Shatter - Michael Robotham

Shatter - Michael Robotham (2008)

What - this book is number three in the series?  Idiot me read the first one, then somehow slipped up and just missed reading the second one and headed straight to the third.  Bless this middle aged lady brain.

I like the Joe the psychologist as a character, I guess the Parkinson's makes him vulnerable and not so tough guy tough.  I did have difficulty though with the story line, the use of threatened abuse and hostility towards to girls and women doesn't settle well with me, and a part of me cringes inside. 

So I'm sitting on the fence on this one.  It did border on the slightly too long and drawn out for me, I like the story tight, and felt myself skimming the last quarter of the story. 3/5

In Time

In Time  - DVD (2011)

Aww Saturday night on the couch on a chilly night and I couldn't quite face the tv programmes on the DVR, so  a DVD it was.  In Time where everyone dies once they are aged 25, unless they can buy more time to extend their life.  A Logans Run for the new generation.

Justin Timberlake looks a bit rough in this movie, but he can hold his own.  I can't say the same for the movie itself, as the story was hardly engrossing and I ended up browsing the internets while it finished.

So a 2/5 from me.

Shoe Sunday

I spotted these Fyfe Shirley boots on Endless during the week.  They look perfect for romping around some wintry roads, while out walking in the country.  Still a bit too pricey for my meager budget, a girl can dream.

After Cleo Came Jonah - Helen Brown

After Cleo Came Jonah - Helen Brown (2012)

Helens earlier book was  about how  a little cat called Cleo came into her life, and helped her and her son Rob after the tragic death of her son Sam.  Lots of changes occur in their life, new siblings, new relationships, moving houses and Cleo is their to help them through.

Years later, the family are settled into Melbourne, and Helen and her husband are preparing to empty the nest, when the author is diagnosed with breast cancer, not long after the death of her mother.  With the help of her family, she begins the long recovery after mastectomy surgery,  and is enticed to a local pet shop with her sister after spotting a very cute kitten. 

The little cutie comes home and is named Jonah, and boy is he a character.  I enjoyed this book, its tales of not only a naughty kitten, but of the whole family and I felt drawn into the Brown family adventures.  Reading the book, felt like having a good friend over for a drink, and chatting over the kitchen table.  4/5

Salmon Fishing in the Yemen

Salmon Fishing in the Yemen (2012)

Oh, I forgot I went and saw this one last weekend.  You have to forgive me, as I was distracted as my secret boyfriend Ewan, had such a dorky haircut and wardrobe in the first half of the movie, that I forgot to post about the movie.

So Ewan plays a boring fishing expert, who ends up on a crazy project with super uber cute Emily Blunt, who sports a series of nifty little cardis.  It was a good little British feel good show, a bit slow but that was ok, I am a bit tired of the overdone razzle dazzle, and this felt just right for a Saturday night out with the besties (we sure know how to party!!).

A 3/5, it's a bit of a slow show, but worth spending an hour or two with
Ewan.

Hall Pass

Hall Pass - DVD (2011)

Oh movie night, again you were a disapointment, I might have to replace you with a go to bed and read night instead.  My fault I guess, cos I choose this one.  I only expected it to be mildly funny, so in that way I wasn't totally disapointed.

You get the scenario - two average middle aged idiots of husbands, manage to annoy and embarass their wives and get given a week long 'hall pass' to leave the marriage, and do whatever they want.  Which of course means make asses of themselves and try cheesy pick up lines on girls young enough to be their daughters - yuck.

I probably only watched the first half, and then was on the internet for the second half, and can't even remember how the stupid thing ended, an hour after it has finished.  I did see a moment of the credits and realised that the Farrelly brothers had helped on this, and understood why it was full of fifteen year old boy humour - gross.

1/5 - for this wonderful gem.  I'd like my 45 minutes back now.

The Key - Simon Toyne

The Key - Simon Toyne (2012)

I really liked the first book in this series Sanctus about  a secluded monastery in Turkey that holds a big secret.  Sanctus was a real page turner right til the last page.  The Key though suffered like many second books of having to hold the story, til the dramatic conclusion in the final third part. 

It didn't help that I was only reading this one on my Kindle at work, and had a busy couple of weeks.  The amount of characters too was a bit distracting, and by the end I was wondering if I should have waited and read all three books together.

I'm also not a huge fan of the run around Dan Brown type of intelectual thriller full of car chases and guns, whereas I would rather have more substance and story.  There did seem to be a lot of shadowy figures with guns, so I am now hanging out to see who will actually hold the story together in book three.  3/5

Following Atticus - Tom Ryan

Following Atticus - Tom Ryan  (2011)

Atticus is a little black and white  minature schnauzer terrier who comes into Tom Ryans life at just the right time.  As the owner of a local newspaper he finds having the little terrier gets him more out and about, and well known by many of the locals.  Discovering a new found love for walking, the boys hit many of the local mountains, climbing the forty eight peaks close to their home.  He shares that love, with letters to his elderly father and with his readers.

After tackling them in the summer, they attempt them over the winter to try and raise money for charity.  Climbing in the wind and snow, Tom never forces the trips on Atticus, and always follows his instincts.  If Atticus doesn't want to go, Tom will turn around and go home.  Everyone tells them he is crazy, but both Tom and Atticus enoy the beauty and freedom they get in the hills.

To be honest, I didn't expect to be as charmed as I was by this little book.  It is a true story about friendship and love, and how a pet can change your world.  A great little read. 5/5.

The Drop - Michael Connelly

The Drop - Michael Connelly (2011)

So Michael Connelly has bought his A game to his latest Detective Bosch drama.  I picked this one up at the library, and thought that I would bring it home and started it straight away, ignoring the persistant pile of books piled up by my bedisde.

Once I started it, I enjoyed the story and curling up with it every night.  Detective Bosch is now facing retirement, and is sent to work in the cold case dept.   After taking on an unusual unsolved rape and murder case,  he is pulled into another case, when a prominant councilmans son is found outside the Chateau Marmont.  Unsure if they are looking at a murder or a suicide, Bosch and his partner take over and find it is not as clear cut as first thought.

It was a good smart detective thriller, which was good, as I seem to have been a bit dispointed by many that I hae read recently.  For that I give it a 4/5.

Music Monday - Stronger

The kids and staff at Seattle Childrens Hospital take on Kelly Clarksons Stronger.  This video has had me humming the song all week long.  It's funny how you get an attachment to certain songs, and this one is my number one this week.