The Book Club Blog

Firstly, I have to thank Penguin Books SA for rescuing me out of a reading slump! I had nothing to read, well, that might be a bit of a lie, I have bookshelves full of books to read, but nothing was working for me. Luckily, Penguin sent me this delightful book to read which hurled me out of that terrible reading slump!

This is a delightful coming of age YA novel which is an easy read with likable characters and reminds you of what it was like to be 18(if of course, you are over (way over)18. I think it would be perfect for teenage girls who are just about to hit varsity/ leave home for the first time. It hits the right note between emotional and wise without being soppy.

What is it about?

Colby may be just a small holiday beach town for the tourists, but for Emeline it’s home.It looks like it’s going to be another typical summer there with her gorgeous high-school sweetheart, Luke – until a New York filmmaker and her ambitious assistant Theo check in. They’re obviously after a story. But, when getting the locals to talk proves tricky, Theo decides they need a guide and he’s got his eye on Emeline . . .Can Emeline decide where her loyalties, and her heart, truly lie before the summer ends?

If you have a teenage daughter who likes these sorts of novels, I think it is a perfect weekend read!

The Langani Trilogy is a beautiful trio of novels set in Kenya in the 60s. It is a novel filled with murder, intrigue, love, friendship, sadness, betrayal and redemption.  A saga of a novel which captures the essence of Africa from the very first chapter.

Following the lives of three girls as they grow up, leave school and begin to make their way in the world, these novels are like real life, with ups and downs, highs and lows and the African sunsets are majestic. It could make anyone homesick for Africa!

What I really enjoyed about them is understanding the political changes in Africa, how the British arrived and were ousted, even though generations had lived in Africa by this time. It is a novel about segregation, race, barriers and forward thinking of the younger generation. It is also bloody and serious and to this day, rhino poaching still occurs.

This really is a lovely trilogy to read! Especially if you are looking for something that is going to whisk you away on a storytelling delight.

This review was sent in by Karren, thank you! Has anyone else read this? I have to admit to sci fi not being my usual fare, but this does sound rather interesting.

A very interesting time travel/scifi novel

When I came across the book Riddle of the Red Bible, I never expected I would be in for a fast-paced, action packed novel that I wouldn’t be able to put down until I reached the last page. It boldly and effectively breezed through the visible barriers between science fiction, fantasy, and horror through its complicated, yet well-woven plot. Such an effort would have to be commended.

The story kicks off as a young inquisitive girl named Courtney Nivots gets a traumatic visit from a ghost. When the ghost destroys the only link she has with her father, she immediately sets off toward a journey that would affect not only her future, but also alienated her from her mother and her peers. Her brilliant research brings her not only to other continents, but also other dimensions and other time frames. Following Courtney’s journey would surely put readers on the edge of their seats as K.T. masterfully unveils one mystery after another.

What is admirable about this novel the ease in which it was able to combine several genres. What started off supernatural then evolved into a well-researched scientific journey that would have us questioning what mankind is truly capable off. Like all other sci-fi novels, this story speculates what kind of future we would have if we continue to follow the path of destruction we are walking now.

In a way, Courney represents that part of us that would always be searching for something. Perhaps we, too, would go on several adventures, only to realize that what we’re desperately fighting for lies in the most unexpected places.

For more info you can go to this website. Happy Reading!

I love Jane Green’s books! And even though this one has been out for a while, I hadn’t read it but luckily my library is fabulous and I ordered it through them to read.

I enjoyed it, it has her typical style of writing and is thoroughly readable, I think I managed it in a couple of days. Not your usual chick lit and dare I say, its because she is getting older and is able to write about more in depth subjects?? Or would that just be my opinion?

What is it about?

Thank you Penguin Books SA for sending me a copy of this book!

What is it about?

After the 1st wave, only darkness remains. After the 2nd, only the lucky escape. And after the 3rd, only the unlucky survive. After the 4th wave, only one rule applies: trust no one. Now, it’s the dawn of the 5th wave. On a lonely stretch of highway, Cassie runs from Them. The beings who only look human, who roam the countryside killing anyone they see. Who have scattered Earth’s last survivors. To stay alone is to stay alive, until Cassie meets Evan Walker. Beguiling and mysterious, Evan may be her only hope for rescuing her brother and even saving herself. Now she must choose: between trust and despair, between defiance and surrender, between life and death. To give up or to get up.

Is it worth reading?

I have to admit to enjoying it so yes, read it! There were some moments in the book which were a bit annoying and too cliched but I enjoyed the story line. It is a novel about aliens taking over the world, (but luckily this cliche is more believable than most and does’t have your usual green, one eyed beings portrayed as aliens,in this story, you don’t know who the aliens are which makes it that much more scary and believable) and about trust, and in a world where you really don’t know who you can trust any more, the nature of friendship and what gets me every time, children. It always gets my soft spot when I read about children and how they have to grow up and loose their innocence before their time.

The only thing I didn’t really like about the book was the ending, but I think it is done in the way that is has been so there is a possibility for a sequel. Which is not necessarily a bad thing!

I liked the characters and I liked how that the fact that they were children is a vital part of the story. So, give it a go, and even if you don’t usually read these sorts of books, I think this is an easy and quick read and compelling enough to have you continue reading…

Have you read it? What did you think?

And if you have read it and enjoyed it and fancy more from him, here is his website, where I have discovered that he has many more books to read!

How very sad it is that there will no longer be Maeve Binchy novels to look forward too. The first I had ever read by her was ‘Light a Penny Candle’ and I absolutely adored the book. Her writing is beautiful and carries you through the lives of her characters which become as real as ‘real people’ while you are reading it. Pulled into her novels, swept away on their journeys. Solid and real. I loved it.

This book was no different on that account, the only problem I had with it, as I had with a few of her last novels, were that they were too short. Her first books were great bug hunks of  novels while her last ones, while lovely definitely didn’t have the same amount of depth and breadth to them. Saying that, I still loved them.

A week in Winter is a cast of characters who holiday in a new guest house set in Ireland and documents their stories as to why and how they got there. As with all her novels, these have happy endings and are feel good books, even though there is always sadness and heartache in them too.

If you are a Maeve Binchy fan, you will enjoy this book.

And now, I think I need to re-read Light a Penny Candle…

I am sure that most of you who know of Rosamund Kendal’s writing will be more familiar with ‘The Angina Monologues’ and ‘Karma Suture’ than with ‘The Murder of Norman Ware’ but let me dispel any misgivings you may have about her latest book.

Even though it is not medical based, it still very aptly describes South Africa today in its distinctions between classes and colors and rich and poor. This book details the murder of Norman Ware and the co-incidences and consequences of various key players within the frame of how and why it occurred. But, the murder of Norman Ware is really just the back drop for how our society works at large.

Read it, I don’t think you will be disappointed!

And if you have read it, what did You think??