The Diary of a Killer Cat by Anne Fine

(58 pages)



Tuffy was in big trouble - on Monday he killed a bird, on Tuesday a mouse and on Wednesday he dragged a dead rabbit through the catflap. This caused pandemonium for Ellie and her parents as it was their neighbour's pet rabbit, Thumper.

This was really funny. I mean how often do we see the world throught he eyes of our beloved cats. It wasn't Tuffy's fault that the bird attacked him, or that the mouse was dead not to mention poor Thumper!!!!
A must for all cat loving kiddies out there :D

Quidditch Through The Ages by Kennilworthy Whisp

(42 pages)



Did you know that there are 700 ways of committing a foul in Quidditch? Have you ever wondered how the Bludgers came into existence or why Wigtown Wanderers have pictures of meat cleavers on their robes? This copy of a volume in Hogwarts School Library contains everything you need to know.

A great way to get further inside the world of Harry Potter, and have some idea what Ron is wittering on about when he goes into his Quidditch spiel!!

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander

(42 pages)



As Albus Dumbledore says in his introduction, this set textbook by Newt Scamander has given the perfect grounding to many a Hogwarts student. It will be helpful to all Muggles out there too.

At last, I can understand Hagrid's love of all beasts mystical. These little books are a must read for all people who are Harry Potter fanatics and simply need to know more about the wizarding world.

Perfect Match by Jodi Picoult

(389 pages)




(Amazon.co.uk Review)
From the first few words of her latest novel, Jodi Picoult grips her reader so firmly it would be madness to struggle. And from then on, it’s such a roller-coaster ride that it’s as much as you can do to put it down before you’ve reached the very last word.
After years of dealing with abused children and their families and working her damnedest to bring the perpetrators to justice, assistant district attorney Nina Frost takes a while to recognise the signs of abuse in her only child. When five-year-old Nathanial stops speaking and finally, through sign language, identifies his abuser, Nina takes the law into her own hands. And so begins a fast and furious tale of twists and turns--just when you think you’ve got it covered, you move at right-angles and a new reality emerges.
Perfect Match delivers what Picoult fans would expect--intelligent, polished writing that feels so real and natural you might forget it’s fiction. Once again, she covers the familiar themes of love--here specifically parent and partner relationships--and what happens to ordinary people when the extraordinary turns their world upside-down. Her research is as impeccable as ever--Nina is believable as a DA and the court-room scenes feel like the real thing. The everyday details of modern family life are set against the life-shattering events that ordinary people come to believe they are immune from as Picoult explores the boundaries of decency, bravery and betrayal and the consequences of believing, if only for a split second, that you and your family deserve more.

As an avid Picoult fan I am trying to work my way through all her books. This has to be one of the most gripping ones that I have read, as there are so many different types of characters. Whlst you are supposed to be rooting for Nina, she is an easily dislikeable person,l and my sympathey was transferred to different people throughout the story.
It has been written in such a rich way, that it was almost impossible to put down. Whilst the ending was extremely neat, I didn't see the customary twist happening in the way it actually did. I was very impressed with the sensitivity in which she managed to handle such disturbing subject matter. She certainly did a good job of making you think about what you would do in a similar situation, Yet again my love of Picoult has grown. Fantastic :)

Learning to Swim by Ann Turner

(113 pages)



Unfolding in a series of exquisite narrative poems, this is the haunting true story of a tragic summer in a young girl's life. Annie is supposed to be having a carefree summer -- but instead she must face the unwanted advances of an older boy in the neighborhood, who threatens her if she tells. It isn't until Annie's mother pries out the secret that Annie is released from her horror and isolation and can slowly begin to heal.

This was a beautifully written and extremely powerful book. Even if you don't like poetry, you would probably like this.

SilverFin by Charlie Higson

(384 pages)



FILE NOTE STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL - AUTHORISED PERSONNEL ONLY Subject: James Bond Age: 13 Description: dark hair that falls in a comma above his brow, despite efforts to control it; blue eyes; tall for age; surprisingly strong; fluent French, good German. Essential components: A villain so vile no white fluffy cat would go near him A girl - blond, green-eyed, named Wilder Lawless One fast car. Additional detail: Sinister experiments at a remote castle in the Scottish Highlands The disappearance of a young boy Britain building to war in the 1930s Summary: A must-read book for spring. A hot sequel follows in autumn.

This was a really enjoyable read, obviously designed for young teenage boys. I was particularly fond of the tournament at Eton and the driving lessons :)
I would like to read the rest of the series to see how this young Bond turned into Sean Connery and co.
Recommended to all spy wannabes ;)