A Game Of Thrones

Lastly for now, but not least, I think it was nigh on impossible for me to not get caught up in the A Game Of Thrones wave, however rather than watch the TV series like most people, I decided that the books were the way to go. I'm glad I did. Although there is incest, fratricide and much treachery going on, I have found myself completely wrapped up in the plot line, and even if it pains me to say it, I'm glad that George RR Martin doesn't hesitate to kill off characters, as it just makes it seem so much more believable. The slow introduction of some characters and their purposes is also very gripping as you can't help but keep reading to see what's going to happen. As long as the rest of the books are as incredible as the first, which they are so far proving to be, then this series is going to be a masterpiece.

Skulduggery Pleasant: The Dying Of The Light

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IT WAS AWESOME!!!! I may generally not be one for the over-use of exclamation marks, however, they are necessary here. In this post I will not include spoilers, and I will insist upon being very over-excited.
The Dying Of The Light is the last Skulduggery Pleasant book, and it was definitely worth the pain and trauma of waiting, as Derek Landy fills it with sarcasm, fantastic dialogue and an amazing plot. I started reading the Skullduggery Pleasant series several years ago and quickly caught up (within the space of a year) to book 5, and thus began the waiting. Not only does Derek produce sarcastic humour and plots that wrap you up in them, but his characters are also fantastic, to the point where you cry if anything bad happens to them. Ever. Although I will miss having Skulduggery to read, I'm sure that Derek will come up with some new, awesome, kick-ass books that will also prevent me from doing anything other than reading until they are read.

(If you have not recieved this message from the paragraph above, then I repeat: READ THEM)

Farenheit 451

On the topic of Fahrenheit 451, I don't really have that much to say. I found it odd, and quite worrying that I can imagine a future where people no longer manage to think for themselves. All I can really say is that it seems to me as though it could one day be the future. If it were to happen, then hopefully that would be in a long, long, long, long (you get the idea of how long?) time.

A Clockwork Orange

Hmmmm. I think the first thing you need to know about A Clockwork Orange is that it is definitely, undenaibly weird. Not only does the encoorporation of "Nadsat" (the language used by Alex and his friends) make it a lot more difficult to read, but the extent of dystopian ideas displayed in it are somewhat horrifying. It explores deep philosophies, such as - what makes a person good? If you are forced to make the right choice, does that make you a better person, even though you don't want to make it? Admittedly, I found this book very difficult to read, and had to keep reffering back to my "Nadsat" glossary. I did however, find this book worth reading and would recommend it if you have the patience to read it.

Brighton Rock

Ok, so first up is Brighton Rock. I had to read this as part of my summer reading for English Literature and although it doesn't actually contain any gang violence, which is what you might expect, it is a good read that is subtle and engaging. I am definitely going to read it again, and that's not just because it's for coursework, but because it's a book where the more you read it, the more of it sinks in and the more you can appreciate it.

Long time... no read?

Ok, I guess it's fair to say, or maybe more along the lines of extremely true to say, that I have been somewhat neglectful of this blog. In all truth, without looking, I can't actually remember what I last wrote about, or indeed when that actually happened. Isn't that terrible.
But I'm here now! Lets not waste precious time celebrating what a wonderful day this is, I am fully aware that it may just seem too good to be true. Yet it is. So, time to get cracking, after some summer reading, I have several books to share with ye good people.

 

The Fault In Our Stars

Before I say anything about this book, I think I should let you know that it metaphorically ripped out my heart and stomped on it. Repeatedly.

But it is still one of my favourites.

The Fault In Our Stars by John Green latches onto your emotions, and really, if you don't cry or feel painfully hollow at the end, your heart is stone. I would thoroughly recommend this book, as it has humour, extreme emotional pain, and (to put it plainly) adorableness.

Will Grayson, Will Grayson

Will Grayson, Will Grayson (by John Green and David Leuithan), is a fantastic book. I'm not sure I can really elaborate on that. It made me laugh a fair bit, whilst also being rather depressing at times, but it was exactly what it was, rather than being one of those annoying books that have a really inteeresting blurb and then a really simple story. Even when trying to think really hard, I can't come up with more to say other than read it, it's awesome.

Never Let Me Go

Ok, admittedly, I have been rather lazy and not been keeping up to date with blogging and stuff, however, I would also argue that I have been a bit preoccupied with exams, the most of which are now over, thankfully. Anyway, back to books. For my English Literature exam, I studied Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro. I have a few contradictory feelings about this book, as it was interesting, yet I felt no emotional connection to the characters. The book follows the main character, Kathy, as she tells the story of her life. I found NLMG interesting, as it presented many ideas about the ethics of cloning, opinions on the existence of souls and such like, but I also felt that I had no connection to the characters, who, in my opinion, resign to their fate with worrying and depressing acceptance. Looking on what I have just written, it occurs to me that no connection may have been intended, in order to 'other' the characters further, but I still think that I am highly unlikely to ever read this book again by choice, and if you are a person who likes to feel involved with the characters and share their emotions with them, then I would not recommend it to you.

The Mortal Instruments

Over the past week I have been (metaphorically) addicted to reading The Mortal Instruments, which some people may think are completely romance-based, and I suppose romance does take up a lot of space in the book. But, if that was alll they were about, then I would not bother writing about them, as it would be a waste of time. However, I found them incredibly easy to get into, as they have a fantastic plot that doesn't become dull part-way through. I would reccomend these books to people who love fantasies and myths, as The Mortal Instruments has warlocks, demons, angels, faeries and the lot. It's just a shame that we have to wait for book six.

One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest and The House Of Hades

Happy new year people! I am very pleased to say that I have recently finished another two books that I can blabber on about. The first is "One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest" by Ken Kesey. I found this book very interesting to read, as it not only viewed the world from the Chief's perspective as a mental health patient, but it also demontsrated how horrific some of the treatments used in the 1950s were.

The second book that I have finished is "The House of Hades", the fourth book in the Heroes of Olympus series. Having been hooked from reading the first Percy Jackson book a few years ago, I have always looked forward to Rick Riordan's latest book, and thankfully, I was not disappointed. "The House Of Hades" continues from "The Mark Of Athena" and it follows a group of demigods through their quest to the Doors of Death. I raced through this book, incapable of putting it down, and all I can say is that I can't wait for the next.