Saturday 28 April 2018

2018 Reading

As you all know I love a good book and am happy to give pretty much anything a try. I can't go past the local charity shop without popping in to see what they've got and probably buy something on most occasions! I'm trying however to work my way through what I've got (although I know some will still sneak in!)
This will be a list of what I've read this year. I'll post it in sections - this is beginning of January to the end of April.

I've read quit a few Ken Follett books and have enjoyed them all - this one was no exception. I love the way he weaves actual factual historical events with fictional characters and their interactions with the big players (Churchill pops up frequently in this one).
I'd been wanting to read this and the sequel for ages and having managed to pick up the other one in a charity shop I bit the bullet and bought the eBook of this one so I could read them in the right order. I've liked Rob Lowe for a while and watching The West Wing a few years back made me intrigued again. It was an interesting read as he moved in interesting circles (he used to spend a lot of time as a kid hanging out with Charlie Sheen and Emilio Estevez and therefore their Dad Martin Sheen who he played alongside in The West Wing). The writing itself wasn't brilliant (in my humble opinion) but the subject matter and stories were enough to keep me hooked.

The follow up to the above. It did feel a bit like another bite at the money apple but there were new stories and having picked it up in the charity shop it was an interesting enough read!

Picked up in the charity shop. Never heard of the author but it was nice and cheap and as I said I'm always up for something new (and three books for £2!). Basically whodunnits set in the world of sports representation (a new one on me). Enjoyed the writing and didn't suss out who the killer was until the reveal which is always a bonus - will definitely keep an eye out for any more of his books.


Another charity shop bargain - 50p for a trilogy. The author's name rang a bell but the mention of witches and magic had me all in. I really enjoyed this trilogy and will definitely be on the lookout for more by Anne Bishop. She turns the norm on it's head here by having the women in charge and men drawn to serve. Of course that doesn't necessarily work out (bad apples and all that) but it makes for an interesting backdrop. The characters are great and there is a lot of humour that I find can be missing in some fantasy books. It's also very dark in places and keeps you on the edge of your seat - I really did have trouble putting it down (but had to as it's a big old book!)


This one I got for two reasons - the authors wife was pushing it on her Facebook group (as any good wife would) and it was 99p on Kindle! A fairly quick read it tells the story of the morning of events from the different perspectives of the four main characters involved in the story. The couples day starts as it normally would and then takes a dramatic twist when they answer the door. It's an easy read and did catch me out at the end, a bit dark in places with some dubious content in my opinion. I won't rush out to buy any more from him but if they come up cheap again I probably wouldn't pass it up either.

I was looking for a book to have on my phone for my cruise and the first in this series came up as free option when I was having a browse so I thought why not - got me hook line and sinker and now I've paid for the other 10! This is number 11 and I've just spotted that they are up to 13 so I'll have a couple more to buy when I finish this one!! The main character is a female FBI agent who, with help from colleagues, solves a crime (murder) in each book. They work as standalone stories but also have an ongoing background story that might confuse a little if you haven't read them in order. They are easy to read and a good bit of escapism with short chapters so it's easy to pick up and put down. I'll probably download the newest two for my break in London next week - so much lighter than 'real' books to pack!!
This is Sarah Millican's autobiography and I was looking forward to it - unfortunately I just couldn't get on with the writing style at all. I don't know what it was about it! Made it page 41 of 298 and had to admit defeat - shame!

See - told you I'd have to play catch up - another great, quick, read. The back story continues to pootle along underneath the solving of the current serial killer case. The next book is pre-ordered for July!
Pretty sure this was a cheapie on iBooks and that's a good thing. It was an ok chick lit story but kinda went the way you expected it to and the stopped - no real ending. Wouldn't recommend it!
Another cheapie - Kindle this time - this was quite a sad story, and just proves that you need to communicate with the important people in your life!