Sofa Spotlight - The Colossus of New York, Colson Whitehead

 The latest instalment of my Colson Whitehead binge read. The only thing that could have made this read better would be if I had actually visited New York and knew what he was talking about. But isn’t that the magic of reading – you can travel all over the world, through time and history, without leaving the comfort of your armchair?

Which brings me to what this book is about. It is obviously about New York, but from a hundred different angles. It seems to take on the life of the city in its memories and becomes a living entity in its own right. I’m not sure how far off poetry this book is, given that it is entirely prose, but to me this is the kind of impact I think poetry should have on you.

I’d definitely recommend this. I enjoyed it, mainly because I’m not one for travelling so this may well be the closest that I get to visiting New York. It’s not a long read and I was through it in a couple of hours – no I couldn’t put it down.

Sofa Spotlight - The Boy who Followed his Father into Auschwitz, Jeremy Dronfield

 I think this one has to be one of the best books about the Holocaust I’ve read – up there with Schindler’s Ark. It took me a long time to read but it was not because it was hard work, I just had my heart in my mouth the entire time.

The story follows the fortunes of Gustav Kleinmann and his son Fritz, as they get caught up in the persecution of their people. I cannot tell you how well written this book is. I was engrossed from start to finish. There were some truly heartbreaking moments, but what I thought that it was interesting that there were insights into the thoughts and feelings of those who were carrying out the killings.

For me there was a bit of confusion early on as the title made me think that Fritz was a young child, rather than in his late teens. But the feats that both father and son reach, within camp life as well as just in terms of survival.

Towards the end the pace picks up very quickly and all the hard work of the two men to stay together seems to be coming undone. At this point I couldn’t put the book down until the end. Highly recommend.

Sofa Spotlight - The Cats of Moon Cottage, Marilyn Edwards

I thought that this was going to be a light hearted read, and it was very cute. But never have I cried as much as I did at this story. I think what makes it worse is that I just didn’t see the tragedy coming and so there was no lessening the blow.

Anyway the book is about two cats, one an old chap who likes his home the way it is, and another who is a cute little kitten who moves into his home. It’s very endearing and I fell in love with both cats. But it all came to an end way too soon. And then I found out that there was more than one book, so more fun to come!

If you love cats then this is one for you, it’s not a gripping, fast moving plot, but it is cute.

Sofa Spotlight - 29 Seconds, T M Logan

This was edge of the seat stuff. The basic premise is – what would you do if you could make someone disappear forever, with no consequences for you. No one would find out and you wouldn’t have to do anything. It would all be taken care of for you.

This is the question that Sarah is left to answer after she rescues a young girl, and in return the father offers to make someone disappear forever. All she has to do is give one name. And there is someone who she can think of.

It’s a very dramatic book that centres around the relationship she has with her boss who is withholding a promotion unless she has an affair with him. It’s not pretty, but the question is – can she make him disappear and live guilt free afterwards?

Sarah’s choices lead the story along many twists and turns that lead to a dramatic ending. Really I don’t think the book could have ended any better, but it was gut wrenching stuff. Not to be read if you’re hoping to fall asleep straight afterwards! Also be warned - a bit graphic in places. 

Sofa Spotlight - The Darkest Minds, Alexandra Bracken

 The concept behind this series is amazing. A disease, called IAAN, breaks out in children in America. If it doesn’t kill them then it gives them one of five abilities. Helpfully divided into colours. Green is super intelligence and often used with computers. Blue is the ability to move objects with the mind. Yellows can commend electricity, reds can start fires and oranges can control minds and wipe memories. Of course this doesn’t go down well in the adult world and the kids are rounded up.

Which is what happens to Ruby, an orange, who uses her ability to convince everyone that she is a green. Cunning. The story follows her escape from the camp where she is being held and how she meets up with Liam, Chubs and Zu, who are also on the run. Ruby keeps her ability secret for a long time, fearing rejection and the abhorrence of her new friends.

There’s also a great character called Clancy. He is also an orange but less ethical with his use of the ability than Ruby is. This book creates a realistic world with a gripping storyline that held my attention right up until the end.

Fantastic read.

Sofa Spotlight - A History of Ancient Egypt, John Romer

This is one of those books that I thought was going to be one thing and turned out to be another. This is why you should always read blurbs properly. But as it happens, it was a happy mistake and I thoroughly enjoyed this. The book covers Egyptian history from the very very beginning – with the farmers who were there first and ends with the first pharaohs.

I’ve loved Egyptian history since I was in school, but this read taught me about a part of their history that I hadn’t considered, like where the first Egyptians came from and how their religion and culture developed.

To do the book justice though, as it was quite technical in places, it was a morning read with coffee on tap. But it was so worth the extra effort and my mind and historical knowledge was stretched. And when I got to the end I found there is a second volume! Wonder what I will be reading next!