The challenge was taken up by my esteemed friend, Furziah, who nominated me to accept the challenge with one twist - instead of the ten days as suggested by our miniter to only seven days. I did not have any problem accepting the challenge. The problem was to choose only seven books from my collection. Thus, I had spread out the genre of the books that I enjoyed and had loved reading it sometimes repeatedly. Here I present you the choice of my seven books which I have read and will read with some explanation why I choose it instead of others.
Day 1 - I was introduced to Maeve Binchy when I found her book "Circle of Friends" in the public library back in the nineties. I had loved the story of relationships among friends through thick and thin. Since then I had read a few others. This book was just bought last month when I was down in KL and had just completed reading it. A wonderful book of perseverance and faith. It also explores the inter-twining of the characters and the secrets which is finally shared and perspectives of others involved to look at their problems from a different angle and to find solutions to them. A good satisfying read on a relaxing day. No rush to complete it but the characters remain with you until you have completed reading it. Perhaps this is one of the reasons that one day I should visit Ireland as the places mentioned in all her novels seem so familiar now.
Day 2 - Robert Galbraith is the name J.K. Rowling (of the Harry Porter series) writes under for her crime series. I got this book as a gift from Ismahan in Manchester. I still could not find any other books from this author here. As much as I have enjoyed the magic of Harry Porter series - yes, I bought every single book but finally gave them away to share with others when I moved into our new house as I had too many books. I like the twist and the plot of this crime thriller and I will look out for other books she has written under this pseudonym.
Day 3 - This book has been made into a movie which I have yet to watch. It is a psychological thriller and you have to focus on it as it can be quite confusing just like the protagonist who cannot be a reliable witness as she is an alcoholic. She herself questions whether she had seen is real or is it all in her confusing foggy mind.
Day 4 - If you have watched "The Da Vinci Code" then you know the book is very interesting and brilliant. The advance thinking level that is such unbelievable yet probable. It is about an underground movement protecting the heirs of Jesus and his family. Thus far, I have read a few others of his book and they are also surreal but the fear that it could be such a reality makes it so unbelievable. If you know what I mean. This book is about how to control the population of the world by spreading a virus that makes people sterile. This book is a gift from the English panel on my retirement and it is a fantastic read. It is quite heavy and thought provoking. This is also one reason to visit Rome.
Day 5 - I have chosen a book in the national language by a controversial writer as he is involve with the Syiah movement. This is in Akmal"s collection. I discovered when I read it a few years ago, this book has some similarities with Dan Brown's "The Da Vinci Code" albeit very thin. It is about the underground world protecting the heirs of Prophet Mohammad (pbuh). Quite interesting and raises the inevitable question - does this organisation exist? I think yes since he wrote about it hence the probability is there.
Day 6 - This is a book that I have not read which I bought along with ten other books during my trip to KL last month. What attracted me to choose this book is the caption. I will start on it when I have completed the present book I am reading now by Patricia Scanlan, another Irish writer. I have not read anything by this author so I am introducing myself to someone unfamiliar. Perhaps it will make itself worth my while that I will look out for more books by him. Or like some books I have bought, it was not captivating enough to get another one. SOmeone used to say -"If you find the book dragging to read, then stop. Don't punish yourself."
Day 7 - A favourite of all times among my siblings back in the nineties. It is a series of seven books and we went in search of them at most second hand book stores. It is magical - I believe in magic - with wizards and dragons. We love dragons. It has been well read all these years as can be seen from its cover. It makes its round among us and along the way, I only have three of the series with me. Worth reading again. Just like "Lord of the Rings" trilogy by Tolkien.
A seven day challenge accepted and completed. Come on, reviewers, take up the challenge and post your seven day reads on you facebook because that is where our Education Minister started it. It has received overwhelming support as we still have many Malaysians who love to read. Come on ... share !!!
