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