bobblybear

I'm struggling a bit with The Mess We're In: Why Politicians Can't Fix Financial Crises, so I decided to pick up A History of 20th Century Britain by Andrew Marr. Although it covers the same topics as The Mess We're In, it is so much more readable. It's not just listing facts in a dry, clinical way...they are being presented in a way that is a lot easier to read and understand (so far, anyway - I haven't finished the first chapter yet ). Most of the books left on my TBR pile from 2012 (which is what I'm working on getting reduced) are non-fiction, so I will probably be focusing on that for a while (until I get restless).

Lovely pictures. Have sent you a friend request.

Oooh awesome!!!!! I'm sure I will enjoy them; they look brilliant!

Cheesecake is yummy!

Great review! I've heard of it before and thought it was already on my wishlist, but apparently not. Well, it is now.

Thanks, Pontalba.

Sounds like a great book. I've added it to my wishlist.

I have that one on my wishlist. Glad you are enjoying it! Struggling a bit with The Secret River. I mean, it's quite readable, but I'm in the mood for something snappy and fast-paced and exciting.

I think I enjoyed Instructions for a Heatwave more than you did, but I can't remember the details. I recall thinking the ending was a bit wishy-washy, but that's about all I remember.

The Radleys sounds interesting. Matt Haig sounds familiar, so I looked him up on Amazon, and I have The Humans on my wishlist.

I don't read a huge amount of horror, so the only one I can come up with is Stephen King.

Never heard of Mr. B Gone but happy to give it a go. Happy to go with Carrie as well. I wouldn't mind trying Joe Hill. I didn't get on with his first one (Heart-Shaped Box) but he's still on my wishlist as a few of his others sound good.

Started The Secret River by Kate Grenville. It took a little while to get through, but I'm into it now.

I am in the minority though. Most people rave about it, but the ones who don't like it have the same criticisms that I had. Some of the one-star reviews for it on Amazon are quite funny actually.

I prefer the UK cover - I like the red on it.

Timebomb is the one I would read first, as I recently added it to my wishlist based on a review I read here (must have been yours Signor Finzione).

I'd love to read a few horrors. Just trawling through my TBR pile, I've got: Carrion Comfort - Dan Simmons Misery - Stephen King (a re-read for me) Ash - James Herbert (heard it's pretty dire though) But I'd be happy to try any others.

I finished Company of Liars this afternoon. I'm going to carry on with The Mess We're In: Why Politicians Can't Fix Financial Crises but I'm also going to start another fiction. Not sure which yet, but it will be from my '2012 Purchases' pile.

Thanks Athena!

Nice link! I've walked down the narrowest one in Exeter.

I usually make notes while I'm reading (if I'm near the computer), or highlight passages on my Kindle, but even so it can still be very hard to pull all the notes together into something that is meaningful and makes sense. I would like to write reviews as soon as I finish a book, but sometimes I struggle so much that I leave it. And then the longer I leave it, the harder it becomes to recall. I often have to go online to read a plot summary to refresh my memory. I think if a book is brilliant the reviewers enthusiasm shines through (and likewise if they hate it, that comes through), but for mediocre or average books (which are probably the majority) it is quite difficult to give across a strong impression.

Omigosh, one more review then I'm caught up!!!

A Discovery of Witches - Deborah Harkness (unfinished) I’m in the clear minority with this one, but I didn’t like it (and that's putting it mildly) and had to give up at about 80% (though I really could have given up much sooner). Basically, the main character, Diana, is a reluctant witch who is also a professor at some university. Whilst doing research she finds a book, and unconsciously releases a spell which has kept this book shut. This attracts the attention of other witches, vampires, daemons etc. One in particular has taken a very strong interest in Diana – the vampire, Matthew. They spend more time together and eventually fall in sickly love, but their love is forbidden…..blah, blah, and so on….. This is one of those books that I really wanted to like. I think it’s because I liked the title and have heard many positive things about it. The over the top emphasis on romance…I mean I lost count of the number of times Diana was trembling with fear (though insisting she was a strong modern woman who could handle anything ) and had to collapse in Matthew’s strong masculine arms for comfort. I mean, for goodness sakes! It was just so over the top and in your face! And this type of scene was repeated ad infinitum. Pass the vomit bucket…..another one to avoid. 1/6