Good Inexpensive Books for your Reading List

Reading has been one of my all-time favourite things to do ever since I was a child. Sadly, these days I’m not afforded the luxury of much time so I don’t get a chance to read as regularly as I would love to.

Since the start of this year, I made a pledge to myself to make time for reading. To get myself back into the groove of things, I decided to make a move on my resolution by re-reading some of my old time favourites. I started off by writing the names of some books I have totally enjoyed reading and then checked Amazon to get them again so I could re ‘kindle’ our relationship.

I was pleasantly surprised to find that they are not expensive at all and that most are available in paperback as well as kindle varieties. So really there is no excuse. If you, like me want to get back into reading try these titles out. They are some of my favourite books to read. I will give my own little review for you as well so you can see if it is material that you might like reading.

Suffrage of Elvira. – V.S. Naipaul

V.S Naipaul is one of my favourite Caribbean authors and I have had the pleasure of reading a number of his books. ‘Suffrage…’ is my absolute favourite. This book has a funny take on things in a Caribbean community when suffrage (The Right to Vote) comes to the people. One of the book’s main characters, an old man Surujpat Harbans decides he wants to put himself forward to run for office. The interactions between the country folk when this realization comes to them is just hilarious. Naipaul, through this book, shows all the aspects of voting and living in a small Caribbean island– the drama, the thievery, the whole thing!

 

Holes – Louis Sachar

Sachar beautifully chronicles the story of some juveniles who find themselves in a spot of bother because they have got themselves in trouble. They are taken to a faraway land where their punishment is to dig holes. They are exhausted, drained and you will really feel for them. You can’t help but feel empathy for Stanley Yelnats one of the juveniles. Every day, he has this job to do: dig a hole, 5 feet deep by 5 feet wide. He is not even accustomed to hard work of any sort and he finds this extremely difficult so he and the others hatch a plan.

Through Troubled Waters – William Armstrong

You know some movies that make you cry? Well, this book makes me cry. A lovely ordinary family with a mom, dad and three kids do ordinary everyday things and then unexpectedly the mom dies. Oh, what sadness. Whether this author has gone through this or something similar himself in real life is unclear, but if he hasn’t, then he is really good! He tells the story in such an emotive way. I admire the strength and faith of the main character. His faith sustains him.

The Lunatic –Anthony Winkler

Talk about funny! This is truly hilarious! I’ve searched Amazon and can’t find it but I googled it and found that lo and behold there is now a movie of The Lunatic. I have a feeling though that I would be too embarrassed to watch this movie in a public place with others. You see Aloysius is the local ‘madman’ or lunatic of the village. He has the uncanny ability to talk to trees bushes, clumps of grass and the like as he has no human contact. Everyone avoids him, everyone, that is, except Inga. Inga is a German tourist who came to the area and across Aloysius. To say they ‘fell in love’ would be an understatement. You just must find this book and read it!!

Living Life While Squeezing Lemons – Jo and Leisa Creed.

Yeah, I had to squeeze this one in here. I know it is a good book because I co-wrote it. It is an easy to read the book which deals with how to manage daily life with the challenges that it brings. In it, there is inspiration, some brutally honest jokes (even about ourselves) as well as actionable suggestions for improving your lives.

The Year in San Fernando – Michael  Anthony.

This was one of the recommended readings when I started secondary school back in Jamaica. It was a lovely read. My parents thought it wise that we should ‘know’ our textbooks before school began so we always got our books in the summer for the following school year. I read Green Days by the River and wondered how could this be a text book? What could they ask about the book that I might not understand? Nothing! It was a breeze to read through especially since it is written in the first person. It tells the story of a ‘country’ boy who is sent to live with an ailing relative in San Fernando, a large City in Trinidad and Tobago. He has great expectations, but the reality of it all was sad for him as he was treated more like a slave. The book is relatable and its like you can see this child maturing in front of your very eyes.

Green Days by the River – Michael Anthony.

I think Mr Anthony likes to have us imagining the highs and lows of teenage emotional development. This book is similar to The Year in San Fernando in that respect. The main character in the story Shell is at the age where he is is beginning to be interested in girls. There is however a dilemma in that his father is terminally ill and he wants to focus on this, but then he is losing out because all the ‘good’ girls are being taken. How he deals with these two situations is mesmerizing.

Eats Shoots and Leaves – Lynne Truss

I’m a stickler for English Language and Grammar and so is Lynne Truss. In her inimitable style, she points out the error of our ways in a funny sort of way. You can’t help but side with her if you are a stickler for English. The best bits I find are when she points out what she has seen on some signs that are just so wrong!

I hope you find something suitable for your taste in these recommended readings. Send me some ideas as well of your favourite books. I will check out as many as I can. Happy reading!

 

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