50 books challenge (11-15)
11. The Dance by Oriah. Non-fiction. 185 pages. 4.5/10
I didnt particularly enjoy this although there was the occasional (very occassional) line that touched me. The meditations at the end of each chapter are probably the best part about the whole thing.
12. Oystercatchers by Susan Fletcher. Fiction. 375 pages. 9/10
It took me a chapter or two to get into this book but from then on I was totally engaged. I love the restrained style of prose, it is very raw and this is an excellent parallel to the seaside landscape described throughout the novel.
13. Morrigan's Cross by Nora Roberts. Fiction. 321 pages. 7.5/10
Robert's is a prolific writer and I find a lot of her work to be a bit too trashy for my liking. Morrigan's Cross isnt a work of literature by any means but it was mindless entertainment which has its place! It was the mention of Lilith on the blurb that caught my attention initially and I started the book even though I dont usually read anything remotely related to the fantasy genre. I have to admit I became entirely sucked in and have to now go on to read the second and third books in this series.
14. Down Came The Rain by Brooke Shields. Non-fiction. 226 pages. 8/10
I have never been a fan of Brooke Shields, I havent really had an opinion about her at all (other than the eyebrows when she was younger) but I thought it would be interesting to read about her experience with postnatal depression. I was pleasantly surprised. Her story is very real and pulls no punches. The part about her appearing in baby formula advertisements got my goat but thats a whole other tangent!
15. Breast is Best by Dr Penny Stanway. Non-fiction. 432 pages. 8/10
An excellent resource for women who are planning to breastfeed or who are already breastfeeding. Full of fascinating information about the benefits of breastfeeding for both mothers and babies.