A Trick of the Light by Louise Penny

In a nutshell

Detective Gamache of Penny's Three Pines series returns to investigate a murder in this small town.  Clara is a key player in the Three Pines universe and this book opens with her art show, followed quickly by a murder victim being found in her back yard. The novel then moves off in a a direction that you'd expect for a murder mystery.  Despite being a fairly traditional murder mystery, this book was interesting in that some of the gloss is coming off the characters.  You start to see, for example, the challenges that Gamache faces in interacting with someone who he wrongly accused of murder in an earlier book.

Did I like it?

As always, I love Louise Penny and as mentioned above, I am really enjoying the increasing complexity of the characters and their relationships.  An event that was set up in an earlier book continues to have fallout for the police officers involved.  It is compelling to see Beauvoir struggle and become more human to readers as a result.

Will you like it?

If you like a fairly typical (but not mundane) murder mystery with an engaging cast of characters, you'll love it.  

What else happened while I was reading this book?

Sounds lame...but being able to read this book outside while overlooking Wellington harbour was a total highlight.

You - Nuala Ní Chonchúir

In a nutshell

A beautifully written story set in Dublin that tells the story of a 10-year old girl during a few traumatic months where she loses some key people in her life.  Through the eyes of this girl, you come to understand her community and how she perceives the related people and events.

Did I like it?

This book really appealed to me.  The author's writing style was beautiful, almost poetic.  It was written entirely in the second person, which was actually quite cool.

Will you like it?

If you enjoy books written from the perspective of child protaganists, you should quite like this one.  The central character is fantastic and you can really relate to her plight.

The Luminaries by Eleanor Catton

In a nutshell

Catton writes a tale of murder and intrigue that takes place on the South Island of New Zealand (primarily in Hokitika, but also in Dunedin).  The story is told through the eyes of 12+ individuals who have some knowledge that will inform the mystery.

Did I like it?

Catton is a very technically adept writer.  For me, however, I was not able to form an emotional connection with anyone in the book and therefore did not enjoy it as much as I would have liked.  Also, I did feel like 800+ pages was a bit long for the story she chose to tell.  

Will you like it?

Fans of literary fiction may like this one.  If you want a more traditional murder-mystery that is  a real page turner, this may not be the one for you.

What else happened while I was reading this book?

We enjoyed the best bits of summer with hikes on the weekend and walks home from work on weekdays.  

Instructions for a Heat Wave by Maggie O'Farrell

In a nutshell

This story begins with the disappearance of the patriarch of an Irish family now living (mostly) in London.  The rest of the story explores the family dynamics that result from the disappearance, with wounds exposed and sometimes healed.

Did I like it?

Really enjoyable, particularly having just finished the dark and dreary Tale for the Time Being.  O'Farrell is a very readable author and I find that I frequently race through her novels.  There were also many likeable characters, with whom I could relate.  So, all in all, no complaints.

Will you like it?

If you enjoy a readable book, but with some depth, this may be the book for you.  Readers who enjoy Irish novels may be particularly delighted with this one.

What else happened while I was reading this book?

Summer came back (again).  Discovered Wellington's best muffins in the heart of Seatoun (perfect post-run snack).  Continued my allegiance to House of Cards.

A Tale for the Time Being by Ruth Ozeki

In a nutshell

The story is told from two points of view at two different points in time.  The first story describes the life of a suicidal teenage girl (Nao) in Japan (in the early part of the 21st century), while the second describes the story of a woman (Ruth) reading Nao's diary after it has washed ashore on an island in the Pacific Northwest (presumably after the 2011 tsunami in Japan).  The story progresses as we and Ruth learn more about Nao's fate.

Did I like it?

It wasn't for me.  I couldn't connect with the characters and found myself wanting to be done.  I was compelled enough by the story to finish it, but not much more.

Will you like it?

If you enjoy stories where the author's play with the concept of time and our ability to control it, you may enjoy the story.  It's a bit of a "slow burn", so readers who don't mind waiting for things to happen, may also enjoy this one.  

What else happened while I was reading this book?

Almost done painting our kitchen (yes!!).  Ran the annual Round the Bays fun run on yet another beautiful day for the run.  Joined the masses who've seen House of Cards (loved it!).

Spillover: Animal Infections and the Next Human Pandemic by David Quammen

In a nutshell

This book explores the trajectory of a wide range of "spillover" events, where a disease spills over from animals into the human population.  The number of diseases he explores is vast and includes AIDS, SARS, Parrot Fever, Lyme Disease, Herpes B, Ebola and many more.

Did I like it?

I found this book really interesting, though there were definitely some parts that I enjoyed more than others.  The opening chapter on the Hendra virus in Australia was fascinating and I enjoyed learning how the disease was transmitted from an equine to human population.  The chapters on Lyme Disease, SARS, Q Fever, Herpes B, and Parrot Fever were also very good.  I thought that the chapters on AIDS and the Ebola Virus were the weakest and I suspect this is because they were just a bit too long.  They needed to be tighter to hold my interest.

Will you like it?

People who enjoy books about the social history of medicine will be fascinated by Quammen's book.  It's a good fit for those who enjoyed The Emperor of All Maladies: A Biography of Cancer.

What else happened while I was reading this book?

Summer arrived!!!!!  Does anything else matter?  Though we did see two great movies: Saving Mr. Banks and 12 Years a Slave.

Garden of Evening Mists by Tan Twang Eng

In a nutshell

Told in flashbacks, this book tells the story of a Malay woman who spent 
her early years in a Japanese internment camp.  In addition to exploring the time in the camp, the book also explores her later life where she becomes involved with a Japanese gardener while learning to build a garden to honour her sister.  The conflict between her anger at the Japanese people for what they did to her and her developing devotion to the Japanese gardener pervades the book.

Did I like it?

It was a bit slow, but I enjoyed it on the whole. Eng did a fine job of evoking the atmosphere in the Japanese garden.  The part about the tattoos, however, was a shade creepy (you'll know what I mean if you read the book).  The character of Magnus stands out as the most interesting (to me, he represented someone who had learned to forgive and that his had helped shape and better his life).

Will you like it?

If you like an atmospheric read that delves into a dark part of history, you will likely find this book appealing. 

What else happened while I was reading this book?

Waitangi Day 2014.  Made a great new recipe for sweet and sour fish.  Upped the distances on our runs (between 10 and 12 km) in preparation for Round the Bays.  Wally had eye and dental surgery which he came through like a champ.