The Shadow Line by Joseph Conrad

I wanted to read this book for long, mainly because there is a song inspired by the book written by one of my favourite Italian singers (Lorenzo Cherubini) that I listen every time I have to take an important decision in my life. I couldn't find any English version or subtitle of the song, but you might still enjoy it "La linea d'ombra".

Both the book, and of course the song, talk about crossing the line between youth and adult life, with the mixed feelings of enthusiasm, fear, enjoyment, courage and temerity.

The act of crossing the line here is seen as a young sailor that, unexpectedly, is asked to take charge of a sailing boat as a captain in a difficult trip against hostile weather and bad human conditions. The trip will bring to the personal growth, and mainly to a self awareness, of the main character.
A nice little book!

I am Malala by Malala Yousafzai

I have a bit of difficulty in reviewing this book 'cause I feel whatever I would say will not make it justice.

So I begin from the end by suggesting just to go to a bookshop and buy it, without thinking twice, 'cause Malala's story has to spread around the world!!!

Malala, who is Malala? Is the question that the book try to answer. The story of a little girl born in a free Pakistan  that quite fast and  very subtly is taken over by the Taliban.
Imagine, just like that. One day you can walk freely on the street, and the day after you (as a woman) are not allowed to go out without a male member of the family, even if he is your 3 years old brother! The book explores the main steps of this change in a political, social but mainly personal point of view. All starts with a radio program that point out publicly all the behaviours that according to the Taliban go against the Quran, this generates first worries but then somehow a general consensus, which makes people forget the real principle of the Quran, or of any other Holy Book, regarding the role of the women in society.

How all of this affect the life of a teenager? The first aim of the Taliban is to prohibit education (ignorant people are more silent), and in particolar they are against girl education, claiming the Quran affirms their role is just to mind the male components of the family. Supported by her father, that with this intent had opened a school for both boys and girls, Malala starts her fight for her (and every child) right for education! She starts to write a blog for the BBC with the pseudonym of Gul Makai, to describe the life of a Pakistani girl during the regime. Quite soon she become an icon for girls' education and, of course she starts to be thorny for the regime, therefore one day while coming back from school she is shot on the head by the Taliban.

While reading the book I kept on thinking one main thing: what was I thinking when I was 14-15? How many times I complained about going to school, seeing it as time taken from friends and fun? Which were the thoughts and the ambitions of an average western girl during her teenage years?
All these thoughts made me feel very small and careless.

Among all the important messages in the book, it has also the merit to explain quite well the difference between being Muslim and being a Taliban. A difference that too often is forgotten in western culture.

How can we help Malala? Mainly by spreading awareness!
You can join her cause in the Malala Fund.
You can also keep yourself posted on the facebook page of the association Malala Fund FB

Here there is one of her most inspiring speech, that she gave in 2013 for the Malala's day at the United Nations Youth Assembly.

We are ALL Malala!!!

The Reluctant Fundamentalist by Mohsin Hamid

We are in a bar in Lahore (Pakistan) where a local man starts to talk with an American tourist. He start to tell him his story and his personal experience as an American business man. We discover that he was there during the 11 September and that he had to face the consequences of being a Muslim in New York.

The way the book is written is quite interesting, you never hear the voice of the American tourist but from the one-way dialogue you still understand his thoughts, his facial expression, his ideas.

Based on the "Event" that changed the world, we are brought to the imaginary dialogue every American would have probably liked to have with a Muslim and, most of all, that every Muslim would have liked to have with an American.


On the background a love story that somehow mirrors the internal change of the main character.

The book is very easy to ready, but quite hard to digest. Highly recommended.

Here  the movie based on the book, I heard it is a very nice one.

Non dirmi che hai paura (Don't tell me you are afraid) by Giuseppe Catozzella

I just finished to read this book and I feel the need to share it with you. It has not been translated in English but I read it will soon, so keep an eye on it.

This is the true story of Samia Yusuf Omar born in a poor family in Mogadishu (Somalia) during the war and the Islamic regime. Since very young, 6-8 years old, she had just one dream and a great talent: running. She trained her self together with her best friend Ali in the street of  Mogadishu, or at night in the stadium to not be discovered by the regime. With lots of determination and sacrifice she partecipated to the Olympics game of Beijing 2008. Even if she arrived last, the all stadium started to cheer and support for her (as you can see here).

She wished to participate to London games in 2012 and to fulfil this dream she decided to start the "Trip", through Ethiopia and Libia to reach finally Italy and her sister in Helsinki.
She died, very close to her dream, near the Italian coast in a rescue operation.

Her story of courage and determination is so touching, I found myself crying many times during the reading.

She became  an icon of freedom and female liberation.

Here you can find the book description in English
Here a tribute to her

"We know that we are different from the other athletes. But we don’t want to show it. We try our best to look like the rest. We understand we are not anywhere near the level of the other competitors here. We understand that very, very well. But more than anything else, we would like to show the dignity of ourselves and our country."- Samia Yusuf Omar (2008)

The Story of My Experiments With Truth-An Autobiography by Mahatma Gandhi

I have recently been to India, a wonderful country, and I was wondering which book to bring back that would somehow represent the country. Then I saw this book and I thought that nothing better could come home with me.

I feel kind of guilty in reviewing this book and that's why this post is coming after actually a week I had finished it.

What to say? And most of all where to start!

Being in India I had to face a weird truth that I was completely ignoring: not everybody likes Gandhi! As simple as that. This news kind of shocked me, how can you not love a person that freed your country from repression? I was told "read the book and you will understand!". So as soon as I came back I started it mostly for a principle of contradiction.
I was expecting to find the reasons behind the great peaceful battle, the principle of it, the portrait of a "holy man" that somehow was destined to become the Mahatma (big soul).
I disappointingly didn't find any of this in the book. From the first pages you find a troubled man that is looking for his way in life. A man in the constant look of the satya (truth) through tries and fails. I was shocked to realize Gandhi was very "human" and full of mistakes. He did not respect his wife, didn't find any God for many years, had prejudices and faults as any of us.
But what I really didn't like in the book was the "story" itself, I think it is wrong to call it an autobiography, 'cause it really isn't. And maybe the main title was suggesting it. I wanted to know more about his battle, his struggle but the book is more about his trials with food and medicine, his fight against civilization and western culture.

The writing was a bit (if it was not Gandhi, I would probably say, quite) boring and I really didn't like the way in all the book he was trying to preach his truth as a teacher.

Well, it was just not the book for me. And I am sorry.

Said that I still bring with me the emotions of when I visited the place where Gandhi was imprisoned in Pune, the Aga Khan Palace where I could see a bit of his daily life till finding the garden where his remains are kept. It was very touching...

Manual of Painting and Calligraphy: A Novel by José Saramago

Here we are with my other favorite writer: Saramago.
The love for him grew really in the last couple of years and I wonder how I could have ignored him for so long!

The way he can enter the human brain is fascinating, and at times, quite scary.

This book came with me on holiday, and I am sorry for it 'cause I couldn't give the right concentration and time that Saramago always deserves!

This is the story of a so-called-painter, Mister H, specialised in portrait of rich families. Mister H is perfectly aware of his poor skills and his poor ability so he decides to try another form of art, writing.
In the way from a white canvas to a white page he slowly discover himself in a personal and artistic growth.

Must say, not the best reading of Saramago I did. The first few pages I barely recognised his style; but I discover this was one of his first book, so clearly he had still not found his unique style. Said that, the book get very interesting after the first part and toward the end I couldn't stop reading it, as it happen always with Saramago's book.

Therefore, it wouldn't be the first book I'd recommend for this writer, but if you already love him, like me, you would still enjoy the reading quite much.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl

Charlie is a little kid born in a very poor  and simple family. Despite his poor destiny he has the eyes full of dreams and hope for the future.
One day he wins the Golden Tickets that opens for one day for him and his Granpa the gate for a great adventure inside the marvelous Willy Wonka's Factory

This is the classic children book of all times. I always wanted to read it and I finally did in a long wait to the dentist.

It is almost impossible to read the book without thinking of Johnny Depp and the great interpretation he did in the movie adapted from the book. It is also quite hard to read the songs of the Oompa-Loompas without trying to give them a singing tone.

A nice, magic reading! I am gonna watch the movie soon again!