From the Storm by Adrian J. Walker

Title: From the Storm
Author: Adrian J. Walker
Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing
Release Date: 10th January 2017
Genre: Fiction, Thriller


Summary:The lives of several total strangers link together in a tale of mystery and espionage all because of one man

Review:

So, I read this book quite a while ago and have only gotten round to writing a review of it... partly because I have been super busy and partly because it was such a painful experience to read I did not want to think about it again! To be honest, it is mostly the second reason...

The book on the whole is extremely well written and in a easy to read writing style. The characters are well formed and the idea, on the whole, is quite interesting. However, the links between the characters (the most important bit) is confusing to understand... like really confusing unless you pay extremely close attention. To b e honest, I only really understood what was going on when I read the blurb.

The One by John Marrs

Title: The One
Author: John Marrs
Publisher: Del Rey
Release Date: 4th May 2015
Genre: Fiction, Thriller, Sci-Fi

Summary:
What if a quick DNA test could find your soul mate? 

Would you trust it? Would you trust them?

Review:
I was initially intrigued to this book because the idea was so interesting and different. I mean, it would definitely be something I would do - would save a lot of hassle and heartbreak for sure! However, I was not sure what to expect or what direction the book would take. I was, nonetheless, pleasantly surprised and finished it in two days!

Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon

Title: Everything, Everything
Author: Nicola Yoon
Publisher: Corgi
Release Date: 1st September 2015
Genre: Fiction, Young Adult

Summary:
Maddy is allergic to the world, and has lived in a bubble-world inside her house for seventeen years.

Review:
I loved this book for so many reasons.

Firstly, the characters. The main character, Maddy, is loveable, innocent and so intriguing. 

The Bourne Identity by Robert Ludlum

Title: The Bourne Identity
Author: Robert Ludlum
Publisher: Orion
Release Date: 24th March 2005
Genre: Fiction, Thriller

Summary:
A man is found floating in the sea. He is barely alive. With no name, no past all he has is a number of a bank account in Zurich.


Review:
I really, really, really, really hated this book and could not wait to finish it, so much so that I skim read most of it. I'll keep this short.

The characters were boring, predictable and there were waaaay too many french names to remember! 

If you like the film, do not read the book!


Rating: 1/10.

You can buy The Bourne Identity from Amazon here.

To Kill the President by Sam Bourne

Title: To Kill the President
Author: Sam Bourne
Publisher: HarperCollins
Release Date: 4th July 2017
Genre: Fiction, Thriller

Summary:
The people of the United States of America have elected an incompetent and sexist man as President. Under his rule, a number of conspirators plot his assassination amid unjustified declarations of war. 

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms by George R. R. Martin

Title: A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms
Author: George R. R. Martin
Publisher: Bantam
Release Date: 6th October 2015
Genre: Fiction, History, Fantasy

Summary: 
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms contains the first three prequel novels of the A Song of Ice and Fire book series. The short stories take place almost a century before the series, when the Targaryen family were still in rule of the Iron Throne.


Review:
So, I finally finished my postgraduate dissertation which means I can do things like read, eat and sleep again! Seeing as the world is in a Game of Thrones hype at the moment, when I saw this collection of short stories - it went straight in my shopping basket!

The Missing Wife by Sheila O'Flanagan

Title: The Missing Wife
Author: Sheila O'Flanagan
Publisher: Headline Review
Release Date: 16th June 2016
Genre: Fiction, Romance

Summary:

Imogen seems to have it all: a loving husband, a house, friends and an exciting job. However, everything is not as a it seems on the surface and Imogen is deeply unhappy. So she decides to disappear.

Review:

I read another book (hooray!). After getting bogged down in dissertation reading and writing, I needed something easy to read that did not require me to think too much and The Missing Wife fit the bill perfectly.

Carrie by Stephen King

Title: Carrie
Author: Stephen King
Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton
Release Date: 31st October 1991
Genre: Thriller, Fiction, Horror

Summary: 
The events surrounding the mystery of Carrie White have baffled specialists and experts for many years. The novel revels the events surrounding the fatal night in Chamberlain through personal accounts and news experts to uncover why she did what she did and how.

Review:
I honestly have not been motivated at all to read over the past few months. I have been busy applying for jobs, writing assignments and planning my dissertation in preparation for a full summer of writing all the while trying to make sure every aspect of my does not fall apart. It is so much fun doing a Masters...

Anyway, I bought Carrie in January and have finally found some time to read it - it is pretty important to give yourself breaks when writing a dissertation!

At first I wasn't too keen on the book, as I could briefly remember the film which I was not too fussed on! However, as with all Stephen King books - if you give it time and patience, it will soon pay off. Carrie, whilst slow at first, turned out to be a page-turner that I literally could not put down.

It was not as gory as I was expecting to be though. The details of the deaths within the book were, in my opinion, often overlooked and could have been given more attention - I did not know one character in particular was dead until it was explained ten pages later! This would have made the dramatic last fifty pages a bit more interesting and happen less quickly! 

I did, however, really enjoy the style that the book was written in using extracts from accounts and publications written from the different perspectives of the characters within the book. The mix of personal and somewhat onlooker accounts really added to the mystery of Carrie White and made you all the more intrigued. 

Now to wait another four months until I finish another book...

Rating: 8/10.

You can buy Carrie from Amazon here.

The Green Mile by Stephen King

Title: The Green Mile
Author: Stephen King
Publisher: Penguin Street
Release Date: 1st September 1996
Genre: Thriller, Fiction

Summary:
It is a long walk down The Green Mile for the inmates of Cold Main Penitentiary. 

Life passes on as normal on death row until a quiet giant named John Coffey arrives and strange things and miracles start to happen. 

Review:
So, I FINALLY finished a book. Yay!

I don't really have much to say about this book apart from it is A-M-A-Z-I-N-G. Go read it now. Stephen King is a genius and I was gripped throughout the story - that is, when I actually had time to sit down and read.

I absolutely loved the characters - both the good and the evil. It also kept you guessing if Coffey was innocent or guilty throughout so you are never really sure who this miracle man is and whether he can be trusted. When you do find out though - it is worth the wait.

Originally, the novel was split into six parts and I cannot understand how people could have waited to see what was going to happen. 

The Wolf of Wall Street by Jordan Belfort

Title: The Wolf of Wall Street
Author: Jordon Belfort
Publisher: Hodder
Release Date: 19th December 2013
Genre: Non-Fiction, Autobiography

Summary:
Jordon Belfort, the real Wolf of Wall Street, tells the story of how he rose - rather ungraciously - to be be the master of Wall Street and how he fell - most spectacularly. 

Review:
I have been reading The Wolf of Wall Street for quite some time due to be very busy and not having anytime to read for pleasure. However, by reading about twenty pages a day - I finally finished it! I will, however, make this quick as I have a lot of work to do!

A Country Bumpkin Trying to Survive in London

The View From My Favourite Spot in Goldsmiths Library

I recently started my Masters at Goldsmiths, University of London. Not only does this mark a new chapter in my educational career but it also means - for the first time ever - I am living away from home. This was a daunting thing in itself but I had to choose the worst place to do it - The Big Smoke!

When I told my friends I was moving to London; they laughed. "Why?! You are such a country bumpkin! You will hate it!" This is true as I absolutely love large fields, grass, grazing cattle and walking my dogs. But needs must. If I can survive in London by myself for a year - I can do anything (hopefully!).

The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins

Title: The Girl on the Train
Author: Paula Hawkins
Publisher: Black Swan
Release Date: 7th May 2015
Genre: Thriller, Fiction, Crime

Summary:Rachel's daily routine involves sitting on the same train everyday. Sitting next to the same people in the same seat watching the same row of houses go by.

The people she sees out of the train window have the perfect lives. They're happy. They're gorgeous. They're rich. Longing to be a part of their lives, Rachel stumbles in, in the most shocking, and dangerous, way.

Review:
I am not quite sure where to start with my review of this book. It was amazing in every-way.

I Am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes

Title: I Am Pilgrim
Author: Terry Hayes
Publisher: Corgi Books
Release Date: 2nd August 2013
Genre: Thriller, Fiction, Crime

Summary:
Evil forces - long in the making - are about to descend on the United States of America. Pilgrim - a retired government security operative - must unravel years of international mystery, and find the thread that connects a series of random events, to stop one man killing millions.

Review:
I have been wanting to read I Am Pilgrim for a long time and finally took the plunge and I am so glad I did! Whilst it was a very long read - not the short crime, thriller I thought it was - it was so worth it as I could not put it down! I LOVED it.

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child by J. K. Rowling, John Tiffany and Jack Thorne

Title: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
Author: J. K.  Rowling, John Tiffany and Jack Thorne
Publisher: Little, Brown
Release Date: 2016
Genre: Screenplay, Young Adult, Fantasy

Summary:
Alongside the premiere of the Harry Potter and the Cursed Child play in the West End, the screenplay has also been released  alongside it. The play takes place nineteen years after the last Harry Potter book and follows the adventures of the next generation of Hogwarts students including Harry's son, Albus Potter.

Review:
I was fortunate enough to get tickets to see a preview performance of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child before it's opening night. I therefore already knew the play and its' plot. However, I wanted to read the screenplay too as (obviously) I wanted to have the complete collection of Harry Potter books and to see what those fans who did not get tickets to see it, would read and how they would compare. There was a big difference.

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: So Long, And Thanks For All The Fish

Title: The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: So Long, And Thanks For All The Fish
Author: Douglas Adams
Publisher: Pan
Release Date: 1984
Genre: Sci-Fi, Classic, Humour

Summary:
Bleurgh.

Review:
Unfortunately, I brought the fourth instalment at the same time as the third (my dismal review of which can be found here). Like the previous instalments of the series, I did not like this book. I cannot put my finger on what exactly went wrong for this series for me personally. It might be down to the lack of intellectual stimulation this series possess, and everything is just too silly and far-fetched for me.

The End of the World Running Club by Adrian J Walker

Title: The End of the World Running Club
Author: Adrian J Walker
Publisher: Del Rey
Release Date: 2016
Genre: Sci-Fi, Fiction

Summary:
Edgar Hill could be considered the world's worst father. However, he soon realises what he has and what he will do to protect his wife and children. It only took the end of the world to happen...

Review:
My thing at the moment is running, so when I saw this on the shelf of my local supermarket I was immediately drawn to it. This could have been a fatal mistake and I could have been stuck with a dull read, but I was extremely lucky. I loved this book. 

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Life, The Universe and Everything by Douglas Adams

Title: The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Life, The Universe and Everything
Author: Douglas Adams
Publisher: Pan
Release Date: 1982
Genre: Sci-Fi, Classic, Humour

Summary:
I am not quite sure what happens to be honest...

Review:
As you can probably tell from my very brief summary, I have absolutely no idea what happened in the book. It started with Arthur Dent alone in a prehistoric wasteland and then he is on a cricket pitch and then about one-hundred and fifty pages after he is reunited with all of his friends...

The Andromeda Strain by Michael Crichton

Title: The Andromeda Strain
Author: Michael Crichton
Publisher: Avon Books
Release Date: 1st September 1969
Genre: Thriller, Sci-Fi

Summary:
When a satellite lands in a sleepy town in Arizona, a state of emergency is called as the whole town mysteriously dies. It is up to five biophysicists to figure out what happened and to ensure it does not happen again.
Review:
I had heard a lot of good reviews about this book but none of them prepared me for how thrilling and gripping it is. I loved it. The characters. The plot. The possibility of the world ending. Perfect.

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: The Restaurant at the End of the Universe by Douglas Adams

Title: The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: The Restaurant at the End of the Universe
Author: Douglas Adams
Publisher: Pan
Release Date: 23rd June 1997
Genre: Sci-Fi, Young Adult, Classics

Summary:
The journey into deep space continues for Arthur Dent, and the crew of the Heart of Gold. But first it is time for food! And where else would they go but Milliways, the Restaurant at the End of the Universe?

Review:
I absolutely loved the first book in the series (which can be found here) so decided to continue reading to see what happens next. However, whilst the series seemed promising at first - I found the second instalment kind of boring.

Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green and David Leuithan

Title: Will Grayson, Will Grayson
Author: John Green and David Leuithan
Publisher: Penguin
Release Date: 6th April 2010
Genre: Young Adult

Summary:
Will Grayson is a socially awkward teen who struggles to fit in. On an unremarkable night, he meets a stranger who turns his world upside down. The stranger he meets is called Will Grayson. Whilst the two Will's are very different, they soon realise that they can learn from, and help, each other to help realise their dreams.

Review:
What I really love about John Green books is that you can completely turn off and not think because they are so easy to read and understand. Will Grayson, Will Grayson did not disappoint and I found this to be such an easy read.