Doing Germany: Book Two

In the sequel to the best-selling DOING GERMANY, Agnieszka Paletta picks up exactly where she left off. She is still a slave to chocolate and wine, still a Polish-Canadian-lover-of-Italy, still a grasshopper in a new country, Germany. Two years may have passed, but the moose-in-headlights persists as she continues to discover Deutschland. (After two years, what is there left to discover?) Ye, of little faith. Plenty and plenty and then some! And what’s more, with some unexpected lessons that come with having a baby and owning a house.

Ever an immigrant in a foreign land, Paletta will take you for a cultural spin as you explore Germany through her Polish-Canadian-Italian eyes. So just sit back and enjoy the humorous, witty ride. (And pour yourself a glass of wine while you’re at it.)

*May Contain Spoilers*

 

Agneiszka Paletta wastes no time with readers as she dives in to sharing her life experiences with the world. And as a frequent traveler, Paletta has a lot of experiences to share. This sequel, Doing Germany: Book Two, focuses on family life and therefore lays a quick foundation that readers will be able to relate to. Added bonus: having a baby and buying/fixing up a house make for a lot of quirky stories.

 

What I found most fascinating about this novel were the comparisons between countries and traditions. In the timeframe that Doing Germany: Book Two covers, Paletta shares stories of New Year's, Easter, Halloween (Hallowe'en?) and Christmas while pointing out obvious differences. Culture is one of those things that I find unbelievably intriguing and Paletta tells all about the German and Polish cultures as they relate to her specific experiences. (Presents under pillows instead of a tree?)

 

Paletta's writing style is one set for entertainment. At moments, you, as the reader, will feel as if she's talking directly to you. It's an engaging edge that she uses to bring readers into her life, as if you've known each other for years and she's just sent you an e-mail on the latest shenanigans. The way that the book is written aligns with this. The chapters are short essays laced with wit, humor, German, and Polish. They're simply fun to read.

 

Though not all chapters are fun. Paletta does go through a heartbreaking moment around the middle of the book and it's a big thing that people tend not to talk about: miscarriage. Paletta takes a serious step in choosing to include this in her book and it's commendable and brave. Though it seems out of character for her as an author, if anything Paletta keeps things real and that's something to love about her writing.

 

Rating: 3/5 Cups

Read the review of Book One: Doing Germany

Teaser Tuesday (212)



Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of A Daily Rhythm/Books and a Beat. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers



Doing Germany: Book Two (Kindle 54%)
   - Agnieszka Paletta

'I've never even heard of a vast German mafia -- have you? It's all about the Italian mafia or the Russian mafia in Europe, right?'

What's Next, Wednesday (4)

 

•  To play along share a book you've been looking forward to reading, whether it's new or has been on your reading list for a while.

 

I'm looking forward to...

 

Doing Germany: Book 2 by Agnieszka Paletta. Once upon a time I reviewed Doing Germany and found it hilarious and entertaining. Of course, I'm expecting the same from the (stand alone) sequel. This time Paletta discusses motherhood and other new adventures while discovering Germany.

Catching Fire: Book Two of The Hunger Games Series

Spoiler Alert: If you have not read The Hunger Games, think twice before reading this post as it refers to the second novel in the series, Catching Fire.

***************

Katniss Everdeen : winner of The Hunger Games. 

Only the challenge isn't over yet. 

Now that Katniss is a victor of the hunger games, she believes that everyone she cares for will be safe. But she soon discovers that this is nothing but a false hope. 

President Snow believes that her last effort to survive (and keep her district mate/semi-love interest alive) during the competition was one of rebellion against the capitol. And some inhabitants of the twelve districts believe it too. Worried that the ruled people will once again rise up in revolt, President Snow threatens Katniss and everyone she loves with the promise of death. Unless of course she can stop the spreading belief that she wants the people to revolt. A cliched easier-said-than-done-moment. 

Now it's a race against time as people start to band together. Katniss must do everything in her power to appear as if she never wanted a rebellion. 

But is that the truth...? 

This novel is just as enthralling as the first book in the series. Perhaps even more so. Suzanne Collins picks up right where she left off at the end of The Hunger Games and takes the reader on a thrill ride that they will never see coming. If you've read the first enstallment, pick this one up immediately and keep going. 

You will not regret it. 

Catching Fire on Amazon

rating: 5/5 cups