Originally reviewed 14th Sept 2010
Another marmite book, love it or hate it!
For some reason I had got this book mixed up with another and thought it was about war. So when I finally started it and got into the story I was suprised and shocked at what the story content was.
The story follows the account of the nameless narrators life just before and following a life changing accident. How he copes with his new found self and a special lady who comes into his life as he is recovering.
The story jumps from present day to hundreds of years back and to ...more For some reason I had got this book mixed up with another and thought it was about war. So when I finally started it and got into the story I was suprised and shocked at what the story content was.
The story follows the account of the nameless narrators life just before and following a life changing accident. How he copes with his new found self and a special lady who comes into his life as he is recovering.
The story jumps from present day to hundreds of years back and to start with I was impatient thinking I don't care what happens years ago I want to know what is happening with him now. However I soon came to love the tellings of the centuries before which tie in beautifully with the story present day.
Was really suprised by just how much I like this book and am moving it to my shelve of keepers, absolutely loved this book and so different from my normal 5* keepers.
Wednesday, 30 March 2011
Monday, 28 March 2011
Empress Orchid by Anchee Min
This book was not at all what I expected. It is centered around the Emperor of China and her quest to rid herself and her family of poverty and marrying her unsavoury cousin.
we start at the beginning of Orchids life, briefly one sentence and then the memory of the loss of her father and how her family tries to get him to his respectful resting place with very little funds to do so. With no financial or materialistic prospects the only solution is to marry her 'slope-shouldered cousin' at the age of seventeen and help her family from their dire situation. Orchid puts herself forward to try and become one of the Emperors low ranking comcubines with little expectation of success.
There in follows the trials and tribulations of the phases of selection and the humiliating, trying process of which she feels little chance of success. The story takes you on a rollercoaster ride of emotion as Orchid tries to come to terms with the changes in her life, the competitions and the jealousy and danger the life of a concubine has to offer.
I really enjoyed reading this and learning of different rules/rituals of another country and their journey to ruling. I felt sorry, admiration and sometimes frustration for the main character and ended up not wanting to put the book down to find out what happened to her, did she overcome her enemys or succome to their treachery. A good a griping read once you get into it. 4/5 for me
we start at the beginning of Orchids life, briefly one sentence and then the memory of the loss of her father and how her family tries to get him to his respectful resting place with very little funds to do so. With no financial or materialistic prospects the only solution is to marry her 'slope-shouldered cousin' at the age of seventeen and help her family from their dire situation. Orchid puts herself forward to try and become one of the Emperors low ranking comcubines with little expectation of success.
There in follows the trials and tribulations of the phases of selection and the humiliating, trying process of which she feels little chance of success. The story takes you on a rollercoaster ride of emotion as Orchid tries to come to terms with the changes in her life, the competitions and the jealousy and danger the life of a concubine has to offer.
I really enjoyed reading this and learning of different rules/rituals of another country and their journey to ruling. I felt sorry, admiration and sometimes frustration for the main character and ended up not wanting to put the book down to find out what happened to her, did she overcome her enemys or succome to their treachery. A good a griping read once you get into it. 4/5 for me
Friday, 25 March 2011
The Last 10 Seconds by Simon Kernick
LOVED LOVED LOVED this book!
Synopsis
36 hours ago a serial killer is arrested on the streets of North London after a two year reign of terror. Known as the Night Creeper, hes earned his reputation by torturing 5 young women to death.
24 hours ago undercover cop Sean Egan has infiltrated one of the country's most nototrious criminal gangs. Now he is about to risk his life in a desperate bid to bring its members to justice.
12 hours ago DI Tina Boyd has discovered that the Night Creeper's murders are part of a much larger criminal conspiracy. But the quest for the truth has brought her into contact with some very dangerous people who want to silence her - permanently.
The last 10 seconds A man, A woman and a serial killer. As they race towards a terrifying confrontation only one thing is certain: they are all going to have to fight very hard to stay alive.
Absolutely fantastic page turner, right from the beginning your drawn in. One chapter follows DI Tina Boyd, the next Sean Egan as they both tackle their cases and try to get to the bottom of their investigation/undercover op.
Breath stopping, heart racing and left constantly on the edge of your seat. Just when you think you have it figured out something changes and your left guessing. When one mystery is finally solved there comes another twist in the plot.
Possibly my favourite book of his so far (although I lost some sleep hours as I had to finish it which kept me up into the wee hours of the morning). 5/5 for me
Synopsis
36 hours ago a serial killer is arrested on the streets of North London after a two year reign of terror. Known as the Night Creeper, hes earned his reputation by torturing 5 young women to death.
24 hours ago undercover cop Sean Egan has infiltrated one of the country's most nototrious criminal gangs. Now he is about to risk his life in a desperate bid to bring its members to justice.
12 hours ago DI Tina Boyd has discovered that the Night Creeper's murders are part of a much larger criminal conspiracy. But the quest for the truth has brought her into contact with some very dangerous people who want to silence her - permanently.
The last 10 seconds A man, A woman and a serial killer. As they race towards a terrifying confrontation only one thing is certain: they are all going to have to fight very hard to stay alive.
Absolutely fantastic page turner, right from the beginning your drawn in. One chapter follows DI Tina Boyd, the next Sean Egan as they both tackle their cases and try to get to the bottom of their investigation/undercover op.
Breath stopping, heart racing and left constantly on the edge of your seat. Just when you think you have it figured out something changes and your left guessing. When one mystery is finally solved there comes another twist in the plot.
Possibly my favourite book of his so far (although I lost some sleep hours as I had to finish it which kept me up into the wee hours of the morning). 5/5 for me
Tuesday, 22 March 2011
A few wee book competitions
I have entered also :)
http://www.accessromance.com/contests/
http://www.orionbooks.co.uk/competitions/win-a-michael-connelly-goody-bag! - Michael Connelly woo woo
http://www.accessromance.com/contests/
http://www.orionbooks.co.uk/competitions/win-a-michael-connelly-goody-bag! - Michael Connelly woo woo
Monday, 21 March 2011
The Catcher In The Rye by J.D. Salinger
Having heard mixed reviews about this book (and thanks to a friend) I finally got to read it myself. The annoying bit for me and a lot of people I imagine would be the way Holden speaks or rather for me the repetion of some phrases and words. The actual story is quite fascinating, following the world/events as Holden sees it and knowing what is inevitably coming.
You have a young teenage boy struggling to fit in in a world that doesn't get him and he certainly doesn't get it. The story follows him from his drop out from school and how he downward spirals from there, there is certainly a build up before this event but this seems to be the turning point where it goes downhill and quickly.
I really enjoyed following the mindset where you can see exactly what is happening and where it is going to end and the person is oblivious. Certainly something different and although a tad frustrating at times still a good read 3/5 for me.
Originally reviewed 13th March 2011
You have a young teenage boy struggling to fit in in a world that doesn't get him and he certainly doesn't get it. The story follows him from his drop out from school and how he downward spirals from there, there is certainly a build up before this event but this seems to be the turning point where it goes downhill and quickly.
I really enjoyed following the mindset where you can see exactly what is happening and where it is going to end and the person is oblivious. Certainly something different and although a tad frustrating at times still a good read 3/5 for me.
Originally reviewed 13th March 2011
Susan Hill The Pure At Heart
This is my first Susan Hill book and although its second in a series it isn't always necessary to read the first to enjoy the second. If you don't mind a book that takes a while to get into the action from the blurb then you will like this. The first 80 or so pages is character building and background before the young boy disappears and the set up and characters are quite good I found.
The characters are written in a way that is it easy to connect, bond or sympathise with and I did find the writing style easy reading. However what knocked the rating down for me was a lot of unanswered questions which I have no doubt (or hope) they will come up in other books which may be the whole point of how it was written. I certainly will be tracking down the other books not only in hope of the answers but its definately an author I would read again.
Originally reviewed 5th of February 2011
The characters are written in a way that is it easy to connect, bond or sympathise with and I did find the writing style easy reading. However what knocked the rating down for me was a lot of unanswered questions which I have no doubt (or hope) they will come up in other books which may be the whole point of how it was written. I certainly will be tracking down the other books not only in hope of the answers but its definately an author I would read again.
Originally reviewed 5th of February 2011
Tweaking
So being a technophobe (with all things html) makes personalising things hard but following a few tips from some of the lovely ladies on www.readitswapit.com I have a page that I am quite happy with and a bit more personalised.
Not the kitties are slowly creeping in :P I did say it was about the books AND the cat.
Not the kitties are slowly creeping in :P I did say it was about the books AND the cat.
Goodreads 2011 Reading Challenge
So last year I managed 185 books, this year I am hoping to complete the challange which is 200 books.
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<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1016243.South_Riding" style="float: left; padding: 2px" title="South Riding (Virago Modern Classics)"><img alt="South Riding" border="0" height="70" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1180256326s/1016243.jpg" width="50" /></a><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5107.The_Catcher_in_the_Rye" style="float: left; padding: 2px" title="The Catcher in the Rye"><img alt="The Catcher in the Rye" border="0" height="70" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1165517671s/5107.jpg" width="50" /></a><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2653622.The_Keepsake" style="float: left; padding: 2px" title="The Keepsake (Jane Rizzoli & Maura Isles, #7)"><img alt="The Keepsake" border="0" height="70" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1266998705s/2653622.jpg" width="50" /></a><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2082345.Pitch_Black" style="float: left; padding: 2px" title="Pitch Black"><img alt="Pitch Black" border="0" height="70" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51zhWwe0EvL._SL75_.jpg" width="50" /></a><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/185920.Bad_Love" style="float: left; padding: 2px" title="Bad Love (Alex Delaware, #8)"><img alt="Bad Love" border="0" height="70" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1172528579s/185920.jpg" width="50" /></a><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/242157.How_to_Talk_to_a_Widower" style="float: left; padding: 2px" title="How to Talk to a Widower"><img alt="How to Talk to a Widower" border="0" height="70" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1173052631s/242157.jpg" width="50" /></a><br style="clear:both"/><br/><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/3642368-lainy" style="color: #aaa;font-size: .9em">More of Lainy's books »</a>
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Motivate yourself to read more books: Enter the 2011 Reading Challenge!
Total goal for all participants: 5,519,451 books Average goal for all participants: 71 books
Total challenges completed: 92
695,989 of 5,519,451 (12%)
Total challenges completed: 92
You have read 34 books toward your goal of 200 books.
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<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1016243.South_Riding" style="float: left; padding: 2px" title="South Riding (Virago Modern Classics)"><img alt="South Riding" border="0" height="70" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1180256326s/1016243.jpg" width="50" /></a><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5107.The_Catcher_in_the_Rye" style="float: left; padding: 2px" title="The Catcher in the Rye"><img alt="The Catcher in the Rye" border="0" height="70" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1165517671s/5107.jpg" width="50" /></a><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2653622.The_Keepsake" style="float: left; padding: 2px" title="The Keepsake (Jane Rizzoli & Maura Isles, #7)"><img alt="The Keepsake" border="0" height="70" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1266998705s/2653622.jpg" width="50" /></a><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2082345.Pitch_Black" style="float: left; padding: 2px" title="Pitch Black"><img alt="Pitch Black" border="0" height="70" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51zhWwe0EvL._SL75_.jpg" width="50" /></a><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/185920.Bad_Love" style="float: left; padding: 2px" title="Bad Love (Alex Delaware, #8)"><img alt="Bad Love" border="0" height="70" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1172528579s/185920.jpg" width="50" /></a><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/242157.How_to_Talk_to_a_Widower" style="float: left; padding: 2px" title="How to Talk to a Widower"><img alt="How to Talk to a Widower" border="0" height="70" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1173052631s/242157.jpg" width="50" /></a><br style="clear:both"/><br/><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/3642368-lainy" style="color: #aaa;font-size: .9em">More of Lainy's books »</a>
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02/01/2011 - 04/01/2011 Drop Dead Beautiful by Jackie Collins
04/01/2011 - 04/01/2011 Zombie Britannica by Thomas Emson
05/01/2011 - 06/01/2011 Under The Duvet by Marian Keyes
07/01/2011 - 11/01/2011 The Red Room by Nicci French
11/01/2011 - 14/01/2011 The Chameleon's Shadow by Minette Walters
14/01/2011 - 19/01/2011 American Gods by Neil Gaiman
19/01/2011 - 20/01/2011 The Life Of Pi by Yann Martel
21/01/2011 - 23/01/2011 Feed by Mira Grant
23/01/2011 - 24/01/2011 The Love Killers by Jackie Collins
25/01/2011 - 27/01/2011 Birdsong by Sebastian Faulks
27/01/2011 - 28/01/2011 Gyspy by Lesley Pearse
29/01/2011 - 30/01/2011 The Taking by Dean Koontz
30/01/2011 - 04/02/2011 Killing For Company by Brian Masters
04/02/2011 - 04/02/2011 Dangerous Kiss by Jackie Collins
04/02/2011 - 04/02/2011 The Wyrm by Stephen Laws
04/02/2011 - 05/02/2011 The Pure In Heart by Susan Hill
05/02/2011 - 06/02/2011 Deadly Embrace by Jackie Collins
06/02/2011 - 07/02/2011 A Kiss Gone Bad by Jeff Abbott
08/02/2011 - 09/02/2011 The Sinner by Tess Gerritsen
10/02/2011 - 13/02/2011 The Mephisto Club by Tess Gerritsen
13/02/2011 - 14/02/2011 Harvest by Tess Gerritsen
14/02/2011 - 14/02/2011 The Bone Garden by Tess Gerritsen
14/02/2011 - 14/02/2011 The Front by Mandasue Heller
15/02/2011 - 19/02/2011 The Host by Stephanie Meyer
20/02/2011 - 22/02/2011 Room by Emma Donoghue
22/02/2011 - 23/02/2011 Candlemoth by Roger Jon Ellroy
24/02/2011 - 26/02/2011 The Grave Tattoo by Val McDermid
26/02/2011 - 26/02/2011 Monster by Jonathan Kellerman
27/02/2011- Tales Of Mystery and Imagination by Edgar Allan Poe
02/03/2011 - 02/03/2011 How To Talk To A Widower by Jonathan Tropper
03/03/2011 - 06/-3/2011 Bad Love by Jonathan Kellerman
07/03/2011 - 08/03/2011 Pitch Black by Alex Gray
08/03/2011 - 12/03/2011 The Keepsake by Tess Gerritsen
12/03/2011 - 13/03/2011 The Catcher In The Rye by J D Salinger
13/03/2011 - 19/03/2011 South Riding by Winifred Holtby
19/03/2011 - Bloodline by Mark Billingham
04/01/2011 - 04/01/2011 Zombie Britannica by Thomas Emson
05/01/2011 - 06/01/2011 Under The Duvet by Marian Keyes
07/01/2011 - 11/01/2011 The Red Room by Nicci French
11/01/2011 - 14/01/2011 The Chameleon's Shadow by Minette Walters
14/01/2011 - 19/01/2011 American Gods by Neil Gaiman
19/01/2011 - 20/01/2011 The Life Of Pi by Yann Martel
21/01/2011 - 23/01/2011 Feed by Mira Grant
23/01/2011 - 24/01/2011 The Love Killers by Jackie Collins
25/01/2011 - 27/01/2011 Birdsong by Sebastian Faulks
27/01/2011 - 28/01/2011 Gyspy by Lesley Pearse
29/01/2011 - 30/01/2011 The Taking by Dean Koontz
30/01/2011 - 04/02/2011 Killing For Company by Brian Masters
04/02/2011 - 04/02/2011 Dangerous Kiss by Jackie Collins
04/02/2011 - 04/02/2011 The Wyrm by Stephen Laws
04/02/2011 - 05/02/2011 The Pure In Heart by Susan Hill
05/02/2011 - 06/02/2011 Deadly Embrace by Jackie Collins
06/02/2011 - 07/02/2011 A Kiss Gone Bad by Jeff Abbott
08/02/2011 - 09/02/2011 The Sinner by Tess Gerritsen
10/02/2011 - 13/02/2011 The Mephisto Club by Tess Gerritsen
13/02/2011 - 14/02/2011 Harvest by Tess Gerritsen
14/02/2011 - 14/02/2011 The Bone Garden by Tess Gerritsen
14/02/2011 - 14/02/2011 The Front by Mandasue Heller
15/02/2011 - 19/02/2011 The Host by Stephanie Meyer
20/02/2011 - 22/02/2011 Room by Emma Donoghue
22/02/2011 - 23/02/2011 Candlemoth by Roger Jon Ellroy
24/02/2011 - 26/02/2011 The Grave Tattoo by Val McDermid
26/02/2011 - 26/02/2011 Monster by Jonathan Kellerman
27/02/2011- Tales Of Mystery and Imagination by Edgar Allan Poe
02/03/2011 - 02/03/2011 How To Talk To A Widower by Jonathan Tropper
03/03/2011 - 06/-3/2011 Bad Love by Jonathan Kellerman
07/03/2011 - 08/03/2011 Pitch Black by Alex Gray
08/03/2011 - 12/03/2011 The Keepsake by Tess Gerritsen
12/03/2011 - 13/03/2011 The Catcher In The Rye by J D Salinger
13/03/2011 - 19/03/2011 South Riding by Winifred Holtby
19/03/2011 - Bloodline by Mark Billingham
Not too bad a start!
Sunday, 20 March 2011
South Riding by Winifred Holtby
South Riding takes you on a trip back in time to the early 1930s in the South East part of Yorkshire. It is a very captivating account of the ongoing lives of the townsfolk and there is so much going on.
You have an abundance of characters which at first if I am honest it took me a while to keep up with and get a feel for. Young Midge whose father is trying to keep their heads above water whilst providing for her, her mothers care and standards she has known all her life and his prominant position in the town. Midge is a very young 14 year old although for that time maybe her character is true to form, add in the family 'history/ailments' and you understand a bit more about her.
Sarah Burton, a determined and modern woman who knows what she wants and let no man (or woman) stop her. Returning to her old home town to apply for the head mistress post she knows what she wants and may get more than she bargained for.
The local Preacher trying to do what he can for his town and keep his secrets just that, along with maintaining his relationship such as it is with his wife who keeps house and contributes to the town entertainment.
There are so many characters and they all play an important part in making this such a great story. I love a story that has a beginning, middle and end (a lot of novels like to leave you hanging at the end), this book ticked all the boxes and I really enjoyed it considering this isn't normally my type of book. A 4 out of 5 for me.
You have an abundance of characters which at first if I am honest it took me a while to keep up with and get a feel for. Young Midge whose father is trying to keep their heads above water whilst providing for her, her mothers care and standards she has known all her life and his prominant position in the town. Midge is a very young 14 year old although for that time maybe her character is true to form, add in the family 'history/ailments' and you understand a bit more about her.
Sarah Burton, a determined and modern woman who knows what she wants and let no man (or woman) stop her. Returning to her old home town to apply for the head mistress post she knows what she wants and may get more than she bargained for.
The local Preacher trying to do what he can for his town and keep his secrets just that, along with maintaining his relationship such as it is with his wife who keeps house and contributes to the town entertainment.
There are so many characters and they all play an important part in making this such a great story. I love a story that has a beginning, middle and end (a lot of novels like to leave you hanging at the end), this book ticked all the boxes and I really enjoyed it considering this isn't normally my type of book. A 4 out of 5 for me.