Thomas Hardy Selected Poetry.

Author: Thomas Hardy
ISBN: 0-14-058538-9
Genre: Poetry
Pages: 464
Format: Paperback
Publisher: Penguin


I have always been a fan of Poetry and like to write poetry myself. When I saw this at my local Library I just had to pick it up, but first I read through a poem to make sure I wanted it and I loved it.

With most of the poems I find myself having to read them twice or more, not because I didn't 'get it' but because I love them, and reading them over and over helps you to understand them more. They are brilliant and my favourite of them is 'I Look Into My Glass'. But to be honest they are all brilliant.

This is a book not to just read once, but to have by your bed, in your bag to read on the train to work or wherever it is that you like to chill out, and read over and over again, going through your most favourite poems.

A brilliant collection of Hardy's poetry. 10/10

I love this song!

Train - Calling All Angels.

I love this song, and thought I'd add it here. I had never heard of them before. Click the link and it will take you to youtube where the video is. :)

The World of Anne Frank. Compiled by The Anne Frank House.

Author: The Anne Frank House
ISBN: 0-330-39382-0
Genre: Historical - Non Fiction.
Pages: 143
Format: Paperback
Publisher: Macmillan


"A photographic history that sets Anne Frank's personal story against the backdrop of Hitler's rise to power, the invasion and occupation of Holland, the extermination of the Jews, and final Allied victory. There are poignant photographs from archives all over Europe, and this visual history not only documents the evil that destroyed Anne Frank's world, but also reveals how racism is thriving today - and poses a great challenge. How do we deal with out own, often only half-admitted prejudices?"

I've wanted to read about Anne Frank for a long time now. Having never read her Diary (It's still something I want to do) I found this book that contained pictures and information of Jews and the world that Anne Frank lived in. It is a fascinating book with some detailed pictures, some of which are disturbing. For instance a photo of a Jewish man kneeling before his murdered friends, just before he is executed by German soldiers. The look on his face as he knows his fate is so sad. I was wondering 'what must he be thinking?' It makes you ask 'How could this have happened?'

This book gave me an insight into what I wanted to know about WW2 and the holocaust, and about Anne's family. The sadness I felt as I read this book and viewed the photo's was strong. This history is one that should never be forgotten. I would really like to see this taught in schools more, not just about the Jewish people but the war as a whole. Sadly it isn't taught in schools and it should be as we must never forget the devastation war brings and how people suffered and continue to suffer in modern day war.

The book goes through how WW2 started and the effect it had on people. The terrible treatment of the Jews, other religious communities, homosexuals, politicians etc. How some people hid and how others were caught and sent to their deaths at the Concentration camps. We are told that Anne's Mother, Edith died on 6th January 1945 in a camp from starvation. Both Anne and her sister Margot died of Typhoid in March 1945 just weeks before their camp was liberated.

During the end of this book, it goes into modern day racism and how it has carried on into today's world. Which is pretty sad really, you'd think we'd all learn by now in our modern world.

A very informative book. 10/10

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer.

Author: Stephenie Meyer.

ISBN: 978-1-904233-65-7
Genre: Fiction
Pages: 434
Format: Paperback
Publisher: atom

"When 17 year old Isabella Swan moves to Forks, Washington to live with her father she expects that her new life will be as dull as the town. But in spite of her awkward manner and low expectations, she finds that her new classmates are drawn to this pale, dark-haired new girl in town. But not, it seems, the Cullen family. These five adopted brothers and sisters obviously prefer their own company and will make no exception for Bella. Bella is convinced that Edward Cullen in particular hates her, but she feels a strange attraction to him, although his hostility makes her feel almost physically ill. He seems determined to push her away ? until, that is, he saves her life from an out of control car. Bella will soon discover that there is a very good reason for Edward's coldness. He, and his family, are vampires ? and he knows how dangerous it is for others to get too close."

I first heard about this book a couple of months ago, when hubby told me about a new movie that was coming out and he asked if I had read the book? When he told me it was 'Twilight' I told him I had never heard of it. So off I went and searched for reviews of the book on Amazon and Play.com. Funnily enough, I was put off by all the positive reviews the book got, as it seemed to be really hyped up and sometimes that puts me off. Anyway, after reading yet more positive reviews I decided to go ahead and buy it and read it for myself.

WOW! I was hooked from page one. I absolutely love Edward in this book. I'm 37 years old and I'm totally sad! LOL. His romance with Bella was so addicting to read and I just loved reading how their relationship progressed. I like the way this author made Edward so desirable, and I have an image of him in my mind, and it's not the image of the actor who plays Edward in the movie!

I enjoyed the whole book, it was romantic, sexy, intense and exciting, but the ending of this book I wasn't too overly keen on, as Bella just seems to be whining a lot. However I'm not complaining as I loved the book, and for me it is the best Vampire book I have read. I've only ever read Anne Rice's Interview with a Vampire and The Vampire Lestat, which were great books but I just enjoyed this book so much more. I guess it's because I like the relationship slushy stuff, which there is a lot of this in the book and quite a bit of sexual build up between Edward and Bella, which the book focuses on a lot.

If anything, this book is more about Edward and Bella building a relationship, rather than Vampires on the prowl etc.

I can't wait to read the other three books that follow; New Moon, Eclipse & Breaking Dawn.

If You Could See Me Now - Cecelia Ahern.

Author: Cecelia Ahern
ISBN: 0-00-719889-2
Genre: General Fiction
Pages: 410
Format: Paperback
Publisher: Harper Collins


"From the internationally bestselling author of PS, I Love You and Where Rainbows End comes an enchanting new novel - with more than a little magic...what if love was right there in front of you - you just couldn't see it? Elizabeth Egan is too busy for friends. As a reluctant mother to her sister Saoirse's young son, Luke and with her own business to run, every precious moment is made to count. But with Saoirse crashing in and out of their lives, leaving both her sister and her son reeling, Luke and Elizabeth are desperately in need of some magic. Enter Ivan. Wild, spontaneous and always looking for adventure, in no time at all Ivan has changed Elizabeth in ways she could never have imagined. But is Ivan too good to be true? Has Elizabeth opened her heart only to risk it being broken again? As for Ivan, he thought he was there to help Luke not Elizabeth - or himself!"

I borrowed this book from my sister who loves to read Cecelia Ahern.
This is a charming little read about imaginary friends. How Ivan comes to befriend Luke a 6 year old who he believes needs his help, but suddenly finds out Luke's aunt Elizabeth can also see him. This was a cute read, really sweet and lovely. It had me laughing out aloud at times, especially in the beginning of the book before Elizabeth can see him, as Luke demands another plate is set for Ivan. But it also had me in tears near the end of the book.

Everything flowed well in this book, it was an easy chick lit read. Beautifully written.
Although I thoroughly enjoyed this book, 'Where Rainbows End' still remains my favourite.