Best Selling Books UK

Beyond All Evil: Two monsters, two mothers, a love that will last forever

2011-11-07T06:50:00.000-08:00

Beyond All Evil tells the true story of two women whose lives were torn apart when on the same day, just a few miles apart, their husbands murdered their children.

In pre-meditated acts of unspeakable cruelty, two men chose that day to enact revenge in the most horrendous way possible, on the wives who had dared to leave them.

June Thomson and Giselle Ross, two people who were total strangers to each other, have now formed a firm friendship and lend support to each other in a way no-one else in the world can.

No-one, unless their children have been murdered by their partners, can possibly understand how those women feel. But they understood each other's grief.

June Thomson lost daughter Michelle, 25, and son Ryan, 7, when her husband, Rab, stabbed them during an access visit.

Just 5 hours later and 50 miles away, Giselle Ross learned that her estranged husband Ashok Kalyanjee has slit their sons' throats while taking the kids out on an access visit.

Two year old Jay Jay first, while his older brother watched in terror, then Paul, aged just six.

Husband and wife team newspaper reporters and award wining journalists Marion Scott and Jim BcBeth have co-written Beyond All Evil, along with Giselle Ross and June Thomson.

Top 10 Best Selling Books November 2011

2011-10-28T19:34:00.000-07:00

The top 10 best selling books in the UK in November 2011 are as follows:

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

2011-10-28T19:32:00.000-07:00

Now a Hollywood movie, The Help is an amazing book you will thoroughly enjoy.

Authoress Kathryn Stockett has managed to write a superb novel that will make you feel as if you are right there in Jackson, Mississippi, in the early 1960s.

The Civil rights Movement had begun, and the difference between the rich white people and their black maids was wide.

One young white woman wanted to change things.

Miss Skeeter was a young college graduate who with the help of two black friends, Aibileen and Minnie, both maids , decided to write a book.

The story is told through the narratives of each of the three women.

You will laugh, you will cry, but you will love their characters and not want to leave them when you reach the end of the book.

And what better thing can you say about a book?

Guinness World Records 2012

2011-10-28T18:36:00.000-07:00

Do you remember when you were a kid being delighted to receive a copy of the Guinness Book of World Records at Christmas?

It would keep you absorbed for hours with all the information and interesting facts and records inside those glorious covers.

The new Guinness World Records 2012 is out, having been updated on the 15th of September, 2011, and is chock full of records both old and new.

Marvel at the International Space Station.

Read about the London Olympics.

With over 900 new stunning full colour photographs, hundreds of amazing bite-sized facts and an incredible 3D jacket cover, this beautifully bound hard back book with make a great Christmas present.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Cabin Fever by Jeff Kinney

2011-10-28T18:08:00.000-07:00

Cabin Fever is the latest offering by Jeff Kinney in his hugely popular Diary of a Wimpy Kid series.

Aimed at kids aged 8 and above, children the world over cannot get enough of Jeff Kinney's books.

In Cabin Fever, Greg Heffley, who has 'starred' in the whole Diary of a Wimpy Kid series, is in trouble.

He is the prime suspect after some school property got damaged, and it wasn't his fault, not really.

A blizzard strands his family inside their home, but he knows that when the thaw comes, he is going to have to face the music.

Meanwhile, he is trapped indoors with his family instead of being out playing, and it is the holidays.

Author Jeff Kinney is an online game designer and developer as well as being a New York Times best selling author.

The Sense of an Ending by Julian Barnes

2011-10-28T15:54:00.000-07:00

Winner of the 2011 Man Booker Prize, Julian Barnes's The Sense of an Ending is a beautifully written slim volume about a man who, later in life, looks back with regret for things he did in his youth.

Each word is carefully crafted and not padded out like you see in so many books.

Tony Webster remembers in detail the many philosophical conversations he had with his friends at a middle-class public school in the 1960s.

He needs to look back to make sense of events that have happened since.

The ending is totally unexpected and if you'd not fully understood the book as you were reading it, this will make you want to go back and read it again, as suddenly all the slots fall into place.

This book has invariably been described as "masterful", "imaginatively crafted", "elegant", "wonderful" and "beautifully written" to mention a few comments from the top book critics.

Buy it yourself and see what you think. You are sure to not be disappointed.

Snuff: Discworld Novel 39 by Terry Pratchett

2011-10-28T14:27:00.000-07:00

In Snuff: Discworld Novel 39, Sybil, Commander Vimes's wife, insists he has a break at her ancestral pile in the country.

Green fields, fresh air, relaxation.

Not quite. It is not long before Vimes finds himself investigating a murder while leads to an even graver crime being committed.

Previously, Sir Terry Pratchett's books brought us stories that we humorous with an undertone of morality. In this latest Discworld novel, the morality is more deeply entrenched and the humour less so.

There are some funny scenes throughout, but in the main it is serious book that will make you think.

Some critics have even suggested that Sir Terry Pratchett's illness may be affecting his writing. He is suffering from Alzheimer's Disease.

1Q84: Books 1 and 2 by Haruki Murakami

2011-10-28T13:53:00.000-07:00

If you have read any of Haruki Murakami's previous books, you might find it a lot easier to get the grips with the surrealism portrayed in 1Q84, which is a parody of George Orwell's 1984.

The letter 'Q' in Japanese sounds like the number 9, hence the title.

Haruki Murakami is a Japanese author who has successfully broken the East/West barrier, and is probably the most famous author ever to come out of Japan.

Even the staid Guardian has described him as "one of the world's greatest living novelists".

1Q84 is based around two main characters who are seemingly living on parallel universes within the same city.

He is a writer and teacher, and she is a female assassin.

Their lives are inextricably drawn towards each other, and while at the start of the book you may be perplexed as to their relationship, all will be revealed, slowly.

An amazing book. Highly recommended.

If you are new to Haruki Murakami, it is advised you read After The Quake first.

The Drop by Michael Connelly

2011-10-28T13:21:00.000-07:00

The Drop is yet another fantastic Harry Bosch story by the one and only Michael Connelly.

Harry Bosch is just three years away from retirement and he has been placed in the Deferred Retirement Option Plan (DROP).

He is desperate for more cases, and he gets his wish, with two on the one day.

First, the Regional Crime Lab throws up a positive DNA match for an unsolved rape and murder that took place in 1989.

Only problem is the accused, who is currently locked up for a different rape, would only have been 8 years old at the time.

Has something gone wrong at the lab?

Then a councilman's son dies after falling from a hotel balcony. Did he jump or was he pushed?

Councilman Irving demands Bosch investigate his son's death, despite previous enmity between the two men.

Bosch discovers that a serial killer has been operating in the city for up to 30 years, and that there is a deep political conspiracy going on that involves the police department at political level.

Typical Michael Connelly. Just pure brilliant.

Gangsta Granny by David Walliams

2011-10-28T12:22:00.000-07:00

This is a must for children everywhere! In fact, never mind the kids - I want to read it!!

Gangsta Granny is the latest offering from best selling author David Walliams, who has been described as the new Roald Dahl.

11 year old Ben is unhappy at being forced to stay at his grandmother's every Friday night. She is boring. All she wants to do is make cabbage soup and play Scrabble. In Ben's own words "She’s the boringest grandma ever".

But Grandma is not all she appears to be.

She was once an international jewel thief, and she's always dreamt of stealing the Crown Jewels.

Would Ben help her?

Gangsta Granny will have kids laughing out loud!

David Walliams is one of those authors who can get inside kids heads and write in a straightforward way using kids' direct logic to explain things - he has the ability to create a child's eye view of the world.

This book will make you want to curl up in corner, giggling away at the antics you are reading about, never mind the kids!

Steve Jobs: The Exclusive Biography by Walter Isaacson

2011-10-28T09:11:00.000-07:00

This is the book they have all been talking about. Steve Jobs: The Exclusive Biography, written by best selling author Walter Isaacson, is a fascinating insight into the life of the man who co-founded the giant Apple corporation and who sadly died on the 5th of October, 2011, aged only 56.

From is adoption as a baby, through his earlier live, his loves, his trials and tribulations, this biography takes you through the life of man whose famous quotes includes the lines:

Being the richest man in the cemetery doesn't matter to me. Going to bed at night saying we've done something wonderful, that's what matters to me.

Steve Jobs

The man who was hugely successful not once, but twice in his life, leaves a tremendous inspirational legacy to the young and up and coming entrepreneurs of this world.

Walter Isaacson has written a book that is clear, succinct and highly enjoyable.

Witness by Cath Staincliff

2011-08-19T05:37:00.000-07:00

As the title suggests, Witness is about the reactions of witnesses to a crime which could happen anywhere. In this instance it involves gangland figures in Manchester, but it could be in any UK city.

A teenage boy is shot down. The immediate witnesses to the scene are in danger and have to struggle with their own demons as to whether or not they will appear in court for the prosecution, knowing their own or their family's lives could be at risk.

In Cath Staincliff's Witness, the story centres around 4 witnesses.

Fiona, a midwife, hears the gunshots and attends to the dying boy.

Mike, a delivery driver on his rounds, finds himself having to choose between testifying in court or losing his own family.

Cheryl, a single mum, has the dilemma of speaking out now, despite the obvious dangers, or risking her child growing up in the same climate of fear.

Zak, a homeless man, has little to lose and more to gain by speaking out.

This is a well-paced and fascinating read which places ordinary people in a situation most of us wouldn't want to be, but which could happen to any one of us.

The One You Love by Paul Pilkington

2011-08-19T05:15:00.000-07:00

Described as a fast paced thriller, The One You Love by Paul Pilkington is not to be missed.

Action-packed, the story revolves around actress Emma Holden, who is due to marry her fiancé, Dan, in two weeks time.

On the eve of the hen/stag night, he goes missing, and Emma discovers her brother's battered and bloody body in their London apartment.

The race is on to discover what happened.

Full of unguessable twists and turns, you will find The One You Love hard to put down, and you will be kept guessing right up until the very end.

An excellent novel, well worth reading.

Top 10 Best Selling Books UK August 2011

2011-07-25T05:48:00.000-07:00

The top 10 best selling books in the UK in August 2011 are as follows:

Into the Darkest Corner by Elizabeth Haynes

2011-07-25T05:30:00.000-07:00

Into the Darkest Corner

Into the Darkest Corner is a very impressive first novel by Elizabeth Haynes, that will grip you from the very start.

It's a psychological thriller about a normal woman who develops Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, through the behaviour of another close to her. We see close at hand how a woman is affected by domestic violence, willing her to get out of her situation.

This is a real page turner that is best read when you have no other pressing activities to take you away, but don't read it late at night or you may not be able to sleep!

Into the Darkest Corner is one of the best books on the market which is highly recommended reading, unless you are of a very nervous disposition.

Available in Kindle and Paperback.

The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

2011-07-25T04:47:00.000-07:00

The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes

It is hard to believe that The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes is once again a best seller, and in the 21st century too!

This collection of short stories about the master of crime solving, Sherlock Holmes, by the one and only Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, is now wowing a brand new audience that are probably the great-great grandchildren of the people who first helped Sir Arthur Conan Doyle shoot to stardom.

Originally published in The Strand Magazine, each complete short story is a whodunnit murder/mystery that will keep you guessing right up until the end.

All 12 of the short stories are written from the viewpoint of Watson, Sherlock Holmes's trusted friend.

Set in Victorian Britain, the language used throughout is easily readable and highly absorbing. Having read those stories years ago, it's been a joy to re-visit them once more.

This is a must for every family home. Brilliant stuff. Classic yet timeless could best describe The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

Available in Kindle, Hardcover, Audiobook, Audio download and Paperback.

That Summer in Ischia by Penny Feeny

2011-07-25T04:26:00.000-07:00

That Summer in Ischia

A beautifully-written first novel by Penny Feeny, That Summer in Ischia is a story spanning 3 decades.

Best friends Helena and Liddy both travel together to the island of Ischia off Italy's coast in the Mediterranean to take up positions of au pairs to two wealthy Italian families.

With dreams of love and romance under the hot summer sun, the two friends find themselves under police arrest when a child in their care goes missing.

Held separately, their friendship falls apart as they blame each other.

25 years later, they accidentally meet up and journey back to Ischia to find out what really happened.

This is a wonderful book, well written. The reader is drawn in to their lives and That Summer in Ischia is hard to put down, wanting to know what happens next.

A great summer read that will leave you wanting to read more by Penny Feeny.

That Summer in Ischia is available in both Kindle and Peperback.

Negotiate by Jay Laurell

2011-07-25T03:49:00.001-07:00

Negotiate

The title 'Negotiate' seems to have confused a lot of readers of this fantastically-paced book by Jay Laurell, as there is very little negotiating actually going on!

Invariably described as one of the best books in a decade, Negotiate is set in the US where persons under the control of the mysterious Diablo have set a series of bombs in 8 FBI buildings in 8 different cities.

If they are set off, thousands of lives will be lost.

President Stanton cannot accede to terrorist demands due to the governments frequently affirmed policy, yet is aware that a terror worse that 9/11 will be unfolded should those bombs explode.

Tremendous drama in Negotiate, this is a thriller that will thrill. This is a book that is very hard to put down, and should appeal to a wide range of readers.

Available in Kindle edition.

Falling Star by Diana Dempsey

2011-07-25T03:34:00.000-07:00

Falling Star

Falling Star is a delightful first novel by Diana Dempsey.

Set mainly around the life of Natalie Daniels, the fictitious news anchor on a US TV channel, whose boss, with one eye on budget and the other on the ratings, want to dump her for a younger and cheaper model.

Meanwhile, Natalie's husband has left her, and a new man steps into her life in the form of a gorgeous Australian TV news agent, who is about to propose to someone else.

This book is funny, and uplifting, and fast-paced, and a wonderful read.

It would seem Diana Dempsey has experience of working in TV news channels, as the details in her book would suggest a great deal of working knowledge.

Falling Star might be a book for the girls, but try it, you may be pleasantly surprised.

Falling Star is available in both Kindle and Paperback.

Cold Kill by Neil White

2011-07-25T03:17:00.000-07:00

Cold Kill

Cold Kill is the 5th book in a series by British crime thriller writer Neil White but can be read as a standalone book by its own.

A policeman's daughter is murdered in horrific circumstances. Three weeks later, a crime boss's daughter is murdered in similar fashion.

Detective Sergeant Laura McGanity finds herself in danger as the killer closes in on his next target.

Meanwhile intrepid reporter Jack Garrett is also on the case, and while researching for his story, he finds the two cases are linked.

This book is fast-paced and gripping, and a thoroughly enjoyable read, and Neil White is quickly establishing himself as one of the great crime thriller writers, such is the popularity of his books.

Available in Kindle or Paperback.

Previous books in this series with the lady detective and the male reporter include:

Lost Souls

Fallen Idols

Dead Silent

Last Rites

Confessions of a GP by Benjamin Daniels

2011-07-25T02:36:00.000-07:00

Confessions of a GP

Confessions of a GP is written by a real doctor using the pseudonym of Benjamin Daniels.

At only 27 he simply does not have the experience to write an authoritative angle, but what we have instead is a fairly short book with short chapters, telling us amusing tales about his patients - like the octogenarian who visits the doctor but can't remember why he made the appointment to come, or the woman demanding antibiotics for what is obviously a simple viral infection.

It has been generally well-received, however, and for light reading, is quite delightful. Funny in places, and serious in others (like dealing with death), it is an insight into the life a busy GP which will perhaps make you smile next time you have to visit your doctor.

Confessions of a GP by Benjamin Daniels is available in Kindle, Paperback and Audio.

When God Was a Rabbit by Sarah Winman

2011-06-28T06:29:00.000-07:00

When God Was a Rabbit, by Sarah Winman

When God Was a Rabbit is the first novel by Sarah Winman, and readers seem to either love it or hate it.

It follows two people, brother and sister, as they make their way through life.

Elly is born in 1968 and the first part of the book is aptly named 1968 as we follow her through her childhood in the south of England and onwards with close reference to brother Joe.

We laugh and we cry as events unfold, both world and local, as the children grow up to become adults, and then face the trials and tribulations that accompany friendship, love, relationships and events.

At times very funny, and at other times very serious, 20 or 30 somethings should find plenty to empathise with.

One Day by David Nicholls

2011-06-28T06:10:00.000-07:00

One Day by David Nicholls

One Day by David Nicholls follows the life of two people, Emma and Dexter, who meet on the night of their graduation on St Within's day in 1988, and agree to meet yearly afterwards.

With character plays between the people they become, One Day is easily readable and enjoyable as we learn about their lives, their personalities and how they interact with each other every 15th of July.

By the end of the book we have become so attached to these characters, we feel sad that the book has finished, and that in itself makes it very readable.

David Nicholls previous work include his huge bestseller, Starter for Ten

The Stranger's Child by Alan Hollinghurst

2011-06-28T05:54:00.000-07:00

The Stranger's Child by Alan Hollinghurst.

We have waited 7 long years for Alan Hollinghurst's long-awaited follow up novel to his Man Booker award winning previous novel, The Line of Beauty

It has been well worth the wait, The Stranger's Child follows the lives of two families from the brink of World War I right through the whole of the 20th century.

Beautifully written and easily readable, the story of The Stranger's Child, beings in the summer of 1913 when upper class poetry student stays the weekend at his Cambridge University friend George Saul's house called Two Acres.

The events of that weekend intertwine the two families irrevocably, and we see a changing Britain through their eyes throughout the next 80 years.

Highly recommended reading.

A Feast for Crows: Book 4 of a Song of Ice and Fire by George RR Martin

2011-06-28T05:16:00.000-07:00

A Feast for Crows: Book 4 of a Song of Ice and Fire by George RR Martin.

Many readers have confessed to feeling a disappointment with this book after the epic rise of George RR Martin's earlier books in the same series, A Song of Ice and Fire.

Many of the earlier characters are barely mentioned, as they have been saved for another of his books, A Dance With Dragons: Book 5 of A Song of Ice and Fire (Song of Ice & Fire 5)

Instead we have the Martells of Dorne seeking revenge, and many other characters carrying out horrific and foul deeds brought about through political intrigue and dark magic.

Some readers loved this book so don;t let this put you off. Some feel it is the best in the series, so it is up to you, the reader, to decide if A Feast for Crows is for you.