UK Book Club discussion
A - Z Author Challenge
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Caroline's A-Z of Authors and Titles 2015
First names U - Ursula Poznanski (aka Ursula P Archer) - Five -
Austrian police procedural. Picked it up at random in the local library and really liked it. First in a series, will be looking out for the others.
Austrian police procedural. Picked it up at random in the local library and really liked it. First in a series, will be looking out for the others.
Titles T - The Time Machine - H.G. Wells
.
Shorter than expected. I was fairly familiar with the basic story before I started having seen various film adaptations. Sci-Fi isn't usually my favourite genre but I enjoyed it.
.Shorter than expected. I was fairly familiar with the basic story before I started having seen various film adaptations. Sci-Fi isn't usually my favourite genre but I enjoyed it.
First names T - Build A Man - Talli Roland
Kindle freebie. I didn't like this. The characters were horrible and the turn the plot took halfway through felt inappropriate for this type of fluffy chick-lit.
Kindle freebie. I didn't like this. The characters were horrible and the turn the plot took halfway through felt inappropriate for this type of fluffy chick-lit.
Male author J - Peter James - Want You Dead
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Didn't enjoy this as much as previous books in the series. The main character, Red, made some unbelievably stupid decisions.
.Didn't enjoy this as much as previous books in the series. The main character, Red, made some unbelievably stupid decisions.
New authors B - Josie Brown - The Onesies: Fall
.
Kindle freebie. Not so much 'Book 1 of a Series', more 'Part 1 of a Book'. What there was of it was readable enough, light-hearted fluff, but not a complete story.
.Kindle freebie. Not so much 'Book 1 of a Series', more 'Part 1 of a Book'. What there was of it was readable enough, light-hearted fluff, but not a complete story.
Titles W - When the Green Woods Laugh - H.E. Bates
.
Book 3 in the 'Pop Larkin Chronicles'. Didn't enjoy it as much as the first two books but a quick and easy read.
.Book 3 in the 'Pop Larkin Chronicles'. Didn't enjoy it as much as the first two books but a quick and easy read.
Titles G - The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society - Mary Ann Shaffer
.
Quick and easy read. I liked it.
.Quick and easy read. I liked it.
Male author T - Johan Theorin - The Asylum -
Started well but didn't really like the last few chapters.
Male author B - H.E. Bates - Oh! To Be In England -
Book 4 of the 'Larkin Chronicles'. All the books in this series are fairly short but this one felt almost incomplete.
Started well but didn't really like the last few chapters.
Male author B - H.E. Bates - Oh! To Be In England -
Book 4 of the 'Larkin Chronicles'. All the books in this series are fairly short but this one felt almost incomplete.
Male author W - Tim Weaver - Never Coming Back
Didn't enjoy this as much as the previous book I've read from this series, possibly because this was book 4 and the other one I read was book 5, so a couple of the revelations didn't come as any big surprise to me. Apart from that, it was a solid mystery / suspense story, slightly slow in parts but still good.
I actually picked another one of the series up in a charity shop a few days ago and it turns out that it's book 3 so it seems I'll be reading the entire series in reverse!
Didn't enjoy this as much as the previous book I've read from this series, possibly because this was book 4 and the other one I read was book 5, so a couple of the revelations didn't come as any big surprise to me. Apart from that, it was a solid mystery / suspense story, slightly slow in parts but still good.
I actually picked another one of the series up in a charity shop a few days ago and it turns out that it's book 3 so it seems I'll be reading the entire series in reverse!
New Author S - Rachel Schurig - Three Girls and a Baby
.
Kindle freebie. Fairly short, light-hearted, slightly predictable chick-lit. Quite liked it.
.Kindle freebie. Fairly short, light-hearted, slightly predictable chick-lit. Quite liked it.
Female author O - Téa Obreht - The Tiger's Wife
.
Parts of this I liked and other parts were so dull I wanted to throw the book. I think if the whole book had concentrated on the grandfather's childhood and skipped Natalia's chapters I might have liked it better.
.Parts of this I liked and other parts were so dull I wanted to throw the book. I think if the whole book had concentrated on the grandfather's childhood and skipped Natalia's chapters I might have liked it better.
Mod
.Parts of this I liked and other parts were so dull I wanted to throw the book...."
Sorry to hear you found it dull.
Liz wrote: "Caroline wrote: "Female author O - Téa Obreht - The Tiger's Wife .
Parts of this I liked and other parts were so dull I wanted t..."
Looking at the reviews, it seems to be a book that people either love or hate. I liked the writing but there were points where I just lost interest. Admittedly, it's not my usual genre so maybe that was the problem.
.Parts of this I liked and other parts were so dull I wanted t..."
Looking at the reviews, it seems to be a book that people either love or hate. I liked the writing but there were points where I just lost interest. Admittedly, it's not my usual genre so maybe that was the problem.
Male author A - Jeff Abbott - Run
.
Fairly standard man on the run type thriller involving hired assassins and rogue CIA agents. It was OK.
.Fairly standard man on the run type thriller involving hired assassins and rogue CIA agents. It was OK.
Female author M - Jill Mansell -
- A Walk in the Park.
Jill Mansell always writes a good story. Slightly predictable but a fun read.
- A Walk in the Park. Jill Mansell always writes a good story. Slightly predictable but a fun read.
New author J - Simon Jenner -
- Ethan Justice: Origins
Fast-paced kindle freebie thriller. It was OK.
- Ethan Justice: OriginsFast-paced kindle freebie thriller. It was OK.
First names D - Diane Chamberlain -
Secret Lives
Slightly predictable, a little bit 'TV Movie'-ish. Readable enough.
New author O - James Oswald - The Book of Souls
Fairly average police procedural. Nothing outstanding, not sure I'll make an effort to read any more of the series.
Secret LivesSlightly predictable, a little bit 'TV Movie'-ish. Readable enough.
New author O - James Oswald - The Book of Souls
Fairly average police procedural. Nothing outstanding, not sure I'll make an effort to read any more of the series.
Male author O - George Orwell - Animal Farm
Been on my TBR list practically forever but never got around to it before now. Quite enjoyed it.
Been on my TBR list practically forever but never got around to it before now. Quite enjoyed it.
First names S - Sophie McKenzie -
- Trust in Me
Fast-paced page-turner, let down slightly by the ending.
- Trust in MeFast-paced page-turner, let down slightly by the ending.
New author F - E.M. Forster - A Room with a View -
.
Another one that's been on my TBR list for ages. I found the characters in this annoying. Disappointing.
.Another one that's been on my TBR list for ages. I found the characters in this annoying. Disappointing.
Female author G - Celina Grace - Hushabye
Kindle freebie. Good story, interesting characters. Could maybe have done with being a little bit longer but I would read more of this series.
Kindle freebie. Good story, interesting characters. Could maybe have done with being a little bit longer but I would read more of this series.
Female author Z - Jennifer Zane - Gnome On The Range
Kindle freebie. Romantic comedy / mystery with a ridiculous story line involving a sex shop worker, a sleazy fireman love interest with a breast obsession, a sleazy control freak cowboy, horse sperm, meth and gnomes. Tried a little too hard to be "wacky" and "zany". I could have lived without the constant references to dildos, lube and anal beads.
Kindle freebie. Romantic comedy / mystery with a ridiculous story line involving a sex shop worker, a sleazy fireman love interest with a breast obsession, a sleazy control freak cowboy, horse sperm, meth and gnomes. Tried a little too hard to be "wacky" and "zany". I could have lived without the constant references to dildos, lube and anal beads.
I still have some gaps in my A-Z - the usual suspects - Q,U,X,Y,Z - I will check some of yours. You are doing excellent by the way :)
Thanks, I've read some books I would never have even considered if not for the challenge - some more successfully than others!
I've got Autumn in Carthage by Christopher Zenos lined up for my male Z, The Silver Linings Playbook by Matthew Quick, Diary of a Size 12 by Sophie Quinn and Run For Home by Sheila Quigley for my Q's, Lisa Unger is quite good for U if you like thrillers, and I have Pamela Samuels Young lined up so far for Y, if any of that helps? Some of these were free for kindle.
I've got Autumn in Carthage by Christopher Zenos lined up for my male Z, The Silver Linings Playbook by Matthew Quick, Diary of a Size 12 by Sophie Quinn and Run For Home by Sheila Quigley for my Q's, Lisa Unger is quite good for U if you like thrillers, and I have Pamela Samuels Young lined up so far for Y, if any of that helps? Some of these were free for kindle.
Thanks, I've listed a Lisa Unger and a Sarah Quigley.
Titles N - Necessary Lies
- Diane Chamberlain.
Stayed up late to finish this in one sitting. One of Diane Chamberlain's best books.
- Diane Chamberlain. Stayed up late to finish this in one sitting. One of Diane Chamberlain's best books.
First names B - Boyd Morrison - The Roswell Conspiracy
.
I quite liked this, it had some similarities to Chris Kuzneski's 'Payne & Jones' series but wasn't quite as good. Fast-paced, fairly mindless entertainment.
.I quite liked this, it had some similarities to Chris Kuzneski's 'Payne & Jones' series but wasn't quite as good. Fast-paced, fairly mindless entertainment.
First names E - Enid Blyton - Five Go to Smuggler's Top
.
I'm not feeling well today and was finding it difficult to concentrate on my current book (One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest), so decided to treat myself to a trip down memory lane instead, starting with the only 'Famous Five' book that I somehow still own. Totally old-fashioned of course, I'm sure today's kids wouldn't give it space on the bookshelf, but I enjoyed it. Might read Peter Pan next!
.I'm not feeling well today and was finding it difficult to concentrate on my current book (One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest), so decided to treat myself to a trip down memory lane instead, starting with the only 'Famous Five' book that I somehow still own. Totally old-fashioned of course, I'm sure today's kids wouldn't give it space on the bookshelf, but I enjoyed it. Might read Peter Pan next!
OMG I used to love the 'Famous Five' but I don't own any, wish I did.
Linda wrote: "OMG I used to love the 'Famous Five' but I don't own any, wish I did."
I used to have the whole set but don't know what happened to them. Will have to check my mum's attic - see if I can track down any more :)
I used to have the whole set but don't know what happened to them. Will have to check my mum's attic - see if I can track down any more :)
New author R - Deborah Rodriguez - The Little Coffee Shop of Kabul
Slightly disappointing chick-lit in an "exotic" location. A little bit shallow and superficial.
Slightly disappointing chick-lit in an "exotic" location. A little bit shallow and superficial.
New author K - Mary Kubica - The Good Girl
.
Pretty good, unfortunately I accidently read a spoiler that gave away the ending which was annoying.
.Pretty good, unfortunately I accidently read a spoiler that gave away the ending which was annoying.
First names K - Ken Kesey - One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
Started slow and I struggled to get into it, but it picked up about halfway and I ended up quite liking it. Thinking I probably should have saved it for the psychiatry/madness category in the genre challenge!
Started slow and I struggled to get into it, but it picked up about halfway and I ended up quite liking it. Thinking I probably should have saved it for the psychiatry/madness category in the genre challenge!
First names L - Lori Avocato - Dead Weight
Oh dear. I am going to have to stop downloading books to my kindle just because they're free! Absolute rubbish.
On the plus side, it got me a letter for this challenge and a state for my USA tour so not a complete waste of time! (And it was very short)
Oh dear. I am going to have to stop downloading books to my kindle just because they're free! Absolute rubbish.
On the plus side, it got me a letter for this challenge and a state for my USA tour so not a complete waste of time! (And it was very short)
Male author Q - Matthew Quick - The Silver Linings Playbook
.
I picked this up in the library purely to get a Q for this challenge and I'm so glad I did. I thought this was great - a little too much football talk for my liking but otherwise a great read. Really enjoyed it. I might even have to see the film now.
.I picked this up in the library purely to get a Q for this challenge and I'm so glad I did. I thought this was great - a little too much football talk for my liking but otherwise a great read. Really enjoyed it. I might even have to see the film now.
New author D - Sabine Durrant - Under Your Skin
.
Picked this up at random in the library, really liked it. Will be looking out for more by this author.
.Picked this up at random in the library, really liked it. Will be looking out for more by this author.
First names I - Ian Fleming - Live and Let Die
.
Seemed quite different from the bits of the film that I've actually seen. (I'm going to confess - I have never seen a whole 'Bond' film from start to finish!) Liked the book though, fast-paced quick read.
.Seemed quite different from the bits of the film that I've actually seen. (I'm going to confess - I have never seen a whole 'Bond' film from start to finish!) Liked the book though, fast-paced quick read.
New author Q - Sheila Quigley - Run For Home -
.
Silly storyline, unbelievable dialogue. I wouldn't read anything else by this author.
.Silly storyline, unbelievable dialogue. I wouldn't read anything else by this author.
New author P - Karen Perry - The Boy That Never Was -
.
A couple of slightly implausible coincidences, otherwise a good read. Kept me turning the pages.
.A couple of slightly implausible coincidences, otherwise a good read. Kept me turning the pages.
Female author B - Anne Brontë - Agnes Grey
Free kindle classic. Have to admit, I wasn't very impressed with this. Quite boring and preachy in places and Agnes is not a particularly loveable heroine. Too 'goody-two-shoes' for my liking.
Free kindle classic. Have to admit, I wasn't very impressed with this. Quite boring and preachy in places and Agnes is not a particularly loveable heroine. Too 'goody-two-shoes' for my liking.
First names W - Willow Rose - One, Two ... He Is Coming For You
.
Kindle freebie. If you can get past the occasional grammatical error and the slightly clunky dialogue, the story itself isn't bad. Decent crime/thriller set in Denmark.
.Kindle freebie. If you can get past the occasional grammatical error and the slightly clunky dialogue, the story itself isn't bad. Decent crime/thriller set in Denmark.
Female author A - Annie Adams - Deadly Arrangements -
.
Another ridiculous romantic comedy / mystery kindle freebie.
The quality of my reading material has gone seriously downhill since I got my kindle! I just can't resist a free book.
.Another ridiculous romantic comedy / mystery kindle freebie.
The quality of my reading material has gone seriously downhill since I got my kindle! I just can't resist a free book.
Mod
Ian wrote: "Not sure I've ever found a decent kindle freebie. Gave up a long time ago though read quite a few to begin with."
Not even one? What about Entwined???
I'm sure the novelty will wear off soon and I'll go back to reading books I've actually paid for!
Not even one? What about Entwined???
I'm sure the novelty will wear off soon and I'll go back to reading books I've actually paid for!
Mod
Female author P - Jodi Picoult - Leaving Time -
For most of the book I was thinking I would rate it 3 stars but then I got to the ending and it bumped it up to 4 stars. Loved the ending, it made me want to go back and re-read the whole book. Not my favourite Jodi Picoult book but pretty good.
For most of the book I was thinking I would rate it 3 stars but then I got to the ending and it bumped it up to 4 stars. Loved the ending, it made me want to go back and re-read the whole book. Not my favourite Jodi Picoult book but pretty good.
First names M - Mike Faricy - Last Shot
.
Light-hearted mystery / crime / thriller. This is #6 in a series featuring private investigator Dev Haskell but I don't think you need to read the previous ones to be able to read this (I haven't). Not bad for a kindle freebie.
.Light-hearted mystery / crime / thriller. This is #6 in a series featuring private investigator Dev Haskell but I don't think you need to read the previous ones to be able to read this (I haven't). Not bad for a kindle freebie.
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I love this series but have to admit, the plot of this one didn't grab me as much as the previous books. Hopefully the next one will be back on form. The dialogue still made me chuckle though.