Chaliepud's 2013 Reading Log

[bree]

Oh chalie, I'm sorry you found it hard to get through - but yes, I think I understand how painful reading that bit must have been.

Hope you enjoy your next read.

 

[julie]

Oooo Chalie

 

Can I have a turn picking your next book ?

 

Since your last one was difficult to get through,let's pick an easier one this time . I'd like to choose House of the Spirits.

It was a beautiful book .In the beginning ,you have to let your imagination go a bit to get into the groove,but once you do, the story is truly magical .

I hope you like it as much as I did .

[chaliepud]

Oh chalie, I'm sorry you found it hard to get through - but yes, I think I understand how painful reading that bit must have been.

Hope you enjoy your next read.

 

 

Thanks Bree.

Oooo Chalie

 

Can I have a turn picking your next book ?

 

Since your last one was difficult to get through,let's pick an easier one this time . I'd like to choose House of the Spirits.

It was a beautiful book .In the beginning ,you have to let your imagination go a bit to get into the groove,but once you do, the story is truly magical .

I hope you like it as much as I did .

 

House of the Spirits it is!!! I'll start it tonight, lots to do today sadly and none of it exciting!

[julie]

Thanks-- and I hope your boring ,but busy day goes quickly so you can sit back and relax and start your new book tonite .

[chaliepud]

Sadly, despite my best intentions more books have now been added to my TBR shelf, I say sadly but I'm not really that sad as they are both books I can't wait to read.  They are...

 

The Girl You Left Behind - Jojo Moyes (A close friend read it and thought I might like it as she knows I loved Me Before You)

 

and

 

The Sight - David Clement-Davies (A gift from my Mum as it is 12 years since I had my daughter, she often buys me a little pressie on the kids birthdays which is so sweet) 

 

I'm still reading The House of the Spirits, I've had so little time to read lately and when I go to bed I can barely keep my eyes open!  But I think I am enjoying it so I will get there!     

Edited February 8, 2013 by chaliepud

[chaliepud]

I have been rather neglecting this thread, I've only done reviews up to book number 8 and am just about to start book 30!  I will put it on my to do list.. Maybe I'll just concentrate on the ones I have enjoyed the most.. 

 

I have updated my first page with books read though so feel free to check those out, and despite my good intentions I have purchased a few extra too so I'll update that later.. I need to pop into town shortly and have a £25 Waterstone's gift card in my purse, I'm thinking I should wait until my birthday next week???

[Athena]

Oops XD.

 

If you think your friends and/or family may give you books, it might be better to wait.

 

I look forward to see your reviews, particularly the ones I'm interested in (such as The Language of Flowers or The Eyre Affair). Well, I do already own those books anyway so I'll read them . Maybe only write reviews for the ones you really loved or didn't like at all, or maybe just a few thoughts per book? All up to you, it's your topic .

 

PS. This may be random but I really like your wolf/dog avatar.

[chaliepud]

Thanks Athena, I will try to resist but we often know how that ends up don't we!  Yes, you're right about being bought books, my brother normally buys me ones off my Amazon wish list (though he messed up last Christmas and found someone else with the same name as me, I couldn't understand why he thought I wanted Season One of Downton Abbey )

 

I will get to some reviews as soon as I can, I used to have more time in the evenings but the older my kids get (now almost 14, 12 and 8), the later they stay up, meaning the later I get to sit and relax and do my things.

 

Wolves are a passion of mine (and bears, but wolves the most).  In fact, on the 25th of this month I will be going for a wolf walk as part of my Christmas present from Steve, I am VERY excited!! :)

[chaliepud]

Well, I did have a very quick look in Waterstone's but nothing grabbed me, but these are the books I bought last week...

 

Daughter of Fortune by Isabel Allende

City of Bones (Mortal Instruments series) - Cassandra Clare

The Prisoner of Heaven - Carlos Ruiz Zafon

The Fever Tree - Jennifer McVeigh

The 5th Wave - Rick Yancey (bought for my son but he said it was too depressing )

The Death and Life of Charlie St Cloud - Ben Sherwood

Wool - Hugh Howey

 

Anyone read any of these??

[Athena]

I haven't read any of them but I recently bought some of the books in the Mortal Instruments series when I saw them for cheap (number 2 and 4, will get number 1 and 3 in a while) and I bought Wool a while ago (on Kindle). I don't know any of the other books (though my mum read another book or two by Carols Ruiz Zafon, she liked them).

[Inver]

Just to warn you I will be going to a ,mega huge book sale next week with a friend....will be looking out for Diane Chamberlain and Kristen Hannah, thanks to you...

[Michelle]

I've started listening to Wool.. Part 1 was really good, would have worked well as a short story. Part 2 is ok so far, will let you know how I get on.

[chaliepud]

Thanks Michelle, I'm really looking forward to it, love the cover too..

[bobblybear]

Not read any of those, but Wool has been on my wishlist for a while.

[chaliepud]

Not read any of those, but Wool has been on my wishlist for a while.

 

I'll let you know how I get on with it then..

[chaliepud]

9. The House of the Spirits - Isabel Allende (February 9th) 4/5

 

Goodreads Synopsis

 

In one of the most important and beloved Latin American works of the twentieth century, Isabel Allende weaves a luminous tapestry of three generations of the Trueba family, revealing both triumphs and tragedies. Here is patriarch Esteban, whose wild desires and political machinations are tempered only by his love for his ethereal wife, Clara, a woman touched by an otherworldly hand. Their daughter, Blanca, whose forbidden love for a man Esteban has deemed unworthy infuriates her father, yet will produce his greatest joy: his granddaughter Alba, a beautiful, ambitious girl who will lead the family and their country into a revolutionary future.

 

This book was slow going but not because I wasn't enjoying it but because it was so detailed and descriptive, I believe the book was written based on diaries/writings of a member of her family, a father or grandfather or uncle, I can't remember, I read it too long ago.. It was a story that slowly rolled along, taking the reader through all the drama of the lives of the characters.  What I loved the most were the supernatural aspects of the story, yet whilst I was reading it, I didn't feel like it was supernatural as it all just fit so perfectly.  If you like a descriptive multi generational story this could be for you.

 

Thank you Julie for encouraging me to get around to reading this.

[chaliepud]

10. Pantomime - Laura Lam  4/5

 

Goodreads Synopsis

 

R. H. Ragona’s Circus of Magic is the greatest circus of Ellada. Nestled among the glowing blue Penglass—remnants of a mysterious civilisation long gone—are wonders beyond the wildest imagination. It’s a place where anything seems possible, where if you close your eyes you can believe that the magic and knowledge of the vanished Chimaera is still there. It’s a place where anyone can hide.

Iphigenia Laurus, or Gene, the daughter of a noble family, is uncomfortable in corsets and crinoline, and prefers climbing trees to debutante balls. Micah Grey, a runaway living on the streets, joins the circus as an aerialist’s apprentice and soon becomes the circus’s rising star.

 

But Gene and Micah have balancing acts of their own to perform, and a secret in their blood that could unlock the mysteries of Ellada.

 

This was recommended to me by Michelle and was a great YA/Crossover read.  Completely different to anything I have read before and very clever in the way the story slowly unfolded and revealed more about the characters as it approached the end.  Best of all it was left open at the end so hopefully there will be a sequel..

 

Edited May 8, 2013 by chaliepud

[chaliepud]

11. Stolen - Kelley Armstrong

The second in The Women of the Otherworld series, I've really enjoyed reading about the dramatic life of the Werewolves, a good smattering of action, story and not just a little lust!

 

12. Firefly Lane - Kristin Hannah
Not her best book but even when not at her best her books are still pretty darn good, I'm looking forward to reading her follow up to this, 'Fly Away' which is out now, I may just ask for it for my birthday next week!

13. You Had Me At Hello - Mhairi McFarlane
This was a recently cheap Kobo read that was recommended to me by a friend and is well reviewed on Amazon/Goodreads. I suppose it's chick lit but more in the vein of Jojo Moyes as it has a fair amount of substance.

 

14. The Dive From Clausen's Pier - Ann Packer

I'd had this on my TBR for a long time and now I've read it I'm not sure why I waited so long..  It's an emotional read that challenges the reader to think what would they do in that situation, and could they honestly do any better?...

Edited May 10, 2013 by chaliepud

[chesilbeach]

Well, I did have a very quick look in Waterstone's but nothing grabbed me, but these are the books I bought last week...

 

Daughter of Fortune by Isabel Allende

City of Bones (Mortal Instruments series) - Cassandra Clare

The Prisoner of Heaven - Carlos Ruiz Zafon

The Fever Tree - Jennifer McVeigh

The 5th Wave - Rick Yancey (bought for my son but he said it was too depressing )

The Death and Life of Charlie St Cloud - Ben Sherwood

Wool - Hugh Howey

 

Anyone read any of these??

 

I've read City of Bones (in fact, I've read the first four books in the series) and it's pretty good.  I like Clare's writing style for the YA genre, but I preferred Clockwork Angel as I liked the Victorian setting better.

 

I've also read The Death and Life of Charlie St. Cloud (twice).  I loved Sherwood's first novel, The Man Who Ate The 747, and The Death and Life of Charlie St. Cloud was good too, and a few years after I'd read it, it came up at my local book group, so I read it again, and enjoyed it a second time even though I'm not a big re-reader usually.

 

The 5th Wave is on my wishlist, so I'm sure I'll be comparing notes with you on that one in the future!

[chaliepud]

I've read City of Bones (in fact, I've read the first four books in the series) and it's pretty good.  I like Clare's writing style for the YA genre, but I preferred Clockwork Angel as I liked the Victorian setting better.

 

I've also read The Death and Life of Charlie St. Cloud (twice).  I loved Sherwood's first novel, The Man Who Ate The 747, and The Death and Life of Charlie St. Cloud was good too, and a few years after I'd read it, it came up at my local book group, so I read it again, and enjoyed it a second time even though I'm not a big re-reader usually.

 

The 5th Wave is on my wishlist, so I'm sure I'll be comparing notes with you on that one in the future!

I chose the Mortal Instruments as I'm more keen on modern day settings so will see how that goes..

 

I'll see how I get on with Charlie St Cloud then maybe I'll look up the other one, is it in a similar vein?

[chaliepud]

Received in the post today, Replay by Ken Grimwood, another one I want to get to asap... Anyone want 3 kids for a week??

[chaliepud]

 

15. All These Things I've Done - Gabrielle Zevin  2/5

 

Goodreads synopsis:  In 2083, chocolate and coffee are illegal, paper is hard to find, water is carefully rationed, and New York City is rife with crime and poverty. And yet, for Anya Balanchine, the sixteen-year-old daughter of the city's most notorious (and dead) crime boss, life is fairly routine. It consists of going to school, taking care of her siblings and her dying grandmother, trying to avoid falling in love with the new assistant D.A.'s son, and avoiding her loser ex-boyfriend. That is until her ex is accidently poisoned by the chocolate her family manufactures and the police think she's to blame. Suddenly, Anya finds herself thrust unwillingly into the spotlight--at school, in the news, and most importantly, within her mafia family.

 

I bought this after enjoying 'Elsewhere' so much last year but I just couldn't like the female lead character so couldn't wait to get it finished, I even ended up skim reading the last couple of chapters..

 

16. The Girl You Left Behind - Jojo Moyes  4.5/5

 

Goodreads Synopsis:  In 1916 French artist Edouard Lefevre leaves his wife Sophie to fight at the Front. When her town falls into German hands, his portrait of Sophie stirs the heart of the local Kommandant and causes her to risk everything - her family, reputation and life - in the hope of seeing her true love one last time.

 

Since 'Me Before You' I have been a big Jojo Moyes fan and again she hasn't disappointed.  The book is written in two different points of time, present day in London and World War 1in France, this was a big plus for me as I've always been a fan of war time literature.  All the characters are entirely believable and likeable and whilst the story isn't entirely challenging it moves along nicely and presents a few little twists and turns along the way, along with the requisite love interests of course..  What I particularly like about Moyes is the readability of her stories without neglecting to add some convincing angst/drama to make the whole thing a lot more meaty.  

 

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

 

 

 

 

[chaliepud]

17. Dime Store Magic - Kelley Armstrong  3/5

 

Goodreads Synopsis:  Paige Winterbourne was always either too young or too rebellious to succeed her mother as leader of one of the world's most powerful elite organizations- the American Coven of Witches. Now that she is twenty-three and her mother is dead, the Elders can no longer deny her. But even Paige's wildest antics can't hold a candle to those of her new charge- an orphan who is all too willing to use her budding powers for evil... and evil is all too willing to claim her. For this girl is being pursued by a dark faction of the supernatural underworld. They are a vicious group who will do anything to woo the young, malleable, and extremely powerful neophyte, including commit murder- and frame Paige for the crime. It's an initiation into adulthood, womanhood, and the brutal side of magic that Paige will have to do everything within her power to make sure they both survive.

 

I thoroughly enjoyed the first two books in the Women of the Otherworld series, but this, the third, didn't float my boat as much, mainly because I missed the excitement of the first two books, particularly the Vampires.

 

 

 

[Karsa Orlong]

Anyone want 3 kids for a week??

 

 

Um   Nah, it's alright, thanks

[chaliepud]

18. Hopeless - Colleen Hoover (March 23rd) 4.5/5

 

Goodreads:  Sometimes discovering the truth can leave you more hopeless than believing the lies…
That’s what seventeen-year-old Sky realizes after she meets Dean Holder. A guy with a reputation that rivals her own and an uncanny ability to invoke feelings in her she’s never had before. He terrifies her and captivates her all in the span of just one encounter, and something about the way he makes her feel sparks buried memories from a past that she wishes could just stay buried.
Sky struggles to keep him at a distance knowing he’s nothing but trouble, but Holder insists on learning everything about her. After finally caving to his unwavering pursuit, Sky soon finds that Holder isn’t at all who he’s been claiming to be. When the secrets he’s been keeping are finally revealed, every single facet of Sky’s life will change forever.

 

This ebook was recommended on here, I think by Charm, and despite the reviews I wasn't expected too much but I was pleasantly surprised.  It started quite innocently, just like a lot of YA reads but it gradually gained speed and depth and by the end had led me through many an emotion and the last few chapters were not at all what I had expected.  A great YA/Crossover read.

 

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED