I agree with the criticism of others that this book is dated and often condescending, but I'm still glad I read it. I have personal reasons for reading quite a bit about Islam right now and I feel I learned a lot that can guide me in future reading. I'd love something vaguely similar that is just more recent, although I guess preferably written by a Muslim woman rather than a Westerner.

I bought this on a whim as a Kindle deal, but it was really a good read! I learned so much I didn't know and as always appreciated an honest, well-rounded portrait who was remarkable but still had his faults. I laughed quite a few times and thought the writing was generally good, although the kindle edition was full of odd mistakes 3.5 - 4 stars.

This was between a pick and a so-so for me. Even when my sister and I were students in Pretoria and were buying our own Agatha Christies at secondhand bookshops, Hallowe`en Party was one that remained on my mom's shelves and that I (as I thought) read quite a few times over the holidays, back when I still had student holidays. I must be getting old because I remembered nothing and the fanciful writing wasn't my favourite Christie style...

Haha, very true!

This was a slow, intense read for me that put down in favour of other print reads all the time. Nevertheless, I thought the writing was masterful. The sex got a bit much for me at times but I think her exploration of emotions and her characterisations are incredibly interesting. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ This was so good!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I loved this book so much! It was laugh out loud funny, but also has characters that you become truly fond of. The last bit bummed me out... But that's Hornby - he can be so funny but also not afraid to write about serious matters. An incredibly fun read overall.

I loved this book and not just because she's a South African author. Her style is a bit sparse but she pulls it off well. This book is lighter than her first, which contains a lot about apartheid atrocities. This one is more personal, with a great romance (not something I look for in books). I love the Muslim feminism that` thrown in. I can't wait for her next book, but as she told her nephew, "She's a bitch and she'll come out when she's ready.“

I saw my spiritual director this morning and she lent me this book. So far I've dipped into a few random psalms and I love these paraphrases! I'm hoping they will focus my mind as I try to spend time with God in silence especially in this time that I need to make a big decision. Life has been crazy lately but hopefully I can have a short rest before the next project.

And husband's Christmas present sorted out.

A new Ann Patchett and a new Emma Donaghue coming out, and I'm not nearly caught up with so many books I still want to read! Feeling overwhelmed but in a good way 🙂

Reading in the car while the eldest is doing gymnastics. Lira has been wanting to read The Troll a lot lately!

Lovely sentiments from such a "holy" guy... I know those were the times, but still...

I loved this so much and am so sad I'm done with it! I didn't know going into it that it would be so different from the first book, but I thought it was so well done and engrossing. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

My reality today! A big thesis to edit and of course, since I've been working until 10, 11 at night, I have a cold... Think of me/pray for me 🙂 Enjoying the tagged book when I have a few moments!

This is popular fiction and I had some issues with the writing, but it was still a pretty well crafted, entertaining novel with a satisfying conclusion.

So I know the author's nephew. I loved this book although it is also a harrowing look at the indignities of the apartheid era, this time from an Indian Muslim perspective. It tells the stories of two sisters in the two halves of the book and though there is much unhappiness, there is also the innocent happiness of children and plenty of humour. Knowing that the events in this book all happened to real people made it come alive for me. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

So if you'll forgive me for being pedantic, this is a really, really random way to make someone die in a novel. And safari park isn't even a term - if you want to do big game hunting, you go to privately owned game farm, and in the case of a foreigner it's likely canned hunting... But she could have also just said rifle accident. Anyway, moving on...

The writing isn't absolutely amazing but this is a decent distracting read - except for those times that nothing is able to fully distract me from the drama that is my life right now! I'm looking forward to seeing how everything comes together (in the book. In my life too, I guess).

Finally finished this one! Wow, this was really good although of course upsetting at times. Ann Rule did a really good job.

Sunday afternoon chill while waiting hungrily for our meat being barbecued.

This has been an eye-opening read for me, especially in this particular time in my own marriage. Man, we really are taught nothing about conflict resolution and communication... I highly recommend this book to all who are married or want to be - and preferably read it before you become unhappy in your marriage!

I'm pretty sure some tea-loving littens will understand why I'm posting this picture of the cast-iron teapot I bought today. I'm not usually this impulsive but we were at a restaurant with this cute little shop nearby, and I've been going through a hard time and need some beauty in my life... Plus I'm nearly 38 and have never owned a proper teapot.

This was a really enjoyable read! Well crafted. I agree with others that it's even written better than the Aaron Falk books.

I got the most amazing gift today from someone who knows I love MO!

Look what the library had for me - after I requested it in October, I think!

I'm going through a tough time. Sitting down with my tea for a few minutes before I have to get up and keep going, not to mention pretend....

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 This was a really excellent read! I though I was fairly clued up, but I learned a lot! Highly recommended.

I'm really enjoying this book, which was recommended by a new friend. Humour doesn't always work for me (in fiction and non-fiction) but this guy has had me laughing out loud a few times.

This book was just gorgeous. I loved, loved, loved everything about it. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Look what is at my favourite pizza restaurant! This is the first time I've seen a little library in Pretoria or anywhere in South Africa!

I'm cheating on my NF reads... So far this book is beautifully written, and isn't catawampus just the most delicious word? 😊

RIP dear Rachel. You helped me become a progressive Christian and I will always be grateful!

I wasn't sure if I'd like this one, but I ended up loving it. Every word wasn't perfect, and sometimes the writing is a bit too flowery, but there were just all these little moments of beauty that I just loved. The characters just absolutely crept into my heart.

Today is a public holiday, autumn is in the air and I have a cold 😭. Breakfast is in the oven and I've been sitting on the couch in my pyjamas reading while my children have been angelic except for a bar of soap that was a bit destroyed - what luxury! I was reading this so sparsely but now I'm really into it.

Loving his take on evolution, fuzzily remembering what I've read about emergent evolution in the past... His writing is so clear and easy to understand and I love his idea of Spirit, self-transcendence and creativity driving the universe 🌌

Fellow RHE fans, did you see this? Crazy. She's a bit younger than me, I think, her little boy is still pretty young... Really keeping her in my prayers! There is no more recent update.

Loving this... Sunday afternoon reading while the kids play.

I wanted to read this years ago but would have had to borrow a friend's copy for ages. Got it on Kindle for $3.44 if anyone is interested!

1. The Immortalists - Chloe Benjamin
2. We are not doing much, today was very quiet and tomorrow we may braai (BBQ) if it doesn't rain. Nice to see a bit more of my husband over the long weekend but it doesn't mean that he does no work.
3. Yes to hardboiled eggs 🥚
4. Freya, maybe...
5. Done!

#friyayintro
@howjessreads

Man, this book ended up taking me months to finish! At first, I found his writing so refreshing and different from all the Reformed authors I used to read. Then his style started to downright annoy me and I was literally gleaning what I could from the book while not always enjoying the writing. I did feel it got better towards the end and feel that I gained a lot from this book and it would probably be great as a Bible study book.

My sister has been coming by a bit more often lately on days she isn't at work (the life of an academic). The girls are obsessed with their little cousin and my eldest just always wants to read to him (she has mad reading skills for someone who turned 6 in January). Miffy in the Snow in Afrikaans is one of the most precious books from my childhood.

Thanks for the tag, @GlitterGirl !

1. Also a lot of memories looking at the charts. I'm going to go with 3 songs that actually make me think of my matric year: Britney Spears Baby one more time, Eagle Eye Cherry Save Tonight and Cher Believe.

2. Leo

3. Barbara Kingsolver ❤️

@enidkeaner

I concur with other Litsy readers - a really well done short book! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 for skill in crafting this book, working out the intracacies without getting bogged down in details.

Oh for Pete's sake, this is what I've been reading 😂😭 instead of The Plastic Seed. I don't recommend it. Has this happened to anyone else?

Guys, I've been plugging away at this book, really not finding it anything like the reviews or even what I remembered about the description. Finally figured out that whatever the heck I've been reading is not this book. That's so incredibly weird! And I have no idea how to fix it.

New read. And my book matches my outfit 😊

I was a bit nervous after a few lukewarm reviews on Litsy, but never fear, for me Kingsolver did not disappoint! I absolutely loved this book, which reminded me a bit of The Lacuna in its return to historical fiction, yet of course it's different because of the alternating present-day time-line. So many themes are close to my heart: reading the Bible responsibly and not as a scientific text, the environment, consumerism, waste... Gorgeous.

Eeeek!

Being able to sit and read while the kids mostly play happily is a rarity! Will simply have to worry about the house later...

I really like Jane Harper's writing. Another enjoyable and well-written Australian crime novel. I hope we see more of Aaron Falk!