An Abundance of Katherines – John Green

I only recently stumbled upon John Green as an author.  I read “Looking for Alaska” and “Paper Towns” before “An Abundance of Katherines” and really all three books are very well told and a lot of the praise here for “An Abundance of Katherines” is equally attributable to the other two.  John Green is what I would consider a crossover author: while his books are aimed more at a teenage audience, my teenage years are long past and I still thoroughly enjoyed them. 

“An Abundance of Katherines” is a story about washed-up child prodigy Colin Singleton.  He has an eidetic memory, is great with anagrams, ok at maths and thinks he is socially inept.  Except when it comes to Katherines.  To date, Colin has had nineteen girlfriends, all named Katherine.  And he has been dumped by all nineteen.

Despite being a child prodigy, it is very easy to relate to Colin who is dealing with very typical teenager angst.  All of John Green's books are full of believable, if somewhat peculiar, characters.  "An Abundance of Katherines" is the lightest in tone and themes of John Green's novels so far which made it a quick enjoyable read.

Michael L.

The Little Coffee Shop of Kabul - Deborah Rodriguez

"The Little Coffee Shop of Kabul" is the story of five women who meet in the titular coffee shop in Kabul, Afganistan.  Each of the five women have their own story to share and secret to hide.  A bond grows between the women as the story progresses and dangerous secrets are revealed.

Much has been made of Deborah Rodriguez's ability to paint a realistic and vivid picture of a city and culture most of us have heard little about.  Having lived in the city and even owned a coffee shop there for years gives a lot of credence to the descriptions and events she depicts.

Published just this year, "The Little Coffee Shop of Kabul" is already a very popular choice amongst our book club groups.  Feel free to add your own comments on the book below.  (Available as a Book Club Set)

The Name of the Wind - Patrick Rothfuss

Patrick Rothfuss has a great storytelling style well suited to this epic fantasy story.  This first book in the series details the rise and fall of the legend Kvothe as told by himself.  However, it soon becomes apparent that his story is not yet finished as current day events begin to interrupt and give colour to the historical events of Kvothe’s story.  These narrative switches between the tale of Kvothe’s life and present day events provide great pacing to the story and Rothfuss is an expert at  foreshadowing events throughout the story such that I was constantly intrigued just enough to keep me wanting to read just one more chapter before bed. 

“The Name of the Wind” draws on plenty of familiar fantasy tropes but does so in a way that avoids being derivative.  This is the most refreshing fantasy series I’ve read in quite some time and with the second book in the series, “The Wise Man’s Fear,” just released, I know what I’ll be reading this Easter.   

- Michael L.

Books I am Reading (or just finished)

The following books can all be found in the Maribyrnong Library Service

Alex Miller's award winning novel, Lovesong

- see reviews

Find the book on the shelf at A FIC MILL or the talking book CDs at SBDC MILL in the Footscray Public Library.


The Melbourne Book: a History of Now by Maree Coote &Ginger Ridgeway



 A week at the airport : a Heathrow diary
by philosopher Alain de Botton

- for more information
- for a review

Find the book on the shelf at 387.73609421 DEB in the Footscray Public Library.

David Sedaris' wicked bestiary Squirrel seeks Chipmunk
illustrated by Ian Falconer

- mixed reaction reviews

Find the book on the shelf at FIC SEDA in the Footscray Public Library.

- for more information