BEFORE NIGHT FALLS

I have just finished reading a book called ' Before Night Falls'. The book was part of the quick read collection and was written by Keith Gray. The book had an adventure and thriller storylineand it really was a fantastic book to read.

The book had text that was easy to read and understand. I was hooked from the very first page. I couldn't wait to find out what was going to happen next. I was unable to put the book down it really was fantastic.

The book was about Andy. Andy wanted to spend some time with his girlfriend Lucy. Andy set off on a camping trip with Lucy and two friends. Andy soon realised that things were not going to go according to plan. Apart from it being wet and cold they were all lost on the Yorkshire Moors. As the night began to fall Lucy wandered off on her own and never returned. Andy woke up next morning to the sounds of screams coming from Lucy's friend Megan. Andy, Glen and Megan set off looking for Lucy. They soon found her but she had strange marks on her neck. With their camping trip becoming more like a nightmare Andy decided to head home carrying Lucy on a stretcher, which they had mad from the tent poles. Was Lucy bitten by a vampire or was there another explanationto the strange marks on Lucy's neck?

I give this book a rating of five it was a fantastic story to read and i would recommend it to anyone. Happy reading i think you'll love it.

The Book Boy

I have just finished reading a book called ' The Book Boy'. The book was part of the quick read collection and was written by Joanna Trollope. The book had a family relationship story line and was absoloutely fantastic.

The book had text that was easy to read and the language was easy to understand. The storyline kept you hooked, you were never sure what was going to happen next. I was unable to put the book down.

The book was all about Alice. Alice thought that she ought to be happy, she had a fantastic husband, two teenage children and a big fancy house. Alice also had a secret that she had kept hidden from her family. Alice had a part time job at the local shop but she was unable to read. As the story goes on vyou learn more about the journey that Alice takes in her bid to learn to read. Alice enlisted the help of a very strange companion to help her. Alice asked Scott who was a friend of her teenage son. Scott was a strange companion because neither Alice or her husband approved of the friendship which Scott had with their son. While Alice was learning to read she was accused of having an affair by her husband Ed. Did Alice ever get a happy ending and did Alice ever learn to read? I suggest that you read this book, it really is a great story.

I would give this story a star rating of five it was a fantastic story that had a common issue as the main storyline. The story just proves that even adults can learn to read. This is a story that i would recommend to anyone.

maggies Tree by JulieWalters

I was very disappointed in this book I thought that Julie being the Auther that it would good .
The book is about actress and actor and that was all I could get the gist of the rest I could not get my head round it so I did not finish it. I would like to hear others reaction to this book Thanks

Women Walks Into A Bar

Over the weekend i read the most amazing book. The book was called 'Women Walks Into A Bar'. The book was written by Rowan Coleman. The book was part of the quick read collection and it was a romance novel. The quick read collection is a collection of short story books.

The book had text that was easy to read and understand. The storyline kept you hooked you were never sure sure if Sam was ever going to succeed in her quest to find the man of her dreams.

The story was all about a 28 year old single mother called Sam. Sam spends her days working in the local supermarket and caring for her daughter Beth. Beth had tried to help her mother find the man of her dreams by joining Sam up on an Internet Dating Agency. Sam was also help to find the man of her dreams by her two good friends Joy and Marie. Joy and Marie has set Sam up on a blind date but it turned out to be a complete disaster. All through the stroy Sam found herself falling in love with Brendan. Brendan was the barman in the pub where Sam and her friends went every Friday night. Did Sam every find the man of her dreams or was she meant to be single for the rest of her life? Read the book, it is really funny and you might just be surprised with the ending

I give this book a star rating of five, it was a great funny short dtory. More of the same please?

The Theif

I have just finnished reading an amazing book. The book was called 'The Theif'. The book was part of the quick read collection and was written by Ruth Rendall. The quick read collection is many books that have fantastic short storylines.

This book had text that was easy to read and it was easy to follow. The story kepy you guessing, you were never sure what was going to happen next.

The book was all about Polly. Polly had begun to steal things when she was eight years old. Polly started this the day she went with her mother to visit her aunt Pauline. Polly was not behaving, so her aunt Pauline took her inside and gave her a smack on the bottom, Polly hated her for this. Polly stole the book that her aunt was reading to make her pay for what she had done. As the story goes on you learn mre about the things that Polly had had stolen. Everything from a gold watch, her ex-boyfriends C.D Walkman and a bag full of money. Polly couldn't even go on holiday without stealing something. Polly took a fellow passengers bag at the airport and took it all the way home with her. Did Polly ever get caught out? I would suggest that you read this book it is a fantastic short story.

I would give this story a star rating of five it was a fantastic storyn that was amazingly funny in places. Fantastic story Well Done! the author.

A Good Hanging

I have just finished reading a book called ' A Good Hanging'. his book was written by Ian Rankine. The book contained twelve short crime related stories and it was a fantastic book to read.

The book had text that was easy to read and understand. The stories all had fantastic storylines, they kept you hooked, i was unable to put the book down.

The book was about various crimes that had taken place in and around the city of Edinburgh. Inspector Rebus had many different cases to solve covering everything from murder to conmen trying to con old ladies. However the short story that i enjoyed the most was 'Concrete Evidence'. Concrete evidence was about the murder of Mr Ford, the business partner of Mr Abbott. Mr Abbott had struck Mr Ford over the head with something and buried him under the floor in the cellar of a wine merchants. Mr Abbott then made out that Mr Ford had drowned after a tragic accident while out on a fishing trip, knowing only to well that Mr Ford had never even been on the boat in the first place. But what reasons did Mr Abbott have to kill Mr Ford? I would suggest that you read this book, it really is a fantastic book to read.

I really enjoyed reading this book. I give this book a star rating of five, it was easy to read and was very well written. Well done! the author. Any fan of crime T.V shows will love this book.

Every Wee Bit Helps

Margaret Borosch's easy read book is based on real life and describes what happens at the supermarket.It is written in Scottish dialect which makes it all the more comical but some words you would need the Scottish Dictionary to understand, you can relate to the book because you probably have encountered much of what Margaret has said. I would recommend bloggers to read the book and give your views

The Tannery

hello everybody I am a new member of the bloggers. It is a little while since I read The Tannery but my recollection was there was to much story in a small book. Although it was a good story I felt particulary that one was not given enough chance to get into the characters. Does anybody agree?

The Shack by William P Boyd

This story is about how the main character Mack encounters God. The Main characters in this book are Mack,his wife nan and her sister and mack's children. This book is a very emotional book. This story is about how Mack goes on holiday with his family and that while he is playing with his daughter Missy when he isn't looking she goes missing.Mack gets into deep turmoil about this as he believes its his fault.Mack is then direct to The Shack that is near where they are holidaying where he meets papa (God)who is portrayed as a african women.

God (papa)helps Mack understand why missy was taken and shows him how she was killed as she beleives this will help Mack with his grief.At the beginning of the story it talks about Mack falling on the path and sustaining a head injury which I feel din't really need to be mentioned as it didn't really relate to the rest of the story.This story is basically about Mack meeting God and how at first he doesn't understand why God allowed missy to die and that he wishes that was him that died but God makes him see why its important that hes alive.

The ending of this story is a suprise as its a unexpected ending it basically tells you a little bit about how it was possible for Mack to meet God(Papa). I think the genre of this book was a bit of a thriller but it also had sad bits so I am not sure whether its a thriller or not. I suppose you can decide this for yourself if you choose to read this book yourself.

I highly recommend this book as its got a very good storyline to it.Mack is directed to the shack by this papa figure.It also highlights a little bit how the rest of the family are coping with Missy going missing and the reality of the likeness of her being dead. This is a story that shows how missy was very young only five when she died so this is why it highlights Mack meeting God.This is also a book you'll probably have to read more than once because of this storyline.

The Boy in The Striped Pyjamas

Hi All

It is good to be back hopefully I will be more successful this time when I am trying to post a Blog. My last book was The Boy in The Striped Pyjamas my thoughts on this book was if we could carry our innocence through to adulthood. Does anybody agree?

Sabrina Fludde

Over the weekend i started reading such an unusual book. The book was callled 'Sabrina Fludde'. The book was written by Pauline Fisk. The book had a mystery and adventure storyline.

The book had text that was easy to read and understand. The storyline was exciting and it always kept you guessing. I was unable to put it down.

The book was about Abren, a young girl who had no idea why she ended up floating up the river and nobody came to help her. Abren was forced to sleep in a boarded up picture house. On the night of halloween she was invited to spend the night with the Bytheway family afetr being chased by the Border Commandos. As the book goes on you learn more about Abren's struggle to get her memory back and to survive on the streets with no money for food and nowhere to sleep. Abren was attacked by the Border Commandos again and ended up being pulled from the river again by a young chap named Phaze ll . Phase ll invited Abren to stay with him in a shelter that he had made into a home for himself. Phase ll and Abren were found by he police and were taken to live with foster parents but were they ever to get the happy ending they wanted so badly?

This was an unusual book, too many things going on at once but still, it deserves a rating of four it was well written and easy to read.

IN THE WINGS

I HAVE JUST FINISHED READING A BOOK CALLED 'IN THE WINGS'. THIS BOOK WAS WRITTEN BY ANTONIA BARBER. THIS WAS A FANTASY BOOK AND WAS SET IN AND AROUND LUCY'S LOCAL NEIGHBOURHOOD.

THE BOOK HAD TEXT THAT WAS EASY TO READ AND UNDERSTAND. IT WAS A GREAT BOOK AND THE STORY KEPT YOU GUESSING. I WAS NEVER SURE WHAT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN NEXT.

THE BOOK WAS ALL ABOUT LUCY (LOU). LUCY WAS LIVING AT HOME WITH HER MOTHER JENNY AND HER LITTLE BROTHER. LOU AND HER FRIENDS EMMA AND JEM ALL WENT TO THE MAPLE SCHOOL OF BALLET. THEY WERE ALL LOOKING FORWARD TO THE JUNIOR ASSOCIATION BALLET AUDITIONS BUT WITH LESS THAN A WEEK TO GO BOTH LOU AND JEM CAME DOWN WITH CHICKEN POX. LOU AND JEM TRIED THEIR VERY BEST AT THE AUDITIONS AND JUST HOPED THAT IT WOULD BE GOOD ENOUGH TO EARN THEM A PLACE. AS THE BOOK WENT ON LOU WAS BEGINNING TO WONDER IF MAYBE HER MOTHER WAS GOING TO GET MARRIED AGAIN, AS HER MOTHER WAS SPENDING A LOT OF TIME TOGETHER, BUT DID LOU HAVE REASONS TO BE CONCERNED? I WOULD RECOMMEND THAT YOU HAVE A READ AT THIS BOOK, IT REALLY IS A GREAT BOOK.

I AM GIVING THIS BOOK A RATING OF FOUR, IT WAS A GOOD BOOK BUT I FELT IT WAS MORE OF A CHILDREN'S STORY.

A Child Called It

Yesterday i read a book called ' A Child Called It'. The book was written by Dave Pelzer. This was a true story about Dave and the life in which he was subjected to by his alcoholic mother.

The book had text that was easy to read and understand. The book had me hooked from the very first page, i couldn't put it down. All through the book i was very unsure whether or not this young lad actually managed to survive this horrific ordeal.

This book was all about Dave. Dave lived at home with his alcoholic mother, his father and his brothers. Dave was made to feel like his mothers personal slave especially when his father was at work. Dave was forced to do many things by his mother, and if he took to long she would beat him. Dave's ordeal got worse and worse as the story went on, his mother would starve him, forcing him to steal food at school, she neglected him, leaving him wearing dirty and wripped clothes every day, she would make him lie in an freezing cold bath for hours at a time, she had tried to poison him with amonia and she had even stabbed him. Dave built up the courage one day and asked the school for help. Was Dave to get the loving, caring family that he so desperately wants?

Very emotional story, i was in tears all the way through. I have to give this book a star rating of five, it was a fantastic book to read.

WATCHING THE ROSES

I started to read a book over the weekend called ' Watching The Roses'.  It was a book that was based on the fairytale Sleeping Beauty. The book was written by Adele Geras.

The text in this book was was really small and difficult to read. After the first ten or so pages i wasn't really enjoying the book. However i continued to read it, i thought that i would be surprised by the ending and what can i say, i was shocked not surprised.

The book was all about Alice. Alice was aseventeen year old living at home with her parents. Alicewas looking forward to her eighteenth birthday party, despite the fact that her aunt Viollette who was a witch of some sort put the curse of death on her when she was a baby. Aunt Viollette wished that Alice would never grow old only living to eighteen perhaps. Alice invited many people to her eighteenth birthday party and she was having a great time until someone done something to Alice that was to almost ruin her life. Alice was raped and left alone and frightened until her father came to find her.  Alice took this very badly, she wouldn't comeout her bedroom and wouldn't talk to anyone, but someone in Alice's life changed all that, but who?

This book i enjoyed very much, it took me a while to get into it, but it was a fantastic story. I would recommend it to anyone. I feel that it deserves a star rating of five, what a fantastic ending to a difficult story.

PRISONER IN ALCATRAZ

I HAVE RECENTLY FINISHED A BOOK CALLED ' PRISONER IN ALCATRAZ'. THE BOOK WAS WRITTEN BY THERESA BRESLIN. THE BOOK WAS ALL ABOUT CRIME AND WAS SET IN A PRISON IN AMERICA.

THIS BOOK HAD TEXT THAT WAS EASY TO READ AND UNDERSTAND. THE STORY WAS FANTASTIC, YOU WERE ALWAYS KEPT GUESSING, YOU WERE NEVER SURE WHAT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN NEXT.

THE STORY WAS ABOUT A YOUNG CHAP CALLED MARTY. FROM AN EARLY AGE HE HAD LEAD NOTHING BUT A LIFE OF CRIME. HE WOULD BREAK INTO THE GOODS WAGON AT THE RAILWAY YARD AND STAEL THINGS SO THAT HIM AND HIS MOTHER COULD EAT. MARTY GOT INVOLVED IN A BANK ROBBERY THAT WENT WRONG, HE HAD SHOT TWO PEOPLE DEAD, WHICH LEAD TO HIM HAVING HIS SPELL IN PRISON. WHILE IN PRISON LIFE WAS TO GET NO BETTER, HE WAS ASKED TO HELP SOMEOF THEOTHER INMATES TO ESCAPE. WAS THERE PLAN GOING TO WORK? WELL READ THE BOOK AND FIND OUT.

I FEEL THIS BOOK DESERVES A STAR RATING OF FOUR, IT IS A REALLY GOOD BOOK. ANYONE WHO LIKES TO WATCH CRIME STUFF ON T.V WILL LOVE TO READ THIS BOOK .

LATE AGAIN

I HAVE JUST READ A BOOK CALLED ' LATE AGAIN'. LATE AGAGIN IS A BOOK THAT IS PART OF THE QUICK READ COLLECTION AND WAS WRITTEN BY IAN MCPHERSON.

TEH BOOK HAD TEXT THAT WAS EASY TO READ AND UNDERSTAND. THE STORYLINE IN THIS BOOK WAS FUNNY AT TIMES AND IT HAD YOU HOOKED, YOU WERE NEVER SURE WHAT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN NEXT. FANTASTIC SHORT STORY I WAS UNABLE TO PUT IT DOWN.

THIS BOOK WAS ALL ABOUT LIAM. LIAM HAD MADE A PROMISE TO HIS DAUGHTER NIAMH. THIS BOOK FOLLOWS LIAM AND THE JOURNEY HE TAKES TRYING TO KEEP THE PROMISE HE HAD MADE TO HIS DAUGHTER. LIAM'S DAUGHTER LIVED IN IRELAND AND HE HAD PROMISED TO TAKE HER TO SCHOOL, HE HAD ONE MAJOR PROBLEM, HE WAS HUNDREDS OF MILES AWAY IN SHEFFIELD. AS THE STORY GOES ON YOU LEARN MORE ABOUT THE HURDLES THAT LIAM FACED TRYING TO GET TO IRELAND: SUCH AS BEING CHASED BY THE POLICE AFTER SIGNING DADDY ON HIS CHEQUE INSTEAD OF LIAM, BEING CHASED BY TWO OLD LADIES AFTERAGREEING TO MARRY ONE OF THEM IN A CAFE, WHEN HE NEVER ACTUALLY MEANT IT AND THE FACT THAT HE MIGHT JUST BE LATE AGAIN. DOES LIAM MAKE IT IRELAND IN TIME TO TAKE NIAMH TO SCHOOL? I WOULD RECOMMEND THAT YOU READ THIS BOOKIT IS A FANTASTICALLY FUNNY SHORT STORY.

THE BOOK DESERVES A STAR RATING OF FIVE. IT WAS VERY WELL WRITTEN, EASY TO READ AND FANTASTICALLY FUNNY. BITH ADULTS AND CHILDREN WOULD LOVE TO READ THIS STORY.  

ALL THESE LONELY PEOPLE

I HAVE ONLY JUST FINISHED A BOOK CALLED ' ALL THESE LONELY PEOPLE '. THIS BOOK IS PART OF THE QUICK READ COLLECTION AND WAS WRITTEN BY GERVAS PHINN. THE QUICK READ COLLECTION IS MANY SHORT BOOKS THAT HAVE MANY DIFFERENT SHORT STORYLINES.

THE BOOK HAD TEXT THAT WAS EASY TO READ AND UNDERSTAND. IT WAS A FANTASTIC STORY AND IT HAD YOU HOOKED FROM THE VERY FIRST PAGE, I COULDN'T PUT THE BOOK DOWN.

THE BOOK WAS ALL ABOUT A PRIEST CALLED FATHER MCKENZIE.  FATHER MCKENZIE HAD BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH CANCER AND IT WAS SPREADING FASTER THAN HE HAD THOUGHT, IT HAD SPREAD INTO HIS SPINAL FLUID. THE STORY FOLLOWED FATHER MCKENZIE THROUGH ALL OF THE TOUGH TIMES THAT HE FACED. FOR EXAMPLE: BEING QUESTIONED BY THE POLICE ABOUT A YOUNG BOY SPENDING SO MUCH TIME AT THE CHURCH, BEING LEFTOVER THREE MILLION POUNDS IN THE WILL OF A PARISHONER, HIS HEALTH GETTING WORSE AND BEING FORCED TO MOVE INTO THE ST CATHERINES HOSPICE. WHAT DID FATHER MCKENZIE DO WITH ALL THE MONEY THAT HE WAS LEFT? READ THE BOOK AND FIND OUT I WOULD HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT.

THE BOOK DESERVES A STAR RATING OF FOUR IT WAS WELL WRITTEN AND EASY TO READ. WELL DONE! THE AUTHOR

HANNAH'S GIFT

I HAVE RECENTLY READ A BOOK CALLED 'HANNAH'S GIFT'. THIS BOOK WAS WRITTEN BY MARIA HOUSDEN. THIS BOOK WAS ALL ABOUT A HEARTBREAKING TALE OF A LIITLE GIRL'S FIGHT AGAINST A CANCEROUS TUMOUR IN HER STOMACH.

THE BOOK HAD TEXT THAT WAS EASY TO READ AND UNDERSTAND.  THE STORYLINE KEPT YOU GUESSING RIGHT FROM THE VERY FIRST PAGE, I COULDN'T PUT THE BOOK DOWN.

THE STORY  WAS ALL ABOUT A YOUNG GIRL NAMED HANNAH. AT ONLY THREE YEARS OLD HANNAH WAS DIAGNOSED AS HAVING A CANCEROUS TUMOUR. THE BOOK FOLLOWED THIS YOUNG GIRL AND HER FAMILY AS HER HEALTH BEGAN TO GET WORSE. OPERATIONS, CHEMOTHERAPY AND MANY DAYS IN HOSPITAL BUT WAS THIS ENOUGH AS SAVE THIS YOUNG GIRL'S LIFE? I WOULD RECOMMEND THIS BOOK TO ANYONE. IT IS HOWEVER A VERY EMOTIONAL STORY AND I ADMITMANY TEARS WERE SHED AS I READ THIS BOOK.

THIS BOOK DESERVES A STAR RATING OF FIVE. IT WAS A FANTASTIC STORY.  EMOTIONAL STORY THAT REALLY PULLS ON YOUR HEART STRINGS.

BEING JORDAN - MY AUTOBIOGRAPHY

I have just read a book called 'Being Jordan - MyAutobiography'. This book is an autobiography and is all about the life of glamour model Katie Price.

The text in this book was rather small and difficult to read. It was however a book that i found fantastic to read as there werethat many twists and turns to the book, you were never sure what Katie would get up to next.

As i have already said this book was about the lifeof Katie Price who is a glamour model. As the book goes on you learn more about Katie who had always wanted to be a model or a popstar. You learn things like that she loved horses and that she bought her first house at eighteen. You had a list of many of the relationships that Katie had found herself involved in from Gareth Gates to Teddy Sheringham. Katie Price was fondof plastic surgery mainly enlarging her boobs. Katie then discovered that she was carrying a child after a short relationship with Dwight Yorke. Katie gave birth to her first son Harvey. Katie left her home town and set off for the Australian jungle to take part in the hit t.v show ' I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here'. This was where Katie's life was to change but was it for the better?

The book was fantastic and deserves top marks. I enjoy reading things aboutcelebrities and their private life. Many of these books prove that celebrities can have bad times like normal people.

High School Musical

I have just finished reading a book called 'High School Musical'. This book was written by Peter Barsocchini. It was based on the Disney Channels original movie.

The book had text that was easy to read and understand. Ireally enjoyed the book, it had a storyline that kept you hooked, you were never sure what was going to happen next.

The book was all about Troy Bolton, a young lad with adream of winning the high school basketball championship, that was until he met Gabriella a member of the school Scholastic Decathlon team anyway. Since Troy and Gabriella sang karoke together on New Year's Eve he couldn't get his mind off them trying out for the lead roles in the school musical. All their friends said that it was a bad idea. Did Troy and Gabriella follow their dreams of being on stage or did they give it all up and lead their teams to victory? Read the book and find out, it is a book that is worth reading.

This book deserves a rating of five it was well written and it was a great book to read for the whole family, it was fab!

Baby Baby

Yesterday i read a book called 'Baby Baby'. The book was part of the quick read collection and was written by Viv French. the quick read collection is many shirt stories that have many magnificant storylines.

The book had text that was easy to read and understand. I loved this book right from the very first page, i was unable to put the book down.

The book was all about April and Pinkie who were both school girl mothers. Both girls were complete opposites of one another, Pinkie had pink hair and biker boots and April was the pretty clothes and snow white trainers type. Pinkie and April didn't get on and thjings only got worse when they found themselves at the Tinely Road Centre together. The Tinley Road Centre was an education centre for school girl mothers. April had a healthy baby boy but Pinkie had many problems and her baby was in danger, but why? Please read the book it shows great determination from these two single and underage mothers and it is fantastic reading.

This book deserves a star rating of five, it was a story that covered a regular occurance in everyday life.

Refugee Boy

I have recently read a book called 'Refugee Boy'. The book was written by Benjamin Zephaniah. The book was all about a young chap named Alem and his application for asylum in Britian.

The book had text that was easy to read and understand. This was a very gripping story, i was always wondering if Alem made it to the end alive and happy. This was a book that i couldn't put down.

The book was all about a young chap called Alem. Alem was brought to live in Britian by his father because of the war between Ethiopia and Eritrean. Alem's parents were concerned for his safety. After four days Alem's father left to go home, leaving Alem by himself in England. As the story goes on you learn more about Alem and his family. Alem puts in an application for asylum in Britian and was sent to live firstly in a childrens home, then with foster parents. Later in the story Alem recieves a letter from back home saying that his mother had been killed. Alem continues with his application for asylum and his education, he then gets more devastating news, but what was his news? I recommend reading this book to anyone.

I would give this book a star rating of five it was a fantastic story that i would recommend to anyone. Great holiday reading, it was .

GATO

I have recently read a book called 'Gato'. Gato was written by Margaret Elphinstone. Gato was set in the middle ages and was all about a young child brought up on a mill. This was a romance novel.

The book had text that was easy to read andunderstand. I enjoyed reading this book, there was that many twists and turns to the story.

The story was about a young child who had come to live at the mill with their uncle. When the child was eight years old the Spanish Friar arrived at the mill. The Spanish Friar was to cause turmoil at the mill when he starts having an affair with the Miller's wife Edith. I reccommend that yoe read this book as there are too many twists and turns tolist here. Happy reading.

I am giving this book a star rating of four, it was really well written.

DIARY OF A MAD BRIDE

Over the last few weeks i have been reading a fantastic book. The book i was reading was called Diary Of A Mad Bride and it was written by Laura Wolf. This was a romance novel.

I enjoyedthe book very much. The text was easy to read and understand. I am not really a romance novel person but this one was recommended by a friend and i thourghly enjoyed it, right from the very first page.

The story was all about Amy. Amy was dead against getting married,the whole idea of marriage sends shivers down her spine. Amy however began to have a relationship wuth Stephen andher whole idea tolife was turned upside down. Amy was shocked when Stephen dropped toone knee in the popcorn counter at the cinema and asked her to marry him. To Amy's utter surprise she agreed and became the latest bride-to-be. The whole planning of this wedding was so funny, with the flowers ending upin a fight and the never ending guest list. I would recommend it to anyone. A happy ending? Who knows.

This book deserves a star rating of five it was amazingly funny and i would describe it as a must read for all those romantics at heart. 

COMA

I have just finished a book called 'coma'. The book was written by David Belbin. The book was a quick read andwas set within a hospital.

The book had text that was easy to read and understand. It was agripping story and you were never really sure if there was going to be a happy ending to the book.

The story was all about Todd who was a year eleven student and he hadfallen in love with Lucy. Lucy was a year ten student. ToddandLucy were inseperable until the night of the bad accident which left poor Lucy in a coma. While Lucy was in a coma Todd visited herless and less as the story went on. Todd had fallen in love again, or so he thought, hejust couldn't stop thinking about Lucy. Things in Todd's lifechanged when Lucy woke up.

I give this book a star rating of four, it was a fantastic short story, moreof the same please.

TORRENT

I have just read a book called 'Torrent'.  The book was written by Bernard Ashley. The book had an adventure and action story. The story was set up in the mountains.

The story had text that was easy to read and understand. In the story you were kept guessing, you were never sure what was going to happen next.

The book was all about Tom and he must get to the bridge before he is swept away. One morning Tom woke in his tent to hear people outside yelling. Theywere all running past histent and rushing for the gate. The mountain stream was much wider now and was spilling out across the grass. The water was all over the campsite now and running towardsTom who was running down the mountain. Tom was not only hearing the water behind him, there was another sound. There was a girlon a small motorbike behind him. Tomgot ontothe bike with the girl and held on as she tooka short cut over the small track that went through thetrees. Up along the mountainside, riding through nettles and bushes, the river never followed. They made it tothe bridge but that is where this sory begins, you must read the book to hear the whole story.

I am giving this book a star rating of five, it was a fantastic adventure story. More stories like this one please.

RUNAWAY TEACHER

Over the last few days i have been reading a book called 'Runaway Teacher'. The book was written by Pete Johnson. The book was part of the quick read collection. The quick read collection is many short books that have many great storylines.

I really loved this book. It had text that was easy to read and understand. The storyline kepy you guessing, you were never sure what was going to happen next.

The story was about Scott. Scott thinks teachers are boring, until a new teacher arrives. The teacher had his own rules and ideas about the lessons and school, this totally knocked Scott for six. The teacher was more like a friend to Scott. Scott went to visit his teacher at home, while there scott and the friend he had taken along were allowed to drink alcohol. After this the teacher left the village. This made scott realise just how complicated friendship and loyalty can be.

The booki feel deserves a star rating of four. I would recommend the book to anyone. Enjoy reading it, i did.

Winning Through

I have just read a book called ' Winning Through'. The book was a mini autobiography and it was all about the life of proffessional footballer Brian Irvine.

The book i enjoyed very much. It had text that was easy to read and understand. The storyline kept you guessing as you were never sure what was going to happen to Mr Irvine next.

The story was all about Brian Irvine and the ups and downs that he faced trying to make it as a proffessional football player. The further that you got into the book the more that you learn about Mr Irvine and all the clubs that he has played for. During his time as a proffessional football player Mr Irvine was told that he had a serious and possibly fatal illness. This put a painful stop to all his boyhood dreams and his successful football career. Brian was pulled through all his tough times by his christian faith and strong family ties. A fantastic story that i would recommend to anyone.

This book deserves a star rating of five. It was a fantastic story of pure guts and determination. 

Chocolate Moon

I have just finished abook called 'Chocolate Moon'. The book was written by Mary Arrigan. The book was part of the quick read collection.

The text was easy to read and understand. Adventure stories always get me hooked and believe me this was no exception. I enjoyed the book very much.

The story was about chris and his family. The main characters were chris and his grandmother who had Alzheimers. Chris's mother and father put his grandmother in a home. Chris hated going to see her with them as she would never speak. Chris decided that he would go and visit gran every Wednesday without his parents, he knew that she would talk to him when he was on his own. Gran always went on about a chocolate moon and going hometo find it. Chris decided to take gran on an adventure, he wantedto take gran home to get herchocolate moon. Where ever that may be?

I gave this book top marks, it was fantastic. I would recommendthis book to anyone. Happy endings always make fantastic reading. Enjoy this one, i did.

 

The Black Cat

I have just finished a book called 'The Black Cat'. The book was written by John Milne. It was a crime book. It was a short book but it was a fantastic read.

The book had text that was easy to read andunderstand. This book was fantastic, the storyline kept you gripped, you were never sure what they would get up to next.

The story was all about Salahadin who was the Inspector who protected all the antiquities in Eygpt.  Salahadin was expecting an archeologist called Mr Pearson to call by his office but he never arrived. When Salahadin telephoned the hotel where Mr Pearson was staying he was shocked when he was told that Mr Pearson was dead, he had been murdered. This murder was the start of a transatlantic investigation. The story gets to exciting to say anymore, i would only spoil the story. I would recommend the book to anyone.

i would give this book a star rating of five, what a fantastic story.

Brother, Brother,Sister,Sister

Yesterday i read a book called Brother, Brother, Sister, Sister. The book was written by Helen Dunmore. The book is part of the quick read collection. The quick read collection is many short books that have different storylines that will appeal to many different people.

I enjoyed this book. It had text that was easy to read. Despite the fact that the book was written as a diary it was really east to understand. A gripping story that kepy you hooked to this book, i couldn't put it down.

The book was all about Tanya and thje Miller family. Tanya was a young girl that was living with a difficult family life. Tanya's dad lost his job just a few weeks after Tanya's mother gave birth to quads.  As the story goes on you learn more and more about Tanya and her family. Tanya landed a role in the school play but was angry because mum and dad couldn't come to watch as they had the four babies to look after. Tanya was then embarrassed by her dad as he turned up at the school on the night of the school play and tried to watch the play through a window. Nobody could hear anything as he had brought two of the babies with him and they were screaming.  Later in the story the Miller's washing machine broke down leaving them with piles and piles of dirty washing. Could there be a happy ending for this family? Read the bopok and find out, i am not saying anymore.

Enjoy reading this book, i have given it a star rating of four as i felt the story would have been better if it wasn't laid out in the style of a diary.

New Posts

It's been great to read the latest book reviews - it's good to know that people are still up for posting blogs on this site.

Elisa and Sandy have both reviewed The Tannery by Sherrie Hewson. It sounds like this book takes you through a real mix of emotions; I'm now looking forward to reading it myself.

Marion and I have booked in a date for a blogger get together. This will take place on 23rd September at the Adult Learning Centre at 7pm. It is a chance for new people to get involved in the Blog, to get advice on your writing, to get help with the IT side of things or just to catch up with other bloggers.

I hope to see some of you there.

A Matter Of Chance

Over the weekend i read a book called 'A Matter Of Chance'. This book was written by David A Hill and it was part of the quick read collection. The book was a romance novel and it truly was fantastic to read.

This book had text that was easy to read and understand. This was a very gripping story, it had me hooked from the very first page, i couldn't put itdown.

The book was all about Paul Morris. Paul's life was changed suddenly when his wife died, she was hit by a fallen roof tile and died instantly. Paul met a new lady called Sandra and he feel in love again. His life was to take a criminal turn when he got himself involved in Sandra's families import and export business that involved handling stolen paintings and antiques. Paul wasn't to have a happy ending, but why?  Please read the book and find out, i would recommend it to anyone.

This book was fantastic and i would give it a star rating of five, it was truly fantastic. I would urge anyone to read it. 

The Tannery

Yesterday i read a book called ' The Tannery'. This book was written by Sherrie Hewson. It was a fiction book and the story was all about a family that were struggling to survive during the war.

This book was ok. The text was easy to read and understand. The storyline i felt was a little to predictable. The ending i felt made up for the dissappointing story.

The story was all about Dolly Ramsden and the life that she was subjected to. In 1938 Dolly's father was sent to war leaving six year old Dolly and her mother to fend for themselves.  Having no money, Dolly's mother was forced to take desperate measures to get her hands on money, she had turned to sleeping with different men everynight for the money that they needed to help them survive.  This made Dolly's mother bitter and angry all the time and she would hit and verbally abuse Dolly when things got tough. Was Dolly to get her own back and get the revenge that she so desperately wanted? I suggest that you read the book and find out.

This book deserves a star rating of four as the story was a little disappointing, i hate to hear about people abusing children however the ending makes up for it, i have always said that revenge is sweet and in this case Dolly's mother got what she deserved. 

The Dogs

I have just read a ratherinteresting book called ' The Dogs'.  this book was written by Mark Morris and what can i say but i have never read anything so strange.

The book was interesting. It had text that was easy to read and understand. I was hooked. I  was amazed and i could not put the book down.

The book was about Alice, a frightened young orphan who arrived to live at her Aunt's house. Alice was convinced that there was someone in the bedroom beside her. But was it just her imagination? Alice and her aunt had two dogs callled Holly and Pip andeverynight they would all go for a walk on the moor. One night something strange happened and the dogs both disappeared. The dogs both came back nine years later and they appeared to be exactly the same as before they had dissappeared. What was going on? I not telling, but i wpuld recommend that you read this book, it really is great.

This book deserves a star rating offive itwas very wellwritten and the ending was top class. Fantastic story. Well done the author. 

THE REFUGEE BOY BY BENJAMIN ZAPHERIAH

I FOUND THIS BOOK TO BE VERY TOUCHING AND AN EYE OPENER.
I FOUND THAT I COULD PUT THE BOOK DOWN FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS AND I COULD PICK IT AGAIN AN KNOW WHAT IVE ALREADY READ WITH OUT RECALLING IT .
ALEMS FATHER ABANDONED HIM IN LONDON THINKING HIS SON WOULD GET A BETTER LIFE IN THE UK THAN WHAT HE WOULD OF GOT IN ETHIOPIA HIS HOME LAND .
I FELT IT FOR ALEM BEING OF SUCH A YOUNG AGE AND GETTING SHIFTED FROM CHILDRENS HOME TO FOSTER PARENTS AND ADAPTING TO A COUNTRY HE HAD NEVER BEEN IN BEFORE .
ALEM DONE HIS BEST FOR A CHILD OF HIS AGE AND IN A COUNTRY HE HAS NEVER BEEN IN BEFORE AND AROUND PEOPLE HE HAD NEVER MET .

THE NAME YOU ONCE GAVE ME BY MIKE PHILLIPS

I GOT THE START OF CHAPTER 2 AND I PUT THE BOOK DOWN AND I COULD NOT GET BACK INTO IT I FELT I WAS READING ABOUT 3 DIFFERENT THINGS IN CHAPTER 1 .
TWO WEEKS LATER
I DECIDED TO PICK THE BOOK BACK UP AND IVE STARTED TO GET INTO IT MORE THAN I DID THE FIRST TIME IM ONLY QUALTER WAY THROUGH BUT IM ENJOYING IT THIS TIME ROUND AND IT SOUNDS ABIT SAD AT THE MINUTE BUT I NEED TO KEEP READING TO FIND OUT WHAT HAPPENDS ....

THE TANNERY BY SHERRIE HEWSON

I LIKED THIS BOOK ALOT A GREAT READ .
ITS HARD TO DISCRIBE THIS BOOK BUT THERE IS EMOTIONAL ABUSE BY THE YOUNG GIRLS MOTHER AFTER SHE TURNS TO DRINK AFTER HER HUSBAND IS SENT TO WAR
THE YOUNG GIRL HAD TO HAS TO DEAL WITH NOT HAVING HER FATHER AROUND AND DEALING WITH A MOTHER WHO IS LIKING THE DRINK AND THE ATTENTION FROM OTHER MEN AND PUTTING THE FEELINGS OF HER YOUNG CHILD ON THE BACK BURNER ...
THE BOOK ENDED IN DISATER BUT IT ALSO HAD A HAPPY ENDING

i chose to live by sabine darbenne

THIS BOOK IS FULL OF COURAGE STRENTH AND SADNESS AND TORTURE OF AN INNOCENT GIRL.
SABINE WAS KIDNAPPED AND KEPT IN A CELLER ,ONCE SABINE FOUND THE STRENGH
AND COURAGE WITHIN HERSELF TO KEEP GOING SHE GOT THROUGH HER ORDEAL AND FACED THE ANIMAL IN COURT TO BRING HIM TO JUSTICE AND HOPEFULLY GIVE HER ONE FINAL END TOO THE HORRIBLE SITUATION AND MOST IMPORTANTLY
CLOSURE.

lily a ghost story

what a great book this was .
once i started to read it i got hooked and i coulld not put it down
and before i knew it i had finnnished the book but the end came
so quick i felt there is another book so you could catch the
ending .

Lily by Adele Geras

In this book the young girl the main character paints a interesting view of her life.She talks about loosing her own baby at a young age and how she builds a relationship with the young toddler she ends up looking after. It then turns into a ghost story as Lily the young toddlers mother becomes jealous of her daughters realationship with the main character.She is dead and haunts the main character in ghost form and ends up getting the main character fired as she is blamed for the strange things happening in the house where she is looking after the young toddler.So she goes back to stay with her gran as her mother left her at a young age because she couldn't cope. Basically this story is a little bit of a ghost story in more ways than one as the main character believes she has seen the ghost of her dead child and she goes to see a psychologist and its his toddler she ends up looking after and building a relationship with.

The Blue Hen

I thought this book was written on what happens on housing estates when Industries close down
wery good reading

The Tannery by Sherrie hewson

This book was a very moving book about a young girl whos mother became a alcoholic after her father went to war .The characters mum became a alcoholic as she couldn't cope not hearing from her husband. This caused the mother to be abusive to her daughter and to become a prostitute. The daughter found love with a young boy her age who had been abused by his father.In the end the main character's life becomes easier as her mum comes out of her life and she marries her love interest and has a lovely baby girl that she dotes on and her father stays with them also.

these timesthis place

Very good book had you thinking and talking on the subjects that she wrote

Falling Awake

I have just finished reading a book called ' Falling Awake'. Falling awake was written by Vivien French. This book hads a crime related story and was set in a dark alleyway.

Falling Awake had text that was easy to read and understand. The story was really good, you could never be sure if the main character in the story was evergoing tomake it through all the trouble that they had got themselves into.

The book was about a young lad called Danny. Danny becomes friends with a young lad called Spike. Spike and Danny became friends with another young lad called Bullet Brown. Bullet Brown came up with a easy money making scheme - not something that i would call easy, he was in fact talking about drug dealing. Bullet Brown was a big time drug dealer that gets caught out in the end.

This book deserves a star rating of four as it was well written. Keep up the good work

Someone Like Me

I have just read a book called 'Someone Like Me'. This was a book that was part of the quick read collection and was written by Tom Holt. This book was all about a hunter's adventure and was set in a tunnel deep underground.

This book had text that was easy to read and understand. The language was also very easy to understand. I really enjoyed the story but i was a little disapionted with the ending, it never actually explained what it was that the hunter was actually looking for.

This story was all about a who was sent to find the creature that had attacked andkilled three humans for food. After these two creatures had attacked their prey, they ran off in different directions, each leaving a trail of blood stained footprints behind them. The hunter followed the footprints and soon came face to face with the first creature, he managed to kill the creature safely without to much injury to himself, but the second saw the hunter having more of a physical challenging resulting in himalmost losing his arm and nearly his life.

This book was fantastic it had me hooked right from the first page. I was a little bit disapionted with the ending, i would have loved to have known what the creatureactually was. The book deserves a rating of three, the ending could have been better.

Handbags and Gladrags

I have recently read a book called Handbags and Gladrags. The book was written by Maggie Alderton. This was a romance book that had and adventure side to it. This story was set in many parts of the world, following around models and writing story after story for a fashion magazine.

The story was all about a young fashion stylist called Emily Pointer. Emily travels all around the world for her line of work , meaning she has to spend a lot of time away from home and her husband Ollie. While Emily was away working one summer she made a terrible mistake and a had a night of passionate sex with a hunky Australian photographer after an after show party. Emily felt terribly guilty about what she had allowed to happen that night. Emily managed for a short time to keep what had happened that night from her husband, at least in the beginning anyway. As the story goes on you are enthralled by the love triangle. When you think that it wont get any better, it does. I am not going to sat anymore as i do not want to spoil the story for anyone who may wish to read it.

This was a fantastic story and i feel that anyone that enjoys a good old romance novel would love thius story. I would give this story a star rating of four out of five as the ending was just a little to predictable, apart from this it was a real great story.

KNOTS AND CROSSES

I have just finished reading a fantastic book called 'Knots and Crosses'. The book was written by Ian Rankin. This was a crime story and was set in and around Scotland's capital city. (Edinburgh).

The story wasabout an investigation into the kidnap and murder of three young people. One police officer who was the only one who had any clues to the investigation was about to be put through total physical and emotional torture. It all started after a police officer started to recieving hand delivered messages that each contained a different short hand written message, pieces of knotted string and crosses made from matchsticks. This was apuzzle that only one person knew the answer to. As the story went on all the pieces of the investigation started to become clear and soon the police would solve the case. With the police so near to solving the investigation, noone expecting what happened next, another murder this time the son of qa police detective and another kidnap this time it was the daughter of a policeman. Was there a happy ending to this story? Read the book and find out i would highly recommend it.


This was a fantastic story, being from the Edinburgh area myself i could place myself in everyplace that was mentioned in this book. I would recommend this book to anyone but especially those of you who like all the crime related stories. I would give this book a star rating of five, top marks that are well desereved.

The Perfect Storm

I have just read a book called ' The Perfect Storm'. The book was written by Sebastian Junger. It was an adventure story that was set on a sailing ship in the middle of the ocean.

The writing in this book was small and really hard to read. The language was hard to understand, they did however explain ,ay of the words that i found difficult to understand at the end of the book. All through the book they talk about wind travelling at 100 knots, the word knots i thought was describing the knot in a piece of string,after reading the meaning to the word at the back of the book i found out they were actually talking about the speed of the wind.

The book was all about a crew of fishermen on board a sailing ship out on a fishing trip. The crew were to expierence many problems while out on this trip, they had a broken ice machine that meant they could not catch any fish as they had nowhere to store them onboard the ship. This was to be the least of there worries as there was a freak storm on the way and it was heading straight for them. Did the crew survive? Please read the book you may just be surprised.

Despite this being a book that i was not really fond of i would still give it a rating of four.

Reaching For The Stars

I have just read a book called ' Reaching For The Stars'. The book was written by Lola Jaye. The book followed a young lass in her bid to become a writer.

The book had text that was easy to read and understand. I really enjoyed this stroy and i would recommend it to anyone.

The story was all about a young lass who had a dream that one day she would become a writer. While working everyday tokeep herself, Lola Jaye managed to have the energy to write every evening and all through the weekend. Lola finished writing and sent off many manuscripts to many different editors. Lola was starting to lose intrest in writing due to all the rejection letters that she was recieving. After many years her life was about to change, but how? Did she get the publishing contract that she desperately wanted? You must read the book and find out, i would highly recommend it.

I would give this book a star a rating of four, it was very well written and contained many twists and turns but they always worked themselves out in the end.

Win copies of the new Quick Reads

Quick Reads are doing a survey of people's favourite reads. Click the link below to do the survey.

http://www.niace.org.uk/quickreads/user/poll.php

You will be asked what your favourite book is and why. Anyone who completes the survey will have a chance to win all 10 new Quick Read books.

Good Luck!

The Kite Runner by khaled Hosseini

This story is set in Afghanistan, and centres around the lives of two 12 year old boys. Hassan and his father are servants to Amir and his father. The boys are best friends. Hassan is fiercely loyal to Amir, but his loyalty is not reciprocated. Hassan is badly let down by Amir when he is brutally attacked one day, and Amir does nothing to help. As a result of this, and lies told by Amir, their lives take separate paths. Amir has to live with the shameful knowledge that he failed his best friend, but he vows to return to Afghanistan, and find a way to right the terrible wrong he has done.
This is a riveting tale of loyalty, bullying, rape, self loathing, love, and finally - triumph. It is a story that I have remembered long after I closed the book.

The Boy in The Striped Pyjamas

I agree with Janice, this book is a great read and can give the impression that you are reading a true story. The writer has been very clever, by writing the story from the child’s prospective the horrors of what is actually going on with the various characters Bruno interacts with is left very much to the readers imagination. For readers with some knowledge of what happened at this point in history this brings the story vividly to life. Whilst the writers methods mean the book could also be used as a tool encouraging discussion of a painful part of history that should never be forgotten. Once I got into the story I couldn’t put the book down and the ending stayed with me long after the final page closed.

The Boy In The Striped Pyjamas

The book was fiction but you would think it was non-fiction when you read it as it’s set in the beginning of World War 2.

The story is about a boy Bruno who lives with his family in Berlin. Bruno’s family have to move from their home to Poland. Their new home is next to a concentration camp. At first Bruno has no one to play with so he set off to explore his new home. He meets a boy called Shmuel who is the same age as him and is like a skeleton with short hair and a uniform that to Bruno looks like striped pyjamas. The boys get very close and meet every day at the fence where Bruno brings food for Shmuel.

One day Shmuel's dad goes missing. Shmuel gets Bruno a pair of striped pyjamas and he goes under the fence to help Shmuel to find his father. Bruno gets his eyes opened at what is really going on there. You will have to read the book to enjoy it as I did.

I would recommend this book. I enjoyed getting into the boys way of thinking. It was hard at first but as you get into the book you can see yourself there and the ending was not what I thought it would be.

The black horse

The story I read was based on a western theme. It was about Big Jack Corrigan a Bounty Hunter operating within the law to bring his quarries back to justice dead or live. However for Big Jack, it had to be dead every time. The law took objection to this. So when Corrigan and his henchmen set off in pursuit of the bank robber and killer Pearly Gilles and his gang, deputy US marshal Lee Saleen followed facing the unusual task of trying to stop the bounty hunter from killing the killers. Surrounded by enemies, how would Saleen cope against the overwhelming odds? Read this book and you will enjoy finding out.
A good read lots of excitement!

A Christmas Carol

This version of ' A Christmas Carol' was modernised by Pauline Francis from the original by Charles Dickens. Charles Dickens lived in London in the Victorian period and this book is set in London in the 1840's.

Two themes are developed in the book : money is not everything and that people can change.

This book is written from the third person narrator's view. I liked this as it reads as though someone is telling you the story.

There were some excellent character descriptions. On the first page, the main character, Ebenezer Scrooge, is described by the author.

' He was as hard and as sharp as flint and as secretive and solitary.'

' He was as bitter as the coldest wind.'

To me, these words summed up the meaness and isolation of the character.

The descriptions gave me a good mental picture of the different ghosts. There is a striking contrast between the luxury surrounding 'The Ghost of Christmas Present' and the two ragged children, Poverty and Ignorance, who appear from his robe. In Victorian London there was a big difference between wealthy and poor people, who lived in dreadful conditions, and the author seemed to use this description to show this.

The author also used a good technique when the ghosts use Scrooge's sayings, from the first chapter, to show the shock he now feels when they are repeated to him. This proves that Scrooge is changing for the better.

This book can seem quite depressing at times, but has a happy ending as the ghosts visits have shown Scrooge the error of his ways. The ending shows that people can change.

This was a good short read which made you think, but finished with a feel - good ending.

I would rate this book 5/5.

Marion P.

2009 Blog Information

Happy New Year!

Hope you all found some time to read books over the holidays.

Just to remind you that we are having a Book Club, West Lothian Burns' Evening on Friday 6th February at Uphall Community Centre. 7 p.m. - 9.30 There will be performances, a buffet and dancing - all for the price of £1.00 . You are welcome to bring a guest.

If you are interested, either see your tutor, or get in touch with me at the Learning Centre.

Looking forward to seeing the new 2009 postings !

Marion P.