19/1/10 - Stieg Larsson - The Girl Who Kicked The Hornets' Nest

I had to finish the trilogy. Of course it is great seeing the good guys thrash the bad guys in court - and is a little sad saying goodbye to the interesting characters - but this was just not as original, gripping and fun as the first. Salander has to recover from being shot in the head at the end of the previous book, then works in the background to sort everyone else's lives out - even though she is soooo anti-social. I've spent too long in Stockholm the last 2-3 weeks.

15/1/10 - Stieg Larsson - The Girl Who Played with Fire

Second in the Millennium series started by the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. Yes - it was nice to go back to Stockholm again with this one - and again I disappeared for rather more that was probably polite while on holiday in Denmark with Catherine and the kids. So - the book - of course the main character Salander is cool and sexy again - but the book was never going to be as original as the first. But this was still an exciting ride - and I enjoyed it - going straight into the last of the series - which I expect to post very soon.

12/1/10 - Aravind Adiga - White Tiger

Another of those 'isn't it all mad and crazy in India' books like Slumdog Millionaire. The main character is not all that likable - and not just because he slit the throat of his boss - I can understand that - but just seems to switch from cowering slave unable to look in the eye of the masters - to a master with several people working for him. Apart from that - nicely written in first person as a letter to the Chinese prime minister. Some gruesome bits that reminds me India is not on the top of my list of countries I most want to visit.

3/1/10 - Jeffrey Archer - A Prisoner of Birth

OK OK - I know he is a jumped up tory prick who went to prison for being a jumped up tory prick or something - but I have actually always rather liked his books. This one is about a poor illiterate East End man improperly imprisoned for killing his best friend - while the upper-class twat who really did it walks free. It is about his education within, and escape from prison followed by his revenge - along with his redemption. Not 'High Literature' obviously. A simple formula, Count of Monte Christo is even repeatedly mentioned in the book. But I did get sucked into it and want our hero Danny to win all his little battles - which of course he did. So engrossing, an easy and quick read - but not one that will dwell with me past the end of today I doubt.

1/1/10 - Steven Carroll - The Lost Life

I started it early December - took a while to read - even though it is a small book. Very gentle and slow - thoughtful. About yearning for the past, wasting a life or grasping every moment. Loss of innocence - at times quite a beautiful book. The lovers are called Catherine and Daniel. Girl of 16 meets Emily - girlfriend of T.S. (Tom) Eliot. Emily forever the virgin - lives vicariously through Catherine's experiences that summer. Last few pages jump forward 50 years. Nice to be told how it all ends up.

31/12/09 - Steig Larsson - Girl with a dragon Tattoo

I got this book for Christmas - from Father (Girlfriend) Christmas - and read non-stop. It was my book club book - but I'd ben wanting to read for some time. Loved it - gripping if a bit twisted at times. Translation a little frustrating and awkward. Can't wait to read the next 2.