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RovingBookClub

Roving Book Club

“Google can bring you back 100,000 answers. A librarian can bring you back the right one.” ― Neil Gaiman

The Exotic Booze Club by Brian Armstrong

The Exotic Booze Club - Brian Armstrong

Read by Sarah E - Stories from an Aussie who works for National Geographic and travels on assignments to far flung places including Madagascar, Russia and remote Australia. He and his colleagues bring back alcohol from exotic places to share on Friday nights - along with their awesome stories. 6/5 stars!

The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton

The Miniaturist - Jessie Burton

Read by Kim A - Story of 19 year old Nella sent to Holland to be married to a wealthy gay merchant. Taboos and secrets throughout the family. The miniaturist of the title is sending eerily accurate and prescient items for Nella's wedding gift - a replica of their home. Nella holds the family together and redeems them to an extent. Novel had potential but didn't meet it.

Beautiful by Katie Piper

Beautiful - Katie Piper

Read by Kylie: Harrowing description of the acid attack. Sparse description of surroundings but still vivid. An uplifting book.

Throne of Glass by Sarah Maas

Throne of Glass - Sarah J. Maas

Read by Annette: Big online following led to a book deal. Really good main character of female teen assassin. Twist, love triangle, fashion and action! Some is a little far fetched but still good.

Terms & Conditions by Robert Glancy

Terms & Conditions - Robert Glancy

Read by Kim A: Corporate lawyer waked up from an accident with amnesia and injuries. Rediscovering who he was and realising his wife is a bitch, and his career has gone stale and stagnant. Only in the last 10% of the book was character turning his life around though (the blurb seemed to indicate this would be a greater proportion of the story).

When the Devil Drives - Christopher Brookmyre

Read by Enzo: Set in Glasgow. A young girl has taken over her uncle's private detective agency. Procedural crime novel but not not the normal full on crime procedural. I loved the language and the setting, the authentic voice and the different culture. Very enjoyable.

The Ruby Circle by Richelle Mead

The Ruby Circle - Richelle Mead

Read by Sarah: This is book 6 of the Bloodline series. I was disappointed. This last book of the series was anticlimactic and too convenient. Great action scene, then just 'happily ever after'.

Score of 0 stars and 1 eyeroll.

Spark by Brigid Kemmerer

Spark - Brigid Kemmerer

Read by Angela B: I really enjoyed book one (Storm) so am continuing with the series. Each book is based on one of four brothers who have paranormal powers based on the elements of earth, fire, air, and water. They are fast paced, full of great characters, a fresh storyline, conflict, lots of testosterone and romance.

After Her by Joyce Maynard

After Her - Joyce Maynard

Read by Angela B: This story is based on the true story of California's Trailside Killer in the late 1970's. Written through the eyes of 13 year old Rachel, who has a strong bond with her sister and a strong sense of adventure. It is based around the killing of women on the mountain near their family home. Her father is the detective who heads the investigation. Not so much a thriller but a coming of age story, though a little suspenseful at times.

A Gift from Tiffany's by Melissa Hill

A Gift from Tiffany's - Melissa Hill

Read by Angela B: Two men purchase a gift from Tiffany's on Christmas Eve. One gift is a bracelet, the other an engagement ring. Both men are somehow involved in a road accident which happens immediately when they leave the store. During the chaos their bags are accidentally swapped and the mistake leads to a series of twists and relationship problems.

The storyline is quite good but the unravelling of events struggles to fill the pages. The characters are quite weak, frustrating and annoying.

The House of Memories by Monica McInerney

The House of Memories - Monica McInerney

Read by Angela B.: A straightforward storyline. Following a tragic accident Ella flees from Australia, ending at her uncle's in London to escape her grief. Through the lovely story he helps her to see that she is not the only one still hurting and heartbroken and after two years on the run brings her back to those she loves.

A very easy read which brought tears to my eyes.

Sweet One by Peter Docker

Sweet One - Peter Docker

Read by Angela B.: The story starts with the horrendous and preventable death of an elderly Aboriginal war veteran in custody. A lot of action and quite confronting the story continues with the conflict of white Australia against black. 

I found it confusing at times and the lack of speech quotation marks made it difficult to decipher who was saying what. In parts it was riveting and a little graphic but it dipped too often for my liking.

Where are you Now? by Mary Higgins Clark

Where Are You Now? - Mary Higgins Clark

Read by Angela B.: It has been 10 years since Charles disappeared. He telephones home every Mothers Day. His sister needs closure and embarks on a journey to finally find out what happened to make him leave. 

A quick read with lots of characters that made you want to keep turning the page but not a real deep storyline.

The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion

The Rosie Project - Graeme Simsion

Read by Angela B: The main character, Don Tillman is a genetics professor and to me is straight out of The Big Bang Theory. Loved him and the light manner this book was written. A light read that was fun, amusing and fresh.

Captain Vorpatril's Alliance by Lois McMaster Bujold

Captain Vorpatril's Alliance - Lois McMaster Bujold

Read by Tiffany: Although technically one of a long-running series, this title stands alone nicely and apparently focuses on a bit-player - Ivan Vorpatril. The tone is wry and the pace is cracking, until about the last 50 or so pages when it takes FOREVER to wrap up!

Fateful by Claudia Gray

Fateful - Claudia Gray

Read by Tiffany: The back of the book mentions werewolves, so its not a spoiler to say that is the fantasy element of the book.

This book was disappointing to me. All about 'knowing' they are meant to be together , etc. For a book set in 1912, with a maid, an aristocratic British family, rich American gentlemen, and a lebanese girl, the language was all wrong. No real attempt was made for their voices, their language or expression to be significantly different. Grated with me the whole time. The ending felt like a contrived cop-out for a happy ending.