lauraloves Posted May 31, 2011 Author Posted May 31, 2011 The Graveyard Book made me want to read more Gaiman too Laura, although I'm thinking I may prefer his adult fiction Ooh didnt know he had written adult fiction too, will have to have a look at them Quote
Maureen Posted June 2, 2011 Posted June 2, 2011 I enjoyed The Bad Mother's Handbook Did not know it was made into a film - might look out for it. Quote
Janet Posted June 2, 2011 Posted June 2, 2011 I adored Enid Blyton as a child - I read hundreds of them! In the last 8 or so years, I've re-read all the Famous Five ones, the Mallory Towers ones and the St Clare's ones! Have you seen the two excellent sites dedicated to Enid Blyton? Hereand here. Happy reading! Quote
lauraloves Posted June 3, 2011 Author Posted June 3, 2011 I enjoyed The Bad Mother's Handbook Did not know it was made into a film - might look out for it. It has Robert Pattison in it, weather this will encourage or put off, I'm not sure! I adored Enid Blyton as a child - I read hundreds of them! In the last 8 or so years, I've re-read all the Famous Five ones, the Mallory Towers ones and the St Clare's ones! Have you seen the two excellent sites dedicated to Enid Blyton? Hereand here. Happy reading! I am still reliving my childhood with the Enid Blyton books, I want to read them all! Thanks for the links they are some brilliant bits on them, and I've just discovered some more Blyton books! Happy reading to you too Quote
lauraloves Posted June 4, 2011 Author Posted June 4, 2011 The Hobbit - J.R.R. Tolkein Challenges - BBC Top 200 Books 1001 books you must read 1001 Childrens Books you must read Ultimate Teen Book Guide Challenge Synopsis - The Hobbit is a tale of high adventure, undertaken by a company of dwarves in search of dragon-guarded gold. A reluctant partner in this perilous quest is Bilbo Baggins, a comfort-loving unambitious hobbit, who surprises even himself by his resourcefulness and skill as a burglar. Encounters with trolls, goblins, dwarves, elves and giant spiders, conversations with the dragon, Smaug, and a rather unwilling presence at the Battle of Five Armies are just some of the adventures that befall Bilbo. Bilbo Baggins has taken his place among the ranks of the immortals of children's fiction. Written by Professor Tolkien for his own children, The Hobbit met with instant critical acclaim when published. My Thoughts - I had never read this book as a child, and I'm kind of wishing that I had now. I'm a fan of Lord of the Rings, but I'm only just getting round to reading the books, some kind of sin I know! I read The Hobbit first and I really enjoyed it. It was very easy to read, and once I picked it up I found it very difficult to put down again! The world that Tolkein has created is so complex and almost beautiful, I can't understand how one person can create such a world. It almost felt as though it was real, just how it was written! A fabulous book to read and would recommend it to anyone, young or old. I would have definitaly read this book, its just a coincidence just how many reading challenges that this book is on! Rating - 5/5 Quote
lauraloves Posted June 10, 2011 Author Posted June 10, 2011 The Nazis: A Warning From History - Laurence Rees Synopsis - During the past 16 years, acclaimed author and documentary-maker Laurence Rees has met and interviewed a large number of former Nazis, and his unique insights into the Nazi psyche and the Second World War have received enormous praise. Following the success of Reess bestselling Auschwitz, this substantially revised and updated edition of The Nazis A Warning from History tells the powerfully gripping story of the rise and fall of the Third Reich, At the heart of the book lie compelling eyewitness accounts of life under Adolf Hitler, spoken through the words of those who experienced the Nazi regime at every level of society. An extensive new section on the Nazi/Soviet war (previously published in Reess War of the Century) provides a chilling insight into Nazi mentality during the most bloody conflict in history. Described as one of the greatest documentary series of all times The Nazis A Warning from History won a host of awards, including a Bafta and an International Documentary Award. The accompanying book broke new ground in our understanding of the Nazi regime and was praised for getting to the heart of the most troubling and elusive questions of Germany before and during World War Two. The dramatic and incredible story that unfolds in these pages, once read, is not easily forgetten. My Thoughts - I've had this book on the shelf for a while because I don't really read that much non fiction. I started reading this before, but I ended up putting it down. I'm glad I picked it up again, but it was quite upsetting reading. Even now, I cannot believe the treatment that people suffered at the hands of the Nazis. I don't think there is much to say about this book, but it iscertianly an eye opener to the treatment of people under Nazi rule. Quote
lauraloves Posted June 15, 2011 Author Posted June 15, 2011 The Secret Garden - Francis Hodgson Burnett Challenges - bbc top 200 books 1001 childrens books Ultimate Teen Book Guide 501 must read books Synopsis - Mary Lennox was horrid. Selfish and spoilt, she was sent to stay with her hunchback uncle in Yorkshire. She hated it. But when she finds the way into a secret garden and begins to tend it, a change comes over her and her life. She meets and befriends a local boy, the talented Dickon, and comes across her sickly cousin Colin who had been kept hidden from her. Between them, the three children work astonishing magic in themselves and those around them. My Thoughts - This was a re-read of a much loved classic for me. I loved this book when I was younger, it to me was just like magic. And reading it again now that I'm older has not got rid of any of the magic for me. I love the little story, it is hard to believe that it is 100 years old. it is fully readable and should be a must read for anybody! Rating 5/5 Quote
Kylie Posted June 16, 2011 Posted June 16, 2011 The Secret Garden is such an awesome read, isn't it? It's one of those very special books that stays with you always once you've read it. Quote
frankie Posted June 16, 2011 Posted June 16, 2011 I agree with both of you wise gals, it's a gem! I never read it as a child, I only read it for the first time maybe 0,5-1 year ago, but it was pure genious and I'll be definitely re-reading it Quote
lauraloves Posted June 16, 2011 Author Posted June 16, 2011 The Secret Garden is such an awesome read, isn't it? It's one of those very special books that stays with you always once you've read it. It is! It is definitaly one of my favourite books of all time! I agree with both of you wise gals, it's a gem! I never read it as a child, I only read it for the first time maybe 0,5-1 year ago, but it was pure genious and I'll be definitely re-reading it Its one of those books that you can re-read again and again and never get tired of reading! Quote
lauraloves Posted June 16, 2011 Author Posted June 16, 2011 Hes Just Not That Into You - Greg Behrendt, Liz Tuccillo Synopsis - A brilliantly witty and entertaining guide to interpreting men from the writers of Sex and the City. Fresh from helping Carrie and the gang with their dating dilemmas, they've given the rest of us a decoder ring to the men in our lives. But this book isn't just about eliminating the bad apples -- it's also about holding onto the good ones. My Thoughts - This book was a magazine freebie and I'm actually quite glad that I didnt spend any money on it! I thought that it was fiction, but instead its a self help book. I really don't like reading self help books personally, I know some people like them, but they are not for me! Not really much that I can say on this book, apart from the fact that I didnt enjoy it at all! Rating - 1/5 Quote
Ooshie Posted June 18, 2011 Posted June 18, 2011 I loved the BBC series of The Secret Garden when I was young, and bought the book a couple of years ago but haven't read it yet. Another one to bump up my TBR list! Thanks for reminding me of it Quote
lauraloves Posted June 18, 2011 Author Posted June 18, 2011 I loved the BBC series of The Secret Garden when I was young, and bought the book a couple of years ago but haven't read it yet. Another one to bump up my TBR list! Thanks for reminding me of it its a really brlliant book! I think that its quite a quick read too and also very enjoyable! Quote
Lilywhite Posted June 19, 2011 Posted June 19, 2011 I love The Secret Garden too! It's such a wonderful story I didn't think that He's Just Not That Into You would be a good book. It comes across well in the cinema but reading it wouldn't be that great. Quote
lauraloves Posted June 19, 2011 Author Posted June 19, 2011 I love The Secret Garden too! It's such a wonderful story I didn't think that He's Just Not That Into You would be a good book. It comes across well in the cinema but reading it wouldn't be that great. Yay for all The Secret Garden appriciaton probably my favourite childrens classic book of all time! Reading He's Just Not Into You was just not enjoyable at all. Probably one of the only books that works better as a film! Quote
lauraloves Posted June 22, 2011 Author Posted June 22, 2011 The Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Ring Challenges - Rory Gilmore Challenge 1001 childrens books you must read 501 must read books Synopsis - 'The Fellowship of the Ring' is the first part of JRR Tolkien's epic masterpiece 'The Lord of the Rings'. This paperback edition has the classic black cover featuring Tolkien's own design and includes the definitive edition of the text. In a sleepy village in the Shire, a young hobbit is entrusted with an immense task,. He must make a perilous journey across Middle-earth to the Cracks of Doom, there to destroy the Ruling Ring of Power -- the only thing that prevents the Dark Lord's evil purpose. JRR Tolkien's great work of imaginative fiction has been labelled both a heroic romance and a classic fantasy fiction. By turns comic and homely, epic and diabolic, the narrative moves through countless changes of scene and character in an imaginary world which is totally convincing in its detail. Part of a set of three paperbacks, this popular edition is once again available in its classic black livery designed by Tolkien himself. My Thoughts - This is the first time that I have read Lord of the Rings, but I am quite a fan of the film version, not something that I say very often! The book is fantastic, I had heard that they were difficult to get into, and were lots of discription, but I didnt find this. I did find the poetry bits a little hard to understand, but thats just me I think, I find that sort of thing very hard to understand! The plot was so much more interesting in the book too, and this book is definitaly one to re-read again and again! I am so amazed by the mind of Tolkein to how he created such a world in his head. it is like escaping into another world! Rating - 5/5 Quote
lauraloves Posted June 23, 2011 Author Posted June 23, 2011 Ok, so I've been buying again! I got, Birdsong - Sebastian Faulks, this is one that I've heard good things about and really wanted to read! I am Number Four - Pittacus Lore - another that has been on my wishlist for a long time! The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo - Stieg Larsson - Probably one of the only people to have not read this yet, another Wishlist book! One hundred Years of Solitude - this is one that I'm sure is on a few reading challenges! Eclipse - Stephanie mayer, I am keeping my eyes out for the whole series of these, and so far have the first and now the third! Frankenstein - Mary Shelley - This is another classic that I havent read, but hopefully will get round to it soon! The Hound of the Baskervilles - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle - I'm sure this is a challenge book too! Quote
Kylie Posted June 24, 2011 Posted June 24, 2011 Great haul, Laura! Birdsong - Sebastian Faulks, this is one that I've heard good things about and really wanted to read! I am Number Four - Pittacus Lore - another that has been on my wishlist for a long time! One hundred Years of Solitude - this is one that I'm sure is on a few reading challenges! I'd love to read all of these. The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo - Stieg Larsson - Probably one of the only people to have not read this yet, another Wishlist book! Frankenstein - Mary Shelley - This is another classic that I havent read, but hopefully will get round to it soon! The Hound of the Baskervilles - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle - I'm sure this is a challenge book too! I've read these three and thought they were all absolutely terrific in their own, different ways. Happy reading! Quote
frankie Posted June 24, 2011 Posted June 24, 2011 What a brilliant haul, Laura! Birdsong - Sebastian Faulks, this is one that I've heard good things about and really wanted to read! - I have this on my TBR as well, and I'm pretty sure it's on one of the reading challenges, most likely the 1001 Books list The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo - Stieg Larsson - Probably one of the only people to have not read this yet, another Wishlist book! - This is a good one, I hope you enjoy it! One hundred Years of Solitude - this is one that I'm sure is on a few reading challenges! - I'm sure it's on at least a couple of the various reading challenges you have going on Eclipse - Stephanie mayer, I am keeping my eyes out for the whole series of these, and so far have the first and now the third! - Great find! Frankenstein - Mary Shelley - This is another classic that I havent read, but hopefully will get round to it soon! - Frankenstein is quite a short but enjoyable read, well creepy is more like it, I think, but there are some elements of sympathy involved, too... Not to say more about it! It's on some of the lists as well. The Hound of the Baskervilles - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle - I'm sure this is a challenge book too! - I'm pretty sure of it too Quote
lauraloves Posted June 24, 2011 Author Posted June 24, 2011 (edited) Great haul, Laura! Happy reading! I'm really happy with the books I picked, they are all good ones What a brilliant haul, Laura! Birdsong - Sebastian Faulks, this is one that I've heard good things about and really wanted to read! - I have this on my TBR as well, and I'm pretty sure it's on one of the reading challenges, most likely the 1001 Books list Its on the Rory list too I love it when a book is on serveral lists! The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo - Stieg Larsson - Probably one of the only people to have not read this yet, another Wishlist book! - This is a good one, I hope you enjoy it! Thanks I held off buying the whole series in one go, just to see if I liked this one first! One hundred Years of Solitude - this is one that I'm sure is on a few reading challenges! - I'm sure it's on at least a couple of the various reading challenges you have going on I think this one is on most of them actually! Eclipse - Stephanie mayer, I am keeping my eyes out for the whole series of these, and so far have the first and now the third! - Great find! Frankenstein - Mary Shelley - This is another classic that I havent read, but hopefully will get round to it soon! - Frankenstein is quite a short but enjoyable read, well creepy is more like it, I think, but there are some elements of sympathy involved, too... Not to say more about it! It's on some of the lists as well. I'm familaur with the story, I think I discussed it at school or college once, but its always been one of those have to read books! The Hound of the Baskervilles - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle - I'm sure this is a challenge book too! - I'm pretty sure of it too Yep definitaly a challenge book Edited June 24, 2011 by lauraloves Quote
lauraloves Posted June 24, 2011 Author Posted June 24, 2011 As promised, the books that I won Glee: Summer Break - Yes I'll admit it, I'm a Gleek! and any books written about glee are good in my opinion! Men I've Loved Before - Adele Parks - I'm a fan of Adele Parks, so this book is right up my street. Marrying Up - Wendy Holden - Another author that I'm a fan of Plugged - Eoin Colfer - this is just the sort of book that I want to be reading at the moment, I want to read something different! I love a surprise in a book, it gives me a chance to try something new, because its easy to get stuck in a reading rut! Quote
lauraloves Posted June 25, 2011 Author Posted June 25, 2011 The Lord of the Rings - The Two Towers Synopsis - Frodo and the Companions of the Ring have been beset by danger during their quest to prevent the Ruling Ring from falling into the hands of the Dark Lord by destroying it in the Cracks of Doom. They have lost the wizard, Gandalf, in the battle with an evil spirit in the Mines of Moria; and at the Falls of Rauros, Boromir, seduced by the power of the Ring, tried to seize it by force. While Frodo and Sam made their escape the rest of the company were attacked by Orcs.Now they continue their journey alone down the great River Anduin – alone, that is, save for the mysterious creeping figure that follows wherever they go.JRR Tolkien’s great work of imaginative fiction has been labelled both a heroic romance and a classic fantasy fiction. By turns comic and homely, epic and diabolic, the narrative moves through countless changes of scene and character in an imaginary world which is totally convincing in its detail. my thoughts - As I am moving thrso amazing through this trilogy I'm liking it even more and more, if that is possible. in some places, I do find myself comparing it to the movie, having seen the film before reading the books. I find that this book is more different to the movie than the first, but in my opinion, I find this better, as I like all the extra little bits! I am still finding it totally amazing that one man could come up with this world all on his own, he must have had some imagination! In my opinion, this book is better than the first one, I think because there is much more going on. I have moved onto the final book in the trilogy now, and cannot wait to keep on reading! Rating - 5/5 Quote
bobblybear Posted June 25, 2011 Posted June 25, 2011 I have tried reading The Lord of the Rings in the past, but couldn't get past the poems/songs and language. I absolutely loved the films though, and your review is tempting me to give it another go. I'm a bit intimidated by the size of it, even though I do quite like big books. Quote
lauraloves Posted June 26, 2011 Author Posted June 26, 2011 I have tried reading The Lord of the Rings in the past, but couldn't get past the poems/songs and language. I absolutely loved the films though, and your review is tempting me to give it another go. I'm a bit intimidated by the size of it, even though I do quite like big books. I have to say I have skipped/skimmed a few of the poems and songs as I do find them difficult to read! I was also put off by the sheer size of the book, but in the end I brought the three separate books, which has broken it down for me! Quote
lauraloves Posted June 29, 2011 Author Posted June 29, 2011 The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King Challenges - Rory Gilmore Challenge BBC Top 200 Books 1001 books you must read Ultimate Teen Book Guide Challenge Synopsis - The armies of the Dark Lord are massing as his evil shadow spreads ever wider. Men, dwarves, elves and ents unite forces to do battle against the Dark. Meanwhile, Frodo and Sam struggle further into Mordor in their heroic quest to destroy the One Ring. My Thoughts - To me this book was the icing on the cake of a fantastic trilogy. It rounded off the story perfectly and I was actually quite sad that it had come to an end. It has amazed me that one man could have come up with the entire story and complex plot and settings by himself, really its like another world, and it is described so well it could actually have been real. I know I keep comparing it to the film, but I thought the book was better again because of all the extra detail that is explained, for example, what happens at Hobbiton. This series is fantastic, and if you havent yet read it give it a read! Rating - 5/5 Quote
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