Kate

Anyone watching this test? Bad start for England, but they are batting again...

Mine has risen to 63...oops!

88. Pemberley by Emma Tennant 8/10 TBR: 63

Synopsis from Amazon: Attempting a sequel to "Pride and Prejudice", this novel brings the original characters back to life. It is a story in which their pasts catch up with them, yielding dramatic results. Pemberley is a sequel to Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. The story is based at Darcy's Derbyshire mansion, where Elizabeth is now residing as his wife. Everything seems blissful - Darcy has been softened and loves doting on Elizabeth, but all is about to return to how things were before the wedding as it is Christmas, and everyone in the family are embarking on a trip to Pemberley. Elizabeth is very concerned: Jane is about to give birth, Wickham will be present, and what about her mother? Will she keep her cool? Will Darcy revert to his prideful, sullen self? Is Christmas going to be a disaster? I was pleasantly surprised by this book. I was concerned that it would just be a copy of Pride and Prejudice, but it isn't. It holds it own, and although the characters are the same, as are the location, it is not the same as Pride and Prejudice. I liked that Tennant was consistent with the characters - so Mr. Collins was as ridiculous as ever, and Mrs. Bennett as flamboyant as Austen wrote her. Tennant added new characters too, which I think helped her move away from Austen's work and helped her novel to develop on its own accord. This is not a long book - it is under 200 pages. It was an easy and enjoyable read. I was drawn in and connected with the wonderful characters again. I was eager to find out what would happen in the end. The story was a fun read but I did think the ending was a bit rushed. However, I will be looking to read Tennant's new instalment: Pemberley Revisited. If you like Pride and Prejudice I don't think you will be disappointed by this novel. Obviously not as good as the original it is a great follow up book. 8/10

I've always struggled with poetry and have to say, I agree with you ii when you say it is too much - too much to think about and many references, some of which are lost on me

I am the new mistress at Pemberley worrying how I will cope with all the visitors over Christmas

I'd love to read Tuesdays with Morrie - def will be looking out for it. I loved The Chocolate Run and would def recommend it

87. The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom 10/10 TBR: 56

Synopsis from Amazon: From the author of the phenomenal number one bestseller TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE, comes this enchanting, beautifully written novel that explores a mystery only heaven can unfold. Eddie is a grizzled war veteran who feels trapped in the toil of his father before him, fixing rides at a seaside amusement park. Then he dies in a tragic accident, trying to save a little girl from a falling cart. He awakens in the afterlife, where he learns that heaven is not a lush Garden of Eden, but a place where your earthly life is explained to you by five people who were in it. These people may have been loved ones or distant strangers. Yet each of them changed your path forever. As the story builds to its stunning conclusion, Eddie desperately seeks redemption in the still-unknown last act of his life. Was it a heroic success or a devastating failure? The answer is as magical and inspirational as a glimpse of heaven itself. Eddie dies on his birthday attempting to save a girl when part of a pier ride malfunctions. When he gets to heaven he meets five different people who explain life and parts of Eddie's life which lead him to rethink hi anger and bitterness. This is a journey that will release him for heaven. I read this book in a day - it is really good. It is not a long book, only 208 pages, but is a wonderful read. Albom draws you in and it really feels like you are going through these memories with Eddie. You feel pain, hurt and happiness as you read. Because Eddie died on his birthday there are several chapters that are birthday memories. Ranging from the age of five up to his sixties. I really liked these. They showed tenderness and a glimpse into how Eddie's life was changing. There are many issues discussed in this book - such as the war and how that affected life and parent issues, particularly violence from his father. Albom deals with these wonderfully and shows that with help things can be forgiven. I liked all the characters. It was lovely how some of the people Eddie met in heaven he had only briefly met in life, or not met at all, but how they played a part in his life. I particularly liked Tala, a little girl. She had died young in the war but she was sweet and forgiving, and loving. I felt for Eddie too. He lost his wife young and the war had left him maimed, leaving him sad and stuck in a rut. I loved being there as he sorted out his life in heaven. I highly recommend this book. I loved it. I can think of no complaints. 10/10

85. The Chocolate Run by Dorothy Koomson 9/10 86. The Reader by Bernhard Schlink 8/10 TBR: 51

Synopsis from Amazon: For 15-year-old Michael Berg, a chance meeting with an older woman leads to far more than he ever imagined. The woman in question is Hanna, and before long they embark on a passionate, clandestine love affair which leaves Michael both euphoric and confused. For Hanna is not all she seems. Years later, as a law student observing a trial in Germany, Michael is shocked to realize that the person in the dock is Hanna. The woman he had loved is a criminal. Much about her behaviour during the trial does not make sense. But then suddenly, and terribly, it does - Hanna is not only obliged to answer for a horrible crime, she is also desperately concealing an even deeper secret. This is a brave book. It follows Michael, who after a long period of illness goes to thank the women who helped him when he was sick in the street. This second encounter leads to a love affair that will haunt Michael for the rest of his life. Suddenly Hanna disappears and Michael thinks that is the end - until he sees her in court answering to crimes committed under Hitler's reign. Yet as the trail proceeds Michael discovers something about Hanna that she is hiding, and which leads her to punishment. This books looks at Germany, the aftermath of the war, the Holocaust and the guilt of a generation. It also looks at love and sex, and books. I thought this book was a good read. It isn't a long book and it didn't take me long to read. I did find the philosophy in the second part hard to grasp, and found it difficult to concentrate whilst reading those bits, but they are really my only complaints. I liked Michael - he was a simple 15 year old who hadn't been in a proper relationship, then a man trying to work out how to condemn those who had been involved with the Holocaust, and ultimately he proved himself a good friend. I felt sorry for Hanna and the secret she felt she needed to keep however she had a mean streak that I didn't like. As already said, this is a brave book. I think it addresses these sensitive issues well - I don't think people will be offended when reading this book. I would recommend this as a good book. 8/10

Synopsis from Amazon: Amber Salpone thinks in chocolate - talk to her for three minutes and she'll tell you what kind of chocolate you'd be. In fact, most days, if she was asked to choose between chocolate and relationships,there'd be no contest. At least chocolate has never let her down. Unlike her family. Growing up in the Salpone household has taught Amber to avoid conflict - and love - at all costs. So, when she does the unthinkable and has a one-night stand with womaniser Greg Walterson , her uncomplicated, chocolate-flavoured life goes into meltdown. Especially when Greg announces she's the love of his life - and Amber finds it hard enough to decide if she wants plain or Fruit & Nut ...Meanwhile, her best friend, Jen, seems to be launching a bid to become Bitch Of The Year and Amber's family are making unreasonable demands. Amber has two choices: to deal with her past and the people around her, or to go on a chocolate run and keep on running ... Amber is not a chocoholic - if you ask her - she is just a chocolate sniffer, needs chocolate to think, and compares everyone to chocolate. It is her constant in life, her safety net. But running for chocolate is not going to help her this time. She has been off relationships for 18 months, and has loved it. Yet she is falling for Greg, the womaniser. As she pursues this line she realises that her best friend is being turned into skinny, selfish, horrid person, who Amber doesn't know, or want to know. The some dark secrets come out - not only does Amber have to confront her childhood fears, but she must make choices about friends and lovers. I really enjoyed this book. This is the second book by Koomson I have read and liked it so much I have bought a third novel. Koomson is a great writer. She is exciting and gripping. I didn't want to put the book down. The story flows easily off the page and incredibly readable. I loved the characters. Koomson writes in a way that you feel how Amber feels - so when she was sad you were too; when her heart broke, so did yours. I really liked Renee and Martha her work colleagues - they were funny but good people - great friends to have around. This is chick-lit, but anyone who likes a good story of friendship, love and family should read this book. 9/10

Wow that is quite a record, I'm a bit envious!

I'll put a bad book down, i have too many others on my TBR pile to worry about those which I don't enjoy

Oh Chesil they are lovely, really good

84: The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson 9/10 TBR: 48

Synopsis by Amazon: Everyone has a dark side. Dr Jekyll has discovered the ultimate drug. A chemical that can turn him into something else. Suddenly, he can unleash his deepest cruelties in the guise of the sinister Hyde. Transforming himself at will, he roams the streets of fog-bound London as his monstrous alter-ego. It seems he is master of his fate. It seems he is in complete control. But soon he will discover that his double life comes at a hideous price ... Dr. Jekyll is a scientist with a dark secret - he has created a drug which transforms him into his sinister dark side. At first this is OK, but then Hyde, his alter-ego starts making trouble and goes as far as committing murder. Jekyll's friends start to get suspicious when Mr. Hyde is seen coming and going from Jekyll's home - and then the hideous secret is out.... I really enjoyed this book. It explores human nature and good and evil - and ultimately the choices we make. The book was exciting and gripping. It is original and well written - clearly a classic. Stevenson's characters were great! I liked the fact Mr. Hyde was written in such a way that I really didn't like him - it is nice to come across a book that sparks emotion and feelings, and this book did that. I didn't find this book scary, just a great read. 9/10

Yeah I agree, although we might have to wait until the films are all out. Although I loved the books I wouldn't say I'm obsessed - I haven't re-read them or anything. To be honest, I've read loads of great books this year, these were just a few of them

I would go for the cheapest too. I love buying books so much that I have to buy cheap ones so I can buy lots

I've read it and loved it. But like Frankie I don't think people should be bullied into it.

I'm currently listening to Soul Music and am really enjoying it. I'm yet to come across a Discworld book I don't like

On shelves, on the floor, in drawers....wherever there is room! I don't have them arranged in any particular order, just where they fit

I have to agree that parts of Lord of the Rings are boring. I nearly gave up through the Two Towers because of the Sam and Frodo's long section

83. The Time Machine by H.G. Wells 7/10 TBR: 51

Synopsis from Amazon: When a Victorian scientist propels himself into the year 802,701 AD, he is initially delighted to find that suffering has been replaced by beauty, contentment and peace. Entranced at first by the Eloi, an elfin species descended from man, he soon realises that this beautiful people are simply remnants of a once-great culture