A Storm of Swords 2: Blood and Gold by George R. R. Martin

Title: A Storm of Swords 2: Blood and Gold
Author: George R. R. Martin
Publisher: Harper Voyager
Publication Date: 1st September 2011
Genre: Dark Fantasy

Summary:
It is all going down in Westeros...

(I really cannot be bothered)

Review:
I made the grave mistake of reading two books from the Song of Ice and Fire series in a row.

I did not get off to a great start with this book in the series, because of the TV programme, Series three of the popular HBO series finishes just after the start of this book, so several major events which happen in this installation - I already knew about. Very helpful, ey? So, if you are reading the book, and then watching the corresponding series (like me) you are best to skip the first one hundred pages - it will save you a lot of time and patience.

A Storm of Swords 1: Steel and Snow by George R. R. Martin

Title: A Storm of Swords 1: Steel and Snow
Author: George R. R. Martin
Publisher: Harper Voyager
Release Date: 1st September 2011
Genre: Dark Fantasy

Summary:
The Kingdom of Westeros has never been more divided. The Starks commanding the rebellion in the North and the Lannisters crippling the South with their greed and pursuit for even more power.

However, shadows are creeping in from all directions threatening the two pursuits for the Iron Throne.

Review:
Finally, I built up the stamina to take on the next book in the Ice and Fire series and, it was much the same as the other books in the series.

The Bookshelf Rules

I love my bookshelf, and needless to say, I am quite protective over it. So much so that when people borrow my books, I have a set of rules which I enforce in a deadly serious tone.

So, the rules to Emily's bookshelf are below...

1. Do not borrow my books without my permission

This one is quite a simple one really. Borrowing without permission is called stealing. Stealing is illegal. Do not do it. I will notice that one of my precious books is gone, and I will find you and I will hunt you done and kill you. Simples.

2. Do not fold the corners over

Use a bookmark. It is what they were made for. Duh!

The Walking Dead Compendium: Volume Two by Robert Kirkman, Charlie Adlard, Tony Moore & Cliff Rathburn

Title: The Walking Dead Compendium: Volume Two
Authors & Illustrators: Robert Kirkman, Charlie Adlard, Tony Moore & Cliff Rathburn
Publisher: Image Comics
Release Date: 19th May 2009
Genre: Horror, Comics

Summary:
Collect issue #49 - 96 of the popular comic series The Walking
Dead. I could not resist...

Review:
After I read the first compendium of this series (you can read my review here), I have been dying to sink my teeth into the next batch of comics in this series!

I may have just used loads of zombie-related puns but words cannot describe how good these comics are! Once you get into the story line and the format of reading comics, you just want more and more and it will take you no time at all to get through the 1,068 pages of gore, horror and grizzly deaths.

My Madder Fatter Diary Vol. 2 by Rae Earl

I have found my favourite place to read. Only problem - it is approximately 5,000 miles away, on the other side of the world. Doh!

Last week I went to visit my boyfriend who is currently on a Study Abroad placement at California State University: Long Beach. So whilst he was busy in his Physics classes, I was busy reading in the 30 degree heat and sunbathing. Not too shabby if you ask me!

Despite being incredibly tired half the time, I had a really nice time and managed to actually read a book in the peace and quiet. Yay! I even went to Barnes & Noble for the first time - which was HUGE by the way. We ended up playing hide and seek in the aisles. It was my dream bookshop. Amazing.

Title: My Madder Fatter Diary Vol. 2
Author: Rae Earl
Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton
Publication Date: 1st January 2014
Genre: Autobiography, True Story, Humour

Summary:
It is 1990 and Rae Earl is back where she left off with the latest installat
ion of her hilarious diaries.

Review:
I was really excited to start reading this book as I loved, loved, loved the first publication of Earl's diary (my review of My Mad Fat Diary by Rae Earl can be found here).

The sequel was very much the same as the first book, with hilarious events and awkwardness bursting out of the pages. This makes it such an easy read and the perfect book to sit down and pass a couple of hours.

The Walking Dead Compendium: Volume One by Robert Kirkman, Charlie Adlard, Tony Moore & Cliff Rathburn

Title: The Walking Dead Compendium: Volume One
Authors & Illustrators: Robert Kirkman, Charlie Adlard, Tony Moore & Cliff Rathburn
Publisher: Image Comics
Release Date: 19th May 2009
Genre: Horror, Comics

Summary:
Collect issue #1 - 48 of the popular comic series The Walking Dead. It's also a pretty awesome TV show...

Review:
I brought this book many, many months ago and I have been working up the energy to actually sit down and get on with reading it. After my ordeal with Sense and Sensibility (you can read my review here), I wanted a nice easy read which I would actually enjoy. I therefore decided to finally read this beast (by this I mean HUGE) book...

Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen

Title: Sense and Sensibility
Author: Jane Austen
Publisher:
Publication Date: 1811
Genre: Romance, Classics

Summary:
Umm, see below...

Review: 
So, my New Years Resolution for 2014 was to read more classic novels. Seeing as 2014 is nearly over, I thought I had better make a start and try to at least read some classic books before it's too late! My best friend loves Jane Austen but when the bookshop didn't have Pride and Prejudice in stock, I thought I would settle for Sense and Sensibility and, at first, I was really excited to read it...

However, my excitement soon ended (approximately) ten pages in. Needless to say, this turned out to be a very, very, very hard read and I really struggled to make much sense out of it, if you would pardon the pun (I've been waiting to use that joke for a while hahaha...). From what I could gather, it is about two sisters who deal with very similar situations in two completely different ways - one in a sensible, civilised way and the other, not so much.

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

Title: The Book Thief
Author: Markus Zusak
Publisher: Transworld Publishers
Release Date: 8th September 2007
Genre: History

Summary:
It is 1939 in Nazi Germany and war is in the air.

Soon after the death of her young brother, Liesel moves in with a foster family on the poverty stricken Himmel Street. Feeling isolated and scared, she finds solace in books and the stories they tell.

Review:
I am not going to lie, I have been putting off reading this book for a while. I am not sure why, but I have dreading reading this book... (it may have something to do with it being a book based on history, I am not too sure).

The Walking Dead: The Rise of the Governor by Robert Kirkman and Jay Bonansinga

Title: The Walking Dead: Rise of the Governor
Author: Robert Kirkman and Jay Bonansinga
Publisher: Thomas Dunne Books
Release Date: 21st October 2011
Genre: Horror

Summary: 
The entire human race is under threat - and Philip Blake is on the front line.

After escaping from their small hometown the Blake brothers, and their childhood friends, are on the run from the zombie swarms closing in on them. But apparently their is a safe zone. The problem? It is hundreds of miles away in Atlanta.

Can they survive this mammoth trek and find their safe haven? Or will the challenges of this new, dangerous world be too much?

The Hogwarts Library by J. K. Rowling

Title: The Hogwarts Library

Author: J. K. Rowling

Publisher: Bloomsbury Childrens

Release Date: 8th November 2012

Genre: Non-Fiction-Fiction, Young Adult, Fantasy

Summary:

Ever wondered what it is like to study at Hogwarts? 

Well now here is your chance to read the mystical and weird text books that Hogwarts students have to read!

Review:

On one of my many visits to the Warner Brothers Studio Tour London, I bought the Hogwarts Library. This collection, which was written by J. K. Rowling (under the names of made up authors) for Comic Relief some years ago, contains three books; Quidditch Through the Ages by Kennilworthy Whisp, Fanstastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander and The Tales of Beedle and the Bard. As they are are essentially Non-Fiction books set in a Fictitious world, I think the genre classification, Non-Fiction-Fiction seems most appropriate?

A Clash of Kings by George R. R. Martin

Title: A Clash of Kings
Author: George R. R. Martin
Publisher: Harper Voyager
Release Date: 1st September 2011
Genre: Dark Fantasy

Summary:
War is coming as five nobles stake their claim for the most coveted chair in Westeros - the Iron Thorne - a prize is so sought after it turns family into foe, and friends into enemies.

Review:
It may have taken me two weeks, but I have finally finished reading the second book in the A Song of Ice and Fire series! Running a book blog and working full-time on a placement year, is not as easy as I thought it was going to be...

Anyway, whilst it did take me ages to finish it - I enjoyed every page of the book and cannot wait to read the rest of the series!

World War Z by Max Brooks

Title: World War Z
Author: Max Brooks
Publisher: Gerald Duckworth & Co Ltd
Release Date: 2011
Genre: Non-Fiction Fiction, Horror

Summary:
Many years ago a zombie infestation took over the whole. The effects were felt throughout the world. However, now that the 'Great Panic' is over; the world's population is trying to recover to get back to normal.

In this book Max Brooks documents the accounts and terrifying stories of different people throughout the world and their experiences with the living dead.

Review:
Yes, the Brad Pitt movie of the same name is based on this book but is, thankfully, nothing like it. Hallelujah; that movie was pretty awful, in my opinion...

The Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger

Cover for the Penguin Classics edition
(4th March 2010)

Title: The Catcher In The Rye
Author: J. D. Salinger
Publisher: Hamish Hamilton
Release Date: 1951 (first published)
Genre: Classics

Summary:
Holden Caulifield is seemingly misunderstood by everyone around him. Having been kicked out of numerous prestigious schools, Holden decides to spend the weekend in New York being an adult and dreaming of freedom.

Review:
The story of Holden Caulifield is short and sweet, as it spans over one weekend. However, even though it is short; it is complex mixing numerous themes and feelings throughout (hence why I struggled to actually summarise the plot in this post). Come to think of it, in my opinion, the story is more of an extract of memoirs rather than a piece of traditional fiction with different events and stages of equilibrium; for there are no dramatic events, just the inner monologue of the protagonist taking the reader through their feelings over a short period of time. 

When Mr Dog Bites by Brian Conaghan

Title: When Mr Dog Bites
Author: Brian Conaghan
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
Release Date: 16th January 2014
Genre: Young Adult

Summary:
Dylan Mint has Tourette's. His life is a constant battle against Mr Dog - his inner beast that makes him tic, swear and growl. However, Mr Dog may win once and for all as, whilst at the hospital for a routine visit, he overhears a conversation between the doctor and his mum. Something is going to happen in March, and it is not good news as, apparently, he is going to die...

Determined to make the most of his last few months, he makes his own list of 'Things To Do Before I Die.'

Review:
Firstly, I would just like to say that I read this book in less than a day. Even if it was only like three hundred pages; it was such an easy and enjoyable read.

Deranged Marriage by Faith Bleasdale

Title: Deranged Marriage
Author: Faith Bleasdale
Publisher: Endeavour Press
Release Date: 11th June 2014
Genre: ChickLit, Romance

Summary:
At the age of twenty, Holly Miller made an innocent marriage pact with her childhood best friend, George. However, ten years later; the events of that drunken night comes to haunt her and threatens everything she holds dear.

Review:
I do not really have that much to say about this book, so I will make this quick...

I was really intrigued when I started reading this as the plot was so original. However, the novelty of the idea soon wore off as, in my opinion, far too much happened at the beginning as the spark soon fizzled out in regards to the marriage pact. I was left thinking, "Oh, was that it? But there is still like two hundred pages to go?" This resulted in a long, drawn out plot which, in my opinion, diverged quite a lot from the original starting point.

Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy

Title: Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy

Author: Helen Fielding

Publisher: Jonathan Cape

Release Date: 10th October 2013

Genre: ChickLit

Summary:

Bridget is back and, unfortunately, single... again. (Where's Mark Darcy gone?!)

However, things are a bit different now as now she must navigate the world of dating whilst trying to juggle being a single mum, her newfound Twitter addiction and the uncharted territory of toy-boys. 

Review:

I was really looking forward to reading latest instalment front the diaries of Bridget Jones as I had grown bored of the repetitiveness of the previous two books in the series (my review of Bridget Jones's Diary can be found here, and my review of Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason can be found here).

Shelfie #6

After months of complaining about the mess that my bookshelf was in, and hinting to my mum that I could do with another bookshelf; I finally have two!!

I am not going to lie; it was so much fun organising them. Just so you know, the bottom shelf of the left bookcase is the 'To Read' pile which I am finally starting to work my way through!

But now they look kind of empty... time to go on a book buying spree I think!

The Getaway by Wendy Lewis

Title: The Getaway
Author: Wendy Lewis
Publisher: Endeavour Press
Release Date: 
Genre: Romance, ChickLit

Summary:
Lexi is thrown in the deep end when she leaves behind her life in London for a sleepy countryside village.

After her estranged father suddenly dies, she inherits the Nobles Hotel and takes on the challenge of becoming its new hotelier.

However, running a hotel and country life can be an eventful business, full of weird and bizarre happenings.

Whilst trying to juggle mysterious guests, clingy ex-boyfriends and rumours of Phantom bagpipers; Lexi soon finds herself smitten with Sam, the local sledger.

Echoes of the Past by Deborah Mailer

Title: Echoes of the Past
Author: Deborah Mailer
Publisher: Endeavour Press
Release Date: 30th January 2014
Genre: Crime, Thriller

Summary:
Tom Hunter has been in the police-force all his life, dedicating his life to solving crimes and catching criminals. After a serious heart attack and the death of his wife, he moves to the small, unassuming village of Coppersfield along with his daughter, Jess.

However, when Hunter looks into a series of unsolved disappearances; their haven is soon disturbed by creepy goings-on and supernatural beings.

Review:
When I started reading this book, I thought it was going to be a simple, crime/thriller. Oh no no, how I was wrong... Instead of being a simple crime novel, the plot incorporates ghosts too...

Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason by Helen Fielding

Title: Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason
Author: Helen Fielding
Publisher: Picador
Release Date: 18th November 1999
Genre: ChickLit

Summary:
Bridget Jones is back and crazier than ever.

In the second installment of her singleton diary, Bridget finds herself dealing with drug lords, death threats and prison (oo-er..)

And, not forgetting, the gorgeous and dashing Mark Darcy.

Review:
Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason, is very much the same as its predecessor Bridget Jones's Diary (my review can be found here). It is funny, cheesy and unbelieving engrossing for women everywhere. Not to mention; it is not a patch on the film!

Earthly Powers by David Anderson

Title: Earthly Powers
Author: David Anderson
Release Date: 10th June 2014
Publisher: Endeavour Press
Genre: Thriller

Summary:
In 1945, just before the end of the war, a German U-boat transported a deathly secret away from the ruins of Berlin.

Hidden on Arcadia Island, on the outskirts of British Columbia, it was safely stored away to make sure it did not fall into the wrong hands.

However, many years later it is about to be rediscovered by the islands latest resident, Terri Stark.

But when Lucius Stringer and his eco-group, Earth Power, move onto the island; strange, and deadly, things start ruin Terri’s peaceful haven.

Bridget Jones's Diary by Helen Fielding

Title: Bridget Jones's Diary
Author: Helen Fielding
Publisher: Picador
Release Date: 25th October 1996
Genre: ChickLit

Summary:
Bridget Jones is the ultimate singleton. She's forever single, stuck in a dead-end job and slightly overweight.

In her diary she documents her struggles with; men (Mark Darcy or Daniel Cleaver?!!), her weight and her over-possessive and barmy mother.

Review:
I was really looking forward to reading Bridget Jones's Diary, as I absolutely love the film! (Here I am basing a book on the film... again!)

Sword of Empire: Centurion by Richard Foreman

Title: Sword of Empire: Centurion
Author: Richard Foreman
Publisher: Endeavour Press
Release Date: 30th April 2014
Genre: Historical Fiction

Summary:
It is 174 AD and Gaius Maximus has just returned to Rome, after years fighting in the North, to settle down with the beautiful Aurelia.

However, all is not well in the capital and plans to overthrow the Emperor soon emerge.

Review:
Just so you know, I was asked to review Sword of Empire: Centurion by the author himself as I am doing work experience with his publishing house, Endeavour Press. I have also previously reviewed it's prequel Sword of Empire: Praetorian (my review can be found here).

Like with Sword of Empire: Praetorian I was a bit wary of reading a book from the historical fiction genre; but I actually quite liked it.

My Mad Fat Diary by Rae Earl

Title: My Mad Fat Diary

Author: Rae Earl
Publisher: Hodder Paperbacks
Release Date: 23rd August 2007
Genre: Autobiography

Summary:
In her youth Rae Earl was a fat, boy-obsessed (and slightly insane) 17-year-old from Lincolnshire. Now a writer, broadcaster and radio presenter; this book is the real-life diary she kept during 1989.

Review:
I am not going to lie but it took me ages to find this book. After searching in the 'Fiction' section of about four different Waterstones; I suddenly realised that it was not a work of fiction and was in fact non-fictional! So I go to the 'Autobiography' section and low and behold; there it is.

I felt extremely blonde, but I think my confusion was justified! I mean, the stuff that happens in this book; it is hard to believe that this all actually happened! It is just too funny!

#Shelfie 5

Had a bit of a clear out and re-organisation of my bookshelf today. However this does not stop me buying more books than I have time to read! Sometimes I just cannot help myself...

A Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin

Title: A Game of Thrones
Author: George R. R. Martin
Publisher: HarperCollins
Release Date: 23rd December 2010
Genre: Dark Fantasy

Summary: 
In the Land of Westeros Winter is coming and the struggle for the Iron Thorne has begun.

Review:
I was not sure what I was expecting when I was persuaded to start reading this series but I did not think it was going to be as good as it actually is.

It is awesome and it is easy to see why it has become so popular.

Divergent by Veronica Roth

Title: Divergent
Author: Veronica Roth
Publisher: HarperCollins
Release Date: 28th February 2012
Genre: Fantasy, Science Fiction, Young Adult

Summary:
Becoming sixteen is a big deal for all teenagers.

For Beatrice Prior, however, at the age of sixteen she must make a life-changing decision that will change her whole world for she lives in a society divided my factions.

She must choose where she belongs and prove herself to her new "family". Her decision, however, has deadly consequences.

Review: 
I decided to read this book after my best-friend raved about it constantly. However, I was not impressed with her taste in books (which is usually impeccable) this time as I had two major issues with it...

Shelfie #4

Too many books, not enough time!

But thanks to my friend who's buggering off to California next year, I now have the complete A Song of Ice and Fire series! Awesome.

The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion

After finally finishing all my assignments; I finally have some time to read! However, this review will be short and sweet as I now have exams to revise for! 

Title: The Rosie Project

Author: Graeme Simsion

Publisher: Penguin

Publication Date: 2nd January 2014

Genre: Humour, Romance

Summary: 

Being the world's most socially awkward and weird man makes it extremely hard for you to find your perfect partner. Don Tillman, a successful geneticist and lecturer, however has a plan. Enter The Wife Project; a scientific experiment of find the perfect woman and lifelong partner. Don is determined that this method is guaranteed to produce the answer to all his dreams. However, when Rosie unsuspectingly walks into his life; she turns his world upside down.

Review: 

I am not going to lie, I brought this book because I thought the cover was interesting and I had heard a lot about it online.

Big mistake.

A Little Project...

For those of you who do not know me, apart from reading another one of my favourite hobbies is Judo. I am probably not the typical "judoka" but I really love the sport and have made some great friends at my university's club.

But why am I telling you this?

For one of my modules on my course I had to make a documentary under the theme of Achievement. So, I decided to do it on the black belts at my club. After a lot of blood, sweat and tears (literally) it is finally finished and I have decided to share it with everyone as, even though it is not perfect and not really related to publishing, I am really, really, really proud of it and learnt a lot from making it.

Below is the finished documentary. I hope you like it but if you do not; just remember I have a yellow belt!!

Shelfie #3

This is not really a shelfie as I have not really had chance to read or buy new books lately. However, since I finished all my assignments (hooray!) I decided to treat myself...

I am a big Walking Dead fan and decided to buy the first 1,000 page installment of the comic books. I have spent the last couple of minutes flicking through and I am so excited to start reading this! Definitely going to take me a while to get through it though...

Atonement by Ian McEwan

Title: Atonement
Author: Ian McEwan
Publisher: Vintage Books
Release Date: 2nd May 2002
Genre: Romance, Crime, Classics, Period Drama

Summary:
In the summer of 1935, Briony Tallis tells a lie. Little does she know that this little indulgence on her imagination will have a detrimental impact on the lives of the ones she loves.

I think that is all I can say without giving away too much...

Review:
When I started reading this book, I was expecting it to be extremely boring as I am not a fan of the "Downtown Abbey Manor House" genre. I was, however, pleasantly surprised and became extremely engrossed with the characters and the plot.

My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult

Title: My Sister's Keeper
Author: Jodi Picoult
Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton
Release Date: 6th April 2004
Genre: Fiction, Family, Romance

Summary:
Sara Fitzgerald would do almost anything for her daughter, Kate. However, when Kate is diagnosed with leukaemia; Sara's love for her daughter is truely put to test.

Anna, a by-product of Sara's mission to save Kate, was specifically designed and conceived to save Kate's life by providing a much needed bone marrow transplant. However, Sara's world is turned up-side down when Anna decides that, after many years, she does not want to help anymore and sues her own parents for the rights to her body.

The Complete Nonsense of Edward Lear

Sorry for the lack of books reviews lately; I have been swamped (no exaggeration there!) with university work :-(

However, seeing as I haven't blogged in a couple of days, I thought I would do something a bit different and review a collection of poetry... This could either go very right, or very, very wrong.

Oh, and it is World Poetry Day today!!

Collection: Faber Children's Classics; The Complete Nonsense of Edward Lear
Works Included: A Book of Nonsense (1846) Nonsense Songs, Stories, Botany and Alphabets (1871) More Nonsense, Pictures, Rhymes, Botany, etc. (1872) Laughable Lyrics, A Fourth Book of Nonsense Poems, Songs, Botany, Music, etc. (1877) and Nonsense Songs and Stories (1895)
Author: Edward Lear
Editor: Holbrook Jackson

Review: 
Poetry is a something I am not entirely comfortable with. I mean, I struggle to appreciate it most of the time; let alone understand and enjoy it!

Before I Go to Sleep by S. J. Watson

Title: Before I Go to Sleep
Author: S. J. Watson
Publisher: Doubleday
Release Date: 2nd January 2012
Genre: Thriller, Crime

Summary: 
Imagine waking up everyday and not knowing who or where you are. You do not recognise the people around you; even your own family! Just when they start to help you remember... it is time to go back to sleep!

This is the life of Christine.

Review:
There are some books which, after you've read them, leave you speechless. This, however, is not one; as, in my opinion, there is nothing remotely remarkable about this book. I mean, I can barely remember what happened in it... (kind of ironic, ey?).

The Silver Linings Playbook by Matthew Quick

Cover for Picador film tie-in edition
(published 16th October 2012)

Title: The Silver Linings Playbook
Author: Matthew Quick
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Release Date: First published 2nd September 2008
Genre: Romance

Summary:
Pat is a man with a plan. Get fit. Read books. Get his wife back. Simples!

However, like most things in life, it is not that simple. Especially seeing as Pat has just got out of a psychiatric hospital and his wife, has now, become estranged.

When everything seems to be going on, something appears beyond the horizon...

Here comes Tiffany, his silver lining.

Review:
When writing my reviews for posts, I usually find it easy to class the different books into their relevant genres but when writing this, I really did struggle.

The Devil Wears Prada & Revenge Wears Prada: The Devil Returns by Lauren Weisberger

Cover for Anchor file tie-in edition
(released 30th May 2006)

Title: The Devil Wears Prada
Author: Lauren Weisberger
Publisher: DoubleDay
Release Date: First published 15th April 2003
Genre: Romance, Young Adult, Fiction

Summary:
Fresh out of university; Andrea Sacks has high hopes for her future career in journalism. However, times are tough and jobs are scarce.

Although not her first choice; she lands a prestigious role at the famous Runway fashion magazine as the assistant to the demanding, successful and utterly devilish, Miranda Priestly.

One year she has to last. One year fetching coffee and running errands. One year of sheer hell.

It will be worth it.

Review:
When I read this book last summer, I was commuting daily to London on the train to do work experience at a publishing house. Whilst everyone around me was reading The Financial Times and profound works by Shakespeare; I was reading The Devil Wears Prada. This book is unashamedly a staple piece of the chick-lit (there is that word again!) genre. It is a guilty pleasure, that women everywhere should read. End of.

Shelfie #2

New additions to my bookshelf over the past few weeks include;

• To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
• The Wolf of Wall Street by Jordan Belfort
• The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion
• The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
• When Mr Dog Bites by Brian Conaghan
• Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy by Helen Fielding

Think I am starting to develop a bit of bibliomania! It is such as shame I will not be able to read these for a while though! :-(

Pigeon English by Stephen Kelman

Title: Pigeon English

Author: Stephen Kelman

Publisher: Bloomsbury

Release Date: 5th January 2012

Genre: Crime, Young Adult

Summary:

Harrison Opoku has recently immigrated to the busy, diverse and dangerous London suburbs from Ghana with his mother and sister Lydia. Everything is different to Harri; from the Haribo in the shops to the toilets in his mother's flat. 

If making friends was not hard enough for this new outsider; a local gang starts to terrorise the neighbourhood and his friends. One day, however, one of his friends is found dead on the street. Harri soon decides to take action and investigate. 

But when he is confronted by this new world full of guns, crime, girls and gangs will Harri be able to stay true to himself, and his mother, or will his innocence be corrupted by this dangerous, new culture?

Uptown Girl by Holly Kinsella

Title: Uptown Girl
Author: Holly Kinsella
Publisher: Endeavour Press
Release Date: 23rd May 2013
Genre: Romance

Summary:
Emma Hastings is successful, in every aspect of her life. She is a top model, has a flashy car and flat and is friends with all the right people. Soon, she hopes, she will also have the perfect boyfriend; the wealthy and dashing, Jason Rothschild.

She is living the dream.

However, when everything is going seemingly perfect; her life is turned upside down up by a chance encounter with the grubby, and unsuspecting car mechanic, William Flynn.

Is it fate or is some one playing matchmaker?

The (Not So) Legacy of Roald Dahl

When I was little my mum brought me a Roald Dahl boxset, which contained such children's classics like The Twits, Matilda, The Witches and James and the Giant Peach, and started my love of reading. I really admire the creativity and imagination that went into his books and the way they showed kids that they can make a difference and do amazing things. Everyone I know read, and enjoyed, his books when they were little and, in effect, they have become a staple of my generation.

The Witches by Roald Dahl

(2001 Puffin edition)

I was therefore really surprised when I found some statistics, which were published by Renaissance Learning, that revealed that not one of Dahl's books was in the Top 10 Children's Best Loved Books in 2013! According to the 2013 What Kids are Reading survey, which gathered information from 300,000 schoolchildren from years 1-13, Dahl's stories were beaten by books including Stephanie Meyer's Twilight and Anthony Horowitz's Crocodile Tears. However, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban and Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J. K. Rowling do make an appearance, so I guess all is not lost and children nowadays do have a partially decent taste in books! 

Whilst the books themselves seem to be losing popularity with younger readers; according to the survey, Dahl does lead the Top 10 Most-Read Children's Authors. This shows that whilst the reading tastes of children are changing; the nation does still value Dahl and his genius creations. The problem is therefore that they are just not being enjoyed by modern, young audiences... but why? What has changed?

Shelfie #1

I love my bookshelf. It's beautiful, isn't it? Every couple of months, I am going to start sharing shelfie's (haha) of my bookshelf just for you lovely people to show you what I have been reading...

So here it is... my February shelfie :-)

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Cover for Scribner film tie-in edition 

(released 23rd April 2013)

Title: The Great Gatsby
Author: F. Scott Fitzgerald
Publisher: Charles Scribner's Sons/ Scribner's
Release Date: 10th April 1925 (first published)
Genre: Romance, Crime, Classics

Summary:
Who is Jay Gatsby? Is he royalty, a spy or a successful businessman? No one knows. All they know is that he throws the best parties.

Despite surrounding himself the hundreds of the wealthiest socialites in New York; Gatsby is lonely and longs for something that money cannot buy. However, after befriending the newcomer in West Egg, Nick Carraway, he finally reveals his deepest secrets and breaks the façade he has so carefully constructed.

But can love can withstand the test of time, or be subject to cruel and tragic fate?

Review:
Last year, I decided to read The Great Gatsby after seeing the 2013 adaptation in my local cinema...

What a mistake.

In Cold Blood by Truman Capote

Cover for Penguin Modern Classics edition
(3rd February 2000)

Title: In Cold Blood: A True Account of Multiple Murder and Its Consequences

Author: Truman Capote

Publisher: Signet/ New American Library

Release Date: 1st January 1980 (first published) 

Genre: Non-fiction, Crime

Summary:
Nothing happens in the quite town of Holcomb, Kansas, and why would it? It is the perfect place to live out the American Dream.

However, in 1959, Herbert Clutter, his wife Bonnie, and their children, Nancey and Kenyon, were murdered in their own home.

In Cold Blood documents the killings and the subsequent Police investigation into catching the culprits responsible; Perry Smith and Richard 'Dick' Hickock.

Review:

I read this book during the first year of my English Language and Literature A Level course in sixth form several years ago and, like most set texts, I was dreading it. When I think of set reading for my studies the first thought that comes into my head is; "Oh no. Not another awful, boring text that I have force myself to read and then pretend that I actually like it. Great."

Tell Him About It by Holly Kinsella

Title: Tell Him About It
Author: Holly Kinsella
Publisher: Endeavour Press
Release Date: 30th January 2014
Genre: Romance

Summary:
Sara is a model turned publicist at a major UK publishing house. She has everything she has ever wanted. Well, almost...

Motivated my her love of books and for the industry; she works laboriously for her horrible boss who does not appreciate her. One day, however, she is put in charge of a publicity campaign for the wayward, thriller writer, Adam Cooper. Notorious for being an alcoholic and unkempt; he has just divorced the famous and classy socialite, Victoria Glass. With the media hounding for interviews regarding his recent divorce, will Sara give in to the demands of her boss, or will she ignore the media and find out how he truly is?

Review:
As someone who wants to go in to publishing in the future, I really liked this book as it offered a unique and critical perspective into the publishing industry and current trends. You could really tell that Kinsella knows the industry, and the different roles within it, like the back of her hand. This alone made it a really interesting read.

Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion

Title: Warm Bodies
Author: Isaac Marion
Publisher: Vintage Books
Release Date: 31st January 2013
Genre: Horror, Romance, Young Adult

Summary: 
R, or so he calls himself, is a zombie. He has no memories of his former life, just the fact that he thinks his name begins with the letter 'R.' However, unlike his fellow zombie comrades in his colony, R has dreams. He still eats humans though. However, when he saves the life of Julie, one of the few remaining humans, everything changes.

Breaking the rules of logic and zombie-kind, R shows that all is not lost when you start to decay and have no pulse or functioning brain.

Review:
If you think this is going to be some gory story about a zombie apocalypse; you will be bitterly disappointed. I was. I mean, I knew that it was going to involve a dysfunctional and impractical love story, but I was expecting there to be a bit more gore and action! Not the scariest zombies, in my opinion. However, I think the fact that the book goes against and, in places, mocks the genre, is what makes it so special and cute. Yes, it is cheesy. Yes, it is just a modern and gory take on Romeo and Juliet (hence the names of the characters). And yes, the zombies are more like cuddly creatures than killing machines. But it works.

Waiting to Die by Christopher Kenworthy

Title: Waiting to Die

Author: Christopher Kenworthy

Publisher: Endeavour Press

Release Date: 13th November 2013

Genre: Crime

Summary:
There is a murderer disturbing the small town of Cunsey Nab; a village where everybody knows everyone and outsiders are treated with suspicion. The murders seem random and greedy; but what does the murderer want? Things, however, take a dramatic turn for the worst when the murderer starts to target the owners of the locals' favourite bar, Peter and Polly Miller.

With numerous attempts on his life, and the lives of his family, will Peter be able to help the police find the murderer and restore peace to Cunsey Nab, or will the murderer succeed in his greedy conquest?

Review:
I have to admit it took me a while to get into this book, but once I did get into it; it was a nice way to pass a couple of hours, which I would have otherwise spent procrastinating from university work!

The Snowman by Jo Nesbo

As mentioned in my review of Let The Right One In by John Ajvide Lindqvist (which can be found here); I am a big lover of the foreign horror genre. One of my favourite authors within this genre is Jo Nesbo and his Harry Hole series. Even though this is the fifth book in the series, it was the first one I read, and has remained my favourite for many years, so I thought I would give it a review and explain why it is so much better than all the others.

Title: The Snowman

Author: Jo Nesbo (translated by Don Bartlett)

Publisher: Vintage Books

Release Date: 19th August 2010

Genre: Crime, Horror, Thriller, Nordic Noir

Summary:

As the first snow falls in Oslo, Norway; a serial killer is on the loose leaving a snowman in the snow for all to see. The killings seem random and unprovoked, but are they? Is there some connection to these pointless murders? Harry Hole, a workaholic (and slightly alcoholic) policeman, is however on the case after receiving a threatening letter from the so called, Snowman. Pushing himself to the limit to catch his horrendous and evil murderer, it is obvious that Harry cannot trust anyone.

Review:

Jo Nesbo is a bit like marmite; you either love him or you hate him. I, unlike marmite, love him. If not for his ability to create complex and clever storylines but for his sheer imagination and unbelievabley gory writing style. I love gore and horror filled stories so this aspect was a big hit for me! I may have read the book some years ago but there is one particularly haunting scene in the book which has stuck with me made me partially scared of snowmen and going into woods...disgusting...

Let The Right One In by John Ajvide Lindqvist

Title: Let The Right One In
Author: John Ajvide Lindqvist (translated by Ebba Segerberg)
Publisher: Quercus
Release Date: 22nd January 2009
Genre: Horror, Thriller, Crime, Fantasy

Summary:
Oskar is 12. He is a wimp. He has no friends, dad or courage and is constantly lonely.

Eli is 12 and has been for sometime. She has no friends and only ventures out to the playground at night.

Review:
I have to admit, I read this book a while ago so it is not a recent read; but, I have always loved this book and it started my addiction to foreign horror and crime- so I thought I would give it a quick review.

My favourite aspect of book, is the gory horror which is present throughout. Whilst some writers shy away from the details, writers such as Ajvide Lindqvist present things how they are in such a twisted, scary, disgusting but nonetheless fascinating way. These details make this book a staple of the genre and a must for all horror fans (another prime example of this is Jo Nesbo, and his Harry Hole series; he, however, deserves a post all of his own here...).