A really enjoyable book. It has plenty to set itself apart from the many other books in the Thriller/Whodunnit genre. Being set in The People's Democr...moreA really enjoyable book. It has plenty to set itself apart from the many other books in the Thriller/Whodunnit genre. Being set in The People's Democratic Republic of Laos makes it a little different. Having the hero being a 72 year old, reluctant coroner who has an interesting relationship with the communist authority figures and a rather good back story also makes this much more readable.
It is well told with some interesting twists and turns and a whole cast of wonderful characters, I am going to have to read the next in the series as I am keen to meet them again.(less)
I really enjoyed this, it is a wonderfully well written, gripping and moving tale. Set partly in the very middle class town of Pagford with it's net c...moreI really enjoyed this, it is a wonderfully well written, gripping and moving tale. Set partly in the very middle class town of Pagford with it's net curtains, pretty gardens and posh houses. Partly in the neighbouring estate, The Fields, dirty, rough and lawless with deprivation, endemic drugs and crime.
There is still plenty of controversy and wrong-doing in Pagford, just more hidden and more of a desire to keep things out of the eyes of the judging neighbours.
I found the book started rather slowly and there were a lot of characters introduced very quickly which were a little hard to keep track of at the start, however by 70 pages has become a quite engrossing read. It deals with some very difficult topics, self harm, suicide, infidelity, mental health and domestic violence. There is a rather well written social worker and some good descriptions of some of her work which would make interesting reading for a social work student. A world away from Hogwarts and any one who reads this because they enjoyed Harry Potter may be in for rather a surprise.
This was a great read and I hope there are more adult books to come.
This is a very well done addition to the Holmes stories. It is always a little worrying to read a book that has been added to a well loved series by s...moreThis is a very well done addition to the Holmes stories. It is always a little worrying to read a book that has been added to a well loved series by someone other than the original author but Anthony Horowitz has manged to this absolutely perfectly.
The book has very much of the same feel as the originals, a lot of familiar characters (Mycroft, LeStrade, Mrs. Hudson and the Baker Street Irregulars all make an appearance), the language and style of story telling is very accurate and the story itself is as engrossing as the originals.
This is a brilliant book with some great twists, it very soon becomes a very compelling read and you soon become lost in the sounds, smells and feeling of general menace that is Victorian London. (less)
A book full of warmth and humour. It is an absolute pleasure to read and it's so engrossing it is very hard to put down.
The story tells the adventure...moreA book full of warmth and humour. It is an absolute pleasure to read and it's so engrossing it is very hard to put down.
The story tells the adventure of Allen who on his hundreds birthday escapes from his retirement home and has an amazing adventure. This is interspersed with chapters of flashbacks that tell the many exciting stories of his very full life.
I read someone reviewing it that said it had a slight Forrest Gump fell and I wouldn't dispute that, it also reminded me slightly of David Nobb's "Going Gently", that's one of my all time favourite reads so it's no bad thing :)
I didn't know anything about the book before I started reading it, my daughter chose it for me and as is often the case books other people choose for...moreI didn't know anything about the book before I started reading it, my daughter chose it for me and as is often the case books other people choose for me are much better than the ones I choose myself.
It starts with a curious mystery of a select few people receiving a mysterious book in the post with some words cut out. I thought I was going to be reading a DaVinci style mystery. I was a little surprised when the mystery was solved a few pages later and the book headed in a completely different direction.
The book details Jon Ronson's investigations into the diagnosis of Psychopath's and by extension examines the history and dangers of mental health classifications.
The style is wonderful, lots of humour, lots of little winks from the author to the reader make it a most enjoyable and easy read. As well as discussions with various psychologists who have been heavily involved in the treatment and diagnosis of Psychopaths the book also includes interviews with mistakenly convicted Psychopath, a Haitian death squad leader, a possibly psychopathic CEO, David Shayler, David Icke and a scientologist.
A marvellous read, it doesn't take long to be totally immersed in the story and to become enthralled by the wonderful characters.
The pages drip with m...moreA marvellous read, it doesn't take long to be totally immersed in the story and to become enthralled by the wonderful characters.
The pages drip with magic, every sentence seems to be crafted to evoke the most wonderful emotions and sensations. One of the more unique books I have read and definitely one that stays with you and haunts you for a while afterwords.
I very much enjoyed the previous two books so had high expectations of this and was not disappointed.
I was surprised by just how dark and brutal it wa...moreI very much enjoyed the previous two books so had high expectations of this and was not disappointed.
I was surprised by just how dark and brutal it was, the were some very disturbing passages and some very sudden and unpleasant plot twists. Certainly a lot more depth than you would expect from a book that is often found in the children's books shelves of book shops.
Fast paced, shocking and intelligent. Absolutely wonderful. (less)
I hadn't expected to enjoy this quite so much but it really is a very compelling and hard to put down read. As well written as the first book with jus...moreI hadn't expected to enjoy this quite so much but it really is a very compelling and hard to put down read. As well written as the first book with just as much high intensity action and brilliant twists to the plot. The character of Katniss develops extra depth and becomes more interesting and sophisticated. The ending left me desperate to start reading Moockingjay as soon as possible.(less)
First review I've written using the Android app so apologies if it's even more gibberish than usual :-)
This was a most enjoyable book. I loved the who...moreFirst review I've written using the Android app so apologies if it's even more gibberish than usual :-)
This was a most enjoyable book. I loved the whole concept. It's brilliantly dark with some wonderful characters. There is so much action in it it's very hard to put down.
Hoping daughter hurries up and finishes "Catching Fire" soon so I can find out what happens next.(less)
I'm not sure where I picked this book up from, don't think it was mine. But I am very glad I did.
It's a very well executed description of a journey fr...moreI'm not sure where I picked this book up from, don't think it was mine. But I am very glad I did.
It's a very well executed description of a journey from an abusive childhood, though a fractured mental state, self harm, anorexia and multiple personality disorder. All with a very dry wit that allows these subjects to be explored without becoming depressing.(less)
I saw the film first so new what I was expecting from the book. But the book offers so much more. The book has a wonderful otherwordly atmosphere thro...moreI saw the film first so new what I was expecting from the book. But the book offers so much more. The book has a wonderful otherwordly atmosphere throughout and some truly horrific themes.
You find yourself pitying all the characters in the book at some point, event the most violent and horrific characters are explained so you can see how they are the products of their own damaged history.
I will certainly be reading more John Ajvide Lindqvist(less)
I started reading this with some trepidation, I enjoyed The Kite Runner so much I was worried that this book would be disappointing in comparison. I n...moreI started reading this with some trepidation, I enjoyed The Kite Runner so much I was worried that this book would be disappointing in comparison. I needn't have been concerned, this book is amazing.
If anything I think I actually enjoyed this more. If you read and enjoyed The Kite Runner then you will love this. It brings to life Afghanistan wonderfully. It's set as it is partly in Kabul and partly in Herat and over a period of time that sees the Soviet invasion, withdrawel and the rise of the Taliban. It tells the tale of two women from two very different backgrounds and how their lives collide and fortune puts them together.
It's a wonderfully told story, very human, often very sad and incredibly hard to put down. One of the finest books I have read in a while.(less)
This is the third David Nobbs book I've read and I'm not disappointed. It has all the warmth, humour and humanity I expected after reading "Going Gent...moreThis is the third David Nobbs book I've read and I'm not disappointed. It has all the warmth, humour and humanity I expected after reading "Going Gently".
You can find yourself laughing out loud and wiping away tears all within a few paragraphs, which certainly gets you some odd looks when reading on the train. The story charts the Life of Henry Pratt from birth to young adulthood and his struggle to fit in despite a world that does it's most to make him an outcast. It details his struggles with class, sex, religion and friendships with great affection. A very compelling read absolutely brimming with wonderful, believable and well written characters. I can't recommend this highly enough.
Need to find the rest of the books in the series now :-)(less)
I enjoyed this very much. It's narrated from Kathy H's viewpoint in a very conversational style that does a wonderful job of drawing you in and showin...moreI enjoyed this very much. It's narrated from Kathy H's viewpoint in a very conversational style that does a wonderful job of drawing you in and showing the world through her eyes.
It's very moving and has a haunting quality that hangs around in your head for a while after you've finished it, so glad I managed to read this before seeing the film. (less)
Possibly the most amazing book I have ever read. Henry, the main character, has a strange condition which causes him to suddenly travel to other place...morePossibly the most amazing book I have ever read. Henry, the main character, has a strange condition which causes him to suddenly travel to other places and times. Although he is skipping through time the book manages to keep moving forward and develops the story and characters wonderfully. Very funny, very entertaining and very moving. Can't recommend it highly enough.(less)
This is one of my all time favourite books. There is something about it that I find totally captivating. It tells the story of the main characters who...moreThis is one of my all time favourite books. There is something about it that I find totally captivating. It tells the story of the main characters whole life which has been filled with so many amazing things. There is the detective story going on in the background, the effort to discover her hsubands killer before she dies, but that's such a small part of the story. This is a wonderfully written book and I found it almost impossible to put it down.(less)
Fantastic book, elements of 1984 and Fahrenheit 451 for the "MySpace generation". Not enjoyed reading a Ben Elton book as much since "Stark".Made me w...moreFantastic book, elements of 1984 and Fahrenheit 451 for the "MySpace generation". Not enjoyed reading a Ben Elton book as much since "Stark".Made me want to re-read 1984 :-)(less)
An awesome book. Wonderful perspective, love the idea of the book being written by death. The characters are very well written and very engaging. The...more An awesome book. Wonderful perspective, love the idea of the book being written by death. The characters are very well written and very engaging. The story is incredibly moving and the book is almost impossible to put down once you are past halfway. (less)
This was a wonderful read, the story was very compelling and you don't have to read for long before it gets very hard to put down. The story is very w...moreThis was a wonderful read, the story was very compelling and you don't have to read for long before it gets very hard to put down. The story is very well told with some wonderful characters. I am now determined to read her earlier book.(less)
Borrowed this from my 10 year old daughter who said it was fantastic. Think she was right, wish we had more authors like this when I was her age. It's...moreBorrowed this from my 10 year old daughter who said it was fantastic. Think she was right, wish we had more authors like this when I was her age. It's a very fast paced, action packed and exciting story. (less)
Another fantastic book by Terry Pratchett. The book touches on some interesting topics, the merits of faith, identity.....
The story is gripping as alw...moreAnother fantastic book by Terry Pratchett. The book touches on some interesting topics, the merits of faith, identity.....
The story is gripping as always and very fast moving. A very hard book to put down. One of the few of his books not set on the discworld, this is actually set on a version of earth, although not quite this version.(less)
A fantastic book. If you've read the rest of the Noughts and Crosses series you'll already be planning on reading this book to see how the story conti...moreA fantastic book. If you've read the rest of the Noughts and Crosses series you'll already be planning on reading this book to see how the story continues, and you won't be disappointed. The storyline is as well written and as impossible to put down as all the books in the series.(less)
A fantastic book, he describes wonderfully how your perspective changes as you age with the realisation that you can measure your life in the number o...moreA fantastic book, he describes wonderfully how your perspective changes as you age with the realisation that you can measure your life in the number of bananas you will eat. Going to be very picky about my bananas now.(less)
What a wonderful read, I absolutely loved this book. The story unfolds very gradually, but it doesn't feel particularly slowly paced.
The story is wond...moreWhat a wonderful read, I absolutely loved this book. The story unfolds very gradually, but it doesn't feel particularly slowly paced.
The story is wonderful. The references to cryptography and more interesting maths problems are all much more interesting than you'd imagine.
And when you finish it there's a cryptic crossword in the back too.
This book must be good, no other book has ever come close to convincing me to become a vegan :)(less)
This is an absolutely fantastic book, one of those that once you start reading it's really hard to put down, even when it's 3:30 in the morning, you h...moreThis is an absolutely fantastic book, one of those that once you start reading it's really hard to put down, even when it's 3:30 in the morning, you have to be up at 5 and are having to hold your eyelids open.
The story introduce 2 new worlds, one of which is our world. The new character, Will, is brilliantly written, another strong child character. The story develops wonderfully and is totally compelling. My only criticism is the ending, it's rather abrupt and doesn't feel like an appropriate point to stop the story. Can't wait to find out what happens next, just wish I knew where I had left my copy of "The Amber Spyglass" :-((less)
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this. The last few books he's written have been amongst the best. The book is chock full of his usual witty observations...moreI thoroughly enjoyed reading this. The last few books he's written have been amongst the best. The book is chock full of his usual witty observations and the beautifully written colourful characters that make up the population of Ankh Morpork(less)
was a little surprised to see that readerson WeRead had only given this book 2 stars, not because it's a wonderful piece of literature ( I don't thin...more was a little surprised to see that readerson WeRead had only given this book 2 stars, not because it's a wonderful piece of literature ( I don't think you'd see this on the shortlist for the man booker prize) but because by reading the back it's very easy to tell if it's the kind of book you'd enjoy.
File Under: *Zombie Detective *Undead City *Crime Overlord *Sexy Vampires
If you read this and don't enjoy it you don't really have anyone to blame but yourself.
On GoodReads it's got a higher rating so obviously readers here are much more sensible :)
It's a good story and if you enjoyed "The Book With No Name" then you will probably find this right up your street. The only complaint I have is the number of typos, normally I quite like the smug satisfaction you get spotting a typo that's made it past editors and proofreaders but when there are this many it does make it feel less of a challenge.(less)
Marina Lewycka is now one of my favourite authors, I love the style of her books. Lots of warmth, wit and wonderful characters. We are all made of glu...moreMarina Lewycka is now one of my favourite authors, I love the style of her books. Lots of warmth, wit and wonderful characters. We are all made of glue is a great read, not challenging but thoroughly enjoyable.(less)
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