Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling
My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Just like the first three books in the Harry Potter series, after reading all of the books a few years ago, I have just re-read Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire with my children (12 & 7). They are loving this series and have really enjoyed this book too.


What I loved most about this book though, was that there was so much going on. Apart from the Triwizard Tournament, there were so many other threads to follow and even right up to the very last pages of the book, there were questions we wanted answers to, such as who Fred and George were blackmailing and why, and how Rita Skeeter was getting her information.


They are all great books to read aloud, with interesting and well rounded characters, fantastic description and exciting storylines. I highly recommend them for parents to read to their children.

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Look Me in the Eye: My Life with Asperger's by John Elder Robison

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow! John Elder Robison is a fantastic story teller and what an amazing story he has to tell. I picked up this book because I am interested in reading about Asperger's from the point of view of someone who has lived with it, but I continued reading because it was so compelling.

There was nothing about this book I didn't like. It was funny, sometimes because he was intending to be funny and other times just because he was being so blunt and logical, I could see exactly where he was coming from. It was sad, particularly at times when he describes his awful childhood with parents who had many serious problems of their own. It is hard being a person with Asperger's even today, but back in the 70s when it was not a recognised condition, he was made to feel like he had a personality defect and would never come to any good. The exciting and unbelievable adventures he tells of in his book show that he did not simply accept and play the role he was given by people who didn't know any better. He took opportunities given to him and made new ones for himself.

Through reading this book, I have gained an insight into the world of someone with Asperger's, but have also been inspired to make the most of life (and to make up my own functional names for people!)

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The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this book and fear one of my usual 'thrown together' reviews will not do it justice, so I'll be short (if that is possible for me), sweet (erm...) and to the point (?). Let's see...

I was so surprised by some of the low ratings this book has received. I guess it's not for everyone. It is definitely for me. Since the moment I read the blurb, I wanted to read this book. I eagerly awaited its publication and was excited to be the first to read the library copy (not being able to afford it myself). From the moment I opened it, I wanted to keep reading and not put it down until I'd finished (and even then, not put it down as the book is so beautiful, with its black edged pages and creatively designed sleeve covering the red edged hardcover underneath.

The Night Circus was everything I hoped it would be and more. It is beautifully written and engaging to the end. My only disappointment? I want to go to the Night Circus, but it never comes here :(

I will definitely read this book again and look forward to more from this author. 

Have a look at Erin Morgenstern's Flax Golden Tales too. They give you a taste of the wonderfully descriptive writing you can expect in the book. 

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