~V~

Remind me, was this something to do with ????? I've read at least two of his books this year, have a look at my book blog and read what I've said if you like. If you are going to read any Lincoln Rhyme stories, I do recommend you read them in order. I think 'The Bone Collector' is first, you can get the list here

Blimey! I read this so long ago that I can't remember the ending ... Deaver's one of my favourite authors though as I think my book list can confirm. Will be interesting to see what people ask him

Yes, they were animated, not puppets. Can't remember what I posted now

I got mine a couple of days ago - a huge envelope and I couldn't feel anything in it. I grinned as I opened the envelope Sadly, the book was enclosed... luckily it's only just over 100 pages long. *Phew*

English: history, diversity and change - David Graddol, Dick Leith and Joan Swann (Do I get a prize for dullest quote?)

23. Garden of Beasts - Jeffrey Deaver Amazon Link I've said before that I love Deaver. This book however is very untypical of his usual stories. No Lincoln Rhyme, no Amelia Sachs, not even set in the goold old US of A (mostly) and not in current times. What it is is a thriller set in pre-WWII Berlin with a backdrop of the Olympic Games. The two main characters are on different sides and as you progress through the book you can't decide who you are supporting. Well I couldn't. I loved the stuff about the Stormtroopers, Kripo and the Gestapo, they were just weaved into the story quite effortlessly and added to the suspense. It's been a long time since a book has made me do a double-take and this snuck in more than one surprise. A good read 9/10

Excellent

Grace Adams-Short

I don't get this thing about double-barrelled names being 'posh' For many years, I've seen that the parents of a child who are not married have included both of their names into the child's (and often their own). It also appears to be popular amongst the Jamaican community. I'm sure not everybody who falls into the above categories is deemed as posh or upper class

By my standard that is a fantastic entry! Sorry, I feel even more nervous now

It was, but it was a long time ago and lots of water has gone under a lot of bridges since then But thank you

No, it's pretty old now too. Her other stuff is good too but not seen anything by her for ages and I'm sure I had to buy the last one I read from Amazon

Here's the synopsis from Amazon: The illustrations are fantastic too. I think that the reason I love it so much is that it was given to me by a boyfriend who later died very suddenly and very young so it's kind of poignant too

Yes. That's exactly what happened to me

I've read them all up to about O. Then I got stuck as I couldn't get the next in the alphabet Stick with it I'd say, Kinsey is pretty interesting and they do get better. If I recall, I didn't think the first was fantastic either but attempted the next

22. Philip Pullman - Northern Lights Amazon Link For ages I've toyed with whether to read this or not. I'm not a huge fantasy fan and it is a fantasy book. Loads of people have told me I should read it too, but I have withstood the encouragement. However, it's another that is having a film made and so I figured I should at least give it a go. I liked it. It is odd at times, the first chapters had me all confused as it is set in this world but not as we know it. ALso I was curious as to when it was set. Once I'd got over all that and started to get into the story, I enjoyed it immensely. Iorek puts me in mind of Aslan so that is always a positive No point in telling any of the tale. Those of you who know it don't need that, and those of you yet to read don't want it 9/10

21. Mark Billingham - Buried Amazon Link I love Mark Billingham. I'm sure I've said this before. His humour has a wonderful outlet in the deliciously dry and acerbic Tom Thorne. In fact, in many ways, I found this book far more humorous than Ben Elton's offering that I had read immediately before this. This story is centred around a kidnap, with multi-agency input. There is also time to visit a couple of other cases. The story didn't flow quite as well as some of his other books, but it would appear that some notice has been taken in the States as there is a comment on the front cover from the marvellous Karin Slaughter and it would appear that Linda Fairstein (another favourite of mine) helped with information abour DNA. In many ways, Thorne and Holland appear to be morphing into Morse and Lewis. I wish it would stop but I suppose it's a natural step to take in many ways Nonetheless, this is a great book for reading in the sun (which I did) 8/10

I used to put my dog's hair (when I had brushed him) around the bottom of plants such as hostas that slugs and snails adore. Sadly, I don't have him now and so can't. I've also got hardly any hostas

Sorry Michelle

Two of my favourite ever books aren't well known at all Mr God this is Anna - Fynn The Eight - Katherine Neville Both different and both great. Nobody has ever heard of either of them when I mention them. But I've had several copies of each as they never come back!

You're right, it is a touch pricey! http://www.amazon.co.uk/Moomins-Richard-Murdoch/dp/B000CQK07U

Ha ha ha ha this is great PDR. So funny seeing people get books they'd never buy themselves. And we're all rushing becaues it's free books

Hunt for the Southern Continent by James Cook Not something I'd ever buy so should be a challenge

I liked it but can understand why somebody may not So don't whisper, say it loud and proud

20. Chart Throb - Ben Elton Amazon Link I have read and enjoyed many Ben Elton books in the past. Sadly, I think this one was towards the 'poor' end of the scale. Usually there is an element of wit to the tale, but in this case, it is the same joke tole over and over. I may as well have been watching a fly-on-the wall documentary about Simon Cowell and X Factor. The parody of the three judges was spot-on (Simon's mannerisms, Sharon's ridiculous speech patterns and Louis' nonentityness) but after the first couple of times it fell flat. Ok, so I am going to view the next X Factor with more cynicism, but is that a good thing? 6/10