Sookie Stackhouse

Sookie Stackhouse (Southern Vampire) Series

by Charlain Harris

A few months ago for my birthday I was given the first eight books in the Sookie Stackhouse Series. The first seven as a boxed set with the eighth book as an extra. I was very excited to read these as I had just heard about the show True Blood, and after watching the first few episodes was intrigued. But with all shows, or movies, based on books, I am always interested to read the books. Nine times out of ten, the books are always better.

So I’ve finally gotten around to reading them, the first few anyway. Although I should say these books have been out for some time now with the first being released in 2001. I’ll let you know what I think of each book as I finish them. But just to let you know, like a lot of other vampire books, these books are definitely not for children, too much violence and adult content.

note: the Showcase move channel in Australia, one of the Showtime movie channels, is currently playing an encore screening of True Blood series one on Tuesdays at 7:30pm. Episode two was played tonight but will be repeated tomorrow morning at 11:30am for anyone interested in catching up on this TV series before series two starts later this year.

 

Charlaine Harris Webpage
True Blood(AU)

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Sparkling Cyanide

Sparkling Cyanide by Agatha Christie

Cheers!

Rosemary was planing a birthday dinner for her younger sister, Iris. The Guest list was set; it was a small intimate party of seven friends. They charged their glasses in a toast to Iris; it would be a toast they would never forget, and for one of them, they would never survive. Rosemary took a sip of her champagne, turned blue, and collapsed, dead. Suicide they said, caused by post-flu depression. But not everyone was convinced.

An anonymous letter presents doubts. Rosemary did not commit suicide. It was murder. But no one seems to believe this, or wants to. For if it was murder then it could only have been one of the dinner guests that murdered Rosemary. But who? Everyone had a motive, even George, Rosemary's husband. A trap is set for the killer. But things don't go as planed.

Although intriguing and stumping, it was also a little lacking in clues, and somewhat disappointing that the killer is someone who seems to come out of no where. How could anyone guess it was ... I challenge anyone to correctly guess the murder without cheating and reading the last page.

I am a great fan of mystery novels and, despite its shortcomings; this was one of the better who-done-its I have read for a long time. It's easy to see why the woman is rated one of the best writers of her genre.

If you’ve never read anything by Agatha Christie I strongly suggest you go out and beg, borrow, and well, maybe its best if you spend a little money.

 

Agatha Christie Webpage

 

On sale: 1955
ASIN: B000UPSIAE
Recommended age: 18+
In a word: Murder
Re-read it: possibly
Recommend: yes
Star rating: three out of five
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Lady Cottington's Pressed Fairy Book

Lady Cottington's Pressed Fairy Book
by Brian Froud and Terry Jones

Books, Books, Books and Fairies!

My sister first gave it to me some years ago now for my birthday, and it was my first encounter with Brian Froud.

I fell instantly in love with this book. It's beautifully illustrated with a cute and whimsical story based loosely on the Cottingley Fairies. If you know nothing about the Cottingley Fairies I suggest you look it up to find out, if only for interests sake as it is not necessary for enjoying this book. In this story a little girl named Angelica Cottington has the ability to see fairies, and loves nothing more then to spend her days, squashing them between the pages of her books. It's a wonderful book for anyone in love with fairies or fairy art, and would make a wonderful gift or special treat for yourself.

click the fairy to see it being squashed

I’ve had for many years now and have loved since it was given to me. Since this book I have purchased many other Brian Froud illustrated books, but this one is still one of my favourites, if only for sentimental reasons ;)

Brian Froud Webpage

Brian Froud - World Of Froud

 

On sale: 13 October 1994
ISBN: 9781857933369
Recommended age: 18+
In a word: Fairy
Re-read it: yes, and have done so many times
Recommend: yes
Star rating: five out of five
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The Tricking of Freya

The Tricking of Freya by Christina Sunley

The Goddess, The Poet, And Me!

It is a touching and realistic portrayal of family and relationships as Freya sorts through her memories in an effort to find truth and identity. Her relationships with her mother and her aunt are explored; one a plain and serious wife, the other an unpredictable woman living a rollercoaster existence of brilliance and misery. Freya must reconciled her feelings for these two most influential people in her life and discover the truth about her past before she is able to find acceptance of who she is and who she has become, in order to move on with her life.

I greatly enjoyed this book. It was a pleasure to read.

This book made me fall in love with literature all over again. I very much enjoyed the Icelandic language and myths that are woven very beautifully throughout this story, enriching Freya’s emotional journey through her past and looking forward to her future. A lovely book to curl up with.

  

Christina Sunley Webpage
Christina Sunley @ Harper Collins

 

On sale: 01 July 2009
Price (AU): $32.99
ISBN: 9780732287900
Recommended age: 18+
In a word: Icelandic
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: four out of five
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Flights of Fancy

Well I've finally done it. I’ve created a blog.
This is a place for me to write about anything and everything I have read. If there's one thing I have it's a passion for its books.

I guess you could say I'm a bit addicted to books. I'll read almost anything that seems appealing to me, whether it's the subject matter, the title, the author, or just the cover art. I believe you can always take something away from a good book; a bit of entertainment, inspiration, a thirst for more knowledge, or a life lesson.

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