Everybody thinks this is a book about e waste. It's not. It's about how we came to accept the fact that things break all the time and we have to replace them. There's 100 years of fascinating history in this book with good stories about condoms, radio and nylons. Enjoy! (50 words)
| 0 Comment(s)Novel-length offering from the former Middlesex plodder, now 'Analyst'. While an acceptable read, his first two chronicles - life as a county cricketer and life touring the cricketing world are better. Interesting perspective on the build up to last year's Ashes, but lots of other people's anecdotes. (47 words)
| 0 Comment(s)Phillip Pullman creates a dream-like world for children which sees a scarecrow made of straw and a turnip embark on a Homeric odyssey with the homeless but talented child, Jack. Together they battle highwaymen and travel the high sees in their quest to reunite Scarecrow with his beloved estate. (49 words)
| 0 Comment(s)A riveting story involving Rosemary, who avoids seeing or reading about the suffering of others in books. Unknowingly, this leads to her brotherÔÇÖs capture in the Land of Fiction and ultimately forces Rosemary and friends to attempt a daring rescue. An energetic and imaginative story with fun characters. (48 words)
| 0 Comment(s)The story flows smoothly and the characters are quite likeable and very easily identifiable for the reader. It can be slow at times but the "early coming-of-age" tale emphasizes the important of family ties. (34 words)
| 0 Comment(s)Gervase Phinn recounts amusing stories of his first year as a Schools Inspector in North Yorkshire. The anecdotes are wonderfully described (one child says "if I've owt to ask I asks it and if I've owt to say I says it..."). Like Sunday evening TV on the BBC! (48 words)
| 0 Comment(s)This book is amazing. Christopher, whose neighbour's dog is killed, decides to try and solve the mysterious death and write a detective book about it. In writing his book, Christopher tells his (and his family's) story of dealing with his autism. It made me cry and laugh.
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| 0 Comment(s)Okay (deep breath)...this book is about the true Grail...but isn't written by Dan Brown...it is very long and, whilst it has wonderful descriptions of Carcassonne and the surrounding hills (an area I know relatively well), the winding and often confusing story (set in the 13th and 21 centuries) is underwhelming. (50 words)
| 0 Comment(s)This relatively short novel was a great debut by one of America's best-known horror writers. The story of Carrie and her high school ordeal is unravelled in the context of her orthodox upbringing, adding an eerie feeling to the dramatic climax on Prom Night. A great read. (47 words)
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