Murder Monday (1)

Okay.. So for my first Murder Monday I thought I would quickly write about the norwegian author Jo Nesbø and his books about Harry Hole. There are nine books in total in this series and I've read all but the last one which is Phantom (my mother just bought it though so as soon as she is done with it I will borrow it, hehe). I've read all the books in norwegian, but the books have been translated into english and several other languages as well. In addition he has sold the movie rights to the british company Working Title, although I believe they are planning on filming The Snowman which is the seventh book which sounds a bit strange to me. But enough of that.

The books main character is Harry Hole who is kind of an anti-hero in a sense. He works as a murder investigator for the norwegian police which he combines with a drinking problem on the side. He is brilliant in his work but won't let people really in his personal life.

In the first book in the series, The Bat, Harry Hole has to go to Australia to assist an Australian police investigation on the murder of a norwegian girl. He is supposed to lay low, observe and get a grip on his alcohol problem that has gotten worse after he was in a car crash that killed his colleague, but that really is not in Holes nature. He falls in love with a friend of the dead girl, he gets in the company if pimps, strippers and learns about an old aborigine tale about the Bat Man. And as the Bat Man awakens, Death appears in the lives of mortals.

I don't know if this does the series any justice.. but heres the link to his official website where you can read more about his books: http://jonesbo.com/ and you can look him up on Goodreads. 

I really do recommend this series, and for all of you who already embraced the Stieg Larsson trilogy I would definitely recommend you pick this series up - and it only gets better and better.

- Siff

Review: Insurgent by Veronica Roth

My rating: ★★★★★

Synopsis:

One choice can transform you--or it can destroy you. But every choice has consequences, and as unrest surges in the factions all around her, Tris Prior must continue trying to save those she loves--and herself--while grappling with haunting questions of grief and forgiveness, identity and loyalty, politics and love.

Tris's initiation day should have been marked by celebration and victory with her chosen faction; instead, the day ended with unspeakable horrors. War now looms as conflict between the factions and their ideologies grows. And in times of war, sides must be chosen, secrets will emerge, and choices will become even more irrevocable--and even more powerful. Transformed by her own decisions but also by haunting grief and guilt, radical new discoveries, and shifting relationships, Tris must fully embrace her Divergence, even if she does not know what she may lose by doing so (Goodreads).

Since this is book two in Veronica Roths dystopian Divergent series I wouldn't recommend reading any further if you haven't read the firs one, namely Divergent. And if you haven't read the first one I recommend you do it; immediately! Because it really it THAT amazing. I will however try to make this spoiler free. I really really really want to discuss this book at length; but I don't want to ruin somebody else's reading experience either. 

Now, back to the first book. I haven't read anything like it; ever, so I think that is a part of the reason why it become one of my favorite books at once. I was having high expectations for Insurgent and I was really scared that they might not be met; but there was no need to worry at all! The fact that the story and this dystopian world isn't "new" anymore is that you already know about the factions and the factionless so that there is more place in the story for actual progression and action rather than introducing the reader in to this society that Tris and Four/Tobias live in and are a part of. I also enjoyed the fact that you get a more in depth view in the other factions this book as the story progresses it self and well.. you'll know when you read the book..

Tris is a character with much depth and you cannot help but feel for her as she struggles with the choices she has to make in Insurgent and deal with the choices she made in Divergent. You get to experience her pain and frustration. I did however find myself kind off annoyed with Tris and Tobias's relationship; why can't they just talk to eachother?! But I love them! Four isn't your typical dreamy boy you so often get described, but he is kind and fair and sweet as well as though and stubborn and manly. 

Veronica Roths writing is amazing. Somehow after reading the firs two books in this series I already feel like I've seen the movies. She makes you feel like you are right there with the characters and experience exactly what they experience.

I have sooo many questions still unanswered after reading this book (which was done in a day btw, it really was that suspensful!). And the ending? What a cruel way to end a book! My jaw dropped and I kept searching for more pages to read.. The fact that we have to wait a whole year for the next one is slowly killing me a bit inside..

- Siff

Book Chat: Desert Island Books

Book Rat Misty has a book chat going on over at her youtube channel / blog, and this time it is all about which 5 books you would bring with you if you were to find yourself on a deserted island. There are five categories you have to choose books from and these are:



1: A book you have read before and want to read again:

This is Sagan om Isfolket (The Legend of the Ice People) by Margit Sandemo, which consists of 47 books.. So it's kind of a stretch since it would make a massive bind up, but I LOVE these books!







2: A book you've never read but really want to read:

I've actually never read any of the books, I've only seen the movies and a series. I keep thinking I would need to bring really big books if I were to be stranded on an island so The Complete Chronicles of Narnia would be a wise choice i believe..














3: A childhood favorite:

This is a bind up of a series written by the norwegian author Anne-Cath. Vestly and I used to have all her books in this series on cassette tape (you know, what we used to have before the cd and mp3-files, lol). I loved these books! I got to listen to them every night before i went to bed. They are about a grand mother and her eight grand children and I think most people my age and older in Norway have fond memories of this series.










4: A series OR a book that has been recommended to you:

I don't think Harry Potter needs any explanation. I couldn't end up on an Island without these books..











5: Whatever floats your boat:

Okay, here I had some trouble, but I ended up with The Swarm by Frank Schatzing. I have this book on my shelves, and I really want to read it, but because it's a massive book (800+ pages) I haven't done it yet. I figured I need something else that I've haven't read yet on my list and this book sounds really promising.














So this is my list; at least for now. I bet in a few hours I will think of other books that I would rather have brought, but still, I feel it's a good list. Visit Book Rat Misty at her blog and make your own list and let me know so I can check out yours! :)

- Siff

Weekly Memes

So I've been thinking that these will be my weekly memes in the future. I don't know if I will be able to do them all each week, but I figured if I really can't think of anything exciting to post that day I can look back at this and be a little bit inspired. The Top Ten Tuesday meme is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish, but the other memes I don't think is something that I need to link back to. If anybody knows let me know and I will give credit where the credit is due. I just sat down and thought of words that would fit with each day and didn't look up if its something that is already done.

In Murder Monday I will talk about murder mysteries and crime novels I've either already read or want to read.

Top Ten Tuesday is as already said hosted by the broke and the bookish and they have new topics each  week which you can find on their blog. 

Wednesday Wants is basically books that I wish was on my shelf this very moment.

Thursday Treats is kind of not really decided, but I thought maybe it would be a post of book related stuff I've purchased, will purchase or wished I could purchase..

Freaky Friday will be about freaky books, or horror books or something in that line.

Sweet Saturday will be about contemporary books, sweet love stories and such.

And finally Super Sunday will be about books in the paranormal genre.


I hope this will be interesting for more people than just me.. hehe :)

- Siff

Currently Reading: Insurgent by Veronica Roth!

Finally!! Went to check the mail earlier to day and I'm really glad I did! I haven't been feeling that good at all so this will make my weekend a little better :) I've just read the first few chapters yet, but there will be a review as soon as I've finished it! :)

- Siff

I'm so excited!!

And i just can't hide it :D
I've got a kindle touch on the way in the mail!! Whoop whoop :)

Currently reading: The Aurora Teagarden Mysteries Omnibus 2 by Charlaine Harris

This omnibus contains the last four books in the Aurora Teagarden series. I read the first omnibus in April and I enjoyed it a great deal. It's a quick and fun read and I would characterize it as a sort of adult Nancy Drew/Veronica Mars kind of deal.

The main character is obviously Aurora Teagarden, and to her, but especially the police in her small towns annoyance, dead bodies seems to follow her around. It still bothers me a bit that she is a librarian rather than an investigator herself, because she always does a better job then the police to catch the killer. Of course, she gets in a lot of nasty situations..

I would recommend these books to anyone looking for a quick, fun murder mystery!

- Siff