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