Lilywhite

First week back at work completed and boy, was I glad of a lie in this morning. So far it's all classroom based learning, a whole lot of note taking and lots of concentration! I still haven't heard back from my permanent position yet. As of Tuesday it will be 4 weeks since they told me I had the position. I've filled in all my forms, got my CRB check back and sent my references to them (twice!). I'm just waiting on a start date and they don't seem to be very forthcoming with one. It's all very frustrating. Yesterday we had our first BBQ in our own "garden". I say "garden" because it's an overgrown patch of land at the moment. It was still nice to have our own space to light some charcoal and cook some tasty food Despite my (considerable) reservations, O's did very well and it was very successful.

The Kindest Thing Cath Staincliffe When Deborah reluctantly helps her beloved husband Neil end his life and conceals the truth, she is charged with murder. As the trial unfolds and her daughter Sophie testifies against her, Deborah, still reeling with grief, fights to defend her actions. Twelve jurors hold her fate in their hands, if found guilty she will serve a life sentence. Deborah seeks solace in her memories of Neil and their children and the love they shared. An ordinary woman caught up in an extraordinary situation. A finely written page-turner, compelling, eloquent, heart-breaking. The Kindest Thing tackles a controversial topic with skill and sensitivity. A book that begs the question: what would you do? Started: 14/07/13 Finished: 10/08/13 Rated: 3/5 Comments: This was quite a riveting read for me. I thought I had quite a solid opinion on assisted suicide but over the course of the book I have questioned it several times and I'm now much less sure of where I stand. The story is told from the viewpoint of Deborah who is on trial for the murder of her husband Neil. Neil was a Motor Neurone Disease sufferer and Deborah assisted him when he decided it was time to end his life. Whilst the book is solely from Deborah's view, as the story and the trial unfolds you begin to see the wider consequences of what has happened to this family. Although my opinions on the subject have wavered, my support for Deborah through the book remained. You are never far from the fact that she truly loved her husband and everything she did was for him despite her better judgement. You really feel for her when she describes the hellish time she had even contemplating what her husband wanted of her and for me, the most poignant moment was the realisation of what she had taken from her children. Yes, she had helped her husband and done as he asked but her children were denied the opportunity to say goodbye and possibly from seeing their mother again as she is put on trial. The ups and downs of the trial has kept me riveted throughout and I must admit that I stayed in my bath considerably longer than I really should have but I just had to know poor Deborah's fate. I won't give the ending away but I will encourage you all to go and read this.

Tomorrow I go back to work and I can't wait! I was made redundant from my job of 6 and a half years in March and in the current climate, I struggled to find anywhere else to work. After squillions (literally) of applications and 11 interviews I now have work again. I've also been accepted for another job but haven't been given a start date for that one yet and as this position is through an agency anyway, when the permanent job gives me a date, I can just switch. I can't tell you what a relief it is to finally be going back to work. I haven't taken to the unemployed life very well and have been pushing myself daily to achieve things. I've nearly finished decorating our dining room and renovating the huge built in cupboard in there and in the last two weeks we have cleared out, stripped, filled, sanded and decorated the box room. It now has a huge desk in there and shelves on the walls and Ta-Da! We now have a crafty room At least I have something to show for my time off. I'm now hoping that normal services can resume and my reading mojo will resurface.

Did You Miss Me? Karen Rose The last thing Ford Elkhart remembers is walking his girlfriend back to her car. Now he's lying tied and gagged on a cold, dark floor, with only one chance to escape before he ends up like the bones surrounding him... Assistant State's Attorney Daphne Montgomery is devastated by her son's disappearance, and is immediately convinced that his kidnapping is connected to the white supremacist she's just had jailed for murder. FBI Special Agent Joseph Carter isn't so sure - especially when he learns that Ford's girlfriend is also missing. Is Ford's abduction payback for Daphne's courtroom victory? Or is he a pawn in an even more dangerous game? Started: 21/06/13 Finished: 11/07/13 Rated: 3/5 Comments: Textbook Karen Rose. Even though I can already tell which character is going to fall in love with which and who will be put in danger and rescued by the lead character by a few pages in, I am never deterred from reading her books. The crime elements are always intriguing and never straight forward. You are always guaranteed a romance between two of the lead roles and at some point, one of them will be put in jeopardy and will be rescued by the other. On top of this, you are always given a multi layered bad guy, with enough twists and turns to keep you interested. I just can't get enough of her style This particular book was great for me because it included lots of characters from previous books and it was great how they were all tied in together. I always get a thrill when writers manage to cross over this way and make it work. It's almost like real life.

The Woman Who Went To Bed For A Year Sue Townsend The day her twins leave home, Eva climbs into bed and stays there. For seventeen years she's wanted to yell at the world, 'Stop! I want to get off'. Finally, this is her chance. Her husband Brian, an astronomer having an unsatisfactory affair, is upset. Who will cook his dinner? Eva, he complains, is attention seeking. But word of Eva's defiance spreads. Legions of fans, believing she is protesting, gather in the street. While Alexander the white van man brings tea, toast and sympathy. And from this odd but comforting place Eva begins to see both herself and the world very, very differently. . . Started: 03/06/13 Finished: 17/06/13 Rated: 2/5 Comments: I don't like giving books low marks in their reviews but sometimes my connection with them is just not there and I find it difficult to rate them any higher. Unfortunately this is one of those books that I really struggled with. At no point did I think I would put it down and not carry on. In fact, I read it relatively quickly. The problem came when I got to the end and felt nothing. I didn't get the "laugh til I cried" moment, or find the "totally hilarious" parts that were billed on the front cover. I think the book was advertised to be something different to what it actually is and perhaps this is where my disappointment lies. To me, this isn't a comedy, or a laugh a minute look at modern life. It's a look at the way we are pushed and pulled in a million directions by family and society's expectations and a tale of what happens when one woman decides she no longer has to answer to anyone but herself. In this regard, the book is great. The story was insightful and on more than one occasion rang true with me, as it will with millions of women. I just wish it hadn't been sold to me as the older woman's version of Adrian Mole. Perhaps then I could have appreciated it more. I don't want to put anyone off from picking this book up, but I do want to remove any idea of this being a funny, laugh a minute gallop through family life. This way, I hope you can appreciate Townsend's message more than I did and the witty insights dotted throughout will be much more prominent for you.

I did enjoy this one and it has done my reading mojo so much good. (The lovely weather hasn't done any harm either) I'll be catching up on my reviews later on so I'll be letting you all know exactly why I liked it in more detail. Frankie I was the same as you and thought Jojo Moyes was a new author but there are several books out there to have a look at. Having enjoyed both of hers that I have read now, I will definitely be looking out for more. Andrea and Athena, give them a go! You won't be disappointed.

The Last Letter From Your Lover Jojo Moyes When journalist Ellie looks through her newspaper's archives for a story, she doesn't think she'll find anything of interest. Instead she discovers a letter from 1960, written by a man asking his lover to leave her husband - and Ellie is caught up in the intrigue of a past love affair. Despite, or perhaps because of her own romantic entanglements with a married man. In 1960, Jennifer wakes up in hospital after a car accident. She can't remember anything - her husband, her friends, who she used to be. And then, when she returns home, she uncovers a hidden letter, and begins to remember the lover she was willing to risk everything for. Ellie and Jennifer's stories of passion, adultery and loss are wound together in this richly emotive novel - interspersed with real 'last letters'. Started: 29/05/13 Finished: 02/06/13 Rated: 4/5 Comments: Last year I read what I thought was the debut novel of Jojo Moyes, Me Before You, and I was surprised to find out that not only was this not her first book, but she had written several other books too! Don’t ask me how I had managed to come this far without noticing her books, however, I am very pleased that she is now on my radar and she is currently 2 out of 2 in the enjoyment stakes. The Last Letter From Your Lover is set between current time and 1960 and is focussed on a love letter found in the archives of a local newspaper. We travel back in time and see how and why the letter came about. Then we jump forward to current day and see what effects this old correspondence is having on Ellie, who stumbled upon it. Whilst this is a love story, it’s not your typical love story. Each chapter has its own real life ‘last letter’, many of which are strange and wonderful, break up and make up letters. It’s not all sunshine and roses but it’s certainly a love story which kept me gripped right up to the last page.

Blink of an Eye Cath Staincliffe In a heartbeat, life changes.A sunny, Sunday afternoon, a family barbecue, and Naomi Baxter and her boyfriend Alex celebrate good news. Driving home, Naomi's recklessness causes a fatal accident, leaving nine-year-old Lily Vasey dead, Naomi fighting for her life, Alex bruised and bloody and the lives of three families torn apart.Traumatised, Naomi has no clear memory of the crash and her mother Carmel is forced to break the shocking truth of the child's death to her. Naomi may well be prosecuted for causing death by dangerous driving. If convicted she will face a jail term of up to 14 years, especially if her sister's claim that Naomi was drink-driving is proven.In the months before the trial, Carmel strives to help a haunted and remorseful Naomi cope with the consequences of her actions.Blink of an Eye is a novel about the nightmare that could be just around the next bend for any one of us. Started: 15/05/13 Finished: 21/05/13 Rated: 3/5 Comments: This is my second Cath Staincliffe book. After reading “Split Second” last year, I immediately went on the hunt for more of her books. She writes about difficult scenarios that make you question your own opinions and own reactions if you were in a similar position. “Blink of an Eye” is about a fatal car crash and the consequences it has on those involved and their families. The story is told from the point of view of Naomi, who was in the crash and her mother Carmel, and it begins before the accident, at a family gathering. Once the scene has been set, the readers already know what events are around the corner, although it isn’t built up as a big dramatic event. I expected more to be made of the accident itself, however, once I had read the book to the end, it made sense to me that the accident was not the focal point of the story, it was more the catalyst for the events that followed. And this is where the book gets really interesting. I devoured the rest of it in two sittings, and only because I was forced to put it down the first time. Naomi can remember nothing of the accident and is devastated at the news that she had caused the death of a child. Her mother is torn between her sympathy for the little girl’s family and her concern for her seriously ill daughter. As we shift between the two points of view, we begin to understand the devastating effect that the events of that day have had on everyone involved and as we move towards a trial, it all starts to unravel. My only criticism of this book is a couple of plot points that, to me, would not have happened in real life; however, I understand why they had to happen in this book to continue the flow. They don’t detract from the book at all and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I just feel it was a slightly less realistic situation than her previous book.

The Life Martina Cole The Bailey brothers are gangsters determined to make their mark in the world. Peter and Daniel are chalk and cheese in many ways - Peter's calm exterior belies his ruthless nature, while Daniel's penchant for spectacular violence is legendary - but together they are unstoppable. From the late seventies they rule London's East End and, when their sons join the business, it seems that no one can touch the powerful Baileys. Although it's never easy at the top; there is always someone waiting to take you down - sometimes even those closest to you... Lena Bailey is determined to shield her youngest child Tania from the Life. But when a terrible tragedy occurs, Tania's eyes are opened to their world in a way that forces her to make an irrevocable choice that will determine her future. Martina Cole's gritty and gripping new novel is an unflinching portrait of a family torn apart by violence and betrayal, but ultimately bound by loyalty, by blood, and by a burning desire for revenge... It is a story of the Life, told as only Martina Cole can. Started: 03/05/13 Finished: 10/05/13 Rated: 4/5 Comments: Martina Cole never fails to disappoint me with her books. I love her tales of the criminal underbelly and the way she brings generation after generation of families to life. You really get invested in them. This book had a very sinister undertone to it which was mainly due to the character of Daniel. His unpredictable bouts of violence were a constant threat through the story and you never knew when he was going to lose it or what consequences this would have for his family. Whilst I understand these books are not everyone's cup of tea, I can't get enough of them and always get excited when a new book is published. The only problem for me is the wait in between.

Something from Tiffany's Melissa Hill Doesn't every girl dream of getting . . . something from Tiffany's? It's Christmas Eve. And on 5th Avenue in New York City, two very different men are shopping for gifts for the women they love. Gary is buying his girlfriend Rachel a charm bracelet. Partly to thank her for paying for their holiday-of-a-lifetime to New York. But mainly because he's left his Christmas shopping far too late. Whereas Ethan's looking for something a little more special - an engagement ring for the first woman to have made him happy since he lost the love of his life. But when the two men's shopping bags get confused, and Rachel somehow ends up with Ethan's ring, the couples' lives become intertwined. And, as Ethan tries to reunite the ring with the woman it was actually intended for, he finds it trickier than expected. Does fate have other ideas for the couples? Or is there simply a bit of Tiffany's magic in the air . . . Started: 30/04/13 Finished: 02/05/13 Rated: 3/5 Comments: Having not being able to concentrate on reading for a few months, I was looking for something light and fanciful to get the old reading juices flowing again and this was perfect for me. Whilst I was a little frustrated at the roundabout ways in which the characters dealt with the circumstances that had arisen, I was able to suspend my own beliefs long enough to enjoy this story. It has everything in there for a good read; A little bit of mystery, a few good twists, a little splash of romance and magic and of course, a little blue box from Tiffany's. Definitely recommended for light, enjoyable reading.

It does seem to be incredibly popular at the moment and I don't think I've heard any bad reviews from anyone. I'll definitely be keeping an eye out for more of her books. Inver I have read Sister and it was brilliant. As soon as I finished it I added Afterwards to my wanted list!

I am not a fan of Dr Who and never have been. However, my OH is a total fan boy and so, by proxy, I have developed an above average Dr Who knowledge base. I'm usually doing something else whilst he indulges in his weekly viewing but I always find myself sucked in, against my better judgement! I can't help it, it's completely captivating. I have to admit that I am enjoying this latest series, more than the last few series definitely. I also like Clara (Lancashire, Sass!!) Still not a Dr Who fan though.......

I really miss Desperate Housewives. I started watching it when I was ill once and I was hooked immediately. It turned out to be nothing like I thought it was going to be from the adverts. (Same thing with Greys Anatomy really). I would love to see Spaced, Dead Like Me and Sex in the City back again as well!

The Midwife's Confession Diane Chamberlain Would you read a letter never meant to be opened? Would you want to know secrets never meant to be told? Or should a woman's mistakes stay buried? An unfinished letter was hidden amongst Tara and Emerson’s best friend’s things after her suicide. Noelle was the woman they entrusted to deliver their precious babies into the world, a beloved friend. Her suicide shocked them both. But her legacy could destroy them. For her letter reveals a terrible secret that challenges everything they thought they knew. Taking them on a journey that will irrevocably change their own lives – and the life of a desperate stranger – forever. Started: 01/04/13 Finished: 27/04/13 Rated: 4/5 Comments: I picked up this book after reading and hearing multiple recommendations and I wasn't disappointed. I can't agree that she is as good as Jodi Picoult but I can appreciate the comparison. I was a few chapters in before I got a feeling of deja vu and it took me a couple more chapters before I realised why this book was so familiar. It is incredibly similar to Desperate Housewives, just on a more serious level. Despite feeling like I already knew the story (which I didn't, for those of you that have seed DH) I still enjoyed it. There are several twists and turns in the story to keep you on your toes. Some I had already guessed and some genuinely took me by surprise.

I've removed your duplicate post in the Fiction section, as one post is more than enough per book. As two of your 3 posts have been about this book, can I ask what your affiliation is with it or the author?

Blue Angel Logan Belle The throbbing music, the raucous catcalls, the glamorous costumes, and most of all the sensual skin of burlesque reveal much to the audience, but for Mallory the biggest revelation is her own untapped desire. When recent law school grad Mallory Dale's boyfriend, Alec, takes her to a burlesque club for her birthday, she is annoyed. Is this a show for her, or for him? But when beautiful, mysterious burlesque star Bette Noir pulls Mallory on stage, Mallory's world changes overnight. Soon, Bette becomes Mallory's private tutor in the tantalizing art of the striptease. Exploring burlesque awakens Mallory's true erotic nature, but if she devotes herself to her new-found sensual pleasures, will she risk losing Alec? Or can she really have it all? Started: 17/03/13 Finished: 20/03/13 Rated: 4/5 Comments: On the back of the “50 Shades revolution” we have recently been inundated with books of the more erotic variety. We experienced something similar a couple of years ago with the Twilight Saga, and whilst I didn’t really appreciate the originals, I was more than happy to read more of the genre that came to light in their wake. In a similar vein, I have read 50 Shades (the less said about that the better, really) and now I’m looking, with interest, at similar books being released in the slip stream. This one caught my eye as it was burlesque in nature and not BDSM. Whilst I knew it would still be erotic in nature, I was engaged by the idea of a woman going to a burlesque club and becoming enamoured with the lifestyle. Unlike many of its predecessors, it’s not about being submissive; this book is more about female empowerment. The lead character, Mallory, is going through some difficult times in her life and the burlesque scene allows her to deal with her issues and grow as a person and as a woman. Whilst I understand that this book is from the erotic genre, and by definition, has some very descriptive scenes within it, I personally don’t think they were necessary. With a few tweaks here and there (of the book, naughty!), I think this could have been a fantastic story in its own right, without the overt sexual content. My only concern is that the actual story may be overlooked because people are after a naughty thrill. I hope not though, because there is a genuine talent lurking within.

Sending thoughts to all our US friends. Stay safe (and warm!) Be sure to pop back and keep us updated on the situation.

Pinch, punch first of the month... no returns February already? How?

Just closing this thread and opening a new one for Feb! See you there

The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making Catherynne M. Valente September is a twelve-year-old girl, Somewhat Grown and Somewhat Heartless, and she longs for adventure. So when a Green Wind and a Leopard of Little Breezes invite her to Fairyland - well, of course, she accepts (mightn't you?). When she gets there, she finds a land crushed by the iron rule of a villainous Marquess - she soon discovers that she alone holds the key to restoring order. As September forges her way through Fairyland, with a book-loving dragon and a boy named Saturday by her side, she makes many friends and mistakes. But while she loses her shadow, her shoe and her way, she finds adventure, courage, a rather special Spoon, and a lot more besides . . . Started: 20/01/13 Finished: 27/01/13 Rated: 5/5 Comments: I can’t rate this book highly enough. It is so lovely and fantastical and magical that my inner child just ate it up. I’m still a little conflicted about the target audience as, for all intents and purposes, it’s a children’s story, but then nestled in amongst the almost lyrical story are words like vichyssoise and talk of diplomatic immunity. My overall thought is that it is a children’s book, but it’s intended to be read out loud by a nominated adult, who, whilst telling this wonderful tale, will get just as much from it as the utterly engrossed listener. September is one lucky girl. You know that moment, where your imagination runs away with you, and you are taken to a far off world where everything is colourful and magical and nothing like every day, boring life?? Well, September gets to live that! One day, she is going about her usual tasks and then from nowhere appears the Green Wind riding on a leopard. Without even a backwards glance, September climbs through the window and embarks on a journey to Fairyland and finds herself having in the craziest adventure. Along the way we meet some loveable (and some not so loveable) characters, my favourite being Ell the “Wyvery” (the offspring of a Wyvern and a Library – it all makes sense when you read it!) The story is engrossing and hurtles along at a very fast pace throughout, although sometimes, I just couldn’t turn the pages quick enough! September’s journey through Fairyland is not all fun and games though, and she has some serious decision making to do on her way, along with a battle or two for survival. The book leaves the story open enough for September to continue her adventures in Fairyland and I am so pleased to know that there is at least one more adventure for her to have, although I’m definitely hoping for many more.

I made the mistake of starting this one in the bath earlier on and 60 pages later I was so engrossed I hadn't noticed the water going cold or my very wrinkly toes! I'm not sure what age group this story is really aimed at as the writing style, as Michelle says, is quite lyrical and musical but there are words in there that have made me stop and think, like vichyssoise. I get the idea that it's a wonderful book to read out loud to a group but how old would they have to be to understand phrases like diplomatic immunity? So far though, I'm loving this story. Anything that pulls you away from the dreary world we live in, to a fantastical world of colours and loveable creatures can't be a bad thing.

What's on your TV right now? Is it your choice, or would you rather be watching something else? Currently in my house it's some strange film about an exorcism that is trying to come across as a real life documentary. Not my choice as I'd rather be watching, pretty much anything else. However, it does mean I can devote some time to browsing the forum, uninterrupted

Just to keep things manageable I've closed this thread and started a fresh one for you all. See you there!

What's on your playlist right now? Something relaxing? Something upbeat? An audiobook? Or just the sound of silence?

This thread is getting a little long so I've started a new one for you. See you there!