Fiction reviews

Last year I read a free online book called 'The Present'. You can find it at www.truthcontest.com. It's an attempt to explain life, death, existence and everything else in only 101 pages. It covers an extraordinarily wide range of topics, from evolution and spirituality to The Wizard of Oz and The Beatles, but claims that the only 5 things you really need to know are the following:

1. OUR TRUE HISTORY
We have spent 700 million years on Earth evolving from bacteria into mankind, and have lived as every animal in our evolutionary line along the way.

2. YOU ARE IMMORTAL
When you die, you get reborn in a new physical body. From your perspective, it seems as if no time has passed.

3. EVERYTHING WILL BALANCE
Good and bad luck will always cancel each other out eventually, even if multiple lifespans are required for this to happen.

4. YOU ARE A SPIRITUAL BEING
You have a mind that thinks, and a spirit that receives the mind's thoughts. The spirit should be seen as the more important part of us from now on; the mind should be turned off when it is not needed.

5. THE PRESENT IS EVERYTHING
People spend too much time thinking about the past and the future, and consequently fail to live in the present - the only thing that exists.

It's the best explanation of the truth of life that I've ever come across. I suspect it will become internationally well-known over the next few years. Here is a link:

www.truthcontest.com/entries/the-present-universal-truth/toc.html

The Mountain Story by Lori Lansens

I have just finished this in one session, couldn't put it down. A tale of life. A tale of right of passage to manhood. A tale of survival against nature. A tale of romance. A tale of mystery. A tale of courage. A tale of a mountain. All in all a very good tale, written with imagination and knowledge. Who survives? Who dies? Read it and see.

Looking forward to reading Aubrey and the Terrible Yoot that I won. Unfortunately I haven't received it yet

Academy Street by Mary Costello.
Tess Lohan grows up in Ireland and moves to New York. She is a sensitive person and your your heart goes out to her as you follow her through life. I cried a lot as I cared so much for her.
This is a short read and I thoroughly recommend it for the way the author allows you to follow Tess's deepest thoughts and feelings. One not to be missed in my opinion. Perhaps this sounds depressing but please don't let it put you off, it's a very good read.

"Tiny Sunbirds, Far Away" by Christie Watson. Beautifully written with wit and passion. The crime of female circumcision enters the narrative.

Just read "Disclaimer" by Renee Knight - many twists and turns and I found it a good read - anyone else read it?
Last month's book club book was "The Book Thief" really enjoyed that - not sure about our new one though... "Now all Roads lead to France" - it was a Costa 2011 book winner so hopefully it'll be a good read!

The Raw Shark Texts by Steven Hall, published 2007. I picked this up from a charity shop, intrigued by the title and the reviews. What a great book! apparently I "disappeared" until I'd finished it.
The main "protagonist" is grief-stricken after the love of his life dies. This is how he copes - and I laughed out loud at one point, the writing (and the layout) were so inventive. And a very neat twist at the end.
The book is based in "conceptual reality" - but please don't be put off by that. It is, quite simply, the most original and astonishing thing I've read in years.

The book I have just read and is brilliant is Carrying Albert Home, by Homer Hikam.
Elsie has an Alligator called Albert, and a husband called Homer, Now Homer loves Elsie, Albert loves Elsie and Elsie loves them both.
Elsie decides that Albert has to go home to Florida, and so begins the most heart warming, funny journey, so many adventures, from kidnapping, meeting John Steinbeck, This is a book for everyone, and any age . as there is no sex, no violence , it;s just an adventure, and so well written, that you feel as if you are on the journey with Albert, Elsie and Homer..
Due to be published later this October ,

Feeling guilty as I am late with the review for The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins. You kindly sent me a copy to review some time ago.
What a book. I loved it. It had echoes of Hitchcock's Rear Window! It was a real page turner and well worth the effort and wait. I really didn't know the answers until the very end. Just my kind of book. Thank you for the opportunity to read this.

Philip Pullman is at the Durham literay festival very soon.

I agree that Phillip Pullman's Northern lights, indeed the whole trilogy, are fantastic books and I reread them as least once a year and learn something new from them each time. In my view, they are far better than the film as I am able to imagine the characters myself. If you need a book full of adventure try them yourself.

Am new to posting messages so the book I was talking about was by Vergase

I thought this was the best book I have read for a long time. Couldn't put it down. I tried to find more if his with no luck. One which was autobiographical and very boring.

SCOTCH ON THE ROCKS by LIZZIE LAMB

Lizzie Lamb is a dangerous woman, her books will cause you to starve your family, make you leave your washing to get soaked on the line and your dogs go unwalked!
In a book which combines romance, mystery, true passion and plenty broad Scots humour, Ishabel our heroine runs away from her perfect if pressurised life to the remote Scottish island of her childhood. Will she settle for her errant fiancee, or will the handsome kilted American hunk Brodie, swoop her up in his arms like a selkie shedding its skin? With a mad, talking parrot, a truly hilarious funeral scene and a muckle range of eccentric characters with skeletons in every pantry, this incredible book shows why Lizzie was right to retire and pursue her dream of being a writer. This would make a brilliant film, so pour yourself a wee dram, abandon the housework and escape with Lizzie!

Burial Rights by Hannah Kent - overall rating 9.5/10

(From AnnB)

(2014) It was wonderful to find out more about the history of Iceland, and the story was moving and very thought provoking. I agree with others it was beautifully written and well deserved to be short listed for various prizes, which it was! I would recommend it to any of my friends.

(From annlouise06)

(2013) I found Burial Rites to be beautifully written - very atmospheric and poetic. I enjoyed it more than I thought I would, but I don't think it would be everyone's cup of tea!

(From HMHNanna)

(2013) A very moving and captivating book. I was transported to Iceland by Hannah Kents extremely descriptive writing.I felt that a few of the words that she used would have benefitted from an explanation at the beginning of the book. "Badstofa" being one of them, as it is used many times. It is a communal living and sleeping area, quite similar to the longhouses in Borneo.
It was a book that I couldn't put down, there was something going on in every chapter. When Agnes , the main character in the book, is narrating , as she does in several of the chapters, I was almost there with her. Since finishing the book , I have been to the library and borrowed books about 19th century Iceland, as I found the whole story so interesting.

(From magwis)

(2013) Beautifully written book. Felt that the main character would be reprieved and found it quite emotional at the end. Showed how relationships evolve even though they may not be sought. Powerful book.

The Snowman by Jo Nesbo - overall rating 9.8/10

(From goose1964)

(2012) I "borrowed" this from my son when he was home from uni - thought it was a good story but I guessed who did it.

(From chitchat)

(2012) Luved it, just read The Leopard, by same author, found it a bit to long, good tho.

(From kathcake)

(2012) Fantastic read i couldn't put it down highly recommend.

(From sixtynotout)

(2011) Enjoyed this book so much went on to read 4 other titles by Jo Nesbo. Cannot wait for his next book.

(From Annierowena)

(2011) Took it on holiday with me and I couldn't put it down. A real page turner.

Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantell - overall rating 10/10

(From rosesarered)

(2013) A brilliant book, well written and full of plot and counter plot. If you like history (this is about Thomas Cromwell and his rise to power in the Tudor Court) then you will enjoy this book, easy to read, but full of interest.

This is Where I am by Karen Campbell - overall rating 10/10

(From tigger)

(2014) This is the fifth book I have read of the "publishers picks" (although I haven't seen any of my previous reviews posted). The very best so far: an extremely powerful portrait of two people from diverse backgrounds. One an asylum seeker, the other recovering from nursing her husband through a debilitating illness who eventually died. Both have suffered terrible trauma within their personal circumstances and at the mercy of the bureaucrats. So gripping at times I couldn't bear to put it down, other times I had to close the book because I couldn't bear to go on reading about the horrific events that happened to both individuals. The ending was brilliant.

The Yorkshire Shepherdess by Amanda Owen - overall rating 10/10

(From yogagran)

(2014) Fascinating autobiography of an amazing lady. Will make you feel quite tired and inadequate!

The Things We Never Said by Susan Elliot Wright - overall rating 10/10

(From yogagran)

(2014) The first book that I have read by this author (she's only written two) and it was excellent. The plot jumps back and forth between two stories, finally coming together towards the end.

The Snowchild by Eowyn Ivey - overall rating 10/10

(From ajanela)

(2014) A magical read about a couple who in the 1920s set up home in a remote part of Alaska and take in a snow child. Our book group read it but only on discussion did I learn that the punctuation in the book gives a clue to the mystery of the story.

The Posionwood Bible by Barabara Kingsolver - overall rating 10/10

(From Mobell)

(2012) I was no great fan of Barbara Kingsolver's book "The Lacuna" too many characters and too many stories, but beautifully crafted. This book however I absolutely loved, couldn't wait to get time to read it. Funny in parts, poignant and troubling too. I really cared about the characters and found myself thinking about them at odd times. I could not recommend it enough. Of course I am of the belief that if you are not enjoying a book then don't plod on, life is too short to read a book that is not entertaining you.

The One Plus One by Jojo Moyes - overall rating 10/10

(From tigger)

(2014) Brilliant, thoroughly enjoyed it. A single mum trying desperately to bring up two children on a meagre income. One is a precocious mathematical genius and the other a goth who isn't her child - all of them abandoned by her husband, their father. Jess struggles to cope with everything life throws at her. Then there is Norman, the dog who makes a significant contribution to this small family. Great read.

The Morville Hours by Katherine Swift - overall rating 10/10

(From Sonsybesom)

(2012) I loved this book about the patient making of a garden, following the pattern of the medieval Book of Hours. Full of colour, scents, memories and creative genius, I found it difficult to put down. I ordered a copy for my daughter's birthday, because she loves her garden and has finally completed a sampler of a knot garden.

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