Let's Chinwag About Books!

Reading... something we say we should do but never get around to. We're both avid readers and seriously enjoy sinking into a squishy couch and getting lost in someone else's world. With the extra home time we currently have it's a great opportunity to give your eyes a break from screens and get around to it. We get it, choosing something is overwhelming – there's so much out there! To make your decision a tad easier, let us recommend some of our favourites...

Parting Shot Linwood Barclay

Overview

Set in the fictitious town of Promise Falls, New York, detective Barry Duckworth and private investigator Cal Weaver find themselves caught up in separate cold-blooded revenge cases. A drunk driving incident that resulted in a teenager's death quickly spirals into an array of hideous crimes that find Duckworth and Weaver bent on discovering the truth and restoring justice. It's impossible to get bored as the ugly pasts of Promise Falls' residents are revealed, a couple folk get murdered and the cases become so intertwined that you cannot solve one without the other. A classic whodunnit.

Genre

Mystery, thriller, crime, fiction

Readability

A perfect, easy read that you won't want to put down.

Length

440 pages – a very standard size book.

Sophie says:

My favourite type of book is a clever murder or crime mystery, so when I saw this one in my local community bookshelf I grabbed it on a whim. I've since learnt that Barclay has many more crime mystery books set in Promise Falls, so I'm looking forward to reading more of his work! I really recommended if you're looking for a standard crime novel.

The Power of One Bryce Courtenay

Overview

Having suffered his fair share of bullying for being English in a racist South Africa, young Peekay realises his destiny when he meets a famous boxer on the train. As he grows up, Peekay works harder towards becoming the welterweight champion of the world all while making lifelong friends, undergoing risky business ventures and coming to lead all the tribes of Africa. Told from Peekay's perspective, we get a deep understanding of his thoughts and beliefs and are taught valuable life lessons as we witness his growth from a little boy into a humble young man.

Genre

Historical fiction

Readability

Courtenay's style is a little more challenging than standard novels so it's difficult to get into, but once you find a rhythm you'll get sucked in. Because the chapters are long and it's a hearty book, it's rewarding to finish.

Length

629 crammed pages.

Sophie says:

Although I found this book slightly challenging at the start, I'm so glad I stuck with it because the story was just so beautiful! I'm not one to read historical books, but The Power of One has convinced me to branch out because I unintentionally learnt so much and it was refreshing to dig into something out of my comfort zone. A film under the same title was released a few years after Courtenay's novel was released, but I'm yet to watch it.

Frankenstein Mary Shelley

Overview

Just the classic, original tale of Frankenstein. It is a tale about one Victor Frankenstein, a brilliant scientist who breathes life into corpses he digs up from the local graveyard. What could have been a miracle becomes a horror as Frankenstein's monstrosity desolates and destroys a town.

Genre

Gothic Science Fiction

Readability

It is written in the 1800's style, so it is a little bit to get your head around but it is still very beautiful and definitely worth it.

Length

230 pages.

Ben says:

I thought I knew the story - I think we all do - but actually reading the book isn't quite what I expected. That's what I loved about it, that it took me in a completely different direction than I was expecting. The writing style isn't quite what I was used to reading but it was still beautiful and it was really interesting to see how authors wrote back in the 1800's. It does make me want to go back and read some of the other classic tales that I think I know everything about.

Dead Man's Blues Ray Celestin

Overview

*DISCLAIMER*: This is the second part of a quartet, but I thought I'd talk about my favourite one ;)

It is 1928 in Chicago and a string of seemingly unrelated crimes hits the city. A murder in the Black Belt. The disappearance of an heiress. A group of city leaders are poisoned. Pinkerton Detectives Michael Talbot and Ida Davis are hired to find the heiress. Crime scene photographer Jacob Russo investigates the Black Belt murder after it is dismissed by the police. Rum-runner and fixer Dante Sanfelippo is asked by Al Capone to look into the poisoning, suspecting a traitor within his ranks.

Genre

Mystery, Crime, Historical Fiction

Readability

Straight forward with some of the 20's lingo throughout.

Length

475 pages.

Ben says:

Mystery with 1920's flair. Celestin develops amazing characters and you are intrigued with what they'll do through the entire book. I loved the multiple story lines as well, it creates atmosphere and suspense that is just electric. You're constantly asking 'What will happen next?'