The Crossing by Cormack McCarthy

Second in the trilogy (first was All the Beautiful Horses). Even more poetic/artistic in its description of situations but also even longer and felt like a long, slow read. Will read the final book soon and hope it is equally beautiful - but crisper!

8/10

My Dark Places by James Ellroy

Only readable if you are a strong fan of James Ellroy, and even then it is a tough and long slog. Ellroy writes cop/crime/lowlife novels about America from the 1940s to now (seen the film of L A Confidential?). This book is a biography built around his reinvestigation of his mother's murder in very seedy circumstances when he was ten.

I'm glad I read it (I now understand why he writes as he does) but I would not recommend it.

5/10

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

Really enjoyed this book although I did find the ending a tear jerker. The story is told by Death and concentrates on the 2nd World War in Germany. The main characters become involved with a Jew and their concern for what is right and how this conflicts with their country's belief on the situation is very touching.
9/10

Unaccustomed Earth by Jhumpa Lakiri

If the next two entries look like Dad and I have been reading together that's not quite true. However when we go away it's better not to take lots of extra books, so we do sometimes tend to read the same ones. This was left by Patti in the apartment and tells stories with similar themes about Bengalis living in North America. Some lovely insight and written with the benefit of experience I expect.
8/10

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Steig Larsson

Enjoyed it along with the rest of the world. It's the first book of a trilogy so am keen to read the next two. The girl in the story helps solve a murder from several years ago. Interesting characters and family conflicts.
9/10

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

Katy's book, I think. Thank you . A lovely read. Story told by someone looking back on their childhood in Germany during the rise of the nazis and the war. Lovely writing style, great painting of many people, ordinary people but eccentric or full of character. And a very touching story.

9/10

Unaccustomed Earth by Jhumpa Lahiri

I saw this on a 'top 10 to read list' and then mum found that Patti had left it at our apartment. Five not-so-short stories about Indians (that's asians) living in America. Very good - well worth a read. I don't normally like short stories but these create an overall picture and her writing style is very enjoyable.

8/10