Author: Ted Todd
Title: A Doubtful Inheritance
Genre: Autobiography
Pages: ebook
Published: March 25th 2015
Where I Got It: My shelf (Given to me by the author/publisher for my honest and unbiased opinion)
We first meet the narrator Tim in the 1970s where he attends the Esalen Institute, a quintessential 70s Californian organization designed to help participants on the path to self-awareness. There, Tim comes traumatically face to face with the biggest issue in his life – the disappearance of his beloved father Lajos during WW2. From there the story flashes back to Russia, where, near the war’s end Lajos and brother Andor are the Jewish members of a retreating Hungarian army unit. What follows is a sweeping tale, taking in many settings across the globe - from a Siberian POW camp, through to Vienna, Argentina and Australia. The plot is certainly multi layered and plays out at different time lines between 1945 and the present day.
This genre is always fun. Taking a biography and putting some fictional aspects to areas that need it. I read one the other day that could technically fall into this category.
This story follows Tim in the 1970s who has to face the biggest tragedy of his life...the disappearance of his father during WWII. We get some "flashbacks" and POVs of his father during the war.
So sad, but so full of hope. I felt bad for Tim. I cannot imagine not knowing what really happened to your father and that he is missing. There was one part that really stuck with me. He is going on saying how he is a 30-year-old man who has a good life with kids and a good job. However, he is still haunted by his father's disappearance and how he still feels the void. No matter how old you get or how great your life becomes things like that will forever scar you. That part made me tear up and re-read that part a couple of times, so good.
I liked the flashbacks and jumping POV. I liked Tim's story, but I really was intrigued by the dad's story. It was sad, but I liked seeing the dad's story. Oooo that war. I wanted more of the dad's story, but the balance did seem to be okay.
I like the philosophical points too. It really rounded out the story and added more feels and makes you think. Yes, the story was good itself, but I like when books make me think and feel.
Overall, I really recommend this for anyone who likes a people story. Sure, there are some historical aspects since a lot of the book is set in the war. This really makes you think and feel. I'll give this 4 stars. A good one for sure.
Author: Erika Rummel
Title: Head Games
Genre: Adventure, Drama, Mystery
Pages: ebook
First Published: April 30th, 2013
Where I Got It: Given to me by the author/publisher to give my honest and unbiased opinion.
"Argentina 1979. Life has gone stale for Jim, an expat working in Catamarca. Everything is predictable until he meets Lisa. She has the starry eyes, the sensuous lips, and the tango steps that make all rational assumptions go away. Jim gives her top marks for animation but there is a warning at the end of his tip sheet: Danger. Lisa is a little too intense, a little too crazy, a woman with too many scenes playing in her head. Lisa's antics don't faze Santos, a spiritualist, who is looking for a medium to channel the dead and attract his lost sister. He lures Lisa to his compound in northern Argentina, where she becomes a pawn in a deadly family feud. Jim goes in search of Lisa. Tracking her down turns into a double mission -- freeing Lisa from her captors and himself from the monotony of his life. The story unfolds against the background of a country under military rule. It is a place where kidnapping, violence, and death no longer make headlines, a place where you have to learn survival skills."
Like earlier stated, I have read this book to give me honest and unbiased opinion.
GAH! Stupid Lisa. Stupid girl getting into trouble and just being an idiot. I wanted to slap some sense into her. Yes, she was ultimately a very sweet girl, but she was an idiot. Due to this and her being extremely attractive, Jim got suckered in. Poor guy never stood a chance. I honestly think the only reason he truly feel for her was the fact that he was simply and utterly bored with his life and this crazy, idiotic, and "hot" chick. Tsk. HOWEVER, there had to be a catalyst to make Jim a "hero" and make a book.
Kuddos to the author for making the setting interesting and different. How many books can you honestly say is set in Argentina? The setting made this book. It was like adding the right amount of spicy to your food. Not too over the top, but not boring and A-typical.
There was so much going on and there was never a dull moment. Sometimes, though, my head would get lost. HA! "Head Games". I get it now... I really wish I could say more though....but giving away too much would totally ruin this book. Everything is connected and pretty much everything makes sense at the end.
It was such a good book, so I wish I could say I loved this...but I didn't. Perhaps I'm biased because me and the '70s don't get along. Or perhaps I disliked Lisa. I don't know. I didn't like any of the characters, but poor Jim. However, he was a blimey idiot too. I just found myself confused and would have to walk away from the book a time or two and re-read. I would get it then. Also....I did not like the ending that much...I totally get why it ended the way it did, but that doesn't mean I have to like it. Plus, I'm still trying to completely understand the last sentence. Mmmmm.
Advice. Take your time with this book and let your brain wrap around what you just read. Also, remember EVERYTHING! Everything is important to solving the puzzle in this book.
In the end, this was a good book. I just didn't LOVE it. I liked it. However, I had a hard time connecting to any of the characters and sometimes I would find myself getting confused as to what was going on. Also the ending didn't feel completely right to me. Yes, I re-read those parts and got back on track, but still it was annoying those couple of times. OVERALL, this was a fun adventure. It would really make a good movie one day. Mhmmm. Yup, I would totally go see this in theaters. Anyways...I recommend this to those that love a good puzzle of a book with danger and an intense location. Out of five stars I grant this 3 stars.
Favorite Character(s): Jim
Not-so Favorite Character(s): mmmm everyone else. hahaha
