Well paced thriller set in the horse world. I wasn't keen on some of the characters, but then, you're not supposed to like them all! Bad guy suitably Well paced thriller set in the horse world. I wasn't keen on some of the characters, but then, you're not supposed to like them all! Bad guy suitably creepy, situation fairly tense (although I did figure it out a bit earlier than I think you are supposed to).
A good read, and I will possibly look for more by this author....more
I wanted to enjoy this more than I did, but the writing was a bit dense, the chapters a bit too rigidly set out, and there was not a real narrative seI wanted to enjoy this more than I did, but the writing was a bit dense, the chapters a bit too rigidly set out, and there was not a real narrative sense to the book. There is a lot of information but at times it feels more like a reeling off of big country house names rather than an overall sense of what it was like to live in the houses and how this affected the children once they were grown ups. Unfortunately this didn't live up to my expectations....more
I've definitely read one or two of Lisa Jewell's books before, and her writing is smooth and accessible. This one was pretty good, though I started toI've definitely read one or two of Lisa Jewell's books before, and her writing is smooth and accessible. This one was pretty good, though I started to find some of the names hard to keep track of, since there are a lot of characters parading through this one. It was nice to have older romance characters (the male lead is 40), and I keep going back to the central message to think about it and how it applies to my life.
It's nice to have a home renovation book without the silly/gory/typical details of all the things that could go wrong with it. This book focuses on the relationships (love as well as friendship), and the characters while giving a bit of London flavour. ...more
As an introductory novel to a detective series, this seems a good start. I don't remember who suggested Elizabeth George to me, but I will be eagerly As an introductory novel to a detective series, this seems a good start. I don't remember who suggested Elizabeth George to me, but I will be eagerly looking for the next book in the series. Actually, I may just pick up whatever George books I can see at the library, since I'm not sure if I would be that concerned with following the series in order, though it may be better to do so as there is a lot of room for the developing personalities and relationship between the police partners.
Good sense of place and people, enjoyable read. The mystery itself was a bit disturbing but was fairly sympathetically written and nicely kept its sense of tension throughout most of the narrative....more
Ah Streatfeild. This book is an excellent example of why she is best at children's fiction. While this one is intended for adults and deals with more Ah Streatfeild. This book is an excellent example of why she is best at children's fiction. While this one is intended for adults and deals with more mature issues, she still tends to concentrate on the childhoods and write in a nicely simple way, suitably tying up all the loose ends in a satisfactory way.
This book has a bit of head hopping between some of the major family members, and I understand the need for it to get us some of the backstory for each of our characters, but the heart of the story is really about the family visit and it takes a bit of time to get there. The archetypal Steatfeild characters are here, but watered down in this format. I enjoyed this book, but it is not one of her finest, and I wouldn't necessarily suggest it for any but the most devoted Streatfeild completists. ...more
This is a well written book about getting rid of the clutter. I liked the introductory chapters about why we clutter and the point that we need to invThis is a well written book about getting rid of the clutter. I liked the introductory chapters about why we clutter and the point that we need to investigate our cluttering habits before we just dive in and try to clean it all up (again, and again). Her practical advice is useful, and she has a no-nonsense approach to the subject. An enjoyable read about this subject and good reminders for those of us already working on this issue in our lives. Sue Kay's website is also good - I enjoy the newsletters when I receive them....more
This seemed like a fairly straightforward book about decluttering, but I didn't find anything particularly new and exciting over what I've read in othThis seemed like a fairly straightforward book about decluttering, but I didn't find anything particularly new and exciting over what I've read in other books. The writing was friendly and accessible. I haven't seen any of the tv shows, so I don't know if that would have made it better or worse, but this could be a good choice if you are new to decluttering and organising your home, for some inspiration or a good project guide. One of the better things in the book was a breakdown of how to get started and how long these tasks might take you....more
This is one of my all-time favourite children's books. I love the illustrations, especially the colouring and the lovely detail. The story is fun and This is one of my all-time favourite children's books. I love the illustrations, especially the colouring and the lovely detail. The story is fun and quick. Love, love, love....more
Ok, this is a bit embarrassing, considering that I gave the book only two stars, but I ended up clicking a link for the ebook and started reading, andOk, this is a bit embarrassing, considering that I gave the book only two stars, but I ended up clicking a link for the ebook and started reading, and didn't stop. The writing was cliche and clunky and the premise was ridiculous; the whole vampire thing is just completely silly and yet... I read the whole thing. So make of that what you will!...more
After stopping reading because I'd started when I first got pregnant and stopped when I had my first miscarriage (who needs someone exuding pure love After stopping reading because I'd started when I first got pregnant and stopped when I had my first miscarriage (who needs someone exuding pure love and delight about their baby when you've just lost yours), I finally picked this up today almost two years later to decide about getting rid of it. My place was still marked, so I polished it off this afternoon. It was a good read, but is so very baby-centric that you should only read it if you are a new mother yourself, pregnant at a safe late stage, or never want to be a parent (I doubt it will change your mind unless you want it changed, there is a lot of self-doubt and complaining about the baby stages while also glowing in blessings and love). Lamott was writing this journal only for herself, which shows, because she just blurts it all out, the good, the bad and the horrific. This is about her friendships as well as her own little miracle baby, her faith in god and her doubt in herself. Sad and happy, I laughed and cried variously. Look out for the journal entry that leads to probably her most famous book, Bird by Bird....more
Although I found the main character a bit foreign to me, for the most part I enjoyed this book. His decisions and life are not related to me, but theyAlthough I found the main character a bit foreign to me, for the most part I enjoyed this book. His decisions and life are not related to me, but they were suited to who he was as the writer intended. I was thoroughly surprised by the events early in the book that led the direction of the rest of the novel, and the rest of the book kept up a fairly lively energy. I think the pace could have been a bit more even, and the ending was a bit farcical, but the writing/translation were solid.
I have been enjoying these translations by Bitter Lemon Press, introducing me to different writers and situations....more
This was an enjoyable saga looking at two generations of a Jamaican family. I've never really known very much about Jamaica or its politics, and this This was an enjoyable saga looking at two generations of a Jamaican family. I've never really known very much about Jamaica or its politics, and this hints at some of the turmoil of the sixties and earlier when it was given independence from Britain. But the true story is about the mother and daughter main characters, Ida and May, and how their lives are influenced by the men they fall in love with, their reactions to those relationships, and their strength through everything that befalls them. This book kept me up reading late more nights than I should have let it. ...more
You might expect from the title that this book will be some kind of time management tome, but it is anything but that. The author is intent on making You might expect from the title that this book will be some kind of time management tome, but it is anything but that. The author is intent on making sure that people 'live' rather than merely 'exist'. He proposes just one method for this 'living': to use your time wisely and learn to expand your mind and concentration. Some of his advice may seem archaic, and yet it is still quite relevant today. In this age of mindless entertainment, it may be even more important to make an active decision in how to use your daily allotment of hours....more
I really enjoyed this tale of adventure in a literally globe-trotting journey. It is quite a bit of fun waiting to see if Fogg will remain inperturbabI really enjoyed this tale of adventure in a literally globe-trotting journey. It is quite a bit of fun waiting to see if Fogg will remain inperturbable, and how many misadventures poor Passepartout will endure. A classic, and for good reason!...more
I should have known from the very start that I would never identify with the main character. But I kept reading, hoping she would do something to redeI should have known from the very start that I would never identify with the main character. But I kept reading, hoping she would do something to redeem herself. To me, she reads as shallow, stupid and selfish, and I just couldn't get over that and follow along happily with the story. The plot itself was decent enough, and the twists though a little convoluted worked out. The writing wasn't bad either. It was mainly the protagonist that I just didn't like. ...more
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