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Heartstone (Matthew Shardlake 5)

More of the same in this excellent series, 2010-09-02
Heartstone continues the story of Matthew Shardlake and co, and weaves together at least 3 different strands of plot to reach a satisfying conclusion. There are no major departures from type to be fair but I like the fact that CJ Sansom has chosen once again to move the story out of London and in so doing can further describe the countryside, the town of Portsmouth, and the early days of the navy. There are some engaging characters to be met as well, some more integral to the plot than others, and to be fair some of them are a tad stereotypical, but maybe that's because the stereotypes are true. One thing that does grate though is the use of modern idiom such as "mad as a box of frogs". I know we don't want the dialogue to be all "yea verily" and the like but the use of such idiom does seem a bit incongruous. Of course someone will now tell me that the phrase was first coined in Tudor times in which case I withdraw my complaint.

But seriously, this will please fans of the series, and although new readers could start with this book they would be advised to start at book 1 to see how the relationships develop through the series as that does have some significance in this book.

The Girl Who Played with Fire

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Brilliant, 2010-08-24
Would highly recommend, even better than the first book (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo). Cannot wait to read the next installment.

The Help

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Hugely entertaining and thought provoking, 2010-09-03
This must rank as one of the very best novels i have ever had the good fortune to read.

I had my doubts in the first couple of pages as i thought the "southern" style USA dialect may be difficult to follow, but one soon picks it up and it reads easily thereafter.

The characters are believable and absorbing. The plot was lively and sufficiently varied to keep my interest throughout and, ultimately, i was left with a real feeling of satisfaction once the book had finished. In short, i can think of no criticism at all for a hugely enjoyable book.

It was the mix between the character's personalities i enjoyed most. In the two coloured domestic "helps" we have a great contrast between Aibileen's gentle, protective nature and the volatile, potentially explosive temper of Missy. Despite their differences they need and come to depend upon each other and i felt an enormous warmth for them both. Then in Miss Skeeter we see a lady at odds with her peers who finds the strenth and courage in her convictions to do what she thinks is right, no matter what the repercussions may be. As another review mentions, we also have one of the most diabolical "baddies" in the book that i have encountered for years.

As well as being entertaining it also raises thoughts about how we still treat each other today. It could do no harm for this to find itself on school carriculums in years to come.

Absolutely first class in every way.

Breaking Dawn (Twilight Saga)

breaking dawn :), 2010-08-30
Thank you amazon :) i bought this book from u because it was half the price
of anywhere else for this lovely hard back book:) arrived quickly ,very happy thankyou :)

Kitchen: Recipes from the Heart of the Home

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Much awaited New Nigella!, 2010-09-02
I'm giving a short review here, so you can have a real wow when you see it live.

Beautiful pictures of the dishes, many step by steps and plenty of Nigella herself too. There is a lot of writing in this book, so even when you are food reading (as opposed to actually cooking) there is plenty here. The recipes themselves are wide and varied, straight forward and easy to follow.

I am a huge fan of Nigella Lawson, and it is with so much anticipation that I've awaited this new book. It has been hailed as the real follow up to How to Eat, and as such for myself and other Nigella devotees there has been an awful lot of expectation attached to Kitchen. So does it match expectation and measure up? I'm really so pleased to say - yes it does! It's a happy feeling knowing there is a HUGE new Nigella book to read and cook from, and a TV series coming soon too. Very happy indeed.

A Journey

A series of worrying admissions from a once very powerful man., 2010-09-03
It was 0830 on 1 September 2010 as I walked past a large London bookshop. The window display comprised 2 books - one of which was this much awaited Blair Memoirs. Mine was the first copy sold. Whilst political insiders will doubtless find much over which to raise their eyebrows, my own surprises were over his relationship with his immediate successor Gordon Brown. Don't you just hate it when people say "THEY KNEW" that such and such was going to happen but did nothing to prevent it from happening when they had the power to make a difference. In this work, Blair actually claims to have known Brown would be an awful Prime Minister. Well, we can all say that - after the event. More importantly, he also admits that he failed to sack Brown for fear of creating problems for the Labour Party and accelerating Brown's succession to Number Ten! I found this difficult to digest.

This is neither a pro nor anti-Blair review, it is based on his book and his revelations. A couple of years before standing down in the most diabolical fashion ever!, Blair stated he would reduce immigration to the United Kingdom to a certain figure by the September of that year. Eventually, however, nothing happened because he was unable to make any difference whatsoever. Now ask yourself this; If the Prime Minister is unable to change things, who can? Because of his disclosures in this book, for the very first time I have begun to see Blair as a weakling. Here is a man who admits to crying because a soldier was killed in Iraq. Well what did he expect? Here is a man who would not remove or even demote Gordon Brown for "FEAR" of the consequences. Not a strong man then! Here is a man who admits to having turned to drink because of the pressures of the job. Definitely not! Altogether, I began to feel so disappointed in this man, it came as something of a betrayal. Perhaps we were all fooled to some extent by the young, pretty boy, self assured image - although it is an image that has now also caught on in other parties!

The memoirs commences with the revelation (for those who did not know!) that, as he entered No 10 for the first time as Prime Minister, he had not previously held any government post whatsoever - not even a junior post. From there he went on to change the face of British politics, change the face of the Labour Party and introduce several American-style techniques by employing spin-doctors to provide the most positive gloss onto anything that might be perceived as unsavoury. It really is a candid and revealing exposé of the man in charge for all those years and for that he must be applauded.

Only now, however - some two years after stepping down, do we read this personal account of those years only to learn it appears he became a victim of his own spin. In so doing he leaves a lingering question over whether or not he was ever completely suited to the job. This book has changed my perception of so many aspects of British political life in general and Tony Blair in particular. No longer will I blame Gordon Brown for the financial mess in which the UK finds itself at this time. Why? Because it is abundantly clear from this book that Brown should never have been Chancellor and the only person able to remove him from that post had become frightened of replacing him.

My own political inclinations are simple; I subscribe to the view that one must vote for the party who will best look after your own personal interests. Having read this book, my personal assessment of Tony Blair - as a person, is reduced to the minimum ONE star rating. That said, the book itself is easily a FIVE star product and, therefore, well worth reading.

NM

The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

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amazing, 2010-08-31
just finished the 3rd book and iv got to say this is the best book i have read thank you amazon xxx

I Shall Wear Midnight

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Pratchett magic!, 2010-09-02
Sir Terry may not be a wizard (except with words) but he'd make a VERY good witch. He already has the hat...I SHALL WEAR MIDNIGHT features Tiffany Aching, witch of the Chalk, and I read it in one sitting. It's beyond terrific. It is brilliant. It shines. It made me laugh (You, the white kitten now more snobbish than a duchess) and it made me get wet-eyed. Tiffany is one day going to be the greatest of the Discworld witches. And Sir Terry has done it again. One question -- where can I get a golden hare?

The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets' Nest

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Girl who kicked the hornets' nest, 2010-08-31
Easy to see why this is best seller. Read the whole trilogy on holiday. Want to see the films now