Spirit Walker by Michelle Paver

I read this in December 2012
Second of The Chronicles of Ancient Darkness.
Set in the Ice age, a tale of the clans and a great sickness visited on them and Toraks search for the cure.

I especially like the chapters written form wolfs piont of view... fire is the beast that bites hot, rivers are fast wet, deep wet...
Very enjoyable
9/10
Helen

Wolf Brother by Michelle Paver

I read this December 2012
The first of The Chronicles of Ancient Darkness

Set in the ice age times, the story follows a young wolf and a wolf clan member called Torak.
Written for young teens
Excellent book
9/10
Helen

The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry By Rachel Joyce

I read this December 2012
Chosen by members of the Waterstones Arc Bury St Edmunds Book Club
I quite enjoyed this book.  I found it was more about Harold's wife and her attitudes than it was about Harold.  Quite a light good natured read.  I found it all worked out a little too neaty in the end for me.
But a nice book -  light enough to read on holiday.
Strangely it made me envious of someone who could just get up and do something wholly unprepared...

7/10
Helen

The Girl who Married a Lion by Alexander McCall Smith

I read this December 2012
I picked it up at the book sale my Creaive Writing group held when we had our Christmas 'Readings from the Writing Room' a get toghther with friends to give us some practice reading out to an audience.
As with most of AMcCS works this is a good bedtime or light reading time book.  Lots of very short stories set in Africa. 
Very light and enjoyable
7/10
Helen

This Damn United by David Pearce

I read this in December 2012
It is a World Book Night Book and I got this copy at Waterstones event at the Arc Bury St Edmunds
I found this a bit hard going.  I am/was a massive Brian Clough fan - big mouthed straight talking when so many people in his position were so sycophantic.  Agree with him or not he didn't care and was true to his own beleifs..
I still found this hard going though

5/10
Have you read it?
Helen

Unique by Alison Allen-Gray

I read this in November 2012
I had lent my friends' daughter a selection of business, finance and economics books for her studies and when they were returned, I got this book back as well....
So I thought I would have a go.
It's aimed at a teenage market, which I don't mind there is so much good childrens writing out there and I've never bothered about what age groups stories are aimed at.
SPOILER ALERT
This is about a cloned child who doesn't know that he had an elder brother who died, until he is in hos early teens.  This is a book about discovery, of secrets, lies, withheld truths and self discovery.
I really enjoyed this book given to me by mistake..
7/10
Helen

Greatcoat by Helen Dunmore

I read this in  November 2012 because it was a Waterstone's Arc, Bury St Edmunds book club read
I must say, despite it's simplicity I enjoyed this dark tale of post war Yorkshire. A young couple move into rented rooms and the wife finds a greatcoast stashed in a cupboadr which she spreads on the bed to keep warm (remember those days when coats were added to the bedclothes for warmth.) The greatcoat calls back it's former owener who starts a relationship with Isabel the young wife...
A real old fashioned ghost story. I really enjoyed it. Mysterious and haunting
7/10
Helen

The One Hundred Year Old Man who climbed out of the Window

I read this November 2012
Because it was the Waterstones, Arc, Bury St Edmunds Book Club book
It sounded and does sound interesting , the adventures of this 100 year old.  It is set in the present and the past and frankly although it was mildy amusing and supposed to be a farce (which worked well in the present day) I found the 'past' chapters a bit tediuos
Ok but not a favourite
5/10
Helen

Death Comes to Pemberley by P D James

I read this October 2012
Why: This was lent to me by Rosie  at Creative Writing Group.
It is set 6 years into the marriage of Elizabeth and Darcy (P&P)
The plot is great and the style sometimes feels a bit tongue in cheek, but cheeky in a nice way.
I enjoyed reading this .
8/10
Helen

The Pleasures of Men by Kate Williams

I read rhis October 2012
Why because it was one of the Waterstones Buttermarket Book Club books.
The plot is about a serial killer in Victorian London - not Jack the Ripper! Man of Crows.
If you like Sarah Walters give this a go.  I enjoyed it.
8/10
Helen

Life of Pi by Yann Martel

I read this October 2012 (for the second time)
Why? because at long last it has been made into a film and I wanted to reread this fantastic book prior to seeing the film.
I loved this book the first time and equally if not more the second. Just my type of book.
If you haven't read it - I highly recommend it
10/10
Helen

The Psychopath Test By Jon Ronson

I read this September 2012
Why: It was the book chosen for the Waterstones Arc Bury St Edmunds Book Club
The cover indicates this is a funny book, but I must have missed the piont, because although I found it interesting I didn't find it at all funny...or prehaps that's the piont you are supposed to be mislead.
I spent most of the time thinking 'is this true?'
Very confused
Can anyone explain?
I still enjoyed reading it though
7/10
Helen

The Testament of Gideon Mack by James Robertson

I read this : September 2012
This was longlisted for the Man Booker prize2006
The plot is a Scottish minister who lost his faith- if he ever did have any.
After a near death experience in which he is rescued and stays with for 3 days - the  devil  and how that impacts on his life and the life of those around him.
I found the through  first chunk of the book I was waiting for the encounter with the Devil for too long... and then when he does meet him that bit it interesting and then not much of the book is left for the impact.

But don't let me put you off, it's a good story, well written and very enjoyable.
8/10
Have you read it? what did you think of it?
Helen

Song of Achilles by Madelaine Miller

I read this : September 2012
Why: Because it is one of the books chosen for the new Waterstones Bury St Edmunds, Buttermarket branch bookclub, which starts on 20 Sept 2012.  I am already a member of the book club at the Arc branch and will try the new one as well....
What I thought of it: Well for me this was a book of 3 thirds... I really enjoyed the first 1/3 I loved the way it was written, the language, the flow of the words
The second 1/3rd I got bored I'm afraid, I ploughed through this bit, I found it by then slow and tedious (I do quite often get that 'bogged down' feeling in the middle of a book)
The third 1/3rd livened up again, I started enjoying it again and was sort of disappointed it ended...
I will be very interested to hear what other people think of it.
7/10
Have you read it? are you planning on joining the book club?
Helen

Spider Bones by Kathy Reichs

I read this August 2012
Why: because I saw it at a charity event and thought it would be a good bedtime read.  Also I really like the television series Bones...great slick American junk TV...
The plot: Quite a complicated who's body is this plot. A body turns up drowned  and fingerprints reveal it is a man who was declared dead in the Vietnam war.
The scenes move across America and land up in Hawaii, the plot invoves Brennan and her family as well as colleagues, gang members etc...
I thought it would be a good bedtime read and it was...light and entertaining as well as a dead body or two or three...

5/10
Are you a Bones/Reichs fan?
Tell me what you like about it.
Helen

Started Early, Took My Dog by Kate Atkinson

I read this: August 2012
Why: It had been proposed a few times at my book club and nearly made it to being chosen, but not quite.  I found my copy in a charity shop and thought I would buy it.
Plot: Turned out to be a detective story(ex policeman)  - which I wasn't really expecting, but did really enjoy.
The plot has lots of interconnecting characters and leads off in all sorts of directions, which makes it every interesting & enjoyable to read.
A good book for bedtime reading...
7/10
Have you read this or any of her others?
Helen

White Fang by Jack London

I read this August 2012
Why: because I had read and enjoyed Call of the Wild and it was a free download on my smartphone...
This again is written from the point of view of the wolf/part dog.  I enjoyed the realism and the way the author takes us into the mind of a feral animal.
Thoroughly enjoyable
9/10
Have you read it?
Let me know what you think of it
Helen

Moon Over Soho by Ben Aaronovitch

I read this : July 2012
Why: I had previously read Rivers of London
The next in the DC Peter Grant series.  I really enjoyed ROL and this was a really good follow-up. ROL had an underlying story which unfolded gradually throughout the book.  This is more straightforward? is that the word, probably not when you are talking of a book like this.
It involves crime solving, magic and mythical beings... if you don't like that sort of thing you won't like this... I do and I did...
I give this 9/10 just the sort of book I like.
Have you read this book?
What did you think of it?
Helen

The Photograph by Penelope Lively

I read this July 2012
I had read another PL book (borrowed from Rosie from Creative Writing Group) and surprised myself, as I really enjoyed it but would never had picked it up.  So thanks Rosie for recommending it.

Anyway back to The Photograph - well I enjoyed this as well, more I think in fact.  The chapters are quite short and self contained, being from different people's perspectives - so an ideal bedtime read.
The polt centres round the discovery of a photograph and the consequent fall out. 

Well written, entertaining and a complusive 'must find out what happens' read.

8/10
Have you read this book?
Or any others by PL?
Let me know what you think

Helen

That Woman: The Life of Wallis Simpson Duchess of Windsor by Anne Sebba

I read this July 2012
It is the August bopok for waterstones Book Club Bury St Edmunds.
What I thought of it..
Well there are many fors and againsts re actually wanting to start this book in the first place
Fors: I'm interested in the subject matter, I wanted to find out why Edward (David) felt he had to abdicate the throne, what the relationship was with the Nazi party, what Wallis was really like; seen through the eyes of subsequent history.
Againsts: I really don't like biographies, too linear, too full of dates, too much name dropping, too much background, and a slanted view..

Well I gave it a go, I didn't enjoy it, I found it tedious and boring and full of things I didn't really want to know about and not enough of things I did want to know about.
I look forward to hearing what the others at book club felt about it...
2/10
Hav you read it ?
let me know what you think of it.
Helen

Let the Right One In by John Ajvide Lindqvist

I read this July 2012
World Book Night 2012 book.
I grabbed this on WBN as the teenagers were all going for it and I managed to chat to a few of them about it.
I really enjoyed this book.  About a Vampire and followers/blood gatherers.
The title is based on the legend that vamoires cannot cross a threshold without being invited in.
Gripping from the start - what more can you ask for in this genre?
An excellent 'cast' of characters
9/10
Helen

Her Long - Lost Husband by Josie Metcalfe

Another Mill & Boon I picked up as part of a package in a charity shop.  This one is in the Medical genre and I thought it would help me to see if I would have to do a lot of research to right in this genre.  It's a typical M&B love story.  A wedding stopped at the altar, a missing hero husband who returns to his 'widow' who is just about to make a disastrous marriage to someone rich and of good family... who somehow doesn't seem to mind the humiliation of being dumped on his wedding day...
ah well... must stop reading these and get on with having a go at writing something romantic... very difficult!
Helen

Cambridge Blue by Alison Bruce

I read this July 2012
Waterstones book club book choice as the author is coming to an event at Waterstones on 19 July and we will be meeting her.
I enjoyed this even though I don't usually opt for dectective novels.  Set in and around Cambridge (which I know very well having lived there 25 years prior to moving to Bury St Edmunds  and I still work there)
Interesting plot involving family intrigue and a serial killer
A good read
7/10

Utterly Explosive by Pauline Manders

I read this in June 2012
Pat McHugh put me onto this as Pauline is a new author and also lives in Bury St Edmunds area.
This is the first in the Utterly series.
Plot is about some carpentary  apprentices who get mixed up in investigating an explosion and a  terrorist plot
Set in Suffolk.  I did like the way the author used the characters going off on work placemnet to introduce new scenes and characters into the plot.
Published as an e book, I hope it does well Pauline.

Helen

Fifty Shades Darker by E L James

I read this in June 2012
Having read FSOG (see post) and not thought much of it to say the least.  I thought I'd give the next one a try to see it redeems itself - it didn't!
Helen

The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie

I read this in May 2012
Why: I had read my first AC as a book Club book and not enjoyed it and as I had downloaded this on my phone I thought I would have another go, just in case I was dismissing AC out of hand.  I think this one - another country house, posh people wanting to kill each other plot - has put AC to rest for me, I'm really not interested in reading any more. I think they are just not for me..
2/10
Helen

The Writing Room By St John's Street Writing Group

I am a proud member of the St John's Street Writing Group in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk
This has three of my own stories in.
Let me know what you think if you have brought a copy
If you would like a copy they are £7 each just email me on helen@feathersonline.co.uk
Helen

London belongs to Me by Norman Collins

I read this May 2012
Why: It was the Waterstones Book Club pick
I'm in two minds over this one, Long, very long written on 1945 set in London 1938 - 40 so written in it's time (ish) but with the hindsight that the end of the war brings.
I was born and brought up in S E 11 where this is set. I think the characters were a bit charactures and not entirely believable.

5/10
Not really the book for me, but glad I got through it in the end
Helen

How I live Now by Meg Rossoff

I read this May 2012
WBN
139-10656623
I got this book from Rob Guyton - Bookgiver and member of my creative writing goup.
The plot follows a young woman who whilst on a visit to Egnland form USA gets caught in England by an occupation.  The war is referred to but not the cause.
I must say it took me a whole to get used to the style, but once I did I enjoyed it. For a small book it covers a lot of issues and moves along at a good  pace.
Thanks Rob

Surfacing by Margaret Atwood

I read this May 2012
Because I am a Margaret Atwood Fan!
I brought this book at a charity book fair in at Easter and despirte my guilty shelf of 'older' unread books I had to start this one.  It really suited the reading mood I was in at the time.  I wanted something not too long, but with a lot of 'content' and a challenge (in a nice way) Boy did this tick all those boxes.  Margaret Atwood is in my opinion such a talented writer. I really enjoy her books, whatever the subject matter.
Tis one is about a young woman whose father is missing and she goes to Northen Quebec to his cabin to find him. I won't spiol it if you want to read it, but she learns so much about herself and her own relationships, sorry if this sounds corny, believe me it isn't - if you've read any MA books you'll know what I mean - it's all a bit surreal at times and I loved it.
9/10
Have you read this one? or any of her others? let me know what you think of them/her
Helen

Fifty Shades of Grey by E L James

I read this April 2012
It is the June choice for Waterstones, Arc, Bury St Edmunds Book club.
This was my choice  -  said at the time getting your book chosen can be a poison chalice as you get embarassed if people don't like it - I apologise now!
I chose this because it was talked about on Womens Hour the day before book club and I thought it would be good.
I will state now I am no prude; it's not the sexual content that bothers me - although it reads more like google research than knowledge to me...
I have some problems with this book, first off it's way too long 500+ pages and no real story content. A virgin 22 year old student meets a - of course- fit handsome, gorgeous- young billionaire who's into BDSM - nothing against that but did he have to be a billionaire did he have to be heart stoppingly gorgoeus did she really have to be a virgin - Frankly it's all too Mills and Boon for me - shocking use/misuse of power experience versus innocence. It's also party of a trilogy but leaves the story hanging, most series of books can be read as an entity.

I reserve my score on this one.

Helen

John Carter and the Giant of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs

I read this March 2012
Why : Because I wanted to read  this to see why Disney had lost so much money on the film.
At least I now know where the Spiders form Mars originated.
This book was written in 1940 and I had heard a critic saying the film felt a bit tired and dated and seen it all before because this book's ideas  had been used elsewhere and I agree.

I enjoyed the style of this book and it was light easy reading, I might even go onto Tarzan...

6/10
Have you read this or any of ERB others, do tell me about them.
Helen

Harlequin By Bernard Cornwell

I read this April 2012
Why: I have somehow been given this book as my World Book Night Book this year, I didn't chose it (I wanted The Book Theif) but as I have 24 copies to give out I thought I should read it
Plot: It is set at teh start of the Hundred Years War, a period in history I didn't know much about, about a religuos relic - The Lance of st george that gets stolen on a French radi to the English coast and the adventures of the soldier trying to gain it back.
What I thought: I wasn;t looking forward to reading this I have to say, not really my cuppa, but having read it I must admit it is a really weel researched and written book. By the end I actually can say I did enjoy it.  Unlike some historical novels I wasn't thinking is that right? It all seemed very authentic.
Have you read this or any of his others (there are loads)?
I give this 9/10
Tell me what you think...
Helen
http://myworldbooknight.blogspot.com

The Black Cat by Edgar Allen Poe

I read this March 2012
A short story about a man and his relation with his cat.
A chilling tale

I love EAP
9/10
Have you read any, do tell me what you think of him
Helen

Ulysses by James Joyce (Spoken Word)

I listened to this in March 2012
Why: I have tried (and failed) to read this over many years, I keep having a go, but just can't get on with it.  So when the opportunity came to borrow this (abridged version) on CD - all 5 hours worth of it.  I thought it would be a good idea.  Many times if I listen to a book I am tempted to read it, but I think this has laid the spectre of reading Ulyssess to rest for me.  I can't say at all why I didn't really enjoy it.  I have read other Joyce and enjoyed them, but not this.

5/10 from me, just didn't really get into it - but I did try.  I appreciate it's a classic, but it just didn't do it for me....

Have you read it or listened to it?
Please let me know what you think of it
Helen

The Thing Around Your Neck by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

I read this March 2012

This is by the author of Half of a Yellow Sun, which I gave out on World Book Night 2011.
A book of well written, diverse short stories, written in the first, second and third person.  I really enjoyed these and feel I have also learnt a lot about the art of short story writing.
10/10
Have you read this or any of her others, tell me what you think
Helen

A Star Called Henry by Roddy Doyle (Spoken Word)

I got this tape a while ago (over a year in fact) and just hadn't had the time to listen to it. But eventually it came to the fore and I'm glad it did.  It is read by the author and he hardly draws breath!!!
Plot a story of a young man's life during the troubles  - from childhood to manhood.
I don't know if I would have liked this as a book, but I did enjoy it being read to me, it really came to life.
8/10
Have you read this?
Let me know what you think
Helen

Blue Eyed Boy by Joanne Harris

I read this March 2012
I had put it up as a suggestion for bookclub as it looked good. I then found Chocolat in a charity shop and read that first.
Plot: written as a series of webjournal posts, a mixture of facts and fiction by the posters/bloggers.Accidents, murder, family problems
I like the style very much,easy to read but I must say at 524 pages it was too long in my opinion  It could have been shortened.
Twists and turns in the plot kept it interesting but I still had the feeling of it being overlong.
I would still recommend it as a good read
7/10
Have you read this one? or any of her others?
Do let me know what you thought of it
Helen

Quatum of Tweed by Conn Iggulden

 I read this : March 2012
I was lent this by Fiona Hall who thought I mught like it
I read this on teh bus home form work and it took about 1 1/4 hours
It is part of the Quick Reads series
I think I must have heard this on Radio 4 or somewhere because as I read it the story seemed very familiar.
A Gentlemen's clothier runs over a man about to be assassinated, then manages also to rum over the assassin.  He then enters into a life of the assassin.
Funny, witty and a good quick read
I liked it
8/10
Have you read it? or any of the other Quick Reads? if so what did you think?
Helen

The Cleverness of Ladies By Alexander McCall Smith

I read this March 2012
Given to me by Fiona Hall as she had read it and thought I might like it
It is a collection of short stories part of the 2012 Quick Reads sponsored by Galaxy
A nice collection of typical AMS writing, if you like AMS you'll like this. Quick and easy to read
8/10 it is what it is...
Have you read this or any of the other Quick reads (I have read Dear Mum as well)
Helen

The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes By Arthur Conan Doyle

I read this March 2012
It was a free download on my smartphone
I do like reading books like this idea for on the bus...
all a bit same but different, ok for short stories.. I do enjoy watching them rather than reading them though.
6/10
are you a fan?
Let me know your opinion
Helen

Twenty Rules for Writing Detective Stories By S S Vine

I read this March 2012
It was a free download on my smart phone
I enjoyed this self help book, very interesting as I had just read an Agatha Christie that seemed to break all the rules ( I did not like the AC by the way)
Published in 939 still vey relevant
9/10 I learnt a lot
Helen

My Side By David Beckham

I read this March 2012
And wish I hadn't!!! I read this because my friend, Claire and I always have a theme for Christmas and birthday presents and last year's birthday theme was a biography/autobiography - unbeknown to each other she picked this for me and I picked Learning to Fly (Victoria Beckham) for her...I think she got the short straw as at least I had pictures of the lovely David to look at

I don't like biographies in general and I'm afraid this was no better.
3/10 and that was for the pictures!
Helen

A Thorny Patch by Hesba Stretton

I read this March 2012
I brought this because of the cover (I like to collect books that have nice bindings)
It is a publication os the Religious Tract Society so a moralistic tale, written and set in late Victorian times.
These books are written for (older) children, but do make a fascinating insight into the times.
I have read Lost Gyp as well by the same author.
I also collect Blackie's books as the bindings were designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh.
Have you read any of RTS books? do you remember reading them years ago?
7/10
Helen

The Woman in Black By Susan Hill

I read this March 2012
Why: Because I went to see the film (Hammer House of Horror) and thought I wish I'd written this...
A great Gothic Horror story in the old fashioned sense, the film is quite duiffernt yet somehow the same. Susan Hill is a prolific really good writer and I enjoyed this tale of a man who has to sort the papers of an old lady who died. The story takes place in a remote house on Eel Marsh Island accessible only at low tide by a causeway, surrounded by Marshland...
Quite a short read,
8/10
Have you read this or seen the film?
What did you think?
Helen

Choke Hold By Christa Faust

I read this February 2012
Why: April book for Waterstone's Book Club
We chose this because of the cover! Hard Case Crime series, very 1950's retro.
If you see the cover you'll know exactly what this book would be like...
It reminded me of the Dectective Book Club books I read as a child (my Mum was a member) but an updated version, sex drugs murder...
very enjoyable for a change of my usual reading
7/10
Have you read this? what did you think of it?
Helen

Selections from the Decameron by Boccaccio (Spoken Word)

I Listened to this : February 2012
Why: I found this in a gift shop, when I had been given some birthday cash sept 2010
What I listen to tapes and CD's while in the kitchen (especially if Gardener's Question time is on the radio)
I think I had heard/read most of these stories at one time or another, but it was good to hear them all at once.
very bawdy, very enjoyable
9/10
Have you read these stories/heard these tales?
What did you think of them?
Helen

War Horse By Michael Morpurgo

I read this: February 2012
Why: I have fancied reading this for a while and was going to see the film so thought I'd read it first
What I thought of it: This is an excellent teenagers book, I would have enjoyed it when I was younger (c. 10 -11) and still enjoyed it as an adult. I love the device of telling the story from the horses view point. I like the way the horses worked for both sides of teh conflict and experienced good and bad equally.
A bit nostalgic at the end, but I think for the age group it is aimed at that was perfectly acceptable.
I don't know if I will go to see the film (might be over sentimental for my taste) but a good read

8/10
Have you read this book?
What did you think of it?
Helen

The Giant, O'Brien By Hilary Mantel

I read this: February 2012
Why: This is the March book for Waterstone's Arc, Bury St Edmunds Book Club
What I thought of it: I was looking forward to reading this as I have had Wolfe Hall on my bookshelf now for sometime waiting to be taken down and read. I'm sorry to say it might stay there for a while yet as I can't say I enjoyed this one at all. It is. I'm sure, very well written. I don't know what it is about this book I didn't get on with. The subject matter is a bit dire, but that doesn't usually bother me in fact the darker the better for me. I just couldn't find and empathy with or sympathy for any of the characters at all.
I read this as an ebook mainly waiting for and on the bus home from work. I am goiung to read it through again and reserve my score until I have done that.

Have you read this book?
What did you think of it?
Helen

Chocolat By Joanne Harris

I read this: February 2012
Why: I found this in a charity shop, I already had Blue Eyed Boy to read and thought this might be good to read first
What I thought of it: I had expected this to be a light fluffy piece of chick - lit I was very wrong and glad. It is beautifully written, a cracking story and I thoroghy enjoyed it - even though I don't particularly even like Chocolate!
Full of tension, angst and tender moments.
9/10
Have you read this book?
What did you think of it?
Helen

Ghost Hunter by Michelle Paver

I read this: January 2012
The last in the Chronicles of Ancient Darkness of which I have read all but the first 2.
A children's book, I think aimed at tenns, a very good, enjoyable read and this adventure sees Renn and Torak in their late teens battling demons and spirits.
Well written and beautifully illustrated.

8/10
Have you read this or any of her others? what did you think of them?
Let me know
Helen

Outcast by Michelle Paver

I read this: January 2012
I have read some others in this series (see other Michelle Paver posts) this one sees Torak outcast from the clans. A tale of friendship and the need to belong.
A good read - aimed at teens, but enjoyable for adults
8/10
Have you read this? or any of her others?
let me know what you think
Helen

Soul Eater by Michelle Paver

I read this: January 2012
Why: I had read the Oath Breaker and dark Matter by the same author and enjoyed them
Synopsis: The third in the Chronicles of Ancient Darkness series (I'm not reading them in order!) Set in the Ice Age, they track a young girl and boy and wolf.
What I thought: As with Oath Breaker I really enjoyed the style of the book, even though they are aimed at young teenagers they are still a good read. I like the story itself as well as the way they are told. I especially like the why we hear form Wolf who called the hero and heroine Pack-brother and pack sister and humans as tall tailless.
8/10
Have you read this? or any of her others?
What did you think of them
let me know
Helen

How It All Began by Penelope Lively

I read this: January 2012
Why: recommended and lent to me by Rosie P at Creative Writing Group
Synopsis:
A tale of how one event leads onto another, a story of coincidences, families, affairs and how things all interact with one another.
What I thought of it: I must say if I saw this book in a shop I would not have bought it, the cover shouts 'nothing for you here, Helen' but Rosie made such a good job explaining the plot, how it all worked together and how much she had enjoyed it, I thought I would give it a go. How pleased I was, a delightful book, full of plot twists, but in a very real setting. Full of characters I didn't like, but came to over the course of the reading.
I sometimes 'hear' a narrators voice in my head and this one was most definitely, Sheila Hancock, her voice and style suited it perfectly. I did get a but bogged down in the middle, but that often happens to me (one of the reasons I read lots of books at once) but overall a good, enjoyable read to start off the New Year
8/10
Have you read it? or any others of her's? What did you think of it?
let me know
Helen

Dr Zhivago by Boris Pasternak (Spoken Word)

I Listened to this : January etc (finished in Jan/listened over several months in the kitchen)
Why: I bought this on tape as I knew I would never get round to reading it.
I found this a good story but even as spoken word I had trouble getting through it.
A Classic, but I found it over long
7/10
Have you read this or listened to it?
what did you think of it?
Let me know
Helen

Death in the Latin Quarter by Raphael Cardetti

I read this: January 2012
Why: I borrowed this from the bookshelves at work
An easy read, a detective story, Quite like The De Vinci Code - well along those lines. Am Academic commits suicide, a restorer is asked to restore an antique text, murder, intrigue etc.
An OK read, light and easy

5/10

Have you read it?
let me know what you think
Helen

When God was a Rabbit by Sarah Winman

I read this January 2012
Why: Because this had come up as a suggested read at book club a few times and I quite fancied reading it.
I received an Amazon voucher form Lynn at Christmas, so this was my first purchase via amazon onto my phone. I must say I enjoy reading on my phone, it's so convenient.

What I thought of it: I enjoyed this book, a story of family love, friendships, loss and regain. I liked the way it was written, very modern with a modern setting. Historical events set it in time and place. Very good, but one very small thing - I felt it was all a bit to 'tidy' at the end, life isn't tidy...
But I liked it - a good read

7/10

Have you read it?
What did you think of it?
let me know
Helen