chesilbeach

I loved Pack Up The Moon. I've written my thoughts over in the Anna McPartlin thread. I've got a quick read for this evening - The Best of Times by Michael Morpurgo and Emma Chichester Clark - which was a present from OH and is a small children's Christmas story book.

Cocoa ...

I got the same one as above, but I felt quite angry about it by the end of the book, as it just seemed completely unsuitable. I might have preferred one of the photographic ones, I think. I'll also be buying the others at some point - maybe I'll treat myself after Christmas

I finished it today. I've just gone back and read your review, Nollaig, and you've got it spot on. What I'd add is that I loved how she made the predictable unpredictable. Just when I think I know how the story is going to pan out, she throws something else into the mix, or I arrive at what I thought was going to be the end of the story and find I've still got 100 pages left. This is one of the things that elevates this above the usual chick lit novel. I cried when John died (as has been mentioned above, this is not a spoiler as it's on the cover blurb and happens right at the beginning), I laughed along with and then I cried again for

Machismo

Rotunda

Nativity

Never Mind The Buzzcocks

Wolf Brother by Michelle Paver. I was expecting a good book, probably a bit of an historical boys own adventure story, but what I got was a great book, with evocative descriptions and an incredible use of language. I've gone on to read the entire series (except the last one which I'm waiting to come out in paperback next year), and they've all been fantastic.

Read another 100 pages of Pack Up The Moon and still loving it! My lovely OH bought me a Christmas book today - The Best of Times by Michael Morpurgo and Emma Chichester Clark

Divorced and Deadly - Josephine Cox

Hello Lila!

Hello Mathilde!

It was early March and raining. Pack Up The Moon by Anna McPartlin

Could it be A Demon in My View which has a main character called Arthur Johnson?

Don't forget Tosh and Suzie as well! Not really a great survival rate is it

Well if the rest of the book lives up to the first 100 pages, I'm not gonna complain! Recommend away

I finished Which Witch? before I went to bed last night. Great kids book, lots of fun with an ounce of grossness added into the mix. Took Pack Up The Moon to work with me to start at lunchtime. So, I'm sat at my desk with my earphones in drowning out the noisy oiks in my office, and within 10 minutes I've got tears streaming down my face, and I'm completely engrossed. Luckily, I had a reminder on my phone pop up at the end of my lunch hour to do a particular task, otherwise I suspect I'd have sat there until I'd finished the book and not realised I'd gone way past the end of my break! 100 pages in, and it's excellent so far.

Agatha Raisin and the Deadly Dance - M. C. Beaton

Started Pack Up The Moon during my lunch break at work, only to find myself sat at my desk with tears streaming down my face within 10 minutes It's so good though, that I've already read 100 pages.

From the Doctor Who News Page:

Hello! I think I'll be joining you in re-reading the Twilight books soon, especially after seeing New Moon at the cinema a couple of times!

I bought Pack Up The Moon today purely because it was recommended here (perhaps you should ask for a commission fee, Nollaig ), and once I've finished my current book, have decided this will be the first book off my TBR shelf.

I used to read a lot of chick lit, but I've tried to be a bit more varied in my reading this year, however, Annie Sanders is a name that always makes me pick up a book. What I like about them is that they don't write straight romance novels, there's always a bit more characterisation, and tend to concentrate on more than one main story. The Xmas Factor is their third novel I think, and from the next one onwards, I think they've improved each time, and their heroines have grown up with them. They write about women in their 30s or 40s and the dilemmas facing ordinary women I can relate to, whether its about problems with marriage/long term relationships that may or may not be resolved (no guaranteed happy ending for relationships in their books, even if the story has a upbeat resolution), or issues with careers or families, or perhaps all of the above. They're still chick lit escapism, but for me, they've moved the stories and characters on, meaning it's still relevant to me, and it's not just young woman seeks Mr. Right (when he was actually under her nose all the time )

Finished Aberystwyth Mon Amour by Malcolm Pryce Bought and started Which Witch? by Eva Ibbotson Bought Pack Up The Moon by Anna McPartlin