Hillmorton High School

103,556 pages read and 4,266 team points

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Pat

14,639 pts

(13,395 pages read)

The Survivor

By Vince Flynn/Kyle Mills

3 stars

I have read a number of books in the Mitch Rapp series and enjoyed them all. This stayed true to Mitch's character and the whole CIA scenario is almost believable considering America today. The writing has good pace and excellent vocabulary when describing the action and suspense within the plot. My only dislike was the neat tying up of all the threads to do with the bad guys.
In Too Deep

By Lee Child and Andrew Child

3 stars

While the opening paragraph grabbed the reader's attention, the scene outlined to make Reacher sound gigantic - I mean forearms the size of thighs???? This is the last book for this challenge and I was pleased to finish it in time. All the teacher scenarios have great promise but this one was weaker than the earlier novels. Still, if you want a convoluted plot then this is the novel for you.
after you

By jojo moyes

1 stars

I should have known better than to read a novel about the difficulty of moving on after bereavement. The first few incidents were great but then the storyline diluted to the 'met another man' with a fairly predictable ending. Naturally as a sequel it gives enough info to suggest reading the first and the the third novel is a good idea if you like the heroine - I did not. There were some incidents that made the novel realistic though i.e. Sam's stabbing.
Dark Horse

By Gregg Hurwitz

3 stars

Another in the Orphan X series - X is an unbelievably super fighter with huge financial resources. The series is now exposing him to people who are attempting to humanise him. The two plotlines do not intercept but help to show that X has old values and is changing some habits to be a better person.
The Book of Two Ways

By Jodi Picoult

2 stars

Another great idea by Jodi Picoult but is tedious due to the detail she insists on adding about past interactions between the main characters. I finished the novel as I thought it might get better but she has written better books. I was disappointed in her main character's actions and motives but the writing remains good.
Guardian

By John Saul

2 stars

A great book to read quickly and have a laugh at the Sasqatch theory.
The Sleeping Doll

By Jeffery Deaver

4 stars

Great suspense created with an unexpected twist at the end. The writing flows and allows the reader to learn about the characters through their interactions. I would read more of SA Kathryn Dance as I liked the whole spotting of lies through kinesics.
17th Suspect

By James Patterson and Maxine Paetro

2 stars

A good opening but too many personal bits of the characters' lives are present. The end left details that could lead to the 18th book in this series.
Detonator

By Andy McNab

2 stars

Began really well but faded as the story progressed. Not having the hero save all was a good aspect to the book but the way some died was monstrous. Not sure I would read another book about Nick Stone.
paperback raita

By william rhode

1 stars

Great premise for the plot but poorly executed in both storyline, writing and characters. Not a book I would ever recommend.
The Last Mile

By David Baldacci

3 stars

This book introduces Melvin Mars who is mentioned in later novels in this series. While the book was good, the first and third books were better. Baldacci has a few series I like and it does not matter if you read any one of his series out of order.
The Enlightenment Project

By Marian Maguire

4 stars

An extraordinary combination of art through lithographs/prints, essays and historical comparisons. Recommended by a friend, this book takes time to absorb. I was constantly going back to the prints to recheck what the essayists had commented on. This book has stretched some ideas I already held and implanted a few more - wonderful art from a Cantabrian.
Maori Woman

By Noel Hilliard

5 stars

This is the third book of the Maori Girl series - I was lucky to find this copy being culled from my school's library. Hilliard again writes in response to racial discrimination in New Zealand, the alienation of urbanised Maori from their land and the hope of renewal. I look forward to finding the second and fourth books in the National Library Lending Service. His writing often contains rough dialogue but it holds true to NZ in the 1960s and 1970s. He captures some fundamental differences between Maori and European, without making value judgments - something many from both races are unable to do today.
The Third Woman

By Mark Burnell

2 stars

An interesting story but became a little dull when referencing corporate corruption. The events were unbelievable and unfortunately seemed to mirror what a male ‘hero’ would do. I would not bother with the earlier novels about the same protagonist.
The Long Way Home

By Louise Penny

4 stars

I first read How the Light gets in and found more in the series, including this one. I found the village, characters and plots all very interesting - Armand is one of Penny's best characters. This is the last one I have to read in the series - what I really enjoy is that they can be read independently and out of order.
American Gods

By Neil Gaiman

4 stars

The author says he wanted to write a book that was big, odd and meandering - in my opinion, he did. Until the actual 'war' started I enjoyed the storylines and found the writing smooth and intriguing. However, by Part Three I began to wish it would wrap up the story. Not sure I can say I enjoyed the book but I did find myself trying to identify some of the Gods before Gaiman told the reader. Apparently people are loving the TV series.
The Unwilling

By John Hart

4 stars

I picked up this book at my favourite second-hand book place because of the quote on the cover: 'Not everyone deserves a second chance'. Once I began reading it was impossible to put down - thank goodness for a wet day! The myth that a mother loves her children equally is debunked and the bond of siblings is explored within a very torrid and violent plot. The Vietnam War is summed up by the Unknown Soldier's quote at the front: We the unwilling, led by the unqualified to kill the unfortunate, die for the ungrateful. In the final pages, there is a glimpse of hope for humanity while showing that wealth can lead to injustice and evil.
Dark Horse

By Tami Hoag

1 stars

The first novel of a series focusing on the redemption of a female police officer who made an impulsive decision. Best writing was when Elena remembered the day where she made the decision. BUT not a novel that would inspire me to read other novels in this series.
Saving Falth

By David Baldacci

3 stars

A lot of detail is about the morality of political lobbying, America's greed and the poverty elsewhere in the world. At times, I skimmed a chapter while at other times I was intrigued by how the CIA and FBI always seem to have a diabolical role within novels. ALL the characters are flawed and it was interesting to try to work out Baldacci's motivations behind the plot within this novel. It makes me wonder who he votes for!
Te Kaihau/The Windeater

By Keri Hulme

2 stars

There is always a danger that when you really enjoy a book by a writer that their next one will not match it in terms of impact. Unfortunately, this set of short stories is nowhere as powerful as 'the bone people', though the sheer despair in 'He Tauware Kawa, He Kawa Tauware' does rise to the emotional descriptive prose of her novel. I also felt the story within 'Te Kaihau/The Windeater' had potential but needed to be a full length novel.
Backlash

By Lynda La Plante

4 stars

This time it is DCI Anna Travis who is the protagonist and not merely a sidekick to DCS James Langton. I like the twists and turns of the investigation with a truly amoral villain. Some of the details are sad and shocking, yet unsurprising, in this novel about a current murder sparking off cold cases.
Dear Fatty

By Dawn French

5 stars

A memoir that had me with the first opening letter to her dead dad! It made me want to laugh and yet resonated with me in a way no other book has. It took me until her first letter to Jennifer Saunders to work out she was not the 'Fatty' of the title. French's writing style is oral narrative in words and engages emotions as well as moments of wonder. She is open and honest and it allows any fans to see the insecurity she overcame yet still works on to this day. My best read this summer!
The Empty Chair

By Jeffery Deaver

4 stars

Possibly the best Lincoln Rhyme novel since his first - in this one the action revolves around Amelia Sachs. The action is fast yet paced to allow the many characters to be described. The lightly hinted traits intrigue the reader and make them try to work out the connections. Sadly, the novel also reflects how those isolated in society can be ill-treated. I prefer Amelia over Lincoln as she follows her heart not just the evidence - she is a more interesting antagonist.
The Success Story of Finnish Basic Education

By Pila Roos, Susanna Mikkonen, Laura Rantavuori. Maiju Kinossalo

5 stars

The book starts by asking what it is like to be a child in Finland. Democracty, equity and trust are core to all education in Finland. These reflect the values of Finnish society and I was fortunate to see this first hand in recent Job Shadowing in five schools in Finland. The book presents the underlying pedagogy and the latest everyday practices. The fact that education in Finland is free is impressive, but even more remarkable is that political parties create education policies together.
Chasing the Dime

By Michael Connelly

2 stars

Not a book I would expect many to enjoy and I was one of those. BUT I did like the depiction of one of the antagonists.
Trouble

By Jesse Kellerman

1 stars

A plausible opening to a plot that with each chapter becomes more complicated. Each character has flaws and some begin to unravel as the story continues. Overall it is well written but is not interesting.
Pounamu, Pounamu

By Witi Ihimaera

4 stars

This is a reprint of the 1972 edition. I like the thinly veiled anger and sadness that come through the short stories. Each story stands alone, yet together are a powerful indictment of urbanisation. The lack of connection between the two worlds that existed in New Zealand is clearly defined best in the short story, 'One Summer Morning'.
Outrage

By Arnaldur Indridason

3 stars

The twists and turns in the plot and how they link in more than one crime is very clever. The plot also touches on family dynamics and how they affect people’s decisions. I like that not all wrongs are righted and not all those who commit crimes should be labelled criminals.
STCA - Invest in Teachers

By PPTA

5 stars

The definitive guide to what kaiako in New Zealand are entitled to within the workplace. Excellent content guide making finding the specific information very easy. Every kaiako should read through and see what has been gained and where the compromises happened.
A Prisoner of Birth

By Jefferey Archer

5 stars

I could not put the book down once The Trial section started. Excellent writing style, well-developed characters and an intriguing plot. The pace of events was consistent and the tension built on the plot twists. Overall one of the best 'legal' stories I have read in a long time. I feel the quote 'we all suffer in our different ways from being prisoners of birth' was truly depicted in the novel.
The Grizzled Grist does not exist

By Julietter MacIver and Sarah Davis

5 stars

An even better Read Aloud book as the words are spaced perfectly for younger readers. The illustrations remain a great feature of this collaborative paring.
That's Not a Hippopotamus

By Juliette MacIver and Sarh Davis

5 stars

Young children love this book when Read Aloud to them - the words and illustrations link well and make the narrator use different tones and 'voices' when reading. Children can relate to the chaos that unfolds with the teacher and Liam both being described wonderfully.
Selected Stories

By Noel Hiliard

4 stars

These stories are a reflection of NZ life and society in the 1970s. The saddest is 'Erica' and the one that links to land issues today is 'A Piece of Land'. I love that the lives of the characters are unmistakenly ‘Kiwi’.
Captured

By Neil Cross

1 stars

It began really well but the story was so unbelievable by P142 that I thought I might give up - wanting to know how if the protagonist did murder his wife was the only reason I kept reading.
Te Ātea

By Katarina Mataira

4 stars

Poetry in Te Reo Māori - somewhat apocalyptic and desolate.
Midwinter Blood

By Mons Kallentoft

3 stars

A very powerful opening - makes you think about what type of person the victim was and whether he will appear throughout the novel as an occasional narrator. ‘Even when I was alive I was a tragedy.’ The use of the first victim to 'speak' to the reader is well constructed and makes the reader want to find out who killed him. The complicated family dynamics certainly lead to a karmic situation for the mother.
On Beulah Height

By Reginald Hill

3 stars

Easy to read and keep the different plots in mind. Clever twist to link the two main themes and not all ends well.
Police

By Jo Nesbo

4 stars

One of the better Harry Hole novels. 'Police' kept you guessing until the final seven chapters when the pieces began to fall into place. Every character is flawed, and a couple of them divert attention from the main plot. Even at the end, there is a dark twist ... or is it merely setting the scene for a new HH book?

27 - 0 - 1

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Hillmorton High School

103,556 pages read and 4,266 team points

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