Kidsmum's Reading List 2012

[frankie]

Yes it is a bit of a doorstopper but it's an easy read as there's no boring bits where it drags which you can get with some big books. How did you like The Ladies of Missalonghi I seem to remember you were reading att the same time as I was reading the Thorn Birds ?

 

Phew, I'm glad to hear it's an easy read. I guess it's just one of those cases where you need to just pick the book up and give it a go, and then you're hooked

 

I did enjoy The Ladies of Missalonghi a lot! However, it bears a close resemblance to The Blue Castle by L. M. Montgomery and I've read some reviews by people who found it very off-putting that it was so similar. I didn't mind it, though, I just carried on with it and enjoyed every moment. Oh, except for the ending, there was something that bothered me somewhat, but the story in itself was so great that I could forgive McCullough for that

[Kidsmum]

I've definitely recommended The Novel In The Viola on here, and I think SueK and Janet also loved it, if I remember rightly

Me too!

 

Good to see it got so many recommendations that must be why it stuck in my head.

Phew, I'm glad to hear it's an easy read. I guess it's just one of those cases where you need to just pick the book up and give it a go, and then you're hooked

 

I did enjoy The Ladies of Missalonghi a lot! However, it bears a close resemblance to The Blue Castle by L. M. Montgomery and I've read some reviews by people who found it very off-putting that it was so similar. I didn't mind it, though, I just carried on with it and enjoyed every moment. Oh, except for the ending, there was something that bothered me somewhat, but the story in itself was so great that I could forgive McCullough for that

 

Thanks for the info, I've never read The Blue Castle so it wouldn't effect my enjoyment of the book but I can see why other people would be put off by that. Out of the two which would you say was the better book ?

[frankie]

Thanks for the info, I've never read The Blue Castle so it wouldn't effect my enjoyment of the book but I can see why other people would be put off by that. Out of the two which would you say was the better book ?

 

I really enjoyed reading both of them, but I would have to say The Blue Castle was better. Maybe because I read it first, and it's the 'original' story. But I also like Montgomery by default, always have And it wasn't historical fiction, because it was written as a contemporary novel of the time, and I like old novels like that. It was also more believable.

 

However, I liked the lightness and sort of freshness of the Missalonghi, and I liked that the main character was a reader. I can only fault it for that one particular thing in the ending, but because I'd enjoyed reading the novel so much I'm bearing no grudges and only have fond memories of the book. I'd recommend both of them

[Kidsmum]

I'd recommend both of them

 

I shall keep the two of them in mind Frankie & whichever I come across first will determine which one I read so it's in the lap of the gods

[frankie]

I shall keep the two of them in mind Frankie & whichever I come across first will determine which one I read so it's in the lap of the gods

 

Alright, sounds fair enough I wouldn't know whether to recommend reading this first or that, so I'm happy to leave it to the gods as well

[Kidsmum]

Getting really behind in my reviews they're beginning to feel like overdue homework but hoping to catch up after the school holidays

[Kidsmum]

Dragonfly in Amber Diana Gabaldon

 

Waterstones Synopsis

 

For twenty years, Claire Randall has kept her secrets. But now she is returning with her grown daughter to the majesty of Scotland's mist-shrouded hills. Here, Claire plans to reveal a truth as stunning as the events that gave it birth: about the mystery of an ancient circle of standing stones, about a love that transcends the boundaries of time, and about James Fraser, a warrior whose gallantry once drew the young Claire from the security of her century to the dangers of his. Now a legacy of blood and desire will test her beautiful daughter as Claire's spellbinding journey continues in the intrigue-ridden court of Charles Edward Stuart, in a race to thwart a doomed uprising, and in a desperate fight to save both the child and the man she loves.

 

The second book in the Outlander series this is a historical adventure / romance story I don't know how accurate the historical element of the story is but it was very entertaining. Claire is a great character passionate , fiesty & loyal to her man . The book ends leaving you wanting to know what happens next.

 

4/5

[Kidsmum]

The Woman In Black Susan Hill

 

Waterstones Synopsis

 

First published in 1983, The Woman in Black is Susan Hill's best-loved novel, and the basis for the UK's second longest ever running stage play, and a major film starring Daniel Radcliffe. Arthur Kipps, a young lawyer, travels to a remote village to put the affairs of a recently deceased client, Alice Drablow in order. As he works alone in her isolated house, Kipps begins to uncover disturbing secrets - and his unease grows when he glimpses a mysterious woman dressed in black. The locals are strangely unwilling to talk about the unsettling occurrence, and Kipps is forced to uncover the true identity of the Woman in Black on his own, leading to a desperate race against time when he discovers her true intent...

 

 

I used to really like ghost stories when I was younger but haven't read any for quite a long time now that I'm old & cynical & don't believe in such things but I really enjoyed this story it's a good old fashioned spooky tale just the sort of thing to read on a rainy night with the lights down low

4/5

Edited June 22, 2012 by Kidsmum

[vodkafan]

I'm going to have a stab at The Forsyte Saga this year Kidsmum.

[Janet]

I've definitely recommended The Novel In The Viola on here, and I think SueK and Janet also loved it, if I remember rightly

Yup, Claire's right, I did love it. I was lucky enough to get a complimentary copy after I posted on Natasha Solomons blog saying how much I enjoyed Mr Rosenblum's List...

[Kidsmum]

I'm going to have a stab at The Forsyte Saga this year Kidsmum.

 

Hope you enjoy it as much as I did VF , there 's 9 books in the whole saga so it's quite a commitment but well worth it in my opinion

 

 

Yup, Claire's right, I did love it. I was lucky enough to get a complimentary copy after I posted on Natasha Solomons blog saying how much I enjoyed Mr Rosenblum's List...

 

I'm really looking forward to reading this one so I've earmarked it for my holiday read in August

[Janet]

It'll be excellent holiday reading - a great story but not too taxing - perfect. Are you going somewhere nice for your holiday?

[Kidsmum]

It'll be excellent holiday reading - a great story but not too taxing - perfect. Are you going somewhere nice for your holiday?

 

We've rented a house in Wales for a week, it's quite a rural location so we're going to do lots of exploring weather permitting of course & we're in spitting distance of Hay on Wye so I'm hoping to get some time to myself to go book shopping

[Janet]

Sounds lovely. I hope you have a great time.

 

I've wanted to go to Hay-on-Wye for years, but I daren't at the moment! I really need to get my 'to read' pile down before I go anywhere near there!

[Kidsmum]

Well got back yesterday from our holiday in Wales, had a lovely time, really enjoyed visiting Hay on Wye & brought back some great books

 

The Queen of Whale Cay Kate Summerscale

The Murmur of Stones Thomas H. Cook

The Fallen Leaves Wilkie Collins

My Name is Red Orhan Pamuk

The Return of Captain John Emmet Elizabeth Speller

Chronicles of Carlingford The Perpetual Curate Mrs Oliphant

The Tree of Man Patrick White

The Razor's Edge Somerset Maugham

Voyager Diana Gabaldon

Fattypuffs & Thinnifers Andre Maurois

Christmas Holiday Somerset Maugham

The Case of the Gilded Fly

Holy Disorders Edmund Crispin

Swan Song

 

Looking forward to catching up on the forum when i can get 5 mins to myself without the children badgering me to get off the computer

[Kidsmum]

Got lots of reading done on holiday mainly because i was up before seven every day & then had nothing to do but sit around till everyone else decided to get up

 

I read

 

Shelters of Stone Jean M Auel - disapponted in this i think the series has definitely gone off the boil.

 

The Novel in the Viola Natasha Solomons - loved this book

 

Running With Scissors Augusten Burroughs - OMG this book was fascinatingly, horribly compelling & some parts made me cringe but i couldn't put it down & finished it in a couple of days.

 

The Queen of Whale Cay Kate Summerscale - interesting biography found the bits about her boat racing career a bit boring but the rest was fascinating , funny how rich people are classed as eccentric where as poor people are just plain old mad

 

Christmas Holiday Somerset Maugham - fantastic!!! I haven't read any Maugham for quite a few years but he's as good as i remember

[chesilbeach]

At least you had a nice period of quiet reading time each day!

 

So pleased you enjoyed The Novel in the Viola and Running With Scissors, Kidsmum - I thought both were great too.

 

I've had The Queen of Whale Cay on my wishlist for a while now, even though I don't really like biographies, but she sounded fascinating, so thought I would add it. Think I'll probably try downloading a sample before I buy it.

[julie]

Sounds like a really quiet and restful holiday,and lots of reading ! also sounds like you chose some really neat books.

I've been eyeing the Return of capt. John Emmet . I may just give up and get it here soon .

What is the one about called Fattypuffs and Thinnifers ? Cookbook ? A story about 2 people, one chunky and one skinny ?

[Kidsmum]

I've had The Queen of Whale Cay on my wishlist for a while now, even though I don't really like biographies, but she sounded fascinating, so thought I would add it. Think I'll probably try downloading a sample before I buy it.

I'd be happy to send you the book Claire as i was planning on giving it to the charity shop anyway. Let me know if you want it

 

 

Sounds like a really quiet and restful holiday,and lots of reading ! also sounds like you chose some really neat books.

I've been eyeing the Return of capt. John Emmet . I may just give up and get it here soon .

What is the one about called Fattypuffs and Thinnifers ? Cookbook ? A story about 2 people, one chunky and one skinny ?

 

Yes it was nice to get away for a break & visiting Hay on Wye was the highlight of the holiday for me of course

 

Fattypuffs & Thinnifers is a childrens book about an underground country discovered by two young brothers who come upon a secret staircase ,one city is peopled by large people, the Fattypuffs & the other by thin people , the Thinnifers . The boys get caught up in a dispute between the warring factions. I bought it to read to my youngest 2 children at bedtime but they didn't seem too keen when i showed it to them so i might end up reading it to myself

[julie]

The Fat & Thin book sounds interesting and fun. Maybe your kids will like it once you start reading it to them, if not,as you said, you can always read it to yourself !

I know lots of adults like young adult books .

[poppyshake]

Glad you enjoyed Wales I love it there especially Hay on Wye. I've also got a copy of The Queen of Whale Cay .. I may have even bought it at Hay I haven't read it yet but mean to soon so good to know that it's mostly good. I do love reading about eccentric/mad old bats .. if I turn out to be one then I'll have done all the right research .

Heehee .. glad to hear you enjoyed (if that is the right word) Running With Scissors .. it's pretty horrifying isn't it? but like you say compelling. I could only get through it by convincing myself that some of it at least was embroidery. Frankie has enjoyed his other books too.

[Kidsmum]

Glad you enjoyed Wales I love it there especially Hay on Wye. I've also got a copy of The Queen of Whale Cay .. I may have even bought it at Hay I haven't read it yet but mean to soon so good to know that it's mostly good. I do love reading about eccentric/mad old bats .. if I turn out to be one then I'll have done all the right research .

 

Yep i can totally see myself ending up as a mad old bat surrounded by piles of books & living in my own little world

 

Heehee .. glad to hear you enjoyed (if that is the right word) Running With Scissors .. it's pretty horrifying isn't it? but like you say compelling. I could only get through it by convincing myself that some of it at least was embroidery. Frankie has enjoyed his other books too.

 

The parts that described his intimate relationship with Bookman were a bit too graphic for me i certainly wouldn't like anyone to be reading over my shoulder went i got to those bits & i certainly hope the bit about toilet dipping wasn't true It's definitely a book i'd recommend reading i'm just not sure who i'd dare recommend it too they'd have to be pretty broad minded i guess.

[Kidsmum]

Hugely relieved to finally finish The Land of Painted Caves Jean M. Auel , if i hadn't read the rest of the series & been given the book as a pressie i'd have given up on it after the first 100 pages. Boring & repetitive this is the weakest book in the whole series, Ayla has become the most annoying character ever the only thing she can't do is sing & everybody either falls in love with her or is amazed by her wealth of talents by the end of the book i wanted to stove her head in with a rock. Imo the best books in the series are 1& 3.

[julie]

by the end of the book i wanted to stove her head in with a rock.

 

Sorry,but I got a chuckle out of that comment ! You must have much more patience with books than I do. If I don't like it,I don't read it .

[Kidsmum]

It's definitely a book i wont be re visiting Julie