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 ;)