The Borrowers Afield by Mary Norton

Started – 23/1/13

Finished – 30/1/13

Format – Paperback Book

 

Synopsis – As it turned out, the end of the Borrowers wasn’t the end of Pod, Homily and Arrietty. They escaped to the fields but it was a long and dangerous journey, up the Azalea Bank, through the privet hedge and across the orchard, and they were hiding from humans and being attacked by insects.

My Thoughts – I brought this book back in 2010 as part of the whole series of Borrowers as i had read the first book but never read any further than that.

 

In this book Arrietty and her family have had to leave the comfort of the house that they have only ever known and have gone to try and find the only other borrowers that they know of. They have to walk across fields and encounter lots of new things to them like insects. They have to deal with being homeless and having to almost start again. Its in this book that they meet Spiller another borrower that i have heard of because of the movie.

 

I did enjoy this book but i have to say not as much as the first one. It is still very good and keeps its magical appeal that the book holds for children and there is still that thought in the back of your mind do they really exist in my house when things go missing.

 

This book would be very good for children and it continues they story. it ended on a cliffhanger and i cant wait to read more in the series to find out what happens.

 

Rating – 3/5

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On the TBR – The Lollipop Shoes – Joanne Harris

On The TBR is a new thing I’m trying out on my blog to try and keep a record of the books i buy and download this year.

I’ve brought The Lollipop Shoes by Joanne Harris. I read Chocolat by her a few weeks ago and really loved it. I loved the story and the writing style and as this is the second book in the series i thought id better buy it as i enjoyed it so much!

Synopsis – ‘Who died?’ I said. ‘Or is it a secret?’
‘My mother, Vianne Rocher.’

Seeking refuge and anonymity in the cobbled streets of Montmarre, Yanne and her daughters, Rosette and Annie, live peacefully, if not happily, above their little chocolate shop. Nothing unusual marks them out; no red sachets hang by the door. The wind has stopped – at least for a while. Then into their lives blows Zozie de l’Alba, the lady with the lollipop shoes, and everything begins to change . . .

But this new friendship is not what it seems. Ruthless, devious and seductive, Zozie de l’Alba has plans of her own – plans that will shake their world to pieces. And with everything she loves at stake, Yanne must face a difficult choice: to flee, as she has done so many time before, or to confront her most dangerous enemy . . .

Herself.

I really cant wait to read this and hope its as good as the first in the series.

The Borrowers – Mary Norton

Started – 19/1/13

Finished – 23/1/13

Format – Paperback Book

Challenges – 1001 Childrens Books You Must Read

 

Synopsis – A race of tiny people who live beneath the floor of a proper human kitchen make friends with a young boy, and begin to learn about the world above their heads, from which they have borrowed the furniture and tools.

 

My Thoughts – I brought this book back in 2010 along with the rest of the series of books. I read this book back when i was a child and really enjoyed it so i was hoping that this time round it would be as good.

The Borrowers is a family of little people who live under the kitchen in a house. Theres Pod, the Dad of the family that goes out borrowing, Homily the mother and Arrietty their daughter who wants nothing more than to see more of the outside world, much to the horror of her mother.

They have lived under the floorboards for a number of years and its not until Arrietty meets ‘The Boy’ that things start to go wrong and they have to think about leaving the house that they have only ever known.

I really enjoyed the story of this book espcially how they used bits and bobs for there house, like blotting paper for carpets. I did think that at times it was a little dated as nowadays they wouldnt be borrowing blotting paper and pins, it would be technology but its still a good story.

The book left on a bit a of a cliffhanger and I’m so pleased that i already have the other books in the series.

Rating – 4/5

Its Monday! What are you Reading? (28th January)

Its Monday! What are you Reading? is a weekly bookish meme held on Book Journey by Sheila. It’s a great place to discuss your week in reading and see what others are reading too.

I havent taken part in this meme for a couple of weeks as ive been so busy again and havent really had anytime for reading. Things are finally calming down now and hopefully ill get back into the swing of reading again!

Books Read

I’ve recently read The Borrowers by Mary Norton. I really enjoyed this story and its a re-read for me. I have the other books in the series on my shelf too.

Reading Now

I’m now reading The Borrowers Afield by Mary Norton. I am enjoying this but i dont think its quite as good as the first!

Next Up

Next up is the book for next months reading circle, The Woman in Black by Susan Hill. I’ve wanted to read this for a long time and I’m so pleased ive finally got around to reading it.

WWW Wednesdays (23rd January)

WWW Wednesdays is a weekly meme held over on Should be Reading. To play along just answer the following questions.

What are you currently reading?

I’m currently reading The Borrowers Afield by Mary Norton. I have the whole series to read and I’m hoping that this book is just as good as the first!

What did you recently finish reading?

I finished two books in the last week. The first was Replay by Keira Lea, a young adult paranormal book that was ok but it could have been explored a bit better. The second book was The Borrowers by Mary Norton. I really enjoyed this book it is a re-read but as i read it the first time over 15 years ago it was like reading it all over again.

What do you think you’ll read next?

Next up is the book for next months reading circle, The Woman in Black by Susan Hill. I’ve been wanting to read this book for a long time but have never had the chance too and now i cant wait to start it!

Replay – Keira Lea

Started – 13/1/13

Finished – 19/1/13

Format – Kindle e-book

Synopsis – Kelsee Lewis has a new school, a prima donna best friend, and one week to write a hit play. Throw in a self-obsessed mom and an absent executive dad, and it’s no wonder she has panic attacks—complete with time-warp special effects. When Kelsee meets comic book maven Quinn, she realizes the attacks give her the ability to rewind time.

Replaying life seems like the best way to erase mistakes. But will second chances leave Kelsee flailing in the orchestra pit alone?

My Thoughts – I downloaded this book from Amazon last year as it was free for a day and i really like young adult books with a bit of time travel thrown in.

 

This book is about Kelsee who attends a school and is involved in a writing programme. Along with the stresses of writing a play for the end of school production she has to deal with her parents divorce and new partners. She starts to have what she thinks are panic attacks but they soon turn out to be more strange and that she can stop time with this.

 

I did like this book but i felt that the element of the stopping time and rewinding could have been explored a bit better. There was a good bit about changing events will have a knock on effect on future events.

 

I did think this book was written well for teenage girls and that they would enjoy this but for an adult i didnt enjoy it overally.

 

Rating – 3/5

On The TBR – The Woman in Black by Susan Hill

On The TBR is a new thing I’m trying out on my blog to try and keep a record of the books i buy and download this year.

I’ve downloaded The Woman in Black by Susan Hill as its the choice for the Reading circle choice for February, not only that its a book that I’ve wanted to read for a long time and I’m glad that I’ve been able to bump it up my reading list a bit.

I havent read any of this authors books before but I’m looking forward to it as many people have said they have enjoyed it. Once i’ve read the book I’ll be able to watch the film based on the same book, starring Daniel Ratcliffe.

Synopsis – Arthur Kipps, a junior solicitor, is summoned to attend the funeral Mrs Alice Drablow, the sole inhabitant of Eel Marsh House, unaware of the tragic secrets which lie hidden behind the shuttered windows. The house stands at the end of a causeway, wreathed in fog and mystery, but it is not until he glimpses a wasted young woman, dressed all in black, at the funeral, that a creeping sense of unease begins to take hold, a feeling deepened by the reluctance of the locals to talk of the woman in black – and her terrible purpose.

I cant wait to get stuck into this book, perfect for these cold dark nights.