The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien.

Author: J. R. R. Tolkien.
ISBN: 0-00-675402-3
Genre: Fantasy Fiction
Publisher: Collins

"The classic story of Bilbo Baggins and his adventures through Rivendell, Mirkwood, and Erebor; released in a new paperback format. Easily one of the most famous children's books of modern times, "The Hobbit" is a must read and this edition will bring it to life for a whole new generation of readers. Bilbo Baggins enjoys a quiet and contented life, with no desire to travel far from the comforts of home. Then, one day, the wizard Gandalf and a band of dwarves arrive unexpectedly and enlist his services - as a burglar - on a dangerous expedition to raid the treasure-hoard of Smaug the dragon. Bilbo's life is never to be the same again. "The Hobbit" became an instant success when it was first published in 1937, and nearly 70 years later, Tolkien's epic tale of elves, dwarves, trolls, goblins, myth, magic and adventure, with its reluctant hero Bilbo Baggins, has become a timeless classic. This new children's edition of "The Hobbit", with a refreshed cover, will bring this classic story to a whole new generation of readers."

This is a book I've been meaning to read for ages, especially after being a fan of the Lord of the Rings movies. As I was reading this, it made me wish I had loved to read as a child, as I would have totally loved this book back then too.
I'm currently trying to get my 10 year old son to read it, but sadly like I was at his age, he doesn't want to read. Hmmm.

Anyway, I totally loved this book, it was better than I thought it would be. It was an exciting read and very enjoyable. It wasn't long until I was lost within the pages and hooked. I've not read much in the way of fantasy fiction, and if I can find more books like this then I'd be hooked.

Now I have to read The Lord of the Rings series!

My Rating: An Exciting Fantasy Novel!

50 Book Challenge.

I've just joined up with the 50 Book Challenge at The Library Thing

I've never read 50 books in a year before, being a bit of a slow reader, but I'm going to give it a try. I love reading and want to try and read more this year anyway.

So I'll start tomorrow with Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, which I am going to re-read, as I'm getting ready for the new book in July! Yay!

The Time Travelers Wife by Audrey Niffenegger

Author: Audrey Niffenegger
ISBN: 0-099-46446-2
Genre: Fiction
Publisher: Vintage.

"This extraordinary, magical novel is the story of Clare and Henry who have known each other since Clare was six and Henry was thirty-six, and were married when Clare was twenty-two and Henry thirty. Impossible but true, because Henry is one of the first people diagnosed with Chrono-Displacement Disorder: periodically his genetic clock resets and he finds himself pulled suddenly into his past or future. His disappearances are spontaneous and his experiences are alternately harrowing and amusing. The Time Traveler's Wife depicts the effects of time travel on Henry and Clare's passionate love for each other with grace and humour. Their struggle to lead normal lives in the face of a force they can neither prevent nor control is intensely moving and entirely unforgettable."

This is one of the books that I had wanted to read for ages. I'd read lots of good reviews about it and had to read it for myself.

The Story is about how Henry who has a genetic disorder, which makes him time travel. He meets his future wife when she is just 6 years old and from then on, visits her as she's growing up. Time traveling is not something he enjoys and wants it to stop, he finds a doctor who he hopes can help him, but can he? It's not easy convincing people he's a time traveler, especially when he time travels and ends up in a destination butt naked. I also liked reading Clare's side of how it was to live with Henry, and dealing with his absence when he time traveled.

There's so much to this book, it was very emotional. I really felt like I could connect with the characters, and I felt like I was there with them. I love books that do that to you. This is certainly a fabulous book, it was beautifully written and I enjoyed it so much
I loved how every detail of Henry and Clare's relationship went into this book, and I did enjoy reading about the love and passion they shared for each other.

I don't usually give my reviews scores, but if I was to, this one I'd give it 10/10.

My Verdict; One of the best books I've read.

BTT

Booking Through Thursday

• Do you read e-Books?
• f so, how? On your computer, or a PDA?
• Or are you a paper purist? Why?

No I don't. I have tried before but I always get bored with them quickly. There's nothing like getting stuck into a real paper book.

I've Been Tagged!!!

I've Been Tagged!!

Clare from http://bookreadingtales.blogspot.com/ has tagged me to answer these questions so here goes:

Name 3 Characters........
.............You wish were real so you could meet them:
Wow, let me think about this .......

Katherine of Aragon, Henry VIII's first wife. We know she was real in another time, but I love to read about her. She was a strong and loving woman & wife.

Armande from Joanne Harris's novel; Chocolat. I just loved that book, this character just got to me and pulled at my heart strings.

John Coffey from Stephen Kings; The Green Mile. I wanted to step inside this book and hug this man, and tell him it was going to be alright.

..............You would like to be:

Dumbledore from the Harry potter series, he's just so wise, powerful and loving!

Vianne Rocher from Joanne Harris novel; Chocolate. I loved reading about her struggle to be accepted and her relationship with Armande was really moving.

Henry from The Time Travelers wife by Audrey Niffenegger. As I'd love to be able to time travel.

.................Who Scare Me:

Annie from Stephen Kings novel; Misery. She's just awful!!!

The Ghosts & father in Stephen Kings; The Shining.

The Ghost in James Herbert's; The Secret of Crickley Hall. He terrified me!!!

I'll tag Chrissy from; http://chrissysbookshelf.blogspot.com and Margo from http://margothinksit.blogspot.com

Saint Thomas's Eve by Jean Plaidy.

Author: Jean Plaidy
ISBN: 0-09-949323-3
Genre: Historical Fiction
Publisher: arrow books

"Henry VII once warned his son, the future King of England, not to trust Thomas More; years later that same son made More his confidante and advisor. But the allegiance is dangerously one-sided. A family man, lawyer and writer, More's ambitions are humble, whilst Henry's are endless. As More's career at court rises so too does his religious fervour, much to the concern of his eldest daughter, Meg. Torn between her heretic husband and the secrets her father has confided in her, it is only a matter of time before her More will make the ultimate sacrifice for"

I borrowed this book from my sister after she read it and had really enjoyed it. Being a fan of historical fiction, I was eager to read this, as I hadn't read anything by this author before.
It took me a little while to get into the story, as it didn't seem that much was happening. But once I got to half way through the book, it began to pick up and I found myself enjoying it.

I liked reading about St Thomas More's relationship with his family, and his closeness to his eldest daughter Margaret. How they cherished him, and how Margaret wished for him to be home with them, instead of at Court.
What I liked about this book is, instead of giving you an insight into the world of Court life, you was given an insight into the life of Sir Thomas More.

Overall, I did enjoy this book, it's not my favourite Tudor novel, but I am pleased I read it, and I would read more from this author.

Good In Bed by Jennifer Weiner.

Author: Jennifer Weiner
ISBN: 0-7434-4102-8
Genre: Fiction
Publisher: Pocket Books

"Cannie Shapiro never wanted to be famous. The smart, sharp, plus-sized reporter was perfectly happy writing about other people's lives for her local newspaper. And for the previous twenty-eight years, things have been tripping along nicely for Cannic. Sure, her mother has come charging out of the closet, and her father had long since dropped out of her world. But she loves her job, her friends, her dog and her life. She loves her apartment and her commodious, quilt-lined bed. She has made a tenuous peace with her body and she even felt OK about ending her relationship with Bruce. But now this...'Loving a larger woman is an act of courage in our world, Bruce has written in a national woman's magazine. And Cannie - who never knew that Bruce saw her as a larger woman, or thought that loving her was an act of courage - is plunged into misery, and the most amazing year of her life."

I got this book ages ago, but never felt drawn to pick it up to read. I'm sure many people have picked up books and then they wondered why they bought the book, when they wasn't drawn to it? Anyway, after reading a historical novel I decided I needed a bit of a light read. The reviews said it was a brilliant book, so I picked it up having never read anything by this author before, read it and having just finished the book myself, I can say this was a 'brilliant' read!

It was funny in places, very emotional and moving. There are many women out there that will be able to relate to 'Cannie' the main character in this book. How she struggles with coming to terms with her ex, learning he no longer loves her, her weight and her past.

I recommend this book to everyone and I will certainly be reading more books by this author.

My Verdict: A Brilliant Read!

The Last Boleyn by Karen Harper

Author: Karen Harper
ISBN: 0-307-23790-7
Genre: Historical Fiction
Publisher: Three River Press.

"She Survived Her Own Innocence, and the Treachery of Europe’ s Royal Courts Greed, lust for power, sex, lies, secret marriages, religious posturing, adultery, beheadings, international intrigue, jealousy, treachery, love, loyalty, and betrayal." The Last Boleyn" tells the story of the rise and fall of the Boleyns, one of England’ s most powerful families, through the eyes of the eldest daughter, Mary. Although her sister, Anne, the queen; her brother, George, executed alongside Anne; and her father, Thomas, are most remembered by history, Mary was the Boleyn who set into motion the chain of events that brought about the family’ s meteoric rise to power, as well as the one who managed to escape their equally remarkable fall. Sent away to France at an extraordinarily young age, Mary is quickly plunged into the dangerous world of court politics, where everything is beautiful but deceptive, and everyone she meets is watching and quietly manipulating the events and people around them. As she grows into a woman, Mary must navigate both the dangerous waters ruled by two kings and the powerful will of her own family in order to find a place for herself and the love she so deeply desires."

I was given this book by a good friend who had introduced me to Philippa Gregory. Having loved The other Boleyn Girl by Philippa, I soon found myself a fan of Historical fiction.
I was hoping that this book would be as good as TOBG, and I am happy to say I loved this book.

This novel is about Mary Carey's (Boleyn) life, it begins when she is a child sent of to live in the French court, how she is used there. She is then sent to live at the English court, and finds herself Mistress of the King while she is married to William Carey. While at court she finds true love with a William Stafford.

There are three main characters in this book, Mary, her father Thomas Boleyn and William Stafford. It is about her life, how she is used by her father and how William Stafford (Staff) is her one true love. So you don't get a good insight into Anne Boleyn's life. However, this didn't ruin the book for me, as I loved reading about Mary, and how she and Staff got together and how her life turned out. I have to say Karen Harper made Staff sound irresistible and sexy! I would love to see this book made into a movie.

I will definitely be looking for more books by this autthor.

My Verdict; A great book!