Barricade

Barricade by Jon Wallace
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Well, that was a good read. Nicely paced from start to finish and it's the first time I've read a tale of this ilk told from the alternative viewpoint. Very clever, recommended.


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Time Travel Hotel

Time Travel Hotel by Clive Birnie
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This was a fun read. An interesting mystery story with a cast of super characters and the surrealism certainly didn't slow the reading flow. I would have given 4 stars but for a missing element... an ending. Oh well, I enjoyed what there was and would read more by this author.


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Precocious

Precocious by Joanna Barnard
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Well, this was an interesting read, a taboo subject that invites curiosity. The book is very well written, everything flowed successfully through present day and flashbacks, all to great effect. I found the story, more of a narration, intriguing. "I know why this is being written, I don't know why this is being written, oh... that's why this has been written." This book keeps a secret as well as the protagonists. Recommended, but you may well be correct if after reading the synopsis you wonder if this isn't a happy tale.

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The Bone Tree

The Bone Tree by Greg Iles
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a huge read, literally. It'll be a while before I attempt another 800 page hardback during bedtime reading. That's not a complaint though, this was a superb read. I hadn't read the first in this series but the prologue pretty much set me up, and I was into the flow fairly quickly. I liked all of the characters, both goodies and baddies, and the pace of the story telling led to a few later than anticipated lights outs. I'm up for reading the next in the series.

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What Would Ginger Rogers Do

What Would Ginger Rogers Do by Caitlyn Raynes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A delightful read. My first impression on finishing was that the synopsis hadn't told all, that there was so much more, but... no, it is all there but just hinted at. This is a second coming of age tale, a taking stock of a life that had already been through this reflection before. Lovely characters, even the baddies, and some delightful twists. Oh, and a first... chick-lit that had me reading too late into the night... I must know what happens next!



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Not Forgetting the Whale

Not Forgetting the Whale by J.W. Ironmonger
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was an interesting tale, light on what I assumed it would lead with, and surprisingly strong in other areas. Human nature is nicely addressed in a way that both surprises and doesn't at the same time - considering the overall theme of the story. It was almost a coming of age novel, regardless of the hero's age, personal growth being achieved was the message I received. A good read, a page turner, and one of those lovely books that I finish with a satisfied sigh.

The author's endnotes were a pleasant surprise, gaving some useful insight into the book's creation and direction.

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Lake Wobegon Days

Lake Wobegon Days by Garrison Keillor

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

What a charming book this was. The tale of a fictional small town in Minnesota, that started life as a radio show monologue (and continues) and has been expanded into this book, the entire history of the town of Lake Wobegon. The detail and characterisations are incredible, leading many to ask, is this really fiction? It was a pleasure to read, covering the founding of the town through to near present day, and the trials and tribulations of nearly every inhabitant within. Recommended to everyone, a warm and amusing read.

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Felonious Jazz: a novel

Felonious Jazz: a novel by Bryan Gilmer

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Well, what to say here. A new author but experienced writer, who I happened upon in the aisles of a Raleigh bookstore. This was cool, the chance to get an author to sell their book to me. Bryan managed it, his enthusiasm was infectious and I happily parted with my hard earned pounds dollars.

So, how did it go? An uneasy start for me, not the initial unexpected violence, but the feeling that I was jumping in to the middle of a story and I ought to know more about these characters. It soon settled down though into a steady and thoroughly puzzling mystery. Well, puzzling for the good guys, we are given every thought and action of the bad guy too.

I hadn't realised it but the characters were developing very strongly and by the second half I was enthralled and it became quite the page turner. The ending didn't disappoint and was followed by epilogue type chapters, nice. Ah, and that last chapter...

Very good, more of these characters please Bryan. Recommended to all.

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Nikon D5000: From Snapshots to Great Shots

Nikon D5000: From Snapshots to Great Shots by Jeff Revell

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

An excellent book. It is obviously very specialised, focusing on a sole camera, the Nikon D5000. The author combines photography instruction at what seems to suit all levels of experience with camera reference down to individual button level. You are talked through every method of using the camera with sensible advise on when to use and not. If you know a D5000 owner, buy it for them then borrow it back for the photography instruction. It is a book I will return to over and again, thank you Jeff.

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Where Wizards Stay Up Late: The Origins Of The Internet

Where Wizards Stay Up Late: The Origins Of The Internet by Katie Hafner

My rating: 4 of 5 stars This was an excellent read, rightly described as a definitive work on the birth and early years of the Internet. It was highly technical throughout, which was a treat when compared to more lightweight histories I have read, but might prove to be too onerous for those new to the subject. Recommended for the technically minded/curious. View all my reviews >>

Run at Destruction - A True Fatal Love Triangle

Run at Destruction: A True Fatal Love Triangle by Lynda Drews


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Well, what a read that was, very powerful and emotive. This isn't a genre I have dabbled in before - True Crime - or a subject I have much interest in - running. But that is what reading is for me, new experiences, people, emotions.
I found this to be a book of two parts or styles. The first being the author's very personal recollections of life at the time and her interactions with the main characters, and the second the incredibly detailed trial descriptions. The level of detail tells of what must have been an awesome research project, you are given insight upon insight into every aspect of the trial and its participants. I truly felt involved at every stage.
We are not only led through introductions, actions, and the trial itself, but an excellent post story review - revisiting participants for opinions with hindsight - very clever.
Oh, the author totally threw me with the sentencing details tease, very clever and well written too.
Did I agree with the verdict? Reluctantly, yes, even with the knowledge that wasn't available to the jury. I have sat on a jury in the UK for a trial of a similar duration and complexity and did not envy this jury their task.
Lynda, you have done Pam proud, thank you for sharing her with us.

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Frantic

Frantic by Katherine Howell

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
I read this following author Tom Reynolds recommendation on his blog. This is ex-paramedic Katherine's first novel and an excellent debut it is too. It seemed light on character depth at first but this was more than made up for by the pace of the storytelling. We are led through the mystery at breakneck speed from the viewpoint of many major characters, clever. There is no guessing the ending, it is revealed in a final headlong rush, one that will have you staying up too late just to see what happens. It is quite the page turner, I will look out for more from this author.


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Making Money

Making Money by Terry Pratchett

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
It feels like a very long time since I have returned to the Discworld but as always it was a welcome return. This is a minor character novel that didn't disappoint. Clever writing, good characterisation and humour abounding. There is much to learn about the theory of money and would you believe it, greedy bankers. It was also nice to see Lord Vetinari having a prominent role, somebody we don't see enough of. Recommended.


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American Caesar: Douglas MacArthur 1880 - 1964

American Caesar: Douglas MacArthur 1880 - 1964 by William Raymond Manchester

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
Well, this has been three months in the reading, but what a read. I had read that this would read like a novel and that was certainly true, quite the page turner. Douglas MacArthur's reputation had fleeted in and out of my awareness for many years so the opportunity to read this was one I couldn't pass by. Most of my previous knowledge gave me the impression that what was written had to be somewhat embellished, could one man have done all that? Well, this book said not, he had actually done so much more. The amazing level of research had me following MacArthur's life on an almost daily basis and what a trip through history it was. From his family's civil war exploits, through his actions in the First World War, the Second World War, Post war Japan, and the Korean War. I feel quite the authority now in areas I had never considered before. I thoroughly recommend this to all, I remain spellbound.


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Glasshouse

Glasshouse by Charles Stross

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
This was my first Charles Stross and I liked it. It was a struggle to get started, if I were a try the first fifty pages person I would have given up. The technology and way of life at the start were introduced with a very steep learning curve, I had no idea that this would level out but am glad I lasted long enough to find out. The bulk of the story lies in a world more recognisable by us but a mystery to the characters, cool. It turned nicely into an excellent murder mystery thriller that was quite the page turner, and had an ending that was both a surprise and a pleasure. I will read more from Charles.


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Falling Man: A Novel

Falling Man: A Novel by Don DeLillo

My review

rating: 3 of 5 stars
An interesting read, a meander through a couple of lives of the closely affected by 9/11. It's hard to praise or decry the book, I think having missed the symbolism mentioned by other reviewers didn't help. It held my attention throughout though, and I'll look out for more by this author.


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Apple of my Eye

Apple of My Eye by Helene Hanff

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
This was an interesting read. It was great to back in dear Helene's company, and her relaxed style of writing still doesn't disappoint. This fast trip around New York of the seventies was a struggle at times though, the detailed location/directions descriptions meant nothing to me having never visited New York. But this was more than made up for by the obvious love for the city she lived in. She makes a very good point too that nobody takes the time to explore their local area properly, where you live shouldn't be just for tourists. There must be some great hidden gems revealed here in the city, and this book will accompany me if I ever visit The Big Apple.

A question, did the book of photographs she was researching for ever get published?


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The Gargoyle

The Gargoyle by Andrew Davidson

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars
Wow, what a read. An author's debut book that goes straight into my top ten reads is pretty special. The early descriptions of a car crash and fire will have you driving extra safely for weeks, the descriptions of treatment and suffering in a hospital burns unit will leave you wary of ignition sources for a similar time. There is a friendship, unexplained at first, but when explained is inexplicable. What is going on? The narrator is as puzzled as yourself, fantastical explanations are revealed piece by piece until they seem commonplace. Finally an ending that brings it all together in a way that you just don't want it to. An epic read, not from the length of the book but the depth of the characters feelings and the most amazing storytelling. Couldn't put it down, want to read it again.


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Poppyland

Poppyland by Peter J.R. Stibbons

My review

rating: 3 of 5 stars
This was an interesting booklet covering the Victorian's discovery of the Norfolk coasts for rest and relaxation. More specifically it concentrates on the area around Overstrand, SideStrand and Cromer known as Poppyland. It is the giving of the name Poppyland that is covered most along with much history relating to the visiting characters of the late 1800s. A brief but very interesting read.


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Underfoot in Show Business

Underfoot in Show Business by Helene Hanff

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
Excellent, I am truly captivated by dear Helene. These memoirs of her writing career were such a pleasure to read. I laughed, and laughed again, how did she do it? Well, this book highlights the genuine struggle she had in her chosen field, but she never seemed down. She saw humour in all situations and had the right response for any situation. Oh, how I wish she had written more books. There are some lovely anecdotes in here, and I will see Oklahoma! in a whole new light now. Thoroughly recommended to all.


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