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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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'.

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 ;)

Freya North "Secrets"

This is only the second book I have read of Freya North's and I liked it :) I will re-read and review the other one I read later.

This book has been my 'train-reading' for the last week or so and it was a good pick. It was compelling enough to keep my attention on the train, simple enough that it didn't need total concentration and was easy enough to put down although I looked forward to my next train trip so I could pick it up again.

I found the narration style took me a little bit to get used to. Especially I think because my last train book was "The Queen's Fool" (see earlier reveiw) and they are very different books on every level.

"Secrets" is primarily written as a narrative (I probably need a better word here but I can't think of one). There is dialouge between the characters, but most of the story is told to you and about them. It is the story of an unlikely friendship between two people who are both hiding from themselves and others. The story features:- Tess an young mum who is running away with her daughter Em; Joe who hires her as a housesitter; Wolf Joe's dog and a few other locals. It wasn't until the end of the book that I really clicked how few characters there were. The style of the book didn't really require more characters and I don't theink they were missed. Bridges, beaches, secrets and the clash of worlds feature. Themes also include lonliness, financial struggles and the plight of the elderly. These themes are not in a judgemental or preachy way but they are there.

*Warning* there were a number of sex scenes. Not detailed but to the point. Just in case you don't like this sort of thing.

I enjoyed the book and I was sorry when it ended.