fairywhispers's "2009 Bookshelf"

Breath is an enjoyable coming-of-age novel written in a refreshingly light style that is easy to read. Tim Winton captures the feel of small-time Australia well, and the characters could be anyone from our own childhood. Despite its simplicity, Pikelet’s story is filled with hidden sinkholes and rips, reminiscent of the ocean that plays such an important role in his life. The thrills and exhilaration of surfing are described with such intensity that we almost feel as though we are there, and the hidden pitfalls of everyday relationships are aptly demonstrated.

Breath is a simple but memorable read and I recommend it for adults and teens alike. I will certainly be seeking out more of this author’s work.

What an absolutely wonderful book! The author has captured the essence of food and the importance it plays in many cultures, while gracing us with a hugely sensual and romantic novel. Like Water for Chocolate is a feast for the eyes, the mind and the palate, using the unique format of a cookbook to demonstrate the daily life and frustrations for women in civil war era Mexico. I would love to try out some of the recipes, if I could figure out what many of the ingredients are! I highly recommend this book.

Sexing the Cherry is certainly imaginative, but it is not my cup of tea. Like a stream-of-consciousness poem, I found this book extremely difficult to follow. The stories jump from person to person, time to time, place to place, reality to fantasy until it seems as though we are completely adrift. No doubt this was the intent, but, while there were some interesting philosophies expressed throughout, I do not have the patience to untangle all the knots.