Cavegirl's Recommended Books

Here are some other books I've read, while at university and since (and an awful lot of these were read while I was in Japan!). I've added a *new* section below for books that I really HATED. They don't tend to crop up very often, but sometimes I read a book that is an absolute struggle to get through because it is just so bad.

I try and get as much variety as I can with my reading, so there should be something for everyone here. I've also tried not to give the story away in what I've written here - just what I felt about each book, and what type of book it is. If it's proper book reviews you want, go to somewhere like amazon!

CURRENTLY READING:	Shadow of the Silk Road (Colin Thubron)
MOST RECENTLY READ:	Crime and Punishment (Fyodor Dostoevsky) Surgically Enhanced (Pam Ayres) The Lollipop Shoes (Joanne Harris) Binu and the Great Wall (Su Tong) After Dark (Haruki Murakami) Watching the English (Kate Fox) Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman (Haruki Murakami) The Count of Monte Cristo (Alexandre Dumas)

Categories:

'Classics'

Contemporary Fiction

Contemporary Biographies

Other Non-Fiction

Books by Japanese Authors

Books definitely not recommended

Absolutely brilliant! Hugo's descriptions of Paris are just fabulous, and the story itself is really compelling. I have to admit, I've never seen the film, so I didn't know the plot (or Hollywood's version of it) beforehand. I just couldn't put this book down. No where near as difficult to plough through as Les Miserable (which I also loved).

Quite simply...another one I just couldn't put down until I'd finished it. It's not a long book...so go on...pick it up and read it!!!

A futuristic Classic, and very thought-provoking. I really enjoyed reading this, and it has left me with a lot to think about.

Fabulously written, and so much better than I was expecting! I read this book to see what all the hype was about, and thoroughly enjoyed it! It was a four-month undertaking (I don't read particularly fast), but I was totally absorbed for those months, and was very sad to have finished it. As soon as I'd reached the end, I wanted to go back to the beginning again.

Really excellent! I can definitely see why this is a classic! It's a very compelling story, and although it's long, it doesn't get too complex (in that it still makes you think, but Dumas doesn't try to cover too much, just sticking mostly to the key characters... unlike in awful contemporary books like "A Suitable Boy").

The last of the Three Musketeers novels. I haven't read any of the others, so I can't compare, but I did really enjoy this book. Only a few quibbles. The ending was (for me) really disappointing, and the frequency of ALL the main characters using the word "Ah!" no matter what the situation did get a little annoying...

In case you haven't heard of it (and I suspect most haven't), this is a 17th century Chinese classic (obviously I read the English translation...my Chinese not being up to very much at all). Unless you're really interested in China, and the traditions and culture of the 17th Century, I wouldn't strongly recommend this book. It was good to read while we were travelling through China, though most of the stories seemed to be more-or-less the same. I have learned the following from this book: All government officials are wonderful and make fabulous decisions, all monks and priests are evil, and the most important thing in life is to be a filial son or daughter because if you're not you will be killed by your parents.

A little bit soppy in parts - sentimental. A nice story, though. It took me a little while to really get into it, but I definitely enjoyed it and would read it again. Doesn't take long to read.

A Clockwork Orange - Anthony Burgess
Very violent, but written in such a way that it isn't so graphic, whilst still retaining its shocking quality. The language has been used very cleverly indeed, such that you might think you don't understand it, but after you've read a page or two you understand the gist. By the end of the book you'll have a good grasp of the "new" vocabulary. If you're a language teacher, I recommend you read this book as it clearly demonstrates how new vocabulary can be learned through reading (without the use of a dictionary). Burgess covers some very poignant moral issues, too. All in all, I enjoyed this book...and now I want to see the film!

Very readable and very enjoyable, although I didn't like the last section so much (it did draw the story to a close, but it didn't seem to flow so well). After the last book I read (Mulberry Empire) this was an absolute joy! A well-written book that really does make you think about racial misunderstandings.

A collection of very typically dark and morbid stories, which are really compelling. My favorites included: "Ligeia", "The Fall of the House of Usher", "William Wilson", "The Murders in the Rue Morgue", "The Oval Portrait", "The Masque of the Red Death", "The Imp of the Perverse" and "The Facts in the Case of M. Valdemar".

A good story - quite profound and easy to read. I didn't know the story before I picked this book up, but I'm glad I read it. It's well written and not at all predictable (at least, I couldn't guess what was going to happen). Definitely recommended.

A really sad and moving book. This is such a good story, offering a good deal of insight into human nature. It's made even more impressive considering the author's age when she wrote it! Not a difficult read, and not a long story - well worth it.

Yes, what the musical was based on. And if you haven't seen the musical, you should. (especially before reading this book - it helps to explain it). Don't even attempt this book if you're not into heavy reading. This is undoubtedly a master piece, and I really did enjoy it, but I found it very hard going. It's very intellectual, and it still contains quite a few passages in French (and my French is not THAT good!). But if, like me, you like a challenge, then have read of this one. But don't expect to finish it in a hurry.

Speaks for itself, really. If you like the films, read this. It's quite a huge book, and the version I've got has tiny writing... but I've grown up with all the films and stuff, so I loved reading the original.

If you haven't heard of this, then where have you been?! No where near as irritating as the Keanu Reeves film. Actually, really enjoyed this book.

A classic. And a very good one at that. Set in Africa. Adventure-style book (originally aimed at young boys, I think, but I enjoyed it anyway)

The 1962 film is very close the the text with this one. Dark story about a man who falls in love with a (very) young girl. This was a very interesting read.

I studied this book for GCSE English, and have loved it ever since (actually, I hated it at the time...just goes to show how things change). Well worth reading if you're into Classics (or even if you're not, and you want a change).

Um… I guess I'm just not the scholarly type… Although I recognise that it is an excellent candidate to study for exams, and I'm quite sure I could write several adequate essays discussing various aspects of the story, I really didn’t enjoy reading it (or any of the other short stories in the edition I bought). I can understand why they refer to Haruki Murakami as the Franz Kafka of Japan, but really, Murakami is much more engaging and enjoyable.

This is a true classic, written around 1000AD (and quite a mammouth undertaking to sit down and read it!)… and although it can be quite repetitive, it provides a very interesting insight into court life in Japan. Lots of sex and partying, love, despair... (although it doesn't go into too many of the gory details...but that might just be the version I have).

Mum got this book free with a magazine...and I don't usually waste my time on books that come free with magazines, but Mum had read it and enjoyed it so I thought I'd give it a go. I have to admit this was a really good book. I found I could really identify with the main character - she seemed so real, so human, with all the doubts and fears that everyone experiences. It's very easy to read, as once you start you can't put it down!

A bit graphic, but a great read - I couldn't put it down. Really well written, and quite thought-provoking. A story of the struggle of 16 year old Indian boy shipwrecked and stranded aboard a life-boat with a full-grown Bengal tiger. Or is it.

The Thorn Birds - Colleen McCollough
Very moving, and very sad. Set in Australia, this is a highly captivating book. Despite it's size, I read it very quickly. The imagery is stunning. I'll definitely be reading it again.

Sci-fi. And probably the best I've ever read. I can read this book over and over and over again. Would recommend it to everyone.

Don't let the size of this one put you off. It is a fantastic read. So good, in fact, that I wanted to start it again as soon as I'd finished it. It's based on fact, and set in 17th Century Japan. Well worth reading.

The book that Blade Runner was based on. If you haven't seen Blade Runner, then shame on you. Go out right now and hire it! If you haven't read the book, then you should! It's very good!

Haiku is a Japanese form of poetry which follows the pattern 5 syllables-7syllables-5syllables. Each haiku is only 3 lines long. I've never been a fan of English haiku, and my Japanese is nowhere near good enough to be able to appreciate it in Japanese. However, I may have been converted! (Maybe I was just missing the point?!). Cat Haiku is, surprisingly enough, a collection of haiku about cats. If you're a "cat-person" you'll love this book. I read it in less than an hour, and it really made me smile (thanks, Mum, for sending it over!).

A really good story. It's about a man who is forced by his own guilt to flee England for New Zealand, and a woman who dreams of true freedom and wide-open spaces. Will they find the gold that Joseph is so desperate for? You'll have to read it to find out! Love, intrigue, passion, a murder, and a good ending. What more could you want? It only took a week for me to read this one - so no mammoth task, like "A Suitable Boy" or "Les Miserable"!

(yes, I've read them all: 1. The Colour of Magic 2. The Light Fantastic 3. Equal Rites 4. Mort 5. Sourcery 6. Wyrd Sisters 7. Pyramids 8. Guards! Guards! 9. Eric 10. Moving Pictures 11. Reaper Man 12. Witches Abroad 13. Small Gods 14. Lords and Ladies 15. Men at Arms 16. Soul Music 17. Interesting Times 18. Maskerade 19. Feet of Clay 20. Hogfather 21. Jingo 22. The Last Continent 23. Carpe Jugulum 24. The Fifth Elephant 25. The Truth 26. Thief of Time 27. The Last Hero 28. Night Watch, 29. Monstrous Regiment, 30. Going Postal, and 31. Thud!. Also by Terry Pratchett, I’ve read: The Wee Free Men, The Unadulterated Cat)

A very funny collection of social stereo-types. Easy to read, with the added bonus of fantastic art-work!

Not very well written (flakey characters and a dodgy plot), but even so I just couldn't put it down until I'd finished it. Literally. It did, however, make me think - and carry out further research. Some of the points raised are very interesting. For a more rounded, factual and balanced approach to this subject, try "Secrets of the Code" (edited by Dan Burstein).

This book is HUGE! Don't even think about reading it unless you have a spare month or two. The story is very good, but can drag a bit at times, and contains a LOT of blood and gore (which personally doesn't bother me, but others might find it a bit too vivid). Worth reading if you've got the time, though.

Pretty much as above. Very compelling, but tended to be a bit slow at times. Incredibly predictable, but then again some of the best books are. Very swash-buckling, and a good story.

This was a really compelling book. It is the (fictional) story of four generations of an Indian family in Malaya. I couldn't put this book down - it has everything: love, deceit, mystery, and a twist at the end!

Nothing like The Rice Mother, but brilliantly written. Like The Rice Mother, I couldn't put it down. It sounds very hard-going - being about drugs and drug addicts - but it was a good story with plenty of well-written characters. Don't worry, it wasn't preachy, but it was quite hard-hitting. My only complaint is that she wrote herself into it as a minor character (fairly effective, but fairly pointless).

Thriller-type book. Got this one from my Gran's collection - but don't be fooled by that! She had good taste, my Gran. So go on, have a read. It was another one I couldn't put down.

Sci-fi. Quite engaging. Easy reading. Would probably read it again, and have considered reading some others in the series (when I get time!).

A Hungarian book, translated into English. Starts off really well, and I don't regret reading it, but just see if you get annoyed by the 3/4 way through mark! An easy read, though.

Dark short stories. Very good. I keep thinking about some of them, and I read this book about two or three years ago.

Two fantastic authors in a joint effort to produce a very funny book! Brilliant!

A bit of a religious one, this - not usually my cup of tea. This book was ok, though. Quite good, really.

This is the first Joanne Harris book that I read, and I just couldn't put it down. More-or-less the same story as the film, with (quite) a few subtle differences. It's about a woman and her daughter who travel around from place to place, and never settle anywhere. Set in France.

Set in war-time France, this is a very dark book about secrets and lies. But I loved it! (another one I couldn't put down...).

Again - an excellent read (told from the point of view of a bottle of wine....well you'll just have to read it then, won't you?!)

Set on a French island, this time. I could really identify with this one (coming from an island myself). Highly recommended.

Set in France in the early 1600s. This book is a really fantastic read - it is a story of nuns, priests, actors and gypsies. Full of conjurey and manipulation, a real insight into human nature.

Collection of short stories written by one of my favourite authors. This may be hard to believe, but her short stories are (in my opinion) even better than her usual works. Some of the stories are funny, some dark, and some very profound. Very easy (but not simple) to read, in that the language used is appropriate to the stories, and the plots, although short, really draw you in. Definitely have a squiz at this one!

Harris' second book (now back in print due to demand), is a dark tale about obsession, sex and murder. Definitely worth reading!

Another good Joanne Harris read, but I'm getting worried she's going too far with the whole magic and charms thing.

Sushi for Beginners - Marian Keyes
A really good book. Very readable. Characters easy to identify with...very real! Easy but good read.

Watermelon - Marian Keyes
Very good, right up until the end...which was rather disappointing... Not a taxing read, a little predictable, but very enjoyable. Give it a go...!

The first book I've read by this author, and I have to say I was totally impressed! I literally couldn't put the book down until I'd finished. Really compelling!

I definitely want to read more Rankin! I got through this book in no time. Like "Witch Hunt", I just couldn't put it down! If you like crime novels, you'd definitely enjoy this. If you've never read a crime novel...this would be a good place to start!

Resurrection Men - Ian Rankin
A typical, reliable Rankin story… never fails to disappoint!

Really really creepy. Don't read this book when you're alone in the house at night... It's about a couple who are very much in love, and the man dies. His wife keeps his body, and imagines he's still 'alive'...or is she imagining it...? (Actually this story keeps coming back to haunt me. Apparently it's been made into a film, but I'm not sure I want to watch it...)

Set in war-time Channel Islands, and follows the fate of a cow, and the lengths islanders will go to protect her. Actually a really lovely story (and very quick to read). Worth a read if you have some time on your hands.

A whodunnit, set in a monastery in the 1300s. This book is extremely heavy on philosophical issues, and very difficult to read (for me, at least). I'd seen the film (starring Sean Connery and Christian Slater) and thought how bloody weird it was. So decided to read the book. The book is also slightly odd, but enjoyable nonetheless (and much much better than the film...though now I want to see the film again...). It's a really good story, although I couldn't follow the deep philosophy very well. Worth a read, if you're patient (and have your Concise English Dictionary to hand!).

Really horrible to try and read. The content isn't nasty or anything, it's just a completely dull and pointless book. It might be a good chance for some people to reminisce… but other than that, don't bother! (Maybe I should have put this under the the "not recommended" section below...)

After the months of wading through "A Suitable Boy", I finished this book in two days! I had my misgivings about it at first, but in the end I have to admit I quite enjoyed it - it certainly does propel you on until you've finished it. The story is about a 14 year old girl who is raped and murdered - her body dissected and discarded. It is told from the victim's point of view - what she can see from the after-life, how she follows and watches her family and friends, how they move on without her. It is quite a moving book, although not as deep as it perhaps could have been (rather superficial in parts). I wouldn't recommend it to anyone who's had a loss recently, especially not of a child or young friend.

The story of a woman from Bangladesh, who is forced to move to London for an arranged marriage. I wouldn't say this was one of the greatest books of all time, but it's very interesting from a cultural point of view.

Quite insightful. Coelho seems to have a good grasp of human nature. Good for motivating travel!!! (I could definitely identify with certain features of the book). It's only a short book, but very well written.

Very thought-provoking. This book is about the everyday life (and death) of a theme park mechanic, and the five people he meets in heaven who explain various seemingly non-descript events in his life. Very entertaining. Also very quick to read - great for a train journey.

Really hilarious. If you've read the Da Vinci Code (and not thought much of it), then you'll love this! A bit gruesome at the end, but one of the few books that actually made me laugh out loud!

Very funny…and definitely a page-turner. It was easy to draw parallels between the characters in this book and people I know!

An excellent page-turner, which really made me question my views about gender (and I thought I was already broad-minded...). Very psychological, about a boy brought up as a girl.

Excellently written, and highly recommended. Set in 19th century China, this story captures the essence and culture of the period. A very personal book…the characters really come to life.

Not quite what I was expecting from the bumph on the back of the book (no, I wasn't expecting a tractor-enthusiasts handbook), but it's not quite the "hilarious" tale that it's advertised as. In fact, it's a very moving story, and it does have some real laugh-out-loud moments.

I put off reading this book for two reasons: I tend to avoid American authors (controversial I know, but from experience, I just don't tend to enjoy the style), and secondly because I was (possibly irrationally) annoyed that in the film version, Chinese actresses were cast in the lead role as Japanese women. That said, I really enjoyed both the film and the book (in fact, I couldn't put the book down until I'd finished it)...

The story of Queen Noor of Jordan, and her now deceased husband, King Hussein. This is one of the best written, most interesting non-fiction books I've ever read. I'm not into politics (do everything I can to avoid it) and I didn't know much about the situation in the Middle East (beyond the basics), but this book served to fill in a lot of blanks. Queen Noor actually manages to make politics an interesting subject (in my opinion!). Not a dramatic, life-changing book, but definitely, definitely worth reading. Interesting, compelling and informative.

PLEASE READ THIS BOOK! It's only short (I read it in a day), but carries an important message. It's the true story of a Jordanian woman who fell in love with the wrong man. It details what life is like in Jordan for middle-class women - and the fear they live with day to day. Nothing I can write here can do this book justice. Please take time out to read this book. You won't regret it.

An auto-biography set through three generations in China's recent history (going up to virtually present day). I loved reading this book - I think it's one that everyone should read. I had no idea the atrocities that people had to suffer, even in my own lifetime.

This is an excellently researched book, whish is very well balanced, and really, really interesting! I suppose reading "The Da Vinci Code" twaddle and the very well written "Secrets of the Code", I was prompted to read a biography on Leonardo da Vinci (something I've been wanting to do for a fair few years). This book certainly wasn't disappointing! There's no (or little) idolisation here - Leonardo was a real man doing real, everyday things, and that is what Nicholl has concentrated on. The author really brings him back to life, making the final chapter very sad!

Another autobiography, set this time in Burma (I'm ashamed to say that before reading this book I didn't even know where Burma was). It's the story of one young mans struggle to survive and become educated, despite governmental pressures and regimes. This book's emotional, spiritual, religious and political. But a really good read, nonetheless!

An horrific true story of child abuse and (more importantly) human resilience. What this man has been through I can't even begin to understand, but how he pulls through what ever life throws at him is truly awe-inspiring. These three books are extremely well-written, and quite possibly life-changing. Give them a go, even if you don't usually read biographies.

A very enjoyable, and very funny read, although you just have to wonder at the gumption of some people...! At times Briley comes across as more than a little self-righteous with regards to his (ex-)girlfriend, and there are various stories where clear exaggeration been indulged. Apart from these minor points I highly recommend this book, especially if you've lived abroad...or are planning on moving to Spain! I surprised myself by really getting into this book and couldn't put it down 'til I'd finished it!

Very compelling, rather disturbing, and very sad, but with a ray of hope at the end. About a psychologist/teacher and a very disturbed little girl.

A very good auto-biog: humorous and refreshing in parts, and very sad in others. It's extremely encouraging to read about someone who had a happy childhood for a change!

Not really a biography, but this collection of entertaining poems, short stories and sketches are based around Pam Ayres experiences. Very light read, very witty, and very enjoyable.

Again, not strictly an autobiography in the true sense… but anyway, very witty, very entertaining. A good light read.

A very enjoyable autobiography… very interesting… a bit preachy in parts, but it doesn't pretend to be anything it isn't. Worth reading.

I've put this under "other non-fiction" rather than the "biographies" section, as (despite it's title) this book provides quite a general picture of Japan in the late 1500s and early 1600s. Giles Milton is an excellent author - it's clear that he's done extensive research, and his writing style really brings characters to life (but still within the bounds of available evidence, not fiction). I couldn't put this book down once I'd started it. It's extremely informative and really interesting, and doesn't read in the least bit like a textbook (which has got to be a good thing!)

Very, very well written. A short, concise book with all the basics of Shinto. I'd especially recommend this to anyone living, or planning to live in Japan, as it helps to explain quite a few things...

A very British book, which would definitely appeal more to fellow Brits. Not a classic by any stretch of the imagination, but I really enjoyed it. Back in the 1980s Alan Booth (having been living in Japan for 7 years, and married to a Japanese girl) decided to walk the length of Japan. It's a surprisingly short book, and I felt that he could have gone into more detail about the various adventures he had along the way. All in all though, a good, honest book. I can definitely relate to some of his experiences!

A collection of brief descriptions of famous murders and murder trials in Jersey and Guernsey. Actually really well written, and extremely interesting.

This book actually made me feel quite sick, but I'm glad I read it - it was very interesting. Maria Monk was a novice and then Black Nun in a Montreal Convent in the early C19th. This book was first published in 1836, and reveals what went on behind the closed doors of the nunnery. It's a really shocking story. The book itself is very short - I finished it in about two hours (and I don't read very quickly...). So go on...give it a read.

A really good book to start with if the contents of Dan Brown's "The Da Vinci Code" intrigued you, or if you have an interest in the history of religion. This book seems to have been very well researched, and contains a very balanced view. A very interesting read!

Ok, so it's a self-help book. I've not enjoyed the patronising tone employed in the (few) self-help books I've read to date, but this one is a bit different. Not quite so patronising, and the advice is actually really good - common sense. It basically re-iterates much of what I feel anyway, so that's probably why I enjoyed it!

A good overview of linguistics. A bit technical in parts, but very interesting nonetheless.

The best book I've seen explaining…well…life, the universe and everything to a non-scientific audience. Maybe a bit over-simplified in parts and under-simplified in others, but considering the concepts being dealt with it's difficult to see how this balance could be improved upon.

Started off very promising, and was definitely an entertaining read, but ended up being a bit pretentious…

This is a very powerful story about the atomic bombing of Hiroshima in 1945. It is extremely well written, and based on diaries and survivors accounts of the event. Even if you're a bit squeamish, you should try to read this book, I strongly recommend it.

Uepekere of Chitose: Thirteen Stories from the Land of the Ainu - Gizo Osami

The Ainu were the indigenous people of Japan, and were slowly forced further and further north by the Japanese. Now only to be found in Hokkaido, these people are gradually becoming more outspoken about who they are - their heritage and customs. This book is a collection of very simple stories handed down by word of mouth through the generations. It's very easy to read, but quite entertaining.

Only a short story, but really good. Although you're still left hanging at the end (as with all of Murakami's other books I've read), it was actually one of his better endings. It doesn't take long to read this book, and the story is compelling. If you haven't read any Murakami, I'd recommend this book as your starting point!

A good book, but it did begin to irritate me after a while - nothing I can really put my finger on through (maybe I was just in a bad mood at the time). Unlike the other Murakami books I've read, this one seemed to drag. It still had his trademark mystery and weird ending. The book goes into a lot of detail about the war, and is a compelling story (although slow in parts). If you're new to Murakami books, I wouldn't recommend this as your first foray.

A brilliantly written story about a man's quest for a sheep. Not just any sheep. A truly unique sheep. I really enjoyed this book, and read it in no time - it was impossible to put down. The humour is just fantastic, all very tongue-in-cheek and sarcastic. It's great!

Quite a strange story, but I did really enjoy it. It's predominantly about two young people finding out about who they are, although there is a twist! This is a difficult book to explain, so I guess you'll just have to find out for yourself. It is a good read, though.

A selection of Japanese short stories, translated into English. Unlike 'Goodbye Tsugumi', these stories retain (I believe) their Japanese essence. I have to admit that I felt I didn't quite 'get' most of the stories, but I could not put the book down until I'd finished it. I really enjoyed it.

As with all Murakami books (or at least the ones I've read so far) this tells a dark but compelling tale. Of the four books I've read to date, this is, I think, the best. Named after a Beatles song, this story follows the life of a young university student in Tokyo, and the relationships (both platonic and otherwise) he has with friends. I found the story quite moving, and once I was about a third of the way through I couldn't put it down until I'd finished it.

A really thought-provoking and profound book of short stories. In case you hadn't guessed, I've become a bit of a Murakami fan... If you haven't tried any of his books yet, give this one a go - it may be a good starting point.

In case you hadn't guessed, I'm a bit of a fan of Murakami. True, most of his books seem to be more-or-less the same, but they are different enough to still be engaging...after you've read a few, it's like slipping into an old pair of slippers - comfortable. That said, I enjoyed this book possibly more than the others (although it might just be because I hadn't read any Murakami in a while), and I just couldn't put it down until I'd finished it. If you're going to read this, it's probably a good idea (although not essential) to read "A Whild Sheep Chase" first.

Probably the best Murakami novel I've read to date. Very moving. It even had a (comparatively) satisfying ending!

A very good book of short stories - containing some of my favourite works of Murakami

One of my very favourite Murakami books (absolutely couldn't put it down until I'd finished it). Possibly darker than many of his other stories.

Another Japanese book translated into English. Unfortunately, however, it has been so Americanized that it leaves you wondering how much of the original plot remains. A good read, nonetheless. (plus it's only a small book, so you can read it on a train journey, or something).

In case you hadn't guessed - a Japanese book translated into English. My JET predecessor left this behind, and I was stuck for something to read! I actually quite enjoyed it, though. It is a story told through a husband and wife's diaries, each one hoping the other is reading theirs. It tells of the last four months of their marriage, and their growing obsession with sex. It's actually quite a dark story, and by the end of it, you're not quite sure who's side to be on. It also gives an insight into the culture of marriage in Japanese society.

Adventurey-type book. This one was actually written in English, and you can definitely tell the difference. I remember enjoying it, but it hasn't left much of a lasting impression. Read it anyway. I'm sure it was good.

Based on the true story of an acolyte who burned down Kinkakuji, Kyoto in the 1950s. I'm including this on the "recommended page" as it's had a fair few rave reviews. To be honest, however, it bugged the hell out of me. I don't know if it's just the translation, or the book as a whole. It just wasn't my kind of thing. It was basically an irritating and unsatisfactory read. The main character is quite simply the most self-obsessed, introverted obnoxious character I think I have ever encountered. And since the entire book is written from this one characters perspective, it just becomes too much. If you like philosophy (especially concerning killing kittens) you may want to read this book. If not, don't bother. If you want to read a review supporting the book, check this out.

Very gruesome thriller, but very compelling. It’s a story of what happens when people cross the line, and the far-reaching effects of people's seemingly personal reactions. There are plenty of twists - I certainly could predict the plot. The ending was also very good (often with Japanese authors, you're left with an unsatisfying ending, but not here!).

This is controversial I know, but I really did not get on with these books at all. It all seemed to be a load of superfluous drivel. Tolkein seems to have fallen down the slippery slope of far too much dry description. I remember reading The Hobbit while at primary school, and I didn't enjoy that either. Not a writing style I can really get in to.

Another controversial one. I know there are a whole host of Harry Potter books. I think I read the first two or three, and found all of them to be abysmal. Probably great if you're a kid, but come on, if you're above about 12 what's the attraction? It all seems to be media hype. The stories are not new, they're predictable. The writing style is over-simplistic (for adults), and the plot seems rather basic. Give me a Discworld novel any day.

What a load of crap! This has to be one of the worst-written books I've ever read. It's obvious that the author is an educated man, and he does have the basis of a good story, so how did he go so wrong?! A literary mess, which I really struggled to get through due to severe boredom and irritation. It never caught my interest. Not once! It is just possible I'm missing something crucial, and this is actually a great literary work. I would warn anyone thinking of reading this - glance over the notes at the back (about errors, etc), and if that (and this paragraph) haven't put you off, then good luck!

I find it extremely pretentious that anyone could publish 1, 474 pages of small print, and actually think it's worth reading. I usually like going for larger books, as I've found the plot tends to be developed more, and you can really lose yourself in it. This book, however, was an up-hill struggle from the start. Seth seems to be hedging his bets, going into as much detail as he possibly can about everything - from the politics in India in the 1940s, to the rules of cricket, from the ins-and-outs of shoe making to arranged marriages. There was far too much detail, and time after time I kept wondering what the hell the plot was. It may be to some people's taste, but I can't say I really enjoyed it. If you have an obsession with 1940s India, it may be worth a read. According to the blurb on the back it's about the search by a family to find a good match for one of the daughters. And indeed, it does go into this, although not in as much detail as the politics. And if it's one thing I can't stand it's politics. Verdict: if you want to impress people with the size of the book you're reading, or need to build up your arm muscles, give it a go. I did also find it very useful as a pillow on a holiday to Okinawa. And it presses flowers beautifully.

Don't bother. Really. Don't bother. What a waste of paper. And time spent reading it. The plot is thin to non-existent, and whatever story there is doesn't flow. No conclusions are reached. Too many points are touched on but not elaborated upon - just left, abandoned, swinging in the breeze to be forgotten with the next chapter. The characters are overly simplistic, and almost child-like - a very unflattering portrayal of the people of Botswana, in my opinion. Even the "heroine" character is grossly under-developed. If you like reading trashy novels, but want one without the "trash" aspect, then this may be for you. If you're sitting on a beach for a few days and need to waste some time on a bit of very light and unsubstantial reading, then this may be for you. If not, don't bother. A huge disappointment.

This book is just what you would expect - a really bad trashy novel. I would have thought that the assumption would be that if one picks up the book to read it, one is actually able to: a) read and b) follow the painfully simple "plot". Unfortunately Ms Steel seems to disagree. Minor points are repeated ad infinitum, to the point that I actually had a harder time finishing "Echos" than "In the Name of the Rose". Cut out the repetition crap, and you have a pamphlet about 15 pages long. This is the only book I left behind on our travels (all the rest were posted home).

Searching for Shangri-la - An Alternative Philosophy Travelogue - Laurence J. Brahm (non-fiction)

Two words: don't bother. This money-pinching self-centred idiot has published this book (and produced various TV reports) for one reason only: to line his own pockets. This book has no basis. Nothing. One thing is painfully clear. Although he repeats, supposedly verbatim, the views of all the people he interviews, he NEVER ACTUALLY LISTENS TO THEM. An inconclusive, irritating load of twaddle centred around the main character - the self-important, money-grabbing, author. Yes, I am very angry I bought this book.

While I sympathise to a certain extent with this man's situation, I have to say there is absolutely no excuse to publish such an annoying load of tat. I suppose the idea was to keep the reader "hanging", and wanting to plough on to find out the truth. The result was, however, irritating loose-ends dotted about in a non-descript and entirely over-simplistic plot. Definitely good for the "teach yourself English" group of readers. The same prose was repeated so often that, instead of being effective, it became inanely boring. In case you don't know the gist, the story is about a man who is stuck for 16 years in Charles de Gaulle Airport. You can blame bureaucracy if you like (certainly it didn't help the situation), but once you've read the book you may well come to another conclusion. (Incidentally, I haven't been able to bring myself to watch the Hollywood version yet. Mostly because I can't stand Tom Hanks...)

Very grim, very blood-thirsty, very pointless short stories. Maybe I'm just not educated enough to appreciate this collection…I certainly seemed to be missing the point with most of the pieces.

An old tale, re-told by a contemporary author, and absolutely terrible. Very depressing. Mostly because it's awful.