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.