anisia

Most of the books I've bought since moving in the UK have been second-hand and I also borrow from the Library. If the book is in a good enough condition, I have no problem buying it

Title: Slam Author: Nick Hornby Book Description (amazon.co.uk) ‘There was this time when everything seemed to have come together. And so obviously it was time to go and screw it all up.’ Sam is sixteen and a skater. Just so there are no terrible misunderstandings: skating = skateboarding. There’s no ice. Life is ticking along nicely for Sam: his mum’s got rid of her rubbish boyfriend, he’s thinking about college and he’s met someone. Alicia. Then a little accident happens. One with big consequences for someone just finding his way in life. Sam can’t run (let alone skate) away from this one. He’s a boy facing a man’s problems and the question is – has he got what it takes to confront them? Personal Note I was very disappointed with this book, perhaps because I had very high expectations from the author. I have never before read a book written by Nick Hornby, but I’ve heard the author praised a lot. The book just didn’t live up to its expectations at all. The topic, while very important just didn’t really interest me. To be honest, the main character just annoyed me, and the whole part with him talking to a poster just added to the annoyance. I felt like it somehow approached an important topic but didn’t go in depth? Overall, I was just not impressed by the book at all. I might try another Nick Hornby book though, as I have really only heard good things about his books.

Title: How Starbucks Saved My Life Author: Michael Gill Book Description (amazon.co.uk) A candid, moving and inspirational memoir about a high-flying business man who is forced to re-evaluate his life and values when he suddenly loses everything and goes to work in Starbucks. Michael Gill had it made. He was educated, wealthy and well-connected. He had a creative and lucrative advertising job, which he loved and which he was good at, and a model family and home life. Then he loses it all. He is fired by a young exec whom he had mentored. He has an extramarital affair that destroys his family and results in a newborn son. Then he is diagnosed with brain cancer. He has no insurance, no income. One day he wanders into Starbucks and by chance signs up for a job interview. His would-be boss is a young black woman who gives him a job, and sets about training him and mentoring him. What follows is an inspirational eye-opener as Gill experiences a whole new world compared to his former life — with people from completely different ethnic and social backgrounds. ‘How Starbucks Saved My Life’ follows Gill’s journey of discovery as gradually he is forced to question his ingrained assumptions, prejudices and habits.Gill emerges from his fall from grace with humility and gratitude. His new-found empathy teaches him how anyone who has lost their way, or made a mistake, can start again. Personal Note “How Starbucks Saved My Life” is an easy read but very inspiring. The reason why I chose the book was because of my love for coffee and Starbucks, and I wasn’t disappointed. I found it interesting to see how a man with big wealth, who grew up with money and who was part of a social life that included meeting Frank Sinatra, could end up working for Starbucks, as a barista. What I particularly liked was that the author was honest and admitted his faults and the fact that he was quite judgmental in the life he had before losing his job – you can see the changes in him over the course of the book. While not an incredible book, I still recommend it, if you’re interested even in just seeing how Starbucks works and what you need to learn if you want a job there. *********** Title: Room Author: Emma Donoghue Book Description (amazon.co.uk) Jack is five. He lives with his Ma. They live in a single, locked room. They don’t have the key. Jack and Ma are prisoners. Personal Note This is probably the best book I’ve read in a very long time. Incredibly written, sad, but inspiring too. While the point of view is Jack’s, it’s narrated in a way that keeps you reading. I loved the open ending and the fact that not everything got worked out and was perfect – it gave the book a lot of realism.

I rarely read the reviews on Amazon. Usually if I buy a book there, it's because someone recommended it to me, so I know I'll like it.

I've tried and failed. Unfortunately the moment I walk in a book shop I have to buy one book...just one! I try to at least go only once a month when I get paid.

Tea

Hello and welcome!

I love this one, so detailed!

That's so lovely I've always had a soft spot for Molly because she was ready to take care of everyone. And nooooo...definitely not Aunt Petunia!

Yes, I think the number of the books has something to do with it! And I never know where to start with them. One day! Chrissy, I also really enjoy reading your answers

One of the things I've always wanted is to start reading Terry Pratchett - for some reason I am intimidated by his books

Title: Beyond Belief: Abused by His Priest. Betrayed by His Church. The Story of the Boy Who Sued the Pope Author: Colm O’Gorman Book Description (amazon.co.uk) 'I was living in a world where a priest who spoke the words of God used me for sex, and there was no-one to tell. The world where this horror happened didn't exist for anyone else.' As a boy in Ireland where everyone - from among his own neighbours to the powers of church and state - chose to deny that a priest could sexually assault a child, Colm O'Gorman felt only shame, guilt and fear at the regular rape and abuse he suffered. But Colm would go on to make history, successfully suing the Roman Catholic Church, asking questions of the Pope himself and creating a watershed in history as hundreds more victims found the courage to report their abuse. Beyond Belief is a powerful story of a young man's shame turning to outrage, and demonstrates that - whatever our past hurts - there is hope for the future if we are prepared to stand for truth. Personal Note It was the title that made me read the book and I'm very glad I gave it a shot. I read it all in an afternoon and I couldn't put it down. It's inspiring to see how far this man has come in his personal and professional life. One of the reasons I tend to stay away from these kinds of autobiographies is that I can't get into the writing, but I found the way this one is written perfectly - it's very factual but there's still a lot of emotion. Overall I am very impressed with the book and of course I am amazed by the author's strength.

Title: An Utterly Impartial History of Britain: (or 2000 Years Of Upper Class Idiots In Charge) Author: John O'Farrell Book Description (amazon.co.uk) Many of us were put off history by the dry and dreary way it was taught at school. Back then ‘The Origins of the Industrial Revolution’ somehow seemed less compelling than the chance to test the bold claim on Timothy Johnson’s ‘Shatterproof’ ruler.But here at last is a chance to have a good laugh and learn all that stuff you feel you really ought to know by now… In this ‘Horrible History for Grown Ups’ you can read how Anglo-Saxon liberals struggled to be positive about immigration; ‘Look I think we have to try and respect the religious customs of our new Viking friends – oi, he’s nicked my bloody ox!’Discover how England’s peculiar class system was established by some snobby French nobles whose posh descendents still have wine cellars and second homes in the Dordogne today. And explore the complex socio-economic reasons why Britain’s kings were the first in Europe to be brought to heel; (because the Stuarts were such a useless bunch of untalented, incompetent, arrogant, upper-class thickoes that Parliament didn’t have much choice.) A book about then that is also incisive and illuminating about now, ‘2000 Years of Upper Class Idiots in Charge’, is an hilarious, informative and cantankerous journey through Britain’ fascinating and bizarre history.As entertaining as a witch burning, and a lot more laughs. Personal Note The book started wonderful, I was hooked after the first few pages and overall it was a good book to learn about the British History at least on a basic level. The problem is that after 2-300 pages, I didn't find it as amusing as I had at the start. Not saying it doesn't have some excellent jokes, but somehow by the end of the book, I just wasn't that impressed. I also felt that it went a bit too fast over some moments and gave too little details. I'm somewhere in the middle with this book, I rated it 3/5 on Goodreads. I thought it was good for information if you're starting to read about British History and the writing is hilarious at times. I just started losing interest halfway through it, so I can't give it a very high rating.

Title: Bite Club (Morganville Vampires) Author: Rachel Caine Book Description (amazon.co.uk) Morganville, Texas is a quiet college town where humans and vampires live in relative peace. But lately a great deal of blood is being spilled - not in a feeding frenzy, but for someone's twisted idea of entertainment. After discovering that vampires populate Morganville - and surviving a number of adventures with her new night-dwelling friends - college student Claire Danvers has come to realise that for the most part, the undead just want to live their lives. But someone else wants them to get ready to rumble. There's a new extreme sport being broadcast over the Internet: bare-knuckle fights pitting captured vampires against one another - or, worse, against humans. Tracking the out-of-town signal leads Claire - accompanied by a loyal group of friends and frenemies - to discover that what started as an online brawl will soon threaten everyone in Morganville. And if they want to survive, they'll have to do a lot more than fight... Personal Note First of all, book ten of Morganville Vampires? When did that happen??? I am still very undecided about this volume and whether I liked it a lot or not. It should be an easy decision, but all through the book I felt like I was struggling a bit with it. I think it's the change in the writing style, mainly adding Shane's point of view parts. It felt very different than the other books. The topic on the other hand was unexpected and I felt it did bring Shane's aggression to front in a very original manner. I'm just wondering now what else there is to write about. I know there's a new book coming out and I keep thinking the series should end soon, before it gets boring.

I use Goodreads, love it. I also use the Amazon wishlist to keep track of books I'd like to read/maybe buy.

You are cheating! I'm stealing these titles/authors and adding them to what I should read.

I know Romanian (as I'm Romanian) and English. I can also understand and speak a bit of French, but not much!

Title: The Tales of Beedle the Bard Author: J.K. Rowling Book Description (amazon.co.uk) ‘You’ve never heard of The Tales of Beedle the Bard?’ said Ron incredulously. ‘You’re kidding, right?’ (From Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows) Published by the charity Lumos in association with Bloomsbury Publishing Plc, The Tales of Beedle the Bard is the first new book from J. K. Rowling since the publication of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. The Tales of Beedle the Bard played a crucial role in assisting Harry, with his friends Ron and Hermione, to finally defeat Lord Voldemort. Fans will be thrilled to have this opportunity to read the tales in full. An exciting addition to the canon of Harry Potter, the tales reveal the wonderful versatility of the author, as she tackles with relish the structure and varying tones of a classic fairy tale. There are five tales: ‘The Tale of the Three Brothers’, recounted in Deathly Hallows, plus ‘The Fountain of Fair Fortune’, ‘The Warlock’s Hairy Heart’, ‘The Wizard and the Hopping Pot’, and ‘Babbitty Rabbitty and her Cackling Stump’. Each has its own magical character and will bring delight, laughter and the thrill of mortal peril. Translated from the original runes by Hermione Granger, the tales are introduced and illustrated by J. K. Rowling. Also included are notes by Professor Albus Dumbledore, which appear by kind permission of the Hogwarts Headmasters’ Archive. Personal Note I can’t believe it took me such a long time to finally read this! As an avid (obsessed) Harry Potter fan, I am disappointed with myself. Even so, I finally did, got the book from the library and just an hour or two later it was all over. I have always loved fairly tales and this book was perfect. The notes written by Albus Dumbledore at the end of each story were great. Not a lot more I can say about it except I enjoyed it and it was nice having something new to read that related even a bit to Harry Potter.

Title: Ghost Town Author: Rachel Caine Book Description (amazon.co.uk) This title includes a brand new and exclusive Morganville short story. When Claire is ordered to repair the systems that protect Morganville, it’s not just cutting into her study time, it’s a life-threatening problem. If there’s one thing this vampire-infested town is serious about, it’s security. But achieving the impossible only brings a whole new set of problems, and the upgrades have unexpected consequences: people inside the town are slowly beginning to forget who they are, even the vampires. Soon, the town’s little memory problem has turned into a full-on epidemic. Now Claire needs to figure out a way to pull the plug on her experiment – before she forgets how to save Morganville… Personal Note This is probably my favorite book in the series so far, or close to the top anyway. Although I had become annoyed with Eve in the book before, I think she has redeemed herself a bit in this one and I feel she’s less self-centered and annoying. I will say though, the ending not only schocked me, but I also just wasn’t a fan. While it makes sense and I can see it happening, I was just going “no! how can this happen???” in my mind.