'Going Home' is a good one.

See? I told you it wouldn’t be forever until my next review. Let’s get stuck into it.

‘Going Home’ by Harriet Evans is a great story about just that –going home. The novel is centred on main character Lizzy Walter and her return to her beloved family home for the annual family Christmas celebrations, only to discover the family tradition is at risk of being forever changed, when her parents tell them they have to sell the homestead. Lizzy refuses to let go of the place where she grew up and finds herself in a race against time to let her family keep their home and their family traditions intact.

Lizzy’s friends and family add great depth to the story, and Evans does a really good job of developing so many secondary characters. I thought Evans did an excellent job of capturing the feelings of returning to your childhood home, and the expectations surrounding such an adventure. I really identified with this novel, as I read it just after returning home from a trek to Canada to see my family (for the first time in a year).

Evans has a unique voice when it comes to her writing style and this is a satisfying read.

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‘Going Home’ is written by Harriet Evans. For more information on the author or her books, visit her publisher’s website.


So there you go! I had the chance to read two books this weekend. It was easily one of the weirdest, yet relaxing, weekends we've had in a long time. We celebrated our 3rd anniversary with a trip to an italian restaurant that was more akin to a trip to the twilight zone. Everything about it was strange, and just a little...off. Sunday, we went for a walk and then I got to finish off my second book and start in on a third. This reading thing is easily becoming an addiction. Ah, well. Better this than say...crack or booze.

Next up, I'll be reviewing Sophie Kinsella's latest.

Sparkgurl Returns with a Double-O-Bill

Okay, so I’ve been MIA the last little while. That is unfortunately the life of a student, and I was momentarily swamped with final papers, an under grad thesis, and exam prep.

Anyway, my point is…I’m done, so I’m back. After such a long absence, I decided to treat you to two book reviews.

First up, ‘Family Baggage’ by Monica McInerney. This was not the first time I’ve read a McInerney book, but I have to say ‘Family Baggage’ left a lot to be desired. The story is centred on Harriet Turner and her assortment of siblings as they adjust to the shifts in their relationships after their parents have passed away. When Harriet’s foster sister, Lara, disappears in the middle of her duties as tour guide for the travel agency the Turner family owns, Harriet finds herself thrust back into the thick of the family business. She arrives in England to conduct a successful tour, but ends up uncovering an old family mystery that might explain the strange disappearance of her usually dependable foster sister.
The concept of the book seemed promising, but some where along the way McInerney seems to have lost the plot. I found the story dragged, the twists and turns were predictable and there were boring subplots aplenty. I’d say skip this particularly McInerney book and try her novel ‘The Alphabet Sisters’ or ‘Spin the Bottle’ instead.

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‘Family Baggage’ is written by Monica McInerney. For more information about the author or her books, check out her website.


Next on the Double-O-Bill is ‘Hex and the Single Girl’ by Valerie Frankel. Now, I hadn’t expected to enjoy this book, as the title and author sounded a little sus --and come on, it was about a match-making witch --but it was actually a decent enough read.

‘Hex and the Single Girl’ tells the story of Emma Hutch, a modern witch who uses her powers for good…for a small fee. She runs a one-woman match-making agency in Manhattan (The Good Witch), using her supernatural powers to help her get the job done. Business is slow, and Emma is at risk of losing her beloved apartment, when in walks rich, powerful ad executive Daphne Wittfield, in desperate need of Emma’s services. Daphne claims to be after William Dearborn, one of the city’s most eligible bachelors, but Emma soon starts to question whether Daphne’s after his heart or his business. Then William makes his move…on Emma. And the story’s just getting started.

This was a great entertaining read. It tap-danced on that chick lit-romance novel boundary line, but didn’t cross it too often. ‘Hex and the Single Girl’ is a rainy afternoon, guilty pleasure indulgence.

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‘Hex and the Single Girl’ is written by Valerie Frankel. For more information about the author or her books, check out her website.

That’s it for today…I have quite a few books lined up in the queue now. Just because I wasn’t blogging, doesn’t mean that I wasn’t reading! So watch for the new reviews.