Help Wanted

If anyone is out there reading this can you please tell me what your favourite "classic" novel is and why? I need to compile a summer reading list.

books

I need something new to read and have no idea what I should try. What is your favourite book and why?

The bay at midnight by Diane Chamberlain

Her family's cottage on the New Jersey shore was a place of freedom and innocence for Julie Bauer—until her seventeen-year-old sister, Isabel, was murdered.

It's been more than forty years since that August night, but Julie's memories of her sister's death still shape her world. Now someone from her past is raising questions about what really happened that night. About Julie's own complicity. About a devastating secret her mother kept from them all. About the person who went to prison for Izzy's murder—and the person who didn't.

Faced with questions and armed with few answers, Julie must gather the courage to revisit her past and untangle the complex emotions that led to one unspeakable act of violence on the bay at midnight.


This is my favourite Diane Chamberlain book so far. The characters are really believable and very strong. Their emotions are very real too. The mystery of the story will leave you frantically turning pages until the very end and for me the ending was unexpected but very fitting. A highly recommended book overall.

A letter to Sophie

Most Australians know Sophie Delezio but for those that don't I'll give you a quick recap. In 2003 on December 15th a car crashed into the childcare centre Sophie was at. She and another little girl (Molly Wood) were badly burned when the care caught fire. A letter to Sophie details Sophie's amazing journey and recovery from not only this accident but also a second accident Sophie was involved in (She was hit by a car at age 5).

Many people tell me I am courageous and I inspire them. I encourage everyone to read a letter to Sophie- in doing so you'll see what true courage is.

The Secret Life of Cee-cee Wilkes by Diane Chamberlain

I have just finished this book. It is the second Diane Chamberlain book I have read. The following is from Diane Chamberlain's website.

Twenty-eight years ago, a North Carolina governor's young, pregnant wife was kidnapped. Now, her remains have been found and a man charged with her murder. Only one person-CeeCee Wilkes-can refute the charges against him. But CeeCee disappeared years ago. . .

Eve Elliot is a successful therapist to troubled students, a loving wife, a mother deeply invested in her family. But her happiness is built on a lie. When she was a lonely, vulnerable young woman, a single decision made in innocence led to a dark night of unimaginable consequences. Now, forced to confront her past, she faces another terrible choice: reveal to her family that she is not who she seems, or allow a man to take the blame for a crime she knows he did not commit. If the choice affected only her life, Eve is certain she would do what is right. But though inaction means condemning an innocent man, it also means protecting her family from the mistakes of her past.

Corinne Elliot has always known she was different: the only redhead in a family of brunettes, the paralyzing shyness that contrasts with her sister's vivaciousness, the many fears-of highways, of bridges, of public spaces-that constrict her daily life. Still, with a new job possibility and a baby on the way, she's found some measure of happiness-until the day she turns on the television and finds her mother's image on screen.

Now, as the past explodes into the present, Corinne must confront the secrets she has always intuited, and find answers from the one person who knows the truth of what happened over two decades ago-CeeCee Wilkes.


I liked this book even more than I liked The Courage Tree. The characters are very believable and strong. I read this one very quickly as I was so sucked into the story that I couldn't not put the book down. I was very suprised by a twist in the ending and highly recommend the book.

ms Readathon

I was excited to discover that adults can now do the ms readathon. I did it as a child and loved it so I joined again. For those of you that don't know the ms readathon rasies money for research into ms. By reading and collecting either a one off donation or a donation for each book read I will be helping out a really good cause.

Apparently I can be sponsored online (or those of you that know me can give me a donation in person or through the mail). I know economic times are tough but even 10 cents will help.

To donate please go to http://www.msreadathon.org.au/mycollect/

Thank you so much

The Courage Tree by Diane Chamberlain

I have just finished reading this book. It tells the story of a young girl with kidney disease who goes on a brownie trip and ends up lost in some woods. Her mother never gives up searching for her just like she never gave up when doctors said she would die from the kidney disease.

The story is full of twists and turns that I never expected. The characters are great and very believable. If you like Jodi Picoult I highly recommend Diane Chamberlain's books.

Question

Which "classic" novels should I read? Do you have a favourite and why?

Vampire books

I received the Twilight books for Christmas. I read them all within a week and have since read the series three more times. I have been on a search for similar books and today I found two new seises. The first was vampire academy by Rachel mead and the second was True blood by Charlene Harris. I can already tell I am going to get through these quickly and be left wanting to read other similar books. As someone who never imagined wanting to read vampire books I am stumped. Any suggestions?