The Girl Who Kicked a Hornets’ Nest is the last book in Steig Larsson’s trilogy. One think I really do love about his books is that there’s no time wasted on recapping the story for the benefit of anyone who a) can’t remember or b) can’t be bothered reading the preceding books. It’s right into the story and action which is perfect if you’re hungry to get into the story and find out whether Lisbeth………..(as if I’d ruin that for you!) Read the rest of this entry »

I bought The Personal History of Rachael Dupree for my Mum’s birthday and as with all my book related gifts to her it ended up back in my house (probably unread..) It’s also a first novel for Ann Weisgarbe.

I’d been thinking of reading it for a while but was concerned it might be a soppy one (and not my scene) but one day decided to bite the bullet and read it. I have to say my fears were unfounded. Read the rest of this entry »

I’ve read another of Xinran’s books and it was done and dusted in a day so I had high hopes for Miss Chopsticks. I was not let down. From the moment I opened it I couldn’t put it down and I was gutted when it was finished. That’s probably my one criticism of her books, they’re over way too soon and leave you wanting more. Good for her but maybe not so good for the reader…maybe next time I’ll pace myself better and it won’t be over so fast. Read the rest of this entry »

My New Year resolution this year is to take time away from my computer (I run a web design company) and read more. I love reading but last year I just never really had the time to do it as much as I wanted.

This year I have a 45 min train journey each day and I’m going to use that time to read until my little heart is content! I have no idea which books will appear on here (I always choose on a whim) but after each one I’ll be doing a short post on my thoughts. Read the rest of this entry »

I chose this book because I recognised the front cover from a friends bookshelf and I had a vague recollection of them saying it was good. Personally I think ‘good’ doesn’t quite cut the mustard; it’s fantastic. Not my usual type of book (I’m more into thrillers) but it gripped me from the moment I opened the cover. Read the rest of this entry »

The Horrific Sufferings of the Mind-reading Monster Hercules Barefoot: His Wonderful Love and His Terrible Hatred is probably the most unusual book I’ve read in a long time!

It’s the story of Hercules Barefoot and his life and persecution in medieval times (I think). How he overcame all the pain and anger to find his true love (Henriette) whom he was seperated from at a young age. Read the rest of this entry »

We recently got back from a holiday to California. As always, either before or after a holiday, I want to read everything I can relating to the area. In our case we spent a few days in Monteray and part of that was walking up and down Cannery Row. I’d read a few Steinbeck novels but never Cannery Row so when I got back I was determined it was  a ‘must read’. Read the rest of this entry »

I’d seen this kicking round the bookshelf for a while and since I run my own business I thought it was worth a shot.

I was actually pretty impressed with his writing style and it made the book easy to read.I also think it’s good to hear about where he failed as well as whern things went swimmingly, its more inspiring that reading about how easy everything was! Read the rest of this entry »

I’d been meaning to read The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo for a while and so when I got it for Xmas I knew it had to be one of the first this year. Also, I hate watching a movie before reading the book so I had to get it read before seeing the film! Read the rest of this entry »

I was looking for a book to see me over a few days on holiday when I found Mutant Message Down Under. Being obsessed with Australia I was eager to start this book.

It’s the story of a woman who was taken under the wing of the ‘Real People’; an Aboriginal group in the living a simple life in the Outback. Read the rest of this entry »

The Abortionists Daughter is a book I found in a holiday cottage/ As it’s a ‘Richard and Judy’ bookclub book it made me think it was worth reading (their books usually are).

It’s the story of an abortionist who is murdered in her home and how her surviving Husband and Daughter cope. The Husband is accused of the murder and sets out to clear his name while trying to forge a relationship with his wayward daughter. Read the rest of this entry »

After Lois on the Loose I was eager to get started on Red Tape and White Knuckles – it’s books by Lois Pryce that get me Googling flights and talking incessently about getting ‘out of here ASAP’!

In certain chapters you can’t turn the pages fast enough to find out if she got off the train safely (and wihtout soldier-related incident), if she managed to get back to the main road avoiding any landmines or if her crazy guide managed to find the road again after off-roading it in the sahara! Read the rest of this entry »

This was my second attempt at reading A Quiet Flame as somehow it just didn’t grab me the first time. Anyway, I’m not one to give up on a book so I left it a while and came back to it.

The second time I read this I had to persevere with it over the first few chapters as it was once again just not grabbing me. Read the rest of this entry »

Blink has been on our bookshelf for good long while now and I’ve meant to read it for as long as it’s been there. What with my New Year Resolution I figured the time had come and I may as well read it now.

The book itself was really interesting and there were loads of points throughout reading it where I had to stop and consider my own actions or first impressions (that I had got from other people). Read the rest of this entry »

A friend bought me The Brightest Star in the Sky for Christmas. I hadn’t read a Marian Keyes book for well over a year and I was just in the mood for something a bit slushy. Read the rest of this entry »