Books I Read ~ The Godfather - Mario Puzo

I was wandering around Orchard Central after my Saturday morning yoga class and I decided to drop by at the library.

I love love love the new library@orchard!

The design was beautiful, most of the books are new, there are plenty places to sit around and just read. I once was sitting at a corner armchair with floor lamp right beside me and it was one of the best reading session I ever had in any library.

I had no particular books I was looking for so I was just walking between aisles with my eyes wandering try to read the titles each book on the shelves (it's impossible, I know!).

My eyes stopped at The Godfather and I thought, the movie IS a classic, I suppose the book must be good, right?

So I grabbed it off the shelf, and went home with it.

Today is Wednesday (18/5), and I'm on page 58 of total 553 pages in the book, and so far I'm liking it!

There are plenty of characters and names, at first I was worried that I may not remember all of them, but as the story goes on, I found myself able to keep up with all the Italian names. It must be a good sign, don't you think?

I spent few minutes to check if there's The Godfather movie in Netflix Singapore, and I'm happy to say there is! I'll watch it once I finish the book, la la la~

Greatest quotes from the book:

 

"Never get angry

Never make a threat

Reason with people"

21/5

I've finished the book last night and I must say, I love this book! 

I love how it gives backstories of any newly introduced characters so that the readers are able to understand the reasoning of their actions. 

The last 100 pages of the book are just awesome! The climax was beautifully written and kept me on the edge of my seat until end of the book. 

My favorite characters are Vito Corleone, Michael Corleone, and of course, Tom Hagen! 

Just now I finished watching The Godfather movie. 

I would say that Mario Puzo and Francis Ford Coppola did a wonderful job transforming 500+ page book to 3-hour movie. 

As usual, there are some parts of the book being left out (which I think would be revealed in the second movie, such as the story about young Vito Corleone), and it focused heavily on the war of Five Families and establishing Michael as the new Don. Don't expect to see plenty of Johnny Fontane nor other side characters (Lucy Mancini, Jules Segal, etc).

Although I do wonder if anyone who never read the book could follow the movie plot well since I felt that the story pace is fast and I did worry that the viewers wouldn't get the reasoning of why someone did something. I also felt that the story somewhat missed the depth of the characters... 

However as an adaptation, the movie is great in itself and I can understand why it is one of the greatest movies of all time. 

PS1: I saw in wikipedia that the budget of The Godfather movie was 6-7 millions, and its box office was 254.1-286 millions! WOW! Its ROI is 36 times over!!!! 

PS2: I couldn't help comparing it with Captain America: Civil War (since I just watched it this morning in the cinema - and it was awesome!), Civil War's budget is 250 millions, and so far its box office is 991 millions and it will still add up until its final run which can be months from now. Let's say I'm being generous and Civil War's box office is 2T dollars, still its ROI is only 8 times over its budget. 

Books I've Read - June, July, August 2015 (part 2)

Here comes part 2!

To Have and To Kill - Mary Jane Clark

This is the first installment in Wedding Cake Mystery, so we get the introduction for Piper Donovan, a struggling actress forced to move back with her parents after a broken engagement. She then starts helping out at her mother bakery, creating wonderfully described cakes (that makes me crave for it!), getting in touch with her long hidden talents in cake making and cake decorating.
As life goes by, along came a murder that got Piper involved.

I consider this a light suspense novel. It's cozy, enjoyable, nothing that put you at the edge of your seat but engaging enough to get you to keep turning the page.

The Look of Love - Mary Jane Clark

The second installment of Wedding Cake Mystery. Piper is hired to make a wedding cake for the director of a luxurious spa, where it seems there are many things happening to prevent her going down the aisle. Piper is again in the midst of murder scenes.
Piper is no investigator, so don't expect a thorough investigation described here.
I come to think that we (readers) are placed as Piper in this book, we are in the murder scenes, watching people around it, gossiping or sharing stories from other patrons of the spa.

And how I wish we also have a hunk FBI agent that always worries about us too!

To Have and To Hold - Jane Green

A classic chicklit from Jane Green!
Alice, a plain Jane, married her teenage crush, a dashing, handsome, man-of-every-girl Joe Chambers. From the outside, it looks perfect and enviable to every girls, but in the inside, it's miserable.
Alice loved the idea of marrying her teenage crush, and she did. What she didn't know that the marriage stripped her off her true identity, a country lover girl who loves gardening and cooking in-spite of the facade she always shows, a chic and trendy city girl.
In other hand, Joe is nothing but a cheating bastard.

It's a nice story of how a girl finding her true identity.

NYPD Red 2 - James Patterson & Marshall Karp

*it's the cover of NYPD Red first novel on the right :D

Zach Jordan and his partner, Kylie MacDonald are again faced with a high profile murder believed done by Hazmat Killer - catchy, huh?
It's the usual investigation novel that moves fast and keeps readers engaged, with of course a little romance on the side.
I safe to say that Zach and Kylie are on my list of favorite James Patterson characters, together with Alex Cross and Women's Murder Club (I don't really like Michael Bennett...).

Invisible - James Patterson & David Ellis

I gotta say I like the combination of James Patterson and David Ellis.
I've read the two previous books - Mistress and Guilty Wives, and I liked them a lot. I gladly say that I liked this book too.
Although it started slow, it became more engaging as pages turned.
Emmy's sister died in a fire 8 months ago which Emmy believed was an arson. The problem was nobody believed that. As an FBI analyst, she managed to connect her sister murder to other fire happened for the past years.
With her very small team, she must done her best to catch the arsonist before he killed another.

The fast pace, clues gathered one by one, relate-able characters, it has the formula of a good murder mystery book!

Dark Places - Gillian Flynn

I find that all Gillian Flynn novels are dark. And Dark Places lives up to its name.
It sometimes amazes me how Gillian Flynn is able to describe and understand such dark characters in her novels. They are damaged, flawed, pitiable, and totally not the kind of people you want to be in your circle of friends. Which then why I find them so fascinating.
Libby Day is no different. She is the lone survivor of the murders known as The Satan Sacrifice of Kinnakee, Kansas. And 25 years later, she still has not recovered from it. Her life is as messed up as it can be. No friend, no love, no money. She tried to milk her sad story once again, and unknowingly, she was drawn to the killers and put herself in danger.

Book I've Read - June, July, August 2015 (part 1)

So okay... I've been terribly late in updating my book list.

I could have said I was busy, but I just can't lie to myself... The thing is there were quite things happening that required my attention and focus on.

Oh well, that's life, isn't it?

Anyway so let's get right to the book list - June, July and Aug edition (not in chronological order):

---- it may contain spoilers!!! ----

I'll Be Seeing You - Mary Higgins Clark

The story starts when a reporter, Meghan Collins sees a body in New York City hospital and she literally feels like looking at a mirror. The dead girl looks exactly like her. It doesn't help that she is already in a wringer with the suspicious death of her father. She's then set to find out who the girl is and at the same time solve the puzzles around her father death.
This book is kind of an all around. There's mystery, suspicious death, a body of a 'twin' sister, corporate conspiracy (though minimum), and last but not least, a mistress!
Whew, this is definitely not my favorite Mary Higgins Clark book since it somehow reminded me of a telenovela or korean makjang dramas.

Just Take My Heart - Mary Higgins Clark

Broadway star, Natalie Raines found murdered in her house. A career criminal confessed that he was hired to do that and an 'attractive' prosecutor, Emily Wallace is assigned to this case.
Please note that Emily was described as 'attractive' in the synopsis, which I did not really appreciate.
Aside from the main story, there's also a side story of a creepy neighbor of Emily, Emily's heart transplant (guess whose heart it belonged to??).
The whole story in itself is engaging and one of the Mary Higgins Clark usual golden writing, however somehow I was not able to connect with the main characters emotionally the way I usually do with the novels I loved. But all in all, it's a good suspense novel with a rather unexpected twists.

The Lost Years - Mary Higgins Clark

Reading this book reminded me of a little bit of Da Vinci Code with the discovery of parchment believed to be a letter from Jesus to Joseph Arimathea which actually the reason why I borrowed this book in the first place.
I always love investigative novels related to history.
It is a "who-stole/took-what" kind of story with a murder twist. Mariah, the estranged daughter, is back to living with her mother who suffers from Alzheimer after the death of his father, a historian, who was believed to have the earlier mentioned letter.
And as usual with other Mary Higgins Clark novels, I enjoyed reading this book although, I wish that there would be more character development in this book, since it feels like the perspectives change from chapter to chapter.

Hmm, I just realized that reading Mary Higgins Clark novels, I didn't care much about the main characters. The only one that I think I have come to care, is Menley Nichols in Remember Me.

Can You Keep a Secret? - Sophie Kinsella

I always have a soft spot for Sophie Kinsella since I fell in love with Confession of a Shopaholic (Although the last few books of the series were somewhat disappointing). But I know that as long as she writes, I will always read her books.
This is the 2nd time I read Can You Keep a Secret. I was in need of light novels, and I stumbled upon this book in library.
Everybody has secrets, and Emma managed to tell all her secrets to her seatmate during a shaky flight. She thought that she would be safe since she won't be seeing the stranger anymore. But life throws a surprise twist when the stranger turns out to be the founder of the company she works for. Uh-oh!

As is other Kinsella's book, it's light, funny, endearing with expected endings. Perfect for a lazy weekend!

The Associate - John Grisham

My colleague had been recommending John Grisham novels ever since she knew I loved courtroom dramas and so I picked up my first John Grisham novel and it was such a dissappointment!
It's about Kyle McAvoy, a graduate of Yale Law School, who thought he had all the freedom to achieve the path he had been planning, until 2 FBI agents approached him and proposed a dangerous scheme that required him to sacrifice his total freedom in choosing his career path in exchange of protecting him and his friends out of jail.
Always under surveillance, Kyle has no life working in one of the most important law firm, but it doesn't stop him to still find his way out of it.
I was totally engaged and couldn't wait to read the last chapter of this book, but lo and behold, the ending was a total disappointment that I really couldn't see myself borrowing another John Grisham book. Sigh....

The Bosch Deception - Alex Connor

I have to be honest, I was attracted to the title when I saw this book in the library. I always find Bosch's paintings fascinating and the thought that someone wrote about him really excited me.
This book put a twist of Bosch history (or at least tried to) which got me thinking that this author was pulling a Da Vinci Code for Bosch and failed in doing so.
The plot is terribly boring and I couldn't even finish half the book. All I can remember is that someone always tries to threaten someone, then some fail, some get killed.

Someday, Someday, Maybe - Lauren Graham

Lauren Graham was and always is Lorelai Gilmore. A flawed mother and daughter of Gilmore Girls.
I love/hate Gilmore Girls and I got myself intrigued after finding out Lauren Graham's venture as a writer.
This book tells a story of a struggling actress in her late 20s. Her life is full with waitress-ing job, acting classes, with a little of love life on the side - I kinda think that this book is a semi-autobiography of Lauren Graham.
The main character, Franny, is endearing. A small town girl living in big city with her big dream. I couldn't help but wishing good things happening to her, although it doesn't always do.

Well, I closed this book with a smile on my face, I suppose that tells you how I feel about the book!

Books I've Read ~ May 2015

End of May is nearing, and I shall write another book review~~

1. Shopaholic to The Stars - Sophie Kinsella

First of all, the first ever Shopaholic - Confession of a Shopaholic is one of my fave books, it's easy-reading, funny, witty and also full of heart. Becky Bloomwood - as addicted to shopping as she can be - is endearing, and I can say that I understand why she did what she did in the book. 

Then come the second book, third, fourth, fifth... I could still proclaim my love for Becky this far. 

And then sixth book came - Mini Shopaholic - and I almost couldn't finish it - it saddened me that once my beloved series has become a book that took a huge effort just to finish it. 

So when Shopaholic to The Stars came, I did not rush to get it from library. I took my sweet time until one day, I saw it when I was browsing through the book shelves and picked it up just for the sake of being a loyal follower of the series. 

I finished the book in few days, and after I finally closed the book, I have come to a conclusion that though this book is not as grating as the previous book, suffice to say that my dear Becky Bloomwood - I still love her - she is still the same selfish, self-centered, inconsiderate girl in the first book even though at this point of her life, she shouldn't be anymore! I loved her when she was a shopping addict with a lot of heart, now she is just being a bitch around people who love her - sure she feels guilty here and there, but she barely does anything about it. Sigh...

I know there will be 8th book and I know I will read it, but I wish that will be the last book of this series.

Please pretty please~~~

2. Remember Me - Mary Higgins Clark

I can't remember the last time I read a Mary Higgins Clark's novel, and I picked this up on a whim few weeks ago and it did not disappoint. 

I always love a good suspense and this book does it right. 

Along the time I was reading it, I came to care about the main character, Menley and her little family - caring about the main characters are the main draw of a book. 

Set in a small charming town Cape Cod, Adam and Menley Nichols, with their only few months old baby girl are spending their summer in a rustic and historical house. During their time there, there is a murder mystery and also Menley experiences strange things happening around the house which then make her question her own sanity. 

The book slowly reveals the true faces of residents in the small town, which make us keep guessing who is the real culprit. 

Mary Higgins Clark is really a queen of suspense and I really love the bits of history of sailors, houses - I have a hidden history buff side in me! 

3. The Shadow of Your Smile - Mary Higgins Clark

Another novel by Mary Higgins Clark - I just couldn't wait to get another one after finishing Remember Me - and it also did not disappoint. In this book, the main character is a modern and caring pediatrician who has magic touch when it comes to children. Her father was adopted and in the years before his death became very obsessed in finding his real parents. Little does she know how complicated her lineage is, and regardless her lack of enthusiasm in finding her real grandparents, she is dragged into a conspiracy filled with people with too much greed. 

I find that the main character did not do much compared to Menley in Remember Me, however still the story unfolds in a nice pace and I'm always happy when all questions are answered by the end of the book. 

4. Saving Grace - Jane Green

After 2 suspense novels, it was time for an easy reading, and I picked a Jane Green novel. 

I was a fan of Jane Green earlier books,like Jemima J, Babyville, etc. And from stories about single girls finding their ways in the world, Jane Green now tells story about families, women in late 30s or early 40s, but it seems her books are always a hit-or-miss. 

Saving Grace is a miss.....

This book tells a story about Grace (obviously) and her husband Ted, an almost has-been author with manic behaviors, how Grace is desperately looking for an assistant to 'handle' his husband's (as she is not able to do it gracefully), and when a plain-looking and eager-to-please woman came into their lives, she has no reason to say no to. Things are looking better at first, until it is not. Betrayals come into play. Lies, infidelity, self-doubt, everything you can find in soap opera is in this book. 

And I have to say I have very little sympathy to Grace. I feel that she has it coming. It may sound cruel, but I really have less or almost no patience for people who rely on others for approval or help, and Grace is one of them. 

PS: I love the cover though! 

Books I've Read So Far ~ April 2015

For more than 3 decades of my life, I believe I've read hundreds of books which, sadly, I am not able to remember other than a little bit here and there.
So then I've come to a conclusion that I should try to keep track on books I've read along with what I think or feel about it.
Sounds like a good idea? Let's hope this resolution will last long...

On a side note, since the start of this year, I've been going to a library in my neighborhood more often than I did last year. so that I even bought a coupon set for hot beverages at the library cafe.
The reason is that so I would read actual books than e-books - why? because reading e-books from my beloved iPad especially before going to bed would make it more difficult for me to sleep afterwards, due to the blue light emitting from it, and I want to have nice good sleep everyday and wake up not feeling tired.

Anyway, let's go back to my book list - it comprises both e-books and actual books I've read since the beginning of this year (not in chronological order):

1. Hunger Games trilogy (Hunger Games, Catching Fire and Mockingjay) - Suzanne Collins

Amazon, Goodreads

After watching the first 2 movies, I was intrigued to know how close (or far) the movies are from the books, and after reading all of them, I have to admit that I'm satisfied with the movies. Even though there were scenes omitted or altered in the movies (compromises!), the movies did justice to the books (and the author, of course). And I also gotta say, I loved Katniss! She is flawed, and yet relate-able. She did not always do the right things, but whatever she did was in order to keep her loved ones safe.

2. Divergent trilogy (Divergent, Insurgent and Allegiance) - Veronica Roth

Amazon, Goodreads

I was tempted to read the book right after watching Divergent the movie. I think the movie was quite good and I have soft spot for Shailene Woodley after watching her in The Fault In Our Stars.
The first book was okay, I prefer the plot in the book over the movie, however I disliked Tris in the book. And after finishing the last 2 books, I concluded that Tris was just a selfish brat who thought she knew everything and that completely and foolishly in love with Four (I can't remember how many times she gushed over his handsomeness!). She thought that being a Divergent made her special to the extend that other factions somehow beneath her and everything she did was out of impulse to save herself or Four (selfish much?). For the record, Four was not sympathetic as well. And I've lost my interest to watch Insurgent the movie after finishing the books, although perhaps I would watch it some time in the future when my negative feelings for Tris (and Four) somehow diminishes.

3. Marcia Clark's Rachel Knight series: Guilt By Association, Guilt By Degrees, Killer Ambition and The Competition

Amazon, Goodreads

Coming from one of OJ Simpson's prosecutors, these books lived up to my expectation. Nicely written, with sometimes unexpected twists, putting Marcia Clark to my list of fave true crime authors (along with Michael Connelly and James Patterson). I totally loved Rachel's little 'clique' - Rachel, Bailey and Toni.

4. Gone Girl - Gillian Flynn

Amazon, Goodreads

Simply put, great movie, great book! (and great act from Rosamund Pike and Ben Affleck!)
Each scene is tightly woven together, with many unexpected turns (which I totally welcome!). I couldn't put it down until the last page!

5. Unlucky 13 - James Patterson

Amazon, Goodreads

The friendship between the foursome Women's Murder Club has always been the main appeal of this series and it's still not disappointing. Although I would expect that the crime part be more thrilling in the next book.

Currently reading: Sharp Objects - Gillian Flynn.

Amazon, Goodreads