If you're looking for something new to read, check out our readers' reviews below to see what's recommended. You can join in by sharing your thoughts about the books you've read by completing the e-form below.
eform: Book Review Form
The Farm by Richard Benson
I enjoyed reading this book. It is written in a warm-hearted and humorous way, showing the effects of environmental changes on the lives of small farmers in the last 50 years. Richard Benson shows how these changes affected his family and most small farmers – eg the impact of food imports and the power of sugar markets. Many small farmers have adapted to change, finding other sources of incomes but sadly others, have not. Throughout his writing, the author reveals his love of countryside and the rural way of life. His literary style is racey and makes for complete reading.
SCORE 9/10
Dancing with the virgins by Stephen Booth
This book is complete in itself but also develops the characters in his first book "Black dog". His first book was excellent and this book shows that the author hasn't got just one book in him. To find a new author as good as this is like making a new friend. Keep on writing and I'll keep on reading.
SCORE 8.5/10
Murder mysteries have never caught my imagination until I read this book and Black Dog, within the readers group. It held my attention right until the end. I actually cared for the 2 main characters Fry and Cooper. I look forward to his other books when they appear.
SCORE 9/10
It's a long way from penny apples by Bill Cullen
Bill Cullen writes about his mother Mary Darcy striving to raise fourteen children in a tenement slum. He paints a picture of grit and determination and the hardships the family has to endure. Yet throughout it all there seems to be enough common sense and humour to get them through most situations. This book is about hard work, love of the family and the will to survive. I would recommend this book to other people
SCORE: 7/10
I liked it! This book held my interest and I didn’t want it to finish (until towards the end when it became slightly boring with lots of name-dropping). The family background of poverty was fascinating, and how they managed to escape it, through hard work. It taught me a lot about Ireland and why they feel as they do towards the British. The story is autobiographical - my favourite kind. The characters are well drawn, making me feel I knew these people. I would definitely recommend this book to other people.
SCORE: 9/10
Arlington Park by Rachel Cusk
I only read the first 50 pages of this book. I didn’t want to continue with it as I found it very negative and depressing. Everyone seemed so unhappy with their lives. If I hadn’t already disliked it, the scene in the butchers shop window with the mother and son would certainly have put a stop to my reading. I didn’t want to find out any more of the author’s imaginings.
I can only hope that the characters enjoyed themselves more as the book unfolded but somehow I doubt it!
SCORE 2/10
Billie Morgan by Joolz Denby
Once started I couldn’t put this down until I had finished it. The story Is well written and you care about what happens to Billie. The novel was like a confession with the reader trying to understand how, and why, the murder had happened. It’s shocking and dark but the author’s description of family relationships is wonderful, you really feel that you can get under the skin of the characters. I have a strong feeling that this really did happen! I will definitely read more of Joolz’ work.
SCORE 7/10
Eve Green by Susan Fletcher
Beautifully descriptive of both characters and location. Couldn’t put it down even though story telling convoluted. A small Welsh village, its people and attitudes, love jealousy that are all there in the life of its main character Evangelina Green.
SCORE: 8/10
Don't lets go to the dogs tonight: an African childhood by Alexandra Fuller
Half way through I felt as if old family photos had been picked up and talked about rather like a patchwork quilt. By the end of the book I felt as if the author had been to an analyst and been encouraged to write about her childhood as a form of therapy. Her mother, who suffers a mental breakdown, appears to love her rescued dogs more than her daughters. The family moves from one place to another, each of which appears worse than the last. However it is worth reading as it is describing one family's experiences in Africa during the independence struggles.
SCORE 5/10
Future homemakers of America by Laurie Graham
This book did not grab my attention. I abandoned it after the first chapter
SCORE: 4/10
I liked this book as it was different from other books and had an interesting background. I enjoyed the plot though I found it a bit hard to get into and found the ending a bit dragged out. I would recommend this book to others.
SCORE: 8/10
I felt this book was rather like a soap opera. I liked the way the book was punctuated with the world events that are part of the background of all out lives. I have already read other titles by this author.
SCORE: 7.5/10
The constant princess by Philippa Gregory
Phillipa Gregory keeps dates and facts correct while infusing history with life.
Here we have a picture of a woman in her youth a beauty, the love story of her marriage to Arthur, to the heartbreak of his death and the subsequent bitterness and loss of her social position. Then her rise, once again, to be King Henry VIII’s wife, the highs of motherhood to her eventual divorce and downfall.
I particularly liked the story of her childhood in Spain, a lot of it spent on battlefields with her warrior mother Isabella.
This is Gregory’s fourth book in the Tudor series and I can recommend ‘The Other Boleyn Girl’, ‘The Queen’s Fool’ and ‘The Virgin’s Lover’
SCORE 8/10
The curious incident of the dog in the night-time by Mark Haddon
Good, straightforward, sets the scene. This was a powerful book. It was fascinating to be part of Christopher's life during his enormous adventure. However some parts made me tense. I could hardly put it down. Overall, dramatic, heart searching and humbling.
SCORE 9/10
Too long. I wanted to leave it in the first chapter. This book is definitely a children's book, with short and repeated sentences. It is about an autistic boy and the more I read the more I lost patience with him and the book. I continued to read to see if I liked it better but it did not improve.
SCORE 2/10
The kite runner by Khaled Hosseini
Afghanistan: How little we know of how others live. I was appalled at the interracial and religious mental and physical cruelty, delighted with the innocence of children and adults and their simple lives and cultures and warmed by the happy ending. Not an easy read but a very worthwhile one.
Rating: Very Good
A tale of atonement and possible redemption, beautifully narrated. Powerful and revealing description of a flawed character who is nevertheless very engaging. It was very credible until almost the end. I found the dénouement a little too near and cinematic. Did the author have a potential film in mind? Nevertheless, a riveting and spiritually uplifting read.
SCORE: 9/10
Falling by Elizabeth Jane Howard
It is difficult to say why I liked this book. It was fascinating in a way to have a glimpse into the twisted and manipulating mind of the narrator, yet he perceived himself as someone who loved and understood women. The tension began to build as the plot developed and it was a relief when his intended victim escaped his web of lies and deceit. I would recommend this book to other people, but I wouldn’t try any other books by this author or try a similar genre.
SCORE: 6/10
The Song of Names by Norman Lebrecht
A lovely book. I liked Martin to the point he took his revenge on David and then I was disappointed in him. I loved the way the title worked in.
SCORE 9/10
An intriguing book about life and relationships. Life in 1940-45 in London and Warsaw. The boys became men and their lives altered again. A sensitive portrait of the beauty of a natural violin player and the belief of others in his talent. Very slow in parts but had to finish it.
SCORE – Good
The first chapter was off-putting but quite enjoyable after that. Style good but did not like either character, so did not fully engage.
SCORE – 6/10
The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith
I liked this book. The No1 Ladies Detective Agency succeeds on many levels I love the way Mma Ramotswe is so proud of her country Botswana. The author has taken his knowledge of another country and culture and shown it to us through her eyes so that we see it not as tourists but as a part of it. Mma Precious Ramotswe’s methods of solving the problems that come to the agency remind me of Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple in that she shows knowledge of how people act and react with one another and their weaknesses. Long may she continue detecting and long may we have the luck to read about her. I not only recommended this book but actually bought it for my friend!
SCORE: 9/10
The plot was interesting with a light tone dealing with a serious subject. I would recommend this book and would read other titles by this author.
SCORE: 9/10
Twilight by Stephanie Meyer
I loved this. I had been curious about this series for a while after seeing how popular it is but hadn't tried it as I am, sadly, no longer a teenager and it is not the genre I usually like. Not one to be put off, I gave it a go and am very glad I did.
The first in a four part series, Twilight follows the story of Bella Swan. After recently moving in with her father, Bella is the "new girl" in a small town and high school. Despite her awkwardness, Bella seems to be liked by almost everyone and soon finds friends with the exception of the mysterious Cullens. The Cullens are five siblings who are avoided by the student body at large, for reasons unknown. Bella is drawn to these strange, attractive beings, especially the devastatingly beautiful Edward, who initially seems to dislike her with an unnatural intensity.
Absolutely not to be missed, whatever your age. I am in my 20s and read all 4 books in the series in less than a week, and my sceptical mother who is in her 50s is quickly catching up.
Give it a go! You won't be sorry.
SCORE 10/10
EForm review 20/8/08
Head over heels in the Dales by Gervase Phinn
Overall I liked the book, I felt it was a good light read. I found the characters were believable and I liked how each chapter stood alone as well as being part of the whole book. I would recommend this book to other people and will definitely read other books by this author.
SCORE: 8/10
I really enjoyed this book, it was very funny and informative. The length of the book was just right. I would definitely recommend this book to other people.
SCORE 10/10
The Colour by Rose Tremain
The colour of the title is miner's slang for gold. The novel begins in 1864, just after Joseph and Harriet and Joseph's ever-complaining mother have emigrated to make a new life for themselves in New Zealand. I very soon found myself immersed in the story.
Throughout, it is a story about different relationships, past and present. It is also about "gold fever" and the way Joseph is gripped and taken over by it.
I knew very little about New Zealand gold rush or how harsh life in that country was back then and found the descriptions very interesting.
I enjoyed this novel very much and look forward to reading others by the same author.
Miss Garnet's angel by Sally Vickers
I liked this book as it was a story about personal growth and transformation. It appealed to me because it was about this happening to an older woman showing the reader that it is never too late to change and blossom. I loved the descriptions of Venice and the connection between the Old Testament story and that of young lovers Toby and Sarah. Also I loved the thought of Angles. I liked the plot though the beginning and endings of the book were not as strong. The characterisation was good with a good length to the book and little sexual content. I would recommend this to other people and I am planning to read other titles by this author.
Score: 8/10
I loved this book and enjoyed all aspects including the plot, ending and beginning if the book, as well as its tone and length.
Score: 9/10
