2014 Reading Challenge: Book 16 - The Judas Scar

The Judas Scar by Amanda Jennings
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this book. It was sent to me as part of the Britmums book club and from the cover, I wasn't quite sure what type of book it would be.

I really liked the characters Will and Harmony and although I did like Lukes character, I would have liked to of known more about his adult life, although I'm thinking that keeping him a mystery is part of the suspense of the book.

The theme of bullying running through the book is something that most people can relate to, and as someone who was bullied at school, I think it was done well, especially in how it highlights the effect on your adult life.

I found this to be a well written book, which kept the mystery for most of the book. Quite often with these types of books, it is pretty transparent, but this one had plenty of surprises along the way.

A fantastic read and great for book clubs as there is plenty of discussions that could be had from it.

Jackie. x

2014 Reading Challenge: Book 15 - Watermelon

Watermelon by Marian Keyes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this book. I have read Marian Keyes books before a long while ago and I had forgotten the subtle humor that she has.

I loved how honest Claire's narrative is and even that she seemed to go off on a tangent. I really liked how the story started and the pace of it was ok, but at times it felt a bit waffley. I felt like I really knew the characters and at times, I felt like shaking Claire and telling her to get a grip.

I was glad that she got a happy ever after, although I thought this was a bit rushed compared to the rest of the book.
All in all though, a thoroughly enjoyable book and I will most certainly pick out another 'Walsh family' book again.

Jackie. x

2014 Reading Challenge: Book 12 - Notes from an Exhibition

Notes from an Exhibition by Patrick Gale

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



I enjoyed this story and found it interesting in the way it was laid out by the author. Telling the story of the life of Rachel, the book starts the chapter with a description of an object or painting from Rachel's life, followed by the story from that period of time. The story is narrated from a number of different characters, including Rachel, her husband and her children.

I liked that the story tackles the subject of mental health, in that Rachel suffers from bi-polar disorder, both from modern times and also from the 70's when it was a very taboo subject.

I enjoyed seeing the story from the different sides. It was interesting to 'see' into the mind of someone with this condition, as well as hearing from those close to her and how it impacted on their lives.

Whilst I wouldn't put this down as a favourite, it was an enjoyable and interesting read.

Jackie. x

2014 Reading Challenge: Book 11 - Above All Things

Above All Things by Tanis Rideout
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I was sent this book to read as part of the Britmums book club. I wasn't sure what to expect from the book, as it's not something I would normally pick up, but I do like a love story and the 1920's, so I decided to give it a go. I'm so glad that I did! It wasn't until I was about 1/2 way into the book that I realised that it is a fictional book based on real historical events. I made the mistake of googleing George Mallory and of course, in doing so, I did spoil the ending a little for myself.

I loved the way the book focuses not just on George's side of the story, but also from Ruth's side as well. I did find Ruth's narration a little confusing in that she flits from telling a story to 'talking' to George, but I thought this also added to the emotional side of it. I also enjoyed reading Sandy's point of view as well.

I have never read or watched anything about mountaineering before, so I don't know how factual the technical side of the story is, but it felt realistic as to how they would have been feeling physically and emotionally.

In summary, this is a well written story with drama and romance added in. Whether you are interested in the story of George Mallory or just after a good book to read, this is a fantastic read.

Jackie. x

2014 Reading Challenge: Books 6-9

As I haven't posted in a while, I thought it was probably a good idea to post the last few books I have read in one go!

Book 6

The Oyster Catcher by Jo Thomas
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I loved this book. It was a cheapie Kindle book, so I wasn't sure what to expect, but I was very pleasantly surprised.
The story follows Fi after she is jilted at the alter and she takes the rented honeymoon camper van and ends up crashing in a small Irish seaside village. In order to earn a little cash and have a place to stay, Fi ends up taking on an assistant role with the local oyster farmer. A job she would never have dreamt of doing in her normal life and we read as she overcomes some of her greatest fears and adapts to village life.
It's a lovely, heartwarming tale that is a quick and easy read for any chick lit lovers.

Book 7

Rage Against the Dying by Becky Masterman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a book club read for me and not the type of book I would normally choose.
The story follows Brigid, an ex FBI officer who comes of retirement after an old case of hers is re-opened.
The prologue of this book almost put me off completely, however, the book does get much better. It is well written and is very good at keeping you guessing as to who the killer is.

Book 8

Got You Back by Jane Fallon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a freebie book that I got quite a while ago, that I never got around to reading.
It tells the story of Stephanie and Katie. Stephanie finds out that her husband James has been having an affair with Katie for the last year. Stephanie and Katie join forces to teach James a lesson.
I found this to be a nice, quick read. There are some funny bits in it, but I wouldn't class it as a comedy.

Book 9

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I have wanted to read a classic for a long time and chose this book as it's the ultimate love story. It has taken me nearly a year to read! I did love the story, but I found it very hard to read. I found that I was only able to read small parts at a time, so it was often used as my 'back up book' for times such as a bus journey or when waiting to be seen on an appointment. I did think it was quite slow going and resorted to watching the 6 part tv show to see if it was worth continuing with the book.
I am glad that I did so now, and from about 65% of the way in, I was hooked in a way that I didn't want to put it down. Today I read the last 30% or so in one go. Had the rest of the book read that easily, I think I could have completed it in a matter of a week or so, rather than a year!
As much as I enjoyed this book, I think I am going to stick to the movie versions of these period classics.

View all my reviews

2014 Reading Challenge: Book 5 - Necessary Lies

Necessary Lies by Diane Chamberlain
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a touching story about newbie social worker Jane and two of the families that she works with. The story is set in the 1950's-60's in rural America. The story alternates between Jane and one of her young clients Ivy. I really enjoyed reading this from both sides of the story.

I thought that the book was well written and it was a heartwrenching story. I wasn't aware of the eugenics programme before reading this book and it is heartbreaking to know that this story was based on thousands of real life stories like this.

I would recommend this book to anyone to read, but be warned, I read the last three/four chapters in tears!

Jackie. x

2014 Reading Challenge: Book 2 - The Chrysalids

The Chrysalids by John Wyndham
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was a book club read for me, so not something I would normally pick up. After reading the description, I didn't think that I would like this book, but I was pleasantly surprised by it. I really enjoyed reading this and found it easy to read.

The story was really interesting and a unique picture of how the world might be in the future. It was only after it was pointed out at book club the probable reason for why the country is the way it is in the book that I really understood and appreciated it.

I did find the ending a little disappointing. I'm not quite sure what I want for the ending, but I wasn't expecting it to end the way it did.

All in all though, it was an enjoyable read and if you enjoy books of this genre, then I would recommend it.

Jackie. x

2013 Reading Challenge: Book 21 - The Husband's Secret

The Husband's Secret by Liane Moriarty
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this book. It was a book club read for me, so I'd not heard of it before. I enjoyed the different characters and reading the different stories, although I did find it frustrating when a chapter ended at a crucial moment and switched to another character, however, that was also part of the books charm.

I found the ending was a little bit flat and wanted something more from it, but I did also enjoy the Epilogue with the 'what could have been'.

All in all though, this was a well written, enjoyable story that is great for a quick read.

Jackie. x

2013 Reading Challenge: Book 19 - Boys Don't Cry

Boys Don't Cry by Malorie Blackman
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This was a book club read for me. I liked how the book was structured and found the subject an interesting choice. There are probably quite a few books from a single mother's point of view, but to write about a teenage single father is quite unique.

Although the book description focuses on the story of Dante, the book has a side story of Dante's brother Adam, which really comes into play for the second part of the book.

All in all, this was a well written story aimed at young adults and for that age group, it would be a great read.

View all my reviews

2013 Reading Challenge: Book 17 - The Buddha In The Attic

Recently I joined the BritMums Book Club group and for August we were sent this book to read.  I am so glad that I joined this group and look forward to the next book.

The Buddha in the Attic by Julie Otsuka
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was a beautiful story telling the tale of various Japanese women in their journey to the United States to join the husbands that most of them haven't met. The book starts off in the boat journey over from Japan and ends with the Japanese Internment in 1942.

The way the story is written from so many different points of view is very unique and very well done. Although it is hard to attach to any one particular character, you do feel for all the women together as a whole. Some of whom you don't even get to know their names.

I would recommend this book as a must read for anyone and will be looking out for the authors previous book 'When the Emperor was Divine'.

Jackie. x

2013 Reading Challenge: Book 16 - A Time To Kill

A Time to Kill by John Grisham
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was a book club read for me, so not one I would normally go for. I thought that it was a good story. Sometimes I felt that the author went in to too much detail about irrelevant things and seemed to get sidetracked easily. I found most of the characters likeable most of the time, although occasionally they would annoy me.

All in all, I did enjoy this book and I am intrigued to see how the movie version relates to the book. I would probably read more books from the author as well.

View all my reviews

Jackie. x

2013 Reading Challenge: Book 14 - Carrie

Since reading my last book, I have joined a local book club through a friend.  This book was my first read for the book club and I am looking forward to the next one.  I am hoping that through the book club I will get to read some books that I wouldn't normally pick up.


Carrie by Stephen King
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I was surprised by this book. Being a Stephen King, I was expecting it to be very scary. I haven't watched the movie for the same reason, so I didn't know what the story was.

I did enjoy the book and loved the lead up to the main event. I liked how you were thrown straight into the story and through the excerpts you kinda got the gist of what was to come. The prom night scene was well done as well, but some of the aftermath spoilt the book for me. I didn't like the scene with Sue and Carrie at the end of the book and felt that it was unnecessary.

All in all though, it was a good book and I would recommend it.

View all my reviews

Jackie. x