After reading this book and being completely lost in Dexter and Emma's world...I don't think I would want to see the film. There were parts of the book where I literally couldn't put it down. Emma is a strong minded clever woman, while Dexter is not so strong willed, open to suggestion, but has that charm that some people seem to be born with, and because his family is fairly "well-off" he expects the better things in life. For a while everything seems to go Dexter's way, and when it stops going his way he really can't cope with it. BUT, as the title of the book suggests, it is told by snap shots of Dexter and Emma's lives on the 15th of July of each year for 20 years
I might go to see it, but won't be holding out for anything earth shattering, I have seen so many films of books that don't measure up.
Twilight was on TV here last week. Iv'e had all four of the books for ages, decided it was time I read the rest of them. Bella and Edward have split, not Bella's idea. She shuts herself off from the world and everything. When she eventually decides to start trying to live her life again, instead of just going through the motions, she strengthens her friendship with Jacob Black. Jacob goes through some "changes" and finds himself a werewolf. Bella keeps trying "dangerous activities" as she finds she hears Edward's voice. Whilst trying one of these pursuits, one of Edward's "sisters" sees Bella jump off a cliff. She tells Edward, he presumes Bella has committed suicide, and without checking sets about to end his own existence. Eventually the misunderstanding is resolved and Edward and the Cullens return to Forks. The book ends shortly after Edward asking Bella to marry him.
It is very well written, and the plot is pacy, the characters are very believable.
The book has such a strange title because the main character is a copy editor for a trade magazine about adhesives. But the novel explores the "glue" that keeps a family, community, and society together. Don't be put off by that summing up, as with her previous two novels, Lewycka has a prominent character who is an immigrant. In this case a quirky old lady who says at differing times that she is 96, 61, and I believe 86. It's a fun look at what happens to elderly people as they become less able to look after themselves.
I love books by Mary Higgins Clark, and once i pick them up, am reluctant to put them down until finished.
Her stories always seem to grab the reader's attention from the first page, the shorty, spare punchy chapters help the pace of the plot along and I think helps to create the suspense. The Shadow of Your Smile doesn't vary from others in that respect.
I often think Higgins Clark's books would translate well into TV dramas or films, but as far as I know the only one that has been made into a film is one of her earlier books, "Where are the children?"
Anyway, a brilliant book.
I'm off now to Mary Higgins Clark's website, to see if any other books have been made into films.
This book is much better than the first in the trilogy. The main female character, Rhian, is easier to like. Zandakar from Empress figures as quite an important , albeit "shadowy" character. A much more likeable novel than Empress.
Empress by Karen Miller. I know I said I didn't like the main character, but as I am reading The Riven Kingdom currently, I can see why Miller made Hekat such a strong character. The Riven Kingdom is the second in a trilogy, it flows much more easily.
A World Away is meant for teens, but the story of Nadie, a native American, and Tom, a Plymouth blacksmith's apprentice is so well handled that you feel empathy for both of them. The novel is a "two voice" novel...alternate chapters, (usually,) are narrated by Nadie and Tom. Fortunately Tom is used to having to calm "savage"...i.e skittish horses...in order to "shoe" them..he applies this in his courtship of Nadie.
Again like so many books I have read lately, this novel is based on actual happenings, although in this instance the author has used artistic licence to make the story work.
I haven't blogged here for ages, and there's a huge pile of books that I've read.
For ease I'm just going to name the books and give a 1-5 star rating, and maybe a short comment.
Dark Alchemy Anthology of fantasy stories including stories from Garth Nix, Eoin Colfer and Neil Gaiman. 3 *. I lost interest towards the end of this anthology, but the first few are very good.
The Host by Stephanie Meyer 5*. Meyer's first adult novel, worth ploughing through the first few chapters...then it all makes sense.
The Witches Trinity by Erica Mailman, 4*. Set in Germany in the time of witch-hunting, how one word said at the wrong time can change a whole life.
The Three Evangelists by Fred Vargas. 5*. I love Vargas' novels, this one starts off with a curious occurrence, and ends up a murder investigation.
Scapegallows by Carol Birch. 4*. I didn't realise that this was based on true life when I bought it. Very engaging read.
Brief Gaudy Hour by Margaret Campbell Barnes. 4*. My friend sent me this from the USA, I read all Campbell Barnes' other books when I was expecting Samantha, my 24 year old daughter. This is about Ann Boyelyn, but told from her point of view, which makes the story intruging.
Divine Comedies by Tom Holt. 5*. It's Tom Holt, one of my favourite authors, do I need to see more?
Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel. 4*. I really enjoyed this book about Thomas Cromwell, but I do now of people who have found it difficult to read.
Life, liberty and the pursuit of sausages by Tom Holt. 5*. This is Holt's latest novel and every bit as enjoyable as all his others. If you like of the wall humour coupled with exploration of "other dimensions" try one of Holt's books.
Company of Liars by Karen Maitland. 5*. Set in 1348, follows a mismatched bunch of people trying to outrun the plague. Very engaging book.
The Suspicions of Mr Witcher by Kate Summerscale. 4*. The book is much better than the recent dramatisation shown on TV.
Revelation by C J Sansom. 5*. Another Tudor mystery featuring Matthew Shardlake.
The Mythago Cycle by Robert Holdstock. 4*. A fantasy novel, well a pair in one book actually.
Between Shades of Grey by Ruta Septys. 5* . This book is based on a true story. It is very moving and had me in tears.
Good to a Fault by Marina Endicott. 4*. Along the lines of Jodi Picoult's writing with a similar what if theme.
Blood Harvest by S J Bolton. 5*. As good as her two previous books, Sacrifice and Awakening.
Alias Grace by Margaret Atwood. 4*. I seem to have had a run of picking up stories based on true happenings lately. Alias Grace is another based on true events.
Port Mortuary by Patricia Cornwell. 5*.
How to paint a dead man by Sarah Hall. 5*. A novel told from 4 different viewpoints which seem unconnected at first, but gradually all are drawn together.
Empress by Karen Miller. 4*. A really good fantasy novel, but the heroine in this novel is not very likeable, well, not for me as she is very self-centred and will let nothing stand in her way, no matter who or what.
Poppy Shakespeare by Claire Allan. 5*. A novel about the "mentally ill" viewed from within. Very funny and touching.
Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts. 4*-5*. This is the author's own life story, or part of it, written as a novel. A huge compelling book. (933 pages)
And I've saved a couple by another of my favourite author's until last.
The Last Dragonslayer is a children's novel by Jasper Fforde, which is about exactly what the title says. A brilliant children's book from Fforde. 5*
One of Our Thursdays is Missing by Jasper Fforde. 5*. Typical Fforde , with the return of Thursday Next. All I can say is if you like comedy writing and have a lively sense of humour, give Fforde a try.
I do find some books not so good, but to be honest, I don't normally buy ones that I would give a poor rating to. Although I did get one,you know the one's that someone on TV says is good, and it gets a lot of hype, and you seccumb and buy it. I bought one of those. I ended up dumping it in the bathroom, and about 18 months since I left it there, it is eventually finished.