Random Things Tours: Eye Spy by C.M.Ewan

A childish game - ´I spy...with my little eye´ - turns into a survival claustrophic unpredictable race where saving one own´s family is at risk due to former well hidden secrets of both parents.

Eye Spy by C.M.Ewan - whose previous book I´ve reviewed few years back - it´s an undownputable thriller that not only I couldn´t abandon until the very end, but which also keeps staying with me long before I finished. 

Although the action takes place within a relatively short amount of time, it spares no detail of the ambiance, allowing us to settle into the story, little by little, while terrific details happening on the spot are revealed. 

Mark is playing I Spy with his little 4 yo daughter Molly, but the apparition of a man, who is getting closer to him, terrifying his daugher, is taking a dangerous turn for their trip. The urgency of saving his family from an looming danger activates though secrets well hidden both by him and his wife, Claire, who for obviously fake reasons couldn´t joined them for this trip.

My perfect setting for reading this book would have been on a train trip, however, I tried to imagine with my mind´s eyes the real encounters shared in the book. The cinematic storytelling and the many unexpected twists are definitely keeping the reader in a permanent state of tension. Which is clearly the highest expectation one may have when picking up a thriller read. 

The cover is definitely deserving a mention, for the simple, yet urgent design.

Rating: 5 stars

Disclaimer: Book offered as part of the book tour but the opinions are, as usual, my own

Ti odio, ma ti amo di più by Anna Premoli, illustrated by Michele Brutomesso

I am following very seriously my Italian lessons plan - and Spanish too - and this month, more than ever, I´ve spent a lot of time in the company of this language. As my desire to learn is unstoppable, so it is my lack of criteria in my choice of books. I am not very much familiar right now with what it´s hot off the press in the Italian publishing realm and I still need to research what are the noteworthy authors to explore right now. As I am sure this time will come soon, I just enjoy my full immersion into the language.

My latest literary choices was a book by a very popular author, Anna Premoli -  Ti odio, ma ti amo di più (in my own translation I hate you, but I love you even more) I love chicklit and not ashame to recognize it, therefore reading with pleasure may open up my interest towards the language as well.

The characters of this book, Ian and Jenny are about to celebrate ten years of marriage and he - belonging to the English nobility - is surprising her - a down to earth, feminist and anti-priviledge kind of woman - with a trip to an undisclosed destination. Ten years and two children after, their relationship keeps a special dynamic built on love, respect and very different lifestyles.

The two main protagonists do share alternatively their stories, but most of the novel is focused on their interactions, thoughts about each other given their very different background. The dynamic is interesting but unfortunately the plot is simplistic and largely underdeveloped. 

From the point of view of the language learning, I´ve learned many new everyday words and expressions so I am relatively happy with my choice.

My favorite part so far were the illustrations by Michele Brutomesso, colours and black-and-white, which suited the ambiance of the book. 

Rating: 2.5 stars

Orenda Books Cover Reveal: Stop Dead by Katrín Júlíusdóttir translated by Larissa Kyzer

After the bestselling debut Dead Sweet, entrepreneur, former politician and crime author Katrín Júlíusdóttir is back with a new book, ready for print on the 21st of May, to be published by Orenda Books, translated from Icelandic by Larissa Kyzer. 

I am personally very much interested in reading again about the eventful secrets of Iceland´s police and media world. Sigurdis, a detective in training, has to abandon her academic training in criminal psychology in the US for further investigating the murder of her father. However, as a controversial media personality is murdered as well, during a marathon, inconvenient truths are revealed as the crime web goes deep into the darkest layers of the Icelandic society.

With such dark intro, one may expect a very gloomy cover, but instead, the choice is rather suggesting the diversity and multiplicity of city life, with the lettering adding the information missing from the picture. The letters - author´s name, title - do create the tension that the image is at the first sight not communicating directly.

Here is the information about purchasing the book: https://geni.us/vJ4x

I cannot wait to have the book and hopefully to share my thoughts in a different more elaborated post.

Fakers: An Insider´s Guide to Cons, Hoaxes and Scams by H.P.Wood illustrated by David Clark

 

I am often reading and writing about scams - particularly dating ones, especially set in our times - but there is nothing new under the sun. As the book Fakers: An Insider´s Guide to Cons, Hoaxes and Scams by H.P.Wood illustrated by David Clark shows, the temptation to manipulate others (mostly) for financial purposes existed since time immemorial. 

Midfair tricks, Ponzi schemes, palm and psychic reading, medical hoaxes, just to name few of the most frequent occurences, people were always robbed in heinous ways. The victims were definitely not guilty and the argument of limited intelligence didn´t stand. We may just admit that some people are able to use their charm and intelligence for evil purposes. 

The author organised her material with humour - the illustrations definitely helped - gathering examples from various historical periods. However, I may not include military deception among the topics covered by the book as they rather belong to a completely different area. 

If things were never different, just tools and medium changed, how one can be covered against being a scam victim, for instance? I dare to answer referring to the closing remarks of the book: by using the weapon of skepticism and common sense. 

Rating: 3.5 stars

Disclaimer: Book offered by the publisher in exchange for an honest review 

Open Skies: My Life as Afghanistan´s First Female Pilot by Niloofar Rahmani with Adam Sikes

Born in Kabul in 1991, Niloofar Rahmani had a dream: to be Afghanistan´s first woman pilot. The circumstances looked encouraging: 2010 was the first time since the Soviets when women were allowed to enter military forces. She took a chance, breaking through social and traditional barriers, but it come with a price: ´As an Afghan woman I dared to dream and there were some who believed I should be punished for it, perhaps even killed´.

Currently based in the USA after requesting political asylum at 28, Rahmani wrote a memoir together with Adam Sikes where she is telling her story in simple words that resonate with the fate of many women from Afghanistan. As her achievements started to accumulate - the first solo flight in her class, Afghanistan´s first female fixed-wing air pilot and captain- , so were the pressure on her family, who since 2015 is on hiding. The reason? She dared to dream for more.

Open Skies is a hearbreaking account of a life put on hold due to the religiously extremist government in Kabul perpetuating traditional mindsets. In the Kabul that once was the ´Paris of Central Europe´ women are prevented from attending school and stepping down the traditional roles they were assigned may be punishable by death.

Rahmani is explaining her story through social, cultural and political details that not only put things into context, but also help understanding the terrible fate of women and girls in Afghanistan right now. Sometimes it feels shameful to realize how often we take for granted rights and achievements without realizing the tremedous professional and personal struggle women in other parts of the worlds are going through. 

I´ve found the book humbling and inspiring and I consider it a recommended read to anyone interested to have a realistic account on the story of women in Afghanistan, including and particularly decision makers and academics.

Rating: 5 stars

Disclaimer: Book offered by the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Rachel´s Random Resources: Sugar and Spice at the Pumpkin Corner Café by Laura Briggs

It may not be the season for sugar and spice right now, but some books are just here to give us a reason to survive through seasons. And given the action-packed plot of Sugar and Spice at the Pumpkin Corner Café by Laura Briggs, this book may also give a lot to think about. 

Professional pastry chef Blaire is devastated by the death of her beloved aunt. As she returns to Willow Grove she may not only mourn her passing, but also has to struggle with the café her aunt left her. But the business is struggling - very hard, actually - and a cherisher recipe disappeared without a trace. 

And as her problems were not enough, her former sweetheart Evan is back in town and their try to get back together ended up in a mess. But this is not all, but the rest you may be curious to figure out by yourself. 

This is a book you may hardly be able to put down. The events are such a mixture between tragedy and comedy, plus a spice of sweet romance. The characters are relatable, on the move, and their individual stories do have a lot to offer. 

It is a recommended read for a long romantic weekend and I really loved how the story kept me connected and interested. As a reader, felt very much involved in the life of the characters, trying to understand their motivations and actions. 

Rating: 4 stars

Disclaimer: Book offered as part of the book tour but the opinions are, as usual, my own

Amu Nowruz and his Violets by Hadi Mohammadi illustrated by Nooshin Safakhoo translated from Persian by Sara Khalili

Nowruz, the Persian New Year, marks the beginning of the spring, a season full of hope, sun and opportunities. An old tradition that remained despite the desperate recent efforts to replace it with imported celebrations. Such tales can be always retold, keeping their original flavour, although re-inserted into a different narrative, based on the storyteller choice.

Amu Nowruz and His Violets by celebrated Iranian children books author Hadi Mohammadi illustrated by Nooshin Sadakhoo and translated from Persian by award winning translator and editor Sara Khalil is such a kind re-tale of an old story from the Persian foklore. 

The story goes that Amu Nowruz (Uncle New Year) was in love with Naneh Sarma (Mother Winter). But heartbreakingly, they can only see each other once the year. Every time though, Naneh Sarma  falla asleep. Instead of waking her up, Amu Nowruz leaves her a flower. When she wakes up again, she sees the flower realizing that she missed him again. 

A beautiful sad story, as many others from the Persian folklore.

The illustrations are unique, with the moderates shades and fine lines, elegantly completing the text. 

The main audience is aimed at 3 to 6-year olds, but it definitely can be used as a multicultural educational tool for older ages as well. If interested to find out more Nowruz-related children books, here is another recommendation from five years ago.  

Nowruz Pirooz to all who celebrate!

Rating: 5 stars

Disclaimer: Book offered by the publisher in exchange for an honest review