Before I Go To Sleep by S J Watson.

A gripping page turner... this book should come with a health warning it's that addictive.

I don't think I've ever read anything that could be classed as a thriller and this one was just fantastic.  I was hooked straight away and there were times that I had to stop reading (we all need to sleep sometime) and was so reluctant to stop reading, I just could not wait to pick the book up again.

The main character is very likeable and you are on her side straight away, wanting her to find out about her past and realise who she really is.
The twists and turns in this book are chilling, you know that something sinister is going on but the story is so cleverly written that one minute you think you might know what really happened and then the next you think that idea can't possibly be true.
This book has you guessing right up until the very end.

I found this story took me on a journey with each character.  I felt sorry for Christine, but then swapped to feeling that she was being very selfish.  You live through her confusion with her and just as she at times doubts what is true, so do you.  With Ben I switched between thinking he was such a wonderful husband for being so patient, and that he must be in such a difficult situation; to then feeling he was being unfair to Christine by not telling her the truth each day; only to then swing back to feeling sorry for him, after all he has given up on a 'normal' life by devoting himself to Christine.  You literally jump all over the place when reading this book, it constantly has you on your toes.

This is a very well written book that drags you right inside the story from the outset, and doesn't let you out again until you've finished it (and even then you're left with something to think about).  I would highly recommend this book.  Rest easy that it won't take you long to read as you will not be able to put it down once you have picked it up.

Title: Before I Go To Sleep
Author: S. J. Watson.
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Miracle At The Museum Of Broken Hearts by Talli Roland.

A short story...

I don't normally enjoy short stories; by the time I've got to know all the characters and the storyline it's all over, but I had never read anything by Talli Roland and wanted to see if I liked her style before I bought her book, Build A Man.

I really enjoyed this story.  Initially I was intrigued by the Museum Of Broken Hearts; I love the idea, it's so original.  The main character was very likeable in fact all the characters were very 'normal' which made for a believable story.

Would recommend this for a quick, fun read and at the moment it is free on Kindle - so enjoy!

Title: Miracle At The Museum Of Broken Hearts
Author: Talli Roland
Short Story

Oh Dear Silvia by Dawn French.

This is the second novel written by Dawn French and having read this, I have to say that I preferred the first.  'A Tiny Bit Marvellous' was funny whereas this one lacked any humour, and despite it being a bit 'obvious' I do expect a bit of humour when reading a Dawn French book.

The plot lacked any intrigue and it was only at half way through the book that any real plot holding the book together emerged.  Before that it was simply a lot of random visits to Silvia by random relatives.  By the end of the book some of Silvia's personality traits had been explained through past events but if you'd blinked you'd have missed these links.
I didn't find the characters very relate-able and some, such as Cat, were just over the top.

What annoyed me most about this book was the amount of underlining that went on, nearly every other word was underlined which seemed quite unnecessary and got a bit repetitive.

The best thing about this book has to be the cover, which I loved, but unfortunately isn't enough to make a good book.  I'm a big Dawn fan, I love The Vicar of Dibley and have seen French and Saunders Live more than once but unfortunately, this isn't a read I would recommend,  If you do want to try some of Dawn's reading I would suggest you start with her first novel, A Tiny Bit Marvellous.

Title: Oh Dear Silvia
Author: Dawn French

Dracula by Bram Stoker.

I'm not one for 'classics' but I wanted to read a horror book and Dracula was recommended to me.  So with a little trepidation I began the book, thoroughly expecting to be frightened, or at least find it a little bit creepy.  Unfortunately I think my generation is so used to vampire films, supernatural books and T.V. programmes that to read something like Dracula now is quite dull.  I'm sure that at the time of it's release it would have been exciting to read and probably quite scary but I found I was expecting to much 'horror' and was disappointed.

I found the book too long and think it could have been shorter, but perhaps all the 'extra' bits used to help build suspense back when the book was scary. 

I would now like to watch the film and compare this to the book.  If you are interested in reading this then remember being a classic it is free on Kindle.

Title: Dracula
Author: Bram Stoker

Lucy Sullivan Is Getting Married by Marian Keyes.

This is the second book by Marian Keyes (I know because I'm trying to read through her back catalogue in order and having already read her first, Watermelon, this was next on my list).

Like all her books Marian writes excellent chick lit that can cheer you up and make you laugh despite covering some quite serious topics.  This book has a very loveable main character, Lucy, who is ever so slightly neurotic in her search for the perfect man.  There are moments when you want to scream at her that the man she is currently with really isn't right for her, but most of all I found her very easy to relate to and loved the description of her post break-up blues because I think we've all been in that dark place at some point, and joined in with her hysteria!

The story covers topics including depression and alcoholism, friendship and relationships and as ever with Marian Keyes books there are plenty of laughs and gritty real-life drama. 

Title: Lucy Sullivan Is Getting Married
Author: Marian Keyes

More To Life Than This by Carole Matthews.

As a lover of Carole Matthews' books I've decided to read through her back catalogue whilst I wait for the release of her new book, A Cottage By The Sea.

This book appealed to me as I think we've all had a moment when we've gotten bogged down in the repetition of daily life.  As always with Carole Matthews her characters are very relateable and draw you into the story straight away.

I enjoyed the majority of the book, but was slightly disappointed by the last part, I think I would have preferred the characters to have made different choices.

I loved the description of 'the morning after the night before', there's nothing like trying to tart yourself up in less than five minutes, when you have none of your own cosmetics and are trying not to make a noise!

All in all this was a pleasant book, not my favourite Carole Matthews, but a good read nonetheless.

Title: More To Life Than This
Author: Carole Matthews

The Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins.

I initially watched the film The Hunger Games under duress but surprised myself by really enjoying it.  I had heard that the books were good and was really intrigued how they would follow up the first story as the first film seemed to be a complete story and didn't hint towards any future storyline.

I was really impressed with how well the author wrote a book which is essentially about children fighting each other to the death but without offending and alienating her readers.  Katniss, the main character, is very love-able and relate-able despite her many flaws - and the fact she too has killed people.

There were bits of the book which I thought were very violent considering these are essentially children's books.  But there are very strong themes of friendship and family running through the book.

The first book, The Hunger Games was brilliant.  It's so well written you literally don't want to put it down, virtually each page ends in a cliffhanger that leaves you wondering what will happen next.  The details of Panem and the games is very descriptive and paints a wonderful picture.  I found myself routing for the characters and despite already knowing the story from watching the film, I was gripped with the drama in the book.

Catching Fire, the second book was just as intense as the first, but by now you've already been on a journey with the characters and are right behind them.  I was shocked by some of the story twists, but even more than the first I couldn't stop reading as I just had to know what would happen.  (I was also starting to get a bit panicky about the fact there was only one more book to go and then the trilogy would be over!)

The third and final book, Mockingjay, in some ways lacked the action of the first and it wasn't quite as fast paced but it was still full of drama and heartbreak.  The book is full of twists and turns right up until the end, and I finished the book an emotional wreck.  The ending was both sad and happy, by most of all I was so disappointed to have finished the books.  I really enjoyed each one and the only thing that stops me being too sad at finishing them is that I know I will one day watch the next films!

May The Odds Be Ever In Your Favour...

Title: The Hunger Games Trilogy: The Hunger Games, Catching Fire & Mockingjay.
Author: Suzanne Collins