Des chrétiens et des Maures, by Daniel Pennac

I've enjoyed so much reading "Messieurs les enfants" from the same author, that I also spent some time in the French section of the library looking for more from Daniel Pennac. And then again, I found the smallest book. The story, as unusual as ever, starts when "le Petit" stops eating and wants his father. And so we meet him .. in Pennac's way of course !

Would that qualify as a short story ? If so, that would be the first short story I ever liked. But maybe it's too long already ...

L'homme aux cercles bleus, by Fred Vargas

I had to search the French corner of Münster's library for five good minutes before I spotted this rather small book.

Adamsberg leads the search, so no toad for this time. I really enjoyed meeting all the characters: a small book, with four main characters (Adamsberg, Danglard, Mathilde and Reyner) who are well drawn, plus important side-characters. Well .. that's Vargas's style .. I like it :)

I thought maybe it started a little bit fast with witty dialogues right from the beginning, but hey, that puts the reader in context faster I suppose.

Oh and of course, the end .. as unpredictable for me as ever :D

The smoke jumper, by Nicholas Evans

Years ago, I've read "The horse whisperer" by the same author. I think I read it in one go. Then I lent it to my mother, and she did just the same, not talking to me for a day or two. Then came my brother, and the story repeated itself.

So when I spotted this book in the library I knew I had to borrow it. And I really quite liked it! First of all, I learned about smoke jumpers, which I didn't know existed. Then the story takes you in and it becomes increasingly hard to put the book down. Nothing revolutionary, but a fantastic reading, which made me laugh and cry (man, that letter !!!). Perfect escape from your everyday life :)

The house of spirits, by Isabel Allende

I'm on my way to read all of Isabel Allende's books. And I really liked that one. It had a huge diversity of characters, ideas and moods. As always, magic is present, as if it was the most natural thing. It was nice to meet the Del Valle again (although it might be the first time she introduced them .. I haven't read her books in chronological order at all).

Rosa the beautiful, Clara the mystic, Blanca in the middle and Alba with fresh new ideas yet love for her grand-father. Somehow, you leave the book as if you really knew the characters: there's a lot of them, but each is given enough time and depth that they all have a life of their own. Of course I'd recommend this book :)

Sans feu ni lieu, by Fred Vargas

My mum's a Fred Vargas addict, and I read this one from her collection.

I really like the three historians. Mathias is my favorite, does anybody else have an opinion ? ;D
The way the idiot speaks is just fantastic, you can't help having his sentence construction in your head for days after you've read the book !

I'd recommend this book, just as the other two I've read from her: she's got a really nice style and creates great characters and fiction.

The Good Life, by Jay McInerney

Can't quite remember what got me interested by this book at the library. Maybe the fact that it was brand new. I like unread books. In any case, the story is set in New York. Although I found NY life slightly too complicated for me and fogging the story, I went on reading.
As it was my first book dealing with 9/11 I enjoyed the descriptions of the reactions of people and the general ambiance in the town. I didn't like the love story too much though. Generally, I have the impression that there were too many side characters half-involved in the story without enough depth. Or maybe not. I don't know. Not a huge fan of the book, but I still found it entertaining.

L'homme à l'envers, by Fred Vargas

With the memory of how much I enjoyed Un peu plus loin sur la droite, by the same author, I immediately decided to borrow this book. I liked it. The cool dialogues are there one more time, with a good plot and a nice story about the wolves and the road trip. I don't want to spoil the book too much, but .. I was sad somehow to discover who the murderer was. Also, this book had less of an effect on me, compared with the first one I read. I wonder if it is because the dialogues, mood and plot style aren't new anymore, or if it is just that the book wasn't as good as the first. Oh well .. I am definitely going to keep reading Fred Vargas, in any case.