Books I've read in 2009 - February

Way late on this one specially since it's the 1st of April today, but better late then never :) Here 'tis lovelies.

5. 19 Minutes by Jodi Picoult - This was our book club book for Feb. I enjoyed it (as much as one can when it's all bout multiple murder). Picoult continues to write about events that happen in reality and sadly what's more real than a school shooting. I quite like the style of this book, it's told from Peter (shooter), Josie (shootee & Peter's friend from childhood), Lacy (Peter's Mum) & Alex (Josie's mum & Judge of the town of Stirling). There are a few other pov, but they are the main ones. It also goes back and forth through time, to highlight important events in Peter's childhood. It delves into why Peter chose a school shooting to deal with his bullies and some of the scenes where Peter is bullied are excruciating to read, you really feel for the character even though he's killed 10 kids. It's interesting to read the book from his pov and makes you ask, is that why these shooting's happen in real life? I'm not condoning the mass killing of bullies, I just think that it puts into perspective why these events happen. It highlights the real need for something to be done about bullying, rather than trying to sweep it under the rug or making light of a situation. I like Jodi's books in general, I also read another one of her books this month, it's up next. Plus seriously - how can you not love a book that mentions The Wiggles :)

6. Plain Truth by Jodi Picoult - This one is about an Amish girl that is put on trial for murdering her baby. I liked this one too, Picoult again uses the 'in the past' tool again to tell the story of (forgive my mental blank, I can't remember her name), and how she met the father of her baby. The basic premise of the story is that as an Amish person wouldn't be capable of murder (which I don't buy), imo everyone is capable of murder, regardless - thankfully, the majority of us never have to cross that moral dilemma. KATIE!! That's her name, I'm slow I know and there's tangents - it's all part of my charm :) Overall, it's a good story, I liked it and I'm slowly working my way through Jodi Picoult's books.

7. Dead Connection - Alafair Burke - Nasty murdery thrillery book, which I really enjoyed, this is the first I've read of this author and I'm so reading more!! There is also no way I'm ever joinging an online dating service now - which in the book is how the killer finds his victims. Kinda does for dating service, what Wolf Creek did for backpackers. lol. Tight little cop drama it was, I liked the authors style, apparently this got mixed reviews as it moved away from her Samantha Kincaid series, but meh I liked it anyway. The other weird thing (not really weird - just an interesting fact), Alafair Burke is James Lee Burke's daughter. Now I've blogged about writer's offspring picking up the pen before - I'm very sceptical of their 'talent'. I don't know if it didn't effect my judgement, just because I didn't realise 'til after I'd finished, or if it was actually good on it's own, but either way I liked it.

And that's it chums, I feel sadly lacking in the book reading department for Feb, but never fear - I more than make up for that in March. Until then, keep reading - it's good for you :)

C.

Writing offspring...BLAGH!!

Apparently, if your parent(s) write novels, so can you. What is with the whole, mummy writes books why can't I? It kinda shits me and because of the name they automatically get on the bestsellers list. I'll happily admit I've never read Higgins Clark, McCaffery or the Kellermans, (not any real reason for it, I just haven't felt like it) But why? They stick to the genre of their parents, so it's not like it's anything new, it's like the book version of the colour by numbers pictures. How can they be original? What's so great about the younger generation - I suppose I'd have to read one to find out but...meh...don't really wanna.

I'd rather keep reading my sexy books. I'm reading at the moment, four short sexy paranormal stories. I originally wanted this for the Alyssa Day story as I like her Warriors of Poseidon series, but I liked the other stories as well.

I finished Carry me Down on Thursday, this is our first Book Club book. I did enjoy it and it was easy to read but I'm still all a little huh? A couple points in the book had me cringing (namely the kittens, when the school bully gets hers and the end bit with the mum), but I do think it fell a little short, it wasn't fantastic, just sort of slow & stifiling. It was real in the sense that it portrayed everyday life in the boringest of forms. It certainly would have been a totally different book seen through the eyes of one of the other characters, perhaps darker if told by the mum.

Hence, somethings that may seem sinister to an 11 year old boy, would be mundane to an adult. The books doesn't really end, kinda like really life - I don't know if this was intentionally written this way, but that sort of ending just kinda pisses me off. Unless I'm reading a trilogy, I like my books to have a definite ending. I did sympathise with the characters a little, but to be honest I was also happy to have finished it, as it was depressing that everyone just seemed stuck, unable to really communicate what they were feeling. As the book unfolds, the characters, especially John's parents unravel and it was kinda painful to read in places. Despite all that happens, the characters end up in the same place they started, perhaps hip to what's happening to their family, but choosing to ignore the disfuction and the havoc that it wrecks on their lives. But perhaps the author is again trying to portray the futility of their struggle and highlighting that you can't really escape your life, no matter how shitty it is...whoa deep. Time for me to have a Bex, lie down and watch some hot boys to bring back the happy. Toot suite!

The review is kinda all over the place but I'm too lazy to make it flow nicer :) Plus the links are a little wonky, click on the Wild Thing picture - it'll take you to one of the greatest online bookshops in the world - Rendezvous! and click on the Carry Me Down writing, which will take you to Dymocks, where a much more succinct review is waiting your perusal.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend lovelies :)

C.