City of the Mind - Penelope Lively

Advantages: easy to get into
Disadvantages: some more serious issues

...While browsing WH Smiths in Stanstead Airport just a couple of weeks ago I had trouble choosing my holiday read. I pick books up read the back and put them back on the shelf. One thing which is so silly that attracts me to a book is the colour. One shelf of brightly coloured books look more appealing than the shelf of plain, dull looking books (even though I am sure they're not dull) I picked up Patricia Scanlan 'City Lives' it was the only one they had of hers. I knew she had done a few books because I have remembered seeing them in the book club magazine. I have never read any of her books before so I thought I would give this book a go. It is a brightly coloured book with a yellow background with bright pink writing and big pink flowers on it. When I started this book I found it quite easy to get into. You are given... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Excellent reading
Disadvantages: none

...Having read all of Patricia Scanlan's previous novels I was pleased to hear that she had a new book released and I wasn't disappointed when I read it. Her style of writing is very readable and can easily be set down and picked up again a few days later whithout having to re-read the last couple of pages to refresh your mind of the story. It is not necessary to read the two novels previous to this, City Girl and City Woman, as you are reminded throughout the book as to the preceding storylines. I read this book inside 2 days- a record for me. Anyone who buys this book as a holiday read will not be disappointed as Patricia Scanlan is most defintately on a par with Maeve Binchy.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Good food for thought and quite inspiring
Disadvantages: Calls for a leap of faith..

...The Tibetan Art of Living is not usually a book I would read, but I picked it up in a New Age shop on a recent visit to Glastonbury. After skimming through it a few paragraphs intrigued me. I tend to be a rather sceptical person, but I keep open minded about subjects preferring to EXPERIENCE truth rather than conceptualise it. Before going any further in the review of this book, let me try to explain… I see an experience as something that is absolute truth - you know it because you experience it. On the hand, a belief is something that may or may not be true. I see it like this… Books generate beliefs, and truth will either be realised or not realised by what you experience after digesting the content of a book and "looking" for yourself. What follows are the feelings that were generated in me as a result of reading... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful