Onslow College

22,067 pages read and 1,451 team points

Team members

R.Kennedy

9,764 pts

(8,442 pages read)

The Lord of the Rings - The two Towers

By J R R Tolkien

5 stars

This is where the Fellowship splits into two main stories. We first follow Aragorn, Gimli and Legolas chase after Pippin and Merry and discover the fate of Gandalf. Then we follow Frodo, Sam and Gollum as they try to get into Mordor. Again the book is more engaging than the films, which I found a little overwrought. Though much of the story is fairly well told in the movies, it is hard to capture the depth of the characters and the tone of the book. I advise fans of the movies to read the book (books) if you haven't already.
The mysterious affair at Styles.

By Agatha Christie

4 stars

Early Agatha Christie introducing Hercule Poirot. Lots of clues leading us to suspect a series of different individuals. Can Poirot sort out the clues and solve the mystery? Of course he can. I hadn't read any Agatha Christie before although I've seen several movies.
Red Rocks

By Rachael King

5 stars

Great read. As a Wellingtonian, I could relate to the characters and recognise the places in the story. A mix of real life and Celtic myth, this book takes you on a journey of discovery. Very enjoyable read.
The Fellowship of the Ring

By J.R.R. Tolkien

5 stars

I hadn't read this since well before the movies came out. The book really is superior in all ways. Tolkien's humour and simple descriptive writing wins through. His world building is unsurpassed. You can't help being drawn into the story and experiencing it with and through the characters.
The Last Battle

By C.S. Lewis

2 stars

Now I remember why this was my least favourite book in the series. Though some parts were novel, they were unbelievable. (I mean, the Narnians don't question why Aslan is doing evil????) I also felt the ending was too trite. Oh they all die in the end and live happily ever after. Except Susan. Poor Susan.
The Silver Chair

By C.S. Lewis

4 stars

A good story with lots of setbacks for the main characters.
The horse and his boy

By C.S. Lewis

4 stars

This is one of my favourites of the Narnia series. It's great when a horse is one of the main characters.
The Origins of an Experimental Society: New Zealand 1769-1860

By Erik Olssen

4 stars

This has taken me since the challenge began to read as I can only cope with bits at a time. It is a heavy read but extremely interesting. It begins with the arrival of James Cook in New Zealand and takes us through the colonisation of New Zealand by Europeans. It gives context to the political, sociological and ideological background of the times. I particularly like the objective tone to the book and how every statement is thoroughly and meticulously researched. It neither vilifies nor romanticises but rather describes how New Zealand came to be so unique.
The Colour of Magic

By Terry Pratchett

3 stars

The first (and far from best) book in his Discworld series. It introduces the Discworld and Rincewind - one of his most beloved and wacky characters. It is a bit disjointed and lacks the clever wit of later books but is still a deliciously irreverent read - parodying anything and everything he can twist his mind to. P.S. it ends on a cliffhanger - requiring you to read 'The light Fantastic' to find out what happens next.
Northanger Abbey

By Jane Austen

2 stars

Boring. I thought it would be similar to Pride and Prejudice, which was both humorous and often insightful. However, this book was not either of those. No wonder she had difficulty getting this published!
All Things Bright and Beautiful

By James Herriot

5 stars

More heartwarming and hilarious stories from a country vet in the Yorkshire Dales 1930s - 40s. Very interesting to read about how vets worked before the modern drugs and techniques were available.
The Voyage of the Dawn Treader

By C.S. Lewis

4 stars

Another great adventure with the same characters from Prince Caspian, with the addition of Eustace - a thoroughly unlikeable boy who is given the opportunity to redeem himself.
The Magician's Nephew

By C.S. Lewis

4 stars

A glimpse into a by-gone age of innocence and fantasy. I remember being terrified by parts of the book when a child however.
The Secret Garden

By Frances Hodgson Burnett

4 stars

Another classic I hadn't read before. Though today's taste might find it a bit slow moving, it still contains enough 'magic' to delight, especially if you want a heart-warming positive story.
Jane Eyre

By Charlotte Bronte

4 stars

Despite being written in 1847, it is surprisingly readable once you get past the rather plodding, dense language. Took longer than usual to read a book of this size however - nearly 6 hours.
Falcon for a Queen

By Catherine Gaskin

4 stars

Another rather depressing drama. Fine if you don't mind half the main characters dying. Great descriptive writing however, evoking the period and setting.
All Creatures Great and Small

By James Herriot

5 stars

Hilarious and sometimes poignant recount of a vet's experiences in 1930s - 40s Yorkshire.
Fiona

By Catherine Gaskin

4 stars

Don't look for happy endings here. A fraught drama set in 1830s West Indies.
Magnificat

By Norman Thelwell

5 stars

Very amusing for lovers and haters of cats.
Credible

By Mark Jackson PHD

4 stars

Quite controversial book in that it examines the evidence for or against some of the central beliefs in Judaism, Christianity - including Catholicism, and Islam. Very interesting approach. Mark Jackson (a pseudonym understandably) is a criminologist and private investigator so is looking at evidence and balance of probabilities.
Prince Caspian

By C.S. Lewis

4 stars

I am enjoying revisiting the book series I read and reread as a child. These books are fairly timeless.
The Jilter

By Kate Archer

4 stars

Another quick but fun read. Over the top characters in a mad romp with a little mystery thrown in.
The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe

By C.S. Lewis

4 stars

Great children's classic. Good holiday read either to or with children. Still has the same charm as when I read it ahem years ago.
Everything but the Medicine

By Lucy O'Hagan

4 stars

Quirky read with some very poignant moments. Real and thought-provoking.
The Undaunted

By Kate Archer

4 stars

A fun read with amusing characters. The plot rolls merrily along with a bit of mystery thrown in.
The Temptation of Lady Serena

By Ella Quinn

1 stars

Mmm. Read on recommendation but not my cup of tea. Pretty tedious and trite 'romance'. Good for sending you to sleep at night.
The Champion

By Kate Archer

5 stars

A likeable protagonist, a threatening villain, an unlikely hero who is managed by his butler and some meddling middle aged ladies. All the recipe for mayhem, especially when you throw in random animals that need rescuing and a huge untrained canine. Another fun read from Kate Archer.

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Onslow College

22,067 pages read and 1,451 team points

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