Listmania!
Books read in 2008 and early 2009
The Sound of LaughterThe Sound of Laughter by Peter Kay
Buy new: £4.07 / Used from: £0.01
The first chapter was hilarious. After that, it became rather flat. It was still a good read but would have expected far more humour from Peter Kay.
One Good Turn: A Jolly Murder MysteryOne Good Turn: A Jolly Murder Mystery by Kate Atkinson
Buy new: £4.98 / Used from: £0.01
I love Kate Atkinson and loved this book. However, for those expecting a "crime" novel, they may well be disappointed.
Prison Diary: Volume 2 - PurgatoryPrison Diary: Volume 2 - Purgatory by Jeffrey Archer
Buy used from: £0.01
Not a patch on the first Prison Diary but still a good read, giving an insight into prison life.
Another WomanAnother Woman by Penny Vincenzi
Buy used from: £0.01
I had this book on my shelf for years, waiting until I was in the mood for an undemanding "page turner". This book fit the bill perfectly!
Memoirs of a GeishaMemoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden
Buy new: £3.99 / Used from: £0.01
A sensational read. Set in Japan before the 2nd world war, its beautifully written and totally different to anything else I've read.
Like Water for ChocolateLike Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel
Buy new: £4.98 / Used from: £0.01
A fabulous book. An unusual love story. Literary and magical.
Innocent TraitorInnocent Traitor by Alison Weir
Buy new: £4.86 / Used from: £0.01
A novel based on the short life of Lady Jane Grey. A great read and of historical interest.
The Bulgari ConnectionThe Bulgari Connection by Fay Weldon
Buy new: £4.49 / Used from: £0.01
Fay Weldon is probably my favourite writer. This book is funny and clever.
The Death and Life of Charlie St. CloudThe Death and Life of Charlie St. Cloud by Ben Sherwood
Buy new: £4.47 / Used from: £0.01
Found this book really quite hard to get into but I'm so glad I persisted, it is a wonderful story and really quite profound. Highly recommended..
Unbeaten: The Story of My Brutal ChildhoodUnbeaten: The Story of My Brutal Childhood by Kim Woodburn
Buy used from: £19.60
What a woman! She has come through so much. Whether or not you are fan of Kim Woodburn's, this is a great read.
No Time For GoodbyeNo Time For Goodbye by Linwood Barclay
Buy new: £4.26 / Used from: £0.01
This was great, really unputdownable - until about one third from the end, when it suddenly becomes tedious. As though the author himself got bored with it.
Salmon Fishing in the YemenSalmon Fishing in the Yemen by Paul Torday
Buy new: £4.94 / Used from: £0.01
An unusual book in the form of emails, press releases and interviews. A good read.
The Promise Of Happiness :The Promise Of Happiness : by Justin Cartwright
Buy new: £5.99 / Used from: £0.01
A middle class family in crisis. Nothing much happens but that doesn't stop it beng very enjoyable and interesting.
Shakespeare: The World as a Stage (Eminent Lives)Shakespeare: The World as a Stage (Eminent Lives) by Bill Bryson
Buy new: £4.37 / Used from: £0.01
I learnt so much from this book. Its written in a punchy style which is never boring and is often very witty.
The Kite RunnerThe Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
Buy new: £5.00 / Used from: £0.01
What a story! Set in Afghanistan, its a real emotional roller coster. Highly recommended.
Tears of the Giraffe (No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency)Tears of the Giraffe (No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency) by Alexander McCall Smith
Buy new: £5.00 / Used from: £0.01
The 2nd book in the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series. A real feel good book.
The Road HomeThe Road Home by Rose Tremain
Buy new: £4.84 / Used from: £0.01
Entertaining and insightful story around the East European immigrant's experince in the UK. A really good, uncomplicated read.
EnglebyEngleby by Sebastian Faulks
Buy new: £4.87 / Used from: £0.01
A fascinating insight into a troubled mind, very clever, witty and thought provoking. This is exactly my kind of book. Highly recommended for literature lovers.
The Book ThiefThe Book Thief by Markus Zusak
Buy new: £3.95 / Used from: £1.00
An usual idea to have a book narated by "Death". Found it a bit long winded in places but overall an excellent, thought-provoking read.
The Jane Austen Book ClubThe Jane Austen Book Club by Karen Joy Fowler
Buy new: £5.98 / Used from: £0.01
Started off as a fairly pleasant read but after a few chapters it just got boring and I had to give up on it. Big disappointment.
Five Quarters of the OrangeFive Quarters of the Orange by Joanne Harris
Buy new: £5.04 / Used from: £0.01
I was enjoying this book but by the end I found it very frustrating as so many things unanswered and confusing. I feel annoyed at the author for wasting my time. I would not recommend this book.
Toast: The Story of a Boy's HungerToast: The Story of a Boy's Hunger by Nigel Slater
Buy new: £4.77 / Used from: £0.01
Loved this book. Easy to read, laugh out loud funny in places, heartbreaking in others. Highly recommended especially for those growing up in the 60s and 70s.
The White TigerThe White Tiger by Aravind Adiga
Buy new: £3.98 / Used from: £0.60
Superb. Fast paced, funny at times, tragic and just a great read about a country and its culture I previoulsy had very little idea about. Worthy Booker Prize Winner.
The RoadThe Road by Cormac McCarthy
Buy new: £2.99 / Used from: £2.50
A most unusual book which took me a while to get into, especially as the dialogue is so repetitive. It certainly is beauitful. haunting and unforgettable.
The GargoyleThe Gargoyle by Andrew Davidson
Buy new: £4.82 / Used from: £0.01