February through the eyes of a bookwork

This is month two of my 'through the eyes of a bookworm' series. If you want to read about January's tomes you can have a little look-see here.

Kiss That Frog! by Brian Tracy

Contains a series of practical, prove, easy-to-apply ideas and strategies that anyone can use to change their thinking from negative to positive.

My Verdict - pretty obvious ideas. Mr B.P. had this and thought it would be a great read for me. He knows I'm a glass half empty kinda gal. I like the idea of more 

 positive thinking but this just made me...well...more negative 3/10

 Gated by Matt Drabble

Michael and Emily are a happy and contented English couple, a writer and a school teacher. Their lives are complete when Emily falls pregnant, however their dreams are shattered one cold winter night by a car accident that robs them of their happiness. To overcome their loss they up sticks and move to Eden Gardens, a US gated community that offers "Heaven on Earth and Twice as Nice". The people are warm and friendly and welcome them with open arms. The town is a beautiful throwback to a bygone age, where the sun always shines and the sky's always blue. As they settle into their new perfect lives, the circle is complete when Emily falls pregnant. The town is perfect, the weather is perfect and their lives are perfect. But are the stares from their neighbours a little too intense, is the town a little too interested in their happy news, and is Eden all that it seems. They are about to find out that paradise comes at a cost, and when you sign a lease, you should always check the fine print.

My Verdict - Not a bad little read. Makes you think - be careful what you wish for! The downside to this book, I feel, is it wraps everything up too closely to the end of the book, almost as an afterthought but I enjoyed it nonetheless 7/10

Morning Star by Randy Mixter

A child. A Horse. A Miracle. Eight year old Dannie Walker is fighting for her life. Her doctors have told her father she has an incurable disease. All hope is lost. Or is it? A mysterious horse has come to the Walker ranch. A horse that may have mystical powers. His name is Morning Star and he might be Dannie's only hope.  

My Verdict - a good choice if you like horses and miracles and something easy to read. I did enjoy this, although the skeptic (even though it is fiction) in me did think 'hmmmm as if'. But it took me away from the strains of day to day life 7/10

  Jimmy by William Malmborg

High school can be a difficult time in a young person's life, especially toward the end where one has to start making the sudden transition into adulthood. For Jimmy Hawthorn it is even worse. Not only does he need to successfully make that transition, he has to do it while hiding the fact that he is the one responsible for the disappearances of two fellow high school girls, both of whom are prisoners in a secret underground fallout shelter he discovered behind an abandoned house on the outskirts of town.

My Verdict - Now I'll be honest, I'm not easily shocked, and I love a good old psychological thriller, but the writing in this novel did shock me. I would say those of a delicate disposition might want to give this a miss. It leaves you questioning how well you really know someone......8/10

  The Silver Mist by Martin Treanor

Her dying father calls her unique, doctors have diagnosed her 'brain is wired wrong', most say she's 'plain simple' yet, in herself, young Down's syndrome woman, Eve Hayes, feels only that she's different. Then, on 21st July, 1972 - Belfast's 'Bloody Friday' - Eve encounters the captivating Esther, who ferries Eve on a sequence of illuminating, metaphysical journeys. In order to make sense of the slaughter that surrounds her, Eve must first learn the truth of her perceived difference, and therein unravel the timeless purpose of the silver mist.

My Verdict - I absolutely loved this! I usually always enjoy the book which supports the underdog and I was not disappointed. If you always wondered what goes on inside the mind of another and you are interested in things of 'another world' then you might just enjoy this read. My favourite read of the month! 9/10   

I managed to get through more books than I expected to this month, but a couple of them where quite short reads. With the exception of Kiss that frog, all books where free downloads from Kindle.

What have you been enjoying reading in February?