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