The Extinct Hobby (almost)

Book review and chic-lit bashing. Occasional food photos if I feel hungry. Otherwise its books. My ten-word verdicts are never ten words.

[theextincthobby]

The Fault In Our Stars by John Green

Synopsis:

Sick girl met sick guy. Exchange intellectual and witty banter about death and life amidst philosophical discussions of a book. Thats the best I can do without spoiling the book and the movie.

Ten-word verdict:

John Green definitely meant this book to be a tear-jerker, and it is. Only not for me. I guess I've read it all when it comes to sick girl/sick guy love stories (Hah! Nice try, John). The only thing I liked about this book is the unpretentious-ness of the love between sick guy and sick girl. Read and weep, you weak-hearted fools.  

[theextincthobby]

The Roses of Picardie by Simon Raven

Synopsis:

Jacquiz Helmut and Balbo Blakeney, among other eccentric characters, pursue the cursed Roses of Picardie jewels across four countries and eight centuries. Horror, intrigue and high comedy shape the story as it races towards an unforgettable climax.

Ten-word verdict:

A very interesting book if you're into history and adult humour. Not the run-of-the-mill adventure books like Dan Brown's Langdon trilogy but good all the same. Worth a read but not a reread. 

[theextincthobby]

Exit to Eden by Anne Rice

Synopsis:

A (stupid) thrill-seeking photojournalist visits a (stupid) exclusive island resort dedicated to taking its (stupid) visitors to the limits of surrender and submission. 

Ten-word verdict:

The only thing worth mentioning about this book is the homosexual intercourse. I never knew men actually like it from the back. Fractionally better than the 50 Shades series (yeah, I read them. Wasn't turned on) but otherwise it's stupid. 

[theextincthobby]

The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy

Synopsis:

It is a story about the childhood experiences of fraternal twins whose lives are destroyed by the "Love Laws" that lay down "who should be loved, and how. And how much."

Ten-word verdict:

I recalled how much I loved To Kill a Mockingbird (by Harper Lee) when reading this. I guess it is in the way the author paints the story from a child's point of view, the innocence behind each act and word. I reread this 4 times. Nuff said. 

[theextincthobby]

The Bride Stripped Bare - Nikki Gemmell Synopsis: A truth ringing tale of the challenges of a modern wife, complete with tragic dramas, sex, betrayals and pleasure. And what matters in the end to most of us out here. Ten word verdict: If you're looking for bared brides, it's in this somewhere. But if that's all you're looking for, you'll be disappointed. Because it showcases so much more.

[theextincthobby]

The Kite Runner by Khaled Husseini 

Synopsis:

It tells the story of Amir, a well-to-do boy from the Wazir Akbar Khan district of Kabul, who is tormented by the guilt of abandoning his friend Hassan, the son of his father's Hazara servant. The story is set against a backdrop of tumultuous events, from the fall of the monarchy in Afghanistan through the Soviet invasion, the mass exodus of Afghan refugees to Pakistan and the United States, and the Taliban regime.

Ten-word verdict:

If you haven't read it yet, go bury your head in some random ditch. Touching, poignant, and very very sad. This book reminded me of how very human we all are and no matter how big a sin we find ourselves doing, there are always ways to absolve us of that. Just wonderful.

[theextincthobby]

A Song of Ice and Fire Series by George R. R. Martin (or incorrectly known as Game of Thrones or the boobies book)

Synopsis: 

About thrones and the politics behind the taking of thrones and family history and bloodbath. Loads and loads of detailed bloodbaths.

Ten-word verdict: 

Exhausting. The books (there are 5 in total and more to come) are exhaustive not only in content but also in the minute description of every expression, clothing and even farts. Okay I was lying about the farts. For what it's worth, I find the series to be rather crude in its language. The only reason I stuck around till the end was because I can't read a book without finishing it. And maybe because I like Tyrion Lannister. Otherwise if you're a bloodthirsty monster with nothing to do but eat boiled rabbits, this is the book for you. 

[theextincthobby]

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

Synopsis:

The story is about African American maids working in white households in Jackson, Mississippi, during the early 1960s. 

Ten-word verdict: I may be breaking a demi-god law from the Temple of the Books but.....I preferred the movie. Don't shoot. To me the language was a mess and it's hard to get a clear picture of what the Stockett is trying to say if you're not a native to the language. Confusion level = Shakespeare 

[theextincthobby]

Cashelmara by Susan Howatch 

Synopsis:

A family saga that spins through 3 generations and all winds up in Cashelmara, the family's estate in Ireland. 

Ten-word verdict: Beautifully written. I love how the stories just weaves into itself and that's a lot coming from someone who swears by classics ONLY. Quite a lot of pages though, if you're curious. 

[theextincthobby]

Riding The Bus With My Sister by Rachel Simon

Synopsis:

A memoir about the time the author spent with her sister Beth, who has a developmental disability, whose lifestyle revolves around riding buses in her home city.

Ten-word verdict: I'm not into autobiographies or memoirs but for some reason I liked this book. It's not the ultra-deep kind that makes you stare at the ceiling fan for hours just to get the gist of it but pleasant all the same. Not worth a buy but worth a download.

[theextincthobby]

The Alchemist - Paulo Coelho

Synopsis: A book chronicling a journey of a young boy to face his life's greatest challenges, a pilgrimage to a land far away with unending lessons along the way. 

Ten word verdict: Very inspiring work by the internationally acclaimed author. Definitely a must read; ultimately helps one get through the barriers of life through the numerous implied lessons that abound in this book. 

[theextincthobby]

Eleven Minutes by Paulo Coelho

Synopsis: 

A chance meeting in Rio takes Maria to Geneva, where she dreams of finding fame and fortune, yet ends up working the streets as a prostitute. In Geneva, Maria drifts further and further away from love while at the same time developing a fascination with sex.

Eventually, Maria's despairing view of love is put to the test when she meets a handsome young painter. In this odyssey of self-discovery, Maria has to choose between pursuing a path of darkness, ‘sexual pleasure for its own sake’, or risking everything to find her own 'inner light' and the possibility of sacred sex, sex in the context of love. (random source)

Ten-word verdict: After you realise what the title is referring to, you will start timing yourself (if you can). Oh and read this once you start thinking kinky-50-shades-of-grey sex is all that you want. Otherwise, I prefer The Alchemist by the same author. 

[theextincthobby]

The Cry of the Halidon - Robert Ludlum

Synopsis:

A spy thriller concerning a secret tribe deep in the mountains of Jamaica and a talented geologist, Alex McAuliff as they fight against multinational corporate greed with a plan that threatens to shake the world. 

Ten word verdict:

Another Ludlum novel that is definitely worth the read if you are into the whole suspense and espionage themed novels. 

[theextincthobby]

Living Dead Girl by Elizabeth Scott

Synopsis: 

A 10 year old girl was kidnapped by a pedophile. The rest are just too grisly to fit in a synopsis. Go read it yourself.

Ten-word verdict: If you have a strong stomach, read this. If you don't, you may go about your day with the conviction that cats can fart skittles. Disturbing but intriguing at the same time. But still, it's disturbing. 

[theextincthobby]

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

Synopsis:

This book is about Charlie, a boy who is in 9th grade and doesn't have any friends. In this book he writes to a mysterious person who he doesn't know very well. Throughout the book he makes friends and discovers things. In the end, a haunting secret is revealed. (Rachel, Resident Scholar)

Ten-word verdict: A must must read but do something silly afterwards. Like poke a cat continuously or bang your piano. That much mind-fck needs an outlet somewhere.