Bieguni - English title Flights

Bieguni by Olga Tokarczuk
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

Looks to me as a random collection of less or more interesting facts, memories and stories.
Professional critics try to prove that they see some deeper meaning in this maze.
Definitely not my idea of reading books.
I ended my efforts around page 120 and immediately forgot what I read in preceding pages.

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Rachel and Leah

Rachel & Leah by Orson Scott Card
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I am familiar with biblical Jacob's story. First of all from Joseph and his Brothers, a monumental book by Thomas Mann. Thomas Mann was most interested with complicated relations of Biblical characters with God, women were left in a background.
So I welcomed Rachel and Leah as a worthy addition of woman's point of view.
I was quite pleased with first few chapters, different characters of two sisters, daughters of Laban, Jacob's uncle. I welcomed addition of Bilhah and Zilpah, two women with unfortunate childhood, but with strong characters.
I enjoyed witty dialogues with gentle humor and bits of spite.
But there remained few hundred pages to read, will all be just a lighthearted banter?
No, author introduced a significant element - reading holy books, the word of God.
It looks to me like an author's invention, there is no mention in the Bible of any books passed between Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
Another point is Jacob, the book pictures him as a man of great depth and faith, it rather contradicts the biblical story.
Anyway, I do not mind some deviation from the biblical path, but as for me there was too much about influence of holy texts on Leah character.
Finally we come to the climax of the story - wedding of Jacob and a daughter(s) of Laban. I was very interested how the author solved this puzzle? Well, again he resorted to God, faith and love. On one hand I do not see any other peaceful solution, on the other it was choosing an easy way out.
Summarizing - I read this book with some interest, but I will not read other biblical stories by this author.

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Cadence

Cadence: Travels with music — a memoir by Emma Ayres
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I remember Emma Ayres very well as ABC morning music presenter.
Not so long ago I've been to his (Eddie's) presentation of his latest book - Danger Music. I found this book very interesting, but at the same time I was very frustrated with descriptions of life in Kabul and hopeless struggles of Afghani musicians.
I just received from Goodreads a summary of my readings this year. A very saddening summary - 35 books read, average rating 2.3. Most of books written by writers I respect and such a disappointment. I got a feeling of time lost and hesitated to start another book.
It looks that the last glimpse at books in my local library was a kind smile of the fate - Cadence by Emma Ayres - her life, musical experiences, adventurous bike ride and reflection on selected pieces of music.
I suppose for everyone who remembers Emma and her music programs it will be a most welcome return of a good friend.
For those, who do not remember Emma? Still I think it should be interesting story of a brave girl fighting for finding her place on earth.

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