Book of the day : "Ballada o ciotce Matyldzie" / "Ballad for aunt Matilda" by Magdalena Witkiewicz.

       Today I would like to recommend you a next book of the author of, f.e."Milaczek", "Szkoła żon" / "School of Wives" or "Opowieść niewiernej" / "The story of unfaithful woman. Ladies and Gents, here it is -"Ballada o ciotce Matyldzie" / "Ballad for aunt Matilda" [2013] by Magdalena Witkiewicz. 
I'm sure you'll like it.

Magdalena Witkiewicz is a Polish writer and graduate of, f.e. the University of Gdańsk. She wrote and published eight books for adults: Milaczek [2008; second edition 2013], Panny Roztropne [2009; second edition 2013], Opowieść niewiernej [2011], Ballada o ciotce Matyldzie [2013], Szkoła żon [2013], Zamek z piasku" / "Sand castle" [2013], "Szczęście pachnące wanilią" / "Happiness smells like vanilla"and also for children: Lilka i spółka [2013]. Her book Szkoła żon / School of Wives was published in Vietnam and the title of this book is "TRƯỜNG HỌC CHO CÁC BÀ VỢ" [2014]. You can find more information about writer on her official page or on her official page on FB.
  Also you can find more posts about her on my blog here.

About what this book is:

     This book isn't like previous - only with problems, not easy life and questions with almost every step. This book is about faith, believe, hope, love, changes, promises and "good future". And also it's about the fact that only true friends, people who really loves you and knows you, will be always  with you, no matter what.

     "Ballad for aunt Matilda" is the story about Joanna [Joan], a young girl, who got married and her husband was a man of her dreams, as she thought, and who loves more his job and being scientist and discoverer somewhere on the end of the world, than being with his wife. And of course even the fact that Joan is pregnant isn't a good argument for her husband to stay. 
    One day, when Joan came to her beloved aunt Matylda [Matilda], who was her close family, everything is changing. Her aunt said that she's sure that Joan won't have a boy, but a girl and she has to give this little cute girl the same name as she has - Matilda. And also she told her that she will die soon but she shouldn't worry about it and that she shouldn't be sad or cry, but just be happy and enjoy every moment with her child, and that she doesn't have to worry about own money, because she has a small business, and after her death two nice guys will come to her to say her everything and just to take care of her and about the little girl. 
    In the same moment when little Matilda is born, the old Matilda is dying and this is the moment when the whole story is beginning for good. And when Joan's life is changing not only because of the child or the lost of her aunt, but because of new people on her life and problems with her own marriage.
    After some weeks her husband is coming back and a few moments later is leaving again to find some "new and amazing" things somewhere where people don't have any connection. But this is not the real reason of his next "travel", but young and pretty Swede woman , with who he is having an affair and...a child.

    I won't tell you what will happen with Joan and with her life, with her marriage, because I think that this book and the story inside will surprise you. I can tell you that everything will be well in the end. But not for all, of course.

Why you should read it: 

     I think that if you like books with life's story, this one is for you. It will good also for these who likes to feel emotions, and cry a bit in the end. Also this book is about life, real life, about looking for happiness and love, about mistakes, friendship, hope and finally about positive thinking. And that miracles happen.

Things to look out for:

    The fact that we always have to fight for our happiness and love, that good things always comes to us, and that only true friends can change your life and just be with you no matter what. And we just have to believe in it.

Where / when you should read this:

    "Ballada o ciotce Matyldzie" / "Ballad for aunt Matilda", isn't a long book because it has about 304 pages, but I think it's good to read it when you have a bit of peace and you are able to think about what you're reading. But I'm sure that some of you will be able to read it in one day and one of you will do it during the weekend.

↑ A book cover of  "Ballada o ciotce Matyldzie" / "Ballad for aunt Matilda".

Book of the day : "Zamek z piasku" / "Sand castle" by Magdalena Witkiewicz.

       Today I would like to recommend you a next book of the author of, f.e."Milaczek", "Szkoła żon" / "School of Wives" or "Opowieść niewiernej" / "The story of unfaithful woman. Ladies and Gents, here it is - "Zamek z piasku" / "Sand castle"[2013] by Magdalena Witkiewicz.

Magdalena Witkiewicz is a Polish writer and graduate of, f.e. the University of Gdańsk. She wrote and published eight books for adults: Milaczek [2008; second edition 2013], Panny Roztropne [2009; second edition 2013], Opowieść niewiernej [2011], Ballada o ciotce Matyldzie [2013], Szkoła żon [2013], Zamek z piasku" / "Sand castle" [2013], "Szczęście pachnące wanilią" / "Happiness smells like vanilla"and also for children: Lilka i spółka [2013]. Her book Szkoła żon / School of Wives was published in Vietnam and the title of this book is "TRƯỜNG HỌC CHO CÁC BÀ VỢ" [2014]. You can find more information about writer on her official page or on her official page on FB.
  Also you can find more posts about her on my blog here.

About what this book is:

     People who read any book by Ms  Witkiewicz, already know that some of her books aren't easy and sweet. The same is with this one.  

"Zamek z piasku" / "Sand castle" isn't the next easy, happy book with pure love, eternal friendship and happy life from beginning to end. 

     At first I have to ask you one thing, what is more important in the life? Love? True friendship? Family? Children? Freedom? Desire? Nice and happy life? The past, the present time, the future or maybe here and now? 

     The same questions we can find it on every page of this book, problems which we can find in the real life. 

     Is it possible to have a perfect life, even if every next day gives us the next bad things, problems, the next plans and dreams too big and important for our possibilities, even if we want it so hard? It depends from us, our souls, our expectations from the life and how strong love is.

    This book,  "Zamek z piasku" / "Sand castle" is the story of two people, a young marriage, who are together from school times, for who this love was the first and true, the one and only. And who could see nobody apart from themselves. This happy, ideal life was supposed to last always, to the end, but as we all know, there's always something what can destroy everything, every amazing moment.

     The story is about Weronika [Veronica] and her husband Marek [Mark] and their problems with having children and just about true emotions and also about the question "what would be if...?". During the whole book we can feel the same as characters - solitude, lost in the world, misunderstanding, desire of love, approval, warmth. 

    Every next chapter gives us the next things to think about what is right or wrong, what's more important. And question - what would I do if I was her or him? Would I let my married stop existing? Would I want to get love from somebody else than my husband, wife? 

    From the first to the last page we aren't sure what will happen with Veronica, Mark and with their life. Will they have a child, will they be together after all these things between one day and another, after all these things what happened between, after all these words wrote between Veronica and Jakub [Jacob], her new friend and after a few weeks also her lover...?

    I won't tell you any answer for any of these questions. I won't even give you any clue. As you know, or not, it's always better to read it, the book, than hear from the other person what will happen with the story in the end. But I can tell you that in the end everybody will be happy, even Veronica's friend Dominika [Dominica]. Yes, the end of the book will surprise you but in positive meaning of course. Ok, I can tell you one thing, the last chapter is full of happiness and hope for only good days in the future life. 

Why you should read it: 

     Good question. I think that if you like books with life's story, this one is for you. It will good also for these who likes to feel emotions, and cry a bit in the end.
This book is about life, real life, about looking for happiness and love, about mistakes, sins, forgiving and finally about true love. Also the book is about the fact that we don't have to be perfect in everything but we should follow our dreams and that our lives aren't so great and perfect as everyone think and that's why we have to work every day to make it better and better and our love stronger and more beautiful.

     Even after hard and bad times, happiness and good moments always come to us. And that we always have to believe in ourself, no matter what. Yes, these words are the best motto of this book.

     The best is the fact that this book is also for women and for...men. And no matter what age you have - you can read it because the story in this book is without any borders.

Things to look out for:

     For sure Magdalena Witkiewicz is one of the best Polish writer who writes so good about life and
emotions. Yes, emotions are in this books everywhere, on every page. You should check feelings and problems in the normal life, but also relations between people, no matter if they are friends or lovers, their problems and... that true love is always possible and so strong and beautiful, but we have to want it. Really want to be happy.

     Also the idea with fragments of songs is really nice. Why? Because every fragment shows you a bit about what will be on next pages and also you can feel the mood of these words. 

Where / when you should read this:

    To be honest, "Zamek z piasku" / "Sand castle", isn't a long book because it has about 280 pages. You can read it anywhere you want, but because this book is a bit hard and emotional it's good to read in alone to have time to think about the story. I'm sure that you are able to read it in one evening or if you reading a bit more slowly, during the weekend.

Quote from the book:

     These two quotes aren't only quotes. I think these words are the best way to describe the whole book and about all problems inside. I took them from the last chapter - epilogue.

Today I know one  thing. Creating of relations it like building sand castle. Incessantly it is necessary to care so that the castle doesn't come down...

Love and feelings between two people are fragile. Just like a sand castle. When you turn away your head, sea wave will flood it. Only a sea water or salty tears will stay. 

     And small surprise - music!

   As the bonus on the last pages of the book you can find the song wrote by Magdalena Witkiewicz and Michalina Malczewska, especially for this book.

   Also on YouTube channel of Magdalena Witkiewicz you can find small playlist of a few songs from the book here. I put the whole playlist with all songs used inside of this book and you can find it on my YouTube channel here.

tracklist of songs: 

Karolina Kozak : Razem zestarzejmy się
Seweryn Krajewski : Kołysanka dla okruszka
Wiener Philharmonic : Bolero [Maurice Ravel]
Krystyna Janda : Na zakręcie
Stare Dobre Małżeństwo : Blues Dla Małej
Edyta Bartosiewicz : Nie znamy się
Jerzy Połomski : Kodeks
Oddział Zamknięty : Obudź się
Hey : Zazdrość
Anna Jantar & Zbigniew Hołdys: Ktoś między nami
Edyta Górniak : Nie proszę o więcej
Dvorak : Symphony No. 9 "From the New World" II (part 1)
Edyta Bartosiewicz : Ostatni
Maryla Rodowicz : Do cholery
Bajm : Miłość nie umiera
Myslovitz : My
Michalina Malczewska : Zamek z piasku

*

 ↑ A book cover of  "Zamek z piasku" / "Sand castle"

Book of the day : "Szczęście pachnące wanilią" by Magdalena Witkiewicz.

     Today I would like to recommend you and say a few words about the newest book by Magdalena Witkiewicz, "Szczęście pachnące wanilią" / "Happiness smells like vanilla", the third part of  "Milaczek".
One more time, I hope that my words will make that after reading my words, you will want to read this book. We will see.

Magdalena Witkiewicz is a Polish writer and graduate of, f.e. the University of Gdańsk. She wrote and published eight books for adults: Milaczek [2008; second edition 2013], Panny Roztropne [2009; second edition 2013], Opowieść niewiernej [2011], Ballada o ciotce Matyldzie [2013], Szkoła żon [2013], Zamek z piasku [2013], and also for children: Lilka i spółka [2013]. Her book Szkoła żon / School of Wives was published in Vietnam and the title of this book is "TRƯỜNG HỌC CHO CÁC BÀ VỢ" [2014]. You can find more information about writer on her official page or on her official page on FB.

                                                 Also you can find more posts about her on my blog here.

  About what this book is:

      If you already read "Milaczek" and/or "Panny roztropne" / "Sagacious ladies", you exactly know about what this book is, because as I already wrote "Szczęście pachnące wanilią" / "Happiness smells like vanilla" is the third part of  "Milaczek". But don't worry, if you didn't read any of this two books, you can calmly read this book without any worry "will I get about what it is?" and I think that's the first good advantage of this book.

     At first we just have to ask ourself what kind of smell has happiness. Is it full of smell of roses, grass, pure air, candies, beautiful flowers, wild forest, summer fruits, fresh rain... I could write and write a million words of wonderful things and all of them would be a good examples of smell of happiness.

     Ms Witkiewicz said that happiness smells like vanilla. Mmm, maybe that's right maybe not, but you will have a chance to chack it while reading.

     The story isn't so sweet and cute as the cover of this book. It's just like a real life: full of problems, hard choices, solitude but also full of hopes, love, plans for the future and fight. Yes, yes - fight to be happy.
We can see lives, problems, thoughts just a real life of young and old people, single mother and marriages, mothers who are feeling lonely but who think that their children are the most wonderful thing in their life. Also we can see the look at world of little girl and see the world seen by...dog - Parys Antonio.
     The story is about: Ada, mother of little boy and who opened the cake shop/cafe and who is baking amazing sweets; Milena, the girl who loves a guy with nine-year-old daughter; Zofia [Sophia], Milena's aunt who likes to help her lovely niece, especially in love and life; Natalia, the mother of two little kids and who sometimes is feeling left alone with everything - kids, home, problems; Karolina, psychologist and single woman, who's looking for love, true love; and finally Magdalena - wife, mother and working woman, not only as the dentist, but also as the mother and father, because her husband loves...his new car.
     We could think that all of these women have nothing shared, but this is not the truth. All of them need the other person to talk and to share their thought, problems, hopes, ideas. All of them need a break to feel that they are still alive, that they have something else than only home, work, kids, family and unpaid bills.
     Everything is changing one day when all of these women are meeting in Ada's cafe and when because of  things which happened in one second in their life, they are deciding to create a place of meetings for mothers, their kids, place where all of them, mothers and wifes, single, would have a time just for them, the time to talk with other woman, drink coffee, thinking about nothing and just feel that they are not alone and that they are alive. And also that they have a friends there, who will always help.

     In this book we can find something about love, friendship, looking for the dream place, changes... and that you can love and find your happiness in every age.

      This book is full of emotions, these good and these bad, and also full love. Hey, after all this is book exactly about love. Beautiful, surprising, changing for good love.

     Right, it's time to tell you why happiness smells like vanilla. Who knows why? Nobody? Ok, so I will tell you. As I wrote, Ada is baking incredible sweets, and one of these amazing things are cupcakes with vanilla. These amazing cupcakes with vanilla are medicine for all problems, because when you are eating them, you forget about problems, about everything else. Ta da! That's the whole secret.

  Anyway, a great idea is a recipe for these cupcakes with vanilla at the end of the book. Of course, I won't tell you more about it, just find it in the book.

Why you should read it:

      Two things: never say never and believe in yourself, believe in happy life. I'm sure that if you read two previous parts you will want to know what happened later. 

For who this book is:

     The same as the previous books by Ms Witkiewicz, "Szczęście pachnące wanilią" / "Happiness smells like vanilla" is for adults. If you likes novels about life, love, friendship and hopes [ok, and about happy endings], this books is for you.

Things to look out for:

    I know, I will write the same as always all the time, but this is the best what can I do. So what we have here? Reality, problems, hopes, changes, emotions life which isn't always so nice and cute, and the fact that if you really want something you can do it, you can have it.... or, if we are talking about love and couple, that you can be with person with who you want to be. You just have to believe in it and in yourself. And also that nobody is alone, you know that for real, but everyone always can help somebody who has the same or similar problems.

Where / when you should read this:

    When and where you want to do it. This book has 274 pages, so is perfect for the weekend or when you want to read something but you don't have too much of free time. The best is the fact that you read it very quickly and you don't feel the boredom with every next page or chapter.

I hope I did it, I made that after everything what I wrote here about this book, you will want to read this one or something else by Magdalena Witkiewicz. I think that everything what I wrote is enough to show you that "Szczęście pachnące wanilią" / "Happiness smells like vanilla" is really good and funny book and mybe one day you will want to read it. I really hope so.

Of course this is not the last book by Magdalena Witkiewicz, so I will write about another one soon. I promise. 

↑ Cover of  this book, "Szczęście pachnące wanilią" / "Happiness smells like vanilla".

Book of the day : "The Woman in Black" by Susan Hill.

     Today I would like to recommend you and say a few words about this so great book by Susan Hill, "The Woman in Black". I'm sure that many of you heard about this book yet or heard/watched the movie based on the book. In the end, "The Woman in Black" is one of the most well-known books of this author.
   Hand up who from you know any book by Susan Hill and/or "The Woman in Black".

  Susan Hill is an English author of fiction and non-fiction works, who was born in Scarborough, North Yorkshire [UK]. Her novels are written in a descriptive gothic style, especially her ghost story "The Woman in Black" [1983]. In her bibliography we can find encompassed acclaimed literary novels, ghost stories, children's books, detective novels and memoirs.

You can find more info about Susan Hill oh her official page, official FB, twitter, Goodreads.


     Why did I choose this book as book of the day? Because of the story inside this book - for sure. Because of movie - not really. Because this is one of the most well-known books - yes. And finally, because this is Susan Hill - oh yes!

encompassed acclaimed literary novels, ghost stories, children's books, detective novels and memoirs. - See more at: http://www.susanhill.org.uk/susan_hill_autobiography#sthash.MkgEfkaT.dpuf

   
     "The Woman in Black" a horror novel from 1983, written in the style of a traditional Gothic novel. There's a few movie / TV / radio adaptations, but  but a stage play got the most success back.
   A stage play, adapted by Stephen Mallatratt had a premiere in 1987 at the Stephen Joseph Theatre in Scarborough. In 1989 the production opened in London's West End and is still being performed there, becoming the second longest-running non-musical play in the history of the West End.
   The play has had an enormous success not only on the London stage, but also in many other countries around the world.

↑ cover of the first edition of the book.

About what it is? 

    As I wrote earlier, "The Woman in Black" a horror novel, a chilling, traditional ghost story, with a strong Victorian feel. 

     The story is simple from the first sight, but then, everything is changing and our thoughts about the story too. During the whole book, we aren't sure what is real and what is only a dream, what is good and what is an evil.

   

     The story of the book begins when Arthur Kipps, the main character, leaves the room because of after asking to tell some ghost story by his wife Esme and four stepchildren. After this strange situation, he is deciding to write his memories about staying in the cursed place and about all these things which happened in his life later. He is starting writing  to forget, to kill his fear and demons living in him since these a few days in the desolate and secluded Eel Marsh House, situated on Nine Lives Causeway.

     Many years earlier before the incident with ghost stories, when Arthur Kipps was a young man from London and a junior solicitor for Bentley, had to go to Crythin Gifford, a small town on the north east coast of the United Kingdom, to attend the funeral of Mrs Alice Drablow and then sort out her affairs and check all important documents in her house.

    Most of the people in the town were reluctant to reveal information about Mrs Drablow and the mysterious Woman in Black, Woman who Arthur saw at a funeral. Later, after some time in the Mrs Drablow's house with screams, visions and other scary feelings, Arthur is discovering the identity of this woman... 

     And when he thinks, that everything what bad already ended after his leaving of the cursed place, turns out how much he was wrong. After some time when he is coming back to London, Woman in Black is finding him and is taking something precious away from him - his family - as her, Woman in Black, vengeance.

     What happened on Nine Lives Causeway? And what with all these shouts and secrets? - I won't tell you it, you have find it in the book.

For who this book is?

  If you like horrors, traditional ghost stories, Gothic stories, books with dark secrets - this book is for you. You will like it, I'm sure of it.

Why it is worthwhile to read it?

     As I said, if you like this kind of books, good ghost stories, "The Woman in Black" is for you. The story is interesting that you're reading it quickly and you're pleased with every page, every next chapter. And don't forget about dark secrets and all these emotions of the main character.

      I hope that my small opinion shows you how good this book is, and who knows maybe you will want to buy or borrow it and read.

↑ cover of my copy of  "The Woman in Black" - "Kobieta w czerni" [Polish edition].

Book of the day : "Paranoia" by Joseph Finder.

Every story has own dark secrets...are you ready to square up to them this time?

     Today I would like to recommend you and say a few words about this so great book by Joseph Finder, "Paranoia". I'm pretty sure in the end, if you didn't read or hear about this book, you will want to read it. Immediately. Trust me.
Hand up who from you knows Joseph Finder or read any of his books.

 Joseph Finder is an American thriller writer. Two of his novels were already filmed: "High Crimes" [2002] and "Paranoia" [2013]. He is an author of, f.e.: "The Moscow Club" [1991], "The Zero Hour" [1996], "High Crimes" [1998], "Paranoia" [2004], "Killer Instinct" [2007], "Buried Secrets" [2011]. His newest novel, "Suspicion", will be release on May 27 2014.

You can find more info about him and his books on his: official page, offiacial FB, Twitter, Goodreads .





     Maybe some of you already heard "Paranoia" and/or Joseph Finder last year, because of movie based on the novel. An American thriller film with Gary Oldman, Harrison Ford, Liam Hemsworth and Amber Heard was released on August 16 2013.
     Probably you are thinking now why I chose this book after such a long time after the premiere of the film, when I should to write about this book earlier, and maybe you're right, maybe I should  to do it last year. But the reason is that I wanted to show you it when the whole crazy time with this film will pass, because only then I can show you the book, not the movie, because as we all know, the book is always more important than the film.
     Of course both, movie and book, are really good, but they're not the same. The book is better, much, much better. Trust me.
I think you should read the book at first, and then watch the film to see about what I'm talking now - differences.
     But today I won't to talk about the film but about the book. Sorry.

     Ok, at first I just have to tell you that if you didn't read anything by Joseph Finder, and/or if you like books like this one - thrillers, you will fall in love with the story in "Paranoia". To be honest, the same is with all novels by him...and I think that everyone who read any of his books will agree with me.

 ↑ cover of "Paranoia"

About what it is? 

     "Paranoia" is a corporate thriller, filled with tense action, intrigue, characters and action changing page after the page.

  What would you do if you would have to do something for company which you hate?
     The story is simple from the first sight, but then, everything is changing and our thoughts about the story too. During the whole book, we aren't sure who's executioner and who's victim, who's good and who's bad. And finally, how this book will end.
     The story of the book begins when Adam Cassidy, an employee at Wyatt Telecom and main character, is paying for a friend's retirement party from company's money. The next day gives him a choice - prison or work at Trion as a Wyatt Telecom's spy and find what a top-secret project AURORA is. Of course Adam agreed to work at Trion and became a part of game full of money, exclusive life, lies and secrets. 
    The problem is not only a false identity, but also relation with Mr Goddard, who treats Adam like a son and of course feelings between Adam and Emma, who works above AURORA. But the most considerable problem for Adam is to find what is a truth and what is a lie.

     Who will win in this game? What is that AURORA? What will be with Adam in the end? What with love between Adam and Emma?
   I won't tell you it, you have find it in the book. If you want to solve all imponderables, you just must read it, it's really worthwhile.
I can only tell you that the end of the book will surprise you, trust me.


 For who this book is?

   If you like thrillers, books with secrets and...surprises - this book is for you. You will just love it.


Why it is worthwhile to read it?

     Good question. As I said, if you like this kind of books, good thrillers, this book is for you. The story is so interesting that you're reading it quickly and you're pleased with every page, every next chapter. But the end of the book - damn, it's perfect. I thought something else about the end and I thought that it will be different, but Finder's end just surprised me. Surprised me very positively.
What else? Right - action of the book, dark secrets...yes, I can say the same as at the beginning: every story has own dark secrets...


    I hope that my small opinion shows you how good this book is, and who knows maybe you will want to buy or borrow it and read.


     Now I'm waiting for the next book by Joseph Finder, "Suspicion", but I'm sure it will be the next great novel. Also I think that I will come back to this book to read it again, "Paranoia", soon, very soon.

↑ cover of my copy of "Paranoia" - "Paranoja" [Polish edition].

Book of the day : "Stone Bruises" by Simon Beckett

Today I would like to recommend you and say a few words about Stone Bruises by Simon Beckett.
Every story has own dark secrets...are you ready to square up to them this time?

 ↑ cover of Stone Bruises

Who knows him or read any his previous book, hand up?

A few words about the author:
Simon Beckett is a British [he is and still lives in Sheffield, UK] journalist and author. Beckett's books, in particular the crime series around forensic anthropologist Dr David Hunter, have sold millions of copies worldwide, and enjoyed particular success in Europe, especially in Germany and Skandinavia, Also he reached No. 1 in Austria, Switzerland, Germany and Poland with his thriller The Calling of the Grave.
His an author of David Hunter series and also other great novels. On the list of his books/novels we can find: Fine Lines [1994], Animals [1995], Where There's Smoke [1997], Owning Jacob [1998], Stone Bruises [2014], and from David Hunter series: The Chemistry of Death [2006], Written in Bone [2007], Whispers of the Dead [2009] and The Calling of the Grave [2010].
You can read more about Mr Beckett on his official page .



If you read any book from David Hunter series, you will be a bit surprised because of story of this book. I was. As for me this book is the same good as previous, but it's different, very different.
I thought that there will be more blood, corpse, murders, police inquiries and etc. But don't worry. Even if this book doesn't have these things, still is a great one. If you like good psychological thrillers with extreme emotions  - this book is for you. Trust me.

That's funny because Poland if one of the first places where you can buy and read this book and that's why I was and still I am happy as hell. And I can tell you that if you will be able to buy  Stone Bruises and read it - do it. It's worthwhile.

About what it is? 

If you read any book from David Hunter series, you will be a bit surprised because of story of this book. I was. As for me this book is the same good as previous, but it's different, very different.
The story is simple from the first sight, but then, everything is changing  and our thoughts about the story too. During the whole book, we aren't sure who's executioner and who's victim, who's good and who's bad. And finally, how this book will end.
Main character is Sean, guy from London who's coming to France to forget something from the past, something what is in his mind and heart, something about some girl - Chloe, and to try live with his dark secret. During his trip in France he is settling on the farm in a small village, which has own, darker secrets. Life there isn't easy and nice, because sometimes he is feeling like prisoner or kidnapped, but from the other side he doesn't want to go somewhere else because exactly in this place he is feeling well. Even residents of this farm, nice and calm Mathilde, her son Michel, her younger sister Gretchen and finally, her father and owner of the farm Arnaud - all of them have secrets and they aren't close with anybody from the village or between their family.
During the whole book we are wonder why he's running and why he wants to hide before the word and other people. We just don't know anything, to be honest.
If you want to solve all imponderables, you just must read everything, because everything (ok, almost everything) is in the last chapters.

Why it is worthwhile to read it?

Good question. As I said, if you like this kind od books, good psychological thrillers this book is for you. the story is so interesting that you're reading it quickly and you're pleased with every page, every next chapter. But the end of the book - damn, it's perfect. I thought something else about the end and I thought that it will be different, but Beckett's end just surprised me. Surprised me very positively.
What else? Right - emotions. Extreme emotions and uncertainty but also secrets, which are something like base of the story.
I can say the same as at the beginning: every story has own dark secrets...are you ready to square up to them this time?

 For who this book is?

If you like Simon Beckett, thrillers/psychological thrillers, books with secrets and...surprises - this book is for you.

↑ cover of Polish edition of the book. To be honest, I regret that we've different cover than original which is (don't be a liar) much, much better than this one.

Now I'm waiting for the next book by Simon Beckett and I think that I will come back also to Stone Bruises and to David Hunter series soon, very soon.

Book of the day : "No One You Know" by Michelle Richmond

Today I would like say a few words about book No One You Know by Michelle Richmond.

Why I chose this book? It's a good question, to be honest. Maybe because inside of this book we can find interesting story, maybe because this book is something new, something fresh...or maybe because this story is like a puzzle.

Michelle Richmond is an American novelist, who wrote four novels: The Girl in the Fall-Away Dress (2001), Dream of the Blue Room (2003), The Year of Fog (2007), No One You Know (2008). The Year of Fog, was a New York Times bestseller and also won her acclaim including being selected as one of the best books of 2007 by Library Journal and it was nominated for the Grand Prix des Lectrices de Elle award.





About what it is? 

This is a story of Ellie Enderlin, her family and the secret, secret of her sister's, Lila, death. Every day after Lila's death, Ellie still thinks about that day, about the murderer and just about her sister, and when she finally thinks that she's okey with it, everything is returning in one moment.
All demons of the past returning - her sister's death, her love to a guy, who had to be the one, all these secrets, people who know or knew Lila, the book about Lila's death ...

After twenty years from that day, she is meeting Peter, who was somebody more than just a friend for Lila. And when there, in a small village in Nicaragua, Ellie is getting her sister's notebook from Peter, she knows that she must know, who killed Lila. Who did it? Peter, her boyfriend, about who Ellie didn't know? 
Or maybe somebody else?

For Ellie, reading Lila's notebook is like a discovering something new, something about what she didn't know then and even after all these years. Day after day, she got to know that she doesn't know her own sister, what is really hard for her. And because of this notebook she see how much they were different...

Page by page of this book we are witnesses of Ellie's small investigation and her guesses, about what happened that evening.

Why it is worthwhile to read it?

I think that because of the story, it's really interesting, surprising and you really don't know, who killed Lila to the last page. As for me, this book has a bit of crime fiction, psychological novel and even a bit of romance, and maybe that's why No One You Know is so good.

For who this book is?

I know, the story of this book sounds a bit sad and maybe even not so easy, but trust me, it's really good. I think this book is for everyone who likes stories like this one, or just wants read something fresh, new and interesting, what won't let you stop reading until last page.

Quote from the book:

A story, after all, does not only belong to the one who is telling it. It belongs, in equal measure, to the one who is listening.

You can find more info about this book on Michelle Richmond's official page and also read more about her other novels.

↑ cover of my copy of No One You Know. 

To be honest, I really don't get it, why the second edition in Poland has changed title - Co się stało z Lilą? [What happened with Lila?]. The first edition had an original version of title - Nikt kogo znasz [No One You Know]. I really hate when they do something like that.

Book of the Day : 'Of Mice and Men' John Steinbeck

today,  I would like to recommend you and say a few words about a novel Of Mice and Men written by John Steinbeck.

as for me John Steinbeck was, and still is, one of the most outstanding writer, with own writing style. he was just unique and every of his stories is just epic. the same is with Of Mice and Men...

Of Mice and Men is a novel published in 1937 and, just like East of Eden [ ], is one of the most amazing book written by him, and book, which is just a classic.

about what it is:
mmm, that's a good question. it's a story about life, friendship, dreams, own place in the world, bad and good things in the life, extreme emotions, hard decisions.

Of Mice and Men is a story about two friends - George and Lennie, who are so different from themselves, who've dreams and plans, who want to find 'their home' and just be happy. George is an intelligent but uneducated man, who loves his friend like a brother. Lennie is quite different than George - is a man of large stature and great strength but limited mental abilities, who absolute trusts his friend. both of them have the same dream - they want to settle on an own piece of land, where they'll have rabbits, which are Lennie's dream because he likes everything what's soft and he wants to take care of them and touch them almost all the time. Lennie likes when his best friend, George, is telling him about their future and their own farm where they'll be happy.
we meet them when they're fleeing from their previous employment because of Lennie's love to fluffy things, and this trip is the beginning of the end their big dream.
on the new ranch they're finding a job, they'll get to know new, interesting people, especially Candy who wants to give them money and go with them to their own farm, live there and help them. also we can find there Crooks -the black stable-hand. man, who's isolated from the other men because of the color of his skin, and who's proud, bitter, and cynical.
'everthing' s ending in the moment when Lennie accidentally kills his puppy while strokinglittle dog, and then after the conversation with Curley's wife [a young, pretty woman, who is mistrusted by her husband] and after her yells that he must stop touching her hair, he, frightened, unintentionally breaks her neck. and after that, George must decide what to do - kill his best friend and save him or wait and let kill him through other. sitting right of Lennie and telling him about their future, he's shooting him in the back of the head, so that his death is painless and quick. after that only Slim, realizes that George killed Lennie, his friend, out of love, and he took him discreetly from body of his friend, Lennie.

why you should read it:
why? because this book gives you extreme emotions, surprise, reflection, and answer for question 'what the real friendship is?'. the most important is fact that this book is about love, dreams, and about oown guilts, freedom and self-respect. no matter of or genes or place where we live - we are creating our own lives and dreans and to be honest, we are creating oneself and our minds.
and also questions 'what would I do, if I was George or Candy? what would I do, if I had to kill my friend?' are the best reasons why to read it.

things to look out for:
relation between: George and Lennie, Curley and his wife, Curley and his workers, Crooks and other workers, Candy and his dog. all their conversations, ideas, problems and dreams. emotions - yes, I think that it's a real base.

where / when you should read this:
everywhere! but I think that it would be really good if you had a little peace around yourselves to think about the story, about words inside the book.but you can read it everywhere and anytime, trust me. it's not important where or when but what will you feel when you will be reading it. after all Of Mice and Men isn't a long book [mine book has only 120 pages]. it's too short as for me :)

favourite quotes from the book:

* I wisht somebody'd shoot me if I get old an' a cripple.

                                                                                                               Candy

* At about 10 o'clock in the morning the sun threw a bright dust-laden bar through one of the side windows and in and out of the beam flies shot like rushing stars.

* Maybe everybody in the whole damn world is scared of each other.

* Maybe you guys better go. I ain't sure I want you in here no more. A colored man got to have some rights even if he don't like 'em.

                                                                                                                               Crooks

* Trouble with mice is you always kill them.

                                                                                       George

* S'pose you didn't have nobody. S'pose you couldn't go into the bunk house and play rummy 'cause you was black. How'd you like that? S'pose you had to sit out here an' read books. Sure you could play horseshoes till it got dark, but then you got to read books. Books ain't no good. A guy needs somebody-to be near him. A guy goes nuts if he ain't got nobody. Don't make no difference who the guy is, long's he's with you. I tell ya, I tell ya a guy gets too lonely an' he gets sick.

                                                                                                                          Crooks

* >You said I was your cousin, George.<
>Well, that was a lie. An' I'm damn glad it was. If I was a relative of yours I'd shoot myself.<

                                                                                                 conversation between George and Lennie

* The red light dimmed on the coals. Up the hill from the river a coyote yammered, and a dog answered from the other side of the stream. The sycamore leaves whispered in the little night breeze.

* … every damn one of 'em's got a little piece of land in his head. An' never a God damn one of 'em ever gets it. Just like heaven. Everybody wants a little piece of lan'. I read plenty of books out here. Nobody never gets to heaven, and nobody gets no land. It's just in their head. They're all the time talkin' about it, but it's jus' in their head.

                                                                                                                       Crooks

* Books ain't no good. A guy needs somebody - to be near him.

                                                                                                                         Crooks

* I ought to of shot that dog myself, George. I shouldn't ought to have let no stranger shoot my dog.

                                                                                                                            Candy

 * All kin's a vegetables in the garden, and if we want a little whisky we can sell a few eggs or something, or some milk. We'd jus' live there. We'd belong there. There wouldn't be no more runnin' round the country and gettin' fed by a Jap cook. No, sir, we'd have our own place where we belonged and not sleep in no bunk house.

                                                                                                                          George




yes, in my opinion Of Mice and Men it's just an another great book and it's something like 'must to read', even once in a lifetime.so add it to your future list of books which you should to read one day :)

one thing I can promise you - this book can change your lives, your world view... and it'll happen when you read it - trust me.

P.S.
what would you do, if you were George or Candy? what would you do, if you had to do the same as they?

Book of the Day : 'East of Eden' John Steinbeck

today,  I would like to recommend you and say a few words about a novel East of Eden by John Steinbeck.

this book is just a classic novel with epic, timeless story. East of Eden, wrote by Nobel Prize winner John Steinbeck and published in September 1952, is one of the best his books, and is described as Steinbeck's most ambitious novel.

about what it is:

from one side the story is simple: life of people, their good and bad moments, their view of life, love, bad and good things. from the other side this story has many personal fights - for honour, family, for being oneself, for the respect, for finding own life's way in this world. but also the book explores themes of depravity, beneficence, love, vagabond, and the struggle for acceptance, greatness, and the capacity for self-destruction and especially of guilt and freedom. 

East of Eden is a story about Adam Trask, his relation with father and brother Charles, his mysterious wife, his sons and their not too clear relation; about Samuel Hamilton and his family, his great mind and ideas; and finally about life of people in Salinas valley. this book focuses on Adam's story and also his sons and is showing resemblance to the story of the Hamilton family. we can see the same relation between Adam and Charles, and then between Cal and Aron - comparing to the story of Cain and Abel.

why you should read it:

good question. I think I can show you many reasons why you should read it, to be honest. the most important is fact that this book is about free will, because we always can choose between good and bad and always it will be ur decision, not somebody else; free will because we always can choose will we be good or bad person, no matter of or genes or place where we live - we are creating oneself, our mind and character, our future. East of Eden is about attempt to find oneself also, because 'live' it's one thing, but 'be somebody' it's the second. 

questions about sin, conscience of guilty person and self-destruction, and also question 'what to do to be a better person, to think as a better person?' - another reason why to read it.

of course inside this book we can find religious allegory, Eden (obviously), but also the story of Cain and Abel - that's why title of book is East of Eden:

and Cain went out from the presence of the Lord, and dwelt in the Land of Nod, on the east of Eden

                                                                                                                                Genesis

the next reason why you should read this book is just exceptional, unique and amazing style of Steinbeck. for me you can find between the lines questions and answers, happiness and tears, the beginning and the end, you can even find yourself there. as for me this book isn't just a normal story, it's something more: sincere, fascinating, surprising, giving questions, inducing for giving some thought to oneself and these characters - remarkable.

things to look out for:

I think it's a friendship, or relation as who likes, between Adam, Samuel Hamilton and Lee, Adam's manservant. all their conversations, ideas, problems and advices. I think it's a real base and real heart of the book. and I think Steinbeck wanted to show this thing, philosophy of it.

where / when you should read this:

everywhere! but I think that it would be really good if you had a little peace around yourselves to think about the story, about words inside the book.but you can read it everywhere and anytime, trust me. it's not important where or when but what will you feel when you will be reading it.

ok, East of Eden is, more or less, long (mine book has 848 pages) but it's nice to read. trust me, it's not so bad.East of Eden is worth it.

favourite quotes from the book:

* All great and precious things are lonely.

* Courage and fear were one thing too.

* An unbelieved truth can hurt a man much more than a lie.

* Man has a choice and it's a choice that makes him a man.

* But you must give him some sign, some sign that you love him... or he'll never be a man. All his life he'll feel guilty and alone unless you release him.

* It would be absurd if we did not understand both angels and devils, since we invented them.

* I wonder how many people I have looked at all my life and never really seen.

* A man without words is a man without thought.

* And now that you don’t have to be perfect, you can be good.

* Strong and brave and rather childlike.

* There’s more beauty in truth, even if it is dreadful beauty.

* A man so painfully in love is capable of self-torture beyond belief.

* My imagination will get me a passport to hell one day.

* Sometimes a man wants to be stupid if it lets him do a thing his cleverness forbids.

* It’s awful not to be loved. It’s the worst thing in the world. It makes you mean, and violent, and cruel.

* No one who is young is ever going to be old.

* It’s a hard thing to leave any deeply routine life, even if you hate it.

* Perhaps the less we have, the more we are required to brag.

* Maybe-- maybe love makes you suspicious and doubting. Is it true that when you love a woman you are never sure-- never sure of her because you aren't sure of yourself?

 * I think I love you, Cal. -Abra; I'm not good.-Cal ; Because you're not good. -Abra

* When you're a child you're the center of everything. Everything happens for you. Other people? They're only ghosts furnished for you to talk to.

* Sometimes, a lie is told in kindness. I don't believe it ever works kindly. The quick pain of truth can pass away, but the slow, eating agony of a lie is never lost.

* In my own way I tell jokes because people come all the way to my place to laugh. I try to be funny for them even when the sadness is on me.

                                                                                       - Samuel Hamilton

 * I believe there are monsters born in the world to human parents.

* We have only one story. All novels, all poetry, are built on the never-ending contest in ourselves of good and evil. And it occurs to me that evil must constantly respawn, while good, while virtue, is immortal. Vice has always a new fresh young face, while virtue is venerable as nothing else in the world is.

 * Dear Lord,' he said. 'let me be like Aron. Don’t make me mean. I don’t want to be. If you will let everybody like me, why, I’ll give you anything in the world, and if I haven’t got it, why, I’ll go for to get it. I don’t want to be mean. I don’t want to be lonely. For Jesus’ sake, Amen.

                                                                                            - Cal

yes, in my opinion East of Eden it's just a great book. to be honest, it's just 'must to read', even once in a lifetime.

this book can change your lives, your world view... and it'll happen when you read it - trust me.

P.S.
to be honest I'm just like Cal. I'm sure of it.