but that can be historical settings for you. I also disliked a little that this story has no real conclusion. I don't know which fate the characters truly had, apart from vague issues, because the story ends without resolution, then we have an epilogue that is more a cliffhanger than the actual plot ending. 

After finishing I checked the author's work and there are two more stories written in this "universe", with characters we met here having a role then too. I mean... GR did not identify these books as being a series, or having a linear/chronological continuation, so... bummer. Despite having liked enough about this title to have finished, now I don't know if I want to read the others. Perhaps if the library has them...

Grade: 6/10

-//-

Uma Aventura no Palácio das Janelas Verdes by Ana Maria Magalhães and Isabel Alçada is a juvenile story, part of a very long series, featuring five friends, and the adventures they have. Reading this took me back to my childhood/beginning of my adolescence, when I changed schools and had to go to the city for 7th grade. Discovering the city's public library was heaven and I've gobbled up plenty of series in the juvenile section, until I moved up to the adult zone.

This book is part of one of those series, which I used to love and now, although this story no longer appeals to my adult self, it still makes me think of that experience fondly, the so-called "good old times". The title can be translated into "an adventure at the Janelas Verdes palace", which is an actual building in Lisbon, where the national museum of old art is currently located. I liked the story and "seeing" the group again, and having those memories back, but apart from the emotional aspects, yes, this isn't totally stimulating anymore.

The authors are both teachers (probably retired) and they started this as a fun experiment, since children aren't often exposed, or weren't then, to books and literature outside of the obligatory books in school. It was a great idea which conquered many kids and their parents, that is for certain.

Grade: 7/10 

Mini - Comments

Another set of mini-comments... sometimes I really don't have much of an opinion or much to say, and it feels that if I were to write lengthier posts, they would be pretty much like those old school days of writing essay-like exams, where one had to explain a lot from one sentence! Sometimes I'd simply write and write, and sometimes not everything would make sense anyway...

What these two books have in common is that both were short, and I picked them to fit topics in a challenge. 

Dona Pura e os Camaradas de Abril by Germano Almeida is a fictional story which the author wrote from the prompt of the publisher, and several authors participated. This way, there is a small collection published in 1999, and all stories had to include the 25th of April of 1974, the day of our revolution, which ended dictatorship in my country. This author is from Cape Verde, which was a Portuguese colony at the time. 

The story is narrated in first person by the main character, a man who was young in 1974 and came from Cape Verde to Lisbon and stayed at the house of Dona Pura, also a woman from Cape Verde. 

I must say I felt a little confused about what was happening because the narrator jumps from the present to the past without any kind of graphic change. The story is also a continuous text, with only three chapter like divisions in the 226 pages, more or less, making this a very tiring experience, and one where I was easily distracted by other things. I've read the book, I know the setting and the fact the author uses a lot of elements from both countries to develop the plot, but to be honest, I can't summarize the plot that well...

Grade: 4/10

-//-

Waiting for the Flood by Alexis Hall was a better story. In 2016 I've read another book by the author set in the same world and it was a wonderful story to me. I've read another by the author in the meantime, from a  different series, but that one wasn't as appealing. Perhaps this did affect my willingness to read more, but despite having had this novella in the same world of the first I liked to read for years, only now did I try it.

Edwin Tully is living alone in a house he used to share with his boyfriend and although they broke up tears ago, he still likes to live there. However, the house is located in an area which might become flooded and it seems there is prediction this might happen sooner than later. People from the Environment Agency are in the neighborhood, helping those who need with sand bags ans such and when Edwin meets Adam Dacre, they can't seem to take off their eyes of each other. As they keep meeting and exchanging some conversation, it becomes obvious they might be able to hit it off... I liked this novella, and that means nothing major happens, this is a story about a chance meeting with a HFN. The writing is superb here, and both protagonists very appealing.
Grade: 8/10

Mini - Comments

The following two books were chosen for the same reason: I'm doing two challenges with one of my GR groups and one of the themes for this month is to pick books set in an African country. I went to the library and picked up these two, both by authors I was not familiar with, but between the short page count of one (189) and the larger font size of the other, my decisions were pretty easy.  The editions I picked are in Portuguese and those are the covers I'm including here. 

Tears of the Giraffe by Alexander McCall Smith is set in Botswana. I confess I know nothing about this country but I was aware the author was quite famous for this series of a lady detective. This is the second installment of the series but I have not read the first one.

The story is simple - and short - and focuses on the investigation of a missing person some years ago. The individual is presumed dead but no one really knows how. At the same time, the characters are dealing with changes in their domestic lives.

I liked the apparent simplicity of this story. The characters aren't complex people hiding terrible secrets, in fact the main ones are quite relatable. I also liked the constant tidbits added to pretty much all descriptions and conversations regarding the way of life in Botswana. I think the author managed to convey how things are meant to be in that country, I think I got a small idea about the way of life, and how people see themselves and others. Obviously, generalizing, since the author doesn't go deeply into these subjects, but it is enough to make me realize most people probably take guesses and actually know nothing about Botswana.

However, this is a book about a lady detective and I admit I expected a bit more out of this element. The protagonist finds information in an almost too easy way, and the resolution of the case is also easily accomplished. I suppose this might be on purpose, but I will say I had higher expectations. Anyway, this was likable enough that if I find the next installment at the library, I'll likely read it.

Grade: 7/10

-//-

To Where the Turtles Fly by Joaquim Arena is set in Cape Verde. I've loosely translated the title, which is linked to one of the book's main subjects, the investigation of the turtles at a specific part of the Boavista island, which is part of a unique environment. Cape Verde is a country which was formerly a Portuguese colony and although I don't know much about the country's history beyond this, there is more information about it that I know, if comparing with what I know of Botswana.

The author isn't very famous here, from what I can understand. If this title had not caught my attention, I might not even know it existed, but I liked the story enough. I especially liked the theme of the turtles, and how part of the plot is set on the marine biologist who investigates the turtles for a season, trying to determine if their prospects of survival.

At the same time, there are other characters doing, what was to me, secondary stuff, and I will not shy from saying a lot was a bit confusing to me, for it included some shady business deals and characters who never seemed to be fully explained. There is also someone running from something, well two people running from two different problems and everything got a bit confusing.

Therefore, I've focused my attention on the turtles' information and that was the main reason why I consider this to be a positive reading. I don't think I'll read more by the author unless there's a good reason again, like another challenge or something.

Grade: 6/10

Mini - Comments

I've recently read two books by Portuguese authors, that I brought from the library. I had previously read other things by both of them, so I kind of knew what to expect...

Aguas Passadas by João Tordo is a thriller, featuring a police inspector, Pilar, who is investigating the murder of a teenager, whose body was found in a beach. While investigating, another teenager's body is found in a forest, and the details seem very similar to another case, from almost 30 years before. Could it be that the same killer is redoing their work, why are these two the victims? As Pilar, who has issues of her own, delves into the lives of those closer to the victims, she finds a lot more than she imagined, but will she be able to find the truth in time before the killer turns their attention to her? 

I actually liked the story of this book, and the police investigation, and I think the end result was quite intriguing, considering the thriller genre is not the predominant in authors here. What I think wasn't as well done was the pace here and there, too obvious the attempt to give the plot moodiness, and honestly, the characters, namely protagonist Pilar, not that easy to like. I was also a little annoyed that a few characters were portrayed in a relatively negative way and I wonder why, the focus should have really been on the plot.

Still, I liked turning the pages and I wanted to find out who the killer was, so...

Grade: 6/10

Até Amanhã, Camaradas! by Manuel Tiago is a book from 1974 and the author was actually the leader of the Communist Party here in Portugal, responsible for most of the rebellions against the dictatorship and the government and, in part, why the military revolution precisely in 1974 allowed the country to become a democracy. Anyway, that man wrote several books under pseudonym (reveled years later) and most of the plots, such as the one here, are about how people would do things in hiding to spread the news, to inform people, to let them know something was being done to, one day, stop the dictatorship.

I liked this book because of the message it entails; unlike what many anti-Communists say, to me the book isn't a praise to the Party or a brain wash, to me this is a story about simple people, most in the countryside and without the benefits of the big cities, trying to give hope to people, trying to do something to convince others there were other ways. Many were persecuted, arrested, tortured for doing this (I've personally met some of these men and women who had been in jail... obviously, many are now old or have died already), but more than the fictional plot, which could certainly have been better told or structured, I think it was a good way to show the work of the Party and what many did trying to change things the only way they could. It's like a little piece of our History.
Grade: 7/10

More mini - comments...

Now, a second batch of mini-comments...

I know it feels a little "too lazy", but I like the sense I'm doing a faithful register of my reading!

What if you accidentally fell in love with the right guy?
Andy:
If my life was a movie, I would be the sidekick. Not an especially promising start when my plan is to finally let my best friend know I have a crush on him. No worries, though. I have a plan. I just need a complete makeover. Change everything about myself so that when Falcon returns from his summer vacation, he can finally see I’m the love of his life. I totally know what I’m doing here.
Well, not really. If I knew what I was doing, I wouldn’t look like every nerd cliché wrapped into one awkward package. In short, I’m screwed.
But then Law Anderson enters the picture…
Law:
It’s all very simple. I need somebody to tutor my hockey team, and Andy needs somebody to help him with his crush. Sounds like a match made in heaven.
Only the more time I spend with Andy, the more I like this quirky guy who makes me laugh, and pretty soon I’m the one who’s tutoring Andy in way more than we initially agreed upon. It’s fine. I have it all under control. But as weeks pass and the chemistry between us turns explosive, I’m starting to think that I might be in way over my head with Andy.
If only I could make Andy realize that he doesn’t need to change himself for love. If only I could make Andy see that he just needs to be with somebody who has considered him perfect all along…

Comment: I've read good things about this book and having read similar types of books, with the same plot and character types, I was eager to read something cute and fun. In a way, I liked this one for it was everything it promised, it has opposites attract and fake boyfriend and other tropes any romance reader recognizes. 
I also liked the protagonists in general, more for what they are supposed to embody, than their actual personalities... there were times that yes, it did feel as if they were meant to only fulfill a role and their development wasn't always as well structured as it could be. 
I also think dual first person POV might not be the best choice for these two, perhaps third person would make them seem stronger emotionally. My impression, of course, but when the story ended, it felt a little too cliché and not very incredible. 
Grade: 6/10

-//-

She's a fortune-hunter. He's nobody's prey.
Adam, Earl of Bexley, lives to work. His only relief is the sordid savagery of bare-knuckle boxing. Not women, and definitely not a disreputable, scheming woman who dances in secret with such passion...
Caro Small is desperate to escape her selfish family. Her only chance is a good marriage, and she intends to marry Adam--whether he likes it or not. But the more she schemes to entrap him, the more she risks trapping her own heart.
Adam won't be caught by a fortune-hunter's ambitious schemes. But the vulnerable, passionate woman underneath the plots might just bring him to his knees.

Comment: This is the first book I try by the author. I added it because the main characters start off from different stations in life, sort of, and I was curious to see how the author would portray them and their relationship. 

Well, I didn't have a great time reading, likely my mood didn't help, but I was often disappointed that all the characters in this story were unappealing! 

Ok, some more than others, but none made me happy I was reading about them and their thoughts, situations, choices never won me over. I think the author was brave to write a seriously dramatic story, featuring characters with unique interests for the time they lived in and being them from aristocratic families, but... everything felt bleak and I was glad when it was finished.

Grade: 4/10

Mini - Comments

My online life has been very limited lately but I hope the rest of the month might go more smoothly...

In January I'll likely be absent again if my work situation doesn't have a quick resolution, but so far there isn't much I can't "control" about it. I do feel the anxiety, without a doubt!

Anyway, here are two of the books I've read in the past weeks, which I haven't been able to properly post, as I devised for my "diary blog".

When Myriam, a French-Moroccan lawyer, decides to return to work after having children, she and her husband look for the perfect caretaker for their two young children. They never dreamed they would find Louise: a quiet, polite and devoted woman who sings to their children, cleans the family's chic apartment in Paris's upscale tenth arrondissement, stays late without complaint and is able to host enviable birthday parties.
The couple and nanny become more dependent on each other. But as jealousy, resentment and suspicions increase, Myriam and Paul's idyllic tableau is shattered...

Comment: This is a psychological novel about what it means to feel so isolated, alone and dismissed that one's mind my snap. Louise seems to be the perfect nanny but as we turn the pages, we discover that she, as probably everyone else, hides secret thoughts and pain no one understands or wants to. I can see why this book was considered for several prizes and why the critics liked its tone and content but in terms of reading experience, I've felt it was a bit vague. I use this word in the sense that there doesn't seem to exist any real goal here, except exposing the idea and the possible consequences of not helping people to have better social networks and support. Since it was my first book by the author, I'll try to check the library again, where I got this one, to see if others are available. The writing itself was engaging, I liked some choices the author did, but I also think the characters didn't have to feel as impersonal as I suppose the author intended for the book's full impact.

Grade: 6/10

-//-

Much has happened in idyllic Ivy Hill in recent months, and while several villagers have found new love and purpose, questions remain--and a few dearly held dreams have yet to be fulfilled.
Jane Bell is torn. Gabriel Locke is back and has made his intentions clear. But Jane is reluctant to give up her inn and destine another man to a childless marriage. Then someone she never expected to see again returns to Ivy Hill. . . .
Mercy Grove has lost her school and is resigned to life as a spinster, especially as the man she admires seems out of reach. Should she uproot herself from Ivy Cottage to become a governess for a former pupil? Her decision will change more lives than her own.
A secretive new dressmaker arrives in the village, but the ladies soon suspect she isn't who she claims to be. Will they oust the imposter, or help rescue her from a dangerous predicament?
In the meantime, everyone expects Miss Brockwell to marry a titled gentleman, even though her heart is drawn to another. While the people of Ivy Hill anticipate one wedding, an unexpected bride may surprise them all.

Comment: This is the third story in the Ivy Hill series (there is a fourth novella installment), and we keep on following the lives of several characters, right after the events of the previous story. Here, Mercy is now a governess to little Alice and her life has now more novelties than what she would expect, but she is still thinking about mr Kingston. Jane and Gabriel also seem to want to take the next step, but Jane is still worried... this might feel as if the book is too boring or slow since things take time to be presented and developed, but I did like the feeling of cozy village the covers seem to indicate. I've liked the characters and the situations for the most part and I still had a great time reading, but I will say this didn't grab me as strongly as the second story did. Probably because certain things have been in the works for a while now and it seemed as if there was still too much reluctance from some characters to act, to speak...understandable but a little frustrating. I will read the final novella some day...

Grade: 8/10

Mini - Comments

The following two non fiction books were my last picks at the library. I had not heard of the authors before but the blurbs seemed intriguing enough and I thought, why not?

 

The Secret History of the World by Jonathan Black is a very interesting summary of the history of the world, such as indicated by the title, but from the POV that secret societies of several kinds have hidden in plain sight all the time. This is, therefore, a chronological presentation of events, since the moment humans were alive in the planet until our days, and the author focus the main figures and moments in history to highlight his investigation. Apparently, he has worked and read a lot on the subject, has talked to people who claim to be part of some sort of secret society and this is the compilation of his efforts. 

To be honest, I can't say if his arguments are as black and white as he claims, as with everything in life, it all depends where and how we place ourselves to see something, but I can attest to the pure entertainment of reading this, of going through historical events and facts and "see" the through a different POV. It was fun and easy to read and made me remember some chronological dates, as well as reflect on history and religion. I don't think I was swayed to have any eureka moment about hidden worldwide secrets but I had a good time reading this book!

Grade: 8/10

-//-

Dewey by Vicky Myron is an autobiographical book where the author tells the real life story of Dewey, a cat rescued in a cold morning and that became the live-in inhabitant of a library in Iowa. The book isn't long and does focus on what life was after the cat became part of the library's life and how pretty much everyone was somehow affected by his presence. The story also includes some personal views by the author and a little bit of her own life, since she was the cat's owner for all purposes. 

I can't say this is mind blowing nor is it that original a story that one must be immediately touched by it. Nevertheless, I have a cat and I could resonate with several things the author mentioned when speaking about him and how many library patrons would love to see Dewey or interact with him. The book isn't long and does offer a good enough summary of what the experience was but nothing is eternal, so the end is kind of predictable... still, it was a short read and good enough to pass the time.

Grade: 7/10