The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank

Title: The Diary of a Young Girl
Author: Anne Frank
Publisher: Bantam
Release Date: July 1993
Genre: Non-Fiction, Autobiography

Summary:
Everyone knows the story of Anne Frank and her famous diary. This book, lovingly released by her father, captures and records her entries in her diary over the years she lived in the secret annex.

Review:
I have always wanted to read The Diary of a Young Girl but have never got around to it. In terms of writing, I cannot really comment as it is autobiographical so I will keep it short. However, this book does give an extremely interesting insight into what it was like to be a Jew during the war and what Anne, and her family and friends, went through in hiding.

A Brief History of Time: From the Big Bang to Black Holes by Stephen Hawking

Title: A Brief History of Time: From the Big Bang to Black Holes
Author: Stephen Hawking
Publisher: Bantam Books
Release Date: 1988
Genre: Non-fiction, Science

Summary:
A Brief History of Time: From the Big Bang to Black Holes provides an insight into the mind of Stephen Hawking and his thoughts into the history of the universe. He aims to answer, or at least unable readers to understand, his lifetime work of pinpointing a precise moment when the universe, and time and space, began.

Review:
As some of you may know, my boyfriend, and most of my friends, are physicists (they are like the plague at my university - they are everywhere!). I therefore get exposed to really long, complicated conversations where they speak in abbreviations and use weird words which I do not understand. I therefore felt it was my duty to see if this book would help me understand at least some of what they are talking about - maybe then I could stop saying the answer is pi all the time...

Life After Long Distance (A Soppy Post)

When my boyfriend of three months moved to California, USA in August 2014 - it thought it was the end of the world. The day he left my best-friend and myself, consumed about 5 kilograms of chocolate, approximately 2 kilograms of sugary sweets and numerous plates of ketchup covered chips; all whilst I tracked his flight for about 12 hours. Literally.

For me, ever the Drama Queen, the world had ended. However...

I do not regret being in a long distance relationship; not even one little bit. It proved to be the ultimate test of our relationship and revealed to each other our ugly sides (lets face it, we all have an ugly side) which we would have otherwise hidden from each other. At times, things were very tough and we considered breaking up on multiple occasions due to personal problems, but we pulled through because we had something worth fighting for. I now know that he is always there to support me and I am there for him also, unconditionally.

Harry Potter: The Creature Vault by Jody Revenson

Title: Harry Potter: The Creature Vault
Author: Jody Revenson
Publisher: Titan Books
Release Date: 28th October 2014
Genre: Non-Fiction

Summary:
Behind the scenes of the Harry Potter films, hundreds of talented people worked hard to bring the creatures in J. K. Rowling's wizarding world to life. Harry Potter: The Creature Vault looks at the methods and techniques they used to capture the imaginations of millions across the world.

Review:
I love everything Harry Potter. The books. The films. Everything. And as I have always found the way the films were created fascinated (I've been to the Warner Brothers Harry Potter Studio Tour five times...) I was eager to read this book to learn a bit more about the series.

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 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?

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...

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."

Marley & Me by John Grogan

Title: Marley & Me: Life and Love with the World's Worst Dog
Author: John Grogan
Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton
Release Date: 26th July 2007
Genre: True Story, Humour

Summary:
Marley & Me follows the life and loves of the Grogan family and their (extremely) badly behaved dog, Marley. From being a dry-wall-eating puppy, to a training class flunk; Marley is "the world's worst dog!" However, throughout his short life he teaches his owners, and family, what it really means to be alive. Marley & Me is a true account and tribute to a much loved family pet.

Review:
For those of you who do not know me, I LOVE dogs (especially Labradors) so it comes as no surprise that I love this book and every time I read it; I cry like a baby (especially at the ending!).

The book is beautifully written in a relaxed and casual tone and provides the perfect balance of humour and love that portrays how much Marley affected the lives of his family.