Dan Brown - Deception Point

Publisher: Washington Square Press (2002)

ISBN: 978-0671027384

My rating: 4/5

Struggling to rebound from a series of embarrassing blunders that have jeopardized its political life at the start of this lively thriller, NASA makes an astounding discovery: there is a meteor embedded deep within the arctic ice. And it isn't just any meteor. Inside the huge rock, which crashed to earth in 1716, are fossils of giant insects proof of extraterrestrial life. Yet, given NASA's slipping reputation, the question arises: Is the meteor real or a fake? That uncertainty dogs NASA and its supporters in Brown's latest page-flipper, a finely polished amalgam of action and intrigue. Trying to determine the truth are intelligence agent Rachel Sexton and popular oceanographer Michael Tolland, both among the first to suspect something is amiss when the meteor is pulled from the ice. Their doubts quickly make them the targets of a mysterious death squad controlled by someone or something that doesn't want the public to hear the meteor may be a fraud. Together, Sexton and Tolland scramble across arctic glaciers, take refuge on ice floes, are rescued by a nuclear submarine, then find themselves trapped aboard a small research vessel off the coast of New Jersey. All the while, the nation's capital is buzzing as to whether NASA has engaged in deception. Or is NASA just a dupe for aerospace companies that have long wanted a bigger share of space contracts? Brown (Angels & Demons) moves into new territory with his latest. It's an excellent thriller a big yet believable story unfolding at breakneck pace, with convincing settings and just the right blend of likable and hateful characters. He's also done his research, folding in sophisticated scientific and military details that make his plot far more fulfilling than the norm. (Publishers Weekly)

My thoughts:

Not much more I could add as for the plot ....

Yes, I slowly am becoming a Dan Brown fan! I liked the book. In my view it was an interesting, intense and somehow thought - provoking story. It was much easier to read then "Angels and Demons", probably because the topic was more along the line of what I like. I was impressed by Brown's research (as usual), yet again, I thought some of the details were dragged out too much and too detailed.

The characters are well plotted - I liked Rachel Sexton from the very start. She's inquisitive, yet not overwhelming with her knowledge. I liked Brown's addition of Corky to lighten up the story.

"Deception Point" is another great read for Dan Brown fans, fast paced, interesting scenery and surprising ending.

PS - The love scene had me giggle a bit, though!

Cecelia Ahern - If you could see me now

Publisher: Harper Collins (2005)

ISBN: 978-0786891139

My rating: 4.5/5




From the internationally bestselling author of PS, I LOVE YOU, a lively and romantic novel about two lost souls who find each other in the most unexpected way.
Everything in Elizabeth Egan’s life has its place, from the espresso cups in her gleaming kitchen to the swatches and paint pots of her interior design business. Order and precision keep life under control—and keep Elizabeth’s heart from the pain and hurt she has suffered in the past. Being a reluctant mother to her six-year-old nephew while trying to keep her business on track is a full-time job for Elizabeth, and one that leaves little room for error—or fun.
Until, one day, Ivan unexpectedly comes into their lives. The mysterious Ivan is carefree, spontaneous and always looking for adventure—everything that Elizabeth is not. If You Could See Me Now is the extraordinary tale of Ivan and Elizabeth. Of how Ivan meets the love of his life before she even sees him, and how he teaches her that life is only worth living when it's blindingly colourful and the occasional mess. Yet just when Elizabeth is starting to trust him, it turns out that Ivan isn't at all who she thought he was.
Playful and at times intensely moving, this is a novel about how seeing isn't always believing. Full of Cecelia Ahern’s trademark warmth and poignancy, If You Could See Me Now is a story of enormous heart--and just a little bit of magic. (ceceliaahern.ie)



My thoughts

After reading “PS I love you” I felt like reading another book by Cecelia Ahern, and “If you could see me now” was the first one I was able to get hold off.

Elizabeth, an independent, well-organised and finicky person, is raising her carefree sister's six-year-old son, Luke. She has always been the responsible one in the family and as such has taken over this part. Life for both is lonely and loveless – until Ivan from “Ekam Eveileb” comes to visit Luke. But Ivan decides that Elizabeth needs some fun in her life, and to be shown how to let go of the past. What Elizabeth doesn’t know, though, is no one else can see Ivan.

Once I started the book and understood about “Ekam Eveileb”, I just had to read it right to the end. As a big believer of living the “now” I just loved the story and consider the book as one of my favourites.

If you have forgotten about the joys in life, please pick up this book, sit down in front of the fire with a cup of tea and give it a go!

Sophie Kinsella - Remember me?

Publisher: Random House

ISBN: 9780552772761

My Rating: 3.5/5

Lexi wakes up in a hospital bed after a car accident, thinking it's 2004 and she's a twenty-five-year old with crooked teeth and a disastrous love life. But, to her disbelief, she learns it's actually 2007 - she's twenty-eight, her teeth are straight, she's the boss of her department - and she's married! To a good-looking millionaire! How on earth did she land the dream life? She can't believe her luck - especially when she sees her stunning new home. She's sure she'll have a fantastic marriage once she gets to know her husband again. He's drawn up a 'manual of our marriage', which should help. But as she learns more about her new self, chinks start to appear in the perfect life. All her old colleagues hate her. A rival is after her job. Then a dishevelled, sexy guy turns up...and lands a new bombshell. What the **** happened to her? Will she ever remember? And what will happen if she does?

My thoughts

My first book I've read by Sophie Kinsella and I have to admit it was more a coincidence that I got to read the book.

Lexi is on a night out with her friends when she has a fall. She wakes up in a hospital thinking that it is still 2004: going out with Loser Dave, having crooked teeth, loads of friends and works in a low paid job in a carpet company. Yet it is in fact 2007: she's married to a gorgeous multi-millionaire, lives in a penthouse overlooking the Thames and is now a Director in the same company - and she has perfect teeth! But Lexi can't remember a thing about how she got to her life now.

It took a while until I got used to Kinsella's writing style. The initial idea with the amnesia sounds great, even though a bit "over used". It's a good book, and I have to say that even as a slow reader it "only" took me a few days to finish it. Yet, personally, I felt it somehow lacked a bit of spark - I found the amount of repetitions quite "distracting" after a while and I was a bit disappointed by the ending. It kind of left me wondering whether Kinsella was in a hurry to just end it.

Having said all this, I still believe Remember me? is a wonderful easy-going story for the beach or your holidays. I have heard from a few people now, that this book is not necessarily Kinsella's best effort, so I will give another one a try.