Coming soon Fifty Shades of Grey

Coming soon: Fifty Shades of Grey by EL James.

Get ready everybody for the most talked about book of the summer.



Fariytale of New York

Well I was really looking forward to this book as if you are a regular on my site you will know that I have just visited the Big Apple after many years of saving and planning. I wasn't disappointed with the setting and enjoyed the descriptions of the characters, however the story seemed to lack the 'fairytale'side for me. The story is based around the main character Rosie Duncan, an English rose who has relocated to New York. Like many characters Rosie has a 'secret' and we did not learn what it was until the middle of the book (which was refreshing as many a time I can work out the plot quite early on) and it helped to keep me reading. There were moments whilst reading when I was shouting at the main character (spoiler alert) because of her relationship with Ed. Like many romcoms I read there were twists and turns, characters didn't have any problems with money, a nice place to live or life in general. All in all a good holiday read as long as you don't want a life changing story.

Score: 6 out of 10
Who is it for: people who want a quick read.



Mum's List

Now that my heart has stopped aching I feel as though I can write my review for this book. I bought this a few months ago and left it on the shelf until I felt that I could cope with it. Once I started to read I could not put it down. If you read the blurb you will realise that the book is about a list created by a Mother who was sadly dying from cancer. The story is told by Singe the husband of Kate who the book is about. Singe does not hold back and as a reader I felt as though I was travelling with this brave and remarkable man. The book is raw and my heart ached for all discussed in the book. I don't usually read books like this (as you know I like my rom coms) but I think this is a must for almost everyone as it makes you think about life and how to live it. My highest praise for St. John Greene.

Who is it for: EVERYONE (but if you have had a bereavemeent, especially recently you may want to wait until you are 'ready').

Score: 10

Augusts book is: A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin

Keep looking for more books that we read and for the book for August, Game of Thrones.

Special Guest Review

This is to be our first guest review. We welcome to Book Club for the Girls Miss Lady K aka @kathleengreen81

Review - In The Cut by Susanna Moore

*warning - spoilers afoot for the film and book*

Most people will remember that when Meg Ryan took the role of Frannie in 'In The Cut', there was a lot of talk about the fact that this was a huge departure for her as she'd never done a film with such graphic sex and violence before.

Having never been a particular fan of Meg Ryan (I don't dislike her she's just never been one of my favourites) I didn't bother to see the film when it came out in 2002. I did however catch it on TV a couple of years ago. I recall that it was on late one night and I started watching it and became quite engrossed. As I had to be up the next morning I set my TV to record the remainder of the film. Unfortunately, it failed to record and I never got to see how it all ended. Some time later I found a cheap copy of the DVD in Blockbuster and bought it so I could finally watch the end of the film. Needless to say I never got around to it and re-discovered I had the film recently. I watched it from the beginning to end this time around and loved it. I thought Meg Ryan, although out of her comfort zone, was good, she played Frannie very differently to her other characters, and Mark Ruffalo, who I'd liked for years - but not in a sexy way - was compelling. And so sexy I don't know how the film in the camera didn't melt when he was on screen. The murder mystery kept me guessing until the end and although the very end seemed a little out of place and abrupt, I still loved the film overall.

When I watched the documentary about the 'making of' on the DVD I heard that the ending in the book was different to that in the film. This intrigued me as I did think there was something not quite right about the film ending and wondered if the book's ending would make more sense. I then heard the way in which it was different *stop reading here if you want to read the book or watch the film and not have it spoiled*. In the documentary they announced that Malloy WAS the killer and that Frannie dies. I couldn't believe this as this is a TOTALLY different ending to the film. Malloy, tough but gentle Malloy was the killer? And he slices off a very personal piece of Frannie! But the more I thought about it the more I wanted to read the book. As I wondered, if they changed it by that HUGE a margin in the film, what else did they change? And how did that effect the overall experience of reading about these characters.

I spent a few weeks looking for the book here, in the library and various charity shops. I don't generally buy books new but I knew that would be my only option if I couldn't find it soon. But I did have a trip to New York looming. And as the book/film is set in New York, what better place to buy the book? So I waited for my trip and when the day came to go to the infamous Strand Bookstore I looked for In The Cut. And not only found it, but found it with the film cover. Extra cool points.

It's only now I've read it that I find it kinda creepy that there's a scene in the book (that's not in the film) where Frannie goes to The Strand to buy a book. *shudders*
 

I finished the book in 5 days. Reading over 100 pages on the first day and then reading for half an hour a night the rest of the time. That's pretty fast for me. But as there are no chapter numbers you don't really realise how much you're reading in one sitting until you count the pages. It's quite an easy read, but I warn you that the last scene, where Frannie gets killed is quite detailed and grizzly. Which is why I'm glad I didn't wait til I was alone in bed to read it and took it to work with me to read in my lunch hour. But the shocker for me was that whoever said in the documentary that Malloy was the killer, was either trying to fool those who hadn't read the book, or was just wrong. The killer is the same as in the film. But thinking that Malloy was the killer all the way through made me think of him differently when I was reading it. So maybe I have to read it again? Who knows. All I know is that I'm glad it wasn't Malloy who did that to Frannie as I think reading that would have really upset me.

Anyone who likes thrillers, murder mystery and gritty, urban stories should read In The Cut. And then watch the movie. I was surprised to note that I actually enjoyed the movie more than the book. A very rare occurance as I always think that reading a story rather than watching it is more rewarding as you get to imagine it in your head. In this instance however I am happy to admit it was the other way around.

Book - 6/10 Movie - 8/10

I heart New York by Lindsey Kelk

The book for July is I heart New York by Lindsey Kelk. Be sure to read it to share your views.

Updated: We have now had out meeting for the book 'I heart New York'. The questions we have used for this book are those found on 'Book-Club-Queen's website.

The list of discussion questions for book club success:

Which character do you like the most and why? The least and why?
Many of the group found the main character, Angela interesting but not because of her but of her actions and her never ending bank account. Like with many stories the character although was thoughtful about her income wasn't as concerned with it as we as readers would be but, I suppose that is what helps the story moving along.

What passage from the book stood out to you?
The girls at the group decided that the passage that stood out for them the most was the passage describing 'the gig'. They said that it was quite true to form and then began to reminisce about gigs they too had been too.

Are there situations and/or characters you can identify with, if so how?
Two of the members of the group have recently been to New York together and they could fully understand and join in with the main characters description of the New York skyline. Another member found that the torn between the two men situation was something that they could identify with.

Did you learn something you didn’t know before?
As a new member of the club L learnt about the infamous shoes 'Louboutin'.

Do you feel as if your views on a subject have changed by reading this text?
We felt as a group that our views hadn't really changed on the areas read in the book but it did help us to understand points of view from both sides.

Have you had a life changing revelation from reading this text?
Everyone was fully agreed on this one - No.

What major emotion did the story evoke in you as a reader?
Again everyone was in together on this one - Envy! Envy at being able to start again and not really having to worry about the daily grind and money.

At what point in the book did you decide if you liked it or not? What helped make this decision?
For K and D this was definitely when the book delved into the description of New York.

Name your favourite thing overall about the book. Your least favourite?
The whole idea of starting again rang loud with the book clubbers this month and again the fact that it was set in NY for D and K but not so much so for C. L found the book to be 'girly' and not her usual read but enjoyed it anyway.

If you could change something about the book what would it be and why?
We all agreed that we liked the ending and would not change that. We may have changed the character Jenny as we found her to be very extreme. Also Angela's naivety about her blog!

Who is it for?  Girls off to the Big Apple and those who want a giggle.
Score: 7/10

Christmas at Tiffany's by Karen Swan

I saved this book for my recent book to New York, a place I have wanted to visit since I was 13 years old. I didn't understand the significance of  'Breakfast at Tiffany's' until I recently watched the movie and instantly fell in love with the idea of 'Breakfast at Tiffany's'. Needless to say on my recent first (hopefully of many) visit to the Big Apple I took part in the 'fantasy'. Anyway I digress....to the book. The main character, Cassie is placed in a rather unforgivable situation by her husband and due to this she begins a search for the life that best fits her. If I had to start again I would definitely follow the routes that Cassie takes. During the book Cassie has to overcome that fact that her three closet friends have all made different lives for themselves and despite her best attempts there is no one life that fits her. The book takes Cassie to my three favourite cities New York, Paris and Venice and Karen Swan gives excellent descriptions of places that Cassie visited which also makes the book a quick read.

Who is it for: People who have not recently had their heart broken, those who want to find out a little about the different cities, Paris, New York and Venice (there isn't that much about London), those who want to be inspired to make changes.

Score: 8 out of 10.

The Lucky One by Nicholas Sparks

I have learnt now to read the book before seeing the movie. I have yet to see the movie but the books was great. Again another I just could not put down. Sparks grips you with his mannerisms of Logan (the main character) from the start and the chapters that reflect upon his past give the reader more of an insight into the character.

Each chapter is from a different characters perspective but unlike other books that do this it is not disjointed and has a natural flow. This book is not set in rural England like many I read and it gets down in a gentle way to the nitty-gritty of life. This book is based on the tragedy and overcoming it. Sparks could have given us a little more detail on the work of Beth and her ex (slight spoiler) as Beth who is a teacher seems to come home from work with nothing to do. I have to come home, do the washing, marks books etc and I feel just a little more description into this would have benefited (ok I am in teacher mode!).

This book really makes you consider peoples actions and their thoughts on the world and their own lives.

Who is it for: everyone, book clubs, people who want to believe in love.

Score: 8/10

The Mozart Conspiracy

Well this is the second book I have read in the last month written by a man! A first for me. Anyway I digress. I was really looking forward to reading the Mozart Conspiracy by Scott Mariani after watching a lady in my staffroom reading it at lunch time for 5 consecutive days. I gathered from the blurb that the book would run a little similarly to the Dan Brown books The Davinci Code and Angels and Demons. I am sure that because I made this assumption I did not enjoy it as much as I perhaps should have.

The writer follows the main character Ben who has to use his training and 'love' to (spoiler alert) prevent ritual events. I took from the title there would be a lot about Mozart but I was left a little disappointed (perhaps this is because I am a musician and I studied the piece the plot referred too in great depth at University).

Despite my misgivings I did enjoy the book and I did read it in less than two weeks. The writer keeps the story moving (slight spoiler alert) and with a real twist at the end he must be praised.

Who is it for? book clubs, people who know things about guns, crime readers, people who like to be kept on the edge.
Score 7/10

 



Leaving the World by Douglas Kennedy

OMG!!! I don't usually say this about a book but what a story. I loved this book. True there were parts of it when I wanted to shout at the main character, Jane and say 'what are you doing?' but once I got into it I could not put it down. The book is set in America and Canada which was interesting for me because as you know the books I have posted about so far have all been set in rural England. Mr Kennedy dives into the character amazingly and as 'The Times' has noted on the back cover the of the book is 'famous for insightfully writing about women's lives'. I had never really thought about a man writing from a woman's perceptive before but I must agree with the Times, he is absolutely fabulous at it.
The book is divided into four parts, each of which focuses on Jane's stages in the story. Jane is not such a complex character but is portrayed as being very knowledgeable about the world from the start. However like many of us she is taken on a roller coaster ride which keeps the reader gripped.
Who is it for? Anyone but not for those who are struggling with bereavement.
Score: 9.5 out of 10.

Stolen by Lesley Pearse

Well this book took me all of three days to read, I could not put it down! I was gripped from the start. The story is set mainly on the south coast of England in Brighton and it's surrounding area and is about two characters Lotte and Dale. Woven into the story of how they met, became friends and went through a harrowing time together is life, romance and those difficult relationships some of us have.

As I said I was hooked from the start. The book is about a girl (Lotte (or should I say woman)) who is found washed up on a beach and she can't remember how she came to be there. Although I loved this book there was one chapter that I was not so keen on (spoiler alert: the chapter where Lotte and Howard are united) and for this reason alone I am going to reduce my scoring for the book.

Who is it for? ladies and book clubs who want something that isn't just about the middle class way of life in Britain.

Score: 9/10




Going Dutch by Katie Fforde

Well I read this book in less than two weeks which is not bad going for me. It was a good read with lots of thought provoking moments along the way. I liked the fact that Katie Fforde has two main characters that are of different ages and from different stages in their life's. This is a good read for anybody who wants to read a feel good. If you have read as many 'love stories' as myself the plot was fairly easy to grasp from early on (but sometimes isn't that why we read them?) but there were some little twists that made this book interesting. Well done Katie Fforde.

Score: 8/10

New York Valentine by Carmen Reid

This isn't a book selected by my book club but I read it so I shall give it a little review. I finished this book in no time at all. It is the second book I have read by Carmen Reid in the Valentine series. The first the book prior to this one, Celebrity Shopper which I know isn't the first in the series but my sister got it for me.
The book is set mainly in NY City (the one place in the world I am itching to go to) so from an instant I knew this book was going to be a hit with me.
Annie Valentine (the main character) takes us on her visit to NY where she has gone on business (or a jolly!) to help a friend. The book is full of laughs, sorrows and 'isn't life great' moments.
Recommended for: I recommend this book for people who enjoy shopping, fashion, NY, want to go to NY and girls/ladies/females.
Score: 8/10

The Rats by James Herbert

I have to say I was not looking forward to reading this book. It was the choice of my younger sister and as a member of the club I had to read it. Once I got past the first two chapters that were a little disturbing I quite enjoyed the story. The book makes you think about what is out there and how individuals (in this case Harris) can make a difference.
Recommended for: people who like rats, those who aren't scared by much...
Score: 6/10
Watch out for our club discussion to follow.

Bookclubforthegirls 81 is born

It does what is says on the tin except ... when I refer to girls I am referring to myself and four good friends who have formed a book club (the youngest being 23 and the oldest in her mid thirties).

This blog is to record our likes and dislikes about books we have read. The book club has been running for 12 months now and each meeting has been as pleasing as the last. Join us as we marvel through pages of books and discuss.