Twenty Tales from the War Zone by John Simpson

John Simpson is a war journalist. This is a collection of his war stories.

The book is straight to the point. It is a very good read with plenty of 'very close to the bone' and 'near-death' situations.

I wouldn't have wanted to have been John's mum!

Recommendation: 5 stars *****

Bob Wells

The Dying Wish by Courttia Newland

The Dying Wish is a mystery story. The main character is Ervine James. I found this book very hard to follow. It is about assisted suicide.

I give it 2 stars **

Derek Gunnell

East End Tales by Gilda O'Neill

In the East End of London - they were hard days when the war was over. People were very friendly, they all knew their neighbours. They were all familiar, so on Sunday they all went to tea at their nans’ houses. They all played outside. When the kids went to bed the people were talking or singing.
The book was good but it’s all history now so we must look ahead to the future and try and make it good for all of us.



Tina Kavanagh May 16 2011

Pins and Needles by Rosie Harris

I chose this book because my friend said this is a good book and you will love to read it and I looked at the young woman on the cover which made me think it was a good book.
This book is a about a mother Gwyneth Evans who was at this moment- the beginning of the story –regarding her two fourteen-year-old twin girls proudly. Gwyneth didn’t have much money and time was very hard for them. Their mum’s dressmaking paid little money. But the girls’ wages will help bring more money in to the house.
I say the story was so good that when you are reading it you don’t want to put the book down. It is a warm-hearted family story .I read this big book and it gave me confidence and enthusiasm with 445 pages and it is so interesting. I want to read more books rather than watch T.V.

Parwathi May 16 2011

Titanic by Paul Shipton

A Penguin Reader

I saw the film that was very good. Titanic was very big - they said it would not sink. They went into an iceberg and broke in two parts.
Lots of people died on the water. The book of the Titanic was very good and the film even better.


Tina Kavanagh May 16 2011

Humble Pie by Gordon Ramsay

A Quick Read
I’ve just finished reading Gordon Ramsay’s biography, as part of my Monday morning class.
Everybody thinks they know the real Gordon Ramsay, rude, loud, driven, stubborn, but this is the real story.
I find it very interesting reading about his early childhood, and possibly seeing insight into the making of the man. The alcoholic physically abusive father and being constantly put down gave no stability in life.
Reading this book has given me a different perspective of Gordon Ramsay, watching some of the programmes, like Hells Kitchen and others.
Gordon Ramsay, had to prove to himself that he was worthy of getting the Michelin awards for his restaurants and himself as a way of showing the world how good he and his chefs were and how he made it happen.
Of course he hasn’t done it all on his own. He created an incredibly strong team that he has also trained. Likewise, to do the best they can do for themselves as well. So although it seems tough to work in his team he also empowers them to want to give the best they can.
My personal feeling is that it seems so unfair that your past has to be so damaging to make you a strong and determined person who will ultimately achieve. It makes me wish me that everybody should be nurtured, rather than taken over by nature. Those people who think that Gordon Ramsay is ‘a horrible piece of work’ will find there is another side to him as well if they read this book – and it is an easy read. Being there. Life Story.

Gary Whiting

Pulling Myself Together by Denise Welch

Published by Sidgwick & Jackson 2010

When I was browsing in the library the other week, I came accross a very attractive picture of Denise Welch on the front of a book, "Pulling Myself Together". It was her autobiography. My first thoughts were this is going to be depressing. I sat down to read the book only to find I was totally wrong. It seemed as if Denise Welch had it all - a loving husband, two loving sons, Matthew and Louis, and a career. But it wasn't always that way. It seemed as if Denise acts her best when she is depressed which is extraordinary. The depression made her husband feel inadequate.

As well as being an actress, Denise has had two records in the charts, one was 'You don't have to say you love me' and the other one was 'Cry me a river'.

It is not a depressing book at all. It's down to earth, funny, witty and in fact I couldn't put the book down. It also made me laugh a lot.

Denise has had to deal with alcohol, drugs and depression. Definitely a good book to read.

Rating: ****

Ruth Ede

Lorna Doone by R D Blackmore

published by Oxford Bookworms

The look and beauty of the girl on the front cover which is kind, gentle and yet reserved made me want to read it and find out what 'Lorna Doone'(the girl), was about.

It's about outlaws in Doone Valley that people all over Exmoor live in fear of who killed John Ridd's father, Lorna's mother and brother and then took Lorna to raise as their own. One of the Doones (Carver) wanted to marry Lorna but then young John Ridd and Lorna fell in love. John is a farmer's son yet Lorna comes from a family of Scottish kings. She's Lady Lorna Dugal. Would she marry John Ridd now that she knows who she is? Their love is tested, it's a struggle of life and death for young John Ridd.

One has to go on adventure with it and explore, it's scary and exciting. To sum up:
Good always prevails over evil. Good always wins over bad.

Rukia Shambe
April 2011

Grace Darling by Tim Vicary

I chose this book because the write up sounded interesting plus the picture on the front cover appealed to me. When I was younger I enjoyed reading Robinson Crusoe. I enjoy reading about ships.

The book is about an iron ship that went out to sea during a storm. Whilst out at sea they became ship wrecked. With luck there was a lighthouse nearby so the people who were trying to save their lives climbed up onto a rock and started waving to the lighthouse. Grace Darling the daughter spotted them and went to rescue them.

The story is fun and interesting to read.

Caroline Barnes
4 April 2011

Anne of Green Gables by L M Montgomery

I chose this book because the description of what the book was about on the back cover got me interested and I wanted to find out more about the story.

It's about an orphan a brother and sister wanted to adopt to help on their farm at Green Gables. They had asked for a boy instead they got a girl.

If I was asked by a friend if it was a good book to read I would tell them to go for it because it's interesting, passionate and not only does it teach compassion it shows that if you give one a chance anyone can succeed and be a good boy or girl.

The writer put in a lot in an orphan's eyes and the adopting parents with compassion. Given a chance in this world anyone can be somebody rather than a nobody.

Rukia Shambe
April 2011

Within High Fences by Penny Hancock

The reason I chose this book is because it is a simple read and I sometimes get put off longer stories. The book has different chapters with different storylines including 'Talking to George'.

The thing that I would say to any friend if they asked me is that it is a very enjoyable and interesting read.

Vanessa Avbulimen
March 2011

The Railway Children by E Nesbit

I chose this book because I have seen this film so many times as my daughter Hazel loves this film. She has seen it so many times with and without me that she knows it inside out and back to front.

This story is about a happy, wealthy family (mother, father and 3 kids - Roberta, Peter and Phyllis) who had everything they could have wanted until one day their father had to go away unexpectedly. Their mother didn't tell them anything as she was told not to tell them. Because of this they had to move house to a smaller house in another village. They are now poor whereas in the other house when they were cold they could put the fire on.

I would say this is a fantastic book as it is interesting and exciting. It keeps you gripped to the story and you can't wait to finish the book to see what happens.

I would rate this book ten out of ten because it was interesting and a joy to read.

Caroline Barnes
14.03.2011

A Dream Come True by Maureen Lee

The pictures in this book looked like an old time and the title sounded good. It is about real life. The book is about a woman whose marriage goes stale. She had a one night stand. Her husband did not have lots of time for her. When he found out he was very upset. She left her house and found out that she was having a baby. She did not tell the father to help. She always wanted children. The father was married with two young children and he would't leave his wife.

I enjoyed this book because it's like real life.

Tina Kavanagh
March 2011

Girl on the Platform by Josephine Cox

I chose this book because it sounded good - like a romance. It's about Mark and Peter. They are going to London to see a show. First they go to the pub, then the show. Peter saw a girl he could not get out of his mind. He had it bad and wanted to get to know her.

It is a good read and I couldn't put it down. I enjoyed it very much. I would rate it 10 out of 10.

Tina Kavanagh
March 2011