Sarah's book list. [Archive]

Sarahrob

4th May 2006, 17:11

Not a blog, a definite list of books I’ve read, otherwise I forget (good old guppy memory :? )… I may give them marks on an arbitrary basis as and when I feel like it.

So far this year I remember reading:

Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman 8/10
Call the Dead Again by Ann Granger 6/10
26a by Diana Evans 5/10
In Her Shoes by Jennifer Weiner 7/10
Seeing Stars by Christina Jones 6/10
Labyrinth by Kate Mosse 8/10
A Touch of Mortality by Ann Granger 7/10
Bad Boy by Olivia Goldsmith 5/10
Darkening Echoes by Carol Smith 6/10
The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood by Rebecca Wells 6/10
Jonathan Livingston Seagull by Richard Bach 3/10
Light as a Feather by Helen Dunne 6/10
Notes on a Scandal by Zoe Heller 8/10
Olivia’s Luck by Catherine Alliott 6/10
Property by Valerie Martin 8/10
Shades of Murder by Ann Granger 7/10
The California Club by Belinda Jones 6/10
Diary of a Mad Bride by Laura Wolff 2/10
The Holiday by Erica James 7/10
The Oxford Murders by Guillermo Martinez 8/10
The Thursday Friend by Catherine Cookson 4/10
Vanishing Point by Carol Smith 6/10
Working Wonders by Jenny Colgan 0/10
Lots Of Love by Fiona Walker 6/10
PS, I Love You by Cecelia Ahern 7/10
The Other Side Of The Story by Marian Keyes 7/10
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini 10/10
The Lost Art of Keeping Secrets by Eva Rice 9/10
Maps for Lost Lovers by Nadeem Aslam 5/10
The Perfect 10 by Louise Kean 6/10
The Accidental Mother by Rowan Coleman 7/10
Goodnight Nobody by Jennifer Weiner 8/10

Also remember re-reading old favourites:
Rebecca
Pride & Prejudice
Jane Eyre
The Tenant of Wildfell Hall
The Secret History
Harry Potter
Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series

I'll list more as I remember 'em... :reading:

Lilywhite

4th May 2006, 18:46

Angel

4th May 2006, 19:30

I loved Rebecca - & Rebecca's tale is on my 'to be read' pile!

Jane Eyre and Pride and Prejudice are firm favourites that have been reread several times!

I also adore Thomas Hardy Books and will reread these for ever more!!!!

Tenant of Wildfell Hall also waiting to be read

Freewheeling Andy

5th May 2006, 08:31

Sarahrob

8th May 2006, 10:01

Ooh! Some interesting stuff in there. Particularly intrigued by the Kite Runner, and by The Oxford Murders.

Jonathon Livingston Seagull I loved, but I think you need to read it when you're in a particularly hippy state of mind.

I am prepared to beg people to read the Kite Runner. It is the best book I have read in years. I probably would never have picked it up if not for the fact it was a reading group book. I am so glad I did.

I don't know what I expected from Jonathon Livingston Seagull, but somehow I wanted more than I got and was left feeling deeply disappointed.

Sarahrob

8th May 2006, 10:03

Ah, Rebecca, a firm favourite of mine. I absolutely love this book.
Have you read Rebecca's Tale? I think it's by Sally Beauman but don't hold me to that.... a quick check on Amazon and yes it is.
Another great tale that added extra dimesions to the book I already loved.

Kat
:catlove:

It is on my to read pile, but I keep piling others on top of it! Once I've finished my current book I will make an effort to dig it out.

Sarahrob

8th May 2006, 10:04

Finished the River King by Alice Hoffman. Beautifully written, but felt... unfinished. 6/10

Sarahrob

12th May 2006, 08:14

The Vesuvius Club by Mark Gatiss. Very funny but fairly obvious at points, 8/10

Sarahrob

15th May 2006, 11:18

The Rule of 4 by Ian Caldwell & Dustin Thomason. It was OK - liked the studenty atmosphere but it was completely unbelievable. Entertaining though :read: 7/10

Maureen

15th May 2006, 19:48

The Rule of 4 by Ian Caldwell & Dustin Thomason. It was OK - liked the studenty atmosphere but it was completely unbelievable. Entertaining though :read: 7/10

did not like that book....

Kell

15th May 2006, 20:58

I was severely disappointed by Rule of Four too - nowhere near as good as I was expecting.

Sarahrob

17th May 2006, 13:58

Finished the Death of Faith by Donna Leon. Interesting but slow in places, 7/10

Sarahrob

22nd May 2006, 16:52

Over the weekend read Whispers in the Sand by Barbara Erskine. Quite good, reminiscent of Labyrinth as there were three stories going on - a modern one, a Victorian one and an ancient one. 8/10 (slow going at first).

Also read How I Paid for College by Mark Acito. Blah story but some excellent wordplay (calling a psychiatrist's patients cryents - genius!). 6/10

Sarahrob

30th May 2006, 00:09

Motherless Brooklyn by Jonathan Lethem. Fascinating, memorable and incredibly touching. 10/10

Faithless by Karin Slaughter. Exactly as expected. 8/10

Sarahrob

1st June 2006, 13:31

The Constant Princess by Philippa Gregory. Enchanting 9/10.

The Perfect Husband by Lisa Gardner. Unbelievable in parts but the tension built well and the suspense kept me reading. 7/10.

Sarahrob

5th June 2006, 09:22

The Other Daughter by Lisa Gardner. I preferred this one to the Perfect Husband. 8/10

Inanna

5th June 2006, 09:38

Have you read many of Lisa Gardners books Sarah?

Sarahrob

5th June 2006, 09:45

I didn't think so, but now I'm not sure. I've got a 3-in-1 book with the Perfect Husband, The Other Daughter and the Third Victim. I'm about 3/4 of the way through the Third Victim, and I'm sure I recognise Rainie and Quincy. Maybe I've read others and just don't remember.

Inanna

5th June 2006, 09:53

Rainie and Quincey are in a few of her books, at least another 3 I believe. :mrgreen:

Sarahrob

6th June 2006, 09:15

Finished the Third Victim and I loved it - it was surely my favourite of the three. 9/10

Have started Arthur and George.

Icecream

6th June 2006, 09:17

The divine secrets is on myto read list. Was it good?

Sarahrob

6th June 2006, 09:28

It was OK - reasonable but nothing fantastic. I was expecting something profound, which it certainly wasn't.
Maybe my relationship with my mum is too good for me to appreciate it fully!

Sarahrob

19th June 2006, 09:49

Spellbound by Jane Green. OK, but I wanted to shake some life into the main character, and I could see the ending coming a mile off. 7/10.

Sarahrob

27th June 2006, 08:14

Life Swap by Jane Green: 5/10
No Greater Love by Danielle Steel: 4/10 (and it only gets that for making me laugh!)

Sarahrob

29th June 2006, 09:35

Twelve Sharp by Janet Evanovich: 8/10

Sarahrob

3rd July 2006, 10:54

Completely Unexpected Tales by Roald Dahl: 7/10.

Sarahrob

6th July 2006, 10:57

Wideacre by Philippa Gregory: 10/10. Wowee - what a great story!

Michelle

6th July 2006, 11:01

Ooh.. you were impressed with that one then?! :D

Sarahrob

6th July 2006, 11:12

I liked the Constant Princess, but Wideacre was just incredible. I always pitied Victorian women because of their lack of property and the ownership issues in marriage, but this really brought it home. Even at the end where Beatrice is frankly detestable, you can't help but pity the lengths she'd had to go to just to achieve some security.

As I said - Wowee! :lol:

Michelle

6th July 2006, 11:25

Sigh.. I still have The Queen's Fool, The Virgin's Lover and The Constant Princess upstairs to read, plus The Little House coming via RISI. Now I have another to add to my list to eventually get! LOL

Sarahrob

11th July 2006, 09:36

The Boy Next Door by Meg Cabot: 6/10. Nice, but obvious.

Sarahrob

17th July 2006, 18:32

Blimey - sure I'm missing a few books...

Gardens of Delight b Erica James - 7/10. Obvious in places, surprisingly touching in others.

Angel

17th July 2006, 21:21

I'm reading that one at the moment! Just over half way - it's not really gripping me at the moment

Sarahrob

18th July 2006, 09:28

It was better than I thought it would be, but still quite light - nothing to really sink your teeth into.

Sarahrob

21st July 2006, 09:20

The Favoured Child by Philippa Gregory - 8/10. Not as good as Wideacre, but still a good read.

Sarahrob

24th July 2006, 08:33

Meridon by Philippa Gregory - 9/10
The Righteous Men by Sam Bourne - 6/10

Sarahrob

27th July 2006, 08:30

Wilderness Tips by Margaret Atwood: 6/10. Beautifully written, but I found it hard to engage with any of the characters or stories.

Sarahrob

1st August 2006, 11:44

According to Queeney by Beryl Bainbridge. 5/10.

Sarahrob

7th August 2006, 08:15

Still Here by Linda Grant. Loved the main character - want to BE the main character! 9/10.

Michelle

7th August 2006, 08:46

After a couple of 6's, and a 5, it was nice to see a 9! ;)

Sarahrob

7th August 2006, 11:26

It was good to read a book I really enjoyed!

Sarahrob

14th August 2006, 15:23

The Mirror Crack'd From Side To Side by Agatha Christie. 7/10
Hubble Bubble by Christina Jones (? can't be bothered looking up the author!). Very, VERY predictable, but sweet. 7/10

Sarahrob

21st August 2006, 13:45

Practically Perfect by Katie Fforde: 7/10

Sarahrob

21st August 2006, 13:47

On the Road to Mr Right by Belinda Jones. 1/10

Esiotrot

21st August 2006, 14:19

On the Road to Mr Right by Belinda Jones. 1/10

yikes thats a low mark! what didnt you like?

Sarahrob

22nd August 2006, 09:14

Well... where do I start?

It was basically a series of disjointed encounters, there wasn't really a story to it. Something along the lines of "met a man; didn't like him. Met another man; he was OK. Met another man; my friend pulled him". Except it was all written in the present tense, so it was more "meet a man; don't like him" etc.

I kept reading, thinking the story would somehow magically appear. It didn't. I wasn't over keen on any of the characters, mostly because there was no depth to them and they were really poorly written.

Overall it gave me the impression of a fourteen year old girl's diary - not something I'm over keen on reading!!

Sarahrob

4th September 2006, 10:42

Hmm... what have I read?

The Queen of the Tambourine by Jane Gardam: 6/10
The Virgin's Lover by Phillipa Gregory: 8/10
A Fine Place for Death by Anne Granger: 6/10

plus a couple more Agatha Christies... can't think of anything else.

Sarahrob

5th September 2006, 08:44

Last night I read The Undomestic Goddess by Sophie Kinsella. It was sweet and funny, if slightly obvious. 7/10

Michelle

5th September 2006, 09:01

You read a whole book in one evening?!

Sarahrob

5th September 2006, 12:30

Started it about 7ish, was done by about 2. In fairness, it was quite an easy book to read!

Lilywhite

5th September 2006, 13:40

I think I read this one in an evening. Very easy to read and a good laugh.

Sarahrob

19th September 2006, 09:09

Hmmm... can't remember what I've read.

Anyone Out There by Marian Keyes. Nice, surprising in places. 8/10.

muggle not

19th September 2006, 11:47

Started it about 7ish, was done by about 2. In fairness, it was quite an easy book to read!
It takes me a couple weeks to read a book. I am a very, very, slow reader. However, it doesn't bother me. Sometimes when reading I will stop after a page or two and start thinking about what I just read. I guess that is why my reading list is so small. :oops:

Sarahrob

19th September 2006, 15:09

I read quite quickly, and normally take in a fair bit of what I've read. The only problem I do have is that if I read too many books by one author or similar books then they do tend to blur.
I had a box of ten Miss Marple books, and I have read all but two of them over the last few weeks. I'm no longer sure what happened in which book - they are just a blur of murder-mystery!

Sarahrob

26th September 2006, 09:58

The Queen's Fool by Philippa Gregory: 8/10
Tickled Pink by Christina Jones: 6/10

Sarahrob

5th October 2006, 10:37

I don't know - one week on and I can't remember what on earth I've read...:blush:

I am currently reading Strictly Business by the unlikely-named Francesca Clementis. I'm probably not going to trawl through it as I'm really not enjoying it. Every character is completely odious and I'd like to give them all a hearty slap.

Of course my impatience has nothing to do with the fact that Wicked and The Boleyn Inheritance are in a bag inder my bed. Nooo, nothing at all...:lol:

Sarahrob

23rd October 2006, 09:20

Hmmm... don't know what I've read.

The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory: 9/10
Unhallowed Ground by Gillian White: 4/10 - a shame as I thought the book sounded promising, but it was one giant cliché.

Kell

23rd October 2006, 16:18

Golad you enjoyed The Other Boleyn Girl - it seems quite a popular one. It's certainly my favourite of Gregory's of the ones I've read to date. It was also the 1st one I read. :)

Louiseog

24th October 2006, 11:55

Only read OBG but have Virgins Lover on tbr, have you started Wicked yet?
Love the thought of it under the bed waiting! I ration books like that. One from bottom of pile then a newie!

Sarahrob

25th October 2006, 09:47

Golad you enjoyed The Other Boleyn Girl - it seems quite a popular one. It's certainly my favourite of Gregory's of the ones I've read to date. It was also the 1st one I read. :)

I seem to be working my way through all her books - mad to think I'd not heard of her until I joined here!:D

Sarahrob

25th October 2006, 09:49

Only read OBG but have Virgins Lover on tbr, have you started Wicked yet?
Love the thought of it under the bed waiting! I ration books like that. One from bottom of pile then a newie!

I'm mid-way through the Boleyn Inheritance, but as soon as I finish that I'm going to read Wicked.
It's such a gorgeous-looking book with the green-tipped pages... I'm really looking forward to reading it!:mrgreen:

Sarahrob

30th October 2006, 17:50

The Boleyn Inheritance was fabbo - possibly my favourite of the Tudor novels (mostly because I knew next to nothing about Anne of Cleves or Katherine Howard).

Midway through Wicked at the moment and it's a corker!

Angel

30th October 2006, 20:29

Glad you enjoyed the Boleyn Inheritance - I absolutely loved this one!

Kell

30th October 2006, 22:03

madcow

30th October 2006, 22:06

I am absolutely DYING to get my mitts on a copy of The Boleyn Inheritance, but I've been told I'm not allowed to buy any more books at all before Xmas, so I'm hopeful that I'll get it then - but I hate having to wait!!!

Could it not just 'appear' on your book shelf?

My OH thinks Kat is letting me read loads of hers at the moment :lol:

Kell

30th October 2006, 22:08

LOL - I only wish! But I have the feeling someone may have already bought it for me, even this far in advance (most likely my Mam) & I'd hate to upset them by having it already & ruining their surprise... ;)

madcow

30th October 2006, 22:15

Never mind Kell not long to wait then, soon be Xmas.

Sarahrob

31st October 2006, 09:33

Blimey - wish someone had bought it for me! I'm too impatient to wait for it to come out in paperback though. Actually, I'm too impatient to wait until crimbo to give anyone the chance of buying it for me!

Sarahrob

7th November 2006, 18:42

Finished Wicked by Gregory Maguire. I enjoyed it, but I just expected something more of it. I can't put my finger on the source of dissatisfaction...

Louiseog

7th November 2006, 20:20

Somehow it made me think more than I thought it would if that makes sense!
I felt a bit the same sort of hollow.

Sarahrob

14th November 2006, 10:21

3 for 2 in Waterstones on Philippa Gregory. Hurrah!

Read A Respectable Trade and Fallen Skies. Of the two I preferred Fallen Skies, dark as it was.

Sarahrob

30th November 2006, 18:19

Not been feeling up to much so have reread some old faves. Currently reading Mansfield Park.

Liz

30th November 2006, 21:53

Oooooo... I've got Mansfield Park waiting on the shelf. Is it any good, then?

Sarahrob

1st December 2006, 13:02

Ermm... it's not a huge favourite, as the heroine is the most insipid character I've ever read. Honestly, you just want to give her a shake.
There are some fantastic comedic characters though.
If I had to sum it up I'd say it is nice. It's an easy one to read, you don't need to think much as not much happens. Personally, I prefer Northanger Abbey.