saragrland
member
Reged: 14/10/2007
Posts: 2
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The House of Souls by F.G Cottam
This is an unusual book, beautifully and articulately written. It could be described as a crime investigation with a supernatural twist.
Set in modern times but linked to the death of a women and a boy from the 1920's onward, Paul Seaton has to take a very difficult personal journey back to a derelict house, using all his interpersonal and researcher skills to save four students from an awful fate.
This layered book really needs to be read more than once so that you can consider in more depth the characters and their relevance at different stages of the story.It takes various turns which make the journey of the story unpredictable. With such a pleasurable use of the English language, I would strongly recommend you give this book a read. The story is highly original and so even if this is a book you wouldn't ordinarily read I would urge you to try it, as I think you'll soon become a fan of Cottam's work.
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dryad
member
Reged: 11/02/2008
Posts: 243
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TESTIMONY Anita Shreve
The headmaster of a New England boarding school is handed a shocking videotape. The repercussions of the ensuing scandal are superbly illustrated by multiple voices. As the spotlight shifts from the students involved to their parents, friends and teachers, the realism of the emotions is deeply moving. The carnage includes broken relationships, lost opportunities and ruined reputations but ultimately, as one of the students demonstrates, there is also hope; he suffers but he refuses to be destroyed. In Testimony Anita Shreve examines how ordinary people react when something extraordinary happens. I found this novel uplifting, thought provoking and utterly compelling.
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dogwithnobrain
member
Reged: 19/10/2008
Posts: 1
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ALL GOOD FUN UNTIL SOMEONE LOOSES AN EYE - CHRISTOPHER BROOKMYRE
For All you Mums out there who dream of a female equivalent of James Bond.
You will become Jane - a mid-forty Grandmother who feels limited in what she has achieved in life. She discovers the length you will go to protect your children.
As she learns that motherhood will push you to extremes to achieve your aim, Jane becomes expert in theft, fraud, and fighting to the death. Once you have read this.... Nothing will stop you chasing your dreams!
Edited by dogwithnobrain (19/10/2008 13:44)
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iallan
member
Reged: 20/10/2008
Posts: 1
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The Bone Garden
By Tess Gerritsen
The Bone Garden is a gripping read and a fast paced sometimes gory medical drama. Two stories intertwine throughout the book one set in present day Boston where the discovery of an old skull in a garden provides a welcome mystery for the house’s new owner. The other story transports you back to 1830s Boston where the notorious serial killer, the West End Reaper, had a rein of terror. How are these stories linked and what are the consequences for all the main characters? I couldn’t put this book down and can’t recommend enough. Enjoy!
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independentwoman
member
Reged: 22/10/2008
Posts: 7
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London The Novel by Edward Rutherford
As someone who loves to find out about people in history this book intrigued me right from the beginning. It charts the history of London from Anglo Saxon times right up to the 20th century, by following the lives of different families and their descendants through events like the roman invasion, the dissolution of the manasteries, the plague and great fire of London continuing to WW2. Although fictitional these people seem oh so real. Definitely unputdownable!!! 
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Ginnie
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Reged: 24/06/2008
Posts: 1061
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Hunting Unicorns Bella Pollen
An American comes to England to do research for a television programme about the English aristocracy and losing their automatic right to sit in the House of Lords.
She uncovers a sinister family story along with the gentle eccentricities of the upper classes. She could blow the family apart but will she.
The story is told through her eyes and those of the older,dead, brother of the family watching over his brother.
This is a lovely book; funny and sad. I enjoyed it from beginning to end. Did she find Lions or Unicorns?
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cathgee
member
Reged: 15/11/2007
Posts: 6
Loc: Argyll
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The Consequences of Love by Sulaiman Addonia. This is a first novel by the author. Naser was born in Eritrea and taken to Jeddah by his uncle to escape the ravages of war. Life in Saudi Arabia was so different, growing up under the strong influences of the Islam and the fear of the Religious Police. Men were free to come and go as they pleased and women were but shadows, hidden away and treated like chattels. A world of black and white. This is a story of how Naser found love. Whilst sitting under a tree a shadow dropped a note at his feet. Would love conquer all, or would the two be torn apart before they could ever meet face to face.
This is a moving tale giving deep insight into the trials of living in such a strict regime.
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dryad
member
Reged: 11/02/2008
Posts: 243
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LA’S ORCHESTRA SAVES THE WORLD Alexander McCall Smith
When La’s marriage fails, she moves from London to a Suffolk village to recover. Shortly afterwards the Second World War begins; she tends chickens and grows vegetables but she longs to do more so. . . she forms an amateur orchestra – her mission is to raise morale. Musicians come from the village, the nearby town and the air base. La has vowed never to love again but will she resist the handsome flautist – a young Polish refugee? This is a moving story about the power of music, love and friendship in war time – a poignant reminder of the courage shown by our nation during the Second World War.
Edited by dryad (02/11/2008 21:33)
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rainbow
member
Reged: 28/05/2008
Posts: 16
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The Comfort of Saturdays, by Alexander McCall Smith (Little, Brown, £17.99)
All the favourite characters are here in McCall Smith's latest novel set in genteel circles of Edinburgh.
Isabel Dalhousie, philosopher and editor of 'The Review of Applied Ethics', now finds herself experiencing a mixture of emotions- doubts, anxieties, guilt- as she adjusts to motherhood and her relationship with baby Charlie's father, the much younger, very attractive Jamie.
However, this does not prevent Isabel from entering once more into the fray when justice appears compromised. Is this altruism or interference in the lives of others?
The ethical questions raised engage and challenge the reader.
The comfort factor will warm winter nights!
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Ginnie
member
Reged: 24/06/2008
Posts: 1061
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The Road Home Rose Tremain
In The Road Home Rose Tremain makes you care about the widower who makes the long bus journey to England, his promised land.He needs money for his often truculent mother and his young daughter.
The wonderful pen portraits of the people he meets and the ones he has left behind bring the story to life.
He is both naive and determined and you hope that his hard work, and, some good luck will ensure that he achieves his goal.
This is a well written book that I would recommend to anyone
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kittikat
member
Reged: 13/06/2008
Posts: 4
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The Interpretation of Murder: Jed Rubenfeld
When a wealthy young debutante is found bound, whipped and strangled in a luxurious appartment in the city, and another narrowly escapes the same fate, the Mayor of New York calls upon Sigmund Freud to use his revolutionary new ideas to help her recover her memory of the attack and solve the crime. But nothing is as it seems and there are those in high places determined to stop the truth coming out and also stop Freud's startling theories taking root in America. A very atmospheric story which melds fact and fiction seamlessly together.
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kittikat
member
Reged: 13/06/2008
Posts: 4
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The Gift: Cecelia Ahern
Lou is a busy man, always needing to be two places at one time. He doesn't have time to listen to his wife or spend time with his children. He meets a homeless man, Gabe, outside his office block and being intrigued offers him a job in the mail room. Then Lou starts to be uncomfortable with him when Gabe seems to be in two places at one time. Who is this guy and why is he so popular with the rest of the staff? As Christmas gets nearer Lou begins to realise the value of time with his family and doing things for the joy of it. He belatedly discovers what is important in life yet it is the hardest lesson he will ever learn.
This book has made me value my own family and to appreciate that time spent with them is more important than any job could ever be.
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Nameless
member
Reged: 21/10/2007
Posts: 5
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The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende
This novel, written some years ago, has become a classic.In the 1970s there was an army coup in Chile,during which President Allende was killed. His cousin Isabel wrote this book based on what happened in the years surrounding that event. However it is a work of fiction, about several generations of one family. In spite of the serious subject, there is plenty of humour and a wealth of fascinating characters. In particular there are several strong women who manage to survive the horrors of the times.So don't be put off by the theme - read and enjoy it!
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leatherdykeuk
member
Reged: 03/12/2008
Posts: 1
Loc: Chesterfield UK
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An Ungodly Child
by Rachel Green
ISBN 1905108648
It is unfortunate, when falling in love, if the object of one’s affections is the Angel of Pestilence and you subsequently contract a rare and incurable disease. This happens to Harold Waterman, who in despair turns to the Dark Arts and summons a demon called Jasfoup for help. The novel romps through a quest to find the cure, involving a trip back to Eden to steal an apple from the Tree of Life, and leads to betrayal and infamy.
And tea. Regular and often and preferably with a biscuit.
"An Ungodly Child" is a wild romp of novel and unput-downable.
Edited by leatherdykeuk (03/12/2008 13:38)
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Nameless
member
Reged: 21/10/2007
Posts: 5
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Silver River by Daisy Goodwin
You may be familiar with Daisy Goodwin as the compiler of poetry anthologies, but this is something completely different, which she calls "a family story". As a child Daisy felt neglected by her mother, and it is only when she investigates the remarkable history of her family that she begins to understand the reasons for this apparent neglect.Much of the action takes place in Argentina, and the Silver River is the River Plate. But before that the family lived in Ireland, at the time of the potato famine,and Daisy visits both countries to find out more.
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debbsie
member
Reged: 24/04/2008
Posts: 4
Loc: Derby, Derbyshire central Engl...
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Sniper by Sgt Dan Mills
Ok want a true un-edited, nitty gritty, tail between the teeth, edge of the sofa type book well read this, I could not put it down. But there again I dont read love stories.
It is a true life defend your life and look out for others type job. The government tel us our lads, hubbys and boys, daughters wives and girls are out there on a PEACE keeping mission well read on and be mind blown its grenades at all hours and bullets on ambush, mosques as ambush stations and all that can be thrown at our troops. Be prepared to be a page turner. 100 out 10 good on yer mate. Believe it all. 
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kittikat
member
Reged: 13/06/2008
Posts: 4
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Plain Truth by Jodi Picoult
This story centres around a murder which takes place in an Amish community in Pennsylvania. An 18 year old single Amish girl falls pregnant and gives birth in secret but denies it when the body of the baby is found concealed in a barn. Ellie Hathaway, an attorney and family friend, comes to defend her but is up against the prosecution who have a strong case and also the principles of the Amish faith. The clash of cultures make it almost impossible for Ellie to defend Katie the way she feels is best for her.
An excellent story which gives great insight and understanding of Amish culture and religious beliefs. The characters are strong and totally believable and I was hooked from the first page.
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kittikat
member
Reged: 13/06/2008
Posts: 4
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A Deadly Deception by Margaret Thompson Davis
A Glasgow pensioner, Mabel Smith, needs some extra money so decides to work for an adult chat line. No one will ever find out and it is the solution to her money problems. One of her regular 'clients' John, thinks he has fallen in love with her and is desperate to meet her in the flesh. Unfortunately Mable hasn't been honest about her looks; what she has done is describe her lovely young neighbour Cheryl with the blond hair and trim figure instead. Mable keeps giving excuses as to why they can never meet so John becomes obsessed with finding this elusive woman of his dreams; he carefully combs sections of the area where he suspects she lives as the anger builds up in him with terrible consequences.
An enjoyable fast-paced thriller, easily believable in this age of chat-lines.
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campion
member
Reged: 13/05/2008
Posts: 112
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when will there be good news? by Kate Atkinson
Atkinson always , but always surprises. Just when you think you have got the hang of her intelligent,quirky plotting something new and surprising reaches up and grabs your viscera.And changes your view of the world she created.Of the world, really. Who can you trust? What is trust founded on? How, ever, can we know our own hearts? And if we do, what can the outcome be? How , ever, do we deal with loss and how does it shape our destiny?
And then , of course, there's Jackson Brodie.Who? likeable and sane, he appears in and shapes many Atkinson novels . You can depend on Jackson even if he doesn't get a great deal in life.And in this novel we have Reggie - a young, bright and appallingly lost girl.Together they encompass events which are dreadful, ordinary, explicable and inexplicable and almost everything is traced back to loss. Nothing is easy and nothing is as it seems ; but Atkinson can deal , and humorously too, as well as wisely, with themes like compassion, redemption, loss and love.Brilliant!
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Campion
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fsa
member
Reged: 29/01/2009
Posts: 2
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I was reading one of the recommended books, "A Small Part of History" and was drawn to another title called "After River" by Donna Milner.
What a fabulous book, I can't tell you how much I enjoyed it, so much so I consummed it in one sitting.
If you like family sagas, with a touch of scandal and a lot of pathos, this is one for you.
You'll have gathered I'm trying very hard not to give away the plot.
A fantastic what if I had known then as a child, what I know now as an adult, would I have done anything different story.
Please try this one.
Fran
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