The Library of Unrequited Love

 

The Library of Unrequited Love by Sophie Divry

Published 14 February 2013 Maclehose Press

 

 

I work in a library and so upon seeing this book I had to read it. Now I have read it, I have to own it.

 

Its a quirky little novel - a one-way conversation really, between the mature female Librarian in charge of Geography in the basement of a French Public Library, and a member of the public who happened to be locked in overnight (yes it can happen so please leave when we ask you to!). We get to explore all of her unrequited loves.

 

I laughed aloud many times (shhh!) whilst reading this literary short - it is delicious! -but perhaps only for those of us lucky to work in libraries? It describes a view of libraries few experience and includes some interesting historical detail about French libraries.

 

Well done to all involved in bringing us this little treasure.

 

Sophie Divry lives in Lyon, France. The Library of Unrequited Love is her first novel.

 



Gone Girl

 

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

Published 24 May 2012 Phoenix

 

 

Read this thriller whilst under the weather which may have impaired my opinion of the book.

 

Good story with an intricate plot, strong characters and well-paced narrative. I found it clever. Intelligent.

 

The Observer newspaper describes Gone Girl as "Thriller of the Year". Well, it will not be making one of my best books lists. I remember hearing good things when the hardback was published and there was a loooooong reserve list for it at work so I waited for the paperback (as the hype continued to grow) and I have to admit, I was disappointed. I needed something...more.

 

I liked Nick from the start and found myself rooting for him throughout the book (which I doubt is the idea). I could never warm to Amazing Amy - there was just something...off. Can't say too much as I will give the game away!

 

The novel left me wondering just how well do you ever know someone?

 

This thriller would be great for readers groups. There could be plenty of discussion over pop and biscuits.

 

Gillian Flynn lives in Chicago. Gone Girl is her third novel.

The Messenger Bird

 

 

The Messenger Bird by Ruth Eastham

Published 3 May 2012 Scholastic

 

"The truth can be a dangerous thing."

 

Nathan's father is arrested for selling Government information and breaking the Official Secrets Act. As police drag him away, he shouts back at Nathan to "follow Lily's trail". The trail leads Nathan to Bletchley Park during World War II. How will this help him save his father? Read it and find out!

 

Ruth Eastham, of 'The Memory Cage' fame, has written another wonderful junior fiction novel full of adventure and mystery. i love the strong bond between Nathan and his dad. Look out for the tense explosive ending!

 

The book is fascinatingly linked to Bletchley, the Enigma code and the Coventry Blitz - Coventry Cathedral's ruin is featured on the cover. Nice web links included for those wishing to know more about Bletchley.



The Potter's Hand

The Potter's Hand by A. N. Wilson
Published 1 September 2012 Atlantic Books

Historical literary saga of the Wedgwood family. Begins at the height of Josiah Wedgwood's career as he is completing the thousand piece Frog Service for Catherine the Great of Russia.

 

This is a hefty tome (502 pages). I found it tough, especially towards the end but persevered. Do watch out for the passages in dialect!

 

It is an illustration of eighteenth-century English family life, from the bargee to the new-monied toff. Sprinkled with illustrious Georgians such as Erasmus, Darwin and Coleridge.

 

An extraordinary tale.

 

The author's father was Managing Director of Josiah Wedgwood and Sons.

A. N. Wilson describes the book as "...an act of homage to one of the great men of our history.", and it is.

A Breakthrough

So, I am blogging from my own home! This may not be surprising, however, I have been without the internet for 9 years posting in wi-fi spots and from work. That is now over!!! *celebration party poppers*
This now means I shall be able to blog and review more regularly >.<

Speak soon!

Tiff

Red Sparrow

 

Red Sparrow by Jason Matthews

Published 4 June 2013 Simon & Schuster

 

 

Red Sparrow is Jason Matthews' debut novel - and it is brilliant! I instantly wanted to read it all over again the second I finished it. It is a USA-v-Russia spy thriller. A fast paced, adrenaline building, edge-of-your-seat read. I LOVED it!

I've never read a book like it and I wouldn't have picked it up from a bookshelf so have discovered a fabulous new genre to read.

 

CIA operative Nate Nash is undercover in Moscow. He is young, eager to get on and handling one of the CIA's prize double agents - MARBLE.

Dominika Ergorov, former prima ballerina, is a fledgling of spy school and sparrow school as so doubly dangerous. What no-one knows is that she can see the colours of emotions in people - a triple threat. It is Dominika's task to honeytrap the American Nash and discover the identity of the double-agent traitor. So begins a cat and mouse chase. Who will uncover the other's secrets first? 

 

I am not sure if it is usual for spy thrillers to have strong female leads - perhaps more recently due to the Larsson effect. However, I feel Dominika is a great character. Hard, unflinching, sultry, lonely - she's wonderful.

 

Red Sparrow being a Russian spy thriller contains much Russian language and culture which added to the authenticity and therefore my enjoyment of the book. The character traits were also fascinating and from my experience accurate - well done Mr. Matthews.

 

A fun aside to this thriller is that it contains recipes - yes, that's right - the recipe for something the characters eat appears at the end of each chapter and as I read I found myself guessing what it would be. I plan to try several of the recipes...delicious!

 

Red Sparrow is a real page turner - a fabulous debut from Jason Matthews, an ex CIA operative. His knowledge and experience gives the novel an honesty and depth that I'd imagine would be difficult to achieve unless you've been there.

 

I would recommend Red Sparrow to everyone. Its not typical male adventure thriller genre so ladies, do not be put off, but its publishing date does make it a great Father's Day gift.

 

I will be looking out for more Jason Matthews books in the future.

 

A huge thankyou to @Dark_pages for the ARC.

AWOL

I'm sorry i've not posted for so long - been a bit under the weather