Sunday Bookworm

SISTER

by Rosamund Lupton

This is my second monthly Sunday Bookworm, where I am endeavouring to review books that I have read and enjoyed, and hopefully start some discussions about them - so if you would like to take part, please either leave your comments about this book, or see the end of this post for how to take part in future reviews, and even have your own comments included in the post...

This book was introduced to my via an organised Book Club that I attended for a short while, in fact it was the second of the books that they read since I joined - the first going down universally like a lead balloon amongst all the members - so it was with mixed feelings and some apprehension that I picked it up.

One of my main aims in joining the Book Club was to discover some new authors whose books I could collect and devour, as well as generally broadening my literary mind...  I wouldn't exactly call this particular book mind-broadening - but I have added Rosamund Lupton to my list of authors to follow - which I think is a good indicator that I did enjoy this book!

Essentially you might think that the book is a "whodunnit".  In a nutshell, it charts the story of a woman setting out to find out who has killed her sister, and also why. But to leave it at such a short abbreviated summary is doing it a great dis-service. It is so much more than that.

I didn't know at all what to expect when I picked the book up - having been very disappointed with my previous Book Club read - and I started the book with the rather negative idea that I really wouldn't enjoy it.  And, probably only due to that very state of mind, at first it seemed that my fears were going to be realised.

But wait...

The characters were clearly portrayed, and true to life, and there was definitely a plot brewing! The writing style is easy to read without being dumbed down, and there is a certain appeal to "ordinary people" rather then the sometimes trumped up characters you tend to find in some modern books.

My attitude to the book was being turned - so I rather imagine that if I hadn't started it with a sour mind I probably would have enjoyed it right from the start!

The story soon gathers momentum, and you are introduced to various characters along the way, and you soon become drawn into the twists and turns of the plot. By two thirds of the way through the book you will probably have drawn, and then redrawn, your conclusions about what is going on and "whodunnit" and as the book draws into it's final chapters you really do believe that you have it nailed.

But wait...

The conclusion to the book is very unexpected. I had the perpetrator well and truly wrong! But then this is half the fun of the read. It plays the "whodunnit" card in a new and inventive way, and I defy you not to be hooked! And the bit I love the most - a very sharp twist right at the very end... but you're going to have to read it for yourself, as I'm not giving any more away.

This is a very engaging first novel, and introduces us to an author who promises to play with our minds as much as entertain us with her story lines. Suffice to say, I shall definitely be looking out for more Rosamund Lupton books!

To find out more about this author, and her two novels to date, please visit

www.rosamundlupton.com

Next month's Sunday Bookworm with be posted on

Sunday 21st August

when I will be reviewing

Behind The Scenes At The Museum

by Kate Atkinson

If you have read this book and would like your comments or views included in my review (good or bad, I will accept all-comers) then please email me at:   anna@thelimegarden.co.uk

...with the subject line "Sunday Bookworm" - I very much look forward to hearing your thoughts!

Keeping the headaches at bay...

For many, many years now I have been a migraine sufferer.  I started to get them in my early twenties, and they were hormone related - which meant that every four weeks I could be assured of an absolute stinker! And by a stinker I mean totally chronic - three full days of hell, with overwhelming nausea, aversion to light, blurred vision, dizziness, the full works. The best thing I could do was take to my bed and lie down - really until it went away.

The only blessing was I always knew exactly when one was going to strike - along with my hormonal cycle they were regular as clockwork - so at least I could plan around them. And with the help of my Pill I also managed to shift my cycle by a few days, so that they would get me mainly over a weekend and not cause me to have too much time off work!

Over the years (soon to be twenty! where has the time gone?!) I tried absolutely everything to ease them. From over the counter pills to prescription medication, herbal supplements, acupuncture, homoeopathy, reflexology, to name but a few. But, suffice to say, nothing really cut the mustard so I have just had to put up with them.

Until recently...

As I get a little older, other regular migraine sufferers will be glad to hear that they have become a little (only a little) less frequent, and a little (only a little) less intense. The problem now is predicting them - they don't hit on the same day each month, although I can be assured of one in any four week period, I never quite know when it is going to attack! But, OK, this is a better state of affairs.

Until recently...

In addition to migraines, I also so suffer from Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) although the two are thankfully not related! I won't bore you with the ins and outs of this condition - but I have almost completely cured myself by totally (and I mean TOTALLY) cutting out wheat and gluten. I have been tested for all sorts of things, including wheat intolerance, but nothing was ever conclusive - so I had to find my own relief.

It was about 3 months ago that I finally decided not to dice with the occasional pizza or sandwich just because I had the craving - because the side effects would be too painful - so I bit the bullet and have (with much will power) cut it ALL out.  No surprise then that I am feeling so much better, and can't remember when I last had an IBS attack!

Funnily enough, my migraines seem to be receding too!
Over the last 2 months I have had a couple of nasty headaches, but nothing that a couple of painkillers and an hour's snooze didn't put paid to. I almost can't remember when my last migraine was too!

Yippee! Hooray! Fantastic!

Now, as soon as I feel even the slightest twinge in my temple (and if you get migraines you will know that feeling - it's so not a regular headache thing!) I down some painkillers straight away. I don't even wait to see if it really is a migraine or not (as I used to) but I attack it straight away! I was always told that you should act as early as possible when a migraine strikes - I just never appreciated before just how early!

So I hope this little tale brings some relief to regular migraine sufferers (and maybe some IBS sufferers as well!) - you would be amazed what affects our bodies, and in what ways.


If you are being plagued, you could try some of these useful migraine tips:

Avoid the common triggers: Cheese, Chocolate (sadly), Red Wine, Oranges, Marmite...
Try taking a Feverfew (herbal) supplement on a regular basis.
Lavender and Geranium essential oils - either in a diffuser, or in your wrists, temples or a tissue, may help.
(DO NOT use these oils if you are, or maybe, pregnant!)
Sleep as much as is humanly possible during an attack! All day and night if this is possible!
Keep cool - sleep with a window open - use cold compresses on your face and head.
Wear sunglasses. Yes, even if it is not sunny! Even indoors! They are great if really have to watch the TV or use a computer, they diffuse some of the glare.
Drink hot water with a slice of fresh root ginger (with sugar tastes so much better) to combat nausea - this really works!!
And eating little but often helps nausea too.
Avoid caffeine like the plague during an attack.
Try some detective work to discover what causes yours - your hormones? certain foods? stress/tiredness?
Keeping a diary of foods, activities, emotions can help with this - tiresome, but worth it!
Think outside the box! (I cut out wheat for IBS, and it has helped my migraines - is there some other complaint you also suffer from? Could it be linked?)

More info (professional!) is available here:  www.migrainetrust.org

And finally - if you are an IBS sufferer, please really do think about your diet! It has only been in the last 4 years since I met my husband ( a professional chef) that I have started to link my common ailments with what I eat. It took a lot of resistance, and many failures, to finally admit to the gluten factor. Yes, there are things I miss - but now I am much happier and healthier! Oh, and I just LOVE Genius Seeded bread! Gluten free, but tastes just like real proper malted grain bread - delicious, can't get enough of it! (And so much nicer than the white or plain brown varieties!) Another common trigger is dairy products - including eggs! - so have a think about that one too.

Find out more at www.geniusglutenfree.com

(and no, they haven't paid me to write this!)

Keep healthy... Keep happy....

Sunday Bookworm

Welcome to my first Sunday Bookworm - where I am writing about recent favourite reads of mine, hopefully to provoke thought, and encourage others to pick up a good book. I will be announcing next month's book at the bottom of this post, so if you would like to join in the discussion please drop me a line at anna@thelimegarden.co.uk subject "Sunday Bookworm" and tell me what you thought, liked or didn't like about the book in question.

The Ice Cream Girls

by Dorothy Koomson

I first came across Dorothy Koomson as a writer when I read the much publicised "My Best Friend's Girl" way back when it was a Richard & Judy Summer Read - it may have been Ms Koomson's third novel - but for me it was her first, and it will always remain my favourite. I have been avidly collecting and reading all of the rest of her books ever since, and The Ice Cream Girls has been the latest one I have read. The writer likes to tackle emotional issues in her stories, although for me it is the depth of characters and realism that also shine through.

The Ice Cream Girls tells the story of two young women who were charged at a very young age with a brutal crime. One girl is convicted, and one is cleared. Now their paths cross again, and we are witness to the development and fall out that this brings to their lives. We learn the history to their supposed crime, told in sometimes alarmingly graphic detail, and are slowly drawn into their world - even thinking, what would I do in their situation?

This is one excellent novel! It is bold in the way it tackles a potentially very sensitive subject, and yet treats it with compassion at the same time. Personally, I thought it had a touch of "Martine Cole" about it - not in a bad way, but in it's realism, grittiness and down to earth nature - although it still retains Ms Koomson's own style and identity.

The characters are well drawn and totally credible, and the writer's ability to tell the story from two peoples angles, at two different ages in their lives, shows a lot of talent. The stage is again very credible - no yummy mummies, or public school off spring here (my banes of modern "chick lit") - set in Real England, warts and all. It is interesting to see how one act can touch so many lives, even years after it has taken place, and this adds depth and intrigue to the story. There are buried secrets and inner turmoils to be uncovered, moral avenues to be explored, and engaging people to meet.

Oh, and also there is a great twist in the tale at the end!

If you are interested in this, or any other book by Dorothy Koomson, or indeed finding out more about the lady herself, then she has an excellent website at www.dorothykoomson.co.uk which I urge you to explore.

Is My Best Friend's Girl still my favourite? Hmmm, to be honest, I'm not too sure any more!

Next month's Sunday Bookworm will be posted on 17th July 2011 and I will be reviewing...

Sister by Rosamund Lupton

I do hope you will join in and send me any comments!