David's been reading...

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins *****
Great book - highly advise reading.

Goodnight Mister Tom by Michelle Magorian *****
Great book, st during WWII about a scared, frail boy who finds a home with a once bitter old man.

The Vampire Rites Trilogy by Darren Shan *****
Three books in one about how Darren becomes a vampire prince after doing the trials of rites.

Amy's been reading...

I Did Not Eat the Goldfish - Roger Stevens *****

Poem book - very funny.

Kiss by Jacqueline Wilson *****

It was about Sylvie and Carl's glass collection. I loved the book.

Horrible Histories: Groovy Greeks by Terry Deary ****

All about Ancient Greece - funny and comical.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney *****

I love the book. It was very funny.

The White Horse of Zennor by Michael Morpurgo **** 1/2

Lots of short stories. My favourite story was the 'White Horse of Zennor' story because it was emotional but it had a happy ending.

Dustbin Baby by Jacqueline Wilson ****

It was a very good book, a life story.

David's been reading...

WORLD WAR HULK  by Greg Pak, Peter David, John Romita Jr *****
The Hulk got shot off planet by the Illuminati, on his return he is on the verge of destroying the planet. Can the Sentry stop him? Can anyone?
Amazeballs book - can't stop re-reading it.

Marvel Encyclopedia by Dorling Kindersley *****
More than 1,200 of Marvel's most memorable characters are featured. It's an amazing insight.

David's been reading...

The Broons, Beno and Oor Wullie by D.C.Thomson *****

I've been reading a mix of golden age classics and the more modern annuals. They are all great for the family. Perfect for reading on a cold day wrapped in a cover.

Hannah's been reading...Lorien Legacies series

I am Number Four by Pittacus Lore ****
It is about aliens trying to save their planet. It was very good and I'd definitely recommend it.

The Power of Six by Pittacus Lore ***
This is the second book in the Lorien Legacies series but wasn't as exciting as the first book (I am Number Four).

Ms Dewar's been reading...

Joe Pike - Project Fear ***

An insider's look the Referendum detailing the comedic incompetence and back stabbing going on in the No campaign. It's a bit repetitive at times and the author wastes his time trying to build suspense given we already know who won.

To Davy Jones Below - Carola Dunn*

I like a 1920s set murder mystery as much as the next person, but this was disappointing - humourless, suspense less and slow.

Ms Dewar's been reading

A S A Harrison - The Silent Wife ***

The was written pre Gone Girl otherwise I'd say it was a rehash of Gone Girl - a capable, fairly enjoyable story of a super-controlling spurned wife

Michael Frayn - Skios ***

Heavily signposted farce - didn't enjoy it much.

Dan Rhodes - When the Professor got Stuck in the Snow *****

"I have devoted swathes of my life to kindly telling people how ignorant they are, and correcting them, and giving them the opportunity to think as I do" says 'Richard Dawkins', the noted scientist marooned in a snow bound village. This is a very, very funny satire, also featuring a lovely cameo from 'Lynn Truss'

Ms Dewar's been reading

Elena Ferrante - My Brilliant Friend*****

These are the best books I have read in a long time - the first 2 in a quartet complex, deep  & beautifully written & translated. It centres on Elena (Lenu) & her brilliant, difficult friend Lila growing up in the patriarchal society of Naples  -  so far, Lenu has escaped to university in Pisa, while Lila has been trapped in a violent marriage

Deborah Copaken Kogan- The Red Book ***

I finished this but only just - a novel about middle aged middle class people finding themselves at their Harvard reunion - the cover was the best bit.

Suzanne O'Sullivan - It's All In Your Head****

Really interesting book by a doctor on her patients who suffer the real pain and disability of psychosomatic illnesses - eye opening answer to if the body rules the mind or if the mind rules the body ( it's b)

Mary Stewart - My Brother Michael*****

A re-read for one a series of this lovely books - romantic thrillers written in the late 1950s and early 1960s. This turns on the fall out from of the second world war, but it's the strong characterisation and fabulous descriptions of Delphi before mass tourism which makes it feel like a mini holiday.

Harry Bingham - This Thing of Darkness ****

Four stars because of a giant hole in the plot of what is otherwise a really interesting, different series of police thrillers with a brilliantly unusual main character - a policewoman who is not a loner alcoholic or a multitasking supermum but dealing with serious mental illness. Also - funnier than that sounds. I've read this once already since it came out in summer and will read it again.

Gemma's Been Reading..

King of the Cloud Forrest by Michael Morpurgo ***
Not the best. Entertaining at times but felt like it went on and on.

How to Fossilize Your Hamster: And Other Amazing Experiments for the Armchair Scientist edited by Mick O'Hare **** 
Great experiments to try.

Mr Stink by David Walliams *****
It was amazing, funny at times.

The King's Curse by Philipa Gregory *****
Amazing.

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott *****
I love reading as it captures my imagination.

My Head Teacher is a Vampire Rat by Pamela Butchart *****
It was hilarious I loved it.

Mrs. Wilson's been reading...

Batgirl: Vol.1 The Darkest Reflection by Gail Simone ***

This particular book collects the first few issues of the relaunched Batgirl for the 'All New 52' and was originally published in 2011. It reads well as a stand alone volume and the six comics link nicely together. The stories and characters are enjoyable to read and the alternative art work is interesting to look through. You don't need to know the lore of the comics to read the new 52 (and I have to say I've found it more of a hindrance when you have preconceived ideas about the characters) so it's a good place to start into the DC universe.

Three stars is probably harsh for this collection - it's probably really a four but while I enjoyed the writing and artistry, I was disappointed by the a younger, able bodied Barbara Gordon (though the repercussions after being wheelchair bound is a addressed in every issue). Not that this young incarnation wasn't an interesting character in her own right, just that she isn't as interesting to me as the she was as the wheel-chair bound, older, Oracle/Barbara Gordon before the reboot.

Alix has been reading...

Tom Gates: Everything's Amazing (sort of) by Liz Pichon *****
"It was like a diary and I found it interesting because there were a lot of illustrations and things."

Find out more about the World of Tom Gates on his website.

Molly, Heather and Aimee have been reading...

The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas by John Boyne **** 

"It is quite a sad story but it's an amazing storyline." - Molly
"It is a bit emotional and sad." - Aimee
"I think it was quite emotional and it was very deep."- Heather

Dead Romantic by C J Skuse 

"It was good but it was a wee bit inappropriate like at the end but it was good. 3/5" - Molly
"I think it was a great book. I don't think it is appropriate for people under 11 it has some rude parts but overall it was great. 4/5" - Heather

Extraordinary Dogs by Elizabeth Wilhide *****

"It was heart warming to see all the dogs helping their owners and helping the world." - Molly

David's been reading...

I had a Black Dog by Matthew Johnston *****

It's a great help book about depression and it really helped.

Ian's been reading...

House of Robots by James Paterson *****
It's about... a boy who brings a bro-bot to school
What did you think of it? Really really cool

Big Hero 6: Book of the Film by Irene Trimble ****
It's about... a 14 year old boy whose big brother dies in a mysterious fire.
What did you think of it? Not bad, could have some pictures.

Fantastic Mr Fox by Roald Dahl *****
It's about a fox who out smarts 3 evil farmers and their 108 men! Fantastic (Mr. Fox!)

George's Marvelous Medicine by Roald Dahl *****
It's about a small boy and his mean grandma. I like the four different effects the medicine has: #1 Tall #2 long legs #3 long neck #4 tiny

The Twits by Roald Dahl*****
It's about two evil people - nothing but hilarious.

Mrs Wilson's Been Reading...

Dandy Gilver and the Proper Treatment of Blood Stains by Catriona McPherson ****

This is book five in the Dandy Gilver series, though since I totally failed to look that up before I started reading it is the first in the series I've read. The plot is self contained so there was little that was affected by this oversight, though I did wonder about Dandy's husband and Alex as it's clear there has been more of a story before the setting of this book.

Set in Edinburgh during May 1926, as workers down tools to support the coal miner strikes, Dandy takes up a job as a ladies maid to try and help a wife who fears her husband is going to kill her. However it's the apparently wicked husband who is bumped off in a locked house where the only suspects are his wife and the staff.

I do like a locked room mystery and this one was certainly diverting. I liked the characters and the little bits of history thrown in -it was interesting to find out about the 1926 strikes something I'd never been particularly aware of. Enjoyable to read, I'll be on the look out for the first book in the series.

Gemma's Been Reading...

The Thief Lord by Cornelia Funke 5/5
Scipio was a thief and it follows him around.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K.Rowling 5/5
It was amazing I loved it.

A Brief History of Pants by Kjartan Poskitt 3/5
It was hilarious.

Ancient Greece 3/5
It was very informative.

Mrs Borthwick's been reading

A Question of Blood by Ian Rankin 3/5

A slow starter, but hard to put down near the end. Focus on Inspector Rebus as he investigates the shooting of three pupils in a school in South Queensferry.

If you like crime novels, this is the book for you!

Amy's been reading

Dear Olly by Michael Morpurgo 4/5 - It was very emotional I cried.

Have a Little Faith by Candy Harper 3/5 - The book seemed to go on forever. I wouldn't recommend it.

Best Friends by Jacqueline Wilson 5/5 - It was about two best friends. I ♥ it.

Ian's been reading...

Roald Dahl is one of my favourite authors.

The BFG by Roald Dahl 5/5
It's about an orphan girl who is kidnapped by a 24 foot giant. 5/5 Amazing!

Danny the Champion of the World by Roald Dahl 5/5
A coinless boy who finds out his Dad's deepest, darkest secret. Superb.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl 5/5
It was about a poor kid called Charlie Bucket who finds a golden ticket! I loved it.

Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator by Roald Dahl 5/5
Charlie inherits the Wonka Chocolate Factory! Fantastic.

Matilda by Roald Dahl 5/5
A 6 year old bookworm girl finds she has a secret power. Magical.

Eilin's been reading...

Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins 4 out of 5
It's about a girl called Katniss and a boy Peter who get chosen to go into the Hunger Games. I thought it was a very cool and fun book to read.

Fire Starter by Catherine Forde 4 out of 5
It is about a 16 year old called Keith who was in his house baby sitting for a week, but on the second day a strange boy went into the next door neighbors house from then on it became a catastrophe. Very good book.

Tim the Tiny Horse by Harry Hill
Tim the Tiny Horse at Large by Harry Hill
3 1/2 out of 5
They are about the life of a horse that is tiny (and blue). Funny and good book for young children under 10.

Mystery of the Burnt Cottage by Enid Blyton 3 1/2 out of 5
Five kids and a burnt cottage. Nobody knows who lit the cottage on fire and the kids try and figure it out! Good book for kids who are just getting into reading chapter books.

Middle School: Worst Years of My Life by James Patterson 3 out of 5
A boy called Rafe who wants to brake every rule in the school rule book. I thought this book was good but it trailed on a bit too much.