THINK BIG

Books on my Nightstand

There are so many books on my reading list right now that I can barely keep up with what I’ve written to my Evernote wish list. For the lazy days of this Easter holiday, I chose two books : the first person narrative by Nathan Filer, The Shock of the Fall and the quirky, utterly unique  story of  The Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared by Jonas Jonasson, that would take me out of my reading comfort zone. Both books are bestsellers-page turners, with suspense and unexpected depths concealed (or not!) beneath the dark humour. I’m so glad I bought a copy of both, as I wouldn’t be able to appreciate their stunning cover design and embossed feel with an e-reader.

 

The Shock of the Fall by Nathan Filer: A novel that deals with fragile, often well hidden parts of life, mental illness (schizophrenia) and family grief. An emotional journey is bravely narrated and to my surprise is analysed without much sentimentality, but often treated with dark humour, by the patient – hero of the book. So vividly, he explains: "Mental illness turns people inwards. That’s what I reckon. It keeps us forever trapped by the pain of our own minds, in the same way that the pain of a broken leg or a cut thumb will grab your attention, holding it so tightly that your good leg or your good thumb seem to cease to exist." p. 277

Despite the fact that the main event of the story is revealed in the first chapter of the book, "I’ll tell you what happened because it will be a good way to introduce my brother. His name’s is Simon. I think you are going to like him. I really do. But in a couple of pages he’ll be dead. And he was never the same after that." p.5, there was an underlying suspense throughout that kept me turning the pages and refused to let it go until I had finished it. I believe it’s a groundbreaking story that well deserves to be shared with other readers!

I am half-way through The Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared and I will report back next month.

Please leave a comment letting me know of any books you highly recommend – I’m always looking to add to my reading list.

Επειδή, το βιβλίο The Shock of the Fall δεν έχει μεταφραστεί μέχρι τώρα στα ελληνικά, η σημερινή ανάρτηση είναι μόνο στα αγγλικά. Αν όμως θέλετε να δείτε βιβλία που στο παρελθόν έχουν περάσει από το κομοδίνο και την κουζίνα μου, μπορείτε να ρίξετε μία ματιά εδώ, εδώ, εδώ , εδώ και εδώ.