I Am Nujood, Age 10 and Divorced

(Nujood Ali) I was intrigued by the theme around this book and ploughed into it with gusto. The story was both disturbing and uplifting. Disturbing in that I have a 10 year old daughter of my own and I didn’t want to imagine her being married off by her father to a nasty man who abused her both sexually and emotionally. But uplifting in that the spirit of this child used very simple logic and a childish perspective to stand up and say – hey I’m a child and I want my childhood back please. Despite the media hype extolling her bravery in standing up for herself – I didn’t see Nujood as brave. To me she came across as a simple and innocent child using her basic survival instincts. From her childish perspective she didn’t really seem to understand the force of what was standing up to – but this probably worked in her favor – as from a more mature perspective she would not have done it at all. She is outstanding in that she has been the first to stand up for children such as herself, and is now an icon for women in a country where women’s rights still seem to be non-existent. Someone has to start somewhere and hopefully her story will make a difference to the women in Yemen longer term. I hope you enjoy this book as much as I did.

Sue

The Painted Man

(Peter V. Brett) The Painted Man is a fantastic first novel from author Peter V. Brett. The world he has created is vivid and intriguing. He paints a world ravaged by fear. By day the inhabitants go about their daily business and by night hide in their warded homes, terrified of the corelings (demons) that come up out of the ground as soon as nightfalls. The corelings are a believable threat, made all the more terrifying by their insensate rage and hunger. As years pass, it seems that nothing can stop or harm the corelings, and nothing will unite the dwindling populations. Arlen, Leesa and Rojer are all engaging characters that we, as readers, watch grow from children into adults, accompanying them during some of the most traumatic and influential periods of their lives. We cheer when Leesha defies those who would try and tell her who to be and we see disaster coming before the characters and can only watch sickly as they march into it. All three children all have something in common. They are all stubborn, and know that there is more to the world than what they've been told, if only they can risk leaving their safe wards to find it.

The Painted Man by Peter V. Brett is definitely worth a read and looks set to form the cornerstone of an epic fantasy series. I have already started to form my theories about the nature of the corelings and the evolution of the threat they present to humanity. I look forward to finding out if I am right.

The 2nd book in the series “The Desert Spear” is due in store in April.

Charmaine

Eat, Pray, Love

(Elizabeth Gilbert) Elizabeth Gilbert, a journalist turned memoirist, penned this book after a messy divorce. The book, with its simple premise of finding one’s self became the bestselling book for 2006 and landed Gilbert in the 100 Most Influential People list (Time Magazine) and I can certainly see why.

Like the title implies, Eat Pray Love has three main sections; Indulgence – for Gilbert this is found in the food and language of Italy, devotion – experienced through months of prayer in an Indian Ashram, and relearning to love and be loved – which brings Gilbert’s journey full circle in the unlikely setting of Indonesia. Sounds like a simple composition doesn’t it?

But this book packs so much in, so many characters, so much colour and an enviable amount of adventure that the more you read the more intoxicated with her journey you become. Gilbert seems to have an addictive ability to lay bear her most devastating or revealing moments in the most unreserved way. She reveals all her faults and shortcomings to the world and you just love her all the more for it. I think of this story as a Travelogue with a conscience and a sense of humour to boot.

Eat Pray Love is the perfect stepping stone for those looking to explore theology and interpretations of spirituality as Gilbert widely references many religious texts and experiences. However, I can see how this book would be quite difficult to stomach if you weren’t interested in spirituality as there are a lot of ‘touchy-feely’ moments involving gurus and higher planes of existence. I would also recommend this to fans of slow travel.

Also available is Gilbert’s most recent title “Committed.” TPB $32.99

Siobhan

The Piper's Son

(Melina Marchetta) Melina Marchetta’s brilliant new novel takes up the story of the group of friends from her best-selling book Saving Francesca. In The Piper’s Son it’s five years later and this time it’s Thomas Mackee that needs saving. Thomas Mackee has lived a life filled with trouble since Saving Francesca – some of his own doing and some are caused from the twists and turns of life. He desperately wants to forget everything that has happened. The parents who leave and the friends he used to care about, and favourite uncles being blown to smithereens on their way to work on the other side of the world.

But wherever he turns, his past follows, and he winds up living once again with his grieving father. Eventually Tom realises that his family and friends need him as much as he needs them. Like all of Melina’s novels, The Piper’s Son, is brilliantly written. The characters seem like people you might know, which really draws you in. And whilst those of you who have read Saving Francesca, these characters will be familiar already, but it can be easily read and enjoyed without having first read any of her other books. The Piper’s Son is sure to please any reader.

Charmaine