bobblybear Posted April 6, 2012 Author Share Posted April 6, 2012 You're welcome, Vodkafan. That price is a real bargain! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frankie Posted April 7, 2012 Share Posted April 7, 2012 Today I bought Mirage Men, which was the Kindle Daily Deal, and I borrowed The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein. More added to the list. Oh but you didn't come to regret borrowing the latter novel, did you My Thoughts This is a re-read of one of the many Stephen King books that I have enjoyed over the years. It's a gripping read, from pretty much the opening page - from when we get to see how Rosie has to suffer - all the way through to the end. I do love the way he tells a story, the details he puts into his characters and their experiences. I loved the premise of a young woman who manages to pull herself out of a terrifying situation, and slowly gathers the confidence and strength to start to build her own life. There's a supernatural element to it (no surprises there), but that's to be expected with King, and it just makes the story all the more interesting. Rose's situation is awful, and it's really terrifying to read all the things that the copper does. What's worse, there are people out there in the real world that are as awful as he is, and he's a fictional character for goodness sakes! I know quite a few Stephen King fans slate this book, and I'm not sure why. Sometimes you just have to enjoy a book for what it is instead of expecting them all to have a deeper message or something. Sometimes books are just meant to be entertaining! I agree. The only problem I have with Rose Madder, though, is that the ending, concerning a certain gentleman is too ambiguous for me. I really wanted Rose and his gentleman caller to really get together in the end, for sure! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobblybear Posted April 27, 2012 Author Share Posted April 27, 2012 (edited) Just seen this now. I know I only finished Rose Madder a little while ago, but I thought they definitely got together at the end. I think they had a very wobbly patch, where Rose was very violent, but I thought that by the end they were very much together. I can't remember. My memory isn't too good for books once I have finished them. Well, April is nearly over and I haven't finished a single book this month, or last month. I have, however, bought several, listed below. Mercury Falls - Robert Kroese The Girl On The Wall - Jean Baggott BEFORE and AFTER GETTING YOUR PUPPY: The Positive Approach to Raising a Happy, Healthy, and Well-Behaved Dog - Ian Dunbar How to Raise the Perfect Dog: Through puppyhood and beyond - Cesar Millan The Key To Rebecca - Ken Follett Are We Nearly There Yet?: A Family's 8000 Miles Around Britain in a Vauxhall Astra - Ben Hatch Hit and Run - Doug Johnstone The Misremembered Man - Christina McKenna Farmer Buckley's Exploding Trousers : And other odd events on the way to scientific discovery - Stephanie Pain Edited April 27, 2012 by bobblybear Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobblybear Posted April 28, 2012 Author Share Posted April 28, 2012 Gone With The Wind Synopsis from Amazon: Tomorrow is another day... Set against the dramatic backdrop of the American Civil War, Margaret Mitchell's magnificent historical epic is an unforgettable tale of love and loss, of a nation mortally divided and a people forever changed. Above all, it is the story of beautiful, ruthless Scarlett O'Hara and the dashing soldier of fortune, Rhett Butler. My Thoughts This book really took me by surprise. I have never seen the movie, aside from the few famous lines, and thought it would be a superficial sweeping love story and little else. How wrong I was. The romance is only a peripheral part of the story, though it is always in the background. Rhett pursues Scarlett, who loves Ashley, who has married Melanie. Scarlett, at the start is a spoilt, arrogant, wealthy, 16 year old, who has the eye of all the boys, and seemingly the world at her feet. Then Civil War breaks out, and she loses nearly everything, and has to proceed rebuilding her life. The book spans just over ten years - Scarlett is 16 at the beginning, and 28 at the end. The two main characters are very complex and spirited (‘scoundrels’) and make for fascinating reading, and while Scarlett is quite deplorable in her thoughts and actions, she certainly gets things done in the way that suits her. I was taken by surprise by the personalities and actions of Rhett and Scarlett as they seemed to be quite strong characters, and different from the stereotypical (at least in my mind) characters of the time. Margaret Mitchell wrote that the story was about people who have ‘gumption’ and those who don’t, and no-one can deny that Scarlett and Rhett are both full of ‘gumption’ (among other things!). When the Civil War first started, I was a bit worried that I would miss out on a significant chunk of the story given that I know next to nothing about the Civil War, but it is reasonably easy to follow, even if you don't fully understand the names given to certain types of people of the time. The story also tells certain events in easy-to-swallow chunks, so you have a section on the war, then on Melanie and Aunt PittyPat and Scarlett, and then back to the war, then back to the characters, so you don't feel overwhelmed (or bored) with certain parts. I have found a few books in the past where you are reading what feels like hundreds of pages of war, war, and more war, and it can get quite draining. Gone With The Wind intersperses the war with character driven sections, so I for one was never bored. For anyone who has been put off by the size of the book, or by the thought that it's 'just a love story', I have to say, forget all that and give the book a go. It's a brilliant story full of great characters and events, and a must-read for anyone who loves a book they can really lose themselves in. 10/10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devi Posted April 28, 2012 Share Posted April 28, 2012 (edited) Great reviews! I have added five of the books to my list, and I think I will need to put some higher up on my list. Edited April 28, 2012 by Devi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Inver Posted April 28, 2012 Share Posted April 28, 2012 (edited) GWW is on my list of 'to buy'...glad you enjoyed it. Edited April 28, 2012 by Inver Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobblybear Posted April 28, 2012 Author Share Posted April 28, 2012 Thanks Devi. Inver, it was such a fantastic book, but one I had put off reading for so long because the size of it was daunting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobblybear Posted April 28, 2012 Author Share Posted April 28, 2012 Hit and Run - Doug Johnstone Synopsis from Amazon: Driving home from a party with his girlfriend and brother, all of them drunk and high on stolen pills, Billy Blackmore accidentally hits someone in the night. In a panic, they all decide to drive off. But the next day Billy wakes to find he has to cover the story for the local paper. It turns out the dead man was Edinburgh's biggest crime lord and, as Billy struggles with what he's done, he is sucked into a nightmare of guilt, retribution and violence. From the author of the acclaimed Smokeheads, Hit & Run is another pitch-black psychological thriller. My Thoughts: This was an utterly ridiculous book. The only reason I stuck with it, is because it was so short I finished it in a day. It got rave reviews on Amazon, but I can't for the life of me see why. One of the things that irritated me was the constant drug use of the main character. Every waking minute he was popping all sorts of drugs, which he got from his doctor-brother who so willingly passed them on to him. It was a very fast-paced, superficial story where the main characters (both the victim and perpetrators) are so shallow and dislikeable that who cares what happens to them?! The characters are very one-dimensional, the story completely flimsy and unbelievable especially where Adele and Billy have their little flirtatious moments a day after Adele's husband is killed. . I can't even say it was a thriller or had any kind of suspense, and to be honest I don't even understand the point of it. It certainly was not a psychological thriller, at all. In short, I didn't like it at all and I wouldn't recommend it(in case you hadn't picked up on that ). And, if like me, you wasted your £0.99 because it was the Kindle Daily Deal, you have my sympathies! 3/10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lauraloves Posted May 1, 2012 Share Posted May 1, 2012 I have Gone With the Wind on my TBR, but the size of it is quite daunting to me but your review has made me think that it might be a really enjoyable read Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobblybear Posted May 1, 2012 Author Share Posted May 1, 2012 It is a very enjoyable read, and I don't think there is any part of it that feels bogged down or slow. It's engaging reading all throughout. Highly recommended!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chaliepud Posted May 3, 2012 Share Posted May 3, 2012 The White Tiger - Aravind Adiga Synopsis from Amazon Meet Balram Halwai, the 'White Tiger': servant, philosopher, entrepreneur and murderer. Balram, the White Tiger, was born in a backwater village on the River Ganges, the son of a rickshaw-puller. He works in a teashop, crushing coal and wiping tables, but nurses a dream of escape. When he learns that a rich village landlord needs a chauffeur, he takes his opportunity, and is soon on his way to Delhi behind the wheel of a Honda. Amid the cockroaches and call-centres, the 36,000,004 gods, the slums, the shopping malls, and the crippling traffic jams, Balram learns of a new morality at the heart of a new India. Driven by desire to better himself, he comes to see how the Tiger might escape his cage... My Thoughts I was really surprised at how much I liked this book. The story is told through Balram's eyes, in a series of letters to the Chinese Ambassador who is to visit India shortly. His style is very conversational and humorous, and with a bit of bite to it. I found the description of his life in India so fascinating. I know next to nothing about the country - aside from what you see on TV or in movies - so it was interesting to read all the details from a countryman. Balram's life is an interesting journey, and you don't really get to know where he is coming from or where he has ended up until the last part of the book. Up until then, it could almost go either way, as he drops hints early on about what he has done in his life (some of them morally questionable, but he is, in his own words, 'a social entrepreneur'), but never the context of his actions, until you hear his story and get the whole picture. I found him to be such a likeable character, and it's quite conflicting that he can be so good at heart even though he has done some not-very-nice-things (shall we say). If you like books where the character goes through a interesting emotional/mental journey, and you get to see how their experiences have shaped them and changed them, then I'd recommend this one for sure. 9/10 I've just added this to my Amazon wish list as it was also recommended by a friend yesterday and I trust you both! I may also risk adding Gone with the Wind too as you have rated highly along with others on BCF... How's that puppy coming along? Must be time for some more pics! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobblybear Posted May 3, 2012 Author Share Posted May 3, 2012 The puppy is GORGEOUS, thanks for asking Chaliepud. He's growing so fast now, and is starting to develop his own little personality. I shall go through photos on the weekend and add them to the pet thread. The White Tiger is a very good read. It really took me by surprise and I like it when a book does that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chaliepud Posted May 3, 2012 Share Posted May 3, 2012 I look forward to seeing them BB, nothing better than puppy pics, seems to have been a puppy boom round these parts lately, can't be any fun toilet training in this weather! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobblybear Posted May 4, 2012 Author Share Posted May 4, 2012 Have just posted a link to some YouTube videos of him, on the pet thread. I'll through my pics later this weekend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chaliepud Posted May 4, 2012 Share Posted May 4, 2012 Yay! I'll look later when I'm on my laptop so I can get full size puppy joy!! :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobblybear Posted May 5, 2012 Author Share Posted May 5, 2012 Breaking The Silence - Diane Chamberlain Synopsis from Amazon: “My husband shot himself in our bedroom. When I got home, Emma was standing at the bottom of the stairs, screaming.” Since that awful day, Laura Brandon’s little girl hasn’t uttered a word. When a psychiatrist suggests that Emma won’t talk because she’s terrified of men, Laura is guilt-ridden. To help Emma, she needs to know what unspeakable secret lies behind her husband’s suicide. Laura thought her family was perfect, but her quest leads her to a shocking truth. For her child’s sake, should her father’s sins be kept silent? My Thoughts This was a fantastic read. I'm not sure when or why I bought it or who recommended it, but I'm glad they did. It starts off with Laura Brandon at her dying father's bedside. He tells her to look after someone called Sarah Tolley as his dying wish. She has never heard of this woman, so decides to find out more, which leads to the happenings in the synopsis above. The story swaps between two timelines, and the lives of two women. You know that there must be a connection but it's not revealed until the end, though clues are given throughout. I love stories like that - mysteries about peoples lives, where they backtrack to find the origin or reason behind where they are now. It's a very interesting read, and my favorite parts were Sarah's stories of her past. It's similar to Jodi Picoult books, but probably a bit shorter as I managed to finish it in a day. 8/10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bree Posted May 6, 2012 Share Posted May 6, 2012 Breaking the Silence sounds very intriguing! Will look out for it - thank you for the well written review. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobblybear Posted May 6, 2012 Author Share Posted May 6, 2012 Thanks Bree. It was a great read - I'd highly recommend it, especially if you like authors like Jodi Picoult. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frankie Posted May 11, 2012 Share Posted May 11, 2012 Just seen this now. I know I only finished Rose Madder a little while ago, but I thought they definitely got together at the end. I think they had a very wobbly patch, where Rose was very violent, but I thought that by the end they were very much together. I can't remember. My memory isn't too good for books once I have finished them. No worries, I know too well how easy it is to forget some parts or names or endings of books we've finished more than a day ago I'm going to take your word for it and think that it happened what you said happened. You might be right anyways, I could never make up my mind after I'd finished the novel, but I suppose the pessimist in me figured there was no way. The next time I read the book, I'm going to be optimistic and remember what you said about it Gone With The Wind What a great review of the novel, bobblybear! Just like you, I didn't know much about the story beforehand, I'd never watched the movie and I thought it would be rather chick-littish. But it was way deeper than that! Your review has reminded me of an important detail which I'd forgotten by now: Scarlett is only 16 when the story starts. She's still very much a child. I had sort of forgotten that. I would now definitely forgive her for some of the things she did/didn't do, because of her age. I also agree on that the war parts were not boring and it wasn't 'too much' at a time. It was all very well constructed and I was not once bored with the book when it got going. And that's really something for such a massive novel! For anyone who has been put off by the size of the book, or by the thought that it's 'just a love story', I have to say, forget all that and give the book a go. It's a brilliant story full of great characters and events, and a must-read for anyone who loves a book they can really lose themselves in. Agreed, 100%! I have Gone With the Wind on my TBR, but the size of it is quite daunting to me but your review has made me think that it might be a really enjoyable read I now how you feel, I was really freaked out by the size of the book, but once it got going there was no stopping and I was actually sad to see it end, eventhough I'd read so many hundreds of pages of it already. I think this is a novel that a lot of the people on here who've read it have really been pleasantly surprised by. Everytime I see another 'convert' I want to clap my hands and giggle in glee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lauraloves Posted May 11, 2012 Share Posted May 11, 2012 I now how you feel, I was really freaked out by the size of the book, but once it got going there was no stopping and I was actually sad to see it end, eventhough I'd read so many hundreds of pages of it already. I think this is a novel that a lot of the people on here who've read it have really been pleasantly surprised by. Everytime I see another 'convert' I want to clap my hands and giggle in glee I hope I can get a couple of hundred pages in before I know it, and then I hope I'll be hooked! You will hopefully have another convert soon, its nearly at the top of my TBR pile Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frankie Posted May 11, 2012 Share Posted May 11, 2012 I hope I can get a couple of hundred pages in before I know it, and then I hope I'll be hooked! You will hopefully have another convert soon, its nearly at the top of my TBR pile Personally, I think it took me maybe only 50 pages or so But we'll see how long it takes you. I'm very much looking forward to seeing what kind of progress you make with it and what you thought of it in the end, when you get to reading it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobblybear Posted May 12, 2012 Author Share Posted May 12, 2012 Thanks Frankie. Laura, I agree with Frankie - it won't take 100 pages for you to get hooked. Things start happening very quickly, and draw you in. Frankie, Scarlett's age took me a bit by surprise, as I thought the book would have been about a woman in her 30's but I suppose things did happen a lot quicker back then. I was extremely shocked that she fell pregnant and had the baby when she was 16/17, but I guess where today it's the kind of thing people 'tut' at, back then it was normal. Everything about the book took me by surprise and went against the idea of the story that I'd had in my mind. I'm so glad I read it, and will no doubt be reading it again at some point. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frankie Posted May 12, 2012 Share Posted May 12, 2012 I was extremely shocked that she fell pregnant and had the baby when she was 16/17, but I guess where today it's the kind of thing people 'tut' at, back then it was normal. I can't remember, was she married by then? I guess it was common at the time that people got married and had children so early in life. When one thinks about the lack of birth control in those days it's no surprise. I think teen pregnancies are quite common in these days, as well, and while I don't think they are that much 'tut tutted' about as before, because people, in my opinion, have more liberal views on this then some decades ago, I think that nowadays it is expected that because there is a wide range of birth control and teens these days have access to all the info they need if they are wise enough to google, they would use these resources and keep from having babies until at a more mature age. You know, get educated first and then start your family. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lauraloves Posted May 13, 2012 Share Posted May 13, 2012 Personally, I think it took me maybe only 50 pages or so But we'll see how long it takes you. I'm very much looking forward to seeing what kind of progress you make with it and what you thought of it in the end, when you get to reading it! Yay, I'm glad that it hopefully wont take me too long to get into it I do think it will take me a while to read though so hopefully it will hook me in I have about five or so books to read and the its GWTW I can't wait to start it now Thanks Frankie. Laura, I agree with Frankie - it won't take 100 pages for you to get hooked. Things start happening very quickly, and draw you in. I like it when things start to happen early in a book, it always draws me in Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobblybear Posted May 20, 2012 Author Share Posted May 20, 2012 The End Specialist - Drew Magary Synopsis from Amazon: 2019. Humanity has witnessed its greatest scientific breakthrough yet: the cure for ageing. Three injections and you’re immortal – not bulletproof or disease-proof but you’ll never have to fear death by old age. For John Farrell, documenting the cataclysmic shifts to life after the cure becomes an obsession. Cure parties, cycle marriages, immortal livestock: the world is revelling in the miracles of eternal youth. But immortality has a sinister side, and when a pro-death terrorist explosion kills his newly-cured best friend, John soon realizes that even in a world without natural death, there is always something to fear. Now, John must make a new choice: run and hide forever, or stay and fight those who try to make immortal life a living hell. My Thoughts: The book opens in 2090, when a government worker stumbles across the "diary" (electronic format) of John Farrell who started it in 2019 when the cure for aging was discovered. Farrell's diary entries tell what happens to the world around him when the cure is released, and the consequences over the next sixty years. The cure for aging splits the population into the postmortals (those who take the cure, and never age beyond their 'cure date') and the pro-death supporters, who are fanatically and violently opposed to the cure. Inevitably things begin to change on a large scale - people start getting divorced, and cycle marriages are invented (marriages that automatically expire after a set period), basic resources like food and water run out, government sanctioned killing of elderly people to free up resources, and finally a 'cure for the cure' is invented where 'end specialists' are hired to assist in suicides of people who are sick of living forever. It's a pretty depressing downward spiral, and the ending is very dark but also believable. The chapters are quite short - often just a few pages long, as they are Farrell's 'blog' entries - so it's easy to pick up and put down without losing your place. If you like dystopian stories, then give this one a read. It lacks something that stops it from being brilliant but it's still a very compelling read. 8/10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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