Best Summer Read 2018 – Warlight

“Warlight” by Michael Ondaatje (Canada) Review The four shortlisted books for this year’s Summer Reading Group varied greatly in style of writing and author’s experience, from the seasoned writer to the relative newcomer. When it came time for voting for Best Summer Read 2018, two books tied for first place: “The Travelling Cat Chronicles” and “Warlight”. One reader commented on this result saying how she couldn’t quite … Continue reading Best Summer Read 2018 – Warlight

Nicola25/09/201821/02/2025Leave a comment

Africa, Nigeria

Welcome to Lagos

“Welcome to Lagos” by Chibundu Onuzo (Nigeria) Synopsis Five runaways ride the bus from Bayelsa to a better life in a megacity. They are unlikely allies: a private, a housewife, an officer, a militant and a young girl. They share a need for escape and a dream for the future. Soon, they will also share a burden none of them expected. Review The four shortlisted … Continue reading Welcome to Lagos

Nicola25/09/201811/10/2024Leave a comment

Europe, Switzerland

To the Back of Beyond

“To the Back of Beyond” by Peter Stamm (Switzerland) Synopsis Happily married with two children and a comfortable home in a Swiss town, Thomas and Astrid enjoy a glass of wine in their garden on a night like any other. Called back to the house by their son’s cries, Astrid goes inside, expecting her husband to join her in a bit. But Thomas gets up … Continue reading To the Back of Beyond

Nicola25/09/201811/10/2024Leave a comment

Africa, Cameroon

Behold the Dreamers

“Behold the Dreamers” by Imbolo Mbue (Cameroon) Review An easy read was the overarching first impression of this book. Readers agreed that the story flowed well and they had no difficulty finishing it. They warmed quickly to most of the protagonists and liked the fact that they were all flawed on some level. Readers felt that the way the author portrayed the immigrant experience rang … Continue reading Behold the Dreamers

Nicola17/03/201803/05/2025Leave a comment

Argentina, South America

Shantytown

“Shantytown” by César Aira (Argentina) Review There were mixed reactions to this novella-length story with some readers finding it charming and magical, while others described it as strange or unusual, and one reader liked it the least of all the books she’d read so far in the book club. At 160 pages, everyone agreed it was a quick and easy read. They loved the descriptions … Continue reading Shantytown

Nicola13/02/201808/02/2025Leave a comment

Africa, Sudan

Lyrics Alley

“Lyrics Alley” by Leila Aboulela (Sudan) Book Club Favourite of Season 21 Review Readers enjoyed this well-told story, finding it engaging and easy to read. They felt it was more of a love story than a political novel as the historical setting remains mostly in the background. Readers liked the style of writing and said it played a large part in their enjoyment of the … Continue reading Lyrics Alley

Nicola13/01/201803/05/2025Leave a comment

Mexico, North America

Into the Beautiful North

“Into the Beautiful North” by Luis Alberto Urrea (Mexico) Review Describing it as a charming story, readers said they enjoyed this book. They liked the descriptions of place especially the ones the protagonists pass through on their way north. They loved the easy language and weren’t bothered by the use of Spanish phrases scattered throughout the dialogues. Readers loved the different characters finding some quirky … Continue reading Into the Beautiful North

Nicola14/12/201712/10/2024Leave a comment

Asia, South Korea

Human Acts

“Human Acts” by Han Kang (South Korea) Review Readers described this book as a lyrically written account of a horrendous event and its aftermath. They felt that the descriptions swayed from hard and heavy – with the passages on decomposing corpses and torture – to ethereal – with the ghost reflecting on what happens after death and the survivors’ memories. Readers found the linked stories … Continue reading Human Acts

Nicola11/11/201728/04/2025Leave a comment

Nicola's Book Club

Another Way to Travel the World

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