Authors A to Z: L, M, N and O

I have been a little lax over the summer... not in terms of reading - I've probably read more than I have in a long while - but in terms of keeping up with "Authors A-Z". I've got four more books under my belt now, though, and thought I'd fill you in on what I've been reading!

Book 12: "L"
CIDER WITH ROSIE
LAURIE LEE
This is one of those classics I always wanted to read... one of those "hundred must read" books you hear about, and so when I started this challenge, it was one I immediately bookmarked. I have to admit to being a little disappointed. The book is more a collection of biographical reflections, so there is not really a flowing storyline to it, and I probably would have quite enjoyed it, had I not had such high expectations. I found the ending quite an anti-climax too... have any of you had better experiences with this one?!
Favourite quotes:
"The summer was all we heard; cuckoos crossed distances on chains of cries, flies buzzed and choke in the ears, and the saw-toothed chatter of mowing-machines drifted on waves of air from the fields."

Book 13: "M"
SECRETS OF THE RIVER
JESS MCGLYNN
I really, really wanted to like this book... mainly because it was written by my lovely friend Jess, and I'm thrilled to say I was not disappointed! Secrets of the River is the story of Isabelle, a young woman who has run away from a secret to beautiful France to recover. There she meets three young men, all of whom are potential love interests, and all of whom keep you guessing throughout the entirety of the book. It was totally readable, well-written and had enough twists and turns to keep me guessing throughout. I really enjoyed this one, and highly recommend... AND its only £1.99 on Amazon!
Favourite quotes:
"The band of guilt which had been tightly wrapped around her chest ever since she woke up in the hospital finally relaxed its grip"

Book 14: "N"
FIVE CHILDREN AND IT
EDITH NESBIT
This is one of those classics I remember watching on television when I was small and so I always wanted to read it... Like all good children's authors, Nesbit immerses you into a world of magic and mayhem, with a little fantasy thrown in. Throughout the book, you are never sure if you're meant to like the Psamead or not, but the stories of the children's adventures are hilarious and suspense-filled all at once! Definitely one to read with your 7-10 year olds, and fir yourself if you like a good old-fashioned story!
Favourite quotes:
"Grown-up people find it very difficult to believe really wonderful things, unless they have what they call proof. But children will believe almost anything, and grown-ups know this."

Book 15: "O"
THE BALLROOM CAFE
ANN O'LOUGHLIN
This one was a freeby I picked upon off Amazon, but I absolutely loved it. The Ballroom Cafe is the story of Ella and Roberta O'Callaghan, two elderly sisters living together in their old family mansion with a secret that has led them to decades of silent feuding. Along comes Debbie, a young American with her own secret who begins to put the pieces back together as they try and save the family home by turning the ballroom into a cafe. It was a really good read; a great storyline with an unpredictable ending... I loved it!
Favourite quotes:
"The pain of loss abated, but the intensity, when stirred, remained the same"
"Maybe I should have told you, but it's easy to look back and be wise"

So those were my little reads this month! I've now started my "P" book... "Don't make me count to three" by Ginger Plowman... And I'm on the hunt for a "Q" book... Any recommendations please??! I'm hitting a wall with this one!!

What have you been reading??? Link up below, and let us know how you're getting on!