The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo by Steig Larsson

This is the perfect holiday read.

I found the first book in the Millenium Trilogy a little slow to start as Larsson set the scene.

I needed time to get my head around the geographical context. I had no idea where I was or who all these characters were.

But all of a sudden - wham!

I was hooked and I devoured the entire story in a couple of days and late nights.

Some of the scenes are not for the faint-hearted and the content is definitely for adults only. Highly recommended crime/thriller.

http://www.stieglarsson.com/

The Magician's Elephant by Kate DiCamillo

This is my first time reading a DiCamillo story.
I've heard all the rave reviews about her other books and I don't know how The Magician's Elephant stacks up against them, but I loved this book.
It was beautifully written, magically created, gorgeously realised and utterly compelling from start to finish. It is a story about hope, wonder, the unexpected and trust.

A modern classic for mature 7 + readers.
http://www.themagicianselephant.com/#kate

The Girl Who Played With Fire by Steig Larsson

'The Girl Who Played With Fire' is the second part of Stieg Larsson's Millenium Trilogy.
Unlike the first book I had no problems getting into this one and consumed it in a few days whilst on summer holidays. It was hard not to give away plot teasers to my husband who was waiting for his turn to read the book as I gasped my way through to the thrilling, page-turning dramatic end.

And it looks like a movie or 2 could be on the way....

Lisbeth now has her own facebook page too!

http://twitchfilm.net/site/view/theatrical-trailer-for-steig-larssons-the-girl-who-played-with-fire-arrives/

Paper Towns by John Green

Paper Towns is a funny, smart teen novel that culminates in a road trip to find the girl, romance and friendship.
 

This is reality fiction - no vampires, werewolves, parallel universes or avatars!
 

Green makes use of fabulous dialogue, complex characters and people you care about.

 

Highly recommended for the older teen reader looking for something more challenging & satisfying than 'Twilight'.
 

I can't wait to read Green's other novels.

http://www.sparksflyup.com/papertowns.php

I, Coriander by Sally Gardner

I loved this book.

From the beautiful front cover to the delicious story within.

The gorgeous, courageous Coriander is a friend from page one.

The historical setting of London during the troubled reign of King Charles the First mixes seamlessly with the fantasy parallel world that Coriander escapes into.

However Coriander soon discovers that running away creates its own issues with new troubles.

For good younger readers 8+

http://sallygardner.blogspot.com/

http://www.sallygardner.net/under108.html