Indonesians Who Love English Books discussion

I am reading george Pelecanos at the moment, quiet good i suppose..well, just read few pages, but i think the book is interesting..

@Anny, it's very good! Not a solid 5-stars-OMG-so-amazing read for me, but nonetheless it was a very fun and engaging reading. The book offers a fresh fantasy world, with brutal but interesting and very real life in it. If you don't shy away from (or even love) Mario Puzo's books, then this book is definitely for you. After all, one of the reviewer wrote that this book is a love child between Ocean Eleven and The Godfather.

@Dewi: Thanks, I'm not a big fan of Godfather though, I prefer something like Hannibal. But the description does sound interesting, I think I'll check it out! =)

Finished with The Angel's Game, everyone has said it to me, not as strong as its predessor The Shadow of the Wind. But I still hold my hope for the last in the trilogy The Prisoner of Heaven.

Continue to The Art of the Novel

Just finished, Night Circus..omigod, i'm speechless. The story is magical!

@Namida: Isn't it! XD

I really really want to go to a circus like that. Sadly it's only fantasy ...

@Anny: yeaa..! the circus came in Indonesia in early 1900 :D * according to the book..hehehe

Finished with Love the One You're With, now starting Danielle Steel's Five Days in Paris. A bit annoyed with her tendency to repeat stuff, but so far the writing style is OK.

Namida wrote: "Just finished, Night Circus..omigod, i'm speechless. The story is magical!"

Am reading the Indonesian version. Such a magical story indeed, different from the other fantasy novels :))

I am currently reading Haruki Murakami's Norwegian Wood. Put a great expectation on this one, many people said that it's a good book. Before Norwegian Wood, I have read Kokoro by Soseki Natsume translated by Edwin McLlelan, that aroused my interest in Japanese literature.

I'm currently reading Elanor and Park, really cute and great story

I'm reading The Secret Scripture by Sebastian Barry. This book was shortlisted for Man Booker Prize in 2008.

What intrigued me, is the theme of a 100 years old woman who had been living in mental institution for more than 50 years and how she decided to write her autobiography and recalling her memories.

For me, that's an interesting idea even though I have to admit that it's not an easy reading since the novel, mostly told in narration. But, #FingerCrossed :)

Reading The Litigators by John Grisham. Nice legal book so far, the characters aren't exactly good guys but I can't stop reading.

Reading , after reading Amanda's review :)

Ren wrote: "Reading , after reading Amanda's review :)"

I saw it in Aksara few days ago, I was tempted to buy it but wasn't sure. Let me know if you like it (or not)!

Ren wrote: "Reading , after reading Amanda's review :)"

It's also in my to-read list. Waiting for your review then ;)

Cannot wait to finish my .

OMG, there isn't any book that failed the most to define the word ANTICIPATION, as it should've normally exist in any thriller-suspense genre.

This one definitely just not my cup of tea. Kinda weird considering I used to be a big fan of sidney sheldon's, aren't these two supposed to be at the same level of storytelling mastership?

Fraya wrote: "Cannot wait to finished my .

OMG, there isn't any book that failed the most to define the word ANTICIPATION, as it should've normally exist in any thriller-s..."

Mary-Higgins Clark is a hit and miss for me. Some of her works are great, but some others are... meh.
Maybe this is one of the 'meh'? :p

Lynossa wrote: "Fraya wrote: "Cannot wait to finished my .

OMG, there isn't any book that failed the most to define the word ANTICIPATION, as it should've normally exist in ..."

Oh God..it keeps circling on the damn surface talk, unimportant coffee sipping and lunch and soup,and casserole,and more what-food-to-prepare, ....mary, i gotta tell you.. you're writing a mystery book in a hungry mode!

no controversy, no emotional challenge at all.

We have officially started reading Will Grayson, Will Grayson.
Discussion thread right here.

Moving on to my next Grisham:

@Anny: on a Grisham binge-reading I see.

@Reza: Haha, it's the only interesting books (to me) I found on Periplus Sby the other day. Their collection need more expansion I think. Sometimes I wait two or three months before my next visit so I can see new line ups (hopefully!)

Lynossa & Dewi : I really like it so far! :D I agree with Amanda, The Golem and The Jinni, despite its high rating seems so underrated.

Since I will go "mudik" today (and go to my in law home, gawd!), I decide to read in the bus :)

@Ren: to your in-law house? I hope you don't bring book with too hot cover :))

^ woops :))))

Biondy wrote: "@Ren: to your in-law house? I hope you don't bring book with too hot cover :))"

In case you wondering, I'm just bring Ilona Andrew's Kate Daniels, JDRobb's In Death and Jim Butcher's Fool Moon. All have safe cover :))

for English book I'm now reading Five Days in Paris, more as a guilty pleasure. Story-wise it's not as great/realistic as Emily Giffin's novel. For Indonesian translations I'm now rereading Hunger Games and have just skimmed through Catching Fire.

Just finished reading Haruki Murakami's After Dark. My first Murakami and I love it. Truth be told, some bits were very abstract and I don't fully understand them but the scenes that were created in my mind were so lovely, in their own eerie way and I loved them. Recommendations of his best, guys? I want to delve into his dream worlds.

I think I will start Erich Segal's Love Story next.

@Rach: hey, maybe try and use the thread I created: "If I like X, what else..?"

Rachel wrote: "Just finished reading Haruki Murakami's After Dark. My first Murakami and I love it. Truth be told, some bits were very abstract and I don't fully understand them but the scenes that were created i..."

Try Wind-Up Bird Chronicle and 1Q84, rach..the book's quite thick, but i love 'em the most. Elephant Vanishes also recommended :)

Stupid work gets in the way of reading. It's been forever and I still haven't finished The Book Thief. Pretty close to the end, though.

As much as I hate the slow pace, I think the story is great. I'm so excited for the movie!

(Not that I can immediately watch it, as there's no movie theatre here in Jayapura. Haha..)

Rachel wrote: "Just finished reading Haruki Murakami's After Dark. My first Murakami and I love it. Truth be told, some bits were very abstract and I don't fully understand them but the scenes that were created i..."

1Q84 is very good! :) Also, Norwegian Wood (for not-so-abstract Murakami and more to a realistic story) and Sputnik Sweetheart, and oh Kafka on the Shore. All are good.

I'm reading :)

@Namida and Cinantya: Check out this thread to give others recommendations for some follow-up reads! :)

Thanks Namida and Cinantya! I made more comments about it on the thread mentioned by Reza, so do head on over there to continue this conversation. (Ps. I went and bought 1Q84 and Norwegian Wood yesterday haha)

Before I read them though, I will read One Day by Dave Nicholls. Have started it as a matter of fact. No comments about it as of yet.

I'm reading Will Grayson Will Grayson :D

reading my old time favorite, Xanth series!

I just finished One Day and the ending floored me. Ah, how bittersweet. 4 1/2 stars. Going to watch the movie tonight, hopefully!

Anyhow, now I'm trying to decide between Murakami's Norwegian Wood or Sputnik Sweetheart. HELP! Which one should I read?

Rachel wrote: "I just finished One Day and the ending floored me. Ah, how bittersweet. 4 1/2 stars. Going to watch the movie tonight, hopefully!

Anyhow, now I'm trying to decide between Murakami's Norwegian Wood..."

I would go for Norwegian Wood.

I did a Murakami marathon while in the uni. The library had all his books at the time and being a poor student, you need to take maximum advantage of it. =)

As interesting as his stories and writing style are, things get repetitive. So taking a break between the titles is better, at least from my experience.
My favorite is 'After Dark'.

If you have more interest in Japanese literature, I recommend Osamu Dazai.

Rachel wrote: "Anyhow, now I'm trying to decide between Murakami's Norwegian Wood or Sputnik Sweetheart"

If you want to cry, Sputnik Sweetheart. If you want to cry harder, Norwegian Wood.

I recommend Sputnik Sweetheart. The solitude of this book has stayed in my mind until now. It is beautifully written. I also like Norwegian Wood, but for now, I recommend Sputnik Sweetheart. :) Happy reading, Rachel! :)

My personal favorite is The Elephant Vanishes. It is just SO GOOD AND I CAN'T PUT IT DOWN.

Norwegian Wood.

But honestly you can't go wrong here.

@ Maria : Yes, I have. I quite like it. It's depressing as hell, though. Almost as bad as Camus' The Stranger, though it's different.
Dazai portrayed Yozo's feelings of alienation and emptiness really well (too well sometimes, I felt). Usually relatively whiny over-privileged main characters make me grit my teeth (which is why I cannot stand 'The Catcher in the Rye'), but this book didn't make me roll my eyes.
The disconnect and pain were beautifully written and so straightforward, it hurt. But it's worth reading.

Norwegian Wood, one of my favorite books despite it's quite depressing. I haven't read Sputnik, is it better than Norwegian Wood?

Finished with The Killing Moon. I really like the fresh setting of ancient Egypt and Nubia in the story, as well as the unique magic system portrayed there. Anyone who like an unusual epic fantasy should give it a try. But please do note that the definition of love portrayed in the story is maybe not the common love we perceived. Love in this book transcended seniority, "familial" ties, and yes, gender.

Also finished with Indonesian version of Saga no Gabai Bachan. Now reading The Lions of al-Rassan. So far I'm still a little bit struggling with Kay's unusual writing style, but I had the same problem with Tigana and ended up loving the book anyway.

FYI, I've created a thread to specifically discuss about Haruki Murakami's works.

@Dewi: Have you read The Way of Kings? If I like that would I like The Killing Moon?

Haha, oh my gawd you guys, thank you for all the suggestions! I will now move to the Haruki Murakami section to talk about this further :D

@Rachel Norwegian Wood (personal preference) hehehe Norwegian Wood is more relatable, I think.

@Lynossa I like Norwegian Wood better. Sputnik is more... hmmm... F-ed up than Norwegian Wood. Weirder events. Lots and lots of metaphors but it still pulled me to read until the last page (though I put the book down couple of times, unlike Norwegian Wood) I hope you'd enjoy Sputnik ;D

Finished with . Big thanks for Amanda to bring this book to my attention. An engaging read, even took me a week to finish it, never once I want to abandon it and read other book.

Also , which is one of my favorite read this year. Seriously guys, if you love fantasy, action and though heroine, you don't want to miss this one. Beside its also have Indonesian character.