Jessi

Me too - I do. I was far too inactive last year on this side. 2013 will be different

Ok, so I am not going to be able to review every book, but these books were my favourite from 2012 and have gone on the reread pile. 9. Northanger Abbey - Jane Austen 10. A Study In Scarlet - Arthur Canon Doyle 14. Call The Midwife - Jennifer Worth 16. In Shadow of the Workhouse - Jennifer Worth 19. Farewell to the East End - Jennifer Worth 23. Just Henry - Michelle Magorian 24. Creation - Randal Keynes 26. Goodnight Mr Tom - Michelle Magorian 29. The Two of Us - Sheila Hancock 35. A Feast For Crows - George R R Martin 49. Clementine Churchill - Mary Soames 73. Colonel Roosevelt - Edmund Morris 86. The Loves of Charles II - Jean Plaidy 88. The Hobbit - J R R Tolkien 89. A Daughters Tale - Mary Soames 91. Love and Conquest - Douglas Smith Some new additions, a couple of rereads and some generally great tales. Recommend all of them.

Ok guys, I am open for business!

I am loving it - I adore Papa! Wonderful character!

Wish List

Gained 2013 - The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, Chronicles Adams, Guy: Sherlock Casebook Barker, Pat: Union Street Fellowes, Julian: Downton Abbey: Series 1 George, Margaret: Elizabeth I Garcia, Kami and Stohl, Margaret: Beautiful Creatures Garcia, Kami and Stohl, Margaret: Beautiful Darkness Garcia, Kami and Stohl, Margaret: Beautiful Chaos Garcia, Kami and Stohl, Margaret: Beautiful Redemption Graham, John: Lucrezia Green, Graham: Writing for Dummies Harman, Patricia: The Midwife of Hope River Irwin, Margaret: Young Bess Ives, Eric: The Life and Death of Anne Boleyn Lanchaster, John: Capital Lasky, Kathryn: Elizabeth O'Neill, Glenda: Our Street Rogers, Hannah: The Art of Deduction Salisbury, Harriet: The War on our Doorstep Shakespeare, William: Richard III Sparks, Nicholas: Safe Haven Sparks, Nicholas: The Lucky One Spence, Jon: Becoming Jane Wilson, Derek: The Uncrowned Kings of England Woodhead, Lind: Shopping, Seduction and Mr Selfridge

To Be Read - 1 – 42: gained 2009 or before 43 - 91: gained 2010 92 – 119: gained 2011 120 - 177: gained 2012 1. Campbell, Christy: Band of Brigands 2. Foreman, Amanda: The Duchess 3. Fraser, Antonia: Marie Antoinette 4. Garfield, Simon: Our Hidden Lives 5. Gristwood, Sarah: Elizabeth and Leicester 6. Guy, John: My Heart Is My Own 7. Massie, Robert: Nicholas and Alexandra 8. Rees, Laurence: Behind Closed Doors 9. Williams, Stephanie: Olga’s Story 10. Weir, Alison: Henry VIII 11. Anderson, Hans Christian: Anderson’s Fairy Tales 12. Austen, Jane: Emma 13. Austen, Jane: Mansfield Park 14. Boyne, John: The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas 15. Burnett, Frances Hodgson: The Secret Garden 16. Dunant, Sarah: In the Company of the Courtesan 17. Fforde, Jasper: The Eyre Affair 18. Furnivall, Kate: The Russian Concubine 19. Gaskell, Elizabeth: North and South 20. George, Margaret: Helen of Troy 21. Gee, Sophie: The Scandal of the Season 22. Gregory, Philippa: The Other Queen 23. Gregory, Philippa: The Queens Fool 24. Gregory, Philippa: The Favoured Child 25. Gilbert, Henry: Robin Hood 26. Grahame: The Wind in the Willows 27. Lawrence, D. H: Lady Chatterley’s Lover 28. Lee, Harper: To Kill A Mocking Bird 29. Lewis, Hilda: I, Jacqueline 30. McIntosh, Fiona: Royal Exile 31. Montefiore, Santa: The Swallow and the Hummingbird 32. Montefiore, Santa: The Butterfly Box 33. Montgomery, L.M : Anne of Green Gables 34. Nesbit, E: The Railway Children 35. Ryan, Robert: Early One Morning 36. Sheers, Owen: Resistance 37. Sittenfeld, Curtis: American Wife 38. Steel, Danielle: Silent Honour 49. Thomes, Rosie: Isis and Ruby 40. Tolkien, J.R.R: The Silmarillion 41. Tolkien, J.R.R: Unfinished Tales 42. Zusak, Markus: The Book Thief 43. Adams: The Letters of John and Abigail Adams 44. Brands: Traitor to his Class: The Privileged Life and Radical Presidency of Franklin Delano Roosevelt 45. Byatt, AS: The Children's Book 46. Burstein, Andrew: Jefferson’s Secrets 47. Campion, Emma: The King's Mistress 48. Cast, PC: Divine by Blood 49. Cheek, Mavis: Amenable Women 50. Clark, Mary Higgins: The Christmas collection 51. Deighton, Len: SS – GB 52. Didion, Joan: The Year of Magical Thinking 53. Duff, David: Alexandra: Princess and Queen 54. Dunant, Sarah: Sacred Hearts 55. Erikson, Carolly: Great Catherine 56. Erickson, Carolly: The Hidden Diary of Marie Antoinette 57. Figes, Orlando: Natasha’s Dance 58. Follett, Ken: The Pillars of the Earth 59. Furnivall, Kate: Under A Blood Red Sky 60. Gill, Gillian: We Two 61. Gregory, Philippa: The Red Queen 62. Gordon Reed, Annette: The Hemingses of Montecello 63. Harrods-Eagles, Cynitha: Anna 64. Hibbert, Christopher: Victoria – a Personal History 65. Hosseini, Khaled: The Kite Runner 66. Kerr, Judith: Out of Hitler Time 67. Lieven, Dominic: Russia Against Napoleon 68. Lovell, Mary S: The Mitford Girls 69. Lukyanenko, Sergei: The Day Watch 70. Mantel, Hilary: Wolf Hall 71. McCullough, David: Mornings On Horseback 72. Mitchell, Margaret: Gone With The Wind 73. Morrow, James: The Last Witchfinder 74. Motley, Annette: Men on White Horses 75. Norton, Elizabeth: Jane Seymour 76. O’Brien, Stacey: Wesley 77. O’ Grady, Paul: At My Mothers Knee 78. O’Toole, Patricia: When Trumpets Call 79. Pakula, Hannah: An Uncommon Woman 80. Plaidy, Jean: Madame Du Barry 81. Plaidy, Jean: Plantagenet Prelude 82. Quinn, Kate: Mistress of Rome 83: Smith, L.J: The Night World 84. Snyder, Maria V: Storm Glass 85. Tolstoy, Leo: Anna Karenina 86. Van Der Kiste, John: Queen Victoria’s children 87. Weir, Alison: Katherine Sywnford 88. Weir, Alison: The Captive Queen 89. Weir, Alison: The Lady in the Tower 90. Withey, Lynne: Dearest Friend 91. Adornetto , Alexandra: Halo 92. Atkins, Dixie: Humble and Loyal 93. Atkinson, Kate: Case Histories 94. Chamberlin, E. R: Everyday Life In Renaissance Times 95. Dickens, Monica: One Pair of Hands 96. Fraser, Antonia: Love and Louis XVI 97. Graham, Laurie: The Importance of Being Kennedy 98. Gilbert, Elizabeth: Eat, Pray, Love 99. Greene, Graham: Brighton Rock 100. Harris, Charlaine: The Sookie Stackhouse Guide 101. Lewis, CS: Mere Christianity 102. Lovell, Mary S: The Churchill’s 103. Montefiore, Santa: The French Gardener 104. Morpurgo, Michael: War Horse 105. Morpurgo, Michael: Peaceful Private 106. Newman, Janis Cooke: Mrs Lincoln 107. Nicholas, Katie: William and Harry 108. Obama, Barack: Dreams of My Father 109. O’Connell, Tyne: A Royal Match 110. Orzel, Chad: How To Teach Quantum Physics To Your Dog 111. Patch, Harry: The Last Fighting Tommy 112. Parsons, Tony: Starting Over 113. Pasternak, Boris: Doctor Zhivago 114. Perry, Tasmina: Kiss Heaven Goodbye 115. Richman, Alyson: The Lost Wife 116. Sanderson, Jane: Netherwood 117. Sebba, Anne: That Women 118. Tremlett, Giles: Catherine of Aragon 119. Trotter, Janet MacLeod: Never Stand Alone 120. Adams, Douglas: The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy 121. Angelini, Josephine: Starcrossed 122. Bach, Richard: Jonathan Livingston Seagull 123. Bagwell Gillian: The Darling Strumpet 124. Brown, Kate Lord: The Beauty Chorus 125. Cast, PC and Kristen: Hidden 126. Carnarvon, Countess of: Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey 127. Carter, Aimee: The Goddess Test 128. Chbosky, Stephen: The Perks of Being a Wallflower 129. Clare, Cassandra: City of Bones 130. Clare, Cassandra: Clockwork Angel 131. Collins, Suzanne: The Hunger Games 132. Dickens, Charles: Great Expectations 133. Doyle, Arthur Canon: The Complete Sherlock Holmes Collection 134. Douglas, Donna: The Nightingale Girls 135. Dunn, Dot May: Twelve Babies on a Bike 136. Edward. Anne: Matriarch 137. Harvey, Greg: The Origins of Tolkien's Middle Earth 138. Follett, Ken: Winter of the Worlds 139. Foster, RF: Randolph Churchill 140. Goldman, Lisa: The No Rules Handbook for Writers 141. Haeger, Diane: I, Jane 142. Hardy, Thomas: The Mayor of Casterbridge 143. Harrison, Cora: Debuntantes 144. Haworth, Eileen: Faded Dreams 145. Holt, Maggie: A Nurse at War 146. Huth, Angela: Land Girls 147. Jackson, Nancy: The Cook's Tale 148. Jones, Nigel: Tower 149. King, Stephen: 11.22.63 150. Kerr, John: A Dangerous Method 151. Magorian, Michelle: A Little Love Song 152. Magorian, Michelle: A Spoonful of Jam 153. Magorian, Michelle: Cuckoo in the Nest 154. Martin, George. R. R: A Dance with Dragons: Dreams and Dust 155. Martin, George. R. R: A Dance with Dragons: After the Feast 156. Massie, Robert K: Catherine The Great 157. Massie, Robert K: Peter The Great 158. McInerney, Monica: Those Faraday Girls 159. McKay, Sinclair: The Secret Life of Bletchley Park 160. McKissack, Patricia C: Slave Girl 161. Moyes, Jojo: The Girl You Left Behind 162. Newman, Michael: Socialism 163. Plaidy, Jean: The Merry Monarchs Wife 164. Plummer, Rosemary: The Maids Tale 165. Powell, Margaret: Below Stairs 166. Prentis, Evelyn: A Nurse and Mother 167. Prentis, Evelyn: A Nurse in Time 168. Purcell, Jennifer: Domestic Soldiers 169. Rice, Anne: Interview with the Vampire 170. Richards, Susan: Chosen by a Horse 171. Sibley, Brian: Offical Movie Guide 172. Stachniak, Eva: The Winter Palace 173. Stockett, Kathryn: The Help 174.Townsend, Sue: The Secret Diary of Afrian Mole Aged 13 3/4 175. Tsaraidze, Alexandre: Wife Before God 176. Wilcock, Penelope: The Hawk and the Dove 177. Wolff, Jurgen: Your Writing Coach

2009: Read 48 books 2010: Read 79 books 2011: Read 74 books 2012: Read 92 books Reading Goals - The TBR pile should be 176 or less on 1st January 2014 - I say it every year, but I must try and get it down. Unless I am going to begin reading it that minute, make a list of kindle books I want. Don't just download - the only exceptions to this rule is books I want from the Daily Deal. 100 books has been my goal for three years running and it is staying for a fourth year. I came so close in 2012. Make an effort to get half my 2009 books read - 21 throughout the year is doable. Keep up with reviews! I tailed off in March/April last year... opps. Books Read 2013: 1. The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky 2. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak 3. Catherine the Great: Portrait of a Woman by Robert K Massie 4. Debutantes by Cora Harrison 5. A Dance with Dragons: Dreams and Dust by George RR Martin 6. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, Chronicles 7. A Dance With Dragons: After the Feast by George RR Martin 8. One Pair Of Hands by Monica Dickens 9. War Horse by Michael Morpurgo 10. Modern Family 11. The Hobbit Offical Movie Guide by Brian Sibley 12. The Sign of Four by Sir Arthur Canon Doyle 13. Sherlock: Casebook by Guy Adams 14. Shopping, Seduction and Mr Selfridge by Lind Woodhead 15. The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett 16. The Other Queen by Philippa Gregory 17. Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy 18. The Darling Strumpet by Gillian Bagwell 19. Private Peaceful by Michael Morpurgo 20. Downton Abbey: Script Book by Julian Fellowes 21. Elizabeth by Kathryn Lasky 22. Chosen by a Horse by Susan Richards 23. Twelve Babies on a Bike by Dot May Dunn

Finally picked up The Book Thief - 100 pages in and loving it.

Emma Darwin – Edna Healey (3.5/5) I enjoyed this biography of Emma Darwin – it was an informative read about her early life, her marriage and then her life as the wife of Charles Darwin. Having read some books about Darwin and a book on their marriage at the end of last year I felt as if I had a good back ground knowledge for this read. The only problem was that having already done some that reading on this subject, I felt as if it was too general and didn’t really get into Emma enough and stayed focused on the family too much. I didn’t really come away knowing as much about the women herself as I wanted too.

I can not believe how late I get with reviews, every year! The Silence of Memory – Adrian Gregory – (4/5) This was a really interesting read, and one I had to get through for uni, but I am glad that I did. It explores the beginning and the development of ceremony and meanings around November 11th. It covers the whole last century, from WWI not WWII, when it was still immensely personal to so many people, and then over the past five years as time brought distance to the anniversary. A very thought provoking read.

Sorry for going out of order here guys... but I had to review while Colonel Roosevelt was clear in my mind... Colonel Roosevelt by Edmund Morris (5/5) It is going to be a very long time till I get to read a book which is on par with this one. Morris’ Roosevelt trilogy was a joy to read from the start – and yet has left me bereft at the end. I don’t feel as if I have simply shut a book and learnt about the life of a great man. I feel as if Morris’ reconstructed this president’s life so successfully and so thoroughly that at the end, every reader feels a sense of loss. Inevitably, Morris had to end with the death of Theodore Roosevelt. But I wish he hadn’t. Colonel Roosevelt tracks the final 10 years of TRs life, beginning with the African safari, the 1912 election, an assassination attempt on his life, his journey down the River of Doubt, his frustrations at America not going into WWI and then not being able to go in himself leading a regiment. His desperation to recreate his crowded hour of 1898, to die in action rather than to fade away was a wish that went unfulfilled (there was no doubt in his mind, if he went to France, he would not return to the USA. He would die in battle or his health would finally give way). His desperate pride in his sons was only equalled by the third greatest bereavement he had to endure in his life: his youngest child (and according to many his favourite), Quentin died in battle. His health soon went into rapid decline, yet Morris clearly believes it was TRs broken heart that finished him off. As ever, the Roosevelt family was at the heart of this biography. As the six Roosevelt kids went off to find their own paths (with varying degrees of success) their father kept a watchful eye and a pen close by. If only one book was published about him, he wished it to be the collections of letters he wrote to his children. His paternal pride was matched only by the continued love he gave and received from his beloved ‘Edie.’ Morris leaves us in no doubt that TRs second marriage was one the deepest, mature love. He calls it ‘one of the great marriages in American history.’ Politically, TR was adored and loathed and then adored again in this decade. His rift with the republican party, fight and eventual reconciliation with Taft is documented and explored. TR was forever going off on his ‘last’ speaking tour. He was always trying to withdraw to a quiet, domestic life... but somehow he could never quite manage it. Content aside, Morris has such a genuine gift as an author. There was not a word out of place and he in turn places you just where he wants to, catapulting his reader into political conventions, hospital rooms and crowds where to hear the Colonel speech. More gently, he opens Sagamores doors to allow his readers into the most intimate of family moments. His style is faultless. The best book I have read in many a year. I cannot recommend the TR trilogy enough. Treat yourself, even if you don’t think it is really your thing as you are indeed missing out if you don’t read this book.

Laurien Gardner has written 'Plain Jane', which I remember quite enjoying and if you were looking for something non fiction, then you could try Elizabeth Norton's biography of Jane, 'Henry VIII's True Love.' I've not read it yet so I'm not sure how good it is. In a couple of days time, 'I Jane,' by Diane Haeger is coming out too. I know what you mean though - I wish there was more out there on Jane too.

Welcome

Welcome

A War Imagined by Samuel Hynes (4/5) A war Imagined is a book which looks at the mythology and literature of the war. The media which is examined ranged from the work which was published at the time. A very thought provoking work which detangles myths, makes you think and makes you want to delve further into the subject.

I felt drained when I finished it, Chrissy - it was one of the most heartbreaking books I've read!

The Two of Us by Sheila Hancock (4/5) The Two of Us was a very emotional book. Intertwining her husband’s final days with her immediate period of grieving, Hancock reveals what life was with her husband, John Thaw, and how she coped after him. I laughed and cried in equal measure within pages of each other. A book of huge emotion.

The Unquiet Western Front by Brian Bond was a read solely for uni purposes and pretty short - I don't feel as if I can really rate it properly. It was quiet interested but I enjoyed the other books I read on WWI more - this was far more about the history of the history of the war if that makes sense.

Finally begun Vampire Diaries

Working my way through Meyer's The Tudors.

Both of these - especially Gollum!!!

I'll let you know Destined by PC and Kristin Cast (4/5) I really enjoyed the latest House of Night book. Raphiem, Stevie Rae and Kalona are keeping me hooked and I loved the ending. I still can’t take to Stark very much, but I remained gripped. I can’t wait for the next one in November.