This month I read... April

Here's a round up of the books I have read this month using the time I am up feeding in the wee small hours to multitask!

The Hundred-Year-Old Man who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared by Jonas Jonasson

I absolutely loved this book. It is a proper farcical caper revolving around 100yr old Allan Karlson who, just hours before his birthday party, disappears from his retirement home. We follow Allan as he becomes involved in a complicated, crazy tale involving a suitcase, a biker gang and an elephant. If that doesn't sound mad enough the glimpses into Allan's past are even more surprising and entertaining involving presidents, dictators, spies and atom bombs.

The sub-plot showing the confused police force trying to work out what has happened to Allan is comical and the characters we meet on this adventure are rich and instantly believable. Allan is incredibly likable and you find yourself willing him to come out on top of the tale.

It is such an unusual book and not one I'd usually read but I haven't enjoyed a book so much for ages. The writing is exceptionally good and the story is paced perfectly. Don't think too much about it, just pick it up or download it and enjoy.

Overall score 5/5

Fractured by Dani Atkins

This book has become an ebook sensation rocketing to the top of the download charts. The premise is clever: a girl experiences a terrible accident in her late teens which shapes her life. Fast forward five years and after an incident during a visit to her hometown wakes up to find herself suffering from a bizarre form of amnesia where the world around her is not the one she remembers.

Overall the book was quite enjoyable but the writing needs work and I think it is quite obviously a first novel. At times the writing was clumsy and childlike. The characters lack depth and I struggled to really connect with any of them or feel empathy with the protagonist who was a bit whiny. I can't actually remember her name which isn't a good sign!

The storyline was engaging but not entirely original, very Sliding Doors meets Life on Mars. I found the plot twist obvious and guessed it quite early on once the second half of the story got going. But it was an easy read and definitely a good attempt at a first novel. I also think the title is perfect for the storyline.

Overall score 3/5

Thursdays in the Park by Hilary Boyd

This is not the kind of book I usually read but it was on special offer in the Kindle store and I liked the look of the front cover!

We follow the story of 60yr old Jeanie who is in a controlling marriage with retired George who is forcing her to sell her health food shop and move to the country. Jeanie loves George but only truly feels happy on Thursday when she takes her little Grandaughter to the park for the afternoon. That's where she meets Ray and everything begins to unravel...

This book is really well written and despite it's somewhat Chick Lit undertones the story felt more sophisticated and it was quite believeable - unusual for Chick Lit which I usually find completely unlikely. I agonised with Jeanie over the hard decisions she had to make and the characters felt real and solid. I loved the description of the relationship between Jeanie and her Son-in-law Alex.

Definitely a good read if you enjoy some good quality chick lit.

Overall score 4/5

I am currently reading My Family and Other Animals by Gerald Durrell which is our latest Book Club read.

I am also reading Breastfeeding Made Easy by Dr Carlos Gonzalez for a Breastfeeding Essentials post I am planning.

And yes, I am still reading City of Glass the third book in The Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare. But I have managed a few more chapters so maybe this month...

This post is linked to #ThisMonthIRead with www.mutteringmummy.wordpress.com and #AllAboutYou with www.mama-andmore.com