BABBLING BOOKS

katey · Posted: Wed Apr 01, 2009 2:55 pm Post subject: Books we read in April 2009

yet another new month!

If I had got online earlier I would have listed War and Peace, Crime and Punishment, the encyclopedia etc as my reads for an April fool...but I wasn't, so I didn't

Anyhow, add your April reads here!!

_________________
Katey
xxx

Books 01.09- 18 (5)
Books 02.09- 12 (4)
Books 03.09- 9 (1)
Books 04.09- 3 (0)
Books 05.09- 3(0)
Books 06.09- 8(1)
Books 07.09- 9(0)
Books 08.09- 10(1)
Books 09.09- 3(1)
Books 10.09- 9(1)

Target for 2009- 100 (15)- 16(2) to go!

blueflower · Posted: Wed Apr 01, 2009 6:25 pm Post subject:

and I would have believed you -

Lauzc · Posted: Fri Apr 03, 2009 9:13 pm Post subject:

Started and finished in a few days:

Men, Money and Chocolate ~ Menna van Praag

Follow Maya through her story of enlightenment and finding her way in life to achieve her dreams. Menna van Praag is a great story teller. I quickly became connected to Maya, enjoying her story of self discovery.

An inspiring read reminding us all to be bold, compassionate and true to our heart in order to achieve happiness in our lives.

4/5
_________________
handmade by Laura Croxson

katey · Posted: Sat Apr 04, 2009 2:56 pm Post subject:

The Girl Next Door-Elizabeth NOble

Not as good as her others, but still easily readable. Set in New York, which I always enjoy!

Mrs Palfrey at the Claremont- Elizabeth Taylor

Very interesting perspective on getting older. I found this easy to read, and it was fairly short. Not too taxing but it still made me think.

Completed Baby Love by Rebecca Walker about a lady who was pregnant after never wanting children.
_________________
Katey
xxx

Books 01.09- 18 (5)
Books 02.09- 12 (4)
Books 03.09- 9 (1)
Books 04.09- 3 (0)
Books 05.09- 3(0)
Books 06.09- 8(1)
Books 07.09- 9(0)
Books 08.09- 10(1)
Books 09.09- 3(1)
Books 10.09- 9(1)

Target for 2009- 100 (15)- 16(2) to go!

jobar · Posted: Thu Apr 09, 2009 5:20 pm Post subject:

Here are my April reads..

December ~ Elizabeth H Winthrop
The Colours of Heaven ~ James Runcie
Bitter Chocolate ~ Leslie Lokko
The Other Side of Paradise ~ Margaret Mayhew
The Last Concubine ~ Lesley Downer
Breaking Dawn ~ Stephenie Meyer
Daphne ~ Justine Picardie
In a Far Country ~ Linda Holeman
American Wife ~ Curtis Sittenfeld...current book

blueflower · Posted: Thu Apr 09, 2009 5:58 pm Post subject:

Tigerlily · Posted: Fri May 01, 2009 9:35 pm Post subject:

In April I read the two BB choices, The Shadow of the Wind (**) and The Secret Scripture (***).
_________________
Reading: Miss Smilla's Feeling for Snow by Peter Hoeg
Reading Challenge 2009: 8
2008: 4
2007: 10

annecater · Posted: Sat May 02, 2009 9:29 pm Post subject:

Company of s - Karen Maitland: This had been sitting on my shelf for ages, a lovely signed copy that I got when I went to hear her speak. What a wonderful, fabulous read. I often struggle with historical fiction but found this one a joy - so much research - a touch of local knowledge (Lincoln setting in places), some wonderful characters and an unexpected twist. I'm looking forward to The Owl Killers now.

Mrs Kimble - Jennifer Haigh: Another one that had been languising on the shelves for far too long. The story of three women who had all been married to the same man - I really enjoyed this and have subsequently got hold of a copy of her earlier novel.

Stand and Deliver - Adam Ant: One of my idols from my teen years. Extremely well written with compassion and honesty, I'd be interested to know whether he did actually write this himself or was it ghost written.

Don't Try This At Home - Kimberley Witherspoon : A collection of tales from well-know chefs, all about when things have gone wrong in the kitchen. Very funny in parts and its refreshing to know that the experts occasionally mess up too.

The Alchemist - Paulo Coelho : Another that had been on TBR for a couple of years. I really didnt like this at all and found it very preachy and quite patronising. A nice enough little story but I think this author feels he has to have some sort of moral to everything - not my cup of tea at all and I would compare him with Mitch Albom who I dont like either.

In The Kitchen - Monica Ali : Reviewed for Waterstone's and due to be released May 2009. After initially struggling a little with the amount of characters, I was soon drawn in by this book and enjoyed the story. I've not really liked any of her previous books so I was surprised by this one.

Waves - Sharon Dogar : An excellent Young Adult novel narrated by a young boy whose sister is laying in a coma after an accident - details the effect of this on his family - supernatural in places, but a great read.

Black-Eyed Devils - Catrin Collier : One of the Quick Read series for 2009. Easy enough story, nothing special though

Pastures New - Julia Williams : Light, easy, quick and comfy. A 'village' story about a young woman and her little son coming to terms with the death of a partner and father.

Confessions of a Fallen Angel - Ronan O'Brien : My favourite book of the month. A wonderful, gritty and down to earth story. Fabulous

Under The Hawthorn Tree - Marita Conlon McKenna : The first in a trilogy written for children about the Irish Famine. Very well written - three young children set out to find their great aunts during the time of the Famine in Ireland. The story of their journey and how they survived it.

The Selected Works of TS Spivet - Reif Larsen : Another review book and a great one at that. Quirky, unusual, original and very different. I think this will be very succesful when it is published.

The Year of Fog - Michelle Richmond : I really loved this story of the disappearance of a six year old girl from a foggy beach in San Francisco. Real page- turning stuff and so well written.

I also started to review Martyr by Rory Clements for Waterstones. A debut novel due for publication next month. I got really bogged down the the immense amount of characters and I think my ignorance of this period in history (Elizabeth 1 and Francis Drake) didnt help. I do think however that lots of people will enjoy this one.
_________________
_________________
Currently reading: The Tent The Bucket and Me by Emma Kennedy and Granny The Pag by Nina Bawden

1001 Challenge Books read in 2009 - 3
1001 Challenge Books read in 2008 - 8
1001 Challenge Books read in 2007 - 13

eightlegs · Posted: Mon May 04, 2009 5:58 pm Post subject:

Sorry, forgot to post this before:

What I was – Meg Rosoff - A young adult novel which I enjoyed, especially the ending which I didn't forsee. 8/10

Shadow of the Wind – Carlos Ruiz Zafon - Quite enjoyed this but not as keen as many have been. Found the paralells between characters and relationships a bit tedious to be honest. 7/10

A Scattering of Daisies – Susan Sallis - Not my favourite of hers, written in an earlier historical period than those I've enjoyed most. The first of a trilogy though and good enough that I'll probably seek others! 7.5/10

Remember Me – Mary Higgins Clark - Thoroughly enjoying these light, non-horrific thrillers and this was a good one. 8/10

Slam – Nick Hornby - I usually love his stuff but this was just ok, a bit lacking in plot IMO. 6/10

jobar · Posted: Tue May 05, 2009 2:15 pm Post subject:

wonderlake · Posted: Tue May 05, 2009 3:10 pm Post subject:

April reads :

1. Water for Elephants, Sara Gruen and

2. The Story of Lucy Gault, William Trevor
_________________
Current reading: The Last Temptation, Val McDermid ~ 40 @2009

1001 challenge 2009: 11

ejb76 · Babblers First Words Joined: 28 Dec 2008 Posts: 46

The Russian Concubine - Kate Furnivall - absolutly loved this!!! Very quick paced and well written, the descriptions were so real it really put you in the story!! The story of a young russian girl who escapes the revolution and ends up living in relative poverty in China with her mother - she beleives her father died in the revolution. She is rescued by a chinese man who is involved with the communists at the time when they were emerging and before Mao took power.

A Darker Domain - Val McDermid - I'm not sure about this one. I usually love Val McDermid but it seemed slow and a bit confusing - dealt with 3 timelines in one and was constantly moving backwards and forewards. It was the story of a kidnapping which took place in the 70s and a missing person who disappeared during the miner's strike in the 80s as well as the cold case police officers investigating both matters in the present day.It was well written but didn't hook me like her books usually do.

The Water Horse - Julia Gregson - Am still reading this but finding it quite hard going and slow. It is the story of a young welsh girl who runs away from home to London. She wants to train as a nurse and ends up in a convalescent home for governesses run by Florence Nightingale, but this is a very different Florence Nightingale to the way history remembers her. Miss Nightingale organises for a group of nurses to go to the Crimea to nurse the soldiers...this is as far as i have got so far. I thought it would be more about the crimea and the story of the war and nurses but this is only in the third part of the book...not really impressed but determined to finish it!!!

heathera · Posted: Wed May 06, 2009 7:07 pm Post subject:

Just two reads in April for me:

Bitter Sweets - Roopa Farooki. 3/5 for me. I enjoyed the storyline but it was almost too easy going for me. A great ending and the varying storylines are well wrapped up. I'm just let a little disappointed but can't put my finger on exactly why.

The Reading Group - Elizabeth Noble. 4/5. I enjoyed this more than I expected to. Not too much on the mushy chick lit, but light hearted nonetheless.

I'm also still reading sections of Gone With the Wind.

_________________
Currently Reading:

The Moonlit Cage - Linda Holeman

1001 Book Challenge:
2009 - 4
2008 - 14
Books Available for Swapping on RISI

Welcome to Babbling Books, Guest. We Hope You Enjoy Your Stay and Wish You a Merry Christmas!