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