Bite Sized Book Reviews for 2018

In 2018 I read 15 books, here are my thoughts on them (ranked from worst to best).

15. The Hidden Life of Trees What They Feel, How They Communicate - Discoveries from a Secret World - Peter Wohlleben

This book does not really explain the type of communication between trees that give way to spiritual or Tolkien-esque content as the title might suggest. Rather it goes in deep on the science of fungal networks and other things of that boring nature… 1/5 stars.

14. The Secret History – Donna Tartt

A pseudo-intellectual book which details a bunch of poorly adjusted college kids taking Greek mythology too seriously. This book is on one hand, a page turner…on the other hand, rubbish. 1/5 stars.

13. Call Me by Your Name - André Aciman

In this novel we are trapped in the head of Elio, the first-person narrator who drags us through his lust for Oliver, a scholar staying in his family’s holiday home in Italy for the summer. We are privy to the beauty of the summer-soaked Italian landscape, but also to the perennial angst of a 16 year old white boy. Again, this book is pseudo- intellectual and not as deep as it pretends to be. 1.5/5 stars.

12. Stoner – John Williams

This novel contains well-constructed prose, but a depressing storyline. It’s a better college campus novel than The Secret History and is softly poignant. 2.5/5 stars.

11. Le Tour du Monde en 80 Jours et à Vélo – Guillaume Prèbois

Voyager au tour du monde à vélo, on doit passer beaucoup de temps seul et engager intimement avec le monde naturel. Alors, les types de révélations à ce que Guillaume Prébois arrive sont très différentes de celles de quelqu’un qui prend un autre mode de transport plus vite et plus protégé. Prébois, dans son récit de voyage « Le Tour du monde en 80 jours à vélo » développe une relation unique à la terre et à son propre mode de vie, mais est également limitée dans certaines manières en conséquence de son mode de transport. Ce texte expose des belles descriptions, mais dans l’ensemble, le point de vue est limité. 3/5 étoiles.

10. Breakfast at Tiffany’s – Truman Capote

A classic for a reason. A nice novella to re-visit every couple of years. This was my first time reading Breakfast at Tiffany’s and I will now put it in my rotation. 3.5/ 5 stars.

9. The Alchemist – Paulo Coelho

The simplicity of this text allows for its message of self-belief to be accessible to a vast readership. A novel to read if you are seeking some introspection and course correction in life. Despite the criticism surrounding The Alchemist, this book has helped me in my life and I like it. (I said like, not love.) 3.5/5 stars.

8. An Imaginary Life – David Malouf

Like a deep, dark and tangled garden – rich and worth exploring. 3.5/5 stars.

7. A Christmas Carol – Charles Dickens

Infallible prose and Christmas cheer – what’s not to love? 4/5 stars.

6. My Family and Other Animals – Gerald Durrell

This text is brimming with life. I would recommend it to any animal lover or philhellene as it is an English boy’s personal account of his family’s move to Corfu, Greece with special focus on all the animals they meet. 4/5 stars.

5. Thrive – Arianna Huffington

As good as self-help gets. This book is not only didactic, but also a great pleasure. The chapters “wisdom” and “wonder” were highlights. 4/5 stars.

4. A Farewell to Arms – Ernest Hemingway

*Hemingway voice* “A damn fine book.” 4.5/5 stars.

3. Man’s Search for Meaning – Victor Frankl

Powerful, moving, a great help to any life. 5/5 stars.

2. The Unbearable Lightness of Being – Milan Kundera

No pseudoism to be found here. This text is a true masterpiece; it is both intellectual and artistic. Set in Prague during the invasion of Czechoslovakia by the Soviet Union, it details the intertwining lives of its characters from a first-person narration. Literary gold. 5/5 stars.

1. The Secret Garden – Frances Hodgson Burnett

A text so beautiful that I will re-read it for the rest of my life. Meant for children, perfect for adults. As the main protagonist awakens to a new life on the Yorkshire moors, so too will this text awaken your soul. I love this book. 5/5 stars.