Around the World in 80+ Books

Ugh, I did not like this book. So this will not be a long review. Jo Nesbø is incredibly too vulgar for my taste. I tried reading another of his a few years ago, and remembered not liking it either. But I thought maybe I’d enjoy him if I tried again, because tastes change! The Snowman gets rave reviews, and I don’t get it. His writing is so graphic, both in violence and sexuality. It’s just not for me. The mystery was fine, a bit too many false leads for my liking, but quite suspenseful nonetheless. But I don’t need to feel slimed to enjoy a good mystery novel. Sorry Jo Nesbø, I don’t think I’ll be investing anymore time and energy into the antics of Harry Hole ever again.

This is an easy read, I believe written for young adults. Even so, it’s rich in content and character development. Don’t skip on this great read!

Currently Reading - Norway: The Snowman by Jo Nesbø

Perhaps, I’ll revisit Quirke’s Dublin again, but I can’t say I’m rushing to get back there. 

Now that’s what I call a booked weekend!

Currently Reading: Poland - Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys

The Three Deaths of Magdalene Lynton by Katherine Hayton was a quick book that I read in less than 24 hours. But I’m not sure if that’s a compliment. The mystery was interesting enough, and the characters were OK. But I just found it lacking overall. It was set in the New Zealand city of Christchurch, and other than the author mentioning it, I really couldn’t tell where this book was  set. It was pretty generic. The story itself held my attention, and I definitely kept reading for resolution. Detective Ngaire Blakes is investigating a cold case, a really cold case, a 40 year murder of a teen girl. Even though someone has confessed to this long unsolved crime, something just doesn’t add up for Detective Blakes. The deeper she goes, the more the story unravels, and it appears there’s still someone alive who doesn’t want the truth to come out.  It’s a good beach or vacation read, which is exactly where I read it. It’s just wasn’t a favorite. 

Liane Moriarty is a master suspense writer. From the opening chapter, The Husband’s Secret grips you, and doesn’t let you go. This novel, like others from Moriarty, follows the lives of a group of mothers from suburban Australia. A group of mothers who seem like they have everything together and their lives are perfect. But nothing is ever as perfect as it seems. When one character discovers a devastating secret from her husband’s past, it creates ripple effects felt throughout several families. We see how secrets & lies & misinformation & assumptions can ruin relationships. This mystery hits all the right points. I couldn’t stop until I knew the resolution. However, I think I despised every single character. Even some of the kids. But especially the moms. I found myself wanting to yell at them to JUST TALK TO SOMEONE. Especially Rachel’s storyline, a mother still dealing the decades old murder of her only daughter. I had ZERO sympathy for this character. Which is really hard to say about a grieving mother. But her inner thoughts & dialogue absolutely drove me bananas. But as much as I didn’t like these characters, I was so invested in the mystery. Now, that’s a great writing. The fact I could thoroughly enjoy this book and none of it’s characters? Incredible. And I will no doubt be reading more of Moriarty. 

Currently Reading: Ireland - Christine Falls by Benjamin Black

Currently Reading:  New Zealand - The Three Deaths of Magdalene Lynton by Katherine Hayton

This book. Wow, did I love it. I wasn’t familiar with the author Tsh Oxenreider, but saw a social media post from another author I follow, Jen Hatmaker. But as soon as I read the book description, I knew I’d read it. At Home in the World is the account of one family’s 9 month, around the world journey, and their place in it. As an expat and global traveler, I connect with these stories. And I loved how Tsh’s book broke the mold of “travel memoirs”. She isn’t a divorcee looking to find new purpose in her life again. She isn’t a single, 20something going from one drunken hook up to another. She’s a mom. Married with 3 kids. Who packed up their American life for an international adventure. Tsh & her husband had lived overseas as singles, as a young married couple, and as young parents. This wasn’t their first adventure. But it was their first of this type of adventure. To spend 9 months traveling one direction around the world. With 3 kids under 10. Who chooses to do that? One awesome family. From China to Singapore to Thailand, Australia & New Zealand, Ethiopia, Kenya, Morocco, Italy and France…and more. I loved Tsh’s wit and insight. I loved reading about these exotic places through her kids’ eyes.  I loved her son’s observation on Australia “I like Australia. They almost speak English.” TRUE WORDS. I loved how they exposed their family to new cultures and people groups and traditions. And I love that at the end of the day, they realized they need roots. A place to call home. If I could make a list of family goals, this book would be at the top of my list. 

Currently Reading: Australia - The Husband's Secret by Liane Moriarty

Currently Reading: Kenya - At Home in the World: Reflections on Belonging While Wandering the Globe by Tsh Oxenreider

The House at the Edge of Night by Catherine Banner is a multi-generational historical saga set on the idyllic island of Castellamare, 5 miles off the coast of Sicily. I stumbled across this book at the library, and as soon as I saw that it was about one family’s life on this remote Italian island, I immediately knew I’d be reading it. And I’m so glad I did! Other reviews have compared this book to Jess Walter’s Beautiful Ruins, which I agree with. The author does such a good job of allowing the reader to experience the place of Castellamare. It’s as much of a character as any of the people in the book. It’s an island of mysterious caves, a weeping curse, and strong religious fervor. Through the decades, we follow the Esposito family through joy, sadness, wealth, happiness scandal and loss. This book is beautiful to read with a cup of tea under a warm blanket. It’s cozy, and it’s memorable. It’s also an interesting examination on globalization, and the impact of the broader world reaching this isolated island. I absolutely love this style of fiction, and The House at the Edge of Night did not disappoint. 

There’s a twist halfway through this book that I never saw coming. I actually had to go back and reread the beginning of the book! It’s so well written, and yet, you don’t want it to end because the story is so good. I haven’t read a mystery this well laid out in a very long time. I also enjoyed the author’s note at the end, and hearing how this story came to be. I am really looking forward to reading more by Clare Mackintosh.

And that’s pretty much the truth