Pomegranate Soup by Mehran Marsha

Set in picturesque Ireland and taking you through Iran, this book weaves in traditional Iranian food – its smells and healing properties with the lives of the 3 Aminpour sisters. The sisters as different as they come have faced their share of heartbreaks. In the small village of Ballinacroagh they set shop and win over the people with their exotic food and pleasant nature. A feel good book laced with scents of cardamon and saffron.

In a Sunburned Country by Bill Bryson

This book has been on my to-read list for a year. I wish I had picked it up earlier. What a riot! Bryson has a wonderful way of weaving history with present day and observations with facts. His descriptions of Australia ring  a bell and his descriptions of certain areas makes want to hit the road. I would highly recommend this book for a peek into life Down Under.

The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd

Handful aka Hetty was a gift to Sarah Grimke on her 11th birthday. Sarah was given ownership of Hetty – something she didn’t ever want. The book follows the lives of these two girls, their journey into womanhood, their special friendship and the difference in status. Sarah leaves Charleston and becomes a pioneer for abolition of slavery. Hetty endures loss and discovers herself in the process. This heartbreaking and exquisitely woven story traces some of the America’s past. Totally captivating read

Tenth of December by George Saunders

This acclaimed collection of short stories left me a bit baffled. I am not sure how I feel about the characters Saunders creates. In fact I am not sure how in just a few words the characters spring to life. The parents of the boy in the Victory Lap I can see them in front of my eyes. Same with Renee’s parents in Home. I think that is what makes this collection stand out. Each story is unique and flavoured differently with unforgettable characters. Home was one of my favourites – it is about a solider returning home to a world very different from the one he left. The title story – 10th of December is also a wonderfully crafted and makes one wonder about the lives we lead today.

 Private India by James Patterson and Ashwin Sanghi

A murder-mystery set in Mumbai sets your heart racing. Interesting characters that seem to stay with you and a well-paced story line makes this book a good read. On the flip-side the book was written to be adapted as a movie. The Bollywood signs flash all over the place and it just took away the feel a thriller tends to bring.

5 books is a monthly series featuring some of the books I read and loved recently. For more book updates and to check my current reading list, head to my Goodreads account