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BIG FAT REVIEW OF THE YEAR 2015!

It's that time again. A run down of all the books we have reviewed this year followed by the most eagerly anticipated Book of the Year award! Books are in chronological order starting from January 2015

I am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes awarded 9.5
I think with the exception of A Christmas Carol which was awarded a festive 10 out of 10 this has to be our highest scoring book EVER. Reading the review back now makes me want to re-read the book again. Its lowest score was 9 which never happens in our group so if you haven't read it yet DO IT NOW

Girl on a Train by Paula Hawkins 7.3
Weak female characters resulting in us not really caring what happened, film rights have been sold and its very on trend. Most likely to have been read by your non reading friend.

The Martian by Andy Weir 7.18
I'm going to science the shit out of this planet! Best quote ever and even resulted in our first ever Film Review

The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton 7.3
Set in Amsterdam where a dolls house given as a wedding present to a merchants wife takes on a sinister turn. Frustrated by the miniaturist herself hence the big brother stylie 'Who is she?!?'

Child 44 by Tom Rob Smith 9
Murder mystery set in Stalins perfect Russia. Another book another film which apparently isn't as good but if your interested in TV check out the very good The London Spy a refreshingly different 5 part drama written by Smith shown just before Christmas.

Jamaica Inn by Dauphne Du Maurier 7
I think this is our only oldie of the year which is sad. A real life place and was probably the most evenly marked of the year.

The Colour of Magic by Terry Pratchett unscored
We simply didn't read it so couldn't give it a score. Better introductions to Pratchett than this one but think book club may be put of fantasy novels for life!

Keep Your Friends Close by Paula Daley 6
This one had potential but failed to meet it. It's part of a set apparently and I could see it easily being made in to a TV series

Mrs Hemmingway by Naomi Wood 7
Probably the most interesting book we read loosely being based around Ernest Hemmingways 4 wives. Reminded me of the excellent Tigers in Red Weather

Revival by Stephen King 7
Most of us couldn't get past the ending. I thought it had excellent characters and loved the setting. Surprised by how few of us had read any King before. Please read more, his short stories are brilliant.

The Ice Twins by S K Tremayne 5
Didn't care for the characters and for heavens sake which one is Kirsty and which one is Lydia!!!

A Gift from Bob by James Bowen I think this one was awarded a 6? Please correct me if I'm wrong
Childlike at times, we found it unrelateable and repetitive.

So our highest scoring book was without doubt I am Pilgrim

Our lowest scoring was The Ice Twins unless you count The Colour of Magic which I really don't feel like we gave enough of a chance

Most forgettable, for me, looking back was probably Keep Your Friends Close or The Miniaturist

and book of the year perhaps controversially goes to The Martian. I know, I am Pilgrim is the obvious choice but The Martian was a breath of fresh air to others on the market at the moment, it took me by surprise and I immensely enjoyed it.

Let me know if you disagree!

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