H. R. F Keating - Under a Monsoon Sky

My mother in law bought this book but couldn't get on with it so it was passed to us unread. Actually it's not a bad little book, easily and quite quickly read in a few hours - I really ought to counter that by saying I'm a fast reader, but even so....

If you like the Alexander McCall Smith books then you'll enjoy this. In fact Mr Smith writes a preface in my copy of this book in praise of the author. The detective story is a simple (but a tad drawn out in my opinion) tale of a police trial, but it's the setting in India that adds the necessary detail. Cultural differences from our western ideas are an important layer, as ordinary Indian life (and it's staggering inequalities) is painted along with the traditions and superstitions around the monsoon season as well as the etiquette of Indian society. I think it's these details that lift the story from unremarkable to a good read. It's interesting to muse after reading it on how the story would have ended differently had it been set in this country.

Would I read another Inspector Ghote book? Possibly.. As I said not a bad read, but I'm not a huge crime novel reader. I usually enjoy them if I've found one in a holiday cottage or been given one as in this instance, they're just not my 1st choice when it comes to fiction.

Carole Matthews - A Cottage by the Sea

It's not that I've not read. I have. But family stresses means I've either read more articles, magazines and blogs (stress = short attention span as well as shortness of time) or I've read things that link in with my current studies which seem too niche for a general blog about books.

But a series of bank holidays recently have allowed for a little more relaxation and a tackling of the book pile.

I found this book in Oxfam as we were donating a bag of books to them. It's fatal to 'just have a quick look' isn't it? But I have to recommend the joys of a good charity bookshop. Novels for under £3 (that's less than the price of a magazine these days) that once read can be re-donated to do good all over again.

But of this book - need something romantic and light for the beach this summer? Do find space in your bag for this one. That almost sounded derogatory didn't it. This book isn't a trashy airport novel of fluffy characters and predictable plot though. I found this a well thought out book which drew you in from the beginning with believable characters, a good pace of story but not something too taxing or gloomy for a sunny day when you don't want to be struggling to make sense of too many people and their relationship to each other.

I'm tempted to look up more Carole Matthews books on the strength of this one, ready for my real holiday later in the year.

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

I was offered the chance to borrow this book and although I might have bypassed it in a shop I'm glad I had a chance to read it. I've been slightly off usual activities with a sprained foot this week so I've had an ideal excuse to sit with foot elevated and read.

This novel is set just after the 2nd world war and deals with the German occupation of Guernsey. The story is told in the form of letters between the main characters, but it's richly described both in terms of action and plot and the characters are well fleshed out. Although the subject of war could be deeply harrowing, and it doesn't shy from the hardships and tragedy of the time, there are comic and lighter moments. The book bounces along at a nice pace and is easy reading. I inhaled it in one sitting - isn't it glorious when you can do that? Just sink deeply in to a book, lost in the story, and see it through til the end a few hours later. Ok I'm a fast reader.

If you're after a nice relaxing escapism novel then you'll really enjoy this one. The sort of book you don't want to end.

The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari - Robin Sharma

This best selling book has been around for fifteen years. Non fiction, fiction, self help, it's not easy to catergorise, although bookshops obviously will, probably under New Age...But that's not meant to put you off. It's not a spiritual book although it sort of presents itself as such in order to tell the story, but it's not at odds with any religion or trying to get you to convert to anything in any way.

Written as fables within a fable its aim is to illustrate some principles for living. Told like a story to a friend so we too can listen in. Not entirely believable as there is some repetition and details that don't quite make sense. For example it's not explained how a remote tribe of people who no one local can find (although the foreign hero of the story does. Obviously) can live a simple life in the equivalent of mud huts but have access to a large library of modern books. There is a lot of repetition amongst speech so that phrases along the lines of 'if there's one thing I remember ' are said a lot which comes across as clumsy. In its defence and as a positive there is a lot to take in all under the guise of 'ancient' principles and although there are no formal exercises I did find myself taking a few notes and musing on some of the ideas.

Some of the chapters could be filed under productivity tools for hot shot business people, especially parts that touch on organisation and goal setting, although we could all do with some ideas for being more organised or getting more out of our days I think. Others are more about mindfulness and living in the present. Others again around the theme of self discipline, as you might expect from the monk in the title (so early rising, clean eatings, good habits etc)

I don't actually believe its possible to do everything it suggests. That would be overwhelming and probably annoying to those around you. Not to mention by the time you've done all the meditation, goal setting, physical and breathing exercises, journal writing etc etc you'd probably not have any time left to do the other things you're supposed to be doing. And as an aside - something I notice with all these sort of books - the hero and 'enlightened person' is always male. Possibly because a lot of women have family responsibilities etc so don't have time to wander off in search of the missing bits of their lives.

It's billed as a best seller and I've read good reviews about it and it's one of those books I felt I ought to be able to say I've read, but for me I'm not sure it lived up to its hype. I enjoyed it as a fable and there are some things to think about and maybe try out, but it didn't leave me entirely energised and raring to jump in to the world it promised. So not a truly terrible book but just not 5 star either