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