When Will There Be Good News by Kate Atkinson

Mum reviewe this recently. I found it a very good read. Modern, light, entertaining, funny. And loaded with references or puns about music, literature (modern and old) and loads more stuff. If you were put off by her Emotionally Wierd book or other recent ones, give this a try.

8?10

I, Robot by Iassc Asimov

This month's book club and that's the only reason why I read it! It's been made into a film with Will Smith but in fact the book was written in the 40s. That in itself makes it interesting....it seems the author wrote lots of sci fi stories. However I found the style very difficult to read...reminded me of adolescent boys who are reluctant readers.
4/10

When will there be good news by Kate Atkinson

Tells the story of a woman who witnessed the death of her mother and siblings when she was a child. At first the characters seem isolated, but as the story progresses so do the connections between them. I enjoyed it..the style is easy to read.
9/10

All The Pretty Horses by Cormac McCarthy

McCarthy wrote No Country For Old Men - if you haven't read that or seen it, I'd strongly recommend doing one or both. Pretty Horses is a lovely, lilting story about a 16 year old boy growing up fast in rural Texas and Mexico in the 1930s. Very low key style of writing which is beautifully descriptive (about cowboys???) and yet a clear, steady story line. I'm after the next two books which make up a trilogy.

9/10

Dreams from my father by Barack Obama

A Book Club book, although I think I would have read it anyway. It's about Obama life until his marriage. Very interesting and gives a good insight to where he's coming from. He had an unusual background. At times the book drags a little.
8/10

The Black Dahlia by James Ellroy

American author with a very strong distictive style. Black Dahlia is a Los Angeles police story set in 1946. All about a horrific murder and a very blunt - crude - lifestyle. It's like a film noire gone way over the top. I like the author's style so will read the next two books which form a trilogy of life in 1940s LA.

9/10

Adrian Mole and the Weapons of Mass Destruction - Sue Townsend

Really enjoyed this - haven't read any of the adrian moles since the first two and thought the character was really good grown up. Some nice references to the very early books. Good fun and a quick read.


8/10

Destination Unknown - Agatha Christie

This was really good - more a thriller than a murder mystery, about a group of scientists who have been persuaded to betray their countries to join a mysterious campaign. A great central female character who is jolly brave throughout, and a pretty good twisty end. No marple or poirot!



8/10