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Brisingr (Inheritance Cycle)

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Special Features
by: Christopher Paolini

September 20, 2008
After having thoroughly enjoyed the first two books, Eragon and Eldest, my expectations for the third were admittedly high. Even so, when I was reading Brisingr, the only thought that kept me reading on was that these rather lame side plots were building up to a "gripping" scene. To my dismay, this scene never came.
Paolini's influence from J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings is clearly noticeable, and this put me off the book. There is no doubt about it that the Paolini's creation of Alagaësia is very impressive, but it needs to be completely original, (gosh I sound so stuck up and pessimistic)!
In addition, some of the scenes were very long and I found myself losing concentration, and i'm not one for having a short concentration ... Read More:

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The Snowball: Warren Buffett and the Business of Life

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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 good ... Read More:

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Nigella Christmas: Food, Family, Friends, Festivities

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by: Nigella Lawson

October 02, 2008
Nigella's latest offering is beautifully presented and I fancied a few of the recipes. Quite a few of the ingredients are unusual, that is to say not straightforward to obtain, and expensive (eg: chocolate covered candied clementines). Nigella continues to push her idea that at Christmas, we want our homes constantly full of 'people' and to have our tables groaning under the weight of food - massive bowls of lychees are advised. This, coming from a multi-millionairess at the beginning of a recession, is something I find annoying. However, some of her 'gift' ideas are inexpensive and would make a change from packages of themed toiletries - although I'm not sure how my relatives would react if they were given a jar of salt with some chillis in it. If you haven't got it, ... Read More:

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

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by: Paul O'Grady

September 18, 2008
Need I say anymore, buy it and see how amazing it is, well done Paul you one amazing guy x x

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

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by: Jamie Oliver

October 02, 2008
As this books has only just been published it is perhaps a little early to give an honest review of many recipes. However as an expereinced cook I decided to pass on the Pasta and Meatballs dish to my 14year old daughter. Her results were amazing - a really tasty, delicious meal that the whole family enjoyed. Even if you are already a keen cook there are plenty of fresh ideas and new ways of doing things such as using cracker biscuits instead of making fresh breadcrumbs. I think most of us get stuck in a rut with family meals and this book will enable you to tackle quick new recipes such as stir frys or find new ways of doing old favourites. A clever non-patronising message that will hopefully make more confident cooks of us all! Thanks, Jamie!

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Nation

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Special Features
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 being us, whoever ... Read More:

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The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas (Definitions)

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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 edgy childrens' literature, ... Read More:

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Azincourt

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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.

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The Mighty Book of Boosh

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by: Julian Barratt, Noel Fielding

September 18, 2008
What you'd expect n all that. Get Small Mercy by Tom Dawes as well they go together init

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The Private Patient (Adam Dalgliesh Mystery)

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Special Features
by: P.D. James

August 28, 2008
From the crass character set-up over lunch at the Ivy to the very unsatisfactory ending with a confusing subplot, this book did not hold my attention at all. Is it really from the author of 'Devices and Desires' and 'Original Sin'? Can this be the work of the author of 'The Lighthouse?' It reads like a (bad) parody of Agatha Christie. A great disappointment.