December Book Review

The fault in our stars - John Green
I put this on my to read list so long ago that I had no idea what it was about by the time I picked it up in the library.  It was in the teen/young adult section which made me a) wary and b) question why I would have put it on my to read list.  Anyway it wasn't all teenage angst and "like" being every second word.  Not that I am one to talk.  I have been known to use an excessive number of likes on occasion, but I digress.  When I finished the book and looked back on the sad demise of one of the characters, it struck me that I hadn't been particularly affected by it, which made me wonder if I have become particularly heartless in my old age.  I think it was more that it seemed inevitable and having been braced for someone to die, it wasn't as huge a shock when someone did.  It was an easy enough read, didn't grab me enough for me to recommend it but I didn't dislike it either.

The casual vacancy - J.K Rowling
I have not read the Harry Potter books, partly because I am a grown up and partly because I have no interest in wizards/magic themed books.  I picked this up on a whim in my local bookshop figuring there must be some talent involved in writing such popular books.  I found it quite descriptive which I am not a huge fan of and the pace could have been a bit quicker for my liking.  That said, there were enough juicy little breadcrumbs dropped to keep me interested and wanting to finish it.  If I were to consider reading another of her books it would need to be a lot shorter with a livelier pace. 

Making it up as I go along - Marian Keyes
I love Marian Keyes.  She could write the phone book and I would still read it, she can do no wrong in my eyes.  I hear her voice when I read her books and though I have never met her, I feel like I know her.  Particularly so with this book as it is a series of articles and posts rather than a story.  Looking forward to her next book whenever it comes along. 

 

Start the week off right

Today is Monday, the start of a new week.  Yet somehow according to pretty much every calendar I have picked up lately, today is not the first day of the week, Sunday is.  Except it's not, not in the real world anyway.  For the past few years I have had those photo calendars you make yourself where you can pick the start date but this year I don't have time.  I just want to walk into a shop, pick up a calendar that has nice and/or funny pictures and enough space to write in the things that I need to remember but will probably also need to put in my phone if there is any chance of me actually remembering them.  Oh and I need it to start on a Monday or all week long I will be a day out of whack.  Is that too much to ask? 

Dear calendar makers of the world,

Please stop making life difficult and just start your calendars on the day of the week that everyone else starts their week.  

Thanks,

D
x

 

November Book Review

November has been a slow book month or rather a slow reading month.  Either way, slim pickings this month. 

The girl on the train - Paula Hawkins
I started this after finishing a truly awful book (see October Book Review) so I was desperately in need of a good read.  This did not disappoint.  Lots of good twists and turns that were not obvious from a mile down the road. I'm really hoping that this is not a one hit wonder as would definitely like to read more from her. 

The Son - Jo Nesbo
Good old Jo Nesbo, he always delivers.

Bridget Jones's Baby - Helen Fielding
When I read the first Bridget Jones book back when it first came out, I didn't take to it or to her as a character. I found her a bit whingy and self obsessed. I read it again a few years later and maybe it was the fact I was older (or maybe I was self obsessed by that stage too) but it resonated with me more second time round. This was a bit of fluff really, I preferred Mad about the Boy but this was a nice easy on the brain read which was exactly what I needed at the time.

Too lazy to add the links, go to Good Reads for more info.