9/10 - I have enjoyed all of the books I have read by this author and this was no exception. Diane Chamberlain often gets compared to Jodi Picoult but I think she is much better.
5. The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt. Almost 800 pages long and not to be skipped through, it's taken me over three weeks to finish this. Well worth the effort though.
A spur of the moment decision by a mother and son to visit an art museum in New York leads to devastating consequences for 13 year old Theo. His ife is changed forever. Central to the plot is a small painting, The Goldfinch by Carel Fabritius (1622-1654). Examples of Fabritius' work are few and far between, he died at the age of 32 as a result of a huge gunpowder explosion in the city of Delft, which also destroyed his studio, many of his paintings, not to mention a quarter of the city itself.
I thought that the first half of the book, which deals with the visit to the museum and immediate aftermath, was just brilliant and the rest of the book was very good with an unexpected change of place, pace and style towards the end. I don't think that I'd necessarily subscribe to the philosophical musings in the last chapter though.
7. A Sight for Sore Eyes, by Ruth Rendell. Typical Rendell. The paths of two lonely people cross, with murderous results. 3/5
8. Northern Lights, by Nora Roberts. This author was recommended by a friend and I'd never heard of Nora Roberts, despite her seemingly to have written hundreds of books. Jaded Baltimore cop starts a new job in Alaska and is soon embroiled in a local mystery. Not bad. 3/5
9. The Return of Captain John Emmett, by Elizabeth Speller. This was not entirely what I was expecting, but I really enjoyed it. Soldier returns from WWI and, at the request of the sister of a fellow soldier, begins to unravel a chain of deaths. Neatly plotted and some interesting background to court martials of the time. 3.5/5
10. deadkidsongs, by Toby Litt. Four young boys in 1970s Devon run rampant adventures in their 'Gang'. This is a dark and troubled tale, with a nod to Lord of the Flies, and well captures the disturbed cruelty that can develop within groups of children. 4/5
6. Tara Road - Maeve Binchy. Another re-read. I'm having a rubbish week in work and needed a book that I could relax with in the evenings and this certainly did the job.
7. Let the Right One In - John Ajvide Lindqvist - I really enjoyed this. I haven't read it before and I found it easy to get into. Would recommend
7. Let the Right One In - John Ajvide Lindqvist - I really enjoyed this. I haven't read it before and I found it easy to get into. Would recommend
8. Blood Games - Richard Laymon
This is a re-read. Richard Laymon is one of my favourite horror writers and I think this one is a particulaly good one by him. I especially like the flashback scenes which is not something Laymon had done before this and so you get to know the chatacters well.
6. The Confusion of Karen Carpenter by Jonathan Harvey. The skinny American singer's reluctant namesake is a 36 year old special needs teacher. Her partner of 20 years has left her and she doesn't know why, nor where he's gone.
Karen is surrounded by a cast of larger than life personalities in her quest to find out the truth and maybe move on. The tone of the novel is generally upbeat and very funny. However, there's a darker, sad undercurrent to the tale which gradually comes to the surface and which had me in tears by the end.
Not recommended if you're feeling fragile and looking for a light fluffy read, but worth a look if you're feeling strong and have a box of tissues handy!
Very slow start to this years reading target of 52.
1) Say you're sorry - Michael Robotham 8/10
Really enjoyed this. First of his that I have read and will definitely look out for his books in the future.
1. Rise of the Governor - Robert Kirkman/Jay Bonansinga.
2. The Road to Woodbury - Robert Kirkman/Jay Bonansinga.
3. The Fall of the Governor: Part 1 - Robert Kirkman/Jay Bonansinga.
I didn't enjoy the second one as much as the other two. I just couldn't take to Lilly.
This is a re-read. Richard Laymon is one of my favourite horror writers and I think this one is a particulaly good one by him. I especially like the flashback scenes which is not something Laymon had done before this and so you get to know the chatacters well.
9. Resurrection Dreams - Richard Laymon
Another re-read. I have bought a few new books online, but until they arrive I will have to read some of my older books. This one by Laymon is very gory - not one of my favourites, but still enjoyable.
7. Twenty eight and a half wishes - Denise Grover Swank
9/10 - a really strange quirky book. I loved the main character Rose, her bofriend with a secret and even the flatulent dog. What spoilt it though was the typing erros and even one continuity error!
I'd like to join in if I may. Think I'll aim for 30 books this year so starting from beginning of January:
1) Until you're mine - Samantha Hayes
2) Hanging Hill - Mo Hayder
3) It would be wrong to steal my sister's boyfriend - Sophie Ranald
4) What have I done - Amanda Prowse
5) First term at Malory Towers - Enid Blyton
6) Lone Wolf - Jodi Picoult
That's really weird as I as thinking about that book yesterday and considering re-reading it as an adult (you can get away with it easier with a Kindle!)
Slightly jumbled and I felt there was a little too much about his childhood, Stars Wars and The Wombles, and not enough about Spaced and Nick Frost and Zombies, well worth a read though.
Comments
9/10 - I have enjoyed all of the books I have read by this author and this was no exception. Diane Chamberlain often gets compared to Jodi Picoult but I think she is much better.
A spur of the moment decision by a mother and son to visit an art museum in New York leads to devastating consequences for 13 year old Theo. His ife is changed forever. Central to the plot is a small painting, The Goldfinch by Carel Fabritius (1622-1654). Examples of Fabritius' work are few and far between, he died at the age of 32 as a result of a huge gunpowder explosion in the city of Delft, which also destroyed his studio, many of his paintings, not to mention a quarter of the city itself.
I thought that the first half of the book, which deals with the visit to the museum and immediate aftermath, was just brilliant and the rest of the book was very good with an unexpected change of place, pace and style towards the end. I don't think that I'd necessarily subscribe to the philosophical musings in the last chapter though.
8. Northern Lights, by Nora Roberts. This author was recommended by a friend and I'd never heard of Nora Roberts, despite her seemingly to have written hundreds of books. Jaded Baltimore cop starts a new job in Alaska and is soon embroiled in a local mystery. Not bad. 3/5
9. The Return of Captain John Emmett, by Elizabeth Speller. This was not entirely what I was expecting, but I really enjoyed it. Soldier returns from WWI and, at the request of the sister of a fellow soldier, begins to unravel a chain of deaths. Neatly plotted and some interesting background to court martials of the time. 3.5/5
10. deadkidsongs, by Toby Litt. Four young boys in 1970s Devon run rampant adventures in their 'Gang'. This is a dark and troubled tale, with a nod to Lord of the Flies, and well captures the disturbed cruelty that can develop within groups of children. 4/5
A clever book - definitely.
A confusing book - yes.
Did I enjoy it ? Up to a point
This has been a slow start to the year for me - much too busy at work!
7. The Husband's Secret - Liane Moriarty
8. Life After Life - Kate Atkinson
7. Let the Right One In - John Ajvide Lindqvist - I really enjoyed this. I haven't read it before and I found it easy to get into. Would recommend
A slow year and you're on 18
I have downloaded Life after Life, I have enjoyed all of her books but they can be very odd!
8. Blood Games - Richard Laymon
This is a re-read. Richard Laymon is one of my favourite horror writers and I think this one is a particulaly good one by him. I especially like the flashback scenes which is not something Laymon had done before this and so you get to know the chatacters well.
Karen is surrounded by a cast of larger than life personalities in her quest to find out the truth and maybe move on. The tone of the novel is generally upbeat and very funny. However, there's a darker, sad undercurrent to the tale which gradually comes to the surface and which had me in tears by the end.
Not recommended if you're feeling fragile and looking for a light fluffy read, but worth a look if you're feeling strong and have a box of tissues handy!
1) Say you're sorry - Michael Robotham 8/10
Really enjoyed this. First of his that I have read and will definitely look out for his books in the future.
2. The Road to Woodbury - Robert Kirkman/Jay Bonansinga.
3. The Fall of the Governor: Part 1 - Robert Kirkman/Jay Bonansinga.
I didn't enjoy the second one as much as the other two. I just couldn't take to Lilly.
9. Resurrection Dreams - Richard Laymon
Another re-read. I have bought a few new books online, but until they arrive I will have to read some of my older books. This one by Laymon is very gory - not one of my favourites, but still enjoyable.
2 - Letting Go of Emma - Brooke Powley
Brooke's 2nd book which she is releasing in a couple of weeks, its as good as her debut book.
I think this time last year I had read about double the number
Anyway I genuinely believe in quality rather than quantity so it is what it is !
20) The Inn at the Top - Neil Hanson
21) The Girl Who Never Came Back - Amy Cross
9/10 - a really strange quirky book. I loved the main character Rose, her bofriend with a secret and even the flatulent dog. What spoilt it though was the typing erros and even one continuity error!
5) First term at Malory Towers - Enid Blyton
6) Lone Wolf - Jodi Picoult
That's really weird as I as thinking about that book yesterday and considering re-reading it as an adult (you can get away with it easier with a Kindle!)
Slightly jumbled and I felt there was a little too much about his childhood, Stars Wars and The Wombles, and not enough about Spaced and Nick Frost and Zombies, well worth a read though.