Suzanne Collins - 'The Hunger Games'

For me reading this book was a bit of a have to read it not a want to read it. My 11-year-old daughter had it recommend to her at school last week by her classroom teacher and the deputy principal. I was horrified. I had seen the movie preview (which has a M rating in Australia) and had already decided I didn't want to watch the movie or read the book because I thought it looked too scary! Admittedly, at that point I hadn't realised it was aimed at a teenage audience. My daughter of course wanted to read it and she knows with these sorts of books she has to check first. I need to say here, that I love my daughters' school and this particular teacher is fabulous! However I think he made a error in promoting this particular book to a class of students that age. After reading, it wasn't as inappropriate as I thought it was going to be, but nothing takes away the fact that the story is about children being sent out to kill other children as entertainment for other people. I did decide to let Erin read it, but I am still not terribly comfortable with the decision and I am going to go speak to the teacher about it.

Now that bit is out of the way, I admit that, as an adult, I loved the book! Once again unputdownable (sorry to anyone who doesn't like this word). But I literally sat and read it in two sittings in the one day. The story is simply written and is fast paced. It is a little predictable, but I don't think it would have been as good if the story had gone another way.

The Hunger Games is a reality TV show where each district is forced to choose one boy and one girl between the ages of 12 and 18 to compete. The contestants are chosen by a ballot and are then paraded as part of the lead up to the show. Once placed into the arena it is a fight to the death and the audience expects it to provide entertainment. Katniss Everdeen steps forward to compete rather then let her sister die. It is a battle of survival where food, shelter and weapons are all currency and the way to get ahead is by pleasing the audience, but at the end of the day there can only be one winner.

I recommend this book for teenagers or adults who enjoy action books and who can separate the themes from the fact it is supposed to be about children. I am still not convinced it is a book for younger children thematically, even though stylistically written at a style and pace that is appropriate.

Kathryn Stockett - 'The Help'

I saw the movie of this book last year sometime (or possibly even the year before? Whenever it was at the movies anyway), and then this was my bookclub's book for this month.

I found this book 'unputdownable'. Even having seen the movie, albeit a little while ago, and having a pretty good idea of what was going to happen, I found the book and engrossing, but easy to follow story.

Set in Mississippi in 1962, it follows an unlikely friendship between a young white woman, "Miss" Skeeter, who is home from college attempting a career in journalism and Aibileen and Minny, two older black maids who work for two of Skeeter's childhood friends. At a time where legalised racism is expected, but the civil rights movement is gathering force, these women combine to make a difference in their own way.

The cast characters includes the bossy "Miss" Hilly Holbrook, the insecure "Miss" Elizabeth Leefolt, "Miss" Celia Foote who just can't quite understand the rules and Skeeter's mother who just can't understand why her daughter won't conform and won't explain what happened to Constantine, the beloved maid who had raised Skeeter. Hilarious in some parts, horrifying in others and with many touching moments this book looks at the lives of ordinary people of the time.

Reactions during the bookclub were varied. I have done a reasonable amount of reason on the broader topic and while I found the story touching and it a great novel, it didn't really raise any issues with me that I hadn't already considered. Other members however found it very confrontational especially considering it was set in the mid-twentieth century. Definitely a book worth reading.

Randa Abdel-Fattah - 'Does my head look big in this?'

I saw this book on the shelf at a bookshop a few years ago and thought it would be good for my girls to read. They go to school in a very multicultural school and a number of girls were headscarves. My knowledge of Muslim culture is sadly lacking and I thought this book might help with that. Anyway when I saw it on sale online I snapped it up and I am glad I did!

The book is narrated by "Amal Abdel-Hakim, a sixteen-year-old Australian-Palestinian-Muslim still getting to grips with [her] various identity hyphens". Amal makes the decision that she wants to wear a hijib full time. If this wasn't a big enough decision, the story is also set in the year following September 11, so anti-Muslim sentiment is rife. It is important to note though that this isn't a key point of the story. It comes up in passing as part of natural storyline, but the focus is really on what it is like to be a teenager becoming your own person. For Amal wearing a hijib is part of this journey.

Amal's friends also have their own problems.You also get to see different perceptions of what it means to be an Australian Muslim. From one family who's primary aim is to be as "true blue Aussie" as they come to a friend is super smart but has a mother who thinks she should be getting married. Amal's school friends have their own issues too. Including the all important boyfriend issue.

I really enjoyed this book. It was an easy read and perfect for teenagers (who are the target audience). My 12 year old has started it and is enjoying it too (much to her amazement). Definitely recommended to anyone who wants to learn a bit more about Islamic culture, for any girl who may be coming to terms with her own religious identity especially if it comes with dressing or acting a bit differently and really any one who has ever had to work out who they are how they fit it.

Sophie Kinsella - 'I've Got Your Number'

I was waiting and waiting for this book to come out! Then I had to wait for my birthday (the girls were going to get it for me) and then we had to try four different shops!

I am happy to say it was worth it! Sophie Kinsella is just one of those authors where every book is better then the last. (Ok the exception here is 'Can You Keep a Secret?' which is still my favourite, but other then that).

Poppy Wyatt is a bride-to-be who just happens to lose her engagement ring. If this is not bad enough, it is only a week until the wedding. It was a family heirloom and she is already incredibly intimidated by her fiance's academically over-achieving family. Oops. Then to make matters even worse, she loses her phone on the same day. Fate intervenes however when she finds an abandoned telephone in a rubbish bin, meaning she has a number to give to the hotel staff, the police and anyone else who needs it.

Sam Roxton however is less impressed by fate. It is his phone Poppy has acquired and he would like it back. When Poppy begins to "help" in his personal and professional life he is even less impressed.

A twist to this book is that there are ongoing footnotes which "are for things which aren't your main concern but nevertheless hold some interest"* and they definitely add to the fun of the story. That said, as with all good footnotes, the story is perfectly readable without them. If you happen to reading this story electronically there may be a trick to reading them. I am not sure what this is, this is just from comments I have read by others on facebook.

A colourful cast, bizarre situations and lighthearted fun. Highly recommended to any lover of chick lit.

*quote from page 11. This should be a footnote, but I don't know how to do them on here!

Bernard Cornwell - 'Enemy of God'

This is the sequel to 'The Winter King' and the second book in Bernard Cornwell's Warlord Chronicles.

Once again, it is an Arthurian story based around more historically accurate medieval times rather then the romanticised Arthurian legends so many of us love. This version is told from the point of view of Derfel, a former pagan warrior turned monk, who is transcribing the stories for Igraine the current Queen of Powys some years after they occur.

Mordred, Urther's legitimate son, is not yet on the throne and Arthur, the War Lord, is battling against the Saxons to help keep Britain safe. Merlin is on a quest to find the sacred Treasures of Britain where dangers are of the spirit world as well as the physical one. Trouble is always there though and the tensions between the new Christians and the older pagan faiths are on the rise. This is particularly enhanced when new gods for far away lands are also introduced. The crown is not safe despite Arthur's best efforts and loyalties are torn.

A worthy sequel to the first book. I would recommend reading them in order though. For anyone who likes a medieval adventure or any Arthurian enthusiast who would enjoy a very different view point.

Traci Harding - 'Being of the Field'

I read Traci Harding's first book 'The Ancient Future' when I was 17. It was my introduction to historical fantasy and it immediately became one of my favourite books. Since then I have read all of her others (except two) and some I love, some I haven't thought were as good.

'Being of the Field' is the first book in her most recent triad* and it was published in 2009. I have only just got around to reading it despite the fact it was originally lent to me a couple of years ago. Not that I have had it since then! It sat at my place for a while, then I gave it back and ended up buying my own copy a few weeks ago. The reason for this lack of motivation to read it was that this book, like some of Traci Harding's other books is most firmly in the science fiction genre. Science fiction is just not my favourite genre. In fact, I think they only ones I own are other books of Traci Harding's which finish off trilogies.

I shouldn't have waited! Once I finally picked up the book and began reading it,  I was unable to put it down. The thing about waiting is I know where I can borrow the second book and the third one is due for release any day now. Sometimes waiting is a good thing.

Dr Taren Lennox is a comparative youngster at 50 years of age and yet her research into is being carefully followed by a number of people from a number of organisations for reasons Taren has no idea about. Her personal life is a mystery and she is careful to keep most people at a distance in order to protect herself and her "Powers". However, Taren is overjoyed when she is invited to join a prestigious space project thinking it is an opportunity for her to extend her work. Instead she discovers colleagues who quickly become friends, danger and a whole new world.

Definitely recommended for any Traci Harding fan and for anyone who likes science fiction. This book is "very Traci Harding" with all the characteristics that this entails.

*If anyone knows the difference between a triad and a trilogy please feel free to enlighten me!

Sophie Kinsella - 'Remember Me?'

I have read this book lots of times before. But I am home sick with something poxy (literally) and it is the perfect time for re-reading, and for chick lit. Plus my mum has got the new Sophie Kinsella for me for my birthday (but I haven't got it yet) so I am enjoying re-reading old ones in in anticipation.

It is 2005 and Lexi Smart is a 25 year old with a life where everything is not quite right. Bad teeth,  a funeral to go to and a love life and professional life that could do with some improvement. Then Lexi wakes up and it is suddenly 2007. Lexi is now 28, gorgeous, boss of her department and married (to a millionare no less). Unfortunately Lexi has no idea how she got between these two worlds or how she is going to maintain her new persona when she still feels like a bumbling 25 year old. Worse, as she discovers more about her new life she is not sure it is the life she wants to be living.

Funny. Warm. Addictive. I love Sophie Kinsella and this book is great. If you want a book that is going to change the world, this is probably not for you. But if you want a book that will make you smile and take you to a happy place I highly recommend picking up this book.

Matthew Reilly - 'Temple'

As you can see I am still in the process of reading all the Matthew Reilly books I have inherited!

'Temple' has the interesting twist of being two adventure stories in one. William Race is a linguist professor who finds himself called upon to help the US Army translate an 1500's Spanish text. In doing so he finds himself following the story of a Spanish monk and his adventures with the Incan people. He also finds himself embroiled all to closely with the modern day Nazi movement. Both stories connect in some totally unexpected ways.

Fast paced and action filled. The story includes the most up-to-date modern warfare technology and ancient mysteries and supposedly mythical beasts. Throw in a couple of gorgeous girls, spies and some unexpected twists and this story is everything I have quickly come to love from a Matthew Reilly book.

Catherine Alliott - 'The Real Thing'

I picked up my first Catherine Alliott book because there was a line on the front from Marian Keyes saying "one of my favourite authors". I figured I loved Marian Keyes and if this is what she reads it must be good. I was right.

I have read 'The Real Thing' a number of times before and it was the perfect book for me to read after reading so many new, fairly in-depth books. Tess is 30 married to a moderately successful barrister and has two small children, a career-woman sister, overbearing vicar father, slightly eccentric mother, reformed sex-addict cousin and a long lost first love of her life who suddenly comes back into the picture. A family holiday brings a whole heap of issues to life making Tess question whether the life she is living is the life she really wants? And makes her wonder what happened to the hopes and dreams she harboured when she was young. What follows is a journey of family, humour, temptation, betrayal and the quest for happily ever after.

Catherine Alliot's books are romantic, slightly satirical and very humorous. A lovely light read that leaves you with a happy feeling afterwards.

Bernard Cornwell - 'The Winter King'

A friend gave me the 'Warlord Chronicles Trilogy' for my birthday remembering I said I like Arthurian stories. This book is the first of the three.

This Arthurian story is a combination between legend and history. No elegant knights on quests to rescue fair maidens. Instead it is a tale of medieval battles, magic, superstitions, torture, rape, pillage and slaughter. The story is told from the perspective of Derfel Cadarn many years after the events. He is retelling the saga to Igraine, Queen of Powys, while he is a brother in a monestry. However, at the time of the main event he was a boy who was the ward of Merlin and later a soldier who fought at Arthur's side.

Arthur in this version is a warlord. The bastard son of Uthur and protector of Mordred a infant heir with a disability. It is a time of war. Saxon armies are ready and waiting to invade. There is in-fighting amongst the local kings. There is the conflict between the old religions and the new Christians. Morgan, Lancelot, Galahad and Guinevere are all part of this story, just not necessarily in the persona that is expected.

A not-so-romantic version of an old  tale that is very worth reading for anyone who likes medieval history and Arthurian re-tellings.

Nicola Thorne - 'In Time of War'

I told you I had been on a bit of a Nicola Thorne bender! Actually it felt like more at the time, but I think in reality it was only three.

This book is the final volume of 'People of the Parish' series. Once again, I haven't read all the books in the series, but I have read two of the earlier books. There are six in total.

The complete story follows the lives of the Woodville family and other associated families in their area over three generations. This chapter of the saga begins in 1939 just as World War II is breaking. Alexander Martyn marries Irene who almost immediately rushes back to Germany in the hope of saving a friend. As a German Jew, Germany is not a safe place to be, even if you are a British citizen by marriage. Meanwhile other family members are located in the country home, London and even Italy and the war affects them all in different ways.

Once again, a typical Nicola Thorne book of this era. I think it was probably a good end to the series, but wasn't one of my favourites of her books. I will have to re-read some of my favourites and blog about those, because I do not think the ones I have done so far have done her books or my love of them justice!

Matthew Reilly - 'Contest'

This is the first book Matthew Reilly wrote and it was the one he initially self-published. According to what I read on the Internet today, it is also the only one he has written with a science fiction element to it (and this may very possibly be inaccurate now).

Dr Stephen Swain finds himself involuntarily a contestant in an alien competition set in a labyrinth inside the New York State Library. Seven contestants from around the universe enter the library and the competition and only one will come out alive. To make matters even worse, his daughter Holly is also drawn into the competition with him. It is a competition where you must kill or be killed, the fight is to the finish and the alien knowledge of the event and of combat surpasses anything Swain has contemplated.

Science fiction is not normally a genre I would pick to read. However, this book is also most definitely an adventure book and contains all the face-paced action you would expect from Matthew Reilly. I think it will turn into one of my favourite from this author!

Nicola Thorne - 'The Water's Edge'

I have collected Nicola Thorne books for a number of years. I went to the discard book shop the other day at our State Library and added another few to my collection! So stay tuned for a few reviews coming up.

'The Water's Edge' is the third in a series and I haven't read the first two. Because of this, some of the background was missing when I read this book, but it was still a nice read. Set in the 1920's this book contains all the key elements of that era: independent woman, class consciousness (although it is beginning to be broken) and unmarried women due to a generation of lost men. It also contains a lot of the typical Nicola Thorne elements: it is part of a saga, half-siblings, illegitimate children, romantic affairs and the breaking of class boundaries, along with the unsurprising side-effects.

It was a nice story. Not my favourite one, but I generally love her books. I think I will have to re-read it in chronological order when I find the first two books!

Philippa Gregory - 'Virgin Earth'

So for those of you who read my last post, 'Virgin Earth' is the sequel to 'Earthly Joy'. Very conveniently both of the books were on sale cheaply when I bought the first one for bookclub so naturally I had to buy/read the second one too. As much as I enjoyed the first book, I think I like the second one better. 'Virgin Earth' looks at the journey of John Tradescant the Younger (aka as J in the first book). He travels to America. Specifically to Virginia in it its early days as a Royalist colony. John falls in love with the native people and the plants in the colonies while of course still loving what he had left behind in England. This book explores the barbaric nature of the treatment of indigenous inhabitants, slavery, conflicting loyalty, idealism, family and the English Civil war. I have realised how limited my knowledge is of this era! Time to do some non-fiction reading too I think. Not that the book isn't perfectly easy to follow without that background, but my curiousity has been sparked. I found in this book the characters less complex in this book, but that this meant some of the themes were are little more confrontational. I enjoyed the book and definitely recommend it to people who like 'meaty' historical fiction.

Philippa Gregory - 'Earthly Joy'

It was my job to pick the book for this week's month's bookclub book. I was given the genre of 'historical novel' which I am sure they thought would be easy for me with my background! For the record it is really hard to pick a book you haven't read before for a group (just in case you have not been in this position). Anyway, I picked Philippa Gregory as the auther and then asked a friend who I knew had read a lot of Philippa Gregory's books to recommend one for me and here we are! The novel is set in the 1600's when Elizabeth I is still on the throne. The central character is John Tradescant, a gardener who shares a strong bond with the lord he serves. Time does not stand still however, and as time goes on John's loyalty is tested. New monarchs, new masters, new family. Conflicting views and as time progresses John realises the things he thought were straight forward might not be. Initially, the other members of the bookclub were a bit dubious after reading the blub. None of them had read this type of book before. While we have not had our official meeting, the comments on facebook have been very positive! Based on this, I would recommend the book for those wishing to try the genre. Oh, and I enjoyed the book and I am halfway through the sequel!

Debbie Macomber - "The Shop on Blossom Street"

I don't remember where I got this book from, but the fact it is about knitting and women coming together over craft hit an nice note with me. It is something which women have been doing in one form or another for centuries and I think it is nice! Plus I knit teddies, which is not very relevant, but I do like to think it goes against the concept that only old people knit.

Lydia Hoffman fought cancer and won - twice. As part of her new lease on life, she opens a shop called 'A Good Yarn' and offers knitting classes. Her first class is made up of three very unlikely people. Jacqueline who is wants to knit a baby blanket to pretend she likes her daughter-in-law. Carol who is undergoing fertility treatment and wants to create herself a piece of love and luck and Alix who needs to clock up some community service hours! An unlikely group with different stories who come together and find their lives begin to overlap as friendships form.

A little predictable in parts, but a very nice light read. And we all need to believe in the little things.

Sally Stewart - "Echoes in the Square"

I picked this book up randomly from the kiosk at the train station when I realised I had forgotten to take a book in my work bag.

The cover has the blurb "Two families - one rick, one poor - in peace, in war". This does pretty much sum the book up! It is a fairly predictable book about two families who lives are intertwined. The upper class Marchant family who live in the house. The Rowland family who serves them. The snobby Marchant daughter compared to the gentle Rowland daughter who wins everyone's heart. And of course World War II being the great leveller.

While the book may have been a little predictable in parts there were interesting storylines. A nice book for people who like romance stories set in this era.

Matthew Reilly - 'Ice Station'

Once again, it took me a little while to get into this book, this might just be a genre thing for me, but after a few chapters I spent the rest of the book dying to find out what happened next.

Set in Antarctica, a team of US scientists have discovered something buried in ice that is millions of years old. The US clearly wants to keep this discovery quiet, but unfortunately they are not the only ones in Antarctica.

Danger, high speeds, quick thinking and lots of explosions characterise this novel. In a wilderness that looks quiet and serene, but is covering up a hazards at every turn - some existing naturally in Antarctica, but for Lieutenant Shane Schofield many of them are not.

I really enjoyed this book. Recommended for anyone who likes adventure stories. Just pay close attention to the characters and remember they all seem to have more then one name!

Philippa Gregory - 'Zelda's Cut'

Another contemporary novel by Philippa Gregory.

Isobel is a literary writer in her mid-fifties who is working hard to support an invalid husband. She values the type of writing she does, but unfortunately it doesn't pay well. So Isobel and her agent, Troy, create a new writer. 'Zelda' does not write for acclaim or to further the literary world. She writes about sex and desire and a darker side of life. She writes for money. However as Isobel finds her needs are clashing with her alter ego's a whole new series of problems arise. Add in the troubles associated with her husband and money her whole world changes in ways she never expected.

A story with double meaning and twists and turns that will keep you in suspense until the last page. Even the times you think you know what is going to happen and the times you do actually guess there is a twist that will take you down a whole different path.

Philippa Gregory - 'The Little House'

I am used to thinking of Philippa Gregory as writing historical novels. However, this novel is described on the cover of my edition as being a "chilling novel of contemporary suspense". An apt description.

The story is of two women, the mother-in-law and the wife, of the man who links the two and of a baby loved by them all. Covering issues such as post-natal depression, career v baby and the intricacies of some of the most complicated relationships you can have. The relationship between a mother and her son and between the mother and the woman who becomes his wife.

Set in the 1990's the story at times seems fantastical but with chilling echoes of real life. Games are played. Battles are won. As these two women attempt to co-exist in the life of one man.

An intriguing story.

Wendy Holden - 'The Wives of Bath'

Focusing primarily on two couples who meet during ante-natal classes this is a satirical novel looking at modern-day parenting. One couple features a 'eco-maniac' (for want of a better phrase) father and the other features a career woman who has a baby when she needs an convenient out from her job and deems herself "too posh to push". The themes of working parents, childcare issues, environmental issues, post-natal depression and the struggle to be the best parent possible. And of course the most important message of all: once you hit parenthood, nothing is what you expect.

Warning. Do not read this book if you are looking for anything in-depth or anything that is likely to add to your understanding of the world or if you are likely to be offended by a novel that makes fun of the world we live in. A lovely light read and very recommended if you are after something that might make you smile and at the very least will make you realise whatever you do "wrong" as a parent, you could be a lot worse!

Philippa Gregory - 'Fallen Skies'

When I first started this book, I thought it was like hundreds of other books of the same era. Just after WWI. Upper-class soldier returned home with an injury falls in love with a girl he sees performing in a show. While many of the common themes are present, the psychological aspect of a man who has seen the horrors of war is more deeply explored then in many of these books.

Stephen falls in love with Lily, hoping she can help him forget the horrors of a war he did not want to fight. Lily, however is in love with her career on the stage. Mrs Winters, Stephen's mother, is concerned about the impression Lily would make on her well ordered upper-class life. Mr Winters is an invalid since the death of his first-born son.

This is a story about many different types of love. It is about the clash of worlds. It is about the aftermath of a the war that took a generation and scarred those who survived it.

After I was about a third of the way through this book, I could not put it down. The first bit was readable, but then it became enthralling. Highly recommended to anyone who likes books about the post-WWI era.

Elizabeth Noble - 'The Reading Group'

I came across Elizabeth Noble just browsing through the chick lit section at a second hand bookshop. I loved the first one I read and I have actively sought out more. 'The Reading Group' did not disappoint. And as I am about to go to my first book club meeting this afternoon I think that aspect of it added a little bit of extra charm for me!

The book is centred around five women who come together to form a book club. The book that they read each months is listed at the beginning of each "month" along with a brief synopsis. I personally am a little inspired to go and read those books now!

While the women are all members of the book club, this is not the focus of the novel. Their respective opinion of each book are briefly discussed. The focus of the book are the women. Two in unhappy marriages - unhappy for very different reasons. One a single mother of older children who may have found true love. The other two facing their own problems of a very different kind.

A lovely novel about friendship, love, books and reminding you that not everything is as it seems.

Lois Lowry - 'Anastasia At This Address'

After reading 'Anastasia Absolutely', I just had to re-read at least one more of the Anastasia books! This one I had read before.

Anastasia decides to renounce "chasing boys" at the same time as she decides to answer an advertisement from a personal column. Clearly Single White Male (SWM) doesn't know Anastasia is a 13 year old. Anastasia, being Anastasia, is of course very careful to not lie to SWM. But will true compatibility conquer the age gap? In amongst all that Anastasia has to deal with the every day events and life of being a teen aged girl. All done in a very funny way.

Once again, highly recommended and I think I will have to look on the shelves and see if there are any more there!

Lois Lowry 'Anastasia, Absolutely'

I have just put new bookshelves into the girls' playroom so we are reorganising all their books. During the process I came across this book which is one I haven't read before. I loved the 'Anastasia' books when I was younger and must have picked this one up for the girls and didn't read it at the time!

Funny and yet at the same time this book deals with serious issues in true Anastasia style! Anastasia has to deal with "Values" as a school topic at the same time that she is having to make some serious moral choices of her own thanks to her dog, an early morning walk and a serious mix up.

Highly recommend this book for any confident young reader.

Matthew Reilly 'Seven Ancient Wonders'

I haven't read anything by Matthew Reilly before. I inherited this book from my cousin and co-incidentally, it is also on the 100 book list that I am attempting to read in 1001 days (see tab above!).

It took me a few chapters to get into the story. However once I got through the first few chapters I was hooked. It was unputdownable.

Style wise it is short, snappy and includes lots of diagrams as you go along with the team on a daring adventure. Headed by Captain Jack West Jnr, an Australian ex-SAS officer, there is a team of nine members made up from eight different nations of the world. On a daring mission to find all of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World and taking with them a 10 year old girl named Lily. The story is full of twists and turns and villains and bravery and the intrigue and mystery which can only come when you are talking about the ancient world. When you combine this with an action story of warring nations and a battle for ultimate supremacy it is a intriguing combination!

I am looking forward to reading more of Matthew Reilly's books and I am very sorry I have waited so long to do so. Highly recommended for those people who like adventure stories and conspiracy theories.

Tony Parsons "The Family Way"

One of my friends has recently started a bookclub and picked this as the first book.

I enjoyed it. It was an easy read. The themes of the book are ones found in many others. The baby dance. The struggles of those who want children and can't have them compared to those who do have them. What makes this book different is it is written by a man and I think that even though the main characters are women it shows. I am not sure how or why but there is a slightly different feel. That said, not in a bad way. The author deals with the subjects sensitively and he must have done a lot of listening and talking to women to be able to write so well about some of the topics covered.

Three sisters. One, Jessica, childless, married and desperately wanting a baby. One, Cat, who swears she never wants children. And one, Megan, who is at the beginning of her professional career and who accidentally gets pregnant after a one night stand. Their mother walked out on them when they were young and made no secret of her opinion that having children ruined her life. Each of the girls have to deal with the shadows of this past as well as having to face their own personal demons about decisions they have made in the past and decisions they have to make in their future.

Covering topics such as fertility, low socio-economic areas, trust, betrayal, abortion and most importantly of all family, this book was a good read. Warning. Lots of sexual references and the style of this writing was one of the times I was reminded I was reading a book written by a man! I am looking forward to discussions about this book at bookclub.

Meg Cabot "The Princess Diaries. Take Two"

My eldest daughter's latest purchase! And of course I had to read it ;)

First and most importantly this is not a children's book in my humble opinion. Regardless of the lovely movie, this book is definitely for teenagers. There is lots of "sex" talk: french kissing, complaining of lack of "development in the chest" region, contraception, losing virginity etc. However, while there is lots of talk, it is about things not happening rather then things actually happening.

However, that aspect of it aside, the book is good. This is the second in the series and it follows on immediately from the first book. Mia is adjusting to life as a princess, being traumatised by her Royal grandmother, looking after her mother and coping with all the normal teenage angst of boys and bodies and school.

New dramas unfold as Mia obtains a secret admirer and has to deal with her mother dating her algebra teacher. Especially as algebra is the subject she does not like and needs tutoring in - by her best friend's "hot" older brother.

Written in a diary style, this book is a funny look at the dramas of being a teenage girl and goes to show being Royal doesn't solve everything, or anything really! Recommended for girls of 12+.

Ann M. Martin "Kristy's Big News"

One of the good things about having children is a having an excuse (a reminder?) to revisit books from my childhood. I loved the Baby-Sitters Club, but there are so many more books now then there was when I stopped reading them.

"Kristy's Big News" is part of the BSC: Friends Forever series, a separate series to the main BSC series. The four main character are there: Kristy, Mary-Anne, Claudia and Stacey. Dawn has gone to live with her dad in California. I am not exactly sure what happened to Jessi and Mal and I presume that chronologically it is before Abbey appears.

While it is a little hard to tell where this series fits in relation to the main series it doesn't change the fact that these are still great kids books. Ann M. Martin's style is the same, but what this series does is looks at the "other side" to the baby-sitters. The focus is on the baby-sitters and other areas of their lives not on baby-sitting. In "Kristy's Big News" there is no baby-sitting at all!

In this book, Kristy's father reappears and asks her to go to his wedding along with her two older brothers. It has been years since he walked out on them and the contact since then has been limited and not consistent by any stretch of the imagination. This book deals with the emotional experience that Kristy, Sam and Charlie go through in seeing their biological father again and where he now fits in relation to their "new", crazy, blended family.

The writing in some ways is a little more sophisticated then the original BSC books, but a great book for middle-primary school aged children and for lovers of the original series.

Monica McInerney 'Lola's Secret'

I think I mentioned in an earlier post that I got this book for Christmas. Not strictly accurate. I actually bought it for my mother-in-law and told her to tell me if she already had it. Someone else had given it to her the day before and it had been on her wish list! Great minds clearly think alike ;) Anyway I got her a different book and I kept this one. I would just like to say this was not the plan though.

If you have read 'The Alphabet Sisters' this is a sequel set five years after the first book finished. WARNING: If you have not read 'The Alphabet Sisters' read it first. In fact if you have not read 'The Alphabet Sisters', stop reading now and do not read any reviews of 'Lola's Secret' until after you have. Trust me. You will thank me.

Back to 'Lola's Secret'. It is a warm, funny book. Filled with family dramas as Lola, the undisputed matriarch, continues to dispense advice to her family, friends and the community in general. This book is about Lola. At 84 years young it is a reminder that you are only as old as you feel and that the 'matures years', a long string of grandchildren and great-grandchildren does not mean you are not a person in your own right too. Friends still annoy you. Family is still family. And sometimes you still have to face up to things that you do not want to face. Throw in some colourful clothes and a whole heap of scheming and you have 'Lola's Secret'.

A lovely read for anyone who has friends, family and frenemies. Who likes a bit of love, laughter and drama in their life. And for anyone who is hoping their second attempt at youth is even more fun the then first time round. A very fitting sequel to the wonderful 'The Alphabet Sisters'.

Sophie Kinsella 'The Undomestic Goddess'

This book was the first Sophie Kinsella book I read. I was excited when I found it, just because I liked the title. I felt I could relate ;) I haven't read this book for ages so it was nice to revisit it.

Samantha Sweeting is a lawyer. And not just any lawyer. She is an over-achieving young lawyer at a one of the most prestigious firms in London. This is until the day she makes a mistake so big it wipes out any chance of her succeeding in her chosen career. What is a girl to do? Apparently go wandering into the countryside and land a job as housekeeper despite the fact she can't even boil an egg and has never done the dishes in her life. Therea re ups and downs with the oh-so-hot gardener, his lovely mother, her past life and her well meaning new employers.

A light, happy story that looks at the balance between work and life and considers what really are the important things life as well as a tongue in cheek look at the value of always telling the truth!

I don't think this is Sophie Kinsella's best book, but I certainly enjoyed it! As I said at the beginning, it was the first book of her's that I read and I liked it enough to go and hunt out the rest.

Monica McInerney 'Spin the Bottle'

This is a book by the author probably best known for writing 'The Alphabet Sisters' (and speaking of which, stay tuned for a blog on the sequel. I got the book for Christmas but haven't read it yet).

'Spin the Bottle' contains the hint of the chatty/gossipy/Irish charm that the author has in many of her other books, along with that touch of something which reminds you she is Australian too.

This book is partly set in Australia, but mostly in an Irish Bed & Breakfast when the main character, Lainey Byrne, is forced out of her well controlled comfort zone to get back in touch with her Irish heritage at the whim of her aunt's Will.

Lainey has to confront many things. Physical challenges in a whole new lifestyle, but most importantly personal challenges as she has to face many aspects of her actual self that she has not ever dealt with before.

In amongst all this there is romance, intrigue and more then a little comedy!

Definitely recommended for those already fans of Monica McInerney as well as those people who like Maeve Binchy and the genre I like to think of as chick-lit-that-also-appeals-to-the-more-mature-chick ;)