Am hopeless with ‘Rithmetic, so the three primary R’s in my Life would be Reading, Writing, and just more Reading and Writing. In fact, over the Christmas break, Writing took a bit of a respite; and it was practically Reading, Reading and Reading. People who follow my column often come up to me to thank me for the book recommendations, and a perennial question is if I really read all the books reviewed (and how I find the time). In response to the question, I almost want to laugh and sarcastically reply that, “No, I don’t bother. I just place the book between my two hands and by osmosis, the review appears out of thin air.” But I do realize in such a situation, sarcasm would just be the refuge of the mean-spirited. So yes, just as with the film and music reviews I churn out for Ricky Lo’s Entertainment pages, I do peruse every book, film or CD I review. There are instances when I do refrain from coming out with a review because I may have found the book, film or CD irredeemable or a complete waste of time, and rather than come out with something negative, I can still appreciate the effort it took to produce said “work” and feel it may just not have been for me. Given that, it is far better to write about things I can be positive about, or recommend, even if with particular reservations. There’s enough negativity in this world as it is, so would rather keep mum if I find no merit whatsoever. Besides, one man’s pot of “yuck” may be another’s sweet nectar.
As for how I find the time, the “unfortunate” truth is that no matter what time I go to bed, it’s often a good 90 minutes before I’ll fall asleep, and those minutes are spent reading in bed. I hate to call it insomnia (more like amnesia? I’ve forgotten how to fall asleep right away?); and like clockwork, I will be up by 7 or 8 the following morning to head to work. In fact, I envy those who can sleep the moment their heads touch the pillow, and those who can fall asleep on car rides or plane trips. I’m constantly in despair during those times, as hard as I may try and want, it just takes me ages to get any shut-eye or feel truly rested, as the sleep that comes, comes in patches. The only bright side to all this is that I always have a new novel by my side.
As for the “why bother?” question: books have always been a form of discovery and enrichment. I don’t view them as an escape. Rather, it’s a trip, a voyage, that as long as one chooses wisely, is a fulfilling one. Stumbling across a really great read is difficult to describe, but I know that there are the conflicting sentiments of wanting to rush and find out what happens, coupled with wanting to slow down so one can savor the richness of the read, and prolong the sensation. Discovering a brilliant new writer, or finding that an old favorite can still surprise, will do all that for me.
Truth in strange places and times
The search for truth becomes a major thread that runs throughout the plotlines of these highly charged, and entertaining stories. For Mil Millington, it’s the male mid-life crisis and a surprising twist on an old plot device; while noted crime fiction writer Michael Connelly checks in with his latest, featuring Lincoln Lawyer, Mickey Haller. In the case of Karen Maitland’s novel, it’s an engaging medieval mystery, and the elusive Truth about his characters that keep us turning the pages.
Instructions for Living Someone’s Else’s Life by Mil Millington (available at National Bookstore): A humorous writer, Millington first caught the public’s eye with his website Things My Girlfriend and I Have Argued About. That developed into a novel, and along with A Certain Chemistry and Love and Other Near Death Experiences, he’s compiled a neat log of books that make for enjoyable reading, touching on the quirky nature of how we relate with other people and society. With this latest work, Millington tackles the male mid-life crisis in a unique manner. When the novel opens in 1988, Chris is 25, single and in advertising. He wakes up the next morning, and finds it’s 2006 and there’s a middle aged woman beside him — his wife. Time travel has never been this traumatic and hilarious. There’s a wonderful episode when the “new” Chris buys a home gym. Acceptance and redemption are major themes of this “wise” story.
The Brass Verdict by Michael Connelly (available at National Bookstore): Connelly is considered as one of the bright lights working in the genre of contemporary crime fiction. The procedural aspect of his novels always share center stage with his depthful characters/protagonists. With The Brass Verdict, Connelly brings back The Lincoln Lawyer, defense attorney Mickey Haller. “Lincoln” because rather than working out of an office, he has a fleet of Lincoln cars which double as his “place of business.” This time out, there’s a slain colleague — Jerry Vincent, and Mickey inherits Jerry’s caseload. Among the cases, is the high-profile murder case of Hollywood producer, Walter Elliot. Accused of shooting his wife and her lover, and testing positive for gun shot residue all over his hands and clothes, the novel is a gripping courtroom drama which includes a lot of what transpires outside the courtroom. Film adaptation in the works?
Company of Liars by Karen Maitland (available at Fully Booked): It is Midsummer’s Day 1348, and the pestilence has reached England. With this backdrop, we are introduced to Camelot, our narrator, a man who sells “hope” via relics and religious objects. This is medieval historical fiction that comes across as refreshing and highly entertaining. Imagine Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales coming to life as a serial murder mystery, and you’ll have an idea of how Company of Liars “works.” There are wandering minstrels of gay persuasions, a child with hair and eyes of “frost” who reads runes, a young couple with the lady infanticipating, a midwife who resorts to suicide — in all, a fascinating cast of characters who are never what they seem. As they flee the towns to escape the plague, it seems that mysterious death and murder is to be found from within this group of travelers. Highly recommended.