Hidden history: Smyth family memories

Malaysian moments 2013

In a restaurant in Ipoh

52 books 37

The Art of Happiness  by HH Dalai Lama and Howard C.Cutler

This book was one my son had read. I realise this is the third book this year with the theme of happiness! As a retired psychiatric nurse it was very interesting from the perspective of mental health in the western world. I also found myself very drawn to the principles of Tibetan Buddhism and wanting to learn more. An enlightening and insightful read.

Malaysian moments 2013

In little India in Penang you can have a beautiful sari made for you

Malaysian moments 2013

Malaysian moments 2013

Thai festival in Times Square,  Penang.

52 books 36

Gifts  by Ursula Le Guin

How would you react if you found you had a gift causing devastation and destruction? This dark tale explores family ties and friendship in a thought provoking and haunting book for older children.

52 books 35

City Woman by Patricia Scanlan

I've read City Girl and enjoyed it but something about the style of this book irritated me for some reason.One reviewer on Amazon found it sickly sweet although the majority of readers gave it good or excellent reviews.Having said that it was an easy read.I maybe wasn't in the right mood to read chick lit!

Malaysian moments 2013

The tortoises at the temple caves in Ipoh just loved to eat tomatoes!

Malaysian moments 2013

What a beautiful water bird in Ipoh!

Hidden history: Smyth family memories

Chinese fans and other treasures in the top drawer of the cabinet.

Malaysian Moments 2013

Breakfast at the hotel!

Malaysian moments 2013

One of the monkeys near the botanical gardens in Penang.

Hidden history: Smyth family memories

Grandpa lived in the small village of Cranmore in Somerset in an old cottage which has since been demolished. My sister and I used to love visits and being allowed to look through the drawers in his Chinese cabinet which were filled with fascinating treasures and family mementos.

Malaysian moments 2013

This bright little fruit eating bird seen in the nursery opposite the house in Ipoh

52 books 34

Nocturnal by Scott Sigler

I took two attempts to get into this. The Americanisms and the swearing rather put me off but it was worth the effort. This starts as a crime thriller which turns into horror fantasy .Sizzling with tension and a fast paced plot.Not for the faint hearted but has emotional resonance.It made me cry!

Malaysian moments 2013

This beautiful red dragonfly was hovering by my sister in laws' pond in K.L.

52 books 33

The intimate adventures of a London call girl by Belle de jour

Having fallen off a bicycle and injured my shoulder I wanted a light read and found this on my daughter's bookshelf. I read it in a day. Very easy to read.I like the bloggers style and the lists.
Reviews on Amazon were very mixed. People either loved or hated it. Sexually explicit but not erotic, it was an interesting insight into her life as a prostitute . I liked the way she alternated encounters with clients with her relationships in real life. Far from glamorizing prostitution, to me it emphasized the sordid nature of the sex trade and her difficulties in sustaining relationships in her non working life. The abusive relationship was harrowing  and disturbing. I agree with the reviewers who felt her view of life and sex was very masculine. It was interesting that all her friends were male too and ex lovers.

52 books 32

Headhunters by Jo Nesbo

This is the last Jo Nesbo book in my collection. I love this book! Very, very clever with so many twists and turns and a compulsive read. I read this in two days. I'll be going through withdrawal symptoms now I have no more Jo Nesbo books to read!