General Chat

Hi Ann,
have just seen this. Will be back tomorrow pm

Tess

Review Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult

Not a book for reading to relax in bed before sleeping. I thought it was very well written and thought provoking. OK Peter shot the pupils and tutor, he was obviously guilty, but the background, the whys and wherefores were interesting. Was it Lewis’s fault that Peter had the opportunity to acquire guns and the knowledge of how to use them, was it Lacy’s fault for always pitting Peter against his brother? Was it the students’ fault for their constant bullying? Was it even Alex’s fault for withdrawing Josie’s friendship as a young child? Or was it a combination of all those that somehow made Peter the person he became? It is difficult to put yourself in his place when you have not been in his situation. Strange too that I found myself almost pitying him rather than those he shot. And, knowing he was guilty, hoping he’d get off.
It is a chilling story, not least because it mirrors true life happenings. In fact i didn’t read it when it first came out because I think there had been a similar shooting in an American school very recently. And of course there was Dunblane, although that was not a pupil.
I was actually surprised at the ending though (won’t say more in case somebody reading hasn’t read the book yet.) It was an unexpected twist and explained a few things that had not made sense to me before.
Another good read by JP.

I didn't read The Last Templar, if you remember I said I would only continue if I didn't always read the two books as I had so many others waiting to be read here. so I read the following instead, which was on the list although didn't win.


review The Accidental Time traveller by Sharon Griffiths

A fairly light read but I quite enjoyed it. Although I half guessed the ending there was a further twist that added another dimension. Cleverly written and I enjoyed reading about the 50s life which I remember so well. It was a reminder of how easy we have many things, imagine life without washing up liquid let alone dish washers. And coffee out of a bottle ugh Camp coffee.
It was believable with likeable characters. I liked how the experience left Rosie with a sense of having too much these days and being able to manage with fewer handbags etc.
Probably a good book for reading on a flight or on the train because it didn’t take too much concentration

Please review The Last Templar
19 Minutes and any other books that you read from the list.