About: “Baking Cakes in Kigali” by Gaile Parkin is a fictional story is about a woman named Angel Tungaraza, who herself is Tanzanian but is living in an International apartment complex in Rwanda due to her husband’s job. Angel and her husband are raising their five grandchildren after the lose of their children and are two people who are putting on a hopeful front for their sake. 336 pages Publisher: Bantam ISBN: 0385343442 My rating for Baking Cakes in Kigali – 5 Great price on this book in paper or electronic format through the Man of la Book Affiliate Account Thoughts: Baking Cakes in Kigali by Gaile Parkin (website) was charming as well as easy to read. The stories are interesting, the humanity amazing and, best of all, I really liked the character of Angel Tungaraza. As many other people I know, the sum of my knowledge about Rwanda was the genocide a few years ago, I was expecting a distressing, if not upsetting novel and I got a triumphant and wonderful book. These everyday stories are amazing, even though they are told in a very relaxed manner (while order cakes for a celebration) they don’t sugar coat the horrible reality that many people in Africa live day-to-day. Not only the genocide, but also poverty, AIDS and other issues make an appearance. Yet, the hopeful theme stays. Synopsis: Angel bakes elaborate…
The book The 100-Year-Old Who Climbed Out Through the Window and Disappeared focuses on lampooning the espionage genre and parody the mystery/chase genres.
About: Late for Tea at the Deer Palace : The Lost Dreams of My Iraqi Family by Tamara Chalabi is a book which was hard to classify. Part history, part cultural, part fictional and non-fictional family saga and all about a bygone era. The publisher is giving away one copy of this book— enter at the end of the post. 448 pages Publisher: Harper (January 18, 2011) Language: English ISBN-10: 0061240397 My rating for Late for Tea at the Deer Palace – 5 Great price on this book in paper format through the Man of la Book Affiliate Account More books by Tamara Chalabi Thoughts: I believe that Late for Tea at the Deer Palace by Tamara Chalabi is the first book I read because I have heard of the author’s father. I recognize Ahmad Chalabi’s name from years of living in the Middle East as well as his temporary high profile during The Gulf War where he was accused of many things, including being a triple agent giving faulty intelligence. However, the story of Ahmad Chalabis rise and fall is the least interesting part in this fascinating book. The first feeling that struck me while reading this book is jealousy. If ever I’d write a…
The River of Doubt: Theodore Roosevelt’s Darkest Journey by Candice Millard tells of the extraordinary expedition
The Last Gunfight: The Real Story Of The Shootout At The O.K. Corral – And How It Changed The American West by Jeff Guinn is a non-fiction book which traces the famous gunfight. The author cuts through the myth to tell the reader how wild the west really was.
Feeling frustrated against the Nazi machine they decide that they must act in defiance. However, acting in defiance is a sure death sentence.
After the war ended, Brenner has accidentally taken on a new identity and becomes a janitor in the courthouse where the Nuremberg Trials are being heard. Trying to heal is conscious, Brenner writes a letter to his wife which set up each chapter of the book.
Solomon Kugel moved is family to Stockton, New York, a town famous for nothing which is why Kugel likes it so much. Kugel hopes to begin again. However, Kugel gets something he didn’t bargain for, an elderly, foul mouthed Anne Frank living in his attic writing a sequel to her book and a lunatic burning down old farmhouses.
About: Snow: The Double Life of a World War II Spy by Nigel West and Madoc Roberts is a non-fiction about a double agent for England and Germany. This extraordinary book claims that England’s first double agent was a Nazi spy. The author is giving away one copy of this book— enter at the end of the post. 272 pages Publisher: Dialogue ISBN: 1849540934 My rating for Snow – 5 Great price on this book in paper or electronic format through the Man of la Book Affiliate Account Check out this & more World War II books on Man of la BookStore Thoughts: Snow: The Double Life of a World War II Spy by Nigel West and Madoc Roberts (Facebook) is a dense book, filled with secrets, double crossing and the fog of espionage. The authors did a tremendous research job to shed light on this world of shadows. What remains a mystery though is the protagonist of the story. Arthur Owens, a Welsh battery salesman who has no interest for his inventions decides to offer them to the Germans. When the British Intelligence (MI5) discovers this, Owens becomes a double agent. Owens is a character no one could make up, a man who changes his beliefs and his allegiance whenever convenient. Espionage…
Kingdom Come by Mark Waid and Alex Ross was the mega comic book event of the 1990’s. The story is complex, multiple layers upon layers opened to interpretation