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!