Average Rating:

.

Yes Man

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Books
by: Danny Wallace

April 06, 2006
honestly one of my favourite books of all time. Really changed my attitude to be even more positive, and do things that you may not particularly feel like doing, cos it will usually be brilliant. inspiring, and all round brilliant. can't recommend it enough.

Average Rating:

.

The Rain Before It Falls

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Books
by: Jonathan Coe

June 05, 2008
A real change of direction for Jonathan Coe, and it doesn't really come off. Though I found it enjoyable enough, I expected something better, something with more to say, given Coe's previous novels, particularly the classic What a carve Up (which those new to Coe should read before giving up on him).

As with rather too many books today, a moderately interesting story is spoiled by the insistence on telling it in a self-imposed arty style. The device here is to tell the tale based on a series of photographs, and after the first few you feel like skipping those pages and getting to the point - something it takes Coe ages to do! Much of it reads like a series of creative writing exercises given to a less than talented class.
... Read More:

Average Rating:

.

The Spook's Mistake (Wardstone Chronicles)

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Books
by: Joseph Delaney

June 05, 2008
I love Harry Potter hes wonderful. My son the bookworm having read all Harrys books was looking for his next fix when I came upon the Wardstone Chronicles.

I took the first two books home for him. I waited, not for long though he read them so fast I was going out the door for the next two before I had chance to take my coat off.

He loves them and in his opinion Harry Potter aint a patch on them.

We went into Borders for our copy of this the Spooks Mistake and to my glee the author himself was there to sign the book and was doing book readings and an informal chat. A lovely man and if he ever comes to a bookstore near you be sure to go and meet him.

He has just sold the rights to the first book ... Read More:

Average Rating:

.

Half of a Yellow Sun

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Books
by: Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

January 15, 2007
I picked this book up partly because of the recommendations here on Amazon and partly because of the Orange award.

I liked the changing from the different voices and characterisation, and also the switch back to the past and I thought the book was educational (I hadn't heard of the Nigeria - Biafra war so for me it was enlightening)and the story was enjoyable.

On a negative I thought the end was a little weak - I didn't think the last 100 pages were that gripping and really wanted to end the book by this stage.

Overall, whilst the novel was interesting I won't be running off to immediately read her other book - Purple Hibiscus. I would read Adichie again but she won't be on top of my reading list.

Average Rating:

.

Call The Midwife: A True Story Of The East End In The 1950s: A True Story of the East End in the 1950s

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Books
by: Jennifer Worth

March 06, 2008
Once I started this book, I couldn't put it down. I'm currently training as a midwife and read the book with awe and fascination. It's amazing to think how much things have changed in 50 years (I'm glad I don't have to boil urine in a test tube!), but also to see how much is still the same. Not wanting to spoil the book for those who haven't read it, I'll only say that there are situations that she was in that we hopefully will never face, for which I'm glad, but it only makes my respect for her, and any others working in obstetrics at the time, increase. Her dediation to the job was inspirational and I look forward to reading the next two installments.

Average Rating:

.

The "Times" Good University Guide 2009

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Books
from: Times Books

June 16, 2008
Required reading for anyone considering or planning to go to University in the UK. A mass of well-researched, well-analysed data and information that helps one make much better informed judgement on one of the most important decisions of one's life.

Average Rating:

.

Life in the United Kingdom: A Journey to Citizenship - 2nd Edition (2007)

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Books
by: The Home Office - Life in the UK Advisor

March 27, 2007
Here it is, the cure for insomnia!

Given that one of the aims of the Life in the UK test is to test English literacy, you would think the official guide would be written in accessible English! Instead, we are handed this sloppy compilation of pointless statistics, useless abbreviations, dry facts with little context and advice that will make you slap your forehead and scowl: 'Well, OBVIOUSLY!'

A blue box pops up every so often asking the reader 'check that you understand...', but oftentimes what is listed has NOT been explained or even mentioned in what you've just finished reading. I defy anyone to explain to me the differences between the Council of Europe, the Council of the EU, the EU, the EC and the European Parliament at the best ... Read More:

Average Rating:

.

Shantaram

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Books
by: Gregory David Roberts

March 24, 2005
This is a thoroughly absorbing tale. Like other reviewers I felt a real passion for India and its people and culture came through. It is a very well written account of escape, hardship, romance, cruelty, adventure and freedom. I was about half way through when I began feeling that some reactions the author descibes were hard to fathom - for example his decision to 'leave' Karla on Goa following the prison at Arthur Road. It seems Karla is fictious. Nonetheless it remains a gripping tale. Like central characters in some fiction novels the selfless compassion of the author set against a background of crime and violence is both compelling and paradoxical.

Average Rating:

.

Remember Me?

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Books
by: Sophie Kinsella

February 11, 2008
This is a thoroughly absorbing tale. Like other reviewers I felt a real passion for India and its people and culture came through. It is a very well written account of escape, hardship, romance, cruelty, adventure and freedom. I was about half way through when I began feeling that some reactions the author descibes were hard to fathom - for example his decision to 'leave' Karla on Goa following the prison at Arthur Road. It seems Karla is fictious. Nonetheless it remains a gripping tale. Like central characters in some fiction novels the selfless compassion of the author set against a background of crime and violence is both compelling and paradoxical.

Average Rating:

.

7 Habits of Highly Effective People

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Books
by: Stephen R. Covey

January 04, 1999
Trying not to use the phrase "paradigm shift" is almost impossible when talking about this book. If you've not heard of this, then you need to get out more.

Seven Habits is a wonderful book that will change your life if you let it. Now, the key is in the title: Habits. Not whims, but habits. You have to keep at what the book talks about and while the book is geared toward those who want success, it is not geared toward happiness. Think they're the same? No. Read the book and you'll see why.

Still, this comes highly recommended from a lot of sources. Covey basically gives you a recipe for success. Having read some of the negative reviews I can only assume those people don't want success or aren't capable of concentrating their attention on the ... Read More: