tunn300 Posted August 13, 2013 Author Share Posted August 13, 2013 Well it was my birthday yesterday and as a result I have been given two new books along with some lovely book vouchers. The books were given to me based upon my passion for cricket and they were; CMJ: A Cricketing Life - Christopher Martin Jenkins Twirlymen - Amol Rajan I am heading home from France today so will have to pop to Waterstones in the next couple of days and decide what to spend my vouchers on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kidsmum Posted August 13, 2013 Share Posted August 13, 2013 Happy belated birthday Tunn , look forward to hearing what you get with your book vouchers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
julie Posted August 14, 2013 Share Posted August 14, 2013 A Very Happy birthday, Tunn .. A little bit late . Hope you had a good one . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poppyshake Posted August 14, 2013 Share Posted August 14, 2013 Tunn!! Hope you have fun spending your vouchers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devi Posted August 16, 2013 Share Posted August 16, 2013 (edited) Happy belated birthday Tunn! Edited August 16, 2013 by Devi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Athena Posted August 20, 2013 Share Posted August 20, 2013 Happy belated birthday!! P. S. Great reviews . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tunn300 Posted August 22, 2013 Author Share Posted August 22, 2013 Thanks for all the birthday wishes all. I took quite some time to choose the books I spent my vouchers on with much picking up and then changing my mind. Waterstones have many appealing looking books at the moment. In the end i went for: Maggot Moon by Sally Gardner Alex by Pierre Lemantre The Honey Guide by RIchard Crompton Lost at Sea by Jon Richardson Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frankie Posted August 23, 2013 Share Posted August 23, 2013 Picked up a couple of books on Kindle over the past couple of days. David Mitchell - Back Story (after reading a thread about in the non-fiction section by Poppy and Frankie I think) Yes that would be poppyshake and me, and Claire and Janet... Wohoo for getting a copy! The Knot - Mark Watson Thanks for the great review, this one's going on my wishlist as I quite like the sound of it Back Story - David Mitchell ... I found the book relatively amusing and it was written exactly as you would imagine Mitchell to say it. I haven't yet read the whole book myself, but I know what you mean: you can actually hear Mitchell narrate it with that distinctive voice of his as you're reading on I'm glad you liked the book eventhough not as much as you'd wished Oh, and a very happy belated Birthday!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dex Posted August 23, 2013 Share Posted August 23, 2013 Thanks for your review of Chris Carter, I'm now looking into his books. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tunn300 Posted September 22, 2013 Author Share Posted September 22, 2013 Well I haven't been on for a while. I have invested in a new kindle in the time that I have been away and I am almost at the end of two books. Maggot Moon and I Am The Secret Footballer. Hope to get both finished by the end of the week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tunn300 Posted September 24, 2013 Author Share Posted September 24, 2013 I have finished Maggot Moon and will post my thoughts on it soon. I have about 25% of I Am The Secret Footballer left and hope to finish it over the next couple of days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tunn300 Posted September 28, 2013 Author Share Posted September 28, 2013 Review - Maggot Moon Synopsis Amazon A starkly original and heartbreaking tale of friendship and rebellion 50% Friendship, 20% Danger, 20% Rebellion, 10% Conspiracy Shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal and a 2012 Costa Award winner. Narrated against the backdrop of a ruthless regime determined to beat its enemies in the race to the moon, MAGGOT MOON is the stunning new novel from award-winning author Sally Gardner. When his best friend Hector is suddenly taken away, Standish Treadwell realises that it is up to him, his grandfather and a small band of rebels to confront and defeat the ever-present oppressive forces of the Motherland. Utterly original and stunning, it is impossible not to be moved by MAGGOT MOON's powerful story and the unforgettable heroism of Standish. Review I picked up this book with some birthday vouchers after been enticed by the synopsis and cover (not actually the one pictured). I hadn't actually heard of it before but was intrigued enough to give it a go. The story follows Standish Treadwell, a school boy with special needs, during his time at school. Standish lives in a nation that filters all media and controls everything. The state is the law and everyone follows the rules or pays the price, think North Korea. Around the time the book is set this empire is about to launch a moon mission and plant weapons on the moon to destroy all the 'motherlands' enemies, or so its citizens believe. See the premise sounds really exciting. The chapters are incredibly short, some just a paragraph and are told from the perspective of Standish. I did enjoy finding out about everyday life for the citizens of this regime and some of the plot points were fairly interesting. My main problem with the book is the way it is told. I have read many books told from children's perspectives, including those with additional needs, but for me this doesn't quite hit the mark. I also found the plot points fairly simple and the ending was quite lear a way off. Overall I am a bit disappointed with this book and would only recommend it as a quick read if you can find it cheap and are interested in learning a bit about how people leave in an oppressed regime. 6/10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobblybear Posted September 28, 2013 Share Posted September 28, 2013 Shame it's not that great a read, as the synopsis and title sound interesting. I'll still add it to my wishlist, just not at the top of the pile. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tunn300 Posted September 28, 2013 Author Share Posted September 28, 2013 I Am the Secret Footballer - The Secret Footballer Synopsis Amazon It is often said that 95% of what happens in football takes place behind closed doors. Many of these stories I shouldn't be telling you. But I will. Who is The Secret Footballer? Only a few people know the true identity of the man inside the game. But whoever he is - and whoever he plays for - he is always honest, fearless and opinionated. Here he reveals everything you need to know about the hidden world of professional football, and what it's really like to do the job that most of us can only dream of. Review I picked this book up when it was on offer for £1 on kindle earlier this year. I had read many of the secret footballers columns in the Guardian and found them interesting and insightful. The book is a series of chapters about different areas of football that the secret footballer attempts to lift the lid on. I found some of the chapters of the book genuinely interesting and informative whilst others i found plain dull. I do feel there is just a little too much self pity in the book for my taste and whilst I do sympathise with some of the side-effects of playing modern football many people have horrible parts to their jobs. Overall I wouldn't recommend this book as a good read about what goes on behind closed doors in the modern game but merely an ok toilet read that has some interesting stories. 5/10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janet Posted September 28, 2013 Share Posted September 28, 2013 Shame about Maggot Moon. I read her I, Coriander earlier this year and really enjoyed it - but it's a totally different setting and I wasn't sure if I fancied this one, so I think I'll give it a miss. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tunn300 Posted September 29, 2013 Author Share Posted September 29, 2013 I have made a start on 'Wher'ed You Go Bernadette?' and am really enjoying it so far. About 30% in but really like thestyle and the way we find out new information from emails, characters and letters. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobblybear Posted September 29, 2013 Share Posted September 29, 2013 It's a great read, Tunn, one of the best I've read this year. It's funny with just the right amount of whackiness! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tunn300 Posted October 5, 2013 Author Share Posted October 5, 2013 Well I have finished Wher'ed You Go Bernadette late last night. Its the quickest I have read a book in quite a while and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Will post a full review soon but agree with Bobblybear it is also my favourite book of the year so far. What to start next??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobblybear Posted October 5, 2013 Share Posted October 5, 2013 Glad you enjoyed it, Tunn. I look forward to reading your review. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frankie Posted October 5, 2013 Share Posted October 5, 2013 I'm happy to hear you enjoyed Where'd You Go Bernadette, as I've been a bit hesitant about whether I want to read it or not. More and more people seem to be finding this book and adding it to their wishlist or TBR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poppyshake Posted October 5, 2013 Share Posted October 5, 2013 Yay!! .. so glad to hear you enjoyed it Tunn Frankie: Perhaps you might see it at the library? Tunn, Bobbs and I think it's great .. what more do you need to know Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frankie Posted October 5, 2013 Share Posted October 5, 2013 (edited) Yay!! .. so glad to hear you enjoyed it Tunn Frankie: Perhaps you might see it at the library? Tunn, Bobbs and I think it's great .. what more do you need to know The thing that worries me (and which I'm sure I asked you about, but forgot what you replied! ) is if this is chick-littish I don't mind chick lit, I've read my fair share and will continue to do so, but for some reason I have my doubts about this book. But I do recall that whatever you said about it when I asked you about it, make me not doubt it so much, but I've come back to doubt land So odd!! This is unrelated, but poppyshake, isn't tunn the one who also liked Gold by Dan Rhodes? Tunn, was it you? For some reason when I came to read tunn's latest posts and noticed he'd enjoyed the same book as poppyshake, it made me think of Gold and you two sharing a like for that book Edit: Where does the username 'tunn300' come from, btw Edited October 5, 2013 by frankie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poppyshake Posted October 5, 2013 Share Posted October 5, 2013 Yes he did like Gold .. good memory frankie WYGB is not chick-litty .. not really (so take the bus out of doubtland and don't buy a return ticket ) A good way to know is to read a couple of pages of it .. if you see it when out and about .. and see how you like its style. If you were here with me I could tuck you up in my favourite armchair, with a nice glass of wine and some nibbles and fetch you my copy and just sit there waiting for you to tell me what you think (no .. that's not very relaxing is it? .. I'll get a book of my own and let you get on with it .. but secretly watch to see if your face gives anything away ) .. you'll know in a very short time whether it's for you or not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frankie Posted October 5, 2013 Share Posted October 5, 2013 Yes he did like Gold .. good memory frankie Well what can I say. Gold is such a special book! WYGB is not chick-litty .. not really (so take the bus out of doubtland and don't buy a return ticket ) Okay okay, I will It's on my wishlist already, anyway, so I'm to go with it!! A good way to know is to read a couple of pages of it .. if you see it when out and about .. and see how you like its style. If you were here with me I could tuck you up in my favourite armchair, with a nice glass of wine and some nibbles and fetch you my copy and just sit there waiting for you to tell me what you think (no .. that's not very relaxing is it? .. I'll get a book of my own and let you get on with it .. but secretly watch to see if your face gives anything away ) .. you'll know in a very short time whether it's for you or not. That would be splendid, but you know that if I was there, there was no way I could settle down comfortably reading a book. We'd chat our mouths off and giggle and talk books! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poppyshake Posted October 5, 2013 Share Posted October 5, 2013 Well what can I say. Gold is such a special book! Indeed it is, it's under-appreciated I think .. but not by us Okay okay, I will It's on my wishlist already, anyway, so I'm to go with it!! Yippee Yi Yay!! That would be splendid, but you know that if I was there, there was no way I could settle down comfortably reading a book. We'd chat our mouths off and giggle and talk books! Wouldn't that be awesome? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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