Are these my Basoomas I See Before Me?

Ah Georgia Nicolson. We meet again for the last time. You may be a book written for children, but that didn't stop me from laughing out loud and enjoying myself considerably while reading your last installment. We've had a tumultuous relationship - you've gotten tiresome in the past with your silly language and constant ignorance considering Dave The Laugh. However, I have stuck by you, and I am going to admit - I'll miss you.

Thanks for the mammaries! 4.5 nunga-nungas out of 5.

White Stone Day

I am not going to give this stupid book too much more of my time. Maybe it was the fact that I kept falling asleep during the first few chapters, but I found it a rambling, confusing and ultimately unsatisfying volume, one that I only finished out of spite and obligation.

A rambling tale about a roguish reporter in Victorian London, the main plot revolves around (I think) trying to bring a child molester, pornographer and murderer to justice within the upper classes. There is also a subplot revolving around the hero's dead brother, another couple of kids, and Oxford.

Confusing, rambling and ultimately unsatisfying. I will give it 2 glass photography negatives out of 5 out of charity, as I was totally out of it for the first few chapters.

Huge

This book (yes, it's for young folk) had such potential. Who doesn't love a good story about fat camp? First there was the MTV special, aptly titled "Fat Camp", then, we got a second taste with "Fat Camp 2". Finally, the world gave us "Huge".

I love a good camp story. I especially love a good fat camp story. Who doesn't? Camp has such an in-the-now flavour, it is perfect for teen romances, drama, and everything you come to expect from a good book for young 'ins.

Unfortunately, "Huge" didn't live up to it's potential. It was cheesy and seemed unfinished by the end. I think that, had 13 year old Alana read it as opposed to 27 year old Alana, there would be a different verdict. However, as I am an adult (albeit one who reads teen fiction on a semi-regular basis), I have to rate it 2.5 perfectly portioned grilled salmon fillets out of 5.

Bad Behaviour

Ah Sheila O'Flanagan. We have such an interesting love/hate relationship. I mock you with my cool friends, but deep down we all know that you and your plucky young heroines keep me entertained and happy through some dark, dark times.

For plot details see Marian Keyes books from previous posts. Let's just say that Sheila O'Flanagan, despite the cheese factor, gives me warm fuzzies when I need them. For that, I thank you. This was a great $6.99 bargain bin purchase.

Until next time, Sheila. I will see you on a beach somewhere....

Year of Wonders

This book is probably one of the better books I've picked up in a while. It takes place during the Bubonic Plague outbreak of 1665-1666 and centres around a young peasant woman in a small, isolated village.

It's pretty much as you imagine it, i.e. lots of death and pestilence, plus pus. The end was a bit bizarre and seemed to be disconnected from the rest, but overall enjoyable and seemed that it could be a likely representation of life during the plague.

Now on to fluffier finds...

Overall, 4 horsemen out of 5 (I made up a new horseman - Pus).

The Birthing House

Totally brutal. It started off well, but by the end I was hating life. I hate it when that happens. I want my Monday night back.

The Pretend Wife

This is probably the best book I have read in about a month (I have a feeling I am missing one from September, but oh well). This isn't to say that it's the best book ever written, but it was better than I expected - especially with that cover.

It talks about taking the easy route in life rather than choosing risk, and where that can lead. I enjoyed the characters and I found the protagonist to be relatable. I think the best part was that she wasn't good or evil, but trying to make the best decisions using the information she had.

It reminded me a lot of a fairly recent book of Emily Giffin's called something like Love the one you're With or something like that (too lazy to google). Similar subject matter, but I would argue a bit more true to life. It lacked a sense of humour to any large degree, but other than that it was a pleasant read that I enjoyed.

3.5 three-legged dogs out of 5