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.