Broadchurch - Erin Kelly

photo courtesy:goodreads.com

A whodunnit set in a coastal town.

I remember seeing trailers for this series on ITV but missed it for some reason. So a chance to catch with its book version was so welcome! It was only after catching up with the book, that I realised what I had missed out on. Since I won't be able to compare it with its TV counterpart, a standalone book review this will be.

Gist:

The book opens like a screenplay, with a set of characters introduced in random situations in the first few pages. It is very easy to visualise the story unfolding albeit, a bit confusing. Once the story is set, the characters come together and it all ties in.

Eleven-year-old Danny Latimer is found dead on the beach in the coastal town of Broadchurch. At the police station, DI Ellie Miller finds out that she has been passed over for a promotion. Danny was her son Tom's close friend. She will have to work with new-to-the-town DI Alec Hardy to investigate the murder. DI Hardy feels that her knowing the murdered child will cloud her judgement. But Miller feels she can make inroads into the community the way Hardy never can. She dislikes Hardy at first sight. Can they work together and figure out the murderer?

What works:

• The characters are so well etched. It takes a while to figure how they are all connected but then they are characters with distinct characteristics.

• The sleepy coastal town is brought to life so well. A look at the last page shows where Broadchurch was actually based - Dorset.

• The writing. I reckon it can be hard to work with established settings and characters but the narrative really breathes life into the story. The caption suggests that there is some additional material for those who have already watched the series. But for me who hasn't, it was great.

• It is a gripping story that I could easily lose myself in. I don't remember the last time I was so eager to get into my bed at night. The plot moves fast and the insight into the characters is reminiscent of Elizabeth George's  novels. Love it. 

What doesn't:

• I suppose considering that those already seen the series needed to get something extra and therefore reference to extra material. It offers a very detailed insight into the minds of the characters. It doesn't hamper the story telling for me, but it seemed like too much effort was going into it.

Overall a great story and I really enjoyed it. Looking forward to reading the second installment of the series.

A Boy Called Christmas - Matt Haig

a photo courtesy: goodreads.com

A story that symbolises the festive spirit  of Hope and Goodwill.

As a child raised in India, my book diet included Enid Blyton and then Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys. As my children are growing up I am discovering books that were never available to me - Roald Dahl. It is heartening to see how new authors are reaching out this generation in a contemporary style that was otherwise missing in ours.

Haig is a new author whose books are always out in time for the Christmas season for obvious reasons. Considering my kids are growing up with the same Santa magic as other western kids, they were excited to learn about this Boy who was called Christmas and how was he connected to "their" Father Christmas.

Gist:

Nicholas is a 11-year-old boy who lives with his father in Iceland. It is very cold there and they are quite poor. His father leaves him in the care of a wicked aunt promising to be back with money so that they can live better. However, Nicholas finds himself out in the cold, looking for his father. He has certain adventures which alter his mindset, transforms his life.

What works:

• Haig uses informal language that connects with kids. The book jacket and the first chapter feel so personal as though someone is narrating a bedtime story to a child. My 7-year-old was instantly hooked on to it, when I first read it out aloud to her.

• The character of Nicholas - the poor, kind boy is the classic underdog that each child relates to. It is refreshing as word by word we get to know Nicholas more and learn about his family and circumstances he is in.

• The concept of love, kindness and goodwill is interwoven quite well in the story.

 What doesn't:

Although the style is engaging, it tends to flag a bit. Towards the middle, we felt as though the story was dragging where Nicholas sets off to find his father. We read each chapter as a bedtime story.  However, somewhere along the line, I couldn't help thinking that perhaps it was a bit out of league for my 7 year old despite our chats about it. But then there was a point when even I was getting bored. Some brisk editing would have helped, I felt.

Overall, it is beautiful book and later the pace picks up too. As we got to the end, my 7-year-old suddenly felt like she knew who Father Christmas was - when he was not sneaking presents under the tree.

A lovely story for kids between 8-12. We loved the book enough to pick out his next one soon. 

The Trip of a Lifetime - Monica Mcinerney

photo courtesy:goodreads.com

A story about families and the drama that lies therein.

 Mcinerney's books are all about families, which is why I love her so much. Although she talking about Australian- Irish families in her books, it speaks so well to my Indian mentality. I love her ability to show the dynamics of familial relationships with such a remarkable style.

I recall reading her Hello From the Gillespies and enjoying every minute of it.  It was about story of a family in a year - starting from one christmas to another. I was hooked on it mainly because of Mcinerney's contagious and compelling writing style.

So this time when this book came in as part of a goodreads giveaway, it was just in time to pack it as my holiday read for a week in Fuertaventura. 

Sun, sand and a Mcinerney book in hand - great.

Gist:

The family's grand matriarch 90-year- old Lola wants to visit Ireland. She left it decades ago as a young woman travelling with her husband to Australia. As with everything she does (for those who know her from Alphabet sisters) her decision sparks a lot of conflict in the family.  She wants her granddaughter Bett and her great grand daughter Ellen to accompany her, much to everyone's annoyance. 

For the journalist grand daughter Bett, it is bad timing. There is a possibility about a mystery series to be filmed in their area and the air is buzzing with news. Bett's newspaper is in the danger of closing down, and this trip is the last thing she wants to do right now.

Lola has a reason for going back - a decades old secret that was never revealed. But now she wants to make peace with the past and rectify things while she still can. She is the foundation that her family is built on and to keep it solid, she needs to make this trip of a lifetime.

What works:

• Mcinerney's writing style. Her verbal strokes are amazing. The humour and the banter which she brings her characters to life are her strong points.

• The characters. They are distinct and she describes them with ease. You meet them for the first time but it doesn't take long for you to relate to them, making you curious to see how they fare.

• The setting. Mcinerney is great at drawing domestic situations and manipulating them to plot her story.

What doesn't:

• Once Lola gets to Ireland, the pace is great and the story flows like a stream of clear water. Her observations about how the country has changed in her absence is perceptive and enlightening. 

• However, the first half drama which is more about what is happening with Bett, her relationship with  Ellen and the preparations that go into their journey is tedious. It takes the wind out of the sails of narrative, weighing it down. 

• This is not her best work. But the way she explores the family relations - stepmum and daughter, mother-in-law and daughter-in-law chemistry, it works well and is very easy, enjoyable read overall.

Treat it like a light, fluffy summer read and you will have a great time.

Rounding up the year in books

I love doing this yearly round up - cherry picking from my reads of the year. A bit late (year end holiday and little one's bday party to organise) and I realise we are already in the second week of January. I refuse to believe that its too late to do my 2017 round up in books and here  I am.

It was a great year, bookwise. Lots of good books to read from all genres - literary fiction, crime, chick lit -  a good reading experience. Goodreads tells me I have read more than 2016 which feels good. A quick look through the list refreshes my minds of the titltes that made it to my book log. Here are my favourite reads that made an impression on me:


The Peshwa - Ram Sivashankaran

After watching Bajirao Mastani, I was keen to find out more about this valiant Maratha Warrior and Shivasankaran's version does proper justice to it. It offers depth and character to the persona and offered a well researched insight into the lesser known warrior.

What I loved is the holistic way in which the writer had approached the subject. Instead of giving a breezy, superficial account, Shankaran has taken the pain to paint a detailed background which offers a well rounded perspective - meaning a satisfying story.


The Perplexing theft of a jewel in the Crown - Vaseem Khan

A great fan of crime fiction, it was great to read a thriller set in an Indian setting. For me, it was "Death in Paradise" set in Mumbai. A lighthearted crime story with its backdrop in a city dear to me. You can see why it has sold me. But that is not the reason why it has made it to my top five. It is also a well written story, that touches upon the main character and follows a parallel storyline. It looks superficial but it works on a subtle level.

Love the light humour, great array of characters and a superb writing style. It definitely had me hooked.


The secret lives of Amir Sisters -Nadiya Hussain 


Families, confusion and chaos in a Muslim family. The Bake off winner turns her hand to writing apparently - or that is how it is packaged. Well it worked. Perhaps it was the name that made me pick up the book but then I am not sure if Nadiya would have done this without the help of the hugely talented Ayisha Mallik. But hey! I am not complaining. The combo works very well.

I remember reading that the story was like Alcott's Little Women but then if that is the case because it is about sisters then yes but then that is where the similarity ends.

A set of colourful characters in the exotic Asian family set up, sprinkled with some great writing and humour and voila that's a story served up with a well packaged book.

What sets this apart as my top reads it that it does what it says - light, fluffy yet filled with great characters and writing. It has a writing style that is refreshing, making you want to read more.


Lie With me - Sabine Durrant

A crime thriller that sets off from the word go. It is menacing and kept me edgy for days. A writer who meets his friend on an off chance and says a lie that he has to maintain throughout. A great premise which is sustained very well throughout the novel. Loved the way the writer has used the narrator and came up with a racy style.

What I liked was the narrative device that Durrant has used. I am struggling really hard to not spoil for those who have not read it yet. But go for it if, like me, you dig crime thrillers.



Writing Down The Bones

I discovered quite a lot of books on writing this year. It is amazing how many there are out there. Is it because of the creative writing classes or because more people are turning their hand to writing, I don't know.

 From getting inspiration to write to finding out the nuts and bolts that make short stories work, there are a range of books to choose from. But what got me writing and impressed me with its no nonsense approach was Goldberg's Writing down the Bones. She nails the anxieties and procrastination of a writer very well. It spoke me directly. She reprimands, coaxes and encourages the writer mindset. Job well done.


There goes my top five I suppose. Ready to close the chapter on 2017, I look forward to a brand new book filled year. Join me as I embark on a yet another journey of discovering glittering gems in the world of books.

Happy New Year.

Fuertaeventura.....Everything feels better under the sun

One of the many beaches along the coastline 

When the temperatures were struggling this December end, heading off to this sunny paradise felt like a blessing.  Fuertaeventura - as its exotic name suggests is one of the biggest Grand Canary islands. With its all year round sunshine and superb beaches, it is a sure hit among UK tourists - evident from all the tanned faces and bodies that accompanied us back on the UK flight.

The place though ruled by Spain is nearer to Africa (about 100 km away). In an attempt to boost its tourism potential, it houses cosmopolitan pockets like El Cortillo, Caleta de Fauste - a haven for tourists with great food, shopping options and accommodation - all a towel's throw from the beach.

However we preferred staying inland in Betancuria - a historic town on the island. A fairly quiet place with some fantastic mountain views, yet close enough to the nearby major town of Antigua.

The picture postcard town of Betancuria with its beautiful market square was a treat for the eyes. Steeped in history, it has a centuries old convent that draws a lot of tourists. What we liked is its market square and with its enticing shops - enough to keep you there for a good while.

We spent a week on the island and realised it had something for everyone. For those wanting to lie on the beach there is plenty to choose from, boisterous ones like Caleta de Fauste or La Pared, or quieter ones like the El Cotillo with lagoons, ideal for kids.

For those seeking more than the beaches, there are hiking trails and viewing platforms from where you get a breathtaking view of the island. Places like Morras De Valles is a steep, winding drive right up the top of the hill. It is worth it though, you can enjoy the view while sipping a cuppa at their hilltop cafe.

We enjoyed a few hikes on this island. Mountain Tindaya, Corran Mountain are some that we loved. The slopes are rocky and not steep. It made it easier for the younger ones in the group and they had a great time scaling it.

The northern part of the island, Correljo, has some picturesque sand dunes. The weather was friendly - hot with a cool breeze and it felt great walking on it, feeling our feet sink into the sand.

Apparently, there was camel riding and other activities, but it felt so good to be there, away from the cold, damp English winter that we spent an afternoon just walking around and capturing its beauty on lens.

There was a salt museum which explained the history and how salt made its way from the sea onto our kitchen shelves. An enlightening experience for our kids who assumed that were made in supermarkets! The only downside was that the entire display and the video was in Spanish, leaving us English speaking tourists flummoxed. The pics made sense, but a translation would have been more helpful. The kids were fascinated by what they saw - how salt was caught in these square pools of water and then taken out in the ledges that separated the pool. It was funny watching their faces crinkle when they tasted it in its raw form! 

Considering that the population is more concentrated in the coastline, the roads that run through the island are in amazing condition, making it easier to get across the  length and breath of the island. We made good use of the maps given out at the airport. Each day, we would pick a point of interest and just drive - stopping for pictures on the way. The island is littered with beautiful places tucked away. The joy of its discovery was nothing short of a treasure hunt!

One place we really liked was the Sica Sumbre astronomical viewpoint that offered a viewing platform lined up with information boards.

It was packed with information about the planetary positions and also gave an insight into the origins of its nearby town of Betancuria. It was a good walk, climbing up the slopes of the Mountain while taking in the beauty of the valley. 

One of my favourite places on the island was the Caves of Ajuy, a small fishing village located about 7 km away from Pajara. We loved walking along the coastline, exploring the limestone caves and its natural beauty. The caves made through natural formation of the waves hitting the shore are a sight to behold and there are good constructed paths alongside that makes it possible to get to the caves easily and safely.

We spent time just looking at the waves lashing at the shore, collecting stones and snapping pics for souvenirs.


It was great spending a week on the island exploring these natural gems, and thanks to kids - it was always rounded with a trip to the beach. It felt good going back to our accommodation at the end of each day - learning about the island that bit more.

Despite signs of recession - with its half finished buildings and graffiti near the big towns, - it had an unspoilt feel to it or atleast the non commercial parts of it.

There were a quite few lighthouses to explore on the island. Since a young member of the group was keen on going to one, we visited the one pictured above, on the northern part of the island near Corralejo. Although we couldn't get in, it had a great trail around it, well marked with its geological and marine information boards as we walked along, collecting rocks on the way.

Any trip to the beach is incomplete without its sand castles. My five year old boy was more interested in building one while the others chose to go for a dip in one of the beaches in Calata de Fauste. By the time they returned, he was ready with his work of art. He was very proud of it and was reluctant to leave it behind. This picture is his souvenir from the island.

What we realised:

• This island is not all about its beaches, there are lots of places to explore. 

• Although we hired a car, public transport is available to get around the island.

• Go hiking with sensible shoes and lots of water and you will be rewarded with some fantastic mountain views.  

• The people are very friendly and the local language is Spanish. Google helped us vegetarians a lot especially when it was tricky to tell if a food product had meat/fish in it.

• Although the temperatures were mild, we found that it could get breezy too. One needed a hoodie/cardigan at times especially if staying in the valley.

• Apart from the main touristy bits, it is a sleepy island with not much happening even on some inner mountain roads. We are not sure if that was due to its sparse population or because of New Year period. It made our life easier though...zooming past towns without worrying about traffic snarls. 

Sun, beach and downtime in the middle of winter - superb!