Timo M M itibaren Городище, Beyaz Rusya itibaren Городище, Beyaz Rusya

couldn't put it down - loved, captivated throughout and surprised at the end. Whoa, fun read.

First up I have to be honest and admit that at tiny part of my soul died when I bought this book. And I bought it because it was 50p in a second hand book shop. If Richard and Judy were still rattling around doing their sort-of-middle-class brand of day time chat then this book would no doubt have topped the Richard and Judy book club polls and be covered in stickers endorsing Galaxy chocolate. Cos women who read this kind of book like to stay home on a Saturday night with a rom-com in the making paper back and an industrial sized bar of chocolate for company. Wow my societal pigeon hole is getting very full. Move over ladies! In order to flout such cliches I read this book pretty much in one sitting starting at 4am this morning sans chocolate and after drinking an expensive bottle of red wine and waving goodbye to a male friend. So there. Now to the reviews.... MASSIVE hype has surrounded this book and film (currently showing at a multiplex near you kids) and the first two pages of this copy come stuffed full of punchy epithets letting you know everyone else's opinions on this book, presumably in case you decide you're too lazy to read it yourself but want casually drop factoids of One Day info into a dinner party conversation thus implying that, as a well adjusted metropolitan denizen, you've already had time and interest enough to keep up with the best-sellers lists this month. "As a study of what we once were and what we can become, it is masterfully realised" Esquire. Hmmm I hadn't realise that Esquire had taken to employing philosophers. “It’s rare to find a novel which ranges over the recent past with such authority…” Jonathan Coe Ok, fair comment. David Nicholls has a good memory… and access to the internet. “With its beautifully rounded, real characters and deeply poignant story telling, this is one of the year’s best novels.” HEAT That’s it. I shall thrust aside my copy of the Times Literary Supplement and only read books recommended by HEAT magazine from here on in. “The feel good film must surely just be around the corner, I can’t wait.” The Daily Mail Read as: We didn’t actually read this book but this has all the hallmarks of a something which will be turned into another Love Actually or Notting Hill style cuddly Brit-flick so we’ll pass judgment once we’ve seen that thanks. Those of you who have ever taken the opportunity to peruse my GR bookshelf will note that I stated NO CHICK-LIT on my profile. This is close as I’m inclined to get to the genre. Dexter and Emma. Will they/ won’t they? Do you care enough to finish the book or is it all too saccharine for you? I finished the book because sometimes it is nice to be pulled along by the inevitability of a plot line. I do think this book should have ended on page 385 though because I am cruel and therefore felt no tugging of the heart strings after Chapter 18. A nice amiable read with the inevitable soft and fluffy feel-good factor. Like being licked by kittens or wearing angora knickers.