Lost Souls

Lost Souls by Lisa Jackson was seriously creepy, involving a serial killer and vampirism. Young girls are disappearing from a small college and when Kristi Bentz enrols at the college she investigates the disappearances which the police had written off as "runaways". The level of the depravity with these killings is appalling and not recommended reading. The sick motive for the killings is revealed as the identity of the murderers is revealed. 2/5

Hold Tight

I quite enjoyed Hold Tight by Harlan Coben as it had many twists and turns and different threads which were all tied up at the end. The story begins with a gruesome murder and the motive is not made clear till the end. As well a teenage boy, Adam, is going through some troubled times and his parents spy on his computer in an effort to help him. They then discover what Adam has got himself into - involved with drugs etc. and friend's suicide. By the end, the different and seemingly unconnected threads come together. 3 1/2/5

Practicing the Power of Now

Practicing the Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle is an interesting book and one I needed to read at this time of my life when I am struggling with my health. It is a "companion" to his earlier book The Power of Now but easier to read, so I've been told. Its main idea is to focus on what is happening to you right now, at this moment, rather than the past or the future. Accept the Now and enjoy the life around you. It is the first "self help" I've read for many years and it is perfect for my situation and will no doubt help others. Some of the terminology and concepts I found difficult to understand and at times seemed like "padding", but overall this was helpful for me. 4/5

Spud

I've enjoyed Spud by John van de Ruit. It is a fictional account told in diary form of 14 year old John "Spud" Milton's first year at a boys' boarding school in South Africa. His group of friends the "Crazy Eight" have many adventures and interesting experiences over the year. Other wonderful "characters" are the teachers and older students, some of whom make life difficult for Spud and his mates. Spud even has "woman trouble" as he is irrestibly cute with an angelic singing voice. This is a lovely light-hearted look at school life and is probably drawn from the author's own experiences at Michaelhouse. This would be a good book for early teenage boys. I'm pleased to see there is a sequel Spud - The Madness Continues. 3 1/2/5

T is for Trespass

T is for Trespass by Sue Grafton is a Kinsey Millhone mystery which was quite good. Kinsey's elderly neighbour, Gus, is having difficulty looking after himself so a "nurse" is hired to help. However, this is a case of "elder abuse" where the evil "nurse", Solana, seizes the opportunity to line her own pockets, something she's successfully done in the past. Kinsey struggles to prevent Gus becoming Solana's next victim. Shows you have to be so careful with who looks after your elderly loved ones. 3 1/2/5

In The Evil Day

This book In The Evil Day by Peter Temple is a genre I don't usually read but tried it this time. It is a "conspiracy", espionage type story. An evil deed from the past - massacre in an African village returns to haunt those in the present because a movie was taken of the event. Niemand, a South African mercenary happens on to the film and tries to expose it to the public, for a fee. However, those responsible for the atrocity do their utmost to ensure the film remains hidden. A German, Anselm, works for a company which uses computer contacts to find people, for a fee. He also has a troubled past. As the story progresses, all the pieces tie together as we learn why someone is so desperate that this film not be exposed to the public. High body count, and confusing at times trying to work out who is who and what they're doing, but stick with it till its thrilling climax. 3/5