Weave

Aw thanks Peacefield, I don't have a job or sleep great, that's why I read so many books

Thanks Jessi

Happy reading muggle not

Great review Ian, it took me a few times to read 'Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell', I persevered and I enjoyed it so much. Glad you enjoyed it

Happy reading Tunn

Great haul of books P! I love 'Eleanor & Park', it's a lovely story, definitely one of my favourites. I have 'The Versions Of Us' and 'The Mystery of the Jewelled Moth' on my wishlist (I've still to read 'The Mystery of the Clockwork Sparrow'), I have 'The Bees' on my kindle (still to read it). I look forward to your review of 'Through the Woods', that's on my wishlist.

Great reviews Jessi

'In the Darkling Wood' sounds great and I love the cover ~ happy reading

Hope you are feeling better soon Anna and that you enjoy 'The Stand'

I wish I had read 'Tuck Everlasting' at school, what a great start for you Anna 'The Heart Goes Last' was interesting and thought a bit different for Margaret Atwood, Stan and Charmaine were horrible, it was the fact they were looking for something better despite all the problems it caused, I did like the ending.

I am currently reading 'Uprooted' by Naomi Novik which I am enjoying and 'Revival' by Stephen King, which I am also enjoying.

Scotland, lived in Belfast for a few years then back to Scotland

In a Dark, Dark Wood by Ruth Ware ~ Started: 07.02.16 ~ Finished: 10.02.16 Title of Book: In a Dark, Dark Wood Author of Book: Ruth Ware Edition: Paperback ISBN Number: 0099598248 Pages: 352 Rating: 3/5 Synopsis: Nora hasn't seen Clare for ten years. Not since the day Nora walked out of her old life and never looked back. Until, out of the blue, an invitation to Clare’s hen party arrives. A weekend in a remote cottage - the perfect opportunity for Nora to reconnect with her best friend, to put the past behind her. But something goes wrong. Very wrong. And as secrets and lies unravel, out in the dark, dark wood the past will finally catch up with Nora. Review: 'In a Dark, Dark Wood' tells the story of Nora, an author who lives alone in London. Nora is surprised to get an invite to her friend Clare's hen party since Nora has not seen Clare for ten years. Nora has some trepidation about going due to events in her and Clare's past, she eventually agrees to go because her other school friend, Nina is going. What should be a fun weekend turns into a nightmare for Nora as her past and Clare's future collide. 'In a Dark, Dark Wood' is a interesting story, it's intense and the characters are well written. ****** Anya's Ghost by Vera Brosgol ~ Started: 10.02.16 ~ Finished: 10.02.16 Title of Book: Anya's Ghost Author of Book: Vera Brosgol Edition: Paperback ISBN Number: 1250040019 Pages: 221 Rating: 5/5 Synopsis: Anya could really use a friend. But her new BFF isn't kidding about the "Forever" part . . . Of all the things Anya expected to find at the bottom of an old well, a new friend was not one of them. Especially not a new friend who's been dead for a century. Falling down a well is bad enough, but Anya's normal life might actually be worse. She's embarrassed by her family, self-conscious about her body, and she's pretty much given up on fitting in at school. A new friend--even a ghost--is just what she needs. Or so she thinks. Review: 'Anya's Ghost' is the story of Anya, a teenager who wants to fit in and works hard to do it. Anya falls into a old well one day and to her amazement meets a ghost called Emily Reilly, who died when she was a teenager. What begins with Emily helping Anya turns sinister as Emily grows stronger, she shows Anya what her best qualities are whilst mirroring Anya's worst qualities. When Emily starts to threaten Anya's family, Anya must say goodbye to Emily. 'Anya's Ghost' is a fun read and I enjoyed the story. Anya is a fantastic character, she's relatable, funny, smart, at some point in our lives we have all felt like Anya (I know I have). The illustrations are lovely to look at, very vibrant. There are lessons to be learned from Anya's story which made for great reading. Memorable.

Find Me by Laura van den Berg ~ Started: 01.02.16 ~ Finished: 07.02.16 Title of Book: Find Me Author of Book: Laura van den Berg Edition: Hardback ISBN Number: 1785031325 Pages: 288 Rating: 3/5 Synopsis: Things I will never forget: my name, my made-up birthday…The dark of the Hospital at night. My mother’s face, when she was young. Things other people will forget: where they come from, how old they are, the faces of the people they love. The right words for bowl and sunshine…What is a beginning and what is an end. Joy spends her days working the graveyard shift at a store outside Boston and nursing an addiction to cough syrup, an attempt to suppress her troubled past. But when a sickness that begins with silver blisters and memory loss and ends with death sweeps the country, Joy, for the first time in her life, seems to have an advantage: she is immune. At once a hauntingly beautiful portrayal of a dystopian future and a powerful exploration of loneliness. Review: 'Find Me' is a interesting story and I enjoyed aspects of it. Joy is an odd character and the lack of plot does not help her story, the story seems to ramble and I found myself losing interest at times. 'Find Me' is an interesting début and I do enjoy dystopian fiction, unfortunately it just seemed aimless at times. ****** Anything That Isn't This by Chris Priestley ~ Started: 01.02.16 ~ Finished: 09.02.16 Title of Book: Anything That Isn't This Author of Book: Chris Priestley Edition: Kindle ASIN Number: B00ZO3QDCW Pages: 480 Rating: 4/5 Synopsis: Seventeen-year-old Frank Palp lives in a grim little apartment, in a grim little building, in an exceedingly grim (and rather large) city. Cobbled streets and near-destroyed bridges lead one through Old Town and Old New Town, and war-damaged houses stand alongside post-war characterless, concrete hutches. Most people walk hunched over, a habit from avoiding snipers, but others are proud to stand tall and make the world take notice . . . This is a city full of contradictions, and Frank is no exception. He mostly hates his life, he definitely hates the ludicrous city he is forced to live in and he absolutely with complete certainty hates the idiots he's surrounded by . . . and yet he is in love. A love so pure and sparkling and colourful, Frank feels sure it is 'meant to be'. His love is a reward for all the terrible grey that he is surrounded by - which would be great, if the girl in question knew he existed. And then one day, the perfect sign lands in his lap. A message, in a bottle. A wish, for 'anything that isn't this'. The girl who wrote this is surely his soul mate - and now he just needs to find her. Review: 'Anything That Isn't This' is the story of Frank Palp who lives in Old Town in a war torn city that has seen wars and revolutions. Frank is not happy at all, he sees 'The Grey' that hangs over the city, the lack of colour everywhere, everyone at school annoys him, any friendships he had are now gone due to his attitude, he looks down on his family, he has one friend, Dawn Calypter who Frank grew up with and she is finding it difficult to be Frank's friend too. As Frank prepares to leave school he is not sure what to do next, he does not have many options, one option is working for The Ministry, as his father does and his grandfather did before but Frank feels he is better than that, ultimately he ends up working for The Ministry where Frank's life begins to change. I enjoyed 'Anything That Isn't This' from start to finish, it was imaginative and unforgettable. Frank was a interesting character to read, at times he was very unlikeable and he goes through some changes, he is very aware of the problems of his home town and longs to stand out from everyone which causes trouble for him. Frank, however, was not my favourite character, Petra, Frank's older sister was, she was the voice of reason and I would have enjoyed reading more about her story. I liked the idea of Old Town, there are invisible lizards, a ghost tram and so much more. 'Anything That Isn't This' is a wonderful story, Frank is a flawed character who discovers what type of person he wants to be and that actions have consequences. There is something for everyone in this story, an enjoyable read.

Our Endless Numbered Days by Claire Fuller ~ Started: 28.01.16 ~ Finished: 31.01.16 Title of Book: Our Endless Numbered Days Author of Book: Claire Fuller Edition: Paperback ISBN Number: 0241003946 Pages: 304 Rating: 5/5 Synopsis: 1976: Peggy Hillcoat is eight. She spends her summer camping with her father, playing her beloved record of The Railway Children and listening to her mother's grand piano, but her pretty life is about to change. Her survivalist father, who has been stockpiling provisions for the end which is surely coming soon, takes her from London to a cabin in a remote European forest. There he tells Peggy the rest of the world has disappeared. Her life is reduced to a piano which makes music but no sound, a forest where all that grows is a means of survival. And a tiny wooden hut that is Everything. Review: What a fantastic début, Claire Fuller has created a memorable character with Peggy, a girl who is wise beyond her years and at the same time, still the vulnerable eight year old who was taken from everything she knew and lied to by the person she trusted the most. Peggy tells her story eloquently, about her life in London and her new life with her Papa in Die Hutte (their cabin in the woods), as they survive day to day, depending on her Papa to do the right thing whilst realising that he is not the man she thought he was. As Peggy grows up she becomes self reliant, watching her Papa become scarily obsessed about their life and what to do next. I enjoyed how descriptive the story was, the image of the cabin, the woods, the mountains, Peggy's whole world, how she sees it and how it becomes a part of her, the memories of her former life slowly fading. As mentioned, Peggy is a memorable character, you care about what will happen to her. I had mixed feelings about Peggy's Papa, I found him irresponsible, cruel and frustrating. 'Our Endless Numbered Days' is a story that will definitely stay with you after you finish it. I look forward to reading more by Claire Fuller. ****** The Lola Quartet by Emily St.John Mandel ~ Started: 28.01.16 ~ Finished: 01.02.16 Title of Book: The Lola Quartet Author of Book: Emily St.John Mandel Edition: Kindle ASIN Number: B00PUOSM0Q Pages: 289 Rating: 4/5 Synopsis: How far would you go for someone you love? The Lola Quartet: Jack, Daniel, Sasha and Gavin, four talented musicians at the end of their high school careers. On the dream-like night of their last concert, Gavin's girlfriend Anna disappears. Ten years later Gavin sees a photograph of a little girl who looks uncannily like him and who shares Anna's surname, and suddenly he finds himself catapulted back to a secretive past he didn't realise he'd left behind. But that photo has set off a cascade of dangerous consequences and, as one by one the members of the Lola Quartet are reunited, a terrifying story emerges: of innocent mistakes, of secrecy and of a life lived on the run. Filled with love, music and thwarted dreams, Emily St. John Mandel's The Lola Quartet is a thrilling novel about how the errors of the past can threaten the future. Review: 'The Lola Quartet' tells the story of Gavin, Jack, Daniel, Sasha who were part of 'The Lola Quartet' at high school, the four of them are talented musicians about to leave high school and looking forward to the future. Anna (Gavin's girlfriend and Sasha's sister) suddenly leaves on the night of the quartet's final performance, leaving Gavin a note saying "I'm sorry”, Gavin tries to get in touch with Anna, after numerous attempts he leaves to start college, this starts a chain of events that will change them all. This is the second book I have read by Emily St.John Mandel, the first one being 'Station Eleven', which was a fantastic read. I enjoyed 'The Lola Quartet', I just felt that it was lacking in something and that was the characters, they were well written, I just did not care about them as much as I did with the characters from 'Station Eleven'. I did enjoy how all the characters were connected and how their stories progressed, it made for interesting reading and the story was well thought out. Emily St.John is a wonderful writer and I look forward to reading more of her books.

The Wolverine

The Strange Library ~ very weird and magical, the only downside is, it's very short IQ84 ~ I re-read it last year and I enjoyed it more the second time around, Haruki Murakami creates two worlds that are connected, everything is connected in the story and its great to read. Kafka on the Shore ~ very surreal, very weird and one of the characters can talk to cats.

The Shining by Stephen King ~ One of my favourite Stephen King's book, I have lost count how many times I have read. NOS 4R2 by Joe Hill ~ Charles Manx is very creepy The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson ~ It's very subtle horror, its the idea of something being there, it's really well done Horrorstor by Grady Hendrix ~ Put it this way, I have avoided Ikea since reading 'Horrorstor'

Nimona by Noelle Stevenson ~ Started: 28.01.16 ~ Finished: 28.01.16 Title of Book: Nimona Author of Book: Noelle Stevenson Edition: Paperback ISBN Number: 0062278223 Pages: 272 Rating: 5/5 Synopsis: Nemeses! Dragons! Science! Symbolism! All these and more await in this brilliantly subversive, sharply irreverent epic from Noelle Stevenson. Featuring an exclusive epilogue not seen in the web comic, along with bonus conceptual sketches and revised pages throughout, this gorgeous full-color graphic novel has been hailed by critics and fans alike as the arrival of a “superstar” talent (NPR.org). Nimona is an impulsive young shapeshifter with a knack for villainy. Lord Ballister Blackheart is a villain with a vendetta. As sidekick and supervillain, Nimona and Lord Blackheart are about to wreak some serious havoc. Their mission: prove to the kingdom that Sir Ambrosius Goldenloin and his buddies at the Institution of Law Enforcement and Heroics aren't the heroes everyone thinks they are. But as small acts of mischief escalate into a vicious battle, Lord Blackheart realizes that Nimona's powers are as murky and mysterious as her past. And her unpredictable wild side might be more dangerous than he is willing to admit. Review: 'Nimona' is the story of Nimona, shapeshifter and bad a** who offers her services to Lord Blackheart as his sidekick, a prospect that Lord Blackheart is not exactly on board with, he has enough to do with being a scientist and nemesis to Sir Ambrosius Goldenloin. Reluctantly Lord Blackheart decides to give Nimona a chance and their adventure begins. I do enjoy reading graphic novels and I really enjoyed 'Nimona', the illustrations are well done, the story is wonderful and it engages you from start to finish. I am looking forward to reading more by Noelle Stevenson.

The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski ~ Started: 01.01.16 ~ Finished: 28.01.16 Title of Book: The Story of Edgar Sawtelle Author of Book: David Wroblewski Edition: Paperback ISBN Number: 0007265077 Pages: 384 Rating: 3/5 Synopsis: A literary debut of stark and striking brilliance – a coming-of-age story, set in the remote wilderness of northern Wisconsin. Born mute and able to communicate only by sign, the brilliant Edgar Sawtelle leads an idyllic life with his parents Gar and Trudy. For generations, the Sawtelles have raised and trained a breed of dog whose thoughtful companionship is epitomised by Almondine, Edgar's lifelong companion. But when his beloved father mysteriously dies, Edgar blames himself, if only because his muteness left him unable to summon help. Grief-stricken and bewildered by his mother's desperate affair with her dead husband's brother, Edgar's world unravels one spring night when, in the falling rain, he sees his father's ghost. After a botched attempt to prove that his uncle orchestrated Gar's death, Edgar flees into the Chequamegon wilderness leading three yearling dogs. Yet his need to face his father's murderer, and his devotion to the Sawtelle dogs, turn Edgar ever homeward. When he returns, nothing is as he expects, and Edgar must choose between revenge or preserving his family legacy… Review: 'The Story of Edgar Sawtelle' is an interesting and engaging story which I enjoyed, I just really wish the ending was different, I knew what was going to happen, I just did not like it.

The Heart Goes Last by Margaret Atwood ~ Started: 20.01.16 ~ Finished: 27.01.16 Title of Book: The Heart Goes Last Author of Book: Margaret Atwood Edition: Kindle ASIN Number: B00UNC9Q3M Pages: 322 Rating: 4/5 Synopsis: Stan and Charmaine are a married couple trying to stay afloat in the midst of economic and social collapse. Living in their car, surviving on tips from Charmaine's job at a dive bar, they're increasingly vulnerable to roving gangs, and in a rather desperate state. So when they see an advertisement for the Positron Project in the town of Consilience – a 'social experiment' offering stable jobs and a home of their own – they sign up immediately. All they have to do in return for this suburban paradise is give up their freedom every second month, swapping their home for a prison cell. At first, all is well. But slowly, unknown to the other, Stan and Charmaine develop a passionate obsession with their counterparts, the couple that occupy their home when they are in prison. Soon the pressures of conformity, mistrust, guilt and sexual desire take over, and Positron looks less like a prayer answered and more like a chilling prophecy fulfilled. A sinister, wickedly funny novel about a near-future in which the lawful are locked up and the lawless roam free, The Heart Goes Last is Margaret Atwood at her heart-stopping best. Review: 'The Heart Goes Last' is the story of Stan and Charmaine, a married couple who have been effected by an economic and social collapse. At the beginning of the story they live in their car, surviving day to day, Stan looking for work and Charmaine working in a seedy bar, when they hear about the Positron Project in the town of Consilience, a social experiment where individuals are given jobs, a home of their own, all they have to do, is live in prison every second month and while they are in prison, their alternates (another couple who Stan and Constance know nothing about) live in their collective house. Stan and Charmaine sign up immediately. What starts as a new opportunity goes array when Stan and Charmaine fall for their alternates and soon find themselves being deceitful to each other, lying, having secret liaisons whilst discovering what is really happening in Consilience. I am a huge fan of Margaret Atwood for different reasons, one of them is how insightful she is and how well written her characters are. Stan and Charmaine are memorable characters for numerous reasons, they are not very likeable, they seem to think they can do better than each other, whilst at the same time being very well suited to each other. The idea of Positron is interesting and could work on so many levels, it is also a scary idea which gave the story an edge. I think this is the lowest rating I have ever given a Margaret Atwood and it's due to Stan and Charmaine, you either love them or you hate them. A memorable story.

Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbit ~ Started: 18.01.16 ~ Finished: 18.01.16 Title of Book: Tuck Everlasting Author of Book: Natalie Babbit Edition: Kindle ASIN Number: B000UZQH48 Pages: 144 Rating: 4/5 Synopsis: Doomed to - or blessed with - eternal life after drinking from a magic spring, the Tuck family wanders about trying to live as inconspicuously and comfortably as they can. When ten-year-old Winnie Foster stumbles on their secret, the Tucks take her home and explain why living forever at one age is less a blessing than it might seem. Complications arise when Winnie is followed by a stranger who wants to market the spring water for a fortune . . . Review: 'Tuck Everlasting' is a lovely story which I enjoyed reading, there was an innocence about it and Winnie, the main character is a great character, as are all the Tucks who make such a impression on Winnie. The only downside of the story is that it was too short. I will definitely read 'Tuck Everlasting' again. ****** Broken Dolls by Tyrolin Puxty ~ Started: 18.01.16 ~ Finished: 19.01.16 Title of Book: Broken Dolls Author of Book: Tyrolin Puxty Edition: Kindle ASIN Number: B015JMSTF6 Pages: 176 Rating: 4/5 Synopsis: Ella doesn’t remember what it’s like to be human - after all, she’s lived as a doll for thirty years. She forgets what it’s like to taste, to breathe…to love. She helps the professor create other dolls, but they don’t seem to hang around for long. His most recent creation is Lisa, a sly goth. Ella doesn’t like Lisa. How could she, when Lisa keeps trying to destroy her? Ella likes the professor’s granddaughter though, even if she is dying. Gabby is like Ella’s personal bodyguard. It’s too bad the professor wants to turn Gabby into a doll too, depriving her of an education…depriving her of life. With time running out and mad dolls on the rampage, Ella questions her very existence as she unearths the secrets buried in her past; secrets that will decide whether Gabby will befall the same fate… Review: 'Broken Dolls' is the story of Ella, a doll, an unusual kind of doll, she used to be human and cannot remember much from her human life. Ella spends her time living in a chest in an attic, doing the same things, dancing, drawing, etc, then Lisa, another doll arrives who changes everything for Ella as she learns about her past and who she is. 'Broken Dolls' is a different kind of read, an interesting premise which I enjoyed. Ella is a complicated character who is likeable, the professor who looks after Ella is also complicated and you learn more about the both of them as the story progresses. The only downside of the book is you do not find out more about the epidemic that is happening which affects the Professor and Ella. An interesting read and I look forward to reading the sequel 'Shattered Dolls'.

Coraline: The Graphic Novel by Neil Gaiman, adapted and illustrated by P. Craig Russell ~ Started: 01.01.16 ~ Finished: 01.01.16 Title of Book: Coraline: The Graphic Novel Author of Book: Neil Gaiman, Illustrated by P. Craig Russell Edition: Paperback ISBN Number: 0747594066 Pages: 192 Rating: 5/5 Synopsis: When Coraline moves to a new house she is fascinated by the fact that their house is in fact only half a house. Divided into flats years before, the other flat, it soon becomes clear to Coraline, is not quite as cosy and safe as her own. Review: I enjoyed the graphic novel of 'Coraline' from start to finish, the illustrations are great to look at and the Other Mother looks more scarier which I enjoyed. 'Coraline' is a wonderful story, there are some changes in the graphic novel (I recognised some of the lines from the film adaptation), the changes do not take anything away from the story. I will definitely read this story again and again. Highly recommended. ****** The Girls by Lori Lansens ~ Started: 04.01.16 ~ Finished: 17.01.16 Title of Book: The Girls Author of Book: Lori Lansens Edition: Kindle ASIN Number: B006E0XO58 Pages: 466 Rating: 5/5 Synopsis: I have never looked into my sister's eyes. I have never bathed alone. I have never stood in the grass at night and raised my arms to a beguiling moon. I've never used an aeroplane bathroom. Or worn a hat. Or been kissed like that... So many things I've never done, but oh, how I've been loved. And, if such things were to be, I'd live a thousand times as me, to be loved so exponentially' In twenty-nine years, Rose Darlen has never spent a moment apart from her twin sister, Ruby. She has never gone for a solitary walk or had a private conversation. Yet, in all that time, she has never once looked into Ruby's eyes. Joined at the head, 'The Girls' (as they are known in their small town) attempt to lead a normal life, but can't help being extraordinary. Now almost thirty, Rose and Ruby are on the verge of becoming the oldest living craniopagus twins in history, but they are remarkable for a lot more than their unusual sisterly bond. Review: Rose and Ruby, craniopagus twins arrive the night of a tornado, deserted by their mother, the nurse who helped their mother and her husband (Aunt Lovey and Uncle Stash Darlen) adopt the girls and raise them. As the story begins, Rose and Ruby are on the verge of becoming thirty and also the oldest living craniopagus twins in history. Rose begins to write her life story and Ruby writes her own story, as the story progresses you find out about the girls's lives, how they live with each other, the lives they lead, their hopes and dreams. I enjoyed 'The Girls', the story of Rose and Ruby is wonderfully told by both of the girls who are very different from each other, they want different things from life and they find a way to compromise. Rose and Ruby are unforgettable characters that you will become attached to, I was sorry to leave them when the book ended. A memorable read.

I am listening to the playlist on my phone ~ Majestic by Wax Fang

Me too, very easily to immersed in