The Wedding by Nicholas Sparks

I haven't written a book review in quite awhile, been busy. So here goes.

"The Wedding" is a sequel to "The Notebook". The book starts with a monologue, or sorta like a narration by the main character, Wilson, whom is married to the daughter of The Notebook's main character, Noah. Wilson is a workaholic and an unaffectionate husband and father, who realizes his life needs a major turnaround after unwittingly forgetting his 29th anniversary, causing both Wilson and his wife to think about their life and future, and where Wilson vows to make amends. We follow Wilson's story up to his 30th wedding anniversary, where he plans something special for his daughter's so-called wedding and his own anniversary.

Very romantic and moving, and you can't help feeling sorry for the guy, because what he goes through is only normal; a guy barely out of college, working feverishly to make ends meet for his family and working like the devil for years, up to the point he becomes almost like a stranger to his own wife and kids. In the end he make up for everything and more. Makes us wish that real life could always be this heavenly. ;)

Book Frenzy

Finished Sparks' novel "The Last Song" last night. Sad story. Nearly shed a tear for Ronnie. Nearly. Now reading "The Lucky One", also from Sparks. So far so good, reached the part where the ex-marine gets a job at a dog center.

And waiting for the book I ordered to arrive. Actually it already arrived this morning, but since I was still asleep when the delivery van came, I'm gonna have to go to the main post office to collect my package. "Under The Dome" by Stephen King. Got it here.

I'll be signing off now. Need to find out what happened to the marine and his friend after the explosion. Toodles.

p/s: Off to see some friends tomorrow. How I wish you could be there too. miss you

The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest by Stieg Larsson

The story picks up where the previous book left off.Blomkvist arrested, Salander in the hospital and charged with multiple murders, Berger torn between her loyalties to Millenium and seduction of a better job at a bigger company.Throughout the book, we will get to see and learn more about the conspiracies behind Salander's childhood and the events leading to her (spoiler alert!) eventual release and acquittal.

Another book that I couldn't stop reading. The way the author writes the story makes you want to turn the next page. I kept saying "OK, this is the last page before I put it down", only to be found guilty still reading it an hour later.
It would be better if you peeps guy them as a set. Cheaper, and cuz you'd be hopping with anxiety to find out what happens in the next book! :)

The Girl Who Played With Fire by Stieg larsson

The book begins around a year after the events in Book 1. The main female character, Lisbeth Salander has been globetrotting using the money she obtained from last time. Mikael Blomkvist is looking forward to a new exposé along together with two of his friends; a journalist and his girlfriend, a doctorate student. When a horrible event occurs, Blomkvist is determined to solve it.

Another book that I just couldn't put down. I kept turning the pages to find out what happened next. :)

The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson

If asked to describe this book in one word, I would undoubtedly say "Addictive!".

Got the whole Millennium trilogy at MPH Bookstores a couple of days ago. I was apprehensive at first when I learned that the book was written by a Swedish author. I didn't even know the country had any good writers, and the only Swedish thing I know is IKEA and their scrumptious meatballs. yummy. Which reminds me, I'm hungry.. ughh

Anyway, it turned out my fears were unfounded. The story wasn't just good, it was practically un-putdownable, if you get what I mean. I couldn't stop reading, the plot was so intriguing every step of the way. Last night I stayed up to 4am before I realised the time and had to force myself to stop.

In a nutshell, the story is initially about the efforts of an investigative journalist to try and expose a crooked mafia financier. But along the way the plot turns elsewhere, where the main character is hired to write an autobiography of a retired industrialist and also to investigate a 40 year old mystery. With the help of an intelligent but socially-challenged woman, he uncovers a family history like no other, involving sexual abuse, deceit, estranged family ties and murder.

Can't wait to start on the second book, "The Girl Who Played With Fire". Need to remind myself to go slower this time around. ;)

Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks

Oh yeah, I forgot to update. Finished "Sherlock Holmes" a couple of days ago, took a while because the stories started to get dull and a sense of repetitiveness at the end. And today finished Nicholas Sparks' "Safe Haven" while waiting for the car to get serviced. Yeah, managed to read the whole thing (okay, actually 3 fifths, since I had started reading it the day before) while waiting for a car to undergo the usual maintenance. Is it just me or does his books tend to involve rain and storms and falling in love during the storm? LOL. Anyways, "Safe Haven" is a bit different than his usual stories, where it has a nice mix of romance but not too much, and a small dose of action and suspense, just enough to make it exciting without losing focus of the story and relationship of the main characters. A great read.

New books. Yay!

After several weeks of waiting impatiently, I was finally able to buy the late Stieg Larsson's Millennium-series, a trilogy of detective novels that were published after his death. I have heard mixed reviews regarding the series, so I couldn't wait to pick one up to find out for myself. In the end I grabbed all three :)
So, I'll begin with "The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo" sometime tonight after I manage to get away from the internet.

Currently Reading: Sherlock Holmes The Complete Novels and Stories Volume 1

Finished "The Notebook" in a few hours after started reading it. The story was nice, the plot was lovely and simple, the characters were easy to relate to. I realised that I haven't actually read a love story before. All in all it was okay. But a bit too much love in one book, kinda overdosed me. So now I'm switching to a more logical and thrilling read about the famous Sherlock Holmes. Gone through the first story and halfway into the second, where Holmes and Watson are introduced to the lovely Miss Morstan. The English used in the novel is an old type of British English, making it a bit difficult to understand and causing me to constantly flip through a dictionary. But it is enjoyable so far. Can't wait to finish so I can get Stephen King's "Under The Dome" and Sparks' "The Wedding". heheh... hey, just because I'm a guy doesn't mean i can't read love stories :)

Currently Reading: The Notebook

While waiting for the briefing session to start this morning and also on the train back home after the session was over, had time to open up a new book i just got yesterday at Mydin USJ. It was one of those foldable-table type shops in front of the escalator on the first floor. Found tons of books that I wanted but hadn't the money to buy, and here they were at reduced price. So, i "borrowed" money from my mom (thanks! i'm still broke) and got some books. I wanted to get a whole lot more (the other Nicholas Sparks books, Stieg Larsson's "The Girl Who..." collection, and Stephen King's "Under The Dome", but wo meiyou qian.. no money lorr). In the end I took "The Notebook" by Nicholas Sparks and "Sherlock Holmes: The Complete Novels and Stories Volume 1" by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Yeah yeah i know, they're pretty old books but I haven't read them yet. Bite me.

So far, The Notebook is okay, still getting to know the two main characters. Probably will comment on how it was when i'm done, if I feel like it :)

A Doctor in the House - The Memoirs of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad

I finished reading "A Doctor In The House". Took me more than a week to finish the 800 page book. It's a memoir written by Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad himself, starting from his parents humble beginnings and his own upbringing in Malaya under British rule. it also gives us insight on his experience becoming one of the first Malay doctors in Kedah until the time he resigns as Malaysia's longest serving Prime Minister, up to the recent events occurring within this past year. Known for his outspoken - and often criticized - views and unmoving stand for anything he believes in, this is a must read for those who wish to see the life and times of Che' Det through his perspective.

Being born in a time where Malaysia has already become a prosperous and stable country, the memoir has made me come to realize a lot of things that i did not know or had been misinformed previously. Also made me be grateful for all his work and ideas that has made our country the way it is now, regardless of what others say.

This is the former premier's point of view, his perspective, the way he sees it. As with any historical event, there are always more than one side of the story. Any suggestions to other perspectives? I'd be glad to read them too.

Picture taken from http://mphonline.com/books/mahathir_mohamad.aspx