Newton and the Counterfeiter by Thomas Levenson

In a nutshell

This is a book that I've been wanting to read for quite a long time. I've had it on my Kindle for ages, and finally got around to reading it while on holiday. This book is about a period of history that I never knew about Isaac Newton; the time in his life when he was Warden of the Royal Mint in England. During his tenure at the Mint, he managed to take a public service entity that was pretty much haemorrhaging money and turn it around with the speed and efficiency that you would expect from someone of his drive and genius. During this time, he also took on a part of the job he originally tried to shirk off (going after coiners), and turned into one of the best anti-counterfeiting deterrents the mint has ever seen.

Did I like it?

I loved this book! Not only did I learn a great deal about Newton during a his tenure at the mint, a time in his life I knew almost nothing prior to this book, but this book also got into some fascinating detail about who Newton was, and what made him tick. Just as Einstein's contemporaries were visionaries in Physics, Newton was rubbing elbows with some of the best thinkers of his time: Halley, Hooke, Harrison, Leibniz and many others. I also learned that Newton wasn't the kind of guy you wanted to piss off; as William Chaloner found out in due course with his counterfeiting.

...Isaac Newton was a total badass!

Will you like it?

If you want to get into a bit of seedy history and learn about the late, great Isaac Newton, as well as learn a great deal about how our current financial system was like just a few years back, then this book is totally for you.

What else happened while I was reading this book

I had started this book before I went on holiday, but while reading it, we took a 10 day holiday to the Hawkes Bay and Waikanae. The weather was pure crap for most of the trip, but I did manage to read quite a lot of this book while seated in a hanging wicker basket chair...ahhhh, luxury!

The Secret History by Donna Tartt

In a nutshell

Tartt explores the events that lead up to a group of friends killing a fellow friend (she explores some of the aftermath as well).  Set at an elite Vermont college, the author tells it from the perspective of a new member of the group. 

Did I like it?

Not at all!  I found the characters unbearable (even the murder victim).  Everyone was so pretentious and self-involved that it was impossible to relate to any of the characters.  I expected to love this as I thought Gold Finch was great.  However, this really missed the mark for me.  I certainly resented that this was my holiday read - what a dud (a chore to finish).

Will you like it?

If you don't mind a slow burning mystery and don't find it necessary to relate to the characters in a meaningful way, you may enjoy this book.  I'm in the minority of people who disliked this book, so clearly it does have something to offer many. 

What else happened while I was reading this book?

Took a holiday in the Hawke's Bay where we found the best coffee of our lives at Box Expresso in Clive. 

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!).