March Reading

[myrna-nora.livejournal.com]

March total: 7
2010 total: 18




Love Over Scotland (Scotland Street Series #3) (2006) - Alexander McCall Smith
I like some of the other characters, but the adventures of the 6 year-old, Italian-speaking, sax-playing, Bertie are the reason I keep reading these. In this volume, Domenica Macdonald, anthropologist, travels to Malacca Straits to study pirates (not nearly exciting as it sounds). Portrait painter Angus Lordie's dog, Cyril, has been stolen. Meanwhile, Pat is torn between two potential boyfriends: a handsome college student called "Wolf" or her wardrobe-challenged, prosaic but sweet, employer Matthew. Lastly, the pressures in Bertie's life continue to mount. He gets a part in the school play, joins a junior orchestra on a trip to Paris, and the family car goes missing... again. This is my favorite book in the series so far.

The World According to Bertie (Scotland Street Series #4) (2007) - Alexander McCall Smith
Finally, Bertie gets a book named after him. AMS says Bertie is the character that he is most often asked about. The boy's welfare and his attempts to outwit his pushy mother are close to my heart, as well as tickle my funny bone. Bertie has a new baby brother and there are disturbing and outrageous consequences. Insufferably handsome and narcissistic Bruce returns to Scotland. Indecisive Pat and hopeless romantic Matthew try to decide what to do with their lives. Meanwhile, Angus’s beloved dog is accused of biting.

D'entre les morts (aka From Among the Dead, The Living and the Dead, Vertigo) (1954) - Boileau-Narcejac
This is the novella that Alfred Hitchcock's 1958 film was based on. It has the same basic story, except set in France during WWII. Roger Flavieres, lawyer and retired policeman, is asked to keep an eye on Madeleine Gevigne, the wife of an old friend. At first, Flavieres assumes it is a matter of infidelity, but then he witnesses her strange behavior. Could a woman from the past be possessing her? The mystery and the pretty young woman become an obsession for Flavieres. The ending has a slightly different twist and a darker atmosphere. As a Vertigo fan, I enjoyed reading where the inspiration came from, but the movie improved the characters, that on the page were mostly boring and unlikable.

The Hunger Games (Hunger Games Trilogy #1) (2008) - Suzanne Collins
I had to jump on the bandwagon to find out why everybody is talking about this dystopia novel. In the ruins of North America, every district is punished for their past rebellion. Each district must send one boy and one girl to compete in the "Hunger Games," a reality TV show where the rule is kill or be killed. When her sister is chosen in the annual lottery, sixteen-year-old Katniss volunteers to take her place. Just based on the description, I wasn't sure I would like it, but it was better than I thought it would be and after a few chapters I was hooked. There was something vaguely familiar about the story, and I could see some of the plot twists coming, but there was also something addictive about the writing. It was gripping and disturbing.

Catching Fire (Hunger Games Trilogy #2) (2009) - Suzanne Collins
Katniss Everdeen's actions in the arena have sparked a rebellion. She must calm the districts' rising anger or face the wrath of the capital. Collins has the trick of ending almost all chapters with a cliffhanger. I was annoyed with the ending because --while admittedly, she obviously needs to leave it open for the final book-- it seemed like a complete anti-climatic non-ending. And if I wasn't surrounded by my coworkers at the moment I finished the audio-book, I probably would have shook my fist in the air and cried out angrily, "Suzanne Collins!"

The Girl Who Married a Lion and Other Tales from Africa (2004) - Alexander McCall Smith
A retelling of traditional folk tales from Zimbabwe and Botswana. The tales --over 30 very short stories-- were all quick and simple reads. It was a pleasant time pass, but few stories were memorable. I think it might be enjoyed more if the stories were shared in a group setting or told to children.

The Miracle at Speedy Motors (No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency Series #9) (2008) - Alexander McCall Smith
One of these days, I'll actually catch up to the latest book in the series. I like the characters and the humor. Precious Ramotswe receives an anonymous letter threatening her and her assistant, Grace Makutsi. The ladies are hired to find an adopted client's living relatives. Meanwhile, Mr. J. L. B. Matekoni, meets a doctor who might have a cure for Motholeli's spinal condition. I was disappointed in some of the latter books (I still like them, but they really all start to feel like the same story over and over again and not much happens) but I really loved this one for featuring more about Puso and Motholeli, and for the hilarious chase scene near the end.