Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep by Phillip K. Dick

I read this April 2014
For Waterstones Book Club

This was made into the film Bladerunner.

I loved this book, so much so everytime it picked it up I was transported into this post apocalyptic World.
About a time when all that's left on Earth are the epope, who couldn't get away, mechanical animals and Androids.

A great book

9/10
Helen

The Final Act of Mr Shakespeare by Robert Winder

I read this April 2014
Lent to me by Rosie Irish
A delightful book about Shaakespeare being ordered by the King to write another play after retiring.
One thing I especially liked was the use of actual real-life people in a fictional setting, no need to explain who anyone was, what they had done, what they looked like or dressed like... very useful as there is a lot of plot line.
8/10
Helen

Deadly Decisons by Kathy Reichs

I read this March 2014
Another Charity shop purchase.
I have read other books in this series.  This one was published in 2000 so it's a really early one.  This series is on Sky one as Bones.  Kathy Reichs is a forensic Anthropologist and so is Temperance Brennan the heroine of these books. 
This one revolves round Bikers, dealers and long buried bodies.  It is a good mix of crime, and home life and here the two mix to potentially deadly consequences.
A quick enjoyable read

7/10

Harvest by Jim Crace

I read this March 2014
I borrowed it from Pat McHugh

Set over 7 days at the time of the enclosures of land in England. 

I found this a very wordy, descriptive book and sometimes it dragged on a bit. But overall I did enjoy it

7/10
Helen

The Grapes of Wrath by John Stenbeck

I read this book February 2014
It is the March choice for Waterstones Book Club
I first read this in the 1970s a time of full employment and read it as a really good historical story.
Having re-read it in the economic climate we have today, it is even more poignant... the hatred and fear of migrants, their desperation.  The way they are forced off their land and having to move with large amounts of other migrants in a desperate search for  work and to earn - literally - a crust.

The family of 'Oakies'  up sticks and travel to Califormia following teh promise of work, which is not forthcoming  or slave labour wages when they get there.  Gan masters force them to pay for their own bags to gather cotton...they are in a cleft stick, and there is no hope of escape.

Beautifully written and timeless

10/10
Helen

Noughts and Crosses by Malorie Blackman

I read this February 2014
It was a World Book Night Book I got in 2013
It is a Teen/ Adult Crossover book set in  distopia world where people are segregated according to skin colour. The whites are noughts (or blankers)  inferior and ruled by teh black crosses (or daggers).
Sephy (cross) and Callum (nought) grow up as children together when Callums mother works for Sephy's.  They continue their friendship in secret when Callums mother is sacked.
Callums father and brother are accused of a bombing carried out by the Liberation Militia.
Callum and Sephy lose tough as Sephy goes to boarding schol and Calum joins the LM.  Sephy is kidnapped by Callums cell of teh LM and their love rekindles.

Not bad

7/10

The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion

I read this February 2014
It is the February Waterstones book club choice.
This was Dawn's choice and she described it as 'Sheldon tries to find a wife' snd it sort of is.  For those of you who don't watch Big Bang Theory (why not?)
The 'Sheldon ' chararter is very like Don anally retentive, slightly OCD, set in his ways, socially inept.
This is about a genetics professor who sets out to find a life partner.  By happenchance Rosie appears in his office and he thinks she's a candidate.  Lots of funny gooes on on their oath to love.
Not laugh out loud but a nice easy read...and sometimes that's what you need...
7/10
Helen