But wait, there's more...

The next batch of books is when I was still stuck on the couch, but had my wonderful mother staying with me. One of the best books in this batch was recommended by her. I will start with that book as I know some of you don't read the whole blog!

State of Wonder by Ann Patchett.

This was a wonderful epic story to get lost in. Fascinating story of science, mythical tales and adventure - and beautifully written. Other Ann Patchett stories that I have read and loved include Bel Canto (brilliant) and Run (good, but not as good as Bel Canto). I really enjoyed State of Wonder  - 4 ****.

The next books in this instalment, were  / are all very popular but they didn't resonate with me - not sure whether because I wasn't in the mood (due to injury etc) or they just weren't for me.

The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion.

This was a very sweet, romantic story and I know others (K Buckley I'm looking at you) who have loved this book so please read it and judge it for yourself. My rating - 2/12 **+ stars.

Five Days by Douglas Kennedy

I have read other Douglas Kennedy books that I really liked (The Moment) and others that left me feeling disappointed (The Women in the Fifth). Sadly this one falls in the latter category and I'm not sure I will rush to read another one of his novels. Only 2** stars for me.

The hand that first held mine by Maggie O'Farrell.

To be perfectly honest, I had to go and reread bits of the book to remind myself what this one was about. Written by the same author as 'The vanishing act of Esme Lennox' (which I loved), this one did not grab me and I didn't love the women depicted in it and obviously my brain has completely wiped out any knowledge of the book! Once again, only 2** stars for me.

The Secret Keeper by Kate Morton.

Kate Morton writes consistently good, easy reading novels. I have really enjoyed all her books that I have read - The Distant Hours, The House at Riverton and The Forgotten Garden (follow the link to see my earlier review). They are not challenging to read and have a lovely old-fashioned quality to them. 31/2 stars - ***+.

Lastly, Looking for Alaska by John Green

Ok probably not the best one to read when you are feeling emotionally frail but beautifully written. John Green also wrote The fault in our stars which I reviewed earlier. These books are supposedly aimed at teenagers but I found them very intense and sad but once again it could just have been in the emotional state I was in at the time. I also found it hard to believe that young adults would actually talk they did in the book - intrigued? Maybe you should try reading it and let me know what you think. 3 *** stars for me.

The next instalment I definitely steered away from anything deep or sad, so if you like your books light and easy to digest, please check in again soon.

The Woman in the Fifth

In my newly found appreciation for the local library (cost cutting tip #1 for me) - I am reading all sorts of not so new releases.

First cab off the ranks was Douglas Kennedy's 'The Woman in the Fifth'. You may remember me reviewing The Moment (here on the blog) a few months ago and raving about his book. So it was with a high level of expectation that I took The Woman in the Fifth home from the library.

Harry Ricks is a man who has lost everything. A romantic mistake at the small American college where he used to teach has cost him his job and his marriage. And when the ensuing scandal threatens to completely destroy him, he flees to Paris. He arrives in the French captial in the bleak midwinter, and ends up having to work as a night guard to make ends meet. Then Margit, a beautiful, mysterious stranger, walks into his life. But their passionate and intense relationship triggers a string of inexplicable events, and soon Harry finds himself in a nightmare from which there is no easy escape.


I really like Douglas Kennedy's writing - its easy, unpretentious and yet tells an exciting page turning story. This book has all these hallmarks and was easily read in a couple of page-turning nights.


However, about 9/10ths of the way through the book, I was horribly let down. Unfortunately I can't divulge too much because a) it may inadvertently turn you off the book or b) completely ruin the gripping finale. What I will say is that I was very unhappy with where the book went and I'd REALLY love to hear if anyone else has read the book and felt the same way.


I will now hunt down another Douglas Kennedy book (there appears to be quite a few) and see if any of them can live up to The Moment for me.

A mixed bag

I've read a real mixed bag of books lately and whilst on holiday to South Africa so now that I'm back I thought I should briefly mention the ones I loved (there have been a few that I only just got through so I won't bother writing about them as well).

Firstly, The Moment by Douglas Kennedy. This book was a fantastic story about a writer, writing his travel books, his history, his romances, combined with a fascinating insight into life in East and West Germany before the Wall came down.

'Thomas Nesbitt is a divorced American writer in the midst of a rueful middle age. Living a very private life in Maine - in touch only with his daughter and still trying to reconcile himself to the end of a long marriage that he knew was flawed from the outset - he finds his solitude disrupted by the arrival, one wintry morning, of a box postmarked Berlin. The return address on the box - Dussmann - unsettles him completely. For it is the name of the woman with whom he had an intense love affair twenty-six years ago in Berlin - at a time when the city was cleaved in two, and personal and political allegiances were haunted by the deep shadows of the Cold War. '

There were so many parts of this book that I loved - it was very sad as well as stunningly written. It was mostly about not realizing that we are in 'the moment' - whatever that might be and how wonderful it is and the rest of your life can be shaped by it.

I don't want to give too much away as I think its a brilliant book and I highly recommend it to all.

Next post: 'Cocktail Hour Under the Tree of Forgetfulness'.