Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer - SPOILERS.

It's been quite a while since I last updated this blog. To be honest I haven't read an awful lot in the past two years. I guess we all take breaks now and then..

So, I recently decided to re-read the twilight saga. Having previously read some of breaking dawn, getting to the pregnancy and practically throwing the book in frustration, I decided to give it another go with an open mind. This time I really enjoyed it and I finished the whole book.

I would have liked to see a fight between the Cullens and the Volturi. But this didn't happen, it just would have kept me gripped during the last few chapters.
Anyway, I enjoyed it

The Host - Stephenie Meyer.

"Melanie Stryder refuses to fade away. The earth has been invaded by a species that takes over the minds of their human hosts while leaving their bodies intact, and most of humanity has succumbed. Wanderer, the invading 'soul' who has been given Melanie's body, knew about the challenges of living inside a human: the overwhelming emotions, the too-vivid memories. But there was one difficulty Wanderer didn't expect: the former tenant of her body refusing to relinquish possession of her mind. Melanie fills Wanderer's thoughts with visions of the man Melanie loves - Jared, a human who still lives in hiding. Unable to separate herself from her body's desires, Wanderer yearns for a man she's never met. As outside forces make Wanderer and Melanie unwilling allies, they set off to search for the man they both love." Play.com

I thought I was going to love this book. I loved Twilight except for the last book. But, I decided after seeing this book get loads of good reviews I'd purchase it. The first time I picked it up was just after finishing the twilight saga. I found myself unable to get into it, so I put it away for a couple of months.

Then a couple of weeks ago, I picked it up and found I was really enjoying it. It started off so well and I was sure I was in for such a great time reading this book, but then suddenly it became repetitive and boring and felt it was about 200 pages too long. I felt as though I was reading the same pages over and over again. Nothing was happening. I wasn't attached to the characters, so much so I didn't care about any of them, I found myself beginning to hate Jared, Ian and even Jamie, and wanderer was just annoying.

For me there just wasn't enough going on. I was reading page after page waiting for something exciting to happen. By the end of the book I was so worn down by the book, I didn't care what happened to the characters in the end.

Just wish I could have enjoyed it more, but it didn't work for me.

1984 - George Orwell

Author: George Orwell
ISBN: 978-0-141-18776-1
Genre: Fiction
Pages: 326
Format: Paperback
Publisher: Penguin

"Hidden away in the Record Department of the sprawling Ministry of Truth, Winston Smith skilfully rewrites the past to suit the needs of the Party. Yet he inwardly rebels against the totalitarian world he lives in, which demands absolute obedience and controls him through the all-seeing telescreens and the watchful eye of Big Brother, symbolic head of the Party. In his longing for truth and liberty, Smith begins a secret love affair with a fellow-worker Julia, but soon discovers the true price of freedom is betrayal."

I purchased this book after it was recommended to us by a friend at our flying club. I came home and went straight onto the net where I saw so many good reviews for this book. It sat on the shelf for a couple of months and when I did eventually pick it up, I was hooked.

It's about a man called; Winston Smith who is a Party member and works for the Ministry of Truth, re-writing political history. He finds himself questioning the Ministry and rebels against it.

In the book it talks of a world where no one is safe, you must watch what you think, what you do, how you act, in fear of being reported to the Thought Police, you can trust no one, not even your own family, your own child..... Everywhere you go and everything you do is seen by those who are watching.. I won't go on as I'll end up giving the whole book away.

If you haven't read this book, I highly recommend it. I am so glad I read it. Some of it does resemble the world today and the way it is heading.

The Notebook (Blu Ray)

This has to be my most favourite romantic movie ever! It's always the one that has me in tears at the end too.

The story is about how Noah meets Allie. They fall head over heels in love with each other, but Allie's parents do not agree and decide to leave their summer holiday early. Both Noah and Allie are left devastated and seven years pass till they meet again. But when Noah finds Allie she is engage to be married to another man.

I could go on about this movie, but I won't. I've already given some of the plot away but there is more to this movie that I haven't shed light on. It's a real tear jerker and totally for those who love sloppy slushy romantic movies. I have even heard it makes men shed tears too.

The Blu ray quality of this movie isn't anything spectacular. It still has that grainy look but in some parts like in the outside it looks amazing, like when the doves fly over the river etc. Then you see the blu ray quality in it. Still worth having in your collection though.

Wanted (Blu Ray)

I'm not really a Angelina Jolie fan, but anyway I decided to watch this last night, and I am pleased to say I was not disappointed! I really like James McAvoy, he's had some good acting parts in the last few years - Atonement & Lion Witch and the Wardrobe.

This movie was packed with action and I loved the special effects, a bit like the Matrix.

The movie is about a man who has no meaning to his life, he knows his best friend is sleeping with his girlfriend and hates his boss at work. Then suddenly he life take a new turn and he finds himself in the company of new people with a difference. I won't say more than this, as it really is a good movie. I knew nothing about it when I sat down to watch it other than it was very far fetched but I knew to expect that, after seeing an ad on the Cinema for it.

The Blu ray quality is stunning on this movie. Highly recommended.

Eden Lake (Blu Ray)

I watched this movie last night, and thought I was in for a really good horror movie. What I saw left me with a really nasty taste in my mouth.

The movie is about how a couple set off for a weekend lovers trip to Eden lake where they find themselves confronted with hoodies. It turns nasty and they find themselves fighting for their lives.

I really didn't like this movie and the reason why, is because it was to close to home. It's content is pretty much how Britains Chav society is like today and the way it is heading. It was too realistic with the way how some children are brought up with no family values these days, and no respect for others. Also with the issue of knife crime in the UK.

It's also worrying this is a movie some kids would look up to. Thankfully we did not allow our youngest son watch this.
Not a movie I will watch again.

Black & White 2 (PC Game)

As you can tell, I'm not doing much reading lately. I'm just not in the mood to read. So in the last few weeks, I've been watching movies and have been playing this addictive game! :)

In this game you are a God, and you have followers. You also have a Creature that takes care of your peoples needs by collecting wood and ore for houses , as well as wheat for food. You have to start off by making houses, and armor facilities for your warriors to go and do battle.

As you Progress through the game you have to win other lands, and fight other Gods. You have the choice of being good or evil. So will you win a land by going to war or will you entice the people of the other land to join yours through your kindness and ability to build a magnificent city? It's so much fun!

I just finished this game, first time ever lol. I really enjoyed ity and highly recommend it.

I have another game on it's way called 'The Settlers: Rise Of An Empire' I can't wait! Here's the cover of the game.

Hancock (Blu Ray)

I watched this movie last night. I had heard some mixed reviews about it. But I loved it. I loved how unsociable Hancock was and how destructive he was, he was quite funny. It was different to see a 'Super Hero' with a difference, one who did everything the opposite to the Super Hero's we know Superman, Spiderman etc...

Then half way through this movie there's a twist, and the story changes. I liked this second half of the movie, as much as the first. I laughed throughout this movie and even felt a bit teary.

Will Smith has been making some really great Movies lately. He is becoming to be my favourite actor.

The image quality and special effects on this Blu Ray are stunning.

Highly recommended. 5/5.

Across The Universe (Blu Ray)

I know this isn't a book, but I watched this on Blu ray last Thursday and I absolutely loved it. It's a musical that is filled from start to finish with Beatle's hits.
It isn't your normal fluffy slushy musical and certainly not just for the girls. In fact I thought it was suited for both sexes but leaned more towards the boys this time.

It's about a boy Jude, who decides to go and find his father in America. There he finds love. There's some ups and down and some really moving moments. I loved it. I'm not going to say more than that, as otherwise I'll spoil it.

Every song was great to listen to, and I found myself with a huge smile on my face every time a song began. Bono from U2 and Eddie Izzard, and Joe Cocker all appear in this movie, not as themselves. They were brilliant!

If you love the Beatle's you will love this movie, if you love Musicals I think you'll love it too, if you're the kind of person who isn't so into musicals, give this one a try, I think you may just like it.

5/5

Don't you just hate it when...

You can't get into the book you're reading? I have tried to read The Host, but didn't feel like I wanted to read it so have put it back onto my TBR pile. Then tried Contact by Carl Sagan, I thought it started off OK then I found myself not being able to take any of the story in. I never used to worry about putting a book down, but putting Contact down made me feel so guilty! I know it's a good book, I love the movie. But may be I have to face I don't get on too well when it comes to reading Sci Fi? Saying that, I'm now reading 1984 by George Orwell lol.

Kafka on the Shore Haruki Murakami

Author: Haruki Murakami
ISBN: 978-0-099-45832-6
Genre: Science Fiction
Pages: 505
Format: Paperback
Publisher: Vintage.

"At fifteen, Kafka Tamura runs away from home, either to escape a gruesome oedipal prophecy or to search for his long-missing mother and sister. And the aging Nakata, who never recovered from a wartime affliction, finds his highly simplified life suddenly upset.Their odyssey, as mysterious to us as it is to them, is enriched throughout by vivid accomplices and mesmerizing events."

My son got me this book for xmas, and in the front he wrote a little note saying he thought he'd get a book that was a little different this time. Well, he was right about that, as this book was very different to what I would normally read.

The book was good, and I did enjoy it although there were a couple of issues in the book that were a bit risky, don't want to say what, as I don't want to give any spoilers away. But when I first started to read this I thought it was a young authors book, but it isn't. It is explicit in places. You can tell it's been written by a male author.

The book is basically like two stories in one book, so you get to read about two characters journey's, and also two worlds, but they both have something to do with what happens.

Kafka, a 15 year old boy, runs away from home to escape his father, and to find his mother and sister. He finds himself at a Library where he makes friends with the owners. I really felt his part in this book, his struggles as a teenager, all the frustrations etc a teenager may feel etc.

Mr Nakata an old man, can talk to cats and can cause fish to fall from the sky. He was my favourite character, I totally adored him.

In all this was a really good book, that was really good from start to finish. I am pleased I read it and I'll be reading more from this author.


4/5 stars from me.

SOUL ON THE STREET - WILLIAM ROACHE

Author: William Roache
ISBN: 978-1-84850-015-0
Genre: Science Fiction
Pages: 300
Format: Paperback
Publisher: HAY HOUSE

"As a young actor, William auditioned for a TV drama that was likely to be running for only a few weeks. Now, 47 years later, he is the only original cast member and the soap's success has established him as a household name. Over the course of that time, William's character Ken Barlow has been married four times, twice to Deirdre, and had a series of tumultuous affairs. This gripping story will appeal to fans of "The Street" and will make inspiring listening for anyone interested in personal development."

I first heard about this book when I saw Mr Roache on TV talking about his new book, and with me not really being a fan of his what made me sit up and listen was watching him talk about some of his spiritual beliefs. From that moment on I was interested and wanted his book. I looked at reviews online which praised it, and so when my sis asked what I wanted for xmas, I asked her for that. I am so pleased I did.

Being a biography, this book starts off with William telling you about his childhood, his schooling etc and his life into adulthood and how he came to be an actor in Coronation Street. He talks about some of the people he has worked with in the show. There are some personal things he brings up in his life which I found quite sad, like the loss of his daughter Edwina. But as the book goes along, most of all I found it to be a book of a good heapful of spiritual medicine. As William talks about his beliefs and the huge impact his beliefs have had on his life, I found myself being drawn in and I found it hard to put the book down. I just wanted to read more and more. It's such a positive read.

I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in William Roache as an actor to get a better sense of who he is and how he became famous. I would also recommend this book to anyone who is interested in spirituality. It was an inspirational read for me, and certainly something I needed to read right now.


I would highly recommened this book to anyone interested.

5/5 stars from me.

Happy New Year!

Just a few hours to go till we reach 2009 in the UK. I just wanna say goodbye to 2008, I have thoroughly enjoyed the books I read. The Twilight series definitely stands out for me in this year and also the Stonewylde series, oh and I cannot forget Marley and me, that book was fantastic!

I have also enjoyed reading the blogs I follow and I am going to try to keep up with them in the future as so many of you are such huge bookaholics who I admire the speed in which you read. Sad little me isn't that much of a fast reader only reaching 27 books this year :p hmm....hehehe.

I do follow some other blogs that don't have anything to do with books, and they're refreshing and great to follow. I am always on the look out for new blogs.
I also have another blog where I blog about our family hobby RC Model Airplanes, which can be a dangerous hobby but loads of fun if respected.

Not much else to say other than, in 2009 I hope to cross of my 2009 list. Have some books on there I really want to read, and am looking forward to finding new recommendations.

Now I'm going to be one of those boring people who retire to bed early and not wait up for the new year, have a head cold so I need my sleep. No partying for me. But I do hope that whatever you are doing you have loads of fun seeing in the new year, and I wish everyone a healthy and peaceful New year. xXx

I AM LEGEND BY RICHARD MATHESON.

Author: Richard Matheson
ISBN: 978-85798-809-3
Genre: Science Fiction
Pages: 160
Format: Paperback
Publisher: Orion

"Robert Neville is the last living man on earth ...but he is not alone. Every other man, woman and child on the planet has become a vampire, and they are all hungry for Neville's blood. By day he is the hunter, stalking the sleeping undead through the abandoned ruins of civilization. By night, he barricades himself in his home and prays for the dawn. How long can one man survive like this?"

After watching the movie I just had to read the book, I'm a sucker for that. If I love the movie I have to find out if there was a book, and I go and get it. I have to say I totally love the movie, love Will Smith, he's great actor and in 'I Am Legend' he is brilliant!

So, I've read the book and I was not disappointed. My son Jim and his partner Emma, bought this for me, and so it makes the book that bit more extra special. However, if I did dislike it I would say so. But I am happy to announce I love this book.

I was expecting it to be the same story as the movie, after all the book came first, but it isn't. It is like reading about a totally different story. A really good one at that. In the movie they took the basics and created a movie for modern day. However, I thought the book was so good I don't see why they don't make a movie that is true to the book.

In this book there's no Zombies, but Vampires, who are hunting Robert Neville and he must do whatever he can to survive. I won't say more than that. It's a short book of just 160 pages and can easily been read in a day, if you have the time to sit and read it.

I loved the authors style of writing and in some parts of the book I was taken back in memory to when I read The Fog by James Herbert and Pet Semetary by Stephen King. I saw some similarities in the style of writing. I was well and truly hooked. I loved it. :)

Jonathan Livingston Seagull by Richard Bach

Author: Richard Bach
ISBN: 978-0-00-649034-0
Genre: Historical- Non Fiction.
Pages: 87
Format: Paperback
Publisher: Harper Element

"Jonathan is sick and tired of the boring life in his sea-gull clan. He rather experiments with new, always more daring flying techniques. Since he doesn't fit in, the elders expel him from the clan. So he sets out to discover the world beyond the horizon in quest for wisdom."

This was a xmas present from one of my sons. It's a lovely little book of 87 pages, and is filled with a wonderful up lifting story. As I was reading this book, I was wondering whether if it had been made into a children's cartoon/movie? I can see it being one.

The story is about how Jonathan Livingston Seagull, wants to fly, he wants to break free from the restraints of his flock and show them, how free and wonderful it is and how you can push yourself to make your dreams come true.

But will the flock listen? You'll have to read for yourself. ;)

I really love this book. I read it in an hour, which anyone can do. It's has some really nice pictures of Seagulls in flight throughout the book as the story progresses.

A wonderful book for all ages, a great story to tell children. Especially special to me, because my son bought me it.

Xmas books and Games

I'm not in any kind of reading mode atm. There are two reasons why....

1. I just want to read the books I get for xmas. So I know I have 'I Am Legend by Richard Matheson and Soul on the Street by William Roache'. So I have to wait till xmas day for them.

2. Hubby bought me 'Professor Layton and the Curious Village on the Nintendo DS lite. Which is a fantastic game. Obviously he gave me it early! :)

The Holocaust by R G Grant.

Author: R G Grant
ISBN: 0-7502-2601-3
Genre: Historical- Non Fiction.
Pages: 64
Format: Paperback
Publisher: Wayland

"This book begins with a brief history of the persecution of Jews before looking at Hitler's takeover of Germany, the introduction of anti-Semitic laws, the Holocaust itself, from the viewpoint of both victims and perpetrators, to finally its discovery by the outside world and what followed."

This is another book about a subject that I am very interested in. The Holocaust is a subject that shocks everyone and is really hard to understand how this could have happened?

I am deeply interested in this subject because, I cannot begin to understand how these people in the camps felt. This subject reaches into my soul and cries out to all those who passed away through starvation, illness and all those executed and treated appallingly, and to those who survived. It is a topic of discussion which is often brought up in my house as we all sit as a family discussing why Hitler went to such devastating extremes, and how it must of felt to be a Jew or from another faith or gender, race or sexual preference etc.

Anyway, this book I found highly informative. It is filled with quotes written by those who survived the camps, who were spared as they were fit for work, while as they looked on they were separated from their families and described how they felt when their wives and children were taken from them, not realizing they would not see each other again, as their families were being taken to their death in the camps to be gassed, when they were told they were going to showers to be cleansed. Also how those in the camps were made to be slaves carrying away the dead bodies in the Gas chambers, knowing one day this would also be their fate. That was really sad to read

Also you learn how prisoners were used for experiments and one thing that also upset me was how it explained how punishments were dished out for no reason at all, and any reaction even a flicker of the eyes was seen as an offence against the soldier and Hitler.

This book is filled with pictures of the prisoners, some starved, some dead, some about to be executed. There are also pictures of soldiers and leaders. One named Albert Speer who refused to applogise for any war crimes he lead.

This book shows you how badly the Jews were treated, how they were forced out of work and their homes. Anne Frank's family are also mentioned in the book.

I could go on and on about this subject and this book. It is an upsetting subject, but also it is something from history we must never forget. I find it so hard to believe that any human being could treat another like this.

When you read this book, you understand the image of the prisoners climbing the hand on the front of this cover, which I am not going to explain here as it really upset me.


For information purposes and historical facts, this book is very valuable tool. Highly recommended.

Breaking Dawn - Stephenie Meyer.

Author: Stephenie Meyer
ISBN: 978-1-905654-28-4
Genre: Fantasy - Fiction
Pages: 628
Format: Paperback
Publisher: atom



"Now that Bella has made her decision, a startling chain of unprecedented events is about to unfold with potentially devastating and unfathomable consequences. Just when the frayed strands of Bella's life - first discovered in TWILIGHT, then scattered and torn in NEW MOON and ECLIPSE - seem ready to heal and knit together, could they be destroyed...forever?"


Well, what can I say? I was really looking forward to reading this book. I have loved the series. Loved Twilight, really enjoyed New Moon and loved Eclipse and then we get Breaking Dawn, which in my opinion was very disappointing. So much so I rushed through the last 200 pages. I just could not be bothered to give it anymore of my time.

I thought the book started off well, and I was really enjoying it. But when a certain unexpected thing happens to Bella, for me it went down hill. I found myself slogging through the book instead of enjoying it.

It felt like I was reading an entirely different book, all the personalities of the characters seem to disappear, and the book just seemed empty. I felt it was far too long and the story was just dragged on and on....

But, although I disliked this book, I'm not going to put Stephenie Meyer down, as I really did enjoy the first three. She gave us Edward, Bella and Jacob. They are three of my most favourite characters. It's such a shame this book didn't live up to the other three (imo). For me the story ends with Eclipse.

Solstice at Stonewylde by Kit Berry.

Author: Kit Berry

ISBN: 978-0-9551439-3-9
Genre: Fantasy - Fiction
Pages: 329
Format: Paperback
Publisher: Moongazy Publishing.

"The "Stonewylde" series, now into its third title, has developed a huge cult following. It's enjoyed equally by men, women and teenagers, and retailers find it hard to decide where to position the books in-store. The series defies categorisation because it has something for everyone and spans several genres. But above all, it has the secret ingredient essential to a best-selling series - an absolutely riveting plot that makes the books "unputdownable". "Solstice at Stonewylde" continues the story of Sylvie and Yul, their developing love for each other, and their battle to survive the cruelty and domination of Magus. Yul was left hovering at the gates of death in the last book - now he is subjected to a terrifying ordeal in the Stone Circle at Samhain (Hallowe'en) as Magus attempts to negate the old prophecy.."

After having read the first two installments of this book, I was really looking forward to this book. I can say that I totally loved this installment and thought it was brilliant! It was fast paced and exciting, I really liked professor Siskin I thought he was great. Yet again, I loved Yul, Sylvie, Mother Heggy and of course Magus. For some reason I 'loved' to hate him! LOL.

I have really enjoyed this series so far, and all we need now is for Kit to hurry and get the next book published 'Shadows at Stonewylde'.

Again, if you like to read Pagan fiction, then I think you'll really enjoy these books.

Moondance of Stonewylde by Kit Berry.

Author: Kit Berry

ISBN: 0-9551-4391-8
Genre: Fantasy - Fiction
Pages: 305
Format: Paperback
Publisher: Moongazy Publishing.

""Moondance of Stonewylde" is the second in this series of five titles, and follows on from "Magus of Stonewylde". The story is picked up again at the Summer Solstice, where Yul has incurred Magus' wrath by challenging him for the leadership of the community. The sunrise ceremony amongst the great standing stones was a disaster for Magus, with Yul lighting the Solstice Fire and receiving the powerful earth energy in his place. But Magus still holds the power, and embarks on another attempt to subdue the rebellious Village boy. The story unfolds throughout the glorious summer at Stonewylde, where crops are grown organically and the people are self-sufficient and productive. Beautiful descriptions flow of this idyllic place, a community steeped in magic and time-honoured traditions. There's an exhilarating cricket match on the Village Green at Lammas, and the harvesting of wheat in honour of the Corn Mother. Yul proves worthy of the wise-woman's prophecies, hardening himself to the brutality that Magus inflicts so casually, and waiting with growing impatience for the time when his destiny can be fulfilled.But Magus discovers Sylvie's secret gift, bestowed during the rising of each full moon, and sees a way to exploit her to boost his own waning power. "

I was really looking forward to reading this book. I really enjoyed the first installment 'Magus of Stonewylde', and so when I ordered this book from Kit Berry I was so eager to read it. I really enjoyed the story, it was fast paced and exciting. I love Yul in this series, he is one of my favourite characters. Sylvie is great too and I love Mother Heggy. She is definitely a favourite of mine. Once again, I love reading about the pagan way of life, the festivals, celebrations and Solstice's etc. I like the fight between Good (Yul) and evil (Magus). At the end of this book as I was learning more about a certain two characters, I was trying to work out and guess what's going to happen in Book 3 'Solstice at Stonewylde.' I was like a-ha! I see ......... lol.

I would love to see this series made into a movie, it would be a huge block buster!

Anyway, to end this. These are my most favourite pagan novels. Magus of Stonewylde still remains to be my favourite so far. Moondance was really good, but was the weaker one of the two imo, and I enjoyed MOS more. Anyway these books will be staying on my book shelf to be read again one day as I love them! Lets hope they do move to the movie screen one day in the near future!