Louiseog' Book Record, so I don't forget!

[Louiseog]

Books in January:
China Lake by Meg Gardiner 4 Above average thriller about religious fundamentalism in the US. Quite exciting.
Set in Stone by Robert Goddard 3.5 Supernaturalish thriller about a man whose wife has died, a bit too complicated at times.
Perfect Ten by Louise Kean 3.5 much better than I thought it would be, issues of weight loss and self esteem but still bright cover and fairly easy.
Hostage to Murder by Val McDermid 3.5 thriller about journalist who gets involved in kidnapping etc. Quite good.
One Last Look by Susanna Moore 4 Book club choice quite liked this, wouldn't have chosen it but quite good.
Annie Proulx, The Shipping News 5 Ace.
Ian Rankin Fleshmarket Close 4 another Rebus book always good.
Purity in Death by JD Robb 3 police thriller set in the future. Have now read three of these and think I may have had enough, maybe should have read them in order.
Isobel Wolff Behaving Badly 4 another supermarket bargain for a quick read that was better than I thought.
The History of Love by Nicole Krauss 4.5 Lovely I liked the way that it took ages to understand what was going on. A bit like One Last Look in that respect, for me!
Artemis Fowl and the Opal Deception - Eoin Colfer 4.5 Most recent in the series. Harry Potter meets Q from James Bond! Yet another kids book that is really worth a read.

[Michelle]

Purity in Death by JD Robb 3 police thriller set in the future. Have now read three of these and think I may have had enough, maybe should have read them in order.

They don't suit everyone, but you probably do get alot more from them when you read them in order.

[Louiseog]

Books in February
He Loves me he loves me not, Claudia Carroll 3 Just a nice love story, can't really remember.
The Skeleton Room, Kate Ellis 4 Was a recommendation from www.findmeagoodread.co.uk. Its a police story but with an archaeological bent. Part of a series which I may not read more of.
A Jemima Shore mystery by Antonia Fraser 1 did not care enough to even write the proper title and swapped before I finished it. Not my cup of tea.
Babyface, Fiona Gibson 3 Girl meets boy on lonely hearts, falls pregnant, has baby, moves in, baby is model does not tell partner, he finds out, is cross, she goes to France, lives in squalor, meets another man, finds pregnant again, ends up in council flat in England, happy?! Better than that sounds but not much!
Neverwhere, Neil Gaiman 5 really excellent. A man is catapulted in a different London.
The Blue Diary, Alice Hoffman 5 a man is arrested for a crime he committed fifteen years earlier and the effect it has on his family and friends. Really good.
Undomestic Goddess, Sophie Kinsella 4 Good easy read, bestsellers in shops at moment. Liked it.
While we were grown ups and Walking in high heels Anna Maxted 4.5 really good chick lit
Salem Falls, Jodi Piccoult 4 Book Club choice, liked it.
Pentecost Alley, Anne Perry 4 Another police one set in 19th Century Jack the Ripper London, good period detail. Story not great.
Where love goes by Joyce Maynard 4 Post divorce story good characters. Another book club choice.

[Louiseog]

Purity in Death by JD Robb 3 police thriller set in the future. Have now read three of these and think I may have had enough, maybe should have read them in order.

They don't suit everyone, but you probably do get alot more from them when you read them in order.
I did really llike the idea but think you're right. Will try again!

[Louiseog]

Am having a bit of a sort out, can you tell and am transferring scrappy bits of paper to here hope that's OK

[Louiseog]

Books in March
Sleepy Head - Mark Billingham 5 Have read a few by this author, quite scarey crime thriller. I liked this one although it was a horrid storyline. The crime was not murder but to produce a living coma in which the victim was alive and concious but could not move or communicate. She was therefore a voice in the book which really worked for me.
Brazzaville Beach - William Boyd 3 enjoyed it not something I'd pick though and really didn't like main character. Book club choice
Lincoln Lawyer - Michael Connelly 5 Really liked this one to. Keep going though hard work to start!
Something Rotten - Jasper Fforde 5 another really good one.
Retribution - Julianne Hoffman 4.5 Another lawyer courtroom drama with a cunning twist! Not unlike Linda Farstein
The Bone Yard - Paul Johnston 4 murder mystery set in Edinburgh in 2012 in a horrid future. Good though, easy to read.
Wicked - Gregory Maguire 3 to 5 depending on my mood The story of the Wicked Witch of the West and how she was created. A good idea and really made me think about the nature of evil, not what I thought though.
Cross Bones - Kathy Reichs 3 I do like her boooks but this was another Jesus conspiracy a la da Vinci and somehow I was cross with her for jumping on the band wagon, still worth a read but not with my tbr pile!! Find I'm thinking like that now. I've so much to read that I'm much less patient with rubbish.
The Reader - Bernard Schlink 2 I hated this. Could not feel sympathy for anyone.

[Louiseog]

Books in April
Agatha Raisin and the Quiche of Death and Agatha Raisin and the Vicious Vet - MC Beaton, 4 They are really good, quick reads, nothing fancy.
A Dying Light in Corduba - Lindsey Davis, 3: Thought it was good at the time and still remember the plot but have gone off the historical detective genre
Working Wonders - Jenny Colgan 5: Loved this, not what I expected at all really laughed.
Lost Souls - Michael Collins 4.5 another good one. Thought it quite similar to Alice Hoffman (the Blue Diary particularly) about a police man who finds a body but is more about the ramifications for him and how he really wants to live his life. Worth it.
Family Tree - Carole Cadwallader, 5 my favourite this month. Very nostalgic about the 1970s and 80s. I was the narrator!
The Plague Maiden - Kate Ellis, 2 second one I've read by her and exactly the same as the last one!
Wives of Bath - Wendy Holden, 4 chick lit at its best really quick and easy.
Outlaws of Ennor - Michael Jecks, 3 see Lindsey Davis one!!
At Swim, Two Boys, Jamie O'Neill, 3 Book club choice. About two boys in Dublin during the Easter Rising. Hard read but good.
True and Outstanding Adventure of the Hunt Sisters - Elizabeth Robinson - 4.5 made me laugh and cry, similar theme to PS I Love You but less sickly?!?
Dissolution - C J Sampson 3 see Lindsey Davis one!!

[Michelle]

Neverwhere, Neil Gaiman 5 really excellent. A man is catapulted in a different London.
Sounds interesting. :)

The Blue Diary, Alice Hoffman 5 a man is arrested for a crime he committed fifteen years earlier and the effect it has on his family and friends. Really good.
I read this a while back and really enjoyed it too.

Sleepy Head - Mark Billingham 5 Have read a few by this author, quite scarey crime thriller. I liked this one although it was a horrid storyline. The crime was not murder but to produce a living coma in which the victim was alive and concious but could not move or communicate. She was therefore a voice in the book which really worked for me.

I know I've read this.. and I recall liking it.. but for the life of me I can't remember the storyline now!

[Louiseog]

Should really be cleaning the fridge but this is much more fun !

Books in May
Case Histories - Kate Atkinson 4.5 Really enjoyed this. Great author. A detective investigating a few old murders which interweave.
The Dead Place - Stephen Booth 2.5 Crime/police book part of a series. Not great bit boring!
Agatha Raisin and the Potted Gardener - MC Beaton 4 These are great! Number 4 to find now! Such an easy feel good read.
Oryx and Crake - Margaret Atwood 4 Book Club choice. A future world where only the genetically modified survive. Great
Practical Magic - Alice Hoffman 5 Another great author. Swapped with Kell! This is my second by her and loved them both, story of witches and women sticking together, fantastic characters and ideas.
Still Waters - Tami Hoag 3 Girly thriller, bit Mills and Boon meets American police author!
Crack Down - Val McDermid 4.5 I like McDermid, think that her most recent ones about Tony Hill are a bit scarey but these earlier ones about Private Investigator Kate Brannigan are good, there is another series about another female PI Lindsay someone they're good too.
Home From Home - Carol Smith 3 Good psychological thriller, a clever idea but not much character development. Easy to read.
The Traveller - John Twelve Hawks 3.5 Thriller in a world where Travellers can move into different dimensions and are guarded by (can't remember) bodyguards who devote their whole lives to doing this from the Brethren who control the internet and grid, about living off the grid and the control that this has on our lives. Good thriller, good ideas, then stopped (a sequel?)
Trace - Patricia Cornwell 3 Think I've had enough of Kay Scarpetta, but better than she has been.

[Louiseog]

Neverwhere, Neil Gaiman 5 really excellent. A man is catapulted in a different London.
Sounds interesting. :)
It was very clever (I saw a copy for £1.50 in Asda last week)

[Louiseog]

Nearly done now!!

Books in June
Simon Brett: Death on the Downs 4 Agatha Raisin with a bit more, great!!
Susan Fletcher, Eve Green 4 - I really liked this one too although the topic was hard work
Victoria Hislop, The Island 4 similar to Eve Green a good read
Donna Leon A Venetian Reckoning 4.5 another good read by this author
David Lawrence The Dead Sit Round in a Ring 3 police detective novel, OK!

[Louiseog]

Books for July
Simon Beckett - Chemistry of Death 4. A good English thriller!
Sam Bourne - Righteous Men 4 - Richard and Judy, jewish da Vinci?
M C Beaton - Agatha Raisin and the Witches of Wykhadden 3 as good as usual although have gone out of order and think it suffered as a result.
Erma Bombeck - When you look like your Passport its time to come home 2.5 - funny travel stories but didn't like her much
Jasper Fforde - The Well of Lost Plots 5 Innovative, mad, funny and a great story. Loved this one and then ...
Jasper Fforde - The Big Over Easy 5 New series about the Nursery Crime Division of police. Investigating Humpty's murder. Lots of links to Thursday Next (the other JF series and also really good)
Amanda Eyre Ward - How to be Lost 4.5 The effects on a family of the loss of a daughter.
Susan Hill - The Pure in Heart 5 Another series this one about Detective Inspector Simon Serailler. Its the second and it concentrates more on the investigators than the crime which I am beginning to find enjoyable. Need to read in order though and I am (which is not like me)
Susan Hill - The Woman in Black 4 Toe curlingly scarey!
Marina Lewycka - Ukraninan Tractor one 3. Was really looking forward to it and thought it was OK not as great as I wanted it to be.
Jim Lynch - The Highest Tide 4 Lovely environmental theme but did not get the characters.
Valerie Martin - Property 4 slavery story about a plantation owner’s wife. She was horrible but a person of her time worth a read.
Pauline McLynn - Better than a Rest 3 quite good chick lit about a private detective
Elizabeth Noble - Alphabet Weekends 3 exactly what it said on the tin. Lovely story.
Alison Penman - One Housewife Down 2 I could have written better, husband dies, he was horrid, she has a good time. Awful
Karin Slaughter - Faithless 4 good thriller part of a series which I like
Louise Wener - The Big Blind 4 another great author, another book by her discussed on the Radio Five book review programme so went for a swap and am glad I did.

[Michelle]

A quiet month in June! But i see you made up for it in July! :lol:

[Kell]

Wow! Busy readnig month there! I've requested The Big Over Easy by Jasper Fforde from RISI - I'm hoping it'll be accepted as it looks rather fun & I've never read any Fforde as yet. :)

[Louiseog]

A quiet month in June! But i see you made up for it in July! :lol:
I know had to go to work!

[Sarahrob]

Wow! Busy readnig month there! I've requested The Big Over Easy by Jasper Fforde from RISI - I'm hoping it'll be accepted as it looks rather fun & I've never read any Fforde as yet. :)

Hope you get it Kell. I didn't think it was as good as the Thursday Next books but it is still worth a read.

[Louiseog]

Wow! Busy readnig month there! I've requested The Big Over Easy by Jasper Fforde from RISI - I'm hoping it'll be accepted as it looks rather fun & I've never read any Fforde as yet. :)
You will Kell!!! If you want I have it and am happy to swap/lend it. PM me if you do!

[Kell]

Louise - i'd love to swap it! Have al ook on my sale or swap list & I'll pop your choice (if you want any of them) in the post this weekend. Thank you so much! or if it ends up being a lend - i'll still be eternally gateful!

[Louiseog]

Lend is easier as tbr Mountain is threatening to overwhelm me. Let me have your address and I'll post tomorrow!

[Louiseog]

August
Here goes:
Behind the Scenes at the British Museum - Kate Atkinson: Was cruising along and then suddenly became engaged with all the characters and how they connected. The fact that they lost touch was very poignant.

Torso in the Town - Simon Brett: I really like this series of the Fethering mysteries and the growing relationships between the two women.
Mrs Pargeter's Plot - Simon Brett: same author different series, lighter and a bit like Agatha Raisin in style and substance quick and easy.

No Birds Sing - Jo Bannister: another above average mystery, police story. Small town lots of crime which all become interconnected. Part of a series and not the first which was my only problem.

Artemis Fowl and the Lost Colony - Eoin Colfer: I think that this series is almost better than Harry Potter, Artemis Fowl's latest adventure with the fairy world underground, lots of gadgets and great ideas.

The Greatest Knight - Elizabeth Chadwick: The story of William Marshal favourite of Eleanor of Acquitaine and her son Henry II Becket and the Crusades, a good story.

Making History - Stephen Fry: What would happen if Hitler had not been born? A great time travelling tale with a real twist. Ace

The Abortionists Daughter- Elizabeth Hyde: easily forgotten (in fact had to think about who dunnit as I'd forgotten)

Latifa - Forbidden Face: About a teenager and how she lived in taliban controlled Afghanistan some very interesting and thought provoking situations.

The Historian- Elizabeth Kostova: I loved this and it made me want to travel in eastern Europe. Great well presented research.

My Best Friend's Girl - Dorothy Koomson: light and easy read thought it missed out issues that could have been discussed in more depth but OK.

Empress Orchid - Anchee Min: Loved this political tale, really liked the detail and simplicity of the story. Some really horrid bits but good.

Something Might Happen - Julie Myerson: the effects of a group of people of the violent murder of one of them. More powerfula dn sad than I thought.

The Two Pound Tram - William Newton: a quirky quick read, two boys leave home to buy a tram, the story of their life

Diary of a Manhattan Call Girl - Tracy Quan: Very rude! Quite boring too.

Total Recall - Sara Paretsky: PI Vi Warshawski who I like rushes around solving murders in Chicago, bit like Val McDermid's Kate Brannigan.

My favourites: The Historian and Making History

[Michelle]

Goodness me, how do you read that many books?! LOL

[Louiseog]

Quicky LOL!
Holiday and no television.

[Kell]

Artemis Fowl and the Lost Colony - Eoin Colfer: I think that this series is almost better than Harry Potter, Artemis Fowl's latest adventure with the fairy world underground, lots of gadgets and great ideas.
I'm dying to read this one - I'm a HUGE AF fan & have all the books in my permanent collection, They're actually the reason I held off on reading the Harry Potter books - I figured nothing could be as good as the AF books! I love HP, but I love AF more!

[Louiseog]

My September reads:
Mark Dunn - Ella Minnow Pea can’t explain the story somehow, a society off the coast of the US are ruled by the saying The quick brown fox jumped over the lazy dog. The letters start to fall off the monument to this sentence and as they do so the government bans the use of those letters and the book loses letters too, very clever and thought provoking and a rubbish review!
Ann Cleeves - A Day in the Death of Dorothea Cassidy recommended by someone on the back of my Agatha raisin/Simon Brett pash... not great but short.
Ben Elton - First Casualty - was so excited about this as I do like Ben Elton, as they usually have a different take on things. Not what I wanted it to be. Story of trench life, very gory, then brings in other elements and I can't even remember what happened in the end, disappointed, but not a bad story.
Sharon Penman The Queen's Man another if you like, then.. If you like Elizabeth Chadwick you'll like this and I did and it was much shorter! Medieval murder mystery
Rebecca Shaw - Village Matters and Talk of the Village - Agatha Raisin without the murder bit!
:readingtwo:

[muggle not]

Wow louiseog, I am impressed with the number of books that you read. How many do you normally read in a year. Hmmm, I don't remember seeing any Pratchett on you list, or did I miss them as I sped through.

[Louiseog]

No have never read a Pratchett although am constantly recommending them to my teenage sons. D'you know am a bit scared and really don't know where to start, suggestions gratefully received.
Don't know how many I read in a year as have never counted but can do three or four a week. Live rest of my life so fast - teacher and three kids that have to read quickly!!

[muggle not]

Check out the Terry Pratchett thread under Authors. You will get a good idea of the sequences for reading the books and books that everyone likes....heck, we like all of his books.

[Louiseog]

Check out the Terry Pratchett thread under Authors. You will get a good idea of the sequences for reading the books and books that everyone likes....heck, we like all of his books.
I did and am even more confused. Which one should I start with? Any advice gratefully received

[muggle not]

I did and am even more confused. Which one should I start with? Any advice gratefully received
I bumped up the post by Kell that gives a good description of the different reading orders for pratchett in the author thread. Click on the chart provided by Kell. http://www.bookclubforum.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?p=40977#post40977
After you review the chart then we can discuss the different books to start with.

[Louiseog]

I bumped up the post by Kell that gives a good description of the different reading orders for pratchett in the author thread. Click on the chart provided by Kell. http://www.bookclubforum.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?p=40977#post40977
After you review the chart then we can discuss the different books to start with.
Thank you, am going to look for Mort because I like the name!

[Kell]

Mort's definitely a good one to start with - I hope you'll enjoy it. :)

[Michelle]

I haven't read many, but I certainly enjoyed Mort. :)

[Louiseog]

The Olive Readers - Christine Aziz: the story of a world where water can be made. Books have disappeared as the companies who control everything do not want people to know where they came from. really good until the end which was rubbish!

The Mango Season - Amulya Malladi: Chick lit about India, an Indian girl goes back to India after 7 years in the US to tell them that she is engaged, lots of brilliant detail about Indian life enjoyabkle but think it missed a lot of point it could have made and the ending was bad.

Scaredy Cat - Mark Billingham: Another above average and quite gory thriller, two killers working as a team quite interesting but I guessed who dunnit early on.

Murder in the Museum - Simon Brett: am getting to really like this series, Jules and Carole two very different retired women investigating murders in Sussex.

Wicked - Jilly Cooper: a bit like a big box of chocolates eaten all at once, enthusiastic nowhere near real life and great fun! Can tell her politics straight off and did think I might have to complain about her portrayal of an inner city comp and the older teachers there (very little sympathy - fair some of the time but not always) but then hey I didn’t care!

Jeffrey Eugenides - The Virgin Suicides have mentioned this elsewhere and really liked it!

Iris and Ruby - Rosie Thomas: Recommended by a friend and although took a bit of time to get into this was a satisfying read, the story of the developing relationship between an elderly woman in Egypt and her granddaughter but bringing in a love story from the Second World War and the healing of old wounds between the woman and her daughter.


My favourites: Wicked and the Virgin Suicides

[Sarahrob]

I like the sound of the Simon Brett one - I quite like an old fashioned murder mystery.

[Michelle]

really good until the end which was rubbish

Oh, it really annoys me when a good book is spoilt by a rubbish ending!

[Liz]

I'm tempted to read a Mark Billingham one. The reason being.....I love the Maid Marian t.v. series by Tony Robinson. I think Billingham helped to write the scripts and he was one of the guards. I know that's probably not the best reason to read a book but I want to see how his writing is for a crime book. I've got one of his - I picked up Sleepy Head from Oxfam but I'm not sure whether to try it or not.

[Louiseog]

I like the sound of the Simon Brett one - I quite like an old fashioned murder mystery.
Start with the first one in the series The Body on the Beach

[Louiseog]

I'm tempted to read a Mark Billingham one. The reason being.....I love the Maid Marian t.v. series by Tony Robinson. I think Billingham helped to write the scripts and he was one of the guards. I know that's probably not the best reason to read a book but I want to see how his writing is for a crime book. I've got one of his - I picked up Sleepy Head from Oxfam but I'm not sure whether to try it or not.
that's my favourite, a really clever idea.

[Liz]

Hmm,quite fancy having a little look at that, then.

Thanks Louise xx