Incantation - Alice Hoffman

I've finally decided to read Alice Hoffman, and I am looking forward to more. Great storytelling talent!

I have to say this book was very simple...but beautiful. Based on the Spanish Inquisition, which I knew nothing about, this novel follows the journey of a young girl and her family, her found treasures and horrors in life, and how she rises above the horrors in the end.

Another Teen-Fiction gem.

Three Cups of Tea - Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin

One of the most inspirational and practical books ever. Very similar to Ghost Rider in a very real - but not just because it is a true story - sort of way. Something rare in this day and age.

It's the story of mountaineer, Greg Mortenson, and his venture to rid Northern Pakistan and Afghanistan of terrorism by building schools and educating the children of the area.

What an adventure! Greg Mortenson is a hero. Sounds trite, but it's not - he's the real McCoy, and what he accomplishes is miraculous.

Read it! But don't expect a page-turner -it takes work to get through. It will make you believe that anything is possible.

Ghost Rider – Neil Peart

I read this book over a year ago and decided to write a quick review today -it really deserves one!

First, Neil Peart is the drummer for Rush, the successful (some say genius) band with lyrics that soar beyond many - even though their music is an acquired taste. Neil Peart writes most of the lyrics for Rush and is an exceptional writer in general, which brings us to one of his novels: Ghost Rider.

In a nutshell, this novel, or autobiography, is about loss and finding a way back from it.

After the death of his daughter and wife, within the span of one year, Neil is forced to come to terms with their deaths and move on with his own life. His very own philosophy of life is challenged during this process. Sad, but he has a way of addressing his grief that is very positive: he takes off on a road trip across Canada, describing in detail how he feels and the world around him, all the while making wine, restaurant and book recommendations. Sounds like denial but it's not - it's a much deeper reflection on how to survive tragedy.

Exceptional thinker and writer! No space is wasted on his page. This is not a page-turner - it demands insight and dedication and the ability to read a book as it should be read -by savouring every word.

The Reader - Bernhard Schlink

I think this book got more hype than it deserved, and I found the translation a little off (in my 'expert' opinion) and void of emotional charge -despite the claims to be very erotic and emotional (I think I am alone here...I just have a feeling the original would have hit its mark).

As the second part of the book commenced, the trial, I started getting into it like I thought I would, and somewhat understood the hype.

I didn't love it, though. Maybe I will try the movie.

The Thorn Birds - Colleen McCullough

"There is a legend about a bird which sings just once in its life, more sweetly than any other creature on the face of the earth. From the moment it leaves the nest it searches for a thorn tree, and does not rest until it has found one. Then, singing among the savage branches, it rises above its own agony to out-carol the lark and the nightingale. One superlative song, existence the price. But the whole world stills to listen, and God in the heaven smiles. For the best is only brought at the cost of great pain.......Or so says the legend."

These words, posted on the first page of this great novel, signed the deal for The Thorn Birds to be my next read. Wow! I had high expectations and they were more than met! Classic, exceptional writing!

Twilight Series - Stephanie Meyer

These books have consumed me since Dec 2008. I wanted to read Twilight because of the subject (vampires) but then decided against it when I found out it was young adult; I thought this would make it lame.

Well, I was wrong. The sensuality that comes through the pages is nothing short of genius, and would put most smut writers to shame - even though it is anything but smut. I was glued to this one from beginning to end, and I couldn't believe so much could be conveyed by saying so little.

New Moon pleasantly surprised me, even though I sceptically thought to myself, "How will Stephanie Meyer ever follow up Twilight?". The subject of Edward and Bella is set aside (somewhat) to focus on new material: Jacob Black and Bella. The relationship between Edward and Bella is contrasted by Jacob and Bella, and I found this to be very true-to-life and a heartfelt study. There is a lot of hidden wisdom, despite the bubblegum delivery.

Eclipse dives further into the lives of the other characters, with a little history about werewolf-ism and European vampires, but this was my least favourite of the series.

Breaking Dawn, the last book, was a gem. More surprises to please the senses.

Flowers for Algernon - Daniel Keyes

Can the medical procedures used to create artificial intelligence really correct nature's 'mistakes', or do they merely mask them until the subjects of experiment - in this case, Algernon the mouse and Charlie the little boy/man - inevitability return to their original state.

Not a happy book, but thought-provoking. It made me ask: what is normal, what is perfection, and what is happiness - and does one depend on the other? What are the emotional, mental, spiritual, and physical consequences of trying to correct nature's imperfect design?

This one will leave you with sad unease, to say the least. I did not enjoy reading this author's perspective - it was almost unholy, showing science and intellect at its worst and removing any thread of hope or enlightenment.