Between the Lines - Jodi Picoult and Samantha van Leer

Genre: Young Adult/Fiction/Romance

This is one of the sweetest books I've ever read.  A multi-dimensional love story, 16 year old Delilah loves reading and happy endings and a lack of surprises.  And she finds all this in a fairy tale titled Between the Lines, authored by Jessamyn Jacobs.  It is the only copy in existence and when we first meet Delilah she gives the most beautiful description of the outward appearance of the book.  At first it is just a story but when the main character, Prince Oliver, speaks to her from within the book, everything changes.

I own the trade paperback version and it has the most exquisite illustrations and random beautiful sketches scattered throughout the novel which just add to the wonderfully enchanting nature of the novel.  I think this is a definite must read for any book lover so that they can wonder and imagine the lives of their favourite characters after the book is closed.

I think that I enjoyed this book so much because I can see myself in Delilah and her absolute obsession with reading.

Black Friday - Alex Kava

Genre: Crime (Mystery) Thriller

A Maggie O'Dell novel.

It is 'black Friday' and the shopping malls are packed, the three explosions tear through the crowds at Mall of America.  The casualties and injuries are bad and O'Dell is called in to assist with the investigation but it gets personal when she realises that her brother might be involved.  The clock is ticking and there is another attack planned.  Can O'Dell stop it and save hundreds of lives? Can she save her brother?

The novel is gripping from the first page right through to the last, it is humorous and tense.  It explores the sibling bond and loyalty and raises many questions about terrorism and safety.

A Judgement in Stone - Ruth Rendell

Genre: Fiction (Crime Fiction/Suspense)

Published in 1977 and widely considered to be one of Rendell's greatest works, it examines the class differences in Britain in the 1970s.  This novel is my second try at reading a Rendell novel, the first being A Sight for Sore Eyes. And although this book came with high recommendations, I am once again unimpressed.  I find that there is far too much detail in the story, but not enough actually happening.  I am left bored and somehow wanting more to happen.  I can, without a doubt, say that Ruth Rendell is not an author that I like or be willing to read again.

Eunice Parchman is illiterate and ashamed of it.  She is hired by the Coverdale family as a housekeeper, and makes friends with the post-mistress (who herself is a little bit strange).  The two friends end up spurring each other on and go crazy, murdering the Coverdale's with their own guns.  They would have gotten away with it but unfortunately Eunice's illiteracy causes their downfall as an important clue is left written down and she does not realize it.  When her illiteracy is revealed to all at her trial in court, she is absolutely mortified.

I am sure that for her fans, Rendell is a wonderful writer and that they love her stuff but I would not recommend her to anyone.

Benny and Babe - Eoin Colfer

Genre: Children's Fiction

Taking place on the coast, Benny Shaw is on summer vacation at the lighthouse where his grandfather is the keeper.  He soon makes himself some new friends, one of which is the tomboy, Babe Meara.  Throughout the book we follow Benny, and sometimes Babe, as they hunt for fishing flies, weights and baits to resell.  They make an enemy.  Someone develops a crush.  The rules are broken and the price is paid.  Along with several other escapades are covered in this novel.

It is a wonderful story and was quite captivating although I didn't enjoy it as much as Benny and Omar.  It was well worth the read and the space on my bookshelf.  And even though the main character is a boy, I feel that it will speak to both boys and girls and offer the same enjoyment that I drew from this book.

Benny and Omar - Eoin Colfer

Genre: Children's Fiction

Benny Shaw loves Hurling and he likes Ireland.  And then his dad gets a job...  In Tunisia...  Which just so happens to be in Africa.  It's not Ireland and there is no Hurling.  He does not want to be here, but despite this fact, he finds himself making friends and becoming a troublemaker along with a local boy.

This is a heart warming story about two boys who, despite a language barrier, become friends and brothers.  We follow their adventures and antics and we see how these two make every moment count.

If this book teaches you only one thing it would be that spoken language is not important, but rather the language from the heart that counts.

This is a must read for Colfer fans!

The C-Word - Lisa Lynch

Genre: Non-fiction - Biography

Lisa Lynch is 28 years old.  She is perfectly healthy.  Except for the lump in her left breast.  The Grade 3 breast cancer lump.  With no history of breast cancer in her family, this diagnosis surprises the hell out of Lisa Lynch.

This book follows Lisa's [mis]adventures while she copes with cancer, From the diagnosis through to the mastectomy, chemotherapy and radiation.  The horror of losing her hair and having to pick a wig.

This book gives insight into the life of a cancer patient, fighter and survivor.  Lisa cuts right through the candy-coated 'everything-will-be-okay' bullshit and deals with the cold hard facts of this life changing illness.  It is funny, sad and amazing all-in-one type of book.

Lisa's story had me laughing and crying on every page as I followed her journey and I all I could do was hope and wish and dream that she was in remission and that her and her husband could lead the life they both dreamed of...  But I won't spoil it for you...  Read it for yourself and see where Lisa takes you...

Lisa kept a blog, the link can be found below:

http://alrighttit.blogspot.com/

After this book was published, there were further developments with Lisa's illness:

October 2012: Lisa is diagnosed with Grade 4 bone and brain cancer.  Although incurable, it is manageable.

November 2012: Lisa receives Gamma Knife Treatment

25 December 2012: Lisa is rushed to hospital for emergency chemo.

January 2013: Lisa receives chemo and transfusions.  The CT scan shows a subdural bleed.

11 March 2013:  Lisa passes away peacefully.

Haven of Obedience - Marina Anderson

Genre: Smutty Rubbish/Mommy Porn/Erotica

The main character is a high powered magazine editor who likes to be in control, in all aspects of her life, even the bedroom.  This often leaves her lonely.  She is invited to 'The Haven', a country retreat where she learns to hand over control and there she meets Simon.  And who really cares about the rest?  This book was absolute trash.

The story line is pathetically flimsy.  The editor was lazy (or distracted) and the layout, spelling and grammar mistakes are abundant.  I wasn't particularly interested in the book but at this point it just lost me completely.  It basically starts and ends with sex and is actually rather boring.

This book is utter crap and I won't ever read anything by this author again, not for an infinite amount of money or any other reimbursement,  If you like these types of 'books', you might enjoy it but I don't recommend them at all.  Stick to something a little more classy.