Bog Child by Siobhan Dowd

I read this one in a day! Another good book by Siobhan Dowd, who sadly died of cancer after writing this one. Such a shame - she is a very talented writer, and this is another moving story set in the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland during the Troubles. An Iron Age body is found in a bog, like the Tollund Man, and this sets the scene.

A Swift Pure Cry by Siobhan Dowd

What an intensely sad and moving book. Very well written. I highly recommend. About a poor Irish family, in particular, Shell, just turned 16, and her relationship with her father, the local priest, and a worldly wise boy.

The Shoe Queen by Anna Davis

I'm not sure what I expected when I started reading this book, but for a start I hadn't expected it to be set in the twenties! Lots of shoes, some intrigue, and a bit of an unexpected ending.

Girl Meets Cake by Susie Day

I can't quite remember the order I read my summer books in ... Anyway, this was a good one, about a girl whose parents work in a boarding school who ends up with a made up gingerbread boyfriend. Very fun.

The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle

What can I say. Very exciting, fun and entertaining. And then Sherlock came out! Complete with Sherlock's website and Dr Watson's blog! Great stuff. I was really in the mood for it having read this book so recently!