Booga J Reads

One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

I finished up One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez this past week and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The ending is quite sad though. Marquez uses a style called magical realism which is unlike pretty much anything else I have ever read. Reading this book was like listening to exaggerated tales told by some wise old man. I guess this style appeals to me because I have always like sci-fi which is similar. In fact, I believe that great sci-fi is extremely realistic given the made up world or situation that the characters are thrown into.

Marquez makes up a world where all kinds of unbelieveable things happen, but the family that he examines have many basic human flaws and weaknesses that the average person of today can relate to. If you are looking for something different, something extraordinary, I would highly recommend this book.

Up next: Falling Angels by Tracy Chevalier.

The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown

This was a fun read. Nothing about the writing was impressive. It was basically hook after hook -- which works. I mean, I couldn't stop turning the pages. The puzzles were fun too, although a bit too easy. The reader shouldn't be able to figure out all the puzzles before the cryptologist and symbologist who are the main characters.

If you are looking for a thoroughly enjoyable read, this book is for you. If you are looking for a good book on cryptology, read The Code Book: The Science of Secrecy from Ancient Egypt to Quantum Cryptography by Simon Singh.

Red Mars by Kim Stanley Robinson

Wow! What a massive and expansive book. How did he think up all this stuff? You can see why he won the Nebula Award in 1993. With all the controversy surrounding Mars exploration, this book is a must read. Green Mars, the second book in the trilogy, is on my short list of books to read, but after tackling Red Mars, I think I'll wait a while. Besides there are a limited number of *really* good sci-fi books. Sometimes I feel that I have to ration them.

Sushi for Beginners by Marian Keyes

Another thoroughly enjoyable read from Marian Keyes. If you are looking for that perfect read to curl up with on a cold winter's night (or a warm beach for that matter!), this is it. A light and humorous look at the lives of some 30-somethings living in Dublin and working at a fashion magazine. Love, sex, deceit & depression, this book keeps you turning the pages. Can you tell that I like Marian Keyes? I've read all her books, including a collection of essays that was released only in the UK (my husband found it for me in a used bookstore -- what luck!)

Just give her books a try, I know you'll enjoy them!

American Gods by Neil Gaiman

**** Wow! This was quite a book. I'm not sure that I understand half of what it was trying to do, but I think a quick review of mythology from around the world would help. Just like his first novel, Neverwhere, I couldn't put this book down. If you like fantasy with a dark side, this book is for you.

2002 Hugo Award Winner

2002 Nebula Award Winner

December 2003

**** Couldn't put it down. Gaiman's first novel shows his amazing skill to create complete worlds. This is a horror/fantasy book that I can highly recommend. Next on my list is Gaiman's American Gods.

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** First novel by author of Girl with a Pearl Earring. Very good story line, just not as well written as Girl with a Pearl Earring. The voice of the American woman was unpolished and awkward at times.