What I Read in January

What I Read in January

So, I managed to read 6 books in January which is 15% of my 40 book target for the year. goodreads.com tells me this is 3 books ahead of schedule so hopefully I'll be able to change my challenge to 50 books before the end of 2016. 

The Little Prince by Antoine De Saint-Exupery

The Little Prince on goodreads.com

I started the year with The Little Prince and initially rated it 3*. However after a fortnight I re-rated it as 4*. I did this because the book made a lasting impression on me that surpassed the normal length of thinking about a book after you've read it. I still think about it now after a month. This book is a story I will cherish and pass on to my children (when I have children). It is also great for adults and for those who take themselves too seriously. 

Uglies by Scott Westerfeld

Uglies on goodreads.com

Once 2016 had started I decided to read a series I got for my 21st birthday in April 2015. I like to wait to read books until I know I'm 'in the mood' and it suddenly occurred to me that it was the right time to read Uglies. Once I started this series I found it hard to put the books down, I recommend this series! Uglies was my favourite book in the series and I rated it 4*. 

Pretties by Scott Westerfeld

Pretties on goodreads.com

Pretties was the second book in the Uglies series and I loved this book too - giving it a 4* rating on goodreads.com. I was stuck to this book and read it relatively quickly. I loved the characters in Westerfeld's writing as they had great depth and development throughout the story line. The adventure was fun too. 

Specials by Scott Westerfeld

Specials on goodreads.com

After reading Pretties, I ended the original trilogy with Specials. I'm not going to lie - I was disappointed with this one. It was an awful, impersonal ending to the trilogy, of which the first two books were amazing. I felt like this book was rushed and clumsy. I rated it 3* because I loved the other two books - however if this was the first in the series I doubt I would have finished the book - never-mind read the entire series in one month. 

Help Me! by Donna M Zadunjsky

Help Me! on goodreads.com

Before I read the final book in the Uglies series, I read 'Help Me!' to review for Netgalley.com. Initially, I didn't like the style of writing but I came to realise it was effective and helped to provide me with an in-depth look at the character's lives and stories they had to tell. I rated this book 3* and I don't think I would read it again - However I would definitely recommend this book to those suffering from self-harm, depression, suicidal thoughts and friends of those struggling. There were messages of hope and recovery in this book that would be helpful for those in the situation. This book isn't one to read otherwise though, and I believe Zadunjsky could have done more with her writing to help those in need. 

Extras by Scott Westerfeld

Extras on goodreads.com

Finally, I ended January reading the last book in the Uglies series by Scott Westerfeld. I was hoping for great things in this book and I am happy to conclude that it was better than Specials. The story takes place years after the original series, yet Westerfeld effectively links the two times with the reunion of the Cutters and Tally Youngblood. In this book, we have a new set of heroes and a different world. The City they live in is advanced and their currency is reputation. I enjoyed this book and rated it 4*. (Review coming soon) I was sad to finish this series and the ending was abrupt - I wasn't ready for it. 

Dolphin Song by Lauren St John 

Dolphin Song on goodreads.com

I am concluding January by reading a book that I started months ago and was lent to me by a good friend. Lauren St John writes children's books with inspiring messages in them. She teaches us the value of nature and an appreciation of wildlife that we should never forget. If you love adventure and animals, then these books are definitely for you!  

I hope you all had a wonderful January! Keep reading. 

I will post my February Top Picks tomorrow. Let me know what you read in January in the comments below. I'd love to see what you've been reading. 

Love Charlie, Xx

The Little Prince and My Thoughts...

The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint -Exupery

The Little Prince is a book that has been on my 'To Read' list for a long time, although I never seemed to pay any attention to it. Until my last visit to Liverpool Central Library when it caught my eye in the form of a 'Collector's Library' tiny hardback. With top-edge gold gilt and ribbon page marker, who could turn down this perfect cloth bound treasure?

First published in 1943, this short story was voted the best book in France in the 20th Century. it has also proved itself to be one of the best selling books ever published. 

I gave this book 3* on goodreads,com, but now it is a fortnight since I finished it and I feel I may have rated it harshly. 

This is why...

This gem of a book is brimming with charming, heart warming watercolour illustrations by the Author himself. It comes as a tender, poetic tale of loneliness, friendship, love and loss. As I have found personally, the story takes a while to leave your system due to it's philosophical nature and social criticism remarking on the adult world. 

The Little Prince draws upon Antoine de Saint-Exupery's personal aviation experiences in the Sahara Desert. To find out more about the Author, you could read his 1939 memoir, "Wind, Sand and Stars"

Understanding that the Author was in the same position as the pilot in the book, stranded in the desert - it is easy to believe the book is autobiographical in some ways. Many researches also believe that the Prince's petulant, vain rose was inspired by his wife, Consuelo. The Prince's small planet may be inspired by her small home country El Salvador also known as 'The Land of Volcanoes.' Connections can therefore be verified and relations between the author's personal life and experiences, and the Little Prince's are evident. 

The fox in this story tells the Prince several important messages. Her are some examples:-

"It is only with the heart that one can see rightly. What is essential is invisible to the eye"

"It is the time spent on your rose that makes your rose so important."

"Because you wasted so much time on me, you made me feel very important."

The Fox

The Fox's messages are arguably the book's most famous quotations as they deal with human relationships. The fox talks quite sincerely and I would make the presumption that he is talking about using your gut to make decisions. Often adults have no time and have too much logic to consider their gut feeling, and I believe the character is trying to imprint his knowledge onto the reader, no matter what age - possibly trying to re-ignite the 'gut feeling' in adults reading the story. 

The events in the book are unrealistic, however the fantasy works because the logic of the story is based on the imagination of children, rather than the strict realism of adults. Perhaps this is why the book is considered a children's book. 

I however, would argue that this book is specifically made for adults, especially those who remember the nostalgia of childhood. People tend to become less creative and imaginative as they grow into Adulthood. Most adults are pre-occupied with things of the little value. This easy-to-read book includes the fox's lessons which the book cushions beneath it's story. 

This is a book that can be read by all ages and the story is timeless. It is a book that could become as sentimental as the story within. 

Maybe this is the reason I cannot stop thinking about the Little Prince and the Fox and the Pilot. They have etched an image into my mind, one of innocence and maturity, strangely juxtaposed together in a weird and wonderful collaboration. 

If I was to re-rate this book I would give it 4*. Let me know if you've read this book and if you have, I would love to hear your thoughts. 

Love Charlie Xx