Sugar's Reads

[Sugar]

Well it's been a manically busy couple of weeks, and my reading has suffered some for it!

 

However, I have read Stuart: A Life Backwards for my book club - if you don't know it, it is the biography of a homeless man, told by looking back over his life. The author tries to track down what factors triggered Stuart to end up on the streets of Campbridge. Interesting, and worth a look if you like biographies or people!

 

After that, I thought I would read the first Temperance Brennan book by Kathy Riechs, that has been on my TBR a while. A colleague recommended it. I like reading Crime as I can usually rip through it in a couple of days, but as this has taken me a week to complete I was clearly not so impressed! By page 350, I felt like the plot had only progressed far enough for 200 pages. Some serious editing might have helped! I finished it earlier today, and indeed have started to forget things already! Who dunnit?

[Louiseog]

that's funny, I loved the first few Temperance Brennan books but have found that she is starting to drag in her more recent books.

[Lilywhite]

I really enjoyed Stuart: A life backwards. A very touching story in the oddest of ways.

[Sugar]

Since last visiting here, I have been added to the reviewing panel for Children's Books UK alongside Kell.

 

I have today submitted my first 2 reviews for the site. It's all very exciting.

 

As they were both picture books, I haven't listed them on my Reading List (if I included Picture Books it would go on forever!), but I will flag up my reviews once they have been added to the site.

 

I am now reading a novel for CBUK - Andrew Fusek Peters and Polly Peters new one - Roar, Bull, Roar! I'm just over halfway through so far.

 

I lvoe the Czech references (and use of Czech words) in it, not least as I have a Czech colleague who tomorrow I will great with Ahoj (pronounced Ahoy!) which is Czech for hello!

 

Despite these good things, I am not enjoying it quite as much as I did Crash, their earlier novel told in Poetry format or their collection of Poetry - Poems with Attitude. Maybe it is better than Andrew's graphic novel though.....

[Sugar]

that's funny, I loved the first few Temperance Brennan books but have found that she is starting to drag in her more recent books.

 

I certainly won't be reading any more then! If I struggled with Deja Dead, there is no hope for me with the later ones!

[Louiseog]

She pales beside Karin Slaughter and Pj Tracey who are much better

[Sugar]

More to add to the TBR list then!

[Sugar]

Finished Roar, Bull, Roar and greeted my colleague with "Dobry den" which measn good morning. She seemed pleased and surprised! I am going to pass the book onto her, as she had heard about it, but not seen it.

 

Now reading The Vesuvius Club by Mark Gatiss of League of Gentlemen fame. I've been pleasantly surprised as it is quite easy to read, and humerous at the same time. Lucifer Box is a James Bond type character for his time, who lives at Number 9, Downing Street (well somebody has to!). Set in the Victorian/Edwardian era, the high speed chase involving hansom cabs was hilarious!

[Sugar]

I will apologise for my lack of visiting recently. Things are rather busy at work, and at home at the moment!

 

Since I last visited I thought I hadn't read very much, but when I listed them here on my 1st post, I realised I have. The books were:

 

Small Steps - Louis Sachar

Kiss Me Quick - Julie Highmore

Damian Drooth Supersleuth: Spycatcher - Barbara Mitchelhill

Out of My Depth - Emily Barr

Oranges in No Man's Land - Elizabeth Laird

The Navigator - Eoin McNamee

Notes on a Scandal - Zoe Heller

The Penalty - Mal Peet

Three to Get Deadly - Janet Evanovich

 

Admitedly the top 5 I have read in the last 3 days, and some have been very short (younger) children's fiction.

 

Further to my last post about The Vesuvius Club, I did enjoy it, but not long after posting got a bit of a shock at the sudden adult content! Certainly not recommended to children!!!

[Kell]

Good list of books read there, Sugar - looks interesting! And welcome back, too!

[Sugar]

Thank you, Kell. I will try better, but until the start of next year I can't make any promises! I'm going to try to visit at least once a week though!

[Sugar]

Once again it has been a busy week, and the time I've not been working or out, I've had a migraine and headachy. The migraine knocked me out, and the headache has been hanging around since, so I have been avoiding the PC screen. I have managed to get some reading done though. Added to Post 1 are:

 

Cat Among the Pigeons - Julia Golding

Killing Orders - Sara Paretsky

Four to Score - Janet Evanovich

Yhe Road of Bones - Anne Fine

Welcome to the Real World - Carole Matthews

 

 

October has been a surprisingly readable month, I'm not sure how though! I guess it is because a number of the books have been "must reads" rather than "would like to reads".

[Sugar]

Thought I would post a list of the books currently sat on the TBR Mountain. They are roughly in order of most recently added to the ones there longest...

 

1) Velocity - Dean Koontz

2) Endymion Spring - Matthew Skelton

3) The Ecstasy Club - Douglas Rushkoff

4) The Vesuvius Club - Mark Gatiss

5) Deja Dead - Kathy Reichs

6) I'm the King of the Castle - Susan Hill

7) At Swim-Two-Birds - Flann O'Brien

8) The Mark of the Angel - Nancy Huston

9) Sweet Thursday - John Steinbeck

10) Damage - Sue Mayfield

11) Keeping Faith - Jodi Picoult

12) Perfect Match - Jodi Picoult

13) Human Traces - Sebastien Faulkes

14) We Need to Talk about Kevin - Lionel Shriver

15) Twilight - Stephanie Meyer

16) A Little Piece of Ground - Elizabeth Laird

17) Popular Music - Mikael Niemi

18) The Princess and other stories - Anthon Chekhov

19) Long Way Round - Ewan MacGregor and Charlie Boorman

20) Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell - Suzanna Clarke

21) Geisha of Gion - Mineko Iwasaki

22) McCarthys Bar - Pete McCarthy

23) The Rotters Club - Jonathan Coe

24) Camelia - Lesley Pearse

25) Daughter of Fortune - Isabel Allende

26) The Da Vinci Code - Dan Brown

27) Two Women - Martina Cole

 

I don't think I'm going to root out the ones hidden in the bottom of my bedside table. They were supposed to be the priority ones about 2 years ago, but now have about 2 inches of dust on them instead!

 

 

* Green means read since list posted. Aim to self - read all of these by Christmas!!!

 

 

I've just realised I read 2 more books from this list in the last few weeks! Very impressed with myself! Don't think I will have completed by Christmas, though!

[Michelle]

Sorry to hear about the migraine and headaches.. I've been the same recently.

[Sugar]

Thanks, Michelle - I thinks it's the weather!

I hope you feel better soon as well.

[Sugar]

Finished Cat Among the Pigeons. Very much like The Diamond of Drury Lane which it is the sequel to, and very enjoyable. Proper, traditional children's literature with all the adventure and excitement that it should have. I am sure that Golding has set it up for a 3rd book though....

 

Next, I have been putting off a book for work evaluation - Angel Isle by Peter Dickinson. It is bound to be fantastically well written and gripping, but I always find Dickinson to be so worthy, and at about 5 inches thick, I can't seem to enthuse myself to pick it up. I must though, so it is next.

[Sugar]

Still ploughing through Angel Isle. I've read about 150 of the 600, and I'm slowly beginning to work out what is going on. It doesn't help that it's a sequel and I haven't read the first book, The Ropemaker.

 

I picked up another book from work today, Forged in the Fire by Ann Turnbull, and I need to get that read by Wednesday, so Angel Isle may have to go on ice for a couple of days.

[Sugar]

I've finished the Dickinson! At last! It was a real slog. I read about 3 more books in between starting it and finishing it!

 

Have updated first post with list of what read.

 

Going to copy in a post I made on http://boards.fool.co.uk about this months reads as I don't want to go through them all again!

 

Edit - have done so, but needed to cut 600 characters out as it was over 10000 characters long! Wow!

[Sugar]

Notes on a Scandal

Zoe Heller

 

This Booker Shortlisted novel (2001?) was the choice for my Book Club read this month. It tells the story of a naive NQT who embarks on a relationship with one of her 15 year old students. Told through the eyes of a fellow teacher, Barbara, more is revealed about the narrator than those featured in the storyline itself!

 

As a self confessed Booker hater, I was very reluctant to read this. However, it was much easier to read than I expected and while not a comfortable read, I could almost say I enjoyed it. The writing style is of high quality and the plot is well constructed. It was impossible to like the characters but this was clearly all part of Heller's plan.

 

Certainly a good book for discussion, and this was borne out in the fact that there were more members of Book Club turned up for the meeting than ever before, and we had all finished it!

 

The Navigator

Eoin McNamee

 

This is a debut novel for Young Adults, from an accomplished Irish adult novellist.

 

The novel stars Owen (a play on the pronunciation of Eoin, perhaps?), an ordinary boy from an ordinary town. One day, Owen witnesses - although he doesn't realise or understand it - the starting of the Puissance and his life changes. A whole community awakens from within the Old Workhouse, and a centuries old war is restarted between the Resistors and the Harsh.

 

Soon it becomes apparent that time has been damaged, and this is an alternative reality. Owen has an important role to play to restore life, one that he has inherited from his Father. Through trying to save the Resistors, and ultimately the world, Owen learns more about his own history and his own strengths.

 

The novel is action-packed, and there is plenty to get your teeth into. However, McNamee works too hard to explain the complications of time-travel and the numerous gadgets invented by the loveable Dr Diamond. Unfortunately, as a result at no point does the scenario seem entirely convincing. The ending is weak, seeming a little too convenient and tidy.

 

This said, there are lots of great ideas here that could have been developed further and a good backstory. Junior fans of sci-fi will enjoy it.

 

Oranges in No Man's Land

Elizabeth Laird

 

At about 100 pages, this new book from Elizabeth Laird is aimed at a younger readership than expected. Set in Lebanon during the troubles of the 70's, Laird brings to life the feelings of confusion and loss that would be felt by an 8 year old child in these situations. As Ayesha struggles to come to terms with her country's fight with itself, she is shown that the world is not all evil in the help and warmth shown by her fellow refugees.

 

For such a short novel, this is high class literature which will be easily accessible by 8-11 year olds. A strong read that will bring tears to the eyes of even a hardened reader.

 

Out of My Depth

Emily Barr

 

When 30-something Susie plans a reunion for her school friends, she knows that there is more to her motives than showing off. The 4 friends have a dark secret that has never been discussed between them and was the cause of the demise of their friendship. Barr interweaves the 2005 France where Susie lives, with the story of their English Private School in the 1980's.

 

There has clearly been a lot of thought into how the events of the 80's will impact on the characters in later life, but despite this the girls are never truly likeable or manage to escape teenager cliches.

 

While this novel isn't going to set the literary world alight, it will be good for beach reading!

 

Damian Dreuth, Supersluth: Spycatcher

Barbara Mitchelhill

 

An easy to read adventure spy story for 6-8 year olds or those beginning to gain confidence in reading alone. Damian Drooth is once again on the trail of crime, and is using the opportunity to train his friends in detective skills. The vocabulary is simple and the characters believable. The plot is plausible though clearly planned to reach a nice finale.

 

Small Steps

Louis Sachar

 

This sequel to the much acclaimed Holes follows on the story of Armpit and X-Ray after they are released from Camp Green Lake. Armpit is trying to go straight, and has found himself a job with a landscape gardener (digging holes!) while he does a day-release college course. X-Ray isn't quite as focussed and wants to focus on making a quick buck. he persuades Armpit to part with his savings to buy tickets to a Britney Spears-esque Pop Concert with the intention of selling them on for profit. Suffice to say, things don't go exactly to plan and Armpit ends up in the middle of a fraud and murder plot.

 

While as enjoyable to read as Holes, Small Steps add's little to the characters and is no where near as cleverly plotted. It is also very topical, and will appeal more to teenage girls than the wider audience of Holes.

 

Kiss Me Quick

Julie Highmore

 

Light and fluffy rom-com. Useless life coach, Tim Downer, unknowingly becomes the feature of a journalist's research into his job. He doesn't suspect a thing, but his ex-wife and daughter know immediately there is more to Debbie than meets the eye.

 

Told in first person diary-style chunks, the lead is switched between about 6 of the main characters which makes it hard to follow who or what is going on. That said, Highmore seems to know her characters well, and does give them each their own voices which become more distinctive as the novel develops.

 

Welcome to the Real World

Carole Matthews

 

More light and fluffy rom-com. This time set in the music industry. Struggling bar girl / bar singer, Fern, gets a temping job as the PA to mega-star, opera singer Evan David. At the same time she gets through the first stages of X-Factor style TV Show, The Fame Game. When her 2 worlds start to collide and collapse around her ears, desperate measures are called for.

 

Matthew's is a confident writer, who writes with a natural sparkle. Her characters seem real and their plight's understandable. Another one that would be good for the beach, or a long train journey!

 

Road of Bones

Anne Fine

Anne Fine's latest novel is a complete departure from her normal style. Road of Bones is set in a Soviet like state where every one is afraid of the "Leaders" and their spies. When 12 year old Yuri makes a throwaway comment, he endangers the life of not just himself but also his family. On the run, this is the tale of his survival.

 

Bleak and cold, this is obviously a story that Fine needed to tell. Perfectly plotted and developed, although a fable the environment seems like it could become real alarmingly easily.

 

Definitely one of the best children's novels of the year, and a strong contender for many Children's Book Prizes.

 

Killing Orders

Sara Paretsky

 

A VI Warshawski novel. VI is asked by her estranged aunt to clear her name when the monastery she works at is found to have a number of forged stock certificates.

 

Typical Paretsky, gripping to the end. While at times the novel hasn't aged well, this is still worth reading for the crime fans.

 

Four to Score & High Five

Janet Evanovich

I'm whipping through the Stephanie Plum books. The more I read, the more I need!

 

Both these novels have the characteristic traits of a good Evanovich - Stephanie in top form as the worlds most unwilling and inept Bounty Hunter, Rex the Hamster surviving all kinds of injustice, Joe Morelli trying his best to bed Stpeh, and Grandma Mazur not wanting to miss out on anything. Great for light relief, and laughing out loud. I'm lovin' it!

Cat Among the Pigeons

Julia Golding

 

Another sequel, this time to last year's Ottakar's Children's Book Award winner, The Diamond of Drury Lane. Cat Royal, orphan and ward of the Royal Theatre, is in trouble again. She needs to go hide, and in the process ends up acting as a school boy and a serving girl.

 

Another lively offering, with all the elements a great children's adventure books should have. There are baddies galore, fights, intrigue and a satisfying ending. Clearly set up to support another sequel, but one I am looking forward to reading.

 

Forged in the Fire

Ann Turnbull

 

Yet another sequel, this time to No Shame, No Fear which will be seen on stage in the Jermyn Theatre next year.

 

It is 1664 and Will and Susanna have not seen each other for 3 years. Will has now achieved success in London and has written to Susanna to ask her to marry him and come to live with him. As the weeks go by, Will does not arrive, and as tales of the Plague reach Shropshire she begins to fear for his life. She sets off to London to find him.

 

Turnbull has clearly done a lot of research into Quakerism and their way of life in both rural and urban England of the 1600's. It seems unbelievable that even in the grip of Plague, Quakers were being persecuted and imprisoned for their beliefs.

 

Not having read the first book, I was concerned that this would affect my reading of this one, but that was not a problem at all. Enough background is given for the story to make sense, without making it patronising for those who have read No Shame.

 

Will and Su stay with you long after finishing the book, and their story is so vividly told that images of the book come to you when you least expect it.

 

Another wonderful novel that I am sure will do well in Children's Literature circles.

[Sugar]

Since the end of October, I have also:

 

Finished Angel Isle by Peter Dickinson

 

Read:

The Rainbow Bridge by Aubrey Flegg (thanks Kell!)

Hot Six by Janet Evanovich

 

I don't know what I am going to pick off the shelf next. It is my RL Book Club a week on Thursday so I need to read Small Island by Andrea Levy for then, but I want to read something else light first. Off to raid the TBR shelf and then to bed.

 

Night all!

[Sugar]

Flipping Janet Evanovich. I can't put her down!

 

I've devoured 2 more in 4 days! I need to stop!

 

Finally started Small Island last night. Going to read it quick so I can get onto To The Nines the next Evanovich!

 

Oh, I've updated post one so that you can see the list of everything I have read so far this year. I have excelled myself as Small Island will be the 100th book I finish this year. That's 6 more than last years total, and I have another 7 weeks to go!

[Sarahrob]

Flipping Janet Evanovich. I can't put her down!

 

I've devoured 2 more in 4 days! I need to stop!

 

I love those books and end up rereading them regularly. It's rare for a book to make me really laugh out loud, and almost unheard-of for it to do the same on a reread, but hers always get me.

[Sugar]

I love those books and end up rereading them regularly. It's rare for a book to make me really laugh out loud, and almost unheard-of for it to do the same on a reread, but hers always get me.

 

I'm up to Book 11 now. Don't know what I am going to do when I run out!

 

Had a fairly awful reading week - didn't pick a book up from Thursday last week until last night - seem to have had a dip in motivation. Things seem to have picked up a bit, and I hope to read quite a bit of Eragon tomorrow.

 

Have updated post 1, and also my TBR post.

[Maureen]

A while ago I went to a local bookshop, and asked the nice lady at the counter to recommend a nice author who would make me laugh. (this is before this book club and you guys, from who I now get too many recommendations ) She recommended Janet Evanovich, and I enjoyed the 2 books I got tremendously.

[Sugar]

She is incredibly addictive - I would have read more except the library was slow on getting them to me, so I'm currently "on a break".

 

Incredibly, I have finished Eragon, and while in the bath this evening have read a book called Dirty Bertie: Worm by Alan MacDonald (though it seems to be selling itself on the illustrator - David Roberts - who also illustrated Rapunzel - a Groovy Fairy Tale; Cinderella (subtitle forgotten) and Little red), and read half of the Julie Andrews Great American Mousical.

 

That's better!