Pretty In Purple » Book Reviews

Tears of the Giraffe – Alexander McCall Smith

Laura — Sat, 17 Feb 2007 10:12:23 +0000

It’s quite bad as I finished Tears of the Giraffe in 3 sittings. I would’ve finished it quicker but was meeting a friend yesterday and then I was very tired at bedtime. So I finished it today.
This is the second book in the No1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series by Smith. In this installment Mma Ramotswe is now engaged to Mr J L B Matekoni, much to his surprise. Mma Ramotswe is asked to find out what happened to somebody 10 years ago. She also has lots of surprises with her engagement – particularly the revelation that she will be mother to 2 orphan children. But does this bother her? She is marrying someone with a kind heart. She also has to contend with a jealous maid, which is a hilarious side story in this book.
This was simply wonderful and I loved it. Am now reading book 3, Morality for Beautiful Girls, which is shaping up to be just as good.

Espresso Tales – Alexander McCall Smith

Laura — Sat, 10 Feb 2007 14:29:40 +0000

Espresso Tales is the second of (currently) 3 books about the residents of 44 Scotland Street, Edinburgh. It continues to follow the lives of Pat and her egocentric, narcissistic flatmate Bruce, Bertie the exceptionally clever 6 year old boy, Domenica MacDonald, the social anthropologist and many other characters we have picked up on the way. In this installment, Pat attends a nudist party at Moray Place, Bruce finds himself in a pickle with his new business, Bertie starts rebelling and Domenica has an idea for a new project. We also find out about other, peripheral characters like Matthew (Pat’s boss).
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, which was first published as a daily novel in the Scotsman. It is lovely reading gossip-y sorts of books which are also quite intellectual. And it is also fun reading books about places that I know very well. Smith writes about Edinburgh, and he is always accurate with his descriptions. It makes it even better reading

Northern Lights – Philip Pullman

Laura — Tue, 27 Jun 2006 19:02:39 +0000

Northern Lights – Philip Pullman – 399 pages
This is the story of Lyra, who is on a quest to free her friend, Roger, from the Gobblers. However, the journey isn’t as smooth as it could be and she finds out many different things that will affect her life.
I really enjoyed this book. It was so much better than I thought it would be and now I want to read the next one. I don’t have it though. Yet.
9/10.

The Amazing Story of Adolphus Tips – Michael Morpurgo

Laura — Tue, 27 Jun 2006 18:59:51 +0000

The Amazing Story of Adolphus Tips – Michael Morpurgo – 194 pages
This is the diary of Lily, a 12 year old girl from a small village in Devon. It is set in 1943 and World War 2 has resulted in Lily’s village being evacuated. However, Lily’s cat, Tips, has decided that she didn’t want to leave her house and Lily is frantically trying to find her to no avail. It is a Black American, by the name of Adolphus, that helps Lily find her cat. However, things get quite complicated for Lily.
9/10. Great kids book. Would highly recommend it.

Undead and Unwed – Mary Janice Davidson

Laura — Tue, 27 Jun 2006 18:58:32 +0000

Undead and Unwed – Mary Janice Davidson – 260 pages
This is the story of Betsy Taylor, a secretary who loses her job and her life on the same day. She then becomes a vampire. However, she is no ordinary vampire as the sun doesn’t burn her, the holy water doesn’t affect her and the normal vampire conventions don’t affect her. She then finds out that she is the “queen of the undead” and has to assist “Sink Lair” in sorting out all the vampire politics. However, she would just like to revel in the delight of designer shoes.
It was an alright book. Nowt amazing.
6/10.

The Art of Always Being Right: Thirty Eight Ways to Win When You Are Defeated – Arthur Schopenhauer

Laura — Tue, 27 Jun 2006 18:53:30 +0000

The Art of Always Being Right: Thirty Eight Ways to Win When You Are Defeated – Arthur Schopenhauer – 190 pages
This book was quite a quick read. A fairly tongue-in-cheek essay by Schopehauer about how to always be right. I found parts amusing. Some of the concepts were hard to grasp and you needed a few reads of parts in order to make sure you understood.
Overall, an alright book. Nowt that special.
6/10.

Books, Books, Books!

Laura — Sun, 30 Apr 2006 17:21:23 +0000

Have been a bit busy recently as I have been back at school and doing muchos planning and that sort of malarky. To think, in 2 months time, I shall be a qualified teacher How exciting
Anyway, the purpose of this post is to inform you about my latest purchases. I bought some books from Amazon t’other day and wanted to share. I bought:
The Amazing Story of Adolphus Tips – Michael Morpurgo;
From Hereabout Hill: A Collection of Short Stories – Michael Morpurgo;
Northern Lights – Philip Pullman;
Undead and Unwed – Mary Janice Davidson.
Quite a varied selection here. Should be good

The Big Over Easy – Jasper Fforde

Laura — Fri, 21 Apr 2006 05:43:52 +0000

Humpty Dumpty is dead. But what happened? The Nursery Crime Division has been called in to investigate it. However, it is a complex investigation with a lot of pressure coming from all sides. However, DI Jack Spratt and DS Mary Mary take hold of the situation. Even though he has killed 4 giants (technically only one though … )
I really enjoyed The Big Over Easy book. I liked it better than the Thursday Next series and can’t wait for the release of the next book, The Fourth Bear which comes out in July.
Total pages – 398 pages.
9/10.

Shadow of the Wind – Carlos Ruiz Zafon

Laura — Mon, 17 Apr 2006 18:46:08 +0000

This is the story of Daniel Sempere and the consequences of choosing the book entitled The Shadow of the Wind by Julian Carax when his father takes him to the Cemetery of Lost Books. The story is interesting and there are many different turns and twists along the way. Daniel finds himself caught up in a web of deceit and death.
Really good book. Would’ve finished it sooner if it wasn’t for a man who wanted to talk to me on the journey between Inverness and Perth yesterday Would recommend The Shadow of the Wind to anyone who is looking for a good, mysterious book.
Total pages – 508 pages.
8/10.

If You Could See Me Now – Cecelia Ahern

Laura — Mon, 17 Apr 2006 18:41:03 +0000

Read this book very quickly. It was a really strange book. Not sure if I liked it or not. I must’ve liked it enough though, as I didn’t take long to read it. It is the story of Elizabeth Egan and her “friend” Ivan and how their relationship unfolds. Very bizarre, to be honest. Don’t know if I would recommend If You Could See Me Now [amazon.co.uk]. Not as good as PS, I Love You [amazon.co.uk].
Total pages – 330 pages.
6/10.