Water for Elephants

Author: Sara Gruen

Genre: Fiction

Film tie-ins are convenient. If I know who the actors and actresses are, I immediately imagine them playing the same characters in the movie - despite the fact that I have never seen the film myself. This usually sets me up for a potential disappointment when I DO get to see the film, as some scenes are not played the way I saw it in my mind, and some lines are inevitably changed.

However, reading this book disappointed me in a different way. If I were in Reese Witherspoon's shoes, I would feel insulted at being offered to play Marlena from this novel. Imagine - an Oscar-winning actress who has played such diverse roles since her teenhood reduced to playing a one-dimensional part (but hang on, didn't she do the same for 'This Means War'?).

Marlena is a circus performer caught in a love triangle between the circus' seasoned animal trainer and the new circus 'vet'. That's about all there is to her, as the story is told from the vet's POV.

It is set in the 20's or 30's, and is told in flashback by the vet who is now languishing in an old folk's home. The circus is a travelling circus, criss-crossing America on a train to perform shows or acquire new acts from bankrupt competitors. One of their acquisitions is an elephant that the circus owner insists on being made the star attraction, despite not being able to follow instructions.

The premise is interesting, and the novel started off quite well, but halfway through the pace dropped and things began to get quite humdrum. It was only in the last few chapters that the action picked up again, but even then it became a tad too predictable.

The Boy who Harnessed the Wind

Author: William Kamkwamba & Bryan Mealer

This is an autobiography of an African boy who built a windmill to generate electricity in his poverty-stricken village. He has since received worldwide fame and recognition, and his story even appeared in Wallace & Gromit!

The book starts with William's account of his family and their life in Malawi. His father, like many other Malawians, is a tobacco and maize farmer. William takes us through his childhood - his family and friends, the games they play, the stories they listen to and the scrapes they get into.

Then one year a drought strikes the farming community, and they are forced into starvation and poverty. William drops out of school after failing to pay the school fees, but, not wanting to fall behind, he visits the public library where he finds several science books. One of them has a picture of windmills on the cover.

This book is written with such a positive outlook on life. I do not know how much of the book is really written in William's voice, but it is a voice full of wit, humour and a 'what's next?' attitude. I especially enjoyed his account of witch children playing some form of football tournament using people's heads that they steal while the owners are asleep. But most heartwarming is his experience speaking at the TED Conference: struggling with his English, his simple statement summed it all:

"I try, and I made it."

Mini Shopaholic

Author: Sophie Kinsella

Chick lit is usually dependable when I need a pick-me-up. Ever since I read the first Shopaholic book, I could always rely on Sophie Kinsella to deliver the goods. And so this time I returned to Becky Bloomwood, several years after I left her at the altar married to Luke Brandon.

This is the latest in the Shopaholic series, I think, and while Becky's circumstances have progressed - she's married, has a 2-year-old daughter and is hunting for a family home - unfortunately her shopping habits have not improved much. In fact, for a mother of one who is hankering for another child, she seems to have regressed into some childish behaviour herself.

Although some of her antics are funny, and there is a bittersweet, heart-tugging moment or two, I can't help but be a little frustrated with Becky for being so immature when it comes to her family. Some events have a big build-up only to end in a sort of anti-climax. Even her moments of brilliance do not match the scale of her achievements in the first few books (the articles, TV show etc). Except for the party - which turns out to be - SPOILER ALERT!!! - absolutely grand. This annoys me even more, in a-'What has she done to really deserve having all her plans come truer than she herself expected it to be?'-kind-of-way.

The Old Man & The Sea

Author: Ernest Hemingway
Genre: Fiction, Classic

This book was lying around in the house - it belongs to Hubby. He seems to have a collection of classics about men, fishing and the sea - before we were married he was reading Moby Dick but never got round to finishing it. Is there a trend here?

The story is basically about an old fisherman whose best days seem to be over. One day he strikes out to sea earlier and further than before, hoping to make one great catch. He snags a giant marlin, and from then on it is a battle of strength, wits and tenacity as he tries to subdue the creature and make his way home with his bounty.

 Anyway, this was a short book, which I finished fairly quickly. The writing was meant to be revolutionary at the time it was published. For me, I prefer my classics to be more meandering with long descriptive sentences. This has a very modern, conemporary feel to it.

Although I did not care so much for the writing style, the story and theme got me hooked. The ending particularly touched me and reminds me of the conundrum I used to face during staff performance appraisals - how do you address no results despite the great efforts you have put in?

My very own TBR Challenge

I have spent a couple of thousand RM on books in the last few years. Unfortunately, I have not read as much. Many of them are still languishing on my shelves or bedside table, collecting dust. And so this year, instead of buying more books that will only contribute to reducing my income tax by a small amount, I shall endeavour to unearth the gems of wisdom that are eagerly awaiting me.

I have two lists, non-fiction and fiction.

NON-FICTION:

1. Wanita Bekerja & Beribadah
2. Coming of Age
3. Linchpin - Are you Indispensable?: CURRENTLY READING
4. Melahirkan Zuriat yang Solat
5. Minda Tertawan
6. Bidayatul Hidayah
7. Ramadhan Terakhir
8. Khutbah Terakhir Rasulullah
9. Peristiwa Bersejarah Ramadhan
10. Ensiklopedia Solat
11. iLeadership: The Steve Jobs Way
12. The Boy who Harnessed the Wind: CURRENTLY READING

FICTION:

1. The Inheritance of Loss
2. Water for Elephants
3. Island Beneath the Sea
4. Warlock
5. The Red Queen
6. Mini Shopaholic: DONE
7. Heretics of Dune
8. The Hummingbird's Daughter
9. The Old Man & the Sea: DONE