100 Word Book Reviews

Fifty Shades of Grey - E. L. James

Fri, 06 Jul 2012 17:26:44 +0100

Thought I’d give this a go to see what all the fuss was about. The first few chapters were incredibly Twilight-esque (hardly surprising as this began life as Bella and Edward fan fiction) and then BAM. Along came that racy erotic scene… and for the first time ever when reading, I missed my tube stop. Yes, the writing quality is fairly poor and repetitive and every time ‘my inner Goddess’ was mentioned I wanted to scratch my eyes out. In terms of gender equality, it’s also not the best message. But let’s be honest, no one’s reading it for that.

Published April 2012, Arrow (Random House)

Lucy in the Sky - Paige Toon

Thu, 31 May 2012 14:28:22 +0100

How have I only recently found Paige Toon? She’s brilliant! Having just purchased all her books from Amazon I can safely recommend Toon as the current Queen of Chick Lit, beating even Kinsella (Becky Bloomwood is, after all, incredibly irritating). I’ll review sequentially (as there is character crossover between books which I adore) and start with Lucy in the Sky. Boarding a plane, Lucy receives a text suggesting her boyfriend is playing away, then flies to Australia and meets handsome scruffy, surfer Nathan. Returning to London will she be able to forget him, or that text? Escapism at its finest.

Published April 2007, Simon and Schuster

Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close - Jonathan Safran Foer

Thu, 31 May 2012 14:13:13 +0100

Pinched this off my brother who couldn’t get through it, but I was enchanted by this tender and remarkable book. Told through the eyes of nine-year-old Oskar hunting for impossible answers in New York City in the aftermath of 9/11, the story is interspersed with letters following his grandparents’ relationship in both the present day and past. The narrative voices are utterly unique and so much of the subtlety and beauty of the text is skilfully and deliberately underplayed. I really enjoyed this mesmerising and poetic novel but if you’re looking for a linear story this probably isn’t for you.

Published May 2006, Penguin

Matched - Ally Condie

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 12:58:23 +0100

The latest in my search for another Hunger Games, Matched is the first in a dystopian young adult trilogy, set in a future dictated by The Society who control everything from where you live and work to who you marry. Cassia is Matched with her best friend Xander, but finds herself falling for Ky, an Aberration in Society. It’s got all the elements it needs, but this didn’t quite work – not enough action and Cassia’s relationship with Xander is much more compelling than that with Ky, who, to his detriment, we don’t know enough about. A solid attempt, but unexceptional.

Published June 2011, Puffin (Penguin)

The Last Summer (of You & Me) – Ann Brashares

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 12:41:00 +0100

I came across this in a charity shop and was intrigued – as a teenager I loved The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants but I had little idea what to expect from Brashare’s (young) ‘adult’ novel. It’s the coming of age story of sisters Riley and Alice and their childhood friend Paul, who spend every summer at Fire Island, only this year the relationship between all three is changed irrevocably. Reminiscent of Lowry’s A Summer to Die, this is a whimsical and delicately written novel, but one that is limited by the lack of depth and development of its central characters.

Published May 2008, Riverhead Trade (Penguin Group USA)

I've Got Your Number - Sophie Kinsella

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 12:45:21 +0000

I really enjoyed Kinsella’s latest novel, a romantic comedy with heart and fantastic characters (as always). Loveable narrator Poppy loses her engagement ring and phone at her Hen Party but, as luck would have it, finds an abandoned phone in a bin to use instead. With her wedding days away she’s determined to find the ring and get back on track, but the involvement of handsome businessman Sam, to whom the phone belongs, and his own work-related drama complicates matters. Although a little predictable, Kinsella skilfully keeps you wondering how her characters will reach their inevitable, neatly tied up endings!

Published Feb 2012, Bantam Press (Random House)

It Started With A Kiss - Miranda Dickinson

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 12:36:50 +0000

More than a smidge self-indulgent, this festive novel certainly made easy reading but unfortunately teetered on the verge of the ridiculous. Wedding singer Romily kisses a stranger at a Christmas market (immediately after declaring her love for another man, the floozy!) then spends a year searching for him but finding herself, and keeping a blog. Very cheesy with a vastly overwhelming volume of characters (several seeming rather one dimensional due to their lack of development throughout the plot) this was chick lit at its fluffiest. An unimpressive ending too, which although “unpredictable” was a little too convenient. I was disappointed.

Published November 2011, HarperCollins

Me Before You - Jojo Moyes

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 17:31:00 +0000

I loved The Last Letter to Your Lover and bought Me Before You from Amazon without even reading the blurb. I wasn’t disappointed. Heartbreaking, beautiful and poignant – I couldn’t put it down. I love how Moyes took an entirely original angle with this novel, with Will, a quadriplegic whose big life shrunk after a tragic accident, and Louisa, his newly appointed care companion. Will has a plan to give up so Louisa decides to convince him what’s worth living for. A controversial plotline (I couldn’t decide what I wanted to happen) and a rollercoaster of an ending. Read this now.

Published January 2012, Michael Joseph (Penguin)

Girl on the Run - Jane Costello

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 17:29:00 +0000

Discovering smart chick lit is an ongoing pursuit of mine, and having read an unfortunate amount of sub-par (read: a little TOO trashy and predictable) fiction lately, I was thrilled to be recommended a new author – Jane Costello. She didn’t disappoint – her fun tale of Abby’s get-fit running plan, (mainly involving her chasing after her hot running club male friends) was a pleasure from start to finish line (sorry). Abby was lovely and neurotic which I always enjoy in a heroine, and although I did guess the ending, it remained a rewarding read. Will definitely be sampling more from Costello!

Published April 2011, Simon & Schuster

Miracle on Regent Street - Ali Harris

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 17:27:00 +0000

I read this heart-warming London-based Christmas novel in December and was completely charmed. Although our leading lady Evie was a little weak willed, somewhat too happy to work hard then sneak off into the shadows, her ongoing transformation and that of Hardy’s, the department store where she worked, was a delight to read. I loved the supporting characters, the romantic descriptions of the city and the whimsical notion of shopping returning to an age before cheap chain stores. If you’re looking for a light read to pull you out of the doldrums of January then definitely give this a go!

Published October 2011, Simon & Schuster

When God was a Rabbit - Sarah Winman

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 12:48:27 +0000

I read this under recommendation, following rave reviews from friends. Unfortunately, although perfectly readable I couldn’t help but feel as though I missed the point a bit. The early childhood opening was really engaging and reminded me somewhat of I Capture the Castle - I loved the characters and the curious unexplained elements that were introduced. However, by the second half, I felt the pace beginning to drag and was disappointed by the ending. Lots of early intrigue never amounted to anything and fittingly when I finished it felt like the novel had lost its own magic along the way.

Published March 2011, Headline Review (Hodder)

The Art of Racing in the Rain - Garth Stein

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 12:31:31 +0000

Don’t write this off as another ‘Marley & Me’. Admittedly there are some similarities – with this unforgettable novel spanning the duration of Enzo, the family dog’s, life – but this story feels much more mature, with elements both of humour and tragedy. It’s a beautiful tale of a man’s fight to achieve success in his motor racing career while struggling to support his wife and keep his family together. Oh, and it just happens to all be written from the dog’s perspective. I would thoroughly recommend this incredible book though be warned, I was weeping buckets when I reached the end!

Published March 2009, HarperCollins Publishers

Breaking Dawn - Stephenie Meyer

Fri, 25 Nov 2011 13:57:42 +0000

As an English Literature graduate I probably shouldn’t enjoy the Twilight saga as much as I do but on re-reading Breaking Dawn prior to its cinematic release, I (somewhat shamefully) still liked it. A lot. Although starting slow, Jacob’s first-person perspective adds some much needed action to the first half of the book, culminating in Bella graphically giving birth. The second half becomes an interesting insight into the Cullens’ world, before building frenetically to a dramatic conclusion which is conveniently (read, irritatingly) resolved at the last moment. Happy endings abound. Ultimately it’s not good literature, but it is good fun.

Published August 2008, Little, Brown and Company (Hachette)

Remember Me - Sophie Kinsella

Fri, 25 Nov 2011 12:54:58 +0000

There’s something about a Sophie Kinsella novel that no other ‘chick lit’ seems able to pull off. The combination of original (yet uncomplicated) plotlines, likeable characters, real swoon-worthy men and our beleaguered heroine coming good before the (happy) ending makes for true page-turning indulgence. Remember Me steps away from the frivolous and frustrating Becky Bloomwood who made Kinsella a household name and introduces us to Lexie. A lot less vain and lot more fun, Lexie’s amnesiac struggle to remember her former, seemingly perfect life, definitely keeps the reader guessing. A fun, romantic read about work, friends, relationships… and finding yourself!

Published December 2008, Black Swan (Random House)

My Henry - Judith Kerr

Thu, 24 Nov 2011 12:10:00 +0000

Simple and beautiful, Judith Kerr (of ‘Mog’ fame) has created yet another delightful children’s picture book, with the story of an old lady who misses her dead husband, so arranges to meet up with him in her imagination every day. This poignant and heart-breaking tale literally made me weep. With colourful sketched illustrations, this is a gorgeous book, ideal for familiarising young readers with the idea of loss. Ultimately uplifting, this charming tale of the human spirit is one that you’ll want to treasure and re-read (even if you haven’t got the excuse of little ones to read it to!)

Published February 2012, HarperCollins Children’s Books

The Hunger Games - Suzanne Collins

Tue, 22 Nov 2011 16:35:00 +0000

Didn’t so much read as devour this! One of the most addictive books I’ve ever read in a saga to rival Twilight and Harry Potter, The Hunger Games is set in the dystopian not-too-distant future of Panem, where teenage tributes are annually selected from each of the 12 Districts to fight to death in an arena. In a Big Brother twist of the Battle Royale concept, the entire games are filmed for the entertainment of the rich Capitol residents. Throw in a love triangle, family ties, friendship (and a fast paced narrative) and see why it’s impossible to put down.

Published September 2008, Scholastic

Pear Shaped - Stella Newman

Tue, 22 Nov 2011 14:48:00 +0000

Protagonist Sophie makes desserts for a living. I was immediately hooked on this smart chick lit, with its funny and career driven heroine. However, digesting the book itself became much like devouring a chocolate sundae, starting off sweet enough with likeable girl meeting suave boy (James), but by the time I’d reached the half way mark I was flagging. Sophie’s breakdown in light of James’ atrocious behaviour is dragged out for far too long and it’s a backward step for girl power to witness someone going off the rails this exquisitely over a man who’s a bit of a chump.

Published January 2012, Avon (HarperCollins)

The Night Circus - Erin Morgenstern

Tue, 22 Nov 2011 14:00:00 +0000

Easily one of the best fantasy books I’ve read and reminiscent of the magic of Gaiman’s Stardust, The Night Circus tells of star-crossed lovers Celia and Marco, who have been pitted against each other from childhood in a ‘game’ of magical prowess. Against the spectacular backdrop of the extraordinary Night Circus, the pair must out manoeuvre each other in feats of imagination and ultimately fight to defeat the constraints of the game itself. Full of awe and wonder with dream-like circus creations and a host of complex yet genuine characters, it’s a delight to lose yourself in this enchanted world.

Published September 2011, Harvill Secker (Random House)