It has been a busy week, with no time left at home to write.
Still, I have read quite a bit, but sadly, did not enjoy most of the books as much as I expected.
I finally read The Martian, and expected to have fun with it. Instead, it made thousands of questions pop in my head, like how do you make plants grow by just watering them once? or would not he be better with potatoes growing in several installments? Anyway, you all know the story, of a man left alone on Mars, who must find a way to survive longer than the food he has. He uses lots of knowledge and imagination and will manage, after trials and errors. Some parts are funny and interesting. If you have not read it, you can find it online.
The same applies to All the Light we Cannot See, by Anthony Doerr, a story of life in France during the Second World War. Marie-Laure is blind and lives in Brittany, Werner is a German orphan. The two of them live thousands of kilometers apart and will only meet fleetingly. Their lives are described during more than five years. The author has captured some sweetness and tenderness, which must have existed even if those years were awful for most people. Yes, it is well written, but that was not enough to captivate me.
I liked better the Nightingale, bu Kristin Hannah, without feeling amazed by it. The story of two sisters during the same war, who both end up helping the Resistance, and pay the price for it. A bit to mushy and sentimental at times, while lacking feelings when you would expect them.
I enjoyed the writing quality of Halbman steals home, a short book by B.Glen Rotchin. If you want to find a perfectly written book, this is the one. I missed some of the interest of the story, though, and did not understand the psychology of any of the characters. If you read it and get it, please, tell me! I'm really missing something.
I yet still have to read Infinite Home, which has a great review on Kirkus. That will be done soon.