Average Rating:

.

Brisingr (Inheritance Cycle)

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Refinements
by: Christopher Paolini

September 20, 2008
Better than the first two put together (and bigger, too!)- it was a great break from my Uni studies and I wasn't disappointed! Paolini is certainly becoming a better writer as the series progresses; I think ending the trilogy here would have been a bit rushed- Brisingr allows Eragon to develop as a person and a Rider, and the result doesn't feel as if everything is being crammed in before the inevitable final conflict. Instead we have the continuing adventures of Eragon and Saphira as they mature and struggle to find Galbatorix's weakness (yes, he has one ^^)- there's enough revelations and action in this to satisfy any Inheritance Cycle fan.

And to those moaning about extensions for commercial reasons, etc... WE GET ANOTHER BOOK ... Read More:

Average Rating:

.

The Snowball: Warren Buffett and the Business of Life

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Refinements
by: Alice Schroeder

September 29, 2008
How can the most comprehensive biography of the world's most remarkable allocator of capital be disappointing? Alice Schroeder has used her several years of access to Buffett to good, but not great effect.
This is a terrific human interest story, but how many purchasers will be buying the book for that reason?
For those of us spoiled by Buffett's ability to say all with few words, wading through Schroeder's work is frustrating. Ultimately, the return per word read matches the index of Buffett biographies, nothing more. For the book to live up to the man a greater return was required.
Everyone should understand Buffett, but start with the main feature: his own words and books that add value. This is the equivalent of the bonus disc: not as ... Read More:

Average Rating:

.

Jamie's Ministry of Food: Anyone Can Learn to Cook in 24 Hours

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Refinements
by: Jamie Oliver

October 02, 2008
The best thing about Jamie's new book is that it gives you a huge repertoir of every-day healthy food that you can enjoy on a budget. It includes a large number of recipes around a theme - Mince for instance. How many of us depend on good old mince in these times? More than that though, if you are used to enjoying Chinese and Indian Takeaways Jamie has provided a full menu of these too -- all your favourites are in there & you can make them yourself! There how many cook-books teach you how to put together salads and breakfasts that are quick, simple and healthy? Spread the word... cooking is for everyone. I can't wait to try every recipe as it all looks so easy and good to eat. I tried the Fish Pie first -- that was really good because I don't usually like ... Read More:

Average Rating:

.

Nigella Christmas: Food, Family, Friends, Festivities

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Refinements
by: Nigella Lawson

October 02, 2008
What a beautiful looking Christmas book! A great picture of Nigella on the cover looking all Christmassy and seductive and when you open the book there is a distinct feeling of the festive season. She certainly has a way of pushing you into the kitchen with her recipes and excellant photographs. I won't be going there,but I loved the book! Nigella covers everything that the modern cook would enjoy about Christmas even if she appears to want to include alchohol in almost every recipe and I found myself salvitating about many of the ingrediants and recipes. I have only one thing to say.......enjoy!

Average Rating:

.

The Tales of Beedle the Bard, Standard Edition

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Refinements
by: J. K. Rowling

December 04, 2008
What a beautiful looking Christmas book! A great picture of Nigella on the cover looking all Christmassy and seductive and when you open the book there is a distinct feeling of the festive season. She certainly has a way of pushing you into the kitchen with her recipes and excellant photographs. I won't be going there,but I loved the book! Nigella covers everything that the modern cook would enjoy about Christmas even if she appears to want to include alchohol in almost every recipe and I found myself salvitating about many of the ingrediants and recipes. I have only one thing to say.......enjoy!

Average Rating:

.

At My Mother's Knee ...: and Other Low Joints: And Other Low Joints

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Refinements
by: Paul O'Grady

September 18, 2008
I was shocked to read that Paul O'Grady is actually from Birkenhead, over the water and not from real Liverpool, but the scouse way of speaking and thinking is so well captured, despite Paul writing it from his farm in Kent. (And him really being from the wrong side of the River Mersey.) And yes, I do know what I'm talking about for once because yes, I am from Liverpool.
That isn't the only reason this memoir was so enjoyable. It is Paul at his most hilarious. More surprisingly, it is pretty honest as well. Paul shows us how he became a little snob for a while! He also tells us he was beaten by the priests at one of his schools, but he doesn't dwell on this like misery memoirs do, no, he soldiers on to the next funny bit.
I couldn't put it down and so ... Read More:

Average Rating:

.

IEE On-site Guide; BS 7671 : 2008 IEE Wiring Regulations 17th Edition

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Refinements
by: The Institution of Engineering and Techn

September 01, 2008
how long does it take to get it published? done my 17th and my 2391 without this and the guidence note 3, would have been helpfull to have had them in time to use them but never mind its not like they arnt going to sell is it ? Bloo*y anoid

Average Rating:

.

Azincourt

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Refinements
by: Bernard Cornwell

October 01, 2008
Cornwell at his very, very best.
If you enjoyed the Harlequin series featuring Thomas of Hookton then you will love this.
I read it within two days of receiving it and am gutted that it wasn't much longer even though it fully satisfied me as a true historical read.
Cornwell is the master of this style of writing. I really enjoy Conn Iggulden and Valerio Massimo Manfredi but Cornwell is the master.
My only wish is that Ridley Scott would take a story of Cornwell's like this one or the Harlequin series and make it into as visual a treat as the novels are writtenAzincourt.
More power to your quill Mr. Cornwell and long may your stories keep us as enthralled as this.

Average Rating:

.

Nation

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Refinements
by: Terry Pratchett

September 11, 2008
More than 20 years ago now, a good friend pressed a copy of "The Colour of Magic" into my hands that launched a love affair with Terry's books that lasts to this day. Like most frustrated authors who lack the talent to deliver themselves, I read a lot, and I think I have read pretty much all that Terry has written since 198whatever, and yes some of it is quite a lot better than some other bits, but his work has never once been a disappointment.

So I was delighted to see Nation appear on the shelf last week and have just used a rainy Sunday morning to finish it.

A quick summation, of the important points; this is not a Disc World novel, it is a book aimed at anyone over about 9 who can read. It deals with the not inconsequential questions of ... Read More:

Average Rating:

.

The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas (Definitions)

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Refinements
by: John Boyne

September 11, 2008
I have two major criticisms of this book, only one of which can really be leveled directly at John Boyne: his writing sucks, and needed another couple of drafts.

It's great that Boyne has written a book for children which is designed to make its audience engage with the world (a la His Dark Materials; in sharp contrast to Harry Potter), but (and here's the second criticism, not something that is directly Boyne's fault) the subject matter is really not as edgy as most people pretend it to be. Most of us think the Holocaust was a pretty dreadful thing, just like most of us think that a world without organised religion would be a better place; we don't need Boyne's book to tell us the former, just like we didn't need His Dark Materials to tell us the latter. For genuinely ... Read More: