Archive for the 'Read it!' Category
Slam
June 29, 2008
Blind Faith
June 29, 2008
Looking for Alaska
June 29, 2008
Chalked Up
June 29, 2008
The Reluctant Fundamentalist
June 29, 2008
I’ve just finished reading ‘the reluctant fundamentalist’ and must type a review whilst it is still fresh in my mind.
The cover states that its been nominated for a ‘booker prize’. I do not know what a ‘booker prize’ is, but sense that it would do well to award this book the title, rather than muck about ‘deciding’ on who else should be awarded the merit.
‘The reluctant fundatmentalist’ is an astounding read. The first I have ever experienced – I hope it is the only one like it in the world and it becomes internationally recognised for conversational viewpoint. Argh. I’m spoiling the surpirse!
The title is the conversation of one man – not so much written from the first perspective (which indeed that is true) but more than that, it is written with no other characters or conversations other than that from within the memory of our teller.
All the conversation is directed towards one man, that never speaks throughout the entire book, and we only recieve splashes of description from other people about the scenery.
The story – if I had to plot its shape on a piece of paper – would resemble a steady inclination rising from left to right, building and building, and not indicating at all where it is leading – we can guess, as I did, but I failed to see how it would end. But end it did, and the story finally revealed within the last few pages, and the tale is literally wrapped up only in the final sentences.
This is a rare read. I can see why it was ‘nominated’ – and I can also see why it deserves to win. I don’t know if it has already, but if not, then I am certainly interested to know who on earth can better a plot like this one.
This book has restored my faith in simple ideas told really well, are better than all the complex plots you can think of. I say to anyone that is wrestling with a complex script or novel, to read this and you’ll instantly understand where you’re going wrong.
A short read, double line spacing and only 200 pages – this is worth your hard earned cash and is memorable and re-readable.
Anthem of a Reluctant Prophet
June 29, 2008
It has been a week since finishing this book. so forgive me if I struggle to give a direct punchy review, as its effect has worn off of me a little – in future I shall endevour to review titles I read as soon as I have read them.
Luke Hunter, the first person lead character of this title, can see how people are going to die. He’s young, he’s struggling to find his way in the world, yet this gift is a curse and he wishes to be no media whore to the baying masses that want association with his ‘God-like’ ability.
This book, carries along well to begin with, however by the middle of the book, I did start to lose faith in the power of the plot. I hoped it would include more and more visions of death and how Luke faces up to his gift, perhaps include more and more characters that try to take advantage of him etc. However, no. The book falls into line to deal with the young life and concerns that wouldn’t be out of place in any teen(ish) novel, dipping occasionally back to the ‘prophet of doom’ hook that made me pick up, buy and read in the first place.
Was this a good book? yes. Was it what I expected? not really. I’m happy to have read it – and will recommend it to friends, but warn them not to take the back cover too literally. I feel the marketing hype selected the punchiest aspects only to hook us into purchasing – the tale is more a young life with a twist than anything else.
I most state though, that this is a rich story. I could visualise it well and really would love it to be made into a film. Kind of ‘Dogma’ meets ‘The Wonder Years’ in a contemporary ‘emo’ 2008 lifestyle.
over 300 pages of reasonable font, average page, nothing special margins and quite normal kerning and lineheight. Great, great cover art and choice of font though – I was sold on it alone.
Born On A Blue Day
November 21, 2007
Born On A Blue Day
Ok this was probably the quickest book i’ve ever read. For a couple of reasons, firstly its a true story. Not autobiographical, but more like a travel write for a recent journey, ever since Daniel Tammet recalled publically Pi to about 22,000 digits. I do like faction, so that helped. Also the formating is good and with it being a hardback you know theres going to be plenty of margin & line spacing. Basically the subject matter meant I couldn’t stop reading this. I’m researching aspergers for a book I’m writing so this was spot on. Oh also I recently watched the accompanying TV programme featured about Daniel. This is definitely a niché audience read, but I’m still giving it 4 stars… it gripped me all the way through. Click through to amazon to learn what its about.
No Plot? No Problem!
November 7, 2007
I have the feeling that most readers, secretly (or publically) want to be writers… and if you agree, then you like me, could do with the right read to write right. Enter this title. I dug through an entire shelf before settling, as i really liked the different approach it took. NP?NP! takes on the angle of ‘finishing’. The hardest challenge any writer will face. And it does it beautifully. So if you’re thinking ‘I could do this’ but have never gotten round to actually commiting yourself, then be sure to check out this book first. Its the perfect kickstarter… trust me!
The formating is really good, its a small sized book, not quite pocket sized, but that’s okay, the paper is really good quality, nice and flickable /thumbable, great font, loads of excellent formating… and at around 175pages its no struggle to get through. If only all novels were written with this degree of formating! 5stars.
Jonathan Livingston Seagull
July 13, 2007
Jonathan Livingston Seagull
wow, this is a stunning book, its perfect. small enough to fit in your pocket, cheap enough to buy if you’re skint (£6), good paper, great formatting, only 87 pages and half of them are full page photos, can be read in under an hour… and… it has the best story ever.
I first grabbed this offa my mate about 16yrs ago… then I was 17 or so, I thought I knew everything, yet hadn’t actually achieved anything, loved skateboarding and wanted to help people in life. Now I’m 34, know I know nothing, achieved a few things, love skateboarding and still want to help people in life…. and this little book hit me in the face like a wet trout. Seriously, its the sort of book that russell grant could have written, because it applies to everyone that has a dream to achieve something in their life… and for those that have a passion that needs constant effort and commitment to continue working towards that dream. This is beautiful fiction imo… click the picture to read the amazon comments. I very often give this book as a gift to my friends. A truely golden book.
Wrong About Japan
June 15, 2007
Wrong About Japan
short book, 150 odd pages, plus a few full page pictures thrown in. Decent sized font, with good kerning and line spacing, very easy on the eyes. The margins are big to, so the line length is pretty short. A real non-readers book this, tho rubbish smelly paper. I knocked out a chapter in Waterstones, bought it, and read another chapter in Starbucks… and I’m now about quarter of the way through the book. The story is a journal type thing about a dad discovering the hidden messages within Manga and anime history with his obsessed son Charley. Its an alright read, nothing stunning, you may learn something about japanese history, Godzilla being an animated response to the A-Bomb for an example, however Manga fan will probably enjoy this book the most. I felt a bit embarrassed carrying a pink Anime covered book about, luckily it fitted in my pocket tho.
