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Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Fiction
by: Nora Roberts

July 08, 2008
I had been waiting for this book for ages and when i finally got it, i consumed it in two days. As the above review said, it does follow the same story line as her others (women trying to overcome her past, meets a handsome and caring guy, but someone is out to hurt her) but this doesn't seem to matter. She manages to create charactors that you cant help fall for and they seem unique when you read the book. I loved the charactor of Cilla, strong, able to care for herself, but over time she accepts that its okay to be vulnrable. Ford and his dog were a perfect match for Cilla and you could fully believe how they would click and fall for each other in such a short time.

I loved following the restoration of the 'Farm',and Ms Roberts ... Read More:

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Emperor: The Field of Swords

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Fiction
by: Conn Iggulden

September 05, 2005
have just finished reading this book was as good as last two books, cant wait to get my hands on gods of war has really got my interest in ancient rome and caeser up to fever pitch. wWuld recommend anyone who enjoys a read to take you away from the reality of every day life to read this series. just remember it is more fictional than fact maybe all the better for that!!!!! And if you missed Tino Georgiou's--The Fates--I strongly recommend reading it.

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My Favourite Wife

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Fiction
by: Tony Parsons

August 04, 2008
Tony Parsons' books used to be my staple holiday reading. Not any more. Whilst the research into China is impressive, the book is boring and too long. The story could have been told with 200 pages rather than over 400. The main character is unlikeable and one does not really care whether he stays with his trophy wife or not. The character of the mistress is completely shallow and it is unclear as to why the male lead is interested in her. Maybe because of the Mini Cooper with the Chinese flag on the roof. The worst thing is that Tony Parsons reuses the dying father issue to fill about 30 pages when it is unclear as to what purpose the father character serves and why he has to die. Next time I go on summer holiday I will have to go into a book shop, ... Read More:

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The Virgin's Lover

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Fiction
by: Philippa Gregory

April 25, 2005
I love Philippa Gregory's Tudor novels and am only sorry that I have now concluded reading all of them. This one has some problems that disappointed me - Elizabeth is a giggling, easily-led dope, and not the shrewd manipulator and politician that we know her to be from historical record. I suspect Dudley and Cecil are fairly accurately represented, however, and I was very interested in the viewpoint of Amy Dudley, the innocent wife cast aside in favor of power and the title of King.

This was an interesting read, and one that kept me turning the pages, but it was not up to the standard of the other Tudor books. I preferred Boleyn Inheritance and The Constant Princess for intrigue. I hope for better things in the future.

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After Dark

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Fiction
by: Haruki Murakami

June 05, 2008
Ten years have passed since I encountered for the very first time, the enigmatic, but fascinating, psychological and cultural landscapes conjured by Haruki Murakami in such spellbinding works as "Dance Dance Dance", "A Wild Sheep Chase", and "Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World". At first, I thought he was a Japanese version of J. G. Ballard and Angela Carter, drawing upon both contemporary realities and classic fairy tales to render vivid, surreal versions of the present, in a literary style that I thought was so reminiscent of modern science fiction and fantasy. But soon I realized that he was such an astute, and elegant, observer of the real world too, in novels like "Norwegian Wood", "Sputnik Sweetheart", and especially, "The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle" ... Read More:

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Great Expectations (Penguin Popular Classics)

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Fiction
by: Charles Dickens

January 13, 1994
That I came to the novel fully aware of the storyline (through numerous TV and film adaptations) and still raced through the novel is an indication of the quality of the story and its characters.
What did surprise me, which having subsequently watched David Lean's adaptation may be down to selective memory, was what an awful individual Pip became during the course of the novel.
I would also have preferred Dickens originally conceived ending to the novel which appears much more in keeping with the general tone than the revised ending.

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Just So Stories (Selected) (BBC Audio)

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Fiction
by: Rudyard Kipling

February 04, 2008
I'd always enjoyed being read and later reading myself the Just So Stories. With children of my own I started them on these stories and having a cd of them means we can enjoy them on the move. The joy of hearing Jonnie Morris' super animal voice characterisations just adds to the enjoyment - takes me back to watching Animal Magic - deep joy!
Four year old daughter enjoys listening to the stories but my nine year old son has become a great fan - this now regularly is on his cd player in his room.
Buy this and you'll all be able to listen together and enjoy.

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Brave New World

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Fiction
by: Aldous Huxley

December 06, 2007
I find with most 'classic' books, the hype is more than the substance and again Brave New World falls into that category.

It is quite an easy read - except the constant Shakespeare quotations towards the end, but it is a novel that I feel fails to take a great idea and develop it totally - the end is a big let down for instance.

I am glad that I read it to understand why it holds such attention after all these years but it isn't a book that I feel I could recommend.

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The Eagle and the Wolves (Roman Legion 4)

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Fiction
by: Simon Scarrow

July 05, 2004
While not the best of the series to date this book still has more than its fair share of charms. It's character interactions, pacing and breathless action are as usual top notch. Given the position of the series, with the Roman Campaign bogged down after more than a year its understandable the setting is not quite as grand, Marco and Cato understandably not at the centre of main events following their injuries in the previous novel. All in all this is an enjoyable installment in the series with no major flaws.

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Deadly Intent

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Fiction
by: Lynda La Plante

September 01, 2008
While not the best of the series to date this book still has more than its fair share of charms. It's character interactions, pacing and breathless action are as usual top notch. Given the position of the series, with the Roman Campaign bogged down after more than a year its understandable the setting is not quite as grand, Marco and Cato understandably not at the centre of main events following their injuries in the previous novel. All in all this is an enjoyable installment in the series with no major flaws.