Book Addicts Anonymous

I'd got this for a couple of quid when I bought True History of the Kelly Gang, by the same author. I wasn't altogether sure what to expect, the back cover of my copy gives nothing away about the plot.

Is the only indication on the back cover of what the story is about....but it is no over-sentimental, slushy, love story, it's more of an adventure, following Oscar and Lucinda's lives from life changing points early on, until the end of one of them. I had no trouble picturing Oscar who is a very quirky and strong character. Lucinda also stands out from the crowd in her mid Victorian world.
The novel won the Booker prize in 1988
The cover of my copy is very unimposing, and skillfully masked the gem within the covers.

for the book back blurb, click here!
AT long last I got around to reading this book, I do tend to buy several books at once, and work my way through them.
Because of all the hype around it I expected it to be a difficult book to read, I have found several critically acclaimed books to be like wading through treacle.
This one however, was a great book to read, I really couldn't "put it down", in fact I have sat and finished the remaining 100 and odd pages today, I just had to know what happened. I love the circular feel of the book, and the fact that events in Daniel's life echo those of Julian Carax, but in this case...more a true echo, where it is never exactly the same as the first noise, the echo is always softer, not as harsh.
I loved this book, and if anyone else is wondering whether to read or not, and is put off by the hype, don't be, it is as good if not better than the advertising and reviews claim.

Ali Smith is classed as a contemporary writer.
I enjoy her writing, even though it is challenging to the reader. Until I was well into this book, I had completely forgotten that I had read Hotel World. The Accidental, like Hotel World, is all told by internal dialogue of the characters involved. However, it is not as difficult to read as Virginia Woolf's, To The Lighthouse.
Not an easy read, but an entertaining one, and not being in the best of health right now, it was also a quick read.
To learn more about the novel click here

It revolves around a family of four who are all at critical points in their lives, the stranger, Amber, enters their lives and changes each family members life. The reader is still no wiser at the end of the novel as at the start, exactly who Amber is, where she is going, where she's been, but she acts as a catalyst.

I will admit that when I first got this book I picked it up by mistake. I'd just finished and thoroughly enjoyed Darkmans By Nicola Barker, and just saw the surname Barker. Upon discussing this book with a colleague at school I was a little put off reading Regeneration, as I was told that it is used for A Level and pupils find it very hard work.
So I put off reading it for a while. I have almost finished reading it now, and am enjoying it, mind you, I have read and studied some of the people mentioned in the novel, which makes it more accessible. I have also read quite a few books focused on the Great War. So to me the fact the A level students find it tough going is not detracting from Pat Barker's writing, but the fact that these days pupils rarely pick an adult book until,they start their GCSEs, and then they HAVE to study set authors, which closes their minds. No one likes being obliged to do a thing.
Having studied contemporary writers at university I would say that Pat Barker is a good example of a contemporary author.
For a little bit more about the book click here!

OK! I should apologise...Michel Faber is one of my favourite authors, and I just sped through this book. I will probably re-read in the future, as I re-read "Under the Skin", and find new things each time I read.
Faber is a brilliant author, and probably a "best kept secret", because if I say I love his books I usually get a blank look.
Fire Gospel is nowhere near the same subject matter as "Under the Skin", but he has given a potential idea the same weight. The novel is just as "urgent" to read...it only took me two days.
As yet I have liked all Faber's work
Here's the "bumph" from the back cover of the book.

when Theo Griepenkerl happens upon the fifth Gospel in a war-torn Iraqi museum, he can't believe his luck. Driven by greed and a lust for fame, he capitalises on his find by publishing it. His book is a sensation. But he can hardly imagine the incendiary consequences his discovery will have for Christians, Arabs, homicidal maniacs and Amazon customers alike.

for more information on Michel Faber, click here
this is one of the "Myths" series of books published by Canongate.

In the past few weeks I have read three books. All three were entertaining books, but also I would probably not read any one of them again.

You are probably wondering what books they are.
Well, they are as follows;
The Virgin Suicides by Jeffery Eugenides;
God's Own Country by Ross Raisin;
26a by Diana Evans.

The first, well, I read it, and finished it, partly because I had read Middlesex by the same author, and enjoyed it. However, for me, The Virgin Suicides lacked narrative drive. Like I say, I finished the book as I'd read another by the same author and thoroughly enjoyed it, but this one left me feeling flat.

The second is a first novel. I enjoyed it, but the book was left open-ended, not having a satisfactory conclusion to it, for me. This book is not for the faint hearted however, as it is rather dark, and the dialect used in it might put off some readers. (I'm lucky, I understood the dialect being used.) The whole book is an internal monologue by Sam, the main character, and entertaining if you can understand the dialect.

26a is on the surface a book about twin girls, but it has elements of possession, dream connections, and in the last part, a definite possession of one twin by the other. It confused me a little, but was a good read.


http://www.bloomsbury.com/Authors/article.aspx?tpid=548&aid=5911
link to The Virgin Suicides

http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2008/may/30/hayfestival2008.guardianhayfestival
link to God's Own Country.

http://www.britishcouncil.org/fr/italy-arts-dianaevans.htm
link to 26a

This was a fun read. Not too serious, but unlike some "fun reads" very well constructed. It didn't have me screaming in my head...."noooooo...get your facts right!"
I loved this book, not because it was easy to read, although it was, but because of how well the plot was constructed. I would read other books by this author, as it was good light relief after my previous book.
Anyway, rather than me copy out the bumph from the back of the book, I'll direct you to the author's website page about the book.
http://karenquinn.net/books/the-ivy-chronicles/

If you click on the header, of that page, it takes you to the home page, where you can find out much more about Karen Quinn.

I've had this book sitting on my bookshelf for sometime. When I bought it I was studying, and it got put on one side and text books read instead. Then I plain forgot it was there.
Anyway, I was looking for a more literary book to read, something to get my teeth into, and remembered this one, thought it was time I read it.
The story is based around the life story of Cal/Calliope Stephanides, and the circumstances which brought about her existence.
For those who like a straightforward narrative this book might be confusing, however, the narrator is very clear which tale they are telling, and they are told in the way they are, as the narrative needs to be woven together.
For a long book, the story never loses pace, and keeps the reader engaged. Towards the end the pace starts to quicken, especially during Cal's "running away", and although the story is complete in the book, there could be further descriptions of Cal's life after they accepted what they are, and found someone who felt the same way. (Sorry for being vague, but I don't want to spoil the book for anyone.)

http://www.bloomsbury.com/BookCatalog/ProductItem.asp?S=1&sku=22042259&EmailMe=&mscssid=X5JARQBKHDVW8PCPC29LNFATHRGPFTC0 gives a link to the publisher's website, and some information about the book.

http://www.bloomsbury.com/authors/microsite.asp?section=1&id=214&mscssid=X5JARQBKHDVW8PCPC29LNFATHRGPFTC0 author information.

http://books.guardian.co.uk/departments/generalfiction/story/0,6000,805334,00.html I think says everything there is to say about the book.
Towards the end it could be classed as a coming of age novel, but leading up to that point it has the flavour of a family saga.

The first link has the "bumph", so I won't rewrite it.
I found this a compelling book to read, and very easy to read. I hope his other Book is just as easy to read.

As with other books of Jodi Picoult's I have read, this one was was accessible, and an enthralling read.
From the moment Emily Gold is born Christopher Harte is there, their parents are close friends, and when Emily and Chris become girlfriend and boyfriend both sets of parents are happy about it. However, Emily feels she has to finish her life. The novel opens with the two sets of parents being called to the hospital, where both Emily and Chris are in the Emergency Room. Emily dies, Chris survives. The Pact follows the events in the 12 months after the suicide, and the events leading up to the fateful night. I had trouble putting the book down to get on with other things, and think if I'd had the leisure to, I probably could have just sat and read until I finished. The book is constructed well, and the characters quite vivid

http://www.jodipicoult.com/

For a synopsis of the book, go to books, and click on The Pact.

This is one of Ian McEwan's early novels, 1978, but it is very accessible, in fact I found it easier to read than Atonement.
Saying that, the subject matter of this novel may put off some readers. It didn't put me off.

The idea behind the novel is very novel in itself, and McEwan has just followed through one possible scenario, with shocking results in places.
I don't think this could be made into a film, it's far too short, (but maybe an after the watershed TV drama.)
I couldn't put it down, literally, as I read it in less than 24 hours.

http://www.rbooks.co.uk/product.aspx?id=0099755114
http://www.ianmcewan.com/

I decided to read this as there has just been a film released based on the book.
The book is very descriptive in parts, and I can see how this would translate into film, saying that, it would probably cut out a lot of the story itself, and make for a short film. However the latter parts of the book where one of the characters has internal dialogue with himself, may possibly be better on film. I haven't seen the film, so I don't know.

Anyway, the blurb from the back of the book.

On the hottest day of the summer of 1934, thirteen-year-old Briony Tallis sees her sister strip off her clothes and plunge into the fountain in the garden of their coutry house. Watching her is Robbie Turner, her childhood friend who, like Cecilia, has recently come down from Cambridge.

By the end of the day the lives of all three will have changed forever. Robbie and Cecilia will have crossed a boundary they had not imagined at its start, and will have become victims of the younger girl's imagination. Briony will have witnessed mysteries, and commited a crime for which she will spend the rest of her life trying to atone.

I thought the book was going to be a slow read, but it soon pulled me in, and ended up sitting up to finish it last night. The blurb is deceptive, as the book is a lot more accesible than I thought it would be.