Michelle

After a bit of chopping and changing with my audio books, I settled on Earth Abides by George R Stewart. It sounds interesting, has good reviews, plus a nice calm narrator, which is useful when I listen at night to wind down. Book-wise, I'm about half way through Unrest by Michelle Harrison, which I'm quite impressed with - I hope that continues. I also received Starship Troopers from Amazon today, and couldn't resist a quick read in the bath. I think it should be good, but my edition has really small writing, so I won't be able to read too much at once!

This was the first. I didn't dislike it, it just wasn't what I expected. I think I'd try another.

As we had no internet, and I'd had a rough week, I decided to treat myself to some more reading, and I've finished The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson. I'm a bit mixed about how I feel, it wasn't as creepy as I expected, although it did build up well at the beginning, but I disliked all the characters, and got a bit confused at some points. I also thought something completely different was going on at the end, so was a bit disappointed.

I've just finished this, and whilst it was compelling, I felt disappointed. It started well, And I think she does a good job of building up suspense, but it then seemed to lose this promise. Some of it left me confused, and I was expecting more towards the end.

Yep, I enjoyed Coldest Girl, probably her best so far that I've read.

Go for the 5th Wave Noll, my mojo was suffering when I picked it up, and I was soon reading it at every chance.

Thanks for the tip Noll, have you read anything else of hers? I've liked everything else I've read. I've already finished The Shock of the Fall, and I thought it was really good. It's written by someone experiencing schizophrenia, and his background etc is slowly unravelled. Not everyone is going to like the style, but I found myself pulled straight in, and I think it'll stick with me for a while.

*runs over and hugs Noll* Welcome back, please stay!

Moving onwards, I now have The Shock of the Fall by Nathan Filer to read. It has just won 'best first novel' in the Costa awards, which would normally make me avoid it, but something about it caught my attention. I checked amazon vine (the review program) and a copy was available, so that has arrived today. I've also got a Stop Smoking book - not that I smoke myself, but I do Smoking Cessation as part of my job, and this is apparently a very good book which backs up what we tell patients, so you never know, I might learn something.

First audio book finished, The Madness Underneath by Maureen Johnson. This is the follow up to The Name of the Star, which I enjoyed last year. Unfortunately it started well, but near the end the main character did something which seemed out of place.. it was a real huh? moment, which broke my enjoyment. Despite that, I may find myself picking up the next one if it gets written (it feels as if it might, from the ending.)

I know someone who had this, and I was waiting for her reaction.. will let you know what she thought.

I think this is my favourite review so far this year!

That is the one which jumped out at me too.

Julie - same here!

I've just tried a bit more of Tithe whilst in the bath, and nope, it's not quite working for me. It's a shame, because I liked the other books I read of hers. I still have my eye on Doll Bones though. I have ordered two books from amazon today, I'm blaming it on 'Sunday, back to work and school routine tomorrow, blues'! Longbourn by Jo Baker and Boys Don't Cry by Malorie Blackman (although this one is partly for Beth, as I'm hoping it'll appeal to her too). Someone needs to point me away from the book stores, and towards my TBR pile!

Claire, I really like my light reads at the moment.. I'm not in a position to sit and focus on a book for long, so they're better for me. I hope you find some excellent reads this year.

Julie, you sound very similar to me. The only problem is, I think I'm addicted to buying books!

Do you plan your reading over the year, or is it a random thing. There are quite a few people here who are doing various challanges, some have a TBR pile, others 'go with the flow'.. so how do you plan? For me, I've stopped keeping a note of my TBR pile, because my tastes change all the time, and I often change my mind about a book before I get to it. In fact, I've realised in an ideal world, I'd be happier buying a book then reading it, then buying the next.. etc

I read Noughts and Crosses a few years ago, and I remember it being good but a bit 'obvious', I would have preferred the racial angle to be more subtle. I did, however, put in Beth's cupboard, even though she was younger and not reading much, so I must have felt it an important YA book.

I loved Heroes of the Valley Kat, it was different to the Bartimaeus series, but I'd definitely recommend it. I also see Tithe by Holly Black.. I started this and wasn't sure, but I will try a little more, and let you know what I think.

Have just finished my first book of the year, The Stuff of Nightmares by Malorie Blackman. When Kyle is in a train crash, he finds himself drawn into the nightmares of fellow passengers, some who are strangers, some his friends. This allows for a collection of short stories - these are varied, but most are about death, and some are a little disturbing. This is definitely not for younger readers, it's not explicit as such, but there are some disturbing scenes. The writing is good, and it's a gripping, fast paced book, and I'm going to put a couple more of hers on my wish list.

So it's not going to look good if I go for Bonk? Actually, I think Gulp looks the most interesting, but it's also the most expensive.

I've just looked up her books, and they certainly look interesting. I've just put Gulp, Stiff and Bonk on my wishlist, but I don't know which to start with.