bobblybear

Just finished The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton. What an amazing book!

I've nearly finished The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton - about 85% through. It's such a good story, so full of mystery and intrigue. I love it!

Roast

Friends With Benefits. It was alright.

My Social Network Stalker on 4OD. Shocking stuff.

Killer Elite. Dull.

Shirt

Location, Location, Location on 4OD. Love that show.

The White Tiger - Aravind Adiga Synopsis from Amazon Meet Balram Halwai, the 'White Tiger': servant, philosopher, entrepreneur and murderer. Balram, the White Tiger, was born in a backwater village on the River Ganges, the son of a rickshaw-puller. He works in a teashop, crushing coal and wiping tables, but nurses a dream of escape. When he learns that a rich village landlord needs a chauffeur, he takes his opportunity, and is soon on his way to Delhi behind the wheel of a Honda. Amid the cockroaches and call-centres, the 36,000,004 gods, the slums, the shopping malls, and the crippling traffic jams, Balram learns of a new morality at the heart of a new India. Driven by desire to better himself, he comes to see how the Tiger might escape his cage... My Thoughts I was really surprised at how much I liked this book. The story is told through Balram's eyes, in a series of letters to the Chinese Ambassador who is to visit India shortly. His style is very conversational and humorous, and with a bit of bite to it. I found the description of his life in India so fascinating. I know next to nothing about the country - aside from what you see on TV or in movies - so it was interesting to read all the details from a countryman. Balram's life is an interesting journey, and you don't really get to know where he is coming from or where he has ended up until the last part of the book. Up until then, it could almost go either way, as he drops hints early on about what he has done in his life (some of them morally questionable, but he is, in his own words, 'a social entrepreneur'), but never the context of his actions, until you hear his story and get the whole picture. I found him to be such a likeable character, and it's quite conflicting that he can be so good at heart even though he has done some not-very-nice-things (shall we say). If you like books where the character goes through a interesting emotional/mental journey, and you get to see how their experiences have shaped them and changed them, then I'd recommend this one for sure. 9/10

Painting Ruby Tuesday looks good. Have added it to my wishlist.

Helter Skelter - Vincent Bugliosi Synopsis from Amazon The true story behind the most infamous mass murder case ever. On August 9th 1969, seven people were found shot, stabbed and bludgeoned to death in Los Angeles. America watched in fascinated horror as the killers were tried and convicted. But the real questions went unanswered. How did Manson make his 'family' kill for him? What made these young men and women kill again and again with no trace of remorse? Did the murders continue even after Manson's imprisonment? No matter how much you think you know about this case, this book will shock you. My Thoughts I've read this book before, but a long time ago, so thought I'd give it a re-read as I spied it on my shelves. It is a must-read if you have any interest at all in true-crime. I've read quite a few true-crime books, and this has to be one of the most comprehensive and detailed books about the whole case. It starts off with very gruesome descriptions of the murders - don't read it at night if you scare easily - and from there goes into the subsequent investigation (which took several months), arrests and court trials. It is all very detailed, with a lot of court transcripts (especially the second half of the book) and a lot of information about the background of each of the individuals. Some true-crime books tend to almost glorify some cases, almost revelling in the details, but Helter Skelter is written in such a serious manner. Also, the author of the book was the prosecutor in the case, so he had a lot of first-hand personal experience with Manson and his Family. It is a must-read for anyone interested in true-crime or in that particular case. 10/10

I agree with Chesilbeach. Loved the first one - thought it was very unique, but didn't think the second and third quite lived up to the same standard. Still, they are quite an easy read, so well worth a go I think.

Oh no, Kidsmum, that's a shame. I too loved Red Leaves. Maybe this one was one of his earlier books before he had honed his talent.

I haven't read any of her other books, though I've lost count of the number of times of plucked The House at Riverton off the library shelf, only to keep putting it back. I read a lot of reviews that say The Forgotten Garden is her best book, so I think I made the right choice in starting it. After all the positive comments I've heard about Gone with the Wind, I think I'll probably make it my next read. You are in for such a treat with these two books. I read The Art of Racing in the Rain a short while ago, and absolutely loved it. Cried buckets, but it's so uplifting. And of course, The Book Thief is just wonderful as well. Very well written, and it just tugs at the heartstrings. I hope you enjoy them.

I will get to it this year! Honest! For now I've decided to go with The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton. I've only read a chapter or so, but it's got me hooked already.

Finished The White Tiger. Now I'm trying to decide between The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton or The End Specialist by Drew Magary. Gone With The Wind keeps tempting me as well, but I'm not in the mood for a long read.

I read Packing for Mars last year. An interesting insight, especially into the psychological testing done in Japan.

Nothing yet, but there's a chicken and loads of potatoes roasting in the oven.

I'll second that - Stiff is a great read! Hilarious and very, very interesting.

Harry Potter and The Order of the Phoenix - JK Rowling Synopsis from Amazon Dumbledore lowered his hands and surveyed Harry through his half-moon glasses. 'It is time,' he said, 'for me to tell you what I should have told you five years ago, Harry. Please sit down. I am going to tell you everything.' Harry Potter is due to start his fifth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizadry. He is desperate to get back to school and find out why his friends Ron and Hermione have been so secretive all summer. However, what Harry is about to discover in his new year at Hogwarts will turn his whole world upside down ...But before he even gets to school, Harry has an unexpected and frightening encounter with two Dementors, has to face a court hearing at the Ministry of Magic and has been escorted on a night-time broomstick ride to the secret headquarters of a mysterious group called 'The Order of the Phoenix'. And that is just the start. A gripping and electrifying novel, full of suspense, secrets, and - of course - magic. My Thoughts This is the fifth in the series, and maybe the biggest, size wise. Even though it's a big book, it had me captivated all the way through - as all the Harry Potter books have done so far. I do love these books, and I'm gutted that I only have two to go. I just love the story, and I'm glad that I never read any spoilers about the series at all, so everything is new to me. There are all the familiar old characters and creatures, but in every book JK Rowling introduces us to new magical creatures and spells, and the kid in me just thinks: "How cool is that?!!" I like the little revelation about Can't wait to read the next ones in the series but at the same time I don't want them to be over!! Noooooo! 9/10

I really enjoyed that book, much better than the movie. Alex Garland hasn't written anything new in a while which is a bit of a shame. I saw a few episodes of this - thought they were brilliant, and such an eye opener to different cultures. I'm waiting for the book to become available at the library. It's interesting that you say the book is better than the TV episodes, as I thought it would be the other way around. I found the ending very disturbing, but also quite fitting. I plan on re-reading The Time Traveller's Wife at some point, as I remember enjoying it but don't recall much of the detail.

I've just started reading this yesterday, and I'm enjoying it so far. It's an eye-opener into life in India, with the main character being quite full of character. Also, key points are revealed early on, but not enough to give the full picture, so there's a bit of mystery there too.

Finished Helter Skelter. It was a bit draining. Now I'm reading The White Tiger by Avarind Adiga.