Botticelli's Bastard by Stephen Maitland-Lewis

If your painting started talking to you, would you think you're crazy? Most people would. Giovanni Fabrizzi, on the other hand, is still sane. As sane as anyone can be when a talking painting comes into his life anyway.

Calling himself the Count, the painting insists that he's an unsigned word by the great Botticelli. He drives Giovanni crazy, exposing his wife's affair, causing his son to think he's insane and sending Giovanni on a trip round Europe to find out exactly who owns this painting. As he searches, he learns about the history of this painting and uncovers a family secret.

What I really like about the book is that although it introduces a lot of information about art history, it never feels like a textbook. Or at least, I never felt like I was being force-fed information. Plus, since it's about art in World War II, I found it pretty interesting and would have probably read a non-fiction book about it anyway. Having it in a story is like a bones.

As for characters, well, I liked Giovanni and the Count. Giovanni was a sympathetic protagonist, and the Count was amusing. Giovanni's son Mau was a nice, if unremarkable side character. But, I never actually understood his new wife Arabella. She has an affair with another man, and Giovanni is understandably angry, but the way they reconciled was... muted to say the least. Arabella seems to treat it more like a business than anything else.

All in all, I enjoyed reading this book, and managed to finish it in a day. I thought it was interesting, and I enjoyed the magical talking portrait (who's reason for existence isn't really explained. The portrait isn't sure why he exists either, although he has a hypothesis, and there is no other signs of magic). Plus, I learnt something, assuming the history portrayed in this book was accurate.

Disclaimer: I got a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a free and honest review.

The Hollow by Agatha Christie

It's been so long before I read an Agatha Christie mystery. I actually finished so many of them in Secondary school that I get nervous whenever I open a new one, because it means that I have one less mystery to read (although I suppose there are always re-reads).

Hercule Poirot is conveniently next to a murder (doesn't he always?) This time, the family involved is the Angkatells, including the very random but perceptive Lucy, the poor cousin Midge, the talented artist Henrietta, the shy cousin Edward and the guests brilliant John Christow and his slow wife Gerda. The weekend is abruptly interrupted when John Christow is found shot, and Gerda is holding the gun. It looks like an open and shut case, but the clues seem to lead to everyone and yet no-one.

The interesting part of the case is, of course, the different relationships. Gerda worships John, but John is annoyed by her. Instead, he loves, or thinks he loves, Henrietta. There's also Veronica, his selfish first love that's back. Edward has been crushing on Henrietta for a long long time, and Lucy is just callous enough to be able to do it (although she has no motive).

I love Lucy (Yay, I got to use that line!) She's the sort of random that I aspire to. She says the most nonsensical things, and does the most outrageous things, but yet she's never in trouble. Plus, she figured out what was happening before Poirot did. As another character (her long-suffering husband, who for the sake of a good night's sleep, locks the doors to his loving wife) says:

"I always think Lucy has a brilliant mind that expresses itself like a missing word competition. To mix metaphors - the hammer jumps from nail to nail and never fails to hit each one squarely on the head."

This was a fun mystery to read. It's got an enjoyable cast of characters, and the final solution was unexpected, but yet made sense.

Teaser Tuesday - Dark Sun, Bright Moon by Oliver Sparrow

Guess what? This week, I received a very rare print book for review! Since I live in Japan, most books I get are ebooks, because, really, shipping costs. Sigh.

All together now. OOOOOOOOOOH

So, as soon as I got my hands on Dark Sun, Bright Moon, I started reading it. Both happily and sadly, it's a really thick book, which means lots to read, but not outside. I don't think this will fit into any of my bags. Not without straining a shoulder or something.

Anyway, my teaser from roughly the middle of the book:

"The yachaq' of Nauta and Apurimac had not at all taken to each other at their first meeting. In addition, it became clear that the village yachaq' deeply resented treatment that Q'ilyasisa had started to offer the sick." (page 353)

Now, what is your Teaser Tuesday this week?

Teaser Tuesday is hosted by MizB of Shouldbereading. To participate, simply share two sentences from a book you're currently reading.

Face to Face with Jesus by Samaa Habib

Happy 2015 everyone! I hope your New Year has been enjoyable :D I managed to travel a lot. Well, now school has started and I'm starting to come down to earth, so here's my review of the last book I read for 2014.

Face to Face with Jesus is the testimony of Samaa Habib, a Christian who was born a Muslim in a predominantly Muslim country. She tells her story of her childhood, how she came to Christ, and her life after accepting Christ. And one day, two terrorists bombed her Church, temporarily killing her. It was then that she came 'Face to Face with Jesus'. But to me, the meat of the book started long before her near-death experience, and while this experience is wonderful, it's not the centre of the story.

Nope, the centre of the story is how God is everywhere, even in the places where we least expect it. Consider this, Samaa's birth nearly killed her mother. She grew up during a civil war between Sunni and Shia muslims. But one day, during a free Taekwondo class, she hears the word of God. Something sparks within her that previous experiences haven't (she had attended an Orthodox Church before at the invitation of her friend). She begins to go to Church, and finally accepts Christ. And through her living testimony, she manages to bring her mother, her sisters and most of her family to Christ. And in turn, they are powerful testimony as they model God's love in a country that persecutes Christians, especially Muslim-turned-Christian believers, who are apostates in their eyes.

Samaa's story was a good end-of-2014 book for me because it was a wake-up call. It is so easy to keep quiet when you're the minority, even if unlike Samaa, you don't face the threat of death for your faith. God has reminded me to be a loud and loving witness wherever I am.

Disclaimer: I got a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a free and honest review.