Category Archives: Book Reviews

The French Gardener

Posted on March 9, 2013 by freda

The French Gardener was a happy find for me on the crowded shelves of the monthly Library Van. The blurb on the front says: Anyone who likes Joanne Harris or Mary Wesley will love Montefiore’s atmospheric romance.  I couldn’t have … Continue reading →

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The Black House

Posted on January 23, 2013 by freda

The Black House by Peter May is a superb read and indeed is much more than the traditional who-dunnit kind of thriller. The writer has an immediate and dramatic style which makes good use of shifting time frames, taking the … Continue reading →

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The Awakening of George Darroch

Posted on November 29, 2012 by freda

The Awakening of George Darroch is a 1995 novel by Robin Jenkins. It is no longer in print, though secondhand editions are still available. It is based on “a momentous event in Scottish history – the Great Disruption of 1843, … Continue reading →

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The Lucky One

Posted on April 13, 2012 by freda

Nicholas Sparks is an author I shall look out for again, though I have to confess that The Lucky One has had me in a state of high tension for the day and a half it took to read the … Continue reading →

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Good Friday

Posted on April 6, 2012 by freda

Today has been very special; being on my own has meant that I have been able to have a Good Friday devotion, which has consisted of reading this book. To be honest, I was barely able to put Jesus Freak … Continue reading →

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A Sweet Obscurity

Posted on February 15, 2012 by freda

This has been sitting on my “to read” shelves for some time – presumably it got there by recommendation or book review. I’m glad it did, though must admit that it is not an easy read. I got through to … Continue reading →

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My Sister Lives on the Mantlepiece

Posted on January 22, 2012 by freda

We had another power cut yesterday – 10 hours in total; that is the ninth significant outage this winter. It was less stressful than previously because I was enjoying Annabel Pitcher’s debut novel – My Sister Lives on the Mantlepiece. … Continue reading →

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Dear John

Posted on November 21, 2011 by freda

Nicholas Sparks is on top form with this 2006 novel which explores relationships in his typically quirky and individual style. Not unexpected from a writer who has given us The Notebook and Message in a Bottle. The hero is a … Continue reading →

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Oogy yes Oogy

Posted on November 9, 2011 by freda

It’s not that I spend my whole days reading, though I do love to read, it’s that I actually got to a real live bookshop this week. Now I am one of those people who just cannot leave such a … Continue reading →

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New hobby

Posted on November 4, 2011 by freda

My latest batch of books this week includes this cookery book that should help with healthier eating. The tip is that you don’t just read the book, you follow the advice. It’s quite a slim book and has nice illustrations, … Continue reading →

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