A young adult title today as a change from picture books. This is the first time I have met Dash and Lily but now I am determined to go back and read their story up to now. Lily usually loves Christmas but this year worries about her grandfather who has had a heart attack and a potential house move have dashed her festive spirits before they've had a chance to take hold. Her brother and boyfriend are determined to bring back her sparkle and the way they do this is touching, funny and full of love, despite the fact that they really don't get along. Some lovely festive scenes and descriptions of New York made me smile, I loved the ice skating scene. A few tears fell in the course of the story too but there is a warm happy ending to look forward to. A great, family orientated read , with mishaps, misunderstandings and touching moments along the way.
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3/1/2016 0 Comments 2015 Reading RoundupHappy New Year all! I am very pleased to have surpassed my GoodReads target of reading 120 books in 2015 (in fact I read 121) so now need to set myself a new challenge. I was going to make this post a list of my top 5 books of the year - but I can't possibly limit it to 5, will have to be 10! Here they are in no particular order, and they are not necessarily books published in this year, just books I have read: One, Sarah Crossan - this book stands out for me as the book that I have recommended to everyone and that probably made the most impression on me. Lyrical, beautifully written and so emotional, if you haven't read it yet go read it now! Concentr8, William Sutcliffe - an extremely powerful read that is scarily credible with some thought provoking extra reading on the subject of the over prescription of Ritalin etc. Twisted Dark Volume 1, Neil Gibson - I've started to read more graphic novels this year and intend to continue to do so in 2016 and Twisted Dark are going to help me with that. Hard hitting and not for younger children this was not always a comfortable read but gripping nonetheless. Clariel, Garth Nix - being drawn back into the world of the Abhorsen was an absolute delight, this prequel to a favourite series was like being given an unexpected present Reasons to Stay Alive, Matt Haig - an important, sensitive description of Matt's struggle with depression that is both uplifting and comforting. I've requested this as my book to give out on World Book Night, fingers are firmly crossed. (very honourable mention to A Boy Named Christmas too which is destined to be a December read for me for many years to come). Monster, CJ Skuse - the one that kept me awake at night and gave me nightmares! Tense, scary and set in a boarding school (reminiscent for me of Mallory Towers!), what's not to like?! Demon Road, Derek Landy - first YA title from the always sarcastically amusing creator of Skulduggery. Read this in one greedy gulp and will will go back and reread. Darkly funny but bloodthirsty too. Because you'll never meet me, Leah Thomas - debut novel and very unusual story of a friendship built on letters that sustains and is a lifeline for two 'different' teenage boys. Wanted! Ralfy Rabbit, Book Burglar, Emily Mackenzie - my favourite picture book of the year. Ralfy Rabbit is obsessed with books, he just can't get enough of them and this leads him into a life of crime when he starts to steal other peoples. He's 'saved' by a library - of course! Eren, Simon P Clark - Gorgeous book about the very nature of story and the impact it can have on life. Narrowing down to just 10 books has been ridiculously difficult and I must give a hat tip to a couple of others that didn't quite get into the lineup, Cleo, Lucy Coats & Mind Games, Teri Terry that I thoroughly enjoyed too ;-) My reading resolution is quite a simple one - read......more! and I'm looking forward to discovering more fantastic books in 2016. 6/12/2015 0 Comments Christmas Challenge Dec 6Reread a book today which was no hardship as I enjoyed it so much the first time - Monster by CJ Skuse.
Sixteen year old Nash is dealing with some terribly worry as her brother is missing abroad and she is struggling to keep it together so that she will be successful in her attempts to be made head girl. A rash act puts paid to her hopes and when she finds herself left in her boarding school at Christmas with several other girls and the matron events take a very nasty turn. The adrenalin pumping chase through the largely empty old school is rather reminiscent of Stephen King's The Shining and I was almost as scared by this as I was when reading the King book all those years ago. Great YA title, but you might need to sleep with the lights on after reading it! |
AuthorMy blog is a collection of thoughts and I hope you will learn something about me from the ramblings as well as finding some useful links. I'm Bev Humphrey and I'm a Literacy, School Libraries and Technology Consultant. I am self employed so views expressed are solely my own. CategoriesAll Android Apps Authors Bett Book Giving Day Books Cats Childrens Books Christmas Christmas Challenge Conferences Dickens Dyslexia English Games Geography Graphic Novels Images Inspiration International Women's Day Ipad Ipad For Education Libraries London Mfl Picture Books Podcasts Poetry Poetry Day Primaries Reading Resources Revision Twitter Urls Video Visits Wbd Wordcloud Wordle Workshops Write Path Writers Writing YA Youtube |