Janet

I always write notes on the back of my hand. That's what backs of hands are there for!

#42 - read June 2012 My Best Friend’s Girl by Dorothy Koomson The ‘blurb’ What would you do for the friend who broke your heart? Best friends Kamryn Matika and Adele Brannon thought nothing could come between them - until Adele did the unthinkable and slept with Kamryn's fiance, Nate. Worse still, she got pregnant and had his child. When Kamryn discovered the truth about their betrayal she vowed never to see any of them again. Two years later, Kamryn receives a letter from Adele asking her to visit her in hospital. Adele is dying and begs Kamryn to adopt her daughter, Tegan. With a great job and a hectic social life, the last thing Kamryn needs is a five-year-old to disrupt things. Especially not one who reminds her of Nate. But with no one else to take care of Tegan and Adele fading fast, does she have any other choice? So begins a difficult journey that leads Kamryn towards forgiveness, love, responsibility and, ultimately, a better understanding of herself. This book really wasn't my cup of tea. (mind you, tea isn't my cup of tea!!) - very predictable with no surprises and a rushed ending. I'd have loved it about 10 years or so ago but my reading tastes have changed so much that I don't enjoy chick lit any more. It's a book club read and we're discussing it on Tuesday - three of the group haven't finished it, and of the four who have (one being me!) I know that three of us didn't enjoy it. The idea for the story was a good one, but the actual telling of it wasn't so good. That said, plenty of people do like it from the reviews on Amazon and I'm not being disparaging about chick lit – it’s just that this book was really not for me - and it wouldn't be good if we all liked the same things.

#41 - read June The Horse and hIs Boy by C S LewIs The ‘blurb’ NarnIa… where horses talk… where treachery Is brewIng… where destIny awaIts. On a desperate journey, two runaways meet and joIn forces. Though they are only tryIng to escape theIr harsh and narrow lIves they soon fInd themselves at the centre of a terrIble battle. It Is a battle that wIll decIde theIr fate – and the fate of NarnIa Itself. Shasta, a young peasant boy was abandoned as a baby and was taken In by a fIsherman. HIs lIfe Is harsh and hIs adopted father Is often unkInd to hI'm. One day a stranger vIsits and Shasta overhears the man offer hIs father money In return for Shasta who he wIshes to be hIs slave. Shasta resolves to run away. By chance he dIscovers that the man’s horse, Bree, can speak and the paIr make theIr escape. Soon they meet up wIth a young gIrl called AravIs, who Is fleeIng from an arranged marrIage, and her talkIng horse HwIn and the four of them head towards NarnIa. Well I dIdn't hate It - but It wasn't a patch on the fIrst two. ThIs book was a stumblIng block for me - I thInk I mentIoned somewhere that I read the fIrst two to my chIldren when they were lIttle, but dIdn't contInue because there was somethIng about thIs book that made me not want to read It. HavIng read It, I'm not sure what It was about It that put me off - It's faIrly harmless. I dIdn't really remember the story as I was readIng It - lIttle bIts of It came back to me but I guess that as a chIld It can't have been a favourIte as I don't thInk I can have re-read It - I know I read the other NarnIa chronIcles quIte a few tImes! It doesn't really seem to sIt wIth the other books. I know Edmund, Lucy and Susan are In It, and Aslan - and NarnIa appears a lIttle, but It dIdn't really feel lIke a NarnIa book! The paperback Is 270 pages long and Is publIshed by HarperCollIns. The ISBN number Is 9780007316199. It was fIrst publIshed In 2009. 3/5 (FInished 21 June 2012)

Thanks - that's really kind of you. It's actually part of my library's site too (Bath & NE Somerset libraries are amongst those taking part) and I picked up a 'reading passport' in the library on Thursday - I'm going to have a go at doing it although I'm not sure I'll complete the six books within the deadline.

Book 40 - read June 2012 The Prince of Mist by Carlos Ruiz Zafón The ‘blurb’ It is 1943 and the winds of war are sweeping across Europe. Max Carver’s father – an eccentric watchmaker and inventor – has decided to move his family away from the city to an old wooden house on the coast. But as soon as they cross the threshold, strange things begin to happen. Max discovers a garden filled with eerie statues; his sisters are plagued by unsettling dreams and voices; a box of old films opens a window into the past. Most unsettling of all are the rumours about the previous owners of the house and the mysterious disappearance of their son. As Max, his sister Alicia and their friend Roland delve into the past, they encounter the terrifying story of the Prince of Mist-a sinister shadow who emerges from night to settle old scores, then disappears with the first mists of dawn… This young adult novel, which started Carlos Ruiz Zafón’s writing career, starts with the words "Max would never forget that faraway summer when, almost by chance, he discovered magic." And so begins the haunting tale of Max’s new life away from the city he grew up in. At first he is unhappy about moving away from his friends and starting again, but he quickly settles into the new house, despite feelings of apprehension about the house itself, and soon becomes friendly with a young boy called Roland. But tragedy strikes when one of Max’s sisters has a sinister accident and the past is unleashed and Max, his sister Alicia and Roland are caught up in a spooky adventure which will test them to the extreme and change their lives forever. The writing is excellent. The book is so atmospheric and the author captures the essence of all of the characters so well, especially the ‘creepiness’ of the titular Prince of Mist. At one point something happens relating to water (I won’t say what as I don’t want to spoil things) and I found I was holding my breath whilst reading! Bizarrely, although this book is set during WW2, it had a feel of the 1970s about it to me. Maybe it was because I had the same freedoms that Max did and spent lazy summers on my bike! There is mention of the war, but somehow it didn’t really make me think of the 1940s. One day I will get round to reading The Shadow of the Wind to enjoy some more of this author’s lovely prose.

6. As time goes by, why does Fix not change his opinion regarding Phileas Fogg? I think he was absolutely convinced of Fogg’s guilt at first. So certain that eventually even if he had started to doubt himself he was probably worried about losing face if he admitted he might have got things wrong. 7. While reading the book, did you ever think that Phileas Fogg was guilty of theft? Nope I didn’t think he was guilty at all – I was totally sure he was innocent. 8. Was reading the book an enjoyable experience? Yes, I thoroughly enjoyed it. I didn’t realise it was a children’s book until I looked on Wikipedia after reading it – it didn’t feel like one to me, but I guess that’s because of the time it was written. I would definitely recommend this title and thought it was a great choice for book club.

I am currently on 16% of book #3 and you're right - I'm enjoying it very much. If it wasn't for the fact that #1 was a Book Club read I probably wouldn't have picked it up at all - that's what I love about Book Club - it makes us read things that we wouldn't necessarily choose.

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C S Lewis The ‘blurb’ When Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy took their first steps into the world behind the magic wardrobe, little do they realise what adventures are about to unfold. And as the story of Narnia begins to unfold, so to does a classic tale that has enchanted readers of all ages for over half a century. There can’t be many people who don’t know this story (don’t all rush at once to tell me you’ve never read/seen it!). The Chronicles of Narnia were firm favourites of mine as a child and the first two certainly don’t disappoint now I’m an adult – I’m looking forward to the rest of the series.

Sounds lovely. I hope you have a great time. I've wanted to go to Hay-on-Wye for years, but I daren't at the moment! I really need to get my 'to read' pile down before I go anywhere near there!

I read about 200 pages of The Children's Book a few years ago, but felt it was so bogged down in waffle that I really wasn't enjoying it at so I gave up. My Mum borrowed it for her book club recently and waded through it, but although she 'got into it' and enjoyed it, she said she wouldn't say it was great so I decided to pass it on to a charity shop in the hope that someone else can get some enjoyment from it. Pretty cover though! </shallow>

Ooooh, thanks - I'm off to check it out.

Two people I know (one work colleague, one ex-colleague) have read all three of them - and neither of them are 'readers' (their own words) - in fact, one of them hasn't read a book since she left school. Anything that gets people reading is a good thing - especially if they go on to read more as a result.

I said in the 'Book Activity...' thread but I like the sound of The Door - I've added it to my challenge list.

My recommended books from Amazon at the moment are nearly all by African or Asian writers, presumably as a result of this challenge!

I'm not perfect by any means, but the lack of apostrophe would bug me too!

My son used to like cheese and chocolate spread sandwiches - but I guess that's not what you mean? Yes, that makes sense - I can understand why the fiction wouldn't appeal about something you're so passionate about, and the factual would.

I love reading the reviews on here too - even if it's not something that appeals to me. They do - I can't understand it! Deal! Out of interest, do you read fictional football books as well as non-fiction?

It'll be excellent holiday reading - a great story but not too taxing - perfect. Are you going somewhere nice for your holiday?

I just thought I'd post my suggestions list, in case any one else doing this challenge would like to check them out. In each case, the author is born in the country listed. Where possible I've tried to ensure the book is set there too. some may be non-fiction and a few may be children's/young adult books. Algeria - The Attack by Yasmina Khadra / What the Day Owes the Night by Yasmina Khadra Angola - The Book of Chameleons by Jose Eduardo Agualusa Argentina - The Paper House by Carlos Maria Dominguez / The Tango Singer by Tomas Eloy Martinez Bangladesh - Brick Lane by Monica Ali Bosnia and Herzegovina - Bridge Over The Drina by Ivo Andric Bulgaria - The Voices of Marrakesh by Elias Canetti - note to self - book (obviously!) not set in Bulgaria – there are other options for this author so check settings Cambodia - When Broken Glass Floats: Growing Up Under the Khmer Rouge by Chanrithy Him Congo-Brazzavil​le - Little Boys Come from the Stars by Dongala Emmanuel Boundz Eritrea - My Fathers' Daughter by Hannah Pool Estonia - Brecht at Night by Mati Unt Ethiopia - Cutting For Stone by Abraham Verghese Faroe Islands - The Old Man and His Sons by Heðin Brú Finland - Purge by Sofi Oksanen Greece - Zorba the Greek by Nikos Kazantzakis Guyana - Kiskadee Girl by Maggie Harris / Whole of a Morning Sky by Grace Nichols Haiti - Love, Anger, Madness: A Haitian Triptych by Marie Vieux-Chauvet Hungary - The Door by Magda Szabo Iceland - Last Rituals by Yrsa Sigurdardottir Indonesia - Twilight in Djakarta by Mochtar Lubis Israel - Let it be Morning: A Novel by Sayed Kashua Jamaica - The Same Earth by Kei Miller Jordan - Pillars of Salt by Fadia Faqir Kenya - One Day I Will Write About This Place by Binyavanga Wainaina / The Challenge for Africa by Wangari Maathai Kyrgyzstan - Jamilia by Chingiz Aitmatov / The Night Watch by Sergei Lukyanenko Malaysia - Evening Is the Whole Day by Preeta Samarasan / Inspector Singh Investigates: A Most Peculiar Malaysian Murder by Shamini Flint Malta - South From Granada (Penguin Modern Classics) by Gerald Brenan - note to self - book (obviously!) not set in Malta – check to see if other options for this author set in Malta Mexico - Sweet Like Chocolate by Laura Esquivel Mozambique - Under the Frangipani by Mia Couto Nepal - Buddha's Orphans by Samrat Upadhyay Nigeria - A Time For New Dreams by Ben Okri / Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngoli Adichie / I Do Not Come to You by Chance by Adaobi Tricia Nwaubani Peru - Eva Luna by Isabel Allende - (think I have The House of the Spirits by same author) Portugal - The Elephant's Journey by Jose Saramago Saudi Arabia – Girls of Riyadh byRajaa Alsanea /The Belt by Ahmed Abodehman Senegal - Murambi, the Book of Bones by Boubacar Boris Diop Sierra Leone - A Long Way Gone: The True Story of a Child Soldier by Ishmael Beah / Bite of the Mango by Mariatu Kamara Singapore - Foreign Bodies by Hwee Hwee Tan Somalia - Black Mamba Boy by Nadifa Mohamed South Korea - The Bird by Oh Jung-hee / Our Twisted Hero by Yi Munyol / Fox Girl by Nora Okja Keller Sudan - Minaret by Leila Aboulela / Season of Migration to the North by Tayeb Salih/ Slave by Mende Nazer Togo - Do They Hear You When You Cry by Layli Miller Bashir Various - Best European Fiction by Aleksandar Hemon Vietnam - The Tapestries by Kien Nguyen / Vietnam - Night, Again - Contemporary Fiction from Vietnam Yemen - I Am Nujood, Age10 and Divorced by Nujood Ali Zambia - Wilbur Smith

I've added this one to my Amazon WC Wish List - thanks for the recommendation.

You have done amazingly well - I am very impressed at your willpower. Can you bottle it and sell me some, please?!

The Magician’s Nephew by C S Lewis The ‘blurb’ Narnia, where horses sometimes grow wings and talking beasts are called to life… a new world of magic, where the adventures begin. Digory and Polly meet and become friends one cold, wet summer in London. Their lives burst into adventure when Uncle Andrew, who thinks he is a magician, sends them hurtling to… somewhere else. They find their way to a new land – Narnia! But when they awaken and evil sorceress, Polly and Digory are sent on a quest to stop her before she destroys the world they’ve just discovered. There is a lot of debate about which order the Narnia Chronicles should be read in. I remember having a conversation with a friend about it years ago but I can’t remember the outcome now! Wikipedia has this to say about the subject: The Magician's Nephew, the penultimate book to be published, but the last to be written, was completed in 1954. Lewis did not write the books in the order in which they were originally published, nor were they published in their current chronological order of presentation. So that clears that up then! Anyway, in the end I decided to read them in the reading order as numbered by publishers, making The Magician’s Nephew book number one. I read the Narnia books numerous times as a child and I read this and The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe to my children when they were younger, but something about The Horse and his Boy made me stop. Having seen the film of Prince Caspian a few weeks ago I decided now was time for a re-read of all seven titles. Digory’s mother is unwell and his father is away, so he and mother go to stay with relatives in London. He becomes friendly with Polly, who lives next door. One rainy day they are playing in the attics, which belong to the whole row of terrace houses and are accessible from each house. They decide to investigate an unoccupied house in the row, but they miscount and instead end up in the study of Digory’s strange Uncle Andrew. The Uncle tricks Polly into touching a ring and she disappears – leaving Digory to take two ‘out’ rings (that Polly touched which made her disappear) and two ‘in’ rings so that he can rescue her. She comes up in a pool of water into a clearing of other pools. When Digory arrives they decide to explore before returning home, but they manage to wake a witch (who calls herself a Queen) and all sorts of disasters follow. However, it’s not all bad news and the children also witness the birth of a new country – Narnia. I really enjoyed this story. I loved the references at the start of the book to Sherlock Holmes and the Bastable children (who appear in E Nesbit’s ‘Treasure Seeker’ books) and I like Lewis’ conversational tone and the way he speaks to the reader. The story is charming and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

She hasn't posted for a while but was online on 15 June - hopefully she'll be back soon. I have The Man Who Was Thursday on my 'to read' pile - I haven't read any G K Chesterton before.

Yup, Claire's right, I did love it. I was lucky enough to get a complimentary copy after I posted on Natasha Solomons blog saying how much I enjoyed Mr Rosenblum's List...

I've only just seen this. I came *this* close (imagine about ½"!) to buying this yesterday in a charity shop, but I'm trying to be good - I could kick myself now! They had lots of other titles by him too. Next time I go to visit my Mum I will have to see if they're still there. Great review. ½