LoveCharlie:Read: book list

Showing posts with label book list. Show all posts

Friday, 5 February 2016

FIVE FRIDAY

5 Books I added to my 'Want to Read' list on Goodreads.com

1. Harvesting the Heart by Jodi Picoult

I picked up both of the Jodi Picoult books in this list from my local health organisation that has a book swap table. I love Picoult's writing so there was no question of me leaving these two behind. Harvesting the heart confronts the challenges and fears that new mothers face. Paige is questioning her ability to be a good mother whilst thinking of her own mother and childhood. I think this will be an interesting read.

2. Picture Perfect by Jodi Picoult

goodreads.com Amazon.co.uk

Picture Perfect tells the story of a young woman who awakes in a graveyard with no memory of where she is or who she is. She only knows that she is running from something but can't remember what. From what I can gather from reviews, the character is stuck in an abusive marriage that is 'picture perfect' on the outside. I like the depth and reality to Picoult's writing so again, this should be an interesting read.

3. Princess Academy by Shannon Hale

goodreads.com Amazon.co.uk

I found this book in either a blog post or article of books that are similar to Harry Potter. I think. I read so much that it could've been from anywhere. However this book sounds brilliant. A school that teaches you how to be and act like a princess. The description sounds like Hogwarts so I am going to keep an eye out for this book.

4. Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

goodreads.com Amazon.co.uk

This book has so many recommendations, I should really put time aside to read it. I'm put off a bit by the description, however what people have told me makes the book sound exciting and adventurous. I hope that I like this one. I want to like it if that makes sense.

5. Still She Haunts Me by Katie Roiphe

goodreads.com Amazon.co.uk

This book, I also picked up in a book swap. I feel like this one is an integral part of our literature history. Telling the tale of Charles Dodgson. AKA Lewis Caroll and his relationship with a little girl who inspired him to write his most famous stories such as Alice in Wonderland. I think this is a book that I'll put off for a while and I'll have to wait till I'm 'in the mood' to read it.

What are you adding to your 'want to read' list? Let me know in the comments below.

Love Charlie, Xx

Wednesday, 3 February 2016

Extras by Scott Westerfeld Book Review

Extras by Scott Westerfeld

First Published: 2007

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Pages: 400

Rating: 4*

Extras on goodreads.com

Image result for extras scott westerfeld

Extras is available in Paperback for £6.99 or £4.99 on Kindle at Amazon.co.uk

I am so pleased to tell you that Westerfeld has redeemed himself after the disappointing 'Specials'. As with the previous three books in this series, I love the front cover. I think it is the clean cut edges and metallic shimmer highlighting a specific detail. On 'Extras', the pupil of an eye has a shimmery green circuit board which ties in very well with the themes within the story-line.

Extras was a lovely ending to the quartet, and I appreciated the differences between this book and the first three books. Extras is set years after 'Prettytime' was ended and the 'Diego' War. Thankfully, Tally, Shay, Fausto and the Cutters still make an appearance. I have come to the conclusion that Tally's transition into a Special is what triggered my dislike of the penultimate book - Specials. I believe that Westerfeld turned her into a dislike-able character with unfriendly characteristics. I understand that these characteristics are traits of being a 'Special' however it altered my relationship as a reader with the main character.

In Extras, we have a new main character, 'Aya'. Aya lives in a vastly different world than when Tally was an Ugly. There are practically zero Bubbleheads, fame and reputation are the currency and technology has advanced enormously. I was grateful for the change of setting as it made the series interesting again and there was more to learn.

The final book carried on from the trilogy with themes of conservation, waste, and recycling. There are good messages in this book about our commodified and manufactured culture. I think it is a relevant topic that is emphasised in current media and it fits the context of important issues raised within education.

The ending was abrupt and I admit here that as much as I wanted to finish this series, I wasn't ready for the book to end and was shocked when I reached the last page. Therefore I can wrap up this review saying that I honestly enjoyed the Uglies series by Scott Westerfeld despite being disappointed with the third book 'Specials'.

My favourite book was of course, the first one as it set the scene and outlined characters. There is always a lot to learn in the first of a series and as a reader, I felt I was being taken on an adventure - but I also enjoyed the second and last equally. Overall, I would rate the complete series at 3.5*.

I recommend Uglies and the following books!

Love Charlie, Xx

Saturday, 23 January 2016

My Book Scripture

2003 BBC Top 100 Books List

In 2003, the BBC released a list of Britain's best-loved books as part of a good read. Although this list is outdated, I use this list as a guide and I am slowly working my way through them, This is the list I use the most when choosing classics/books I think I should read to gain more of an in-depth knowledge of the foundations of our culture's literature.

This is a long list as I have included images and links to goodreads.com and amazon.co.uk to make it easy for you to read synopsis' and check prices/add to your wishlist/to read list. If you want to see the list as it is on the BBC please click here for the first 50, and here for the last 50. Or check out my page in the right column of my blog for a condensed version.

I am sure many readers use this list as a guide when choosing books. I'll create a page called BBC Top Books so you can see the list without pics and I'll highlight the books that I've read.

Why not print this list and see how many you've read! (Probably more than me)

1. The Lord of the Rings, JRR Tolkien