155

Poisoned Arrows by George Monbiot

154

alternative 3

153

The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters

152

the guy next door by Meggin Cabot - chick lit

151

The princess and the hound by Mette Ivie Harrison

150

Flood by Stephen Baxter

148, 149

Heir to Sevenwaters by Judith Marillier

Graceling by Kristen Cashore

Both good, loved the Marillier. Graceling has some quite unconvincing names!

147

The Accidental

146

Deadly exposure by leonard goldberg

145

To Catch a Pirate

144

Between Good and Evil Roger Depue

143

Princess Ben

142

Regency Rakes

140-1

Farewell to Arms- Ernest Hemingway

O! Pioneers! - Willa Cather

139

Primitive by Mark Nykanen

138

Out of Africa- Karen Blixen

137

the tiger in the smoke by margery allingham

136

Sword of winter by marta randall

135

Girls in their married bliss

134

The girl with green eyes edna o brien (wriiten one handed)

133

The Country Girls by Edna O'Brien

132

The Wanderground

131

The Next Doors/The Silver Grill by Joan Tate

127, 128, 129, 130

Th Song of the Lioness Quartet by Tamora Pierce

125/126

Bobby's Girl by J Austin

Call the Midwife by Jennifer Worth

123, 124

The Alibi by Sandra Brown
The Island and the Ring by Laura Stevenson

122

belle de jour

119, 120, 121

Son of the shadows
Child of the prophecy
Snow White, Blood Red

and a baby- Sebastian born 13/09/09 at home. 9lbs 6oz (4.24 kilo)

118

daughter of the forest by judith marillier

117

The Stepford Wives

116

Nightwatch by Sarah Waters

115

The secret scripture by sebastian barry

114

Cries Unheard by Gita Sereny

113

High Society by Ben Elton

112

Courage of falcons

111

Vengeance of Dragons

110

White teeth - good

109

Diplomacy of Wolves- very good start to the secret texts trilogy

108

Tigana by Guy Gavriel Kay - Very good

107

Escape by Caroline Jessop - good. similar to stolen innocence

106

Armies of Daylight by barbara Hambly- very good

104/105

Warlord
Warsworn

103

warprize again!

102

Blast from the past, ben elton- unexpected twist, enjoyed

101

The Rift by Walter J. Williams- Disaster novel- heavy but good

100 (Hurray!)

Year Zero - Jeff Long - Apocalyptic thriller

99

Needful things- stephen king - not his best

98

Birth Reborn by Michael Odent - inspiring

96, 97

The Walls of Air by Barbara Hambly - love this trilogy so far

Black Thorn, White Rose by Datlow etc - OK collection of fantasy fairytale retellings.

95

The Time of the Dark by Barbara Hambly (book 1 of the Darwath trilogy-very good)

94

Marie Stopes and the sexual revolution by June Rose- Very good bio of an amazing lady, learnt a lot. Very easy to read too.

91, 92, 93

Brokeback Mountain (2nd read)

Blow your house down (v good-liked a lot) by Pat Barker

The Fatal Shore by Robert Hughes (interesting introduction to Australian transportation/development but vvvv long)

90

Mother of Storms by John Barnes

Apocalyptic futuristic. Quite good though also heavy on science

89

Different Seasons by Stephen King

88

Mindhunter by John Douglas

Inside the FBI elite serial killer unit. Very good

87

Mayada by Jean Sassoon

Grim but strangely unmoving due to poor quality writing.

86

Pefectly Correct Philippa Gregory

Romance, light, fluffy

85

These Old Shades by G. Heyer

One of the better ones.

84

More Blood, More Sweat and Another Cup of Tea by Tom Reynolds

Very good

83

Friday's Child by G. Heyer

Regency romance, well written but not overwhelmed

82

The Bourne Identity by Robert Ludlum

Very good thriller, enjoyed it

81

Love with the proper husband victoria alexander

Historical Romance

80

The Winter Rose Mckillip

Another dream like fantasy, very strange.

Currently Reading

The Bourne Identity (Bathroom)
Miriam Stoppard Pregnancy and Birth (bathroom)
The winter rose mckillip (bedroom)
Hitler's willing executioners; ordinary germans and the holocaust - goldhagen (lounge)

78 &79

Forgotten Truth
Lost Truth

77

Phillipa Gregory Fallen Skies

Quite a good tale of a man changed forever by what he saw in WW1.

76

Hidden Truth

75

First Truth (Book 1 of 4)

Entertaining light fantasy

73, 74

Enemy Women by Paulette Jiles

Superb novel about a forgotten side of the American civil war.

A Heroine of the World by Tanith Lee

Lackeyesque fantasy. Quite good I enjoyed it as a light read.

72

Curse of Chalion

Absolutely superb fantasy, loved it! Just wish it was longer

71

Stolen Innocence by Elissa Wall

About her life as a 14 year old bride in the FLDS. Scary but very good

70

The Fairy Godmother by Mercedes Lackey

Romantic schlock fantasy with an original idea.

69

The Stand by Stephen King

One of his better books. Builds up the tension without descending too much into either the WTF supernatural weirdness typified by books such as Cell or the WTF stupid ending seen in It. Nice end of the world/killer plague thing but a long long long book at 800 ish pages.

68

Fanny by Erica Jong

Erotic adventure romp in the style of cleland, fielding etc. Very good. Keeper

67

A town like alice by neville shute. Loved it, so much more to the book than the film.

60-66

60-65 - other 6 princess diaries books. Goodness me, what a load of drivel. Each one took me an hour maximum to read and I wasnt very impressed at the story or the characterisation. 66 however was something different - also a YA novel, also with a romantic theme, but this time I was drawn into the story, cared more about the main characters and wanted to know what happened to them. The Princess Diary books are already in the Sale box under my bed but The Morning Gift by Eva Ibbotson is a keeper and one I would be happy for my daughter to read once she has the ability.

56-59

56- Somebody to love by Grace Slick

Rock and roll memoir full of the typical drugs and sex you would expect. Quite interesting although I suspect I would have enjoyed it more if I had been aware of who the author was before I started the book!

57-59 -First three Princess Diaries books. I have six more still to read.
They arent fabulous and I wont be holding onto them for my daughter to read once I have finished.

55

The Kabul Beauty School

Quick read, very enlightening about the conditions for women in Afghanistan. Didnt feel like I particularly got to know the narrator or the subjects though, the book tended to jump about a bit and I lost track of what was happening and who was who and whose horrific life story was being summarised in a page.

54

Put What Where? Over 2000 years of bizarre sex advice.

Very funny, quite repetitive but a nice quick easy read. Some of it made me cringe and cross my legs however!

51-3

The Lioness Quartet by Tamora Pierce. For some reason I can only post and not fiddle with any of the bits around the side and bottom of the blog. Probably for the best anyway, have started writing dooyoo reviews again for extra £££ so should concentrate on that rather than endlessly fiddling with this blog!

47-9

Another 3 No 1 ladies detective agency books.

45-6

Next two No 1. Ladies Detective Agency books.

40-43, 44

First four No 1 Ladies Detective Agency books.

Wolfking by Bridget Wood

Cross between post-apoc, romance and Celtic mythology

39.

Join Me By Danny Wallace

Funny and readable tale about a man who idly decided to see how many people he could get to sign up to something they knew nothing about. Once it became popular he was forced to try and decide what it was they were supposed to do (do a good deed every Friday) and let it run away with itself. Very good

38

War Day by Strieber and Kunetka

Two journalists travel a nuclear ravaged America 5 years after nuclear war to 'report' on the effects of the bombs. Dated, but well written.

37

Mr Darcy's Daughters by Elizabeth Aston

I am a big fan of these modern follow on novels and was excited to receive this from Bookmooch. The eponymous Mr Darcy and his lovely wife Elizabeth do not appear at all, having been dispatched to Constantinople. The action is focussed on their five daughters who have been sent to London in their absense and proceed to misbehave in such a way I cannot believe possible of children raised by the strict Mr Darcy. The book begins well, introducing the daughters and gently establishes some love affairs for the two eldest. This is where it all starts to go wrong in my opinion as the story starts to go beyond the realms of reasonable possibility. Suffice it to say there are several elopements, lots of scandal, a sodomite and a conclusion that is evident from at least the first quarter of the book. Usually I can put up with even the most ridiculous of storylines but in this case I feel there could have been some restraint and also some more 'filler' between the 'excitement'. The first half of the book is slow and leisurely and then BAM, BAM, BAM, the naughty stuff starts and it left me feeling breathless and like I had read two different books joined together. The characters themselves are thinly drawn and very much like simple caricatures based on the original book. Sad. I wanted so much to love this book, at best it is merely good; at worst, definitely mediocre.

36

Perdita by Paula Byrne

Super biography of Mary Robinson, an 18th century character who lived an exciting and interesting life. Unhappily married at a young age Mary lived in a debtors prison, became an actress and mistress of the Prince (George IV) and other rich society men. Having given up her stage career for the Prince she had an accident in her late 20's which led to disability and an early impoverished death in her early 40's. Well written, using fascinating material including her letters.

35.

Guitar Girl by Sarra Manning

Girl forms band with her friends at school, becomes famous, suffers angst, decides she doesnt enjoy it. Will she stay friends with her bandmates, what will become of her budding relationship with Dean (which gradually turns sexual in a teenage sort of way), what does she want out of life. Short but sweet, easy to read and well-written simple language which encouraged me to finish it quickly. Not great literature but not teen 'chick lit' either. Would be great for a teenager who is determined to be famous, as it gives the other side of the story and doesnt make everything sound fantastic! People get hurt, others turn out to not be what they seem and the record industry is shown as what it is: a giant corporate industry desperate to make as much cash as possible out of their brand.
I wanted to know what happened to Molly when I put the book down which is always a good sign!

Currently reading

Just an update so I can keep track of what I am reading and where!

Perdita: Life of Mary Robinson : Sob, its a Richard and Judy bookclub book (from 2005 though) but I love biographies of 18th century women. I had to give it a good check over to make sure it had end notes and sources at the back (I won't read a 'history' book if these aren't there). Its very good so far, I am really enjoying it - its nice to know that some women managed to break free from the faceless hordes of 'forgotten women' to do something with their life : even if that something was scandalous and notorious!

Somebody to Love: 'Autobiography' (she didnt actually write the book!) of Grace Slick. I had to do a check on who she was (Jefferson airplane) but it looks quite good. Very very very easy to read, short chapters and I already have someone waiting for it once I have finished it! Looking forward to hearing some salacious gossip about rock 'n' roll.

Guitar Girl: Teen fiction about a girl in a band. I got it an hour ago and am already half way though. Very easy to read, sweet little story for 14+.

My mother visited on Saturday and she and I did our usual turn around the bookcases and discussed what we were reading and had read recently. She also took another of my books to read-she has four now! I think its a little strange how our roles have been reversed-when I was younger it was me raiding her bookcases! Makes me feel very grown up.

34.

Victoria and the Rogue by Meg Cabot

Mills and Boon for teens.

[edit] posted the above and thought it was a bit unfair to be so brief. Strong heroine, amusing plot (for YA romance), some exciting plot (although so similar to the other Cabot I read, eyebrows were raised!) although nothing further than kissing. 200 pages, took me an hour or less to read. Coated my brain in a layer of pink fluff which allowed me to stop worrying about sick child and get on with sleeping and taking care of myself (fainting/dizzyness, headaches and joint issues).

33.

The Man in the Iron Mask by Alexandre Dumas

Long, difficult and pleasing to read at the same time. I enjoyed it but I certainly had to work at it especially as I havent read any of the other three musketeer books (and am not planning too after this marathon-at least for a good long while!). It also didnt end how I wanted it too (or expected it too :( )

32.

Where late the sweet birds sang by Kate Wilhelm

An unspecified cataclysm has left the world sterile, so humans turn to cloning to reproduce. But they find that this brings up more problems than it solves as they find that their clones are not 'human' in the same way that they are. Far too short, I would have been happy to have been immersed in Wilhelm's world for at least 300 more pages, left me desperate to know more. Loved it.

30 & 31

The Whisperers; Private Life in Stalin's Russia by Orlando Figes

Hard going and very emotionally draining to read but this is a fantastic book giving an amazing insight into life in Communist Russia from the mouths of those who lived through it.

Teen Idol by Meg Cabot

Some light romantic teenage fluff. No brain required.

29

Can any mother help me? by Jenna Bailey

Love this book. This was its third or fourth reread. Tells the story of a correspondence magazine set up in the 1930's and circulated between its members ( 20 or so mothers) until it finished in 1990. Certainly makes me appreciate what I have a lot more, although its members had many of the same problems that I do-somethings are just universal it seems.

28

The Duchess by Bertrice Small

Historical romance. Above the usual mills and boonish tosh, quite well written but a book to read for the pleasure of not having to think very hard!

27

Stand on Zanzibar by John Brunner

A very strange and long book, a feted work of dystopian fiction and one of the few books I have considered not finishing. The format it is written in does not lend itself to speed reading - taking the form as it does of lots of short chapters which often seem to have nothing to do with the action taking place. I enjoyed it but was very pleased when I got to the end!

26

Cafe Europa

Collection of short articles about the relationship between the West and former Communist countries from a personal perspective.
Very good

Got a pack from the council today- whole load of glossy shite about keeping children safe on the road. Usually I just bin this rubbish but it was drawn to my attention that the fold out wall chart thingy advises me to use 'reigns' when out with my child.

WTF!

REIGNS! How can I physically do that? What does my daughter's safety on the road have to do with the rule of a monarch. A mere prelimary tentative google brings up instantly that the restraints by which a parent controls a small child are commonly called 'REINS'. Yes, like the things a horse wears and to which they bear a surprising resemblance. Funny that.

God knows how many people this thing passed through the hands of and unsurprisingly it was all put together by local government; just justifying my long held belief that they are all a bunch of lazy morons (yes I know this was probably put together by someone on work experience but someone must have signed it off!).

Currently Reading:

The Man in the Iron Mask (bathroom)
Cafe Europa (handbag)
Stand on Zanzibar (bedroom)

I am considering another book for the lounge, perhaps Neverwhere by Gaiman, but I am also starting to feel unfinished bookguilt. I still have 300 pages of TMitIM to go and at least 100 of Cafe Europa. I think I need to give myself an enormous kick up the bum to finish these two before starting another.

25

The Old Curiosity Shop by Charles Dickens

After weeks of so-so prose it was an unexpected joy to step back into a classic novel. Even though I suspect my irritation with Nell would have been frowned on by the man himself and I probably laughed in all the wrong places, it thrills me that a book written more than 160 years ago still has the power to grip me and draw me into the story. But if you ask me Nell should have ditched her grandfather by page 100 and taken one of the many beneficial opportunities life was desperately trying to throw in her way. I was definitely pleased when the pages upon pages which served as a very unsubtle prelude to the 'dramatic' ending finished and I was able to enjoy all the otherwise happy endings for the less irritatingly pious and do-goody characters.

23/24

Bloodtide by Melvin Burgess.

YA Dystopian future novel based on the Volsung Saga. Bloodthirsty and brutal with Nordic characters who I found strangely out of place. Otherwise a good story that held me gripped, although I have already passed it on to a family member.

The Pesthouse by Jim Crace

Dystopian future novel with a romantic subplot. Franklin and Margaret strive to cross a regressed and dangerous America to get to the coast. Loved it and couldnt wait to find out what happened at the end. A keeper for me.

22

Brother in the Land by Robert Swindells.

I was sure this was one I read as a teen, but it turns out that it isnt. Its a good YA post-nuclear holocaust story anyway with the required amount of horror and sadness with the tiniest bit of hope at the end. I was slightly dubious at parts of the ending...for those who have not read the book, look away from this tiny spoiler now.......


The Swiss? WTF?

and there were elements which did make me 'hmmmmm' a little, but overall it was 2 hours well spent.

20 and 21

Have not felt like reading much recently, just been too tired. Today I had the luxury of spending the morning in bed so I finished Agony and a bath book I started yesterday-Valley of the Dolls.

Agony was interesting but its remit was so huge, over three hundred years that there was more skimming than I would have liked. I was constantly frustrated by not being able to get more information. It is also quite outdated and the last chapter was very much of its time and hasnt held up very well. The actual style of the book was difficult to read and something I would devour in minutes ordinarily, took me a week of forcing myself to read more pages. Shame, the premise was superb.

Valley of the Dolls was good, well-written, but I had no sympathy for any of the three main characters, especially Neely who I found particularly vile. I only finished it to make sure the protagonists got what they deserved at the end. I understand it is supposed to be some sort of classic but it is the sort of book that leaves me feeling dirty and unsatisfied after I have finished it.

19

Warprize by Elizabeth Vaughan (again)

Although I am reading The Man in the Iron Mask, Cafe Europa and Agony, last night none of them hit the spot and I had to retreat to something light and happy to take my mind of the unpleasant nausea that seems to have hit in the last few days.

18

The Suspicions of Mr Whicher

One of my mothers books its a novelisation of a famous Victorian murder. I quite enjoyed it but found myself skipping bits and racing to the end to find out who had done it. There were lots of bits of detail which I found extraneous, probably because I have read an awfully large amount of crime novels, mostly factual. It was most interesting to me because of the 'unmasking' of a seemingly normal Victorian family as thoroughly seedy underneath.

Had an unpleasant experience with some other mothers yesterday, felt like I was back at school again. Can't believe that some people still behave like teenagers even though they are adults and parents. Very sad.

17

The Body Farm by Bass and Jefferson- Very good, a light read describing the development of the body farm intermixed with pertinent cases. Enjoyed it very much-all the more so because it was only 49p brand new!

Arrived today:

Powers that be
Power lines

two books of a trilogy written by Anne McCaffrey and Elizabeth Anne Scarborough. Just need the last one now!

So busy feeling sorry for myself I forgot to add that I finished the Alex Scarrow (?) book, Last Light this morning. I was totally engaged at the time but the ending left me a little flat and it all seemed a little rushed and implausible after I had closed the book. There were lots of things which worked and lots that didnt-the idea of the big secret global conspiracy was a bit ....hmmm.... lacking. I can see now why many apocalyptic/post-apocalyptic writers choose not to dwell too hard on the reasons behind the event; its hard to make things sound plausible without sounding like you need some heavy duty tranquilisers and a tin foil hat.

I enjoyed it but am definitely in two minds about whether to hang onto it or not.

Feeling like somewhat of a failure today and musing on my life choices. Realistically I'm pregnant with number 2 and have a lovely husband and a sweet little girl, a supply of books to last me at least 2 years, a loving family etc (Plus morning sickness which kicked in this morning-hurrah!).
But I shouldnt have googled some of my former primary school classmates today, one of them is:

Timothy Henty top conductor - http://www.timothyhenty.com/1.html

and another is

Elliot Jay Stocks - freelance designer and author - http://www.elliotjaystocks.com/blog/

Another is working on earthquakey things at UEA and thats where I gave up looking.

SOB.

Oh I got an Elizabeth Vaughan today through the post from a Bookmoocher.[weak smile]

One book today

One new book today, a lovely new hardback from a Bookmoocher in the UK:

Last Light by Alex Scarrow

15.

The Awakened Mage by Karen Miller.

I zoomed through this desperate to know what happened. There were some surprises, but none that took my breath away-with a nice ending. The final denouement was good but not superb- it finished a little quickly for my liking.

I'm not short of more books to read next! I have been reading Cafe Europa concurrently with the Karen Miller duology but I'll choose another one to ensure I always have something to read close by!

Oh dear

Went to visit my mum and her partner today and was waylaid in Blackheath (after a rather fine meal at Il Bertorellis) by my nemesis, book racks on the pavement with a sale sign on. I count myself lucky to escape with just three:

The Summertree by Guy Gavriel Kay
The Wandering Fire by Guy Gavriel Kay
The Drakest Road by Guy Gavriel Kay

(The Fionavar Tapestry trilogy)

They look brand new and I got all three at once so no waiting for other volumes.

My mother also lent me two of her books so I have two weeks to read those before she visits in February.

I got my maternity stuff today from the hospital, apparently a midwife will visit me at home for my first visit which is quite exciting, all very different from the first time in St Andrews. This area seems very pro-home birth, natural birth, breastfeeding and bed-sharing so I am very hopeful this time round. Really hope I get to go to a maternity unit rather than a hospital.

14

The Innocent Mage by Karen Miller- Part one of a duology

Quite difficult to get started on, after reading the prologue I had to put it down for an hour or so before I started the main body of the book. Good mediocre fantasy, nothing special but eminently readable. Asher (a fisherman) rises in the ranks of the king's household after befriending the prince. With an evil lurking over the borders, divisions in court, a Prophecy (with Asher as the key player) coming to pass and frictions between the two 'races' who share the country there is a lot to pack in to the book. Its pretty well done, although there were points where I had to repeatedly reread pages to get the gist. With a dramatic and unexpected event at the end of the book, I picked up the second very quickly. This series is quite page-heavy too, running to around 700 pages each.

Also arrived today:

The Winter Rose by Patricia Mckillip - more fantasy!

Oh and I found my daughter hiding today trying to suck the last bits of cheese from the plastic lid of my Danish Blue box - I do feed her honestly. I took pity on her and gave her some from the box and some of my Bleu D'Auverne too, so looks like I have some serious competition for my stinky blue cheese (MrNeverwithoutabook classes them with pickles and marmite in the inedible category!).

Looove living in Colchester, I went shopping today and didnt have to set foot in a chain store once today. Books for my daughter from charity shops, meat from the local butcher (bacon steaks, blade steak and 6 free range local eggs for £5), fruit and veg from the two greengrocers and then to my local deli for sliced meat, olives, cheese, bread and milk. Friendly professional service, lots of advice on what to buy and food that actually tastes of something. I didnt realise how disgusting and tasteless UK supermarket food was until I stopped eating it in Switzerland, bleaugh.

13

Finished Red Gloves by Beth Vaughan. Very light easy read with a feisty heroine but not as good imo as the Warprize series.

12

Finished World War Z again, I love this book. Its frightening, moving and powerful and very well written for a horror novel. Love it.

11.

Finished The Book of Atrix Wolfe. It was ok, a sort of dreamy, mystical feel to it. I quite liked it but wasnt quite sure what was happening most of the time. It could have done with being longer as well as there were lots of unexplained things and loose threads.

Started World War Z again for book number 12. One of my favourite books.

Back from town with another three books. The Works had a sale on so I got two brand new books for 49p each.

Death's Acre: Inside the Legendary Body Farm by Bass & Jefferson

The Gilded Chamber by Rebecca Kohn (HB) - Novel about Queen Esther (from that Bible book)

Also spotted a 30p book in the racks outside a charity book that looked interesting:

Agony: Problem Pages through the ages by Robin Kent

Had some interesting news on Wednesday, an explanation for why I have been feeling so terrible. It appears another little Neverwithoutabook will be making an appearance in September. A bit gobsmacked but happy.

Anyway back to the important stuff!

Four books today.

The regional accounts director of firetop mountain- a parody of those choose your own adventure books. Looks quite funny.

The curse of chalion
Orsinian Tales (both fantasy)

and I saved up my ipoints and traded them in for another Amazon book:

Red Gloves by Beth Vaughan (she of Warprize etc fame)-hope this one is as good.


Oh and I am half way through The Book of Atrix Wolfe (book number 11)

10.

Arrived today:

Fast Girls: Teenage tribes and the myth of the slut by Emily White

Armies of daylight by Barbara Hambly (hurray completes a trilogy!)

Finished today:

Fast Girls: Teenage tribes and the myth of the slut by Emily White

I only picked it up to flick through but got completely drawn in. It really is shocking how cruel teenagers can be to each other, but the explanation is convincing and interesting. I was upset by how nasty girls can be to each other, even though I went to an all-girls school myself! Certainly not more peaceful and pleasant than the male sex. I was fascinated by certain enduring qualities of the myth, from 50 year old victims to one of the more recent teenager victimised by her peers (who was aware of the 'slut' myth but was unable to convince her bigoted and unpleasant teenage mob of fellow students). Isnt it about time we all moved on from objectifing women as 'mothers' and 'whores' and stop punishing women who admit to enjoying sex. It does look as if the situation has improved (with the 'slut' label morphing into something different) but too slowly, too slowly. I would be interested to see if anyone has written a book about the male equivalent- the 'fag'

Reading Spree 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.

After I finished the Black Magician Trilogy I went on to start and finish:

Nicola and the Viscount - fine, teenage fluff, no thought required

Warprize
Warlord
Warsworn - these were just what I fancied reading, well written fantasy romance, I started the series and just raced through them desperate to know what happened, staying up until 2am! Super convincing light fantasy.

The Girl who Owned a City by OT Nelson - lovely YA story about a post=apocalyptic society where a virus has killed everyone over the age of 12. Slightly far-fetched but this story of a feisty schoolgirl who brings people together to form her own community was brilliant and I finished it in the hour long car trip home from my father.

4. High Lord by Trudi Canavan

The Black Magician Trilogy finished. I finished it wanting to know more which is a good thing I suppose. One of the problems is that I couldnt engage with some of the subplots properly, most notably the Dannyl story, I just didnt care enough. I just wanted to follow Sonea and Akkarin, but that story seemed quite rushed, nothing really had the detail that I wanted to read. The overall plot was good, its a series I will hang on to - but its vaguely disappointing as it could have been so much more. Reminds me very much of a less 'sexy' Lackey.

Have started book number 5 - Nicola and the Viscount by Meg Cabot. Its like Georgette Heyer for teens, totally anachronistic but very light and fluffy with a heroine who isnt afraid to stand up for herself.

3. The Novice by Trudi Canavan

Second in the Black Magician trilogy. Light fantasy with a female protagonist. Zipped through this one but the story was good - it pulled me through the 400 or so pages. A twist I didnt see coming and a third potential love interest for Sonea, who becomes much less pathetic and starts being a much more enthusiastic heroine. This is the sort of stuff I hope my daughter will read (well when she can read!) to counteract all that bloody awful passive princess claptrap marketed to girls.

Am now on the final book of the series The High Lord. Half way through and its very good, taken a whole new direction, just hope she can pack in all the expected action in the last half of the book.

Considering making it 120 books a year instead of 80, after all thats only 10 books a month, eminently doable I think. Pondering....

Two books:

The Girl who owned a city

Nicola and the Viscount by Meg Cabot

2. The Magician's Guild

Finished The Magician's Guild by Trudi Canavan. Light, very easy to read, didnt really feel too engaged with the story as I wasnt drawn too deeply into the world depicted. Started book 2, interested to see where she is going to take it.

Finished Fast Food Nation- just confirmed my original opinion of big corporations and fast food, really shocked me in places.

Began Magician's Guild by Trudi Canavan.

1. Dragonfly by Julia Golding

First book of 2009! Well-written YA fantasy with a strong heroine, gentle romance and happy ending. A quick read for me but very much enjoyed.

I also got the other two books of the Trudi Canavan series today from Play.com, along with Warsworn and Sharp North.

From Bookmooch I got:

The Book of Atrix Wolfe and

Jamie at home: Cook your way to the good life.

New Year=sales. I was straight into Waterstones this morning and discovered Flora Fraser's Princesses (The Six Daughters of George III) for £3.99 rather than £9.99.

My two Amazon books arrived today and I have started Dragonfly by Julia Golding which makes it my first official book of 2009. Still working through Fast Food Nation even though I won't count it.