Never Let Me Go by Kasuo Ishiguro

I read this last month. It's the story of three young adults who are in a school for children who are 'different'. The secret isn't made clear until part way through the novel but the language of carers and donations hint at something medical going on....

When the truth is made clear it is a shocking idea, and makes reading their story more harrowing. I liked how the book was written with spoilers and flashbacks and forwards. The end seems inevitable by the time it comes, and all the more bitter sweet for that. I have read criticism of the book that the situation these young people are in is too unlikely, that they roll with their position too easily, but I never felt that. The basic premise is a few points beyond believability, but this book isn't science fiction, it's more about the relationships and stresses that the adults go through. It's a love triangle with a twist and a book to make you question scientific advancement as well. Just because we could, should we? It wasn't a hard read just a difficult think.

It's also been made into a film with Carey Mulligan, Keira Knightley and Andrew Garfield. I haven't seen it... have you?

Absolutely Organised by Debbie Lillard

I am not organised. Probably never will be completely. But I love reading organisational books and this is one of the favourites at the moment.

True enough, there isn't a lot to say about getting organised and if you've read Deniece Schofield, Julia Morgenstern and any other books, then this book will not hit you over the head with a new and revolutionary way to get your life in order, but it is a well-presented and well-thought out book. It's also not very verbose; she gets quickly and efficiently to the point. And it's in glossy pages with full colour illustrations so that ideas such as underbed storage are clear. Also, the photos are lovely, I'll try to scan and upload some later. And, finally, the cover is such a bright and cheerful design, just leaving it on one of your hotspots brightens up the house.

Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier

I heard a radio series about 15 years ago on great romantic heroes of literature. If I remember rightly they were Mr Rochester, Mr Darcy, Heathcliff and Maximillian De Winter. I'm pleased to say I've read them all.

Rebecca is one of my favourite books, if only because I also love the film. But I like more than that. I like the story of a gauche girl making good and marrying a rich, stately home owning man. I like the suspense element, the did-he-or-didn't -he idea, the fact that his action renders her stronger.
And also probably the fact that their relationship ages. The wild romance of youth is gone by the time the book opens and she is a middle aged woman dressed in black with pearls married to an old man. Romance is lovely, but common sense says it doesn't last. There must be more to a relationship that lust and sex and passion, even if that is just keeping secrets.
We read this at a book club about 5 years ago (2005)

Warnings Of Gales

Love this book. It's one of my favourites and a regular re-read at this time of year. I read it not so much for the story (3 sort of friends and their families share a large Cornish cottage for two weeks holiday) as for the ideas that Imogen (the uber-organised mother) gives me for how to have a holiday. Board games... pasties and milk... what to pack for a beach picnic... what women think about holidays. And Annie Sanders is a good duo, I like most of their books.