This is the fifth book in the series which started with ‘Anne of Green Gables’. In this story, Anne gets married and moves to her ‘house of dreams’. There she makes new friends, and has new joys and sorrows.

A bit rambling in places, but enjoyable on the whole. Gentle fiction for teenagers or adults set in Canada in the early part of the 20th century.

Lizzie and Frances are twins – close, and yet very different in character. Both are happy in what they do, but changes disrupt their patterns of life. Good characters, encouraging ending.

First read in 2003; I’d forgotten most of the plot and enjoyed it just as much re-reading five years later.

This is a series of articles Philip Yancey wrote, to answer some interesting questions about the Christian life. Where did ractial hatred come from? What’s the value of fiction? Do gorillas have mid-life crisis?

It’s not the most in-depth or moving of his books; each chapter is just three or four pages long, looking at one particular question in the style of an article. But there are some good anecdotes, some thought-provoking comments, and the usual excellent writing style I’ve come to expect from Yancey.

One of Heyer’s earlier historical novels – rather too much action for my tastes, and a huge number of dull and irrelevant people in the first chapter.

Nonetheless, the main character, Captain Jack Staple, is an excellent creation: large, adventurous, loyal and impulsive. He befriends a scared child looking after a toll-gate and lands himself in considerable danger in a very exciting climax.

Three and a half stars, really – Georgette Heyer’s writing is always good, and the romance part, albeit low-key, is nicely done. A bit over-violent in places for my taste, though.

I last read this in 1995 and had forgotten most of it, other than the climax scene.

This is an incredible novel. It’s about a mother’s relationship with her terminally ill daughter… it could have been trite, or cringeworthy, but wasn’t. It’s an amazing story, very well told, alternating viewpoints. I could hardly put it down. Highly recommended.

This book contains 120 devotional-type readings and commentary from John Piper, an American Baptist pastor.

I found most of them somewhat interesting, but a bit dry on the whole. I read a couple a day for two months, but didn’t gain any new inspiration – I don’t even remember what most of them were about. I didn’t disagree with anything he said, but didn’t think it particularly helpful as a devotional book.

Perhaps three-and-a-half stars if I’m feeling generous.

Thea inherits a parrot who helps her become more independent. George falls in love. Minor characters from the previous novel by this author are included, which is a little confusing for someone who hasn’t read it, but enjoyable for those who have. Good character studies on the whole, and clever plotting.

Previously read in 2000 but mostly forgotten, other than one or two rather dramatic parts.

This is an excellent ‘cross-over’ book – intended for children, but all the more enjoyable for adults.

Pratchett at his best, in my view, creating a world of ‘nomes’ who live in the human world, modifying it a little, yet at the mercy of the larger, slower creatures who make things happen.

Lots of subtle humour – first in the ‘Bromeliad’ trilogy, and very enjoyable. I first read this about fifteen years ago, then read aloud to my sons when they were around seven or eight. Makes an excellent read-aloud for children this age.

Wow. What an emotional roller-coaster of a book!

Jane is a novelist, married to an accountant, who suddenly hears that she has been left a cottage by an aunt that she didn’t know existed.

Journeys into the past, brilliantly interwoven with the present as Jane begins to uncover her past. Unputdownable!

Second in the ‘Lone Pine’ series, this book is about Peter’s lonely Uncle Micah, grieving for his son who left home after an argument some years previously. It’s also an exciting adventure for David Morton and his somewhat annoying (though generous and loyal) twin siblings, Dickie and Mary.

Intended for teenagers, suitable for children, and a good light read for anyone! Last read about 20 years ago – but still appealed when I re-read it yesterday and today. Three and a half stars, really.