9.12.11

New to Dot Scribbles Shelves

There have been some lovely books dropping through the letter box over the last couple of weeks. I have read 87 books so far this year and was hoping to get to 100 so we shall have to see! Some of these will hopefully help me on my way:


Trapped by Michael Northrop (Atom, 22nd December) The day the blizzard started, no one knew that it was going to keep snowing for a week. Scott and his friends are among the last seven kids at their school waiting to get picked up that day and they soon realize that no one is coming for them. Still, it doesn't seem so bad to spend the night there, especially when Krista and Julie are sleeping just down the hall. Then the power goes out. Then the heat. The pipes freeze. The roof shudders. As the days add up, the snow piles higher, the empty halls grow colder and darker and the mounting pressure forces a devastating decision...
I think I am going to read this next, it sounds ever so good!


Scissors Paper Stone by Elizabeth Day (Bloomsbury, 2nd February 2012) Charles Redfern is in a coma. As he lies motionless, his wife Anne and daughter Charlotte are forced to come together to confront their relationships with him- and with each other.
Anne, once regarded as beautiful and clever, has felt herself disappearing for years, paling besides her husband's harsh brilliance. Anxious to fit in with the expectations of the people around her, she keeps her disillusionment buried inside, mechanically attending the endless round of drinks parties and dinners in her keenly social neighbourhood, and trying to ignore the guilt that trails behind her like a shadow.
Charlotte, battling an inner darkness that threatens to overwhelm her, is desperate to prevent her relationship with not-yet-divorced Gabriel from disintegrating through her own self-sabotage.
As the full truth of Charles's  hold over them emerges into the light, both women must come to terms with the choices they have made, and the uncertainty of a future without the figure that has dominated them for so long.
This sounds so good, really looking forward to it. 


Rivals in the Tudor Court by Darcey Bonnette (Avon) As the daughter of the Duke of Buckingham, the future seems bright for Elizabeth Stafford. But when her father give her hand to Thomas Howard, third Duke of Norfolk, she must sacrifice all for duty. Yet Elizabeth is surprised by her passion for her powerful new husband. And when he takes on a mistress, she is determined to fight for her love and her honour...
Naive and vulnerable, Bess Holland is easily charmed by the Duke of Norfolk, succumbing to his every whim in exchange for gifts and adoration. For years, she and Elizabeth compete for his affections. But they are mere spectators to an obsession neither of them can rival: Norfolk's quest to weave the family name in to the royal bloodline.
This sounds fantastic, bit like the Tudors.

The Promise  by Lesley Pearse (Michael Joseph, 19th January 2012) London, 1914: Belle Reilly finally has the life she always dreamed of; a devoted husband in Jimmy and a hat-shop of her own. But as WW1 shatters peace and Jimmy enlists for the army, Belle realises she can no longer stand by but must volunteer to help the cause. Her work as a Red Cross ambulance driver in France throws her back into the path- and arms of Etienne, the enigmatic man who played such a significant role in her childhood and Belle finds herself torn between loyalty and passion. But the past returns to haunt her in other, more unpleasant ways and Belle's character is tested like never before. Can she survive this most brutal of wars with her spirit intact and will destiny finally lead her to lasting happiness?
I haven't read anything by this author so I am interested in giving her a  go. 


Postcards from the Heart by Ella Griffin (Orion) Saffy has a dream job at a top Dublin ad agency. She's got her high-maintenance, purple-boot wearing mother at a safe distance. And she thinks her actor boyfriend Greg- the next Colin Farrell- is finally going to propose. Conor worships the beautiful Jess. But after seven years and twins, she still won't marry him. He spends his days teaching terrifying teenagers and his nights writing the book he hopes will change everything- including her mind. But happy endings are playing hard to get...
I think this sounds really promising and Marian Keyes enjoyed it so I will be shocked if I don't!

The Two Week Wait by Sarah Rayner (Picador, 2nd February 2012) What if the one thing you most longed for was resting on a two week wait? After a health scare, Brighton-based Lou is forced to confront the fact that her time to have a baby is running out. She can't imagine a future without children, but her partner doesn't seem to feel the same way, and she's not sure whether she could go it alone. Meanwhile, up in Yorkshire, Cath is longing to start a family with her husband Rich. No one would be happier to have a child than Rich but Cath is infertile. Could these strangers help one another out?
I was really impressed by this author's last book One Moment, One Morning and this one looks just as interesting and thought provoking. 

If you have read any of these or heard anything good/ bad then let me know!

5 comments:

verity said...

I've read Postcards from the heart - really good, am sure you will enjoy it.

serendipity_viv said...

I read Trapped! It was good but for some reason I was expecting scary and it wasn't at all.

Jo said...

I have read one Lesley Pearce book and was quite impressed, a page turner.

I am looking forward to the new Sarah Rayner book as well.

Dot said...

Verity- I am really looking forward to starting it, glad to hear that you enjoyed it!

Vivienne- Just started it, enjoying it so far!

Jo- I think the Lesley Pearce book sounds ever good and Sarah Rayner's last book was excellent.

Nikki - Notes of Life said...

I love the cover for Trapped and you're right, it does sound good! Looking forwrd to your review :)

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