"I gather names and email addresses of people interested. You then spend a couple of weeks trawling your local charity shops, second-hand bookshops, car boot sales, Amazon used - whatever - for two amazing books that you love. They must be good, clean copies - they don't have to be brand new but they have to be in what I would call 'very good condition' - not something that looks like it's been dropped in the bath! You then post both copies out to your allotted swapee, maybe with a little treat for them to enjoy their books with, just a suggestion!"
As soon as I read it I wanted to be involved! I have always loved reading. What is better than being completely immersed in another world where there is so much imagination and emotion? So I posted with my email address and blog and not too long later got an email telling me who I was swapping with.
My blogging partner for this little swap was Beth from The Cobalt Chaos and also The Granger Article. I have to admit that when I saw she wrote a book review blog my immediate thought was that I would never find a book that she hadn't read! But after a little thought about some of the books that I have really enjoyed and have made an impression on me I chose and sent off my two.
At the same time I received my parcel from Beth. I might have got a little bit giddy, I just love receiving post too much! Inside were two books, a small penguin book by George Orwell, a very pretty Barry M nail varnish and a lovely little postcard with her message on.
The first one I read was The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-time. Now I have read this book before, but it was a long time ago and, actually, I couldn't remember what happened. But I do remember loving it so couldn't wait to read it again. It is such an interesting book. It is told in first person by a young boy with Asperger's syndrome or high end autism who finds a dead dog in his neighbours garden and decides to play Sherlock. He has a talent for maths and sees the detail in everything, but lacks insight into many simple things. Because it is in first person the writing style reflects this and that is the first thing I love about the book, it is so unique. The story itself is sad, funny, moving and heartbreaking all at the same time, it also feels so real. This is the kind of book that I could read again and again and still enjoy, I think I would find a new detail everytime I read it. I am very glad that Beth chose this book and reminded me of a childhood favourite.
The second was very different, but again had a unique writing style. It is written as a conversational monologue, it is simple yet effective. It is about a young Pakistani who went to the US to study went on to have a very impressive job and fall in love with an American women. He details the events of his life chronologically and the twists that happen to him post 9/11. The conversation is back in Pakistan between the main character and an American man and he meets, and has tea and food with. At first I wasn't sure I was going to enjoy it. The narration seemed slow but it definitely builds as the story goes on, and the way you get a personal view on such a national disaster left me feeling quite 'curious'. As you go through the story you feel like you have experienced so many new situations yourself because of how articulate the story teller is. On of the aspects I loved most was the detail of the square in Lahoré where the whole conversation is set. This is a book I would not have ordinarily picked out of the shelves to read but I fell in love with the story in this book and all the feelings behind it.
Have you read or reviewed either of these books?
Have you read or reviewed either of these books?
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