The girl in the red coat

The first thing that strikes me is the authenticity of the book as we get the story told to us through the eyes of a very small girl (Roma Ligocka), who don't always understand the significance of what is going on in the world around her. Even though the material is horrific and what we find out about the cruelty of people, it is remarkable easy to read and I find myself captured by the story and it is not long before I have read several chapters in one sitting. Then I stopped myself and went through the rest of the book slowly, to not miss anything in this remarkable story.
Josefine

Title: The girl in the red coat Author: Roma Ligocka ISBN: 978-0-340-81907-3

A book with only a middle

Sometimes it is interesting to read something new and different, one of those books are Dreams of Water by Nada Awar Jarrar. I use to call these kinds of books for a book without a beginning or end only a middle. Not in a negative way, but just because you start in the middle of the book and follow the characters for a little while, before you are dropped off at the bus stop with no ticket to go further. There is still something in the story that keeps you entertained for that period of time, even though you know you will never make it to the end of the story.
I wonder if the author has this in mind as they set out to write the book, or if it just happens that way.
Josefine

Title. Dreams of water Author: Nada Awar Jarrar ISBN: 978-0-00-722196-7

Author events

The coming week I feel like a litterary jet setter, on thursday there is an author event at my local library where British author and journalist Louise Levene is talking about her latest book Ghastly Business. Then on Friday at my university a young undergratuate writer from Nigeria Chibundu Onuzo hailed as one of the freshest, newest voices coming out of Africa, will hold a reading of her book The spider king's daughter, followed by a drinks reception.

I am also enjoying the opening chapters of Fairytale of New York by Miranda Dickinson who I found through Chiclit Review.
A great week for books.
Josefine

Tiger Bay – A Place to Hide

A book with beautiful language throughout is rare in a début novel, but Trezza Azzopardi has succeeded in her book The Hiding Place.

”At one month old, a baby's hand is the tiniest, most perfect thing. It makes a fist, it spreads wide, and when it burns, that soft skin is petrol, those bones are tinder, so small, so easily eaten in a flame.”

With a sentence like that painting the picture of an awful night you cannot help but to read on. Piece by piece the story of the Gauci family unfolds through the eyes of the main character and youngest daughter Dolores (Dol) and her sisters. It's a jigsaw puzzle slowly coming together. Read and explore!
Josefine

Title: The Hiding Place Author: Trezza Azzopardi ISBN: 978-0-330-48041-3