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The Pelican Brief by John Grisham

My review

rating: 3 of 5 stars


This is only the second John Grisham book I've ever read. (I read The Runaway Jury years ago). It's not that I dislike the writing or the author. I'm just not that much into lawyerly stuff.



I enjoyed the story. It's not a page turner, but it gripped me enough that I wanted to finish it. As often happens I actually enjoyed the secondary characters more than the main characters.



I would like to read another John Grisham soon.


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The Secret Life of Bees

The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars


A fabulous book. Sad in parts, but overall it is such a feel-good, life affirming story. Everybody should have someone like August Boatwright in their lives. ;)


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Book review

When Will There be Good News? by Kate Atkinson

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars


This is the first Kate Atkinson I've read and boy, did I enjoy her writing. The plot itself was good, but it was the characterization that impressed me. And it is quite a cast, right down to the dog Sadie.

I will be seeking out more of her work.

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a sporting memory

Grade 1, week 1. The first athletics competition of the year, and the first of my 6 year old life.

Timid child that I was, I was already nervous of the teachers, the other children (I had already been teased because of my wild hair), the starter's gun going off and the chaos of milling children and teachers. My parents were watching, and I sensed the unspoken hope of my dad that his eldest child will be good at sports. Poor Dad, hahaha!

The teachers got the straggling line of grade ones in line, and Bang! went the starter's gun.

I ran. I was doing well, not first, but in the first five or so. But, as always in life (though that was my first lesson of it) it is one's insecurities that trip you up.

I looked back, and stepped in a small depression in the ground. I stumbled, fell, ploughed several feet, heard the "Ahhhhh!" from the crowd, got up and looked towards my parents. They were making signs that said, "Run on! Go on!" So I did.

I ran to the end, but ended last. Last. After my good beginning I ended last. I was mortified.

And although I did participate in athletics until I was about 15, I never gained back the confidence of that first few minutes of running at the front.

10 things I've always wanted to do that I haven't done (yet)

1. Write and publish good mystery novels, ones that would satisfy me.

2. White-water rafting, climbing Kilimanjaro to the very top, scuba diving, hiking the Otter trail....with Calie and the kids.

3. Read The Brothers Karamazov.

4. Host a really super party, complete with sex and drugs and rock & roll.

5. Meditate long and deeply enough to break through the barrier.

6. Bungee jump of the Stormwater's Bridge. The kids aren't allowed to do this while I live.

7. Travel to Japan in time for the cherry blossoms.

8. Speak publicly without fear.

9. Become a hermit.

10. Inherit a vast and interesting library.

Pocket Muse: Ideas and Inspirations for Writing by Monica Wood

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars

Excellent book to break writer's block, prompt ideas and just to page though. It has photographs, bits of text, and the occasional longer piece of writing about writing. Great to dip into at random. I always have it on my bedside table.


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