|
Albom,
Mitch
Tuesdays with Morrie |
A journalist
has a series of interviews with his old college professor who is slowly
and painfully dying - and yet very much alive in his mind and spirit
with his advice and wisdom on what it means to be human. Everyone should
read this true story, especially teachers and parents. It’s quite
unforgettable.
AUTOBIOGRAPHY
|
|
Bryson, Bill
A walk in the woods |
Bill decides
to walk the 2100 mile Appalachian trail in the company of an
astonishingly unfit friend. The reality does not always match their
expectations and fears – and the fun and experiences along the way are
very much worth reading about, even if you don’t like walking!
ADVENTURE,
TRAVEL, AUTOBIOGRAPHY
|
|
De Loo, Tessa
The twins |
Separated
while still little girls, one twin grows up in Germany, the other in the
Netherlands. When they meet and recognize each other many decades later,
their interwoven stories are harrowing and compelling.
FAMILY,
RELATIONSHIPS, WAR
|
|
Dorrestein, R.
A heart of stone |
A woman
returns after twenty-five years to her family home and relives her early
childhood experiences. The family is at first loving and happy, but when
a terrible disaster takes place, there are many unanswered questions. A
sensitive and chilling novel.
PSYCHIATRIC ILLNESS, FAMILY, MYSTERY
|
|
Grisham, John
The Brethren |
Three former
judges now in prison develop a money-generating mail scam until their
scheme traps a powerful victim. Grisham always spins a good yarn.
THRILLER
|
|
HANNAH, Kristin
Angel Falls |
When a woman
emerges from a coma she remembers only her earlier life with her cad of
a first husband, a famous Hollywood icon – and not her salt of the earth
second husband and child. This novel explores, albeit somewhat
simplistically, the rediscovery and healing powers of self and love. A
light read, good for a therapeutic tear or two towards the end.
LOVE,
FAMILY, IDENTITY, MYSTERY
|
|
Haruf, Kent
Plainsong
|
The
interwoven stories of a pregnant school girl, a teacher, two boys
deserted by their mother and two confirmed bachelor brothers – all
living in a regional American town.
This is a
surprisingly satisfying, meaningful and positive novel. Highly
recommended.
RELATIONSHIPS, IDENTITY
|
|
Jane Rogers
Island
|
Nikki is
deserted by her mother shortly after her birth. When she tracks her down
on a remote Scottish island her only motive is revenge. She meets her
half brother and discovers that there is more to her background than
meets the eye. The conclusion brings a surprise.
FAMILY, RELATIONSHIPS
|
|
Kingsolver, Barbara
Prodigal summer |
Set in a
remote Appalachian community, this is the absorbing story of the summer
months spent by three sets of unusual characters - as they find
themselves, each other and their connection to the environment. A really
beautiful, immensely readable and satisfying novel.
LOVE, LIFE
and DEATH, ENVIRONMENT, IDENTITY
|
|
Maas, Sharon
Of marriageable age |
This is a
unique book - really! -which hooks the reader with its ‘vast canvas of
memorable characters across a kaleidoscope of cultures’. It is a
magical, sometimes surrealistic story of forbidden love, of people
across three decades in an amazing family story with intertwined dramas,
mysteries and legacies. Set in Guyana, India and Great Britain
LOVE,
IDENTITY, FREEDOM, MULTICULTURAL
|
|
McBride, James
The Color of Water |
A remarkable
memoir of both a mother and her son who discovers when he is an adult
that his background is black, white and Jewish. Set in Brooklyn and
Harlem, it tells of a woman who is unflinching and inspiring in her
commitment to faith and family.
This is one
of these ‘definitely must reads’, outstanding in its genre
AUTOBIOGRAPHY, PREJUDICE, FAMILY
|
PALMER, Michael
The
Patient
|
Set in a
hospital, it has a nice little terrorist element and an appealingly
curly moral dilemma – do you save the life of a ruthless man who if
cured, will go on to kill and kill again. If you have a sneaking
weakness for medical thrillers along the lines of Robin Cook’s, you’ll
enjoy this one which features technologically innovative surgery for
brain tumours. Good light read.
MEDICAL THRILLER
|
|
SAID, Kurban
Ali and Nino |
Ali and Nino
fall in love while still at school in Azerbaijan in the early 1900s. He
is Muslim, she is Christian and European, so there are family
complications with religion and background, especially when World War 1
breaks out. This is a very special novel with a rich and fascinating
tapestry of characters, settings and events. It will charm and delight.
Highly recommended
LOVE,
IDENTITY WAR, MULTICULTURAL
|
|
See, Lisa
The interior |
When a
Chinese peasant woman discovers that her daughter has been murdered, she
sends for the help of an old friend. A dark story of American corruption
and exploitation is gradually unravelled.
FREEDOM,
MULTICULTURAL, THRILLER, MULTICULTURAL
|
|
Shreve, Anita
The Pilot’s wife |
When
Kathryn’s pilot husband is killed with all on board during an
international flight, it becomes clear that there is uncertainty and
mystery surrounding his life and death.A
beautifully written and compelling story with a parcel of surprises.
MYSTERY,
RELATIONSHIPS
|
|
Walters, Minette
The shape of snakes |
When an
eccentric woman dies in a London suburb, it is dismissed as accidental
until her neighbour returns twenty years later to piece together what
really happened. This is different from her other novels, more
thoughtful and low key, but equally as intriguing as dark motives are
revealed.
RACISM,
MYSTERY
|
Autumn
reading 2001