The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn - Mark Twain
The last of my children's classics, this one took a while to get into but once I did, I really enjoyed it. It tells the story of Huck Finn and his friend, the runaway slave Jim as they sail down the Mississippi. The language is difficult at times but fits the story.
Nothing to Lose - Lee Child
This was a nice, easy read to break up the classics. Unlike the last Jack Reacher, this one kept me guessing. The books do follow the same pattern, Jack Reacher on the road, gets dragged in to a case, sleeps with a local, solves the mystery, moves on. I personally preferred the first ones with more history and personality involved but the books are fun to read anyway.
The 158-pound marriage - John Irving
I came across this book in the 200+ free collection from the classifieds. I knew and liked the author already from Owen Meany.
The novel is the story of two couples who indulge in some partner swapping. It follows the relationship and looks back on the histories of the main characters too.
I found the histories and the psychological side of this story really interesting. The characters were engaging and the book left me wanting more.
Showing posts with label novels. Show all posts
Showing posts with label novels. Show all posts
Wednesday, 15 November 2017
Wednesday, 22 March 2017
Reading Review
The Last Battle - C.S.Lewis
I finally finished off the chronicles of Narnia this month. The Last Battle rounds off the series perfectly, reuniting many characters from the series for one last adventure.
The moral and religious parallels continued in the seventh and final installment, which sees the end of Narnia and the move to a kind of afterlife.
I'm looking forward to the kids reading these in a few years.
The 33rd marriage of Donia Nour - H.Z.Ilmi
This book was a gift and something I wouldn't normally have picked up but I actually really enjoyed it. It's sci-fi, set in a very modern, Islamic Egypt in 2048.
It follows Donia Nour from the eve of her 33rd marriage and through the consequences thereof. It involves alien abductions and is a very extreme view of how wrong modern society could become.
The Secret Garden - Frances Hodgson Burnett
Another of my children's classics from home (my very first in fact), this made a lovely quick read this week. It's the story of Mary, a sour little girl born in India who comes to live in Yorkshire with her uncle when her parents die.
She discovers a secret garden and the story follows her time there and how it changes her. It's a lovely little story and it really made me want to get out in our garden - I just need Joshua to let me!
I finally finished off the chronicles of Narnia this month. The Last Battle rounds off the series perfectly, reuniting many characters from the series for one last adventure.
The moral and religious parallels continued in the seventh and final installment, which sees the end of Narnia and the move to a kind of afterlife.
I'm looking forward to the kids reading these in a few years.
The 33rd marriage of Donia Nour - H.Z.Ilmi
This book was a gift and something I wouldn't normally have picked up but I actually really enjoyed it. It's sci-fi, set in a very modern, Islamic Egypt in 2048.
It follows Donia Nour from the eve of her 33rd marriage and through the consequences thereof. It involves alien abductions and is a very extreme view of how wrong modern society could become.
The Secret Garden - Frances Hodgson Burnett
Another of my children's classics from home (my very first in fact), this made a lovely quick read this week. It's the story of Mary, a sour little girl born in India who comes to live in Yorkshire with her uncle when her parents die.
She discovers a secret garden and the story follows her time there and how it changes her. It's a lovely little story and it really made me want to get out in our garden - I just need Joshua to let me!
Tuesday, 14 March 2017
Reading Review
The Silver Chair - C.S.Lewis
Another fun, adventure story for children. Full of moral lessons again. It tells the story of Eustace and Jane's journey to Narnia to rescue a lost prince, held captive by a witch.
I like the continuity of the characters and setting while enjoying a new story.
World Without End - Ken Follett
This novel follows on from Pillars of the Earth which I read a few years ago but works well as a stand alone novel.
It follows a group of characters from their meeting as children, through various trials and tribulations, into old age. Follett has a real talent for bringing a long gone era to life.
The history and politics are accurate and interesting. The caracters are very engaging - both good and bad.
I loved this story, along with Follett's other works.
The Railway Children - E.Nesbit
Another choice from my collection of children's classics and my favourite so far, this one tells of three siblings and their adventures in a new home in the country.
It was easy to read and the stories were fun and engaging, and as typically moralistic as many children's books of the time.
It really takes you back to a simpler time.
Another fun, adventure story for children. Full of moral lessons again. It tells the story of Eustace and Jane's journey to Narnia to rescue a lost prince, held captive by a witch.
I like the continuity of the characters and setting while enjoying a new story.
World Without End - Ken Follett
This novel follows on from Pillars of the Earth which I read a few years ago but works well as a stand alone novel.
It follows a group of characters from their meeting as children, through various trials and tribulations, into old age. Follett has a real talent for bringing a long gone era to life.
The history and politics are accurate and interesting. The caracters are very engaging - both good and bad.
I loved this story, along with Follett's other works.
The Railway Children - E.Nesbit
Another choice from my collection of children's classics and my favourite so far, this one tells of three siblings and their adventures in a new home in the country.
It was easy to read and the stories were fun and engaging, and as typically moralistic as many children's books of the time.
It really takes you back to a simpler time.
Wednesday, 15 February 2017
Reading Review
Gullivers' Travels - Jonathan Swift
This is another 'children's classic' I recently revisited and I honestly can't see how children can follow this narrative with its complex language.
I do like the story though. I only really remembered the first half of the story, in Lilliput so it was like a new book. It's very imaginative, especially for the time in which it was written.
Along Came a Spider - James Patterson
Nico bought this book for me having read it in German and loved it. I loved it too. It follows detective investigating the kidnapping of two high profile children.
It's a real page turner with short chapters and told from different points of view. It kept me guessing until the end and I'm really looking forward to the next one!
The Voyage of the Dawn Treader - C.S.Lewis
Carrying on with this series, I read the fifth and I loved it as much as the others. These are real kids books that can also be enjoyed by adults.
This was the story of an adventure by sea. Caspian is searching for seven missing lords. Some of the same characters are there and they discover new magical lands in Narnia. As usual, there are some morals in there.
Looking forward to continue with this series.
This is another 'children's classic' I recently revisited and I honestly can't see how children can follow this narrative with its complex language.
I do like the story though. I only really remembered the first half of the story, in Lilliput so it was like a new book. It's very imaginative, especially for the time in which it was written.
Along Came a Spider - James Patterson
Nico bought this book for me having read it in German and loved it. I loved it too. It follows detective investigating the kidnapping of two high profile children.
It's a real page turner with short chapters and told from different points of view. It kept me guessing until the end and I'm really looking forward to the next one!
The Voyage of the Dawn Treader - C.S.Lewis
Carrying on with this series, I read the fifth and I loved it as much as the others. These are real kids books that can also be enjoyed by adults.
This was the story of an adventure by sea. Caspian is searching for seven missing lords. Some of the same characters are there and they discover new magical lands in Narnia. As usual, there are some morals in there.
Looking forward to continue with this series.
Wednesday, 16 November 2016
Reading Review
Maternity leave has done wonders for my reading so far. Here are my latest books.
The Fiery Cross - Diana Gabaldon
As ever epic in both length and content, this latest installment in the Outlander series had me gripped.
Gabaldon is great at mixing new characters with the old, mixing description with action and providing an informative historical perspective.
I did miss the change of scenery in this one - until now, each novel was more or less set in a different country - but it was still full of fresh sides to the story and new developments.
39 Steps - John Buchan
I received this book as a 'children's classic' many years ago and finally got around to reading it now. Luckily it is fairly short so it wasn't too arduous to read but I really don't know why a child would read this.
It's a wartime spy story following the protagonist as he flees from German spies from London to Scotland and back again. The story itself is good but it's couched in pages of description and landscape which really hold up the narrative.
What also put me off were the numerous typos in my edition, even though it was not printed in a time before spellcheck!
The Horse and His Boy - C.S.Lewis
Continuing the Narnia series, I flew through this one in a couple of days. I had remembered this one as the odd one out of the series but it's really not. The main characters are new but they link up with the main characters from the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and the narrative takes place in the same world.
The story follows Shasta and his flight from a miserable life of slavery to discover his true past. It's a true adventure story and I really enjoyed it. I'm looking forward to Isabella reaching a suitable age for us to read these together.
The Fiery Cross - Diana Gabaldon
As ever epic in both length and content, this latest installment in the Outlander series had me gripped.
Gabaldon is great at mixing new characters with the old, mixing description with action and providing an informative historical perspective.
I did miss the change of scenery in this one - until now, each novel was more or less set in a different country - but it was still full of fresh sides to the story and new developments.
39 Steps - John Buchan
I received this book as a 'children's classic' many years ago and finally got around to reading it now. Luckily it is fairly short so it wasn't too arduous to read but I really don't know why a child would read this.
It's a wartime spy story following the protagonist as he flees from German spies from London to Scotland and back again. The story itself is good but it's couched in pages of description and landscape which really hold up the narrative.
What also put me off were the numerous typos in my edition, even though it was not printed in a time before spellcheck!
The Horse and His Boy - C.S.Lewis
Continuing the Narnia series, I flew through this one in a couple of days. I had remembered this one as the odd one out of the series but it's really not. The main characters are new but they link up with the main characters from the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and the narrative takes place in the same world.
The story follows Shasta and his flight from a miserable life of slavery to discover his true past. It's a true adventure story and I really enjoyed it. I'm looking forward to Isabella reaching a suitable age for us to read these together.
Wednesday, 20 July 2016
Reading Review
The Patriot Threat - Steve Berry
The latest from Steve Berry didn't disappoint. It's focused on American politics and history again but is partly set in Europe and brings Asia into the scenario which I liked.
It's a page turner and an action packed read. I like that there is an ongoing story and regular characters.
Super Cannes - J.G. Ballard
I'm not entirely sure where this one came from but I read it recently. It's not the kind of thriller I usually go for - a bit too modern and sterile but it was an interesting concept and once I got into it, I was keen to find out who did it.
Last Rituals - Yrsa Sigurdardottir
This was a new Icelandic author for me. Dad left this one after his last visit. It was a brilliant read. It's an exciting, twisting story about a lawyer and P.I.'s investigation into the gruesome murder of a German student in Iceland.
I'm looking forward to more from this writer.
The latest from Steve Berry didn't disappoint. It's focused on American politics and history again but is partly set in Europe and brings Asia into the scenario which I liked.
It's a page turner and an action packed read. I like that there is an ongoing story and regular characters.
Super Cannes - J.G. Ballard
I'm not entirely sure where this one came from but I read it recently. It's not the kind of thriller I usually go for - a bit too modern and sterile but it was an interesting concept and once I got into it, I was keen to find out who did it.
Last Rituals - Yrsa Sigurdardottir
This was a new Icelandic author for me. Dad left this one after his last visit. It was a brilliant read. It's an exciting, twisting story about a lawyer and P.I.'s investigation into the gruesome murder of a German student in Iceland.
I'm looking forward to more from this writer.
Wednesday, 13 July 2016
Reading Review
Colour of Magic - Terry Pratchett
I had never read Terry Pratchett before this and Nico bought me this one (Pratchett's first novel), for my birthday. I really enjoyed it and wish I'd been able to read it when it was written as I feel he was ahead of his time.
It's a really fun fantastical read that took a while to get into but then had me gripped. The creativity of Discworld and the humour reminded me a bit of Walter Moers. I'm looking forward to reading more Discworld.
Metro 2033 - Dmitry Glukhovsky
This was another gift from Nico as he read the German translation (the original is in Russian), and loved it.
It's based in the Moscow metro system in 2033 after World War 3 which forced the survivors underground.
This one also took me a while to get into but I think that was because of the translation. Once I got used to that though, it was a very interesting read. It explores different political views but without taking away from the adventure story and by the end I couldn't but it down.
The Mum - A ladybird book
This was a gift from my mum. It's part of a new range from Ladybird books.
It's really funny, a bit of light hearted entertainment and makes a great gift.
I had never read Terry Pratchett before this and Nico bought me this one (Pratchett's first novel), for my birthday. I really enjoyed it and wish I'd been able to read it when it was written as I feel he was ahead of his time.
It's a really fun fantastical read that took a while to get into but then had me gripped. The creativity of Discworld and the humour reminded me a bit of Walter Moers. I'm looking forward to reading more Discworld.
Metro 2033 - Dmitry Glukhovsky
This was another gift from Nico as he read the German translation (the original is in Russian), and loved it.
It's based in the Moscow metro system in 2033 after World War 3 which forced the survivors underground.
This one also took me a while to get into but I think that was because of the translation. Once I got used to that though, it was a very interesting read. It explores different political views but without taking away from the adventure story and by the end I couldn't but it down.
The Mum - A ladybird book
This was a gift from my mum. It's part of a new range from Ladybird books.
It's really funny, a bit of light hearted entertainment and makes a great gift.
Wednesday, 6 July 2016
Reading Review
Lolita - Vladimir Nobokov
This read came from the BBC book list I'm still working my way through.
As soon as I read the blurb, I knew it was going to be a difficult read. It took me a long time to wade through this one. It wasn't thrilling but I did want to stick with it.
The idea of a middle aged man having such an influence on his step-daughter is disturbing but I did want to know what happened to her.
Brave New World - Aldous Huxley
I also came to this book through the BBC list. I expected it to be more like 1984 but I found that this novel took the idea to a whole new extreme.
It's a lot more surreal and unrealistic than 1984, yet strangely ahead of its time in some social respects. I found it a really interesting read that made me reflect on life and politics in general.
The Drums of Autumn - Diana Gabaldon
The fourth book in the Outlander series was every bit as good as the first three. It sees the main characters settling in the American colonies and I love the play between past and present with the next generation. It brings a lot of action and interesting new twists to the story. Looking forward to the next.
This read came from the BBC book list I'm still working my way through.
As soon as I read the blurb, I knew it was going to be a difficult read. It took me a long time to wade through this one. It wasn't thrilling but I did want to stick with it.
The idea of a middle aged man having such an influence on his step-daughter is disturbing but I did want to know what happened to her.
Brave New World - Aldous Huxley
I also came to this book through the BBC list. I expected it to be more like 1984 but I found that this novel took the idea to a whole new extreme.
It's a lot more surreal and unrealistic than 1984, yet strangely ahead of its time in some social respects. I found it a really interesting read that made me reflect on life and politics in general.
The Drums of Autumn - Diana Gabaldon
The fourth book in the Outlander series was every bit as good as the first three. It sees the main characters settling in the American colonies and I love the play between past and present with the next generation. It brings a lot of action and interesting new twists to the story. Looking forward to the next.
Friday, 11 March 2016
Reading Review
Buried - Jussi Adler Olsen
The latest in one of my favourite series certainly did not disappoint.
This one is based around a criminal gang operating around Copenhagen and has links to Africa. It's a whole different story to the previous ones in the series and really kept me guessing.
The regular characters were also back. I love how they are a continuous thread through the series but also each have their own little twists and turns in each book.
Looking forward to the next Department Q installment later in the year.
The Enemy - Lee Child
This was my first Lee Child's book and if I understood correctly, it's the first Jack Reacher book, chronologically. It's based in the nineties which was interesting because we're so used to crime novels using technology to get their guy and that was limited here.
I really enjoyed the story and it was another one that really kept me guessing. I'm looking forward to reading more Lee Child.
The Alchemaster's Apprentice - Walter Moers
This is the fourth book I've read from Moers and I can never get over what an amazing job the translator does. The language is so clever and complex that it's difficult to believe it wasn't written in English.
This time, the story is based around a cat, or a crat (a cat that can speak any language) and his adventures in Zamonia.
The illustrations really bring the story to life. It feels like a children's book because of the fantastical ideas but there's so much darkness and adult humor that it's quite clearly not for children.
The latest in one of my favourite series certainly did not disappoint.
This one is based around a criminal gang operating around Copenhagen and has links to Africa. It's a whole different story to the previous ones in the series and really kept me guessing.
The regular characters were also back. I love how they are a continuous thread through the series but also each have their own little twists and turns in each book.
Looking forward to the next Department Q installment later in the year.
The Enemy - Lee Child
This was my first Lee Child's book and if I understood correctly, it's the first Jack Reacher book, chronologically. It's based in the nineties which was interesting because we're so used to crime novels using technology to get their guy and that was limited here.
I really enjoyed the story and it was another one that really kept me guessing. I'm looking forward to reading more Lee Child.
The Alchemaster's Apprentice - Walter Moers
This is the fourth book I've read from Moers and I can never get over what an amazing job the translator does. The language is so clever and complex that it's difficult to believe it wasn't written in English.
This time, the story is based around a cat, or a crat (a cat that can speak any language) and his adventures in Zamonia.
The illustrations really bring the story to life. It feels like a children's book because of the fantastical ideas but there's so much darkness and adult humor that it's quite clearly not for children.
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