July 2009

31 July

Coraline by Neil Gaiman

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is one I'm going to enjoy reading to my nephews and niece!







Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I enjoyed the third book in the Harry Potter series, particularly how the plot unfolded towards the end where we learned something of Harry's father and his past.







Omnibus: Bloodlust / Initiation by Alex Duval

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Another high school vampire romance with a male viewpoint character. I enjoyed this and will be on the lookout for Ritual & Legacy.







Vacations from Hell by Libba Bray

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Five short stories by popular YA writers. There wasn't a bad short story among them! A thoroughly good read.







The Mammoth Book of Paranormal Romance by Trisha Telep

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

24 short stories written by the popular paranormal/romance writers today.My favourite stories were Night Vision by Maria V. Snyder, Pack by Jeaniene Frost, The Wager by Sherrilyn Kenyon (had me in stitches), and In Sheep's Clothing by Meljean Brook.





The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Carrie Ryan's take on zombies is refreshing and scary. You definitely do not want to mess with them! That was the best thing I liked about the book.

The atmosphere and setting reminded me of M. Night Shyamalan's The Village.

The heroine of the story procrastinated quite a bit and there were a lot of plot threads that weren't tied up at the end which was a bit disappointing.

However, it's well worth reading for the portrayal of the zombies alone and for becoming immersed in the setting.

Marked by P.C. Cast


Vampyre meets Wicca. Another different take on the vampire genre written by PC Cast and her daughter Kristen Cast.








19 July

The Unburied by Charles Palliser

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Two crimes set about four hundred years apart, an ancient text, and a haunted cathedral.








The Book Thief by Markus Zusak


My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I don't normally read literary fiction but I'd heard good things about this, so I dove in.

I wasn't disappointed. The narrator took a bit of getting used to, but was really the only choice to depict scenes from the first and second world wars.

A tragic story set in Nazi Germany during the Second World War. It really couldn't be a happy story, but there were some beautiful, uplifting moments.


A Novena for Murder by Sister Carol Anne O'Marie


My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A crime story with a difference - the 'detective' is a retired nun.








Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secrets by J.K. Rowling


I enjoyed it, and I particularly liked the children's and the teacher's letters at the end. The Harry Potter series made a huge impact on people's lives.







7 July

The Morning Gift by Eva Ibbotson

rating: 2 of 5 stars
As a story about exile and what it was like to be a refugee in England during the Second World War, this was a terrific read and full of atmosphere.

As a love story, however, it didn't work for me.







A Christmas Visitor by Anne Perry

rating: 5 of 5 stars

The second in the Christmas Stories series.

Again, a good read as we follow the main character, Henry Rathbone this time, as he investigates the death of a friend.

A very poignant and moving read.




Stolen by Vivian Vande Velde

rating: 4 of 5 stars
Full of atmosphere, suspense, magic, plot twists.

Well worth reading!






Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by J.K. Rowling

rating: 4 of 5 stars

I'm late to the Harry Potter series but I'm determined to read them in order.

I enjoyed this first book in the series, and I can see why it was such a hit with youngsters!