February's books

I missed February too so here's the list for February:

One Day by David Nicholls (book club)
Once I got used to the jumping around I loved this book probably because the characters ran true and the places were familiar with the Edinburgh chapters bringing back memories of university...

Dracula's Guest by Bram Stoker
Another free book for the Kindle and picked because I loved Dracula. It was a series of short stories all fabulously dark, a couple seemed predictable but not until they were almost concluded, if you read and loved Dracula - read this!

Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl Written by Herself by Harriet Ann Jacobs
This was a moving, fascinating story of a real slave in the States, it felt very true to life despite the thought of someone living in and attic space that doesn't allow her to stand for a couple of years.

Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
I read this on a recommendation from someone at my book club and I'm still not sure if I liked it or was turned off by it. I felt it was a bit self-help in places but in other places I was rooting for the author. I think it's worth trying it and seeing what you think.

Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro
I read this instead of going to see the movie and was glad that did. Although the medical scientist in me would liked to have had a bit more detail about the whole donor process. I was frustrated that you never found out why donors 'completed' after four transplants... But definitely worth a read, don't be put off by talk of sci-fi.

The Postmistress by Sarah Blake (book club)
I'm always fascinated by the home front during the war so this book was a great choice for me. However I struggled to connect to the characters I felt almost like too much was happening and there were too many people fighting to be centre of my attention. The resulting effect was to feel very detached from the story which wasn't an enjoyable feeling.

Getting started...

When I moved jobs I got a Kindle as a leaving gift, this has meant I've refound my love of books especially as a I'm basically carrying a book shop in my handbag. So I thought that I'd try keeping a bit of a list of what I read and what I thought about it for my own memory and just in case it is of interest to anyone else out there.

I started later in the year than I intended so the first post is a list with just a few comments, I'll try and write more about some of these titles later. A final note before I start on the books I'm a member of the London Girly Book Club and I have identified which books I read for my book club.

January
No Angel by Jay Dobyns
A fascinating insight into the inner workings of the Hell's Angels in the US. Not my usual fare but glad I stumbled across it.

Farenheit Twins by Michael Faber
I bought this book because I remembered lots of talk about, but I was disappointed, a series of short stories that were just a little to off the wall for me.

Still Missing by Chevy Stevens
Similarly to Room by Emma Donoghue this is an amazing but disturbing book.

What Katy Did by Susan Coolidge
A childhood favourite that was free on my Kindle and still loved it. The ultimate bad girl turns good!

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
I finally gave in to the hype and tried this, sadly I was let down. For me it started slow, the middle was just what I wanted and then the end went on for too long. Not sure yet whether I'll read the rest of the trilogy.

Painless by Derek Ciccione
Another disturbing book but about a fascinating topic. I love books with a medical take and this one takes an interesting look at children that can't feel pain.