My Review of "Thin Ice" by Quentin Bates

This is book 5 of Quentin Bates "Office Gunnhildur" series. I have not read any of the other titles but was able to follow the storyline and enjoyed this book as a stand alone so I don't think it matters if you've read them or not - or if you read them out of sequence. What is does mean is that if you like it, there are 4 more for you to read - a massive plus!

This crime novel is set in Iceland. The location is incredibly atmospheric and really adds another dimension of suspense and tension. The snow creates a slightly suffocating feel and emphasises the sense of being trapped felt by the hostage victims. The story is of two small time criminals whose plans for a quick escape go wrong when their getaway driver fails to show up. In a panic, they jump into the nearest moving car and there begins their descent into a more serious set of crimes as they end up with two hostages in an isolated hotel which is closed for the season. At the same time, Officer Gunnhildur is investigating the death of a thief in a house fire. Both stories seem unrelated but as the investigation continues it is clear they are linked.

The thing I enjoyed most about this novel was that you were immediately thrown straight into the action and there was not a moment of pause or reflection. The narrative hurtles along at a really rapid pace with events unfolding quickly. Bates switches between the two stories and several characters which makes it a quick read and means that you want to read on to find out what happens. The reader is continuously presented with new information, new twists and developments which makes it quite filmic in a way and a gripping read. There is a wide cast of characters to keep track of but this fits with the action and style of the novel.

Erna, one of the hostages, is an interesting character. Not particularly likeable, she flits from displays of aggressive confidence to hysteria. She puts herself in danger with reckless threats to the hostage takers Ossur and Magni and then as Gunnhildur's investigation continues, there are hints of a more wild past and a mystery surrounding the paternity of her daughter Tinna. Her daughter Tinna is a similarly complex character. At 24 years old she is appears more shrew and perceptive. I spent a lot of the novel wondering whether she was a calculating manipulator or a foolish promiscuous young girl who enjoyed taking risks. She is not a typical victim and her reaction to the hostage situation is a great twist to the story. Her role is indicated early on when her mother pleadingly asks, "What are we going to do?" and Tinna's reply is that she is "enjoying the ride."

The fact that the two hostages and their criminal captors are snowed in at a deserted hotel couldn't help but remind me of Stephen King's "The Shining" which I thought actually made the whole situation more sinister for me!

Magni and Ossur are rather reluctant small time criminals who very quickly find themselves in a situation well out of their league. Magni has been forced into petty crime following redundancy and is more a victim of circumstance and this makes the reader more sympathetic towards him and his relationship with his hostages more intriguing.

I also enjoyed watching the police investigation unfold. At the beginning I felt I knew more than them about the crime which was a refreshing position to be in and I thought that the way I then observed their line of questioning and conclusions an interesting angle from which to read.

This book is an easy, fast, page turning read for anyone who enjoys well crafted crime stories with strong, engaging characters. It is action packed with several narratives to keep track of and a large cast of characters to engage with but at no point is it over complicated or confusing. This is all handled very well by Bates whose writing is fluent and concise. I am looking forward to reading some of the other titles in the series as a result of discovering this book.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to review this book ahead of publication in return for a fair and honest review.

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What could you read to celebrate #WorldBookDay?

World Book Day is generally celebrated by children, but what about all the adults? Surely we can have a day talking about books, swapping recommendations, visiting the library and reading over a coffee or three? What better example to set? I might give the dress-up-as-your-favourite-character bit a miss though!

So here are a few books that I have really enjoyed reading over the last six months or so that you might like to try! Whatever you choose, make sure you dedicate some time on Thursday to reading!


Dorothy Whipple: Greenbanks, They Knew Mr Knight, They were Sisters, The Priory, Because of the Lockwoods
These are all published by Persephone Books and come in gorgeous silver covers with beautiful end papers and matching bookmarks. They are £14 each but you can buy three for a discount. They are available on Amazon second hand. Dorothy Whipple was writing in the 1930s and 40s. She is a sharp and witty observer and her books are very readable and entertaining. "They Knew Mr Knight" follows the very ordinary Blake family and their entanglement with the financier Mr Knight who they meet by chance. It portrays their seduction and the inevitable drama from following his investment advice as they are swept along by his charisma. It is full of tension and very readable. "Greenbanks" is a very rewarding read about a large grown up family in the 1920s. There is some fascinating insight into the effect of WW1 on women and families and also the role of women at this time. The women reflect a range of positions, roles and characters and it is an enjoyable saga. I find her novels really engaging and suit people who like classics but prefer more accessible texts - or are huge fans of Downtown Abbey and other period dramas!



Emma Kennedy: Shoes for Anthony
This is a truly delightful read! It is funny, witty, thrilling and deeply moving. It includes tragedy, drama, adventure and humour. Kennedy's insight and observations about a small Welsh community during WW2 are so vividly accurate and evocative that the book really comes to life. You can hear the characters' voices so clearly and feel the energy of 11 year old Anthony and his friends. Despite the light and entertaining feel of the book, it also has depth and a gripping plot about how even the most remote, smallest places become embroiled in the war. Plenty to think about. Plenty to laugh about. Somethings to cry about. Something definitely worth reading.



Fredrik Backman: A Man Called Ove
A quietly pleasing novel. Ove is a grumpy, unfriendly, newly retired man of high morals who enjoys making life uncomfortable for his neighbours. Or is he? Told with wry humour, this initially unlikeable character will grow on you. With a mix of sadness, insight and observational humour we follow Ove as he begins retired life and finds that actually, the people on his street are not all he quite thought them to be...... An uplifting and memorable tale.


Patrick Gale: A Place Called Winter
I discovered Patrick Gale relatively recently having never quite got around to reading "Notes From An Exhibition" when it was first published and became one of the most talked about bestsellers. Once I did, I regretted having left it so long and now am trying to read the rest of his novels - all absorbing, exquisitely written books. "A Place Called Winter" is the story of Harry Cane who leaves Edwardian England for Canada and takes up a home in the remote and new settlement of Winter. It is a fascinating saga of self discovery; Harry is a quietly complex yet hugely mesmerising character. An outstanding novel.


Isabel Wolff: Ghostwritten 
I came across this book by accident as it wasn't what I thought it was when I ordered it (can't remember what I was actually after!) and even though it took me a while to get into, it was worth it and has stayed with me! Although the content was harrowing in some places, it was fascinating and I learnt a lot about a period of history I was totally ignorant about. Despite the traumatic and tragic themes, it is actually quite a light, quick read about survival, love and hope. Jenny is a "ghost" - she writes other people's stories. Here, her commission is to write the story of Clara, a Dutchwoman who was interned in Java, a Japanese Prisoner of War camp, during WW2. In conjunction with this plot, Jenny also has to confront her own "ghosts" from a childhood trauma which she has tried to ignore for too long. Clara's retelling sometimes felt a little disconnected and separate from the parallel storyline but overall the writing and narrative will keep you engaged and gripped.


Philippa Gregory: The Cousins War Series
Oh yes, a little guilty pleasure here! A "go to" for a reliable bit of historical escapism! If you fancy a saga of romance, secrets, plotting, deception and strong female women then these are for you! These were recently on TV and were brilliant adaptations of very readable books. My favourite was "The Lady of the Rivers" as it was more mystical and featured the enigmatic Joan of Arc. I'd recommend you skipped "The Red Queen" as it is largely political / war based and has the least human interest out of the whole series. Gregory has thoroughly researched this period of history which is often overlooked in favour of the subsequent Tudor dynasty but in my opinion is even more intriguing, exciting and interesting with some strong characters.


M L Stedman: The Light Between The Oceans
This is the most atmospheric, moving, poignant novel I have read in a long time. I did not want it to end. It was heart breaking. It was captivating. It was extraordinary. It was unforgettable.
Set in a lighthouse off the coast of Australia after WW1, it is the story of Tom who brings his wife to live on their remote island where they are completely cut off for weeks at a time. Their newly married life together is saddened by their inability to have children and then one day, as they try to come to terms with their sorrow, a baby is washed up on the island....... Their decision to follow their hearts will have devastating consequences for everyone- including you!
Equally heartbreaking is the fact that this is the only novel written by M L Stedman, although I am reliably informed the book is being adapted to film this year!


Charity Norman: After the Fall
I got this from the library on a whim and didn't really have any expectations but I am so glad I read it! I have since looked out for all her other books which are also good reads. With a similarities to writers like Jodi Picoult, Anita Shreve and Diane Chamberlain, this novel explores a family dealing with a sudden tragedy following their move to New Zealand for a fresh start. What should have been an exciting adventure becomes a terrible nightmare. It is full of twists, suspense and tension. Norman creates captivating characters who are more complex than they first appear and she her plot structure is well executed with flashbacks inserted within the present day forcing the reader to frantically piece together the truth of what happened.


Beatriz Williams: Along the Infinite Sea
Again, I picked this up at the library on a complete whim - and it's a "W" author, I so rarely get that far down the shelf!! And once again I was pleasantly surprised with this engaging story. This is a New York Times Bestseller and has two main characters, Pepper and Annabelle. They meet when Pepper tries to sell her vintage Mercedes. Annabelle recognises the car and so begins the story of how she came to know it. Moving between the two eras of 1966 Florida and 1935 Cote d'Azur, this is an enthralling tale of love, relationships and self discovery. An easy but satisfying read.


Anthony Doerr: All the Light We Cannot See
This is set in WW2 and follows the fortunes of French girl Marie-Laure, who has been blind since the age of 6, and Werner, a German boy with a talent for engineering who wins a place at a brutal military academy. The most compulsive aspect of this novel is Marie-Laure's father's model. He has constructed a meticulous miniature reproduction of their Paris neighbourhood so that she can memorise and it find her way home. Unbeknownst to Marie-Laure, it is also the hiding place of a dangerous secret. As the Nazi's invade, Marie-Laure and Werner's worlds collide. This novel is a very elegantly written. It is a charming and spellbinding read.

I hope there is enough variety here for everyone to find something that appeals to them! Happy World Book Day and hope you all get a chance to indulge in a few chapters at some point during the day! Happy reading!

For more recommendations, reviews and bookish chat, follow me on Twitter @katherinesunde3 (bibliomaniacUK) or sign up for email notifications on the right hand side.

My Review of "The Ballroom" by Anna Hope

I was desperate to read this thoughtful book having seen so many positive reviews and comments about it on Twitter. It is a novel that has clearly had a deep affect on people. The cover is also enticing- I love the imagery of the birds. This metaphor of flying and freedom is echoed throughout the story; the main character Ella is likened to a bird, "something small but wild....something made for flight..." It is a subtle reminder that the thrust of this book is an exploration of freedom and the different types of prisons we build for ourselves - not just externally with physical walls and boundaries but also internally through our mental and emotional states.

The novel is set in 1911 in Sharston Mental Asylum on the Yorkshire Moors. It is a reasonably progressive institute where the men and women are kept segregated apart from one night a week where they are invited to the exquisite Ballroom to dance. It is here that Ella, incarcerated for breaking a window while at work in the Mill and deemed to be hysterical, and John, a melancholic, quiet, but hard working Irish man, meet and fall in love. Dr Charles Fuller administers to the patients and in his initially more visionary approach, which endorses rehabilitation, he takes on the extra role as Bandmaster, attempting to use music and dancing as a therapeutic cure for these "defective" patients. It is a tale of "unlikely love and dangerous obsession, of madness and sanity and of who gets to decide which is which" (Goodreads.com) and as the front cover claims, "love is the only escape."

The prose is excellent. The writing is lyrical. The opening description of Ella attempting to flee the asylum is gripping and the jumbled short phrases capture the sense of her fear, confusion and desperation. The setting of the bleak Yorkshire Moors exaggerates the desolate atmosphere and sense of being ostracised and rejected from the rest of society. The derisive words used to described the "depraved and degenerate" "specimens", the "lunatic paupers" confining them to the "chronic ward"- their "feeble mindedness" which causes them to be treated as a "weaker", "inferior race" captures the cruelty of their plight. Research into Eugenics is beginning to dominate the scientific and political world with preparation of the Mental Deficiency Act of 1913 (with the working title of "The Feeble Minded Bill"). Leading figures such as Darwin and Churchill are backing moves to introduce compulsive sterilisation of the "feeble minded" for fear of the country becoming over run and leading to a national disaster. Phrases like "raw fear", "swaying", "hands fluttering like two small birds to her chest", "glassy dead eyes" and haunting descriptions such as "women plucking at themselves, women staring into space" leave the reader with the same "panic" that "sent its dark roots deep inside" Ella on her arrivel. Hope's arresting descriptions embody the sense of confusion and befuddlement that consumes the "patients".

The novel adopts the effective device of presenting the story from three points of view which take it in turns to reveal the story. Each character offers a contrasting view of life at the asylum and madness.

Ella and John are "inmates". As the men and women are segregated, they have very different experiences of life at Sharston. John gets outside much more with physical labour and his constant observations of the weather emphasise the women's imprisonment. There is an obsession with the description of air, wind and sunshine which reiterate the themes of freedom and incarceration. It seems inappropriate for them to be in this place, despite glances of Ella's violent outbursts and her propensity for "hysteria" (which Charles claims is from the Greek word womb which confirms to him that hysteria is passed womb to womb, mother to mother- fascinating!) John and Ella's love brings hope, optimism and affirmation to the novel. Their gradual recognition of their shared emotions is endearing and affecting: "she was there when all other thoughts had fallen away."

By far the most interesting character though is Charles Fuller. Initially Charles brings the concept of music therapy and rehabilitation to the asylum. He has a vision and a drive to create new research. However his obsession to become a "superior man," to be accepted and his absolutely violent denial of his most inner feelings and acknowledgement of his true self, lead to a massively destructive path of danger and horror. He suddenly doubts his ability to "cure these people of their hereditary taints" ranting instead that the "incontinent and intemperate must be brought to hell." He struggles to maintain rational behaviour with to do lists and order but his self repression and delusions become more threatening. These passages are so well written that his spiralling thoughts are truly frightening. The reader is spellbound, left to decide for themselves who is really mad.

Hope has researched this novel thoroughly. The articles about Eugenics are horrifying and make this novel thought provoking and poignant. It is a real investigation of different degrees and experiences of madness, what people perceive to be madness and which characters are truly suffering from madness. The novel is also about power, obsession, love and a insight to the social and political time. It is captivating. It is stunning writing. The characters stay with you and I found the more peripheral character of Clem and her journey particularly engrossing as well as poignant and moving. This is a hugely atmospheric tale with vivd characters. I highly recommend you read it and decide for yourself who is the "superior" mind and the importance of valuing the true healing powers of music and literature.

Thank you to NetGalley for the free copy of this publication in return for a fair and honest review.

For more recommendations, reviews and bookish chat please follow me on Twitter @katherinesunde3 (bibliomaniacUK) or sign up for email notifications on the right hand side.

Suggestions for the Mini Bibliomaniac!

It's World Book Day next week and your children may receive a £1 book voucher.  There are some specially published £1 books available or you can put it towards another book of their choice. I know what mine will do! And it probably won't just be the one book.... but let's face it, I am in no position to complain!

So I thought you might like some suggestions of what they could spend their money on or what they might look for in the library. Hopefully, World Book Day will generate lots of conversations amongst them so they share lots of recommendations with each other as this is the best way to find something they'll enjoy. Don't worry about what they choose, whether it's "worthy" or "educative" or too easy. Let them choose. If it's too easy, they'll feel more confident and adventurous next time. If it's a comic style book it doesn't matter, it's still a book. If it's too hard, they'll give up and then you can help direct them to something else. If it's risky or challenging subject matter then they'll either put it aside until they're more comfortable or they'll take it in their stride. Make sure you're there ready to talk about it if you need to be - sometimes novels about death, pregnancy, drugs, bullying etc are excellent ways to open up an objective dialogue and actually give children a safe context in which to explore complex emotional subjects. The most important thing about World Book Day is to enjoy it and celebrate books! That means you should treat yourself to something new too. Make sure your children see you reading! ....But maybe not to the point where they start to say "Are you at the end of your chapter now?"......... Who would let that happen?! *cough*

A lot of these books have been around for a long time but I hope you find something that grabs your mini bibliomaniac!

Ages 5-8 years

Enid Blyton 
You just can't beat her really. Although some of the writing is a little dated and sometimes takes a while for children to get used to, it's undeniable that her books are still very readable and still enjoyed universally. For younger readers there's the "Faraway Tree" and "Wishing Chair" selection, then "Amelia Jane" or the "Naughtiest Girl" series and then for slightly older readers all the school based adventures at Malory Towers or St Clares. "The Famous Five" work for boys and girls at this age. They are good books to read aloud to your children until they are ready to read alone and this may help overcome any language or contextual explanations.

Darcy Bussell's Magic Ballerina Series 
Yes I know, it's pink, it's sparkling and it's about ballet..... ! We all thought we'd never do it but do you know what, your daughter will love them! And there are plenty of them! In their defence, they do encourage an interest in the classical stories on which actual ballet's are based and include instructions for real ballet moves. They are easy to read aloud to a 5 year old and make a great choice for a 6/7 year old who is beginning to read independently.


Mrs Pepperpot
Again, a timeless classic but a great choice to be either read aloud to a younger reader or for someone beginning to read independently. Gentle, imaginative, humorous and full of harmless adventures!



Tony Milton's Groovy Raps Series
This are really good fun - although a little hard to track down through Amazon - we borrowed several from the library. My son really enjoyed these. They are short, full of illustrations and large print text, very accessible and lots of fun. It even inspired him to start writing his own raps! There are also plenty of collections of Greek Myths available if your children show an interest in these timeless heroes and monsters! Marcia Williams' comic strips are particularly gorgeous and full of witty comments. Myths and Legends are a really good line to go down with boys as they are often short, more succinct stories with appealing heroes, monsters, quests and challenges.






Anne Fine "Killer Cat" series 
Anne Fine is a very established, highly acclaimed author who has published a lot of novels suitable for this age group and 8-11 year olds. These books are highly readable and extremely funny. They will be enjoyed by boys and girls - and adults!



Frank Lampard's Magic Football series
So just as we shouldn't buy the pink ballet books, maybe we shouldn't get the blue football ones either? However, yet again, they will be read and enjoyed! There's a whole bunch of them to get through if they are a hit which is always particularly appealing to boys. They are well written with the winning combination of football and magic!


Michael Morpurgo 
Mr Morpurgo has to be one of the most talented children's authors on the planet and the one who has written the most! A lot of his titles are for older, more confident readers but these stories are lovely. Gentle, entertaining, amusing and presented with lively illustrations they are a great stepping stone between "picture books" and "chapter books". Both my son and daughter read and reread these.

Ages 8-11 years


Michael Morpurgo
Sticking with Morpurgo, he has written several novels about King Arthur, Robin Hood, Joan of Arc and Sir Gawain which I think are really appealing for boys in this age range. The stories are classics but still resonant and still excite children. Morpurgo is a compelling story teller.

Helen Moss' Adventure Island Collection 
These have been a huge success in our house and have actually on occasion been read in almost one sitting! There are at least 10 books in the series; each involves a crime that needs solving and is full of all the classic ingredients for an adventure story - caves, hidden passages, secrets and plenty of suspense. These are modern and contemporary and a kind of reinvention of Blyton taking all the best elements and rooting them more firmly in today's world. Would highly recommend.

Holly Webb's Maisie Hitchens Collection
Holly Webb has written a great range of books for this age or for more confident 6/7 year old readers. She writes a lot of animal stories which will appeal maybe to younger girls but also has published these mystery books. They are set in Victorian London and follow the adventures of Maisie, the pluckiest detective you'll ever meet! Webb has also written a series of books about princesses and some longer novels like "Winter Wolf" which have captivated my daughter.


M G Leonard "Beetle Boy"
I haven't read this yet as it has only just been published but Twitter is raving about it and it is also highly reviewed in the paper and by Waterstones. It is a mystery / adventure story and sounds full of action, excitement and well crafted characters.


Michael Rosen "Uncle Gobb"
Michael Rosen is more well known for his humorous poetry but this brand new novel is highly entertaining and wonderfully perceptive. It's very engaging with some subtle messages about education and creativity. Your children will race through it and thoroughly enjoy it.

Other titles you can start to think about in this age bracket are things like "The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe", "Charlotte's Web", Noel Streatfeild's "Ballet Shoes", Philippa Pearce's "Tom's Midnight Garden".

Teenagers


Andy Muligan "Trash" 
This was recommended to me by a Year 8 "reluctant reader" who had totally got caught up in this story. It had also triggered a lot of thought and discussion about the broader issues such as poverty, corruption and waste that are raised in the book. Essentially it's an adventure story - very thrilling, very fast paced and good characters. It was apparently removed from the Blue Peter Shortlist for having too much violence in it but I think it's a really good read and will satisfy a lot of appetites.



Sarah Moore Fitzgerald "The Apple Tart of Hope"
Ok, so it was the title and the cover that made me buy this book! However it is a lovely read and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Oscar, the best apple tart maker, goes missing. His best friend Meg and Oscar's little brother set out to find him. It's a poignant tale of friendship and hope. I can also recommend "Back to Blackbrick" which is a novel of suspense and intrigue as a boy tries to fulfil his promise to his grandfather.


Malorie Blackman "Noughts and Crosses" series
If you haven't read these books yet then you must! This trilogy predates "Hunger Games" and the subsequent eruption of recent "dystopian" trilogies but is by far the most captivating and compulsive. The clever premise is a romance between Sephy, a "Cross" and Callum, a "Nought". The Crosses are the dark skinned ruling classes and the Noughts are the colourless underclass. I'm saying no more. Just read it!

I hope there are some new titles in there for you and some things which will excite your mini bibliomaniac! Happy World Book Day and I do hope you've enjoyed putting a fancy dress costume together your children to attend school in!

For more recommendations, reviews and bookish chat please follow me inn Twitter @katherinesunde3 (bibliomaniacUK) or sign up for email notifications on the right hand side.

My Review of the Best Book Club Reads

There have been lots of articles in the press this week about the positive benefits of being in a Book Club. I'm sure anyone choosing to read this blog doesn't need to be told this! An article about "How Many Book Clubs is it Possible to be Part of at the Same Time" might be more appropriate for some of us! 

The benefits are very obvious and really important. They make you read, they make you read different things, they help you find new authors and genres, they make you socialise and meet new people or let you get to know your friends more deeply, you learn things about yourself, your fellow group members and your reading habits. Apparently it has now been proved it's good for your mental health too, protects against the ageing process and can reduce the risk of dementia. Reading is good for you and your brain! Who knew?!

The Reading Agency published a full report on their research into reading groups which they spent most of 2015 compiling with the assistance of 1500 nationwide book groups. You can see the full results on their website reading groups.org or through their Twitter feed @readingagency. Here are their results for what they found to be the "Top Ten Book Group Reads" in order. How many have your book group discussed?

1. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee 

This would work well is discussed alongside her new release Go Set a Watchman. GCSE classic text which most of us read at school but remains resonant today. Highly readable. The story is about Atticus Finch and his court case defending a black man during a time of deep racism. Told through the eyes of his daughter Scout, it is a coming of age novel; highly perceptive and captivating. 

2.Elizabeth is Missing by Emma Healey 

The protagonist is suffering from Alzheimers and therefore the author's writing is incredibly clever as she manages to capture the thought process of someone who is unable to retain everything but knows something is very wrong. It is part mystery about what has happened to Elizabeth but also a reflection on ageing and memory. It could also be used to consider writing styles and narrative voices.Why not pair up with Lisa Genova's stunning "Still Alice" which also portrays dementia? 

3. We Need To Talk About Kevin by Lionel Shriver

Highly controversial since its publication, this novel is told through the letters written by Eva to her absent husband about her relationship and feelings towards her son who is responsible for shooting 9 people during a rampage at school. It is a difficult read but throws up numerous points for discussion. 

4. The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak

This really is a fantastic book and was a record breaking best seller. It is set in the Second World War in Nazi Germany and narrated by Death. It is a beautiful, life affirming story about the power of words. It has also been adapted into a very good film if you want to reward yourselves after reading or compare.

5. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer & Annie Barrows

Set just after WW2 in Guernsey this is about life under German Occupation. It's a light, easy, well paced read but some of the stories told about what happened prevent it from being too saccharine. It has always been a very popular pick for book groups and appeals to a wide audience.

6. The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton

This book was a runaway success and winner of many awards. It also featured in Richard & Judy's Book Club. It is a magical tale set in Amsterdam in 1686. It's a weightier read than it appears but very different and worthy of consideration. 

7. A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini 

Set in Afghanistan this is possibly one of the most powerful and moving books I have read. It is not an easy read in places and is harrowing at times. The writing is stunning and incredibly well crafted. It is thought provoking and will stay with you. You must read "The Kite Runner" if you missed it.

8. The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce

This was a novel that surprised book sellers with its popularity! More a novella than a novel, it is a gentle read about a man walking the length of Britain to deliver a message. Endearing, with some revelations, reflections and musings on life, love and families. Could be paired with Joyce's recent "Love Song of Miss Queenie Hennessy" which explores the "other half" of the story. 

9. The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt 

This is not for the faint hearted Book Groups! At a whopping 881 pages this takes some real commitment! However, Tartt is an exceptional writer and this is an engaging story with a vivid and appealing main character. But I definitely preferred her first book, "The Secret History" and it is still one of my most favourite reads. 

10. The Help by Kathryn Stockett 

This really is an amazing read. Set during the Civil Rights Movement in Mississippi it is about three women, a book, a quiet revolution and a pie! I could quote passages from this for hours. The film is true to the book and as moving and poignant. Well worth reading and watching! 

What would I recommend for a good Book Club Read?

Seriously, you want to get me started on this???! It will be the longest blogpost in history! Ok, I'll give you five and save some more for later! 

1. The Home-Maker by Dorothy Canfield Fisher 

This was first published in 1924 and I recommend it to every Book Club that are foolish enough to ask me for a recommendation! It is about an obsessively controlling housewife Evangeline, who is quite difficult to read about as she is so neurotic. Her husband has a terrible accident and is wheelchair bound forcing Evangeline to go to work in a Department Store and for him to stay at home - hugely controversial for 1924. The story then follows the transformation and blossoming of both Evangeline, her husband and their children. Moving, poignant, thought provoking, accessible and easy to read, this is a truly fascinating novel. Ps I totally love Persephone Books - please visit their website, indulge in their gorgeous books that are too lovely to put away on shelves and treat yourself to stunning stationary..... gift vouchers always welcome!!!!!

2. Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

This novel follows the relationship between Ifemelu and Obinze over the course of thirty years. It begins in Nigeria and then moves to America where Ifemelu travels to start a new life. It is an engaging and fascinating account of their experiences within the two different cultures and I found it quite unputdownable. It's 610 pages long so another heavy investment for a group looking for more of a challenging read but thought provoking and full or relevant issues for a global society. 

3. The Story of a Beautiful Girl by Rachel Simon

I don't want to be stopped by the adjective police for overuse but this really is beautiful! A lighter read than the above, it begins with the escape of Lynnie and Homan from the "School for the Incurable and Feebleminded". I'm not saying anymore. Stunning, enthralling, moving, captivating and just a great book. Enjoy!

4. Why be Happy When You Could Be Normal? by Jeanette Winterson

This is a complete contrast and is the autobiography of the outspoken and controversial author of "Oranges are Not the Only Fruit." In fact, this non fiction account has been described as the silent twin to "Oranges" which was a fictional account of a traumatising childhood. In words taken from Amazon's blurb, it is "full of hurt and humour and a fierce love of life. It is about the pursuit of happiness, about lessons in love, the search for a mother and a journey into madness and out again." It is honest. It is truthful. It won't suit everyone, but is worth considering as a good discussion starter and insight into Winterson's upbringing as an adopted child with a mother who is overly zealous in her religious beliefs and somewhat unhinged in her approaches and views of life. It is about Winterson's emotional survival as a child and resolving this mental anguish as an adult.

5. Wonder by R J Palacio

I can not not recommend a Young Adult novel in my selection - I am a passionate advocate of Teenage Fiction and it should never be underestimated! This is a very special book which will grab you from the outset and stay with you. Ten year old August is born with a terrible facial abnormality and so far as been homeschooled. He wants to be accepted and ordinary but can this ever really be? Meet the most inspiring young boy you are ever going to come across! A book which is worthy of the description "epic" and it really will "blow you away!"

I hope that has given you some inspiration! Do let me know what you think! I shall post some more suggestions soon but will just leave you with the following thought......!!!

For more recommendations, reviews and bookish chat, follow me on Twitter @katherinesunde3 or sign up for the email notification on the right hand side! 

My Review of "The Widow" by Fiona Barton

I was drawn to this book by the publisher's claim that it was the next "Gone Girl" and for fans of "The Girl on the Train". It has also been highly recommended all over Twitter so it had a lot to live up to! I liked the clever title - a short, plain noun which carries huge connotations whether it be of older women dressed head to foot in black or grieving emotional figures of pity and sympathy. Fiona Barton's widow is neither of these things.

Jean Taylor is not yet 40 when her husband Glen gets knocked down in the road and killed. Her one line response, "I was glad he'd gone, no more of his nonsense," immediately creates intrigue and a sense that there is much more going on here than first meets the eye. She has spent the last few years hiding from the world who believe Glen to have abducted and murdered a child. She has spent the last few years defending her husband from accusations of molestation and child pornography. Was he guilty? Did she really know nothing of his illegal computer activity? Has she remained quiet and dutiful to protect him or because he was innocent?

DI Bob Sparks has been part of Jean's life for the last three years, although she suspects his presence will "disappear with you Glen". He is obsessed with the disappearance of a two year old Bella and the potential involvement Glen Taylor had with it. He is determined to solve the case and see Glen in prison, therefore Glen's death is a huge complication and all he can hope is that it finally leaves Jean free to tell the truth.

Kate Waters is a reporter desperate to get the next big headline, secure her place as a lead journalist and win recognition from her male colleagues. She is a woman with a hidden agenda -game plan; a kind, caring exterior masking a manipulative and selfish interior. Along with DI Sparks she hopes to coerce Jean into telling her exactly what she did know about her husband and how much she really knew of his guilt. Can she find out exactly what did happen to Bella now Glen is dead?

This is a psychological thriller with a difference. It is an exploration of the hidden character in a murder investigation. It puts the spotlight on the peripheral characters who are never usually given a voice. It looks at what happens after the main event when the mask slips, when the partners of the criminals are left to come to terms with the knowledge that their husbands are monsters. The reader is already presented with the main facts - it is not their job to particularly to solve the crime here, but rather work out who to believe and if in fact anyone is truly what they claim to be.

Barton uses the popular device of alternate voices for each chapter. We follow "the widow", "the detective" and "the reporter". I liked these honest headings. The narrative flips between present day (2010) back to the disappearance of Bella in 2006 and then jumps between 2007 and 2008 as the investigation and court hearing of Glen proceeds. The chapters are short which keeps the novel moving at a good pace and the disrupted chronology, use of flashbacks and different perspectives creates intrigue and suspense. Each chapter ends with a cliffhanger or a hint about the truth.

What's compelling is that each narrator is unreliable. Everyone has an agenda. The reader is never sure who to trust or of what each of them is really capable.

Jean is a quiet, shy woman; comfortable in Glen's shadow and unquestioning in her role as a dedicated housewife, totally dependent on Glen with each decision she made and action she took. She refers to his computer habits as "his nonsense." Is she as naive as she appears? But then her asides such as "Secrets are dangerous things....I had to keep his as well as mine," and confessions like "I had never been a liar...with Glen it was easy," imply that actually maybe Jean isn't quite as weak or naive as she appears. In fact she too has some hidden secrets which show her to be obsessive and a little unhinged. Her behaviour following Glen's death switches between a grieving widow who can't accept the truth about Glen and that of someone slightly unhinged and dangerously obsessed. Jean's hidden fixation with her childlessness adds a captivating twist to the plot. I also like the way she becomes addicted to ringing in to chat shows everyday as a different person and relishes not being known by who you are married to and without being judged. Barton has a real talent for writing these almost throwaway remarks which actually suggest something much more sinister, pitiable and deeper. Jean appears simple but in fact as the story unravels she is shown to be someone with whom the reader feels conflicted towards. At the end I wasn't sure whether she was likeable, whether she deserved pity or sympathy, whether her actions were right or wrong. It was a great position to be left in.

One of the main themes in the novel is obsession. Through the flashbacks we see Glen's obsession is "getting even with the police." He has an unsettling confidence and smugness which clouds the reader's judgement. Is he a clever criminal covering his tracks or is he a proud, innocent man of integrity that refuses to be used as a convenient pawn by the police? Is he an innocent man seeking revenge on the police or playing them? Is he a good, nurturing, supportive husband or is he an overpowering controlling figure?

Kate is obsessed with getting the top headline. She is driven by sales and her pushy editor. She is calculating and underhand. Jean observes that "she keeps using my name. Like a nurse. Or a conman."

DI Sparks is obsessed with the disappearance of Bella and finding out what happened to her. He is convinced of Glen's guilt. He can't get beyond this. His whole life is about work and he is continuously making personal sacrifices in order to trap Glen.

This is a novel about deception, lies, secrets and appearances. It is a novel about love - whether it is misdirected, misunderstood or confused with duty and obligation. It is an exploration of how people present themselves, what is real and what is pretence. Barton keeps you guessing throughout the whole novel and the ending has some surprising twists and revelations.

I liked it. The language is very straightforward and full of pace. Barton writes fluently and builds characters succinctly. The narrative moves swiftly between characters keeping you engaged and carrying you through the story with ease. It is a light read with all the key elements of a satisfying thriller. It takes a slightly different viewpoint from other thrillers and I liked that there were no particular heroes or villains or even massively likeable characters. I think this matched Barton's aim to focus on the background figures in a high profile case who are often voiceless or forgotten about when in fact their reaction to the events, and even their knowledge of events, is more interesting and intriguing.

Thank you to NetGalley for the free copy of this novel in return for a fair and honest review.

For more recommendations, reviews and bookish chat please follow me on Twitter @katherinesunde3 (bibliomaniacUK) or subscribe to the email link on the right.

My Review of "Carry On" by Rainbow Rowell

Rainbow Rowell is a quirky, humorous, talented writer for Young Adults. Her previous novels are all a good blend of emotional drama and self discovery, teenage angst and perceptive observations about coming of age and relationships. I have enjoyed them all and was really pleased to get a sneak peak at her latest novel, "Carry On". 

This novel is more of a departure than the others. It is a story about magic and fits into the supernatural and fantasy genre. It is based on one of her other books "Fangirl" in which the main character becomes obsessed with Simon Snow, a fictional character in a comic. "Carry On" takes the character of Simon Snow and gives him his own story. As Rowell says, it is the story of a "fictional-fictional" character which gives her the scope and freedom to really play around and have some fun - which she does! 

The story is set at Watford School of Magicks, run by the Head Mage, and the main character is eighteen year old Simon. Even though he was born to "Normals", Simon is a magician - well, more than just your average magician actually. He is the "chosen one". He, and he alone, can save the world of Magick from the constant wars and the enemy "Humdrum". 

"Most magicians know who I am. Most of them knew I was coming before I knew myself; there's a prophecy about me - a few prophecies actually about a super powerful magician who'll come along and fix everything. .....Let the greatest power of powers reign. May it save us all." 

There are similarities with "Harry Potter" in that Simon is ordinary and unassuming; he doesn't embrace his magical talent or fully want to accept the responsibility to save the his people. He just wants to get through his final year of school and get over his heartbreak of being dumped by Agatha. "What's the etiquette for talking to your girlfriend after three months when the last time you saw her she was holding hands with your nemesis?"

He lives in a world of pixies, vampires, goblins, flibbertigibbets, old families, war and the evil of the Humdrum. He struggles with his spells and studies. ("Is there a book called All the Magical Things that are Actually True and All the Other Ones that are B******* just like You Thought?") He is a likeable, witty and appealing young man. However, what makes this book different from your run of the mill "wizard-esque" book is the sense of something more ironic and playful. Rowell's writing is fresh, innovative, imaginative and hugely entertaining. I frequently found myself chuckling out loud and smiling as I read. 

There is a wide cast in this lively engaging book. Each chapter comes from a different character. Agatha the ex girlfriend, Penelope - Simon's best friend, the mysterious Laura, the missing Baz, Mage, and several more. This creates great tension and pace as the plot develops into more of an adventure to solve the disappearance of Baz and the uncover the more haunting and eerie presence of the ghost Laura as "the veil lifts and dead people return to the living if they have something that really needs to be said." Laura's voice is particularly intriguing and mysterious, a real contrast with the energetic teenage humour of the others. 

There is lots of dialogue in the book which captures the vitality and dry wit of teenagers with realistic conviction. It makes it a page turning, easy read. Rowell has a real aptitude for writing conversations and creating believable, engaging characters. This book would adapt very easily to screen and also feels like a comic strip or film which plays appropriate homage to it's original inspiration. 

I loved all the quirky, imaginative, magical detail. The school has hidden rooms which can only be entered with the right spell, it has a whole extra storey hidden between two floors which echoes the floor above it - the same things happen but a day later. The characters talk about being half troll and half mermaid, they suffer from gnomeatic fever and go numpty hunting. I loved the spells - "have a break, have a kitkat"; the nursery rhymes being the most powerful spells you could use with Humpty Dumpty having the power to turn back an entire army. I loved the throwaway remarks and description, "She's all brute force and 90's cliches." And the more serious sense of duty and responsibility that the characters all feel with the burden of magical talent: "Magic is a religion. There is no such thing as not believing - or only going through the motions. Your whole life revolves around magic al the time. If you are born with it, you are stuck with it, other magicians and wars." 

The final section of the book moves at a rapid pace created through very short extracts and comments from all the characters giving glimpses of the action, revelations and confessions. I can't quote from the last pages without spoiling the adventure but they are very well written and poignant. 

Ultimately this is fun, fantastical, magical novel and you will need to suspend all reality to fully immerse yourself in the comic strip world of Simon Snow. But it is also a love story - a love triangle - a coming of age story, a story of belonging, identity, self discovery, friendship and high school. It is also a story of melodrama, murder, overcoming your nemesis and accepting destiny.  This must have been a liberating book for Rowell to write and she has clearly enjoyed inventing Simon's world and obviously cares about the characters she has created. This can be read alongside "Fangirl" or is equally successful as a stand alone novel. It will appeal to anyone over the age of 14, including adults who like magical escapism. 

I would recommend this book if you are looking for something different, refreshing, humorous and original. 

I would also highly recommend Rowells' "Eleanor and Park" as an incredibly moving story of first love and "Landline" is also a good read with a more supernatural element. You can follow Rainbow Rowell on Twitter. 

I am very grateful to NetGalley for the opportunity to review this book before publication in return for this honest and fair review. 

For more recommendations, reviews and bookish chat follow me on Twitter @katherinesunde3 (bibliomaniacUK) or sign up for email notifications on the right hand side.