Review: Husband Hunters, by Genevieve Gannon

 
Husband Hunters
by Genevieve Gannon 

Edition: 2014
Pages: 323

Editor: AUS Impulse

Summary: 

Three old friends team up to find life partners - this isn't love, this is business.
Clementine, a psychologist specialising in couples counselling, is reeling from the discovery that her boyfriend is married. Annabel, an ex-model, only seems to attract men who want her as a trophy. Daniela, a civil engineer, is stuck in the friendzone.
Abandoning the romantic notions of true love that haven't worked out for them, the three decide to use their considerable professional skills to find a partner. This isn't about hearts and flowers; it's about being practical.

Warm and witty, Husband Hunters is about what happens when you try to engineer love. For fans of Zoe Foster, Lauren Weisberger and Mhairi Macfarlane.

Rating: 3/5

Review: 
I will start this review by saying that I received an online copy of this book through Netgalley in exchange of a honest review.

Feminine literature isn't one of my fortes but sometimes I like to read one or another to distract my mind during the busiest weeks.That was the main reason I choose to read "Husband Hunters" from Genevieve Gannon. I must say that in this kind of readings usually I'm expecting clichets and lot's of "I've seen this before", however since I know they are there for a purpose it doesn't upset me quite much. And although I did found some in this book I also found a scent of originality, which surprised me very much and made me read it with more pleasure.
The initial concept is what it is: 3 women looking for husband material, changing the premisses and the paradigms of first dates in order to improve their capability of choice with the aim to find the perfect fit. Of course it is to much constructed and rehearsed, which couldn't work well...
This book present us 3 different women, with different weaknesses, desires, expectations and dreams and definitions of what is a perfect man. What I liked the most is exactly the paradox of discovering that the essential true of good and well matched relationships doesn't appear from a guide of external factors but from the essence of each person.
I also enjoyed the balance between the romance with other subjects and secondary stories that gave a profundity to the plot and with style. Subjects such as relationships, feminism, entrepreneurship, prejudice, gender equality, death, perseverance and capability of dreaming were all explored, with the certain dosage, since this wasn't the kind of book to take them too serious and with profound analysis and reflections. But even so it was able to create a fun reading without goofy characters (just to be make fun on) and added a touch of originality to the story.
The other important idea is the possibility of starting again, of creating refreshing moments and the idea that having the courage to change isn't something just to the beautiful girls, or perfect ladies, but that is created from the courage of every single person -  they just need to want that.
 

Cláudia

About the author:
 

Addicted to the library Claudia loves to read on the move and we can usualy find her sitting in a train or bus reading while commuting to and from work. But don't be fooled she is also keeping an eye on the landscape and all around her. She is an avid defender of sustainability and volunteering and it's as easy to find her starting a new project as it is to find her chatting with her friends. She is a dreamer and loves good stories so she keeps looking for them in her personal life.

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Review: Rooms, by Lauren Oliver

Rooms 
by Lauren Oliver 
Format: Hardback / Paperback / E-book
Nr of Pages: 352
Publisher: Hodder and Stoughton
Synopsis:

Wealthy Richard Walker has just died, leaving behind his country house full of rooms packed with the detritus of a lifetime. His estranged family—bitter ex-wife Caroline, troubled teenage son Trenton, and unforgiving daughter Minna—have arrived for their inheritance. But the Walkers are not alone. Prim Alice and the cynical Sandra, long dead former residents bound to the house, linger within its claustrophobic walls. Jostling for space, memory, and supremacy, they observe the family, trading barbs and reminiscences about their past lives. 

Though their voices cannot be heard, Alice and Sandra speak through the house itself—in the hiss of the radiator, a creak in the stairs, the dimming of a light bulb. The living and dead are each haunted by painful truths that will soon surface with explosive force. When a new ghost appears, and Trenton begins to communicate with her, the spirit and human worlds collide—with cataclysmic results.

Rating: 4 stars

Review:

How great is it that Lauren Oliver is actually writing books quicker than I can read them? I mean I just finished Rooms and Vanishing Girls is already out! It's every readers dream come true.
If you have been around for sometime you probably know that Lauren Oliver is actually the only writer that has a tag on our blog, we read her first break series Delirium and are major fans and we have actually interviewed her for the blog.
This means, of course, that we tend to keep tabs on what she is writing or working on at the moment, I actually follow her tumblr and I have no shame in saying so. The truth is plain and simple, I simply love the way Oliver writes. When I was reading Rooms I found myself eating every word and imagining this old house populated by ghosts. Oliver sometimes writes the way poetry sounds, it's a gift that she is mastering and makes her books art. (I really can't explain it any other way.)
In Rooms Oliver plays with more adult themes (like sex and affairs) and explores the paranormal (life after death, ghosts). I personally quite enjoyed the book with it's twists and turns. There's also a book within this book and that tends to make me happy because I like bookceptions!
The story had a good pace and it was interesting to see several points of view, this is specially true since the ghosts tend to contradict one another which adds to the whole mystery.
Ultimately I think Oliver understands people and she understands them at a deep level. Her characters tend to be round and relatable and more often than not you actually understand their motives and kind off cheer for them.
In a way and up to this moment (and think about all of her books that I have read) I have to say that the book that I am reading at the moment is my favorite Lauren Oliver book, even Panic which isn't the most loved of her books was a fantastic adventure (and power to the older sister!).
I enjoyed the end of the book, I think it was rather a blow and made me think about several things. It also shows how literature can sometimes help us cope with things and ultimately survive our own lives.
Right now I canºt wait to get my hands on Vanishing Girls!

 Cat / Ki

Known bookaholic and writer on every other weekend Cat loves books and everything that's related to them. Sometimes she has feelings and opinions about books and the world and she writes about them (mostly in her blog Encruzilhadas Literárias). She also has a personal GoodReads account and she believes the world is a better place for it (AKA no more repeated books from relatives as gifts). She lives in the UK and can often be found either in Waterstones or the Charity Shops.

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Entrevista: Maria V. Snyder

Ser livrólico é ser fã. E ser fã significa que se fazem coisas um pouco ridículas de quando em vez, como por exemplo ficar duas horas numa fila com sapatos de salto alto que magoam para ter um livro autografado e fazer uma entrevista de três perguntas.

E isto foi o que aconteceu no passado Domingo quando fui à Waterstones de Deansgate para me encontrar com a autora Maria V. Snyder, como eu no entanto, estavam mais cem pessoas na fila e a autora, que me confessou não esperar tanta afluência, fez das tripas coração e gastou pelo menos cinco minutos com cada leitor, passando assim as duas horas que tinha marcadas para dar autógrafos.

Por respeito às pessoas que estavam na fila e à escritora limitei-me a três perguntas.

1- Há uns tempos li numa entrevista que actua todas as cenas de luta. Ainda o faz?

Sim, actuo todas as cenas de luta. Faço-o para ter a certeza que os movimentos que descrevo são viáveis e que a luta se poderia processar dessa maneira.

2- Escreve tudo directamente no computador ou ainda escreve à mão?

Computador.  Sem dúvida. Não teria tempo de outra maneira.

3- Ainda está a escrever o próximo livro da saga?

Não, o livro vai ser lançado em Janeiro do próximo ano. Isso significa que já está para revisão com a minha editora.

Maria V. Snyder lançou este ano Shadow Study o quatro livro da saga Yelena Zaltana, sexto volume d'As Crónicas de Ixia ou primeiro da trilogia Soulfinders (conforme preferirem chamar à colecção e conforme a editora onde os compram).

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Passatempo: Serpentina, de Mário Zambujal (Exemplar Autografado)

Boa noite Encruzilhad@s,

É com enorme prazer que vos trazemos um novo passatempo em parceria com a RG Livreiros, e com mais um nome já conhecido do panorama da literatura nacional. 

Aproveitando a vinda do autor a Cascais numa nova sessão da iniciativa "A Voz da Escrita Com...", da responsabilidade da livraria em parceria com a Biblioteca Municipal de Cascais - Casa da Horta da Quinta de Santa Clara, será sorteado um exemplar autografado do mais recente romance de Mário Zambujal -  "Serpentina".

"A Voz da Escrita Com..." realizar-se-á amanhã, dia 10 de Abril pelas 21H00 na biblioteca e conta com a vossa presença! Mais informações no evento do facebook, consultável através do link. 

"Para Mário Zambujal, o mais importante é saber que os leitores se divertem com os seus livros. É nisso que se concentra quando agarra na caneta e se põe a imaginar peripécias, enredos e personagens. "Serpentina" não fugiu à regra e arrisca-se a ser o romance mais divertido do ano. Nele acompanhamos as reviravoltas na vida de Bruno Bracelim - primeiro a partida da família para o Canadá, quando ainda menino, e depois um acidente de trânsito, já em adulto - e divertimo-nos com as situações armadilhadas de um destino tão imprevisível quanto animado. Num estilo inconfundível, eis um supremo divertimento em que a imaginação e o humor se entrelaçam com a reflexão e a emoção. "

De resto, só nos resta desejar-vos sorte e um óptimo fim-de-semana!

Atenção: A pedido da RG Livreiros este passatempo só está disponível para residentes na área de Grande Lisboa.

Regras do passatempo 

1) O passatempo decorre até às 23h59 do dia 25 de Abril de 2015.

2) Todos os dados solicitados (incluindo Nick de Seguidor) devem ser devidamente preenchidos e completos.

3) Os participantes deverão seguir publicamente as páginas de Facebook do Encruzilhadas Literárias e da RG Livreiros

4) Só serão aceites uma participação por pessoa e morada, na área de Grande Lisboa. 

5) O/A vencedor/a será sorteado de forma aleatória (random.org), sendo o resultado anunciado na página do blog e o contacto efectuado por e-mail. 

6) O Encruzilhadas Literárias e a RG Livreiros não se responsabilizam pelo extravio ou danos causados pelos CTT nas encomendas enviadas.

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Review: The Restoration of Otto Laird, by Nigel Packer

The Restoration of Otto Laird
by Nigel Packer 

Edition: 2014
Pages: 352

Editor: Sphere 

Summary: 

Elderly architect Otto Laird lives a peaceful existence in Switzerland. Once renowned for his radical and controversial designs he now spends his days communing with nature and writing eccentric (and unposted) letters to old friends. But his charmed life is rudely interrupted when he learns that one of his most significant buildings, Marlowe House, a 1960s tower block in south London is to be demolished.

Otto is outraged and wants to do everything in his power to save the building. So, he reluctantly agrees to take part in a television documentary that will mean returning to London for the first time in twenty-five years to live for a week in Marlowe House. As he becomes reacquainted with the city he called home for most of his life, his memories start to come alive. And as he explores his past, ponders his present and considers the future -- for himself and his building -- he embarks on a most remarkable journey.

Rating: 3/5

Review: 
I will start this review by saying that I received an online copy of this book through Netgalley in exchange of a honest review.

Sometimes writers have beautiful stories to be told. Sometimes they don't even know they are doing it. This stories about moments and characters just appear in the pages of amazingly well written books and push us inside of narratives that can completely distract us from the world we live in. Reading "The Restoration of Otto Laird" was like being inside the mind of an old man, with so much to tell but at the same time so lost in his memories and disgraces and so afraid of the world. Otto is an interesting man, trapped on a time where he was ahead of his peers and prepared to be an avant-garde personality in the British (and European) architecture world.
The first pages show the reader how far away from this reality Otto is in the beginning of the story, living haunted by past decisions and indecisions, the mixed feelings of the desire of activating the dream once more and the need to let it go and stay in the past.
 The book is constructed as if we were inside of the mind of this scared and inconsequential and inconvenient man that is only trying to finish his own story and make peace with the past. It's not only the words and what is being said that make the reader feel that way, but the fact that all speech is paused, rhythmical and long. This makes this book sometimes difficult to read as if you are looking for something quick to read because it keeps going on ramblings - sometimes beautifully connected, sometimes just mixed about everything, from family to work, from colleagues to diseases, from dreams to anchievements. 
Marlowe House and its foundations creates a parallelism between an human being and a building dealing with the same issues and involving the reader in all the conclusions and reflections that appear in every page. 
The unposted letters are manifests from a free mind willing to break strings with conventions and social rules that doesn't make us more happy but only unfaithful to who we are. They are also a enlightenment about the different moods that Otto is experiencing during all these confronts with his past, that appear through an young face that reminds a love from the past, a worn road which used to be the one of more dynamics and used decades ago, some forgotten articles in newspapers that rekindle untreated wounds (but still with possible repair.
"The Restoration of Otto Laird" is a great book that I enjoyed to read without any doubt, but you should take time to enjoy it and not rush through it. It was a beautiful trip to a past on a previous London, where a man still looking for himself finds a way to discover the true about what moved him and created the privileged opportunity to follow him on this marvelous crossroad. 
 

Cláudia

About the author:
 

Addicted to the library Claudia loves to read on the move and we can usualy find her sitting in a train or bus reading while commuting to and from work. But don't be fooled she is also keeping an eye on the landscape and all around her. She is an avid defender of sustainability and volunteering and it's as easy to find her starting a new project as it is to find her chatting with her friends. She is a dreamer and loves good stories so she keeps looking for them in her personal life.

Read More