What I'm currently reading
Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen
(I love Jane Austen but I really have to be in the right frame of mind to read the almost alien language of the century in which Jane wrote). - still on the shelf
The adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain
(I am reading this with my children as a part of their bedtime routine) this got shelved too!
What I have recently finished reading.
(I decided to begin rating the books that I have read much like that stars rating however I kind of liked the thumbs upC sign and have decided to go with that, a 5 thumbs up will be the highest and a 1 thumbs up being the lowest.)
The Eyes of the Dragon - Stephen King
(I have already read this when it first came out, but I feel compelled to read it again)
Further down the page I wrote a review giving it 4 thumbs up. Stephen King is such a wonderful storyteller and I wish I had the courage to read his books. Still looking for his book Shawshank Redemption. I really want to read this.
Evening Class by Maeve Binchy4C
This was a great book and a familiar one as it involves a lot of characters we have alreay met in her other books, there is a familiarity of known characters.
I love her interaction of characters with other characters and the association or degree of separation between each of them, and this book shows exactly that.
Another great book by Maeve, if you like Quentins or Tara Road then you will like this.
What I have previously read
Paradise Fields by Katie Fforde 4C
Katie is a new author to me as I have just recently came across two of her books, this being the first that I have read.
I fell in love with this book from the very first papragraph where Katie got straight into the meat of the subject for the entire book where the heroine is holding up mistletoe at a farmers market for a christmas market and a stranger comes up kisses her and buys the said mistletoe from her.
The heroine is a widow and has not thought of entering a relationship with any man until her kids have left the family home where she has only just begun a casual relationship with a man who likes to help her with the oddjob around the home.
Mistletoe man is there and you cant help but fall in love with him and you hope that they get together but his reasons for being in town is that he is the enemy as a lawyer for the owners of the land where the market is held and our heorine tries to save the market for much needed funds for the local hospice.
This was a great book one that had me crying and laughing.
Justified Due and Just by Jay Elle 4C
What a pleasure to read. I was hooked from the start, the main characters Caleb and Danielle I fell in love with as they were portrayed as two real people in real circumstances going through real feelings.
Have you ever visited a restaurant and wondered about the people behind the scenes and what their life might be like, I can honestly say that I haven't up until now. This delightful book gives you an insight to the people who serve you, cook and wait at your table, their stories and their highs and lows in life and yet they still have to give you a smile as they wait upon you.
Loved it.
Fantastic Mr Fox by Roald Dahl~ 5C
My kids loved this, of course it is a book by Roald Dahl he is such a fabulous story teller,a story about a fox who is trying to provide for his family and has to think outside the square in order to get what he needs, a fabuolous read.
A ton of trouble by Lynne Murray. ~ 3&1/2 C
I liked this book it had everything that I like in a book a bit of sass, mystery and spice, but it lacked something, I couldn't quite put my finger on it, it seemed monotone and it took me a long time to read it, I kept reading it because the storyline and the plot was good and I wanted to see what happened which was a good ending, but felt a little disappointed by the lack of enthusiam within the pages of the book.
Imitation in Death by JD Robb~ 4C
A story about a copy cat killer - JD Robb doesn't disappoint
Purity in Death by JD Robb~ 4C
Another JD Robb book and I wasn't disappointed. Nora Roberts has the formula for a good book and I know that when I pick up one of her books I know that I am going to be captivated.
People are dying from head injuries caused by a computer virus, Eve Dallas sets out to capture those responsible.
The in-death series takes the reader on a journey of the characters as they go through life and their challenges and weaknesses much like we do in normal life.
JD Robb's in death series I love
Kingdom Keepers - Disney after Dark by Ridley Pearson~ 4C
Ridley happens to be one of my favourite authors whom I have been reading his books for about fifteen years now, his books mainly are murder and mystery and sometimes downright scary after reading one book I couldn't eat watermelon ( still can't).
This book is aimed at children in the teenage category and I wasn't sure if I would enjoy it. Disney after dark is the first of a series and I believe he has six of the Kingdom Keepers series.
The main characters were hired by Disney staff to record their movements and voice intructions as a part of a hologram guide for the park, this was part of a plan to help save the park from evil characters within the park who tried to take it over. The hologram children in real life when asleep travel to the park and interact with each other and the evil charcters who try to take over. Their mission is to stop them.
This book is clearly aimed at a younger audience but captivating none-the-less. As a fan of Ridley I enjoyed it.
The Magic Pudding by Norman Lindsay~ 5C
(I read this with my children as a part of their bedtime routine and story)
My kids thoroughly enjoyed this and laughed at the antics of the characters, it is a wonderful story that captures the imagination of children as a pudding comes to life and is stolen. A story of adventure and intrigue, a wonderful classic.
Follow the Morning Star By Di Morrissey~ 4C
I have to admit that Di Morrissey is one of my favourite authors she writes from the heart and the majority of her books are set in Australia with an Australian theme. They tug at your heart strings and challenge your thoughts and this being no exception.
Follow the Morning star is a follow on book from 'Heart of the Dreaming' following TR Hamilton and Queenie but even if you havent read Heart of the Dreaming you will still be able to follow the book and I have to admit it had me in tears as TR the love of Queenie's life has fallen of his horse and suffers amnesia forgetting who she is and the love that they share, Queenie also has to track down cattle theives who have stolen her prized Bulls and a brother who is out to take everything from her.
A heartwarming story. One that I enjoyed and as with all of Di's books a page turner.
Savour the moment by Nora Roberts~ 4C
I really enjoyed this book it is book three of the bride quartet. The story is based on four long time friends who have gone into business of weddings, each has a unique talent mac with Phootgraphy Emma is into flowers Laurel is the cake girl and Parker puts it all together, in this book it is Laurel's turn to fall in love and from the first book I fell in love with all the characters and as each book concentrates on the main character the other's are involved and as you get further into the books you get to know the characters a lot morre intimately. Once again Nora has excelled in producing beautiful romantic books.
Treasures Lost, Treasure Found by Nora Roberts~ 4C
Classic Nora Roberts beautifully told, four summers previously a girl falls in love with a guy but being persuaded by her father to leave the summer love she goes back to her home with her father and resumes her career as a teacher, four years later her father dies leaving her maps to a treasure he was searching for. Determined to finish his quest she goes back to the island of summer love to hire the man she fell in love with to help her recover the treasure he was searching for, do they fall in love all over again, you will have to read to find out.
Once more with feeling by Nora Roberts~ 4C
I cant help it I am a Nora Roberts fan and as a writer she is amazing as she hooks you into the book and this wasnt an exception. This story about two singers in the spotlight who once were in love but for one of them the stardom was overwhelming as was the love with them seperating and breaking hearts, they are bought back together by the lure of a major musical show where they have been asked to write the music together, professionally it is great for their careers but personally they are tested can their love for each other pull through. I wont give away the ending because it was a good read.
No Witnesses by Ridley Pearson~ 4C
Ridley Pearson is one of my favourite authors although not very well known here in Australia and for the most, his books need to be ordered in and I am more than happy to do so because I love reading his suspense books, he has a series with Lou Boldt and Daphne Mathews and these have a real element of reality to it. In No Witnesses Lou Boldt is a police detective for the Seattle police Department and people are dying from food poisoning leaving no witnesses, and little to no evidence, it is a gripping and chilling book a read not for the light hearted, after reading this I don't eat watermelon anymore. Pearson is an extraordinary writer and any person who is into suspense murder drama books should give Pearson a go.
Skipping Christmas by John Grisham~ 4C
I read this book when it first came out and totally enjoyed this book it was so funny and heartwarming. This was not like any of John's other courtroom drama books far from it. It has since been made into a movie with Tim .... and ....... but the movie does not do the book any justice at all so if you have seen the movie and thought (blagh!) give the book a read very funny, the funny stuff wasnt portrayed in the movie as good as the book. So, about the book, A mother a Father and their only child celebrate christmas together every year and at great expense, so when the daughter isnt going to be home for Christmas the Mother and Father (the Kranks)at the Father's insistence decided to take a vacation for Christmas instead only the daughter surprises them by saying that she will be home sending them into chaos. Great book.
Lovers & Players by Jackie Collins ~ 4C
I think you are either a Jackie Collins fan or you are not, I am and I love the way she writes, Jackie writes mostly about the lives of those in Hollywood and the antics that they get up to, and as always from the moment that I opened the page I was enthralled by the antics of those hollywood celebrities, this book was the typical (if you could imagine) hollywood Ultra rich family with the demanding father and the children ever trying to please the father, there is a lovely little twist at the end certainly one I wasnt expecting, I love ending's like that and thoroughly enjoyed this book.
Mathew Flinders Cat by Bryce Courtenay~ 4C
This is one of my favourite Bryce Courtenay books I haven't read all of his books but almost and he is one of my favourite authors, this story is about a homeless man who fell victim to the hand of the bottle and chose to be homeless, he meets a boy who through circumstances beyond his control is forced to live on the street, determined to help the boy he tells the story of Mathew Flinders through the eye of Mathew Flinders Cat, it's a lovely story incorporating the voyage of Mathew Flinders and the tale of the homeless.
Little King December by Axel Hacke~ 4C
I liked this book it was about a king who was born big and every day he shrank, I think there is a movie now with Brad Pitt very similiar only King December doesn't grow young he just shrinks, with only 58 pages long and lovely illustrations (not on every page) it's a nice book for younger readers and the young reader at heart.
Plum Lucky by Janet Evanvovich 4C
I have to say I am hooked on the Stephanie Plum series by Janet, it is funny and clever and a lovely read to pick up your mood, Stephanie is a bounty hunter in New Jersey and she captures her 'FTA's through sheer luck at most times. Plum Lucky is a between the number novel and involves an unmentionable person with unmentionable skills tracking down a lady who has a way with cupid, in which she classifies herself as a relationship expert. All in all Janet's books are light hearted and funny, I love reading them.
The wish list by Melanie La Brooy 3&1/2 C
An easy to read story about a woman who is hopelessly romantic and falls head over heals in love with the man of her dreams or so she thought with the help of friends and a duel between two men the woman is left to think what it is exactly about romance that makes it romantic. A very straight down the line book.
Persuasion by Jane Austen ~ 5C
This would have to be one of my favourite books and one that I turn to again and again. I love the languge that Jane uses of course back when would have been the normal language used. This would be my favourite because it is about second chances and we dont often get second chances.
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen ~ 5C
I love the way Jane portrays that first impressions are not always the correct ones, that is how I perceive the book and one that reminds me not to judge people upon those first impressions, heavens knows I am not at my best all the time.
The eyes of the dragon by Stephen King~ 4C
I'm not a huge King fan and that is not to say that I don't enjoy his writing I love Shawshank redemption although yet to read the book but watched the movie at least fifty times (no exaggeration) but i have tried to read 'it' and 'Carrie' and I can now honestly say I dont like clowns and I don't think I even got past chapter 1. I think I maybe got a little further but it is graphic and it is scary and I get scared just thinking about reading a 'King' book but this book 'The eyes of the dragon' is great lovely twists and not a lot of the graphic and scary but a book about a prince locked in a castle while the court magician tries to rule the kingdom. I read this when I was a teenager and fell in love with it then and have re-read it several times. Great Book.
Indulgence in Death by JD Robb~ 4C
What can I say the 'in Death series' I love and while I would love to say that I am reading them in order I am not, I am reading them as they are available in the library and then one day I will re-read them all. I love the struggle between Roarke and Dallas as they find there way through marriage while finding the bad guys, terrific book, fantastic writer.
Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen
(I love Jane Austen but I really have to be in the right frame of mind to read the almost alien language of the century in which Jane wrote). - still on the shelf
The adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain
(I am reading this with my children as a part of their bedtime routine) this got shelved too!
What I have recently finished reading.
(I decided to begin rating the books that I have read much like that stars rating however I kind of liked the thumbs upC sign and have decided to go with that, a 5 thumbs up will be the highest and a 1 thumbs up being the lowest.)
The Eyes of the Dragon - Stephen King
(I have already read this when it first came out, but I feel compelled to read it again)
Further down the page I wrote a review giving it 4 thumbs up. Stephen King is such a wonderful storyteller and I wish I had the courage to read his books. Still looking for his book Shawshank Redemption. I really want to read this.
Evening Class by Maeve Binchy4C
This was a great book and a familiar one as it involves a lot of characters we have alreay met in her other books, there is a familiarity of known characters.
I love her interaction of characters with other characters and the association or degree of separation between each of them, and this book shows exactly that.
Another great book by Maeve, if you like Quentins or Tara Road then you will like this.
What I have previously read
Paradise Fields by Katie Fforde 4C
Katie is a new author to me as I have just recently came across two of her books, this being the first that I have read.
I fell in love with this book from the very first papragraph where Katie got straight into the meat of the subject for the entire book where the heroine is holding up mistletoe at a farmers market for a christmas market and a stranger comes up kisses her and buys the said mistletoe from her.
The heroine is a widow and has not thought of entering a relationship with any man until her kids have left the family home where she has only just begun a casual relationship with a man who likes to help her with the oddjob around the home.
Mistletoe man is there and you cant help but fall in love with him and you hope that they get together but his reasons for being in town is that he is the enemy as a lawyer for the owners of the land where the market is held and our heorine tries to save the market for much needed funds for the local hospice.
This was a great book one that had me crying and laughing.
Justified Due and Just by Jay Elle 4C
What a pleasure to read. I was hooked from the start, the main characters Caleb and Danielle I fell in love with as they were portrayed as two real people in real circumstances going through real feelings.
I love romance because you just want that happy ending, the fairytale ending and sometimes in life the fairytale doesn’t end quite so happily, sometimes we make choices marred by our emotions and sometimes we are eluded of that happy ending because of the choices we make.
The characters that Jay Elle has portrayed have made some of those decisions that we question whether we have made the right choice or not. I love the way she writes showing you what the character is feeling and you go on that journey with the character, I'm not about to give away the ending whether the two find their happy ending or not but it is a beautiful story that just makes you wanting to find out if they do.
Quentins by Maeve Binchy~ 4CHave you ever visited a restaurant and wondered about the people behind the scenes and what their life might be like, I can honestly say that I haven't up until now. This delightful book gives you an insight to the people who serve you, cook and wait at your table, their stories and their highs and lows in life and yet they still have to give you a smile as they wait upon you.
Loved it.
Fantastic Mr Fox by Roald Dahl~ 5C
My kids loved this, of course it is a book by Roald Dahl he is such a fabulous story teller,a story about a fox who is trying to provide for his family and has to think outside the square in order to get what he needs, a fabuolous read.
A ton of trouble by Lynne Murray. ~ 3&1/2 C
I liked this book it had everything that I like in a book a bit of sass, mystery and spice, but it lacked something, I couldn't quite put my finger on it, it seemed monotone and it took me a long time to read it, I kept reading it because the storyline and the plot was good and I wanted to see what happened which was a good ending, but felt a little disappointed by the lack of enthusiam within the pages of the book.
Imitation in Death by JD Robb~ 4C
A story about a copy cat killer - JD Robb doesn't disappoint
Purity in Death by JD Robb~ 4C
Another JD Robb book and I wasn't disappointed. Nora Roberts has the formula for a good book and I know that when I pick up one of her books I know that I am going to be captivated.
People are dying from head injuries caused by a computer virus, Eve Dallas sets out to capture those responsible.
The in-death series takes the reader on a journey of the characters as they go through life and their challenges and weaknesses much like we do in normal life.
JD Robb's in death series I love
Kingdom Keepers - Disney after Dark by Ridley Pearson~ 4C
Ridley happens to be one of my favourite authors whom I have been reading his books for about fifteen years now, his books mainly are murder and mystery and sometimes downright scary after reading one book I couldn't eat watermelon ( still can't).
This book is aimed at children in the teenage category and I wasn't sure if I would enjoy it. Disney after dark is the first of a series and I believe he has six of the Kingdom Keepers series.
The main characters were hired by Disney staff to record their movements and voice intructions as a part of a hologram guide for the park, this was part of a plan to help save the park from evil characters within the park who tried to take it over. The hologram children in real life when asleep travel to the park and interact with each other and the evil charcters who try to take over. Their mission is to stop them.
This book is clearly aimed at a younger audience but captivating none-the-less. As a fan of Ridley I enjoyed it.
The Magic Pudding by Norman Lindsay~ 5C
(I read this with my children as a part of their bedtime routine and story)
My kids thoroughly enjoyed this and laughed at the antics of the characters, it is a wonderful story that captures the imagination of children as a pudding comes to life and is stolen. A story of adventure and intrigue, a wonderful classic.
Follow the Morning Star By Di Morrissey~ 4C
I have to admit that Di Morrissey is one of my favourite authors she writes from the heart and the majority of her books are set in Australia with an Australian theme. They tug at your heart strings and challenge your thoughts and this being no exception.
Follow the Morning star is a follow on book from 'Heart of the Dreaming' following TR Hamilton and Queenie but even if you havent read Heart of the Dreaming you will still be able to follow the book and I have to admit it had me in tears as TR the love of Queenie's life has fallen of his horse and suffers amnesia forgetting who she is and the love that they share, Queenie also has to track down cattle theives who have stolen her prized Bulls and a brother who is out to take everything from her.
A heartwarming story. One that I enjoyed and as with all of Di's books a page turner.
Savour the moment by Nora Roberts~ 4C
I really enjoyed this book it is book three of the bride quartet. The story is based on four long time friends who have gone into business of weddings, each has a unique talent mac with Phootgraphy Emma is into flowers Laurel is the cake girl and Parker puts it all together, in this book it is Laurel's turn to fall in love and from the first book I fell in love with all the characters and as each book concentrates on the main character the other's are involved and as you get further into the books you get to know the characters a lot morre intimately. Once again Nora has excelled in producing beautiful romantic books.
Treasures Lost, Treasure Found by Nora Roberts~ 4C
Classic Nora Roberts beautifully told, four summers previously a girl falls in love with a guy but being persuaded by her father to leave the summer love she goes back to her home with her father and resumes her career as a teacher, four years later her father dies leaving her maps to a treasure he was searching for. Determined to finish his quest she goes back to the island of summer love to hire the man she fell in love with to help her recover the treasure he was searching for, do they fall in love all over again, you will have to read to find out.
Once more with feeling by Nora Roberts~ 4C
I cant help it I am a Nora Roberts fan and as a writer she is amazing as she hooks you into the book and this wasnt an exception. This story about two singers in the spotlight who once were in love but for one of them the stardom was overwhelming as was the love with them seperating and breaking hearts, they are bought back together by the lure of a major musical show where they have been asked to write the music together, professionally it is great for their careers but personally they are tested can their love for each other pull through. I wont give away the ending because it was a good read.
No Witnesses by Ridley Pearson~ 4C
Ridley Pearson is one of my favourite authors although not very well known here in Australia and for the most, his books need to be ordered in and I am more than happy to do so because I love reading his suspense books, he has a series with Lou Boldt and Daphne Mathews and these have a real element of reality to it. In No Witnesses Lou Boldt is a police detective for the Seattle police Department and people are dying from food poisoning leaving no witnesses, and little to no evidence, it is a gripping and chilling book a read not for the light hearted, after reading this I don't eat watermelon anymore. Pearson is an extraordinary writer and any person who is into suspense murder drama books should give Pearson a go.
Skipping Christmas by John Grisham~ 4C
I read this book when it first came out and totally enjoyed this book it was so funny and heartwarming. This was not like any of John's other courtroom drama books far from it. It has since been made into a movie with Tim .... and ....... but the movie does not do the book any justice at all so if you have seen the movie and thought (blagh!) give the book a read very funny, the funny stuff wasnt portrayed in the movie as good as the book. So, about the book, A mother a Father and their only child celebrate christmas together every year and at great expense, so when the daughter isnt going to be home for Christmas the Mother and Father (the Kranks)at the Father's insistence decided to take a vacation for Christmas instead only the daughter surprises them by saying that she will be home sending them into chaos. Great book.
Lovers & Players by Jackie Collins ~ 4C
I think you are either a Jackie Collins fan or you are not, I am and I love the way she writes, Jackie writes mostly about the lives of those in Hollywood and the antics that they get up to, and as always from the moment that I opened the page I was enthralled by the antics of those hollywood celebrities, this book was the typical (if you could imagine) hollywood Ultra rich family with the demanding father and the children ever trying to please the father, there is a lovely little twist at the end certainly one I wasnt expecting, I love ending's like that and thoroughly enjoyed this book.
Mathew Flinders Cat by Bryce Courtenay~ 4C
This is one of my favourite Bryce Courtenay books I haven't read all of his books but almost and he is one of my favourite authors, this story is about a homeless man who fell victim to the hand of the bottle and chose to be homeless, he meets a boy who through circumstances beyond his control is forced to live on the street, determined to help the boy he tells the story of Mathew Flinders through the eye of Mathew Flinders Cat, it's a lovely story incorporating the voyage of Mathew Flinders and the tale of the homeless.
Little King December by Axel Hacke~ 4C
I liked this book it was about a king who was born big and every day he shrank, I think there is a movie now with Brad Pitt very similiar only King December doesn't grow young he just shrinks, with only 58 pages long and lovely illustrations (not on every page) it's a nice book for younger readers and the young reader at heart.
Plum Lucky by Janet Evanvovich 4C
I have to say I am hooked on the Stephanie Plum series by Janet, it is funny and clever and a lovely read to pick up your mood, Stephanie is a bounty hunter in New Jersey and she captures her 'FTA's through sheer luck at most times. Plum Lucky is a between the number novel and involves an unmentionable person with unmentionable skills tracking down a lady who has a way with cupid, in which she classifies herself as a relationship expert. All in all Janet's books are light hearted and funny, I love reading them.
The wish list by Melanie La Brooy 3&1/2 C
An easy to read story about a woman who is hopelessly romantic and falls head over heals in love with the man of her dreams or so she thought with the help of friends and a duel between two men the woman is left to think what it is exactly about romance that makes it romantic. A very straight down the line book.
Persuasion by Jane Austen ~ 5C
This would have to be one of my favourite books and one that I turn to again and again. I love the languge that Jane uses of course back when would have been the normal language used. This would be my favourite because it is about second chances and we dont often get second chances.
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen ~ 5C
I love the way Jane portrays that first impressions are not always the correct ones, that is how I perceive the book and one that reminds me not to judge people upon those first impressions, heavens knows I am not at my best all the time.
The eyes of the dragon by Stephen King~ 4C
I'm not a huge King fan and that is not to say that I don't enjoy his writing I love Shawshank redemption although yet to read the book but watched the movie at least fifty times (no exaggeration) but i have tried to read 'it' and 'Carrie' and I can now honestly say I dont like clowns and I don't think I even got past chapter 1. I think I maybe got a little further but it is graphic and it is scary and I get scared just thinking about reading a 'King' book but this book 'The eyes of the dragon' is great lovely twists and not a lot of the graphic and scary but a book about a prince locked in a castle while the court magician tries to rule the kingdom. I read this when I was a teenager and fell in love with it then and have re-read it several times. Great Book.
Indulgence in Death by JD Robb~ 4C
What can I say the 'in Death series' I love and while I would love to say that I am reading them in order I am not, I am reading them as they are available in the library and then one day I will re-read them all. I love the struggle between Roarke and Dallas as they find there way through marriage while finding the bad guys, terrific book, fantastic writer.
