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