The Caliphate

I read this ebook written by one Thomas/Tom Kratman April. I'm telling you, I must be quite crazy myself to be able to read through the whole novel. It is a fiction all right but I think with this kind of style, this novel should instead be categorized as "one man's dreams". Everyone writes, fiction or non fiction for some reasons. And usually the most likely reason is either to share your thoughts and sentiments about something. I was no doubt attracted to start reading because of the title. "Hey, this is one story about Islam and Muslims written by a non Muslim, should be interesting to see his points of view" I thought. And I have good faith in him. When I finally finished reading the last page, I thought, this author is just sick but hilariously funny. I pity him though, such a dented mind. It is in short about Hans, Petra, Hamilton, Thomson, Ling, Mahmoud and Gabi. I am so not in the mood to explain further about the story as I think it is quite a sickening effort by Mr Kratman to share his sick ideas of why Muslims should never be let to live and why the US should be allowed to terminate any country who shows the slightest inclination to tolerate Muslims. He writes how scientists Sands, Johnston and Meara are paid by the Caliphate to create virus which would one day be released to kill all non-Muslims and how they use human beings as the live experiments. He makes a hero out of one President Buckman, who took over from a weak female President, with mandate from almost all sides and parties in the US for his Armageddon plan, to bomb to non-existence 55 major Islamic cities with many more minor cities with warheads, including Mecca, Cairo and Medina because he thinks that those countries play a role in bombing three American cities. This mad man also obliterated North Korea and Pyongyang for not showing enough respect for the US. This author lets this President die a peaceful death. Hahaha. Check this out "Afterword: It would be pleasant to report, had it come to pass, that President Buckman had somehow been overthrown, and that he had been tried for his many crimes and hanged. Sadly, this was not to be. Rather, he passed away quietly one night in 2036, leaving us his legacy: an empire we don't want to get rid of, the enmity of most of the world, a crushing military burden, and damage to our traditional civil liberties that has yet to be fully undone and may never be." I think that Kratman tries to let us see that he is normal by writing "an empire we don't..." but based on my reading of the whole book, this is not likely. Kratman is actually a lunatic who deep in his heart hopes and prays that one fine day, a President Buckman would really lead USA. Checking out on his public profile, I can easily understand how he become the monster that he is. Or probably he's more a victim of the dark cloyds surrounding some people full of hate where he lives. Pity. Based on what I read in this novel, I think the most apt character to reflect Tom Kratman is Meara, a fat ugly child molester who thinks that he is one special man and that the world should love him for who he is, and in the end, he is strangled to death by two kids he abused. Anyhow, I'd want to try and read at least one more novel by this lunatic called Tom Kratman, probably A State of Disobedience (December 2003) just to ascertain my thoughts on him.

The rain tree

It's a novel by Sylvie Phillips, a book I bought during this year's Big Bad Wolf. The cover synopsis says "Murder and deceit in Thailand; everyone has something to hide". I was sort of in the mood for a short retreat by the sea when I decided to pick up the book. Just te last three days were spent quite satisfactorily spent at Pangkor Beach resort. That is I think, the main reason why that book became a sensible companion. The cover picture is also quite alluring, two girls in swim suit seeming to have a sweet time on the beach in a tropical island. The main set is Koh Keo Island, whether this place actually exists, I dont know. The story is about a few people; Tom and Fiona who later found that they really belong to each other, Sally and Delphine, two sometimes awkward friends with a nice to contemplate love-hate friendship, Keng the slightly muscular nice to look at Thai guy who first enjoys the company of Sally but later fell in simple love with Delphine, Clive a good looking but rather shallow husband of Fiona who funnily thought he cannot do his wife because he carries an image of a goddess, and several others. Not bad really, I think the pace is actually just great. The way Phillips develops the storyline, the characters, how their paths of life entwined or crisscross and the suspense leading to quite an unexpected "what actually happened" is quite a thrill. I enjoy reading this book. Must say one of the expressions I truly can agree with is spelled out very clearly by Sally, "Danny, a craggy, blue-eyed Australian instructor .....had a scap of a Thai girl for a girlfriend...she simply refused to compete with a Thai girl. As far as she was concerned, they were mostly gold-digging bimbos and any man who actually wanted a Thai girl was simply ...."

First Sight by Daniele Steele

Yawn.....first and last impression I've got from reading this one, it must have been written for the benefit of aunties in their golden years, too much repetition and way too soft weiii. A love story no doubt but with little interesting twists. I wonder if this has always been Steele's style and can't remember if I've read any novel of his before. Forty eight years young Timmie O'Neill is a nice character though, strikingly successful in the world of rich, talented, kind hearted and famous. The guy who plays one of her bratty Casanova boyfriends Zack, I think should be made younger by 10 or 15 years. Then it'll be quite interesting I think. The French doctor, highly professional, great sense of responsibility for all in his path, handsome, about to divorce his wife after thirty something years of marriage, devoted to his cancer stricken wife and kids coz the flame is no longer there but wanting to do it gently, mmmmmm he's quite cool too, but boring like hell to me. I'd love to have Timmie find her true love in a macho man who rules the corporate world ruthlessly and with a vengeance but with romantic heart and sweet loving for her. Someone like the hero from my recent read, McNaught's Paradise, Matt Farrell maybe? That would be rocking.

Cross Fire by James Patterson

I love reading this one. Actually decided to start Mr Patterson's novel after accidentally reading on him being the greatest thriller writer in a newspaper column. Must say I was surprised to find out that Dr Alex Cross is not white. Not because of anything funny, just that I think this little surprises adds to Mr Patterson's calibre. The antagonist Kyle Craig is quite a character too. Going far to do plastic surgery just to pursue his revenge against the media material Dr Cross. I think it's a nice balance of subtle humour in a not very intense thrilling but still powerful enough to lead me to continue reading for as long as I can detective novel. And Dr Cross' new wife Bree.....I actually imagine her to look like Halle Berry, ravenous, distinctly above average strong and sweet as caramel cookie all at once. Probably as I watched The Cat woman earlier today. I definitely will read another Patterson's novel later, probably other than the Alex Cross series, probably not. Whichever, I am now his admirer. Reading Danielle Steel's light novel now. And watched the wonderful story of JK Rowling's Magic.....something just now, suddenly feeling so dumbly Dumbledore inspired that I must start with the first Harry Porter novel today. Ahhhh Dear Gracious God, thanks so much for your blessings, I truly love being able to read.

Paradise by Judith McNaught

I know now as I've known since I was a quarter of the book, this is a wonderful love story. It is indeed the best romance novel I've read so far. The characters strong in all the areas that matter. The amazing commitment to her career, her family name and her man are superbly respectable. Matt Farrell's charisma is wonderfully narrated directly and indicated. I can just feel his manly superiority oozing with amazing sexual appeal. Totally any woman's dream. Totally opposite of the bloody stupid Shades of Gray rubbish. I think Paradise in so many ways though there are similarities, is much better than the first McNaught's novel which I read, 'Perfect'. I'd love to dream living the sweet dream life of Meredith and Matt tonight.

The monk who sold his Ferrari

The book is ladden with good advice I agree. One who completes reading this book is highly likely to be enlightened of a better way to live I agree. The wisdom of the monks passed over to the once cocky lawyer led him to realize that his material wealth means little compared to peace of mind.....now, does he really enjoy peace of mind now that he himself is considered to be within the monk's community? Is he really happy now? He's healthier, yes! But is he happier? I'm not convinced. In fact the last few sentences let me imagine him as a deeply troubled sad soul.

The alchemist by Paulo Coelho

I read this way before short time after I bought it at Popular book store, but cant remember whether I finished it then. Certainly finished it this time around, down till the epilogue. Don't quite like it when the boy was certain about looking for the gypsy woman to give half of his treasure to her as he had promised. Why? Because I'm not comfortable with this kind of honesty, is it really in existence anywhere in this world that I've been living in for 41years now? I feel like this narration is a non fiction. I actually skipped the preface but now since I have to check and be certain of whether this is a work of fiction or non, I've got to read the preface. Will write again soon as I finish. Ahhh, have read the preface and.....he said that this is a symbolic book. Huh? Well, I guess the boy Santiago could be the author or someone he imagines to be in search of the magical power of alchemy. Huh? Gosh, I'm slow with this.

The street lawyer

By John Grisham. This is the second lawyer novel I managed to complete in several months. Michael Brock is the main character but I think his New boss Mordecai is the hero. Michael made a drastic turn by leaving all potential inflow of riches and glamour by leaving his big firm and got his hands dirty with the street folks' rights to live. He also chose to leave his wife, this I was hoping to turn out differently in the end. I think the mood is not much different from Mr Grisham's earlier novel which I read prior to this The Litigators, just that the earlier one is based on a more "right the wrong in bigger scale I.e. the good lawyer against the pharmaceutical / consumer goods manufacturer giants while this one is about people in the streets vs those with much to be contented with. Yeah, it's quite another good read letting me be familiar of another new word "eviction

Trouble

By Jamie Campbell. A nice straight forward light read over relaxing weekend. Over half an hour and it's the end. About a 29ner duped into armed robbery of a bank by her cute rugged boyfriend. I like it.

Blood works

This is a crime novel by Michael Connelly, more of my way of excusing myself from the boring days of having to answer to Monster B. I've always liked thrillers especially legal and police/agents related ones. This is another work of an Irish I think, didn't get time to read more of the author. Overall, I think I like the first half better. The tempo of the story in my views is higher in the initial part. Most of what happens in the second half is quite predictable or at least what I would do if I were McCaleb. The hero is a retired lawman who was saved from major heart attack by receiving Gloria River's heart. The reason fir him getting the heart without having to wait his turn turns out to be the base of this story. This book starts with the murder of Gloria Rivers and went on with several more mutders, all leading McCaleb ultimately realizing the bloody truth, the antagonist is going far to make him pay for what he did, a revenge. The ending sentences are rather sweet in the scenario of a crime novel. Probably could be a nice opening lines for a love novel which could be in continuity to this one.

Eat, pray, love

My ohh my, 12.15am 30th June 2013, I finally finished it. After starting reading it many months ago, I at last completed this unique non fiction. Downright honestly, I was so excited reading this book initially, the revealing narration of the narrator gives me reasons to find inner peace and freedom of the mind for me, but I stopped reading half way through for many reasons, the most effecting this is that I keep on imaging Liz in the image of Julia Roberts, whom I don't like. Can't understand why she gets to play Liz in the movie, the sarcastic look in her eyes, goody two shoes, best at playing the bad cheating soul in My best friend's wedding, that's her in true colors, but this is my personal thoughts on her. Anyways, I am so glad I managed to put her image out of my mind after months of skipping this book and reading maybe ten different books in between. One thing for sure, I am as fucked up as Liz in the early part of the book, too much negative vibes within me, too anxious over the most mundane matters, immature in thoughts, wanting so much to quit my job, blaming my boss and others for the shitty feeling I have to labour over too long a period. Truth is, I am still too weak emotionally, too relying on people to make my days, too unrealistic, super childish. Must start to be stronger inside, take the course of living my own life, be in control of my own destiny. When the heck am I going to actually start writing my first book, must try harder. The last time went ti Bali, had a grand time with hubby. Told him earlier today that I remember being so happy and in control then, about 10years ago that is. Must find that person again in me, revive her like Liz has revived her true beautiful prospect of a person. I probably won't be going to India living in an Asyram for months, have my babies to care for, but I must do all within my powers to regain my mental strength and live the remaining few years of my life with as much of great eating, praying and loving......

Perfect by Judith Mcnaught

Boy oh boy, I finally managed to finish reading this unnecessarily long novel. Yup, that's what I meant, it's longer than necessary. In short, it's another Cinderella story line. I truly enjoy the book in general though. Zach Benedict aka Zachary Stanhope the super rich mega movie star hunk not privy to the likes of seasoned Hollywood stars including my own faves Kevin Costner....became every primsy's women dark fantasy hero, convicted to prison for murdering his wife. Then there's Julie, also another of goody two shoes' women's fantasy character I think, had a depressing childhood after being dumped by her biological parents, but with the kindest of hearts, snow white-beauty and the sorts. Look, I never like to repeat the stories I read in this blog, just some short 5year old style train if thoughts. I finished this one at 4:50am, that was about 6hours ago, and I did it in haste, having to flip st least 50 of the last phase of the novel, hoping to find another twist or an indication something other than a ohhh-so-boring and predictable happy ending: but nope, no luck there. Thanks Mcnaught though for another feel good love story, I needed the love ooze to make my emotional battle with my B#@S less hurting.

The sleeping beauty trilogy by Anne Rice

What?....yes y'all, I read all three novels in this trilogy. What can I say about them? Complicated really. But to make the complication simple for busy people like you and me, I would just say, they are readable, at least most of the pages. The first half of the first book "the claiming of sleeping beauty" is what I enjoy most though. In fact the reason I continued reading is all in those first 100 pages. Intriguing novel based on the subject that people usually wouldn't want to discuss publicly. After several days I continued with the second phase "Beauty's punishment" and the final one " beauty's Release". I am amazed at myself for finishing it but I guess they are totally no where near as bad as the Fifty Shades trilogy which I found nauseatingly "plastic". And I would say, "hey, this one is a best seller! Do we really have that many perverts on this planet?". In summary, I found this read as some kind of a discovery, rather ...to the darkness of man' and women' tortured minds.....

The Litigators

By John Grisham. I totally love it. After being ardent fan if Suits, I vow to get more into lawyer stuff. As I told hubby, two things push me too great mood and soars my energy to be in ready mode for full work day the next day: hugs and kisses from my wonderful Ultraman Mebius boy and a series if Suits. The characters of superbly fabulous Harvey and super smart Ross really gets me going. I even started a little research on the possibility of me earning an extra degree to enable to practice, probably in the next lifetime. Told my daughters I've always dreamt of being a lawyer but turned out that I was probably not smutty enough and my memory power is far less than desirable. Relayed my hope that at least one if my children would be a lawyer one day. Anyways back to the book, I love it and definitely will read another of John Grisham's legal novels soon. After just about 30 pages, the story line became so compelling I couldn't help reading at least 10 pages every day en route my daily deep slumber from a loooooong work day. David Zinc is a reflection of the occasional gold dust we can expect to find in the sea of thugs in this mad world. His amazing decision to just quit from dreadfully killing-him-softly job is truly what I've been wishing for myself. I just lack by far such balls. Maybe I'll be there one day, now that I've been shown an inspiring example, maybe that day will get to me sooner. Totally un-impossible.

Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks

I finally managed to finish reading this novel yesterday. Took much longer time than necessary but it was not because of lack of nice story line. Simply because I was having too much distraction. Safe Haven in another great read by this author. I knew I would love his kind of writing after I first read The Notebook, probably about 10 years ago. Since then I have definitely changed, mentally, physically and emotionally. But I still think his writing is not something which will waste my time. At work now and probably will write longer about my views for this novel later.

Hunger untamed

This is another free download from epubbud. I started on it yesterday while I was bored and sleepy over the mkb meeting, and I want to be over with it latest by tomorrow. It is actually a very interesting read. The characters and scenes succinctly described. There, with educated use if brilliant words such as "succinctly" and one description I really love on page 32, Lyon, a healer of sorts, he took away emotions",then she feels better, "That's amazing what you can do, I feel okay now, it's like I can handle it", she said. That was deeply meaningful, amazingly put I thought. I do really love the kind of expressions used, I think mostly the author narrates this novel in a backdrop as if it's a history love story, with settings magical and to die for. But at times she got carried away by using today's curse words.....still, sentences such as "He then looked deeply into her eyes and snatched control of her mind"......how amazingly cool is that? I've finished reading it finally today May 6th, took longer time than expected for various reasons, I am at the same time still reading Richard Branson's autobiography and last several days were mostly spent going through election news and reading Malaysians' discourse on the GE13. I feel that Hunger Untamed, one of Pamela Palmer's dark sexy series.. is a nice read. The descriptions by the hero Kougar of his love and devotion for his Ilina mate Ariana is moving. Reading it, I can actually dream of my own hero looking into my eyes telling me how I fill his life. Would like to quote from this sweet love story, "trust takes time Ariana, more time than it should for some of us. But when it happens, the Earth will move". And when Kougar told her, "You have made me happier than I've ever been", Ariana said, "Then my life's goal is complete".

Shadow of the wolf

It's a much needed away from anything related to work weekend read. The normal this and that of an average wolf novel. Author is Dana Marie Bell. Just this one, the love story is between a shapeshifter wolf wizard, handsome Christopher Becket and an attractive dark haired feisty witch named Alannah. The bad guy in this one is a warlord wolf madly angry at the hero among others for "doing" his girlfriend, Colw Godwin. At least from this reading I would now remember the meanings for didactic..speech of moral bla bla bla, altruistic ...deed of welfare and one word I've never heard of before, scrying....the act of reading of an event from something like a magical crystal ball.

Sins of the mother

By Danielle Steele. In the end it all makes sense why she is one of the most liked author. I found the first 50pages or so quite boring and painstakingly slow. But later the strength of the novel appears wonderfully sweetly. Olivia Grayson, a woman of steel, rules her own world of business, but not ruthless, just strong and solid, and later becomes a mom anyone would love to have. Four children; Phillip, John, Liz and Cass, all mostly relied on their dad Joe and grandma Granabele for motherly love, tender and care. I love the name Granabele, gives a sense of simple melody and sweetness. Died in her sleep after happy game if cards the ripe age of almost 96. Who would I pick as the character I like most? The main gal Olivia of course, for her all the time highly level head. Saw from my shelf that I actually have read another Steel's novel, Family Ties....but I can't remember what it's about. Will have to read it again then......me and my poor memory

Think like a Champion

I never thought I would find a book by Donald Trump a fantastic read. The first few pages through and I already love this book. As I told my other half, it's just like he was talking to me, right through the many issues I was facing. For a start, he told me that I must decide on what I want in life. Then bulldoze smartly towards the desired objective. The advice he gave were really needed and it scared me to think of how truthfully short sighted and timid and idiotic I have been all the while. I think I will read the book again soon, just to keep me thinking straight. Thank God for Donald Trump's amazingly clarifying thoughts.

Born In Trilogy by Nora Roberts

I love it. When I told a colleague who is also huge on reading paperbacks that I have fell in love with Nora Roberts after reading her novel for the first time, she said "you never read Nora Roberts before? Where have you been??????"....yup. I have actually even bought several books by Roberts, they are still untouched at the book rack at home....Not because I am not interested to read, just that there are quite too much else to do. Boy oh boy, me and my excuses. Unacceptable right? Losing my life bit to bit, and huge bits they are, on just working my butt off. I am 40 now. What waste that would be. Must make effort to read more, more, more. By the way, after finished reading the Born in, I even had to google on Irish men and Irish this and that! Hehe....I truly adore the characters of Maggie, she is wonderfully portrayed with strong character, I lover her best. And her hubby Rogan, Brianna and her hubby Gray and definitely Murphy. It's quite a thick one, though I read the ebook version on my tab, still, I'm quite satisfied to be able to finish within one week. Definitely worth reading.