The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

The Fault in Our Stars is John Green’s fourth novel and debuted at #1 on The New York Times Best Seller list for Children's Chapter Books and remained in that spot for seven consecutive weeks! I am not surprised because this is without a doubt one of my favourite books I’ve ever read, however I think it was in the wrong category because this subject is a tad too intense for children.

In a nutshell: the book is written from point of view of Hazel and follows her friendship and romance with Augustus, but a pretty important factor of their relationship is that they met at a cancer support group... I’m sure by that you can tell that this book isn’t going to be completely happy. However, it’s done in such a way that cleverly brings humour to a not too funny subject. I really don’t want to say anything more to spoil it for you but it is definitely worth a read if you like to laugh one minute and cry the next.

Quinn

Stranded by Emily Barr

If no one knows you're missing, how can you be found? Bruised from the breakdown of her marriage, Esther Lomax needs to get away, and Malaysia's unspoilt shores seem the perfect place. But a day's boat trip takes a desperate turn when Esther and six other holidaymakers are taken to a desert island and their guide does not return. The group have no way of getting back to the mainland and know nothing about each other. As the days pass, tensions erupt, secrets emerge and time increasingly runs out, Esther must ask herself the ultimate question: will she leave the island alive? A page-turning psychological thriller which kept this reader gripped right to the end.
Cath

Blood Sisters – Barbara & Stephanie Keating

During their childhood years set in the Kenya Highlands of the 1950s, three girls from vastly different backgrounds become blood sisters, promising that nothing will ever destroy the bond between them.

Set just after the Mao-mao and as Kenya gained independence, it focuses mainly on the characters of the three girls, delivering romance, betrayal, and murder. The descriptions of Kenya are amazing.

A Durable Fire and In Borrowed Light : The sequels to the Langari trilogy are equally enthralling.
Evelyn

Safe House by Chris Ewan

I read Safe House during Manx Grand Prix Week on the Isle of Man, with the buzz of visiting motorcyclists creating just the right setting. It didn’t take me a week, as I raced through the book in a few days.

Rob Hale is called out to fix a boiler at a remote cottage in Arrasey Plantation. He finds two sullen men with a beautiful girl called Lena, and they’re definitely not locals. Lena doesn’t have much trouble persuading Rob to call back and take her out on his motorcycle. He readily falls in with Lena’s plans to give her two male companions the slip.

When Rob wakes up in hospital, he doesn’t remember how he crashed his bike. There’s no trace of Lena, and local police seem determined that she never existed. Is it a cover up, or concern for the family? Rob’s sister Laura had recently committed suicide, and his father was well known and respected on the Island. Or maybe Rob really is delusional after the accident?

Rob’s suspicion grows when he meets Rebecca, a smart and self-assured Private Investigator hired by his parents to look into his sister’s death. Lena holds the key, but she’s left a sinister and twisted trail.

Safe House was addictive reading, and I just had to find out what was happening next. It’s a dark read in places, but that’s offset by humour and the chemistry between Rob and Rebecca. As an islander, I loved the fact that this book was set on the Isle of Man, and the atmosphere and sense of location is superb. I once stayed for a weekend in the cottage that inspired Safe House, which made it all the more intriguing. I hope there will be more along these lines - I’m sure there’s plenty more secrets here on the Isle of Man to go on...

'Safe House' is topping the Kindle charts, and Chris Ewan has just released 'Berlin', the latest title in the award winning 'Good Thief's Guide' series. Find out more here  

Latest news about 'Safe House' - you can watch a brilliant sponsorship trailer here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKUzJJfzCBE for broadcast on the Universal Channel made around Major Crimes.

An Unexpected Party

Chris Caine as Gandalf joined our book group meeting last Thursday to give a brilliant reading from 'The Hobbit'. He read 'Riddles in the Dark' where Bilbo finds The Ring and meets Gollum for the first time, and really brought the story to life.

Thank you to Elizabeth for her special homemade mince pies, and to everyone in the book group for bringing along all the delicious treats for our Christmas Party.

The Library has a Hobbit theme this Christmas - here's the doorway to 'Bagend'. Thank you to Chris for such a wonderful performance.

'The Hobbit' was a 4 star read for our group - reviews coming soon. If you're enjoying 'The Hobbit' and want to find out more about J R R Tolkien, you may like to try these from Colin Duriez.



There's also a 'Hobbit Hunt' around the library with riddles to solve for entry in to a Prize Draw. Thank you to The Lexicon Book Shop for the top prize.