The Adventures of Arthur Conan Doyle by Russell Miller

Guess, there is no need for introduction when ones mention Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. A mention of his name for avid reader will sparks a spontaneous respond "Sherlock Holmes?"

I was delighted when I saw this autobiography of Arthur Conan Doyle at the Non-Fiction section at Bookxcess.

It was a good read. To get to know the personal life of the man behind the famous Sherlock Holmes figure had indeed been very interesting.

Russell Miller did a splendid job on this book.

Sir Arthur family was quite poor when he was young. His father was an alcoholic and subsequently hospitalised for mental illness.

Despite all these, Arthur managed to do quite well in life. He married his first wife and had children but he then fell in love with another woman while his wife was dying with tuberculosis,

He become famous when the public fell in love with Sherlock Holmes. There was a public outcry when he decided to "killed" off Sherlock Holmes. In fact, an old lady smacked him with her handbag.

He had also championed many good cause. And later in life, he developed an interest in Spiritualism.

I think those who love "Sherlock Holmes" will find this book pretty interesting and eye opening.

Monkey Bridge by Lan Cao

The moment I saw this book on display at BookXcess and noticed the author's unique name, I said to myself "I've gotta have it".

Didn't even see the synopsis to check what's the story is about. Moreover, it's cheap at RM14-90.

When I came home I noticed it's a story written by Lan Cao, Vietnamese who left Vietnam and is now residing in New York

The story is about a young girl, Mai, who left Vietnam on the very day which Saigon fell. She was joined by her mother Thanh a few months later. Her grand father, Baba Quan was supposed to join her mother on that trip but for some unknown reason he did not made it.

This issue had haunted Thanh and Mai. Mai had tried several avenue to locate her grandfather. Through this effort she somehow dug up some dark secret of her family.

It's really lovely to read how the story unfolds chapter by chapter. The author is brilliant in keeping the tale hanging till the very end.

The character, Mai, was very vivid. The way she portray the contrast between living in Vietnam and America is real eye opening. Somethings that seems normal to most people could be offensive to others . For example the part where Mai and her mother in a supermarket and the way the cashier summon them to a newly open counter. The cashier meant well, but Thanh thinks the gestures was rude. This is what makes this novel seems so real.

Love it

Italian for Beginners by Kristin Harmel

I guess I am getting hooked with the Little Black Dress books.

In this book, Cat is younger sister is getting married and at the reception tongues are wagging about her. She is the eldest daughter and yet she is still single. Some aunts commented that she is too choosy and stuffs like that.

That is totally not true. She just had too many responsibility to deal with. Moreover, something happened in the past with her mother had affected her greatly as compared to her younger sister and father.

Deep down inside she was lonely and had wanted to have someone to love and to be loved too. Then a chance came. She was invited to go to Italy. Still she doubted. Her dad and bestie urged her on and a disastrous date gave her the umph that she needed to pluck up her courage.

Everything was confirmed and booked that is until her younger sister acted up.That was how she end up in Italy without much money in her name and no place stay after a blow up with her ex-boyfriend.

With no money and too ashamed to turn back home with her tail between her legs, she journey on.

It was a fun adventure reading this book. It gives a fresh and happier outlook in life. Gives hope that there are still some people out that who truly cares about you instead of just using you. And that all broken heart can be mended. And that bad things that happen are actually a blessing in disguise.

Yes, this is a good book to read when you are feeling down.

I think, among the 3 Little Black Dress book that I have read, this is the best.

The Big Bad Wolf Books Sale is on 7th - 16 October 2011

NEWS FLASH!

(Logo taken from BBWBS FB)

It's confirm. News right from the Wolf's mouth. The next Big Bad Wolf  Books Sale will be on 7th to 16th October 2011.

This round, according to Mr Wolf there will be 1.5 million books at 75%-95% discounts!

Unfortunately, Mr Wolf had yet to announce where is the venue of the sale.

Do check out their FACEBOOK to stay tune with new developements and a chance  to win exclusive media preview passes at their Facebook.

Girl From Mars by Julie Cohen

I bought this book due to "kiasuness". Needed a few more ringgit in order to enjoy Member'sDiscount from BookXcess.

Am happy to say that I did not regret getting this book. It's a light hearted book. I wonder how to classify this book. Chit-Lit or Romance?

Well, story is about 4 best friends. Philomena, Jim, Digger and Stevo. The friendship cracked when Stevo met someone whom he fell in love with. The other three felt they were left in a lurch.

One night when all three were drunk, they made a pact. That is they would not date other people. They had no time or uses for romance in their life and that no matter what their friendship would comes first.

Guess, you can guess what ensued after the pact was made.

This is indeed a fun to read book.

Life Everlasting by Robert Whitlow

This is the Book Two of an Alexia Lindale novel.

In Book One, Alexia, a divorce lawyer hired by Baxter Richardson's wife(Rena) to help her with her case. She doesn't want a divorce but she wants to have her husband, Baxter, who is in a coma to be taken out from life support.

For this second instalment, Baxter was called back to this world by the enchanting music played by Ted Morgan. Meantime the mental state of Rena deteriorated.

This is a fine continuation of "Life Support". I like the mysterious way that Baxter being called back and "romance" seems to blossoming for Alexia.

Every characters in this book seems to be govern by a higher power. Maybe God is working through the author to send a message to us? It's not everyday that I find a book that have suspense and yet promote the believe in the Lord.

One thing that I find rather this book is a bit long winded. Some reduction of 50 to 100 pages would make the book more enjoyable to read.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this bookfrom the publisher through theBookSneeze®.com   The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with theFederal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Dogs and Goddesses by Jennifer Cruise, Anne Stuart and Lani Diane Rich

Three women seemingly have nothing in common but somehow their dogs lead them to become friends. They were practically smack in the face by brochures advertising Kammani-Gula Obedience Class. It's a class to train dogs

Abby- just arrived in Summerville Ohio with her Newfoundland Bowser to claim her inheritance. Her mother Bea passed away and left her a property. She soon found herself baking cookies and steaming up her life with a young professor

Daisy- with her hyperactive Jack Russell Bailey. Her world have been proper and prim . That was till her mom, Peggy, suddenly developed an allergy to dogs and asked her to take care of Bailey for a time. She meat a mysterious dog trainer.

Shar- a Professor of ancient history suddenly wakes up and found a very masculine God sitting at her kitchen. Her neurotic dachshund , Wolfie was snarling at him.

I am not sure what genre this book is intended to be as the synopsis made it sound like romance cum chit lit. But to me this is a book full of laughter. It's just too hilarious. Hope the authors won't be offended.

The three ladies after attending the Kammani-Gula class, started to have special ability. Super power. And one of their power is that they can hear and understand what their dogs are saying.

I can't help laughing at Kammani the blundering "Goddess" who made a set of very hilarious mistakes like sending a swamp of bees, a plague and even trying to "rule" this modern world who does not need a Goddess like her.

Yup. a book to relax with and in my personal opinion, I am going to classify this book under comedy in my shelves.