Bibliolic

Hiatus

2012-01-24T14:25:00.002Z

I have been reading a lot of books lately, but have run out of time to write about them as I am also studying. So, I am going to have a break from writing this blog, and hope to come back to it when I have more time. Happy reading!

Perfect for Halloween

2011-11-06T11:10:00.001Z

A Discovery of Witches by Deborah E. Harkness, an American historian, has been described as "Twilight for grown ups", and that is quite an apt description, although I would also say that there are similarities to the Harry Potter series too. I am a fan of all of them, and I did really enjoy reading this book, although I hadn't realised that it is the first in a trilogy, and I now have to wait until next June for the next installment! The story starts off in Oxford, and there are wonderful descriptions of the Bodleian Library. It focuses around a reluctant witch who is studying alchemy, and is desperately trying to avoid using her magic. However, she retrieves a book from the stacks, which is desired by daemons, vampires, and witches, and there the adventure begins. She gains a mysterious vampire protector, and as her magic struggles to reveal itself, other creatures come out of the woodwork. The story bounces from Oxford to France, from where the mysterious vampire hails, to America, where Diana, the witch comes from and where her Aunt and partner live in a wonderful house which has a personality of its own. This is a great story, really well told, and nicely researched. I think it is more of a cross between Twilight and Labyrinth, taking the illicit romance between creatures from other worlds, and linking it with the history of old France. There is a lot to enjoy in this story, and while I am disappointed that I have to wait for the next book, I am also glad that the author didn't try to cram all the adventure into the one book.

Hot chocolat!

2011-10-21T12:51:00.000+01:00

I finally got round to reading Joanne Harris's Chocolat, and I have to admit that I have mixed feelings. I loved all of it until it got to the story of the priest. I think it went down from there. I usually find that books are better than the films, but in this case I preferred the film. The book was really well written, and I loved the descriptions of the people and the town and the way the story was told from different viewpoints. However, the film gave more hope and was about a man who just wanted everyone to be pure and leads by example. The book is about a man who wants everyone to be pure, but is corrupt himself and hypocritical. It made me sad because there was no-one to believe in, and that seemed a shame. I think the author's style is similar to Alice Hoffman, and if the ending had been different, it probably could have become my favourite.

Holiday selection of love and war, mystery and friendship

2011-10-09T12:07:00.000+01:00

Rachel Hore’s books make great holiday reads, and this one is no exception, although it did go deeper than the other stories she has told in the past, and I did find that a bit difficult at times. It actually reminded me a little of Rosamund Pilcher’s “Coming Home. Anyway, “A Gathering Storm” starts off in Cornwall, where a young woman, whose father has recently passed away, is trying to work out why he spent much of his life in sadness. She has found out that his past was briefly linked to Cornwall and in particular, to a famous manor house, and she visits a museum nearby to find out more. The curator introduces her to an elderly lady, who over the week’s stay, she manages to unravel the mystery. It is a very complicated story and it moved me greatly because of the very well-told Second World War scenes. The way she explained what happened to people during WWII really made it clear to me. I could really feel what they went through, what they experienced, and it was very difficult to read at times. I imagined how I would have coped, and I am just full of admiration at how they never lost hope and always kept their pride. There is part of the story, which I have to say, I could not understand. It just did not make sense to me, the choices that the older lady made. But while the character is fictional it is based on real-life figures, and therefore those choices were made, which is sad, but you also cannot deny the courage of these women. Although it wasn’t perfect – there were some loose ends that I would have liked to have seen tidied up -it was a very thought-provoking read, though harrowing in place. The descriptions of Cornwall, however, were fabulous.

So, my second holiday read was The Listerdale Mystery, a collection of short stories by Agatha Christie, and once again she surpassed herself. So many twists and turns, pleasant endings, scary outcomes. The first and second stories were such contrasts and lulled me into a complete sense of security. The first was a lovely tale, very romantic, although with an element of mystery. The second was quite terrifying, and I noticed this tale and most of the others had very strong female characters. These short stories, none involving Miss Marple or Monsieur Poirot, chopped and changed between adventure, fear, excitement, romance. It was a lovely collection of characters and stories. One aspect I must check is the story that has a character called James Bond...which came first, Ian Fleming’s or Agatha Christie’s – these tales were originally published in 1934 - another mystery to be unveiled.

Thank goodness I had my Kindle, because with my two holiday books finished, and the sun shining outside, I needed more reading. I really enjoyed Lucy Diamond's The Beach Cafe, so I decided to read Sweet Temptation next. I have to admit, at first I didn't like it. It starts off about overweight people, and I am sorry to say that I wasn't sympathetic. I just wanted them to have some will-power. However, as I got to know the characters, I really felt for them and was rooting them. The book is called Sweet Temptation, but I think "Fat-busting and Friendship" would have been a better title. It is a great self-help book, really empowering. I am not overweight, although there is room for improvement, and I found this book really inspiring, providing ideas for losing weight. It also covered the issue of domestic violence and in places it was quite disturbing. It was a very pleasant surprise, and I would really recommend it, both as a romantic read and a motivator for losing weight.

Scary mysteries

2011-09-13T21:35:00.000+01:00

Because Waterstones have stopped their 3 for 2, we decided to give Daunt Books a try. I love going to Daunt, but they don't have any bargains. However, we went to the branch in Marylebone High Street and had a lovely time browsing, and I eventually chose two Agatha Christies. The lady who served me was just so lovely, and I am looking forward to shopping there again. Anyway, I have finished Sleeping Murder, and it had me gripped and terrified to the end. I have to admit, I did guess the murderer early on, but as it was getting to the end of the story, just before the murderer was officially unveiled, I had completely decided that it was someone completely different, in fact one of three other professionals. So, once again, Agatha Christie has completely surpassed herself. It is a great read, so many twists and turns, and quite nail-biting. I am really looking forward to my other one now!

My final 3 for 2

2011-09-06T20:54:00.000+01:00

So, here it is, my final three for two. I have already talked about Laura's Handmade Life in a previous post, although despite my criticism, it did inspire me to buy myself a little sewing machine, and I have so far made about six lavender bags and two little jewellery bags. My sewing machine is fuschia pink and from John Lewis, and it is really great. Anyway, enough plugging for JL...my Mum works there, so I have an excuse. So my last two, bargain books were completely different. Both were authors that I had read before, so I was familar with their style. My favourite out of the two was The Summer of the Bear by Bella Pollen. I really like her style and this was a wonderful story, quite complicated, but really good. There is a mystery throughout, and the story is about diplomat's family, who following a tragedy, uproot themselves from a city in Germany to a remote Scottish island. The story tells how each of them copes with what has happened and how it all works out, especially when the mystery is solved. It is a beautiful book, full of sadness, love, both old and new, and hope, and young people discovering themselves. It is well worth a read, completely magical.

The second book I read was The Man of My Dreams by Curtis Sittenfeld. I have read the author's other books, Prep and American Wife, both of which are so different, they could have been written by different people. This book was written after Prep, and they are quite similar, in that they focus on youth and growing up. The Man of My Dreams focuses on the life of a girl who together with her Mum and sister has faced domestic abuse, with her father throwing them out of their house after years of bullying. This treatment clearly has an effect on her future relationships with men, and the book takes us through her life, the highs and lows, and how she finally comes to reconcile herself with her life. It was good, just a bit heavy in places, and sometimes you just want to give her a shake and say, "Why are you like this?" but of course she has her reasons. So, that is the end of my 3 for 2...how will I discover new authors now? Suggestions please?

Waterstones 3 for 2

2011-09-06T20:28:00.001+01:00

I have to voice my disappointment that Waterstones are dropping their 3 for 2 deal, and I am also disappointed that they didn't let their loyalty card holders know. I haven't seen anything in my newsletters. It seems such a sudden decision, and sad, because I have discovered so many new authors this way, taking a gamble with my third book on someone who I had not read before. The excitement of discovering a different writer with a whole new collection of books for me to read. It is such a shame, as I really used to enjoy browsing through all the tables and shelves, spending ages choosing my three books and then heading off home with my pile of purchases. I hope they come up with a suitable alternative.

Frustrated reading

2011-08-22T13:20:00.002+01:00

I have just finished two books. I had started one and was near the end when I started the other one because I was going away for a long weekend. Anyway, I am frustrated with both. I did enjoy them, but there were issues.

Laura's Handmade Life, by Amanda Addison had such potential. It was about a married woman with two children who had to move from London to Norfolk because her husband's company had moved there. She had a part-time job teaching art and design in a local college, but she was not happy. She actually had no reason to be unhappy, but all she did was moan in the first part of the book, and embark on some dodgy flirting with an old boyfriend. The good bits of the book were when she joined a sewing class and learned how to sew, and made things out of old fabrics. She had loads of wonderful ideas, and I can't help wondering if that was what the author wanted to do, just write about the things she makes and the sewing class she belongs to. That would have been great. She created a marvellous character called Hannelore, who had escaped from East Germany in the most creative way, the description of which was crammed into a letter at the end of the book, and it would have been wonderful to hear more about her life. But the author focused on a non-existent affair, possibly to make it a summer romance. Actually it would have been nice if she just talked to her husband, who seemed really nice. Anyway, I did finish the book, and there was lots that I really enjoyed, and at the back of the book she has patterns to make things, and also a list of further sources of information.

So, onto the second frustrating book. I really love the Twilight saga, and I really like Carol Goodman's books, so when I saw that her new book was for fans of Twilight and True Blood, I jumped at it. I haven't read the True Blood series, so I don't know what they are about, but I like Twilight because it is romantic, and is more about feelings other than lust. So, I got a bit of a shock when I read Incubus, and maybe I should have researched what an incubus is. Anyway, the book is very erotic, and I think a bit too much. It was odd, because it felt as though it was written by two people. It was an interesting story, about a young woman accepting a job as a professor in a college specialising in folklore in a remote town. I did like all the descriptions of brownies, fairies, and witches, and the college sounded gorgeous and very interesting, but there was a lot of distraction in the form of her relationships. She did seem quite fickle. Anyway, I think that I will take care when looking at the publisher's blurb on the covers. Quite often, I have noticed that they are referring to a previous book written by the author, which might be quite different, and with this Incubus, well, the only thing to compare it to Twilight are that there are three vampires who play only a minor role in the story, so the publisher description was misleading. Also, while I would read Twilight over and over again, I think, with Incubus, once was more than enough, and it certainly won't be one I share with my young relatives.

Dreams come true

2011-07-12T08:46:00.000+01:00

I started my holiday reading a little bit early. I just fancied something light and found the perfect book. The Beach Cafe, by Lucy Diamond, ticked all the boxes. I am at that time of life when I feel like trying something new, but just can't think what. I have a great life and I am very happy, but one of my dreams is to live by the sea. I have to say, I am very fickle and lots of things make me happy. I would also love to live somewhere rural, I also love living in London, I would also love to live abroad, so I am probably either a difficult person to please or I just love everything. I think I am the latter, but enough about me. I loved the Beach Cafe. It is about the youngest of three sisters, who is referred to as the black sheep because she doesn't live life conventionally, e.g. find a man, get married, have babies, or have a career. She has chopped and changed careers, and although in a stable relationship, is not quite convinced that they are making each other happy. Anyway, in her early thirties, her favourite aunt dies suddenly leaving Evie (I love that name) her beach cafe in Cornwall. What could be more idyllic. The story describes the trials and tribulations that follow, but naturally, as with all good chicklit, there is a happy ending, allbeit with several disasters throughout. It is a really nice read, lovely characters, great location, and very enjoyable. I do however, now want to live right on the seafront in Cornwall.

Latest reads

2011-07-02T21:06:00.002+01:00

I have been a bit slack with my reading and my blog lately, the main reason being that I am studying and working full-time and just ran out of time. I also have two other blogs, both work-related and I guess those have to take priority. Anyway, I have been reading. On my Kindle, I am reading Lord of the Rings. I promised my husband that if he read Twilight, I would read LOR. He honoured the agreement, and I am just getting round to honouring my part of the deal. I have to admit, I am enjoying it. However, my Kindle had a terminal crash, which was disappointing, but the fabulous support at Amazon Kindle, in particular Melanie, replaced it immediately. I am so impressed with the service provided by Amazon Kindle. No hassles, no issues, just a good, fair, and friendly, personal service. Anyway, my Kindle issue is all resolved now and I am back into reading LOR.

In the meantime, however, I have also been reading paperback books. The first was The Distant Hours by Kate Morton. I have read her other books (The Forgotten Garden and The House at Riverton) and really enjoyed them. I did enjoy this one too, but I have to admit that I did prefer the others. I am not sure why, but I felt the characters were stronger in the other two books and I cared about what happened to them. This one, I didn't become as attached. The story is very good and the twists and turns keep you guessing to the end, but it just feels a bit frustrating. Perhaps I was in the wrong mood.

The Sunday Times is currently offering Waterstones vouchers enabling you to choose from a different title every week and buy it for 99p. I bought Wonder Boys by Michael Chabon. I absolutely love the film, and I am delighted to say that it was pretty true to the book. The story focuses around a published author who has been writing his next best-seller for the past seven years, while spending most of that time stoned, teaching, and getting married or having affairs. It got a little bit lost in the middle, but it was actually really good to read. I have to admit the film version of Grady Tripp was far more tolerable than the book version, but Crabtree remains the same in both. At one point, I really didn't like Grady in the book, and I did wonder why I was reading the book, but I was determined to persevere, and as it came to the end when everything came together, I found that I had discovered a new and interesting author. I also enjoyed the way the author focused so much on the skill of writing. Anyway, I shall be checking out some of his other books in the future.

And, if you fancy something fresh and new, check out Padraig De Brún (my husband), who has launched his novel and his short stories via three blogs:

A Good Man - his novel
Songs, Poems, Stories - short stories based on folk songs
Tumbledown Fairies - gorgeous, children's stories.

Enjoy :-)

The Prince of Mist

2011-05-31T21:22:00.001+01:00

I have long been a fan of Carlos Ruiz Zafón, and, by the way, he has a great website. Anyway, his latest offering is actually the first book he wrote. In his earlier days, before Shadow of the Wind and The Angel's Game, he wrote a set of four books for young adults. The Prince of Mist is the first one to be published and it is brilliant. Really quite scary, but as usual, beautifully described, with wonderful characters and gorgeous scene descriptions. The mystery is so imaginatively written and quite powerful. I read it in less than two days and I would have finished it in one, but I wanted to sleep last night. It is a horror story, but in a Philip Pullman Dark Materials kind of way. It is a book that suits young adults and above, a delight to read, providing excitement, terror, and adventure combined with rich characters and beautiful beach scenes. I can't wait for the next three to be published.

Complex cookery

2011-05-30T18:33:00.001+01:00

Amazon were having a special offer on e-books, and being the type of girl that likes a bargain, I went and had a browse. One of the books I downloaded was The Cookbook Collector by Allegra Goodman. It was very interesting and covered many topics, and if there is a flaw with this book, I would say that that is it...the story just had too many facets. The book's title does make you think that the main subject is the cookbook collector, who Jessamine meets while working part-time in an antique book shop, but that is only one of the many topics, and this is where I think the book could be better. The two main characters are Jess, who can't seem to settle in life or love and her sister, Emily, a clever entrepreneur, in a loving, and supposedly trusting relationship. The people interactions in this book are quite complex and you do wonder how one family can be so complicated! However, the saving grace of this book are the descriptions of the collection of cookery books, which are wonderful and the book just comes alive. The collection has books from the 15th century, and the descriptions of recipes and ingredients are divine, entirely mouth-watering, and had the book focused on this theme, then I think it would have become one of my favourites. However, the book also dwelled upon her sister, owner of highly successful IT company, and in competition with her boyfriend. On top of that, the story brings in family secrets including their Jewish faith, which is very interesting, but again, a lot to focus on and detracting from the main story, which was the cookery book collection. Don't get me wrong, I did enjoy it, but I think the author could have got three books out of it. It is a good book and well-written. It just felt very hectic, and when I finished it, all I was ready for was a very simple romance.

Which brings me on to my next book: A Mother's Gift by Debbie Macomber. I have spoken about Ms Macomber's books before. They are romantic, easy-to-read, and always have a happy ending. Just right for a rainy weekend. This one was no exception, and comprised of two stories. Both were about schoolfriends match-making their parents, and both stories had at least one of the parents widowed. In the first story, the children were in their early teens who wanted complete families and in the second story, the children were in their later teens, preparing to leave the nest, and not wanting to leave their parent alone. The stories are just nice. They cover difficult issues, like death and domestic violence, but they also demonstrate kindness and they are full of love. If you are looking for something deep, then this probably isn't the book for you, but if you are looking for a story with a happy ending, then, go for it and enjoy.

Exotic food and treasure trails

2011-05-14T11:57:00.002+01:00

I first read Pomegranate Soup four years ago, and really enjoyed it, learning about the delicious Iranian culinary delights and beautiful customs. So I was really pleased to find that Marsha Mehran had written a sequel. Rosewater and Soda Bread continues the story of the three sisters who fled Iran to set up an restaurant in County Meath, in Ireland. The latest update deals with unwanted pregnancy,

blossoming romances, and unexpected surprises. There are gorgeous descriptions of the food and Ireland, and the characters vary from the romantic to the wicked, from the kindly to the mean. Really enjoyable story!

13 Little Blue Envelopes by Maureen Johnson was a really interesting story, about an American teenager who is left a series of letters by her artist aunt who recently died of cancer. The letters send her on a voyage of discovery in Europe, and each letter sends her to a different country, starting with London, and continuing to Edinburgh, Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Corfu. She meets a whole load of people, falls in love, takes risks, and discovers more about her crazy aunt then she ever knew. I loved the characters and the descriptions of art and the cities she visited. Really good story, and I am glad to say that there is a sequel, which I will be reading soon, although not before a whole pile of books that I have to get through first. I love books and I love my Kindle!

Hope springing from ashes

2011-05-01T11:48:00.000+01:00

I thought I had read all of Alice Hoffman's books, but I haven't. I found The Green Angel, a sad, but also beautiful tale, and quite poignant at this time where a number of natural disasters have recently occurred. This story tells the story of a girl who has lost her entire family to a disaster. It is so tragic, but tells of kindness and hope. It is a lovely, inspiring story, and very magical. There are lovely descriptions of asparagus soup and chestnut bread, and I love Ghost the greyhound. There was quite a lot of sadness in the first half of the book, but understandably so, and just like the perfect fairytale, as the girl is kindly in her activities, she is rewarded and her life begins to turn around. Life will never be the same, but her despair disappears.

It's been a while!

2011-04-23T12:41:00.000+01:00

Although I haven't blogged, I have been reading, some repeats - Twilight and Chalet School. But I have also been downloading to my Kindle and the latest book I have read is The Girl Who Chased The Moon by Sarah Addison Allen (or Addison Lee as I keep on referring to her). It is a gorgeous book as all of hers are. They remind me of Alice Hoffman, but they are gentler, but still so magical. And this one was no different. It is a beautiful story of love and acceptance and focuses around Emily, a young adult whose mother has recently died. She has to move back to the town where her mother comes from to live with her grandfather who is over 7ft tall. The story describes how she fits in and how she learns more about her mother than she ever knew. There is so much more to this story, but I don't want to give it away, but it is a nice read, with lovely descriptions, and magical cakes that have the power to bring people back.

More Kindle

2011-03-17T12:38:00.000Z

And yet more mysteries, in Poirot's Early Cases. I loved these. Yet again, so much creativity and innovation. However, for the first time, I found two stories which were very similar to other stories I had read in other books. I won't say which, because it didn't spoil the book at all. I did particularly like "Mary, Mary quite contrary"...another story named after a nursery rhyme.

So, from mysteries to classics. The Eight Cousins Series is made up of two books, Eight Cousins and Rose in Bloom, and they have been written by Louisa May Alcott, who wrote one of my all-time favourites, Little Women. I had not realised that she had written so many books, and on Kindle, you can download a compilation of her collection for 99p. She was such an interesting person. Both in Little Women and the Eight Cousins series there is a lot of focus on the importance of good education systems and health improvement. The story is about eight cousins, one of them an orphan girl who is being brought up by her uncle. Although she is really rich, he wants her to grow up to be independent of wealth, healthy, and kind and he shows her how to do this. It is such a lovely story, as is the sequel when she deals with love. I would love her books to be on the curriculum in schools as there is so much to be learnt, particularly about simplicity and compassion.

Kindle-fest!

2011-02-26T14:02:00.004Z

Recently, I have been mixing murder with romance. I downloaded The Secret Lives of Dresses by Erin McKean, and after a slow start, it turned into a really good story. I thought it would be like a book I have read previously called A Vintage Affair, but it was very different. Firstly, and I know this sounds strange, but I just couldn't work out where it was set, Yorkshire or somewhere in America, and I found that a bit frustrating. But eventually, I realised it was set in America, and gradually, I got absorbed in the tale. It was about a woman whose grandmother who had brought her up and who ran a vintage clothes shop, had a stroke, and Dora rushes back to look after her and the shop. It is a lovely story, a bit sad in places, but great characters, and great secret stories about previous lives of the vintage costumes in the shop. It was surprising, and had a sad and happy ending. After that, I read Murder in the Mews, yet another short story collection from Agatha Christie, and which was once again, superb...full of twists and turns and mystery. Just brilliant. And finally, I read From Notting Hill With Love ... Actually, which was fabulous! So clever! I love romcoms, absolutely adore them. My guilty secret. This story was about Scarlett, named after the Vivien Leigh character in Gone With The Wind, who is challenged by her father and fiance because they think she daydreams too much and is looking for a life like the movies. So, before her wedding, they persuade her to go away for a few weeks to get her head together. A friend arranges a house-sit in Notting Hill and that is where all her adventures begin. It is excellent, so clever. The author, Ali Mcnamara, has obviously done her research, and thinks up scenarios which replicate movie scenes from a range of my favourite films. It is a great read, really entertaining, and funny, and full of interesting movie trivia. Loved it...actually.

Scary tales and romance

2011-02-05T13:35:00.001Z

I am still hugely enjoying Agatha Christie's books. I downloaded Miss Marple's Final Cases. Most of them involved Miss Marple, but there were a few which had neither Miss Marple or Monsieur Poirot, and they were so dark, particularly the one about the dressmaker's doll. Absolutely brilliant, but quite spooky. I don't know why, because it shouldn't have been, but it was just the way she intimated what might happen. Anyway, after that one, I took a break and read something a bit more light-hearted. Encore Valentine, byAdriana Trigiani, is a follow-up to Very Valentine, a story about a shoe-maker of Italian descent, now in America, and taking on the family shoe-making business. In this instalment, Valentine discovers another branch of the family in Argentina so she goes to meet them in Buenos Aires. Typical of the author, there are the usual family dramas and complicated relationships, and together with the gorgeous descriptions of Argentinian culture and food (which so made my mouth water), it makes great reading. The only disappointment was the ending, a bit quick and lots of loose ends, but I suspect that that only means that another book with Valentine is on its way

Paper and Kindle

2011-01-26T21:30:00.000Z

Well, since my last post, I have finished another three books, three of which are on Kindle. The one I was reading The Postmistress. Quite a coincidence as it was also set in the Second World War, but this time from an adult perspective. It was very moving and described the dilemmas that people faced in England and America during the war. The main characters were a female, American radio reporter, based in London, and a postmistress and a newly-wed woman, living America, the latter whose husband had gone to London to do his bit in the war. It was a really interesting story, sharing insights into how people survived while their loved ones were in another country. Part of the story involves the radio reporter following Jews across Europe. It was incredibly sad, but also made their stories so alive. It was very thought-provoking and does make you appreciate what people went through.

On a lighter note, I searched the Kindle store for my favourite authors. Not many of them are there. Still missing JK Rowling, Fannie Flagg, Elinor Lipman, and Alice Hoffman, but some of them are there, like Agatha Christie, Laurie Graham, Adriana Trigiani, Stephenie Meyer, and Debbie Macomber. So I downloaded Viola In Reel Life by Adriana Trigiani, and Perfect Meringues by Laurie Graham. Viola in Reel Life was about an American teenage girl, very skilled in making films, who is sent to boarding school for a year, while her parents are filming a documentary in Afghanistan. It is quite light and fun, and very easy to read. This is very different to the author's other books, but it is very enjoyable for all ages. I am not sure if it is aimed at teenagers, but it was good, particularly the bits where she describes how to make films. Perfect Meringues, if I am honest, is not my favourite book of Laurie Graham's, but it was perfectly readable and enjoyable. It is a about the life crises suffered by morning TV chef. I would say it is a good holiday read, with laughter and tears, particularly around all the characters on the morning TV show, and all the diva tantrums.

Massive catch-up

2011-01-12T18:18:00.001Z

I can't believe I have left it so long since my last post! I have been reading, but where to start!

Well, I started reading PG Wodehouse and greatly enjoyed The Inimitable Jeeves. Just brilliant. So entertaining, and full of mischief. The characters and the dialogue are really easy to read and very relaxing. It was a lovely holiday read.

I started reading Skipping Christmas by John Grisham and was so disappointed that I couldn't finish it. It was supposed to be funny, so maybe I just have a different sense of humour. Anyway, I got quite far, but it just seemed to get more miserable and just didn't have the spirit of Christmas.

While I was at my Mum's I picked up an old book that I used to read. Michelle Magorian has written many children's books, including Goodnight Mister Tom, one of my favourites. The book I read over Christmas was called Back Home, and it was about a young teenager, who five years previously had been sent to America as an evacuee during World War II. She comes back from a country without rations, with colour and promise, to a country that is still facing devastation, struggling with rations, with everyone and everything in dull, grey colours. She also finds that her mother has changed. She struggles to adapt, particularly as she has such a strong, American accent. It is a really brilliant insight into the adjustments, Rusty, her mother, and eventually her father, when he returns from the war, have to make. It is a story of bravery, friendship, and tolerance, and it is really good. It is also very believable and I highly recommend it. The descriptions of her life in New England compared to her life in Devon and then London were really interesting. The ending is just right.

As I enjoyed that one so much, I decided to read another one of her books and downloaded Just Henry onto my Kindle. It was fantastic. I could not put it down. Again, it was set during World War II, and again it was focused around the views of the child growing up at the time. The story covered difficult stories including illegitimacy, bigamy, physical child abuse, but emphasised that no matter what the sins of the father were, the children should be treated as people in their own right. All the children were given hope and were encouraged to follow their dreams. It was fantastic and inspirational, and also very interesting as it focused around historical cinematography and photography, so from that aspect alone, it was an amazing book. It was quite a hard book to read as some of the issues were quite traumatic, but it was so well done, and again, I just couldn't put it down. I will definitely look out for more books by Michelle Magorian.

So, that's it for now. I am reading something else, but I will save it for another blog.

The Group

2010-12-10T21:54:00.000Z

I am not a huge fan of Sex and the City, so I probably should have paid attention that The Group was introduced by Candace Bushnell. I was expecting this book, originally published in 1963, to be inspirational, but it wasn't particularly. It was fairly interesting, but seemed to be very down on the male sex and didn't paint a very happy picture of marriage or even femalehood. It just felt very down-trodden and sad. It was well-written, and the characters were believable, but it just did feel quite hopeless and made it seem that being a woman is quite hard work, when actually, it isn't; it can be really quite fabulous.

I am now reading Jeeves and Wooster, because I really needed something so light-hearted to uplift me a bit. I am enjoying these and will tell you more later.

Grief and romance

2010-11-14T14:23:00.000Z

Again, I am going to talk about two books. The first one is the second of my Christmas books and I really enjoyed it. Twelve Days of Christmas by Trisha Ashley is about a young woman whose husband died around Christmas time in a tragic accident, a few years previously. She is a chef by profession, running house parties in the Summer months, and house-sitting in remote places during the Winter months. This Christmas is no exception and she prepares to house-sit as an emergency replacement. Lots of complications follow and at times it does sound quite stressy, although she sounds like a super-woman in the kitchen. The develops special friendships with people in the area, and the story does have a good happy ending, without being too soppy and sentimental. I like the characters in the book, and the dilemmas that she faces. There is also the added bonus of her grandmother's journals which include a mystery to be solved. This is a good book to read over Christmas by the fireside.

The second book, is another Debbie Macomber. Hannah's List tells the story of a man, widowed a year ago, who is presented with a letter from his late wife, which she had written before she died. The letter asks him to remarry and have the children that they hadn't had. She even suggests three potential candidates. It is very predictable, and it is an okay read, but two things I liked, were the way the author dealt with the issues of cancer, death and grief, and also relationships. It felt realistic and was quite moving in places. There was also a lesson in dealing with arguments in relationships, focusing on compromise and change behaviour. It was really clearly explained, and I can see it being effective in improving relationships, not just personal, but in everyday working relationships too. Anyway, it was fine to read, not my favourite of her books but useful in its own way.

Too early for Christmas?

2010-11-01T21:46:00.000Z

I have two books to talk about today and both very different. Juliet, by Anne Fortier, is a re-telling of Romeo and Juliet, set in the original time and modern day, and not in Verona, but in Sienna.The two stories are linked, the old and the new, and there is a mystery to unfold and a curse to overturn. I particularly loved the historical side of this story, and the modern day bit was good, but perhaps a bit to clever. I can see it making a very successful blockbuster novel, in the style of Da Vinci Code, but personally I think if it had been less complicated, it would have made a better read. Happy to discuss though. It is ideal for a holiday read, and the historical data is really interesting and well told.

The second book is the first of two Christmas books I bought. Falling for Christmas is written by Debbie Macomber and contains two books. Both follow the Christmas theme, and they are very sentimental and romantic and have completely happy endings. There is nothing offensive, a bit of sadness, but all the loose ends get tied up in a magical, simple way. They also contain lovely recipes. I really like the sound of the fried chicken, but I don't know if I have the patience to make it.....it takes hours! Anyway, these are lovely, feel-good stories, and they really get you in the mood for Christmas. And, yes, apologies, for starting so early. I just couldn't resist them. And, what's worse, is the next book I am about to read is also about Christmas. Sorry :-) Please note: the link for this book links to a book of the same title, and the first story is the same as the one I read, but the second story (according to the details on Waterstones) is different. I bought mine from the bookshop, so I am not sure what is going on. The second story in my book was about a toyshop, a little boy who wanted a robot, and an angel.

Electronic versus print

2010-10-09T19:01:00.004+01:00

I finished two books this week. Northanger Abbey on my Kindle and Noah's Compass in print format. The method of reading didn't make a difference, I don't think, but I did enjoy Northanger Abbey more. I loved the characters and the way Catherine Morland was so heavily influenced by novels. This is the first Jane Austen that I have read without watching the film version and I think that makes a difference, because I was able to imagine the characters myself. I really liked the relationship between Mr Tilney and Miss Morland and especially her time at the Abbey. I will definitely try some other Jane Austen now. Now, Noah's Compass...I usually really love Anne Tyler's books, but this one was only okay, just because it was so similar to one of her earlier books, The Accidental Tourist, which I really enjoyed. I did like this book, but there wasn't anything unique about it. It was an easy, relaxing read though, so if you are a fan of her books, then this is still very readable.

Stargazers

2010-10-02T09:54:00.003+01:00

I have just finished a book by Rachel Hore, called A Place of Secrets. I have read all of her books and enjoyed them all. They follow a similar theme, set in a beautiful location, complicated relationships, building on a historical story, fitting the pieces of a puzzle together. This one takes the same pattern but with a different subject area, so with each book, because they are so well-researched, you always feel as though you are learning something. The subject for this book was astronomy and it was fascinating. It was a really brilliant story about an auctioneer being asked to visit a country home in Norfolk to value a collection of books about astronomy. She finds a journal describing the findings of a previous owner of the house and uncovers a mystery, enhanced by the strange dreams that her niece was having. My only criticism is that it was a very complex story, and was perhaps unravelled a little too quickly. I think the author could have spent some more time just unpacking some of the relationships and the mystery itself. I could quite happily have continued reading this story. It was beautifully and cleverly told and the characters were all so real. I enjoyed the ending very much as it was well-put-together.

Kindle

2010-09-26T10:39:00.003+01:00

I forgot to provide an update about my Amazon Kindle. It is going well. I had a bit of a hiccup when it kept on crashing, but I think that was because I was expecting it to be as fast as a computer. It isn't. It isn't slow though, just requires some adjusting too. Anyway, I finished Sherlock Holmes and really enjoyed it, part from the last story, which was just a bit too gruesome! Now I am reading Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen, and I am really enjoying that one too. I can see that you might be wondering when I am doing my PhD reading. I have a system. My outgoing train journey to work is when I do this reading because my mind is fresher. It works well. I can highlight and make notes very easily and then I can type these up at the weekend. My home journey is when I do my pleasure reading with my Kindle, and then when I am at home, I read my paperbacks. It is all working out well.

The Help

2010-09-26T10:19:00.003+01:00

As you know, when I do 3 for 2 at Waterstones, I usually pick at least one new author. This time was no exception. I bought two books by favourite authors and then I picked up The Help, a first novel by Kathryn Stockett. The Sunday Times describes it as 'The other side of Gone with the Wind - and just as unputdownable.' I haven't read Gone with the Wind, but The Help was definitely unputdownable. It was superb. I was unsure whether I would enjoy it because the subject matter is about the working and private lives of Black maids in Jackson, Mississippi in 1962, and in particular about their relationships with their white bosses. I was wary because the book is written by a white woman, so I wondered how realistic it would be. But her acknowledgements, at the end of the book, gave more details of her background and how she attained her knowledge and that made the story more believable. It was good to read it after reading the whole book. The book itself, is a narrative, told by three people - two black maids and one of the white children, now grown-up. In places it is hard to read, but not gratuitously so, and it is also warm and surprising, and so tender. It is a beautiful book and one that I cannot recommend enough.

Victorian literature and Kindle

2010-09-04T12:49:00.004+01:00

Well, first of all, I have to talk about the latest paperback book I have read. Cousin Phillis and Other Stories is by Elizabeth Gaskell, a Victorian novelist. I have read Cranford which I really enjoyed, and this one too, was very enjoyable. It is a book of short stories, and as with Ms Gaskell's other books, the females, although feminine, enjoy strong roles and characters. The emotions throughout all the stories are so strong and pure, you cannot help believing in love and propriety, and wondering how much simpler life was then, with the social rules in place. As a bonus with this book, there is a fantastic chronology of the author's life, mapped against historical and cultural events at that time. It really put things into context and it was so interesting seeing how she worked alongside Charles Dickens and other famous authors of the time. Elizabeth Gaskell brings me onto the second part of my post. I am wondering if I have sold out. I love books, with a passion, but I have bought myself a Kindle. There is a good reason for this. I am doing a PhD, and I need to do lots of reading. I don't have a printer, and yes, I could get one, but I would prefer not to print out loads of papers. Initially, I thought I would read the papers on my netbook. However, on the train, when I do all my reading, I rarely get a seat, so the netbook idea doesn't work. So, I am experimenting with Amazon's Kindle, and it is working out quite well. I don't know if it is as sophisticated as the Sony eReader, but it is cheaper and it does everything I need it to. Also, when you turn it off, it displays beautiful images from old books and of famous authors. I love that. It is very pretty. I bought the wifi version. I did have a few blips at the start, but I have worked out my system now. Rather than transferring books via wireless from Amazon to Kindle, I download them to my netbook and then transfer them via the USB cable. This is much quicker. Saying that, I did buy a book from the Kindle store and it was delivered within seconds. I can store PDFs of the papers, and make notes, even while standing up. The other thing which I have discovered to my detriment, as it is distracting me from my reading, is that you can download more than 4,500 electronic books for free, from Kindle alone! So, I have downloaded Sherlock Holmes, and I am allowing myself some time for pleasure-reading, and what a pleasure Sherlock Holmes is! I love the characters and all the mysteries, but I cannot help comparing Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson to Monsieur Hercule Poirot and Captain Hastings. The similarities are just all too strong, with Monsieur Poirot and his "little grey cells" and Mr Holmes with his observations and deductions. How can two people come up with so many mysteries!

Three for the price of two

2010-08-27T11:59:00.002+01:00

I took advantage of Waterstone's three for the price of two offer to try some new authors. The first book I read was The Legacy, by Katharine Webb, in which two sisters are left a house by their grandmother, a very unhappy woman, who leaves it with some unpleasant strings attached. The story focuses on two secrets; one which involves the sisters and one which involves their ancestors. It is so interesting because it is set in New York, Oklahoma, London, and Wiltshire, across two eras. The first secret takes place in the early 1900s, while the second secret is set in the childhood of the two sisters and takes us up to present-day. The first secret describes the lives of cattle ranchers setting up in Oklahoma and their relationships with the Native American Indians. It seems a very honest account of the hardships faced, but also the camaraderie of all those living there. The second secret focuses around the younger sister trying to unravel the secrets from their childhood without causing further stress to her stress who is battling her own demons. It was a very good read, and I am looking forward to more books by this author.

Agatha fest!

2010-08-15T14:37:00.008+01:00

Gosh, I think I have outdone myself. Three Agatha Christie's in a row and all equally brilliant. I am really noticing a difference between her earlier and later books, and the change in the social system in England. A Pocket Full of Rye, written in 1953, demonstrated how people were still getting used to the new Health Service and were finding it difficult to locate a doctor because they now had to find one in their local area but they were unsure as to how to do this. Very interesting. And the story was just brilliant, running along the nursery rhyme themes that the author likes to follow. I just loved the way it was written and all the mystery. So clever. I also read Poirot Investigates, written in 1924, a collection of short stories. You can really see how her later novels stemmed from these short stories, eg the similarites of "The Western Star" alongside the novel "Evil Under The Sun". I had so many favourites, but I particularly liked The Kidnapped Prime Minister and The Adventure of the Egyptian Tomb. Why Didn't They Ask Evans? was the third book that I read and it was a masterpiece. So many red herrings and confusion and I loved the hints at romance between the two main characters who were playing detective. Excellent plot and hugely enjoyable. Now, what's next...

The Swan Thieves

2010-07-30T20:56:00.007+01:00

The Swan Thieves is Elizabeth Kostova's new book, and it was given to me as a leaving present. I was very impressed that my friend chose so well for me. It was a beautiful story, covering art, history, romance, mystery, mental illness, so much. And the characters, so believable. The love stories were deliciously intense. I learnt so much about art and the Impressionist artists and now want to go to France to learn more, to explore Paris from another point of view and to discover some of the other areas that the author describes. The description of techniques and colour were really interesting, making me long to have artistic talents...I have none, unfortunately. I really enjoyed reading this tale, and it has made me a week behind in my PhD reading, but it was really worth it. I couldn't put it down. The author has such a talent for educating and entertaining. I love the story and I was delighted that although it was a piece of fiction, it was based on fact, in particular a picture by Alfred Sisley - Snow at Louveciennes - it was good to see this picture after reading about it (and it was quite different to how I had imagined it. I learnt this from the Amazon customer discussion lists. Very interesting.

Agatha overdose

2010-07-20T20:21:00.005+01:00

I have just finished two Agatha Christie's and both were so different. I wasn't wild on the first one - Hallowe'en Party. It was interesting because it was written in 1969 and it dwelled on the falling standards of society. Actually, Agatha Christie's books would make a very interesting sociological study because her writing spanned several decades. I think with this one, it was evident that she wasn't thrilled with the freedom available to people, and she focused especially on crimes of a sexual nature. So, it was okay, but reminded me too much of what is in the news today. I prefer escapism, and that is what I got with the next one - And Then There Were None. It was fabulous. So much mystery and speculation and I still got it completely wrong. I won't say anymore, but I do think it would be great to write a fictional book about Agatha Christie carrying out the perfect crime. Has this been done? Personally, I don't have the imagination, but I would love to be able to describe the sort of crime that she would do. Is that wrong....not meant to be, but she has such a brilliant mind, it does make you wonder what she would have been like as a criminal. I am glad she chose to be an author - her books are amazing!

More Sarah Addison Allen

2010-07-07T17:27:00.004+01:00

After reading Garden Spells, I went straight to Waterstones to buy the next one The Sugar Queen. The lady in the shop said that she preferred Garden Spells, but that it was still a good read. I was a bit worried, but took the risk and was pleasantly surprised. It was slightly different, and I can't say how, because it would spoil the story. But again, the book had strong female characters, complicated romances, and a touch of magic, in the form of a fairy-godmother-type character. It is a lovely Summer holiday read.

A Spanish mystery

2010-07-04T10:38:00.005+01:00

I loved The Shadow of the Wind, by Carlos Ruiz Zafon, so I was delighted when The Angel's Game was published. I enjoyed this almost as much, although I was surprised by the ending. Personally, I had a different ending in mind. But, it is a highly complex story, and perhaps I need to read it again, to understand the chosen ending. The story is superb and completely captivating, although a little scary in places. So much is implied and I think that adds to the fear element. Barcelona sounds so full of passion, life and history, and the characters in the story were so full of drama. I couldn't put this book down. It centers on the life of a writer and his relationship with a kindly bookseller who encourages him from an early age to read and then write his own stories, and his wealthy mentor, also a writer, but not on the same scale. The story tells of betrayal, secrets, lies, madness, love, and desperate deals to prolong life, made with mysterious and fearsome publishers. It is beautifully written; a complete treasure; unputdownable.

Floral magic

2010-07-02T11:30:00.004+01:00

I have just finished Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen, and it was just lovely. Actually, lovely is probably the wrong word as the are some sad/difficult moments focusing on domestic abuse, but the majority of the story is about the magical powers of flowers and how they can be used in cooking to manipulate emotions. You can find the recipes on the author's website - just click on books and choose a title, and there you will find the recipes. Back to the book, I love the sound of the garden, with the mischevious, magical apple tree. The style reminds me of Alice Hoffman, but gentler. All the women have strong characters and they are all so engaging, and not just the women, but the five-year old daughter of one of the women too. I have The Sugar Queen waiting in the wings, while I read The Angel's Game by Carlos Ruiz Zafon.

The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner

2010-06-10T19:00:00.003+01:00

I loved it. When I first started reading The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner, I was worried whether I would be disappointed; I wondered if Stephenie Meyer would be influenced by the films. However, I don't think so. As I read further into the book, it reminded me more of Host. This story was really good and it would have been interesting to see what would have happened if we had known all this about Bree. I am glad I have read it before seeing the film. I am now re-reading Eclipse and wondering if anymore Twilight spin-offs are planned. Incidentally, until 5th July 2010, you can read this story for free online - the software is really cool!

Old favourites and new tales

2010-06-06T17:26:00.005+01:00

After my Agatha Christie phase, I decided to revert to some old favourites, so I read some JK Rowling, some Anne Tyler, and of course, Alice Hoffman. And then I bought The Story Sisters by Alice Hoffman. I haven't managed to finish it though. The subject matter makes me sad, but that is a personal opinion. It is just as well written as all her books and I hope to finish it one day. We went to see Agatha Christie's The Mousetrap last week at St Martin's Theatre, Covent Garden, London, and it was superb! Really enjoyable, and we had great fun trying to guess who the murderer was, and of course, we were completely wrong! The theatre was gorgeous too. Anyway, that play spurred me on to return to Agatha Christie, and I picked up my favourite so far: Death in the Clouds. It was fantastic. So many twists and turns, yet again, I did not guess who the murderer was, although I suspected practically every character in the story. It was hugely enjoyable. I was going to get another one, but I spotted The Short Second Life Of Bree Tanner and quickly grabbed it. I will let you know what I think in my next blog!

Murder in the library

2010-05-11T16:57:00.003+01:00

Yes, another Agatha Christie. I couldn't resist The Body In The Library. And yet again, it was really good. Lots of great characters and twists. Kept me guessing to the end! I also like the covers of these new versions. Nice colours and designs. I know, nothing to do with Agatha Christie, but still pleasant to have on your bookshelf. Don't worry, I am having a break from these novels now. I am re-reading Big Stone Gap by Adriana Trigiani and I am waiting for the new Alice Hoffman "The Story Sisters" (due end of May), the new Stephenie Meyer "The Short Second Life Of Bree Tanner" (due 5th June) and Noah's Compass (due in August), the next Anne Tyler. I would happily pre-order all of them, but I am due to move anytime soon and so don't know which delivery address to put down. Wouldn't want them to get lost!!!

Murder, mystery and suspense

2010-04-30T08:27:00.004+01:00

Agatha Christie gets better and better! I loved At Bertram's Hotel. And I would so love to stay there, if it exists. The story was so complex and exciting, with fabulous characters, and intertwining stories! And the surprise twist at the end...it kept me guessing throughout! It amazes me how one person, can have such a versatile imagination. I am completely in awe. I have to admit, when I first started reading these, I really thought I would get bored, but instead, I am just craving more and more!

How does she do it?

2010-04-23T07:51:00.004+01:00

Well, I read another Agatha Christie, and I really thought I had guessed the murderer within the first couple of chapters, but I was so wrong! The ABC Murders was brilliant, so clever. Really nice plot, and a real insight into Hercule Poirot and his vanities. I really did not guess until the very end who the murderer was or why! Very good.

Scary stuff

2010-04-17T18:00:00.005+01:00

Well, I am still on my Agatha Christie fest, but after the last one, I am going to digress somewhat because I found it quite disturbing. The one I read previously, Sparkling Cyanide, was really good, and I really could not work out who the murderer was until it all came together at the end. It was a really good mystery and I really enjoyed it. Then, I read Endless Night, which was very interesting. It reminded me very much of books by F Scott Fitzgerald. I don't want to spoil anything, but it was different to the other AC books that I have read. For a start, the murder didn't happen until the end. And I was so surprised! I knew something was going to happen and I had my suspicions about who would be involved, but I was really shocked about how events unfurled. It is a good read, but I did find it sinister and sad. There is no graphic violence, but it is sad that innocence is harmed and that people can be influenced so much by money. Anyway, I do recommend it but it does make you think...who can you trust?

Three days later!

2010-04-08T20:42:00.003+01:00

A Murder Is Announced...another Agatha Christie that I couldn't put down. I am on holiday, fortunately, otherwise I don't know how I would survive! It is quite amazing that a book, written in 1950, by a sweet-looking old lady, can scare me so much, that I can't sleep. That was last night! I had to wake my husband because I was scared. Pathetic really. It is just the way it is written...nothing graphic, just all left to you imagination. Not good! Actually, it was a really good read - great, complicated story with loveable characters and of course Miss Jane Marple - and I am looking forward to my next one, which has already educated me....I have never made the connection between the colour blue and cyanide...cyan...obvious now. Anyway, I will let you know how I get on.

The great criminal mind!

2010-04-05T19:19:00.004+01:00

I have just finished my first Agatha Christie and it was superb! I guessed the true identity of the murderer incorrectly, thanks to the complicated story that was told. The investigator was Monsieur Hercule Poirot himself! Five Little Pigs was the story of a murder which had taken place 16 years earlier and the daughter of the convicted perpetrator was seeking to clear her of her guilt. It is a brilliant story, all the characters and scenes richly described so that you could imagine the whole scenario quite clearly. I really enjoyed it and couldn't put it down. I can't believe it has taken me so long to discover this fabulous author.

World music and the Bulgarian influence

2010-04-02T20:18:00.004+01:00

Yet another success from Laurie Graham and once again, quite different from her other books. Life According to Lubka is about a middle-aged career woman working in the music industry who is persuaded to go on tour with a group of Bulgarian grannies who sing folk songs. Her life completely changes, and although she is quite a potty-mouth, the book is very entertaining. She learns how to enjoy a simple life and the value of true friends. The characters are fabulous and the dialect that the author uses sounds believable - not having been to Bulgaria, however, I am probably not in a position to judge. But they all seemed really believable and it made me want to find out more.

Musical tales

2010-03-26T16:54:00.005Z

Kazuo Ishiguro's latest book, Nocturnes has left me thinking, which isn't a bad thing. It is made up of five short stories, all following a musical theme, and although the tales were involved, and the characters were realistic, the endings were left for the reader to imagine. I suppose this is a clever way of writing and involves your reader, but sometimes, you just want to know what the author wants to happen. Anyway, I might try reading it again and find what I am missing.

Shoes and Italians

2010-03-13T12:14:00.004Z

I do like books by Adriana Trigiani. Her latest, Very Valentine, is about a girl working in the family business making exquisite hand made shoes. The company was set up by her grandfather and the book describes traditional methods and traditions. Of course, there is romance, with a chef and the descriptions of his recipes are just sumptuous and had my mouth watering! As with all her stories, it is loosely based on her Italian family, and there is a wonderful visit back to Italy, which Valentine takes with her grandmother. It is such an enjoyable story, and I am really looking forward to the sequel. As usual, the author slips in recipes, which I think make the books that extra bit special, because you can bring the story to life in your kitchen. If you like, food, shoes, Italy, romance, drama, then this is the book for you.

Something new...

2010-02-22T17:30:00.005Z

Having read some older books, rather than from modern authors, I thought I would continue on this theme. So, I bought Cranford: and Other Stories by Elizabeth Gaskell. I don't have a television, so I hadn't seen the series on the BBC. I loved the book; the characters were so believable and enjoyable, and it was quite unusual to have the females as the dominant characters. I read the omnibus edition, which includes the stories 'The Lady Ludlow', 'Mr Harrison's Confessions' and 'The Cage at Cranford'. The stories and the characters were so delightful, and the historical element was really interesting. A lovely Winter's read, which was followed by a book from one of my usual genres. Elinor Lipman's The Family Man follows her usual style of complicated family setups with strong characters, some of which from Jewish backgrounds. This book tells the story of Henry Archer, a gay man, who used to be married, and who meets the daughter he adopted and lost about 25 years ago. This was a complicated, but easy to read story, which had me giggling in my seat. I really like the way Elinor Lipman writes. She covers some sensitive topics, but with a perfect amount of humour. Really enjoyable!

Classics

2010-01-23T17:58:00.005Z

I rarely read classics. I have always struggled with the long, complicated words. However, having read The Hidden Heart of Emily Hudson, where the author recommended additional reading, I read The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton and I was enchanted. The ending was, again perfect, although this time sad, but perhaps for the best...it leaves you wondering. It was really well written, with words I have never heard of, but they weren't intimidating as they have been in the past. I enjoyed this story very much, but will always wonder what would have happened. I wonder if it is something about that era, - well between 1850 and 1950, - I remember reading A Handful of Dust, and thinking that it was such a brilliant book, but such a sad ending...wasted love.

Most perfect ending

2010-01-16T10:50:00.005Z

I have just finished reading The Hidden Heart of Emily Hudson, by Melissa Jones, and it was an absolute treasure to read. It is set in the 1860s, and is about a 17 year old orphan in the care of her uncle and his family. Unlike most women of her era, she ignores the social etiquette and speaks and behaves as she desires, much to the anger of her uncle. The story tells of her life and loves, and the possessive hold that the men in her life have over her. It is a beautiful story with wonderful descriptions of her trials, and also of her travels, as she travels from America to London to Europe. There is so much to this book, but I don't want to give anything away, because there is something key to Emily Hudson that explains the way she is. The book could have ended in several ways, all good, but the one chosen was the best, and it was done so well.

More Macomber

2010-01-14T06:55:00.005Z

I am still enjoying Debbie Macomber's books. The latest one I have read is 311 Pelican Court, which focuses on an unusual divorce court ruling which sees the parents of two children moving between houses, instead of the children. All the books are set in a small town, Cedar Cove, where everyone knows each other. This book is full of misunderstandings, and unexpected solutions. They are gentle books, with happy endings, some sadness, and unusual twists.

New year, new posts!

2010-01-02T19:13:00.002Z

I have just finished The Dream House by Rachel Hore. Like her other books, there was a lot of flashbacks, this time to the 1920s/30s. It was a good story, but my favourite bits were the historical ones. I became irritated with the modern day setting, because of the casualness of the relationships and the lack of respect. It was probably more evident, because they had such high standards in the past. Anyway, it was entertaining, although I do prefer her other books, such as The Memory Garden and the Glass Painters Daughter. In this book, I felt she ended up with the wrong man. Let me know what you think.

Fine just the way it is

2009-12-30T11:36:00.003Z

Annie Proulx has such a distinct style, and her latest collection of short stories reflects this. Fine Just The Way It Is: Wyoming Stories, tells the stories of the lives of mainly cowboys, although there is one story about indians. She is quite blunt and covers topics including domestic violence and rape. But even when she is writing about these difficult subjects, she adds a strange sort of beauty. Her stories are really poetic and she has such a striking way with words. Even though the subject matter is hard to read about, her words are like a balm and her stories are an absolute pleasure to read.

Italian romance

2009-12-23T09:43:00.006Z

Maeve Binchy's Evening Class, is set in Dublin and builds on existing characters from her previous books, and introducing new ones. The main character is Signora, a disgraced Irish lady who follows her true love to Italy and then watches him marry someone else. Rather than feeling sorry for herself, she manages to enchant and delight with her simple approach to life and love, and manages to transform the lives of the people around her, both in Italy and Ireland. It is a lovely story with great characters. There is one harsh scene, involving domestic violence, but she handles it well.

So, now all there is left for me to do is to wish you a Merry Christmas. Hope we all get lots of books to read. Let me know your recommendations.

More Debbie Macomber

2009-12-19T11:40:00.002Z

I am really enjoying reading Debbie Macomber's books. They are heart-warming and have innovative plots, like the one I have just read. 16 Lighthouse Road, one of a series of books set in Cedar Cove, a small town, starts off with a scandal, where a young couple petitioning for a divorce, are refused by the Judge on the grounds that they haven't tried to make their marriage work. I know that sometimes marriages just don't work, but sometimes I do feel that it is too easy to just split up. Anyway, it is a good, easy-to-read story, with romance, sadness (not everyone gets a happy ending) and mystery. Debbie also has her own website where she shares knitting patterns and recipes.

Twenty wishes!!!

2009-12-12T18:08:00.004Z

I have just finished a lovely story by Debbie Macomber called Twenty Wishes. It's about a group of widows, both young and old who, while 'celebrating' St Valentines Day together, decide to create lists of their twenty wishes - not things they should have or do, but things they have always wanted to have or do. Not only do they create their own lists but they also inspire others - including me - to write theirs. It is a simple story and demonstrates that when you get what you wish for, it might not be in the way that you expected. So my wish list (not necessarily in this order) starts as follows (because you don't have to compile the whole list immediately):

to learn how to make stained glass windows
to go cross-country skiing
to go to the Boon Lotte Elephant Sanctuary in Thailand - you can read the story of how it was created here -truly inspiring
to do something worthwhile
to swim with tropical fish in their natural environment (as long as I am not upsetting them)
to learn to knit properly
to learn falconry (as long as it is not distressing to the birds)
to make cakes
to open a bookshop
to become a photographer
to write a blog about how to find good quality patient information on the Internet

Christmas spirit

2009-12-06T23:17:00.002Z

I have just finished Last Christmas by Julia Williams, and it was a great read, especially for Christmas. It is set around a small, rural village in Shropshire, called Hope Christmas, and describes the lives of people living in the village or associated with it. There are stories of highs and lows, and real-life issues are dealt with, including mental health, heartbreak, and redundancy. But thanks to a saintly character called Ralph Nicholas, the world is put to rights. It is a lovely story, which makes you feel good inside.

Christmas is coming...

2009-12-04T20:30:00.004Z

Well, I finally managed to find a nice, romantic book to read. Fairytale of New York by Miranda Dickinson is a lovely story, set in New York, about a broken-hearted, England-born florist and her friends. Although the main character is a little irritating - she refers to everyone as "mate" which kind of reminds me of Dick Van Dyke doing his cockney impression in Mary Poppins, and also, it is obvious who her true love is - you can't help but envy her life. There are wonderful descriptions of New York and the flower industry, and there are great characters, with some really beautiful, tender love scenes in it, which gave me goosebumps. It is a good book for the holiday period, just right for curling up in front of the firewith a box of chocolates and a glass of wine.

Misleading quotes on book covers!

2009-11-28T18:16:00.003Z

I have just given up on a book, something I try to avoid. But I just wanted something lighthearted and magical, to get me in the mood for Christmas and this wasn't it. When I saw The Gift by Cecelia Ahern, described as 'A seasonal tale of love and friendship', 'A heavenly gift that speaks to the heart', 'Heart-warming, emotional, funny and filled with unexpected twists', I thought, perfect! I was so wrong. I persevered until page 176 of 305 pages, but I was just getting so irritated with the main character that I just decided I could not read any more. I found the story was so full of anger, betrayal, deceit, sadness, that I was just feeling depressed rather than uplifted. It was very disappointing. It does bother me when the quotes from reviewers on the book covers don't reflect the content of the book. But I guess that is my opinion. Other people might like it. I think, for me, my favourite Christmas book is still A Redbird Christmas by Fannie Flagg. Now that has magic and kindness, and makes me feel good inside.You can read my original review here.

Host...a pleasant surprise

2009-11-24T08:15:00.001Z

Those of you who know me will know that I am a HUGE fan of the Twilight series, written by Stephenie Meyer. Host is written for adults, whereas Twilight was aimed at teenagers, and i think that you can notice a difference. It has taken me a long time to consider reading Host, I guess, because I didn't want to be disappointed. Anyway, I finally succumbed and added it to my 3 for 2 purchases, and well, wow...I was very pleasantly surprised. It is different from the Twilight series and quite sci-fi, which is not my usual genre. However, it does tackle the related issue of inter-species relationships. I found it really thought-provoking and so imaginative as the author describes the populations on different planets, and the differences in emotions of each species. It was also very much a love story, and I really wondered how the author would work it out so that everyone would end up happy. The ending did not disappoint. I really recommend reading Host. It is unusual, a bit slow to start, but completely captivating.

Cook book

2009-11-06T11:36:00.005Z

I was pleasantly surprised to discover that the famous food writer and cook, Prue Leith, writes fictional novels too. Choral Society is about three women in their fifties who are going through different life challenges, and meet at a choir meeting. They are completely different from each other, but become great friends. It is a very empowering story, and good to read a book demonstrating that you don't have to have a man to be successful and that life doesn't end at 30. It was a good, easy read, and really interesting. I learnt so much about food-writing, and food photography. Made me want to have a go. Plus there was the bonus that the book was set in Yorkshire, Cotswolds, London and Cornwall, all wonderful places in England.

Witch trials!

2009-11-02T14:42:00.006Z

Seemingly appropriate for Halloween, but this was no treat for those involved. I have just finished reading Kathleen Kent's The Heretic's Daughter. I was in two minds when I bought it, because there have been so many stories about the Salem witch. However, this one has been written by a direct descendent of one of the accused. It was brilliantly written; so hard to read in places, because of the treatment of the accused women and men. The bravery of the children - their horrific treatment was so vividly described, I felt in awe of their survival skills. They never gave up, they plead their innocence. You just cannot fathom how human beings can treat each other so cruelly. It was a harsh, but excellent read, and has inspired me to find out more about this tragic event.

New author alert!

2009-10-26T08:31:00.002Z

I found this book quite by accident, and it turned out to be a three for the price of two, which was even better, and it was two books in one, so absolute bargain! Anyway, Christmas in Seattle by Debbie Macomber, is not an intellectual book, but it was a lovely read; gentle, romantic, and with fun characters. Both books were entirely predictable, and yet surprising. By that I mean, you knew which couples would become romantically involved, but when it happened, it was perfectly timed, and just made you smile. It was a really easy read, and very pleasant.

Historical novels

2009-10-10T21:24:00.002+01:00

I have just finished The Memory Garden, by Rachel Hore. It was enjoyable, because it flashed back to the story of an artist in Cornwall in the early 1900s. I became a little frustrated by the main character who seemed so dependent on the male characters. She could have been such a strong character on her own, but I suppose there would not have been the drama. I would have loved to have known how the house and garden would turn out. It was beautifully described and makes me envious of anyone living in Cornwall. So, it has been well-written, and it was easy to read. It is now 9.25pm and the bookshops are closed! What shall I read now?

Vintage style

2009-10-03T12:11:00.003+01:00

I have just read A Vintage Affair by Isabel Wolff, and it was just a perfectly lovely read. My only bugbear is the misleading quotes on the back of the book. From the Express, 'A warm, witty, romantic comedy. Perfect!' Now I suspect this is the fault of the publisher, Harper Collins, who may have used a quote from another of Isabel Wolff's books. This book was not a romantic comedy. It was very touching, and quite sad in places about a woman who has suffered great pain and re-starts her life by opening a vintage dress shop. The book is about the people she meets through her shop, and the magical effect her vintage clothes have on their lives. One of the people she meets has been harbouring a tragic secret since the second world war, and the story, although sad, is beautifully and movingly told. The descriptions of the clothes will make this story of interest to anyone interested in fashion. The history brings life to the characters, and the complicated relationships, add more drama and reality to the story. I really enjoyed it, although it wasn't what I was expecting, having read the reviews on the back cover.

Espionage and mystery!

2009-09-29T08:56:00.003+01:00

Well, I finished Elizabeth Edmondson's Voyage of Innocence. I thought it had been written earlier than the others, because it was a slightly harsher style. It was very good, but slightly dark in places as some of the main male characters seemed to struggle with the battle of their sexuality versus their position and status. The story was about a group of students at Oxford who were discovering themselves and dabbling in politics without understanding the whole context, ending in often tragic consequences. The story described the inequities between rich and poor, and the confusion that arose in these youngsters, following them in the events leading up to World War II and ending with a boat journey to India. The story covers mystery, espionage, religion, and romance, and ends surprisingly.

Different styles and new authors

2009-09-24T13:52:00.006+01:00

The Monsters of Templeton by Lauren Groff was my risk book, the third choice in my three for two purchase. It was really quirky, and entertaining, revolving around a young archaeologist, returning home following a disastrous affair. However, once home, her mother drops a bombshell, and she spends her time discovering the mystery and working out the issues in her life. I really enjoyed this book.

I reverted back to childhood again after reading this book and read Little Grey Rabbit's Second Storybook, which was just lovely; gorgeous pictures by Margaret Tempest, and magical stories by Alison Uttley. Unfortunately, no longer in print, but I managed to get a copy from eBay.

Then, I read another Elizabeth Edmondson book, The Art of Love. This was similar in style to The Villa in Italy, but set in a different country, focusing on a girl about to embark on a marriage that she isn't quite ready for. Again, this book is about a girl who discovers that she isn't who she thought she was and has to find some answers. This was also a really good story, with beautiful descriptions, and interesting characters. I am now reading another book by the same author, although older, so I will let you know what I think in my next blog.

Too many books to remember!

2009-09-05T10:37:00.005+01:00

Well, this is going to be a long post, because all I have done this Summer is read, walk, take photos, and embroider patterns. I have had a lovely time after devising a timetable to improve my work-life balance.

Now, I thought I had blogged about the House of Riverton, a book by Kate Morton, that I read before The Forgotten Garden. They are similar styles, flitting between eras, 1920s and the 1990s, tracing the history of a house and the characters that live inside. Absolutely, lovely story, with colourful characters, mystery, and love.

I had five books for my Summer reading, and only one failed. Unfortunately, the sequel to the Friday Night Knitting Club, Knit Two, by Kate Jacobs, was a disappointment, to the extent that I have disposed of it. I loved the first one and also Comfort Food, but this one just did not engage me. I didn't feel anything for the characters and it just felt rushed. Such a shame!

So, after that one, I read the American Wife, by Curtis Sittenfeld. I had read Prep and thoroughly enjoyed it, but when I read the back cover of this one, it just seemed completely different. Prep was about teenagers and based in a school, where as this is loosely based on the life of Laura Bush. It is a really interesting read, a love story about a couple who cope with life's ups and downs, and support each other right the way to the top! At the start of the book, you really cannot imagine how they might get there. Again, great characters, and a really interesting story about America, and the political system there.

Next I read, The Lost Book of Salem (known as The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane, as of April 2010) by Katherine Howe. I thought it would be in the style of Da Vinci Code, eg a typical holiday read, but it was better. It was full of facts about the witch trials in Salem, with links to further information, and there was lots of reference to herbalism, which I found interesting. This book also travelled between time periods, and it was clever the way the author changed the dialects.

Finally, I read The Villa in Italy, by Elizabeth Edmondson, which was fabulous. It is about a group of four strangers who are sent to a beautiful villa in Italy as recipients of a will belonging to someone none of them seem to know. The story unravels as they face their demons, and learn more about themselves, and each other, aswell as the gorgeous location where they are staying. I really enjoyed this book. Such interesting characters, with unexpected sides to them. I am looking forward to reading more of this author.

In between books, I rediscovered a childhood favourite of mine, which unfortunately is no longer available in print - Little Grey Rabbit's Storybook by Alison Uttley. It is such a magical storybook. I love the pictures by Margaret Tempest, and the simplicity of the stories.

So that's it for now...time for another trip to the book shop. Although, with my new timetable, I am trying to do some writing of my own, although a non-fiction book, rather than fiction. I just don't have the imagination as these authors do.

Storytelling at its best!

2009-07-17T09:08:00.004+01:00

Once again, I took advantage of the 3 for 2 at Waterstones. I bought Unaccustomed Earth by Jhumpa Lahiri. I loved The Namesake, and this one is good, although quite sad. It is a compilation of short stories describing the differences in experiences of immigrant parents and their children. They just all seemed to be a bit lost. It was engrossing though and very vivid. I felt that all the characters were so real, and perhaps that is what made me feel quite emotional about it.

The next book I read was, The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton. I loved this one and became completely lost in the creativity. The story was so clever, jumping through three generations, across two continents, while unravelling a mystery, and changing complete writing style, by including fairy tales, created by a fictional author. It was just fantastic, and the fairy tales, so beautiful. I just couldn't put it down.

Complicated relationships

2009-06-08T08:50:00.002+01:00

I picked up Brother of the More Famous Jack, because I had already read, and enjoyed, another book by Barbara Trapido. It took me too attempts to get into it, but once I got going, I couldn't stop. It was quite graphic and harsh in places, about sex and relationships, but was set around the glorious beauty of genuine love. It was a story about a young, innocent girl, and her friendship with her college tutor and his family. There is humour and sadness, decorated with colourful descriptions. It was very enjoyable, although not an easy read in places. But the compassion definitely made you feel good.

Book binge!

2009-05-12T09:08:00.003+01:00

I can't believe that it has taken me so long to update this blog, but I guess, there have been holidays and of course loads of work. I had a bit of a Chalet School fest, reading about four books which I bought from eBay, a good source for books that are no longer in print.

I also bought The Third Angel which is just such a beautiful, but tragic love story. Alice Hoffman writes about such sad events, but with such beauty and gentleness. She also tackles the death of a lover which such dignity. It was so moving, but this wasn't the entire focus of the book. This story links a variety of characters over a period of about fifty years, focused around the events in a hotel and two sisters. I just loved it.

And now, I am reading The Glass Painter's Daughter which I am really enjoying. I would love to do a stained glass workshop now. I am learning so much about glass and also choirs, and it is a wonderful story with a mystery based on a historical journal. I am struggling to put it down. But alas, responsibilities beckon...

Amazing imagination!

2009-03-10T16:47:00.005Z

Kazuo Ishiguro amazes me. His books are so different and so convincing. He must be so intelligent to have gathered such a wealth of experience and knowledge. I have just finished Never Let Me Go. It is a strange topic, which I won't divulge because you really wouldn't guess from the description on the back cover and I wouldn't want to ruin the plot. In honesty, the subject material did make me uncomfortable, but in a good way, because it made me question man's current behaviour. It was so believable, and the characters were endearing. I am just full of awe that someone can come up with a story like this. It is just so different to Remains of the Day, which was equally brilliant. I have read three of his books so far, set in different eras, and about people's lives. Really enjoyable.

Latest readings...

2009-02-15T15:30:00.003Z

My mother-in-law left a Maeve Binchy for me to read, Quentins. It was a lovely story, set around a restaurant in Dublin and focused on several people. It was quite dramatic in places, with extra-marital affairs, fraud, but also love, friendship, everything required to make al lovely read.

I have also read another of Elinor Lipman's books, Isabel's Bed, which, although it wasn't as good as my favourite, was sufficiently entertaining. It also had my dream job, ghost-writing, by the sea...actually, anything by the sea would be good.

I caught up with The Tales of Beedle the Bard, the fairytale book in Harry Potter, written by JK Rowling. It was very interesting because each story was followed by commentary by Professor Dumbledore. Very inventive.

Final Twilight for now

2009-01-19T07:36:00.004Z

I have just finished the fourth book in the Twilight saga, Breaking Dawn. This was quite a bit darker towards the start, to the extent that I did worry about younger teenagers reading it. I won't say what it was about because I don't want to spoil the plot. It was entirely compelling, and I really enjoyed it. The end was perfect, and the ideas, and the complexities in the story were fantastic. The author, Stephenie Meyer has started writing another book with the Cullen household, Midnight Sun, which tells the story from Edward's point of view. Unfortunately, it was leaked onto the Internet, and so the author has stopped writing this for now, which is sad. She has however, made Chapter 1 and a partial draft of Midnight Sun officially available on her website. (This material is copyrighted by Stephenie Meyer.)

I did see the film Twilight, and I really enjoyed it. I know it was different to the book, but I think it was really well done. It was quite raw and slow, in a good way. I hope that now they have greater investment, it won't lose those qualities. The effects and the shots were superb. I am disappointed that they are changing directors, but shall wait for New Moon with an open mind.

Okay, while I am still obsessed with the Twilight saga, I am going to read other books now. I started reading The Tales of Beedle the Bard last night, but JK Rowling. She really is incredible the way she comes up with these ideas.

Author websites

2009-01-02T10:47:00.003Z

Many authors are setting up their own websites now, to support their publications. They often have guidance for authors, book clubs, and additional resources, such as recipes, and information about the history of where the stories are set. These are some of my favourite websites:

I am sure there are many other great author websites. Please let me know of any.

Twilight - saga continues

2009-01-02T10:43:00.004Z

I can't believe that I only started reading the Twilight saga on the 23rd December! I am now onto the third book. New Moon was brilliant, just as thrilling, romantic, well-written, as the first one. I wasn't sure if the suspense could continue; how the story could continue, but it has, and also into the third, Eclipse. I am going to have to find time for another trip to the bookshop for the next book! I think I am turning into a chain-reader!

Little bit of self-promotion

2008-12-31T12:18:00.003Z

For anyone who is interested in finding the evidence for clinical practice, I have co-written a book. Searching skills toolkit: finding the evidence, is due for publication on the 9th January 2009. I have never done something like this before, so it isn't perfect, but it is a starting point.

On a lighter note, I finished Twilight, and am now completely hooked on the series, hurtling through New Moon. I am going to see the film...I think, although I fear it will not be as good as the book. Saying that though, the trailer looks great!

Christmas holidays - reading time at last!

2008-12-29T14:09:00.004Z

Well, Christmas is upon us, and I have been enjoying the time in front of a cosy fire and lots of good books. I read The Way Men Act, an ironic tale about relationships, by one of my new favourite authors, Elinor Lipman. It was a fun story with lots of diverse characters, focusing on one lady who was convinced that men had a particular way of acting, while actually, she was the one making things complicated. Nice story though, although still not replacing my favourite. I have the Tales of Beedle and Bard and Magic, on the sideline, but in the meantime, I am so engrossed in Twilight, that I am about to rush out and buy the sequel. I haven't seen the film, and I cannot imagine how it will translate, but it is beautiful. So sensitive, but thrilling, so sensuous, while maintaining the innocence of two "young" lovers. It is breath-taking, and I have been struggling to put it down, only doing so because otherwise my in-laws will think me extremely rude :-)

Word of caution

2008-12-08T16:11:00.003Z

I have just finished reading The Knitting Circle which is full of engaging characters, but it is just so sad. If you are feeling emotional, be warned, there are some very tragic, and also disturbing stories in this book. It is a good book, but it isn't light reading, which is what I thought it would be.

A new hobby in the pipeline!

2008-11-27T17:23:00.002Z

I found, quite by accident, that Kate Jacobs had written another book. I had really enjoyed Friday Night Knitting Club, and Comfort Food follows a similar theme. This story however, is about a television chef, dealing with the complex relationships in her life, and her battle to keep her program as new, younger chefs join the competition. I really enjoyed this book. There was a point in the middle of it, where I felt it was just so stressy, but it all came together in the end, and worked out beautifully.

Elinor Lipman continued and something new!

2008-11-19T15:13:00.006Z

The latest book I have read by Elinor Lipman, is The Ladies Man. I found it quite uncomfortable, the nature of this story, about a womaniser, who although I imagine was supposed to be charming, I found quite irritating. So, although this was a well-written story, it wasn't my favourite. The Inn at Lake Devine still holds that award!

So, the new book that I read is called The Marriage Bureau for Rich People by Farahad Zama. I loved this and didn't want it to end, although it did end the way I wanted to. It was beautifully written, and provided such rich images of India and the customs and culture, that I just want to go there and become immersed among the interesting people that live there. I learnt so much from this book and I am looking forward to more by this author.

I am currently reading Once Upon a Time in the North, by Philip Pullman, a spin-off from his Dark Materials trilogy, which I am absolutely loving!

Knitting books

2008-11-11T09:37:00.002Z

Not what it seemed. I have just finished the sequal to Divas Don't Knit by Gil McNeil. Needles and Pearls continues the story about Jo, the widow of a philandering husband, with two young children, who left her high-powered media job to take over her granny's knitting shop. In all honesty, I think I preferred the first one. This one was a little too complicated and made me feel a bit uncomfortable in places. Saying that, I finished it and was keen to know the outcome. It has left room for another installment.

Oh wow...absolutely brilliant!!!

2008-10-29T15:37:00.002Z

I have just finished The Inn at Lake Devine by, yes, my current favourite author, Elinor Lipman. This is definitely my favourite out of all her books. It was so enlightening. Surprisingly, I hadn't appreciated the levels of prejudice faced by Jewish people in the 1960s and 1970s. I laughed and cried with this book. It was harsh in places, but also such a lovely story. I really enjoyed the characters and the excellent story-line, and I would love to find the The Inn at Lake Devine.

Still on the same author!

2008-10-23T07:41:00.004+01:00

I have just finished The Dearly Departed by Elinor Lipman, and again really enjoyed this story. All of her books seem to have the same theme, with some character having a surprise double life. This one has a half-brother and half-sister meeting for the first time at the funeral of their parents. The book is full of interesting characters and has a good storyline. In honesty though, I think my favourite is still the first one that I read: Then She Found Me.

In love with books!

2008-10-17T13:27:00.003+01:00

Another book from Elinor Lipman, has distracted me from pretty much all other activities. The Pursuit of Alice Thrift is a great story about a trainee surgeon, whose lack of social skills causes a few problems. I enjoyed this one so much, I moved straight onto another book by the same author, and I have another one waiting after that. Roll on half-term holidays. I think I am becoming a serial chain-reader!

Not sequels, but same author...

2008-10-10T09:23:00.004+01:00

Well, I thought I would give the author of The Jane Austen Book Club another shot, so I read The Sweetheart Season. This one took me a while to get into, I have to admit. I got a little confused because of the flashbacks, but by the end I was completely gripped again. Interesting characters, complicated relationships, but well written, and set in the post-second world war period, it is about an all-female baseball team.

I have also just finished My Latest Grievance, by my new favourite author, Elinor Lipman. Slighly uncomfortable at times, but brilliantly written. She tackles some unbelievable issues with humour, compassion, and excellent plots. I loved this one.

New author discovered!

2008-09-15T06:55:00.003+01:00

Well, new author to me. I picked up Elinor Lipman's "Then She Found Me". I hadn't realised that it has just been released as a film. I read it in a weekend and really enjoyed it. It was about a teacher just getting on with her life when her birth mother, who is a talk show host, makes contact. It is quite a simple story focusing on the emotions and confusions arising when an adopted child meets their birth parents. It was a very entertaining read, with romance, humour, sadness, and some lovely characters. I am looking forward to reading more of her books. I also read When We Were Orphans by Kazuo Ishiguro, author of The Remains of the Day, and that was an interesting story about a detective trying to find out what happened to his parents who disappeared in Shanghai when he was a child. The story is so innocent, but has an unexpected ending. It was beautifully written, describing childhood friendships intertwined with politics and corruption.

Latest Laurie Graham

2008-09-05T10:16:00.003+01:00

Well, not really the latest, but the latest one that I have read. Gone with the Windsors is about the rise of Wallis Simpson and her eventual relationship with the King of England. It was very entertaining, although I did feel a little uncomfortable at times with what seems like a very calculated and manipulated relationship. The descriptions of the lives of the wealthy in those times sounded so frivolous, but the book contained some very interesting debates about the politics of that time. Laurie Graham's books all sound very factual, but there is never a bibliography included. I would like to know how much of her books are based on fact.

New favourite author!

2008-08-26T17:14:00.005+01:00

Well it is the Summer holidays and I have discovered a new favourite author, which is why I haven't been blogging. I had already read one of her books The Unfortunates, but then I read a write-up about Laurie Graham's The Importance of Being Kennedy, in the Sunday Times, and I could not resist! It was so interesting. I learnt so much about history, but in such an easy-to-read way, full of rich character, and stories about different lifestyles. It is about a country girl from Ireland who becomes nursery maid to a family in the United States of America, in 1917. The family turns out to be the Kennedy family and so begins a description about the development and roles of each member of the Kennedy family. The prelude says that these are the memoirs, published by her nephew, but the publishers say it is a work of fiction, and yet, it is so believable. A really good read. So, the next one that I bought was called The Future Homemakers of America. No famous family in this one, but again some brilliant characters, the main ones being the wives of US air force pilots based in Norfolk during the war, and what happens while they are in England and when they get back to America. Again, absolutely brilliant, and really good to read. The next one, by this autor, is Mr Starlight. Quite different, although focusing on particular characters, two of whom are musicians who move from England to America to become celebrities. As the title suggests, one makes it while the other doesn't or does he....there is so much to this book, and the ending has an unexpected modern twist, but in keeping with the times, 1930s onwards, through the 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s. My next on in the Laurie Graham series is "Gone With The Windsors". The title is ace in itself. Can't wait to read the rest... I did deviate slightly by reading Sepulchre and The Sonnet Lover, both by authors that I have read before. Sepulchre is by Kate Mosse and is set in 19th century Paris and the South of France. It is similar to Labyrinth, in that the story is set in two eras, but joined, and the main subject is tarot cards. It was enjoyable, although a bit harsh in places, but the story was very romantic and dramatic, and made me want to return to France again...one day! The Sonnet Lover is by Carol Goodman, who also wrote the Lake of Dead Languages, among others. This was set in Italy, and was also very romantic and dramatic, and the key focus was on Shakespeare's sonnets, and whether or not he had a romance in Italy. It was very good, beautifully written. So, this is why I have been so bad at keeping this blog up-to-date. There just isn't enough time in the day :-)

Current state of play...

2008-06-24T16:07:00.005+01:00

Just finished The Mermaid Chair by Sue Monk Kidd. I was a huge fan of her first book, The Secret Life of Bees and was delighted to find this book in a second-hand bookstore. She writes beautifully, although being religious, it did raise some confusing feelings. However, the end was good and as it should be, and I finished reading with no unease. It is a story about saints, legends, and relationships, and it is set on a mythical island off South Caroline. It was very thought-provoking and a wonderful tale.

Ballet Shoes

2008-06-05T17:24:00.002+01:00

I have just finished Ballet Shoes and am beginning to pick up on a pattern. This is the second of Noel Streatfeild's books that I have read, and both have involved 3 children, whose circumstances have changed so that they need to help support the people who are caring for them. I like the way the author seems to identify two of the children as high achievers, with one person being a "plain jane" or "plain john", the latter child coming to the rescue of his/her siblings. They are good books as they are very descriptive of the characters and their surroundings, and make you realise that anything is possible if you are prepared to work for it.

Secrets and adventure!

2008-05-30T13:22:00.002+01:00

I have just finished another children's book, The Secret Passage, by Nina Bawden. An adventure about three children who are sent to live with their seemingly grumpy aunt. There are lovely descriptions about the adventures they have and their surroundings. The people that they meet all really believable, and the author displays such sensitivity about their characters. I am looking forward to reading more of her books.

Gosh! How time flies!

2008-05-28T17:58:00.004+01:00

I hadn't realised how long it was since my last post. My life has been a little complicated and work has been hard, but good, but my brain has needed some easier reading. And reading is exactly what I have been doing lots of to relax and escape. As previously, I have reverted back to childhood and read some recognisable titles, with a grown-up viewpoint. The Enid Blyton Omnibus is an old favourite - good vs bad, right vs wrong - no hazy areas, everything clear. If you are nice, you get a reward from the fairies; if you are bad, then the goblins will get you!

I was delighted to find two Chalet School books by Elinor M Brent-Dyer, in one of my local charity shops recently. They are such a pleasure to read. The perfect grammer, and beautiful descriptions of the characters and the scenery. I would have loved to have been a pupil there. I love the use of different languages to make you feel that you are experiencing the different cultures attending the school. I have just read Jo of the Chalet School and am looking forward to the next one. I am also going to keep a close eye out in the charity shops to find some more. I know I can get them on eBay, but there is something special about finding them by accident!

I then went onto some classics. First of all, I read Anne of Green Gables, by LM Montgomery, which is such a great story about an orphan moving to Prince Edward Island, who has such a wonderful imagination and keeps everyone in her village entertained, including the family she lives with, who were originally expecting a boy to help them on the farm. I then read A Little Princess, which is just lovely, and similar as it is about a little girl who users her imagination to conjure up the most exciting stories. I love the scenes with the Indian friend and his monkey, and the magic they created. After that, I read The Painted Garden by Noel Streatfeild, which was accidently most appropriate because one area of this story was about a little girl acting in the film of A Little Princess, so I could re-visit the book I had read earlier. I did enjoy this book although sometimes the children quarrelling was a little too realistic!

Another book I got from the charity store is Jumping To Conclusions by Christine Jones, a story about a woman who moves into a little village to open a bookshop. This is my dream! Anyway, it is an easy read, describing the horse-racing industry and rural life. Very much a good holiday read!

I have been taking advantage of 3 for the price of 2 offers, and have recently read By The Shore by Galaxy Craze, which is a story about a 12 year old girl living with her mother and brother in a guesthouse by the sea. The story is told from the girl's point-of-view and it is just a really good tale. The second book out of this collection was The Girl Who Stopped Swimming by Joshilyn Jackson, which is the story about a woman who finds the body of her neighbour's daughter floating in her swimming pool. The story looks at her complex relationships, with her own daughter, her husband, her family, in particular her sister, drawing on past history, and watches her work out what has happened to this girl in her pool. It is very entertaining, sad in places, but keeps you turning the pages until the end. The last one in this collection is Gifted by Nikita Lalwani, about a girl, born in England to Indian parents, who at the age of 5 is discovered to be a maths prodigy. From that discovery, her life changes as her father becomes obsessed with her fulfilling this prophecy that she is a maths phenomenon. The story looks at the differences between East and West, and the expectations of Asian females in England. It is a very human story, because you can feel that the father just wants the best for his daughter and is supporting her as best he can. But you can also sympathise with her, because as she grows into a teenager, she has different desires, and inevitably clashes occur.

So, I have been reading, and enjoying all my books, I am currently reading The Jane Austen Book Club by Karen Joy Fowler, so I am going to log off for now, and get back to finishing that one.

Seeking inspiration!

2008-02-23T17:12:00.003Z

Well, after I finished Charmed Life, I couldn't find anything else to read, so I re-read some old favourites, including Anne Tyler, Alice Hoffman, Peanuts, and Asterix and Obelix. A friend of mine, has recommended "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil." The film is one of my favourites, so I must get a copy of this book. I have however, just finished a fabulous book: The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield. It was fantastic, the intrigue and twists, and it was beautifully written. I have to admit, I couldn't get started with it at first, but I think that was my frame of mind and not the fault of the book, because a couple of weeks later, I started it again, and was gripped to the extent that the book came with me everywhere so that I could carry on reading whenever I had a break. The characters were brilliant, and the final twists were completely unpredictable.

I did forget to mention another book that I greatly enjoyed, and that was The Savage Garden by Mark Mills. I read this quite recently, and it was set in Italy and described the interpretation of the design of a landscaped garden, and the resulting torrid love affair. Again, full of mystery and intrigue, with wonderfully, rich characters.

Potter replacement

2008-01-13T18:42:00.002Z

Well, having finished all the Harry Potter stories, I decided to try the Dark Materials Trilogy by Philip Pullman. I didn't really like The Northern Lights. It was so dark and I really didn't like Mrs Coulter, so much so that I didn't see the film. However, I thought there must be something to it, and I was curious to see what would happen to the characters. So, I went to buy the Subtle Knife and the lady in the shop said that I really should buy the Amber Spyglass because once I had finished the Subtle Knife I would just want to carry on. And, she was so right! I did, and it was superb. So after that, I needed another replacement, so I decided to try Charmed Life by Diana Wynne Jones, about two children who have been orphaned. One of them is a witch, but rather arrogant and spoilt. I haven't finished this one yet, but I am three-quarters of the way through and I am really enjoying it. One book I have just finished, which was fantastic, was The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. It is so wonderfully written, and completely unexpected. It is narrated by death and tells the story of a girl living in Germany during the Second World War. It is entertaining, but also incredibly moving. Not sure what I will read next. Recommendations gratefully received!

Summer spent reading

2007-10-07T18:04:00.003+01:00

Yet again, time has flown past. Work and holidays has interfered with my reading, but I have managed to find some gems as well as some favourites. Obviously, I read the final instalment of Harry Potter - the Deathly Hallows, and JK Rowling really could not have created a better ending. It was perfect, and I shall enjoy re-reading it in due course.

I have just finished reading The Friday Night Knitting Club and it was wonderful, only the second book to make me cry (the first being Shadowlands - the true story of C.S. Lewis and Joy Davidman). The whole book describes the lives of a group of women who attend a knitting club, which was set up quite spontaneously, and is not just focused on knitting, I might hasten to add. There are wonderful tips for people who are actually interested in knitting, but the majority of the book is about the differences between the women, but how they all complement each other. It is fun, serious, happy and sad, and completely brilliant. You can read more about it on their web-site. I cannot wait for Kate Jacob's next book.

At the moment, I am reading Jeffrey Archer's Cat O' Nine Tales, which are stories of some of the people he met while at Her Majesty's pleasure. I have read and enjoyed all his short stories, and from his novels, I have read Not A Penny More, Not A Penny Less, A Matter Of Honour, and his most recent on A False Impression, and I have enjoyed the twists in all.

I also read over the Summer, Probable Future, by Alice Hoffman, and Digging to America by Anne Tyler. They definitely continue to be on my favourites list!

Finally, I read The Other Side of the Bridge, by Mary Lawson, which was about the turbulent relationship of two brothers in rural America. This was such a well-written story. I really felt all the conflicts and struggles, and I felt the love that was given throughout. It is a tremendous story with really strong characters. Crow Lake was written by the same author, and I found that story equally gripping. She is another wonderful storyteller to add to my collection.

So now you can see why I struggle to find time to blog. Until next time....

Pottermania!

2007-07-09T09:37:00.001+01:00

Lots going on, and although time to read, no time to blog. I am currently re-reading old favourites, which includes the Harry Potter series. When they first came out, I just could not get into them, but about a year and a half ago, I started reading them, and couldn't stop. My least favourite is the Order of the Phoenix, not because it is a bad book, but because I find Professor Umbridge really disturbing, but then I am a bit of a scaredy cat! I really enjoyed the Half Blood Prince, but I think my favourite is the Goblet of Fire. JK Rowling has a great website, really well-designed.

On a sadder note, I read Alice Hoffman's book "At Risk" a story, written in the 1980's about an eleven year old girl who contracts AIDS after receiving a contaminated blood transfusion. It is so moving, and describes the stigma associated with AIDS.

So many books, so little time!

2007-03-05T08:09:00.000Z

With all these bargains in the bookstore and all these new books coming out, it is a wonder I get anything done! So, where do I start? Well Brooklyn Follies is just brilliant, and I can't wait to read Paul Auster's other books. It is an inspirational book about an uncle and his nephew who have both reached a crossroads in their lives, for different reasons, and find their futures' defined when a little girl comes to live with them.

I have long been a fan of Adriana Trigiani, since here first book, Big Stone Gap and the whole series, that goes with it, to Queen of the Big Time, Lucia Lucia, and the wonderful Rococo! Her books follow the theme of Italian culture, often with strong female leads, and covering a span of generations. And, one of the best things about these books, is that the author provides delicious recipes to any of the dishes described in these stories.

Another book that enhances a beautiful story with tasty recipes is "Pomegranate Soup", a story about an Iranian family that sets up a restaurant in a small Irish town. It is a special tale about romance, friendship, and the meeting of different cultures.

The Mercy of Thin Air is an amazing book, which sensitively covers the subject of death, focusing on two main female characters, one living in the 1920s and one living in the 1990s, describing the role of women in both of these eras.

The Apothecary's House is a thriller set in the art world in Amsterdam. The story is set around the ownership of a painting, stolen by the Nazis. There is history, drama, and mystery, everything required for a gripping read!

So, that's it for now. I have another pile of books to get through, plus work to get to, so until next time....

The Shadow of the Wind

2007-01-19T12:09:00.000Z

I spent my Christmas break engrossed in one of my presents. A work colleague bought me a copy of The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon. What a fantastic book! It was so beautifully written, and I felt that I knew each character. The language was so descriptive, and the story completely gripping, that I didn't want it to end. It is a treasure that I enjoyed entirely.

Lovely Christmas book...and all year round!

2006-12-04T11:29:00.000Z

Fannie Flagg writes brilliant stories. You may remember Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe. The film is excellent, but the book is even better. She even has recipes at the back of the book, and on her website. Her books are absolute treasures, and you can really feel all that is going on, and long to be a part of it.

I have just read A Redbird Christmas, which was completely magical! It was so beautiful, telling the story of a man who is told he won't make it past Christmas unless he moves to a warmer climate. He does, and sees his whole life change and extend, and grow in value. Hope for everyone.

Another great storyteller

2006-10-18T11:54:00.000+01:00

I have just bought this wonderful book, Pilgrims and other stories, by Elizabeth Gilbert, another great storyteller. Very similar to Annie Proulx, with sharp contrasts between the rougher side of life and the hidden gentleness that all people seem to possess. My favourite stories in this compilation are "The Many Things That Denny Brown Did Not Know (Age Fifteen)" and "The Famous Torn and Restored Lit Cigarette Trick." All the stories, in this book, made me feel so many emotions, and I could believe in every character.