Italy in Books – Reading Challenge 2011
The July post with a list of books that the other people taking part are reading this month has already been posted. July Reviews
Beyond The Pasta is so much more than just another Italian cookery book as besides providing great recipes Mark writes a diary about his trip to Italy to learn authentic Italian cooking. The added wow factor for me was not just that it is set in Italy but in our region of Viterbo. I loved all the local recipes,…
Paperback: 527 pages.
Genre: Psychological Thriller.
Publisher: Blackswan
Source: Given to us by a friend in the UK.
First Sentences : ‘ Once there was a widow with three sons and their names were Black, Brown and Blue. Black was the eldest, moody and aggressive. Brown was the middle child, timid and dull. But Blue was his mother’s favourite. And he was a murderer.
Review Quote: ‘An ingenious and gripping read, it terrified the living daylights out of me’ Daily Express.
My Opinion Very clever and well written but I simply…
Paperback: 326 pages
Genre: Fiction
Publisher: Penguin 2011
Source: Passed on to us by a UK friend.
First Sentence : ‘There were years after it happened, after I’d returned from the town and come back here to the busy blank of the city, when some comment would be tossed off about the Second World War and how it had gone – some idiotic remark about clarity and purpose-and I’d resist the urge to stub out my cigarette and bring the dinner party to a satisfying halt .’
A Favourite Quote:…
Paperback: 277 pages
Genre: Historical Romantic Fiction
Publisher: Orion 2011
Source: Book provided by the author in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
First Sentence : ‘Mattie Maguire, owner of Maguire and Son’s coal yard, woke to the light tap of the knocker-upper’s cane on the window and Brian, her three-year-old son, chattering to his wooden soldiers in his cot at the foot of her bed.’
Review Quote : ‘A real page-turner with larger- than-life characters and convincing period detail’ – Daily Express.
My Opinion: A relaxing read that…
Italy in Books – Reading Challenge 2011
Paperback: 391 pages
Genre: Thriller, Mystery, Fiction
Publisher: February 5th 2010 by Macmillan
Source: Obtained in a Charity bookshop in the UK especially for the Italy in Books Challenge
First Sentence : The garden of the Quirinale felt like a suntrap as the man in the silver armour strode down the shingle path.
My Opinion: The fact that it was set in places I am familiar with added to the interest considerably.
The December post for the list of books that the other…
Ebook: 321KB in the Kindle Edition
Genre: Fantasy Adventure Fiction
Publisher: Aglaya Moroz; Original Edition edition (29 Aug 2011)
Source: Book provided by the author in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
First Sentence : The valley was generously and unhesitatingly painted with green, red, yellow and purple.
My Opinion: I did not enjoy this at all, I did warn the author though that I find fantasy difficult and this was just too much for me, but may well appeal to fans of the genre.
The story started well…
Paperback: 415 pages
Genre: Romantic fiction
Publisher:Corgi 2011 – Part of Transworld Publishers
Source: Transworld Book Group Reading Challenge
First Sentence : ’There was a heavy snowfall that had started the night before as Brigitte Nicholson sat at her desk in the admissions office of Boston University, meticulously going over applications.’
Description From Amazon : One woman’s quest to find her family…and herself.
My Opinion: Enjoyable, quick read. Transworld Book Group Reading ChallengeThis is my second and final read for the Transworld Book Group Reading Challenge as somehow the other…
Italy in Books – Reading Challenge 2011
Paperback: 355 pages
Genre: Travel memoir
Publisher: Booksurge Publishing 2008
Source: Sent to me by another blogger Maggie of Normandy Life via Bookmooch
First Sentence : Prologue ‘for almost fifteen years, March has signified not only the coming of spring, but my husband Al’s and my pilgrimage to Italy.’
Quote From Amazon.com : Ms. Husak’s memoir of travels to Italy with her husband will appeal to those who love travel in general and Italy in particular.
My Opinion: Suited to the first time…
Audiotape: 2 tapes Abridged 3hrs listening
Genre : Biography/Autobiography
Publisher: Penguin Audiobooks
Source: From a selection I have languishing on shelves.
Read By : Dorota Puzio
Reviewing an Audiobook here is a recent departure for me, as this is just the second time I have done so. I recently discovered a collection of approximately twenty audio books that we have moved from house to house for years. It is time that most of them were moved on as tapes are rather out…
Paperback: 368 pages
Genre: Literary Fiction
Publisher: Picador 2009
Source: My sister-in-law.
First Sentence : Prologue (Guernica 1939)Justo Ansotegui returns to the market now to hear the language and to buy soap.
Review Quote : ‘Where Picasso’s painting so vividly captured the hellfire of the town’s destruction, this book fills in the humanity. The characters, the culture and the landscape are all lovingly described.’ –New Statesman
My Opinion: One of my favourite reads this year.
Until I read this novel my only knowledge of ‘Guernica’ was as a place in…
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