Silver Linings Playbook by Matthew Quick

When I first started this book, whenever I closed the book with its back cover facing me, the yellow cover would always remind me of one of the books that I used to like and is still one of my favorite books: Alex Garland's the Beach. This is because that book also has the same color on its cover.

Having read the Silver Linings Playbook now, even if the book I was reading does not have the same color on its cover, I would still think that this book managed to remind me of the Beach. This is because when I was reading the book, I had the same feeling that I had when I was reading the Beach. This book really succeeds on many levels. The writing is simply irresistible and impeccable. I was thoroughly entertained and I can say I was completely engrossed with the story. 

Just a gist of the story: Pat Peoples is depressed and has been institutionalized in a mental health facility. As with many peoples having problems with depression, Pat also represses some of his memories which is related to his spending of his apart time from his wife. 

Upon his release, he moves back with his family. This story therefore basically talks about how he reconciles and adapts himself again with his family especially with his eccentric dad, mom, his younger brother, and his friends. Also, seeing his therapist, Dr. Patel (Cliff), meeting Tiffany, the sister-in-law of  his friend, Ronnie, who is also facing the same problems as Pat's i.e. depression. Most importantly, how he recalls back his lost (or otherwise blocked) memories of his past and comes to term with his lost memories and his past. 

Although the story sounds quite tragic, it is actually very upbeat and uplifting. It is funny from start to finish. Full of awkward but hilarious moments. 

I really like all the characters particularly his dad, Dr. Patel, and Tiffany. They are all very hilarious!! I kept smirking to myself whenever I was reading this book. It was really addictive. The Eagles' cheering moments are pretty funny. Dr. Patel and Tiffany are pretty crazy!!

Besides the Beach, this book also managed to remind me of other books that also deal with depression that I have read such as JD Salinger's the Cather in The Rye, Stephen Chbosky's Perks of Being A Wallflower, Ned Vizzini's It's Kind of A Funny Story, or other such narratives written by characters who have autism such as Mark Haddon's A Curious Incident of The Dog in The Nighttime. Coincidentally, the book also makes certain references to these books like how Charlie, the main character in the "Perks" being recommended to books by his English teacher, Bill. 

Albeit these similarities, I would assure you guys that this book is different from them on many levels. I think I finished this book the fastest if compared to other books that I have read thus far this year. This shows this book is really good, and indeed very, very entertaining. Totally riveting, therefore totally recommended!!

Well by Matthew McIntosh

I first stumbled into this book when I was in the library. I don't know what caught me to this book but there is definitely something alluring in this book.

I have actually always wanted to read something that is "urban" i.e. stories that are based in the city and that revolve around city dwellers who have a hard time living in the city or who always find living in the city captivating i.e. they are always found day-dreaming. I'm glad I found all these elements in this book.

When I was reading this book, I actually found this book quite dark. The characters featured in this book are all unique, had dark thoughts all the time, and they struggled with something, either it was death (i.e. losing someone, a job, a passion or a lover), suicidal thoughts, depression & etc.

There were many characters in this book. In fact, although this book is a novel, it actually contains snippets of stories from myriad of characters. While you are absorbed into a story of one of the characters, after a break it quickly jumps into another character. It is not a very continuous flow-y sort of book but it really works. You may have a hard time following the stories but if you like this sort of experimental fiction/narrative it is quite fun at times. I did enjoy it immensely.

Mind you, I really like this book. I'm a sucker of such a melodrama Lol. The characters are very interesting. I have not in my life ever found such dark characters before. In fact, this is the darkest book that I've ever read. It's a testament.

However, at points, I did find the book disturbing. Although I had read a lot a books that revolve around depression, I still find this book the hardest to read in terms of darkness. At times, I did find that it was quite hard to delve into the thoughts of the characters. They were too haunting at times. Perhaps they were what they were because they were so close to real life. Because of this, sometimes I had to rely on listening to some atmospheric/psychedelic songs on my mp3 player to get through the dark phase!

Anyways, I really enjoyed reading this book. I kept picturing myself living in a city that is always dark i.e. the weather is always brooding, gloomy and introspective. The book really works. Thanks to the author, Matthew McIntosh for the treat. Time to return the book to the library.

P/s: I do find the cover very well-designed. It has the orange color with some grey thrown in. It is really captivating. 

I like the title too being "Well" too. According to the author, Well could represent anything. It could represent "Well" as in a well of water but in this book, the well could mean a space where we dwell all our darkest thoughts in (a well is a dark place right?). Well could also mean a state of mind. Is the state of mind well or not? It depends on your interpretation ;P

Excerpt (from the chapter, Looking Out For Your Own):

Further reading: Well [Matthew McIntosh]

The Constant Gardener by John le Carré

Phew, finally I manage to read this book.. What a doorstop it is!! (I honestly think it qualifies enough as one Lol..)

I've always wanted to read a John le Carre, but I didn't always manage.. At first, I think I did try to read one of John's books when I was still in the university.. But I gave up within the first chapter because I thought then it was too tough for me in terms of the reading level (Yup, I did consider it tough then as it contains some "high"-level vocabulary..). Not only that, it does feature some politics which was a bit "above" me then as I was quite naive when I was still in my early 20s. Ok, I could give it a try but having given it a thought, I thought why not read John's books when I'm more mature.. Fast forward now here I am.. I think I don't regret my decision now..

I think it was a wise decision to introduce the character Woodrow first in the book. At first, I really thought Woodrow is the protagonist. There was some slight confusion on my part to differentiate the slew of characters being introduced within the first few chapters. As the story goes on, I became used to it. I don't know, I just think the slow introduction of Justin, the main character, i.e. the bereaved husband is a bit ingenious. As this book can be considered a mystery, fair enough to say the introduction of Justin after Woodrow is quite apt too. May be this is the intention of the author for us to treat Justin with a bit of mystery (slowly surfacing from shadows). 

Besides that, I kept picturing Liam Neeson instead of Ralph Fiennes  as Justin (Well, I started with Woodrow because he is introduced first). This is not to say Ralph is not a good actor or that I don't like him, may be I watched too much of Taken Lol. Besides, I have also not watched the movie (The Constant Gardener) yet. Despite of this, I would honestly think that the casting of Rachel Weisz as Tessa in the movie was ingenious :P

Talking about the characterization, I have to admit that there are a lot of characters in this book. Like I said, I had a hard time differentiating them at first but I slowly adapted to them. All the characters are quite balanced, all were in fact very well-developed (which is huge criteria in a book). Even the baddies :P Of course, I like these characters a lot. As I read more and more about them, I became fond of them. It was a bit hard to part with them too. With this, I can say that this book is a character-driven book as much as it is a plot-driven book. The plot and the characterization are well balanced, without one overlapping the other.

As I was first being introduced to the characters, the first part of the book is a bit slow for me. As the story builds up, I found it more and more engrossing as I was more acquainted with the characters. Towards the middle part, I found that it is the most interesting part for me. I finally knew why Justin's wife was murdered. What were being hidden behind the scene. It was riveting to know these details slowly.

However, as quick as the mystery thickens towards the middle part, the intensity also quickly dissipates towards the end. As I got to know everything that happened behind the scene already, anything that could happen to Justin next could be a little bit "predictable". Despite of this, I have to say that I did enjoy this novel. Having read many novels, albeit not many in this genre (spy-like & political), I can say that it is quite a "quiet" novel i.e. featuring a solitary man in a quest for truth (the murder of this wife). This is why I said I like this book.

I also finally knew the meaning of the three bees flying on the front cover of the book. At first, I really thought it is related to the protagonist's hobby as an avid planter (hence the title of the book) but the allusion turns out to be a much sinister one. You have to read the book (or anywhere else) or watch the movie to find out more for yourself though :P

Overall, I really like this book. I'm glad I managed to finish this book. At last, I can add one John's book into my read books' list :P

Excerpt:

Making his way past broken-down trolleys laden with recumbent bodies, smelling the blood and excrement mingling with the sweet, horsy scent of Africa, Woodrow wonders whether this squalor is part of what makes her attractive to him: I have spent my life in flight from reality, but because of her I am drawn to it.

As we have learned  to our cost, thought Justin from far inside his glass capsule. He rose weightlessly from the table and was surprised  to see his own image in a great number of mirrors at the same time. He saw himself from all angles, at all ages of his life. Justin the lost child in big houses, friend of cooks and gardeners. Justin the schoolboy rugby star. Justin the professional bachelor, burying his loneliness in numbers. Justin the Foreign Office white hope and no-hoper, photographed with his friend the dracaena palm. Justin the newly widowed father of his dead and only son.

Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion

I managed to read this book before the movie came out. Therefore, as at this moment, I can proudly say: I've both read and watched "Warm Bodies".

Don't get me wrong, both the book and the movie are equally excellent on their own turf. No doubt about that. I like them both immensely.

Back to the book, before I even finished with the book, I had been wanting to mention something about the beginning and the ending of reading a book. All of us know that reading requires a lot of effort. We need to allocate some time off each day in order to read a couple of pages. Not only that, we need to be immersed ourselves totally into the characters with no distraction from our work stress and daily chores nonetheless.

As such, when I begin reading a book, I always feel like there is a distance between me and the book. I need to find or establish a connection with the book before I can start enjoying the story itself.  As readers, all of us know that each book tends to have a "hook" that gets us captivated with the book and motivates us to finish the book. 

I have to admit that I do find it hard sometimes to "locate" the hook in the book (the pun is not intentional :P). What if the hook is located somewhere in the middle or towards the end of the book? Then, it would require a lot of effort from me to plow through the book, particularly if the book is not interesting to begin with. 

What about those challenging books? This effect would sometimes discourage me from beginning reading a book in the first place. 

The same can be said for finishing up reading a book. Once you are engrossed with a book, it is really hard to depart from the book. As you have already invested so much emotion and time with the characters and the story (most of the time), it is quite hard to let go whatever enjoyment you have from reading the book towards the end. This is what I had been through while reading this book. 

I would not say it was the book causing it.. It was just that I had been finishing up reading one book after another.

Speaking of this, the book did not let me down in terms of finding the hook. Within the first few pages, I was already drawn to the protagonist who weirdly went by the name of "R", for lack of a better word, one syllable or one letter did aptly substitute for the zombie hero. Because of this, I therefore had even a more difficult time parting with this book in the end. More of this later.

I really liked how the book starts. We were introduced to R and his clique, and their daily routines. Well, the book does really start with aplomb but the excitement does peter out as soon as we reach the middle part. Not to say that the book is not enjoyable, it is just that the book does really get darker from this point onward.

The introduction of Julie does really make things interesting, lest there would be nothing more interesting to reveal about R. However, I would find the introduction of Perry (Julie's boyfriend) really spot-on. Although Perry was dead early in the story, the character Perry is definitely one of the most engaging characters that I have ever stumbled into and man, I was really delighted. As we manage to dip into memory from time to time, we get to know Perry more at least from R's perspective (you will know more about this if you read the book).

As the story becomes darker and darker towards the end (Perry was really depressed due to his surroundings, the fall of mankind etc & that R kept on gazing into Perry's memories), I would say the book could be quite difficult for certain people especially to those who couldn't handle depressive characters well or especially to those who find it difficult to delve themselves into a depressed person's thoughts and memories. For me, I have absolutely no complaints as I really dig such "heavy" stuffs.

This is all I can say about the story. Well, the writing is impeccable, exquisite LOL, could even be quite poetic at times but I like it immensely nonetheless.

Below is an excerpt from the book for your sampling:

I erupt from the dark, crushing tunnel into a flash of light and noise. A new kind of air surrounds me, dry and cold, as they wipe the last smears of home off my skin. I feel a sharp pain as they snip something, and suddenly I am less. I am no one but myself, tiny and feeble and utterly alone. I am lifted and swung through great heights across yawning distances, and given to Her. She wraps around me, so much bigger and softer than I ever imagined from inside, and I strain my eyes open. I see Her. She is immense, cosmic. She is the world. The world smiles down on me, and when She speaks it's the voice of God, vast and resonant with meaning, but words unknowable, ringing gibberish in my blank white mind.

City Of Thieves - David Benioff

At first, when I picked up this book, I really didn't know what to expect from this book.. I thought this was going be another mundane read.. 'Cause the book deals more with the oppression in Russia during World War II..

As soon as I went past Chapter I.. Man.. I knew I was going to be in for a treat!

The read really started with aplomb. In the beginning, the story delves in a Jewish protagonist's predicaments in the face of an incoming war. Overall, I really like how the story begins. At first, it talks about the protagonist's, Lev's first brush of the war with a company of friends. Deeper into the story, we only get to know that Lev's friends were actually from the same flat as him. They managed to make a camp at the rooftop or rather, at the top of the building. They volunteered  as firefighters or as an army for their country in their area.

In the midst of the beginning of the story, they discovered a German soldier in a parachute who had fallen from the sky. It turned out then that fortunately, the German had in fact died during the fall due to the extremely cold weather in Leningrad. From this, the story then quickly moves on to the imprisonment of Lev.

It then quickly talks about Lev being imprisoned in a dark prison, in total solitary. Lev, who couldn't sleep in his cell, only had his thoughts to entertain him. Next, he heard some shuffling outside his cell's door, he knew that the guards had came over to deliver his sentence. On the contrary, it turned out that in fact, they wanted to insert a new prisoner in the same cell as him. He only managed to catch a glimpse of the new prisoner before the cell's gate closed on them.

I actually like how the story turns out later. At first, as it starts with the introduction of a group of youngsters serving as army for Russia, I thought it is about the survival of a bunch of kids during a war, although in retrospect, I knew it was about two persons' quest for a dozen of eggs during a city's siege. I didn't really know how the story would pan out. I didn't know later it would talk about, albeit briefly, the philosophical insights of a teenage boy in a dark cell, his last thoughts before his final execution. I was quite surprised by that, honestly.

After all these surprises, I was actually quite glad and content with the introduction of Kolya, Lev's companion in their quest for those eggs in the command of a colonel for making of the colonel's daughter's wedding cake (Huh? Lol..). I really enjoyed his company, his musings and his witty banter with Lev. He is indeed a wonderful character. I would definitely consider it worthy to listen to Kolya's rambling all day long, if given the chance. I wouldn't mind it really. Without any spoilers, I was pretty amused with Kolya's reference to a book. Hmmm..

And not forgetting the cute Vika of course..

Below are some excerpt from the book that I really like, so enjoy!:

"He looked at me just as the guards left, shutting the cell door and bolting it from the outside, taking their light with them. His face was the last thing I saw before the darkness resumed, so it's stuck in my mind: the high Cossack cheekbones, the amused twist of the lips, the hay-bound hair, the eyes blue enough to please any Aryan bride."

"He tossed his pad of paper on the desk and I could see that he hadn't been taking notes, as I'd thought, but simply drawing X's, over and over again, till the entire sheet of paper was covered with them. For some reason this frightened me more than his uniform or his brawler's face. A man who drew pictures of tits or dogs seemed like a man I could understand. But a man who drew nothing but X's?"

"We stood on the sidewalk, beneath a powerless streetlamp cobwebbed with hoarfrost, the great guns firing to the south, the moon veiled by muslin clouds, listening until the final note. When it ended, something seemed wrong: the performance was too good to go unacknowledged, the performer too skilled to accept no applause. For a long moment we were silent, staring up at the dark windows. Finally, when it seemed respectful to move again, we resumed our march."

"He tugged me down from the hill of rubble and I was too weak to resist, too tired for grief or anger or defiance. I wanted to be warm. I wanted to eat. We walked away from the Kirov's remnants and I could not hear my footsteps. I had become a phantom. There was no one left in the city who knew my full name. I felt no great misery for myself, just a kind of dull curiosity that I still seemed to be alive, my exhalations still visible in the moonlight, this son of Cossacks still marching beside me, looking at me from time to time to make sure I kept moving checking the night sky for bombers."

"I never understood people who said their greatest fear was public speaking, or spiders, or any of the other minor terrors. How could you fear any thing more than death? Everything else offered moments of escape: a paralyzed man could still read Dickens; a man in the grips of dementia might have flashes of the most absurd beauty."

"I was sitting on a window ledge watching her and trying to make sure she didn't know I was watching her. She had stripped off her coveralls to let them dry. She wore a heavy wool woodcutter's shirt that once belonged to a man twice her size and two pairs of long underwear. Unlike most redheads, she didn't have a single freckle. She worried at her upper lip with the bottom row of her crooked little teeth. I couldn't stop looking at her. She was no man's idea of a pinup girl-underfed as she was, looking like she'd spent the last week sleeping in the forest-but I wanted to see her naked. I wanted to unbutton the woodcutter's shirt, toss it aside, and lick her pale belly, strip off the long underwear and kiss her thin thighs."

"Talent must be a fanatical mistress. She's beautiful; when you're with her, people watch you, they notice. But she bangs on your door at odd hours, and she disappears for long stretches, and she has no patience for the rest of your existence: your wife, your children, your friends. She is the most thrilling evening of your week, but some day she will leave you for good. One night, after she's been gone for years, you will see her on the arm of a younger man, and she will pretend not to recognize you."