Reading Challenge : Richard & Judy's Book Club - Summer 2014

I have joined a book club.. my first EVER. I have been a member of Goodreads for quite some time, I've been sharing my reviews and book news with you guys even longer. But I have never joined a book club... well until now.

I have been eyeing Richard & Judy's Book Club by WH Smith for quite some time. They seem to always introduce us to some great stories which usually end up on the best-seller's lists or leave an everlasting impression on their readers. THE NIGHT CIRCUS is a prime example. I have been pondering with the idea of purchasing the books each season but somehow, something always managed to ruin my tries. Either it was non-functioning website, low bank account balance or just simply the ability to be lost without my diary to remind to purchase the books. But this time, I have finally managed to purchase the bundle... which brings me here.. To my 2nd reading challenge for the summer.

8 books. 8 different authors. 8 unique stories. 8 book reviews to come.

I will try to read it at the same time as my 12 Summer Reads book which takes me up to 20 books and their reviews this summer. It seems that the Summer 2014 is all about being lost in the wonderful world of literature. And I am not complaining !!

Let's have a closer look at the list! And don't forget, it all starts 1st June 2014! Be there!!!

EENY MEENY  by M. J. Arlidge

One lives and one dies. No choice. 

The girl emerged from the woods, barely alive. Her story was beyond belief. But it was true. Every dreadful word of it. 

Days later, another desperate escapee is found - and a pattern is emerging. Pairs of victims are being abducted, imprisoned then faced with a terrible choice : kill or be killed.

Would you rather lose your life or lose your mind ?

Detective Inspector Helen Grace has faced down her own demons on her rise to the top. As she leads the investigation to hunt down this unseen monster, she learns that it may be the survivors - living calling card - who hold the key to the case. 

And unless she succeeds, more innocents will die...

MAD ABOUT YOU by Sinead Moriarty

Emma, James and the kids have just arrived in London. It's a big move, and Emma is uncertain it was the right choice. But with a new job, a new nanny and new neighbours to get used to, she hasn't time to worry. 

Yet, as James's hours grow longer and longer, and the time they spend together ever briefer, she wonders why they moved at all. 

Then the texts arrive: flirtatious ones to him - and demeaning, dismissive ones to her. 

And Emma discovers she has a rival. One who James swears does not exist - yet who begins to tear her marriage apart. 

Emma wants to save her family from this unknown stranger. But how can she when the stranger seems to know her life and fears better than she does herself?

DEAR THINGS by Julie Cohen

After years of watching her best friends Ben and Claire try for a baby, Romily has offered to give them the one thing they most wanted. 

But Romily wasn't prepared for the overwhelming feelings that have taken hold of her and which threaten to ruin her friendship with Ben and Claire - and even destroy their marriage. 

Now there are three friends, two mothers and only one baby, and an impossible decision to make...

AND THE MOUNTAINS ECHOED by Khaled Hosseini

Ten-year-old Abdullah would do anything for his younger sister. In a life of poverty and struggle, with no mother to care for them, Pari is the only person who brings Abdullah happiness. For her, he will trade his only pair of shoes to give her a feather for her treasured collection. When their father sets off with Pari across the desert to Kabul in search of work, Abdullah is determined not to be separated from her. Neither brother nor sister know what this fateful journey will bring them. 

BEFORE WE MET by Lucie Whitehouse

A whirlwind romance. 

A perfect marriage. 

Hannah Reilly has seized her chance at happiness. Until the day her husband doesn't come home...

Can you ever really know what happened before we met?

AN OFFICER AND A SPY  by Robert Harris

It was the most infamous miscarriage of justice in history. 

Paris, 1895: an army officer, Georges Picquart, watches a convicted spy, Alfred Dreyfus, being publicly humiliated in front of a baying crowd. 

Dreyfus is exiled for life to Devil's Island, Picquart is promoted to run the intelligence unit that tracked him down. 

But when Picquart discovers that secrets are still being handed over to the Germans, he is drawn into a dangerous labyrinth of deceit and corruption that threatens not just his honour but his life...

THE LIE by Helen Dunmore

Cornwall, 1920

A young man stands looking out to sea. 

Behind him the horror of trenches, and the most intense relationship of his life. 

Ahead of him the terrible unforeseen consequences of a lie. 

I AM PILGRIM by Terry Hayes

A young woman murdered in a run-down Manhattan hotel. 

A father publicly beheaded in the blistering sun of Saudi Arabia. 

A man's eyes stolen from his living body as he leaves a secret Syrian research laboratory. 

Smouldering human remains on a mountainside in the Hindu Kush.

A plot to commit an appalling crime against humanity. 

One thread that binds them all. 

One man to take the journey. 

Pilgrim.

Nathan Filer : THE SHOCK OF THE FALL

THE SHOCK OF THE FALL  has been voted for a Costa Book Of The Year 2013. Mr Nathan Filer blew  the critics' minds with brave unique story which touched the hearts of thousands.

"Deeply moving." THE TIMES

"Dark, touching, sweet and funny and beautifully written." JO BRAND

"Bittersweet and wonderfully etched." DAILY TELEGRAPH

"Compelling." OBSERVER

"Terrific. Engaging, funny and inventive." JOE DUNTHORNE, author of SUBMARINE

First impression of the book were great. Wonderful deep green cover with gold drawing and white writing. It catches your eyes immediately. And then there is the intriguing summary of the story on the back:

'I'll tell you what happened because it will be a good way to introduce my brother. His name's Simon. I think you're going to like him. I really do. But in a couple of pages he'll be dead. And he was never the same after that.'

Intrigued?!?! I certainly was. So here I am with my own copy getting lost in the story.

Let's meet Matthew Homes. The first time we enter Matt's life he is on a holiday with his family and is enjoying the little troubles of child's life. That is until a great tragedy strikes and Matt's brother Simon dies. And ever since then nothing seems to be the same. Even Matt. 

Wow... This story got me hooked straight from the start. First couple of pages and the author's engaging and dark writing made me want to read on and find out what has happened in Matt's life. I was intrigued, excited and worried about what I am going to find.

Although the main theme of this book is very daring, the author manages to make it different from others. For the first time I am pleasantly surprised with the brave subject of the book -  a mental health and the person struggling with his confused mind. I, for once, loved the the how brave the writer is. This story is so real, dark and bittersweet. We have a unique view into the world of the less fortune (at least when in comes to mental he alt). I was fascinated by Matt's story. Everything he went through left a permanent mark on me and I will never look at the world the same way.







Modern. Sometimes quite hard to read, but absolutely mind-blowing. This story is a true original and deserves the title 'BOOK OF THE YEAR'.



It took me a little while to get used to skipping between different time periods in Matt's life, but once I understood what is going on, everything became clear. This is how it works in his mind. He, himself, is confused, so of course the story telling will be confusing from time to time. We cannot expect a straight forward story in this case. That wouldn't be real and so deeply moving!!!





Hats off to the designer of the book. I am not sure if it was the request of the author or the editorial team, but I have admired the fact that the book is partially written on typewriter and partially on the computer. It blends with the story. And so do the letters and illustrations. It truly is a real life experience. The reader will be sucked into Matthew's life and his confused mind. We will learn more about the mental health and the state of human's mind.

This story is original. Touching. Wonderfully written. It makes you see the bad in the world but it also prepares you for the good. BEAUTIFUL.

Fantastic job, Mr Filler! I look forward to reading more of your works.

Another British talent has been born...

Lindsey Leavitt : GOING VINTAGE

GOING VINTAGE is a teenage novel written by Lindsey Leavitt. This book has been my first render-vous with this author. I have read couple of reviews online which were very favourable.

I only picked up this book because I liked the cover. I know how very pathetic of me... but to my defence  I love vintage cameras and this one has one on the cover!! And it was on one of those days, when walking around Waterstones, I couldn't find anything, what would peek my interest.

So couple days ago, while looking for something to tie me up before I start two of my summer projects, I have decided to give this book a chance and finally read it.





It all starts with a break-up and one broken heart when Malory finds out that her ever-so-perfect boyfriend has a double life online. She feels hurt, broken and looking to re-invent her life.  Luckily an inspiration strikes, when she finds a list written by her grandmother in 1960's while she was the same age as Malory. So Malory forsakes modern technology and starts to follow the list. The little she knows that she might just find something more than she expected.. Like a gorgeous guy Oliver, who happens to be Jeremy's (the unfaithful, I-prefer-to-share-my-secrets-with-a-girl-I-have-never-met-online) cousin. Will Malory find her happiness at the end of the list or will she give up in the middle?







This is a very light hearted story about the dramas we are going throughout the high school. We have all the sings of teenage drama - break-ups, finding yourself, unfaithful boyfriends, the amazing sister, great friends, and the hot guy who seems to be interested in you, but you don't know why. I felt like I have been watching one of those shows such as One Tree Hill created by CW. Don't get me wrong, I do enjoy OTH, but  after reading GOING VINTAGE, I have realised that it's not a book I would normally pick up - well not anymore.

It's very modern, entertaining, easy to follow. I do enjoy the fact that every chapter begins with a list of something. That made this book to stand out for me a little bit. It's a good twist and it empathised with the reason why Malory is doing what she is doing and it reminds us a trait of her character. Making list for everything.

Malory is a teenage girl going through the typical teenage drama. Every girl reading this book can find parts of them in the character and will sympathise with her. Unfortunately, many of us girls were in similar positions and we know how much it hurts to find that you have been betrayed by the one you loved. The good thing about this book is that it shows us that we can be strong and we can pick ourselves up and eventually find the road to happiness. Situations like this one always helps us find the part of ourselves which we weren't aware that were there.

My favourite character is Oliver. Yes, I do have a little small place in my heart which will always belongs to every character (book, TV series or film) named by that name. But this guys, he is dreamy. Smart, polite, hot, sexy and very very nice. I do like his character as he has such a positive attitude to life, that it catches up with you. You start to have positive thoughts as well. You just cannot help it!

Another loveable character of mine is Malory's sister Ginnie. I find a lot of things which I have common with Ginnie. She is smart, positive and loves healthy food. She enjoys cooking and cares about her sister and family. And she will go to extreme lengths to help her sister achieve her set goal.

I smiled a shy polite smile while reading the book, but unfortunately no parts had me in giggles or stitches like I am used from the works of Rainbow Rowell or Sarra Manning. It was a good story. Mild. Like a Dairy Milk chocolate. It's not your favourite but you still have in desperate times.  You don't hate it, but there always be something better for you to indulge yourself with.

I think if I would be 13 years younger I would enjoy this book more, but sadly I am a 28-year-old book reviewer who prefers something more relate able !