Ashley Bell by Dean Koontz

What a treat! Thank you Jonathan Ball Publishers for this review copy!

It has been years since I've read a Dean Kootz novel. They are take me back to my teen years where I devoured every Koontz and King novel I could lay my hands on!

It took me awhile to get into as I've been hooked on several non fiction reads. (See   A Mother's Reckoning and Black Flags). 

Enter Bibi Blair, young and talented with so much to offer life. Devastatingly she is suddenly diagnosed with a rare form brain cancer and is given a short while to live. 

Admirably, she insists she will beat it and miraculously, she does-in a day-and here is where this story begins.

With doses of standard Koontz ingredients: golden Labrador, mystery, mayhem and spookiness this novel is everything you expect as a fan. 

Do not read if you are expecting something different. 

A Mother's Reckoning by Sue Klebold

I don't often read non fiction. The publisher recommended this book and Black Flags, the book on ISIS (review to follow) and I was riveted from the introduction right till the last word.

It was a harrowing story told through the heartache, loss and love of a mother, which I believe to have been a cathartic  experience for Sue Klebold. 

Understandably, she questioned her parenting, her inability to see behind the facade her son, Dylan, constructed. 

She openly discusses mental health and it's possible forms of expression. 

Her account of the days and months after the shooting are accurately recaptured (with the aid of her constant journaling at that time."

A must read!

An Eagle In The Snow by Michael Morpurgo

I have read a few books by Michael Morpurgo over the years and Running Wild has always been my favourite.

An Eagle In The Snow was recommended to me and after putting it aside (I've had quite a reading list to get through) I read it the other day. It is aimed at the 9-12 year old market. It isn't a big book and kid's wont be intimidated by the font or size. In fact, it can be read by younger kids as well.

I thoroughly enjoyed this powerful new novel. Michael Morpurgo is at his usual best. Here he writes a story inspired by true events and a man who could have stopped World War II.

The year is 1940, and young Barney is travelling with his mum when suddenly their train comes under attack by German bomber planes. The train finds shelter in the darkness of a tunnel. A stranger in their carriage starts telling a story to pass the time and ease Barney's fear.

The story is of a young soldier who could have prevented the war, by doing what he thought was the right thing at the time. It turned out to be the biggest mistake he could ever have made and one that needs to be put right.

As the story unfolds you realise the narrator is actually the soldier from the story.

This story is both compelling and thoughtful, based on events from the life of Private Henry Tandey VC.

If you're anything like me, then the little I learned about him in the book's afterword encouraged me to find out more about this brave man.

See Me by Nicholas Sparks

I couldn't get into this😔 

I kept waiting forever for the story to pick up in pace and content. I felt insulted by the author explaining statements. It is great when a reader is credited with intelligence to make deductions from the  dialogue. 

This was my first read of a Nicholas Sparks novel and I wasn't very impressed.

I have read other reviews which raved about it so I'm just going to put this down to me not liking the style of writing. 

If you are a fan, I suggest reading it yourself. You may enjoy it.

The Jungle Book Trailer

One of my favorite authors and poets was the brilliant Rudyard Kipling. I think I have watched almost all of the movie/tv adaptations of The Jungle Book and I cannot tell you all how excited I am to watch this.

Follow the link below to watch the newest adaptation!

http://youtu.be/HcgJRQWxKnw

Dark Places Movie Review

"The books are always better than the movies." That's a line we're all familiar with.

That being said, this was probably the worst adaptation of a book I have ever seen.

The story, as always, was changed for a viewing audience. I was not surprised to see that Gillian Flynn's name did not appear in the credits. I think if she had some input, it wouldn't have been half as bad.

Seeing the trailer, I assumed that after her  performance in Monster, Charlize Theron would have played a brilliant Libby Day. Unfortunately, I doubt she even read the book. 

Overall, the movie failed to convey the mood of the book and Charlize failed to convey Libby Day's desperation.

I hope that Sharp Objects, should it ever be made into a movie, will have the creative input of the genius that is Gillian Flynn.

Magnus Chase and the Sword of Summer by Rick Riordon

I have never been interested in Norse mythology-until now!

Rick Riordon takes us on the beginning of yet another adventure with Magnus Chase and his motley crew! 

Action, humor coupled with a witty dialogue  make this book my favorite kid's release this year!

Magnus has been living on the streets since the death of his mother, two years ago. 

One day he hears that his Uncle Randolph is looking for him. Once he finds him, Randolph starts spouting off stories about Magnus's lineage, Norse mythology and a secret sword!

Before Magnus realises, he's knee deep in trouble and soon finds himself dead! And that's where his story begins...