April Book Club

Book Club

April 27th

'If you could see me now'

Cecelia Ahern

First of all, Cecelia Ahern is the author behind the movie 'P.S. I Love You', and if you've ever watched that movie you will know just how emotionally talented this author is. It was no surprise to me then, that whilst reading this book there were times that I was in tears and other moments when I was laughing out loud! Cecelia is definitely a talented author!

I loved all of the characters, everyone knows an Elizabeth and you couldn't help but feel a little sorry for young Luke in the beginning of the story. 

As for Ivan.. loved him!!! What a great suggestion to have an imaginary friend become available for a grown adult! The things he would do through the story had me weeping with tears I just wish that I had his spontaneity and youthful inspiration. Imagine being a grown up that got to hang out and act like a child all day! Wouldn't it be great to have the job of 'imaginary friend'!!

It was fascinating watching the growth of the relationship between Elizabeth and Ivan grow. Watching Elizabeth go from an adult who absolutely could not believe in such a thing as an imaginary friend to becoming the woman who feel for an imaginary friend. It is an inspirational journey.

The only aspect of the book that I disliked was the ending, I wanted it to have a slightly different ending with Elizabeth and Ivan living an alternate happy ever after. After all there must be a time when the imaginary friend has to grow up too? 

Overall absolutely LOVED this book, and would completely recommend it to others, I am now looking forward to reading more from Cecelia Ahern!!

Next months' book is...

'Evernight'

Claudia Gray

Bianca wants to escape.

She's been uprooted from her small hometown and enrolled at Evernight Academy, an eerie Gothic boarding school where the students are somehow too perfect: smart, sleek, predatory. Bianca knows she doesn't fit in.

The she meets Lucas. He's not the 'Evernight type' either, and he likes it that way. Lucas ignores the rules, stands up to the snobs and warns Bianca to be careful - even when it comes to caring about him.

'I couldn't stand it if they took it out on you,' he tells Bianca, 'and eventually they would.'

But the connection between Bianca and Lucas can't be denied. Bianca will risk anything to be with Lucas, but dark secrets are fated to tear them both apart... and to make Bianca question everything she's ever believed.

"Stephenie Meyer fans will find similar rewards in the flashes of humour; the terrifying battle between ancient, supernatural societies: and the steamy romance in which love bites aren't just a euphemism." -Booklist

"Gray's writing hooks readers from the first page and reels them in with surprising plot twists and turns... A must-have for fans of Amelia Atwater-Rhodes, Stephenie Meyer, and the like." -School Library Journal

"Teenage love, ancient hatred and a Romeo and Juliet-style feud fuel the fires in this compelling first-person drama." -Romantic Times Book Club

The Vampyre by Tom Holland

BOOK CLUB MARCH

So 'The Vampyre', a very complex book to read compared with the last couple of books on book club. I thoroughly enjoyed the complexity of the descriptive and narrative, loved the way the story linked in with the historic truth about Lord Byron and his poetry and posed questions about whether or not he could have been a real vampire!

I loved considering the European world during the period, too often we indulge in the old world of France and England that we know so much about due to the history of royalty, however it is not very often that we get to indulge our senses in the history of Turkey and other Eastern European places.

There were aspects of the Vampyre folk lore that I really enjoyed in the book, it was a much different interpretation to that of the Twilights etc that we are becoming accustomed to. There is definitely a differential between the Vampires of the 90's (Anne Rice, Tom Holland etc) and the Vampires of late. I think I prefer a mixture of the dynamics of the two, the harsh meanness of the old mixed with the metrosexual type vampire instincts of the two.

There was only one aspect of this story that I couldn't 100% grasp and that was the ending. For me it would have been better if the descendant had have been lured to the location to kill the lover instead of vice-versa (I hope that description is vague enough to not spoil the story for those of you yet to read it!

And I have to ask, what is the 'proper' spelling of this immortal? Vampyre vs Vampire?

You can purchase the book (should you so desire) here;

The Vampyre: Being the True Pilgrimage of George Gordon, Sixth Lord Byron

What next for Book Club?

"If You Could See Me Now"

by Cecelia Ahern

From the internationally bestselling author of PS, I LOVE YOU, a lively and romantic novel about two lost souls who find each other in the most unexpected way.

Everything in Elizabeth Egan’s life has its place, from the espresso cups in her gleaming kitchen to the swatches and paint pots of her interior design business. Order and precision keep life under control—and keep Elizabeth’s heart from the pain and hurt she has suffered in the past. Being a reluctant mother to her six-year-old nephew while trying to keep her business on track is a full-time job for Elizabeth, and one that leaves little room for error—or fun.
Until, one day, Ivan unexpectedly comes into their lives. The mysterious Ivan is carefree, spontaneous and always looking for adventure—everything that Elizabeth is not. If You Could See Me Now is the extraordinary tale of Ivan and Elizabeth. Of how Ivan meets the love of his life before she even sees him, and how he teaches her that life is only worth living when it's blindingly colourful and the occasional mess. Yet just when Elizabeth is starting to trust him, it turns out that Ivan isn't at all who she thought he was.
Playful and at times intensely moving, this is a novel about how seeing isn't always believing. Full of Cecelia Ahern’s trademark warmth and poignancy, If You Could See Me Now is a story of enormous heart--and just a little bit of magic.

So if you care to join in for next months book club (completely recommend it, it had we crying like a baby!) then you can purchase it here;

If You Could See Me Now