Category Archives: Uncategorized

There are a handful of classics which I love, which I have been too scared to review so far; What on earth have I got to contribute to the thousands of reviews/ critiques which already exist about Austen, Orwell, or Tolkien. But when I find myself in a conversation about book recommendations, what I actuallyContinue reading “Book Review: Animal Farm, by George Orwell”

Handful of personal details Age: 30 Occupation/ hobbies: software engineer & gaming Would you describe yourself as ‘a reader’?: No Favourite Genre: fantasy Favourite book/ books/ authors: Terry Pratchett, Dune & Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy. Favourite childhood book: Bill Bryson: A Short History of Nearly Everything Length of To-Be-Read Pile: 10 audiobooks and 1Continue reading “Ask The Reader: Alexei”

This may be one of the more personal posts that I have written, so please do bear with me while I explain exactly which spots this particular memoir has hit with a resounding bulls-eye. I picked this book up yesterday evening as something to read casually before sleep; I plopped up the stairs dragging myContinue reading “Book Review: This Is Going To Hurt, by Adam Kay”

Section 1. a) What was the last book that you read? Blood Queen. It’s the story of Lady Macbeth and her rival Lady Sybil. Both of their sons have a claim to the Scottish throne in the 1100’s. the book is about each mothers fight to see their sons crowned. b) What led you toContinue reading “Ask The Reader: Jo”

Personal Details Age: 29 Occupation/ hobbies: Software Development Manager, photography, crochet, walking Would you describe yourself as ‘a reader’?: Lapsed Favourite Genre: Fantasy Favourite book/ books/ authors: Trudi Canavan & Brandon Sanderson (especially Elantris) Favourite childhood book: Northern Lights and Harry Potter Length of To-Be-Read Pile: Approx. 10 Section One a) What was the lastContinue reading “Ask The Reader: Katie”

I was fortunate enough to read The Hunger Games before I watched the films – I remember seeing the trailers and hearing people talk about it, but the chatter that surrounded the films coming out really did not do The Hunger Games justice for me. While I realise that ‘The movie wasn’t as good asContinue reading “The Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins”

Personal Details Age: 25 Occupation/ hobbies: Cardiac nurse, hanging out with my dog, recently gardening Would you describe yourself as ‘a reader’?:  Absolutely not Favourite Genre: If factual-morbid-career type books is a genre, then that one! The challenge is finding an author who knows a specialist topic and can write well too – harder toContinue reading “Ask The Reader: Laura”

The Queen’s Fool is one of my favourite Phillipa Gregory books (I have quite a few favourites of hers actually), set after the death of Henry VIII it follows the succession dramas that unfold when childless king Edward VI dies and his two sisters Mary and Elizabeth must fight to be recognised as his heirs.Continue reading “Book Review: The Queen’s Fool, by Phillipa Gregory”

This book has been sat on my bookshelf for so long that I am no longer entirely clear how it got there. All I know is that it has survived many purges of the bookshelves over the years with the premise that when I do read it, I’m sure it’s going to be good. ThisContinue reading “Book Review: A Thousand Splendid Suns, by Khaled Hosseini”