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Pensioners - Haynes Explains
Book
The Haynes Manual is one of publishing's most famous and enduring icons. More than 200 million...
Local Girl Missing
Book
FROM THE AUTHOR OF THE SISTERS - ONE OF THE BEST SELLING DEBUTS OF 2015 - COMES A TENSE...
I think this has probably made it to the top of my favourite books of the year. How can this possibly be topped by anything else?
Hamnet is an imagining of what could have happened to Shakespeare’s son - even in the parish records it doesn’t say what his cause of death was. Maggie O’Farrell makes this version completely plausible though: plague should have been a real threat at this time. It killed indiscriminately: young and old, rich and poor, weak and strong. They were all vulnerable to illnesses with no cures. I’m something of an emotional reader at the best of times, but as Agnes, Hamnet’s mother, was preparing her son for burial, I was crying in to my breakfast. My 16 year old son looked at me over the top of his bacon butty and said:”Another sad bookthen, Mum?”, and shook his head. To read of a mother and her dead son, and see my 13 and 16 year old sons merrily tucking in to their bacon sandwiches, may not have been the ideal time to be reading this.
This is the kind of book that makes you really look at how precarious life was in those times, and how lucky we are today to have so few worries on this scale (Covid-19 aside!).
The writing is so beautiful, so descriptive and emotive: it picks you up and sets you down squarely in Elizabethan Stratford, making you feel exactly how Agnes must have felt. Honestly, it broke my heart to read of her pain.
If you haven’t read this yet, you’re in for a treat. This deserves ALL the awards.
Hamnet is an imagining of what could have happened to Shakespeare’s son - even in the parish records it doesn’t say what his cause of death was. Maggie O’Farrell makes this version completely plausible though: plague should have been a real threat at this time. It killed indiscriminately: young and old, rich and poor, weak and strong. They were all vulnerable to illnesses with no cures. I’m something of an emotional reader at the best of times, but as Agnes, Hamnet’s mother, was preparing her son for burial, I was crying in to my breakfast. My 16 year old son looked at me over the top of his bacon butty and said:”Another sad bookthen, Mum?”, and shook his head. To read of a mother and her dead son, and see my 13 and 16 year old sons merrily tucking in to their bacon sandwiches, may not have been the ideal time to be reading this.
This is the kind of book that makes you really look at how precarious life was in those times, and how lucky we are today to have so few worries on this scale (Covid-19 aside!).
The writing is so beautiful, so descriptive and emotive: it picks you up and sets you down squarely in Elizabethan Stratford, making you feel exactly how Agnes must have felt. Honestly, it broke my heart to read of her pain.
If you haven’t read this yet, you’re in for a treat. This deserves ALL the awards.
The Christmas Gate
10.0
Rate It
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Robert Robinson, a renown author from New York City, is traveling unwillingly through a snow storm...
Suswatibasu (1701 KP) rated Mad: Mad, Bad and Dangerous to Know Trilogy in Books
Nov 7, 2017
Awful, I wanted to tear my hair out
I think I may be too sane or too old to have read this book. It definitely did not appeal to me. Most of the time you wish for the antagonist to meet a horrible accident or to be killed in a brutal fashion. But mostly the author's over emphasis on inner monologue becomes grating to the point it gives you a headache.
The story is over the top involving murder plots, psychopaths, sex and the mafia and completely implausible. And it all surrounds a psychopathic twin called Alvina. It's like reading a long drawn episode of Sunset Beach - beyond ridiculous and just irritating to the extreme. I persevered until the end but suffice to say I won't be reading this author's books again.
The story is over the top involving murder plots, psychopaths, sex and the mafia and completely implausible. And it all surrounds a psychopathic twin called Alvina. It's like reading a long drawn episode of Sunset Beach - beyond ridiculous and just irritating to the extreme. I persevered until the end but suffice to say I won't be reading this author's books again.
Hazel (2934 KP) rated Let the Dead Speak (Maeve Kerrigan, #7) in Books
Jan 12, 2018
Once again, I have not been disappointed by Jane Casey; she has delivered and written an excellent book that I really enjoyed. Great story line that is full of suspense and keeps you enthralled. The characters are fantastic and believable; I particularly like the working relationship between Kerrigan and Derwent which comes across as being very genuine. Highly recommended read to anyone and you don't have to have read the previous books in the series as this holds up as a stand-alone however, I would suggest you do as you won't be disappointed.
A massive thank you to the publisher, HarperCollins UK, and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest review.
<a href="https://readingstuffnthings.blogspot.co.uk/2017/08/when-eighteen-year-old-chloe-emery.html">Reading Stuff 'n' Things</a>
A massive thank you to the publisher, HarperCollins UK, and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest review.
<a href="https://readingstuffnthings.blogspot.co.uk/2017/08/when-eighteen-year-old-chloe-emery.html">Reading Stuff 'n' Things</a>
Merissa (11953 KP) rated Demon Kissed (Demon Kissed #1) in Books
Jul 1, 2017
Demon Kissed (Demon Kissed #1) by H.M. Ward
In this book you have the age old tale of good versus evil - angels versus demons - demons versus hunters - which ever way you want to look at it. In this they are Martis who are good, and Valefor who are bad. But then throw in a twist or two and you have a really good story.
The character development for all of them is good but I do have to say that the main female just irritated me at the beginning. She does get better as the book goes on though. The plot and storyline has a good pace to it and enough action to suit most.
Recommended for YA/Paranormal fans.
* Verified Purchase ~ January 2013 *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
The character development for all of them is good but I do have to say that the main female just irritated me at the beginning. She does get better as the book goes on though. The plot and storyline has a good pace to it and enough action to suit most.
Recommended for YA/Paranormal fans.
* Verified Purchase ~ January 2013 *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Autumn (3 KP) rated The Time Traveler's Wife in Books
Jan 18, 2018
this is a book i have to own. even before i was finished with it i wanted to read it a second time. it was so hard to finish just because i was so attached to the characters and their lives. it was like they nestled themselves into my heart and wouldn't let go.
unlike some other books where the author spouts off obscure literature and poetry and uses unrealistic prose this was very believable. their conversations, their actions, their passions. clare and henry felt like old friends. really amazing.
there was one tiny thing that bothered me though. it was niffenegger's religious comments. they weren't realistic. maybe to someone who grew up in the 60s but not in a post-feminist world. some didn't even make sense.
unlike some other books where the author spouts off obscure literature and poetry and uses unrealistic prose this was very believable. their conversations, their actions, their passions. clare and henry felt like old friends. really amazing.
there was one tiny thing that bothered me though. it was niffenegger's religious comments. they weren't realistic. maybe to someone who grew up in the 60s but not in a post-feminist world. some didn't even make sense.
Emma (519 KP) rated La Belle Sauvage: The Book of Dust in Books
Nov 14, 2019
My brother bought me this for Christmas last year, as he knows I loved his dark materials trilogy as a teenager.I have finally got round to reading it, and I have fallen in love with Phillip Pullmans writing style and character development again. I would be surprised if anyone who reads this does not connect with Malcom, what a fantastic character, you cannot help but feel sympathetic towards him.
In some ways it's similar to his old books, but this one is all about the thrill of the chase and it feels a bit more exciting.
My only criticism is that he had added some adult content,probably to appeal to an older audience, but it doesn't feel right reading it in a Pullman book.
Nevertheless I can't wait for the next two instalments.
In some ways it's similar to his old books, but this one is all about the thrill of the chase and it feels a bit more exciting.
My only criticism is that he had added some adult content,probably to appeal to an older audience, but it doesn't feel right reading it in a Pullman book.
Nevertheless I can't wait for the next two instalments.
The Lost Christmas Puppy
Book
Little Linda was three years old when she told Father Christmas a secret. 'What I want more than...