Recommended reading
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Category: General Chat
Forum Name: General Chat
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URL: https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=23170
Printed Date: 20 December 2025 at 2:57am
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Topic: Recommended reading
Posted By: MrsMojo
Subject: Recommended reading
Date Posted: 16 December 2008 at 12:01pm
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I'm looking for some book suggestions. I've beed trying to read The Bourne Ultimatum and then when I gave up on that I tried to read the Dave Groehl story but I can't get into that one either so I am bookless at the moment I may go to the library and see if they have The Secret of Bees and the Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows since I still haven't read either but those won't last long so I'm wondering what are you reading at the moment and/or what would you recommend?
edited for my english
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Replies:
Posted By: Henna79
Date Posted: 16 December 2008 at 12:08pm
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anything by Marian Keyes (although you do need a dirty sense of humour sometimes)
also have you every read the gunslinger series by Stephen King. They aren't horror its more fantasy but is really really good. If you like adventure books Clive Cussler is great |
Posted By: weegee
Date Posted: 16 December 2008 at 12:11pm
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I finally got around to reading The Time Traveller's Wife - had put it off because I thought it sounded a bit naff/far fetched, but a friend gave it to me and I loved it!
Also recently finished Perfume by Patrick Suskind (no, haven't seen the movie) and that was excellent too  And really enjoyed Broken (Daniel Clay) - bought it because I loved the cover design and wasn't disappointed.
IKWYM about the Bourne Ultimatum! I find Robert Ludlum dreary to read!!! Other favourites, off the top of my head: Life of Pi The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime The Red Tent The Moonstone Mister Pip and I am always disappointed to finish To Kill a Mockingbird ...oh, and my guilty pleasures if you're after an easier read are Michael Connelly (good airport thrillers IYKWIM - The Lincoln Lawyer is a good place to start) and Marion Keyes  ------------- 
Mum to JJ, 4 July 2008 & Addie, 28 July 2010 |
Posted By: MrsMojo
Date Posted: 16 December 2008 at 12:12pm
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Does Marian Keyes have anything new out? I'm pretty sure I've read all hers but the last one I read was This Charming Man. -------------
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Henna79 wrote:Posted By: weegee
Date Posted: 16 December 2008 at 12:14pm
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snap Heather! And I second the Clive Cussler - I had ignored them because the cover design looked so... male, but out of desperation I picked up one while camping last year (The Chase) and really enjoyed it. -------------
Mum to JJ, 4 July 2008 & Addie, 28 July 2010 |
Posted By: weegee
Date Posted: 16 December 2008 at 12:16pm
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Not sure about Marion Keyes, the last one I read was Anybody Out There? That makes all of the Walsh sisters except Helen, who I assume has a book of her own in the pipeline (or have I missed it?). -------------
Mum to JJ, 4 July 2008 & Addie, 28 July 2010 |
Posted By: Hopes
Date Posted: 16 December 2008 at 12:26pm
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I second weegee's reccomendation of "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime", if you havne't already read it. I was very impressed by that one.
I went through a Lee Child phase recently... although I'm not sure if that was a passing thing, I've got the one book of his that I haven't read sitting at home and haven't picked it up yet. -------------   
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Posted By: Hopes
Date Posted: 16 December 2008 at 12:28pm
Oh, and I like the Jean Auel books. The detail is amazing. (But although it makes me sound like a bit of a prude, I'm just not into all the graphic scenes. I tend to skip them  )-------------
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Posted By: MrsMojo
Date Posted: 16 December 2008 at 1:09pm
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I really enjoyed all the Jack Reacher books. -------------
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Posted By: jack_&_charli
Date Posted: 16 December 2008 at 1:10pm
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my fave authors are
nikki french dean koontz sandra brown stephen king jonathon kellerman i love crime/thriller novels...but haven't read anything for ages  ------------- http://www.alternatickers.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: MrsMojo
Date Posted: 16 December 2008 at 1:11pm
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LOL. I tend to avoid romance novels, their a bit too lewd for innocent wee me. -------------
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Posted By: .Mel
Date Posted: 16 December 2008 at 1:21pm
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Fiona Walker is hillarious - I could send some of hers down if you like
Novel about my wife - Emily Perkins Have you read the Lucy Plum series by Janet Evanovich? What about James Patterson? Anything by Jeffrey Deaver is good, particularly the Lincoln Rhyme series. Kristin Hannah writes No Brainer books Martina Cole? Her books can be very dark though. Still a great read. I've got them all if you want to read. Losing Gemma - Really good Anita Shreve - Some of her books are good, I find others of hers quite slow. Patricia Cornwall - The Scarpetta Series. All of the Mitch Albom books. Tuesdays with Morrie, 5 people you meet in heaven and Just one more day. Fully recommend these ones. Ok thats whats in my bookcase ETA: Oh I've got Deathly Hollows here if you want it? Also Tales of Beedle the Bard ------------- Mr Mellow (16) Miss Attitude (8) Destructa Kid (3) 
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Posted By: mrsturtle
Date Posted: 16 December 2008 at 1:22pm
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Ive been reading a few of dannielle steele recently
really should go check out the library soon and see whats new. |
Posted By: Joscia
Date Posted: 16 December 2008 at 1:23pm
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Some good books I've read this year are: The Kite Runner, and A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Housseni - they're both quite intense, and not at all 'light' reading. Incredible stories though. Atonement and Saturday by Ian McEwan. Both are utterly brilliant. Pretty much anything by Margaret Atwood is fantastic. (The Blind Assassin, Cat's Eye, Oryx and Crake, The Robber Bride, Alias Grace etc...) Some of Kate Atkinson's early stuff is great - Behind the Scenes at the Museum, and Human Croquet in particular. I also read Mr Pip and The Curious Incident of the Dog... and agree that they're both fab too. And I finally got around to reading the final Harry Potter book - which ROCKED! ------------- http://alterna-tickers.com"> 
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Posted By: fire_engine
Date Posted: 16 December 2008 at 1:27pm
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I have just got into Vanda Symons, a kiwi crime writer.
I like MArion Keyes, Jodi Piccoult, oh, and Sarah Kate Lynch for happy funny chick-lit books. I haven't read her latest (am waiting for it to arrive in the library) but for me, they're the ultimate chill out with good lines and yummy recipes (they're all food based) ------------- Mum to two wee boys |
Posted By: Mum_mum
Date Posted: 16 December 2008 at 1:33pm
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oooo
My favorites are: Jodi Picoult - have just started her new book Change of Heart but anything by her is good! Belinda Alexandra - The bronze horseman, The White Gardenia Jenifer Donnelly - The Tea Rose and the Winter Rose Bryce Courtnay - Jessica And im getting into Marian Keyes and Fiona Walker ------------- http://lilypie.com">  http://lilypie.com">
 Angel baby - May 2008
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Posted By: pepsi
Date Posted: 16 December 2008 at 1:33pm
*cough* me too *cough* 
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Posted By: MrsMojo
Date Posted: 16 December 2008 at 1:35pm
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Thanks everyone. Please keep the suggestions coming. I've been searching the library catalogues too and found out one of my fave mystery authors (Charles Todd) has a book out that I haven't read. I'm very excited. Now I just need to figure out where I put my library card -------------
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Posted By: lizzle
Date Posted: 16 December 2008 at 1:36pm
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weegee- we have similiar taste i think
I read My Sister's Keeper for school and loved it, have read a few others of picoult's now and have not been as impressed. Am re-reading the lovely bones and after that will go back to the bone people which I read at least once a year. Now that I have a bit more free time I am going to go back to reading - am going to try biographies I think. I read Lana turners just on a whim and it was FABULOUS |
Posted By: Hopes
Date Posted: 16 December 2008 at 1:52pm
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Ooh, talking about biographies, I really enjoyed Sir Ed's "Journey to the Summit". The part about how he proposed to his first wife made me laugh out loud
I really enjoyed My Sister's Keeper too, but haven't read any others by her. I love Dick Francis - I think I have all his books except the latest one at home. I'm also a closet teenage novel fan. Not the Sweet Valley High type (although I read them growing up) but Meg Cabot, Isobelle Carmody, Tamora Pierce, Jacqueline Wilson, John Marsden, that kind of thing. Because you can read one in about half an hour they I enjoy filling in the gaps with them  -------------
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Posted By: Hopes
Date Posted: 16 December 2008 at 1:55pm
A friend gave me "The Blind Assassin" - I haven't started it yet. I'll have to. -------------
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Posted By: Hopes
Date Posted: 16 December 2008 at 1:56pm
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Ooh, and I'm not a fan of Jeffery Archer as a person, but "Not a Penny More, not a Penny Less" made me howl. It was totally worth reading if just for the ending! -------------
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Posted By: kiwisj
Date Posted: 16 December 2008 at 2:29pm
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I second the Thousand Splendid Suns recommendation - I LOVED it. Enjoyed it more than the Kite Runner, but perhaps enjoyed isn't the right word as it was quite sad.
For an easy read I love Tony Parsons, Nick Hornby, Jane Green, Sophie Kinsella, Catherine Alliot and good old Penny Vincenzi and Jilly Cooper never disappoint either! I've read all Jodi Picoult's, my favourite was The Pact but if you haven't read it DON'T while you're pregnant, you won't be able to stop crying
Lionel Shriver is also a good read (We need to talk about Kevin, the Post Birthday World) but a bit depressing if you're pregnant, save them for later IMO. ------------- SJ Callum - Dec 2008 Daniel - Oct 2010 |
Posted By: hailstones
Date Posted: 16 December 2008 at 2:41pm
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James Patterson is great for a crime type novel.
Love the 'when the war began' series by John Marsden - its written for teenages so is a pretty easy read but worth it! Anything by Bryce Courtney, April fools day is a really sad read, all about his son (so true story). Jessica is great to and of course the power of one (one of my fav all time books). Just finished reading 'the birthday present' by Barbara Vine (who also writes as Ruth Rendall) and that was a kinda weird but good book as well. ------------- http://lilypie.com">  http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: Rachael21
Date Posted: 16 December 2008 at 4:40pm
| I love BabyCatcher: Chronicles of a Modern Midwife by Peggy Vincent its a great read especially if your pregnant. |
Posted By: weegee
Date Posted: 16 December 2008 at 4:48pm
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kiwisj, I was just coming back to add Lionel Shriver to my list! I read (and adored, though it was very disturbing) We Need To Talk About Kevin then Jodi Picault's Nineteen Minutes straight afterwards and "...Kevin" was a much more masterful book IMO. -------------
Mum to JJ, 4 July 2008 & Addie, 28 July 2010 |
Posted By: weegee
Date Posted: 16 December 2008 at 4:49pm
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Great thread, btw, Jo! -------------
Mum to JJ, 4 July 2008 & Addie, 28 July 2010 |
Posted By: Kellygirl
Date Posted: 16 December 2008 at 5:58pm
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The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Although it is an old book it is still one of my favourites. It is great to read when you need a boost or a new perspective. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: Henna79
Date Posted: 16 December 2008 at 5:59pm
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The Charming Man is the newest Marian I am only just reading it now as I got caught up in a series by Phillipa Gregory (not that I have actually finished it yet but don't have them all). Its about the tudors and was really great if you are into historical stories.
The Constant Princess, The Other Boleyn Girl, The Boleyn Inheritance, The Queens Fool, The Virgins Lover. eta The books and cause what I said didn't make sense =) |
Posted By: caliandjack
Date Posted: 16 December 2008 at 6:34pm
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if you like chic lit, try Cathy Kelly or Elizabeth Noble's novels.
I'm a big fan of Phillipa Gregory - Earthly Joys and Virgin Earth are two good novels, also the wideacre trilogy are a good read. ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow">   [/url] Angel June 2012 |
Posted By: jaycee
Date Posted: 16 December 2008 at 7:12pm
Have yout tried the Faye Kellerman books - she is the wife of jonathon kellerman - I now prefer her books to his! I have been going through as Sci-fantasy stage and have just re-read all of my Raymond E. Feist books - The Magician is the first and is my 'desert island' book. (re-reading has saved a heap of money too - DH doesn't understand how I re-read books but is is like putting on comfy trackpants or slippers!!)
Next in my pile is "The time travellers wife" on loan from a friend -------------   
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Posted By: caitlynsmygirl
Date Posted: 16 December 2008 at 7:15pm
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a few of the books mentioned (ok , 3 ) are coming out as movies next year ,
My sister's keeper The secret Life of Bees and The lovely bones ATM im reading Bare Bones by Kathy Riechs, this is the first of hers ive read, its ok so far ------------- 
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Posted By: jaycee
Date Posted: 16 December 2008 at 7:18pm
Ooohh I love Kathy Riechs - she is another of my fav authors - also the Kellermans (as mentioned above) and Cornwell but hers got a bit crazy  .-------------
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Posted By: jack_&_charli
Date Posted: 16 December 2008 at 8:06pm
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i haven't read any of faye kellermans books but wondered if/how they were related.
i'm also a fan of john connelly ------------- http://www.alternatickers.com">
http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: caitlynsmygirl
Date Posted: 16 December 2008 at 8:51pm
so did I , I couldn't put it down , and oh I cried when Layla opened the package from Miriams father and it was a pinocchio video .... Mel, i love Martina Cole, i always feel like a bad girl when I finish reading them , has she got any new ones out ? I went through a stage earlier this year when I would buy a new book nearly every week (i can no longer afford to do so ) some of these were : Lullabies for little criminals Mr Pip The 13th tale Marley and Me (very sweet, also being made into a movie) The missing Still love Marian Keyes, and favourite book is still To kill a mockingbird, my its beautiful . -------------
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Posted By: McPloppy
Date Posted: 17 December 2008 at 8:54am
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Well I am quite different to you guys...i love Elizabeth Peters. Historical fiction, Adventure, mystery. there are over thirteen in the series starting in 1890's with the heroine going on an archaelogical holiday in Egypt and this is where it all starts. Quite funny with all the "ye gad's!" and being told off for using bad language lol.
i also enjoy Laurel K Hamilton. Science fiction with Vampires and wearwolves but not everyone likes that. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: .Mel
Date Posted: 17 December 2008 at 9:48am
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Kelly - Yes Martina Cole does have a new one out. I'm hoping Santa will bring it to me for Xmas... Sorry can't think of the name right now... ------------- Mr Mellow (16) Miss Attitude (8) Destructa Kid (3)
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Posted By: Joscia
Date Posted: 17 December 2008 at 10:05am
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Oh - those books are EXCELLENT! I remember reading them at high school, and almost bursting with excitement waiting for the next one to come out! Some NZ Teenage fiction is really good too - I've read (and re-read and re-read Also Gaelyn Gordon's book Tripswitch is great. (Another teen-read about cousins who are witches - I loved it!) Hopes - you MUST read the Blind Assassin - I've read it maybe 4 times now. It's one of my all-time favs! ------------- http://alterna-tickers.com">
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Posted By: Hopes
Date Posted: 17 December 2008 at 12:23pm
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I love Sheryl Jordan! Tanith is one of my favourites from when I was a teenager.
John Marsden's 'Tomorrow' series is great. I was like you - waiting anxiously for the next instalment. I don't seem to enjoy his new Chronicles series as much, though
Isobel Carmody is another great Aussie author for 'teenage' books. Like Sheryl Jordan, they're a wee bit fantasy/sci-fi, but not so much that they turn me off. -------------
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Posted By: LittleBug
Date Posted: 17 December 2008 at 12:40pm
Ohhh those were amazing books. I love anything by Jodi Picoult, and most of Bryce Courtenay's books... especially Power of One. And also loved the Tomorrow series by John Marsden!! For lighter reads, I quite like books by Louise Bagshawe. Can't think of anything else off the top of my head... ------------- Chloe (4 years) and Oliver (3 years). |
Posted By: caitlynsmygirl
Date Posted: 17 December 2008 at 3:49pm
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Has anyone read Twilight? thats supposed to be the next big thing isn't it ? at least i know thats the latest big movie anyway , wonder what the books like
Cool Mel, thanks for the headsup,i'll have a look out for it -------------
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Posted By: .Mel
Date Posted: 17 December 2008 at 3:54pm
The Twilight series sounds incredible; I've also asked for that book for Christmas can you tell i like reading Kelly this is the new one: http://www.fishpond.co.nz/Books/Fiction_Literature/Mystery_Detective/General/product_info/12116159/?cf=3&rid=647256642&i=13&keywords=martina+cole - The Business ------------- Mr Mellow (16) Miss Attitude (8) Destructa Kid (3)
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Posted By: caitlynsmygirl
Date Posted: 17 December 2008 at 3:59pm
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Thanks Mel !!! it looks really good -------------
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Posted By: skp
Date Posted: 17 December 2008 at 4:28pm
a fabulous book I agree and the monk who sold his ferrari is another in that kind of style. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: skp
Date Posted: 17 December 2008 at 4:30pm
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and another of my favourites ' the life of Pi' I really love that book
------------- http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: Hopes
Date Posted: 17 December 2008 at 4:35pm
A couple of people have mentioned this one... what's it about? -------------
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Posted By: lizzle
Date Posted: 17 December 2008 at 4:55pm
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the life....of a guy...Pi is his name I think
heheh. about a guy who gets stuck on a raft with a tiger. sounds random but isn't. very philosophical in an accesible way |
Posted By: scribe
Date Posted: 17 December 2008 at 5:32pm
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I second the "Novel about my Wife", by Emily Perkins, I've just finished reading it and it was awesome. Also second (or third!) the Khaled Hosseni books, Mister Pip, Life of Pi, Time Traveller's Wife.
A few other good ones I can spot on my bookshelf: Water for Elephants - Sara Gruen Snow Flower and the Secret Fan - Lisa See The Gift of Rain - Tan Twan Eng A Long Way Gone, memoirs of a boy soldier - Ishmael Beah The Glass Palace - Amitav Ghosh The Book Thief - Markus Zusak And anything by Ann Patchett |
Posted By: skp
Date Posted: 18 December 2008 at 11:25am
yep its about a young boy who's parents live/own a zoo in India (i think from memory) and are forced to move and take some of the animals with them and somehow he gets stuck on a raft with a small group of animals (including the tiger) and its about how he survives. worth reading i say ------------- http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: sally belly
Date Posted: 18 December 2008 at 11:34am
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Great thread girls but it's just reminding me how much I love & miss reading.
I think I've only finished 1 or 2 books since Liam's arrival. I can usually only read a couple of pages in bed at night before drifting off   -------------    
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Posted By: shadowfeet
Date Posted: 18 December 2008 at 12:08pm
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I love Jodi Picoults books, they take me a while to read and get into, but they're fantastic. I also like Torey Haydens books (autobiographical). She's a special ed teacher who tells the stories of children shes worked with. Another author I really enjoy is JD Robb (Nora Roberts alter ego). Especially the In Death series. It's crime based, wierd and futuristic but I like them. ------------- 
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Posted By: fire_engine
Date Posted: 18 December 2008 at 12:26pm
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LOL - I couldn't stand life of pi. If anyone wants a free copy, just PM me. ------------- Mum to two wee boys |
Posted By: BessieBear
Date Posted: 18 December 2008 at 2:24pm
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all the phillipa gregary's are good, and i love the secret life of bees' i read that at school. and also Jennifer donally
these have all been said but ill second them. ------------- Sarah Mum to, Boy 07/2008, Girl 03/2010, Boy 05/2012, Angel 07/08/2014
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Posted By: Redbedrock
Date Posted: 18 December 2008 at 3:22pm
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I read, "Things to tell my daughters" by elisabeth Noble recently, it was lovely. REal mother and daughter stuff
I think that was the title, something about telling daughters ------------- http://www.babysfirstsite.com"> 
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Posted By: monkey33
Date Posted: 18 December 2008 at 8:30pm
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I am a big book worm - I always have to be reading something and have to read most nights to get to sleep!
I like to read alot of chick lit - my favourite authors are: Susan Lewis Louise Bagshaw Adele Parks Jill Mansell Marian Keyes |
Posted By: weegee
Date Posted: 19 March 2009 at 10:59am
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bump for sabrina0007 -------------
Mum to JJ, 4 July 2008 & Addie, 28 July 2010 |