The Good Girl by Mary Kubica

"I've been following her for the past few days. I know where she buys her groceries, where she works. I don't know the color of her eyes or what they look like when she's scared. But I will." 

One night, Mia Dennett enters a bar to meet her on-again, off-again boyfriend. But when he doesn't show, she unwisely leaves with an enigmatic stranger. At first Colin Thatcher seems like a safe one-night stand. But following Colin home will turn out to be the worst mistake of Mia's life. 

When Colin decides to hide Mia in a secluded cabin in rural Minnesota instead of delivering her to his employers, Mia's mother, Eve, and detective Gabe Hoffman will stop at nothing to find them. But no one could have predicted the emotional entanglements that eventually cause this family's world to shatter. 

An addictively suspenseful and tautly written thriller, The Good Girl is a propulsive debut that reveals how even in the perfect family, nothing is as it seems.

I don't think it is fair to compare this book to Gone Girl because Gone Girl was a physiological thriller, whereas this could only be really classified as a general thriller novel. 

I don't mean to imply that it wasn't good, because I actually enjoyed it (and finished it in just 2 days). I just don't think there was as much character / plot depth as other thrillers, which made it a nice easy read.

It was pretty easy to pick early on how it was going to play out, but there were still a couple of surprises at the end.

Read my review on Goodreads

My Name is Leon by Kit de Waal

Leon is nine, and has a perfect baby brother called Jake. They have gone to live with Maureen, who has fuzzy red hair like a halo, and a belly like Father Christmas. But the adults are speaking in low voices, and wearing Pretend faces. They are threatening to take Jake away and give him to strangers. Because Jake is white and Leon is not. 

As Leon struggles to cope with his anger, certain things can still make him smile – like Curly Wurlys, riding his bike fast downhill, burying his hands deep in the soil, hanging out with Tufty (who reminds him of his dad), and stealing enough coins so that one day he can rescue Jake and his mum.

Evoking a Britain of the early eighties, My Name is Leon is a story of love, identity and learning to overcome unbearable loss. Of the fierce bond between siblings. And how – just when we least expect it – we somehow manage to find our way home.

This is a slower paced story so it might not be a good one to read if you don't have a lot of time (I feel it would just drag on too long), but stick with it because the ending does it justice.

For the majority of this book I couldn't understand how anyone would let their child wander the streets on their own and not question what they were up to - I certainly couldn't imagine me not caring about where my son was - but then I realised that that was exactly what my childhood was like growing up in the almost-country. It just made me sad that the whole time I was reading it, I was worried about someone nasty snatching him.

What I took most from this story, was that Family is what you make it. Leon was too young to understand that initially, but by the end he had made found himself in a very unique but caring family, as opposed to struggling to put back his real family. It breaks my heart to think that is a reality for some children, and I hope that it works out right for some of them, even though it also seems hard work. My heart strings were definitely pulled for Leon.

Read my review on Goodreads

The Elegant Art of Falling Apart by Jessica Jones

"After cancer, every gift seems like a treasure. Every day is special. Some are simply magical."

Inspiring, unflinchingly honest, and laugh out loud hilarious, The Elegant Art of Falling Apart shows us how, sometimes, we have to lose everything to understand that the moment is all we have. And living that moment with style, grace and a damn good lipstick is all that matters.

Jessica Jones had a complicated life. Booze, cocaine, bad boyfriends – it was a rollercoaster ride of what self help writers call ‘opportunities for growth’ But she got way from all that. She rebuilt her career, became prosperous and, at last, found happiness in a wonderful, new relationship. 

Just when things were almost perfect... she learned that she had breast cancer. Jessica did what she’s always done, she got through it. After seven months of gruelling treatments she travelled from London to Sydney to begin a three-month holiday of a lifetime with her gorgeous man - only to find herself plunged into a different, and totally unexpected, life crisis. 

A story of courage, friendship and laughter that gives us hope that, no matter what, we can always start again.

Its been a few weeks since I finished reading this book, and although I've been busy, I was also putting off writing down my thoughts on this book because when it comes to Memoirs, I really don't like to seem too critical. It must take so much guts to write down your personal story, especially when you can't hide behind a fictional character/setting.

When I first started reading this book, I thought it was going to be one of those books that I just had to tell my girlfriends to read - it was raw, inspiring and important. But somewhere along the way I lost touch with the author and I couldn't relate to her personality as much - even though I have never had depression, an addiction OR cancer. Maybe it is through my own fault and I was shying away from the harsh truth of depression, but I just couldn't relate to her 'love addiction' and the fact that she was struggling so much to let go of what seemed like such a toxic relationship. To me that overshadowed the positive way she seemed to tackle her cancer treatment. 

But overall, I think this book would be helpful for someone who has a close friend or family member diagnosed with cancer and going through treatment, and even to someone healthy who just wants a reminder not to take that fact for granted. 

The Universe Versus Alex Woods by Gavin Extence

In life, there are no true beginnings or endings. Events flow into each other, and the more you try to isolate them in a container, the more they spill over the sides, like canal-water breaching its artificial banks. A related point is that the things we label 'beginnings' and 'endings' are often, in reality, indistinguishable. They are one and the same thing. This is one of the things the Death card symbolizes in tarot - an end that is also a new beginning.” 

A rare meteorite struck Alex Woods when he was ten years old, leaving scars and marking him for an extraordinary future. The son of a fortune teller, bookish, and an easy target for bullies, Alex hasn't had the easiest childhood. 
But when he meets curmudgeonly widower Mr. Peterson, he finds an unlikely friend. Someone who teaches him that that you only get one shot at life. That you have to make it count. 
So when, aged seventeen, Alex is stopped at customs with 113 grams of marijuana, an urn full of ashes on the front seat, and an entire nation in uproar, he's fairly sure he's done the right thing ...
Introducing a bright young voice destined to charm the world,The Universe Versus Alex Woods is a celebration of curious incidents, astronomy and astrology, the works of Kurt Vonnegut and the unexpected connections that form our world. 

Thanks to the blurb and the first chapter, I kept expecting Alex to have super powers or abilities after his accident, but it turns out that The Universe Verses Alex Woods was simply just a story about a boy. I don't necessarily mean this in a bad way, it's just that because I was preparing myself for a bit more drama it took me a while to get into the rhythm of the story and adjust to the characters speed.

I wouldn't consider this a young adult novel. Again, I'm going to blame my misguided impressions because from the cover image and the blurb I thought it sounded like it had all the makings of a dark twisted real life Harry Potter, so I was genuinely surprised when the story talked about suicide and the ethics around euthanasia. 

The writing is really good so I'm not disappointed I kept reading, but in hindsight it probably wouldn't be on the top of my list to read again, it just wasn't what I was in the mood to read at the time.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

Charlie is a freshman.

And while he's not the biggest geek in the school, he is by no means popular. Shy, introspective, intelligent beyond his years yet socially awkward, he is a wallflower, caught between trying to live his life and trying to run from it.

Charlie is attempting to navigate his way through uncharted territory: the world of first dates and mix tapes, family dramas and new friends; the world of sex, drugs, and The Rocky Horror Picture Show, when all one requires is that perfect song on that perfect drive to feel infinite. But he can't stay on the sideline forever. Standing on the fringes of life offers a unique perspective. But there comes a time to see what it looks like from the dance floor.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a deeply affecting coming-of-age story that will spirit you back to those wild and poignant roller-coaster days known as growing up. 

This is a hard one to summarise my feelings about - I enjoyed reading it and found myself engrossed in the characters lives, but I just can't bring myself to say I loved it. 

The characters were quirky and raw, and I loved going along with their messy teenage lives for a few days…BUT I think it was the last chapter that left a bad taste in my mouth - Talking openly about sexual abuse is important, and I know it is a sad reality for some people, but in the case of this story and this character, I didn't really understand why it all had to tie together like that. I felt as though the abuse was used as an excuse or justification as to WHY Charlie was a little different to everyone else. I would have much preferred him to own his idiosyncrasies without needing a reason. 

Other than the ending I felt like it covered a lot of standard teenagers experiences in life - boys, girls, heartbreak, love, the freaks, the cool kids, discovering your sexuality, family, friendship, abuse, experimenting with drugs, and trying to find out who you really are.

Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas by James Patterson

“Life is such a miracle, a series of small miracles.It really is, if you learn how to look at it with the right perspective.” 

“Good memories are like charms...Each is special. You collect them, one by one, until one day you look back and discover they make a long, colorful bracelet.” 

Katie Wilkinson has finally found the perfect man - but one day he suddenly disappears, leaving behind only a diary written by a new mother named Suzanne for her baby, Nicholas. In it she intimately reveals the romance between herself and the child's father, her hopes for their marriage, and her unparalleled joy in motherhood. As Katie reads on, she realizes that the man she loves is Suzanne's husband. Now, filled with terror and hope, Katie must struggle to understand what has happened - and find out if her new love has a prayer of surviving. 

I'm finding it really hard to write this review because at the moment it is even in the pros and cons columns  for me, so I'm hoping that by writing it all down it will help me see where I come out at the end...

I read this book completely in only 2 sittings, I think that might be a new record for me?? But early on I was hooked  - what it lacks in length it makes up for with it's ability to make you feel something (I dare even the hardest heart to not be mode by this storyline). I cried like a baby when I found out at the end the little boy was in the car, as new Mum myself I honestly can't imagine a worse feeling to go through as a parent, which is why I struggled so much with the ending. 

The blurb on the back was a little melodramatic with the call "and find out if her new love has a prayer of surviving." It makes it sound like there will be a big ending, but in truth it all felt a little rushed. I needed a bit more of an explanation from Matt as to where he went when he disappeared and how he finally was able to manage his grief.

One thing the book does very well is give you a reminder about what is important in life, and that life is a gift so you shouldn't take it for granted. I'm going to try and remind myself regularly of the story of the glass balls.

“Imagine life is a game in which you are juggling five balls. The balls are called work, family, health, friends, and integrity. And you're keeping all of them in the air. But one day you finally come to understand that work is a rubber ball. If you drop it, it will bounce back. The other four balls...are made of glass. If you drop one of these, it will be irrevocably scuffed, nicked, perhaps even shattered. And once you truly understand the lesson of the five balls, you will have the beginnings of balance in your life.” 

So I guess overall I enjoyed this book and am glad I read it, but it doesn't make it to the top of my 'Best Books Ever' list and I would be very selective as to which friends I would recommend this book to.

All Creatures Great and Small (All Creatures Great and Small #1) by James Herriot

“...without warning, the thermometer disappeared from my fingers. Some sudden suction had drawn it inside the cow. I ran my fingers round just inside the rectum—nothing; I pushed my hand inside without success; with a feeling of rising panic I rolled up my sleeve and groped about in vain.” 

Delve into the magical, unforgettable world of James Herriot, the world's most beloved veterinarian, and his menagerie of heartwarming, funny, and tragic animal patients.

For over forty years, generations of readers have thrilled to Herriot's marvelous tales, deep love of life, and extraordinary storytelling abilities. For decades, Herriot roamed the remote, beautiful Yorkshire Dales, treating every patient that came his way from smallest to largest, and observing animals and humans alike with his keen, loving eye.

In All Creatures Great and Small, we meet the young Herriot as he takes up his calling and discovers that the realities of veterinary practice in rural Yorkshire are very different from the sterile setting of veterinary school. Some visits are heart-wrenchingly difficult, such as one to an old man in the village whose very ill dog is his only friend and companion, some are lighthearted and fun, such as Herriot's periodic visits to the overfed and pampered Pekinese Tricki Woo who throws parties and has his own stationery, and yet others are inspirational and enlightening, such as Herriot's recollections of poor farmers who will scrape their meager earnings together to be able to get proper care for their working animals. From seeing to his patients in the depths of winter on the remotest homesteads to dealing with uncooperative owners and critically ill animals, Herriot discovers the wondrous variety and never-ending challenges of veterinary practice as his humor, compassion, and love of the animal world shine forth.

Such an interesting life and job! I loved reading about a careers that's very different to my own line of work, but also the countryside and lifestyle could not be more different that where I live. 

Rather than following the traditional flow of beginning > middle > plot twist > end, this is a series of memories from his beginning as a country vet. Sometimes I struggled with this format as it made it seem to go on for longer, but in the end the topic was enough to fascinate me and keep me wanting to finish.

Love, Rosie by Cecelia Ahern

“Twice we stood beside each other at the altar, Rosie. Twice. And twice we got it wrong. I needed you to be there for my wedding day but I was too stupid to see that I needed you to be the reason for my wedding day. But we got it all wrong.” 

From the bestselling author of PS, I Love You comes a delightfully enchanting novel about what happens when two people who are meant to be together just can't seem to get it right.

Rosie and Alex are destined for one another, and everyone seems to know it but them. Best friends since childhood, their relationship gets closer by the day, until Alex gets the news that his family is leaving Dublin and moving to Boston. At 17, Rosie and Alex have just started to see each other in a more romantic light. Devastated, the two make plans for Rosie to apply to colleges in the U.S.

She gets into Boston University, Alex gets into Harvard, and everything is falling into place, when on the eve of her departure, Rosie gets news that will change their lives forever: She's pregnant by a boy she'd gone out with while on the rebound from Alex.

Her dreams for college, Alex, and a glamorous career dashed, Rosie stays in Dublin to become a single mother, while Alex pursues a medical career and a new love in Boston. But destiny is a funny thing, and in this novel, structured as a series of clever e-mails, letters, notes, and a trail of missed opportunities, Alex and Rosie find out that fate isn't done with them yet.

From the gifted author of PS, I Love You comes this charming, romantic, addictively page-turning novel that will keep readers laughing and guessing until the very last page. 

I'm finding it really hard to review this book - it has everything I love in a story…love, sarcasm and a socially awkward lead female, but I think the thing that is holding me back from really loving this book, as opposed to it just being good, is that the back and forth between Rosie and Alex just went on a bit too long.  I was almost going to start actually yelling at the book telling them to hurry up and sort their stuff out and, then WHAM! …the book jumped ahead some more years and it ended!

Don't get me wrong, yes it went a bit more in-depth than your typical love story, but the characters were never boring, there was always some dysfunctional thing going on that made me giggle. And the relationship between Rosie and Alex, although frustratingly drawn out, was sweet.

I haven't seen the movie yet, but I think this might be one of the rare times that I prefer a movie over a book!

I Am the Messenger by Markus Zusak

protect the diamonds
survive the clubs
dig deep through the spades
feel the hearts

…

“You can kill a man with those words.
No gun. 
No bullets. 
Just words and a girl.” 
Ed Kennedy is an underage cabdriver without much of a future. He's pathetic at playing cards, hopelessly in love with his best friend, Audrey, and utterly devoted to his coffee-drinking dog, the Doorman. His life is one of peaceful routine and incompetence until he inadvertently stops a bank robbery.

That's when the first ace arrives in the mail.

That's when Ed becomes the messenger.

Chosen to care, he makes his way through town helping and hurting (when necessary) until only one question remains: Who's behind Ed's mission?

I found it really hard to make my mind up on my final opinion of this book. Part of me thinks I should wait a couple of days before trying to write this review, but I don't have enough time to ponder too long, and I'm keen to move on to my next book…

I really liked the characters and the overall theme of the book. 

It was an interesting idea, being delivered mystery cards that help out strangers, but I found a few of them a bit too wishy washy - the message wasn't that clear and I expected something more from the outcome. The characters felt ''gritty' but I found that a nice change from the sparkly heroes in other thrillers, it made them feel a bit more real life.

I think the two areas where I come unstuck is the flow of the writing, and the ending. I can't put my finger on it, but something just didn't work for me and when I finished it, I just felt a little underwhelmed. The writing is very lyrical, so maybe I'm missing something as nearly every other reviewer has raved about it, but the final 2 sentences just really annoyed me.

Overall, I'm glad I read it - I have a feeling it will be one of those books that linger in the back of my mind for a little while while I keep trying to figure out how I feel about it. It's a smallish book, it only took me a few days to read, so if you aren't happy with it then at least you wouldn't have wasted too much time on it anyway.