Crossing The Lines by Melvyn Bragg

Been promising myself I'd read some of his stuff, not because of his first name (with a 'y') but because any reviews or references I've heard are very complimentary. And he always seems interesting on t' radio.

This is about a teenage boy's rites of passage in a 1955 Cumbrian farming/industry town and where life took him from there. Beautiful use of language and very touching (and insightful) telling of a simple story. Superb portrayal of lots of characters. I want more.

Anybody want to borrow it?

10/10

Breakfast on Pluto by Patrick McCabe

A really strange book set in Ireland in the 60s/70s. It's about a boy who was fathered by a priest and handed over to a large family in the village. He grows up as a very mixed up child who spends his teenage life as a tranvestite prostitute. Very funny in places but also very sad. It was shortlisted for the Booker Prize in 1998.
8/10

Selected Poems by Carol Ann Duffy

This month's book club choice. For some reason we decided to try a poetry book although I'm not sure what everyone will make of it. The poems are chosen by Duffy from various of her anthologies. I love the last selection from The World's Wife, but am not sure I completely understand some of her earlier stuff.
7/10

Afterwards by Rosaund Lupton

Rosemary leant me this book when we were up in Norfolk. She said it was a serious weepy one.....and she was right. It's about a mum and her teenage daughter after they have been in an accident. A bit like "Lovely Bones" they are telling the story as if they are spirits - their bodies are still in hospital on life support machines. Not a story if you don't fancy a good cry!
8/10

The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd

Ok so I know I've read it before, but it was Book Club's July read so I read it again. Equally good the second time. I think we've all read it so can't spoil the story for you. Very interested to hear what Book Club think. Surely no one could not like it.
9/10

The Redbreast by Jo Nesbo

Nesbo is flagged as the next Stieg Larsson. Hmmm, we'll see.

Redbreast is a standard cop-v-killer story, clever and set in present day Norway and in the second world war, but not as addictive as the Larsson books & characters. There's lots more Nesbo books and I'll try some because I've already got 2 more books (think I'll also try one on my Kindle App). But I wouldn't rush if I were you. They may be formulaic.

7/10