Happy Saturday Ladies!
Detracting a little from beauty stories this weekend, I so enjoyed this series of books that I wanted to tell you about them.
I came across this series of books while shopping online at Book Depository and purchased The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency on a bit of a whim. Its the first of a series of books set in Botswana, Africa (so exotic!). Written by Alexander McCall Smith, this is the first in a series of books featuring the same protagonist – Mma Precious Ramotswe.
Mma Precious Ramotswe is a female private detective and the first book tells of how she sold the cows left behind by her late father to start up her agency, aptly titled “The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency”. The language and plot is kept very simple and it is simply a quick entertaining read, with one underlying main storyline interspersed with some short excerpts.
I enjoyed it, and the insight into the everyday life of a Botswana woman in relatively traditional Africa and its a refreshing departure from reading books set in the more modern West or books with complex plots. Some days, you just need to read for entertainment sake, and not to tax your mind and on those days, this series is perfect. Granted, I started reading this book after plodding through a Scandinavian novel by Jo Nesbo which was really tough going so this one was a very refreshing change.
I enjoyed it so much, I ordered almost all the rest of the books in the 12 book series 🙂 Well, all those on offer anyway and I’m waiting for them to arrive… one at a time… 😉
For some reason, some of the books are on offer on BookDepository.com for just under US$5 and since its free delivery, I thought it an excellent deal! (In fact, this first book is only $4.81 for now if you’d like to take a chance on it)
I’m waiting for the rest not on offer now, to go on offer in the future so I can complete my collection. Or I might have to suck it up and get it soon anyway. I have a thing for ensuring that series I enjoy reading come in a full set of matching covers or from the same publishing house 😛
If you do get this book, I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. I’m not sure if its available locally. I haven’t stepped into our local bookstores in ages. Not since I discovered how easy it is to shop my books (and ensure I get the titles I want) online. If you have seen this do share where you have – someone might find it useful.
Enjoy the weekend everyone!
Paris B
My thoughts on Book Depository here. * Affiliate links in post
Sam says
June 25, 2011 at 8:53 amI’m a bibliophile too and I *loved* this series – warm, interesting with great characters.
I see some other books in that pile that I liked – Michael Palin (huge fan!) and Do Travel Writers Go to Hell? – will never believe a LP Brazil again!
ParisB says
June 27, 2011 at 11:05 amMichael Palin’s Pole to Pole was your rec (I think) and I enjoyed it a lot! I did not quite enjoy Do Travel Writers Go To Hell? but it was surely an eye opener. Am not going to try any LP again actually 😛
jen says
June 25, 2011 at 9:48 amthey did a movie on it but it didn’t quite capture the ‘spirit’ of it. guess most movie adaptations from books don’t.
ParisB says
June 27, 2011 at 11:06 amThere was a movie too? Wow. A lot gets lost in the translation most times although I usually appreciate the visuals that accompany movies 🙂
lyn says
June 25, 2011 at 9:58 amI love detective / mystery stories so this series looks like something I would like. To be honest, I have not read books in a loooooong time except for management / leadership (boring work) stuff.
ParisB says
June 27, 2011 at 11:07 amMy habir is to read before bed. So light reading like this is perfect 🙂 I can’t handle reading just work stuff either!
Denise says
June 25, 2011 at 1:13 pmThanks for the recommendation! I’ll go check this out soon 🙂
ParisB says
June 27, 2011 at 11:07 amYou might find it at your local bookstore 😀
Diane says
June 25, 2011 at 1:46 pmSounds interesting! And good thing it’s available in the Singapore library! (I’ve stopped buying books due to space constraints!)
ParisB says
June 27, 2011 at 11:08 amDo give it a go and let me know if you enjoyed reading it too! 🙂 I have a thing for books. In my new house I probably have to build a library!
Diane says
June 30, 2011 at 11:48 amI went and borrowed the first book! I love it! Now on the 2nd book…I borrowed till book 5 🙂
ParisB says
July 3, 2011 at 3:04 pmYay! Glad you’re enjoying it. I’m working my way through the series too! 🙂
milktea says
June 25, 2011 at 2:46 pm…eh? Book depository can be so cheap ah? *jaw drop, eyes open wider, no drool yet* 😉
ParisB says
June 27, 2011 at 11:10 amYep just have to find the books on sale 🙂
Monstro says
June 25, 2011 at 4:33 pmThanks for the rec PB. Refreshing to see book recs for a change 🙂 I just started reading “Her fearful Symmetry”, same author of “The Time Traveller’s Wife”. Hope I can make it through soon since I hardly have any time for leisurely reading these days!
ParisB says
June 27, 2011 at 11:11 amI’m sure you can! I didn’t read Time Traveller’s Wife you know. I’ve heard its good but I just know I’d never be able to plod through it. I love my books too. I think I might love my books just a little bit more than cosmetics 😉
rinnah says
June 25, 2011 at 6:22 pmLove love love Alexander McCall’s writing. I have quite a few of his stories myself (haven’t gotten the full set yet) – mostly bought on cheap at MPH’s warehouse sales between RM 12 – 15. 🙂
ParisB says
June 27, 2011 at 11:12 amI should go hit up the MPH/book warehouse sales again. Used to go and spend a mint there but haven’t gone lately. I got some of his other series too. I like his style
shah says
June 25, 2011 at 10:23 pmi make a beeline for the bookstores whenever i’m in a mall. my fave’s borders cos i love how they arrange their books by genres. it tickles me no end when i see how mph, times & harris are following their layout now. and yes, u can find this series in all the major bookstores.
ParisB says
June 27, 2011 at 11:14 amThanks for letting us know! I usually go into book stores to read excerpts of books I might be interested in before buying them online or at sales haha! Books are so pricey here. BTW I thought MPH used to arrange books by genre too? The Sci-fi/Fantasy racks anyway – I usually make a beeline for those 🙂
S says
June 26, 2011 at 4:03 amI’ll definitely check them out now that I’m ‘done’ with my Masters and have more room for books other than my literary texts! =p
ParisB says
June 27, 2011 at 11:15 amOoh congrats on the Masters! I don’t think I have that sort of perseverance to go through that 😛
Marina(Makeup4All) says
June 26, 2011 at 4:39 amI have SO many books on my list but I wish I had more time. I blame the Internet lol. I am a big fan of historical novels about Scandinavian heritage.
And the one you’ve shared about sounds like a nice read near the pool or sea 😉
ParisB says
June 27, 2011 at 11:16 amYes yes! Its so terribly exotic, I can just hear the lions roaring in the distant Kalahari desert! 😀 I’ve only read 2 Scandinavian authors to date. I find their books tend to start off really slow but pick up as they go. Perhaps something gets lost in translation too 😛
Anne says
June 27, 2011 at 1:28 amA wonderful book! Read it on a trip and it always instantly evokes that trip for me to think of it now. Thanks for the memories!
ParisB says
June 27, 2011 at 12:04 pmYay! I’m glad you enjoyed the book too and that it brought back good memories for you 😀
Nadia says
June 28, 2011 at 10:03 amI had this in my to read list (yes I’m very much a list maniac!) but never got around to reading it. I must get to it soon! I’m sure it’ll be an enjoyable read. Sure sounds like one already!
ParisB says
June 28, 2011 at 2:48 pmIts a delightful read! You won’t want to put it down 😀