A Bookworm's little corner of the Library.
Book Reviews and Book blog!
The Bookworm's Niche is my little corner of the world where I sit and read, review and discuss books. I'm such an avid reader. I am also a writer. I've written three poetry books, two children's books, one young adult book and a Gothic novel. I am a member of Goodreads and Librarything. I have an extensive library and love to read all sorts of books. Let me grab a coffee and let's Review some books:
Italian celebrity chef Carlo Franconi is a charismatic ladies man. He can charm women by his mere smile! His latest book, The Italian Way, is a best seller and publicist Juliet Trent helps him to promote his book. To Juliet Trent this assignment is the best so far; it can be her ticket to opening up her own Public Relations firm. Together, Trent and Franconi travel the US on a book tour. By the end of the tour Trent turns Franconi into a celebrity chef sensation. Even to a guarded, career woman as herself, Carlo Franconi, with his sexy looks and cooking talent, is hard to resist. Yet Carlo is a ladies’ man and Juliet cannot afford to fall head over heels for a man who loves so many women. The thought of ending up like her mother who fell in love with a man who left her eventually, Juliet Trent is bent over backwards to avoid the same fate. Over time and plates of linguini and spaghetti, Juliet Trent falls in love with Carlo Franconi. Can she resist his charms and learn the lessons he has to teach her or will she fall into temptation and indulge in his love?
This was the first Nora Roberts book I’ve read. I liked the book. The characters are believable and well-rounded. It is a light, romance novel that will have you falling head over heels in love. Who can resist a sexy, Italian chef, good food and sex? I am looking forward to read more of Robert’s work.
Into the Darkest Corner by Elizabeth Haynes is a dark, psychological suspense Novel that takes the reader into the life of Catherine Bailey, an employee at a PR Firm in Lancaster living with OCD and post traumatic stress caused by an abusive relationship with a psychotic, controlling police officer. After being held prisoner by Lee, which Catherine met at a Pub, Cathy begins to develop severe OCD. At first Lee seems like a real charmer; too good to be true. Charming Catherine's friends, Lee seems to be the perfect catch for Catherine; but soon Catherine begins to see Lee's controlling nature, as he takes over her life, rearranging her drawers, taking over her wardrobe, and searching through Catherine's diary. When Catherine complains about perfect Lee, her friend Sylvia thinks she's crazy and being a bitch. But then Catherine is found badly beaten and unconscious and rescued by a friend. At the start of the Novel, we find Catherine living a new life and meeting Stuart, a psychologist who befriends Catherine and helps her get over her anxiety. The author uses the device of Flashbacks to tell the story of abuse and torture which led Catherine into developing OCD and Post traumatic stress. The Novel does have a happy ending...though I didn't like it that Lee, the villain in the Novel, has the last words at the very end. I suppose the author left his letter to Catherine as an opening to a sequel.
This is a gripping and disturbing novel if you are interested in psychological suspense thrillers. The author wrote the Novel as part of the National Writer's Month (Nanowrimo) in November. I was shocked and traumatized by several scenes where Catherine was savagely raped by Lee and equally shocked to read about how Lee tricked Catherine into escaping to New York by setting up a false E-mail account and tricking Catherine into believing that a guy from work was offering Catherine a job in New York and a chance of escaping from Lee. When Catherine arrives in Heathrow Airport to fly to New York, she is arrested by Lee and held prisoner in her spare room, where Lee punches her senseless, rapes her, cuts her with a knife (and makes it look like Catherine is self-harming) and leaves her unconscious until she is found by a friend. I did find a few spelling mistakes in the novel, but it didn't take away from the story. I would have liked to read Sylvia's side of the story; why she was tricked into taking Lee's side and betraying Catherine. I also would have liked a different ending; one that has the villain locked away for life or dead and Catherine and Stuart living a new life under the Witness Protection Agency; but this is what I would have preferred, not as the author intended. This is, after all, the author's story and her style of writing. The plot has many twist and turns, many of which I didn't see coming.
The Author is a police Intelligence Analyst living in Kent. She started writing fiction in 2006. She has taken several courses in Creative Writing. Into the Darkest Corner is her debut Novel. She has recently published Revenge of the Tides.
You Deserve Nothing by Alexander Maksik is a controversial Novel written by a former teacher. The Novel is told by three narrators........William Silver, the Charismatic English teacher at an American High School in Paris catering to children of diplomats and rich people, Marie De Clery, a fifteen-year-old student, and Gilad, an impressionable student who moves to Paris from Dubai. All three characters share a classroom together. The students are enthralled and influenced by their English Teacher whose influential teaching methods really make an impact on these young minds.
The Story is set in 2002 in Paris several months before the War in Iraq. Will Silver is a man who lost parents and wife, who moves to Paris to teach English and literature at an American High School in Paris, France.
Quoting from Camus and Sartre, Will teaches the class about Sartre's existentialism...or the idea that man is responsible for his own actions through his choices and free Will. Will's teaching method impresses Gilad who becomes enthralled by his English teacher, but this obsession crumbles when he discovers that Mr Silver is having an illicit affair with Marie, a fifteen-year-old student in his class.
Will Silver's persona crumbles further when Marie starts bragging about her affair in school and has an abortion. The Head Master or Principal gets word of it and brings Mr Silver up on charges. Mr Silver defends his actions in front of the school board. He's fired from the school . "Do you understand that what you've done is wrong?" asked the Principal, but Mr Silver remains silent and walks out of the room, past the hallway and out onto the Parisian streets without remorse.
The issues in the Novel are not a new ones. There have been many known cases of teacher/student affairs in the News and on television. This poses the question: "Should teachers violate their teachers' code of ethics and morality to satisfy their own carnal whims at the expense of a minor?" The Novel is based on a true story which is a bit shocking to say the least.
An educator has the moral responsibility to conduct himself/herself on a professional manner with regards to his/her students and the role of an educator should not be taken lightly. When educating young minds a teacher should show professionalism at all times and respect, preserve and uphold the innocence of youth. An educator must remember that they hold impressionable young minds in the palm of his/her hands...........and it is his/her duty to mould these young minds with dignity, respect and professionalism into respectable members of society.
I picked this book up because I love English literature and because it was set in Paris........one of the cities I love. Like some of the students in the book, English was my best subject in High School. I had a lovely English teacher, Mrs Ross, whom I truly admired. In my forties, I still look up to Mrs Ross as a great model educator and even as a mentor. Mrs Ross taught the class in a fun way........but she would NEVER cross the line between violating her teacher’s code of ethics and morality like Mr Silver in You Deserve Nothing did.
The narration reads like a JD Salinger book or D.H. Lawrence. Several reviewers have been bold to say that this book should be classed as a memoir instead of fiction because it is based on a true story. In my opinion the book can fit into both categories. I felt empathy for the character of Marie as she was the one who got taken advantage of by her unethical teacher. I also felt for Gilad.........a young teenage boy whose ideals and perception of someone whom he looked up to were chattered when he discovered that the man he called his Mentor was involved with an under aged student.
I found the book a bit shocking and disjointed in places. However, it does serve the purpose of alerting the audience to the problem facing teachers who violates their code of ethics falling in love with their students.
In this compelling psychological thriller, S.J. Watson brings us a story about a woman who suffers a tragic accident and is left with brain damage so bad that it leaves her in a comma and with permanent amnesia. Christine Lucas is left with a rare form of amnesia which erases her memories--long and short term memory every time she falls asleep. With the help of her doctor, Dr Nash, a Journal , her best friend, Claire and her husband, Ben, she begins to piece back fragments of her life. Slowly, Christine regains her memory...but hold on to your hat........for it seems that what her husband, Doctor Nash and even her best friend, Claire tells her their stories form a different version of the truth. This Novel, a Debut, Novel by a man who once worked with Amnesia patients in the NHS is a brilliant, page-turner that will leave the reader intrigued and turning the pages. I was hooked since I read the first sentence! The plot has many twists and turns and I was shocked to learn the truth at the end.
Anteograde amnesia isn't new , but is a rare form of amnesia. I've read on the news about a woman who woke up one day and had the shock of her life when she looked in the mirror and discovered that she wasn't fifteen anymore and had a child.
The Novel is told in the first person. I like Watson's style of writing. The narration is mostly in the form of a journal. The reader can't help but feel empathy for Christine as she goes on her journey of re-discovery as she tries unsuccessfully to make sense of her past. The plot is fast-paced and it left me on the edge of my seat. I turned the pages thinking I solved the mystery behind Christine's tragic life, when BAM.............a plot twist..........and the author throws me off track again until the very end! Watson really knows how to keep the reader intrigued.
I was left with a sudden sadness for Christine. Her character sprung to life. Watson has created a well-rounded character whom everyone can empathize with. Memories are what defines us........points of references to base our future on. When our memories go, our lives are chattered. We are like zombies with no sense of direction. I don't know what is worse............having a photographic memory.......remembering every minute details of your life.........reliving every painful memory you've had, projecting those memories on the screen of your mind every single day.............or losing your memory altogether. I guess it's the latter..............loss of memory leaves us with a fragmented mind trying to make sense of ourselves and our world.
In closing, I praise the author for giving us a compelling book. Before I go to Sleep is a hell-of-a psychological thriller. I compared it to the likes of John Grisham and James Patterson. I look forward to reading more of this new Author.
On Valentine's Day, Analeigh Russel, owner and founder of Let Them Eat Cakes, is enroute to deliver 300 Wedding Cupcakes when she is involved in a fender bender that totals her car and wrecks all but 100 of her cupcakes. The day and business is almost ruined by this automobile accident, Analeigh swears....until a handsome stranger appears and tows her car. This is a very short book that you can read in a day. I enjoyed this sweet story. This is a lovely short story anyone will enjoy reading time and time again on or near Saint Valentine's Day. Three cheers for the author! I will be reading more of her stories, namely, A Lesson in Passion.
Jennifer Conners is a part-time author with two children.
Mary Jo Wyse has gotten into one hell of a predicament. Falling pregnant by a man that lied to her, Mary Jo Wyse feels ashamed. It doesn't help having three very over-protective brothers who have vowed to make their sister's boyfriend pay for dishonouring their sister. Heavy with child, Mary Jo heads off on Christmas Eve to Cedar Cove to warn David's family about her three over-protective brothers who are out- to- get the father of their sister's unborn child and bring him to justice.
When Mary Jo Wyse arrives in Cedar Cove on Christmas Eve, all the Inns are full; but then she discovers the true meaning of Christmas when she and her unborn baby are showered with overwhelming hospitality. With the help of a friendly librarian and David's half sister, Mary Jo feels welcomed and at home at Cedar Cove. Grace Harding, the Librarian at Cedar Cove offers Mary Jo an apartment at the top of the barn where the animals for the Live Nativity are being kept. Mary Jo hates being a nuissance and when Grace asks her to come with her and her family to the Church Service, Mary Jo declines. Then on Christmas Eve, all alone in the apartment over the Barn, Mary Jo goes into labor. With the help of firefighter and EMT specialist, Mack, Mary Jo gives birth on Christmas Eve.
I fell in love with this book from the first page. Debbie takes you home to a cosy place that warms your heart and soul. The story has a happy ending. I found I couldn't put this book down. I found myself crying in places, laughing in other parts and felt the warmth of the Christmas Spirit.
As with some of Debbie's books, there are two stories in this book. The second story is Call Me Mrs Miracle. This is a heart-warming tale about a match-making person called Mrs Merkle whom others affectionately call Mrs Miracle.....because whenever she's around, miracles do happen. Emily Merkle works for a department store on the brink of going into administration. With Mrs Merkle on board, the company is spared and a few hearts are mended. I also have seen the Hallmark movie of Call Me Mrs Miracle....it's heart-warming.
The Bookworm's corner is my little corner of the world where I sit and read, review and discuss books. I'm such an avid reader. I am also a writer. I've written three poetry books, two children's books, one young adult book and a Gothic novel. I am a member of Goodreads and Librarything. I have an extensive library and love to read all sorts of books.
Here are a few of the recent books I've read and a short review
The Angel's Game By Carlos Ruiz Zafon ISBN: • 978-0297855545 • Weidenfeld & Nicolson; First Edition (1 Jun 2009)
City of the Damned
In 'The Angel's Game', Author Carlos Ruiz Zafon writes a Gothic tale set in a turbulent Barcelona of the 1920's and takes the reader through a labyrinth of winding side-streets, book shops and creaky mansions of Barcelona. 'The Angel's Game tells the story of young David, a Spanish youth of Barcelona who finds solace in books and who spends his nights writing baroque tales in his house. Coming from a troubled childhood, the 17 year old David is taken under by a mentor, Pedro Vidal who works at the local newspaper, 'La Voz de La Industria'. An aspiring writer, David is called on by the editor to write 'The Mysteries of Barcelona'...a baroque tale in instalments about the city's underworld. The novel doesn't sell well and David is disappointed, but soon discovers a letter by a mysterious Frenchman named Andreas Corelli who challenge him to write a novel that will change hearts and minds in exchange for fame and fortune. He accepts and rents a huge but old mansion where he begins to write his next novel, a series in monthly instalments called 'City of the Damned'. But the house holds secrets and has a mind of its own. Within this house David finds letters belonging to the house's previous owner and uncovers secrets of a haunting past.
David writes the 'City of the Damn...a novel that promises him fame and fortune; But soon David discovers that there is more to this Andreas Corelli than meets the eye and finds himself involved in intrigue, secrets, danger and adventure. Zafon has written a book within a book that takes the reader through the alleyways and secret passages through the winding streets of 1920's Barcelona up through the old creaky mansions and book shops that lead to the 'Cemetery of Forgotten Books'....a mysterious underground burial ground for forgotten books underneath the streets of Barcelona...where people come to bury their books. For each book buried there, the reader must take one out to protect and treasure for life. David chooses an ancient book, 'The Lux Aetema', written by a mysterious D.M whose typewriter David finds abandoned in a room within the mansion that he buys.
'The Angel's Game' is a sequel to Zafon's 'Shadows of the Wind'. I found this book very interesting and a page-turner. I couldn't put it down. Being a lover of books and an Independent writer myself I was drawn to this novel by the fact that it was narrated by an aspiring young author thirsty for becoming a successful author. The book opens with these words, '
"A writer never forgets the first time he accepted a few coins or a word of praise in exchange for a story. He will never forget the sweet poison of vanity in his blood, and the belief that, if he succeeds in not letting anyone discover his lack of talent, the dream of literature will provide him with a roof over his head, a hot meal at the end of the day, and what he covets the most: his name printed on a miserable piece of paper that will surely outlive him. A writer is condemned to remember that moment, because from then on he is doomed and his soul has a price." (The Angel's Game by Carlos Ruiz Zafon)
Zafon uses references to Dickens's Great Expectations in this book as an allegory to his own life and aspirations. It is both a love story and a Ghost Story wrapped up in one intriguing novel that leaves one in suspense to the very end.
The book was translated to English from Spanish by poet Robert Grave's grand-daughter, Lucia Graves. Zafon, a Spanish Author was born in Barcelona and is lived in Los Angeles. He has published several books, 'Las Luces de Septiembre', 'El Principe de la Niebla (The Prince in the Mist), 'Shadows in the Wind' (The sequel to 'The Angel's Game). Zafon has been influenced by the Classics such as Dickens, Tolstoy, Dumas and Hugo.
What I found in this book was more than just a love of books and the desire to write....I found a book that was hard to put down. I must admit that I am not normally spooked by what I read, but this story spooked me in places and I was moved by Zafon's style of suspense and straight forward narrative. I highly recommend it to anyone who loves books, writing and adventure
French Fried is the zanily funny story about one man's odyssey when he decides to sell his farm in Devon, England and move to rural France with his wife, Shelagh and all their animals, two horses, three cats, including a large constipated dog named Gypsy and a horse that stubbornly refuses to go anywhere near a Horsebox. To add insult to this misadventurous chaos, Chris's identity is stolen, his bank account empty to the last penny, and Chris discovers to his dismay that somebody opens a bank account under his name in Ireland and someone cashes in on this bank account in Spain. Chris is caught in an international dilemma but the police in four countries can't help him as they each argue that the case is under each countries' jurisdiction. The French government says that it is a matter of to be dealt by English authorities as the correspondence came from England. The British authorities wash their hands of the case, even if British Passports were forged to open the account in Ireland. Another account under Chris' name is opened in Spain. This is where the money was drawn out from. The Spanish authorities are on holiday and won't contemplate to investigate the matter until they're back from holiday. Alarmed and angered, Chris decides to take matters into his own hands and becomes a sleuth himself to get to the bottom of this caper. He is no Sherlock Holmes....Chris undertakes matters in his own hands with his trusty companions...an 80 year old mother-in-law and 'excitable' puppy.
The Author writes his own account of his move to France in 1995. This is a true story. The story is told in the first person. The author, Chris is the Narrator. It was originally titled, Nous sommes Anglais. I really enjoyed this book. It made me laugh in places. My favourite scene was the bit where the Horse, Rhiannon, didn't want to go into the Horse Box. No matter how much they cajoled him and bribed him with apples and polo mints, the Horse would be immovable and refuse to mount the plank to get into the Horsebox. Shelagh managed to cajole him to mount the ramp at some point, but then the horse kicked its heels and climbed out. But when Chris and Shelagh were about to give in, Rhiannon clambered up inside the Horse box with no qualms as if to say 'I'll give 'em hell first, then show 'em who is boss!' It would be interesting if this book were to be made into a movie. I'd certainly watch it. This book is a great read and makes a light read to take on holiday with you.
Lessons Learned by Nora Roberts
