Dune Road by Jane Green

Jane Green books seem to have two distinct personalities for me: there’s the funny and readable (mainly the earlier books) and then there’s the annoying and predictable (her more recent books). I loved Bookends and still have the highly recommended Jemima J to read, but I think I’ll stay away from her newer books in future.

Dune Road is also known as Girl Friday in other countries. I like Girl Friday better, even though it doesn’t really fit in with the tone of the book for me. You see, Kit is a famous author’s ‘girl Friday’ in that she makes him coffee, does office work for him etc. But the book is not really about the relationship between them. Kit is recently divorced and coming to terms with single mother life. There’s also some aspects about her friends – Charlie has to face the realities of the GFC (not every book written in the last few years needs a GFC crisis – authors please take note!) and Tracey, looks like being a schemer – or is she a victim? Throw in a sweet elderly neighbour, a new boyfriend, a mysterious relative and a distant mother and you have all the plotlines in the world to play with.

The thing I found though was that Green doesn’t make use of these plotlines, in particular, Tracey’s situation. There was so much room for emotional blackmail, some serious arguments and near-misses. However, it is all glossed over sweetly and superficially without the players realising the seriousness of the situation. The ends are not only tied up, they’re wrapped into a giant bow. So much more use could have been made of the lost relative storyline – they were portrayed again without depth. This could have been a great book if a few less threads were dealt with and the characters broke out of the stereotypical moulds. Now I know why Borders had this on the bargain pile.

Unfortunately, I’ve read it all before and there’s new reading ground for me to break, so I think I’ll stay away from Green’s new books for some time. I’ll seek out Jemima J, but that’s it. Am I too old to appreciate chick lit?

Read this if: you LOVE chick lit and are desperate.

4 out of 10.

My Last Duchess by Daisy Goodwin

I wanted to like this book. Really. Considering I had ordered it from halfway around the world, I wanted to enjoy it. I saw that Downton Abbey also has a American heiress called Cora; I wanted to enjoy this. But all throughout this book I was wondering, is this it? Where is the suspense, the moment of crisis? Was I missing it? Was it too subtly written? Have I read too many books like this one? This book brought back memories of the Luxe series by Anna Godbersen in the way dresses are lavishly described, the writing is similar and the rich American girl setting. I liked it marginally better than the Luxe series but I don’t think I’ll be going back for more any time soon – it’s confusing whether this is a long book for young adult readers or a light read for older readers.

The plot is straightforward – Cora Cash, rich American heiress has anything money can buy (including gold hummingbirds and digging for gem treasures – and that’s just at parties). However, her mother wants her to be titled. After Cora is caught in a compromising clinch with Teddy (rich, but not titled) and Mrs Cash is disfigured when her electricity dress catches fire, Cora goes to England to find a suitably titled husband in need of her money. After falling off her horse, she is discovered by Ivo, the new Lord of Wareham. She falls in love with him and they get married very early on in the book. The intrigue involves a portrait, a friend who is not all she seems, an increasingly distant husband and a snooty mother-in-law. It’s kind of predictable and the ending is quite rushed, with feelings changing each paragraph. I still wonder if Cora got what she wanted – or even knew what she wanted, after pressures from family and friends.

Some characters were drawn better than others – the Duke remained an enigma to me, dipping in and out of the action frequently. Cora’s mother was determined while Cora was confused for me. Was the naming of the rich heiress – ‘Cash’ deliberate? I think it was a pun this book didn’t need to have. The historical setting is dealt with lightly, we get the gist of the time but none of the politics or defining events.

Yes, it was predictable but perhaps this is a new fashion – historical chick lit. Some have likened this book to those written by Jane Austen or Edith Wharton but I believe that the prose is too simple for that.

Note that this book also goes by the title The American Heiress.

Read this if: you loved the Luxe series or like historical chick-lit.

6.5 out of 10.

Beneath the Shadows by Sara Foster

I picked up this book (well, downloaded an ebook) as Sara Foster lives locally and there was a lot of press and book signings surrounding the release of Beneath the Shadows. (Sadly, I didn’t get to attend due to work, but maybe next time I’ll be
luckier). This is her second book and after reading this, I look forward to reading her first work of fiction, Come Back to Me as it includes Perth (hopefully Australia) as a setting. I always like to see how authors portray Perth (Cloudstreet
by Tim Winton comes to mind as a great tale of post-war Perth), but I digress.
When I read Come Back to Me, I’ll talk about it more. Unless it’s Perth, Scotland of course!

Beneath the Shadows is difficult for me to categorise – it’s well written fiction with a distinct Gothic flavour. The Gothic parts are subtly written, so most of them could be skimmed over by a speed reader, but for aficionados of the genre, there’s lots of little hints – the ghost book, the eerie neighbours etc.

This is the story of Grace, whose husband disappeared without trace in a Yorkshire winter. Did he commit suicide? Was there foul play or did the new father simply escape to a quieter lifestyle? Why was Grace’s child found on the doorstep? When Grace returns to the village the following winter with the aim to pack up the cottage and sell, her stay turns strange almost immediately. Why is Meredith, her neighbour, taking an odd interest in her? What’s her motive? Why does Grace dream of terrifying dogs? And most of all, what happened to Adam, her husband? She makes a friend in Ben, but Ben has his own problems. The tension rises to a crescendo when all is revealed – or so you think. The author still has a few more twists and turns in this one!

I found this book very well written and I read it quite quickly. It was tense and eerie. The characters I can still clearly picture – from the lovely Ben, to Grace and her daughter Millie. I really wouldn’t want to meet Meredith alone on a dark night though! Highly recommended, I’ll be watching for Sara Foster’s next book (and may even organise time off to hear her speak!)

Read this if: you like a clever, Gothic thriller.

9 out of 10.

Faceless Killers by Henning Mankell

Everyone is reading Scandinavian thrillers at the moment and the question to be asked is, what do you read after reading Stieg Larsson’s Millennium Trilogy? My mother is reading Jo Nesbo (and thoroughly enjoying it), so I decided to try Henning Mankell.

Faceless Killersis the first of the Inspector Kurt Wallander mysteries, set in the quiet Ystad area of Sweden (my Swedish geography is not the best, but that’s away from Stockholm). In a quiet, rural area, an elderly man is brutally murdered and his wife is beaten and tortured to death. All the police have to go on is the word ‘foreigner’. Cue attacks on refugee camps and other baffling issues and the police have very little to work on. (This book is set in the early 1990s, before mobile phones and internet so the detective work appears much more time consuming).

Of course, with many detective fiction books there comes problems in the detective’s personal life and Wallander is no exception. Recently divorced with a daughter that wants little to do with him and a father heading towards dementia, Wallander has many problems. Not to mention drinking and driving and then being caught by his colleagues…

The writing is sparse but effective, the plot tight and clever. A short read, but a very good one that left me thinking after what a great storyteller Mankell is. It’s certainly different to Stieg Larsson in that there’s less detail and no mention of Ikea, but the twists and turns are just as good.

Read it if: you enjoy well-written detective novels with good twists.

8 out of 10.

The Fallen Kings (Morland Dynasty 32) by Cynthia Harrod-Eagles

The Morland Dynasty series is one of the longest running series I’ve read in my life (Sweet Valley High and The Babysitters Club don’t count). Set in England, this series covers centuries of the one family, the Morlands of Morland Place, near York.

Trying to buy these books in Australia is a difficult task. Very few Dymocks stores stock more than one or two of the series (although I’m sure they would order them in for you). Borders is a bit better, but I’ve never found any in Angus and Robertson. It took me several months to find the first book in the series (at Reader’s Feast, a truly awesome bookstore in Melbourne) and then years searching across Australia, New Zealand and Asia. Thank goodness for Book Depository and Amazon in later times – the search was definitely worth it as this series is not only engaging, but an excellent portrayal of major events to occur throughout the ages. (Some books in the series are now available at Kobo for ereaders, but I’m not keen on the prices as yet – same or more than the book!)

As the series has progressed, the time period for each book as become shorter. The Fallen Kings covers 1919 only, the last year of World War I. The book covers the war from the British perspective (both the air force and the army), as well as the roles women played (FANYs, nurses and other work). It also covers the fall of the Russian tsar, Spanish‘flu, votes for women and the immediate aftermath of the war.

I don’t want to give away the character developments to anyone reading the series around this time period, but as is usual with the Morlands, there is tragedy as well as some happy plot developments.

If you’re interested in English history, I highly recommend the Morland Dynasty series. Great stories tied in with real history.

9 out of 10.

You can find out more about the Morlands at Cynthia Harrod-Eagles’ website.

One Day by David Nicholls

One Day has plagued me throughout my holiday. It was released with little fanfare here in Australia (I think around Christmas time) and I didn’t take much notice of it. But when I was on holiday, it was everywhere. And I mean everywhere – every bookstore I visited (Kinokuniya, Borders, Prologue, Times, Harris, Popular, Relay…okay, so I visited them all…several times) had this book displayed prominently. I picked it up many times and put it down every time. Why? I don’t know. I was tossing up between it and Helen Dunmore’s The Betrayal and came home with The Betrayal. When I got home, I looked up this book on the internet. It appeared that it was taking the UK ‘by storm’. Reviews however, were divided. It seemed to be a love it or hate it type of book. No ebook in sight, I purchased the book.

I am so glad that I did. I really enjoyed this book. It’s light and easy to read and the pages and hours just fly by.

The premise of One Day is simple – 20 years of two characters. We visit them on St Swithin’s Day from the 1980s to the 2000s. Emma and Dexter (who will soon become Em and Dex to the reader – yes, you become that familiar with them) meet at a university graduation party. The next day, Dexter leaves for a world trip and Emma stays in Edinburgh. So what will happen over the next 20 years? Of course there’s some things you expect – love, work and family and some that I certainly didn’t.

Dexter is lazy but loveable. Emma is sensible and cautious – so why don’t either of them get what they deserve?

I found the one day every 20 years thing ingenious – the characters do talk perhaps a little unrealistically in catching the reader up over the previous year, but it’s interesting and becomes even more so as the book goes on. There’s a lot of emotion carried through this book – from sadness to hatred and love but I found it well done. It’s one of those books that had me reading late into the night.

Read it if: you enjoy light, relationship driven novels that don’t fit the chick lit mould.

9.5 out of 10.

Mini Reviews: February 2010

More mini reviews from prior to the birth of this blog…short but sweet!

First Among Sequels: A Thursday Next Novel by Jasper Fforde

Starts off a bit slow (a refresher of Thursday’s worlds- the Outland and the Book World) but certainly picks up pace soon after. With carpets, cheese and many Thursdays, this book is set later than the other books in the series. It’s hard to believe that Thursday is in her fifties! Nevertheless, this still packs a punch and I really wish the next book was published. 8 out of 10.

Really Angelic: Pride and Prejudice with a steamy paranormal twist… by Enid Wilson

I reviewed this as part of the Goodreads Early Reviewer programme.
This is definitely not for Austen purists nor for the prudish as there are a lot of liberties taken. There’s significant changes to the plot (of course) and a lot of sex. It’s simple and fun though, leave your inhibitions behind and enjoy the ride. 7 out of 10.

Girls like funny boys by Dave Franklin

This review was written for LibraryThing Early Reviewers.

This is an odd book- the contents don’t match the blurb on the back. It’s not so much about Johnny growing up, going to uni, but rather him in his late thirties, making a hash of it all. There’s some teenage angst and romance, blokey moments and some serious action.

The narrative tends to jump around a bit from situation to situation and different times. I liked the character of Jen, the Gladiator the best- she was hilarious. The book is well written, but I would have like to see less plot lines and time periods.

Thanks to Library Thing for offering me the opportunity to read this through the Early Reviewers programme. 6.5 out of 10.

Or Is That Just Me? by Richard Hammond

A short and fast read, but interesting collection of tales as Richard Hammond is dragged kicking and screaming towards 40. Not as much Top Gear info as I would have liked (but I like my Top Gear in huge doses) but some funny stories. The UK edition I bought had stickers to ‘poke fun at the short bloke from Top Gear’- Richard, you’re not that bad! Really. 8 out of 10.

The Gift by Cecelia Ahern

This is a cute book. Maybe some will find it’s trying to teach you a lesson (ie. value those around you), but I didn’t find that (perhaps I’m getting soft in my old age). I was kept guessing be the ending, but I wonder why there are always deaths in books by this author (cf P.S. I Love You)? There is also a little bit of suspension of reality in order for the main character, Lou, to learn his lesson.
Please don’t read this as a happy Christmas book, because although you may be more inclined to listen to your great aunt’s trips down memory lane, it may not put you in the happiest festive spirit… 8 out of 10.

Sesame Street: A Celebration of 40 Years of Life on the Street… by Louise A. Gikow

What a lovely book. Not for children, but a lavish tale with gorgeous pictures of the history of Sesame Street and where it is today. I didn’t realise half the things they did!
A great trip down memory lane- Teeny Little Super Guy, Muppets and all my favourite characters. 9.5 out of 10.

A Song in the Daylight by Paullina Simons

Ugh. What a terrible book. The plot is unoriginal, the book is about 300 pages too long, the characters unlikeable and a pathetic ending.
This is not the Paullina Simons of The Bronze Horseman; had this work been submitted by another author, I think it would have undergone severe editing rather than a rush print to meet the Christmas rush.
Larissa, the main character, is boring and can’t make up her mind. She’s a whiner, whingy who would just like someone to decide for her even though she cloaks herself in many, many (exceptionally boring) philosophical conversations. The only character I liked was the cuckolded husband, who actually learned something from the whole thing.
The author’s knowledge of Australia is rather pathetic too- ’Western Territories’? Look at a map of Australia and you’ll see Western Australia is a state, and no, camel is not the main form of transport. I wonder if she’s actually been to Jindabyne?
And just wondering about the constant brand dropping (Jag, Escada etc)- any bonus in that?
Don’t read this. It’s a shocker. 3 out of 10.

Saving CeeCee Honeycutt by Beth Hoffman

I was given this book for Christmas as part of LibraryThing’s SantaThing (secret Santa book giving). Thank you kismoody, who recommended this book based on my library.

CeeCee (or Cecelia) is a young girl with a tragic past. It’s 1960s America, and her mother is suffering from an unspecified mental illness, causing her to believe she’s still the 1951 Vidalia Onion Queen and wander the town aimlessly in tiara, gown and sash. While her mother is the talk of the town, her father copes by leaving town regularly as part of his job as a travelling salesman. When CeeCee’s mother is tragically killed in an accident involving an ice cream truck, her Great Aunt Tootie appears on the scene to give CeeCee something she’s never known – a normal life in Savannah. CeeCee learns what it’s like to be loved – by Oletta, Tootie’s cook and housekeeper, Miz Goodpepper, her neighbour, Mrs Odell, her former neighbour and Aunt Tootie. Through many mishaps and events involving slugs and the sea, CeeCee learns that she is secure.

Yes, you can tell from the above that it’s a sweet book. Sometimes I’m not sure if this book is aimed at young adult readers (a masked man and a lady in a negligee are dealt with very innocently) or it’s just being told faithfully through CeeCee’s eyes. This book is a light, quick read. It’s nowhere near as deep as The Help, but nor does it try to be. It features some great descriptions of the houses of Savannah and gardens. Just enjoy the ride and smile at the end.

Read this if: you like light Southern stories. 

7.5 out of 10.

Ellis Island by Kate Kerrigan

I had heard Ellis Island being mentioned as ‘being a book you’d like if you enjoyed [Colm Toibin’s] Brooklyn’. I really enjoyed Brooklyn, so I thought I’d read it. However, don’t trust what you hear- although this book has vague similarities to Brooklyn (namely Irish girl goes to America), that where the comparison stops. Firstly, Ellis Island is set earlier, during the War of Independence, so our main character Ellie, steps foot in New York in the 1920s. Secondly, Ellie is married with an injured husband to support.

I should backtrack to give you an overall idea of the plot – it quickly explains Ellie’s restricted upbringing in Ireland and her hasty (but loving) marriage to John, a boy she’s known since childhood. Her parents cast her out after hearing of her marriage (she was meant to be joining a convent) and Ellie and John live in a small cottege in the woods. Money is scarce and when John is wounded during the war, Ellie goes to America to work as a lady’s maid to save money for John’s operation. It will only be for one short year…or not. Ellie finds life in America to be free and cheerful in comparison to home. She makes good friends, earns good money and doesn’t want to come back to Ireland. She is eventually forced back by circumstances, but will she stay?

I found Ellie a very likeable character who desperately wants to fit in with her neighbours, but is not sure how to go about doing it. I found John to be rather frustrating at times (particularly later in the book) but his reasoning for being so stubborn is understandable. The story flows well, and I didn’t find myself skimming over any parts. I think it’s a light and interesting representation of the Irish and American people at that time.

I finished this book very quickly, as I was reading almost every moment that I had. I’m also excited to hear that there’s a sequel in the works – is Ellie happy with her decision?

If you enjoy historical novels dealing with love, family, religion and happiness, pick this book up. It’s a lot happier than Brooklyn and has a definite resolution.

Read this if: you enjoy Irish/American historical fiction. 

9 out of 10.

Achievements in April

April was a better month for reading for me, even though I wasn’t on holidays any longer! There were a few public holidays (Easter, Anzac Day) which helped to bolster my book total for the month – eight books, not bad. I had a good mix of fiction and non-fiction too, with an ebook thrown in for good measure (Kobo, you really, really need to have a sale. My wishlist is getting very long!)

How am I going with my challenges? For some I have a lot of progress to make and we’re already a third of the way through the year!

2011 Aussie Author Challenge

My challenge: Tourist level (3 books by 3 different authors)

I’ve already completed this challenge (back in February), but I didn’t read any Aussie authors this much. Very bad. Need to improve, especially as I had a long conversation with one of my patients regarding Bryce Courtenay’s books and how good they are!

Haruki Murakami Reading Challenge 2011

My challenge: Hajime (one book)

The Elephant Vanishes and Sputnik Sweetheart  are on my bookshelf now. I’m waiting for the Murakami mood to hit me. I’m feeling like reading very realistic books at the moment.

The Sense and Sensibility Bicentenary Challenge 2011

My challenge: Neophyte (read the original)

No progress as yet. Michael Palin’s Halfway to Hollywood is taking me a while to read to/from work.

Historical Fiction Challenge 2011

My challenge: Struggling the Addiction (10 books).

I had only two books to go on this challenge.  In April, I read:

• The Siege by Helen Dunmore (ebook)
• The Betrayal by Helen Dunmore

So now complete! I’m still going to track my progress though.

 2011 Reading From My Shelves Project

My challenge: 20 paper books (am excluding ebooks).

23 paper books! I’ve passed my target, although I’m quite sure that I’ve bought 20-odd books this year!

My reads were a mixed bag this month, so I don’t feel that I can really single one out for the title of ‘best’ read. I do highly recommend The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot for a non-fiction read. I enjoyed all my books, so no disappointing reads for me.

Thanks to everyone who stopped by, I had a busy month which I’m tickled pink with! A lot of you wanted to look at my holiday pictures or read about Bill Bryson’s At Home (also a popular search term).

I think a lot of you are excited about the next book in The Carrie Diaries, seeing as it was a popular search term this month. Despite my previous reservations, I’m going to read it. I want to know how Carrie met Miranda and Samantha.

Some of the odd search terms that came up in April were:

• finger turning pages (instructions for?)
• historical fiction book measurements (is there a standard for this?)
• Ken Follett’s religion (you’d need to ask him)
• buku fiksi (Indonesian for fiction books)
• pretty literature (It’s all in the eye of the beholder)
• the book glory- girl with serious issues (Serious issues?)
• Jeremy Clarkson birthday (April 11)
• Does jeremy actually do the covers of the big book of top gear? (Well, there is a lot of explosions…)
• What book is Colleen Mccullough currently writing now as of 19th april 2011 (Again, ask her!)

How was your April? Read any great books?