Wow. Gowdy sure knows how to tell a gripping story.
The book tells the story of Celia, a single mother, whose daughter Rachel is 9 years old and except...moreWow. Gowdy sure knows how to tell a gripping story.
The book tells the story of Celia, a single mother, whose daughter Rachel is 9 years old and exceptionally beautiful. When Rachel goes missing during a blackout, Celia desperately clings to her intuition that Rachel is still alive... meanwhile, the kidnapper watches the media coverage with interest, whilst keeping Rachel in his recently-renovated basement.
The book had me hooked from page one. The story is told from many different perspectives - Rachel, Celia, the kidnapper, his girlfriend and the family friend. Each perspective gives us more of an insight into the devastation caused by the kidnapper's actions. The book addresses the issues of mental instability - the kidnapper's reasons for his actions are not all they seem, the kidnapper's girlfriend disagrees with what he's done, but goes along with it for reasons of her own. The characters are well built, especially the kidnapper and his girlfriend. I also liked the characterisation of Rachel - I felt quite attached to her throughout the book and I thought that her emotions were very well written. The bond between Celia and Rachel is also well explored and whilst Celia held it together quite well, it was easy to interpret the desperation she was feeling. There are many moral issues raised in the book and they have been handled with care and compassion. It wasn't an easy read because of the subject matter and at times it felt quite uncomfortable, yet I'm glad I read it.
I felt compelled to keep reading and read the second half of the book in one sitting. I liked the ending, however I wanted to know more and felt that it could have done with an extra couple of chapters. That said, it doesn't take away from how well written this book is and I would definitely recommend it.(less)
Well... who knew that the life of rabbits could be so engrossing?!
This book was a joy to read. The author used beautiful imagery to the point where I...moreWell... who knew that the life of rabbits could be so engrossing?!
This book was a joy to read. The author used beautiful imagery to the point where I could imagine every little detail of the scenery and surroundings. He definitely has a way with words and I loved how he interspersed the writing with 'Lapine' (rabbit-talk) to make it that bit more believable. His writing made me want to keep reading and I would have happily read another 500 pages. I was sad when the story ended.
I loved the characterisation in the book. I guess that in a story about a bunch of rabbits, it could be easy to mistake one for the other. Not in this book. Each of the main rabbits has a distinct character, and throughout the book I found that I actually really cared about them. I can't really say much more about the characters without giving the storyline away, but suffice to say that it was a rollercoaster of emotions.
The story carries deeper meaning than just a story about rabbits. It's a tale of survival, team-work, friendship and perseverance. I think that this message is a valid one for adults and children alike, and that at some point EVERYONE should read this book. I can't believe that I didn't read it in my childhood.(less)
The problem with reviewing classics is that pretty much everything that can be said, already has been. Especially where this novella is concerned. So...moreThe problem with reviewing classics is that pretty much everything that can be said, already has been. Especially where this novella is concerned. So I'm not going to launch into a critique of it. I'm just going to say that I loved this book. I was drawn in from page 1 and was sad when it ended as I could easily have read another 100 pages. I wish I hadn't waited so long to read it.(less)
I didn't really know too much about this book before I read it. It was on the 'books recommended by staff' shelf at my local book store. I picked...moreWow.
I didn't really know too much about this book before I read it. It was on the 'books recommended by staff' shelf at my local book store. I picked it up as I'd also heard friends talk about it.
It's the story of Bruno, a 9 year old child in Germany, who is forced to move from his home in Berlin to somewhere he calls Out-With (obviously Auschwitz) because his father is promoted. There he looks out of his bedroom window to see a vast field behind a metal fence. He can see people in the distance, all wearing striped pyjamas. He takes a walk one day and meets a boy on the other side of the fence, called Shmuel. The story follows them as they become friends.
I couldn't put it down and I was absorbed in the story. It's not a complex story... in fact it's the simplicity that makes it so wonderful. Its pretty short, but there's still plenty packed into the pages. I can't really say more about the story than written above without giving spoilers, but I will say that it really touched me and there were a few moments in the book that brought tears to my eyes.
This is a look at an important, horrific part of history through a child's eyes and it works incredibly well. It doesn't trivialise the holocaust at all, yet conveys the naivete of the protagonist. A really moving book that has earned its place in my list of favourites.(less)
I absolutely LOVED this book. I couldn't put it down and read it in two sittings. I was hooked from the very beginning and loved that the suspense did...moreI absolutely LOVED this book. I couldn't put it down and read it in two sittings. I was hooked from the very beginning and loved that the suspense didn't let up at all throughout the book.
Katniss is 16. She lives in District 12 of what used to be North America with her mother and twelve year old sister, Prim. There are 11 other Districts, plus the Capitol. There used to be a District 13, but they rebelled against the government and were consequently obliterated by the Capitol. Because of District 13's rebellion, the Capitol stages an event every year to remind the other Districts of the power that the Capitol holds. This event is called the Hunger Games. How does it work? Each District has 2 competitors, known as tributes. The tributes are put into a huge arena, where they literally fight it out to the death. The winner is the person left alive at the end. Scary stuff. When Prim is selected in the lottery that determines the tributes for District 12, Katniss steps into her place. And so the book (and the fight) begins...
We live in a world that is obsessed with reality TV. Personally I can take it or leave it. A couple of shows I'll watch now and again, but mostly they annoy the hell out of me. This book, however, is just captivating. Collins' writing is superb. Yes, this is a YA novel, however it's an intelligently written YA novel and stands well above some adult novels I've read. The writing flows, the suspense is fantastic and the characters are well developed for the most part. I got caught up in the emotions of the book and in some parts my heart was pounding along with Katniss' as I turned the pages.
A Dirty Job follows the life of Charlie, a typical Beta Male, who is just an average guy. That is, until he finds out that he has been unknowingly rec...moreA Dirty Job follows the life of Charlie, a typical Beta Male, who is just an average guy. That is, until he finds out that he has been unknowingly recruited for a new job... Death.
This novel was hilarious. It literally had me laughing from the beginning to the last couple of lines. The writing is genius (albeit completely random), and I'll definitely be picking up the author's other books. I'll be recommending this to everyone!(less)
It's hard to summarise this book without giving key parts of the plot away, but lets just say that after Katniss rebelled against the Capitol by forci...moreIt's hard to summarise this book without giving key parts of the plot away, but lets just say that after Katniss rebelled against the Capitol by forcing the first ever dual-win of the Hunger Games, the Capitol is seeking revenge...
It took me a little while longer to get into this book than it did with the first one. Still, I loved it. The writing is as great as in the first book and the plot was, again, captivating. It took me longer to read but that wasn't the book's fault. When I did get chance to read it, I hated putting it down! The characters were well developed in the first book but we get chance to explore deeper into their feelings in this book and I came to really care about Katniss and Peeta.
I can't wait to read the final installment in the trilogy!(less)
I didn't expect this book to pull me in like it did. From the first page I was hooked. I loved that the book was written in dialect as it made me feel...moreI didn't expect this book to pull me in like it did. From the first page I was hooked. I loved that the book was written in dialect as it made me feel like I really got to know the characters. It really enhanced the characterisation.
Being from the UK, I really don't know how much of this book is true-to-life of how things used to be, however I have to say that most of it made my blood boil. The treatment the black maids were subjected to was horrendous and I hated that they just had to put up with it. The views were ridiculous and I found myself shouting at some of the characters, Hilly in particular, a lot of the time.
I definitely enjoyed this book more than I was expecting to. When a book receives a lot of hype it makes me apprehensive to read it because, more often than not, for me it just doesn't live up to the praise. This one certainly did and has gone straight into my favourites. I'm recommending it to everyone!(less)
I will start by saying that I didn't feel that this book lived up to the hype. I got the book on the day it was released, having pre-ordered it AGES a...moreI will start by saying that I didn't feel that this book lived up to the hype. I got the book on the day it was released, having pre-ordered it AGES ago from Amazon. I couldn't wait to get started as I, along with so many others, had eagerly waited for this book after reading the first two amazing books. I had really high hopes. It didn't live up to those hopes...
BUT
...it was still a great read. Granted, it didn't pull me in like the other two books did. It didn't captivate me in the same way as the others did. But yet it was still a fun, interesting read. It still kept the pages turning. There was a part that I felt slowed down a little in the middle, but the final few chapters made up for that. The final few chapters had all the action and suspense that the earlier chapters didn't. The final chapters had me on the edge of my seat wondering how it was all going to turn out.
The writing was just as good as in the first two books. I think what was lacking was the focal point of the games, which took up so much of the first two books. But then, the Hunger Games a third time would have been overkill.
In all, this was an amazing trilogy and I'm definitely glad I read it. I rarely re-read books anymore, but I have a feeling that I'll be reading these again at least once more.(less)
**spoiler alert** I loved this book! As an animal lover (especially dogs), it touched me in so many ways. Having grown up around dogs (albeit Collies...more**spoiler alert** I loved this book! As an animal lover (especially dogs), it touched me in so many ways. Having grown up around dogs (albeit Collies rather than Labradors), I could empathise with the family and all their emotions. Some of the things Marley did throughout the book reminded me of the dogs in our family (past and present) and I was laughing out loud for most of the time that I was reading.
Of course, the ending was inevitable - dogs don't live forever, however this didn't stop me crying buckets as I turned the pages of the last few chapters. It was so reminiscent of what we went through with Lucky, my grandparents' dog. It was heartbreaking to make the decision to put him down, but it was the only thing to do. I felt a complete connection with Grogan throughout the whole book, but especially towards the end and could see immediately how much emotion he put into his writing.
This is a wonderful book and paints an accurate picture of life with a dog - the good and bad. If this doesn't touch the heart of every dog owner then they don't deserve to have pets! I defy anyone to read this book and not enjoy it.(less)
I can't really put what I feel about this book into words. I never thought I'd be so gripped reading a story from the perspective of a 5 year old chil...moreI can't really put what I feel about this book into words. I never thought I'd be so gripped reading a story from the perspective of a 5 year old child.
The author's style of writing gripped me from the start. I honestly can't believe how well she writes in the voice of a 5 year old boy. The language, grammar, everything is spot on. It's been almost 24 hours since I finished the book and it's been on my mind for much of that time. I was so moved by Jack and his little world inside Room. I can't say too much without spoilers but suffice to say there were parts that made me laugh, parts that made me cry and parts that made me just want to hug him real hard and tell him that everything is ok. I wanted to keep reading to find out what happens, but wanted to savour the book at the same time and I really didn't want it to end.
No announcements precede it, no paper notices on downtown posts and billboards, no mentions or advertisements in l...more"The circus arrives without warning.
No announcements precede it, no paper notices on downtown posts and billboards, no mentions or advertisements in local newspapers. It is simply there, when yesterday it was not."
I don't know how many times I've read this paragraph recently. It's fair to say that this book has had more than your average amount of buzz. Lots more. This amount of buzz would normally put me off reading a book because I worry that it won't live up to my expectations. For some reason though, the buzz didn't put me off this book at all; it just made me want to read it even more. So much so that I pre-ordered the hardback - which is something I never do!
The Night Circus tells the story of Celia and Marco, two magicians who are trained from a young age to ultimately take part in a challenge where there can only be one winner. The stage for this challenge is a mysterious travelling circus that only opens at night and disappears as quickly as it arrived. Alongside this story we meet Bailey who, whilst playing out with his sister and her friend, is dared to break into the Night Circus. While there though, he meets a girl with red hair, dressed all in white, who helps him to get out of the circus when he's lost. She gives him her glove to take back with him - to prove to his sister that he did break in. 15 years later, he finds that the circus is back in town and Bailey can't resist returning to see whether the girl is still there...
As I said, I'd heard a lot about this book before it was released and the plot intrigued me. I love anything magical and this is magical realism at its most creative. The circus is mysterious and intriguing and I was fascinated by all of the different aspects of it, especially by the way the performers were so magical that they had to attempt to hide this from the audience by trying to make their acts seem like manipulation and sleight of hand.
There are many characters and the plot jumps around between years - moving from 1873 to the years prior to 1902, to 1902 when we read Bailey's story, to the present day when the story is written as though you are experiencing the circus yourself. The jumping around and trying to keep track of all of the characters did cause me some problems at first and I had to keep checking which year I was in, but as I got further into the book this became much easier and I settled into it. The characters each had their own stories, although none of them delve as deep as I would normally like, and I found them fascinating, especially the relationship between Celia and Marco, which develops slowly but is still interesting.
The plot itself isn't the fastest and there are some slow parts. I didn't mind this though, as this is more character driven than plot driven. It's also very visual - the author uses a lot of description, especially in the present day chapters, but it works perfectly for this book as it really is something that you need to be able to imagine to truly appreciate it. I can see how this, coupled with the slow plot, could put some people off, but I loved it. The writing is beautiful, almost lyrical, and I wanted to savour it and so I was happy to take my time.
The plot does pick up pace towards the end and the last few chapters are brilliant. I can't say anything really for fear of spoiling it, but I will say that there were things I wasn't expecting and that I liked how the author brought all of the characters together, especially as many of the characters seem peripheral but are brought closer and closer together throughout the book as we understand how their relationships intertwine.
All in all, despite a couple of flaws, this was an awesome book and one I will definitely read again. I can understand why many won't like it, however it definitely worked for me. (less)
Mariah White idolises her husband, so when she catches him with another woman she's devastated. She thinks she can't feel any worse, but then her daug...moreMariah White idolises her husband, so when she catches him with another woman she's devastated. She thinks she can't feel any worse, but then her daughter, Faith, starts talking to an imaginary friend. Not just any imaginary friend though - Faith claims this friend is God (and also happens to be a woman). The story follows their struggle to deal with the events that life begins to throw at them in light of these two events.
The writing is fantastic. This was my second Picoult - the first was Nineteen Minutes, which I enjoyed, but I enjoyed this one even more. There is something about the writing that pulled me in and I couldn't put the book down.
The characters are well explored - I'm not a mother, but I felt a connection to Mariah. I could feel the emotions that she was going through - the despair, bewilderment, helplessness. I also like the characterisation of the reporter Ian Fletcher and enjoyed reading about his interactions with Mariah. Each of the main characters in the book goes on a personal journey and I enjoyed watching their characters develop.
The story is told from different viewpoints throughout. Also, it switches between first and third person. First person is mostly reserved for Mariah. I liked the switches - it kept the story fresh and it was interesting to see it from different perspectives.
There is also a decent amount of suspense thrown in - I can't really say too much without giving out plot details, but suffice to say I read the last 100 pages without taking a break because I just had to know what happened!
I didn't realise it was possible to love a book where you hate the main character. This book proved me wrong. Humbert Humbert is possibly the most per...moreI didn't realise it was possible to love a book where you hate the main character. This book proved me wrong. Humbert Humbert is possibly the most perverted character I've ever come across, yet his prose is, quite simply, breathtaking. The book reads like poetry and I really didn't want to put it down. Despite the sickening subject matter this is a hugely readable book and is definitely one of my recent favourites.(less)
This book was so much more than I was expecting. It had been recommended by a friend who raved about it and so I read it as soon as I'd bought it (whi...moreThis book was so much more than I was expecting. It had been recommended by a friend who raved about it and so I read it as soon as I'd bought it (which I very rarely do). I'm so glad I read it.
It cuts pretty deep for a YA novel, and I think it's one that will stay with me for a long time. It has a very valid message - that everything we say/do has consequences, and that things that may seem small/insignificant can actually come together to form a much larger problem, in this case suicide. It shows that people don't commit suicide for a single reason, but because of many things that form a 'snowball effect'. This book is the story of Hannah Baker, who took her own life - but not before recording a series of tapes, intended for a specific list of people, detailing the 13 reasons why she decided that she couldn't take it anymore. Each person is supposed to listen to the tapes and then mail them to the next person on the list. Our narrator is Clay Jensen, whose name is on the list. We watch as Clay falls apart, realising that he could have helped Hannah, had he only taken the time to see who she really was.
The writing is captivating and the unique format is perfect for this book. The dual narrative works brilliantly and I was swept up by the emotional rollercoaster of both narrators. I read it in a day. I haven't been touched this deeply by a book in a long long time. Everyone should read this. (less)
This book was everything I look for in a good humour book. It's a satirical look at parents who would literally do anything to make sure that their ki...moreThis book was everything I look for in a good humour book. It's a satirical look at parents who would literally do anything to make sure that their kids succeed. Teetering on the edge between real life and bizarre exaggeration, this book looks at the rivalry between parents of kids who are the same age and are trying to get into a prestigious school. The crazy thing is, it's not really that exaggerated when you look at some parents today!
The book was very well paced. I didn't want to put it down and I read it in three sittings! It made me laugh out loud at many points and has gone straight onto my favourites shelf. Loved it and can't wait to pick up more from this author.(less)
This book had me hooked from the first page. The action starts in the first chapter and I loved that about it. There was none of the slow build-up tha...moreThis book had me hooked from the first page. The action starts in the first chapter and I loved that about it. There was none of the slow build-up that so many novels seem to have, although there is a LOT of detail. This may put some readers off but it really is essential to the story and the character building of the protagonist, Martin. There was a need to suspend disbelief to some degree, but that's part of the fun of the story! The story moved along at a good pace and there were parts where I held my breath wondering what would happen next and there were parts where I laughed out loud - cue the funny looks from people around me!
I took an instant liking to the protagonist, Martin, although I'm not really sure why. I guess it was because, despite his profession, he's actually a pretty nice guy and it's hard to dislike him. I also think that his methodical, organised approach to life resonated with me because, although I am nowhere near as meticulously organised as he is, I do have a pre-disposition to list making and attention to detail so this appealed to that side of me! The fact that he calls the homeowners 'Clients' rather than victims really endeared him to me - it shows that he cares about them and really does think that he's providing them with a service. I guess he's also using the term to make it sound more acceptable, but he does know that what he's doing is wrong. I don't really want to say anymore about the story as that would give away spoilers, but I will say that the situations he ends up in and the steps he takes to resolve those situations show how caring he is and made me like him even more.
As much as I did like Martin, it did really creep me out to think about how easy it is for someone to get into your house. I was lucky enough to be part of a chat with the author recently and he mentioned that he'd done a lot of research on lock-picking whilst writing the book and that it's surprising how many forums and sites there are on the internet that are dedicated to this. It definitely made me want to up the security on our house. It also made me think about things that I've misplaced in the past. Obviously the reality is that most burglars will go for the big cash items, but still...
A great read and one that I will probably read again. I can't wait to pick up the author's second book, Unexpectedly Milo.(less)
I haven't read any fiction about the circus before, but I found this to be a captivating novel. It tells the story of Jacob, who is training to be a v...moreI haven't read any fiction about the circus before, but I found this to be a captivating novel. It tells the story of Jacob, who is training to be a veterinarian at Cornell when his parents are killed in a road accident. Distraught, he walks out of his exam and decides that he can't go home and so he jumps on a train... not knowing that it's the train of the Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show on Earth. The story goes back and forwards between his journey with the circus as a young man and his time in a nursing home as a 93 year old man.
I had wanted to read this for a while, but just never got around to it. As with many books I've read, I wish I'd picked it up sooner. I was engrossed from the first page. As a child, I loved the circus (well, except for the clowns) and this book brought back those magical feelings. Gruen has clearly done her research and perfectly blends fact with fiction and I found that her writing flowed really well. The characters were well-built and I found that I really got to know Jacob throughout the book. At times I wanted to shout at him but most of the time I was rooting for him. I took a lot of pleasure in hating August... the scenes with the animal cruelty were particularly upsetting and at times I wanted to kill him. I have a particular liking for elephants and I fell in love with Rosie as soon as she made an appearance in the book!
I can't say too much about the ending without giving away spoilers, but I will say that I liked the twist and wasn't expecting it at all.(less)
I've just re-read this after reading it (and loving it) over and over as a child. Its still as wonderful now as it was then. This book is what really...moreI've just re-read this after reading it (and loving it) over and over as a child. Its still as wonderful now as it was then. This book is what really started off my love of reading. I'm lucky enough to own an edition where the childrens names haven't been changed and its only been abridged slightly. I would recommend this to everyone, young or old, as its a magical read. Every child should have this on their bookcase.(less)
I guess this novel would fall into the mystery/thriller/crime category, but it's so much more than that. Many books that fall into this category are m...moreI guess this novel would fall into the mystery/thriller/crime category, but it's so much more than that. Many books that fall into this category are mass market paperbacks that make good reading but don't contain anything of substance. The same can definitely NOT be said about this book.
I went into this book knowing the basics from the blurb on the back of the book and with a warning that the book didn't leave much to the imagination and didn't leave anything hidden. Well that was true - this is definitely gritty and not for those easily disturbed. I'm glad that I'm not easily disturbed though, because I found this to be one of the best books I've read in recent years. I devoured it and read 4/5ths of it in one sitting.
Camille is a reporter for the 4th biggest newspaper in Chicago, estranged from her Mother, Stepfather and half-sister who still live in her hometown of Windy Gap, MO. When two girls are murdered in Windy Gap, her boss thinks she's the perfect person to cover the story and she sets off to face her biggest story yet, along with her worst memories and unresolved issues...
I liked the mystery aspect of the story and thought I had it figured out about half way through the book. I was along the right lines but didn't get it quite right... I liked that it kept me guessing.
The writing is superior to that which I would expect from a debut novelist. It's dark, disturbing... and incredibly absorbing. Most of the characters are flawed, some more than others, and this makes for interesting reading as their 'hidden skeletons' are revealed. Camille is probably the most flawed character of all, but this just made me love her even more. I also liked how my feelings towards a few of the characters, Amma in particular, changed many times throughout the book. I really appreciate a book that can make me think and can make me question my thoughts and feelings. This book certainly made me do this.
I loved this quirky little mystery. It shows that mysteries don't need blood and gore to be great reads.
The protagonist is Flavia de Luce who, in 1950...moreI loved this quirky little mystery. It shows that mysteries don't need blood and gore to be great reads.
The protagonist is Flavia de Luce who, in 1950, lives in an old country house with her father, two annoying sisters and their handyman/gardener, Dogger. When she finds a dead man in the cucumber patch and her father is taken in for questionning, she decides that she needs to do some investigating of her own to clear his name.
I read this after hearing Michael talk about it on the Books on the Nightstand podcast. It took me a while to get around to reading it, but now I wish I hadn't waited so long! The writing is good and the pace flows well. I instantly liked Flavia and she seems much wiser than her 11 years. She also doesn't take any crap and I love that about her!
I'm really looking forward to reading the next installment! (less)
This book has the right mix of everything - supernatural, mystery, humour, romance and not to mention a kick-ass protagonist!
Sookie is a waitress in a...moreThis book has the right mix of everything - supernatural, mystery, humour, romance and not to mention a kick-ass protagonist!
Sookie is a waitress in a small town in Louisiana. She's friendly, but quiet... She doesn't date, but not because she's unattractive. She has a 'disability' (as she calls it). She can read minds. It's actually more of a problem than you'd think... can you imagine hearing every little detail of a person's thought process? Not really much fun. Imagine Sookie's delight, then, when she meets Bill, a handsome vampire (vampires are legal now dontcha know?), and realises that she can't read his mind. Finally, a guy she can date. Then things start to unravel when she meets Bill's friends - who are a little... creepy. When a colleague is murdered, Sookie starts to wonder if she'll be next.
I loved this book. I wish I hadn't waited so long to pick it up. I couldn't get enough of it and had problems putting it down. Whilst I did enjoy the Twilight books, this is in another leage completely. It's more witty and has a much better plotline. The romance was a smaller part of the book and was pleasant rather than sick-making. The sex scenes mean this is definitely a book for adults rather than teens. I loved the crime aspect of the story and it definitely kept me guessing right to the end. The characters were pretty well fleshed out and I'm looking forward to seeing them develop over the subsequent books.
I can't wait to pick up the next in the series.(less)
This was my second taste of Steinbeck and I'll certainly be reading more.
Cannery Row may be a short read, but there's a lot packed into it. The plotli...moreThis was my second taste of Steinbeck and I'll certainly be reading more.
Cannery Row may be a short read, but there's a lot packed into it. The plotline is pretty simple, it tells the story of the inhabitants of Cannery Row, Monterey, California and their attempts to throw a thankyou party for Doc, the local marine biologist who is the most generous person you could imagine.
The characters are well explored, given that this is such a short read. And the fact that the plotline is so simple gives the characters room to grow and we can see how complex they actually are. Steinbeck's prose is breathtaking and it amazes me how he can make any scene vivid, captivating and interesting.
Couple these things together and it makes for one great read.(less)
How did I go for so long without reading an Agatha Christie?! I wish I'd picked one up sooner! I figured my first read should be the first book publis...moreHow did I go for so long without reading an Agatha Christie?! I wish I'd picked one up sooner! I figured my first read should be the first book published (I have an OCDish need to read books in order) and I have to say that this is a fantastic debut novel. Most authors' work gets better with time - if Christie gets better than this then I have some treats in store!
Long story cut short:- Mrs Inglethorp, the old lady owner of Styles Court, suffers a violent fit early one morning and dies. It appears that foul play is in the air and the family bring in Hercule Poirot to investigate...
This book was everything a murder mystery should be. There were intriguing characters (which, incidentally, are nicely fleshed-out), a page-turning plot, plenty of clues and red-herrings and, best of all, it kept me guessing right until the very end. The narration also works well - by having Hastings as the narrator, we don't get to see inside Poirot's head, so we can continue to form our own conclusions right to the end.
I also liked how quaint this was. As a reader of more modern thrillers such as James Patterson, Lee Child and David Baldacci, it was nice to realise that there isn't always a requirement for violence, blood and guts in order to have a good plot.
I will definitely be picking up more of Christie's work.(less)
This book captivated me from start to finish. You’d never know that this is a debut novel, as the writing is so compelling and flows beautifully. It...more This book captivated me from start to finish. You’d never know that this is a debut novel, as the writing is so compelling and flows beautifully. It’s sparse, but I feel that it really works with this story as it’s essentially a modern-day fairy tale and so the style doesn’t really lend itself to complexity. There’s so much packed into what is a relatively short novel, but none of it feels rushed – the plot moves along at a comfortable pace and there weren’t any slow parts for me. It did require a little suspension of belief as some of the things came together a little too easily, however this fits in with the general style of a fairy tale and so it really didn’t matter too much to me. The thing that makes this novel, though, is the characters. The main characters, Emily and Sam, are complete opposites, yet they are perfect for each other. It was really heart-wrenching to watch their relationship develop so quickly and then be torn apart. The main star of the show though, for me, was Riddle – Sam’s younger brother. I couldn’t help but feel protective towards the kid and he instilled in me a real emotional attachment to the story as a whole. After these three main characters came a host of other characters who had smaller, but still important, parts to play. The chapters in the book move around, telling the story from the perspectives of the different characters in the book and, where a new character is introduced, we find out how they came to be where they are before we find out how they fit into the story. I liked this, because it made for more believable characters and therefore a more believable story.
I loved this story and I took from it a message of hope and of faith in humanity. I will be on the lookout for future books from this author. (less)
Macon Leary is a man of routine. So much so that it borders on OCD. Men like Macon do not cope well with change. So when his wife leaves him after the...moreMacon Leary is a man of routine. So much so that it borders on OCD. Men like Macon do not cope well with change. So when his wife leaves him after the loss of their son, his world is thrown upside down. This story follows his journey as he tries to leave a 'normal' life.
I loved the writing in this book. I haven't read any of Anne Tyler's work before, but I will certainly be picking more up in the future. I liked that there is so much to it than the words on the page. The story is heavy with symbolism which really appealed to me - I like a book that makes me think. The writing flows well, and the pages turn with ease.
Psychology fascinates me... I love to read about people and their quirks - how their mind works and why they do the things they do. This book, therefore, kept me really interested and I hated to put it down. If I'd had the chance to read it in one sitting I would have done. Another bonus was that the references to Macon's OCD-ish tendencies made me feel a little better about some of my own seemingly crazy habits.
All in all this was a great book and has gone into my list of favourites. It wasn't a book I'd have picked up off the shelf in a bookstore(I got it on the recommendation of a friend), but I'm really glad I read it.(less)
It's the story of Leo, your average high school student, who is intrigued when a new girl, Stargirl Carraway, joins his sch...moreI really enjoyed this book.
It's the story of Leo, your average high school student, who is intrigued when a new girl, Stargirl Carraway, joins his school. Stargirl's name isn't the only thing that's different... she's a free spirit who doesn't care what anyone else thinks of her. At first, Leo thinks (along with the rest of the school) that she's crazy. Then he gets to know her...
The writing flowed really well and this was an easy, pretty quick read. The thing I like about YA books is that the majority of them (the good ones anyway) have some sort of message/lesson to learn. Makes sense really, as teens are just starting to find their way in the world and need all the help/support/advice they can get. This book is no exception and carries a very valid message - it's ok to be different; be who you are.
When Rosy Thornton contacted me via my blog to ask if I'd like to review her book, I wasn't sure whether to accept at first. This is not the kind of n...moreWhen Rosy Thornton contacted me via my blog to ask if I'd like to review her book, I wasn't sure whether to accept at first. This is not the kind of novel that I usually read and to be honest I probably wouldn't have picked this up in a bookstore, but I decided to give it a chance because I do like reading about other countries and it has had some great reviews. Having read it, it's clear that I need to re-think how I choose my books in bookstores because I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Catherine was an instantly likeable character. She's incredibly strong willed yet down-to-earth and simply refuses to let anything bring her down. Throughout the book there are a number of occuring problems that would cause a lesser person to become self-pitying but this is never the case with Catherine and I loved her for it. Despite the fact that Catherine is much older than me, I was still able to relate to her and I felt a real affinity for her need to escape and to experience a different way of life. I also grew to really like the supporting characters in the book, especially Monsieur and Madame Bouschet. I loved the way that they took Catherine under their wing and it was nice to see the relationship build between the three. Patrick was an interesting character and it took me longer to warm to him, but I did eventually and it was interesting to see Catherine's relationship with him develop also.
The plot is brilliant in it's simplicity. It's simply a tale of life. There is no mystery, there is no huge twist and there are no vampires, but it's a compelling read. Everytime I picked this book up, I lost myself in the French way of life and I really didn't want to leave. I wanted to stay in the gorgeous French countryside, the slow, relaxed way of life and the sense of belonging and community that comes with living in such a small village. The images painted throughout the book of the mountains and the surrounding area just made me want to get on a plane as soon as possible - the authors use of description is just enough to make you feel like you're there, but not too much that it overshadows the rest of the book.
This book is just beautiful. I could have easily read another 300 pages without becoming bored. I will definitely be looking into Rosy Thornton's previous works.(less)
That was my initial thought on finishing this book. I can't even begin to put into words my feelings about the author and the st...more**spoiler alert** Wow.
That was my initial thought on finishing this book. I can't even begin to put into words my feelings about the author and the story of his life.
Shantaram made for some heavy, yet mesmerizing, reading. It took me an age to finish, because I wanted to absorb all of it, and therefore felt like I wasn't doing the book justice if I simply rushed it.
Roberts has been through much more than your average person. Granted, a lot of it was because of things he had done, however even he didn't deserve the cruel beatings he was forced to endure in the Arthur Road prison. On the flip side of this, he also experienced a lot of love. This book shows the kind-hearted nature of the Indian population - even down to the hardest criminals.
I found this book inspirational. Roberts talks openly about the crimes he committed, and their consequences. Yes, he should have served his time in prison instead of running. After breaking out, however, a lot of the things he did in India (for example the free health clinic in the slums) went towards repaying those dues. He rebuilt his life, even though his past meant that he was constantly on the run, and proved that people really can change.
I liked the philosophical side to this book, and found that there were many passages which spoke to me. I especially liked Khader's take on life, the reasons for us being here and people's moivations for the things they do and the choices they make.
The friendships built within the book were heartwarming. I was particularly touched by the author's relationship with Prabakar. I cried like a baby when he died. The author does such a wonderful job of capturing the essences of all the people referred to in the book, and I felt like I really knew some of them.
This account of the author's incredible journey made for compelling reading and I was sad to finish the book. I know that the story and its lessons will stay with me for a very long time.(less)
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