The Bridges of Madison County by Robert James Waller

The Bridges of Madison County
Robert James Waller

Front cover

Date read: 23 - 26 March 2018
Length: 171 pages

It's summer when Robert Kincaid travels to a farmhouse to ask for directions to Roseman Bridge, where he is taking photographs for National Geographic. There he meets Francesca and the pair immediately fall in love. They spend an intense four days together before parting ways forever.


This is a tale of forbidden love, as Francesca is married with two children. You can't help feeling sorry for her though, as she seems to be trapped in her life. As much as she wants to leave with Robert, she can't face abandoning her family and ultimately chooses to stay. The Bridges of Madison County does pull on the heartstrings a bit, especially at this point and at the end.

It's a very short novel, but it tells you all you need to know. The couple only spent 4 days together, and while to them it seems like a lot longer, the memories stay with them for the rest of their lives. There's a bit of What If? implied at the end. What if Francesca had left with Robert? What if they had spent their lives together? What if they had travelled the world? We will never know.


I was given this book by someone who knows I like reading, and they found it lying around their house. Although I read a bit of everything, it's not something I would normally pick up myself. I was pleasantly surprised, and have just found out there is a film, so I will need to watch that too!




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The Wee Librocubicularist

A Clash of Kings (A Song of Ice and Fire #2) by George R. R. Martin

A Clash of Kings
A Song of Ice and Fire #2
George R. R. Martin

Front cover

Date read: 28 February - 22 March 2018
Length: 873 pages (913 including appendix)


After the death of King Robert Baratheon, it seems everyone believes they are the rightful heir to the throne. While Joffrey sits the throne, the remaining Baratheon's, Stannis and Renly, are fighting each other. Jon goes beyond the wall in search of his uncle and the missing rangers. Robb is still at war while Theon Greyjoy takes over Winterfell. Bran and Rickon manage to escape. Who will stake their claim on the throne?


This book basically is what it says on the cover; A Clash of Kings. Everyone and their mothers are fighting to try to take over the Iron Throne. After the rumour of Robert Baratheon's children's legitimacy, any high born males are using this as fuel for their fire, and fighting to claim what they believe is theirs by right. Cue big battles and male bravado.

Here is where Tyrion Lannister really shines. You get to see how clever and cunning he is while he plans a great battle against Stannis' men. I remember watching this big scene from the TV show, and it was epic. He plans it all himself, and implements it with the help of a few others, but mostly it's all done in secret. Although he doesn't believe in what the Lannisters are doing most of the time, they are still his family and he takes it upon himself to protect them.

My sympathies go out to Sansa Stark in this novel. To be trapped with horrible people, knowing you are to marry someone you despise must be awful. With little she can do to protect herself from their abuse, I don't know how she coped for so long. The news she receives at the end surely gives her a little light in her dark times. I feel slight relief for her.

We don't really get much from Daenerys here, seeing as she's not involved in the battles. It's something I wish there was more of, but I guess that will come in time!


I am really enjoying the books, and can't wait to read the next one!




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The Wee Librocubicularist

Angel of Storms (Millennium's Rule #2) by Trudi Canavan

Angel of Storms
Millennium's Rule #2
Trudi Canavan

Front cover

Date read: 14 - 27 February 2018
Length: 568 pages

Tyen teaches students the ways of magic, but after a powerful sorcerer returns, long believed to be dead, magic schools are once again forbidden and teachers and students free to escape punishment. Meanwhile Rielle is approached by the Angel of Storms and asked to be an artist on his world. But a war breaks out and soon everything will change.


I'll admit, I wasn't as absorbed by The Angel of Storms as I was by Thief's Magic. I really like the idea of Vella and this instalment kind of veers away from that. The book is brought out from time to time, but not as much. Although Tyen does sort of make some progress in restoring Vella into a body, there is still much more to be done!

The Raen finds himself in the centre of a rebellion, after being away for some time, trapped in a world with little magic. I'm not usually much for war or conflict in novels, but I found myself intrigued by the preparations and strategy involved here. I think Tyen's involvement here helped make it more interesting, and I found myself wondering when/if he's be caught!


I hope the next in the series has more to do with Vella, and I'll find out soon!

Trudi Canavan

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The Hippopotamus by Stephen Fry

The Hippopotamus
Stephen Fry

Front cover

Date read: 4 - 13 February 2018
Length: 400 pages


Ted Wallace is asked to visit Swafford Hall, country mansion of his old friend Michael Logan. His pretence is to write a sort of biography, but really his mission is to investigate the mysterious healings being carried out by his Godson Davey. What will he discover?


I'm not going to lie, there was one bit that really shocked, disgusted, and disturbed me. I'm not going to spoil anything here, but it's kind of like when you're watching something truly revolting, but you can't help but keep watching. The whole time I was reading this part, and even the lead up to it, I knew what was going to happen, yet I couldn't stop reading. There must have been a look of utter disgust on my face, but nevertheless I persevered. It's one of those things that leaves you feeling a little strange afterwards.

Apart from that, I quite enjoyed The Hippopotamus. I liked the mix of characters and the general story. There is a bit of mystery when Ted is trying to figure out what is really going on in Swafford Hall. Although it's not so convoluted that you can't figure it out before reaching that part in the novel.


As much as I liked this novel, I'm still waiting to be blown away by Stephen Fry. I will keep reading his works. It may happen one day.

Stephen Fry

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A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire #1) by George R. R. Martin

A Game of Thrones
A Song of Ice and Fire #1
George R. R. Martin

Front cover

Date read: 15 January - 3 February 2018
Length: 780 pages (801 including appendix)


The Starks are leaving Winterfell. Eddard, Sansa, and Arya head to Kings Landing where Eddard will be Hand of the King to Robert Baratheon. But while he's there he uncovers a secret that dismisses the heir to the throne.Jon joins the Nights Watch, but nearly becomes a deserter to help his brother Robb, who is at war. Catelyn leaves Winterfell to warn Eddard of danger. The only remaining Starks in Winterfell are Bran; a cripple, and Rickon; a boy of three. Meanwhile Daenerys Targaryen weds Khal Drogo, leader of the Dothraki. Many think they are the rightful heir to the Iron Throne, so let the Game of Thrones commence!


I have watched all seven seasons of the TV show, now it's time for the books!

Death, death, and more death. After watching the TV show, I feel more prepared for what to expect from the books. The world of Westeros is very big, and there are lots of characters, so it's not surprising there are lots of deaths too. At least I was somewhat prepared!

I was a bit apprehensive about reading the books at first, because I wasn't sure of the writing style, and they are quite big books. But before finishing the first one, I knew I was in love! The writing is very easy to read and everything flows. I like books that tell parts of the story from different characters perspective, so that wasn't an issue for me.

I love Dany and Arya. Strong female characters, perhaps a bit (okay, a lot) different from the norm in their worlds. They stand up for themselves and what they believe in, and don't let people push them around. I think Dany really matured in this book, from the shy little girl under her brothers thumb, to the Khaleesi of the Dothraki. She grew very quickly and I can't wait to read more!

There are lots of the little sub plots, but everything is so interesting. I am really looking forward to reading this whole series! Yes, I'm aware it's taking George R. R. Martin an age to write the next one...




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Thief's Magic (Millennium's Rule #1) by Trudi Canavan

Thief's Magic
Millennium's Rule #1
Trudi Canavan

Front cover

Date read: 1 - 14 January 2018
Length: 553 pages

Tyen is a young sorcerer on an expedition when he discovers Vella - a "talking" book. Deciding "she" is too valuable to hand over to the Academy, he tries to teach "her" the ways of the modern world. But after being framed for the theft of Vella, he must escape if he wants to accomplish his mission.
Rielle can see Stain; a mark left over from the use of magic, which is forbidden. After being abducted by a Tainted, her life slowly spirals out of control; she runs away from home, lives with her lover, and is banished for using magic, herself becoming Tainted.


Vella, oh Vella! I love the idea of Vella. Who wouldn't want a book that could be your friend? The amount of knowledge she can contain is incredible! This is definitely my favourite part of the novel, and I'm really excited to see where this goes over the trilogy. I just want to read more and more about this Tyen and his adventures with this book.

I like Rielle too. She is a strong character with decent morals. She lives in a completely different world where magic is forbidden, unlike Tyen's world where it can be used freely. In both worlds it appears there is a sort of residue left behind after magic is used; something referred to as Stain by Rielle. In Rielle's world, only certain people can see Stain, I guess those with more magical ability.


I am very much looking forward to reading the next book very soon!

Trudi Canavan

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Hearts in Atlantis by Stephen King

Hearts in Atlantis
Stephen King

Front cover

Date read: 16 - 31 December 2017
Length: 619 pages

Hearts in Atlantis tells five stories linked by the 60's, the Vietnam War, and Carol Gerber. We get different views from the mid-60's to the late-90's, but all entirely stuck in the 60's. From a young boy helping an old man hide from the Low Men to a blind man scamming money by posing as a homeless man, what was so special about that time?


I liked how all the stories are linked, and they're all good, but the first is my favourite. It's probably the main story in the book, as it is just under half the book. I was very drawn to Bobby and his relationship with Ted. It's captivating and I just wanted to keep on reading.

I like how the first and last novel are from the point of view of the same character, even if several decades apart. It rounds off nicely, and I was hoping I would read more from Bobby. I would have liked to know more about Bobby's later years though, as there's a lot of hints about events that have happened, but you don't really learn much about them.

The story about Blind Willie was a little confusing, and I don't really see much point in it being included. I suppose it was kind of interesting, but it didn't take my fancy as much as the others and I feel it didn't really fit with the other stories.

Carol Gerber. What's the deal with Carol Gerber? Although she's not a main character in any of the stories, she seems to be a connection. It's a good connection, but maybe not what you think would connect them initially.

This is the first Stephen King novel I've read, and it was good! I have a few more, so will definitely give them a go in the future.

Stephen King

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