In Her Shoes by Jennifer Weiner

In Her Shoes
Jennifer Weiner
  

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Maggie and Rose are sisters, but they couldn't be more opposite. Maggie is flighty and selfish, Rose is grounded and responsible. Nothing seems to be going right for Maggie, and after Rose throws her out after catching her with her boyfriend, Maggie discovers a long lost grandmother. Will Maggie change her ways? Will Rose ever find true love? Can the sisters forget the past and become friends again?


While reading In Her Shoes I discovered that I knew this story, and couldn't remember where from. Then I realised I'd seen the film! Although the character of Rose has slightly changed, I think Maggie was spot on. The film is also quite true to the book as well, which was nice.

I did enjoy this book. It's not too long, but not too short. A perfect holiday book. The story is interesting, and while the character of Maggie isn't very likeable in the beginning, I think she's actually my favourite character. She learns and grows so much in the novel, and what she does is really inspiring.


Perfect reading for a nice, relaxing sunny holiday.

Jennifer Weiner

 Overall rating

All the best for 2015
The Wee Librocubicularist

Discworld 16: Soul Music by Terry Pratchett

Discworld 16: Soul Music
Terry Pratchett


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Death goes missing and his Granddaughter Susan takes over his duties. Meanwhilem Music With Rocks In is taking over Ankh-Morpork. It's ALIVE! The lead Buddy/Imp is supposed to be dead, but for some reason the music has saved him. C.M.O.T. Dibbler becomes their band manager, and puts together a massive music festival. But where has Death gone? And why is Buddy still alive, when he's supposed to be dead?


When I was a teenager Soul Music was the first Terry Pratchett I read. I absolutely loved it, and that's when I fell in love with the Discworld series. My favourite characters are Death and Susan, and I can't wait to read more of their stories.

Considering the fact that the Discworld series is so long, it's amazing that there's such diversity in the novels. I like how the series jumps from character sets. It keeps the stories interesting and stops them from getting boring.





Overall rating

Merry Christmas!
The Wee Librocubicularist

Teen Idol by Meg Cabot

Teen Idol
Meg Cabot

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Luke Striker, a famous teen movie star, comes to a school to research a part for an upcoming film. Jen is very involved with all the goings on in the school, and it's up to Jen to keep his identity a secret. He ends up helping her make some much needed changes in the school. Can she keep his identity a secret?


When I was in my early teens, I loved Meg Cabot, and even though I'm in my mid twenties now, I still pick up any books of hers I haven't read. When I was younger I read some of the Princess Diaries books; up to Sixsational, Nicola and the Viscount and All American Girl.


Teen Idol seems to be a standard teen story, with emotion, break ups and make ups. I think I would have liked it a lot more as a teen, but I suppose that's the target audience. I'll still continue to collect the rest as I come across them in charity shops, but I don't think I would go out of my way to complete the collection. I'm a bit old for that now!

Meg Cabot

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The Wee Librocubicularist

Picture Perfect by Jodi Picoult

Picture Perfect
Jodi Picoult


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A woman wakes up in a graveyard with no memory of how she got there or even who she is. She is hurt and confused. She is found by a policeman who has just moved to the area, who helps her in more ways than she'll ever know.
She turns out to be the wife of a very famous movie star, and is carrying their child. But how did she wind up in a graveyard with amnesia?


I've only read one other Jodi Picoult novel before; My Sisters Keeper. It was many years ago, and it was very sad. I know Picoult's books are ones that tend to pull on the heartstrings a bit! Picture Perfect has it's fair share of ups and downs. There are many ways Picture Perfect could have ended, but I think I was quite satisfied with the ending. It's probably not the ending most people would have wanted, but under the circumstances I think it was the best the characters could have hoped for. Definitely does pull on the heartstrings a little bit!


I have quite a few other Jodi Picoult books, so expect a few more posts from time to time!

Her stories are about a variety of subjects, and I would recommend them for a light but emotional read!

Author Jodi Picoult

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The Wee Librocubicularist

Discworld 15: Men At Arms by Terry Pratchett

Discworld 15: Men At Arms
Terry Pratchett

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There's been a few murders in Ankh-Morpork *gasp* and it's up to the Night Watch to track down the criminal. Among their ranks they have some new recruits; Detritus (a troll), Cuddy (a dwarf) and Angua (a werewolf). Everyone knows trolls and dwarfs don't get along! Meanwhile the Captain of the Night Watch Vimes is preparing for his wedding to Sybil, the dragon keeper, and will retire after marriage. Who will be the new captain, and will they really capture the criminal?


Everyone who has read anything about the Night Watch in Discworld knows it's a bit of a haphazard operation. But no matter the turmoil, they are generally good beings who strive to bring justice to Ankh-Morpork. In keeping with employment equality (yes, even that exists in the Discworld) they've hired some new recruits, non human entities, and of course one female. Kind of.

As people keep winding up dead, the Night Watch need to investigate, and you get some insight into some of the various guilds in Ankh-Morpork, the Assassins Guild for one. I love the idea of everyone having their place in the world, and that there's a guild of some kind for every resident in Ankh-Morpork. Whether they choose to join one or not.


It seems as though Vimes is getting cold feet about marrying Sybil. Can he really retire from the Watch? Something he's done pretty much all his life, and without it become a gentleman of leisure. It seems to be something pretty much at the forefront of his mind. And who will he appoint to become the next leader of the Constables?


I don't think Men At Arms was one of the better Discworld novels, but still well worth a read. It's always interesting to see what they're up against next, be it dragons or cold blooded killers!

Terry Pratchett

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The Wee Librocubicularist

Digital Fortress by Dan Brown

Digital Fortress
Dan Brown

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In Digital Fortress we meet Susan, head cryptographer for the NSA (National Security Agency) in the United States. She is called into work late one evening because her code breaking machine, TRANSLTR, has discovered a code that it cannot break. Her partner, David, a professor, is sent to Spain to retrieve a golden ring that should have a pass-key to save TRANSLTR. Can he get the ring in time and save the NSA from a national security meltdown?

I quite enjoyed reading Digital Fortress. I was quite taken in with the relationship between Susan and David. Although it is most definitely not the main part of the story, it was nice to have it as a sort of underlying story. I also quite enjoyed the twist! Although I knew there had to be something else going on, it was good to be able to stumble across it as I was reading the story. Sometimes I figure out what is going to happen quite early, and then it's just like I'm waiting for it to happen.

I couldn't help being reminded of The Lord of the Rings trilogy as I was reading about David's search for the golden ring. It tickled my funny bone. One ring to rule them all, indeed.

I've got to say I think I preferred reading Deception Point. It could be because it was my first time reading Dan Brown. Essentially I found the stories to be quite similar, just with different circumstances. I found a lot of the main story points were basically the same. Still an entertaining read, regardless.



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The Wee Librocubicularist

The Good Guy by Dean Koontz

The Good Guy
Dean Koontz

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The Good Guy is about a man named Tim who gets mistaken for a hit man in a bar. He is given £10,000 to kill a woman. Before he finds the time to tell this mysterious stranger that he's not who they're looking for, he's gone. He's left with an envelope with a lot of money, and a promise to the rest when the deed is done. Tim takes it upon himself to find this woman, and attempt to save her life. Can he manage it? Can she be saved, or is she as good as dead?


The Good Guy is very action packed and has you at the edge of your seat pretty much from the start. Almost the whole book is a chase between Tim and Linda, and the real hit man. That might sound boring, but there's plenty of twists and turns along the way to keep it interesting.

I think there's a good moral to this story. To me it's saying that it doesn't matter if you have a lot of friends, a big fancy house or a really important job. As long as you try to do the right thing, that's all that counts. Here's Tim, an ordinary guy sitting alone in a pub, not much going for him, when all of a sudden he's putting his life on the line for a woman he doesn't even know.

He's just trying to be a good guy.



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The Wee Librocubicularist

Discworld 14: Lords and Ladies by Terry Pratchett

Discworld 14: Lords and Ladies
Terry Pratchett

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Lords and Ladies is a Granny Weatherwax story, and this time she's up against real elves! Not those ponsy ones that are tiny or sparkle or create minor mischief; real elves that are big and mean. They're trying to bring the walls down between realities, and it's up to Granny and her extra small coven to stop these mean elves before the Discworld as we know it changes forever!


I love the Granny, Nanny and Magrat storyline in the Discworld series. Everything they do seems to have some comical affect, one way or another. But thankfully, they mostly manage to achieve their goals, even if it is in some unusual ways, and with some mishaps along the way.

The Witches are always entertaining, so I highly recommend this read!

Terry Pratchett

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The Wee Librocubicularist

A Tale Etched in Blood and Hard Black Pencil by Christopher Brookmyre

A Tale Etched in Blood and Hard Black Pencil
Christopher Brookmyre


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A Tale Etched in Blood and Hard Black Pencil tells the story of a double murder. The main suspect 'Noodsy' begs Martin to come back from his life in London to try to prove his innocence. Martin bumps into people he hasn't seen in years. Cue flashbacks from when they were children, thoughout their school years. But who was murdered, and why?

Christopher Brookmyre is a funny author, who writes about unfunny things; like murder. But despite the harsh topic, his characters are genuine and provide many laughs throughout the novel. You get to grow up with Martin in a rubbish Glasgow area in rubbish Glasgow schools.

But can he prove Noodsy's innocence. Is Noodsy innocent? You'll have to read to find out!


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The Wee Librocubicularist

A Respectable Trade by Philippa Gregory

A Respectable Trade
Philippa Gregory 


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A Respectable Trade tells the story of Mehuru, a man captured and brought to England to be a slave. He is bought by a business man whose wife is to take on the responsibility of teaching them English and how to behave, in order to make them 'fit for purchase' by the wealthy. The family he lives with begin to go through some financial difficulty. Behind it all there is some forbidden love as Mehuru and Frances slowly fall in love with each other.


I found the story quite predictable, and figured out more or less what was going to happen within the first 40 pages. Nevertheless it's an amazing story and very enjoyable.

I particularly enjoyed the relationship between Mehuru and Frances developing. It was a forbidden love because Frances is a white woman, and Mehuru a black slave. In a world full of prejudice it's nice to see two people who don't care about that, but still care for one another deeply.

I'd never read anything by Philippa Gregory before, and I'm certainly not disappointed by this novel.  I have a few other novels so I'm looking forward to reading them.



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The Wee Librocubicularist

Discworld 13: Small Gods by Terry Pratchett

Discworld 13: Small Gods
Terry Pratchett


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God Om finds himself on the Discworld trapped in the body of a tortoise, rather than a great horned beast most know him as. The 'Chosen One' Brutha, a gardener, is the only person who can hear him. It's now up to Brutha to listen to the Great God Om, find out what he wants and help him.


This wasn't a particular favourite of mine, probably because it wasn't about a particular set of characters I like, namely the witches, Death or the wizards of Unseen University. While I still found it an enjoyable read, the story didn't grip me quite like I'm used to with the other Discworld novels.

I'm not going to say it was a rubbish book, because it wasn't. It's just not Terry Pratchett's best.

 

 

 

Terry Pratchett

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The Wee Librocubicularist

The Ghost Behind the Wall by Melvin Burgess

The Ghost Behind the Wall
Melvin Burgess 


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 The Ghost Behind the Wall is about a young boy named David who, in the few hours between him getting home from school and his dad getting home from work, climbs into the ventilation pipes in his flat. In there he discovers a ghost that gets him into a lot of mischief, such as breaking into Mr. Alveston's (who is old and a bit wandered) flat and making a giant mess. Social work and police get involved and everything is a disaster. Hopefully the ghost's unresolved issues can be put right before things get much worse.


The Ghost Behind the Wall is a children's book and I think it would be particularly good for children dealing with grandparents with dementia, as it gives a good insight into how they might be thinking and feeling, in the case of Mr. Alveston. There are also other themes that are important for children to learn; courage, owning up when you've done something wrong, and trying to make things right again.


I haven't really read much of Melvin Burgess' stuff before. I read Junk when I was in high school and loved it. So much so I did an assessment on it. Apart from that though, this is the only other book I've read (so far!). Although it's written for children, I still found it fairly enjoyable as an adult.



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The Wee Librocubicularist

One Door Away From Heaven by Dean Koontz

One Door Away From Heaven
Dean Koontz


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One Door Away From Heaven is about a young woman named Micky who goes to live with her aunt in a trailer after a bad period in her life. Depressed, and lacking motivation for life, she meets next door neigbour Leilani, a 9 year old disabled girl with a bit of a strange story. Then one day she disappears with her family. Micky decides to track her down, as she believes Leilani's life is in danger. Can Micky save Leilani in time?


I loved reading One Door Away From Heaven. Straight away I was so drawn into the characters and the story. My favourite character is Leilani - she has such a positive outlook on life, despite her lousy circumstances. One of those people that brighten a room just by being in it.

Pretty much all of the characters in One Day Away From Heaven are unique in their own way. One thing I enjoy about Dean Koontz' books is that they are quite unusual. One Door Away From Heaven is different, in that it isn't quite so weird, however the eccentricity of the characters certainly makes up for it.

Dean Koontz

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The Wee Librocubicularist

Discworld 12: Witches Abroad by Terry Pratchett

Discworld 12: Witches Abroad
Terry Pratchett


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Witches Abroad is the 12th book in Terry Pratchett's Discworld series. Although it is a series, the books don't necessarily need to be read in order. There are lots of different characters in Discworld, and the books generally follow a certain character or characters, though there is some overlapping.

Witches Abroad follows the three witches; Granny Weatherwax, Nanny Ogg and Magrat. After the death of a witch named Desiderata, Magrat is left her wand, though it is not an ordinary wand. She was also a fairy godmother. Magrat is now the fairy godmother of a young girl called Emberella, and it's up to her to stop a marriage between her new charge, and the Duke, who is really a frog. Unfortunately for Magrat, Granny Weatherwax and Nanny Ogg also decide to come along...

"And instead of getting on with proper science, like finding that bloody butterfly whose flapping wings cause all these storms we've been having lately and getting it to stop."

I love Terry Pratchett's sense of humour, and the above quote actually made me laugh out loud. The beautiful thing about these books is that although it is all one series, they are so different that you don't get bored reading them. I understand that Terry Pratchett is not for every one, but he will always be one of my favourite authors, and I will always recommend him to my friends.

Terry Pratchett

 

 

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The Well Librocubicularist

Deception Point by Dan Brown

Deception Point
Dan Brown

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 Deception Point sees Rachel Sexton, a White House Intelligence analyst, travel to the Arctic to determine the validity of an object discovered by a NASA satellite. Also at the Arctic is Michael Tolland, a scientist known for TV documentaries. But as people begin to go missing, they realise something isn't quite right. Can they get out alive?


Although Dan Brown is more known for his Robert Langdon trilogy, I haven't read them yet, and Deception Point is the first of his work I have read. I've known a few people who don't like the way he writes, but I had no problem with it. I found Deception Point really easy to read. It's very captivating and all I wanted to do was keep on reading!

I'm now looking forward to getting round to reading the Robert Langdon series!


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The Wee Librocubicularist

Hideaway by Dean Koontz

HideawayDean Koontz

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 Hideaway tells the tale of Hatch Harrison who dies, but is then brought back by a renowned physician. But ever since then, things start getting at bit strange for him and his wife. He fears he's brought something back with him from the other side. Cue a pursuit for the truth and the aim to put a stop to the madness.

Meanwhile, Vassago is pulled out of Hell and remains in limbo on Earth. He believes the only way to get back into Hell is to make a personal collection of people he's killed, in strange and creative ways. Can Hatch stop him before he kills anyone else?


I've loved reading Dean Koontz work for a while now. His stories are so intricately detailed and creative. I love reading them because I never know what's going to happen, and they are so strange and bizarre that they're a great read!

I would definitely recommend any Dean Koontz books to anyone!


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The Wee Librocubicularist

Discworld 11: Reaper Man by Terry Pratchett

Discworld 11: Reaper Man
Terry Pratchett

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Death is missing. The dead aren't going anywhere, and the place is overrun with ghosts and poltergeists, including a newly dead wizard, Mr Windle Poons. But that's okay, there's a club for that. They take it upon themselves to try to bring death back!

Meanwhile, a stranger named Bill Door, is turning out to be pretty good with a scythe...


Pratchett is amusing. I'll never stop saying it because it's always true. In Reaper Man I find it amusing how he takes ordinary things from our world, and incorporates them into the Discworld, but makes them different. In Reaper Man I'm pretty sure there's a fight with a shopping centre... Mainly with shopping trolleys and escalators. It's all good fun!


For anybody wanting to read Discworld, or those struggling to get in to the stories, I would say stick with it! There's such a wide variety of characters that you're never bored. Or maybe you only want to follow a select few? That's fine too! One of the great things about the Discworld novels is that they don't need to be read in order for you to be able to follow and enjoy. The first one I read was Soul Music and that's number 16!


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The Wee Librocubicularist

One Fine Day in the Middle of the Night by Christopher Brookmyre

One Fine Day in the Middle of the Night
Christopher Brookmyre

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One Fine Day in the Middle of the Night follows a group of adults at their reunion from a Glasgow high school. Although things don't go quite to plan. For a start, it's on an oil rig. And there are terrorists... Blood, murder, mayhem. Let the party begin!


From the moment I started reading I was hooked. It's very easy to read and I was absorbed straight into the story. The style of writing flows very naturally, and as each chapter is written in first person from each characters' perspective, it gives you a great insight into the way the characters are thinking and feeling etc.

"...everything so geared towards exam syllabuses and exam technique that learning for its own sake seemed a decadent luxury."

Although One Fine Day in the Middle of the Night has snippets from just about every character, we're mainly following the story of Matt Black, a failing celebrity who only came to the reunion because he had nothing better to do. The reunion is held by Gavin, a pompous ass just wanting to show off (he owns the oil rig). Meanwhile his wife is scheming against him because she's fed up of the lies and cheating. 

Unbeknownst to everyone at the party, there are men plotting to blow up said oil rig. The whole rig turns into chaos and panic as everyone is trying to find a way to shore. Will anyone survive?

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The Wee Librocubicularist

The Lord of the Rings 3: The Return of the King by J. R. R. Tolkien

The Lord of the Rings 3: The Return of the King
J. R. R. Tolkien


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The Return of the King sees the individual fights of the separated groups, all fighting to aid the destruction of the Ring. Will they defeat the Orcs? Can Frodo really destroy the Ring? You'll have to read it to find out!

"Three Rings for the Elven-kings under the sky,

Seven for the Dwarf-lords in their halls of stone,

Nine for Mortal Men doomed to die,

One for the Dark Lord on his dark throne

In the Land of Mordor where the Shadows lie.

One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them,

One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them

In the Land of Mordor where the Shadows lie."

Overall I'm pleased with how the story went, and the ending. There is one thing however, that I'm not pleased with. Aragorn married the wrong person! I'm glad he stayed and became king, because I think he'd make a good king, but still not happy with whom he married!

After reading the series, I can say that Tolkien loves the word perilous! Pretty much everything is described as being perilous. I did find the series tough to read, and while reading this one I kept falling asleep! The last 80 pages or so are the best part of the book, and a lot easier to read and follow. I think it's the style of writing which I found difficult, because I did enjoy the story. I'm glad I've read them, but I'm also glad I'm finished! I will be watching the films at some point, so hopefully I won't fall asleep during them, otherwise I'll be punished by my man friend, eep!

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The Wee Librocubicularist

Discworld 10: Moving Pictures by Terry Pratchett

Discworld 10: Moving Pictures
Terry Pratchett

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Moving Pictures is the tenth in the Discworld series by Terry Pratchett. This time we are joined by Victor, and follow his adventures in the mysterious Holy Wood. Along the way we meet Ginger, a somewhat attractive female; Gaspode, a talking dog; and Rock, a troll. For some reason they have all been drawn to Holy Wood, and want to figure out why!

"It wasn't enough to be what you were, you had to be working to be something else."

I found Moving Pictures very amusing. Pratchett has such a unique way of describing things. He doesn't call them the right things, but you still know exactly what he means. Examples in Moving Pictures include; moving pictures, banged grains and Holy Wood.

"In Ankh-Morpork, sensible men built their houses plain, so as not to attract attention, and kept the decoration for inside. But Holy Wood wore its houses inside out."

While Pratchetts novels tend to be light and humorous, there are often undertones of a more serious nature. Other people may find different meanings from his novels, but I felt this one was expressing a disdain towards Hollywood and the sometimes empty and shallow people and lives. These characters are drawn to Holy Wood, without any idea why. It's only when they leave Holy Wood they begin to think clearly again.

Fantastic novel, would definitely recommend.

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The Wee Librocubicularist