Michelle's Blog.. Jan - June 2007

[Michelle]

Raven Hart - The Vampire's Secret
Excellent sequel.. review (http://www.bookclubforum.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=2443) to follow.
Susan Hill - The Woman in Black
Atmospheric classic ghost story. Review (http://www.bookclubforum.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=2441).
Katherine Warwick - Wilde
Although not my favourite, another well written offering from our KW :)
Leslie Schwartz - Angels Crest
Started well, but dragging in the middle. I'm afraid I'm giving up, although I may return to it.
Thomas Harris - Hannibal Rising
To be honest, I can't decide what I think of this one.... good story, but there's something about the style I don't get on with.
Carole Matthews - A Whiff of Scandal
Light, funny read, that has you cheering for the main charcters at the end! Review (http://www.bookclubforum.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=2598).
Carole Matthews - The Chocolate Lovers Club
This was a good read, very enjoyable. See review (http://www.bookclubforum.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=2695). :)
Katherine Warwick - Overprotected
A not yet published manuscript, well worth looking out for when it is!
JD Robb - Innocent in Death
An improvement on recent books, nice to see Eve being 'human'!
Carol Matthews - Welcome to the Real World
Yet another fun book from Carole! Review to follow.
Ronlyn Domingue - The Mercy of Thin Air
A fascinating debut - review (http://www.bookclubforum.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=2839) and interview (http://www.bookclubforum.co.uk/ronlyn-domingue-interview.php) with the author.
Jed Rubenfeld - The Interpretation of Murder
Difficult to follow at times, but a great setting, and having Freud and psychoanalysis involves adds an interest slant.
Kevin Brockmeier - The Brief History of the Dead
One of my favourite books this year, with a wonderful simplicity, and a story you won't want to put down. Review (http://www.bookclubforum.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?p=69303).
Maggie O'Farrell - The Distance Between Us
Mixed reviews on Amazon for this one, but I'm so glad I read it. Review (http://bookclubforum.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?p=70106)
Jospeh Delaney - The Spook's Apprentice
Obviously a teen book, but a great start to a series, and hooks you straight in!
Stephen Booth - Black Dog
A good start to a crime series, interesting main characters.
Jennifer Laurens - Nailed / Magic Hands
Two fun YA books from our own KW.
Maggie O'Farrell - The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox
I LOVE this author.. another spell-binding story.. and what an ending!
Margaret Atwood - The Robber Bride
Although I did enjoy what I read, I put it down about half way through.. not sure if I'll pick it up again.
Michael Crichton - Next
Another one that got put down half way through.. it seemed rather pointless.
Kate Harrison - Brown Owl's Guide to Life
A new author for me, and a great find. I really enjoyed this one.
Joseph Delaney - The Spook's Curse
Book 2 from an enjoyable, easy to read series.
Michael Connolly - The Book of Lost Things
Jumping from humour to gruesome.. a great take on fairy tales, and books that talk to you!
Clive Barker - The Thief of Always
Short and unusual.. just what I needed!
Kim Edwards - The Memory Keeper's Daughter
Beautifully written, fascinating story, stays with you.
Joseph Delaney - The Spook's Secret
The series continues.. looking forward to the next.
Kate Harrison - The Starter Marriage
An interesting look at surviving divorce, with Kate's usual humour.

[Louiseog]

Susan Hill - The Woman in Black

(Both in progress)
I listened to this on the Cambridge fens, great great great (but very scarey)

[Michelle]

I really enjoyed The Woman In Black, even though I didn't find it scary.. it's more of a classic ghost story, and is very well written.

The Vampire's Secret was just excellent (I'm trying hard not to write fang-tastic! ;)), and I can hardly wait for book three!

I've started a couple of books which aren't really holding me, and I just don't feel in the right mood for our Reading Circle book. Wilde arrived today, from our own KW, and I felt pulled to it when I needed to read in the car, waiting for Beth!

So who knows where this will lead....! :lol:

[KW]

Well, NATURALLY it will lead to you finishing WILDE. Naturally.;)

[Michelle]

And of course you were correct! As I've said to KW, this isn't my favourite in the series, but it's still very well written.. and yes, the dance scenes in the dark are good! ;)

Where to next....?

[Lilywhite]

I may have to look into these books by KW ;) I'm hearing great things and I hate missing out on anything.

[madcow]

I'll lend you the copy you buy me for my birthday Kat ;)

[KW]

LOL madcow....;)

[KW]

very well written.. and yes, the dance scenes in the dark are good! ;)

(( curtsey )) Thank you.

[Lilywhite]

I'll lend you the copy you buy me for my birthday Kat ;)

now that's just rude, and rude girls don't get birthday presents ;)

[KW]

I thought it was a rather clever exchange myself, lilywhite...:D

[madcow]

:hissyfit: :Tantrum: :hissyfit:

[madcow]

It's ok KW I know she doesn't mean it :tong:

[Michelle]

Well, despite having LOADS of books, not one is jumping out at me, and saying "read me"! So, I decided to look through some that have been there for ages, and I went for 'Angels Crest' by Leslie Schwartz.

Of course, now I've started it, my James Herbert book is starting to call.... :roll:

[Liz]

Ah, that always happens to me.

[KW]

So what ARE you reading now, Michelle??

KW

[Michelle]

Erm.. I'm halfway through Angel's Crest, I did read the beginning of my James Herbert one, but it didn't grab me enough to carry on just yet, I've read a little of Magic Hands (;))... but I'm also halfway through Hannibal Rising, which came from the library, and has a long list waiting for it!

Well, you did ask! lol

[KW]

And will you keep reading Magic Hands?:readingtwo:

[Michelle]

Of course! :D

[KW]

That's better...:D

[Michelle]

Although I can't promise how quickly. I've today requested 3 books that I want to read before doing my interviews. :)

[Gyre]

Enjoy your reads Michelle!:mrgreen:

[Michelle]

I'm all over the place right now! :roll:

Angel's Crest started off really well, but the middle is dragging. And with so much to do and read, I don't feel the pull to carry on with it.
Hannibal Rising... a mixed reaction to this one, and I think I'll start a thread for it at some point.
I've also read Carole Matthew's A Whiff of Scandal, which I enjoyed.. review to follow.

Yesterday I started Wicked.. I don't know what I was expecting, but it wasn't what I read! lol I think I need to be in a different frame of mind for it, so I shall return at a later point.
I then decided I needed something light... but picked up Jodi Picoult's Perfect Match! (Not sure what my brain was thinking there! lol) The first few chapters have certainly grabbed me!

I'm picking up Ronlyn Domingue's The Mercy of Thin Air from the library later, which I want to read before interviewing her..
There are two strands: first the story of Razi Nolan, growing up in New Orleans in the 1920s, smart, fearless, set on breaking the comfortable family mould by making a career as a doctor. Then she falls in love with Andrew O'Connell and her plans become complicated. She is never able to tell Andrew what she has decided about her future as, one summer morning, she accidentally drowns. By choice, and from where she narrates, she stays between this world and the unknown; every memory of her life remains perfectly intact. More than seventy years later, Razi finds Andrew's once-treasured bookcase at a garage sale. She watches a young couple take it home, Amy and Scott, burdened with secrets of their own. As their once close relationship unravels, Razi remembers her past with Andrew and how she comes to understand what their love ultimately taught her, how he coped after her death, and how the story of Amy and Scott reflects so much of her own.

[madcow]

Perfect Match had me hooked to the end, i really enjoyed it.

[Michelle]

I've just read (and loved) The Chocolate Lovers Club. Trying to get back to all the others that I've started.. as well as reading something for KW. :smile2:

[Michelle]

I'm still reading The Mercy of Thin Air.. it seems to be one of those books that you need to sit and get 'caughtup in', and I'm finding it difficult reading in small bursts. However, it is a good read, so I hope to continue.

I've also just read one of KW's books that she hasn't published, and I have to say, I think it's my favourite so far. Yes it's basically a romance book, but it has a great suspense undertone, making it an interesting read. As with all her books, Katherine has a way of pulling the reader in, and keeping interest. Anyway, it's called 'Overprotected', and I'd recommend it when it comes out. :)

I had 4 new books from Headline yesterday, but they will have to wait, as I've just picked up Innocent In Death from the library. Although the series has disappointed a little recently, I live in hope, and always rush to get the latest one! ;)

[Michelle]

Innocent in Death was pretty good, compared to the recent ones. I still have criticisms, but there's still enough there to keep me hooked to the series. Eve is actually a little more 'human' in this one, which is good to see! ;)

[Michelle]

I've been so busy with various things this year, that I feel as if I've had hardly any time to read. And yet, by the end of the month, I would have read 8 and a half books.. which is not too bad.

Actually, make that 10and a half.. I forgot to add KW's Overprotected to the list.

[Michelle]

Actually, I managed to get another books finished, so that's nearly 10 in 2 months.. not too bad!

[Michelle]

The Mercy of Thin Air was indeed a good book, although a little slow for me. I think that's a reflection me though, rather than the book, as I'm finding myself 'impatient' with most books. I shall write a review when I've gathered my thoughts, and I'm more awake!

After finishing The Interpretation of Murder, I'm now moving on to The Brief History of the Dead by Kevin Brockmeier...
'Remember me when I'm gone' just took on a whole new meaning ...Laura Byrd is in trouble. Three weeks ago she and her friends found themselves alone in one of the coldest, most remote places on earth. Her friends set out in search of help, and now Laura realises that they are not coming back. So she gathers her remaining supplies and sets out on an extraordinary journey. Meanwhile in another city, more and more people arrive every day. Each has a different story to tell, but their accounts have one thing in common -- it was their final journey. For this is the city of the dead. And the link between this city and Laura's journey lies at the heart of Kevin Brockmeier's remarkable novel.

I also keep looking at The Distance Between Us by Maggie O'Farrell.

[Michelle]

So far The Brief History of the Dead is great.. it grabs you from the start, and is a great concept. :)

I've also been sent Winter's Bone by Daniel Woodrell, which I'm also looking forward to starting.

[Michelle]

I loved The Brief History of the Dead, and am now loving Maggie O'Farrell's book... I think she is a very talented writer, and not one book has disappointed so far. :)

[Michelle]

I think I actually found The Distance Between Us better than After You'd Gone. :D Maggie seems to have this wonderful talent of starting with various strands of a story, set in different periods of time, and them bringing them altogether as you reach the end. I'm really looking forward to the next one.

[Michelle]

I've started The Constant Princess, which seems good, but just isn't grabbing me in the samne way The Other Boleyn Girl did. I also realised Stephen Booth will be with us soon, so I've started Black Dog.. I like it so far, and I think the opening was rather good. :)

[Kell]

I've started The Constant Princess, which seems good, but just isn't grabbing me in the samne way The Other Boleyn Girl did.I enjoyed The Constant Princess, but not as much as I did The Boleyn Inheritance - that one was more up my street.
I also realised Stephen Booth will be with us soon, so I've started Black Dog.. I like it so far, and I think the opening was rather good. :)I hope you'll enjoy this one as much as I did - I'll be getting hold of the next one once my book embargo is finished!

[Michelle]

I'm certainly enjoying Black Dog, and I'm afraid The Constant Princess is being neglected.

Then today, wicci's son lent me The Spook's Apprentice by Joseph Delaney.. I read a few chapters in the car, waiting for Beth, and that's looking very good too!!

And I've promised KW I'll get back to her YA books that she sent me...!

I may have to shut the forum for a few weeks, so I can actually read more!! :lol:

[Louiseog]

I really like Stephen Booth. recently spent the weekend on Derbyshire which made them even better found this place too http://www.bookstore-derbyshire.co.uk/

[Kell]

I may have to shut the forum for a few weeks, so I can actually read more!! :lol:Waaahhh! Noooooo! Can't do that! What would we all do without the forum?! :hissyfit::giggle:

[Michelle]

Waaahhh! Noooooo! Can't do that! What would we all do without the forum?! :hissyfit::giggle:

Read more! ;)

[Michelle]

I'm behind on this again...

The Spook's Apprentice was great.. it's obviously a teen book, but keeps you hooked, and I shall be asking nicely to borrow the next in the series. ;)

Then back to Black Dog - I'm not over keen on crime books these days, but this one was good, in particular there are two interesting main characters, that I can imagine developing over the series of books.

I'm now reading Nailed.. a YA manuscript from KW. :)

[KW]

YAY for Nailed and MAgic Hands!!! YAY!:lol:

[Michelle]

I have to say, this woman is good! Two very different YA books... and yes, Katherine, Magic Hands was my favourite, very cute! :D

[KW]

YOu'll esp enjoy Falling For Romeo -- it's Jenn's true life story.:lol:

[Michelle]

And how does your daughter feel about that? ;)

[Michelle]

I've nearly finished The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox.. and am LOVING it! :D

[Kell]

If it ends up being the Reading Circle choice for May you'll have nothing to read! :lol:

[Michelle]

you'll have nothing to read!

Well that's one of the sillier things you've said! ;) :lol:

I finished it last night, and I will look forward to discussing it, if it does make it. :D

[Kell]

How many other silly things have I said? :lol::tong: Nah, I know you'll have plenty books to keep you busy, same as every other member here by the looks of it. ;) I'mlooking forward to reading it myself - I've only been holding off in case it gets picked for the Reading Circle because I have 70 others to choose from. ;)

[Michelle]

I decided it was time to get myself a Margaret Atwood book, and have started on The Robber Bride. I think I'm going to enjoy it, but it's a big book, and seems to flow along at a fairly slow pace. I may have to read something else at the same time. :)

[KW]

LOL.:tong:

[Michelle]

Michael Crichton's Next has reached it's return date.. I'm half way through, but I'm giving up, and am not renewing it. It's just plodding along, and I don;t see much of a point.

I'm really enjoying The Robber Bride, the various characters are so easy to get involved in.

[Gyre]

Michael Crichton's Next has reached it's return date.. I'm half way through, but I'm giving up, and am not renewing it. It's just plodding along, and I don;t see much of a point.

I'm really enjoying The Robber Bride, the various characters are so easy to get involved in.

I thought that too Michelle with 'The Robber Bride', I really liked Roz. :D

[angerball]

Michael Crichton's Next has reached it's return date.. I'm half way through, but I'm giving up, and am not renewing it. It's just plodding along, and I don;t see much of a point.

I'm reading Next as well. I'm enjoying it, but at the same time, I know what you mean about it plodding along. Normally, I can finish books like this within a few days; for some reason though, I'm not all that inspired to pick this up, though when I do, I enjoy reading it. Little parts of the story are very interesting, but as a whole it's quite....jumbled up. :irked:

[Michelle]

I've been distracted by anauthor who got in touch with me. I'm reading Brown Owl's Guide to Life by Kate Harrison, and am really enjoying it.

Shy, sweet-natured Lucy Collins is used to being pushed around. For the first eighteen years of her life, her widowed mother Judith ruled the roost. Now Lucy's husband, her seven-year-old daughter and even Buster the cat boss her about. But her mother's premature death leaves Lucy an orphan at the age of thirty-five. She's devastated...but she's also free. After a lifetime of being a disappointment to everyone, is it finally time Lucy grew up? As she clears out her mother's rambling house, Lucy discovers a trunk full of memories...her mother, grandmother and great-grandmother were all Brown Owls: capable, no-nonsense matriarchs who were the leading lights of the Girl Guide movement. They spent their spare time preparing the next generation for their roles as wives and mothers with a mixture of campfire songs, sew-on badges and reef knots. But could the old values and frontier spirit now hold the key to help Lucy make the changes she needs in her life?

[Michelle]

Wow - Brown Owl's Guide to Life was excellent.. I shall write a review when I get 5 minutes! :)

I'm trying to get back to The Robber Bride, but I'm not sure I'm in the right frame of mind for it atm, to be honest.

[Michelle]

hmm.. having trouble getting back into The Robber Bride. Finding The Secret of Crickley Hall hard going aswell, for some strange reason. Some bits are quite creepy, but it's not holding me.

I am, however, really enjoying The Book of Lost Things! :smile2: I've also zoomed through The Spooks Curse.. it's a fun series.

[Kell]

Sounds like your reading mojo is on the blink, Michelle! Hope it gets back in synch soon... :readingtwo:

[Michelle]

I'm not sure what's going on, because I AM enjoying certain books. I just can't keep going with something if it doesn't 'hook' me.

[Louiseog]

hmm.. having trouble getting back into The Robber Bride. Finding The Secret of Crickley Hall hard going aswell, for some strange reason. Some bits are quite creepy, but it's not holding me.

I am, however, really enjoying The Book of Lost Things! :smile2: I've also zoomed through The Spooks Curse.. it's a fun series.
I've just started this and think its great, not what I expected at all

[Michelle]

I have a theory about what's going on... it will be interesting to see if it's right. :D

It keeps surprising me, that's for sure.. at one point it jumps from a funny chapter to a quite gruesome one!

[Louiseog]

I was very frightened at certain ppoints and laughed out loud at others - the seven dwarves were fantastic

[Michelle]

Yep Louise, I loved that chapter.. which made the next one even more gruesome and creepy!

[Michelle]

I have started, and put down unfinished, so many books it's rediculous!

I loved The Book of Lost Things, and rather enjoyed The Thief of Always.. I think I need unusual and fairly short books right now.

As Blue Smoke is from the library, I'm keeping going with it, before it has to back. If it was my own book, however, I fear it may be yet another one to go back onto my shelf.

[KW]

I got thru about 10 pages of Blue Smoke and then the book went down in flames shall we say...

[Michelle]

Given up with Blue Smoke.. picked up The Memory Keeper's Daughter from WHSmith, which I'm really liking.. beautifully written. :)

[Maureen]

I have started, and put down unfinished, so many books it's rediculous!

.


Micha, when I can't seem to like a book, i usually pick a book of short stories.

[Michelle]

Quick update - The Memory Keeper's Daughter was really good, I'll write a review when I can. I'm now half way through The Spook's Secret, and then onto Savage.. yet another offering from our own KW, which I'm sure will be great. :)

[Michelle]

25 books during this half of the year, plus 3 put down half way through. Seems very slow compared to some here! LOL

[Janet]

25 books during this half of the year, plus 3 put down half way through. Seems very slow compared to some here! LOL
I'm only on 18 read, Michelle. I sometimes wish I could read faster, but I can't!