Ronan’s Blog

I’m an avid reader and once I get my teeth into a good book, that’s me set off on a reading splurge that lasts books after book until I encounter something awful that puts me off reading and sits idle beside my bed for a few months. This summer however (helped by a two week holiday in Portugal) I’ve read a lot of books and hear in a very quick format are some reviews:

The Bone Garden by Tess Gerritsen
Now I absolutely detest all period drama or anything set during the 1800’s, but Tess’s books are so well written that they really suck you in. I enjoyed this as I have all her books.
8/10

Gravity by Tess Gerritsen
An interesting departure here for Tess, bordering on Sci-Fi with so much of the book set in the International Space Station. I was hooked, but the girlfriend found it a tougher read. Its the first Gerritsen book that really jumps out at me as a movie possibility.
9/10

The Accident Man by Tom McCain
A fast paced thriller following the events occurring in the aftermath of a car crash in a tunnel in Paris. Everything a thriller novel should have. Reminded me a lot of Jason Bourne. Possibly the best book I’ve read all summer
9.5/10

The Killing Ground by Jack Higgins
Picked this one up in the hotel lobby for reading by the pool. I thought it was terrible. Lacking in development and suspense as the story jumped place to place. I was looking forward to the end from the half way point.
4/10

The boy in the striped Pyjamas by John Boyle
Really short book this one, I got through it in about 2 hours. Good little story, if a little obvious. Dressing up parts of the Holocaust in a sort of children’s story will not be for everyone The writing from the child’s point of view is interesting, but only for about the first 3 chapters.  I’ve just noticed that its being made into a Movie
5.5/10

I, Lucifer by Glen Dunard
For me this was a high concept novel and once it had been put out there it got stale quickly and I found myself losing interest. I was quite bored nearing the end and can’t say that I’ll be queueing up for the Movie when its released next year.
5/10

Hold Tight by Harlan Coben
Harlan is probably my favourite author right now. This is another stand-alone novel, so not part of the Myron Bolitar series. I re-uses some characters from his previous (and far superior book) “The Woods”. Not strictly a page turner as the suspense was getting a little out of control throughout and once it all came together at the end it felt somewhat unsatisfying.
6.5/10

The Richard Hammond Autobiography
I got two copies of this for Excess-mas last year. After returning one the otehr had been gathering dust, so it found its way into the holiday bag. It starts off well, charting his early life and charting his career as it varied from place to place until he got to Top Gear. Then once reached the famous crash (just before half way) the rest is mainly told by his wife and almost a minute-by-minute account of his struggle for life, recovery and rehabilitation. This one got left in the hotel lobby for someone else.
5/10

A short History of nearly Everything by Bill Bryson
I love this, full of interesting anecdotes and explanations for how things have come to be what they are today. Its a book that everyone who thinks that they would be interested in, should read. Most of it is very interesting and enjoyable; however, at times it does meander a little and you may find yourself counting the pages to the next chapter. I enjoyed it immensely, although I did find it a little weird to be reading about Quantum Physics when lying on a sun bed on the beach… I had to put it down and go jump in the sea at that point.
8/10

The Third Policeman by Flan O’Brien
Oh dear. I bought this after hearing a review on Today FM. If it wasn’t so short it definitely would be the one sitting beside my bed for a few months. Its extremely painful. And once finished the book the “Publishers Note” that was added at the end, in efforts make things clearer (although being kinda obvious the whole time) just annoyed me even further. It was like a publishers admittance that “Yes, this book is shite, but think of it again in THIS light”. This was painful. I’ve bought two other books based on review by the same person which I’m about to start, I pray they are not 1/2 as bad!
1.5/10