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sirg1006 · Posted: Sat Apr 14, 2007 2:35 pm Post subject: May Book Choices - *VOTE NOW* (2)

MAY BOOK CHOICES - YOU DECIDE!

Which books would you like to be read in May? All you have to do is vote for one of the books below. Read the blurbs and see if there is anything that looks interesting and the book with the most votes by 21st April will be chosen to be read from 1st May.

There is also another poll running so please take a look at that one too as there may be something on that list. There will be two books chosen but you don't have to read both if you don't want to.

The polls end midnight 21st April!

1. Veronica Decides to Die by Paulo Coehlo 208 page

The new novel from internationally acclaimed author Paulo Coelho -- a dramatic story of love, life and death that shows us all why every second of our existence is a choice we all make between living and dying. Veronika has everything she could wish for. She is young and pretty, has plenty of boyfriends, a steady job, a loving family. Yet she is not happy; something is lacking in her life, and one morning she decides to die. She takes an overdose of sleeping pills, only to wake up some time later in the local hospital. There she is told that her heart is damaged and she has only a few days to live. The story follows Veronika through these intense days as to her surprise she finds herself experiencing feelings she has never really felt before. Against all odds she finds herself falling in love and even wanting to live again...

2. For One More Day by Mitch Albom 208 pages

For One More Day is the story of a mother and a son, and a relationship that covers a lifetime and beyond. It explores the question: What would you do if you could spend one more day with a lost loved one?

3. The Adoption by Dave Hill 320 pages

Jane Ransome, mother of three children, is married to a man who adores her and she knows she has every reason to be happy. But she longs for another child. When nature fails her, Jane and her husband take the decision to adopt. Three year-old Jody arrives at the household, nervous and withdrawn, but the family also find themselves exposed to a new world of uncertainty. How do you care for someone who has been abandoned by the people who should have loved her most? Or uncover love in the dark reaches of neglect? And is Jane in danger of forgetting her own family in her desire to repair this damaged child? Dave Hill has written a deeply moving, perceptive, sometimes funny novel about the bitter-sweetness of childhood, growing up and the family ties that make us who we are.

4. The Book of Lost Things by John Connolly 384 pages

'Once upon a time, there was a boy who lost his mother !'As twelve-year-old David takes refuge from his grief in the myths and fairytales so beloved of his dead mother, he finds the real world and the fantasy world begin to blend. That is when bad things start to happen. That is when the Crooked Man comes. And David is violently propelled into a land populated by heroes, wolves and monsters, his quest to find the legendary Book of Lost Things.

5. The Secret History by Donna Tartt 640 pages

The narrator of this story is a boy who leaves California to attend a college in New England. He falls in with a group of students of Ancient Greek. Four of their number work themselves into a trance-like condition one night, and murder a local farmer. Bunny then tries to blackmail the others.

6. The Food of Love by Anthony Capella 320 pages

A fantastic book makes you feel like you're there in Italy --Jamie Oliver In Anthony Capella's delicious debut novel, Laura, a twentysomething American, is on her first trip to Italy. She's completely enamored of the art, beauty, and, of course, food that Rome has to offer. Soon she's enamored of the handsome and charming Tommaso, who tells her he's a chef at the famed Templi restaurant and begins to woo her with his gastronomic creations. But Tommaso hasn't been entirely truthful he's really just a waiter. The master chef behind the tantalizing meals is Tommaso's talented but shy friend Bruno, who loves laura from afar. Thus begins a classic comedy of errors full of the culinary magic and the sensual stmosphere of Italy.

7. The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova 720 pages

Three generations search for Dracula's resting place, and their stories are nested within each other, so that we know that at least two quests ended badly. Kostova rations her thrills very carefully so that we jump out of our chair at quite slight surprises, especially when we have come to expect buckets of blood and loud bangs. She also has a profound and well-communicated sense of place and period, so that the book is equally at home in 1930s Rumania, Cold War Budapest and 1970s Oxford. Kostova is particularly good on the sights and sounds of remote country places and the taste of real peasant food--this sensuous realism does not always go with her other skill, the creation of imagined documents and folksongs that feel as real and true as what might be actual.

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MissMuppet · Posted: Sat Apr 14, 2007 3:57 pm Post subject:

I've already read most of these ones and the one I nominated I just finished, doh!! I just went for the best read from the ones I've already read as I didn't fancy the others...

blueflower · Posted: Sat Apr 14, 2007 4:30 pm Post subject:

Just voted for (and ordered of Amazon to read even if it doesn't win)
The Book of Lost Things. Sounds rather different to anything I have read before. Voted of Madam Bovary on vote one because I have been meaning to read it but never got around to it.

Tigerlily · Posted: Sat Apr 14, 2007 6:16 pm Post subject:

I voted for The Book of Lost Things which I didn't nominate (I suggested The Historian as will be reading it next for my book group). It sounds really interesting, something different and I love the cover! (I love scherenschnitte

)
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Reading: Miss Smilla's Feeling for Snow by Peter Hoeg
Reading Challenge 2009: 8
2008: 4
2007: 10

blueflower · Posted: Sat Apr 14, 2007 6:19 pm Post subject:

Tigerlily · Posted: Sat Apr 14, 2007 6:27 pm Post subject:

It's a fancy (Swiss) name for paper cutting. I have a book called 'The Art of Scherenschnitte'. It's a lovely word, don't you agree?

_________________
Reading: Miss Smilla's Feeling for Snow by Peter Hoeg
Reading Challenge 2009: 8
2008: 4
2007: 10

blueflower · Posted: Sat Apr 14, 2007 6:38 pm Post subject:

If you knew how bad my pronunciation was you wouldn't ask. I can't even start to say that.

I couldn't even say 'pigs' before, but I have just had a glass of rather nice but strong red wine.

Tigerlily · Posted: Sat Apr 14, 2007 6:40 pm Post subject:

Enjoy the wine! (Jammy devil)

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Reading: Miss Smilla's Feeling for Snow by Peter Hoeg
Reading Challenge 2009: 8
2008: 4
2007: 10

Ruth · Posted: Sun Apr 15, 2007 10:11 am Post subject:

I went for For One More Day, as it is on my tbr pile. I have The Historian on my tbr pile too.
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Mazzystar · Posted: Sun Apr 15, 2007 12:39 pm Post subject:

I voted for Veronica decides to die.

No reason, I'm a bit impulsive like that

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Currently reading: Other people's children - Joanna Trollope
Challenge books read: 5

mummymelly · Posted: Sun Apr 15, 2007 1:37 pm Post subject:

I've gone for "For One More Day" too Ruth.
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Currently Reading "Switchcraft" by Lowri Turner

Ruth · Posted: Sun Apr 15, 2007 5:36 pm Post subject:

It looks really good!

Mazzystar, Veronica Decides To Die is a great book - I read it quite recently though, otherwise I might have voted for that.
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"People say that life is the thing, but I prefer reading."

eightlegs · Posted: Sun Apr 15, 2007 7:56 pm Post subject:

I voted for Secret History as it's on my TBR and I think it's a 1001 book so will help me with the challenge - pretty please!!!!

dingsy · Posted: Sun Apr 15, 2007 8:01 pm Post subject:

Veronika for me too , although it was a difficult choice.

Mazzystar · Posted: Sun Apr 15, 2007 8:18 pm Post subject:

Hi Ruth, even if it doesn't get voted will be looking to read it asap. Will message you when I've read it to swap reviews if you like x
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My Swap List
Currently reading: Other people's children - Joanna Trollope
Challenge books read: 5

miranda · Posted: Sun Apr 15, 2007 8:48 pm Post subject:

Tigerlily · Posted: Mon Apr 16, 2007 1:48 pm Post subject:

Is Veronika on the 1001 list?

oooh yes it is, no. 90

_________________
Reading: Miss Smilla's Feeling for Snow by Peter Hoeg
Reading Challenge 2009: 8
2008: 4
2007: 10

Mazzystar · Posted: Mon Apr 16, 2007 1:51 pm Post subject:

*prays for Veronika to win*
_________________
My Swap List
Currently reading: Other people's children - Joanna Trollope
Challenge books read: 5

MissMuppet · Posted: Mon Apr 16, 2007 1:54 pm Post subject:

I was going to say I have Veronika if anyone wanted to borrow it but I haven't, it looks like I swapped it already!

sirg1006 · Posted: Mon Apr 16, 2007 1:59 pm Post subject:

Welcome to Babbling Books, Guest. We Hope You Enjoy Your Stay and Wish You a Merry Christmas!