She’s not There, A Life in Two Genders by Jennifer Finney Boylan
She’s Not There: A Life in Two Genders by Jennifer Finney Boylan My rating: 5 of 5 stars I enjoy life stories and I have a great interest for transgender male-to-female biographies.…
Cheri by Colette
Chéri by Colette My rating: 4 of 5 stars This is about the end of a love story between a young man of twenty-five, Cheri, and his twenty-four years older mistress, Lea.…
Big Meaulnes by Alain Fournier
Big Meaulnes (Le Grand Meaulnes) – Translated by Jennifer Hashmi by Alain-Fournier My rating: 5 of 5 stars How many times I have read that book… The first time I read it,…
Reading like a Writer by Francine Prose
Reading Like a Writer: A Guide for People Who Love Books and for Those Who Want to Write Them by Francine Prose My rating: 5 of 5 stars This is a truly…
Flights of Love by Bernhard Schlink
Flights of Love by Bernhard Schlink My rating: 5 of 5 stars This is a gem to read especially when traveling. This collection of short stories got under my skin. Some stories…
The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Bronte
The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Brontë My rating: 4 of 5 stars Although the protagonist of the story, Helen, irritated me because of her self-righteousness and overpowering sense of religious…
Villette by Charlotte Bronte
When I started the book, I wondered how the story would keep my attention but Charlotte Bronte is such an author! She develops her characters to become so much part of my…
The Sense of an Ending by Julian Barnes
The Sense of an Ending by Julian Barnes My rating: 4 of 5 stars Nostalgic. A quick pleasant read.Toni remembers what life was like and how it could have turned out. He…
A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara
A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara My rating: 5 of 5 stars A great celebration of friendship. I couldn’t put this book down. It robbed me of hours of sleep, it distracted…
Mister Pip by Lloyd Jones
Mister Pip by Lloyd Jones My rating: 5 of 5 stars Brilliant. Hypnotising. This book talks about the horror of war and illustrates the bafflement of a child, Mathilda, who finds herself…
Under the Glass Bell and other Stories by Anais Nin
Under a Glass Bell by Anaïs Nin My rating: 2 of 5 stars Review Under the Glass Bell and other stories by Anais Nin.2 out of 5 starsThis collection of short stories…
The Sound of Falling Things by Juan Gabriel Vasquez
The Sound of Things Falling by Juan Gabriel Vásquez My rating: 5 of 5 stars Brilliant. Impossible to put down.A fabulous story. I was wrapped in the narrative and transported to the…
Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini My rating: 5 of 5 stars This book deserves the all the praise it has already received. The story is heart-breaking and moving. It touches some…
The City of Spades by Colin McInnes
City of Spades by Colin MacInnes My rating: 5 of 5 stars Mesmerising. I couldn’t put it down.London in the Fifties (before Nigeria gained Independence from Britain). The author brilliantly gets into…
Capital by John Lanchester
Capital by John Lanchester My rating: 5 of 5 stars Capital by John LanchesterBrilliant. Captivating read. I couldn’t put the book down. This book is a contemporary picture and analysis of life…
On Murder Considered as One of the Fine Arts by Thomas de Quincey
On Murder Considered as One of the Fine Arts by Thomas de Quincey My rating: 1 of 5 stars This book was totally wasted on me. I obviously couldn’t appreciate its deeper…
London Observed by Doris Lessing
London Observed: Stories and Sketches by Doris Lessing My rating: 4 of 5 stars This is a collection of short stories about London. A quick read. It is a series of pictures,…
Everybody Behaves Badly by Lesley Blume
Everybody Behaves Badly: The True Story Behind Hemingway’s Masterpiece The Sun Also Rises by Lesley M.M. Blume My rating: 4 of 5 stars Hemingway’s early life as a writer, his struggles, his…
Sweet Sugar
SWEET SUGAR is a story of friendship and envy, of ambition and regret, of love and betrayal. Social equality. Mauritius of the 1950s was no paradise for an ambitious young man of…
The Pursuit of Pearls by Jane Thynne
What an insightful and personal account of events in Germany in 1939 at the eve of World War II. In the milieu of film making, British journalists, a courageous English-German actress with…
My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante
My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante My rating: 5 of 5 stars A page turner. A gripping story of determination to escape from poverty and abuse.This first of four novels was a…
Inside the Head of Bruno Schulz by Maxim Biller
Inside the Head of Bruno Schulz by Maxim Biller My rating: 3 of 5 stars I am glad I read this book. I find Bruno Schulz as character fascinating. The first half…
Life after Life by Kate Atkinson
Life After Life by Kate Atkinson My rating: 5 of 5 stars This gem of a book strikes a nerve present in a great many of us: the “what if” question. What…
A Brief History of Seven Killings by Marlon James
A Brief History of Seven Killings by Marlon James My rating: 3 of 5 stars What a joy to listen to so many Jamaican voices – each one defined by its social…
The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins
The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins My rating: 4 of 5 stars Easy quick read, the author keeps us turning pages. A female protagonist I recognised from life experience, I…
A God in Ruins by Kate Atkinson
A God in Ruins by Kate Atkinson My rating: 5 of 5 stars What a pleasant and entertaining read! The author’s art of story telling is captivating. It’s a chat with the…
Preparation for the Next Life
Preparation for the Next Life by Atticus Lish My rating: 4 of 5 stars 4 out of 5 starsThis is a marathon through New York, a race to survive. But it isn’t…
Harvest by Jim Crace
Harvest by Jim Crace My rating: 3 of 5 stars Such a well written book. It’s sadly about the universal and timeless human reaction to newcomers in a village in times of…
The End of Days by Jenny Erpenbeck
The End of Days by Jenny Erpenbeck My rating: 5 of 5 stars Absolutely brilliant. I couldn’t put it down. Poignant. The book is structured in a rather complex and not so…
Our Endless Numbered Days by Claire Fuller
Our Endless Numbered Days by Claire Fuller My rating: 4 of 5 stars What an amazing amount of fantasy and creativity there is in that book. The author’s fertile imagination carries us…
The Return of the Christmas Spirit by Susan Buchanan
4 out of 5 stars. This is the right sweet read for the Christmas season. It’s lovely how the author speaks about Christmas festivities all around the world and how she describes…
The Light of Hidden Flowers by Jennifer Handford
Light of Hidden Flowers, The by Jennifer Handford My rating: 4 of 5 stars This story is a real do-good-and-feel-good story. It is easy to fit in the skin of Missy, the…
Crossing the River: A Life in Brazil by Amy Ragsdale
Crossing the River: A Life in Brazil by Amy Ragsdale My rating: 4 of 5 stars Such an enjoyable read. One feels the enthusiasm of the author for travelling, for getting to…
Under the Undala Tree by Chinelo Okparanta
4 out of 5 stars Under the Udala Trees by Chinelo Okparanta The major theme of this story is homosexuality and how it is dangerous, criminalized and punished by death / prison…
A Lioness in Winter by Ann Burack-Weiss
4 out of 5 stars An inspirational book about ageing. This book is a rare and interesting find on the subject of ageing. It is a collection of facts from the author’s…
Love You Better by Nathalie K Martin
3 out of 5 stars A contemporary novel in British society. A girl Effie feels great as she marries up after a 6 months romance with Oliver, a professional with a double-barrel…
The Bollywood Bride by Sonali Dev
3 out of 5 stars An endearing Bollywood starlet and a taste of India. I’m a hungry fan of books set in exotic India. It’s no surprise that I enjoyed the colourful…
Fear of Dying by Erica Jong
4 out of 5 stars MADE ME FEEL SO GOOD. Fear of Flying, that was when I was young. How much did I like her book and Erica! When I saw Fear…
Beauty and Chaos by Michael Pronko
4 Stars Enjoyable. Interesting to read before or after a travel to Japan. The book will definitely enhance one’s experience of Tokyo. I am a lover of Japan so this is why…
Isobel on the Way to the Corner Shop by Amy Witting
4 out of 5 stars Amy Witting’s pick of words are sweets for the brain. This book is a little gem. The writing is captivating. The author’s prose is clear and precise.…
The Country Cides of Namibia and Botswana
3 out of 5 stars As an avid traveller who loves Africa and often finds myself in small groups, I can see how much fun I’d have to travel in the company…
Dew Point by Maria Novella Vigano
4 out of 5 stars Hilarious. Witty. Super entertaining. This book is real fun. If you’re having a bad day, read it (especially if you’re a not-so-young woman). The story will not…
The Promise of Provence by Patricia Sands
The promise of Provence by Patricia Sands 4 out of 5 Enjoyable. Very rich. This book has many topics that I love reading about 1) a woman of 55 who is dumped…
The Pink Pigeon – a success story
The Pink Pigeon. On Ile aux Aigrettes, a nature conservation park a ranger / scientist told us about the successful repopulation of endangered species. The pink pigeon was rescued from extinction – originally a…
Inside the Head of Bruno Schulz by Maxim Biller
3 out of 5 Stars I am glad I read this book. I find Bruno Schulz as character fascinating. The first half of the book, “Inside the Head of Bruno Schulz” offers…
The Telfair Skink saved on Ile aux Aigrettes
Saving endangered species. Among the endangered species saved by ongoing projects at the nature park Ile aux Aigrettes was the TELFAIR SKINK. This big shy unglamorous lizard is camouflaged so well that…
The Battle of Grand Port – monument in Mahebourg
TOUR 1 – In the south-east of the island Visit Mahebourg and its bazaar, the museum of Mahebourg, the nature reserve on Ile aux Aigrettes, the Rault manioc biscuits factory, snorkel at…
The Golden Notebook by Doris Lessing
The Golden Notebook by Doris Lessing 5 out of 5 stars I chose to buy the audiobook from Audible instead of the book because of the length of the story (27 hours…
All Hands by David Campbell with Catherine Fredman
All Hands by David Campbell with Catherine Fredman 4 out of 5 stars. The author can be proud of his achievement both as founder of All Hands, an organisation for…
Following the Dodo Trail on Ile aux Aigrettes
Following the Dodo nature trail on Ile aux Aigrettes. The trail sets up what we are going to see. First is a visit to the giant tortoise breeding area. There are soft…
Boat trip to Ile aux Aigrettes
The launch to Ile aux Aigrettes is next to the Preskil Hotel at Pointe Jerome. First we board the motorised boat and the 10 min boat ride on Mahebourg bay is breathtaking.…
Ile aux Aigrettes Nature Park – A guided Visit
I was delighted to take part on a walking tour of Île aux Aigrettes (about one hour and a half ). Breeding of endangered species of plants, birds, reptiles and animals programmes…
Audiobook – Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee
Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee My rating: 4 of 5 stars Enjoyed to know what happened to Scout and everyone else I chose to listen to the audiobook by audible.com…
A Strangeness in my Mind by Orhan Pamuk
A Strangeness in My Mind by Orhan Pamuk My rating: 5 of 5 stars A Gem. Brilliant. I couldn’t put it down. Pamuk never disappoints me – and once more he hasn’t.…
Street food straight from boiling oil
Mauritian Street Food. It’s delicious. Gateaux Piments. Samoussa. Gateaux Arouille. They are fried. They come straight out of bubbling boiling oil. I was in Mahebourg and bought 10 gateaux piment, chilli bites…
Stressed sea cucumbers in sea grass
Low tide and exposed sea grass Bombara, sambrasse and hache d’arme. During my morning walk on the beach at low tide in Pointe aux Canoniers I came across sea cucumbers (on the…
A Bulbul mum feeds her babies
Birds of Mauritius The Bulbul Next to where I usually sit on the terrace to write, in a potted plant, a Bulbul has made her nest. First there were eggs and now there…
The White Tiger by Aravind Adiga
The White Tiger by Aravind Adiga My rating: 5 of 5 stars Reviewed by Sophie at Snow Beach PublicationsI listened to the audiobook. This story grabbed me and I couldn’t stop listening…
Audiobook : Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel
Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel My rating: 4 of 5 stars GET THE AUDIOBOOK IF YOU FIND THE BOOK TOO HARD GOING OR LONG. I was given Wolf Hall to read as…
A Setting for my Story : Mont Choisy
Choosing a Setting for my Story – I love Mont Choisy beach. I find it the most inspiring beach on the island. It is certainly the one that has the most influenced…
Island of the Red Mangroves by Sarah Lark
Island of the Red Mangroves by Sarah Lark My rating: 5 of 5 stars Hugely entertaining. For fans of stories of plantations during the time of slavery, this book is a must-read.…
Willow Trees Don’t Weep by Fadia Faqir
Willow Trees Don’t Weep by Fadia Faqir My rating: 5 of 5 stars Inspirational and Motivating.Great story. An endearing protagonist, a strong willed young woman with iron determination. The author’s description of…
Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight by Alexandra Fuller
Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight by Alexandra Fuller My rating: 5 of 5 stars An authentic and heart breaking love story with Africa. How those who settle in Africa fall…
Snow Beach reviewed by Jay Chase for QUEERcentric Books
Snow Beach by Sophie Cayeux, the first book in the Mauritius Migrants series, is a story about Aimee de Roseville told in three parts: Healing, Thriving, and Flourishing. These three episodes follow…
Listening in the sun : Snow Beach Audiobook
At Mont Choisy Beach …listening to Snow Beach audiobook downloaded from Audiolibrix
Circling the Sun by Paula McLain
Circling the Sun by Paula McLain My rating: 5 of 5 stars With such lyrical and spellbinding prose, Paul McLain kidnapped me, transported me to dazzling Kenya and made me discover an…
Predators found at the Coin de Mire
Following the removal of rabbits from Round Island in 1979 and the publication of a management plan in 1989, the Mauritius Government contracted Wildlife Management International Limited in 1993 to fulfil one…
Breeding of the sea Cucumbers
Two species of sea cucumbers, Bohadschia marmorata and Holothuria atra have been induced to spawn by thermal stimulation. The larval stages of these sea cucumbers were reared on diet of unicellular algae,…
The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton
The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton My rating: 5 of 5 stars Brilliant. Pure bliss. The author’s brilliant prose, her choice of words and turn of phrase transported and planted me in that…
Tenth of December by George Saunders
Tenth of December by George Saunders My rating: 5 of 5 stars Brilliant. A gem.Brilliant. Much better in audiobook as I stumbled on his style of prose the first time I read…
Structuring your Novel by K.M. Wieland
An invaluable companion – 5 out of 5 stars Helpful. I use it every time I am stuck and need advice.
Octopus Vindaye at the Domaine des Aubineaux
I went for lunch at the Domaine des Aubineaux in Curepipe. The octopus vindaye was absolutely delicious.
Rubbernecker by Belinda Bauer
4 out of 5 stars Great talent for portraying characters. Fabulous mastering of writing techniques. Witty. Entertaining. But not much to do with a rapid pace thriller full of suspense.
Only Goodness: Family Snapshots by Jhumpa Lahiri
5 out of 5 stars Lahiri is one of my favourite authors and having read nearly all of her books, I of course wanted to read this one. This short story is…
The Lowland by Jhumpa Lahiri
5 out of 5 stars Published in 2013, The Lowland is the last of Lahiri’s fabulous books. It is however not her best. Her prose is impeccable and she is a genius…
Elizabeth is Missing by Emma Healey
Excellent to increase awareness to dementia – 3 out of 5 stars Wonderful writing. Great characterisation and dialogues. So real that it’s clear the author is familiar with the mental changes. It…
How do I outline my stories?
by Sophie Cayeux Outlining a story is like building up a Do-It-Yourself piece of furniture. (All my furniture from IKEA) Check whether I have the components required to write my story –…
Palm Trees and People
Marcia Malory, a science writer, shares her knowledge about palm trees and how since centuries they have inspired us by Marcia Malory Of all the crops that humans have cultivated, few have…