I started off this year by reading a bunch and it slowly decreased over time. Past August I barely touched a book and even though I still have three books sitting on my nightstand in different stages of reading, the truth is I haven't really touched any of them in the past months for anything other than cleaning their dust.
But, it isn't all that bad, on average I actually managed to read a pretty good amount of books this year. Anyway, no one's keeping score so let's get cracking with the books that I actually managed to finish.
We need to talk about Kevin
By Lionel Schriver
A book that portraits in a very delicate but brutally honest way the subject of love. In this book, we get deep into the mind of a mother of a perturbed young boy who's ultimately responsible for a school massacre. We get to know in first person the struggles of a woman who decides to abdicate her independent life to become a mother and consequently faces the terrifying truth of raising and living with a sociopath teen. It's a heavy drama but it is completely worth reading. In case you're not too much into reading, the movie is a quite good adaptation as well!
The cave (A Caverna)
By José Saramago
We all know the love I have for Saramago's work. This is no exception. My mom offered me this book on my birthday and I devoured it in two days, which is saying a lot coming from a slow reader like me. The story portraits the life of a family of three and their struggles to keep up with the old art of pottery in the modern world. After ups and downs, they discover something that truly changes their perspective on life.
Elephant's Memory (Memória de Elefante)
By António Lobo Antunes
I might be completely wrong, but I've always found a touch of Saramago's influence in this author's books, though these are written in a more modern and carefree way, which in the end translates well to the current Portuguese - full of curse words. Reading just the first page it becomes clear that this is a biography. In this book, we follow the existential struggles of a psychiatrist who's clearly still suffering from the Portuguese Colonial War as well as being away from his family. Even though this is quite a drama, it is still an interesting easy read.
Daughter of Fortune
By Isabel Allende
The fifth novel of the author, that portraits the story of a young girl who travels the world in order to live with the love of her life, facing an adventure of self-discovery against all odds and ultimately proving the strength and independence of a rebel woman during the eighteenth century.
Big Mama's Funeral
By Grabriel García Márquez
In this book, we find seven chronics and a short novel filled with details and critics to the social and political environment felt in Latin America at the time. An easy read that you shouldn't miss in case you're interested in this author.
The Girl Who Played with Fire
By Stieg Larson
The second book of the well-known trilogy Millenium. In this book, we discover Lisbeth Salander's backgrounds and the major event that led her to ultimately be under the custody of Bjurman. Whilst trying to hide her identity, she is prosecuted by new characters who try their best to kill her.
The Girl Who Kicked The Hornet's Nest
By Stieg Larson
Accused of three murders after a life-threatening situation, Lisbeth is stuck to a hospital bed isolated from everything and everyone whilst awaiting trial. In the meantime, she receives help from a long time friend to prove her innocence and avoids getting killed by the enemies.
Tereza Batista: Home from the Wars (Tereza Batista Cansada de Guerra)
By Jorge Amado
In this book, we follow the journey of a girl who after being sold at a young age and abused by a man tries to defend herself from him and ends up in jail. From jail to a brothel with all the adventures in between she finally finds some light at the end of the tunnel.
Happy People in Tears (Gente Feliz com Lágrimas)
By João de Melo
This book mainly portraits the story of two brothers from their young age to adulthood. Coming from a very poor Azorian family, submitted to forced labour and abuse from their parents, the children are forced to move out in search of a better life in the continent, though not necessarily making the right choices.
The Melancholy Death of Oyster Boy & Other Stories
By Tim Burton
Even though I'm not much into poetry, I could never turn my back against something made by Tim Burton. Poetry with a touch of the already characteristic dark humour, in this book we find the stories of different characters who all have one thing in common - being odd and different. Certainly, a collector's book, one that I have for years and thought deserved being shared with all Tim Burton's fans.
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