Saturday 28 March 2009

Another go at catching up...still in March

Nobbut a Lad by Alan Titchmarsh
A pleasant memoir of childhood - made me smile and think of things my mum and dad would say!

Acting Up by Melissa Nathan
Good, quick, fun chick lit based on P&P...predctable, but warm and fuzzy when you got there!

Crazy as Chocolate
Interesting, but not completely sure...the back story of two girls and their manic mother was intersting, but the sister in present time was simply annoying. Maybe I missed the point?

The French Gardener by Santa Montefiore
So, in typical vein, it's another doomed love over many years...but she does do it well! have been disappointed by a couple of her books in the past, which seemed a bit writing by numbers...but this is a much more and I throughly enjoyed it, despite being fairly predictable. Sympathetic characters and beautiful settings. Lovely!

The Miracle at Speedy Motors by Alexander McCall
Mma Ramotswe is a complete star. More gentle stories from Botswana...I find these books really relaxing and reminiscent of a gentler time.

Take a Chance by Sarah Webb
Disappointing...a great idea, particularly with all the focus on Mama Mia and Abba, but it doesn't live up to the blurb. The twist was completely obvious from early in the first chapter and the characters ween't well developed enough. A light read, but felt it was a missed opportunity.

Daughter of Venice
Got this due to recommendation from Amazon and didn't realise when I bought it it was a "teen" book. Given this I really enjoyed the historical side of the book and the background of noble Venetins was well done...however, the overall plot and characterisation was a bit thin. Just because it's for "younger readers" doesn't mean they can't take more complicated ideas.

Mum's the Word
Bought on the back of the psychic detective books and although it was okay, I didn't find it as intersting as the Abby Coper books and the main character is far less sympathetic. Won't bother with the rest of this series.

Better Read than Dead
The second of the psychic detective series and enjoyable...just wish they were a bit cheape and easier to get hold of from Amazon! Abby remains an interesting chracter and the developments with Mitch show promise.

Saturday 14 March 2009

So to get back on track...Books for March!

Abby Cooper: Pyschic Eye by Victoria Laurie
Psychic turned dectective in this US book. Interetsing characters and not too predictable, although I did guess who did it well before the end. Will definately look at the next in the series...

Beach Babylon
Little disappointing after I enjoyed Hotel Babylon last year, but now after a bit of thought I shouldn't be too surprised as after all it's more of the same just with sun and sand. And that about sums it all up!

The School for Husbands
I love her other books but found this one a bit flat...probably because I felt sorry for the husband and thought Sophie needed to get real rather than him! Also the mother interferring was sooo unbelievable, it was all a bit too contrived, even for chick-lit.

My Best Friend's Life by Shari Low
Okay, so I did find some sections funny and it was a quick read, but over all it was a bit seedy and to go from frump to complete sex queen just by living in London (as if, or I wish?!) I don't need threesomes and girl on girl action in my chick-lit either.

The Glassblower of Murano
I loved this and am looking forward to her new book that's out soon. It's very gentle and not an awful lot happens, but loved the setting and the back story of the glassmakers...reminded me of The island, which was one of my better reads a couple of years ago.

The Love of my Life by Louise Douglas
Brilliant! Beautifully written and sensitive. Didn't want to get to the end.

Agatha Raisin and the Love from Hell by MC Beaton
James turns out to be just as cold as predicted and joins a monastery (honest!) Agatha flails around as usual with Charles in tow...one of the best ones of the series and now we need a worthy man for Agatha to pine for in the next one!

Love Potions by Christina Jones
The girl who didn't get her man in Seeing Stars gets another chance through aromotherapy. More of the same - well written, although she's not my favourite heroine, but pleasant.

Playing catch up...

So long since I've updated my blog and I'm in danger of losing track of what I've read!
So to finish of my Febrary books...

Seeing Stars by Christina Jones
More of the same, but I really enjoy this series...this time it's Fiddlesticks and their old fashioned celebration of the stars that has a powerful effect on the main characters love life!