More Great Reads Book Reviews
Not Everything Fits Into a Neat Box
This selection features outstanding reads either straddle a few categories or don't naturally fit into one of the usual Book Pug categories. You'll find non-fiction, biographies, and other fascinating reads here. There are only a few for now, but the Book Pug will add to this list over time.
The Return by Hisham Matar
What's it about?
This quietly moving memoir tells the story of the author’s return to his homeland of war-torn Libya. He’s determined to uncover the truth of the disappearance of his father who stood up to the ruthless Gaddafi regime, and was kidnapped, never to be seen again by his family.
What's to like?
This personal account of the human toll of Gaddafi’s reign of terror is informative, confronting, and touching. Matar’s writing has an almost serene calmness, which belies the suspense and real horror of this story. He vividly brings to life both the beauty and the brutality of Libya.
What's a pain?
The book doesn’t completely answer all the questions that the author, and we as readers, so desperately want answers to. But in the end, perhaps closure is less important than context, when it comes to understanding how a culture can be so completely decimated by a single evil leader.
Is this book for me?
If you like understanding historically significant events at a personal level, and are willing to hear confronting truths, this book will stay with you long after you have finished it. If you prefer your reading experience to be lighter or focused on the joys of life and humanity, this won’t be for you.
Book Pug rating? 8 paws/10
I'll Never Write My Memoirs by Grace Jones
What's it about?
The incomparable Ms Grace Jones tells her own extraordinary life story, all the way from her very early years in her birth country of Jamaica, through to her life in the US where she moved with her family when she was 13 years old. The focus of her account is on why she became the maverick superstar she is.
What's to like?
This autobiography delivers everything you would expect from this unique, creative, cultural rebel. It makes for highly entertaining reading learning about her journey, and we get a very clear sense of what makes Grace tick. An added bonus is her evocative descriptions of her homeland of Jamaica.
What's a pain?
Grace isn’t short on confidence, and at times she can go on and on about herself, making it quite clear where she sees the centre of the universe. But she wouldn’t be Grace Jones if she was any other way, and it’s impossible not to admire her indefatigable self-belief that propelled her to icon status.
Is this book for me?
If you have ever wondered what led Grace Jones to become the trailer blazer she is, or have a fascination with the wild times of Warhol-era New York you’ll love this. If you find over-confidence grating, or like to read autobiographies about people who shaped history, Grace won’t be your cup of tea.
Book Pug rating? 7 paws/10
The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success by Deepak Chopra
What's it about?
This pocket-sized book of only 118 pages shares celebrated spiritual well-being guru Deepak Chopra’s principles for a more fulfilling life. Chopra proposes seven specific approaches and explains each in detail, with exercises to put them into practice in your daily life.
What's to like?
The Seven Spiritual Laws appear to be remarkably simple and grounded in reality. They are all clearly explained and Chopra doesn’t get too preachy or mystical about them. The fact that the book is short and logically structured makes it both easy to read and take in.
What's a pain?
While the ‘Spiritual Laws are straightforward and makes great sense, the book only focuses on how to bring these principles into your life. It doesn’t offer suggestions about what to do when you ‘fall off the wagon’ and struggle to adopt this ‘more fulfilling’ way of living.
Is this book for me?
If you’re open to self-help books and introducing fresh approaches into your life, but don’t have the patience for a long preachy lecture, you will love this for its powerful simplicity. If self-help equals self-indulgence for you, this book will annoy you.
Book Pug rating? 8 paws/10
