Sunday, December 19, 2010

Let Me In by John Ajvide Lindqvist

The first 30 pages disturbed me. So I read into 60 pages, still bothered. Decided to just watch the movie instead (Swedish Version) Loved it, watched it 3 times, decided to give the book another attempt. Finished book and ending up enjoying it. I cannot say that I would recommend it to anybody because 1) The pedophile: it's not like the author just explains to us that he likes little boys, but goes into some sexual details that I really did not want to read. So if I actually recommended this book to anybody they would think that I enjoyed reading about this. Even though the book is not all about this character as he disappears in the 2 middle sections (most of the book) The book really leads into the story through him so he is a major part of the novel.
    I enjoyed the friendship that developed between Oskar and Eli. As is the plot line of this book. Oskar falling in love with Eli. Even though they have huge differences. It just comes back to the basics though of what Oskar sees in Eli and just falls for Eli just because there is a natural attraction and interest in each other. Support, caring and trust are huge storylines through this book with all of the characters that we see. And this book has several characters that we follow and then have it all wrap up in the end.  Overall 4 stars for me.

Sunday, December 5, 2010

At The Sharpe End by Hugh Ashton

I thought this book was going to be over my head. In reading the synopsis you see such words as "freelance technology consultant" "2008 wall street collapse" and "global financial markets". I was intrigued by this book because it takes place in Modern day Japan, in the point of view of a foreigner. And that is also the reason that I enjoyed and would recommend this books to others. I found the main character Sharpe a little sarcastic and affable. He is thrown into a mess of a situation involving murder, the mob, and endangers the lives of his girlfriend and friends while rolling with the punches of the situation he's gotten envolved with. A stranger has approached him at a coffee shop, hiring him to write an article on some technology he's been working on. He then hands him a hello kitty box with unknown content and is found dead in mere hours. Leaving Sharpe the last one to see him alive. Come to find out not only are Americans, Britans, North Koreans and the Japanese looking into this technology and now Sharpe is the last one to question. What I found completely encouraging about this novel was as a reader, asking myself questions like "why doesn't he just give up the computer card instead of risking his loved ones" my answers were immediatly answered within seconds. I found that the language used was smooth, detailed and not overwhelming at all. The characters (even the bad guys) were all very well developed and entertaining. I am very happy that this book found its way onto my shelves and encourage others to pick this one up. It's intriguing, intuitive, educational and entertaining.