Falling With Style

So here it is, after much deliberation, I'm about to open the golden envelope of destiny & change some author's life forever.....Well no, actually, I'm going to try & distill my reading list for last year into some firm recommendations. As I said recently, my recommendations are entirely subjective. A book gets on the list if it has moved me, stirred me, changed my life pattern in some way. When you remember that I cried my way through High School Musical then you will realise the herculean task I have before me to filter books out on these criteria! Here goes.... Top 5 Fiction 1/ Rebels & Traitors What a magnificent achievement. Lindsay Davis writes 700+ pages on the English Civil War. What's more, she weaves in a grand narrative, a story which spans the years either side of this horrific conflict. The changes in a nation, the shock of regicide, the sheer brutality of life in the 17th century are brightened by a 'will they won't they' romance wh...

I've been asked to make some recommendations from my reading last year - rather subjective really, it's all a matter of taste after all . Anyhow, here is my list from 2009 in the order in which I read them. A great range of stirring, provocative writing through to some absolute tat. Unfortunately, I had to read them all, counting it something of a betrayal to give up on a book once started. For that of course (& most of my other hang up's) I blame my mother. 1/ The Early Christians - Eberhard 2/ The Eagle & Prey - Scarrow (Roman historo/novel) 3/ The Eagle & Wolf - Scarrow 4/ Fasting - Jentezen 5/ Fire & sword - Scarrow (Napoleon/Wellington series) 6/ Generals - Scarrow 7/ Making Life Work - Hybels 8/ The Appeal - Grisham 9/ The Ultimate Treasure Hunt - Dedmon 10/ The Prodigal God - Keller 11/ Eagle Hunt - Scarrow 12/ Building a Contageous Church - Mittleberg/Strobel 13/ The Last Kingdom - Cornwell(Viking historo/novel series) 14/ The Reason for God - Kelle...