Shopaholic & a Sister by Sophie Kinsella.

Author: Sophie Kinsella
ISBN: 0552771112
Genre: Chick Lit
Publisher: Black Swan

"Becky Bloomwood thought being married to Luke Brandon would be one big Tiffany box of happiness. But to be honest, it's not quite as dreamy as she'd hoped. The trouble started on honeymoon, when she told Luke the tiniest little fib, about the teeniest little purchase. Now she's on a strict budget, she doesn't have a job - and worst of all her beloved Suze has a new best friend. She's feeling rather blue - when she receives some incredible news. She has a long-lost sister! Becky has never been more excited. Finally, a real sister! They'll have so much in common! They can go shopping together... choose shoes together... have manicures together... Until she meets her - and gets the shock of her life. It can't be true. Surely Becky Bloomwood's long-lost sister can't... hate shopping? A sister. A soulmate. A skinflint?!"


I totally loved this edition of the shopaholic series. It was for me, by far the best!
It had all the laughter and the emotion that goes with Becky Brandon (nee Bloomwood!). But this one I thought was just a little different and this difference, made it that more enjoyable for me. It was a little bit more realistic. Of course, the Shopaholic series will always be far fetched and yes this book was far fetched, but, I felt it was more realistic due to the the story of how she meets her sister and how different they are. I found this one so enjoyable, I laughed so much at the one-liners, but I also cried! (especially when she goes to see her sister and then, goes mountain climbing and then speaks to her hubby Luke on the phone) It tugged at my emotions a lot in this book and I so felt for Becky!

My Verdict: The very best of Becky Brandon (nee Bloomwood). Fantastic!

Interview with the Vampire by Anne Rice

Author: Anne Rice
ISBN: 0-7088-6073-7
Genre: Horror Fiction
Publisher: Warner Books

"In a darkened room a young man sits telling the macabre and eerie story of his life - the story of a vampire, gifted with eternal life, cursed with an exquisite craving for human blood."

I had been after this book for a long time and when I spotted it in my local 2nd hand book store, I was thrilled! I had heard mixed reviews about this book, some people like it while others hate it.
Personally; I loved it!

I had seen the movie a few years ago and it has always been one of my favourites, so I pretty much knew the plot and the characters of this story. When reading it I did (as you do) picture the actors in the movie as those in the book. I thought that kind of helped, I liked it anyway, considering I love the movie and like the actors in it.

The book gave me an insight into the characters that the movie hadn't. I felt as though I got to know them much more and I could sympathize with them. I felt the book take me deeper into their characters and helped me to see them differently. For instance, you get a better picture of Louis, how he is a vampire who finds it hard to accept his role as a vampire. He finds it hard to let go of his human 'emotions' and feels sorrow for his victims. Lestat you begin to realise isn't that bad after all (in vampire terms lol). Also Claudia and how she has to come to terms with never having the opportunity to become a woman.

There is so much more to this book though and I loved, nearly every minute I spent reading it. There was only one small part of the book I didn't like much, and that was in the first half of the book, every now and then, the boy taking the interview would be mentioned. So where I was getting stuck into the story, I was all of a sudden pulled out of it as the boy asked a questions or he wanted to light his cigarette or something. But the 2nd half of the book that very rarely happened.

Overall, I loved the book and can't wait to read the next two in this series!

My verdict: Excellent!

Balaclava Row by Patricia Grey.

Author: Patricia Grey
ISBN: 1-84067-399-0
Genre: Wartime Fiction
Publisher: Knight paperbacks.

"Balacava Row was just like any other North London street in 1940, its inhabitants making the best of their lives and struggling to make a living during the war. But when a local jeweller is found dead, DCI Jack Stamford and his able sergeant realize that no one in the Row is quite what they seem."

I bought this book as I was searching for a Wartime novel. I hadn't read one before and wanted to give one a try. So when I was in my local book store, I picked this one up, hoping it would be good.

As I read it, I felt like I had been transported back into the TV show 'Heartbeat'. It has this cosy feel to the book, that makes you want to carry on reading it. The author helps you to see how people lived back in the war time, and how they struggled.

There were a couple of characters I liked reading about; Naffnel, Rose & Lexie.

Overall this was a charming book to read, it wasn't overly exciting, and didn't have me gripped. It was just nice.

My Verdict: A charming read.