Kate Atkinson

I finished When Will There Be Good News. It's great! The beginning is attention-grabbing (though sad) and then there's quite a bit where you don't exactly know who all the characters are and exactly what's happening. (Several of the characters are very appealing though). Then the author wraps it up with a masterful flourish - very satisfying.

I also read Hue and Cry, which is a new novel by Shirley McKay. It's set in the 16th century in St Andrews and it was fascinating to read about the places that you know. The book is very readable too and apparently it's the start of a series featuring Hew Cullan. An intriguing mystery with a humane attitude.

I started the latest John Connolly but I didn't get far because I decided to spend time sorting out my paperwork (mountainous). And in other news I got a phone call from my credit card company alerting me to fraud on my card! Well done to the card company for being on the ball and picking this up - and hopefully I won't be liable for any of the spending! Will keep you posted.

Day 291; Book 278

Quick Reads

I read The Observer Book of Scandal, all about scandals in the news from serious ones to frivolous ones. From Bill Clinton to Oscar Wilde it was all here.

Change the World, 9 to 5 was a book about improving your working life. Some of it was kind of predictable, but I liked the page about remembering to praise people (it came with a sheet of gold star stickers).

Still reading When will there be Good News ... and wondering how it will turn out. It jumps back and forth a bit and plays with the reader's expectations.

Day 288; Book 276

In the middle of ...

When will There be Good News by Kate Atkinson and it's really good - a bit upsetting at the start but now it's getting intriguing. Some nice characters too. I went to bed early though so I didn't make much progress.

An apology again to anyone who has left me a comment and I haven't replied *blushes* but Blogger still won't let me *stamps feet*

The Jane Austen Book Club by Karen Jay Fowler

This is an intelligent, warm and witty book. The narrator is reminiscent of Mary Smith in Cranford in that she observes but does not really take part in the action (in fact, we never learn who she is). It's been made into a film as well. Well worth reading although I could have done without the synopses of the Austen books at the end (and if you did need them, you would probably want to find them at the beginning of the book). Great observation of character.

Day 285; Book 274

Heart and Soul by Maeve Binchy

Another readable novel from Maeve Binchy with her usual mastery of language. Some of the characters have appeared before in other novels so we get to catch up with what has happened to them. Warm and witty but not sentimental and well worth reading.

Day 284; Book 273

Someone Else's Kids by Torey Hayden

Another of the books by teacher Torey Hayden based on her experiences as a special needs teacher. Torey is very honest about her own perceived shortcomings and about the terrible behaviour some of these children can come up with, but she is an inspiring writer who obviously cares about her pupils.

Your Heart Belongs to Me by Dean Koontz

A good idea and an unexpected ending, but I wasn't so keen on some of the use of language. Dean Koontz seems to use unusual words sometimes just for the sake of it which distracts from the story rather than enhancing it. Also watch out if you are not a dog-lover.