read 50 books in 2008

Horton Hears A Who – Dr Seuss

Oren and I snuggled up on the rocking chair yesterday to read this one. Oren was in a bit of a grump, but he quietened down to listen to the story and look at the pictures.

The Cat in the Hat – Dr Seuss

Oren and I read this one about a fortnight ago. We always sit in our rocking chair and read together. The Dr Seuss (nursery edition) series seem to be working well as they have lots of bright colourful pictures, and Oren likes listening to the rhymes.

Extra confessions of a working girl – Miss S

Well this is basically a mainstream porno as far as I can tell! It is a good read though, I certainly enjoyed it lol! A bit more risque than her previous book, this one delves into orgies and S&M clubs, so she obviously felt ready to push the boundaries further this time around.

Definitely something to read in short bursts, not a sit down read it cover to cover in one session kind of book!

The Baby Whisperer – Tracy Hogg

Oh I love, love, LOVE this book.

Using this book has helped us to teach Oren to sleep through the night, after only 3 days of implementing its techniques!

Its just fab, it is really easygoing, with no strict rules or routines, but general patters and just some really great tips.

This is definitely THE book I will reccomend to any mums I meet!

My Booky Wook – Russell Brand

Well, this is a piece of fantastic writing. I was totally hooked throughout this autobiography. I dont necessarily condone Russell’s expolits over the years, but all credit to him for recording his actions in black and white with no real self-pity or excuse for some of the more dubious ones. And somehow he manages to make you laugh throughout the whole book – amazing.

This is obviously one very intelligent man.

Late Night Shopping – Carmen Reid

Ahhh, another Carmen Reid book… I read this one pretty quickly, despite having a crying baby at home! Had all the usual elements of a Reid novel, and it was interesting that this was the continuation of one of her previous novels. I didnt think it was nearly as good as the novel which preceeded it, as there were no clever twists and it was a novel designed to just tell a light hearted story more than explore characters etc.

Still enjoyable and fun – all I need at the mo!

The Undomestic Goddess – Sophie Kinsella

Have read this before, and felt in the need for a bit of its lighthearted fun. Reviews of this novel have been less than favourable in the past, as for some reason people found it objectionable that Kinsella should write a character other than Becky Bloomswood of the Shopaholic series. However, I enjoyed this novel as a light hearted read – it was a bit less silly than the shopaholic novels which wasnt a bad thing!

Three in A Bed – Carmen Reid

I LOVE this book, it is Reid’s best novel (in my opinion) and although it is just a chick-flick type novel, I would still possibky class it as one of my favourite books.

Now part of the reason that it speaks to me so much is that there is something of a strong likeness between some of the events and characters of the book to my own life… main characters are a girl in her late 20s, her partner in his early 40s. they have a whirlwind romance, get married, which causes a family rift on her side. They end up getting pregnant and then there is all the drama and turmoil that causes.

The book gives one of the best descriptions I have read of labour (I remember reading it when i was in early pregnancy, and the description was pretty scary!) and it really does show the effect of pregnancy and motherhood on a woman, how it can make you feel, etc.

It does give some insight to the male point of view, especially the male frustration and bewilderment at the (temporary) changes which overcome his partner, although the only thing lacking from the book would be a deeper perspective on that side of things.

So, it was a pleasure to read this again. Its a book which I would wholeheartedly reccomend, especially to any first time mums!

Love and Other Infidelities – Helen Townsend

The by-line on the front of this book is ‘a tale of passion, dishonesty and betrayal’ and while I did enjoy the novel, it didnt really have the grit to it which I thought was suggested.

The novel was your basic story of married man having affair because his marriage isn’t working, affair compounds problems of the marriage, impact of domestic stress on the kids, wife finally finds out about affair, family all split up.

Was an easy read & enjoyable enough, characters were realistic and made the reader empathise. Wouldn’t reccomend the book particularly, but would read others by the author.

Did the Earth Move – Carmen Reid

I was disappointed by this novel, as it lacked the plot and characterisation which I have come to expect from Reid. There was no particular great twist within the novel, and worse than that it was all fairly predictable. Really not as good as ‘Three in a bed’ or ‘The Personal Shopper’.

I wont give up on Reid just yet, as she has her next novel due out any time now, but I hope she has injected some spark into it.