2013 Reading Challenge: Book 20 - The Lady of the Rivers

The Lady of the Rivers by Philippa Gregory
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

As a fan of Philippa Gregory, when I saw this at the library, I didn't hesitate to loan it out. However, I found this much slower reading than I normally do with these books.

I did enjoy reading about the story of Jacquetta and Margaret of Anjou and to read what happened before The White Queen. It is an enjoyable read, but I did find that it didn't have the same pull that the others in the Cousins War series had.

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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.

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2013 Reading Challenge: Book 18 - The Kingmaker's Daughter

The Kingmaker's Daughter by Philippa Gregory
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this book. Having already read The White Queen and The Red Queen and watching the recent BBC series, I was looking forward to reading the story from Anne Neville's point of view.

I did find this book a little slower going than the other two books, but just like with the other two books, I found myself warming to Anne Neville's character and sympathising with her.

Another great read from Philippa Gregory and I am looking forward to reading The White Princess in the near future.

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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.

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Jackie. x

2013 Reading Challenge: Book 15 - Reflected In You

Reflected in You by Sylvia Day
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I loved Bared to You and had high expectations for this book. I was very disappointed. I spent most of the first half of the book willing Eva to grow a pair and tell Gideon where to go! It did get better in the second half of the book, but I wouldn't recommend this book to others.

After reading this book I am in serious doubts as to whether I want to read the last book of the trilogy.

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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.

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Jackie. x