The Oscars Best Dressed 2010

This year's Oscars saw Hollywood stars trying something different. Rather than the usual one-colour simple gown, this was the year for extravagance. There were ruffles, trains, sequins, florals - individuality was key. Here's my pick of the best:

Diane Kuger looked stunning in this black and cream, pleated and ruffled Chanel creation. The intricate detail of the glittering appliquéd flowers around the collar is true red carpet extravagance.

The romantic trend was alive and strong at this year's awards as Zoe Saldana walked the red carpet in an enchanting Givenchy dress. The sparkling bodice and every-shade-of-purple ruffled trail were a sign of true glamour.

The Time Traveller's Wife star Rachel McAdams looked heavenly in this sumptuous, romantic Elie Saab couture number. The voluminous gown featured a latticed bodice and the dusty blue and grey shades added an original rock-chick edge to the gown.

Actress Elizabeth Banks made sure all eyes were on her as she made her way down the red carpet in a pale grey, strapless gown by Versace. The figure hugging design stayed on trend with a ruffled trailing skirt.

One of the best dressed at this year's event had to be Maggie Gyllenhaal. Her Dries Van Noten column dress with its striking blue tropical print made sure she stood out in the crowd.

Sandra Bullock showed off her curves in a shimmering Marchesa gown, with a sheer, floral embroidered bodice and dramatic train. The winner of the Best Actress category kept the focus on her floor length dress by sticking to simple accessories, wearing only pearl drop earrings and a delicate bracelet.

Miley Cyrus edges her way onto the style list in this fairytale Jenny Packham gown. The champagne coloured silk bustier, high-waisted sequined skirt, swooping back and blood red nails create an ever-so-sexy take on a classic showbiz look.

Demi Moore wowed on the red carpet as she worked the romance trend, wearing a nude ruffled gown by Atelier Versace.

Book Club - Gardens of Water by Alan Drew

This should have been the new Kite Runner!

I came across this book a few weeks ago; having now read it and discovered it was published in paperback over a year ago, I have to ask myself how it managed to pass me by for so long?

Ok, so the cover isn't exactly appealing, and there was a real lack of publicity; but these just seem like poor excuses. To be frank - I couldn't put this book down. And I can't believe I haven't heard about it from someone, somewhere...

The story begins in Turkey in 1999 when devastating earthquake brings the busy life of Istanbul to a halt. Its impact not only strips Sinan and his family of their home and livelihood, but also takes away from Sinan his confidence as a father, husband and religious man. As he struggles to cope with memories from his past, keeping his family safe and his daughter's ever-growing infatuation with an American boy; Sinan begins to make desperate decisions, setting himself and his family on a path of unimaginable consequences.

And it's difficult to find anything in this novel to criticise. The prose was engaging and evocative, and managed emotional depth without being overly dramatic or sentimental. There were occasions of truly beautiful, vivid descriptions and the carefully and quietly controlled suspense kept me hanging on till the very end.

The characterisation was intelligent and well balanced. Despite each character being used to represent a somewhat stereotypical viewpoint, none appeared one-dimensional or forced. There was naturalness about each character, as they all battled their own internal struggles alongside their new difficult surroundings. The complexity of humanity is effectively captured.

The only thing I could bring myself to fault is the ending, and even this I fault half-heartedly. The ending appeared rushed - as all loose ends are suddenly tied up in a few pages; yet with hindsight, the ending was entirely suitable. It wasn't what I expected or hoped for, but it was plausible and fitting to the rest of the story. I fear any other ending would have detracted from the seriousness and emotional impact of the plot preceding that point.

I loved the rich variety of topics in the novel, all of which were dealt with in depth: politics, war, history, family, love, wealth, race, religion, natural disasters, despair and hope. Still, I think what I admired most about this novel was the easy-to-read narrative style. I admit that at the end of each chapter I expected to find it difficult to get my teeth into the next. I decided it would be impossible to maintain the high level of intrigue and natural flow through a chapter break, and change in narrative viewpoint. I was wrong. This book was a real breath of fresh-air, and definitely a page-turner.